Review - Mortlach Rare Old 2.81 Single Malt Scotch Whisky
It's like a jilted lover; sweet in the moment but quick to say goodbye.
Rating 3.5 Glasses
- Distillery: Mortlach Distillery by Diaggio
- Years Aged: N/A
- Proof: 86.8
- Local Price (USD): $121.00
- Availability: Widespread
- Local Price (USD): $121.00
Tasting Notes
- Color & Consistency: Honey amber & thin with quickly developing legs
- Nose: Pear and fruit. Floral with butterscotch and a slight citrus/lemongrass hit
- Taste: Nutmeg, pepper, pistachio, sugar
- Finish: Unfortunately shorter than we would like with sherry notes and spice. It's like a jilted lover; sweet in the moment but quick to say goodbye.
- Conclusion: Good scotch but better if you can find it at reasonable cost. Could do with some more aging and maybe bottle at a higher proof. All that to say this scotch would be (and is) welcomed by the majority as there is really nothing offensive about it save for the short finish and oh yeah, it lost 1/2 glass for the exorbitant price tag (at least in the Northwest market).
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.
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.
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.
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.
Sherry finished Scotches are a dime a dozen but try to find an over-proof cask strength that is as balanced as A'bunadh?... good luck.
"The finish leaves your tongue writhing in agony and pleasure, all at the same time hating itself but wanting more."
Absolutely an amazing dram and even though the grass is always greener across the pond, definitely one of if not the finest Speysides we've had to date. Enough said... Delicious.
Just sniff, sip, repeat. Sweeter than most Islay Scotch but really a delicious combination...
Review - BenRiach 17 Solstice Single Malt Scotch Whisky
"Holy Sweet Peat & Band-aids that's a good nose!" - Josh
Rating 4.5 Glasses
- Distillery: BenRiach Distillery
- Years Aged: 17
- Proof: 100
- Local Price (USD): $92.00
- Availability: Uncommon
- Local Price (USD): $92.00
Tasting Notes
- Color & Consistency: Akin to a tanned Donald Trump & slow skinny chicken legs
- Nose: "Holy Sweet Peat & Band-aids that's a good nose!" - Josh. Oh and cranberries.
- Taste: For 100 proof its smooth like Jagger. Slightly dry, butter, apple & toffee
- Finish: Peaty, malty & wheaty. Hangs onto your tongue for dear life
- Conclusion: Unique to Speyside the Solstice is distilled from both peated and non-peated malted barley and finished off in a Tawny port pipe. This 2nd Edition release is just plain delicious and we so wish it was more readily available. This is one to grab if you can as it is definitely a unique duck.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Sherry finished Scotches are a dime a dozen but try to find an over-proof cask strength that is as balanced as A'bunadh?... good luck.
"The finish leaves your tongue writhing in agony and pleasure, all at the same time hating itself but wanting more."
Absolutely an amazing dram and even though the grass is always greener across the pond, definitely one of if not the finest Speysides we've had to date. Enough said... Delicious.
Just sniff, sip, repeat. Sweeter than most Islay Scotch but really a delicious combination...
Review - Jameson Irish Whiskey
This is the whiskey you bring to a party because the price doesn't leave you broke and it won't embarrass you in front of your friends.
Rating 4 Glasses
- Distillery: John Jameson & Son Ltd
- Years Aged: NAS
- Proof: 80
- Local Price (USD): $29.95
- Availability: Widespread
- Local Price (USD): $29.95
Tasting Notes
- Color & Consistency: Honey with thin legs
- Nose: Apples & alcohol
- Taste: Low heat but smooth with vanilla & citrus
- Finish: I forgot already
- Conclusion: Jameson is at the top of the Irish whiskey world by capturing 80% of all sales globally. In the United States the annual figures alone are staggering with #1 being of course Jameson w/ over 2 Million cases sold, followed by #2 - Bushmills (185K Cases) & #3 - Tullamore D.E.W. (142K Cases).
- What us Americans would usually term as table/house whiskey, Jameson being so readily available makes it a great mixer but is also enjoyable to drink neat or on the rocks (a staple in Matt's cabinet). This is the whiskey you bring to a party because the price doesn't leave you broke and it won't embarrass you in front of your friends. Only real downside is it being so well blended, balanced & smooth you may not be able to pick out as many unique aromas and flavors to break down. We want to applaud Jameson for fueling the Irish whiskey revolution that has been happening over the past decade or so and look forward to experiencing more of what the region has to offer.
