Gary

Managing apostle and whiskey enthusiast

Grand Marnier Cordon Rouge & Whiskey Cocktails

/ / Cocktails, Other Spirits, Review /

While here at Whisk(e)y Apostle we’re focused on whiskey/whisky, that isn’t the only thing we drink. Sure, all but 30 of the 650+ reviews on our site are whiskey, or cocktails which include whiskey. But from time to time it serves the palate well to appreciate other well crafted spirits.

Grand Marnier is a liqueur which includes cognac with orange essence, but the label “liqueur” could be misleading.  Most liqueurs are 15-30% ABV, so coming in at 40% ABV already sets Grand Marnier apart from that pack.  They also have quite an upscale line-up in the Grande Cuvée Collection which use some really exceptional cognacs (as well as a higher percentage of cognac; we’ll examine one of these more closely shortly – check back!)

I’ll examine Grand Marnier Cordon Rouge by itself in our traditional review format, and then have a go at some of their recommended cocktail recipes which include whiskey and share my thoughts and recommendations!

Grand Marnier Cordon Rouge

40% ABV
$28-$30
Website
Grand Marnier Cordon Rouge
We would like to thank HL Group for sending us a sample to review and play with!

What the Blender Says

THE BLEND
Created in 1880 by founder Louis-Alexandre Marnier Lapostolle, Grand Marnier® Cordon Rouge is a premium blend of cognacs with wild tropical oranges from the Caribbean. Louis-Alexandre’s vision of blending the essence of wild tropical oranges with cognac from France was unconventional and truly the earliest form of spirits innovation of its time. Grand Marnier Cordon Rouge is a versatile spirit that can be enjoyed on the rocks or neat, yet exceptionally delicious in cocktails.

TASTING NOTES
COLOR: Brilliant topaz tones with amber hues.
AROMA: Pleasant orange notes with hints of candied peel, light aroma of vanilla fragrance from the cognac.
TASTE: Fragrant orange flavors enhanced by the cognac with nuances of orange essence and hazelnuts.
FINISH: Lingering and harmonious finish.

Enjoy neat, on the rocks or in cocktails.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Orange (but not just ‘orange’, a toasted orange zest), honey with a hint of exotic flora.
Palate:  Orange creamsicle with a sharp allspice note on entry before syrupy honey and orange sweetness take over.
Finish:  Moderately long, soft and sweet.
Comments:  Full disclosure, this may have been the first time I sat down and thoughtfully sipped Grand Marnier.  I’ve had it on hand for years for cocktails, but never examined it neat before now.  I enjoyed it more than I would have expected!  If you’re a whiskey fan looking for this to taste like whiskey – it doesn’t.  It is most definitely a sweet liqueur, but if you haven’t tried sipping it like a whiskey – and approach it with an open mind, you may be surprised!

Rating: Stands Out

Now – let’s look at some cocktails!  They list several recipes on their website, so I decided to try two that are whiskey-based classics.

Grand Old Fashioned

½ oz Grand Marnier
1 oz Wild Turkey Bourbon
1 dash aromatic bitters

Combine  the above in a rocks glass, add some ice and stir.  Press an orange peel across the top/edges of the rocks glass, and garnish with an orange peel and a brandied cherry.

I followed their recipe above . . .almost exactly.  I expounded a bit and used Wild Turkey Kentucky Spirit (shamefully because I’m fresh out of the standard-bearer Wild Turkey 101!)  I also skipped the garnishes – but did rub an orange peel around the glass rim.

I wanted to contrast this with a “traditional Old Fashioned”.  I know there are different recipes,  so this is what I used:

2 oz Wild Turkey Bourbon (same Kentucky Spirit I used above)
3 dashes of Angostura bitters (same I used above)
1 tsp of simple syrup

Same process – combine in a rocks glass with a few cubes, stir, and rub an orange peel around the rim.

What Gary Thought:

The Grand Old Fashioned clearly had a lot of orange influence, and it was more sweet than the standard Old Fashioned.  If you’re a fan of Grand Marnier more so than whiskey, but wanting to test the waters with a whiskey cocktail, the recipe as written might be right up your alley.  If you’re a whiskey fan looking to change up your Old Fashioned, but not make it too sweet – I’d offer the following tweak to their recipe:
½ oz Grand Marnier
1½ oz Wild Turkey Bourbon (+½ oz from original)
2 dashes aromatic bitters (+1 dash from original)

I tried this variation, and found it a better balance between the bitters, bourbon and Grand Marnier.  For me, this was closer to a typical Old Fashioned with a little more orange complexity.  I liked it quite a bit!

Grand Manhattan

½ oz Grand Marnier
¾ oz Russell’s Reserve 10 Year Old Bourbon
¼ oz Cinzano (a sweet vermouth)
2-3 dashes aromatic bitters

Mix bitters, vermouth, bourbon, and Grand Marnier in a glass.  Add ice, stir, then strain into a chilled martini glass.  Garnish with a brandied cherry.

Again – I followed their recipe above . . .almost exactly.  I went back to the Wild Turkey Kentucky Spirit and used the sweet vermouth I had on hand (Martini & Rossi).  I used 2 dashes of bitters since the volume (1½ oz) was less than my typical recipe.

