Whisky tastings

Whisky #98 – Balvenie Cuban Selection 14 Year Old Single Malt

June 16, 2014 by Whisky a Day Leave a Comment

Balvenie Cuban Selection 14 Year Old Single Malt. Speyside, Scotland. ABV: 43.0%. Tasted at home, $130 (bottle).

Colour: Deep golden honey.

Nose: A little more abrupt than I was expecting; a fair whiff of alcohol along with some orange peel notes.

Palate: Lots of vanilla and sweet oak. Much smoother than the nose suggests. Lots of flavour complexity, gentle spices and a bit of peppery heat at the front of the palate.

Finish: Sweet spices, not too much heat. Flavours stick around longer than the warmth, especially the sweet notes.

Comments: As a keen ~~pirate~~ sailor with a penchant for a nice rum, I was rattling my cutlass with excitement to crack open this bottle that has spent some final time maturing in barrels that previously held Cuban rum. I really liked it, especially the palate (not so much the nose). It’s not a world-beater but certainly a great whisky to have in the collection at home which offers something a little different to others.

I was perhaps expecting something a little more unusual, I would have expected the extra maturation in rum barrels to have a more significant impact on the whisky’s flavour profile, making it sweeter especially. In hindsight, maybe I was expecting some more spiced rum flavours coming through, but perhaps given that Cuban rum tends to be lighter than other Caribbean rums it’s perhaps not so surprising.

Whisky #97 – Johnnie Walker Green Label Pure Malt Scotch Whisky

June 15, 2014 by Whisky a Day Leave a Comment

Johnnie Walker Green Label Pure Malt Scotch Whisky. Kilmarnock, Scotland. ABV: 43.00%. Tasted at Canton Lounge, $17.

Colour: Golden amber.

Nose: Mandarin peel (definitely not Cantonese peel).

Palate: Soft peaty & briny flavours. Plenty of spice and some dried fruit flavours; very smooth.

Finish: Gentle spice and a bit of pepper lingers at the front of the tongue. Quite dry and clean, a medium to long finish.

Comments: A lot more character than other Johnnie Walkers, the Green Label is certainly the best offering from the vast Johnnie Walker stable that I’ve tried. Perhaps because I normally gravitate to single malts, particularly the fuller flavoured ones with lots of flavour complexity and spices, so your typical Johnnie Walker blend just doesn’t really do it for me.

I had heard that the Johnnie Green was once known as a “vatted malt”, but that this term has now been replaced by the more correct “blended malt”. This is supposed to differentiate this type of whisky as being a blend of single malt whiskies, rather than a blend containing inferior and cheaper grain malts.

The Johnnie Walker Green Label has been discontinued, which explains why some bottles has been fetching some surprising prices online. In my opinion it’s a shame it is no longer made, it never pretended to be a world-beating whisky but it’s probably the most under-rated Johnnie Walker offering around. If you can get your hands on a bottle, it will be good for drinking, but dare I say in time it might make a good investment as the last supplies dry up.

Whisky #96 – Nikka Pure Malt White Blended Japanese Whisky

June 15, 2014 by Whisky a Day Leave a Comment

Nikka Pure Malt White Blended Japanese Whisky. Hokkaido, Japan. ABV: 43%. Tasted at home, $0 courtesy of my mate Damien. Offered as payment for staying at my place when over visiting from Sydney. Whisky is a much preferred currency for any transaction, certainly more useful than Bitcoins.

Colour: Deep oaky, orange colour.

Nose: Very peaty for a Japanese whisky, lots of smoked woody notes too.

Palate: Velvety. Also very oaky, it’s a bit like licking a cane reed (saxophone players will understand the taste here).

Finish: Medium length & heat.

Comments: It’s quite ok, but nothing too flash. Nikka also have the Pure Malt Red and Pure Malt Black in their blended malt range, each in a different style of whisky. Thankfully not a salute to Johnnie Walker Red and Black, but rather the Red apparently is more fruity and spicy, whereas the Black is mellow yet complex. I will have to try these others to judge for myself if I stumble across them, although on the strength of the Nikka Pure Malt White’s tasting I won’t be going too far out of my way to hunt down some Pure Malt Red or Black.

