Tastes
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This is a lovely blended whiskey. Beautiful and smooth - and really shines over a big ice cube. Hints of vanilla - ever so sweet but not overpoweringly so. Beautiful on the nose. Worth the price point? Hmmm. I mean it’s pricy but dang if I don’t think it is worth it. 18 year blend of whiskies? I mean - The Glenlivet 18 is a bit pricier than this and a bit more to my taste … BUT this CR 18 is really tasty and redefines what I think about their juice. I bought it for my wife - she loves crown and hasn’t found any of my scotches appealing enough to sip on. But this one had her smiling as she drank her pour on the rocks. And that makes me smile - especially since I know I can steal a glass from time to time. But mostly because I love seeing her enjoy this. Ok - enough feeling guilty about the price point. Eff it. It’s worth it to me. I am impressed with this one. Flame away if you like but I dig it. A good song to sip this to? Glad you asked! I mean, it’s a December tasting I’m doing …. and it’s from our friends up in the Great White North (and there was no mouse in the bottle to complain about) … so, I’d go with: Hallelujah - as sung by The Canadian Tenors Cheers!
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Kavalan Solist Manzanilla Single Cask Strength
Single Malt — Taiwan
Reviewed August 10, 2019 (edited November 19, 2019)This was a unicorn for me. A unicorn that I finally got a hold of thanks to a buddy traveling through Taiwan (thanks John). So first off - since he bought it in Taiwan, the price point was less than half the price of the same bottle in the US (theoretical price as I couldn’t find it anywhere). That means I’m rating it at the price of acquisition as well. If I had to pay full US price I’d have to ding it a little. Given that - this thing is so damn fun. The nose on this thing is an explosion of sexy smells. Sweet and lush. And the taste? Depth of flavor like the Mariana Trench and a taste that lingers in your mouth like a catchy song sticks in your head. Add a drop of water to take a bit of the heat away - this thing is as strong as Popeye after spinach at over 58% abv - and you’ll find yourself in for a really treat. Zoinks! I’m hooked. Sweet (but not too sweet) and viscous - this thing is awesome. I plan on sipping this and savoring this for as long as possible! Song that I associate with the Kavalan Solist Manzanilla? Don’t Stop Me Now - Queen -
Don Julio 70 Añejo Claro Tequila
Tequila Añejo — Los Altos, Jalisco, Mexico
Reviewed August 10, 2019 -
Don Julio Reposado Double Cask Lagavulin Finish
Tequila Reposado — Los Altos, Jalisco, Mexico
Reviewed August 10, 2019 (edited November 18, 2019)This tequila caught my eye immediately given the double aging in Lagavulin casks. Now - full disclosure - I’m a sucker for experiments like this. I like Lagavulin, and Don Julio is my favorite brand of tequila, so it seemed like it was a match I should try. Pretty much a potential “your chocolate is in my peanut butter” moment. So first of all, and to cut through the rest of the text, this was a tequila I really enjoyed quite a bit and one that I can see sipping on from time to time and smiling as I do so. Want more words? How’s it all come together? Glad you asked. The nose on it can best be described as Don Julio (DJ) with an undercurrent of Lagavulin Almost too faint an undercurrent, I thought. So I broke out a bottle of Lagavulin and a bottle of Don Julio 70 and poured two small glasses out of those to remind my nose what each smelled like separately. After doing that I tried the limited edition DJ again and picked up more of the Lagavulin. But - the continued feeling was that maybe they should have left it in that Lagavulin cask a bit longer. On to the tasting. Because if ya just wanna smell stuff you should go outside and smell flowers and save $60. So... first impression after a sip? I was wrong. This thing does NOT need more time in the Lagavulin cask. It’s a beautiful overlay of Lagavulin on a solid core of DJ Tequila. It adds to the depth but doesn’t create something which doesn’t resemble what, at the end of the day, is still a great tequila. Well done to the folks who made this. I don’t anticipate finishing this bottle quickly - but I can see really enjoying it over time as something just a little different to sip on. I might run back and get another bottle so I have a bottle once this thing disappears from shelves! Song to listen to if you want to get the gist of what I’m saying: Personal Jesus sung by Johnny Cash. Johnny Cash is the Don Julio. The song is the Lagavulin. You’ll get the idea. Enjoy and Salud! -
