Springbank 10 Years Review

Country: Scotland

Brand: Springbank

Type: Single Malt Whisky

Region: Campbeltown

Age: 10 Years

Alcohol: 46%

Colour: Straw/Sherry

Nose: Strong Peat. Heather. Light Smoke and Leather. Oak and Malt coming through after a while. There is a slight Saltiness as well but it’s difficult to place. It’s not the sea like in the Islay spirits. It’s more like Brine. Some sweetness arrives. Is it Sherry or Orange liquor? It’s hard to say really. It’s a very interesting nose that’s for sure. And it takes a while in the glass to present itself. Patience is required but you will be rewarded.

Taste: Smooth and slightly Oily delivery. Nice balance between Peat Smoke, Malt, Oranges, Coconut and Spices (Cloves and Pepper). Maybe a bit too spicy?

Finish: Medium long to long. Warming. Dry. Nuts. A bit of a sour perfume-like feeling after a while. Could do without that. But it disappears while the Peat and light Ashes linger on for a while.

Rating: 85,5

Nose: 22,5 – Taste: 21 – Finish: 21 – Overall: 21

General Remarks: The Campbeltown region is the most southerly point on the west coast of Scotland. Today there remain only two distilleries namely Springbank and Glen Scotia. Springbank is one of a very few distilleries left that performs the whole process from malting to bottling on its own premises. The whisky is distilled 2,5 times, is non chill-filtered and does not contain caramel.

I added a couple of drops of water. Although it did away with the strong Pepper on the palate I still advise against it, as it seems to leave the spirit unbalanced. Which is quite noticeable given its 46%.

Drinking Experience Neat: Very Good.

Conclusion: Very interesting Single Malt which I will certainly drink again. It is an intriguing combination of Islay and Speyside types of whisky. It is quite peated, something your palate has to get used to. It’s not perfect but certainly a whisky worthwhile exploring.

Jan van den Ende                                                                 October 14, 2011

Old Eight Special Reserve Review

Country: Brazil

Brand: Old Eight Special Reserve

Type: Blended Whisky

Age: NAS

Alcohol: 39%

Colour: Deep Copper (Caramel is added for colouring)

Nose:  A hint of Peat and Smoke followed by Sweet Grain, lots of young harsh Alcohol and some Oak. Not much happening really.

Taste: Unpleasant delivery resembling Lamp Oil followed by a slightly hot attack on the palate.

Finish: Short and bitter. Unpleasant

Rating: 51  

Nose: 17 – Taste: 12 – Finish: 10 – Overall: 12

General Remarks. This Blended Whisky is made in Brazil by Campari. It contains imported Malt and Grain Whisky from Scotland to which local distilled alcohol and water are added.

I added a few drops of water but it really doesn’t make any difference.

Drinking Experience Neat: Unpleasant

Conclusion:

Luckily I only bought a miniature bottle. It is the best selling  “Brazilian“ whisky and it’s been around since 1965. Well, it certainly is cheap but I really can't enjoy this spirit.

Jan van den Ende                                                              October 7, 2011

Maker's Mark Review

Country: USA

Brand: Maker’s Mark

Type: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whisky 

Age: Unspecified but said to be around 6 years.

Alcohol: 45%

Colour: Golden/Light Amber (Artificially Coloured)

Nose: Sweet Corn, Grain, Malt, Resin, Caramel, Toffee, Vanilla, Honey, Brown Sugar, Fresh Pastry filled with Peach Jam, light Citrus, Cinnamon, Charred Oak and Leather. All quite well balanced and pleasant. 

Taste: Sweet with a few Sour notes as well for balance. After the first medium “Smoky Burn”, a Vanilla bomb (not unlike Creme-Brulee) explodes in the mouth accompanied by Caramel, some Spices (Ginger and Cinnamon), Plums, Cherries, Pear, light Citrus, Charred Oak, Leather, Sweet Corn and Malt. Well-Balanced!

Finish: Medium-Long with Sweet Corn, Caramel, Charred Oak, light Cinnamon, Ginger, Pepper, Cocoa Powder, Vanilla, Butterscotch and a slightly nutty dry bitterness towards the end. The Alcohol is noticeable at this point.

I added a few drops of water to the Bourbon but that was not a good idea. Drink it neat or on the Rocks!

Rating: 82.5 

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

General Remarks: Maker's Mark is America's only handmade Bourbon Whisky never mass produced. Each individual batch is less than 19 barrels. The Maker's Mark distillery is located near Loretto in Kentucky. It still uses the Sour Mash method where they start each new batch fermentation by using a little of the last. This results in a more consistent final product. They also rotate the barrels during the seasons for the same purpose. The Mash-Bill contains Corn (70%), natural Malted Barley (14%) and Red Winter Wheat (16%) rather than Rye to obtain a Sweeter and slightly Softer profile. It is usually priced between 25 and 35 US Dollars (February 2017). Great Value for Money!  

Drinking Experience Neat: Good

Drinking Experience on the Rocks: Good

Conclusion: I believe this was the first Bourbon I ever tasted and I still have a little weakness for Maker's Mark 90 Proof. It smells Sweet and Lovely and it's very easy-going and yummy on the Palate. Nice Balance! The Finish could be a little Longer but considering the very reasonable price it will always remain one of my to-go-to Bourbons. If you never had Maker's Mark be sure to give it a try soon!

Jan van den Ende            August 28, 2011 + February 1, 2017 + June 13, 2017 

Johnnie Walker Red Label Review

Country: Scotland

Brand: Johnnie Walker Red Label

Type: Blended Whisky

Age:   Around 8 Years

Alcohol: 40%

Colour: Light Amber

Nose: Grain, a light Malty Sweetness, a bit of Peat and Islay Smoke (Caol Ila) and lots of young Grain Alcohol.

Taste: Rough, Some Smoke, Burns a bit on the tongue. Very faint Vanilla.

Finish: Sharp, Hot and Spicy (Pepper). Your mouth becomes very dry after a short while.

Rating: 76 

Nose: 20 – Taste: 19 – Finish: 18 – Overall: 19

General Remarks: Whilst a little Water eases the burning sensation, it kills the blend completely.

Drinking Experience Neat: Below Average

Drinking Experience on the Rocks: Okay/Good

Conclusion:  Hard to explain why this is the world’s most popular blended whisky. It shows what good marketing can do. Save a bit more and go for the Black Label. What a difference! As for Red, preferably on the rocks or for mixing.

Jan van den Ende                                                                    November 7, 2011

Jim Beam White Review

Country: USA

Brand: Jim Beam White Label

Type: Bourbon (Kentucky)

Age: 4 Years

Alcohol: 40%

Colour: Golden Amber

Nose:  Malt and Sweet Grains followed by Oak and Vanilla and a Floral note that I can’t yet define. There are also some hints of Wax or Wood Polish.

Taste:  Sweet, lots of Oak and Vanilla. Not as creamy as the nose would like you to believe. Some spices like Pepper, Nutmeg and Ginger as well.

Finish: Short and quite dry in the end. Some sweetness lingers on for a while though.

I added a few drops of water to the spirit, which mellows everything down a bit. Still I prefer to sip it neat

Rating: 81

Nose: 21 – Taste: 20 – Finish: 20 – Overall: 20

General Remarks: This is a pleasant surprise given its low price. Excellent place to start discovering Bourbons.

Drinking Experience Neat:  Good

Drinking Experience On the Rocks: Good

Conclusion:

It’s certainly not a bad Bourbon although it’s a bit rough and unpolished which could be expected given its youth. Good value for money, that’s for sure. I can see why it’s one of the top selling spirits in the world.

Jan van den Ende - September 15, 2011