Must Try

Jameson Caskmates Revolution Brewing Limited Edition

/ / Irish Whiskey, Review / ,

Jameson Caskmates Revolution Brewing Limited Edition

40% ABV
$30
Website
Jameson Caskmates Revolution Brewing Limited Edition
We would like to thank Jameson and Ketchum for sending us a sample to review.

What the Distillery Says

Jameson Irish Whiskey heightens their collaboration with local Chicago tastemaker, Revolution Brewing, with the release of Jameson Caskmates Revolution Brewing Limited Edition. This latest Caskmates Edition was conceived when Revolution Brewing travelled to Ireland to brew their signature beer, Fist City Pale Ale, to season Jameson casks. The Jameson Blenders used these beer-seasoned casks to create Jameson Caskmates Revolution Brewing Limited edition, pairing together each liquid’s unique flavor – the smooth taste of Jameson with the signature characteristics of Revolution Brewing’s Fist City Pale Ale.

Jameson Caskmates Revolution Brewing Limited Edition is best enjoyed neat or on the rocks alongside Revolution Brewing’s Fist City Pale Ale.

Nose: Delicate fruits, grapefruit and lingering sweet notes
Taste: Full bodied and smooth with hints of both hops and vanilla
Finish: Spice character and hops fade slowly into lingering fruit notes and toasted oak

What Gary Says

Nose:  Some citrus zip right off the bat, grapefruit, clove, orange bitters, subtle honey with brighter herbal notes.
Palate:  Citrus spice with vanilla and honey; fruit that is more citrus than orchard, some tangerines along with grapefruit but a bit of pear sneaks in, just a touch of pepper in the back.
Comments:  Like the Jameson Caskmates Bale Breaker Topcutter IPA Limited Edition, I tasted this side by side with Jameson Irish Whiskey (as well as some other Caskmates vintages) for comparative purposes. My first thought when sipping this one was “Damn, this is almost rye-whiskey like!” which is a compliment. No dill, but the citrus edge this has definitely had my brain thinking about rye. This has quite a bit more citrus and edge to it than the Jameson Caskmates Bale Breaker, and while not a beer drinker – I really liked this one (maybe because of the echos of rye). Both of these definitely take that smooth, sweet Jameson and give it a blue-collar edge that I think fans of both will enjoy. And if you like rye whiskey – I’d put this in the ‘Must Try’ category for the experience.

Rating: Stands Out/Must Try

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The Macallan Rare Cask

/ / Review, Scottish Whisky, Speyside / ,

The Macallan Rare Cask
Highland Single Malt Whisky

43% ABV
$270 – $300
Website
Macallan Rare Cask
We would like to thank Paul (check out his reviews here, or on Dapper Drams) for sending us a sample to review.

What the Distillery Says

ULTIMATE SELECTION
Rare Cask combines knowledge, skill, passion, commitment and creativity to create a remarkable whisky worthy of its name.

Crafted to showcase complexity and depth, Rare Cask is drawn from the broadest spectrum of casks used in maturation on The Macallan Estate. Hand-picked by our whisky making team, the combination of sherry seasoned American and European oak casks – a high proportion of them first fill – deliver an exquisite and unmistakably woody whisky with a rich hue.

Incomparable access to the most extensive range of cooperages in Spain gives us some of the finest and scarcest casks to choose from to create Rare Cask, which results in a diversity in the finished whisky unlike other Macallan expression. It is the role of the whisky making team to get to know each and every cask in detail, from how it interacts with the spirit to the spectrum of colours it imparts. This relationship between cask and craftsman, spirit and skill, ultimately give us Rare Cask.

With rarity at its core, this is a whisky that will slightly differ in makeup from bottling to bottling; with some casks so rare they will never be used again in any other Macallan. Far less than 1% of casks maturing at the distillery have been identified as fitting to bestow the Rare Cask name – and enable the creation of this multifaceted single malt.

Taking inspiration from The Macallan’s iconic triangle and designed to celebrate its natural color, Rare Cask is presented in a sculpted, heavy glass decanter.

