Tastes

This was part of Diageo’s 2018 Special Release, which I got to sample thanks to a generous pour that @LeeEvolved sent me. Every year, usually in the fall, Diageo cleverly markets about 7 or so whiskeys from their portfolio, and positions these as “special”...whatever that means. Generally I always purchase the Lagavulin in their series, or this year, their Talisker 15. This series has always a fairly priced one ( usually Lagavulin , Caol Ila &/or Talisker), and some outrageously priced ones ( used to be Brora or Port Ellen). This Cladach was cleverly engineered as having consisted of all their coastals: Caol Ila, Lagavulin , Oban, Inchgower, Clyneish, and Talisker. With that lineup, it sets itself definitely as coastal. Lightly smoky nose, with some meaty jerky aroma; taste is, yes, seaside briny, coastal, seaweed, lemongrass , and, there it is—-the Talisker pepper. Really well made...I was fearful this was going to be a marketing bullshit stunt, but it’s actually really good. This used to be about $120-150, but I’m guessing it’ll be hard to find now.

I accidentally bought this bottle instead of the Del Bac Dorado ( which marketing genius made them look 99% alike???!!). I had some family coming over, and knowing they love Glenfiddich 12, I took a wild guess they might like this. I was right—-was totally devoured. Me, on the other hand, not a fan. Maybe for the same reason that I don’t like Glenfiddich 12...bland, boring, too tepid. Starts off with mild heather /honey combo, some cinnamon, allspice, but fades really quickly. Given that the Dorado is just a bit more, go for that—-it’s so much better ( probably my favorite affordable American whiskey). But—-if you want something safe, non-combative, easy to please masses ( holiday party) go for this.

I was always curious about this one —it’s a young American craft single malt made with floor malted barley ( which is a rarity in the US, and in most Scottish distilleries as well ), and then smoked with seaweed and American peat. But unfortunately, outside Maine and some North Atlantic states, it’s really hard to purchase. Thankfully, I got a sample courtesy of @jonwilkinson7309. I’ve always had a soft spot for craft American distilleries; something about the passion and can-do attitude. One of my goals is to have an American whiskey made in every state ( might have to hold out with Alaska ). Unfortunately, many of the craft distilleries put out product way too young , or simply too expensive for what it offers. This one though, isn’t in that category. At just over $40, it’s not gong to break the bank. And if you’re a fan of medicinal peat Islay, you’ll love this. So, this markets itself as made in the Highlands style, but a big whiff of that peat begs to differ. You get a truck load of medicinal iodine, brine, and salt —all wrapped into a buttery pastry dough. It’s like a Laphroaig, but with less complexity. If you’re ever driving through Maine, NH, or VT, pick this up. At $40-45 USD, you can’t go wrong. Thanks Jon for the pour !

The thing with craft distilleries is you never know what you’ll be opening up. Will it be something overpriced and way too young, or will it be a diamond in the rough? I don't mind paying a bit more, if I know what I’ll get is a solid product. But, what pisses me off is some NAS sourced bottle that’s priced way too high, or some young juice that was simply put out way too early ( and I get it...it’s a business...has to start earning a revenue). This one, courtesy from @jonwilkinson7309 , fortunately does not fall into the camp of over-priced bottles too early. This is a classic bourbon, with tastes of baking spices, cinnamon, and a hefty dose of oak. At close to 5 yrs of age, it’s a bottled-in-bond, which isn’t common in the craft scene. And at this price point ($50), it’s a no-brainer buy. They have a 10 yr coming out this year—-i’ll Be a definite buyer of that. Thanks Jon for the pour!

