Richard

Founding Apostle

Templeton Rye

/ / Review, Rye Whiskey /

Templeton Small Batch Rye Whiskey
40% ABV/80 Proof
$39.99
Currently very hard to find

What the Distillery Says:
Upon first impression, the unique, small batch rye whiskey presents a rye spiciness and almost bittersweet taste that is found in the rye grain. Other impressions are dried fruit, toffee, caramel notes and allspice flavors.

Color: Deep amber
Nose: Mellow, yet complex balance
Palate: Dense mixture of spiciness with sweet undertones of dried fruit, toffee, and caramel
Finish: Clean and spicy

What Richard Says:
Nose: Licorice, clove, cocktail bitters, and something meaty that I can’t put my finger on. It all comes together in a pleasant way.
Palate: You really get that characteristic spicy zing from rye. It plays with a notable sweetness reminscent of candy. Candied fruit maybe?
Finish: It finishes warm and spicy.
Comments: I really like this one. It’s a shame that it’s so hard to get a hold of. With LDI (the original source) running low on aged rye stock we may not see too much relief in that regard in the near future.
Rating: Stands Out

Our thanks to The Baddish Group for providing us review samples.

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Jameson 18 Year

/ / Irish Whiskey, Review /

Jameson 18 Year Old Limited Reserve
43% ABV/86 Proof
$85 to $95
Widely available in limited quantities

What the Distillery Says:
A true original, Jameson 18 Year Old Limited Reserve is an exceptionally balanced whiskey and is the elder statesman of the Jameson Family. Its mellow, complex taste and lingering finale of wood, spice and toffee have been deftly created by the Master Blender; his hand-picked selection of no fewer than three exquisitely poised whiskeys serving as the light, shade and foreground used to craft this unique blend.

Dutifully matured for no less than 18 years in a combination of bourbon and oloroso sherry casks, it’s given a final finish in fresh fill American bourbon barrels. Since its debut in 2002, stocks of Jameson 18 Year Old Limited Reserve have been, as its name suggests, limited. So any opportunity to enjoy this connoisseurs’ choice whiskey, in its individually numbered bottles, should be savoured.

Nose – Aromatic oils with a touch of wood, spicy toffee.
Palate – Wonderfully mellow and smooth, a mouthful of complex flavours – fudge, toffee, spice, hints of wood and leather, vanilla and a gentle sherry nuttiness.
Finish – A long, lingering finish carries the theme of the wood, spice and toffee right through to the end.

What Richard Says:
Nose: Honey, fresh grass, and sherry notes. After letting it sit I find it a bit oily with a buttery sweetness.
Palate: Very rich and slightly oily. Spice, vanilla, and delicate oak.
Finish: Slow and soothing. A little spicy with some of that buttery sweetness from the nose.
Comments: Jameson doesn’t monkey around too much with their range from expression to expression. By that I mean it’s easy to connect them and find an overall Jameson profile. That’s comforting and refreshing with the explosion of small runs and new finishes that while good, can sometimes mask the true nature of the whiskey. This particular express is insanely drinkable stuff. You really need to try it.
Rating: Must Try

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Canadian Club Reserve

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

Canadian Club Reserve Aged 10 Years
40% ABV/80 Proof
$16.99
Widely available

What the Distillery Says:
Our CC Reserve is for those who appreciate the deeper oak notes that come with maturity of 10 long years in our white oak barrels. It is a whisky of exceptional character and richness.

Color: Bronze gold
Aroma: Toffee and toasted, creamy and complex
Body: Full and firm
Taste: English toffee, rich, mellow oak with soft nutmeg and clove
Finish: Warm and lingering dry finish
Awards: Gold, 2007 and 2006 San Francisco World Spirits Competition

What Richard Says:
Nose: I get a little dried grain but I really have to work at it. It’s very subdued and hard to get much off of the the nose on this one.
Palate: Overall it’s VERY mellow. I’m finding a slightly bitter note with a some apples.
Finish: A short, dry, and slightly spicy finish.
Comments: This is a big step forward from standard Canadian Club. All the unpleasant notes are gone and it leaves a very mild whisky. It’s almost too mild for straight drinking because the flavor components can be very shy. It’s very drinkable, I just tend to like a little more flavor in my whisky because I’m more of a straight drinker. This is probably best in your favorite cocktail. Conveniently enough, we were provided with a couple of tasty cocktail suggestions. 😉
Rating: Average

We want to thank Ms Murphy with SHIFT Communications for sending us a bottle to review. She was also kind enough to provide us with a couple of serving suggestions.

Canadian Club Sour
Fill rocks glass with ice
Add 1.5 parts Canadian Club Reserve 10 Year
Juice of half lemon
Teaspoon of sugar
Garnish with a Maraschino cherry or lemon wedge

CC Reserve Manhattan
1 part Canadian Club Reserve 10 Year
1/3 part Sweet Vermouth
Dash Angostura bitters
Maraschino Cherry

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Jameson Gold Reserve

/ / Irish Whiskey, Review /

Jameson Gold Reserve Irish Whiskey
40% ABV/80 Proof
$55 to $65
Widely available

What the Distillery Says:
Up until recently Jameson Gold Reserve has been the elusive family member that could only be found in airport shopping outlets. Since its creation in 1996, Jameson Gold Reserve – a marvelously rich pot still character whiskey – has been the toast of whiskey critics. Such praise is rare, as indeed was the whiskey itself. Jameson Gold can now be found worldwide but is still as precious as ever.

Jameson Gold Reserve is a creative blend of three whiskeys of advanced years, one of which is uniquely matured in virgin oak barrels. It’s the inspired choice of this virgin oak, coupled with the bourbon barrels and sherry casks, that account for the whiskey’s satisfying complexity and honey toasted sweetness.

Nose: Fragrant wood, rich pot still with a touch of sherry sweetness.
Taste: All the creaminess and honey sweetness come together to create a taste sensation of spicy character.
Finish: A very long finish with a pleasantly peppery finale.

What Richard Says:
Nose: Herbal and grassy but very mellow. There are really just hints of a nose to the whiskey.
Palate: Initially it’s sweet with a mild oak flavor. With time it develops into cinnamon, sugar, and vanilla. It really kind of reminds me of snickerdoodle cookies.
Finish: Woody with a surprising heat, very surprising given the proof.
Comments: This definitely stands out among the crowd of Irish blends. However, to me it’s more of a different take of Jameson rather than a bridge between the 12 Year and the 18 Year. I personally prefer the 12 year Old Special Reserve over the Gold Reserve. I don’t find any reason to pay the extra $10 to $20 more unless you just want a little different take of Jameson.
Rating: Stands Out

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