Nose Palate Finish

Talisker 10yo

2011-10-07T17:02:00.004-05:00

Some argue that regional categorization of whisky is, at best, misleading. Me, I tend to find that it can be useful in grouping whiskies that have somewhat similar flavor profiles (for example, if someone doesn't like peat, don't recommend an Islay to them), although it doesn't always work out that way. However you feel about them, though, "Island" is a just plain silly way to label a whisky. There are about a half-dozen different islands that produce whisky in Scotland, each with its own distillery. It just seems horribly imprecise to me; however, I've not tasted many of these, so it remains to be seen if I can detect any similarity in their flavors.

Today, we've got the base Scotch offered by the Isle of Skye's distillery, Talisker.

Talisker

Aged 10 years
Single Island (Skye) malt Scotch whisky
45.8% alc/vol
$60

There's lots of sherry on the nose here (glancing around online, I appear to be the only one to think so, but I'm not taking it back!), apples and bananas. Very pleasant and malty. Peat, too, and it blends very nicely with the sherry in a way I don't think I've encountered before. It's very sharp on the tongue, thanks to its relatively high alcohol content, but it's not unpleasantly so. The finish is all wood smoke, with a bit of clove and maybe a hint of chocolate hiding underneath?

It's really quite nice, I must say! A really good mix of sweet, peat, and smoke, if you happen to like those things, which I rather do. :) It's a little on the pricey side, but not too bad...I could easily see myself buying another bottle sometime.

Compass Box Orangerie

2011-05-28T13:51:00.007-05:00

Compass Box Orangerie
Blended, infused Scotch whisky
40% alc/vol
$45

I heart Compass Box. They make such neat drinks. Orangerie is exactly what it says on the tin. In fact, the tin goes into further detail: "Orangerie is a whisky infusion made of smooth, sweet Scotch whisky infused with the hand-peeled zest of Navalino oranges and subtle accents of Indonesian cassia bark and Sri Lankan cloves."

It comes as no surprise, then, what this eccentric little experiment of a dram tastes like. The orange hits me like a punch in the mouth, at first...but then I realize that it's actually pretty subtle, and that this John Glaser fellow hasn't ruined the perfectly lovely whiskey at all. It's still scotch, sweet and a bit spicy. Cinnamon? Check. Clove? Check. Like I said, it's right there on the tin.

Orangerie is warming, and leaves with a nice finish - a pleasant after-image of malty, orangey goodness. I suspect the orange makes it more accessible to those who aren't so enamored with whiskey, but I'm not sure how much so. I wouldn't even quite call it a "liqueur," though a cursory Google search reveals that others disagree. It really is just an "infusion"; it's not a cocktail, drowning that bad nasty not-at-all-neutral spirit with sugar and bubbles and fruit juice. And we're all the better for it.

Bruichladdich "PEAT"

2011-05-27T17:37:00.008-05:00

So, I've been doing pretty great at this blogging thing, huh? Let's get this show on the road!

Bruichladdich "PEAT"
Single Islay malt Scotch whisky
46% alc/vol
$60

Pronounced brook-lad-dee, according to Wikipedia. New and interesting things. This guy doesn't have an age statement, which, as we know, means it's likely got some young whiskeys in it, which could explain some of the harshness I detect.

A bit harsh and alcoholic, even with a splash of water. Dry and, yes, peaty, but a little...grassy, too? The finish leaves much to be desired, dry and a bit bitter. It's good when a sip of scotch makes you want more, but not when it makes you want more of something else.

Ultimately, it's a nice effort, but I can think of a half-dozen peaty scotches I'd rather drink*. Which is a shame, since given this bottle's name, I'd hoped for something of a peat nirvana.

* Ardbeg 10, Laphroaig 10, Laphroaig Quarter Cask, Bowmore 12, Lagavulin 16, Black Bottle, Johnnie Walker Black Label...make that a baker's half-dozen.

Bowmore 12yo

2011-01-09T18:37:00.005-06:00

All right, enough of this "not blogging" nonsense. I resolve to taste more whiskey in 2011! It will be difficult, but I shall endeavor to rise to the occasion.

Bowmore
Aged 12 years
Single Islay malt Scotch whisky
40% alc/vol
$45

I've never heard a bad word spoken about Bowmore's offerings. Some of their older bottlings are highly sought-after, but tonight, we're just looking at their twelve year-old whisky...and it's no slouch.

Peaty, for sure, but it wouldn't be much of an Islay otherwise, would it? Some orange, chocolate, and a bit of a vegetal scent and taste. A bit bitter in the finish, with coffee and more vegetalness...vegetality?

It's an interesting drink, with lots of flavors there. The peat isn't as overpowering as it is in some other Islays, which is a nice change of pace. It's a nice dark amber color, too, which I like for reasons I can't express. I just think it's pretty, I suppose. And the price is pretty good, especially for an Islay.

More notes to come in this new year!

Compass Box Spice Tree

2010-07-26T19:57:00.004-05:00

The Spice Tree
Compass Box
Vatted malt Scotch whisky
46% alc/vol
$55

Spoiler: this beverage is exactly what it says on the tin. And that tin - er, box - is rather striking, isn't it?

Cloves and lemon. Cinnamon and a little ginger? Orange peel. Smooth as all get-out. Very nice and, well, spicy.

Compass Box's Hedonism made me a fan of these folks, and the Spice Tree only cements it. I will drink pretty much anything they put in a bottle. Don't test me, Compass Box.

Pendleton

2010-07-26T19:45:00.003-05:00

Right, this has gone on long enough. More tasting notes!!

Pendleton
Aged 10 years
Blended Canadian whisky
40% alc/vol
$25

More Canadian goodness...hmm. Nail polish remover. Brown sugar and butterscotch. Seems a bit harsher than most Canadians (but, then, infant bunnies are a bit harsher than most Canadians, nyuk nyuk nyuk). Lightly fruity in the mouth, with a very short finish.

