Tastes

As a sendoff to a long-time friend, I decided to finally crack open this 40-year-old Caledonian that was bottled by Diageo for their 2015 special release and was priced at $1400 retail. With an ultra-premium price tag, you’d rightly expect some primo packaging; however, Diageo didn’t opt for the bottle porn eye-catching crystal decanter or even a fancy wooden box and instead went for a run of the mill clear glass bottle with an individualized bottle numbered label inside a gargantuan paper box with some ill-fitting ribbons inside to help remove the bottle, along with a teeny tiny book describing the Caledonian distillery. With that price, lackluster packaging and a consumer aware that they can get 40+ year Caledonian for under $400 with a fancy wooden box from independent bottlers, these bottles have sat as shelf turds for the last 6 years. I can only assume that my bottle sat begrudgingly gazing as customers one by one passed by it quietly or not so quietly mocking it, while choosing some other bottle to take home, until the price was drastically reduced by $900 to a clearance price of $500 that prompted me to splurge, help that poor liquor store clean up a bottle turd in their Scotch aisle and give it a chance based solely on my amazing prior experience with an independent bottled single cask Caledonian. Here’s hoping this blended version by Diageo was worth that $500. The nose starts with floral notes of honeysuckle and orange blossom then a mix of cereal and fruit with Apple Jacks cereal, peach ring candy, lemon gum drops then roasted macadamia nuts and vanilla gelato followed by very light oak spices of a whole cinnamon stick, dill and freshly fallen autumn leaves along a hiking trail with no ethanol burn. The taste starts with a honeycomb waxy mouthfeel that coats your mouth starting with floral notes of honeysuckle and orange blossom then fruit notes of apple jolly rancher, caramelized peaches over vanilla gelato, lemon head candy then comes roasted macadamia nuts followed by fronds of dill and lightly steeped black tea that slowly fades to antique leather armchair with light ethanol burn. The finish is long with honey suckle, orange blossom, roasted macadamia nuts, vanilla creme brûlée, mandarin orange slices, peach rings and antique leather armchair that lingers for minutes. This is an exceptional whisky that has aged well through the 40+ years in the casks that starts with an aromatic mix of florals, toasted cereal, candied citrus fruits, nuts and mild oak that carries over to the palate but the balance is slightly off that veers towards a mild bitterness mid-palate before dissipating into the long finish that brings back the pleasant mix from the nose and lingers for minutes. For the cost, I thought this would exceed my prior independent bottled single cask Caledonian experience, but the single cask seemed to provide a better balance of flavors that flowed effortlessly with no bitterness compared to this one and cost under $400. Perhaps this will open up with time and improve, but as of today it’s not better than some whiskies out there that can be had for under $200.

The nose starts with maraschino cherries and caramelized peaches over vanilla ice cream with some caramel drizzle followed by circus peanuts, dark chocolate, jalapeño cream cheese poppers and charred whole wheat toast with medium ethanol burn. The taste is a medium mouthfeel starting with caramel flan, maraschino cherries and grilled peaches coated in brown sugar followed by circus peanuts, dark chocolate and jalapeño peppers with a highly charred piece of whole wheat toast and medium ethanol burn that finishes medium length with circus peanuts, dark chocolate, peaches, sour cherries, leather and medium charred whole wheat toast. Overall, the nose is very enjoyable bringing in traditional bourbon notes with some mild spice and bread notes that carries over to the taste before the mid-palate goes towards a medium spice and tannic bitterness that throws the balance off but then slowly fades away to allow those traditional bourbon notes and charred bread back in the medium length finish. A huge thank you to @ctbeck11 and @PBMichiganWolverine for the samples provided for me to be able to try this one.

