Scottish Whisky

Glenfarclas Highland Single Malt 40 Years Old

/ / Review, Scottish Whisky, Speyside /

Glenfarclas Highland Single Malt 40 Years Old

46% ABV
$500 (when released; current 43% retails for $900+)
Website
Glenfarclas 40 Yr

What the Distillery Says

Tasting Notes
Colour: Autumn Gold.
Nose: The Glenfarclas 40 Years Old, now at 43%, has a fresh sweetness and fruity Turkish delight aroma on the nose. Its freshness and power is similar to the first time you open a bag of freshly ground java coffee beans.
Flavour: Sweet taste, followed by a peppering of caramel and chocolate explosions. Sherry power creeping its way to the back of your mouth releasing dark chocolate, raisins and sultanas.
Finish: It ends with a sweet, crisp, dry & lingering finish.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Rich, thick, intense fruitcake and mincemeat pie full of raisins, figs, stewed apples, pears, plums in an old English library; old leather furniture, pipe tobacco and musty smoke.
Palate:  Rich sherried fruit, coffee cake, cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, oak, dark chocolate-covered espresso beans.
Finish:  Moderately long with lingering raisins, clove and oak.
Comments:  Damn this pour is dark! This is one of those drams where I actually prefer nosing it over drinking it. Don’t get me wrong – nothing offputting on the palate (for 40 yrs old, the oak isn’t as prominent as I’d expect – which I appreciate!) The nose is probably in my top 5 favorites with such depth, complexity and balance. The palate is very nice, but not in my top 5 – and or even top 10. Don’t get me wrong – it is really good, but less complex than the nose led me to expect. This sample was from the higher-proof version (this was first released at 46%, not sure when they brought it down to 43%), and from what I’ve read this was initially a bargain at around $500 (currently much more). That’s a lotta cheddar for a bottle of whiskey – although thankfully since I like smelling it more than drinking it, I’m gonna stretch this sample out for a while..

Rating: Stands Out

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Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban 14 Yrs

/ / Highland, Review, Scottish Whisky / ,

Glenmorangie Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky
The Quinta Ruban Aged 14 Years Port Cask Finished

46% ABV
$45-$55
Website
Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban 14 yrs Old

What the Distillery Says

A voluptuously silky spirit, Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban is aged first in bourbon casks for smooth, fruity notes. We then finish this single malt whisky in ruby port casks to create velvety depth.

Our Quinta Ruban port cask finish brings chocolate boldness to Glenmorangie’s renowned smooth style. Non chill-filtered for additional aroma and mouthfeel, it is savoured all over the world.
Aroma: Dark mint chocolate, tangerines and Seville oranges mingle with sandalwood and walnut before giving way to a spicy finish of pepper and nutmeg.
Taste: Mint chocolate and walnuts envelop the palate like velvet, laying the foundations for rose, Turkish delight and sweet Seville oranges.
Finish: Long lasting silky aftertaste leaving dark chocolate mints and traces of orange.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Mellow malt with rich notes of port, hints of milk chocolate, berries, smoke and leather.
Palate:  Creamy mouthfeel to start with green apples, pears, chocolate covered cherries; a sharp bite in the mid palate with some pepper spice.
Finish:  Moderately long, drying with dark fruit notes, oak and some pepper spice.
Comments:  I tasted this side-by-side with the original Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban, which is 12 yrs old. I found the nose on this to be similar but with more depth and richness. On the palate, the mouthfeel was creamier at the start, but then got sharper with more depth in fruit. The finish was the most similar, maybe a tad longer. 2 yrs may not sound like a lot, but it was a bigger change than I expected. While a bit more sharp, I don’t mind that as Glenmorangie’s house style tends to be on the smooth side. The fact they’re offering this at the same price I think is outstanding. If you’re a Glenmorangie fan, and in particular a fan of the 12 yr Quinta Ruban, I’c consider this a must try.

Rating: Must Try/Stands Out

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Port Charlotte – Scottish Barley

/ / Islay, Review, Scottish Whisky /

Port Charlotte
Scottish Barley

Heavily Peated Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky
50% ABV
$60 – $70
Website

What the Distillery Says

Peated to a heavyweight 40ppm, Port Charlotte Scottish Barley is a cuvee crafted from cask profiles originally selected by master distiller Jim McEwan. It showcases the supreme elegance of this remarkable single malt – a union of the classic floral elegance of Bruichladdich and heavy peat. Trickle distilled from 100% Scottish Barley the spirit gently matures in the lochside village of Port Charlotte before being bottled here at the distillery using Islay spring water.

