New Expert Spirit Reviews - November 8, 2023 - Johnnie Walker Blue Elusive Umami, Glenmorangie A Tale of Tokyo & More!
Check out the latest spirits reviewed by our Tasting Table experts! Photo Credit: Johnnie Walker
Nov 08, 2023
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8Elusive Umami was made in collaboration with Master Blender Emma Walker and Chef Kei Kobayashi whose Paris restaurant Kei was re-awarded three Michelin stars in 2023. Building on the foundation of Johnnie Walker Blue Label, the pair sought to capture the fifth taste known as umami which is often described as savory. Selected casks from inland and coastal distilleries were used with only 1 in 25,000 casks having that flavor profile. Available globally for a limited time as of October 16, 2023 with pre-sales beginning October 2nd. (SRP $369.99)
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7Inspired by his visits to Tokyo, Glenmorangie Director of Whisky Creation Dr Bill Lumsden crafted A Tale of Tokyo. This single malt whisky was made in part with spirit aged in rare Japanese Mizunara oak casks. He then balanced it with whisky aged in sherry & bourbon casks. It's bottled at 46% ABV. The label and packaging of A Tale of Tokyo was designed by Japanese artist Yamaguchi Akira. This limited edition whisky was launched on September 28, 2023. (SRP $109.99)
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6The Malted Barley Series from Wolves Whiskey is an American single malt whiskey collection which varies the barley type, the barley source, the yeast, and the maltings for each release. All are distilled by Master Distiller Marko Karakasevic who used a small alembic pot still from Cognac to distill. Lot Two was distilled and barreled in 2012 using imported Irish malt and a California Ale. After 11 years of maturation, it was bottled and painstakingly hand labeled in bespoke sheepskin labels dyed matte black. Only 335 6-pack cases were produced. Availability begins August 31, 2023 to select retailers and e-commerce partners. (SRP $305)
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5This limited edition release from Kentucky Owl, Maighstir (may-stir), translates to "master" in Gaelic. This Kentucky straight bourbon was made in collaboration with Master Blender John Rhea and new Kentucky Owl Master Blender Maureen Robinson. Four, five, eight, and nine year-old bourbons were blended for this release, each with mash bill recipes featuring corn, rye, wheat, and malted barley. These bourbons were selected specifically to convey a Scottish-inspired Kentucky bourbon whiskey. Bottled at 100 proof, it's available beginning September 2023. (SRP $150)
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4This is the first release in 2XO's Oak Series, an ongoing series which will feature more everyday offerings. Here, American whiskey blender Dixon Dedman adds additional charred oak to barrels with a moderate amount of rye in the mash bill recipe. This is expected to be an ongoing, widely available release. Available nationwide beginning September 2023. (SRP $49.99)
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3Amante 1530 is an Italian amaro made in Rome that is designed to have less sugar and a more subtle bitter finish than other amaro offerings on the market. Famed oenologist Riccardo Cotarella created and produced the product. Investors in the brand include English musician and actor Sting & his wife Trudie Styler among others. Amante 1530 launched in fall 2023 at select retailers, restaurants, and bars in New York with California and Florida to follow. (SRP $34.99)
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2Belvedere 10 is made from a single harvest of organic Diamond rye grown in a single field on an estate in northeast Poland. It is then allowed to rest for 10 months before bottling. Belvedere 10 will be available in the US beginning October 2023 at select retailers and at high-end nightclubs, restaurants, and bars in California, Florida, Metro New York and Nevada. (SRP $150)
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1This expression is a limited edition, additive-free tequila añejo that commemorates 20 years of Don Fulano. It was produced in 2023 from 100% blue Weber agave that was grown in Los Altos and harvested from three ranches in Jalisco: La Tuna in Arandas, planted in 2014; Milpillas Cerro in Atontonilco, planted in 2014; and El Maguey in Atontonilco, planted in 2008. Each harvest was also produced separately as follows, all distilled in copper pot stills: La Tuna agave, distilled in October 2021, matured in first-fill ex-Amontillado sherry butts for 1 year, 6 months. Millpillas Cerro agave, distilled in July 2021, matured in first-fill ex-Oloroso sherry butts for 1 year, 9 months. El Maguey agave, distilled in April 2014, matured in French oak ex-Burgundy casks for exactly 8 years. These were than blended in April 2023 and re-barreled in a combination of first-fill Amontillado and Oloroso sherry butts. It was bottled in July of 2023 at 44.4% ABV, with only 9,000 bottles available globally with 3,000 for the US. (SRP $199.99)