Average

The GlenDronach 8 Year Old Octarine

/ / Highland, Review, Scottish Whisky / ,

The GlenDronach 8 Year Old Octarine
46% ABV
$60-ish
(This was a limited edition launched in May 2010 exclusively for the Carrefour supermarkets in France, although may be found elsewhere)
Website

What the Distiller Says
Matured and married in a combination of the finest bourbon & sherry casks

TASTING NOTES
APPEARANCE: Burnished copper with a pronounced saffron glow.
NOSE: Dense citrus fruits, with hints of marzipan and chocolate shavings.
PALATE: Fresh, vibrant and fruity. Vanilla, butterscotch and toffee, laced with spiced apple cake. Smooth and very approachable.
FINISH: Fragrant and aromatic. Lingering. Superb depth and development.

What Gary Says
Nose: A bit thin, sherry with raisins, pecan shortbread cookies and a hint of sandalwood.
Palate:  Sweet fruity malt with a subtle pepper spice and a bit of sour oak.
Finish:  Short to moderate in length, drying with pepper spice.
Comments:  While darker in color than the 8 Year The Hielan’ as well as the 12 Year Original, I found this to be thinner all the way around. Maybe the color set my expectations higher (note – per the label the color is all natural)? I tasted this alongside The Hielan’ and the 12 Yr to kick off this series, and it was a distant third in that grouping for my taste. That said, nothing wrong or off-putting about this whiskey. The Hielan’ really impressed me at the same age, so while this is thinner by comparison, it isn’t overly so for its age.
Rating: Average/Stands Out

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Hewn Spirits Reclamation American Single Malt Whiskey

/ / Other Whisk(e)ys, Review /

Hewn Spirits Reclamation American Single Malt Whiskey
Finished in Chestnut
46% ABV
$43 (375 mL)
Website

What the Distiller Says
AGED WITH 300-YEAR-OLD RECLAIMED WOOD, FOR A TRULY TIMELESS CHARACTER
In the age of recycling, we’ve discovered a brilliant use for old wood in the making of Reclamation American Single Malt Whiskey. Made from premium malted barley, Reclamation from Hewn Spirits is aged with hickory, chestnut, or oak that’s been reclaimed from timbers up to 300 years old. The result is a whiskey that is uncommonly soft, full, rich and complex to the taste. The true spirit of wood™.

What Gary Says
Nose: Sweet malt with some nutty vegetal notes and a hint of honey.
Palate: Sour oak, apricots and a hint of hops.
Finish: Fleeting.
Comments: A unique pour for sure. I’m not a big fan of “craft whiskey” that tries to compete straight up on bourbon or rye, because I don’t find that they’re able to (for the money – they typically don’t compete with Evan Williams Black Label, but are multiples of the price). I think this is exactly the type of niche where craft whiskey can contribute – different and innovative treatments of the spirit. I applaud Hewn Spirits for taking that approach. This particular one – finished in Chestnut – doesn’t hit me in my wheelhouse. It is clearly young malt, but it is different. I bought the bottle really to reward desired behavior – namely offering free samples of their products in the store. While I wouldn’t buy it again, I don’t regret the purchase – and for a whiskey geek – finding that different/unique experience is worth taking a flyer.
Rating: Average

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Rebel Yell Small Batch Rye

/ / Review, Rye Whiskey /

Rebel Yell Small Batch Rye

45% ABV
$25
Website
Rebel Yell Small Batch Rye

What the Producer Says

PRODUCED AND SOLD IN LIMITED QUANTITIES, SMALL BATCH RYE OFFERS SMOOTH, SPICY RYE FLAVOR WITH ENOUGH BACKBONE TO STAND UP TO CLASSIC COCKTAILS.
NOSE
Spicy with Hints of Chocolate and Vanilla
TASTING NOTES
Mildly Woody with a Sweet and Surprising Spice

What Gary Says

Nose: Bright and sweet pine notes with a bit of mint and dill.
Palate: Full mouthfeel, corn sweet with a subtle lemon-spice pick-up; a bit of allspice on the back.
Finish: Short and wet.
Comments: This is a 2 yr old straight rye from Indiana, and the nose represents that well. On the palate, it comes across more like a young bourbon to me. Reminds me a bit of Ezra Brooks Straight Rye (also bottled by Luxco with Indiana distilled rye). Smoother than most ryes of this age that I’ve tasted. If I was looking for a rye in this price range, I’d select a couple others over this – although there isn’t anything off-putting with it.

