The good folks behind this spring’s big show in Las Vegas (March 18th & 19th, 2011), the “Nth” Universal Whisky Experience, passed this information on to me – just about 30% off the regular ticket price – just might be the thing to push you over the edge to buy a ticket!
Click the image below to go to their site and find out all of the details on what is expected to be an insane show!
Highlands region – 43%ABV for the 12yr – $35 | £25 | €30 — 46%ABV for the 17yr – $70 | £45 | €53
Just doing a little side by side today of two Old Pulteney whiskies.
The 12yr is picture right and the 17yr on your left.
The 12yr and the 17yr (both award winning whiskies, mind you) are both, in my opinion, good stand-by whiskies. Something to keep on your shelf at all times. These whiskies are perfect for those who are not familiar the juice and nice for those who are and want something balanced, full flavored and easy going.
I just need to remark quickly on the bottle shape as I find it to be most strange. Almost as strange as their stills look. But hey, their stills produce some fine-fine spirit so let’s not make judgements upon appearance. Ok?
On to the nosing…
12yr — A bit forceful (has a bite), yet fresh and inviting.
Honey elements as well as citrus & cream (like and orange creamsicle).
A second nosing offers a salty sea breeze and some grassy notes.
Fennel seed, vanilla and a good bit of malt.
A fairly balanced nose.
17yr — Much softer than the 12yr; the vanilla is creamier in scent.
This is sweeter smelling – like sweet summer flowers also, pressed flowers.
A good deal of tropical fruits.
Something woodsy in here, like white birch bark.
A bit salty like the 12yr but not oceanic, more like food-type salt.
On to the tasting (with notes on the finish)…
12yr — Big & malty with fresh lemons and very honied.
Nice chewy-ish mouth feel.
Salty, grassy and a touch vegetal (think celery).
Some oak in there (didn’t really get that on the nose).
A good long and dry finish.
17yr — A big voluptuous whisky – toying with my tongue!!
A truly fabulous mouthfeel.
Candle waxiness.
Celery (just like with the 12yr) and big old salt lick.
Baked goods with sweet icing.
Spicy as we get close to the finish.
And, speaking of finishes… A big bruiser of a finish!
Long and creamy however, very fizzy (if that makes sense).
In sum — These are two solid whiskies. No doubt about it. I did not do this side by side to pit the two against each other. I just wanted to see the differences between the two. Both are perfect summery drams. The 12yr is light and very approachable – almost like an aperitif whisky. The 17yr is more of an after dinner digestive whisky. I wont lie here though… the 12yr is really the best bang-for-your-buck whisky of the two. At about $35 (or £25 in the UK) in many markets, you can’t go wrong with it.
Special thanks goes out to Kathy Lewis-Flanigan for the generous samples!
Japan – 43%ABV – 700ml bottle – £103.40 | ¥13,700 – not available in the US and barely available anywhere other than Japan.
The Hibiki 21 year old was one of the biggest surprises for me in 2010. This is not one I had gone out of my way to seek out. Sure, I knew about it; read about and lusted after it but being that it was so hard to come by, I didn’t hold my breath on the chance that I may find a bottle.
So, if I read about it, learnt about and followed it with a drooling mouth, why-o-why was this such a surprise for me!? Well, because one day it just showed up on my door step without me even knowing about it! Seriously, when I opened the box to find a bottle of this from my friend Yoshi @ Suntory, I nearly wet myself. Yoshi – a sincere thanks for this gift!
This whisky is a mix of malt & grain whiskies from the three different Suntory distilleries as well as a mixture of different cask types (American Oak, European Oak & Japanese Oak, etc…). As with all whiskies, the age statement printed on the label represents the youngest whisky contained within the bottle. There is some much older whisky in here too!
The Hibiki 21 has won three gold metals, three years in a row and has just won the title of “World’s Best Blended Whisky” in 2010 by the WWA.
Looks like I’m in for a treat here…
On the nose — Warmed car seat leather on a summer’s day.
Very perfumed, lovely.
Slight tones of engine oil which actually compliments the pipe tobacco notes I’m getting here – bringing back memories of afternoons with my Grandpa John and his house in Fairfield (Connecticut) – he loved his pipe (he loved his Scotch too).
Apricots, toasted walnuts, hazelnuts and burnt marshmallows.
Again, lovely nose.
