Tastes
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Longmorn 16 Year (Discontinued)
Single Malt — Speyside, Scotland
Reviewed August 18, 2018 (edited February 24, 2019)Been away from tasting for some time (but been enjoying drams on the weekends). From the way back collection of samples, I settled on Longmorn 16 which @Telex provided for our semi-virtual touring group. Bourbon notes are detectable on the nose. Vanilla, caramel, with a hint of baking spices: cloves and cinnamon. Gala apples, pears, Entenmann's crumb cake. A light maritime brine permeates throughout. Sweet, but not overblown. An inviting nose that takes a great deal of time to open. Be patient. The initial draws are hot and biting. The body is weighty and oily. Once the palate adjusts, subtle butterscotch sweetness is detectable. Aged Oak, leather and ground cinnamon with traces of Irish tea. Simple, but rewarding. The finish is long, oaky and drying. Ginger root, cinnamon and oddly, artificial grape (like grape soda). A scotch that the comes on slowly, but the more time you give it, the more you realize you are sipping on a solid whisky. The subtle sweetness and slight spiciness compliment each other and do not try to overpower each other. A dram perfect for an autumn beach evening while the sun descends. [87/100][Tasted: 8/17/18] -
Looking for something different; a brief deviation from whisky for the beach house vacation, I had previously tasted this and the Cucumber and Mint vodkas. I grabbed both, again, for said beach house, Fire Island vacation. The nose in intensely pink grapefruit with coy rose petals aromas. The rose notes are more easily detectable on the palate though the grapefruit takes the spotlight. It’s slightly citric and bitter, as expected. All that being said, I mainly brought this and the Cucumber to the beach (of course with some scotch) for several reasons: The alcohol level is a mere 30% and the flavor profile is ideal for summer drinking. It is light, clean and crisp. Not the saccharine, sticky flavored vodkas that seem to be a dime a dozen. For this Grapefruit and Rose vodka, I found that this makes a perfect addition to margaritas. The citric and sour flavors of a margarita were quelled with a splash of this vodka. Much we were amazed and all week we sipped upon margaritas with Grapefruit and Rose under the warming beach sun. Simple and straightforward. Well done Ketel One.30.0 USD per Bottle
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Ketel One Botanical Cucumber & Mint
Botanical Spirit — Netherlands
Reviewed August 1, 2018 (edited August 17, 2021)I am a whisky guy (whatever that is) and smugly scoff at vodka imbibers. At a whisky tasting, the ambassador provided samples of the new Ketel One botatanicals and I was surprised by what I tasted The nose is all cucumbers with a touch of mint (surprise) The palate much of the same. Why did I buy this you may ask (then again, maybe not)? For our beach house getaway, I thought this would be a perfect light and refreshing drink over ice, and it is. Light, crisp and refreshing.30.0 USD per Bottle -
Miltonduff 10 Year Distillery Labels (Gordon & MacPhail)
Single Malt — Speyside, Scotland
Reviewed July 22, 2018 (edited July 30, 2018)After being out for a bit on Friday, I flip on the tube to watch the Mets-Yankees opener (Mets won, yay!). Poured the G&M Miltonduff that is bottled at 43%. A light opening of hay and dry grass, wet sawdust (pinewood). Some light sherry notes are way in the background. Also found are walnuts and, almost out of place, white wine notes (Chardonnay or Pinot Grigio) and becomes more pear-ish with some vanilla. The initial draw on the palate is fruity and spicy. Pears in cocktail juice (think Dole’s canned Peaches) with oak and white pepper. A thin line of sweetness containing vanilla, caramel and butterscotch. Orange rind begins at the back of the palate towards to finish. The body is medium-light in weight. The finish is bitter of orange zest and lemons. An oaky dryness that keeps the palate dry for a good and long period of time. This is a dram that, in a single word, could be described as ordinary. It’s youthfulness is apparent in the spiciness and thin on flavors. A dram worthy in social situations that doesn’t require concentration or time. However, for the price, and in the same social situation, I would probably prefer a Glenlivet. [$55][84/100][Tasted: 7/20/18]55.0 USD per Bottle -
Aberlour 18 Year Double Cask Matured
Single Malt — Highlands, Scotland
Reviewed July 19, 2018 (edited December 13, 2021)Another consecutive Wednesday and I find myself perfectly alone. Let me kick it up with a gifted 18 year Aberlour while I finish season two of Westworld. A rich, but gentle sherried beginning, undoubtedly. Orchard fruits aplenty, but complementary to the sherry. Plumbs, oranges, peaches, apricots and apples. A mild sweetness entwined amongst all the aromas of vanilla cream, salted caramel and cocoa. The whisky arrives with a spicy sweetness of vanilla and white pepper. Orange, honey, cocoa sweetness comprise the core flavors on the palate. There are small currents of brown sugar, almonds, caramel, raisins. The finish is long with orange bitters, oak tannins, charcoal and cinnamon. Unabashedly a sherried scotch, if anyone who is familiar with Aberlour. The opening nose draws you into the depths hoping to discover more. The palate is the weakest segment of the whisky, being short and light with the flavors. Quite good overall and balanced well. This would make a good pairing with a mild cigar and time...and may have to try that sooner than later. [$120][90/100][Tasted: 7/18/18]120.0 USD per Bottle -
Wyoming Whiskey Outryder
Other Whiskey — Wyoming, USA
