Average

An Aba Canadian Island Lightly Peated Single Malt Whisky

/ / Other Whisk(e)ys, Review / ,

An Aba Canadian Island Lightly Peated Single Malt Whisky

46% ABV
$130
Website
An Aba Canadian Island Lightly Peated Single Malt Whisky
We would like to thank Macaloney’s Island Distillery for sending us a sample to review.

What the Distillery Says

An Aba, our Whiskymjaker’s lightly peated ‘sherried’, signature expression was crafted from a select marrying of Kentucky Bourbon casks, Spanish Oloroso barriques, Portuguese shaved-toasted-re-charred (STR) red wine barriques, virgin American oak casks, and Spanish Pedro Ximénez casks.

Nose: Complex and layered whisky with light peat on the nose, including fresh pine and oak, orange liqueur, lemon sherbet, rum and raisin fruit cake, liquorice, vanilla sponge cake, ripe banana, gooseberry, red currant, dried mango and milk chocolate.

Palate: It has a lush creamy mouthfeel, medium peat, burnt heather and bonfire embers, leading to prunes, dried figs and apricots. Also on the palate there is malted milk, stewed apples, peaches, blooming heather, lavender and daffodils, developing to linseed oil, marzipan, lingering oak and a dry, light peat finish with an essence of the seaside, befitting our island location.

11 PPM*
ABV: 46%
Natural Colour & Non-Chill Filtered

What Gary Says

Nose:  Sea breeze with lite peat smoke, grilled peaches, tropical fruit, cedar, pine and vanilla.
Palate:  Creamy mouthfeel, fruity and smokey with a bit of oak and pepper, honey, toffee and a slight spice.
Finish:  Moderate in length, damp with earthy peat and light fruit notes trailing.
Comments:  This is a nice, although I hate to say – kinda boring dram. The nose has quite a bit more going on than the palate for me. I’m not someone who thinks when it comes to peat you have to ‘go big or go home’, there’s plenty of lightly peated whiskies that I really enjoy. The palate for me just fell short of what the nose was setting me up for. And at this price point – I expect more than I got here, although your mileage may vary. I do appreciate the non-chill filtration and ABV.
* NOTE: Their website lists this as 11 PPM, and the sample I was sent had 11 PPM on the label, although in other press I’ve read 12 PPM (not that 1 PPM is going to make a noticeable difference, just pointing this out in case you saw something different as I did!)

Rating: Average/Stands Out

An Aba Canadian Island Lightly Peated Single Malt Whisky Read More »

An Loy Whiskymaker’s Signature Selection

/ / Other Whisk(e)ys, Review / ,

An Loy Whiskymaker’s Signature Selection
Canadian Island Single Malt Whisky

46% ABV
$125
Website
An Loy Canadian Island Single Malt
We would like to thank Macaloney’s Island Distillery for sending us a sample to review.

What the Distillery Says

An Loy, formerly known as Glenloy, is our ‘Whiskymaker’s Signature Selection’ whereby we carefully selected our classic single malt whisky from a combination of 60% first use Bourbon casks for a delicate, clean presentation, 15% from Dr. Swans wonderful Portuguese STR red-wine barriques for pronounced oak and sweet red-berry contribution, and 15% Oloroso / 10% PX Spanish Sherry casks for wonderful, rich and delicate fruit cake and plums. Together they compliment the tropical fruits and creamy presentation of our new-make house style (which garnered a Gold Medal at the prestigious World Whiskies Awards) to create the following tasting notes for this, our inaugural release whisky:

Nose: Fruit, floral and Sherry notes followed with oak, vanilla, malt, and sea breeze.
Palate: Creamy, caramelized orange, vanilla, potpourri, fruit cake, blackcurrant, honey, wood spices, and lingering oak.

Our An Loy whisky has been ‘dressed up’ befitting the quality of the spirit. Each bottle and carton are individually numbered. The carton has an image of Vancouver Island that wraps around all four sides, befitting the fact that this is an ‘island whisky’, and in addition to the gold foil and embossing, there are notes encompassing a bit of history, why it was named An Loy, house character and tasting notes, etc.

Natural Colour & Non-Chill Filtered

What Gary Says

Nose:  Sweet with peaches, pears, honey, porridge, subtle apricots, raisins, baking spices, berries, grapes, floral notes, red wine and heather.
Palate:  Sweet with honey, grain, fruity with peaches, pears, grapes and a bit of chili spice.
Finish:  Short to moderate in length with pepper.
Comments:  Quite a pleasant, easy to drink single malt. I get the sherry and red wine cask influence, and the nose has a lot going on. The palate is a bit less complex, although not objectionable in any way. Just didn’t find anything that stood out to me at this price point.
NOTE: This whisky had been released previously under the name Glenloy, and has been renamed/relabeled as part of a settlement with the Scotch Whisky Association (see CBC coverage here). I bring this up to point out that it had won Best Canadian Single Malt in the 2021 World Whiskies Awards under the former name (and if you’re looking for other reviews/coverage – check for that as well as the new name).

