Tastes

Cask #: 707 Cask Type: Ex-Rye Date of Filing: July 2015 Date of Bottling: March 2020 Malt Type: Indian Barley Number of Bottle: 1 of 120 Hand selected by Lost Barrel Thanks to @PBMichiganWolverine for a generous “sample”, I finally will have my first Amrut. Not sure what to expect. Is this spicy-hot like an Indian summer? Despite a rye finish, the nose is clearly a barley-based whiskey. Quite fruity and floral. Tropical pineapple and coconut. Honeysuckle, pears, apples, caramel. As it opens, a sweet maltiness begins to dominate, added with malt chocolate and hints of dill and pumpernickel. An enticing nose. Despite being bottled and 60%, it softly and gently enters on the palate. That barely sweetness softens and loosens the palate. This makes way for the spice. Starting with a prickly sensation, awakens the palate. Cinnamon and cardamom, black pepper. The liquid is dense and slick. A fair amount of water loosens the dram. The sweetness, quells the prickliness and becomes more approachable. Improved, though slightly, with water. It does, however lose the oily density. That prickle continues through the finish, like Pop Rocks. The sugary sweetness seeps through the prickle. Wood, cinnamon, ginger ride to long finish out. My first Amrut and quite good it is. If this was a blind tasting, it would pass as a Scotch. Similar to Glen Garioch Founders or 12. The backing at 60% doesn’t overpower or detract and sips as 46%. Any rye is undetectable except for remnants on the nose. It does not burst with a plethora of aromas or flavors. However, the minimalist composition is vivid, rich, balanced and most importantly, good and enjoyable. Not what I anticipated. Almost a complete opposite of what I expected. A solid (scotch) whiskey. Thanks again @PbMichiganWolverine. [90/100][Tasted: 2/26/22]

The eve on the January 2022 bomb cyclone. It’s been a fair amount of time since my last tasting. Time and energy hasn’t been on my side to do one. In the mood for a bit of peat/smoke. From a sample from @PbMichiganWolverine, from some time ago, this seems perfect. Kilchoman has been a favorite of mine. Starting with Machir Bay 2006, one their very first. Since then, I had several others. All have been quite good to great. Not a bad pour from the lot. Though Kilchoman usually takes an aggressive, punchy, in your face almost immediately on the nose entrance, this STR takes a more of a graceful, subtle, elegant appearance. Like going to a formal instead of a kegger. The peatiness seems to eventually fade to a point of nothingness. Hints of honey, orange citrus, cranberries and maritime brininess. Still graceful, the palate takes on a velvety, silky texture which wraps the peat making it approachable and balanced. The peat provides the foundation for the flavors it supports. Caramel sweetness, dark chocolate and black licorice. The spicy side pulls forward and the sweetness fades. Red pepper flakes and ground cinnamon. The red pepper comes back and flavors the palate like hot and sour sauce. A long and steady finish lasting indefinitely. Earthy cigar ash/soot, licorice, dark roasted coffee blended with wisps of caramel and dark chocolate sweetness. An very approachable Kilchoman. A sipper that doesn’t wear the palate down with peat. The nice steady ride of the peat-brine with the spicy-sweetness. This comes across as a matured version of Sanig, which I find to be, for me, preferable to Machir Bay. This will not disappoint. [90/100][Tasted: 1/28/22]

Today is Christmas. This day finds us at my niece and nephews house as they host Christmas Day. They recently renovated their house and welcomed a new addition to the family. To celebrate the culmination of these days and events, he proudly opened and shared the Glenfiddich 30 that he has been waiting to open for a special occasion and most willingly wanting to share with me. So, gladly accepting the moment, we poured together. Bottle: 7370 Cask Selection: 23 This really needs time to breathe. With the wait and the aromas are almost tangible. Black tea, molasses, cherry chocolate cherry cordials, vanilla, heather, honeysuckle floral. Floral and sweet. Quite enticing. A soft arrival brand brings with it very similar flavors that embodies the nose. Sweet tea, milk chocolate, vanilla, toffee, gala apples, almonds, orange zest, ripened plums, fruit cake. The finish is long lasting and with much that remains. Black pepper providing a tickle on the tongue that seems to prickle on and on. Oak wood spice, vanilla, caramel, toffee, leather. Aromatic and flavorful. What this needs, like any aged whisky is time. Twenty to thirty minutes. As it opens, it blossoms to its fullest. The vanilla and toffee sweetness delicately balanced with fruits, chocolate and spice make this a satisfying and enjoyable dram. One of the oldest I have tasted. Glad I had the chance the chance to experience and share. Especially on this particular day with family. Merry Christmas! [94/100][Tasted:12/25/21]

