June 2014

anCnoc Rutter

/ / Highland, Review, Scottish Whisky /

anCnoc Rutter Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky
46% ABV
$85
Website
anCnoc Rutter Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky
What the Distillery Says:
anCnoc (pronounced a-nock) is a single malt Scotch whisky created using a traditional process that has changed very little over time.

anCnoc is Gaelic for the nearby Knock Hill, and its home distillery is Knockdhu, which means “black hill” in Gaelic. Located on the very edge of Speyside, the Knock estate sits on land rich in peat.

anCnoc Rutter, one of the first releases from the Limited Edition Peaty Collection, honors the original style of whisky in the region, using natural peat from the land. The peaty range brings the phenol content of the whisky
into focus by displaying its PPM (parts per million) level on the bottle. Rutter is the name for the spade used in sizing and separating peat blocks that produces a slow burning turf. This peat gives the whisky a more fragrant
smokiness, in this case, with a PPM of 11. The 46% ABV allows the house style to shine through.

Tasting Notes

Color anCnoc Rutter is sparkling gold in appearance.
Nose Initially very smoky, it quickly unveils the unmistakable anCnoc character with delicate spices, juicy pineapples and gentle vanilla. Rich and warming.
Taste Full-bodied and bursting with peaty richness. Soft undertones of honey, creamy vanilla, toffee and leather are punctuated by the freshness of green apples.

What Richard Says:
Nose: The first thing that comes out of the bottle it bright fruity and floral notes like a banshee escaping from a room. That fades to a pleasant smokiness layered with shortbread cookies and vanilla cream.
Palate: The creamy Bit-o-honey jumps out first but lays down in front of the spicy peppered peat.
Finish: Long and lingering leather, campfire, and iodine.
Comments: So, there’s a trio of these (we only got samples of the first two) and this is first and lightest peated version. I don’t see much anCnoc locally so it’s hard to compare to the usual house style but it is a nicely layer peated whisky. It’s not knock you over the head peat bomb type whisky. Rather, there is depth and layers here. Spend time with it and it will show you many different angles. One of the better peated highlanders I’ve had recently for sure.
Rating: Stands Out

We would like to thank Amy with The Thomas Collective for sending over samples for review.

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Johnnie Walker The Spice Road

/ / Review, Scottish Whisky /

Johnnie Walker Explorers’ Club Collection Blended Scotch Whisky
The Spice Road
40% ABV
$43/Liter
Website
Johnnie Walker Explorers' Club Collection Blended Scotch WhiskyThe Spice Road
What the Blender Says:
A new range of unique whiskies, exclusively available in Travel Retail outlets.
Start your adventure with the first series of the Collection, the Trade Route Series – inspired by the great journeys of the Walker family to the four corners of the world.

The first signature blend from the Trade Route series is THE SPICE ROAD. Influenced by the vibrancy, aromas and dazzling colours of the thriving markets of Asia this blend provides a rich, long-lasting experience.

THE SPICE ROAD is a complex whisky with aromatic spice overtones and exceptional smoothness, true to the Johnnie Walker signature. Let it take your taste buds on a new journey. On the nose, you are greeted with a spicy zestiness, subtle notes of fresh and citrus fruits such as apples, kiwis and limes. With the first sip, your palate embarks on an unforgettable exploration. There is a tantalising balance of smooth, rich honeyed vanilla, warmed by hints of cloves and ginger, with a smoky finish reminiscent of smouldering wood.

THE SPICE ROAD is best enjoyed with a drop of water to release the subtle smokiness.

What Richard Says:
Nose: Surprisingly light on the nose with lots of citrus zest layered against a bouquet of wildflowers and poached pears.
Palate: Tropical fruit drizzled in vanilla cream with back notes of pumpkin pie spices and tobacco.
Finish: Relatively short. There’s an initial smokiness but it fades quickly playing with a light nuttiness.
Comments: Travel Retail Only, so if you see it and are interested I suggest buying it. You won’t find it at the corner store. The Spice Road is the first in a series of these Travel Retail exclusives called the Explorers’ Club Collection. It’s supposed to highlight old travel/trade routes (“The Spice Road”, “Explorers’s Club”…get it?) with expressions in scotch blends riffing on the JW house style. The Gold Route is the second released thus far. I find this very enjoyable and have no problem stocking this as an out of the ordinary blend. It’s tasty, approachable, and at $40+ for a liter not terribly pricey.
Rating: Stands Out

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Johnnie Walker Double Black

/ / Review, Scottish Whisky /

Johnnie Walker Double Black Blended Scotch Whisky
40% ABV
$35 to $45
Website
Johnnie Walker Double Black Blended Scotch Whisky
What the Blender Says:
Taking cues from the unparalleled flavors of Johnnie Walker Black Label, Master Blender Jim Beveridge struck out to craft a blend that would take the intensity of Black to unexplored territory. He started on Scotland’s vast shores, rediscovering the powerful west coast and subtle east coast scotches integral to today’s world-renowned Black Label. After hand-selecting a number of whiskies defined by hints of smoldering charcoal, crisp ash and burnt timber, we barreled our blend to mature in deep-charred old oak casks. The result is an unquestionably smokier, more intense experience, but with deep, dark roots in a rich blend that changed the world: Johnnie Walker Black Label. Simply put, it is Black, amplified.

Blended to break the rules, Double Black boasts an edgy confidence in flavor that separates it from its balanced relative, Johnnie Walker Black Label. It is not simply a darker version of Black Label, for it cannot be defined by color alone. Nevertheless, the two blends are intrinsically linked. As any discriminating drinker can see, they share DNA – in their smoky nose, unmistakable spice and slight tones of dried fruit.

