Highland

Clynelish Distiller’s Edition

/ / Highland, Review, Scottish Whisky /

Clynelish 1997 Distiller’s Edition (2012)
46% ABV
$75
Website
clynelish-1997-bottled-2012-oloroso-sherry-cask-finish-distillers-edition-whisky
What the Distillery Says:
Crafted on the coast of Sutherland high in the North East of Scotland, the Clynelish Distillers Edition is double-matured in dry, nutty, spicy Oloroso Seco cask wood chosen to balance and complement the signature delicate maritime flavors of Clynelish with a deeper, spicier, more fruity and richer character.

What Gary Says:
Nose: Thick waxy sherry, chocolate & sea salt, hints of anise and clove.
Palate: Viscous waxy mouthfeel, sherry forward, dark fruit (raisins) with a bit of cinnamon.
Finish: Moderately long and drying, with a little pepper spice.
Comments: I only recently tried Clynelish 14 yr single malt, and wasn’t crazy about it. When I saw this on a shelf, I hoped that the double maturation in oloroso seco cask would bring another dimension, and it absolutely did that. Only one extra year of age on this, but where I’m not a big fan of the standard 14 yr, I really like this. It isn’t quite a “sherry bomb”, but the sherry is quite prominent, and I think plays well with the waxy subtlety that Clynelish is recognized for.
Rating: Stands Out

What Richard Says:
Nose: Creamy and rich with strong notes of sweet dark stewed fruits.
Palate: Black pepper jumps forward and assaults the tongue as it enters the mouth. Mild notes of raisins and plums come through but it is not nearly as sweet as the nose would portend.
Finish: Dry and tannic with more black pepper lingering on the back of the tongue.
Comments: I’m not sure where the disconnect is between the nose and palate/finish. It kind of illustrates my disdain for blenders who only nose and never taste. That said, this was a well integrated spicy dram that I thoroughly enjoyed. I agree with Gary that the oloroso worked a lovely magic on this whisky. If you find it for around the $75 price point then consider picking up.
Rating: Stands Out

Clynelish Distiller’s Edition Read More »

Glenmorangie Milsean

/ / Highland, Review, Scottish Whisky /

Glenmorangie Milsean Highland Single Malt Whisky
46% ABV
$100
Website
glenmorangie-milsean-private-edition-whisky
What the Distillery Says:
Glenmorangie Milsean (Scots Gaelic for ‘sweet things’ and pronounced ‘meel-shawn’) is a single malt whisky full of intense candied fruit flavours and mouth-watering sweetness. It has been created from Glenmorangie matured in ex-bourbon casks and then extra-matured in former wine casks, re-toasted for the purpose. This distinctive cask preparation replicates something of the moreish sweetshop flavours in a single malt whisky.

It is the seventh annual release in our multi-award-winning and always intriguing Private Edition range. And Glenmorangie Milsean, with its remarkable sweetshop allusions, may be the most intriguing of them all.

Aroma: Perfumed, sweet and spicy with hints of sugar cane, ripe fruits, sherbet lemons and fudge
Taste: A sweet, luscious candy-like flavour followed by a mix of tart plummy fruit, candied orange peel, cherries, and angelica.
Finish: Long and spicy, but always with a sweetness in the background, with flavours of ginger, brown sugar, sweet tobacco and cake mix.

What Richard Says:
Nose: Cotton candy, pina coladas, and buttercream frosting with a dry herbal backbone.
Palate: Very sweet in a fruit candy kind of way with parts of saltwater taffy. Candied ginger lingers in the background.
Finish: The finish holds onto some of that sweetness but fades into a spicy cinnamon and cigar tobacco finish.
Comments: These private edition Glenmorangies are always odd beasts for me. With the exception of the Ealanta which I loved, they all have very strong points but never seem to come together in a way that appeals to me. The Milsean is no exception. The is a nice, well made dram but it just isn’t my cup of tea.
Rating: Stands Out

Glenmorangie Milsean Read More »

Edradour 10 Year

/ / Highland, Review, Scottish Whisky /

Edradour Highland Single Malt Scotch Whiskey Aged 10 Years
40% ABV
$60
Website
edrob.10yov1
What the Distillery Says:
Despite being so small Edradour produces more whiskies than most other distilleries. Owner since 2002, Master of the Quaich Andrew Symington has expertly used the spirit from our small stills, matured in the highest quality oak wood, to create a stunning and diverse range of single malts.

