PBMichiganWolverine
Blackened Whiskey
Other Whiskey — Multiple Countries
Reviewed
July 26, 2020 (edited September 27, 2020)
This is like one of those Netflix movies you download for a flight, hoping it’s just a brainless entertainment, but turns out actually much more thought provoking. I was in the mood for my weekly pour as something simple and one dimensional, while watching Lord of the Rings Fellowship of the Rings with my kids. It’s one of my favorite movies, wanted to introduce it to my kids, so wanted something straightforward to sip.
Don’t let the gimmicky marketing fool you. Yes, it’s gimmicky. Really cringe-worthy gimmicky. “ finished black brandy barrels”? What the hell is black brandy? Why not just write “brandy finished “. “Matured next to Metallica soundtrack !!??!” WTF? Makes that Jefferson Aged at Sea bullshit almost plausible. Why not just send a cask up with Elon Musk’s Dragon spacecraft and call it something like Macallan Dragon: “ exploring the timeless effect of lack of gravity and full vacuum impacts on the Highland flavor profile”. And then charge $1000. Bullshit.
But...much to my chagrin, this is actually pretty good. I had the #101, which has a higher rye mix. You get a caramel vanilla palette, with a sudden taste of a bit of grape...but not too much like you’re having armagnac. Just enough to remind you “ oh, that must be that ambiguous black brandy “.
This was from my own sample ( hey @Richard-ModernDrinking and @worldwhiskies95 ...my first Drammers pour), but would I buy a bottle ? Probably...since I’m glad to have tried a pour, and would happily serve this when guests are over.
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@BeppeCovfefe unfortunately, Ardbeg already capitalized on that...Galileo release of theirs
but really I think you nailed it with "cringe worthy"...
"just send a cask up with Elon Musk’s Dragon spacecraft " oh yea, GIVE THEM ideas.
Now if they cranked up some Mozart instead we would really be in business
@ContemplativeFox provided it’s reasonable.... I wouldn’t pay over $50.
With you and @Richard-ModernDrinking both approving of this, I'll have to give it a try when I get the opportunity. Absolutely did not expect something with this much cringy gimmick to fall into the 'buy a bottle' category.
That’s right...Ardbeg Galileo was it?
You jest, but Ardbeg has already done the aged in space gimmick. And Blackened does have convincing spectrometry evidence that the sound-treated barrels have greater oak flavour compounds than untreated ones, so I am giving them the benefit of the doubt! But regardless, as you note, it’s an enjoyable dram.