Whisky tastings

Whisky #276: Suntory Hibiki 21 Year Old Blended Japanese Whisky

November 4, 2014 by Whisky a Day Leave a Comment

Suntory Hibiki 21 Year Old Blended Japanese Whisky. Osaka, Japan. ABV: 43.00%. Tasted at home, $120 (375mL bottle).

Colour: Rich, dark amber.

Nose: Very soft straw, caramel and toffee notes.

Palate: Very delicate; buttery toffee, vanilla, a hint of cane – super smooth.

Finish: Such a gentle fade, like a piece of silk lightly touching your skin.

Comments: Outstanding. A huge step up from both the Hibiki 12 and the Hibiki 17. I’m quite confident that I can name this as the best blend I’ve had so far this year, a shame it’s only a half-size bottle!

Whisky #275 – Tuthilltown Spirits Hudson Four Grain Bourbon

November 3, 2014 by Whisky a Day Leave a Comment

Tuthilltown Spirits Hudson Four Grain Bourbon. Gardiner, New York State, United States. ABV: 46.00%. Tasted at Varnish on King, $37.50.

Colour: Like a freshly varnished timber bar top at a bar called Varnish.

Nose: Caramel. Lots of it. Reminds me a little of some of the drier sherried Speyside or Highlands malts.

Palate: Ok, definitely a bourbon. Drier than I was expecting upon entry.

Finish: Aniseed aftertaste. Prickly ash, salty flavours.

Comments: Very dry, very rye. Definitely not a patch on the Hudson Baby Bourbon, which I think is their best offering that I’ve tried.

Whisky #274 – Zuidam Dutch Rye 5 Year Old Whisky

November 3, 2014 by Whisky a Day Leave a Comment

Zuidam Dutch Rye 5 Year Old Whisky. The Netherlands. ABV: 40.0%. Tasted at Varnish on King, $27.

Colour: Candied Dutch orange.

Nose: Very rye indeed. Woody too.

Palate: Quite mild and sweet for a rye, not as spicy as some. The rye flavours dominate above all else though.

Finish: Medium length, dry mouthfeel. Grassy rye flavours linger.

Comments: The Zuidam is a potstill distilled rye. The overwhelming description is “dry rye”…not bad, but not a stand-out. I was curious to try a Dutch whisky, certainly a first for me.

Whisky #273 – George Dickel No.12 Tennessee Whiskey

November 3, 2014 by Whisky a Day Leave a Comment

Hmmmm, bacon and whiskey *drool*

George Dickel No.12 Tennessee Whiskey. Tennessee, United States. ABV: 45.00%. Tasted at Varnish on King as part of their bacon flight (4 whiskies matched with 4 types of bacon).

Colour: This little piggy went to the gold market.

Nose: Bacon. No wait, I’ve just ordered a bacon flight. It’s been paired with some speck. Creamy grassy notes from the whiskey.

Palate: Lemon and black pepper dominate. Fairly oaky too.

Finish: Aniseed and saltiness in the fade, although to be fair that could be the speck.

Comments: A little overpowered by the salty meatiness of the speck to be honest, but still delicious. Who can knock bacon…absolutely genius idea from the guys at Varnish to do bacon flights matched with whiskey. To paraphrase Homer Simpson, it’s like bourbon wrapped in bacon…*drool*

Whisky #272 – The Macallan 12 Year Old Gran Reserva Single Malt

November 2, 2014 by Whisky a Day 1 Comment

The Macallan 12 Year Old Gran Reserva Single Malt. Highlands, Scotland. ABV: 45.6%. Tasted at home, $0 – Dram Full sample.

Colour: Deep burnt toffee.

Nose: Sticky syrupy sherry. Lots of it. Soft varnish notes too.

Palate: Luscious intense spice and dried fruits, not overly sweet though – which is a good thing.

Finish: Buttery oak and caramel, lots of spice. Medium to long finish.

Comments: Perfectly balanced; sweetness and spice, rich full flavours. Absolutely fantastic.

