Scottish Whisky

Johnnie Walker Green

/ / Review, Scottish Whisky /

Johnnie Walker Green Label Blended Malt Scotch Whisky
43% ABV/86 Proof
$55
Available Worldwide

What the Distillery Says:
Johnnie Walker Green Label is a rich blend using only malts drawn from the four corners of Scotland – the naturally vibrant flavors provide unparalleled depth, substance and intensity. Each of the malts is specially selected by the Master Blender to create the perfect balance in the whisky.

Each malt whisky is matured for a minimum of 15 years to deliver rich, full layers of flavor. Coupled with the blending mastery of Johnnie Walker, it ensures the characteristic smoothness and distinctive flavor of Green Label.

Four signature malts provide the key taste influences for this 15-year-old whisky. Talisker introduces power and depth of character, Caol Ila contributes mystery and intensity and, at its heart, Cragganmore provides a sweet maltiness, while Linkwood adds a final touch of finesse.

Blending exclusively with malts produces a rich, powerful whisky, with each one giving its own intense flavor and aromas to create a perfect combination.

With its rich gold amber appearance, this medium-full malt summons up a multiplicity of complex natural aromas. It starts on the seashore and drifts inland over moist moss and through evergreen forest. Then come the exotic notes of orange peel, stewed peaches, cooked black fruits and sour cherry.

What Richard Says:
Nose: Sweet fruit wood smoked meats and fresh grass.
Palate: Very sweet initially. Mid palate is oak, vegetal matter, and smoke. Not Islay smoke, much lighter than that.
Finish: Hot and oaky on the finish. No burn but rather spicy.
Comments: This is a very tasty dram. I’m always intrigued with quality vatted/blended malts. Maybe because they are a relative rarity in the world of scotch. Taking the grain whisky out gives a more robust flavor with greater depth. It gives you just as much as Johnnie Blue for a fraction of the price!
Rating: Stands Out

What Matt Says:
Nose: Sweet oranges, sour cherries, lavender, and confectioner’s sugar
Palate: Caramel and spice, plumbs, more lavender, resinous smoke (not peaty but sticky), brine
Finish: A little hot with notes of charred oak, brine and more of that lavender
Comments: This and the Gold Label are my favorites in the Johnnie Walker line.  I’m with Richard in that I like to see these “Pure Malt” blends.  You definitely get a more robust and complex offering when these are done well.  If you are going for easy drinking, go for the Gold Label.  If you want great complexity and a more robust taste profile, go with this one.
Rating:  Stands Out

Overall Rating:  Stands Out

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New Releases – August ’10

/ / Bourbon, Other Whisk(e)ys, Scottish Whisky

I’m a little late with August this month. Life outside of Whisk(e)y Apostle has been a little hectic. Here’s what we heard about in August.

Parker’s Heritage Collection, 4th Edition
Timeframe: September 2010
ABV: 65.6%
Price: $79.99
This is the newest release in the acclaimed Parker’s Heritage Collection. This year’s release is a 10 year old wheated bourbon. Heaven Hill began distilling wheated bourbon back in 1999 after they acquired the Old Fitzgerald portfolio. 52 barrels totaling 4,800 bottles are being released so get yours while you can.

Buffalo Trace Experimental Collection
There are two releases this year, both 15 years old. One was aged in new toasted French oak casks and the other was aged in used charred American oak casks seasoned with toasted oak chips.
Timeframe: Fall 2010
ABV: 45%
Price: $47/375 ml
I should also note a couple of things about these releases. First, these were both fully matured, not just finished in their respective casks. Second, because these weren’t aged in new charred oak casks these can’t actually be called bourbon. However, they still sound tasty to me!

Canadian Mist Black Diamond
Timeframe: Fall 2010
ABV: 43%
Price: $14.99
This is a new release from Canadian Mist that is supposed to be “a richer, more robust blended Canadian whisky.” Is this CM’s answer to Crown Royal Black?

Glendronach Grandeur
Timeframe: Now
ABV: 45.8%
Price: $700
This is a new 31 year old release from Glendronach. Bottled at cask strength, this looks very interesting if you have the means to afford the bottle.

