Balvenie Tun 1401: Batch 9

/ / Review, Scottish Whisky, Speyside /

The Balvenie Tun 1401 Batch 9 Single Malt Scotch Whisky
49.3% ABV
$250
Website
The Balvenie Tun 1401 Batch 9 Single Malt Scotch Whisky
What the Distillery Says:
The Balvenie, the most handcrafted single malt Scotch whisky, is proud to introduce its latest expression: Tun 1401, Batch 9. This release has been exclusively created for the U.S. market, and follows the hugely successful ‘Batch 3’ and ‘Batch 6’, which were the only other Tun 1401 expressions released in the United States in 2011 and 2012 respectively.

Available in limited supply beginning this October, this rare batch includes exceptional and precious liquid from a number of casks specially selected by the industry’s longest-serving Malt Master, David Stewart. David’s first batch of Tun 1401 was released in 2010, for sale only at The Balvenie’s Speyside Distillery.

Inspired by and produced in one of the oldest warehouses at The Balvenie Distillery, The Balvenie Tun 1401, Batch 9 is a skillful marriage of some of the rarest treasures from the distillery’s Warehouse 24. This latest batch of Tun 1401 represents an unrepeatable selection of spirits sourced from eleven traditional whisky casks and three sherry butts, whose ages span a number of decades, and which have all been hand-selected by Stewart. The whisky rested for several months in Tun 1401 – one of the distillery’s unique marrying vessels – to create a single malt that is greater than its already precious parts.

“We’ve identified what we believe to be an unprecedented range of liquids to comprise this Tun 1401 batch from the vast library of very rare whisky currently maturing at The Balvenie Distillery,” said David Stewart, Malt Master for The Balvenie. “The end result is a complex and completely unique marriage characterized by dark fruits and marmalade on the nose. Its richness and smoothness is underpinned with dark chocolate sweetness, delicate honey notes and a distinctly long, spicy finish.”
The exceptional quality of The Balvenie is attributed to the unique craftsmanship retained by The Balvenie Distillery. Nowhere else will you find a distillery that still grows its own barley, malts in its own traditional floor maltings, employs a team of coopers to tend its casks, a coppersmith to maintain its stills and has in its service the most experienced Malt Master in Scotland.

Hand-bottled at The Balvenie Distillery in Speyside, The Balvenie Tun 1401, Batch 9 is a limited release with an RRP of $250. The Balvenie Tun 1401, Batch 9 has an ABV of 49.3%.

The Balvenie Tun 1401, Batch 9 Tasting Notes according to Malt Master David Stewart:
NOSE: “On the Nose, Batch 9 is an intricate blend of elegant oak, dark fruits and marmalade.”
TASTE: “This unique whisky tastes of opulent sherried fruitiness and mature oak tannins balanced with hints of honey and dark chocolate.”
FINISH: “The finish has a spicy outburst which lingers on the rich, syrupy finish.”

What Richard Says:
Nose: Gorgeous fruits on the nose. Dark and rich with layers of sherry, stone fruits, orange marmalade, and pear preserves. Really sexy.
Palate: A more tame version of the nose. Creamy and sweet at first. The sherry is really driving the fruit here. Nice play between a slightly bitter tannic fruity wine and a mellow sweetness.
Finish: Heavier on the pepper and oak but fruity jams from the nose and tongue stick around a bit too.
Comments: Simply lovely. Oh if it wasn’t 2 1/2 bills I’d be out buying a bottle right now. I can’t say enough nice things about how great this is. On an interesting side note, I’m usually not even in the ball park with the “standard” tasting notes for a given dram but David Stewart’s notes are spot on. I don’t get much chocolate but everything else he lists is right there front and center. I guess after doing a couple hundred of these I’m bound to get one right eventually. 😉
Rating: Must Buy

I would like to thank Kimberly and Sonia over at the Susan Magrino Agency for sending over a sample to review.

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Glen Grant Five Decades

/ / Review, Scottish Whisky, Speyside /

Glen Grant Five Decades Single Malt Scotch Whiskey
46% ABV
$250
Website
Glen Grant V Decades
What the Distillery Says:
Five Decades of Excellence
Glen Grant Five Decades is a single malt specially crafted by Dennis Malcolm to celebrate and pay homage to his five decades of experience with Glen Grant. Dennis has hand-selected his favorite casks, which he personally laid down over the last Five Decades (1960s, 1970s, 1980s, 1990s and 2000s). By marrying together these slowly aged casks, each of which has reached its peak of maturity, he has created a rich yet mellow Single Malt with unusual depth and complexity. This whisky is carefully hand-selected to deliver the distinctive smooth, fruity and rich taste experience for which Glen Grant is renowned.

Scotch Whisky as it Should Be
As the scotch category has burgeoned, rival spirits have attempted to differentiate themselves through excessively peaty flavors and exagerated “dark” editions – all gimmicks meant to catch eyes, not taste buds. Glen Grant’s Dennis Malcolm, probably the most experienced master distiller in Scotland, cut his teeth as an apprentice cooper in the distillery in which he is now leading the effort to re-introduce Scotch in its purest form: a beautifully light and excessibly drinkable whisky. As the only Speyside Distillery to bottle every whisky on site, Glen Grant is a fitting face to the scotch category, producing scotch whisky as it should be.

