Month: February 2014

Whisky #18: Glenmorangie Signet Single Malt

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IMG_2533Glenmorangie Signet Single Malt. Highlands, Scotland. ABV: 46.0%. Tasted at my trusted whisky tasting lieutenant Joel’s place, $0 (thanks mate!).

Colour: Deep reddish brown. As my friend Claire remarked, “like a ginger on heat”.

Nose: Hints of aniseed & burnt orange, sweet notes.

Palate: Buttery sweetness, after 10-15 min in the glass it’s noticeably smoother. Hints of sherry? On the last sip I got a taste of coffee beans.

Finish: Subtle heat lingers at the tip of your tongue.

Comments: A beautiful bottle, by far the best looking I’ve tasted from this year. Just to clarify, I did not taste directly from the bottle. I would like to try it again slightly earlier in the evening…will have to convince Joel to have us back to his place again some time to taste it once (or twice) more!

Whisky #17: Inverarity Ancestral 14 Year Old Single Malt

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IMG_2634Inverarity Ancestral 14 yr old Single Malt. Speyside, Scotland. ABV: 40.0%. Tasted at Whisky a Day HQ, $90/bottle.

Colour: She’s back on stage – bright lustrous Amber.

Nose: Sweet with a hint of maybe cinnamon. Thought it might have been some cloves, but went to the pantry & smelt some real cloves – nope that’s not it. When I stuck my snoz into a pack of cinnamon sticks…that was a bit more like it. A lot more subtle than snorting through a cinnamon quill though.

Palate: Very smooth, dry salty & sweet flavours.

Finish: Medium finish; smoked mussels, oak, mixed spice & some sweetness.

Comments: I’ve really enjoyed this drop for a couple of years now, always having a bottle around at home. I never actually thought to find out much about it – wasn’t aware it was sherry matured, just always thought it was pretty damn awesome. It’s actually a 14 year sherry cask matured Balmenach done by Inverarity Vaults. It’s not as dark or as strongly sherry-flavoured as other sherry matured drams, maybe that’s why I like it so much.

Whisky #16: Sullivans Cove Bourbon Maturation Cask Strength

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IMG_2528Sullivans Cove Bourbon Maturation Cask Strength. Tasmania, Australia. ABV: 60.0%.  Tasted at The Greenhouse, $16.

Colour: Godly gold. That was supposed to be “goldy” gold until autocorrect kicked in, but on reflection “godly gold” is apt. Huge legs on the glass.

Nose: Well it’s a monster at 60% ABV, and boy can you tell by the fumes. Can’t easily pick the scents, reminds me a little of the fruitcakes my aunt used to bake.

Palate: Bam! Surprisingly smooth entry for a strong drop, but fills the whole mouth quickly. Huge spice and vanilla flavours.

Finish: Wow, loooong. Toasty malty flavours linger, roof of my mouth is still tingling.

Comments: My first Australian whisky of the year! It’s a monster, would possibly go well with a few drops of water to release & soften the flavours. Definitely a winter warmer, one for cold nights. Keen to compare it with the Sullivan’s Cove Double Wood which I tried at Xmas, I think that may have to be on the tasting schedule very soon!

Whisky #15: Cadhenhead’s Authentic Collection Ardmore 14 yr Cask Strength Single Malt

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IMG_2527Cadhenhead’s Authentic Collection Ardmore 14 yr Cask Strength Single Malt. Highlands, Scotland. ABV: 55.8%. Tasted at The Royal, $17.

Colour: Very light, pale straw colour. Like a Chinese Olympic swimmer’s diluted post-race “sample”.

Nose: Thankfully it doesn’t smell of chlorine, human growth hormone or urine. Very peaty, also fruity floral notes.

Palate: Warm spice. The long lost 6th member of the Spice Girls. Some sweetness too, maybe some walnut or almond flavours? Hard for me to pinpoint.

Finish: Sweet smooth finish, gentle warming of the mouth.

Comments: A Cadhenhead’s independent bottling from the Ardmore distillery.  It’s like it’s trying to be an Islay, particularly with such a strong peaty aroma, but it’s much smoother and sweet at the end. I like it. I’m also starting to appreciate what a great little whisky selection they’ve got at The Royal, which is rather handy as it’s my local.  It will be great for those nights when I can’t be arsed heading out elsewhere after a long day and I can walk down to my local and sample some whiskies that I haven’t seen in too many other venues around town.

