Must Try

Ardbeg Dark Cove

/ / Islay, Review, Scottish Whisky /

Ardbeg Dark Cove Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky
46.5% ABV
$109.99
Website
Ardbeg Dark Cove
What the Distillery Says:
THE UNTAMED SPIRIT OF ISLAY
If you stand on the rocky headland behind Ardbeg Distillery today, it’s hard to believe this idyllic spot has a turbulent and murky past. For Ardbeg was once a notorious hideout for smugglers, who plied their trade within its hidden caves and secret beaches. Dark tales abound of ill-gotten gains, daring deeds and narrow escapes from the island’s excise men, until finally a raid was made, the dens destroyed and the gang scattered. Shortly afterwards, John McDougall founded Ardbeg Distillery on the site of their nefarious operations. From that dark past came the greatest legend of all…
THE DARKEST ARDBEG EVER
Inspired by our dark past, Ardbeg Dark Cove is a clandestine meeting of whisky matured in ex-Bourbon casks and a heart matured in dark sherry casks. So, take this year’s Limited Edition and hide it well. For it is Ardbeg’s darkest spirit ever.

TASTING NOTES:
COLOR: The darkest Ardbeg ever.
NOSE: At first meaty, earthy and spicy. Bold notes of dark chocolate emerge against orange, rich treacle toffee, coffee and oak. Wafts of a distant, smoky bonfire in the background, along with a mysterious floral note, like flowering blackcurrant bushes. And lashings of linseed oil.
TASTE: The mouthfeel is almost tart, or zesty lime. Raisins, dates,ginger and pepper spice surge forward, then retreat. Waves of smouldering charcoal, wood polish and huge, tarry creosote notes follow. Finally, a more savory note escapes; cured smoked ham and squid ink noodles.
FINISH: Long, spicy and rich with lingering notes of toffee, coffee and tar.

What Richard Says:
Nose: The nose is full on smoky Ardbeg. If there is sherry in there I surely can’t find it. Spicy, herbaceous, and campfire smoky. Give the whisky a good bit of time to sit and open up and it gets a little jammy sweet.
Palate: A rich raisin and toffee sweetness jump out front. Smoked bacon wrapped dates with freshly grated ginger comes to mind. More please!!!
Finish: The finish is long, peppery, and sooty.
Comments: So…when I read about this year’s committee bottling I was less than pleased. The recent scotch intersections of peat and sherry I’ve found to be very wanting. Ardbog I thought was medicinal and meh. Dark Origins is to this day the only thing I’ve ever had from one of my favorite distilleries that I didn’t like and it was basically Highland Park 12 with “twice the sherry”. In the same vein the Glasgow Blend is the only disappointment I’ve had from Compass Box. I’m not saying these whiskies weren’t well crafted because by all means they were. It’s just that bastard child of sherry and peat tends to make me cringe…until now. With this release Ardbeg has somehow isolated a great smoky nose and finish with a rich pruned fruit sherry taste and married then without disturbing the other. The palate doesn’t scream Ardbeg. It’s a delicious example of well sherried single malt that is sitting like a cherished pearl in the middle of a smoky Ardbeg storm. Color me very impressed.
Rating: Must Try

We would like to thank LVMH and The Baddish Group for sending over a sample for review.

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Aultmore 12 Year

/ / Review, Scottish Whisky, Speyside /

Aultmore Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky Aged 12 Years
46% ABV
$50
Website

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What the Distillery Says:
John Dewar & Sons Ltd., one of the most respected names in the world of Scotch whisky, today announced plans to release a range of new expressions and never-before-released single malts – the hidden gems of its single malt portfolio. This bold move, unprecedented in recent years, will introduce a treasure trove of top-shelf whiskies to consumers around the world.

The distinguished drams of ABERFELDY®, AULTMORE®, CRAIGELLACHIE®, THE DEVERON® and ROYAL BRACKLA® are launched under the title of the “Last Great Malts,” each with a compelling story and character.

For generations, these distinctive whiskies have been distilled and left to mature undisturbed in oak casks. Now, at last, whisky aficionados the world over will be able to taste the single malts from these distilleries in their authentic form. “The single malt category is one of our industry’s great growth opportunities. We are blessed with five of Scotland’s finest, high-quality whiskies,” says John Burke, dark spirits category director. “We have great respect for the category and are confident that each of the Last Great Malts will be a fitting addition to the repertoire of the most discerning single malt enthusiast.”

AULTMORE is a rare Speyside malt known locally as “a nip of the Buckie Road.” The distillery’s water filters down through the misty, mysterious area called the Foggie Moss. AULTMORE is rated top-class and is a dram sought after for its gentle grassy notes. AULTMORE will be available from November with a 12- year-old, a 21-year-old in Travel Retail, and a 25-year-old in limited quantities.

