Whiskey

Unfortunately I had to skip last Sunday’s edition of the #DavinTT Twitter tasting on Canadian whisky. But obviously I had the sample so here’s my review. Next Sunday is the last edition. Danfield’s is marketed by Williams & Churchill but as often in Canadian whisky, it is only a brand name, and it’s made at a different distillery (The Black Velvet Distillery). Canadian laws allow them to state ‘Distilled and bottled by Williams & Churchill’ on the label. Danfield’s is made from rye, corn and malted barley in a small batch process and “blended at birth” rather than blended after separate maturation. Also, as mentioned on the label, it is passed through a diamond dust filter – not sure how that should be noticed in the final product. Danfield’s Limited Edition 21 yo (40%, OB +/- 2013) Nose: quite smooth, with quite a lot of silky polished oak. Really nice, close to what you can expect from an old Scotch in terms of oakiness. Also quite sweet and round, displaying caramel, baked apple with cinnamon, banana, vanilla cake and a little maple syrup. Close to bourbon whiskey, though with a typical rye dust / limestone note. Like! Mouth: less sweet than expected. A lot of oak now, quite dry and slightly tannic / planky. Pepper, cloves, nutmeg and hot ginger. Good thing this is only 40%, otherwise it would have been over the top. The fruitiness and caramel is in the background now. Gets rather zesty in the end (grapefruit skin). Finish: long but quickly getting thinner, with lingering pepper and citrus bitterness. On the nose, this one is a great example of the possibility to have Canadian whisky at higher ages. But the palate is very oaky. Only available in Canada. Typically under € 40, how nice is that? Score: 84/100

    If rums were animals, this would be a faithful, doe-eyed spaniel with slippers in his mouth, who only wants to express his adoration of Master. (#163. 74/100) *** The Costa Rican Ron Centenario “Fundacion” solera rum is a poster child for rums which could easily be a bit more torqued up, and become better. [...]

Sun Network’s Byline with Brian Lilley, recently took an 8-minute break from politics to discuss the rise of Canadian connoisseur whisky. While sipping and a few prized drams, Lilley asks why Canadian whisky doesn’t get more respect at home. Sampling high-end whiskies including Century Reserve Lot 15/25, Forty Creek Port Wood Reserve, Gibson’s Finest Rare 18 year old, and Lot No. 40 he conclude that connoisseurs overlook Canadian whisky at their own peril. Brian Lilley and Davin de Kergommeaux have an animated discussion about the merits of Canadian whisky, on Sun Network's Byline with Brian Lilley View the interview here. http://www.sunnewsnetwork.ca/video/featured/prime-time/867432237001/canadian-whisky-eh/2397333366001

Blanton’s Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey 46.5% ABV $55 Website What the Distillery Says: In the winter of 1881, Albert Bacon Blanton was born into one of the first families of bourbon history. At the age of sixteen, he started work in the Distillery as an office boy and fast became a leading pioneer [...]

Tamdhu 10 Year Old     Nose: Oloroso sherry soaked raisins and sultanas, Fry’s Chocolate Cream, warm spiced peach cobbler, plum jam, sugared almonds, vanilla infused poached pears, fresh fragrant oak, a subtle suggestion of Limoncello liqueur, lime zest, a pinch of mixed spice and a squeeze-ette of Molton Brown black pepper body wash.   Palate: Fry’s Chocolate Orange Cream, Amontillado

My friends Connie Lukasz were over the other day, and even though they know my cupboard is well stocked with Canadian whisky, they always try to find something that I haven’t tasted yet. On this occasion, they brought along a bottle of Bison Ridge Special Reserve Canadian Whisky to share a few drams with me. The whisky is produced (by this I mean bottled) by the Crosby Lake Spirits Company who are located in Minnesota, USA. All Canadian whisky must (by law) be distilled and aged in Canada; however, I could not locate any information as to which Canadian Distillery was the source for this brand. You may read my full review by clicking on the following excerpt: Review: Bison Ridge Special Reserve Canadian Whisky “… The initial nose reflects sweet butterscotch, some notes of corn mash, with wood spices rising in the background. As the glass breathes I notice an underlying ‘earthiness’ which reminds me of the scent of an old those fashioned damp cellars which were built with wooden floorboards lain directly over the black dirt …” Please enjoy the review which includes a recipe recommendation, the Buckeroo! Tagged: Bidon Ridge, Buckeroo, Canadian Whisky, Cocktails and Recipes, Crosby Lakes Spirits, Whisky, Whisky Review

Hogshead 758 – 51.2% My Tasting Notes: Colour: Medium gold Nose: Candied pineapple, mango, vanilla, hints of liquorice and pepper, only a light whiff of smoke. Palate: Very mild peat with faint hints of bacon, a rich mix of tropical fruits, butterscotch, liquorice and nutmeg. Finish: Long, fruity and slightly smoky. Overall: The peat has almost completely transformed into fruity aromas after 30 years. The wood influence is surprisingly gentle – very delicious. Rating: 88/100 – Price Tag $$$$$ – Value for your Money $$$$$ Scored blind for the Malt Maniacs Awards 2012 where it won a silver medal, re-tasted for notes

Cask 39 – 44.2% My Tasting Notes: Colour: Dark amber Nose: Orange marmalade, dried apricots, polished wood, honey, vanilla, creme brulee, cinnamon. Palate: Treacle, vanilla, apricots, orange zest, cinnamon, hints of cloves and pepper. Finish: Medium long, sweet and slightly fruity. Overall: While the nose of this old grain is truly delightful, it fails to fully satisfy on the palate. The sweetness is quite dominant, though the wood is kept under control. Rating: 83/100 – Price Tag $$$$$ – Value for your Money $$$$$ Scored blind for the Malt Maniacs Awards 2012 where it won a silver medal, re-tasted for notes

Bacardi’s latest TV spot explores the possible origins of the Cuba Libre cocktail.  Have you seen it? The post History of Cuba Libre appeared first on Rum Connection.

18-year old Lagavulin from European Oak The LAGAVULIN™ 2013 special festival bottling, from whisky distilled in 1995, has been aged in ex European Oak Sherry Butts, and was personally selected by Lagavulin warehouseman Iain McArthur. Triple-matured Caol Ila 12 yo This year’s CAOL ILA™ special festival bottling  is a little special and unusual, explains distillery manager Billy Stitchell, who personally selected the whisky: “Spirit ...