Glenfiddich Distillery Edition

2010-04-03T16:19:00.004-05:00

Glenfiddich Distillery Edition
Single Speyside malt Scotch whisky
51% alc/vol
$50

Picked this one up a while back because I love Glenfiddich, I'd never seen it before, and the price was right. Apparently, it's a re-branding of the Glenfiddich 15yo Cask Strength, which I never had.

Heavy on the sherry; vanilla and brown sugar abound. But dilute it with water (generally a good idea; it's cask strength, you realize) there's some trademark Glenfiddich pear lurking underneath. Fruity and warm. A little peppery? Yes. Opens up after a little time in the glass with some spice. A very pleasant drink, and not at all expensive for what it is. I'd put it right up there with the Macallan Cask Strength and the Aberlour a'bunadh.

And with that, I realize I'm about done with heavily-sherried Scotches for a while. I love how they taste, but it can be so hard to get past the sweet syrupiness to get to the unique, interesting bits. And that's the part of tasting that I love the most. I think I'd rather have an interesting Scotch that doesn't particularly appeal to me than a delicious one that's just more sherry sherry sherry.

Who knows...maybe I'm just burned out. I'll probably come around this autumn. Colder months just call for the warming quality sherried whiskey exhibits.

JMR’s The Smooth Sweeter One

2010-03-04T19:55:00.003-06:00

Jon, Mark and Robbo's
The Smooth Sweeter One
Vatted malt Scotch whisky
40% alc/vol
$26

The final JMR offering I've had the chance to try. There's still a fourth one out there, somewhere -- The Fresh Fruity One -- but it's either unavailable in the US, or unavailable period.

The Smooth Sweeter One is as advertised, that's for sure. Sweet maltiness and thick honey on the nose, first. Soft marshmallow. It's thin in the mouth, but pleasant. The finish is light, easy -- all part of the smoothness, inviting you to take another sip. Don't be afraid; it won't bite.

When I first tried it, I couldn't believe it was a vatted malt. I get flavors I usually only get from grain whisky, like coconut. I'm quite impressed at how these guys decide what they want, paint a bulls-eye on the target, and then just plain nail it. If you like your scotch sweet, JMR employs truth in advertising; this is your drink.

Too bad you can't hardly find it anywhere...

The Balvenie 17yo Sherry Oak

2010-01-21T19:32:00.002-06:00

The Balvenie Sherry Oak
Aged 17 years
Single Speyside malt Scotch whisky
43% alc/vol
$95

I picked this one up on sale for considerably less than the $95 sticker price, and a bargain it was, too!

“Sherry Oak.” As if the Balvenie line weren’t sherried enough! Well, play to your strengths, I suppose…

Maple syrup (in both flavor and texture) and brown sugar. Vanilla in spades. Creamy, thick, and smooth. Warming and comfortable.

Yeah, I know, that’s not much in the way of tasting notes…to be honest, there were no surprises here. If you’re at all familiar with Balvenie’s work, you’ll know exactly what to expect from a Balvenie called “Sherry Oak.” And it delivers. It’s a lovely drink, but I don’t know…heavily sherried Scotches are a dime a dozen, and there are several out there that are cheaper and no less satisfying.

JMR’s The Smokey Peaty One

2010-01-21T19:15:00.002-06:00

Jon, Mark and Robbo's
The Smokey Peaty One
Vatted malt Scotch whisky
40% alc/vol
$26

Another dram from JMR, and this one’s just as lovely as The Rich Spicy One was. Peat, obviously, and although I’m generally not fond of wood smoke in Scotch, the hint of it in this drink is not at all unpleasant. Very rich and malty, with a bit of pet store.

…pet store?? Some spice and sweetness, nuttiness. And, no, there it is again: pet store. Not in a bad way, mind you, but it is certainly interesting!

Canadian Club Classic 12yo

2009-12-27T15:18:00.004-06:00

Once again, the months just slip by while I fail to blog. Oh well. Here's one I finished the last little glass of last night.

Canadian Club Classic

Aged 12 years

Canadian whisky

40% alc/vol

$20

Man, I don't know about this Canadian whisky thing. I like the stuff, but I think I haven't had enough of it to taste it properly. I'm getting a lot of what I got with the Forty Creek Barrel Select last time: caramel, sherry...hmm, hold on. Not much spice, unlike the Forty Creek...more on the sweet. Toffee, vanilla, honey... Lots of alcohol, though. Needs a lot of water to really bring the flavors out. A hint of ginger.

Overall, a very pleasant drink, although I prefer the Forty Creek Barrel Select to it.

Merry Christmas, or whatever yuletide holiday you may happen to celebrate!

Forty Creek Barrel Select

2009-08-24T21:20:00.003-05:00

Wow. It has been a while, hasn't it? Let's not waste any time then!

Forty Creek Barrel Select
Canadian whisky
40% alc/vol
$22

That's right, ~~sports~~ Scotch fans! Tonight's drop comes from north of the border, eh! This one has won several awards, so I thought I'd give it a try.

Canadian whisky's interesting: single malt Scotch whisky is made from malted barley, while blended Scotch is made from both barley and other grains like wheat or rye. Canadian whisky, however, is made largely from rye, along with barley and even some corn. It's definitely got a distinct flavor.

It's sweet. Heavy on the butterscotch. Sherry. The texture is very slightly creamy, but all full in the mouth. Great feel to it. A little spicy, too, like honey and ginger. It's super-smooth, with no water required.

A very enjoyable experience, this first foray into the world of Canadian whisky. They do know what they're doing! And it's not even expensive. Crazy.

