Chris | Page 11 | NYC Whiskey Review

christopher.dias.nyc@gmail.com

Smithwick’s Red Ale

March 20, 2024 Ireland

Name: Smithwick’s Red Ale

Color: Amber

Nose: Malt, caramel sweet notes

Taste: Malt, caramel sweets, medium hop finish

I started to look up the history of Smithwick’s. It says it dates back over 300 years and Smithwick shows up in the 1860’s. History of the beer complete.

Upon my first sip I found the beer to be not too bad, but is just reminded me average amber or red ale. It is relatively fresh tasting for the style, but nothing amazing. It is more of an outdoor Fall type of beer but I do not think I could drink more than two in a row even though it is 4.5% abv. The overall flavor does not do it for me and it is not a beer I would continue to drink, nor do I see it on tap in most bars.

Priced around I don’t now and go try it yourself and let me know what you think. It was the most aviable Irish beer I could find in the Month of Irish reviews.

If you like it, drink it! – Chris

If you like it, drink it!

Green Spot – Chateau Leoville Barton

March 13, 2024 Ireland

Name: Green Spot – Chateau Leoville Barton

Color: Amber

Nose: Malt, oak, red wine, sherry

Taste: Malt, heather, honey, sherry, light red wine

Green Spot Leoville Barton should now complete my review of all the “Spots”. This expression starts its life as regular Green Sport and is then aged in a combination of ex-bourbon (75%) and ex-Oloroso sherry (25%) casks for 7-10 years. After that is it placed in French Oak Casks previously used by Chateau Leoville Barton for another 12-14 months. The whisky is triple distilled, non-chilled filtered, natural color, and bottle at 46% abv.

This expression has a slight red color to it, or the lighting at the bar was throwing me off. It has a smooth medium cream body and is a little dry on the finish. The wine finish is nice and not overpowering like Montelena. The connection to Chateau Leoville Barton is because the estate was purchased by Hugh Barton in 1826 who’s family is of Irish descent.

I had both expressions at the Dead Rabbit and this one was the second tasting, and I was glad it was. When you compare the two-wine cask finishes side by side, Barton is a much smoother tasting whiskey. I found this surprising as it is Bordeaux (aka cabernet sauvignon).

Currently Ranking (2024)

#1: Green Spot Barton Leoville – $150

#2: Red Spot – $300

#3: Blue Spot – $225

#4: Gold Spot – $185

#5: Green Spot Chateau Montelena – $150/$200

#6: Green Spot – $75

#7: Yellow Spot – $100

Priced around $150 and around $35 for 2 oz at Dead Rabbit in NYC. It is the best “Spot” for the flavor profile and price.

If you like it, drink it! – Chris

If you like it, drink it!

Green Spot – Chateau Montelena

March 6, 2024 Ireland

Name: Green Spot – Chateau Montelena

Color: Light Brown

Nose: Malt, oak, citrus, dark wine, vanilla

Taste: Malt, cream, honey citrus, red wine, smoke notes, cedar wood cream

Green Spot Chateau Montelena caught my eye last year as I thought I was finishing up with all the Spot Expressions. If you are unfamiliar with Chateau Montelena, I recommend the movie “Bottle Shock”. It tells the story of how Jim Barret’s wine won the “Judgment of Paris” in 1976. After that California wines started to become a real equal to French wine. I highly recommend the movie and the chardonnay ($60+) if it fits your budget. The Middleton Distillery has partner with Jim Barret whose father emigrated from Ireland to provide cask to finish the whiskey.

Green Spot Montelena is first aged in sherry and Bourbon casks and is then finished in French Oak Zinfandel casks. The whiskey is triple distilled, non-chill filtered, and bottled at 46% abv.

At first taste is strong and very forward taste profile. It has more of a medium body, but with a scotch like flavor profile and finishes with cream like dry cedar wood. I think the Zinfandel finish is too overpowering for my taste. I enjoyed this expression, but I found it a bit odd when my next tasting which was the Green Barton Leoville.

