Chris | Page 16 | NYC Whiskey Review

christopher.dias.nyc@gmail.com

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!

Tamdhu 12

December 5, 2023 Scotland

Name: Tamdhu 12

Color: Copper

Nose: Malt, honey, heather, oak, sherry

Taste: Malt, honey, vanilla, sherry sweet finish

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

The Tamdhu Distillery was founded in 1896 and located in the village of Knockando in Banffshire, Scotland. Tamdhu was/is mainly used for the production of popular blended whisky’s such as The Famous Grouse, J&B, and Cutty Sark. Currently the ownership of Ian McLeod Distilleries is producing it as a single malt expression. The name “Tamdhu” in Gaelic and translates to “little dark hill”.

Tamdhu 12 is Speyside single malt bottle at 43% abv. It is a lighter tasting whisky which is more on the sweeter side due the sherry cask finish. It has a nice balance and at first taste I would have guessed it to be a Lowlander instead of a Speyside. It is smooth drinker and comes off as more of a summer than a winter scotch. I believe I had tried this whisky once before in The Potstill Bar in Glasgow and from my hazy memory I enjoyed it so picked up a bottle to reconfirm my experience. It’s a little sweet for me, but very solid dram.

Expressions currently offered: NAS, 8,10,12,18,50, Batch Strength No. 001 & 2, Limited Edition, 1990 Cask Strength, and Signatory Vintage 1994.

Priced around $65-75 and worth the price if you like the flavor profile. I will be trying more expressions hopefully this month when I am in Scotland, which is tonight!

If you like it, drink it! – Christopher

If you like it, drink it!

Stranahan’s Bushmills Cask

December 3, 2023 America

Name: Stranahan’s Bushmills Cask

Color: Copper

Nose: Light malt, light oak, white fruits

Taste: Malt, spring water, butter-cream, apple

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

Stranahan’s Whiskey was founded in 2004 and it is located at 200 S. Kalamath St. Denver, CO. The distillery and visitor center is in an industrial park and has a simple outdoor seating area with a nice view of the mountains. The inside bar area has a modern rustic wood design with seating for around 75 people. The bar serves whiskey, flights, cocktails, and the retail store sells bottles and merchandise.

Stranahan’s Bushmills Cask is aged for four years in new American oak barrels with a No. 3 char. It is then is transferred to Bushmills casks to age for another year and then bottled at 47% abv.

This expression has Irish cream notes with a lighter finish. When water is added it opens up, but does not have any amazing taste profile. It tastes like an experimental whiskey, which form my research, it is. This expression is part of the “Distilleries Experimental Series, and I would be very surprised if it went into full production. I bet it was created just for St. Patrick’s day to keep people buying local Denver whiskey than the standard Irish bottles.

Other expressions: Original, Blue Peak, Mountain Angel 10 Year, Snowflake, Diamond Peak, Sherry Cask, Single Barrel, and various special releases.

Priced around $70 and good, but not amazing. Not sure where you can find it in the NYC as it is a limited release.

If you like it, drink it! – Christopher

If you like it, drink it!

New Riff Single Barrel Rye

December 2, 2023 America

Name: New Riff Single Barrel Rye

Color: Copper

Nose: Rye, wood, leather

Taste: Rye, dark fruits, caramel, light wood

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

New Riff Bourbon Single Barrel Rye is produced by the New Riff Distillery which is located in Newport, KY on the Ohio River adjacent to Cincinnati. New Riff was founded by Ken Lewis who used to own The Party Source next door in the same plaza. Ever year I make my annual trip to Northern Kentucky and New Riff is my first stop. OKBB is second, Jeff Ruby’s third, and Graeter’s (if am still standing) is fourth. The next day I go to Skyline Chili with regrets on my previous day’s decisions. It’s been pretty much a standard operating procedure for over 10 years.

The Single Barrel Rye Barrel #10724 was distilled in May 2018 and bottled in August 2022 at 54.2% abv. This rye has a strong nose and hot taste on the lips, but surprisingly does not have a burn on the finish when drank neat. When water is added it opens up nicely, but I believe this rye is best used in a cocktail. I find high proof ryes too strong and spicy neat. Served on the rocks it still is too much for me. I like my rye in my cocktails.

Many thanks to St. Matthew, one of my oldest friends for bring me this bottle on his last trip up to NYC. Also, at the end of this month and I am doing “Opinions Vary: Old Fashioned v. Manhattan” and New Riff Single Barrel Rye will be the basis for the cocktails.

Priced around $65 and worth the money if you like a high proof Rye and so far, New Riff is yet to disappoint!

If you like it, drink it! – Christopher

If you like it, drink it!

Fort Mosé 1738 Bourbon Whiskey

December 1, 2023 America

Name: Fort Mosé 1738 Bourbon Whiskey

Color: Light Brown

Nose: Corn, vanilla, dry wood, dark fruits, pepper spice

Taste: Corn-rye blend, wood, vanilla, dark cherries, cinnamon

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

Fort Mosé 1738 Bourbon Whiskey has been created by Victor G. Harvey, Sr. and produced by Palm Beach Distillery. It is the first produced whiskey by a black owner in Florida and honors the history of the underground railroad that helped slaves escape and the Spanish who helped them to secure their own free place to live. It is named after the first free town established in 1738 in St. Augustine, Florida.

My good friend from Kentucky was in Fort Lauderdale with his son and he struck up a conversation with Victor as they were both ordering Old Fashioned’s at the bar. He mentioned me and I was sent this bottle for review. I was surprised to hear Palm Beach County has a distillery as I lived there for many years and there was no breweries or distilleries during my times. I am happy to see that the locals are creating their own stuff.

Fort Mosé is blended whiskey, aged for 4 years in oak barrels, and is bottled at 42% abv. The whiskey is sourced from Indiana with a mash bill of 75% corn, 21% rye, and 4% malted barley. In my experience Indiana high rye mashes yield a much sharper taste on the tongue which leads to a snappy cocktail.

Thanks again for the bottle Victor! I will drop by the distillery in the Spring when I am back in South Florida. Fort Mosé currently only available in FL, OH, MI, GA, AZ, KY, VA, with DC, MD, IL, TX, CA coming February 2023.

Priced around $50 and makes a hell of an Old Fashioned that has a great punch to it!

If you like it, drink it! – Christopher

If you like it, drink it!

christopher.dias.nyc@gmail.com

Tomatin 18

Wild Turkey Rare Breed

Minor Case Rye

Kavalan Select

Davidoff Year of the Rabbit

Paul John – Nirvana

Tamdhu 12

Stranahan’s Bushmills Cask

New Riff Single Barrel Rye

Fort Mosé 1738 Bourbon Whiskey

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