Tastes
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Bowmore 1964 37 Year Fino Cask
Single Malt — Islay , Scotland
Reviewed January 1, 2025 (edited January 7, 2025)My first whisky review of the year, and this one is a banger. Easily the best aroma I’ve ever had, and hands down the most expensive whisky I’ve ever experienced. ( $30k/ bottle ) But first a backstory. This sampling took months in the making. Maybe even over a year in the making. All started last June. We took a family vacation to the African safari…Botswana, South Africa, Tanzania. Was meant to be a trip of a lifetime, and had three generations on that vacation: one 82 yr old, us adults, a teenager, and a middle schooler. On the way back from CapeTown to NJ, our flight was canceled last minute because the entire plane was rented out by an American pop star. Next flight was next day. In return, all United gave us was a comp at a hotel for the night. 24 hours lost. The following day, we immediately started off with a 6 hour delay. Only other flight option was CapeTown to Nigeria to EWR. Six hours later, we were told that flight was canceled. Next flight was 5 hours later to Munich with a 10 hour layover then EWR. Now, it’s 36 hours of being stuck before even boarding. Then in Munich, the flight to EWR was canceled. Next flight was 4 hours later. Tally is 40 hours before even boarding the flight. My 82 yr old father at this point looked as if his last stop in life will be Munich. He was physically done. We really thought this was it for him…the physical toll of delays was more than he could take. Somewhere in between though, we didn’t notice our 11 yr old middle schooler went missing at the Munich airport. We were so focused on the 82 yr old, that we lost track of the one person that doesn’t have a mobile phone in our group. Panic set in. If you ever have been to the Munich airport , it’s huge. Just as we’re about to go to the airport security, he shows up. Apparently he went to the United service desk at Munich airport, and complained like hell even yelling “if you touch me to remove me, keep in mind I’m a minor, and that will constitute assault”. He demanded United compensate us 5 for the sheer toil bought on to the 82 yr old senior. He laid out a scenario where he said “ it won’t be a good look for United if a senior citizen passes away here because of their delays. How much is avoiding that worth to you ?” After 2 hours of complaining, somehow he got $2k/person credit to be used in 1.5 year. That’s $10k! That now brings us to this review… Our other dream trip was always to see the northern lights over Christmas in the Norwegian arctic. But the flights can be expensive. About $2k per person. But, guess what we have to use up before the end of the year ? YES!!! Our $2k/person credits!!! As soon as we booked the arctic trip, I contacted fellow whisky connoisseur @Slainte-Mhath , since he’s in Oslo. Our plans allowed us to have one final night in Oslo before flying back out. So, we met up for sample exchange ( I poured him some super hard to find American whiskeys and bourbon, and he poured me samples of ultra rare well aged grain and malt). In addition, he treated me to a few pours at a local whiskey bar, where we had a 13 yr Local Barley Springbank, a 1979 28yr Carsebridge, and the stunner of a lifetime , this 1964 37 yr Bowmore. Hands down , my top nose ever by a mile, and top three palette. Nose: fruit basket galore! Mango, lychees, pineapple ! This whisky was meant to savor and nose, not chug. 100 out of 100. Palette: a step down from all tropical fruits to a balance of earthy mushrooms, fruits, and a tinge of smoke. Wow. The pour was about $100 USD, and a bottle is over $30k. Easily the most expensive whisky I’ve had, and my god it will be forever etched in my memory for that nose alone! Immense thank you @Slainte-Mhath for the experience and a great evening sharing stories over amazing pours! Attached is rhe pic of the bottle and a few of the amazing auroras30000.0 USD per Bottle -
TWE Black Friday 2024 Jura
Single Malt — highlands , Scotland
Reviewed December 15, 2024 (edited December 24, 2024)Really well made, probably the best Jura i’ve had at this price point and age. Nose is the best part: lightly peated , muddy non-Islay style bonfire smoke. Taste is coastal, lightly smoky , lemon, brine , and BBQ. Nice long warming finish. Ideal to have when the temperature dips outside I’ve had a few Jura, and often found the distillery bottlings subpar, and 3rd party IB picks really well made. It’s strange the best ones for this quirky distillery are IB. For the price , this is incredible. I think I paid $80 without VAT. It is absolutely a must try if you can.80.0 USD per BottleLondon Heathrow Marriott Hotel -
