Tastes
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Laphroaig 15 Year 200th Anniversary
Single Malt — Islay , Scotland
Reviewed July 10, 2017 (edited September 3, 2017)I bought this bottle from my stash over to my cousin's a few weeks ago. He invited a few family members for his daughter's party. She just had got accepted to Univ of Pennsylvania's pre-med. So...the segmentation in this party were about a dozen or so 16-18 yr old teens, a few less than 10 yr olds, and then about 4 or 5 of us in the 35+ age category. As soon as I opened this, I overheard one teen say " oh no, I smell smoke". Another promptly replied "no, it's okay...I think the smell is from those old folks there.". Great. Now that I was labeled a smelly old guy, I can now get to my Laphroaig without further delay. Sweet smoke it is. You can smell a sweet peat immediately. Taste doesn't disappoint. More sweet smoke, with a hefty dose of sea salt, medicinal iodine, and dark chocolate. It's just a brutish as its 10 yr old sibling, but with a more refined elegance to it. If this is what " old people" smell like...I'm gonna be doing a lot of voluntary services at our local community senior citizen center... -
I don't think I've ever had a Bunna before, seems like a hidden little gem in Islay, operating in the shadows of it's popular brethren like Lag, Laph, Ardbeg, and even Caol Ila. This was a true pleasure. I had a dram during our monthly date night this past Saturday. I noticed this lonely bottle sitting on the shelf, nestled between a Knob Creek and Jim Beam ( strange product placement). It's amazing how complex this is, considering I couldn't taste the traditional Islay layers of peat, but just salinity and hazelnut sweetness. Almost like a salted caramel in a maritime setting. I'm sure this has got to be cheaper than a similarly aged Ardbeg, Lagavulin, or Laphroaig...so, in my mind, a great VFM. Need to seek out a full bottle.
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I've always been a fan of Campbeltown; just something about it's charcoal-y smoke combined with floral and citrusy aromas. Thanks to Richard@ModernDrinking, I got to sample this. I'm that much more appreciative considering how rare this one is; it's discontinued now. The aromas and flavors are like Springbank 10, except a bit more nuanced on the smoke and intensity. Maybe because of the usage of various casks? If you're a fan of Springbank, but want someting a bit gentler with more fruits and nuts on the palette, this would be right up your alley. Well balance, austere, and complex enough to make you want to come back for more. After having this, I immediately took a look at our Total Wine site for Union, NJ...all sold out. If you find it, worthwhile sipper. Thanks Richard!
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Bluecoat American Dry Gin
Modern Gin — Pennsylvannia, USA
Reviewed July 7, 2017 (edited January 22, 2023)My first gin. This is how it all begins. This reminds me of a book my daughter used to read called "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie...". One thing leads to another, and it's escalated 10 fold. Back in college, you start with your first beer. In no time at all, you're then sipping locally made craft beer from organic farm-to-table ingredients. Then, you have your first wine. Soon enough, you're sipping Willamette Valley Pinot Noirs, talking about differences in vintages and terroir. Then, you get your first taste of whiskey. Before you know it, you're hoarding Karuizawas, Hanyus, and Broras hoping that you'll soon open it (or sell it). You then up the game to mezcal. Before you know it, you're standing in the middle of some dusty Oaxacan village sipping freshly barreled mezcal while petting Chico, that sleepy-eyed donkey pulling the stone wheel grinding the agave hearts. Yup. That's how it all starts. So...now it's gin. Thanks to GeologyJack, I had my very first gin. I'm not going to rate it, since I have no idea if it's good or bad...but...yeah, I liked it. Felt like sucking on a pine needle while walking through cool mountain air. Thanks GeologyJack! Would I buy a bottle? No. Because as much as I liked it, just like "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie", I'll then soon be looking at a Christmas tree wondering what it'll taste like distilled as gin. -
The Glenrothes Sherry Cask Reserve
