tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91849735083046039362024-02-08T00:13:19.899+00:00Super Single MaltsA fun and spirited look at whisky from Scotland and beyond.Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11506244691354643320noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9184973508304603936.post-83171086709342469082012-03-17T00:45:00.002+00:002012-03-17T00:59:58.569+00:00Caol Ila 12 Year Old<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizLEuK8yQ_d_3Alb2hqN4A2KKlwcyBsFExYvhyphenhyphen5nlEAEcNLD-ibxJkgGqZ3TrvzxO39ZBrHw4WtHTWDylBVmia6BuWENynveArJfBUunTZWl3820XIRkOkY9uGKEqUf4bA3YhTQNknBZc/s1600/Caol+Ila+12+year+old.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizLEuK8yQ_d_3Alb2hqN4A2KKlwcyBsFExYvhyphenhyphen5nlEAEcNLD-ibxJkgGqZ3TrvzxO39ZBrHw4WtHTWDylBVmia6BuWENynveArJfBUunTZWl3820XIRkOkY9uGKEqUf4bA3YhTQNknBZc/s320/Caol+Ila+12+year+old.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US">Whilst wandering around my local supermarket on my weekly trip, I found myself down the tea aisle. The usual suspects were there, English Breakfast, Earl Grey, Assam etc, but one caught my eye, on the edge of the shelf, on the far side. Lapsang Souchong. I had never encountered such a name, but being that it was a black tea, I knew I would be safe in trying it. I didn’t even take the time to read the box.</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US">I therefore was intrigue when I awoke the next morning and went downstairs for breakfast. My usual routine is to pop the kettle on straight away for a cup of tea and that morning was no exception. I went round to where the tea is stored and opened the box. Oh my. </span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US">The waft of smoke from the box took me back, it was quite shocking at 03:30am, when I was expecting the normal aroma of tea! This smoky, bonfire smell instantly reminded me of the couple of glasses of Islay whisky I had enjoyed only recently, a Lagavulin 16 and an Ardbeg 10, filling the kitchen as it brewed.</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US">At first, like when I first experienced an Islay malt, I was quite wary. This strong, smoky, pine bonfire aroma was confusing the senses and being in conflict with everything I knew about tea, was it going to taste ok!?</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US">It was with trepidation that I encountered my tea mug and dove in for the first sip. Wow. Much like single malts, this is a tea to be savored and enjoyed, with a complex nose full of pine and smoke and a smooth and flavoursome taste. </span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US">A quick Google and I naturally delved deeper into the history of Lapsang Souchong. Much like Islay malts, its pungent aromas and distinctive taste make it a Marmite product, people either love it or hate it. Again, like Islays, those in the know and ‘experts’ the World over eulogize about it. Lapsang Souchong has an interesting, maybe enigmatic history which some might be interested to read about.</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US">This unique black tea is dried over pinewood, giving it a heavily smoky aroma and a deep, rich liquor. The tea leaves are first withered over pine root fires, then pan-fried, rolled and oxidized. The leaves are finally placed in bamboo baskets and hung on wooden racks over smoking pinewood fires to dry and absorb the smoke. This results in a powerfully smoky aroma coupled with a smooth taste.</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US">Legend has it that the process for this smoked black tea came about during tribal times when a village burned all their possessions and inadvertently smoked the tea. Another story states that during the Qing Dynasty, an army unit passing through a village occupied a tea factory filled with fresh leaf awaiting manufacture. When workers could get back into the factory, they realized that for their tea to arrive at market in time, it was too late to dry the leaves the usual way and open fires of pinewood were lit to hasten the drying. When the tea reached the market, the smoke flavour created a sensation and a new product was born.</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US">Naturally then, after having a Lapsang Souchong to start my day, what better way to finish it off with another hit of smoke and bonfire, one of the true greats of the Islay world, Caol Ila. This is the first sampling of a whisky which runs true the website name of this blog, a wonderful hit of peat and smoke. </span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US">As has been said above, I have sampled Islay malts previously, Laphroaig 10 years old, Lagavulin 16 year old and Ardbeg 10 year old, so I knew what to expect with the peat and smoke profile they represent. Nothing prepares you for your first tasting. My first was the Laphroaig on a New Years Eve. On first uncapping the bottle, I thoughts I had inadvertently reached into the medicine cupboard rather than the drinks cupboard. It instantly reminded me of TCP, the mild antiseptic whose active ingredient is a mixture of phenols. Phenols are also a measurable component of aroma and taste in Islay whiskies. Whilst the smell was initially distracting, the whisky flavour was much like others, with malt, sweetness and nuttiness but with the added intrigue of the peat. </span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxwWolPgZUrSage9lswdhUqoCdPw-NE7gmb-iY1lYroVtW51tbSbPan7MqabN3qL7pMuiKF9vZwuEcFvtRg8sSFfRa-h6cpvL8IRULexWhQVkyR3TkURCv5uZ_Bjnh5WUvwOnHGovfOj0/s1600/Caol+Ila+12.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxwWolPgZUrSage9lswdhUqoCdPw-NE7gmb-iY1lYroVtW51tbSbPan7MqabN3qL7pMuiKF9vZwuEcFvtRg8sSFfRa-h6cpvL8IRULexWhQVkyR3TkURCv5uZ_Bjnh5WUvwOnHGovfOj0/s320/Caol+Ila+12.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US">Caol Ila is a Gaelic name, translated as Sound of Islay in reference to the distilleries location facing the body of water between Islay and Jura. Being owned by the drink magnate Diego, Caol Ila is a large component of the Johnnie Walker products, so many of those who have never drunk from the bottle of Caol Ila, may very well have tried it indirectly through Johnnie Walker, the World’s best selling whisky brand.</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US">If you ever see a picture of Caol Ila, it is quintessentially idyllic, the bay waterfront, craggy rocks, gentle rolling hills all beautifully framing the purveyor of what we love best, Scottish single malt whisky.</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US">So what makes Islay whiskies so distinctive? Peat, partially decayed vegetation covers the island. This can be harvested and dried and then used as a fuel, much the same as wood or coal. Many other distilleries used other methods to dry the malt, but on Islay, they used what they knew best, the natural fuel source to the island, peat. A friend of mine told me that when you visit Islay all you can smell in the air is the smell of burning peat, such is its importance as a fuel to the island. When burning the peat, the smoke formed imparts flavours of the vegetation that decomposed to make up the peat. In Orkney, peat used by the Highland Park distillery has strong heathery flavours due to the peat being dug from heathlands. The peat used in Caol Ila is dug from the coast of Islay and is made up of moss vegetation.</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuc9bKrEv6kGmFTr-kkcjhDk3dqKjZPghqWKMMBXCEPKFRVw8O2S1K0Y8rh02jMtlKx8IwVnB27JA9Oc1zEYcsPA_NYIF4_uq3BUNgGgKIwGLb9I_L6L6_s2xO7F34cMZ2YT2j47YzmNA/s1600/CaolIla12.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuc9bKrEv6kGmFTr-kkcjhDk3dqKjZPghqWKMMBXCEPKFRVw8O2S1K0Y8rh02jMtlKx8IwVnB27JA9Oc1zEYcsPA_NYIF4_uq3BUNgGgKIwGLb9I_L6L6_s2xO7F34cMZ2YT2j47YzmNA/s320/CaolIla12.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US">Now I have suitably introduced you to Caol Ila, lets move on to the sampling. The bottling in question was a 200ml bottle of the entry level 12 year old. As I mentioned in the Balvenie 12 year old DoubleWood sampling, 200ml bottles are an excellent way to try new whiskies. Diego in particular market a number of such bottle across their classic malts selection. Therefore everyone can easily sample a number of new single malt whiskies to broaden their horizons, easily without the burden of purchasing full size bottles and the associated cost. Another thing to mention is that this Caol Ila 12 year old is bottled at 43% which is a welcome change to the common 40% level which most entry level whiskies are bottled at. </span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US">So the light green bottle is removed from the outer box and the excitement levels increase. Time for a whisky, time for a new experience, time for an Islay. Pop the cork and take a sneaky sniff of the contents within. The first thing that will strike you is when you poor the whisky in the glass, after such an interesting and stimulating nose, the last thing you would expect as a novice to Caol Ila 12 year old, is the colour. Pale straw and unimposing. One may falsely think that this is a soft, bland malt. </span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US">The poured glass is lifted and the first thing that strikes you as you inhale is the interesting nose. There, at first, you have the most obvious component of many an Islay, the smoky aroma caused by the burning of the peat to dry the malt. In addition, citrus lemon essential oil and the scent of acidity, which conjures up thoughts of a crisp dry white wine. Faintly, the hint of soap (perhaps lemon soap) and unscented candle wax. Aside from the peat, the nose of the Caol Ila is as light as the colour suggests.