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Archive for the ‘Scotch Whisky’ Category

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Whisky Review: The Macallan Fine Oak (10 Year)

Posted by Arctic Wolf on July 11, 2010

Craigellachie Bridge near the Macallan Distillery (Photo Courtesy of J. Wheelock)

The Macallan is a single malt Scotch whisky, produced at The Macallan Distillery near Easter Elchies House, at Craigellachie in the Speyside region of Scotland.  Originally, The Macallan whiskies were (primarily)  matured in oak seasoned with sherry brought to the distillery from Jerez, Spain. Beginning in 2004, The Macallan introduced a new product, the Fine Oak Series, with whisky matured in seasoned American oak casks, (sherry as well as bourbon), as well as sherry casks from Spain. The Fine Oak Series is quite a departure for The Macallan, and the new whisky has brought rave reviews from some quarters (Jim Murray for example awarded it “Best New Scotch Brand” when it was launched), and dramatic criticism from others who considered the American barrels inferior (a puzzling criticism it seems to me).

Photo Courtesy of J. Wheelock and The Macallan Distillery

I was given a bottle each of The Macallan 10 Year Old Fine Oak and The Macallan 12 Year Old Sherry Oak by J. Wheelock, the Brand Ambassador West for The Macallan, Highland Park, and The Famous Grouse. Mr. Wheelock asked me to do a comparative tasting of the two styles of oak as part of my series of reviews of The Macallan Single Malt Whisky. Both bottles presented to me were 750ml bottles, each bottled for the Canadian market at 40% alcohol by volume.  I thought I would begin my analysis with a review of The Macallan 10 Year Old Fine Oak Series:

Here is an excerpt from the review:

“…When I pour the Macallan Fine Oak into my glass, the first aroma is that of a nice oak spiced  butterscotch with a dollop of treacle. The treacle is not overdone such that this would smell caramelized or burnt, rather it is a steady accent on the butterscotch and spice thickening them, but also preventing too much sweetness to form…”

You may read the full review here:

Whisky Review: The Macallan Fine Oak (10 Year)

Posted in Cocktails & Recipes, Scotch Whisky, Whisk(e)y, Whisk(e)y Review | Tagged: , , , , , | Comments Off on Whisky Review: The Macallan Fine Oak (10 Year)

Review: Glenmorangie Nectar D’or Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Posted by Arctic Wolf on June 28, 2010

Glenmorangie was amongst the first Scotch distilleries (1960s) to use ex bourbon barrels to age their whisky rather than Spanish oak (IE: sherry casks). This helped to change the taste profile of their Scottish whisky in a significant manner, and today ex bourbon barrels are use extensively alongside ex sherry casks in many Scottish distilleries. In 1996, Glenmorangie introduced their wood finish range which began the experimentation with a range of new wood finishes like port wood casks and wine barriques. These wood finished products are now used by many distilleries and once again Glenmorangie can claim credit for helping to extend  the range of the taste profile of Scottish whisky.

The Nectar D’or is a mature Glenmorangie (at least ten years old) that is aged in ex bourbon casks and then finished or ‘extra matured’ in Sauternes wine barriques.  The use of the Sauternes wine casks  gives the Nectar D’or a touch of grape sweetness.  This sweeter  ‘white wine or grape’ character is evident in the tasting and review notes that follow.

Here is an excerpt from my review:

“…When the Nectar D’or is poured into the glass I immediately recognize a light aroma of soft white wine rising into the air beside the more familiar Scotch whisky aroma.  I smell oak spices with trails of vanilla and honey accented by that light white wine scent.  The aroma is very complex, and it includes sharper citrus scents of lemon and fresh orange .  I find this extremely inviting….”

You may read the full review here:

Review: Glenmorangie Nectar D’or Single Malt Scotch Whisky

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Whisky Review: Cooper’s Choice – Mortlach 1979

Posted by Arctic Wolf on May 29, 2010

Cooper’s Choice – Mortlach 1979

I have a thing for well aged whisky. I love the spirits which have been aged 15 … 20 even 25 years. I also have a soft spot for a bargain. So when I spied a 25 year old Scotch for only $125 bucks, I was like a hungry fish spying a shiny new lure. In spite of my firm resolution to only buy what I sample first, I was hooked! I did not even put up much of a fight.

