Producing WhiskyCast has given me the
opportunity to taste some really amazing whiskies!
I resisted rating whiskies or posting tasting notes in the past
because I felt there were others far more qualified to do so, but
I've changed that position on the grounds that it would be selfish
of me to taste these whiskies and not share my thoughts with you.
My scoring system is completely subjective, and I don't pretend that
it's anything else. I score based on my impressions of a whisky's
nose, taste, and finish. I want something discernible in all three
-- in other words, a whisky that noses and tastes well, but has a
flat finish will score less than what I consider a well-balanced
whisky that has all three elements in tune.
I apply the same standards to all varieties of whiskies, be they
single malts, blends, bourbons, Canadians, or from other parts of
the world. After all, when you're looking at the shelves of a bar or
retailer, the whiskies are almost always together anyway and you're
making your selection from the universe based on what you like.
A couple of caveats: because of my original position on scoring
whiskies, I did not generally apply numerical scores to whiskies
until late 2007. Because of that, the whiskies I tasted before then
may not be listed here, since I will not go back and assign scores
retroactively based on old tasting notes. In addition, my notes are
based on whiskies I have either purchased on my own or samples sent
to me by industry sources. In some cases, my ratings are based on
public tastings at whisky festivals. Also, whiskies are listed
alphabetically by distillery.
Finally, please don't take these ratings as anything more than what
they are: the grade of one individual whisky lover. If you want to
use them as a guide, that's fine...but remember that everyone has
his or her own sense of what a great whisky should be, and these
scores are nothing more than my own academic exercise in that
pursuit. There is no way to fairly compare scores and notes from
different whisky critics, since each of us has our own unique
sensory memories and scoring methods.
If you'd like a more portable version of these notes, they're
available in the WhiskyCast iPhone app (sponsored by
The
Glenrothes) and will be available soon in WhiskyCast
for Android phone users (sponsored by
Benromach).
Finally, I reserve the right to go back and re-taste whiskies again
at a later date and adjust scores if warranted.
Slainte!
Mark Gillespie
92 AND ABOVE
85-91
70-84
98
Glenfiddich 50 (2010 distillery
bottling #24 of 50 at 46.1% ABV, tasted 6/2010): Tasting this
whisky is a spiritual experience. It comes from two casks filled in 1955
(European oak) and 1957 (American Oak), and only 500 will be released
over a 10-year period. The nose is velvety-smooth and light with mango,
pineapple, and passion fruit, a floral touch of rose petals, and even a
subtle hint of smoke. The taste is complex, starting with a mix of
orange marmalade, toffee, and figs at first, then becoming dry and
herbal with hints of lavender and thyme and subtle fruitiness
underneath. The finish has herbal notes, a kiss of smoke, and a touch of
lemon zest. An outstanding one-of-a-kind whisky!
Gold Bowmore 1964 (Distillery bottling
at 42.4% ABV, tasted 10/20/2009): This comes from three casks of
the White Bowmore 1964 and one final cask of the Black Bowmore from the
same distillation runs after the Morrison family refurbished the
distillery in 1964. In this case, 1+1=3, as the sum is even better than
the two whiskies that went into it...if that's possible. The nose is
peat and oak-free despite its age, with passion fruit, mango, pineapple,
pomegranate, and peach notes. The taste starts off with a splash of
grapefruit that fades to reveal the passion fruit and mango notes from
the nose. There's a tingly and slightly minty mouthfeel with just a
slight hint of hazelnut. The finish sticks to the tip of the tongue with
a citrusy sweetness, while dry and astringent on the back of the throat.
An amazing and complex dram, and the first I've ever scored a 98!
Mortlach 70 (Distilled in 1938 and bottled by
Gordon & MacPhail in 2008 at 46.1% ABV for 2010 release, tasted
4/19/2010): One would expect one of the world's oldest single malts to
taste like an oak stave, but as Michael Urquhart of G&M puts it, this
Mortlach is 70 years young! It is as vibrant and fruity as whiskies
decades younger, with a sweet nose that shows no hints of oak. The notes
are orange peel, maraschino cherries, and a touch of peach. The taste is
full of fruit, marzipan, and delicate floral notes, and I could taste
the finish literally 10 minutes later. Truly one of the world's great
whiskies!
97
Ardbeg
1974 (Distillery bottling at 46.7% ABV, tasted 3/2011):
Heavenly peat on the nose, along with gorse, honey, and nutmeg. The
taste is thick and nectar-like with intense peat and spice that fades
slowly and seems to last forever with hints of honey and vanilla. The
finish is long and smooth to fade with a slight ashiness and a kiss of
smoke.
Ardbeg 1975 (Distillery bottling at 43% ABV, tasted 10/27/2009): The nose
is dry and sweet with no obvious signs of peat, but is grassy and
slightly herbal. The smooth taste builds to a peppery climax, then fades
to reveal notes of olives and slightly tart apples. The finish is smooth
and lingering with a kiss of peat. Thanks to WhiskyCast listener David
Fenkell for sharing this amazing dram with me.
Black Bowmore 1964 (Distillery bottling in
2007, 40.5% ABV, tasted 2/2008): A classic, full of tropical fruits
in the nose, while maintaining the essence of the warehouse with a touch
of mustiness and understated brininess. This malt explodes in the mouth
with a burst of mangoes before touching the tip of the tongue with a
hint of tartness and finishing with lingering citrus notes. Amazing!
Bruichladdich Blacker Still (Distillery bottling at 50.7% ABV,
tasted 1/2011): While the people who made this whisky are
irrevocably linked with the Black Bowmore, the name refers to the coat
of dark tarnish on the stills during the early days of Bruichladdich's
revival. This single malt was matured in Oloroso sherry casks before
spending time in Sauternes wine casks, and the nose has notes of dark
chocolate, pipe tobacco, old leather, orange peel, honey, caramel, and a
hint of sawdust. The taste is thick and mouth-tingling, with a peppery
burst that fades to softly sweet Christmas cake, nutmeg, allspice,
honey, bacon, Worcestershire sauce, and dark chocolate. The finish is
complex and amazingly long with soft spices, hints of honey, vanilla,
and toffee. A world-class whisky in every way, and special thanks to
Calgary whisky collector Jane Cameron for giving me a chance to taste
this rare wonder!
Dalmore 40 (Distillery bottling at 40% ABV, tasted 9/2009):
February 13, 1965 wasn't a Friday the 13th (it was Saturday), and it was
two days before a full moon, but the stars were perfectly aligned over
Scotland that day as the stillmen were making this whisky. The color is
light caramel, and the nose is orange peel, raisins, dates, and a touch
of brown sugar. The taste starts off with a cinnamon kick that fades to
a lingering sweetness with a hint of brandy, along with mango and other
tropical fruits. The finish is long, smooth and complex with a
Chardonnay-like sweetness...the orange peel returns with slight hints of
almonds. This is a classic!
Dalmore 1973 Gonzales Byass (Distillery bottling at 42% ABV, tasted
7/2010): This whisky was aged in an Oloroso sherry cask, and the
nose has a slight pepperiness, a hint of fruits, a light orange note,
and hints of malt and grass. The taste is rich and spicy at first with
orange notes and a lemon tartness. The finish is lingering and smooth
with a citrusy tartness. Outstanding!
Glenfiddich 40 (Distillery bottling at 45.8% ABV, tasted 6/2010):
This is the 6th vatting of Glenfiddich 40-year-old, and each vatting
uses some whisky from the previous batch. That means there are traces of
Glenfiddich from as far back as 1925 in each bottle. The heavy use of
Oloroso sherry casks gives this a dark and intense nose with roasted
coffee beans, dark chocolate, and black cherries. The taste is spicy and
intense with notes of espresso, cocoa, dark chocolate, cinnamon and
cloves. The finish is full of espresso, almonds, cocoa, and a hint of
vanilla.
Glenlivet 1973 Cellar Collection (Distillery bottling at 40% ABV,
tasted 6/2010): This is an amazing malt, with a nose full of figs,
hazelnut, and vanilla with just a touch of oak. The taste is
extraordinarily smooth and oily, with muted cinnamon, vanilla, and dark
chocolate. The 4 S's describe the finish: spicy, soft, smooth and
subtle. A true classic!
Glenrothes John Ramsay (Distillery bottling at 46.7% ABV, tasted
11/2010): John Ramsay created this as his final release before
retiring as the master blender for The Glenrothes, using casks from
1977, 1978, 1979, 1982, 1985, 1986, and 1987. It's a meditative,
complex, and amazing whisky, with a nose that mixes honey, vanilla,
brown sugar, molasses, hazelnut, nutmeg, and gorse bushes. The taste has
a great, thick nectar-like mouthfeel with dried orange peel, licorice, a
touch of cinnamon, rose petals, floral notes, and vanilla. The finish
has notes of brandied orange peel, cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice. Truly
an amazing dram!
Royal Salute 38 Stone of Destiny (Blended Scotch at 40% ABV, tasted
10/2010): A truly world-class whisky in every way! The nose has notes of
Christmas cake, baked oranges, red apples, hints of subtle oak and honey
along with a touch of sherry and a very subtle hint of grassiness. The
taste is syrupy-thick, smooth, complex, and demanding of attention, with
hints of honey, dried oranges and apples, hazelnut, dark chocolate, and
caramel. The finish is honey-thick with old leather, a kiss of mint,
caramel candy and hazelnuts. Originally made for the Queen, and a truly
regal whisky!
Speymalt from Macallan 1971 (Bottled by Gordon & MacPhail in 2010 at
43% ABV, tasted 3/2011): An amazing whisky with a nose full of
figs, toffee, brown sugar, and almonds. The taste is mouth-puckering
with Christmas Cake, orange peel, roasted almonds, and notes of honey
and brown sugar underneath for great balance and an outstanding
mouthfeel. The finish is sweet, long, honeyed, and amazing!
St. Magdalene 19 Rare Malts Selection (Distillery bottling in 1998
at 63.8% ABV, tasted 4/2010): The distillery laid down this malt in
1979...just a few short years before it closed. Somewhere, someone is
still kicking himself for making that decision. The nose is full of
spices, with notes of cloves, allspice, and a hint of cinnamon. The
taste starts off with a kick of cinnamon, then fades to reveal honey,
clove, and a hint of citrus. That citrusy touch carries through to the
finish, which is long and warming. A true classic!
96
Amrut Fusion (Distillery bottling at 50%
ABV, tasted 11/10/2009): This is a blend of 80% unpeated barley and
20% peated barley malts -- just enough to give it a nice smoky nose
without being overpowering. The nose is dry with notes of fresh bread
baking and a touch of almonds. The taste is sweet and syrupy with an
amazingly chewy mouthfeel that develops an intense spiciness that lasts
and lasts, but is still complex enough to show notes of hazelnut
underneath. The finish is slightly smoky with notes of cinnamon and
nutmeg. An amazing whisky!
Very Old Ardbeg (Distillery bottling at 40% ABV, tasted 9/2011):
If you are ever offered a dram of Very Old Ardbeg, do not hesitate! This
30-year-old whisky was bottled in 1996, and is classic Ardbeg from the
60's at its best. The nose is soft and smooth, lightly smoked with hints
of brine, seaweed, and a touch of allspice. The taste is smooth with
pepper and smoke that build slowly and never overpower the subtle
sweetness of dried orange peels and honey underneath. The finish is
slightly tart and clean with just a kiss of smoke.
Balblair 1965 (Distillery bottling at 52.3% ABV, tasted 5/2010):
This malt was aged in an American oak ex-sherry cask, which yielded a
smooth, aromatic, and outstanding dram! The nose has
notes of honey, black pepper, cloves, a touch of campfire smoke and a
hint of maple, along with a subtle note of pears. The taste is spicy and
intense with long-lasting peppery notes that fade to reveal hints of
licorice, honey, figs, and a touch of thyme. The finish is extremely
long and smooth with a subtle pepperiness and hints of licorice.
Balvenie Vintage Cask 1976
(Bottled 3/2008, #146 of 202, 53.8% ABV): This limited-release malt is
pale in color, but not in taste. The nose is slightly nutty and dry,
with a touch of fresh sawdust. The driness extends to the taste, with a
rich, complex spiciness that hints of black pepper and has just a hint
of oak underneath it. A touch of water mutes the impact, but not the
complexity of this spirit, which finishes with a lingering touch of
smokiness that's not peaty, but more like the damp wood chips one would
use in a meat smoker. A perfect dram to sip by the fireplace!
White Bowmore 1964 (bottled in
2008, 42.8% ABV): This one was aged in ex-bourbon casks, while the
Black Bowmore was aged in brown walnut sherry casks. The essence of the
spirit comes through in another explosion of fruit, with mangoes,
pomegranate, and other sweet fruits in the nose, but the ex-bourbon
casks add a touch of vanilla that the Black Bowmore doesn't have. The
nose carries over to the taste, with a light sweetness of ripe fruits
and a touch of figs leading to a crisp, clean finish.
Brora 30 2009 Release (Distillery bottling at 53.2% ABV, tasted
1/2010): Why did Brora have to close? This edition reminds us of
the best Brora had to offer...the nose is rich and woody with notes of
campfire smoke, pepper, butterscotch, and a hint of coconut. The taste
is strong and spicy with an oily and thick mouthfeel. There's just a
touch of oak, lime, and banana to go along with the spices, and the
finish has hints of brine, seaweed, and hazelnuts. An extremely
well-balanced and amazing dram!
Bruichladdich Black Art (Distillery bottling at 51% ABV, tasted
5/2010): Distilling is often referred to as a "black art," and Jim
McEwan's wizardry takes center stage here. Jim vatted together an
undisclosed number of casks, and the red color suggests some port casks
were used. The port wine notes on the nose also buttress that idea, and
the notes of honey, rose petals, berries, and sea air add complexity.
The taste has notes of marzipan, brown sugar, dark chocolate, and is
smooth and easily drinkable without water. The finish is slightly tart
and nougaty. A classic!
Glenfarclas 1953 Family Cask (Distillery bottling at 53.7% ABV,
tasted 7/2010): This is an amazing whisky, aged for more than 50
years in a sherry butt, The nose is full of creame sherry, honey, straw,
and just a hint of wood smoke. The taste is complex and nectar-like,
thick, creamy, and rich with notes of dried fruits, soft spices, and
just a trace of oak and honey. The finish is complex with a honey
texture and just a trace of smoke. Letting it sit in the glass for a
while will build up oak notes on the nose, along with a hint of rich
topsoil.
Glenlivet 70 (Distilled in 1940 and bottled by Gordon & MacPhail in
2010 at 45.9% ABV, tasted 3/2011): Currently the oldest single malt
Scotch whisky ever bottled after 70 years in an American Oak sherry
butt, and as fresh and vibrant as whiskies half its age! The nose is
pineapple, furniture polish, and beeswax with a touch of vanilla. The
taste has peat smoke, vanilla, pineapple, a hint of mangoes, and a
slightly waxy mouthfeel while remaining smooth and well-balanced. The
finish is amazingly long and slightly smoky with dried fruits,
especially banana and pineapple. A really stunning whisky!
