September 2019

Jameson Caskmates Bale Breaker Topcutter IPA Limited Edition

/ / Irish Whiskey, Review /

Jameson Caskmates Bale Breaker Topcutter IPA Limited Edition

40% ABV
$30
Website
Jameson Caskmates Top Cutter IPA Edition
We would like to thank Jameson and Ketchum for sending us a sample to review.

What the Distillery Says

Jameson Irish Whiskey heightens their collaboration with local Washington tastemaker, Bale Breaker Brewing Co, with the release of Jameson Caskmates Topcutter IPA Limited Edition. This latest Caskmates Edition was conceived when Bale Breaker travelled to Ireland to brew their signature beer, Topcutter IPA, to season Jameson casks. The Jameson Blenders then used these beer-seasoned casks to create Jameson Caskmates Topcutter IPA Limited Edition, pairing together each liquid’s unique flavor – the smooth taste of Jameson with the hoppy characteristics and distinct flavors of Bale Breaker’s signature Topcutter IPA.

Nose: Rich in hops with delicate floral notes
Taste: Citrus notes with some spices and vanilla throughout
Finish: Rich, lasting finish with hints of hops fading to notes of oak and spice

What Gary Says

Nose:  Honey with hops, both floral and herbal notes, a touch of clove; richer and more savory than Jameson Irish Whiskey.
Palate:  Creamy mouthfeel, starting off sweet with orchard fruits – pears and apples, then evolving with apricots, tangerines, and a hoppy beer note; notes of vanilla and honey underlying.
Finish:  On the short side, with citrus, hoppy note.
Comments:  I apologize up front if I’m creating any confusion on the name (Jameson’s web-site refers to this as ‘Topcutter IPA Limited Edition’, but the press-release refers to it as ‘Bale Breaker Limited Edition’; and on the bottle ‘Bale Breaker’ is in larger type and more prominent; so I combined them to be safe). Full disclosure – I am not a beer drinker (so apologies in advance to those who are and find my descriptors in this area lacking!) I tasted this and several other Caskmates vintages side by side with Jameson Irish Whiskey for a baseline frame of reference. I definitely get the IPA cask influence here. The finish leaves me feeling like I had just sipped a beer rather than an Irish whiskey, and this has a lot more savory and herbal flavors going on. That said, it doesn’t lose the honey sweetness I get from Jameson. I think fans of Jameson and IPAs would find this interesting, and priced where trying it out won’t break the bank.

Rating: Stands Out

Jameson Caskmates Bale Breaker Topcutter IPA Limited Edition Read More »

Dewar’s Caribbean Smooth

/ / Review, Scottish Whisky / ,

Dewar’s 8 Year Old Caribbean Smooth
Rum Cask Finish Blended Scotch Whisky

40% ABV
$21.99
Website
Dewars Caribbean Smooth 8 Yr
We would like to thank Dewar’s and Nike Communications for sending us a sample to review.

What the Producer Says

Dewar’s 8 Year Old Caribbean Smooth Rum Cask Finish Blended Scotch Whisky is an exciting new blend and the first in an innovative cask series from the iconic whisky maker. Crafted from 8-year-old blended Scotch whisky – double-aged and finished in casks that previously held Caribbean rum for a pleasantly unexpected Caribbean smooth and tropical flavor – Dewar’s Caribbean Smooth is an invigorating new blend bringing together two seemingly different worlds: Scotland and the Caribbean.

The result is a slightly quirky, yet supremely smooth taste, unlike anything before. More than just great tasting Scotch, Dewar’s Caribbean Smooth brings two cultures together to create something uniquely richer.

Tasting Notes: Apples, caramel, and biscuity cereal that slips into dark brown sugar and tropical fruit.

Method: Single and malt grain whiskies are aged separately for at least 8 years, expertly chosen, then double aged in oak casks for up to 6 months and then finally finished in rum casks for a Caribbean Smooth taste.

