2023 24 Days of Whisk(e)y - Day 24

Day 24 ... end of the line. Tonight, something special - Lagavulin 12 Year Cask Strength Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky, 57.3% ABV... "The Flames of the Phoenix" Special Release 2022. This includes the usual refilled American oak casks along with virgin oak casks, which is a bit unusual for a Scotch.

On the nose, I get a warm smoke, malt, some rubber, a touch of iodine, and maybe a touch of brine as well. Nothing is overpowering, and added all together, this is really nice and inviting. At first it did come across as a bit sharp, but as it sits is seems to mellow out a bit and really becomes nice and balanced. The taste - the first note is a spicy heat, then the malt, iodine and some salty brine. The finish I get a strong spicy tingle with a touch of numbness, malt, earthy peat, wood dryness in the back. Late in the finish I get a campfire smoke and ash. The finish is nice and long.

With water, the nose is similar, probably not as sharp, still very nice. The taste is a bit less hot pepper, probably more malt sweetness. The finish seems to jump to the wood and smoke quicker, but it does still linger for quite some time. Overall, this is really good. I have the 2018 version of this 4 or so years ago, and I do have a sample of that saved - so I'll have to try these two side by side at some point to see which I like better. I'll give this a 4.5/5.0 ... cheers, and Merry Christmas everyone!
 

2023 24 Days of Whisk(e)y - Day 23

Saturday! Next to last day for 2023's 24 Days of Whisk(e)y ... tonight we are drinking a local PDX product, Westward American Single Malt, Cask Strength, 62.5% ABV. I reviewed this about 3 years ago, and I wasn't sure if the product would be the same or not. It did well in that review, so I thought I'd try it again.

On the nose, first thing that hits you is a malty sweetness, along with some black tea, honey, some proof burn. There is also this bit of funk that nearly all PNW American Single Malts (and some bourbons as well) have. It's a lot more subtile on this one than on the lower proof Westward, but it's still there. The taste - the proof burn is hard to miss on a larger sip, but on a smaller sip, it's not as much in your face. I get the malt sweetness, black tea, honey, some sort of mystery fruit I can't quite place (or a sweetness I can't quite place that reminds me of fruit anyway...), it might be cherry. The finish, malt sweetness, a nice warm tingle, the black tea... the malt sweetness lasts a long time in the finish.

With water, the nose is muted quite a bit. The proof burn is gone, but so is most everything else. It's a bit odd. On the taste, I get more black tea, some burnt brown sugar shows up. The finish is similar to before. The malty sweetness is still there from start to finish, and is really the number one thing I can say about this. I'm enjoying it - but it that isn't your thing, you will not likely enough this one. Overall, I do like this. I compared it to the Cedar Ridge QuintEssential from the other night, and I do like this one better, and so I am going to give this a 4.0/5.0 - it checks the boxes for me, cheers!

2023 24 Days of Whisk(e)y - Day 22

Friday! Day 22 ... meandering to the finish line (: Today, we have Lucky Seven Double Oak, The Holiday Toast, Batch 06 (2022), 57.5% ABV, Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. This is a sourced whiskey, distilled by Bardstown Bourbon Company, then double oak finished, secondary finished in toasted new American oak. I've had another Lucky Seven release before, and it was quite tasty... let's see how this one is.

On the nose, I get spearmint gum, cherry, and a neutral syrup. While the nose isn't overly complex, it is quite enjoyable. The taste I get cherry, oak, pepper, cinnamon, and corn syrup. The finish has a nice warmth, cherry frosting, cinnamon, and oak. It lingers for quite some time. This is a solid bourbon for sure.

With water, the nose has more corn syrup and oak. The taste is similar to before - maybe more cinnamon. The finish is boosted a bit - with more wood and cinnamon that lingers and lingers. Overall, this is very good... probably my favorite bourbon of the 4 I had during 24 Days of Whisk(e)y this year, and one of my favorite bourbons I've had (granted, I've never had any of the crazy good things that are impossible to find). Can't quite go with a 4.0 on this, so it's rated 3.75/4.0. Cheers!

