April 12th, 2010
Following up on my Friday post, here’s my review of another cask-strength Signatory whisky.
Signatory (distilled at Glen Ord), 1998 Vintage, 11 year old, Cask #3465, 60.3%, $110
Bright gold color. Big and firm on the palate. Quite fruity too (tangerine, pear, sultana, pineapple), on a dry malty foundation. Lighter notes of grass, hay, linseed oil and dried vanilla add complexity. Dried fruit and malt finish. A really nice dram with gobs of character.
Advanced Malt Advocate magazine rating: 87
March 16th, 2010
I’ll be hosting a whisky tasting Monday night at my favorite Manhattan bar called “d.b.a”. It’s a very informal affair, and we’ll have the tasting in the bar’s (heated, enclosed) back patio.
The theme is “Independent Spirit” and features eight different whiskies from eight different distilleries by eight different independent bottlers. The whiskies are from my own collection—some bottled more than 15 years ago.
The whiskies:
-Cadenhead’s “Highland Park”, 21 year old, distilled 1972, bottled 1994, 56.5%
-Whyte & Whyte “Inchgower”, 13 year old, distilled 1980, bottled 1993, 43%
-Signatory “Laphroaig”, 7 year old, distilled 2000, bottled 2007, 59.4%
-Murray McDavid “Bowmore” (finished in Viogner wood), 11 year old, distilled 1995, bottled 2006, 46%
-Gordon & MacPhail “Glenburgie” (single cask), 15 year old, distilled 1991, bottled 2006, 46%
-Mackillop’s Choice “Macallan”, 14 year old, distilled 1989, bottled 2003, 58.2%
-Scott’s Selection “Glen Elgin”, 25 year old, distilled 1980, bottled 2005, 44.1%
-Port Askaig (distillery undisclosed), 17 year old, 45.8%
The tasting starts at 7 pm. Contact the bar directly for information on tickets and pricing (212-475-5097). If you’re in New York, come and join us.
September 24th, 2009
The Highlander Inn in Craigellachie, Scotland, a place I love to frequent when I’m passing through for a nice cask-conditioned ale or a wee dram, just bottled their single cask for this year. It’s a 26 year old Bowmore from Duncan Taylor.
I know, everyone is bottling their own single cask of whisky these days. But, this one has my tasting notes on the back. Duncan Elphick asked me if I would be willing to taste the whisky and provide tasting notes on the back, and I said yes. It’s a nice Bowmore aged in a bourbon cask.
You can find the details on the whisky, including some images of the bottle, on their website. Here’s a link.
September 3rd, 2009
Some of you have been asking for me to review and/or recommend whiskies that are really good values (and not just the really fancy expensive ones). Well, here are three new ones from Gordon & MacPhail. I don’t have time to conduct formal reviews, but I have tasted all three on multiple occasions and think they are good whiskies (I would rate them in the low to mid 80s) at a good price.
The MacPhails Collection (Distilled at Highland Park), 8 years old, 43%
The MacPhails Collection (Distilled at Glenrothes), 8 years old, 43%
The MacPhails Collection (Distilled at Tamdhu), 8 years old, 43%
The typical price range, according to the importer here in the U.S., will be $33-35. However, they also informed me that in some markets you might see them priced under $30. A good single malt for under $30? Now that’s value!
August 25th, 2009
John MacDougall’s Selection (distilled at Bladnoch), 16 year old, 55.8%), $120
Bright gold color, and bright in flavor too. Very much in the Bladnoch style, with honey-kissed lemon, tangerine, kiwi, creamy vanilla, lightly toasted marshmallow, marzipan, cut grass, and hay. Richly textured for a lowland, and palate-coating (a tad oily, too!). The extra years have added some depth, while still retaining a youthful zest. Very enjoyable.
Advanced Malt Advocate magazine rating: 87
July 23rd, 2009
Here’s an interesting take on bottling different vintages of whisky. I got this press release yesterday. I’m still not sure whether I like (or don’t like) the 20cl size. I guess it would make it easier to finish the bottle quickly and then go on to the next release. Your thoughts?
A vintage for every occasion!
Today sees the launch of The CÀRN MÒR Vintage Collection, a collection of 24 different Single Malt Scotch Whiskies, from 24 different distilleries, from 24 individual casks, from 24 different vintages.
The 20cl limited edition collection starts with a unique 2006 vintage Single Malt Scotch Whisky from Glentauchers Distillery from a bourbon barrel . A different distillery expression has been bottled for each subsequent year through to a 25 years old 1983 Caol Ila Hogshead.
The label gives detailed information on the vintage, the distillery, year of bottling, cask type, cask number and limited edition volume.
A novel introduction is the inclusion of a small ‘Note’ panel, allowing consumers the opportunity to record a message, personal tasting notes or even their own marks out of 10.Kenny Mackay, Managing Director of the Scottish Liqueur Centre, who are producing The CÀRN MÒR Vintage Collection, commented “It appeals to consumers on so many levels; as a gift to celebrate a special occasion or birthday. For the collector, it offers an inexpensive route into 24 limited edition bottlings; and for the whisky enthusiast it offers the opportunity to collect your very own Single Malt Whisky anthology.”
The CÀRN MÒR Vintage Collection will be available from Specialist Whisky retailers across the globe. Bottled at 46% alc and with no colouring or chill filtering each expression has the natural colour obtained from the cask. The 20cl bottles start with a RRP of £8.95 through to £19.95 for the 25 years old Caol Ila. A different Limited edition cask will be bottled to replace each vintage as they are depleted.
“It is our intention to offer stockists of the complete collection of 24 bottles their own bespoke display plinth and we have already had consumers in the UK and Japan showing interest in the full set. It’s the ultimate gift for any whisky enthusiast.” said Kenny.
For Further Information contact:
• Glen Moore
The Cairn Consultancy
E-mail: glen@cairnconsultancy.com
• Kenny MacKay
The Scottish Liqueur Centre
E-mail: kam@scottish-liqueur-centre.co.uk
April 21st, 2009
Lombard “Jewels of Scotland” (distilled at Brora), 1982 vintage, 50%, $200
Bottled in 2004, but just recently put in circulation here in the U.S. (Very strange.) It’s worth the wait. It’s fresh (even at 22 years old), appetizing, spicy, and briny. There’s a sweet foundation of vanilla wafer and caramel, with a slightly oily texture. White pepper, seaweed, mustard seed, lime, gherkin and teasing gin botanicals add complexity. Spicy, salty finish. A vibrant, dynamic expression of the shuttered original Clynelish distillery. Quite stunning, actually. Find yourself a bottle before they’re gone!
Advanced Malt Advocate magazine rating: 95
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