Whiskey

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 [...]

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 ...

Around the time of The Whisky Show last year we were rather pleased to have scored some whisky from a brand new distiller on the single malt scene – Goa’s John Distilleries, makers of Paul John Single Malt Whisky . … Continue reading >>

I've always been a huge fan of cartoons and from my uncle who learnt his English by reading Donald Duck comics first in Norwegian and then again in English, through to my older brothers who always had copies of The Beano lying around, it's been a consistent family trait.Starting with the aforementioned Dundee-based comic (which has been the subject of a post before) I graduated to the excellent Tintin series of works, but that's where my interest waned in favour of books with less illustrations and more words.However, I've still maintained a love for graphic art and, of course the odd relaxing cartoon on the telly from time-to-time.One of my guilty pleasures in life is to set the Sky+ box to series link for The Simpsons and, once the working day is over, to sit back with a nice dram and an episode or two of this now iconic American show. So, imagine my surprise when I heard that in the latest season (season 24) one episode, called Whiskey Business, was to feature the down-at-heel local bar owner, Moe Sizlack landing venture capital investment to sell his own bourbon, Maker's Moe.Amid the growing craft distillation movement in the US, we shouldn’t forget those staple bourbons which populate our backbars and supermarket shelves, so this gives us a nice chance to have another look at Maker's Mark whisky.Maker's Mark – Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whisky – 45% abv – 70cl £22.95 hereNose: a bourbon which doesn’t shout but gets its point across well with few words. Vanilla pods and oak spices are backed with some subtle honey and red apple, all wrapped in parma ham.Palate: soft brown sugars are mixed again with vanilla pods and some red cherries. There is a hint of ginger and a mixed dried fruits. Oaky drieness kicks in, but this is, overall, soft and subtle on the palate.Finish: Some spices, but not over powering. Softness again.Overall: A really great whisky for mixing or pouring, this is a classic example of a great American bourbon which has established itself as a go-to brand for all the right reasons.It's no secret that craft distilling is in a boom-time in the US and it has reached such a height that even The Simpsons is featuring it. Quite the accolade for those already set-up and distilling.Of those making interesting spirits, Chip Tate at Blacones in Texas has to be right at the top of the tree. From his crazy creations such as Rumble (a distillation of figs, honey and sugar) through to his Baby Blue and the 2012 Best In Glass award-winning Texan Single Malt, Chip has now delved into the world of bourbon, making something which we would describe simply as ‘extraordinary’. We tried a sample at this year’s Whisky Live...Blacones – Straight Bourbon Whisky – Single Cask – 64.2% abv - 100 bottles approx. worldwideNose: A classic “yee-haa” of a bourbon nose with rich toffee apple, light wood varnish (Pledge?), rich vanilla pods, some freshly laid garden wood chippings and that wonderful delicate drying note provided by the corn.Palate: As is becoming traditional with Chip’s offerings, this is stout, strong and robust, with elements of charred meats, heavy oak and red cherries, yet there is a complexity on the back of the palate where spices dance around hand-in-hand with those vanilla pods from the nose, with hearty red berries and cinnamon spices providing a velvety backdrop.Finish: Cigar box and leather with those red berries finishing off and a drying tone of menthol to end the experience.Overall: Another great whisky from Chip Tate. I hope, unlike Moe Sizlack, that Chip maintains his independence and can play around with ideas and flavours at will. It’s a great bedrock on which to build a business.How unusual be reviewing two American offerings and not have to put an ‘e’ in my whisky. However, when you pour yourself a dram of the Balcones Straight Bourbon, you’ll certainly be putting the ‘you’ into flavour...

ARDBEG UNEARTHS ITS LATEST LIMITED EDITION Ardbeg, the world’s smokiest, peatiest award winning whisky is set to launch its latest limited edition called Ardbog, on ‘Ardbog Day’ – 1st June and will be available exclusively at New Zealand Ardbeg embassies. To be the first in the country to enjoy a wee dram of the 2013 Ardbog Limited Edition, whisky connoisseurs can either head to Whisky Galore in Christchurch or Sam Snead’s House of Whiskey in Auckland on 1st June where Ardbog will launch for sale. These Ardbeg Embassies will also host special tastings during Ardbog Day as well as some peaty instore events to celebrate the worldwide launch. Rai Banbury, senior brands manager, says, “The Islay Ardbeg Festival has become a key date in the calendar of malt whisky lovers worldwide. Every year Ardbeg creates a unique and fun way for our Ardbeg fans to celebrate Ardbeg and the much anticipated limited edition release.” The name Ardbog was chosen to highlight the peat bogs of Ardbeg’s island home Islay and the part they play in the whisky making process. The unique peat bogs contain highly aromatic plants that when used to dry malted barley gives Ardbeg whiskies their distinctive smoky flavour. Ardbog has deep, enticing waves of pecan nuts, salty toffee & caramels, fudge, leather and a distinct whiff of herbs, lavender and violets. The smoke is soft and aromatic, and is interwoven with savoury notes, like Iberico ham (de bellota) and olives. The release of Ardbog follows the highly acclaimed Ardbeg Galileo, awarded as the World’s Best Single Malt at the World Whisky Awards earlier this year. To find out more about ARDBOG Day and becoming a committee member, visit http://www.ardbeg.com/ardbeg/members/public/index/register. Notes NZ Ardbog Day Events on Saturday 1st June: • Whisky Galore, 66 Victoria Street, Central City, Christchurch. 11-5pm • House of Whiskey, 50 Courthouse Lane, Auckland, CBD. 11-5pm Tasting Notes: Colour Deep ochre Aroma Deep, enticing waves of pecan nuts, salty toffee & caramels combine with fudge, leather and with a distinct whiff of herbs, lavender and violets. The smoke is soft and aromatic and is interwoven with salty, savoury notes, such as berico ham and olives. The addition of water brings forth herbal, perfumed notes, smoked rhubarb, aged balsamic vinegar and some salty, ‘graphite’ notes reminding you of the Manzanilla cask element. Taste/Texture A full, oily/tingly mouth feel leads into a powerful, salty, savoury burst of flavours including salted cashews and peanuts, clove, aniseed flavoured toffee, green olives and a curious hint of anchovy. A long, lingering aftertaste, in which the classic Ardbeg sweetness (like a hint of maple syrup) is kept in check by oak tannins, clove and coffee grounds. RRP $160 About Ardbeg: Ardbeg prides itself on being the ‘Ultimate Islay Malt Whisky’. Established in 1815, Ardbeg is revered by whisky connoisseurs around the world as the peatiest, smokiest and most complex of all the Islay malts. Despite this, Ardbeg is renowned for its delicious sweetness, a phenomenon that has affectionately become known as ‘the peaty paradox’.