August 30th, 2008
John Hansell
You! That’s what.
This blog is a great vehicle for me to pass on whisky information to you as soon as I get it, and it’s also a way for me to let you know what whiskies I think are worth seeing out and which ones you should avoid.
However, as B.J. Reed pointed out in his comment on this blog’s first anniversary, it has been mostly a one-way street, with me passing information to you. I’m not getting enough feedback and dialogue from you.
I’ll take the blame for this, because I haven’t been posting topics that encourage discussion. The primary reason for this has been time constraints. This past year, it was difficult enough for me to set up this blog and post industry information and product reviews, while getting all the other stuff done that I have to do.
However, now that I’ve settled in a bit, I’m willing to post additional topics that encourage input from you. It’s pretty clear that all of you are intelligent, passionate whisky enthusiasts from all aspects of the whisky world (consumers, retailers, wholesalers, distillers and press). I think we can have some great discussions.
So, beginning next week, I’ll begin posting up topics occasionally encouraging diologe, along with the postings I am already doing. When I do, please join in.
Category: Administrative
August 29th, 2008
John Hansell
I continue getting samples of whiskies in advance of their release dates, and you know I have been posting up my reviews here quickly. I’ll be taking Labor Day weekend off from blogging, but here are the reviews I have slated for the next week or two, starting on Tuesday:
Old Forester Birthday Bourbon, 2008 Release
Tullibardine 1988 and 1993 Sherry Wood Finish
Tobermory 15 year old
Balvenie: Rum Cask 17 year old, Signature Batch #1, and Vintage 1976
Bruichladdich: Rocks, Peat, Waves
Bruichladdich: 1998 Vintage Sherry Editions (oloroso, manzanilla)
Have a great weekend everyone.
Category: Bourbon, Reviews, Scotch whisky
August 29th, 2008
John Hansell
There is now one more distillery you can visit in Kentucky. Excerpts of the press release I received earlier this week follows.
KENTUCKY BOURBON TRAIL ROLLS OUT NEWEST MEMBER
FRANKFORT, Ky. – The historic Tom Moore Distillery, home of 1792 Ridgemont Reserve, has joined the Kentucky Bourbon Trail and will begin offering tours on Oct. 1, the Kentucky Distillers’ Association announced.
The Bardstown landmark is owned and operated by Constellation Spirits, the former Barton Brands, Ltd., which was founded by Tom Moore in 1879. Its super premium 1792 brand bourbon is named for the year when Kentucky gained statehood.
“We’re excited and proud that visitors will be able to get a behind-the-scenes look at what our employees do best – make excellent Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey,” said Johnnie Colwell, Vice President and Plant Manager of Constellation Spirits.
Plans also are underway for a visitor’s center to open in 2010.
Category: Bourbon, Distillery Tours, Travel
August 29th, 2008
John Hansell
This bourbon will be released later this fall. This is my evaluation from a review sample sent to me in advance of the official release.
Old Forester Repeal Bourbon, 50%, $25/375ml
There’s a more significant oak impact when compared to the standard Old Forester bourbons, which is evident by the polished leather, tobacco and dry resin notes (especially on the finish). There’s an attempt to balance all this wood with notes of dusty corn, coconut, mint, vanilla, juniper and dark berried fruit (blueberry, black raspberry, black cherry), but I don’t think it quite gets there. This bourbon is a nice change of pace (and I understand the reason behind this whiskey—to emulate bourbons from the era of when Prohibition was repealed), but I prefer the Old Forester “Signature” 100 proof to this bourbon. I’m happy drinking the whiskeys of today, thank you.
Advanced Malt Advocate magazine rating: 79
Category: Bourbon, Reviews
August 28th, 2008
John Hansell
Gordon & MacPhail (“Smith’s Glenlivet”), 21 year old, 43%, $125
Well-rounded and pleasingly sweet, with ripe red strawberries, raspberry, tropical fruit, graham cracker, white chocolate, and anise, all on a bed of toffee. Some charred oak on the finish. This whisky has a gentle, soothing persona which I think most people will enjoy (including me).
Advanced Malt Advocate magazine rating: 86
Category: Reviews, Scotch whisky
August 26th, 2008
John Hansell
All the media attention is on the new “White Bowmore”, but the distillery is also releasing a new wine cask (Bordeaux) matured whisky this fall. An enjoyable whisky. Here’s my review.
Bowmore “Wine Cask Matured”, 1992 vintage, 16 year old, 53.5%, $120
Aged for six years in bourbon casks, then aged an additional ten years in Bordeaux wine casks. Classic Bowmore peat smoke and red berried fruit (raspberry, strawberry) are the main components of this whisky, with additional notes of plum, grape skin tannins, currant, caramel, and marzipan. Good grip from the Limousin oak (wine casks). Some brine and damp cellar notes emerged occasionally, with the smoke lingering long on the finish.
Advanced Malt Advocate magazine rating: 83
Category: Reviews, Scotch whisky
August 21st, 2008
John Hansell
Origins, Batch #1, 1999 vintage, 50%, $85
Origins is Benromach’s new program to highlight different aspects of whisky-making, which I think is a great idea. This expression focuses on the use of Golden Promise barley, which is then and aged in a sherry cask. Unfortunately, there’s so much sherry here that I struggle to appreciate the impact or distinction from the Golden Promise barley. Notes of ripe orchard fruit, tangerine, bee’s wax, sticky toffee pudding and toasted almond. Lingering smoke and waxed fruit stays through to the finish. A weighty Benromach (from the Golden Promise and/or the sherry). I find the nose pleasant enough, but the sherry-induced waxed fruit component that emerges mid-palate is just too dominant. (For U.S. readers: this whisky should arrive later this fall.)
Advanced Malt Advocate magazine rating: 72
Category: Reviews, Scotch whisky
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