Whisky tastings

Whisky #44: Tobermory 1798 Limited Edition 15 Year Old Single Malt

March 6, 2014 by Whisky a Day Leave a Comment

Tobermory 1798 Limited Edition 15 Year Old Single Malt. Isle of Mull, Scotland. ABV: 46.30%. Tasted at Choo Choo’s, $14.

Colour: Leathery middle aged Amber.

Nose: Currants or some other dried fruit. Don’t tell Putin, he’s not a fan of fruits.

Palate: Very smooth entry, sherry like flavours. Maybe some dry cocoa flavours? Not entirely sure about the cocoa, but there’s something there.

Finish: Dry with a hint of sweetness, fades with a bit of heat.

Comments: Huh, bit of trivia…prior to the Whisky a Day project I hadn’t even heard of the Isle of Mull as a whisky region of Scotland. Turns out that the only distillery there (although I stand to be corrected!) is Tobermory, who also produce Ledaig…both of which I have tried within the first 6 weeks of the project. Would be keen to try another dram of this one to explore the tastes in more detail.

Whisky #43: Bushmills Black Bush Blended Irish Whiskey

March 5, 2014 by Whisky a Day Leave a Comment

Bushmills Black Bush Blended Irish Whiskey. County Antrim, Ireland. ABV: 40.00%. Tasted at Durty Nelly’s, $10

Colour: Rich Amber. The madam of the knock shop.

Nose: Oaky sweetness, smells a bit like a sherry matured drop.

Palate: Soft entry, minimal heat.

Finish: Short finish, quite dry.

Comments: As a blend, it’s obviously quite smooth. But with some time in the glass it seems to develop slightly fuller flavours, all the better for it. I hadn’t come across a sherry-matured blend before, but I would definitely give it another burl ahead of other blends, quite decent.

Whisky #42: Suntory Hibiki 17 Year Old Blended Japanese Whisky

March 4, 2014 by Whisky a Day 2 Comments

Suntory Hibiki 17 Year Old Blended Japanese Whisky. Osaka, Japan. ABV: 43.00%. Tasted at Laneway Lounge, $20.

Colour: Pale gold. Shit this is getting hard to come up with new ways to describe shades of straw/gold/amber!

Nose: Hmmm, found it a little hard to describe the nose on this one. Ended up trying to come up with witty descriptions with my mate Tim who joined me on this tasting; we got sidetracked and finished a rather enjoyable dram without a) making suitable notes on the aromas, or b) coming up with anything suitably comical to make the cut onto this post.

Palate: Taste has a hint of dried apricots. And a hint of a taste of whisky.

Finish: Oily finish on the tongue, bit of heat.

Comments: Apparently there’s over 30 different single malts from Suntory’s three distilleries that went into this one. Not sure how you’d add 30 components of any drink or food and expect them to all have a significant influence on the final flavour. A nice drop, but a little bit one dimensional for my tastes.

Whisky #41: Bruichladdich The Organic Single Malt Scotch Whisky

March 4, 2014 by Whisky a Day Leave a Comment

Bruichladdich The Organic Single Malt Scotch Whisky. Islay, Scotland. ABV: 46.00%. Tasted at Laneway Lounge, $16.

Colour: Very pale straw. Not that colour really matters, as I’ve quickly learnt.

Nose: A bit of oak, hint of smoke.

Palate: Sweet spice, a bit more oak. Not a strong flavour – quite subtle.

Finish: Spicy aftertaste without being fiery. Medium length.

Comments: Overall, it was ok; a decent drop. Quite pleasant to drink but nothing that really stands out and makes you go “Wow, this is so much better than the other Bruichladdies”. The fact that it’s organic? Really, who gives a toss – I choose my whisky because I enjoy the flavours, aromas etc., not because it’s been produced organically.

It’s by no means a bad drop (in fact it’s eminently drinkable!), but you can’t help but feel that it’s perhaps a bit of the marketing department suggesting it be produced to fill a (non-existent) niche in the market.

