A Muddled Thought

What happens if you take Famous Grouse, a blended whisky that’s made by combining whiskies such as Highland Park and Macallan and add an Islay component to the final blend? A spirit such as Black Grouse comes to life.

And comes to life it does, from that first aroma that hits you and is filled with the presence of apricots, pears, apples and cocoa it instantly grabs your attention even before you take that first sip.

Black Grouse begins with a soft feel in the mouth that’s filled touches of smoke caramelized seasalt, black pepper, coconut, vanilla, and orange cream that leads into a finish filled with brandied cherries and sweet milk chocolate and touches of cardamon basil.

As the experience of Black Grouse comes to an end it ends with it kisses your palate with touches of smoked cocoa.

Bird of Prey. A combination of Black Grouse, Ramazzotti, Bonded Apple Jack and Vanilla Syrup.

Bird of Prey
1 3/4oz Black Grouse
¾ oz Bonded Applejack
½ oz Ramazzoti Amaro
½ oz Vanilla Syrup
Shake. Serve Up
No Garnish

The Bitter Cloud
2 oz Black Grouse
½ oz Allspice Dram
½ Cynar
2 Barspoons Agave Nectar
1 Dash The Bitter Truth Chocolate Bitters
Burnt Orange Zest

A Scotsman's Tear. A combination of Black Grouse, Leopold Brothers Cherry Tart, Laphroaig 10 Year, Pedro Ximenez Sherry and The Bitter Truth Chocolate Bitters.

A Scotsman’s Tear
1 ½ oz Black Grouse
½ oz Leopold Brothers Cherry Tart
½ oz Laphroiag 10 Year
½ oz Pedro Ximenez Hidaldgo Sherry
2 Dashes The Bitter Truth Chocolate Bitters
Stir
Serve up
Burnt Orange Peel

After taking a look at Chivas 18 towards the end of last year, we decided to take another look at the blended whisky. And yes it’s actually that good, though this time we looked at it from a slightly different perspective. Being a blended whisky means that the final bottled spirit is made up of other whiskies, and in this case we decided to look at a few of these other whiskies to see how they combine to form Chivas 18.

A great blended whisky could be compared to a great meal. When a chef at an award-winning restaurant is creating that masterpiece of food your about to enjoy, they take care and pride in selecting each ingredient that goes into what your about to eat, down to the smallest detail. A master distiller is the same way, taking pride and care in hand selecting each spirit that is blended to create that final product. If either the chef or master distiller cuts even the smallest corner, the end result you’ll receive could be lacking.

Luckily in the case of Chivas 18, this isn’t the case.

Master Distiller/Blender, Colin Scott utilizes several whiskies that on their own are all equally impressive.
Once you begin to sample some of these contributing whiskies, you begin to understand and appreciate the flavor that each additional whisky imparts into the final spirit.

A sampling of these include whiskies such as:

Strathisla 18 year that begins with ripe cherries, smoked cinnamon, apricot, coconut cream melon and subtle hints of black licorice.

An unspecified grain whisky that’s been aged 18 years and is brimming with flavors such as candied apple, hazelnut, and sweet elegant milk chocolate.

Longmorn 18, a specimen of Longhorn whisky that’s currently not available on retail shelves(though a 16 year old offering is). Full of notes of banana, kitchen spices such as cardamon, allspice and cinnamon that are followed up subtle hints of cocoa with herbal notes such as lavender and grass that finishes with the presence of vanilla.

And last but definitely not least, the little guy that’s responsible for the smoky undertone that plays with all that sweetness Chivas 18 exudes, Islay 18.

Before you ask, the origin of what Islay whiskies go into this 18 year old specimen is top secret. When inquiring with the Chivas Brand Ambassador, Alex Robertson we were advised that even he isn’t told what Islay whiskies go into this, however he assured us that it’s more than just one Islay whisky.
Opening with the expected peatiness and hints of smoke, more than just this is at the heart of the Islay 18. With characters of subtle burnt orange, cocoa, pear, ripe strawberries with a finish that introduces some creme de menthe.

