Malt Whisky Yearbook 2015

Hello Everybody and Welcome at Best Shot Whisky Reviews!

The purpose of Best Shot Whisky Reviews is to give my personal opinion on Whiskies from all over the world. To maintain my independent position I'm not engaged in any commercial activity. But today I would like to make a rare exception and introduce you to a book that should be on the shelf of every Whisky fan in my opinion. I'm talking of course about the Malt Whisky Yearbook that has been released every year since 2005 by Ingvar Ronde. This year's 2015 edition is packed with interesting stories about a/o Maturation, Irish Whiskey, An Overview of the Last Decade in Scotch, Non Age Statement and a Preview on the Next Decade. The writers include Charles MacLean, Gavin Smith, Ian Buxton and Dominic Roskrow. There are also interviews with people from all over the world who talk about how whisky is enjoyed in their respective countries. But the most important part of the book remains the detailed description of over 140 Scottish - and Japanese Distilleries and short presentations on another 219 Malt Whisky Distilleries from the rest of the world. And there's still a lot more such as the 150 best Whisky Shops in the world, Whisky Statistics, favourite Whisky Web Sites and so on. Now it is true that there are a lot of Whisky Books around. But what makes the Malt Whisky Yearbook stand out is the fact that it is interesting and useful to both seasoned whisky connoisseurs and people who have just started their journey in Whisky Land. I can guarantee you that The Malt Whisky Yearbook will be on your desk for the next 12 months and you will consult it almost every day. At least that's what I did since I got my 2014 copy. And to make things even better, this book is not really expensive. So have a look at the site Whisky and see for yourself.

Cheers!

Jan

Glencadam 1971 DL Review

“Woody Woodpecker”

Country: Scotland 

Region: Highland - Eastern

Brand: Glencadam 1971 (Douglas Laing)

Type: Single Malt Whisky

Age:  28 Years

ABV: 50 %

Colour: Light Gold

Nose: The Oak is quite present as could be expected after 28 years. Mainly in the form of Pencil Shavings. But I l also find some nice Fruit tones like Papaya Cream and Sugared Pineapple. After a while I get more Floral notes as well  that remind me of a certain Soap my late Grandmother always used. I can't remember the Brand I'm afraid. And finally a bit of Vanilla, Toffee, Orange Peel, Plum Brandy (Eau de Vie) and Milk Chocolate. The Alcohol is not fully integrated. It's not a very complex Nose but agreeable nevertheless.

Palate: Oak and Heavy Woodspice like Pepper, Nutmeg and Ginger. Underneath it all I can still recognise the Papaya Cream, my favourite Brazilian desert. I also identify Vanilla, Sweet Barley, Hay, Nut Shells and Dried Apricots.  

Finish: Middle Long, very Dry, slightly Bitter and a bit disappointing. Lots of Oak, Spices like Pepper and Nutmeg, Salted Butter, Juicy Malt and a very heavy dose of Licorice. Perhaps the strongest Licorice Note I have encountered so far. After 5 minutes or so the Eau de Vie (Plums) unexpectedly returns for a final note.

With a bit of Water, the Nose gets more Floral, Waxy and Soapy. On the Palate and in the Finish it feels like drinking Liquid Oak. Better sip it neat.

Rating: 80

Nose: 21.5 - Taste: 19.5 - Finish: 19 - Overall: 20 

The Glencadam Distillery

General Remarks: The Glencadam Distillery is located in Brechin (Angus) close to the (small) river Esk. The Distillery was built in 1825. Since 1954 it was subsequently owned by Hiram Walker, Ballantine's, and Allied Distillers and was mainly used in Blends like Ballantine's, Teacher's and Cream of the Barley. It was mothballed in 2000 and things looked bad until Angus Dundee Distillers (Owners of Tomintoul) bought it in 2003 and brought it back to Single Malt status although it's still used in Blends like Dundee and Parker's as well. The Glencadam I'm tasting today was distilled in 1971. It matured in a single Oak Barrel and was bottled by Douglas Laing & Co Ltd in July 2000. Fortunately it is un-chillfiltered and uncoloured. Only a total of 246 bottles were commercialised. I'm not sure if it's still available but you could try Whiskybase in Rotterdam, the Netherlands where I bought the sample. The price would be around 200 US Dollars for a full bottle.

