Stands Out

Evan Williams Single Barrel 2000

/ / Bourbon, Review / ,

Evan Williams Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Single Barrel Vintage 2000, Barrel No. 438
43.3% ABV/86.6 Proof
$25 to $30
Available nationwide

What the Distillery Says:
This Bourbon was personally selected by our Master Distiller, only after meeting his exacting standards for this vintage. Taken from a single barrel, it is the purest achievement of the Bourbon making art. Bottled unblended with other barrels to preserve its individuality. Hand-numbered as a sign of its limited availability.

What Richard Says:
Nose: Fresh grass, wildflowers, and butter on the nose.
Palate: The palate is very clean and subdued. Vanilla notes stand out and it is overall creamy, oaky, and infinitely drinkable.
Finish: A little sweetness clings to the oak on the finish and plays around with a slight bit of spice too. Mild and very enjoyable.
Comments: Evan Williams has released vintages every year beginning in 1986 through 2000 at around the 10 year old mark. The quality has varied over the years as can be expected but this year’s vintage is something really nice. Generally speaking, the vintage bottling tends to be some of the best stuff coming out of Heaven Hill in the 10 year age range for each given vintage. I really enjoyed this dram. It’s not particularly bold or unique but it is sinfully drinkable and at this price why not buy two.
Rating: Stands Out, Great Value

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Connemara Turf Mor

/ / Irish Whiskey, Review /

Connemara Turf Mor Peated Single Malt Irish Whiskey
58.2% ABV/116.4 Proof
50+ Euros
Currently available in the UK, Germany, Benelux, and Ireland

What the Distillery Says:

Turf Mor is the latest and 2nd edition to the Small Batch Collection series of Connemara. The first was the highly successful Connemara Sherry Finish, of which sales are now deplete and the product is retired. By bottling it at cask strength with no chill filtration we get a truly phenolic taste experience while still managing to retain Connemara’s distinctive smooth taste. Turf Mor is the Peatiest expression of Connemara with over 50 ppm phenol level. It is a limited edition bottling with less than 20,000 bottle available.

What Richard Says:
Nose: Peat and smoked meat. It reminds me of my buddy Sam’s smoked beef brisket. (I’ll have to ask him what wood he uses) There is also a good bit of fresh apple and a hint of freshly grated ginger.
Palate: Very smokey on the palate but in a different way. It’s more actual wood smoke rather than peaty like an Islay. I’m thinking that is because it’s less briny. Surprisely dry with hints of sweetness.
Finish: Sip it slow and the heat mellows to a smooth warmth that sticks with you. It leave that wood smoke lingering behind.
Comments: I really liked this much more than prior experiences with Connemara. I think it’s a mildly complex dram that offers a different take on smokey whiskey. A very nice warm you up dram on a cold night.
Rating: Stands Out

What Matt Says:
Nose: First hit with a caramel sweetness, then overpowered by peat that swirls around more floral notes (rose petals) and notes of green grain and grasses.
Palate: Peat and tall grasses that coat the mouth.  It seems trite, but it’s very “Irishy” with a boat load of peat.
Finish: Peat and a little bitter with touches of oak around the edges.
Comments: I’ve never been as enthralled with Cooley as the rest of the whiskey writers.  I think everyone is just excited to have another player in the game.  I can sympathize.  I’m a huge supporter of independents and micros as a concept even if I’m not thrilled by the product.  Cooley brought us the first peated Irish whiskey in quite some time and now they are going after the super peat market with Turf Mor.  In some ways this is a success.  I tried it next to the standard Connemara Peated and I have to say that its miles ahead.  Even at cask strength, it is very drinkable.  The nose is intoxicating.  With water, there is a caramel roundness that helps to tame the peat and other vegetation.  However, I find a rawness to this whiskey that I often find from Cooley.  It says to me, “let me sleep a little longer.  A few more years in oak and I’ll be less cranky.”  I’m going to rate this a “Stands Out,” but with a caveat.  It’s not my style.  Turf Mor stands out because there is little to compare it to in it’s category.  How does it rate against the peat monsters from Scotland?  It depends on if you are talking about one of the complex and amazing ones or one of the one trick ponies.  Ultimately, it is distinctly Irish and cannot be directly compared to a Scottish whiskey.
Rating: Stands Out

Overall Rating: Stands Out

We’d also like to thank Rachel Quinn at Cooley and Megan Hurtuk with Gemini for providing us with samples for review.

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Elijah Craig 18 Year

/ / Bourbon, Review /

Elijah Craig Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Aged 18 Years
Barrel No. 2944, barreled on 4/1/1991
45% ABV/90 Proof
$50
Widely Available

What the Distillery Says:
The oldest Single Barrel Bourbon in the world at 18 years, Elijah Craig Single Barrel is a rare marvel of whiskey-making. Only a handful of the millions of aging Bourbon barrels are allowed to mature this long, resulting in an extremely complex, layered sensory experience. The barrels are hand selected by Parker and Craig Beam, and after 18 years of Kentucky seasons nearly 2/3 of the contents of the barrel have evaporated into “Angel’s Share”!