TASTING NOTES
CHARACTER – The texture is extraordinarily rich with a huge depth of character. The smouldering heat of peat fires pulls you into a whirlpool of islay flavours and aromas but with such finesse that you welcome the storm.
COLOUR – Gilded lily.
NOSE – Opening with assertive waves of peat smoke and Atlantic squall, the olfactory system is on high alert in anticipation of some major sensory excitement. A swell of aromatics flood the senses with notes of iodine, salty canvas, crushed sea shells, charred oak staves, black pepper, paprika and leather tobacco pouches. The second wave brings vanilla, figs and soft plump dates, marinated pear, freshly milled malt, dark sweet toffee and cracked walnuts. It’s smoky. It’s smouldering. It’s sensuous. Just close your eyes and inhale long and deep. This is aromatic awesomeness.
PALATE – Wow! Waves of the sweetest, smoothest, warmest smokiest spirit that you have ever experienced flood onto the palate like the atlantic surf on Saligo Bay. It is potent, focused and the flavours explode brilliantly onto the palate. Full of depth and complexity, the smokey sweetness of the barley contrasts beautifully with the marine freshness of the spirit and the richness of toffee and vanilla. The complexity is enhanced further with a citrus twist and then mellow oak tempers the fire. Once the taste buds adjust to what is happening, they rejoice in the company and pleasure of this young Celt.
FINISH – It’s long and heart-warming, arousing feelings of pride and passion. It brings courage and strength, honesty and faith to your very soul.
MOOD – It cries “freedom”. You are in a good place and you envy no man. You feel alive and ready for whatever lies ahead, knowing that the true spirit of Islay is with you.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Soft sea air with iodine laden peat smoke, dried hay & grass, subtle hints of barbecue sauce.
Palate:  Earthy sweet with vanilla, caramel and nutmeg on graham crackers; peat fire next door with a savory spice note.
Finish: Moderately long, drying with medicinal smokey notes.
Comments:  Concluding our exploration of Bruichladdich The Wee Laddie Tasting Collection Gift Pack, we enjoy Port Charlotte Scottish Barley. This is a very interesting dram. I love peat, and this has it balanced in a lovely way (no ‘peat bomb’ here). Easily my favorite of the three.

Rating: Stands Out

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Bruichladdich – Islay Barley

/ / Islay, Review, Scottish Whisky /

Bruichladdich Islay Barley

Unpeated Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky
50% ABV
$65 – $75
Website

What the Distillery Says

Yellow gold with great structure. Soft with honey, citrus and sea salt, hints of spicy bourbon and young Islay barley. This is a Hebridean journey like no other
NOTE: Bruichladdich provides a lot of details for different vintages of these releases, which is great; I really love that level of transparency! Unfortunately I’ve no idea which vintage was included here; so using the gift pack image as well as  only providing the above notes which were part of the in-box materials.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Sweet malt, honey over floral and herbal notes, a hint of dried orange zest with a stronger hit of sea air.
Palate:  Creamier mouthfeel, honey with vanilla and pears, some orange spice that transitions to a pepper spice.
Finish: Moderately long, thick and sweet with spice notes trailing.
Comments:  Continuing our exploration of Bruichladdich The Wee Laddie Tasting Collection Gift Pack, we arrive at Islay Barley. The nose is quite similar to The Classic Laddie, just a touch less sweet, a touch more herbal, and a touch more sea air. On the palate the distance grows, with a richer sweetness and some citrus spice. While fairly similar, I prefer this over the first.

Rating: Stands Out

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Bruichladdich – The Classic Laddie

/ / Islay, Review, Scottish Whisky / ,

Bruichladdich
The Classic Laddie
Scottish Barley

Unpeated Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky
50% ABV
$55-$65
Website

What the Distillery Says

Head Distiller Adam Hannett has individually selected casks to showcase the classic, floral and elegant Bruichladdich house style. Made from 100% Scottish barley, trickle distilled, then matured for its entire life by the shores of Loch Indaal in premium American oak, it is a testament to the quality of our ingredients.

THE NATURAL OILS
We never chill-filter our whiskies because this industrial process strips out the natural oils and esters that give Bruichladdich a wonderful rich, oily mouthfeel.
A characteristic ‘band of gold’ is created when water, which is denser than our whisky is carefully added to the glass.

TASTING NOTES
CHARACTER – Smooth as pebbles in a pool. It’s clean, fresh and lively with both the oak and the grain in perfect harmony.
COLOUR – Sunlight on fields of early summer barley.
NOSE – The bouquet is brilliant. Opening with barley sugar and a hint of mint before leading into the most wonderful notes of freshly cut wild flowers; buttercup, daisy, meadowsweet, myrtle, primrose and cherry blossom. The cleanliness of the spirit is remarkable. As the seconds tick by, more aromas rise from the glass, little zephyrs of spindrift and sea pinks reminding you that this spirit is matured exclusively by the sea. After some four or five minutes and with the addition of a little water, caramelised fruits drift onto the scene; lemon drops and honey, tangerine and tablet.
PALATE – The palate entry is so refined and refreshing, the sweet oak and the barley arriving together sending the taste buds into raptures. The fruits from distillation drift in on an atlantic breeze and pop on the tongue like champagne bubbles. A combination of ripe green fruit, brown sugar and sweet malt bring closure. A taste back in time, a realisation that not all single malts are equal and to achieve the absolute optimum, you must use barley that is made in Scotland. Make this one the benchmark for all others you meet on your journey through the stills of Scotland.
FINISH – Unforgettable! Its best enjoyed in good company, you just don’t want the evening to end. It brings warmth to the heart and soul. The clock slows down and the cares of tomorrow disappear into the dawn.
MOOD – Conviviality! Relaxed, enjoying the spirit in the glass and the laughter from tales often told but never tired of hearing.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Sweet malt, with a bouquet of floral and herbal notes, bit a dried mint and sea breeze.
Palate:  Nice mouthfeel, not quite creamy, blanched pears atop vanilla flan with caramel; builds up with pepper spice and a bit of clove at the back.
Finish: Moderately long;  slightly drying with some mint and subtle pepper spice.
Comments:  Richard picked up the Bruichladdich The Wee Laddie Tasting Collection Gift Pack, which included three 200mL bottles. I’m glad he did! Starting with this as the baseline for exploration of the three, which for my tastes is pleasant enough although definitely on the subtle side. Nothing that jumps out and grabs my attention, but also nothing that turns me off.

Rating: Average/Stands Out

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