High West A Midwinter Night's Dram Act 12 (All Scenes)
Rye — USA
Reviewed November 4, 2024 (edited December 28, 2024)Almost. Almost there…but probably all HWMW going forward will always be “almost”. What i mean is if High West Midwinter is back to it’s early Act 2 and 3, which were amazing , and set the stage for this brand as its annual flagship product. When Act 2 came out , at a mere $60, I was floored. It took me back to spice markets in Jodhpur and Morocco , back to the orange lined streets of Sevile. But after act 4, it all fell apart. They raised prices from $60 to $80 to $100, and now anywhere from $130-300. All the while , lowering their quality. Less Jodhpur , Seville, and Morocco. More big corporate America. And every year, I have purchased this. Provided if and only if i can get it under $130. And every year, i’ve been disappointed. Except this year. Yes, its not Act 2 and 3, but its the best ( in my humble opinion) since act 4. That’s 8 whole years!! This is best enjoyed when its cold outside , and you’re sitting by a warm fireplace. Notes of mulled wine, and then flavors of plum, allspice, and cinnamon. A bit more plum than previous years, and thats a good thing. If you can find this anywhere around $120-130, it’s a worthwhile buy to open up with friends and family over the holidays. @Slainte-Mhath i’ll bring over a sample when we meet up in Oslo . @Richard-ModernDrinking , @pkingmartin … will send for our Jan tasting. -
Black Tot Last Consignment British Royal Navy Rum
Navy Rum — Multiple Countries
Reviewed September 15, 2024 (edited November 25, 2024)A super rare 5 stars from me. It’s been ages since I’ve given anything 5 stars. You just get so jaded, and you really start to discern the good from the great to the “fucking wow!! “. This falls in the latter category. I had a 6ml pour last week while in the UK. A bit of background on this: It’s a piece of British navel history. For hundreds of years, the British navy supplied a daily ration to their sailors. This could be a mixture of any rum from the colonies : Jamaica, Barbados, Trinidad, Guyana, etc. Sort of like an infinity blend over centuries. But this practice was stopped in 1970. The management deemed it high risk to have sailors drunk around billions of pound sterling worth of military equipment. This is where the entrepreneurial brilliant chaps from The Whiskey Exchange came in. They bought the last few barrels of this rum, at which point who knows how old it was , or its components. There’s components from 1800 to 1969 in that blend. Either way… this is freaking old. So: what’s it taste like? One of the top three spirits I’ve had in my life. That good. The aroma is totally different than any rum today, either be it the sweet sugar loaded mass market stuff or the super funky Jamaican ones. It’s slightly smoky, sherry infused Speysider. Taste is amazing. Blackberry, mango, a slight bit of smoke, a wee bit of Jamaican Habitation funk, creme brulee. It’s just amazing. Last I looked , this was $1000… which is outrageous…but put in context, its like having a BTAC , Macallan , or Pappy that has components from 1800. It would be bottled in Lalique crystal, with a price tag well into 5 digits. Top three spirit on my list so far… -
SPRINGBANK 25 YEAR 2020 EDITION
Single Malt — Campbeltown, Scotland
Reviewed August 11, 2024 (edited October 20, 2024)A superbly rare treat, courtesy of @pkingmartin during our latest quarterly tasting. When does a Springbank not come in first place out of a 5 sample tasting? When the top billing went to a rarer 1970s Four Roses ( that review coming later ). Nornally, this would be the highlight of the evening. But, its like you have a chance to test drive 5 cars—- the first a BMW M5. But then to find out the other four are a Porsche 911, Lamborghini, Ferrari, and a Bugatti. I’ve never had a Springbank 25. But i reckon not many of us here have had it. That whopping price tag of well north of $1000 can be a limiting factor. This particular 2020 version is 50/50 bourbon and sherry cask. If you go in expecting that Springbank funk, you wont find it here. Instead that gritiness is replaced by silky smooth vanilla, dried fruits , pencil shavings ( when is pencil shaving taste a positive? I guess here. And full transparency…I’ve never eaten pencil shavings. I grew up poor, but not that poor), lemon and ginger. Light touch on all of those. Ultimately, you”re losing what makes a Springbank a Springbank ( grit, funky notes). But you’re getting a top notch ultra-elegant pour. Personally, i’d take the 18 over the 25, but YMMV. I beleive Springbank peaks at 18. After that, you lose an inherent quality. Thanks immensely again to @pkingmartin for this rare treat -
