Chris | Page 40 | NYC Whiskey Review

christopher.dias.nyc@gmail.com

Jack Daniels Old No. 7 Whiskey

May 10, 2018 America

Name: Jack Daniels Old No. 7

Color: Brown

Nose: Sweet, light smoke, spices

Taste: Banana peels, nuts, caramel

Review:

Jack Daniels a popular whiskey that you might have heard about in your life time. Jack Daniels, aka “JD” or “Jack” as it is sometimes known is not a bourbon. It is a Tennessee whiskey made up of 80% corn, 12% rye, and 8% malt. The whiskey is filtered through sugar, maple and charcoal which gives it unique taste profile. The label is iconic and is replicated for numerous type of products other than whiskey. It is said that no one knows what Old No.7 really means on the label. I say, who gives a shit. It is just romancing marketing.

Jack Daniels and Frank Sinatra are together in the photo because this week marks the anniversary of the passing of Frank Sinatra. I once heard, “Frank was never without Jack” or something along those lines. Frank Sinatra was born in Hoboken, NJ and started his career in NYC. Due to Sinatra’s great love of Jack Daniels the company makes a Jack Daniels Sinatra Edition Whiskey. I have not tried it but I have been told it is much smoother than the basic Jack Daniels, but it comes at a high price.

Jack Daniels is good for mixing or cooking but I find unpleasant to drink straight or on the rocks. The last time I drank it was on a flight to Florida. I had the choice between Jack or Jameson. I chose the lesser of two evils.

Priced around $30 and I do not like it very much.

If you like it, drink it! – Christopher

If you like it, drink it!

Robert Burns Whisky Tasting at The Astor Center 2018

February 14, 2018 NYC

The yearly Robert Burns Tasting at Astor Center was a couple of weeks ago. I have been now 3 years running and I always have a good time. This year there was plenty of haggis and drams to sample. If you don’t know, Robert Burns is a Scottish Poet and in short, wrote the song we all sing on New Year’s Eve.

The Astor Center is the 2nd floor of the Astor Wine and Spirits Store in NYC. It has a sit down class room and a walk around area that have tastings and events throughout the year. This year there were approximately 40 scotch whiskies and I was able to sample 22 scotches I had not yet tried. This tasting was a “walk around”, which is what it states, you walk around and taste. Not my favorite style as you have to bump elbows with people.
The haggis was good but it was more American Kentucky Getta styled. The haggis in Scotland is much better. If you are not familiar with Getta, it’s the same thing as haggis but for some reason no one in Kentucky believes me.
This year’s Burns Tasting seemed to have less people and be missing a few key whisky’s. There was a lower amount of higher end scotches this year. That was fine, but something felt a bit off with the entire event. What was good was there were whisky’s I hadn’t tasted yet and I made a point to try them.
ARBERLOUR 18 YR OLD $160

GLENLIVET 18 YR OLD $125

THE MACALLAN AMBER SINGLE MALT SCOTCH $80

HIGHLAND PARK VALKRYRIE SINGLE MALT $90

BOWMORE DARKEST 15 YR $75

AUCHENTOSHAN AMERICAN OAK $35

WHISKIES OF SCOTLAND BLENDED ISLAY – 1997 $125

WHISKIES OF SCOTLAND MORTLACH SINGLE MALT – 1995 $150

WHISKIES OF SCOTLAND CLYNELISH 18 YR- 1995 $135

THE BENRIACH CLASSIC 10 YR. SINGLE MALT $70

THE BENRIACH CURIOSITAS 10 YR. PEATED SCOTCH $75

GLENGLASSAUGH REVIVAL SINGLE MALT $70

GLENDRONACH 12 YR. HIGHLAND $70

ARDBEG AN OA SINGLE $65

ARDBEG CORRYVRECKAN $90

ARDBEG UIGEADAIL $80

DUNCAN TAYLOR OCTAVE BENRIACH WHISKY – 2011 $125

DUNCAN TAYLOR OCTAVE GLENTAUCHERS WHISKY – 2008 $125

NAVAZOS PALAZZI BOTA #12 OVERSEAS MALT WHISKY $100

WOLFBURN AURORA SINGLE MALT SCOTCH $60

WOLDBURN MORVEN PEATED SINGLE MALT $60

WOLFBURN SINGLE MALT SCOTCH WHISKY $60

Nothing on the list blew my mind, and a couple were very disappointing for the price. However, I got educated on new whiskies and that is what counts. One thing I like the most about whisky (other than the taste) is the learning process. Just because its new, old, aged, non-aged, odd, etc. doesn’t mean anything until you taste it. Once you taste it, you learn something new and that to me is the most important part. Anyone can go to a store and buy expensive whisky and feel special, but not everyone wants learn.
If you like it, drink it and keep learning! Reviews on each whisky will be posted over the next few months.