While these four whiskies are only a small part of what goes into the blend that is Chivas 18, as you taste through the final spirit you can detect the contribution that each one of these whiskies make.
In its simplest definition, Chivas 18 is smoked cherries, sweet milk chocolate, caramel, and hazelnut with hints of basil on the finish.

As you delve deeper into each sip you slowly unravel the complexity that is Chivas 18. Cardamon, cinnamon, allspice give way to grapefruit, touches of peaches and apricot with the occasional hint of grass.
Chivas 18 is one of those rare spirits that are so precise that every sip will introduce new flavors into the experience.

Final Score: 9.5/10

After previously taking a look at the Glenrothes 1985 bottling and the Alba Reserve from Glenrothes, we came across their latest vintage release, Glenrothes 1994 which hit store shelves a few months ago.

With the supply of Glenrothes 1991 slowly coming to end, Master Distiller John Ramsay knew he had to create something that could live up to some of the previous Glenrothes offerings.

John’s handiwork shows itself as you take that first sip of Glenrothes 1994. The whisky leads in with subtle hints of spice, apricot, and a sweet vanilla reminiscent of a crème brulée .These flavors slowly caress your palate before it’s seduced even further by the presence of mint, barely there orange cream, and inklings of occasional basil.

These flavors lead into a finish filled with touches of milk chocolate intertwined with touches of black pepper.
Each sip of this whisky keeps playing with your palate and continuously introduces new flavors and a warming sensation that just makes you smile with glee.

Whatever John Ramsay’s been doing to create his whiskies, he continues to demonstrate that same artistry that Picasso demonstrated in his paintings, only with John it’s demonstrated through his nose and palate for picking just the right whisky to put to bottle.

Final Score 9/10

From the far southeast region of Scotland, known as the Speyside Region comes Ardmore Traditional Cask. Released in 2008, Ardmore Traditional Cask is the first bottling from the Ardmore Distillery, after several years without any new offerings coming out of the distillery.

Ardmore Traditional Cask is a fully peated malt, which means that all barley used to create the whisky is dried using heated peat fires. This creates a spirit that begins with the lure of seductive peat, touches of cinnamon and dough. These flavors lead into notes of smoked Apples, hints of bacon. and barely there touches of cocoa, that play second fiddle to orange zest and honey.
In an odd yet pleasant surprise the Ardmore Traditional cask finishes with the presence of a smoky sarsaparilla on your palate.

Ardmore Traditional Cask retails for between $45-$50 per 750 Ml Bottle.

Final Score: 9/10

After an interesting conversation with a friend about the joys of the Corpse Reviver #2*, I was inspired to create a loose interpretation playing off the notes in the Ardmore traditional cask. I replaced the gin component with the Ardmore traditional cask, the Cointreau with Solerno Blood Orange Liquor, the Lillet with Cynar to add a bit of a bitter kick and finished it off with Herbsaint to replace the absinthe component.

Burning Alarm Clock. A combination of Ardmore Traditional Cask, Solerno, Cynar, Herbsaint, Aromatic Bitters and Lemon Juice.

Burning Alarm Clock

1 ¾ oz Ardmore Traditional Cask
½ oz Solerno Blood Orange Liquor
½ Cynar
1 oz Lemon Juice
2 Dashes Herbsaint(90 Proof) New Recipe
2 Dashes Aromatic Bitters

Shake with Ice. Serve up

*Corpse Reviver #2
1 oz Gin
½ oz Cointreau
½ oz Lillet Blond
¾ oz Lemon Juice
Dash of Absinthe

After looking at a few different spirits in our Spirited Father’s Day coverage over this past week, we’re wrapping up with two final whiskies from the Classic Malts family of whiskies. With a range that includes brands such as Singleton, Dalwhinnie, Glenkinchie and Lagavulin, the portfolio’s whiskies range from $36.99 with Singleton 12 Year Old(taken a look at here) to the Lagavulin 16 priced at $89.99(taken a look at here).

