Chris | Page 35 | NYC Whiskey Review

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Bruichladdich Port Charlotte Heavily Peated Whisky

April 16, 2020 Scotland

Name: Bruichladdich Port Charlotte Heavily Peated Whisky

Color: Light Yellow

Nose: Clean, fresh, barley peat, smoky wood

Taste: Barley, citrus, lemon-green grass

Review:

The Bruichladdich Port Charlotte is a Scottish Highland heavily peated single malt from Islay. I purchased this expression after tasting it at the Robert Burns Tasting at the Astor Center. It may be titled “heavily” but I did not find it that heavy. It has a clean and fresh taste on the tongue and finish with a nice amount of peat. It base flavor is similar to the Classic, but it is not peat forward like Lagavulin 16 or Laphroaig 10. It has a nice balance and is a good alternative to the big boy peaters. I found it to be a medium winter scotch and definitely not a summer drinker.

The distillery states “ingredients matter”. The barley is 100% Scottish, the water is sourced from a local spring on the island, and it is finished in ex-bourbon casks. The whisky is non-chilled filtered and has no coloring added. It has the natural color, hence the lighter appearance in the bottle.

The scotch is named after the village of Port Charlotte which is on Loch (Lake) Indaal two miles south of the Bruichladdich Distillery. The name Bruichladdich, which translates to, “brae (hillside) by the shore” is not the easiest name to pronounce so you can look it up online. I do like that fact it is difficult to pronounce. It makes you look cooler when you order it in a bar or serve it home. You won’t look King of Cool Steve McQueen cool, but you might impress a few people along the way. If have not tried any of the expressions yet I recommend you do so, you might impress yourself as well!

Priced around $65 and worth the money.

If you like it, drink it! – Christopher

If you like it, drink it!

New Riff Bourbon 4 Year Old

April 14, 2020 America

Name: New Riff Bourbon 4 Year Old

Color: Orange Brown

Nose: Vanilla, caramel, oak, spice

Taste: Vanilla, caramel, rye spice, dark berries, and orange

Review:

A few weeks ago I enjoyed some and perhaps, a little too much New Riff Bourbon in my friends back yard on my annual trip to Kentucky for the Fall horse races.

New Riff Bourbon is produced by the New Riff Distiller that 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. It is my understanding that you can’t produce and distribute in Kentucky so he sold the store to start the distillery.

New Riff Bourbon is a bottle and bonded bourbon and distilled at 100 proof with 65% corn, 30% rye, 5% malted barley (all non GMO) and non-chilled filtered. The water is sources from the Ohio River Aquifer below the distillery. The bottle and bonded means it is aged for four years and quality measures have been followed.

Sales have started in August 2018 and there was/is a limit of 6 bottles per customer but I am seeing online in some bars here in NYC.

New Riff Distillery has multiple spirits for purchase which are bourbon, rye, and gin. They also have tours which vary from $10-$35 a ticket and the times vary. They have a reception area, small bar for cocktails, and merchandise. The distillery is located at 24 Distillery Way, Newport, KY and is in the same plaza with the The Party Source which has plenty of drinks, cigars and supplies.

Price around $50 in Kentucky, not sure of the price here but it is worth the money.

If you like it, drink it! – Christopher

If you like it, drink it!

The Famous Grouse

April 9, 2020 Scotland

Name: The Famous Grouse

Color: Light yellow

Nose: Barley, honey, vanilla, heather flowers

Taste: Carmel, floral, malted barely

Review:

The Famous Grouse is a well-known and popular Scotch Whisky that you see in all the bars in Scotland and most liquor stores in America. Founded by Matthew Gloag and his son William Gloag they created The Famous Grouse in 1896 and have become a cornerstone of the scotch whisky industry in Scotland.

The distiller (now owned by another company), produces other expressions such as; Smoky Black, Alpha Edition, Mellow Gold, Snow, 16-Year-Old Vic Lee, and a few other expressions. A few years ago the comedian Ron White had a comedy bit about drinking Black Grouse. Today, he owns a tequila company so doubt he will be doing scotch jokes. The Famous Grouse is also the official whiskey of the 2014 Commonwealth Games and I will be reviewing a special edition of Grouse 1986 in the coming weeks.

A few weeks ago, on a trip to see the family in Scotland, I took Virgin Train from London Euston to Glasgow Central Station. I decide to treat myself and purchased the 1st Class ticket. When you go 1^st class you get free Wi-Fi, food, drink and access to the lounges at the stations. On the train they were serving The Famous Grouse so I drank it, and I liked it. The scotch and the beautiful scenery out the window made the trip very relaxing. If you have not travel from London to Scotland by train, I highly recommend it. You get the scenery, affordable cost, and general time saving compared to a flight.

Priced around $25-35 and very affordably Scottish. It is fine a for a slugging whisky, mixer, or a train ride.