If you like it, drink it! – Christopher

If you like it, drink it!

Laphroaig Cairdeas – Madeira Cask

January 25, 2018 Scotland

Name: Laphroaig Cairdeas

Color: Orange brown

Nose: Sweet sherry, citrus with peat and wood

Taste: Sweeten “Big Boy Laphroaig” taste with orange flavor

Review:

Since the picture was taken when the Patriots were making the comeback last Super Bowl I thought this post was worth sharing again!

This Islay whisky is finished 8 yrs in American Oak and then 2 yrs in Madeira (Portuguese Fortified Wine aka “Port”) hogshead barrels. Laphroaig blends the traditional flavor and sweet port flavor to make something different from their standard whisky. Unfortunately, the first sip is a mixed bag of flavors and immediately reminded me of a beverage from my college days. My first dram reminded me of when Sam Adams Lager started making flavored beers. They are good, but I can only drink one or two because the additional flavor(s) muffled the taste of the wonderful lager. I was in my early 20’s when I started drinking Sam Adams and I did not want cherries, cranberries, lemons, pumpkin, etc. in my beer. Years later, I still stand by that decision. I do not like things mixed together than ruin the base flavor. Have you ever had French Italian Fusion Food? It sounds like it tastes, bad.
This whisky is not bad and there are a lot of whiskies on the market using sherry barrels but most of them are not as full bodied as Laphroaig. For me, this bottle is somewhat gimmicky and might have been created to keep up with the competition that using sherry/port barrels to create after dinner Scotch. I struggle to see how this would work as an after dinner drink or daily drinker with peat and wood as the baseline. It is not bad stuff, it is just strange blend of flavors for my plate.

Priced around $65-70 and worth the money

If you like it, drink it!

Robert Burns Day Tasting – Astor Center NYC

January 17, 2018 NYC

It’s that time of year! Astor Center’s Robbie Burns tasting is coming! It is a large walk around tasting of over 40 Scotch Whiskies. This is a great event but be warned: I’ve seen a few people go down after too many drams.

Tickets and info here.

The Burns Tasting will be on January 27^th, 2018 at Astor Wine and Spirits on the 2^nd Floor. Enter at 399 Lafayette Street through the black gates to the right of Astor Wine & Spirits. You then take the elevator up to the 2^nd floor and check it. The tasting is from 2pm-4pm. There is a coat rack but no coat check so hold on to your bag. I have left my empty backpack on the floor each year and it was there when I returned so I could carry home my bottles.

Robert Burns was a Scottish Poet born on January 25^th, 1759. He is Scotland’s national poet. Writer of Auld Lang Syne which means “Old Long Since” which sounds like “Should all acquaintances be forgot, and never brought to mind…” which is the New Year’s Eve song we all know and love. Each year the Burns Supper is had to honor home and the “Address to a Haggis” is read aloud as the Haggis is cut into and served. If you haven’t had Haggis yet I recommend you try it. The modern Haggis is very tasty.
I have attended the tastings for the last 3 years, including the one during the blizzard. A fair amount of whisky, food, and fun will he had by all but recommend you eat a few slices or a large sandwich before attending. All regions of Scotland will be covered by various reps. Ages with run from 8-21+ years and their is some food served as well. After the tasting ends, or when you decide to leave, you will find all scotches (minus some of the high ends) at 15% off in the store. If you like or love Scotch, you need to make a point to get to this tasting. I attend every year and really enjoy this particular event.

Well priced at $79 and worth the money. I’ll be there so hit me up or send me an email. I’d love to chat with fellow whisky lovers in NYC.

If you like it, drink it! – Christopher

If you like it, drink it!$100

Knob Creek Small Batch 9 Year Old

October 19, 2017 America

Name: Knob Creek Small Batch 9 Year Old

Color: Brown

Nose: Caramel, sweet corn and oak

Taste: Caramel, vanilla, oak, slight burn on the finish

Review:

I’m off to Kentucky today and I was wondering;

Do you need a 375ml bottle? Perhaps something small, easy to transport with a little kick in it… Maybe you require some whiskey for train ride home, the office after a hard week, a day at the beach, a tailgating party, or a camping trip? Look no further, this is the bottle is for you!

