Whisky a Day

Whisky #453: Redlands Estate Paddock to Bottle Single Malt

January 26, 2017 by Whisky a Day Leave a Comment

Redlands Estate Paddock to Bottle Single Malt. Tasmania, Australia. ABV: 46%. Tasted on Sydney Harbour on Australia Day! $155 (bottle).

Happy Australia Day to all! It’s only appropriate today we take a look at an Australian whisky, whilst sailing past a few famous Australian landmarks. Tasmania (that little island off the southern coast of the Australian mainland for you overseas readers) is now home to more whisky distilleries than Islay in Scotland. Really! Sure, they’re much younger and at the more boutique craft end of the whisky spectrum, but geez they’re producing some top notch whisky that has picked up quite a few international awards. Today, we’ll delve into some Redlands Estate Paddock to Bottle Single Malt.

Colour: I love a sunburnt country…

Nose: Raspberries and lemon fondant. Then it’s like walking into a cellar at a winery…all earthy and oaky. Freshly snapped lantana branches. ‘Straya. My good friend Emma picked up bread & butter pudding with raisins.

Palate: So smooth. Strawberries and cream, blue cheese and blueberries. Ems had a hint of banana and a little cherry. My very good mate Rossco got some chilli flavour without the heat; raspberries, rosemary and copper coins.

Finish: Some dry oak and sultanas, creme brûlée too.

Comments: Matured in ex Tasmanian Pinot Noir casks. Stunning colour. So multifaceted, especially the nose. Amazing stuff from Redlands, hats off to head distiller Dean Jackson. Happy ‘Straya Day folks, drink some Aussie whisky – there’s some good drops out there.

Happy ‘Straya Day from Sydney!

Whisky #452: The MacPhail’s Collection 2002 Glenturret Single Malt

January 23, 2017 by Whisky a Day Leave a Comment

The MacPhail’s Collection 2002 Glenturret Single Malt. Highlands, Scotland . ABV: 43%. Tasted at home, $128 (bottle).

Colour: Pale bronze.

Nose: Freshly baked raspberry muffins. Some sweet oaky notes too, like sticking your nose into a Muscat barrel.

Palate: A sweet (think brown sugar), creamy and oaty flavour. It really reminds me of having a hot bowl of porridge on a cold winter morning, drizzled in milk that’s half dissolved the extra spoonfuls of brown sugar you’ve heaped on top when no-one is looking.

Finish: Some more of those delicious oak and dried fruit flavours in the fade; just think raisins and dried cranberries.

Comments: Silky smooth, this is a fantastic drop. It’s got stacks of flavour yet is so easy on the palate at only 43% ABV. Glenturret Distillery lays claim to being one of the oldest in Scotland (I’m not going near that debate with a barge pole, or maybe a caber) so it’s hardly surprising they know a thing or two about producing whisky. They’re not a huge producer having only the one pair of stills, but on the basis of this drop I think I’ll search out a few more Glenturrets.

Whisky #451: Craigellachie 13 Year Old Single Malt

January 19, 2017 by Whisky a Day Leave a Comment

Craigellachie 13 Year Old Single Malt. Speyside, Scotland. ABV: 46%. Tasted at home, $93 (bottle).

Seeing as my last review was a Craigellachie whisky bottled by the Scotch Malt Whisky Society (Whisky #450: SMWS 44.66 Summer-Fresh and Sweetly Attractive) – albeit a cask strength single cask release – I thought I’d compare it with one of Craigellachie malts.

Colour: Light gold.

Nose: Very light; you’ve really got to get your nose in the glass to take this one in. Cereal notes and a very faint smell of pine cones.

Palate: Freshly toasted white bread, soft oak and lemony flavours. Almost a bit cheesy, like taking a bite of a slice of Swiss cheese.

Finish: Slightly salty hay-like notes. The flavours fade reasonably soon, leaving a salty tang which lingers.

Comments: I’ve previously enjoyed this whisky, but for some reason tonight the Craigellachie 13 didn’t really do it for me. I’m a fan of Craigellachie as a distillery and have had some great whiskies from them previously. Maybe this one seems a little bit pale in comparison to the cask strength SMWS 44.66 Summer-Fresh and Sweetly Attractive I tried a couple of days ago. Decent, but not outstanding.

Whisky #450: SMWS 44.66 Summer-Fresh and Sweetly Attractive

January 15, 2017 by Whisky a Day 1 Comment

SMWS 44.66 Summer-Fresh and Sweetly Attractive. 11 year old single cask single malt from Craigellachie Distillery. Speyside, Scotland. ABV: 56.3%. Tasted at home, $179 (bottle).

