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Jura 18

October 2, 2024 Scotland

Name: Jura 18

Color: Dark Copper

Nose: Malt, flowers, wood

Taste: Malt, flowers, cream, honey, wood

Jura Distillery was founded in 1810 and is located on the Island of Jura in the Inner Hebrides off the West Coast of Scotland. The distillery has changed hands may times over the years and is currently owned by Whyte & Mackay.

Jura 18 has a lovely nose but is hard to detect all the notes. It is well balanced and has a medium body for an eighteen-year-old whisky. This expression is aged in American White oak ex-bourbon barrels and then is finished for several months in Premier Grand Cru Classé Bordeaux red wine barriques from the southern region of France. I have noticed when whisky is aged in red wine casks, I struggle to nose it. I am not sure what my problem is but at least I know I have one. Regardless, this is a very nice whisky at 44% abv. I sampled it right after the Jura Seven so it was vast improvement and I might be a little biased.

Jura has 26 expressions currently on the market divided into Signature, Travel Exclusive, and Rare & Limited. For all these expressions, I do not see a lot of Jura in bar, stores, or duty free. The ones I do see with any regularity are the 10, Seven Wood, 18 year old, and an occasional specialty expression. I am due to be in Glasgow in a few months and I will see what Jura’s the Pot Still has on the shelf.

Priced around $150+ and worth the money if you like the flavor profile.

If you like it, drink it! – Chris

If you like it, drink it!

Bowmore 15-Year-Old “Darkest”

September 5, 2024 Scotland

Name: Bowmore 15 Year Old – Darkest

Color: Dark brown/orange

Nose: Dry fruit, vanilla, sweetness

Taste: Light smoke, sweetness, dark fruits

Bowmore 15-year-old “Darkest” is an expression that was released in 2007 so it has some time on the market. Bowmore is an Islay scotch, and if you follow my reviews, you know I call that region of Scotland the “big boy scotch” area. Islay is known to produce strong, peaty and smoky whisky’s that people either love or hate. I love them in the winter but skip them in the summer.

The name “Darkest” comes from the color which is a combo of the sherry casks and caramel coloring. Coloring scotch is legal in Scotland with respect to scotch laws. This expression has 12 years in ex-bourbon casks and three years in Oloroso sherry casks. As with a lot of these 15-year-old sherry cask whisky’s, it is basically the distilleries 12-year-old product with another 3 years in sherry casks. I have not been amazed by this method or business model.

I have noticed over the last couple of years that sherry cask finishes are becoming very popular. I theorize (based on no research), that they are marketing to non-whisky drinkers by sweetening the scotch. Nothing wrong with sherry cask finishes, but sometimes I feel like I am drinking sugar scotch water.

Priced around $75 its good but a bit expensive for the sweet taste.

If you like it, drink it! – Chris

If you like it, drink it!

Bowmore 18

September 4, 2024 Scotland

Name: Bowmore 18

Color: Brown

Nose: Malt, oak, raisins, vanilla, caramel, light smoke

Taste: Malt, oak, dark/fruit, spices, caramel, light peat

The Bowmore Distillery is located on the Isle of Islay on the South Eastern shore of Lock Indaal. It was established in 1779 and is one of the oldest distilleries in Scotland, but like the majority of Scottish Distilleries it is under control of Suntory.

Bowmore 18 is aged in ex-bourbon and Oloroso casks, appears to be colored, and is bottled at 43% abv. Upon my first taste the whisky it was very tight and surprisingly robust. It was stronger and more robust than I was expecting for an 18-year-old. After a few minutes I took my second taste expecting the flavors to mellow. I was again surprised that it held the strong body and mouth feel and I noticed a little snap on the finish. The malt, fruits, and smoke worked very well together at the proof and age of this expression. From my research the Bowmore 18 was released in January 2007 to replace the 17-year-old. I have not sampled Bowmore in years and I need to really focus on their expressions in the future.

Other Expressions: Bowmore No. 1, 12, 15-Year-Old Darkest, 18, 25, 18 Year Manzanilla Cask, 19 Year French Oak Barrique, 26 Year French Oak Barrique, Bowmore 1964, Vault Edition Atlantic Sea Salt, Mizunara Cask, Bowmore 1957, The 50-Year-Old, Bowmore Arc-52, and 52 Years Old.

Travel Expressions: 10-Year-Old Dark & Intense,15-Year-Old Golden & Elegant, 18-Year-Old Deep & Complex, Bowmore 1984, and others depending upon releases.

Priced around $175+ and worth it if you like the flavor profile. I will be buying this bottle next time I see it in the store.

If you like it, drink it! – Chris

If you like it, drink it!

The Singleton Glendullan 12-Year-Old

August 29, 2024 Scotland

Name: The Singleton Glendullan 12-Year-Old

Color: Light Brown

Nose: Malt, lemon, honey, heather, light oak

Taste: Malt, citrus, honey, toffee sugar

The Singleton Glendullan 12-Year-Old Whisky is produced by Diageo and comes from Dufftown, Scotland which is in the Speyside region. Glendullan is a distillery founded in 1897 and today is owned by Diageo for their production needs.

