Chivas Regal Royal Salute 21 Years Review

Country: Scotland

Brand: Chivas Regal Royal Salute

Type: Blended Whisky

Age: 21 Years

Alcohol: 40%

Date: 28/02/2012

Colour: Dark Amber

Nose:  Beautiful Nose. Quality Oak and Peat. The Vanilla from the Oak reminds me of good Bourbon. Honey, Apples and Cinnamon. Additional Fruits come through. Think of Apricots and Melon. Bit of Salt and Sweet Oloroso Sherry and a hint of Smoke. This is very well balanced.

Taste: Full Bodied Delivery despite its mere 40%. Wonderful. Ripe Pear and Melon. Buttered Toast with Honey. Spices like Ginger. The Oak is still there as well as a bit of Smoke. Sweet Oloroso holding it all together.

Finish: Sweet Barley and Chocolate. Toffee, Honey and Vanilla from the Oak. Bit of dry Ashes in the end.

Rating: 90 

Nose 23 - Taste 23 – Finish 21,5 - Overall 22,5

I added a few drops of water, which brought out more Apples in the nose and some Malt and Nuts. The Apricots and Melon are replaced by Blossom and Grassy tones. On the palate you get more Sweet Grains and Sherry and more Chocolate is added to the finish. You can certainly play with a couple of drops of water with this Blend.

Strathisla Distillery

General Remarks: This Blend was launched in 1953 on the occasion of the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. Her crown was set in precious stones (Emeralds, Rubies and Sapphires). The colors of those Stones inspired the hand made bottles for the Royal Salute. The name of the Blend derives from the 21 Guns Royal Salute that is given in the honor of notorious visitors to the English Crown. At the heart of this blend lies the Speyside Single Malt Strathisla. It is aged in Oak Casks for at least 21 long years. The main markets for this blend are The Middle East, South America, Asia and Russia. It’s expensive. Prices may vary from as low as US$ 125, - in Free Shops to a maximum of around US$ 600, - here in Brazil.

Drinking Experience Straight: Very Good

Conclusion: This is good stuff! This would have gone straight to # 1 in my list if not for my slight disappointment with the finish. Don’t get me wrong, the finish is still good but given the Royal Salute’s high price and its great nose and taste, a little bit more attention should have been paid here. As it is, this is a very good blend for a Special Occasion. If you find it under US$ 150, - you can safely buy it. You won’t regret it. After all, the Royal Salute is a whisky worthy of Queens!

Jan van den Ende                                                            February 2012

Black Sabbath - Black Sabbath - Review

Black Sabbath - Black Sabbath - 1970

Songs:  Black Sabbath, The Wizard, Behind The Wall Of Sleep, N.I.B., Evil Woman, Sleeping Village, Warning, Wicked World.

Type of Music: Heavy Metal/Hard Rock

Comments:

It was 1970 and I was spending the holidays with my family in the south of The Netherlands. It was raining and we decided to visit the city of Venlo. My grandmother was with us and she told me I could buy an Album at her expense. I went to a record store looking to buy Willy and the Poor Boys, the new Creedence Clearwater Revival Album. In those days you took the record to a small cabin that was equipped with head-phones. When I was enjoying Down on the Corner, I suddenly looked outside thinking a thunder storm was developing. And then suddenly I heard church bells and I realised they were coming from the cabin next to mine. And when the heavy guitar fell in I took off my head-phone, forgot all about Creedence and started to listen to that weird and scary sound. After 10 minutes I went out of the cabin and asked the shopkeeper what album the other guy was listening to. He told me it was the debut album of a British Hard Rock Group called Black Sabbath. I had never heard of them at the time but I really liked the sound and bought the album. Well, to be honest, I bought Creedence as well for old times sake.

Such was the impact of this album on an 18 year old teenager! After all those years my mind has not changed. I still think it´s the first great Heavy Metal Album and thanks to digital Re-Mastering the album sounds even better today.

Strangely enough there are various releases for sale with different song selections and changed song order. I consider this release on Castle Records (1999) the best. There are 8 songs on this specific release and only the last one Wicked World isn’t quite up to the high standard of this record. But the other seven are all great and that´s rare for any album.

It´s a very dark album with scary lyrics by Geezer Butler. I´m sure parents in general condemned the album as it might have had a negative influence on their kids. But that can´t take away the fact that this is great music. Ozzy never sounded better in my opinion. Starting with the second album it became more of The Ozzy & Tony show but here it´s a real group effort and the bass and drums have a prominent place.  I liked the album first time I heard it 41 years ago. And I still do. And that says enough about the quality of Black Sabbath´s debut album.