What Richard Says:
Nose: Grassy and very inviting. A dry kind of vanilla with a floral, fruity backing.
Palate: Rich and ripe sweetness. Poached orchard fruits drizzled with honey syrup. Del Monte canned pears in the best possible way.
Finish: Crisp apples, and a slight bitter dryness.
Comments: Wow what a difference those few proof points make in terms of richness, depth, and mouthfeel. This is my first experience with an Aultmore bottling and it is delicious. It is rich, creamy, sweet, inviting, and painfully drinkable. I will easily be seeking out more expressions from this distillery.
Rating: Must Try

We would like to thank Bacardi for sending over a sample for us to review.

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Ezra Brooks 12 Year

/ / Bourbon, Review / ,

Ezra B Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Aged 12 Years
Barrel 558
49.5% ABV
$35
Website
brbon_ezr4_large1
What the Bottler Says:
Carefully stored away and undisturbed for 12 years inside select, heavily charred White Oak Barrels until it reaches its peak of smoothness, Ezra B 99 Proof Single Barrel Bourbon is truly a smooth, mellow bourbon whiskey. Backed behind seven generations of whiskey producing tradition, Ezra B uses only the choicest of grains, perfect limestone water, and special natural aging to acquire its exceptional flavor and character. Each hand-crafted bottle of Ezra B, topped with a wax sealed cork finish, perfectly personifies its character and sophistication, and should be enjoyed extra slowly to appreciate its unique flavor, aroma and full body.

TASTE: A MEDIUM TO FULL BODY WITH A RICH SWEETNESS OF VANILLA, HONEY, AND A HINT OF CHOCOLATE.
FINISH: TOASTY, LONG FINISH

What Gary Says:
Nose: Deep, rich, thick vanilla and brown sugar, sandalwood & toffee (a tad hot).
Palate: Thin mouthfeel, but nice balance of oak and chocolate, with caramel & honey.
Finish: Moderate in length and drying.
Comments: Very nice pour – although as a single barrel, be prepared for some variation. In full disclosure, I had bought a bottle of this years ago that left me less impressed than this sample (although our tastes evolve – so that could be completely on me). The nose had me braced for a thick and viscous pour, and while it felt thin to me – it was not short on flavor. Really nice balance – some 12 yr bourbons are too woody for me, and this wasn’t even close (my wheelhouse is typically 8-12 yrs old). It isn’t a secret that Luxco sources the whiskey that goes into this label from Heaven Hill, and it absolutely reminds me of their Heritage Center in Bardstown – which isn’t a bad thing in the least (heck – one of my favorite places to visit!) If you are a fan of other Heaven Hill bourbons, I would absolutely give this a shot!
Rating: Stands Out/Must Try

What Richard Says:
Nose: Rich and captivating. Burnt sugar, vanilla beans, and soft deep woody notes.
Palate: Caramel, vanilla cream, woody, and peppery spicy.
Finish: It finishes smooth but heavy on the oak.
Comments: This is sourced whiskey but don’t let the recent cloud around that term dissuade you. It’s the result of a long standing arrangement with Heaven Hill for this Luxco brand. This is a nice, satisfying whiskey that is definitely a bourbon drinker’s bourbon. For those lamenting the recent loss of 12 year old Elijah Craig, may I recommend this as a potential replacement.
Rating: Stands Out

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High West 14 Year Light Whiskey

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

High West Very Rare Light Whiskey 14 Years Old
46% ABV
$99.95
Website
14-year-bottle-_-web
What the Bottler Says:
Come see the light! High West Distillery, Utah’s first legal distillery since 1870, releases a limited edition 14-Year Light Whiskey. Beginning March 19, this special bottling is available exclusively to visitors at the High West Distillery at Blue Sky Ranch, followed by a roll out at the High West Saloon & Distillery in historic Old Town Park City on April 16.

“At High West, we believe education leads to appreciation so we wanted to shed some light on this rarely discussed type of whiskey,” says High West founder David Perkins. “This is a spirit that’s not likely to be available again for a long time.”

Light whiskey denotes a grain spirit that’s been distilled at a higher proof than a straight whiskey — between 80-95% alcohol by volume (ABV) versus less than 80% ABV respectively. It’s typically used as a component in about 95% of the world’s blended whiskeys. In the U.K., what they call grain whiskey is essentially the same thing as light whiskey.

“This whiskey was distilled at a higher proof on the still, which reduces the heaviness of the flavors, and reveals more floral and fruit subtleties,” said High West master distiller Brendan Coyle. “It was aged in used barrels, as opposed to first-use charred barrels, which lends more elegant complexities with a spirit-forward character.”