THE EXPERIENCE
COLOUR: Ruby Red.
NOSE: Soft notes of opulent vanilla and raisin give way to a sweet ensemble of apple, lemon, and orange. All balanced by a spicy quartet of root ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg and clove.
PALATE: This spicy quartet are unwavering. Oak resonates, timeless, polished and rich. Vanilla and chocolate lead the finale along with a light citrus zest.
FINISH: Warming and woody.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Rich and thick, full of raisins and plums, balsamic with brown sugar, subtle smoke amongst old leather furniture, and a hint of a musky, vegetal note.
Palate:  Creamy velvety mouthfeel, intense fruit – raisins, apricots, a hint of orange, oak, milk chocolate with bits of nutmeg.
Finish:  Moderately long, drying with oak tannins and a citrus zest; leaning towards lemon from orange; with trailing pepper spice.
Comments:  This has a lovely dark color, and at first blush reminds me of Macallan Cask Strength (which is a huge compliment!) It isn’t quite that level of intensity, but it is a lovely dram, rich with fruit and quite intense for 43% ABV. This would be a solid ‘Must Try’ other than the price point, which is a bit steep for me. There isn’t anything wrong with this dram, and I wouldn’t necessarily have buyers remorse had I bought a bottle – but there are other Macallan whiskies around $100 that I like nearly as much. That said – if you’ve got the budget and are a fan of Macallan, I’d lean towards the ‘Must Try’ spectrum.

Rating: Must Try/Stands Out

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The Macallan Edition No. 3

/ / Review, Scottish Whisky, Speyside /

The Macallan Edition No. 3
C6.V523.T23.2017-003

48.3% ABV
$100-$110
Website
The Macallan Edition 3

What the Distillery Says

A DYNAMIC AND ORIGINAL COLLABORATION
Inspiration and innovation lie at the heart of The Macallan and nowhere is this more evident than in The Edition Series. Edition No. 3 brings to life the flavor experience of The Macallan through aroma, calling on Master Perfumer Roja Dove’s remarkable sensory knowledge and expert sense of smell to create the third unique expression in the series. Borne of two art forms, Edition No. 3 unites the worlds of whisky and aroma to reveal the complexities of single malt character and the power of the senses in creating and experiencing The Macallan. When we experience and enjoy whisky, the power of aroma is unquestionable – and it is this power that makes the approach to Edition No. 3 truly mesmerizing.

Roja brought his skill to the distillery and the creative process, nosing a range of whisky samples to provide his thoughts and interpretation of the character and aromas he encountered. Roja’s articulation of aromas was then used in the whisky’s creation to select dominant notes that shape the final character of Edition No.3. Drawn from a combination of European and American oak casks, Edition No.3 is sweet and fruity in character, balancing the heavier base recognisable in our single malts with citrus, vanilla, florals and fresh cut oak.

THE EXPERIENCE
COLOUR: Barley Gold.
NOSE: Reminiscent of a fine fragrance with vanilla ice cream, fresh cut oak and delicate florals. Orange oil provides subtle grandeur while ginger, cinnamon and nutmeg flit in and out. Vanilla imparts sweetness with citrus fruits at the fore before allowing chocolate to come through. Burnished oak delivers a soft ending.
PALATE: Sweet fruit, vanilla and rich fruit cake with hints of apricot, pear and crisp green apple. Ginger and cinnamon are balanced with a light resinous oak finale.
FINISH: Long, sweet and fruity, leaving a lasting impression on the senses.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Stewed dark fruit – raisins, plums and some orange zest; notes of balsamic and hazelnuts, milk chocolate, hints of leather, fall leaves, spent matches, and floral notes.
Palate:  Rich, viscous mouthfeel, sweet raisin bread with vanilla creme icing, mixed fruit – peaches, pears – a kick of cinnamon spice with nutmeg, a touch of ginger, and a hint of tangerines.
Finish:  Long, drying with cinnamon apples and citrus undertones.
Comments:  Damn this is delicious! A lovely mouthfeel, well balanced, sweet but a nice spice kick. In the same price range as Macallan Classic Cut, I prefer this over that by a fair margin. This is lighter in color than some of the other Macallan’s, but the flavor density is quite solid for the price.