 

Rating: ********* (9 out of 10)

Black = Good Songs

Green = Great Songs

Red = Could Be Better

Who should buy this Record:  Everybody. This is essential Black Sabbath and one of the truly great Heavy Metal Albums. 

Pink Floyd - The Piper at the Gates of Dawn - Review

Pink Floyd - The Piper at the Gates of Dawn - 1967

Songs: Astronomy Domine, Lucifer Sam, Mathilda Mother, Flaming, Pow R. Toc H., Take Up Thy Stethoscope and Walk, Interstellar Overdrive, The Gnome, Chapter 24, Scarecrow, Bike.

Music: Psychedelic Pop Rock   

Comments:

Well, this is the Debut Album of Syd Barrett & the Monsters of Deep Space, a.k.a. Pink Floyd at the time this record was released. Everybody knows the story of Syd I suppose. He took too much Acid and went into obscurity eventually, leaving his band for Roger Waters to take care. Syd died in 2006.

But on The Piper our Crazy Diamond still Shines! I read Syd Barrett as follows: Actually he was a writer of short to the point Pop Songs like their debut single Arnold Llayne.  

This album contains a lot of this type of Song. Some of  them could have easily been given to artists like David Bowie or Donovan or even Dave Berry. Some of them are quite good (Lucifer Sam, Mathilda Mother, Flaming). Some are not (Chapter 24, Bike).

But then what happened. Syd found some pills and, like people did back in 1967, he took one and one more and one more…….and suddenly the  world became a Strawberry Field Forever.

It was at such a moment that Syd created Interstellar Overdrive and Astronomy Domine, the key songs on this album that were inspired by Jimi Hendrix and, in turn, inspired the psychedelic world for some years to come. The songs are actually quite good.

Roger Waters tried a pill as well but it was probably a pain killer as the result Take up thy Stethoscope and Walk is no match for Syd´s space adventures.

On this album the Floyd experimented for the first time with sound effects and other gimmicks that, in later years, would become an all important ingredient of their music. A good example is POW. R TOC. H, a jazzy song with Richard seemingly playing his piano in the Jungle.

All in All the Album is somewhat inconsistent. But no one can deny its importance for Psychedelic Rock.      

Rating: ******** (8 out of 10)

Black = Good Songs

Green = Great Songs

Red = Could Be Better

Who should buy this Record:  If you like your Psychedelic Music quite poppy, this one´s for you. Also for those who appreciate early David Bowie.

It´s an interesting but not easy start of your Pink Floyd Collection.

With the Beatles - Beatles - Review

Beatles - With the Beatles - 1963

Songs: It Won´t Be Long, All I´ve Got To Do, All My Loving, Don´t Bother Me, Little Child, Till There Was You, Please Mr. Postman, Roll Over Beethoven, Hold Me Tight, You Really Got A Hold On Me, I Wanna Be Your Man, Devil In Her Heart, Not A Second Time, Money.

Type of Music: Early Sixties Pop Music.

Comments:

Another mix of covers and original Lennon/McCartney compositions following their debut  Please Please Me. The covers are performed with mixed results. Both Please Mr. Postman and You Really Got A Hold On Me have become Beatles songs over the years. And you might argue the same goes for Money. But their version of Roll Over Beethoven pales next to Chuck Berry´s original. The songs written by John and Paul are more or less OK. Nothing here really impresses me. George makes his first contribution with Don´t Bother Me and indeed, it doesn´t bother me but that’s all.

One early Classic here namely All My Loving. That´s not enough to make this album worth owning unless you want to collect everything the Beatles ever produced. Which, by itself, is a very nice hobby!

Rating: ****** (6 out of 10)

Black = Good Songs

Green = Great Songs

Red = Could Be Better

Who should buy this Record: Beatles Collectors Only.

Pig's Nose Blended Scotch Whisky Review

Country: Scotland

Brand: Pig’s Nose

Bottled by Spencerfield Spirit Company, Inverkeithing

Type: Blended Whisky

Age: At least 5 Years Old

Alcohol: 40%

Colour:  Amber/Copper

Nose: I would have expected lots of sharp alcohol given the youth of this blend but that’s not the case. The first impressions are Grains (Barley and Corn), Vanilla, Apples and Light Peat. A bit of Sour Alcohol/Vinegar and light Wood pops up a bit later. After 10 minutes or so I get some Dried Fruits (Sultanas).

Taste: Smooth delivery with Honey, Peanut (Butter),Licorice, Sugared Tea, some Sherry, Light Spices and Malt. 

Finish: Middle-long but not very wild and exciting I’m afraid. First Sweet (Sugar, Caramel) followed by Citrus and Salt. Quite dry in the end.

