Speyside Archives - Page 6 of 8

Whisky #223 – Drambuie 15 Year Old Speyside Malt Whisky Liqueur

September 9, 2014 by Whisky a Day Leave a Comment

Drambuie 15 Year Old Speyside Malt Whisky Liqueur. Speyside, Scotland. ABV: 43.00%. Tasted at my mate Joel’s place (to wrap up the whisky tasting afternoon).

Colour: Amber gold.

Nose: Some subtle herbaceous notes.

Palate: Sweet honey; syrupy clove flavours.

Finish: Very smooth; some cinnamon notes to finish.

Comments: It’s certainly not as sweet as I had expected. At 43% I guess that shouldn’t surprise, but having only had liqueurs at typically around 20% I guess it’s quite a different beast. Much more towards the whisky end of a theoretical whisky-to-liqueur spectrum. I haven’t had the standard Drambuie liqueur to compare it with, but all in all a fine way to finish up the afternoon’s whisky tasting. The sweetness of the Drambuie 15 is definitely a welcome palate cleanser after all the peat we finished on with the Laphroig PX Cask, Bruichladdich Octomore and Blackadder Smoking Islay Raw Cask (Sherry Cask).

Whisky #218 – Glenfiddich 12 Year Old Single Malt

September 4, 2014 by Whisky a Day Leave a Comment

Glenfiddich 12 Year Old Single Malt. Speyside, Scotland. ABV: 40.00%. Tasted at Marquay restaurant, $12.

Colour: Dark gold. Not a bright spark.

Nose: Sweet honey, lemony scents.

Palate: More intense on the palate than I was expecting. Cinnamon, some subtle vanilla, but not a heap of sweetness.

Finish: Warm honey, sweet oak notes. Like many other mainstream single malts, I’ve resisted tasting whiskies like the Glenfiddich 12 as my strategy has been to try and choose some of the more unusual whiskies on offer at each bar and leave the more commonly available ones like the Glenfiddich 12 up my sleeve until the back end of the year when it may start to become challenging to find whiskies I’ve not tried yet. Having not tasted the Glenfiddich 12 for a long time, I was pleasantly surprised that it was as complex as it is – I guess I’d pigeon-holed it as being a common single malt so it must be quite simple. It’s a great malt; it’s certainly not got the depth or complexity of some whiskies I’ve tried this year, but it’s a great value, dependable and available almost everywhere.

Whisky #216 – Balvenie Port Wood Finish 21 Year Old Single Malt

September 3, 2014 by Whisky a Day Leave a Comment

Balvenie Port Wood Finish 21 Year Old Single Malt. Speyside, Highlands, Scotland. ABV: 40.00%. Tasted at Helvetica, $37.

Colour: Deep burnished gold.

Nose: Gorgeous nose. Sticky syrupy toffee with a hint of oak. The softest touch of smoke.

Palate: So smooth on the palate; sweet dried sultanas or muscatelles. A bit buttery but then some nutty tones too.

Finish: Oily mouthfeel, warmth delicately builds, sweet woody & tobacco notes emerge in the fade. I haven’t ever gnawed on a cigar box but imagine this to be like the delicious aftertaste.

Comments: It’s difficult to come up with any smartarse comments when you’re tasting a whisky that you find amazing. Simply a fantastic drop.

Whisky #211 – GlenParker Speyside Single Malt

August 26, 2014 by Whisky a Day Leave a Comment

GlenParker Speyside Single Malt. Speyside, Scotland. ABV: 40.0%. Tasted at my mate Gordy’s place, $0 (courtesy of Gordy).

Colour: Dark gold.

Nose: Very soft, light oak. Not too much going here though.

Palate: A little medicinal, a little fruity. Quite a thin mouthfeel.

Finish: Some alcohol heat; given this is the most noteworthy comment about the finish that should give you an impression of the somewhat uninspiring flavours.

Comments: Hmmm, not too much to report on this one. I’m not really a fan as you might have guessed. Pass.

Whisky #204 – The Glenrothes Select Reserve Single Malt

August 23, 2014 by Whisky a Day 1 Comment

The Glenrothes Select Reserve Single Malt. Speyside, Scotland. ABV: 43.00%. Tasted at home, $0 – won as a prize at the Dram Full Perth whisky treasure hunt.

Colour: Bright gold.