Glendronach 33 Year Old
Timeframe: Now
ABV: 40%
Price: $379.99
This one is another release from Glendronach and is matured in Spanish Oloroso sherry casks. I’m not sure why the 31 year old is twice the price of the 33 year old but either way they look to be interesting luxury drams.

The Balvenie Peated Cask 17 Year Old
Timeframe: September 2010
ABV: 43%
Price: $129.99
This is the latest release in Balvenie’s annual 17 year old releases. This one is finished in casks previously containing exceptionally peaty whisky. Didn’t Glenfiddich do this with Caoran?

The Balvenie 14 Year Old Caribbean Cask
Timeframe: September 2010
ABV: 43%
Price: 59.99
This is a new line extension from Balvenie with their lovely whisky finished in Caribbean rum casks. They’ve had a Golden Rum finished Travel Retail Only bottling at 14 years old for a while. I wonder if this is the same thing released to the masses?

That’s it for August. Balvenie, Glendronach, and Buffalo Trace led the way this month. I also heard about a couple of Benromach releases in their Origins line but no word yet on whether they are coming stateside. As always, if I missed anything please let me know.

Drink wisely my friends,

Richard

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A Great Evening in Atlanta

/ / Richard's Blog, Scottish Whisky

I missed out on the Rare XI Balvenie dinner at New York Prime this past Sunday because I was a little under the weather. I have a young daughter and she’s always bringing home colds from day care. However, I found out that New York Prime’s sister restaurant Joey D’s was doing a more casual version on Tuesday night. I called up my buddy Sam and he was game so off we went!

Joey D’s does their dinners outside on the patio, the whisky list is usually one count smaller (no 21 year old in this case), and the food and atmostphere is more casual than New York Prime. The price tag is also a little cheaper too. Tuesday night they were pouring Balvenie 12 Year Old Doublewood, Balvenie 15 Year Old Single Barrel, and Balvenie 17 Madeira Cask. Oh, and they were REALLY pouring. I think I ended up having seven or eight scotches Tuesday night…not that I’m complaining.

Sam and I get there about half an hour early and sat down at a four top. We were soon joined by Don and DeMark, a couple of gents who bravely came solo. We couldn’t have asked for better table company. Copious amounts of scotch and good conversation flowed all night. Shortly after we sat down we were welcomed by the new Global Brand Ambassador for Balvenie, Sam Simmons. You all probably know him as the venerable . Then the Buckhead Cigar Club representative brought over some very nice La Flor Dominicana cigars and we were off. Dinner included courses of she crab soup, caesar salad, danish baby back ribs, and apple pie a la mode. The food was okay.

We all had a very good time. I will be going back. In comparing it to New York Prime’s dinner there are pluses and minuses to each.

Joey D’s is outside so not as smoky, more casual, the music isn’t too loud so you can still have good conversation, you’re at smaller tables, and they are much more generous with the number of drinks they bring. On the downside the food is just okay. The price tag is $39.99 plus tax and gratuity.

New York Prime offers more variety of whisky with the dinner (usually one more higher end offering), has much better food, and a real guy’s club kind of feel. However, it’s pretty loud when there lounge singer kicks in and there are mostly large tables. Also, it’s indoors so even the seasoned cigar smoker might find it a bit much with all the smoke. The price tag is $59.99 plus tax and gratuity.

Now that I’ve experienced dinners at both restaurants I can say that both are definitely worth while. It really just depends on what atmosphere you would prefer. Hopefully, I’ll see some of you at an upcoming Speakeasy dinner.

Drink wisely my friends,

Richard

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Johnnie Walker Gold

/ / Review, Scottish Whisky / ,

Johnnie Walker Gold Label, The Centenary Blend
40% ABV/80 Proof
$65
Available Worldwide

What the Distillery Says:
Johnnie Walker Gold Label was blended to celebrate the first 100 years of the House of Walker in 1920. A well-kept secret, it’s only been available outside the company since the 1990s. It has a distinctly smooth, sweet and luxurious character, with a stylish elegance and refined quality.

Gold Label is crafted using whiskies such as Clynelish for a honeyed flavor and creamy texture yet still retaining the signature Johnnie Walker smokiness.

