Gary

Managing apostle and whiskey enthusiast

Sagamore Spirit Cognac Finish Rye Whiskey

/ / Review, Rye Whiskey /

Sagamore Spirit Cognac Finish Rye Whiskey

50.5% ABV
$70
Website
Sagamore Spirit Cognac Finish Rye
We would like to thank Sagamore Spirit and 360PR.plus for sending us a sample to review.

What the Producer Says

Baltimore, MD – Sept. 3, 2019 – Cognac heritage meets rye whiskey’s most storied region, with the release of Cognac Finish from Maryland-based Sagamore Spirit. This is the first release from Sagamore Spirit since the brand earned widespread recognition for its Port Finish limited time offering, which won “World’s Best Rye Whiskey” at the 2019 San Francisco World Spirits Competition.

After aging for four years in charred, American White Oak barrels, Sagamore Spirit’s Straight Rye Whiskey gets finished in French Cognac barrels for an additional 8 months, revealing warm notes of apple, vanilla, and brown sugar. At 101-proof, Cognac Finish is a bold yet smooth reminder of how Maryland-style rye can transform deliciously when finished in the right barrels.

“We know our two-mash-bill blend makes our Straight Rye Whiskey unique to start – and our team of distillers enjoys experimenting with barrels imported from famed spirits regions. We get the finest finishing flavors to explore with while maintaining what makes Maryland-style rye special and approachable,” said Brian Treacy, president of Sagamore Spirit.

Today’s release marks the brand’s second batch of Cognac Finish, after an earlier release earned Double Gold at the 2019 Denver International Spirits Competition. This second offering is available now for a limited time at an approximate retail price of $70 per bottle.

For those interested in exploring other Maryland-style ryes, Sagamore Spirit’s award-winning selection of whiskies also includes Signature 83-proof and Cask Strength rye whiskey. Visit www.SagamoreSpirit.com to learn more and find a bottle near you.

Nose: Pear and apricot, bold spice with aromas of cinnamon and vanilla.
Palate: Fruit forward with apple, smooth vanilla, and brown sugar. Warm oak finish with lingering velvety spice.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Fruitcake with notes of evergreen, floral, charred oak, a bit of balsamic with a hint of dill and roasted almonds.
Palate:  Rye spice jumping out of the glass with dill, mint, allspice, cinnamon, and pepper; unmistakably ‘rye’; a tad sharp with oak, subtle vanilla and an astringent fruity note of citrus and green apples.
Finish:  Moderately long, drying with smokey oak and lingering citrus spice.
Comments:  First, this has a lovely color (and the bottle is fairly heavy as well with a fair amount of thought going into the design – even the bottom of the cork has three diamonds on it!) While young, this is a solid rye, and the cognac finish is more prominent on the nose for me. The palate is a tad sharp, but this takes water like a champ which softens those edges without losing the lovely spice notes. Another nice example of a finish that isn’t heavy-handed, and is complimenting the base whiskey without upstaging it.

Rating: Stands Out

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Macallan 12 vs Classic Cut 2018 vs Cask Strength

/ / Gary's Blog, Review, Scottish Whisky, Speyside

Macallan 12 vs Classic Cut 2018 (diluted to 40% ABV) vs Cask Strength (diluted to 40% ABV)

After reviewing The Macallan Classic Cut 2018 and The Macallan Cask Strength – both of which are non-age stated – I pondered how these would compare with The Macallan 12 yr if I brought them both down to the same 40% ABV.

I carefully measured out the whisky and appropriate water amount, thinking I might be able to do this as a blind side-by-side-by-side. It was clear that I’d have to actually be blind to not tell the difference, as visually the differences were stark.
Macallan Cask Strength vs 12 vs Classic Cut 2018 at 80 proof
The above image doesn’t quite do it justice, but is close. What you’re seeing above from left to right is The Macallan Cask Strength (60.1% originally), The Macallan 12 yr (40%), and The Macallan Classic Cut 2018 (51.2% originally). After bringing the outside ones down to 40%, it was clear that the Cask Strength likely has older whisky than 12 yrs, while the Classic Cut likely has younger whisky. Age and color aren’t linear, and there are some light colored whiskies that are amazing – so let’s not dwell on the color. The picture doesn’t show how much the Classic Cut clouded up (much more so than the Cask Strength).

