Spirit review: Bas Armagnac Marie Duffau Napoléon bottled @ 40%

Spirit review: Bas Armagnac Marie Duffau Napoléon bottled @ 40%

-Very well priced Armagnac
-Young yet very well seated in the glass
-Red wax seal
-Between VSOP and XO

Colour: nice reddish copper tone, medium bodied

Nose: leather, tannin, mineral notes, salts, dried fruits, juicy, mouth watering, velvety minerals, metallic notes, lots of fruits, sweet, very warm and inviting.

Mouth: warm white pepper, fresh, very fresh, rolls out on leather, juicy fruits, dried pear, apricot, covers the mouth, really a dense yet light fruit coating.

Finish: lingering fruit, tannin, toffee, more fruits, small red fruits, dried red grapes.

A+ for the price. for 47.85$ (LCBO), it's simply awesome. Must try.
A for taste. warming, fresh and fruity.
A for presentation. Great simple rusting bottling.

Spirit review: Delord Bas-Armagnac XO bottled @ 40%

Spirit review: Delord Bas-Armagnac XO bottled @ 40%

-Lovely handwritten label
-Waxed cap
-And a waxed seal...what else?

Colour: dark copper tones, light bodied, medium legs

Nose: very sweet, pungent sweet macerated pear, small plums, grapes, fresh sweet chili notes, very aromatic, fragrant yet keeps its rustic pepper tone.

Mouth: Lots of confit fruit, marmalade, apricot, pear, polished fruit, candied fruits, liqueur type of sweetness, on the fruit, mouth covering, fresh white pepper, very delicate arrival yet so good. If you leave it some time, it will calm down and tilt toward a more liquor type of spirit, tangy fruity sirupy. Exquisite.

Finish: sticky dark red fruits, pepper, apricot, pear, just very long and does not let you forget you drank.

A for the price. Paid 61.5$ (SAQ) but is now 64$. Nonetheless, hard to beat for such a great spirit.
A for the presentation. No useless boxing, just the bottle and very elegant waxed cap.
A for the taste. Just let it relax and tame it, well worth every penny.

Spirit Tasting: Hardy Cognac V.S.O.P Fine Champagne bottled @ 40%

Spirit Tasting: Hardy Cognac V.S.O.P Fine Champagne bottled @ 40%

-Decent pricing
-Nice bottling
-Yep, got the last glass

Colour: dark copperish tone, medium bodied

Nose: tannin, confit fruits, mineral, a bit robust,  pear, light wine notes, sweet, young yet great personality.

Mouth: very peppery, bitter black fruits, mineral, very fruity, some leather notes, more of a short robust-fruity blast than a complex Cognac. Not bad, simply just not great.

Finish: lingering mineral, fruits, pear, tannin, pepper heat

B+ for the price. I paid 66.5$ (SAQ) which is fairly decent for a VSOP, at least here.
B for the taste. It's fine, a dash of water will help tone down its more robust angle.
A for presentation. The new bottling is great.

Whisky review: The Balvenie 14 ans Caribbean Cask, bottled @ 43%

Whisky review: The Balvenie 14 ans Caribbean Cask, bottled @ 43%

-The long awaited rum Cask !

Colour: pale yellow, light straw, medium bodied.

Nose: vanilla, sugar canes, light wood sap, rum notes, agricultural rum,

Mouth: light vanilla, spices, nice sweet rum notes, sugar canes, white fruits, bit rough, hints of oranges.

Finish: lingering fruits, sugar canes notes, spices.

C+ for the price. 110$ seems a bit high considering its age as the Balvenie Doublewood goes for 84$.
A for presentation. Nice clean looking Balvenie.
B for the taste. Interesting rum finish, yet, a tad too sweet. It would have been nicer to try older rum cask to get more wood influence.

Whisky review: Aberlour 18 years old, bottled @ 43%

Whisky review: Aberlour 18 years old, bottled @ 43%

Colour: copper notes, dark golden red notes. Nice sherry colour

Nose: deep caramel, lots of spices, touches of white pepper, light spicy sweet notes, more red fruits

Mouth: watery, very light, chili, sweet spicy, roasted coconut, hand cream, lotion, sherry wine, light fruits. Yet one would feel an 18 yo should be a bit more complete...not watery

Finish: spices, sherry notes, red dried fruits, medium finish.

