Tastes

Glen Fohdry Fion Frangach an NAS release from a Total Wine Exclusive branding. This is agreed in French oak and should impact some routines to the dram. As with others, this is non chill filtered and is bottled at 46.1% the NCF should help or retain its flavor, viscosity and character. Color - deep caramel color, Golden brown, for an NAS this is probably due to coloring added Post Barrel. The legs are thin and ring indicating the influence of water added and age potentially being on the younger side. Nose - the nose is particularly weak and requires the nose to be in/on the glass. The nose is sweet fruit, tobacco and malt, not much to be discovered here. Palate - mild smoke, honey, fruit and tobacco and a hint of spice. The front is astringent and requires priming to increase taste, the taste is fairly well separated and you can taste the menthol flavor in the finish. The bite is very unwelcoming but isn’t a deal breaker. Considering its price, it’s a nice entry to a French oak scotch, while the influence is deeply limited by timid smokiness and an light fruit and a short finish it needs repetition for appreciation. For some that may be too tall a task considering the shortcomings. I wouldn’t give a recommendation outside of a shareable campfire dram or a daily Speyside that with a splash of water could become relatively palatable, in most other cases this would be a pass. - The scotch guy

Tri State rye from Kentucky, Tennessee, and Indiana brought to you by Barrell products. This nearly 120 proof rye should be bold and flavorful like it’s bourbon brother. Color - deep gold almost an amber like appearance, looks thin but the legs run pretty viscous. Nose - bright, golden pear, cedar, honey, and baking spice cinnamon and and apple notes (baked pie) are deeper into the glass. The nose was not overwhelming or strong but it was pleasant. Palate - spicy spearmint, honeyed wood, cedar and cinnamon tingle your taste buds. The flavor is bold but on the dry side, the finish is thin but lasting, the liquor is slightly viscous and very acidic the heat from the barrel strength lingers on your palate long after the taste has dissipated. The lasting finish is mellow but pleasant, honey, cedar, weathered leather and mint fairly balance but fairly pleasant. The Stellum rye is a true follow up to the bourbon counterpart, at times its bright and exhilarating, mellow yet complex, while it doesn’t bring out the sweeter taste it’s complexity makes up for it. This serves as a decent grab at its price range but leaves a bit to be desired as some small batches or single barrels in this price range feel more complete and well rounded, but this is a great intro into the barrell offerings. - the scotch guy

Weller Special Reserve the distant descendant of the famous and frequently sought Pappy Van Winkle. This bourbon switches out the rye for wheat, as the original wheated bourbon. The wheat in the William Larue Weller Special Reserve will have—the grainy, earthy and mineral influence which should bring much softer aroma and taste. Color—deep amber with a reddish hue—very clear with light golden edges. The legs are on the thinner side but the juice definitely has some body. The deep rich color nearly consumes light and maintains a welcomed deep rich color. Nose—the aroma is fairly soft, undisturbed it does not give a noticeable smell away from the glass. The aromatics begin to come alive as you approach the glass, notes are fruity and sweet, noticeable herbal tone is welcome and reminds me of honey lemon tea. The sweeter notes come off like a date or ripened fruit. Taste—delicious, the subtle burn of ethanol is nearly unnoticeable as it develops a feint spice, rich fruit flavors add a delightful sweetness. The oak tannins are noticeable and the medium acidity lights up the sides of your tongue—citrusy flavor is on the weaker side but makes an appearance, which makes for a very well balanced dram. Ripe bananas, dates, nutmeg, oak and a little minerality ties the drink together for a consistent and very pleasant experience. While it lacks the finish and expressiveness of finer whiskeys; at SRP (suggested retail price) this is one of the best bourbons you can buy—the caveat, finding at that price in some places is a harder task than most are willing to put up with. The original wheated bourbon lives up to the hype and is a great value at SRP, soft aromas and balanced taste makes for really high drinkability—Weller Special Reserve is a must have in the collection of any bourbon enthusiast and drinkers alike. —the scotch guy

