Scotland | Page 2 | NYC Whiskey Review

The Macallan 18 – Sherry Oak Cask (2022 release)

August 8, 2024 Scotland

Name: The Macallan 18 – Sherry Oak Cask (2022 release)

Color: Dark Brown

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

Taste: Malt, oak, raisins, orange zest

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 Sherry Oak Cask 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 Macallan 18 – Sherry Oak Cask (2023 release)

August 7, 2024 Scotland

Name: The Macallan 18 – Sherry Oak Cask (2023 release)

Color: Dark Brown

Nose: Malt, light oak, sherry, fruit, vanilla-caramel

Taste: Malt, oak, fruit-raisins, spice, cream finish

The Macallan Distillery is in Craigellachie, Moray which is the Speyside region of Scotland. It was founded in 1824 and has numerous expressions and ages available to purchase with ages starting at 8 years and up to 72 years. The price ranges are from $65 to $500,000. The Macallan is one of those “gold standards” in scotch that people either know or have heard of because of product placement in television, movies, and seeing it on the shelf.

The Macallan 18 – Sherry Oak Cask (2023) is aged “seasoned oak casks from Jerez Spain” and is then bottled at 43% abv. The label states it is natural colored, but no mention of non-chilled filtering. From my research I learned that the sherry casks were “seasoned” which can mean that the cask had sherry added to them to give them the sherry flavor. They might have not used actual sherry casks from Jerez. I am not able to confirm this from my research.

I would say, but cannot compare to the 2022 release that I reviewed last year, that the 2023 is slightly smoother, but little lower in quality. There is just something missing in the taste profile, but is still very good. I should have saved a dram of the 2022 to compare in 2023. I will be purchasing The Macallan 12 Sherry Cask finish and comparing them side by side.

This expression is a true sipping whisky to be enjoyed for special occasions like celebrating a 30-year friendship. My friend Sam was visiting, and we went right to work enjoying this expression.

Priced around $400 per bottle and worth it if it works with your budgets.

If you like it, drink it! – Chris

If you like it, drink it!

Dewar’s White Label

August 1, 2024 Scotland

Name: Dewar’s White Label Blended Scotch Whiskey

Color: Light Yellow

Nose: Barley, white fruit, light wood, vanilla

Taste: Citrus, light malt, vanilla, honey

Dewar’s White Label is a blended scotch whisky from Perth, Scotland. It was founded by John Dewar in 1846 so they have been around a long time. The whiskey has received over 500 awards over the years for the various expressions. You will find this scotch on most bars all around the world.

Dewar’s is a very light blended scotch and is like Famous Grouse with respect to its flavor and consistency. It is fine, but I like more body and taste in my scotch. I find the White Label a bit boring knowing there is much better. Some of the much better expressions that Dewar’s produces are: 15, 18, 25, Aberfeldy, Aultmore, Craigellachie, Royal Brackla, and The Devron. There are a few other expressions that are produced by the distillery, but I wanted to list the most popular.

I would not drink this stuff unless I had too, or it was a cocktail of some sort. It just isn’t that good. Maybe it would taste better on a train ride up to Scotland.

Priced around $35 and fine for a baseline blend but I would upgrade to Aberfeldy or Aultmore.

If you like it, drink it! – Chris

If you like it, drink it!

Aberfeldy 12

July 31, 2024 Scotland

Name: Aberfeldy 12

Color: Gold

Nose: Malt, flowers, wood, light citrus

Taste: Malt, citrus, wood, white pepper

Aberfeldy 12 is a whisky I have seen on the shelves for years now and for some reason my “Spidey” sense kept me away from trying this whisky. Years ago on a cruise to Bermuda it was served a lot at the bar, but I opted for the “Glen’s” for my nightly drink. After sampling this nip, I am happy I listened to my Spidey sense.

Aberfeldy 12 is aged in ex-bourbon, ex-sherry casks, and some casks are re-charred. On my first taste, I was not very impressed. It’s a very basic malt whisky. On my second taste I recognized the flavor profile, but I guessed incorrectly. It reminded me of Singleton or Tomatin. However, I had recently had samples them for review, so they were fresh in my mind. From my research I discovered the familiar flavor is Dewar’s. This whisky is just slightly upgraded Dewar’s. It does have a sweeter sherry finish and has more body than a Dewar’s, but it is very basic whisky.

As my Scottish Mum used to say, “There are slugging whiskies and there are sipping whiskies”. This one is a summer slugging whisky. No wonder why the bartenders on the cruise were pushing it.

