Chris | Page 13 | NYC Whiskey Review

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Weller Antique 107

December 18, 2023 America

Name: Weller Antique 107

Color: Copper

Nose: Wheat, vanilla, orange, wood

Taste: Wheat mash, vanilla, orange, oak, caramel cream

7 Days left before Christmas! Do you have all your bottles yet?!?

Weller Whiskeys are a high-end expression produced by the Buffalo Trace Distillery. The expression is named after William Larue Weller who in the 1840’s was a pioneer in distilling by using wheat in the mash instead of rye. So, he is either a genius innovator or had a shit ton wheat lying around.

Weller Antique 107 is aged 6-7 years in Virgin American White Oak and bottled at 53.5% abv. The mash is believed to be 70% corn, 16% wheat, and 14% malted barley. It is well balanced, easy to drink, with a nice cream finish.

If you live in the NYC area you may not be as familiar with Weller. I do not see it on many shelves or bars. You may recognize it as the preferred whiskey of the Dutton Family from the television show Yellowstone. In 2019 the price was around $40 for this bottle and now is upwards of $130. There is a secondary market issue going on which is a topic for an Opinions Vary review next year.

I want to put something into prospective for you. I bought a dram of Talisker 25-year-old in Glasgow for around $35 last year. A pour of various Weller’s can start at $35 and get up to $50+ in Kentucky depending on the expression and NYC bars would charge much more.

So, I cannot understand why people would spend this kind of money on such young Buffalo Trace product. I can go around the corner from my apartment any buy an 18-year-old single malt for $130 but for some reason people in America want to spend this kind of money on 6-year-old bourbon. Are people fucking stupid?

Current price online is around $130+ and it is good, but not amazing for the price. I got this pour at Casa Montecristo in Paramus, NJ for $10 for 2 ounces. Go drink them dry if you want to try it.

If you like it, drink it! – Christopher

If you like it, drink it!

Casa de Montecristo Cigar Lounge – Paramus, NJ

December 17, 2023 Accessories

8 Days left before Christmas! Do you have all your bottles (or Cigars) yet?!?

Casa de Montecristo Cigar Lounge & Bar (Paramus) is located at 184 NJ-17 North, Paramus, NJ 07652. Montecristo has 23 locations across America and there are two in New Jersey and one in NYC.

If you are coming from NYC (driving) it would be a royal pain in the ass to get there. However, since there are less and less cigar lounges to smoke, drink, and watch tv in NYC these days it might be worth the trip if you have friends in NJ.

There is a front and back entrance to the building. The front door takes you directly into the lounge and bar area. The back door, where there is extra parking, takes you into the massive walk around humidor. The selection in the humidor is vast and the prices seem very fair to me. The staff is very nice, friendly, helpful, and not pushy.

The bar/lounge area in a good size and is clean and well maintained. There is full liquor and beer available, but no food from what I saw. The lounge is a little on the darker side which is good for the tv’s. The smoke eaters and ventilation work well and it is not too smokey when busy and there is no outdoor seating. There was signage for upcoming events such as whisky and cigar nights. I would image during football season this place gets busy on a cold and rainy day.

My only criticism is the majority of the seating is high-tops table with tall chairs. That is not comfortable sitting and smoking for a few hours. It appears from photos online they used to have leather chairs and coffee table but have revised the layout probably to maximize seating for customers.

Nice place to have a cigar and drink if it is convenient for you to get to. I recommend it.

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

If you like it, drink it!

Balbair 12

December 16, 2023 Scotland

Name: Balbair 12

Color: Light Brown

Nose: Malt, honey, lemons, flowers, light oak

Taste: Malt, honey, white fruits, cream/sweet finish

9 Days left before Christmas! Do you have all your bottles yet?!?

Balbair is a Highland whisky from Edderton, Ross-shire, Scotland. The distillery was founded in 1790 and has grown and changed ownership over the years. It is currently owned by Inver House Distillers who also owns Speyburn-Glenlivet, Knockdhu, Old Pulteney, and Balmenach.

