Chris | Page 24 | NYC Whiskey Review

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Sagamore Rye Signature

April 21, 2022 America

Name: Sagamore Rye Signature

Color: Orange brown

Nose: Vanilla, rye, white pepper

Taste: Rye, light spices, vanilla caramel

Sagamore Spirit Whiskey originates from Baltimore, Maryland and is owned by the owner Under Armor clothing. The marketing claims that Maryland produced rye whiskey before Bourbon was created in Kentucky. This makes sense when you look at how America’s colonies and states developed, however, I can now smell a Mad Men marketing a mile away before I taste a whiskey.

Sagamore Rye is the baseline expression bottled at 83 proof. This expression has a light nose and a decent taste profile, but compared to the other expressions it is very basic baseline rye. I was informed this expression is 75% of the Sagamore business which would make sense due to the cost of this bottle versus the other expression which can be double and then some. You can not blame a business for making a product affordable that is its cornerstone of production and revenue. However, you can blame it if the cornerstone is absolute shit. Sagamore Rye’s are NOT shit.

If you know where you can purchase all the expressions in a store in the NYC or North New Jersey area please let me know. I only a few different expressions in the stores and they are usually the Signature of the Cask Strength. I would like to purchase a few different expressions for my summer cocktails in 2021.

I recommend Sagamore Rye Signature for cocktails or on the rocks.

Priced around $40 and worth the money to start experiencing Sagamore Whiskey

If you like it, drink it! – Christopher

If you like it, drink it!

Calumet Farm Small Batch Bourbon

April 20, 2022 America

Name: Calumet Farm Small Batch Bourbon

Color: Brown

Nose: Corn, vanilla, wood, dark fruit

Taste: Corn, vanilla, orange cream, light oak

Review:

Calumet Farm was established in 1924 in Lexington, KY and produced numerous champion racehorses. At some point they started making bourbon, and by “making” I mean sourcing it. From my research on their limited information, they source the whisky from Western Spirits by Three Springs Bottling Company in Bowling Green, KY. They then market they shit out of it in a unique and sexy looking bottle.

It is stated that this expression is a blend of 7-8 year-old and 14-year-old Kentucky Straight Bourbon. The mash bill is 74% corn, 18% rye, 8% malted barley, and bottled at 43% abv.

The first taste gave me a nice balance with an impressive flavor profile. The second taste was very smooth, and I was more impressed. This one was a new experience for me as I had not heard or tried this bourbon before. I do not see it on the shelves here in the NYC area.

Other expressions: 15, 14, 12, 10, 8, Small Batch, and The Pedigree.

Priced around $60 and a decent tasting bourbon. I look forward to trying more expressions to see how they hold up..

If you like it, drink it! – Christopher

If you like it, drink it!

anCnoc 12-Year-Old

April 14, 2022 Scotland

Name: anCnoc 12-Year-Old

Color: Light Brown

Nose: Malt, flowers, light smoke, honey

Taste: Malt, lemon, almonds, wood

anCnoc (“a-nock”) 12-Year-Old Single Malt Scotch comes from the Knockdhu Distillery in AberdeenShire, Scotland. The distillery dates back to 1893 when the Scotch production was for Haig’s Whiskey. The distillery was near the Knock Rail Road Station, so distribution was an advantage to getting the product to market. Knockdhu was closed in 1983, sold in 1988, resume production in 1989, and re-named in 1994. The re-naming was done to avoid confusion with Knockando and the name is Scottish Gaelic and translate to “the hill”.

Other expressions: 18, 24, 2002, Peatheart, Rudhan (travel), Cutter, Rascan, Barrow, and Black Hill Reserve.

anCnoc 12 is Speyside styled scotch bottled at 43% abv, medium malt body, semi-fresh tasting scotch, and has a nice balance. Overall, it is good tasting and there is a little more malt on the taste profile than anything else. The other flavors are subtle on the back end.

Priced around $50 and worth a try of you like the flavor profile. I look to other to trying other expressions.

If you like it, drink it! – Christopher

If you like it, drink it!

Jameson Crested

March 17, 2022 Ireland

Name: Jameson Crested

Color: Light Yellow

Nose: Malt, citrus, flowers, sherry

Taste: Malt, citrus, flowers, light cream

Jameson Crested Whiskey is one of many expressions from the New Midleton Distillery in Dublin, Ireland. This expression was originally titled “Crested Ten” but Jameson decided to drop the “Ten” from the title. I am going to guess it had to do with it being a non-age stated whiskey. The actual age of this whiskey is 3+ years which is pretty much the minimum. It is bottled at 40% abv and aged in ex-bourbon and sherry cask.