B- for the taste. It's a good Aberlour/Sherry whisky, but it's too light and does not give a complete experience.
A- for presentation. Waxy top and nice chubby bottle.
D+ for the price. 157$ (SAQ)....No way I'm spending this amount. Go for another expression instead.

Whisky review: Big Peat vatted malt D.Laing bottled @46%

Whisky review: Big Peat vatted malt D.Laing bottled @46%

-Nice Islay blend from D.Laing
-Says to contain Port Helen .....like a drop maybe.

Colour: light gold, very pale, straw and bright

Nose: peat, iodine, medicinal oils, some citrus notes, not too dense...as in lots of part are trying to take control yet nothing comes through

Mouth: Strong peat and smoke arrival, dark ashes, butts, more of a laphroiag mouth than Ardbeg or even Caol Ila. More peat, juicy peat, ashes, hot cinder, remains light bodied.

Finish: lingering peat, smoke and ashes, long presence felt. Very pleasant.

D for the price. For 85$ I would simply buy a Laphroiag QC (70$), Islay Mist 17 (72$) or even a Bowmore Tempest....so no thanks.
C for presentation. Yes it is different but...looks more like someone being blown a very unpleasant smell on the face than ''peat''.
B+ for the taste. It is very decent and peaty, very nice finish as well

Whisky review: Scallywag blended malt, bottled @ 46%

Whisky review: Scallywag blended malt, bottled @ 46%

-2nd new blend from Douglas Laing
-Small batch
-Non-chill

Colour: dark gold, oilier than the previous, medium bodied

Nose: sweets, spices, bit rough as well, fruits, burnt fruits, chili, light white pepper, mineral, metallic notes, sweet sappy notes

Mouth: fruits, spices, vanilla, rough notes, fresh, sour fruits, caramel.

Finish: light spices, sweet notes, broken sugar notes, hints of vanilla

B- for taste. It is ok, yet it remains young a bit unsettled. Nothing memorable either.
C for the presentation. Yes, it is Fred Laing's dog...but again who cares?
E for the price. It is to be 85ish dollars as well when it arrives (SAQ)

Whisky review: Timorous Beastie, Vatted Malt NAS bottled @ 46%

Whisky review: Timorous Beastie, Vatted Malt NAS bottled @ 46%

-From Douglas Laing
-Non-chill
-No caramel

Colour: Very pale, light straw, list mist, only a little oily.

Nose: Mineral notes, touches of floral, bourbon notes, spices, light candy, vanilla, honeycomb, honey, very nice nose yet some rough notes.

Mouth:  spices, lots of sweets, mouth covering, a tad rough around the edges, lingering broken sugar notes,caramel.

Finish: lingering sweet notes, very short finish.

B+ for the taste. I love the mouth covering effect. But it's nothing very memorable.
A for presentation. Nice black bottle and postal stamp label.
E for price. Was listed at around 85$.....No way.

Spirit review: Armagnac dartigalongue 1986 bottled @48%

Spirit review: Armagnac dartigalongue 1986 bottled @48%

-5th and last....sadly

Colour: Dark gold, reddish copper notes, light bodied.

Nose: plums, peaches, apricots, cherries, all mixes in a cake, touches of raw sugar, a bit harsher than the 1976.

Mouth: depths of fruits yet again, wet rocks, vanilla, light woody notes, but remains onto comfit fruits, leather, more fruits and so complex.

Finish: right on more fruit cake batter, oily, long fruity notes. very long and on the fruit.

A for the price. 126$ is great in terms of price for such a good product and from a small-scale operation.
A for presentation.
A- for the taste. Very nice yet remains a bit below the L-P and 1976.

Spirit review: Armagnac dartigalongue 1976 bottled @ 45%

Spirit review: Armagnac dartigalongue 1976 bottled @ 45%

-4th one oh and an awesome one.

Colour: deep copper tones, caramel liquor.

Nose: another dimension of fruits......leather, so dense and thick, vanilla, basin of fruits, yet remains very fresh and very settled. Aged very well and expressed a full maturity.

Mouth: I'd say ''rabbit hole'' depths of thick juicy comfit fruits. very oily, vanilla bourbon, macerated cool fruits, candied fruit paste,hints of mineral notes, cherries.