I had a pour of this at a Diwali party this evening. Open bar, sitting next to a Balvenie 12, Paul John, and a Talisker 10. Talisker 10 was undoubtedly the best in the lineup, but I’ve never even heard of this one...so why not, might as well give it a spin. At this point, Amrut is the de facto standard whiskey out of India, followed next by Paul John. But, Rampur...never heard of it. Apparently, it’s out of the subcontinent’s oldest distillery called Radico Khaitan from Uttar Pradesh. What’s interesting is that Uttar Pradesh’s climate is totally different than Amrut’s Bangalore and Paul John Goa. Bangalore is very Texas like; Goa is more Hawaiian type. While Uttar Pradesh has chilly winters and dry hot summers. So...maybe more like Utah / Colorado. I’d expect less wood interaction than the blistering Bangalore or Goan heat. Anyway—-tasting this is very much like a Dalwinnie. Honey, cereals, light. It lacks the muscle of Amrut...and the complexity. Very mild and restrained. Maybe a good foray into Indian whiskey, but not something I’d buy anytime soon. Instead, stick with Amrut, or if you want less horsepower, Paul John. Buy, pour, or bust...solid bust.

Nothing exudes class like sitting in a hotel room in gym shorts, and having a 16 yr old single malt out of a plastic cup, while watching Guy Fieri on The Food Network. Anyway—-This one here was sent by my buddy @Telex . I decided to brave the TSA, put it in a ziploc bag, and bring it out to here to the Rockies for a business trip. It’s a bit schizophrenic. I like the nose: salted caramel. Bourbon-y vanilla. But the palette is all over the place —from the Islander brine, to the Speysider honey, to even some sherry notes. Just all over the place, with a lingering prickly ginger heat, which I’m a bit surprised since it’s a mid-teenager. It’s not bad, but I was expecting more from a 16 yr old Islander. Buy, sample or skip—-I’d say skip. Instead buy a Talisker 10, for a true taste of the Islands. Thanks Jason for the pour!

After a bit of research, I quickly realized this isn’t named after the Greek conqueror Alexander the Great. I always wondered what Alexander possibly had in common with whisky. His conquests were from Greece to modern day Pakistan. Nothing to do with Scotland. Instead, much to my chagrin, this was named after King Alexander III, who gave the McKenzie clan a 12 point stag as the clan emblem, after their clan leader saved his ass from a charging stag. Generations later, in mid1800s, a descendent of that clan leader established the Dalmore distillery, and had the 12 point stag as the emblem. Cute backstory. But let’s get to the point that really matters: this whisky, graciously given as a sample by my buddy @LeeEvolved. A bit more research also reveals that there’s really some cask finishing gone overtime here. Normally you get one or two finishes. No, not this one...it’s 6 finishes ! Finished in Kentucky bourbon casks , Jerez Oloroso, Sicilian Marsala, Douro valley port , Cabernet savignon ( maybe France?), and Madeira ( from...guess where? Madeira!). Despite that it’s only 40% ABV, I’m getting this biting heat on the nose. It really needs to sit a bit and calm down. Once it does, you get a mix of aromas—-from berries to caramel to floral. Palette is a step down—was really hoping that it would live up to that nose. Getting more Christmas flavors of nutmeg and oranges. Wouldn’t be a Dalmore if there were no oranges. Fantastic experiment in casks finishing that works wonders on the nose, but really falls apart at the palette. Thanks Lee for the pour!

Two weeks since I’ve had a proper pour —might as well make it count by having a rather hard to come by Weller 107 store pick. I don’t think I’ve had a Weller before, or for that matter maybe even a wheated bourbon. For 107 proof, this is quite smooth and silky. I’m really not the feeling the heat as I should. It’s also sweeter than most bourbons I’ve had; cinnamon roll and oak on the palette, with a long vanillin finish. For $50, this is a no-brainer buy. Thanks to @dubz480 for this generous sample!

The good old days of Macallan are over, and it’s been like that for a while. I don’t want to rehash those good old days, but instead wanted to take this NAS bottle for what it is: an effort to place a premium whisky on the shelves, competing for your dollar against a plethora of others in the same $120 range. With that standard...I think it’s failed. You can do much better for much less. I had a small pour at a tasting ( and yes...I did buy a bottle namely to keep my Edition 2 onwards intact). I don’t get anything special in this pour: aroma of dry fruits and nuts; taste of dates and peaches. If I had to give kudos to one thing—it’s the awesome label color —-but honestly, who gives a rat’s ass about label color. Personally, in just one man’s opinion, I’d be a buyer of this for two reasons only: either to collect as a Macallan Edition bottle, or a fancy gift with a nice label color