December 2020

Tamdhu Batch Strength No 004

/ / Review, Scottish Whisky, Speyside /

Tamdhu Batch Strength No 004
Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky

57.8% ABV
$80-$90
Website
Tamdhu Batch Strength No 004

What the Distillery Says

Introducing the fourth edition of our multi award-winning Batch Strength Series. If you’ve had a dram of Batch Strength 001, 002 or 003 then you’ll have an inkling of what’s in store for you. Rich natural colour and exclusively sherry cask matured intensity. As with each batch in the series, Batch Strength 004 is distinctive and differs slightly in style and strength, so your first sip is sure to hold some anticipation. Batch Strength 004 is bottled un-chill filtered at natural colour and at 57.8%. Undoubtedly, a malt that whisky connoisseurs would be proud to have in their cabinet.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Sherry, dark fruit, raisins, balsamic, chocolate, honey, oak, mincemeat pie, smoked brisket with subtle smoke and earthiness.
Palate:  Thick and warm, syrupy sweetness, fudge, dark fruits and berries, caramel, oaky earthiness.
Finish:  Long and damp, berry jam with spices.
Comments:  This is a damn lovely pour. Non-age stated, but reminds me of the 10 yr on steroids. I’m torn between wanting to give Paul a big hug, or a punch for introducing me to Tamdhu (ok – not really torn) because I am definitely more than a bit frustrated that there isn’t a ton of Tamdhu on our side of the pond. Thankfully, this is one that I can get – and it doesn’t break the bank (and maybe with the new TTB standards of fill, more will be coming our way!)  Just delicious.  The last of over 100 reviews in 2020, and one of my favorites for sure (only the 10th ‘Must Buy’). If you’re a lover of sherried single malts but haven’t tried this – I’d highly recommend picking this up.

Rating: Must Buy

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New TTB Rules Pave Way For Better Selections

/ / Gary's Blog

Last July I shared my thoughts on proposed changes to TTB rules, namely expanding the ‘standards of fill’ to include the international standard of 700 mL.  In short, most of the whisk(e)y world (and distilled spirits in general) use a 700 mL bottle size.  The U.S. had adopted 750 mL (along with others, such as 375 mL, 1L, etc).  Because this single market would require a different bottle and bottling process, it unfortunately limited exporting to that market to those who were willing to invest in all that entailed.  While the major producers would sell enough in volume to make it worth while, this did restrict a lot of independent bottlers from exporting their goods.

I’m elated to share that the TTB announced today that effective (December 29, 2020), they will “publish a final rule in the Federal Register that, among other things, amends TTB’s regulations that govern wine and distilled spirits containers by adding seven new standards of fill for wine and distilled spirits.”  For distilled spirits, the new container sizes are:

  • 1.8 L
  • 900 mL
  • 720 mL
  • 700 mL

Of those, the 700 mL is the one I’m most excited about.  Given some current tariffs in place on single malt scotch (as well as the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic), we may not see the floodgates open right away.  But this is definitely good news for those who would like to see a broader selection of independent bottlings and other exclusives come to our shores.

Cheers!

Gary

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Tamdhu 10 Year Single Malt

/ / Review, Scottish Whisky, Speyside /

Tamdhu 10 Year
Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky

40% ABV
$50-$65
Website
Tamdhu 10 Year

What the Distillery Says

Matured in Sherry Casks | Natural Colour

In 1897, Tamdhu Distillery was born of its founders’ Can-Dhu spirit, and 200 years of Scottish Industry.

Today, Tamdhu 10 Year Old embodies the same intrepid approach. Matured exclusively in sherry oak casks, we ensure every drop is as magnificent now as it was then.

NOSE: The softness of vanilla and sugared almonds, balanced by fresh oak and cinnamon.
PALATE: Bursting with fruit and spice – gently yielding to toffee and the richness of sherry oak.
FINISH: Fruit and vanilla linger, becoming pleasantly drying – finally unveiling the merest wisp of peat smoke.
NOTE: The above was taken from images of the product. This is being replaced by the 12 yr and is unfortunately no longer mentioned on their website.

What Gary Says

Nose: Sherry goodness with dark fruit oozing out of vanilla cake, stewed peaches, fresh almonds, pecans, subtle dark chocolate with a bit of anise.
Palate:  Caramel with marzipan, raisins, figs, vanilla, an oaky earthiness with cinnamon and nutmeg.
Finish:  Moderately long, drying with vanilla, fruit and earthy notes.
Comments:  This has a lovely nose, that I prefer twice as much as I do the palate.  In my experience, when I like the nose a LOT more than the palate, it usually means that if I could find the same or similar whisk(e)y at a higher proof – I’ll really like it.  If the palate delivered what the nose advertised, this would easily be a Must Try for me.  This has been replaced with a 12 yr (at a higher ABV!) which I look forward to trying, if only for the increased ABV.  Very easy to drink with the peat being present but subtle.

