Review

Ardbeg Auriverdes

/ / Islay, Review, Scottish Whisky /

Ardbeg Auriverdes Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky
49.9% ABV
$100
Website
AA-Ardbeg
What the Distillery Says:
Ardbeg Distillery Releases Limited Edition “Auriverdes” – Limited Edition whisky will be released on Ardbeg Day – May 31st 2014

(MARCH 28, 2014) Ardbeg, four-time winner of the World’s Best Scotch Whisky award – is announcing the launch of its 2014 Limited Edition Ardbeg Auriverdes. The new Ardbeg will launch globally on May 31st, as part of “Ardbeg Day”- the distillery’s annual celebration of all things Ardbeg.
“Auriverde” a Portuguese term, is the combination of auri (meaning “golden”) and verde (meaning “green”) – the colors found in the iconic Ardbeg bottle, as well as the Brazilian Flag and a reflection of the “Ardbeg Day” salute to the 2014 World Cup.

Ardbeg Auriverdes has been matured in American oak casks, with specially toasted lids that were tailor-made for this formula. The toasting technique has given the whisky a unique flavour profile, producing a mocha coffee flavour at one end and flowing into creamy vanilla at the other – truly a dram of two halves.

Ardbeg Auriverdes follows the highly acclaimed, Limited Edition Ardbeg Galileo, which scooped the ‘World’s Best Single Malt’ at the World Whisky Awards 2013. Ardbeg Auriverdes is bottled at 49.9% ABV and will be available for U.S. purchase at select embassy liquor stores ($99.99). For an embassy liquor store locater, please visit www.ardbeg.com .

Dr Bill Lumsden, Director of Distillation and Whisky Creation, explains:
“When creating Auriverdes, I had a distinct flavour profile in mind that I wanted to achieve, so I specifically created the heart of the recipe to bring that to life. It is a unique expression of Ardbeg which has exceeded all my expectations. It has the trademark Ardbeg undertones with a distinct new taste experience and an explosive mouthfeel which gives way to complex flavours of coffee grounds, liquorice, maple smoked ham, malty/biscuit notes, white pepper and a good sweet/salty balance.”

He continues:
“We love to experiment and try new things at Ardbeg and we are in no doubt that Auriverdes will be a hit with our Ardbeg fans on Ardbeg Day!”

“Ardbeg Day” runs alongside the widely celebrated Islay Festival (the Feis Ile). It has become a key event in the calendar of malt whisky aficionados around the world, with thousands making the trip to the Island of Islay annually. “Ardbeg Day” will be celebrated in the form of a “Peat Football” tournament on May 31st at the Ardbeg Distillery and at participating Ardbeg Embassies around the world.

Ardbeg Auriverdes Taste Notes
Aroma: Tarry and herbal notes with hints of mocha
Taste: Coffee grounds pass to smoked root vegetables, while maple-cured bacon collides with hot-smoked salmon
Finish: A lingering, smoky vanilla note

What Richard Says:
Nose: Briney capers over salted cod. As it opens up in the glass the sea settles and more vegetal peat notes come through. If you leave it sitting still longer it’s more of a thick dutch processed cocoa powder type of nose. It’s very intriguing how dynamic and evolving the nose on this one is.
Palate: There is a surprising play of chocolate and vanilla here with a bit of citrus back to it. The smokiness is here but less prevalent than the nose but it’s an almost greasy smokiness.
Finish: Smoky yet creamy. It fades with a hot spiciness that isn’t all together unpleasant. Give it more time to clear the palate though and a nasty kind of marmite like flavor comes out.
Comments: Wow. This is the one they should have called “rollercoaster”. This is the amazing, ever evolving dram. The more time you give it seems to yield the shedding and exposure of more layers of flavor. This definitely an intellectual dram (which unfortunately most of Dr. Lumsden’s limited release seem to be as of late) but not something I would be reaching for again anytime soon.
Rating: Average

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Alexander Murray Dailuaine 16 Year

/ / Review, Scottish Whisky, Speyside /

Alexander Murray & Co Dailuaine Single Malt Scotch Whisky Aged 16 Years
40% ABV
$45 (Costco Exclusive)
Website
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What the Bottler Says:
Dailuaine Distillery is found in the heart of the Speyside Region near Aberlour. Only 2% of Dailuaine Distillery whisky production ends up as a Single Malt. It is also a key component in all the Johnnie Walker Blends. Alexander Murray & Co brings you this rare bottling of Dailuaine Single Malt Distilled in 1997. It has been matured in Oak Casks for 16 years. This gives our single malt a sweet vanilla nose, followed by a sweet, creamy butterscotch taste and a long soft-spiced fruit finish. Perfect for an after Dinner Drink.

