Scotland | Page 9 | NYC Whiskey Review

Glengoyne –12 Year Old

September 23, 2021 Scotland

Name: Glengoyne 12 Year Old

Color: Light gold

Nose: Toffee sweetness, citrus, and “other”

Taste: Sweet, lemon, vanilla, and slight coconut (aka “other”)

Review:

Glengoyne 12 year old is aged in ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks. The scotch is light, fresh, and definitely more of a summer than a winter in body and taste. That lingering taste of lemon and coconut threw me a little. It is a nice taste, but as the cooler weather arrives in NYC I want to move into my peaty/smoky whisky’s. The Islay whiskies taste so good in the cooler weather. Glengoyne 12 is naturally colored which is a nice touch. If you are not aware, Scotch production laws allow adding caramel coloring to maintain consistency in appearance of the spirit.

I purchased Glengoyne 12 because I do not recall trying it before and the price was right. Personally, I like to try the 12-year-old whiskies from distilleries to get a baseline understanding of the flavor profile. If you go right to older whiskies from a distillery I feel you miss the growth and development of the whisky. You just get the best of the product line if you go right to the top. What are you going to learn? Some people prefer to jump into the older ones because they assume they are better. This is usually true, but sometimes it is the journey, not the destination.

The distillery is approximately 20 miles north of Glasgow, Scotland. Next time I am in Glasgow I will do a full review of the whisky’s and the distillery.

Price around $50 and a good value. The flavor and quality is nice, but light and sweet for my taste this season.

If you like it, drink it! – Christopher

If you like it, drink it!

The Macallan Edition No. 3

September 16, 2021 Scotland

Name: The Macallan Edition No. 3

Color: Brown

Nose: Oak, vanilla, orange

Taste: Fruits, sweetness, vanilla

Review:

The Macallan Edition No. 3 is one of the three releases from Macallan’s Special Editions Collection. This scotch was created in partnership with professional perfumer Roja Dove who used his skills to match smells that work with each other.

No. 3 is wood focused with the nose being a big part of the profile. The nose being a significant part of the creative process is no surprise with a perfumer consulting on its creation. But how will it taste?

No. 3 is a blend of 6 casks which are the following;

1. 1^st Fill American Oak Hudosa Butts
2. 2^nd Fill American/European Oak Refill Butts
3. 1^st Fill European Oak Tevasa Butts
4. 1^st Fill American Oak Bourbon
5. 1^st Fill European Oak Tevasa Hogheads
6. 1^st Fill American Bourbon Barrels

Each cask has a different flavor profile. I will spare you the details but the vanilla taste is clearly nose forward on this whisky. As you may already know, that comes from the bourbon barrels. Vanilla is a big thing with perfumers so I am not surprised by this but there was not much else in the flavor profile.

Over the last few years there have been various partnerships between distilleries and other people. Distilleries are partnering with chefs, musicians, movies, actors, artists, etc. to create new whisky’s. I want to believe it is a good thing but sometimes I feel it is marketing bullshit. It is like the distillery ran out of ideas and someone said, “Ummm why don’t we bring in {fill in the blank} to help us? Then we can market the shit out of this whisky!”

Ya, ok….fuck off with that.

I get distinct feeling that some whisky producers, even the big ones, are getting a bit desperate with the potential, and eventual slowdown in whisky interest. It has been 10 years since Mad Men aired and whisky became cool again. Now, in 2018 distilleries need to create new products that do not have a historical romantic story so a partnership with someone cool helps them sell.

It should be noted that Macallan has two other “Editions”. No.1 is made from eight casks and not partnered with anyone cool. No. 2 is sherry styled and created with some famous Spanish Chefs. Sherry influenced whisky from Spain….no shit?

Priced around $100 it is good, but I am not a huge fan for the flavor or the price. Let’s see how long it lasts on the store shelves.

If you like it, drink it! – Christopher

If you like it, drink it!

