Category Archives: Moods/Seasons

Refreshed, Springtime, Takin' It Easy

SMWS 39.74 – Linkwood 19yr Single Cask 47.1%

Speyside region – 47.1%ABV – 750ML bottle – Go here to get a bottle

So, shortly after I signed up to become a member of the Scotch Malt Whisky Society (of America) a nice package came in the mail which contained a welcome booklet, a fun and fancy SMWS pin (which my daughters kindly helped in the losing thereof) and four 100ml samples to give me an idea of what I will come to expect from the society’s single cask bottlings.

The four bottles included a Macallan (#24.110), a Highland Park (#4.142), a Bowmore (#3.156) and a Linkwood (#39.74 – this one here that I am about to review).  The society introduced me to Linkwood and for that, I am ever grateful.

The sad thing is that this is not available as a 750ml bottle for the US arm of the Society so I am not able to get a full bottle.  I had to savor the 100ml I got, and savor I did.

Now, you can savor my notes:

On the nose – Delicious salted fruits & salted tomatoes.

Black licorice and candy coated fennel seeds after a good indian dinner.

Brighter fruit notes (think pears and cantaloupe… notes you usually only smell in the younger whiskies).

This is an easy noser.

On the mouth – The entry is as smooth as baby’s behind and chewy as a piece of Laffy Taffy™.

Cedar wood and herbal teas.

That saltiness returns.

Tangerines and a hint of fresh tobacco.

Fennel seeds and a malty & bready goodness that is tough to describe but, it’s there and it’s damn good.

Finish – Slightly numbing the sides of my mouth and lingering like the long goodbye of a chance meeting of an old girlfriend.

In sum – A lovely expression that I could find myself sipping on as a morning pick-me-up (very refreshing!) or as an evening wind-down.  What’s interesting is I chose to read the societies notes AFTER I nosed and tasted this whisky (I did not want to be influenced in any way).  I found that their nose and my palate were very similar but reversed.

Angry, Blind Tastings, Summertime

Rick’s Mystery Dram Series – This is the end.

So, this is it.  My final “Rick’s Mystery Dram”.  It’s been a fun, fun time and I am thankful to Rick for A) sending me the samples and B) taking out the time to build this series for me and working with me on it C) opening up my eyes (and hopefully your eyes) to some fine American whiskeys!

As I mentioned in the 3rd post for this “Rick’s Mystery Dram” Series, I’ve decided to make this a wee bit more interesting by sending out a mystery dram to the correct guesser of the week’s mystery dram or, if there has been no correct guess, the sample goes to a commenter (randomly chosen).  Last week, “Shai Gilboa” won the mystery dram – congrats Shai!

Details on how to win a mystery dram sample (which will be Scotch or American whisk(e)y, your choice) are listed below, after the review.

Review time (and yes, it’s an American whiskey)!

On the nose – Strong spirity nose!

Obvious wood influence here in the form of a heavily charred barrel – I’m assuming.

This whiskey, by the way, is a very deep & dark amber color.

Underneath all of that hot spirit is some buttered cinnamon swirl toast.

A boat load of vanilla.

On the mouth – Big, huge heat but all of the flavor is here.

Lush cinnamon buns (frosting and all).

Old wood – reminds me of attic wood (old but slightly dampened with the humidity of summer).

Finish – Long and hot like a like a [insert a porn star’s name here] movie.

In sum – Big hot bourbony fury that I think would be well suited as a slow summery sipper.

The clues –

  • Big hot spirity nose & palate – High ABV!  Barrel strength.
  • Full flavored – even with all the spirit heat – this is a full flavored, big sweet bourbon.
  • Lots of wood influence – heavy charred barrels and, perhaps, some age(?).

JMSWS antes up!

For those who attempt to guess – each week I will be sending out one mystery dram (a small 5cl bottle) and the first person guesses correctly wins the dram.  Actually, if there are no correct guesses for the week then a winner will be chosen at random.  You win whether your right or not (like a weatherperson – right or not, s/he still has a job)!

So again, I will be awarding a free whisk(e)y sample every week to one lucky winner (whether you guess correctly or not).

How do I enter to win you ask?

Easy, comment on this post with what you think the mystery dram of the week may be.  It’s that simple.

I will let you choose the type of mystery dram — Scotch or American Whiskey (though that’s all you’ll know about it).  And if you’d like, you can send me your tasting notes and I’ll post them for my readers to guess at.  If you’d prefer the blind tasting to be between just you and me… that’s cool too.

