Review

Advent Day 6: Glenfiddich XX

/ / Review, Richard's Blog, Scottish Whisky, Speyside /

Day 6 of Advent brings another curiosity that has peaked my interest but I had to experience…

Glenfiddich Experimental Series Project XX Single Malt Scotch Whisky
47% ABV
$65
Website

What the Distillery Says
Our second experiment of the series took place privately at our Conval warehouse. Shrouded in secrecy, malt Master Brian Kinsman invited 20 whisky experts from around the world to select any expression of their choosing from the thousands of stacked casks. The final 20 chosen malts, matured in everything from port pipes to virgin bourbon barrels, have created an unusual, innovative and unexpected whisky, one that has exceeded even our expectations.

20 of the whisky industry’s most exceptional minds came together to create this truly unique, pioneering single malt expression.

With its deep golden hue, Project XX embodies the warm, fruity character of a classic Glenfiddich whisky with hints of apple blossom, summer fruits and ripe pear. But its multiple personalities are revealed with hints of sweet candyfloss, cinnamon spice, almonds and rich port tannins with the odd whisper of liquorice. Deep and mellow, the finish is long lasting with a lingering sweet oakiness.

What Richard Says
Nose: Sweet barley wine, under ripe crisp green apples, and wet pine needles.
Palate: Cotton candy sweet, cinnamon Red Hots, and vanilla malted milkshake.
Finish: Black pepper and heavy cinnamon spice with a linger nutty and malty character.
Comments: This is a dram for those with a sweet tooth. While this is enjoyable, it doesn’t quite meld together as well as I would hope. This is nice and easy drink but it isn’t something that I would come back to very often. It is more of a curiosity rather than something you should seek out.
Rating: Stands Out

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Advent Day 5: Jim Beam Double Oak

/ / Bourbon, Review, Richard's Blog /

Beam…Jim Beam. I try most Beam products shortly after they make it to the Atlanta market but for whatever reason the Double Oak has eluded me. Thanks to my trusty Advent calendar that is now rectified.

Jim Beam Double Oak Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
43% ABV
$22
Website

What the Distillery Says
Like all of our bourbons, the new Jim Beam® Double Oak is crafted in charred oak. Its rich flavor comes from being aged a second time in another separate barrel.

Jim Beam® Double Oak is first aged in charred American white oak barrels, then we pour it into another freshly charred barrel to mature for a second time. The added interaction with the oak wood results in a liquid intense in flavour, smooth in taste.

What Richard Says
Nose: A big kick in the nose of woody vanilla and burnt caramel.
Palate: Toffee candies, black pepper, artificial vanilla soda additive, and that weird peanut thing Beam whiskeys have going on.
Finish: Dry and wood forward.
Comments: You really get the “double oak” on the finish. The spiciness in the nose and palate are nice but it’s all dry wood at the end. I applaud Beam for trying new things without resorting to more sickly sweet flavors but there isn’t really enough here to merit it over regular Jim Beam
Rating: Average

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Advent Day 4: Boutique-y Irish 13 Year

/ / Irish Whiskey, Review, Richard's Blog /

I’ve wanted to sample some bottlings from That Boutique-y Whisky Company for quite a while. So I was pretty excited when Day 4 brought this…

That Boutique-Y Whisky Company Irish Single Malt No. 1 Batch 2 – 13 Year Old
48.4% ABV
$80
Website

What the Bottler Says
Ah, lovely Irish whiskey! Booming now, but it wasn’t so many years ago that the number of distilleries dwindled precariously, all joining forces at one stage simply to survive. It should also be remembered, however, that Irish whiskey has a long and glorious history and was the most popular spirit in the world back in the 19th century including (whisper it…) in Scotland!

Tasting notes:
Nose: Fruity and Floral; Banana skins and Melon initially, softening to Banana custard. Jasmine brings the floral element. There are hints of icing sugar and cinnamon spice.
Palate: Soft and sweet initially, Cantaloupe melon, brown sugar, then warming woody spices follow.
Finish: A nice balance between sweet melon and wood spice that lingers

What Richard Says
Nose: A beautiful ripe fruity sweetness. Diced melon fruit salad comes to mind.
Palate: The palate is not nearly as sweet as you would expect from the nose. It is malty with more of a burnt sugar sweetness.
Finish: Oak, black pepper, and a touch of ground cinnamon. When that fades, you are left with a lingering bitterness that is not very pleasant.
Comments: I don’t love this expression. There are a lot pieces here that make this stand out from standard offerings available but I’m not itching for more. I’m glad I got a dram of this instead of the whole bottle.
Rating: Average

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Advent Day 3: Bain’s Single Grain

/ / Other Whisk(e)ys, Review, Richard's Blog /

And on the third day of Advent my calendar gave to me…

Bain’s Cape Mountain Whisky
40% ABV
$30
Website

What the Distillery Says
Bain’s Single Grain Whisky is a double matured whisky produced from 100% South African Yellow Maize, you may call this corn. We first mature it in specially selected first-fill bourbon casks for a period of three years, we then transfer it to a second set of first-fill bourbon casks for a further 18 to 30 months to extract a full rich flavor like no other.

COLOR: Warm, golden amber
NOSE: Combination of toffee, floral and vanilla aromas
PALATE: A hint of spice softened by the sweet undertones of oak
FINISH: A warm and extended mouth-feel with an exceptionally smooth finish

What Richard Says
Nose: Clearly grain with the signature light toffee and floral notes. At the back there is a bit of vanilla and something slightly astringent.
Palate: Creamy and sweet with a big helping of vanilla ice cream with butterscotch sauce drizzled on top.
Finish: Herbal and slightly spicy with a bit of high cacao dark chocolate.
Comments: Like many younger grain whiskeys, this is not terribly complex. It is oozing with sweetness that makes it terribly easy to drink. This comes from the same providence as the Three Ships brand. With only a couple of distilleries in South Africa putting out aged whiskey, this is good chance to give it a try at a modest price. Fans of Haig Club should definitely check this out.
Rating: Stands Out

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