Review

Balvenie Caribbean Cask

/ / Review, Scottish Whisky, Speyside /

The Balvenie Caribbean Cask Single Malt Scotch Whisky Aged 14 Years
43% ABV/86 Proof
$60
Website

What the Distillery Says:
The delicate fresh taste of Caribbean Rum enhances The Balvenie’s vanilla notes in the finishing – whilst adding spicy aromatic qualities to the whisky. Characterised by toffee, vanilla and a hint of fruit.

What Richard Says:
Nose: Vanilla, alcohol dribbled treacle tart, and a roast beef savory note.
Palate: The rum adds a nice sweetness above and beyond the regular Balvenie. Vanilla, honey, and a Cuban guava pastry come to mind.
Finish: The finish starts slow and sweet and builds to a long, dry finish of black peppercorns and oak.
Comments: This isn’t as good as the recent 17 Year Old rum finishes but it is very nice in its own right. Fans of the long gone 17 year expressions and Glenfiddich Gran Reserva might want want to take a look at this one for a less expensive alternative. And in case you’re wondering, this is a whole different animal from the GoldenCask.
Rating: Stands Out

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Onyx Moonshine

/ / Other Spirits, Review /

Onyx Moonshine
40% ABV
$23.99
Website

What the Distillery Says:
Onyx Moonshine is the first moonshine to be produced in Connecticut since prohibition. Our authentic American moonshine is handcrafted in small batches from our very own secret recipe. Extremely smooth and delicious, Onyx Moonshine can be enjoyed:

…on the rocks,
…as an exciting replacement for vodka or whiskey in your favorite cocktails, OR
…to make actual prohibition era cocktails.

Moonshine is a truly American spirit, and while not yet part of mainstream American liquors, it can be extremely high quality and enjoyable.

Enjoying Onyx Moonshine is an experience. It begins with the sweet aroma of honey & apple with spicy wood undertones. Onyx has a delicate flavor with a pillow soft texture giving way to a refreshing hint of botanicals. It rounds out with a full-bodiness and is smooth from start to finish.

What Richard Says:
Nose: Surprisingly un-vodka like. The nose is very bourbon-ish with a hint of vanilla along with fresh cream, granny smith apples, and wildflowers. The vanilla really surprised me with no time spent in wood.
Palate: The palate is almost scotch like in it’s floral notes. Very clean and delicate.
Finish: The finish has just a little pepper pinch at the end.
Comments: I’m an admitted white whiskey hater. I think whiskey needs to hit the wood. Onyx isn’t calling this whiskey though. They aren’t calling it vodka either. It’s a very nice clean spirit that can bring nice flavor to bland vodka cocktails. This is definitely something worth trying.
Rating: Stands Out

I would like to thank the Onyx Spirits Company for providing me with a bottle for review.

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Kilbeggan Distillery Reserve

/ / Irish Whiskey, Review /

Kilbeggan Distillery Reserve Irish Malt Whiskey
Batch No. 2, bottled 9/2011
40% ABV
$60 (Give or take depending on exchange rate)
Website

What the Distillery Says:
For over 200 years, the Kilbeggan Distillery produced some of the finest whiskey in the world. In 1957 the stills ran dry but 50 years later Cooley Distillery, the multi-award winning independent whiskey distiller, breathed new life into the world’s oldest distillery and today, the first new whiskey to be distilled at Kilbeggan in over 53 years was officially unveiled at an intimate gathering at the Kilbeggan Distillery in Co. Westmeath.

The Kilbeggan Distillery Reserve Malt, the latest addition to the Kilbeggan family of fine whiskeys, is produced from the oldest pot still in the world which dates back to 1830. The Kilbeggan Distillery itself was established in 1757 and is the oldest distillery in the world.

The whiskey world has waited in anticipation for half a century for the first new bottling from the historic Kilbeggan distillery. Distilled from 100% malted barley, the Kilbeggan Distillery Reserve, due to the distinctive narrow necks of the ancient pot still design, is an exceptionally smooth and flavoursome Irish Malt whiskey of distinctive character.