The GlenMorangie La Santa 12 year — is a Sherry cask finish. The Sherry finish take on the original bourbon casks should amount for a fun raisin/spice flavor blast on the sweet and fruity. Sherries always are my favorites and I expect a lot out of this, hope it doesn’t disappoint. Color: deep amber gold makes for a welcomed color similar to the original GM10–the color to light definitely makes for a very rich and elegant looking appearance. The legs run fairly moderately with solid structure. Nose: faint and light, the sweet and fruity notes are welcomed near the rim of the glass—honeyed raisins and a faint citrus note are detectable but subtle enough to be missed. The Sherry influence is notable at the glass and is a great touch, the aromatics lag behind most of the GlenMorangie pours I’ve tried. Palate: the Sherry influence is delightful, notes of candied raisins and subtle citrus is very good. The taste very consistent from drink to drink and will light Sherry lovers tongues ablaze! There’s not much of a lasting finish but the overall experience is good enough to consistently return. The combination of Pedro Ximenez and oloroso casks are very welcoming. The lackluster nose, is made up for by a balanced taste of sweetness and fruit with a welcomed spice! No mistakes be made, the juice is what matters, but the aromatics matter and here, they’re flat and not what would you would expect from a Glenmorangie variety! — “the scotch guy”

The Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban Port Cask 14 year is another GM10 American Oak rendition. The spirit is transferred from the American Ok to Ruby Port casks for four years. The noticeable deviation from the standard is the color/hue which is deeper darker and different. Color: the reddish hue makes Themis normally light and golden color, dark amber with a subtle redness to it. The light hardly makes a difference here the amber/red color has a rogue mystique; the lines are think and slow to run, which should be a welcome heavier mouthfeel and long finish. Nose: the wood notes from the ruby barrel are present and forward, underneath that aroma is a dried cherry/strawberry note, the notes develop further into the glass with bold woody and vanilla aromas overtake the lighter fruit notes. The medium intensity of the aromas can be slightly off putting and the cask/wood smells are heavy and influential an multiple levels. Palate: the briny woody/malted grain really comes through, with a noticeable spice (cardamom) that comes to mind. The vanilla sweetness is subdued and the subtle notes of fruit are not as inviting as pleased. The long finish adapts and becomes sweeter between drinks, it’s welcoming and bright notes of dried strawberries come to mind, the flavor is noticeable but sorta muted. The mouth feel is heavier but the weighted liquid feel nice on the mid palate to the finish. Anything developed from the OG10 Glenmorangie really can’t disappoint—the Ruby casks elements are heavily influential and noticeable changes and develops the spirit in the a well-balanced pour vs other GM entries, but at double the price of the OG it doesn’t quite deliver, but it’s very enjoyable to say the least. — “the scotch guy

The GlenMorangie Nectar D’or is a Sauternes finished cask—matured and finished in a Sauternes barel. The influence of the sweetness from the ported wine should make for a sweet and fruity influence on the original GM10. I’m very excited for this, as a fan of the original bourbon cast finish this should be a welcomed expansion of an already great daily sipper. Color: beautiful Golden color, similar to the original 10, but shows the influence of the Sauternes and the added maturity. The medium gold is pleasant to stare at and looks great in the light. The oil streaks develop nice and slow indicating a possible long finish, the legs do not disappoint. Nose: heavy fruit aroma permeates from the glass—not quite intense but detectable easily upon lifting the glass. The apples, pear, and honey are most noticeable, they’re not shy, although a browned sugar smell is discernible but the honey is the star of the show—really solid aromas. Palate: the fruitiness is very forward and is entangled with deep notes of honey, a welcomed but nice floral finish makes for a mildly complex drink. The bite is noticeable and welcomed as the acidity lights up the sides of my tongue, pear, honey, and floral notes are a nice touch. The Nectar D’or lives up and transcends the OG10 from GlenMorangie, the inclusion of the Sauternes really develops this dram into a more complex and flavored finish. This desert-esque sweetness makes for an interesting scotch that will polarize most scotch lovers as a love-it or hate-it scenario—I love it. — “the scotch guy

Glenmorangie 10 Year - Bourbon cask or old American charred oak casks, but that’s a mouthful. One of the original single malts influenced by the hand of the great Dr. Bill Lumsden—also his favorite of the Glenmorangie line up, and one of his favorites all time scotches. Color: light gold in color, very vibrant in color and great sheen. Takes in light very well no cloudiness or floaters. Nice thin oil streaks, run fairly quickly, will probably have a shortened finished. Nose: tropical fruit and vanilla tickle the nose, a ripened banana, pear and notes of vanilla are charming and intriguing. The tropical notes are faint but present enough to pick up at a distance from the glass—while it still doesn’t give off an intense aroma. The bourbon influence is present in and around the glass giving a more shallow note of oak/caramel. Palate: the flavor of the malt is present and the smokiness is simple and subdued, the fruity notes shine in the mid-palate and finish. There’s a very faint peatiness at times but goes mostly unnoticed—the taste is on the sweeter side making for one of the easiest tens you can drink in a scotch. This drink slightly develops more as you drink, and it’s gets easier to appreciate the light fruity tones mixed with vanilla and a nutty like saltiness. One of my favorite 10 years, it is the quintessential expression of a scotch in its truest form—while it lacks the refinement and expression from an older more complex scotch it nails every meaningful note like a contestant on The Voice or American Idol—Glenmorangie 10 definitely gets my vote. This is an everyday sipper! — “the scotch guy