Priced around $35-45 and not impressed.

If you like it, drink it! – Chris

If you like it, drink it!

The Singleton 12 Cocktail Series #4 – The Rob Roy

July 24, 2024 Scotland

The Singleton 12-Year-Old is a Speyside Scotch with a lighter taste profile of malt, lemon, honey, heather, and light oak. It is 40% abv, chilled filtered, color adjusted, and aged for 12 years in ex bourbon and sherry casks. For me, it is a summer scotch. It is a lighter tasting Scotch, and, 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 Roby Roy cocktail is credit to have been created in 1894 in NYC at the Waldorf Astoria (now closed) in honor of the Rob Roy operetta which is based on the Scottish hero Roby Roy MacGregor. Basically, it is a Manhattan with scotch instead of rye.

Singleton Cocktail Series #4 – Rob Roy

1.5 oz Singleton
1.0 oz Sweet Vermouth
3 dash bitters
Stir in ice.
Pour in glass.
Garnish with a cherry

This cocktail is medium sweet with a decent balance with the Antica Formula Vermouth. I find it help mask the taste of the lighter scotch. I enjoyed this cocktail more than I thought I would. It was easier to drink than a regular high proof rye Manhattan and could be an outdoor summer drink. Even though it is an easy drinker, it is too light for my taste with the Singleton 12. I need to try it with Sagamore Rye or a few stronger scotches I have recently picked up.

If you like it, drink it! – Chris

If you like it, drink it!

Glen Scotia – Victoriana

July 10, 2024 Scotland

Name: Glen Scotia – Victoriana

Color: Light Brown

Nose: Malt, flowers, oak, caramel

Taste: Malt, flowers, oak, sugar-spices

Glen Scotia is distilled in Campbeltown, Scotland which is one of the five whisky producing regions in Scotland. At one time Campbeltown had thirty distilleries but today there is only three remaining. (Glen Scotia, Glengyle, & Springbank).

Glen Scotia – Victoriana is a Campbeltown malt aged in ex-bourbon casks, then a 1/3 of it goes into Pedro Ximenez cask with the remaining 2/3 finished in heavily charred American Oak. It is then brought back together and bottled. It is non aged stated, natural colored, non-chilled filtered, and is 54.2 abv%

This proof is significantly higher than most Scotches. With the high proof it has a strong nose and hot taste. I added four drops of water and it opened up nicely. The best way I could describe such a strong whisky is rich and elegant. It is very good and well balanced. I am going to get a bottle and try a “home pour” on a big cube of ice.

Expressions: Double Rum Cask, Harbor, Double Cask, Victoriana, 15-, 18-, & 25-year-old.

Priced around $100 and I was pleasantly surprised. I recommend this expression.

If you like it, drink it! – Chris

If you like it, drink it!

Deanston – Kentucky Cask Matured

July 3, 2024 Scotland

Name: Deanston – Kentucky Cask Matured

Color: Light Yellow

Nose: Malt, honey, apple/citrus, vanilla, light oak

Taste: Malt, oak, apple, spices

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 saw this whisky on the bar at the Potstill in Glasgow this year and I thought I would give it a try. Deanston Kentucky Cask Matured (Deanston KY) is non age stated, matured in first and second filled bourbon barrels, soft filtered, and bottled at 40% abv. The fancy words of “soft filtration” probably means “kinda less non-chilled filtration” and “Kentucky Cask Matured” means aged in ex-bourbon barrels. Calling Don Draper. Call Mr. Don Draper in the Deanston marketing meeting!

Deanston KY has a nice over flavor profile and it is light with a little spice on the finish. The light taste melts away on your palate very quickly. If this was served on ice, it would have almost no flavor at all. I am a fan of Deanston and I do not see enough of their expressions in America, but this is far too light for my taste. I imagine this was created to market to a American Bourbon drinker (aka St. Matthew B.)

Priced around $30 a bottle online, but not seen in the stores. I do not recommend this one as it is far too light of a whisky to really enjoy.

If you like it, drink it! – Chris

If you like it, drink it!

The Glenlivet 18

June 27, 2024 Scotland

Name: The Glenlivet 18

Color: Light Brown

Nose: Cereal, butter, cinnamon, oak

Taste: Light oak, spice, flowers/heather, nuts, vanilla

Glenlivet distillery is in Ballindalloch in Moray, Scotland. It was founded in 1824 and only closed during World War II. Glenlivet is listed as one of the biggest, if not the biggest seller of single malt whisky in America. The Glenlivet 18-Year-Old Single Malt is bottled at 43 abv and is aged in American and European oak casks.

