Comments on: What distillery impressed you last year? And why? http://www.whiskyadvocateblog.com/2010/01/03/what-distillery-impressed-you-last-year-and-why/ Tue, 07 Feb 2012 00:25:07 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Éric Falardeau http://www.whiskyadvocateblog.com/2010/01/03/what-distillery-impressed-you-last-year-and-why/#comment-16264 Éric Falardeau Tue, 26 Jan 2010 16:20:32 +0000 http://blog.maltadvocate.com/?p=3040#comment-16264 Tuthilltown Spirits! A great microdistillery, easy going people you can reach easily, amazing range of products, nice use of social media (Facebook, and al.)... A+ grade! Can't wait to get there in february for my birthday! www.tuthilltown.com/ Tuthilltown Spirits!

A great microdistillery, easy going people you can reach easily, amazing range of products, nice use of social media (Facebook, and al.)… A+ grade!

Can’t wait to get there in february for my birthday!

http://www.tuthilltown.com/

]]> By: DavindeK http://www.whiskyadvocateblog.com/2010/01/03/what-distillery-impressed-you-last-year-and-why/#comment-14772 DavindeK Sat, 09 Jan 2010 23:08:41 +0000 http://blog.maltadvocate.com/?p=3040#comment-14772 There is so much good new whisky out there that it's hard to choose. For a distillery - I'll go with Glendronach based on their new range. I love all of it. For bottlers, that's more difficult. Great Japanese whisky from Number One and fantastic Scotch from Compass Box. Let's call it a tie. There is so much good new whisky out there that it’s hard to choose. For a distillery – I’ll go with Glendronach based on their new range. I love all of it. For bottlers, that’s more difficult. Great Japanese whisky from Number One and fantastic Scotch from Compass Box. Let’s call it a tie.

]]> By: mars http://www.whiskyadvocateblog.com/2010/01/03/what-distillery-impressed-you-last-year-and-why/#comment-14762 mars Sat, 09 Jan 2010 20:59:10 +0000 http://blog.maltadvocate.com/?p=3040#comment-14762 Glendronach, I have all of the last year release(some twice). And I will buy all of this year release(some twice again). MARS Glendronach, I have all of the last year release(some twice). And I will buy all of this year release(some twice again).

MARS

]]> By: Dr. Charles K Walker http://www.whiskyadvocateblog.com/2010/01/03/what-distillery-impressed-you-last-year-and-why/#comment-14692 Dr. Charles K Walker Fri, 08 Jan 2010 17:05:15 +0000 http://blog.maltadvocate.com/?p=3040#comment-14692 I would agree with the comments on Craft Distilling. Some should not even try to get to market in just months. But I guess they are eager to get a return on their investment. Someone mentioned Dry Fly. I had the pleasure of trying it several times while in Seattle and I must say, those Dry Fly guys do it right. Their 100% wheat whiskey is so light and has a lingering caramel type sweetness. Try their vodka and gin sometime too.. I would agree with the comments on Craft Distilling. Some should not even try to get to market in just months. But I guess they are eager to get a return on their investment. Someone mentioned Dry Fly. I had the pleasure of trying it several times while in Seattle and I must say, those Dry Fly guys do it right. Their 100% wheat whiskey is so light and has a lingering caramel type sweetness. Try their vodka and gin sometime too..

]]> By: Andrew Ferguson http://www.whiskyadvocateblog.com/2010/01/03/what-distillery-impressed-you-last-year-and-why/#comment-14646 Andrew Ferguson Thu, 07 Jan 2010 20:07:12 +0000 http://blog.maltadvocate.com/?p=3040#comment-14646 I agree with many of the previous contributors, BenRiach and Springbank have remained steadily impressive the last few years and this past is no exception. I had not been a big fan of the Amrut whiskies until the release of the Fusion this year, which showed previously unseen depth, character and balance. I also really enjoy the new 10 year old cask strength Bowmore Tempest. I have yet to try to the Gold Bowmore, but the Tempest did have shades of the same tropical fruit notes found in the Black and White Bowmores, at a fraction the price. I would have to say the biggest surprise to me this year were the Kilkerran whiskies from Glengyle in Campbeltown. I have tried a number of different casks and bottlings including the Work in Progress, and am surprised that it didn't catch on with as much enthusiasm as the Kilchoman. Perhaps they should have built it on Islay! Slainte! Andrew Ferguson Calgary, Canada I agree with many of the previous contributors, BenRiach and Springbank have remained steadily impressive the last few years and this past is no exception. I had not been a big fan of the Amrut whiskies until the release of the Fusion this year, which showed previously unseen depth, character and balance. I also really enjoy the new 10 year old cask strength Bowmore Tempest. I have yet to try to the Gold Bowmore, but the Tempest did have shades of the same tropical fruit notes found in the Black and White Bowmores, at a fraction the price.