Glenlivet 1954 (Gordon & MacPhail 2011 bottling at 50.6% ABV, tasted
3/2011): Part of the Private Collection Decades release of
Glenlivet single casks, this was aged in a first-fill sherry hogshead.
The dry and dusty nose has notes of raisins, plums, figs and dates. The
taste is sweet, but still spicy with a great balance of orange peel,
cinnamon, and plums. The finish is long and dry with notes of red wine
and sawdust. Complex and fascinating!
Glenlivet 1963 (Gordon & MacPhail 2011 bottling at 40.6% ABV, tasted
3/2011): Also part of the Private Collection Decades series, this
malt was aged in a first-fill American oak hogshead. The nose has soft
fruits, mainly mango and papaya, along with a touch of cocoa. The taste
is fresh, vibrant, and fruity with peaches and a touch of honey
underneath. The finish is long and honey-sweet with hints of vanilla and
lavender. Outstanding!
Hibiki 21 (Blended Japanese whisky bottled by Suntory at 43% ABV,
tasted 11/2010): This whisky is generally only found in Japan, and
uses three different types of oak casks, malts from Yamazaki and Hakushu
distilleries, and 3 different grain whiskies. It is amazingly complex
and inviting, with a nose that's buttery and smooth with subtle spices
of hazelnut and vanilla, peaches, pears, and plums, and a touch of oak.
The taste is smooth and spices builds slowly to a peak of pepper, chili
powder, and allspice before fading slowly to reveal vanilla, tree
fruits, jasmine, and a hint of mint. The finish is long and dry with
subtle spices that fade as tree fruit and vanilla notes build and
linger. If you have a chance, you must try this!
Johnnie Walker Blue Label Anniversary Edition (Blended Scotch
bottled at 60% ABV, tasted 11/23/2009): Only 6,000 bottles of this
cask-strength version of Blue Label were released in 2007, and it's one
of the rare cask-strength blends available. The nose is rich and floral
with notes of lavender and rose petals. The taste is intense and spicy,
but still remains smooth and creamy with notes of vanilla and creme
brulee to balance out the chili pepper-like spices.
Knappogue Castle 1951 (Distilled at B. Daly Distillery, bottled by
Castle Brands at 40% ABV, tasted 10/15/2009): This is often cited
as the oldest and rarest Irish whiskey available, with just a few
hundred bottles released each year. It's also the best Irish whiskey
I've ever tasted, with a thick, oily mouthfeel. The nose has hints of
malt, along with bananas, coconut, and molasses cookies. The taste
starts off peppery, but fades smoothly to a honey-like sweetness that
reveals notes of black licorice and molasses. The finish has a hint of
tart green apples and a slight kiss of smoke. This is an amazingly
smooth and well-balanced whiskey!
Laphroaig 40 (Distillery bottling at 42.4% ABV, tasted 1/2011):
The nose on this cask-strength Laphroaig is clean and smooth with muted peat,
heather, gorse, and hints of brine. The taste is peaty and bold with
smoke and fire that fades to ash with
hints of caramel. The finish is lingering and ashy with touches of smoke
and salt water. Outstanding!
Macallan 1824 Collection Estate Reserve (Distillery release in 2009
at 45.7% ABV, tasted 9/15/2009): This travel retail exclusive comes
from a mix of sherry and bourbon casks and sherry hogsheads, and it's
dark gold, oily and thick in the glass. The nose is complex and dry,
slighly woody, with notes of cocoa and dark chocolate. The taste is
creamy and smooth with a pleasant spicy kick and a hint of citrus. The
finish is long and spicy. By the way, a small splash of water only makes
this one even better!
Parker's Heritage Collection 2008 (Tasted 9/2008, bottled at 48% ABV
by Heaven Hill): Parker Beam has a magic touch! This is a
27-year-old bourbon that by all rights, should taste like the inside of
a barrel stave. It's anything but, and has the vibrancy and taste of
whiskies half its age. The color is dark bronze, and the nose is silky
and sweet with hints of caramel and vanilla. The taste is amazingly
balanced and smooth...sweet without being too sweet...and dry without
being too dry! The only words I can use to describe the
finish...lingering, cloying, and tantalizing. Buy this one while you
can!
Parker's Heritage Collection 2009 (Tasted 7/30.2009, bottled at 50%
ABV by Heaven Hill): This bourbon celebrates Parker Beam's 50 years
in the distilling business, and he's created another masterpiece!
The color is a rich gold, and the nose (without water) is warm and
woody, with notes of mulling spices, apple pie, vanilla, old leather,
and my grandfather's pipe tobacco. Water reveals a touch of cinnamon and
pumpkin spice. The taste is honey-thick, but spicy and smooth with notes
black pepper and chiles. A touch of water mutes the spiciness and
reveals some notes of honey underneath.
The finish is creamy and smooth with notes of cinnamon, graham crackers,
nutmeg, and a very slight hint of almonds. I didn't think it was
possible to equal last year's Parker's Collection 27-year-old bourbon
(above), but he's done it again!
Royal Lochnagar 30 (Distillery bottling in 2004 at 56.2% ABV, tasted
4/2010): Royal Lochnagar uses European Oak for all of its casks,
and this expression has a malty and smooth nose with a subtle touch of
spices. The taste is spicy with cinnamon and black pepper notes, and the
finish is lingering with a kiss of smoke.
Royal Salute 21 (Blended Scotch bottled at 40% ABV, tasted 10/2010):
The word that describes this is "complex." The nose is meaty and strong,
aggressive and demanding your respect. Caramel candy, honey, and nutty
notes balance a slight pepperiness and touches of cinnamon and malt. The
taste is chewy, spicy and thick with lingering cinnamon notes, honey
undertones, hints of licorice, dried orange peel, figs, prunes, and pipe
tobacco. The finish is well-balanced and amazingly long with touches of
oak, caramel, honey, green tea, and a hint of orange peel.
Tomatin 19 Single Cask (Bottled by Master of Malt at 57.6% ABV,
tasted 12/2009): The nose is malty and fruity with hints of
peaches, pears, and grass. The taste redefines thick...oily with a great
mouthfeel, and malty with a hint of hazelnut. The finish is malty with a
slight hint of oak. This whisky is smooth with a great balance and
intense malt from nose to finish. Very consistent...and excellent!
95
Ardbeg Kildalton (Distillery bottling at 57.6% ABV, tasted
10/27/2009): This classic was distilled in 1980, and the nose has
notes of straw and dried grasses, and is slightly malty and nutty to
boot. The taste is peppery and spicy, then fades slowly to reveal lemon
and orange peel notes, along with a slight note of brown sugar. The
finish is clean, lingering, and dry.
Balblair 1988 Single Cask (Distillery bottling at 58.2% ABV, tasted
9/2010): The nose is soft with light spices, vanilla, brown sugar,
and just a hint of marzipan. The taste is mouth-filling and spicy, with
chili powder and coriander, cashews, and a hint of maltiness. The malt
and chili powder notes linger into the finish, and fade slowly to reveal
a touch of brown sugar.
Bowmore 25 (Distillery bottling at 43% ABV, tasted 10/20/2009): The light copper color reveals the influence of first and second-fill
ex-bourbon casks along with Oloroso sherry casks, and the nose has
minimal peat (like most older Bowmores, which tend to lose their peat
and develop tropical fruit flavors). The nose is brown sugar, raisins,
blackberries, and Christmas cake, with a slight hint of orange peel. The
taste starts off smooth, then builds to a black pepper kick that fades
to reveal figs and raisins, with molasses on the tip of the tongue and
spicy on the sides and back of the mouth. The finish is raisins with a
slight red wine-like tartness.
Bruichladdich 1985 (Distillery bottling at 50% ABV, tasted 5/2010):
This malt spent its final months in an American oak refill butt, and the
nose has notes of butterscotch, vanilla, and toffee. The taste is full
of dried fruits, butterscotch, and coconut, and is very complex and
creamy. The finish has toffee notes and a lingering kiss of smoke. An
amazingly smooth dram.
Chivas Regal 25 (Blended Scotch bottled at 40% ABV, tasted 10/2010):
Complex nose with honey, hazelnut, roasted cashews, nutmeg, mandarin
oranges, mango, and brown sugar. The taste is silky-smooth with honey,
black tea and lemon, hints of sweet oak and tannins, and a cinnamon note
that builds slowly and lingers. The finish is honey, black licorice, and
a hint of black tea, very smooth and long. Water brings out more lemon
tartness. Outstanding!
Dalmore 18 (Distillery bottling at 43% ABV, tasted 7/2010): The
nose has classic Dalmore orange marmalade notes, almonds, subtle spices,
and a touch of pipe tobacco. The taste is smooth and syrupy with notes
of cocoa, coffee, and orange peel, and the finish is lingering and
smooth with a hint of spice.
Four Roses 100th Anniversary Single Barrel (Distillery bottling at 55%
ABV, tasted 3/2010): This expression uses the same recipe as the
regular Four Roses Single Barrel, but is aged for 17 years. The nose has
notes of cinnamon, cloves, and black pepper to go along with hints of
vanilla and chocolate. The taste is thick and chewy, with a cherry
sweetness and a hint of vanilla after the initial spicy blast fades. The
finish is extremely long with a complex mix of pepper and vanilla notes.
An outstanding whiskey!
Glendronach 1972 (Tasted 9/2008 at approximately 48% ABV): This
was from a cask sample likely to be bottled by the distillery's new
owners, and it's a stunning whisky! Cask #710 is a new sherry butt
filled in 1972, and the malt is a dark amber with a nose of burnt sugar
and plums, with a hint of vanilla and spices. The taste is sweet and
filled with fruit -- dried apples and pears, with just a hint of smoke.
The finish is tart and long with hints of figs and dates.
Glen Elgin 19 Centenary (Distillery bottling at 60% ABV, tasted
4/2010): The nose is baked apples with cinnamon, warm, toasty, and
very complex. The taste is very smooth with notes of cinnamon and
nutmeg, and the finish is lingering and subtle with a hint of toffee.
Glenfiddich 30 (Distillery bottling at 43%, tasted 6/2010):
Like the Glenfiddich 12 and 18-year-old whiskies, this uses a mix of
approximately 80% refill bourbon casks and 20% ex-sherry casks. The nose
has walnuts, figs, nutmeg, toffee, and vanilla. The taste is very smooth
and spicy with cinnamon, cloves, ginger, and vanilla. The finish is
lingering with notes of brown sugar and ginger.
Glenfiddich 1977 Single Cask (Distillery bottling exclusively for
Willow Park Wines & Spirits at 49.1% ABV, tasted 1/2010): Only 225
bottles of this cask strength bottling were released, and it's a
cracker! The nose is full of caramel candy, figs, and raisins, while the
taste surprises with a peppery spiciness. There's an underlying molasses
sweetness with hints of marmalade and cinnamon. The finish is slightly
spicy with hints of nutmeg and cinnamon.
Glen Grant 37 (Single cask bottling for the Highlander Inn at 53%
ABV, tasted 4/17/2010): The Highlander Inn in Craigellachie is the
only place you'll find this Glen Grant. The sherry hogshead cask gives
it a dark cola color and a nose that's sharp and full of flavor, with
notes of cinnamon, rum, brown sugar, and apples. The taste is intense,
chewy and spicy with notes of cinnamon, allspice, orange peel, and fig
with oak notes that show up, but don't dominate the flavor. The finish
is smooth and dry with oaky notes and a slight hint of mint.
Glenury Royal 29 Rare Malts Series (Distillery bottling at 57% ABV,
tasted 4/2010): Want proof that whiskies hold up over time? I
tasted this 11 years after it was bottled in 1999, and 40 years after it
was distilled in 1970, and it still gets a 95! The nose is dry with
notes of wood shavings and a hint of pepper. The taste is pungent and
spicy with a blast of chili pepper that fades to reveal notes of old
leather and almonds. The finish is smooth and lingering with spicy notes
and hints of licorice.
Green Spot (Distilled at Midleton for Mitchell & Sons at 40% ABV,
tasted 9/2010): One of the most sought-after Irish whiskeys, with a
nose that's aromatic and spicy with notes of nutmeg, almonds, and
vanilla. The taste is syrupy-smooth with vanilla, muted spices and a
pepperiness that builds slowly and lasts well into the finish, which is
nectar-like, smooth, subtle, and long. Hard to find, but if you see a
bottle, grab it!
Highland Park 18 (Distillery bottling at 43% ABV, tasted 7/2011):
The nose is oak, honey, vanilla, and a touch of smoke. The taste starts
off rich and creamy, then peat takes over on the top with a honey note
on the bottom. The finish is smooth, soft, and very long. A rich and
smooth classic!
Highland Park 1970 Orcadian Vintage (Distillery bottling at 48% ABV,
tasted 8/2010): This one sells for $3,500, and
is the best Highland Park I've ever tasted! The nose has the classic
Highland Park honey note, along with tropical fruits, light oak, and a
hint of campfire smoke. The taste has a cilantro spiciness on top, honey
and vanilla notes underneath, and is thick and nectar-like with just a
touch of wood and peat smoke. The finish is long and well-balanced with
honey and soft spicy notes.
Hillside 25 Rare Malts Series (Distilled in 1971 at Glen Esk,
bottled in 1996 at 62% ABV, tasted 4/2010): This is a true classic
from a long-lost distillery. The nose is dry and spicy with notes
of cinnamon and black pepper. The taste is spicy but smooth, with hints
of cinnamon and smoke with dried fruits underneath. The finish is spicy
and nutty with hints of roasted almonds. Amazing!
Jefferson's Presidential Select 17 (Bottled by McLain & Kyne at 47%
ABV, tasted 9/2009): This bourbon comes from some of the final
distilling runs in late 1991 at the legendary Stitzel-Weller Distillery
in Louisville before it was mothballed. The nose is old wood and
varnish, along with tobacco and a hint of vanilla. The taste is spicy,
aromatic, and strong with black pepper and chili powder notes that fade
to sweet vanilla and maple syrup. The finish is dark chocolate syrup and
cinnamon, and it's an amazing bourbon!
Johnnie Walker Gold Label (Blended Scotch bottled at 40%, tasted
2/26/2010): I admit to a bias here...Gold Label has been one of my
favorite malts for years. The nose is creamy with hints of honey and
cinnamon and a subtle touch of pears. The taste is thick and
syrupy-smooth, building to a cinnamon and cilantro spiciness that fades
to let honey and molasses notes have a turn. The finish is lingering
with hints of hazelnut.
Mortlach 1966 (Tasted 9/2008 at 40% ABV, bottled in 1988 for J&S Gordon
& Co.): I have to thank Serge Valentin of the Malt Maniacs over and over
again...he bought me this dram at Harry's New York Bar in Paris, and
it's a dram I'll never forget!. The nose is dark chocolate with walnut
liqueur and hazelnut, along with a hint of vanilla and interestingly,
balsamic vinegar. The taste revealed a wonderful mustiness and old
leather, along with black licorice and a hint of spiciness. My notes
from the evening read "smooth, spicy, and amazing!"
