Tastes

Thanks to Lee----as part of our sampling team, this was a bonus, in addition to the regular Scottish distilleries. Wow. That's all I can say. Thick candied corn, all wrapped in vanilla sugar. I just did a search for pricing...it's amazing to see the difference between retail and manufacturer's. I can see why...

This takes some getting used to it. Just when you think you're going to have a gentle honey heather Speysider, it then comes at you in a totally different guise. Thanks to Richard, I got to try this twist on Balvenie. Tasted blind, I could've sworn I was having a Yoichi 10. The peat isn't anything like an Islay or even Islander, it's missing the briny or medicinal depth that they provide. The closest I can think of is Yoichi. Unlike a regular Balvenie, which is for everybody, I don't think this would appeal to all. The Islay lovers going in expecting the Laphroaig medicinal or Ardbeg tar type peat will be disappointed. The Islanders loving the salty peat will be disappointed. But if you like the Yoichi style---yes---then you'll appreciate this unique twist. That peat is earthier, muddier, more mushroom-y. Try it...if you don't like it, at least you'd have experienced a unique Balvenie, one that comes at you with some chest hair. Thanks Richard! Personally, I think I'm going to see if I can buy a bottle

< This review is specifically for a Maltbarn 44 yr old 1972 Invergordan that I had picked up from my travel > We're now in round 3 in our little Scottish distillery sampling team ( I'm guessing maybe 4-5 more rounds to go before we cover all the Scottish active distilleries ), and I supplied this as part of a "bonus" offering (in essence...something we find interesting enough to share outside the distilleries we normally sign up to provide). So...onto the review. I recently saw that new Spiderman movie, you know, the one where Spiderman is just a young teenager, getting mentored by Iron Man. Marisa Tomei played the character of Aunt May. Most of us grew up with Aunt May as this older grandmotherly woman. Well, Marisa throws that notion upside down. She aged so well, she's anything but grandmotherly type. Point is...she brings this certain " wow, she looks amazing" factor and turns the notion of a white haired older feeble grandmother upside down. Well, the 44 yr old Invergordan reminded me of that. You think "grain whisky" and immediately have these notions of lighter fluid. But, it goes to show that as you get up there in age, for some good grain whisky, that notion is turned upside down. I'm not going to do any more justice in tasting notes than Lee's excellent review below---so, I'll just leave y'all with the image of Marisa Tomei. ;-)

If you've ever sat at the beach, picked up some sand, and smelled it...that's what this smells like. Wet sand and salty ocean air. Taste doesn't disappoint. A sweet under-current hides on a layer of salinity and brine. Sort of like having s'mores on the beach, really close to the seawater. The Islander salinity and Portuguese Madeira seems like a happy marriage. Mine was just a sample I had bought, but now I'm wishing I got the full bottle.

This was my 2nd contribution for our round 3 in our little Scottish distillery trading team. I'm gonna keep this brief...I sampled this sorry piece of liquid after a sample of the Glenfiddich Age of Discovery 19 yr old, which probably wasn't fair to,this. My mother always told me that if I had nothing nice to say, I should simply not say anything. So...end of my review on this one. Lee/Paul/ Scott/Ryan---sorry this is a dud.

This is one of my contributions in our little Scottish distilleries sample trading team, specifically to represent an offering from Glenfiddich. You simply can't go wrong with this one, it's safe and elegant, without any rough edges or challenging aromas. Almonds and vanilla greet you as soon as you pop the cork. Palette is elegant eastern spices like nutmeg, cloves and more vanilla. Has no burn. Out of the Glenfiddiches I've tried, this is probably my new favorite ( was XX previously). Very refined, well balanced...austere comes to mind. It's amazing how an extra one year adds to the depth of this Glenfiddich over the 18, which I find rough and almost bland. If you're looking to impress the in-laws over the holidays, this is the gift pop open after a hearty Thanksgiving meal.

From the bottle I have, seems like it's 3 casks from 2007, 4 casks from 2006, 2 casks from 2008, and 1 cask from 2002. Website doesn't say what type of casks though; just 10 casks, 4 vintages, 1 barley type, and 6 cask types. Would've been useful to know what type of casks.

( NOTE: my review is specifically for the Haig Gold Label Late George V, which was bottled in 1940. ) , After 10 days of vacation in Oregon and having nothing but Willamette valley Pinot Noirs, I was looking forward to coming back to whisky. I finally opened this up tonight: a bottle gifted to me ( or rather left behind unknowingly) by my in-laws---a Haig blended malt from 1940. My father in law was a big fan of this back in the 50s when he was at Cambridge. Not sure the age or even which region. It's interesting to try something this old, gives an indication of what folks liked back then ( and now I clearly understand why the Brora, Rosebank, and Karuizawa never had a chance---they were too ahead of their time.) This was quite popular then...and showcases a taste profile from 80 years ago. This needs to sit out in the glass a while. It's been stagnant way too long. It needs a bit of oxidation to open up. Nose is faint, like varnish almost. Taste: a bit too sweet for my preferences, like candy corn dipped in corn syrup. Coffee. Blanched almonds--some off putting notes like it's been stale just way too long. No finish. Definately not my style---but I'm really grateful for trying something this old, and this rare---I don't think the George V version is available anymore. For at least decades. I don't feel it's fair to give something like this any stars, but to simply enjoy a piece of history (and appreciate the times we currently live in as well ). I could've kept it as a collector item...but what the heck---we live only once.

"Thanks to Ryan as part of our distillery trading team, I got to sample this piece of sheer art. I really haven't had many bourbons, I'm more of a red wine or Scotch guy...but if I were to convert, these are the ones that would make me do it. This is just a pleasure to drink. Indulgently rich, like the best vanilla infused dark chocolate you can find from the top tier Belgian or French houses. I found religion tonight, and it came in the form of a reddish mahogany bourbon. Thanks Ryan for the treat."