Laphroaig Quarter Cask

2009-04-28T20:45:00.004-05:00

Laphroaig Quarter Cask
Single Islay malt Scotch whisky
48% alc/vol
$54

I first tried this scotch at WhiskyFest Chicago last year. I liked it, but it was toward the end of the night, and my tongue, she was tired. So I picked up a full bottle of it so I could judge it a bit more critically (well, as much as I ever judge whiskeys critically).

Peat. Hits me full in the face, from nose to finish. Very smoky. It's quite nice, really, when I'm in the mood for it, and not so much when I'm not. There's a sweetness to it, too — coconut, maybe? It's nice and creamy and smooth, and, at the moment, a joy to drink. Spicy and dry on the finish.

This is good stuff, but a bit expensive to keep in stock regularly. I'd be more inclined to go to Black Bottle or JW Black Label for my peat kick, although I could see myself going back to the Quarter Cask when those two just aren't enough.

The Arran Malt 10yo

2009-02-09T17:10:00.004-06:00

Finally, another tasting note! This one comes to us from the Isle of Arran, and the only distillery on the island. As far as the region goes, it's technically called an "Island malt," but that isn't very meaningful; the islands are all different, and the whiskies are said to have little in common.

Anyway, let's get to it!

The Arran Malt
Aged 10 years
Single Island malt Scotch whisky
46% alc/vol
$48

This little light golden dram smells wonderful - light and sweet, malt and melon. It's smooth, despite its high-ish ABV, and slighly vegetal, but not overpoweringly so. A bit of water makes it explode with sweetness on the tongue.

This is a delightfully light, airy whiskey - inoffensive in all ways, and very enjoyable. It strikes me as one of the better Scotches I've had, and I'll be sad to see the bottle go!

Johnnie Walker Black Label

2008-10-08T21:26:00.003-05:00

Goodness. It's been quite some time since I've posted anything here! I'll blame it on the summer -- despite Dr. Whisky's excellent warm-weather dramming advice, I've been in gin and tonic mode for the past few months. Now that autumn is upon us, let's get back in the swing of things with a very popular bottle that we're all very familiar with.

Johnnie Walker Black Label
Aged 12 years
Blended Scotch whisky
40% alc/vol
$27

I've mentioned before that I was never a big fan of Johnnie Walker. I tried Black Label, and decided I didn't like blends. Then I tried Gold Label, and was unimpressed.

Then my palate developed a little bit, as I branched out and tried different things. I decided to come back to Black Label one more time, and I'm glad I did.

The funny thing is, it's not really all that great. It's got a caramel sweetness to it, in direct opposition to the light smoke and just a hint of peat. It's nice and creamy, and the smoke lingers in your mouth after you drink it. Which is all well and good, but as far as flavor profile goes, Black Bottle does all that better.

So what is it about Black Label that makes it so drinkable? It definitely has some ethereal quality that makes me want to drink more of it once my glass is empty. And no, it's not just the alcohol! Some virtue of the combination of smoke, spice, and sweetness in these exact proportions keeps me coming back, despite the fact that there are many drams that taste better. And I suppose that's a much more desirable quality than mere tastiness.

P.S. I find that this is one of those rare Scotches that do not benefit at all from water. A few drops are okay, but don't dilute it. It just kills all enjoyment of the drink.

JMR's The Rich Spicy One

2008-06-14T21:07:00.002-05:00

Jon, Mark and Robbo's
The Rich Spicy One
Vatted malt Scotch whisky
40% alc/vol
$28

No real story here, I'm afraid. I'd heard good things about the Jon, Mark and Robbo's brand. It's a vatted malt -- malts from various distilleries mixed together. I think it's being discontinued, so if this sounds good to you, go buy a bottle!

I have a hard time describing this malt. I'm just going to write whatever springs in my mind, even if it doesn't make sense!

Earthy, deep, and mellow. It smells purple. What does that even mean? Alright, digging down: I taste cinnamon, and cloves. It's very full in the mouth. A little bit of lime, too.

Anyway, seriously, this is one of the most unique Scotches I've ever tried -- it is so different from anything else I've ever tasted. Go try some!

Also, if you've got the whisky strain of the summertime blues, Dr. Whisky has the cure!

Old Pulteney 12yo

2008-05-08T20:03:00.004-05:00

Old Pulteney
Aged 12 years
Single Highland malt Scotch whisky
43% alc/vol
$35

I'd heard a lot of good things about Old Pulteney's standard offering - mainly that it's quite good at its price point. It's also the most northerly distillery "on the Scottish mainland," for whatever that's worth. A few months ago, Binny's had a great big whopping sale, so I picked up a bottle (along with a couple of others), and am presently sharing the first glass with all of you.

The color is lovely - just a hint of red in it, showing the influence of the sherry casks some of the whisky is aged in.

The first thing I notice on the nose is citrus, opening up into an ethereal, nutty aroma, and finally a little bit of grass. Very nice.

It's slightly oily, but quite pleasant. Spreads out nicely on the tongue. It finishes dry, salty-sweet.

I can see why so many people like this.

Edit: Pear on the nose, too. How did I miss it?

Glenfiddich 30yo

2008-04-06T20:53:00.004-05:00

Glenfiddich
Aged 30 years
Single Speyside malt Scotch whisky
43% alc/vol
$260

I bought this bottle to celebrate a particularly nice bonus I received at work a year or so ago. I was particularly taken with the idea of tasting a whisky that was older than I was -- and, truth be told, I still am. (Only a few months to go before I catch up to it, though.)

It's dark. Tawny. It smells wonderful; it's got that distinctive Glenfiddich pear scent, though there's some banana and sherry in there as well. It goes down very smoothly, with a vanilla finish that leaves me wanting more.

To be perfectly honest, $260 is rather a lot of money for this bottle. It's delicious, but comparable to the 12, 15, and 18 year old whiskies. That said, I'm not sorry I bought it, and I'll thoroughly enjoy the rest of the bottle -- especially since it's still spent more years maturing in the cask than I've spent maturing on this earth. :)

A Smorgasbord of Sumptuous Spirits - WhiskyFest Chicago 2008!