Nikka Yoichi 1987 Single Cask (Distillery bottling for La Maison du
Whisky at 59% ABV, tasted 9/2010): The combination of Yoichi peated
spirit and an ex-bourbon cask works magnificently here. The nose is
intense and smoky with notes of virgin oak, vanilla, and dark chocolate.
The taste is chewy, intense, and complex with a mouth-puckering smoke
that builds slowly to a fiery pepper note...then lingers to reveal
vanilla, toasted oak, and coconut as the spice fades. Those notes carry
over well into the finish, which literally lasts for minutes.
Mouth-watering and great!
Noh Karuizawa 15 Year Old (Bottled by Nunber One Drinks Company at 62.7% ABV
for La Maison du Whisky, tasted 9/2010): Just 480 bottles came from
this single sherry butt. The nose is cedar, vanilla, slightly grassy and
clean. The taste is chewy as spices build with cinnamon and licorice,
honey undertones, and a touch of lemon peel. The finish is long and
smooth with licorice and dark chocolate notes.
Port Ellen 26 (Distilled in 1982 and bottled by Signatory at 54.1%
ABV, 242 bottles, tasted 12/10/2009): I could smell the peat on
this one from a foot away! The nose also has notes of tar, creosote,
brine, and seaweed with a subtle spiciness. There's a slight honey
sweetness that lasts for a few seconds on the tongue before the peat
kicks in and gives off an intense spiciness and smokiness. The finish is
smoky and lingering. A classic!
Rittenhouse Rye 25 Single Barrel (Tasted 9/1/2009 at 50% ABV,
distilled October 11, 1984 and bottled by Heaven Hill on August 25,
2009): The pre-release sample of this whiskey from Barrel #1 is
amazing, with a nose that reaches out and grabs your nostrils for a good
shake. Cinnamon dominates the nose, with undertones of old leather and
oak. Unlike many older whiskies, the oak is well-behaved on the
tongue...which has highlights of cinnamon, dark chocolate, black pepper,
and dried fruits. The finish literally lasts for minutes on the back of
the throat...I've used the word "lingering" to describe finishes, but
this one is a house guest of a finish.
Sazerac 18 Rye (Bottled by Buffalo Trace at 45% ABV, tasted 9/2011):
This annual award-winning rye whiskey has a rich and spicy nose with
notes of toasted rye bread, molasses, cinnamon, and a touch of smoke.
The taste is intense with a strong cinnamon note that lingers well with
good underlying sweetness from molasses and brown sugar notes. The
finish is long, spicy, and smooth. An amazing whiskey!
Sheep Dip 1990 (Blended malt bottled at 40%, tasted 11/22/2009):
This is a rarity, a vatted malt with 19-year-old Dalmore, 21-year-old
Fettercairn, and 25-year-old Ardbeg blended under the supervision of
Richard Paterson and vatted in ex-bourbon barrels for 15 years! It has
the color of a new copper penny, along with a slightly peaty and briny
nose that's balanced well with sweet notes of honey and molasses. The
taste is complex and amazing, starting off with molasses and brown sugar
notes and a subtle cinnamon/black pepper spice that fades to reveal a
lovely smokiness that lingers through the finish. There's no need to add
any water to this classic!
Springbank 10 100 Proof (Distillery bottling at 50% ABV, tasted
3/2011): The nose on this Campbeltown classic is salty and briny
with buttered popcorn, pickle juice, and smoked salmon notes. The taste
is puckering and tart with a lemon-lime citrus note, brine, smoked
salmon, black pepper, and barbecued beef...along with hints of linseed
oil and furniture polish. The finish is salty, smoky, nutty, and lingers
amazingly.
Woodford Reserve Masters Collection Seasoned Oak Finish (Distillery
bottling at 50.2% ABV, tasted 11/9/2009): This bourbon aged normally for
several years before being transferred to casks made from wood that had
spent 3 to 5 years seasoning in the Kentucky climate. That gives this
bourbon a dark cola/coffee color and a nose that's pure spice, with
hints of cinnamon, vanilla, molasses, cloves, dark chocolate, nutmeg and
roasted almonds. The taste is spicy and thick, and explodes with notes
of cloves, allspice, cilantro, black pepper, and rye. It fades slowly to
reveal sweet maple syrup notes underneath. The finish is classic rye,
tart and long. This is what a bourbon should be!
Yamazaki 1995 Owner's Cask (Distillery bottling for La Maison du
Whisky at 54.9% ABV, tasted 9/2010): The sherry cask gives this a
cola color and note in the nose, along with caramel, brown sugar, dark
chocolate, and vanilla. The taste is full of caramel candy, brown sugar,
figs, Christmas cake, toffee, and a hint of candied orange peel. The
finish is sweet and warm with touches of honey and orange peel.
94
Amrut Intermediate Sherry Cask
(Distillery bottling at 57% ABV, tasted 9/2010): This Amrut started
off in ex-bourbon casks, then spent some time in ex-sherry casks before
being re-racked into the bourbon casks. Despite the high strength,
there's no burn on the complex nose, with dried fruits, red apples,
figs, red grapes, black licorice, and a touch of maple syrup. The taste
is sweet, spicy and thick with curry powder, cinnamon, honey, and brown
sugar notes. The finish is spicy and long with notes of honey and
licorice.
Amrut Two Continents (Distillery
bottling at 46% ABV, tasted 11/10/2009): This malt started off the
maturation process in the heat of India, but was then moved to an
undisclosed European location for final maturation. That slowed down the
aging process enough to let this whisky develop an unusual nose. It
takes time to reveal, but shows a dry and clean nose that is slightly
malty with notes of roasted cashews. The taste is mouth-filling, thick
and chewy with notes of black licorice, cinnamon, and cumin. It's
slightly tart with notes of lemon and molasses. The finish is long and
lingering, slightly smoky and nutty.
Ardbeg Double Barrel (Casks
#3524 and 3145, 44.9 and 49.9 ABV respectively): Both bottles get
an identical rating, but for completely different reasons. These two are
like a pair of equally beautiful fraternal twins, each with their own
unique characteristics. For more details, see
my review on the Malt Maniacs site.
Ardbeg 1998 Single Cask (Distillery bottling at 55.6% ABV, tasted
5/2010): Cask #2673 was a refill sherry hogshead, and gave this
malt a nose with a balance of soft peat, orange peel, pears, and a hint
of cinnamon. The taste is rich and sweet, yet slightly astringent. A
cinnamon note builds on the tongue and warms the back of the throat with
hints of maltiness and tree fruits. The finish is long and warming with
a slightly dry wine note.
Ardbeg Supernova 2009 (Distillery bottling at 59.9% ABV, tasted 9/2009):
The working name for this whisky was "A Peat Odyssey", and like Hal's
bad behavior in "2001: A Space Odyssey", the peat is camouflaged at
first. It hides in the nose behind notes of campfire smoke, dried
grasses, tar, and a hint of varnish. The peat starts off mild, and then
explodes on the tongue! It's amazingly well-balanced, though, and as the
peat fades, it reveals malty notes and fresh-baked bread, along with a
hint of brine.
Ardbeg Supernova 2010 (Distillery bottling at 60.1% ABV, tasted
5/2010): Ardbeg cranked up the peat to 120ppm and the ABV just a
touch for the 2010 release of Supernova. Unlike the 2009 version, the
peat's immediately present on the pungent nose, along with notes of
chili peppers and toffee to balance things out. The taste is rich and
smoky with vanilla, chili pepper, and cilantro. The finish has coconut
notes, vanilla, and a touch of peat that curls up your nose. Adding a
bit of water makes this even smoother.
Balblair 1978 (Distillery bottling at 46% ABV, tasted 9/2010):
This single malt comes from second-fill bourbon casks, and the nose is
complex and spicy with cloves, nutmeg, and just a hint of almonds. The
taste is caramel and brown sugar, cloves, hazelnut, and allspice, and
the finish has notes of cloves and brown sugar with a touch of honey.
Ballantine's 17 (Blended Scotch bottled at 43% ABV, tasted 10/2010):
The nose has soft spices, brine, and a hint of smoke with fresh berries
for balance. The taste is complex, smooth, and luscious with traces of
malt, berries, dark chocolate, vanilla, and a slight hint of smoke. The
finish is nectar-thick and syrupy with a great blend of spice and smoky
notes. Well worth your attention!
Balvenie Islay Cask (Distillery bottling at 43% ABV, tasted 9/2009):
I waited for years to get a crack at tasting one of the most
sought-after Balvenie expressions. This one started the series of
17-year-old limited edition releases, and malt master David Stewart
picked a set of Islay casks to finish off the expression for an
undisclosed length of time. The Islay influence s amazingly
well-balanced with the Balvenie's traditional smoothness. The nose has
lovely hints of tar and creosote, along with the Balvenie's usual burnt
cream and vanilla notes. Those notes carry through into the taste, and
lead to a smooth and lingering finish. A classic!
BenRiach 25 (Distillery bottling at 50% ABV, tasted 9/2010): A
50-50 mix of bourbon and sherry casks gives this malt a very complex
nose with notes of dark chocolate, vanilla, honey, and cherries. The
taste is thick and chewy, with a slow buildup of cinnamon, honey and
toffee notes underneath, and hints of orange peel and brandy to round
things out. The finish is slightly tart, smooth, and slow to fade with
hints of allspice and honey.
Blanton's Gold (Distillery bottling at 51.5% ABV, tasted 1/2011):
This bourbon is seldom found in the U.S., and the nose is rich with dark
chocolate, vanilla, and caramel notes with hints of pears and cherries.
The taste is creamy and smooth with honey, dark chocolate, oak, and
vanilla notes. The finish is long, sweet, and creamy with notes of
caramel syrup, cherries, and vanilla. Smooth, rich, and consistent...a
classic!
Blanton's Straight From the Cask (Distillery bottling at 64.5% ABV,
tasted 1/2011): The easiest way to describe this export-only
bottling is Blanton's smoothness with George T. Stagg-like intensity.
The nose is intense with vanilla, honey, dark chocolate, and brown
sugar. The taste is mouth-tingling intense with a peppery cinnamon blast
that peaks and fades slowly to reveal brown sugar, caramel, and vanilla
notes that linger seamlessly into the finish.
Blue Hanger 25 2nd Release (Blended Scotch whisky bottled by Berry
Bros. & Rudd at 45.5% ABV, tasted 8/2010): This blend is coppery
and dark, and the nose is rich and spicy with notes of cinnamon, nutmeg,
old leather, and pipe tobacco. The taste is thick and spicy with
cinnamon, cilantro, and hints of toffee sweetness, caramel, and
butterscotch as the spices fade. The finish is lingering, complex, and
smooth. Simply a great whisky!
Bowmore 25 2010 Feis Ile Edition (Distillery bottling at 53.1% ABV,
tasted 5/2010): Only 100 bottles of this expression were released,
making it the rarest of the 2010 Feis Ile bottlings. The mix of bourbon
and sherry casks give it a nose that has a soft, smooth peatiness with
notes of vanilla, plums and prunes. The taste has a great mouthfeel with
soft spices that coat the mouth, along with raspberry, dark chocolate,
and a soft smokiness. The finish is soft, lingering, and slightly smoky.
Bruichladdich Black Art II (Distillery bottling at 49.7% ABV, tasted
1/2011): Bruichladdich's Jim McEwan never tells anyone what he's
doing with the Black Art whiskies, but we know this one came from five
different casks with at least four different styles of maturation. It's
an amazingly complex whisky, with a nose of red grapes, honey, vanilla,
hazelnut, and allspice. The taste has a Bordeaux wine-like earthy
tartness with tannins, raspberries, plums, orange peel, and brandy
notes. The finish lingers like a dying fire with the slight tartness of
fresh raspberries.
Bruichladdich DNA 77/32 (Distillery bottling at 47.4% ABV, tasted
1/2011): Distilled in 1977 and bottled after 32 years in bourbon
casks, this second release in the DNA Series has a nutty rye bread nose
with vanilla, plums, dark chocolate, cloves, and a hint of coconut. The
taste is spicy, tingling, and effervescent with notes of red grapes,
plums, and cloves. The finish lingers with touches of cilantro and
cloves. Outstanding!
Bruichladdich Octomore 2 (Distillery bottling at 62.5% ABV, tasted
12/2010): Just 5 years old, aged in bourbon casks, and with a
phenol level of a whopping 140 ppm, the nose on this is peat, peat, and
more peat! There are also traces of ash, licorice, and a slightly
medicinal note. The taste is best described as a nuclear peat explosion,
but retains its overall smoothness with a slight creaminess and notes of
garden soil, vanilla, and a slight ashiness as the peat fades. Water
adds a touch of cocoa. The finish is long and smoky with a touch of
chili powder, and the overall impression is one of great balance with
dimensions other than peatiness.
Compass Box Lady Luck (Blended malt bottled at 46% ABV, tasted
8/2010): John Glaser used casks of 29 and 25-year-old Caol Ila and
a cask of 14-year-old Imperial to create Lady Luck. The nose is smoky
with subtle fruity notes of figs and pears. The taste is a well-balanced
complex mix of smokiness and pepper, a slight brininess, and traces of
grass and heather that come out slowly as the spicier notes fade and
carry straight through into the finish.
Dalmore Clan Mackenzie Limited Edition (Distillery bottling at 46%
ABV, tasted 7/2010): This 17-year-old Dalmore was finished in port
wine casks, and the nose is full of orange marmalade, allspice, red
grapes, and a hint of pipe tobacco. The taste starts off with a
lingering cinnamon spice that fades to reveal orange marmalade, a slight
tartness, and very smooth with a touch of oak that carries over into the
finish with traces of orange maramalde. I like the consistency here.
Dalmore King Alexander III (Distillery bottling at 40% ABV, tasted
7/2010): Richard Paterson used six different cask types to create
the King Alexander III, and it's an extremely complex whisky as a
result. The nose is smooth with soft spices and fruits. The taste is
equally smooth, with sweet notes of figs and oranges, pipe tobacco, and
a touch of maltiness. The finish has hints of red wine and oranges.
Dalwhinnie 22 (Bottled by Cadenhead's in 1979 at 45.7% ABV, tasted
3/2011): This classic was distilled in 1957, and remains vibrant
more than 3 decades after bottling! The nose is spicy and aromatic with
hazelnut, cinnamon, allspice, toasted oak, and a hint of smokiness. The
taste is thick, mouth-coating, and spicy with a great cinnamon note that
fades to reveal licorice and orange peel. The finish is lingering times
3 -- with cinnamon, allspice, and touches of oak that seem to go on
forever. An outstanding whisky!
Eagle Rare 17 2011 Release (Bottled by Buffalo Trace at 45% ABV,
tasted 9/2011): The bottle may say 17 years old, but the whiskey
inside is actually closer to 19 years old in this release. The nose is
very smooth and full of oak, caramel, brown sugar, and a hint of nutmeg.
