WE’RE BACK

We Purchased quite a few samples from Master of Malt! Rick and I will be doing some tasting and blogging again real soon. Here what you have to look forward to:

1. Master of Malt 60 Year Old Speyside
2. Master of Malt 50 Year Old Speyside (4th Edition)
3. Smokehead 18 Year Old Extra Black
4. Lagavulin 16 Year Old
5. Tobermory Heavily Peated 16 Year Old 1998 – Single Cask (Master of Malt)
6. Caol Ila 12 Year Old
7. Ardmore 10 Year Old 2006 – Single Cask (Master of Malt)
8. Lagavulin 8 Year Old – 200th Anniversary Edition
9. Bunnahabhain Heavily Peated 7 Year Old 2006 (cask 800092) (Berry Bros & Rudd)
10. Laphroaig Quarter Cask
11. BenRiach Birnie Moss Intensely Peated
12. Bunnahabhain Cruach Mhòna
13. Islay Storm
14. The Ileach Cask Strength

 

Review: Ardbeg 10 Year Old

DISCLAIMER: The Sample for this review was purchased by me. All ideas and opinions in this post are entirely my own. I do not accept any money for these reviews.

Color: White Wine

Nose: Sweet peat, charcoal, pepper, citrus, sea air, fruit, and sweet vanilla

Taste: Peat, Sweet fruits, black pepper, vanilla, citrus, brine, slightly medicinal

Finish: Long smooth, smokey, peaty, sweet finish

Score:
Rick: 9.5/10.0
Sam: 9.5/10.0
Overall: 9.5/10.0

There are those that say that Scotch whisky is an acquired taste. To this I say BULLSHIT! Well, only partly. Peat is the only part of Scotch that was an acquired taste for me. You see the first time I ever picked up Scotch, I was in love. It was Cutty Sark, and at the time I thought it was the best thing ever. Being young though, I started drinking Jack Daniels, or Jim Beam because they were cheaper and more readily available.

Then I was turned on to Chivas Regal by my father-in-law and I remembered again how much I liked Scotch. It wasn’t until I really got into Scotch that I realized the diversity of it. I had always stuck to the Speysides, or blends without even knowing I was doing it. You all may remember that I went to the Whiskey Extravaganza down in Dallas last May. While there I was introduced to all of the whisky regions. I loved them all…but one. Islay! I felt as if I’d taken a drink of a fireplace that had been soaked in iodine. I hated it.

As a blogger I get samples from all over the place and since the Extravaganza I’ve had a few peated sample com across the table. Each time I’d look at them in horror and have to talk myself into it. I should mention that while I hated peat, Rick loved it and would be excited each time we received a peated whiskey to sample. After a while though I realized that I was starting to develop a taste for them.

Then, on New Year’s Eve I decided to take the plunge. When Rick arrived he and I went to the local liquor store to purchase a bottle. Knowing me, he started looking at the tamer stuff while I was looking for Lagavulin, Ardbeg, or Laphroaig. In that order. I finally found the Ardbeg at the second store, I debated continuing my search but figured rightly that it would be fruitless in my small town. We took it home and cracked it open.

I’ll start this by saying that I am a convert, I loved the Ardbeg. I may never go back to un-peated whisky again. The Ardbeg is phenomenal. From the nose to the finish. I admit when I first poured this I was really put off by the color. It was so light that if I had poured it into a wineglass it could have been mistaken for white wine.

The color is completely forgotten though as you inhale the sweet peat, pepper, fruit and vanilla. It was surprising to find that while I could definitely smell the peat, it did not overpower the more delicate floral notes.

The first sip is sublime. It starts off slow and sweet and ramps up into the peat. The pepper and brininess come through as well, with just a touch of iodine. It finishes long and smooth and seems to burn up from the stomach, instead of on the way down. Not indeigestion, but just the warmth from the alcohol.

 

I welcome your thoughts and opinions. Review suggestions are welcome.

Contact info can be found HERE and don’t forget to follow us on FACEBOOK and TWITTER!

Until Next Time,

Slàinte Mhath!

 

 

THE WHISKEY EXTRAVAGANZA

As I am sure most of my returning readers are aware. I went to a gala event on May 1^st in Dallas hosted by The Scotch Malt Whisky Society, it is called The Whisky Extravaganza. What an awesome experience. As a surprise, I took my Father-in-Law. We had a blast.

I found out about it trolling the internet looking for whisky shows. At the time I didn’t know if such a thing existed. Well, it does and there are quite a few. I chose this one based on proximity and date. As well as the fact that the Dallas/Fort Worth area is home to me. I purchased the tickets and made my hotel reservations February 19^th. That’s when the waiting and dreaming began. I’d sit around daydreaming and searching for photos from the events trying to get an idea of what I’d be walking in to. I started to worry that my daydreaming would lead to a letdown. I’m happy to say that I was wrong.