Finish: long and goes on and no, sticky fruit. It's like you can't really come back up from all this complexity of comfit fruits. It just stays.

A for the price. Considering its age (38), 162$ is more than decent. I would buy it anytime if I could.
A+ for the taste. Totally awesome. So rich and complex it will convert anyone to Armagnac.
A for presentation.

Spirit review: Armagnac dartigalongue Louis-Philippe (1974-1976) bottled @ 42%

Spirit review: Armagnac dartigalongue Louis-Philippe (1974-1976) bottled @ 42%

-3rd dartigalongue
-bott. in 2008

Colour: intense red, mahogany, long legs, medium bodied.

Nose: Moss, thick comfit fruits, mineral notes, very fresh, white pepper, very settled, thick sweet citrus notes, soft fruit paste.

Mouth: thick fruits, sweet and long, black fruits, very dense, covers the mouth with fruit perfume and essences, so fresh and balanced, hints of leather, hot, more fruit re-fluxes. Fantastic.

Finish: more and more fruits, very long sweet comfit fruit finish. Such a good Armagnac. I mean, XO Cognac cant compete vs. this one.

B+ for the price. 157$ starts to be a  bit pricey. But if money is not an issue, do buy.
A+ for the taste. So good, thick and dense.
A for presentation. Again elegant and clean.

Spirit review: Armagnac dartigalongue 25 years old bottled @ 40%

Spirit review: Armagnac dartigalongue 25 years old bottled @ 40%

-2nd dartigalongue

Colour: deep mahogany, long legs, oily

Nose: very fruity sugary, hot caramel, fruit cake, marmalade, comfit fruits, yellow fruits, pears, peaches, very fragrant, lots of fruits notes. Very hard to point everything down.

Mouth: strong arrival, tons of fruits, more cherries, thick fruit cake, wild red fruits, dark berries, so complex and fruity.

Finish: more fruits, lingering fruit paste, and mineral notes. Exquisite.

A for the price. 103$ is great considering its age and taste.
A for presentation. Truthful to its rustic origins.
A for the taste. So complex and fruity, so enjoyable. A definite ''wow'' factor here.

Spirit review: Armagnac Dartigalongue 1995

Spirit review: Armagnac Dartigalongue 1995

Colour: dark gold, reddish notes, greasy long legs, full bodied.

Nose: lots of comfit fruits, mineral notes, fresh pears, more complex fresh fruits, broken sugar notes, hot but not harsh, hints of leather notes, candied fruits.

Mouth: Mineral, fresh hot fruits, peppery notes, white pepper, very light, fading leather, cherry, orange peel, lots of red fruits, lots of very complex small red fruits.

Finish: light wood notes, long fruits peep, mineral notes. Long finish

B+ for the taste. Good, yet was expecting more from this vintage Armagnac.
A- for the price. for 94$ it's pretty good. I mean, it was bottled in 2014.
A for presentation. Nice elegant bottling.

The Next reviews...Armagnacs

Whisky review: Bunnahabhain 18 years old bottled @ 46.3%

Whisky review: Bunnahabhain 18 years old bottled @ 46.3%

Colour: dark gold, oily, full bodied

Nose: hand lotion, sugar, thick caramel, fruits, very fresh.

Mouth: depths of caramel, burnt grain, herbal notes, very light for 18 years old, touches of spices, salt, more caramel.

Finish: light and sugary notes, sticky herbal notes.

C- for the price. 160$ which is double the price of the 12. Yes Bun is somewhat rare but still..Plus I believe the 12 is better in terms of taste.
B for the taste. It's good but not great. I think this goes from 12 to 25.
B for the presentation. Classic black bottling.

Whisky review: Glendronach 18 years old Bottled @ 46%

Whisky review: Glendronach 18 years old Bottled @ 46%

Colour: red hints, light sherry notes, light bodied, small particles inside.

Nose: Mineral, thick caramel, lots of sugars, spices, mouth watering mineral notes.

Mouth: touches of Port, sherry, spices, caramel, light bodied, juicy, comes of a bit robust near the end, more sugars, peppers.

Finish: spices, sherry notes, light wood.

B for the price. 148$ is....bah...a bit too much.Not sure I would buy this at all.
B+ for presentation. Nice bottling.
B for the taste. It was ok, but again no wow factor to it. 

