Angel’s Envy Bourbon
A very conservative take on a port finish. The port is very much in the background, letting the clean bourbon flavors take center stage. This one is a pleasant, easy-to-drink experience, and the price is quite reasonable.
Category: Reviews
Oban (Distiller’s Edition)
The Distiller’s Edition is a yearly release of the usual 14-year Oban which is further matured for 6-18 months in a Montilla Fino sherry butt (which is always a first-fill cask – in other words has only held sherry before). I tasted some of the 2010 bottling, which was distilled in 1995.
Oban (18 year)
This is easily as smooth and refined as the Macallan 18, but the dryness and gentle, straightforward flavors make it unchallenging.
Ardbeg Alligator (Committee Release)
An interesting take on the Ardbeg profile, with a lot more sweet woodiness and big roasted barrel flavors. The final product is not nuanced or impressive enough for me to recommend paying the above-average price. Although this is quite good whisky, and innovation in Scotch is always to be applauded, it just didn’t move me to buy a bottle.
The Balvenie (14 year) Caribbean Cask
A nice, round whisky with an interesting twist. The rum doesn’t come through as “rummy”, but more vegetal and malty. In fact, the expected molasses note doesn’t appear until the tail-end of the finish. That said, it’s a nice, easy-drinking Balvenie with clear malt character.
Blanton’s Single Barrel Bourbon
Still trying to get over corn flavors in bourbon, but there’s nothing offensive or “plastic” about the corn notes here. The dominant rye character and skillful maturation make this a very tasty dram, although one you’re certainly paying for. Worth a try if you see it at a bar.
St. George Single Malt American Whiskey (Lot 10)
Very tasty malt, unlike anything else in style, although it seems similar (to me) to an American rye. A little fruit, a little spice, and a lot of chocolate make this an intriguing dram with a lot to discover, and no obvious faults.
Glenglassaugh 26 year
I would have rated these higher, but for $26 for a 200ml bottle, you can do much better. If you have an opportunity to taste them, however, it’s an education in new-make Scotch, which is rare outside of distillery visits.
Glenglassaugh Clearac and Fledgling XB
I would have rated these higher, but for $26 for a 200ml bottle, you can do much better. If you have an opportunity to taste them, however, it’s an education in new-make Scotch, which is rare outside of distillery visits.
Amrut Single Malt
Betrays its age with the burn, and its inexperience with the heavy banana notes. Nevertheless, it’s an impressive dram for an upstart distillery in a challenging climate. I wouldn’t pay more than $30 for it, though, as I’m not partial to banana flavors in my malts.