Other Whisk(e)ys

Hennessy V.S.O.P Privilège Cognac

/ / Other Whisk(e)ys, Review /

Hennessy V.S.O.P Cognac

40% ABV
$50
Website
Hennessy Privilege VSOP Cognac

What the Producer Says

Hennessy V.S.O.P Privilège is a well balanced cognac, the expression of 200 years of Hennessy craft. The fruit of nature’s uncertainties, this unique blend has tamed the elements to embody the original concept of cognac. Each sip reveals new facets of its personality.

The savoir-faire of the Maison of Hennessy is fully expressed in this balanced cognac: the selection of eaux-de-vie, aging and assemblage. A cognac of remarkable consistency and vitality, Hennessy V.S.O.P Privilège conveys all of the savoir-faire of the Hennessy master blenders who have ensured the continued success of this harmonious assemblage for 200 years.

A ROYAL HERITAGE
The name V.S.O.P. Privilège originates from a special order placed by the future King George IV of England. He requested a “Very Superior Old Pale” from the House of Hennessy, the first shipment of which was made in 1818.

INTO THE WOODS
The oak wood used for aging V.S.O.P. Privilège comes from the Limousin forest in France. It must first dry outside for at least three years before being made ito a barrel.

TASTING

COLOR: Flamboyant mahogany with light tones.
NOSE: Releases very mature notes, evoking the aroma of fresh fruit coupled with a sensation of suppleness that settles in to underscore the harmony of this cognac.
PALATE: The sensation of full body deepens with the flavors of juicy fruits, vanilla, spices and mild tobacco also provided by the vigor of the younger eaux-de-vie.

What Gary Says

Nose: Rich, floral and fruity with currants, blackberries, soft oak, tropical fruit notes of pineapple and mango.
Palate: Softer with fruit, apples, pears, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla, plums and a bit of pepper spice.
Finish: Short to moderate in length, drying with cinnamon and plums.
DISCLAIMER: I’m a whisk(e)y enthusiast, and not familiar with Cognac (so read at your own risk!)
Comments: This was noticeably darker in the glass than the Remy Martin V.S.O.P., and has a nice richness and depth of spice. Of the three cognacs I sampled, this was my favorite (although I can’t say I’ve been converted from whisk(e)y!)  An enjoyable pour, and was excellent in a Vieux Carré. And was originally the last cognac sample I had, until another founds its way in as I was typing up my notes – so have one more to go!

Rating: Stands Out

Hennessy V.S.O.P Privilège Cognac Read More »

R6 Distillery Single Malt Whiskey

/ / Other Whisk(e)ys, Review /

R6 Distillery Single Malt Whiskey

43% ABV
$65
Website
R6 Distillery Single Malt Whiskey
We would like to thank R6 Distillery and Power Digital Marketing for sending us a sample to review.

What the Distillery Says

100% malted grain from a single distillery, this whisky incorporates a European style grain bill with an R6 twist: peated malt, distiller’s malt, chocolate malt, and coffee malt.

Never Chill Filtered

Nose: Smoked Coffee and Chocolate
Palate: Smoky and Slightly Sweet with Subtle Undertones
Finish: Warm, Dark Coffee

What Gary Says

Nose:  Young honeyed malt, light roast coffee, toffee, cedar and bit of milk chocolate.
Palate:  Milk chocolate and toffee with pepper spice, smoke and a slightly sour oak note.
Finish:  Short to moderate in length, drying with cocoa and oak.
Comments:  So while there isn’t anything objectionable, this tastes like young whiskey aged in smaller casks. If you’re a fan of craft whiskey done in this way, this may be right up your alley. It does have some interesting chocolate notes, and I appreciate the non-chill filtration. With age (and moving to full-sized casks), the grain bill has potential to be really interesting and different. The price point is steep if you’re looking to buy just to drink rather than buy to support a small business.

Rating: Average

R6 Distillery Single Malt Whiskey Read More »

Alfred Giraud Harmonie French Malt Whisky

/ / Other Whisk(e)ys, Review /

Alfred Giraud Harmonie
French Malt Whisky

46.1% ABV
$190
Website
Alfred Giraud Harmonie French Malt Whisky
We would like to thank Alfred Giraud and Savona Communications for sending us a sample to review.

What the Producer Says

This powerful and inviting whisky epitomizes the harmony achieved through our blending and aging techniques. We begin with a blend of two non-peated French malt distillates that matured in different casks, the majority in extra old cognac casks and a proportion in new French Limousin and American oak casks. Once the optimal blend is achieved, the double malt ages exclusively in extra old cognac casks where it develops complex and balanced flavors. Finally, it is blended with a lightly peated French malt distillate and is finished in the same extra old cognac casks until it reaches its optimal flavor.

WHISKY MAKER’S NOTES
Color: Deep copper.
Nose: Bold and inviting. Warm raisin bread and baking spices surround notes of smoky barley.
Palate: Powerful yet delicate. The silky texture gives way to baking spices and juicy grapes. Rich and balanced, with a hint of peat.
Finish: Long, very long. The subtle peat amplifies the soft tannins of the extra old cognac casks.

CHARACTER: Silky with a hint of peat
BLEND: Triple Malt, Triple Wood
CASKS: Cognac, new French & new American Oak
ANNUAL RELEASE: 7 Casks
COLOR: Natural
FILTRATION: Non Chill-Filtered

What Gary Says

Nose:  Floral, barley, fruity with grapes, pears, apricots and black currants, subtle spice with a slight earthy note of peat and cedar.
Palate:  Rich and creamy mouthfeel, vanilla, milk chocolate, grapes, peaches, nutmeg with subtle peat.
Finish:  Long, thick and syrupy with chocolate and pepper spice.
Comments:  While similar to the Heritage by Alfred Giraud, this is darker and richer on both the nose and palate. Quite lovely, with the peated whisky balanced nicely so that it is additive without dominating or detracting.

