Gary

Managing apostle and whiskey enthusiast

The Balvenie 18 Years Pedro Ximénez Cask Single Malt Scotch Whisky

/ / Review, Scottish Whisky, Speyside / ,

The Balvenie 18 Years Pedro Ximénez Cask
Travel Exclusive Single Malt Scotch Whisky

48.7% ABV
$250
Website
The Balvenie 18 Year Old Pedro Ximenez Cask Finish Travel Retail Single Malt Scotch Whisky

What the Distiller Says

The Balvenie Pedro Ximénez Cask whisky is a lively and summery single malt finished in casks which previously held Pedro Ximénez sherry.

Sherry is a popular cask type in Scotch Whisky, and this is the second sherry finished expression in The Balvenie range of finishes.

The first and second cask

First cask: American Oak
Maturation in traditional American Oak whisky barrels mellows the maturing spirit and imparts warming layers of honey and vanilla.

Second cask: PX Butts
Finishing in Pedro Ximénez butts, creates a fusion of sweet lavender, mandarin, fig and subtle clove.

A sweet climate
Pedro Ximénez is a white Spanish wine grape variety grown in several Spanish wine regions. The heat of the sun ripening the vines leads to a wine of intense, dessert-like sweetness.

The result
Finishing in Pedro Ximénez Sherry butts creates a fusion of sweet lavender, mandarin, fig and subtle clove.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Creamy, dark fruits including raisins, currants, dates, figs and spiced, stewed plums; hint of sulfur, smoke and a vegetal note.
Palate:  Fruity with raisins, dates, blood orange, toffee and chili spice.
Finish:  Long and slightly drying with smoke, fruit and pepper spice.
Comments:  Really interesting dram. It isn’t smokey per say, but the nose has more sulfur than I expected (not a lot, but wasn’t expecting any). While not hot at 48.7%, I preferred this with a few drops of water, which thickened the mouthfeel nicely and tamps some of the spice notes a bit.

Rating: Stands Out/Must Try

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High West The Prisoner’s Share

/ / Other Whisk(e)ys, Review /

High West The Prisoner’s Share
Blend of Straight Whiskeys finished in The Prisoner Red Blend wine barrels

51% ABV
$175
Website
High West The Prisoner's Share
We would like to thank High West Whiskey and lippe taylor for sending us a sample to review.

What the Producer Says

Since originally launching in 2022, The Prisoner’s Share has become a prime example of the magic that happens when a whiskey is finished in a red wine barrel. This year’s iteration of The Prisoner’s Share boasts an exquisite palate of Montmorency cherries, raspberry preserves on brioche toast, cacao nibs, brown butter caramel, roasted chestnuts, bergamot tea, and seasoned French Oak. As a premier sipping whiskey, this year’s version of The Prisoner’s Share is one of High West’s favorite limited edition whiskeys.

Sensory Notes
Nose: Pomegranate kernels, cranberry biscotti, pecan brittle, orange zest, cinnamon bark, light roast espresso, tanned leather from a cedar closet
Taste: Montmorency cherries, raspberry preserves on brioche toast, cacao nibs, brown butter caramel, roasted chestnuts, bergamot tea, and seasoned French Oak
Finish: Black currant jam with a subtle rye spice

Mash Bill
75 % corn, 21% rye, 4& malted barley (MGP)
60% corn, 40% rye (BBC)
78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley (Kentucky)
95% rye, 5% malted barley (MGP)
80% rye, 20% malted rye (High West own make)
Age Length: 4-12 years

What Gary Says

Nose: Cranberries, orange zest, cherries, toffee, oak, raw honey, cinnamon and dry red wine.
Palate: Sour cherries, cranberries, cocoa, honey, walnuts, cinnamon and black pepper.
Finish: Moderately long, drying with cherries, cinnamon and pepper spice.
Comments: A very nice dram that is quite dark in the glass, with a red hue evident from the finishing. The Prisoner Red Blend wine barrel finishing is quite prominent and pronounced, which if you are a fan of the wine is likely a plus. If you’re not into wine, you may find this finishing is a tad heavy and can mask the underlying spirits. I’m not a huge wine fan personally, but I found the distinctive flavors unique and interesting, and really enjoyed this in an Old Fashioned (and I haven’t tried it yet in a traditional rye cocktail like a Manhattan, but imagine it would do well!)

Rating: Stands Out

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Foursquare Exceptional Cask 2009 Aged Rum

/ / Other Spirits, Review / ,

Foursquare Exceptional Cask Selection Mark XVII
2009 Single Blended Rum

60%
$95
Website
Foursquare Exceptional Cask Selection XVII 2009 2009 12yr 60%

What the Producer/Retailer Says

Foursquare Rum Distillery is located on a former sugar plantation that dates back to approximately 1720, within the tiny Caribbean island of Barbados. The distillery was re-opened by the Seale family in 1996, distilling operations and blending are currently directed by Richard Seale, 4th Generation Trader/Distiller of R.L. Seale & Co.

