Average

George Dickel No 12

/ / Other Whisk(e)ys, Review /

George Dickel No 12. Tennessee Sour Mash Whisky
45% ABV
$20
Website
george_dickel12new750__44457.1407758405.1280.1280
What the Distillery Says:
The only 90-proof Tennessee Whisky. We blend older whiskies to achieve deep, assertive flavors with an incredibly smooth finish. Bold and brazen, this is our Superior No. 12.

Concentrated flavors of rich oak and subtle vanilla lead to a long finish with hints of maple, butter and smoke. A whisky with enormous depth, range and personality – considered by many to be the gold standard of Tennessee Whisky.

What Gary Says:
Nose: Buttered corn (boiled, not grilled), honey, hint of vanilla and a medicinal note (iodine?)
Palate: Cream of corn transitioning into corn bread; soft mouthfeel and very smooth.
Finish: Short to moderate in length, with a bit of oak as the corn sweetness abates.
Comments: This corn whiskey is . . . oh, err – this isn’t a corn whiskey; it just tastes like it to me. If you like corn whiskey, that’s good news – I do enjoy that from time to time. Unfortunately like many folks, the label sets my expectations – and seeing “Tennessee Whisky” had me prepared for something closer to Jack Daniels than Mellow Corn. Honestly – if I would have approached this like a corn whiskey, I would have a higher opinion of it. The corn (which is 84% of the mashbill!) dominates every aspect of this whiskey for me, and leaves me wanting more of something (anything) else.
Rating: Average

What Richard Says:
Nose: Buttermilk cornbread (should there ever be any other kind?) fresh from the oven drizzled with wildflower honey. There is also a corn whiskey note that reminds me of sniffing the fermentation tanks when I was there.
Palate: More developed than the No. 8. It’s creamier with more aggressive black pepper and heat to offset the sweetness of the vanilla cream and caramel candies.
Finish: Dark cocoa powder dusted over wet toothpicks.
Comments: First let me say kudos to Diageo for the artificial cork. Those not familiar with my personal disdain for natural corks should read our site more. Getting back to the whiskey, I like the taste of this one. It’s got enough going on to keep me interested. That said, the nose is much younger than the palate and the finish is blah. Definitely a step in the right direction from No.8. I would pick this over a glass of Jack if I was drinking it straight but it’s underwhelming compared to similarly priced bourbons.
Rating: Average

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George Dickel No 8

/ / Other Whisk(e)ys, Review /

George Dickel No 8. Tennessee Sour Mash Whisky
40% ABV
$17
Website
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What the Distillery Says:
The most famous George Dickel whisky. A signature balance of Tennessee whisky flavors, handcrafted for those who want a classic, smooth-sipping experience.

A bold whisky with aromas of light caramel and wood. A smoky finish with hints of maple and buttered corn

What Gary Says:
Nose: Corn bread w/ a bit off drizzled honey, slight medicinal note (iodine?)
Palate: Sweet corn chowder, very soft and creamy, smooth
Finish: Short and sweet.
Comments: If you’re doing a Dickel tasting, definitely start with this (I did it backwards, trying the No 12 first and then the No 8). Both are quite similar, and this reminds me even more of a corn whiskey than what I’ve come to expect as Tennessee whiskey. Basically a younger, lower proof version of the 12. I can’t even refer to this as a “gateway whiskey” for those looking to move from corn to Tennessee whiskey or bourbon, as it doesn’t move far enough out of the “corn” quadrant to count. While it isn’t in my wheelhouse, those who like corn whiskey and a very smooth, easy to drink pour should at least invest $1 or so in a 50 mL of this and see what you think.
Rating: Average

What Richard Says:
Nose: A little bland and uninspired. More closely resembles corn whiskey or new make than an aged product.
Palate: Creamy and sweet with a hint of Luden’s cough drops. It’s not inspiring but it defines the overused adjective “smooth”. You could drink this all day if it didn’t leave you on the floor.
Finish: I’m left with a short finish that has hints of wood, pine straw and chalk.
Comments: I’m not a huge Dickel fan per se. I respect it as a good alternative to Jack Daniels but beyond that in the greater spectrum of bourbon and American whiskey it is just too smooth and easy drinking. It doesn’t have a lot of stand out flavor and there is nothing that makes me want to come back for me. There is nothing off putting either but it’s just bland. This is kind of a whiskey for those that don’t like whiskey.
Rating: Average

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Jim Beam Signature Craft 12 Year Old

/ / Bourbon, Review / ,

Jim Beam Signature Craft 12 Year Old Small Batch Bourbon Whiskey
43% ABV
$35-40
Website
297220
What the Distillery Says:
Introducing the Jim Beam Signature Craft 12 Year. Our hand crafted bourbon is made from the finest ingredients available to our master distillers, and carries notes of caramel, deep vanilla and oak. Never compromised, this spirit should be savored neat or on the rocks.