2023 24 Days of Whisk(e)y - Day 21

Thursday! And the holiday weekend has started for me ... no work until Wednesday, woo! Tonight, drinking Redbreast Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey, American Oak Series, 50.5% ABV. This one starts off like many Redbreasts do... triple distilled, matured in ex-bourbon and Spanish Oloroso Sherry casks, then finished in new Kentucky Oak barrels. How much difference will this make, time to find out.

On the nose, I get floral, apple, malt, sweet cream frosting, brown sugar and some wood. The taste... cereal, malt, oak, sweetness, honey, and a little pepper in the back. The finish is oak, honey and a touch of mint freshness.

With water, this seems better balanced. I can't place my finger on it exactly, but it is more enjoyable. The nose is more floral along with the sweet cream frosting, the taste is more honey sweet, and the finish improves overall. I tasted this next to a Redbreast 12 Year Cask Strength I had (batch B2/19) and I do prefer the 12 Year Cask Strength over this one. It's close though, but since the American Oak Series is a limited edition, it does cost more ($110 vs $100 currently in Oregon) and can be harder to find. I will likely not hunt for another one anytime soon (: Still, this is good, and I'll rate it 3.75/5.0

 

2023 24 Days of Whisk(e)y - Day 20

Whisk(e)y Wednesday!!! Woot Woot! Tonight, something I've been wanting to try for quite some time, finally picked up a bottle, so here we go. Longrow Peated Campbeltown Single Malt Whisky, from The Springbank Distillery, no age statement, 46% ABV. It's so fancy it comes in a 700ml bottle instead of a 750ml bottle (:

On the nose... oh, this is going to be good. At first, I get a touch of iodine and medicinal peat, a little bit of brine, meat bbq, rich malt. I swear every time I go back to the nose, I can find something new. The taste I get the malt, of course - and the peat, smoke, char, and a fruit cherry note. Peppery near the end with a good tingle. The finish I get some char, some malt, some salty too. This is interesting in all the good ways and I could see drinking a few pours of this over an evening and finding something new every time.

With water, the nose is more salty, and I think I'm getting some milk chocolate too. The taste is a bit sweeter, it reminds me of sweetened condensed milk ... or maybe caramel. The finish is sweeter too. It still has all the other stuff on the taste and finish, but it's just overall sweeter and more mellow. It's worth trying neat and with water in my opinion.

Overall, this is very good ... not quite into the 'great' territory, but very good. I had to try this vs. the Lagavulin Offerman Edition from Day 14... and it holds it's own. Depending on the mood, I could like either this one or that one better on the day, and so I'll rate it the same - 4.25/5.0

2023 24 Days of Whisk(e)y - Day 19

Day 19 ... today, we have Bunnahabhain 12 Year, Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky at 46.3% ABV. This is not peated... I enjoyed the earlier Bunnahabhain back on the 6th, we'll see how this one is.

On the nose, this has a lot going on. Floral, honey, caramel, fruity sweetness, some sherry notes, and some chocolate. The taste follows the nose fairly closely - I'm finding the sherry, rich fruit, pepper, dark chocolate in the back, along with the malt. The finish has raisin, dry wood and chocolate.

With water, the nose is more floral. The taste I'm getting more honey and fruit. The finish turns a bit thin with water, so I do prefer this neat. Overall, this is very good and I enjoyed it quite a bit. Rated 4.0/5.0.

2023 24 Days of Whisk(e)y - Day 18

Monday! Day 18 of 24 Days of Whisk(e)y ... tonight I'm trying Templeton Rye 10 Year Single Barrel (# 3463) Straight Rye Whiskey, 52% ABV. This is sourced from MGP/Ross & Squibb, and I was looking forward to giving this a try.

On the nose, I get brown sugar, peppery spice, and some baking spice. The taste I get licorice, caramel, maybe some chocolate. The finish is pepper, a good heat, oak at the end that lingers. With water I get more baking spice on the nose, more wood on the taste, and still a peppery heat on the finish. This is good both ways. 

Overall, this is pretty good. Of the 4 Ryes in the lineup this year, it's the one I enjoyed the most, and I was pleasantly surprised that they didn't proof this down to 40% ABV... it feels just about right at the 52% ABV. Rated 3.75/5.0, cheers!

