June 2010

Whisky Collecting – Natural, added value or just a waste of space?

June 30, 2010
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A guest article by Keith Wood of www.whisky-emporium.com

A Bastard Malt Gets Proper Parents

June 30, 2010
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Yesterday indpependent bottler A.D. Rattray announced that their undisclosed malt Stronachie is distilled by Benrinnes.

Glenglassaugh 21 yo Batch #2

June 29, 2010
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A big fruity malt with a very creamy mouthfeel and an aromatic spiciness. Very good, but it’s no bargain. – Rating: 88/100

Bruichladdich Infinity 3rd Edition

June 28, 2010
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Another creation of Vatting Wizard Jim McEwen. Distinctively spicy – even more so than Talisker – but the strong fruit and peat back it up to a certain extent. – Rating: 83/100

Deanston 1992/2009 Douglas Laing

June 26, 2010

The sharp nose is not tamed by water. The tingle on the palate is too strong to be fully enjoyable, not to mention the lack of complexity. – Rating: 75/100

Tamnavulin 12 yo

June 25, 2010

A strange vegetal outdoor nose and a rather bland palate are the features of this malt that is not really recommendable. – Rating: 63/100

Whisky Myths Debunked #1 – The Purity of Single Malt

June 16, 2010
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Single malt Scotch whisky is regarded by many as being superior to blended whisky. This is largely due to two notions:

Macallan 18 yo 1987 vintage

June 15, 2010

This kind of whisky is what made The Macallan famous. A perfect balance of sherry and oak with a plethora of fruit and spice flavours. The Sherry Oak 18s are becoming harder and harder to find though, which unfortunately also shows on the price tag. – Rating: 92/100

Smokehead Extra Black 18 yo

June 14, 2010
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It’s hard to pin it down, but I am not utterly convinced by this old version of the Smokehead. The nose is great, but on the palate the different flavours feel more like unconnected bits and pieces instead of being a harmonic ensemble. Given the high price tag, I am mildly disappointed. – Rating: 83/100

Jura Prophecy

June 13, 2010
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There is some sherry influence giving the malt a mild fruitiness, but the emphasis clearly is on peat and aromatic spices. A quite complex multi-vintage vatting, this is not something you would get from only one age and cask type. – Rating: 85/100

Book Review – Andrew Jefford: Peat Smoke and Spirit

June 13, 2010
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This is a portrait of Islay and its whiskies. And because Islay really is more than just a bunch of distilleries on a pile of peat sticking out of the Irish Sea, only about a third of the book deals with whisky.

New Poll: Do You Collect or Invest in Whisky?

June 12, 2010

There has always been a debate about collecting whisky. Some say “Whisky is made for drinking. Period.” while others have shelves full of bottles that are unlikely ever to be opened at all.

What is your view on collecting whisky? To find out, I created a poll that you can find at the right sidebar.

Noa Noa Rum from Tahiti

June 12, 2010

Like Rhum Agricole, this Taitian rum is not made from molasses but from sugar cane juice. This results in a rather un-typical taste. The aromas are not in-your-face but rather subtle. – Rating: 82/100

Glenfarclas 17 yo

June 11, 2010
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Wonderfully rich and creamy, a perfect mix of fruit and spice. – Rating: 88/100

Bruichladdich Links XI – Vancouver

June 10, 2010

This fruity dram needs a few minutes to fully develop its armoas. Very sippable! – Rating: 84/100

Poll Result: Your Opinion on Blended Scotch

June 10, 2010

The latest poll was answered by 68 people which is quite an increase from the last one. The question was how you liked your blended Scotch whisky in general. And here are the results:

Dalmore Mackenzie

June 9, 2010
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A perfect after-dinner malt when you want that extra little luxury, full-bodied and complex with concentrated flavours. – Rating: 91/100

Caol Ila 1995/2009 A.D. Rattray

June 8, 2010
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The terrific nose is backed by a sophisticated complexity of the palate that reminds me a little of Port Ellen. This malt is living proof that Caol Ila is capable of producing top class whisky. – Rating: 89/100

Whisky Recipe: Glenfarclas Fruit Cocktail

June 8, 2010
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Ingredients (serves 6):

1 kg of your favourite mixed fruits
100 g Sultanas
A generous measure of Glenfarclas 17
Lemon or lime juice
Sugar or liquid honey

Arran Peacock

June 7, 2010

A very well done vatting of bourbon and sherry casks, richly flavoured and entirely enjoyable. – Rating: 86/100

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