Rating: Stands Out

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Bulleit Bourbon Cranberry Old Fashioned

/ / Cocktails

Bulleit Bourbon Cranberry Old Fashioned

Bulleit Bourbon Cranberry Old Fashioned
We would like to thank Bulleit and Taylor Strategy for sending us a sample to review.
Bourbon Soaked Cranberries

  • 2 oz dried cranberries
  • 4 oz Bulleit Bourbon
  • 1 cinnamon stick

To make Bourbon Soaked Cranberries, add the cranberries, bourbon, and cinnamon stick to a sealable glass container. Give it a stir and let the mixture sit on the counter for 1 day.
Remove the cinnamon stick and put the bourbon cranberries in the refrigerator. Keep up to 1 month, refrigerated. Makes 6-8 cocktails.

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 oz Bulleit Bourbon
  • 1/2 oz infused Bulleit Bourbon, from the dried cranberries
  • 1 spoonful bourbon soaked cranberries
  • 1-2 strips orange zest
  • 2-3 drops orange bitters
  • 1 tbsp simple syrup, or to taste
  • orange wedges, for garnish
  • ice

Instructions

  1. Fill a glass with ice.
  2. Add the bourbon, infused bourbon, some of the bourbon cranberries, orange zest, orange bitters.
  3. Stir the cocktail and taste.
  4. If needed, add sugar syrup a little at a time until the cocktail is sweetened to your liking.
  5. Garnish with orange wedges.

What Gary Thought: First, I do like how cranberry plays in a whisk(e)y cocktail. I followed the instructions to a T – except not filling my glass with ice (I opted for a few cubes). This was absolutely delicious. I went with maybe a teaspoon of simple syrup, which was the right amount for me (the cran-infused bourbon was plenty sweet). One tip – if you’re making for a party, double or triple the soaked cranberries because these will go quick!

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Booker’s 2020-03 “Pigskin Batch”

/ / Bourbon, Review / ,

Booker’s “Pigskin Batch” Batch 2020-03
Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

6 Years, 7 Months, 7 Days
63.65% ABV
$90
Website
Booker's 2020-03 "Pigskin Batch"
We would like to thank Beam Suntory and Multiply for sending us a sample to review.

What the Distillery Says:

The third release of the Booker’s® Bourbon 2020 Collection is Booker’s Batch 2020-03 “Pigskin Batch.” This batch is a nod to 6th Generation Master Distiller Booker Noe’s love of American football, which eventually became a whole family affair.

Booker was a good football player back in the day, playing both tackle and kicker on his high school team. He was quick for his size — standing 6 feet 4 inches tall and weighing close to 300 pounds — and strong from working as a farm hand growing up. Although he ultimately never pursued a college football career, he was talented enough to practice with the team when he attended the University of Kentucky as a freshman – a rare honor in those days.

Anyone who knew Booker knew his love of football. Whether it was his favorite team on the television or his son and grandson playing in the backyard, Booker loved watching a game and made the sport into a true Noe family tradition.

TASTING NOTES

Like all batches of Booker’s Bourbon, Booker’s “Pigskin Batch” was selected by 7th Generation Master Distiller Fred Noe to ensure it upholds the qualities and standards that his dad set for Booker’s Bourbon more than 30 years ago and that fans of the brand have come to know and love. Uncut and unfiltered, Booker’s “Pigskin Batch” has a beautiful light brown color. The aroma contains brown sweets and slight vanilla notes. The flavor is big and bold with a finish that is long and warm.

Booker’s “Pigskin Batch” is best enjoyed neat, over ice or with a few drops of water.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Salted caramel, vanilla crème brûlée slightly over-roasted, heavy oak, pecan praline, peanut brittle and chocolate.
Palate:  Rich mouthfeel with heavy caramel, spice notes of nutmeg and pepper kicking in with dark chocolate, oak and a bit of orange.
Finish:  Moderately long, drying with dark chocolate, oak and citrus spice.
Comments:  A really nice pour. I don’t have all of the various batches from 2020 to try to compare against, although in a blind side-by-side against 2018-04 “Kitchen Table” and 2013-06, I did find I preferred this one (which is props as I really liked 2013-06, one of the initial ’roundtable’ batches). The variation is subtle from batch to batch, and I found this one to be more on the sweet side, with a bit less spice and oak. Takes water really well, although I don’t mind it at bottling proof. The streak of “hadn’t met a Booker’s I didn’t like” remains unbroken!

Rating: Must Try/Stands Out

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