What Richard Says:
Nose: Black cherry, carmael turtles, a little musty, honey wheat bread and with water I get honeysuckle.
Palate: Very Bitter and spicy when it first hits the mouth. Plenty of peppery spice, oak and a hint of sweetness. Water sweetens the palate noticeably making it reminiscent of sweetened condensed milk. Great classic bourbon flavor!
Finish: The finish is very nice and improves on the palate. It leave a slightly sweet warmth with lost of cracked black pepper.
Comments: Elijah Craig 18 is a real bourbon’s bourbon. Not too cute or flashy. Straightforward classic bourbon. You can find it for under $50 if you look hard enough and for an 18 year old single barrel bourbon now a days that’s pretty damn good.
Rating: Stands Out

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Elijah Craig 12 Year Old

/ / Bourbon, Review / ,

Elijag Craig 12 Year Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon
47% ABV/94 Proof
$20 to $25
Widely available

What the Distillery Says:
In 1789, Rev. Elijah Craig, the “Father of Bourbon,” became the first to age his whiskey in charred oak barrels. Our Master Distillers, inspired by his innovative spirit, have been perfecting the “small batch” process before it even had a name. They select a limited number of barrels of 12-year-old Bourbon that have matured to their exact specifications, then mingle them in limited quantities as Elijah Craig 12-Year-Old Small Batch Bourbon.

What Richard Says:
Nose:Buttery sweet toffee and orange pith.
Palate: Caramel and toffee sweetness that bowls over wildflower notes on the way to rich oak, black peppercorns, and vanilla. Water sweetens the palate and tones down the oak.
Finish: The finish is hot but quickly mellows.
Comments: It seems a little elementary to say that this tastes like bourbon. Are there better noses, palates, and finishes in the bourbon world? Yes, but E.C. 12 sits right dead center. It’s fine neat, on the rocks, or mixed. Like the 18 Year Old, it is a solid value for a bourbon of it’s age.
Rating: Stands Out, Great Value

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Johnnie Walker Green

/ / Review, Scottish Whisky /

Johnnie Walker Green Label Blended Malt Scotch Whisky
43% ABV/86 Proof
$55
Available Worldwide

What the Distillery Says:
Johnnie Walker Green Label is a rich blend using only malts drawn from the four corners of Scotland – the naturally vibrant flavors provide unparalleled depth, substance and intensity. Each of the malts is specially selected by the Master Blender to create the perfect balance in the whisky.

Each malt whisky is matured for a minimum of 15 years to deliver rich, full layers of flavor. Coupled with the blending mastery of Johnnie Walker, it ensures the characteristic smoothness and distinctive flavor of Green Label.

Four signature malts provide the key taste influences for this 15-year-old whisky. Talisker introduces power and depth of character, Caol Ila contributes mystery and intensity and, at its heart, Cragganmore provides a sweet maltiness, while Linkwood adds a final touch of finesse.

Blending exclusively with malts produces a rich, powerful whisky, with each one giving its own intense flavor and aromas to create a perfect combination.

With its rich gold amber appearance, this medium-full malt summons up a multiplicity of complex natural aromas. It starts on the seashore and drifts inland over moist moss and through evergreen forest. Then come the exotic notes of orange peel, stewed peaches, cooked black fruits and sour cherry.

What Richard Says:
Nose: Sweet fruit wood smoked meats and fresh grass.
Palate: Very sweet initially. Mid palate is oak, vegetal matter, and smoke. Not Islay smoke, much lighter than that.
Finish: Hot and oaky on the finish. No burn but rather spicy.
Comments: This is a very tasty dram. I’m always intrigued with quality vatted/blended malts. Maybe because they are a relative rarity in the world of scotch. Taking the grain whisky out gives a more robust flavor with greater depth. It gives you just as much as Johnnie Blue for a fraction of the price!
Rating: Stands Out

What Matt Says:
Nose: Sweet oranges, sour cherries, lavender, and confectioner’s sugar
Palate: Caramel and spice, plumbs, more lavender, resinous smoke (not peaty but sticky), brine
Finish: A little hot with notes of charred oak, brine and more of that lavender
Comments: This and the Gold Label are my favorites in the Johnnie Walker line.  I’m with Richard in that I like to see these “Pure Malt” blends.  You definitely get a more robust and complex offering when these are done well.  If you are going for easy drinking, go for the Gold Label.  If you want great complexity and a more robust taste profile, go with this one.
Rating:  Stands Out

Overall Rating:  Stands Out

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