Average

Isle of Arran Devil’s Punch Bowl

/ / Island, Review, Scottish Whisky /

The Isle of Arran Devil’s Punch Bowl Single Malt Scotch Whisky
52.3% ABV
$100 to $110
Website
The Isle of Arran Devil's Punch Bowl Single Malt Scotch Whisky
What the Distillery Says:
The Devil’s Punch Bowl Chapter No.01

“I have selected the casks for the Devil’s Punch Bowl with a view to creating a special release of The Arran Malt where the sum is even greater than the wonderful parts. The Sherry Butts act like the rhythm section of a band; setting the tone and driving the character of the malt. Deep in colour and rich on the palate these casks are the heartbeat of this whisky. The 1996 Bourbon Barrels add a wonderful honeyed sweetness to proceedings whilst the Sherry Hogsheads imbue a perfect harmony of aroma and flavour. As a unique twist I have added some of our 2006 Peated Arran, in combination with regular un-peated Arran for the very first time, giving the finish a subtle smoky edge. They say the Devil has all the best tunes but here he has the perfect whisky too”.

– James MaTaggart (Master Distiller)

Devil’s Punch Bowl

The Devil’s Punch Bowl is a limited edition expression of The Arran Single Malt inspired by the glacial hollow Coire na Ciche whose sinister presence dominates the north-east coast of Arran. Our Master Distiller, James ‘Lucifer’ MacTaggart, has been to hell and back to select only the finest casks for this demonic masterpiece. Each cask has been chosen to contribute a specific characteristic and through the dark art of blending these whiskies have conspired to create an elixir of exceptional complexity and finesse.

Bottled at natural strength and without chill-filtration, The Devil’s Punch Bowl is a testimony to the consistent superior quality of The Arran Malt across each year of production. For your elucidation the numbers of every cask, hand-picked for this bottling, have been listed on the inside of this box. Dare to meet the devil and savour the astonishing array of aromas and flavours on display.

• Multi-Vintage release of The Arran Malt
• Named after a stunning landmark on the Isle of Arran
• Limited Edition of 6,660 Bottles Worldwide
• Bottled at Natural Cask Strength 52.3%
• Unique vatting of 24 Arran casks – Full details (Cask Number, Year of Distillation & Cask Type) printed on the inside lid of the gift box
• Based around stunning 1996 Sherry Butts
• Includes 2006 Peated Arran Barrels
• First-ever combination of peated & un-peated Arran
• Non Chill Filtered & No artificial colouring

What Richard Says:
Nose: Out of the bottle it’s sherry, heather, and herbal notes but it is also hard to get much else through the alcohol. With some water you get fruitier notes of under ripe Bartlett pears and over ripe grapes.
Palate: Clean and mildly oaked. Water mellows it even further. It’s a light, crisp dram with a little spicy woody note that carriers into the finish.
Finish: The finish dries quickly leaving raw oak and burnt simple syrup. As the dryness fades it gets bitter like Warheads candies. Water makes it finish a little spicier and reminds me more of extra aged air dried oak staves.
Comments: In a word…underwhelming. There’s nothing wrong with this dram. It’s pleasant to drink. I was just hoping for more (especially at $100+ a bottle for NAS whisky) and I’m not finding it.
Rating: Average

I would like to thank the U.S. Distributors and P.R. for Isle of Arran for providing me with a review sample.

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SMSWA Cask 39.83

/ / Review, Scottish Whisky, SMWSA Whiskies /

SMWSA Cask No. 39.83
Highlands, Speyside (Lossie)
53.9% ABV
Distilled October 1982
$180
US Allocation: 120 Bottles
Late August 2012 Outturn Release

What the SMWSA Says:
The inviting nose was intensely floral (chrysanthemums, dahlias, elderflower, pot-pourri) but an array of other aromas (mocha, almond cakes, Crunchie bars, painted wood, blueberry bubblegum) suggested a coffee shop and book shop combination. The palate was rich and warm, giving thick heather honey, sweet coconut, Sunday roast, flower salad and varnished wood – we were bowled over. The reduced nose continued beautifully perfumed with the coconut of gorse flowers and sweet and sour Peking duck. The reduced palate became yummy and mouth-watering, with vanilla, meadowsweet and perfumed elderflower champagne. The distillery, dating from 1824, sits on the eastern edge of Elgin.

Drinking tip: To share with best friends.

What Richard Says:
Nose: Floral with almond scented Italian shaving soaps. The floral notes really need water to open up. There is also something that reminds me of chewy candy.
Palate: Creamy mouth feel with a light honey sweetness. Water brings out a weird varnish note and make it very peppery.
Finish: Out of the barrel the finish is clean and fading. With water it’s bitter and peppery.
Comments: There is a lot here to like. I’m just not fond of how it fits together. There is a distinct lack of balance. It’s a nice Miltonduff but not anything special.
Rating: Average

Review sample provided courtesy of the SMWSA and is available to society members through their website or 800.990.1991.