Watching the cricket on a summer’s afternoon, what more appropriately named whisky could there be other than “44.66 Summer-Fresh and Sweetly Attractive” from the Scotch Malt Whisky Society!

Colour: Australian gold.

Nose: Floral; freshly snapped branches. Some faint, sweet lemony notes too.

Palate: So light and easy to drink. Lemon meringue, lemon sherbet sweets – the kind that give you a burst of sherbet when you’ve sucked through the hard lemon sweet outside. Spiced honey, water crackers and freshly cracked black pepper.

Finish: A zesty tang, becoming a little saltier as the flavours fade.

Comments: This whisky was going down quicker than an Australian batting collapse. Fresh, flavoursome and bucket-loads of flavour – absolutely drinkable on a hot summer’s day. I find Craigellachie whiskies generally to have lots of fresh floral and forest scents and flavours, while being extremely smooth and easy to drink (almost a cool sensation on the palate). This one certainly continues in that vein, recommended.

Whisky #449: 1996 Duncan Taylor NC2 Glentauchers 15 Year Old Single Malt

January 11, 2017 by Whisky a Day Leave a Comment

1996 Duncan Taylor NC2 Glentauchers 15 Year Old Single Malt. Speyside, Scotland. ABV: 46.0%. Tasted at home, $100 (bottle).

This was another one of the whiskies from my “Rebuilding a Whisky Collection – The $1000 Challenge” a little while back. As I was draining the final dram from the bottle, I realised that I’d yet to do a review…clearly I’d been enjoying this one. Not all in one sitting mind you…

Colour: Pale gold.

Nose: Sweet pineapple chunks, fresh baked lemon cake, pine needles.

Palate: Toasted malty and notes balance out beautifully with honey. Like biting into some seeded toast with honey and butter slathered on top.

Finish: Sweet brown sugar notes fade first, leaving a slightly nutty and woody finish. A salty tang as it fades away.

Comments: Light and delicate, this was very enjoyable. The type of dram you can easily sip without thinking about, or just as easily sit down and analyse in more detail (if you were so inclined). Very decent value at $100 for the bottle, I’d happily grab another.

Whisky #448: Teeling Small Batch Irish Whiskey

January 3, 2017 by Whisky a Day Leave a Comment

Teeling Small Batch Irish Whiskey. Dublin, Ireland. ABV: 46%. Tasted in Margaret River, $61 (bottle).

Colour: Rich golden apple juice.

Nose: Vanilla bomb. Black jelly beans. A slight nose prickle, but with a fresh green grass and pine needles.

Palate: Fresh hay and grassy notes; cracked pepper and honey. Quite thin on the palate.

Finish: New wood, white pepper and a subtle sweetness. A dry finish with the front palate getting all the flavour.

Comments: Finished for an extra six months in ex rum casks, though no mention of its overall age at bottling. Cracking value at only $61 for the bottle, it’s a decent blend to start the night but not going to keep you enthralled for the whole night before you inevitably move on to a more full flavoured dram. Solid but not outstanding.

Whisky #447: Highland Park 15 Year Old Single Malt

January 2, 2017 by Whisky a Day Leave a Comment

Highland Park 15 Year Old Single Malt. Orkney Islands, Scotland. ABV: 40%. Tasted in Margaret River.

Colour: Dull toffee.

Nose: Dried apple, soft honey and hay notes. It’s very soft, a bit tame.

Palate: It’s all front palate here, quite a thin mouthfeel too. Tangy orange sweetness – think orange sherbet lollies and flat orange mineral water.

Finish: A very faint salty, lemony tang in the fade. Short to medium length.

Comments: A little uninspiring to be honest. I’ve had some fantastic Highland Parks before, such as the Gordon & MacPhail Reserve Highland Park 15 Year Old Single Malt, but think they’re much better served at a higher ABV – 40% just tasted a bit too tame for me with this dram.

Whisky #446: Kilchoman Sanaig Single Malt

December 23, 2016 by Whisky a Day Leave a Comment

Kilchoman Sanaig Single Malt. Islay, Scotland. ABV: 46%. Tasted at Cobbler (West End, Brisbane).

Colour: Golden toffee. Though by candlelight and after just having 6 other whiskies, everything looks some kind of shade of amber.

Nose: Sweet, meaty and salty. Maple syrup on pancakes with bacon. My good mate Pete picked up some cured pork and bacon. My Dad described it as like when you first open a medicine cabinet.

