Tastes

Another weekend on lockdown. Family movie time and some whiskey. This comes to me to longtime whisky pal across the other side of the the Hudson, @PBMichiganWolverine . The nose is dense with a mix of aromas found in single barrel bourbons. Nutmeg, cloves, cinnamon, dill spices. Sweetness of butterscotch , licorice, peanut brittle, cherries seep through the spice. All of this is encased with oak wood. The initial sip is a blast of spice and wood and lidocaine. Subsequent sips become easier to discern flavors and the palate acclimates. Dominated by wood spices and tannins, whisps of vanilla, cherry NyQuil, ground cinnamon, cloves and dill. The cherry NyQuil flavor remains on the palate with a wooden dryness, spearmint that with a timeless end. A healthy dose of water softens the spicy edge and the buried sweetness is unveiled. Dark brown sugar, caramel, coffee, and bitter dark chocolate. A potent whisky that is better developed and formed with the addition of water. However, overall, the whiskey seem very restricted, bound and wanting to be more and find itself. Not a bad dram, but I was anticipating more from a single barrel whiskey. A better experience can be had with Elijah Craig Barrel Proof it Four Roses Single Barrel. Stay well. Stay safe. [84/100][Tasted: 3/4/20]

It’s Friday and the world is in utter turmoil. Health, humanity and survival (economically) are on most minds (at least mine on this Friday, first day of spring). Tonight a small, brief escape with a sample provided what now seems a hundred years ago by SDT brethren @LeeEvolved. It pours light-straw in color. Now, it’s an later September afternoon. Not too hot. You’re standing in the middle of an Apple orchard. That is the base aroma. Pears and apricots mixed in with golden honey, tea, straw and a smidge of nutmeg. The palate and flavors are very similar to Glenlivet 12. Sweetness of honey, vanilla, caramel, lemon, Granny Smith apples. There is a prickle of cinnamon and ginger spice near as it finds it’s way to the finish. The palate holds a finish of citrus grapefruits and orange zest. Bits of wood and the bitterness of dark chocolate that lasts for, surprisingly, a good length of time. A simple bit of enjoyment at an extremely affordable price. Aromatic and with solid flavors. A good, light, easy sipper. Sometimes in life a bit of simplicity and straightforwardness can be rewarding. In recent days like these, when you’re tired of thinking and worrying, a small escape, yet for a brief time, is sometimes the best tonic. [85/100][Tasted: 3/20/20]

On the weekend before St. Patrick’s Day, amidst the Covid-19 paranoia (does everyone have enough toilet paper?), I pour myself a dram of this Irish whiskey thatwas generously provided by long time Distiller mate (to everyone) @PBMichiganWolverine I truly enjoy a good Irish whiskey. They are often overlooked and sometimes judged against its neighbors spirit, which one may be missing out on some good enjoyment from the other side of the sea. A Lightly copper colored spirit that opens with a raw sourdough with vanilla, honey, floral, orchard fruits, tropical fruits with a bit of baking spice. More specifically, honeysuckle with Fuji apples and toasted coconut, caramel, apricots, mangos all sprinkled with nutmeg. A very aromatic nose. On a creamy body, flavors of the Mizunara (as I learned what this wood imparts). Vanilla, fresh fruit (cocktail): pears, apples, vanilla and honey. Baking spices begin to kick in as it begins to fade: fresh nutmeg, cloves and cinnamon and wood spices which gives the palate a mild tingling. Drying wood tannins with a touch of black cherry, black pepper and orange rinds provides a long finish. A fantastic opening which is embodied on the palate. The lighter flavors imparted from from the Mizunara puncheon barrel provides a powerful influence, but not overpowering, on the gentle Irish distillate. Aromatic and flavorful with a nice woody finish. Japanese and Irish. If you like Irish whiskey, this will not disappoint. In the ranks of Green Spot and Redbreast, but the former can be had at a third to half the cost. Still quite good, though. [Tasted: 3/14/20][89/100]

A rarity for me: two consecutive tasting days, though somewhat planned. An opening volley with the Old Pulteney 21 and a closing shot with the Old Pulteney 17. A pale amber-yellow, almost apple juice in color. Fresh diced apples, pears and peaches in a candied syrup is the aromatic introduction. As time grows, sugary notes of butterscotch, honey and vanilla. There are wisps of sawdust and berries, sweetened, ripened plumbs and maritime brine. A sweet and fruity dram this one is. In a lightweight body, like the nose, vanilla, butterscotch honey, Granny Smith apples, pears, lemons and berries. There is some spice of cinnamon and nutmeg with ginger snaps that produces a prickly sensation. The finish is medium-long that is oaky-dry, wood spice with vanilla cream, lemon zest and ground cinnamon with a bit of deep warmth. As usual, a dash of water takes the edge off and sweetens the dram. “Picture yourself in a boat on an” orchard near an ocean. Lol. A pour that is most perfect for summer or early autumn days. The nose sets the stage for the delivery and the finish slowly brings you to a blissful end. Not as deep and rich as the 21 year brethren, but still holds it own. Once again, unfortunately, another fine dram will soon no longer exist as this has been slowly extinguished. As I may have mentioned, OP is a favorite of mine, but that’s mainly with the original range. I only hope the successor are just as good. [90/100][$107][Tasted: 2/29/20]