Crested has a nice pot still malt flavor, good sherry notes, and is well balanced. It is smooth to drink neat, would do well on the rocks, or in an Irish Coffee. I am not a fan of Jameson expressions or most of New Midleton’s rename cousins in more expensive bottles, but this one is good. As of this review it is the best of all Jameson labeled whiskey I have sampled. I might buy a bottle if I had to go a party in Southie (Irish section of Boston). Hell’s Kitchen (former Irish section of NYC) is now all hipster millennial snowflakes so they can go drink flavored Vodka.

Priced around $45 and good stuff for a Jameson label.

If you like it, drink it! – Christopher

If you like it, drink it!

Slane Irish Whiskey

March 9, 2022 Ireland

Name: Slane Irish Whiskey

Color: Light Brown

Nose: Malt, oak, vanilla cream, flowers

Taste: Malt, oak, vanilla cream, flowers

This is going to be short, never a good sign on NYC Whiskey Review.

Slane Irish Whiskey is sourced, blended, bottled at 40% abv, and aged in triple casks. On the bottle these casks are listed as virgin, seasoned, and sherry. From my research the barrels may be Bushmills, Jack Daniels, and Forester Bourbon. I am not able to confirm if this accurate and the marketing of the casks names does not really align with these other distilleries.

This whiskey did not impress me, nor did it get better with a couple of drops of water. It is very cheap tasting and has an odd finish.

Priced around $30 and is slugging whiskey and not worth the money.

If you like it, drink it! – Christopher

If you like it, drink it!

Caol Ila 12

February 24, 2022 Scotland

Name: Caol Ila 12

Color: Light yellow

Nose: Peat, smoke, iodine, sea salt, lemon

Taste: Oak, peat/smoke, citrus, flowers, pepper

Caol Ila 12 is produced by the Caol Ila Distillery in Port Askaig on the Isle of Islay. The distillery was founded in 1846 and has changed ownership over the years and is now owned by Diageo (this will be important in a minute). Pronounced “Cull Eela” which means “Sound of Islay” this single malt is bottled at 43% abv and is lighter than Laphroaig 10 and less complex than Lagavulin 16.

The peat and wood taste are a bit different than other Islay scotches, but it is in the same ballpark and there was something familiar about this scotch. Every once and while when I am sampling a whisky and it seems familiar, but I cannot put my finger on it. After some research on this scotch I discovered that what Caol Ila scotch that is not used for their bottles ends up being put into Johnnie Walker….surprise! And no surprise, it is owned by Diageo. I sampled JW Black and Caol Ila 12 side by side. There is a very strong similarity on the nose and taste, but the peat overpowers so you have to search for it.

Caol Ila is what it “is” and that is overpriced Johnnie Walker Black plus 35 ppm peat. I found it to be ok. I assume it was produced to grab some of the Islay market. For the money I spend on this bottle and a few dollars more I could have gotten Lagavulin.

Priced around $70 it is overpriced for what you get in the bottle.

If you like it, drink it! – Christopher

If you like it, drink it!

Port Askaig 8-Year-Old

February 23, 2022 Scotland

Name: Port Askaig 8-Year-Old

Color: Light Yellow

Nose: Malt, peat, citrus, light wood

Taste: Malt, wood, peat, lemon

Port Askaig is whisky is produced by Elixir Distillers. They own Specialty Drinks, which in turn owns The Whiskey Exchange which is… ah fuck it. You get the point.

The whisky is aged for 8 years in ex-bourbon barrels, non-chilled filtered, has no color added, and is bottled at 45.8% abv. The whisky is sourced from Caol Ila and some comes from Laphroaig. Anyone see where this is going?

Islay whisky’s have a very specific flavor profile (peat/smoke) and have a limited market as most people do not prefer the Islay flavor. Port Askaig appears to be created to grab a bit of the market away from the other distilleries by selling something of similar taste but less quality. Like Caol Ila, it is creation to make money, not to produce something of value.

Priced around $60 and overpriced and tastes like shit.

If you like it, drink it! – Christopher

If you like it, drink it!

Opinions Vary: What is Best Bang for the Buck?