Whisky #95 – Great Southern Distillery – Limeburners Barrel M100 Single Malt Whisky

June 14, 2014 by Whisky a Day 1 Comment

Great Southern Distillery – Limeburners Barrel M100 Single Malt Whisky (Bottle 095 / 372). Albany, Western Australia, Australia. ABV: 43%. Tasted at home, $125 (bottle).

Colour: Like a rich amber ale.

Nose: Sweet hay scents. At only 43% ABV, it doesn’t have the complexity or kick up the nostrils like the Limeburners Barrel M67 (which runs at a cheeky 61% ABV).

Palate: Quite grainy, also a few sweeter citrus notes – lemon and orange peel. Reasonable amount of heat.

Finish: Sweet and syrupy (a bit like golden syrup or molasses), a hint of pepper, with a gentle warming sensation around the mouth – definitely not a burn, just a very subtle warmth. Quite a long finish.

Comments: I really rate the Limeburners whiskies. Obviously as single barrel releases you would expect each batch to have some variation, and they do – but they still share a lot of qualities that I really enjoy…full flavour, lots of spices, oak and residual sweet notes. I’m looking forward to taking a drive down to Albany at some point to visit the distillery!

Whisky #94 – Glenfiddich Malt Scotch Whisky Liqueur

June 13, 2014 by Whisky a Day Leave a Comment

Glenfiddich Malt Scotch Whisky Liqueur. Speyside, Scotland. ABV: 40.00%.

Tasted at home, $0, courtesy of my cousins Trudi & Marcus.

Colour: Golden viscous honey.

Nose: Surprisingly strong alcohol feints. Some oak and grain aromas.

Palate: Not as sickly sweet as I was expecting, though still some soft syrupy sensations. Amazing alliteration also. Cloves and cinnamon are probably the main flavours, though neither is really jumping out at you.

Finish: There’s definitely some sweetness I was expecting in the finish, along with a hint of cinnamon. Oily, creamy mouthfeel.

Comments: On a spectrum of whisky at one end and liqueur at the other, it definitely (and somewhat surprisingly) leans more towards the whisky side. Overall it’s ok, but it’s not as unique a drop as I was hoping for.

Whisky #93 – Glenfiddich 18 Year Old Single Malt

June 14, 2014 by Whisky a Day Leave a Comment

Glenfiddich 18 Year Old Single Malt. Speyside, Scotland. ABV: 40.0%. Tasted at a Mad Men themed party, $0 courtesy of my friend Katy.

Colour: A deep rich gold.

Nose: Well…it’s here where things go a little awry. Shortly after my friend Katy poured me a dram of the Glenfiddich 18, I met a gorgeous young lady whose stunning looks and conversation completely distracted me from the important business of whisky tasting. Being a Mad Men themed party, we consumed many more whiskies through the evening and into the wee hours, but alas (well, at least for you dear reader) I was totally distracted and neglected to make many observations at all. Of the whisky.

I am looking forward to re-tasting the Glenfiddich 18, at which point I will endeavour to update these tasting notes with something a little more insightful than tales of other nocturnal endeavours…

Whisky #92 – Linkwood 12 Year Old Single Malt

June 11, 2014 by Whisky a Day 1 Comment

Linkwood 12 Year Old Single Malt. Speyside, Scotland. ABV: 43.00%. Tasted at Helvetica, $29.

Colour: Pale amber.

Nose: Wow, like sweet smoke from a campfire. Not a peaty kind of smoke, more like when you burn some green leaves & branches on a fire.

Palate: More peat on the palate than the nose suggests, but it’s not the mouthful of ash like some Islay malts, a little more subtle. A little nutty, a bit like having a bite of Swiss cheese. No holes in this though.

Finish: Medium length, not as much heat as the Cadenhead’s Dalmore I had a few minutes ago.

Comments: I hadn’t heard of Linkwood previously, perhaps unsurprising as the majority of their production goes into blends. So having happened upon a more unusual dram I took the chance to try it, as I’m sure it will get progressively more difficult to find unique whiskies I’ve not tasted as the year progresses. I’d say it’s priced more for its rarity, but I’m very glad I tried this one – would definitely give it another run.

