Tastes

Another Sunday evening on particularly cold December evening before Christmas. House is surprisingly quiet; just the wife and me (and youngest playing XBox). Getting in the Christmas mood, with the calmness, SiriusXM Holiday Pops playing (I like this channel at Christmas time), uncorked the Ledaig 10. (Talked with the liquor store owner where I purchased this: to recall the pronunciation, in keeping the story short, he calls it “Late-Chick”; thought that was mildly amusing and would pass it on). The straw colored pour releases the aromas of honey glazed ham, ocean sea salt, malt, ripened white orchard fruit (freshly picked Gala apples). It sweetens as it settles with an increasing touch of mineral/earthiness. A lovely nose that can be inhaled all day long. A sip reveals a slick texture that carries with it cigar smoke/ash, vanilla, honey, in that progression that all crescendos to a balanced potpourri of flavor. The flavors slowly depart giving way to white pepper and oak. A long lasting, warming and drying white pepper spiciness lingers with oak and charcoal with a hint of fennel and ocean salt. A lovely character from nose to finish conjures images of oceanside bonfires. A freshness that is subtle and suites well with the aromas and flavors. Flat out enjoyable. Especially if you are an Islay seeker. Not often talked about in peat-seeker circles, but belongs in that conversation. All this at a highly respectable price. [Dry Glass: Vanilla pipe tobacco][$55][90/100][Tasted: 12/11/16]

I have not opened anything new as I have a bit of a backlog of open whisk(e)y's that I am want to work through. But tonight I was in the mood for something new. I have been given a sample three pack of the 12, 15, and 18 Glenfiddich and, bouncing between the (woeful) Jets/Colts game and 007/Spectre, I had a go with the 15 year old. My previous, brief and experience with the 12 year left me unimpressed and has dampened my view of Glenfiddich. However, this 15 year was quite a surprise and not what I expected. Some time in the glass, pears/apples, coconut, dark nuts, honey, vanilla/brown sugar waft around when nosing. Quite a bit of aromas. A sip is soft and light that reveals the sherry notes: walnuts, figs, cloves, cinnamon along with the sweeter bourbon flavors of vanilla and honey. The finish is short and drying of oak with ginger and chocolate with remnants of the sherry and bourbon influences. This is quite an enjoyable, easy, uncomplicated, straight-forward whisky. Sweetens with time. Straight up, a whisky that is clearly influenced by the sherry and bourbon barrels. Each profile is discernable, and yet, well balanced. Better than I expected given my previous experience with the 12 year. [Dry Glass: Maple Syrup and confectionery sugar][86/100][Tasted: 12/5/16]

As the Sunday comes to a close, finally found the time to sit and watch the NY Giants play the Steelers (as they are rarely as the late afternoon Sunday) and recalled that I have a sample generously provided by Pranay awaiting a taste. This Oamaruvian is quite unique and found to be more wine than whiskey. The color is a rich and deep amber that on nosing reveals a pleasant sweet molasses or darkened brown sugar with mixed nuts with a touch a leather. A sip immediately numbs the tongue with a bit of burn and heat. Red wine dominates the palate, A touch or brown sugar, nutmeg and dark fruits all swirl about in the background. As it fades, red wine, drying oak tannins are found. The palate is left with a slightly bitter with a medicinal aftertaste; somewhat like cherry-flavored Nyquil (if you ever had the displeasure). Water is a must with this dram to bring down to a rounder and palatable/enjoyable level, due to the high proof. Overall, this whiskey had undertones of Sweet Vermouth and is most unique. This would be paired well with a Giants win (which, sadly did not happen tonight) and a nice steak or red meat in lieu of a red wine. [Dry Glass: Vanilla with Sweet Vermouth][87/100]][Tasted: 12/4/16]

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]

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]

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]

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]

[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]

[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]