Ardbeg

John Hansell’s top 10 whiskies of 2009

John Hansell of Malt Advocate fame just announced his top 10 whiskies of 2009.  Firstly, I must say how much I appreciate all of the work he does, the magazine, WhiskyFest, What Does John Know? blog, his input, his reviews, etc…  If you’re not familiar, though I somehow doubt it, please check out his blog and Malt Advocate Magazine.  Great stuff!

Here is Malt Advocate’s list of the Top 10 Whiskies of 2009 as rated by John Hansell and Malt Advocate magazine.

I’ve actually only had one of the whiskies on the list — Ardbeg Corryvreckan (and a cracking dram it is!).  Most of the others I could never afford.  Actually, I could afford to buy some of them but I’m not quite sure my marriage could…

This being said, John, if you’re reading, perhaps a top 10 list of “affordable” whiskies would be a nice addendum to your current list??

Until then, if you’re looking for some good whisky with little cash in hand, I know Whisky Party  has a list of 40 Whiskies under $40 (and a nice list it is).

L’chayim/Slainte/Cheers!

All You Need Is Love, Glenmorangie, Springtime, Summertime, Takin' It Easy

Glenmorangie Nectar D’or

Highlands region – 46%ABV – 750ml bottle – $49-$65 | £41 | €47

The Nectar D’or was the first Glenmo I’ve ever tried and actually, the 2nd bottle of whisky I opened my wallet for.  To this date, it is in my list of top 3 whiskies.

The Nectar D’or was extra matured in Sauternes cask, imparting very fruity, syrupy goodness!!

In March, The Jewish Single Malt Whisky Society will be doing a vertical tasting of the current standard Glenmorangie line.  It’s no secret that there is a warm spot in my heart for their nectars, especially this one.  I’m looking forward to it and to blogging about our thoughts.

Initial whiff — Apricot jam, actual Sauternes (no initial whisky scents, pure Sauternes wine; delicious!), loads of vanilla, some coconut and a tad bit of smoke, more like apricot jam on burnt toast (after having scrapped off the burny parts with a butter knife).

On the mouth — My G-d, my mouth instantly started watering.  Very fruity, apricots again, pecans, oak and coconuts.  A bit peppery and some gobs of honey, sugared honey.

Finish — Long, this stuff coats your mouth quite well, in the way back of my tongue the pecans came back.  Quite lovely stuff.

In sum — Got pancakes? This is stuff is so syrupy sweet. This is one that will alway have a place on my shelf for when I want a treat

Cold Winter, Glenmorangie, Need To Bundle Up, Refreshed, Summertime

Glenmorangie “Traditional”

Highlands region – 57.2%ABV – cask strength – 1 liter bottle – Not sold in the US – £71 | €82

Holy cow! This liquid proves you do not need to be a smokey/peaty whisky to be a manly whisky.

Initial whiff — This thing punched me right in the face with a handful of oak, cloves and more spirit than the “holy ghost”

On the mouth — Fruity, cherries (tons of them, the maraschino type), vanilla, oak and some unexpected, albeit a slight amount of, smoke??

Finish — Long, spicy, burny, fruity. This is a “should not have had this on lunch” type of dram. Big fan!

In sum — A great effort on behalf of the Sixteen Men of Tain.  I think I liked this more than the Astar.  Someday I’d like to do a side by side; the Traditional vs. the Astar to see if I’d make the same statement again.


A World of Discovery, Angry, Ardbeg, Cold Winter

My first blogged tasting: Ardbeg Uigeadail – Seaweed, leather, blood and raisins

Islay region – 54.2%ABV – cask strength – 750ml bottle – $56-89 | £47 | €55

I picked up this bottle mainly out of peer pressure. My peat head buddies and twitter friends love it. Every blog I read has nothing but good things to say so hey, I picked up a bottle.

Initial whiff — Huntington Beach circa 1981, low tide, me on a boogie board falling face forward in a pile of rotting seaweed. This was not a fun memory. 2nd whiff, same thing with a little sweetness. Last whiff, my sister’s suede jacket after a Bon Jovi concert, 1988 with a 7-11 big gulp slushy sweetness.

On the mouth — sweet smoke, iodine, salt, cigarette butts, blood and raisins. Smooth for the ABV

Finish — nice, long, smokey and sweet.

In sum — This is not an every day dram for me. Have to be in the mood. Like the A’bdunah, I think this is one to drink when pissed off. I will say, this has to be one of the most complex drops I’ve ever sniffed/tested.

In the right mood, this is a 94pt dram for me. Tonight, it’s an 81pt (not that I do point ratings but when I was sipping this I was trying to think of a good way to explain how mood could play into tasting whisky so, I threw some points on it…)

I drink booze, and sometimes I talk about it.