</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US">So now the first sampling of a whisky that represents ‘peat and smoke’. On the palate, the smoky nature of the Caol Ila can instantly be tasted, this develops into a strong peppery taste, reminiscent of Talisker whiskies. The light freshness of the lemon nose intertwines with the peppery smoke from the peat, with the acidity on the nose taking more of the limelight than the lemon. This is not a peat overload that Caol Ila’s neighbouring distilleries might produce. It is balanced, with acidity, fruitiness and smokiness making it somewhat lighter that what you would expect.</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US">The finish to the whisky is long and peppery but not overpowering, it gives that satisfying tingle that a good quality single malt has just been enjoyed.</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US">Caol Ila’s 12 year old is an excellent introduction to Islay whisky. It is not overpowering on the senses but is a gentle spirit that eases you into the world of Islay. Many of its characteristics share a resemblance to those found in expressions from Talisker, which is by no means a bad thing. They are however a little bit more subdued, the raw harshness is not present here as you find from those coming from the volcanic Isle of Skye, though the inclusion of peat adds a different dimension. I have thoroughly enjoyed the Caol Ila and look forward to revisiting the distillery and sampling other expressions, it certainly has a lot to offer! </span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US">As I said previous, Islay whiskies are a Marmite product, people either love or hate them….and I love them!</span></div>Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11506244691354643320noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9184973508304603936.post-12150397623855023772012-02-25T18:50:00.005+00:002012-03-17T00:49:28.224+00:00Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9QSQkvpvtLBJM-LfLlIYb4deW2ryBpakk0f38dKc28YTF23xBMTeRsl1AlSJhAEBXy7AD46-VyqRDKuOkQ4pHdYy9lyKPZSLHb01ew4mxXNW1RwSItABW6pQZThZa90m3rf-qIF1n0Fc/s1600/Balvenie+DoubleWood+12.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9QSQkvpvtLBJM-LfLlIYb4deW2ryBpakk0f38dKc28YTF23xBMTeRsl1AlSJhAEBXy7AD46-VyqRDKuOkQ4pHdYy9lyKPZSLHb01ew4mxXNW1RwSItABW6pQZThZa90m3rf-qIF1n0Fc/s320/Balvenie+DoubleWood+12.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">As I sit here and write this, on a lovely late Saturday afternoon, the sky is clear and the sun is out and I am able to catch up on a sampling that I have been trying to find the time for, for a number of weeks. I wrote back in the Talisker 57</span><span style="font-size: small;">° North sampling that life is what happens when you plan something else. After the Glenmorangie Lasanta sampling, things went a little bit hectic for a time, but today, I have some spare time to sit back, relax and write about the Balvenie DoubleWood 12.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">I will start off with a negative as I have a small gripe with Balvenie. If I clear the air here, then I can carry on to enjoy the sampling without it hanging over me. Recently, Balvenie did an online tasting, whereby those who managed to sign up were sent a 10cl sample along with two tasting glasses. Nice for those who received them. This was all to do with a new Warehouse 24 exclusive whisky and was a rather ingenious way of gathering up interest and anticipation. I have no problem with this. Afterwards, it was published quite widely that this sampling would be a limited edition bottling of some 300 or so bottles of a whisky that was to be known as Craftsman’s Reserve No1 - The Cooper. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">Well, there I was waiting patiently for my e-mail, as a member of Warehouse 24, to inform me that the whisky had been released. Therein would start my race to get a bottle of this whisky. I wanted to purchase it because it had a good background story and would make an interesting whisky to sample and write about. But no, it seems that not everyone who is a member of Warehouse 24 got an e-mail. Hardly fair. So by the time I came across the news that it had been released, a day later, it had, hardly surprisingly, sold out. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">Things happen for a reason I guess. But I decided that I would, as a blog author and disappointed customer, e-mail Balvenie, airing my disappointment that not all Warehouse 24 members appear to be equal and that I did not receive an e-mail informing me of the release. Normal customer service protocol usually rewards those who send a message, a reply at the very least, which is all I was after. The world goes round to word of mouth marketing and although a good experience usually goes unspoken, a bad experience travels the world. Through this blog I have the ability to have my thoughts and voice heard, or at least read.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">Customer service within the whisky distillery world seems to be bafflingly non-existent. When I started the blog, I sent out some e-mails to distilleries, none replied and I have read through other blogs with authors commenting that they request information, for instance regarding casks, or a process, and it seems that in the majority of occasions their request goes without response. It is a shame really, all customers deserve a response, or further information if so required but the whisky world seems to operate outside of that. Look at the back of a Coca Cola bottle or a Mars Bar and all those companies, massive multi-nationals actively detail how to contact them, such is their desire for you to be satisfied with your purchase, because of the strength of a bad experience. You would like to think that positive customer relations would be a key area for a company to fulfil, especially with those who spread the word of the company, through blogging, free of charge. The majority of people will come across Super Single Malts and read through my sampling of Balvenie DoubleWood 12 as it is a first hand, independent opinion of a product, which they are going to spend a reasonable amount of money on. A bottle of Coca Cola is £1.98, whisky is considerably more!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">So, negative over. I will happily submit an amendment if Balvenie chose to respond to me, back to the sampling.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEholROgN0JnZ-XCcymgSQarP13h5GlPkwUdOzPBttfudFI3A1tMNiT9nGGfYfcbxWDIkOtevt78q415FE92CMXpgjtAqqXP8x1zR49ed6a02GRS8pKk0FcvQsDL-URIE7FMP-83tWn38k0/s1600/Balvenie+12.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEholROgN0JnZ-XCcymgSQarP13h5GlPkwUdOzPBttfudFI3A1tMNiT9nGGfYfcbxWDIkOtevt78q415FE92CMXpgjtAqqXP8x1zR49ed6a02GRS8pKk0FcvQsDL-URIE7FMP-83tWn38k0/s320/Balvenie+12.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">Balvenie DoubleWood 12 was the first ever bottle of whisky that I purchased. I cannot remember whole heartedly why I chose it, when I first started drinking whisky, I did not research it online, nor did I know the difference between Bells, Jameson or indeed Balvenie. I believe it may very well have been on special offer, which is always a good reason to purchase. My little memories of it were pleasant, I liked it enough to carry on drinking whisky and exploring single malts.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">This time around, I picked up a 200ml (20cl) bottle from Tesco for £12.99. I wish more distilleries would produce this size of bottle, it is an excellent way of establishing whether you like a whisky without throwing all your money away if you do not. It also gives you enough to get a good idea of the flavour profile, miniatures (5cl) are gone within one, maybe two glasses!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">The DoubleWood 12 is similar in its development to the Glenmorangie Lasanta, however the finishing time within the sherry casks is shorter. Primary maturation is in ex-bourbon casks for the majority of the 12 years, before a few final months in ex-sherry casks. The sherry casks are sourced from Spain and there is no detail as to the origin of these, be it from Oloroso sherry etc.