Double Ageing: Dewar’s pioneered ‘Double-Ageing’ in 1881 to create ‘extra smooth whisky’. This unique process is designed to allow the whiskies to fuse, ‘marry’ and interact, creating an extra smooth whisky.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Mustiness with malted grain, notes of fruit hovering above a bit of earthy smoke, with a hint of Caribbean rum.
Palate:  Sweet with a round mouthfeel, a bit of caramel, brown sugar, canned fruit salad with slight pepper spice near the end.
Finish:  Short to moderate in length, on the wet side with notes of mixed fruit.
Comments:  This is very smooth, and definitely on the sweet side – but not excessively so. The rum cask finish isn’t heavy handed, and I appreciate the 8 yr age statement. Comparing this side by side to Dewar’s White Label, I found this to be brighter with less smoke and herbaceous, earthy notes. If Dewar’s White Label is your go-to for that balance, be prepared for this to tilt towards the sweeter side of things – but you’d expect it to with a Caribbean rum cask finish. The recommended retail price puts it about the same price as the White Label (here in Atlanta at least), and if given a choice, I would tend to pick this as I often prefer things on the sweeter side more often than not.

Rating: Average/Stands Out

Dewar’s Caribbean Smooth Read More »

Sagamore Spirit Cognac Finish Rye Whiskey

/ / Review, Rye Whiskey /

Sagamore Spirit Cognac Finish Rye Whiskey

50.5% ABV
$70
Website
Sagamore Spirit Cognac Finish Rye
We would like to thank Sagamore Spirit and 360PR.plus for sending us a sample to review.

What the Producer Says

Baltimore, MD – Sept. 3, 2019 – Cognac heritage meets rye whiskey’s most storied region, with the release of Cognac Finish from Maryland-based Sagamore Spirit. This is the first release from Sagamore Spirit since the brand earned widespread recognition for its Port Finish limited time offering, which won “World’s Best Rye Whiskey” at the 2019 San Francisco World Spirits Competition.

After aging for four years in charred, American White Oak barrels, Sagamore Spirit’s Straight Rye Whiskey gets finished in French Cognac barrels for an additional 8 months, revealing warm notes of apple, vanilla, and brown sugar. At 101-proof, Cognac Finish is a bold yet smooth reminder of how Maryland-style rye can transform deliciously when finished in the right barrels.

“We know our two-mash-bill blend makes our Straight Rye Whiskey unique to start – and our team of distillers enjoys experimenting with barrels imported from famed spirits regions. We get the finest finishing flavors to explore with while maintaining what makes Maryland-style rye special and approachable,” said Brian Treacy, president of Sagamore Spirit.

Today’s release marks the brand’s second batch of Cognac Finish, after an earlier release earned Double Gold at the 2019 Denver International Spirits Competition. This second offering is available now for a limited time at an approximate retail price of $70 per bottle.

For those interested in exploring other Maryland-style ryes, Sagamore Spirit’s award-winning selection of whiskies also includes Signature 83-proof and Cask Strength rye whiskey. Visit www.SagamoreSpirit.com to learn more and find a bottle near you.

Nose: Pear and apricot, bold spice with aromas of cinnamon and vanilla.
Palate: Fruit forward with apple, smooth vanilla, and brown sugar. Warm oak finish with lingering velvety spice.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Fruitcake with notes of evergreen, floral, charred oak, a bit of balsamic with a hint of dill and roasted almonds.
Palate:  Rye spice jumping out of the glass with dill, mint, allspice, cinnamon, and pepper; unmistakably ‘rye’; a tad sharp with oak, subtle vanilla and an astringent fruity note of citrus and green apples.
Finish:  Moderately long, drying with smokey oak and lingering citrus spice.
Comments:  First, this has a lovely color (and the bottle is fairly heavy as well with a fair amount of thought going into the design – even the bottom of the cork has three diamonds on it!) While young, this is a solid rye, and the cognac finish is more prominent on the nose for me. The palate is a tad sharp, but this takes water like a champ which softens those edges without losing the lovely spice notes. Another nice example of a finish that isn’t heavy-handed, and is complimenting the base whiskey without upstaging it.

Rating: Stands Out

Sagamore Spirit Cognac Finish Rye Whiskey Read More »

Macallan 12 vs Classic Cut 2018 vs Cask Strength

/ / Gary's Blog, Review, Scottish Whisky, Speyside

Macallan 12 vs Classic Cut 2018 (diluted to 40% ABV) vs Cask Strength (diluted to 40% ABV)

After reviewing The Macallan Classic Cut 2018 and The Macallan Cask Strength – both of which are non-age stated – I pondered how these would compare with The Macallan 12 yr if I brought them both down to the same 40% ABV.

