Tag Archives: Citrus

Glengoyne

Glengoyne 8yr Single Cask – bottled for the SMWSA – Cask number 123.5

Highland region – 58.5%ABV – Go here to gain access to bottles from the Scotch Malt Whisky Society

Glengoyne.  Saying the name aloud and the Jew in me can’t help but think “Glengoyim” has a funny ring to it.

I don’t have much more to add today other than that tidbit of sophomoric hilariousness, except, looking at the color of this Glengoyne gives me the same lustful feelings this Yamazaki gave me.  Pure sexy!

On the nose — Hoisin sauce and Moo-Shu pancakes.

Sweet, spiced with cinnamon and something dusty smelling…

Laminated cardboard and glue.

A slight touch of nail polish and oat bread.

On the mouth — Jam & toast (raspberry without the tart).

Salt water taffies – think imitation chocolate and pistachio (again, imitation).

A bit of smoke in here (though, being a Glengoyne, I know this can’t be peated in any way – perhaps something from the barrel).

Grape lolly-pops.

Finish — Orange zest with maple syrup.  Salted and ¡zingy!  Decent length.

In sum — Fun.  Not my cup of tea.  Interesting for sure and balanced fairly well but the over-all flavor profile is not up my alley.  Granted, reading back at my notes, it sounds quite nice and some would LOVE it.  I didn’t.

A big thanks to Aron Silverman for the generous sample!

A World of Discovery, An everyday dram, Linkwood

Linkwood 13yr Single Cask – bottled for the SMWSA – Cask number 39.75

Speyside region – 58.5%ABV – Go here to gain access to bottles from the Scotch Malt Whisky Society

I am delving once more into the world of single cask, cask strength whiskies.  There are a few bottlers out there who offer single cask, cask strength whiskies; Scotch Malt Whisky Society, Duncan Taylor, Signatory… to name the big ones.

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society is an exclusive group and you need to be a member to gain access to their whiskies.  The SMWS is now probably the only source for Ardbeg & Glenmorangie single cask whiskies (seeing as Glenmorangie now owns both Ardbeg and the SMWS, that would make sense).

Sure, you can try to get a single cask bottling of an 11yo Ardbeg, bottled by Ardbeg but you’re going to pay hundreds of £|€|$ for it.  Or you can get a similar, kick-ass, 11yo single cask, cask strength Ardbeg from the SMWS for $95.  Your choice.

But I digress… Let’s talk about Linkwood!

On the nose — Dank whole leaf tobacco however very sweet smelling as well with hints of maple candies and raisins.

I’m even a getting a minor hint of strawberry – a note I seem to find from time to time but rarely see it in other peoples notes; could just be me.

Burnt wood and perhaps some lemon zest.

Quenepa fruit – very tart.

Really lovely smelling stuff.

On the mouth — Powerful stuff with hints of gunpowder.

More tobacco notes.

More citrus notes and very peppery – really biting.

Burnt caramel and Wasa Crispbread.

Finish — Still biting, almost fizzy.  Lime leaves and more Crispbread notes.

In sum — A nicely balanced single cask whisky.  Yes, it’s first fill sherry but there are very few notes of what you’d commonly find in a sherried whisky (heavy on the dried fruit, and a sometimes cloying sweetness).  That being said, this is uncommonly delicious.  I can enjoy this on in any season however, it’s not an easy drinker – it’s powerful stuff and if you’re up for a challenge, this one is up your alley.  Another yummy Linkwood.

A big thanks to Aron Silverman for the generous sample!

anCnoc, Refreshed, Springtime, Takin' It Easy

anCnoc 12yr & 16yr Scotch whisky – a side by side tasting.

Highland region – 43%ABV for the 12yr – $35 | £25 | €30 — 46%ABV for the 16yr – $45- $65 | £40 | €49

anCnoc, anCnoc, anCnoc… aChooo!!

