gopherblue
Straight Flush
Gah! Rosebank AND Port Ellen! Two of my favorites! Dagnabit, why oh why didn’t I go to SQM?!?
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Official PCF Whisk(e)y Thread (62 Viewers)
- Thread starter jbutler
- Start date
Glad Paolo enjoyed them. The Rosebank was a 1990 14-year G&M, and the Port Ellen was a 1979 15-year G&M bottling.
Maybe next year I'll sponsor a special "whisky* table" on one of the early days. Glencairn glasses, maybe a new whisky each poker round. Have to open some of these older bottles -- can't leave them all to my wife when I expire.
(* Whisky _only_ -- no beer chasers allowed, Craig. Start practicing.)
Glad Paolo enjoyed them. The Rosebank was a 1990 14-year G&M, and the Port Ellen was a 1979 15-year G&M bottling.
Maybe next year I'll sponsor a special "whisky* table" on one of the early days. Glencairn glasses, maybe a new whisky each poker round. Have to open some of these older bottles -- can't leave them all to my wife when I expire.
(* Whisky _only_ -- no beer chasers allowed, Craig. Start practicing.)
That might be enough to get me to burn days off.
DrDysfunctional
Pair
For doing shots, this stuff rocks!
Milo013
Flush
Today's review is Canadian Rockies 21 yr. old Canadian Whisky. This Whisky used to only be available in Taiwan, as it was crafted for the Asian market. It only became available in Canada as of 2015. The Whisky is owned by Fountana Group in B.C. but is distilled and bottled by Highwood Distillers in Alberta. We see too few Highwood products in Ontario, so I was happy (ecstatic) to find this bottle recently, and have noticed a few more on the shelves since. The whisky is thick inside the glass, not so much tears are left behind as more of a greasy coating inside the bowl. Very interesting indeed.
There is almost no ethanol on the nose of this 46% abv whisky. Instead, caramel and butterscotch waft out of the glass, followed by some vanilla. Spices next . . . nutmeg/cloves, cinnamon. Lastly, there is a floral bouquet, just enough to catch your nose without really standing out. There is a lot going on here, and I have not even tasted anything yet.
Smooth butterscotch and caramel toffee flavours grace the palate. These are followed by a gentle warming spiciness, cinnamon and nutmeg adding heat, along with an oaky tannic dryness. A dark chocolate bitterness combines with vanilla toward a finish that, just for fun, throws in a bit of sharp citrus zest as it lingers . . . and lasts. Boy does it last. Take a breath after you first taste this whisky, and you feel a cooling, almost menthol draft across the tongue. Very nice.
Water (VERY little) changes the butterscotch/toffee to more of a creamed corn sweetness. The spiciness remains, but is more cinnamon tingle than warming, if that makes sense. More of a cocoa flavour than dark chocolate leading into the finish, which loses the citrus but not the length.
This is a very interesting Whisky . . . quite possibly my favourite Canadian Whisky to date, though I would need to do a side-by-side tasting to figure that out. It is certainly the most complex and, if I had to liken it to anything, it would be the Hibiki Japanese Whisky I reviewed some weeks back, I say that, because I keep coming back to the word "elegant" when I want to sum it up. There is an orderliness to everything about this whisky, and a harmony in how the flavours develop that makes me think of the Japanese penchant for balance. I guess that should not be surprising as this whisky was meant for that market from the outset. This might be out of most people's pricing ($113.95), but I think everyone should at least avail themselves of the chance to try it at least once.
There is almost no ethanol on the nose of this 46% abv whisky. Instead, caramel and butterscotch waft out of the glass, followed by some vanilla. Spices next . . . nutmeg/cloves, cinnamon. Lastly, there is a floral bouquet, just enough to catch your nose without really standing out. There is a lot going on here, and I have not even tasted anything yet.
Smooth butterscotch and caramel toffee flavours grace the palate. These are followed by a gentle warming spiciness, cinnamon and nutmeg adding heat, along with an oaky tannic dryness. A dark chocolate bitterness combines with vanilla toward a finish that, just for fun, throws in a bit of sharp citrus zest as it lingers . . . and lasts. Boy does it last. Take a breath after you first taste this whisky, and you feel a cooling, almost menthol draft across the tongue. Very nice.
Water (VERY little) changes the butterscotch/toffee to more of a creamed corn sweetness. The spiciness remains, but is more cinnamon tingle than warming, if that makes sense. More of a cocoa flavour than dark chocolate leading into the finish, which loses the citrus but not the length.
This is a very interesting Whisky . . . quite possibly my favourite Canadian Whisky to date, though I would need to do a side-by-side tasting to figure that out. It is certainly the most complex and, if I had to liken it to anything, it would be the Hibiki Japanese Whisky I reviewed some weeks back, I say that, because I keep coming back to the word "elegant" when I want to sum it up. There is an orderliness to everything about this whisky, and a harmony in how the flavours develop that makes me think of the Japanese penchant for balance. I guess that should not be surprising as this whisky was meant for that market from the outset. This might be out of most people's pricing ($113.95), but I think everyone should at least avail themselves of the chance to try it at least once.