Whisky review: Benriach 16 years old Sauternes finish bottled @ 46%

Whisky review: Benriach 16 years old Sauternes finish bottled @ 46%

Colour: Crisp gold, oily, thick bodied, long legs

Nose: freshness, sweet white wine, yellow fruits, vanilla touches, cherries, fruits from wine

Mouth: dry white wine, grapes, yellow fruits, sweet sourness, vegetal notes, very juicy, nice sauternes finish, yet far from Arran.

Finish: vegetal notes, white wine notes, apple juice.

B for the price. 105$ is ''ok'' for this. But barely.
B for the price its just ok. The taste is nice, but I wouldnt pay 100$ for it.
B+ for the presentation. The colourful label of the Benriach are always nice.

Whisky review: Glengoyne 18 years old bottled @ 43%

Whisky review: Glengoyne 18 years old bottled @ 43%

Colour: Bright gold, long legs, medium bodied

Nose: light sherry, caramel, spices, broken raw sugar, nice highlander.

Mouth: light watery even, all stuck, rancid, acidic, rice winegar, old cheese, sugar notes, classical highland spices. But something is so off here.

Finish: sour apples, acidic, very unsettled.

E for the price. 200$ ? Really? Get the 17 for 100$. like...100$ more for 1 year....please.
E taste wise, it's a fail. So sad. Glengoyne usually gives good products.
A- for the presentation. I like the new label.

Whisky review: Blackbull 12 years old blended whisky bottled @ 50%

Whisky review: Blackbull 12 years old blended whisky bottled @ 50%

-50% grain, 50% malt
-50% ABV so..yeah

Colour: Very dark, dark gold, reddish, light bodied

Nose: highland sweet and spices, ''robust'', unbalanced, gainy, a bit off, something not fresh about this one.

Mouth: Rough entry, sugar notes, ethery, harsh, sweet notes, spices, light caramel, no distinctive character. Tries to be Highland but fails.

Finish: Acidic sour notes, light spices. flat.

E for the price. 88$ (SAQ) hell no. 35-40$ ok. Sorry, but no thank you.
D for the taste. Cruel joke for highland malts. It's just bad. Avoid.
D for presentation. Blackbull sounds more like a Calgary Rye or a US bourbon....

Whisky review: Isle of Jura 21 years old. Bottled @ 44%

Whisky review: Isle of Jura 21 years old. Bottled @ 44%

-Yet another Jura.
-Bottled over 40%

Colour: dark gold, oily, long legs

Nose: flower, light oil, sweet, fresh notes, spices, light coastal notes, salted notes, marmalade.

Mouth: salted notes, medicinal oil, light spices, peppery notes, light, eucalyptus, spicy, sweet, light caramel, toasted wood. Very juicy and light for a 21 years old.

Finish: spices, sweet notes, short.

B+ for the price. Again 150$ for 21 years is nice. The problem here lies in the liquid itself.
B+ for the presentation. Love the shape of the bottle. Overdone weird ''window'' box.
B for the taste. It's ok but, not as good as the Superstition.

Whisky: Tobermory 15 years old bottled @ 46.3%

Whisky: Tobermory 15 years old bottled @ 46.3%

-3rd Tobermory if I recall.

Colour: thick gold, medium bodied, oily with long legs.

Nose: thick vegetal notes, mineral, wet rocks, salt water, hints of rubber, nice fruit juice, straw, candies, fizzy mineral notes. Very Tobermorish indeed.

Mouth: Spicy, lots of mineral notes, thick vegetal notes, fruits, wet straw, hints of salt. Classic tobermory. A little rubbery-smoky notes, but very distant.

Finish: touches of caramel, mineral notes, sweet touches.

E for the price. 165$ is not justified when the 10 is simply over 60$.
B for the taste. I much prefer the original 10, more straightforward.
A-. for the presentation. Nothing overdone, light and clear.

Whisky review: Dalmore The King Alexander III NAS bottled @40%

Whisky review: Dalmore The King Alexander III NAS bottled @40%

-Another Dalmore!
-Sadly it's a NAS....
-Even more sad, it is so overpriced.
-Blend of whiskies aged up to 25 years old
-4 different finishes.

Colour:  Dark coppery tones, reddish, light bodied, very light.

Nose: Ether, unsettled, vegetal notes, light caramel, young and spirity, hints of red wine, sweet wine, very light, almost flimsy.