Palate: Smoothish entry, then the flavours quickly build along with a gentle warmth. This is starting to sound like I’m writing a Mills & Boon novel! Gentle smoke that builds, a hint of sweetness but some tangy and salty flavours dominate. Think jamon and dried orange.

Finish: Dried raspberries and salted caramel. The front of the tongue tingles as it fades.

Comments: This dram would go amazingly well with some dark chocolate. Matured in a mix of bourbon and sherry casks, this is a Kilchoman I’ve wanted to try for a while.

It’s very drinkable and quite enjoyable towards the end of the night, but lacks a little bit of depth and punch for a true end of the night kind of whisky. It feels like it’s torn between a couple of styles without really mastering either. Think I’ll stick to their expressions either matured completely in ex bourbon casks or completely in sherry casks.

Whisky #445: Hyde No.1 President’s Cask 10 Year Old Single Malt Irish Whiskey

December 18, 2016 by Whisky a Day Leave a Comment

Hyde No.1 President’s Cask 10 Year Old Single Malt Irish Whiskey. County Cork, Ireland. ABV: 46%. Tasted at home, $140 (bottle).

Colour: Shiny amber.

Nose: Quite a light nose. Dried figs, a bit floral.

Palate: Bam – the flavours intensify and hit you all at once. Salty creme brûlée. Dried pear. Toasted malt. Fresh oak. A bit of a surprise after the soft nose lulled you into a false sense of security.

Finish: Dried apricots, caramelised figs, burnt toffee. Medium length, dryish mouthfeel as the flavours fade away.

Comments: An outstanding drop, so easy to drink but still with bucketloads of flavour. Hyde are another relatively new kid on the block in terms of Irish whiskey (think Glenglassaugh, Teeling). This first release has an initial 10 years’ maturation in charred first-fill bourbon barrels, followed by a 10 month finishing period in first-fill Oloroso Sherry casks.

“A 100% Irish whiskey from one single distillery” according to their website (http://hydewhiskey.ie/our-whiskey/), but word on the street is that the whisky was sourced from Cooley Distillery…an entirely legitimate way of a young distillery still establishing themselves to have a marketable product whilst the spirit distilled in their own new facility is busy maturing. Hyde expect to release their own whiskey in about 5 years, and if this release is an insight to the flavour profile that they’re aiming for, I can’t wait to try some of their first releases in a few years’ time.

Whisky #444: The Arran Malt 14 Year Old Single Malt

December 13, 2016 by Whisky a Day Leave a Comment

The Arran Malt 14 Year Old Single Malt. Isle of Arran, Scotland. ABV: 46%. Tasted at home, $110 (bottle).

Colour: Bright straw.

Nose: Lemon cheesecake, fresh sawdust on a workshop floor.

Palate: Tangy savoury notes; think lemon crossed with salt & vinegar chips (or crisps for you Brits). Quite a dry mouthfeel.

Finish: A salty finish, woody notes, a slight bitterness in the fade.

Comments: It’s quite a decent dram, but not up there with Arran’s usually high standards. I’m a big Arran fan as many long time readers may know, but this didn’t really excite me.

Despite an extra two years’ maturation, I didn’t find this one as enjoyable as the The Arran Malt 12 Year Old Cask Strength Single Malt (Batch 5). Yes it’s a lower ABV (46% versus 52.9% for the 12 Year Old Cask Strength), but it’s just not as fruit driven or smooth, or just quite as “Arrany”. Still eminently enjoyable, but my preference is definitely the 12 year old expression.

Whisky #443: Cadenhead Small Batch Bunnahabhain 1976 39 Year Old Sherry Cask Single Malt

December 5, 2016 by Whisky a Day 1 Comment

Cadenhead Small Batch Bunnahabhain 1976 39 Year Old Sherry Cask Single Malt. Islay, Scotland. ABV: 49.4%. Tasted at my good mate Brett’s place for his 40th birthday.

Colour: Deep, dark toffee.

Nose: Fresh vanilla sponge cake. Some dusty bookshelf aromas. Sounds weird, but it’s an aroma that I really enjoy about many quite old Scotch whiskies.

Palate: Smooth and creepy. No, that’s Brett…I mean smooth and creamy. Toffee apples, both ones with fresh green apples and also the toffee apple chewy sweets you used to get as a kid. Later flavours of honey and butter on freshly baked white toast emerge.