Whisky #14: Johnnie Walker Platinum Label Blended Scotch Whisky

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IMG_2523Johnnie Walker Platinum Label Blended Scotch Whisky. Fife, Scotland. ABV: 40.00%. Tasted at The Grosvenor Hotel, $18.

Colour: Deep gold

Nose: Slightly peaty, tobacco notes. Like a cigar, reminded me of a familiar scent, what might it be? Is my nose getting more attuned to different scents? No. Only then did I realise there was a guy two tables away smoking a Montecristo No.3. Clearly I am an idiot. I moved inside away from the cigar, though I still stand by the original slight peaty/tobacco scents. Of the whisky.

Palate: Slightly sweet to start, quickly moves to more spicy flavours. Could have done with a drop or two of water perhaps?

Finish: Definitely not as smooth as others I’ve tried thus far, warms the mouth, has a spicy then smoky aftertaste. A little harsh.

Comments: Not a huge fan, it’s ok but lacks a bit of complexity and smoothness. Had higher expectations, overpriced for what it is in my opinion. Had to try a Johnnie Walker at some stage, thought I’d give the Platinum a go & leave the Blue for another day.

Whisky #13: Tyrconnell Single Malt Irish Whiskey

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IMG_2522Tyrconnell Single Malt Irish Whiskey. Riverstown, Dundalk, Ireland. ABV: 40.00%.  Tasted at Bobeche, $12.

Colour: Bright gold. At least I can see the damn colour this time, unlike the Bunnahabhain 12 Year Old I attempted to taste yesterday at 3am in a dimly lit bar.

Nose: Malty, hints of hay.

Palate: Smooth entry. Earthy, malty flavours with a bit of spice.

Finish: Quite a short & peppery after taste, a very dry finish.

Comments: I haven’t tried too many Irish whiskies before, certainly never an Irish single malt, so wasn’t quite sure what to expect. Interesting to try, quite ok to drink, but not sure there’s enough flavour to get me excited enough to go out and buy another round (or bottle). If you like dry peppery flavours, go ahead…or just go nuts with the pepper grinder on your meal instead.

Only the second time I’ve been to Bobeche, but upon ordering I was asked if I’m “that whisky guy” as they’d been speaking to someone from Sentinel about the guy who is doing the tasting of 365 whiskies in a year. I seem to be getting a name for myself already!

Whisky #12: Bunnahabhain 12 Year Old Single Malt

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IMG_2520Bunnahabhain 12 Year Old Single Malt. Islay, Scotland. ABV: 46.30%. Tasted at Malt Supper Club, $14.

Colour: Golden sherry

Nose: Smells like a sherry matured dram, a little smokey.

Palate: Straw notes, surprisingly non-peaty for an Islay.  That’s all I’ve got for this one I’m afraid.

Finish: Absolutely no fucking idea.

Comments: C’mon give me a break – it was 2:30am, rather a lot had been consumed and I wasn’t really paying attention by that time of the evening (morning).  I blame my mate Brett for rather helpfully suggesting I tackle Sunday’s Whisky a Day dram on Saturday night/Sunday morning at stupid o’clock.  Thankfully I have a small bottle of the Bunnahabhain 12 yr at home so I can at least re-taste it at some point!

Whisky #11: Dewar’s Signature Blended Scotch Whisky

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FacebooktwitterredditpinterestlinkedinmailFacebooktwitterredditpinterestlinkedinmailby featherIMG_2519Dewar’s Signature Blended Scotch Whisky. Scotland. ABV: 43.00%. Tasted at Malt Supper Club, no idea how much it cost me.

Colour: Hard to tell. Tough to make out in a dark bar.

Nose: I literally have no record of this. Distracted by a cute girl who wanted to dance with me and wouldn’t take no for an answer. Who am I to refuse such an offer?

Palate: Soft creamy buttery notes.

Finish: Salty initially, but sweet aftertaste.

