Speyside | Whisk(e)y Apostle: Proselytizing the way of the malt

Longmorn 20 Year Berry Bros & Rudd

June 2, 2016 / Richard / Review, Scottish Whisky, Speyside / Stands Out

Berry Bros & Rudd Longmorn 20 Year Old Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky
55.6% ABV
$99.99
Website

What the Bottler Says:
Built on the site of an old chapel (actually the name Longmorn derives from “Lhanmorgund” meaning “place of the holy man”) the Longmorn Distillery was founded by John Duff (owner of Glenlossie Distillery) and two associates, Charles Shirres and George Thomson in 1894, together with its neighbour Benriach.

Despite winning early acclaim for the quality of its malts within the whisky world in those days, John Duff was caught up in the middle of the great recession and he was forced to sell the distillery to John Grant (from Glen Grant). In the early 1970’s, Longmorn merged with “The Glenlivet” to create “The Glenlivet Distillers” and was subsequently acquired by Seagram in 1977.

The distillery now belongs to “The Chivas and Glenlivet Group” that have been bought by the French group Pernod-Ricard in 2001. Longmorn is one of the few distilleries that never ceased production, it even survived the grain shortages of the Second World War.

Longmorn’s malt whisky is highly prized by blenders at least as highly as those of its sister distilleries Glen Grant and The Glenlivet. Much of the production is snatched for blends, very little is marketed as single malt. It is appreciated for its complexity and smoothness of texture. It is noted for its cereal-grain malty character and its perfumed bouquet of honeyed and floral notes.

What Richard Says:
Nose: Rich, sweet dark fruits, and a slightly dry maltiness.
Palate: Sweet like a mixture of stewed and poached fruits. Grassy with notes of creme de menthe.
Finish: Dry, malty…almost hoppy and a little hot.
Comments: This expression is a little less balanced and less complex than other expressions of Longmorn I’ve tried. It is still very enjoyable and I would recommend picking one up. Longmorn seems to only be fully appreciated by blenders. Take a chance on one and I would be surprised if you are disappointed.
Rating: Stands Out

Longmorn 20 Year Berry Bros & Rudd Read More »

Aultmore 12 Year

May 12, 2016 / Richard / Review, Scottish Whisky, Speyside / Must Try

Aultmore Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky Aged 12 Years
46% ABV
$50
Website

What the Distillery Says:
John Dewar & Sons Ltd., one of the most respected names in the world of Scotch whisky, today announced plans to release a range of new expressions and never-before-released single malts – the hidden gems of its single malt portfolio. This bold move, unprecedented in recent years, will introduce a treasure trove of top-shelf whiskies to consumers around the world.

The distinguished drams of ABERFELDY®, AULTMORE®, CRAIGELLACHIE®, THE DEVERON® and ROYAL BRACKLA® are launched under the title of the “Last Great Malts,” each with a compelling story and character.

For generations, these distinctive whiskies have been distilled and left to mature undisturbed in oak casks. Now, at last, whisky aficionados the world over will be able to taste the single malts from these distilleries in their authentic form. “The single malt category is one of our industry’s great growth opportunities. We are blessed with five of Scotland’s finest, high-quality whiskies,” says John Burke, dark spirits category director. “We have great respect for the category and are confident that each of the Last Great Malts will be a fitting addition to the repertoire of the most discerning single malt enthusiast.”

AULTMORE is a rare Speyside malt known locally as “a nip of the Buckie Road.” The distillery’s water filters down through the misty, mysterious area called the Foggie Moss. AULTMORE is rated top-class and is a dram sought after for its gentle grassy notes. AULTMORE will be available from November with a 12- year-old, a 21-year-old in Travel Retail, and a 25-year-old in limited quantities.

What Richard Says:
Nose: Grassy and very inviting. A dry kind of vanilla with a floral, fruity backing.
Palate: Rich and ripe sweetness. Poached orchard fruits drizzled with honey syrup. Del Monte canned pears in the best possible way.
Finish: Crisp apples, and a slight bitter dryness.
Comments: Wow what a difference those few proof points make in terms of richness, depth, and mouthfeel. This is my first experience with an Aultmore bottling and it is delicious. It is rich, creamy, sweet, inviting, and painfully drinkable. I will easily be seeking out more expressions from this distillery.
Rating: Must Try

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

Aultmore 12 Year Read More »

Singleton of Glendullan

November 7, 2015 / Richard / Review, Scottish Whisky, Speyside / Average

The Singleton Single Malt Scotch Whisky of Glendullan
Matured for Twelve Years
40% ABV
$40 to $50
Website

What the Distiller Says:
The youngest of The Singleton distilleries by a year, Glendullan brings a light, delicate, greenwood flavour to the family of three. This is the gift of the American oak casks, the insides of which the liquid caresses to yield a whisky with the subtle softness of fresh orchard fruits.

