Month: December 2014

Whisky #365 – Glenmorangie Nectar D’or 12 Year Old Single Malt

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IMG_4547Glenmorangie Nectar D’or 12 Year Old Single Malt. Highlands, Scotland. ABV: 46.00%. Tasted at home, $85 (bottle).

Hello old friend…

I did it! So we have arrived at Whisky #365 on the 365th day of the year! As I noted at the start of the year in my “What is Whisky a Day” article, I started the project on January 1st with Whisky #1 – the Glenmorangie Nectar D’Or – as it had been my favourite go-to whisky for quite some time.

I had earmarked it to be my Whisky #365 on December 31st to see a) if it’s still my favourite, and b) how my appreciation and tasting of whisky might have changed through the course of the year. This will be the only whisky I have officially tasted twice over the course of 2014. There may have been a few I unofficially sampled on multiple occasions…just to be sure I got my tasting notes correct, all in the name of scientific research!

Below I have recorded my notes from this tasting of the Glenmorangie Nectar D’Or on December 31st, 2014, but also listed in italics below my observations from my tasting of it as Whisky #1 back on January 1st, 2014. Ok, here goes!

Colour: Rich caramel.

Whisky #1 notes: Caramel. Damn – am I going to be able to come up with 364 other ways to describe the various golden shades of whisky?!

Nose: Burnt caramel, slightly nutty. Sweet vanilla and soft oak notes. A slight nose prickle.

Whisky #1 notes: Fragrant and slightly sweet. Makes you want to dive in and just taste it rather than sniff it all day.

Palate: Smooth entry, rich oily mouthfeel. Butter, honey and vanilla with a soft hint of black pepper.

Whisky #1 notes: Smooth when it first hits the tongue, slowly warming as it fills the mouth. Sweet flavours with some spices, hard to pinpoint exactly what they are. Tastes bloody good though.

Finish: Medium length, sweet honey and spice.

Whisky #1 notes: Lingering sweetness and a warm tingle at the front of the tongue. Leaves a distinct desire to have some more!

Comments: So is it still my favourite? Have my tastes changed? It’s a cracking whisky, I love it. My mate Brett – whom avid readers will know has been one of my trusted whisky tasting lieutenants throughout the year – simply commented that “it never fails, it’s the go-to whisky”. Hard to disagree with you there mate, the Nectar D’Or really is a top drop and amazing value too. After drinking 363 other whiskies this year, I can confidently say that the Glenmorangie Nectar D’Or will forever remain a staple in my whisky collection at home.

It’s hard to say that another whisky is my new favourite, as it’s difficult for a new whisky to take that mantle if I’ve only tried it once through the year. However, I am very pleased that I’m still enjoying the Nectar D’Or so much after having had so many other amazing drams throughout the year – I was a little worried I may have fallen out of love with it.

You’ll have to stay tuned for my wrap-up article early in January collating all the highlights of the Whisky a Day journey to see my ratings of best blend, best value dram, most surprising whisky…and many more. Happy new year to you all, many thanks for your support following Whisky a Day in 2014, it’s been a blast. I will be continuing in 2015 with more whisky tastings and also starting to explore whisky and food pairing, whisky in cooking and other exciting adventures. In the meantime, grab yourself a great dram and have a happy new year!

Slainte,

Todd (aka Whisky a Day)

Whisky #364 – 1940 Gordon & MacPhail Generations Glenlivet 70 Year Old Cask Strength Single Malt

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IMG_45431940 Gordon & MacPhail Generations Glenlivet 70 Year Old (Release 2) Cask Strength Single Malt. Speyside, Scotland. ABV: 45.90%.

I really am indebted to a very kind friend of mine who generously gave me this small sample bottle as it would be a fitting end to the Whisky a Day year. Wow – I cannot believe I am tasting a 70 year old whisky.

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Colour: Deep amber.

Nose: Sweet sticky BBQ rib smokiness; musty bookshelves, a hint of leather. It’s like opening an old camphor wood chest. Tart raspberries or cherries. Such a complex, layered nose.

Palate: So smooth – words seem inadequate. Velvety, a touch of sherried sweetness yet the tart salty flavours and subtle smokiness are the dominant ones.

