Auchentoshan Springwood Review

“Deadwood”

Country: Scotland

Region: Lowlands 

Brand: Auchentoshan Springwood

Type: Single Malt Whisky

Age: NAS

ABV: 40 %

Colour: Pale Straw (Artificially Coloured)

Nose: Light, Young, Waxy and Grassy. I find Cereals, Buttered Toast, Vanilla, Straw, Heather-Honey, Charred Young Oak, Peanuts, Apple Vinegar, Nail Polish Remover, Orange Peel, Fresh Herbs, Cinnamon and hints of Dairy and Cooked Vegetables. The Alcohol is quite present and reminds me of perfumed Vodka from time to time. I would guess that this Whisky matured for 5 years or a bit more. The casks haven't been very active as well. The end result is a Young and not very Interesting Spirit.

Taste: Thin, Yeasty and Bitter-Sweet. This comes very close to being Peppered Vodka. I find Vanilla, light Milk Chocolate, Buttery Cereals, Charred Young Oak, Straw, Orange Peel, very light Heather-Honey, Apple Vinegar, Nuts, Pepper, Salt, light Aniseed and Herbal Tea. 

Finish: Very Short as far as Flavours are concerned. The sharp Alcohol however remains in your throat for a bit longer. It's not easy to detect anything slightly interesting in this department. Slightly Bitter Orange - and Lemon Juice spring to mind. I also find some Buttery Cereals, Vanilla, Nuts, Charred Young Oak and a sprinkle of Pepper. Quite Dry in the end.

The Auchentoshan Springwood does not improve with added Water.

Rating: 72   

Nose: 19 - Taste: 17.5 - Finish: 17.5 - Overall: 18

General Remarks: As you will probably know, Auchentoshan (Gaelic for Corner of the Field) is triple-distilled like Irish Whiskey. The idea is to produce a smooth dram. The Springwood is part of a special range released in 2012, initially for Travel Retail only. The four main expressions of this range all relate to the big importance of Wood in the production process of Whisky. The other three are named Heartwood, Silveroak and Solera. The Springwood is the youngest of the pack and matures in American Oak Ex-Bourbon Casks. It costs around 35 US Dollars (January 2016).  

Drinking Experience Neat: Below average. Too Young, too Thin.

Conclusion: I'm not a huge fan of Auchentoshan and Triple-Distilled Whisk(e)y in general. Therefore my expectations were not very high. But this Springwood was even worse than I expected. By law it's a whisky of course but in reality it comes dangerously close to being a flavoured white Spirit like Vodka or Gin. It's quite cheap of course and given today's Whisky Market you can't expect a top class Single Malt at that price. I sometimes feel the industry uses Travel Retail as a Test Market for low priced, indifferent young Whiskies accompanied by an interesting story and attractive packaging. Exploring the borders of what is still marketable as it were. True or not, in my opinion the Auchentoshan Springwood leaves a lot to be desired. Therefore, I can't recommend it.

Jan van den Ende                                                                January 14, 2016

Glenfarclas 21 Years Review

“Black Sheep of the Family”

Country: Scotland 

Region: Highland/Speyside

Brand: Glenfarclas

Type: Single Malt Whisky

Age: 21 Years

ABV: 43 %

Colour: Deep Amber with notes of Brown and Orange

Nose: Be sure to give this Glenfarclas enough time in the glass before Nosing. It really needs air contact to reveal its Aromas. On the Nose it certainly can't be called a Sherry Bomb. The light Sherry Aromas lead me to believe that mostly Re-Fill casks were used to mature this Malt. The Nose is mostly Sweet with Barley, Buttered Toast, Wax, Dry Earth, Grass, Dried Fruit, Berries, Hazelnuts, 
Nougat, Vanilla, Caramel, Apple, Pear, Nectarine, Peach, Orange Marmalade, Ripe Banana, Grapes, light Oak, Floral Perfume, Heather-Honey, Cocoa Powder, Ginger, Cinnamon, Mint, Chocolate, Espresso and Lemon Pie. You need lots of time and patience to discover the Aromas as most of them are quite subtle. I expected more from a Single Malt that matured for 21 long years. The casks were not very active in my opinion. The Alcohol is nicely integrated. I do not detect significant notes of Sulphur.    

