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Knappogue Castle 14 Year

March 7, 2016 / Richard / Irish Whiskey, Review / Stands Out

Knappogue Castle Twin Wood Single Malt Irish Whiskey Aged 14 Years
46% ABV
$59.99
Website

What the Bottler Says:
Distillation & Selection Process:
The malted barley is dried in ovens without the use of peat, allowing the crisp, clean flavor of malted barley to come through without smoky overtones. The dried malt is then ground and mixed with pure Irish spring water to extract the sugars. Single malt whiskies of Knappogue Castle are distilled three times in traditional onion shaped copper pot stills. The spirit is then placed in oak casks, formerly used for bourbon, stored at a relatively consistent temperature, and aged.

After 14+ years in bourbon casks, the whiskey for 14 Year Old Twin Wood was selected by the Master Distiller to be married with more Irish single malt – this time aged in casks specially infused for Knappogue Castle with Oloroso Sherry.

The delicate distillation process, along with the moist and temperate Irish climate, and the special aging in bourbon and sherry casks, has yielded the distinctive flavor of the Knappogue Castle 14 Year Old Twin Wood. The use of two kinds of wood casks in Twin Wood has produced a whiskey which has a deep, complex, and very smooth taste.

Knappogue Castle 14 Year Old Twin Wood is not chill filtered and, unlike many whiskeys, no coloring is added.

Tasting Notes:
The color is a light, reddish gold. The nose shows the orchard fruits typical of Knappogue Castle Irish Whiskey, but is given depth by the Oloroso Sherry cask-aged whiskey. This results in hints of fleshy fruits – like plum and apricot. The taste is rich and fruity with hints of green apple and the zest of grapefruit. The malt helps to bring out the quality of the wood – sweet vanilla with light tannins from the charred oak. The finish is lengthy, with full fruity notes transitioning to a dry, pleasant barley conclusion.

Distillation Date: November 1998
Bottling Date: October 2012
Age: 14 years in two types of wood: bourbon & sherry casks
Number of Bottles: Only 2,000 bottles produced. Each is numbered and signed.

What Richard Says:
Nose: Light and fruity. Crisp apple, peaches, and tangerine fruit salad.
Palate: Rich and creamy like poached stone fruits with a sherry reduction sharing the plate with a bit of apple pie with vanilla bean ice cream.
Finish: The finish is a little prolonged with a bit of peppery and tannic bite.
Comments: This is a delicious step up from the standard 12 year old. The wood mixture and especially the extra proof really kick this expression up. I’ve not been the biggest fan of Knappogue over the years but this one really stands out to me. If it wasn’t a limited one off then I would surely pick up another.
Rating: Stands Out

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Collingwood 21 Year Old

February 27, 2016 / Richard / Other Whisk(e)ys, Review, Rye Whiskey / Must Buy, Must Try, Stands Out

Collingwood 21 Year Old Rye Canadian Whisky
40% ABV
$70
Website

What the Distillery Says:
Sadly, we waited so long to review this that all the distillery commentary was taken down from the Collingwood website.

What Gary Says:
Nose: Soft, oaky, minty spice with hints of leather, nutmeg and cereal; lot of subtle nuance going on.
Palate: Rounded, sweet, mellow fruitiness with toasted oak and maple-glazed pecans.
Finish: Wet, and a bit short
Comments: This was a one-time release a couple of years ago, and I passed on it as “too good to be true”. I mean, 21 yr rye whiskey for $70 (or less at some stores)?? I finally had a chance to sample it, and immediately regretted not buying it. I lucked into a bottle while traveling and immediately grabbed it. There aren’t a lot of whiskies at 80 proof that really hit me right, but this delivers a lot of flavor and nuance. I absolutely love the nose on this whiskey, and I really like the palate. This is softer – not as sharp-spicy as most US rye, but I wouldn’t let one slip by again.
Rating: Must Try/Must Buy

What Richard Says:
Nose: The “typical” rye mint note is a subtle back up. Creamy fruity notes play with more of grain saddle oil center. Yee-ha!
Palate: Rye bread topped with orange marmalade and sprinkled with cracked pepper.
Finish: Creamy and seriously mellow. You get just a bit of wood and pepper carry through.
Comments: All the way back in 1991 the 50 barrel lot that was batched together for this limited release was laid down at the Canadian Mist Distillery in Collingwood. 21 Years and some maple wood finishing later and this limited release only hit shelves in Ontario, Alaska, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, Montana, New York, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming only. So being in Georgia I jumped at the chance for a 21 year old rye at $70. The packaging alone is hilarious. The weird cologne shaped bottle and the speed pour spout are a humorous diversion from the over-hyped newer ryes coming out now. The liquid itself will surprise you too. It is not maple syrupy or rye spicy or over woody. Everything you would think when you hear “21 year old maple wood finished rye” is put aside on this one. Not necessarily my style of rye but it is an accomplishment.
Rating: Stands Out

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Crown Royal Northern Harvest Rye

February 23, 2016 / Richard / Other Whisk(e)ys, Review, Rye Whiskey / Stands Out

Crown Royal Northern Harvest Rye
90% Rye Whisky
Fine Blended Canadian Whisky
45% ABV
$25 to $35
Website

What the Distillery Says:
Crown Royal Northern Harvest Rye was first released in the U.S. in early 2015. The variant showcases the distinctly Canadian rye whiskey featured in the traditional Crown Royal Deluxe Blend that consumers have grown to love throughout the last 75-plus years. The latest variant to be introduced by Crown Royal, Northern Harvest Rye (90 proof, 45% ABV) is the brand’s first ever blended, 90% rye whisky and embodies a smooth and spicy flavor profile that can be mixed into traditional rye cocktails or enjoyed neat or on the rocks.

