Month: November 2016

Review

Review: Scotch Malt Whisky Society 35.142

SMWS Code: 35.142 Code Name: “Sweet treats and forbidden pleasures” Distillery: Glen Moray Age: 21 years Cask: 1st Fill Hogshead Toasted Oak Appearance: 1.4, Tawny Nose: Moderate body, caramel and vanilla at the forefront, very little wood detectable, lychee, white grapes, coffee cake, shortbread, butter cream frosting, a hint of sawdust and almost green wood. Taste: Spicy oak and tannins up front, I get some tart … Continue reading Review: Scotch Malt Whisky Society 35.142

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Review

Reviews: Glenmorangie Original, Lasanta, Nectar D’Or and Quinta Ruban

Glenmorangie 10 is one of the first bottles I ever bought when I was first getting into scotch. I purchased a gift set that had a 750ml bottle of original plus 3 minis of the 12-year expressions. Those have been sitting around for about 3.5 years now and i’m finally getting to them. When I first reviewed Glenmo10 way back in 2013, i scored it … Continue reading Reviews: Glenmorangie Original, Lasanta, Nectar D’Or and Quinta Ruban

Unknown's avatarBryan Vanderkruk1 Comment
Review

Reviews: Glenkinchie 10 & 12. A lesson in disappointment

I’ve had two Glenkinchie’s to date, and it’s my lowest average scoring distillery. Here are my reviews:   Glenkinchie 10 yr – 43% ABV I was somewhat excited to try this one as I understand it’s discontinued, and has been for some time, (replaced by the 12yr). I haven’t had a lot of lowlands, but thought this could be an interesting dram. also noticed no … Continue reading Reviews: Glenkinchie 10 & 12. A lesson in disappointment

Unknown's avatarBryan Vanderkruk1 Comment
Review

Review: Old Grand Dad Bottled-in-Bond

Appearance: 1.4, Tawny Nose: Yup, that’s a bourbon! Vanilla and caramel. I also get a nice dose of rye spices, fresh rye bread (light, not dark), some floral notes as well. Quite nice; I am a sucker for a rye heavy whisky though. Taste: Sweet and spicy, salted caramel ice cream, very peppery (as in, “holy s**t, who unscrewed the top off of the pepper … Continue reading Review: Old Grand Dad Bottled-in-Bond

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Review

Review: Wiser’s Last Barrels

Appearance: 1.3, Russet Nose: Very much a bourbon nose; vanilla, caramel, toasted oak. I also get a fair bit of fruitiness and almost some floral notes too; white grapes, pear, mango, and fresh linens. Taste: Hits with a slightly astringent bitter oak note, developing with lots of wood spice, black pepper, cinnamon, clove. I also get vanilla and caramel, unsurprisingly, with some apricot and banana. … Continue reading Review: Wiser’s Last Barrels

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Review

Review: Scotch Malt Whisky Society 36.96

  SMWS Code: 36.96 Code Name: “Chocolate cake cookie” Distillery: Benrinnes Age: 9 years Cask: 1st Fill Ex-Bourbon Barrel Appearance: 0.3, Pale Gold Nose: Up front mint and menthol, vanilla, some white cake, powdered sugar, apple and pear, peppery oak. A bit one dimensional. Taste: Quite spicy and youthful on the arrival, cinnamon, clove, vanilla, apple, pear, pineapple, white pepper, lemon zest, lemon custard. Great mouth feel … Continue reading Review: Scotch Malt Whisky Society 36.96

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Review

Black Friday Review: Black Bottle

I reviewed this about 13 months ago and since I posted a bourbon for American Thanksgiving yesterday, why not stay topical for Black Friday? This is the new packaging of Black Bottle. Sadly I never had a chance to try the old bottling. Black Bottle (new packaging) – 40% ABV Appearance: deep copper orange. Definitely chock full of e150 Nose: quite sweet. You can smell … Continue reading Black Friday Review: Black Bottle

Unknown's avatarBryan Vanderkruk1 Comment
Review

Review: Scotch Malt Whisky Society 121.77

SMWS Code: 121.77 Code Name: “Dunnage warehouse orange boxes” Distillery: Arran Age: 19 years Cask: Refill Hogshead Appearance: 0.8, Deep Gold Nose: Combination bourbon cask influence and brine; I get salty peanut brittle, vanilla and caramel, hints of some citrus (orange, tinged with lemon). Quite grainy and malty. Taste: Thick mouthfeel, vanilla, salted caramel, oak and white pepper, mandarin orange, clove and anise, slightly astringent. Finish: More … Continue reading Review: Scotch Malt Whisky Society 121.77

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Review

Thanksgiving Review: Wild Turkey 101

I picked this up at the DutyFreeAmerica at the Buffalo border. figured what better whisky review to post for thanksgiving than a Turkey! Wild Turkey 101 – 50.5% Appearance: orange and gold. Nicely coats the glass. I’m always amazed at the colour you get in bourbon without added colouring… must be the virgin oak. Nose: lots of caramel and vanilla, honey and oak. A mellow … Continue reading Thanksgiving Review: Wild Turkey 101

Unknown's avatarBryan Vanderkruk1 Comment
Review

Review: Scotch Malt Whisky Society 71.41

SMWS Code: 71.41 Code Name: “Curious and intriguing” Distillery: Glenburgie Age: 17 years Cask: Refill Ex-Sherry Gorda Appearance: 1.3, Russet Nose: Dominated by sulphur on the nose; gunpowder and spent matches. Fairly difficult to pick out much beyond that; a hint of some cola cubes, almost cherry coke. Taste: Arrives with a crescendo of dry fruit, almost a biting dryness initially, gunpowder note is present but … Continue reading Review: Scotch Malt Whisky Society 71.41

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Review

Review: Aberlour 12 Double Cask

bought this one in 2013 after reading glowing reviews of the 12yr NCF edition, seeing the LCBO price and thinking whoa! what a deal! turns out this is the double cask matured, which is slightly different. Aberlour 12 Double Cask matured: 43% ABV Appearance: reddish gold colour. probably darkest of the bottles in my collection. Nose: sweet sherry, some fruit… can’t pick it out. not … Continue reading Review: Aberlour 12 Double Cask

Unknown's avatarBryan Vanderkruk1 Comment