Talisker Skye Single Malt

September 9, 2021 Scotland

Name: Talisker Skye Single Malt

Color: Light Brown

Nose: Malted Barley, honey, vanilla, heather

Taste: Oak, toasted, honey, white fruit

Review:

Talisker Skye Single Malt is an expression from the Talisker Distillery created in 2015. Talisker was founded in 1830 and is a well-known and classic scotch from the Isle of Skye in Scotland located in Carbost. Since the distillery is so close the ocean it is stated the whisky is “Made by the Sea”. I get the sea flavor in the scotch, but I also get it from Old Putney which is located even more North in Wick, Scotland. Marketing, fun play on words, got to love it!

Other expressions from Talisker are; 10, 18, 25, 30-year-old, Storm, Dark Storm, Distiller Edition, 75 North, Port Ruighe, and Neist Pint. I have had the 18-year old and I will be doing reviews on the 10-Year-old and Storm over the next few months.

I received a 3-pack sampler when I was in Scotland from my Aunt and I enjoyed each of them while I was spending a few days in a hotel in Edinburgh. Talisker Skye is a softer version of Talisker 10 and is good and a little cheaper.

Price around $55 and good but I prefer the 10-year-old.

If you like it, drink it! – Christopher

If you like it, drink it!

Chivas Regal 12

June 3, 2021 Scotland

Name: Chivas Regal 12-Year-Old

Color: Light Yellow

Nose: Malt, wood, heather, orange

Taste: Wood, orange, light pepper, light vanilla

Review:

Chivas Regal 12-Year-Old Blended Scotch that comes from the Strathisla Distillery which was founded in 1786. It is located at Keith Moray in Speyside, Scotland and the Chivas Regal expression was created in 1801. I wonder how whiskey really tasted back in 1801. I bet it is was a rough and harsh as was life back then, plus there was no ice cubes unless it was winter. Due to the age of Chivas there is a lot of history but it is too long to summarize. If you like whiskey history I suggest you read up on it.

Chivas Regal is a very popular scotch and is on almost every bar in America, if not the world. Its popularity is up there with Johnnie Walker Black or Jack Daniels and it ranked in the top 5 blended scotches in the world.

It is bottled at 40% abv and is a blend so it is ok on the strength and decent on the taste. The 12 is a baseline scotch, but Chivas does have better expressions at higher prices.

Other expressions: Extra, 18, 25 Brother’s Blend, Regal Ultis, Regal Mizunara, Regal the Icon, Royal Salute, and Regal XV. I have a bottle of the Royal Salute 21 and I am waiting to for a special occasion to crack it open. With respect to the Chivas Regal 12 you are getting a basic blend at a basic cost.

Priced around $35 and good to bring to a party as a gift or for slugging down with friends.

If you like it, drink it! – Christopher

If you like it, drink it!

Black Zebra Scotch

May 6, 2021 Scotland

Name: Black Zebra Scotch

Color: Light Yellow

Nose: Marine, malt, citrus

Taste: Marine, malt, citrus, salty

Review:

Black Zebra Scotch is a type of scotch that I can not review, but I can give you a “heads up” when it comes to drinking it. Do not drink it.

I went to Sandals for a few days of rest and relaxation in Antigua just after I got married back in December 2019. Black Zebra Scotch is the only scotch in the room along with some other cheap vodka, gins, and rum. It should be noted that at Sandals the highest quality whiskey is Crown Royal, Glenlivet 12, and Johnnie Walker Black.The cruise I took to Bermuda a few years ago had better scotch but I just can’t sit around in the sun and drink scotch. I am also not a fan of all inclusive resorts or cruises, I prefer walking around in other countries and really experiencing the country and culture.

Black Zebra Scotch is rough, awful and tastes like someone pissed leftover cheap scotch into a green bottle.

Priced around “who gives a shit”. If you are going to Sandals, bring your own scotch and cigars as needed.

If you like it, drink it! – Christopher

If you like it, drink it!