Exceptional Cask Selections represent the unique, and rare offerings of Foursquare Rum Distillery that Richard has hand selected – his personal projects only released when he feels they are of exceptional quality. These are one of a kind expressions, available only for a limited time, and showcasing truly unique approaches to both Rum blending and maturation.

Barbados- Mark XVII from Foursquare Rum Distillery. A single blended rum, aged for 12-years in Ex-Bourbon casks. No color, sugar, additives, or filtration. Rich and assertive character with notes of dark cherries, cranberry, orange peel, caramelized pineapple, and dried peach.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Coconut, almonds, confectionary cotton candy, mango, dried fruit, vanilla, cocoa and floral.
Palate:  Warm and sweet, vanilla, brown sugar, caramel, cinnamon pastry, bit of ginger ale and sour fruit notes.
Finish:  Short to moderate in length, drying with vanilla.
Comments: This nose is just amazing; so different from anything I’ve nosed (my brain immediately thought “OMG – this is Almond Joy in a glass!”) The palate is very nice, but this is one of those pours where I enjoyed the nosing more than the tasting – although the tasting ain’t bad either.

Rating: Stands Out/Must Try

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Ron Navazos Palazzi Cask Strength Rum Oloroso Casks

/ / Other Spirits, Review /

Ron Navazos Palazzi Cask Strength Rum
Oloroso Casks

51% / 51.5% ABV*
$100
Website
Rum Navazos Palazzi Rum Cask Strength Oloroso Casks

What the Producer Says

* Note that there were two releases of this, in July 2013 and July 2014; not sure which my sample came from.
Rum Cask Strength Oloroso Casks.
Bottled July 2013 & 2014. 1500 bot (each year)
A PM Spirits exclusivity.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Molasses, dark fruit notes, plums, raisins, brown sugar, burnt crème brulée with a hint of nylon rope.
Palate:  Creamy mouthfeel with fruitcake, raisins, plums, apricots, caramel, toffee and vanilla.
Finish:  Short to moderate in length, drying with dark fruit.
Comments: First I apologize for not knowing the exact provenance of this particular sample I’m reviewing (the two vintages could be wildly different, although the only distinction made by the producer is the year and ever-so-slight difference in proof). First world problems to be sure, and given this was released 10+ years ago – chances of finding this in the wild are fairly low (but sharing the review in case you’re at a friend’s house and you spot it, eh!).
I’m not a big rum guy, but DAMN! This is just delicious! A bit of water didn’t change it too much, amps the dark fruit on the nose. Just lovely – the sherry cask on the nose is very ‘scotch-like’, and if more rum I tried was anything like this, I’d be getting into rum a lot more.

Rating: Must Try

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Glenfarclas 15 Year Old 95 Proof Exclusive to The Whisky Exchange

/ / Review, Scottish Whisky, Speyside / ,

Glenfarclas 15 Year Old 95 Proof Exclusive to The Whisky Exchange
Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky

54.2% ABV
$110-$120
Website
Glenfarclas 15 Year Old 95 Proof Exclusive to The Whisky Exchange Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky

What the Retailer Says

A 15-year-old Glenfarclas single malt, matured in ex-sherry casks and bottled exclusively for The Whisky Exchange. Aromas of spiced sponge cake, dried fruit, Danish pastries, green apples and custard fill the nose, followed on the palate by notes of apple jam, plump raisins, sticky dates, baking spices and brown sugar that linger in the finish.

Tasting Notes (courtesy of Billy Abbott, The Whisky Exchange)
Nose: Sultana-and-raisin-studded spiced sponge cake, dusted with brown sugar and a touch of nutmeg. Danish pastries and tarte Tatin follow, along with freshly sliced green apples and custard.
Palate: Apple jam and Eccles cakes – sticky raisins, brown sugar and sweet pastry. Brighter sultana fruitiness develops, contrasting against rich dates and baking spices.
Finish: Dark brown sugar and raisins linger. Old polished oak and soft spice builds.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Dark fruit, hint of spent matches, oak, earthy mineral note.
Palate:  Thick mouthfeel, raisins, cherries, brown sugar, cloves, pepper spice, caramel and cinnamon.
Finish:  Moderate to long, drying with fruit notes.
Comments:  I haven’t been a huge fan of Glenfarcalas, which for me that spent matches/sulfur note can be overwhelming sometimes. Don’t get me wrong – this has that same note on the nose, but it isn’t as prominent. I prefer this dram with a bit of water, which brightens the nose and brings the fruit notes out more (raisins and maybe grilled peaches), as well as thickens the mouthfeel which is surprising given how thick it is neat. It also brings out more cream fruit with baked pears. Definitely in my top tier of Glenfarcalas offerings!

Rating: Stands Out/Must Try

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