Yellow Spot 12 Year Single Pot Still
Single Pot Still — Ireland
Reviewed January 26, 2017 (edited November 19, 2019)Yellow Spot. So much legend surrounds you. And finally, we meet. And I find myself conflicted. Don't get me wrong. You're gorgeous. An amber angel in a glass greeting me with sweet aromas of maple, honey, a hint of spice. You're a cuddle in a blanket kind of warm. And your taste? A soft, sweet and lingering experience akin to a first kiss... complete with the same initial heat of that first touch. Smooth and sweet - a great whisky. The best Irish whiskey I've had so far. The conflict? To be blunt, Yellow Spot, it's your price point. You're 12 years old. And in my mind, the Scots have set my expectations of price point for 12 year olds somewhere about $40 cheaper. I admit - it's not fair. Because you really are amazing. But my wandering eye can't help but think about what I can get in a scotch at your price point. I know, I know - you're not like them and it's not fair to compare you like that. But, for $90, I'm looking longingly at the Springbank 15 and the Oban 14 sitting there at a lower price with just as much, albeit different, flavor, and can't help but feel like you're overpriced. There. I said it. I'm not proud of it. But it's out there. I think you're about $30 too high. Which should mean I'm walking away from you. A stolen kiss and warm memories ahead of the game. But, I'll be damned if there's not something about you that makes me think you are worth it. So clearly I'm confused. And what surer sign could there be that I just might be falling in love? -
Caol Ila Stitchell Reserve (2013 Special Release)
Single Malt — Islay, Scotland
Reviewed January 15, 2017 (edited November 3, 2019)Executive summary: This is a damn fine scotch. Long version: Lovely scents - citrus and light and fruity and warm and strong! If I had ever theoretically poured a glass to take with me to a neighbors house down the road, then I would bet (pretty positively) that the fragrance would reach your nose from way down in its cozy little cup holder and fill the car with an amazing combination of scents. And the flavors are lovely - woody and smooth. Some hints of crisp apple and honey - its unpeated but has a nice smoky finish that sticks around. Also, a heads up that it's cask strength (59.6% ABV) but doesn't have a harsh burn. Don't get me wrong - it has a nice kick - but the alcohol is subtle in the same way a huge guy in a suit, sitting at a table at a well known Italian restaurant/mob hangout, with a gun peeking out of his coat is subtle. You know he's there. He knows you know he's there. But no need for him to make a spectacle of himself. Ladies and gentlemen - this is Barry White meets Isaac Hayes. This is whisky - as in dimly lit rooms, leather chairs, really good friends, and cigar smoke whisky. The taste lingers, kind of like the way an old girlfriend's perfume scent always seemed to hang around on the sheets long after she'd left the next morning. And that's how you should enjoy it. Slow and lovingly. Sit back and relax because this scotch is fun to spend time with. I drink this one every once in awhile to remind me what right tastes like. -
Bruichladdich The Classic Laddie Scottish Barley
Single Malt — Islay, Scotland
Reviewed January 15, 2017 (edited October 9, 2017)So I got a lovely tasting set of 3 small bottles of Bruichladdich offerings and was looking forward to exploring a distillery which I hadn't had before. I was so underwhelmed by this offering. Given the high ABV I wasn't too surprised by the heat on it, but I surprised at how light and lacking in flavor the offering was. The nose was faint and water helped smooth down the heat but easily washed out and muddled what little flavor there was. It's one of those folks you meet at a business conference that you won't remember next time you bump into them. It'll be awkward and then it'll hit you - oh yeah, you were that boring guy! Heads up "Laddie" - better wear a name tag. -
Highland Park Dark Origins
Single Malt — Orkney, Scotland
Reviewed March 25, 2016 (edited July 4, 2017)Grabbed this scotch on a whim and boy am I glad I did. Now I've had highland park 18 before and love the distillery, but this one, this one is very nice. Kick of peat, nice weight and mouthfeel, a little heat, and long linger. Pop on some songs from the rat pack, sit in a leather chair, and explore this one. It's a winner. -
Glenfiddich Age of Discovery Bourbon Cask 19 Year
Single Malt — Speyside, Scotland
Reviewed March 21, 2016Lovely scotch. Smooth and lingering - hits me with vanilla, wood, toffee tastes - winner winner chicken dinner.
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