1986 Glenturret Glasgow 2014 Edition

April 29, 2021 Scotland

Name: 1986 Glenturret Glasgow 2014 Edition

Color: Amber

Nose: Malt, grass, flowers, dry wood

Taste: Light wood, floral, lemon, spices

Review:

The 1986 Glenturret Glasgow 2014 Edition is a special edition scotch released to honor the Commonwealth Games that were held in Glasgow in 2014. It originates from the Glenturret Distillery in Perthshire, Scotland and is the key ingredient in the Famous Grouse scotch that is contained in the bottle. The various blends in the bottle are aged for 28 years (I doubt all of them are 28 years old) and the age coincides with the last time the Commonwealth Games were in Edinburgh in 1986.

The scotch was bottled in 2014 at 46.4% abv and only 1800 bottles at 700ml have been produced and released. If you are interested in trying instead of buy, maybe, Copper & Oak or the Brandy Library might have a bottle. If they do, you are going to pay full fare for a dram due to the limit run and allocation. I do not think you will find this easily in the NYC area.

On my last visit to Glasgow my uncle told his friend, Mr. Murphy (owner of The Potstill) that I am a scotch drinker. Mr. Murphy and I chatted over a few pints at The Smiddy and he told me had a very good scotch for me to try. The next day my cousin’s husband I am I went over The Potstill to give it a try and it was excellent. I was graciously allowed to purchase a bottle and I lugged it home to NYC and saved it for a special occasion.

Priced around $225+ online and I paid less, but I paid less in British Pounds. It was a great scotch and worth a try and taste!

If you like it, drink it! – Christopher

If you like it, drink it!

Glenmorangie 10

February 25, 2021 Scotland

Name: Glenmorangie 10

Color: Yellow

Nose: Malt, heather, lemon, green grass, red fruit, vanilla

Taste: Barley, light oak, citrus, vanilla

Review:

Glenmorangie 10 is the baseline Highland Scotch from the Glenmorangie Distillery. It is a medium bodied whisky and not too strong on the palate. The name is derived from “vale of tranquility or big meadows”, however the exact history of the name is not known for sure.

The origin of Glenmorangie dates back to 1703 when it was a farm. Then in the 1730’s it became a brewery and finally a distillery in 1843. So, like Connor MacLeod from the Highlander Movie (1986) it has been around for a few centuries. Until Endgame where his kinsman Duncan MacLeod is forced to cut his head of at his request. Spoiler alert! I only mention the movie because he drinks Glenmorangie in the movies.

Glenmorangie has other expressions which are the following;

Core Range:Original, Lasanta, Quinta Ruban, and Nectar D’Or.
Prestige Range:18, 19, 25, Signet, Pride 1981, Pride 1978, Pride 1974, and Grand Vintage Malt 1990.
Private Edition Range: Sonnalta PX; Finealta, Artein, Ealanta, Companta, Tùsail, Milsean, Bacalta, Spios, and Allta.
Legend Collection:Tarlogan, Tayne, Duthac, Dornoc, and Cadboll.
Limited Edition Range:Astar and A Midwinter Night’s Dram.
Cask Masters Selections:Taghta 2014.

Glenmorangie 10 is a good tasting, nicely balanced scotch that you should try and/or keep at home. I believe this was the first scotch I ever tasted, granted I was 10 years old when I tried it.

Priced around $60 and a good baseline for all things Glenmorangie.

If you like it, drink it! – Christopher

If you like it, drink it!

HM – The King Scotch

January 7, 2021 Scotland

Name: HM – The King Scotch

Color: Yellow

Nose: Malt, flowers, fruit, vanilla

Taste: Vanilla, fruit, light honey

Review:

HM – The King Scotch is a blended scotch whisky that is bottled at 40% abv and appears to be of natural color. If the title sounds familiar it is probably from movies that describe British Naval Ships as the “HM (fill in the blank)”. In the United Kingdom the ships are HM for “His/Her Majesty” in the United States they are the “USS (fill in the blank)”. In this case is it is “His Majesty” as the scotch is titled “King.”
On the producer’s web page is states, “exquisite blend of Highland single malts……worked with most storied houses including Dalmore, Jura, and The Highland Queen”. Sounds nice, but there is not much else I could find, which makes me wonder what is really in the scotch. Remember, just because it is written in marketing material, does not make it true.