- Fun Facts:
- Did you know John Jameson isn't actually Irish?
- Even though Jameson Original is a NAS the distillate is usually aged between 5 & 7 years
This one is unique in that it is the only Irish Peated Single Malt Whiskey widely available today. Connemara Original is perfect for those scotch lovers that would like something just a bit lighter to enjoy on a hot day or with light dinner. Pour a big glass and call it good as this is one you could sip on all evening.
Smoothest cask strength we've ever had. It was a great introduction to the brand and now we know why everyone has such high opinions of Redbreast. It's flippin' good (did I happen to mention the pancakes?). Great Irish for an over-proof lover and if we could find it again we would buy it just the same.
Like getting an allergy shot in the middle of summer and then, because you were such a good boy, stopping at a Tastee-Freez for a creamsicle. Smooth thanks to triple distillation but complex due to the different casks (Virgin, Seasoned & Sherry) used in maturation.
We loved 12 Year and this is a welcome step in the right direction. It's sweeter with more heat but retains all of the characteristics that we have come to love in a good Tullamore.
Its a pretty good Irish Single Pot Still Whiskey from Midleton but saying that it is fairly expensive for what you get is probably an understatement.
We’re split. Some said it’s better than the Caskmates Stout Edition and some said that we are crazy but one things for sure, the blend with the flavors and the aromas are spot on.
Yes, it's clean, smooth, refined and has all of the great things you would expect from an aged selection out of Ireland maybe 5-10 years ago, but with all of the good competition recently attacking this price point it really seems hard to justify the purchase.
This whiskey is aptly named as it has all the aspects of a traditional Irish Whiskey but rougher around the edges. For the price its OK and would definitely make for a good mixer. Just because of the backstory this would be a good conversation starter if brought to the party.
This is the whiskey you bring to a party because the price doesn't leave you broke and it won't embarrass you in front of your friends.
Quite the hit of aromas in the forefront but like its younger brethren fades quickly, opening to a world of Irish delight (which is like Turkish delight but much more boozy) with sweet caramel happiness and more intense sherry notes.
Review - Tullamore D.E.W. 12 Year Old Special Reserve Whiskey
Quite the hit of aromas in the forefront but like its younger brethren fades quickly, opening to a world of Irish delight (which is like Turkish delight but much more boozy) with sweet caramel happiness and more intense sherry notes.
Rating 4.5 Glasses
- Distillery: Tullamore D.E.W. Company LTD
- Years Aged: 12
- Proof: 80
- Local Price (USD): $42.95
- Availability: Widespread
- Local Price (USD): $42.95
Tasting Notes
- Color & Consistency: Yellow amber and thicker legs than regular Tullamore D.E.W. Original that run the entire length of the glass. Think Beyoncé vs Taylor Swift.
- Nose: Quite the hit of aromas in the forefront but like its younger brethren fades quickly, opening to a world of Irish delight (which is like Turkish delight but much more boozy) with sweet caramel happiness and more intense sherry notes.
- Taste: Butterscotch, citrus, brown sugar & figs.
- Finish: Lingers with malt and spice that hangs around.
Conclusion: BIG step up from Original D.E.W. A bit sweeter and more depth most likely due to the longer aging. Great value for the complexity of flavors and we would put it up against almost any other at this price point.
This one is unique in that it is the only Irish Peated Single Malt Whiskey widely available today. Connemara Original is perfect for those scotch lovers that would like something just a bit lighter to enjoy on a hot day or with light dinner. Pour a big glass and call it good as this is one you could sip on all evening.
Smoothest cask strength we've ever had. It was a great introduction to the brand and now we know why everyone has such high opinions of Redbreast. It's flippin' good (did I happen to mention the pancakes?). Great Irish for an over-proof lover and if we could find it again we would buy it just the same.
Like getting an allergy shot in the middle of summer and then, because you were such a good boy, stopping at a Tastee-Freez for a creamsicle. Smooth thanks to triple distillation but complex due to the different casks (Virgin, Seasoned & Sherry) used in maturation.