Finish: A long, gentle embrace of warmth as the flavours gradually tease and then fade off the front half of the palate. Soft smoke, demerara sugar – slightly less sweet than brown sugar.

Comments: The cask was laid down on February 3, 1940. That’s just after the start of the Second World War. Fuck me, that puts things into perspective. Finally bottled in 2010 by Gordon & MacPhail at its cask strength of 45.9%, it was matured in a first fill sherry butt.

I really, really enjoyed it, but it’s not the best whisky I’ve had this year. An outstanding dram, though I’ve been left speechless mainly because of its age and rarity. A shame it was only a small sample as its incredibly nose and palate really deserve a much longer period of inspection to get to know this dram. Simply sublime…

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Whisky #363: Suntory Hakushu Distiller’s Reserve Single Malt Japanese Whisky

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IMG_4520Suntory Hakushu Distiller’s Reserve Single Malt Japanese Whisky. Hokuto, Yamanashi, Japan. ABV: 43.00%. Tasted at Kings Cross Hotel, $10.50.

Colour: Light maple syrup.

Nose: Very light, a little floral. Somewhat ill-defined. My mate Heshy described it as like a bad rainbow over Bondi Beach. I have no idea what he’s banging on about there!

Palate: Light wafer biscuit. Slightly salty honeycomb. Soft hay-like flavours.

Finish: Short to medium finish.

Comments: Nothing outstanding. It’s ok, but fairly middling.

Whisky #362 – Murray McDavid Dufftown Distillery Speyside Single Malt Whisky (distilled 1979)

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IMG_4515Murray McDavid Dufftown Distillery Speyside Single Malt Whisky (distilled 1979). Speyside, Scotland. ABV: 46%. Tasted at The Baxter Inn, $55.

Colour: Dark burnished copper.

Nose: I could sniff this all day. Absolutely stunning notes of golden syrup, toffee, soft oak, fresh vanilla pods…wow.

Palate: Silky smooth entry, stunning mouthfeel – oily, velvety, like having the most gentle passionate first kiss with the girl you’ve always fancied. Soft sherry notes, brown sugar, muscatels…I could go on for hours.

Finish: A whisky this good shouldn’t finish. Eventually it does, leaving a gradual flavour fade but not a whole heap of warmth.

Comments: Stunning. An absolutely amazing dram. I want a bottle of this at home, cost be damned.

The Baxter Inn. My favourite whisky bar in Australia.

The Baxter Inn. My favourite whisky bar in Australia.

Whisky #361 – Baxter Inn Port Batch Cask Strength 16 Year Old Single Malt

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IMG_4514Baxter Inn Port Batch Cask Strength 16 Year Old Single Malt. ABV: 54.8%. Speyside, Scotland. Tasted at The Baxter Inn, $19.

Colour: Deep luscious copper.

Nose: Sweet muscatels and cherries. A slight alcohol cloud wafts up the nostrils.

Palate: Salty sweet caramelised dried fruits, think juicy plums and nectarines.

Finish: A tingling linger of warmth, a long gentle fade of dried fruits. Quite a drying finish.

Comments: Cracking value. Sitting in the Baxter Inn how could I possibly pass up one of their own bottlings. Full flavoured, rich and fruity, a top drop.

Whisky #360 – Wild Turkey Bourbon Whiskey

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IMG_4508Wild Turkey Bourbon Whiskey. Kentucky, United States. ABV: 43.40%. Tasted at The Point (Sydney), $8.50.

Colour: Pale amber.

Nose: Freshly sanded pine timber floorboards.

Palate: Liquorice. Quite thin on the palate, drying sensation with soft peppery notes.

Finish: Minimal heat, medium length with soft aniseed flavours to fade.

Comments: Not as harsh as I was expecting. The old Wild Turkey cops a bit of a flak but to be honest it was ok – I’ve certainly tasted much worse throughout the Whisky a Day year!

Whisky #359 – Pig’s Nose Blended Scotch Whisky

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IMG_4506Pig’s Nose Blended Scotch Whisky. Speyside, Lowlands & Islay, Scotland. ABV: 40%. Tasted at The Glenmore Hotel (Sydney), $9.50.

Colour: Slightly cloudy light gold.

Nose: Honey sweet straw notes.

Palate: Very thin; tastes like it’s been watered down. Faint cloves, herb & notes. Watery honey is the best way I could describe it.

