Featured Drams & Cocktails
Today we bring you a series of bottlings that are just approaching entry into the
Wemyss Malts:
Today we being you a series of bottlings that are just approaching entry into the US andwe hope will be available in a fewmonths time. They will be debuting in the
The Smooth Gentleman
40% abv
The golden amber colour of this vatted malt suggests the blending of some older than 8 year whisky in the bottle or at least some truly excellentquality wood. On the nose, a classic toffee, sweet and smooth, with a light, easy mouth feel. True from nose to palate the whisky gives a sweet and gentle honey impression going in; lavender and light floral fade to a long finish of licorice and rose.Well balanced and fully enjoyable. A whisky for any occasion.
The Spice King
40% abv
Although an admirable vatting on it’s own, this is the least impressionable of the trio. Delicate to the point of disappearing on the nose, this whisky comes back to life on the palate and isdistinctly less sweetthan the Smooth Gentleman. Perhaps not as spicey as the name might suggest, this is nonetheless a well balanced and very approachable spirit experience. Add a drop of water and the nose and palate open to sweet hay and a touch of coriander. Medium finish and a gentle mouth feel complete the picture
***The Peat Chimney***
40% abv
Without a doubt the crown jewel of the trio. Don’t shy away from this dram if you are adverse to heavily peated whiskies. The peat treatment in this bottling will surprise and delight even those who turn their noses up normally at
On the nose….a stunner of freshly steamed lobster dipped in warm, wafting melted butter!! What a treat! I was almost afraid to drink it and possibly lose that first olfactory impression…but this fine vatting quelled my fears on the palate. True to the original nose the sweet character of this peat is absolutely a delight and highly unusual! Truly the word ‘delicious’ came to mind as the whisky floated across my tongue. A lingering finish of smoke infused honey and anise leave a great sense of calm and satisfaction at the end of this fine dram. Looking forward to keeping this one in my collection on a permanent basis!
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Bluecoat American Dry Gin
47% abv
Approx $30.00 retail
I love it when a bottle is so beautiful that I know I’ll be keeping it for flowers long after the spirit inside is gone…and I’m sure this one is going to go empty VERY quickly!
Bluecoat Gin is one of the most stunningly refreshing and cleanly aromatic gins I’ve tasted in the past several years. (see our earlier gin review notes for comparisons on several artisanal gin brands) As our choices of artisanal and organic botanical gins explode on the spirits scene, this recent creation holds it’s own in any lineup. Fresh and citrusy with a perfectly pronounced amount of juniper (organic berries are used in the making) this is a gin lover’s delight. Essence of lime zest and kiwi work their way through a light hint of coriander and finish with the clarity and mouth feel of a pure mountain spring water. Lovely on it’s own with a twist of lemon and fully open in it’s taste spectrum when mixed with tonic, this gin deserves all the acclaim it can get! Look for the azure blue thickly glassed bottle and pull that cork soon!
Available now on both east and west coasts
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KNAPPOGUE CASTLE
15 Year Old Limited Edition
Irish Single Malt AGED 15 Years, Distilled at Bushmills, Bottled and Imported by Castle Brands
What a brilliant addition to the Castle Brands portfolio and the Knappogue Castle collection of Irish Single Malt Whiskeys. It's great to see the continuation of committment the Castle Brands people have demonstrated over the last 10 years in bringing truly excellent Irish single malts into the mainstream of spirits awareness.
Carefully selected casks of extra aged malt have resulted in a bottling with an extraordinary nose. Far more complex on the nose than other Irish singles available, this limited bottling expresses itself with a deeply malty essence surrounded by light citrus, vanilla, cream and toffee. Slight fragrance of fresh grass and a hint of orange come through. On the palate, this whiskey is true and balanced, light in first impression and deepens to a cotton candy and butterscotch experience with a gentle mouthfeel. Afterthoughts of milk chocolate and more toffee as it finishes. A lovely whiskey all around...and another feather in the cap of Castle Brands.
