Tastes

The second of Cardona distilleries two offerings. The bourbon effort I found sadly lacking. Very light and delicate...I had to really drown the thing to get anything out of it. It was 66.7% however which is I think the highest % non-bourbon whiskey I've had I think. Sweetness, hint of vanilla but did struggle to make a dent in my palate. I did try this after the newest Longrow cask strength 14 year old Sherry wood which has just hit the market and before that 15 yr Springbank, the Sanaig and the Balvenie Caribbean cask so maybe one for trying first with water.  I really can't give it more than a 3.25 though.

Ah yes usually Monday night is not a drinking one but hey down in ChCh for work, return flight delayed and trying to catch up with everyone for xmas so good a time as any to get stuck into 6 drams with a mate. Number 4 on the list was the cask strength Longrow 14 yr Sherry wood. I did enjoy this one, maybe 2nd or 3rd on the night. Springbank 15yr was the clear winner by a mile however. This I'd say a 3.75. Given it was 57.8% I had to add a few drops in and it opened up nicely. On the thinner side after the SB 15 but still lovely. Smokey, light sulphur, sherry, and red berrys. Nice but like most Longrows wouldn't run out to grab a bottle.

I've been waiting to try this distilleries offerings for quite a while now. 3 years in fact since they first layed down barrels. I had a work mate who went in with 3 brothers and stumped up $10k NZ between them for a 250 litre barrel. Again on thursday out catching up with old uni mates a friend of theirs also has gone 5 ways on a slightly less expensive $7,500 barrel. Sadly my work mate was waiting 10 years and my uni mates friend was waiting 30 years so i wasn't going to have much luck tasting either anytime soon. They had unlimited tasting rights at the brewery which was nice for them. Anyhow catching up with another uni mate for xmas drinks whilst down in ChCh I popped into my favorite bar in the world and got to sample both their newly hatched ex-sherry and ex- bourbon releases. These sold out instantly it seemed which was amazing given a half bottle was $150NZ or well over $100USD. So were they worth it? I liked the sherry the best. Butterscotch, caramel raisins. Well balanced and no harshness. Lighter than I would have liked though. Definitely wouldn't be buying a bottle but nice to taste a slice of history.

One of the least favorites on the night. Not bad but nothing special, a bit too young Dr Pepper for me. Knob Creek Rye was definitely better. 3.5

Out of the 15 drams we had on the night this was definitely in the bottom quarter. A bit harsh, usual vanilla, bit of citrus and nothing special. 3.5

I've been impressed with the bunnahabhain offerings I've had so far (Ceobanach aside). This one is a great sherry drop. I wouldn't say it stood out on the night with a handful of drams pipping it. Typical oily Bunnahabhain profile, I didn't even notice the peat just tasted a dirtier style olorosso to me but we had had a couple of fully peated whiskies prior. Slightly thinner than other olorossos I've tried. 3.75

We tried 15 whiskies tonight and this one was last and came out tops. Damn fine dram and only $70USD. Could drink it straight no worries but I added some water. Beautifull viscous spicy caramel. My type of bourban to a tee, no Dr cherry pepper, harshness. Very, very nice. Luckily for me I ordered two samples by mistake so I'll get to try this one all over again soon. 4.5 Despite me not being a big bourbon fan these days this is still damn good. Probably more around the 4.25 mark these days but really love the profile which is more than can be said for most these days.

Interesting this one is so lowly rated. 3 of us tried it tonight and quite enjoyed it. Slightly rougher on the aftertaste but but of flavour, sherry currents and more. Nice drop and a 4.

Well balanced for 48%. Loved the viscous bourban vanilla and honey flavours. My favorite out of the two Glen Gariochs (the other being the 12). 4 at least for this one.

One of two Glen Garioch's on the night. I preferred the virgin oak but this was a nice drop with good balance between the sherry and bourbon casks. 3.75