Week 13 - Port Askaig 25

The last post for this host (for the now), and sample #5 is another Islay.  This one is a 25 yr old received on my bday from brother Ned. 

So, here is a twist.  This one is actually from a distiller unknown, but distributed by the Whisky Exchange out of UK.  Here is a quote from thier blog about it:

“The single malts of Islay are arguably Scotland’s most talked about whiskies and are recognised for their sweet, fruity flavours and smoky, peaty character. Port Askaig, Speciality Drinks’ new range of single Islay malt whiskies, achieves the perfect balance of these flavours and embodies the unique spirit of Islay and its people.
The range has been developed to appeal to the novice whisky drinker while meeting the demands of the most discerning of whisky connoisseurs. Speciality Drinks have selected what they consider to be the most perfectly balanced Islay single malt and created a range that they believe will become recognised as a true Islay classic.
Each expression within the range, from the youthful yet powerful Cask Strength, to the perfectly-balanced 17 year old and the elegant and refined 25 Year Old, is bottled in limited batches each expected to last approximately one year. While recognising that each bottling will vary, the aim is to achieve a consistency of quality and character over time. To ensure each whisky maintains its original flavour and character, the whiskies are not chill-filtered and no colouring is added.
In a world of change and innovation, there is still a place for the tried and tested approach. The traditional yet contemporary look of the packaging and expert cask selection will ensure Port Askaig can stand side by side with Islay’s more established brands. Remaining true to the practice of the early 1900’s, we bottle Port Askaig 17 & 25 year old at Imperial 80 proof (today’s 45.8%vol) and Cask Strength at Imperial 100 proof (57.1%vol). ”

As you can see in the pic, this one pours a very light amber color, which mislead my expectations.  I figured it would be meek and maybe blaise, but it is tricksie.  A defined pungent aroma precedes a full flavor with lingering burn.  Ok, not the flash heat of the Abelour, but a comfortable tingle that I at least like in whisky.  Another one that could easily find the bottle on it's side quickly (and me beside it)  without caution. 

Thanks Ned!  As my glass is now empty, and Ellie says I have to go do the dishes, I'm tempted by a little devil to put another finger's worth in my glass to get me through that process.  It's what I call "loading the dishwasher"... ;>)

Week 12 - The Dalmore 12

A quick post and drink tonight, as I am obliged to attend the "Fashion Show" at the High School this evening, to watch my lovely, and soon to be off to college, daughter showcase her designs and modeling acumen.

The Dalmore Distillery has been producing exceptional single malt whisky since 1839 and, for almost a century, was owned by the Clan Mackenzie. The clan’s defining influence on the distillery is still evident to this day, with the iconic royal stag’s antlers – taken from the Mackenzie family crest – adorning each and every bottle of The Dalmore.

Located on the northern shores of the Firth of Cromarty, deep in the spectacular Scottish Highlands, the distillery is perfectly placed to take advantage of a feast of natural resources: from the waters of Loch Morie, found high in the hills overlooking the distillery, to the golden barley of the rich coastal soils of the Black Isle. Being sited at sea level is critically important. Enveloped by the salt air, the sea-facing traditional dunnage warehouses provide the ideal conditions for maturation.

So, the big "D", as I now call it, is on the lower end of the price scale as far as 12 year olds go, but provides a good bang for the buck.  Excellent deep amber brown color, nice hit of peaty goodness, and just a tingle of fire on the finish.  Good flavor + Easy to drink + reasonable cost + cool bottle = good to have on hand.

Not complicated, just good whisky.  This one has a few brethren available, which will have to turn up at a later date I'm thinking.

