Tastes
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Got together with a friend (LKH) for good conversation with a variety of Irish Whiskey’s. We ran the gamut. Amongst the collection, to share, she brought her bottle of Writers Tears which she brought back from her Europe trip. Nosing reveals orchard fruits (apples/pears) and honey. Very floral. Somewhat akin to a scotch Speysider. The whiskey is extremely lightweight, thin and soft. Butterscotch, barley sugar, cereal notes, tea with honey are the prominent flavors. Somewhat flavorful and sweet with a profile on par with many Irish Whiskey’s. This finishes with flavors of oak and ginger. Overall, this is a gentle, sweet whiskey that's easily enjoyable and a good for having with friends while sharing memories and stories. [Dry Glass: caramel apples][86/100][Tasted: 11/22/16]
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High West A Midwinter Night's Dram
Rye — (bottled in) Utah, USA
Reviewed November 20, 2016 (edited November 12, 2018)Act 2.10/Scene 343 Sugar and spice and everything nice. Vanilla with faint fruit sweet countered by pepper spice, dill, spearmint start on the nose. The nose aromas materializes on the palate round, full and balanced that arrives hot. An oaky, dry finish that pleasantly lingers that ultimately leaves a slight bitter taste on the back of the palate. A splash of water increases the nose with caramel and brown sugar and reduces the hot arrival. A better dram with a splash or two of water. I am generally a scotch imbiber, but this dram sets the bar for bourbon/rye (at least for me).[$90] [93/100] [Opened 12/21/14][10/16/15;RIP Terrance; 2/28/16]90.0 USD per Bottle -
Powers John's Lane Release 12 Year
Single Pot Still — Ireland
Reviewed November 10, 2016 (edited March 18, 2021)At the Irish bar in Connecticut where I always seek out for their Fish and Chips with an ale/stout or two. Peruse the shelf to determine what I have afterwards and Powers 12 is there and, since I never tasted, took advantage of the opportunity. Nose is sweet honey, vanilla, banana and cereal. A good Irish whiskey aroma. Arrives surprisingly hot. Wood dominates the palate. Nutmeg, sugar, oak are all blended in a thin body. The dram does sweeten over time (15-20 minutes) with a touch of water. A bitter and woody finish that does last for a good length of time. This has a lovely, sweet nose and to a great contrast, a dry oaky and spicy palate. This feels younger than a 12 year; I was surprised somewhat by that spiciness/bite. A teaspoon of water and patience tones the Power’s harshness down. Maybe I prefer my Irish whiskey’s sweeter (ala Green Spot/Red Breast), but, give it time and water and you have a decent Irish dram. [85/100][Tasted: 11/7/16 @ Vaughan’s]Vaughan's Public House -
Eagle Rare 10 Year Bourbon
Bourbon — Kentucky, USA
Reviewed November 10, 2016 (edited November 17, 2016)My business travels finds me in Hartford and eating and imbibing at one of my favorite local joint. Sitting on the shelf eye-spy this bottle and ask for a pour. A good choice indeed. Cherries, apples, bananas mixed around with vanilla and leather welcome the nose. That lovely bourbon nose that is not overly sweet, inviting, complex. Somewhat on par in nose to Four Roses Single Barrel, which is a good thing. The mouth takes in the softness along with the dry and spicy qualities. Vanilla/caramel sweetness with the oak, cinnamon, leather and black cherries are found all around the mouth. Lots of flavors all balanced. Those flavors eventually depart leaving the mouth full of cinnamon spice, oak, unsweetened dark (bakers) chocolate. This is a good sipping bourbon at an extremely fair value (you can probably find it for about $35). A fruity and oaky dry bourbon with a nice degree of baking spices. A must for bourbon sippers. [88/100][Tasted: 11/6/16 @ Black Eye’d Sally's] -
Big Peat Blended Malt
Blended Malt — Islay, Scotland
Reviewed November 10, 2016 (edited July 30, 2020)[Second Meeting:] I finally got to sit down and sample this dram with no real time constraints, unlike the last time I sampled. This is a story of two different drams: a brief encounter that was great but had blurred recollection with awe and the second where I got to really know the dram and was realized it was not what I expected. The dram opens on the nose with more earthy qualities like tequila with a touch of Caol Ila smoky sweetness (this this what mezcal smells like?). The palate reveals the peatiness, smoke, and then demerara sugar, exactly in that order and not much more. Finally, you are left with a mouthful of ash, wood, black pepper and slightly bitter and oddly, again, tequila-like (that of green, earthy freshness). Surprisingly clear in color like Ardbeg, but without the peaty inviting peatiness (Ardbeg, Caol Ila). However, I was rather disappointed in my second encounter and found it not much more than a blend of malts than a harmony of malts. The second “date” was awkward realization that it was probably a mistake and we’ll bid adieu. [83/100][Tasted: 11/7/16] [First Meeting:] This was the last thing I tasted. Big Peat is highly accurate. Very strong peat nose. Bacon lovers malt. This is a very good, smokey, peaty blend. Look forward to finding a bottle and further exploring this spirit. [Whisky on the Hudson 9/18/14] -
