Scotland | NYC Whiskey Review

The Singleton 12 Cocktail Series #1 – The Old Fashioned

April 24, 2024 Scotland

The Singleton 12-Year-Old is a Speyside Scotch whisky with a lighter taste profile of malt, lemon, honey, heather, and oak. It is 40% abv, chilled filtered, color adjusted, and aged in ex bourbon and sherry casks. For me, The Singleton 12 it is a summer scotch.

On their website they present numerous cocktail receipts. I am generally not a fan of cocktails made from scotch so this series will be an experiment to broaden my horizons and educate you as the reader.

The Singleton Cocktail Series #1 – The Old Fashioned

1.5 oz Singleton 12
Splash of club soda
2-4 dashes of bitters (regular)
1 small brown sugar cube
Orange twist for garnish

The nose was heavy on the sugar, and light on the malt and flower with a touch of orange. On my first taste I did not like it, but upon my second taste I warmed up to as it was smooth to drink. After a few minutes (3 or less) the ice melted and the flavor became almost non existent. Maybe an extra half shot as a floater would have helped but that would overall be make it a double Old Fashioned and it would put you on your ass if you had second cocktail. I usually prefer a minimum of 2.5 – 3.0 oz of 100+ proof whisky in my Old Fashioned. Sagamore Rye Cask Strength is my current go to for cocktails, The Singleton is just too weak.

In conclusion, it is far too sweet and weak for an Old Fashioned. If you want a scotch Old Fashioned I recommend a trip to The Devil’s Advocate in Edinburgh for their Ardbeg version. It is stronger, smokier, and has a better flavor profile.

If you like it, drink it! – Chris

If you like it, drink it!

Chivas Royal Salute 21

April 11, 2024 Scotland

Name: Chivas Royal Salute 21

Color: Light Brown

Nose: Light malt, cedar wood, herb/earthy, almonds

Taste: Malt, walnut, cedar wood, creamy almonds

Royal Salute 21 is a 40% abv blended scotch whisky that is encased in a heavy blue ceramic bottle and is packaged in an impressive decorated box. Produced by Chivas Regal, this scotch was created in 1953 to celebrate Queen Elizabeth’s coronation. The choice of 21 years aligns with the 21-gun salute which is used to celebrate Royal anniversaries.

I received this bottle as a birthday gift last year from my in-laws and I was waiting for the right time to crack it open. I figured after the shit year that was 2020 it was time to have dram or two before 2021 arrived. I was excited to try this scotch, but the excitement quickly passed after the second and third sip. I was not impressed. Royal Salute 21 is smooth, but simple and lacks the complexity that I would expect for the age and cost of this scotch. Upon my second dram, I got a real “Emperor’s New Clothes” feeling continued to sip it and take notes.

Royal Salute 21 is smooth, earthy, has nice cedar and nut notes and I would not turn down a glass if it was offered, but I would not buy one for myself. I think this scotch would taste better in a castle in the Highlands after a stag hunt, fishing trip or before haggis was served for supper.

Priced around $275-$300 and worth a try if you got the money, but for this price if you are learning buy multiple bottles of younger whisky.

If you like it, drink it! – Chris

If you like it, drink it!

Dalmore 15

April 10, 2024 Scotland

Name: Dalmore 15

Color: Amber brown

Nose: Malt, heather, honey, oak

Taste: Malt, heather, honey, light oak, sherry notes

The Dalmore Distillery is a located in Alness, Scotland which just North of Inverness and is in the Highlands. It was established in 1839 and has changed ownerships many times over the years. Dalmore whisky bottles are very distinguished in their shape and appearance. They have an oversized silver stags head placed on the outside of the bottle. High end bars and stores would like to line them up as they look better than most bottles.

Dalmore 15 has light cream flavor with well blended flavors of malt, honey, and heather. There is a more wood on the nose with light sherry and wood on the finish. It is far better tasting and balanced than the 12-year-old or 12 Sherry Cask (aka the “twelves”).The whisky is aged 12 years in ex-bourbon casks and then split into three batches of Amoroso, Apostoles, and Matusaelm Oloroso cask for the last three years. They are then blended back together into one cask before bottling. It is bottled at 40% abv and is 3% abv lower than the twelves but the aging of three additional years makes a big difference. The three-cask process is interesting and I intend to learn more as I review other Dalmore expressions.