I carefully measured out the whisky and appropriate water amount, thinking I might be able to do this as a blind side-by-side-by-side. It was clear that I’d have to actually be blind to not tell the difference, as visually the differences were stark.
Macallan Cask Strength vs 12 vs Classic Cut 2018 at 80 proof
The above image doesn’t quite do it justice, but is close. What you’re seeing above from left to right is The Macallan Cask Strength (60.1% originally), The Macallan 12 yr (40%), and The Macallan Classic Cut 2018 (51.2% originally). After bringing the outside ones down to 40%, it was clear that the Cask Strength likely has older whisky than 12 yrs, while the Classic Cut likely has younger whisky. Age and color aren’t linear, and there are some light colored whiskies that are amazing – so let’s not dwell on the color. The picture doesn’t show how much the Classic Cut clouded up (much more so than the Cask Strength).

The Macallan 12yr Sherry Oak

40% ABV (same as bottled strength)
Color: Amber, crisp & coppery.
Nose: Dark fruit, plums, raisins, musky oak.
Palate: Sherried fruit, slight pepper spice with some savory herbal notes in the back.
Finish: Moderate in length, drying with dark fruit and trailing pepper spice.
Comments: A perfectly fine single malt, and a great baseline of comparison for other Macallan expressions.

The Macallan Classic Cut 2018

40% ABV (brought down from bottled strength of 51.2% ABV)
Color: Yellow, natural honey; quite cloudy.
Nose: Fruity, with apricots and figs, little oak and orange candies.
Palate: Less sweet, more herbal with toned down stewed dark fruit.
Finish: Shorter, with trailing spice notes.
Comments: At 40%, this is pretty disappointing. My guess is that this is much younger than 12 yrs old, or aged in different wood, or aged in much different areas of the rickhouse. That said, you can’t take Macallan 12 and ‘up the proof’ – or said another way, the whisky in this bottle wasn’t necessarily intended to shine at this proof.

The Macallan Classic Cask Strength

40% ABV (brought down from bottled strength of 60.1% ABV)
Color: Still dark, brown brick with deep red tones, cloudy.
Nose: Rich, dark fruits with tobacco and hints of leather (like Macallan 12 but turned up another notch or three).
Palate: Sherried fruit, oak, pepper spice with smoke.
Finish: Moderate to long with drying cigar paper and hints of raisins.
Comments: While this had the most water added, it remained the darkest (although didn’t cloud up as much as the Classic Cut, which I found interesting). This was the one I enjoyed the most at this proof, although I won’t dilute what I have left of this lovely whisky to 40% (I enjoy it more at something closer to the bottle strength). It remains rich and complex, with depth and balance that sets it apart from the other two. I would conclude that this is a older than the 12 yr, and possibly matured differently (either different locations or different wood). Either way, it is freaking delicious.

Macallan 12 vs Classic Cut 2018 vs Cask Strength Read More »

The Macallan Cask Strength

/ / Review, Scottish Whisky, Speyside, The Collector's Cabinet /

The Macallan Cask Strength

60.1% ABV
$70-$80 (original retail; several multiples now at auction)
Website
The Macallan Cask Strength

What the Bottle Says

(Unfortunately as a discontinued offering, no mention of it on their web-site)
Exclusively matured in selected sherry oak casks from Jerez, Spain & bottled at original cask strength.

This Macallan is bottled at original cask strength without chill filtration or the addition of water. The result is a particularly rich Single Malt, in our opinion best enjoyed with a splash of water to release the complex aromas and sumptuous flavours. Just how much water is left entirely to you. Making this the perfect Single Malt for the adventurous whisky drinker who likes to experiment and explore.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Thick, rich stewed plums and raisins covered in molasses, dark chocolate covered coffee beans, charred oak, a worn leather chair in a musty library where cigars were enjoyed the night before – yeah, that kind of depth.
Palate:  Thick and viscous, intense dark fruit – mincemeat pie that went easy on the cinnamon, some pepper edge that gives way to hints of nutmeg and a faint whisper of anise.
Finish:  Long and lingering, with fruit, hints of chocolate and pepper spice.
Comments:  I only discovered this lovely pour a few years back, stumbling upon some bottles while hunting for dusty bourbon. I bought a couple, and would kick myself for not buying every last one if it might change what happened (I have it on good account my Delorean won’t be out of the shop anytime soon – so pointless). When I first poured it, my immediate thought was “This is the George T. Stagg of Scotch!” With many more years of experience across different whiskies, I’m not sure I would disagree with that initial assessment. This is a bold, intense yet balanced whisky. Unfortunately discontinued many years ago, and now going for several multiples of the retail price at auction. Never bought whisky via an auction previously, although as I near the end of my last bottle – giving that more thought.

Rating: Must Buy (at retail)

The Macallan Cask Strength Read More »