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">Next time I crack open a bottle of Balvenie, I will return with more information about the distillery, but for now, I will go straight ahead and let you know how the DoubleWood 12 performs. Afterall, it is likely that my thoughts on a whisky are what people are most interested in! (You can let me know about this point in the comments section at the bottom.)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiV04015VLHQVObBXXrPmdR4ikcm1CIu6IEFQHHg48Xe-KLWTnEN25VJLNa2Z5-AHtrhZAeF5LpsSFUf1BD-Zf1BMxeT_Y2pjO4r5z5d9738XloLs1-RPCoE9YlmdtcMREXuXPOn1MF68/s1600/IMG_0357.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiV04015VLHQVObBXXrPmdR4ikcm1CIu6IEFQHHg48Xe-KLWTnEN25VJLNa2Z5-AHtrhZAeF5LpsSFUf1BD-Zf1BMxeT_Y2pjO4r5z5d9738XloLs1-RPCoE9YlmdtcMREXuXPOn1MF68/s320/IMG_0357.JPG" width="320" /></a></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">What always interests me with a sherry matured whisky is the colour it absorbs from being in ex-sherry casks. My eyes might be deceiving me, but there always seems to be a slight (more pronounced the longer the whisky is matured in the casks) hue of red in the colour. The red is only the faintest of touches as the DoubleWood has only a short period in the ex-sherry casks.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">On the nose, the biggest influence is vanilla, some might suggest a richness that indicates vanilla custard. At the top of the glass rim is the feint hint of raisin, something I have thus far found in every sherry matured whisky I have tried. As you come up out of the glass, hints of honey and almond fill the air and at the top, a touch of oak. The nose is pleasant though not very expressive, don’t breath in too harshly otherwise you will get a nose full of alcohol. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">The whisky is medium bodied in the mouth, not too oily. Strong flavours of wood as you swirl around your mouth, honey on the tip of your tongue. A bitterness is also present, some have said chocolate, others citrus fruit. I am more inclined to suggest that this is citrus peel, from an in season bitter Seville orange. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">As you swallow, you feel the whisky as it passes the back of your tongue, but after that, it has gone, very short finish.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">Overall, the Balvenie DoubleWood 12 years old is quintessentially what I expect a whisky to taste like. Maybe this is because it was my first single malt experience, maybe because it has flavours which do not challenge the nose or palate and is therefore accessible to all. It is easy drinking, but therefore perhaps, boring. Nothing jumps out at you, it has to be hunted down and requires a lot of concentration to find, both on the nose and in the mouth. Recommended for every day, but if you like an adventure, this is not for you.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">For prosperity, as I finish this, it is dark, another day has passed. </span></div>Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11506244691354643320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9184973508304603936.post-38077479298773121682012-01-18T19:23:00.000+00:002012-01-18T19:23:28.365+00:00Glenmorangie 12 Year Old Lasanta<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:AllowPNG/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:DoNotPromoteQF/> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-GB</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/> <w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/> <w:OverrideTableStyleHps/> </w:Compatibility> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/> <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/> <m:dispDef/> <m:lMargin m:val="0"/> <m:rMargin m:val="0"/> <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/> <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/> <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/> <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTfYrJCESmBgmraA0qiRq85o9yuNujzIL5l9DgFpn6FcXqsxNRUP02Zcd1L510WyeeijbX9ha946ScjxolVIfIzUN6OzYOkGFg5RUqnGxLsh69pGXk2X_6lENa7qwxYbg_I6d9laMqXiY/s1600/Glenmorangie+Lasanta+12.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTfYrJCESmBgmraA0qiRq85o9yuNujzIL5l9DgFpn6FcXqsxNRUP02Zcd1L510WyeeijbX9ha946ScjxolVIfIzUN6OzYOkGFg5RUqnGxLsh69pGXk2X_6lENa7qwxYbg_I6d9laMqXiY/s320/Glenmorangie+Lasanta+12.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span>Following the revival of Super Single Malts with the look at the cask strength Talisker 57<span class="st">° North, today’s sampling takes a look at the rather more mainstream Glenmorangie Lasanta (or La Santa / LaSanta depending on how you like it written), which is much more accessible to purchase. I picked up my 35cl bottle in my local Sainsbury’s supermarket.</span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="st"><span>The Lasanta, whilst sounding enigmatically foreign is actually Gaelic for warmth and passion. The whisky is matured in ex-Bourbon casks of American white oak for 10 years, before being transferred to finishing casks for two years. The casks chosen to finish the Lasanta are Oloroso sherry casks from Jerez in Spain. It is presented non chill-filtered at an ABV of 46%.</span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="st"><span>Chill-filtering is a process used by distilleries before bottling the final whisky. </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="st"><span>Most whiskies are initially filtered to remove the sediment, particularly particles of wood from the burnt insides of the ex-Bourbons casks, from the liquid as this is off-putting to consumers. However, chill-filtering is a method which goes one step further to ensure a visually stable product that will not go cloudy if water or ice is added to it. It involves lowering the temperature of the whisky down to around freezing point, 0°c, whereby proteins and oils which cause the cloudiness clump together and then can be removed through passing through a fine adsorption filter. However, this process extracts components of the whisky which affect the nose and taste.</span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="st"><span>In presenting the Glenmorangie Lasanta as non chill-filtered, the full impact of the sherry cask finishing can be appreciated. </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="st"><span>Glenmorangie is globally one of the bestselling whisky brands, along with Glenfiddich and Glenlivet following a strong focus on marketing during the 1990’s. Part of the Moët Hennessey stable, the distillery has actively pursued the idea of finishing the Glenmorangie Original 10 year old in a variety of different casks to produce different expressions. Alongside the Lasanta with a sherry finish are the Nectar D’or which is finished in Sauternes (a sweet French wine) casks and Quinta Ruban which is finished in Port casks. These expressions are finished for 2 years, resulting in a 12 year old bottling.</span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="st"><span>Glenmorangie is classified as a Highland whisky with the distillery located in the North West Highlands just outside Tain. Water is sourced from the Tarlogie Springs which is the product of rain which has forced its way through layers of limestone and sandstone. These natural minerals give it a hard water quality unique to Glenmorangie amongst Highland distilleries.</span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZSu4hQ58rU5iQzUJUYi4CdziSG-gjzzjZ84UtdHoKPbCOqCG3XNHWGXEM-yrJHvwghfVpfL0aeY2cVopbp7wdW730XhwsSkTXOegPEQ2M0ikeGgZQHQjaDE_jwRadeJJgJ5m4jLox290/s1600/Glenmorange+Lasanta.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZSu4hQ58rU5iQzUJUYi4CdziSG-gjzzjZ84UtdHoKPbCOqCG3XNHWGXEM-yrJHvwghfVpfL0aeY2cVopbp7wdW730XhwsSkTXOegPEQ2M0ikeGgZQHQjaDE_jwRadeJJgJ5m4jLox290/s320/Glenmorange+Lasanta.