Week 17 - Royal Lochnagar

Royal Lochnagar is one of the smallest distilleries in the Highlands. It stands just beyond the boundaries of Balmoral Castle, at the foot of the majestic peak from which it takes its name and its pure mountain water. A combination of nature's finest ingredients and the Distiller's art produces the distinctive, mellow taste of Royal lochnagar. Twelve years in oaken casks complete the task that human skill began. This is a whisky you will treasure and enjoy with those who share your appreciation. Our Distillery manager and his staff would make you more than welcome if you should wish to visit the home of Royal Lochnagar on Royal Deeside.**

Color: an Amber tending towards smokey quartz, perchance a hint of the steely gray of the loch on a soft, drizzly day.

Nose:  Mild and somewhat sweet like a fresh baked spice cake in the bakery in Royal Deeside.

1^st sip:   A nice warm feeling of a blend of tastes, some wood, a hint of burnt sugar, slight smoke, a touch of the heather blowing across the lake past the Royal stags.   2^nd sip:  in addition to the above, perhaps the mild musky taste of the highland grouse roasted to perfection.  Or the tang of a wee bit of venison sausage.   The alcohol bit has disappeared.  A splash:  the sweetness is amplified, with the emphasis of the  highland honey taste.  And such a nice warmth in the mouth, it would not do to add an ice cube.

Yes, twas a favorite of your sainted mother

**http://www.forpeatsake.com/Royal+Lochnagar/Royal+Lochnagar+12

Week 16 McClelland's Sherry Finished Highland Single Malt

Well,  this is no wimpy yellow, gold color but a real healthy amber, promising good body, flavor and nose.   So let's check it out!

Ahhh, no nostril numbing  alcoholic fumes but a nice sweet round aroma.   

1st sip: A nice blend of vanilla, licorice, anise and bannana, with a touch of the alcohol.   2nd sip:  ah, more of the same with some hints of sherry, dry.  A splash:  adds a touch of creme with the nice warmth in the mouth.  Ice cubes:   brings out some hazelnut and makes a nice mouthful.   

Good stuff!   

Week 15 McCelland's Speyside

A happy customer said:

80

Color - Goldish

Nose - Fairly lively delivery of tutti-frutti, honey/vanilla and slight oak. Clean and delicate.

Body - Smooth, dry.

Palate - Dry oak, eau de vie de vin, and some sweeter notes. Straight forward with a good amount of bite.

Finish - Above average length. Mostly the dryness sticks though.

Probably the most mature and the most complete of the McClelland's series

On the other hand:

55

Color - Deep, rich gold

Worst of the McClellend's collection. It's too sickly sweet.

The above from "for peat's sake": 

http://www.forpeatsake.com/McClellands/McClellands+Speyside/1

In my (ontheporchinmyrocker) own opinion:

Not much of a sniff, so 1^st sip:  a little creamy on the lips and sweetish but definitely a burn going down, cough, cough.  2^nd and 3^rd sips:  taste elusive.   A splash of water:  definitely sweet but like an alcoholic medium dry sherry, not a scotch.   Over ice:  definitely sweet but not much in the way of flavor.  Need to try soda before really grieving over a 1.75 l bottle to get rid of.   Hmmm… take it to HH for Rick when he comes.  time to make a root cellar to store the good stuff.  Arrg!

Week 14 - McClelland's Islay

This is the first of four posts by this month's host, "sittinginarockingchairontheporch".  I begin with a selection of McClelland's and end up with the favorite of the boy's mother, Royal Lochnagar.

The reasons behind this selection have to do with what was being drunk last summer at Ned's.   I had a "good" 12 year old to compare.  And, finally, I believe it is a good use of Sally Anne's Royal Lochnagar.

The McClelland's Single Malt family is a range of Single Malt Scotch whiskies from four of Scotland's key whisky distilling regions - Highland, Islay, Speyside and the Lowlands. McClelland's is a budget Scotch, priced at a fraction of most single malts, and cheaper than most blends or call brands of other liquors. There is no McClelland's distillery, rather it is a 5 year old bottling of one of several other Morrison Bowmore distillery's spirit.

We begin with the Islay.

From http://www.forpeatsake.com/McClellands/

McClellands Islay Reviews

70

distillery  McClellands

style  Single Malt

release Unspecified

age  5 Years

alcohol  40% abv.

Region  Scotland, Islay

bottled for Distillery

Best Review:

84

color  Amber

nose  Heavy smoke, peat

body  Peaty. Not overwhelming, and very good.

Palate  Stuck my mouth into the peat bog.

Finish  Aggressive at first, then very nice and pleasing.

I don't care if others refer to it as "beginner" or "budget". I've had plenty o' Scottish dews, and this is a teriffic buy for the experience.

Unhappy Customer:

60

color  Honey

nose  Smoke, Iodine, Burnt Rubber

body  Nicely smooth, slightly oily

palate  Iodine, and Burnt Rubber

finish  Very dry, short finish

Very strong Iodine. Not much burn but overwhelming smoky, burnt oak and tar flavor. Regardless of price, I could not imagine drinking an entire dram.
Worst review:

55

color  light gold

nose  Heavy smoke, bit of vanilla

body  thick, heavy,

palate  iodine

finish  Very aggressive at first, then hot, but fading quickly

Very immature whiskey. Though cheap, it's not worth the money.
My Review

1st sniff:  Peat and alcoholic, made me cough!  1st sip:  strong burn, with somewhat masked vanilla and iodine flavors (right, who drinks iodine?  so, I imagine the taste)  a bit sweet.  2nd sip  licorice and easier on the tongue.  nothing left in back of mouth.    Water is next.  mellows the nose and leaves a bit of warmth on the tongue.  Ice:  this is the stuff we drank last summer.   I must say, it seems somewhat harmless but still peaty.  There are better.