Month: May 2016

Whisky #410: Ardbeg Perpetuum Single Malt

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img_6770.jpgArdbeg Perpetuum Single Malt. Islay, Scotland. ABV: 47.40%. Tasted at home, $35 (100mL bottle split, courtesy of the International Beer Shop in Perth).

Happy Ardbeg Day everyone!! Thought it fitting that I dig up this little beauty which I’ve had kicking around in the collection for 12 months now. The Ardbeg Perpetuum was actually the distillery’s Ardbeg Day release from 2015, commemorating their 200th anniversary. I’ve yet to try their 2016 Ardbeg Day release, “Dark Cove” (Sam Dunn hurry up and send it!), looking forward to getting stuck into that too.

Colour: A very pale straw.

Nose: Delightfully contrasting and complex. There’s a hint of char grilled bacon (hmmm, bacon *drool*), interspersed with raspberry sherbet and lemon crumble. Some very faint smoked trout aromas, sawdust from a freshly lopped tree…honestly the more I nose it the more my mind races to some very un-whisky like descriptions. Impressive stuff.

Palate: A cool, crisp entry with a quick build in flavour and a satisfying warm tingle around the lips and entire front of the mouth (not just the palate). Dark honey combines with meaty and woody notes – like a honeyed lamb skewer that’s been flame grilled on the BBQ.

Finish: The renowned Ardbeg peatiness finally emerges, though it’s more organic flavours rather smokey. The salty tang lingers long, along with some straw and lemon tanginess too.

Comments: It’s more subtle than your typical Ardbeg, and that’s a good thing. I’m a big fan of Ardbeg, but in the past I’ve felt some of their expressions are a little too similar. The Ardbeg Perpetuum is refreshingly different, and it’s a cracking dram. With only 12,000 bottles produced, I wish I’d had the foresight to grab more than just a 100mL bottle split.

Whisky #409: GlenDronach Batch 3 Cask Strength Single Malt

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img_6753.jpgGlendronach Batch 3 Cask Strength Single Malt. Highlands, Scotland.  ABV: 54.90%. Tasted at home, $162 (bottle).

Seeing as Saturday was World Whisky Day, I decided that was a good a reason as any to lash out on a new whisky. I got home and cracked it open with intentions of doing my review, but I was enjoying it so much I dared not ruin the moment by over-analysing it. So I sat back, poured a second dram (ok…and a third), and here I am two days later, doing a belated World Whisky Day review.

Colour: Brilliant bronze.

Nose: Buttery toffee, strawberries & cream, raspberry sticks of rock. A tangy raspberry note too; it’s not all sweetness.

Palate: Creamy orange liqueur, sweet oak and hints of chocolate. It’s not the syrupy sherry bomb that one might expect from Glendronach (especially a cask strength release), it’s far more nuanced yet still recognisable.

Finish: A gentle long, warm finish with hints of muscatels, dark chocolate and dried raspberries.

Comments: This really is a whisky you can pour, sit back in a comfy chair, put on some background music and let the cask strength flavours ease your troubles and take your mind off all life’s worries. It’s effortlessly drinkable; full flavoured yet smooth. It’s not a dram for those taking their first steps into the wonderful world of whisky as it’s possibly a little intense. But for those who love the house style of Glendronach or who appreciate a cask strength dram that gradually reveals layers of flavour and aroma with each sip, this is a ripper. Recommended.

Whisky #408: Limeburners Directors Cut M134 Barrel Strength Single Malt

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img_6718.jpgLimeburners Directors Cut M134 Barrel Strength Single Malt (bottle 072 / 101). Great Southern Distilling Company. Albany, Western Australia, Australia. ABV: 61%. Tasted at home, $280 (bottle).

Colour: Deep copper.

Nose: Creamy treacle, burnt caramel (think creme brûlée), cloves, dates.

Palate: A melting pot of lusciousness…tingly caramelised pineapple fried on a BBQ. Sweet moist fruitcake. Dark chocolate truffles with rich caramel oozing out as you bite in. It’s a big burst of flavour with a lovely oily mouthfeel, like you’ve bitten into one of those Starburst lollies with the liquid centre. This is amazing stuff.

Finish: Long and slow in the fade. Buttery white toast with golden syrup…flavours I’ve enjoyed from other Limeburners whiskies matured in ex Australian Muscat barrels like this one.

Comments: Arriving home after working a weekend on what’s shaping up to be a 70 hour week, a cask strength whisky was definitely order of the day. The neighbours for some reason were playing Michael Bolton loudly, which only served to cause further irritation.  Returning serve with some vintage Pendulum cranked up really loud, I was inspired to pair some West Australian music (Pendulum) with some fine cask strength West Australian whisky. What a glorious combination to take the edge off what has been an insane week.

Limeburners have long been one of my favourite distilleries, not just amongst the many fine Australian distilleries but globally.  They really punch above their weight and produce some fantastic whisky, so it’s no surprise to see them take out the trophy for the 2016 Champion Distiller at the Australian Distilled Spirits Awards earlier this month. Here’s to founder Cameron Syme and distiller Ben Kagi, another sterling effort gents.