Richard

Founding Apostle

Redbreast 12 Year Old

/ / Irish Whiskey, Review / ,

Redbreast Pure Pot Still Irish Whiskey Aged 12 Years
$40 – $50
40% ABV/ 80 Proof
Widely available

What the Distillery Says:
Unique among Whiskeys, Redbreast is a ‘single’, unblended, Pure Pot Still Irish Whiskey which has been Triple Distilled and Matured in Oak Casks for not less than Twelve Years. The uncompromising dedication to authenticity and Quality gives Redbreast a traditional smooth Mellow Character and a Taste which is Full Flavored and assertive but over Robust.

What Richard Says:
Nose: Fresh cut grass, wildflowers, orange blossom, citrus zest, and toffee.
Palate: Delicate and flavorful. Modest sweetness that quickly fades to delicate woody notes. Very well balanced and pleasant.
Finish: Smooth and oily with hints of oak and floral sweetness.
Comments: This is Irish whiskey at it’s finest. Redbreast has long been my personal favorite for Irish. It marries triple distillation smoothness with the unique character of pure pot stilled whiskey. This is Irish whiskey in the classic traditional sense and what other Irish should aspire to. On top of all that it is a solid value for any whiskey drinker.
Rating: Must Buy, Great Value

What Matt Says:
Nose: Fresh cut grass, orange zest, caramel, seasoned oak, and vaguely floral notes dominate
Palate: Lightly sweet, woody and grassy. If other whiskeys were cow cheese, this would be goat cheese. There are also some green apple notes. This dram is somehow crisp and soft at the same time.
Finish: Smooth as oiled silk.
Comments: What makes a pure pot still whiskey unique is that the mash bill is created of both malted and unmalted barley. This gives the whiskey a very fresh and lively character. After all these years, this is still my favorite Irish whiskey. I return to it often. When I started drinking Redbreast, it was not available in the US. Now, you can get it just about anywhere. I’m afraid, with the prices in New York ($55 or more), I can’t recommend this as a “Great Value” anymore. That’s not saying that it’s not worth price, just that it’s not a secret steal anymore.
Rating: Must Buy

Overall Rating: Must Buy

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New U.S. Releases – February ’10

/ / Bourbon, Other Whisk(e)ys, Scottish Whisky

The new release calendar is starting to pick up a little steam this month. There are some interesting things coming down the pipe.

Garrison Brothers Texas Bourbon
Timeframe: Spring 2010
ABV: 50%
Price: less than $50
This is the first release from this little distillery in Hye, Texas. These guys are doing new bourbon from the ground up. This is a pre-release bourbon that was distilled in 2008. Only 1,000 bottles will be distributed to local liquor stores in Blanco and Gillespie Counties in Texas ahead of the full release at a later date. It should also be noted that these are 375ml half bottles.

Old Crow Reserve
Timeframe: Spring 2010
ABV: 43%
Price: $10-$12
This new version of Old Crow from Beam Global is aged an extra year over the standard Old Crow to the ripe old age of 4 years.

Caribou Crossing Single Barrel Canadian Whisky
Timeframe: March 2010
ABV: 40%
Price: $50
The folks over at Buffalo Trace got their hands on some Canadian whisky and thought it good enough to bottle. I’m not the biggest fan of Canadian (especially after the defeat in Olympic hockey) but if it’s coming from Buffalo Trace then I’m intrigued.

Jura Prophecy
Timeframe: April/May 2010
ABV: 46%
Price: $70
This new release from the Isle of Jura is another smoky whisky along the lines of their Superstition release.

Dalmore 18 Year Old
Timeframe: April/May 2010
ABV: 43%
Price: $150
This is the newest addition to the recently relaunched Dalmore line. I can’t wait to give it a try!

The Glenlivet Cellar Collection 1973
Timeframe: TBD
ABV: 49%
Price: $1,250
This bottling is the newest release of The Glenlivet’s ongoing vintage release program. Only 240 bottles of this are coming stateside so if you want it and see it, you better grab it.

Ardbeg Rollercoaster
Timeframe: TBD
ABV: 57.3%
Price: TBD
This new release from Ardbeg is celebrating the 10th anniversary of The Ardbeg Committee. A must try for the peat freaks out there I’m sure.

That’s it for February. Please let me know if I missed anything.

Drink wisely my friends,

Richard

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William Larue Weller (2008 Release)

/ / Bourbon, Review /

William Larue Weller 2008 Release
62.65% ABV/125.3 Proof
$65
Limited availability of annual releases

What the Distillery Says:
The combination of exceptional aging and the use of wheat in the mash bill produce a whiskey with a very mature, rich and exotic aroma. Its flavor has been described as full, evolving and sophisticated, with notes of vanilla, teaberry, and cinnamon.

What Richard Says:
Nose: Without water the nose is difficult to discern due the exceptionally high alcohol content. With water the nose opens up but it is crazy busy. There are so many different things flying through the nose that it’s still hard to nail them down. The nose on this is very pleasant but is very challenging for me. The only things I can isolate are oranges and honey.
Palate: Without water it’s oily and peppery, most likely coming from the alcohol. Vanilla and cinnamon are the first things that come through with a good measure of water added. It’s also kind of grainy. Cinnamon topped oatmeal maybe.
Finish: The finish is dry and woody without water. Much smoother than I would expect from the bottling proof. With water this goes down like butter. Who says bourbon has to burn? It does leave a very oaky aftertaste.
Comments: I really like this bourbon. I think it’s a good example of what wheated bourbon can be. It’s not as smooth at bottling proof as George T. Stagg but with the right water ratio I think it really shines.
Rating: Must Try

What Matt Says:
Nose: Without water, I get palm sugar and orange shellac. With water, it’s like a carnival (without the carny b.o.); cotton candy, candied green apples and fried dough. Really lovely.
Palate: You certainly know it’s high proof. Warming and dry with dark fruits and palm sugar. It’s not as sweet or complex as the nose suggests. There are a lot of cereal notes, like a hot multigrain breakfast cereal.
Finish: Fire and fresh cut oak.
Comments: Perennially the weak spot in the antique collection, this is still a fine whiskey. Be judicious with the water. While this will never be as smooth as George T. Stagg, trying to make it so will kill the flavor long before yo get it down to regular bottle proof (40-45% ABV). This one will always burn you. Just like that carny with the ring toss game.
Rating: Must Try

Overall Rating: Must Try

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Best…Whiskey…EVER!

