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Bruichladdich Port Charlotte Heavily Peated Whisky

April 16, 2020 Scotland

Name: Bruichladdich Port Charlotte Heavily Peated Whisky

Color: Light Yellow

Nose: Clean, fresh, barley peat, smoky wood

Taste: Barley, citrus, lemon-green grass

Review:

The Bruichladdich Port Charlotte is a Scottish Highland heavily peated single malt from Islay. I purchased this expression after tasting it at the Robert Burns Tasting at the Astor Center. It may be titled “heavily” but I did not find it that heavy. It has a clean and fresh taste on the tongue and finish with a nice amount of peat. It base flavor is similar to the Classic, but it is not peat forward like Lagavulin 16 or Laphroaig 10. It has a nice balance and is a good alternative to the big boy peaters. I found it to be a medium winter scotch and definitely not a summer drinker.

The distillery states “ingredients matter”. The barley is 100% Scottish, the water is sourced from a local spring on the island, and it is finished in ex-bourbon casks. The whisky is non-chilled filtered and has no coloring added. It has the natural color, hence the lighter appearance in the bottle.

The scotch is named after the village of Port Charlotte which is on Loch (Lake) Indaal two miles south of the Bruichladdich Distillery. The name Bruichladdich, which translates to, “brae (hillside) by the shore” is not the easiest name to pronounce so you can look it up online. I do like that fact it is difficult to pronounce. It makes you look cooler when you order it in a bar or serve it home. You won’t look King of Cool Steve McQueen cool, but you might impress a few people along the way. If have not tried any of the expressions yet I recommend you do so, you might impress yourself as well!

Priced around $65 and worth the money.

If you like it, drink it! – Christopher

If you like it, drink it!

The Famous Grouse

April 9, 2020 Scotland

Name: The Famous Grouse

Color: Light yellow

Nose: Barley, honey, vanilla, heather flowers

Taste: Carmel, floral, malted barely

Review:

The Famous Grouse is a well-known and popular Scotch Whisky that you see in all the bars in Scotland and most liquor stores in America. Founded by Matthew Gloag and his son William Gloag they created The Famous Grouse in 1896 and have become a cornerstone of the scotch whisky industry in Scotland.

The distiller (now owned by another company), produces other expressions such as; Smoky Black, Alpha Edition, Mellow Gold, Snow, 16-Year-Old Vic Lee, and a few other expressions. A few years ago the comedian Ron White had a comedy bit about drinking Black Grouse. Today, he owns a tequila company so doubt he will be doing scotch jokes. The Famous Grouse is also the official whiskey of the 2014 Commonwealth Games and I will be reviewing a special edition of Grouse 1986 in the coming weeks.

A few weeks ago, on a trip to see the family in Scotland, I took Virgin Train from London Euston to Glasgow Central Station. I decide to treat myself and purchased the 1st Class ticket. When you go 1^st class you get free Wi-Fi, food, drink and access to the lounges at the stations. On the train they were serving The Famous Grouse so I drank it, and I liked it. The scotch and the beautiful scenery out the window made the trip very relaxing. If you have not travel from London to Scotland by train, I highly recommend it. You get the scenery, affordable cost, and general time saving compared to a flight.

Priced around $25-35 and very affordably Scottish. It is fine a for a slugging whisky, mixer, or a train ride.

If you like it, drink it! – Christopher

Glenfiddich Fire & Cane

February 27, 2020 Scotland

Name: Glenfiddich Fire & Cane Scotch

Color: Gold

Nose: Peaty smoke, malted barley, fruit

Taste: Smoke, caramel, rum sugar, oak

Review:

Glenfiddich Fire and Cane is a recent and fourth addition to the Glenfiddich Experimental Series which include Glenfiddich IPA, Project XX, and Winter Storm. Fire and Cane is a non-aged stated bottled at 86 proof. It is a peated barley scotch aged in bourbon barrels and finished in Latin Rum Barrels. When I was in Glasgow a few months ago I went to The Pot Still with the plan to try Red Spot Irish Whiskey. Unfortunately, they did not have it. It was a busy at the bar and the Fire and Cane was right in front on me so I decided to try it.