The taste starts with a smooth, slow buildup of cinnamon to a nice,
lingering peak, while still showing caramel and brown sugar sweetness
underneath. The finish is very long, smooth, and slightly spicy. This
may be the best of the Eagle Rare 17's so far!
Four Roses 2011 Limited Edition Small Batch (Distillery bottling at
55.6% ABV, but may vary by bottle, tasted 8/2011): This annual
release uses four of the ten Four Roses recipes, and is a complex and
classic Bourbon. The nose has notes of vanilla, molasses, caramel,
toasted oak, and brown sugar. The taste is intense and spicy with a
blast of black pepper that fades to reveal vanilla, caramel, and a hint
of campfire smoke. The finish is sweet and lingering with vanilla and
caramel notes.
George T. Stagg 2010 (Distilled at Buffalo Trace in 1993, bottled at
71.5% ABV, tasted 10/2010): Intense vanilla notes on the nose,
along with caramel, cocoa, oak, and honey adding balance. The taste is
an explosion of pepper, chili powder, and cinnamon, and after the spices
fade, you'll get subtle honey, vanilla, and maple syrup notes
underneath. The finish is sweet, warming and rich, with caramel, maple
and a touch of corn.
Glenglassaugh Manager's Legacy - Walter Grant (Distillery bottling
at 40.4% ABV, tasted 3/2011): This release honors former distillery
manager Walter Grant, and comes from a cask filled in 1967 during
Grant's tenure. The nose is aromatic and sweet with hints of peach pie
and honey. The taste is thick and nectar-like with peaches and touches
of cinnamon, roasted almonds, and honey -- very creamy and smooth. The
finish is long and peachy. A peach of a whisky!
Glenlivet 25 (Distillery bottling at 43% ABV, tasted 8/2008):
The oldest expression in the Glenlivet range has the dark richness of
maple syrup, thanks to its two years in oloroso sherry casks. The nose
is spicy, with cinnamon and nutmeg standing out with underlying notes of
vanilla and fruits underneath along with a hint of cedar. The cinnamon
carries over to the taste, which also includes dark chocolate and citrus
notes, primarily orange peel leading to a dry, spicy finish.
Glenlivet Founder's Reserve 1824 (Distillery bottling at 55.4% ABV,
tasted 6/2010): Only 1,824 bottles were produced to mark the
distillery's expansion in 2010. Officially, it carries no age statement,
but is a 21-year-old malt with a predominance of sherry casks. The nose
is creme brulee, vanilla, pears, and peaches, while the taste has a
great mouthfeel. Soft spices work well with a hint of caramel, figs, and
dark chocolate. Water opens up subtle citrus notes, especially lemon
zest. The finish is spicy, nutty, and lingering with a touch of
cinnamon.
Glenmorangie Pride 1981 (Distillery bottling at 57.6% ABV, tasted
4/2011): This whisky was aged for 18 years in American oak casks,
then an additional 10 years in Chateau d'Yquem Sauternes barriques. The
nose is very complex with coconut, pears, vanilla, and toasted oak. The
taste has a clove spiciness, along with nutmeg, coconut, pineapple, and
hazelnut notes. The finish is rich, spicy, and very long with touches of
lemon, vanilla, and mint. Water adds more complexity with touches of
roasted almonds and chestnuts.
Glenmorangie Signet (Distillery bottling at 46% ABV, tasted
9/11/2008: No age statement on this one, since it contains some of
Dr. Bill Lumsden's secret whiskies from the Glenmorangie warehouses,
including some well over 30 years old! There's a strong sherry influence
on the nose, along with vintage leather and strong espresso and just a
hint of eucalyptus, mint, and orange peel underneath. Neat, it's an
intense, peppery dram with an entire spice rack of flavors from cinnamon
to nutmeg and hazelnut...and the classic Glenmorangie citrus notes
underneath add a tingly, chewy mouthfeel. A touch of water opens up the
dram to reveal dark chocolate and cocoa powder, with lingering hints of
orange and vanilla that lead to a finish that reminds me of Grandma's
peach pie.
Glenrothes 1973 (Distillery bottling at 43% ABV, tasted 11/2010):
A very complex and luscious dram, with a nose of honey, vanilla, brown
sugar, dried fruits, and orange peel. The taste is honey, toffee,
oranges, a hint of peaches, white grapes, and marmalade. The finish is
slightly tart with white grapes, a hint of spices, and a slight kiss of
smoke. Outstanding!
Glen Spey 21 2010 Limited Edition (Distillery bottling at 50.4% ABV,
tasted 12/2010): This is a rare distillery bottling of Glen Spey,
and is well worth searching out. The nose has notes of brown sugar,
caramel, brandy, and honey. The taste is very smooth with well-balanced
notes of cinnamon, brown sugar, and a slight hint of lemon peel. The
finish is long and spicy with a lingering note of cinnamon that fades to
reveal hints of licorice. A very smooth and well-balanced dram.
Grant's 25 (Blended Scotch bottled at 40% ABV, tasted 3/2011):
This blend uses 25 different whiskies, and the nose has notes of wood
smoke, charred oak, honey, and vanilla. The taste is creamy, yet still
smoky with honey, vanilla, and touches of lavender and dried rose petals
to balance it out nicely with a subtle fruitiness that carries into the
finish. The finish is fruity and tart with lemon-lime and melon notes
and a touch of smokiness underneath. Very complex and well-balanced.
Highland Park 30 (Distillery bottling at 48.1% ABV, tasted 3/2010):
The nose is full of figs, honey, and plums, and the honey notes continue
on the taste with a touch of cinnamon, hints of smoke, and a wisp of
lemon zest. The honey's still there on the finish, along with a light
touch of smoke and mild spiciness. If Winnie the Pooh were a Scotch
drinker, this is the whisky he'd drink...
Highland Park 40 (Distillery bottling at 43.8% ABV, tasted 5/2008):
This whisky acts like one many years younger...with a vibrant nose of
smoky dark chocolate and subtle hints of seaweed and citrus notes.
Tasting it brings out black pepper and a lingering saltiness with a
touch of citrus and lingering wood smoke that leads to a salty finish
with a hint of lime on the tip of the tongue.
Highland Park 1978 Vintage Series (Distillery bottling at 47.8% ABV,
tasted 7/2011): The nose has notes of cedar, cinnamon, honey,
melon, and lemon zest. The taste is oily, thick, and spicy with touches
of toasted oak and ginger. The finish is long, rich, and spicy with an
underlying honey sweetness. Excellent!
Highland Park 1990 Vintage Series (Distillery bottling at 40% ABV,
tasted 8/2010): The nose has honey and orange peel notes, along
with a great blend of nutmeg, cloves, and allspice. The taste is very
smooth with a spicy buildup of cinnamon and cilantro that fades to
reveal citrus, vanilla, and honey notes. The tangy finish reminds me of
sweet and smoky barbecue sauce. Outstanding!
Highland Park 1994 Vintage Series (Distillery bottling at 40% ABV,
tasted 8/2010): The nose is sweet with notes of almonds, cherries,
and vanilla. The taste is smooth, thick and smoky with cinnamon, honey,
and dried orange peel. The finish is warm, woody, smoky, and long.
Highland Park Earl Haakon (Distillery bottling at 54.9% ABV, tasted
7/2011): This is the third and final edition in Highland Park's
Magnus Series, and is essentially a cask-strength version of the
Highland Park 18 with a few tweaks. The nose has notes of fudge, ginger,
lemon zest, blackberries, and a hint of lemon oil. The taste is intense
and spicy with campfire smoke, ginger, vanilla, and a touch of fudge.
The finish is long and spicy with ginger and touches of caramel and
vanilla for balance. Excellent!
Highland Park Saint Magnus (Distillery bottling at 55% ABV, tasted
9/2010): The second in a line of malts honoring historical figures
on Orkney, this malt has a nose of dried apples and peaches, orange
peel, and honey with cinnamon undertones and a kiss of smoke. The taste
is thick, spicy, intense, and slow to fade. When it does, there's a
smokiness that becomes evident, along with a touch of caramel candy
underneath. The finish is lingering with touches of vanilla and a
smokiness that curls up the back of your throat.
Karuizawa Single Cask #3318 (Tasted 5/2009, bottled at 62.5% ABV):
I have to thank Dave Broom for giving me a chance to taste this Japanese
masterpiece. It was distilled in 1991, and aged in a sherry cask.
However, it doesn't have the usual character of a sherry cask -- the
nose is coal smoke and leather, and the taste is tarry, rich, and spicy
with a smokiness that fades to reveal more traditional dried fruits. The
finish is one of the longest I've ever had...lasted for minutes! An
amazing whisky!
Karuizawa Single Cask 1976 #7818 (Bottled by Number One Drinks
Company at 63.6% ABV, tasted 9/2010): Sherry cask-aged, with a
complex nose of cola, figs, marzipan, and hazelnut. The taste is tannic
and dry, mouth-puckering with notes of cedar, butterscotch, tobacco, and
old leather. The finish is full of caramel, nutmeg, and light spices.
Very nice!
Lagavulin 30 (Distillery bottling in 1976 and
bottled in 2006 at 52.6% ABV, 2,340 bottles, tasted 9/2009): This whisky sold for
around $400 when it hit the market and was snapped up quickly. It may be
available at some retailers, and is well worth the cost. The nose is dry
and dusty, and reminds me of my grandfather's pipe tobacco. It also
reveals notes of old leather, wood stain and varnish, and a slight hint
of peat. The taste builds on dried apricots and apples at the beginning
to a solid smokiness, resinous and thick with a spicy kick on the tongue
at the end. The finish is campfire smoke and pumpkin pie. Outstanding!
Lagavulin Distiller's Edition 2009 (Distillery bottling at 43% ABV,
tasted 11/21/2009): The 2009 Distiller's Edition was distilled in
1993, and had a second maturation in Pedro Ximenez sherry casks that
gave it a dark, rich copper color. The nose is smoky and spicy, with
nutmeg, cinnamon, and pumpkin pie notes. The taste is smoky and peppery,
but well-balanced as the pepper fades to reveal sherry cask-influenced
raisin and fig notes, along with a slight taste of red wine. The finish
is thick and sweet with minimal smokiness.
Macallan 1824 Collection Whisky Maker's Edition (Distillery release
in 2009, bottled at 42.8% ABV, tasted on 9/15/2009): Bob Dalgarno
created this travel retail exclusive from barley grown at the Easter
Elchies estate where Macallan is located, and aged it in a combination
of sherry and bourbon casks. The color is dark amber, and the nose has
classic Macallan notes of dried figs and raisins, Heath Bar (toffee),
and a hint of orange peel. The taste surprises with a spicy curry-like
kick that builds in the mouth, yet maintains an underlying syrupy
sweetness on the sides and back of the tongue. The finish is dry and
sweet.
Maker's 46 (Distillery bottling at 47% ABV, tasted 3/2010): The
first new bourbon from Maker's Mark in years is finished in barrels
using seasoned and specially seared oak staves, leading to a more
intense flavor than regular Maker's Mark. The nose has a good balance of
oak, vanilla, caramel, and allspice notes. The taste is spicy and
intense, and the cinnamon fades to reveal sweeter notes of maple syrup
and caramel candy. The finish is spicy and lingering.
Midleton Barry Crockett Legacy (Distillery bottling at 46% ABV,
tasted 5/2011): This Irish pot still whiskey honors longtime
Midleton master distillery Barry Crockett, and uses first-fill bourbon
casks with a few virgin oak casks. The nose is subtle and elegant with
citrusy lime and a touch of pears, along with muted touches of vanilla
and toasted almonds. The taste is thick, chewy, and peppery at first,
but fades to reveal citrusy lime and grapefruit notes with a touch of
vanilla. The finish is complex, creamy, and smooth.
Nikka from the Barrel (Distillery bottling at 51.4% ABV, tasted
3/2010): This is a blend of malt and grain whiskies from the
Miyagiyo and Yoichi distilleries. The nose has a hint of mint leaves and
sherry notes of figs, raisins, and fresh apricots. The taste is smooth,
yet full of flavor as the spices are balanced well with hints of oak,
fresh berries, and caramel candy. The finish has a nice touch of
fresh-sawn oak, and a splash of water brings out notes of dried grasses
and green apples.
Nikka Taketsuru 21 Pure Malt (Distillery bottling at 43% ABV, tasted
1/23/2010): The nose on this Japanese classic is light and clean
with a hint of grass. The taste is complex with notes of cinnamon,
vanilla, dark chocolate, and a touch of salt. The finish is sweet and
long with a bit of fruitiness.
North of Scotland 45 (Single grain distilled in 1964 and bottled in
2009 by Scott's Selection at 42.4% ABV, tasted 7/2010): 1964 was a
really good year at North of Scotland, as several casks of excellent
single grain whisky were laid down that year and left to mature for
decades. This came from a port pipe, and the nose is light, but rich and
aromatic with hints of caramel and figs. The taste is rich and smooth
with a hint of cinnamon and a light aromatic note on the top of the
mouth with green apples and white grapes, and just a touch of caramel to
round things out. The finish is lingering with a touch of caramel and
cola.
Parker's Heritage Collection 2011 Barrel-Finished Bourbon
(Distillery bottling at 50% ABV, tasted 9/2011): This annual
release from Heaven Hill's Parker Beam is a collaboration with longtime
Cognac blender Alain Royer, who supplied 6 350-liter casks used for
aging Frapin Grande Champagne Cognac that Parker put his 10-year-old
bourbon into for an extra six months of maturation. The result is a
bourbon with a nose of raisins, plums, red grapes, a hint of dried
flowers, and touches of oak, vanilla, and allspice. The taste is spicy
with great black pepper and cinnamon notes that don't blow out the
tartness of red grapes and sweet notes of caramel and brown sugar
underneath...nicely complex and well-balanced. The finish is long,
smooth, and spicy with a sweet undertone and excellent balance.
Sazerac Rye 18 2010 Edition (Distilled at Buffalo Trace and bottled
at 45% ABV, tasted 10/2010): The nose is classic rye: pipe tobacco,
leather, rye bread, and nuts. The taste has a strong cinnamon note
balanced with rye and touches of dark chocolate and molasses. The finish
is spicy, warming, and long with a hint of tartness.
Speyside's Finest 43 (Bottled by Douglas Laing from an undisclosed
distillery at 50% ABV, tasted 1/24/2009): I've always been partial
to single malts from a certain distillery located near Aberlour, just
off the A95 in Speyside. In this case, the distillery cannot be named,
but it's produced a malt that would do its owners proud! The nose is
slightly heathery with a touch of dried grass and a slight hint of peat.
It's spicy with notes of cinnamon that fade to an oaky smoothness with a
hint of lemon. The finish is dry and sweet, with a touch of dried fruits
and a nice warmness.
Springbank 1965 30YO (Bottled by Lombard at 46% ABV, tasted
11/10/2009):
This is a classic Springbank…the nose is slightly malty with notes of
nutmeg, hazelnut, and most importantly in a whisky of this age, no overt
signs of oakiness. The taste is creamy and thick, with a light touch of
spices and nuts. The finish is warm and inviting with hints of almonds
and spices.