I sampled this scotch at my sisters’ home in Florida as she had an extra one from her liquor sales days. HM -The King Scotch is a good example of how a blend can have a good flavor profile and not be overpriced. The ongoing debate in the whisky world whether blended scotch whisky or a single malt is better continues to hurt my ears. If you want an 18-year-old single malt go and pay for one, if your you budget does not allow for $100+ bottle, buy a blend and see if you like it.

HM – The King Scotch is light, fresh, and easy to drink. It has a nice balance but is nothing amazing, however, I do not think it is trying to be amazing.

Priced around $30 and its good for a try or grabbing a bottle for a party. I have not seen it on the shelf here in the NYC area.

If you like it, drink it! – Christopher

If you like it, drink it!

Bruichladdich Islay Barley 2011

December 23, 2020 Scotland

Name: Bruichladdich Islay Barley 2011

Color: Light Yellow

Nose: Malted barley, lemon, green apple, flowers, light smoke and oak

Taste: Barley, oak, peat, lemon citrus

Review: 3 Days until Christmas! Do you have your bottles bought and ready for the Holidays!

Bruichladdich Islay Barley 2011 was distilled in 2011, aged 6 years in oak casks and bottled in 2018. The expression is un-chilled filtered, non-peated, and 100 proof. From my research the flavor comes from the terroir and the casks it is aged in along with the quality of production.

The Terroir: This whisky expression has two types of barley that are grown at three different farms. The barley is Publican and Oxbridge and the farms are: Claggan, Cruach, and Island & Mulindry. In short; 3 farms + 2 barleys = 1 scotch. The differences between the barleys are too much to go into in a short review but the terroir assist the barley with the flavor

The Casks: 75% of the scotch was aged in first fill American whiskey casks.15% of the scotch was aged in second/third filled Sauternes and Austrian sweet wine casks.10% of the scotch was aged in first fill Rivesaltes (French sweet wine) casks. The scotch was then merged for 6 months before bottling. I think this might explain the excellent taste.

I am still yet to be disappointed with Bruichladdich. Each expression I have tried has been excellent. I do wonder if some of their higher priced expressions are worth the money. If you want to learn about Bruichladdich watch “Scotch: A Golden Dream” on Amazon Prime.

This scotch works well as a summer drink on the rocks on the back porch or a winter scotch neat by the fire.

Priced around $65 and worth the money.

If you like it, drink it! – Christopher

If you like it, drink it!

Bunnahabhain 12-Year-Old

December 22, 2020 Scotland

Name: Bunnahabhain 12-Year-Old

Color: Light brown

Nose: Barley, lemon, light wood, ocean notes

Taste: Malt, honey, lemon grass, light oak, white pepper

Review: 4 Days until Christmas! Do you have your bottles bought and ready for the Holidays!

Bunnahabhain 12-Year-Old Scotch is from the Islay Region of Scotland. The name is Scottish Gaelic for “foot of the river” and is also the name of the village on the Northeast Coast on the Isle of Islay. The distillery was established in 1881 and the 12-year-old was first released in 1979. The scotch is 46.3% abv, natural color, un-chilled filtered, and is double matured in ex-bourbon and sherry casks.

I had not yet tried Bunnahabhain, so I bought this bottle on a gamble to see how it tastes. I was pleasantly surprised once took a few wee sips. The scotch is well balanced and much lighter than expected for a whiskey originating from Islay. It has a medium body taste but is light enough to work as a summer scotch on the rocks or a winter dram neat next to the fire place.

I really enjoyed this scotch and I will be keeping a bottle on the bar and I look forward to trying other expressions from Bunnahabhain.

Priced around $50 and worth the money.

If you like it, drink it! – Christopher

If you like it, drink it!

Glengoyne –12 Year Old

The Macallan Edition No. 3

Talisker Skye Single Malt

Chivas Regal 12

Black Zebra Scotch

1986 Glenturret Glasgow 2014 Edition

Glenmorangie 10

HM – The King Scotch

Bruichladdich Islay Barley 2011

Bunnahabhain 12-Year-Old

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