For previous “Rick’s Mystery Dram” entries :

Here’s Mystery Dram #1 (which ended up being Parker’s Heritage First Edition)

Here’s Mystery Dram #2 (which ended up being Parker’s Heritage Golden Anniversary)

Here’s Mystery Dram #3 (which ended up being Evan Williams Single Barrel, 2000 vintage, barrel # 234)

Here’s Mystery Dram #4 (which ended up being Tonala 4 year Anejo tequila)

Here’s Mystery Dram #5 (which ended up being Wild Turkey Russell’s Reserve, 10 year)

Here’s Mystery Dram #7 (remember, there was no #6 dram.  #7 ended up being Jefferson’s Presidential Select, 17 year, batch #3)

Here’s Mystery Dram #8 (#8 ended up being Sazerac Rye 18yr which, by the way, completely threw me off.  Not what I was expecting from a rye whiskey.  I liked it anyway.)

Here’s Mystery Dram #9 (#9 ended up being Thomas H. Handy Sazerac which, by the way, was correctly guessed by Matt L!!  Congrats Matt – great job!)

Here’s Mystery Dram #10 (#10 ended up being Eagle Rare 17 year)

A World of Discovery, Linkwood, Summertime, Takin' It Easy

1992 Linkwood by McGibbon’s – a single cask Provenance bottling 46% ABV

Speyside region – 46%ABV – 750ml – $76

I am very new to Linkwood.  Many out there (especially Americans) simply have not even heard of Linkwood.  Most of their whiskies are used in Johnnie Walker (among other blends).  However, there are many indy bottlings out there (this being one of them) as well as some distillery bottlings.

So far I’ve had this and a Scotch Malt Whisky Society bottling.  The SMWS bottling is mind blowing – I’ll be posting on that shortly.  This one is very nice.

On the nose – Huh… notes of imitation pine needle spray (like an artificial Christmas wreath).

Light toffee notes.   Lemons and creamsicles.

Fresh cut wood.  Better yet, damp plywood.

Perfumed like a “Puerto Rican Shower” (not trying to offend anyone of Latino heritage, it’s a ridiculous term indeed.  Ridiculous, imaginative, horrible but quite descriptive).

On the mouth – Extremely light mouthfeel.

Lemon caramel (caramel in flavor, not feel – again, this is a thinner one).

Slightly nutty.

A touch winey – think tannins with a small amount of fruit.   Actually, I’m reminded of a dry summery rosé here.

Wow, in the last sip bigger sherry notes came out.  Nice.

Finish – Oh, it’s all about the finish here.

Great caramel notes.

Baked potato with sour cream and scallions (is this juice from one of those Wonka sticks of gum)?

Short with feel, long in flavor.

In sum – Light and pleasant.  An easy drinker if you just want to relax or, if you want to concentrate on it a bit, you can find that there is a fair amount of complexity here.  A nice summer dram.

A World of Discovery, All You Need Is Love, Glenglassaugh, Let's celebrate!

Glenglassaugh 30yr 55.1% – a true celebratory malt

Speyside region – 55.1%ABV – 70cl Decanter (yes folks, a decanter.) – £390 | €469

I’ll be upfront here.  Many folks out there will not have the chance to try this stuff.  It’s rare and it’s very expensive.  Before you start calling me a Daddy Warbucks I will tell you that I reviewed this dram from a sample.  A big, *BIG* thank you goes out to Alan for the sample!  Cheers He’bro!

Why am I so excited about a bottle I could never afford?  Well, because A) some of you good people out there can swing the squids for a bottle and B) Glenglassaugh is a newly re-opened distillery and if this whisky is any indication as to what we’ll see coming out of their stills & casks, well…  let’s say we should all be excited.

On to the whisky!

On the nose – Light & fruity nose filled with a mist of lemons (better yet, Etrog) and white pepper.

A hints of lovely oak to it.  Sweet flowers and Sharpies (black markers).

Honey salted butter (unmelted butter – a fresh stick).

Black licorice.

Sugar cubes and almond oil.

On the mouth – Fruity – Apples and berries.

Loads of toffee and burnt tea leaves.

Rose water (oh, I love this!).

This is getting hotter by the second — cayenne and jalepeno notes pop in right as it heats up – brilliant.

Black grapes and cherry skins.