DrDysfunctional
Pair
Well thanks for leaving my cough medicine whiskey in the dust. Guess I know what I should try next... a real whiskey. I still liked that bird dog.
http://www.bcliquorstores.com/product-catalogue?search=canadian+rockies .... 71.99 CAD ! Guess I'm going to pick up a bottle. Thanks for the tip.
Bobb59
Full House
Talisker storm it's very good 45.8% Single malt
Connemara blue cask irish whiskey
Paul devoille scotch whisky french it's good
Connemara blue cask irish whiskey
Paul devoille scotch whisky french it's good
Milo013
Flush
If you want to try something from Highwood's with a lower price tag, look for Centennial. It is a 10 YO blend of Rye and Wheat that sells in the LCBO for UNDER $30.00.
justsomedude
Straight Flush
Nothing fancy by any means - but I just had some shots of this at the Rockies game, and I have to say it was mighty tasty. Picked up a bottle on the way home...
I hate when people get snobby about liquor and beer. You like what you like, get what you like!
An appreciation for higher quality in anything has nothing whatsoever to do with snobism, and does not conflict at all with your second sentence.
You are correct. There's always a place for the finer things! I hope you didn't think I was calling you snobby, but I have run into people before who look down their nose at me because I am holding a Natty Boh in my hands.
Opening this tomorrow night
Hey, my brother drinks nothing but Bud Lite. Who am I to make fun of him (constantly)?
Of course, I might make fun of *you*, too, if it takes you two hands to hold one Natty Boh...
Milo013
Flush
Oh how I wish our liquor despots would bring in some High West spirits for we poor wretches in Ontario.
I like the Bourbon, and I'm a big fan of their rye, but I didn't know this one existed. I'm going hunting for it on my next visit to the liquor store.
There's usually one in each hand.Hey, my brother drinks nothing but Bud Lite. Who am I to make fun of him (constantly)?
Of course, I might make fun of *you*, too, if it takes you two hands to hold one Natty Boh...
:It was quite good.
Milo013
Flush
Something different tonight, as I will be reviewing Jura Prophecy, a Single Malt Scotch. Not only that, but a heavily peated one, at that. Peat is an acquired taste in Scotch. It is one that, until now, I have not acquired much of, if I'm honest. I have found it overpowering and off-putting to my palate. That changed with this dram, so I thought I would tell you about it. The tears are thin and streaky in the glass, taking a long time to bead. There is no age statement to this Scotch (more on that later). All that Jura does say it that it has been aged in a mix of bourbon, sherry, and limousin casks, and bottled at 46% abv. Also, this bottling is not chill-filtered.
Nosing brings smoke and brine to the front, and it stays there a good long while. There is a bit of a roofing tar smell, as well. And yes, I realize how that scans. If you wait long enough there is licorice, too. My Dutch heritage says "dropje" which is a salty licorice that is quite common there. Anything else is lost to me at this point, so lets try a sip.
After the words, "heavily peated single malt scotch whisky", you will read "Spicy Sea Spray", and this spirit is that. There is a sharp vanilla bean flavour that is accentuated by the smokiness, not so much tasted as felt within the mouth. This is immediately followed by raisins, cinnamon, and pepper notes that bring heat and sweet across the mouth. The smokiness of the peat still lingers, almost like being around a smokehouse. The finish is very nice. The peat smoke is drying, while the spiciness leaves a tingle on the sides of your tongue and, all too briefly, I can find a salty caramel note that reminds me of bourbon.
Water disperses some of the smokiness, but none of the briny quality of this Scotch. In the mouth, this translates to a sweeter, more fruit forward experience, no doubt the influence of bourbon and sherry casks. The drying quality of the finish is now less smoke, more oak tannins.
As I said, peated Scotch is an acquired taste, and I am ecstatic to be able to expand my palate because of this spirit. Unfortunately, Prophecy is a limited production bottling, as Jura intends to focus on their "core brands": three age statement Scotches, and two non-age statement labels. So I have some more research in my future, but at least I know where to start.
Nosing brings smoke and brine to the front, and it stays there a good long while. There is a bit of a roofing tar smell, as well. And yes, I realize how that scans. If you wait long enough there is licorice, too. My Dutch heritage says "dropje" which is a salty licorice that is quite common there. Anything else is lost to me at this point, so lets try a sip.
After the words, "heavily peated single malt scotch whisky", you will read "Spicy Sea Spray", and this spirit is that. There is a sharp vanilla bean flavour that is accentuated by the smokiness, not so much tasted as felt within the mouth. This is immediately followed by raisins, cinnamon, and pepper notes that bring heat and sweet across the mouth. The smokiness of the peat still lingers, almost like being around a smokehouse. The finish is very nice. The peat smoke is drying, while the spiciness leaves a tingle on the sides of your tongue and, all too briefly, I can find a salty caramel note that reminds me of bourbon.
Water disperses some of the smokiness, but none of the briny quality of this Scotch. In the mouth, this translates to a sweeter, more fruit forward experience, no doubt the influence of bourbon and sherry casks. The drying quality of the finish is now less smoke, more oak tannins.
