Stands Out

Glenmorangie Nectar D’Or

/ / Highland, Review, Scottish Whisky /

Glenmorangie Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky
The Nectar D’Or Extra Matured in Sauternes Casks 12 Years Old
46% ABV
$65 to $70
Website
Nectar
What the Distillery Says:
“Great to see French casks that actually complement a whisky – so rare! An exercise in outrageously good sweet-dry balancing”

It is here, in hand selected wine barriques from Sauternes: the most famous and ancient sweet wine growing region of France, that this whisky develops its rich, spicy and dessert-like flavours.

Non chill-filtered for additional aroma and mouthfeel.

Aroma: Lime and orange rind, sultanas and dates give a rich fruity flavour laced with tantalising spices of coconut and nutmeg.
Taste: Ginger, nutmeg and toasted almonds bring a deep, warming taste interwoven with a syrupy lemon meringue and honeycomb middle.
Finish: Long and lusciously sweet finish with lemon zest, white chocolate, vanilla and traces of ginger and nutmeg.
Colour: Honeyed gold

What Richard Says:
Nose: A daiquiri with Japanese cherry blossoms. No, not that multicolored fruit-nasty thing in the swirly machine at Wet Willy’s. This is a real daiquiri like Hemingway drank. Fresh squeezed lime juice, rum, and sugar.
Palate: Thick honey sweetness sprinkled with black pepper and a nutty back.
Finish: Dry and surprisingly woody.
Comments: This one plays with the finishing and sweetness better than the Lasanta. The Sauternes casks are nice enhancement to already solid malt.
Rating: Stands Out

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Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban 12 Yr

/ / Highland, Review, Scottish Whisky /

Glenmorangie Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky
The Quinta Ruban Extra Matured in Port Casks 12 Years Old
46% ABV
$45 to $50
Website
Quinta Ruban
What the Distillery Says:
The darkest and most intense whisky in the extra-matured range, Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban has spent 10 years maturing in American white oak casks, before being transferred into specially selected ruby port pipes from the Quintas or wine estates of Portugal.

Extra maturation in these port pipes develops Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban into a voluptuous spirit with a complex balance of sweet and dry flavours and an intriguing contrast of smooth and crisp, cooling textures.

Non chill-filtered for additional aroma and mouthfeel.

Aroma: Dark mint chocolate, tangerines and Seville oranges mingle with sandalwood and walnut before giving way to a spicy finish of pepper and nutmeg.
Taste: Mint chocolate and walnuts envelop the palate like velvet, laying the foundations for rose, Turkish delight and sweet Seville oranges.
Finish: Long lasting silky aftertaste leaving dark chocolate mints and traces of orange.
Colour: Sunlit rose gold

What Richard Says:
Nose: Citrus, berries, and a hint of sweet basil.
Palate: Oily, rich, and smooth. Plums, dark chocolate and more citrus. Chocolate orange candies?
Finish: Long and dry.
Comments: Very nice. Of the three 12 year old finishes I like this one the best. The port adds a delicious overtone. It doesn’t quite dominate like Lasanta’s sherry but it edges over the Nectar D’Or.
Rating: Stands Out

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Glenmorangie Lasanta

/ / Highland, Review, Scottish Whisky /

Glenmorangie Highland Single Malt Scotch Whiskey
The Lasanta Extra Matured in Sherry Casks 12 Years Old
46% ABV
$45 to $50
Website
Lasanta
What the Distillery Says:
Elegant but full bodied this whisky has spent ten years maturing in American white oak ex-bourbon casks before being extra-matured for a further two years in Oloroso Sherry casks from Jerez in Spain.

Aroma: Warm spices mix with smooth chocolate covered raisins, honeycomb and caramel toffee.
Taste: Deliciously sweet sherry flavoured sultanas, orange segments, walnuts and butterscotch combine to create complex warm spices.
Finish: Long and satisfying finish with spiced orange and chocolate covered hazelnuts.
Colour: Light russet

What Richard Says:
Nose: Heavy, in your face meaty sherry nose. Vanilla, stewed prunes dusted with cocoa powder, hazelnuts, and back notes of clementine orange slices.
Palate: Sweet almost to the point of being cloying. Raisins and nut trail mix with a pinch of white pepper.
Finish: Warm, slow and nutty.
Comments: I like sherried malts…a lot. Hit me with your biggest sherry bomb and I’ll be coming back for more. However, this young kid seems to be trying a bit too hard. It lacks the balanced play of an aged Glendronach or Mortlach. I think maybe it’s because the underlying malt is so delicate I don’t think it stands up well to the heavy sherry influence here. It’s more of a glass of sherry with a Glenmorangie boilermaker rather than a sherry finished Glenmorangie.
Rating: Stands Out

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Sazerac Rye

/ / Review, Rye Whiskey /

Sazerac Straight Rye Whiskey
45% ABV
$25 to $35
Website
SAZ-rye
What the Distiller Says:
The One and Only New Orleans Original. Sazerac Rye Whiskey symbolizes the tradition and history of New Orleans. Rye Whiskey that dates back to the 1800’s, around the time when saloons, veiled as Coffee Houses, began lining the streets of New Orleans. It was at the Sazerac Coffee House on Royal Street where local patrons were served toddies made with Rye Whiskey and Peychaud’s Bitters. The libation became known as the “Sazerac” and America’s first branded cocktail was born. This is the whiskey that started it all.

TASTING NOTES:
Aromas of clove, vanilla, anise and pepper. Subtle notes of candies spices and citrus. The big finish is smooth with hints of licorice.

What Richard Says:
Nose: There’s a little of the “typical” rye mint but it is overpowered by lots of vanilla and licorice. After it opens a bit I also get something that reminds me of aged brandy.
Palate: Lighter and more zesty than it’s 18 year old big brother.
Finish: Spearmint with a good dose of dry wood.
Comments: This is a much lighter representation of Sazerac rye. The nose is nice but the palate is almost indistinguishable. There’s a sweetness and a spice but not a defined sweetness (i.e. golden raisins, honey, etc.) or a noted spice (clove, cinnamon, pepper, etc.) The best I can say is black pepper simple syrup which sounds much nastier than this is. It’s a fine rye. Given the competition from a bunch of lower quality ryes hitting the market in the last few years this one definitely stands out. However, there isn’t much there that makes me want to grab this over something else.
Rating: Stands Out

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Zafra 21 Year Old

/ / Other Spirits, Review / ,

Zafra Master Reserve Rum Aged 21 Years
40% ABV
$35 to $45
Website
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What the Distiller Says:
In Spanish, ZAFRA refers to the act of harvesting sugarcane: it is the moment in time when nature rewards men for months of dedicated and arduous labor. After the harvest, our skilled Master Distiller transforms the gathered cane into rum and, after careful maturation in selected oak casks, the alchemy is complete, converting aged rum into the masterpiece we call ZAFRA MASTER RESERVE. We invite you to celebrate the ageless ZAFRA tradition with us as you delight your senses with this rare rum treasure.

What Richard Says:
Nose: Vanilla, brown sugar, berries, and caramel.
Palate: Oak, brown sugar, and cherries jubilee.
Finish: Light oak and quick on the finish.
Comments: When I was new to aged rum I saw this on the shelf for around $35. I asked myself how could anything aged for 21 years be $35 dollars. I don’t know a lot about taxes in Panama but by whiskey standards that’s crazy. So I passed on this bottle many time. Finally, one day I decided out of nowhere to take the plunge. I wasn’t disappointed. This isn’t the greatest aged rum in the world but for the price it’s a very nice value.
Rating: Stands Out, Great Value

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