Jim Beam Devil's Cut Review

Country: USA

Brand: Jim Beam Devil's Cut 

Type: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Age: NAS but aged for at least 6 Years

ABV: 45%

Colour: Golden Caramel

Nose: Sweet Grains, Deep Oak, Vanilla, Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Lemon, Butterscotch, Coconut, Maple Syrup, Brown Sugar, Orange, Cherry - and Peach Liqueur.  

Taste: Sweet start quickly gets Rough with Orange and Earthy Oak, Vanilla and Nutmeg, Butterscotch and slightly bitter Grains. Wood Spices are quite present. You can certainly feel the higher ABV.

Finish: Burn Baby Burn, Devil's Inferno was a hit for the Trammps in the Seventies. Okay, it was Disco Inferno and yes, I'm exaggerating, but there's quite some Fire in this Whiskey with Nutmeg, Ginger, Grains, Orange and Oak.

I added a few drops of Water and immediately the Spices on the Nose are toned down in favour of the Vanilla and Fruity Flavours. On the Palate and in the Finish however Bitter Oak and Wood Spice start to dominate. You can Nose it both with - and without Water but I prefer to sip it neat or with some Ice.   

Rating:  82.5

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

General Remarks: According to the Distillery, the Devil's Cut (released in early 2011) is a Blend of the standard Mash Bill 6 Years Beam, matured in virgin Oak Barrels and  " Barrel-Treated Extract Bourbon", Bourbon residue extracted from dumped barrels. Some water is inserted in the barrel that is subsequently shaken for half an hour. The liquid is drained off and used to dilute the final product instead of using regular spring water. Master Distiller Fred Noe invented the product and the name.

Drinking Experience Neat: Good

Drinking Experience on the Rocks: Good

Conclusion: This is seriously potent stuff. Much rougher than the standard expressions White and Black 6. It certainly tastes nice on Ice but so does White and that's a lot cheaper. At around US$ 27,- I don't see myself sipping this Bourbon on a regular basis. But it's certainly something else when compared to the standard Beams because of the deep Oak and Wood Spices and it's nice for a change every once in a while. The Angel's Share might be lost forever but the Devil's Cut has been recovered. Thanks to Fred Noe!

Jan van den Ende                                                               October 23, 2012

Buchanan's 18 Years Review

Country: Scotland

Brand: Buchanan's Special Reserve

Type: Blended Scotch Whisky

Age: 18 Years

ABV: 40%

Colour: Deep Amber

Nose: Balanced Nose with Grains, Oak, Toffee/Caramel, Nuts, Peat, Vanilla, Plums, Leather, Orange Zest  and hints of Tobacco and Mango. Only mild Spices, mainly Nutmeg.

Taste: A pleasant though not extremely exciting combination of Orange, Oak, Lemon, Peat, Toast, Leather, Nuts, Spices, Caramel and strong black Coffee.

Finish: Sweet Fruit at first (Ripe Banana) but quickly becoming dry with Vanilla, Pepper, Leather, Oak, Peat, Nuts and English Breakfast Marmalade (Orange).

I added a few drops of Water and you get a more Maltier Nose. Peat, Fruit and Leather are also enhanced and I notice a touch of Honey. Palate and Finish don't show important improvements. Still, there is some room to experiment with a couple of drops of Water.

Rating: 84.5  

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

General Remarks: 

The Buchanan's Blend is now owned by the Diageo Group and is very popular in Mexico, South America and with the Hispanic population in the USA. The Blend was originally introduced by James Buchanan, originally a grain trader who was born in Canada as a son of Scottish immigrants but moved to the UK at a very young age and started James Buchanan & Co in 1884. The Highland distillery Dalwhinnie is one of the important components of this Blend.

Drinking Experience Neat: Good

Conclusion: 

A comfortable and well-balanced Blend without any off-notes. The Oak is there but does not control the flavor profile despite the 18 years. It's a dram for English Lords to be savoured in leather arm chairs in a private club that did not change over the last century. I think you get the picture. Not exciting enough for Rugby Fans, New York Stock Exchange Traders and nervous Investment Bankers. But well-made and a good step up from the rather boring Buchanan's 12 Years.

Jan van den Ende                               October 21, 2012

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