On April 21^st I received an email to get into a Masers Class presented by Dewar’s. They would be providing samples of Dewar’s 18, Aberfeldy 21, and Craigellachie 23. The only catch, I had to be one of the first 70 people to respond to the e-mail. I responded within 4 minutes. I was on pins and needles waiting to find out if Rick and I were going to be able to attend. I had to wait a full day, but we got in. This was a unique experience for us. Gabriel Cardarella, Dewar’s Brand Ambassador, was extremely knowledgeable, and quite the comedian. He started with a very lively history of Dewar’s and then led us through the tasting and gave us background on each glass. Leading our senses, and pointing out certain eccentricities. I really enjoyed the Aberfeldy 21 followed by the Dewar’s 18 and lastly the Craigellachie 23.

The extravaganza was right after the tasting. On a quick side note, if you get to the hotel early it is NOT a good idea to go and see if you can see them setting up. It leads to a very dismal two hours of eagerness that in turn leads to watching Maury Povich to kill the time. Really, I don’t recommend it. I was an idiot, and forgot to take pictures. The one above is from the website, the guy in the picture is Ricky. He is another very funny guy, that I had the fortune of meeting. Alright I suppose I better get on to the experience.

The Extravaganza was great, it surpassed my expectations. It also taught me a lot. I suspected going in that I wouldn’t care for the heavy peat. I was right. I was also right in thinking that Rick would love it. I did enjoy the mildly peated Arran. The amount of whiskey available was unbelievable. There were roughly 200 plus different bottle to choose from. It wasn’t just Scotch. There was also Bourbon, Single Malts from Asia, American Whiskey, Rum, and a few others for color. I tried the peat a little too early and had to stop and eat to refresh my palette.  I skipped the peat after that and tried everything else. I won’t go into a blow by blow. I couldn’t have gotten through them all if I had tried to do a review on each of them. I did however find my palette and found some good names to purchase later. Sorry, not going to give any clues.

By 9pm we were pretty well hammered. Leaning on one another we were able to make it to the room. We performed the time honored tradition of the drunk dial. Sorry honey! The best part about drinking really good Whisk(e)y…No hangover! We are also planning our next event and can’t wait to do it again. These guys really know how to put on an amazing show. I have links to both the Scotch Malt Society’s website and the whiskey extravaganza in the first paragraph. If you see them coming to your area you need to go. It is well worth the money.

I welcome your thoughts and opinions. Review suggestions are welcome.

Until Next Time,

Slàinte Mhath!

 

Julep Cocktail Club in Kansas City

Julep Cocktail Club in Kansas City.

 

REVIEW: Glenfiddich 18-year-old

Color: Burnished Copper

Nose: Oak, Dried Fruits, Smoke, Citrus, Honey, Cinnamon and Spice

Taste: Sweet Sherried Oak, Honey, Orange peel, Apples, Raisins, Black Pepper, Tobacco, Sweet Caramel and Vanilla

Finish: Long smooth finish, Raisins, Dried Fruit, and Spice, perfectly balanced with a slight burn

Score: Rick- 9.25/10.0

            Sam- 8.5/10.0

            Overall – 8.875/10.0

This is now one of Rick and I’s favorite Scotches. I know I have said that before, when talking about the Glenfiddich 15, so let me clarify. This is my favorite 18-year-old scotch to date. On to the review.

We cracked The bottle Saturday night. The moment we popped the cork, the nose was there. This was the first time I have opened a bottle and could smell the contents before I even poured the first glass. Rick was actually very scared based on the smell. He had been burned before by an outstanding smelling drink so he was leery to say the least. The nose in the glass was sweet dried fruits, oak, cinnamon and spice. It is a very balanced and harmonious nose that really fills your nose. I really enjoyed it, savoring each smell trying to pull out the individual scents.

I like to take small sips, swirl them and then swallow when tasting. This bottle epitomizes balance. The smell and the taste are almost identical. It starts out sweet and morphs into oak with oranges, apples, raisins, black pepper and tobacco all equally represented. I sometimes gargle to see what differences I can get, with this I was surprised by strong pepper, and citrus.

The finish was long, smooth, and sweet with a perfect burn. It warms from the tips of the ears to the bottom of the stomach. I really enjoyed this expression. It really is perfectly balanced. It a complete mouth experience. I was surprised by the way the oak bites the tip of the tongue, and then caresses it on the way down.

