Average

Jameson Signature Reserve

/ / Irish Whiskey, Review /

Jameson Signature Reserve Irish Whiskey

40% ABV/80 Proof
$45-$55/Liter
Website

What the Distiller Says

What’s in a Signature? Well, over the centuries the Jameson signature has been recognised as a stamp of authenticity and assured quality, and has played its part in building Jameson’s worldwide reputation. Long before distilleries began bottling their own whiskey, Jameson insisted that their own labels, each bearing the John Jameson & Son signature, accompany every delivery of casks to the whiskey bonders. And so it was that the Jameson signature became synonymous with the characteristic taste and superb quality of Jameson.

Jameson Signature Reserve celebrates this fine tradition, with its high pot still content and a significant taste contribution from oloroso sherry casks. Aged in the best quality American bourbon barrels and Spanish oloroso sherry casks, this is a whiskey as sophisticated as it is well-balanced.

Available when you are on your travels in airport shopping outlets only, this Jameson family member is sure to become a favorite for people on the move.
Tasting characteristics

NOSE – Sweet, floral, light perfume notes are followed by underlying spice. Some nuttiness, apples and dried fruits.
TASTE – Initial impression is a mouth coating of heather honey sweetness. This is closely followed by the some smooth spicy notes. Additional complexity is added with cedar wood and vanilla notes from the American Oak. There is a touch of citrus and rich dried fruits.
FINISH – A long, warm, sweet finish.

What Richard Says:

Nose: Apples, pears, southern ambrosia lay the groundwork then are followed by a light sherry character.
Palate: Sweetness reminiscent of orange blossom honey flowing into classic Jameson with a little extra sherry kick.
Finish: There is more oak than usual for Jameson. It mellows into fresh straw and apple extract.
Comments: I would not consider this a “better” Jameson. Rather, it’s like a riff on the Jameson foundation. The Jameson songbook played in a different key. I picked up three new Jamesons on my travels to Ireland and this is my least favorite of the three. Their website still says this is travel retail only but you can also get it at The Whisky Exchange and The Celtic Whiskey Shop.

Rating: Average

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Bushmills Single Malt Irish Whiskey Aged 10 Years

/ / Irish Whiskey, Review / ,

Bushmills 10 Year
Single Malt Irish Whiskey

Matured in Two Woods

40% ABV/80 Proof
$40 to $50
Website

What the Distillery Says:
Triple distilled from 100% malted barely and matured for a minimum of 10 years mainly in Bourbon-seasoned barrels, it has aromas of honey, vanilla and milk chocolate.

Nose: Fresh and zesty. Honey, ripe fruit.
Palate: Soft. Vanilla, milk chocolate and toasted wood.
Finish: Crisp and clean, gentle drying.

What Richard Says

Nose: This one is light and floral. There is also an odd mix of grass and cocoa. It’s a little like splashing Hershey’s cocoa powder on your face while cutting the lawn.
Palate: It’s kind of light and spicy with a backing sherry note. There is also something that tastes slightly burnt.
Finish: Delicate, smooth, and slightly creamy with a little oak at the end.
Comments: This is one of those whiskeys where I think it’s me not them. I know Bushmills didn’t change. I changed. I used to like this one a lot more than I do now. It’s not bad. It’s easily drinkable and not terribly expensive if you can find it around $40. I’ve just come to expect a little more from my whiskey than this one brings to table.

Rating: Average

 

What Gary Says

Nose:  Subtle, floral with honey suckle, milk chocolate, a hint of apples.
Palate:  Subtle sweet with malt, honey, vanilla, a hint of fruit.
Finish:  Moderate in length, damp with honey and vanilla.
Comments:  A very gentle and delicate single malt. Nothing objectionable, but nothing that has me wanting to pour another. I’ll bet I’d like this a lot more at a higher ABV, but wishes and nuts as they say.

Rating: Average/Stands Out

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Macallan 10 Year

/ / Review, Scottish Whisky, Speyside /

The Macallan Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky 10 Year Old
40% ABV/80 Proof
$40 (this bottling is not available in the U.S.)
Website

What the Distillery Says:
The Macallan Sherry Oak is exclusively matured for a minimum of 10 years in Spanish oak casks, handcrafted and sherry seasoned in Jerez, Spain. This delivers a classic Macallan style, wonderfully rich in colour with dried fruits, spice, and chocolate orange

Nose: A hint of sweet toffee balanced with dried fruits and sherry
Palate: Smooth, with dried fruits, sherry sweetness, and wood smoke
Finish: Dried fruits, with sweet toffee and a hint of wood spice

