What Wee Dram Are You Enjoying Now - Spring/Summer 2014

[ChainWhip]

Thx for the write up B. I think the Nikka Coffey is 95% corn & 5% malted barley - many of these Japanese whiskies are constructed for use in Mizuwari (ice + water/sparkling water) so that may be the reason for KL's suggestion. I'm curious about that Cambus as it's generally gotten positive reviews.

[Max Power]

First round of storms on Friday was a no show and the second round isn't due until later tonight but last night it was definitely "graining" where I was!

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A flight of three grain whiskies were enjoyed with several friends last night for dessert following a little grilled sirloin and veggies.

The Compass Box Hedonism is the lightest of the three both in color and in taste. This was a 86 proof whisky with older grain whisky sourced from a mix of Cameron Bridge, Carsebridge, Cambus, Port Dundas or Dumbarton according to the website. I don't know if it is predominantly corn (which our newest GBS member John Glaser noted he tries to find when he can) or if it is barley or some other grain. Perhaps I will reach out to John to see if I can get a bit of inside info! Very pleasant and easy to drink but relatively light and not overly complex. Didn't seem like water would likely help much given the lower proof but you never know so I add ed just a drop or two. Didn't seem to change it very much.

Next up was the much lauded NAS (as far as I know) Nikka Coffey Grain whisky. This one was 90 proof but I still don't know if it is corn, barley, a combination or something else altogether. To me it seemed like there was a fair amount of corn present. In any case this had a bit more vanilla and mouth feel with a bit of spice in the finish. I liked it a bit better than the Hedonism but it is not regularly available in my area so that doesn't help me much. A touch of water seemed to bring out a bit of light fruit flavor which I rather liked. K&L notes it is a good whisky to drink with ice and soda and that may well be but I think I like it just fine as is. Not earth shattering but certainly very pleasant.

Last up was a Cambus 21yo single grain cask selected by K&L wines and bottled at a cask strength of 104.6 proof (note that Cambus is one of the potential grains in Hedonism and according to K&L is rumored to be a part of the delightfully over hyped Johnny Walker Blue). Once again no idea if it is predominantly corn but perhaps K&L can tell me. Seemed like it to me. This was in a different class with much more vanilla on the palate and a mouthfeel befitting its age much like any well aged single malt. Also lots of sweeter fruit notes in the mid palate and a bit of apple pie spice in the moderately long pleasant finish. This is one I will really look forward to having again. A touch of water toned down a bit of the heat without seeming to hurt the flavor for me.

Definitely a very pleasant "grainy night in Georgia" last night!

Nice notes. I've got sealed bottles of the Nikka and Cambus, so now I know when I want to crack them open what to expect a bit. Thanks!

[Trey Manthey]

Celebrated our first anniversary last night and found this old Port Ellen on the menu. Hart Brothers 1975/1997 22 year.

[ChainWhip]

Celebrated our first anniversary last night and found this old Port Ellen on the menu. Hart Brothers 1975/1997 22 year.

Congrats Trey! Many blessings and years upon you both.

[Max Power]

Congrats Trey! Many blessings and years upon you both.

What Johnny said. Mrs. Power brings me happiness that I can't even describe every single day. Enjoy the celebration and the marriage. Cheers!

[MtnDew]

Received my copy of David Broom's Whisky, the Manual and went to his mixer suggestions. For those that don't know, after discussing whisky history in the first part of the book (he talks more about the way whisky was enjoyed so its not the same as many other books) he goes into tasting notes. Though in this case he took 100 whiskys from around the world and tried them neat and with the 5 most popular mixers: club soda, cola, ginger ale, coconut water, and green tea. He then rated each on a scale of 1 - 5 (with a 5* for special results).

