114 replies to this topic

[Chris Amirault]

I think that the Laphroaig Quarter Cask is extremely variable. I had a bottle I liked a while ago, and when I replaced it the next bottle was... weird. QC issues? I dunno. A side-by-side was odd, as if I had two entirely different bottles....

My current favorite is the Aberlour A'bunadh, which I think is a remarkable value and a stunning bottling. I usually have the Jura Superstition on hand, too, another affordable gem.

[Mano]

I think that the Laphroaig Quarter Cask is extremely variable. I had a bottle I liked a while ago, and when I replaced it the next bottle was... weird. QC issues? I dunno. A side-by-side was odd, as if I had two entirely different bottles....

My current favorite is the Aberlour A'bunadh, which I think is a remarkable value and a stunning bottling. I usually have the Jura Superstition on hand, too, another affordable gem.

Talk about variations, to date the Aberlour A'bunadh has 37 batches, each getting its own set of reviews. My Batch 27 is not one of the best but with none of the others to compare it to, is very good.

[ChrisTaylor]

I bought two Glenfarclas 15 gift packs--a full-sized bottle of the 15 year old plus minis of the 21 and 25 year old expressions. One pack for me. One for my girlfriend's father. Just poured the contents of the 25 year old mini into a tumbler and ... wow.'

Judging by the bottling date on this mini, the contents were distilled maybe 9 months and a week prior to my birth (shudders at the mental images involved with that, er, time frame ... but also somewhat amused at the idea this stuff could've been distilled on the same day I was conceived). I've never had whisky that old. The oldest, until now, would've been 18 years for whisky, 19-20 for wine. Which is odd, really, as being so young I guess there are so many products readily avaliable--many of which that aren't insanely expensive (i.e. like trying to find a whisky older than you when you're in your late 30s)--that are older than me. There's a certain magical quality added to each sip of this 50mL bottle of whisky.

When I get some more shelf space, I'm going to have to spring for the full-sized bottle of Glenfarclas 25.

[ChrisTaylor]

Sticking close to home this evening with a dram of Hellyer's Road pinot noir-finished variant. Vastly superior to their original, semi-peated and peated variants ... not because it's holy-shit-amazing (like the 8 year old Smith's Angaston I stumbled across) but because it's different. The wine barrel finish is very obvious--it's there in the colour, it's there in the nose (there's a yeasty sort of unbaked bread smell ... as well as the obvious red wine note). Creamy texture. The finish is that of a young whisky. Would I buy a replacement bottle when I eventually finish this, like I'd happily do with Talisker/Lagavulin/Abelour cask strength/etc? Too early to say.

So far, this and the Smith's (which was produced, sadly, in a very limited run) are the only Australian whiskies I've truly enjoyed. Yet to sample Sullivan's Cove (bought a 150mL bottle), tho', or the offerings from Bakery Hill. I've heard good things. The youth of the majority of our whiskies (the Smith's is the oldest I know of--by far) is a real killer, as is the price/avaliability.

Edited by ChrisTaylor, 25 November 2011 - 12:43 AM.

[haribos]

As far as the number of single malts available in the US, the Scotch Malt Whisky Society lists 121 distilleries, 25 pf which are closed, mothballed or dismantled. Of the 121, 3 are Japanese, 2 are Irish. Given that each distilery may use different casks and ages casks differently, there is no doubt that there could be hundreds of different bottlings. And, because a distellery is closed does't mean there is no supply of their product. independent bottlers, like Cadenhead, own casks which they bottle for sale. In addition, closed distilleries may contain large amounts of whisky as was the case with Ardbeg when purchased by another active distillery or company. Don't forget that the decline in the dollar against the pound sterling affects scotch prices.

I too am a big fan of SMWS. The only downside is that you may never get the same bottling again.

[ChrisTaylor]

Revisiting the Laphroaig 18 with my new Glencairns. I'm not sure if it's just that I'm new to trying to seriously identify aroma and flavour compounds, but all that I'm hit with is burning coals. The strong medicinal qualities of the 10 just aren't coming through for me.

[Catherine Iino]

On Chris Amirault's recommendation, I was going to get a bottle of the Aberlour A'bunadh as a present for my brother today, but got stymied. The store had three choices, a 17-year-old one (I think) that says it's aged in sherry casks, and two somewhat younger ones that say they're double-casked (I think). Obviously, I am an ignoramus among the cognoscenti, but my brother does like single-malts. Has anyone tasted the "sherry" one? The store's tasting notes say it picks up a lot of the sherry taste, which I love but my brother might not.

