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The Glenlivet 15 – French Oak Reserve

September 1, 2022 Scotland

Name: The Glenlivet 15 – French Oak Reserve

Color: Light Brown

Nose: Malt, citrus, green grass, light spice, light wood

Taste: Malt, soft oak, spices, almonds

The Glenlivet 15-Year-Old French Oak Reserve is a Speyside whisky from Moray, Scotland and is one of the big “Glen’s” in the whiskey world. Found in 1824, it is the oldest and continuously operated distillery and is currently owned by Pernod Ricard. The distillery produces approximately 19 different expressions with prices ranging from affordable to “Holy Shit, how much?”. See last month’s review for the Glenlivet 14 or the Glenlivet 12.

Glenlivet 15 uses French oak barrels to finish the whisky. Oak barrels from France are different than American not only in geographic location, but also in species. French oak is either “Quercus robur” or “Quercus sesiliflora”. American oak is “Quercus alba”. The char level, age, and area grown can also affect the barrels, but there is a distinct flavor difference with oak barrels.

In terms of flavor:

French Oak has subtle notes of spices and is smoother.
American Oak has notes of vanilla and coconut and is creamier.

This expression is very light and smooth, and I can see a portion of that coming from the barrels, but it is 15 years old and bottled at 40% abv so it should be smooth tasting.

It is easy to drink, but not my style. I like a little bite on my scotch. Not the super heavy wood or peat flavor profile, but a scotch tasting scotch if you get my meaning.

Priced around $100 and is very good, but a wee bit too expensive and too light for the price and age.

If you like it, drink it! – Christopher

If you like it, drink it!

Dad’s Hat Classic Rye

September 1, 2022 America

Name: Dad’s Hat Classic Rye

Color: Yellow

Nose: Light wood, rye, spice

Taste: Rye, wood, pepper

Dad’s Hat Rye comes from Bristol, Pennsylvania and I first sampled the Classic Rye expression at a whiskey tasting at Court Street Restaurant in Hoboken, NJ. It was used as a comparison between Pennsylvanian Rye and Maryland Rye at the start of the tasting. Pennsylvania Rye’s have historically been known to be very rough on the tongue and reserved for hard drinkers.

The Classic Rye mash bill is 80% rye, 15% malted barley, 5% malted rye, and it is aged 6 months in charred casks. Other expressions produced by Dad’s Hat are: Vermouth Finish, Port Wine Finish, Straight Rye, and Bonded Rye.

Rye was the primary grain used in the production of whiskey in America for many years. Even before America was the United States it was used by early settlers to distill whiskey. In the 1700’s rye is was cheap, plentiful, easy to grow, and was even a form of currency due to lack of coins and notes in the colonies. Today Rye Whiskey is making a comeback, however, most people do not like it due to the harsh flavor. Personally, I have not found a rye that I can drink neat or on ice, but love a Rye Whiskey Old Fashioned cocktail.

Unfortunately, this expression was young and rough. I was not very impressed. It has a harsh taste and it feels like it is a throwback the tough coal miners drink of choice.

Priced around $40 and ok for a mixer. I will try their other expressions and I hope they are better.

If you like it, drink it! – Christopher

If you like it, drink it!

Opinions Vary: New Distilleries vs. Old Whiskey

August 31, 2022 NYC

Opinions Vary: New Distilleries vs. Old Distilleries

Starting this month, I am trying something new, an opinion piece once a month.

One thing I have noticed over the last few years is the rise in “new” whiskey distilleries. New meaning they are less than 10 to 15 years old, they aren’t part of the big boys clubs with hundreds of years of history, and they were created for a reason. The reason seems to be either passion, vanity, or market share.

New distilleries have to source their whiskey for a few years until they are up and running. Old distilleries can provide the supply as they can mass produce. It is a balancing game of business. Some distilleries get it right straight out of the gate and some just rush to market and don’t seem to care. Some whiskey is so bad they tell you what inspired them more then they tell you how they make their whiskey. It can be hilarious and sad at the same time. It seems to me that a lot of new distilleries of low quality use the same bullshit talking points over and over. After a while, it all seems to blend and comes from the same playbook.