The Balair 12 is aged in ex-bourbon and double fired American oak casks and is bottled at 46% abv. I picked this sample up in Edinburgh on my last visit as a random whisky to sample. I was not familiar with this whisky and I have not seen in previously it in the bars or stores in the NYC area. It has a light sweet nose and the taste almost matches the nose which is never a good sign from experience. I also found it too sweet and overall a bit flat tasting. It was not bad, it just was not that impressive.

Other expressions: 9, 10, 12, 15, 18, 40, Equinox & Solstice, Elements, and Explorations. Various years have associated cask numbers or names depending on the year released.

Priced around $50+ and not my preferred flavor profile but I will try more expressions if I find them.

If you like it, drink it! – Christopher

If you like it, drink it!

GlenAllachie 12

December 15, 2023 Scotland

Name: GlenAllachie 12

Color: Dark Brown

Nose: Malt, caramel, oak, heather, sherry/honey

Taste: Malt, sweet caramel, oak, white fruit

10 Days left before Christmas! Do you have all your bottles yet?!?

GlenAllachie 12 is a Speyside whisky that was found in 1967 and has change ownership over the years. The distillery was closed for a few years until it was re-opened by a group of private investors.

GlenAllachie 12 is bottled at 46% abv and is non-chilled filtered. From my research it appears to be aged in Virgin Oak, PX Sherry casks, and Oloroso sherry casks.It has a nice taste and balance and reminded me of Edradour 10. It is easy to drink and not too hot for the proof level, but a little sweet on the finish for my taste.

I do not think I have every seen this whisky on the shelves in the NYC area. I get the feeling that is a sourced whisky as they may be building up their reserves. When I was in Edinburgh last Spring, I picked up several nips of whisky’s from Whisky’s of the World and this was one among them. I like to gamble on the smaller bottles when I am not sure and it worked out for most of this year’s reviews.

GlenAllachie other expressions are a surprising a long list. By category they have the following: Anniversary Series, Core Range, Single Casks, Virgin Oak Series, Wine Cask Series, Wood Finish Range, Macnair’s, and White Heather. Click here for the complete list – The GlenAllachie Distillery.

Priced around $65 and worth a try if you like the profile. I look forward to try more expressions if I can find them.

If you like it, drink it! – Christopher

If you like it, drink it!

Tomatin 18

December 14, 2023 Scotland

Name: Tomatin 18

Color: Brown

Nose: Malt, vanilla, caramel, cedar wood, white fruits

Taste: Malt, vanilla, caramel wood, white fruits, sweet finish

The Christmas countdown has begun! Do you have all your bottles ready!?!

Tomatin distillery is located in the Village to Tomatin which is South of Inverness in the Highlands of Scotland. The distillery was founded in the 16^th century for local purchases of jugs for farmers and then was later fully established as Tomatin in 1897.

The Tomatin 18 has nice nose with a hint of dry cedar wood. It has smooth malt taste with sherry sweet finish and is well balanced. I did find the caramel a little thick on the tongue, but it was not a deal breaker. This expression could be enjoyed as a winter or a summer whisky. I find the Tomatin 12 to be a summer drinker.

I enjoy sampling Tomatin, but I am not yet fully convinced it is worth the money for the older expressions. I will need to try more in the future.

Priced around $125-$150 and overpriced for the flavor profile.

If you like it, drink it! – Christopher

If you like it, drink it!

Wild Turkey Rare Breed

December 13, 2023 America

Name: Wild Turkey Rare Breed

Color: Light Brown

Nose: Corn, vanilla, oak, orange

Taste: Corn, vanilla, oak, orange, spices, and hot finish

The Christmas countdown has begun! Do you have all your bottles ready!?!

On my recent trip to Kentucky to visit St. Matthew we dropped by Wild Turkey for a sample at 11:00am. Yes, 11:00am…..you know, like a reviewer that works hard for his readers or a guy on vacation drinking too much. Take your pick.