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="st"><span> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="st"><span>On removing the Lasanta from its outer box, you can immediately see the influence of the sherry casks on the final product. Through the bottle, the whisky has a golden amber appearance with reddish hues present. It is an inviting and appealing colour. </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="st"><span>First on the nose is the sweet scent of honey and oak, reminiscent of Church pews. Rolling it in the glass opens up sultanas and raisins mixed with candied peel. There is a slight hint of pastry, perhaps culminating in a raisin danish drizzled with icing. </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span>On the palate the Lasanta is not perhaps as sweet as the nose would suggest, on the tongue it is fairly liquid and loose. Whilst honey is evident, the woody oak is the more dominant factor translating from nose to palate. The sultana, raisin and candied peel combine with the finishing of sherry to give a hint of Christmas cake. In the background is the essence of almond and the slight warming of pepper, not a strong black peppercorn but a milder, softer white peppercorn. </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span>The finish of the Lasanta is warming with a spike of the pepper present. It is medium in length. </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span>To summarise, the Lasanta is a perfectly drinkable sherry finished single malt. The nose is pleasant and the palate throws up no surprises from the initial senses. It is a refined finish with no sharp burn of alcohol, but a warming presence in the finish. It would be interesting to take a look at the Quita Ruban and Nector D’or to see how these finishes compare. </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span>On reflection, having sampled the Glenfiddich 12 year old and Glenlivet 15 year old French Oak Reserve and 18 year old expressions, I would say that thus far this Glenmorangie 12 year old Lasanta is preferable. </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div>Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11506244691354643320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9184973508304603936.post-81169534058331930512012-01-12T17:41:00.000+00:002012-01-12T17:41:59.338+00:00Talisker 57° North<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:AllowPNG/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:DoNotPromoteQF/> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-GB</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/> <w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/> <w:OverrideTableStyleHps/> </w:Compatibility> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/> <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/> <m:dispDef/> <m:lMargin m:val="0"/> <m:rMargin m:val="0"/> <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/> <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/> <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/> <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi94SFLjXQC2gyCvL2I-Lh6uywunooVhqwVb2gR6ydxgkO-GR-k65UJuuWHWYJlMsvjSLN_Kth8cIi4ah0sFgy5ehuXBNHSNyoSdkW60X3gVBU_mzjZARGmPqvCXUYXjCd3pTAs7XvAc-4/s1600/Talisker57North.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi94SFLjXQC2gyCvL2I-Lh6uywunooVhqwVb2gR6ydxgkO-GR-k65UJuuWHWYJlMsvjSLN_Kth8cIi4ah0sFgy5ehuXBNHSNyoSdkW60X3gVBU_mzjZARGmPqvCXUYXjCd3pTAs7XvAc-4/s320/Talisker57North.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">So, I said Super Single Malts would be back in the New Year and here we are with the first sampling of 2012. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">Many years ago, at a village fete, I received a small piece of paper from a representative of the local Church of England church after making a donation. On this piece of paper were the words, “Life is what happens when you plan something else.” </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">This is apparently not an endearing quote from the Christian Bible, but is attributed to the Beatle, John Lennon, but may well have been quoted before. The source is irrelevant, but the words run true. All too often in life, plans are made, but then, well life comes along and just changes them. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">When I first began writing the Super Single Malts blog, I needed something to preoccupy my time, give me a sense of purpose and to share my thoughts on whisky to similarly like-minded people. Life then came along and changed all that, so the blog remained on the original 6 postings, with the 3 whisky samplings. I deliberated deleting the original posts and reposting them under 2012 and to continue the blog from there, but that would be cheating the evolution and life of the blog. So a new year has dawned and a new start for the Super Single Malts blog.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">It is amazing that all that time has passed since the last posting on the 14<sup>th</sup> April 2010 and now. The World has changed, people have changed, even the taste of whiskies has changed, but through all that, people, the World over have still come and visited the blog. It astonishes me that people in the USA, India, Brazil and afar have all come across this little old place on their search for information and I hope I have duly provided them with the information they have sought. The blog has been limited to Glenlivet and Glenfiddich thus far, with searches for Glenlivet, namely the 15 year old French Oak being the most popular. The samplings have also been commented on within other reviews around the internet, it is good to feel that my opinion is valued. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">The blog will be expanded through 2012 and beyond, starting now with a look at Talisker’s 57° North bottling.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNaPGhJZyrEpjFBjG03DHtD7t3TXUxF1wGvucJI2L7QjUYBM4a9nW1EEI0FYqwMLQvPLHFyjDLpxD7aS65AkT3uDyFRMtOH9LER5oSijSGO6MfMxfiR41pE6EvAaYcVObwVgmbhlm3Gcc/s1600/Talisker.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNaPGhJZyrEpjFBjG03DHtD7t3TXUxF1wGvucJI2L7QjUYBM4a9nW1EEI0FYqwMLQvPLHFyjDLpxD7aS65AkT3uDyFRMtOH9LER5oSijSGO6MfMxfiR41pE6EvAaYcVObwVgmbhlm3Gcc/s320/Talisker.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">I have long been a fan of Talisker whisky and along with Highland Park, form my favourite brand of whiskies. My tasting of Talisker thus far had only taken in the 10 year old which is very accessible due in part to it being a brand of the drinks conglomerate Diego. Therefore, I decided that for my Christmas whisky, I would further explore what Talisker has to offer. Talisker can often be found behind a bar and so on many evenings out enjoying a beautiful meal, a Talisker 10 year old has been my accompaniment.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">The distillery of Talisker is based on the Isle of Skye and is located between Loch Harport and the open Sea of the Hebrides. The distillery is sited at the foot of the imposing Cuillin Hills and is fed by the spring Cnoc nan Speireag (Hawk Hill) which flows over beds of peat which impart their flavour in to the whisky. Talisker whiskies have a reputation for being fiery, peppery, smoky and brooding. The Talisker core range comprises of a 10 year old, 18 year old and 25 year old, Distiller’s Edition and 57° North. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">The 57° North’s name is a reference to the distillery’s high latitude on the Isle of Skye, and the whisky rather appropriately measures in at 57% vol, cask strength, original and unadulterated.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">I picked up the 57° North from The Whisky Exchange, which was an excellent way to source the whisky. It was a simple case of choosing my whisky, placing the order and waiting for the parcel to arrive. Hassle free and at £38.95, a 25% off special offer including a free Talisker glass, an excellent price.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">So the parcel arrived in advance of Christmas, the whisky ready and waiting for its star appearance. The parcel was well packaged with Styrofoam pieces meaning everything arrived in one piece. I un-wrapped the box as if it was already Christmas, but then, it was my Christmas present to myself! I opened the Talisker’s box and was greeted with a beautiful rich golden coloured liquid. Could I wait until Christmas to open it?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">It was a struggle and by Christmas Eve, I had to give in and open the bottle. I had finished work for the festive period, so what better way to celebrate the season than to open a beautiful bottle of Talisker.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">As you pour out the 57° North, the beautiful rich golden liquid flows with a light, oily consistency. The excitement continues as you swirl it in the glass and it gingerly clings to the glasses edge before sinking back to the base of the glass.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">On the nose, the Talisker transports you back to its spiritual home, the Isle of Skye. Mental images of the rugged Scottish coastline are instantly conjured up with the scent of air on a cold day and salty sea water breaking against the rocks. You can only imagine that a day out here is finished with a whisky by an open fire, the scent of smouldering, burning, smoky oak filling the remaining aromas.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">As the rich golden liquid, sweet, syrupy and oily to the tongue, first touches the palate, the most present feature is the hot and peppery spice qualities of this cask strength whisky. Bursts of peat, salt and the subtle hint of lemon zest can be found. Subtle flavours of the American oak casks that this whisky matures in are also noticeable. The 57° North has a long, warming finish that feels entirely appropriate for consumption in the depths of winter.