July 2023

An Aba Canadian Island Lightly Peated Single Malt Whisky

/ / Other Whisk(e)ys, Review / ,

An Aba Canadian Island Lightly Peated Single Malt Whisky

46% ABV
$130
Website
An Aba Canadian Island Lightly Peated Single Malt Whisky
We would like to thank Macaloney’s Island Distillery for sending us a sample to review.

What the Distillery Says

An Aba, our Whiskymjaker’s lightly peated ‘sherried’, signature expression was crafted from a select marrying of Kentucky Bourbon casks, Spanish Oloroso barriques, Portuguese shaved-toasted-re-charred (STR) red wine barriques, virgin American oak casks, and Spanish Pedro Ximénez casks.

Nose: Complex and layered whisky with light peat on the nose, including fresh pine and oak, orange liqueur, lemon sherbet, rum and raisin fruit cake, liquorice, vanilla sponge cake, ripe banana, gooseberry, red currant, dried mango and milk chocolate.

Palate: It has a lush creamy mouthfeel, medium peat, burnt heather and bonfire embers, leading to prunes, dried figs and apricots. Also on the palate there is malted milk, stewed apples, peaches, blooming heather, lavender and daffodils, developing to linseed oil, marzipan, lingering oak and a dry, light peat finish with an essence of the seaside, befitting our island location.

11 PPM*
ABV: 46%
Natural Colour & Non-Chill Filtered

What Gary Says

Nose:  Sea breeze with lite peat smoke, grilled peaches, tropical fruit, cedar, pine and vanilla.
Palate:  Creamy mouthfeel, fruity and smokey with a bit of oak and pepper, honey, toffee and a slight spice.
Finish:  Moderate in length, damp with earthy peat and light fruit notes trailing.
Comments:  This is a nice, although I hate to say – kinda boring dram. The nose has quite a bit more going on than the palate for me. I’m not someone who thinks when it comes to peat you have to ‘go big or go home’, there’s plenty of lightly peated whiskies that I really enjoy. The palate for me just fell short of what the nose was setting me up for. And at this price point – I expect more than I got here, although your mileage may vary. I do appreciate the non-chill filtration and ABV.
* NOTE: Their website lists this as 11 PPM, and the sample I was sent had 11 PPM on the label, although in other press I’ve read 12 PPM (not that 1 PPM is going to make a noticeable difference, just pointing this out in case you saw something different as I did!)

Rating: Average/Stands Out

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St. Mallie Portuguese Re-Charred Red Wine Barrique

/ / Other Whisk(e)ys, Review /

St. Mallie Portuguese Re-Charred Red Wine Barrique
Canadian Island Single Malt Whisky

46% ABV
$130
Website
St. Mallie Canadian Island Single Malt Whisky
We would like to thank Macaloney’s Island Distillery for sending us a sample to review.

What the Distillery Says

St. Mallie, formerly known as Invermallie, is our connoisseurs / collector’s edition. It is an ever-changing series of classic single malt expressions based on unique one-off single casks, or other special selections. With individually numbered bottles, it is sought after by those who appreciate fine whisky.

This St. Mallie special release comes from a select re-charred red wine barrique imported from Europe. This barrique underwent the Dr. Jim Swan shave-toast-rechar preparation and gives a wonderfully complex nose with red berries, dried fruit, demerara sugar, leather, oak and honey. The palate is creamy and full bodied with layers of tropical fruits, wood spices, brandied dark fruit cake, cigar, cocoa, Maltesers, oats and honey. The finish is long with dried fruit and lingering oak.

ABV: 46%
750ml bottle
Natural Colour & Non-Chill Filtered

What Gary Says

Nose:  Fruity with red berries, tropical fruit notes of mango and candied pineapple, malt, honey, oak, worn leather and floral notes.
Palate:  Creamy mouthfeel, fruity with a sugar cane/molasses (nearly rum) vibe, peaches, kiwi, honey and cocoa.
Finish:  Moderately long, slightly drying with oak, fruit and pepper.
Comments:  My first sip of this one immediately had my brain thinking ‘rum’, but letting it sit on the tongue the other fruit notes emerge. The non-chill filtration really lends to a lovely mouthfeel, and I appreciate the ABV. I still struggle with the price points for these non-age stated single malt whisky, but there’s nothing off putting and it’s a perfectly delightful dram..