Dalmore Expressions: 12-year-old, 12-Sherry Cask, Port Wood Reserve, Cigar Malt, 14, 15, King Alexander III, 18, 21, and various “Limited Releases”.

Priced around $125+ and worth the money. If it is out of your budget, try the 12 or the 12-Sherry Cask.

If you like it, drink it! – Chris

If you like it, drink it!

The Dalmore Cigar Malt Reserve

April 4, 2024 Scotland

Name: The Dalmore Cigar Malt Reserve

Color: Copper

Nose: Barley, maple, oak

Taste: Maple, oak, dark fruit, cream finish

The Dalmore Cigar Malt Reserve was my second dram after the Jura Seven Wood at The Pot Still when I was in Glasgow, Scotland in May 2019. Nothing puts a smile on my face than going to The Pot Still in Glasgow and sipping whisky!

The Dalmore Distillery is located in Alenss, Scotland which is approximately twenty miles north of Inverness. The Cigar Malt Reserve is first aged in American white oak ex-bourbon casks, then 30-year-old Oloroso sherry butts, and finally transferred in Cabernet Sauvignon wine barriques. Then combination makes a nice rich whisky with a slight sweet cream finish that might go good with the smoke flavor from a cigar. I say “might” because you cannot smoke in The Pot Still.

If you have not picked up on the marketing yet, the Cigar Malt Reserve name implies it is to be paired with a cigar. How you drink a whisky, smoke a cigar, or pair the two is up to you. I enjoy a whisky and cigar combination, but it is sometimes a mixed bag when you put the two together.

Here are my thoughts;

A good whisky on needs a glass.
A good cigar only needs a match.
A whisky should cost a $50 minimum to drink neat/rocks.
A cigar should cost a $15 minimum.
A smoky whisky can over power or not match the smoke from the cigar.
A dark/stronger cigar flavor can be ruined by a whisky.
A cigar with a long burn time can lead to drinking more whisky. This is good or bad depending on the day and your company.

When I put the two together I usually pair medium bodied cigar with light-medium whisky or I do not mix them at all.

Price around $135+ and very good but a bit expensive for the flavor profile. You can mix and match scotch and cigars in so many ways you do not need a specific whisky.

If you like it, drink it! – Chris

If you like it, drink it!

Dalmore 12 – Sherry Cask Select

April 3, 2024 Scotland

Name: Dalmore 12 – Sherry Cask Select

Color: Light Brown

Nose: Malt, cedar, citrus, sherry

Taste: Malt, cedar/oak wood, honey, orange, vanilla, sherry

The 12-year-old Sherry Cask Select is a very nice Dalmore expression. It is overall better than the 12-year-old but that mostly comes from the sherry finish. I find the 12 to be a better tasting whisky because I do not prefer a sherry finish at this level. It is just too sweet. I am noticing all distilleries are doing this now and it technically makes a baseline whisky taste better, but it is still just like adding a sugar finish.

It is dry on the front of the tongue, sweet malt, and wood on the back of the mouth and finish. It has a nice body and is easy to drink at 43% abv. The whisky is finished for three years in three casks from Jerez and seasoned with a blend of Oloroso and Pedro Ximenez. The Dalmore 15 is far better than the 12 & 12 Sherry and I will be reviewing the 15 next week.

Dalmore Expressions: 12-year-old, 12-Sherry Cask, Port Wood Reserve, Cigar Malt, 14, 15, King Alexander III, 18, 21, and various “Limited Releases”.

Priced around $85 and very good but the Dalmore 15 is better at $115+ and worth the stretch of the wallet.

If you like it, drink it! – Chris

If you like it, drink it!

