Scarabus
Scarabus- It is freekin’ rare for me to find an Islay whisky that is new. I relentlessly seek them out and talk to the trade peeps whenever possible. Well, look what the proverbial cat, ( or in my case the dog), dragged in….The nose is properly peated and sweet as a peach pie. The flavors are a salty mixture of honey and vanilla with a wee dash of iodine. The elaborate label design may cause temporary blindness so I suggest that while tasting, you wear your best shades. In addition, try to avoid using this graphic as a neck tattoo, it’s kinda busy , I speak from first hand experience……There are some mystery fruit notes in the middle and at the finish, any ideas? Speaking of the finish, it’s very delightfully long. So the distillers say, “ only those who seek will find”, a cliche for sure, but take their advice and cough up the dough! It may be your best purchase this year, rated a fancy 8, yummy be sure, but not quite great!
Highland Park Valknut
Highland Park Valknut- These Barbarians hail from the northernmost region in Scotland and their ancestors are Vikings ! I guess we are in for a wild ride here, so forget the subtlety…..First noted is a lack of an age statement, so I prepare for a young ( edgy) bite but it is smoother than expected. The nose is peaty and toasty, with a solid wiff of alcohol. At near 47% this is a punchy dram and a tad thin…..I found dried fruit and some sherry-like sweetness, a remnant from the selected aging barrels. The Orkney benchmark is local barley with peat roasting and we have a good amount in the palate. We have a nice mix of caramel and vanilla with a spicy fruit added in for good measure. I loved the lingering finish and the maltiness that the distillers built in. This whisky is complex and enjoyable but might be slightly overpriced , it’s not HP’s best effort. The 3 triangle graphic is a link from warrior to the afterlife , designed by an Orkney native with lineage to the first Earl of the region, a remarkable history. So the Viking spirt lives on in this malt, rough and tough, strong as hell, and worth the effort. I rate it a thundering 7 , now hide the women and children and run for cover.
Spey River- Like many people, I am a dog lover, and yes this is a whisky review. Now we all know mixed breeds can be the most loyal and smartest beasts….but not always. Our subject malt is a mixed breed, 2 perfectly fine things converged here, Speyside single malt and sherry barrel aging. The nose is faint with slightly sweet cake notes and the color is a rich irish setter red. The caramel is thick and tasty but little else is present in terms of complexity. There is a splash of generic fruit in the taste and maybe some lingering spice. The finish is fleeting and at 80 proof it is a a bit wimpy. I tried the dram with a few drops of water and it just faded away. The lack of real character in the label is a harbinger of terminal blandness …….When breeders , or distillers, mix the gene pool for profit not quality the hybrid is kinda like a labradoodle , neither the labradors strength and loyalty, nor the poodles intelligence shine through. This single malt disappoints on most scales, you can drink it , but unlike your pooch, it won’t put a smile on your face. It barks a weak 6 on the snob-o-meter.
Balnellan 12
With the early fall upon us, it’s time to break out some malty deliciousness…….These fine folks in Glasgow call their whisky a “Speyside Glenlivet”, now I am not exactly rookie in these matters but WTF! With a lovely golden hue and an ultra mellow nose, our subject delivers a wave of creamy caramel with a dash of spicy nutmeg. These crafty rascals made an easy to like dram by holding the spirit for a dozen years in American oak, bucking the current trend of no age statement! Time well spent. There is a distinct pear and raisin fruitiness along with real shortbread, darn tasty. There is nothing remarkable here , just a solid malt for your sunset tonight. Sometimes good is good enough and this is a case in point. Pour, enjoy, share, repeat. Now get busy, rated a generous 7.5 on the snob scale.
Craigellachie 13
Craigellachie 13- Some consumers are easily bamboozled by a great looking package. Not us however, because we are very sophisticated…….This Speyside whisky looks and smells like a big buck single malt, but that can be a bit deceiving. The ultra swanky label design is beautiful, retro, and informational, a total home run. At 13 years old, I have expectations of mellow smoothness, don’t you? However, this teenager is sharp with alcohol, as expected at 92 proof, but with a heady whiff of peat. Our pale golden malt has a subtle taste of tropical fruit and a real dollop of pepper , quite nice. I enjoyed the smoke and creamy vanilla, but both had serious edges, smooth it’s not. Wacky name, cool look, groovy whisky. Rated a solid 7, drinkable but doesn’t quite live up to the look.
Glenmorangie Allta
This is the 10th edition of Big “G” ’s special releases and the first one to offer 102 proof. The long necked copper stills again prove very special whisky comes from tradition, my guess is even a rookie could make magic with one. The nose is very fruity and lighter than expected. The catch here is using home grown yeast in the fermenting process and frankly that seems a tad gimmicky, but they never do consult me. I found spicy vanilla and cookie flavors mixed with subtle citrus. Very tasty and creamy….There is zero peat but a very nice and complex thickness, weird but real. The usual barrels gave a lovely amber tint and keep the water away, you’d ruin the character. The finish was malty and sweet with some serious staying power. Truth be told , no rookie could make this winner, the copper still is one of mankind’s greatest inventions, like the airplane, and the string bikini. Rated a solid 8, best enjoyed with a spring view at sunset.
