Tastes
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This is a blend of pot and column still rums that were aged for a total of 14 years with 3 years in ex-Bourbon and 11 years in ex-sherry casks before being bottled at 62% ABV. So, a warning for those that drink this to proceed with caution as this drinks far hotter than that 62% suggests and my first nosing of it felt as if a black mamba snuck in my glass waiting patiently till I was in striking distance before jumping out to bite the hell out of my nose. Alas, I repeated this process multiple times as I kept adding water until after many drops of water, the mambas finally drowned which allowed for the flavors to emerge starting with a mix of suede, caramelized bananas and light nail polish remover then dark chocolate, musty grapes and toasted coconut followed by gooseberries, mango and sautéed apples that transitions to baking spices and polished mahogany furniture with high ethanol burn. The taste is a medium mouthfeel starting sweet with a mix of creamy sweet tropical fruits before a mild bitter spice that quickly fades to suede, caramelized bananas and light bitter vegetal notes then dark chocolate covered raisins and toasted coconut followed by mango, cherries jubilee and sautéed apples that transitions to baking spices and polished mahogany furniture with high ethanol burn. The finish is medium length light bitter vegetal notes, bananas foster, pineapple, mild black pepper and over steeped black tea. Overall, this is delicious rum that, for me, really needs water to be able to appreciate and unlock those enjoyable tropical fruits along with light vegetal notes, sherry and old wood but this isn’t as polished as I’d hoped from those 14 years of aging that suffers from a mild astringency and bitterness that throws off the experience. Thanks @ctbeck11 for the generous sample and this is a good start to my mini Foursquare series.
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On a recent trip to Rehoboth Beach, I stopped in the Dogfish Head gift shop to see what exclusive beers I could find and stumbled on this Punkin Liqueur. I originally ignored it as I thought it was likely another in the long line of pumpkin themed merchandise released to help increase the obesity rate in the US to one day finally knock Nauru off their #1 pedestal; however, curiosity got the better of me and I decided to at least read the label which informed me that it wasn’t just some hyper sweetened pumpkin infused vodka or gin but was made by distilling their Punkin Ale and further aging it in in their own used rum barrels before finally bottling it at 30% ABV. Alas, they swayed my opinion as I like their Punkin Ale and thought this sounded interesting enough to buy one to give it a chance. The nose starts with a blast of cloves, ginger and sage followed by a lightly sweetened pumpkin pie filling and tropical fruits that then transitions toasted marshmallow, graham cracker crust and dark chocolate with light ethanol burn. The taste is a medium and creamy mouthfeel starting with a blast of sage, cloves, ginger and allspice followed by a lightly sweetened pumpkin pie filling and tropical fruits that then transitions to toasted marshmallow, graham cracker crust and dark chocolate before a mild bitter herbal spice with light ethanol burn. The finish is long with sage, cloves, ginger, toasted marshmallows, lightly sweetened pumpkin pie filling, black pepper and espresso. Wow, I’m impressed as this isn’t as sweet as I was expecting and instead those baking spices come through strong before slowly fading to allow those lightly sweetened pumpkin and tropical fruits through along with mild earthy oak notes that finishes long and lingers for a few minutes after each sip. At the price of $30 for a 375ml, this was a fun purchase that I’d happily buy again as it's an adult version of spicy pumpkin pie in a glass but it unfortunately seems limited to the Rehoboth area for now. Hopefully this was a test run and they end up scaling up for a national release next year, as I’d much rather have a glass of this than a piece of pumpkin pie for my dessert.30.0 USD per Bottle
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Arran 25 Year (Virtual Whisky Tasting - 51.2% ABV)
Single Malt — Islands, Scotland