NOSE: Baking spices, cereal, light wood spices
PALATE: Gentle oak note, rich butterscotch, spiced vanilla, develops into soft peppery notes
FINISH: Smooth and creamy

What Gary Says:
Nose: Sweet & mellow spearmint with kiwi; rye bread with pickles; subtle baking spices.
Palate: Soft mouthfeel, sweet malt w/ vanilla & fruit salad that builds to some spice notes.
Finish: Short, with pepper spice notes perking up a bit.
Comments: This tastes more mellow than I expected for 90 proof. Nice character, although different from its southern rye cousins (more like a very gentle rye). I’m not a huge Crown Royal fan these days (just too sweet for my preference), but I enjoy this quite a bit more. Do I understand why it was selected by Jim Murray as World Whisky of the Year? Nope (and believe me – I really, really wanted to fall head over heels in love with this whiskey; but I thought Crown’s single barrel offering last year was far more interesting).
Rating: Stands Out

What Richard Says:
Nose: Minty, with heavy doses of tropical fruit and cloves.
Palate: Delightfully mellow and vanilla fruity sweet. This isn’t the least bit cloying but rather a nicely balanced fruity sweetness that fans of slightly overripe fruits and light fruit tarts would enjoy.
Finish: As mellow and soothing as this is you get a bit of a kick on the way out. The finish is dry, woody, and a little spicy.
Comments: This U.S. only release has apparently taken the world by storm because one guy who rewrites one book annually said in his sole opinion that this is buckets of awesome sauce. Is it? No. Hell no. I really don’t get the hullabaloo. I realize we are “proselytizing” here at Whisk(e)y Apostle but that’s more whiskey in general. Rare is the dram that I feel like running out and telling everyone that they need to get a piece of it. All that aside, this is a very nice whiskey. I really REALLY don’t like regular Crown Royal. But the last two (non flavored crap) things to come out of the brand have really impressed me. I agree with Gary that the Single Barrel Coffey still rye is much better but this is no slouch. It is a really easy to drink and easy to enjoy whiskey that will play well in multiple situations. I have no problem recommended this as a stand out Canadian whiskey. And for me and Crown that really is saying something.
Rating: Stands Out

We would like to thank Crown Royal’s representatives for sending over a sample for us to review.

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Four Roses OESV

February 13, 2016 / Richard / Bourbon, Review / Stands Out

Four Roses Single Barrel Private Selection
Recipe OESV, 10 years and 9 months old
59.7% ABV
$59.99
Website

The Recipe:
OESV is currently only available as a private selection bottling at the distillery gift shop or possibly at a local liquor store near you. Unlocking the recipe codes goes like this…

“O” starts all of Four Roses’ recipes and only means that it is made by Four Roses in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky.

“E” mean that this is the lower rye content of the two mashbills that Four Roses uses, specifically 75% Corn, 20% Rye, and 5% Malted Barley

“S” means that it is Straight Whiskey by U.S. Regulatory definition, again all their products carry this designation

“V” distinguishes the yeast strain used. This specific one impacts more of a delicate fruity flavor onto the distillate

What Richard Says:
Nose: When you first open the bottle a big dose of brown sugar comes wafting out. As it opens up I get more of a stewed stone fruit presence. With a fair addition of water it’s more of a light tropical fruit mix. Kiwi, passion fruit, and a bit of pineapple.
Palate: Rich, thick, and chewy. A real brawler on the palate. Again, this takes water very well leaving a smooth fruity sweetness of kiwi syrup over poached pears and brown sugar caramel.
Finish: This one finishes very heavy on the wood and mint.
Comments: I’m really more of a “B” higher rye mashbill kind of guy when it comes to Four Roses recipes. However, every now and again I come across one from the other side of the fence to reinforce my acquisition disorder of having both on hand in the whiskey closet. This is not the best example but it’s still damn tasty.
Rating: Stands Out

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Four Roses OBSF

February 9, 2016 / Richard / Bourbon, Review / Stands Out

Four Roses Single Barrel Private Selection
Recipe OBSF, 11 years and 6 months old

61.47% ABV
$59.99
Website

What the Distiller Says

The Recipe:
OBSF is currently only available as a private selection bottling at the distillery gift shop or possibly at a local liquor store near you. Unlocking the recipe codes goes like this…

“O” starts all of Four Roses’ recipes and only means that it is made by Four Roses in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky.

“B” mean that this is the higher rye content of the two mashbills that Four Roses uses, specifically 60% Corn, 35% Rye, and 5% Malted Barley

“S” means that it is Straight Whiskey by U.S. Regulatory definition, again all their products carry this designation

“F” distinguishes the yeast strain used. This specific one impacts more of a lightly herbal note onto the distillate

What Richard Says:

Nose: The nose is a little more herbal and vegetal forward than readily available Four Roses expressions. The minty notes are there but much less prevalent than you would expect. Give it a little more time to air out or some water and a nice bit of cherry pushes forward.
Palate: On the palate this specific bottle is a little more muted. It has more in common with their Yellow Label than it does with the Small Batch or Single Barrel. Even at a very high bottling proof it drinks pretty easy. Oak, anise, toffee crisps, cocoa powder, spearmint, and cherry ice cream come to those that put in the time to peel back the layers.
Finish: This finishes like a great single barrel of Four Roses. Mint, dark fruits, and a nice balancing woodiness.
Comments: This is by no means my favorite recipe from Four Roses. Even so, it has goodg qualities. It is a very easy drinker that gives you a different key on a song you’ve heard before. The nose and finish really stand out but that muted palate is a little underwhelming.

Rating: Stands Out

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