On the mouth — Like drinking happiness.
Chocolates and jasmine tea – a good deal of jasmine actually.
Has a bit of a bite to it, too.
An apple orchard.
Vanilla bursts through and nuts follow closely behind like trustworthy sidekicks.
Finish — Like a body builder, the finish seems to grow in strength.
Gobs of vanilla, still nutty and the perfuminess comes through quite nicely.
In sum — This is one of the most balanced and delicious drams I’ve had this year. I will be doing a 2010 “Year In Review” post and I’d expect this one to be way high up on the “best of 2010” list. This can be both an everyday malt and a celebratory malt.
Other opinions —
Japan – 43%ABV – $40 – $60 | £35 | €42
This is one of two Hibiki whiskies I’ve had to date. Tomorrow I will be reviewing the 21yr but today, it’s the 12yr.
The music dork in me can’t help but think of Rush’s “2112” album when I think of the two Hibikis I’ve had. Get it? 21yr. 12yr.
Whatever, now I can’t get “Temple of Syrinx” out of my head. And now, you won’t be able to either… Haha.
So, what does the latter half of Rush’s epic… I mean, what does the Hibiki 12yr smell & taste like? It’s like this:
On the nose — Plumes of plums and the wine thereof.
Some honey, honey.
Lemons & lemon custard.
Just now my 2yr old daughter asked to smell this whisky and I asked what she smelled and without any hints or hesitation she said – LEMONS!
Actually, she screamed it.
Reminiscent of a few bourbons I’ve had with a high sweet note I often associate with new charred oak barrels.
Sassafras leaves & black licorice.
On the mouth — Chewy mouthfeel.
A slight touch of savory spices — too many to name; a good mix.
Grain is evident but so is the malt.
Oak & more plum wine notes.
Slivovitz (plum brandy), however, the note is slight.
New oak leaf buds (…the smell of. And yes, I have smelled them).
Finish — The finish has a grainy sweetness that remains for a good bit.
In sum — Nicely balanced blend that is better to enjoy rather than deconstruct. I review one to three whiskies almost every day and I can say that I reach for this one when I’m tired of reviewing. An every day dram at a decent price. Perfect for dropping it all, letting it go and enjoying the here and now.
Highlands region — 46% ABV — $80 | £55 | €66
Ardbeg, Laphroaig, Port Ellen, Lagavulin, Ardmore, Port Charlotte, Bowmore, Bruichladdich… The list can go on. What list? The list of Scottish distilleries that produce, or bottlings that are known for, peaty, smokey, medicinal qualities.
There’s a new list though, Scottish distilleries that are now releasing peated whiskies: Arran, Benromach, Bunnahabhain, BenRiach… I am sure there are others (feel free to add to this list in the comments section of the post).
Apropos of peoples’ current thirst (or lust) for peated whisky, the Sixteen Men of Tain over at Glenmorangie are now throwing their hat in the peat ring.
Though, for the amount of peat or smoke in this whisky, it’s more like a yarmulke being thrown in the ring.
Actually, what we have here is not another peated whisky crafted for the sake of being a smokey. Rather, according to Glenmorangie, they set out to recreate a recipe for a Glenmo whisky as it would have been made back in the early 1900’s. So we have some minor peat here and the whisky is a mixture of both American Oak barrels and European Oak (ex-Oloroso Sherry casks).
The combination delivers pretty damn well:
On the nose – Big cherry presence on the nose along with something minty.
An earthy quality to it – fresh potting soil, new ferns.
The peat in here is very light.
Toffee & caramel.
Cadbury fruit & nut bar.
Some soy sauce.
On the mouth – Spiced orange gum drops. Red ones too.
Lots of nuttiness and now some coffee tones in there.
Solid mouth feel here, folks! Creamy, ooey – I love it.
Peppery and more soy sauce notes.
Again, lightly smoked & very elusive.
Finish – Now quite tannic. Quite long too.
The mild smoke returns for the finale.
In sum – This here is a well designed whisky. The light peating is a welcome thing as is the added element of whisky matured in Oloroso Sherry casks. Pseudo-techno-stuff behind, this is a whisky that will put you in your happy spot. Not because it’s 46% ABV alcohol whisky (and will tipsy-fy you) but because it’s just damned delicious and warming in all the right ways.
Special thanks goes out to David Blackmore for the generous sample!