The Widow Jane: The Vaults 15 year known for their self-renewing water sourcing that’s naturally filtered through limestone in underground caverns which enhances the flavor and aroma of their spirits. For the vault, it is a handpicked selection of the oldest and rarest of the widow Jane stock. Head distiller Lisa Wicker is the master blender who ages the spirit in Appalachian oak casks for 5 years. Color: deep amber in color, with a nice sheen when held to light. The oil streaks or legs are welcoming and visible—slow running is a testament to the “oily” structure which should transfer in a long finish. Aroma: very intense and easily detectable at 6” from the glass. Notes of cherry and vanilla are present at the top with a delectable spice note nutmeg/cinnamon. Deeper notes near the rim show the characteristics of the barrel—and a slight bright burn of citrus leaps through. Palate: intense levels of spice come forward, notes of woody influence taper it off and a complex finish is pleasing. Mid palate is warm and acidic with a mid-heavy body, the finish is ripe and pleasant with notes of burnt sugar or vanilla linger on the tongue well after for a long rewarding finish. The citrus goes mostly unnoticed and a few tastes in I began to notice its subtle influence as a transient clean feeling just before the finish—exquisite. The pour is highly rewarding, at times the intensity from the Appalachian oak and the spice levels can be a bit intimidating, but the finish is so welcoming and long lasting it sticks around long after you put this away. The aromatics are equally intense and quickly prepare you for what’s in store—it’s hard to not love this drink as it continues to challenge and surprise you drink after drink. —“the scotch guy”

The Balcones Texas whiskey introduces an American Single Malt whiskey meant to imitate the single malt scotch, being a big single malt scotch drinker I look forward to this dram and how the Texas influences the taste of a scotch-esque pour. The nose—definitely has a mild nose, there’s a nuttiness with a sweet overtone along with an influence of cherry. Just enough to make for a unique aroma but it was not easily detectable at the time of review. The taste—the robust flavor is unique and balanced, the experience is complex and inviting never too much of one thing and very impressive for such a young drink. Toasted nuts, caramel, oak, and a slightly bitter spice coat your tongue before a velvet finish is soft but impressive with notes of cherry and tobacco flavoring. The flavor of malted barley is noticeable and welcome, the spice/heat is very slight but forward enough to exchange a great blast of flavor that lights up your taste buds. This is very well done, the taste is complex and layered as well as it is consistent—for an age so young the craftsmanship is very impressive! This unique experience would make for a great pair with a cigar as well as a enriching experience of dark fruits, wood, tobacco and a very welcoming spice! This is a must try for any scotch drinker looking for a unique experience! Well done Balcones, well done. —the scotch guy”

Balcones Baby Blue, Texas bourbon, in this case, corn whiskey should be pretty sweet. Fermentation in Texas is a lot different due to hotter climate, it’s believed that whiskeys age/degrade much faster so they need less time in the cask for added character and mellowness. The nose—very sweet, sorta smells like a custard, more directly like a banana pudding. With a closer sniff, the fruity sweetness develops into a brown sugar, there’s not much else going for it outside of the very noticeable aroma of sweet custard. The taste—has a noticeable bite upfront and a smoky oak flavor, the sweet finish ties in the aroma of the nose with a banana pudding flavor behind a spice. The second sip brought out more an oat grain like flavor with a woody mid-palate the sweet finish is consistent and noticeable. The result is a slightly disappointing pour, not to say it isn’t good, but it lacks the character of the nose, it lacks the balance and harmony expected from a corn forward mash. While it has a great finish, upfront it feels unrefined and phenolic in some instances, that level of inconsistency brings chaos to an otherwise pleasant drink. A big factor is probably due to the immaturity of this whiskey, with a bit more age maybe it’ll taste less young. —the scotch guy