• It’s a very entertaining and informative show that I think will appeal to both the novice and seasoned whisky enthusiast.
• I’m interviewed several times during the show. (Let that be a warning to you…)

If you still haven’t had a chance to see it, or if you would like to watch it again, you can now catch it on Hulu. I’m including the link here. They excluded most of the commercials (thankfully), so the show is only about 45 minutes.

Check it out.  One bit of advice: having a whisky in your hand while watching it only enhances the pleasure!

McClellands? That certainly surprised me! Anything surprise you?

Buffalo Trace Experimental Collection, 1995 Vintage, “American Oak Chips Seasoned,” 45%, $47/375ml
Surprisingly light and fresh for a 15 year old whiskey. Crisply spiced, with hints of dried fruit, kissed with light honey and a wisp of smoke. Balanced and clean throughout, and very drinkable.

Compass Box Flaming Heart (10th Anniversary bottling), 48.9%, $105
A marriage of seven different whiskies from three distilling regions (Highland, Islay, and Island) aged in both American and French oak casks. It demonstrates the advantage of marrying whiskies from more than one distillery. More smoke and tar on the palate than the nose, yet always in balance. Well played!

Forty Creek Confederation Oak Reserve, 40%, $70
Perhaps the finest Canadian whisky we have ever tasted. Creamy and seamless from beginning to end. Forty Creek whiskies have always been very good, but none have ever had the right stuff to reach classic status. Until now, that is. An outstanding, very distinctive whisky!

George T. Stagg, 71.5%, $70
Very close to last year’s release in personality, with great balance between the sweetness, spice, and fruit. Nicely structured too, with clearly defined flavor notes. A great value, considering it’s almost the equivalent of two bottles of bourbon if diluted.

GlenDronach Grandeur, 31 year old, 45.8%, $700
The new ultra-mature release, following its 33 year old predecessor (bottled by previous owners). It’s nice to see the higher ABV. Very soothing. Quite deep on the nose, and viscous (almost sappy) on the palate. I like that it’s sherried, and the sherry is kept in balance.

Glenfarclas, 40 year old, 46%, $460
Glenfarclas has a solid reputation for aging very well. This new 40 year old is proof.  It’s complex and well-rounded, with great depth and no excessive oak. A classic, well-matured Glenfarclas — and a very good value for its age.

Glenglassaugh, 40 year old, 44.6%, $2,525
An excellent example of a very mature, sherried whisky done the right way. Much darker and more decadent than its younger siblings. Tasting this whisky, you know it’s old, but you also know it’s very good.

The Glenlivet Cellar Collection, 1973 vintage, 49%, $1,250
A marriage of three casks, one of them an ex-sherry butt. The sherry is certainly evident, and this one is more sherried than many of the Cellar Collection whiskies. Polished and seamless, with no trace of excessive oak. One of the richest — and finest — Cellar Collections to date.

Sazerac Rye, 18 year old, 45%, $70
An impressive whiskey, and an improvement from last year’s release. It’s soft (for a straight rye), well rounded, and easy to embrace, with tamed spice, subtle date, and polished leather on the finish. An excellent example of a very mature rye whiskey.

William Larue Weller, 63.3%, $70
Very similar to last year’s release. (A good thing, since that one was wonderful!) Very smooth, with layered sweetness, dark fruit, cinnamon, and polished oak on the finish. A whisky of elegance and sophistication. A benchmark wheated bourbon.

As promised, this is the first of a series of weekday reviews throughout the month of January.

The Glenlivet “Founder’s Reserve,” 55.6%, $375

A special bottling to celebrate a major distillery expansion in 2010. So nice to see this whisky bottled at cask strength and not chill-filtered. Silky smooth, velvety texture. Creamy sweet foundation of vanilla fudge and caramel coated almond. Plenty of fruit too (golden raisin, honeyed peach, ripe nectarine, hint of banana bread). Richly textured, good weight (but not cloying), and the flavors combine seamlessly. A celebratory whisky indeed.

Advanced Malt Advocate rating: 92

THE GLENLIVET® UNVEILS LIMITED RELEASE FOUNDERS RESERVE, CELEBRATING DISTILLERY EXPANSION
—————

Commemorating the recent expansion of its venerable distillery, The Glenlivet®, the #1-selling single malt in the U.S., has introduced a limited release Scotch whisky: The Glenlivet Founders Reserve.  Master Distiller Alan Winchester specially crafted the Glenlivet Founders Reserve – consistent with the steadfast tradition of The Glenlivet and founder George Smith – in honor of the June, 2010 distillery expansion. Founders Reserve will be available in the U.S. in limited quantity beginning in October.