/ / Richard's Blog

Okay, it’s rant time again. I’m trying not to be a curmudgeonly whiskey blogger but I just can’t help it sometimes.

Awards. In and of themselves I have no problem with whiskey awards. I find it amusing how you see some whiskey advertisements where they wear a gold medal from the 1st Annual Columbus Georgia Pig Chase & Whiskey Awards (no that doesn’t really exist…at least I don’t think so) like it’s a an Olympic Gold. I’m not going to argue the merits of one award over another. There are some I respect more than others and John Hansell already spoke in the past about the mulititude of awards that you buy into to even be considered so I won’t go there either. What’s bugging me today is the World Whiskies Awards 2010 from Whiskey Magazine. If you haven’t seen it already, here’s what they liked:

World’s Best Single Malt Whisky: Ardbeg Corryvreckan

World’s Best Blended Whisky: Hibiki 21 Years Old

World’s Best Blended Malt Whisky: Taketsuru 21 Years Old

World’s Best American Whiskey: Rittenhouse Straight Rye 100 proof

World’s Best Whisky Liqueur: Wild Turkey American Honey

World’s Best Grain Whisky: Greenore 15 Years Old

World’s Best New Release: Parker’s Heritage Collection Golden Anniversary

Do you see a problem here? No, I’m not asking why whisky liqueur is even a category. I gave up on liqueurs a long time ago and I’m sure they’ve improved quite a bit recently. Matt and I are conversing on a liqueur review series in the not too distant future. If any producers want to change my mind please contact me about what you’d like me to try. 🙂

I take issue with the “World’s Best American Whiskey”. Oh I really like Rittenhouse BIB. I think it’s a great value rye and punches well above it’s price range. Is it the World’s Best American Whiskey? No. If there is anyone in the whiskey world or blogosphere that wants to make an arguement why it is then please due. I’d be happy to post your response. However, I think it’s actually the “best whiskey that was submitted to us for judging under certain criteria for the given category” but that doesn’t really fit on a medal or trophy.

So why am I harping on this? I don’t question the integrity of the awards or the judges. I really just have a hard time with the wording. It’s not actually the World’s Best American Whiskey by anyone’s standards. If you’re new to the world of whiskey and you pick up a copy of the next issue of Whiskey Magazine and see this then you might run out and buy a bottle based solely on this. Is that a bad thing? No, but if you don’t take to the Rittenhouse then you might write off all American whiskey. After all, according to a prestigious award given by a well known magazine this is the World’s Best American Whiskey so everything else must be sub par in comparison.

Am I crazy here?

Richard

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Penderyn Welsh Whisky

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

Penderyn Aur Cymru Single Malt Welsh Whisky (March 09)
46% ABV/92 Proof
Around $65
Available in select markets

What the Distillery Says:
At premium strength (46%) Penderyn has an exceptionally balanced taste with an aroma of cream toffee and fleetingly of fresh new leather. Then, as the initial sensations fade, the finishing notes of tropical fruits, raisins and vanilla emerge strongly and are long lasting.

Like Welsh Gold (Aur Cymru) this malt whisky is rare and precious. Handcrafted and Madeira Finished.

What Richard Says:
Nose: Ripe fruits, floral sweetness, aged and polished wooden furniture, and well worn leather. Very brandy-like. Cognac in the 10 to 20 Year Old range more than anything else.
Palate: Macerated orchard fruit but not citrus. It’s more like peaches and apricot but not sweet at all. Vegetal under currents. A good bit of heat and spice that seems to be coming from the youth of the whisky and alcohol more than the inherent flavor profile.
Finish: It leaves the lips numb. More woody on the finish. Those vegetal notes show up more pronounced on the finish than the palate.
Comments: This is definitely an interesting whisky. The nose alone makes it stand out. I love the nose. The palate is pleasant and should develop with some more years on it.
Rating: Stands Out

What Matt Says:
Nose: At the back there is a distinct “whisky-ness” about it (an echo of smoke, caramel and crème brulee that reminds me of Springbank). The predominant scents are more akin to sour fruit candies. When I was in the UK, I got addicted to these Starburst Jellybeans. They were a lot better than the ones we get over here (actual fruit juice and different flavors). The two flavors that really grabbed me were the pink grapefruit and black currant flavors. This smells exactly like those tasted.
Palate: Cantaloupe, barley malt, green wood and sap. More oak than the nose suggests.
Finish: Slight burn with lingering oak.
Comments: This is a very nice dram. Its easy to drink. Its not all that complex, so you can drink a lot of it. It easily holds it’s own with other entry-level drams from the rest of the UK. However, for the price point, I want a little more complexity. I love Wales and there is nothing else like this out there, so I would buy a bottle of it for the novelty. I would drink it all and not necessarily buy another bottle based on this bottling. I’ve enjoyed past bottlings much more and look forward to future bottlings.
Rating: Average

Overall Rating: Average

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