World Whisky Day – Why?

/ / Gary's Blog

Today is “World Whisky Day“, and as a whisky blogger, I suppose I should be playing the role of educator and cheerleader; encouraging everyone to embrace, participate, and celebrate this latest holiday that’s been around since 2012. I’m not sure that I’m on board with all of that, but first – let’s cover what it is.

Per their web-site (yes, they have a web-site), the paraphrased/gist is:

World Whisky Day invites everyone to try a dram and celebrate the water of life. All you need is a bottle of whisky to share with your friends. World Whisky day celebrates all types of whisky/whiskey and encourages everyone to enjoy whisky responsibly.

As I read that,  my initial thought was “Isn’t that . . . well, every day?” Or at least every day where you have the opportunity? As a whiskey enthusiast, it isn’t like if a friend asks “Want to come over and share a bottle” on May 18th I would look at my calendar and reply “But this isn’t World Whisky Day – can we wait until tomorrow?” If I ever say that (outside of dripping with sarcasm), I hope that friend would stop by, justly slap me across the face with a white (or any available) glove and proclaim that I have injured their sensibilities.

Ok – so whiskey enthusiasts don’t need this holiday; we celebrate the water of life at every given opportunity (and I know some of us go out of our way to create such opportunities!) If this isn’t for us, who is it for? Is this to raise awareness with those non-whiskey enthusiasts?

While not scientific, I did a straw poll around my office – folks that I hadn’t ever talked to about whiskey – to see how many of them were familiar with World Whisky Day. This is where I was hoping to report “Not a single damn one” – but full transparency – one person (just one) had heard of it. I was surprised, but asked them how they heard about it, and if they had plans to celebrate it. They explained that they recalled seeing a tweet on it, but didn’t know when it was (this poll was taken yesterday – the day before) or what it was. They tried to act like they wanted to know more about it – but I think this was just to be polite since they may know of my fondness/obsession for whiskey.

I think what bugs me about this is that not a week goes by without there being some newly declared “holiday” or “special day” that we’re all supposed to pay attention to. For example – did you know that today also “National Devil’s Food Cake Day” and “National Learn to Swim Day”? And yesterday was “National Pizza Party Day”? If there was something else I love almost as much as whiskey – it’d be pizza . . . and apparently I failed in spectacular fashion to respect National Pizza Party Day.

My point is simply this: Life is short. Every day you have a chance to share whiskey with friends, do just that. Share it, enjoy it, and each other’s company. Celebrate those moments and memories, because they’re fleeting – and one day those opportunities may not present themselves.

Now excuse me while I engage in hypocrisy of the highest order by attending a “World Whisky Day” party with some friends, which will have whisky from all over the world.

Cheers!
Gary

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Old Forester (Dusty; DSP-KY-414 circa 1985)

/ / Bourbon, Review, The Collector's Cabinet

Old Forester Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whisky (DSP KY 414; 1985)
43% ABV
$40 (1.75 L)

What Gary Says
Nose:  Caramel, rice/tapioca pudding, toffee, pralines, vanilla, musty sandalwood and soft oak
Palate:  Sweet caramel crème brulee with a hint of nutmeg, touch of oak, and a subtle pepper spice (but little bite)
Finish:  Moderately short and wet
Comments:  I really like DSP-414 Old Forester – and the stuff from the mid-late 80s is really nice. While the label says this is 4 years old, I’m fairly sure this includes some older whiskey. As a dusty, acquiring a bottle like this can be crazy expensive at this time – and while I really enjoy it; I’d never pay the secondary market pricing for it. To be fair – this wasn’t bottled as a super-premium bourbon, and it isn’t. But if you are fortunate enough to spot one of these laying around a forgotten corner of some liquor store and pick one up retail, this punches well above its weight. This isn’t a complicated pour – but I love that about it. Just sweet, pretty well balanced with a touch of oak (and a bit less bite/spice than the current Old Forester). And it has that “thing” that a lot of older dusty bourbon has (and I apologize I can’t find the right words that really nail that). Just a more rich texture and a bit of a twang. If you’ve never had it – I would pay a premium for a pour at a bar just for the experience.
Rating: Stands Out

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Jim Beam Distiller’s Cut

/ / Bourbon, Review / ,

Jim Beam Distiller’s Cut
50% ABV
$23
Website

What the Distiller Says
Jim Beam Distiller’s Cut is a Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey aged five to six years that features a medium body and combines caramel sweetness with charred oak, enriched with light fruit notes. The premium expression offers a smooth and complex mouthfeel with a warm, lightly charred oak finish – the perfect gift for a bourbon lover looking to try something different this holiday season. It has a dark amber color with aromas of soft charred oak, sweet caramel, vanilla and hints of dried fruit.
After aging, bourbon typically goes through a chill filtration process, which involves forcing the liquid through a dense filter to remove fatty acids formed during distillation. Jim Beam Distiller’s Cut skips this step, which results in a fuller taste and palate feel. This can also cause the liquid to look cloudier compared to filtered bourbons, especially on the rocks.