The Macallan 12yr Sherry Oak

40% ABV (same as bottled strength)
Color: Amber, crisp & coppery.
Nose: Dark fruit, plums, raisins, musky oak.
Palate: Sherried fruit, slight pepper spice with some savory herbal notes in the back.
Finish: Moderate in length, drying with dark fruit and trailing pepper spice.
Comments: A perfectly fine single malt, and a great baseline of comparison for other Macallan expressions.

The Macallan Classic Cut 2018

40% ABV (brought down from bottled strength of 51.2% ABV)
Color: Yellow, natural honey; quite cloudy.
Nose: Fruity, with apricots and figs, little oak and orange candies.
Palate: Less sweet, more herbal with toned down stewed dark fruit.
Finish: Shorter, with trailing spice notes.
Comments: At 40%, this is pretty disappointing. My guess is that this is much younger than 12 yrs old, or aged in different wood, or aged in much different areas of the rickhouse. That said, you can’t take Macallan 12 and ‘up the proof’ – or said another way, the whisky in this bottle wasn’t necessarily intended to shine at this proof.

The Macallan Classic Cask Strength

40% ABV (brought down from bottled strength of 60.1% ABV)
Color: Still dark, brown brick with deep red tones, cloudy.
Nose: Rich, dark fruits with tobacco and hints of leather (like Macallan 12 but turned up another notch or three).
Palate: Sherried fruit, oak, pepper spice with smoke.
Finish: Moderate to long with drying cigar paper and hints of raisins.
Comments: While this had the most water added, it remained the darkest (although didn’t cloud up as much as the Classic Cut, which I found interesting). This was the one I enjoyed the most at this proof, although I won’t dilute what I have left of this lovely whisky to 40% (I enjoy it more at something closer to the bottle strength). It remains rich and complex, with depth and balance that sets it apart from the other two. I would conclude that this is a older than the 12 yr, and possibly matured differently (either different locations or different wood). Either way, it is freaking delicious.

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The Macallan Cask Strength

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

The Macallan Cask Strength

60.1% ABV
$70-$80 (original retail; several multiples now at auction)
Website
The Macallan Cask Strength

What the Bottle Says

(Unfortunately as a discontinued offering, no mention of it on their web-site)
Exclusively matured in selected sherry oak casks from Jerez, Spain & bottled at original cask strength.

This Macallan is bottled at original cask strength without chill filtration or the addition of water. The result is a particularly rich Single Malt, in our opinion best enjoyed with a splash of water to release the complex aromas and sumptuous flavours. Just how much water is left entirely to you. Making this the perfect Single Malt for the adventurous whisky drinker who likes to experiment and explore.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Thick, rich stewed plums and raisins covered in molasses, dark chocolate covered coffee beans, charred oak, a worn leather chair in a musty library where cigars were enjoyed the night before – yeah, that kind of depth.
Palate:  Thick and viscous, intense dark fruit – mincemeat pie that went easy on the cinnamon, some pepper edge that gives way to hints of nutmeg and a faint whisper of anise.
Finish:  Long and lingering, with fruit, hints of chocolate and pepper spice.
Comments:  I only discovered this lovely pour a few years back, stumbling upon some bottles while hunting for dusty bourbon. I bought a couple, and would kick myself for not buying every last one if it might change what happened (I have it on good account my Delorean won’t be out of the shop anytime soon – so pointless). When I first poured it, my immediate thought was “This is the George T. Stagg of Scotch!” With many more years of experience across different whiskies, I’m not sure I would disagree with that initial assessment. This is a bold, intense yet balanced whisky. Unfortunately discontinued many years ago, and now going for several multiples of the retail price at auction. Never bought whisky via an auction previously, although as I near the end of my last bottle – giving that more thought.

Rating: Must Buy (at retail)

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The Macallan Classic Cut 2018 Edition

/ / Review, Scottish Whisky, Speyside /

The Macallan Classic Cut 2018 Edition

51.2% ABV
$90-$110
Website
Macallan Classic Cut 2018
We would like to thank Paul (check out his reviews here, or on Dapper Drams) for sending us a sample to review.

What the Distillery Says

EXQUISITELY BALANCED FLAVOUR
The second edition in the limited annual series, The Macallan Classic Cut – 2018 Edition has an ABV of 51.2% chosen by the Whisky Maker Ian Morrison as the optimum strength to reveal a dominant sweetness and the well balanced flavours delivered by the exceptional Sherry Oak Casks. After allowing to breathe for 10-15 minutes, heightened flavours of citrus, sweet vanilla and spice come to the forefront, combined with a satisfyingly long dry oak finish. Classic Cut 2018 is a truly indulgent single malt whisky.