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">This is my first experience of a cask strength whisky and it has not failed to live up to expectation. It is powerful, big bodied and unmistakably Talisker. This reaffirmed my appreciation of Talisker and I now hope to be able to sample others including their award winning 18 year old.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">If you are feeling cold this winter and find yourself by an open fire, definitely ensure that a glass of 57° North is firmly in your hand. It is a drink to be enjoyed and is thoroughly recommended. You might note from the photograph just how much I have enjoyed the 57° North, this whisky suffered for the Christmas period and is now fast approaching an empty bottle.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">One final note, it is good to be back!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">More information on Talisker can be found here - <a href="http://www.malts.com/index.php/en_row/Our-Whiskies/Talisker?extra=58" target="_blank">Talisker</a> </span></div>Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11506244691354643320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9184973508304603936.post-31402920830701818062012-01-01T18:18:00.000+00:002012-01-01T18:18:00.660+00:00A New Year......<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span>A New Year, a new start. With the closure of 2011 and the dawn of 2012, Super Single Malts will be back soon!</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span>To remind everyone what Super Single Malts is about, I leave you with a caption of the very first posting.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span>"So why now, do I have the focus on writing about my experiences with single malts. I enjoy some nice things in life, primarily fine food and travel, which are my two guilty pleasures. In addition has been the odd bottle of whisky here and there. I am the average Joe, Mr Middle of the Road and so, I want to approach my thoughts and taste of a whisky just like that. In the past, short of the Highland Park 18 year old, I have otherwise purchased whisky from the supermarket due to a special offer or an attractive box. I want to appeal to the average person, so I will present the whisky how I see it, as the average taster. Help them make an informed choice, be it buying on the high street or by mail order. </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span>The taste of whisky is extremely subjective. Some people like the taste of peat, others oak and others fruit, so I will bear this in mind."</span></span></div>Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11506244691354643320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9184973508304603936.post-39527595321840350302010-04-14T02:19:00.000+01:002010-04-14T02:19:14.546+01:00The Glenlivet 18 Year Old<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVVW7fE_5e1XCQawm6HlYcDCJBylD5xGZPZsCa996pKP-aLdcwp8S2VoL4HoefTaN4rinSDuuJx6Y_iqP5jeOqxNtTEtM4ud51kPf4scFB7TF6a9iBEqoedGz569dIk_YeLej3FCg24_Y/s1600/glenlivet18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVVW7fE_5e1XCQawm6HlYcDCJBylD5xGZPZsCa996pKP-aLdcwp8S2VoL4HoefTaN4rinSDuuJx6Y_iqP5jeOqxNtTEtM4ud51kPf4scFB7TF6a9iBEqoedGz569dIk_YeLej3FCg24_Y/s200/glenlivet18.jpg" width="115" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">My quest was to seek out, hunt down and purchase a bottle of The Glenlivet 18 year old whilst it was still on special offer in Waitrose. Mission complete.<br />
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I picked up the bottle for £28.49, which for an 18 year old whisky, is good value. Ultimately though, the value is in the drinking qualities. <br />
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It was sitting in my room with me, with an already open bottle of Glenfiddich 12 year old and The Glenlivet 15 year old French Oak Reserve. However, the allure of the 18 year old was too much, so I decided to open it yesterday evening whilst settling down to watch episode 3 of The Pacific. The Pacific commenced last week with two blockbuster episodes focused on the battle for Guadalcanal. Being English, the World War 2 operations in the Pacific Ocean mean little to me, it wasn't our war so to speak, so apart from the two nuclear bombs that were dropped on Japan and information picked up from the highly theatrical Peal Harbour film, it’s all pretty new to me. <br />
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The Pacific is a 10 part series and one of the most expensive ever produced. The beginning two episodes did little to introduce the characters, who were real life US Marines, part 3 however focused solely on characterisation during their downtime in Melbourne. So far, the series has been good entertainment, but after all the publicity and hype, it does seem somewhat lacking at the moment. I know that the battles of Peleliu and Iwo Jima are still to come, so hopefully the programme goes up a notch or two.<br />
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Also accompanying me during this 'me' time, was some homemade macarons with a chocolate raspberry ganaché. I recently enjoyed some Pierre Hermé macarons following his opening of a concessions stand in Selfridges in London. At £2 per macaron though, whilst out of this world, they are a divine luxury in the same category as whisky. I realised straight away whilst commencing my cooking, that there was a reason that I had paid Pierre £2 for each of his macarons. After many hours spent in the kitchen, my macarons were complete and I have to say, my efforts were sterling for a first timer. They looked like a macaron, tasted pretty much like a macaron and were thoroughly enjoyable!<br />
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So the scene is set, The Pacific, homemade macarons and The Glenlivet 18.<br />
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After recently trying The Glenlivet 15 year old French Oak Reserve (<a href="http://peatandsmoke.blogspot.com/2010/04/glenlivet-15-year-old-french-oak.html">please click here for the sampling</a>) and finding it an enjoyable and sophisticated drink, my first thoughts were that the 18 year old was underwhelming. On the nose is the subtle hint of oak, it is not woody, rather sweet and a touch of butterscotch. Also present is the fresh smell of the garden in summer. The whisky is fairly liquid and does not stick longingly to the glass. <br />
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As ever, the proof is in the pudding. On tasting, the 18 year old is dry, a touch of oak and slightly bitter with citrus fruit zest, I did not find the finish particularly long. It had a taste of oak and the dry taste that was present on the palate. <br />
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Whilst enjoying the 18 year old, something calls me back to the 15 year old French Oak Reserve. It felt that little more complex, was more interesting and had more distinguishing flavours. I stand by my opinion that the 15 year old French Oak Reserve should be served following a rather enjoyable dinner, perhaps a well aged Longhorn rump steak for example. It deserves that setting.<br />
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On the other hand, the 18 year old feels like a whisky for all occasions. If a 12 year old is simply too young for you, then this is the one for an everyday drinker. It does not have the sharpness of the alcohol that I have experienced with 10 or 12 year old whiskies, has slightly more complexity and in drinking an 18 year old over a 12 year old, has that touch of sophistication.</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">For more information on The Pacific, it can be found here - <a href="http://creative.sky.com/thepacific">http://creative.sky.com/thepacific</a></span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">Further information on Pierre Herm</span><span style="font-size: small;">é is obtainable here - <a href="http://www.pierreherme.com/index.cgi?