Limited availability. Check with the best shops only for this bottling and hope for another round if you miss out on this first edition!
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RENDEZVOUS RYE
High West Distillery, Park City Utah
Ever try a whiskey, expecting it to be pretty good and find yourself absolutely stunned at its beauty, style and plain old incredible delicious-ness?? I dont stun easily, but this whiskey is a dream come true!!
Starting with the visual treat that is the fascinating pressed antique glass bottle to the label art, let your eyes feast on the design and conceptual work of creator David Perkins. Enjoy the rich amber hue of the spirit through the clear glass. After you've had enough eye candy, take a nose of this deep, toffee, molasses, sage and chocolate whiskey. Deep raisin and hints of thyme follow through. When you finally take a sip give it time to mellow in the mouth and finally let it slip down your throat with a velvet caress. Here is a whiskey with the unusual trait of having all the aromas come through on the palate as well as in the nose!
This whiskey is WAY too good for anyone's first release, Dave!!! I can only say-congratulations and please send me another bottle. Truly folks---you cant let this one pass you by.....and if you never thought you were a Rye lover....prepare to have a huge change of heart!
Check the High West site for availability of this limited release treasure: www.highwestdistillery.com
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A New Year with an old friend who has never let us down…..
Arbeg 10 year old
Source: Ardbeg Distillery,
Bottle: Classic Ardbeg Gaelic lettering and symbols in a dark glassed handsome vessel
Strength: 46% British table strength
Non chill filtered
Visual: Pleasantly rich warm gold colour with great viscosity
On Nose: smoky sweet without the often found rancid bacon quality some highly peated malts present. Instead this nose is gentle with just enough peat to please yet allows the coming taste array to hint through.
On the Palate: Excellent marriage of honey and smoke; deep rush of anise at first swallow and a back taste of light coriander. Ends with a hint of raspberry essence in the lingering licorice. Full and well balanced; soft enough to truly enjoy without any added water even at 46%.
Pulling the cork on a bottle of Ardbeg and letting the first smoky aroma escape and drift past one’s nose is like seeing an old friend after many years and feeling like your relationship never missed a beat. One of the true classics of the single malt world, Ardbeg never disappoints and often reaches heights of taste experience that are almost never matched.
The current release of a non chill filtered Ardbeg 10 year old maintains the promise of excellence we expect from a dram created at this end island distillery on
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There’s nothing like a dark overcast afternoon that smells of snow to do a bit of sampling.
Im off to virtual Speyside now to take a good nose/look and taste of two of the Tomintouls that are imported into the
Tomintoul 10
Source: Tomintoul Disillery Speyside-Glenlivet
Bottle: Standard Scotch whisky bottle with a lovely painting of the green hills of the region.
Strength: 40%
Self Described: Great emphasis on the Ballantruan spring water which runs by the distillery, and adds to the gentleness and purity of the whisky. Gentle character is the emphasis here.
Visual: lovely burnished honey colour , syrupy appearance
On the Nose: Soft on the nose…NOT to be interpreted as weak, but rather a brush of butter , sweet lemon and centeloupe with no ‘bite’
On the Palate: Quite smooth and viscous with a tiny tingle as the spirit goes to the far sides of the tongue. A very slightly bitter, yet marvelously pleasing start turns into light lime and brown sugar. Sweet and warm!
Definitely a great whisky for the beginner as it has no harsh or negative qualities and although light and not overly complex, it is balanced and wonderfully straightforward. This is a definite ‘always on the bar’ bottle for a home collection. You will find yourself reaching for it as a singularly comfortable dram. Very pleasing.
Tomintoul 16 year old
Source: Tomintoul Distillery Speyside-Glenlivet
Bottle: Standard-lovely art of
Strength: 40%
Self Described: as for 10 yo
Visual: light golden colour, lighter than the 10! Lovely hanging legs in the glass
On the Nose: sweetened peatiness (mild), much rounder aromas than the 10; predicts a more complex palate..?
