Scottish Whisky

Longrow 18 Year

/ / Campbeltown, Review, Scottish Whisky / ,

Longrow 18 Year
Peated Campbeltown Single Malt Scotch Whisky

46% ABV
$180 – $200
Website
Longrow 18 year old

What the Distillery Says

Dark and slightly mysterious, our 18-year-old Longrow has a complex nose that unearths a peaty aroma reminiscent of dunnage warehouses.

Nose: A complex nose: Sweet fruits, citrus, peaches and orange zest at first before a gentle earthy peaty aroma reveals itself.
Palate: Rich and very, very tasty. Well balanced. Dark chocolate, creamy coffee and gingerbread to the fore, followed by rhubarb and vanilla custard.
Finish: Long and sweet, a hint of typical Longrow peat smoke combined with more chocolate and some dried fruits.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Thick, rich sherry, barbecue brisket, subtle peat, plums, poached pears, orange, vanilla, worn leather, oak, pipe tobacco smoke.
Palate:  Creamy mouthfeel with vanilla cream, grilled peaches, peat, sherry, cocoa, walnuts, pepper and allspice.
Finish:  Long with a nutty note of plums and peat smoke.
Comments:  A really lovely dram! Beautifully balanced with peat, fruit, smoke and a bit of spice. Reading their tasting notes and taking another sip – I do get coffee with a fair dose of cream now. This is a limited bottling, so a price of $200 isn’t unreasonable. Sure, there are some whiskies for less dough that I like as well (maybe even better), but not many. For a single malt, this has the complexity and balance of the better blends (if tasting blind, I would have wondered if maybe this was a Compass Box offering without any Clynelish in the mix). Thanks to Paul for the sample of this really delightful dram!

Rating: Must Try/Must Buy

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Laphroaig An Cuan Mòr

/ / Islay, Review, Scottish Whisky /

Laphroaig An Cuan Mòr
Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky

48% ABV
$100
Website
Laphroaig An Cuan Mòr

What the Distillery Says

Inspired by the Atlanta upon which the Laphroaig distillery sits, An Cuan Mòr (“Big Ocean”) is composed from a selection of many casks – each batch hand-selected for its exceptional flavour by our Master Distiller.

All have been matured in first fill ex-bourbon barrels in Warehouse No. 1 – just a stone’s throw from breaking waves. This whisky is then carefully re-casked and left to sleep in the finest European Oak. The result is an extraordinary fusion of flavours, from the unmistakable peat of our spirits, to the soft and spicy caramel tones of the American wood, to the big, rich “burnt apricot and raisin” notes that European oak is so famous for. Any cloudiness when mixed with water is normal for a whisky that hasn’t been chill-filtered.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Peat smoke, medicinal, iodine, smoked brisket brushed barbecue sauce and a healthy dose of sea salt, bit of baked goods – a yeasty bread.
Palate:  Sweet, peat with fruit notes, pears, apples, touch of honey before a peaty pepper bite kicks in.
Finish:  Moderately long with peat smoke and subtle fruit.
Comments:  Laphroaig always stands out for me. This has a nice, golden color with a touch of copper – and I like the meaty notes on the nose. Another travel retail exclusive that doesn’t appear to be available currently.  Nothing off putting, but not my favorite from Laphroaig.

Rating: Stands Out

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Aberlour Casg Annamh

/ / Review, Scottish Whisky, Speyside / ,

Aberlour Casg Annamh
Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky

48% ABV
$60 – $70
Website
Aberlour Casg Annamh

What the Distillery Says

Translating as ‘Rare Cask’ in Gaelic, Casg Annamh is created from a limited number of carefully selected casks. These Spanish oak Oloroso Sherry casks/butts have a significant influence on the non-chill filtered liquid and perfectly complement Aberlour’s distillate flavour, bringing sweet and rich notes. Casg Annamh is a distinctively rich Single Malt providing adventurous malt lovers with the ideal introduction to Sherry cask matured whiskies.

Nose: Rich and sweet with fruity notes of tangy orange, glazed cherries, raisins and a hint of ginger.
Palate: Sweet and fruity flavours of apple and cinnamon crumble and ripe peaches balanced with spicy notes of liquorice and cloves.
Finish: Long and rich. Fruity with a touch of dry spice.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Oak, dark fruit, dates, cherries, caramel, spice, hint of dark chocolate, smokey, subtle sulfur note.
Palate:  Rich and sweet before sharpening with spice, caramel, honey over dark fruit, black cherries, bit of orange.
Finish:  Short to moderate in length, drying with oak and spice.
Comments:  A tad dry for my liking, and something about the sulfur notes I get with Aberlour just don’t land in my wheelhouse. If you’re a fan of Aberlour, this is probably right up your alley, but for me was closer to middle of the road.