2008-04-06T13:59:00.008-05:00

So, Friday night rolled around, and I found myself in the possession of a ticket to WhiskyFest Chicago! A VIP ticket no less; this means I got to enter an hour earlier than mundane ticket holders.

It was a blast. Showed up at 5:30 (an hour before the *sniff* non-VIP riff-raff) at the Grand Ballroom at the Hyatt Regency Chicago. Registered, picked up a canvas tote bag full of swag (pictured), entered the main area, and started tasting! Rough, quick, dirty notes below.

Attended one of the seminars they held – “The Incredible Influence of Wood at Glenfiddich,” with Ian Miller, the Global Brand Ambassador (how do you sign up for that job?) at Glenfiddich. We tasted samples of cask strength first-fill American oak aged malt (light and peary), as well as cask strength first-fill European oak aged malt (dark, syrupy, and sherried), both 12 years old. Then we compared them to a mixture of the two, and to the bottled 12 year old Glenfiddich malt. Then we did the whole thing all over again with 18 year old samples. It was really interesting to see how the different component malts tasted, and how the bottled malt compared to them.

Amusingly, with the 18 year old samples, I thought the American oak aged malt tasted very much of sherry, like the European oak sample of the 12 year old. That didn’t make any sense to me until the woman sitting in front of me asked why the mixed sample looked lighter than both of the component samples. As it turns out, the mixture had gotten switched with the American oak sample – a pouring mix-up. Funny, and also nice to know that I can taste the difference. :)

Anyway, I strongly recommend that you check out WhiskyFest if you get the chance. I had a great time, learned a lot, and got to try a lot of new whiskeys. Well done!

Tasting notes:

Bushmills 1608 – sweet, caramel. Very good. I see that Binny’s carries this now, which is excellent.

Bushmills Malt 21 – fresh, like the Malt 10, but a little sweeter and less harsh. Quite nice.

Oban Distiller’s Edition – bananas. Sweet, malty. Excellent.

Johnnie Walker Swing – sweet, smoky, and tasty.

Johnnie Walker Blue Label – smoother nose than the Swing, but smokier and spicier. Very good, but not $200/bottle good. I’d recommend the Swing over this, for the price.

Antiquary 12yo – a blend, and my first real encounter with peat smoke! It’s faint, but recognizable. Creamy. I like it.

Tomatin 18yo – mint and malt. Smooth, citrusy, and very much a Highland Scotch. Good!

Greenore 8yo – this is a single grain Irish whiskey. It’s been hard to get in the US, but Binny’s has it now! White chocolate and coconut. Very, very good.

Four Roses Small Batch – bourbon. It tasted bourbonny. I’d need to drink more bourbon before I could taste this stuff properly. Good, though.

Four Roses Single Barrel – ditto.

Balvenie 21yo Port Wood – fruit; pears and melon all the way. Delicious!!

Balvenie 17yo Sherry Oak – not much to say except fruity, in that sherry kind of way. Very good, but can’t compete with the 21yo.

Scott’s Selection Auchentoshan 1983 – this is interesting, as my only other Auchentoshan experience is with the 10yo, which is very peanutty. This dram is cask strength, and it was flowery and perfumy, with a strong flavor of broccoli on the finish. I’ve never had anything like it. Not sure if I really liked it, though. :)

Scott’s Selection Glenlivet 1977 – also cask strength. Roses, spice, and vanilla. Good, but by this time my nose and tongue were getting tired, so it seemed unremarkable to me. If I tried it again now, I’d probably enjoy it a lot more.

Laphroaig Quarter Cask – my first Laphroaig, and my first true peated Islay, if you don’t count the Bunnahabhain 12. Heavy peat smoke was about all I got out of it, but I thought it was really quite tasty. Makes me look forward to the bottle of Ardbeg 10 I’ve got sitting at home.

Famous Grouse Malt Whisky 18yo – a vatted malt. This was one of the last I tasted, so I couldn’t get the full taste of it. It struck me as being decent, but nothing to write home about, and not nearly as tasty and the excellent standard Grouse blend.

Laphroaig 10yo – about the same as the Quarter Cask. I should try it again sometime when my nose and tongue are fresh.

Stranahan's Colorado Whiskey

2008-04-03T19:25:00.004-05:00

Stranahan's Colorado Whiskey
Aged 2 years
Rocky Mountain straight whiskey
47% alc/vol
$60

Stranahan's is one of a very few single malt American whiskeys. Unlike bourbon, Stranahan's is made solely from malted barley, just like Scotch is. Only this stuff is 100% American -- the barley and water come straight from the Rockies. It's only aged for two years, which makes me wonder how it can be so dark. This stuff almost looks like a Macallan or an Aberlour. Caramel coloring, maybe?

The first thing I notice is solvent on the nose. Like nail polish remover. It's hard to dig past it to get to the malt. It tastes sweet and a bit sharp, and finishes with...with what? More sweetness, maybe a little vanilla...

Adding water helps. Now I can elbow my way past the nail polish remover to get to the banana and vanilla that were ducking down behind it. Still sweet, all the way through.

It's not my favorite, but it is nice. Eccentric, too: the label tells you in handwriting not only when it was distilled and what batch it's from (#7!), but also who did the distilling (all I can make out are the guy's initials, J. N.) and what he was listening to at the time (Bob Wills). And if that weren't enough, the cork-sealed bottle is actually capped with a tall metal shotglass. I'm not sure who's hauling around an entire bottle of whiskey without proper glassware, but if you should find yourself in such a position, you'll be good to go if that bottle is Stranahan's!