When I see new whiskey’s that have won awards, recieved high ratings, and have huge marketing budgets I start to wonder why I don’t see any old ones winning as much. The more I taste award winning whiskey I start really believing my theory (base on no research or evidence) that these awards are bought and paid for. It is not out of the realm of possibility. Wall Street firms pay rating companies to approve finical products, why not the same for spirits?

I have learned that old does not mean good, and young/new does not mean bad when it comes to whiskey. What matters is care and effort put into the creation of the product. I have had new whiskey expressions from Sagamore, FEW, Coppersea, Brenne, and Taconic that were very good. I have had expressions from Glenlivet, Glenmoranige, Woodford Reserve, Buffalo Trace that were bad. And, vice versa. It can be a crap shoot.

The take away is try everything, but do not believe the marketing. Believe yourself. If you like, drink it!

Christopher

If you like it, drink it!

Wild Turkey 101 Bourbon

August 25, 2022 America

Name: Wild Turkey 101 Bourbon

Color: Light Brown

Nose: Cream, corn, vanilla

Taste: Cream, corn, vanilla, little burn finish

The history of Wild Turkey Bourbon dates back to 1891 and the names is said to have come from an executive by the name of Austin Nichols who enjoyed some samples of a bourbon distilled in Tyrone, Kentucky on a turkey hunting trip in 1940. By 1942 he was bottling Wild Turkey and continue for the next 30 years as he built up his business. Much of the whiskey was purchased from Ripys/Gould Distillery in Tyrone unit he purchased the distillery and changed the name to Wild Turkey Distillery. Since 1980 the distillery has changed ownership a few times and is currently owned by the Campari Group.

This bourbon is an American Institution is there every is one. Even if you don’t drink whiskey you have probably heard the name. Bottle at 50.5% abv (101 proof), hence the name it’s got some kick but a very basic taste. Its basic and good, but not my preferred flavor profile. It mass produced and lacks any deep flavor profile. The Russel Reserve 10 is one of Wild Turkey’s expression and is better for a few dollars more.

Other expressions include 81,81 Rye, Rare Breed, Kentucky Spirit, Longbrach, Masters Keep: 17, Decades, Revival, Russel’s Reserve: 10, Rye 6, Single Barrel Rye, Singel Barrel, and American Honey and Honey Sting.

Priced around $40 and a must try if you drink whisky. Your call if it is a must buy or drink regularly.

If you like it, drink it! – Christopher

If you like it, drink it!

Amrut Single Malt – Cask Strength

August 18, 2022 India

Name: Amrut Single Malt – Cask Strength

Color: Light Yellow

Nose: Malt, tropical fruits, wood

Taste: Malt, white fruits, mango, oak

The Amrut Distillery is headquartered in the Rajajinagar neighborhood of Bangalore, India and was founded in 1947 as a laboratory and became a distillery in 1948 when liquor laws changed. The distillery is mainly known for producing brandy, rum, vodka, and gin. In the beginning of their whiskey production they had trouble breaking into the market as they aged product fast and the quality of their product was questioned. Also, it did not help that most people thought India could not produce a good whiskey. In 2005 Jim Murray gave a high rating to their whiskey which brought worldwide attention to their expressions.

Amrut Cask Strength is 100% malted barley, aged 4+ years in ex-bourbon and new charred oak barrels, and bottled at 61.8% abv. It is non-chilled filtered, natural colored, and “Amrut” is a Sanskrit word which means “nectar of the gods”. It is a very Scotland malt tasting whiskey and needs a little water to open due to the cask strength. It is very good and different than the few Paul John expressions that I have sampled. I am sure their methods and regions in India have a role in the taste difference, but I have only previously experience Paul John so I will need to learn more.