Whisky #271 – Amrut Fusion Single Malt Indian Whisky

November 1, 2014 by Whisky a Day Leave a Comment

Xander from Varnish with his happy face on. Must be because I’m drinking all his whisk(e)y.

Amrut Fusion Single Malt Indian Whisky. Bangalore, India. ABV: 50%. Tasted at Varnish on King, $21.50.

Colour: light copper.

Nose: a little caramel when you pull away, quite oaky.

Palate: very dry and oaky.

Finish: Spicey and peppery. Need to try again.

Comments: How the fuck did I make those notes. Let me explain – I tried this whisky on a Friday night, I didn’t even remember going to Varnish, let alone tasting the Amrut. The next day I discovered the photos on my phone & also my tasting notes…needless to say I was a little dubious at how accurate they might be, so I went back to Varnish a couple of days later to re-taste in a slightly more sober state. I was amazed to find that my drunken notes were surprisingly accurate! Wonders never cease.

Whisky #270 – BenRiach 15 Year Old Madeira Single Malt

October 30, 2014 by Whisky a Day Leave a Comment

BenRiach 15 Year Old Madeira Single Malt. Speyside, Scotland. ABV: 46.00%. Tasted at The Laneway Lounge, $18.

Colour: Hungover stale beer colour.

Nose: Straw, yet some some rich vanilla and sherry notes.

Palate: Creamy smooth berry flavours.

Finish: Velvety sherbet finish. Tingly smooth – the finish tastes a little like Allen’s strawberries and cream lollies.

Comments: Matured in American oak casks initially, then finished in Madeira barrels. There are a few interesting yet contrasting things going on with this one, but it’s a bit too much of a medley of flavours and aromas to make it a really good whisky.

Whisky #269 – Glendronach 21 Year Old Parliament Single Malt

October 28, 2014 by Whisky a Day 4 Comments

Glendronach 21 Year Old Parliament Single Malt. Highlands, Scotland. ABV: 48.00%. Tasted at home, $120 (bottle).

Colour: As Ron Burgundy might say, it’s the colour of rich mahogany.

Nose: 60% of the time it works every time…damn this is a fine whisky. A stunning nose; dried muscatels, molasses, dusty bookshelves.

Palate: Luscious syrupy mouthfeel. Dry sultanas, cocoa, rich sherry flavours; deliciously sweet and chewy without being overly saccharine.

Finish: Caramel flavours dominate; medium length.

Comments: An amazing whisky, beautifully balanced. I could drink this every day as my Whisky a Day challenge for 2015. I’m keen to sit down one night and try a vertical tasting of the Glendronach Revival 15 Year Old and the Glendronach Allardice 18 Year Old, two of my favourite whiskies this year…purely for research purposes of course.

Whisky #268 – White Oak Akashi Blended Japanese Whisky

October 26, 2014 by Whisky a Day Leave a Comment

White Oak Akashi Blended Japanese Whisky. Akashi, Japan. ABV: 40.0%. Tasted at home, $15 (500mL bottle).

Colour: Orangey gold. Starting to scrape the bottom of the barrel with new ways to describe different hues of gold.

Nose: Straw and bamboo notes. Is that because it’s a Japanese whisky that I’m associating bamboo? Debatable, but I’m sticking to it.

Palate: Cooked vegetables, like a vegetable stew. Dry hay-like flavours, some dry white wine notes too.

Finish: Short finish, very dry. Dry is the word of the day.

Comments: It was certainly a bargain – I have to admit that when I ordered it I misread the size of the bottle. For $15 I was expecting a 50mL bottle, so I was pleasantly surprised when my order arrived and it was a 500mL bottle! It’s ok, a little too dry and thin for my liking really.

Whisky #267 – Great Southern Distillery – Limeburners Barrel M93 Single Malt

October 24, 2014 by Whisky a Day 3 Comments

Great Southern Distillery – Limeburners Barrel M93 Single Malt. Albany, Western Australia, Australia. ABV: 61%. Tasted at home, $200 (bottle) from the Limeburners cellar door in Albany.

Colour: Dark varnished timber floorboards.