St. Patrick's Day Special: Bushmills

2008-03-17T17:15:00.006-05:00

Today, in honor of St. Patrick's Day, I've got notes on a couple of Bushmills offerings. Binny's had all things Bushmills on sale last week, so I figured, why not? Now's the time! :)

Bushmills Malt 10 notes are here.

Bushmills Original
Blended Irish whiskey
40% alc/vol
$16

Smells of white chocolate and toffee, thick and insistent. Sweet and creamy on the palate, with a dry, bittersweet finish. This feels like Bushmills Malt 10, except sweeter and softer. I think that's a good thing. And at this price, it's tough to beat!

Bushmills Black Bush
Blended Irish whiskey
40% alc/vol
$30

The Black Bush is fully aged in Oloroso Sherry casks, and, as you well know, I'm a total sherry freak when it comes to whiskey. You can see the sherry in this dram right off the bat, in its characteristic deep russet color. It's very evident in the nose, as well, sweet and spiritous. Like its non-sherried cousin, it's nice and creamy, but the Black Bush has a bit of cinnamon in its long, dry finish. Like the Original above, I think it's a fairly uncomplicated whiskey -- or is it just my mood? -- but I like it very much, indeed, to the great surprise of no one at all.

Happy St. Patrick's Day, everyone! And on that note, Guinness is lobbying to make this a national holiday in the U.S. Why not sign the petition to make it happen? The country -- and, indeed, the world -- could use a few more simple, easy-going holidays like this one could be.

Grant's

2008-03-08T14:28:00.003-06:00

Grant's Family Reserve
Blended Scotch whisky
40% alc/vol
$13

Grant's Family Reserve is interesting. It's one of those blends that spring to mind when a working-class fellow who's been around the block mentions "Scotch." Cheap, ubiquitous. A man's drink.

But, upon tasting it, I'm once again reminded that none of that means it's not good.

I sat down with this one some time ago and compared it directly, head-to-head, with the Grouse. The two are very similar. The Grant's nose seems slightly sweeter, with an appetizing hint of banana. The taste is sharper, though not unpleasant, and the finish longer.

By my reckoning, the Grouse beats this one out, but not by much. If I were on a budget, however, I'd probably prefer Grant's; at 13 USD for a 750 mL bottle, or somewhere around 20 USD for a 1.75 L bottle, the price is hard to beat.

I'll also note that Grant's has a sherry cask offering, finished in ex-Oloroso casks, for the same price. Sherry freak that I am, it seems right up my alley. So many whiskies, so little time!

(For plenty of interesting information about Grant's Family Reserve, check out Dr. Whisky's write-up!)

Black Bottle

2008-02-24T13:13:00.003-06:00

Black Bottle
Blended Scotch whisky
40% alc/vol
$18

So, it's been nearly four months since I blogged about my first Islay whisky, Bunnahabhain. I'd decided it was okay, but nothing stellar, and a definite mood drink. But as I neared the end of the bottle, I found myself enjoying it more and more. I decided to chalk it up to acquiring the taste, or developing my palate, or whatever you want to call it.

In the meantime, I'd been hearing a lot of good things about Black Bottle, albeit often with decidedly unpleasant-sounding descriptions (ashtrays?). Anyway, at a mere $17 USD, the price was right, so I decided to give it a go, and I'm quite glad I did.

Black Bottle's main claim to fame seems to be that it includes malt from every active distillery in the Islay region, save for Kilchoman, the newest.

Notes:

Black Bottle is a deep copper color -- nothing special, but pleasant. Fresh fruit and malt on the nose, with earth, peat, and smoke. Light sea salt and cloves. Sweet and soft on the palate, with a smoky, lingering finish.

I quite like this. The grain whisky helps the peat and smoke from being overpowering, I think, and the result is a very inviting, approachable dram. The bottle's nearly empty now, and I'm sure I'll replace it when it's gone. I'm wondering if this will prove to be something of a "gateway" whisky: my palate's expanding from Speyside/Highland single malts, to Highlandy blended Scotches like Famous Grouse, to Islay blends like Black Bottle. I recently purchased a bottle of Ardbeg 10, which comes highly recommended by those who like that sort of thing; I wonder how I'll like it!

Bushmills Malt 10

2008-02-06T16:15:00.002-06:00

Bushmills Malt 10
Single malt Irish whiskey
Aged 10 years
40% alc/vol
$33

And here we are, with the first Irish whiskey on Nose Palate Finish. Now all I need is a Canadian whisky, and Japanese, and I'll be pretty well representing the global whisky scene!

I was introduced to this one by my friend Aubrey. It's her favorite whiskey of all. Dr. Whisky, on the other hand, didn't care for it one bit, and I lie somewhere in the middle.

Notes:

A deep gold color. Bread and oranges on the nose. A bit of solvent and leather. Flowers and heavy malt. It feels very full in the mouth, and spicy. The finish is dry, hinting at chocolate.

I like this malt. It's not my favorite, and it never will be (EDIT: all right, all right, maybe. Someday. Maybe.), but I like it enough to keep buying it. I find it particularly interesting how different it tastes from any single malt Scotch whisky I've had, while still being good. Well, Sláinte!

The Macallan Cask Strength

2008-02-04T19:06:00.000-06:00

The Macallan Cask Strength
Single Speyside malt Scotch whisky
No age statement (but apparently aged 10-12 years*)
58.6% alc/vol
$60

This is the second Macallan I've reviewed on this blog -- and one of my favorites so far. This one is cask strength, which means it was not diluted with water before being bottled, as most whiskies are. Thus, while most Scotches are 40-46% alc/vol, this big guy weighs in at a hefty 58.6% (116 proof)!

Keep this in mind when drinking cask strength whiskies. The high alcohol content means you should drink it more sparingly than usual, so you don't get sloppy drunk (unless that's your goal, of course!). It also means you should be careful when nosing and tasting it, since it can numb your sense of smell and taste, and inhaling its vapors deeply can be uncomfortable or even painful. If you usually like to dilute your whisky before nosing it, dilute this one a bit more; if you don't usually dilute it, seriously consider doing so for this one.