To contrast this with a “traditional Manhattan”, I had to make one concession.  I prefer rye whiskey in a Manhattan (and some recipes call for either or, which to many whiskey enthusiasts is a form of blasphemy; you wouldn’t substitute Coke for Root Beer).  But, I wanted to compare with something similar,  so this is what I used:

2 oz Wild Turkey Kentucky Spirit
1 oz sweet vermouth
2 dashes Angostura bitters

Same process – combine in a mixing glass, add ice, stir and strain.

What Gary Thought:

The Grand Manhattan was much spicier, which didn’t surprise me due to the ratio of bitters to alcohol.  While spicy (which a Manhattan should be, hence my preference for rye whiskey), the Grand Marnier presence isn’t lost.  Again, fans of Grand Marnier more so than whiskey, this could be great – although I would guess it might be a bit too spicy.  If you’re a whiskey fan wanting a new twist on your Manhattan, I’d offer the following tweak to their recipe:
¾ oz Grand Marnier (+¼ oz from original)
1½ oz Russell’s Reserve 10 Year Old Bourbon (+¾ oz from original)
¼ oz Cinzano (a sweet vermouth)
3 dashes aromatic bitters (make it a solid 3)

Not rocket science, but basically doubled the bourbon, increased the Grand Marnier by half, left the vermouth alone, and with the additional volume (moving up from 1½ oz alcohol to 2½ oz; still less than the 3 oz in my standard) settled on 3 dashes.  This was my Goldilocks; not too spicy, not too sweet, juuuuust right.  I don’t consider myself a mixologist in any way/shape/form, but I was pretty impressed with this bit of handiwork.  Solid balance between the spice and bourbon, and keeps the Grand Marnier shining through.

If you have any different takes on these, or other recipes you’ve found with Grand Marnier and whiskey, please share in the comments below!

Cheers!
Gary

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Wild Turkey 101 – 8 Years Old (Dusty, 1984 Decanter)

/ / Bourbon, Review, The Collector's Cabinet /

Wild Turkey 101 – 8 Years Old (Dusty, 1984 Decanter)
50.5% ABV
$80
NOTE: This was a decanter I purchased in 2014 in Georgia with an exceptional fill level and decanted.


What Gary Says
Nose:  Rich salted caramel, oak, allspice, brown sugar, dark chocolate, vanilla, a hint of cinnamon and smokey fall leaves.
Palate:  Sweet but sharp, deep caramel bomb with honey, vanilla, some bitter chocolate notes, cinnamon, nutmeg, a hint of clove and pepper.
Finish:  Moderately long and drying with cracked pepper spice.
Comments:  I love older Wild Turkey, and this decanter was not an exception. Buying a sealed decanter is a gamble – it is difficult to tell how full it is, or if the contents will be drinkable. I’ve seen a few that were fairly full but clearly contaminated (looking dark like coffee and smelling “off”). I was very fortunate; this had less than 5% loss in the 30 years it spent in the decanter, and its color was a lovely dark copper. The risk of a low fill or contaminated contents is the only reason I wouldn’t rate this a ‘Must Buy’, since there is absolutely some risk you have to accept. But when you get lucky – it is well worth it!
Rating: Must Try

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Teeling Single Cask 9yr Port

/ / Irish Whiskey, Review /

Teeling Single Cask Distillery Exclusive: Cask 11703, 9yr Port Matured
60.1% ABV
€100
Website

What the Distillery (not distiller) Says
This:

I personally filled my bottle at the gift shop on August 17 2018. While the cask head shows a fill date of August 6 2007, I verified with the gift shop folks that this is a 9 yr aged Irish whiskey. It was tanked in November 2016. Also – I don’t mean the emphasis on “not distiller” above as a slight in any way; just fully transparent that this was NOT distilled at the Teeling Distillery where I bought it (they hadn’t been distilling for three full years yet). I assume this is from Cooley, but don’t know for certain.

What Gary Says
Nose:  Strong port, rich dark fruit sweetness with hints of cigar paper and solvent; some water tamps the solvent notes and opens up the sweetness to figs, plums, and caramel; transitions the cigar paper/smoke to oak.
Palate:  Creamy mouthfeel, port sweet, warming with a cinnamon spice kick before softening; some water brings out honey, pears, dates, toffee, and subtle cinnamon and clove.
Finish:  Moderately long, drying with hints of smoke as it trails off.
Comments:  This was my favorite pour in Ireland, and why it was the first (and only one of two) bottles I purchased there. Studying it at home, it isn’t quite as complex and lovely as I remembered, but still a very good whiskey. Port can be heavy handed, and I can see why it is used more for finishing than maturing. I’ve found that this hits me just right around 95-100 proof (basically 4.5:1 ratio of whiskey to water). If you really like port, this could be right up your alley, but it might feel unbalanced with too much of that for others. While less complex than I thought it was in the moment at the distillery, still delicious (and if you’re there for a tour, or can just stop by their gift shop/bar – I’d definitely recommend buying a taste!)
Rating: Stands Out

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Slane Irish Whiskey

/ / Irish Whiskey, Review / ,

Slane Irish Whiskey
40% ABV
$25 – $30
Website

What the Blender Says
Three Unique Casks for a Uniquely Complex Spirit
Slane Irish Whiskey takes many of its complex and smooth qualities from our signature Triple Casked process. Whiskey is aged in three varieties of casks: Virgin and Seasoned casks raised by hand at the venerated Brown-Forman Cooperages – and Oloroso sherry casks by way of Jerez in Spain. Once the liquid has been aged to perfection, it is masterfully blended to create an exceptional Irish whiskey.

