ScotchBlog.ca Tasting Event @ Quinn's - January 28th/2012

This past January, I was invited as a reader and good friend to the ScotchBlog.ca group to join a tasting party held at Quinn's steakhouse.  Not willing to miss the chance at having 6 tastings for under $24, I jumped at the occasion.

2 flights were offered - First up was the aptly named "Smoke Ladder". We moved from lightly smokey up to full on roaring bonfires of peat with Longrow CV, Jura Superstition, and finally Ardbeg 10.  All drams were accompanied by a chef approved item to accent the natural flavours within the Scotch.  I chose to jot notes about the 2 that I don't have in my collection, Longrow CV and Ardbeg 10.

Longrow CV:

• Colour:  Very light straw, slight hints of orange/gold in the highlights.


• Body:  Thin and light, medium drops form; legs run at a medium rate.
  


• Nose:   Soft notes of heather, peat and vanilla cream.  Accents of spice cake and sweet barley.


• Palate: Spicy wood smoke, Hints of peat and candied lemon peel.  Vanilla highlights.


• Finish:  Short.  Hints of wood smoke and grainy sweets permeate. Herbal vanilla notes, and rubbed/worked oak.


• Empty Glass:  Here the barley grain and peat show up!  Roasted oats with honey, salty brine (just a hint like movie theatre popcorn).


• Paired with an chocolate bon-bon (orange creme centre), making this an excellent after dinner treat.

Ardbeg 10 Year Old:

• Colour:  Very light, in fact surprisingly so!  Certainly doesn't look like any colour added.  I'll call it sun bleached straw.


• Body: Medium, and slightly oily.  Medium sized drops; legs run slowly.  Hints at lots of flavour here, but you should know that already (you can smell the peaty fires from 3 feet away!).


• Nose:  Peat (duh!), lots of peaty fires.  Coffee grounds, fruity notes. Licorice, and dark chocolate. Real mint (like in a muddled drink)


• Palate:  Spice and smoke dominate.  Ashes mix with strong quality coffee fruitiness (not that Starbucks crap; real barista pulled stuff in a place where they care what coffee tastes like!).  Chocolate notes and hints of toffee in the background.


• Finish:  Sharp and biting.  Dry smoke and espresso.  Hints of sour peat permeate the finish.


• Empty Glass:  Smoke galore! Wood smoke, campfires, ashes and peat!  No actual notes of the oak here, the smokiness sort of takes over.


• This was served with smoked salmon on Irish soda bread.  Excellent pairing with all that smoke, almost overwhelmed the fish.

So the reasoning behind the smoke ladder was to be able to allow ourselves to genuinely enjoy monster peats without being overwhelmed by the smoke.  Moving from low to medium to high allows your senses to adjust to the amounts of peat in the Whisky and thus allows your nose to mare easily drift through the peat and smoke to find the other scents and tastes within the dram.  Excellent stuff, and a great way for anyone to get into peated whiskies!

The second flight was sweet and smoky.  This gave us a chance to calm our taste buds and enjoy some different types of smoky notes within the whisky.  This flight featured Springbank 10, Oban 14, and Connemara Peated Irish (a personal favourite of mine).  I chose to jot notes for the Springbank and the Connemara, I'm still not a great Oban fan (but I'll work on it I promise).

Springbank 10 Year Old:

• Colour:  Golden Hay


• Body:  Medium.  Large drops form with legs running slowly.


• Nose:  Worked teak (interesting of all things wooden), dried grasses, bread, dried herbs, and olives.


• Palate:  Hot and sweet on the initial rush. Sour notes like old coffee mixed with a mossy-ness and toffee candies.


• Finish:  Medium length with smoke and sharp notes.  Gentle oak and roasted almonds.


• Empty Glass:  Slight sulphur notes and roasted nuts. Worked oak and wood shop floors (like sawdust form a wood shop).


• This was served with an incredible hand made Irish blue cheese. Cashel Blue is a semi-soft mild blue cheese made from Cow's milk.  It emphasizes the salty/briny notes in the whisky and amplifies the smoky notes while providing a wonderful creamy palate for the whisky to bloom in.  Find this cheese, and have it with something smoky/briny like an Islay and see what I mean!

Connemara Peated Irish Whiskey:

• Colour:  (Try not to laugh at this one, but I have written) Honey Nut Cheerios gold.  That roasted golden colour with some brown highlights.


• Body:  Thick. Tiny drops seem to form, legs run very very slowly.