Nose: Hot buttered toast with cinnamon.

Palate: Honey, vanilla, mixed spice. Lots of oak.

Finish: Plenty of warmth, it really fills your mouth. Sweet vanilla notes in the fade.

Comments: Tasted this one after having some Chewy Mooey beef jerky – seriously amazing jerky, from a small up-and-coming local Perth company too. The chilli and saltiness from the jerky was perfectly counterbalanced by the whisky; both are full flavoured and full of spice, but the sweetness and oaky vanilla from the Glenrothes Select Reserve just goes really well. Good drop, great jerky too!

Whisky #200 – Glen Grant Five Decades Single Malt

August 20, 2014 by Whisky a Day Leave a Comment

Glen Grant Five Decades Single Malt. Speyside, Scotland. ABV: 46.00%. Tasted at Canton Lounge.

Colour: Pale gold.

Nose: Orange peel, sweet though.

Palate: Oaky; warmth gently envelopes whole mouth.

Finish: Drying; flavours linger on the front half of the palate.

Comments: I was curious to try this one, I’d heard about it but didn’t know the story. Some quick research revealed the Five Decades was a special release to celebrate the 50th year master distiller Dennis Malcolm had served at Glen Grant. Apparently old Dennis selected some of his favourite Glen Grant casks from across these five decades (1960s to 2000s) and created this malt. Given it’s a No Age Statement whisky, it wouldn’t surprise that it contains some quite young whisky from the latter part of the 2000 decade.

Overall, it does taste quite young and I guess there would be only small percentage of the old stuff in here – not much point throwing too much 40 or 50 year old whisky in with some super young stuff. It kind of misses the mark in my opinion, it’s nothing “special” really to taste. It seems to be an excuse thought up by the marketing department to create a special release. If a master distiller really wanted to create a special release of some of his favourite barrels from the past 50 years I’m not sure how much of the very young stuff they’d choose, much less blend with some special (and undoubtedly quite rare) old ones.

Whisky #195 – Strathisla 12 Year Old Single Malt

August 4, 2014 by Whisky a Day 1 Comment

Strathisla 12 Year Old Single Malt. Speyside, Scotland. ABV: 43.00%. Tasted at Laneway Lounge, $12.

Colour: From above it looks like a light gold as you’re sipping it, but through the side of the glass it appears more of an orange gold.

Nose: Reminded me a little of The Glenlivet 12 year old.

Palate: Plenty of pepper, not much sweetness. The pepper really dominates. Toasted malty flavours, overall a bit briny.

Finish: A very dry mouthfeel, short flavour length, but a long gradual fade with the warmth. Maybe a hint of fennel in the fade.

Comments: I wouldn’t race back to have another, I tried it as part of my rigorous training regime for the Australian Malt Whisky Tasting Championship. Overall I’d prefer a Glenlivet 12.

Whisky #190 – The Macallan Amber Single Malt

August 1, 2014 by Whisky a Day Leave a Comment

The Macallan Amber Single Malt. Speyside / Highlands (there is some conjecture on this one), Scotland. ABV: 40.00%. Tasted at The Royal, $12.

Colour: It certainly is amber. No escaping that. But a slightly lighter shade than amber amber.

Nose: Reminds me of the smell of a dish I once had, warm Greek cheese with hot honey drizzled on top and sprinkled with fennel pollen. I know this sounds incredibly specific, but when I sniffed the Macallan Amber it immediately triggered my memory of that dish. Weird, but good.

Palate: Hot buttered toast with honey. Looks like this review is going to be food based! Quite fruity, a bit syrupy.

Finish: Sweet buttery notes, oily mouthfeel. Medium length, slight heat lingering at the fade.

Comments: Macallan have gone for a No Age Statement (NAS) with their “1824” range of whiskies (1824 was the year Macallan Distillery was founded), differentiating them by colour: Amber, Gold, Sienna and Ruby. I wasn’t quite sure what to expect with this one, having not really enjoyed the Macallan Ruby too much when I tasted it recently. Pleasantly surprised though; it’s no world-beater, but if you’re looking for an easy drinking malt with some decent flavour complexity, residual sweetness, not much heat and all at a reasonable price, the Macallan Amber is worth a shot. Steer clear of the Ruby though.