But the similarities end there. With this blend, the exclusive taste trumps all. It’s no wonder whisky critics and aficionados have snatched up the limited number of bottles produced, making it even more elusive and mysterious. But rest assured, the “mischievous brother” won’t be gone for long – just remember that flavor of this intensity takes time and great care to craft.

While its finish will undoubtably linger, Double Black itself will not. Its stunningly small run is characteristic of a blend best suited to the most ambitious and adventurous Johnnie Walker enthusiasts, eager to explore another side of Black. But our Double Black locator (above) will make sure you’ve secured a bottle of your own before this rare blend, like a billow of smoke, quietly fades away.

What Richard Says:
Nose: There is a nice smokiness but it’s much more refined than I expected reading the PR on this one. There are also back notes of stewed fruit and a wisp of brine. This reminds me of sitting by the smoker on a friend’s back porch.
Palate: Surprisingly sweet then settling into a mellow peat with a cereal maltiness.
Finish: Charcoal, old campfires.
Comments: I shouldn’t doubt an iconic blender in charge of an iconic blend range but for some reason I thought this was going to suck. I’m not a huge fan of JW Black. It’s not bad it’s just not as complex as I like my whisky now. That said, JW Double Black is very enjoyable and I would have no problem going back again and again. This takes all the good things about JW Black and cranks it up without missing a step. Impressive, but if you’re Jim Beveridge I guess it’s just another day at the office.
Rating: Stands Out

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Russell’s Reserve 10 Year

/ / Bourbon, Review /

Russell’s Reserve Small Batch 10 Year Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
45% ABV
$31.99
Website
Russell's Reserve Small Batch 10 Year Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
What the Distillery Says:
In 1954, Wild Turkey’s Master Distiller Jimmy Russell began his career at the bottom of the totem pole, learning the bourbon making process from his two mentors, former Master Distiller Bill Hughes and Ernest W. Ripy, Jr. Fast forward to 1981 and his son, Distiller Eddie Russell, joined the distillery to learn straight from the “Buddha of Bourbon” himself. For more than 30 years, the Russells have worked side-by-side, accumulating more than 94 years of experience between them to preserve the craft and heritage of the brand.

When Jimmy was getting ready to celebrate his 45th anniversary with Wild Turkey, everyone thought he would retire. So, his son Eddie set out to create a special Bourbon in honor of his father and to also prove to his dad that the student had become the master and was capable of creating a great Bourbon on his own.

After searching the warehouses for the perfect 8- to 12-year aged Bourbon barrels that had just the right flavor, color and smooth finish, Eddie started giving Jimmy tastes of different Bourbons without telling him what they were for. In the end, it was a 10-year-old Bourbon that had Jimmy smacking his lips and wondering just what his son was up to.

After that, the rest was history. Russell’s Reserve 10 Year Old Bourbon is deep amber in color with a nose that is rich in vanilla, oak, toffee and a touch of old leather and a spicy palate with notes of chili peppers, tamarind, almonds and cumin. It hits all the right notes to be worthy of the man who is known as the “Master Distiller’s Master Distiller” among industry peers.

It turns out, Jimmy wasn’t ready to retire in 1999, and at 80-years-old is still at the distillery, side by side with Eddie making Russell’s Reserve. In September, he will celebrate an incredible 60 years with the company.

Created by a son for his father, Russell’s Reserve 10 Year Old Bourbon (MSRP $31.99) is the perfect gift for Father’s Day this year.

What Richard Says:
Nose: Creamy, buttery toffee lies behind that initial burst of alcohol followed by vanilla pot de creme.
Palate: More toffee on the palate put it takes a little bit to open in the mouth. Initially it is a little sharp. More creamy vanilla and honey but also a spicy pepper and dry tobacco flavor.
Finish: Leather, raw wood, and more hints of tobacco.
Comments: This one is like a good looking girl that you have to keep after for her to notice you and give you her number. It comes out of the bottle a little hot, sharp and alcoholic but if you spend time with it you see a bourbon that opens up additional layers. This is definitely a give it time bourbon.
Rating: Stands Out

We would like to thank Andrea at Edible for sending over a bottle to review.

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Macallan 15 Year Fine Oak

/ / Review, Scottish Whisky, Speyside /

The Macallan Fine Oak Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky 15 Years Old
43% ABV
$90-$100
Website
the-macallan-fine-oak-15-year-old-whisky
What the Distillery Says:
Distilled at The Macallan distillery, in Speyside, Scotland, this legendary single malt is triple cask matured in a unique, complex combination of exceptional oak casks; European oak casks seasoned with sherry, American oak casks seasoned with sherry, and American oak casks seasoned with bourbon. This triple cask combination delivers an extraordinarily smooth, delicate yet complex single malt, matured at The Macallan distillery for a minimum of fifteen years.

Nose: Sublime and full with a hint of rose and cinnamon
Palate: Intense rich chocolate with a hint of orange and raisin
Finish: Lingering with a hint of chocolate, orange and dried fruits

What Richard Says:
Nose: A much lighter expression of middle aged Macallan for sure. There noticeable sherry there but it’s more a supporting player. It’s more floral that traditional Macallan with notes of orange zest and cantaloupe.
Palate: Sweet citrus richness again playing with a sherry supporter and a dose of nutty toffee.
Finish: Dry and mellow with a lingering bit of high (75%+) cacao chocolate.
Comments: When the Fine Oak range launched it was panned by a lot of Macallan purists. Being the kind of whiskey drinker that will try anything once I hit a tasting right after the launch that went through the whole range. The 15 year old was the standout. Years later my opinions still hold. I find the Fine Oaks different but not really better in any noticeable way compared to their sherried brethren. The 10, 12, 18, 25, and 30 are all better in their sherry forms. However, the 15 year old expression to me is where the Fine Oak really shines. It’s been a favorite and frequent gifting bottle for years.
Rating: Must Try

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