So far, my short exploration into Mortlach has been quite incredible and to finish this run is a sample from @Richard-ModernDrinking of this 25 year old bottled by Gordon and Macphail that I’ve been looking forward to for quite a while. The nose starts with floral grassy notes and light sherry influence with Raisinette candy then light sulfur and minerality that fade but remain in the background of blood oranges and baked apples followed by a light spice of white pepper and dusty leather-bound books with light ethanol burn. The taste is a medium mouthfeel starting with sherry influence of musty grapes, high percentage dark chocolate and fresh figs followed by some vanilla blossom floral notes then a light sulfur and minerality that gracefully transitions to citrus fruits of blood oranges and apple peel leading to a light spice of white pepper, cloves and dusty leather-bound books with light ethanol burn. The finish is long with light sherry sulfur, dark chocolate, fresh figs, blood oranges, dunnage floors, and dusty leather-bound books that lingers for minutes. This is simply a stunning whisky with an incredible balance of those rich sherry notes with some medium citrus, light florals, minerality and very old oak that flows harmoniously together creating a masterpiece of liquid art. I was very close to giving this a 5, but in a side by side comparison to my favorite Hazelburn 13(2020), the flavors were a bit more subdued, likely due to the lower ABV causing me to lower my rating slightly. On a quick google search, it appears that these are still widely available for under $250 which is surprising for the quality and age considering that’s nearly the same price if not less than the Mortlach 20 year and this is by far superior to the 20 year. I’ll have to add it to my whisky shopping list for next time I place an order and another huge thank you to @Richard-ModernDrinking for the generous pour of this gem.

The nose starts with a rich caramel and sherry mixture along with dark chocolate covered figs, baked apples, Welch’s grape juice then blood orange frosted vanilla scones followed by a light sulfur, minerality and floral notes of cherry blossoms before light barrel spices and old dusty leather-bound books with light ethanol burn. The taste is a medium-full mouthfeel starting with a rich sherry caramel along with grape must, dark chocolate covered figs, baked apples, then charred blood oranges, vanilla pound cake followed by a light sulfur and floral notes of cherry blossoms before light barrel spices and old dusty leather-bound books with light ethanol burn. The finish is medium length with blood orange, vanilla scones, light minerality, dark chocolate covered figs, grape must, light sulfur, baked apple pie and old dusty leather-bound books. This is a very well-aged whisky that is incredibly balanced with light sherry, citrus, floral, minerality and old oak on the nose that thankfully delivers the same consistent balance of flavors on the palate before slowly fading on the finish. There are really no flaws to this whisky, but I wish this was bottled higher than the 43.4% to intensify the flavors along with a richer mouthfeel to help me justify the premium cost of $200+. I’d probably pick one of these up for the cost of less than $180, but for now I’ll be happy with the sample and be on the lookout for it at a discounted price.

I’ve never tried anything from Mortlach before but thankfully I can cross them off the list now that @ContemplativeFox was generous enough to provide a sample of this GoT gimmick that was aged for 15 years matured in a combination of first-fill oloroso sherry and ex-bourbon casks and bottled at 46%. The nose starts with a smoky banana leaf wrapped Hawaiian Kalua pork dish with cooked pineapples then comes some light sherry sulfur along with dark chocolate covered figs and stewed cinnamon apples with a light smoke and minerality hovering in the background followed with candied ginger, barrel spices, leather and polished oak with a medium ethanol burn. The taste is a medium mouthfeel starting sweet with caramel covered baked apples, Hawaiian sweet rolls and charred pineapple before descending into the meaty smoky banana leaf wrapped Hawaiian Kalua pork dish followed by a light sherry sulfur along with dark chocolate covered figs that builds into a mild spice that quickly fades to candied ginger, barrel spices, leather and polished oak with medium ethanol burn. The finish is medium length with charcoal ambers, Hawaiian sweet rolls, stewed cinnamon caramel covered apples, dark chocolate covered figs, a light sulfur, ginger, leather and polished oak. When I first opened the sample, it smelt similar to a mezcal with bowling alley smoke or shopping the tire section at Walmart, but after 20 minutes resting in the glencairn, it opened up to a Hawaiian barbecue feast with fruits, light sherry influence, minerality and well balanced oak that continues on the palate with a surprise of Hawaiian sweet rolls to add to the notes from the nose that transitions harmoniously from one note to the next with a mild spice and finishes medium length without the meat, but the sweet bread, fruits, light sherry and oak remain to help wrap up this delicious liquid Hawaiian Luau. This was a real treat and I’ve heard that these can be found for a significant price reduction from their original retail price of $150. If you happen to find one of these under $100, grab one or two, as I’m on the lookout now to add one to my collection.

The nose starts with raspberry coulis, orange slices and apple chips followed light floral note of vanilla blossom along with whole nutmeg before a freshly poured walnut brown ale with light ethanol burn. The taste is a thin mouthfeel starting with raspberry sorbet, orange zest and apple juice followed by light floral notes of vanilla blossom before a medium spice that fades to ginger, walnut brown bread and dark chocolate with light ethanol burn that finishes medium length with walnut brown bread, dark chocolate, orange zest, fresh raspberries and light oak. Another easy sipper from Glenmorangie with a balance of light flavors that could use a higher ABV to really intensify the flavors and create a richer mouthfeel as this seems watered down. Of the samples tried, this is probably my favorite of the week that slightly edges out the rest, then tied are Nectar d’Or and Quinta Ruban 14 year, followed by 10 year and lastly Lasanta. Thanks @Richard-ModernDrinking for the generous sample of this to try and wrap up this mediocre week of Glenmorangie.