Founders Reserve is characterized by its rich and velvety smooth mouth followed by a luxuriously long and lingering finish. The nose offers a full array of fruity flavors ranging from sweet orange marmalade and apricots to warm most fruitcake and is perfectly balanced with the tart and spicy aromas reminiscent of sweet rhubarb and ginger jam. The juicy Clementine and sweet caramel toffee taste envelope the mouth and finish with a delicate hint of spicy cinnamon and raisin.
 
“Founders Reserve is a fitting tribute to the expansion of the distillery where The Glenlivet single malt Scotch whisky, ‘the malt that started it all’ is created,” noted Wayne Hartunian, Vice President, Whiskies & Cognac, Pernod Ricard USA. “The £10 million expansion supports The Glenlivet’s long-term ambition to become the world’s #1 single malt and represents a new chapter in the remarkable story of The Glenlivet. It is 184 years since founder George Smith embarked on his personal crusade to create a malt whisky against which all others would be judged. Not only did he achieve his objective, but the visionary founder of the distillery would no doubt be gratified to know that The Glenlivet continues to maintain the standards he laid down for it as exemplified in Founders Reserve.”

The Distillery reopening and the unveiling of The Glenlivet Founders Reserve were celebrated at a gala opening ceremony attended by numerous dignitaries, including His Royal Highness, The Prince of Wales, Patrick Ricard, Chairman of Pernod Ricard, and Christian Porta, CEO of Chivas Brothers, the Scotch Whisky and premium gin business of Pernod Ricard.

The opening of the expanded distillery also coincided with the recent appointment of Master Distiller Winchester, the man at the helm of the expansion project and one of the Scotch industry’s most respected distillers.  “The opening was a momentous occasion in the long and proud history of The Glenlivet Distillery,” said Winchester. “It was only fitting that we create a very special whisky in celebration of the reopening and the beginning of new opportunities and successes for The Glenlivet. Founders Reserve is a celebration of our storied past and a toast to our future.”

The Glenlivet Founders Reserve will be available in a 750ml size and will retail for a suggested price of $375.

 

I realize that the price of this whisky is higher than most of you can afford (that includes me), but…

The Glenlivet Cellar Collection, 1973 vintage, 49%, $1,250
A marriage of three casks, one of them an ex-sherry butt. The sherry is certainly evident, and this is more sherried than many of the Cellar Collection whiskies to date. Opulent and seductive, with prominent fruit (glazed spiced orange spices, ripe peach, and hints of pineapple and coconut), caramel-coated nuts, and vanilla custard. A peppering of ginger and cinnamon throughout. Coating, soothing finish. Very polished and seamless, with no trace of excessive oak. One of the richest—and finest—Cellar Collections to date. Anyone willing and able to cough up the bucks for this whisky will be richly rewarded. (Only 240 bottles available in the U.S., beginning June 2010.)

Advanced Malt Advocate Magazine rating: 95

Here are some additional details which am taking from the press release:

Hand selected by The Glenlivet’s Master Distiller, Alan Winchester, and comprised of the oldest and rarest stocks in 1973, this exclusive offering is bottled at natural cask strength (49% ABV) without the use of chill-filtration. It is aged in a combination of sherry and refilled American oak casks (a single ex-sherry butt and two refilled American oak hogsheads), resulting in what the press release describes as a “perfectly balanced yet vibrant whisky.”

Valued at $1,250, only 240 bottles of The Glenlivet Cellar 1973 will be available in the United States.

If you like more oak influence (and a mouth-coating one at that), then go for the new Triumph 1991, but if you want your Glenlivet more vibrant and lively, then stick with the original 16 year old expression. (I like both equally.)

The Glenlivet Nadurra Triumph 1991, 48%, $85
Richly textured with mouth-coating malt that is balanced by an array of lively fruit (fresh peach, nectarine, tangerine, pears in honey, and delicately caramelized pineapple). Creamy caramel, crème brulee, anise and subtle toasted marshmallow add complexity, as does its gently spicy, pleasingly dry finish. Two years older than the standard 16 year old Nadurra (which I like for its vibrancy and freshness). This new Triumph 1991 is richer and more textured, with more caramelized sugars, riper barley, and greater fruit impact. More mouth-coating too. (Exclusive to the U.S.)

Advanced Malt Advocate magazine rating: 91

Details to follow.

If you haven’t seen it yet, it is informative and entertaining. And yes, you’ll have to put up with several quotes from me throughout the show. I tagged some of the distilleries that they visit during the show.

If anyone wants to really see the difference between bourbon and Tennessee whiskey, this is the show to watch. They show the sugar maple charcoal mellowing vats. In fact, they actually show the sugar maple being burned to make the charcoal. Cool stuff!