I randomly skimmed through and tried the first one that used a bottle I had readily at hand, in this case Kilchomans Machir Bay and soda (though I used seltzer water). I was pleasantly surprised at the results, the seltzer (mixed 50/50) somehow emphasized the briny character of the malt rather than tone it down. I lost almost all of the sweetness and instead found it like refreshing smoke... if that makes any sense. I plan to try it again once I have the "real" ingredients as the seltzer water has none of the salt that club soda does. I look forward to trying a few more mixers and challenging some of my bias towards drinking everything neat. Though he did have a few bottles he recommended not mixing and just enjoying straight, like Aberlour a'bunadh.

[ChainWhip]

Received my copy of David Broom's Whisky, the Manual and went to his mixer suggestions. For those that don't know, after discussing whisky history in the first part of the book (he talks more about the way whisky was enjoyed so its not the same as many other books) he goes into tasting notes. Though in this case he took 100 whiskys from around the world and tried them neat and with the 5 most popular mixers: club soda, cola, ginger ale, coconut water, and green tea. He then rated each on a scale of 1 - 5 (with a 5* for special results).

I randomly skimmed through and tried the first one that used a bottle I had readily at hand, in this case Kilchomans Machir Bay and soda (though I used seltzer water). I was pleasantly surprised at the results, the seltzer (mixed 50/50) somehow emphasized the briny character of the malt rather than tone it down. I lost almost all of the sweetness and instead found it like refreshing smoke... if that makes any sense. I plan to try it again once I have the "real" ingredients as the seltzer water has none of the salt that club soda does. I look forward to trying a few more mixers and challenging some of my bias towards drinking everything neat. Though he did have a few bottles he recommended not mixing and just enjoying straight, like Aberlour a'bunadh.

[garbanzobean]

Caol Ila 12 tonight.

[MtnDew]

Looking forward to finding out the results of your experimentation.

I'm thinking about grabbing some real club soda and vita coco on the way home tonight and trying another couple of the other recommendations. I don't think I'll ever get away from drinking older scotch straight, but experimenting with cheap single malts and blends could be a lot of fun.

[AaronWF]

I don't think I'll ever get away from drinking older scotch straight, but experimenting with cheap single malts and blends could be a lot of fun.

This sounds like a team sport in which I'd be more than game to participate.

[MtnDew]

This sounds like a team sport in which I'd be more than game to participate.

Exactly! I'm going to play with a few bottles and mixers that the book recommends and find the right proportions for me. Once I have that down I plan to share it with my community group, the group that usually helps me finish off bottles, to see what they say. I'm all about finding cheaper ways to enjoy this hobby, at the rate we are going I won't be able to afford to drink whisky straight for much longer.

[Max Power]

Irish Night:

Tyrconnell 10

Bushmills 10

Bushmills 16

Cheering on my Gophers on their way to another NCAA Hockey Championship

[KJND]

Irish Night:

Tyrconnell 10

Bushmills 10

Bushmills 16

Cheering on my Gophers on their way to another NCAA Hockey Championship

[holdtheice]

Enjoying another dram of AnCnoc 12. I was not expecting anything exceptional from this bottle, my first AnCnoc of any kind, but I have been immensely impressed. It’s hard to pin down and seems a little different every time I try it. I still regard myself as a novice whisk(e)y drinker, but here is my take on it for those of you who may be interested.

The nose is floral and somewhat honeyed, with a sharpish Speyside-like apple note along with subtle smoke and a hint of peat that seems to come and go. On the palate the initial sweetness is nicely balanced by a pleasant, zesty lemon tart-like sourness and a mineral note that is similar to what I find with Tequila. The finish is restrained but quite long, with a slight bitterness and (sometimes) a nuttiness that reminds me of lightly salted Macadamia’s. The bottle code on this one suggests bottling in 2011 – far too long a period to sit on the shelf considering the quality. Based on the standard 12 year, I’ll definitely be tracking down a bottle of the 16 in the future if I can find one for a reasonable price.

[Paddy]

Had a couple of small pours of RB 12 last evening. Would love to get ahold of a CS and will be on the lookout until I do.

