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).
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.
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
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.
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.