Glengoyne 18 Years Review

“Merry Christmas Everybody”

Country: Scotland 

Region: Southern Highlands

Brand: Glengoyne 

Type: Single Malt Whisky

Age: 18 Years

ABV: 43%

Colour: Golden with a touch of Orange (Natural Colour)

Nose: A real Christmas whisky. The Sherry Cask influence is evident and I find just a touch of Sulphur. Nothing serious though. I get Rum soaked Fruitcake, Dried Fruits like Raisins and Apricots, Papaya Cream, Blackcurrant Muffins, Oak, Apple Pie with Powdered Sugar, Banana, light Honey, Vanilla, Sweet Barley, Citrus Peel, Nuts, Cinnamon, Ginger, Clove, Nutmeg, light Pepper and hints of Espresso and Tobacco. Make sure you give this Glengoyne sufficient time in the glass to reveal its Aromas. There's a bit of Alcohol around that reminds me of young Brandy. The Nose is quite similar to the 15 - and 17 Years.   

Palate: Sherry, a little Sulphur, Rum Soaked Fruitcake, Sweet Barley, Caramel, Apple Pie, English Marmalade, Marzipan, Nuts, light Honey, Vanilla, Coconut, Papaya Cream, Banana, Milk Chocolate, Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Clove, Ginger, light Pepper and hints of Espresso and Brandy.   

Finish: Middle-Long and Bitter-Sweet with Sweet Barley, Malt, Banana, Citrus Peel, Vanilla, Caramel, Coconut, Milk Chocolate, Oak, Honey, Nuts, Nutmeg, Clove, Ginger, Cinnamon, Cardamom, Pepper, light Menthol, Licorice and hints of Espresso and Brandy.

I added a bit of Water and the Nose becomes Sweeter with Apple Pie, Barley, Honey and Chocolate. Pepper and Oak become more evident on the Palate and in the Finish. The Glengoyne 18 certainly lets you play with a little Water.

Rating: 85

Nose: 22 - Taste: 21 - Finish: 21 - Overall: 21

General Remarks: The Glengoyne Distillery was founded in 1833 by the known Edmonstone Family and is located in Dumgoyne by Killearn (Glasgow). Since 2003 it is owned by Ian MacLeod Distillers. Glengoyne has the slowest Distilling process of all Scottish distilleries to ensure lots of contact with the Copper Stills. The Barley is also dried exclusively with Hot Air. Peat is never used. Glengoyne is used in Blends like The Famous Grouse and Cutty Sark. The Glengoyne 18 Years was launched in late 2012 to replace the 17 Years. It matures in a mix of First Fill European Oak Sherry (35%), First Fill American Oak Sherry (15%) and other Oak Casks (50%). The 18 Y is Chill-Filtered and is sold at approximately 90 US Dollars (December 2015).

Drinking Experience Neat: Good

Conclusion: Solid After Dinner Highlander with lots of Christmas Cake, Dried Fruit and Spices. Personally I believe that this type of Whisky should be bottled at 46% to reveal its complete potential. I liked it slightly better than the 17 but in fact they are quite similar. It's just a matter of personal Taste and Casks. It's also close to the 15 Years that has the better Price/Quality Ratio. Still, the 18 Years will do nicely when sipped in your comfortable chair before the fireplace after a nice Christmas dinner!

“I would like to wish all readers of Best Shot Whisky Reviews and their families a very Merry Christmas. I hope many of you will treasure the Spirit of Love and Happiness and make 2016 a better year for the world. We need that!

Jan van den Ende                                  December 24, 2015 and April 13, 2017

Jameson Select Reserve Review

“Light and Fruity”

Country: Ireland

Brand: Jameson Select Reserve Small Batch 
Type: Blended Irish Whiskey

Age: NAS. (Probably around 12 Years for the Pot Still and 5 Years for the Grain).

Alcohol: 40%

Colour: Pale Gold

Nose: Toasted Grain, Malt, Puff Pastry, Butterkekse, Toffee, Vanilla Ice Cream, Resin, Oak, Pear Drops, Nectarine, Papaya Cream, Apple, Milky Way, slightly Sour Cherries, ripe Bananas, light Citrus, Almonds, Cinnamon, Ginger, Floral notes and Chocolate. I was expecting to find clear Sherry - and Charred Oak notes but that's not the case. On the Nose, the Select Reserve's main drivers are Toasted Cereals and Fruit. A true "Breakfast" Whiskey. The Alcohol is there but does not interfere with the Nosing procedures. There are of course some similarities with the Standard Jameson but the Select Reserve gives a more mature impression. The Fruity notes are more pronounced as well. 

