garbanzobean Posted February 16, 2014 Share Posted February 16, 2014 (edited) That will be a substantial change of pace! Although also very good to me. What did you think of the Fusion? I have a bottle and like it although I think I prefer the Intermediate Sherry which unfortunately is substantially more expensive although cask strength (or at least higher proof).I love Amrut Fusion. It reminds me of a much sweeter, younger Nikka Yoichi in its sherry/peat balance. It's also got this weird maple syrup/pancake thing going on that I have trouble describing using fancy words. Truth be told, I probably would have torn through the bottle by now, but a close friend of mine absolutely loves it and I try to keep it around for him to drink when he's here for a visit. I would be open to trying more of Amrut's offerings, but I only have access to the Fusion, Peated, Regular, and Cask Strength. I may try the CS after this, otherwise reviews have led me to believe I should stick with the Fusion.As for the Nectar D'or, I did open it last night and it was quite good. I don't really care for Sauternes wines, but the casks do something wonderful with Glenmorangie's spirit. The mouthfeel is very oily, which goes well with the honeyed/sugary flavor profile. I don't have a ton of experience with Glenmorangie's standard bottlings, but this one really scratches an itch I didn't know I had. Overall, I try to keep an eclectic mix of whiskies open at any given time. Right now I've got EC12, OFBB13, THH 12, WLW 13, Amrut Fusion, Clynelish 14, Aberlour A'bunadh b45, Glenmorangie Nectar D'or, Compass Box Flaming Heart '12, and Laphroaig 18 open. Something good for everyone to try. Edited February 16, 2014 by garbanzobean Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jvd99 Posted February 17, 2014 Share Posted February 17, 2014 I opened my Valentines gift #1, a Springbank 15, and it's delicious. Gift #2, Balvenie 15 single barrel is waiting in the wings... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRich Posted February 17, 2014 Share Posted February 17, 2014 I opened my Valentines gift #1, a Springbank 15, and it's delicious. Gift #2, Balvenie 15 single barrel is waiting in the wings...Nice Valentine's Day!Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChainWhip Posted February 17, 2014 Share Posted February 17, 2014 Had another pour of Tullamore Dew Phoenix last night. This is a very unique, flavorful Irish Whiskey. There's a lot going on with it, and it's not just trying to be a sweet, vanilla, citrus kind of Irish. The proof gives it very full flavor, and plays nicely with the pot still, sherry, etc. It joins really nicely with the RB CS and PJL as three top-notch, higher proof, reasonably priced (IMHO) Irish whiskeys.Since March is almost upon us, which of your Triumvirate would you pick if you could only have one? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeffrey r Posted February 17, 2014 Share Posted February 17, 2014 Since March is almost upon us, which of your Triumvirate would you pick if you could only have one?Perhaps I´ll do a litttle SBS tomorrow night and report back. My gut says RB CS, then PJL and TD Phoenix, in that order. But they are all terrific and worth having on hand IMO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChainWhip Posted February 17, 2014 Share Posted February 17, 2014 Looking forward to your impressions.For tonight, I'm drinking Chieftain's Mortlach 16 / 1995-2011 - #7282, 54.2% Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garbanzobean Posted February 17, 2014 Share Posted February 17, 2014 Looking forward to your impressions.For tonight, I'm drinking Chieftain's Mortlach 16 / 1995-2011 - #7282, 54.2%I have a bottle from the same cask bunkered. What are your thoughts so far? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tanstaafl2 Posted February 17, 2014 Share Posted February 17, 2014 Perhaps I´ll do a litttle SBS tomorrow night and report back. My gut says RB CS, then PJL and TD Phoenix, in that order. But they are all terrific and worth having on hand IMO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
squire Posted February 17, 2014 Share Posted February 17, 2014 Well, there's always a need for something to mix in the cocktails. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tanstaafl2 Posted February 17, 2014 Share Posted February 17, 2014 Well, there's always a need for something to mix in the cocktails. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Auracom Posted February 17, 2014 Share Posted February 17, 2014 I have a bottle from the same cask bunkered. What are your thoughts so far?Also interested on your impressions - though I don't own it yet, it is obtainable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChainWhip Posted February 17, 2014 Share Posted February 17, 2014 I have a bottle from the same cask bunkered. What are your thoughts so far? N: Classic sherry nose with eau de vie and faint boiled egg water (this has mostly disappeared on my 3rd pour after the bottle had been open a few weeks) P: Oily. Sweet/salty/savory elements join with some brandy notes to form the backbone while a little bitterness peeks through. F: Marshmallows and chrysanthemum tea It's not as densely sherried as other Mortlach's I've had but it's a nice change of pace as you're able to get more of the natural distillate character - I'll say that I liked it enough to pull in a few more bottles for the bunker. