Tastes

Over the last few weeks I was able to try the Sovereign, 225, & 228 expressions, and liked each one better then the last. Now with this 500 sherry finish let’s see if the trend continues. The sherry is the star on the nose, with dark fruits coming out first. Reminiscent of children’s cherry cough syrup, but not in a sweet way, just the concentrated way. After some time to breathe the malt comes in next, with hints of dark cocoa dancing in and out. It’s not boring, but it is a little flat footed. Palate doesn’t deliver anything new, but what’s there is good. Starts off slick and oily which is a plus, giving you time to enjoy the robust cereal and honey medley this offers. Baking spice is next up, really doing it’s best to bring a little effervescence to that rich umami that’s been there for both front and mid palate. After that there isn’t much else. Finish lingers about medium in length, with some warm oaky tannins that are just a bit on the bitter side. Overall this is a tasty dram, but the extra syrupy sherry influence isn’t super exciting. Perhaps I’m a bit spoiled now and just more inclined to looking for funky adventures.

The nose on this dram is delicate and quite multifaceted. Ripe plums and stewed stone fruits are first out of the glass, no doubt the result of some sherry finishing. After a little time the grain starts to show up, but in a sweet rich oatmeal way. Behind that there is a sweet umami that reminds me of the rum dipped Colt cigars I smoked as a teenager. The palate is quite the opposite of the nose; as in about as delicate as a slap to the face. Big, bold, rich flavors explode on the first sip, first with some earthy notes, like wet leaves and bark, but wrapped in an envelope of sweetness so that it’s actually quite interesting and balanced. That then evolves into a concentrated malt flavor, as if it were actual barley extract. Baking spice, wood and warmth round out the initial tasting experience. Finish is far longer than expected, staying in the throat and chest continuing to keep you warm far longer then many other 51% ABV whiskys do. I’ve tried a few expressions from Nikka now, and while I’m no expert, this is by far my favorite one so far. The fact that it’s only a 500ml bottle is a little disappointing but after finishing this glass and getting another pour I’m sure I won’t mind anymore.

The nose on this dram is quite lively with lots to explore. Initially there are grassy notes as if I’d just walked out into a damp dewy field in the morning. Further on comes fresh cut hay and then a rich maltiness is next. Let it breathe a bit and there are some apples and just a hint of baking spice. Palate packs a good amount of flavor in what feels like a small package. Earthy herbal notes are first on the scene, followed by decadent cereals next. That malt comes with a bit of sweetness and reminds me of a delicious bowl of oatmeal (if it was made with barley). Nutmeg and clove finish it off and the 46% ABV does a nice job of carrying it all just long enough. Finish is short, with the usual suspects of dry wood and some bitter tannins but not unpleasant; just expected. Overall a really good whisky, like the Aberfeldy 12 I reviewed the other night, this is clean and simple, but robust enough to stand on its own or carry other flavors, so I see why it gets used for blending. If you can get a bottle or pour of this single malt I would recommend.

I’ve got the day off, my kid is in school and it’s about 2pm.. should I tuck into a little whisky?.... yea why not. The nose on this is quite delicate and complex enough to keep looking. Citrus & spice start things off, then mellow out to a creamy vanilla caramel. Way in the back there is also a pine note that while bright, does a great job of balancing the sweetness. Palate doesn’t start off sweet which I appreciate, instead gets to the point with simple, clean malted barely flavor. More vanilla and honeycomb roll off the back end and then some of that mild spice finishes off the sip. It’s simple and delicious, but it’s just over far too quick. I love to see what this would be at a higher proof. Finish is a little dry and quite woody but also tasty, with those pepper notes hanging around longer then I thought considering the ABV. I can see why this gets used in a bunch of blends, as it’s clean and simple and tastes great. I would just like a little more drama in the dram.

Whenever you pour from a bottle that’s labeled Peated from Islay, you think you know what to expect on the nose. However this is a little surprising in that you have to really dig to find... anything. It’s so subtle, with vanilla and caramel being the most dominate (if you can call it that) with some malt and barrel char way in the back. Truthfully when I close my eyes this reminds me more of an American whiskey than a scotch. Palate is definitely more regionally accurate then the nose, delivering pleasant malted cereal up front, followed by a decent punch of earthy peat, which then transitions (too soon) into some spicy pepper that dances around the tongue with that added proof. It then ends rather abruptly. The finish is dry and slightly bitter with some of the tannins showing through but not much flavor. Overall the palate is the best part of this dram which should always be the priority, but all that flavor just leaves way too quick. For the same money or 10 dollars more there are some oilier choices out there that will stick around a bit longer.