Finish: Insipid, short, thin.

Comments: The label waxes lyrical about the whisky’s signature smoothness and how it’s “soft as a pig’s nose”. If this was a cut of meat it’s hardly a fine fillet or cutlet, rich and full flavoured – it’s more like all the lips and arseholes minced together to form some semblance of a sausage that when consumed seems to fill you up but leaves you quite unsatisfied and even a little unsure whether you’ve eaten real meat.

Whisky #358 – Ardbeg Uigeadail Single Malt

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IMG_4471Ardbeg Uigeadail Single Malt. Islay, Scotland. ABV: 54.20%. Tasted at home, $8 (50mL miniature bottle).

Colour: Bright gold.

Nose: After initially just a heap of peat smoke, with a swirl around the glass it gives off some smoked BBQ meat flavours.

Palate: Briny, tangy flavours with a healthy tingle on the tip of your tongue. Lots of peat but there’s a slight hint of some sweet smoke flavours too.

Finish: Long, lingering peaty finish, almost a touch chocolatey.

Comments: Not quite as in your face as other Ardbeg expressions, a little sweeter but still loads of smoke.

Whiskies #356 & #357 – Glenfarclas 21 Year Old & Glenfarclas 25 Year Old

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IMG_4451Glenfarclas 21 Year Old Single Malt. Speyside, Scotland. ABV: 43%. Tasted at home, bonus 50mL miniature bottle from a Glenfarclas 15 Year Old gift box.

Colour: Toffied amber.

Nose: Creamy sherried notes; some dried muscatels.

Palate: Some earthy flavours, a little fruity but overall not as sweet or chewy as I would have expected.

Finish: A little dry in the finish. Oak, some very light strawberries and cream flavours.

 

Glenfarclas 25 Year Old Single Malt. Speyside, Scotland. ABV: 43%. Tasted at home, bonus 50mL miniature bottle from a Glenfarclas 15 Year Old gift box.

Colour: Ever so slightly lighter than the 21 year old, which is a minor surprise. There’s really not that much between them though.

Nose: Rich, syrupy berries. Some light oak, just the right amount.

Palate: Salted caramel, quite syrupy, some awesome fruity flavours.
Much more of an oily mouthfeel than the 21 year old.

Finish: Fuller bodied than the 21 year old, still a little drying but there are more sherry notes in the fade. Medium to long length.

Overall comments: I definitely preferred the 25 year old to the 21 year old, it just has more complexity and some sweet chewy characteristics. However, you look across the range I think value for money wise you can’t go past the Glenfarclas 15 Year Old Single Malt. I’d be keen to try it side by side with the 25 – it’s been a while since I’ve tasted the 15 year old, but based on tonight’s tasting I think it may even be my preference even compared to the 25 year old.

Whisky #355 – Blairmhor 8 Year Old Blended Malt Scotch Whisky

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IMG_4450Blairmhor 8 Year Old Blended Malt Scotch Whisky. Speyside, Highlands, Scotland. ABV: 40%. Tasted at my friends Carly & JC’s place, $0.

Colour: Ambery amberish amberosity.

Nose: Honey, vanilla, sweet hessian sacks.

Palate: Smooth, sweet straw-like flavours.

Finish: A dry finish, yet slightly sweet honied notes in a short to medium fade.

Comments: I was really surprised, thought this was going to be a “truly awful” whisky but it was actually ok! Produced from a vatting of up to 20 malts apparently.

Whisky #354 – Sheep Dip 8 Year Old Blended Malt Scotch Whisky

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IMG_4447Sheep Dip 8 Year Old Blended Malt Scotch Whisky. Highlands, Scotland. ABV: 40.00%. Tasted at Riverbar & Kitchen (Brisbane), $11.50.

Colour: Light honied amber.

Nose: Smells like fresh straw in a stable. Quite grassy.

Palate: Honied sweetness, some slight herb notes too. Very faint aniseed undertones. Cool oily mouthfeel. My good mate Pete adds that it tastes like compacted fairy floss. Definitely not peaty…or Petey.

Finish: My mate JC has a sip and suggests that it is “threatening butteriness”. Herby fade.

Comments: A very easy blend to drink after 6 hours of imbibing other beverages.