Strathisla 42 (Bottled by Duncan Taylor & Co. for the Lonach series
at 41.1% ABV, tasted 12/2010): This was distilled in 1967, and the
nose is creamy and smooth with notes of honey, toffee, orange peel, and
a hint of bubble gum. The taste is spicy, young and vibrant with a great
balance of nutmeg and cinnamon notes. The cinnamon carries into the
finish with hints of oak and a touch of grapes. Outstanding!
Strathisla-Glenlivet 1964 (Bottled in 2006 at 43% ABV by Gordon &
MacPhail, tasted 9/2008): This malt spent 42 years in a first-fill sherry cask,
and has the color of a copper penny. The nose is fresh and floral, with
heather and grassy notes as well as figs, raisins, and apricots. The
fruits come out in the taste, and water just explodes the sweetness and
vibrancy of this malt. The finish reminds me of peach pie with a graham
cracker crust.
Thomas H. Handy Sazerac Rye 2010 (Distilled at Buffalo Trace and
bottled at 63.45% ABV, tasted 4/2011): Intense and spicy on the
nose, with toasted rye bread, dark chocolate, and brown sugar notes. The
taste is mouth-puckering and warming with a touch of maple syrup at
first followed by an intense cinnamon explosion that fades to reveal
caramel and dark chocolate notes. The finish is amazingly long and
spicy. A winner!
William Larue Weller 2009 (Distilled at Buffalo Trace and
bottled at 67.4% ABV, tasted 9/2009): This is from the 2009 Buffalo
Trace Antique Collection, distilled with a wheat mashbill and bottled
uncut and unfiltered. It's dark, thick, and oily with a powerful nose.
The expected alcohol burn shows up after a second or two, time enough to
reveal a nuttiness with hazelnut notes. The taste is thick and chewy
with a great mouthfeel and notes of caramel candy, Heath Bar (toffee),
cinnamon, and hazelnut. Vanilla and cinnamon notes dominate the very
smooth finish.
William Larue Weller 2010 (Distilled at Buffalo Trace and bottled at
63.3% ABV, tasted 4/2011): Uncut and unfiltered with a wheat
mashbill, this bourbon has a nose of soft spices, toasted oak, nutmeg,
and vanilla. The taste is thick, intense, and peppery with chili powder
and cayenne pepper notes that fade to reveal subtle brown sugar and
molasses notes that last through the short finish.
93
Aberlour 15 Cuvee Marie D'Ecosse (Distillery bottling at 43% ABV, tasted
10/2010): This Aberlour expression is only available in France, and
the nose is full of dried fruits, orange peel, figs, and cocoa. The
taste is full-bodied and rich with citrus and orange peel, mango,
vanilla, and a hint of ginger. The finish is well-balanced with honey,
ginger, and orange peel.
Aberlour 18 (Scott's Selection
bottling, distilled in 1989, tasted 3/5/2009, ABV not recorded): Aberlour's distillery bottlings are usually matured in sherry casks, but
this one comes from an ex-bourbon cask and shows a completely different
side of Aberlour's character. The nose is rich with cinnamon and nutmeg,
and reminds me of Christmas time. The taste is again rich with cinnamon,
along with a touch of pepper...and even more amazing, a slight
brininess. A touch of water opens up an explosion of flavors, and the
finish has a slight kiss of salt. Outstanding variation on one of my
favorite whiskies.
Aberlour A'Bunadh Batch 23 (Distillery
bottling at 60.2% ABV, tasted 1/23/2010): The traditional Aberlour
nose, dry and sweet with a spicy hint of cinnamon. The taste continues
with cinnamon notes, along with a sweet touch of maple syrup, figs, and
molasses...this one is full of flavor! The finish is dry and sweet.
Amrut Two Continents Second Edition (Distillery bottling at 50% ABV,
tasted 8/2011): The nose is spicy with touches of cumin, nutmeg,
licorice, and cinnamon. The taste is thick and spicy with cinnamon,
cumin, curry powder, and licorice notes. The finish has a citrusy lemon
note that develops along with a touch of toasted oak.
Ar2 (Elements of Islay Series from The Whisky Exchange, bottled at
60.5% ABV, tasted at 58.8% ABV 1/2010): This comes from an Ardbeg
cask, and the nose is citrusy and tropical with notes of orange peel,
lemon zest, and just a touch of smokiness. The taste is ashy and smoky
with intense pepperiness. Water brings out citrus notes and smoothes out
the spice. The finish is smoky and lingering with a hint of lemon zest.
Ardbeg 1998 Single Cask (Distillery bottling at 55.4% ABV, tasted
5/2010): Cask #1275 was a first-fill bourbon cask, and the nose is
sea air-fresh with notes of coconut, vanilla, and a hint of phenols. The
peat comes out to play on the taste, with a smoky pepperiness that
blends well with brine and seaweed notes and just a hint of lemon. The
finish has an intense spicy note of cinnamon on the throat that lingers
with a touch of brine. Add a few drops of water to smooth this one out.
Ardmore Project (Distillery bottling for Julio's Liquors at 46% ABV,
tasted 2/2011): This is the first single-cask distillery bottling
of Ardmore, and was produced for Julio's Liquors in Massachusetts. The
nose is peaty with honey, caramel, and heather notes. The taste starts
off with caramel and baked apples at first, with a peaty touch that
builds slowly and lingers into the finish, which also has notes of
heather and vanilla. Well worth searching out!
Auchentoshan 21 (Distillery bottling at
43% ABV, tasted
10/2008): This limited-edition malt comes primarily
from refill bourbon casks with some sherry casks, and has the color of
18-carat gold. The nose is figs, honey, and blueberries, with just a
hint of vanilla, but it doesn't give a hint of what's to come. The taste
is intense and minty, with a touch of apples and pears that leads to a
long and tingly finish that reminds me of cookie dough baking in the
oven. An outstanding dram!
Balblair 1989 Second Release (Distillery bottling at 43% ABV, tasted
6/2011): This edition uses second-fill bourbon barrels, and uses no
caramel coloring or chill-filtering. The nose is complex and spicy with
allspice and hazelnut, tart underneath with banana cream pie with graham
cracker crust and a hint of lemon. The taste is spicy with a cinnamon
blast that lingers, but doesn't overpower the banana notes underneath.
The finish is Key Lime Pie with bananas.
Balvenie 17 Peated Cask (Distillery bottling at 43% ABV, tasted
9/2010): This is very similar to the old Balvenie 17 Islay Cask,
except that a batch of peated Balvenie was used to season the casks for
finishing. The nose is light and smoky with sweet touches of vanilla and
honey. The peat doesn't overwhelm the usual Balvenie sweetness -- in
fact, it's a great combination of peat and sweet with notes of peat and
charred oak that complement the honey and light vanilla notes well. The
finish is honey with a kiss of peat smoke.
Booker's (Distillery bottling at 62.45% ABV, tasted 11/27/2009):
This is bourbon the way Booker Noe liked it...uncut, unfiltered, and as
close to straight from the barrel as possible. It's a dark cola color,
and the nose has hints of maple syrup, molasses, vanilla, oak, and
leather...and no alcohol burn! The taste is intense and spicy with notes
of jalapeno peppers, but sweet underneath with hints of caramel candy
and molasses. The finish is a long-lasting mix of peppery spice and
syrupy sweetness, A classic bourbon!
Bowmore Darkest 15 (Distillery bottling at 43% ABV, tasted
10/20/2009): Like the Bowmore 12, this single malt reflects the
stricter wood policy imposed at Morrison Bowmore several years ago. This
is essentially the 12-year-old malt, but with an additional three years
of maturation in Oloroso sherry casks. That gives it a color of copper
coins, and the nose is peaty and sweet with notes of brown sugar, figs,
hazelnut, and a slight maltiness. The taste is spicy with black pepper
notes that fade to a sweet maple syrup with hints of orange peel. The
finish is comforting and warm with notes of figs, raisins, and brown
sugar.
Bowmore 21 Port Cask Finish (Distillery bottling at 51.5% ABV,
tasted 12/2010): The nose has notes of candied orange peel, honey,
dark chocolate, and hints of ginger and peat. The taste starts off with
a cayenne pepper blast, honey and orange notes, with slight hints of
berries and dark chocolate coming out as the pepper fades. The finish is
a dry and sweet wine with a hint of orange peel and lingers nicely.
Overall, well-balanced and smooth.
Brora 24 (Signatory bottling distilled in 1981, bottled at 60.1%
ABV): I tasted this at a John Hansell tasting in February of 2007.
The nose was light and clean, with a nice brininess and touches of sea
breeze and olives. The taste was brisk and sharp, with a spicy kick that
balanced perfectly with the wood and led to a slightly peaty and
lingering smoky finish.
Bruichladdich 37 (Distillery bottling at 47.1% ABV, tasted 5/2010):
This malt spent most of its life in an ex-sherry cask, and was re-racked
into a port hogshead shortly before bottling. The nose has notes of
caramel candy and dark chocolate, while the taste is cola-like with a
slight lemony tartness. The finish is warming and tingly, with notes of
caramel corn and cotton candy. A perfect dessert whisky.
Bruichladdich DNA 36 (Distillery bottling at 41% ABV, tasted 1/2011):
The nose is spicy and dry with allspice, cinnamon, vanilla, and a touch
of nutmeg. The taste is smooth and light at first, followed by an
explosion of peat and smoke that fades to reveal sweet oak and touches
of brown sugar. The finish is slightly tart and smoky with traces of
caramel candy and brown sugar. Outstanding!
Bruichladdich Laddie Ten (Distillery bottling at 46% ABV, tasted
9/2011): The distillery's first 10-year-old malt completely made
from whisky distilled after Bruichladdich reopened in 2011. The nose is
light and floral with rose petals, hints of honey and vanilla, and a
slightly briny marine touch. The taste is oily and slightly tart at
first with floral touches, along with a nice spicy touch of soft
cinnamon and hazelnut, allspice, and touches of dried apricots and
peaches underneath. The finish is amazingly long and tart.
Bruichladdich Organic 2003 (Distillery bottling at 46% ABV, tasted
12/2010): Islay's first organic malt in years has a creamy nose
full of red apples and peaches with touches of honey and smoke. The
taste is smooth and creamy with subtle spices of allspice, hazelnut, and
vanilla with a slight maltiness. The finish is buttery-soft, smooth, and
very long. An outstanding malt!
Bunnahabhain Moine 2009 Feis Ile Expression (Distillery bottling at
58.4% ABV, tasted 5/2010): A young malt, just 5 years old with
several months in an ex-sherry cask. The nose has a surprisingly gentle
peatiness with notes of wood smoke, pears, and vanilla. The taste is dry
and sweet on the tip of the tongue with hints of dark chocolate and
caramel that fade to reveal soft cinnamon and hints of almond. The
finish has soft smoke, vanilla, and a hint of hazelnut.
Bunnahabhain Toiteach (Distillery bottling at 46%, tasted 5/2010):
Toiteach means "smoky" in Gaelic, and that should give you a clue about
this dram. The nose has a good mix of wood smoke and dried leaves, with
nutmeg, almonds, and a hint of brown sugar. The taste has notes of peat
and creosote that are balanced well with brown sugar and straw to create
a slightly dry and astringent mouthfeel. The finish is extremely long
and warms the chest with soft spices and a hint of peat smoke.
Craigellachie 1991 (Bottled in 2008 by Gordon & MacPhail at 43% ABV,
tasted 4/2010): This was aged in a refill sherry hogshead, and the
nose has notes of green apples, peaches, and a hint of pears. The taste
is malty and sweet with green apples, and the finish is smooth and sweet
with just a hint of smoke.
Dalwhinnie Distiller's Edition 2009 (Distillery bottling at 43% ABV,
tasted 1/2010): This year's edition was distilled in 1991 and
finished in an Oloroso sherry cask. The nose is light and grassy with
hints of peat and cinnamon. The taste is smooth with subtle spices,
malty with a touch of green grapes, and the finish has notes of vanilla
and chardonnay with a touch of oak.
Dewar's Signature (Blended Scotch bottled at 43% ABV, tasted 8/2011):
The rarest of the Dewar's range, with a nose that's buttery and smooth
with touches of fudge, toffee, and honey. The taste is sweet with
toffee, a slight nuttiness, and a hint of spices. The finish is smooth,
lingering, rich, and slightly oaky.
Forty Creek Confederation Oak (Distillery bottling at 40% ABV,
tasted 1/2011): This is the first whisky known to be aged in
Canadian oak barrels and distilled from 100% Canadian grains, and the
nose has notes of soft spices, sawdust, shredded wheat cereal, and
honey. The taste is very smooth with honey, soft cinnamon, dark
chocolate, and a hint of pears that carries into the finish, which
lingers nicely with a touch of honey. Outstanding!
George T. Stagg 2009 (Distilled at Buffalo Trace in 1992, bottled at
70.7% ABV, tasted 9/2009): The flagship of the Buffalo Trace
Antique Collection. This year's edition has a nose of oak, vanilla, and
cinnamon, and the taste starts off intense, but fades slowly to reveal
molasses, maple syrup, and cinnamon notes. The finish is sweet and
slighly tangy like a great barbecue sauce.
Gibson's Finest Rare 18 (Distillery bottling at 40% ABV, tasted
3/2010): The nose on this Canadian classic is light and aromatic
with notes of fresh bread and brown sugar. The taste is smooth with
hints of orange peel and other tree fruits, along with a hint of brown
sugar. The finish is light, but long.
Glenfarclas 1974 Family Cask (Distillery bottling at 60.8% ABV,
tasted 1/2011): Cask #5786 was an ex-sherry butt, and this dram has
a nose rich with toffee, red apples, cinnamon, and oak. The taste is
chewy with dark chocolate, sherry, and a hint of brown sugar. The finish
is smooth and lingers with dark chocolate and hazelnut notes.
Well-balanced and rich...a great whisky to be paired with dessert!
Glen Garioch 12 (Distillery bottling at 48% ABV, tasted
1/2010): The nose is caramel ice cream topping, sweet and rich with
a hint of fresh bread. The taste is dry and spicy with hints of lemon
and cinnamon, and the finish is long and warming with citrusy notes.
Glen Grant 16 (Distillery bottling at 40% ABV, tasted 11/21/2009):
The nose is dry and floral with a hint of spices. The taste is sweeter
and more intense than the 10-year-old Glen Grant, with notes of black
pepper, blackberries, and a hint of brown sugar. The finish is warm and
sweet with a hint of maple syrup.
Glen Grant 1972 (Berry Bros. & Rudd bottling of Cask #744/9 in 2006
at 51.8% ABV, tasted 11/7/2009): I love older Glen Grants, and this
one is no exception. The nose is honey, caramel candy and molasses with
a hint of brown sugar. The taste starts off with a kiss of honey, then
the spicy black pepper notes take over. That fades to reveal tea with
honey and lemon zest. The lemon continues on the slightly tart and
lingering finish.