On the Palate: same soft syrup mouth feel as 10 with a similar pleasing bitter tang at opening. Moves rapidly to a very full butterscotch candy and slight breath of thyme
Another very enjoyable dram with excellent mass appeal rather than stark traits. Another good ‘keeper’ for the home bar with its approachability and versatile warmth and sweetish character.
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And now for something completely different!
Spice Tree- The Inaugural Edition
Source: Compass Box Whisky
Bottle: The easily recognized Compass Box classic bottle, tall and elegant with yet another highly creative 'label-as-art'
Strength: 46%
Self Described: Vatted Malt Scotch whisky, partially aged in a virgin French oak usually reserved for fine wines
Visual: As with all the Compass Box bottlings, the art and beauty of the label and bottle meld into the visual experience of the whisky. Spice Tree is a mellow golden colour strikingly like the inner petals of the sunflowers I had growing outside the office window the first time I tried it.
On the Nose: Deep and rich, sweet and alluringly warm with hints of clove and cinnamon; lingering slight musk
On the Palate:
Special Note: My impression of Spice Tree for this sampling has been influenced by some new aromas in my life that have given me a whole range of first time descriptors. I’ve been having an entire room built in my old farmhouse with a combination of cherry, oak, chesnut, poplar and walnut woods. These fragrances, along with the natural vegetable oils that they are being conditioned with daily has contributed to my ability to define the Spice Tree essences with a new spectrum of aromas. This is why I’ve chosen to write it up now despite having had it in hand since it first came to the US a couple years ago (has it been that long?/)
So here goes:
First: this is a whisky of profound depth and layer after layer of flavour. The striking notes are of a sweet toffee, freshly ground cinnamon and a rich Zepherin Drouhin rose, blooming in a warm sun (really!!) But continuing on behind these first layers there unfolds the impressions, on both nose and palate, of freshly sawed cherry wood rubbed in natural oils. The earthy, yet delicate flavours /aromas of the wood/oil bring a layer of changable experience to this whisky that take you back to this bottle time and time again. Tiny flashes of dark chocolate also filter through and the overall impression is one of total satisfaction.
The highest compliment I can offer is to say: This is a complete whisky…
Finally! Weather cool enough to make an evening of whisky sampling a real joy.
This write up focuses on two American whiskeys, as different as night and day and both fascinating drams. Some of you may have trouble locating these spirits in a local shop, but now we can all be grateful for the existence of internet online spirits shops. Several bricks and mortar stores are doing easy mail order (Park Avenue Liquors in NYC, K&L Wine Merchants and Beverages and More in California, Sam’s in Chicago to name a few) with varying policies on shipping to all 50 states (or not). We also have the newer ‘online only’ shops, most of which are shipping everywhere. Try MondoLiquor or the soon to open internet community www.forscotchlovers.com to find the unusual and limited whiskies and artisanal spirits you may be seeking out.
Stranahan’s Colorado Whisky, Batch 10
Source: Stranahan Distillery,
Bottle: Totally straightforward with an ‘old’ feel to the labeling. Tall dark and handsome!
Strength: 47%
Self Described: ‘hand made, small batch’ No age statement or additive statement
Visual: The penultimate whiskey colour..cordovan leather with burnished gold lights. Lovely legs in the glass
On the Nose: Licorice and tupelo honey; carmelized sugar and cherries
On the Palate: extremely soft mouthfeel; washes in with immediate bing cherry followed by light vanilla, cotton candy and Heath bar/toffee resonating along the way
Don’t add any water to this one! Take it as it comes out of the bottle…maybe even warm, it a bit, and forget about having dessert that night unless it’s another dram of this whiskey. Absolutely a sweet-lover’s dream. A great whiskey for people who automatically say they don’t like whiskey…this will change their mind and drinking habits. Too yummy to be trusted—don’t sit down alone with a bottle!