Also, is Jura Superstition a brand name, or what?

Thanks for helping me out.

[ChrisTaylor]

Isle of Jura is a distillery (and, obviously, an island). Superstition is one of the expressions of their whisky.

Abelour is a distillery. A'bunadh is a cask-strength expression with a new batch hitting shelves (roughly) every twelve months. It has no age statement. There are some differences between the batches but I think you must have been looking at the other Abelours. A lot of whiskies are aged in sherry casks (the most notable alternative being bourbon, but you'll find whiskies aged or at least finished in pinot noir casks, sauternes casks, rum casks and other types of casks. Sherry casks are very, very, very common, though. It's not something unique to Abelour.

[Catherine Iino]

Thanks. Interesting.

[ChrisTaylor]

Went to the Chez Regine (270 Russell St, for the few Melbournites/visitors who read eGullet) whisky bar last night and tried a few. Notables:

* 15 year old Nikka Yoichi single malt. My first Japanese whisky. A great single malt. Reminds me a helluva lot of Speyside--maybe Glenfarclas, specifically. I'd buy a bottle of this. I wouldn't buy a bottle of Nikka's 'white' blend, which includes Bowmore (yes, the Islay single malt) in the mix. It has, thanks to the Bowmore, a generic peaty Islayish quality about it, but it's not as nice or interesting as any of the Ardbegs/Lagavulin/etc.

* A 49 year old Glen Grant. Perhaps not as good as the 25 year old Glenfarclas, to my mind, but still very, very, very good. This was something special--partly because it's got the whole nice, caramelised, aged Speyside thing going on (with a bit of smoke) but also partly because the stuff in that glass would've been--by the time you figure on the bottle being maybe a couple of years old--pretty much double my age.

* Glenmorangie Nectar D'or. Didn't sample this at the whisky bar. In fact, I'm sampling a tiny portion of it right now. It's nice enough, I guess, in a mild and inoffensive and accessible way (despite being, what, ~45% APV?) but I kind of expected it to be a little sweeter given it's finished in Sauternes casks. It hasn't taken on anywhere near as much of the character of the wine as, say, the locally produced Hellyer's Road pinot noir finish.

* Booker's bourbon. I was expecting big things--not just because it's so expensive here and not just because it's raved about--but I didn't enjoy it. The finish is really harsh. The Woodford Reserve is a much nicer bourbon. Better may exist: my experience with bourbon is very limited.

[EvergreenDan]

* Booker's bourbon. ... The finish is really harsh.

Did you add some water, or more water than usual? 60+% ABV and all....

[gfweb]

.

* Booker's bourbon. I was expecting big things--not just because it's so expensive here and not just because it's raved about--but I didn't enjoy it. The finish is really harsh. The Woodford Reserve is a much nicer bourbon. Better may exist: my experience with bourbon is very limited.

Get some Pappy Vanwinkle if you can. Needs one small cube.

[ChrisTaylor]

I didn't add water, no. I ordered it by the glass and stupidly didn't pay attention at all to the APV--I only noticed the rot gut aftertaste. Next time I get the chance to try it I'll actually pay attention the APV and add a little water.

Last night I sampled a couple of interesting things:

* Isle of Jura Superstition: I know that this is Jura's attempt at producing a more flavoursome whisky (I haven't had the original but I've heard it's insipid) but it was really mild. Almost like it'd been watered down a whole lot by someone who really doesn't enjoy the taste of whisky. I wouldn't be unhappy if I'd paid for a glass in a bar and that's what I got but I wouldn't be rushing out to the shops to purchase a bottle for my collection.

* Abelour A'bunadh. haresfur and I did a side by side comaprison of my bottle (batch 28) and his (batch 33). The differences in colour, aroma and flavour profile were clear. It wasn't a huge different--it wasn't like comparing, I don't know, the Abelour to something from a different distillery or different region, but you wouldn't need an especially well-trained palate to tell that these were not from the same bottle. Obviously, if you like one you'll like the other. Of the two, I enjoyed the 33 more. haresfur, iirc, enjoyed the 28 more.

