Bushmills Irish Whiskey Review

Country: Ireland

Brand: Bushmills Original

Type: Blended Whisky

Age: NAS

Alcohol: 40%

Colour: Light Gold

Nose: Young Grain, Alcohol, Vanilla, Grassy tones and Green Oak are the first impressions. After a while I get Brown Sugar, Citrus, Toffee, Apples and Pears and Toast with Butter and Peach Marmalade. Instead of Butter you can think of Whole Whipped Cream as well. Hints of Malt and Honey. There is a slight Metallic feeling to the Nose as well that I could do without. It's not strong enough though to consider it a serious off-note.

Taste: A tiny bit harsh with Sweet Grains, Oak, Vanilla, Licorice, Cardamom, Nuts, Pepper, Caramel, Citrus and some Floral Notes.

Finish: Short and quite Sugary with tones of Pepper, Oak, Grains, Green Apples, Cardamom and Vanilla. It is saved by a last minute Peach Note. It leaves your mouth quite dry after a minute or two.

I added a few drops of Water but won't do that again. It somehow becomes a muddy river of Grains and Spices with a Metallic Finish. My firm advice therefore is to enjoy this dram neat.

Rating: 78.5 

Nose:  20.5 - Taste: 19.5 - Finish:  19 - Overall: 19.5

General Remarks:  The Old Bushmills Distillery is located in the Antrim County in Northern Ireland. Since 2005 it's owned by the Diageo Group. In 1608 a licence to distill was granted by King James I which makes Bushmills the oldest licensed Distillery. That's why the year 1608 is printed on the label. The Distillery produces a whole range of Bushmills expressions including the Original or White Label as it's often referred to, the Black Bush, the 10, 12, 16 and 21 Years Single Malts and the Special Edition 1608, released in 2008 to commemorate the 400th Anniversary of Legal Distilling at Bushmills.The Original is a Blend of Malt and Grain Whiskies, is Triple-Distilled and is matured in American Oak Casks. 

Drinking Experience Neat: Okay

Conclusion: Too much young Grain, Alcohol, Metal and Cardamom around to really enjoy this dram neat. Despite the fact that you can pick up some nice Peach and Whipped Cream on the Nose with the Peach returning in the Finish. The whisky leaves you with a quite dry and slightly uncomfortable mouth-feeling after a couple of minutes. This is probably more suited as a basis for Long-Drinks although I'm not really an expert in that field. I conclude that the Bushmills Original is not a bad whiskey but not a bottle I would care to buy on a regular basis.

Jan van den Ende                                                              October 19, 2012

Glen Moray 8 Years Review

Country: Scotland

Brand: Glen Moray

Type: Single Malt Whisky

Region: Speyside

Age: 8 Years

ABV: 40%

Colour: Very Light Gold/Straw

Nose: The Nose immediately reminds me of the Glen Grant NAS. The Glen Moray however is  more sophisticated. Light and Floral with Malt, Biscuit, Oak, Grass, Heather, Lemon, Butterscotch, Light Fruit (Pear), some Mineral tones and a bit of Alcohol.

Taste: Malt, Oak, Butterscotch, Lemon, Citrus Peel, Pepper, Nuts, Toffee.

Finish: Light, Crisp and Medium-Dry with Citrus, Spice (White Pepper, Ginger and Anise) and some Honey.

I added a few drops of Water and the Nose becomes more Fruity. Think of Pineapple.But also Pear and maybe even Peach. On the Palate and in the Finish I didn't notice any big differences except for the fact that the Pepper withdraws to the background. This dram certainly allows you to play with a bit of Water. 

Rating: 82  

Nose: 21 - Taste: 21 - Finish: 19.5 - Overall: 20.5

General Remarks:  The Glen Moray-Glenlivet distillery is located close to the city of Elgin, the capital of the Moray region. Glen Moray whiskies  have been distilled there since 1897. The Elgin region is known for excellent malting Barley and a mild climate. The Glen Moray is matured in Oak Casks and stored in traditional low roofed warehouses that are said to maintain the light characteristics of the spirit. The Standard Distillery Malt is the NAS Classic. I bought this 8 Years expression in a Travel Retail Shop in Argentina. I'm not quite sure if the two expressions are identical but I suspect they are or at least are very similar.