There are three brand names of The Singleton that were originally designed for three major markets. Glendullan for North America, Glen Ord for Asia, and Dufftown for Europe. However, today all are available in each market sector. I am sure the plan made sense in the conference room when it was pitched. They also having varying age expressions such as the 12, 15 and 18 year old.

The whisky is 40% abv, chilled filtered, color adjusted, and aged for 12 years in ex bourbon and sherry casks. I first saw this whisky promoted on Binging With Babish and thought it might be worth a try. The description appeared to be a sweeter summer whisky which matches the flavor profile. It is not too complex, but it is fresh tasting with a nice clean finish. It reminds me of Tomatin 12 for taste and price range.

Priced around $45 and worth the money if you like the flavor profile.

If you like it, drink it! – Christopher

If you like it, drink it!

The Singleton Glendullan 18-Year-Old

August 28, 2024 Scotland

Name: The Singleton Glendullan 18-Year-Old

Color: Amber

Nose: Malt, light wood, vanilla, honey, flowers

Taste: Malt, cedar/oak, vanilla, honey-citrus

The Singleton 18-Year-Old Glendullan is a Speyside Scotch produced by Glen Ord, Glendullan, and Dufftown distilleries which are owned by Diageo. The Singleton production started in 2006, but the distilleries opened in 1838, 1897, and 1896. At least there is some history to the suppliers.

The Singleton 18 is a medium bodied whisky with a soft nose, medium-light taste, and is bottled at 40% abv. I compared it to the Singleton 12 and I was surprised at how much more richer and complex the 12-year tasted. The 18-year lacks complexity and its overall flavor profile falls somewhere between flat and boring. When I started learning about whisky ten years ago an expression like The Singleton 18 would have impressed me. Today, not so much. However, if you really like The Singleton 12 I believe you will like The Singleton 18.

Priced around $100+ and nice for a Singleton expression, but very average for a Speyside whisky.

If you like it, drink it! – Chris

If you like it, drink it!

Opinions Vary: Scotch in Scotland

August 22, 2024 Scotland

Opinions Vary: Scotch in Scotland

If you have been following my reviews for a while you might have picked up that I am half Scottish. My Mother was born and raised in Glasgow, Scotland and I have family in Glasgow, Edinburgh, and Sterling. I’ve learned a few things since traveling over to Scotland in the last twenty years. First thing I learned is that my cousins are annoyed that I spell “whiskey” with a “e”. The second thing I learned is do not get your hopes up for a proper pour of whisky.

The word “Scotch” is used to separate Scottish Whisky from Bourbon, American Whiskey, or Irish Whiskey. The spelling of “whisky” is reserved for Scotland only, but in recent years some producers are breaking that rule. Calling whisky “Scotch” is mainly used in America from my experience.

Proper pours are a not going to happen in Scotland when you are at the pub drinking Scotch. Free pouring in pubs is illegal. The UK have regulated pours of 35ml (1.2oz) or 50ml (1.69oz). What the actual fuck? I mean seriously, who came up with that bullshit rule? Is so un-American. At least in America you have a chance for heavy pour with a good tip and a friendly bartender.

So, to summarize, Scotch (aka whisky) is not to be call in Scotch in Scotland and the pours are small. I recommend Scotland vote for a different type of Freedom!!!!

If you like it, drink it! – Chris

If you like it, drink it!

The Singleton 12 Cocktail Series #6 – The Hot Toddy

August 21, 2024 Scotland

The Singleton 12-Year-Old is a Speyside Scotch with a lighter taste profile of malt, lemon, honey, heather, and light oak. It is 40% abv, chilled filtered, color adjusted, and aged for 12 years in ex bourbon and sherry casks. For me, it is a summer scotch.

It is a lighter tasting Scotch, and, on their website, they present numerous cocktail receipts. I am generally not a fan of cocktails made from Scotch so this series will be an experiment to broaden my horizons and educate you as the reader.

Singleton Cocktail Series #5 – Hot Toddy

1.5 oz Singleton
Cup of Tea (your preference)
Honey to taste
Lemon

The Hot Toddy drink is credited to have been created in the 1780’s by an Irish doctor by the name of Dr. Robert Bentley Todd. He used to prescribe a mixture of liquor, hot water, cinnamon, and sugar when his patients were suffering from a cold. Irish logic never ceases to amaze me as a half Scot.This cocktail nothing special as it is just tea, whisky, honey, and lemon. It’s not a complex or unique, its is just tea with a shot of whisky.

I am not fan of Hot Toddy’s. I do not recommend them when you are sick, but I can recommend them when coming in from the cold.

This is the last of my Singleton Series cocktails. I hope you enjoyed this series of reviews. I am planning to continue whisky focused cocktail reviews for the rest of 2024 and into 2025.

