Other Whisk(e)ys

FEW Single Malt Whisky

46.5% ABV
$70
Website

What the Distillery Says

ONE MALT TO RULE THEM ALL IN AND IN WHISKY BIND THEM.

HINTS OF SMOKED ALMOND AND HONEY ON THE NOSE. THE TEXTURE AND FLAVORS ARE REMINISCENT OF A PERFECTLY CRAFTED CAPPUCCINO, SEMI-SWEET CHOCOLATE WITH A SUBTLE SMOKE FROM CHERRY WOOD AND OAK. RESIDUAL FLAVORS OF BOURBON AND RYE ROUND OUT THIS SOFT SMOOTH DRAM.
100% MALTED BARLEY. SMOKED WITH CHERRY WOOD RATHER THAN PEAT. ONLY 500-600 BOTTLES RELEASED ANNUALLY WORLDWIDE.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Malt, exotic wood notes of sandalwood and cedar, cocoa, cherries, roasted corn and almonds.
Palate:  Rich mouthfeel, sweet with cherries and chocolate, bit of spice with apple and nutmeg.
Finish:  Moderately long with honey and cherries.
Comments:  I really like the funky wood notes on the nose – reminds me a bit of the aroma when you’re cutting different types of woods at a table saw. Not as complex as the Westward American Single Malt, but maybe more intense for what it does offer. I look to be in the minority with liking this one (saw several reviews where folks were left unimpressed or disappointed), but I like what I like. Similar struggles with the pricing on this, but if you’re a whiskey geek looking for different experiences, this does offer that (although contrary to what Arby’s might have you believe, different isn’t always good).

Rating: Stands Out

Westward American Single Malt Whiskey

45% ABV
$70
Website

What the Distillery Says

Single Malt, reimagined. Born of the unique culture, climate and abundant resources of the Northwest, this elevated American original demonstrates our craftsmanship and creativity. Our distinct, rich, and brazen American Single Malt — the pinnacle of whiskey. Created from locally malted barley, brewed with ale yeast for exceptional flavor, and matured to perfection in new, lightly charred American Oak barrels right here in Oregon, where our hot, dry summers and cool, wet winters are the ideal environment to raise a world class whiskey.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Barley malt, vanilla crème brûlée fresh from the oven, allspice, butterscotch, banana, apricot and walnuts.
Palate:  Rich mouthfeel, fruity with pears, peaches and bananas, cinnamon, honey, chili spice gives way to butterscotch and malted milk chocolate.
Finish:  Moderately long and damp, with honey and subtle spice notes.
Comments:  A nice dram that runs the gambit from fruity to spicy. Quite different from a ‘single malt’ Scotch for more reasons than I’ll try to list here. The more I tried this, the more I liked it (and I don’t mean in a single sitting). Initially I was less impressed, but the more time I spent with it – found it sneakily complex. Now the price point makes it tough, as there are plenty of whiskies at this price point I enjoy much more – but I’d look at it like being an early adopter of sorts. Part of the challenge is that there isn’t a huge distiller doing single malt at scale, so when you have smaller distilleries you’ll have more expensive whiskey. I haven’t bought much American single malt, but can see that changing in the future.

Rating: Stands Out

Uncle Nearest 1856 Premium Whiskey

50% ABV
$55-$60
Website

What the Producer Says

Uncle Nearest 1856 is a blend of premium aged whiskies between 8 and 14 years old. It has a caramel color with a beautiful deep golden hue. On the nose, baled hay and pumpkin seeds with subtle notes of ripe stone fruit and caramel corn. Bold and spicy upfront then mellows with sweet caramel and maple, like biting into an oatmeal raisin cookie. The finish is long and rich. It lingers pleasantly sweet on the palate with notes of vanilla after the spice dissipates.

APPEARANCE: Light caramel, straw/hay, beautiful deep golden hue
NOSE: Bale of hay, dried grass, stone fruit notes of ripe peach and apricot, caramel corn and sweet maple.
PALATE: Spicy caramel up front with the proof, hints of maple then mellows with dried fruit and floral notes. Sweetness and spice reminiscent of freshly baked oatmeal raisin cookies.
FINISH: Long and rich finish, lingers pleasantly sweet on the palate, notes of vanilla.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Sweet vanilla wafers, light caramel, oak, vitamins, subtle spice notes and maple candies.
Palate:  Caramel corn, vanilla, honey, bit of pepper, with a nutty minerality, nutmeg, subtle oak with a hint of clove.
Finish:  Short to moderate in length, drying with honey, oak and pepper.
Comments:  An enjoyable pour, where the Dickel house style notes are present throughout. The corn notes left the impression that this was younger than it is. Water isn’t needed, but a bit does tamp the pepper spice (which wasn’t a lot to start with) and brighten, bringing notes of fruit to the nose.