Reviewed October 5, 2022 (edited November 10, 2022)To finish my Arran exploration, I have a sample of a single cask 25-year old from cask number 1996 / 905 that was distilled on 05/08/1996 and bottled on 12/10/2021 at 50.2% ABV. The nose starts with a mix of creamy mango, dusty old leather-bound books and cigar wrappers then dark chocolate covered dehydrated figs and toasted macadamia nuts followed by musty grapes, pineapple and flambéed bananas that transitions to black tea leaves and freshly lacquered antique furniture with medium ethanol burn. The taste is a medium mouthfeel starting with a mix of creamy mango, dusty old leather-bound books and cigar wrappers then a mild bitter spice that slowly fades to a spicy mocha, figgy pudding and toasted macadamia nuts followed by musty grapes, pineapple and fried bananas that transitions to black tea leaves and freshly lacquered antique furniture with medium ethanol burn. The finish is medium length with caramelized bananas, creamy mango, charred pineapple, chocolate covered espresso beans, black pepper, dusty leather-bound books and polished antique furniture. This is an old oak forward dram that the tropical and sherry fruits are still discernible but almost overpowered by the old oak that has a mild bitter spice on the palate before finishing with an enjoyable mix of tropical fruits, earthiness and old oak. For me, this seems mildly over oaked that could have used less time in the cask to allow those creamy tropical fruits to be more prominent, but I could easily see how someone would love this if they are a fan of a more oaky profile with mild pepper and light fruits. Out of the small flight of Arrans I tried, I found that my favorite turned out to be the 15-year Argonne release but they were all delicious and I’d happily drink any of them again. -
Arran Drumadoon Point
Single Malt — Islands, Scotland
Reviewed September 30, 2022 (edited February 17, 2023)Continuing on my Arran exploration, I have a sample of The Arran Malt 23 Year Explorer Series Volume 4: Drumadoon Point that matured for 23 years in Sherry Puncheons before being bottled at 49.5%. The nose starts with mango, fried plantains and sandalwood then cocoa powder dusted prunes and toasted walnuts followed by lychee, apricot and dehydrated pineapple that transitions to light baking spices, leather and polished oak with medium ethanol burn. The taste is a medium mouthfeel starting with mango, pineapple and sandalwood before a mild bitter spice that slowly fades to cocoa powder dusted prunes and toasted walnuts followed by caramelized pears, apricot and tangerine orange that transitions to light baking spices, leather and mildly bitter black tea with medium ethanol burn. The finish is medium length with mango, dehydrated pineapple, chocolate covered raisins, toasted coconut, black pepper and mildly bitter black tea. The sherry influence is surprisingly light for the 23 years of maturation that instead of being the dominant note it is more of a sweet tropical fruit forward dram that the sherry notes add to the complexity and the wood influence is very light with mild bitter oak that drinks younger than its age. I was really hoping this would beat the 15-year Argonne release, but the flavors aren’t as bold and rich as I’d hoped for and it suffers from a slight off balanced bitterness. It’s still a delicious dram and one that any Arran fan should try if they can find a sample or pour at a reasonable price. -
Arran Rare Batch 15 Year Bourdeaux cask
Single Malt — Island, Scotland
Reviewed September 29, 2022 (edited October 21, 2022)Continuing on my mini Arran exploration is a sample of their single malt that matured for 15 years in French Oak casks that previously held red wine from the Médoc region in Bordeaux and was bottled at 52.8%. The nose starts with freeze dried raspberries, musty grapes and cigar box then dark chocolate covered cherries, espresso, toasted walnuts, and light florals of rose petals followed by salted mango, sautéed apples and charred pineapple that transitions to weathered leather and polished oak with medium ethanol burn. The taste is a medium mouthfeel starting with baked strawberries, musty grapes and cigar box that quickly veers towards a moderate bitter and sour spice that slowly fades to cocoa powder dusted figs, sour cherries, espresso, toasted walnuts, and light florals of rose petals followed by salted mango, caramelized pears and dehydrated apricots that transitions to ginger, cloves, black pepper, weathered leather and mildly bitter black tea with medium ethanol burn. The finish is medium length with cocoa powder dusted figs, strawberry pie, toasted marshmallow, black pepper, freshly lit pipe tobacco and mildly bitter black tea. After 15 years of aging in a wine cask, the wine influence is unsurprisingly front and center on the nose starting with sweet and tart berries along with earthiness, florals, citrus and well-aged oak that carries over to the taste but the balance is off with a moderate spice and mildly bitter tea that finishes on the sweet side with a mix of tobacco and mild bitter tea. Another delicious dram from Arran that has some slight flaws to it, but overall I’d happily drink a glass of this any time. -
