January 30th, 2009
John Hansell
I just got this information today from my U.S. Glenmorangie contact. In a couple months, there will be a new Glenmorangie exclusive to Travel Retail (formerly known as Duty Free). I have an advanced press release on it, which I have included below.
Glenmorangie reveals new PRIVATE COLLECTION with Sonnalta PX
Glenmorangie’s NEW Private Collection is a range of rare, limited edition expressions from Glenmorangie’s award winning Whisky Creators. Glenmorangie Sonnalta PX is the first delicious expression in this Private Collection and is exclusive to global travel retail.
Glenmorangie Sonnalta PX takes its name from the Gaelic translation of “generous” (Sonnalta) and PX (Pedro Ximenez) where the elegant fruity, floral complexity of mature Glenmorangie is transferred to “PX” ex-sherry casks from Jerez in Southern Spain for a period of extra maturation.
Dr Bill Lumsden, Head of Distilling and Whisky Creation, comments; ‘Glenmorangie Sonnalta PX is an extraordinarily rich, dark and absording malt whisky. I take the twice yearly trip to Spain to select the very best PX casks to use alongside our mainstay bourbon barrels from the US. This is our first release for Glenmorangie’s Private Collection, with more rare, delicious releases to come in the future.’
No picture is available yet, and I still don’t have any more information or pricing on it. For those not familiar, PX sherry is incredibly rich, sweet, “raisiny” and dark. (For reference, the Lagavulin Distillers’ Edition is finished in PX sherry.) I’m looking forward to trying this one.
Category: Breaking news, New Releases, Scotch whisky
January 30th, 2009
John Hansell
Considering that I recently rated a whiskey on this blog a 69, I thought I would end the work week on a happier note. This whisky was poured at our charity table at WhiskyFest New York last November and was very popular.
Gordon & MacPhail (distilled at Strathisla), 1963, 40%, $275
Some of these old G&M Strathisla whiskies are quite lovely, and this is one of them. It’s gently sherried, soothingly oily in texture, and complex, with notes of maple syrup, candied fruit, plum, roasted nuts, polished leather, and old oak, along with some damp earth, coffee bean, cinnamon, mint, and subtle, teasing kiln smoke. It’s soft, rounded and still holds up nicely for a 44 years old whisky. If you like old, sherried Speysiders that aren’t overly oaked or sherried, you’ll like this one. If only it was bottled at 43% or 46% (or at natural cask strength of it was less than 43%). It would give the whisky a little more backbone, and I might have bumped my rating up to the mid-90s.
Advanced Malt Advocate magazine rating: 92
Category: Reviews, Scotch whisky
January 29th, 2009
John Hansell
I try to avoid politics when writing about whisky, but I found this one too interesting to pass up. I’m reading this article by Ian Evans for Decanter magazine. He says that online magazine Slate.com:
“has slammed the White House wine policy – and urged President Obama to act swifty to redress the ’shocking’ situation.”
He goes on:
Describing the need for change as ’shockingly clear’, Slate journalist Mike Steinberger said the White House’s current stock of 500 bottles was ‘a pathetic example of how America’s infrastructure has been allowed to deteriorate’…The preference for ‘juvenile behemoth’ fruit bombs over wines with delicacy, finesse and ageing potential, is similar to the ’shock and awe’ tactics of the Bush regime’s foreign policy, Steinberger says. ‘The White House needs a new wine policy. Wine service during the Bush era has been hostage to a profoundly misguided strategy that has turned wine into an unnecessarily crude instrument of statecraft’.
Wow! Puts a whole new spin on Bruichladdich’s “Weapons of Mass Destruction.” Maybe, in the name of world peace, the Obama administration should make sure there are no Rittenhouse Ryes 100 proof or Laphroaig Cask Strengths on the after dinner drinks list, but rather a much mellower Maker’s Mark or perhaps a nice, soft Dewar’s 12 year old? ;)
Category: Opinions, Rye whiskey, Scotch whisky
January 28th, 2009
John Hansell
I know that many of you enjoy reading my reviews of new whiskies coming on the market, so you might be a bit surprised when I tell you this: Don’t just take my word for it!
My reviews should just be one of several resources you use when making a decision on what whisky to buy. Let me give you some examples to prove my point.