THE EXPERIENCE
COLOUR: Earthy gold.
NOSE: Orange and lemon citrus dominates the sweet notes of nutmeg and ginger and hints of vanilla and polished oak.
PALATE: Ginger and nutmeg with a full bodied sweet vanilla and orange note.
FINISH: Medium sweet with a long dry oak finish.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Rich sherried raisins, figs, dates, slightly burnt honey, allspice, subtle smoke, hints of clove and nutmeg.
Palate:  Creamy mouthfeel at the start, sweet dark fruit – raisins, plums, sherry – with a pepper bit in the mid palate followed by citrus spice and hints of anise.
Finish:  Moderately long with pepper spice and fading fruit.
Comments:  I absolutely LOVED Macallan Cask Strength (in fact, it was the first Macallan I ever bought, and my only regret is not buying more). Unfortunately my discovery came after it was discontinued. I was hoping that this might be a replacement, but it is a faint, distant shadow by comparison. Honestly, that’s not fair on my part to compare the two – they’re very different whiskies, and longing for what I can’t pick up on the store does no good. On its own, this is a pretty tasty pour – a lot of flavor and takes water well.

Rating: Stands Out

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The Macallan Rare Cask

/ / Review, Scottish Whisky, Speyside / ,

The Macallan Rare Cask
Highland Single Malt Whisky

43% ABV
$270 – $300
Website
Macallan Rare Cask
We would like to thank Paul (check out his reviews here, or on Dapper Drams) for sending us a sample to review.

What the Distillery Says

ULTIMATE SELECTION
Rare Cask combines knowledge, skill, passion, commitment and creativity to create a remarkable whisky worthy of its name.

Crafted to showcase complexity and depth, Rare Cask is drawn from the broadest spectrum of casks used in maturation on The Macallan Estate. Hand-picked by our whisky making team, the combination of sherry seasoned American and European oak casks – a high proportion of them first fill – deliver an exquisite and unmistakably woody whisky with a rich hue.

Incomparable access to the most extensive range of cooperages in Spain gives us some of the finest and scarcest casks to choose from to create Rare Cask, which results in a diversity in the finished whisky unlike other Macallan expression. It is the role of the whisky making team to get to know each and every cask in detail, from how it interacts with the spirit to the spectrum of colours it imparts. This relationship between cask and craftsman, spirit and skill, ultimately give us Rare Cask.

With rarity at its core, this is a whisky that will slightly differ in makeup from bottling to bottling; with some casks so rare they will never be used again in any other Macallan. Far less than 1% of casks maturing at the distillery have been identified as fitting to bestow the Rare Cask name – and enable the creation of this multifaceted single malt.

Taking inspiration from The Macallan’s iconic triangle and designed to celebrate its natural color, Rare Cask is presented in a sculpted, heavy glass decanter.

THE EXPERIENCE
COLOUR: Ruby Red.
NOSE: Soft notes of opulent vanilla and raisin give way to a sweet ensemble of apple, lemon, and orange. All balanced by a spicy quartet of root ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg and clove.
PALATE: This spicy quartet are unwavering. Oak resonates, timeless, polished and rich. Vanilla and chocolate lead the finale along with a light citrus zest.
FINISH: Warming and woody.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Rich and thick, full of raisins and plums, balsamic with brown sugar, subtle smoke amongst old leather furniture, and a hint of a musky, vegetal note.
Palate:  Creamy velvety mouthfeel, intense fruit – raisins, apricots, a hint of orange, oak, milk chocolate with bits of nutmeg.
Finish:  Moderately long, drying with oak tannins and a citrus zest; leaning towards lemon from orange; with trailing pepper spice.
Comments:  This has a lovely dark color, and at first blush reminds me of Macallan Cask Strength (which is a huge compliment!) It isn’t quite that level of intensity, but it is a lovely dram, rich with fruit and quite intense for 43% ABV. This would be a solid ‘Must Try’ other than the price point, which is a bit steep for me. There isn’t anything wrong with this dram, and I wouldn’t necessarily have buyers remorse had I bought a bottle – but there are other Macallan whiskies around $100 that I like nearly as much. That said – if you’ve got the budget and are a fan of Macallan, I’d lean towards the ‘Must Try’ spectrum.

Rating: Must Try/Stands Out

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