scotch | NYC Whiskey Review

Tomatin 12 Year Old – Bourbon & Sherry Casks

August 10, 2023 Scotland

Name: Tomatin 12 Year Old

Color: Golden brown

Nose: Vanilla, green fruit, light oak

Taste: Sweet wood flavor, caramel and vanilla.

Coming out of the Highlands of Scotland this Single Malt Scotch has been aged 12 years in combination of ex-bourbon and sherry casks. Aging the whisky in these casks is nothing new in technique or in the market place, but it gives a good finish to this scotch as it does with most whiskies. Tomatin 12 is medium-bodied and its finish has a bit of a cream wood taste. I was pleasantly surprised when I tasted it and my notes put it between “ok to good”. I consider this scotch “good to very good” when you look at the price.

If you need a scotch that tastes good, is very well priced, and you know your friends will drink it like spring water, this would be the scotch to purchase. You can kill a bottle while at the same time not murder your wallet.

I would definitely keep this one on the bar at home or show up to a party with one or two bottles in hand. Priced around $35-40 it is a very good value.

If you like it, drink it! – Christopher

If you like it, drink it!

Port Charlotte Heavily Peated 10

February 23, 2023 Scotland

Name: Port Charlotte Heavily Peated 10

Color: Light Yellow

Nose: Barley, peat, flowers, wood, smoke

Taste: Smoke/peat, wood, green grass, lemon

Port Charlotte Heavily Peated 10-Year-old is from the Bruichladdich Distillery in Islay, Scotland. If you are not familiar with this distiller, I recommend you either buy some of their whisky, or watch the documentary, “Scotch: A Golden Dream” on Amazon Prime to learn more about the history of Bruichladdich. Note, there a very good comment from the distiller on being titled a “Master” and how that is used by the marketing departments. Personally, I am getting very tired of people using the term “master” and “expert” in their titles. It makes you sound like a asshole.

The Heavily Peated is bottled at 50% abv and is matured in first fill ex-bourbon casks, then a second fill bourbon cask, and a final fill in French wine casks. This expression has a nice body, balance, and is easy to drink. It has a nice citrus and green grass finish on the tongue after each sip. Unlike its competitors (Ardbeg, Laphroaig and Lagavulin) the Heavily Peated has a softer finish without being over powering.

The Heavily Peated is arriving on my home bar just in time for the approaching winter weather. I always pick up some peated scotches in November. I can only drink them when I come in from the cold, never in the summer. I will still be getting one of my traditional “big boy scotches” but this one will be on my bar this year and next.

Priced around $65 and well worth the money if you like peated whisky. I have yet to be disappointed by Bruichladdich.

If you like it, drink it! – Christopher

If you like it, drink it!

Glenmorangie 10

February 25, 2021 Scotland

Name: Glenmorangie 10

Color: Yellow

Nose: Malt, heather, lemon, green grass, red fruit, vanilla

Taste: Barley, light oak, citrus, vanilla

Review:

Glenmorangie 10 is the baseline Highland Scotch from the Glenmorangie Distillery. It is a medium bodied whisky and not too strong on the palate. The name is derived from “vale of tranquility or big meadows”, however the exact history of the name is not known for sure.

The origin of Glenmorangie dates back to 1703 when it was a farm. Then in the 1730’s it became a brewery and finally a distillery in 1843. So, like Connor MacLeod from the Highlander Movie (1986) it has been around for a few centuries. Until Endgame where his kinsman Duncan MacLeod is forced to cut his head of at his request. Spoiler alert! I only mention the movie because he drinks Glenmorangie in the movies.

Glenmorangie has other expressions which are the following;

Core Range:Original, Lasanta, Quinta Ruban, and Nectar D’Or.
Prestige Range:18, 19, 25, Signet, Pride 1981, Pride 1978, Pride 1974, and Grand Vintage Malt 1990.
Private Edition Range: Sonnalta PX; Finealta, Artein, Ealanta, Companta, Tùsail, Milsean, Bacalta, Spios, and Allta.
Legend Collection:Tarlogan, Tayne, Duthac, Dornoc, and Cadboll.
Limited Edition Range:Astar and A Midwinter Night’s Dram.
Cask Masters Selections:Taghta 2014.

Glenmorangie 10 is a good tasting, nicely balanced scotch that you should try and/or keep at home. I believe this was the first scotch I ever tasted, granted I was 10 years old when I tried it.

Priced around $60 and a good baseline for all things Glenmorangie.

If you like it, drink it! – Christopher

If you like it, drink it!

HM – The King Scotch

January 7, 2021 Scotland

Name: HM – The King Scotch

Color: Yellow

Nose: Malt, flowers, fruit, vanilla

Taste: Vanilla, fruit, light honey

Review:

HM – The King Scotch is a blended scotch whisky that is bottled at 40% abv and appears to be of natural color. If the title sounds familiar it is probably from movies that describe British Naval Ships as the “HM (fill in the blank)”. In the United Kingdom the ships are HM for “His/Her Majesty” in the United States they are the “USS (fill in the blank)”. In this case is it is “His Majesty” as the scotch is titled “King.”
On the producer’s web page is states, “exquisite blend of Highland single malts……worked with most storied houses including Dalmore, Jura, and The Highland Queen”. Sounds nice, but there is not much else I could find, which makes me wonder what is really in the scotch. Remember, just because it is written in marketing material, does not make it true.

