Category Archives: Let’s celebrate!

A World of Discovery, All You Need Is Love, George T Stagg, Let's celebrate!

2012 George T Stagg – An absolutely stunning whiskey.

 

Kentucky – 71.4% ABV – $79 (good luck finding a bottle, folks.  You’ll likely find more four leaf clovers than bottles of this juice)

The 2012 Buffalo Trace collection has been released and I was lucky enough to win a lotto from Julio’s Liquors in Westborough, MA to get a bottle.

Let me be clear, winning the lotto gave me that opportunity to buy the bottle.  I didn’t win the bottle.

This hooch is highly allocated and I count myself as one of the lucky ones to have actually gotten my hands on a bottle.

George T Stagg is one of five whiskies Buffalo Trace releases as part of their yearly “Antique Collection.”  And it is, by far, the most sought after one in the group.  (The other five bottles being: Eagle Rare 17yo, Sazerac Rye 18yo, Thomas H. Handy Sazerac Rye and William Larue Weller Bourbon).

At 71.4% alcohol content, this is the highest-octane stuff released this year by Buffalo Trace.

On the nose — For 71.4% I’m not finding this too hot to handle on the nose.  The heat is quite easily transformed in to a good deal of black pepper.

Some burn cranberries and heavily toasted hearty wheat breads become obvious.  So far, an inspiring nose!

Heavily peppered molasses and salted meat and burnt pencil shavings.

Brown spices (an old bourbon stand-by note) but there are also some lighter fruits in here including white seedless grapes, as an example.

This is one of those whiskeys that you could nose for a good, long time.  I see why people go so nuts for it every year.

On the mouth — For the uninitiated, this is some hot juice, no doubt.  However, please reward yourself and press on!  Take a smaller sip.  Here we go again (are you ready?)…

Yeah, that’s the stuff!

Cranberry relish, black pepper, orange zest, vanilla pods… this is BURSTING with flavor.  It’s about as moreish as a whiskey gets.

Lovely mouth feel — both zippy and oily at the same time.  Speaking of oil, getting a little gun oil here.

On top of this, heavy wood spice and a good whack of everything that makes lebkuchen.  It’s basically lebkuchen and Christmas cakes in a glass.

Wow.

Finish — Drying, spicy and near endless…

In sum — Quite possibly the best bourbon I’ve had in 2012.  Actually, this is easily the best bourbon I’ve had this year.  Kudos to the distillers.  In a word: amazing.

Happy birthday to me.  This was my gift to myself this year.  A fine purchase.  One of the best I made this year.

Arran, Let's celebrate!, this might be *really* good!

Two new Arran premium single cask for the US market. One ex-sherry, one ex-bourbon

 

Arran Premium Sherry Cask, the first to be reviewed…

So as to keep this post clean and more focused, I will try to do less talking and more reviewing.

There is one thing, however, that I need to point out regarding these two Arrans (as well as say the Devil’s Punch Bowl and more to come):

As you likely know, what’s being reviewed today are really special release whiskies from Arran.  In years past, all of the special releases were reserved for the UK and other countries.  Basically countries that would accept the standard 70cl (700ml) bottle.  The one we here in the US of A will not accept.  Here in the US, the 75cl (750ml) bottle is king.

Arran Premium Bourbon Cask, review # 2!

Something happened, however, just over a year ago.  Arran changed importers.  I’m not really sure who they were with previously but for more than a year now, ImpEx has been importing Arran whiskies.

Disclaimer: It’s no secret that I have a little bit of a relationship with ImpEx.  I announced that here.  I’m not employed by them but I have poured their stuff before at events and I review the whisky samples they send me (like the ones below).  I just wanted to put that out there before I spout on about them more…

ImpEx knows whisky.  What’s more is, I think, they have their finger on the pulse of the US market and what the US market wants.  The world is becoming a much smaller place, what with things like the interwebs and such and because of this (and other factors, to be sure), American whisky drinkers want what the rest of the world gets.  We don’t want to be left out.  I know I sure don’t…

This said, ImpEx seems to have made a point of working with Arran to bring in special casks, limited editions, etc… into the US.  This is not a simple task as it’s likely easier for Arran to work with the 70cl bottle for these smaller runs/limited editions.

So, kudos to ImpEx for fighting for us American Scotch whisky lovers!  Keep up the good work bringing over more limited hooch!

Wow, I carried on way longer than expected.  Let’s review, shall we?

Islands region – 51.1%ABV – SherryCask #1979 – $130 (soon to hit US shelves)

On the nose –  Chocolate covered espresso beans, heavy wood spice (Cocobolo wood to be specific).

Dark, damp wood shavings and a slight touch of gun powder.

This is a funny and insanely delicious smelling big bear of a whisky.

Some heavy cola notes.

On the mouth – Nose to palate, the same story is delivered.  Starting off with the damp, dark wood but right behind it we find the espresso beans and chocolate.

Exotic wood spice becomes quite present.