Other expressions are: MaQ Scotch, MaQintosh, Prestige Fine Whisky, Prestige Blended Malt Whisky, Prestige Rare Whisky, Single Malt Whisky 46%, Peated Indian Single Malt Whisky 46%, Fusion Indian Single Malt Whisky 50%, Cask Strength, Peated Indian Single Malt Whisky Cask Strength, Intermediate Sherry, Two Continents Single Malt Whisky, Portonova, Kadambham, Single Cask, and Amrut 100.

Priced around $75 and very good and I recommend you try it. I look forward to sampling more expressions in the future.

If you like it, drink it! – Christopher

If you like it, drink it!

Seagram’s 7 Crown American Whiskey

August 11, 2022 America

Name: Seagram’s 7 Crown American Whiskey

Color: Light Brown

Nose: Barley, light oak, other

Taste: Malt, light dark fruits, candy notes

Seagram’s 7 Crown American Whiskey is a classic blended whiskey and bottled at 40% abv. This whiskey was very popular in the 1970’s but lost popularity in the 1980’s & 1990’s when people switched to rum and vodka drinks.

This is an old school whiskey that you would see at your grandparents’ home or a older bar or country club. The nose and taste are not very impressive and there really is not much there. It is basically a mixer that goes with soda water. It is most well known when it is ordered as a “7 and 7” which is Seagram’s 7 and 7 Up Soda. The last time I heard this drink mentioned out loud was in the movie Bridesmaids. I have not heard it ordered in a bar yet.

Nothing special about this whiskey other than it has a low production. Maybe bring it to a 70’s themed party with a six pack of 7 Up or Tab Cola if you can find it.

Priced around $35 and not that good, unless you want to go back in time.

If you like it, drink it! – Christopher

If you like it, drink it!

The Glenlivet 14 Cognac Cask Selection

August 4, 2022 Scotland

Name: The Glenlivet 14 Cognac Cask Selection

Color: Brown

Nose: Malt, flowers, citrus, earth/cognac notes, spice

Taste: Light malt, oranges, cognac, earth, light wood, light spice

The Glenlivet 14-Year-Old Cognac Cask Selection is a Speyside whisky from Moray, Scotland and is one of the big “Glen’s” in the whiskey world. Found in 1824, it is the oldest and continuously most operated distillery and is currently owned by Pernod Ricard. The distillery produces approximately 19 different expressions with prices ranging from affordable to “Holy Shit, how much?”. See last month’s review for the Glenlivet 12 for the baseline of the expressions.

The Cognac Cask expression is bottled at 40% abv, aged 14 years, and is finished in first fill ex-bourbon and ex-sherry cask and then finally finished in “select cognac barrels”. No shit, you “selected” them? Gotta love the marketing…..Who did you partner with? Nah…nevermind, that could not be important.

This expression from Glenlivet is a nice and smooth whisky, but for me it has too much cognac favor when drank neat. I would rather have a Cognac, Armagnac, or a Brandy. When I added a very small ice cube to the scotch the flavors open up nicely and the overall taste softens up. I enjoyed the more subtle flavors as it opened up with the cool water.

Priced around $75 and is good but a bit on the expensive side for 14 year old that has a cognac finish. I’d rather have a cognac.

If you like it, drink it! – Christopher

If you like it, drink it!

Willet Bourbon Whiskey

July 21, 2022 America

Name: Willet Bourbon Whiskey

Color: Copper Brown

Nose: Corn, oak, citrus

Taste: Corn, vanilla, charred oak, pepper

Review:

Willet Bourbon Whiskey is produced by the Kentucky Bourbon Distillers (KBD) in Bardstown, Kentucky. The distiller was originally named the “Willet Distilling Company” until it underwent a name change in the 1980’s. The Willet Family has been in producing whiskey since the late 1800’s and KBD produces familiar expressions such as: Noah’s Mill, Rowan’s Creek, and Willet Rye (along with many more).