Finish: It’s a long and gentle fade. A dry tartness; oranges and raspberries with a delicate sweetness. Almost a slightly salty lemon sherbet tang as it tapers off.

Comments: To celebrate Brett officially beginning the downward slide into middle age as he turns 40, a few of us banded together to get him this fantastic whisky that was distilled in his birth year of 1976 and bottled after 39 years in 2016. One of only 648 bottles, it was matured in 3 sherry butts and bottled at its natural cask strength of 49.4%ABV.

Bunnahabhain may come from Islay yet their spirit is largely unpeated, certainly in comparison to its Islay neighbours such as Bruichladdich, Laphroig, Ardbeg etc.

Rich and delicate, this was one super smooth drop; not peaty at all. Complex and multifaceted according to Brett. It’s outstanding, the kind of whisky you want to sit back and slowly sip with a good mate, you don’t want to rush this one. The only rushing should be back to grab the bottle to pour yourself another dram…which I hope Brett remembers next time I come to visit!

Whisky #442: Jack Daniels Tennessee Whiskey

December 2, 2016 by Whisky a Day 2 Comments

Jack Daniels Tennessee Whiskey. Tennessee, United States. ABV: 40%. Tasted in Qantas Business Class somewhere above the Nullarbor Plain.

Colour: Thin caramel.

Nose: Prickly ash, pine needles and fresh sawdust.

Palate: Very thin and cool on the palate. There’s a mouthfeel sensation that I would describe as being akin to spilling fuel on your hand – it just slips right off and cools as it quickly evaporates. Flavours quite light, tasting like you’ve grabbed a handful of mixed grains and nuts.

Finish: Slightly salty. Again the flavours are quite light; I got zesty lemon, fresh parsley and garlic. Like gremolata that you’d sprinkle on top of some osso bucco. Short to medium length.

Comments: Jack Daniels is such a mainstream whiskey that I’ve never actually gotten around to reviewing it. My approach has always been to choose the more unusual whisky from whichever bar I’m in, as you never know where or if you’ll come across that dram again. However, when stuck aboard a plane flying from one side of Australia to the other, there isn’t much choice. Luckily I left Jack up my sleeve to review this evening!

In business class though I’d expect a bit more effort on behalf of Qantas in putting together a half-decent spirits selection. Jack Daniels and Chivas Regal 12? In comparison to the Rockpool-inspired Neil Perry menu and quite decent wine list, the whisky options leave a lot to be desired.

Jack Daniels is not a bad drop when taken neat (which I’m sure is not how most of the millions of litres produced annually are consumed), but it’s certainly nothing spectacular or even great. It’s a simple, no fuss whiskey produced to appeal to the broadest possible market. Some might say it’s even a bit bland. Certainly when taken neat there’s nothing really dragging me back to the glass to eagerly take another sip.

Whisky #441: New World Projects Starward Limited Release Pedro Ximinez Sherry Cask #3

November 26, 2016 by Whisky a Day Leave a Comment

New World Projects Starward Limited Release Pedro Ximinez Sherry Cask #3 (Batch No. 160920-A). Victoria, Australia. ABV: 48.0%. Tasted at home, $120 (bottle).

Colour: Molten copper. Stunning.

Nose: Like opening a roll of blackcurrant pastilles. Toffee and some soft fresh pine timber notes too.

Palate: Crème caramel with the barest hint of smoke. Definitely not peaty. Fresh, tart raspberries and crème brûlée. It’s creamy and caramelly. Lots of flavour, a dryish mouthfeel but with some creaminess too. Like a sponge cake with cream.

Finish: Butter Menthols, chocolate and cocoa; some coffee notes too. It’s basically a tiramisu.

Comments: This is like a liquid dessert, yet is not overly sweet. It’s refreshing to try a whisky matured in an ex Sherry cask that doesn’t taste like the stereotypical Christmas cake in a glass. Another outstanding whisky from the folks at New World Whisky Distillery, makers of Starward. Highly recommended.

Whiskies #439 & #440: The Glenlivet Showdown – Guardians’ Chapter Single Malt & Nàdurra First Fill Cask Strength Single Malt

November 21, 2016 by Whisky a Day Leave a Comment

It’s time for a Glenlivet showdown! In the blue corner…The Glenlivet Guardians’ Chapter Single Malt, while in the red corner we have The Glenlivet Nàdurra First Fill Cask Strength Single Malt (Batch No. FF0115). Let’s get ready to rummmmmmble!

Whisky #439: The Glenlivet Guardians’ Chapter Single Malt. Speyside, Scotland. ABV: 48.7%. Tasted at home, $100 (bottle).

