Tastes

Wow...two months since I’ve had any whiskey at all. Normally, I have a small 3cl pour every Saturday evening. But since months, I had lost interest. I always made it a point that during my bday, my wife’s, and my kid’s bdays or accomplishments I’d have a special bottle. So—-after 2 months, I cracked this open as a celebratory pour for my son’s bday. First thing’s first...and that’s the 800lb gorilla in the room regarding these Diageo Special releases and their pricing. Over the years, these young malts have crept up in price to rival a malt that’s in the 20s. And the only thing “special” about it has been a different finishing, or CS version. I’m a huge Talisker fan, so I did buy this , despite knowing I’m being fleeced $100 for a 8 yr old. I also bought the Lag special release, hopefully will open that another celebratory event. So, on to the pour itself. This year is a first for Talisker: it has a rum finish, and at CS version. I absolutely loved the 2018 version 8 yr old, so was hoping to love this as well. That rum finish becomes evident on the nose. You get the smoke and saline, but with a sweet undertone. Like smoky salted caramel. But, on the palette, I’m not getting the nuances...I’m just getting the standard Talisker brine and peat, just stronger than the standard 10. I’m guessing the finishing must not have been long enough, or 2nd -3rd fill. So...if you’re a Talisker fanboy, this is a must have, just for the uniqueness and CS version. It’s an excellent whiskey. At $100, it’s not breaking the bank, but let’s face it...you can get older whiskeys at the same price. This and the Lag special release are probably the hardest to get a hold of, just being price friendly, and unique enough. But If you’re not a Talisker fanboy, spend that $100 on an older more mature whiskey. For me, I love Talisker, so it’s a solid pour, and one I’d gladly buy again. If any of my standard buddies here are interested in a pour, let me know...I’m barely having a pour nowadays, so there’s no way I’m finishing a bottle anytime soon. Will gladly send over a pour or two, just cover shipping.

I’ve seen this one around a few places, and was always curious to try it. A French oak finishing is tricky to master, it adds a layer of depth and balance, but over do it, and it takes over the base spirit. Generally, as far as American whiskey, I’ve only seen this in Balacones, where considering the oomph of that Texan, an overpowering by French oak wasn’t a concern. Thanks to a generous pour from @jonwilkinson7309, I had my curiosity met. This is like walking into a pastry shop and going head first into an almond topped croissant. It does get that balancing, albeit the base spirit seems a bit sweet. If a sweet tooth is your thing, you’d love this. And at a reasonable price, the VFM is there as well. Nicely done. Thanks Jon for the pour !

This is an interesting beast. It’s a 10 yr fully matured in high quality sherry cask, at a robust 50+ ABV. It first came out around $100 from what I remember, but now you can probably only find it in secondary markets. And, from my understanding, out of the 3 releases, this first one was the best. W/o water, this taste like Lay’s BBQ chips. Pretty one dimensional, and lacking that Islay smoke + sherry that I love. But...add a few drops of water, and the flavors really dance. Now we’re talking Oaxacan Manchamantal ( a sauce made with smoky peppers, apples, pineapple and flame roasted onion, garlic, tomatoes ). Amazing how it transforms with water. I only had a 2cl sample, but if you do see a bottle of this still around, it’s a must buy at the original $100 price. Secondary market prices ...to each his/her own.

I’ve consistently been impressed by Amrut. Combination of the Indian heat, quality production, and ingenuity has really created some top notch products in a wide range of price options. This one here is using Scottish peat and North Indian barley. It’s about 6 yrs in used bourbon casks. Six years in Indian heat is more like 15-20 years in Scottish climate, given the high wood interaction. . Aromas of burnt rubber and citrus. Taste is light smoky, strong fruity flavors. At about $70 USD, this is a no-brainer buy-now.

I think this is my first Glenallachie post Billy Walker period. The period also known as “ when Glenallachie was changed to GlenAllachie, in Flintstone era style font”. This comes courtesy of my good buddy @LeeEvolved . There’s good balance here, with aromas of sweet baked breads and fruit. The PX finishing helps. Taste is more of the same, but some oak coming out. Overall, a fine balanced whisky, and affordable enough to run alongside Balvenie 12, some young GlenDronach, and other Speysiders. I think this is more expensive than Glendronach and Balvenie, so I’d go with those at the similar age statement. But if it’s the same price range, Glendronach over this, and this over Balvenie 12. Thanks Lee for the generous pour !