What Richard Says:
Nose: Sweet vanilla cream and honeysuckles. As the nose opens it becomes a bit more herbal and grassy yet retaining the back sweetness almost like a Ricola cough drop but much better.
Palate: The palate is a bit thin (probably due to the low bottling proof) but the rich sweetness hits you out of the gate. Vanilla whipped cream on butterscotch pudding. Around the edges is a little hint of prickly spice.
Finish: There is a distinctive malty note before settling to slow mellow oakiness.
Comments: This is another private bottling by Alexander Murray for Costco. They’ve done a few of these over the years and they also do the Kirkland Signature bottlings and bottlings for Trader Joe’s. This isn’t a mind blowing malt but it is tasty and easily drinkable. I wish it was at 43% or 46% and unfiltered. I think then a nice oiliness might show through that would be great with the rich sweetness. If you are a scotch drinker and happen into a Costco it’s worth grabbing a bottle of a rarely seen malt at this great price.
Rating: Stands Out

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Thomas H. Handy 2014

/ / Review, Rye Whiskey / ,

Thomas H. Handy Sazerac Straight Rye Whiskey – 2014 Release
64.6% ABV
$75-80
Website
thomas-h-handy-sazerac-rye-whiskey-2014-release
What the Distillery Says:
Named after the New Orleans bartender who first used rye whiskey in the Sazerac Cocktail, this uncut and unfiltered Straight Rye Whiskey is bottled directly from the barrel, just as it was over a century ago. Full of rich flavors, this authentic American rye whiskey is a symbol of the timeless history of New Orleans and the legacy of Thomas H. Handy.

TASTING NOTES: Powerful, lush, and boldly spicy. Flavors of toffee, fig cake, and candied fruit, followed by mint, cinnamon and clove. The finish ultimately reveals subtle notes of allspice, coconut and nutmeg. Long and warm.

What Gary Says:
Nose: Toasted orange zest and mango, cinnamon, nutmeg, warm banana nut cookies with toasted oak.
Palate: Christmas; fruit cake; warm pepper spice, stewed raisins, red hots, orange bitters.
Finish: Warms to near hot, but lingers nicely.
Comments: While not a departure from the Thomas H. Handy flavor profile, this one comes across as a bit harsher with more alcohol burn. I compared it to the 2011 release (the only other one I have on-hand) after making my notes, and it definitely has more edge to it – despite being only 0.3 ABV higher. The good news is most of us are not often sipping this next to a previous vintage. Handy has always been a rough and up-front rye whiskey, and it delivers on that – with perhaps a bit more of a bite. If you have been a fan of Handy in the past, I don’t think you’ll be disappointed – and if you’ve never had the opportunity – I recommend giving this one a try!
Rating: Stands Out/Must Try

What Richard Says:
Nose: Mint tea, with a fruitcake scone drizzled with cinnamon icing.
Palate: More fruitcake up front followed by citrus zest, cinnamon, and then a harsh peppery kick in the teeth.
Finish: Whoa hot! It takes more than a few splashes of water to tame this beast. Once the heat dies down it’s much more of a bitter wood flavor.
Comments: Not my favorite rye for sure. The nose is great; the palate isn’t doing it for me but all the components are there to make an outstanding old fashioned. It’s a bit pricey for a cocktail rye and the finish is too off putting for a sipper. I’m not sure what I would do with this bottle if I’d bought it rather than sampled Gary’s bottle.
Rating: Stands Out

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William Larue Weller 2014

/ / Bourbon, Review /

William Larue Weller Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey – 2014 Release
70.1% ABV
$85-90
Website
william-larue-weller-kentucky-straight-bourbon-whiskey-kentucky-usa-10485163
What the Distillery Says:
Uncut and unfiltered, this hand-bottled bourbon is barrel proof. Weller substitutes wheat for the traditional rye grain, a production method pioneered by W.L. Weller.

TASTING NOTES:
Fragrant scents of caramel corn, new leather, plums, light toffee and pipe tobacco. The palate tastes of marshmallow, salted almonds, nougat, figs and dates. This whiskey finishes smooth, composed and flavorfully sweet.

What Gary Says:
Nose: Cocoa, toffee, steamed condensed milk (thinking of Cuban coffee), vanilla, hint of clove and honey; warm, dark and rich. For the proof, there isn’t as much alcohol burn as you might expect neat, but I recommend adding some water – which brings in new aromas of a comfortable leather chair (maybe in the waiting room of my favorite bakery?) The kind of whiskey I could nose for a long time – and love every minute of it.
Palate: Warm, chewy toffee sweetness; mincemeat pie with a dusting of hot chocolate instant powder (you know you’ve tried it without any water). Burnt toast and wood are balanced nicely with the sweetness.
Finish: Quite long, with a bit more spice and a bit of a bite at the end
Comments: I’ve always been a fan of this member of the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection, and this year is no exception. The proof is up there, so don’t be shy with the water. I like to nose it neat and take my first sip neat, adding water from there, but with proof like this you can burn your palate if you’re not careful – and I honestly find I enjoy it more with some water. The last several releases have been in the same age range, and while the proof has increased, Buffalo Trace picked the right barrels for the flavor profile. Fans of past William Larue Wellers shouldn’t be disappointed. And if they are, please let me know and I’ll try to help you dispose of the remainder of your bottle.
Rating: Must Buy