Whisky #40: Nikka Miyagikyo 12 Year Old Single Malt Japanese Whisky

March 4, 2014 by Whisky a Day Leave a Comment

Nikka Miyagikyo 12 Year Old Single Malt Japanese Whisky. Sendai, Japan. ABV: 45.00%. Tasted at The Terrace, $13.

Colour: Bright gold. Like Torah was at the last Winter Olympics.

Nose: Oaky, almost a bit dusty like the smell of an old book.

Palate: Subtle smooth entry, oaky, quite an oily feel. A hint of sweetness.

Finish: Medium length, not much spice; subtle sweet notes at the end.

Comments: I was distracted and made rubbish notes, so I was forced to try a second glass. Twist my rubbery arm…

Whisky #39: Dalmore Cigar Malt Reserve Single Malt

March 1, 2014 by Whisky a Day Leave a Comment

Dalmore Cigar Malt Reserve Single Malt. Highlands, Scotland. ABV: 40.00%. Tasted at Laneway Lounge, $20.

Colour: Really deep browny amber colour

Nose: Quite a strong smell like fresh fruitcake.

Palate: Sweet. Smooth, oily & coats the mouth with flavour.

Finish: Quite long flavours, soft heat though.

Comments: With a name like “Cigar Malt” I was expecting big smokey scents and flavours. As it turns out, with the sugary sweetness I guess it’s probably more suited to drinking whilst smoking a cigar, to balance out the smokey cigar flavours.

Whisky #38: Springbank Kilkerran, “New make” D/1494 sample

March 1, 2014 by Whisky a Day 2 Comments

Springbank Kilkerran, “New make” D/1494 sample. Unknown ABV. Campbeltown, Scotland. $0, free sample from Alan Anderson after his “Whisky for Dafties” show at the Perth Fringe.

Colour: Totally clear like water.

Nose: Not very nice, like sweaty socks. Strong alcohol fumes.

Palate: Spice, smoke and peat. Overpowering.

Finish: Plenty of heat that sticks around like a nasty Estonian vodka.

Comments: Unrefined, brutal. Not pleasant to drink I’m afraid. It was even less pleasant last night when after brushing my teeth & climbing into bed, I grabbed a water bottle and took a drink, only to realise that the bottle contained my Kilkerran sample given to me on Friday night by Alan Anderson after his comedy show. Toothpaste and whisky do NOT mix. I can only hope that being in a soft plastic water bottle for 48 hours may have somehow affected the whisky. Should have tried it on Friday straight after the show, though to be fair I had possibly already had more than enough that night. I don’t even remember getting home!

Overall, this is the first entry into the “Truly Awful” whisky category of the project so far. Sorry Alan, but thanks all the same for your generous gesture. All the best for the rest of your tour!

Whisky #37: Ardbeg 10 Year Old Single Malt…through the medium of interpretive dance

February 28, 2014 by Whisky a Day 1 Comment

by Ardbeg 10 Year Old Single Malt…through the medium of interpretive dance. Islay, Scotland. ABV: 46.00%

Tasted at Alan Anderson : “Whisky For Dafties” @ Perth Fringe Festival. Cost: $20.

For the final round of audience participation, Whisky a Day and some other bloke were selected to come up on stage, provided with a dram of the Ardbeg 10 year old and asked to describe the taste…through the medium of interpretive dance.

It started off as ‘smokey’, then I have no idea what I was trying to describe later in the performance. Surely had nothing to do with the amount of whisky consumed…

Brilliant show Alan, very original, haven’t laughed this hard for ages! He’s a top bloke too…highly recommend you check his show out!

Whisky #36: The Singleton of Glen Ord 12 Year Old Single Malt

February 26, 2014 by Whisky a Day Leave a Comment

by The Singleton of Glen Ord 12 Year Old Single Malt. Highlands, Scotland. ABV: 40.00%. Tasted at Halcyon, $13.

Colour: Orangey gold.