I am not a fan of sweet whisky in cold weather and barely a fan in warmer weather. It is an interested flavor profile, but again, I continue to see more and more sweet/sugary whiskies on the market. I also see young crap tasting ones too. I wonder is the market is oversold on brown spirits and these sugary experimental expressions are being created to keep interest. Fire and Cane is listed under Glenfiddich’ s “Experimental Series” but I don’t think this experiment will last. It is just too sweet. Glenfiddich is a big name so they have the money to try things out, which is a good thing but this scotch was not my thing. It was nice warm up after I left The Pot Still and head to the Horse Shoe Bar in Glasgow, Scotland. Price around $65 and a bit too sweet for my taste. Try it out and let me know what you think.

If you like it, drink it! – Christopher

If you like it, drink it!

Deanston 15-Year-Old Sauternes Finish

February 18, 2020 Scotland

Name: Deanston 15-year-old Sauternes Finish

Color: Brown

Nose: Malted barley, sweet wine, caramel, vanilla

Taste: Candy fruit, sweet wine, caramel, vanilla

Review:

The Deanston Distillery is located on the River Teith, about eight miles from Sterling, Scotland (near Edinburgh) and was founded in 1965. The Distell Group Limited owns Deanston and also owns Bunnahabhain, Isle of Islay, Tobermory, and Isle of Mull whisky. The name “Deanston” is named after the Dean of Dunblane. Dean was connected to the Gaelic term “toun”
meaning farm/settlement to make the name “Deanston”.

I tried Deanston a few years ago but do not remember the taste profile. It was probably around the time when I first started getting into whisky. My cousin who lives in Sterling got me a sample pack. Each bottle contains 3cl (1oz) samples from the distillery and Sauternes was the fourth sample I tasted.

The Deanston 15-Year-Old Sauternes Finish is bottled at 57.3%, non-chill filtered, and has its natural color. The strength of the whisky balances well with the sweetness but the flavor profile is hard to detect without adding a few drops of water.

Sauternes is a sweet wine that comes from the Graves section of Bordeaux in France. It is known for being an after dinner or dessert wine and one of its biggest claim to fame is the famous Chateau d’Yquem. From my brief time as a sommelier in college (a career I should have stayed in) I can tell you that Sauternes wines taste amazing and that the d’Yquem is ridiculously fucking expensive.

Price around $110+ and the balance is good but not too sweet. I look forward to tasting the last sample.

If you like it, drink it! – Christopher

If you like it, drink it!

The Pot Still

February 13, 2020 Scotland

Name: The Pot Still

Location: 154 Hope Street, Glasgow, Scotland

Hours: Monday thru Sunday, 11:00am-12:00am

Style: Scottish Pub

Review:

The Pot Still in Glasgow, Scotland is a pub that is known for its selection of whisky’s and its true Scottish environment. Every time I visit Glasgow to see my family I make an effort to go to The Pot Still for a dram or two. On my last trip over in November I got the chance to meet the owner Mr. Murphy and try something very special whisky.

The Pot still was established in 1981 and has been owned and operated by the Murphy Family for the last six years. The bar is located four blocks from Glasgow Central Station which is in center of Glasgow. The Pot Still has a large selection of whisky’s, beer, and small food bites. In the city it is known for its whisky’s and to be true Scottish pub, full of character and characters. If you find yourself planning a visit, I recommend mid-afternoon so you can sit and enjoy your whisky. As with many places it gets busy with the rush hour crowd heading home.

On my last visit I wanted to sample the new release of Red Spot Irish Whiskey which I believe is still not available in America. Unfortunately, they did not have it in so I opted for Glenfiddich Fire and Cain (holy shit was it sweet!). The next day my uncle introduced me to the Mr. Murray at his local pub the The Old Smiddy in Cathcart. Mr. Murphy recommend I come back the following day to try The “Famous Grouse Glasgow 2014 Glenturret 1986 Cask Strength Limited”. It was a very good and my review is coming soon.

I visit Scotland almost every year and I always like to go The Pot Still for a quick dram. I will be back in May 2019 for a wedding and I will be making a stop at The Pot Still. If you have not been to Glasgow, I highly recommend a trip because “People Make Glasgow!” Cheers!

Prices ranges depending on what you eat and drink!