Color is a rich amber. Faint smoke, charcoal and damp hay initially on first nosing. As it opens, the sweeter aromas of vanilla, almonds and brown sugar appear. Then comes the hickory-smoked bacon and sea salt. Like a bbq on the beach. Creamy, full and balanced. The bite is not there at first but comes on gradually. The brown sugar sweetness found on the nose carries through to the palate. A wonderfully long finish of honey and cinnamon spice, honey-roasted almonds and walnuts with some cigar tobacco; blended and all well balanced. The addition of water lessens the smoke and spice and the sweet notes become more predominant on the nose and palate. I prefer this one neat. Sweetens over time. A mature, complex, contemplative-mood type of dram. For those special occasions when you just want to reflect on your thoughts. [Dry Glass: Honey, smoke and tea][$55][93/100][Revisited: 1/1/15;5/17/15;11/22/15;11/5/16]
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Laphroaig 10 Year Cask Strength (Batch 1)
Single Malt — Islay, Scotland
Reviewed November 6, 2016 (edited August 5, 2017)[Batch 004/Jan 2012/58.6%]: Surprisingly, immediately on the nose, sweet honey, light sweet smoke and iodine and ocean air, like a damp, cool August beach day. Slowly intensifying tongue burn that bites hard and hangs around for a good length of time. Creamy, smooth full texture with small amounts on sweetness on the palate with strong oak, some salt and drying tannins. Very dry and oaky finish with the cherry and slight bitterness; the dry and the bitter are well balanced. The addition of water intensifies the sweetness and brings out cherry notes while it dulls the light smoke and iodine. With water, the bite is not as harsh and the the dram rounds and softens out. The sweetness, like the nose, is strengthened. I think I prefer with a splash. I will have to revisit another time for settle that internal debate (oh well!) [Settled 12/30/14] Extremely long finish. This is where smoke makes its presence known, ever so subtly. Overall, this is a great dram to enjoy on a cool, crisp day by a fire. A sweet, less phenolic Laphroaig. [Dry Glass: Ash and toffee][$59][90/100][Opened 9/29/2014][Revisited:5/24/15; 3/25/16;11/5/16] -
Laphroaig Quarter Cask
Single Malt — Islay, Scotland
Reviewed November 5, 2016 (edited December 31, 2019)Smoke and toffee/caramel sweetness up front on the nose, but not as strong as the 10 year. Behind that are hints of vanilla and honey sweetness. Medium bodied. Smoke arrives immediately on the palate with oak and black pepper spiciness, salt with a touch of vanilla. The smoke makes its way to the finish and much further, leaving a cigar-rich palate, mixed nuts and oak, brine/salt and a touch of mint. A splash of water lessens the burn and increases the sweetness. Quite satisfying but I think 10 year is my preference, but this is nice one for the collection. [Dry Glass: Saw dust and vanilla][87/100][11/5/16] -
Ron Zacapa 23 Sistema Solera Rum
Aged Rum — Guatemala
Reviewed October 31, 2016 (edited January 2, 2020)Finally got around to this sample generously provided by Pranay. I am not wise in the ways of rum other than your typical rum mixers (i.e Barcardi/Capt. Morgan's). Threw the World Series game on and instead of imbibing on a whisk(e)y, figured to give this a go. Also, learned about the Solera process and hope that an equal portion of this rum is 23 years of age. This also leads to another question of how many barrels are collectively used to produce this rum? This has a sweet nose of dark brown sugar, nutmeg and vanilla. As you sip, butterscotch, dark chocolate notes and apricots all swirl around in a light body. The finish is medium-short leaving the palate with vanilla, the oaky dryness and faint whisps of coffee. Over ice, the body thins out even more but draws out the wooden qualities with a slightly bitter finish. I found this, and somewhat surprised, to be more bourbon-like (vanilla, brown sugar, oak) and not a sacacharine commerical rum. This makes a good sipper. For those with a whiskey palate, this as it's an easy transition; a good start to segue into rums. [Dry Glass: Butterscotch][Tasted: 10/28/16] -
After another weekend stint to Maryland, got home, grabbed some sushi and opened the JWP to wind down from the drive. I have a soft spot for JW as I really started enjoying Scotch with JW Black slowly working to single malts. Every now and then, having a blend to sip is refreshing and usually uncomplicated and perfect for those moments when you just need a dose of easy. The nose is soft and mild of apples and cereal touched with honey and cinnamon. Let it open and over time the aromas intensify. Like the nose, this is soft. The whisky delivers sweet tea, honey, salted caramel and a bit of a cereal, like Frosted Flakes. A small trace of almonds are detectable. There is a slight tinge of cinnamon and remnants of honey, oak and dark chocolate all which linger for a good amount of time. I found this an enjoyable dram that's easy, sweet and comfortable. A solid blend. That being said, this is a worthy dram if it was priced accordingly. For under $60, it's a decent value. Anything higher than that and I think one can find an equal or better blend for less money; which I had the good fortune of attaining at a reasonable price. [Dry glass: caramels][$49][88/100][Opened: 10/23/16]
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