What Gary Says
Nose:  Rich, rickhouse oak with dark cocoa and that signature Beam peanut note; vanilla with a hint of cinnamon and anise.
Palate:  Nice mouthfeel – creamy and viscous; sweet vanilla caramel with cinnamon spice that creeps up but maintains a solid balance. Peppery as it fades.
Finish:  Moderately long and dry.
Comments:  This reminds me of a younger Knob Creek. I really love that this is non-chill filtered; the mouthfeel shines. This is a limited edition, although I hope they plan to release this same type of bourbon every year. It’s just flat out delicious, and a great value (which is hard to come by these days). I know some folks don’t care for the signature Beam-peanut twang, and I’m honestly not a huge fan of that. But it plays well here. I just can’t imagine anyone buying this and for the money feeling like they made a mistake.
Rating: Must Buy

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Jura 18 Year Single Malt

/ / Island, Review, Scottish Whisky / ,

Jura 18 Year Single Malt
44% ABV
$125
Website

What the Distiller Says
A timeless 18 Year Old malt whisky finished in red wine casks, guaranteed to complete any collection
They say time and tide wait for no man. On Jura, by contrast, time is stretched by the changing seasons and tempered by its unique microclimate, with each passing year bringing its own riches. Matured for eighteen long years in American White Oak ex-bourbon barrels and enriched by superior Premier Grand Cru Classé Bordeaux barrels, a unique spirit is created that has truly come of age.

COLOR: Rosewood gold
NOSE: Aromas of toffee, tropical fruits and cinnamon
TASTE: Flavours of rich black forest fruit, cocoa and coffee

What Gary Says
Nose:  Rich, thick musty sherry with raisins and currants; hint of cinnamon and brown sugar (like a freshly baked pastry) with a bit of smoke.
Palate:  Creamy viscous mouthfeel; sweet dark fruits with chocolate over orange and citrus notes before moving into some baking spices and pepper spice on the back.
Finish:  Moderately long and slowly drying.
Comments:  This is definitely a single malt matured in sherry, but not a sherry bomb. Some lovely chocolate notes and with the sherry still being prevalent but not overwhelming – it allows other flavors to shine. At 18 years old, the sherry can easily become too much, and they’ve done a nice job of keeping it in check. Appreciate the 44% ABV bottling too, and am elated to see higher proofs starting to become more common. This has a lovely balance, and it wears its age well – the sweet, chocolate spicy notes are the star with the oak being subtle to where I don’t really notice it (which is in my wheelhouse).
Rating: Stands Out/Must Try

We would like to thank Jura and The 5th Column PR for sending us a sample to review.

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Jura Seven Wood

/ / Island, Review, Scottish Whisky / ,

Jura Seven Wood
42% ABV
$75
Website

What the Distiller Says
Inspired by the tenacity and ingenuity of the people of Jura, Jura Seven Wood is a testament to the skill of our whisky makers and island community. Influenced by seven select French and American Oak barrels for a rare balance and depth with a hint of smoke, this is a single malt with intriguing complexity. Seven Wood is initially matured in first-fill American White Oak ex-bourbon barrels. It is then further enhanced by six hand selected French Oak casks – Limousin, Tronçais, Allier, Vosges, Jupilles & Les Bertranges casks.

These casks have never held any wine prior to being procured by our whisky making team. Through these, we find increased complexity and rare tropical richness from the French oak to develop a unique style of single malt whisky. The result is a more intense flavour experience, amplified by a higher ABV of 42%, showcasing peach aromas, candied orange to taste and a subtle smoke finish.

COLOR: Mahogany gold
NOSE: An aromatic fusion of coffee, ginger spice and a hint of milk chocolate
TASTE: Caramelized peach, chewy licorice and candied orange with a hint of sea-spray and smoke

What Gary Says
Nose:  Musky & smoky sweetness; dark fruit notes over worn leather; mixture of traditional oak notes with some green wood.
Palate:  Creamy mouthfeel with ripe peaches, pears, and drizzled honey with a sprinkle of cinnamon; sharpens a tad with a unique oak-spice note.
Finish:  Moderately long and gentle.
Comments:  This is my first experience with one of Jura’s whiskies, but it won’t be my last – this is a delightful dram! Very well rounded – not too sweet, not too oaky, and a lot of flavor at 42% ABV. I always try to make my nosing/tasting notes prior to reading other reviews or materials to avoid “power of suggestion”. I made a note wondering if one of the containers was sherry (it isn’t), but that is the type of dark fruit flavors I pick up; although less intense than a straight-up sherry matured single malt. The various French oak casks definitely bring an interesting spice dimension (more holiday-type spices than your savory pepper notes). If you’re a whisky geek – I’d look for an opportunity to try it!
Rating: Stands Out/Must Try

We would like to thank Jura and The 5th Column PR for sending us a sample to review.

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