Inchfad 15 yr by Thompson Brothers
Single Malt — Scotland
Reviewed July 26, 2024 (edited August 9, 2024)I bought a 200ml small bottle of this while I was in London some time ago. I dont think I’ve even heard of Inchfad, but it turns out it’s simply the heavily peated version of Loch Lomond, made using the pot still , but with an additional rectifying column instead of the swan neck. I dont know what that change architecture means or does to a whisky, but whatever it does, worked out really well in the end product. This has aromas of damp moist earth and petrichor. Tatste is an umami like mushroom-y, earthiness combined with some chocolate and nuts. Really unique. The smoke is there , but it’s more an integration with the earthiness. Almost like a peated Balvenie, but less on fruits and heather. A suberb buy considering i barely paid $20-30USD for a 200ml bottle. -
I bought a few samples with me on my holiday to Alaska. I saved this one for last. Having this while looking at the Denali range, sitting out on the front porch of our lodge. That environment certainly bumps this up 1/2 star. I’ve had quite a few JW’s, and by far my favorite was always the Ghost and Rare Brora. Followed by Green ( which is great VFM). I think this one has replaced the Green as my 2nd favorite JW. Unfortunately, a full bottle is quite pricey, maybe more so than even the Ghost Brora. Which is fine…I feel I can get 80% there simply by having the $60 Green. Light smokiness ( probably from the bit of Port Ellen?), orange cream, vanilla, fresh red apples. First word that comes to mind is elegant. There’s age and maturity, and all the elements seems to be well integrated together, not one malt vying over the other. Really well done. Would I buy a full bottle? Probably not…If I’m to spend this much, I’d much rather get the Ghost Brora, which had layers more of complexity.
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Heaven Hill Bottled In Bond 7 Year
Bourbon — Kentucky, USA
Reviewed July 3, 2024 (edited July 10, 2024)On vacation right now, and bought a few samples woth me. For today—-it a Heaven Hill 7 yr bourbon. Nothing too impressive, but nothing to dismiss as well. Just a good well rounded bourbon with the basics intact— nice ABV, upfront caramel and vanilla, finishes with a dose of oak. Probably goes well in a variety of cocktails as well as having it neat or over ice. Sometimes uncomplicated is good, and that is exactly what this is.Denali Backcountry Lodge -
Denali Spirits Whiskey
American Single Malt — Alaska , USA
Reviewed July 2, 2024 (edited July 10, 2024)Had this at the distillery just outside Denali in Talkeetna. Of course, having it at the distillery adds to the enjoyment, and i’d pribably score it much lower if i had it at home. Aroma is simple baked goods, some vanilla. Pallette is better than i expected for a brewery that ventured into distilling. Carmel, vanilla, sourdough. Young, and naturally the aging process in Alaska adds to its rough profile. Overall, not bad…just not good. Needs age and maturity.Denali Spirits -
Ardnahoe Inaugural 5yr old
Single Malt — islay , Scotland
Reviewed May 19, 2024 (edited October 15, 2024)I usually treat inaugural releases as a marketing gimmick. Something new and shiny, bottled too soon, and limited release making it silly overpriced. Not to mention severely underwhelming in taste. Even if it’s bottled with a good age statement and taste great, there’s still that over-price factor ( Daftmill inugural comes to mind). Except for now. This is a 5yr old , respectable 50%, 70k bottle release, priced at a very affordable $75. And taste fantastic! Nose: wow, not expecting this…big smack of peat and smoke. Palette: this is where that use of sherry comes out. Initially soot and campfire, but then turns into apples, heather , red berries and cocoa. Think if Ledaig and Balvenie had a child. This is really impressive for a first release. And more so considering its for the mass market at a whopping 70,000 bottle release. They really wanted all to be able to afford it and, more importantly, OPEN it to drink, not to hoard. Till now, my favorite inaugural release ( that I actually opened and had) was Kilchoman, and more recently, Torabhaig. Others were simply too expensive ( Daftmill, Bimber), or simply “meh, it’s fine” ( Aber Falls, Lagg, Drumshambo, Cotswold, Filey Bay, Isle of Harris, Lochlea, Wolfburn, Mc’Nean). This is now my new favorite inaugural release, with the bonus factor of actually being damn good. Buy on sight. Sure, slightly pricey for a 5 yr old ( still not bad, considering Ardbeg Wee Beastie is $65 and not as good), but damn affordable for an inaugural release.75.0 USD per Bottle
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