Our last two spirits both come in right around the fifty dollar price point and won’t take leave much of a dent on your wallet come gift giving time.

First up, hailing from the Northwest Coastal Isle of Skye, is Talisker 10.

Upon opening the bottle of Talisker 10, you’re hit with a nose filled with aromas of fiery oranges and soft cocoa.
Once you bring this intriguing whiskey to your lips, it tugs at your palate and introduces itself with hints of sea salt, black pepper, and lime with glimpses of sweet cherries,. Notes of smokey hazelnut lead into a finish reminiscent of what would happen if you combined cocoa and bacon, and created a new flavor taking the best characteristics of both flavors.

Talisker 10 Year old retails for $49.99

Final Score 9/10

Our second whisky from the Classic Malts family, is Glenkinchie 12. Coming to us from the lowland regions of Scotland, Glenkinchie is aged in American Oak Refill casks(casks used previously to age American whiskey) and while it hints at peat here and there throughout each sip, it’s a slightly softer whisky than that of Talisker 10 Year old.

Glenkinchie 12 year old opens up with touches of fresh grass, floral characters and subtle hints of spice and smoke with occasional hints of crème de menthe. A playful spirit that doesn’t take itself too seriously and manages to balance light notes with just the right touch of subtle seductive smoke. These light yet smokey notes lead into a finish brimming with cinnamon, berries and characters of espresso.

Glenkinchie 12 year old retails for $43.99

Final Score: 8.5/10

After taking a look at Four Roses Bourbon and the Johnie Walker line of Blended Whiskies earlier in the week, we now come to one of the greats of Islay Whiskies, Laphroaig 18.

Laphroaig, the infamous Islay whisky- What’s the first thing you think of when you hear, this? Is it a hearty, yet pleasantly defined smokey spirit? If so you probably haven’t had a chance to try Laphroaig after it’s been aged and bottled at 18 years. For most people who’ve tried the Islay spirit they’ve tried either the ten-year old or quarter cask offering and have instantly associated all of Laphroaig’s offerings with heaps of smoke. But what happens if you give that same spirit a few more years, or eight to be exact in the barrel? You end up with an oh so lovely whisky in the form of Laphroaig 18.

Those added eight years, seem to mellow that smokiness that most people associate with an Islay whisky such as Laphroaig. And at the same time bring out so many more flavors and nuances.

With that first sip of Laphroaig 18 seductively smooth notes of melted chocolate overwhelm your entire palate. Hints of peaches and occasional notes of lavender appear in the background with sea salt, allspice and a light mellowing presence of smoke leading you through each sip with a finish of fresh grass, burnt orange zest and hazelnut.

With such well developed flavors and just a tad bit of smoke within each sip, Laphroaig 18 manages to still maintain a bit of that ballsiness that Laphroiag has become known for, while gaining a bit of mellowness from that added time in the barrel.

With a Retail Price of $140, this is something that can be sipped with friends, family and doesn’t break the bank when it comes to a gift for Father’s Day.

Final Score: 9.5/10

Johnnie Walker, the blended whiskey known for its infamous label system. Five bottlings, five colors. With Father’s day around the corner, the Johnnie Walker portfolio seems to have an offering available to fit any price point. Starting in the low twenty-dollar range all the way up to the two hundred dollar price range. Depending on what kind of flavor your dad prefers, you should be able to find something that fits the glass of any whisky loving dad.

Starting with Johnnie Walker Red, coming in at about $23 per bottle, the spirit is created by blending approximately thirty different young single malts including youthful impressions of Caol IIa, and Talisker together with grain whisky. The blending of these thirty whiskies leads to Johnnie Walker inheriting a flavor profile that starts off with notes of smoke and cinnamon that slowly mellows into hints of caramel, candied apple and pears. Upon bidding your palate adieu Johnnie Walker Red finishes with hints of cocoa, hazelnut and the minute presence of marshmallows.