Nose: Quite strong alcohol fumes that overpower other scents.

Palate: Smoothish entry gives way to a bit of heat, maybe a hint of cloves. Gets sweeter the longer you leave it – much like leaving an angry Scottish girl with a full bottle of booze.

Finish: Flavours dissipate quite quickly, but a longish drying sensation hangs around the mouth for quite a while. Slightly briny aftertaste.

Comments: Hmmm, not much to write home about here. It’s ok, but I’m not a huge fan.Singleton of Glen Ord

Whisky #35: Aberlour A’bunadh Single Malt, Batch #45

February 25, 2014 by Whisky a Day 2 Comments

by Aberlour A’bunadh Single Malt, Batch #45. Speyside, Highlands, Scotland. ABV: 60.20%. Tasted at Helvetica, $19.

Colour: Dark toffee.

Nose: Caramel fudge & fruit cake.

Palate: Chocolatey brown sugar notes.

Finish: Salted caramel with a bit of heat that has “longitudinal qualities”, according to my good whisky tasting mate Giles. As a dutiful government advisor, Giles reports that longitudinal qualities is “Yes Minister” language for “it has length”.

Comments: Somewhat unsurprisingly (perhaps to all except the man himself), Giles’ wife has never described him as having “longitudinal qualities”.

Whisky #34: Nikka Coffey Grain Whisky

February 25, 2014 by Whisky a Day Leave a Comment

by Nikka Coffey Grain Whisky. Sendai, Japan. Tasted at Helvetica, $19.

Colour: Bright caramel.

Nose: Toffee sweet medicinal notes.

Palate: Soft soft smooooth. Hints of creaming soda, buttery creamy goodness.

Finish: I don’t want it to finish. But it is smooth, oily & mouth coating; has a very gentle warmth.

Comments: I’m a foodie, but corn is one of only four foods that I don’t like. Finally something made from corn that I like. I could gnaw at this Nikka Coffey corn cob all day!!

Whisky #33: Balvenie 12 Year Old Doublewood Single Malt

February 25, 2014 by Whisky a Day Leave a Comment

by Balvenie 12 Year Old Doublewood Single Malt. Speyside, Highlands, Scotland. ABV: 40.00%. Tasted at Bar Lafayette, $14.

Colour: Deep orangey amber.

Nose: Woody notes. Like a sawmill, smells a bit like someone has taken a circular saw through on of the bourbon or sherry casks it was aged in.

Palate: Clean entry, quite a bit of heat that kicks in quickly.

Finish: Quite a dry spicy finish. Slightly bitter aftertaste.

Comments: Not a whole heap of flavour. Jim Murray reckons he’s kissed & canoodled this one, but there is no spark or romance whatsoever. Have to agree with him on this one!

Whisky #32 – Redbreast 12 Year Old Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey

February 25, 2014 by Whisky a Day Leave a Comment

Redbreast 12 Year Old Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey. Dublin, Ireland. ABV: 40.00%. Tasted at The Royal, $0 – shouted by my cousin Marcus’ colleague Phil.

Colour: Gold brassy appearance.

Nose: Golden syrup sweetness, feint hint of peat perhaps?

Palate: Quite a smooth & subtle entry. Unlike most Irishmen when they enter a room. Soft sweet slightly creamy notes.

Finish: Quite short, like a leprechaun. Hints of oak linger.

Comments: A bit more character than I was expecting from an Irish dram.

Whisky #31: Longrow Red Cabernet Sauvignon Cask 11 Year Old Cask Strength Single Malt

February 24, 2014 by Whisky a Day 2 Comments

by Longrow Red Cabernet Sauvignon Cask 11 Year Old Cask Strength Single Malt. Campbeltown, Scotland. ABV: 52.10%. Tasted at Bar Lafayette, $20.

Colour: What’s the colour of a 2 cent piece?

Nose: Peaty, smells a bit like a sherry matured dram.

Palate: Peat repeat. Spice & tobacco.

Finish: Boom, mouth coating with peat, spice & heat that hangs around.