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Now a trip back to the east coast and the
Wasmund’s Single Malt
‘Super Chip Limited Edition Bottling’
Distiller Ric Wasmund’s batch bottlings have been progressing beautifully over the past few years as this distillery develops, but he has really hit the mark with the Super Chip! The process at Copper Fox is completely unique…single malt whiskeys aged in bourbon barrels but carefully selected (and hand hewn by the distiller) chips of applewood are added to each cask during this stunningly short aging process. The resulting whiskey has the character, colour and depth of whiskeys many, many years older. Traditionalist who snub this bottling will be making a huge mistake! And on an added note...visit this distillery which has it's own maltings floors!!
Source: Copper Fox Distillery,
Bottle: Standard Scotch whisky bottle, hand labeled and wax dipped (silver top for this limited edition). Simple and attractive bottling
Strength: 59% Be sure to add about 20% spring water to get the full benefit of this spirits delicious potential. The cask strength at bottling is too harsh when left on it’s own.
Visual: Lovely colour; Nothing other than wood gives this whiskey it’s beauty. No additives, colouring etc. are employed here.
On the Nose: Cold fresh snow/ice; fresh sage and a back hint of chive flowers...very interesting!
On the Palate: Super soft mouthfeel with spring water added ; Butterscotch and sage; chocolate and sweet yams. Warm and delicately sweet and WAY more complex than it’s age should allow!
A product born of creative thinking and a distiller who is not bound by traditional ways results in a brilliant bottling. Soft yet bold enough to stand up and take it’s place among truly fine spirits. Malt character is balanced and highly appealing. Grab one of these bottles (or two or three) before they are gone. When a distillery this small says ‘limited edition’ they really mean it! Call Copper Fox Distillery directly to find out where you can buy this very worthy whiskey.
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Seven Gins from the Independent Spirits Fest!
Out here on the east coast, my gardens are absolutely bursting with fresh herbs and since I can only eat just so much, I've decided to do some summer infusions with gins for the best G&T's ever.
Gin is such a historically interesting beverage and really not given the attention it deserves--perhaps because the actual distilling is not the complex aspect but rather the nuances of infusion bring the spirit into a higher realm. I find that most of the readily availble gins are either too much of a botanical mishmosh on the palate or too boring! So preparing your own, which is so simple, is the way to go.
My preferences are for a citrusy and very fresh flavour character and Im a lime freak so I always add a huge squeeze of fresh lime to the finished cocktail.
Start with a very basic gin like
Be Creative but here's an example:
Cut a fresh bunch of coriander and fresh mint.
Put the citrus peelings into the bottle and take 3-5 sprigs offresh cilantroand 2 springs of mint - (sprigs being the length of the stem cut off just about the soil line) . You can use spearmint or even varieties like pineapple mint or chocolate mint...just experi-mint!
Recap the bottle or if you really want to get artisanal, decant it all into another vessel with a cork, and place it in the refrigerator for at least a week. When the time comes to try your creation, pour an ounce of your citrus and herabl infused gin in a tall glass or full bulbed wine glass ( my preference!) add ice and then tonic to top. Stir gently, add a fresh pinch of mint leaves and a healthy squeeze of lime.
Relax, cool off and enjoy!
On to the Gins.....
It’s hard to imagine that 10 or 12 years ago if someone had asked me to do a write up of tasting notes on a series of gins I would have probably found a nice way to tell them I was too busy and then had a good laugh with my whisky mates over it. The very idea that white spirits could be worth the time and energy wasn’t even worth considering. So I didn’t…and look what I missed! Ten or so years of exploring a whole new world of amazing spirits. But there’s no use looking back and here and now are at least 7 new reasons to look forward…and to keep doing so!
- First lesson learned….complexity comes in all colours (or lack thereof), shapes and sizes
- Second lesson learned…anything distilled has the potential to be amazing…especially when married to the right botanicals
- Third lesson learned…don’t be such a freakin’ snob!! Open your eyes and just dive in and decide what’s good AFTER you try it!!!
