Gary | Whisk(e)y Apostle: Proselytizing the way of the malt

The Glenlivet ‘Capsule Collection’

October 5, 2019 / Gary / Gary's Blog, Speyside

Think ‘Scotch Pods’ ala Tide Pods (but to be clear, these are ‘Scotch Cocktails’ – not only whisky).

Or don’t. Really. Don’t think about it.

When I saw this posted on Twitter, I thought for certain it had to be a gag. Not until seeing the actual posting on Pernod-Ricard.com did I accept that “this is not a joke” (although I believe that is still debatable).

Don’t get me wrong – I love innovation in whisk(e)y. Whether it’s Maker’s Mark inserting staves, or Compass Box doing . . .well, what they do – I applaud folks for looking for new and interesting ways to unlock flavors and develop new products.

But this . . . no.

For starters, pretty much every whisk(e)y drink I know doesn’t take a 23 ml “sip” all at once (which is roughly 3/4 of an ounce, or half a shot). And it isn’t just the size – this eliminates anyone being able to add water, or ice, or do . . . anything beyond simply swallowing it.

I’m curious what market research suggested that folks would be interested in this sorta thing. I could see this delivery mechanism for things like soda (or as my Yankee family would call it – ‘pop’), or for parties having Vodka jello-shots in this type of package (although I do not condone ‘rapid alcohol consumption’ vehicles). But the whole premise seems to lack understanding about what whisk(e)y drinkers (at least the ones I’ve spoken to) are looking for in their whisk(e)y enjoyment experience.

Sometimes innovation means something that is . . . well . . . this.

Cheers!
Gary

UPDATE: Readers pointed out that the capsules themselves are a cocktail (not just whisk(e)y), which is better . . . although I’m still not a fan.

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Jameson Caskmates Stout Edition

October 4, 2019 / Gary / Irish Whiskey, Review / Average, Stands Out

Jameson Caskmates Stout Edition

40% ABV
$30
Website

What the Distillery Says

Irish Whiskey, craft beer barrels.
Like all the best conversations, the one between Jameson’s Head of Whiskey Science and the Head Brewer of a local craft beer brewery, started at the bar. A swapping of whiskey and beer barrels soon after, resulted in Jameson Caskmates Stout Edition – triple-distilled, blended Irish Whiskey that has been patiently finished in Irish craft beer-seasoned barrels.

Nose: An initial aroma of freshly cut hay is complemented by a crisp orchard fruit character – green apples and pears, with a twist of lime zest. Mild pot still spices appear, deepening from green tea to hazelnut and milk chocolate.
Taste: The initial sweet mouth coating typical of the Irish pot still inclusion is quickly complemented by the subtle touch of hops and cocoa beans from the beer cask finish.
Finish: Long and sweet with milk chocolate and butterscotch.

What Gary Says

Nose: Floral and yeasty notes of cut hay, dry cocoa powder, subtle pears with hints of dried tea.
Palate: Sweet with a creamy mouthfeel, caramel and honey with bits of cocoa, a touch of stout.
Finish: Short to moderate in length, on the damp side, sweet with notes of stout.
Comments: Per their original press release, this is a collaboration with local Irish micro-brewery Franciscan Well. Of the three Caskmates I reviewed, this was the lightest in color and the most like Jameson Irish Whiskey.
A much more gentle, nuanced finish compared with the Bale Breaker Topcutter IPA or Revolution Brewing editions. Nosing reminds me a bit of an empty pint of Guinness. Nothing objectionable, but this was the least interesting of the three for me – which is strange as Guinness is one of the only beers I do enjoy.

Rating: Average/Stands Out

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Jameson Caskmates Revolution Brewing Limited Edition

October 2, 2019 / Gary / Irish Whiskey, Review / Must Try, Stands Out

Jameson Caskmates Revolution Brewing Limited Edition

40% ABV
$30
Website

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 Chicago tastemaker, Revolution Brewing, with the release of Jameson Caskmates Revolution Brewing Limited Edition. This latest Caskmates Edition was conceived when Revolution Brewing travelled to Ireland to brew their signature beer, Fist City Pale Ale, to season Jameson casks. The Jameson Blenders used these beer-seasoned casks to create Jameson Caskmates Revolution Brewing Limited edition, pairing together each liquid’s unique flavor – the smooth taste of Jameson with the signature characteristics of Revolution Brewing’s Fist City Pale Ale.

Jameson Caskmates Revolution Brewing Limited Edition is best enjoyed neat or on the rocks alongside Revolution Brewing’s Fist City Pale Ale.

Nose: Delicate fruits, grapefruit and lingering sweet notes
Taste: Full bodied and smooth with hints of both hops and vanilla
Finish: Spice character and hops fade slowly into lingering fruit notes and toasted oak

What Gary Says

Nose: Some citrus zip right off the bat, grapefruit, clove, orange bitters, subtle honey with brighter herbal notes.
Palate: Citrus spice with vanilla and honey; fruit that is more citrus than orchard, some tangerines along with grapefruit but a bit of pear sneaks in, just a touch of pepper in the back.
Comments: Like the Jameson Caskmates Bale Breaker Topcutter IPA Limited Edition, I tasted this side by side with Jameson Irish Whiskey (as well as some other Caskmates vintages) for comparative purposes. My first thought when sipping this one was “Damn, this is almost rye-whiskey like!” which is a compliment. No dill, but the citrus edge this has definitely had my brain thinking about rye. This has quite a bit more citrus and edge to it than the Jameson Caskmates Bale Breaker, and while not a beer drinker – I really liked this one (maybe because of the echos of rye). Both of these definitely take that smooth, sweet Jameson and give it a blue-collar edge that I think fans of both will enjoy. And if you like rye whiskey – I’d put this in the ‘Must Try’ category for the experience.

Rating: Stands Out/Must Try

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Jameson Caskmates Bale Breaker Topcutter IPA Limited Edition

September 30, 2019 / Gary / Irish Whiskey, Review / Stands Out

Jameson Caskmates Bale Breaker Topcutter IPA Limited Edition

40% ABV
$30
Website

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

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Dewar’s Caribbean Smooth

September 26, 2019 / Gary / Review, Scottish Whisky / Average, Stands Out

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

40% ABV
$21.99
Website

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

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