Speyburn 10 Year Old Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky %40 ABV $29 Website What the Distillery Says: This perfectly-balanced Scottish single malt whisky was born in the Highlands of Scotland more than a century ago. It’s created using fresh spring water from Speyside. And, it’s this soft water which gives our whisky its distinctive character and unique flavour.
Nose: Fresh, clean and aromatic with a rich lemony fruitiness
Colour: Pale gold with amber highlights
Taste: Medium-bodied with a delicate, fruity character with hints of toffee and butterscotch. A sweet long lasting finish.
What Richard Says: Nose: This is light on the nose with hints of vanilla and honey. The nose very much foretells the bourbon wood aging. Palate: Light with fruity sweetness coming from poached pears and pineapple with a hint of ginger. Finish: The finish is soft and relatively clean with a surprising roasted peanuts note. Comments: I got a sample of this as part of an online tasting of International Beverage single malts. I was surprised to find out that this is the number five selling single malt in the U.S. I was even more surprised how easily drinkable and enjoyable this is. I’m asking myself why I haven’t spent time with this before. Like Glen Grant 10 Year Old I would say this is a great introductory or sharing single malt. It would be especially good if you aren’t sure the guests or recipient will like single malts. Rating: Stands Out, Great Value
We would like to thank The Thomas Collective and International Beverage for sending us a sample for review.
Angel’s Envy Cask Strength Bourbon Whiskey Finished in Port Barrels 2014 Release 59.65% ABV $169 Website What the Bottler Says: Louisville Distilling Company is proud to announce the limited-edition release of the critically acclaimed Angel’s Envy Cask Strength. The Expression will be available this October in select markets including: CA, CO, FL, GA, IL, IN, KY, MA, MI, NJ, NY, OR, TN, TX, WA. Due to the scarcity of barrels necessary for the enhanced finishing process, Angel’s Envy will only release 6,500 bottles. Previous releases quickly sold out.
Named “best spirit in the world” by Paul Pacult in the June 2013 edition of Spirit Journal, Cask Strength shared top honors with a 25-year-old single malt whisky that sold for nearly twice the price. In his review, Pacult awarded the brand five stars – his highest recommendation – noting, “this masterpiece deserves a sixth rating star.”
As with Angel’s Envy, the super-premium bourbon of uncompromising character and quality, Cask Strength is aged to the perfect level of richness and maturity (up to seven years) in the few American white oak barrels that made the cut. The barrels are then blended into a single batch and finished in hand-selected port casks.
“Cask Strength is rare and rich bourbon worth savoring,” said Wes Henderson, Chief Innovation Officer, Angel’s Envy. “The first couple of releases sold out quickly so we’re thrilled to make it even more widely available this year.”
The suggested retail price for a 750ml bottle, which may vary by market, is $169. A remarkably complex bourbon at 119.3-proof and 59.65% alcohol by volume, Cask Strength is best enjoyed with just a bit of water to release the flavor nuances.
Angel’s Envy Cask Strength Tasting Notes Color: Deep Amber red tint, coppery Nose: Toffee, Butterscotch, Toasted Oak, Cherries, Ripe Peach, Berry Jam, Vanilla, notes of banana Palate: Lots of port notes: Cherries, Oak, raisins. Still get a beautiful bourbon feel with Vanilla, Honey, a butter velvet feel, a little bit of clove spice, honeysuckle Finish/Feel: Glides around your palate, lingers for a few moments, but not too long as to keep you from another sip. Add some water and it opens nicely. Warm and sweet, but still tingly.
What Gary Says: Nose: Old leather furniture (the comfortable stuff!); orange marmalade on toast, caramel crème candy and tobacco. The port finish is just beneath all of this, and holds it together beautifully. Palate: A rich, chewy mouthfeel of dark candied fruit with cinnamon, caramel and toffee; a dry sweetness. Finish: Shorter than I would like, but well organized with a soft landing that leaves me looking to refill the glass. Comments: This is the kind of whiskey I could pour a dram of and just sniff the glass for a few hours; a really intriguing nose. Despite being nearly 120 proof, I find this quite drinkable neat. With a bit of water, you don’t lose the balance between the port pipe influence and the bourbon, and the mouthfeel nicely transitioned from chewy to creamy. The port shines through more for me on this cask strength offering, much more than it did on the initial release. To be candid, I was not a big fan of the first release, but I think this is a beautifully crafted whiskey. Rating: Must Try
What Richard Says: Nose: The nose is a little heavier on the port that what comes across in the regular bottling. Hints of vanilla but there is also a treacly syrup note that reminds me more of single scotch than a bourbon. Palate: The mouth feel is so rich and creamy that it’s almost like bourbon and port syrup. Citrus, tree pitch, and a fair dose of vanilla. Finish: Long, slow, and surprisingly smooth for a cask strength bourbon. Comments: Very nice. The price makes this one hard to swallow but it’s a delicious bourbon none the less. Rating: Stands Out
We would like to thank Ro-Bro Marketing & PR for sending us a sample to review.
