January 2013

SMWS Cask 125.51

/ / Review, Scottish Whisky, SMWSA Whiskies /

SMWS Cask No. 125.51
Highland, Northern
57.4%% ABV
Distilled August 2001
$90
US Allocation: 150 bottles
December 2012 Outturn Release

What the SMWS Says:
The nose took time to develop – eventually producing sharp zesty fruits, grated orange peel, vanilla, caramel, hint of mint and polished or waxed furniture. The palate was more immediately defined – the sweetness of Danish pastries (with vanilla cream and apricot jam) and the perfumed astringency of lime sorbet, starfruit and grapefruit; pepper and chilli arriving in the finish. In reduction, the nose expanded to include papaya, strawberry split ice-lollies, toffee, magic tree vanilla and yankee candles. The reduced palate delivered rich, perfumed sweetness (‘biting a woman’s neck’ someone suggested); oak sharpened the after-taste. The distillery was a brewery until 1843.

Drinking tip: The character comes through more in the palate than the nose

What Richard Says:
Nose: Out of the bottle this one doesn’t want to play ball. If you really put your nose to it a little vanilla custard comes through but it’s very faint. Water opens a little orange zest but not much else.
Palate: Much sweeter than the nose would foretell. Cream cheese danishes come to mind (Henri’s for those in Atlanta) and very peppery. Water lightens the sweetness but brings on a dry chemical flavor.
Finish: Hot peppered wood out of the bottle. Water leaves a sweeter and fruity finish in contrast to bottle strength.
Comments: Add water but do so sparingly. Balance it right and it’s a soft drinkable dram but add too much and it goes downhill fast.
Rating: Average

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

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SMWS Cask 48.26

/ / Review, Scottish Whisky, SMWSA Whiskies /

SMWS Cask No. 48.26
Speyside, Spey
50.5% ABV
Distilled March 1988
$155
US Allocation: 120 bottles
December 2012 Outturn Release

What the SMWS Says:
Distinctly floral to start – jasmine, lilac – with earthy, ‘mushroom grow-bag’ notes behind. We were reminded of a wild garden, but the heavy scents balanced by emerging lemon sherbets – and this citric note also modifies the sweet taste, with traces of paprika. Fresher and more Speyside-like with water, but still earthy, with a whiff of smouldering leaves, and a fresh note of ‘lemon-scented fabric-softener’. The taste is soft, sweet and quaffable; rounded and centre-palate – ‘mashed strawberries with black pepper’ – with a medium length finish. This remote distillery overlooks the Haughs of Cromdale, where once a battle was fought, and its make is not currently bottled by its owner.

Drinking tip: Whilst watching someone else gardening

What Richard Says:
Nose: Cherry hard candies, heather, and sauteed mushrooms.
Palate: Lightly sweet reminding me of mixed berries followed by a pinch of cayenne pepper. Water opens up more flavors of orange peel and Ouzo.
Finish: Black pepper and old oak.
Comments: Lovely, very drinkable, but not terribly complex. I really did enjoy this dram but it was a bit of a one trick pony.
Rating: Stands Out

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

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Four Roses 2012 Small Batch Limited Edition

/ / Bourbon, Review /

Four Roses Limited Edition Small Batch 2012 Release Barrel Strength Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Bottle 4015 0f 4062
55.7% ABV
$90
Website
Four Roses 2012 Small Batch Limited Edition
What the Distillery Says:
Our Master Distiller has hand selected four remarkable Bourbons from our 10 distinct Bourbon recipes to become our Four Roses Limited Edition Small Batch for 2012. The four Bourbons, perfectly aged between 11 and 17 years have been artfully mingled at barrel strength to create mellow flavors of orange peel and ripe red raspberries that melt into balanced tones of dark chocolate and caramel custard. These four Bourbons are married into one of the most alluring spirits we’ve ever made. Available September 2012.

Tasting Notes
Nose: Creamy vanilla and citrus with hints of all spice, nutmeg and rich pipe tobacco.
Palate: Orange peel and ripe red raspberries, dark chocolate and caramel custard.
Finish: Mellow finish with wisps of soft cedar and vanilla.

Recipe
OBSV -17 years
OBSV – 11 years
OBSK – 12 years
OESK – 12 years

What Richard Says:
Nose: Big hits of vanilla and cinnamon with a citrus back. I’m thinking of snickerdoodles wrapped in Big Red chewing gum.
Palate: More citrus in the mouth followed by dark chocolate, caramel, and holiday spices. Rich and dangerously enjoyable. This was and is a great Christmas bourbon.
Finish: Long on oak and aged tobacco with early traces of more cinnamon and vanilla that quickly fades away.
Comments: Marvelous. This is an absolutely wonderful bourbon. It’s aggressive and patient. Complex and it comes straight at you. If someone didn’t love you enough to get you a bottle of this for Christmas then do yourself a favor and grab one straight away.
Rating: Must Buy

I’d like to thank Laura with The Baddish Group for providing me with a review bottle.

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