Comments: My first blend of the project. Pity I wasn’t more sober to appreciate it. At around 11:30pm I dutifully  attempted to conduct my daily whisky tasting, sending myself to a quiet(ish) corner of the bar and tried to do the tasting. Tried to fob off the cute girl who wanted to dance with “Sorry honey, I’ve got a very important whisky tasting to do. It really is DRAM critical.” She didn’t get the whisky pun & wouldn’t leave me alone, she just kept standing there insisting we dance and waiting for me to finish my whisky before dragging me out to the dance floor.

All I can say is that in the name of the project I tried, I really really tried, to do a proper tasting of this one but circumstances conspired against me. The tasting of Whisky #12 was conducted a matter of hours later in the same bar at 2:30am (well it was a new day after all), with similarly lacklustre attempts (or capability) of tasting!

Whisky #10: Auchentoshan Triple Wood Single Malt

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FacebooktwitterredditpinterestlinkedinmailFacebooktwitterredditpinterestlinkedinmailby featherIMG_2517Auchentoshan Triple Wood Single Malt. Lowlands, Scotland. ABV: 43%.  Tasted at Luxe Bar.

Colour: Quite a dark coppery colour, almost like sherry. Perhaps unsurprising given it’s spent a third of it’s triple wooded life in ex sherry casks. Insightful observations there Todd.

Nose: Hints of cloves? Smells like it’s going to be quite strong alcohol-wise.

Palate: Extremely smooth entry, much smoother than expected. Shoots to the back of the mouth with tobacco & peppery notes.

Finish: Despite the flavour kick at the back of the mouth, leaves a slightly sweet taste at the front. Woody aftertaste lingers.

Comments: Much more pleasant to drink than yesterday’s Glendronach 12 yr sherry matured. Possibly assisted because it was served by a cute barmaid rather than some balding overweight guy called Kevin at the other bar yesterday. That’s probably not even his real name, but who cares. In spite of this, regular consumption of such a whisky would no doubt be inhibited by the name of the distillery which would be problematic to pronounce after a couple of drams of this rather nice drop.

Whisky #9: Glendronach Original 12 Year Old Single Malt

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FacebooktwitterredditpinterestlinkedinmailFacebooktwitterredditpinterestlinkedinmailby featherIMG_2516Glendronach Original 12 Year Old Single Malt.  Highlands, Scotland.  ABV: 43%.  Tasted at My Place Bar, $12.

Appearance: Dark amber, much like other sherry matured drams e.g. Glenmorangie Lasanta.

Nose: A touch of Christmas pudding.

Palate: Smooth entry, tastes of raisin toast and maybe dried apricots.

Finish: Quite a dry finish, with a warming sensation on the tongue that lingers long beyond the flavours have disappeared.

Comments: Like an average curry you order after a night out on the beers and you’ve asked the waiter to make it “Indian hot” because you’re drunk and you want to see if your mate can handle as much chilli as you…at the end it leaves you wanting more flavour but the heat is the lasting memory. I’ve never been a massive sherry-head, and this has done little to change my mind. Not because it’s in any way unpleasant, more that there’s just nothing that really jumps out and gets you excited.

Whisky #8: Bruichladdie, The Laddie Sixteen

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FacebooktwitterredditpinterestlinkedinmailFacebooktwitterredditpinterestlinkedinmailby featherIMG_2514Bruichladdie, The Laddie Sixteen.  Islay, Scotland.  ABV: 46%. Halcyon Bar, $16.

Colour: Deep gold

Nose: Smooth, hints of oak.

Palate: Quite a clean taste. Salty notes, picked up flavours of muscatelles. My good mate Giles got tastes of “candied elderflower”, to which I detected “scents of wankerbreath”.

Finish: Quite smooth, short finish on the front palette.

Comments: If you put your ear to the glass you can almost hear the waves crashing on the beach at Islay…not quite, but it sounded wanky enough for your stereotypical whisky review! Unpeated, so quite different to most other Islays I’ve tried.

Whisky #7: Glenkinchie 12 Year Old Single Malt

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FacebooktwitterredditpinterestlinkedinmailFacebooktwitterredditpinterestlinkedinmailby featherIMG_2511Glenkinchie 12 Year Old Single Malt. Lowlands, Scotland.  ABV: 43%. Tasted at Sentinel Bar, $17.

Colour: Bright gold

Nose: Lemony scents. Can’t discern or describe any of the other notes (or at the very least I’m running out of patience to keep sniffing and just want to taste the damn thing!).