2023 24 Days of Whisk(e)y - Day 17

Sunday ... moving into the final week of the 24 Days of Whisk(e)y ... looking forward to several things coming up, and was really looking forward to trying this one. While I moved around a bit as a kid, most of my growing up was in Cedar Rapids, Iowa - about 20 miles away from Swisher, Iowa, where Cedar Ridge distillery is located, and tonight we're having The QuintEssential from Cedar Ridge. The owner and master distiller is Jeff Quint - hence the name (: This is an American Single Malt, 46% ABV, batch 10.

On the nose I get the malt, along with orange juice, ripe apple, a background sweetness and a touch of peat if I go looking for it. The taste reminds me of peach cobbler, fruity - along with a touch of spice and peat. The finish is malty, fruit juice and some spice. 

With water, the nose is more malty. The taste seems oddly briny - the finish as well. A nice spice in the finish now too. Overall, this is pretty good - not great, but it can certainly present as a single malt from Scotland, which is clearly what they were trying to do. Rated 3.75/5.0, will likely buy another bottle at some time, especially if I can find a cask strength one.

2023 24 Days of Whisk(e)y - Day 16

Day 16 of the 24 Days of Whisk(e)y ... entering the home stretch (: Tonight, Craigellachie 13 Year Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whiskey, 46% ABV. This one cost around $55, which these days isn't bad for a 13 year single malt (Scotch or Irish)... but of course, it isn't bad if the booze is good, so let's find out how this one is.

On the nose the malt is very present, along with white grape, apple, butterscotch, honey and vanilla. The taste is toffee with a bit of bitter char in the back, but not with every sip. The finish reminds me of honey along with some spice and heat. The finish isn't too long though, which is unfortunate.

With water, the nose is similar, but there is more fruit on the taste and finish. It is worth drinking this both ways as there is a pleasant difference between the two. Overall, this is pretty good, but not great. I probably like the Bruchladdich Classic Laddie and the Compass Box Orchard House better... so I'll rate this on 3.5/5.0.

2023 24 Days of Whisk(e)y - Day 15

Friday, weekend!!! Day 15, tonight I'm having Willett Family Estates Bottled Small Batch Rye, Aged 4 Years, Straight Rye Whiskey, 52.2% ABV. I've had these in the past, but they do vary from batch to batch, we'll see how this one is.

On the nose, I get floral, black tea, brown sugar in the back, a touch of baking spice. It does smell hot proof wise, hotter than the 52.2% ABV. The taste I get more spice, black tea and cinnamon. The finish has a touch of oak funk and cinnamon, it does seem to linger a bit. 

With water, the nose has more baking spice and rye spice. The taste is more sweet, and the finish is still spicy. Overall this is all right - better than the Pikesville, but not as good as I remember past Willett Ryes being. I'll rate it a 3.5/5.0, cheers!

2023 24 Days of Whisk(e)y - Day 14

Day 14 ... things are clicking along. Tonight, I'm trying Lagavulin Offerman Edition, 11 Year Charred Oak Cask Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky, 46% ABV. This is the 3rd Offerman Edition - last year's Guinness Cask finished was all right overall, let's see how this one is.

On the nose, I get sweet bbq meat, peat, some smoke, and a touch of iodine or brine. The taste I get some charred wood, meaty sweetness, sweet peat, along with a salty brine characteristic. The finish I get wood, sweet peat, some tingle, and warmth in the back. The finish hangs around for quite some time.

Adding a bit of water makes the nose more alive with more brine. Taste is more mellow and sweet, and the finish is a bit more tame. I probably like this one better neat, but it's pretty good either way, and it's worth trying it as it did change. This one is very good, it reminds me of an Ardbeg scotch in many ways. Rated 4.25/5.0 

2023 24 Days of Whisk(e)y - Day 13

Hump ... DAY! ! ! Whisk(e)y Wednesday... bringing out a hard hitter - Jack Daniel's Single Barrel, Barrel Proof Tennessee Whiskey, 63.4% ABV, bottled on 2022-09-21. Let's see how this one is.