Whisky #91 – Cadenhead’s Dalmore 24 Year Old Single Malt

June 9, 2014 by Whisky a Day Leave a Comment

Cadenhead’s Dalmore 24 Year Old Single Malt. Highlands, Scotland. ABV: 46.60%. Tasted at Helvetica, $30.

Colour: A really pale gold, which really strikes you through the clear bottle.

Nose: Soft leather & toasted grains.

Palate: Subtle sweet honey flavours, like biting into a piece of hot buttered toast with honey on top.

Finish: Dry; gentle warmth that fills the mouth & hangs around for a while like eating a very mild chilli. Not saying it’s hot, just trying to describe the warmth. Toasted bread flavours linger on the palate too.

Comments: A lot more flavour intensity than I was expecting, especially as it’s matured for 24 years, was expecting it to be a lot softer and smoother. Not a bad thing mind you, I like my whisky more full flavoured. And with a hint of sweetness as this one does, it makes me a very happy man. Highly rated!

Whisky #90 – Woodford Reserve Bourbon Whiskey, Distillers Edition, Batch 27

June 9, 2014 by Whisky a Day Leave a Comment

Woodford Reserve Bourbon Whiskey, Distillers Edition, Batch 27. Kentucky, United States. ABV: 45.20%. Tasted at The Sentinel.

Colour: In this light, it’s harder to pick than a…ok it’s a deep caramel.

Nose: A medley of aromas, like walking through the perfume section of a department store with a freshly varnished floor.

Palate: Slight grainy nutty taste akin to having just eaten a handful of trail mix.

Finish: A bit more heat lingering than the Basil Hayden’s we just tasted. Medium length, dry finish.

Comments: Overall it’s quite decent. Woodford Reserve really is a reliable decent bourbon whiskey that you can safely order and drink neat, plus it’s available at most good bars, even those that don’t have an extensive whisk(e)y selection.

Whisky #89 – Basil Haydens Bourbon Whiskey

June 9, 2014 by Whisky a Day Leave a Comment

Basil Haydens Bourbon Whiskey. Kentucky, United States. ABV: 40.00%. Tasted at The Sentinel.

Colour: Deep copper.

Nose: Rye, plenty of it. Now that I’ve read it’s a combo of rye & corn based spirits, you can definitely smell the corn.

Palate: Rye comes through more; oily mouthfeel, quite creamy.

Finish: Subtle oak, medium length.

Comments: Much smoother and creamier than a lot of other American whiskies I’ve tried, would like to give this one another try as there’s something a little different (in a good way!) about this one that I’d like to explore in more detail.

Whisky #88 – Talisker 2013 Distillers Edition Double Matured Single Malt

June 8, 2014 by Whisky a Day 1 Comment

Talisker 2013 Distillers Edition Double Matured Single Malt. Isle of Skye, Scotland. ABV: 45.80%. Tasted at my place, $125 (bottle).

Colour: Burnt nectar.

Nose: Apart from the initial whiff of self-loathing & regret from drinking too many whiskies last night, the nose here is more pleasant – subtle oak, smoke & sherry notes, but the strong alcohol feints dominate.

Palate: Lots of smoke & my mate Mahesh got plenty of ash flavours. Could it be the lingering taste of that sneaky cigarette he had earlier when his lovely wife Katie wasn’t looking? Shhhh! 😉 It’s not quite as spicy as the Talisker 10, but still plenty of heat. A slightly smoother entry, the sherry influence is there but it’s not a huge sherry bomb, more of a subtle persuasion from the sherry barrels. Certainly a rich, intense kind of flavour profile overall though.

Finish: Very long; the heat lingers through the mouth and also makes its way down the throat as you swallow, warming the whole body.

Comments: Distilled in 2002 and bottled in 2013, double matured in ex-Amoroso sherry casks. It’s definitely a big whisky, undeniably a Talisker, another real ‘winter warmer’ kind of whisky.

Whisky #87 – Bowmore Legend Single Malt

June 8, 2014 by Whisky a Day 1 Comment

Bowmore Legend Single Malt. Islay, Scotland. ABV: 40.00%. Tasted at my place, $0 – courtesy of my mate Gordy.

Colour: Brilliant gold.

Nose: Peat, lots of peat and band-aids.