Oh, and I should also note that this is the USA/Canada bottling, rather than the 10yo cask strength bottling available elsewhere in the world.

Notes:

The Macallan Cask Strength is a lovely brown sherry color. The nose bursts with brown sugar, subsiding into strong vanilla and caramel notes. Bananas Foster and baked apples.

It's very sweet. Creamy, thick, and sharp in the mouth; numbing. Cola. The finish is long, dry, and tingly. Oatmeal scotchies and cinnamon.

This is one of my favorite dessert Scotches. It's sweet, rich, and deeply satisfying. My bottle's almost dry, but I'll definitely pick up another. So should you.

What are you still doing here? The liquor store's still open. Get!

* Michael Jackson's Complete Guide to Single Malt Scotch, p. 357.

Gordon & MacPhail Glenlivet 16yo

2008-02-01T17:39:00.000-06:00

The Glenlivet
Aged 16 years
Single Speyside malt Scotch whisky
Bottled by Gordon & MacPhail
46% alc/vol
$56

This is the first independent bottling I've reviewed on this blog. "Selected and Bottled Exclusively for Binny's by Joe C," this Glenlivet malt is part of a 306 bottle limited edition.

Notes:

It's a pale gold color, much lighter than perhaps any other malt I've tried. The nose is fruity, with apples and pears, followed by some soft citrus and floral notes. Its body is light and a little on the thin side, but not unpleasantly so. The whisky finishes with more florals, and lingers for a long while.

Despite its rather high ABV, this is one dram that doesn't need water. I prefer to drink it straight, to preserve its delicate flavor; water would likely dilute it too much.

Independent bottlings often offer a rare opportunity to sample a fine Scotch at an age that would otherwise be unavailable. Take, for instance, another Gordon & MacPhail whisky I had a while back, which was a Strathisla 17yo. I believe the Strathisla distillery itself only bottles 12yo whisky; thanks to Gordon & MacPhail, I was able to try it at five years older for less than $100. So don't be afraid -- try an independent bottling. You may like what you find!

Aberlour 16yo Double Cask

2008-01-29T17:51:00.001-06:00

Aberlour Double Cask
Aged 16 years
Single Speyside malt Scotch whisky
43% alc/vol
$56

Last week, I reviewed the delightful Aberlour 15yo Sherry Wood Finish, and this week, we'll try her slightly older sister. She's also finished in a sherry cask, but there must be something different in the maturation process, because she's a very different malt than her kid sister...

Notes:

A deep, warm tawny color. She's got a full fruit nose: grapes, cherries, plums, apples, and lemons. She's smooth and creamy in the mouth, with more fruit and a kick of spice. Afterwards, I'm left with some serious cinnamon and nutmeg, and a nice warm feeling in the cockles of my heart. That's right -- in the cockles.

Not quite as light and soothing as her sister, the 16yo is nevertheless a joy to drink. This is a deeply satisfying malt, and an excellent digestif. And now, I shall drop the metaphor of these Aberlour whiskies to women, as it's beginning to sound creepy. After all, they're only teenagers!

And, strangely, there don't seem to be any good pictures of this dram online, which is why you're getting one taken by me of my own bottle. Plus, Aberlour's website doesn't mention it. Is it out of production...? That would be a shame.

Jim Beam White Label

2008-01-28T18:27:00.000-06:00

Jim Beam
Aged 4 years
Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
40% alc/vol
$15

I'm really not as big into bourbon as I am into Scotch. It's a very different flavor, though it's not a bad one. It's also tricky for me to taste, since it's the main ingredient of my favorite cocktail back when I was in college, the Manhattan; I have to work to keep myself from writing simply, "This tastes like a Manhattan."

Some interesting facts about bourbon, from Wikipedia:

It must be made from a grain mixture that is at least 51% corn, and is typically closer to 70% corn.
It must be 100% natural; no caramel coloring allowed!
The barrels in which it is aged must be new, American charred oak barrels.
Bourbon aged for two years or longer may be labeled as "straight" bourbon.
Bourbon younger than four years old must be labeled with its age.

So, you see, it's not just Scotch made in America!

Anyway, courtesy of my very silly sister, I bring you that perennial classic -- and the first American whiskey on this blog -- Jim Beam, a.k.a. Jim Beam White Label.

Notes:

The usual russet color of whiskey. It's sweet on the nose, with vanilla and caramel, and a hint of freshly-ground black pepper. Much softer than Scotch. Do I smell cherries, or is that the Manhattan rearing its lovely head once again?

It's thin and watery on the palate, which feels odd to a mouth accustomed to usually creamier Scotch. I'm getting a lot of nutmeg in the flavor here.

The finish is long, much longer than I expect, with a lot of butterscotch and a tiny bit of peppermint.

Overall, not bad. I probably won't buy another bottle, though; for $15 per 750 mL, I can get whisky much more suitable for my palate. (Grant's tasting notes coming soon!)

Johnnie Walker Gold Label

2008-01-23T16:59:00.000-06:00

As an aside, I happened upon the opportunity to try a glass of Johnnie Walker Gold Label in an Irish pub the other night. I wasn't super-impressed with it, in general, but I'm glad I tried it. I was struck, in particular, with how smoky it was, and it was then that I realized that the reason I'm not as fond as many of Johnnie Walker is because it likely has a higher Islay whisky content than the blends I do like. I don't know this for a fact, but that's what my nose and tongue are telling me, now that they've been educated by the Bunnahabhain 12 yo. Interesting.

The Famous Grouse

2008-01-23T16:18:00.000-06:00

The Famous Grouse
Blended Scotch whisky
40% alc/vol
$20

Ah, the Grouse. When I first tried this one, the only blended Scotches I'd had were the Johnnie Walker Black Label (meh) and the Pig's Nose (wheeeee!). The Famous Grouse was the turning point; the day I tried it, I realized that I do, in fact, love blended whisky. Some blended whiskies, anyway.

