Review - Ardbeg Ardbog Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky
We would put this up as the best Ardbeg yet and Josh has now made it his personal quest to find a bottle of this almost extinct release.
Josh was fortunate to enjoy this dram over at the Multnomah Whisk{e}y Library. Check out our experience by clicking here...
Rating 4.5 Glasses
- Distillery: Ardbeg Distillery
- Years Aged: NAS
- Proof: 104.2
- Local Price (USD): N/A - Auction Only
- Availability: Rare
- Local Price (USD): N/A - Auction Only
Tasting Notes
- Color: Dark amber
- Nose: Butterscotch, peat & smoke
- Taste: Heaven on fire. Smokey & sweet.
- Finish: Delicious, earthy peat & doesn't linger leaving you wanting more
Conclusion: "Like the Cadbury bunny and a block of peat moss had a love child conceived in a burning candy shop." - Josh. He basically left me to finish up this review alone as he was slightly preoccupied with slowly licking the inside rim of the glass, moaning quietly and garnering awkward looks from the fancy folks across from our table.... Coming back to reality, we would put this up as the best Ardbeg yet and Josh has now made it his personal quest to find a bottle of this almost extinct release. He would like to put next to his bottle of Ardbeg 21 (looking impeccable and never to be opened). Final thought: Ardbog contains the very essence of Islay.
Review - Four Roses Limited Edition Small Batch 2016 Barrel Strength
... it was like mixing a bottle of Mrs. Butterworth's and rubbing alcohol....but in a good way.
I was fortunate to enjoy this dram over at the Multnomah Whisk{e}y Library. Check out our experience by clicking here...
Rating 4 Glasses
- Distillery: Four Roses Distillery LLC
- Years Aged: NAS
- Proof: 111.2 (55.6% Abv)
- Local Price (USD): $65.00
- Availability: Widespread
Tasting Notes
- Color: Light amber
- Nose: Vanilla, Maple & Citrus
- Taste: Orange rind, iodine & heavy on the alcohol
- Finish: Bitter wood (insert joke here)
- Conclusion:
Josh made a comment to the fact that it was like mixing a bottle of Mrs. Butterworth's and rubbing alcohol. This particular selection doesn't hide its origins and contains all of the characteristics you would expect from Four Roses. Another great iteration of their yearly release, 2016 is definitely more complex than 2014 (we still have to review 2015) but looks to be on par with the legendary 2013 release. Bravo.
Review - Glengoyne 18 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Good but I would look to compare other sherry forward scotch before jumping on this one based on the price.
Rating 3.5 Glasses
- Distillery: Glengoyne Distillery (Ian Macleod Distillers Limited)
- Years Aged: 18
- Proof: 86
- Price (USD): $113.95
- Availability: Widespread
Tasting Notes
- Color & Consistency: Light caramel & thick legs that slowly develop
- Nose: Caramel, Vanilla & Apple
- Taste: Smooth, slightly oily, citrus & iodine
- Finish: Sherry, decent low heat, stays on the tongue a while like melted butter
- Conclusion: Good but I would look to compare other sherry forward scotch before jumping on this one based on the price. This particular selection is slightly underproof for my taste and could use just a little more kick. There also is just something in the finish, a slight bitterness and tannin-ish aftertaste, that was slightly off-putting.
Review - Rebel Yell 10 Year Single Barrel Bourbon
We would call this your Triple B... Bread & Butter Bourbon. Liken it to a better version of Port Chilkoot with all of the oakiness.
Rating 3 Glasses
- Distillery: Rebel Yell Distillery
- Years Aged: 10
- Proof: 100
- Price (USD): $49.95
- Availability: Widespread
Tasting Notes
- Color & Consistency: If Oak trees could bleed. Finally understand what AC/DC meant when they sang "Knocking me out with those American thighs"
- Nose: Imagine a carpenter covered in sugar wating to be seen in the ER at the local hospital
- Taste: Marginally smooth but akin to a random coctail with Irish whiskey and a hint of Fireball
- Finish: Tangy, perfume & short
- Conclusion: We would call this your Triple B... Bread & Butter Bourbon. Liken it to a better version of Port Chilkoot with all of the oakiness. Definitely makes a good mixer but none of us shed a tear when Josh accidentally knocked his glass over. Jeff initially wanted to mix it with pop rocks for whatever reason and after what seemed an eternity of silence apparently mulling over his thoughts on the matter simply stated, "Tastes like Bourbon."
Review - Lagavulin 2000/2016 Distillers Edition Scotch Whisky
The goal of The Distiller's Edition seems to be showcasing the ability of Lagavulin to produce and present a reserved yet broad and rich flavor profiled dram
Rating 4 Glasses
- Distillery: Lagavulin Distillery
- Years Aged: 16
- Proof: 86
- Price (USD): $105.95
- Availability: Rare
Tasting Notes
- Color & Consistency: Dark amber. Its curvaceous sauntering legs show the age of this whisky
- Nose: Beachside candy shop, peat & smoke
- Taste: Slightly bitter, caramel, oak, earthy with a hint of salt
- Finish: Nutty, low heat, nutmeg, smoke that fades quickly
- Conclusion: Lagavulin is traditionally a powerhouse when stacked up against others in its category on the merits of flavor profile, smoke and sheer strength of body. This particular selection of the Distillers Edition is more refined in its smokiness than say an Ardbeg or Laphroaig but falls slightly on its face in terms of strength. 2000/2016 has a very young mouth feel and most likely could have benefited from bottling at a slightly higher proof say 90-92. That being said, the lower alcohol content does allow you to enjoy the myriad of flavors presented without cutting it with water.
- The goal of The Distiller's Edition seems to be showcasing the ability of Lagavulin to produce and present a reserved yet broad and rich flavor profiled dram. The only thing that brings the rating down for us is the longing for a bit more alcohol to help cut through and balance out the rich flavors. This is definitely one that we would buy again.