I sampled this scotch at my sisters’ home in Florida as she had an extra one from her liquor sales days. HM -The King Scotch is a good example of how a blend can have a good flavor profile and not be overpriced. The ongoing debate in the whisky world whether blended scotch whisky or a single malt is better continues to hurt my ears. If you want an 18-year-old single malt go and pay for one, if your you budget does not allow for $100+ bottle, buy a blend and see if you like it.

HM – The King Scotch is light, fresh, and easy to drink. It has a nice balance but is nothing amazing, however, I do not think it is trying to be amazing.

Priced around $30 and its good for a try or grabbing a bottle for a party. I have not seen it on the shelf here in the NYC area.

If you like it, drink it! – Christopher

If you like it, drink it!

Talisker 10

August 27, 2020 Scotland

Name: Talisker 10 Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Color: Light brown

Nose: Malt barley, sea salt, pepper

Taste: Brine, peat, pepper, barley

Review:

Talisker 10 is a well-known and classic Scotch from the Isle of Skye in Scotland. It is a name brand when it comes to Scotch Whisky. So, if you do not know it, or have not tried it, I recommend you experience it. The Talisker Distillery was found in 1830 and is located in Carbost, Isle of Skye.

Being so close the ocean it states it is “Made by the Sea” and is a fun play on words. I get the sea taste in the scotch but I also get it from Old Putney which is located even more North in Wick, Scotland. The Talisker 10 is the baseline or benchmark of the expressions. Other expressions include; 18, 25, 30-year-old, Storm, Skye, Dark Storm, Distiller Edition, 75 North, Port Ruighe, and Neist Pint. I have sampled the 18-year old and I will be doing reviews on the Skye and the Storm soon.

I received a 3-pack sampler when I was in Scotland from cousin and I enjoyed each of them while I was spending a few days in a hotel in Edinburgh. Talisker 10 can be a little harsh for some, but the 10 years and a little water soften it out. Aged in American Oak, a single malt, and bottle at 45% it is a requirement of any good whisky bar or home bar. It also tastes much better when you drink it in Scotland for some strange reason.

Price around $60 and well worth the money if you like this flavor profile or need a nice gift.

If you like it, drink it! – Christopher

If you like it, drink it!

Johnnie Walker-Rye Cask Finish

July 14, 2020 Scotland

Name: Johnnie Walker-Rye Cask Finish

Color: Gold yellow

Nose: Vanilla, spice, maple, and oak

Taste: Spice with faint vanilla and oak

Review:

A great new product by Johnnie Walker age 10 years in American Oak barrels. I do not recommend drinking it neat but it can definitely be enjoy that way I you like it that way. I find drinking Rye straight or the rocks a bit too spicy for me, but that is just my palate. Rye Label is a great fresh whisky that adds that something else in a whisky cocktail. It also makes a great “something different” on the bar or for someone who likes Rye.

Good price and taste with Price ranging from $50-$60.

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

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!

Glenmorangie 18 Single Malt

December 25, 2018 Scotland

Name: Glenmorangie 18 Year Old

Color: Amber

Nose: Honey, fruit, cream, and spice

Taste: Citrus peel, cream honey, oak

Review:

My last few reviews of Glenmorangie have not been too favorable, but this whisky I really enjoyed! Boxed and bottled in an upgraded package the presentation sets the tone for what is to come in the flavor. Glenmorangie 18 Year Old “Extremely Rare” Single Malt is aged for 15 years in ex-bourbon casks, finished in Oloroso sherry casks. The scotch is smooth, there is no burn or harshness on the finish, and it has a great flavor profile. This Scotch is more of a summer than a winter, but you can drink it in any season.

When it comes to Scotch the title, “18 Year Old Single Malt” is not just a legal description, to some it is a brand name. It is a brand name in the sense of expected quality and can drive a buyer’s decision when making a higher end purchase. I am a big fan of 18-year single malts and I cannot think of any ones that I have tasted that I did not like. I will admit, I like some brands more than others, but that is just personal preference. A big issue for people is the cost when it comes to 18-year-old single malts. For example, Talisker 18 will cost around $200 and Macallan 18 will cost around $250+ and that might be too much money for you. For the lucky ones it is lunch money. As I like to say, if you like it, drink it, but do not limit yourself or break your wallet in the process. Make sure you try the non-aged stated or blended whiskeys. You do not want to be that person who only drinks 18-year-old single malts because everything else is inferior. Nobody likes “that guy”, he (or she) is a dick and is no fun to drink with.

Glenmorangie 18 is priced around $125. It is a very good Scotch at a very good price. I recommend you try it!

If you like it, drink it! – Christopher

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!

Tomatin 12 Year Old – Bourbon & Sherry Casks

Port Charlotte Heavily Peated 10

Glenmorangie 10

HM – The King Scotch

Talisker 10

Johnnie Walker-Rye Cask Finish

The Famous Grouse

Glenfiddich Fire & Cane

Glenmorangie 18 Single Malt

Glenmorangie Nectar D’Or

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