Hudson Four Grain Bourbon Whiskey 46% ABV $45 to $50 (375 mL bottle) Website What the Distillery Says: Hudson Four Grain Bourbon whiskey brings together the distinct characteristics of corn, rye, wheat and malted barley. Each batch starts with 800 pounds of grain which is ground at the distillery, cooked and fermented, then distilled twice. It is aged in our signature small barrels. Our Four Grain Bourbon is a rich full-flavored spirit. The grains are perfectly suited one to the others so that the end result balances the soft richness of corn, the sharp peppery notes of rye, all the smooth subtlety of wheat and the sweetness of malted barley. Each bottle is hand numbered.
What Gary Says: Nose: Cornbread; more like a corn whiskey than a typical bourbon; bit of burnt sugar and a hint of orange zest Palate: Creamy corn syrup that starts off soft, and sharpens with a bit of spice at the end. This dram doesn’t attempt to mask its youthful age, but rather wears it proudly. Slight cinnamon undertone. Finish: Relatively short but smooth, with a little spice. Comments: I wish I had the Hudson Baby Bourbon on hand for a direct comparison, as this reminds me a lot of that, which is a 100% corn mashbill. The corn shines more easily with less age, leaving the wheat, rye and barely to play minor supporting roles. While an interesting whiskey, the price point of around $50 for a 375 mL is hard to fork over – unless you really like young corn whiskey. Rating: Average
We would like to thank Exposure America for providing us with a review sample.
Editorial Note: I would like to take a minute to welcome Gary to the Whisk(e)y Apostle team! Long time readers will know that Whisk(e)y Apostle was never meant to be a one man show. I think diversity of opinion is at the core of what we are trying to proselytize. I’ve had a few people review with me over the years after Matt couldn’t do it any longer. Now though, I’ve found a great guy with a fantastic palate who geeks out about whiskey (mostly bourbon and rye) as much a me. Since we were sent a sample of this bourbon and Matt and I already reviewed it a while ago I thought it would be a great first review for Gary. Please welcome him to the team!
Balblair 1989 Vintage Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky 2nd Release 43% ABV $130 Website What the Distillery Says: Balblair Vintage 1989 2nd release was introduced in 2010. A full-bodied malt with aromas of raisin, green apple and hints of banana and lemon.
Tasting Notes
Appearance: Balblair 1989 is mid-amber in appearance with honey-gold highlights.
Aroma: The American oak barrels, used in the distillate’s maturation, lend a warm toffee, vanilla fragrance.
Palate: On the palate there are raisins and fruits with a rich spiciness.
Finish: Long, complex and smooth finish.
What Richard Says: Nose: Lovely nose of bright floral notes, bananas, and canned apple pie filling. Palate: Fruity sweet with the intensity of dried fruit and raisins. Finish: A little black pepper on the way down. There’s an odd rubber/medicinal note mid finish and then it smooths out into mellow oak. Comments: A very nice middle aged expression of Balblair. This one is for those whisky drinkers with a sweet tooth. The finish is a little off putting but then just keep drinking so that it stays on the palate and problem solved! Rating: Stands Out
Balblair 2002 Vintage Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky 46% ABV $60 Website What the Distillery Says: Balblair 2002 is a Highland single malt Scotch whisky that has been uniquely marked with the age the whisky has been laid down.
Balblair was established in 1790, making it one of the oldest distilleries in Scotland and the oldest working distillery in the Highlands. Every year, Balblair Distillery Manager John MacDonald tastes, judges and selects straight from the cask, bottling at exactly the right moment, when the balance between the age and the character of the whisky is at its best. Small batches are made available when the time is right, making Balblair a malt that is released in vintages.
Tasting Notes Color: Balblair 2002 has a sparkling gold appearance. Nose: On the nose there are the signature Balblair aromas: floral and fragrant with zesty fruits such as oranges and lemons. The American oak, ex-bourbon barrels used in the maturation impart toffee and vanilla notes. Taste: Full-bodied, yet sweet and spicy in character, with hints of oranges, lemons, green apples, toffee, and vanilla. There is a typical long finish as the floral and fruit notes develop and combine with the initial spice and sweetness from the American oak casks.
What Richard Says: Nose: Bright cherries, overripe bananas, kiwi, and flowery. A Caribbean Banana Mama? Palate: Milk chocolate, raw nuts, vanilla, light sweet caramel. Caramel flan with a kiwi reduction. Finish: Light, floral finish with very little wood or burn. Comments: Wow, what a difference a couple of years makes. The 2002 vintage is head and shoulders above the 2000 we reviewed earlier. A light aperitif dram for sure but very nice. Rating: Stands Out
We would like to thank the Thomas Collective and International Beverage for providing samples for review.
