Glenglassaugh, Glenglassaugh, Scotch Whisky Advent Calendar 2015

Scotch Whisky Advent Calendar dram # 2 – Malt Whisky Co’s “Craigmills” (Glenglassaugh), Sauternes matured

 

Region – Highlands – 59.3% ABV

Scotch Whisky Advent Calendar Glenglassaugh

I consider myself lucky with the fact that I’ve had the supreme honor and pleasure to spend time with Mr. Stuart Nickerson, Managing Director of The Malt Whisky Company. I first met Stuart when he was with Glenglassaugh and I was starting my own independent bottling company.  It was right around this time, as well, that I was doing a fun series of interviews on this blog and Stuart was nice enough to say “yes” when I asked if he would mind me interviewing him.

To check out the interview, click here.

As you’ll read from the interview, Stuart has had quite a history in Scotch whisky and he continues to make history now with his latest venture, The Malt Whisky Company.  Additionally, Stuart has become the Executive Director at Tipperary Boutique Distillery.

For more details on The Malt Whisky Company, click here.

Scotch Whisky Advent Calendar GlenglassaughOn to the whisky at hand:

Here we are, Dec 2nd. Yesterday we had a 15yo single sherry cask bottled by A.D. Rattray and today we’ve got an NAS, cask strength Sauternes matured Glenglassaugh which has been bottled at 59.3% ABV.

While NAS, the ABV tells me that this is likely some younger juice. This does not worry me one bit. Young whisky is where it’s at for me.

Scotch Whisky Advent CalendarOn the nose — Yup, smells like some lovely, youthful, Glenglassaugh. Nice minerality on the nose.  Followed by layers of fresh apricots, golden raisins, cooked pecans, and perhaps a touch of wet paperboard.

The sauternes cask influence is quite clear here and offers a richness that compliments the youthful qualities such as clear notes of fresh cut pear, fruity floor cleaner (the kinds that smell so good you want to drink them but don’t because that’s just crazy, and it’d make you sick. I mean, what were you even thinking?!)

Scotch Whisky Advent CalendarIn the mouth — Incredibly sweet and as dense as a sticky bun. With time you can pick it apart, and when you do, I hope you’ll find: apricot jam, crushed filberts, olive oil spiciness toward the back of your throat, and honey over pears.  The mouthfeel is oily as heck.

Finish — Rich apricot sweetness that lasts quite a long time. Green peppercorns dance on the tongue for a time, too.

In sum — The flavors are so tight here, you really need a good 30 minutes to pull it all apart. This is a thinking wo/man’s dram, no doubt. You do not want to just toss this one back. Spend time with it, reveal its secrets. You’ll be happy you did.

Scotch Whisky Advent Calendar 2015, Tomintoul

Scotch Whisky Advent Calendar dram # 1 – A.D. Rattray’s 15yo Tomintoul, Sherry cask # 9289

 

Region – Speyside – 61% ABV

Hon·or (änər): as defined by Oxford English Dictionary (this being the 3rd definition of many): Something regarded as a rare opportunity and bringing pride and pleasure; a privilege: ‘Mrs Young had the honour of being received by the Queen.’


hon·or (änər): as accepted by me when I am asked to be *the* blogger to review all 25 Scotch Whisky Advent calendar drams by the good people that put this whole fancy thing together:

Scotch Whisky Advent Calendar

Con·fu·sion (kənˈfyo͞oZHən): as defined by me when it comes to Advent calendars.  What does this Jew know from Advents and such?

Actually, I know quite a lot. Being that we Jews are the vast minority basically everywhere other than New York and Israel, and that Christianity is ubiquitous and Christmasness is the law of the land from Oct 1 – Dec 26, there’s simply no dodging knowledge of Christmas customs.  I don’t knock such traditions. They’re quite beautiful, in fact. I may not follow them, but I do see the beauty.

So, here we find ourselves together, joining schwartzes, you and me, to do a series of things: discover whisky, appreciate a nice surprise (25 new whiskies per day from Dec 1 – Dec 25!!), and celebrate each day as something new and different.

Today, December 1, 2015, has us opening hole # 1 (sounds a bit dirty, yes, but keep your mind out of the gutter). In hole #1 (teehee) we find a 5cl bottle of 15yo Tomintoul from 1999. Cask # 9289 which has been bottled at 61% ABV.  That’s quite a way to kick off the days leading up to Dec 25th!!

We’re a strong group of men and women though, right? We laugh at 61% ABV – HA!

Scotch Whisky Advent Calendar

On the nose — Initially, it’s a bit sharp on the nose but after a few minutes, it’s still a little sharp on the nose. That said, let’s give a puff of air into the glass to dissipate the alcohol and see what happens…

Scotch Whisky Advent CalendarOh, wow, a wonderful sherry richness comes through! Orange and black pepper marmalade is to the fore followed by bitter chocolate and baked pears.