Colour: Deep caramel.

Nose: Almost a bit tannic – like nosing a gutsy, yet dry red wine. Fresh and grassy with some mildly astringent alcohol vapours that give the nose a bit of a prickle.

Palate: Very direct – a burst of concentrated dried apricots down the centre of the tongue along with some peppery spice. Not the oily, creamy mouthfeel typically associated with many sherry influenced whiskies.

Finish: A drying, sherried finish. Some slightly bitter citrus flavours (think blood oranges) along with dry woody notes. A medium to long finish.

Whisky #440: The Glenlivet Nàdurra First Fill Cask Strength Single Malt (Batch No. FF0115). Speyside, Scotland. ABV: 59.8%. Tasted at home, $130 (bottle).

Colour: Pale gold.

Nose: Honey and sweet biscuity notes. Fresh pinecones.

Palate: Tangy and zesty; salty yet a sweetness too. Like sucking on a lemon sherbet sweet. Rich and warming, this is a whisky you can really sip and savour.

Finish: Long – this one hangs around for a while. A warm citrus buzz on the front half of the tongue.

Overall comments: The Guardians’ Chapter was a limited release of only around 2,000 cases. It was selected by The Glenlivet Guardians…basically their registered fan base. Aged in American oak and former Oloroso sherry casks, Glenlivet sent the Guardians three sample whiskies to choose their preferred one for bottling. This is their choice.

The Glenlivet have always made some fantastic whiskies, and the Nàdurra First Fill Cask Strength Single Malt is certainly up there as one of the better ones I’ve tried. However, the Guardians’ Chapter Single Malt was a little disappointing – it’s not that it’s a poor whisky, far from it – it’s just that next to the Nàdurra First Fill Cask Strength it gets left in the shade. I’m always partial to a cask strength dram and the Nàdurra First Fill ticks all the boxes – bucketloads of flavour, full mouthfeel, great balance and complexity, not to mention the satisfying warmth and buzz that come from a high ABV whisky. It just feels like a much “cleaner” dram than the Guardians’ Chapter which was a little thin and tannic for my tastes.

I know which one I’ll be grabbing next time…though given the rate at which the Nàdurra First Fill seems to be emptying itself, that may be sooner rather than later!

Whisky #438: The Singleton of Dufftown Spey Cascade Single Malt

November 14, 2016 by Whisky a Day Leave a Comment

The Singleton of Dufftown Spey Cascade Single Malt. Speyside, Scotland. ABV: 40%. Tasted at my aunt & uncle’s place, $52 (bottle).

It’s a stinking hot day in Brisbane, I’m visiting family for the weekend. Given the hot weather, another quite light dram is on the cards today – light both in flavour profile and ABV. It’s a summery whisky.

Colour: Syrupy gold. “Amber – like the insects stuck in amber from Jurassic Park”…says my sister with both her movie and fashion taste stuck in the 90s.

Nose: Dried apricots, quite light. Dad got fresh bandaids – the old fella may be onto something here.

Palate: Thin on the palate, cooked mash and cereal flavours abound. Quite a dry mouthfeel.

Finish: Spicy; think white pepper. Dad described the sensation as being like having a spearmint breath mint followed by having a few mouthfuls of cool water. With some liquorice thrown in.

Comments: It’s light, it’s simple. It’s the kind of whisky that doesn’t command too much attention, which is a good thing when the day is so hot and humid you have to consciously think about preventing the sweat from dripping off your brow into your glass. It’s pretty affordable too – a half decent quaffer, but it’s not going to win any awards or keep your interest for too long.

Whisky #437: Auchentoshan American Oak Single Malt

October 30, 2016 by Whisky a Day 1 Comment

Auchentoshan American Oak Single Malt. Lowlands, Scotland. ABV: 40%. Tasted with my mate Ryan at his place, $60 (bottle).

Colour: Golden sands.

Nose: Very light; oaky, honey on fresh white toast. A typical bourbon cask nose.

Palate: Thin yet creamy mouthfeel. Honey and soft hay-like notes.

Finish: Soft tangy pineapple and citrus notes. Short to medium finish, hints of oak.

Comments: It’s a light, summery dram – a real daytime, beachside sipper that drinks easily at a low 40% ABV. It’s not overly complex; pleasant without being spectacular. But when you’re on holidays sometimes you just want to relax and not think too deeply about anything, much less overanalyse the whisky in your glass. Just sit back, relax, take a sip and enjoy the view.