Scottish Whisky

Compass Box The Circle

/ / Review, Scottish Whisky /

Compass Box The Circle
Blended Malt Scotch Whisky

46% ABV
$140-$150
Website
Compass Box The Circle

What the Blender Says

Sunshine in a glass

Rosey Mitchell is the 2018 winner of The Circle, our programme designed to inspire bartenders around the world. Rosey’s prize? To create a blend with Compass Box founder John Glaser and whiskymaker Jill Boyd. Rosey wanted to make an approachable whisky to be shared with friends, something for the daytime, a whisky with brightness. She called it “sunshine in a glass.”

The Circle is based around a parcel of fruity and creamy single malt from the Tamdhu Distillery in Speyside. This is supported by malt whisky from the Clynelish Distillery. A touch of peated malt whisky from an Orkney distillery and a small proportion of a French oak-finished blended malt whisky complete the recipe.

We think we’ve achieved exactly what Rosey envisaged. The whisky is bright and warm with a creamy softness. It practically radiates sunlight!

FLAVOUR PROFILE: Bright, vibrant, creamy. Bursting with apple, vanilla and malty notes with a hint of smokiness on the finish.

SERVING RECOMMENDATIONS: In the sunshine with good friends.

TECHNICAL DETAILS: Bottled at 46% | Natural colour | Not chill filtered | A limited edition of 6,151 bottles | May 2019

LEAD WHISKYMAKERS: Rosey Mitchell and Jill Boyd

What Gary Says

Nose:  Bright, green apples, vanilla cream, touch of citrus and a hint of oak.
Palate:  Soft, supple and sweet with vanilla, apples, malt, bit of allspice and pepper.
Finish:  Moderately long, drying with dried fruit and pepper.
Comments:  Another delightful dram from Compass Box that is maybe too easy to drink.  Very bright and fruity, and takes water quite well – with the mouthfeel shifting to creaminess.  Nothing objectionable, but not as complex a pour as I’m accustomed to from Compass Box (at least at this price point). I blame them for spoiling me!

Rating: Stands Out

Compass Box The Circle Read More »

Tamdhu Batch Strength No 004

/ / Review, Scottish Whisky, Speyside /

Tamdhu Batch Strength No 004
Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky

57.8% ABV
$80-$90
Website
Tamdhu Batch Strength No 004

What the Distillery Says

Introducing the fourth edition of our multi award-winning Batch Strength Series. If you’ve had a dram of Batch Strength 001, 002 or 003 then you’ll have an inkling of what’s in store for you. Rich natural colour and exclusively sherry cask matured intensity. As with each batch in the series, Batch Strength 004 is distinctive and differs slightly in style and strength, so your first sip is sure to hold some anticipation. Batch Strength 004 is bottled un-chill filtered at natural colour and at 57.8%. Undoubtedly, a malt that whisky connoisseurs would be proud to have in their cabinet.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Sherry, dark fruit, raisins, balsamic, chocolate, honey, oak, mincemeat pie, smoked brisket with subtle smoke and earthiness.
Palate:  Thick and warm, syrupy sweetness, fudge, dark fruits and berries, caramel, oaky earthiness.
Finish:  Long and damp, berry jam with spices.
Comments:  This is a damn lovely pour. Non-age stated, but reminds me of the 10 yr on steroids. I’m torn between wanting to give Paul a big hug, or a punch for introducing me to Tamdhu (ok – not really torn) because I am definitely more than a bit frustrated that there isn’t a ton of Tamdhu on our side of the pond. Thankfully, this is one that I can get – and it doesn’t break the bank (and maybe with the new TTB standards of fill, more will be coming our way!)  Just delicious.  The last of over 100 reviews in 2020, and one of my favorites for sure (only the 10th ‘Must Buy’). If you’re a lover of sherried single malts but haven’t tried this – I’d highly recommend picking this up.

Rating: Must Buy

Tamdhu Batch Strength No 004 Read More »

Tamdhu 10 Year Single Malt

/ / Review, Scottish Whisky, Speyside /

Tamdhu 10 Year
Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky

40% ABV
$50-$65
Website
Tamdhu 10 Year

What the Distillery Says

Matured in Sherry Casks | Natural Colour

In 1897, Tamdhu Distillery was born of its founders’ Can-Dhu spirit, and 200 years of Scottish Industry.

Today, Tamdhu 10 Year Old embodies the same intrepid approach. Matured exclusively in sherry oak casks, we ensure every drop is as magnificent now as it was then.

NOSE: The softness of vanilla and sugared almonds, balanced by fresh oak and cinnamon.
PALATE: Bursting with fruit and spice – gently yielding to toffee and the richness of sherry oak.
FINISH: Fruit and vanilla linger, becoming pleasantly drying – finally unveiling the merest wisp of peat smoke.
NOTE: The above was taken from images of the product. This is being replaced by the 12 yr and is unfortunately no longer mentioned on their website.

What Gary Says

Nose: Sherry goodness with dark fruit oozing out of vanilla cake, stewed peaches, fresh almonds, pecans, subtle dark chocolate with a bit of anise.
Palate:  Caramel with marzipan, raisins, figs, vanilla, an oaky earthiness with cinnamon and nutmeg.
Finish:  Moderately long, drying with vanilla, fruit and earthy notes.
Comments:  This has a lovely nose, that I prefer twice as much as I do the palate.  In my experience, when I like the nose a LOT more than the palate, it usually means that if I could find the same or similar whisk(e)y at a higher proof – I’ll really like it.  If the palate delivered what the nose advertised, this would easily be a Must Try for me.  This has been replaced with a 12 yr (at a higher ABV!) which I look forward to trying, if only for the increased ABV.  Very easy to drink with the peat being present but subtle.