[BigRich]

A little Spice Tree tonight.

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[AaronWF]

A little tour of Clynelish topped off by GKS NYB. The last of a sample of 25yo Brora made its way in as well, which was relished. Still, a 15yo from '91 and a 21yo from '82 were good company on a Friday night.

[garbanzobean]

Had a couple of small pours of RB 12 last evening. Would love to get ahold of a CS and will be on the lookout until I do.

How close are you to Evansville, Indiana? I was there about a month ago and found a few bottles of the CS (Batch 1, 2012) at a random liquor store. I bought one, but the other two are probably still hanging out. Additionally, if you know anyone that lives in a state that allows shipping of liquor, Hi-Time Wines has the CS in stock.

Finally finished off the last of my bottle of Caol Ila 12 last night, and went ahead and opened up a bottle of Kilchoman Machir Bay (2012) release. While this release is obviously young, it is surprisingly good in spite of that. A good whack of peat, along with extremely prevalent lemon citrus notes. Good stuff. Can't wait for them to begin releasing 10+ year old spirit.

[theglobalguy]

Sullivan's Cove French Oak, very full but quick finish. Love the white pepper kick to this.

[savagehenry]

Auchentoshan Cooper's Reserve while watching The Masters.

[GaryT]

Red Brest 12yr CS, which is a lovely follow up after some bourbon.

[Paddy]

How close are you to Evansville, Indiana? I was there about a month ago and found a few bottles of the CS (Batch 1, 2012) at a random liquor store. I bought one, but the other two are probably still hanging out. Additionally, if you know anyone that lives in a state that allows shipping of liquor, Hi-Time Wines has the CS in stock.

Finally finished off the last of my bottle of Caol Ila 12 last night, and went ahead and opened up a bottle of Kilchoman Machir Bay (2012) release. While this release is obviously young, it is surprisingly good in spite of that. A good whack of peat, along with extremely prevalent lemon citrus notes. Good stuff. Can't wait for them to begin releasing 10+ year old spirit.

Thanks for the heads up....I'm over that way ever now and then and will keep an eye out for it!

[smokinjoe]

Just returned home from the whiskey monger with a bottle of Green Spot. My first pour and I am stunned by the similarities between this and Woodford Reserve, particularly on the nose. If I had nosed this in a blind tasting, I would have called it a WR of some sort. Unfortunately, I know that this observation kills the chance that some of you will ever try Green Spot, now... Must be the pot still influence, but even that can't fully explain it, as there are other Irish that are pot still, that don't have what I'm picking up in this. Really wonderful, as I enjoy regular WR, and this is better. Maybe, WR should attempt an Irish style for their next Master's Collection...

[Trey Manthey]

Last of a sample of K&L Clynelish 16 year from AD Rattray. Really enjoyed this one. As it's starting to heat up around here, the light, fruity, "crisp" malts are more enjoyable for me. Thanks to the awesome member who sent this!

[tanstaafl2]

Just returned home from the whiskey monger with a bottle of Green Spot. My first pour and I am stunned by the similarities between this and Woodford Reserve, particularly on the nose. If I had nosed this in a blind tasting, I would have called it a WR of some sort. Unfortunately, I know that this observation kills the chance that some of you will ever try Green Spot, now... Must be the pot still influence, but even that can't fully explain it, as there are other Irish that are pot still, that don't have what I'm picking up in this. Really wonderful, as I enjoy regular WR, and this is better. Maybe, WR should attempt an Irish style for their next Master's Collection...

Spending some time with it again tonight, and the Woodford similarities are unmistakably there. Call me crazy!

Might be the fact the the Green Spot is younger by several years than any of the other single pot still whiskey on the market. At 8ish years it is closer to the age of Woodford I would think. Every other Irish single pot still is at least 12yo except the recent Powers Signature Release which is probably in the same age range as Green Spot.