Tastes

Gifts are a funny thing, especially from family. I was impressed when a family member (who is not one for selecting whiskies) presented this bottle of Tullibardine 500 Sherry Finish to me. I tend to be a gift minimalist, in that there's not much I need and more often than not, I hold onto well-intended gifts for too long out of guilt. Tullibardine claims a long history in Scotland as a drink purveyor since 1488. In the case of Tullibardine 500, this whisky spends time in both ex bourbon barrels and Spanish sherry cask butts. Nose is festive: clove, honey, apple and orange rind feels like a hot toddy by itself. Sip brings a rush of heat and visions of spiced sugar plums and oak with a relatively short finish. While this whisky may not inspire me to start dancing the Nutcracker, this whisky carries a sweetness and soul of the sherry cask that housed it that does make me smile. Tullibardine 500 is perfect for lovers of deep spice and sherry. What the spice rush detracts (for me) is made up for with its elegant, embossed, heavy-bottomed glass bottle. 7.5/10

I love Trader Joe's. My American friends laugh at me, because it is an unexciting part of their neighbourhood scenery. For me, it's a destination whenever I cross the border. While on a trip to California, I was shocked to see liquor on their shelves (rules vary state to state) including Trader Joe's Speyside Single Malt Scotch. This 18 year old whisky was distilled in 1998 and matured in oak casks (...and is one bottle amongst 500 produced cases). Its nose smells of the oak cask and candied orange. Later, floral honey and vanilla join in. My first sip brings a sudden heatwave that subsides at the pace it arrives. I find this scotch savoury like saltines and a bit oily, carrying oak and a hint of citrus with it. It has a fairly short, dry finish with an air of peat and cereal. This whisky is not that complicated, but for the price point, would be easy to sip when you're not craving a "fancy" bottle. I think this would be even better on ice. 7.25/10

Don't sleep on Irish whisky. While some pale, there are a few that are drams to savour to their last drop. Redbreast 12 is one of those for me.  This whiskey's nose provides wheat, honey and apricots which (for some odd reason) gives me imagery of a quiet farm in the countryside. Over time, a more rich, steeped tea-like aroma comes to life. Redbreast 12 is light, and effortless to drink neat. Initial notes of oak and light sherry appear with pear on my inhale. There's a savory moment amongst additional orange and biscuit notes. There's a slight cayenne pepper wrap-up amidst a fairly subtle, sweet and dry finish. I'll blame its fleeting finish for wanting to drink more. 8.5/10

Mackmyra is the first malt whisky distillery in Sweden. I recall taking a "window shopping" trip with a friend to a local liquor store and we were taken aback when we noticed the First Edition of Mackmyra Single Malt on the shelf: "Sweden makes whisky?" My first impression of the nose is "Nordic in a bottle." Floral, apple, grass and crisp mountain air caressing pine trees. Later on, this nose transitions to a sultry citrus and caramel duo.  My early sips bring mouth tingling heat, subtle peat, and a minimalist's approach to caramel and orange. Over time, this similar flavour combination deepens with an addition of oak and star anise. For a lighter tasting whisky, the finish is surprisingly long with a dash of peppercorn. While this has a modest palate, I don't believe that whiskies need to blast you with spice, peat and sherry to have you take notice. I appreciate Mackmyra First Edition's uniqueness which fulfils the label text of being "a whisky for you who live life less ordinary." Mackmyra is certainly true to its name. 8/10

This was a week where I got by "with a little help from my friends." Truthfully, I was having some lonely moments and was surprised to hear a knock at my door. Lo and behold, a good friend came by to deliver some tasty treats and say hello. This evening, I smile with a happy heart. Before I tuck into dessert, I set out to try Glenfiddich 15 Solera Reserve. This nose begins with a flat sherry tone that evolves into a vanilla and clove party culminating with honey. Glenfiddich 15 Solera Reserve is smooth but spicy! To me, the ethanol, spice profile and young oak tannin punch overwhelm my palate from other flavours shining through. I was hoping for a more cohesive flavour journey for a spirit aged with the Solera process. Through its warming medium-paced finish, citrus, smoke and honey shine through for a welcome reprieve.  This improved with time in glass though I prefer this one on ice.  6.5/10