Mouth: very light, chili, light fruity, sweet juice, herbal notes, fainted caramel, wines notes, but nothing comes forward, nothing impressive.

Finish: Quick to disintegrate, mineral notes, flat.

C for the taste. Sad whisky.
D+ for presentation. Clean and elegant bottle but well overdone packaging. Total waste.
E for the price. 240$, total joke. Get the 12 or better yet maybe avoid Dalmore for a while.

Whisky review: Glenfarclas 21 years old bottled @43%

Whisky review: Glenfarclas 21 years old bottled @43%

Colour: nice pale gold, medium bodied with long legs.

Nose: Malty, peaches, dry grapes, hints of vegetal notes, light fruity notes, very settled, salt, spices, raw sugar notes. Nice yet not very impressive for a 21 years old.

Mouth: light, juicy, spices, white pepper notes, very fragrant, hot, light caramel,

Finish: Shy spices, wet carton, caramel....short.

A- for the price. For 131$ it's quite reasonable considering its age.
C for taste. Again, for a 21 years old, it lacks a certain ''wow'' factor. It's a sad whisky considering its age.
B- for the presentation. Yes it is simple and clean yet, they should try to redo the label...not attractive at all.

Spirit review: Arcane 12 years Old Mauritian Rum bottled @40%

Spirit review: Arcane 12 years Old Mauritian Rum bottled @40%

Colour: bright reddish-brownish gold. relatively light bodied.

Nose: exotic fruits perfumery....so intense and fragrant.Mangoes, pineapples, pine, fresh, depths of exotic fruits, some mineral notes, bananas, crushed cane, oily. Simply put an incredible nose.

Taste: So fragrant, explosion of hot cane sugar, pineapple, lots of yellow fruits, bananas, light and fresh. Almost gives the feeling you are drinking fruit essence (in a good way)

Finish: medium, fruity, fragrant. Very nice indeed.

A- for the price. At 50,25(SAQ), it is not bad at all. However compared to other 12 years old, it's a bit more expensive.
A+ for the presentation. Mysterious yet not pretentious bottling.
A+ for the taste. Quite impressive for a rum. Highly recommended. 

Spirit review: Eiffel Tower XO spirit drink bottled@40%

Spirit review: Eiffel Tower XO spirit drink bottled@40%

-Brought by Sun.
-Kind of a ''what is that'' product.
-Not a brandy but a spirit drink as indicated.

Colour: pale yellow gold.

Nose: young brandy note, weird fake fruits/sweet notes, harsh fruits notes, old dried grapes. Seems they have added cinnamon, cheap sweet red wine, to this concoction. between a cheap brandy and rotten red wine.....strange.

Mouth: Harsh....spices, chili, more chili, light robust brandy notes....dry white wine aftertaste...way too robust...like a 1 year old spirit something....awful, plain and simple. 

Finish: after taste of carton and weird additive yet again...never again.

N/A for the price. as it was free. Seemed it should go for 14 Euros. Yet even for free we are not getting our money's worth here.
D for the taste. What is that.....? it simply something to forget.
E for presentation.Crappy craft look.

Whisky review: the forgotten event.

 Whisky review: the forgotten event.

Whisky review: Clynelish the Distillers Edition. bottled @ 46%

Whisky review: Clynelish the Distillers Edition. bottled @ 46%

Colour: dark gold, light bodied.

Nose: hot, medicinal oil, fruits, fresh citrus notes, marmalade, bee wax, vanilla, roasted oak

Mouth: bourbon notes, fruity, light spices, ashes, sticky citrus, vanilla, medicinal, coal dust, more citrus, hints of sap.

Finish: lengths of light ashes, medicinal touches and citrus...spices as well!

C for the price. 143% seems unreasonable.
B+ for the taste. A very nice D.E with nice flavor profile.
B+ for presentation. Always brown...yet clean informative label.

Whisky review: Poit Dhubh 21 years old bottled@ 43%

Whisky review: Poit Dhubh 21 years old bottled@ 43%

-Nice independent bottler
-Praban Na Linne...enough said.
-Bottled @ 43%

Colour: dark copper, hints of red. Long legs and oily.

