Thread: Scotch/whiskey of the day

On a cold and breezy Malted Monday, I am seeking warmth in the bosom of the Peat Monster. This offering from Compass Box has quickly earned a reputation as a quality blend of Malts. The ingredients come from the usual, and not so usual sources of Peated Scotch. Within the bottle are Malts from Laphroaig, Ledaig, Caol Ila, and Ardmore. But there are also Malts from the Highlands. Clynelish, Teanininch, and Dailuaine feature, but only in a small amount compared to the others. The whisky is not artificially coloured, nor chill-filtered. the tears are thin and streaky within the glass.

There is peat on the nose (naturally), and a salinity that is akin to bacon. Slightly medicinal and kelpy, it really highlights the name on the box. There is a hint at hot chocolate if you wait for it.

Those peaty aromas come through like an onrushing wave on the palate. Smoke and coals giving way to the iodine of the kelp bogs. But, before this wave drowns out all else, a sweet undercurrent draws you back. There is liquid honey here, and a warming spicy quality like chillies. The chocolate hinted at on the nose comes through rich and dark, with vanilla creaminess as it leads into a long, lingering, and smoky floral finish. To breath after a sip is to inhale coal ash and nursery aromas, like someone through cut flowers onto the embers in a fireplace. Those aromas linger even after the oak tannins have dried the palate.

Water now, and with it, a sweeter, rounder dram. The heat remains more to the background, allowing sweeter caramel and chocolate to hold court longer. The peat remains throughout, however . . . there is no escape. The finish is shorter but no less enticing.

For those of you who want to try a peated Malt, with spending more than $100.00 at the LCBO, I would highly recommend you pick up a bottle. Bottled at 46% abv, you will find fewer bottle that represent the type so well, but at such an affordable price. This is a standout Blend.

This Malted Monday I am sitting back with a dram of Old Pulteney 12 YO Single Malt. The Pulteney Distillery sits on the northern coast of Scotland, in Wick, and for a long time was only accessible by sea. Thus, it is a maritime Malt, if not an Islay. It is aged in ex-Bourbon barrels, and bottled at 40% abv, leaving a viscous coating on the inside of my glass. It actually takes about 20 seconds for tears to form.

On the nose, I find raisins and honey. There is some salinity, and oaky tannic notes in the background. Waiting a bit longer brings some brown sugar and a sense of fresh toast and marmalade. There are some very interesting aromas here . . . and unlike an Islay Malt, they are given free rein to flow, in the absence of domineering peat smoke.

The first impression is that the mouthfeel is a little thin, but that is likely my implicit bias in favour of stronger proof spirits. It is very approachable. There is a sweet caramel immediately, that is followed by a building cinnamon warmth. The cinnamon never gets the chance to become too spicy, however, as fruitier flavour comes to the fore. There is a bread-like flavour, oily, with some nutmeg and vanilla that leads into a finish that turns toward the salt-airs found on the nose. Like the nose and palate, the finish builds slowly to a medium length climax. The caramel sweetness is offset by the sea-salt, and the oak comes through and dries the palate. A drawn breath hints at the cinnamon spice noted previous, brings wisps of smoke, and entices you to take more. So . . .

A couple drops of water turns this dram into a creamy butter toffee delight. There is still some saltiness and vanilla bean to keep it from being cloying, but the fruit flavours are firmly in the backseat, and any smokiness disappears altogether. A beginner, new to Scotch, might appreciate how tame this spirit becomes as a result, but I preferred it's more complex character, so "neat" for me.

All that being said, this is an exceptionally approachable dram. It does not sit heavy on the palate, and is not overbearing in terms of either mouthfeel or flavours. It is easy to see why this Distillery has a loyal following.

Bought a bottle of the singleton of dufftown spey cascade earlier. The cheapest single malt I've found in Norway. It's interesting. Deep flavour, plenty of interesting wood flavour, but only a touch of the dried fruit and toffee you'd usually expect in a speyside malt. Hint of grassiness in the finish, but overall not a great deal going on flavour-wise. I can't help thinking it would do well as a component in a vatted malt but it doesn't really have the range of flavour to go the distance as a single malt. The price is right though, and the european oak influence is interesting. Don't regret it, but not planning on buying again any time soon.

Christmas shopping done. Time for self-indulgence.

Bottle of duty free bulliet from my sister in law. One of my favourites, very smooth.

Not sure what Orville refers to as far as tears go, but for peats sake I damn near squeezed one out tonight seeing the bottom of that bottle.
Oh well...

It's been a fun advent season so far!

Highland park 25. Lucky me! Just a drop, there's no way I could afford a bottle.

Had no idea this was made..
Till I opened this present from my son.

Winter’s dark and full of flavour.

....Santa came !!