On the nose, this one is hot - takes a bit to get used to. But then I get maple syrup, toffee, vanilla, cinnamon red hots, and a touch of mint. The taste - that cinnamon comes in with a punch, maple, pepper, wood and a ripe banana. The finish clings, hangs around for some time - with wood and sweetness. It is a bit surprising how quickly you can adjust to the proof - after a few sips, this is much more enjoyable and balanced. You can forget the proof after a bit. 

Adding a dash of water, the nose is more sweet, the taste is a bit less hot, but somewhat oddly the finish has more cinnamon. Overall, this one is really good. Best so far - it is better than the Elijah Craig Barrel Proof, but only a bit. I rate this 3.75/5.0 (the same as the ECBP)... doesn't quite cross the threshold of 4.0 land.

2023 24 Days of Whisk(e)y - Day 12

All righty, day 12. Tonight, Knappogue Castle 14 Year Old Twin Wood Single Malt Irish Whiskey, 46% ABV. I've been wanting to try this one, so tonights the night (:

On the nose, I get the malt along with green apple and a sweetness. The apple carries over to the taste, along with some peppery spice and the malt. The finish I get a cereal like syrup, with some wood on the back.

Adding water, there is a touch of pepper on the nose now, it's more smooth on both the taste and finish. This one is a solid Irish Whiskey costing about $55 or so. I'd buy it again, rated 3.5/5.0, cheers!

2023 24 Days of Whisk(e)y - Day 11

Happy Monday! I was able to get out for an urban hike today ... wearing shorts. Was a bit chilly at the start, but nice in the afternoon. What better way to relax in the evening but to have a tasty Compass Box Blended Malt Scotch Whisky, trying out the Orchard House, 46% ABV.

On the nose, this one reminds me of Juicy Fruit gum along with apples, orange peel, malt and some fudge chocolate in the back. The taste I get malt, white grapes and syrup. The finish is malty and fruit zest. The nose is really good, but the taste is growing on me.

With water, the nose is more floral and I'm getting some syrup now too. Still fruity and a bit more mellow on the taste. The finish is more subtile with water. I could drink this either way. I like this one quite a bit, and when I ordered it - I accidentally ordered two bottles. I'm now glad that I did (: Rated 3.75/5.0 ... one of the best so far.

2023 24 Days of Whisk(e)y - Day 10

Sunday ... started off as a typical Portland winter rainy day... but then it cleared out a bit. Monday is looking reasonably good too - freaky! Tonight, we are having Dorado from Whiskey Del Bac, a mesquite smoked American Single Malt - batch D'21-8, 45% ABV.

On the nose, the first thing I get is the alcohol, This isn't overly high proof, but it does seem to dominate initially. I get some burnt sugar, malt, and a touch of chocolate as well. The taste I get a campfire smoke dominating, but on smaller sips I do get the malty and a hint of sweet chocolate as well. The finish is malt, ash and a touch of barrel funk at the very end that does seem to linger.

With water, the nose is similar, I get more malt on the taste and the finish is about the same. This does seem to open up some in the glass over time, and it got better the longer it sat. I was hopeful this would be better, I thought it might be similar to the Peated Balcones Single Malt that I really enjoy, but this was a bit of a letdown. Even so, it's pretty good, and it presents as a peated Scotch Whisky, which I'm guessing the makers would be happy to hear. Rated 3.5/5.0

2023 24 Days of Whisk(e)y - Day 9

Enjoying the weekend, the decent weather we had yesterday has turned to rain, rain ... and more rain. Hopefully tomorrow will be a little better. Drinking Pikesville Straight Rye Whiskey tonight, 55% ABV, stated as at least 6 years old on the label. 

On the nose, this isn't as rye as I was expecting, but at least according to the internets it's a barely legal rye (51% rye), so that could be the reason for the bourbon-ish nose. I get brown sugar, some citrus, and I do get quite a bit alcohol burn too trying to find other things. The taste is peppery, hot spice - maybe from the alcohol, but I don't think so. I do also get some citrus and brown sugar too. The finish is more citrus and hot peppers that lingers.

I thought maybe water would open things up, but at least for me it didn't seem to. More or less the same with water, maybe a bit more wood on the finish. Overall, this one falls into the all right category - nothing wrong with it, nothing great about it, and it's not overly interesting. I'll rate it a 3.25/5.0, cheers!