Here we go: Straighforward notes to be followed in a couple days with a list of custom G&T’s for these specific gins
Website links to all the gins below are on the Independent Spirits Fest 2007 Exhibitors page of the CelticMalts.com site
Noted in order of tasting only, not necessarily preference. Being so presumptive as to tell you what you’ll like best isn’t the way we do things around here! You can read between the lines..and these should give you some great direction to a world of wonderfulness.
Desert Juniper Gin
Source: Bendistillery,
Bottle: Un-gin-like frosted wine style bottle with a lovely homemade look to the label
Strength: 41% ABV
Self described: No chemicals or aromatic fragrances
Northwest botanicals and wild mountain juniper berries only
Visual: Pale yellow green/attractive syrupy viscosity with beautiful legs on the glass
On the Nose: Fresh lime top note with bayberry, chrysanthemum floating through/ends of cinnamon..delightfully clean
Palate: Beautiful soft mouthfeel; Round tastes of Sweet dry lavender and melting demarara sugar. Very complex and filled with nature. Very clean finish
A huge favorite and a stunning gin. Like walking through a wildflower garden on a damp morning. Heady and refreshing with an alluring sweetness. A sipping, stand alone gin as well as an inspirational cocktail ingredient.
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Source: Bendistillery,
Bottle: Another frosted wine style bottle.
Strength: 47.5% ABV
Self Described: Crafted with handpicked wild juniper berries
Visual: Palest yellow, sauterne like in colour. Sparkingly clean.
On the Nose: Slightly medicinal compared to the Desert Juniper ; less botanical impression but very clean and easily citrus
Palate: Lemon fresh with no sweetness. Very straightforward. Not much complexity bt that’s a good thing in this gin!
Totally honest and without pretense. Definitely a superior mixer and would ‘play well with others’ in so many cocktail variations.
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Source: Sweet Grass Farm Distillery,
Bottle: Elegant eau de vie style. Definitely suits this creation
Strength: 43% ABV
Visual: barely discernable palest green
On the Nose: When first nosed from the bottle’s aroma concentrating neck, a gentle sweet flowery impression of rose and slight apricot
When released into the glass and swirled; Butter, cream, brown sugar and fresh lime
Palate: Damask rose, blueberry and fresh citrus. Back hints of a freshly made castile soap—very, very pleasant.
The almost addictively complex flavour tapestry of this gin keeps one thinking of it at the end of a day and looking forward to another
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DH Krahn
Source: Concept created by Scott Krahn and David Hughes of
Bottle: Current sophisticate; oh so NYC; Mondrian on a bottle
Strength: 40%ABV
Visual: As clear as it gets! Pure.
On the Nose: surprisingly buttery, mint and mild citron peel
Palate: A truly sensual mouth-feel. Heavenly sweet without being at all cloying; cotton candy, marshmallow and the lightest suggestion of orange. Really unusual and delicious!
What a treat! Such an individualistic gin yet so incredibly appealing in so many ways. Sip away or get creative in cocktails with this one.
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Zuidam Dry Gin
Source: Distilled in the
Bottle: Imposing presence, handsome and clean lined
Strength: 44.5%ABV
Visual: truly clear and clean
On the Nose: Pineapple and rose essences
Palate: Striking 7-up lemony sweetness with hints of rose and pistachio. Lovely and very, very easy to drink! Clear and light overall.
A refreshingly light gin with soft fragrance and mouthfeel. Highly approachable and pleasing. A true summertime gin!
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Damrak
Source: Distilled in the
Bottle: Militaristic and bold; very unique. Keeps what is in the bottle a mystery worth exploring!
Strength: 41.8%ABV
Self Described: Based on an original recipe from the 1700's, Netherlands
Visual: perfectly clear and bright
On the Nose: Ginger Ale, lime and a whiff of sage
Palate: an extraordinary and striking raspberry taste which soon mellows to a yellow layer cake flavour with very warm apricot finish. Very complex!