Rating: Stands Out

Alfred Giraud Harmonie French Malt Whisky Read More »

Alfred Giraud Heritage French Malt Whisky

/ / Other Whisk(e)ys, Review /

Alfred Giraud Heritage
French Malt Whisky

45.9% ABV
$155
Website
Alfred Giraud Heritage French Malt Whisky
We would like to thank Alfred Giraud and Savona Communications for sending us a sample to review.

What the Producer Says

An intense and complex, yet elegant whisky, HERITAGE showcases complex and balanced flavors, the result of masterful blending and aging. Three non-peated French malt distillates that matured in different casks, mostly in extra old cognac casks with a proportion in new French Limousin and American oak casks are blended together, then matured in extra old cognac casks.

WHISKY MAKER’S NOTES
Color: Natural, light and golden.
Nose: Complex yet balanced. Buttery pastries and brioche develop into aromas of toasted malts and sweet baking spices.
Palate: Structured with a full body. Brioche quickly transitions into grassy notes. A slight woodiness balanced perfectly with vanilla and nutmeg. Refined and well-rounded.
Finish: Sophisticated and subtle. The soft spices and nutty malts balance beautifully leading to slightly sweet notes from the extra old cognac casks.

CHARACTER: Soft and elegant
BLEND: Triple Malt, Triple Wood
CASKS: Cognac, new French & new American Oak
ANNUAL RELEASE: 23 Casks
COLOR: Natural
FILTRATION: Non Chill-Filtered

What Gary Says

Nose:  Delicate, floral, barley, fruity with grapes, pears and apricots with a subtle spice.
Palate:  Creamy mouthfeel with vanilla, poached pears, peaches, grapes, buttered brioche, nutmeg, hint of cinnamon, bright citrus note with a bit of chocolate.
Finish:  Moderately long, wet with vanilla, nutmeg and a bit of pepper.
Comments:  A delicate and delightful dram! Subtle and sweet, the cognac influence is apparent. I appreciate the higher ABV, as well as skipping the chill filtration, which all lends to a really nice mouthfeel.

Rating: Stands Out

Alfred Giraud Heritage French Malt Whisky Read More »

Barrell American Vatted Malt

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

Barrell American Vatted Malt Whiskey
Blend of American Single Malts

November 20, 2019 Batch

58.75% ABV
$80-$100
Website
Barrell American Vatted Malt

What the Blender Says

We partnered with small and large producers across the country to select whiskeys that express the full diversity of American terroir and style. The resulting blend is remarkable, and we are proud to be the first to showcase the growing category of American single malt in this way.

We chose the name “American Vatted Malt” as an homage to the old Scottish category of vatted malt, which was once the preferred nomenclature to describe a blended whisky made entirely from single malts. Today, the Scots refer to that style as blended malt, but affection for the term “vatted” lives on.

As a new category, American single malt producers are notoriously creative, looking to their local environment and regional traditions to create distinctive whiskeys. That meant the blend was a challenging one technically, as it asked us to bring together a plethora of unique components. Never before have we strived to balance the distinctive tang of Southwestern mesquite smoke with the sweet and creamy maltiness of malted barley, or contrast briny coastal peat with the warm vanilla character of toasted oak. The resulting blend is complex and multi-faceted, rewarding the drinker with unfolding layers of flavor.

This first release of American Vatted Malt was years in the making, as many of the components in the blend come from emerging distilleries that have never traded or sold bulk whiskey before. The physical and logistical work of sourcing and blending with a group of small, independent producers is neither easy nor short, but we believe it lays the groundwork for a new, exciting, and collaborative future. Some of our collaborators have asked to remain anonymous, but the core group of participants includes:

• Balcones Distillery, Waco, Texas
• Hamilton Distillers Del Bac, Tucson, Arizona
• MGP, Lawrenceburg, Indiana
• Harvest Distillery, Valatie, New York
• Santa Fe Distillery, Santa Fe, New Mexico
• Kings County Distillery, Brooklyn, New York

We look forward to continuing to work with this group of innovative whiskey producers while searching out new partners for future releases of Barrell Craft Spirits Vatted Malt. In addition to expanding our ever-growing portfolio of spirits, this new project is an important step in advancing our vision of the next chapter of whiskey in America.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Toffee, cocoa, barley malt, caramel, toasted oak, cedar, subtle coconut husk.
Palate:  Rich mouthfeel, caramel, black currants, dark chocolate, allspice, nutmeg, pepper with blackberry preserves.
Finish:  Moderately long, drying with pepper and toffee.
Comments:  A really lovely pour. As a fan of quality vatting/blending (thanks to Compass Box for helping me see the light!), I can appreciate when it is done well – and this is done really well. Not a surprise, as I’ve yet to try something from the folks at Barrell Craft Spirits that I thought was done poorly (hopefully not jinxing them!). American single malt is still a pretty small category here, and you shouldn’t confuse it with single malt scotch or you’re likely to be disappointed (not that it is of less quality, but it doesn’t taste similar). And as a small category, there are even fewer vatted malts like this. A unique take on a unique spirit, and knowing much of this is fairly new – I can’t wait to see what they release with more age!

Rating: Stands Out/Must Try

Barrell American Vatted Malt Read More »