&cwsid=6942phAC194316ph1989802">www.pierreherme.com</a></span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">More information on The Glenlivet can be found here - <a href="http://www.theglenlivet.com/">www.theglenlivet.com</a></span></span></span></div>Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11506244691354643320noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9184973508304603936.post-38243996100685422052010-04-07T01:46:00.000+01:002010-04-07T01:46:13.720+01:00The Glenlivet 15 Year Old French Oak Reserve<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwjpK3dZHN2lrOFxCJf-Q1Xo_sPds-8uVUs1f1S68KXrNq5C_EjjFQQv9U65PKLFoCOwEjhuNtq09FjhtUUiHtWtCHF33S-tnt83LGryNDerwm9VQysuXvA75SjLa2lsR9_mQHnARfy4g/s1600/glenlivet15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwjpK3dZHN2lrOFxCJf-Q1Xo_sPds-8uVUs1f1S68KXrNq5C_EjjFQQv9U65PKLFoCOwEjhuNtq09FjhtUUiHtWtCHF33S-tnt83LGryNDerwm9VQysuXvA75SjLa2lsR9_mQHnARfy4g/s200/glenlivet15.jpg" width="133" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">As mentioned previously, I was looking to purchase the 18 year old Glenlivet as opposed to the 15 year old French Oak Reserve, however my local branch of Waitrose does not stock the 18 year old, and whilst the 15 year old is also on offer, and I was after a whisky from The Glenlivet distillery, I picked this up. </span></span><br style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;" /><br style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;" /><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The Glenlivet is the best selling malt whisky in the United States, and the fourth best selling in the UK with a 7% market share. The Glenlivet is the world's second best selling single malt whisky, and current global sales total 6 million bottles per annum. Sales are achieved primarily across the core range of 12 Year Old, 15 Year Old French Oak Reserve, Nadurra 16 Year Old, 18 Year Old, 21 Year Old and XXV 25 Year Old. The distillery produces enough whisky to fill 6 million bottles per annum. </span></span><br style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;" /><br style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;" /><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">It was founded in 1824 and markets itself as "The single malt that started it all." Within the packaging is wrapping with a print of the original distiller's licence, which made The Glenlivet one of the first legal distilleries.</span></span><br style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;" /><br style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;" /><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The 15 year old French Oak Reserve is matured in traditional oak casks and specially coopered new French Limousin oak casks which are commonly used for Cognacs. The alliance between the new French oak and the traditional oak results in a balanced whisky with the hint of oak. </span></span><br style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;" /><br style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;" /><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">As you approach the 15 year old French Oak Reserve, you note the present of oak in the air, not strong, not overpowering, but pleasantly on the nose. Move in a little closer and a sweet smell of vanilla and a touch of citrus zest make headway towards you. </span></span><br style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;" /><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Raise the glass a little further, touching your lips and you begin to enjoy this pleasant whisky. It has a buttery feel on the tongue, velvety, with the faint taste of wood which is always present. It develops with a hint of spice and a slight bitterness like a good quality dark chocolate. </span></span><br style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;" /><br style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;" /><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">It has a lingering finish with again the hint of spice. Again, the pleasant presence of the oak is there. </span></span><br style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;" /><br style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;" /><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Overall, I have enjoyed this whisky. It has a touch of sophistication and has more complexity that is not found in a 12 year old, it is very pleasant on the palate. I can see this being served after dinner. Your guests would be very pleased that you have generously offered it. It does not come across as showy, but it does offer that step up from a younger whisky or a perhaps a blend, which is sure to impress. </span></span><br style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;" /><br style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;" /><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">That is not to say that you cannot also enjoy it alone once it is opened after that dinner party. It wouldn’t be an everyday drinker, it feels too sophisticated, too deserving for that, but it is definitely one that you could sit down to occasionally, for that special occasion, or perhaps to finish a particularly long week. Obviously presuming that week in, week out you do not have long weeks! </span></span><br style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;" /><br style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;" /><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Please however, be warned...I saw somewhere online that someone was displeased that this whisky came in a glass bottle and not in French Oak! </span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">More information on The Glenlivet can be found here - <a href="http://www.theglenlivet.com/">www.theglenlivet.com</a></span></span></div>Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11506244691354643320noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9184973508304603936.post-34493321776003615712010-04-05T16:44:00.002+01:002010-04-05T16:46:37.672+01:00A New Whisky, Purchasing Whisky<span style="font-size: small;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWvjqbiN6Sjwm39FpNP0Vj4omiWIJ-CYF41ElIOCO8cMbhSmWE_AvV6aw2EA1MrNLNEPMj9bJDxHq_G6EE0J5QIKNcie9XhFl_iJ5F6kk8Nvekch88i6SdKXXh-o7pBTis-4g_3LsSkDA/s1600/glenlivet-15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWvjqbiN6Sjwm39FpNP0Vj4omiWIJ-CYF41ElIOCO8cMbhSmWE_AvV6aw2EA1MrNLNEPMj9bJDxHq_G6EE0J5QIKNcie9XhFl_iJ5F6kk8Nvekch88i6SdKXXh-o7pBTis-4g_3LsSkDA/s200/glenlivet-15.jpg" width="68" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"></span><br />
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;">I decided that to assist me in my writing, I would need a new single malt of which to sample. Having, as has been mentioned, dined in The Fat Duck last week, and sampling The Glenlivet 12 year old in one of the courses, I decided I would get a bottle from this distillery.</span><span style="font-size: small;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;" /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;">When shopping just before Easter, I noticed in the Waitrose that I was in, that the 15 year old French Oak and 18 year old were currently on special offer until the 13th April. Because of this choice, I was hard pressed between the two, but decided I would go for the 18 year old, the only other 18 year old of which I have sampled being the Highland Park. </span><span style="font-size: small;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;" /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;">So this afternoon, on Bank Holiday Monday, I trundled down to the local Waitrose to pick up my 18 year old The Glenlivet for a good price of £28.49. Small problem with that. It does not seem that my local Waitrose, is in enough of an affluent area, as some of the whiskies that I noted the other day, do not appear in the locals offering. A more basic and younger range is present.</span><span style="font-size: small;"><br style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;" /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Therefore, I have come away with a French Oak 15 year old The Glenlivet which was on offer at £25.99. I would say that this is a pretty reasonable price on face value, of course I haven't tried it yet, but a 15 year old for under £30.00 is uncommon. It is with anticipation that I await trying The Glenlivet.</span><span style="font-size: small;"><br style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;" /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Something inside of me is not satisfied though. I really wanted to get my hands on the 18 year old. I will make it my quest over the next week to track down a bottle at a Waitrose for sampling, which at that price, a saving of £8.00 seems a good offer.</span><span style="font-size: small;"><br style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;" /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;">This all leads me on to some thoughts I have. In commencing this writing, I have naturally scoured the internet looking for availability of whiskies, researching different distilleries and where to purchase the whiskies. It is without doubt that the reason that Glenfiddich, The Glenlivet, Glenmorangie et al are so widely consumed is that they are commonly found in the supermarkets. Some of the more obscure distilleries, or some of the older or rarer vintages come from one of two sources. Either direct from a visit to the distillery, or if available, their online shop, or via an online retailer.</span><span style="font-size: small;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;" /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;">This would seem easy, especially for me who purchases many things online, usually DVD's etc, but these all come with free shipping. Whisky, it seems does not. This might be understandable, as it is a fairly heavy product, but then, I have had huge cook books delivered free of charge or for a small nominal value for the postage.