ARRAN RARE BATCH 15 YEAR OLD ARGONNE CASK
Single Malt — Island, Scotland
Reviewed September 28, 2022 (edited March 26, 2023)For this release, Arran aged their single malt in French oak casks sourced from the Argonne Forest in north-east France that had previously held wine from a traditional winemaker near the village of Ay for 15 years before bottling it at 53.5%. The nose starts with a mix of creamy mango, pineapple and cedar planks then honeysuckle, rose hips, and chamomile tea followed by mandarin orange, lychee, and caramelized peaches that transitions to cloves, candied ginger and polished leather with no ethanol burn. The taste is a medium mouthfeel starting with a mix of creamy mango, pineapple and cedar planks then honeysuckle, rose hips, and chamomile tea followed by orange blossom, lychee, and passion fruit that transitions to sandalwood incense, candied ginger and polished leather with low ethanol burn. The finish is medium length with persimmons, honeysuckle, sandalwood incense, candied ginger, cloves and polished mahogany. An incredibly unique and expertly balanced dram that started a bit restrained but with some patience the subtle notes slowly emerge to reveal a fruit forward mix of tropical fruits with light cedar along with florals, light citrus and polished oak that drinks far older than the 15 years would indicate. Thanks @DrRHCMadden for bringing this one to my attention as I doubt I would have ordered a sample of it without reading your fantastic review first. -
Lagavulin 12 Year (2021 Special Release)
Single Malt — Islay, Scotland
Reviewed September 27, 2022 (edited September 28, 2022)The nose is bold and rich starting with grilled octopus with a squeeze of lemon juice and dash of sea salt then freshly paved asphalt, light diesel and chamomile tea followed by caramelized pears, dehydrated apricots and grilled pineapple that transitions to gauze bandages and popsicle sticks with low ethanol burn. The taste is a medium to rich mouthfeel starting with grilled octopus with a squeeze of lemon juice and dash of sea salt then a mild pepper spice that slowly fades to freshly paved asphalt, light diesel, honeysuckle and chamomile tea followed by caramelized pears, dehydrated apricots and grilled pineapple that transitions to gauze bandages and popsicle sticks with medium ethanol burn. The finish is medium length with tangy barbecued short ribs, gooseberries, black pepper, gauze bandages and popsicle sticks. This is a big meaty dram that starts with grilled seafood that the richness is cut with sweet and sour citrus and mild salt along with earthy minerality, diesel and mild floral notes that all work in balance to create a beautifully composed whisky that drinks far lower than its proof. Thanks so much @PBMichiganWolverine for sharing this one. -
Craigellachie 23 Year
Single Malt — Speyside, Scotland
Reviewed September 22, 2022 (edited September 25, 2022)To finish off my exploration through some of the Craigellachie releases is a sample of their 23 year that @ctbeck11 was generous to provide. The nose starts with a mix of mango, flambéed bananas, charred pineapple, and freshly lit pipe tobacco then hay bales, vanilla cream puff, candied pecans and chocolate covered chewy caramels followed by sautéed apples, mandarin orange and watermelon hard candy that transitions to white pepper, cloves, leather and polished antique furniture with low ethanol burn. The taste is a rich and oily mouthfeel starting with creamy fruits of mango, flambéed bananas, charred pineapple and freshly lit pipe tobacco then chocolate covered toasted marshmallow, honeysuckle, rosemary and butterscotch caramels followed by pear tarte, mandarin oranges and caramelized peaches that transitions to white pepper, cloves, leather and polished antique furniture with medium ethanol burn. The finish is long with creamy tropical fruits, hay bales, dark chocolate, freshly lit pipe tobacco, rosemary, leather and polished antique furniture. This is a spectacular dram that all the flavors found on the 17 year have carried over with a mix of creamy rich tropical fruits, farmyard, tobacco, herbs and polished antique furniture that the extra years have polished out any remaining sourness while improving the mouthfeel to be rich and velvety with a long and luscious fruity finish. -