Rating: Average/Stands Out

An Loy Whiskymaker’s Signature Selection Read More »

Strathisla 1998 17 Year Old Distillery Reserve Collection

/ / Review, Scottish Whisky, Speyside / ,

Strathisla 1998 17 Year Old Distillery Reserve Collection
Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky

57.9% ABV
$220
Website
Strathisla 1998 17 Year Old Distillery Reserve Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky

What the Bottle Says

The Distillery Reserve Collection is a limited release of rare and exceptional whiskies from Chivas Brothers single malt whisky distilleries. Each release is bottled at cask strength.

Aged 17 Years
Distilled: 12th January 1998
Bottled: 30th July 2015
Cask Nos: 4330-31, 4336-37
1 of 1632 bottles
50cL

What Gary Says

Nose:  Subtle vanilla, barley malt, buttered popcorn, pears, hint of cinnamon and a subtle mineral note.
Palate:  Warm and viscous, fruity but tart with unripe pears and a hint of banana.
Finish:  Long, slightly drying with honey, a note of stout and pepper.
Comments:  Subdued and very muted overall. If handed for a blind tasting, I think I would have guessed this to be a single grain whisky. There isn’t anything off putting or negative, just not very exciting. A bit of water brings out more citrus on the nose, as well as heather, and tamps down the tartness on the palate.

Rating: Average/Stands Out

Strathisla 1998 17 Year Old Distillery Reserve Collection Read More »

Traverse City Whiskey Co. Port Barrel Finish

/ / Bourbon, Review / ,

Traverse City Whiskey Co. Port Barrel Finish
Straight Bourbon Whiskey

50% ABV
$60
Website
Traverse City Whiskey Co. Port Barrel Finish Straight Bourbon Whiskey
We would like to thank Traverse City Whiskey Co. and Ro-Bro Marketing & PR for sending us a sample to review.

What the Distillery Says

Our five year aged straight bourbon whiskey has been carefully finished for an additional nine months in massive 300L Ruby Port wine barrels. The dryness of the casks meld perfectly with the sweetness of our bourbon for a deliciously balanced spirit.

  • Nose: Very light, stone fruit and buttercream, hint of orange
  • Body: Sweet and silky; tart cherries, vanilla, sweet fennel, hint of toasted marshmallow
  • Finish: Tannic but slightly sweet, burnt sugar and toasted orange peel

What Gary Says

Nose:  Caramel corn, plums, raisins, cinnamon, port wine and molasses.
Palate:  Sweet, heavy port influence, raisins, berries, black cherry, cinnamon and honey.
Finish:  Moderate in length with berries, touch of caramel and pepper.
Comments:  The port influence on this one is heavy given the finishing time. I’m a fan of port finished and matured whiskey. Coupled with this being the highest proof of the three Traverse City Whiskey Co. Finished products – I had expected that this would be my favorite, and it was actually my least favorite of the three. Disclosing this as it may be that I had higher expectations for this one given those facts, as there aren’t any ‘off-putting’ notes; just heavy on the port and not as balanced as I was hoping for.

Rating: Average/Stands Out

Traverse City Whiskey Co. Port Barrel Finish Read More »

Rebel 100 Straight Rye Whiskey

/ / Review, Rye Whiskey /

Rebel 100 Straight Rye Whiskey

50% ABV
$20
Website
Rebel 100 Straight Rye Whiskey
We would like to thank Luxco and BYRNE PR for sending us a sample to review.

What the Distillery Says

ST. LOUIS (March 16, 2023) – Lux Row Distillers announced the newest variant in the Rebel brand family: Rebel 100 Straight Rye Whiskey. Rebel 100 Rye is set to reach retail shelves across the country later this month at a suggested retail price of $19.99 per 750 ml bottle.

Rebel 100 Straight Rye Whiskey delivers smooth, spicy rye flavor via its 51% rye, 45% corn and 4% malt mash bill. Offered at 100 proof, Rebel 100 Rye features a spicy nose that opens into rich rye flavor balanced by hints of vanilla.

“Based on the continued success of both Rebel 100 Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, we’ve elevated the proof of its rye counterpart,” said Eric Winter, brand manager for Rebel. “Rebel 100 Rye drinkers still will enjoy the award-winning smooth, spicy rye flavor of Rebel Rye at a proof level that amplifies its taste profile and stands out even better in classic cocktails.”

What Gary Says

Nose:  Vanilla, creamed corn, subtle citrus, mint, bit of brown sugar and honey.
Palate:  Honey, orange, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg and pepper.
Finish:  Short and damp with orange bitters, pepper and mint.
Comments:  This is a younger whiskey, age stated at 24 months (which is the minimum age for a straight rye whiskey), and it comes across as such. Appreciate the higher proof, and rye is the one whiskey I find that is palatable at a young age, although I do hope that there are some more mature offerings in their future. This is a perfectly serviceable rye whiskey for cocktails, and at $20 is at the entry price for rye. Most $20 rye whiskies are lower proof, which would make this preferable if you’re value shopping.

Rating: Average

Rebel 100 Straight Rye Whiskey Read More »