I was really impressed with this and would definitely buy again. Have anything you’d like to add? Hit me up in the comment section below. I’d love to hear what your first experience was.

Until Next Time,

Slàinte Mhath!

 

REVIEW: Glenfiddich 15 year old

Color: Golden Amber

Nose: Oak, Oranges, Smoke, Sherry

Taste: Sherried Oak, Almond, Orange peel, Sweet Caramel and Vanilla

Finish: Long smooth finish with spice and fruit, perfectly balanced with a slight burn

Score: Rick- 9.0/10.0

            Sam- 8.0/10.0

            Overall – 8.5/10.0

This is now one of Rick and I’s favorite Scotches. Rick and my wife bought it for me for my birthday last year. We had originally went there to get a bottle of bourbon, but I happened to turn and saw a lone bottle of Glenfiddich sitting on the shelf. I had already had the Glenfiddich 12 at this point so i was keen to try the 15. What we took home was amazing.

I failed to mention this in my last review, but I have developed a curious way of adding water to my scotch. I add 2 mL of water using a hypodermic syringe. I don’t add it slowly though, instead I add it with force, to Rick and I this is the way to really open the nose of scotch. . I have added it slowly, but it doesn’t really seem to work as good as my method.

The nose is absolutely sublime. It is the most aromatic of any Scotch that I have had to date. It is sherry, oranges, sherry, and just the slightest smoke. I got all that on the first whiff. AMAZING! Rick and I spent a good 10-15 minutes just enjoying the aroma.

The first sip feels thick in the mouth. It is sherried oak, with hints of nuts like almonds, citrus from orange peels, and sweet caramel and vanilla. the flavors never clash or overpower they just nestle together on the tongue singing in sweet harmony. Even after two or three drams the flavor never losses its edge.

The finish is long and sweet with the mellowest of burns. I could taste the fruit, and spice all the way down.

Rick and I only disagreed on one point. He thought it was better than a certain 21-year-old Speyside, while I thought it was more comparable to the 18-year-old of that particular Speyside. We don’t always agree, but we do agree that this is a good bottle to always have ready to pour for a friend. I plan on keeping a couple of these in my cabinet.

Until Next Time,

Slàinte Mhath! 

 

REVIEW: Glenfiddich 12

Color: Deep copper with gold highlights

Nose: Fresh Cherry, spice, oak subtle vanilla

Taste: Sweet at first opening to Spice, Oak, Citrus, apples, and Butterscotch

Finish: Very smooth finish with a slight burn that warms all the way to the stomach

Score: Sam – 7.5/10.0

   I was on a job at the local Masons lodge, fixing a computer when I saw a crate of alcohol sitting on the floor. I made a comment about it being my kind of place, and the gentleman I was working for offered to pour me a glass. I told him that if he was serious I wouldn’t mind a dram of scotch if it was available. His eyebrows shot up in surprise. He then told me there wasn’t any Scotch in the crate, but that he did have a bottle in his desk. He pulls out a bottle of Glenfiddich 12, and so began my love affair with the Glenfiddich line.

I drank this out of small green rocks glasses, so I had to guess on the color. At first whiff it is fruity. I was taught by the gentleman I was working for, to savor the experience of smelling the bouquet. So after a couple times I was able to start to pull out the other aromas such as cherry, spices, oak, and the subtle vanilla.

The flavor is sweet at first, but quickly opens up as you roll it around in you mouth. I was able to detect spices, apples, sweet citrus like tangerines, light oak, and a slight butterscotch.

The finish is one of the smoothest yet, it has a long slow burn that warms you all the way to your toes. The oak once again comes out to say hi at the very end.

This is possibly my favorite 12 that I have had yet. Anyone else tried it? Love it or Hate it? Let me know in the comments.

Until Next Time,

Slàinte Mhath! 

 

OPINION: Pinocchio Barrique (barrel) Bottle

I came across this while surfing for anything whisk(e)y related. I almost brushed it off, but found myself continuing to come back to it. I see lots of potential for something like this. I also see two  downsides. The first is, I am a Bourbon and Scotch guy and know that the best way to age is with charred barrels. I am now wondering if and how I could char one of these and if it would work. The second is what if I screw up and whatever I am aging turns out horrible.  I would have to throw it out, that could be potentially a lot of money down the drain.

I think I could live with either of these consequences, the more I think about it the more intrigued by it I become. I think the innovator in me loves the idea. I can pour a port in and let it age for 10-20 days, pour it out and replace it with Scotch, giving me a port finish. Same goes for Sherry, Rum, or whatever you’d like. The possibilities are quite endless. Not to mention, just straight aging something to change flavor profiles. What could you gain by aging a bottle of The Glenlivet 12 in one of these for a few days.