Drying with leather toward the end as we get to the finish.

Finish – Long, drying with spice and leather strips.

In sum – This 16yo drinks more like a fully realized 25+ year old whisky.  A fine choice of cask.  Well worth your precious time.

Islands region – 52%ABV – SherryCask #2096 – $130 (soon to hit US shelves)

On the nose –  This reeks of what I love about Arran: A forward pungency, bruised apple and a touch of brown spices.

This is a heavy style Ex-Bourbon whisky, not typical of most XB matured whiskies but similar to these XB Arran’s as they get older and older.

There’s something deep, dark and dang in here.  I’m thinking fig cakes and more bruised fruit (in the form of strawberries this time).

Strawberry jam over butter cookies.

On the mouth – A bit shy/elusive upon first sip.  Not as forceful in flavor as the nose suggested.

Actually, very light in flavor.  The nose fooled me.

Initial thoughts: buttered water crackers; baked phyllo dough covered in quite rich butter.

Paraffin wax, light viscosity.  Just a touch of sour apple slices.

Finish – Spice, pepper and milk chocolate, medium finish.

In sum – As Arran single casks go, this one delivers like an SOB on the nose.  A bit disjointed from the palate but the finish helps to turn things around making the over all experience a fun little ride.  I’d say this is an aperitif whisky.  Have it on it’s own so that you’re able to experience all it has to offer.

You may enjoy Guid Scotch Drink’s review of the Arran Premium Bourbon Cask

You may also enjoy Guid Scotch Drink’s review of the Arran Premium Sherry Cask

Special thanks to EK, SF and the rest at ImpEx for the samples!

Autumn, Cold Winter, Kilchoman, Let's celebrate!

A single sherry cask, cask strength 5yo Kilchoman bottled exclusively for Royal Mile Whiskies.

 

Islay region – 59.6%ABV – £70 (available only through Royal Mile Whiskies)

Total spoiler alert here, dear reader.  I fell head over heels for this whisky I’m about to share my notes on.

This is easily one of the best Kilchoman single casks I’ve tasted to date.  The only one I enjoyed more is one yet to be released (details on that to follow, no teasers though as the focus NEEDS to be on this lovely wolf among whiskies).

At only five years old, this sherried Kilchoman covers all the bases for the true lover of peaty whiskies: Peaty, sweet, balanced, powerful, invigorating, lovely.

I can’t stand it any longer, I need to share my notes:

On the nose — Very sweet and with a good deal of soft peat.

Don’t let the word “soft” scare you away, dear Peat Head.  It’s massively peaty but has a soft approach.  Better put, at 59.6% ABV, it noses like a much lower ABV peat monster.

The sweet Kilchoman character of the spirit shines through and mixes well with the sherry cask.  Not as medicinal as the Kilchoman Sherry Cask however that canvas sneaker element is here.

Burnt apricots and black pepper.

Star anise (subtle and well integrated with the peat smoke).

Chocolate covered espresso beans.  Yum!

On the mouth — Oily and peaty.  There is a great mix of sweet and medicinal happening here.  This is a peat monster and the sherry influence is lovely here.

Briny, raisiny, sea-influenced goodness.

Untamed and making me wish I bought a second bottle.

Molasses cookies, minus the cookie.

Black licorice goodness.

Finish — Medium length and slightly effervescent.

In sum —  A single cask of Kilchoman that shows just how good a fully sherried Kilchoman can be.  Yummy from beginning to end.  One for the cold winter for sure.  But, heck, the colder wether is coming…  This would be fine on a cool night by a bonfire.

A great, great single cask of whisky!

Arran, Autumn, Let's celebrate!, Springtime

Arran’s devilish new limited release: The Devil’s Punch Bowl

 

Islands Region – 52.3%ABV – $129 – this stuff is selling out quickly – limited to 6,660 bottles.  Yeah, that’s right.  6,660 bottles.

If I were giving out packaging awards today, Arran’s Devil’s Punch Bowl would win it in a heart beat.  Hands down, this is some of the coolest packaging for a whisky in a *LONG* time.  And it’s not absurd awesome, just awesome-awesome.

Dude!:

And in the open position:

All up close and personal-like:

Even closer and even more personal:

Booga-booga!!

And here is the whisky make up (which, to be honest, is the most important part of the packaging):

Have you fallen in love yet?  Yes or no, here’s my review of the whisky:

On the nose — Classic Arran components:  Fresh apples (though brighter here compared to other Arran whiskies), salty (though slightly less salty than many Arran whiskies) and a touch pungent.

Quite bright, punchy and alive yet a touch buttery.

A strange thought comes to mind: Not sure why but this reminds me a bit of the Macallan 15yo Fine Oak (I rather like that one).  Hmm…

Now a touch of peat sneaks up on me.  Burnt things hither and thither; all natural-like and woody.

Burnt sugar over medjool dates (the sherry components start to come through).  Hint of cherry stones…  A solid whisky so far!