Built in 1897, the last of seven distilleries founded in Dufftown, Glendullan was the brainchild of blenders from Aberdeen by the name of William Williams and sons. With solid business acumen and a private railway siding, the Williams gave Glendullan a healthy start in life. So solid in fact that it took the barley shortages of the Second World War to halt production – though the momentous world event caused only a seven year blip in the history of this exceptional malt.

American Oak brings subtle, honeyed hints to The Singleton of Glendlullan range, with a touch of European Oak offering a balancing dryness. It’s this combination that rounds off the edges and enhances the sweet vanilla and orchard fruit flavours.

Notes of apple and pear, chewy raisins and juicy red strawberry fruit, all perfectly balanced by a smooth, drying spiciness. A special selection of American and European Oak casks makes sure that those fruity, natural flavours stay in perfect balance throughout maturation.

What Richard Says:
Nose: Sherry and stewed fruits on the nose.
Palate: Sweet vanilla cream with more light fruity notes and a fair does of grainy maltiness.
Finish: Light, short, and pleasant.
Comments: Summed up in one phrase I would says a pleasant, easily drinkable daily dram. This isn’t a knock your socks of scotch but it’s not supposed to be. This is a Glenlivet or Glenfiddich 12 competitor in terms of flavor and price. It stands up admirably.
Rating: Average

Singleton of Glendullan Read More »

Glenfiddich Bourbon Reserve

October 22, 2015 / Richard / Review, Scottish Whisky, Speyside / Stands Out

Glenfiddich Single Malt Scotch Whiskey Bourbon Barrel Reserve Aged 14 Years
43% ABV
$49.99
Website

What the Distillery Says:
In a class of its own, the Glenfiddich Bourbon Barrel Reserve 14 Year Old uniquely delivers a bourbon heart with the soul of single malt.

Our Malt Master, Brian Kinsman patiently waits for 14 years as the whisky matures in ex-bourbon American Oak casks, and then finishes the whisky in deep charred new American Oak barrels supplied by The Kelvin Cooperage in Louisville, Kentucky.

The result: a rich, sweet and vibrant single malt. Its a whisky that delivers beautifully complex flavours of woody spices combined with ripe summer fruit, resulting from the spirit’s interaction with the casks.

COLOUR: Copper Oak
NOSE: Deep vibrant vanilla notes with hints of citrus, caramalised brown sugar and cinnamon. Baked apple and ripe summer fruits and balanced with the rich oaky aromas.
TASTE: Beautifully rich and sweet with layers of creamy toffee, woody spices, candied orange peel and fresh toasted oak.
FINISH: Long lasting with lingering sweetness.

What Richard Says:
Nose: This explodes on the nose with the smell of fried apple pies. Baked apples seasoned with cinnamon and brown sugar and drizzled with vanilla glaze. The single most “it smells exactly like this…” nose I’ve come across. No “hints” of this or that. As soon as I stuck my nose in the glass I smell the bakery at Mercier Orchards in north Georgia.
Palate: The mouthfeel benefits from the the six more proof points over their 12 and 15. It gives it a bit more richness and depth. The palate flavors don’t jump out as much as the nose. There is a very mellow sweetness playing with the wood. Not the most dynamic palate.
Finish: Dry and chewy. It reminds me of chewing on a toothpick too long.
Comments: This U.S. exclusive release is something rare…a new single malt from an established distiller hitting the market age stated and at or below $50. Well, Glenfiddich has the capacity and stocks to do silly things like give people something they deserve instead of what marketing comes up with as an answer to poor forecasting. Is this some crazy new dynamic from Glenfiddich? No, it’s just a solid malt for a decent price. Really, the flavor profile and finish are a tad too bland for me but damn if I couldn’t smell this all autumn.
Rating: Stands Out

Our thanks to William Grant & Sons USA for providing us with a sample to review.

Glenfiddich Bourbon Reserve Read More »

Glenfiddich 21 Year Old

April 14, 2015 / Richard / Review, Scottish Whisky, Speyside / Average

Glenfiddich Gran Reserva 21 Years old
Cask Selection 32
40% ABV
$200
Website

What the Distillery Says:
We use casks that once contained premium Caribbean rum to finish our 21 Year Old expression. It’s the details that matter. This expression spends four months finishing in Gran Reserva barrels selected by our Malt Master, adding to its distinctive and complex flavour.

Experience an intense and vanilla sweet aroma, floral with hints of banana, followed by a soft, lively taste with lime, ginger and spice and a complex and exceptionally long ending.

Our rum finish releases layers of intensity and sets this 21 Year Old apart from other whiskies.

What Richard Says:
Nose: Vanilla wafers, toffee, a grassy floral note, cedar lined humidors, almonds and a little nutmeg.
Palate: A little thin and underwhelming but there are some nice redeeming notes of cocoa powder and fruit.
Finish: Dry and rather short.
Comments: The change on this some years back to non-Cuban rum casks was not for the better. This is a pleasing enough dram but there isn’t anything exciting about it. It would benefit greatly from a lack of chill filtering and 3 to 6 more points of proof.
Rating: Average

Glenfiddich 21 Year Old Read More »