Final Score: 8.5/10

Moving along to the next Johnnie Walker offering, we come to Johnnie Walker Black priced at $34 per a bottle, and is blend of roughly 40 whiskies including Talisker and Cardhu that aged 12 years or more. Once you get past that description and allow Johnnie Walker Black to hit your palate, your greeted with the soft seductive allure of smoke dancing on your tongue which slowly transforms into playful candy-like notes of caramel, slight touches of menthol, and black licorice. The final presence of Johnnie Walker black on your palate is touches of heat, candied oranges and crème brûlée.

Final Score: 9/10

Johnnie Walker offers a gift pack that includes four out five of its bottlings. The one that they happen to leave out is Johnnie Walker Green. Why you might wonder. Well it’s a bit different than the rest of its siblings. While the Red, Gold, Black and even Blue offerings are blended whiskies, the Gold, she’s a bit different. Rather than a blended whisky(which uses grain whisky as a component), Johnnie Walker Gold is a blended malt.

What that translates to is that it’s actually a combination of four single malts that have each been aged for fifteen years. These four single malts include such whiskies such as Cragganmore, Talisker, Caol Ila and Linkwood. The results of blending these four whiskies together is a spirit that opens with minute touches of fiery black pepper that as it slowly spices up the palate is softened by mellow yet smokey notes of sweet pears. As you continue to take in the whisky, these notes of sweet pear slowly morph into characters of sweet milk chocolate. Johnnie Walker Green closes out with additional touches of heat ,notes of vanilla and further notes of luscious milk chocolate. Johnnie Walker Green is priced at $60 per bottle.

Final Score: 9/10

If your seeking something slightly more matured than the 12 old whiskies that make up Johnnie Walker Black or even the 15 year old whiskies that comprise Johnie Walker Green, then the Gold might just what you’re looking for. Priced at $85 per bottle, Johnnie Walker Gold is a blending of 15 different whiskies each aged at least 18 years and in n our opinion the most impressive of the entire range. From that first sip Johnnie Walker Gold notes of vanilla, chocolate, and hazelnut combine to create the picture of something akin to the perfect desert combination. After tasting through the first three Johnnie Walker offerings, I was taken back with the different personality that the Gold possessed.

While the entire Johnnie Walker family is palate pleasing, the Gold offering is something that defines the term exquisite.
Once your palate begins to take in these for mentioned flavors, notes of honey,and the subtle presence of smoke before ending with a finish filled with notes of ripe pear, cinnamon and additional touches of vanilla.

Final Score: 10/10

We now come to the final Johnnie Walker offering, Johnnie Walker Blue. Recognized around the world as an incredibly elegant spirit. With a price of $220 per bottle it’s meant for those individuals that appreciate the rarer spirits. Created by an undisclosed blending of rare whiskies, with each bottle numbered, it definitely stands up and shows your palate who’s in charge throughout each sip.
Before you even pour yourself a glass, once you’ve begun to open the bottle your hit with a nose filled with elegant and defined notes of sweetness.

Once you get past this nose, your greeted with a scotch that begins with touches of baked apples that segues into nuances of cocoa, hazelnut and sweet honey that finishes with more of those sweet honey notes and a mild hint of peat .

Johnnie Walker Blue fits the bill if you’re looking for a truly complex whisky that as you take each sip begins to reveal further characters to your palate.

As an added bonus, Johnnie Walker Blue is offered with personalized engraving around Father’s Day as well as Christmas. More information about personalized engraving can be found here.

Final Score:9.5/10

Editors Note:While we recognize the rarity of the whiskies that go into Johnnie Walker Blue Label, The Gold Label with an equally impressive flavor profile and lower price point was our favorite of the entire Johnnie Walker Portfolio.

White Dog otherwise known as unaged whisk(e)y a spirit that for years has been unavailable to the masses.

Up until recently the only way to taste white dog was on a tour of a distillery or at a tasting event. Case in point, Makers Mark offers its white dog on occasion during tours and hosted tastings at liquor stores and bars. A lovely spirit sans aging, many of us in the spirit world hold this rare offering close to our hearts.