Wild Turkey Rare Bread is a non-aged stated blend of 6, 8 and 12 year old whisky. It has a mash bill of 75% corn, 13% rye, and 12% malted barley. It is bottled at 58.4% abv. This expression was good, but a little too hot on the finish and overall flat tasting for my liking. It needed some water to open up and the flavors came out. It is better than Wild Turkey 101, but I was not overly impressed.

The main visitor center was under construction, so we had to visit this mini building which was 75% merchandise with 25% bar area with no seats. I am unsure of who thought this was a good idea. People on the bourbon trail want to enjoy a drink or two and you crowd them into a space the size of my studio apartment in Murray Hill.

No flights, only drinks and you get to keep the glass, which I left as I really do not need glasses. Also, no cocktails, food and the bathrooms are outside in a modern trailer bathroom setup.

Priced around $65 and good if you like Wild Turkey.

If you like it, drink it!

Minor Case Rye

December 11, 2023 America

Name: Minor Case Rye

Color: Light brown

Nose: Rye, pepper spices, vanilla, caramel sugar, wood

Taste: Rye, pepper, oak, vanilla/caramel

The Christmas countdown has begun! Do you have all your bottles ready!?!

Minor Case Rye is produced by the Limestone Branch Distillery which is located in Lebanon, KY and was founded in 2010. The distillery is named after the Limestone in the earth in Kentucky which affects the water used in in Bourbon. The owners can “trace” their lineage back to Jim Beam (can’t state that you’re related huh?), they have a whiskey called Yellowstone (timing is everything huh?), and they are partnered with Luxco which distributes the cheapest looking booze I have every seen. Anyone see where I am going with this yet? All the marketing signs point to shitty whiskey.

With all that said, Minor Case Rye is not half bad. It honestly surprised me with the taste. It is much sweeter than I expected from the rye. I figured it would have had the standard rye flavors, which is does, but it is covered with the sherry cask finish which makes it an easy drinker. The balance is good, the taste does not equal the nose, which is nice in a Rye. You could enjoy this neat or on the rocks. I do not think it would work well in a cocktail.

Priced around $50 and good for the price if you like the flavor profile, but its nothing amazing.

If you like it, drink it! – Christopher

If you like it, drink it!

Kavalan Select

December 9, 2023 Taiwan

Name: Kavalan Select

Color: Light Brown

Nose: Malt blend, tropical fruits, light oak, mango

Taste: Malt, white and tropical fruits, smooth oak

The Christmas countdown has begun! Do you have all your bottles ready!?!

Kavalan Whiskey comes from Taiwan and I have reviewed a few expressions over the last few years. They are owned by King Car Group and was founded in 2005.

The whiskey is aged in a hot and humid environment which leads to higher proof when finished and bottled. Kavalan embraces technology to maintain control over the aging processes in such a hot environment.

Kavalan Select is a light, clean and fruit forward easy drinking whiskey. It is bottled at 43% abv. It is non aged stated, but by local law it is aged for a minimum of 2 years and tastes like it is aged in oak barrels. It has a good balance and like all other Kavalan expressions is well made but it is not that impressive. The tropical notes as very nice and not too sweet but this is clearly a entry level mass market expression.

I do not drink Kavalan frequently for a couple of reasons. One, the price, it is usually very high. Two, I am not that too into the tropical tastes. I have the same issues with some Paul John expressions.

Priced around $50 and worth the money if you like the flavor profile but it is very basic compared to their other expressions.

If you like it, drink it! – Christopher

If you like it, drink it!

Davidoff Year of the Rabbit

December 8, 2023 Cigars

Name: Davidoff Year of the Rabbit – Flagship Edition

Size: 6 x 56

Length: 6 inches

The Christmas countdown has begun! Do you have all your bottles (or Cigars) ready!?!

Davidoff Year of the Rabbit the most recent release from Davidoff Zodiac Series. The cigar and filler originates from the Dominican Republic. The wrapper is from Ecuador and the binder is from Mexico. Each year Davidoff releases a limited series of cigars in conjunction with the Chinese Calendar. This summer I had the great fortune to sample this cigar after dinner with friends at the the garden of the Aman Hotel in Venice, Italy. A few years ago, I was gifted a box of Davidoff Year of the Rat from the same person and I am incredibly impressed with this series from Davidoff. I do not have the words to describe it. It is the best cigar I have every enjoyed.