Whisky #353 – Woodford Reserve Master’s Collection New Cask Rye Whiskey

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IMG_4443Woodford Reserve Master’s Collection New Cask Rye Whiskey. Kentucky, United States. ABV: 46.2%. Tasted at Old Soul (Maroochydore), $30.

Colour: Dark toffee.

Nose: Caramel and fresh pine needles.

Palate: Smooth, yet strong aniseed rye flavours dominant as to be expected. Woody notes. Some very subtle toffee undertones eventually reveal themselves.

Finish: A drying, medicinal sensation in the fade. Medium length.

Comments: It’s quite a decent rye, but unfortunately at this price point I had slightly higher expectations.

Whisky #352 – Talisker 57° North Single Malt

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IMG_4440Talisker 57° North Single Malt. Isle of Skye, Scotland. ABV: 57.00%. Tasted at home, $127 (bottle).

Colour: Rich orangey gold.

Nose: Salty honeycomb, some very subtle hints peat.

Palate: Peppery mixed spice with a sweet vanilla undertone.

Finish: Citrusy sweet mandarin peel flavours give way in a slow gentle fade.

Comments: They named this expression Talisker 57° North because that’s the latitude of the Talisker distillery on the Isle of Skye. Whilst this has been diluted down from cask strength to an ABV of 57% (to match the latitude), it’s great to taste a stronger Talisker – I’d love to taste a cask strength release some day.

Whisky #351 – Glenfiddich Distillery Exclusive 1995 19 Year Old Cask Strength Sherry Cask Matured Single Malt (Cask No. 30318)

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IMG_4432Glenfiddich Distillery Exclusive 1995 19 Year Old Cask Strength Sherry Cask Matured Single Malt (Cask No. 30318). Speyside, Scotland. ABV: 60.03%.

Colour: Deep, dark copper with a few flecks of charcoal sediment from the inside of the cask I drew the bottle from.

Nose: Much like its Balvenie stablemate, it has soft oak and some sweet, rich dried fruits.

Palate: Wow, the intense flavour and warmth hit your palate then decide to have a party all around your mouth. Salted caramel and rich syrupy sherry notes.

Finish: A salty tingle on the tip of the tongue, foowed by a long fade with some residual sweetness.

Comments: It’s like eating a salted caramel macaron. Soft, chewy, creamy – the flavours just keep coming. A sublime malt.

Whisky #350 – Balvenie 13 Year Old Sherry Butt Cask Strength Single Malt

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IMG_4431Balvenie 13 Year Old Sherry Butt Cask Strength Single Malt (Cask No. 11270). Speyside, Scotland. ABV: 59.6%. Tasted at home, £25 (200mL bottle, which I filled straight from the cask on the Balvenie distillery tour).

Colour: Stunning, almost a crimson-copper shade.

Nose: The alcohol feints rush to jump up your nose, before a more measured sniff reveals intense fruity aromas, sweet toffee and dusty oak.

Palate: Rich and chewy. Intense toffee and somewhat tart berry flavours, think cranberries and raspberries. A fantastic balance of sweetness and tartness.

Finish: Quite long, almost a bit salty right at the end after the flavours begin to fade. An electrifying tingle on the tip of the tongue as the sherry flavours subside.

Comments: An amazingly complex drop, lots of contrasting layers right the way through.

Whisky #349 – Glenglassaugh 1973 39 Year Old Single Malt – The Massandra Connection – Muscat Wine Cask Finish

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IMG_4430Glenglassaugh 1973 39 Year Old Single Malt – The Massandra Connection – Muscat Wine Cask Finish. Highlands, Scotland. ABV: 44.1%. Tasted at home, $100 (100mL bottle).

Colour: Brassy amber.

Nose: Sweet leather; mixed dried fruits, especially sultanas. Dark toffee notes too. A slight nose prickle which is very tolerable when the whisky has such a top nose.

Palate: Creamed honey and vanilla. Velvety smooth, buttery oily mouthfeel. Wow.

Finish: A super smooth salty-sweet fade, medium length yet a somewhat dryish finish.

Comments: Amazingly delicious, it’s a huge challenge to resist consuming the whole 100mL sample in one sitting. So sublime it’s impossible to make any tongue-in-cheek remarks about this one.