Rating: Average/Stands Out

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Glenmorangie Signet

/ / Highland, Review, Scottish Whisky /

Glenmorangie Signet
Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky

46% ABV
$175 – $250
Website
Glenmorangie Signet

What the Distillery Says

A fusion of unique and rare elements, and clouded in secrecy, Signet is the culmination of a lifetime’s experience. A blend of our oldest whisky and spirit matured in a selection of the world’s finest casks, this undoubtedly is the richest whisky in our range.

Of course, whilst the exact secrets of its production are known only to our whisky creators, we can tell you that Signet’s melting sweetness and explosive spiciness is, at least in part, caused by our unique roasted ‘chocolate’ barley malt and the ‘designer casks’ made bespoke for Glenmorangie from American white oak. Non chill-filtered

Aroma: A strong Aruba espresso fused with a treacly plum pudding, rich with sherry, and candied orange peel.
Taste: A contrast of rich sweetness with an explosive crackle of sizzling spices and bitter mocha.
Finish: A fresh spring-like breeze of mint with a bright citrus lemony-green quality.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Rich and oaky, plums, black cherry, raisins, figs, blood orange, dark roast coffee, honey, fruitcake, hint of anise and a slight touch of balsamic.
Palate:  Creamy mouthfeel, sweet with oranges and peaches, chocolate, allspice, pepper, a touch of cinnamon and cocktail bitters.
Finish:  Moderately long and drying with a slight citrus note over herbal undertones.
Comments:  While Glenmorangie isn’t my favorite distillery, this is pretty delicious.  More spicy than your standard Glenmorangie for sure, which I enjoy.  Easily one of my favorites from this distillery, although wow – they sure are proud of it.  I think that their Quinta Ruban (either 12 yr or 14 yr version) is pretty tasty, and a really solid value.  While I definitely like this better – I guess I’m too cheap (no news flash to those who know me!)

Rating: Must Try

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Glenmorangie The Duthac

/ / Highland, Review, Scottish Whisky /

Glenmorangie The Duthac
Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky

43% ABV
$70 – 100 (1 Liter)
Website
Glenmorangie The Duthac

What the Distillery Says

Part Finished in Pedro Ximénez & Virgin Oak Casks
At the centre of the Royal Burgh of Tain, Ross-shire, in the far north of Scotland where the Glenmorangie Distillery has stood proudly since 1843, lies the resting place of St Duthac. During the Middle Ages, the legends of his workings drew travellers from far and wide on pilgrimages to the ancient burgh.

A whisky fit for a King, this expression honours the annual pilgrimage made by King James IV to the shrine of St Duthac in Tain, and is part of Glenmorangie Legends – a collection of single malt whiskies exclusive to Travel Retail, inspired by the legendary lands that have been home to the Glenmorangie Distillery since 1843.

Aroma: Seductive aromas of pear, toffee apple, Brazil nuts in toffee, with an underlying spicy note, some toasty oak. With a splash of water, some creamy vanilla fudge is encountered, along with the classic Sherry cask note of linseed oil.

Taste: Mouth-filling flavours of milk chocolate, toffee, Brazil nuts, leather and some aniseed. The spiciness is definite, but gentle, with hints of ginger and clove.

Finish: The aftertaste once again reminds drinkers that this is a Glenmorangie, with vanilla, apricots in cream and some almond marzipan.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Honey malt with subtle fruit, citrus, raisins, tangerines, milk chocolate, nutty, tad floral with exotic spices.
Palate:  Fruity with spice, citrus, honey, dates, nutmeg, pepper spice.
Finish:  Short to moderate in length, slightly drying with a bit of fruit and pepper spice.
Comments:  I received this sample as part of a Flaviar tasting box, and honestly didn’t know much about it (other than it was ‘non-age stated’ and 43%).  Being a travel retail exclusive, something I’m not likely to run across anytime soon.  This is a very nice, pleasant dram, and if I found myself in a Duty Free heading home with room in my bag and nothing else better – I might grab one (although there are a lot I’d grab first, like Laphroaig PX Cask – also a 1 liter bottle for about the same coin).  Nothing offputting mind you – just my personal preference.

Rating: Stands Out

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