Tastes

Glenfiddich distillery rests in the Highlands of Scotland near Dufftown. The term Glenfiddich mean in the valley of the deer in Scottish Gaelic, hence the deer head symbol on their bottle. Glenfiddich Distillery is a family owned and operated distillery for five generations now. Although mass produced, their expressions are skillfully crafted by their Malt Master which results in their 12 year being one of the most popular and easy sipping Scotch Whiskys in the world. The Whisky Glenfiddich 12 year is the distilleries original definitive whisky. It is matured oloroso sherry and ex-bourbon casks for 12 long years before being married in oak tuns until it finds the right balance. It is then given its approval by the distillery’s Malt Master Brian Kinsman. Glenfiddich 12 year is made of 100% malted barley and is bottled at 40% ABV. Color: Bright Gold The overall tasting of this dram was pleasantly fruitful. The nose light and floral with aromas of apricot, pear, honey, orange peel, peanuts, butterscotch, and spearmint. The palate was a little oily with more honey, dried citrus fruits, heather, raisins, and a slight smokiness. The finish medium in length and light with continued oiliness, hints of leather arose with more dried fruits.

Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Tasters’ Selection 14E19 “Twin Blend” Selection #007 is a blend of 50 barrels, 20 Straight Tennessee Whiskey barrels and 30 Straight Tennessee Rye Whiskey barrels hand selected by Master Taster Jessica Hartline. All barrels have an entry date of May 19, 2014 and have been married together to create a robust and complex expression from Jack Daniel’s that is one of a kind. This Tennessee whiskey is bottled at 53.5% ABV/107 proof and is charcoal filtered which gives the spirit its distinct Tennessee whiskey flavor. Jack Daniels Tennessee Tasters’ Selection 14E19 “Twin Blend” was released in Fall of 2020. Color: Amber Gold I am not one for regular Jack Daniel’s expressions, but this Tennessee Tasters’ Twin Blend is quite nice. On the nose are sweet aromas of gingerbread, cinnamon, caramelized apples, sweet BBQ, honeysuckle, and brown sugar. These are coated with an overall charcoal smell that emanates from the spirit. On the palate are more notes of sweet and smoky BBQ, charcoal, vanilla, rye spice, and burnt sugar which leads to a complex mix of tasting notes. The finish is long and lingering with notes of roasted pecans, rye spice, smokiness, and then leads to a sweet caramel and floral note.

When you hear people talking about Scotch, Johnnie Walker is a name almost everyone is familiar with. Being one of the most iconic names in whisky, Johnnie Walker prides itself on its rich history of blending and producing exquisite Scotch Whisky. Dating back to the early nineteenth century, Johnnie Walker and sons was pivotal in the creation of what Scotch Whisky has become today. Johnnie Walker 18 is one of the newest expressions in their core line and has everything you would expect from this quintessential whisky. Johnnie Walker 18 once known as the Platinum Label is a blend of whiskies with a minimum age of 18 years. It is rumored to be a blend of whisky from about 20 different distilleries from all over Scotland. Having more of a sweetness and floral profile, one could guess it is predominantly made from the Highlands or Speyside with a touch of Islay smoke. Johnnie Walker 18 is bottled at 40% ABV which makes it a quite easy sipper. To add, it is a great choice for Scotch drinkers who do not want to spend $150+ on Johnnie Walker Blue Label. Color: Deep Amber The nose is full of floral notes with some hints of vanilla, honey, fruity sweetness, and light smokiness. The palate is a little oily, full of more vanilla, honey, toffee, dark chocolate, and fruit sweetness. There is also some light smokiness on the mouthfeel. The finish is long with sweet notes of caramel, dried fruits, and some dark chocolate bitterness. The smoke fades at this point. Although there is a lack of complexity, it is made up by the rich flavors the burst out in this blend.

