Stands Out

Auchentoshan American Oak

/ / Lowland, Review, Scottish Whisky /

Auchentoshan American Oak Single Malt Scotch Whisky
40% ABV
$39.99
Website
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What the Distillery Says:
Triple distilled and matured solely in American bourbon casks. The result: a Lowland Single Malt Whisky with the sweet aromas of vanilla and coconut – along with the signature smooth, delicate, Auchentoshan taste.

Tasting Notes

To The Eye: Bright gold.
To The Nose: Bourbon vanilla and coconut with layers of zesty citrus fruit.
To The Tongue: Refreshingly smooth yet lively with vanilla cream, coconut and white peach.
To The End: Crisp with sugared grapefruit and a hint of spice.

What Richard Says:
Nose: Vanilla sugar, orange marmalade, fruit cocktail, and a little sherry.
Palate: More fruit cocktail, a little melted vanilla ice cream (the cheap stuff not vanilla bean), and sweetened condensed milk.
Finish: Spicy with a lingering grassy finish.
Comments: Auchentoshan is one of those funny drams that has to hit me just right when I drink it or I’m completely turned off. When I’m in the mood it’s great. When I’m not I want just about anything else. The tasting sessions with this American Oak were all right on. A sweet, smooth, and easy drinking dram. Very nice, if a little underproofed.
Rating: Stands Out

We would like to thank Beam Suntory for sending us a sample to review.

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Glen Garioch Founder’s Reserve

/ / Highland, Review, Scottish Whisky / ,

Glen Garioch 1797 Founder’s Reserve Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky
48% ABV
$45
Website
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What the Distillery Says:
The quintessential Glen Garioch, Founder’s Reserve celebrates the brothers who first established the distillery and the 200 plus years of craftsmanship that goes into every bottle that bears the Manson name.

Tasting Notes

Nose – Warm amber in appearance, sweet vanilla and subtle spice combine with fruitier green apple and grapefruits on the nose.
Palete – Butter cream and vanilla pave the way to fruity green apple skin and citrus cleanliness, leading to an elegant and subtle finish.

What Richard Says:
Nose: Damn, I could smell this all day. Creamy vanilla, rich fruits, cinnamon, cloves, allspice berries, grapefruit, and lime hard candies.
Palate: More sweet vanilla cream, apple pie filling, cocoa nibs, fine brandy, and slightly stale cigar tobacco.
Finish: Lingering oak and cocoa powder.
Comments: The palate and finish aren’t bad but the nose is an amazing standout here. I can’t say the last time I smelled a whisky this in captivating. It is worth ordering a dram just to sit and smell it.
Rating: Stands Out, Great Value

We would like to thank Beam Suntory for sending a sample for review.

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Bowmore 12 Year Old

/ / Islay, Review, Scottish Whisky /

Bowmore Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky Aged 12 Years
40% ABV
$52
Website
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What the Distillery Says:
Complex yet perfectly balanced, our 12 Years Old reflects the raw essence of Bowmore – thrashing waves, windswept landscapes and generations of tradition. Bowmore 12 Years Old has received much critical acclaim; the late, great whisky writer Michael Jackson proclaimed it “remarkably long and complex”. We like to think of it as vanilla ice cream at a beach bonfire.

Tasting Notes:

On the eye warm amber.
Breathe in subtle lemon and honey, balanced beautifully by Bowmore’s trademark peaty smokiness.
Sip sweet and delicious heather honey and gentle peat smoke.
Savour the long, mellow finish.

What Richard Says:
Nose: Peat smoke, grassy, slight citrus notes in the back.
Palate: Surprising sweetness of honey bar syrup up front followed by a mild smokiness.
Finish: Briney, peaty, and a little nutty.
Comments: This one for the peat freaks out there for have a bit of sweet tooth. The flavors coalesce well and the dram is well balanced overall. Very enjoyable.
Rating: Stands Out

We would like to thank Savona Communications for sending us a sample review.

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The Deveron 12 Year

/ / Highland, Review, Scottish Whisky /

The Deveron Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky Aged 12 Years
40% ABV
$45
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What the Distillery Says:
John Dewar & Sons Ltd. has announced the release of The Deveron single malt which hails from MacDuff distillery, located on the northern edge of Aberdeenshire.

The new expressions of THE DEVERON® 10 year-old, THE DEVERON® 12 year-old and THE DEVERON® 18 year-old have never been released before now and will be available from October 2015.

Located where the river meets the sea, Macduff distillery sits near the mouth of the River Deveron, shortly before its cool waters join the restless surge of the North Sea. Sheltered from the worst of the seaboard storms and winter winds, this tranquil spot has seen the creation of The Deveron malt whisky for many a decade.