What Richard Says:
Nose: Lots of honey and malt play with something similar to a treacle tart. Very, very malty nose.
Palate: This spirit is clean, light and floral with a little cereal around the edge reminiscent of distiller’s beer.
Finish: The finish shows the heat of youth. I think a few more years in wood to tame the finish and it would be quite nice.
Comments: Kudos to Cooley for bottling some of the new whiskey they are making at Kilbeggan. I just wish the whiskey wasn’t quite as new…as in young. It really needs more time in wood, especially given the price they want to charge for it. I’m thinking this Irish girl is barely legal.
Rating: Average

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Martin Miller’s Gin

/ / Other Spirits, Review /

Martin Miller’s Gin/Martin Miller’s Westbourne Strength Gin
40% ABV/45.2% ABV
$30/$45
Website
Martin Miller's Gin
What the Distillery Says:
[Quite a lot actually. Mr. Miller and his company are quite loquacious about this eponymous gin. Definitely check out the website. Below are the summations from the press materials provided]

Martin Miller’s Gin
Distilled using an innovative process and nine classic botanicals, Martin Miller’s Gin is blended and bottled at 80 proof. It is soft on the palate, and has a gentle delivery of it’s juniper notes, making it the perfect gin for martinis and gin and tonics.

Martin Miller’s Westbourne Strength Gin
Pure and clear in appearance, and with a long peppery finish, Westbourne Strength at 90.4 proof was developed specifically for cocktails that include stronger and more complex flavours and ingredients. Perfect for Bloody Mary’s and classics, like the Negroni.

What Richard Says:
Nose: Herbaceous in a bubbly sort of way. Juniper, jasmine, a citrus zest.
Palate: Sweet, slightly bitter, and peppery with classic juniper flavor. Very soft and easy to drink.
Finish: Medium length with a clean juniper finish.
Comments: This is simply a lovely classic gin. It’s not riffing on the gin base like a Hendricks. It distills (no pun intended) down the essence of London Gin into a standard bearing example. While this is great by itself, naturally the tipple shines in cocktails. I always try a new gin in a martini and a gin & tonic to start. Both are great. However, one of the recipes provided with the samples is a smashing version of the gin & tonic called Gin to Nicks. I can’t recommend that one enough.
Rating: Must Try

I would like to thank Anderson Group PR for providing generous samples for review.

Gin to Nicks

Glass: Hi-ball
Method: Build over cubed ice in glass
Garnish: Lime peel

50ml Martin Miller’s Gin
Dash of Angoustura bitters
Squeeze of lime juice
Good quality tonic water

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Springbank 10 Year Old 100 Proof

/ / Campbeltown, Review, Scottish Whisky /

Springbank Campbeltown Single Malt Scotch Whisky Aged 10 Years
50% ABV/100 Proof
$65+
Website

What the Distillery Says:
The original Springbank whisky has been distilled legally on the site of the present distillery since 1828, and probably illicitly since well before then! Known and loved amongst whisky enthusiasts the world over, Springbank is produced using lightly-peated barley and a unique two-and-a-half-times distillation. This gives the whisky a character all of its own, making it stand out as a must-have dram on anyone’s shelf.

Produced using the most traditional of production techniques, from floor malting all the way through to the bottling stage, Springbank can best be described as a “hand-made” single malt. The classic Springbank complex, rich character can be found throughout the various bottlings available: the 100 proof 10 year old is considered by many to be Springbank in it’s purest form with its salty, briny flavour.

What Richard Says:
Nose: Savory on the nose and the alcohol needs a little taming. From there the brine shines through.
Palate: Heavy on the brine and smoke.
Finish: A powerful smack you in the face finish that comes across like a more intense version of the palate.
Comments: Is this the regular 10 year old with more alcohol? Not really. This version is a little less nuanced to me. I much prefer the standard 10 year old.
Rating: Stands Out.

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