I love getting whisky recommendations. Even moreso when they're not super expensive! I saw Bearface Triple Oak and its striking embossed bottle (the torn label is a nice touch) in my local liquor store so into my cart it went. This whisky is aged for 7 years in ex bourbon barrels, French oak red wine barrels and Hungarian oak barrels for its trifecta. Bearface Triple Oak has an initial light, inoffensive nose of mellow malt and oak. After a few minutes, a stunning, rich maple syrup flavour debuts. I kept coming back to sniff my glass; the nose improved more as time went on. It has a less-sweet flavour profile than some other Canadian whiskies. This is oak-forward, punctuated by tingling pepper, baking spice and a subdued maple tune in the background. Red currants and caramel emerge in a relatively short finish. This whisky is quite easy to drink, even moreso on ice. Better than your average Canadian whisky. 7.75/10

In a controversial win, Crown Royal's Northern Harvest Rye took the 2016 Best Whisky award. While rumored to vary greatly among batch numbers, it was met with great cynicism and critique. I've had a tiny bottle on my bar for a while and figured that I may as well finally open it, hot on the heels of another Canadian rye win. The nose gives me a rustic mix of hay, green apple and malt. Sips are peppery and subside quickly to sweet candied fruit. Northern Harvest feels quite light and has a short, dry finish with a peppermint refreshing quality. Truthfully, I enjoy the nose more than the palate. This rye is easy to drink, but it lacks the nuance and precision that I admire in my other personal "best of" whiskies.  7/10

When I heard that Alberta Premium Cask Strength Rye was the recipient of the 2021 World Whisky of the Year, I knew I had to try it. Previous Canadian rye whiskies have been controversial in this list, so I tempered my excitement. Patience is a virtue with this one. I recommend giving this rye time to breathe. Its early nose was very light. I had a moment of "is my nose broken?" since I only sensed light ethanol. After ~5 minutes, apricot and honey shined through. But my goodness, does the flavour carry a personality! A tidal wave of spices and tannins rush over you and wane to a medium lip-tingling finish. Allspice, peppercorn and cinnamon (oh my!). With time, the initial fairly-thin mouthfeel evolves to a more-creamy experience with notes of maple, vanilla and oak.  Truthfully, I still had high expectations for this award winner. I was initially slightly disappointed and bumped up my score throughout my tasting session. As a cask strength, this rye benefits from being slightly diluted with a few drops of water. Water curbs the heat (though you get used to it anyways) but allows the rye grains to dazzle. I do think its spice-forward nature would benefit an old fashioned and other festive cocktails too. I love the cut-glass geometric bottle though wish it had a cork rather than twist-off cap. 7.75/10

I'm a bit of a pyro. When I smell Bowmore 12 Islay Single Malt, I get a warming scent of freshly split logs being singed in a fire pit. It's oddly comforting. Later on, notes of orange, pear and vanilla come through. While neat, the sips feel like I'm dancing in the flames from the fire. It's earthy, brings some heat and moderate smoke. While this coats my mouth, the finish is medium-long and dry. The peat gently fades into the background post-drink.  If this scotch was a person, it would be the rugged individual who split those crackling logs with an axe; perhaps with a beard, broad chest, sincere eyes and tales to tell into the late hours of the evening. 7.75/10

Thinking back to my beautiful visit to Prince Edward County, a highlight was the spirits tasting at Kinsip Distillery. One of the spirits I "had to try" was their maple whisky. Being a whisky aficionado, flavour infusions can be a dual edged sword. Kinsip's Maple Whisky's nose is light, and reminds me of maple candy. My sips savour like syrup with maple and oak. Finish is inobtrusive and slightly herbal. I'd think of this as a digestif post meal and believe it would play well on ice or in a "Canadian" hot toddy. Though it's pleasant, it's a bit sweet for me while in a whisky mood. 7/10.