18-Year-Old Single Malts are never really bad, just some are better than others. The age and the title are almost a brand name label to place on a whisky. When you get to 18 years you should be getting high quality whisky.

Glenlivet 18 is not the best tasting 18-year-old I have had but is very good. I find it a bit too light for my preference, but I would not turn down a glass. I prefer Glenfiddich18 at this price range or Talisker 18 if I want to spend more money.

Other expressions are the following:
Core Range: Founder’s Reserve,12-Year-Old, 15-Year-Old French Oak Reserve, Nàdurra 16-Year-Old, Archive 21-Year-Old, and 25 Year Old.

Limited Release: The Glenlivet Cellar Collection 1972 Cask Strength, 1959 Cask Strength, 1964 Cask Strength, 1967, French Oak Finish 1983 and American Oak Finish 30-Year-Old.

Travel Retail: 12-Year-Old First Fill and 15-Year-old.

Priced around $125 and worth the money if you like Glenlivet.

If you like it, drink it! – Chris

If you like it, drink it!

The Singleton 12 Cocktail Series #3 – Scotch 75

June 26, 2024 Scotland

It is a lighter tasting Scotch, and, 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.

Singleton Cocktail Series #3 – Scotch 75

1.25 oz Singleton
0.5 oz Lemon Juice
0.5 oz Simple Syrup
0.5 oz Vanilla Extract
Shake in strainer
Pour in wine glass
Top with sparkling wine
Garnish with a lemon twist

This cocktail is very brown in appearance but decent in taste. I However, I was generally surprised how drinkable this cocktail ended up being. The lemon, simple syrup and vanilla was blend. I think with a dryer champagne and higher quality vanilla extract it would have been very good. It was a little sweet for my taste but I could drink it.

In conclusion, it is nice drink but I would either drink a lighter whisky on the rocks or champagne straight. The Scotch 75 would be worth serving at a party to non-scotch drinkers.

If you like it, drink it! – Chris

If you like it, drink it!

Springbank Single Malt – 10 Year Old

June 13, 2024 Scotland

Name: Springbank Single Malt – 10 Year Old

Color: Brown

Nose: Peat, smoke, white fruit, earthy

Taste: Cereal malt, oily wood, peat, slight sweetness

Established in 1828 Springbank is located in Campbelltown, Scotland, which is on the Kintyre Peninsula the West Coast (Lowlands). Campbelltown was once the whisky capital of the world with over 30 active distilleries. Today, only three distilleries remain; Springbank, Glen Scotia, and Glengyle. When it comes to making whisky, Springbank does everything in house from start to finish. They malt (floor malted), distill, mature, and bottle on site which is rare these days due to operational costs.

What is “Floor Malted?”

Grains of barley are what is used make malt whisky and are basically small packets of starch. The barley is steeped in water over two days to start germination to eventfully release sugar to be converted to alcohol. After steeping the barley is called green malt and is laid over a heated floor (up 2 feet deep) to stop the growth. Kilns below heat the green malt through the floor and workers use wooden shovels to turn it regularly. This is labor intensive and most distilleries use automated drums to save time and money. After the floor malting is complete the distiller proceeds to the milling, mashing, fermentation, and finally the distillation process.

Long story short, floor malting is a lot of work.

Many feel that this traditional step in the process makes for better whisky. That can be true, but many distilleries do not floor malt and they make excellent whiskies. Some distilleries embrace the older methods and some only use modern technology. I am not saying floor malting is better but in my opinion if a distillery is going the extra mile you are going to get a better product. That extra mile may be floor malting or using technology, it all varies.

Priced around $65 and well worth the money for a 10 year old. If you are not familiar with Springbank and you like Scotch, I suggest you get familiar with it tonight over a dram or two.

If you like it, drink it! – Chris

If you like it, drink it!

The Macallan 18 – Sherry Oak Cask (2022 release)

The Macallan 18 – Sherry Oak Cask (2023 release)

Dewar’s White Label

Aberfeldy 12

The Singleton 12 Cocktail Series #4 – The Rob Roy

Glen Scotia – Victoriana

Deanston – Kentucky Cask Matured

The Glenlivet 18

The Singleton 12 Cocktail Series #3 – Scotch 75

Springbank Single Malt – 10 Year Old

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