For my eldest son’s nuptials, back in September, I wanted to get something special to commemorate and share with friends and family. Something of this age is not very common for most, which only makes it extra special. That day was extra special. This scotch will always invoke those warm feelings and remembrances. So now, I find myself quietly free to really taste this and put on an analytical hat. Upon initial pour and nosing, a light, sweet and fruity aroma awakens the senses. A fruit bowl potpourri. As time progresses, the nose blossoms and encompasses. What emerges is warmed fruit cake and a big bowl of brown sugared raisins which all other aromas are influenced by. Cinnamon, vanilla, French toast, maple syrup, pecans, sticky dates and figs, apricots, confectionery sugar and honeysuckle. Sticky sweet and fruity. A slight bit of wood spice and leather which gives the overall nose a sense of vibrancy. As it really settles in, after a serious amount of time, the must of old library books really reinforces the age. A wonderfully busy and full aromatic nose. The scotch enters the palate like an aged person. Delicately, light and with a bit of vim. Dark chocolate with the slight bitterness that has been laced with orange zest coats the palate. Fruity raisins, Concord grapes and sugary plums which then segues into more earthy walnuts, almonds and oaken wood. A bit of vibrancy emerges as it works towards the finish. Cinnamon, cloves, white pepper, pickled ginger all cause the tongue to prickle. The finish extends for a fair length of time. Wood spice, milk chocolate, raisins (think Raisinets) , red grapes, orange zest, leather and almonds all lightly and slowly fade yet seem to linger. Glenfarclas: often overlooked and passed over for Macallan, Dalmore or Glendronach. This 25 is quite a pleasure, through and through. The full nose, the dynamic palate and the relatively lengthy finish all make for a quality dram. If you have a pour and can get two of the three stages with some breadth, you are pleasantly satisfied. This will not disappoint. How Glenfarclas can produce quality scotch, carefully crafted and at a price that is more than reasonable, I haven’t a clue. But for those who overlook this scotch, please continue to do so, selfishly leaving me with a large pool of inventory that can always be found. [$179][95/100][Tasted: 9/25/21; 12/17/21]

When I was really becoming a “regular“ scotch drinker, 150 years ago, my go-to was JW Black. My parents recognize that fact. For the past few Christmas’, they have purchased me this. JW Gold Reserve. I still have an affinity towards JW. When out and there is nothing that appeals to me, JW most certainly will be found. A staple scotch. Well, never having tasted the Gold, I finally opened one of the gifted bottles. I took my time to taste and think about this one and am now half a bottle in. Opens with an enticing, soft floral nose with a touch of ethanol. Let it breathe some to aerate. What loosens ups reveals honey, black tea, lemon zest, ground cinnamon, vanilla. Hints of heather and cereal round out the aromas. The aromas are embodied on the palate with a honey and tea base. Vanilla custard, light-brown sugar, rice pudding with a cinnamon dusting. Oak spices provide a black peppery tingle. On the fade, traces of peat/tobacco makes a presence. An medium length earthy finish of oak, leather, tobacco bring it all to an end. Johnnie Walker. Like it or dislike it. But the brand is consistent and steady. Gold Reserve is crafted to be approachable, pleasant and inoffensive. Clynelish is clearly detectable and is a great binder for blending and always makes it or provides for a good dram. At $79 for admission, it is a bit pricey. But overall, enjoyable, easy sipping blend. Worthy of a try. [$79][86/100][Tasted: 12/4/21]

Friday after Thanksgiving. Excited, as a monstrous Beatles fan, I finally am able to watch the much anticipated Get Back series. I have nothing but time, so a perfect time to sample. A subtle, sweet peat. Not the bold, brash Laphroaig. Quite pleasant. Open fire at the beach on an overcast, autumn day. For me, that is the imagery this conjures in my mind. Blend in some artificial grape, dark honey, raisins. Now imagine nosing this will in an old, damp, library. A musty character underlies the more prevalent aromas. Quite satisfying. On the palate is where that Laphroaig ashy-tobacco base which supports the additional flavors. Fruity sweetness. Welch’s Grape jam, raisins, plums, frosted strawberry Pop Tart. Black pepper and brine provide a spicy earthiness to the spirit. All delivered through a thin and creamy texture. The long, ashy, earthy palate remains that seems to never end with a soft jammy sweetness. If you like peaty sweetness, this will satisfy. Very sip-able and does not feel to be at 48 abv. It is comparable, to me, to Kilchoman Sanig, but a touch more sweeter. It’s quite good, but there is something missing to push it to a top tier. Sanig can provide as much enjoyment at about half the cost. Thank you @LeeEvolved for the sample. I finally got around to opening. [90/100][Tasted: 11/26/21]