Palate: Oily mouthfeel, but quickly dries. Clean entry, briny.

Finish: Peppery smoke & heat gradually fills the mouth, medium length flavour, warmth hangs around a little longer.

Comments: Gordy, much like the whisky – legend! Overall though it’s a solid Islay dram, nothing too out of the box though.

Whisky #86 – Crown Royal Blended Canadian Whisky

June 7, 2014 by Whisky a Day Leave a Comment

Crown Royal Blended Canadian Whisky. Ontario, Canada. ABV: 40.00%. Venn Bar, $11.

Colour: Like a shiny penny.

Nose: Pine forest.

Palate: Soft entry; quite a “wet” initial sensation (sounds strange as it’s obviously wet, but it’s the best way I could describe the mouthfeel). Initial sweetness fades and then you get into some more toasty grain flavours.

Finish: Oily, then this seems to give way to a drying heat sensation more towards the front of the tongue. Quite a strong rye aftertaste; some aniseed flavours too.

Comments: Much more full flavoured than I was expecting from a blend. I guess you can’t tar all blends with the same brush!

Whisky #85 – Bushmills 10 Year Old Single Malt Irish Whiskey

June 7, 2014 by Whisky a Day Leave a Comment

Bushmills 10 Year Old Single Malt Irish Whiskey. County Antrim, Ireland. ABV: 40.00%. The Greenhouse, $12.

Colour: Pale honey.

Nose: Grassy, herby scents.

Palate: Oily mouthfeel, clean fresh organic taste. Kind of like someone has turned down the bass on your palate and only left the treble & midrange tastebuds.

Finish: Quite short, towards the tip of the tongue.

Comments: A real cattle mustering whisky, the kind where you’re chewing on a long strand of glass as you ride your horse and take the occasional swig of whisky. Haven’t done this myself I should add…

A middle of the road, inoffensive whisky. The fresh quite light mouthfeel makes it a whisky you could enjoy in quite warm weather. If I had my time again though, I’d have the Bushmills 10 year old before the Limeburners M67 that I tasted just a moment ago. The Bushmills 10 is an easy to drink whisky, though there’s not enough depth here to entice me back for more.

Whisky #84 – Great Southern Distillery – Limeburners Barrel M67 Single Malt Whisky

June 7, 2014 by Whisky a Day 1 Comment

Great Southern Distillery – Limeburners Barrel M67 Single Malt Whisky (Bottle 012 – 135). Albany, Western Australia, Australia. ABV: 61.0%. The Greenhouse, $20.

Colour: Deep burnt toffee.

Nose: Initial sweet notes of burnt toffee, maybe dark chocolate after dinner mints. With time in the glass it develops more woody flavours. Not a smokey scent, but kind of like the smell when you burn wood on a fire & you can smell the oils. My friend Kali commented that she can’t comment as she doesn’t know enough about wood…a few smirks around the table suggest that we find that hard to believe.

Palate: You can really tell it’s cask strength, big alcohol heat to go with the huge spicy flavour profile & a hint of sweetness.

Finish: Very dry, lots of heat, lots of length in the mid palate.

Comments: Kali says she wants to be on a chesterfield in front of an open fire while drinking a dram such as this. I’d call it the type of whisky to put hairs on your chest. Top drop, well done little Limeburners – I’d heard a fair bit about you and this is my first tasting of one of your whiskies. Really enjoyed it, I can say assuredly that I will be back for more!

Whisky #83 – Benromach Cask Strength Single Malt, Distilled 2002

June 6, 2014 by Whisky a Day Leave a Comment

Benromach Cask Strength Single Malt, Distilled 2002. Speyside, Scotland. ABV: 60.3%. The Royal, $16.

Colour: Like a glass of pale, watered down apple juice.

Nose: Hint of peat, bit of smoke.

Palate: Salty; heat quickly fills the mouth. Complex flavours, but a bit too much heat to really enjoy them.

Finish: Heat overpowers the flavours that try to linger. Like wearing some nice aftershave to a date and the bloke at the table next to yours has bad BO, totally overwhelming your efforts.

Comments: Surprising to find so much complexity in a whisky that is so clear. Further evidence that you shouldn’t solely judge a whisky by its colour.