This highly distinctive gin is one that reveals itself differently through a series of sips. Complex, certainly it’s ‘own person’ and extremely fun to experience as the layers unfold!
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Blackwood’s Vintage Gin
Source: Inver House distilled and press layered with hand gathered Shetland Isle botanicals. Limited availability in
Bottle: Reminiscent of an
Self described: Hand picked wild Shetland botanicals; Nordic theme
Visual: palest green, lovely viscosity
On the Nose: Briskly juniperish with lovely citrus and mild mint wafting through
Palate: A crisp, lemony gin with a refreshing hit of mint and a lingering touch of coriander. Absolutely brilliant in a G&T with fresh herbs muddled in (mint/coriander/basil work best)
A great all year round cocktail gin that never strays from it’s original taste impressions. Delicious and very true to itself.
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NEXT WEEK: Customized G&T’s with each of our 7 gins.
If you need help locating any of the above gins, contact us through this site and we’ll help you out.
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Compass Box Oak Cross
Once again John Glaser has come up with something no one else in the whisky world has done and the results are purely spectacular.
The creation of Oak Cross gives us a vatted malt (the 'marrying' of 3 single malt whiskies from hand selected casks) of great character yet one that is soft and fruity with a velvety mouthfeel and no peaty overtones.There are hints of clove-like spiciness and apple with a lingering vanilla in this wonderfully approachable bottling.
Oak Cross began as an experiment in mixed wood maturation and is the result of whisky aged in first fill bourbon casks combined with whiskies aged in Compass Box proprietary casks of American and new Sessile French oak as a second maturation. Bottled at 43% with no chill filtering, colour addition, this is one of the most innovative and delicious whiskies to ever hit the shelves.
The casks of whiskies selected for Oak Cross come from Clynelish, Teaninnich and Dailuaine distilleries. The casks that Compass Box had specially made to continue maturation consist of French Oak heads and American Oak bodies! The developing whiskies mellowed to perfection in this unique 'home' and the ensuing bottlings are not to be passed by.
Simple Summer Cocktail Ideas
Out here on the east coast, my gardens are absolutely bursting with fresh herbs and since I can only eat just so much, I've decided to do some summer infusions with gins for the best G&T's ever.
Gin is such a historically interesting beverage and really not given the attention it deserves--perhaps because the actual distilling is not the complex aspect but rather the nuances of infusion bring the spirit into a higher realm. I find that most of the readily availble gins are either too much of a botanical mishmosh on the palate or too boring! So preparing your own, which is so simple, is the way to go.
My preferences are for a citrusy and very fresh flavour character and Im a lime freak so I always add a huge squeeze of fresh lime to the finished cocktail.
Start with a very basic gin like Plymouth or Gordons or any that arent heavily infused or invested with botanicals already. It can be a pretty inexpensive one--dont let the marketing hype and fancy ads pull on your wallet!
Be Creative but here's an example:
Cut a fresh bunch of coriander and fresh mint. Wash and air dry while you peel the zest from half a lemon and a couple srtips of lime. Press the zest strips lightly with the back of a fork to release the oils. For a 750 bottle of gin, pour off abour 1-2 ounces so that the bottle isnt quite full.
Put the citrus peelings into the bottle and take 3-5 sprigs of fresh cilantro and 2 springs of mint - (sprigs being the length of the stem cut off just about the soil line) . You can use spearmint or even varieties like pineapple mint or chocolate mint...just experi-mint!
Recap the bottle or if you really want to get artisanal, decant it all into another vessel with a cork, and place it in the refrigerator for at least a week. When the time comes to try your creation, pour an ounce of your citrus and herabl infused gin in a tall glass or full bulbed wine glass ( my preference!) add ice and then tonic to top. Stir gently, add a fresh pinch of mint leaves and a healthy squeeze of lime.
Relax, cool off and enjoy!
