The Macallan (18 year)
Sherry all the way. The fruit here is bright and juicy. Truly a classic dram, which continues to be excellent.
Tag: Scotch
Finlaggan Old Reserve
Finlaggan is a conundrum. Bottles from the Finlaggan brand contain a single malt from an Islay distillery. The company keeps a very tight lid on the identity of its source, breaking silence only to insist that Finlaggan does now, always has, and always will contain whisky from the same distillery.
Talisker (18 year)
The peat flavors that made Islay famous for their intensity here instead get equal billing with sturdy oak and lusciously sweet malt. I could wish a little less bitterness on the tail end, but this is totally Talisker, and substantially more smooth and finessed than the 10 year-old.
Oban (Distiller’s Edition)
The Distiller’s Edition is a yearly release of the usual 14-year Oban which is further matured for 6-18 months in a Montilla Fino sherry butt (which is always a first-fill cask – in other words has only held sherry before). I tasted some of the 2010 bottling, which was distilled in 1995.
Oban (18 year)
This is easily as smooth and refined as the Macallan 18, but the dryness and gentle, straightforward flavors make it unchallenging.
Ardbeg Alligator (Committee Release)
An interesting take on the Ardbeg profile, with a lot more sweet woodiness and big roasted barrel flavors. The final product is not nuanced or impressive enough for me to recommend paying the above-average price. Although this is quite good whisky, and innovation in Scotch is always to be applauded, it just didn’t move me to buy a bottle.
The Balvenie (14 year) Caribbean Cask
A nice, round whisky with an interesting twist. The rum doesn’t come through as “rummy”, but more vegetal and malty. In fact, the expected molasses note doesn’t appear until the tail-end of the finish. That said, it’s a nice, easy-drinking Balvenie with clear malt character.
Glenglassaugh 26 year
I would have rated these higher, but for $26 for a 200ml bottle, you can do much better. If you have an opportunity to taste them, however, it’s an education in new-make Scotch, which is rare outside of distillery visits.
Glenglassaugh Clearac and Fledgling XB
I would have rated these higher, but for $26 for a 200ml bottle, you can do much better. If you have an opportunity to taste them, however, it’s an education in new-make Scotch, which is rare outside of distillery visits.
Glenmorangie Signet
If you want a big, luscious special-occasion highlander, and can handle the splurge, you will not be disappointed. If not, keep an eye out for a dram at a high-end bar. It’s an experience.