If you like it, drink it! – Christopher

If you like it, drink it!

Glenrothes Peated Cask Reserve

February 11, 2020 Scotland

Name: Glenrothes Peated Cask Reserve

Color: Yellow gold

Nose: Smoke, malt, mint, citrus, vanilla, light peat

Taste: Citrus, leafy, spice, peat

Review:

I purchased the Glenrothes Peated Cask Reserve after tasting it at the Robert Burns Tasting at the Astor Wines back in January.

This scotch threw me for a loop when it came to comparing nose to the taste. The nose versus taste does not match which I found strange but the taste good. From my research it makes more sense when you realize how they finished the scotch by marrying casks. It has a peaty smoke smell, but fresh and crisp taste. It is an interesting and semi-complex scotch.

This Peated Cask Reserved is from the Speyside Reserve Collection and is a non-age stated (NAS) single malt. It is stated to be 13-14 years old and has been created by marrying 1992 Vintage casks and Finished in casks that previously held peated Islay whisky. The aged sounds like it could be true based on the price point, but you never really know. The Peated Cask Reserve was released to USA markets in April 2016.

I have purchased a few other Glenrothes in the past and I have found them to be a good solid scotches. They are well balanced and worth the price. If you have not yet tried Glenrothes yet I recommend you give it a try.

Priced around $50 and well worth the money.

If you like it, drink it! – Christopher

If you like it, drink it!

Deanston Virgin Oak

January 30, 2020 Scotland

Name: Deanston Virgin Oak

Color: Light brown

Nose: Honey, fresh flowers, light oak, vanilla, orange

Taste: Oak, honey, floral, vanilla

Review:

The Deanston Distillery is located on the River Teith, about eight miles from Sterling, Scotland (near Edinburgh) and was founded in 1965. The Distell Group Limited owns Deanston and also owns Bunnahabhain, Isle of Islay, Tobermory, and Isle of Mull whisky. The name “Deanston” is named after the Dean of Dunblane. Dean was connected to the Gaelic term “toun” meaning farm/settlement to make the name “Deanston”.

The Virgin Oak name comes from the new oak casks that are used to age the scotch. The barrels originate from Kentucky and the final bottling is at 46.3%. The flavor profile is ok and in line with the price per bottle. On the first taste I got a slight burn and a bit of cream. It opened up a little with some water but was nothing amazing.

Price around $35 and ok but nothing exciting. I look forward to tasting the other samples.

If you like it, drink it! – Christopher

If you like it, drink it!

Deanston 12-Year-Old Palo Cortado Finish

January 28, 2020 Scotland

Name: Deanston 12-Year-Old Palo Cortado Finish

Color: Light Gold

Nose: Sweet, dry sherry, spice, honey wood, flowers

Taste: Sweet dry Spanish sherry, some wood, honey

Review:

The Deanston Distillery is located on the River Teith, about eight miles from Sterling, Scotland (near Edinburgh) and was founded in 1965. The Distell Group Limited owns Deanston and also owns Bunnahabhain, Isle of Islay, Tobermory, and Isle of Mull whisky. The name “Deanston” is named after the Dean of Dunblane. Dean was connected to the Gaelic term “toun” meaning farm/settlement to make the name “Deanston”.

My cousin, who lives in Sterling got me a sample pack of Deanston Scotch. Each bottle contains 3cl (1oz) samples from the distillery and Palo Cortado was the second sample I tasted.

Deanston Palo Cortado is a 12 years old whisky and finished in Palo Cortado Sherry Casks. This type of sherry is somewhere between an Amontillado (darker sherry from Montilla Region of Spain) and Oloroso (darker than Amontillado and dry) sherry and is on the dry side. From my research, only 1-2% of grapes pressed for sherry naturally develop into Palo Cortado. Sherry casks are very popular to finish whisky, but is not everyone’s cup of tea when it comes to flavor. Usually the sherry cask creates a very sweet tasting whisky (aka a sherry bomb) which I do not like. In this expression the flavor profile is very dry.

Palo Cortado has a good balance and flavor, but I could see many Americans not liking this expression because of the dry sherry flavor. Sherry is not popular in United States and dry sherry is even less popular.