Reviewed July 14, 2018 (edited August 17, 2018)Friday the thirteenth and in the mood for a non-scotch brown liquid. Fumble, fumble and I find this sample. Immediately on the nose are apples with cinnamon. In short time, other quality high rye whiskey notes come through: cloves, leather, rye, brown sugar, vanilla. Some oak char as well. In due time, however, the aromas crescendo and start slow fade, becoming weaker in potency. Still, though, quite nice. For it’s high proof, the palate arrives soft and sweet in a medium dense body. Richly deep with brown sugar, vanilla, cinnamon. The rye notes are detectable but not overpowering. Fairly straight forward, but tasty. The finish is long and enjoyable. Oak and cinnamon that is drying. Some root beer on the far reaches. This hybrid bourbon-rye provides a whiskey that is a good sipper. Similar, from recollection, of Four Roses Single Barrel. Sweet for a rye; spicy for a bourbon. Thanks @PBMichiganWolverine for the sample that had made a journey to New York, Virginia and back again. [87/100][Tasted: 7/13/18] -
Crown Royal Northern Harvest Rye
Canadian — Manitoba, Canada
Reviewed July 11, 2018 (edited August 17, 2018)The boy is out; the wife is out. Me by my lonesome. I had this 375 sized bottle I got some time back. Now is a good time as ever to have a hump day dram. Grilled apricots seasoned with dill arrives on the nose. The dill eventually turns more to spearmint. Some honey notes and cloves and a touch of vanilla and yeasty, sourdough bread. It arrives spicy and zesty. Once past the spicy sensation, the flavors pull forward. Cinnamon, birch beer (the other root beer), butterscotch, leather. The body is medium in density and yet, though the tongue senses the spice, it the texture is quite soft. The finish is the stronger part of the dram. Oak spice, spearmint, toffee with trace amounts of apples. Warming and drying that lasts for a good length of time. My goto rye for Old Fashioneds and Manhattans is Rittenhouse. A great sipping rye, with some water is High West Midwinter’s. This is pretty darn good as a sipper, though not as flavorful and full as MWND. Would I have this on my stock? Probably not. Though I wouldn’t think twice if the mood strikes for a spicy sipping rye. [85/100][Tasted: 7/11/18] -
Knockando 15 Year
Single Malt — Speyside, Scotland
Reviewed July 7, 2018 (edited September 16, 2022)Knockando, most uncommon here is the North America (or at least in my region). A pour starts my late evening. I purchased via proxy from @LeeEvolved for our whisky group. This was distilled in 1998 and bottled in 2013. Aged in European oak sherry and refilled bourbon casks, but for how long in each, I am unsure. It arrives on the nose lightly sherried and sweet. Canned mixed nuts, dark chocolate, honey, vanilla, raisins and cereal (Raisin Bran). Some tropical fruits of honeydew and apricots. A pinch of cinnamon and oak are sprinkled about. A rather inviting nose. The body is medium in weight that arrives sweet and turns spicy. The sweetness is light brown sugar, vanilla and honey. This sweetness segues to the spicy notes of cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg. A ying/yang balance of sweet and spice. It finishes, long, of oak, cloves, cinnamon and almonds. The tongue rides out a soft tingle to completion. A solid opening draws you in. The palate, however balanced, is two dimensional and you find yourself wishing for a bit more and the one dimensional finish wishes for a more two dimensional finish. It’s a good pour and easily drinkable. For a 15 year, I do expect a bit more. [$48][84/100][Tasted: 7/6/18] -
Tamnavulin Double Cask
Single Malt — Speyside, Scotland
Reviewed July 4, 2018 (edited October 29, 2020)Yes, it’s a Tuesday. But it’s the day before the Fourth. No work tomorrow, so I will pour a sample which was provided by @LeeEvolved who has been downright generous with all his samples; as well as all the other members of the SDT: @PBMichiganWolverine and @Generouy_Paul and @Telex. The nose begins with citrus with pink grapefruit with honey (it’s how I used to eat the in my youth). A toasted bread with orange marmalade is what is transformed (or is it transscented) in time. As it settles in, the sherry qualities become predominant: pecans, raisins, dates, plumbs, cinnamon, brown sugar. A small amount semisweet dark chocolate surfaces in due time. The body is lightweight and thin which causes any flavor to fade rather quickly. In small flashes are vanilla, demerara sugar, apples, cinnamon, black pepper, and oak. Sugar and spice in a small dose. What remains on the palate, briefly, is drying oak and cinnamon. What tends to make a great/exceptional whisky is the full experience from start to finish (probably stating the obvious). The nose transports you somewhere, the palate jettisons you into orbit and the finish brings you back smoothly. Most whiskies often fail by not being able to deliver two or even all three of these goals. This Tamnavalin delivers a nice nose but struggles to complete the other portions. Still, though, it not unpleasant. It’s just leaves you expecting more; wanting more. [84/100][Tasted: 7/3/18] -
Friday Night tasting. A pull from the backlog pulls this rarity. Throw on some Westworld and sit back and enjoy. The initial draw on the nose is lightly sherried and reminiscent of Dalmore. As it opens , the sherry influence becomes more concentrated drawing baking spices of nutmeg, cloves and cinnamon with some currants. There is a gentle sweetness of brown sugar or maple syrup (the real stuff) vanilla, Red Delicious apples and milk chocolate that mingles perfectly with the baking spices. The aramatic blend just continues to concentrate over time. I almost do not want to sip as the aromas are quite pleasing. The palate does not quite get the same attention as the nose. The body is on the thin side with a light sweetness of toffee, vanilla and a drizzle of honey. The sweetness does last long, however, and gives way to a cinnamon spiciness with a almond and pecan nuttiness. Upon the finish, a touch of oak comes in starting the finish. The oak dries the palate leaving trace amounts of caramel sweetness and nuttiness. The nose is deceiving in that the richness of that nose does not carry through to the palate or finish. One of the best noses I have encountered. As @Generously_Paul has mentioned that the distiller is defunct, I feel privileged to have at least experienced the virtually extinct scotch. Many thanks to @PBMichiganWolverine in provide this sample. [86/100][Tasted: 6/29/18]
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