Actually, it’s pronounced “ah-knock”.  This whisky, distilled by Knockdhu, used to be called Knockdhu but have decided to change the name of the whisky to anCnoc so as not to be confused with “Knockando” whisky.

The 12yr is on your left whilst the 16yr is on your right.

The anCnoc line was recently (within the past few years) launched here in the US (and elsewhere) with both the 12yr & 16yr readily available in most major markets.

If you look around a bit, some stores & online shops may have some 1993 & 1994 vintages.  There’s even a 30yr whisky out there though, it’s a bit hard to come by.

I’m a bit short on time today so I need to cut to the chase.  Let’s taste these whiskies!

On to the nosing…

12yr — Lemon juice and curdled milk in a … good way.

Very sugary nose.

Vanilla and coconut shells.

Witch Hazel (originating from Connecticut!  Represent!).

Malty notes with some pear.

Apple and buttered toast (rye bread).

16yr — Sugared candies… for my Brits out there, Parma Violets (for my fellow Americans, Smarties).

Pineapple and dried mango (topped with salt).

Sea breeze and, dare I say, a waft (or thread) of smoke in the distance?  Nah, maybe it’s just in my head…

On to the tasting (with notes on the finish)…

12yr — Nice entry, good mouthfeel.

Much of what I got on the nose I am getting here in flavor.

An emphasis on the vanilla and buttered bread.

A tad salty and some unexpected pizza spices on the finish which is medium in length.

16yr — Much more vegetal in flavor as compared to the nosing.

Grassy yet with hints of vanilla custard and pie crust.

Lemon pinwheels and butter cookies.

The finish is slightly drying with some oak…

In sum — Both easy and approachable whiskies.  The 16yr was the clear winner in my book with those delicious sugared candy and tropical fruit notes.  The 12yr was nice however, I would have liked to have tried this at 46% and non-chill filtered like the 16yr is.  I feel bad for the Brits out there – the 12yr is at 40% ABV while here in the states, we get a slightly higher ABV for our 12yr.

So, while the 12yr is pleasant enough, I’d put my money down on the 16yr for the win.  Summery, light, refreshing.

Special thanks goes out to Kathy Lewis-Flanigan for the generous samples!

An everyday dram, Old Pulteney, Refreshed, Summertime, Takin' It Easy

Old Pulteney both 12yr & 17yr versions.

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!

Arran, I'd not drink this one if I were you...

Arran – Matured in Jerusalem and bottled for and by the Israeli Whisky Society

Islands region – matured in Scotland for two years then in Jerusalem (in the basement of the American Colony Hotel) for another two years.  Total of 214 bottles, bottled for the Israeli Whisky Society.

I heard about this whisky a while back from my good friend Gal of Whisky Israel and followed it with great interest.  If I had more money at the time, I would have bought a bottle.

We’re looking at a single cask of whisky – first fill bourbon barrel (which basically means that it was used once to mature bourbon and then used to mature this whisky) – cask strength – a whopping 63.5% ABV… This is some high octane stuff!!

A sincere thanks goes out to Gal of Whisky Israel for the sample!

On the nose – Like sniffing piranas – this stuff bites you in your nose.  Very spicy.

Wooden popsicle sticks.

Notes of pears & baked apple.

Uncooked bacon (in the distance).

Something metallic here too…

On the mouth – Like drinking a fire ball (it is 63.5% ABV after all…).  Let’s add water.  Done.

Now, with water — Vanilla, heat, sugar, more heat, woody – very woody, more and more heat.

Finish – Savory spices, a bit of orange zest and more oak.  Long.

In sum – “Is it soup yet?” No, sadly it is not.  Way too young here.  Not much of a fan.  I’m not sure what went wrong.  At four years of age and with two of those years maturing in Israel, you’d think that the whisky would be ready.

With all of the woodiness in here I’d say it was over aged but there is so much youth/non-complexity that would lead me to believe that it wasn’t ready.  Like drinking a conundrum wrapped in a paradox.