Rating: Stands Out

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An Loy Whiskymaker’s Signature Selection

/ / Other Whisk(e)ys, Review / ,

An Loy Whiskymaker’s Signature Selection
Canadian Island Single Malt Whisky

46% ABV
$125
Website
An Loy Canadian Island Single Malt
We would like to thank Macaloney’s Island Distillery for sending us a sample to review.

What the Distillery Says

An Loy, formerly known as Glenloy, is our ‘Whiskymaker’s Signature Selection’ whereby we carefully selected our classic single malt whisky from a combination of 60% first use Bourbon casks for a delicate, clean presentation, 15% from Dr. Swans wonderful Portuguese STR red-wine barriques for pronounced oak and sweet red-berry contribution, and 15% Oloroso / 10% PX Spanish Sherry casks for wonderful, rich and delicate fruit cake and plums. Together they compliment the tropical fruits and creamy presentation of our new-make house style (which garnered a Gold Medal at the prestigious World Whiskies Awards) to create the following tasting notes for this, our inaugural release whisky:

Nose: Fruit, floral and Sherry notes followed with oak, vanilla, malt, and sea breeze.
Palate: Creamy, caramelized orange, vanilla, potpourri, fruit cake, blackcurrant, honey, wood spices, and lingering oak.

Our An Loy whisky has been ‘dressed up’ befitting the quality of the spirit. Each bottle and carton are individually numbered. The carton has an image of Vancouver Island that wraps around all four sides, befitting the fact that this is an ‘island whisky’, and in addition to the gold foil and embossing, there are notes encompassing a bit of history, why it was named An Loy, house character and tasting notes, etc.

Natural Colour & Non-Chill Filtered

What Gary Says

Nose:  Sweet with peaches, pears, honey, porridge, subtle apricots, raisins, baking spices, berries, grapes, floral notes, red wine and heather.
Palate:  Sweet with honey, grain, fruity with peaches, pears, grapes and a bit of chili spice.
Finish:  Short to moderate in length with pepper.
Comments:  Quite a pleasant, easy to drink single malt. I get the sherry and red wine cask influence, and the nose has a lot going on. The palate is a bit less complex, although not objectionable in any way. Just didn’t find anything that stood out to me at this price point.
NOTE: This whisky had been released previously under the name Glenloy, and has been renamed/relabeled as part of a settlement with the Scotch Whisky Association (see CBC coverage here). I bring this up to point out that it had won Best Canadian Single Malt in the 2021 World Whiskies Awards under the former name (and if you’re looking for other reviews/coverage – check for that as well as the new name).

Rating: Average/Stands Out

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Ezra Brooks Bourbon Cream

/ / Other Spirits, Review /

Ezra Brooks Bourbon Cream

16.5% ABV
$22
Website
Ezra Brooks Bourbon Cream
We would like to thank Luxco and BYRNE PR for sending us a sample to review.

What the Producer Says

Ezra Brooks Kentucky Straight Bourbon forms the base for this smooth, rich bourbon cream that boasts authentic ingredients and an honest legacy.

“Based on the success of Ezra Brooks 99 Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, we have elevated the proof for both the Ezra Brooks Rye and Bourbon Cream variants,” said Eric Winter, brand manager for Ezra Brooks. “Ezra Brooks 99 Rye drinkers will find the same great rye-whiskey taste, but with enhanced flavor delivered by the higher proof. Similarly, our new Ezra Brooks Bourbon Cream delivers a bolder, richer expression of the bourbon-cream flavor our customers love.”

TASTING NOTES: Cinnamon, nutmeg, and caramel blend with undertones of vanilla and sweet pecan on the nose. Buttery caramel is followed by sweet toffee and a smooth, warm finish on the palate.

