Highland

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

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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

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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

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Glen Garioch Founder’s Reserve

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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.

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The Deveron 12 Year

/ / Highland, Review, Scottish Whisky /

The Deveron Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky Aged 12 Years
40% ABV
$45
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What the Distillery Says:
John Dewar & Sons Ltd. has announced the release of The Deveron single malt which hails from MacDuff distillery, located on the northern edge of Aberdeenshire.

The new expressions of THE DEVERON® 10 year-old, THE DEVERON® 12 year-old and THE DEVERON® 18 year-old have never been released before now and will be available from October 2015.

Located where the river meets the sea, Macduff distillery sits near the mouth of the River Deveron, shortly before its cool waters join the restless surge of the North Sea. Sheltered from the worst of the seaboard storms and winter winds, this tranquil spot has seen the creation of The Deveron malt whisky for many a decade.

A comparatively modern distillery – its spirit first began to flow in 1960 – Macduff was brought into being mainly for the purpose of supplying malt whisky to the blending industry. It was commissioned by a consortium of four businessmen, who called themselves Glen Deveron Distillers Ltd.

Emanating from five small copper pot stills, and unusual horizontal condensers that gently coax extra character from the spirit, The Deveron is an approachable dram which has a tang of coastal air about it. The distillery is set up for a light, fruity spirit that’s replete with apple tones and nutty notes.

Stephen Marshall, Bacardi’s Global Marketing Manager – Single Malts remarks: “The final one. We’ve done it and it tastes great. People underestimate the quality of whisky that can be made at a comparatively modern distillery, this is really top notch stuff. Get yourself up to Macduff, or if you can’t then stick Local Hero on the telly and pour yourself a dram”.

The new portfolio consists of three age statements, each bottled at 40% ABV: The Deveron 10 Years Old (only available in France), The Deveron 12 Years Old and The Deveron 18 Years Old. Each expression has been launched in selected markets around the world including Canada, France, Germany, Japan, Russia, Sweden, Taiwan, United States and United Kingdom.

Tasting Notes
When billows break and haar ghosts in, then haste ye home or some bit warm, Unwind with toasted grain and apples, seaborne spice; calm from the storm.

THE DEVERON hails from Macduff distillery, found beside the River Deveron just before it meets the North Sea. Sheltered from those restless waters and the worst winter winds, this tranquil spot offers calm from the storm; the perfect place to craft a mellow fireside malt.

Distillation employs five small copper pot stills and unusual horizontal condensers which are arranged for a light and fruity spirit. The result is a rare coastal whisky which holds the tang of shoreline air alongside sturdy apple notes, dried fruits and nutty warmth.

What Richard Says:
Nose: Baked apple tarts and malt-o-meal.
Palate: Sweet, nutty apple dumplings drizzled with butterscotch syrup overlaid with a grassy freshness.
Finish: Dry, nutty, woody, and slightly chalky.
Comments: This dram makes me think of the fall apple harvest. I think of apple cider, apple cider donuts, and apple pie at Mercier Orchards (if you’re a Georgia local). A tasty whiskey for sure. And additional kudos for Bacardi shining the light on this underrepresented malt.
Rating: Stands Out

We would like to thank Bacardi for sending over a sample for our review.

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