High West discovered 100 stunning barrels of light whiskey at MGP made from corn that was distilled between 1999 and 2001, aged in second-fill barrels. That wood aging imparted a traditionally light spirit with lovely vanilla and white chocolate notes, and an intriguing Concord grape overlay—to anything but typical results.

High West encourages you to indulge in this special offering all on its own—neat, with a touch of water, or on the rocks. The 14-Year Light Whiskey will retail for $99.95.

What Gary Says:
Nose: Subtle all around, faint oak, lightly sweet fruit, hints of cinnamon rolls (baked the day before) or apple pie (baked two days before).
Palate: Deliciously delicate, starts off soft and lightly sweet before some stronger fruit notes (figs and orange marmalade) and a bit of a nutty-spice kick in.
Finish: Lingers before slowly/softly slipping away.
Comments: For me this is a thinking/pondering dram. It is dangerously drinkable, but I don’t want to just throw it back – it begs to be studied carefully. It is very subtle and nuanced; more like a scotch than a bourbon (the aging and second-fill barrels certainly contribute to that). For a whiskey geek who is looking to experience “light whiskey” and try something different – this may be right up their alley, and I’d call it a “must-try”. For the casual whiskey drinker, you may not be happy dropping $100 on something you find “too subtle”.
Rating: Must Try

What Richard Says:
Nose: Lightly floral sweet.
Palate: Exceptionally creamy with a rich vanilla sweetness mixed with poached peach parfait.
Finish: The finish is almost non-existent. It is clean and short.
Comments: This is light in many more ways than name alone. This is an exceptionally delicate whiskey. It doesn’t necessarily have exceptional depth but it is very drinkable and intriguing for being a rare example of extra aged “light” whiskey. It reminds me more (as you would expect) of aged grain scotch much more than anything normally made in the U.S.
Rating: Stands Out

We would like to thank High West for sending us a sample to review.

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High West American Prairie Reserve

/ / Bourbon, Review / ,

High West American Prairie Reserve
A Blend of Straight Bourbons
46%
$45
Website
APR-Bottle-Web
What the Blender Says:
High West Distillery is passionate about the American West’s culture, heritage, and natural beauty and wants to raise awareness of one of the most fantastic projects of our time: the American Prairie Reserve in northeastern Montana. We tip our hats to this amazing effort to assemble the largest wildlife reserve in the lower 48 states. When stepping onto the plains of American Prairie Reserve, it is not difficult to imagine the landscape as Lewis and Clark and Native Americans saw it, with thundering herds of bison, racing bands of pronghorn antelope and prairie dog towns dotting the horizon. When the Reserve is complete, it will be approximately 5,000 square miles, or roughly the size of Connecticut. On the front label: the stunning greater sage grouse is just one of the many beautiful species that call the American prairie home. Habitat destruction has led to steep declines in sage grouse populations across the West and the bird is now a candidate for Endangered Species Act protection. However, these beautiful birds still thrive on the Reserve. Visit in early spring to see male sage grouse vying for mates as they “dance” on the breeding ground, called a lek.

• 6 year old Bourbon
• Mashbill from 75% Corn
• 20% rye
• 5% barley malt (LDI now MGP)
• 10 year old Bourbon
• Mashbill from 60% Corn
• 35% rye
• 5% barley malt (a distillery in Lawrenceburg, KY)

Nose: A subtle, albeit pleasant, nose on the first pour. Opens up into a floraled butter corn, cotton candy, and fruit nose.
Taste: Candy sweetness is the first thing which explodes on your tongue. Super sweet, but it has a relatively dry mouthful throughout, meaning the sweetness does not overtake the senses in a more syrupy bourbon. The short rye spice and pecan pie finish is a good thing in this case, never overwhelming.

What Gary Says:
Nose: Musty oak sweetness, vanilla and toffee, fresh tobacco, leather, hints of coffee grounds and honey.
Palate: Creamy mouthfeel, luscious texture – nicely balanced caramel and chocolate sweetness, dried fruit with a bit of a pepper-spice edge.
Finish: Lingers nice and slowly, drying.
Comments: This is a really great whiskey for the price, and some of the proceeds go to a good cause. Incredibly easy to drink, but also the kind of pour I could spend ample time studying if that was what I was in the mood for. Note that there is an American Prairie and American Prairie Reserve – which are not the same. I appreciate the transparency from High West about what is in the bottle, and for the money – this is damned hard to beat!
Rating: Must Try

What Richard Says:
Nose: Cherries, oranges, corn pudding, and crushed mint.
Palate: Orange marmalade, vanilla cream, cinnamon, and anise.
Finish: Dry and woody with hints of chocolate and licorice.
Comments: A lovely solid bourbon on par with Four Roses Single Barrel or Russell’s Reserve. Not stunning but no slouch. Easy to drink and versatile in flavor and style.
Rating: Stands Out

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