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Posts Tagged ‘Single Malt Whisky’

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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

Review: McClelland’s Lowland 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:

Review: McClelland’s Lowland Single Malt Scotch

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: , , , , , | Comments Off on Review: McClelland’s Lowland Single Malt Scotch

Whisky Review: McClelland’s Speyside Single Malt

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:

Review: McClelland’s Speyside Single Malt

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: , , , , , | Comments Off on Whisky Review: McClelland’s Speyside Single Malt

Whiskey Review: McClelland’s Islay 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:

Review: McClelland’s Islay Single Malt Whisky

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: , , , , , | Comments Off on Whiskey Review: McClelland’s Islay Single Malt

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