I did not dislike this expression, but it is not in my top it is not in my top 3. My current ranking of Spots and costs as of March 2024.

#1: Green Spot Barton Leoville – $150

#2: Red Spot – $300

#3: Blue Spot – $225

#4: Gold Spot – $185

#5: Green Spot Chateau Montelena – $150/$200

#6: Green Spot – $75

#7: Yellow Spot – $100

Priced around $150 to $200 and I have not seen it in stores. Prices around $35 for 2 oz pour at Dead Rabbit Bar in NYC.

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!

Nub Cigars

February 22, 2024 Cigars

Name: Nub Cigars

Size/Gauge: 3.75 to 4 / 54 to 66

Wrapper Options: Cameroon, Connecticut, Habano, and Brazilian

Nub Cigar Selections: Cain, Cameroon, Connecticut, Corojo, Habano, Maduro, Nuance, and Tubes

Nub Cigar is made by Olivia Cigars as was first released in 2008. The factory is located in Estelí, Nicaragua and the cigars are hand rolled. The first time I heard about Nub’s was from Bill Burr on his Monday Morning Podcast. I thought, if it is good enough for Bill, it is good enough for me.

I have been smoking these cigars for a few years now. They are a very nice cigar, they burn well, and are affordable. The burn time varies depending on how you smoke them, but I find they last around thirty minutes which works well in you are limited in time or by hot/cold weather.

I recommend you try Nub Cigars with your morning coffee. No breakfast. Just a cigar and the sweeter based coffee aroma that Nub produces. It’s great way to start your morning when you are on vacation, or a Monday if you hate you job.

Prices range from $8 to $12 depending on your area or online. I recommend starting with a sample pack.

If you like it, drink it! (or smoke it!) – Christopher

If you like it, drink it!

Davidoff Yamasa Petit Churchill

February 21, 2024 Cigars

Name: Davidoff Yamasa Petit Churchill

Size/Gauge: 4” / 48

Wrapper: Dominican

Binder: Dominican

Filler: Dominican & Nicaragua

Yamasa Petit Churchill is part of Davidoff Discovery line of cigars. From my research this line was developed to create cigars from more unique tobaccos from different locations around the world. As expected, Davidoff does not disappoint and my research the type of tobaccos used are very interesting to read about. I recommend you visit Davidoff’s site to learn more.

Yamasa is a smaller cigar but for little stick it packs a punch. It is rich tasting with earthy flavors and burns clean and even for approximately 30 minutes. It is a great cigar for an outdoor winter smoke. Due to its strength and flavor I do not think it would be a good choice for a hot summer day. The Yamasa would pair well with Auchentoshan, Deanston Virgin Oak, or a lighter bourbon such as Old Forester.

This cigar is part of a box set of I received as a Christmas gift. As you can see below in the photo there are plenty to try in 2024 so I will be aiming to do one cigar review per month this year.

Priced around $14 and good, but for a few dollars more I would get a full-sized cigar.

If you like it, drink it (or smoke it)! – Chris

If you like it, drink it!

Kentucky 10

February 14, 2024 America

Name: Kentucky 10

Color: Light brown

Nose: Wheat, corn, vanilla, white oak

Taste: Wheat, corn, vanilla, white oak

Kentucky 10 is a Straight Bourbon from Owensboro, KY and is bottled at 45% abv. From my research it is stated that the whiskey “comes out of the 10th oldest distillery in KY” and is bottled and aged in the Medley Distillery (DSP-KY-10). I have not heard of this distillery before and I am not familiar with any of their products, so I am flying blind on this review. However, from the distillery code, I think I can figure out where they got the name.

I was able to enjoy a couple of Kentucky 10’s on ice at my friend’s Terence’s wedding last fall in South Florida. I was informed that one of the owners of Kentucky 10 was at the wedding so I introduced myself. We chatted for a few minutes, but then he got pulled away before I could ask specific questions on the whiskey.