Glen Grant 31 (Douglas Laing bottling at 58.6% ABV, tasted
1/24/2009): This was aged in a sherry cask, and has the requisite
dark caramel color that comes with spending that long in a sherry cask.
The nose is of dried fruits, especially figs and plums, along with a
touch of spice and oak. The taste is intense and spicy with hints of
cilantro that masks a subtle sweet undertone, and the finish hits the
top of the tongue and lasts forever!
Glen Grant 170th Anniversary (Distillery bottling at 46% ABV, tasted
9/2010): This malt uses casks from several decades, and the nose is
nutty with hints of malt, light smoke, and hazelnut. The taste has notes
of charred oak, malt, honey and floral notes, with a touch of orange
peel in a well-balanced blend. The finish is floral with notes of orange
peel and light honey. Overall, a very smooth dram.
Glenrothes 30 (Gordon & MacPhail 2009 bottling at 43% ABV, tasted
11/20/2009): The nose is hazelnut and figs, raisins, honey and
Christmas spices. The taste is thick and chewy, peppery but honey-sweet
as well with a tart touch of lemon zest and a hint of mint. The finish
is warming and sweet with a slight tartness.
Glenrothes-Glenlivet 37 (Distilled in 1957, bottled in 1994 by
Gordon & MacPhail at 40% ABV, tasted 3/2011): The nose is stunning
and vibrant with honey, allspice, molasses, and brown sugar notes. The
taste starts off tart, then develops a caramel-cola note with
brandy-soaked orange peel and a hint of red grapes. The finish is
equally stunning with a slight tartness, allspice, caramel, and dark
chocolate notes.
Hakushu 12 (Distillery bottling at 43% ABV, tasted 9/2010):
Hakushu Distillery is part of the Suntory family, and its single malt is
completely different from Suntory's Yamazaki malts. The nose has light
spices, and is slightly grassy and nutty. The taste starts off with a
lemon-lime citrus note that fades to reveal a touch of pears, grass, and
a hint of campfire smoke. The finish is gingery with touches of black
tea with honey and lemon.
Hakushu 18 (Distillery bottling at 43.5% ABV, tasted 12/2010):
The nose is green apples, pears, sweet oak, and honey with a nice
smokiness - very rich and smooth. The taste is thick and smoky with
notes of apples, pears, and figs with a slight pepperiness and a hint of
lemon. The finish is smoky, dry, and slightly lemony. Overall, very
smooth!
Highland Park 1977 Vintage Reserve Bicentenary (Distillery bottling
at 40% ABV, tasted 7/2010): This was bottled in 1998 to celebrate
Highland Park's 200th anniversary. The nose is rich with a touch of
smoke and oak. The taste is smooth and fruity with notes of peaches,
pears, and figs, along with a touch of oak. The finish is lingering,
rich, and smooth.
Highland Park Earl Magnus I (Distillery bottling at 52.6% ABV,
tasted 1/2010): This 15-year-old bottling honors an Orkney ruler of
long ago, and does Earl Magnus proud. The nose is cedar chips, lemon
furniture polish, a hint of cinnamon and ginger. The taste is slightly
smoky with notes of vanilla, lemon, and ginger, and the finish has a
lemony tartness with a touch of cinnamon.
Isle of Jura Bourbon Xu (Distillery bottling at 55% ABV, tasted
5/2010): This is peatier than most Juras, and the nose has notes of
wood smoke, coconut, almond, vanilla, and marzipan. The taste is a nice
complex mix of honey and cinnamon, black tea and lemon, and malty with a
spiciness that builds slowly. The finish has malt, honey, and lemon
notes with a hint of smoked salmon.
Jameson 12 Distillery Reserve (Distillery bottling at 40% ABV,
tasted 9/2010): This expression is only available at the Midleton
Distillery visitors center, and is spicier than the regular Jameson 12
because of different cask selection. The nose is warm and spicy with
notes of dried fruits and toffee. The taste is syrupy, thick, and smooth
with toffee and caramel notes, vanilla, figs, and honey. The finish has
notes very smooth with light spices and a touch of honey.
Jameson Rarest Vintage Reserve 2009 Edition (Distillery bottling at 46% ABV,
tasted 3/2010): The nose is spicy with hints of licorice and
cinnamon, along with a touch of banana, coconut, and plums. The taste is
full of flavor, with cinnamon and red wine notes (reflecting the port
pipes used in maturation), as well as a subtle fruitiness with notes of
orange peel and cocoa. The finish is long and sweet with hints of
molasses and a slight maltiness.
Johnnie Walker Blue Label King George V Edition (Blended Scotch
bottled at 43% ABV, tasted 11/23/2009): This whisky was blended
from malts produced at distilleries open during the reign of King George
V from 1910-1936, including a healthy measure of Port Ellen. The nose is
peatier and spicer than the regular Blue Label, but also has notes of
vanilla cream. The taste is smoky yet creamy, with classic Islay notes
of tar and creosote balancing out vanilla and a bit of lemon zest. The
finish is smoky and long.
Kawasaki 1982 Single Grain (Bottled by Ichiro's Choice at 65.4% ABV,
tasted 12/2010): This was aged in refill sherry butts for 28 years,
and the nose is spicy with cocoa, cinnamon, vanilla, nutmeg, and honey
notes. The taste is spicy and mouth-tingling with notes of molasses,
honey, and orange peel. The finish is long with spices on top and notes
of molasses and black licorice below. A very complex dram.
Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve (Distillery bottling at 60% ABV,
tasted 10/2010): Intense nose with vanilla, caramel, oak, molasses,
and toasted bread notes. The taste is thick and intense with chili
peppers fading to reveal molasses, brown sugar, vanilla, and caramel
candy. The finish is spicy, long, and a great mix of tartness and
sweetness...think Carolina-style barbecue sauce with a touch of vinegar.
Lagavulin 16 Limited Edition (Distillery bottling at 52.5% ABV,
tasted 5/2010): This is only sold at the distillery, and spent 16
years in an American Oak cask used for Pedro Ximenez sherry. The nose is
peaty, but balanced well with notes of figs, dried orange peel, vanilla,
and creme brulee. The taste is creamy with hints of peppermint, dark
chocolate, and dried fruits, with just a touch of brine and peat. Water
makes it smoother, and the finish is smoky and peppery with a touch of
honey.
Laphroaig Cairdeas 2010 Feis Ile Edition (Distillery bottling at
57.5%, tasted 5/2010): Cairdeas means "friendship" in Gaelic, and
if you have a friend with a bottle of this, it's pronounced "car-chase."
The nose is smoky, phenolic, and nutty with just a hint of pears. The
taste is thick and peppery, and fades slowly to reveal hazelnut and
hints of peat. The finish is smoky and long-lasting with hints of pepper
and allspice.
Ledaig 2005 (Bottled by Berry Bros. & Rudd at 61.1% ABV, tasted
9/2011): Ledaig is the name peated malts from Tobermory carry, and
the nose on this one is smoky and phenolic with heather, charred oak,
and hints of tar. The taste is peaty, mouth-coating and peppery with an
unexpected caramel apple note that shows up as the initial punch fades.
There's a nicely complex balance of smokiness and tangy sweetness. The
finish is tangy and sweet with a hint of lingering smoke, and reminds me
of a good barbecue sauce. Excellent!
Longmorn 1967 (Mackillop's Choice bottling in 2003 at 43% ABV,
tasted 9/10/2009): This whisky spent 36 years in the cask, and the dark amber color reflects that. The nose is malty and herbal with notes
of rosemary and thyme, dried grasses and straw, along with fresh-baked
bread and a slight yeasty aroma. The maltiness continues in the taste,
along with a sharp spiciness of black pepper and chili powder on the
front of the tongue. There's a hint of dried citrus, perhaps pineapple
as well. The finish is smooth and crisp.
Midleton 1991 Single Cask (Distillery bottling at 53.7% ABV, tasted
1/2011): This is a rarity...a single Irish pot still whiskey
bottled exclusively for sale at Dublin Airport's duty-free shop. Cask
#48709 was an ex-bourbon cask, and gave this whisky a light, crisp nose
with hints of nutmeg, ginger, and green apples. The taste is spicy with
cinnamon and black pepper notes, balanced well with vanilla, honey,
green apples, and brown sugar. The finish is long, peppery, and smooth.
Midleton 1996 Single Cask (Distillery bottling at 46%, tasted
1/2011): This cask was bottled for sale at the Celtic Whiskey Shop
in Dublin, and is one of the few Midleton single cask bottlings
available. Cask #71578 was a first-fill bourbon cask, and the nose has
notes of vanilla, hazelnut, cilantro, and honey. The taste starts off
with a blast of pepper and cilantro spicesm then fades to reveal
vanilla, almonds, and a touch of molasses with a smooth mouthfeel. The
finish is long and smooth with brown sugar and molasses sweetness
balanced with a touch of green apple tartness. Outstanding!
Nikka Single Coffey Malt 12 (Tasted 9/2008, bottled at 55% ABV for
La Maison du Whisky): Anyone who claims Coffey stills can't produce
a malt whisky with any flavor needs to try this one! The nose is spicy
and dry, with notes of dried leaves, fresh cut grass, and herbal notes
of basil, thyme, and rosemary. The taste is floral and spicy, with hints
of cilantro and black pepper that lead to a long, citrusy finish
dominated by lime and lemon.
North of Scotland 43 (Scott's Selection bottling, distilled in 1964,
43% ABV, tasted 3/2009): If you've ever doubted whether a grain whisky can be
special on its own, this one will end your doubts! It was aged in a Port
cask, and the nose is subtle and dry with light wine notes, not
overpowering at all, and even has a slight maltiness to it. The taste is
spicy and inviting, with a slight nuttiness as well, and the port notes
are nicely-balanced and not overpowering. The finish is where it gets
its high marks. I've never had a whisky where the finish kept building
even after I swallowed it! This whisky redefines the term "lingering
finish."
Old Pulteney 21 (Distillery bottling at 46% ABV, tasted 6/2011):
This expression uses a mix of 1/3 Fino sherry casks and 2/3 refill
bourbon barrels, and it's a complex whisky with a vibrant nose of
toffee, baked apples, butterscotch, and a hint of smoke balancing banana
and honey notes. The taste is mouth-puckering, tart and dry with apples,
lemon peel, and coconut notes. The finish is dry, lingering, and
slightly spicy with baked apples, a hint of cinnamon, and coconut cream
pie. Excellent!
Powers John's Lane (Distillery bottling at 46% ABV, tasted 5/2011):
This Irish single pot still whiskey closely replicates the whiskies from
the old Powers distillery on John's Lane in Dublin, which closed in
1976. The nose is earthy with notes of old wood, dust, and vintage
leather book bindings. The taste is peppery balanced with notes of
vanilla, caramel, dark chocolate, and a hint of honey. The finish
lingers nicely with a good balance of spiciness and honey notes.
Outstanding!
Redbreast 15 (Distillery bottling at 46.7% ABV, tasted 9/2010):
The nose on this pure pot still Irish whiskey is nutty with light
spices, oak, and red apples. The taste is smooth with roasted almonds,
figs, blackberries, oak, and dark chocolate notes. The finish has a hint
of vanilla with hazelnut and charred oak notes. Outstanding!
Scotch Whisky Experience 21st Anniversary Whisky (Blended Scotch
bottled at 47.6% ABV, tasted 9/2010): This 21-year-old blend was
created by members of the Experience staff to celebrate the museum's
21st anniversary, and just 498 bottles were released. The nose is smoky
with notes of baked peaches and pears and hints of heather and grass.
The taste has a good balance of peat and smoke with heather and grassy
notes, a hint of nuts, and is very creamy and smooth. The finish is
smooth, sweet, and warming. An outstanding effort by first-time
blenders!
Springbank 18 (Distillery bottling, tasted 5/2009, bottled at 46%
ABV): This single malt is a mix of 80% sherry casks and 20% bourbon
casks, and that mix is reflected in the nose. Licorice, honey and dried
fruits dominate the nose, but the taste reveals a good balance of fruits
and nuts, especially almonds and hazelnuts. The finish lingers with a
kiss of smoke and dark chocolate.
Stronachie 1976 Vintage (Distilled at Benrinnes, bottled by A. Dewar
Rattray at 52.6% ABV, tasted 1/2011): The nose is sweet with notes
of apple pie, raisin bread, vanilla, and just a touch of smoke. The
taste is smooth, thick, and fruity with peaches, orange peel, coconut,
and almonds. The finish is soft and smooth with hints of chocolate mint
and citrus. A very complex and rich whisky.
Thomas H. Handy Sazerac Rye (Bottled by Buffalo Trace at 64.3% ABV,
tasted 9/2011): Despite its strength, this whiskey has a muted nose
with allspice, nutmeg, a hint of rye bread, oak, and maple syrup notes.
The taste is powerful and slightly tart with a strong pepperiness that
fades nicely to reveal green apple and brown sugar notes. The finish is
smooth and long.
Tomatin 25 (Distillery bottling at 43% ABV, tasted 12/2009): The
nose is woody and resinous, with notes of peaches and citrus. The taste
is dry and nutty, with almonds and cashews fading to reveal hints of
honey and lemon that linger into the otherwise dry finish.
Tomatin 1982 Single Cask (Distillery bottling at 57% ABV, tasted
12/2010): Cask #92 was a refill ex-sherry puncheon, and gives this
malt a dry and fruity nose with orange peel, nuttiness, and hints of
smoke and charred wood. The taste is dry, mouthfilling, and spicy with a
cinnamon blast that fades to reveal brandied orange peels, hazelnut, and
a touch of grapes neat. Water adds complexity and syrupy caramel
sweetness. The finish is lingering, spicy, and dry with a touch of
brandy.
Tomatin Decades (Distillery bottling at 46% ABV, tasted 8/2011):
This malt celebrates distillery manager Douglas Campbell's five decades
in the whisky business. The nose is intense with a good mix of fruity
and spicy notes, including baked apples, cinnamon toast, and just a hint
of citrus underneath. The taste is spicy and two-toned, with cinnamon on
the tip of the tongue and hazelnut at the back of the throat, along with
just a hint of apples as well. The finish is long and spicy with a touch
of nuttiness. A complex whisky.
WhistlePig Rye (Bottled by WhistlePig Farm at 50% ABV, tasted
7/2010): This is a rarity...a 10-year-old, 100% rye whiskey. The
nose is freshly toasted rye bread, along with honey, oak, cinnamon, and
vanilla notes. The taste is spicy rye and sweet maple syrup at first,
with honey notes that develop as the rye fades. The finish has a hint of
almonds, along with lingering rye and a hint of maple.
Wild Turkey Kentucky Spirit (Distillery bottling at 50.5% ABV,
tasted 9/2010): This is the single barrel version of Wild Turkey,
and the nose is full of brown sugar, vanilla, caramel, and nutmeg. The
taste is spicy with notes of cinnamon and chili peppers that fade to
reveal hay dust, baked apples, vanilla, and molasses. The finish is
spicy and long.
