Ledaig 19yr SC 1997 (Cadenhead) 19 years Bourbon cask – I think? 53.9% ABV Normally I like sherry cask Ledaig bottles, or some of the younger, brash bourbon cask ones. Last older Ledaig IB I had was a real letdown. But, ended up splitting another one, because I know too many great whisky enablers. Nose: Leather, tobacco, oak, dark chocolate, vanilla, herbal notes, brine, red … Continue reading Review: Ledaig 19yr Single Cask 1997 (Cadenhead)
The Toronto Whisky Society sometimes conducts group reviews, where we split a bottle and all review it, then consolidate into a single post, a recent example being J.P Wiser’s Union 52. However, as a group, we have 2500 reviews online, mostly posted on the Reddit Whisky Network, which we’re slowly moving over to our website. We decided where more than 4 of us have reviewed a … Continue reading Group Review: Glenlivet 16 Nàdurra
If you missed out on your local lottery, or don’t feel like paying the exorbitant prices on the secondary market, these four “baby” versions of the BTAC range will have to suffice. W.L. Weller 12, 45% ABV, $46 CAD Nose: Really nice vanilla, oak, and brown sugar notes dominate. Also black cherry, some caramel, old leather, and a faint lemon and orange citrus thing in … Continue reading Buffalo Trace Antique Collection – Jr. Edition
On April 23rd the Toronto Whisky Society hosted our most recent event, a tasting by the Victoria Caledonian Brewery & Distillery. Andrew Campbell Walls, the incredibly delightful brand ambassador of Victoria Caledonian Distillery, was gracious to lead is through a tasting of the TWA Blended malts available from the distillery, along with a sample of the currently maturing single malt spirit (Mac Na Braiche). Below … Continue reading Victoria Caledonian Distillery – TWS Event
I first reviewed Laphroaig 10 way back in my 49th review about 2.5yrs ago while at a company outing and gave it a 91. Granted, this was after a few drinks, so probably not the most reliable of reviews. When I visited Islay last June with my wife, we went to Laphroaig, and claimed the rent for our square foot of land in their peat … Continue reading Reviews: Laphroaig 10 @ 40% & 43% ABV
Toronto Whisky Society were privileged enough to be sent bottles and samples of Do Good distilleries offerings. We’d like to start out by thanking Do Good for these samples, and for being patient while we waited for someone to legally bring them back from the US. Do Good Distillery is built upon the ideal of making unique, wonderful craft spirits. Their emphasis is on whisky. They use … Continue reading Toronto Whisky Society Do Good Distillery Reviews
Five of the big players from Islay. You will notice Bunnahabhain, Bruichladdich, and Kilchoman (among a few others) are absent from this lineup. I wanted to review the entry-level (age statement) offerings from the main distilleries to see how each compare. They are affordable, available, and most of all, these are the ones I currently have. Bowmore 12, 40% ABV, $60 CAD Nose: Very light … Continue reading Islay comparison
Glenburgie 21yr IB (Archives 1995) – Review 21 years Bourbon hogshead 54.1% ABV Glenburgie is one of the lesser known Speyside distilleries, despite not being widely known it produces over 4 million litres/year. The profile of the Glenburgie single casks I have tried in the past have been rather bold and interesting, hoping this one continues the trend. Nose: Peaches, vanilla custard, apples, floral, … Continue reading Review: Archives Glenburgie 21 Year Single Cask
Glenfarclas 21, 43% ABV, £7.50 (50ml) Nose: Very faint oranges and apples, heavy cream, dust, old books, and some leather. Everything is very mild. Taste: Honey, almonds, soft oak, wet cardboard. Finish: Short, not overly complex, light and mild. Thoughts: What is going on here? This is Glenmorange Original soft. Just really weak and flat. Zero alcohol note, but a pretty basic whisky. Not sure … Continue reading Glenfarclas 21 & 25 year old’s
Ledaig IB Side-by-Side Review Recently I got my hands on a bottle of Cooper’s Choice 1998 Ledaig, so I decided to compare it head to head against SMWS Ledaig 42.15. The specs of our contenders: Cooper’s Choice 1998 Ledaig 17 years old Matured in sherry butt 56.5% SMWS 42.15 19 years old Ex-bourbon refill hogshead 58.6% Cooper’s Choice 1998 Ledaig Nose: Sherry, cured meats/smoked … Continue reading Ledaig IB Side-by-Side Reviews (SMWS 42.15 vs. Cooper’s Choice 1998)
Kavalan Solist – Vinho Barrique, 57% ABV, Bottled 4/25 2013, £35 (196ml) Nose: Sweet bourbon-like caramel and rum-like sweetness, raspberry, strawberry, oranges, stale fruit candy (like expired wine gums), coco powder, oak spice, and buttered popcorn. Taste: Heavy plums and raisins, fruit cake, ripe banana, mild leather and cinnamon. Finish: Long, well balanced, high viscosity. Thoughts: A heavy hitting whisky with lots going on. Extremely … Continue reading Kavalan Solist – Vinho Barrique & Sherry Cask Reviews
________________________________________________________________________________ Macallan 12 (Sherry Cask), 43% ABV, $55 USD Nose: Very bold sherry, raisins, cranberries, subtle vanilla, and that unmistakable Macallan oakiness. Taste: Heavy sherry, dates, raisins, chocolate fudge, very nice underlying spiciness, and a slight bitter ginger. Finish: Medium-Long, well balanced, with those awesome Macallan oak tannins. Good mouth-feel and viscosity. Thoughts: I absolutely love this expression! In my opinion it’s the benchmark for … Continue reading Macallan 12 year comparison and reviews (Sherry Cask, Fine Oak, & Double Cask)
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