• Nose:  Pink rubber school erasers, and soft peat bogs. Sweet grains (like mashed corns, or fresh harvested wheat).  Rubber tires in the hot sun (seriously! not bad, just something astringent to bring contrast to the sweet notes). Sweet honey notes, with floral hints in the background.


• Palate:  Wood smoke and gently smouldering peat fires.  Roasted nuts and


• Finish:  Short but great!  Smoke and vanilla notes intertwine with rubber in a drawn out way through the finish.


• Empty Glass:  Sour peat and coffee grounds,  Oak and a musty note like grape mash after fermentation/extraction (or like the smell of a wine maker's cellar).


• This was served with shortbread and chocolate covered raisins, but was switched up at the last minute to what little was left of my Cashel blue.  That rich creamy and salty cheese melts and compliments peat and smoke so well.  In the case of the Connemara, the sweet pot still Irish malt lends itself even better to the cheese providing a sweet nutty note to compliment the cheese.

LCBO Vintages Release for February 2012

Well, that month seemed to blow by quickly!  Then again at only 28 days + 1 for a leap year, is a quick month.  That being said, the releases are short on numbers, but big on flavor!

February 04/2012 Release:

First up is a Kentucky bourbon! 1792 Ridgemont Reserve is a barrel select Kentucky straight bourbon.  Straight bourbon is legally defined as being over 2 years old, this one hits 8 years before it's released to the masses.  With a high rye content in the mashbill, it brings up the spice notes in the nose.  Very spicy up front (causes salivation.... even while I'm writing this now thinking about it).  Nose features spice cake, sharp rye, cracked pepper and loads of fruits and pickles (that's the rye again).  Mouth feel is very different, rich and creamy, with hints of apples and licorice in the background.  I think it's a pretty good buy, and for only $50/bottle,  it's really hard to go wrong.  Check your local LCBO [Sku#208918], for a location near you.

Second is another bottling from Welsh distillery Penderyn.  Wales is a small country located between the Irish sea and England, also holds the records for the wettest place in Europe.  That being said, there is a golden ray of light under the gray skies: Penderyn distillery.  Penderyn Sherrywood  is an excellent representation of a cask finish gone according to plan.  Buffalo Trace bourbon casks are used in conjunction with an Oloroso Sherry wood cask to create a sum greater than both parts.  Penderyn tends to be a light and floral sort of wysgi (Welsh for whisky), and marrying it with rich sherry casks brings out rich fruity notes with a wonderful smooth finish.  The combination of casks give wonderful sweet raisins, dates, caramel and custard notes on the nose.  This develops well in the glass, but the palate speaks for itself.  Creme caramel and almonds dominate, raisins and sherry soaked red fruits with a hint of bitter ginger at the end to balance it all out.  The finish is mid-length and very smooth (hence it is a favorite of mine).  Check your local LCBO [Sku #270611] for a bottle, priced at $85 and served at 46% ABV I think it's an excellent treat.

Next up is a island monster! Isle of Jura 200th Anniversary (21 Years old).  This monster comes to us courtesy of the 1963 Gonzalez Byass sherry casks that were specially selected to represent the year that Jura was reborn.  In '63, the distillery was rebuilt, and new life was breathed into both the island and the spirit.  The 21 year old spirit holds its own as an excellent example of Island whisky at it's best.  It's got a rich (assisted), golden colour that already gives me that warm fuzzy feeling inside.  The nose reveals macerated orange peel, slight hints of peat, and buried depths of dark chocolate mixed into a briny ocean spray (characteristic Isle of Jura).  The sherry influence comes in with notes of marzipan and golden raisins, rich worked leather notes.  It coats the mouth like velvet but remains dry.  The palate fills out with walnuts, dark chocolate covered almonds, roasted seaweed (think of the nori that covers your sushi), and cracked black pepper on the finish.  Excellent stuff, and served at the Jura's usual 43% ABV makes this an excellent bottle to grab and stash away for that special date.  Check you local LCBO [Sku #266700] for a bottle, priced a bit on the high side at $147, but as it's a rarity, well worth the price.

February 18/2012 release:

Only a single bottle in this round!  Many of my friends know that I'm not a big fan of The Balvenie; only going for the 21 Port wood cask (LCBO seriously over priced at $216), and the 14 Caribbean cask (much better choice at only $99).  Making a reappearance at the LCBO is the 15 year old Single Cask.  This is an excellent representation of the Balvenie signature spirit.  Offered at 50.5% ABV, this is an excellent cost/value ratio ($135/bottle).  Honey and floral notes gently waft through the nose, vanilla and gentle polished oak weave a fantastic nose that melds into the palate.  Rich honeycomb and gentle wildflowers mingle with the dry worked oak notes and toasted malt on the palate.  The finish is subtle and complex with notes of heather and more worked oak with a subtle hint of anise/licorice.  Normally I'm not a Balvenie fan, but at the price/value you'll get from this bottle at only $135, you're not going to find a better chance to get into a Bavlenie with such an excellent palate.  Check your local LCBO [Sku #366963], for your bottle.