I rated the new Canadian Club 30 year old 150th Anniversary bottling a “93.” Paul Pacult, in his Spirit Journal, gave it “Two Stars/Not Recommended.” Similarly, I rated White Bowmore a “94,” while he gave it “One Star/Not Recommended.” I rated “The Last Drop” blended scotch a “95″ and Jim Murray in his Whisky Bible gave it a whopping “96.5. Paul rated it “Two Stars/Not Recommended.” I could give examples going the other way, where Paul likes a whisky more than I do.
Jim Murray and I also differ on some whiskies. There are some very young American whiskies where Jim Murray rates in the mid 90s (Triple Eight’s Notch, Stranahan’s Colorado whisky, etc.) , where I rated these same whiskies in the high 70s or low 80s. I like the whiskies but can’t imagine calling them “Classics.”
I could cite similar examples between Dave Broom and Martine Nouet or Dominic Roskrow. Who’s right? Who’s wrong? Nobody! I respect all of these people. They are great whisky writers. Each of us has our own opinions of the whiskies we taste. Sometimes we agree. Sometimes we don’t.
Now, if every one of us likes a whisky, there’s probably a good chance you will too. But only if you like that style of whisky. Nothing will ever replace you actually tasting the whisky before you buy.
Whisky reviews are merely tools to use when you don’t have the opportunity to “try before you buy.” My advice is for you to find a whisky reviewer who you feel comfortable with–someone who has similar likes and dislikes. If that’s me great. If not, that’s great too. Maybe it’s a whisky buddy you trust. Maybe it’s they salesman at your local retail shop. Maybe it’s your dog! Hey, whatever works for you.
Just have the right tools to help you make informed, educated decisions when buying whisky. Then you’ll be more satisfied with the purchases you make.
Category: Opinions, Reviews
January 26th, 2009
John Hansell
In my last posting, Tom Splitsberg was asking about WhiskyFest Chicago because he’s never been to a WhiskyFest before. I tried explaining it briefly in the thread, but we just put together a brief video of last year’s event (which looks pretty cool), so I though I would just include it here for anyone who’s never been to a WhiskyFest and is curious about what one looks like.
You can also check out our website here for more details and ticket information. We’re also preparing a blog devoted specifically to WhiskyFest (and a newsletter too). Details on both will be on the Malt Advocate website as they become available.
In the meantime, for those of you who have been to a WhiskyFest and want to offer Tom your take on it, feel free to comment.
Category: WhiskyFest
January 25th, 2009
John Hansell
I must say that the quantity and quality of your comments to my blog posting really are impressive. They are intelligent, very thoughtful, and honest. And you inject constructive criticism without stepping over the line.
Blogs are two-way streets. I am fortunate to have a direct line to the whisky industry and I want to share what I can with you. Unlike some of the other whisky “experts”, I want to be accessible to anyone who loves whisky and wants to learn more about it. (I put the word “expert” in quotes because I don’t consider myself one. I’m just someone with a passion for whisky who found a way to make a living out of it. Other than that, I feel like I’m just like you.)
For those of you who comment regularly, thank you. And for those of you who are still lurking (and I know there are a lot of you out there who are), please feel free to get involved. It can only make our experiences here better.
In the meantime, I’ll continue to post timely, accurate news information, helpful and “ahead of the curve” whisky reviews, and topics of discussion that impact all of us. The blog is only a year and a half old, but we’ve come a long way in that time. Let’s keep it going.
Thanks again. — John
Category: Opinions
January 24th, 2009
John Hansell
I’ll post up one more microdistillery whiskey before reviewing more mainstream whiskeys. This one really shows promise. It has a lot more going for it than the Rogue Dead Guy whiskey I reviewed earlier in the week.
Cascade Peak Oregon Organic Rye (Batch #1), 50.2%, $52
This whisky is only 9 months old, made from 85% rye and 15% malted barley. It’s vibrantly spicy (cinnamon, mint, licorice root, nutmeg), fresh and clean. Bright citrus and peach also entertain. Rich, underlying vanilla notes try to tame the beast, but it’s really no match. Warm, spicy finish. There’s a lot going on here. Yes, it’s youthful, but far more mature than I expected. This whisky is certainly drinkable now (for those who like their rye whiskey young and bold), but I would like to see it develop some more on oak. That’s the only thing missing here. It shows great potential.
Advanced Malt Advocate magazine rating: 77
Category: Microdistilleries, Reviews, Rye whiskey
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