Amrut Distillery can trace its roots back to 1948 being founded by Radhakrishna Rao Jagdale in Kambipura, Bengalrur, India. The term Amrut means “nectar of the gods” in Sanskrit. The history of whiskey in India has not been a good one. Its full of inaccuracies about what makes up their whiskey, unusual blending, and being label as inferior spirits. Amrut, with their introduction of India’s first authentic single malt in 2004, has been spearheading the renewal of India’s whiskey reputation. Amrut uses grains from multiple areas in India some coming from the region around the Himalayas. Amrut is not an industry leader in the whiskey world. Amrut Single Malt Whiskey was introduced to the world in Scotland in 2004. Since then, Amrut has been the leader in putting India on the map of whiskey lovers. This malt is made from carefully selected barley from the bottom of the Himalayas then produced in small batches to preserve natural aroma. It is then matured oak barrels until it meets the high standards set by Amrut. Amrut Single Malt is bottled at 46% ABV and has no age statement (NAS). Color: Burnished Gold Amrut Single Malt is the first whiskey from India I have ever tasted. I wasn’t quite sure what to expect but was pleasantly surprised. On the nose were strong notes of orange zest, green apple, cinnamon, nutmeg, coffee, roasted pecans, and a slight hint of banana. The palate was silky smooth with notes of toasted oak, almonds, dark chocolate, honeyed oats, muted spices, maltiness, and some floral hints. The finish is long and consistent with more notes of honey, oats, dark chocolate, dried red fruits, oak, and some leatheriness.

Booker’s Small Batch Bourbon is the creation of whiskey masterminds Fred and Booker Noe. Both master distillers, the father and son team are among the best in the industry, both working for the Jim Beam Distillery in Clermont, KY. Each year, the Noes release four batches of Booker’s Bourbon that are highly sought after. Once the batches are released, a new batch is started, thus making them very desirable by Jim Beam fans and collectors. In my experience, some batches have been fantastic, and some not as much. Booker’s Bourbon Batch 2020-03 “Pigskin” is a straight bourbon from the Jim Beam Distillery. Batch 2020-03 is the next installment in their Booker’s expressions of high proof bourbon. Bottled at 127.3 proof/63.65% ABV after about six and a half years of maturation, this bourbon is named “Pigskin” just in time for end of the Football season. The mashbill consists of 77% corn, 13% rye, and 10% malted barley. The taste profile for this bourbon is very straightforward with its typical bourbon notes. Color: Clear Tawny The nose is full of sweet bourbon notes of butterscotch, cinnamon, brown butter, and caramel. Accompanying are notes of cherry pie, banana bread, toasted oak, and a slight nuttiness. The palate opens with burnt wood notes, almost like burnt saw dust. This is followed by roasted peanuts and more butterscotch sweetness. There is a heavy alcohol burn, and the whiskey feels younger. The finish is long accompanied by heavy alcohol burn, charred oak, and cherry notes. Although the nose was fantastic, the palate and finish lack in complexity as the taste did not hold up to the aromas.

Redbreast Irish whiskey prides itself on staying true to the traditional pot still whiskey making methods that have influenced Ireland for decades. Redbreast is the quintessential Irish whiskey carrying on a legacy of generations. Using copper pot stills, all Redbreast whiskey is distilled three times to perfection, allowing its elegance to excel. Redbreast distillery can trace its roots back to 1857 and has endured the struggles of the Irish whiskey industry and is spearheading its rejuvenation. Redbreast 21 year represents the pinnacle of Redbreast Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey and is produced in extremely limited quantities. Redbreast 21 is one of the most awarded whiskeys in the world; rightfully so. Redbreast 21 is a blend of whiskeys matured up to 25 years that are hand selected by Master Blender Billy Leighton. Bottled at a nice 46% ABV, this whiskey is matured in ex-sherry and ex-bourbon casks until ready for blending. This blend reaches new depths and complexity in a pot still Irish whiskey. The result is almost a near masterpiece of Irish whiskey that can be tributed to its superb cask selection. A fantastic whiskey! Color: Rich Auburn One of the best Irish whiskeys I have ever tasted. Redbreast 21 full of depth and complexity from nose through the finish. The box is made of wood with the story of the whiskey inscribed upon it. Although you can read about it, the tasting of this wonderful dram tells its own story. The nose is full of complexity with rich aromas of gingerbread spice, mahogany wood, sherry, Christmas cake, caramel and other subtle baking spices. The palate intensifies with full-bodied notes of oak spice up front, then fades giving way to dried red fruits, rich sherry, cinnamon, all spice, and vanilla. The finish is long with lingering fruity notes, continuing spices, and oak, leaving you fulfilled.