Craigellachie 17 Year
Single Malt — Speyside, Scotland
Reviewed September 21, 2022 (edited October 10, 2023)Continuing my exploration through some of the Craigellachie releases, I have a sample of their 17 year. The nose starts with a mix of mango, charred pineapple, and freshly lit pipe tobacco then hay bales, vanilla cream brûlée, candied pecans and chocolate covered chewy caramels followed by sautéed apples, mandarin orange and watermelon hard candy that transitions to white pepper, cloves, leather and polished antique furniture with low ethanol burn. The taste is a medium to full mouthfeel starting with creamy fruits of mango, charred pineapple and freshly lit pipe tobacco then toasted marshmallow, honeysuckle, rosemary and chocolate covered chewy caramels followed by sautéed apples, mandarin oranges and caramelized peaches that transitions to white pepper, cloves, leather and polished antique furniture with medium ethanol burn. The finish is medium length with creamy tropical fruits, hay bales, freshly lit pipe tobacco, rosemary, leather and polished antique furniture. Wow, those additional 4 years of aging have really polished out those sour citrus notes found on the 13 leaving creamy tropical fruits and caramelized orchard fruits along with polished antique furniture that the flavors are bolder and richer than the 13 year. For me, this is far better than the 13 that carries a higher price of around $150+, but I think the refinement and bolder flavors really help justify its price. -
Craigellachie 13 Year Armagnac Cask Finish
Single Malt — Speyside, Scotland
Reviewed September 20, 2022 (edited December 27, 2022)One of the many drams enjoyed during our ( @Richard-ModernDrinking , @ctbeck11 , @PBMichiganWolverine and @Bourbon_Obsessed_Lexington ) quarterly virtual tasting was this Craigellachie 13 finished in Bas-Armagnac casks that was kindly provided by @Richard-ModernDrinking The nose starts with a mix of musty grapes, mango, lime and smoking matchstick then hay bales, vanilla cream puff and chocolate covered chewy caramels followed by prunes, tangerine and ruby red grapefruit that transitions to white pepper, cloves and dusty leather-bound books with low ethanol burn. The taste is a medium mouthfeel starting with creamy fruits of musty grapes, mango, pineapple and a mild matchstick smoke then vanilla cream puff, honeysuckle, rosemary and chocolate covered chewy caramels followed by prunes, tangerine and caramelized nectarines that transitions to white pepper, cloves, leather-bound books and light polished oak with medium ethanol burn. The finish is medium length with musty grapes, creamy tropical fruits, light matchstick smoke, white pepper, cloves, and dusty leather-bound books. Similar to the regular 13, the nose is fairly restrained but with time the flavors began to emerge with light musty grapes leading underscored by tropical fruits and mild sulfur smoke along with creamy sweets, slightly sour fruits and light dusty leather-bound books that carried over to the palate with richer and bolder flavors than on the nose with a light Armagnac presence leading along with creamy sweet tropical fruits underscored by a light sulfuric smoke along with herbs, creamy sweets, caramelized citrus fruits and light dusty leather-bound books that finished medium length with musty grapes upfront before creamy fruits which fade into mild sulfur, spices and light dusty leather-bound books. Another delightful release from Craigellachie that the Armagnac influence is very restrained which adds light musty grapes and leather-bound books to the regular 13-year-old profile. In a side by side with the regular vs the Armagnac finish, I’d say they are extremely close, but the Armagnac manages to edge out the regular for me with those musty and old book notes. At a price between $65-70, I think this is well worth the cost.
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