When adding a couple of drops of water you get more fruity tones on the nose. Melon and Peach. On the palate you get more Wood and Vinegar and loose some Tea and Peanuts. In my opinion the nose benefits from a bit of water but I prefer to drink it straight. In any case, you can experiment with a few drops but as always be careful not to overdo it.

Rating:  79 

Nose: 20 – Taste: 21 – Finish: 18 – Overall: 20

General Remarks: Alex Nicol, who used to work for Whyte and Mackay, Laphroaig and Glenmorangie, founded The Spencerfield Spirit Company. The Pig’s Nose Blend was prepared by Richard Paterson of Whyte and Mackay fame. It contains Single Malts from Speyside, Highlands and a bit of Islay, blended together with Grain whiskies.

Drinking Experience Neat: Good

Conclusion: Soft and Smooth as a Pig’s Nose. That’s the idea behind this blend. It’s certainly smooth for such a young blend of whiskies. I believe it contains mainly Speyside and Highland Malts. Can’t find much Islay here apart from a bit of peat on the nose. At a price of between USD 30, - and 35, - it’s certainly an alternative if you like smooth and sweet. If anything, I find it a bit too sweet on the palate. It really brought me back to the dressing room when I was a kid playing in a local soccer team. At half time you would receive a cup of sweet tea, sweet as a Pig’s Nose!

Jan van den Ende                                                          February 24, 2012

Fleetwood Mac - Kiln House - Review

Today I would like to present to you an Album from Fleetwood Mac recorded in 1970. Not because it's such a great Album but because of its title Kiln House. No better way than to combine Classic Rock and Whisky. As you know the Kiln is used to dry the soaking wet and germinating barley. Today most distilleries use hot air to dry the barley but distilleries on a/o Islay, the Orkney Isles and in Northern Scotland still use traditional peat and coal fires to dry the malt and get the peat flavour in the whisky. Drying goes on until the barley, now called Malt,  has reached the ideal temperature for grounding.
So that's the Kiln House in a nutshell. Here's the Album:

Fleetwood Mac - Kiln House - 1970

Songs: This is the Rock, Station Man, Blood on the Floor, Hi Ho Silver, Jewel Eyed Judy, Buddy´s Song, Earl Gray, One Together, Tell Me All The Things You Do, Mission Bell.       

Type of Music: Early Seventies Eh…….. Music, I suppose.

Comments:

This was the first album without founding member Peter Green who joined a religious cult. So we have the rhythm section Fleetwood/Mc Vie and guitarists Danny Kirwan and Jeremy Spencer. And we have some backing vocals from Christine McVie who would join the band right after the release of Kiln House. But it´s basically Jeremy who leads the way on this Album. But where does the road go to one wonders? We have a Carl Perkins pastiche called This is the Rock, a hilarious Elvis imitation in the country song Blood on the Floor and a Buddy Holly tribute called Buddy´s Song. Then there is some country-rock a la The Band in Station Man and, Oops we almost forgot we were a blues band, there is the Blues Rock of Tell Me All The Things You Do. Even an instrumental called Earl Gray which is not really my cup of tea but it´s not bad either.

Two insignificant songs are called One Together and Mission Bell. And all that remains is Jewel Eyed Judy. Hey, wait a minute! Now that´s a good song! Watch for those guitars. Best song on the Album without a shadow of a doubt.

So what´s the point of all the above. None I guess, the guys were just having fun!

Rating: ***** (5 out of 10)

Black = Good Songs

Green = Great Songs

Red = Could Be Better

Who should buy this Album: Well, nobody I suppose unless you’re a huge fan of Fleetwood Mac!

Creedence Clearwater Revival - Bayou Country - Review

Creedence Clearwater Revival - Bayou Country - 1969

Songs:  Born on the Bayou, Bootleg, Graveyard Train, Good Golly Miss Molly, Penthouse Pauper, Proud Mary, Keep on Chooglin’.

Type of Music: Late Sixties Blues (Swamp) Rock.

Comments:

The second of the three albums CCR would produce in 68/69. And I like it a lot!! I know it´s too short with only 34 minutes of which 16 are used for the overlong jams Graveyard Train, a very slow Blues song, and Keep on Chooglin´  , a Suzie Q Rip-off.  And it´s got a cover of Good Golly Miss Molly that I don´t particularly like but that does point to future classics like Travelin Band  and Fortunate Son. And it does sound a bit sloppy from time to time and the album was probably recorded in a hurry. But the rough CCR sound is well established by now and John´s songs are getting better and better.