Benriach 12

February 29, 2024 Scotland

Name: Benriach 12

Color: Light brown

Nose: Malt, wood, honey, white fruits, flowers, citrus

Taste: Malt, sherry-honey, oak, coconut, vanilla

The Benriach Distillery is located in the Speyside region of Scotland. It was established in 1898 and has changed ownership too many times over the years to list. The Beriach 12 is bottled at 46% abv, aged in ex-sherry, ex-bourbon, and ex-port casks. The whisky has a malt flavor on front of the tongue with a sweet sherry and a little wood on finish. The nose was a little strange to me, but after some research it appears to have combination of dark and white fruits. This was throwing me off as I only could detect the white fruits so I will try it again in the future. Overall, it has nice taste and balance, but it did not knock my socks off.

I would also note that Benriach appears to me to be a stand alone whisky. It does not taste like others I have sampled so it leads me to believe they do not source or share their product. I have not proof either way, it just tasted that way to me.

Distillery Expressions: 10, 12, 16, 21, 25, 30, 40, The Smokey 10, The Smokey 12, 40 Octave Cask Matured, Smoke Season, and Malting Season.

Travel Retail Expressions: Cask Edition, Quarter Casks, Peated Quartered Cask, and Triple Distilled.

Priced around $60 and fair for the money. I will try more in the future.

If you like it, drink it! – Chris

If you like it, drink it!

Benriach – The Smoky 12

February 28, 2024 Scotland

Name: Benriach – The Smoky 12

Color: Light brown

Nose: Malt, oak, white fruits, flowers, citrus, peat

Taste: Malt, sherry, oak, coconut, vanilla, peat smoke

The Benriach Distillery is in the Speyside area of Scotland. It was established in 1898 and has changed ownership a few times over the years. Too many times to list the complete history.

Benriach – The Smoky 12 is bottled at 46% abv and is aged in ex-sherry, ex-bourbon and ex-Marsala casks. It is non chilled filtered, 100% malted barley, and is natural in its color. This expression has a strong malt forward flavor with sherry sweetness and the smokey peat on the finish. It is a nice flavor profile, but it reminds me of a sweeter smoky Johnnie Walker Black.

When tasted side by side with the Benriach 12 you can smell and taste the baseline, but the 12 is much easier to drink. They are not sister whisky’s; they are significantly different. If I had to pick one, I will select the 12 as it is easier on the plate. Whatever Benriach is doing they are not even in the ballpark with the “big boy” peaty whiskies like Laphroaig or Lagavulin. I think the distiller should work on developing Smoky 12 further. It has potential but it is not there yet.

Expressions: 10,12,16, 21, 25, 30, 40, The Smoky 10, The Smoky 12, 40 Octave Cask Matured, Smoke Season, and Malting Season.
Travel Retail: Cask Edition, Quarter Casks, Peated Quartered Cask, Triple Distilled

On my recent February 2023 trip to Scotland to see the family I accidentally picked up the 12 so it made for a good comparison. I enjoy Benriach and I look forward to tasting and reviewing more.

Priced around $65 and ok for the flavor profile. I will stick with the “big boys” if I want smoky peat.

If you like it, drink it! – Chris

If you like it, drink it!

The Balvenie – Double Wood 12 Year Old

January 11, 2024 Scotland

Name: The Balvenie Double Wood 12 Year Old

Color: Gold

Nose: Spice, vanilla, honey, nutty

Taste: Sweet, spices, orange/honey

Balvenie is one of those whiskies you should know about if you like Scotch. They produce a massive volume of whisky within a large span when it comes to age, flavor, and price per bottle.

The Balvenie Double Wood 12 Year old gets its name from the two casks the whisky is matured in over 12 years. The first cask is “whisky oak” and it is listed as “traditional whisky casks” which “impart vanilla spiciness”. Let me translate, ex-American oak Bourbon barrels or just American oak barrels. Isn’t marketing wonderful? The second cask is ex-European oak sherry cask and I am guessing they are from Spain. So basically this means one regular, one sweet with respect to the barrels. Also, Balvenie’s marketing description sounds very close to Macallen Double Cask if you ask me.

This scotch is another of the many sherry-finished whisky’s on the market. No surprise as the demand for slightly sweeter whisky grows as the popularity of whisky begins to peak. You might wonder why sweeter whisky’s are becoming more popular. I have a theory with no research to back it up. Most people who I know that do not like whisky find the taste awful. My father says it is like swallowing medicine. I am reminded of the 1960’s Mary Poppins song, “A spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down….” Today, a wee bit of sweetness seems to be part of the marketing plan of many distilleries. In summary, the distillery sweetened the scotch so more people can drink it.

