What whisk(e)y are we drinking? (Part 2)
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Was working the last few days and the missus is away so Monday and Tuesday are my weekend and I'm planning to go through a good few samples! First up is JJ Corry The Battalion.
A blend made up of 40% 13 year old single malt finished for 9 months in Mezcal casks, 30% 9 year old grain finished in tequila casks for 7 months and 30% 9 year grain finished for 7 months in Mezcal casks. 41% abv and limited to 700 bottles.
I've been trying Mezcal over the past year and it's something I've been enjoying more and more of so this is one I've been looking forward to. It didn't disappoint. Notes of apples, pears, vanilla, sweet honey and White pepper. Grassy and vegetal from the agave with hints of cucumber and aloe vera. No sign of smoke from the mezcal. A really nice and unusual whiskey.
Next up is some Springbank 12 year old Cask Strength. A lightly peated whisky at 57.1% which has been distilled 2.5 times which means some was double distilled and some triple.
This is gorgeous. A light peaty smoke. Citrus fruits, cinnamon spice, dark chocolate, sea salt, creamy mouth feel with a dry sweetness. Right up my street and on the list for a full bottle.
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Three more tonight. Heading to Japan, Kentucky and Leitrim.
Taketsuru Pure Malt
A no age statement blended malt whisky from Nikka. 43%. Contains around 10 year old malt. A lingering peat smoke in the background. Dark chocolate and dark fruits, coffee. A nice pleasant whisky I'd try again.
Makers Mark 46.
Supposedly a step up from the standard Makers Mark which I haven't tried. 47%. Creamy vanilla toffee, fruit, oak, spice, maple syrup. Buttery mouth feel. Not overly sweet. For under €40 I think this is worth trying a bottle.
Drunshanbo single pot still.
In the winter I sometimes make porridge with a dash of cream and a dash of whiskey which I top with honey and some nuts. That's what this is with some cinnamon spice thrown into the mix. A lovely whiskey and one which I don't think has been in the conversation as much as it should be. I have a full bottle of the inaugural release that I got as a present and I'll definitely be opening it soon.
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With dwindling stocks, high prices and doubts around some of its authenticity I have always found that reality doesn’t quite live up to the hype around Japanese whisky.
India for me is where it is these days for an interesting world whisky experience with the Amrut distillery one of those leading the charge.
Amrut Fusion is a single malt which gets its name by using both Indian barley and peated barley imported from Scotland. At 50% this was aged in ex bourbon barrels. It has no age statement but it’s a young whisky due to the high humidity which ages the whisky quicker than it would in Ireland.
This is a top tier Indian whisky. Fresh tropical fruits with a gentle peat smoke. A creamy and very rich mouthfeel. Spiced Christmas cake and caramel. A long and luxurious finish. Superb stuff altogether.
Kyro Malt Rye is the first Finnish rye whisky and a first Finnish whisky for me. I could also probably count on one hand the amount of Rye whisky I've tried so I'm coming at this almost blind. Distilled from Finnish malted rye and aged in virgin American oak casks this was bottled at 47.2%.
I get earthy notes. Fresh cut grass, creamy vanilla, fruit and spice. Lots of spice! There is a lot going on and I'm not sure what I make of it. I don't know if this is a good rye or a good Finnish whisky. I do like it but the flavours are different to what I'm used to. I'd drink a glass again but couldn't see myself sitting nursing a bottle. Maybe that could change if I experience more rye. As a glassware obsessive they do get a bonus point for giving me the very nice free glass.
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To chip in on the Aldi Kyasuku: I wasn’t impressed with my first pour. Lime and sandalwood smell but in a synthetic kitchen cleaner way. Pineapple and grapefruit taste but it’s thin and sharp and tingly - reminded me of mouthwash.
ill work through it some more, but first impressions and all that….
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Uncle Nearest 1856
£55 from Master of Malt
My only real experience of Tennessee whiskey is of the Jack Daniels variety. Interestingly or cynically depending on your view Uncle Nearest refers to the first African American master distiller and the man who taught Jack Daniels how to make whiskey. Formed only a few years ago the liquid in this is sourced from neighbouring distilleries.
Made from a mash bill of 84% Corn with a healthy dose of Rye thrown into the mix although the exact amount hasn’t been disclosed. First impressions are that this is very loud and very brash. Bottled at 50% and it shows. Angels delight butterscotch made with whiskey rather than milk. Apple flapjacks with vanilla and spice. Loads of wood comes through from the virgin American oak barrels. I’ve learnt that rye equals spice and that is here in abundance. I like it!
Glengoyne The legacy series chapter two
€90 from Celtic Whiskey
My first ever glass of Glengoyne was at Christmas a few years ago when I was generously gifted a sample of the Glengoyne 25 year old. One of the great Scottish whiskys and one of my favorite whiskeys I've tried. They call crack cocaine the broken promise as the high you get the first time is never repeated. Starting with that 25 year old has left me chasing that promise every since when it comes to Glengoyne.
Known for its sherry finishes Glengoyne have the slowest stills in Scotland which help impart beautiful fruity notes. Glengoyne Legacy Series Chapter 2 is finished in 17% first fill sherry casks, 48% first fill bourbon and 35% refill oak casks.
The nose is pure tropical. Pineapples, ripe bananas and coconut. It’s so tropical that if you put your ear to it you might hear a steel drum in the distance. Creamy vanilla with dark fruits. A warm finish. This is a pleasant whisky worth trying but it’s not a must have. The promise remains broken.
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