Drinking Experience Neat: Good

Drinking Experience on the Rocks: Good as an Aperitif. 

Conclusion: Well crafted and pleasant summer dram. Floral and Malty on the Nose. More Fruity when you add a bit of Water. Palate and Finish are not at all complicated but fairly pleasant with a good amount of Lemon, Butterscotch and White Pepper. Quite nice as an Aperitif on a warm Summer day. No problem to throw in a bit of Ice if that's your preference. This is an affordable Single Malt and it's nice to have it in your cabinet and roll it out on Those Lazy Hazy Crazy Days of Summer! 

Jan van den Ende                                                                       October 16, 2012

Johnnie Walker Blue Label Review

Country: Scotland

Brand: Johnnie Walker Blue Label

Type: Blended Scotch Whisky

Age: NAS

ABV: 40%

Colour: Amber/Gold

Nose: The Blue Label does not give its Aromas away very easily. Give it some time! First impressions are Peat, Smoke, Heather, Charred Oak, Tobacco, Leather and Grains. It’s like entering a Cigar Shop! After a while I get some Peach, Peanuts, Malt, Butter and Dried Fruits. I find some old Oak influence as well. Some of the whiskies in this blend might well be over 20 years. Hints of Wood Polish and Licorice.

Taste: Smooth but slightly Watery delivery. This should have been bottled at 43-46% ABV. Nevertheless, a good balance of Peat/Smoke, Honey, slightly Bitter Oak, White Pepper, Ginger, Caramel, Orange Zest, Licorice, Butterscotch and a Salty edge.

Finish: Middle-Long but on the dull side with Peat/Smoke, White Pepper, Cloves, Hay, Lemon and Salt. The Finish remains the weakest part of most Johnnie Walker Blends.

I added a couple of drops of Water and that gives you some more Floral tones on the Nose. It waters down the Palate though and does not materially alter the Finish. Therefore, my advice is to drink the Blue Label neat. Although I can imagine it would taste quite well with a bit of Ice.

Rating: 85.5 

Nose: 22 – Taste: 21.5 – Finish: 20.5 – Overall: 21.5

General Remarks: The Johnnie Walker Brand is owned since 1997 by the Diageo Group. The Blue Label is the Brand’s premium Blend that was launched in the early Nineties to try and recreate some of the early Blends of the 19^th Century. At the heart of this Blend we find Royal Lochnagar. Another 15 or so whiskies are used in the Blending process. All Bottles are numbered and come in a silk-lined Box together with a certificate of authenticity. I received a sample from my colleague Milton out of bottle nr. AY1 70223. The Blue is very expensive for a NAS Blend at around US$ 200, -. The packaging was updated in 2011.

Drinking Experience Neat: Good

Conclusion: I’m sure this will not come as a surprise but I will write it down anyway. It can’t be denied that the Johnnie Walker Marketing Machine has succeeded in creating a worldwide hype around this Blend. Presidents and important businessmen love it. It’s being served at all important cocktail parties. Well, in my humble opinion the Blue Label is nothing more and nothing less than a very decent – but certainly not exceptional Blend and it’s way too expensive when compared to Gold and Green. And Green is the better Blend! Therefore, I would rather spend my US$ 200,-- on a great Single Malt!

Jan van den Ende                                                               October 14, 2012

The Royal Lochnagar Distillery near Balmoral

Seagram's Seven Crown Review

Country: USA

Brand: Seagram’s Seven Crown

Type: Blended American Whiskey

Age: NAS (Probably 3-4 years)

Alcohol: 40%

Colour: Golden

Nose: The harsh Alcohol does not come as a surprise anymore. Almost all young (grain) whiskies suffer from that. It’s difficult to get anything else at first. In this case unfortunately there hardly is anything of importance in the first place. After a while I get some (Charred) Wood, Vanilla, Rubber, Paint Thinner, Margarine, Maple Syrup and cheap Sweet Apricot Marmalade. You will have to Nose this dram from various angles, not forgetting the edge of the glass. In the middle of the glass you will mostly get young Wood and harsh Alcohol.

Taste: Thin and Sugary Sweet with an immediate Alcohol Attack. It tastes more like rubbing Alcohol or cheap Gin than Whiskey. In the background some toast with Margarine and the Apricot Marmalade from the Nose.

Finish: Harsh, Sugary Sweet and not at all pleasant. Thank God it’s very short!

