Stands Out

Johnnie Walker Double Black

/ / Review, Scottish Whisky /

Johnnie Walker Double Black Blended Scotch Whisky
40% ABV
$35 to $45
Website
Johnnie Walker Double Black Blended Scotch Whisky
What the Blender Says:
Taking cues from the unparalleled flavors of Johnnie Walker Black Label, Master Blender Jim Beveridge struck out to craft a blend that would take the intensity of Black to unexplored territory. He started on Scotland’s vast shores, rediscovering the powerful west coast and subtle east coast scotches integral to today’s world-renowned Black Label. After hand-selecting a number of whiskies defined by hints of smoldering charcoal, crisp ash and burnt timber, we barreled our blend to mature in deep-charred old oak casks. The result is an unquestionably smokier, more intense experience, but with deep, dark roots in a rich blend that changed the world: Johnnie Walker Black Label. Simply put, it is Black, amplified.

Blended to break the rules, Double Black boasts an edgy confidence in flavor that separates it from its balanced relative, Johnnie Walker Black Label. It is not simply a darker version of Black Label, for it cannot be defined by color alone. Nevertheless, the two blends are intrinsically linked. As any discriminating drinker can see, they share DNA – in their smoky nose, unmistakable spice and slight tones of dried fruit.

But the similarities end there. With this blend, the exclusive taste trumps all. It’s no wonder whisky critics and aficionados have snatched up the limited number of bottles produced, making it even more elusive and mysterious. But rest assured, the “mischievous brother” won’t be gone for long – just remember that flavor of this intensity takes time and great care to craft.

While its finish will undoubtably linger, Double Black itself will not. Its stunningly small run is characteristic of a blend best suited to the most ambitious and adventurous Johnnie Walker enthusiasts, eager to explore another side of Black. But our Double Black locator (above) will make sure you’ve secured a bottle of your own before this rare blend, like a billow of smoke, quietly fades away.

What Richard Says:
Nose: There is a nice smokiness but it’s much more refined than I expected reading the PR on this one. There are also back notes of stewed fruit and a wisp of brine. This reminds me of sitting by the smoker on a friend’s back porch.
Palate: Surprisingly sweet then settling into a mellow peat with a cereal maltiness.
Finish: Charcoal, old campfires.
Comments: I shouldn’t doubt an iconic blender in charge of an iconic blend range but for some reason I thought this was going to suck. I’m not a huge fan of JW Black. It’s not bad it’s just not as complex as I like my whisky now. That said, JW Double Black is very enjoyable and I would have no problem going back again and again. This takes all the good things about JW Black and cranks it up without missing a step. Impressive, but if you’re Jim Beveridge I guess it’s just another day at the office.
Rating: Stands Out

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Russell’s Reserve 10 Year

/ / Bourbon, Review /

Russell’s Reserve Small Batch 10 Year Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
45% ABV
$31.99
Website
Russell's Reserve Small Batch 10 Year Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
What the Distillery Says:
In 1954, Wild Turkey’s Master Distiller Jimmy Russell began his career at the bottom of the totem pole, learning the bourbon making process from his two mentors, former Master Distiller Bill Hughes and Ernest W. Ripy, Jr. Fast forward to 1981 and his son, Distiller Eddie Russell, joined the distillery to learn straight from the “Buddha of Bourbon” himself. For more than 30 years, the Russells have worked side-by-side, accumulating more than 94 years of experience between them to preserve the craft and heritage of the brand.

When Jimmy was getting ready to celebrate his 45th anniversary with Wild Turkey, everyone thought he would retire. So, his son Eddie set out to create a special Bourbon in honor of his father and to also prove to his dad that the student had become the master and was capable of creating a great Bourbon on his own.

After searching the warehouses for the perfect 8- to 12-year aged Bourbon barrels that had just the right flavor, color and smooth finish, Eddie started giving Jimmy tastes of different Bourbons without telling him what they were for. In the end, it was a 10-year-old Bourbon that had Jimmy smacking his lips and wondering just what his son was up to.

After that, the rest was history. Russell’s Reserve 10 Year Old Bourbon is deep amber in color with a nose that is rich in vanilla, oak, toffee and a touch of old leather and a spicy palate with notes of chili peppers, tamarind, almonds and cumin. It hits all the right notes to be worthy of the man who is known as the “Master Distiller’s Master Distiller” among industry peers.

It turns out, Jimmy wasn’t ready to retire in 1999, and at 80-years-old is still at the distillery, side by side with Eddie making Russell’s Reserve. In September, he will celebrate an incredible 60 years with the company.

Created by a son for his father, Russell’s Reserve 10 Year Old Bourbon (MSRP $31.99) is the perfect gift for Father’s Day this year.

What Richard Says:
Nose: Creamy, buttery toffee lies behind that initial burst of alcohol followed by vanilla pot de creme.
Palate: More toffee on the palate put it takes a little bit to open in the mouth. Initially it is a little sharp. More creamy vanilla and honey but also a spicy pepper and dry tobacco flavor.
Finish: Leather, raw wood, and more hints of tobacco.
Comments: This one is like a good looking girl that you have to keep after for her to notice you and give you her number. It comes out of the bottle a little hot, sharp and alcoholic but if you spend time with it you see a bourbon that opens up additional layers. This is definitely a give it time bourbon.
Rating: Stands Out

We would like to thank Andrea at Edible for sending over a bottle to review.