Rating: Stands Out

Suntory World Whisky Ao
A Blend of Five World Whiskies

43% ABV
$71
Website

We would like to thank Suntory and Savona Communications for sending us a sample to review.

What the Blender Says

Beam Suntory Announces Global Launch of World Blended Whisky, Suntory World Whisky ‘Ao’ Exclusive for Global Travelers
Beam Suntory has announced the launch of the world blended whisky, Suntory World Whisky ‘Ao’, in global travel retail.

The whisky, which will be available in 16 markets, is the first innovative whisky launch in global travel retail since the coronavirus pandemic began.

Blended using whisky from five of the most renowned distilleries in Japan, Scotland, Ireland, Canada and the US, ‘Ao’, meaning blue, is named after the ocean that connects these five distilleries together in harmony.

The one-of-a-kind whisky is a tribute to the liquids’ long history, perfectly capturing the heathery flavor of Ardmore and Glen Garioch, the complexity of Cooley, the smoothness of Alberta, the vibrance of Jim Beam and the subtlety of Yamazaki and Hakushu. With notes of vanilla, tropical fruit and cinnamon, it is the distinctive climate, fermentation and distillation processes in each whisky-making region that give the whisky its unique taste.

Fifth generation Suntory chief blender, Shinji Fukuyo, carefully selected the liquids used based-on Suntory’s globally recognised Monozukuri craftsmanship – a relentless pursuit of perfection, meticulous attention to detail and commitment to quality. Building on Suntory’s long history of craftsmanship, this innovative, multi-faceted, premium blended whisky embodies the spirit of Suntory.

Shinji Fukuyo said: “Ao is an exceptional whisky which, through the art of Suntory blending, allows you to enjoy the unique characteristics of each of the five major whisky-making regions.”

Sho Semba, Beam Suntory Inc. President, Japan & China, said: “We are very excited about the launch of this new whisky. Suntory World Whisky ‘Ao’ brings together the world’s most highly regarded whisky regions to produce this unique and premium quality blend. In recent years we’ve seen a huge increase in demand from customers across the world who want to experience Japanese whisky. We are confident that whisky enthusiasts will enjoy the unique flavor created by this unique Japanese blended whisky, which originates from around the world.”

Ed Stening, Global Head of Travel Retail Marketing at Beam Suntory International, said: “This is a truly innovative whisky that blends five very different distilleries’ greatest assets and unique crafts. We couldn’t be more excited to share ‘Ao’ with our customers and bring some exciting innovation to the global travel retail world.”

Suntory World Whisky ‘Ao’ is a unique addition to Suntory’s growing spirits portfolio. The Suntory whisky range includes Yamazaki and Hakushu, the pioneer of Japanese Single Malts, and Japan’s most highly awarded blended whisky, Hibiki.

Available Markets (Global Travel Retail only): United States | Canada | France | Germany | Ireland | UK | Netherlands | Dubai | Turkey | India | Australia | China | Hong Kong | Singapore | Taiwan | South Korea

Tasting notes:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Profound vanilla, pineapple-like fruitiness on top, a creamy sweetness and depth with a lingering woody aroma
Palate: Smooth and sweet mouthfeel, gradually followed with smokiness and cinnamon-like spiciness
Finish: Sweet and smoky, spicy and woody, a many-layered complexity

What Gary Says

Nose:  Vanilla, peaches, kiwi, vegetal note (cooked bell pepper), banana, fresh oregano and malt.
Palate:  Smooth and sweet malt with cinnamon, hint of fruit, smoky vegetal notes.
Finish:  Moderately long, smoky with pepper and savory herbs.
Comments:  Unique with the vegetal notes, which for that reason merits a ‘Stands Out’.  A bit of an odd pour; interesting concept that isn’t objectionable, but muddled.  I’m a fan of the various types of whisk(e)y involved, but combined none of them stand out.

Rating: Stands Out