I think that the bottle and sleeve of any Balvenie Scotch has a very classy look. When you need a gift to impress, but do not know what to get I recommend Balvenie. Of course, opinions and budgets vary, but when in doubt, and for a few extra dollars buy Balvenie

Price around $65+ it is a good price if you like a sweeter taste.

If you like it, drink it!

The Balvenie America Oak

January 10, 2024 Scotland

Name: The Balvenie America Oak

Color: Light brown

Nose: Malt, honey, flowers, vanilla, citrus notes

Taste: Malt, vanilla, woof, light spices, lemon

The Balvenie Distillery was found in 1892 in Dufftown which is in the Speyside region of Scotland. It has been making whisky for 127 years and it is some of the best whisky you can find on the shelves in America for the variety of flavor profiles and a buyer’s budget.

The American Oak on my first taste was as expected, very good and well balanced, but it tasted very familiar. From my research this expression is The Balvenie 12, but it is finished in new (virgin) American Oak Barrels from Kentucky and are charred fresh. The 43% abv makes it an easy drinker and it immediately reminded me of the 12-year-old expression but the lighter version.

Overall, this is a very nice expression and easy to drink at proof level, but I find the other Balvenie expressions, including the 12-year-old are richer and more complex. The appeal of this expression would be the price.

Other expressions:

Core Expressions: 12, 17, Signature 12, Cuba Selection 14, Caribbean Cask 14, Single Barrel 12 & 15, Peat Week, Portwood 21, Single Barrel 34, 30, 40, 50, & 50-year-old Single Cask.

Triple Cask Expressions:12, 16, & 25.

Limited Edition (age varies): Golden Cask, Islay Cask, New Wood, New Oak, Sherry Oak, Rum Cask, Madeira Cask, Peated Cask, Craftsman Reserve No.1, Portwood (1989, 1991, 1993), & Tun (1401, 1858,1509).

Priced around $50+ and is a nice summer scotch and the most affordable (aka the cheapest) of the expressions.

If you like it, drink it! – Christopher

If you like it, drink it!

The Macallan 18 (2022 release)

December 24, 2023 Scotland

Name: The Macallan 18 (2022 release)

Color: Dark Brown

Nose: Malt, light oak, vanilla, caramel, raisins

Taste: Malt, oak, raisins, orange zest

It’s Christmas Eve! Do you have your bottles ready for tomorrow?!? Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to everyone! See you next year with more Whisky Reviews!

The Macallan Distillery is located in Craigellachie, Moray which is the Speyside region of Scotland. It was founded in 1824 and has numerous expressions and ages available starting at 8 years and up to 72 years. The prices range from $65 to $500,000 so check you bank account before you guy. The Macallan is one of those “gold standards” in scotch that people either know or are familiar with due to product placement.

The Macallan 18 is aged for the total years, undisturbed, in Oloroso sherry seasoned oak casks and then bottled at 43% abv. The description of the flavor profile on the box is spot on. The raisin, spice, oak, vanilla, etc. notes are on the nose and tongue. However, I did not get the ginger as stated on the bottle, it is probably just my taste buds. The smoothness of this whisky cannot be described in words. This is a true sipping whisky to be enjoyed for special occasions. My friend Sam kept saying, “it’s so smooth…” over and over with each glass by the wood fire. I can summarize by only saying that this whisky needs to be experienced. No words do it justice no matter who writes them or what influencer promotes Macallan 18.

Priced around $400 per bottle and worth it if it fits you budget.

If you like it, drink it! – Christopher

If you like it, drink it!

The Singleton 12 Cocktail Series #1 – The Old Fashioned

Chivas Royal Salute 21

Dalmore 15

The Dalmore Cigar Malt Reserve

Dalmore 12 – Sherry Cask Select

Benriach 12

Benriach – The Smoky 12

The Balvenie – Double Wood 12 Year Old

The Balvenie America Oak

The Macallan 18 (2022 release)

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