Boann Distillery is responsible for the Whistler expression line. Using their extensive knowledge and willingness to experiment, they have created some great Irish whiskies that all can enjoy. Boann is the name for the Irish goddess of the River Boyne in Leinster, Ireland. Boann Distillery uses 100% of their grain from local sources and is 100% natural. The distillery is a family run distillery owned by Patrick and Marie Cooney. Headed by the 29-year-old Master Distiller Michael Walsh, the youngest in Ireland, Boann Distillery has had a huge impact in the revitalization of the whiskey industry from Ireland. The Whistler Oloroso Cask Finish is comprised of triple distilled malt and grain whiskies. It is matured in ex-bourbon casks than married with ex-oloroso casks. This expression from the Whistler line is non-chill filtered and bottled at 43% ABV. Color: Yellow Gold The nose is quite pungent with aromas of raspberry cobbler, peaches, honeysuckle, sherry, and a slight butterscotch sweetness. The palate is smooth and velvety with notes of ginger, sherry, honey, dried fruits, honey, and some oak tannins. The finish is on the longer side with intensifying spiciness along with notes of honey, leather, and lingering sherry.

The would be the third tasting of the Whistler expressions for me now and none of them have disappointed. Although so far nothing has been outstanding, every one of these is worth a try. I do enjoy seeing the creativity from the Boann Distillery and their efforts at attempting new things. Boann Distillery is great at using unusual methods to add distinctive tastes to their products. Also a brewery, the distillery goes out of its way to find some of the best bourbon, brandy, and wine casks to use in their maturation methods. The Whistler Calvados Cask Finish Irish Whiskey is produced by the Boann Distillery in Meath, Ireland. This whiskey is triple distilled for “extra smoothness” and is a blend of 35% Irish malt and 65% grain whiskies. It is then matured for four years in ex-bourbon casks then finished or “married” for 15 months in ex-Calvados Casks from Normandy. The Whistler Calvados Cask Finish is bottled at 43% ABV with no age statement. Color: Yellow Gold The nose was extremely fruity with full notes of pomegranate, apricot, apple, fruit juice, cinnamon, and subtle hints of vanilla. The palate is very creamy with notes of vanilla, more apple, ripe pears, and notes that resemble bourbon sweetness. The finish is medium in length with more notes of apple while maintaining its creaminess. The sweetness gives way to some grainy notes.

I have to admit, I was skeptical about tasting 1792 bourbon, but after seeing a VA pick at my local ABC I decided to try some. The 1792 Single Barrel was actually quite delightful bottled at 98.6 proof/49.3% ABV. This Kentucky Straight Bourbon is distilled and barreled in Bardstown KY in charred oak barrels is hand selected from the best in the warehouses. Color: Red Auburn There was a strong sweetness on the nose almost like the sweet icing on a cinnamon roll. Other sweet aromas were present such as brown sugar, caramel truffle, cocoa, and graham cracker. Following on the palate the rye spice kicked up a bit with notes of toffee, baking spices, and a peanut butter taste. The rye spice was heavy especially heavy up front. The finish is long with hints of tobacco and charred oak with some lingering sweetness.

The Dalmore 18 is matured for 18 long years just outside of Inverness, Scotland. Upon opening, I noticed the top of the box comes off and can be used as a stand for the bottle. The label has a nice blueish-purple color to it with a nice suede texture. The 18-year expression was matured in the finest ex-bourbon casks and Matusalem oloroso sherry casks hand picked by the genius Master Blender Richard Patterson. This marrying of casks creates a bold, complex, and robust whisky full of intense flavors and aromas. The Dalmore 18 is bottled at 43% ABV. Color: Rich Amber The nose consists of the classic Dalmore aromas of orange marmalade, dark chocolate, and toffee. Additionally, there are notes of candied fruits, caramel, and consists of a slight oakiness. The characteristics of these notes are extremely abundant. The palate is silky smooth full of the rich Dalmore notes of orange citrus, dark chocolate, coffee, candied red fruits, baking spices and oak along with a strong sherry flavor. The finish is long and warming with a strong sherry presence. Notes of dark chocolate, coffee, and oak lingers along with fading citrus notes.