A comparatively modern distillery – its spirit first began to flow in 1960 – Macduff was brought into being mainly for the purpose of supplying malt whisky to the blending industry. It was commissioned by a consortium of four businessmen, who called themselves Glen Deveron Distillers Ltd.

Emanating from five small copper pot stills, and unusual horizontal condensers that gently coax extra character from the spirit, The Deveron is an approachable dram which has a tang of coastal air about it. The distillery is set up for a light, fruity spirit that’s replete with apple tones and nutty notes.

Stephen Marshall, Bacardi’s Global Marketing Manager – Single Malts remarks: “The final one. We’ve done it and it tastes great. People underestimate the quality of whisky that can be made at a comparatively modern distillery, this is really top notch stuff. Get yourself up to Macduff, or if you can’t then stick Local Hero on the telly and pour yourself a dram”.

The new portfolio consists of three age statements, each bottled at 40% ABV: The Deveron 10 Years Old (only available in France), The Deveron 12 Years Old and The Deveron 18 Years Old. Each expression has been launched in selected markets around the world including Canada, France, Germany, Japan, Russia, Sweden, Taiwan, United States and United Kingdom.

Tasting Notes
When billows break and haar ghosts in, then haste ye home or some bit warm, Unwind with toasted grain and apples, seaborne spice; calm from the storm.

THE DEVERON hails from Macduff distillery, found beside the River Deveron just before it meets the North Sea. Sheltered from those restless waters and the worst winter winds, this tranquil spot offers calm from the storm; the perfect place to craft a mellow fireside malt.

Distillation employs five small copper pot stills and unusual horizontal condensers which are arranged for a light and fruity spirit. The result is a rare coastal whisky which holds the tang of shoreline air alongside sturdy apple notes, dried fruits and nutty warmth.

What Richard Says:
Nose: Baked apple tarts and malt-o-meal.
Palate: Sweet, nutty apple dumplings drizzled with butterscotch syrup overlaid with a grassy freshness.
Finish: Dry, nutty, woody, and slightly chalky.
Comments: This dram makes me think of the fall apple harvest. I think of apple cider, apple cider donuts, and apple pie at Mercier Orchards (if you’re a Georgia local). A tasty whiskey for sure. And additional kudos for Bacardi shining the light on this underrepresented malt.
Rating: Stands Out

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

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1792 Small Batch

/ / Bourbon, Review / ,

1792 Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
46.85% ABV
$30
Website
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What the Distillery Says:
Sophisticated and complex. A distinctly different bourbon created with precise craftsmanship. Made from our signature “high rye” recipe and the marriage of select barrels carefully chosen by our Master Distiller. 1792 Bourbon has an expressive and elegant flavor profile. Unmistakable spice mingles with sweet caramel and vanilla to create a bourbon that is incomparably brash and bold, yet smooth and balances. Elevating whiskey to exceptional new heights, 1792 Bourbon is celebrated by connoisseurs worldwide.

What Gary Says:
Nose: Sharp, woody, sour oak with light sweetness, cinnamon spice, subtle licorice.
Palate: Cinnamon sharp, oaky, bit of cloves; more spice than sweet.
Finish: Moderate and drying.
Comments: As a small batch bourbon, there is variability – and I’ll confess that my last couple of bottles of 1792 were single barrel (private selections from a local retailer). I wondered if this was also a single barrel pick (or I’ve just got accustomed to the other picks). I didn’t love this one; it felt out of balance to me, very oak/wood prominent and not enough sweetness. But if you like more oak – this could be right up your alley!
Rating: Average

What Richard Says:
Nose: Burnt vanilla syrup, caramel, crushed chalk, and a little citrus zest.
Palate: Surprisingly sweet and drinkable with notes of toffee crisps, cocoa powder, vanilla cream filling (like in donuts and Boston Cream Pie), and gooey butter bars that are slightly burnt.
Finish: Wet toothpicks dusted with cocoa powder.
Comments: I put off buying a bottle of “1792 Small Batch” for years because the old “1792 Ridgemont Reserve” I found to be blah many years ago when the brand first came to Georgia. If you told me these two were even remotely the same whiskey I would laugh. I only gave it another go because friends whose opinions I value kept talking up this newer iteration. I’m glad they did. This a very drinkable bourbon that can regularly be found in the $30 range. I highly recommend adding it to your home bar as a very good example of the whiskey coming out of the lesser known Barton Distillery.
Rating: Stands Out

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