Nose: medicinal oils, light white ashes, sweet notes, touches of peat,

Mouth: greens, sweetness, bitched cigars, caramel, spices, medicinal oil, light smoke, gentle cold ashes, sweet tobacco leaves. Really nice whisky !

Finish: ashes, medicinal oils, sweet ashes, hints of smoke.

A for the taste. Great whisky, very complex and very long.
B+ for the price. 160$ is more than ok for this yet
B+ for presentation. Clean and clear, no boxes. Nice informative labour.

Whisky review: Jack Daniel Sinatra Select bottled@45%

Whisky review: Jack Daniel Sinatra Select bottled@45%

-Oh lord...why...why keep tasting Jack Daniel?
-Heavy 1L bottle

Colour: Dark copper, medium legs.

Nose: Vanilla caulking, chemical, permanent marker, coal, burnt caramel. Yeah....this would be nice wall paper glue.

Mouth: sweet, touches of spices, burnt wood, caramel, vanilla, old coal, yet remains chemical...does not really evolves nor impresses.

Finish: pretty empty. I'd get a better finale with a regular Alberta Premium.

C- at best for the taste. Just a better version of the old No.7....remains sad and boring. Don't know why anyone in their right minds would buy this. Save your money.
E for the price. Only 296$....for Jack effffing Daniel..really? no age statement even. Unless this is 35 years older and above, 300$ cannot be justified for Jack Daniel. A.V.O.I.D.
E for presentation. The boxing alone might worth 20$ = waste of money. oversized bottled....with nothing distinctive. 

Whisky review : Aberfeldy 21 years old bottled @ 40%

Whisky review : Aberfeldy 21 years old bottled @ 40%

Colour: yellow gold, darker gold.

Nose: fruit paste, very settled, creamy fruits

Mouth: red fruits, vanilla, deep fruit, white pepper, very settled.

Finish: light fruit, sweet notes.....length of sweet notes, fruits yet nothing impressive.

? for taste....Maybe C? it's just a boring malt....nothing special whatsoever.
D+ for the price. 141$....it is logical for a 21 years old. Yet it does not - taste wise - worth it. Not a single penny of it.
B+ for the presentation. Nice chubby bottle yet not attractive.

Whisky review: Hepburn's Choice Auchentoshan 11 years old single Cask bottled @ 46%

Whisky review: Hepburn's Choice Auchentoshan 11 years old single Cask bottled @ 46%

-Single Cask
-Independent bottler
-Bottled @46%

Colour: pure yellow, bright gold. oily with long legs.

Nose: light fruits, ether notes, robustness come through....

Mouth: light fruits, ethery cough medicine, straw, wet straw, soft yellow fruits, vegetal notes, sap

Finish: chilli burn, pear, some sweet notes, but still falls flat.

C+ for the taste. I'm not a fan of lowland....and especially non-cask strength. Too subtle for me anyway.
C for the price. 85$ for this....c'mon. We can buy the 12 years old for 58$....enough said.
C for presentation. A sad bottle.....

Spirit tasting: Raynal XO 15 years Old Brandy bottled @ 40%

Spirit tasting: Raynal XO 15 years Old Brandy bottled @ 40%

-Random try which turned out to be an awesome pick
-Raynal does not exist anymore.....so buy buy buy !

Colour: deep mahogany, intense dark cherry wood.

Nose: silent sweets, lots of fruits, candied fruits, nice confit fruits, cherries, blackcurrants, blackberries, depths of fruits. So fragrant, just nosing is in itself an experience. I could simply nose this all day....

Mouth: a tad harsh for the first 5-10 minutes. However, allow Raynal to sit down and relax in the glass....becomes much more open, round, delicate and fruity. Sweet leather notes, pear, black fruits, oak but on the different level: you can taste the maturity of this cask. Sweet yet balanced with tannin, pear and leather, more fruits. Exceptional.

Finish: very long sweet finish. black fruits keep coming back with sweet notes and leathery vibes. Velvety spirit that truly impresses.


A for the taste.
A+ for the price. Still available at the LCBO for 35$.....need I say more? As it is no longer produced I strongly suggest to buy a bottle.
A for the presentation. Very nice decanter style bottle, a tad retro and a simply carton box.