If you like it, drink it! – Chris

If you like it, drink it!

The Macallan 18 – Sherry Oak Cask (2022 release)

August 8, 2024 Scotland

Name: The Macallan 18 – Sherry Oak Cask (2022 release)

Color: Dark Brown

Nose: Malt, light oak, vanilla, caramel, raisins

Taste: Malt, oak, raisins, orange zest

The Macallan Distillery is located in Craigellachie, Moray which is the Speyside region of Scotland. It was founded in 1824 and has numerous expressions and ages available starting at 8 years and up to 72 years. The prices range from $65 to $500,000 so check you bank account before you guy. The Macallan is one of those “gold standards” in scotch that people either know or are familiar with due to product placement.

The Macallan 18 Sherry Oak Cask is aged for the total years, undisturbed, in Oloroso sherry seasoned oak casks and then bottled at 43% abv. The description of the flavor profile on the box is spot on. The raisin, spice, oak, vanilla, etc. notes are on the nose and tongue. However, I did not get the ginger as stated on the bottle, it is probably just my taste buds. The smoothness of this whisky cannot be described in words. This is a true sipping whisky to be enjoyed for special occasions. My friend Sam kept saying, “it’s so smooth…” over and over with each glass by the wood fire. I can summarize by only saying that this whisky needs to be experienced. No words do it justice no matter who writes them or what influencer promotes Macallan 18.

Priced around $400 per bottle and worth it if it fits you budget.

If you like it, drink it! – Christopher

If you like it, drink it!

The Macallan 18 – Sherry Oak Cask (2023 release)

August 7, 2024 Scotland

Name: The Macallan 18 – Sherry Oak Cask (2023 release)

Color: Dark Brown

Nose: Malt, light oak, sherry, fruit, vanilla-caramel

Taste: Malt, oak, fruit-raisins, spice, cream finish

The Macallan Distillery is in Craigellachie, Moray which is the Speyside region of Scotland. It was founded in 1824 and has numerous expressions and ages available to purchase with ages starting at 8 years and up to 72 years. The price ranges are from $65 to $500,000. The Macallan is one of those “gold standards” in scotch that people either know or have heard of because of product placement in television, movies, and seeing it on the shelf.

The Macallan 18 – Sherry Oak Cask (2023) is aged “seasoned oak casks from Jerez Spain” and is then bottled at 43% abv. The label states it is natural colored, but no mention of non-chilled filtering. From my research I learned that the sherry casks were “seasoned” which can mean that the cask had sherry added to them to give them the sherry flavor. They might have not used actual sherry casks from Jerez. I am not able to confirm this from my research.

I would say, but cannot compare to the 2022 release that I reviewed last year, that the 2023 is slightly smoother, but little lower in quality. There is just something missing in the taste profile, but is still very good. I should have saved a dram of the 2022 to compare in 2023. I will be purchasing The Macallan 12 Sherry Cask finish and comparing them side by side.

This expression is a true sipping whisky to be enjoyed for special occasions like celebrating a 30-year friendship. My friend Sam was visiting, and we went right to work enjoying this expression.

Priced around $400 per bottle and worth it if it works with your budgets.

If you like it, drink it! – Chris

If you like it, drink it!

Dewar’s White Label

August 1, 2024 Scotland

Name: Dewar’s White Label Blended Scotch Whiskey

Color: Light Yellow

Nose: Barley, white fruit, light wood, vanilla

Taste: Citrus, light malt, vanilla, honey

Dewar’s White Label is a blended scotch whisky from Perth, Scotland. It was founded by John Dewar in 1846 so they have been around a long time. The whiskey has received over 500 awards over the years for the various expressions. You will find this scotch on most bars all around the world.

Dewar’s is a very light blended scotch and is like Famous Grouse with respect to its flavor and consistency. It is fine, but I like more body and taste in my scotch. I find the White Label a bit boring knowing there is much better. Some of the much better expressions that Dewar’s produces are: 15, 18, 25, Aberfeldy, Aultmore, Craigellachie, Royal Brackla, and The Devron. There are a few other expressions that are produced by the distillery, but I wanted to list the most popular.

I would not drink this stuff unless I had too, or it was a cocktail of some sort. It just isn’t that good. Maybe it would taste better on a train ride up to Scotland.

Priced around $35 and fine for a baseline blend but I would upgrade to Aberfeldy or Aultmore.

If you like it, drink it! – Chris

If you like it, drink it!

Jura 18

Bowmore 15-Year-Old “Darkest”

Bowmore 18

The Singleton Glendullan 12-Year-Old

The Singleton Glendullan 18-Year-Old

Opinions Vary: Scotch in Scotland

The Singleton 12 Cocktail Series #6 – The Hot Toddy

The Macallan 18 – Sherry Oak Cask (2022 release)

The Macallan 18 – Sherry Oak Cask (2023 release)

Dewar’s White Label

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