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garbanzobean Posted February 17, 2014 Share Posted February 17, 2014 N: Classic sherry nose with eau de vie and faint boiled egg water (this has mostly disappeared on my 3rd pour after the bottle had been open a few weeks)P: Oily. Sweet/salty/savory elements join with some brandy notes to form the backbone while a little bitterness peeks through. F: Marshmallows and chrysanthemum tea It's not as densely sherried as other Mortlach's I've had but it's a nice change of pace as you're able to get more of the natural distillate character - I'll say that I liked it enough to pull in a few more bottles for the bunker. Thanks for sharing the notes! I wish I had access to older IBs, but those are long gone from the shores of Maryland. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MacinJosh Posted February 17, 2014 Share Posted February 17, 2014 I have decided that this my favorite whiskey (from anywhere) for $50 or under.[ATTACH]17801[/ATTACH]Cosign. I pour it weekly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MacinJosh Posted February 17, 2014 Share Posted February 17, 2014 Nikka straight from the barrel compliments of Joe Blagg. 51.4% ABV, the nose is soft and fruity with apples and pears. The palate has this lovely sherry influence, I'm assuming this was finished for some period but I really know nothing about this pour. Will have to ask Joe for more details.Wow, this is really opening up and just outstanding. Red, ripe fruit notes of raspberries and strawberries unfold. There's this sticky, jammy quality with a nice, round mouthfeel. Very malt forward. Uncut and unfiltered, the higher ABV really comes through and shines.Finish is long and sweet with this nice pastry residue clinging to the palate. Just lovely and eloquent.I could enjoy a pour of this one on a regular basis. What a very nice malt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garbanzobean Posted February 18, 2014 Share Posted February 18, 2014 Flaming Heart 12. Noticing some jammy notes in the finish that I'd never noticed before. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paddy Posted February 18, 2014 Share Posted February 18, 2014 Nice job fellas, your notes are making me hungry. Carry on! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeffrey r Posted February 18, 2014 Share Posted February 18, 2014 Since March is almost upon us, which of your Triumvirate would you pick if you could only have one?Well CW, I decided to take one for the team and do a SBS tonight of the PJL, RB CS, and TD Phoenix. There are much smarter whiskey people than me out there who have posted tasting notes for these three, so I am not going to go into tasting notes and such. I'm just going to call it as I saw it. Noses are quite similar. Coming from bourbon, they're all a bit lighter and earthier. I wouldn't be crazily drawn to any of these on nose alone. As to taste, in a surprising upset, the TD Phoenix was the clear winner for me tonight. I made a couple of passes with each neat, and then after a couple of drops of water. The TD just hit me the right way tonight. Great intensity with the 110 proof, and a real nice balance of flavors with a bit of sweetness. The RB CS was my second favorite, and the PJL third on the night. The TD Phoenix is the cheapest of the three as well. YMMV of course. Just my taste. As some background, I am a big bourbon guy, and really enjoy Irish, but I am not a big scotch guy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChainWhip Posted February 18, 2014 Share Posted February 18, 2014 Thx JR - that's interesting... I think MtnDew & I will split a Tullamore Dew Phoenix Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Power Posted February 18, 2014 Share Posted February 18, 2014 Thx JR - that's interesting... I think MtnDew & I will split a Tullamore Dew PhoenixI'll probably have to pick one up myself. And the standard 12 year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChainWhip Posted February 18, 2014 Share Posted February 18, 2014 Revisiting my sample of Redbreast 12 CS - it's pretty good but I'm not blown away yet... But I may have to pick up a bottle to do more research Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChainWhip Posted February 18, 2014 Share Posted February 18, 2014 Indeed. Although it will takes some thought how to make this work even in a cocktail. At least a smokey scotch works like a mezcal. Forgot to mention that the Rosebank, in addition to being delicate and floral, also had a hint of peat (not smoke, just peat) in the background that was quite delightful!Rosebank w/ some peat sounds like it'd be the cat's meow! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChainWhip Posted February 18, 2014 Share Posted February 18, 2014 Closing out the night with a small pour from a sample of K&L Glenronach 1993 / 19yr - #490, 54.7% (thx again!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Power Posted February 18, 2014 Share Posted February 18, 2014 Closing out the night with a small pour from a sample of K&L Glenronach 1993 / 19yr - #490, 54.7% (thx again!)I like that one too. They just do sherry right. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MtnDew Posted February 18, 2014 Share Posted February 18, 2014 I like that one too. They just do sherry right.Good to know K&L chooses them right, I still have not opened the '95 18 YO K&L GD bottle yet but am looking forward to it.CW, hit me up if you want to sample more RB 12 CS before buying a bottle. I just can't get into it myself, my bottle, which has been opened a month, only has a few very small pours out of it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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