Not only is the Grouse delicious, but:

it's delicious neat. (It's great with ice or mixed, too, of course, but neat?!)
it's cheap. Around $20 for a 750 mL bottle, and $30 for a 1.75 L bottle.

These two factors make the Grouse one of the best bangs for your buck out there. I still can't believe such an inexpensive whisky can taste so damn good.

Notes:

This blend is the lovely burnished color so many Scotches seem to share. The sweetness in the nose hits me immediately. Soft and fruity, pears and honeydew. On this tasting, the alcohol is more apparent in the scent than usual. The texture is nice and creamy, coating the tongue beautifully. The finish is unremarkable, though it leaves me wanting more -- always a good quality!

The Famous Grouse has something about it that makes it undeniably drinkable. It's the kind of whisky you could just sit and drink all night long, and never get tired of it. It's earned a permanent spot on my drink cart, and I'm just so glad I ventured out of my comfort zone to try it!

I <3 the Grouse.

Aberlour 15 yo Sherry Wood Finish, my long, lost love

2008-01-22T16:41:00.000-06:00

Aberlour Sherry Wood Finish
Aged 15 years
Single Speyside malt Scotch whisky
43% alc/vol
$60

This, dear friends, is the Scotch that started it all.

I received a bottle of it from a friend for Christmas in 2006. When I tried it, I was struck for the first time by how different one Scotch could be from another. This Aberlour was noticeably sweeter than the Glenlivet 12 I was used to, and a fair sight darker in color as well. From that moment forward, I became a true Scotch fan.

This is one of my favorite drams, so much so that I couldn't bear to finish the bottle. I've made it last until today, because I love it so, and because I can't find the blasted thing in any liquor store I visit anymore. I used to see it every now and then at Sam's Wine, but no longer. They don't even have a spot for it on the shelf now.

But I found a store online that still had a couple bottles in stock, so I ordered one, ridiculous shipping charges and all. Can't complain though -- it's so worth it. And now, I get to finally polish off this bottle of liquid joy.

Notes:

Beautiful tawny color. Sweet and fruity -- melon and bubblegum, with a trace of mint. Delicious and comforting. Soft, delicate, proud, and mellow.

Seriously, I'm in love. I want to marry this whisky. I want her to take my name and bear my children -- sweet, sherry-finished children. I know how our President feels about homosexuals, but what about whiskysexuals?

The Macallan 10yo Fine Oak (NOT Jim Beam)

2008-01-08T16:02:00.000-06:00

The Macallan 10yo Fine Oak
Aged 10 years
Single Speyside malt Scotch whisky
40% alc/vol
$40

Happy new year, everyone!

So, on the Christmas list I gave my folks last month, I included "some interesting new whiskeys to try." I didn't really know if they'd go for it, but I figured, what the heck. I was also a little desperate for things to ask for. Lousy Christmas lists.

Anyway, December 25th finally rolled around, and my sister brought out a gift bag for me. I looked inside while she grinned evilly, and found a small bottle of Jim Beam bourbon. Now, my sister loves giving horribly disappointing gag gifts before bringing out the real stuff, so I wasn't worried; I figured there was more to come. And there was.

My dad and she picked out for me this lovely bottle of Macallan. I've tried a number of their scotches before, but never the 10 yo Fine Oak expression. Before even tasting it, I knew it was a great gift. I've never met a Macallan I didn't like, and it was new to me. So, thanks, Dad and Sis!

Notes:

A deep copper color. The nose explodes with orange, especially with a bit of water; a hint of molasses and gentle floral notes hide beneath the citrus, sweet and sour at the same time. A very soft, creamy texture -- really nice mouth feel.

Maybe not the most complex whiskey around, but a very satisfying one. A pleasure to imbibe! Nice job, family!

Also, while the Jim Beam was just a gag, I fully intend to taste and post about it sometime in the not-too-distant future. Because, well, why not? :)

Compass Box Hedonism

2007-12-05T15:36:00.000-06:00

Compass Box Hedonism
Vatted grain Scotch whisky
43% alc/vol
$83

Now this is an interesting one. Not a single malt, and not even blended Scotch, in the traditional sense: this one is a blended ("vatted") grain whisky. Apparently, there are a couple of versions of this; this is one the first of the two, released in 2000.

Notes:

The Hedonism is a deep gold color; I think this is the lightest whisky I've ever seen. The nose is beautiful: flowers and fruit, white chocolate, and coconut. Vanilla and a hint of butter and mint. The palate is creamy and full, and it has a short, sweet finish that leaves the taste of white chocolate on the tongue.

This would be an excellent dessert drink. It's expensive, but incredibly tasty, and worth keeping a bottle around. Unfortunately, it's a limited release run, and getting more and more limited by the second. I'm very happy to have tried it!

Charred Hamburgers on a Yacht

2007-11-26T17:47:00.000-06:00

Bunnahabhain
Aged 12 years
Single Islay malt Scotch whisky
40% alc/vol
$48

Most of the single malt Scotch I buy is from the Highland region (including Speyside), probably due to its popularity as much as its taste. But, hey, what can I say? I dig it. I do branch out, though; I quite enjoyed the few Lowland Scotches I've tasted, and look forward to trying malts from other regions. This particular Scotch is one such malt.

I wanted to try an Islay. To be honest, I've heard a lot of bad things about them -- several of my whiskey-drinking friends have declared the Laphroaig 10-yo to be, well, vile. I've yet to taste it for myself (though I do mean to!). At any rate, I came across the Bunnahabhain 12-yo, and figured I'd have a go at it. Years ago, I received a bottle of this from a friend as a gift, and while I don't remember much about how it tasted, I do know I got through the bottle with no difficulty, so it seemed a safe bet.