The best of CCR is yet to come and that says a lot when an album contains such absolute Classics like Born on the Bayou which is in the TOP 3 of my favourite CCR songs and the overplayed but still fresh sounding Proud Mary which would later be successfully covered by Ike and Tina Turner.

This is The place to start your Creedence collection. There is a remastered version waiting for you in the shops!!          

Rating: ******** (8 out of 10)

Black = Good Songs

Green = Great Songs

Red = Could Be Better

Who should buy this Record:  Everybody that loves John Fogerty´s Swamp Rock!!

McClelland's Lowland Review

Country: Scotland

Brand: McClelland’s

Type: Single Malt Whisky

Region: Lowland

Age: Not specified but most likely around 5 Years

Alcohol: 40%

Date: 19/02/2012

Colour: Yellow Gold

Nose: There’s not too much going on here. Bitter Sweet with Malt, Oak, Light Peat, Caramel and Sharp Alcohol, which was to be expected given its relative youth. There are some fruity tones there in the back but you really have to look for them. And then they are not even really pleasant. Like slightly bitter Orange -or Tangerine Juice. A faint hint of Spices.

Taste:  The delivery is harsh with Alcohol, Wood, Malt and Sugar. There’s a Bite on the palate. Little bit of Sherry is not enough to save this.

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

Finish: Short and Bitter. Wood and a Bit of Toffee.

Rating:  72,5(out of 100)

Nose 19– Taste 18 – Finish 17,5 – Overall 18

General Remarks: A McClelland’s Distillery does not exist. It’s a series of 5 Single Malt Whiskies from the main Scottish production areas. Four of them, the Highland, the Lowland, the Speyside and the Islay are NAS or Non-Age Specified. In 2008, a Speyside 12 Years was added. McClelland’s Parent company is Morrison Bowmore Distilleries (Suntory Group). They are the owners of Auchentoshan (Lowland), Bowmore (Islay) and Glen Garioch (Highland). So we only have to guess where the Speyside is produced I would say! We can safely assume that the Auchentoshan Distillery produced this Lowland Malt. You can find my tasting notes on their 12 Year Expression on the site. Didn’t score very high and neither does this one. McClelland’s main markets are the USA, Canada, Japan and France.

Drinking Experience Neat: Average

Conclusion: Smooth and Light like the landscape. That’s how a Lowland Whisky is supposed to taste!

Unfortunately that’s not the case here. Instead it’s Harsh, Bitter, Sugary Sweet and Dull. It’s cheap at around USD 30, - but I can think of better ways to spend my money!

Jan van den Ende                                                                   February 2012

Jim Beam Black Review

Country: USA

Brand: Jim Beam Black Label

Type: Bourbon (Kentucky)

Age: 6 Years

Alcohol: 43%

Colour: Deep Gold

Nose: Very Rich with Sweet Grain, Banana, Coconut, Dried Apricots, Vanilla, Light Oak and Charcoal. There is some young alcohol there so best leave it in the glass for at least 15 minutes before starting to nose.

Taste:  The delivery is smooth and sweet though less sweet as I’d expected after the nose. Vanilla and Caramel. Some light spices are developing. But above all there is a distinct Cherry flavor.

Finish: Middle long with the Cherries leading the way to a dry and nutty finish.

Rating: 85

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

General Remarks: With a few drops of water you bring out some more fruit in the nose (Dried Apricots and Prunes). But the palate is ruined so I advise you to drink it either straight or with an ice cube or two.

Drinking Experience Neat:  Good

Drinking Experience On the Rocks: Average (Nutty Bitterness)

Conclusion: I’ve read a lot of very positive opinions on the Jim Beam Black 8 years expression that is being sold in the USA. In Brazil and other parts of the world we have to do with the imported version that aged for 6 years only. I consider it to be a good Bourbon, slightly better than the Jim Beam White Label that I also bought here in Brazil. But I think I will have to go to the States to get the real one. So maybe in the future I’ll go Back to Black!

Jan van den Ende                                                        November 18, 2011

Graham Nash - Songs For Beginners - Review

Graham Nash - Songs For Beginners - 1971

Songs: Military Madness, Better Days, Wounded Bird, I used to be a King, Be Yourself, Simple Man, Man in the Mirror, There’s only one, Sleep Song, Chicago, We can change the world.

Type of Music: Early Seventies Folk/Country/Pop

Comments:

Next to ambitious Stephen Stills and druggie David Crosby, the famous trio was completed by Mr. nice guy Graham Nash. And funny enough you can recognise that clearly on all three debut solo-albums. Stills I (One) is rocking and rough, David’s " If Only I Could Remember My Name" is almost self-explanatory when you consider the title and Songs for Beginners is a nice pop/country Album that won’t offend anybody’s ears.  