I would have to say the biggest surprise to me this year were the Kilkerran whiskies from Glengyle in Campbeltown. I have tried a number of different casks and bottlings including the Work in Progress, and am surprised that it didn’t catch on with as much enthusiasm as the Kilchoman. Perhaps they should have built it on Islay!

Slainte!

Andrew Ferguson
Calgary, Canada

]]> By: Chuck Cowdery http://www.whiskyadvocateblog.com/2010/01/03/what-distillery-impressed-you-last-year-and-why/#comment-14642 Chuck Cowdery Thu, 07 Jan 2010 18:31:27 +0000 http://blog.maltadvocate.com/?p=3040#comment-14642 The first one that popped into my mind? Garrison Brothers in Texas. They have been making and barreling whiskey for about two years now and haven't released anything yet. They are determined to make a Texas Straight Bourbon Whiskey and are taking the time to do it right. The first one that popped into my mind? Garrison Brothers in Texas. They have been making and barreling whiskey for about two years now and haven’t released anything yet. They are determined to make a Texas Straight Bourbon Whiskey and are taking the time to do it right.

]]> By: Monique at the Dell http://www.whiskyadvocateblog.com/2010/01/03/what-distillery-impressed-you-last-year-and-why/#comment-14610 Monique at the Dell Thu, 07 Jan 2010 13:38:57 +0000 http://blog.maltadvocate.com/?p=3040#comment-14610 I've got to agree with past posts about the Bladnoch. Raymond is doing great things there, I am looking forward to some more bottlings from his vast store! Also, loved the Kilkerran in bourbon from Glen Gyle and Springbank 18. I’ve got to agree with past posts about the Bladnoch. Raymond is doing great things there, I am looking forward to some more bottlings from his vast store!
Also, loved the Kilkerran in bourbon from Glen Gyle and Springbank 18.

]]> By: WolfgangU http://www.whiskyadvocateblog.com/2010/01/03/what-distillery-impressed-you-last-year-and-why/#comment-14562 WolfgangU Wed, 06 Jan 2010 19:20:53 +0000 http://blog.maltadvocate.com/?p=3040#comment-14562 Balblair is absolutely top-notch when it comes to treatment of visitors. Not my favourite whisky, but I was really impressed with their hospitality. Generous samples and no restrictions with photography. Balblair is absolutely top-notch when it comes to treatment of visitors. Not my favourite whisky, but I was really impressed with their hospitality. Generous samples and no restrictions with photography.

]]> By: Alex http://www.whiskyadvocateblog.com/2010/01/03/what-distillery-impressed-you-last-year-and-why/#comment-14519 Alex Wed, 06 Jan 2010 15:26:46 +0000 http://blog.maltadvocate.com/?p=3040#comment-14519 Bruichladdich is always a favorite - this past year I continued to enjoy Port Charlotte (PC7) and the Octmore 1.1. Always enjoy their non-vintage, multicask bottlings as well and Resurrection dram was a great value bottling. On the American whisky front, I too enjoyed the McCarthy's Clear Creek offering - great peated American malt! Bruichladdich is always a favorite – this past year I continued to enjoy Port Charlotte (PC7) and the Octmore 1.1. Always enjoy their non-vintage, multicask bottlings as well and Resurrection dram was a great value bottling.

On the American whisky front, I too enjoyed the McCarthy’s Clear Creek offering – great peated American malt!

]]> By: Neil Fusillo http://www.whiskyadvocateblog.com/2010/01/03/what-distillery-impressed-you-last-year-and-why/#comment-14511 Neil Fusillo Wed, 06 Jan 2010 10:41:19 +0000 http://blog.maltadvocate.com/?p=3040#comment-14511 Hmmm.... narrowing it down to one is really difficult. I'd have to say that, for really surprising me with blended quality, I was most impressed with Kittling Ridge in Canada. John Hall is doing some really amazing things up there, and his experiments and blends never cease to surprise and please me. On the Scotch side, The Dalmore impressed me greatly with their new expressions, crafted by the same master who makes my much-loved Jura Superstition. While I enjoyed some of the peat from BenRiach, and some of the experiments from Bruichladdich, I think the fine crafting of The Dalmore stood out for me. Hmmm…. narrowing it down to one is really difficult. I’d have to say that, for really surprising me with blended quality, I was most impressed with Kittling Ridge in Canada. John Hall is doing some really amazing things up there, and his experiments and blends never cease to surprise and please me.