I first had a small 3 cl pour of this, before I actually went ahead and ordered the full 200ml bottle. This was an exclusive NY Drammers club pick of Kings County Oated bourbon, which is the only Oated bourbon made by them in their ten years of distilling. Oated bourbons aren’t very common, considered more as “experimental “. Generally, I’m hesitant to get a full bottle of anything with a tagline of “experimental”. But this lives up to expectation. Nose is incredible...like allspice and sweet cream. I’d rank 5/5 stars just on the nose. The palette is a bit of a step down, but still damn good, with silky texture, leather and cloves. At over 60%, this bad boy benefits with a liberal dose of water. Extremely unique. I’m glad to have bought a 200ml bottle. @Richard-ModernDrinking and @worldwhiskies95 curious to get your take on it

This is like one of those Netflix movies you download for a flight, hoping it’s just a brainless entertainment, but turns out actually much more thought provoking. I was in the mood for my weekly pour as something simple and one dimensional, while watching Lord of the Rings Fellowship of the Rings with my kids. It’s one of my favorite movies, wanted to introduce it to my kids, so wanted something straightforward to sip. Don’t let the gimmicky marketing fool you. Yes, it’s gimmicky. Really cringe-worthy gimmicky. “ finished black brandy barrels”? What the hell is black brandy? Why not just write “brandy finished “. “Matured next to Metallica soundtrack !!??!” WTF? Makes that Jefferson Aged at Sea bullshit almost plausible. Why not just send a cask up with Elon Musk’s Dragon spacecraft and call it something like Macallan Dragon: “ exploring the timeless effect of lack of gravity and full vacuum impacts on the Highland flavor profile”. And then charge $1000. Bullshit. But...much to my chagrin, this is actually pretty good. I had the #101, which has a higher rye mix. You get a caramel vanilla palette, with a sudden taste of a bit of grape...but not too much like you’re having armagnac. Just enough to remind you “ oh, that must be that ambiguous black brandy “. This was from my own sample ( hey @Richard-ModernDrinking and @worldwhiskies95 ...my first Drammers pour), but would I buy a bottle ? Probably...since I’m glad to have tried a pour, and would happily serve this when guests are over.

Okay...so, there’s two reasons to stop chasing the unicorns like BTACs and Old Forester Birthdays. There’s also two reasons now to stop trying “quite not ready” American craft whiskeys where you feel you just spent $100 and got little to show for it. The first reason is Arizona’s DelBac Dorado if you like smoky whiskey. The second reason is NY’s very own McKenzie if you like balanced complex whiskey. These two are the very best out of the USA vfm. Full stop. Thanks to a generous pour sent by @jonwilkinson7309 , I got try this one. I’m not sure I can even fully write down the compete ever changing flavors I got out of this. Deeply enigmatic with oranges, vanilla, cloves, allspice...all wrapped up in silky smooth texture. Just amazing, Look this one up folks and give it a go...money well spent Thanks Jon!

Have you ever been to the Louvre in Paris? It’s the famous museum that houses Mona Lisa. Good luck in seeing that painting up close though—-it’s usually crowded with a sea of tourists. But the museum also houses one of my favorite sculptures: The Winged Nike of Samothrace, which is an ancient sculpture from 2nd century BC, unfortunately with her head missing. So, years ago we went there, with my then 5yr old daughter in tow. Her reaction was “so...what’s special about it? The most important part, the head, is missing “ That about sums up this pour. It’s 33yr old blended Islay finished in double cognac and then sherry cask. At 33 years, there’s not many Islay that can boast that fabled age and be affordable (relatively ...as in not taking out a 2nd mortgage ). Maybe the likes of Bunna, some Caol Ila...any others that can sustain that age will be well over $1000 ( Ardbeg , Bowmore, Lagavulin, Laphroaig). It’s got a nice aroma sweet perfumed flowers and dried fruits; taste a hint of peat and salt, oranges and almonds. But...it’s missing the peat. Yes, at this age, I’d expect more elegant peat, not missing all together. So...without that peat, I feel as if the heart of Islay is gone. In the words of a 5 yr old looking at the Winged Nike of Samothrace: “ it’s missing the most important part “