2023 24 Days of Whisk(e)y - Day 8

Day 8 of 24 Days of Whisk(e)y ... happy Friday! Tonight we're drinking Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Kentucky Straight Whiskey, Batch A123, 62.8% ABV, age stated at 12 Year. Elijah Craig releases 3 Barrel Proof batches each year, and Batch A123 looks to be the last one with a 12 Year age statement - but the newer batches still say how old they are.

On the nose, I get a touch of mint, marshmallow, brown sugar, vanilla... the proof is there so you need to go easy. The taste is similar; vanilla, caramel, some wood, a rich cherry or maybe a berry of some sort. The finish is cinnamon and chili spice, berry, wood and it does linger for some time. Smaller sips make the spice a bit easier to take, but overall this does drink hot. 

With water, the nose is more alcohol hot at first, but over time it does tame down. The mint is more present on the nose. Taste has more wood, maybe cinnamon and pepper too. The finish has more wood. Letting this sit for a while, this does seem to get better and more balanced. It's certainly one to sip slowly over time to enjoy. Overall, this is really quite good. This one runs $75 in Oregon, so it's starting to get up there a bit in price and there are certainly better values out there. This is one of the better bourbons I've had, and I'll rate it 3.75/5.0.

2023 24 Days of Whisk(e)y - Day 7

Thirsty Thursday... tonight we are drinking The Blue Note, from The Whistler, Aged 7 Years, Single Malt Irish Whiskey, crafted by Boann Distillery, coming in at 46% ABV. I saw this on Flaviar and I figured a 46% ABV 7 Year Irish Whiskey was worth a try.

On the nose, there is the malt along with a lemon frosted cookie. The taste I get the malt again, along with some bright fruit and orange peel. The finish has a little bit of wood, along with malt for days and days. This was aged in bourbon barrels for 5 years, and then 2 years in a sherry cask ... I'm not really finding any sherry notes. 

With water, the nose is similar, the flavor gets some hot spice and pepper added to the mix, and the finish is still malty and long. This is pretty good either way, and it might do well over ice too. This cost about $43 and I'd say it's interesting enough to be worth that. I rated it a 3.25/5.0

2023 24 Days of Whisk(e)y - Day 6

Hump DAY ! ! ! Whisk(e)y Wednesday... today, we are drinking Bunnahabhain Toiteach a Dhà, 46.3% ABV, Islay Single Malt Whisky. Toiteach a Dhà means "Smoky Two" in Gaelic. I had a sample of this a few years back and enjoyed it - time to give it a review.

On the nose, I get some fine ash at first, along with a very light peat, then in the back I get a blackberry, some sea air, malt sweetness. The nose is really nice, and it seems like every time you go back to it, you can find something else. Comparatively, the taste is a bit of a let down, but it's still really tasty overall. There is a brininess that I get, some fruit syrup, malt and a little floral too. The finish I get some pepper, a blackberry syrup, malt... it does seem to hang around for some time and has some warmth at the end.

With water, the nose is more floral and has a bit more alcohol burn. Same with the taste too, the finish seems a bit more mellow. This is probably better neat in my opinion. Overall - the nose on this is really good. So good that it would be hard for the taste to match it. The finish is enjoyable as well. I'll rate this one a 3.75/5.0 ... good stuff!

2023 24 Days of Whisk(e)y - Day 5

Tuesday ... and so much rain today (: Day 5 ... doing something I used to drink a lot of, but have not had this in quite some time, and never for a 24 Days of Whisk(e)y, so here we go. Drinking Templeton Rye, 4 Year Rye Whiskey. This is distilled in Indiana by MGP, and then bottled in Templeton, Iowa. There is a big ol' story on the back of the bottle talking about how Templeton Rye was "the good stuff" during prohibition. Given the fact that for years they were not being truthful in the fact that they were just sourcing the booze from MGP - who knows if any of the story is true... probably not, heh.

Templeton Rye was my gateway to other whiskeys, so despite the deception from the company, it will always have a special place in my heart. On the nose, I find some dill pickle notes, molasses, and rye spice. The taste for me is more molasses, spice and some pepper. The finish is a bit thin, which is likely due to the 40% ABV (the first few batches were 43% ABV) but it does finish with a nice warmth that lingers. 