What Gary Says:
Nose: Musty oak with cinnamon and vanilla; a hint of grapefruit; sugar cookies.
Palate: Rich mouthfeel, with hints of barrel char. Caramel and black cherry in vanilla ice cream.
Finish: Medium to long, with a bit of a woody note but nice overall.
Comments: So far this has been my favorite of the Signature Craft Series by Jim Beam. I think 12 yrs old is right about the sweet spot for my palate where the wood isn’t overpowering. I would love to taste this at a higher proof, but that’s just me. Contrast this with other 12 yr old bourbons (like Elijah Craig 12 yr), and the wood influences seems muted by comparison, but I think it is well done.
Rating: Must Try

What Richard Says:
Nose: Cinnamon, stewed cherries, vanilla cream sauce, and tart citrus notes.
Palate: Underflavored? I guess that’s best way to describe it. The nose is very appetizing but in the mouth it’s kind of blah. Caramel and oak predominate.
Finish: Woody but also kind of blah.
Comments: This one is a bit of a downward spiral. The nose has so much promise, the palate less so, and the finish even less. It’s a clear step up from the Jim Beam White and Black labels but still not terribly impressive. At around $40 you might be able to find a bottle of Baker’s (also made by Beam) if you look hard enough. That would be a much better option.
Rating: Average

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Ardbeg Galileo

/ / Islay, Review, Scottish Whisky /

Ardbeg Galileo Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky
49% ABV
$95
Website
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What the Distillery Says:
Ardbeg has always been right up there, having been voted Best Scotch Whisky in the World three times on the bounce. But in October 2011 Ardbeg-crafted molecules went one giant leap further…out of this world and into orbit. On Earth we created Ardbeg Galileo – a celebration of Ardbeg’s first ever experiment in space.

Nose Cone: Spicy toffee, tropical fruits and a puff of soot.
Taste: Salty, yet sweet with cream and a burst of smoking apricots.
Finish: Long, lingering and serene.

What Richard Says:
Nose: Pleasant. It’s a little more floral and herbal than other Ardbegs. There are nice bits of vanilla and fruit playing in the background with the sooty bits.
Palate: The Marsala and bourbon casks used for this give it a nice sweetness that plays with the maltiness and some pleasant fruity notes.
Finish: Chloroseptic throat spray. Yuck!
Comments: Oh my god this finishes bad. Others have said it’s the interplay of peat and fortified wine casks but whatever it is it’s nasty. With this being around $100 at the time of release and well over that now I would definitely try before you buy. You might even want to just avoid it all together.
Rating: Average

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Ardbeg Auriverdes

/ / Islay, Review, Scottish Whisky /

Ardbeg Auriverdes Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky
49.9% ABV
$100
Website
AA-Ardbeg
What the Distillery Says:
Ardbeg Distillery Releases Limited Edition “Auriverdes” – Limited Edition whisky will be released on Ardbeg Day – May 31st 2014

(MARCH 28, 2014) Ardbeg, four-time winner of the World’s Best Scotch Whisky award – is announcing the launch of its 2014 Limited Edition Ardbeg Auriverdes. The new Ardbeg will launch globally on May 31st, as part of “Ardbeg Day”- the distillery’s annual celebration of all things Ardbeg.
“Auriverde” a Portuguese term, is the combination of auri (meaning “golden”) and verde (meaning “green”) – the colors found in the iconic Ardbeg bottle, as well as the Brazilian Flag and a reflection of the “Ardbeg Day” salute to the 2014 World Cup.

Ardbeg Auriverdes has been matured in American oak casks, with specially toasted lids that were tailor-made for this formula. The toasting technique has given the whisky a unique flavour profile, producing a mocha coffee flavour at one end and flowing into creamy vanilla at the other – truly a dram of two halves.

Ardbeg Auriverdes follows the highly acclaimed, Limited Edition Ardbeg Galileo, which scooped the ‘World’s Best Single Malt’ at the World Whisky Awards 2013. Ardbeg Auriverdes is bottled at 49.9% ABV and will be available for U.S. purchase at select embassy liquor stores ($99.99). For an embassy liquor store locater, please visit www.ardbeg.com .

Dr Bill Lumsden, Director of Distillation and Whisky Creation, explains:
“When creating Auriverdes, I had a distinct flavour profile in mind that I wanted to achieve, so I specifically created the heart of the recipe to bring that to life. It is a unique expression of Ardbeg which has exceeded all my expectations. It has the trademark Ardbeg undertones with a distinct new taste experience and an explosive mouthfeel which gives way to complex flavours of coffee grounds, liquorice, maple smoked ham, malty/biscuit notes, white pepper and a good sweet/salty balance.”

He continues:
“We love to experiment and try new things at Ardbeg and we are in no doubt that Auriverdes will be a hit with our Ardbeg fans on Ardbeg Day!”

“Ardbeg Day” runs alongside the widely celebrated Islay Festival (the Feis Ile). It has become a key event in the calendar of malt whisky aficionados around the world, with thousands making the trip to the Island of Islay annually. “Ardbeg Day” will be celebrated in the form of a “Peat Football” tournament on May 31st at the Ardbeg Distillery and at participating Ardbeg Embassies around the world.

Ardbeg Auriverdes Taste Notes
Aroma: Tarry and herbal notes with hints of mocha
Taste: Coffee grounds pass to smoked root vegetables, while maple-cured bacon collides with hot-smoked salmon
Finish: A lingering, smoky vanilla note

What Richard Says:
Nose: Briney capers over salted cod. As it opens up in the glass the sea settles and more vegetal peat notes come through. If you leave it sitting still longer it’s more of a thick dutch processed cocoa powder type of nose. It’s very intriguing how dynamic and evolving the nose on this one is.
Palate: There is a surprising play of chocolate and vanilla here with a bit of citrus back to it. The smokiness is here but less prevalent than the nose but it’s an almost greasy smokiness.
Finish: Smoky yet creamy. It fades with a hot spiciness that isn’t all together unpleasant. Give it more time to clear the palate though and a nasty kind of marmite like flavor comes out.
Comments: Wow. This is the one they should have called “rollercoaster”. This is the amazing, ever evolving dram. The more time you give it seems to yield the shedding and exposure of more layers of flavor. This definitely an intellectual dram (which unfortunately most of Dr. Lumsden’s limited release seem to be as of late) but not something I would be reaching for again anytime soon.
Rating: Average

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