February 22, 2022 America

Opinions Vary: What is Best Bang for the Buck?

When you think of the question “What’s the best bang for the Buck?” it quickly becomes a very subjective question. For me it depends on what I like to drink and what my wallet can handle. It (and most things) come down to money, quality, and proof (abv). So basically it is Price & Proof if you want a good bang.

The best whiskey for the value has to be connected to the proof for the bang. If you read my reviews you know I am not a fan of cask strength whiskey, but when it comes to maximizing price, I recommend you get the strongest whiskey at the best price. For me I have come to the following conclusions:

Bourbon Best Bang for the Buck:

Knob Creek 9 Year (100 proof) for $35 or Sagamore Rye Cask Strength (112.2 proof) for $60.

Scotch Best Bang for the Buck:

Any 12-Year-Old Single Malt for around $50. If I had to pick two it would be Tomatin 12 or The Singleton 12 at $40 (summer drinker) or Talisker 10 or Laphroig 10 (winter drinker) at $65. Most will be around 80 proof.

Special Occasions Best Bang for the Buck:

18-Year-old Single Malts, Johnnie Walker Blue or other high-quality whiskey give great bang for the buck for you and 1-2 friends drinking with you. If you open a $125-$250 bottle with a recognizable label in a larger group it will evaporate quickly. So buyer and drinker beware, chose your whiskey and friends wisely.

If you are stretching your dollars or spending a fair amount to serve to multiple thirsty people you will want to manage your expectations and wallet. Usually, if you buy a few bottles for a party I know it is going to be drank in mixers, cocktails or on the rocks. So I will go with Knob Creek every time.

If you like it, drink it! – Christopher

If you like it, drink it!

Journeyman Last Feather Rye

February 17, 2022 America

Name: Journeyman Last Feather Rye

Color: Light Brown

Nose: Rye, white pepper, dried fruit

Taste: Rye, vanilla, cream, pepper/spice

Journeyman Spirits originates from Three Oaks, Michigan and is stated to be a hand-crafted artisan spirit. The distillery notes that all the ingredients are locally sourced organic grains and a local aquifer supplies the water. The factory that distillery operates out of has some interesting history of producing various old timey items for adults. You can look it up.

The distillery, like many new distilleries produces other spirits to support the whiskey production. Journeyman Spirits also produces vodka, gin, rum, brandy, and liqueurs.

Last Feather Rye is bottled at 45% abv and is a mash of 60% rye and 40% wheat. This rye is their flagship product and has won some awards. (if you read my reviews you know what I think about awards). I sampled was Batch #49, Bottle #413 from the three 200ml bottle box set. I thought the box set was a good price and killed three bottles with one purchase. I found the Last Feather Rye a little on the sweet side and is not that impressive of a flavor profile. It is what it is, which is a young, rough, and locally made slugging whisky that has made its way onto the market. Journeyman Rye reminds me of Mark Twain’s quote: “There is no such thing as a bad whiskey, some are just made better than others”

Priced around $50 and it’s your call to buy a bottle but maybe just get the 3 pack and decide for yourself.

If you like it, drink it! – Christopher

If you like it, drink it!

Sagamore Reserve Series

February 10, 2022 America

Name: Sagamore Reserve Series

Color: Light Yellow

Nose: Light, flowers, spice, honey, grass

Taste: Rye, semi-sweet, white apple fruit

Sagamore Reserve Series is aged 5 years, bottled at 101.32 proof, and finished in Calvados barrels for up to 2 years. Calvados is an apple (or pear) brandy from the Calvados region in Normandy, France. The Calvados barrel finish gives nice apples notes and the French Oak gives some nice tannins to the whiskey. The overall taste profile is more on the lighter side and I feel would make more of a summer rye cocktail than a winter drink.

Overall, I am impressed with Sagamore’s expressions so far and this one is no exception.

Priced around $75 and a little pricey for a mixer but worth a try to experience the flavor profile on a rye.

If you like it, drink it! – Christopher

If you like it, drink it!

christopher.dias.nyc@gmail.com

Sagamore Rye Signature

Calumet Farm Small Batch Bourbon

anCnoc 12-Year-Old

Jameson Crested

Slane Irish Whiskey

Caol Ila 12

Port Askaig 8-Year-Old

Opinions Vary: What is Best Bang for the Buck?

Journeyman Last Feather Rye

Sagamore Reserve Series

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