The nose starts with lemon sorbet, orange blossom and fresh cut Fuji apples then comes some light nuttiness leaning towards walnuts with vanilla creme brûlée that transitions to black pepper, light barrel spices and toasted sourdough bread with medium ethanol burn. The taste is a thin-medium mouthfeel starting with star anise baked pears, lemon zest, orange blossom and apple pie then comes some light nuttiness with vanilla seeds that transitions to black pepper, light barrel spices and challah bread with medium ethanol burn. The finish is medium length with star anise baked pears, apple pie, vanilla seeds, cracked black pepper, challah bread. Glenmorangie definitely has a style that as @ctbeck11 said is “light, citrusy, easy sipping, and generally forgettable.” Out of the four tried so far, this is probably my favorite but I could also lean towards Quinta Ruban depending if I was in the mood for red or white dessert wine that day followed by the 10yr and lastly Lasanta. This has a lot of Sauternes characteristics with it with a balance of citrus fruits, nuttiness, light spice and bready notes, but if given the choice to drink this or a glass of actual Sauternes, I’d probably just take the glass of Sauternes. A big thanks to @ctbeck11 for the sample of this to try.

The nose starts with strawberry and cherry cream cheese turnovers then some light caramel apple followed by candied ginger, cloves and light oak with medium ethanol burn. The taste is a thin mouthfeel starting with strawberry and cherry cream cheese turnovers then some light caramel apple followed by cracked black pepper, candied ginger, cloves and light oak with medium ethanol burn that finishes medium length with baked strawberry pie, caramel apple, a mild spice, cracked black pepper, barrel spices and light oak. This has a pleasant and balanced mix of dark berries, citrus, fresh baked pastries, and some light baking spices but it’s still just slightly above average due to the thin mouthfeel and lightness of those flavors that would benefit from a higher ABV to create a richer mouthfeel and increase the intensity of those flavors. For a light easy sipping summer Scotch while hanging out in a mankini, sunbathing in a kiddy pool, this might do the trick. A huge thanks to @ctbeck11 for the sample and a possible Scotch to allow my wife to do a few more eyerolls at me if I buy a kiddy pool to test this one out.

The nose starts with slightly charred cinnamon raisin bread with light burnt match sulfur then comes some sour cherries and apple pie filling before barrel spices and a tannic smell between used black tea bag and old wet log with light ethanol burn. The taste is a thin mouthfeel starting with apple pie filling and sour cherries then charred cinnamon raisin toast with burnt match that quickly turns overly bitter and spicy with a Sichuan pepper along with used black tea leaves along with medium ethanol burn that finishes medium length with sour cherries, high percentage dark chocolate, sulfur, burnt cinnamon raisin toast and used espresso grounds. In comparison with the 10 year, I prefer the 10 as this isn’t as balanced and the sherry finishing brings a sulfur note along with some tannic oak that overpowers the mid-palate blocking the rest of the flavors from coming through. If you’re a fan of eating burnt cinnamon raisin toast with some sour cherry and apple jam while sipping some extra-long steeped black tea in a room with some burning matches to complete the experience, this might be your jam, but it’s just not for me. A big thanks to @ctbeck11 for the sample for my review.

The nose starts with lemon lime soda along with pan fried bananas then comes a bitter orange zest followed with grassy floral notes, ginger, nutmeg and light oak with a low ethanol burn. The taste is a thin mouthfeel starting with orange blossom, honey dew and pan-fried bananas that transitions to a light bitterness, ginger, cloves, nutmeg and light oak with low ethanol burn that finishes short with orange blossom, honey dew, caramelized bananas and light oak. This is an easy sipping fruity and floral whisky with pleasant notes that doesn’t have any off notes, but doesn’t provide anything compelling for me to really desire stocking a full bottle. I’d happily drink this with friends where a whole bottle won’t last the night because it is a solid sipper that won’t offend anyone or break the bank and that’s exactly what this should be. A big thanks to @ctbeck11 for the sample of this one for me to try.