The Collector’s Cabinet

Woodford Reserve Four Grain

/ / Bourbon, Review, The Collector's Cabinet /

Woodford Reserve Master’s Collection Four Grain Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Batch #1
46.2% ABV
$80 then, collectible now
Woodford Reserve Four Grain
What the Distillery Says:
Kentucky bourbon distillers traditionally cook, ferment and distill a three-grain mash bill or recipe. Corn is the majority grain as required by bourbon regulation, and malted barley is necessary for natural starch-to-sugar conversion. That leaves the other grain choice to the distiller’s discretion. Rye is the preferred grain for creating a spicy, fruity bourbon character. Wheat delivers a soft, nutty profile. In the Master’s Collection Four Grain bourbon we have combined corn and malted barely with both rye and wheat. This unique combination has created a flavorful bourbon rich in fruity, baking spices and soft cocoa notes. It is a bourbon to sip and savor straight up, or with a single ice cube if you prefer it chilled.

What Richard Says:
Nose: There is no nose like a Woodford nose. It’s prevalent in all their bourbons and bourbon experiments. Buttery oak with notes of citrus and a rich nutty character.
Palate: A great creamy sweetness. Heath toffee, Rolo caramels, slight acidic citrus. Layers of hazelnuts and vanilla.
Finish: Dry and clean with a linger hint of oak.
Comments: This was the first of the Master’s Collection from back in 2005. I’m not one for “dusty hunting” or bunkering whiskey away. Anyone who regularly follows Whisk(e)y Apostle knows I’m a drink it if you got it kind of guy. That said, this one has been squirreled away in my cabinet for years. I recently opened it when we had friends over to the house for dinner. Honestly, I was surprised at myself for not opening this sooner which was the driving reason I opened it then. It wasn’t a blind buy. I had a few bottles of batch 2 when it came out and loved it. I really wish this made it into production like Seasoned Oak to Double Oaked did.
Rating: Must Buy

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Glenlivet Nadurra Triumph

/ / Review, Scottish Whisky, Speyside, The Collector's Cabinet /

The Glenlivet Nadurra Triumph Single Malt Scotch Whiskey
Distilled 1991, Bottle 08/09, Batch 0809A
48% ABV
Website
glenlivet-1991-nadurra-triumph-main_image-250
What the Distillery Says:
Matured in a mixture of American and European oak casks, Nàdurra Triumph 1991 is a limited release bottled at 48% and is the first Nàdurra expression based on a vintage statement.

This new expression has been selected from stocks that were distilled in 1991 using Triumph, a variety of the barley that is no longer used in the production of The Glenlivet. Keeping in line with the Nàdurra range, the Nàdurra Triumph 1991 is non-chill filtered, which better retains its natural flavours with an additional richness and a creamy mouth feel.

The additional resting time and a broader selection of casks provide a layer of complexity, and results in a whisky that is more fruitful and has a mildly sweeter flavour; sure to be appreciated by whisky lovers everywhere.

What Richard Says:
Nose: Hints of licorice, fresh grain, and citrus notes.
Palate: Sweeter than regular Nadurra or regular 18 year old Glenlivet. Creme brulee, peaches, poached pears, buttery and delicious. The Triumph barley adds additional complexity and depth to the malt.
Finish Surprisingly dry and slightly tannic. Unexpected given how juicy the palate was.
Comments: I’m am so sad this was a one off. It takes classic Glenlivet and really turns it up. It’s vibrant, fresh, well balanced, and soothing. I’m even sadder that I waited so long to review it because my bottle is almost empty.
Rating: Must Try

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Sazerac 18 Year 2009 Release

/ / Review, Rye Whiskey, The Collector's Cabinet /

Sazerac Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey, 18 Year Old
Bottled Fall 2009
45% ABV/90 Proof
Collectible (Originally $70 to $80)
Website

What the Distillery Says:
Amber chestnut color. Huge, spicy aroma. Very mature, with notes of oak, leather, and molasses. Enormous in every respect, from its thick, chewy texture to its unbelievably spicy and very powerful flavors. The long, warm finish is preceded by notes of mint, eucalyptus, cinnamon, vanilla, molasses, oak, leather, and lingering pepper.

What Richard Says:
Nose: Rich sweet orange marmalade, lots of vanilla and toffee, with notes of buttered bread.
Palate: A delicious aged rye with the refined complexity of a great cognac. This is very sweet for a rye. Some people may not like that but I really dig it. Toffee, caramel, vanilla, and dark chocolate play on the palate.
Finish: Old oak furniture, antique leather bound tomes, and a crisp minty note.
Comments: My tasting notes may romanticize this one a little but it deserves it. This is an amazing dram of whiskey. On the scale of rye alone it’s off the charts. This is easily one of my most sought after purchases each year. It’s my favorite of the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection and while it changes year to year, I’ve never had a bad one. It only comes out each October in limited quantities so mark your calendars now.
Rating: Must Buy

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Macallan Elegancia

/ / Review, Scottish Whisky, Speyside, The Collector's Cabinet /

The Macallan Elegancia Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky 12 Years Old
40% ABV/80 Proof
Collectible (at time of release it was about $55/liter)

What the Distillery Says:
Unfortunately, because this is a retired expression not much is available on it directly from the distillery. I can tell you that it was a duty free exclusive launched in 2002. Also, it was continually available in 1 liter bottles until it’s recent replacement by the 1824 Collection of Travel Retail exclusive offering.

What Richard Says:
Nose: I really like the nose on this. I get lots of oranges and candied nuts. Side-by-side with the standard 12 Year Old it’s more delicate and refined.
Palate: The palate is much more reserved and a little less sweet than the standard 12. I still get the rich, malty, sherry notes of the standard expression but it’s a little more delicate.
Finish: This dram is very short and surprisingly clean on the finish. It leaves behind a little oak and some nuttiness.
Comments: This is like a lighter expression of the standard 12 Year Old. While that plays well on the nose and finish I feel it’s a little too delicate on the palate. I don’t really like one over the other. It’s more like two sides of the same coin.
Rating: Stands Out

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Bunnahabhain 12 Year Old

/ / Islay, Review, Scottish Whisky, The Collector's Cabinet /

Bunnahabhain 12 Year Old Single Islay Malt Scotch Whisky
40% ABV/80 Proof
$40 to $45
Collectible (Old Version)
Website

What the Distillery Says:
The nose offers a fresh and aromatic experience with a subtle whiff of smoke floating through the air. The taste starts with a light fruit and nut appeal that leads to a spectacular malty sweetness, finishing into a beautifully rich full-bodied, lingering experience.

What Richard Says:
Nose: Slightly smokey and a little sweet.
Palate: Licorice and fennel seed jump out at first. A mild earthy scotch develops with a little peat smoke around the edges. It’s also nutty and a little salty.
Finish: The finish fades to something reminiscent of fresh straw and black pepper with a hint of peat.
Comments: If you go out now and buy a bottle of Bunnahabhain 12 Year Old now this is not what you’ll get. They now bottle it un-chillfiltered and a little north of 46% ABV. I haven’t tried the newer version just yet but I hear it’s a slight improvement over the original. In general I feel that Bunnahabhain gets overlooked in this day of uber-peat obsession. It’s a lightly peated Islay that isn’t going to change your religion or anything but it’s a nice middle of the road dram that’s not disappointing.
Rating: Average

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