I added a couple of drops of Water and that helps suppressing the harsh Alcohol. The Apricot and Margarine become a bit more present. The Nose certainly benefits from a few drops. On the Palate it all mellows down a bit as well. The Finish remains non-existent and off-putting. If you must drink this neat, than I advise you to add a few drops of water.

Rating: 68 

Nose: 18 – Taste: 17 – Finish: 16 – Overall: 17

General Remarks: Seagram’s Seven Crown was originally a Canadian Whisky Brand that was very popular all around the world in the late Sixties and Seventies until Vodka and Rum took over. The American Soldiers in Vietnam mixed it with Seven-Up and called it 7&7. Seagram’s beverage division was bought in 2000 by Diageo, Pernod-Ricard and Coca Cola. Today, the Seven Crown or Seven as it’s also called is blended and bottled by the Seven Crown Distilling Company, Norwalk (CT), part of the Diageo Group. It’s a Blend of American Whiskeys, a spirit produced by law in the USA from a fermented mash of Cereal Grain(s). The whiskies used in this Blend aged in new – and used charred White Oak Barrels. Oh yes, it costs around US$ 13 a bottle and the name Seven Crown refers to the seven crowns on the label!

Drinking Experience Neat: Below Average

Conclusion: Although the Nose is not really horrible once you are able to trick out the wafts of Alcohol, this whiskey is not good enough to drink neat. It does not provide any pleasure whatsoever. The American soldiers in Vietnam were right about this stuff. The only thing sensible to do is to drown it in 7-Up. Or something like that!

Jan van den Ende                                                              October 11, 2012

Redbreast 12 Years Review

Country: Ireland

Brand: Redbreast

Type: Single Pot Still Whiskey

Age: 12

Alcohol: 40%

Colour:  Full Gold

Nose: Very Complex! Give it some time to open up. Lots of Fruit in here. Ripe Dark Red Fruits like Black Cherries but also Apples, Peaches and Pears. There are some similarities with Rye-Whiskey as well. I get Wax, Spices and lightly charred Oak. Nuts and Dried Fruits like Raisins and maybe Apricots. Sherry is present and so are Vanilla, Porridge, Brown Sugar and Orange Peel. Hints of Earth and Sweet Marzipan or Marshmallows. I’m nosing this for almost half an hour already and still I get new impressions. If I have to sum it up this smells like a Multi-Flavoured Fruitcake prepared with Butter and decorated with Nuts, Dried Fruits and Citrus Peels. Quite a Desert! After another half hour or so, I smelled the empty glass again and I was rewarded with the very pleasant aromas of a Peach/Apricot Pie. This is truly the best Nose of the Irish Whiskies I've tasted so far.

Taste: A bit disappointing really after the great Nose. Rather dominating Spices, basically Black Pepper and Nutmeg. I also find Nuts, Honey, Citrus Peels, Raisins, Sherry, Oak, Licorice, Toffee and Sugared Banana Candies. Not really well-balanced.

Finish: Middle-Long and slightly dry in the end with Vanilla, Black Pepper, Licorice, Anise and a touch of Honey.

I added a couple of drops of Water and you get some more Fruit Cake on the Nose. In general however I didn’t find any substantial changes. Better enjoy this dram neat!

Rating: 86 

Nose: 23 – Taste: 21– Finish: 20.5 – Overall: 21.5

General Remarks: This whiskey is produced at the Old Midleton Distillery in Cork, part of the Pernod Ricard Group. Jameson is also produced at this complex. Redbreast 12 is the only aged Single Pot Still Whiskey at the moment, using malted and un-malted Barley in the mash bill. It is Triple-Distilled and matures in Oloroso Sherry - and Bourbon Casks.

Drinking Experience Neat: Good

Conclusion: Beautiful Complex Nose! If only Palate and Finish could maintain the same high quality. It would have climbed to one of the top spots in my rankings so far. But as so often, that’s not the case. The Spices are a bit too dominant. I’m slightly disappointed really. It’s certainly a well-crafted Whiskey and it will serve well as an after dinner dram. It is in the same class as the GlenDronach Allardice 18 for that purpose. But taste-wise, it’s not a whiskey I would need to keep in my cabinet at all times. Although I would love to sniff it from time to time!  

Jan van den Ende                                                                October 7, 2012