This probably doesn't need water - but I did try it with a dash. The nose was more molasses sweetness, the taste was about the same. On the finish I am now finding a bit of wood as well. Overall, this is enjoyable enough, and it's a lot easier to find than it was early on, and it runs about $30. The biggest issue is Old Forester Rye is a bit less - and certainly better. Woodford Reserve Rye is around the same price and better as well. This still comes in at 3.0/5.0 for me.

2023 24 Days of Whisk(e)y - Day 4

Overcast most of the day today, but I did manage to get in a 6 mile or so walk, so it could have been worse. Tonight we have Bushmills Prohibition Recipe Irish Whiskey, 46% ABV. I was interested in this one as it's a bit higher proof than the usual 40% ABV of most other Bushmills and similar Irish Whiskeys. Will the extra proof help or hurt?

On the nose, I get apple, a hint of floral that reminds me of deodorant soap, and a malty sweetness. The taste has a bit of a bourbon sweetness on the front, turning very malty with a bit of oak sour on the finish that doesn't hang around for too long.

With water, the nose is more dull, the taste is more floral, and the finish has some pepper and spice coming through. This might be better with some water, and would probably be good over ice too. Overall, it's not great... but I don't mind it. I'll rate it a 2.75/5.0

2023 24 Days of Whisk(e)y - Day 3

Sunday ... Funday? Rainday for sure. Anyway, tonight we're having The Classic Laddie, from Bruichladdich, a Scottish Barley Unpeated Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky, 50% ABV. Most Islay Scotches are peated, and Bruichladdich certainly makes some mighty fine peated scotches, but I've been interested in trying this one out.

On the nose, this one is quite malty, with some bread, fresh fruit and a bit of salt coming through as well. The taste is similar, and quite nice. The finish does have a touch of ash, floral and sea salt, but mostly I find a citrus zest and black pepper lasting for some time.

Water makes the nose more candy sweet, more malty in the taste, and more malty in the finish and it seems to weaken the duration of the finish as well. For me, this one is better neat. I usually stick with peated Scotch when I drink Scotch, but overall this is quite enjoyable. I'll rate it 3.75/5.0.

2023 24 Days of Whisk(e)y - Day 2

Saturday... Day 2 of 24 Days of Whisk(e)y. Tonight I'm reviewing something I've had many times before, but have never actually reviewed... so tonights the night. Plain ol' Buffalo Trace, Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, 45% ABV. Let's see how this shakes out.

On the nose, I get some citrus, reminds me of orange furniture polish. I also get some caramel, and a touch of spice. The taste is mostly brown sugar bourbon sweetness, along with some vanilla, oak and some spice as well. It drinks fairly easy, as you might expect at 45% ABV. The finish is decent, with oak and a touch of mint freshness as well, it does hang around for a bit too.

With water, on the nose I get more spice, the taste is more sweet and easier to drink, and the finish seems to have more wood. This is similar either way, I probably prefer it neat. Overall it's what you would expect and at $25 a bottle or so it does fall into the daily drinker. My main complaint is that it's simple enough you might end up drinking more of this than something more interesting. I give this a 3.0/5.0 

2023 24 Days of Whisk(e)y - Day 1

December! The weather is sure feeling more like winter in in the PDX area... rainy, chilly... exactly as expected. We are starting 24 days of Whisk(e)y 2023 with this one - we're starting things off with Blackened, Blend of Straight Whiskeys Finished in Black Brandy Casks, coming in at 45% ABV. This is listed as a blend of bourbons and ryes - so it falls into the "American Whiskey" category.

On the nose, this one reminds me of simple syrup, and some spearmint or similar. The taste I get the same neutral sweetness, some baking spice, and the mint shows up as well. The finish is better than I was expecting it to be - with mint freshness and a clingy feeling that sticks around for some time.

Adding some water, the nose is a bit more open - the taste is a bit more mellow and the finish is similar. I could drink this one either way, and this would likely be nice over ice as well. Overall, I give this a pretty good. It's not great, but there are no real faults for me, and it did have some interesting things going on. I give it a 3.5/5.0 - cheers!