* Monkey Shoulder. A blend of three Speyside whiskies. Inoffensive for a cheap whisky. Nice, even. Would you run to buy this over some of the nice Speysides? Maybe not. But if you're at a bar and there's a join between that, maybe a Glenfiddich 12 and a Johnnie blend ... well, that's not a choice at all.

* Coal Ila 28. Tastes of smoke and nothing else. Not as complex as, say, Laphroaig, even (if Laproaig is like a burning hospital, Coal Ila 28 is like inhaling when opening a smoker). Worked well with the BBQ food but man ... you'd have to be in the right mood to enjoy this. And even then, you'd only want a small pour. I suspect this bottle will last me forever. I can see why they tend not to age Islay whiskies as long as Speysides.

* Sullivan's Cove double cask (bourbon and port). Another Australian whisky. Inferior to the wonderful Smith's 8, but superior to the original (and even the peated) Hellyer's Road and, of course, Lark. I don't know if I'd buy a bottle ... but I'd happily order it in a restaurant or bar setting if there wasn't something especially compelling on offer.

* Gentleman Jack. I had a strong reaction to the flavour and aroma of this one: overripe bananas (I hate the smell of bananas) dumped in an industrial-sized jug of nail polish remover and maybe left alone under the bathroom sink for a few months. No one else seemed offended by it but, truly, compared to the Woodford Reserve (my favourite bourbon so far) or even the Booker's, it was horrid. I don't think I've ever had the standard Jack so I can't tell you how much better it is than that.

Edited by ChrisTaylor, 10 December 2011 - 07:12 PM.

[ChrisTaylor]

Glenfarclas 15. It's nice enough for an entry-level Speyside but the 15 is nowhere near as impressive as the 25--altho', oddly, I do prefer it to the 21. You can pick up on the rich sweetness that's going to develop into the mouth-filling caramel awesomeness of the 25. Oddly, this could probably benefit from being bottled at, I don't know, 40% instead of the 46. The kick of the alcohol is really strong here.

I think I'll replace the 15 with a 25 when it runs dry.

Edited by ChrisTaylor, 10 December 2011 - 09:34 PM.

[haresfur]

* Abelour A'bunadh. haresfur and I did a side by side comaprison of my bottle (batch 28) and his (batch 33). The differences in colour, aroma and flavour profile were clear. It wasn't a huge different--it wasn't like comparing, I don't know, the Abelour to something from a different distillery or different region, but you wouldn't need an especially well-trained palate to tell that these were not from the same bottle. Obviously, if you like one you'll like the other. Of the two, I enjoyed the 33 more. haresfur, iirc, enjoyed the 28 more.

My initial impression was the 28 was nicer but the 33 grew on me. Maybe a little more going on with the flavour.

Thanks to Chris for a great evening. I'm a whisky novice compared to him. The Calvados was very nice, too. Maybe Chris remembers what it was.

I clearly lean toward the Speysides. Don't quite get the attraction of Islays yet, although they went well with the ribs. Sort of like cultivating a taste for smoke-tainted wine.

ETA: Calvados

Edited by haresfur, 10 December 2011 - 11:55 PM.

[ChrisTaylor]

You should've sampled the Glenfarclas. Hopefully I have a 25 by next time--it's something special.

[KatieLoeb]

This month's meeting of the Philadelphia chapter of LUPEC this past Monday was a day of shooting clays and drinking scotch. I've never really warmed up to scotch whiskeys but I'm learning. After our afternoon with firearms and hot scotch spiked cider (afterward, for those of you concerned for our safety) we were treated to a tasting of Glenfiddich scotches hosted by Heather Greene, the Glenfiddich brand ambassador, and one of the few female whiskey experts in the world. Our hosts for the event were the Trestle Inn, a recently reopened whiskey and go-go bar here in Philly that boasts one of the finest selections of brown spirits in the city. Delicious Glenfiddich based cocktails and a tasting through the 12 year, 15 year and 18 year old single malts was very enlightening for me. I thought all single malts were really peaty and smoky, but now I know better. The flask with me during the day was filled with Balvenie Doublewood, which is another single malt I've grown quite fond of. Definitely a day filled with activities appropriate for proper Scottish ladies.

[nickrey]

I too am a big fan of SMWS. The only downside is that you may never get the same bottling again.