</span><span style="font-size: small;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;" /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;">They aren't competitive with everyday single malts, so if you are looking online, check the local supermarket first. They do have an interesting collection of more unusual distilleries or vintages, but if you are purchasing this way, it is probably best to order more than one to at least spread the cost of the postage out. £6 or so for postage is quite a large percentage if you are only paying £30/£40/£50 for a bottle. It is a shame they do not do a competitive price for just one bottle purchases. </span><span style="font-size: small;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;" /></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">If anyone does know of a retailer who is competitive one both the price of the whisky and postage for one bottle, please do let me know.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">To find out more about The Glenlivet, please visit - <a href="http://www.theglenlivet.com/">www.theglenlivet.com</a> </span> </span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div>Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11506244691354643320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9184973508304603936.post-81765595375972609762010-04-05T01:40:00.003+01:002010-04-05T01:42:10.398+01:00Glenfiddich 12 Year Old<style>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibS0O1QtoYOn8BYMVuOJM2M708LX-DgM-L7nq0OvexAsxKVPqTUgvTMMjuTToCzMQOsf8Oyu2pt4iSDmt5kM3mYisevxPoSyqwbiw0L4caTd8yDMZWMeysdT8i4WO7EdEGcr8xyR80KGY/s1600/glenfiddich12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibS0O1QtoYOn8BYMVuOJM2M708LX-DgM-L7nq0OvexAsxKVPqTUgvTMMjuTToCzMQOsf8Oyu2pt4iSDmt5kM3mYisevxPoSyqwbiw0L4caTd8yDMZWMeysdT8i4WO7EdEGcr8xyR80KGY/s200/glenfiddich12.jpg" width="150" /></a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;">I have decided to commence with Glenfiddich for two reasons. The first being that when we visited Scotland many years ago now, my parents took me to the Glenfiddich distillery. I still have vivid memories of the tour and seeing the process, something I would like to repeat now that I am older and of course can try the samples. Secondly, Glenfiddich is a staple single malt whisky. It appears in supermarkets, it appears in pubs, it appears in bars and it appears in off licenses. This is perhaps detriment to the whisky itself, as it all too often comes across as an inferior product, a victim of its own success and is perceived as a cheap product. In fact, Glenfiddich is not the cheapest single malt available, but it is competitively priced and falls into that 'everyday' category.<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"><u3:p></u3:p></span> <br />
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</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;">The Glenfiddich Distillery is located in the Speyside region in Dufftown and is owned by William Grant & Sons, who also produce Balvenie whiskies and the blended Grant whisky. The distillery was founded in 1887 and now amasses sales of 700,000 cases per year. <o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"><u3:p></u3:p></span> <br />
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</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;">The single malts are available in a core collection of 12, 15, 18, 21 and 30 year old with other rare and reserve whiskies available.<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"><u3:p></u3:p></span> <br />
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</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;">The 12 year old is of course, the most widely available and comes as a 'standard' 12 year old and a Caoran Reserve 12 year old. I am looking here at the 'standard' variety.<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"><u3:p></u3:p></span> <br />
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</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;">When I first tried drinking whisky, the over-riding sensation was that of the whisky burn. However, the more you drink whisky and by that I do not mean to excess, but on a more regular occasion, the less this burn becomes apparent. Obviously each individual whisky has a varying degree of burn. Part of the success of 12 year old Glenfiddich can be put down to, in part by its lack of a significant whisky burn, which makes it accessible to more palates.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;">The notes of 12 year old are pleasant and not overpowering. There is no overriding smell of oak or peat, which can be off putting to first time or novice drinkers. There is a light smell of oak and a sweet smell of honey and fruit, but not sickly sweet. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;">As the whisky enters your mouth, you feel a gentle warming sensation. It has the texture of melted butter on the tongue. You can taste the wood, but it doesn’t overpower, it is subtle. It is slightly sweet with the flavour of fruit. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;">As you swallow, it has a very pleasant finish, you can feel it ever so slightly coat as it goes, providing a flavour that lasts a nice length. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;">The more adventurous drinkers will progress from Glenfiddich onto stronger whiskies and perhaps stay away from it due to its lack of adventure with the flavours. However, many will in time return for the odd bottle here and there for the memories it gives of that first experience with whisky, or possibly because of its accessibility and value, it becomes an everyday drink, one for that period of time when you want something simple. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;">In reality, there is nothing to dislike about the 12 year old Glenfiddich, it won’t set your heart racing, but it will always be there, consistent and reliable. It is also a consistent award winner. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">More information and purchasing direct from the distillery can be found here - <a href="http://www.glenfiddich.co.uk/">www.glenfiddich.co.uk</a></span> <o:p></o:p></span></div>Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11506244691354643320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9184973508304603936.post-80740444035201056452010-04-04T14:09:00.003+01:002010-04-05T16:48:02.177+01:00Hawksmoor<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Prior to our annual visit to Hawksmoor in London, I tried to find out which single malts they had available. Their website lists the wine list and cocktail list, but no spirit list.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Needless to say, I didn't find out. However, I did stumble over a post about a 'new' way of serving Macallan. As previously stated on my introduction, I am not a fan of Macallan, but was willing to revisit it. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">So, I thought, this was my opportunity. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Macallan have supplied some of the best bars around the country with a new gizmo which turns a square piece of ice into a ball. So I promptly ordered two Macallans, one for me and one for a friend, along with ice balls. Sadly, the server didn't have a clue what I was talking about, despite when walking past the bar I noticed the copper machine sitting in the middle of the bar!</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">We therefore sat patiently waiting for the drinks to arrive. However, the barman came over instead and informed us that they did not have any Macallan 10 year old left. I thought, this might be the end of the opportunity to try the ice ball. Instead, we were informed that we could have any whisky with an ice ball.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