Notes:

Color: Russet
Nose: Black pepper. Slightly sweet and smoky.
Palate: Walnuts? A bit of sweet sharpness. Or sharp sweetness?
Finish: Moderate. Sea salt. A little bitter. Dark chocolate.

I was particularly struck by this whiskey's saltiness and smokiness -- like accidentally burning a hamburger while grilling on a yacht. It's not bad, although it's not the kind of malt I could drink all night. Maybe with the right food (it does actually put me in the mood for a barbecue), or in the right mood. I'm a strong proponent of drinking Scotch neat, with only a bit of water as one likes; but I think the Bunnahabhain is better on ice, to help clear out some of the smoke. I'll be in no rush to replace the bottle when it's gone, but if someone offers me a dram, I'll not likely turn it away!

Soft and Smooth as a Pig's Nose

2007-11-17T20:19:00.000-06:00

Pig's Nose Scotch Whisky
Aged 5 years
Blended Scotch whisky
40% alc/vol
$33

I'll be straight with you: I'm a single malt Scotch guy, and have been for quite some time. Bushmills Malt 10 yo is about the only exception that regularly graces my selection. But I never touched blended whiskey.

A while back, I decided I hadn't given blended Scotch a fair shake. I went down to my local liquor store and picked up a bottle of Johnnie Walker Black Label. I didn't know much about blended whiskey, but I knew Johnnie Walker was a very big, very popular brand; I knew Black Label was the same age and at the same price point as solid, popular single malts, like Glenfiddich 12 yo and The Glenlivet 12 yo; and I knew the Black was generally considered to be potable neat, as opposed to Red Label, which is almost universally used in mixed drinks only. I figured that if I was going to like any blended whiskey, I was going to like Black Label.

I didn't. It seemed awfully harsh and medicinal compared to even young single malts. I only really got through the bottle by mixing it with diet root beer or cola, which is actually decent...but not as good as the same drink using a single malt instead. After that, I went back to single malts exclusively.

Recently, I came across The Scotch Blog, authored by Kevin Erskine. In one post, he recommends the very peculiarly-named Pig's Nose Scotch Whisky as "the perfect introduction to the category [of blended Scotch whiskies]." I was in the mood to try something new, so I went ahead and picked up a bottle earlier today.

My tasting notes:

Color: Russet.
Nose: Peanut butter, leather, candy corn, and corn on the cob. A hint of that new car smell.
Palate: Creamy, delicate, and smooth as silk. Has a wonderful mouth-feel. Is this what "chewy" means?
Finish: Moderate, and a little bittersweet, though not unpleasantly so - like sweetened tea or coffee. Leaves me wanting another sip.

I really never would have thought I'd have enjoyed a blended whiskey so much. Not only that, but it's young, too. The only other five-year-old whiskey I've knowingly drunk is McClelland's offering...and that carries neither an age statement nor a distillery listing, to give you an idea of the quality. Pig's Nose is far superior, in my opinion, particularly if you add a bit of water to cut what little harshness is bestowed on the whiskey by its youth.

In other words, I'll enjoy finishing the bottle, and I may well replace it afterwards.

Oh, and the name? According to the label on the bottle, "In Gloucestershire 'tis said that our Scotch is 'as soft and smooth as a Pig's Nose.'" I've never felt a pig's nose, but judging from this dram, it's pretty damned smooth.

The Right Tool for the Job

2007-11-17T19:57:00.000-06:00

I finally went out today and bought myself an actual, proper whiskey tasting glass! The glass ran me about ten bucks. The lack of engraving and cutting lets the true color of the whiskey shine through. I'm told the bowl of the glass helps to provide extra surface area to allow whiskey to coat the glass and then quickly evaporate, and the narrowing of the top helps to funnel the aroma of the whiskey to the nose. Makes sense to me. Plus, it's really quite attractive.

The Water of Life

2007-11-17T15:40:00.000-06:00

Welcome, folks, to Nose Palate Finish. I’ve enjoyed whiskey for some time now, but I’ve only recently gotten into really tasting it. I started keeping track of my tasting notes in an Excel spreadsheet, but I just had the sudden, random urge to put it in a blog, instead, Dr. Whisky style. I’m not sure why I had this urge, given that I generally suck at blogging, but, hey, blogs are free, so why not?

This blog is, at least for now, primarily directed at my personal friends and family members who enjoy whiskey. However, if some random soul wandering the Web stumbles across it and finds it entertaining or useful, that’s awesome, too.

So, yes – this blog is mostly going to be about tasting. Occasionally I may pass on some bit of news I’ve read about in the whiskey world, if I find it interesting or important enough. I’ll do my best to keep my tags and such organized to make it easy for people to follow what they like. (And to make it easy for me to find stuff later!)

A few disclaimers:

I’m very new to tasting. I also often have a hard time picking out aromas from whiskeys, and an even harder time picking out flavors, particularly during the “palate” stage of tasting. Not only that, but I don’t think I’ve ever smelled a lot of things the pros talk about detecting in whiskey aromas. What this means is that my tasting notes may be of limited use to you; I might be making stuff up, for all I know, and I may use rather…unscientific terms for scents and flavors. I’ll probably end up lumping aromas and flavors together in the “nose” category, keep the “palate” to dealing with texture and mouth-feel, and use the “finish” stage to describe the length of the finish and any interesting aftertastes I may happen to detect.

Spelling. I know that it’s generally spelled “whiskey” only when referring to American or Irish whiskey, while Canada, Scotland, and Japan spell it “whisky.” Rather than worry about which is right or wrong, I’ll just spell it however I feel like spelling it at the time; I tend to prefer it with an “e.” You spell it however you like; I won’t complain. Scout’s honor.

Thanks for reading. Now…Sláinte!