The Cooper’s Choice seems to be a relatively new third party bottler who have stepped into my market place bringing in Scotch whisky from distillers who typically do not bottle their own products.   In this case the Mortlach Distillery in Dufftown,   a Speyside distillery.

(I know what you are thinking and No! This is not the home of Duff Beer,  The Simpson’s and the Mortlach Distillery are not related.)

Here is an excerpt from my review:

“…The nose prepared me for the onslaught from the bottle.  My palate was filled with a triumvirate of heavy smoke, heavy oak, and 92 proof alcohol.  It pretty much knocked my taste buds back and crippled them to the other nuances.  It was not until I rested my palate, and added an ice-cube that I was able to taste the other nuances of the dram…..”

You may read the full review here:

Review: The Cooper’s Choice – Mortlach 1979

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Whisky Review: Bruichladdich Black Art

Posted by Arctic Wolf on May 4, 2010

Bruichladdich Black Art
1989 Single Malt Scotch Whisky (19 Years Old)

Bruichladdich (Pronunciation = Brook Laddie) distillery was built in 1881 on Hebridean Isle, in what is now known as the Islay region of Scotland.  It was one of many distilleries, which despite it long history and tradition of whisky making, was closed in 1994 due to industry consolidation.  The distillery no longer produced whisky, but the existing stocks left inside continued to age.  The good news is that on 19th December, 2000, the distillery was purchased by a small band of investors.  It was  renovated and reopened, and on May 21, 2001 the distillery once again began to distill whisky.

This small band of investors has proceeded to turn the Scottish whisky world upside down.  They love to blend and bottle their whisky in small artisan production runs using a multitude of unique finishing casks.  Borrowing ideas from their own past experiences, they are bringing to market a variety of  one of a kind whiskies, the like of which the Scottish Whisky World has never seen before.

The Bruichladdich 1989 Black Art is just such a bottling.  Master Blender, Jim McEwan,  used 1989 Vintage whisky stocks and a secret combination of wine finishing casks to create this unusual Vintage Single Malt Whisky.  Although I have tried to find out which types of wine casks were used to finish this whisky, my research was to no avail. Apparently, Mr McEwan didn’t allow anybody to see.   All we know is what is written on the bottle, which is where I will start the review (click on the link below to read the full review):

Review: Bruichladdich Black Art

As per my usual style, I have added an original cocktail I call The Warlock.

Posted in Cocktails & Recipes, Scotch Whisky, Single Malt Whisky, Whisk(e)y, Whisk(e)y Review | Tagged: , , , , | Comments Off on Whisky Review: Bruichladdich Black Art

Whisky Review: Murray McDavid – Isle Of Jura 1991 Single Malt Scotch

Posted by Arctic Wolf on April 28, 2010

Murray McDavid – Isle Of Jura 1991
16 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky

The 1991, Isle of Jura, 16 Year Old single malt Scotch whisky was distilled at the Isle of Jura distillery in 1991 and set down to age in bourbon casks. At some point in the history of this malt, several casks (perhaps seven or eight) were purchased by the private bottler Murray McDavid. These casks were chosen for their special character, and in 2007 they were blended and bottled in a Limited Release Bottling numbering only 1500 bottles.   Three of these bottles have found a way into my possession, and I am pleased to review the contents of one of them and share the results of this hard labour with you.

Here is an excerpt from my review:

“…Honey and caramel drift out of the glass with a gentle sweetness that is inviting.  As the glass sits, deeper scents of ripe fruit and spicy oak follow with a very small whisper of salty smoke trailing in the breeze.  A touch of water opens the ripe fruit to reveal apricots and peaches is a spicy sweet syrup….”

You may read the full review and the cocktail I have chosen for this splendid whisky here:


Review: Murray McDavid – Isle Of Jura 1991
16 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Posted in Cocktails & Recipes, Scotch Whisky, Single Malt Whisky, Whisk(e)y, Whisk(e)y Review | Tagged: , , , , , | Comments Off on Whisky Review: Murray McDavid – Isle Of Jura 1991 Single Malt Scotch

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