Glenlivet Caribbean Reserve
Glenlivet Caribbean Reserve- Many of us are in dire need of warm breezes and/or some quality beach time. If the weather has you housebound, try this sunshine in a bottle. The distillers in the Livet valley are famous for their good but unremarkable single malt and that is about to change. This malt has been aged in rum barrels and the infusion is quite remarkable. I found the nose to be ultra sweet with notes of pears and ripe bananas. The flavors are tropical with toffee and a wee bit of kale. The finish is medium in length and actually tastes stronger than the 80 proof as noted. Ice and/or water are not a good idea as this whisky is plenty mellow and silky as bottled. The amber color is sunset perfection so get ready to transport yourself to your favorite summer location. I rate this non-age statement trendsetter a surprising 7 on the snob scale, oh…and the kale was just to see if you were paying attention. Cheers!
Ardbeg An Oa-
Ardbeg An Oa– Pour me a bland & weak whisky, said no one ever……In order to drive that point home, just grab a bottle of powerful smoky goodness from Islay. The nose is delightfully peaty with a serious dose of sweetness. The flavors here include butterscotch, mild pepper, and some subtle dark chocolate. This amber malt has been aged in charred oak, sherry, and bourbon barrels. The marriage seems to have created an explosive harmony second to none. The distillers left off an age statement but do not shy away, this dram is worth your investment. At 93 proof, it will get your attention right off the bat, strong, rounded, and proud of it. I advise tasting it neat as bottled, but if you add a bit of water, it may cloud up, as it is non-chill filtered. The wacky name comes from a seaside mount called Oa, which shelters the distillery from the Atlantic Ocean’s fury and allows the makers and nature to do their work. So instead of bland and weak, I choose power and character, rated a muscular 8 on the snob scale.
Aerstone 10
Aerstone 10- I have a lowland malt to share with you that has rested for a decade near the Scottish coast. The seaside terroir has given us a thick and glassy smooth drink with no edge or attitude…..The nose is light and sweet with the flavor of shortbread right from the oven. My bottle was enjoyed by the tasting team and vanished post haste. While not a winner in terms of character or complexity, it still made for a pleasant fall dram. With only 80 proof in the tank, it was mellow and caramel rich but less than satisfying. This may be the appropriate single malt for you if you have a tiki bar next to your hot tub. Be sure to wear the neon tropical bathing suit, that might get more attention than the whisky. Rated a generous 6.5 on the Snob scale, adequate, but a tad dull.
Mortlach 16 Distillers Dram
Mortlach 16- They call it the “Beast of Dufftown”, but that seems like a misnomer…..The decanter should be your first clue that character and quality are in store. I found a complex mixture of caramel and vanilla with a good whack of welcome power. Waves of nutmeg and sweet fruit surfaced mid taste along with some subtle pepper. As the “ Distillers Dram” would suggest, this is a top shelf whisky with a pedigree to boot. Deep amber with a delicate nose from sherry aging is just about perfect in your glass. When all is said and done however, “the beast” is docile and delish. The rich mouth feel and lingering finish are right up my alley and the whiff of smoke is transcendent. Highly recommended as your next special keeper and rated a solid 8 on the snob scale.
Highland Park Odin
Highland Park Odin- Hide the women and children, the Vikings are landing on our shore. If ever we’ve reviewed a more potent malt, it certainly escapes my memory. This deep amber barbarian checks all the right boxes, massive vanilla and spice, powerful and salty nose, and full-bodied mouth feel. The package’s dark wood cradle mimics a ship’s bow and the roughcast bottle really enhances the entire experience. The intensity of this single malt is epic with a whiff of peat no doubt from the driftwood beach fire. The finish is earthy and complex with a long lasting bite that perfectly suits this beast. Delicious!……Search for this treasure and buy at least 2 bottles as the release is once and done. The proof on this whisky is a potent 112 with a sweet sherry flavor that masks the power so use caution with your pour. The malt was aged for 16 years and the time in casks did nothing to dull the intensity, thank goodness. Rated a swashbuckling island worthy 9
Tomintoul 10-
Tomintoul 10- Ahhh, spring has finally arrived and I am absolutely certain that yellow flowers were added to the finishing barrels on this malt. The nose is light and a bit fruity with creamy vanilla notes. Mid taste I found some grassy flavors and slightly spicy honey. As expected, no peat smoke at all was found. The golden liquid was appealing in my glass but the finish was disappointingly brief. This whisky is light on character, even for a Speyside, and at 80 proof my wimpy alarm went off immediately. The distillery, oddly situated on the Glenlivet estate, calls this the “ gentle dram”. I’d call it too mellow for this fellow…..My preference for more punch caused the rating to drop to a rather weak 6 on the snob scale. So while this is better than a blend, I’d look elsewhere on the shelf………… And unfortunately the flowers definitely did not make it into the barrels.