Nose: Like sticking your nose into a packet of juicy sultanas or currants. Ever so slight tobacco feints, soft oak as well.

Palate: Rich and intense, buttery dark honey notes and spices. Lots of warmth that fills the mouth like you’ve just had a sip of some warm tea with a big dollop of molasses.

Finish: A long finish. Lots of residual warmth radiates while the spice and golden syrup flavours continue to dance around your mouth, begging you to have another sip.

Comments: I bought the second last 700mL bottle from the cellar door. I really don’t want this bottle to finish, but given how much I enjoyed it I fear it will be difficult to ration it out and make it last. $200 a bottle, but worth every penny. Simply superb.

Whisky #266 – Makers Mark Bourbon Whiskey

October 21, 2014 by Whisky a Day Leave a Comment

Makers Mark Bourbon Whiskey. Kentucky, United States. ABV: 40.0%. Tasted at Pullman Bunker Bay Resort, $10.

Colour: Dark cane.

Nose: Aniseed notes; I’m not a huge fan. Dad got scents of damp hessian bags that have been sitting in a shed for too long. The old man is more of a wine drinker usually, but you don’t have to be a whisky fan to describe the nose of a dram – the olfactory sense is one of the most powerful in terms of triggering a (sometimes obscure) memory.

Palate: Spice and pepper.

Finish: Sawdust, very dry pepper and corn flavours. Medium length.

Comments: Meh, very underwhelming. After having tried some rather nice Limeburners, this one certainly misses the…ahem…mark.

Whisky #265 – Great Southern Distillery – Limeburners Directors Cut M90

October 20, 2014 by Whisky a Day 1 Comment

Great Southern Distillery – Limeburners Directors Cut M90 Barrel Strength Single Malt (bottle 106 / 228). Albany, Western Australia, Australia. ABV: 61%. Tasted at the Great Southern Distillery cellar door, $10 (15mL tasting).

Colour: Dark ambery caramel.

Nose: Freshy hewn hardwood timber, golden syrup notes too.

Palate: Buttery, creamy sweetness; oily mouthfeel. Hot toast with butter and golden syrup.

Finish: Long and smooth; intense flavours but without overpowering heat, belying the barrel strength 61% ABV.

Comments: It’s like licking a salted caramel hard toffee, amazing. I’m definitely enjoying the barrel strength Limeburners more than the standard single malts, which typically run around 43%. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with the standard single malts – they’re delicious – it’s just that the barrel strength releases seem to strike the balance between being full flavoured and yet don’t seem to have the kick you might expect of something north of 60%. Another great Limeburners!

Whisky #264 – Great Southern Distillery – Limeburners Barrel M138 Single Malt

October 18, 2014 by Whisky a Day 1 Comment

Great Southern Distillery – Limeburners Barrel M138 Single Malt (bottle 019 / 219). Albany, Western Australia, Australia. ABV: 61%. Tasted at the Great Southern Distillery cellar door, $10 (15mL tasting).

Colour: Bright honey gold.

Nose: Charred oak and molasses. Cigar box hints too.

Palate: Wow – intense warmth and spice. Cloves with a touch of rich syrupy sweetness, almost like a caramelised balsamic. Alcohol kick, oily mouthfeel.

Finish: Long and warm. Hints of candied dried fruits, but the warmth and spice dominates.

Comments: Perfect on a cold rainy day. Even better on a cold rainy day at the Limeburners cellar door in Albany!

Whisky with a smile from the gorgeous Sarah at the Limeburners cellar door

Whisky a Day research is a tough job, but someone has to do it…

Whisky #263 – Glenfarclas 1980 Family Casks Single Malt

October 15, 2014 by Whisky a Day Leave a Comment

Glenfarclas 1980 Family Casks Single Malt. Speyside, Scotland. ABV: 50.1%. Tasted at Must Winebar, $37.

Colour: Light amber. Not nearly as dark as I thought it might be given it has spent 27 years in an ex sherry barrel.

Nose: A very, very subtle toasted oak. Surprisingly soft given the ABV.

