Balvenie 17yr Sherry Oak (2007) Review 17 years old 43% ABV 1st fill oloroso maturation A friend was kind enough to pass on a sample of this older, limited edition Balvenie release. Considering the Toronto Whisky Society is having a Balvenie event tonight, I figured it was an appropriate time to post one of my favourite releases by the distillery. Nose: Espresso, orange … Continue reading Balvenie 17y Sherry Oak (2007) Review
Nikka Taketsuru 21 Pure Malt, 43% ABV, acquired in trade. Nose: Apples, green grapes, floral, morning dew, soft oak, a really nice caramel coffee espresso, and a general nuttiness. Taste: Bitter chocolate, coffee, pipe tobacco, a faint lemon, and orange marmalade. Finish: Long. Chocolate espresso, slight wood smoke, malt, and orange notes linger. Thoughts: Really nice on the nose; a lot going on. The coffee-espresso … Continue reading Nikka Taketsuru 21
Crown Royal XR Red, 40% ABV, $175 CAD. This expression contains “the last remaining batch of rare whiskies saved from the legendary Waterloo Distillery before it was destroyed by fire”. Nose: Really nice apple, peach, and pear combo. Thick caramel, and a slight rye spiciness. Taste: Apple and under-ripe pear, more caramel but it’s thinner here. Finish: Medium length. Big vanilla hit, caramel and rye … Continue reading Crown Royal XR Red
Hakushu 12, 43% ABV, £65. Nose: Apple, pear, floral, malt, cereal, filo pastry. Taste: Pear, honey, grape, malt, floral, grass and earth. Finish: Medium and drying. Floral, malt, and light heathered peat notes linger. Thoughts: Light and refreshing on the nose, really nice fruit notes, and decent viscosity on the palate. The balance leans heavy on cereal and malt notes, but unlike Yamazaki 12 I’m … Continue reading Hakushu 12
Glenmorangie is proud to announce their newest Private Edition release, the ninth in a long line of annually released limited edition malts. Each edition explores new innovations and how they affect whisky. However before we get into the details of this new malt, first we should go back. Back to 1949. Why? Because Glenmorangie was the first Scotch malt maker to release a whisky that … Continue reading Introducing Glenmorangie Spios
Yamazaki 12, 43% ABV, acquired in trade. Nose: Honey, musty oak, sherry, honey dew, pears, nutmeg, vanilla, and a very slight heathered peat. Taste: Fresh citrus, chocolate fudge, vanilla, figs, and this really nice vicious malty note. Finish: Medium, very slight peat, fruit, chocolate, and malt notes linger. Thoughts: I really like this! I assume its ex-bourbon and sherry cask matured. The balance is right … Continue reading Yamazaki 12
Octomore 8.1, 59.3% ABV, 8 years old, $160 CAD. 100% first fill American oak from Buffalo Trace, Clemont Springs, Four Roses, Heaven Hill and Jack Daniels distilleries. Scottish barley. 167 PPM. 42,000 bottles produced. Nose: Lemon, a floral sweetness, black treacle, licorice, sweet straw, creamy peat, and a faint wood note. Taste: Grilled lemon, treacle, salt water, cantaloupe, floral. Finish: Very long, slightly drying, oak, … Continue reading Bruichladdich Octomore 8.1 & 8.3
William Larue Weller (2017 release), 64.1% ABV, 12 years 6 months old, acquired in trade. Nose: Rich brown sugar, and heavy caramel. Corn, powder sugar, cherry candy, new leather, and creamy oak. Taste: Dark cherry, nutmeg, clove, and cinnamon. Finish: Very long, slightly hot, black cherry, and soft oak notes linger. Thoughts: Bold and full-flavored. Really nice cherry and oak notes with a good amount … Continue reading William Larue Weller (2017)
Ardbeg An Oa, 46.6% ABV, $65 USD An Oa is aged in new charred oak, PX sherry and first fill bourbon casks. Nose: General sweetness, sherry, vanilla, lemon, lemon cleaner, ginger, licorice, bubble gum, soft oak, and a lighter peat than other Ardbegs, more of a campfire style. Taste: Fresh lemon, creamy oak, hickory, under-ripe pear, chocolate and toffee. Finish: Long, nice creamy oak. Very … Continue reading Ardbeg An Oa
Macallan Classic Cut 2017, 58.4% ABV, $75 USD Nose: Sherry and oak off the top, grape soda, grape Kool Aid powder, oranges, and chocolate orange. Taste: Oak, spice, oranges, fudge, milk chocolate, hazel nuts, grape popsicle. Finish: Medium/long, slightly hot, milk chocolate, oak and grape notes linger. Thoughts: You get a little of what Macallan Cask Strength gives you. The Macallan character is in there, … Continue reading Macallan Classic Cut
Macallan Edition No.3, 48.3% ABV, $110 USD Collaboration with master perfumer Roja Dove, this edition uses the following casks to make up the vatting: First Fill American Hudosa Butts, Second fill Euro and American Refill Butts, First Fill Euro Tevasa Butts and Puncheons, First Fill American Bourbon Hogsheads, First Fill Euro Tevasa Hogsheads, and First Fill American Bourbon Barrels. Nose: Floral dominates, chocolate orange, malt, … Continue reading Macallan Edition 3
Bowmore – The Devil’s Casks Limited Release 3, 56.7% ABV, Acquired in Trade Marriage of first fill Oloroso and Pedro Ximenez sherry casks. Nose: Signature Bowmore peat, dank/musty/woody, rich sherry, raisins, black cherries, candied strawberries. Taste: Subtle peat, oak spice, chocolate orange, Licorice Allsorts, red plums, cinnamon and molasses. Finish: Long and drying. Peat, chocolate, and oak spice linger. Thoughts: Its bold for sure, but … Continue reading Bowmore – Devil’s Casks 3
Toronto Whisky Society 