On the mouth — Pow!  Bam!  Kaboom! and other 60’s Batman punch and kick sounds.

Bright and sharp yet not at all hot.

Firm peaty backbone.

Grilled apples, salted.  More burnt sugar.  Honied yet oh, so peppery.

Peppered apple sauce.  A nice mouthfeel.

Finish — One of my favorite Arran characteristics: a good, long finish.  This one is peaty and peppery with a bit of honey and sugar.

In sum —  Well, not what I expected.  Granted, I didn’t know what to expect as I chose to not read reviews or learn too much about this whisky.

On the rare occasions when they do peated whiskies, Arran doesn’t peat much beyond 20ppm.  Knowing this, I guessed correctly that this would not be a peat monster.  I had heard some off-comments about this whisky in that people expected “more”.  Maybe some (due to the whisky name and packaging) expected a fire blast or peat monster.

Me?  I think it’s a well constructed whisky that packs a wallop.  It’s deliciously tasty, invigorating and of great quality.

Well done, Mr. MacTaggart, you devilish dude you!

Special thanks to the good folks at ImpEx for the ample sample!

***But, can I have your whisky? Please?!***
A World of Discovery, All You Need Is Love, Lagavulin, Let's celebrate!

Islay distilleries explained thru Rock and Roll comparisons – Part 7 – Lagavulin and my review of their 30yo expression

Islay distilleries and their whiskies explained through Rock and Roll – Part VII (of VIII)

One of life’s true treats – Lagavulin Islay single malt whisky!

Lagavulin was actually my gateway whisky.  G-d bless him, one of my synagogue’s congregants (recently turned rabbi and now leads his own congregation) used to take whisky bottles to services quite a lot – usually for our “Kabbalat Shabbat” Friday evening service for our post-worship “oneg.”

Well, one night he brought a bottle of Lagavulin 16yo and damn, if I didn’t fall in love straight away!  The sweet smoke, the campfire… I loved it and, wham-bam-thank-you-ma’am, that set me off on my whisky adventure and I never looked back.

I was going to hold this review as the final Islay/Rock review but decided to do it now because, well, it’s my blog and I decide to make an executive decision.  Also, I reviewed the below whisky nearly a year and a half ago and I should have posted it… a year and a half ago!

We’re nearly there.  Six down and today is the seventh Islay/Rock review and then only one more to go (can you guess which one that is?).  Here’s what’s been reviewed in this series to date:

  1. Part one:Bruichladdich as The Sex Pistols
  2. Part two: Ardbeg as Slayer
  3. Part three: Caol Ila as The 80′s (They get their very own decade!)
  4. Part four:Bowmore as David Bowie
  5. Part five: Kilchoman as the Jackson Five (somewhat fitting, in retrospect, with them both bearing the number five).
  6. Part six: Bunnahabhain as R.E.M.

Today we’re reviewing:

Lagavulin 30yo bottled at 52.6% ABV – You can find a bottle here at The Whisky Exchange for £1295 or here for €499 (now sold out at the €499 price).

On the nose — Well, I smelled the stuff from two feet away (I ordered this whisky at a bar in Seattle – can’t remember the name of the bar, sorry).

Jamming my nose into it further and yup, no doubt about it, it’s Lagavulin!

Floral, smoky and even fruity.

Notes of peach and rhubarb.

Salted caramels and a touch waxy.

Fragrant oils.  The smell of a well used wood panel study.

Rolos – chocolatey.

Less campfire smoke than what I’m used to with the 16yr.

On the Mouth — Hot fire-fueled fruits.

Think golden raisin and apricots.  Golden fruits abound.

Waxiness from the nose translated to the taste however, the mouth feel is not as supple as the standard 16yo expression.

Light & fresh green herbs and lightly honeyed.

The wood is well integrated adding layered notes of vanilla and coconut.

Finish — A wild flower field on fire.  More coconut and lasting vanilla.

In sum — The Balance is superb!  Not what I expected (of course, I was expecting some sherry influence as with the 16yr but then again, I knew *nothing* about this whisky before it was put in front of me).  However, it was just plain lovely.  Well worth the $$ I shelled out for the ample dram.

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Lagavulin – The Band!

Is it any surprise that Lagavulin is the Led Zeppelin of Islay whisky?  The rock band powerhouse is the Islay powerhouse.

Like Led Zeppelin (the “Coda” album and the song “The Bridge” excepted), I can not think of one release that didn’t wow me in some way.

Think of the very successful Distiller’s Edition (some of which are legendary) and their great, 12yo cask strength yearly release.  Again, cracking stuff!  Lagavulin rocks and seems to have hit after hit after hit.

Is it the quality spirit, the cask choices… both?  Who knows.  But, like Page, Plant, Jones and Bonham, when you mix the spirit of Lagavulin and mature it in their chosen casks, it’s pure magic.

Good work, Lagavulin.  Like the unparalleled Led Zeppelin, there is no whisky like you!