Palate: Weak arrival. This expression deserves a higher ABV. On the Palate, this Jameson is Light, Bitter-Sweet and a little Herbal. I find Toasted Cereals, Malt, Vanilla, Oak, Coconut, Apple, Pear, Banana, light Citrus, Nectarine, Nuts, Resin, Pepper, Cinnamon, Ginger, White Wine and Chocolate.

Finish: Short and Bitter-Sweet with Vanilla, Cereals, Pear Drops, Nectarine, light Banana, light Citrus, Oak, Toffee, Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Cardamom, light Pepper and light Licorice. A distant hint of Nail Polish.

Rating: 82 

Nose: 21.5 – Taste: 20 – Finish: 20 – Overall: 20.5

General Remarks: The Old Jameson distillery was founded in 1780. Today this Whiskey is produced at the Midleton Distillery. This Blend was originally known as Jameson Select Reserve Small Batch containing both Pot Still- and Small Batch Grain Whiskey and matured in a mix of First Fill and Re-Fill Ex-Bourbon and Ex-Oloroso Sherry Casks. The Grain Whiskey for this specific Jameson is only distilled once a year. It is my understanding that both Malted and Un-Malted Barley is used in the production process and that the Pot Still Whiskey matures in the Ex- Sherry Casks while the Grain Whiskey matures in the Ex-Bourbon (Wild Turkey) casks. Late 2013, the Select Reserve was replaced by the Black Barrel. The information around this Blend is a bit confusing but I assume that it's basically the same Spirit. The Ex-Bourbon casks used for the Black Barrel are charred twice, hence the name. The sample I'm tasting today is the Select Reserve. I will try to get a sample of the Black Barrel as well in order to verify if there are any differences between the two. Like most Irish Whiskey, Jameson is Triple-Distilled. It is the best selling Irish Whiskey world-wide. This Blend is reasonably priced at around 40 US Dollars per bottle (December 2015).  

No need to add Water to this Blend. 

Drinking Experience Neat: Good 

Conclusion: The Select Reserve is not a bad Irish Whiskey and certainly more interesting than the Standard Jameson. It could have been even better though with an adequate ABV. The 40% does not do justice to the Spirit. The Select Reserve's main Flavours and Aromas are Toasted Grain, Vanilla and Fruit. It's not a very complicated Whiskey. This is also the reason why I'm not a huge fan of Irish Whiskey in general. Although I usually like the Nose, I find them slightly uneventful on the Palate and in the Finish. Still, the Price/Quality ratio is good and if you like a Light and Fruity Whiskey and you're a big fan of the Standard Jameson you can't go wrong with this Select Reserve!  

Jan van den Ende                                                             December 21, 2015

Famous Grouse 15 Years Review

“Blame It On The Casks”

Country: Scotland

Brand: The Famous Grouse

Type: Blended Malt Whisky

Age: 15 Years

ABV: 43%

Sample provided by Jan from the Netherlands. Thanks a lot!

Colour: Deep Gold (Artificially Coloured) 

Nose: I would think that the Malts used in this Blend matured in a mix of Re-Fill Ex-Sherry (Oloroso) and Ex-Bourbon Casks. There is some Sulphur around but not enough to disturb me. I find Sweet Barley, Malt, Buttered Toast, Dried Fruit, Nuts, Plum Jam, slightly Sour Apples, Peach, light Honey, Caramel, Refill Oak, Milk Chocolate, light Vanilla, Espresso and a sprinkle of Salt and Cinnamon. I believe that Glenrothes lies at the heart of this Blend. The Macallan is there for sure but it's much harder to detect any significant influence from Highland Park. The Alcohol is not fully integrated. Although not bad, the Nose of this 15 Year old Grouse does not quite convince me.

Taste: The Delivery is a bit Light. I find Malt, Breakfast Cereals, Syrup, slightly Sour Apples, Vanilla, Peach Jam, Caramel, Cocoa Powder, Raisins, Salted Butter, Pepper, Nutmeg, Cinnamon, Alcohol and traces of Salt and Dirt Road.    

Finish: Middle-Long, Bitter-Sweet, Woody and Spicy with Sweet Barley, Vanilla, Bourbon, Dirty Earth, Dried Fruits, Refill Oak, Pepper, Nutmeg, Cinnamon and Menthol. Hints of Aniseed and Licorice. The Alcohol remains very present.  