By no means do I proclaim to be an expert in cigars, but I know a good one when I smoke it. When I stated this is “the best I have every enjoyed” I mean it. I have had couple of Cuban cigars in Spain and Miami (supposedly, I doubt it) and I do not remember them reaching this level of flavor or quality. Personally, I find Cuban cigars to be like Dom Perignon Champagne. They are brand named product that is easily recognizable, usually highly overrated, and created for gullible name droppers or Social Media idiots.

One important mention is the price of these cigars. The history Zodiac Series below shows the escalation in price and I think it is worth presenting.

Davidoff Cuvée Selection 2012 Year of the Dragon (6 x 52) — $35

Davidoff Limited Edition 2013 Year of the Snake (7 x 48) — $29.90

Davidoff Limited Edition 2014 Year of the Horse (6 x 60) — $31

Davidoff Limited Edition 2015 Year of the Sheep (6 1/2 x 54) — $35

Davidoff Limited Edition 2016 Year of the Monkey (6 1/2 x 50) — $34

Davidoff Limited Edition 2017 Year of the Rooster (6 3/4 x 50) — $40

Davidoff Limited Edition 2018 Year of the Dog (7 x 50) — $39

Davidoff Limited Edition 2019 Year of the Pig (6 x 56) — $39

Davidoff Limited Edition 2020 Year of the Rat (6 x 52) — $39

Davidoff Limited Edition 2021 Year of the Ox (6 x 60) — $40

Davidoff Limited Edition 2022 Year of the Tiger (5 x 52) — $42

Davidoff Limited Edition 2022 Year of the Tiger Toro — $397

Davidoff Limited Edition 2023 Year of the Rabbit (5 15/16 x 54) — $50

Davidoff Limited Edition 2023 Year of the Rabbit Flagship Edition (6 x 56) — $72

As you can see above the price has been going up each year since the beginning of the series. You can find the 5 15/16 x 54 version at Davidoff in NYC Downtown (Fidi) for $69.00 per stick.

Priced around $72+ per cigar and absolutely worth the experience if it fits your budget.

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

If you like it, drink it!

Paul John – Nirvana

December 6, 2023 India

Name: Paul John – Nirvana

Color: Yellow

Nose: Malt, fruits, honey, dry wood

Taste: Malt, cake-fruit, sugar/honey

The Christmas countdown has begun! Do you have all your bottles ready!?!

Paul John whiskey is distilled in Goa, India and was introduced to the U.S. markets in around 2016. Goa is in the Southwestern coast of India, is known as a hippie area with a lot of ex-Pats, but more importantly, it has a tropical climate year-round. I would not say the climate creates a better flavor, but in my experience, maturation in warmer climates leads to richer flavors. However, not so much in this expression.

The Paul John Nirvana expression is bottled at 40% abv and has an interesting blend of flavors, but it feels more a mishmash that has been thrown together quickly to make a cheaper expression. I believe this is the cheapest expression I have seen on the shelf from Paul John and the taste matches the price.

Nirvana has a nice finish with a malt/fruit/butter sugar cream thing going on and after a few sips it grows on you, but the balance is not there. It is a more of a summer than a winter, but it is still not something that I enjoyed drinking. I cannot recommend buying a bottle of this whiskey, only to try a taste to see if you like it first.

Priced around $40-45 and not for everyone. Remember, my wallet and I suffer for you reading.

If you like it, drink it! – Christopher

If you like it, drink it!

christopher.dias.nyc@gmail.com

Weller Antique 107

Casa de Montecristo Cigar Lounge – Paramus, NJ

Balbair 12

GlenAllachie 12

Tomatin 18

Wild Turkey Rare Breed

Minor Case Rye

Kavalan Select

Davidoff Year of the Rabbit

Paul John – Nirvana

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