Must Try

Glenlivet Nadurra Triumph

/ / Review, Scottish Whisky, Speyside, The Collector's Cabinet /

The Glenlivet Nadurra Triumph Single Malt Scotch Whiskey
Distilled 1991, Bottle 08/09, Batch 0809A
48% ABV
Website
glenlivet-1991-nadurra-triumph-main_image-250
What the Distillery Says:
Matured in a mixture of American and European oak casks, Nàdurra Triumph 1991 is a limited release bottled at 48% and is the first Nàdurra expression based on a vintage statement.

This new expression has been selected from stocks that were distilled in 1991 using Triumph, a variety of the barley that is no longer used in the production of The Glenlivet. Keeping in line with the Nàdurra range, the Nàdurra Triumph 1991 is non-chill filtered, which better retains its natural flavours with an additional richness and a creamy mouth feel.

The additional resting time and a broader selection of casks provide a layer of complexity, and results in a whisky that is more fruitful and has a mildly sweeter flavour; sure to be appreciated by whisky lovers everywhere.

What Richard Says:
Nose: Hints of licorice, fresh grain, and citrus notes.
Palate: Sweeter than regular Nadurra or regular 18 year old Glenlivet. Creme brulee, peaches, poached pears, buttery and delicious. The Triumph barley adds additional complexity and depth to the malt.
Finish Surprisingly dry and slightly tannic. Unexpected given how juicy the palate was.
Comments: I’m am so sad this was a one off. It takes classic Glenlivet and really turns it up. It’s vibrant, fresh, well balanced, and soothing. I’m even sadder that I waited so long to review it because my bottle is almost empty.
Rating: Must Try

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Caribou Crossing

/ / Other Whisk(e)ys, Review /

Caribou Crossing Single Barrel Canadian Whisky
40% ABV
$45 to $50
Caribou
What the Distillery Says:
Like the long seasonal journeys taken each year by the majestic Caribou hers of North America, this bottle of Caribou Crossing Single Barrel Canadian Whisky has been on a journey of it’s own.

Caribou Crossing Single Barrel has been painstakingly handcrafted by our expert whisky making team which has selected the finest whisky available from our inventory of over 200,000 barrels. The whisky has been patiently aged in oak for many years to give it a rich and complex yet smooth flavor. Each barrel is then bottle individually with expert care and skill under rigorous quality standards.

A new Canadian Whisky as bold and adventurous as the great Caribou who roam the wild. Caribou Crossing is a Canadian Whisky unequaled by any other.

What Richard Says:
Nose: Heavy maple syrup. Cliche given it’s Canadian I know but it’s oozing with the stuff. Stewed cherries and creamy vanilla sweetness.
Palate: Lots of creamy vanilla here too. Less maple syrup and more butterscotch. Lightly woody.
Finish: Pepper, oak, and dry rye spice.
Comments: This is almost enough to change my religion on Canadian whiskey. 😉 Seriously though, this is a great dram. The nose and palate are fantastic. The finish is a little bitter and tannic but that just makes me want to keep more on my palate.
Rating: Must Try

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High West Rendezvous Rye

/ / Review, Rye Whiskey /

High West Whiskey Rendezvous Rye
Batch 1349, Bottle 109
46% ABV
$45 to $55
Website
Rendezvous Rye
What the Distillery Says:
Rendezvous Rye is a blend of two exotic straight rye whiskies; one old, and one young. It marries the rich aromatic qualities of a 16-year-old rye with the bold spicy properties of 6-year-old rye to create a full flavored, very complex whiskey. The 6-year-old boasts an uncommonly high 95% rye mash bill. Almost every other straight rye whiskey you can buy today is barely legal, with 51-53% rye in the mash bill. Not Rendezvous Rye. It honors the way rye whiskey used to be made, with a high rye content and full, uncompromised flavor. With Rendezvous Rye, you get a taste of authentic rye whiskey. We hope you enjoy it.

What Richard Says:
Nose: That great rye spearmint note comes through first. Sweet stone fruits, fresh cut grass and buttery notes.
Palate: Molasses sweetness, well balanced, with the rye spice on the back end.
Finish: Rye pepper, light wood, and minty finish lingering to mid length.
Comments: This was my first introduction to High West, and while iterations have varied a bit I still find it to be a great all around rye. It is killer in cocktails and a lovely sipping rye. Kudos to Dave Perkins for his blending talents.
Rating: Must Try

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Thomas H. Handy Rye 2009

/ / Review, Rye Whiskey /

Thomas H. Handy Sazerac Straight Rye Whiskey
2009 Release
64.5% ABV
$70 to $90
Website
thomas_h_handy
What the Distillery Says:
Named after the New Orleans bartender who first used rye whiskey in the Sazerac Cocktail, this uncut and unfiltered Straight Rye Whiskey is bottled directly from the barrel, just as it was over a century ago. Full of rich flavors, this authentic American rye whiskey is a symbol of the timeless history of New Orleans and the legacy of Thomas H. Handy.

TASTING NOTES:
Powerful, lush, and boldly spicy. Flavors of toffee, fig cake, and candied fruit, followed by mint, cinnamon and clove. The finish ultimately reveals subtle notes of allspice, coconut and nutmeg. Long and warm.

What Richard Says:
Nose: Licorice, mint, melons, and brown sugar. There is a ton going on in the nose here. It’s like a symphony that I’m having trouble pulling out the various instruments.
Palate: Rich and sweet with lots of oranges, vanilla, and caramel.
Finish: Fire water out the bottle and with the right amount of water a lovely mint finish develops.
Comments: Yes, I know you’re all super men and wonder women but this is bottled at 64.5% ABV. Please add some water or you won’t be able to taste shit after your first few sips of this. If they weren’t charging so much for a 7 year old rye I’d tell you that you had to buy it but being north of $70 is steep.
Rating:Must Try

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Ancient Ancient Age 10 Year

/ / Bourbon, Review /

Ancient Ancient Age 10 Years Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
43% ABV
$15 to $18
Website (this is for the 10 Star, as the 10 Year has been discontinued)
AAA_10BS
What the Distillery Says:
Aged for a decade and bottled at 86 proof, this bourbon is a cult classic. Full of subtle flavors, it is perfect for sipping and easy to enjoy by new bourbon drinkers and connoisseurs alike.

Tasting Notes:
A nose of honey, maple, mixed fruits and spice. Rye takes the lead on flavor with subtle licorice and hickory notes along with vanilla and spice. A long, spicy finish that maintains its timeless flavors.

What Richard Says:
Nose: Wildflower honey, honeycrisp apples, and peaches.
Palate: Lots of vanilla and black pepper with notes of cinnamon
Finish: Black pepper and heavy wood.
Comments: In this day and age of evaporating age statements, funky finishes, and all the latest whiz bang technology it almost seems like classic bourbon is getting harder to find. It’s not really harder to find, you just have to know what to look for. AAA 10 year old is just that, classic, good, uncomplicated bourbon. If you ever ask yourself what grandpa was drinking back in the day then pick up a bottle of AAA 10 year if you can find it (hard to find outside of Kentucky) or Old Grand Dad Bottled-In-Bond, sick back, and think back to simpler time for bourbon. A time when it wasn’t all about the % rye is so and so’s mashbill or where you can find a bottle of Pappy Van Winkle. It’s not an amazing bourbon by any means but it’s good and classic.
Rating: Must Try

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