Whisky #174 – Gordon & Macphail Connoisseurs Choice Tormore 1996 Single Malt

July 23, 2014 by Whisky a Day Leave a Comment

Gordon & Macphail Connoisseurs Choice Tormore 1996 Single Malt. Speyside, Scotland. ABV: 43.00%. Tasted at home.

Colour: Pale gold.

Nose: Like sticking your nose into a tub of fresh honey.

Palate: Sweet fruity flavours, a touch of pineapple. A bit like a spoonful of fruit salad.

Finish: Grassy flavours, quite sweet.

Comments: A surprisingly light and fresh whisky. Not a thin mouthfeel though, quite full. Not your typical Speyside malt I would suggest, so if you’re looking for something a little different give it a go. That’s the great thing about whisky from independent bottlers, you’ll always discover something a little different that will surprise (and often surpass) your expectations. I’m not sure that I’ll buy another bottle of this one as I don’t think it’s too remarkable, but I will replace it with another independent bottling of some description.

Whisky #168 – The Macallan Fine Oak 12 Year Old Single Malt

July 22, 2014 by Whisky a Day Leave a Comment

The Macallan Fine Oak 12 Year Old Single Malt. Speyside, Scotland. ABV: 40.00%. Tasted at My Place Bar, $15.

Colour: Bright yellow gold.

Nose: It’s not a strong nose, a little hard to discern the qualities. Minimal alcohol feints. The nose reminded me a little of a decent white tequila, but then again maybe the My Place glassie just needs a bit more attention to detail when cleaning the glassware.

Palate: Quite thin on the palate, oily mouthfeel. Almonds, slight bitterness.

Finish: Some really delicate oak flavours develop in the fade. Short-medium length, mild warmth.

Comments: I definitely wouldn’t agree that this whisky’s “quality has hit the stratosphere” as Jim Murray describes it in his 2014 Whisky Bible, especially as it’s such a marked change since he last tasted it “earlier in the year” apparently. Hmmm, either this Macallan is inconsistently produced or old Jim has had a very dramatic change of heart…interesting.

Overall…meh. I’ve had blends with much more character and depth. It’s not a bad whisky, it’s just that for me there’s not terribly much to write home about here.

Whisky #152 – SMWS 44.52 The Artist, the Brewer and the Baker

July 12, 2014 by Whisky a Day Leave a Comment

SMWS 44.52 The Artist, the Brewer and the Baker. 22 year old single cask from Craigellachie Distillery, Speyside, Scotland. ABV: 52.1%. Tasted at home, 100mL tasting bottle as part of SMWS new members’ welcome pack.

Colour: Brilliant light yellow gold; like a fresh glass of clear apple juice.

Nose: Like walking into a wood workshop where craftsmen have been working on timber furniture; rich sawdust, oils and a hint of varnish.

Palate: Smooth entry onto the tongue, flattens out to a salty taste overall. And then the esters really open up and some amazingly complex flavours fill the mouth. Lots of woody notes again, also a slight suggestion of some dried fruits, like grabbing a handful of some mixed dried fruits like apricots, cranberries and sultanas.

Finish: Oily, warming mouthfeel that lingers predominantly at the front of the mouth. Slow fade of flavours and the tingling sensation.

Comments: I’m a big fan of this one. It’s certainly more interesting than some of the SMWS bottlings I tried at their recent tasting event. Maybe because I got to pour myself a larger serve than they could at the tasting event, giving me the chance to get to know the whisky a little better. More of a long lunch kind of affair rather than speed dating. I’d definitely give this one another chance at a later date.

Whisky #151 – The Macallan Ruby Single Malt

July 11, 2014 by Whisky a Day 2 Comments

The Macallan Ruby Single Malt. Speyside, Scotland. ABV: 43.00%. Tasted at Helvetica, $32.

Colour: Yes it is ruby-ish

Nose: Dusty sherry notes.

Palate: Tart raspberries. Tastes better than my mate Brett’s stomach, which is how how he got the nickname “Raspberry”. I still can’t believe he revealed this to us.

Finish: After consuming our fifth whisky for the evening, the novelty we are getting out of calling Brett “Raspberry” and seeing him get progressively more agitated has certainly distracted us from the important business of whisky tasting.