Glen Fohdry 12
Glen Fohdry 12- “Aiteal an Oir” indeed….Finding new malts is always a challenge and my quest has landed me in the Speyside region once again. This limited release has spent a dozen years exclusively in American oak barrels and at 94 proof it packs a significant punch. The head distiller also opted out of chill filtering, which allows all of the apple and pear notes to mingle with a deep rich vanilla nose. As an aside, this could also allow your whisky to cloud up a bit if you add a few drops of water. The zesty character is quite a treat as is, so I would avoid the dilution altogether. I found a crazy long finish with an extra dose of sweetness to boot. Sometimes decoding the gobbledygook on a whisky label is tough for those of us who don’t speak Scottish Gaelic. However, this one was the Malt Master’s pet name and it translates into “The Colour of Gold.” He speaks the truth about this 7 rated beauty, which is better than average but not a star. Slainte, now more than ever….
Banff 1976 Connoisseurs Choice-
Connoisseurs Choice Banff 1976- When my friend Joel offered me a dram of this rare whisky, we made it an event worthy of the occasion. Sharing is maybe the best part of this minor obsession because it creates memorable experiences….. And the genuine tartan plaid was the perfect background. The nose is stronger with alcohol than the 86 proof would suggest and I found a cake-like sweetness with a bit of citrus. This dark golden Highland /Speyside is near impossible to buy but I found 2 suppliers in the UK who have a small stash, pricey but worth every penny. There are strong notes of sherry and vanilla mid taste and some subtle lemon zest. The mouth feel was creamy and mild with a gentle hint of peaty smoke. We were lucky to have some home made shortbread that enhanced the drink immensely. The spirit is so long in the bottle that one wonders if there has been a change in its profile over the years. I need a way-back machine to find out. We loved the long and fruity finish and toasted our mutual good fortune. Whenever you see that Gordon and MacPhail were on board, quality is assured. Rated a lofty 9 on the vintage scale.
The Haig Club
The Haig Club- It’s time for some sunshine in our lives, spring is on the way and this blue beauty might be just what we need. What contrarian nut job bottles our chosen drink in a cobalt square? Those characters at Cameronbridge distillery, who coincidentally have been endorsed by David Beckham no less…..I found a quiet nose with a mash up of apple and citrus with subtle alcohol and at 80 proof, it is on the delicate side. This single grain technique makes a drinkable whisky in sunset gold but it lacks the complexity of a single malt. There is toffee and vanilla mid taste as expected but the finish is faster than the proverbial speeding bullet. I suggest tasting in the waning hours to enjoy the blue shadow…truly unique. Research tells me aging took place in 3 types of barrels but my guess is not for very long. There is not even a wee hint of smoke in the taste. Beckham says he likes his Haig with tonic and an orange wedge and mid summer that may the hot setup. This dram may not be snobbish enough for some of you, but I enjoyed it neat and with a tattooed celebrity on board, pour a generous glass and imagine yourself on the red carpet. One smart devotee even saved the bottle and resting it in a windowsill, he enjoys the occasional blue streak of light mid afternoon! Sunshine rated a cool 7 on the snob scale, no tattoo needed.
Adelphi 19
Adelphi Distillery 19- It is time to revel in new beginnings as we do our very best to forever banish 2020 from our memories……My modest proposal is to find yourself a brand new whisky, a fine glass, and a positive outlook. Our chosen malt is fairly rare and holds great complexity with mellow caramel and fruit notes. At a mighty one hundred and twelve proof this lovely amber beast packs a wallop, but my advice is enjoy it neat and powerful. The nose is potent with delicious spice and the finish is lengthy enough to really enhance your taste. Cask 5676 was bottled from the Inchgower Speyside family and mine must have a slow leak, it was empty all too soon. So here’s to the new! Great experiences need proper planning and your mission is find the spirit and the time. Let’s celebrate a fresh start with fanfare and spectacular flavor. Rated a highly optimistic 8.
Christmas Gift Suggestion
Seasons Greetings to you and your family, here is an idea……
Greetings all, Here is my totally self serving idea, I will sign, endorse, and ship to you for $35. For more images and a full description please visit my posting from May of this year. Also available on barnesandnoble.com , and Amazon .com . All the best to you and yours !