This comment has been made before about SMWS bottlings. If we draw a comparison with wines, those in the know still talk about the 1998 Châteauneuf du Pape. Getting a perfect vintage is such a random event that it is noteworthy. I see the same thing with SMWS bottlings: their rarity is a positive. After all, if the supply was unlimited, what would the cognoscenti have to talk about?

[bostonapothecary]

This month's meeting of the Philadelphia chapter of LUPEC this past Monday was a day of shooting clays and drinking scotch. I've never really warmed up to scotch whiskeys but I'm learning. After our afternoon with firearms and hot scotch spiked cider (afterward, for those of you concerned for our safety) we were treated to a tasting of Glenfiddich scotches hosted by Heather Greene, the Glenfiddich brand ambassador, and one of the few female whiskey experts in the world. Our hosts for the event were the Trestle Inn, a recently reopened whiskey and go-go bar here in Philly that boasts one of the finest selections of brown spirits in the city. Delicious Glenfiddich based cocktails and a tasting through the 12 year, 15 year and 18 year old single malts was very enlightening for me. I thought all single malts were really peaty and smoky, but now I know better. The flask with me during the day was filled with Balvenie Doublewood, which is another single malt I've grown quite fond of. Definitely a day filled with activities appropriate for proper Scottish ladies.

what were the cocktails? i adore glen fiddich.

[brinza]

The flask with me during the day was filled with Balvenie Doublewood, which is another single malt I've grown quite fond of.

I love Balvenie Doublewood. The sherry notes give it some similarity to the Aberlour A'bunadh that's been discussed upthread, although the latter, of course, has a much richer, deeper taste, along with being a cask strength whisky. The first time I tasted Macallan's 10 Year Fine Oak, for example, I was rather unimpressed. It didn't do anything for me at all. I later realized that what I was "missing" was the sherry cask aspect of their flagship 12 Year expression (I don't think two-year difference in age accounted for much of the distinction). Then there's the Balvenie 21 Year Port Wood--Oh my.

[haribos]

Glenfarclas 15 or 17, Caol Ila 17, and Balvenie 17 Rumcask.

[KD1191]

Then there's the Balvenie 21 Year Port Wood--Oh my.

Oh my, indeed...if ever I need to shed a false tear I only need think of the fact that a bottle has increased in price by over $100 in the past 5 years. I enjoy everything from the Balvenie, but the 21 year is my perfect Scotch.

[ChrisTaylor]

Picked up some Glenfiddich 21 'Gran Reserva' rum finish at the duty free store in Abu Dhabi airport yesterday. Very nice. Was sorely tempted by the Laphroaig Quarter Cask--and I was on the hunt for the Glenmorangie Signet, too--but they'd have pushed me over the duty free allowance (I already had some South African wine in my luggage).

Edited by ChrisTaylor, 15 January 2012 - 02:05 PM.

[haresfur]

... (I already had some South African wine in my luggage).

There's your trouble!

[thirtyoneknots]

For my own part, I found the Glenmorangie Signet to be very forgettable, especially given the price. Now the Astar, that's some nice stuff, though I don't know if they are still making it.

[Chris Amirault]

Man oh man, I really like this Springbank 10 year 100 proof: a buttery, peppery, complex mouthful. This is going to be in the regular rotation.

[tanstaafl2]

Has anyone tried any of the new Kilchoman releases yet? It is a new distillery on Islay that has started putting out a bit of whisky recently.

I was offered a bottle of the Summer 2010 release (I think. Might be the Autumn release). Not that big a scotch whisky drinker but a bit intrigued given the fairly postive reviews which suggest it is mature well beyound its relatively tender young age.

[Brown Hornet]

My two current faves:

Ardbeg,Uigeadail -- has very much lived up to the hype. My favorite Islay by a mile.
Glenmorangie, Nector D'Or -- This is pretty much the opposite of the Uigeadail, but I love it as well. More balanced than most of Glenmorangie's Port and Sherry finish expressions.

I also recently tried the Balvenie 14yr Rum Cask. It was a little funky but not particularly special. Just ok I guess, maybe the 17yr is better.

[AAQuesada]

Ardberg Uigeadail is really good. My everyday drinker is Bowmore 12, From probably my favorite 'house' bottom to top.

[ChrisTaylor]

The Ardbeg Uigeadail is one of my favourite Islays. If not the favourite (which is not to say there's anything wrong with standard Ardbeg, Lagavulin, Laphroaig, Coal Ila, et al). Ardbeg's products are consistently good.