William Larue Weller 2011 Release (Bottled by Buffalo Trace at
66.75% ABV, tasted 9/2011): This uncut, unfiltered, wheated Bourbon
is a whopper! The nose is spicy with minimal burn and great notes of
nutmeg, vanilla, linseed oil, and hints of cinnamon and oak. The taste
has a great mouthfeel, syrupy at first with a touch of maple, but a
blast of pepper explodes and fades quickly to reveal vanilla and
hazelnut notes that last well into the finish, which gets longer with
each sip. Outstanding!
Wiser's Small Batch (Distillery bottling at 43.4% ABV, tasted
7/2011): The nose is spicy with cloves, sawdust, linseed oil and
furniture polish, and a hint of vanilla. The taste has a great mouthfeel
and a nice balance of cloves, cinnamon, toffee, and a rye base note. The
finish is long and spicy with cloves and a hint of dried apples.
Outstanding!
92
1792 Ridgemont Reserve (Distillery
bottling at 46.85% ABV, tasted 10/2010): The nose is muted with
soft vanilla, toasted bread, and slightly nutty with a touch of brown
sugar. The taste is is spicy with a cinnamon blast that fades to reveal
brown sugar, along with touches of vanilla and molasses...very smooth.
The finish is long with molasses and caramel notes.
Aberlour 16 (Distillery
bottling at 43% ABV, tasted 1/23/2010): This double-matured malt
(oak and sherry casks) has a sweet nose with syrupy notes, a touch of
grapes, and honey. The taste is dry, honey-sweet, with a touch of banana
and a lemony tartness. The finish is dry and sweet with an almond
nuttiness.
An Cnoc 16 (Distillery bottling at 46% ABV, tasted 6/2011): The
nose is vibrant, lively, and spicy with allspice and nutmeg notes. The
taste is smooth and slow to build up, but develops a prominent cinnamon
note that doesn't overpower the fruity red apple and pear notes
underneath. The fruitiness continues through the long finish. Excellent.
An Cnoc 1995 (Distillery bottling at 46% ABV, tasted 6/2011):
The nose is spicy and warm with touches of oranges and honey. The taste
is smooth and creamy with honey and a lingering cinnamon note along with
a touch of caramel candy. The finish is spicy and warm and lingers
nicely.
Ardbeg Alligator (Distillery bottling at 51.2% ABV, tasted 4/2011):
This Ardbeg gets its name from the "alligator" charring of the bourbon
barrels used to mature it. The nose is full of toasted oak and mesquite,
vanilla, dark chocolate, and orange. The taste has lots of toasted
notes, with orange, nutmeg, tangy barbecue sauce, and clove that lasts
well into the finish, where there's a surprise explosion of pepperiness
that adds to the complexity.
Ardbeg Corryvreckan (Distillery
bottling at 57.1% ABV, tasted 9/2009): This is the worldwide
release of Corryvreckan, which was released in 2008 as an Ardbeg
Committee bottling. The usual Ardbeg peatiness is smooth and balanced on
the nose, with notes of damp wood and brine. The taste is spicy, with a
mix of smoke and jalapeno peppers that fades into a smooth maltiness,
The finish doesn't just linger...it moves in and stays for a while like
a house guest! Outstanding!
Ardbeg Rollercoaster (Distillery
bottling at 57.3% ABV, tasted 3/2010): This bottling celebrates the
10th anniversary of the Ardbeg Committee, and there's plenty to
celebrate here. The nose is vibrant and aromatic, reflecting the younger
whiskies in the mix, with nice peaty notes and hints of sea spray and
smoked salmon. The taste is tingly and peppery with a great mouthfeel,
fading to a good balance of brininess and peat. This is one dram that
benefits from a splash of water...it lengthens out the taste and adds to
the finish. Without water, the finish is short and peaty, but with
water, it lingers with a muted smokiness.
Arran 12 (Bottled by Master of Malt at
55% ABV, tasted 12/2009 from sample at 40% ABV): The nose is sea
breeze and brine with smoked salmon notes. The taste is thick and chewy,
slightly smoky with notes of brine and lemony tartness. The finish has
hints of citrus, hazelnut, and dark chocolate.
Auchentoshan 50 (Cask #479,
distilled in 1957 and bottled in 2008 at 44% ABV): This single malt
spent 50 years in an Oloroso sherry cask, yet it is paler than most
Oloroso-aged whiskies. The nose is very delicate, with a light sweetness
that hints of green tea, peppermint, and lavender. The taste is
reminiscent of the White Bowmore, with tropical fruits (mango, coconut,
and banana), along with creme brulee and vanilla, and it winds up with a
creamy finish of coconut, vanilla, figs, and a sweet hint of maple
syrup.
Auchentoshan 1998 (Distillery bottling at 54.6% ABV, tasted 5/2011):
This malt was matured in Fino Sherry casks, and the nose has notes of
honey, butterscotch, orange peel, almonds, and a touch of dried flowers.
The taste starts sweet with a citrusy-tart note that builds with hints
of lemon, mango, pineapple, and green apples. The green apple tartness
continues through the slightly dry finish.
Baker's (Distillery bottling at 53.5% ABV, tasted 12/2009):
Baker Beam's preferred bourbon recipe, with a dry and clean nose that
shows hints of vanilla, almonds, and pears with subtle caramel notes.
The taste is spicy and warm with molasses, vanilla, and caramel. The
finish has a touch of vanilla, fudge, and caramel.
Balmenach 1979 (Single cask bottling by Berry Bros. & Rudd at 56.3%
ABV, tasted 3/2010): The nose is lightly spiced with notes of pears
and peaches. The taste starts off with an intense pepperiness that fades
slowly to reveal notes of honey and black tea. The finish is lingering
with a good balance of pepper and honey. The balance and consistency is
excellent.
Balvenie Caribbean Cask (Distillery bottling at 43% ABV, tasted
9/2010): This Balvenie was finished in Caribbean Rum casks, which
added a nice touch of pineapple and coconut to the usual notes of
vanilla and honey on the nose. The taste is very smooth with mild
spices, a touch of cinnamon, honey, and a hint of coconut. The finish is
full of honey, coconut, and allspice.
Balvenie Rose 16 (Distillery bottling at 53.4% ABV, tasted 8/2009):
This expression is only available at the distillery, and spent 4 weeks
finishing in port pipes before bottling at cask strength. That gives it
a rosy pink color, but the nose remains nutty and oaky with hints of
toffee. The nuttiness continues on the taste, with hazelnut and walnut
notes as well as vanilla and dried flowers. Adding a splash of water
brings out more fruit, but it's very drinkable at cask strength.
BenRiach 12 Sherry Wood (Distillery bottling at 46% ABV, tasted
9/2010): This comes from a mix of Pedro Ximenez and Oloroso sherry
casks, and the nose is aromatic, spicy, and nutty with notes of hazelnut
and allspice. The taste is tart with hints of lemon peel, but balanced
with a spicy touch of allspice and chili powder and a honey note
underneath that keeps it on track. The finish has a great balance of
honey and allspice notes, and is long and smooth.
Benromach PX Finish (Distillery bottling at 45% ABV, tasted 8/2011):
This malt was finished for 30 months in Pedro Ximenez sherry casks from
Williams & Humbert, and the nose reflects this with notes of dried
fruits, orange peel, figs, and a hint of ginger root. The taste is
smooth and fruity with a nice touch of cinnamon that doesn't overpower
the fruitiness. There are hints of orange peel, lemon zest, mango, and
brown sugar that last through the long finish with just a touch of
spice.
Blanton's 2010 105 Proof (Distillery bottling exclusively for La
Maison du Whisky at 52.5% ABV, tasted 1/2011): The nose on this
limited release is full of cinnamon, black pepper, honey, and vanilla.
The taste is spicy, but well-balanced with a black pepper note that
fades to reveal caramel, brown sugar, and vanilla. The finish is smooth,
sweet, and long.
Bowmore 18 (Distillery bottling at 43% ABV, tasted 12/2010):
The nose has notes of dried leaves, campfire smoke, apple pie, and a
subtle trace of orange peel. The taste starts off smoky with a touch of
dried flowers at first, followed by dark chocolate and hazelnut-flavored
coffee with a touch of cinnamon -- subtle, very complex, and smooth. The
finish is dry and briny with a mild peatiness, toasted oak, and almonds.
Caol Ila 25 (Distillery bottling at 59.4% ABV, tasted 5/2010):
This malt hides its age well, with a nose that is fresh, clean and peaty
with notes of vanilla and straw. The taste has a great mouthfeel, ashy
and smoky, and tingles the tip of the tongue with peppery spiciness. The
finish is peat smoke, soot, and pepper.
Caol Ila 2010 Feis Ile Edition (Distillery bottling at 61.9% ABV,
tasted 5/2010): This malt carries no age statement, but was
distilled in August of 1999 and aged in a European oak ex-sherry cask.
The nose is smoky and well-balanced, with notes of honey, vanilla, and
pears. The taste is puckery, peppery, and mouth-filling with a muted
smokiness and notes of cilantro and straw. The finish is dry and
peppery.
Caperdonich 1972 (Bottled in 2008 at 49.9% ABV by Gordon & MacPhail
for La Maison du Whisky): A first-fill sherry butt gives this malt
the color of 10W30 motor oil. The nose is old oak and dark chocolate,
with cinnamon and nutmeg, and the taste is intense and fiery. Chili
peppers draw down to reveal notes of dried fruits with a creamy
smoothness. The finish has a caramel candy sweetness to it that left me
wanting more.
Compass Box Hedonism (Vatted grain bottled by Compass Box at 43%
ABV, tasted 7/2010): The nose on this vatted grain Scotch is crisp
and aromatic with hints of toffee, coconut, and nuts. The taste is a
delicious blend of fudge, caramel, and vanilla, and is creamy and
smooth. The finish is creamy and lingering with hints of dark chocolate.
Cutty Sark 18 (Blended Scotch bottled at 43% ABV, tasted 10/2010):
The nose is campfire smoke, dried leaves, dried oranges and pears,
caramel, and licorice. The taste is very well-balanced and thick with
sherry cask notes, toffee, molasses, and just a kiss of smokiness. The
finish has a good mix of tartness and sweetness with notes of charred
oak, vanilla, and caramel.
Dalmore Cigar Malt Reserve (Distillery bottling at 40% ABV, tasted
6/2011): This is an all-new version of The Dalmore's Cigar Malt,
which was originally phased out in favor of the Gran Reserva expression.
It has a slightly higher percentage of Oloroso Matusalem sherry casks
than the original Cigar Malt, and the nose is full of honey, orange
marmalade, and cinnamon spice. The taste carries over those same notes,
with additional touches of almonds and allspice helping to give it a
good mouthfeel. The finish is rich and smooth with toffee, honey, and
citrus notes.
Edradour Caledonia 12 (Distillery bottling at 46%, tasted 8/2010):
Scottish singer Dougie McLean selected the single Oloroso sherry cask
for this bottling, and picked a gem. The nose is spicy and rich with
cloves, honey, figs, and dried orange peel. The taste starts with a
great cinnamon blast, which fades slowly to reveal orange peel and
roasted almond notes. The finish is long and honeyed with light spices.
A few drops of water opens this dram up nicely.
Evan Williams 2000 Single Barrel (Distillery bottling at 43.3% ABV,
Bottle #26, tasted 10/28/2009): This is the 15th in the Evan
Williams Single Barrel series of vintage bourbons. The nose is classic
cinnamon, vanilla, and oak...spicy and dry. The taste is caramel-sweet
at first, followed by an intense pepperiness that fades to brown sugar
and maple syrup notes with a bit of cinnamon. The cinnamon notes linger
through the finish with a touch of vanilla and a hint of oak.
Four Roses 2010 Limited Edition Small Batch (Distillery bottling at
55.05% ABV, tasted 7/2010): This bourbon uses three of the 10 Four
Roses recipes, and is bottled at cask strength. The nose is full of oak,
caramel, honey, and dark chocolate. The taste has soft spices, honey,
raspberry, and cherry notes and is exceptionally smooth. The finish has
notes of cherries, vanilla, and a touch of cinnamon.
Gentleman Jack (Distillery bottling at 40% ABV, tasted 7/2010):
This is the softer side of Jack Daniel's, with a second run through the
Lincoln County process charcoal filters after maturation. This gives it
a smoother overall taste than the traditional Jack. The nose is rich and
spicy, with notes of nutmeg, cinnamon, honey, and orange peel. The taste
is smooth and sweet with a spicy cinnamon kick, orange marmalade, honey,
a hint of peaches, and a slight touch of almond. The finish is spicy,
lingering, and very smooth.
George T. Stagg 2011 Release (Bottled by Buffalo Trace at 71.3% ABV,
tasted 9/2011): If you've been overpowered by previous Staggs, the
2011 release may be more to your taste. It's slightly milder than
previous Staggs, with a muted nose of allspice, nutmeg, soft rye bread,
and touches of oak and maple syrup...but no burn. The taste is thick and
oily with a nuclear blast of chili powder that fades slowly to reveal
oak, vanilla, and almond notes that linger through the finish.
Glencadam 21 (Distillery bottling at 46% ABV, tasted 9/2010):
The nose is toasted oak, allspice, and a touch of dried flowers and
fruits. The taste is chewy and mouth-puckering, slightly tart, and a
charred oak note develops slowly with touches of vanilla, toffee, and
dark chocolate, The finish has a hint of campfire smoke and dark
chocolate. This dram takes water well, and a splash will reveal more
spices and complexity.
GlenDronach 1989 (Distillery bottling at 19 years for Park Avenue
Liquor Shop at 58.7% ABV, tasted 12/12/2009): The nose on this
single-cask bottling is allspice and pepper, along with subtle hints of
figs, raisins, and toffee. The taste is peppery with a slight burn and
notes of vanilla, oak, molasses, and dark chocolate. The finish is spicy
and lingering.
Glenfarclas 17 (Distillery bottling at 43% ABV, tasted 2/2011):
The nose is fragrant with notes of candied orange peel, brandy, nutmeg,
banana, and hints of coconut and dark chocolate. The taste is creamy,
rich, and very smooth with cinnamon, molasses, banana, red apples, and
hints of orange peel and brandy. The finish is spicy and slightly tart
with a hint of orange peel.
Glenfiddich 15 Solera Reserve (Distillery bottling at 40% ABV,
tasted 6/2010): This whisky uses three different types of barrels
and goes through a unique solera vat maturation process. The nose has
cloves, cinnamon, and nuttiness. The taste is rich and spicy with
toffee, butterscotch, almonds, and oak tannins. The finish is spicy and
lingering.
Glenlivet 21 (Distillery bottling at 43% ABV, tasted 1/23/2010):
The nose is sweet and dry with hints of dried fruits. The taste is
smooth and spicy with a great mouthfeel and notes of allspice and dried
orange peel. The finish is dry and tingling with a lingering kiss of
sweetness.