Rating: Average

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Aberlour Double Cask 12 Year

/ / Review, Scottish Whisky, Speyside /

Aberlour Double Cask Matured 12 Year Old Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky
40% ABV
$50
Website
8812467945502
What the Distillery Says:
The 12 year-old expression is a fine example of how the distinctively crisp, citrus character of Aberlour’s raw spirit is deftly softened by double cask maturation. Traditional oak and seasoned Sherry butts are both used to great effect, as the mellowed spirits within are combined to deliver a subtly balanced flavour.

Colour: Golden amber with hints of ruby.
Nose: Soft and rounded, with fruity notes of red apple.
Palate: A fine sherried character, balanced with rich chocolate, toffee, cinnamon and ginger spiciness.
Finish: Warming and lingering – sweet and slightly spicy.

What Richard Says:
Nose: There is just a whisper of sherry on the nose. Not in the least bit a “sherry bomb”. It’s more malty and grain forward with a wildflower backdrop.
Palate: Sweet and nice but a bit thin. Fruity sweet with a bit of nuts thrown it. It’s like fruit cake but without the baking spices.
Finish: Drying and slightly bitter with a pinch of black pepper.
Comments: A fine, serviceable in the $50 range. It’s one of the expressions that Aberlour adds caramel coloring to if you are the type to be curious about such things. This used to be a bit of a deal compared to Macallan 12, even though I like the Macallan a bit better. However, Aberlour prices are creeping up too. If you are an experienced malt drinker this probably won’t blow you socks off. It’s a bit meh compared to A’bunadh or their older expressions. It’s nice all the same.
Rating: Average

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Ninety 20 Year Old

/ / Other Whisk(e)ys, Review /

Ninety 20 Year Old Canadian Rye Whisky
45% ABV
$35
Website

What the Distillery Says
After 20 years in charred oak barrels, we have drawn and blended from our cherished reserves to present the most discerning of whiskies. Expect a smooth, luxurious depth of flavour rich in oak, spices, and a light fruit sweetness.

What Gary Says
Nose: Sweet, corn, banana nut bread with maple syrup drizzled on top, hint of malted barley and brown sugar.
Palate: Molasses, subtle raisins and baking spices (clove, allspice), a soft/round mouthfeel.
Finish: Fairly short and uninspiring.
Comments: I picked this up while in Ontario based on the label. Some of my favorite rye whisky has been from Canada (such as the earlier batches of Jefferson’s 10 yr Rye), so seeing a 20 year rye for under $40 – it felt like I was stealing! My old man used to tell me “If it looks too good to be true, it probably is” – although in my defense – he was with me and didn’t stop me from pulling the trigger. Having said all that – it is interesting. It is NOT a rye whiskey by the American definition (my understanding is that this is a corn-whiskey mashbill done in the “rye style” – whatever that means). But it has gentle nuance, and isn’t off-putting. It also isn’t something I’d go out of my way to acquire either.
Rating: Average

What Richard Says
Nose: Big creamy vanilla nose with notes of caramel and bananas. Vanilla ice cream topped Bananas Foster anyone?
Palate: Very sweet and creamy. It reminds me of vanilla cream (like in Boston Cream Pie) sandwiched between two oatmeal raisin cookies.
Finish: Surprisingly alcohol forward on the finish.
Comments: Rye? No. Not like we think about it here in the states. This has more in common with an aged grain scotch. No bad but not inspiring either.
Rating: Average

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