Ok, that was my clever opening but it holds some truth. This is not full size bottle but I like this bourbon. Its good, well priced and packs a punch and fits well for all the ideas suggested.

Jim Bean produces Knob Creek and it is not the best or the worst Bourbon out there but it can go neat, on ice or in a mixer. At 100 proof you are getting a strong bourbon and it will get you feeling relaxed and good. I find this bourbon to get good for a mixer or a nip from the bottle. The price is good but the taste is not amazing but is decent.

Approximately $40 and a good value because a couple of bar cocktails in NYC are almost the same price.

If you like it, drink it! – Christopher

If you like it, drink it!

Nikka Pure Malt

October 4, 2017 Japan

Name: Nikka Pure Malt Whiskey

Color: Medium Brown

Nose: Light fruits, peat, and malt

Taste: Apples/pears, spice, peat, and smoke

Review:

The first sip of Nikka’s Pure Malt reminded me of Scotch Whisky from the Highlands. The flavor profile is smoky, peaty, but well balanced and on the lighter side. I found this to be a lovely combination if you are a fan of Scotch and Japanese styled whisky.

The exact fruit is a little difficult to detect among the peat/smoke/malt profile, but after a few sips it comes out. The fruit profile is more white fruits such as apples and pears. I would have expected more exotic black fruits, but when I think about it the combination of black fruits, smoke, peat and malt sounds like a tough receipt to get right.

Pure Malt is a blended non-aged stated (NAS) whisky. Nikka Distillery states that the average age of their whiskies is 10 years. I believe this because I choose to believe it, but to be very honest, marketing it where the “truth lies” as they said in Mad Men. The blends are stated to be Miyagikyo malt whisky and some Yoichi whisky with Miyagikyo making up a high percentage of the blend. Pure Malt is aged in sherry butts, bourbon barrels, and new America oak casks.

“Pure” means “balanced” with respect to flavor when it comes to Nikka’s standards of production. As mentioned in previous reviews, Japan makes great whiskey. It is your choice to enjoy this spirit neat, dash of water, or on the rocks. I would not recommend making cocktails out of Pure Malt. Good whiskey does not need to be mixed to be creative in your glass. The master distiller was already been creative, it is your turn to enjoy

Priced around $65 and worth the money.

If you like it, drink it! – Christopher

If you like it, drink it!

Nikka Single Malt Yoichi

August 16, 2017 Japan

Name: Nikka Single Malt Yoichi

Color: Light Gold

Nose: Spice, fruit and light smoke

Taste: Dark fruits, slight nut flavor and peat

Review:

As I have mentioned previously, Nikka is excellent Japanese whisky and when it comes to single malt whisky, they got this one right. This is excellent single malt that is medium bodied and well balanced.

The flavor profile and combinations is wonderful and I have not tasted anything like this whisky to date.

Japanese whisky is known for being softer and light, but in this whiskey, there is a very nice amount of peat and smoke on the nose. On the taste, you get of fruit and spices make a great taste flavor with the peat.

Yoichi comes from Hokkaido, which is the second largest Island in Japan. The distillery is in the North part of the island near the sea and used imported Scottish peat in direct coal fire pot stills. This method of direct fire is very traditional and somewhat rare now a days when it comes to whiskey making.

I tasted this whisky at the Astor Center when Master Distiller Sakuma Tadashi from Nikka was in town and bought a bottle right after the tasting. I have a little dram left so I am saving it for a special occasion.

I have not yet tried all the whiskeys that Nikka produces, but I am looking forward to reaching that goal.

As I have mentioned in previous reviews, if you are not drinking Japanese Whiskey you are missing out. Try some and let me know your thoughts.

Price around $100 per bottle and well worth the money. I highly recommend this whisky.

If you like it, drink it! – Christopher

If you like it, drink it!

Johnnie Walker 4 Pack Sampler

August 4, 2017 Scotland

Something for the weekend?