What Richard Says:
Nose: A bit of sherry but more subdued (as expected) compared to it’s stablemates. Also, there is a lot of black tea and heavy cream.
Palate: Just as cream as the Fine Oak but not as sweet. There is a lot of sherry and some butter cookies too.
Finish: Very long. Compared to the Fine Oak this finish goes on forever. It’s very malty and bread like with a good bit of oak and spice.
Comments: This entry level Macallan expression isn’t available in the United States. Our ranges starts with the 12 year old. Why? I don’t know. It’s pleasant enough but at pricing similar to the 12 Year Old I’d suggest picking that one up instead.
Rating: Average

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Macallan 10 Year Fine Oak

/ / Review, Scottish Whisky, Speyside /

The Macallan Fine Oak Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky 10 Years Old
40% ABV/80 Proof
$40
Website

What the Distillery Says:
This legendary Single Malt is Triple Cask Matured for a minimum of 10 years in a unique, complex combination of Exceptional Oak Cask; Spanish oak casks seasoned with sherry, American oak casks seasoned with sherry, and American oak casks seasoned with bourbon. This Triple Cask Matured combination delivers and extraordinarily smooth, delicate yet complex Single Malt.

Nose: Complex, with a hint of fruit and heather honey
Palate: Soft and malty, balanced with oak and fruit
Finish: Lingering with hints of oak and fruit

What Richard Says:
Nose: Grassy, yeasty, and lightly sweet like fresh baked yeast rolls. There is also a treacle-like sweet/savory play going on.
Palate: Fruity sweet with a delicate creaminess.
Finish: The finish on this dram feels very disconnected from the nose and palate. It’s very dry with a good bit of woody spice.
Comments: There was a lot of flack given to Macallan when they released their Fine Oak range several years ago but I find it equally enjoyable. I personally prefer the classic sherry Macallan but I enjoy these drams too. This entry level offering is a nice aperitif whisky to have before dinner. I wish the finish was a little more cohesive but it’s a fine dram in it’s own right.
Rating: Average

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Michter’s Small Batch Bourbon

/ / Bourbon, Review /

Michter’s Small Batch Bourbon Whiskey
Batch No 11-159
45.7%/91.4 Proof
$35 to $40
Website

What the Distillery Says:
US*1 Small Batch Bourbon
We are proud to offer you our Small Batch Bourbon. In the Michter’s tradition hailing from America’s first whiskey distilling company, this bourbon is made from a proprietary mashbill that features the highest quality American corn and is then matured to the peak of perfection. It is then mellowed by our signature filtration.

What Richard Says:
Nose: Out of the bottle I get vanilla beans, caramel, and uncooked cornmeal. With a little water it opens up to notes of cherries and a Halls cough drop kind of menthol.
Palate: On the palate this bourbon is pleasantly sweet but not as sweet as the nose. It’s a little like Breyer’s Vanilla Bean Ice Cream. Behind that it reminds me a little more of a corn whiskey than a bourbon.
Finish: Like their American Whiskey the finish is a little too hot. It’s only a 4+ year old so that might be expected. It’s a little like wetting a black peppercorn, rolling it in cayenne, and sucking on it. Obviously, a little water mellow it out but in general the finish is a little bland. Oak and spice are a little too boiler plate in a bourbon finish. Also, with water I’m left with a slightly medicinal flavor going back to the menthol that I’m not a fan of.
Comments: I find this bottle a little too average. It’s nice enough for a bourbon in its age range but better can be had for cheaper. I’d probably give it an “average +” rating if we had a more complex rating system.
Rating: Average

I would like to thank Emily with Chatham Imports for sending over a bottle for review. They were also nice enough to send over some recipes with their fine products.

Patsy’s Bourbon Balls

1 cup chopped pecans
6 tbsp. Michter’s US*1 Bourbon
½ stick butter
3¾ cups confectioners’ sugar
16 oz. dark chocolate chips

Soak pecans in Michter’s US*1 Bourbon in an airtight container for four days. Flip after the first two days to fully coat the pecans. The pecans should absorb all of the Michter’s US*1 Bourbon. Mix butter, sugar, and pecans. Roll into 1-inch balls and refrigerate overnight. Pour dark chocolate chips into microwave-safe bowl and microwave for about 2½ minutes. Remove chocolate every minute and stir. Dip refrigerated balls into the melted dark chocolate. Place the chocolate-covered bourbon balls in an airtight container and place in freezer until set (just a few minutes). Store in a cool place.

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