While we can’t yet walk into any liquor store and buy a bottle of Makers Mark White Dog, other distilleries have been seen this untapped market as an opportunity to release unaged offerings of their products.

Producers such as Tuthilltown, Deaths Door, and Buffalo Trace all currently have a white dog offering on store shelves.

Today we decided to take a look at Buffalo Traces White Dog bottling.

Reasonably priced at between $15-$20 for a 375ml bottle, the spirit doesn’t disappoint in the impression it leaves on your palate.

Uncut at 125 proof, this is a spirit that needs a touch of water to be truly appreciated on its own. Once a splash of water is added the incredible heat of the 125 proof white spirit, begins to mellow and give way to sweet notes of corn, that are joined by nuances of orange and deep pepper, before finishing with additional notes of heat.

An interesting spirit and a must try for anyone who appreciates American bourbon, though with such a high proof, it might not be for everyone.

*Generally white dog producers will use stainless steel containers to store the distilled spirit for a period of 24-48 hours before bottling. Since the containers have no inherent characteristics as oak barrels do, the spirit can still be considered white dog.

The 19th Lesson
1 ½ oz Buffalo Trace White Dog
½ oz Aperol
2 Dashes Regan’s Orange Bitters
1 Dash Angostura Bitters
1 Cube Brown Sugar
Muddle Brown Sugar Cube with Angostura Bitters and Orange Bitters.
Add Aperol and Buffalo Trace White Dog.
Stir with Ice

Optional Garnish-Orange Twist

The 19th Lesson. A combination of Buffalo Trace White Dog, Aperol, Regan's Orange Bitters and Angostura Bitters.

Marko Karakasevic, Master Distiller of Charbay Distilleries, has released another one of his unique limited bottlings. This time, Marko decided to take a bottle ready IPA and distill it with a final bottling strength of 99 proof (or 49.5% alcohol). Marko dubbed this new whiskey, “Double & Twisted”, a term coined in the days when most distillers didn’t know what the exact proof coming out of a copper pot still was after that second run through the still. This is the heart of the heart cut, aka the best of the best.

Starting with a bottle ready IPA, Double and Twister, takes you on a journey down a tunnel of intense and incredible flavors that begins with the palate-shattering notes of barley and toffee. The next step down this journey is filled with nuances of powered cocoa, burnt orange zest and in a surprise shift in direction, the presence fresh summer berries. And at the end of this trip, the warming wave goodbye of pepper that’s mellowed to perfection that’s reminiscent of a fruit punch.

Double & Twisted, retails for $58 and has a limited run of 135 cases, with availability limited to only California.

Final Score: 9/10

Some of the best spirits in the world have come from a change in style by the distiller. Most of the time this is done without fully knowing what the end result will taste like. For Glenrothes, Master Distiller John Ramsey this was something he had to try. Known for their smooth, flavorful range of Whiskies, The Glenrothes offers a variety of bottlings ranging from a Vintage 1975 bottling through a Vintage 1998, the Glenrothes most frequently uses a combination of Spanish and American oak, seasoned with sherry, bourbon and malt Scotch.

When John Ramsey conjured up the concept for Alba Reserve he knew he wanted to do something different. The name Ouercus Alba when translated from Latin means white Oak. Alba also happens to the word for Scotland in the Gaelic language. With the Alba Reserve, John Ramsey aged his whisky in these very same white American oak casks that the name speaks of.

Applying this different barrel styling with the aspects such as extended fermentation time, water that’s harvested from nearby Ardcanny and Brauchhill Springs results in a whisky that begins with sweet, smooth notes. So smooth to the point that I had to check the bottle to remind myself I was actually sipping whisky, and not an entirely different liquid. As you continue to taste your palate is welcomed by hints of evergreen, sweet vanilla, clean precise characters of espresso that is followed up by sweet caramel, a touch here and there of cinnamon that leads into a combination of subtle cocoa and mint in the finish.

Glenrothes Alba Reserve is an exquisite whisky that embodies the style The Glenrothes line is known for and does what any good whisky should do,make one happy

Final Score : 9.5/10