Johnnie Walker produces a four pack of 200 ml bottles of Black, Gold, Platinum and Blue Scotch for around $200. You might not find it as easy in a store but it is online at various distributors and I have seen it in Duty Free in Heathrow Airport. If you want to do a tasting with friends and make up your own minds while saving some money I would definitely recommend this box set in lieu of full bottles. I would strongly suggest you treat it like a tasting with measured pours of whisky in different glasses, note taking, trying it with a splash of water etc. After that, you can decide on the value of the higher labels and see if it is your cup of tea (or whisky!)

Note: Specific Johnnie Walker Labels may vary in 4 pack box. Confirm with supplier prior to purchasing. I have seen red and black then two other higher labels as opposed to what I have described.

If you like it, drink it! – Christopher

If you like it, drink it!

Maker’s Mark Cask Strength

August 2, 2017 America

Name: Maker’s Mark Cask Strength

Color: Amber

Nose: Strong alcohol, cherries, vanilla

Taste: Caramel, cinnamon, nuts, alcohol burn finish

Review:

For over a decade I have traveled to Kentucky every October for the closing weekend at Keeneland Race Course with my college roommate. If you have not heard or have not been to Keeneland, I highly recommend a visit. It is a great racetrack and it is close to the Bourbon Trail tours so you can make a great weekend trip out of a visit. I have never been to the Kentucky Derby, but I know for fact it is an absolute shit show at Churchill Downs if you are not VIP. So go to Keeneland when you get a chance and have some Maker’s Mark Cask Strength.

This last trip was a little colder than usual so with cigar in hand I strolled over to the outdoor bar for a warm up drink. At the bar, they were offering a variety of bourbons so I opted for Makers Cask Strength since I had not yet tried it. As you may know, I am not a fan of cask strength whisky’s. As expected, it had a strong burn and was difficult to enjoy neat but, it was cold out so it got the job done quickly.

I am a big fan of Makers 46 in my cocktails and Maker’s Cask Strength is good, but it packs a punch at 113.3 proof. I recommend this bottle for more a kick to your cocktails, but not for serving neat or on the rocks.

Price around $60 it is good price, but it is really just a strong version of Maker’s without the smoothness of Maker’s 46.

If you like it, drink it! – Christopher

If you like it, drink it!

Glenmorangie Nectar D’Or

July 5, 2017 Scotland

Name: Glenmorangie Nectar D’or

Color: Gold

Nose: Citrus, vanilla, light sweetness

Taste: Citrus, honey, nuts, vanilla

Review:

Not a fan. Sorry Glenmorangie, just not digging this scotch. It is probably me, not you. I just feel the need to see other scotches this summer. Glenmoragnie is keeping up with the industry trend of sweetening their products due to market demand. Their Nectar D’Or is a sweeter wine flavored scotch that has a unique taste, but comes across as a bit of an old flavor.

Nectar D’Or is a 12-year-old scotch aged for 10 years in ex-bourbon barrels and 2 years in sauternes barrels. If you are not familiar with “sauternes” let me summarize.

Sauternes is a French sweet white wine from the Graves region of Bordeaux, France.
Bordeaux is mainly known for producing Cabernet Sauvignon wines but does produce white, blends, and Merlot.
Sauternes is made from Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc, and Muscadelle which are all white grapes
Sauternes is usually sold in 375ml bottles and is usually enjoyed as a dessert wine.
It is not known to be cheap stuff.

This scotch is different and I will give Glenmorangie credit for trying to something different. I have tried other whisky’s that used barrels from other fortified wines and they can provide a very nice flavor profile so do not be afraid to try something new. Nectar D’Or has done well in creating something different in their premium label scotches but taste profiles vary with consumers like me.

I found this scotch to have a rough, cheaper vanilla taste, and a burned finish. I would not buy this one for myself, but I could see it being enjoyed on the rocks in the South of France or the Hamptons while everyone else is drinking Rose wine. Nectar D’Or is not a bad whisky; it is just not my thing.

Approximately $70 per bottle.

If you like it, drink it. – Christopher

If you like it, drink it!

christopher.dias.nyc@gmail.com

Jack Daniels Old No. 7 Whiskey

Robert Burns Whisky Tasting at The Astor Center 2018

Laphroaig Cairdeas – Madeira Cask

Robert Burns Day Tasting – Astor Center NYC

Tickets and info here.

Knob Creek Small Batch 9 Year Old

Nikka Pure Malt

Nikka Single Malt Yoichi

Johnnie Walker 4 Pack Sampler

Maker’s Mark Cask Strength

Glenmorangie Nectar D’Or

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