Tag Archives: Dried popsicle sticks

Glenlivet

Exclusive Malts Glenlivet 1976 36yo, 44.6% ABV

 

GlenlivetSpeyside region – 44.6%ABV – $325, US market only

I am about to lose my  Glenlivet reviewing virginity.

I don’t know if I’m ready or what it will do to my relationship with The Glenlivet after we do it I review this whisky.  I just know that I really-really like the Exclusive Malts range and, I think I’m ready to commit.  I’m ready to take this shapely glass into my hands and…

You know, as I typed the above ridiculousness, I realize that it (and by extension I) is no where near as funny an innuendo as Baptize Me from the Book of Mormon Soundtrack.  If you don’t know the piece, you should check it out below.  Seriously, here it is (funny stuff):

I guess it’s time for me to do it.  I’m finally going to review this Glenlivet.  Please think well of me in the morning my sweet, sweet whisky…

This is 40On the nose –  Upon initial sniff I am reminded of that type of woman that lies about her age.  Yes, like Leslie Mann from the new movie “This is 40.”  Sure she’s 40 but she tells everyone she’s 36 and, you know what, she looks it too.

Funny enough, this is a 36yo whisky but I’d never assume it as such.  Sure there are elements of age in here such as wood spice and clean church pews however, there’s a delicate fruity quality and some clotted cream as well that makes it feel younger.

Let’s explore further…

Glenlivet-2
If you want to understand the Hitler with a pineapple image, I suggest you click on the picture to be take to the YouTube video. Sit back and enjoy.

A whiff of smoke in the background adds to notes of over ripe, browning pineapple and some nail polish remover.  Model glue meets white sugar in a honey reduction.

So far, I’m impressed.

On the mouth – Presto-chango-alla-kazam, the flavor profile is quite the different animal from the initial nosing impression.

Step back, take a breath, dive in again, Hatton.

Glenlivet-3Here we go:  An oily start but give it ¾ of a second and it starts dry the tongue.  Popsicle sticks soaked in the aforementioned nail polish remover, wood spice and brown spice and wilting dandelion stems.

Some tart, white wine like elements here as well.  As I try to think of the wine grape I am reminded that I am a whisky reviewer and not a wine reviewer.  I will stop all attempts in guessing the wine grape.

Moving on…

Glenlivet-4And now I am noticing some pepper and hints of artificially flavored banana Laffy taffy.  Better yet, banana chips.

Finish – A long finish with, guess what?  Hints of wine!  This time I *can* tell you that the wine is identifiable by myself and much more dessert like.  I’d liken it to a Moscato.

In sum – A bit on the pricey side but also a rarity to find a single cask of Glenlivet (and a 36yo one at that, too).

Don’t let the nose fool you, this whisky will take you on a bit of a ride.  What a great, great nose!  The flavors were nice as well, I was just not expecting the change.  While I’d not choose this as a celebratory whisky, I’d surely reach for it when I had some “me time” and wanted a bit of a change.

This is a fun whisky to drink when you want to really think about whisky and ponder life a bit.

Special thanks to ImpEx for the sample!!

Be sure to check out Jason’s review from Guid Scotch Drink

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.

A World of Discovery, Amrut, An everyday dram, Angry, Takin' It Easy

Amrut Single Malt Whisky 46%ABV & Cask Strength – head to head

India – 46%ABV – $50 | £27 | €31

Indian whisky, eh?  Whisky from India?  Damn straight and, why not?  Malt whisky is malt whisky & you can make it where ever you want so long as you have:

Barley (check – The barley is specially grown in the foothills of the Himalayas and the whisky is matured at 3,000ft at Bangalore.)

Water (check – have you see the Himalayas lately?)

Yeast (C’mon, this stuff is everywhere)

A place to mature your whisky (Check – the whisky is matured at 3,000ft at Bangalore and these particular expressions are matured in New American Oak and ex-bourbon before bottling).

For this head-to-head comparison between the Amrut Single Malt bottled at 46% and the Cask Strength version, I decided NOT to add any water to the Cask Strength version figuring that the 46% ABV version did this for me already.  A big thanks to Amrut for catering to my lazy side.

On the nose – New York City tap water (from a Connecticutian’s perspective) or perhaps clean fresh rain.

Spiced butter on freshly baked sesame bread (oh, I like this – a lot!).

A bag of dried grains (think oats & barely).

There’s a savory warmth in here that keeps drawing me in.

Cinnamon rubbed apricots, stewing.

Gruyere cheese.

Vanilla and macaroons.

On the mouth – Excessively chewy.

Chlorinated pool water

And, as much as I wanted to steer clear of indian food references, mango chutney with noticeable gingery notes.

Pine nut and basil pesto (with a clear focus on pine nuts).

Finish – Savory finish filled with buttery breads and more pine nuts.

In sum – Highly enjoyable.  The mouthfeel alone had me in a happy spot.  A nice balanced whisky that is unique.  Easy to approach and exceedingly yummy.  This is a great every day dram, no doubt.

And now onto the cask strength version which has nearly 16% more alcohol by volume…

India – 61.8%ABV – $68 | £34 | €39

On the nose – At 61.8%, the first thing I notice is a blast of grain alcohol.

Yes, I know this is a malted whisky but this was the initial impression I got.

Very forward.

Dry popsicle sticks.

Melon pith.

Band-aids.

On the mouth – Hot but, strangely accessible (sort of…).

Sugared melon (honey dew).

Very sweet with notes of caramel apples.

Soy sauce soaked sesame seeds (say that three times real fast!).

Cardamom & fennel seed.

Apricots.

Finish – Blisteringly numbing but now those popsicle stick are back.

Very sweet.

Notes of dry, uncooked pasta.

In sum for the Cask Strength and the overall experience between the two – Someone PLEASE put my mouth out!!  Hot damn, this stuff will wake you up (and put to right back to sleep if you have too much of it!).

The cask strength expression can be reserved for days when you’ve just had enough and want to say “F### it all!”. I’ve never suggested this before but, go ahead, knock it back and start bitching with your friends!

I’ve got to say, between this cask strength version and the 46% ABV version, I much prefer the 46% ABV (it really is a nice every day dram and one I plan to keep on my whisky shelf).

Special thanks goes out to Raj at Purple Valley Imports for the tasting samples.