Week 11 - Macphails 25

March sample #3 is a birthday gift from brother Rick - a 25 yr old.  (bottle of scotch that is, not a person to replace/augment my wonderful wife Ellie... ;>) )

Here is the quotable from their website, and a link:

Located in the north-east of Scotland in the heart of the world famous whisky producing region of Speyside, Gordon and MacPhail is an independent family owned and managed firm which has been bottling Single Malt Whiskies for over 115 years.  From its humble beginnings as a retailer, Gordon and MacPhail has grown to become a diverse and dynamic company with a number of different business interests today which include the retailing, wholesaling, exporting, bottling and distilling of single malt Scotch whisky.  Owned by the third and fourth generation of the Urquhart family, Gordon and MacPhail celebrate family values, embracing the philosophy that the future is shaped by what is done today and today is represented by what has been done in the past.

http://www.gordonandmacphail.com/

The boring stuff aside, this one one is medium in color, and very mellow on the burn scale, thus you can actually take your time and discern some depths of the flavor.  This one is sneaky then, as it is so easy to drink, I feel pulled to keep taking sips, and soon my glass will be empty.  The thought of such an event evokes a need to refill it to keep trying to figure this one out.  Surely, both a trap and way to get intoxicated that I need to avoid.

The big question then - do I like it?  Yes, from the point of view that it is easy to drink and of interesting flavor, but there are times I want my tonsils ripped out, and this one just isn't up to that task.  Dad may threaten to take my beloved Abelour, but in truth, this is the bottle I predict he will try and part from me...

Week 10 - Glenfiddich

Week 10, and bottle #2 for those partaking, is, like last weeks, from the Speyside region, but that is all that the two have in common.

For those that like to educate themselves, here is history from their website, followed by the link.
  
In the summer of 1886 our founder, William Grant, set out to fulfil a lifelong ambition of creating the 'best dram in the valley'.
With the help of his seven sons and two daughters, William built his distillery in a single year. Their hard work was rewarded on Christmas Day 1887 when the first drop of spirit flowed from the small copper pot stills. William named his distillery Glenfiddich, Gaelic for 'Valley of the Deer'.
Over 120 years later, Glenfiddich is one of the few single malt distilleries to remain entirely family owned and our whisky has become the world's most awarded single malt*, a true reflection of the passion, integrity and innovative spirit that have been passed down through the generations.

http://www.glenfiddich.co.uk/index.html

Returning to my habit of pouring a small Glenlivit 12 as a control taste, I was not happy to see that in the glass, they both looked identical - a very pale yellow.  Given it also is in a green bottle, and my overall low feeling about anything coming from Europe in a green bottle that carries over from my beer blog, and my hopes for a decent drop declined dramatically....

Fortunately, both the aroma and taste of this exceed the bar on the ground that is the GL 12.  It isn't fancy, nor lingers long on the palate, nor makes your eyes water, but it has a hint of character, and is easy to drink.  It claims many won awards, but IMHO, those are typically given to that which appeals to masses, and thus walks on the safe side.  Sometimes, that is all you want in your drink, and this one provides that.

Now with empty glass, I close out, and leave it to my family to post their comments. 

Week 9 - Aberlour a'bunadh

So, to start March off with a bang, we begin with Aberlour a'bunadh, a cask strength single malt coming in at 59.9% ABV from the Speyside region.  Here is the verbage about it from their website, plus the link.  This would be bottle #1 to my fellow tasters.

A’bunadh   (http://www.aberlour.com/en/therange/abunadh)

A’bunadh, Gaelic for ‘of the origin’, is matured exclusively in Oloroso ex-sherry butts. It is a natural cask-strength malt whisky produced without the use of modern-day chill filtering methods or the addition of water.
Colour
Deep, rich amber
Nose
Aromas of mixed spices, praline and spiced orange harmonising with rich, deep notes of Oloroso sherry
Palate
Orange, black cherries, dried fruit and ginger spiked with dark bitter chocolate and enriched with sherry and oak. Full bodied and creamy
Finish
Robust and intense with bitter-sweet notes of exotic spices, dark chocolate and oak


While I described some of the others as being akin to coals of a fire, this one is a raging inferno on the senses.  If someone handed you a glass of this in a bar, you would immediately stop what you were doing at first sip, as this one isn't just a mild distraction, but demands full attention.  Even after it is swallowed, the burn continues to build around a complex taste for a few seconds before finally starting to fade, and even that is very gradual.  I'll let Ned add his drop of water, and actually, that probably would add a bit of mellowness this seems to need. 

If you want raw, fiery heat from your whisky, this one definitely provides that and then some.  I also got a bottle of corn whiskey for my birthday, and while it has the burn, it doesn't have near the flavor this has.  If I had both bottles in my car and ran out of fuel, I'd pour in the corn first and take a shot of this for good luck...;>)