What Richard Says:
Nose: I really expected the nose on this to be rocket fuel out of the bottle but there is a lot of nice leather and caramel notes coming across even before you add water. Water opens up a big burst of cinnamon and honey drizzled over fresh baked cornbread.
Palate: Damn that’s rich! I didn’t even bother with a “before adding water sip” given the proof this is clocking in at. It’s really delicious. Dark fruit, toffee, and more cinnamon prevail.
Finish: A nice slow long woody spice with a dusting of cocoa powder. Very dry. Maybe a little too dry?
Comments: How the Pappy fanatics aren’t just as rabid about this I’ll never know. It is a standard bearer for barrel proof wheater bourbons. It’s absolutely delicious. My only complaint is that this year’s release seems a little too dry on the finish, but hey that just makes you want to drink more right? 🙂
Rating: Must Buy

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Compass Box The Lost Blend

/ / Review, Scottish Whisky / ,

Compass Box The Lost Blend
Blended Malt Scotch Whisky

46% ABV
$115 to $125
Website
TheLostBlend-Bottle

What the Blender Says:

In 2001, we created our first single malt blend which we called Eleuthera. It was an elegant and simple blend of approximately 80% unpeated Highland and 20% peaty Islay single malts. Alas, after 3 years, we were suddenly no longer able to obtain one of the key whiskies required for the recipe so, sadly, we retired Eleuthera in 2004. Quietly, I have always been looking for whiskies that we could use to bring it back, even if temporarily, but not with any luck. Until now.

“Yes, sir, the stuff was distilled elixir of battle, money and high life.”
From The Lost Blend by O. Henry, 1907

I’ve had a name that I’ve been waiting to use for a whisky project like this—The Lost Blend, inspired by the O. Henry story of the same name. This sharp and witty portrait of life in a New York bar in the early 1900s was published in 1907 and centres around two business partners who try to recreate a blend of different spirits with close to supernatural properties.

Having been blending Scotch whiskies as an amateur and a professional for the better part of 20 years, I can say with confidence that I believe there exist “magic” combinations of whiskies. For me, they are like the whisky blending equivalent of spiritual truths. And what better name to lend to our lost blend, but “The Lost Blend”!
John Glaser, Whiskymaker

Availability: A limited edition of 12018 bottles. Bottled in August 2014.

Flavour Descriptors: An elegantly complex union of two fruity Highland single malts and a peaty Islay single malt. An ethereal fruit and herbal character and a sweetness on the palate is buttressed by an underlying smokiness.

Distillery Sourcing: Single malt whisky (of a certain age) from the Clynelish distillery, and a small cache of extraordinary whisky from the Allt-A-Bhainne distillery, aged in American oak barrels and just a few years shy of two decades old, combined with malt whisky from the Caol Ila distillery.

The Labels: We’ve created three different front label designs all around the same theme: lost items. The whisky behind each label is the same ,and the three labels have been randomly bottled and put into cases, which allows you an additional discovery to the whisky itself: which label did I get?

What Richard Says:

Nose: It is an interesting interplay of sweetness with a smokey peat nose. As it airs out a bit it becomes more herbal.
Palate: Much less peaty on the palate than the nose. It’s more like brined honey chews with more lovely herbal notes.
Finish: Salty and smokey before settling to slow, long honey and herb mix.
Comments: Delicious! I was sad to see Eleuthera go years ago and while this isn’t exactly the same thing it is a terrific whiskey in its own right. There are so many layers and so much nuance to this whiskey that you could contemplate it for days. My notes purposely appear to gloss over specifics because it changes every time I go back. Sometimes the sweetness is honey, then candied pineapple, then peach cobbler. This is a really fun dram to play with and explore.
Rating: Must Try

What Gary Says

Nose:  Soft peat smoke, earthy mineral notes, herbal with fennel and lemongrass, vanilla, honey, subtle fruit notes of kiwi and peaches.
Palate:  Peaches and pears with earthy peat, cracked pepper, honey and a bit of chocolate.
Finish:  Long and drying with pepper, peat and grilled peaches.
Comments:  Reviewed this in a side-by-side with Eleuthera, and by comparison this is more rich and fruity with the intensity turned up a notch. Really delicious dram with a nice balance between the smoke, peat and fruit notes.

Rating: Stands Out/Must Try

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