If you like it, drink it! – Christopher

Jefferson’s Ocean Bourbon

April 7, 2020 America

Name: Jefferson’s Ocean Bourbon

Color: Brown

Nose: Caramel, vanilla

Taste: Rye spice, citrus, vanilla, light pepper

Review:

Jefferson’s Ocean bourbon first came to my attention when I saw printed advertisements on the subway here in NYC. When I read “Aged at Sea….” I thought to myself “That looks interesting….and a bit gimmicky”. My gut reaction was right. It is gimmicky.

On my previous review of Jefferson’s Small Batch, I noted they source their bourbon rather than distill their own whiskey. As I have learned, and maybe some people do not realize, anyone who sources their whiskey and does not have a long history of distilling needs marketing to sell their product. Calling Mr. Draper! Calling Mr. Don Draper of Madison Ave. for a new method of creation and a romantic story. See below to summarize advertisement and marketing.

Jefferson states that the air, temperature and movement at sea creates a more unique flavor to the bourbon. For a bourbon that spends months at sea I did not get much of a marine, salt, or brine taste. Unlike Old Putney that has a sea/salt taste to it and Penderyn Madeira that has a wow factor, Jefferson’s Ocean had neither. To be honest, I am glad I did not get a sea salt taste. I have serious doubts about sea salt taste in a Kentucky Bourbon.

Jefferson’s Ocean is a nice, rich tasting bourbon but it is nothing mind blowing. In the end, you are paying for the price of the ship storage at sea and the gimmicky marketing.

Price around $75 and it is overpriced for the flavor profile.

If you like it, drink it! – Christopher

If you like it, drink it!

Michter’s Unblended American Whiskey

March 31, 2020 America

Name: Michter’s Unblended American Whiskey

Color: Light Brown

Nose: Candy sweet, spice, and vanilla

Taste: Caramel, vanilla, fruits and butterscotch

Review:

This whisky is titled “Unblended American” rather than “Bourbon” because it is aged in bourbon-soaked barrels instead of new charred American white oak, therefore, it cannot be called Bourbon. (Just a little whisky knowledge for you)

I first tried this whisky at Maysville in the Flatiron District of NYC while having a drink with Robin Robinson and I was very surprised at how nice it tasted. Michter’s has done a great job creating this whisky. It has a butterscotch finish, which may sound too sweet, but is soft and lovely on the tongue. I have since added this bottle to my bar and handed samples out to people that do not drink whisky. I have learned that non-whisky drinkers enjoy the taste even if they opt not to have a full pour.

This whisky to me is more of a summer whisky on the rocks than a Winter whisky served neat. Priced around $45.00 it is a great value.

If you like it, drink it! – Christopher

If you like it, drink it!

Knockmore Irish Whiskey

March 25, 2020 Ireland

Name: Knockmore Irish Whiskey (Batch 14)

Color: Light Yellow

Nose: Malt, grass, fruits

Taste: Malt, cream, vanilla, coconut, light oak

Review:

I am going to close out this months Irish Whiskey review with the opposite of a BANG. I like to keep it real and review everything that I can taste regardless of quality or status.

Knockmore Irish Whiskey Batch #14 is a non-aged started whiskey aged in ex-bourbon casks and bottled at 80 proof. Blend of aged single malts around 8-10 years but does not smell or taste like that length of time. Batch 14 is the title, but I don’t think it matters.

It has been created by Southwest Spirits and Wine (from Texas) due to a merge between Southwest Distillery and Prairie Creek Beverages. Knockmore won a award in 2017. I wonder what major spirit company was sponsoring an award show….hint hint.

Hard to nose, and has a light cream taste and noncomplex taste profile.

Price around $35 and tastes like dog shit with water. and I got to taste it for free. I would not buy a bottle.

If you like it, drink it! – Christopher

If you like it, drink it!

Temple Bar Irish Whiskey

March 19, 2020 Ireland

Name: Temple Bar Irish Whiskey

Color: Yellow

Nose: Honey, spices, flower, red fruits

Taste: Vanilla, fruits, sweet cream

Review:

Temple Bar Irish Whiskey is an Irish whiskey named after a historic pub in Dublin, Ireland with the same name. The pub was founded in 1840 and the whiskey comes from the Cooley Distillery which is located in Ireland. Cooley produces a few other whiskeys which are the following; Kilbeggan, Greenore, Connemara, The Tyconnell, and 2 Gingers.

Temple Bar Irish Whiskey is a triple distilled, 100% malted barley (single malt), and is aged in ex-bourbon and port casks. I discovered this bottled because my sister used to be in liquor sales and left a bottle in my mother’s home for me. It should be noted; I usually need it on my trips (stress relief).

The Temple Bar having their own line of whiskey is “cool” but nothing new. Many individuals and businesses have their own brand of whiskey that is named after their bar, business, or ego. A few examples include; Dead Rabbit (NYC Bar), Kirkland (Costco), Total Wine (Grangestone), Proper 12 (Conner MacGregor), and Blackened (Metallica).

Price around $50-65 and ok for a drink on the rocks. Not bad, not good. You be the judge.

If you like it, drink it! – Christopher

If you like it, drink it!