Palate: Oak, Alcohol and Spices are quite present and that's a bit of a surprise after the laid-back Nose. I also find Sweet Barley, Brown Sugar, Christmas Cake with Rum soaked Raisins and Sultanas, Caramel, Berries, Grapes, Bananas, Plums, Orange, Mandarin, Chocolate, Hazelnuts, Herbal Tea, Pepper, Nutmeg, Cinnamon, Cloves and Heather-Honey. On the Palate and also in the Finish the cask influence is much clearer but it mostly adds Wood and Wood Spices. 

Despite the identified Flavour notes I am not impressed by the complexity and balance of this Glenfarclas.    

Finish: Bitter-Sweet, slightly Sour, Herbal, Spicy and quite Dry towards the end. I find Sweet Barley, Malt, Dusty Road, Dried Fruit, Assorted Nuts, Toffee, Oak, Orange, Mandarin, Banana, Espresso, (Lemon) Pepper, Mint, Nutmeg, Cloves, Cardamom, Vanilla, Herbal Tea, Dark Chocolate and light Licorice.    

I added some Water and on the Nose the Floral notes become stronger. Malt and Orange are also reinforced. On the Palate, the Dark Red Fruit becomes more evident and in the Finish I detect some extra Nutmeg, Cardamom and Cloves. This Glenfarclas allows you to experiment with a little Water. 

Rating: 82.5

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

General Remarks: The Glenfarclas Distillery was founded in 1836 and has been in the hands of the Grant family for around 150 years now, a rare fact in the Whisky Industry. It is located in Ballindalloch (Banffshire). The 21 Years is part of the Core Range of this Distillery together with the 10, 12, 15, 25, 30 and 40 Years. It matures in mostly Re-Fill Ex-Sherry casks from Spain and costs around 100 US Dollars.

Drinking Experience Neat: Good but below expectations.

Conclusion: The 21 Years is one of the many expressions in the Glenfarclas core distillery range. They all mature in Ex-Sherry casks and many of them present similar Aromas and Flavours. The differences between them are mainly caused

by Age and Wood Management. It's very important therefore to include the Price/Quality ratio in your decision when choosing a Glenfarclas Single Malt. In this respect the 21 Years would not be the best choice in my opinion. The best option is the 15 years that presents the best P/Q ratio. Or you could go for the 25 if you have some spare cash and prefer a more mature Malt. The 21 Years is a bit of a Black Sheep in the Glenfarclas family!

Jan van den Ende                                                                 January 11, 2016

Finlaggan The Original Peaty Review

“In the Court of the Lord of the Isles”

Country: Scotland
Region: Islay

Brand: Finlaggan The Original Peaty

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

Type: Single Malt Whisky

Age: NAS

ABV: 40%
Sample provided by Jan from the Netherlands. Many thanks!

Colour: Light Amber (Artificially Coloured)

Nose: The Sweet Peat is all over the place. This is a perfect example of a young and rough Islay Malt. I find Cold Smoke, Ashes, Wet Mud, Medicine, Band-Aid, Plastic, Rubber, Burning Newspaper, Wet Tarmac, Salt Water, Sweet Cereals, Burnt Toast, Alcohol, Smoked Fish & Pork, Banana, Pineapple, Apple Vinegar, BBQ Sauce, light Honey, Lemon, Caramel, light Menthol, light Aniseed and light Licorice. On the Nose, the Original Peaty is quite similar to the Finlaggan Secret of Islay that I reviewed earlier.

Palate: On the Palate, the Original Peaty is Bitter-Sweet but a bit Thin and Watery with Sweet Barley, Sugar, Cold Smoke, Wet Grass, Ashes, Plastic, Rubber, Salt Water, Charred Oak, Lemon, Banana, light Vanilla, Apple Vinegar, Bacon, Pepper, Nutmeg and Metallic- and Mineral notes.

Finish: Middle-Long and Sugary Sweet with a light Bitterness towards the end. I find Wet Mud, Cold Smoke, Ashes, Tar, Medicine, Plastic, Sweet Barley, light Vanilla, Burnt Toast, light Menthol, Salt, Licorice, Lemon-Pepper and hints of Charred Oak and Milk Chocolate.

This Finlaggan does not improve with added Water.