Rating: Must Try

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The Macallan Gold

/ / Review, Scottish Whisky, Speyside / ,

The Macallan Gold
Single Malt Scotch Whisky

40% ABV
$50
Website
Macallan Gold

What the Distillery Says

-The 1824 Series-
The Macallan Gold forms part of The 1824 Series which exemplifies our commitment to 100% natural colour, present in each and every Macallan single malt. The colour of each expression becomes richer as the range progresses and its flavours more intense.

THE EXPERIENCE
COLOUR: Burnished gold.
NOSE: Lemon citrus, then orange peel and an interlacing sweetness that softens but doesn’t eliminate the zest. A quiet note of vanilla is followed by dark chocolate with lingering floral and light oak notes.
PALATE: Citrus and boiled sweets rule the palate, along with hints of ginger and cinnamon, while soft oak tones reveal toasted apples.
FINISH: Medium sweet, malty and slightly dry.

NOTE: Reborn as The Macallan Double Cask Gold as of April 2018, The Macallan Gold (part of The 1824 Series) is embodied in a new look range; offering the same unique whisky with a new name, new bottle and bold new packaging.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Rich, musky stewed peaches atop lemon meringue pie, notes of honey with caramel, subtle baking spices and floral notes.
Palate:  Creamy mouthfeel with a rich sweetness of vanilla, honey, cooked peaches, chocolate orange, subtle caramel and cinnamon.
Finish:  Short to moderate in length, with hints of salted caramel.
Comments:  Tasting this at the same time as the Macallan Fine Oak 12 Yr, I liked this quite a bit more. The color is a bit deeper, and this had a richness and depth of flavor that I really enjoyed. Not being familiar with it, I assumed this was the more expensive of the two – so imagine my surprise when I compiled my notes for this review. At this price point, I’d consider this a ‘Must Try’ for fans of Macallan (and if you’re not, it definitely stands out as a solid single malt).

Rating: Must Try/Stands Out

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Compass Box Affinity

/ / Other Spirits, Review, Scottish Whisky /

Compass Box Affinity
A Blend of Scotch Whisky & Calvados

46% ABV
$125 – $150
Website
Compass Box Affinity

What the Blender Says

Classic flavours emerge from an unexpected kinship.
Sometimes in life there are two things with a shared nature, a kinship. They are somehow meant to be together, despite apparent differences. Such is the case, we believe, with Scotch whisky and Calvados.

Scotland and Normandy are both northern European; they share a cool, maritime climate. While one grows principally cereals, and the other is known for its apples, these agricultural products have a long history of usage together, especially in baking. We saw an opportunity for a new collaboration.

We have been blending Calvados with Scotch whisky at home and in our blending room for years. The flavour combination is classic: apples and spice riffing off dried fruits and vanilla. When we were able to source Calvados of the right quality, and in enough quantities, we decided to share our private experiments with the world.

Orchard fruit notes are common to both Calvados and Scotch malt whisky. Many Calvados producers double-distil in pot stills, just like their Scottish cousins. Maturation in French oak is another aspect of their shared DNA.

These two spirits share richness, sweetness and complexity; the Calvados lends an intensity and length to the finish which enhances the character of the Scotch whiskies.

Serve over ice, mix with amari and vermouth into a unique twist on a boulevardier, or pair with a deliciously sweet tarte tatin. We think you’ll agree that these two spirits really do have an affinity for one another.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Spiced baked apples with honey, heather just off the sea coast, subtle note of banana, a winey note that hints at apple cider vinegar.
Palate:  Creamy mouthfeel, apple wine with pears, vanilla, baking spices, hints of almonds and walnuts with a bit of pepper spice.
Finish:  Long, rich with a nutty pepper spice.
Comments:  The second limited edition ‘non-whisky’ from Compass Box recently – although if given it in a blind tasting, I might have guessed it as whisk(e)y finished in apple wine casks. It isn’t ‘un-whisk(e)y-like’ to me anyways, despite 37.5% of the blend being Calvados, which is an apple and/or pear brandy from Normandy in France. Whisky or not, it is definitely delicious, and dangerously drinkable.

Rating: Must Try

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