"In honor of Robert Burns day I would be remiss if I didn’t enjoy a few drams tonight, and what better way then to review 3 offerings from Bruichladdich. I received a 3x200ml gift pack for Xmas with 2008/09/10 barley expressions. Let’s get to it. The nose on this ‘08 bottling is refreshing and bright. Stone fruits and lemon zest and orange peel are the dominate smells here, but dance around my olfactory as if I had just dropped an alka-seltzer in the glass. Quite whimsical indeed. Palate plays far more serious than the nose, slapping me around with gobs of malt and spice reminiscent of a high proof American rye. We are skipping first and second base here clearly. The spice subsides to reveal some more char and salty, briny almost meaty flavors. Finish is medium long, with the oil from the rich mouthfeel hanging on and keeping you warm for far longer then you expect. This is what should be in those St Bernard neck casks in the Alps if it isn’t already. Exploring these 3 barley expressions was a great way to spend Burns’ night. Typically I expect age to mellow out a whisky but with this, the oldest sibling clearly still is the most rough and tumble. A great whisky indeed if you can find it.

In honor of Robert Burns day I would be remiss if I didn’t enjoy a few drams tonight, and what better way then to review 3 offerings from Bruichladdich. I received a 3x200ml gift pack for Xmas with 2008/09/10 barley expressions. Let’s get to it. The nose on this bottling is quite unique. I’m used to fruit, or malt, or smoke etc, but this is making me work for it. There is just a hint of tart green apples and watermelon rind that are trying to hide what’s really there which is that organic barley. This has a sweet chalky vibe to it, like when you opened your first pack of Popeye cigarettes as a kid. An interesting but not conventional nose. The start of the palate is also not conventional, doing a head-fake by making you think it’s going to be sweet but moving right into savory and umami. Darker earthy notes here with decaying vegetation (peat) and some hints of char through the middle. I didn’t mention the heavy barley presence but that’s a given. A good amount of white pepper and some baking spice come racing in at the end just to say they were there too. Finish is medium short, with a little more smoke, oak and spice rounding it out. This dram is a little darker (in experience) then the 2010 I just reviewed and those extra couple years show that it wants to be taken more serious and it does show up on the taste. Great whisky indeed.

In honor of Robert Burns day I would be remiss if I didn’t enjoy a few drams tonight, and what better way then to review 3 offerings from Bruichladdich. I received a 3x200ml gift pack for Xmas with 2008/09/10 barley expressions. Let’s get to it. This bottling is the youngest of the 3 (aged 7 years) but is the darkest, a pale amber which resembles classic laddie. The nose from this initial neck pour exploded with bright shiny fruit, canned pears specifically. That brightness fades with time and air, presenting more earthy scents of both fresh and decaying leaves on a forest trail. At the very back there are some chalky notes that disappear before I can identify them. Overall a light and non aggressive nose. Palate begins as expected with sweet fruit, almost syrupy; as if it came from the previously mentioned can of pears. That moves quick as you get to the main event, the unpeated barley. This catches your attention and holds it. As you taste you expect the usual suspect flavors to show up, but it’s still just malted barley, as if it’s suspended in time. It then slowly shifts to quite a bit of baking spice, the 50% ABV doing a great job of lifting it higher and higher leading to the finish. After that crescendo of malt and spice, the wood really makes an appearance on a finish that is medium long. Dry oak tannin with just the slightest bit of ash reminds you where this elixir came from. What a wonderfully simple whisky. It’s been a while since I’ve had a scotch that doesn’t try to wow me with bells or whistles or crazy finishes, and this is an example of enjoying the simple things in life done well.

The nose is initially lively with lots of sweet fruity notes, not unlike an ice wine. The Sauternes finishing must be at play here. Let it breathe a bit and it does calm right down though. Now you are presented with rich honey and malt and also some soft grassy notes. The palate does not deliver the sweetness expected from the nose, but this isn’t a bad thing. It gets right to the point with a big hit of barley, then straight into baking spices followed by some drier barrel notes. The journey reminds me of a Rye or American whiskey in terms of the order of each component. With the decent mouthfeel I was hoping it would slow down just a bit, as it does make me feel like I’m holding a tiger by the tail. The finish might be one of the more interesting parts, it’s long, and it’s warm and it’s seasoned well with salt, pepper, nutmeg and allspice. This is a really good single malt with a tasty finish, but it’s priced a little high here. For 35 dollars less you can snag the Tullibardine Sauternes and have a similar experience from your dram.

This is now my 5th Nikka expression in as many weeks and I’m starting to get a decent idea of what is both available in my area and what I’m liking from them. Nose delivers a soft but present peat, not smoky, but earthy, and a little air moves that into more grassy notes. Keep exploring and black forest cake will slowly creep from behind it all. Go too far though and you’ve reached the end of the line.. ethanol is all that’s left now. Palate is much spicier and livelier than the nose let on. Sweet & Spicy peppercorns dance on the tongue on first sip, calming down quickly so you can appreciate the rich malted barley next. There is then a 3rd act that builds, forcing you to pay attention, delivering another round of pepper and baking spice but in an enjoyable effervescent way. Finish medium, with some dry woody flavors and then the slightest hint of smoke. And if you wait long enough, the faintest dark funky fruit that I equate to sherry finish. This a solid whisky that is priced just slightly too high. It’s currently 87 CAD but if it were 60-70 I’d buy all day.