Rating: 81 

Nose: 21 - Taste: 20 - Finish: 20 - Overall: 20

General Remarks: The Original Peaty Single Malt is distilled by one of the Distilleries on Islay. 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 Secret of Islay, the 10 Years Lightly Peated and the Cask Strength at 58%. The Original Peaty sells at an average 30 US Dollars, but it can go as low as 20 US Dollars depending on where you live. This Malt was Chill-Filtered before bottling.

Drinking Experience Neat: Good  

Conclusion: A typical Young and Edgy Islay Malt. At this age (5-7 Years) most peated Islay Malts tend to present similar Aromas and Flavours. That's why it's very difficult to guess where this Finlaggan was distilled. Most likely it's either at Lagavulin, Caol Ila or Laphroaig but I guess it will remain a secret for a long time. In general I found this Original Peaty very similar to the Finlaggan Secret of Islay and the Ileach Peated. All are dominated by Coastal Peaty Aromas and Flavours. Both Finlaggans present an artificial Sweetness and a clear Plastic note that slightly turn me off. If you are not into Peat you should leave this type of Whisky alone. But for Peat Lovers, these Malts are interesting and quite cheap alternatives for the regular standard Islay Single Malts. The price difference is such that you might want to forgive the Finlaggans for their flaws. So while the two Finlaggans and the Ileach certainly would not qualify as Lords of the Isles, they probably would be allowed as advisers to the court!

Jan van den Ende                                                             December 28, 2015

The ruins of Finlaggan Castle

I would like to wish all readers of Best Shot Whisky Reviews and their Families a Happy and Healthy 2016. May the Dram be with us!

Glengoyne 18 Years Review

“Merry Christmas Everybody”

Country: Scotland 

Region: Southern Highlands

Brand: Glengoyne 

Type: Single Malt Whisky

Age: 18 Years

ABV: 43%

Colour: Golden with a touch of Orange (Natural Colour)

Nose: A real Christmas whisky. The Sherry Cask influence is evident and I find just a touch of Sulphur. Nothing serious though. I get Rum soaked Fruitcake, Dried Fruits like Raisins and Apricots, Papaya Cream, Blackcurrant Muffins, Oak, Apple Pie with Powdered Sugar, Banana, light Honey, Vanilla, Sweet Barley, Citrus Peel, Nuts, Cinnamon, Ginger, Clove, Nutmeg, light Pepper and hints of Espresso and Tobacco. Make sure you give this Glengoyne sufficient time in the glass to reveal its Aromas. There's a bit of Alcohol around that reminds me of young Brandy. The Nose is quite similar to the 15 - and 17 Years.   

Palate: Sherry, a little Sulphur, Rum Soaked Fruitcake, Sweet Barley, Caramel, Apple Pie, English Marmalade, Marzipan, Nuts, light Honey, Vanilla, Coconut, Papaya Cream, Banana, Milk Chocolate, Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Clove, Ginger, light Pepper and hints of Espresso and Brandy.   

Finish: Middle-Long and Bitter-Sweet with Sweet Barley, Malt, Banana, Citrus Peel, Vanilla, Caramel, Coconut, Milk Chocolate, Oak, Honey, Nuts, Nutmeg, Clove, Ginger, Cinnamon, Cardamom, Pepper, light Menthol, Licorice and hints of Espresso and Brandy.

I added a bit of Water and the Nose becomes Sweeter with Apple Pie, Barley, Honey and Chocolate. Pepper and Oak become more evident on the Palate and in the Finish. The Glengoyne 18 certainly lets you play with a little Water.

Rating: 85

Nose: 22 - Taste: 21 - Finish: 21 - Overall: 21

General Remarks: The Glengoyne Distillery was founded in 1833 by the known Edmonstone Family and is located in Dumgoyne by Killearn (Glasgow). Since 2003 it is owned by Ian MacLeod Distillers. Glengoyne has the slowest Distilling process of all Scottish distilleries to ensure lots of contact with the Copper Stills. The Barley is also dried exclusively with Hot Air. Peat is never used. Glengoyne is used in Blends like The Famous Grouse and Cutty Sark. The Glengoyne 18 Years was launched in late 2012 to replace the 17 Years. It matures in a mix of First Fill European Oak Sherry (35%), First Fill American Oak Sherry (15%) and other Oak Casks (50%). The 18 Y is Chill-Filtered and is sold at approximately 90 US Dollars (December 2015).