Well that sums up the February releases.  Seems like we got spoiled this round, which leaves me wondering why? (naturally pessimistic I guess).  I have a feeling that March will be showing us the usual Irish malts in a toss out to St. Patrick's day (some of which I am a big fan).  Until next time, keep your stick on the ice and the ice out of your glass.  I'll be posting some tasting notes from my tasting experience with the guys from Scotchblog.ca, take a trip by and check out what they have to offer.

LCBO Vintages Release for January 2012

Happy New Year to all my loyal readers! With a new year comes new whisky, new friends and new events.  So what does this mean for you?  More blogging and work on my end will mean more rewards for you the reader.  That being said, lets begin with the LCBO vintages line up for January and the special imports for Robbie Burns Day.

For the January 07/2012 release we have a few peaty selections brought in specifically for the great Scot himself - Robbie Burns.  In honor of Robbie Burns Day (January 25), a feast is held in which Haggis is a central item and an Address to A Haggis is traditionally read before dinner.  Check out Robert Burns World Federation for further information on the beloved Scottish poet and for ideas to plan a Burn's night of your own.

First up a not so classic, but very becoming Bowmore.  Bowmore Laimrig (Gaelic for pier, dock, or wharf or something along those lines I'm told); is a 15 year old, heavy sherryied, cask strength, unchillfiltered Islay monster.  With notes of robust sherry, almonds, rich figs, coca and cherries are balanced with the typical wet peat, campfire smoke, sulphur, brine and burnt rubber notes of a true Bowmore.  From what I understand, the majority of this will end up in the hands of  Bowmore collectors (think of them as Coca-Cola collectors but for alcohol).  Either way this be a dragon that require slaying with some water.  By some, I mean quite a bit!  It can handle a good dollop (at 54.5% ABV), and with it reveals more rich red fruits, floral notes and quells some of the smoke and flames.  The nose softens and it becomes quite palatable.  This is a thick and heavy dram, but sold at a respectable $98.95, it's not a bad investment into a CS Bowmore.  Check your local LCBO for Sku #263681.

Also released in this round Hazelburn CV from Springbank Distillers.  This is a triple distilled Scotch from the Campbeltown region, and is made with non-peated barley.  The CV is new to the LCBO, and very similar to the Hazelburn 8 year old (with the exception being this is created from 6-10 year old casks vatted together).  For 12 dollars cheaper than the 8 year old, you'll get the lots of citrus and herbal notes on the nose.  Fresh spice cake (orange peel, ginger cloves), and vanilla on the palate.  There are some interesting and slightly unpleasant notes though like acetone, and warm blood (that metallic fruity note).  It's a medium body but short finish make for a refreshing whisky.   I don't want to come off as an ageist, but the 8 year old has much more going on and seems to have worked out the few kinks experienced here.  Check your local LCBO for Sku #262709 for the CV bottling, and Sku #180380 for the 8 year old.

Also released in this round is the Laphroaig 10.  Intricate smoke and sweet barley come through in this dram.  Jim Murray gave it a 91, and for only 10 bucks more than the quarter cask ($69.95), I think the 10 year old is a seriously good buy.  I am still working my way into the heavy peats, and I found this to be a very good representation of what a good peat is.  That being said, I'm somewhat new to peated whisky and you can take that how you will.  The nose shows immense smoke and sour peat notes.  Layers of brine, seaweed and sweet barley grains feather through the whisky.  In the mouth, the grain sweetness cuts through to take centre stage, and the olive brine follows.  There is an earthiness that accents the peat and brine making the mouth feel longer, and the finish linger. Check your local LCBO for Sku #248997, and grab yourself a bottle.

Last but not least for Robbie Burns day is another peat form the Isle of Mull.  The non peated Tobermory (brother to the peated Ledaig) arrives in a 10 year old form for $61.95. Arriving in at 46.3% ABV and 'un chillfiltered' written right on the box; this make me a pretty happy guy!  In fact, stopping by their website, they have an excellent video demonstration that shows what chillfilteration works, and what it strips out of the Whisky.  All that aside, the nose shows wonderful grassy notes with sweet cereal grains and citrus notes.  In the mouth it shows the gingerbread and fruit notes with a slight hint of brine and oak. Medium body, short finish, but an excellent whisky.   Check your local LCBO for Sku #37259 for availability.