The Mixologist in me really wants to try one of these too. There are a couple different Pappy Van Winkle clone blends that I have thought about trying. Blending and then aging in this bottle could be a lot of fun. It would be a pappy clone with a twist. There are so many brands of Bourbon and Scotch, that you could have a lot of fun blending and aging. This is Basically a science experiment for Adults.

I’d love to hear you opinions. Please comment below and Tell me what you think. I may even run a poll, would you be interested in that?

Until Next Time,

Slàinte Mhath! 

 

The Duncan Taylor

First off, hello to all of my new international readers. I am talking to you great people in, Taiwan, Netherlands, Hong Kong, Germany, and Poland. Thanks for all of your support.

I was cruising my favorite sites yesterday looking at the offerings when I came across some beautiful bottles. I am talking about the new line up from The Duncan Taylor. It is their new “Single” range. These bottles are Single Malt, Single Grain, and Single Cask. They are also bottled at cask strength. I don’t think it could get any better. These Whisky’s range in age from 16 to 35 years old, and come from both working and closed distilleries.

These whiskeys are presented in a beautiful red wood and leather box. The bottles are nestled safely in a cream-colored, form-fitting interior. The bottles themselves are simple and no-nonsense, that to this writers eye causes them to really pop when looked at with the case.

I would love to get a hold of the Bunnahabhain 1979 34 Year Old Single. I was born in 79 so it has been a dream of mine to get to taste a bottle from that vintage. If anyone has the bottle I have the glasses!

Until next time,

Slàinte Mhath!

 

Welcome To My Newest Endeavor

My name is Sam, I am 35 and live in Kansas. I have been drinking scotch since my first time trying alcohol. I won’t mention my age when I started, but I will mention the brand. It was Cutty Sark, and at the time it was awesome. Until the next morning anyway.

I was reintroduced by my father-in law, Rick, about 15 years ago, and my love affair with Scotch has flourished. When he and I started it was Chivas Regal, which is a decent blended scotch.

It wasn’t until I moved to Virginia that I really got into it. I was living in Charlottesville, and visiting the downtown mall. The downtown mall is the old downtown area about 9-10 blocks long with an Ice Rink at one end and an Amphitheater at the other. There are a myriad of bookstores, antique shops, restaurants, bars, and other kitschy shops. It is culture at its best .

My Lovely wife and I were on one of our treasured date nights and decided to dine at the Blue Light Grill. After we ordered I saw a drink menu and picked it up to peruse it while we waited. I came across The Glenlivet 15, I promptly ordered this on the rocks. I know now that this is not the way to “properly” drink it, but I was just starting to get my feet wet. I did however, enjoy every bit of it.

A few years later we moved back to Kansas and closer to my father-in-law. That’s when I really got into Scotch, I started with a bottle of The Glenlivet 18 and have since, with the help of Rick, traveled through every expression they have. I have not had The Glenlivet 70. That’s the dream though. Anybody reading this care to share a glass, I’ll bring the glasses.

Once we had been through the Glenlivet line we almost stopped drinking scotch, but more on that a little later. I switched to Bourbon and invited Rick along for the ride, whom by the way had an aversion to bourbon due to an incident earlier in life, but trusting my judgement got in and went along with me anyway. I should say that my other love has always been Bourbon. I preferred Jack Daniels and Jim Beam, but when pressed I would never turn down a glass of Crown Royal. I know I just went north of Kentucky, but I want to get across that Whiskey in all of its forms calls to me.

My trip down bourbon lane was started because of a select brand called Pappy Van Winkle. I have been wanting to try Pappy Van Winkle for years now, and it is still on the bucket list, but because of its’ rarity I haven’t yet had the privilege, again I will bring the glasses. At this point I should point out that it was my lovely wife, who indulges me in just about everything, that bought me my first four bottles of “Top Shelf” Bourbon. Rick and I started critiquing and keeping a written journal as we drank them. We have since been through quite a few bottles and it’s been fun.

We are getting back into Scotch again thanks to a customer of mine that introduced me to Glenfiddich 12-year-old. Wow what a bottle! I couldn’t believe it was a 12. I recently celebrated my 35th birthday and Rick decided to treat me to a bottle of my choice. I grabbed the Glenfiddich 15. We were amazed, it was in our opinion just as good if not better than the The Glenlivet 21. That also is another post. My intro, like my cup, does runneth over.

Let me end here by saying that on May 1st 2015, Rick and I are going to Dallas for the Whisky Extravaganza. We hope to get a real feel for our hobby and to meet other enthusiasts. Stay Tuned

Slàinte Mhath!