Priced around $135, and more of an after dinner or one and done whisky. Not sure where you can find it but worth the money.

If you like it, drink it! – Christopher

If you like it, drink it!

Aberlour A’bundah Bin 54

January 16, 2020 Scotland

Name: Aberlour A’bunadh Bin 54

Color: Red brown

Nose: Cherry, sherry, dried fruit

Taste: Cherry, oak wood, chocolate, sherry bomb

Review:

The name “A’bunadh” (which I can barely pronounce and I’m half-Scottish) means “Original”. Aberlour has blended 5 to 25 year old whiskeys to create this non-aged stated (NAS) cask strength Scotch and finished them in Oloroso Sherry butts. Oloroso means “scented” in Spanish and is a darker, nutty sherry.

This whisky is all about the sherry finish, also known as the “sherry bomb” because of the way it hits your palate. Sherry finished whiskies are very popular right now with distilleries. From my discussion with a few blenders, they have told me it is what the market is currently demanding. I theorize that the whisky popularity might be peaking so sweetening up the whiskeys will bring in new drinkers. Everyone seems to be doing it when you take a look at the distilleries products.

A’bunadh is not a candy whisky by any means. It has a medium body with a nice full finish, but still is a bit too sweet for my taste. On a previous post, I reviewed Yamazaki 18yr Sherry Cask and I wrote that A’bunadh was listed in a magazine article as a potential equal at a cheaper price. As I do not agree with this statement, I will say that you get good idea of the Yamazaki taste profile at much more affordable price if you buy A’bunadh.

Since this whisky is sherry sweet and high proof it makes a good, but dangerous combination if you are enjoying a few drinks. If you have not tried cask strength sherry based whisky I recommend you try a sample at a bar to get a feel for the sweet kick that comes with this style of spirit. I believe Copper & Oak on the Lower East Side will have a 1oz tasting pour at a fair price.

Priced around $120 it is a good value if you like this flavor profile.

If you like it, drink it! – Christopher

*Note: I lost my 54 photo so a online photo of the 52 was used. Sorry!

Highland Park – Valkyrie

January 14, 2020 Scotland

Name: Highland Park Valkyrie

Color: Gold

Nose: Smoke, chocolate, spice

Taste: Smoke, wood, spice vanilla, white fruit

Review:

Highland Park Valkyrie is one of several “Viking themed” expressions released by Highland Park Distillery. It is a non-aged stated single malt that has 50% peat mix that is finished in ex-bourbon and sherry casks. Highland Park has partnered with Danish fashion designer and writer Jim Lyngvild to create this whisky and the bottle. He is said to have an old Viking blood line and is related to the ancient Earl from the Orkney Islands. The Valkyrie expression is an award winning scotch with many fans. I am not one of those fans.

A brief history;

Valkyrie(s) are from Norse legend and by translation of their name it means “chooser of the slain”. They are ones who decides who lives or dies in battle and escorts them to the afterlife in Valhalla. The Scottish (Scots), which I am half, are direct decedents of the Vikings. They share the same warrior blood line, but not so much the same historical or religious beliefs.

My thoughts;

So, Highland Park hired a guy who is in fashion and very popular from Northern Europe. They slapped his name on a black and gold bottle, added some Viking symbols, blended some smoked whisky, put it in a bottle and there you go! Wow, what a load of horse shit in advertising and marketing. The scotch is ok, it’s not amazing at its price point, however, with a little marketing it seems to be amazing.

Something “smells rotten in the State of Denmark” with respect to some of the high ratings this scotch receives. Valkyrie is not a bad scotch; it is just not worth the price. I get the strong feeling the price is connected to the marketing. I get an Emperors clothes like feeling when I step back at think

Priced around $90 and not worth it. I will stick to my regular aged Highland Park.

If you like it, drink it! – Christopher

If you like it, drink it!

Bruichladdich Port Charlotte Heavily Peated Whisky

The Famous Grouse

Glenfiddich Fire & Cane

Deanston 15-Year-Old Sauternes Finish

The Pot Still

Glenrothes Peated Cask Reserve

Deanston Virgin Oak

Deanston 12-Year-Old Palo Cortado Finish

Aberlour A’bundah Bin 54

Highland Park – Valkyrie

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