2012

SMWSA Cask No 25.63

/ / Review, Scottish Whisky, SMWSA Whiskies /

SMWSA Cask No. 25.63
Lowlands, Central Lowlands
59.8% ABV
Distilled November 1990
$145
US Allocation: 108 bottles
Holiday 2012 Outturn Release

What the SMWSA Says:
The nose suggested fermenting beer – still life on the lid of a washback – green apples, a pear, a peach, some lemon puffs, a stone bowl containing sweet pipe tobacco and a bunch of fresh spring flowers. Pears again on the palate (riper now), also some fizzy fruit (sherbet lemons), more flowers (this time from high summer) and definite peppery spice (‘poire et poivre’). The second nosing had mild liquorice (sherbet dib-dabs) tobacco leaf and pear and nettle sorbet. The reduced palate gave light, pleasant flavours of bergamot and floral perfumes; a mild tingly finish. From Falkirk’s sadly now defunct distillery.

Drinking tip: Summer-time dram – perhaps to accompany tea in the garden.

What Richard Says:
Nose: Green grass, orchards in bloom, and poached pears. Water at first makes it more vegetal and then reveals notes of apples and oranges.
Palate: Really sweet like pear preserves my grandmother used to make. Not sure if it’s the whisky or the proof but that jelly is in a spicy peppery shell. Water mutes the pepper and spice but leave the palate herbal. Where did that wonderful pear jelly go?
Finish: Nothing too remarkable but nothing offensive either.
Comments: This is a pear lover’s dram. Lucky for me I’m a pear lover. The palate and nose are fantastice but water whisks them away all too quickly. Add water slowly and sparingly.
Rating: Must Try

Review sample provided courtesy of the SMWSA and is available to society members through their website or 800.990.1991.

SMWSA Cask No 25.63 Read More »

SMWSA Cask 16.32

/ / Review, Scottish Whisky, SMWSA Whiskies /

SMWSA Cask No. 16.32
Highlands, Eastern Highlands
57.2% ABV
Distilled March 2001
$95
US Allocation: 120 bottles
Holiday 2012 Outturn Release

What the SMWSA Says:
The nose was certainly savory (salty bacon, roast parsnips, beef in red wine reduction) but also sweet (butter croissants, marmalade, toffee) with hints of coke embers, engine rooms, tobacco, struck match, floral notes and ‘old wardrobes’. The palate was rich and substantial, oozing unctuous sweetness, but with balancing spiciness – maple syrup, treacle and Jamaican Christmas cake. The reduced nose offered zesty citric peel, candied fruits, salty toffee, leather armchairs and coffee. The reduced palate was an amazing dessert, combining lemon meringue pie, sticky toffee pudding and icing sugar-dusted biscotti dipped in espresso. The distillery houses the Famous Grouse Experience.

Drinking tip: A kitchen table dram – perfect reward for all that cooking and baking.

What Richard Says:
Nose: Buttered breakfast breads. Slightly smoky and acidic. Water makes it more savory with notes of cured meats.
Palate: Hello baby! Syrupy, rich, sweet, and mouth coating. Ooooh, no water please. It kills the palate.
Finish: Old leather, tobacco, and coffee. It’s like a middle eastern coffee/tobacco lounge.
Comments: This a lovely rich and spicy lady right out of the bottle. Sofia Vergara in a bottle. I would recommend as little water as possible.
Rating: Stands Out

Review sample provided courtesy of the SMWSA and is available to society members through their website or 800.990.1991.

SMWSA Cask 16.32 Read More »

Glenlivet Archive 21 Year

/ / Review, Scottish Whisky, Speyside /

The Glenlivet Archive 21 Years of Age Single Malt Scotch Whisky
43% ABV
$150
Website

What the Distillery Says:
The Glenlivet 21Year Old Archive is a batch produced whisky using only hand-selected casks. It is a complex whisky with sherried and wood notes integrating seamlessly with the aromatic palette. Let the pleasure linger late into the night.

COLOUR
Amber with sparkling copper shades.

NOSE
An opulent, mature nose with a sherry influence. An intricate array of wood and fruit: Christmas cake, sultanas, maraschino cherry. Water enlightens the fruity bouquet and brings out vanilla and lighter notes of ripe peaches. Pear and marzipan pie. Luscious barley sugar aromas.

PALATE
This full-bodied whisky is unctuous and mouth coating, almost syrupy. Oak holds the reins back, releasing a drying spiciness of cinnamon, ginger, walnut and dark chocolate.