Drinking Experience Neat: Okay/Good

Conclusion: Not my favourite type of Whisky. It starts pleasantly enough with a Nose that showcases Tropical Fruit Deserts and Plum Brandy (Eau de Vie). But on the Palate and in the Finish it's the Woody Woodpecker Show and it's not easy to detect anything else but Oak and Woodspice. The 28 years in the Cask almost completely erased the original Distillery character of the Glencadam Spirit. Quite sad actually considering the time and effort that was made to create this Single Malt!

Jan van den Ende                                                          November 1, 2014

Finlaggan Whisky Review

“The Name is Smoke, Peat Smoke”

Country: Scotland

Brand: Finlaggan The Secret Islay

Bottled By/For: The Vintage Malt Whisky Company Limited, Glasgow

Type: Single Malt Whisky

Age: NAS

ABV: 40%

Colour: Light Gold

Nose: Young Dirty Peat, Rubber, Burning Newspapers, Wet Tarmac, Ashes, Toasted Oak, Smoke, Band Aid, Plastic, Iodine, Salty Water, Apple Vinegar, Compost, Grass, light Leather, Malt, Mint, Licorice, Unripe Bananas, Aniseed and Lemon. I know this looks rather unappetising but in fact it's not that bad at all! It's a very basic young Islay spirit with Peat and Smoke all over the place. 

The Remains of Finlaggan Castle in the Rain!!

Palate: Slightly Thin and Watery Delivery. It's quite Dry and the Alcohol stings a bit. I find Wet Clay, Wet Grass, Ashes, Rubber, Smoke, Plastic, Salt Water, Pepper, Nutmeg, Artificial Sweetener, Vinegar, Malt, Nuts and Lemon Zest.   

Finish: Quite Long actually. Sugary Sweet and Sour at the same with Wet Clay, Ashes, Burnt Toast, Charcoal, light Plastic, Pepper and distant tones of Lemon and Milk Chocolate.

Welcome to Finlaggan!

This Finlaggan does not improve with added Water.

Rating: 80.5  

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

Beautiful Islay!

General Remarks: The Finlaggan Old Reserve "Secret of Islay" Single Malt is distilled in one of the Distilleries on the Island. Which one is a real secret, only known to a few. This Whisky is named after the ruins of the Finlaggan Castle. It was constructed in the 13th Century and served as the home of The Lord of the Isles and the Clan MacDonald. It is located on a little Island called Eileen Mor in Loch Finlaggan. Finlaggan means Fort of the Island. It was demolished in the 15th or 16th Century. There are other expressions in the Finlaggan series being the Original Peaty, the 10 Years Lightly Peated and the Cask Strength at 58%. The Old Reserve sells at an average 45 US Dollars, but it can go as low as 18 US Dollars depending on where you live. That consistent low price makes you wonder if the Spirit always comes from the same Distillery as the makers of Finlaggan keep telling us. Because a dependence on one Distillery alone would normally lead to price differences depending on the availability of sufficient Spirit. Unless you always have lots of it like Caol Ila does. Well, the mystery is part of the fun so let's not dive too deep!

Drinking Experience Neat: Okay/Good  

Conclusion: It's pretty straight forward Young Islay Spirit with very dominant Smoke and Peat on the Nose. At least for me this Spirit needs more Cask time to get rid of the Rubber and Plastic tones. I also miss Fruit or Sherry tones. I would guess that this Spirit matured in second and third refill Ex Bourbon Casks.

Finlaggan Old Reserve is certainly drinkable if you're an Islay fan and Ardbeg 10 is too expensive. And if you can get it at around 20 US Dollars it's a great bargain! This Finlaggan contains Caramel so the Colour gives you no clue as to where the Spirit was distilled. After Nosing I ruled out Bowmore, Kilchoman and Bunnahabhain. After Tasting I would put my money on either Ardbeg or maybe Lagavulin although I have to admit I'm not very familiar with young Caol Ila or Bruichladdich. Oh well, let the mystery live on forever!

Jan van den Ende                                                            October 29, 2014

The Famous Round Church in Bowmore!