There is one more bottle that got a special page to itself, and I'll admit I'm a huge fan of this distillery, Mortlach 15 year old.  They don't have a web page, or much information about themselves or their product.  They don't put out an original bottling, in fact the only bottle of recent memeory is the Flora & Fauna which failed to capture much of the distillery's majesty.  This whisky is another one of the core components of the Johnnie Walker blends.  Though Diageo doesn't bottle their own, some can still be found in the hands of the independent bottlers.  It's really a shame that so much gets blended down as I am in love with the complex noses and heavy, chewy flavors of Mortlach. I really believe that if they bottled their own product once in a while, they might gain their own following.  This bottling comes from Gordon & MacPhail's Distillery Labels lineup and totes an age of 15 years.  With warm sweet malt on the nose to open, flowers, fruits, maple sugar, wood smoke, and orange peel are present.  There is a sulphury note from the heavy sherry influence that somewhat dissipates, and doesn't deter from the nose.  In the mouth, rich dried fruits, with hints of sherry, chocolate, roasted almonds,  gentle dried floral notes and oranges.  This is a very well-rounded whisky with a medium finish.  An excellent addition to any collection or cabinet.  Check your local LCBO for Sku #262873, and grab a bottle for $99.95.

For the January 021/2012 release there are a few more stragglers for the Robbie Burns celebration and a few welcome additions.  Let's delve into the release and see what's worth your buck!

Let's start with the big guns this time!  Laphroaig 18 makes a reappearance at the LCBO, but at a massive cost!  $180 per bottle is a hefty fine for the golden spirit, especially when a 2 minute Google search nets me prices in the 30-40% less range.  All bitching aside, this is a wonderful dram!  Deep rich barley cream blend softly and subtly with the peaty fires of a typical Laphroiag.  This is a far deeper dram that the 10 year old, with an incredible richness that the extra few years provide. Check you local LCBO [Sku #183368] for locations.  If you happen to have an overtime cheque or 2, go for it, otherwise find it at a tasting bar or go in with a group of friends on it.

Next up, is another return for Robbie burns day, the Isle of Arran Robbie Burns single malt (see above for their connection to the World Burns Society).  This is a no age statement, 40% single malt whisky.  This is an interesting sort of dram, Arran spirit, with a younger maturation. With plenty of fresh apples and green fruits on the nose, and hints of cinnamon and ginger snap cookies.  This is a pleasing well-rounded dram, albeit simple, that will put a smile on your face and won't break your bank at only $40.  I grabbed a bottle last year around this time when they showed up, and have been pleasingly rewarded with the Arran malt.  Check your local LCBO [Sku #981084], for a bottle.

Also released is another Highland monster!  Dalmore 12 year old single malt arrives again in all it's stag head emblazoned glory.  This is a really rich dram with heavy sherry overtones, and the colour to match!  Dark amber in colour (most likely assisted via e150), and only 40% ABV.  This is possibly one of the prettiest bottles I've seen at the LCBO for an entry level whisky.  A golden stag's head is emblazoned on the front of the bottle and the black embossed labels all feature shiny gold writing.  Presentation aside, the nose shows deep rich plums, roasted almonds, orange marmalade and dark chocolate.  The palate is intense, with citrus notes dominating the palate, notes of cocoa powder, spiced coffee cake and hints of sherry pepper throughout.  The finish is excellent, starting smooth and ending up dry.  At only $65/bottle this is a definite buy for someone who wants to experience a classically styled Scotch whisky!  Check your local LCBO [Sku #38901], for locations near you.

Last up, but certainly not the least is the Dailuaine arriving via Gordon & MacPhail's Connoisseurs Choice line.  That's pronounced Dal-you-ayn for us non-Scottish folks.  This is a core component to the Johnny Walker lineup, and is a not often seen distillery.  This is another bottling from the independent Gordon & MacPhail's group, bottled at 13 years old and 43% ABV, it's not a bad deal at $65.  The nose features fresh notes of vanilla and raisins with Sherry playing the lead.  The palate is a bit harsh, with a hot notes of fruit and toffee.
  This settles down a bit with water allowing more green fruit/grassy notes and citrus to present themselves.  Not a bad dram.  Check your local LCBO for Sku #263301.

So that's quite a bit to digest for all of you, but there are quite a few good releases this month.  Check out your local LCBO and seek out a tasting bar if you can too.  This is still the best method for trying before buying, and your best chance to evaluate a bottle to see if it's worth a place within your collection. So until next time, keep your stick on the ice and the ice out of your glass!