Single Malt — Speyside, Scotland
Reviewed July 6, 2017 (edited October 21, 2024)Thanks to Matt, I got to sample this one. I've not had many Glenrothes before, maybe one I think (bourbon cask). This makes for a really good daily dram----a smooth honey profile with baked pie crust and chocolate. Finish is slightly bitter, but a tad bit of water calms that out. I'd highly recommend this to a newbie in Scotch. Very non confrontational, smooth and with a bit of depth because of the Sherry cask. -
Thanks to Ryan, as part of our little Scottish Distillery sample trading team, I got to try this core component that makes up Dewar's. I'm not sure if I ever had Dewar's. Maybe I had. Maybe not. Wasn't memorable either way. Which is surprising, because this was pretty good. Sweet honey and toffee, white chocolate. Really well balanced. I think if you're a seasoned Scotch drinker, this might be too simplistic and one dimensional for you, but this is perfect for the newbie, or a beer drinker curious about Scotch. It's inoffensive, mild, and well balanced without any rough "kick me in the face" peaty flavors. Would I buy a bottle? Probably not. But, I wouldn't refuse a sample either. Thanks Ryan for this! ( Scott...your samples are next in our round 2...finally finished Paul's, Lee's, and Ryan's)
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Highland Park Valkyrie
Single Malt — Islands, Scotland
Reviewed June 29, 2017 (edited November 9, 2018)At a business dinner this evening, I noticed this at the bar. I had to wonder---was this good enough to carry forward the HP brand, or would it simply exemplify their pushing more NAS with fancy Viking stories in lieu of good quality aged versions? At $17 / ounce, I thought it was outrageously priced (and we can't expense in alcohol despite it being a business dinner). Nose is smoked orchard fruits like apples and peaches. Palette---toffee, spice, some salinity and a wrapper of peat. It can't hold a candle against the 18, and it pales in comparison to even the 12. This is young. I'm glad I tried it out first, not sure I'd buy a bottle, at least when I can do better with the 12. On a side note, I did notice this had a screw on cork. The liquid was simply "meh", but I have to admit, pretty fancy bottling and corking. Unfortunately, I'm not iin favor of replacing good quality liquid for fancy bottles and cork tops. -
WhistlePig 15 Year Estate Oak Rye
Rye — (bottled in) Vermont, Canada
Reviewed June 28, 2017 (edited March 9, 2018)Excellent rye---thanks to Richard @ModernDrinking for the sample! Baked Christmas pastries on the nose followed by a strong lingering taste of warm spices like nutmeg and cinnamon, with a heavy vanilla influence. After the High West MIdwinter, my favorite new rye. Thanks Richard! -
Thanks to Matt Rice---I got to try this rum. I'm not familiar with rum as much, had very few experiences. And that's by design...with a penchant for red wine, whisk(e)y, and mezcal....I can't financially afford to grow fond of any other spirit or alcohol. Also, I have no idea whether rum is to be drunk neat or mixed. But, this one here----I'd have a hard time buying that it's meant for mixed drinks. You get a sugar and burnt caramel on the nose, but the mouth I was surprised to get a little bit of grassy elements. I guess it doesn't let you forget that sugar is really a type of grass. Not sure what the price is on this...but, if you're a rum fan, this one is a no-brainer to have on your shelf. On a side note...I don't get the 23 years age...I would've thought that at that age, you'd get more wood, especiallynconsodering the tropical climate. Was surprised that wasn't the case. Either way, it's really good...and thanks to Matt for the sample!
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Mezcales de Leyenda Durango
Mezcal Joven — Durango, Mexico
Reviewed June 25, 2017 (edited February 5, 2018)Opened this up last night with some friends over. While in Mexico City, I attended a class on making mole negro, so I tried it out last night and paired the mole with this Mezcal. It lacks the earthen smoke of your typical Mezcal, but instead makes it up with a unique floral minerality---almost as if you rubbed lavender and chamomile on clay. Quite unique. It especially paired well with a spicy mole sauce. For $50, really a must have for Mezcal enthusiasts.
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