As I said, peated Scotch is an acquired taste, and I am ecstatic to be able to expand my palate because of this spirit. Unfortunately, Prophecy is a limited production bottling, as Jura intends to focus on their "core brands": three age statement Scotches, and two non-age statement labels. So I have some more research in my future, but at least I know where to start.
Milo013
Flush
For the record, it's the wife's bottle . . . hence her lack of amusement at my borrowing a dram.
Nice write-up!
Is this "tears" a Canadian term? If it means what I think it means, I've always heard wine and whisky drinkers refer to those as "legs".
If you like exploring the boundaries of Scotch whisky, Compass Box is a good bottler to sample. Relative to this review, their Peat Monster might be eye-opening!
:
Is this "tears" a Canadian term? If it means what I think it means, I've always heard wine and whisky drinkers refer to those as "legs".
If you like exploring the boundaries of Scotch whisky, Compass Box is a good bottler to sample. Relative to this review, their Peat Monster might be eye-opening!
:
Milo013
Flush
Nice write-up!
Is this "tears" a Canadian term? If it means what I think it means, I've always heard wine and whisky drinkers refer to those as "legs".
If you like exploring the boundaries of Scotch whisky, Compass Box is a good bottler to sample. Relative to this review, their Peat Monster might be eye-opening!
Missed a bottle of Peat Monster by about an hour. Very limited availability with our liquor masters here in Ontario. I have tried a couple of their other offerings (Great King Street) and like them very much. And yes, Whisky Tears = Wine Legs.
Milo013
Flush
It is raining ice pellets outside, so a nice warming Rye Whisky is just the thing to keep one warm on the inside. Today's review is Canadian Centennial, from Highwood's Distillery in High River Alberta. It is a blend of Rye and Wheat aged in ex-Bourbon casks, as opposed to a base whisky from corn. Wheat can be tricky to work with for distilleries, as it has a tendency to turn gelatinous if not handled properly, gumming up the process lines. The whisky leaves a "ring" around the bowl of the glass, from which tears bead and streak in small rivulets.
The nosing presents floral notes associated with Rye, as well as a syrupy caramel aroma. There is also a nice tingle of esters and vanilla to be found at the top of the glass.
The first tasting is honey sweet, with just enough peppery spice to remind you that this is a Rye Whisky. The vanilla flavour adds just enough bitterness to keep the flavour from being cloying in the mouth. Instead it is very smooth and easy to enjoy. The esters noted on the nose are minimalist on the palate. This is a whisky even the most timid will be able to enjoy neat. The spiciness one expects from rye is present, but nothing in this spirit is allowed to overpower the palate. Instead, each characteristic is allowed it's place in mouthfeel . . . if you like sweet, you'll find it easily, but if your tastes run more towards the baking spice character of Rye, you will not be disappointed here. This is not a Whisky one would call bold, but rather the word "measured" comes to mind. The Rye is allowed to have it's light, but the Wheat keeps that character in line with it's soft touch. It really is quite astonishing, and shows how a different base grain can affect flavour. If you are a Bourbon lover, then the absence of corn here will be a refreshing change for you.
As I noted earlier, this is a very smooth and approachable spirit. As such, I am not going to bother with my usual habit of adding water to this one. Quite frankly, I think it would take away from what is already a damned fine Whisky experience. And, at UNDER $30.00 in the LCBO, you folks should take advantage of the opportunity to try some and decide for yourselves.
The nosing presents floral notes associated with Rye, as well as a syrupy caramel aroma. There is also a nice tingle of esters and vanilla to be found at the top of the glass.
The first tasting is honey sweet, with just enough peppery spice to remind you that this is a Rye Whisky. The vanilla flavour adds just enough bitterness to keep the flavour from being cloying in the mouth. Instead it is very smooth and easy to enjoy. The esters noted on the nose are minimalist on the palate. This is a whisky even the most timid will be able to enjoy neat. The spiciness one expects from rye is present, but nothing in this spirit is allowed to overpower the palate. Instead, each characteristic is allowed it's place in mouthfeel . . . if you like sweet, you'll find it easily, but if your tastes run more towards the baking spice character of Rye, you will not be disappointed here. This is not a Whisky one would call bold, but rather the word "measured" comes to mind. The Rye is allowed to have it's light, but the Wheat keeps that character in line with it's soft touch. It really is quite astonishing, and shows how a different base grain can affect flavour. If you are a Bourbon lover, then the absence of corn here will be a refreshing change for you.
As I noted earlier, this is a very smooth and approachable spirit. As such, I am not going to bother with my usual habit of adding water to this one. Quite frankly, I think it would take away from what is already a damned fine Whisky experience. And, at UNDER $30.00 in the LCBO, you folks should take advantage of the opportunity to try some and decide for yourselves.
justsomedude
Straight Flush
Looks like it's made at the Buffalo Trace distillery. Sounds like it's pretty good... https://www.esquire.com/food-drink/drinks/a27820/pappy-van-winkle-idiots-guide/
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