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SMWSA Cask No. 7.69

/ / Review, Scottish Whisky, SMWSA Whiskies /

SMWSA Cask No. 7.69
Highlands, Speyside (Lossie)
61.6% ABV
Distilled May 2003
$85
US Allocation: 150 Bottles
Early August 2012 Outturn Release

What the SMWSA Says:
The enticing nose – ‘attractive as apple pie’ – offered maple syrup, toffee, vanilla, Danish pastries (with cinnamon and almonds) and hints of tobacco and hay. Even with water, it remained beautifully warm and inviting – ice-cream, toffee apples, fudge and jasmine perfume. The palate was hot but smooth – flavors of honey, apple, and butterscotch, spiked up by a zing of Fentimans Victorian lemonade with ginger; some tobacco and leather tannic dryness lengthened the finish. Water seemed to allow the toffee and syrup sweetness to come through, while retaining the chilli, peppercorn heat. The distillery has links to one Saint and many sinners.

Drinking tip: Would suit early evening – but is very versatile.

What Richard Says:
Nose: Cherry ice cream, apple turnovers, cinnamon, and black peppercorn. Oak, vanilla, and oranges play a minor supporting role.
Palate: The dry chardonnay of single malts? The palate is very clean. Almost too clean. The flavors try to bob and weave away from you. It reminds me of a well aged cigar in a leather furnished men’s club lounge.
Finish: The finish is where the dryness really gets you. It’s been a while since a whisky made me thirsty just drinking it. Hints of Pernod linger before everything fades.
Comments: Another pleasing yet somewhat shy malt. This is a nice aperitif or palate cleanser at the end of a meal. The nose was my favorite part but the rest left me a little wanting. Maybe this one is still needs to grow up a little.
Rating: Average

Review sample provided courtesy of the SMWSA and is available to society members through their website or 800.990.1991.

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SMWSA Cask No. 24.122

/ / Review, Scottish Whisky, SMWSA Whiskies /

SMWSA Cask No. 24.122
Highlands, Speyside
53.0% ABV
Distilled September 1995
$120
US Allocation: 120 Bottles
Early August 2012 Outturn Release

What the SMWSA Says:
The satisfyingly fragrant nose offered dried pear, green apple, fruits in syrup, scented soap, light Pernod, vanilla, caramel and dark chocolate gingers; also hints of smoke (from burning paper). The palate conveyed ample sweetness (amaretti biscuits, honey, bourbon creams) but also some quite ‘grown up’ flavours – cinnamon, clove, star anise, chilli, salt, menthol and gunpowder. The nose was much lighter with water – jasmine, daffodil and floral soap, alongside poached pear, creamy dragon fruit, plantains and tree bark. The reduced palate was sweetly fruity, with pleasant lingering Christmassy spices, carrot cake and Rooibos tea. The distillery lies between Aberlour and Craigellachie.

Drinking tip: A perfectly reasonable alternative to afternoon tea.

What Richard Says:
Nose: Dried fruit, vanilla, fennel seed, cherry, oak, cinnamon, and a mild sulfur note.
Palate: It’s orange zest sweet and light. It kind of reminds me of black tea a bit.
Finish: The finish is mildly woody with helpings of dried straw.
Comments: A very nice and pleasant dram but nothing I would call extraordinary. It’s a fine dram to share in mixed whisky company as it won’t offend anyone but they aren’t going to be dying to know what it is either.
Rating: Average

Review sample provided courtesy of the SMWSA and is available to society members through their website or 800.990.1991.

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Jameson Distillery Reserve

/ / Irish Whiskey, Review /

Jameson Old Irish Whiskey
The Old Jameson Distilery Reserve, Aged 12 Years

40% ABV/80 Proof
$50 to $55 depending on exchange rate
Only available at The Old Jameson Distillery in Dublin or The Old Midleton Distillery in Cork

What the Distillery Says:

John Jameson would be justly proud of this exclusive Distillery Reserve Whiskey that commemorates his famous Old Dublin Distillery.

What Richard Says:

Nose: There are little wisps of sulfur right out of the bottle but they fade quickly after pouring. From there it transitions into honey, cream, fresh cut grass, and pine cones.
Palate: Creamy with lots of butterscotch and dried straw. There’s also something in there that reminds me of honey drizzled unripened pears.
Finish: The finish here is surprisingly woody. It’s also a little hotter than I expected. Deep into the finish there’s an aftertaste reminiscent of canned pineapple juice. I’m talking about the cheap stuff they use to make pina coladas with in San Juan.
Comments: I’m a little underwhelmed with this. I wanted something more or something special. What this really tastes like is an older version of standard Jameson. For the money I would tell you to pick up the Special Reserve if you want a 12 year old Jameson. I guess the Distillery Reserve is “special” if you get a bottle personalized at the distillery but then again you have to pay extra for that.

Rating: Average

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