With its rich gold color and old-gold glints, it reveals a full, round, deep nose. There are notes of soft raisins and toffee, fresh malt and light cream – Gold Label is as enticing as it is sensuous.

Its palate is rich and broad with full malt flavors and honeyed spices with almonds and marzipan, which leads to a distinctive creaminess.

Cardhu provides strong yet smooth malt and oak flavors. Extra-mature grain whiskies deliver some of the lingering sweetness, while Clynelish from the northern Highlands is responsible for the unusual aromatic creaminess. The finish is multidimensional and satisfyingly long.

What Richard Says:
Nose: Fresh woodchips added to a fire.
Palate: Slightly sweet with hints of shortbread cookies and mild oak. No water with this one.
Finish: Short and crisp. This is a whisky that gets the heck out of Dodge.
Comments: Gold Label is actually recommended by Diageo to be served out of the freezer. I guess given the muted flavor the chill doesn’t have much to hide. I know this is Matt’s favorite of the Johnnie Walker blends but I’ve never really taken to it. It’s very mild and easily approachable but there’s nothing there to make me specifically want a glass of Johnnie Gold. I do think that overall it stands out because it’s not offensive and shows a great balance similar to Dewar’s Signature. On a side note, I find Gold Label to be a great palate cleanser to prep me for tasting other whiskies.
Rating: Stands Out

What Matt Says:
Nose: caramel, smoke, orchard fruit, light zesty citrus
Palate: Heavier sherry influence than younger Johnnies; dark berries, smokey sweetness
Finish: Lingering traces of peat smoke and brine
Comments: Wow!  Richard and I could not disagree more.  Perhaps its because the sample I sent over was the last drops of a bottle that was open for a while.  I think this is the best JW has to offer.  It’s complex and bold, but smooth.
Rating:  Must Try

Overall Rating:  Stands Out

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New U.S. Releases – July ’10

/ / Bourbon, Other Whisk(e)ys, Scottish Whisky

July was pretty heavy on the American whiskey announcements. This is to be expected leading up to the Kentucky Bourbon Festival in September. Here’s what I heard about in July.

Evan Williams Cherry Reserve Kentucky Liqueur
Timeframe: September 2010
ABV: 35%
Price: $14.99
This is a marriage of extra-aged Evan Williams Bourbon and natural cherry flavor. Apparently the Evan Williams Honey Reserve that came out last fall was pretty popular. So much so that they are coming out with a Cherry version. Look out Red Stagg!

Four Roses 2010 Limited Edition Small Batch Bourbon
Timeframe: September 2010
ABV: 55.05% or 56.2% (i got conflicting information)
Price: $75
Four Roses is replacing their annual Mariage releases (there were actually only two) with an annual limited release small batch. It gives them a little more flexibility by using more whiskeys and it gives their annual releases marketing consistency with the Limited Edition Single Barrel releases. For you whiskey geeks out there (who isn’t?) this will be comprised of three different recipes: 15 Year Old OBSV, 11 Year Old OBSK, and 10 Year Old OESK.

Parker’s Heritage Collection 4th Edition
Timeframe: Fall 2010
ABV: 63.9%
Price: $80
This year’s release will be a 10 year old barrel proof, unchillfiltered wheated bourbon. 4,800 bottles will be released in total so get it while you can.

Redemption Rye
Timeframe: Now in select markets
ABV: 46%
Price: $26
This is a new two year old rye whiskey made of 95% rye. It’s always exciting to see new ryes coming onto the market!.

Woodford Master Distiller’s Collection Maple Wood Finish
Timeframe: Fall 2010
ABV: ?
Price: ?
We’re still short on details but this sounds pretty yummy to me!

Knob Creek Single Barrel
Beam is short on details with this one. All I know is that they are targeting January 2011 for a roll out.

Cardhu 12 Year Old
Not really a new release but Cardhu had been absent from the U.S. market for some time. It’s coming back and can already be found in certain markets. $42.99 and 40% ABV.

That’s it for July. Let me know if you know of anything that I might have missed.

Drink wisely my friends,

Richard

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