Review - Glenmorangie 18 Year Old Extremely Rare Single Malt Scotch Whisky
This is a very subtle and subdued whisky with flavors that are pleasant. It is well blended but just wish there was a little more ponch to it… we really wanted Chris Hemsworth but got Tom Hiddleston.
Rating 3 Glasses
Distillery: Glenmorangie Distillery
Years Aged: 18
Proof: 86
Local Price (USD): $115.95
Availability: Widespread
Tasting Notes
Color & Consistency: Golden honey with medium, thin and slightly runny legs.
Nose: Light hints of vanilla, hand sanitizer, and very floral. Kind of like walking into a hospital gift shop.
Taste: Mellow and balanced but hard to pick out individual flavors. Lightly charred oak & dried fruits.
Finish: Light, warm & dry with just a touch of smoke at the very end.
Conclusion: This is a very subtle and subdued whisky with flavors that are pleasant but nothing that stands out as spectacular. If you enjoy Johnnie Walker then you will definitely enjoy Glenmorangie 18. It is well blended but we just wish there was a little more ponch to it. Probably wouldn't seek it out at the price point as you are better off putting your money towards a good bottle of Highland Park or Aberlour. To analogize it… we really wanted Chris Hemsworth but got Tom Hiddleston.
Chris Hemsworth
Tom Hiddleston
Review - Ardbeg Grooves Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Grooves is groovy but definitely a lighter Ardbeg release that is more approachable for the casual Islay fan. We would compare it to a blend between AN OA and Ardbeg 10 . It’s really good overall and better than Kelpie with less in your face brininess and a little bit o' peat & little bit o' smoke. Great committee release for 2018.
Rating 4 Glasses
- Distillery: Ardbeg Distillery
- Years Aged: NAS
- Proof: 92
- Local Price (USD): $99.99
- Availability: Rare
- Local Price (USD): $99.99
Tasting Notes
- Color & Consistency: Rich lusciously dark caramel and although the color may portray a beautifully aged specimen they haven't fooled us a bit. Slower thin legs.
- Nose: Rich pipe tobacco, like smoking a pipe during a cool misty morning sitting on a bench overlooking the sea with the subtle sound of bagpipes playing in the distance.
- Taste: Tastes like an an Ardbeg should and that's not a bad thing. Smoke, lighter on the peat than other Ardbegs, definitely meaty and not as briny but she's still sea worthy. Slight caramel & toffee notes.
- Finish: Shorter than its brothers. Mild oiliness with smoke and a little bit of peatiness.
- Conclusion: Grooves is groovy but definitely a lighter Ardbeg release that is more approachable for the casual Islay fan. We would compare it to a blend between AN OA and Ardbeg 10 . It's really good overall and better than Kelpie with less in your face brininess and a little bit o' peat & little bit o' smoke. Great committee release for 2018. Jeff said that he would buy anything Ardbeg after enjoying this dram. Even thought we ranked it highly it feels slightly overpriced leaving us to knock it a little bit on glass rating.
Review - Glenfiddich Project XX Experimental Series #02
There are 20 different barrels used in this blend: 17 bourbon, 1 port pipe & 2 sherry casks. It's really a great product but the complexity and effort that goes into crafting this whisky doesn't exactly translate into the experience.
Rating 3.5 Glasses
- Distillery: Glenfiddich Distillery
- Years Aged: NAS
- Proof: 94
- Local Price (USD): $79.95
- Availability: Widespread
- Local Price (USD): $79.95
Tasting Notes
- Color & Consistency: Light Golden Honey. Legs slow and thick.
- Nose: Floral, orange citrus, butterscotch, not overly complex.
- Taste: Spice, honey butter, a pinch of salt and butterscotch with a bourbonesque oakiness.
- Finish: Rather pleasurable. Long and peppery.
- Conclusion: Being non-chill filtered adds some body to this wonderful dram. There are 20 different barrels used in this blend: 17 bourbon, 1 port pipe & 2 sherry casks. It's really a great product but the complexity and effort that goes into crafting this whisky doesn't exactly translate into the experience. Good as a gift but we wouldn't go searching it out again for the price.
Review - Ardbeg Kelpie Single Malt Scotch
Tastes like a burning fishing vessel. Smooth with a taste of the sea and all of the peatiness we have come to know and love from Ardbeg.
Rating 3.5 Glasses
- Distillery: Ardbeg Distillery
- Years Aged: NAS
- Proof: 92
- Local Price (USD): $109.00
- Availability: Uncommon
- Local Price (USD): $109.00
Tasting Notes
- Color & Consistency: Light hay. Long, thin & inconsistent legs.
- Nose: Smoke, peat & salty sea air. The Black Sea and caviar
- Taste: Oilier than Ardbeg 10, smoked salmon, peat. Old butterscotch candies from last thanksgiving that ended up in grandma Betsy's ashtray instead of the candy bowl.
- Finish: Straight and to the point, doesn't linger long. Smokey bitterness with a hint of roasted seaweed.
- Conclusion: Tastes like a burning fishing vessel. Smooth with a taste of the sea and all of the peatiness we have come to know and love from Ardbeg. Very tasty but save your rupees and by 2 or more bottles of Ardbeg 10. It's just a little too expensive for what you get and one of the reasons we knocked it down a glass on the rating. If you are an Ardbeg fan like we are, then definitely grab a bottle.
Review - Auchentoshan 12 Year Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Good for sipping or at dinner to pair with lighter fair such as fish, chicken or pasta. As far as a 12 year goes it's better than some and just right for the price.
Rating 3 Glasses
- Distillery: Auchentoshan Distillery
- Years Aged: 12
- Proof: 80
- Local Price (USD): $46.95
- Availability: Widespread
- Local Price (USD): $46.95
Tasting Notes
- Color & Consistency: Golden yellow with legs that run the length of the glass. Pretty impressive for a 40% ABV dram.
- Nose: Light Sherry influence and grassy. Somewhat like sweet horse manure with an earthly decomposition akin to freshly laid bark dust.
- Taste: Very light and mild on the palate almost like its triple distilled..... wait, we just read the label. Definitely Sherry and citrus rind.
- Finish: Light and dry dissipating quickly. Cocoa nibs & chocolate
- Conclusion: If it had a slightly higher proof the finish would be better/longer. Good for sipping or at dinner to pair with lighter fair such as fish, chicken or pasta. As far as a 12 year goes it's better than some and just right for the price.