FINISH
The finish is everlasting and warming with lingering presence of toasted hazelnuts and a full layer of liquorice.

What Richard Says:
Nose: Sherry, treacle, butterscotch, and malt are the first impressions.
Palate: It creeps in so softly that it almost seems light and then the richness pervades the mouth. Creamy, nutty, and oaky with just the slightest hint of buttery toffee.
Finish: Toasted nuts, white pepper, and oak.
Comments: Really a lovely dram. I was once at a Glenlivet tasting at Morton’s in Atlanta. Towards the end of the night the “leftover” whisky was flowing and Sam and I were chatting over a dram with the brand ambassador. As we look across the room we see a fellow trying to be sneaky and snatch some more 21 while the bartender wasn’t looking. To our horror he filled a Collins glass to the brim with ice and then topped the glass off with the 21. I’m usually not one to tell others how to drink their whisky but this seemed almost criminal. Enjoy the Archive but go light on the ice. 😉
Rating: Stands Out

Glenlivet Archive 21 Year Read More »

Glenlivet 18 Year

/ / Review, Scottish Whisky, Speyside /

The Glenlivet Single Malt Scotch Whisky 18 Years of Age
43% ABV/86 Proof
$75
Website
The Glenlivet 18 Yr Old
What the Distillery Says:
The Glenlivet 18 Year Old is the perfect expression of age and elegance – balancing the archetypal ripe fruit notes of The Glenlivet with a drier evocative oak influence. The perfect after-dinner dram

COLOUR
Old gold, with ripe apricot hues.

NOSE
Fragrant, elegant, complex with a sweet oakiness reminiscent of an antique shop. Oak leads the way to heady floral fragrances of Freesia and Peony. Toffee notes emerge in time along with butterscotch, mint chocolate and summer fruit pie

PALATE
Smooth and velvety, with a firm foundation. Sweetness is immediately followed by a tantalising burst of spices and bitter oranges drying out on oaky notes.

FINISH
Lasting, oaky and gingery. Distant smoke. A dry austere touch.

What Richard Says:
Nose: Butter, nutmeg, sherry, orange blossoms, and licorice.
Palate: Floral, grassy, and lightly sweet. Very easy to drink.
Finish: Mellow oak and a wispy sweetness that perfectly tapers off.
Comments: This doesn’t get the flashy press of a Macallan 18 but it’s a solid top shelf dram that is easy to find, relatively well priced, and consistently good. This isn’t going to make any top ten lists for whisky nuts but it won’t disappoint.
Rating: Stands Out

Glenlivet 18 Year Read More »

Glenlivet French Oak 15 Year

/ / Review, Scottish Whisky, Speyside /

The Glenlivet French Oak Reserve Single Malt Scotch Whisky Aged 15 Years
40% ABV/80 Proof
$45
Website
The Glenlivet 15 Yr French Oak Reserve Single Malt Scotch Whisky
What the Distillery Says:
Selective maturation in new French Oak casks made from Limousin Oak creates a characterful and unique expression of The Glenlivet. The rich, spicy notes from French Oak interplay with the fruit and floral notes of The Glenlivet. A delicious whisky to savour.

COLOUR
Deep gold, with intense late afternoon summer sunshine shades.

NOSE
Creamy and rich. Resinous fragrances swirl up before melting into a citrus fruit salad bowl. Orange peel and candied grapefruit aromas. Then, the bouquet opens on buttery notes. Shortbread, almond brandy snaps, vanilla toffee, fudge sauce. A dry spicy echo with a touch of liquorice resonates in the back.

PALATE
Round, sweet, incredibly smooth and velvety. Wood is entirely integrated but present all the way, sweetly enveloping fruity and nutty flavours in an oaky shell. Luscious chocolate fudge lingers on.

FINISH
Lingering with traces of toasted hazelnuts and lightly smoked almonds.

What Richard Says:
Nose: This one is kind of like a vanilla stone fruit parfait. Apricots, peaches, and cream jump out on first whiff. I also get a lot of the oak the dram is named for.
Palate: Fruity (mostly apple), malty, vanilla, and oak. This is a sinfully drinkable dram.
Finish: Initially creamy and then it leave a tannic bitter note accompanying the oak and spice. The finish is my least favorite aspect of this dram but I mitigate that by drinking more of it. 😉
Comments: This is a regular in my home whisky bar. It’s a staple of my table whiskies. I don’t like it as much as the old 12 Year Old French Oak Finish it replaced but it is a very enjoyable sub-$50 15 year old.
Rating: Must Try

Glenlivet French Oak 15 Year Read More »