Balblair 1990

/ / Highland, Review, Scottish Whisky /

Balblair Highland Single Malt Scotch Whiskey 1990 Vintage
46% ABV
$125
Website
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What the Distillery Says:
Matured in American oak ex-bourbon casks and Spanish oak ex-sherry butts Balblair Vintage 1990 2nd release is truly exceptional. Recently released to replace our award-winning 1989 Vintage, this incredible dram is sure to become a firm favourite amongst Balblair fans and whisky connoisseurs.

Tasting Notes

Appearance: The second release of Balblair 1990 is deep copper in appearance with hints of sparkling amber.
Aroma: The aroma is spicy yet sweet and is punctuated with notes of raisins, toffee and honey. Hints of vanilla, chocolate and citrus fruits are also present.
Palate: On the palate it is full bodied; sweet and spicy in character with hints of honey, raisins and zesty fruits.
Finish: The finish is smooth and long-lasting.

What Richard Says:
Nose: The sherry jumps forward on the nose with spice accented sweetness. I’m thinking a treacle tart with a sherry reduction drizzled on top.
Palate: This is a slower build than the 1999 but it’s well worth the wait. It comes in muted but then swells with notes of creamed honey, buttered cinnamon raisin toast, citrus zest, and stewed fruit with a back note like biting into a black peppercorn.
Finish: Damn these older Balblairs have a finish that last for days. Cinnamon, ginger, and cocoa powder interplay well with the wood on the finish.
Comments: To be honest for a long time I had intentionally overlooked Balblair. My earliest encounters were under whelming. The newer young-ish iterations show a fruity brightness that is very easy to enjoy. These older Balbairs are spending a year or so in sherry casks as a finish and the marriage works out tremendously well. The 1999 was a joy to drink and this 1990 is like it’s older more subtle and refined brother. Very delicious and at it’s price point for a 21+ year old single malt this one is a must buy.
Rating: Must Buy

We would like to thank Lukasz with Alembic Communications for sending over the review sample.

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Balblair 1999

/ / Highland, Review, Scottish Whisky /

Balblair Highland Single Malt Scotch Whiskey 1999 Vintage
46% ABV
$80
Website
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What the Distillery Says:
ummer 2014 sees the launch of the second release of the 1999 Vintage from Balblair Single Malt Scotch Whisky. Set to hit shelves at the end of June, Balblair Vintage 1999 will be available globally in Independent and Specialist Retailers.

Balblair 1999 replaces the award winning second release of the 1997 Vintage; the introduction of the 1997 Vintage took the core collection from three to four expressions. The 1999 Vintage will be presented in a premium opening box, joining the complete Balblair collection available in this luxury format.

Tasting Notes

Appearance: Balblair 1999 2nd release is copper in appearance with flecks of sparkling bronze.
Aroma: The American oak, ex-bourbon barrels and Spanish oak, ex-sherry butts used for maturation impart the signature Balblair aromas of honey and green apples, as well as notes of rich, fruity Christmas cake with a hint of spice, citrus fruits and vanilla.
Palate: On the palate it is full bodied, sweet and spicy in character, with hints of honey, vanilla and leather.
Finish: The finish is warm, smooth and long-lasting.

What Richard Says:
Nose: Fruit cake drizzled with a sherry reduction. It’s smells much better than fruit cake tastes. Under ripe apples, leather and lemon zest.
Palate: Rich, spicy, sherry, and honey sweet with layers of leather and tobacco. This is delicious and drinks much older than it’s years.
Finish: Woody, dry, and tannic on the finish. It lingers damn near forever.
Comments: This is a very nice whisky. Unlike so many others the palate delivers what the nose promises. The years spent finishing in a sherry cask have done wonders for the underlying Balblair malt. The finish is a bit tart, chalky, and tannic which I’m not crazy about but just keep drinking it and this isn’t a problem.
Rating: Must Try

We would like to thank Lukasz with Alembic Communications for sending over the review sample.

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Balblair 2003

/ / Highland, Review, Scottish Whisky /

Balblair Highland Single Malt Scotch Whiskey 2003
46% ABV
$65
Website
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What the Distillery Says:
Launched alongside 1990 & 1983 in November 2013, Balblair Vintage 2003 replaces Vintage 2002. The American oak, ex-bourbon barrels used in maturation impart toffee, butterscotch and vanilla notes.