Tasting Notes
Smooth, complex and robust. Slane Irish Whiskey marries toasted grain and malt whiskeys with the distinctive flavours of each cask.
NOSE: Complex fruit with drizzles of caramel, butterscotch and vanilla; brown spice and toasted oak
TASTE: Spicy at first but quickly sweetened with rich caramel, vanilla and butterscotch atop a deep layer of dried fruit
FINISH: Lingering hints of dry fruit and caramelised wood sugar

What Gary Says
Nose:  Fruity (reminds me a bit of young rye); notes of caramel, butterscotch, toasted oak with hints of allspice and worn leather (like an old baseball glove).
Palate:  Sweet and soft; pears, peaches, plums with honey, subtle oak, nutmeg, and notes of malt.
Finish:  Medium length, slightly drying with a slight spice note.
Comments:  For 40% ABV (and $35 for a 1 liter!), this has a lot more character than I would have anticipated. I tried this in a pub in Ireland as it was a bottle I’d never heard of (not available in Georgia) and was fairly inexpensive. I thought it was delicious (although sometimes an idyllic setting can make something taste better). I decided I’d try to pick up a bottle to spend more quality time with, and was not disappointed in the least. The triple-cask maturation definitely makes it stand out as unique, and it punches well above it’s weight. Sometimes we enthusiasts can be purists, and turn our noses up when a bottle isn’t age stated, or doesn’t explicitly state no coloring was added. No, this isn’t a terribly complex dram, but if you’re a fan of just drinking Irish whiskey – I think you’ve got to at least try this.
Rating: Must Try; Great Value

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Johnnie Walker Blue Label

/ / Review, Scottish Whisky / ,

Johnnie Walker Blue Label
Blended Scotch Whisky

40% ABV
$220 – $250
Website

What the Blender Says
Johnnie Walker Blue Label is an unrivalled masterpiece. It is an exquisite blend made from some of Scotland’s rarest and most exceptional whiskies. Only one in every ten thousand casks has the elusive quality, character and flavour to deliver the’ remarkable signature taste of Johnnie Walker Blue Label. An extraordinary whisky for extraordinary occasions.

FLAVOR
NOSE: Take in the wonderfully mellow, rounded nose – replete with dry smokiness artfully mixed with the sweetness of raisins.
PALATE: Serving a velvety combination of vanilla, honey and rose petals – before broadening out to include a zesty orange flavor with notes of hazelnut, sherry and dark chocolate.
FINISH: Signing off with a rich and luxuriously long finish, which showcases Johnnie Walker’s trademark smokiness in the most sophisticated way.

What Gary Says
Nose:  Nice with a bit of sherry, peat, and nutty spice with dark fruit; hint of pipe smoke while laid back in an old overstuffed leather chair.
Palate:  Creamy rich mouthfeel, fruity (melons and raisins), hints of chocolate with allspice, nutmeg, anise and dark candy.
Finish:  Long, slow and mellowing.
Comments:  This is one of the main reasons I wanted this sample pack.  I’ve been wanting to try Johnnie Walker Blue for years, but not enough to buy a whole bottle (and not wanting to try it in a bar/restaurant where the environment isn’t often conducive to giving a dram my full attention.  In comparison to the Platinum 18 yr, I found this to be only a marginal step up in the line-up. On its own, it is a very nice pour. It is absolutely one of the more intensely flavored drams I’ve had at only 40% ABV. Nothing objectionable either – very well balanced, and I appreciate the craftsmanship that went into blending this.  It too leaves me wanting to try it at a higher proof, and for my tastes, there are plenty of bottles I’d pick over this for the money.
Rating: Stands Out

(Richard and Matt had reviewed this as part of a ‘taste off’ in 2009; below are their notes from that post)

What Richard Says:
Nose:  Peatier and smokier than most blends. You can really smell the Islay in here. Fresh cut wood and non-orange citrus. Limes maybe?
Palate:  An initial sweetness quickly shoved aside for a rich smokiness that settles to brine notes of the sea. Rich, complicated, and ever changing on the palate.
Finish:  A very slow and long finish. It leaves you with a mellow smokiness more subtle than the robust smoke on the palate.
Rating: Must Try

What Matt Says:
Nose:  Peat, chocolate, honey suckle and other sweet florals. Quite lovely.
Palate:  Very smooth, but a little one-dimensional. There are some very light hints of peat, but mostly sweet and fruity.
Finish: Peaty and dry.
Rating: Stands Out

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