Willet Bourbon is aged in new white oak casks, is non-aged stated, and bottled at 94 proof in Willet’s signature tall pot still style bottle. I look at the bottle as more of a marketing product to offset the average tasting bourbon. The tall bottle is pretty cool but I think taking it home in NYC or putting on a bar cart would be a pain in the ass due to its size. The bottled I sampled was Small Batch No. 16022 and I was surprised that it a little rough on the tongue. I was expecting it to be more smooth on the finish and that is how the bottle tricks you in the store. I have tasted Willet Rye and Noah’s Creek and they are a much higher quality spirit. This one tasted ok, but I think it is more of a marketing gimmick with the bottle.

Priced around $60 and good, but not amazing. The bottle would make a good gift for the right person.

If you like it, drink it! – Christopher

If you like it, drink it!

The Glenlivet 12

July 7, 2022 Scotland

Name: The Glenlivet 12

Color: Copper

Nose: Malt, light oak, honey, caramel

Taste: Malt, lemon honey, flowers, light wood

Review:

The Glenlivet 12-Year-Old is a Speyside Scotch from Moray, Scotland and is one of the big “Glen’s” in the whiskey world. Founded in 1824, it is the oldest and continuously most operated distillery in Scotland and is currently owned by Pernod Ricard. The distillery produces approximately 19 different expressions with prices ranging from affordable to “Holy Shit, how much!?”.

The 12-Year-Old is the baseline expression and is a light and fresh tasting scotch. It is not complex or overbearing. The whisky is matured in double oak casks and bottled at 40% abv (80 proof) so it is an easy drinker at the proof level.

Light, fresh, and easy to drink is the best way to describe this Glenlivet 12. It is great summer scotch or a light scotch for someone with a lighter taste preference. I do not recommend drinking on ice as it waters down too fast and you lose the flavors in the water. If you use this as a mixer in cocktails, we need to have a “wee” chat.

Priced around $55 and good for the baseline and for a summer scotch by the pool.

If you like it, drink it! – Christopher

If you like it, drink it!

Coppersea Big Angus Green Malt

June 30, 2022 NYC

Name: Coppersea Big Angus Green Malt

Color: Copper brown

Nose: Malt, green grass, light wood, honey-wheat/hay

Taste: Cucumber, wood, lemon grass, green pepper

Big Angus Green Malt is produced by Coppersea Distilling, in New Platz, New York. Founded in 2011 and derives its name from an old saying that there was a “Sea of Copper stills along the Hudson River Valley in the 1800’s…” Today there is only a few distilleries in the Hudson Valley.

I sampled this this expression at the distillery and the unique taste caught my attention immediately. The barley, green flavors, hay, and lemongrass notes are something that I had not yet experienced. The taste of green and the mix of warm heat of the whiskey is unique and for good reason. The whiskey’s mash bill is 100% un-kilned sprouting green barley malt. The barley is floor malted, hand raked, and is not stored for future use. Upon sprouting it is mashed, fermented in a open top fermenter, distilled twice, and then bottled at 48% abv.

Big Angus Green Malt is named after the founding Master Distiller Angus MacDonald. The method is a very old way to making whiskey to avoid taxes. Back in the day, Scotsmen avoided the Crown’s Tax Man coming to collect their money by not drying the malt with burning peat smoke. They could skip a step, hide the whiskey making process, and still make a decent scotch. If this is hard to understand, just think about what Walter and Jesse had to do in season one of Breaking Bad with the RV.

Priced is $75 for a 375ml bottle and is a little expensive for the total volume but a lot of effort and love that went into the making of this whiskey. If you are wondering more about Big Angus, take ride up to New Platz for the day and try all the expressions!

If you like it, drink it! – Christopher

If you like it, drink it!

christopher.dias.nyc@gmail.com

The Glenlivet 15 – French Oak Reserve

Dad’s Hat Classic Rye

Opinions Vary: New Distilleries vs. Old Whiskey

Wild Turkey 101 Bourbon

Amrut Single Malt – Cask Strength

Seagram’s 7 Crown American Whiskey

The Glenlivet 14 Cognac Cask Selection

Willet Bourbon Whiskey

The Glenlivet 12

Coppersea Big Angus Green Malt

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