The mouthfeel went from oily and chewy but we go quickly over to thin and hot.

Finish – Prickly pears both in taste and feel “prickly” tongue and cheeks.

In sum – I am thankful to have had a chance to taste this stuff.  I was only 6 years old when this was distilled.  That aside, there’s a reason this is an award winning whisky.  Powerful and truly enjoyable Scotch whisky!  Another dram to break out for the most special of life cycle events such as the birth of a child, marriage, bar/bat mitzvah (for my heebs out there), Christening (because I’m an equal opportunity whisky lover), etc…

Last month I had the good opportunity to interview Stuart Nickerson (Managing Director of the newly re-opened Glenglassaugh distillery).  If you’ve not yet had a chance to read it, you may want to do so right now.  Part 1 & Part 2

All You Need Is Love, Blind Tastings, Summertime, Takin' It Easy

Rick’s Mystery Dram series – Week 9 of 10 – Sample #10

Whiskey sample number ten.  Another American whiskey sample from Rick.

As I mentioned in the 3rd post for this “Rick’s Mystery Dram” Series, I’ve decided to make this a wee bit more interesting by sending out a mystery dram to the correct guesser of the week’s mystery dram or, if there has been no correct guess, the sample goes to a commenter (randomly chosen).  Last week, “Matt L” won the mystery dram (again) and did so by guessing what the dram in question was.

Details on how to win a mystery dram sample (which will be Scotch or American whisk(e)y, your choice) are listed below, after the review.

Review time!

On the nose – Big, fat, thick spice with a side of rye bread and a cord of oak.

Very perfumed.  Like the cheap perfume on a girl you wish you hadn’t said hi to in the bar — sexy but over powering.

Some of the standard notes you’d find in bourbon:

Cinnamon.  Nutmeg.  Vanilla.

On the mouth – Everything just got a bit toasty here – that rye toast has just been browned; awaiting a pad of butter that does, in fact, arrive!

Grape soda (this is the third time I got grape soda notes in a bourbon).

Very easy to chew on but there does seem to be a fair amount of alcohol here (45-50%ABV?).

Finish – The finish is interesting – I’m almost getting some great port wine notes coming back.  The overall length of the finish is medium and perfect.

In sum – This is a very comforting dram of whiskey.

Perfect for the summer time.

Watch the sun set and sip your glass empty – life is good.

The clues –

  • Getting notes of rye in the nose and in the tasting
  • Grape soda notes and, my guess, an ABV of 45-50%.
  • More grape notes in the finish – almost reminiscent of port wine.

JMSWS antes up!

For those who attempt to guess – each week I will be sending out one mystery dram (a small 5cl bottle) and the first person guesses correctly wins the dram.  Actually, if there are no correct guesses for the week then a winner will be chosen at random.  You win whether your right or not (like a weatherperson – right or not, s/he still has a job)!

So again, I will be awarding a free whisk(e)y sample every week to one lucky winner (whether you guess correctly or not).

How do I enter to win you ask?

Easy, comment on this post with what you think the mystery dram of the week may be.  It’s that simple.

I will let you choose the type of mystery dram — Scotch or American Whiskey (though that’s all you’ll know about it).  And if you’d like, you can send me your tasting notes and I’ll post them for my readers to guess at.  If you’d prefer the blind tasting to be between just you and me… that’s cool too.

For previous “Rick’s Mystery Dram” entries :

Here’s Mystery Dram #1 (which ended up being Parker’s Heritage First Edition)

Here’s Mystery Dram #2 (which ended up being Parker’s Heritage Golden Anniversary)

Here’s Mystery Dram #3 (which ended up being Evan Williams Single Barrel, 2000 vintage, barrel # 234)

Here’s Mystery Dram #4 (which ended up being Tonala 4 year Anejo tequila)

Here’s Mystery Dram #5 (which ended up being Wild Turkey Russell’s Reserve, 10 year)

Here’s Mystery Dram #7 (remember, there was no #6 dram.  #7 ended up being Jefferson’s Presidential Select, 17 year, batch #3)

Here’s Mystery Dram #8 (#8 ended up being Sazerac Rye 18yr which, by the way, completely threw me off.  Not what I was expecting from a rye whiskey.  I liked it anyway.)

Here’s Mystery Dram #9 (#9 ended up being Thomas H. Handy Sazerac which, by the way, was correctly guessed by Matt L!!  Congrats Matt – great job!)