distillers edition Archives

Whisky #158 – Oban Distiller’s Edition Single Malt

July 18, 2014 by Whisky a Day Leave a Comment

Oban Distiller’s Edition Single Malt (distilled 1998, bottled 2013). Highlands, Scotland. ABV: 43.00%. Tasted at home, $120.

Colour: Burnt amber. Much like its Diageo Distiller’s Edition stablemates, this Oban has spent time extra maturing in some addition casks, in this case it’s Montilla Fino casks which have imparted the darker colour.

Nose: Oaky, briny.

Palate: Salty notes dominate. Quite woody, some dry vanilla too.

Finish: Sweet subtle smoke, quite dry.

Comments: I had never even heard of Montilla Fino before, apparently it’s a sweet fortified wine similar to sherry produced in the southern part of Córdoba in Spain. It’s a little drier than I’d prefer, not a bad offering but not a whisky I would spend all night drinking.

I was hoping the Distiller’s Edition whiskies might be something quite special, as if the master distillers had selected a few special barrels and produced a nice limited edition whisky. And while they’ve been quite ok, they’ve certainly fallen a little short of expectations.

Whisky #157 – Dalwhinnie Distillers Edition Single Malt

July 17, 2014 by Whisky a Day Leave a Comment

Dalwhinnie Distillers Edition Single Malt (distilled 1997, bottled 2013). Highlands, Scotland. ABV: 43.00%. Tasted at home, $116 (bottle).

Colour: Deep amber; much darker than the Dalwhinnie 15 year old. It’s not a huge surprise as for the Distillers Edition Dalwhinnie have finished it in some Oloroso Sherry casks, giving it the darker hue.

Nose: Not a strong nose, a little woody.

Palate: A little briny, very oaky too.

Finish: Leathery notes; a slight tingle at the front of the palate as the flavours subside. Very dry, almost a faint touch of smoke.

Comments: I was actually expecting there to be a lot more sweetness given the extra maturation it’s had in sherry casks. If I hadn’t known, I would probably not have guessed it for a sherry dram. I certainly prefer it to the Dalwhinnie 15 year old as it’s got a lot more depth of flavour, but overall I’m not hugely impressed. Certainly very drinkable though. I’d prefer to have one of these to start and then move onto another whisky that has a bit more complexity to offer.

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 #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.