Having had a quick look at the available single malts as we entered the restaurants, I promptly ordered two Highland Park 12 year olds. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">The Highland Park's arrived with a large sphere of ice contained within the tumbler. Now, I know the purists view on drinking whisky with ice, but it was a gimmick that I wanted to try out.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">I have to say that I am not sure what the ice ball brings to the experience. It doesn't, for obvious reasons taste any different and it doesn't enhance the whisky in any way. I read that the ice takes longer to melt due to the shape, but mine still melted fairly quickly, I ended up fishing it out the whisky and put it in a glass of water I also had.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">In conclusion, I would say that whilst a nice gimmick, it certainly is not worth going out of the way to hunt one of the bars that has this available. The Highland Park cost me £15.50, which I have to say is far too much, as much as I enjoy this particular whisky. It represents, by my estimates, a 1000% mark-up on a supermarket bottle! I felt a tad ripped off when I saw the bill, especially when a Johnnie Walker Blue costs £25.00! </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgksoHUg3BEM5Zyl8XuARe1aStGchHYbsIymTIlEpEscUolnFWIsItC0EnsAf7UIJhXy5R4gSi7XT58cmDBaAd_Irt3HJRsMmYu047Vlb3CktfPabP_XQekyAEdDd2R4hppTBM_NKEPYZ4/s1600/IMG_0424.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgksoHUg3BEM5Zyl8XuARe1aStGchHYbsIymTIlEpEscUolnFWIsItC0EnsAf7UIJhXy5R4gSi7XT58cmDBaAd_Irt3HJRsMmYu047Vlb3CktfPabP_XQekyAEdDd2R4hppTBM_NKEPYZ4/s200/IMG_0424.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Below, I have included comments from a press release by Macallan. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">Macallan’s Marketing Assistant, Pat Lee, explains the science part: "The Ice Ball Press was inspired by Japanese cocktail culture where artisans hand-carve ice balls from massive slabs to create an uninterrupted surface that cools spirits quickly and evenly. The ice ball melts slowly to preserve the integrity of the spirit. We have updated this process, by developing a copper press that instantly trims a block of ice into a flawless ice ball. This, combined with our masterful single malt Scotch whisky, is The Macallan Perfect Serve."</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">"The Macallan’s liquid excellence is continuously defined by its unprecedented elegance and versatility. The ice ball balances these qualities. As global cocktail culture has evolved, ice has become central to the modern-day spirits experience. With an eye on this trend, we created The Macallan Perfect Serve, to modernise the way single malt can be enjoyed and appeal to a wider range of consumers."</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Information about the Hawksmoor restaurant can be found here - <a href="http://www.thehawksmoor.co.uk/">www.thehawksmoor.co.uk</a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div>Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11506244691354643320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9184973508304603936.post-37363281796890047512010-04-04T13:38:00.001+01:002010-04-04T13:38:27.396+01:00Introduction<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><style>
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</style> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">It is hard to say the exact date when I first had a drink of, or began enjoying whisky. I would hazard a guess at the end of 2004. I remember the period in my life as it was during my time with Waitrose. As part of the security measures in the branch, a member of staff, or partner as they are called, would have to patrol the alcohol section, face up when products were removed from the shelves and note down when spirits were purchased. This effort is no longer conducted, but it was during my employment there. It meant many a day or evening walking around the section, noting all the different kinds of alcohol available to stem the boredom. Whisky has always been appreciated as a 'mans' drink and during my time walking around the aisles, it was the selection of whiskies that predominately caught my eye. After all, everyone knows that a whisky has its own defining taste, texture, aroma and colour, which cannot be said in the same way about other spirits. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">As I say, I cannot exactly remember the first time I tried whisky. However, I do remember my first bottle. It was a Balvenie Double Wood. It was on offer, as the time frame we are talking about was over Christmas. This was good, as along with the discount, I would have also got my employee discount, making the price even better. I do not remember this particular whisky that much, I couldn't describe the nose, texture, notes or finish, however I do seem to remember enjoying it. This cannot be said of some of the later whiskies I have had since then, up to now.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">Following the Balvenie, was a Macallan 10 year old, which I remember longing to end so I could move onto a different distilleries whisky. I remember not enjoying the Macallan, though I am willing to re-review this.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">As it was in the preceding period to Christmas, it was of course that time of year when you will see the little miniatures available in the seasonal aisles. I purchased a couple of these, the Glenfiddich one and a Glenmorangie one. I still have the little bottles which adjourn a shelf in my room. Glenfiddich is perhaps my earliest memory of whisky, as we visited the distillery as a family in a holiday to Scotland. The enduring memory is of my brother sticking his head into a vat of whisky and almost knocking himself out from the fumes in the process. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">Following the ending of the Macallan, I seem to remember a blended whisky, but as I am only going to focus on single malt whiskies, this is a mute point. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">Next, an epiphany in whisky drinking. The whisky goes by the name of Highland Park. Without a doubt, the single most pleasurable whisky I have enjoyed. I was at a food show, when I stumbled across a stall for Highland Park. There they had on trial the 12 year old and the 18 year old. I tried both and preferred the 18 year old. The price was a show special and around £50 for the bottle. I frantically gathered the cash from my wallet, along with that of my girlfriends and friends in order to purchase this bottle. A wise choice as it turned out. This 18 year old will always have strong memories for me. It was following the death of my grandmother that this bottle was opened. It was there for me during some tough times and it is by far the most drinkable and enjoyable whisky that I have ever had. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">Additionally I have also enjoyed a Talisker 10 year old, a Highland Park 12 year old and I was also given a Highland Park 25 year old miniature. Although I am not mentioning blends, I have a small amount left of a Johnnie Walker Blue, quite something in terms of a whisky, but I do not believe it compares to a fine single malt.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">So why now, do I have the focus on writing about my experiences with single malts. I enjoy some nice things in life, primarily fine food and travel, which are my two guilty pleasures. In addition has been the odd bottle of whisky here and there. I am the average Joe, Mr Middle of the Road and so, I want to approach my thoughts and taste of a whisky just like that. In the past, short of the Highland Park 18 year old, I have otherwise purchased whisky from the supermarket due to a special offer or an attractive box. I want to appeal to the average person, so I will present the whisky how I see it, as the average taster. Help them make an informed choice, be it buying on the high street or by mail order. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">The taste of whisky is extremely subjective. Some people like the taste of peat, others oak and others fruit, so I will bear this in mind.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">In enjoying fine food, and I have eaten in some of the best restaurants in the United Kingdom. The most recently being The Fat Duck. One of the many courses on the tasting menu is Whisk(e)y Gums. A take on wine gums using whisky. It takes you on a tour of 4 Scotches and then over to Tennessee to Jack Daniels. The experience of the four Scotches stuck me and prompted me to make the decision to write of my experiences with single malt whisky. Frankly, the Jack Daniels inclusion into the course is a touch disappointing, I have never liked the stuff and how can you compare it to Glenlivet, Laphoraig, Highland Park or Oban?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">So this leads me on to my current collection. I have a Glenfiddich 12 year old, Talisker 10 year old and Glen Moray (without a stated age) currently open. I also have waiting for me to enjoy, their chance to shine in this world, a menagerie of Highland Parks, 12, 15 and 18 year olds. Then come to wildcards. My Uncle, knowing my appreciation of whisky, had two unloved, uncared for and unopened bottles sitting on his sideboard. These are an Auchentoshan 10 year old and a Lochnagar 12 year old, which are many years old. I almost inadvertently donated the Auchentoshan to a charity event once, but, having inquisitively checked the value of one online, found the bottle to be worth £80. So I kept it! I kindly donated a bottle of Jim Bean, which quite frankly I find disgusting.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">So, onwards and upwards and I will get cracking for you – enjoy!</span></div>Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11506244691354643320noreply@blogger.com3