Comments: In the cold morning light, I actually can’t remember exactly how Brett got his nickname “Raspberry”. But it sure seemed to push his buttons, so I’ll be sure to use it again next time we catch up! I think I’ll have to subtly use it when I’m trying to describe the whisky’s colour…”What do you think Brett, is this dram a dark raspberry colour or a light raspberry?”

Whisky #144 – Benromach Peat Smoke (Phenol Level 53PPM)

July 8, 2014 by Whisky a Day Leave a Comment

Benromach Peat Smoke (Phenol Level 53PPM). Speyside, Scotland. ABV: 46.00%. Tasted at home, purchased as part of a 3 x 200mL pack of Benromach malts, $100.

Colour: Pale straw.

Nose: Smokey, but more like a campfire rather than peat.

Palate: Sweet peat and oaky flavours.

Finish: Honey and gentle smoke roll around the mouth.

Comments: Definitely the pick of the three Benromachs from this tasting pack. Interesting that they’ve gone out of their way to make a definitive statement about the peat level.

It’s certainly a different beast to your typical peaty Scottish whiskies (e.g. Islay or island whiskies), given Benromach is a Speyside whisky that should hardly surprise. Softer, sweeter flavours make for a more subtle experience, so if you’re someone who is apprehensive about peaty drams it could be a decent place to start and dip your toe in the water. Or in the whisky, though I don’t recommend that literally. Regardless, the Benromach Peat Smoke makes for a good point of difference to other peaty drams you might have tried before.

Whisky #143 – Benromach Organic Single Malt

July 8, 2014 by Whisky a Day 2 Comments

Benromach Organic Single Malt. Speyside, Scotland. ABV: 43.0%. Tasted at home, purchased as part of a 3 x 200mL pack of Benromach malts, $100.

Colour: Golden honey.

Nose: Again a slight prickle much like the Benromach 10 year old. Some oak comes through, nothing much else to report really.

Palate: Sweet vanilla notes primarily, a bit of pepper.

Finish: Medium length, sweet oaky notes linger.

Comment: Urgh, another distillery trying to play the “organic” card. Look, if you want to be seen to be environmentally conscious, try hugging a tree or dating a vegan. It’s a perfectly acceptable single malt, but like the Bruichladdich Organic Single Malt it would appear from the outside that Benromach are taking the “organic” angle to appeal to a wider audience or maybe trying it as a point of difference from other distilleries. Either way, the fact that this whisky is organic does not add anything to the drinking experience. It’s a good whisky, don’t get me wrong, but who really cares if it’s organic?

Whisky #141 – Benromach 10 Year Old Single Malt

July 7, 2014 by Whisky a Day 1 Comment

Benromach 10 Year Old Single Malt. Speyside, Scotland. ABV: 43.0%. Tasted at home, purchased as part of a 3 x 200mL pack of Benromach malts, $100.

Colour: Orangey gold.

Nose: Dried fruits, but not much sweetness. A verrrrrry subtle hint of smoke. A bit of a prickle in the nostrils from the alcohol.

Palate: Dried apricots. Quite an oily mouthfeel. Smooth entry, flavours don’t really develop in the mouth though.

Finish: Short to medium finish, some sweet notes linger for a little while, as does the tingle of heat from the alcohol.

Comment: Not too bad, but there’s certainly better examples of Speyside malts in my opinion (e.g. Glenfarclas 15 year old). It doesn’t quite have the complexity or depth of flavour that I was hoping for. Check back over the next few posts where I will review the Benromach Organic Single Malt & the Benromach Peat Smoke (Phenol Level 53PPM).

Whisky #139 – Glenfarclas 15 Year Old Single Malt

July 2, 2014 by Whisky a Day 2 Comments

Glenfarclas 15 Year Old Single Malt. Speyside, Scotland. ABV: 46.00%. Tasted at home, $100 (bottle).

Colour: A police officer of above average intelligence…bright copper.

Nose: Rich, sweet sultanas. It gets even better with time in the glass.

Palate: Caramelised brown sugar, dried muscatels, lots of sherry notes. A hint of soft charcoal. Not a whole heap of heat, just soft buttery flavours and some spices.

Finish: Peppery oak but with some residual sweetness, especially as you lick your lips. And you’ll want to, because this is a great drop. Quite a long finish, only a very gentle heat though.

Comments: A very solid whisky, great flavour profile and complexity. It’s no wonder this is such a popular drop, you really can’t go wrong with one of these in your collection.