Quite a bit of spice on the nose (not heat now, spice) a la Cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and, get this, a hint of turmeric!

Finally, pickled walnuts and hints of sour grapes (interesting).

Scotch Whisky Advent CalendarIn the mouth — Easy entry, even for 61%. Silky mouthfeel with hints of quince jam, spiced charoset and the flavor of the smell of sweet potpourri that has a good amount of orange in it.

I don’t usually add water but I’m feeling adventurous.

Scotch Whisky Advent CalendarWith a few drops: roasted chicory and loads of honeysuckle make themselves known.  The richness here is huge without being too sherried/too oaky. In fact, there’s virtually no astringency even as we get to the finish.

Finish —  Somewhat short yet there a lasting nuttiness that is quite pleasant.

In sum —  Someone once said that any distillery that starts with a “T,” with the exception of Talisker, is “terrible.” I wholeheartedly disagree. This here cask of Tomintoul is proof that great whisky can be produced at any distillery.  This is a fine cask selection.  Thank you to A.D. Rattray for choosing this cask for the Scotch Whisky Advent Calendar!
An everyday dram, Takin' It Easy, Wild Turkey - Kentucky Spirit

Wild Turkey “Kentucky Spirit” cask # 98, pick by Julio’s

 

Region – Kentucky – 50.5% ABV

Wild Turkey Kentucky SpiritI’m not a bourbon guy (generally speaking). Really, I’m just not huge on American spirits in general.

Don’t get me wrong, I quite enjoy bourbon, rye, and other American whiskeys. It’s just that, well, my heart and passion is in malt whisky.

You can look at all of my posts over the past 6 or so years, and see that I focus on malt whisky. Malt whisky is mine, my precious.  I wants it. I needs it. The others, they’re all tricksie!!

Gollum! Gollum!

Still, I need to give credit to a whisk(e)y where credit is due.  There are some good bourbons, great bourbons, and amazing bourbonsout there. Today, I’m reviewing a great bourbon. A well selected cask.

I think this cask may be all sold out at this point (I’m glad I purchased my bottle when I did) as this was a bottling that Whisky Advocate quite liked.  It’s in the top 10 of 2015’s releases.  Not too shabby.

On to the tasting!

On the nose — Spoiler alert! It smells like bourbon! Cloves, cinnamon, allspice, pencil shavings, coconut, cooked vanilla pods.  The standard stuff you’d expect to smell (thank you new charred oak – we know you all too well).

Let’s get beyond this though… buttered popcorn, wet leather, salted bread dough (huh…), Cherry tarts. All of these notes are well integrated.

In the mouth — Big and spicy stuff with notes of salted licorice, vanilla ice cream, buttered baguette, cream of corn soup (if it could be a very sweet soup).  Pear skins, and a hint of mint.  Decent mouthfeel with a fair amount of oiliness.

Finish — Cherry tootsie pops, all the way.  Medium finish

In sum — This can be picked apart (a la the above) or treated like bourbon should be treated – simply fine-fine sippin’ juice!  Really yummy stuff here.  Nicely chosen, Julio’s!!  Well met.

 

Field Trip!

Whisky Jewbilee inaugural event for #Chicago – to be held on October 27, 2015

 

Whisky Jewbilee Chicago
After four sold out Whisky Jewbilee events in NYC, show coordinators, Jewish Whisky Company, thought it was high time to take the show on the road to #Chicago !

Hosted by the Jewish Whisky Company, the inaugural Chicago Whisky Jewbilee is quickly approaching!

After 4 successful, sold out whisky events in NYC, we decided it’s high time to take the show on the road to Chicago!   In fact, the event is so succesful and unique, The Spirits Business calls Whisky Jewbilee one of “the world’s top 10 whisky shows!“

The Jewbilee will be held at Salvage One on 1840 West Hubbard Street, Chicago, IL 60622

The Whisky Jewbilee is a premium whisky event focused on fine spirits and cigars. This is your chance to taste approximately 250 of the world’s finest whiskies and smoke some wonderful cigars.

Our exhibitors will be pouring whiskies from Scotland, America, Canada, Japan, Ireland, India, Australia, and Taiwan.

For those that keep kosher, our buffet is fully kosher, provided by Milt’s BBQ for the Perplexed.

Every Whisky Jewbilee event held has been a sold out event so, buy your tickets today — tickets are only $135ea!

Buy tickets to Whisky Jewbilee Chicago today!

 

 

 

The evening’s schedule will be:

  • From 7pm – 10pm: Whisky Jewbilee Grand Tasting and expanded Kosher Buffet
  • 80 brands, 250+ whiskies from around the world!
  • Masterclasses to be announced shortly!
  • Festival bottling to be announced shortly!

I drink booze, and sometimes I talk about it.