Palate: Quite dry, yet warming. Delicious caramel and hay-like woody notes.

Finish: Intense warming in a good way – like putting your hands close to an open fire. Putting your mouth towards an open fire??? That doesn’t really make much sense, maybe sans the singed eyebrows. You get my drift.

Comments: A single cask release, it’s one of only 681 bottles from a refill sherry butt. Distilled in 1980, bottled in 2007. Yes it’s old and yes it’s quite uncommon, but I’m not convinced it’s worth $37 a nip. A great drop however.

Whisky #262 – Chivas Regal 18 Year Old Blended Scotch Whisky

October 14, 2014 by Whisky a Day Leave a Comment

Chivas Regal 18 Year Old Blended Scotch Whisky. Speyside, Highlands, Scotland. ABV: 40.00%. Tasted at home, $9 (50mL sample bottle).

Colour: Light caramel.

Nose: Citrus, straw and faint honey notes.

Palate: Smooth yet more flavour depth than I was expecting from a blend. A little like sweet biscuits – think of buttery Nice biscuits, the ones with sugar sprinkled on top.

Finish: Medium length, minimal heat. Quite dry. You can taste the Nice biscuits gradually fading as the grains of sugar dissolve in your mouth.

Comments: Again much like the Chivas 12 year old, I was pleasantly surprised by this one. It’s no world-beater and is a little too mild and unassuming for my tastes, but it’s certainly easy drinking.

Whisky #259-261: Frank McHardy Masterclass at Whipper Snapper Distillery

October 11, 2014 by Whisky a Day Leave a Comment

Frank McHardy Masterclass at Whipper Snapper Distillery, $90.

The master distiller from Springbank, Frank McHardy, has been enlisted by our amazing local Whipper Snapper Distillery to act as their Chief Whiskey Advisor. Given Frank’s 50-odd years of experience at Springbank, it’s fair to say the Whipper Snapper boys could hardly have chosen a finer mentor. So it was a great privilege to be able to attend an intimate masterclass where Frank led us through a tasting of Springbank, Hazelburn and Kilkerran malts, along with some behind the scenes insights into whisky production at Springbank.

Whisky #259: Kilkerran Work in Progress 7 Year Old Single Malt. Campbeltown, Scotland. ABV: 46.0%.

Colour: Pale gold

Nose: Very faint hint of peat, subtle sweetness too.

Palate: A very clean, crisp flavour profile. Oily mouthfeel. Floral sweetness.

Finish: Gentle heat front half of palate that builds slightly, medium length. Salty vs sweet flavours battle it out, great balance.

Whisky #260: Hazelburn Rundlets & Kilderkins 10 Year Old Single Malt. Campbeltown, Scotland. ABV: 50.1%.

Colour: Pale gold again.

Nose: Floral, vanilla notes. With time in the glass it really starts to develop some rich woody notes.

Palate: Rich, deep buttery raspberry flavours.

Finish: Softer finish than the Kilkerran. Dried fruit flavours linger long on the palate, as does the warmth again on the front half of the tongue.

Whisky #261: Springbank 15 Year Old Single Malt. Campbeltown, Scotland. ABV: 46.0%.

Colour: Deep rich gold.

Nose: Honey on hot buttered toast. Quite mild, not too intense.

Palate: Thicker syrupy mouthfeel compared to the Springbank 10. Not super sweet mind you, some subtle honey flavours along with some rich dried fruit flavours.

Finish: Buttery dried fruits, long tingle & flavour fade.

Overall comments: All three have spent some time maturing ex sherry casks, although I wouldn’t have picked it initially. No huge sherry bombs, the Springbank 15 in particular is quite subtle. The Hazelburn Rundlets & Kilderkins was the pick for me.

A fascinating afternoon listening to Frank talk about the history of Springbank and his own career. The guided tour of Whipper Snapper by chief distiller Jimmy McKeown was also fantastic, plus that gorgeous copper still of theirs (see below), wow. Hats off to the Whipper Snapper boys, these guys are really going places.

Whipper Snapper’s stunning still.