Perusing through my local, I saw this black topped, gold label Old Overholt. Normally for my rye mixer, I reach for Rittenhouse. So, for a curiosity and mixology experiment, I figured it would be interesting to see what other mixers are like. What Rittenhouse has, that I like, is the BiB which holds its own in the drink. This being at 114, this can only be a win-win experience. At first, a whiff of dill and acetone or magic marker. Soft, considering the high proof. Settling in, the nose sweetens and becomes more caramelized. Toffee, Vanilla, root beer and maraschino cherries. Texturally, creamy and velvety. And then the bite. But the bite is brief. Vanilla, dill, caramel and very little more in the flavor department, but what little variety there is, the flavors hold their own. A short, sweet finish with a touch of wood. A nice, hardy rye that does not seem as potent as delivered. The lack of palate dimension or dynamic provides a stable base as a mixer. Given a choice between Rittenhouse or Old Overholt 114, I would first reach for Rittenhouse just because of the greater comparative profile depth. But, this is a quality stand in. [$30][85/100][Tasted: 11/20/21]

Man, it’s getting cold quick up here in the Northeast real quick. I was in shorts last week. Have a good weekend planned, with family. So, to start my weekend, a nice warming whiskey seems proper. Autumn. That’s the best immediate image that is instantly conjured in my mind when I first breathe it in. Cinnamon, cloves, orange peel, fennel, beer bread with wisps of vanilla and caramel. Spice, heat and sweetness. Light bodied. Ginger, cloves, rye, orange zest as its first presented on the palate. As you become acclimated and adjust to the spicy tingle, a pleasant wave of sweetness adds a pleasant counter. Confectionery sugar, cola, spearmint, vanilla. A touch of water nicely sweetens the dram. A oaken, drying, woody finish leaving the palate minty fresh with a drop of vanilla and black pepper. I would have to best describe this as a sweet rye. The high abv is unnoticeable and sips relatively easy. Neat or diluted, there is no wrong way to enjoy. I was expecting more of a dill, pumpernickel type of rye. A solid, enjoyable flavorful rye whiskey. A unique rye. Thanks @dubz480 for providing me the tasty sample. [88/100][Tasted: 11/5/21]

On this eve of Halloween eve, I find myself on a eerie Northeast evening. Wind is eerily blowing. Storm is brewing. A damp chill in the air. Time for a warming dram. The color pours as a rich mahogany with maroon hues. Immediately, upon initial pour, an aroma of candied pecans jumps out and dominates. You can sense other notes wanting to come through but it cannot penetrate the dominance. Time will remedy that. As it settles and loosens up, those blocked aromas begin to seep through. Milk chocolate, toffee and a vanilla mix provide a robust sweetness. But wait, there’s more!: sawdust, dried hay, leather, burnt marshmallows, cinnamon, maple syrup. A plethora or aromas. I think I could smell the kitchen sink. The initial sip, unlike the sweet nose, is more earthy. Medium-dense, soft and velvety texture. Successive sips are hot but without burn, which is confounding as the pour is at 68% Abv. A leather base where those pecans continue from the nose. Cinnamon, allspice and root beer is all I can detect as the alcohol bite makes it tough to get more. Time for some water. Tree bark, vanilla, peanut brittle, cigar tobacco leaf bring a wonderful earthiness tempered with a touch with of sweetness. Leather, wood and char stay with the palate for quite some time. Candy corn eventually seeps out that hits with a touch of sweetness. Ultimately, the palate remains woody, dry and wanting another sip. I have had good fortune to taste some wonderful bourbon/whisky. Of those, a handful I can still conjure up without tasting. Midwinters Act 2, Cragellachie 51 amongst some others. This one ranks right up there. There’s a uniqueness to this one. Earthy and sweet packed with some muscle. That muscle, though, is all grace and style. Ballet vs kickboxing. This had an abundance of aromas which is rare. Most drams have pop in a few points (caramel or vanilla or leather). This had it all. All perfectly harmonized. The palate is rich, full and dense with flavor the keeps on line with the nose. A top line whiskey. Time and patience is a must to fully take it all in. If there is a downside to this, as others before have mentioned, is the price. Thanks @pkingmartin for this wonderful sample. [97/100][Tasted: 10/29/21]

Selection 14-E-19 On a visit with some friends out of state, my buddy happened to visit the JD Distillery prior to me visiting and grabbed this Tasters series and shared with me. Brown sugar dominated nose with hints nutmeg, cinnamon, gingerbread, vanilla and rye spices. Nutmeg, cinnamon and rye spices drive the palate. Dark chocolate, light-roasted coffee. The high proof tingles and bites. Slight hints of brown sugar and vanilla. Water is a must and definitely enhances the dram. The brown sugar notes pull forward and temper the sharpness. Again baking spices round out the pour with wood spices. A touch of brown sugar and charcoal all fade leaving the palate dry, woody and nutty. The Taster’s Series, so far, has produced some quality sipping whiskey. The blending here with rye creates and adds a balanced spiciness with taking away from the sweeter side. No exotic finishing here. Just old school blending of grains and flavors. [89/100][Tasted: 10/18/21]