Thread: Scotch/whiskey of the day

Had a Dram ...on this cool evening..

Neil Bates :- Very pleased with this new purchase @ sub £100.....one of my new favorite drams, will definitely get another bottle to drink with Captain Bishty.
https://douongngoainhap.com

Iwasaki straights, Jnats, and oh yes, Suntory Yamazaki 12 year old single malt.

This Malted Monday has me back in harness with a review of Tomintoul's Peated Single Malt Scotch Whisky. It is not common for Speyside Glenlivet Malt's to be peated, so this NAS bottling will be an interesting departure. ,It is bottled at 40% abv and the tears develop slowly and thinly in the bowl.

The peat is immediately present on the nose, as one would expect, but it is not as heavy as, say, in an Islay Malt. The peat here is part of an ensemble cast, rather than given top billing. The sweetness of the malted barley comes through easily, like warm cereal after a chill night. There is a touch of treacle, too. There is also a floral presence here. It's very well balanced, if somewhat laid back.

The first sip has the typical peaty flavours comingling with the sweet treacle from the nose, neither getting an upper hand. The smokiness of the nose is a nice presence on the palate, while the barley keeps everything in check until some of the other flavours can manifest. There is a pepper note underlying things, and oak tannins curling in with the smoky peat. There is an earthy nut quality towards the finish, which is longer than expected. Through it all, the smoke never leaves or fades, staying with you to the very end of a long finish. For a NAS Scotch, this is surprisingly flavourful, even at 40% abv.

Water now, and the smokiness retreats somewhat, leaving the more medicinal qualities of the peat to struggle with the sweeter notes. It tends to lose the balance it had when served neat, and so I would not recommend it other than as such.

I was not honestly expecting too much from this bottle, and I have to admit to some chagrin at the quality on offer. Further, if you are already a Scotch enthusiast looking to find a way into the mysteries of peated Malts, this would be a fine introduction.

Snagged this in the va abc lottery today!

And also one of these too!!!!!

I missed out on the Birthday Bourbon lotto up here.

November 2nd is All Souls Day, and so it is particularly appropriate that I am reviewing the another member of the 2018 Northern Border Collection, Gooderham and Worts 11 Souls. This whisky is named for the 11 children that William Gooderham adopted after their parents perished during the voyage to Canada in 1832. Within each bottle you will find a blend of 11 unique whiskies, comprised of 4 different grains (including at least 3 different types of Rye), two different methods of distillation, and multiple barrel types (new, used, ex-bourbon). In short, there is a LOT going on here. According to Master Distiller Dr. Don Livermore of J.P.Wiser's, this is the most complex whisky he has created to date. The whisky is bottled at 49%abv, and is oily in the glass, with streaky tears.

Orchard fruits on the nose first, roasted almonds and honey follow. Some floral notes, as well as vanilla fudge and toffee drift by, and there is cereal and brown sugar, too. The longer it sits, the more there is to find. The last thing I note is some citrus peel.

Creamy toffee coats the palate, and a perfumy air inhabits the mouth. There is dried fruit that is supplanted by a warming glow of spices and vanilla. Nutmeg and cloves come next, with a slight bitterness. Not enough to be unpleasant, but it leads one towards a nice firm oak-laden finish that dries the palate in preparation for more.

Usually, I make a point to add water to the whiskies I review, but I am not going to do so now. In my eyes, there is nothing to be gained from diluting this spirit, and everything to lose by muddying it's flavours. As I said at the beginning, there is a lot going on in this glass, and I am going to sign off now and enjoy the rest of the evening in sorting it all out. Dr. Livermore likes to say that Canadian Whisky does not have to take a backseat to any other type and, with this bottling, he backs up that statement in full measure.

Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style Bourbon. At 115 proof, at bit much neat, but an ice cube settles it down a bit, and opens it up.

Blind buy upon suggestion from Total Wine sales person instead of the Bonded version, same price. No regrets.

This Thirsty Thursday we are wandering into the Highlands of Scotland, to review Glenfarclas 12 YO highland Single Malt. Glenfarclas is one of the few remaining family owned distilleries in Scotland. They also used direct-fired stills instead of steam heat. It is a little old-fashioned, but there is something to be said for a traditionalist point of view. The Whisky is 43% abv and the tears take a bit of time to develop inside the glass.

The nose is light, and the sherry influence is obvious from the start. There is also a nice subtle smokiness, with oak tannins underneath. Honey, almonds, and a kind of paint thinner aroma round out the scents I could detect.

Tasting brings honey to the palate, along with a thick "chewy" character. Again, traditional sherry casks making there presence felt. There is an undertone of tobacco leaf. Caramel and vanilla toffee pass by to remind one that bourbon casks were used to round out the flavour profile, and there is a strong character of date squares leading into a medium length finish.

Water brings more of the bourbon character to the fore. A slight tinge of coconut can be found alongside some grassy flavours. Caramel apples replace the date squares noted earlier, though the cereal quality remains in effect.

All in all, this is a wonderful Scotch. There is nothing that makes this dram a true "stand out". But, at the same time, there is a lot to be said for an honest Whisky that delivers on the promise of solid flavour at a reasonable cost, a whisky that takes the word "workmanlike" to heart. In short, while this is not something to serve to guests if you are looking for a reaction, it is absolutely the kind of dram to serve to friends and family for a quiet night by the fire.