Glenlivet 1974 (Gordon & MacPhail 2011 bottling at 50.1% ABV, tasted
3/2011): Part of the Private Collection Decades series of Glenlivet
single casks and aged in a first-fill sherry hogshead, this malt has a
nose of baked apples, strawberries, vanilla, and chicken roasting in the
oven. The taste is thick and rich, warm and spicy with cinnamon and
touches of orange peel and pineapple. The finish is sweet, dry, and long
with touches of orange peel and cocoa. Complex and varied.
Glenmorangie Finealta (Distillery bottling at 46% ABV, tasted
8/2010): Imagine a peated Glenmorangie...this is it! The nose is
lightly peated with notes of muted oranges, ginger, soy sauce, and
nutmeg. The taste is spicy and complex with notes of ginger, nutmeg, soy
sauce, and salt fading to reveal a dry and slightly tart orange
marmalade. The finish is spicy and long with a good charred oak note.
Complex and interesting.
Glenrothes 1979 Single Cask (Distillery bottling at 55.2% ABV,
tasted 1/2011): Cask #3808 was an ex-sherry butt, and gave this
malt a nose full of vanilla, plums, dates, and toasted oak. The taste is
spicy and thick with notes of Christmas cake, orange peel, plums,
raisins, and brown sugar. The finish is long and sweet with tropical
fruits and a touch of brown sugar.
Hammer Head (Distillery bottling at 40.7% ABV, tasted 9/2010):
This is a good whisky with an even better story. It was distilled in
Czechoslovakia months before the fall of Communism, and left ignored in
a warehouse for nearly 21 years until the distillery's new owners
discovered it. The nose is clean and light with a hint of hazelnut,
light spices, and oak. The taste is smooth with lightly building pepper
and caramel notes, hints of herbs and dried flowers. The finish is tart,
smooth, and floral.
Highland Park 1998 Vintage Series (Distillery bottling at 40% ABV,
tasted 8/2010): The nose has Highland Park's classic honey
sweetness, and is slightly dry with notes of ginger and straw. The taste
is woodsy and grassy with honey and hints of peat and vanilla. The
finish is spicy with a caramel note underneath and a touch of smoke on
the back of the throat.
High West Bourye (Bottled by High West Distillery at 46% ABV, tasted
2/2011): This is a blend of 10-year-old bourbon and ryes 12 and 16
years old, and it's an interesting combination. The nose is rich with
vanilla, toasted rye bread, oak, and honey notes. The taste is bold and
rich with molasses, cinnamon, rye, and honey. The finish is spicy, long,
rich, and vibrant.
Invergordon 1971 (Bottled in 2009 at 48% ABV by
Berry Bros. & Rudd, tasted 8/2009): Single grain whiskies don't get enough respect
in my opinion, but this one deserves plenty of respect! It's a light
gold, oily and thick in the glass, with notes of coconut and banana on
the nose. The taste is surprisingly spicy, with a peppery kick that
fades to reveal the fruity notes from the nose. The finish is light and
tropical-fruit sweet.
Isle of Jura Prophecy (Distillery bottling at 43% ABV, tasted
5/2010): This peated Jura has a nose of wood smoke, old leather,
pipe tobacco, honey and vanilla. The taste starts with a cinnamon blast
that fades to reveal notes of caramel candy, coconut, lemon and black
tea. The finish is warming with hints of coconut and vanilla.
Jim Beam Signature (Distillery bottling at 44.5% ABV, tasted 6/2010):
This limited edition release is the result of an experiment with 6
different grains, including brown rice and triticale in addition to
corn, barley, wheat, and rye. Aged for 6 years, it has a nose with oak
and peppery notes, vanilla, and a hint of honey. The taste is spicy with
black pepper, a touch of toasted oak, and sawdust. The finish is dry
with a lingering spiciness.
Johnnie Walker Black Label (Blended Scotch bottled at 40%, tasted
2/26/2010): One of the world's most popular malts, and for good
reason. I liken blends to an orchestra where the musicians are playing
as one, and that's what Black Label does. The nose is smooth with hints
of smoke, a touch of oak and dried grass, but not enough of any to throw
the balance off. The taste is complex and amazingly smooth with a clear
smokiness, but also showing subtle hints of fruits and a slight
tartness. The finish is creamy, long, and smooth.
Johnnie Walker Blue Label (Blended Scotch bottled at 40%, tasted
11/23/2009): The nose is spicy and aromatic, with notes of rose
petals, old leather, and tobacco. The taste is thick and spicy, and the
black pepper notes fade to a honeyed sweetness with a slight citrusy
tartness. The finish fades quickly.
Kilbeggan 15 (Distillery bottling by Cooley at 40% ABV, tasted
5/2010): This Irish whiskey won a number of awards in 2009 and
2010, and it's easy to see why. The nose is warm and spicy with hints of
cinnamon, nutmeg, and baked apples. The taste is mild at first, with a
nice touch of apple pie and spices that builds slowly and a slight
nuttiness. The finish fades slowly with hints of nutmeg.
Kilbeggan 18 (Distillery bottling by Cooley at 40% ABV, tasted
5/2011): The nose is subtle and smooth with notes of allspice,
honey, and touches of cinnamon and nutmeg. The taste is creamy with a
slight tartness at first, followed by a slow spicy buildup of cinnamon
balanced with honey and a very subtle touch of grapefruit underneath.
The finish lingers well with honey and a touch of allspice. Very nice.
Kilchoman 2010 Summer Release (Distillery bottling at 46% ABV,
tasted 9/2010): Just 3 and a half years old, this toddler plays
well with the grown-ups. The nose has a soft peatiness with a great
balance of honey and vanilla notes. The taste is smoky, but still smooth
and mature with a lingering peatiness, caramel candy, and honey. The
finish is lingering, smoky and sweet with honey and just a kiss of
brine.
King Car Conductor Single Malt (Distillery bottling at 46% ABV,
tasted 3/2011): Taiwan's King Car Distillery has been known for its
Kavalan single malts, but this is the first bottling to carry the King
Car name. The nose is spicy and still smooth, with notes of honey, pipe
tobacco, old leather, toasted oak, and a hint of wood smoke. The taste
starts off creamy, followed by a nice spicy buildup of chili peppers
balanced with notes of black tea and lemon underneath. The spice fades
slowly to reveal touches of honey, coconut, and vanilla. The finish is
long and lingering with a good balance of spices and a subtle fruity
touch of papaya. Excellent for such a young whisky!
Lagavulin 2010 Feis Ile Edition (Distillery bottling at 57.2% ABV,
tasted 5/2010): This distillery-only exclusive sold out immediately
on Lagavulin's 2010 Feis Ile day. It was aged for just under 16 years in
a sherry butt at the Port Ellen distillery warehouses. The nose has
notes of almonds, orange peel, malt, and a touch of toffee, along with
hints of smoke and brine. The taste is explosive - spicy and tingly with
a hint of sulfur and smoke. Water opens up floral notes and a hint of
syrup. The finish is creamy with muted spices. A well-rounded complex
dram.
Laphroaig 18 (Distilled in 1990 and bottled by A. Dewar Rattray at
55% ABV, tasted 1/24/2009): Just 210 bottles were produced
exclusively for the Alberta market from a first-fill bourbon cask. The
nose -- surprisingly -- has no peat to it! It's light and fruity with an
overwhelming sweetness and light herbal notes underneath. The taste
starts off slightly sweet...then the peat kicks in with classic
Laphroaig notes of creosote, tar, and seaweed. The finish lasts and
lasts!
Laphroaig 18 (Distillery bottling at 48% ABV, tasted 12/5/2009):
This replaces the 15-year-old Laphroaig, and the extra three years have
rounded off some of the rougher edges. The nose has a slightly milder
peat influence than other Laphroaigs, and there's a toffee-like
sweetness to balance out seaweed and brine notes, along with a subtle
touch of almonds and hazelnut. The taste is thick and sweet at first,
with the peat taking a few seconds to develop to an intense spiciness
that fades to reveal notes of dried apricots, pears, and a bit of apple.
The finish is smoky on the back of the throat and sweet on the tongue.
Macallan 1824 Collection Select Oak (Distillery bottling in 2009 at
40% ABV, tasted 9/15/2009): This travel retail release is made up
of malts aged in 3 different cask types, and leans heavily to first-fill
sherry casks. The nose is butterscotch candies, vanilla, and raisins,
and the butterscotch notes carry over to the taste. There's also a spicy
touch of marsala powder and a slight touch of citrus. The finish is
slightly aromatic and dry with notes of brown sugar and caramel candy.
Master of Malt 30-Year-Old Speyside (Bottled by Master of Malt from
an undisclosed distillery at 40%, tasted 12/2009): The distillery
is not disclosed, but the dark color and sherry influence may give us a
clue. The nose has a heavy sherry influence with hints of honey, oak,
and hazelnut. The taste is chewy and thick with notes of honey, figs,
cocoa, and nutmeg. The finish is smooth with notes of butterscotch, dry
sherry, and black tea.
Michael Collins Single Malt (Distilled at Cooley for Sidney Frank &
Co., bottled at 40% ABV, tasted 3/2010): Cooley is the only one of
the three Irish distilleries that uses peat for drying some of its
barley, and it gives "The Big Fellow" a light smokiness on the nose,
along with hints of cocoa and honey. The taste is dark chocolate,
caramel, and honey, and the smokiness comes out as the sweetness fades,
leading to a smoky and long finish for this well-balanced and smooth
dram.
Old Forester 2010 Birthday Bourbon (Distillery bottling at 47.5%
ABV, tasted 9/2010): This year's release was distilled on a single
day in October 1997, and the nose is full of dark chocolate, caramel,
butterscotch, wood shavings, and sawdust. The taste has notes of citrus,
oak, roasted cashews, and a touch of raspberries. The finish is woody
and slightly sweet with touches of vanilla and grilled peaches.
Old Pulteney 30 (Distillery bottling at 44% ABV, tasted 5/2011):
The nose has a lemony touch, with toasted oak, berries, and dried
flowers. The taste is honey, cinnamon, tea with lemon, and warming with
a rich mouthfeel that fades slowly to a spicy and lingering finish with
a touch of dark chocolate. Water changes the character to reveal a
vibrant, intense taste with subtle touches of banana and coconut, and a
slight ashiness on the finish. A very interesting whisky!
Penderyn Single Cask Bourbon Matured (Distillery bottling at 61.2%
ABV, tasted 1/2011): This bottling comes from Cask #11, filled just
as the Welsh distillery opened in 2000. The nose is vanilla, dark
chocolate, allspice, roasted almonds, and nutmeg. The taste is spicy and
mouth-coating with pepper and cilantro notes that fade to reveal brown
sugar, sweet maple, and dark chocolate. The finish is long and lingering
with a touch of soft spices.
Pittyvaich 20 (Distillery bottling at 57.5% ABV, tasted 4/2010):
This Speyside malt was distilled in 1989, and the nose has notes of
moss, tobacco, leather, and a touch of smoke. The taste is chewy with a
touch of cinnamon and notes of raisins and figs. Water brings out
additional notes of brown sugar and caramel candy. The finish is spicy
and lingering.
Redbreast 12 (Distillery bottling at 40% ABV, tasted 5/2011):
The nose is spicy with allspice balancing subtle touches of peaches and
pears. The taste is complex and creamy with a great balance of spiciness
and sweetness, especially with toasted oak and dried orange peel notes.
The finish is long, spicy, and slightly tart.
Rittenhouse Rye 100 Proof (Distillery bottling at 50% ABV, tasted
2/2010): Smooth with great rye bread notes, just enough oak to keep
things interesting, and a nice, long finish. A great whiskey at a great
price.
Royal Lochnagar Selected Edition 2008 (Distillery bottling at 43%
ABV, tasted 4/2010): The nose is rich and fruity with notes of
figs, treacle, and oak, while water releases honey, straw, and a touch
of spices. The flavor starts off sweet, then quickly turns astringent
with notes of dried fruits and brown sugar. The finish is complex and
warm on the back of the throat.
Sazerac Rye 18 2009 (Distilled at Buffalo Trace, bottled at 45% ABV, tasted 9/2009):
Another whiskey in the 2009 Buffalo Trace Antique Collection series,
this has a great rye bread aroma on the nose and a hint of old leather.
The taste is tart and aromatic, slightly herbal, with notes of molasses
and oak. Water makes it even smoother, and the finish is spicy and
lingering.
Springbank 1996 (Distillery bottling at 56.4% ABV exclusively for
Kensington Wine Market, tasted 1/23/2009): This single cask
bottling came from a Manzanilla sherry cask aged for 17 years. It's
found only in Calgary, and has a strong, intense nose with notes of
maple syrup, figs, and oak, with a slight hint of lemon. The taste is
equally intense and spicy, with almond notes and black pepper that fade
to a sweet finish that lingers with an aroma that curls up the back of
the throat.
St. Magdalene 1975 (Bottled by Gordon & MacPhail in 2008 at 43% ABV,
tasted 3/2011): The nose is dry and fruity with orange peel, a hint
of pineapple, and green apples balanced with musty attic, moss, old
leather, and paper. The taste is creamy and fruity with pineapple, green
apples, and a touch of mango that fades slowly to reveal subtle hints of
marzipan, cinnamon, and curry powder underneath. The finish is
medium-length, but nice and smooth with touches of vanilla and coconut.
Tamnavulin 16 Single Cask (Bottled by Master of Malt at 55.1% ABV,
tasted 12/2009): The nose is woody with notes of vanilla, old
leather, and honey. The taste is malty with notes of figs and honey and
a slightly spicy kick of pepper. The finish has notes of honey and Heath
Bar (toffee). Overall, a very smooth and balanced whisky.
Tomatin 1973 Single Cask (Distillery bottling at #44% ABV, tasted
12/2010): Cask #25602 was a refill American oak cask, and gave this
single malt a complex and rich nose with notes of cinnamon, baked
apples, toasted bread, and oak. The taste is spicy with touches of dry
white wine, licorice, a lime tartness, and a good mouthfeel. The finish
is tart and lingering with a citrusy note of fresh Key Lime pie.
Wild Turkey American Spirit 15YO (Distillery bottling at 50.5% ABV,
tasted 3/5/2009): Jimmy Russell's not a big fan of older bourbons, and
this is as far as he'll take Wild Turkey. The nose is light with subtle
oak and vanilla notes. The taste is honey-sweet witha kick of
black pepper, smooth with no over-oakiness, but woody like a warm
campfire. The finish is tart and lingering with a slight sweetness.
William Heavenhill Limited Edition (Tasted 9/2008, bottled at 63.8%
ABV by Heaven Hill): Only 225 bottles were made of this
barrel-proof bourbon honoring the farmer who gave his name to the site
where Heaven Hill sits today, and it sells for $500 at the Heaven Hill
visitors center. It's oily and thick, with a dark coppery color. The
nose is old oak and leather, with vanilla and caramel notes for good
measure. Tasting it reveals honey and caramel sweetness with a kick of
pepper and an interesting touch of toasted rye bread, but adding water
brings out even more sweetness with a minty flavor. The finish is rich
ganache, chocolate, and nuts.