Tasting Notes

Appearance: Balblair 2003 is golden amber in appearance.
Aroma: On the nose there are the signature Balblair aromas: floral and fragrant punctuated with citrus fruits, apricots and honey.
Palate: On the palate it is full bodied, with notes of oranges, lemon, honey and spice.
Finish: The long lasting finish is sweet yet spicy; a superbly well-balanced dram.

What Richard Says:
Nose: Floral,fruity, slightly herbal with hints of vanilla. Citrus zest with a little back nuttiness.
Palate: A lovely light honey sweetness. As light as it is the higher proof gives it more of a viscous creamy mouthfeel that is very nice with the honey and just a bit of pepper on the back end. Poached pears and cereal grain compote.
Finish: A little bland and a wood not that reminds me of toothpicks dusted in ground white pepper.
Comments: This is a nice approachable and easy to drink dram. It’s not terribly complex but it is terribly drinkable. I like it much better than the 2002 it replaced. The pricing is steep though.
Rating: Stands Out

We would like to thank Lukasz with Alembic Communications for sending over the review sample.

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Bushmills 21 Year

/ / Irish Whiskey, Review /

Bushmills Single Malt Irish Whiskey Aged 21 Years
40% ABV
$120
Website
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What the Distillery Says:
“This rare whiskey is in scarce supply with only a limited number of casks in our warehouses. It’s matured in bourbon and sherry barrels for 21 years‚ before being married together for two years in a madeira-infused cask. The result is dark chocolate and caramelised toffee aromas and a sip that clings to the palate before releasing a magical burst like mint. It’s a rare taste in every serve.”

NOSE: Caramelised toffee and dark chocolate.
TASTE: Wow! rich raisins and fruity notes that cling to the palate.
FINISH: A burst of mint that ends in an intense liquorice finale.

What Richard Says:
Nose: Nutty and spiciness with a toffee back note. As it opens it reminds me of walking through a pine forest after a rain storm.
Palate: Rich with a lovely depth. The dried stone fruit notes play well with the influence of the fortified wine wood.
Finish: Herbal with a large presence of wet wood. Fresh split wet pine and wet toothpicks. It’s tart with something reminiscent of plain Milkbone dog treats.
Comments: To me this is a huge step up from the 16 year old. Also, I think for being in the range of $120 I think it is still a solid value in aged Irish whiskey. Definitely give this one a try if you come across. If you’re like me you many not be able to go back down range from Bushmills after having this.
Rating: Must Try

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Redbreast 21 Year

/ / Irish Whiskey, Review /

Redbreast Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey Aged 21 Years
46% ABV
$250 to $320
Website
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What the Distillery Says:
Redbreast 21 Year Old is the finest representation of the signature Redbreast sherry style. It is the oldest and richest expression of the Redbreast style ever produced; and the 21 year ageing process introduces new levels of depth, flavour and taste to create an inherently complex and ultimately, rewarding whiskey.

Nose: Remarkable aroma spanning fresh tropical fruits, nuts and rich dried fruit.
Taste: Soft vanilla, toasted oak, sherry nuttiness with a dusting of Pot Still spices. Luscious fleshy fruit notes complete the creamy mouthfeel.
Finish: Lingers, seemingly forever, to oak and Pot Still spices and then, the final bow from barley – where it all began.

What Richard Says:
Nose: Weird first niff of spearmint and rubberbands. What was that? Let it open a bit and it’s a great waft of dried fruit and roasted nuts.
Palate: Spicy with a rich stewed cherry flavor that then dives back into more nuts, raw this time. Backing it all is a present but well balanced oak flavor interlaced with subtle sherry influence.
Finish: It finishes very cereal like with raw wet wood and a very present tartness.
Comments: Great Irish, really great Irish. This one is a benchmark for aged pot still whiskey. My only fault with it is the price. When it came out a little over a year ago it was published at $180 by trade publications but I’ve never seen it retail for less than $250. I once heard a rumor of a $215 bottle. I respect the whiskey and Irish Distillers for growing the pot still category but it’s coming out of the gate at inflated Macallan-esque pricing. If it was sub $200 it would be an easy must buy. However, I had to get “my guy” to procure me one to get it for under $300 recently. As good as this is, there is a lot of great whiskey out there for less than $300.
Rating: Must Try

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