The ten year old Edradour is handmade and one of the last Single Malt Whiskies from a traditional farm distillery still in production today. The methods of production remain virtually unchanged in the last 150 years and are only just capable of commercial quantities. Indeed Edradour Distillery makes as much whisky in a year as most distilleries produce in a week. A rare pleasure for a fortunate few.

Aged in a combination of Oloroso Sherry and Bourbon casks. Chillfiltered at 40% ABV.

Nose: Hints of dried fruits, Oloroso and almonds
Palate: Spicy Christmas cake, sweet golden syrup with a touch of honeyed almonds. A distinctive, old fashioned, rich mouth feel coming from the small copper farm stills
Finish: Oaky, soft spices, mellow and warming

What Richard Says:
Nose: Dried herbal potpourri, sherry, and a meaty nutty backing.
Palate: The rich sweetness of (good) fruit cake drizzled with a sherry reduction at first that then moves into a bitter almond and malt dryness.
Finish: Dry, nutty, spicy, and woody finish of medium length.
Comments: This is a rich sherry dominated expression that punches well above its weight. As I get older and drink more whiskies I find that what I’m looking for in a good single malt is hard to find in the 10 year age range. There are a few exceptions (Laphroaig Cask Strength 10 Year Old, Talisker 10 Year Old, and Springbank 10 Year Old) and I think is another to add to that list. It drinks well above its age and is a deeply satisfying dram.
Rating: Must Try

Edradour 10 Year Read More »

Shieldaig Highland

/ / Highland, Review, Scottish Whisky /

Shieldaig Highland Finest Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky

40% ABV
$17.99 (Total Wine Exclusive)
Website
Shieldaig Highland Single Malt Whiskey

What the Retailer Says

Highlands, Scotland- From an island off of the Highland coast.This unique Single Malt brings the brine and smoke to a region known mostly for more delicate malts. Rich, complex and slowly matured. Best enjoyed straight up or with a cube or two of ice.

What Richard Says:

Nose: A hint of smoke with a more vegetal and briney backbone.
Palate: Dry, salty, and savory. It’s more than a little bland.
Finish: “Smooth” if you go for that kind of thing. Really it is uninspiring and leaves you with nothing to note.
Comments: This bottle (and Shieldaig brand) are bottled for Total Wine by Ian Macleod Distillers. This is typical of ultra low cost private label bottles. By that I mean unoffensive but unremarkable. If you need a super cheap scotch then this is probably as good as any other $18 bottle. But that doesn’t mean I would buy it.

Rating: Probably Pass

Shieldaig Highland Read More »

Glen Garioch Founder’s Reserve

/ / Highland, Review, Scottish Whisky / ,

Glen Garioch 1797 Founder’s Reserve Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky
48% ABV
$45
Website
founders-reseve
What the Distillery Says:
The quintessential Glen Garioch, Founder’s Reserve celebrates the brothers who first established the distillery and the 200 plus years of craftsmanship that goes into every bottle that bears the Manson name.

Tasting Notes

Nose – Warm amber in appearance, sweet vanilla and subtle spice combine with fruitier green apple and grapefruits on the nose.
Palete – Butter cream and vanilla pave the way to fruity green apple skin and citrus cleanliness, leading to an elegant and subtle finish.

What Richard Says:
Nose: Damn, I could smell this all day. Creamy vanilla, rich fruits, cinnamon, cloves, allspice berries, grapefruit, and lime hard candies.
Palate: More sweet vanilla cream, apple pie filling, cocoa nibs, fine brandy, and slightly stale cigar tobacco.
Finish: Lingering oak and cocoa powder.
Comments: The palate and finish aren’t bad but the nose is an amazing standout here. I can’t say the last time I smelled a whisky this in captivating. It is worth ordering a dram just to sit and smell it.
Rating: Stands Out, Great Value

We would like to thank Beam Suntory for sending a sample for review.

Glen Garioch Founder’s Reserve Read More »