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...;>)    

Coming in March.....

Above are the whiskies we will be tasting in March, along with the the sample bottles ready for distributing to the tasters.  A bit of a mixed group here, from well known, to well-aged (2 are 25 yr olds) to well alcoholled ( 59.2%, a cask strength), and a variety of colors.  While it may be somewhat bad form to do a pre-taste, I must admit that some may have made it's way onto my palate during the bottling process. 

Should be a good month, there goes that 5th grade education memory... ;>)

Week 8 - Talisker 10

Hi Folks,

Ned here one more time as I finish up my hosting for February. Our tour takes us to the islands this week as we try the Talisker 10. According to the box, this is the only distillery on the Isle of Skye. I admit, that  sounds pretty cool and brings up romantic notions of a trip there. Talisker was founded in 1830. Here is a link with some info about visiting the distillery.

Here is a bottle pic, I tried to get a little artsy as I am getting more comfortable with this format.

Scotches from the Islands region are reputed to be heavy on the smoky-peat flavor with a bit of sea breeze thrown in for good measure.  I admit to having high expectations for this one.  No trepidation here, just excitement.

Color:  orangey-gold

Legs:  strong

Nose:  A punch of peat hits you right away, I do not really notice much around that.  Ohh, but I like it.

Taste:  OK, there is no hint of smoke here, the peatiness is right in the forefront, kind of up close and personal. There is a nice, pleasant warmth as it goes down.

A stong finish, and quite long.

For the first time I am a little hesitant to add the water drop, do I really want to bring out more peaty flavor?  Surprisingly enough, an added drop seems to bring out other flavors without intensifying the peat too much.  I am not sure what, but there is a little more here. This is a good one for me.  I love a real wood fire.  The warmth, the light, the crackle and the smell of the smoke bring out very pleasant emotions for me.  Nostalgia for family, friends and good times awash over me whenever I get in front of a fire.  The first few sips of this do the same.   However, if I got too fast, it gets to be too much, kind of like standing too close to a real flame.  If I go slowly, this is very enjoyable, but too much too fast is not. I am not certain I could handle any more peat than this, but hey, it is only week 8, who knows where this journey will take me?  As it is, I pour myself a second dram to enjoy for a long time this evening.

If I had to rank this month, I would say it is a tie between the Talisker and the Glenkinchie.  The Dufftown is in third with the Dalwhinnie a distant 4th.

I pass along the torch to brother Bob who is hosting March.  It has been a blast and I look forward to my next chance to force my family to drink what I want.