The Famous Grouse 15 Years does not improve with added Water. 

Rating: 81.5  

Nose: 21 - Taste: 20 - Finish: 20 - Overall: 20.5

General Remarks: The Famous Grouse 15 Years Blended Malt was a limited edition at first, mainly for the Asian Travel Retail market. Today you can buy bottles in other continents as well but the number is dwindling as the Edrington Group discontinued the Famous Grouse Expressions with Age-Statement. It is said to contain Malt Whisky from Glenrothes, Macallan and Highland Park, all distilleries that belong to the Edrington Group. The price varies a lot depending on where you live but it's usually in the range of 50 to 100 US Dollars. (December 2015). It is Chill-Filtered but not at very low temperatures.

Drinking Experience Neat: Okay/Good 

Conclusion: I'm not quite convinced by this Famous Grouse Experience. It does not seem to offer a lot in terms of interesting Aromas and Flavours for a 15 Year old Blended Malt. I gather that most of the Casks used weren't very active ones. The Nose is okay and the Sherry influence is there. On the Palate and in the Finish I miss elegance and depth. The Alcohol remains strong throughout the Nosing and Tasting. I can see why this Vatted Blend was discontinued. It's too expensive as an everyday Blend for most people and for a special occasion lots of people would prefer to buy a Single Malt. I kinda liked the Silver Grouse 12 Years limited edition and I expected a more mature version of this expression when I opened my 15 Years Sample. But to be honest, that not quite the case. I blame it on the casks!

Jan van den Ende                                                              December 17, 2015

Macallan in the Scottish Sunshine

BenRiach 12 Years Sherry Wood Review

“Sherry Oh Baby”

Country: Scotland 

Region: Highlands - Speyside

Brand: BenRiach Sherry Wood

Type: Single Malt Whisky

Age: 12 Years

ABV: 46% 

Colour: Dark Sherry (Natural Colour)

Nose: Sweet and driven by the Ex-Sherry casks with lots of Dried Fruits, Nuts and Christmas Spices. I don't find a clear Sulphur note. It's quite probable that a significant amount of First Fill Casks have been used for this Malt. I find Sweet Barley, Yeast, Butterkekse, Toffee, Milk Chocolate, Marzipan, Stewed Apple, Orange, slightly Sour Cherries, Honey, Sugared Almonds, light Pepper, Nutmeg, Cinnamon, Clove and Oak. Hints of Espresso and Leather. Some Floral notes after a while. It's a pity that the Alcohol is not fully integrated. Still, not bad!

Palate: Mostly Bitter-Sweet and a little "Hot". I find Sweet Barley, Caramel, Toffee, Milk Chocolate, Marzipan, Orange, Lemon, slightly Sour Cherries, Dried Fruits, Walnuts, Oak, Pepper, Nutmeg, Clove, Licorice, Cardamom and traces of Salt, Leather and Espresso.
       

Finish: Middle-Long, slightly Sour but mostly Bitter-Sweet with Sweet Barley, Dark Red Fruit, Caramel, Toffee, Oak, Nuts, light Honey, light Vanilla, Dark Chocolate, Pepper, Cinnamon, Nutmeg and traces of Cardamom, Dusty Road, Espresso and Licorice. The Alcohol is still a bit "Hot". Quite Dry in the end. 

I added a bit of Water and on the Nose you get more Barley and Fruit. On the Palate you get rid of most of the Alcohol and that's a good thing. The 12 Years Sherry Wood becomes quite Fruity and Creamy. The Finish suffers a bit from the added Water and becomes Short and Spicy. I would recommend to add a few drops but be careful not to drown the Whisky.

Rating: 83 

Nose: 21 - Taste: 20.5 - Finish: 21 - Overall: 20.5

General Remarks: The BenRiach distillery is located in the heart of the Speyside between Elgin and Rothes. It was founded around 1898 by John Duff, the owner of the nearby Longmorn distillery. Today it's one of the few distilleries with its own Malting Floors. Since 2004, it is independently owned by BenRiach Distillery Company. Most of their production goes into the Chivas Regal Blend but more than enough is left for the many Single Malt Expressions. The 12 Years Sherry Wood matured in a mix of Ex-Oloroso and Ex-PX casks from Jerez in Spain. It is not Chill-Filtered and costs between 50 and 90 US Dollars depending on where you live (December 2015).