Old Pulteney 12 was one first single malts I came upon in my whisky journey and have been a top favorite of mine. Well, tonight was a good night for a pour as I am able to take my time in my solitude and really delve in. The 17 and 21 I have briefly tasted at Whiskyfest 2017. Since then I needed to have these for my own. Best of that 2017 night, for me, was this 21 year old. The pour is a light golden amber color. The nose begins as tropical-fruity, dark chocolate. Slowly as is opens, the briny maritime notes merge into the tropical fruits. Orange creamsicle bursts open and wonderfully dominates. It does weaken and the dance of aromas start to work together. Saw dust, vanilla custard, oatmeal raisin bread, honey and lemon hold the aroma line. The collective aromas are all soft, rounded and gentle. First entry on the palate is ginger root prickly. After acclimation, the palate can begin to detect the flavors. Oranges, cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon, wood char provide the vibrant side. But there is a soft, sweet to counter. Butterscotch, golden honey, toasted coconut, dried pineapple and syrupy dates. If you want your dram to be sweeter, taking the prickly nature away, add a small dash of water. The finish is medium-long with the ginger prickle and honey that slowly fade to wood dryness with a pinch of salt. All to a deep and soul warming joy. I am a big fan of Old Pulteney. The 12 has accompanied me on many a beach house vacation. This 21 is one to nurse slowly; savor it all. The parts and the whole. A wonderful sipper that would be perfect for a beach sunset or by a warming winter fire. I was able to snag two bottles. One for enjoying now and another for some future unknown purposeful sharing. I am glad I am able to currently enjoy as, alas, this will be soon, if not already, have gone the way of the Dodo. [96/100][$169][Tasted: 2/28/20]

Still working samples that have been accumulated. Since I only drink on weekends (workdays I do not imbibe), I have accumulated a large backlog. So I find myself on this Saturday contently alone finishing the last few episodes of Mandolorian. As I watch and take notes, the pour is sitting in a glass opening. Pale gold in color. The initial aromas are soft, floral and delicate. Slightly woody with hints of ginger root. As time is given, sweeter notes begin to surface. Vanilla cream soda, toasted marshmallow, banana custard. There is a fruity side as well. Apples, apricots and diced pear cocktail (think Dole pears in the syrup). There is a slight briny, yeasty quality that works its way into the mix. The nose is busy, but organized. There is order to it. The body is thin and is counter to what you would expect given the body nose. However, the palate is flavorful. Orchard fruits again of apples, pears and apricots. Honey and vanilla adds slightly to the sweetness. As the sweet and fruity flavors work their way back, a small amount of spice tingles the the front of the palate. Cinnamon, ginger root and white pepper. These spices are not distracting from the sweetness; they actually support them. The finish has tangerine throughout the medium finish. Mixed in the tangerine flavor is an oaky dryness with the themed orchard fruits. This is approachable and a pleasurable whisky. A solid nose and flavors that are inoffensive. This scotch will not disappoint. However, given the price of about $250, I would want more front the palate and finish. This all said, it is a quality product and will not disappoint. Thank you @LeeEvolved for sharing this with the me and the rest of the SDT members. [90/100][Tasted: 2/1/20]

It’s been a good deal of time since I actually sat and tasted. Holidays, sickness (head cold), and social obligations all out things on hold for a while. So, this is a perfect pour to start the New Year from a tasting perspective. Truly a rare treat that I will not delay to taste. It only begins to come alive after at least ten minutes. Prior to, it flat and unexpressive. As it awakens, tropical aromas of pineapples and toasted coconut. Orchard fruits develop into the mix; over-ripened, pealed apples and pears with dashes of vanilla, caramel, confectionery sugar and cinnamon. A bit of honey and lemoned tea forges through after significant time. These aromas slowly build and crescendo and the collective creates a full symphony of notes. Sweet arrival, but not overly so, in a soft, velvety textured, medium weighted body. Oak spices, tropical sweetness with hazelnuts and chocolate (think Nutella). Sweet tea, honey, lemon, The palate is left with with the sweet tea with touch of wood spice and some oak tannins, bittersweet chocolate and ginger. Which lasts a medium length of time. As I kept joyfully working through all parts of this pour, balance kept spring to minds. The volume of aromas, balanced. The flavors on the palate, though not as vast as the nose (or I just could not acutely define them and missed out), was balanced. The finish is where I selfishly wanted more and is where the weakness of the dram lies. A bit of water improves the dram and is recommended. Quite enjoyable, easy to take in. This whisky has a gravity about it that can slow time. A million thanks to @PBMichiganWolverine for graciously sharing. [92/100][Tasted: 1/25/20]

Quick Hit: Heather, honey, lemon, hay. Soft velvet texture with sweet tea, honey, cloves and vanilla. Lemon oil finish with white pepper and oak.