INGREDIENTS: Corn, rye, malt, and natural cream

What Gary Says

Nose:  Half and half with nutty caramel, chocolate and vanilla.
Palate:  Creamy and thick with dulce de leche, bit of chocolate, butterscotch and a hint of cinnamon.
Finish:  Long and creamy with toffee.
Comments:  Full disclosure – I haven’t tried a lot of these, other than at the end of a distillery tour. It isn’t that I don’t like them, but since once opened they have to be kept refrigerated – I always figured that my better half wouldn’t be crazy about my taking up the space for something I might just reach for every now and then. Little did I know that she would be the one asking “So why isn’t this on-hand at ALL times?” She really likes it, and enjoys a couple ounces over an ice cube in the evening. Richard shared his thoughts, and said he found this by comparison to some of the others to be on the sweet side – which is precisely why my wife would likely prefer this to the other.
I found it quite nice in a Mudslide as well as dark roast coffee (although be sure to tamp down your usual sugar/sweetener volume, as this brings plenty of that to the party). And taking a cue from the wifey, I can’t argue that it is a nice evening sipper over some cubes on a hot summer night. Just be careful – as it drinks so easily, you can forget it is 33 proof (and don’t want to be rudely reminded of that the next morning!)

Rating: Stands Out

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Bib & Tucker 6 Year Double Char Bourbon

/ / Bourbon, Review / ,

Bib & Tucker Double Char Bourbon
Aged 6 Years

44% ABV
$55
Website
Bib & Tucker 6 Year Double Char Bourbon
We would like to thank Deutsch Family Wine & Spirits and Create Studios for sending us a sample to review.

What the Producer Says

Inspired by the turn of the century, when food was cooked on the open flame, this new bourbon is aged twice to create savory smoky notes and an exceptionally smooth finish. Bib & Tucker Double Char is first aged for six years in the rolling hills of Tennessee in new white American oak, followed by a minimum of five months in a second heavily charred and smoked new barrel. This unique fire-forged double char aging method creates the rich and deep flavor of Bib & Tucker Double Char.

“I can’t wait for consumers to try this delicious expression,” said Tom Steffanci, President of Deutsch Family Wine & Spirits. “Double Char spends just the right amount of time in the second heavily charred barrel, creating a savory, smoky character that adds a whole new dimension to the bourbon.”
As a Tennessee bourbon, Bib & Tucker follows the Lincoln County process unique to the state, meaning the bourbon is filtered through sugar maple charcoal before going into the barrel for aging.

For Double Char, to pay homage to the Lincoln County process, the second barrel is smoked with sugar maple before being filled with the brand’s 6-year aged bourbon. The perfect amount of time in the barrels, the char, and the sugar maple barrel smoking process delivers a bourbon with an inviting savory white smoke flavor not found in any other whiskey on the market.

Bib & Tucker Double Char Tasting Notes
Nose: A touch of smoke with immediate notes of toasted oak and dulce de leche, background notes of cinnamon and clove
Palate: Vanilla and sugar maple surrounded with white smoke, hints of sweet corn and toasted cinnamon
Finish: Medium to long finish with oak, white smoke and vanilla
Color: Deep rich mahogany with copper undertones

Bib & Tucker Double Char will be available nationally, in-store and online, beginning August 2023.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Caramel, vanilla, freshly baked oatmeal raisin cookies with cloves, nutmeg, brown sugar, charred oak and just a hint of vitamins.
Palate:  Rich and sweet, chocolate, caramel, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg and a hint of citrus.
Finish:  Moderately long and dam with caramel, oak and spice notes.
Comments:  Pouring this along side the Bib & Tucker 6 Year Small Batch, it is noticeably dark in color, and also richer with more chocolate and spice notes. The ‘house style’ of the distillate is present, but much more muted. This is a really lovely bourbon, and if you enjoy a cigar with your whiskey – I expect that this would pair nicely. While I don’t get ‘smoke’ per say, the effect of the finishing in another new barrel is clear, and definitely brings out some nice flavors and adds depth to the whiskey. I do wish that it was offered at a higher proof, but maybe they’ll come out with a cask strength offering in the future (hint hint 😉).

Rating: Stands Out/Must Try

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