May 2020

The Balvenie Single Barrel Sherry Cask

/ / Review, Scottish Whisky, Speyside / ,

The Balvenie Single Barrel Sherry Cask
Single Malt Scotch Whisky Aged 15 Years

47.8% ABV
$115-$130
Website
Balvenie Single Barrel Sherry Cask

What the Distillery Says

The Balvenie Single Barrel Sherry Cask has been matured exclusively in a single European oak sherry butt for at least 15 years. The term ‘Single Barrel’ conveys the unique nature of the single malt whisky, which has been drawn from a single cask of a single distillation.
Limited by nature, each heavily toasted European oak Oloroso sherry butt will yield no more than 800 bottles of Scotch whisky.

TASTING NOTES
NOSE: Dried fruits overlaid with a gentle nuttiness
TASTE: Rich with elegant oak and subtle spice
FINISH: Long, sherried finish

What Gary Says

Nose:  Thick sherry, balsamic vinegar over spongecake with dark fruit, walnuts, almonds, floral notes with subtle smoke and oak; water brings out more orchard fruit notes.
Palate:  Rich mouthfeel, fruitcake with sherry, cinnamon, nutmeg, subtle clove, oak.
Finish:  Moderately long, drying with notes of dark fruit.
Comments:  This has some very intense flavor for a sub 50% ABV dram. In fact, the first time I had tried this at a friend’s house, I expected it was cask strength – not that it drinks hot (it doesn’t) but just the flavor intensity. It takes water well, and maintains a great mouthfeel. I picked this up in early 2020 for $115, and felt that was a bargain for a 15 year single malt of this quality. As a single barrel, I don’t know how much variation there is. This is the first I’ve owned, and I think I’ve only sampled from two others – and thought all three of those were really delicious.

Rating: Must Try/Must Buy

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Johnnie Walker Explorers’ Club Collection – The Gold Route

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

Johnnie Walker Explorers’ Club Collection – The Gold Route
Blended Scotch Whisky

40% ABV
$95 (for a 1 L bottle)
Website
Johnnie Walker Explorers Club Collection The Gold Route

What the Blender Says

NOTE: This is a discontinued item.
Johnnie Walker Explorer’s Club Collection – The Gold Route is a luxurious, alluring, contemporary blend which evokes the exotic fruit flavors and beautiful, rich golden colors experienced by agents of John Walker & Sons on their journeys through Amazonia and the Caribbean. This blend is available exclusively to travellers through Duty Free stores.
Johnnie Walker Explorer’s Club Collection – The Gold Route delivers a bold, distinctive smokiness followed by a rush of guava, coconut, mango and pitaya. An undercurrent of sweet vanilla and spice emerges before a smooth, luxurious finish combining rich currants and raisins.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Butter cream icing on freshly baked donuts, maple candies, subtle peat and smoke, herbaceous, fresh tobacco, a malty tropical note.
Palate:  Fruit forward with apple, pears, mangos, other tropical fruit with a subtle earthiness, honey, toffee and a chili spice.
Finish:  Moderate in length with a lingering chili spice and smoke.
Comments:  This is quite nice, especially for 40% ABV. The nose on this is as complex as any Johnnie Walker I can recall (in fact trying this side-by-side with Johnnie Walker Blue Label, I preferred the nose on this). This might be my favorite Johnnie Walker to date. A lovely, fruity, spicy dram!

Rating: Stands Out/Must Try

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El Dorado 21 Year Old Rum

/ / Other Spirits, Review /

El Dorado 21 Year Old Special Reserve Finest Demerara Rum

40% ABV
$120
Website
El Dorado 21 Yr Special Reserve Rum

What the Distillery Says

This richly crafted rum has been laid down in oak barrels for at least 21 years then artfully blended for you to savour and enjoy.

Tasting Notes
Nose of mocha, toffee, tobacco, and dark spices. The mouth is velvety smooth with full body of tropical fruits, coffee, leather, and rich toffee. The Finish is nutty and smoky.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Burnt demerara sugar, fruitcake soaked in rum, oak, toasted orange zest, baking spices, brown sugar, raisins and plums.
Palate:  Fruitcake with orange, apricot, coconut, raisins, bits of dark chocolate, medium roast coffee and honey.
Finish:  Moderately long and drying.
Comments:  Hands down my favorite of the three. A nice step up from the 15 yr, although I can’t say I like it 2.5x as much as the 15 yr. Like whisk(e)y, the price starts to get crazy with age for a number of reasons. And like whisk(e)y, I often find that jump in price doesn’t align with my enjoyment. Price aside, this one definitely stood out.

Rating: Stands Out

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