Kentucky 10 is a young whiskey that fits somewhere in the brown spirits marketing boom as a sourced product from a major distillery. It is not a bad whiskey by any means, but it is more of a mixer than a sipper.

Priced around $35 and decent for the price. I have not seen it on the shelves in the NYC area.

If you like it, drink it! – Chris

If you like it, drink it!

Hudson Whiskey NY – Do the Rye Thing

February 14, 2024 NYC

Name: Hudson Whiskey NY – Do the Rye Thing

Color: Light Brown

Nose: Rye, green fruits, oak, spices

Taste: Rye, spices, dusty wood

Bright Lights, Big Bourbon is from Tuthilltown Spirts Distillery in Gardiner, New York. The distillery was founded in 2003 and was acquired by William Grant & Sons in 2010. The acquisition brought in an influx of cash and changes to the brand from its previous name, bottle style, price, and flavor.

The name of this whiskey sounded familiar to me when I first noticed a marketing push of their whiskeys in the NYC area. This expression as previously titled “Manhattan Rye” is now “Do the Rye Thing”. The name sounds like a play on words from a Brooklyn movie directors classic NYC film. The green label color is based off the 4,5,6 NYC Subway lines to stand out on the store shelfs. This should help with the marketing push but not so much when it comes to the flavor profile.

The mash bill is 95% rye and 5% malted barley. It is aged 3 years in new charred American oak barrels and bottled at 46% abv. The first taste is a very odd dusty-earthy rye flavor. The second taste is more earthy but does taste any better. It tastes cheap and old at the same time which is a weird combination. This is my second and last tasting of Hudson Whiskey NY whiskeys.

Priced around $50 and I am not impressed.

If you like it, drink it! – Christopher

If you like it, drink it!

Michter’s 10 Year Single Barrel Bourbon

February 8, 2024 America

Name: Michter’s 10 Year Single Barrel Bourbon

Color: Copper Brown

Nose: Sweet, caramel corn, toasted wood

Taste: Oak, vanilla, butterscotch, nutty roasted

Michter’s 10-year-old Single Barrel Bourbon Barrel No. 17B310 is an award winning release from Michter’s. The Single Barrel Bourbon won the “Best American Whiskey” by Food and Wine Magazine. I do not know what that means, but it sounds important.

I was in Kentucky recently and my friend bought a bottle for his son’s school charity auction. No one was bidding so he decided to get the auction going and ended up buying back the bottle he bought and donated, at double the cost. Lesson learned, keep your hand down. I enjoy several drinks from this bottle along with a cigar on his back deck in Kentucky. Somehow the bourbon always tastes better when I am sitting outdoors in Kentucky. I should probably stop giving life advice to his son’s after three drinks but why learn from an IPhone when you can learn from Uncle Chris?

There are two items of note on the bottle label. The barrel number and the statement: “Kentucky Straight Bourbon”. The number indicates from which barrel the whiskey sourced. The term “Kentucky Straight Bourbon” is only achieved by following a set of laws. These laws, in the simplest terms are (minus a few details);

Made in Kentucky
Mash of 51% corn grain
Not exceeding 80% abv
Aged minimum of 2 years

Overall, Michter’s produces very nice whiskeys and I have enjoyed all the expressions I have tried so far. I found this bourbon to be smooth, well balanced but not very complex. It reminded me of a better version of their American Whiskey. By no means does it make it bad, but it makes a bit of a stretch when it comes to the price.

Price around $120 its good but not $120 good. It is priced less in Kentucky (approx. $100).

If you like it, drink it! – Chris

If you like it, drink it!

christopher.dias.nyc@gmail.com

Smithwick’s Red Ale

Green Spot – Chateau Leoville Barton

Green Spot – Chateau Montelena

Benriach 12

Benriach – The Smoky 12

Nub Cigars

Davidoff Yamasa Petit Churchill

Kentucky 10

Hudson Whiskey NY – Do the Rye Thing

Michter’s 10 Year Single Barrel Bourbon

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