Glenfiddich Fire & Cane

February 27, 2020 Scotland

Name: Glenfiddich Fire & Cane Scotch

Color: Gold

Nose: Peaty smoke, malted barley, fruit

Taste: Smoke, caramel, rum sugar, oak

Review:

Glenfiddich Fire and Cane is a recent and fourth addition to the Glenfiddich Experimental Series which include Glenfiddich IPA, Project XX, and Winter Storm. Fire and Cane is a non-aged stated bottled at 86 proof. It is a peated barley scotch aged in bourbon barrels and finished in Latin Rum Barrels. When I was in Glasgow a few months ago I went to The Pot Still with the plan to try Red Spot Irish Whiskey. Unfortunately, they did not have it. It was a busy at the bar and the Fire and Cane was right in front on me so I decided to try it.

I am not a fan of sweet whisky in cold weather and barely a fan in warmer weather. It is an interested flavor profile, but again, I continue to see more and more sweet/sugary whiskies on the market. I also see young crap tasting ones too. I wonder is the market is oversold on brown spirits and these sugary experimental expressions are being created to keep interest. Fire and Cane is listed under Glenfiddich’ s “Experimental Series” but I don’t think this experiment will last. It is just too sweet. Glenfiddich is a big name so they have the money to try things out, which is a good thing but this scotch was not my thing. It was nice warm up after I left The Pot Still and head to the Horse Shoe Bar in Glasgow, Scotland. Price around $65 and a bit too sweet for my taste. Try it out and let me know what you think.

If you like it, drink it! – Christopher

If you like it, drink it!

Yame Eight Goddesses 10 Year Whisky

February 20, 2020 Japan

Name: Yame Eight Goddesses 10 Year Whisky

Color: Gold Nose: Vanilla, light fruit, honey

Taste: Sweet, citrus, caramel

Review: Yame 10 is blended from whiskies matured in oak for 10-13 years inspired by the mythical Yametsu Hime. Yametsu was said to protect the scenic mountainous beauty of the Yame Region.

Yame 10 is bottled at 42% abv and is designed for American markets. I do not like that “designed for market” statement that I read from some whiskey makers. It reeks of Made Men advertising bullshit. When I hear or read that statement it reminds me of my friend in Madrid, Spain owns a wine shop and is a distributor. She told me once that when it comes to Spanish red wine, “We keep our good stuff here and ship the crap to America”. Yame comes from the Kitaya Distillery form the Kyushu region of Japan. Inspired by a mythology translates to “let’s make some shit up that sounds good”. I would write more but I was not really impressed so I do not want to waste your time or mine. Yame is ok but has been made for a market and most likely for cocktails. Price around $65 and good stuff but I have had better Japanese Whiskeys (Nikka for the price). You be the judge.

If you like it, drink it! – Christopher

If you like it, drink it!

Deanston 15-Year-Old Sauternes Finish

February 18, 2020 Scotland

Name: Deanston 15-year-old Sauternes Finish

Color: Brown

Nose: Malted barley, sweet wine, caramel, vanilla

Taste: Candy fruit, sweet wine, caramel, vanilla

Review:

The Deanston Distillery is located on the River Teith, about eight miles from Sterling, Scotland (near Edinburgh) and was founded in 1965. The Distell Group Limited owns Deanston and also owns Bunnahabhain, Isle of Islay, Tobermory, and Isle of Mull whisky. The name “Deanston” is named after the Dean of Dunblane. Dean was connected to the Gaelic term “toun”
meaning farm/settlement to make the name “Deanston”.

I tried Deanston a few years ago but do not remember the taste profile. It was probably around the time when I first started getting into whisky. My cousin who lives in Sterling got me a sample pack. Each bottle contains 3cl (1oz) samples from the distillery and Sauternes was the fourth sample I tasted.

The Deanston 15-Year-Old Sauternes Finish is bottled at 57.3%, non-chill filtered, and has its natural color. The strength of the whisky balances well with the sweetness but the flavor profile is hard to detect without adding a few drops of water.

Sauternes is a sweet wine that comes from the Graves section of Bordeaux in France. It is known for being an after dinner or dessert wine and one of its biggest claim to fame is the famous Chateau d’Yquem. From my brief time as a sommelier in college (a career I should have stayed in) I can tell you that Sauternes wines taste amazing and that the d’Yquem is ridiculously fucking expensive.

Price around $110+ and the balance is good but not too sweet. I look forward to tasting the last sample.

If you like it, drink it! – Christopher

If you like it, drink it!

christopher.dias.nyc@gmail.com

Bruichladdich Port Charlotte Heavily Peated Whisky

New Riff Bourbon 4 Year Old

The Famous Grouse

Jefferson’s Ocean Bourbon

Michter’s Unblended American Whiskey

Knockmore Irish Whiskey

Temple Bar Irish Whiskey

Glenfiddich Fire & Cane

Yame Eight Goddesses 10 Year Whisky

Deanston 15-Year-Old Sauternes Finish

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