But those three albums do have something in common. They are pretty good!!

Graham got a lot of help from his friends here. You will enjoy Dave Mason’s guitar on the strong Anti-War Song Military Madness and the backing vocals from a.o. David Crosby and Rita Coolidge are pleasantly present. All up-tempo songs are good. Most people will recognise the aforementioned Military Madness and the other protest song Chicago. And in "I Used To Be a King", Graham reminds us in a friendly way that he did play an important part in not only the Hollies (Yes, he is King Midas in Reverse) but also in Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young where he was responsible for tunes like Marrakesh Express, Teach your Children and Our House.

The more intimate songs vary in quality though. Better Days, There’s Only One and Sleep Song don’t do much for me. But Wounded Bird and Man in the Mirror are better and Simple Man is my favourite song on the Album.  

All in all a good though short debut album that clocks in at around 30 minutes.

Rating: ******** (8 out of 10)

Black = Good Songs

Green = Great Songs

Red = Could Be Better

Who should buy this Record: Anyone who likes the sound of Crosby, Stills & Nash in songs like Teach your Children or Our House should buy this one. 

Neil Young - Neil Young - Review

Neil Young - Neil Young - 1969

Songs: The Emperor of Wyoming, The Loner, If I could have her tonight, 

I´ve been waiting for you, The Old Laughing Lady, String Quartet from Whiskey Boot Hill, Here we are in the Years, What did you do to my life, 

I´ve loved her so long, The last trip to Tulsa.  

Type of Music: Late Sixties Folk/Country Rock

Comments:

Somewhat incoherent debut effort from Singer Songwriter Neil Young , more or less in line with his earlier work with Buffalo Springfield. It´s a bit of everything on this album. You will find Country, Folk, Country Rock and sometimes even a dash of Psychedelic influences. And the almost Gospel-Like female background vocals on some of the songs show that Neil is not afraid to be called eclectic. After more than 40 years of Neil´s career we all know that to be true!!   

This album is not really bad but certainly not essential. It did gave us one early Neil Young Semi-Classic with The Loner. Special attention as well for The Old Laughing Lady.

Rating: ******(6 out of 10)

Black = Good Songs

Green = Great Songs

Red = Could Be Better

Who should buy this Record: Only for Hard Core Neil Young Fans       

Glenlivet 12 Years Review

Country: Scotland

Brand: The Glenlivet

Type: Single Malt Whisky

Region: Speyside

Age: 12 Years

Alcohol: 40%

Colour: Pale Straw

Nose: Pleasant. Heather and Floral Tones, Malt, Lots of Fruit like Banana, Pineapple, Apple and Lemon. Apple-Juice as well. Sweet Grains, Honey and a bit of Oak. Very light Alcohol and Spices (Clove).

Taste: Delivery is sweet but with an unexpected bite on the palate. First strong impression is of Aniseed. Slightly bitter Marzipan. Toffee, Brown Sugar. Where are all those lovely floral and fruity tones that the nose promised? Certainly a disappointment after the pleasant nose.

Finish: Not much going on here. There’s that bite again. A hint of apple returning after a while. Bit of Malt and lightly salted Almonds. Disappointing.

With a couple of drops of water there’s some more fruit on the nose and a hint of milk chocolate. On the palate the Marzipan gets more weight. The bitterness remains though. But you can experiment with a few drops.

Rating: 81,5

Nose: 22 – Taste: 20 – Finish: 19 – Overall: 20,5

General Remarks:  George Smith built The Glenlivet Distillery in 1824. It moved to the current location, Minmore House near Ballindalloch in 1858 and produces around 6 million litres of Alcohol yearly. Current Owners are Chivas (Pernod Ricard). Glenlivet is the best selling Single Malt in the USA and the second best on a global scale. Most of the production is sold as Single Malt with the remainder going to the Chivas Regal – and Royal Salute Blends. Most distilleries closed various times during their history, especially during the Depression and in wartime. But Glenlivet only closed during World War II. Without any doubt, the Glenlivet has contributed a lot to the current popularity of Single Malt whiskies.

Drinking Experience Straight: Good

Conclusion: This Single Malt has a promising start with the fresh fruity nose and the early Aniseed and Marzipan on the palate. But then everything turns slightly bitter and sugary. And there’s that sudden bite. The apples at the very end can’t save the finish as well. It’s not very expensive at around USD 40, - Still, I believe The Glenlivet 12 Years to be a missed opportunity. This could have been a great Single Malt but in the end it’s not.

Jan van den Ende                                                               February 14, 2012