Drinking Experience Neat: Good

Conclusion: Solid After Dinner Highlander with lots of Christmas Cake, Dried Fruit and Spices. Personally I believe that this type of Whisky should be bottled at 46% to reveal its complete potential. I liked it slightly better than the 17 but in fact they are quite similar. It's just a matter of personal Taste and Casks. It's also close to the 15 Years that has the better Price/Quality Ratio. Still, the 18 Years will do nicely when sipped in your comfortable chair before the fireplace after a nice Christmas dinner!

“I would like to wish all readers of Best Shot Whisky Reviews and their families a very Merry Christmas. I hope many of you will treasure the Spirit of Love and Happiness and make 2016 a better year for the world. We need that!

Jan van den Ende                                  December 24, 2015 and April 13, 2017

Jameson Select Reserve Review

“Light and Fruity”

Country: Ireland

Brand: Jameson Select Reserve Small Batch 
Type: Blended Irish Whiskey

Age: NAS. (Probably around 12 Years for the Pot Still and 5 Years for the Grain).

Alcohol: 40%

Colour: Pale Gold

Nose: Toasted Grain, Malt, Puff Pastry, Butterkekse, Toffee, Vanilla Ice Cream, Resin, Oak, Pear Drops, Nectarine, Papaya Cream, Apple, Milky Way, slightly Sour Cherries, ripe Bananas, light Citrus, Almonds, Cinnamon, Ginger, Floral notes and Chocolate. I was expecting to find clear Sherry - and Charred Oak notes but that's not the case. On the Nose, the Select Reserve's main drivers are Toasted Cereals and Fruit. A true "Breakfast" Whiskey. The Alcohol is there but does not interfere with the Nosing procedures. There are of course some similarities with the Standard Jameson but the Select Reserve gives a more mature impression. The Fruity notes are more pronounced as well. 

Palate: Weak arrival. This expression deserves a higher ABV. On the Palate, this Jameson is Light, Bitter-Sweet and a little Herbal. I find Toasted Cereals, Malt, Vanilla, Oak, Coconut, Apple, Pear, Banana, light Citrus, Nectarine, Nuts, Resin, Pepper, Cinnamon, Ginger, White Wine and Chocolate.

Finish: Short and Bitter-Sweet with Vanilla, Cereals, Pear Drops, Nectarine, light Banana, light Citrus, Oak, Toffee, Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Cardamom, light Pepper and light Licorice. A distant hint of Nail Polish.

Rating: 82 

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

General Remarks: The Old Jameson distillery was founded in 1780. Today this Whiskey is produced at the Midleton Distillery. This Blend was originally known as Jameson Select Reserve Small Batch containing both Pot Still- and Small Batch Grain Whiskey and matured in a mix of First Fill and Re-Fill Ex-Bourbon and Ex-Oloroso Sherry Casks. The Grain Whiskey for this specific Jameson is only distilled once a year. It is my understanding that both Malted and Un-Malted Barley is used in the production process and that the Pot Still Whiskey matures in the Ex- Sherry Casks while the Grain Whiskey matures in the Ex-Bourbon (Wild Turkey) casks. Late 2013, the Select Reserve was replaced by the Black Barrel. The information around this Blend is a bit confusing but I assume that it's basically the same Spirit. The Ex-Bourbon casks used for the Black Barrel are charred twice, hence the name. The sample I'm tasting today is the Select Reserve. I will try to get a sample of the Black Barrel as well in order to verify if there are any differences between the two. Like most Irish Whiskey, Jameson is Triple-Distilled. It is the best selling Irish Whiskey world-wide. This Blend is reasonably priced at around 40 US Dollars per bottle (December 2015).  

No need to add Water to this Blend. 

Drinking Experience Neat: Good 

Conclusion: The Select Reserve is not a bad Irish Whiskey and certainly more interesting than the Standard Jameson. It could have been even better though with an adequate ABV. The 40% does not do justice to the Spirit. The Select Reserve's main Flavours and Aromas are Toasted Grain, Vanilla and Fruit. It's not a very complicated Whiskey. This is also the reason why I'm not a huge fan of Irish Whiskey in general. Although I usually like the Nose, I find them slightly uneventful on the Palate and in the Finish. Still, the Price/Quality ratio is good and if you like a Light and Fruity Whiskey and you're a big fan of the Standard Jameson you can't go wrong with this Select Reserve!  

Jan van den Ende                                                             December 21, 2015