Glen Grant is as famous for innovation as it is for its scotch. The founder, James Grant, was the first to install electric lighting in a distillery, and established the distilleries signature pot stills – some of the tallest in Scotland. These taller stills help achieve the delicacy signature to Glen Grant’s scotches; during distillation, vapors from the fermented solution rise, and taller stills allow the vapor to escape, resulting in a unique light color and easy taste. It is safe to say that the scotch category continues to benefit from this historic distilleries’ progressive, yet respectfully traditional outlook on whisky distillation.

Tasting Notes
Appearance: Light golden barley
Bouquet: A rich and smooth marriage of vanilla, honey and oroloso sherry
Palate: Mouth-feel of orange blossom and honey, intensely creamy, with sweet toffee and mellow raisin fruit
Finish: Smooth and fruity lingering aftertaste

What Richard Says:
Nose: Sherry jumps out first but not in an aggressive way. It just make’s itself known. There’s a buttery back note hiding behind the sherry.
Palate: Nice initial sweetness reminding me of toffee ice cream and poached pears and it transitions into a grain/cereal type flavor.
Finish: Subtle but you know it’s there and it has a decent length. Like the quiet gentleman in the corner of the room listening in on the conversation. A creamy oak note is the main bit but it’s not in your face like a whiskey that’s spent too much time in the cask.
Comments: Very nice dram. A true standout. It’s not going to change the face of scotch but that’s not really Glen Grant’s thing. They just make damn fine whiskey that you’re never opposed to drinking.
Rating: Stands Out

I’d like to thank Nick and the folks at exposureusa for providing me with a sample to review.

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Four Roses 2013 Limited Edition Single Barrel

/ / Bourbon, Review /

Four Roses Single Barrel Limited Edition 2013 Release Barrel Strength Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
60% ABV
$85 – $95
Website
download
What the Distillery Says:
For the 2013 Four Roses Single Barrel Limited Edition release, we have once again hand-selected an uncut and non-chill filtered Barrel Strength masterpiece.

The celebration of 125 years of exquisite bourbon making begins with a single sip of this stunning 13-year-old barrel strength Bourbon. Hand selected by our Master Distiller from our 10 distinct Bourbon recipes, this Bourbon draws you in with delicate wisps of fresh honey and brown sugar, nutmeg and cinnamon. Light mint and wild berry notes mingle fancifully with the aromas of orange peel and fresh gingerbread. Dark chocolate truffle and spiced cookies lay like velvet on the palate and lead to a long and spicy finish that’s so soft, smooth and mellow, you’ll no doubt want to raise your glass and toast to 125 more.

Tasting Notes
Nose: Orange peel and fresh gingerbread.
Palate: Dark chocolate truffle and spiced cookies.
Finish: Long and spicy, yet soft smooth and mellow.

Recipe
OBSK – 13 years

What Richard Says:
Nose: Vanilla, spearmint, Granny Smith apples, citrus zest, and pumpkin pie spice.
Palate: Viscous with mouth coating layers of gingerbread cookies. Water brings out toffee and dark chocolate.
Finish: Cocoa powder and cayenne out of the bottle. With water it lingers with black pepper and oak and leaves a lingering flavor reminding me of a good cigar.
Comments: You might be tired of hearing me rhapsodize Four Roses but damn they make some good bourbon. This year’s single barrel limited edition is no exception. I’m pretty late getting my review of this posted but if you can still find one then grab it.
Rating: Must Buy

A big thank you to Laura and the rest of The Baddish Group for sending me over a sample to review.

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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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Black Maple Hill 16 Year Old Bourbon

/ / Bourbon, Review /

Black Maple Hill Premium Small Batch Bourbon Aged Sixteen Years

47.5% ABV
$125-$150
Website
black-maple-hill

What the Distillery Says:

Nothing really. If you want some great background on Black Maple Hill check out this by Chuck Cowdery.

What Richard Says:

Nose: Fresh out of the bottle this is a raw hairy beast breaking out of the cage. Very rough. Let it sit in the glass a bit and breath and you get toffee, vanilla, broken cigarette tobacco, and old broken finished pine. Think of a old pine dresser that split in a move.
Palate: Heavy on the wood and then a big smack of black pepper and rye. This did not age like a Buffalo Trace (George T. Stagg) or Stitzel Weller (Pappy Van Winkle) bourbon. The wood clearly dominates. It’s not bad but there’s not balance here.
Finish: Very tannic and dry. It’s like the driest Cabernet Sauvignon you’ve ever tried.
Comments: I saw, I coveted, I bought. It cost me $130 plus tax. Don’t make the same mistake. It’s not awful but at or below the price point there are SO MANY better tasting bourbons out there. I know there are devoted followers at the pantheon of Black Maple Hill but the bourbons I drank ten years ago are not the ones being bottled now. Some folks like Dave Driscoll over at K&L still sing the praise. I don’t really see what they see in it but that’s one of the great things about taste. It’s personal so drink what you like. However, at $130 a bottle I would suggest you try before you buy. This is not a white whale you need to hunt.

Rating: Average

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