Comments: I would’ve picked this more for a sherry dram. Tasty drop, but the peat overpowers some of the subtle flavours (which are hard to describe over the tobacco flavours). With the cab sav barrel maturation I was expecting something different & unusual from this one, but it didn’t deliver on that front. Still a decent drop though, was just expecting (or hoping) for a more unique experience.

Whiskies #27-30: All American “State of the Union” Tasting

February 24, 2014 by Whisky a Day Leave a Comment

by Righto listen up y’all…thought I’d do something a little different to mix it up a bit. As today President Obama was giving his ‘State of the Union’ address, I thought that was the perfect segue into an all American ‘State of the Union’ whiskey tasting. All were tasted in one evening at Varnish on King, Perth’s very own American whiskey bar.

Whisky #27: High West Double Rye Whiskey. Park City, Utah, United States. ABV: 46.00%. Tasted at Varnish on King, $14.50.

Colour: Deep caramel

Nose: Vanilla & soft aniseed.

Palate: Liquorice & soft spice.

Finish: Soft mellow warmth.

Comments: My first American whiskEy for the project.

Varnish’s “Rye Not” flight – $20. Only small (~20mL) serves in this flight, so a little difficult to get a full appreciation of each drop. Only made a few observations for each.

Whisky #28: Bulleit Bourbon Whiskey. Kentucky, United States. ABV: 40.00%.

Nose: Very light, cereal scents.

Finish: Has quite a fiery finish, not a very refined drop.

Comments: Not a huge fan, but it’s ok.

Whiskey #29: Wild Turkey 81 Proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon. Kentucky, United States. ABV: 40.5%.

Colour: 50 shades of amber. Or as we’re tasting American whiskey, should that be 50 states of amber?

Nose: Smells like a musty pool hall.

Finish: Short and thin finish.

Whiskey #30: Rittenhouse 100 Proof Straight Rye Whiskey. Kentucky, United States. ABV: 50.00%.

Colour: Deep browny bronze colour.

Palate: Aniseedy or absinthe flavours, coupled with sweet spice.

Comments: Definitely my favourite of the four American whiskies this evening.

Overall comments: I’ve never really been into American whiskey very much. Maybe as a result of having one too many largish nights on Jack Daniels in my younger days. The Bulleit was just too harsh to drink straight, not that enjoyable at all. The Turkey was a bit better, but still lacked a bit of depth and complexity for my liking. The Rittenhouse however was great, I’d definitely like to try it again (larger serving next time!) to explore it in a bit more detail. Could it be that it’s the most whisky-like whiskEy? Overall though, they all displayed aniseed or absinthe-like flavours to a varying extents, which is certainly a little different to anything I’ve had so far.

Whisky #26: Springbank 10 Year Old Single Malt

February 24, 2014 by Whisky a Day Leave a Comment

by Springbank 10 Year Old Single Malt. Campbeltown, Scotland. ABV: 46.00%. Tasted at Whisky a Day HQ, $73.60.

Colour: Gold, like a flat glass of lager

Nose: Hard to pick this nose…(upon posting this one I’ve just realised that I’ve made the same very lame nose joke. Two days in a row. Note to self: get some new material).

Palate: Woody, slightly vinegary tastes. Fair bit of spice

Finish: Long warmth lingers around your mouth, makes your lips & tip of your tongue tingle.

Comments: I’m a couple of days behind schedule, need to get back on track. This is my first tasting this year of a whisky from Campbeltown. Thankfully we’re talking Scotland and not Western Sydney. Reminds me of an old joke…what do Campbelltown girls use for protection? A bus shelter. Not sure quite what this has to do with the Springbank, but hey.

Overall it’s only ok, the Springbank 10 is not the smoothest Springbank I’ve had, which was a Hazelburn Sauternes cask finished malt – which in turn wasn’t as smooth or tasty as other Sauternes finished whiskies (e.g. Glelmorangie Nectar D’Or or Longmorn 16).