Posts Tagged ‘Scotch Whisky’
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:
Posted in Cocktails & Recipes, Scotch Whisky, Single Malt Whisky, Whisk(e)y, Whisk(e)y Review | Tagged: Cocktails and Recipes, Coopers Choice, Mortlach Distillery, Scotch Whisky, Single Malt Whisky, Whisky, Whisky Review | Comments Off on Whisky Review: Cooper’s Choice – Mortlach 1979
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:
Posted in Cocktails & Recipes, Scotch Whisky, Single Malt Whisky, Whisk(e)y, Whisk(e)y Review | Tagged: Cocktails and Recipes, Murray McDavid, Scotch Whisky, Single Malt Whisky, Whisky, Whisky Review | Comments Off on Whisky Review: Murray McDavid – Isle Of Jura 1991 Single Malt Scotch
Posted by Arctic Wolf on April 23, 2010
I have come to my final review of the series of McClelland’s Single Malt Whiskies. McClelland’s Lowland Single Malt whisky is the least typical of the four main expressions of this brand. In fact, it was difficult for me, in a blind taste test, to associate this whisky with any particular region, or should I say style, of Scottish whisky. In the end, I correctly named this a Lowland whisky in a blind taste test, more as a matter of default, than by ascertaining distinct 
lowland characteristics from the dram. The whisky is produced by Morrison Bowmore Distillers. It is distilled from a distillery in the Lowland region of Scotland, and selected to represent the character and essence of the Lowland whisky region.
Here is an excerpt from my review:
“…This whisky is somewhat of a yellow/golden colour in the glass. When I swirl the glass I noticed only a light oil and very skinny legs on the sides of the glass. The aroma from the glass was unexpectedly harsh. I would describe it as acrid and pungent. I also received charred woody aromas and darkly caramelized sugars….”
You may read the full review Here:
As well I have an excellent cocktail suggestion from forrest, The Lowland Holiday Scotch Sour. Enjoy the review
Posted in Cocktails & Recipes, Scotch Whisky, Single Malt Whisky, Whisk(e)y, Whisk(e)y Review | Tagged: Cocktails and Recipes, McClellands Whisky, Scotch Whisky, Single Malt Whisky, Whisky, Whisky Review | Comments Off on Review: McClelland’s Lowland Single Malt Scotch
Posted by Arctic Wolf on April 12, 2010
Today I am returning to my review series on McClelland’s Single Malt Whiskies. This week I am tackling the McClelland’s Speyside Single malt.
The Brand is owned by Morrison Bowmore Distillers and this whisky in their McClelland’s line up is distilled in the region for which it is named, Speyside.
I found the McClelland’s Single Malt Speyside to be an accurate expression of a typical Speyside whisky. It has a typical Speyside character with a spicy yet floral palate very typical of Speyside whiskies I have tried in the past.
Here is an excerpt from the review:
“The whisky is somewhat of a medium orange/gold colour in the glass. When I swirl the glass I notice only a light oil and very skinny legs on the sides of the glass. I receive distinct floral notes combined with honey and oak spices. A vague anise licorice and a hint of cocoa lie behind the floral tone, and if the glass is left to sit, the aroma of oak tannin becomes stronger in the glass…”
You may read the entire review here:
As well I also provided a couple of recipes for cocktails including a Rum Howler original,
The Crushed Polly. Please enjoy the review!
Posted in Cocktails & Recipes, Scotch Whisky, Single Malt Whisky, Whisk(e)y, Whisk(e)y Review | Tagged: Cocktails and Recipes, McClellands Whisky, Scotch Whisky, Single Malt Whisky, Whisky, Whisky Review | Comments Off on Whisky Review: McClelland’s Speyside Single Malt
Posted by Arctic Wolf on March 25, 2010
The McClelland’s Single Malt Islay Whisky brand is has been distilled and constructed to represent a particular region, or maybe I should say style, of Scottish whisky, the Islay style. This whisky brand is owned by Morrison Bowmore Distillers, and their Islay whisky has been distilled in the Islay region of Scotland and selected to represent the character and essence of that particular whisky region.
I was able without much difficulty to determine the Islay Scotch whisky in a blind taste test. Of course anyone should be able to discern a typical “Islay” malt in a blind taste test.
You may read more of the review here:
I also constructed an Islay cocktail which I chose to call, The Smokey Carburetor, I hope you like it.
Posted in Cocktails & Recipes, Scotch Whisky, Single Malt Whisky, Whisk(e)y, Whisk(e)y Review | Tagged: Cocktails and Recipes, McClellands Whisky, Scotch Whisky, Single Malt Whisky, Whisky, Whisky Review | Comments Off on Whiskey Review: McClelland’s Islay Single Malt
The Rum Howler Blog 