We loved 12 Year and this is a welcome step in the right direction. It's sweeter with more heat but retains all of the characteristics that we have come to love in a good Tullamore.
Its a pretty good Irish Single Pot Still Whiskey from Midleton but saying that it is fairly expensive for what you get is probably an understatement.
We’re split. Some said it’s better than the Caskmates Stout Edition and some said that we are crazy but one things for sure, the blend with the flavors and the aromas are spot on.
Yes, it's clean, smooth, refined and has all of the great things you would expect from an aged selection out of Ireland maybe 5-10 years ago, but with all of the good competition recently attacking this price point it really seems hard to justify the purchase.
This whiskey is aptly named as it has all the aspects of a traditional Irish Whiskey but rougher around the edges. For the price its OK and would definitely make for a good mixer. Just because of the backstory this would be a good conversation starter if brought to the party.
This is the whiskey you bring to a party because the price doesn't leave you broke and it won't embarrass you in front of your friends.
Quite the hit of aromas in the forefront but like its younger brethren fades quickly, opening to a world of Irish delight (which is like Turkish delight but much more boozy) with sweet caramel happiness and more intense sherry notes.
Review - Jameson Caskmates Stout Edition Irish Whiskey
The brainchild of Jameson's head distiller & Franciscan Well Brewery, the specific finishing in stout-seasoned casks adds chocolate and coffee undertones as well as a definite dark ale flavor
Rating 4 Glasses
- Distillery: John Jameson & Son Ltd
- Years Aged: NAS
- Proof: 80
- Local Price (USD): $34.95
- Availability: Widespread
- Local Price (USD): $34.95
Tasting Notes
- Color & Consistency: Golden honey, with thin legs
- Nose: Slightly hard to place. Definitely apples. Smells like a bakery mixed with Starbucks®, vanilla, powdered sugar, cocoa & coffee.
- Taste: Honey, malt and definitely oakey with a touch of ale on top.
- Finish: This one might be a bit of a stretch but just go with it.......Like someone cut the bark off of a crispy Chinese BBQ pork and soaked it in a glass of Jameson Original
Conclusion: Caskmates Stout Edition is just a great whiskey. The brainchild of Jameson's head distiller & Franciscan Well Brewery, the specific finishing in stout-seasoned casks adds chocolate and coffee undertones as well as a dark ale flavor. It is definitely worth the extra 5 bucks over Jameson Original to enjoy the experience.
This one is unique in that it is the only Irish Peated Single Malt Whiskey widely available today. Connemara Original is perfect for those scotch lovers that would like something just a bit lighter to enjoy on a hot day or with light dinner. Pour a big glass and call it good as this is one you could sip on all evening.
Smoothest cask strength we've ever had. It was a great introduction to the brand and now we know why everyone has such high opinions of Redbreast. It's flippin' good (did I happen to mention the pancakes?). Great Irish for an over-proof lover and if we could find it again we would buy it just the same.
Like getting an allergy shot in the middle of summer and then, because you were such a good boy, stopping at a Tastee-Freez for a creamsicle. Smooth thanks to triple distillation but complex due to the different casks (Virgin, Seasoned & Sherry) used in maturation.
We loved 12 Year and this is a welcome step in the right direction. It's sweeter with more heat but retains all of the characteristics that we have come to love in a good Tullamore.
Its a pretty good Irish Single Pot Still Whiskey from Midleton but saying that it is fairly expensive for what you get is probably an understatement.
We’re split. Some said it’s better than the Caskmates Stout Edition and some said that we are crazy but one things for sure, the blend with the flavors and the aromas are spot on.
Yes, it's clean, smooth, refined and has all of the great things you would expect from an aged selection out of Ireland maybe 5-10 years ago, but with all of the good competition recently attacking this price point it really seems hard to justify the purchase.
This whiskey is aptly named as it has all the aspects of a traditional Irish Whiskey but rougher around the edges. For the price its OK and would definitely make for a good mixer. Just because of the backstory this would be a good conversation starter if brought to the party.
This is the whiskey you bring to a party because the price doesn't leave you broke and it won't embarrass you in front of your friends.
Quite the hit of aromas in the forefront but like its younger brethren fades quickly, opening to a world of Irish delight (which is like Turkish delight but much more boozy) with sweet caramel happiness and more intense sherry notes.
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.