Rating: Stands Out

Tamdhu 10 Year Single Malt Read More »

Caol Ila 12 Year

/ / Islay, Review, Scottish Whisky /

Caol Ila 12 Year
Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky

43% ABV
$80 – $90
Website
Caol Ila 12 Yr

What the Distillery Says

The ultimate Islay malt, Caol Ila is considered by experts to be the perfect entry point into the world of peaty malt whiskies and a reference for connoisseurs of Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky the world over. Fresh, sweetly fruity and smooth-bodied, Caol Ila 12 year old is the colour of pale straw, with a delicate balance of tastes.

APPEARANCE: Pale straw.
BODY: Smooth, pleasant mouth-feel: firm with a light to medium body.
NOSE: Subdued, citric fruitiness; a whiff of bath oil and dentist’s mouthwash. A fresh and appetising nose, with little or no trace of smoke. A little water raises almond oil and old fashioned oilskins; still a fresh fruitiness, a trace of olive oil, and after a while potpourri or scented hand-soap.
PALATE: Drinks well at natural strength; sweet start; pleasant, light fragrant smokiness and a lengthy finish. Smooth, pleasant mouth-feel; with water light acidity, some salt and still the sweeter notes. A complex balance of primary tastes.
FINISH: Sweet smokiness in the lingering, slightly sour finish.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Subtle peat and sea air, grassy, vanilla, hint of grapefruit and apricots, leather, maybe a touch of mint.
Palate:  Creamy mouthfeel with a smoky sweetness, vanilla, light spices, nutmeg, soft peat, orange and lemon zest.
Finish:  Long with peat smoke, slowly building pepper spice.
Comments:  A solid single malt that brings the peat but in a gentle and sophisticated manner. I’m a bit embarrassed that we hadn’t reviewed this classic until now!  This is a pour that I find I enjoy nosing a bit more than drinking (not that I don’t enjoy the sipping part!)  The nose has a bit more complexity than the palate, but both are nicely balanced.  If someone has been turned off by peat in the past (maybe diving right in with a Laphroaig) but is looking to try again, I find this to be a great ‘peat gateway’ pour.

Rating: Stands Out

Caol Ila 12 Year Read More »

Ardbeg Corryvreckan

/ / Islay, Review, Scottish Whisky / ,

Ardbeg Corryvreckan
Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky

57.1% ABV
$88-$100
Website
Ardbeg Corryvreckan

What the Distillery Says

Ardbeg Corryvreckan takes its name from the famous whirlpool that lies to the north of Islay, where only the bravest souls dare to venture. Swirling aromas and torrents of deep, peaty, peppery taste lurk beneath the surface of this beautifully balanced dram. Like the whirlpool itself, Corryvreckan is not for the faint-hearted! Awarded The World’s Best Single Malt in 2010 by the World Whiskies Awards.

Non chill-filtered at 57.1% ABV

TASTING NOTES
COLOR: Rich Amber
AROMA: Heady, intense and powerful. Swirl the glass and dip your nose into the torrents of tarry ropes, creosote and linseed oil rising from deep within the vortex. A collision of waxy dark chocolate, warm blackcurrants and muscovado sugar pulls you under its spell with a burst of plump cherries and earthy pine needles leaping from its depths. From salty seasoning comes a briny character with tangy crisp seaweed and smoky bacon swirling on the surface with hints of sweet vanilla, spicy cloves and blueberries. Surrender to its dangerous depths with the heady force of menthol, treacle and chilli sauce.
TASTE: Plunge into the whirlpool and torrents of taste well up on the palate; deep, peppery and chewy, bombarding the tongue. The first plunge brings forth chewy peppered steak soaked in pepper sauce with the tang of crispy seaweed. As you descend deeper, encounter a mouthful of black tarry espresso coffee that coats the palate with rich melted dark fruits (blackcurrants, blueberries and cherries) and bitter almonds. As the taste soaks in deeper, star anise and hickory dry out the palate before a surprise of chalky effervescent violets fizz to the surface.
FINISH: Long, deep and remaining powerful into the finish with black tarry coffee, chocolate coated cherries and hot pepper sauce, the lingering memories of your mysterious and daring journey into Corryvreckan.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Rich and intense peat smoke, salted sea weed, leather, barbecue pulled pork, ashy, some fruit notes underneath, medicinal, a hint of sardines.
Palate:  Smoky peat and dark chocolate, white cracked pepper, vanilla, honey, soft fruit notes of pears and peaches.
Finish:  Moderately long with peat smoke and a touch of honey.
Comments:  Some folks might knock the fact that this is non-age stated (meaning it could include young single malt).  While I would applaud transparency, what I care most about is what the whisk(e)y delivers.  This is a lovely, intense dram – easily one of my favorite Ardbegs.  Nothing about it is objectionable, or even disappointing to be honest.  It isn’t just that at the high proof it brings an amazing intensity (which it does), but it has layers of complexity that I really enjoy.  Very fitting name, as I nose this I feel I’m being slowly pulled into the dram, with something new unveiled if I’m patient.  A stellar pour of peaty, briny goodness!.

Rating: Must Try/Must Buy

Ardbeg Corryvreckan Read More »