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Macallan Select Oak

/ / Review, Scottish Whisky, Speyside /

The Macallan Select Oak Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky
40% ABV
$60/Liter
Website
Macallan Select Oak
What the Distillery Says:
Select Oak is crafted from an exceptionally wide and unique combination of five cask types, delivering extraordinary smoothness, remarkable sweetness and depth.

Nose: Vanilla, butterscotch and a hint of damson
Palate: An effortless balance of vanilla and sweet spice
Finish: Medium sweet and luxuriously long

What Richard Says:
Nose: Rich sherry with a bit of vanilla cream and treacle sweetness.
Palate: Creamy with a cinnamon vanilla sweetness.
Finish: The sherry is heavier on the finish than either the palate or nose. There’s lingering wood and that Big Red type of cinnamon spiciness.
Comments: This expression is the entry level bottling for Macallan’s Travel Retail exclusive 1824 Collection. I enjoy it much more than the Whisky Maker’s Edition. It’s very easy to drink and pleasant. It doesn’t require deep contemplation but rather is a great setting/mood multitasker.
Rating: Stands Out

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Laphroaig 15 Year

/ / Islay, Review, Scottish Whisky /

Laphroaig Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky Aged 15 Years
43%
$65+
Discontinued
laphroaig-15-year-main_image-250
What the Distillery Says:
Mildly smokey with sweet, warm undertones – and just a hint of the sea – Laphroaig Fifteen year old is robust and succulent. Fulfilling and utterly unforgettable. Made in tiny quantities, it is esteemed and savoured around the world by a fortunate few. Enjoy it neat or with a splash of soft water.

What Richard Says:
Nose: Much lighter brine and smoke notes compared to the younger siblings. It’s interspersed with a nice floral sweet back note.
Palate: Unseasoned seaweed chips with just a mild hint of sweetness. There’s also a minty cherry thing going on in the background.
Finish: Long and dry. And old wood burning stove that’s been unused for years.
Comments: This is a long gone bottling replaced by the 18 Year Old back in 2010. When the switch first occurred I swore up and down that I preferred the old 15 to the new 18. However, as time and tastes have mellowed I can’t say one is really better than the other. The three years, higher proof, and non-chill filtration make the 18 stand out. Maybe it was just the nostalgia and sadness I felt whenever a good dram was discontinued. I like the 10 Year Cask Strength much better but for those who want a piece of history grab this one if you see it.
Rating: Stands Out

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Laphroaig Triple Wood

/ / Islay, Review, Scottish Whisky /

Laphroaig Triple Wood Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky
48%
$60-$65
Website
triple wood
What the Distillery Says:
This expression of our famous whisky, from the remote island of Islay in the Western Isles of Scotland, has enjoyed a triple maturation in 3 types of cask. Just as with our standard Quarter Cask expression, the first maturation is in American oak, ex-Bourbon Barrels. We then select the most suitable of these barrels, containing a range of different aged spirit and transfer into small 19th Century style Quarter Casks for a second maturation. The final maturation is in specially selected, large European oak, Oloroso Sherry Casks.

It is bottled at 48% ABV and is non-chill filtered for a depth of taste and texture.

COLOUR: Bright gold
NOSE: At 48%, straight from the bottle, the initial flavour is quite sweet with a gentle mixture of sweet raisins and creamy apricots with just a trace of the dry peat smoke at the back, the smoother nutty flavours combine all these flavours into one smooth, syrupy whole. With a touch of water the peat smoke comes to the fore and masks the gentler fruitier notes. Even with the maturation being carried out in 1st fill bourbons, quarter casks and sherry butts, the intense bonfire ash smell of the earthy peat cannot be masked
BODY: Powerful yet with a creamy consistency
PALATE: With no water, a large initial burst of peat belies the slight lack on the nose but is gentled on the tongue by the creamier flavours of vanilla and fruit with just a suggestion of sherry sweetness. With a trace of water the peat reek is gentled, allowing the more complex flavours of citrus fruits and spices to come through. A slight tang comes from the European Oak balancing the creamier American White Oak.
FINISH: Mouth filling and extremely long but balanced by the sweet smooth caramel taste

What Richard Says:
Nose: [SMACK] take that you peaty wench! The sherry cask finishing almost destroys the smoky nose of the Quarter Cask. It doesn’t really scream sherry either. It’s more of a stone fruit and nut combination. There are little trace hints of smoke in the background but they are very understated.
Palate: Oily and viscous in all the right ways. I would expect the sherry finishing to make the palate sweeter than the Quarter Cask but it’s actually less so. This is an almost lighter and more integrated expression. The sweetness is more fruit derived and with a more tannic spin. Light peatiness again plays around the edges.
Finish: A rich, slow, but persistent fade. You are left with left over charcoals from last night’s fire.
Comments: The Triple wood is essentially the Quarter Cask further finished in sherry barrels. It’s amazing how such a pronounced and aggressive dram like the Quarter Cask can take such a sharp right turn with the additional wood time. I don’t necessarily like one more than the other. They are like different sides to the same coin. Very intriguing. However, I do think the Triple Wood will be more approachable for those new to Islay or Laphroaig compared to the Quarter Cask.
Rating: Stands Out

I would like to thank Ben and the team over at DBC Public Relations for providing us with bottles for review.

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