Palate: light woody flavours with a hint of sweetness.

Finish: Quite a dry finish, very mellow though.

Comments: Has hints of a much more mellow, immature Glenmorangie Nectar D’Or, but without the sweetness or body. Kinda like the less attractive, socially awkward little sister – definitely not your first preference on a night out, but after a few drinks you’re not exactly going to say ‘no’.

Whisky #6: Tobermory Distillery Ledaig 10 Year Old Single Malt

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FacebooktwitterredditpinterestlinkedinmailFacebooktwitterredditpinterestlinkedinmailby featherIMG_2507Tobermory Distillery Ledaig 10 Year Old Single Malt. Isle of Mull, Scotland. ABV: 46.3%.  Tasted at Bobèche, $16.

Colour: Pale gold. Like a flat glass of VB.

Nose: A little insipid, not too many strong or distinctive aromas. Inoffensive.

Palate: Salty initial tastes give way for strong smokey peat flavours, a surprise given they didn’t come through strongly when sniffing. Tastes great though!

Finish: Medium linger, stays at the front of the palette.

Comments: Nice flavours, but a tad disappointed with the nose. Kinda feels like it’s short changing you & you’re missing out on half the experience.  It will be a challenge to find whiskies on a Monday in Perth – not too many venues with a decent whisky selection open.  Fortunately Bobèche has a modest selection of 14 drams that will get me started on Mondays, think I might have to come back here every week!

Whisky #5: Blackadder 1999 Raw Cask

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FacebooktwitterredditpinterestlinkedinmailFacebooktwitterredditpinterestlinkedinmailby featherIMG_2506Blackadder 1999 12 Years Old Raw Cask.  Distilled at Mannochmore Distillery. Speyside, Scotland.  ABV: 60.9%.  Tasted at The Royal Hotel, $16.

Colour: Pale straw. Similar in colour to a third-day pitch at the SCG where the Aussies typically wrap up the Ashes. What’s that Pommies, 5-nil?!

Nose: Hay / grassy scents. Not the strong waft of alcohol that I was expecting from a cask strength whisky at 60%.

Palate: Woody notes, a moderate amount of peat.

Finish: Ah, there’s the alcohol kick.  Lingering warm sensations, slowly filling the mouth and moving back on the tongue. Much like my date the other night!

Comments: Dangerously drinkable, I’m predicting this will be one of my favourites. Didn’t have the pungent alcohol kick or fumes I was expecting from a dram at 60%.  Quite a rare drop being a single cask release, only 304 bottles released.  Definitely will be coming back to have some more of this one before they run out.

Whisky #4: Kilchoman Loch Gorm Sherry Cask Matured Single Malt

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IMG_2622Kilchoman Loch Gorm Sherry Cask Matured Single Malt.  Islay, Scotland.  ABV: 46.00%. Tasted at Helvetica, $21.

Colour: Dark shade of Amber (i.e. she spent too much time in the spray tan booth).

Nose: Earthy, peaty notes.

Palate: Smooth smoky charcoal, a little sweet, maybe a hint of buttery walnuts?

Finish: Lingering sweet peaty tastes, long after you’ve finished the sip.

Comments: Doesn’t strike me as similar to other sherry matured whiskies. Peat sort of overwhelms the sherry flavours. But still very drinkable!

Whisky #3: Suntory Yamazaki 12 Year Old

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FacebooktwitterredditpinterestlinkedinmailFacebooktwitterredditpinterestlinkedinmailby featherIMG_2623Suntory Yamazaki 12 Year Old Single Malt.  Yamazaki, Kyoto, Japan.  ABV: 43.00%.  Tasted at Helvetica, $17.

Colour: Light golden / straw colour.

Nose: Sweet honey & maybe some floral notes?

Palate: Soft, smooth and kind of coats the mouth with a gentle film. Kinda like the after effect of smashing a jelly shot – you know you’ve imbibed alcohol but it doesn’t have that strong alcohol sensation.

Finish: not much burn, flavours don’t tend to linger long or create any lasting impression to have some more.

Comments: Decent flavours, but a little underwhelming, almost a bit watery.  Still very drinkable though. Need to shift my next whisky tastings away from the sweet ones to get some more variety!