Month: June 2018

Distillery Spotlight

Distillery & New Release Spotlight: Kinsip House of Fine Spirits & Cooper’s Revival Rye

Kinsip House of Fine Spirits (Prince Edward County, ON) is a relative newcomer to the Canadian distilling scene – at least as a corporate entity and brand. The distillery itself has been around since 2012, and was formerly known as 66 Gilead Distillery (named for its street address), making unique, crafted white and brown spirits. When the former owners decided to sell the business, a … Continue reading Distillery & New Release Spotlight: Kinsip House of Fine Spirits & Cooper’s Revival Rye

Bryan Vanderkruk1 Comment
Review

Kilchoman 100% Islay – 5th Edition

The day started with one of Islay’s established distilleries that started in 1815. So a bookend to it would be ending with one of Islay’s newest distilleries, Kilchoman. So I’ve never had Kilchoman 100% Islay – 5th Edition and was interested in it. I hadn’t had many of them, only having reviewed the third edition. And not looked up anything on them. Turns out that 100% is… Continue reading Kilchoman 100% Islay – 5th Edition

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Review

Ardbeg 23

So we hit the end of our four Ardbeg drams at Ardbeg Day 2018: An Oa, Dark Cove, Kelpie, and then Ardbeg Grooves. We had pulled pork for lunch, the day was nice, and our fellow drinkers were a great group to have a few drams with. Then we’re lead outside into the spacious, cool patio at the back of the Caledonian pub. And on… Continue reading Ardbeg 23

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Review

Glenlivet 2001 Gordon & MacPhail Smiths Edition

One thing I’ve had a habit of doing, prior to elaborate tastings, is sit down and pour a primer dram. As I’ve been quite busy the last few months, my wife and I have missed a few date nights. Many would expect a date night at Ardbeg Day to be a little silly and something my whisky appreciating (though not totally reviewing) wife would look… Continue reading Glenlivet 2001 Gordon & MacPhail Smiths Edition

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Review

Premium Bottlers Vatted Malt GLLS 101

Thanks to /u/slackerdude for this sample. I was digging through some old samples and found one from quite a while ago. Premium Bottlers Vatted Malt GLLS 101 is different, that’s for certain. The company, Premium Bottlers, would eventually go on to become a distillery here in Ontario, Canada. They make their own whisky under the name Still Water Distillery, with the whiskies being known as Stalk & Barrel. They… Continue reading Premium Bottlers Vatted Malt GLLS 101

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Review

Bruichladdich 18 1989 Kosher Wine Finish [MYSTERY]

Thanks to /u/throwboats for the mystery sample! Your friends teach you good habits, and bad. I’ve had friends who’ve taught me to clean up, to fold my clothing, and to respect myself. I’ve had friends who’ve taught me to talk behind others backs and generally be a bad person. It’s give and take. Recently one of the “bad” habits I’ve picked up is seeing who, in the… Continue reading Bruichladdich 18 1989 Kosher Wine Finish [MYSTERY]

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Review

Ledaig 11 2005 Hermitage [MYSTERY]

Thanks to /u/throwboats for sending me this sample. I’m terrible at guessing Mysteries. Just awful. I concern myself with this because I’m worried it means I’m shit at reviewing whisky. Which is silly, because the fact I’m shit at reviewing whisky has no bearing on my mystery sample discernment. I kid, of course. I know I’m not shit at it. Though I do worry about my ability… Continue reading Ledaig 11 2005 Hermitage [MYSTERY]

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Review

Dalmore 18

I keep coming back to Dalmore. Most people would ask why. Heck, lots of people asked why I bought a sample of Dalmore 18 when I had my last chance at ordering Master of Malt into the US. Simply put, I truly believe all distilleries have at least one offering for me to enjoy. I’ve found them at others, and in this case, I thought I had… Continue reading Dalmore 18

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Review

The Whisky Agency’s House Malt 17

Thanks to /u/devoz for this sample. A lot of people these days are discovering the beauty of blind reviews. Removing the marketing behind something has some benefits. If they want you to think a certain way, it removes that thought. You can try a whisky without any preconceived notions. Granted it does raise other issues: It makes it harder to discern a distillery’s idea of taste. it… Continue reading The Whisky Agency’s House Malt 17

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Event Recap

Event Recap: Macallan & Highland Park tasting with Cameron Millar

We recently had an event with Cameron Millar, the brand ambassador for Edrington in Eastern Canada and tasted some fantastic drams. We both brought a few bottles we had gathered,  leading to a great tasting including a number of limited editions and since delisted bottlings including: The Naked Grouse The Macallan Edition No. 2 The Macallan Edition No. 3 The Macallan Classic Cut Highland Park … Continue reading Event Recap: Macallan & Highland Park tasting with Cameron Millar

Bryan Vanderkruk1 Comment