Cheers, Ken
Laphroaig 10
Laphroaig 10- This muscular whisky demands respect and we are here to make that happen. Roasting barley over smoldering Islay peat makes the rich and complex flavors happen and therein lies the magic. A quiet fury erupts in your glass immediately and I suggest you savor it neat. Our chosen island single malt is bottled at 86 proof and it is shockingly smooth with notes of toasty caramel and fruit tarts. The nose is potent and delightful on a frosty evening. Lesser malts that try to duplicate the wizardry end up smelling more like a dumpster fire…..Swirl your glass before each taste and you’ll enhance the experience. I loved the ultra malty finish and suggest that you make sharing a dram part of your weekend. This family offers us many options and you can spend more, but for me this one checks all the boxes. Powerful tastes for educated palates, rated a strong 8 on the snob scale.
Creag Isle 12
Creag Isle 12- The bottle looked promising on the shelf and I enjoy Islay whiskies, what could possibly go wrong……This name was unfamiliar and I always seek new tastes so….. Upon opening, the nose was powerful and a bit peaty, a fine first impression. My initial taste was a tad sharp with enough honey sweetness to make a beekeeper swoon. The burnt amber color and substantial legs in the glass added to the anticipation. At 42% the alcohol makes a statement along with the mild grassy and fruit flavors , and while the taste is good , it is far from remarkable. As a serious fan of Island Scotches , I am a touch underwhelmed by Mr. or Ms. Creag’s distilling. Our subject is a wee notch up from a blend and I rate it a generous 6.
Glenfiddich 14
Glenfiddich Bourbon Barrel Reserve 14- With a nod to American spirits and as a way to get us far far away from American politics, I present this modest diversion. The magic herein is due to the lengthy stay in deeply charred bourbon oak and man did it ever work. The rich amber color and ultra silky mouthfeel are most welcome on a fall evening. I found a unique mash up of corn and vanilla sweetness and a delightfully long finish. The 86 proof is bold enough to make a statement and yet still is mellow enough for everyone to enjoy it neat as intended. The nose is crazy sweet almost like a dessert, yum……While the leaves in our area are changing and flying, grab a bottle of this and enjoy it outside, somehow the spirit and the fall action enhance each other perfectly. Now if we could just have a choice other than cranky old guys for the most important job in the land! I rate this blue labeled beauty a solid 8 on the snob scale. Slainte
Port Askaig 110 Proof
Port Askaig 110 Proof- God knows we all need a diversion and I have a solution. Here’s a new experience you can enjoy without a mask or the dreaded smell of Purell. Acquire a stash of this Islay powerhouse and prepare for a flavor bomb of the highest order. Special thanks go out to the P.I.C. Larry , ( Provisioner In Chief) for his efforts on our behalf…..This moody bad boy comes to us from an un-named distiller on the Island but my research points to Caol Ila. With no age statement, it’s a guess on my part but 8 years seems about right, still edgy but very flavorful and malty. The deep amber color suits my mood perfectly and the nose meets us at the corner of Smoky and Grain. The robust taste has some faint vanilla and fruit and a large whack of alcohol, and at 55% that is expected. The aging is all in ex- bourbon barrels and those have imparted a delicate sweetness with a moderately long finish. I tried a glass with a few drops of water but the effect was just less character, leave it as bottled. So get to work on this 7.5 rated newcomer post haste. Now go wash your hands.
Christmas Gift Suggestion
Seasons Greetings to you and your family, here is an idea……Greetings all, Here is my totally self serving idea, I will sign, endorse, and ship to you for $35. For more images and a full description please visit my posting from May of this year. Also available on barnesandnoble.com , and Amazon .com . All the best to you and yours !
Cheers, Ken
Cardhu 12
Cardhu12- Breaking news: you can now order a dram of single malt at selected Starbucks locations. This charmingly fat container shows a warm amber colored whisky that is bottled at 80 proof and it features melon and honey notes aplenty. I found subtle but pleasant smoke and a good measure of peppery spice mid taste. Somehow the distiller even managed to impart a taste of vanilla cake in the mix. Cardhu is a Speyside with some lingering sweetness that would make it a fine after dinner drink and the pinched bottle would look swanky on your bar. The finish was satisfyingly long. I rate this zoftig beauty a solid 7 and it sure beats a latte….oh, and I lied about Starbucks. 
Grangestone
Grangestone – describing flavor subtleties in kinda like nailing Jello to the wall, not an easy deal. This Highland dram is copper hued and truly mellow on the nose, without a single hint of the dreaded Jello. I found complex floral and fruit notes with a whisper of peat. The distilling team in Ayrshire finished their whisky in Sherry casks and that worked its usual magic. The finish was brief but enjoyable and this is a very drinkable single malt and a bargain to boot. Keep the ice and water away as that would spoil your drink. I rate this vanilla soaked dram a solid seven. Now let me get back to my messy work with the hammer.
The Single Malt Snob 