Drinking Experience Neat: Good  

Conclusion: In some places you can buy this BenRiach for less than 50 US Dollars. At that price level it's a bargain if you fancy Sherried Speysiders. In other places however this Single Malt could cost you up to 90 US Dollars and I would sincerely hesitate to pay that kind of money for the 12 Years Sherry Wood. The Nose is certainly okay but on the Palate I find this Single Malt a bit boring with the Barley, the Marzipan, the Dried Fruits and the Christmas spices. But that's personal of course. More importantly however, it's too Hot. The Spirit clearly struggles with the ABV of 46%. There's also the Sour note that I'm not too fond of. To sum it up, the BenRiach 12 Years Sherry Wood is an interesting alternative if you are looking for a reasonably priced Sherried Speysider with an Age Statement. I must confess though that it's not quite my style!   

Jan van den Ende                                                             December 14, 2015

Bunnahabhain 1986 Duncan Taylor Review

“Some Like It Hot”

Country: Scotland

Region: Islay

Brand: Bunnahabhain 1986 (Duncan Taylor The Octave Series) 

Type: Single Malt Whisky

Age: 25 Years

ABV: 54.3 %

Colour: Full Gold (Natural Colour)

Nose: Full and Mature. Quite Sweet and Fruity with Barley Sugar, Pineapple, Melon, Orange, Overripe Banana, Butterkekse, Salted Nuts, Polished Leather, Dried Fruits, Dark Chocolate, Marzipan, Pepper, Cinnamon, light Honey, Fruit Syrup, Oak and a hint of Tobacco. There's a pleasant Old-Fashioned, Rusty Mineral feel to this Bunnahabhain. A light Bitterness towards the end creates a fine balance with the Sweet Fruity notes. Well done! 

Palate: The Oak is much more present now along with the Wood Spices. On the Palate, this Bunnahabhain is Bitter-Sweet and a bit Oily. I find Toasted Barley, Caramel, Dark Chocolate, Brown Sugar, Tobacco, Herbal Tea, Orange, Berries, Red Apple, Pepper, Nutmeg, light Menthol, Polished Wood, Licorice, Cardamom and Dry Earth. The Alcohol is a bit on the "Hot" side.        

Finish: Middle-Long, Woody and Bitter-Sweet with Dried Fruits, Orange, Dark Chocolate, Overripe Bananas, Oak, Brown Sugar, Beeswax, Herbal Tea, Toast and Salted Butter, Pepper, Nutmeg, light Menthol, Cinnamon and Licorice.   

I added a couple of drops of water. The Nose becomes more Fruity but it looses density and complexity. Palate and Finish become quite Woody an Spicy but some Sweet Fruit shines as well. I prefer it neat but you can certainly try out a few drops at a time. 

Rating: 86.5 

Nose: 22.5 - Taste: 21.5 - Finish: 21 - Overall: 21.5 

General Remarks: The Single Cask Bunnahabhain 1986 I'm tasting today was distilled in 1986. It matured for 25 years in an Ex-Sherry Cask # 382893 before being finished for six months in an Octave 50 L Cask to get extra intense Wood contact. It was bottled at Cask Strength in 2012 by Indie Bottler Duncan Taylor for the Dutch based Whisky group the Casqueteers in The Octave Series. It is of course Non Chill-Filtered and was sold at around 150 US Dollars but it will be very hard to find, if at all.

Bunnahabhain (Mouth or Foot of the River) Distillery was founded around 1881 and is located close to Port Askaig. Usually, the Distillery dries the Malt with hot air or light Smoke, giving their whisky a more subtle flavour then most of its Peated neighbours on the island.

Drinking Experience Neat: Good 

Conclusion: If you like fully matured Ex-Sherry Cask whisky you can't go wrong with this Bunnahabhain. The Octave Cask finish further enhanced the Woody Flavours but not to a point where it would become too much. On the Nose I found a wonderful balance between the Oak, Spices and Sweet Fruit. On the Palate and in the Finish the balance swings a little towards the Oak and Spices although the situation never gets out of control. The Alcohol is a bit Hot so naturally you are tempted to add a little Water. In doing so however, the Spirit looses part of its complexity, especially on the Nose. And that's a pity because that's the best part of this Bunnahabhain. So be careful when you add Water. You don't want to drown this Islay Spirit. If you like the Flavour - and Aroma profile of this Bunnahabhain you can safely buy it if you can find it. The price is quite reasonable for a Spirit of this age!

Jan van den Ende                                                              December 10, 2015