On the Scotch side, The Dalmore impressed me greatly with their new expressions, crafted by the same master who makes my much-loved Jura Superstition. While I enjoyed some of the peat from BenRiach, and some of the experiments from Bruichladdich, I think the fine crafting of The Dalmore stood out for me.

]]> By: Canman http://www.whiskyadvocateblog.com/2010/01/03/what-distillery-impressed-you-last-year-and-why/#comment-14472 Canman Tue, 05 Jan 2010 15:30:02 +0000 http://blog.maltadvocate.com/?p=3040#comment-14472 I have to say for a single malt The Dalmore is best in it's class and I am finding it hard to be beaten by anyother on the market right now. Looking forward to trying the new 18 year old expression I have to say for a single malt The Dalmore is best in it’s class and I am finding it hard to be beaten by anyother on the market right now. Looking forward to trying the new 18 year old expression

]]> By: Luke http://www.whiskyadvocateblog.com/2010/01/03/what-distillery-impressed-you-last-year-and-why/#comment-14469 Luke Tue, 05 Jan 2010 15:09:11 +0000 http://blog.maltadvocate.com/?p=3040#comment-14469 I'll second JC Skinner's views on Cooley. As well as Locke's 9 Year Old "Grand Crew" this year's 17 Year Old Single Cask Connemara and The Tyrconnell 17 Year Old Single Cask were excellent. I’ll second JC Skinner’s views on Cooley.

As well as Locke’s 9 Year Old “Grand Crew” this year’s 17 Year Old Single Cask Connemara and The Tyrconnell 17 Year Old Single Cask were excellent.

]]> By: Todd http://www.whiskyadvocateblog.com/2010/01/03/what-distillery-impressed-you-last-year-and-why/#comment-14457 Todd Tue, 05 Jan 2010 10:34:38 +0000 http://blog.maltadvocate.com/?p=3040#comment-14457 I'm going with Benriach, from the perspective that Benriach was a bland, tired whisky under its previous ownership (strain to remember the forgettable dreck with the light blue label that was available just a few years back). Benriach has gone from Glen-like-whatever to releasing some of the most interesting whiskies on the market. The general releases are very good and many of the single cask OBs I have tried are excellent. Binnys also has a number of excellent IB peated Benriach bottlings. I think that the new Benriach exemplifies the power of whisky knowledge and careful cask selection by the Walkers and their staff. My runner up is Ardbeg. In spite of having very little room to manoeuvre in terms of lacking depth of aged stocks (the 10 year old is now remarkably the oldest whisky in the standard line-up), Ardbeg released two exciting no age statement whiskies in 2009, the Corryvreckan and the Supernova. I’m going with Benriach, from the perspective that Benriach was a bland, tired whisky under its previous ownership (strain to remember the forgettable dreck with the light blue label that was available just a few years back). Benriach has gone from Glen-like-whatever to releasing some of the most interesting whiskies on the market. The general releases are very good and many of the single cask OBs I have tried are excellent. Binnys also has a number of excellent IB peated Benriach bottlings. I think that the new Benriach exemplifies the power of whisky knowledge and careful cask selection by the Walkers and their staff.

My runner up is Ardbeg. In spite of having very little room to manoeuvre in terms of lacking depth of aged stocks (the 10 year old is now remarkably the oldest whisky in the standard line-up), Ardbeg released two exciting no age statement whiskies in 2009, the Corryvreckan and the Supernova.

]]> By: Best in Blog #58: Top 10 Whiskies of 2009; Distilleries Doing Good Work | Whisky Party http://www.whiskyadvocateblog.com/2010/01/03/what-distillery-impressed-you-last-year-and-why/#comment-14442 Best in Blog #58: Top 10 Whiskies of 2009; Distilleries Doing Good Work | Whisky Party Tue, 05 Jan 2010 04:06:02 +0000 http://blog.maltadvocate.com/?p=3040#comment-14442 [...] Hansell also wants to know what distilleries impressed you in 2009?  I put in my own $.02 for American [...] [...] Hansell also wants to know what distilleries impressed you in 2009?  I put in my own $.02 for American [...]

]]> By: Jason Cretacci http://www.whiskyadvocateblog.com/2010/01/03/what-distillery-impressed-you-last-year-and-why/#comment-14431 Jason Cretacci Tue, 05 Jan 2010 01:15:14 +0000 http://blog.maltadvocate.com/?p=3040#comment-14431 I would agree with Lavinia, not so much a distillery, but Compass Box has impressed me. Bringing back the Spice Tree & the release of Lady Luck has me excited. I look forward to their outside of the box mentality. I would agree with Lavinia, not so much a distillery, but Compass Box has impressed me. Bringing back the Spice Tree & the release of Lady Luck has me excited. I look forward to their outside of the box mentality.

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