Whisky review: Douglas Laing's Old Particular Single Cask Ledaig 16 years old bottled @ 48.4%

Whisky review: Douglas Laing's Old Particular Single Cask Ledaig 16 years old bottled @ 48.4%

-2nd Ledaig
-16 years old
-Single Cask
-Bottled at 48,4%
-153$

Colour: deeper gold, medium oily

Nose: back sticks, deep caramel, medicinal touches, white ashes, peat notes, yet very light. A very mice nose.

Mouth: depth of peat, medicinal oils, spicy peat, leather, burnt meat, sweet smoked bacon, bitter notes. Very meat smoke and sweet/slaty notes. Very interesting indeed.

Finish: lingering peatyness, a tad laphroig-ish, very long smooth peaty finish.

C-. Pricewise, it's one of the most ''acceptable'' of the range. Yet it remains out of reach for the normal consumer. As far as Ledaig goes, simply buy the NAS one, its like 60-70$.
A. for presentation. *see others*
A- for taste. Very good whisky indeed. Very complex, meat smoke and peat. Yet, I'm not sure I'd enjoy a full bottle of this...

Whisky review: Douglas Laing's Old Particular Single Cask Linkwood 18 years old bottled @ 48.4%

 Whisky review: Douglas Laing's Old Particular Single Cask Linkwood 18 years old bottled @ 48.4%

-1st Linkwood
-18 years old
-Single Cask, 328 bottles
-48,4%, no colouring
-173$

Colour: light golden, oily, long legs

Nose: deep creamy vanilla, hints of wood, needles, floral notes, citrus, light yet complex nose.

Mouth: caramel, spices, sherry, red dried fruits, salt notes, remains rough around the edges....

Finish: dry sherry, candied fruits, lingering sherry notes.

D for the price. DL needs to rethink its pricing policy as SAQ needs to tone down taxes not to be stuck with inventory at some point.
B for the taste. Maybe my expectations were too high or maybe I just not a big fan of light speysiders and spicy highlanders. But, I can't say it was unpleasant, yet it was not great either.
A for presentation. *see others*

Whisky review: Douglas Laing's Old Particular Single Cask Royal Lochnagar 16 years old bottled @ 48.4%

Whisky review: Douglas Laing's Old Particular Single Cask Royal Lochnagar 16 years old bottled @ 48.4%

-16 years old
-Single Cask 548 bottled
-48,4%, no colouring
-153$

Colour: very pale, straw, long legs, oily

Nose: very light, vanilla notes, vanilla bourbon, floral, juicy, fruity notes. Very light sweet nose.

Mouth: Light, chemical (marker tip), chili, ether notes, green fruits, very light. Short in mouth and robust. Not something I expected from a 16 years old....

Finish: greens, herbs, a tad vegetal, long finish. 

C- for the price. Complete rip off.
B- for the taste. Nice nose and finish but so disappointing otherwise. 
A great look for Douglas Laing...yet my suggestion: stop putting money on packaging and reduce bottling costs.

Whisky review: Douglas Laing's Old Particular Single Cask Ben Nevis 17 years old bottled @ 48.4%

Whisky review: Douglas Laing's Old Particular Single Cask Ben Nevis 17 years old bottled @ 48.4%

- 1st Ben Nevis
-17 years old
-Single Cask, 324 Bottles
-48,4%, no colouring
-178$

Colour: Very pale, straw, gold, medium medium

Nose: light salted caramel, mineral notes, depth of creamy minerals, fruit notes, sweet, juicy.

Mouth: crisp, caramel, sweet, pungent fruit, chili, hot yet not too robust, acid notes, yet it remains light...to light. Disappears way too quickly.

Finish: cherries, acid, a tad flat and not really memorable.

E. for price. 178$ is simply way too high and for this light taste whisky.
B for the taste. It's good, yet, it dies way too soon and not leave anything to be remembered by.
A for presentation. Looks awesome. 

Whisky reviews: Tasting event 2014-06-26 (Douglas Laing & Co. Ltd)

Whisky reviews: Tasting event 2014-06-26 (Douglas Laing & Co. Ltd)

In order

1- Ben Nevis
-17 years old
-Single Cask, 324 Bottles
-48,4%, no colouring
-178$

2- Royal Lochnagar
-16 years old
-Single Cask 548 bottled
-48,4%, no colouring
-153$

3- Linkwood
-18 years old
-Single Cask, 328 bottles
-48,4%, no colouring
-173$

4- Ledaig
-16 years old
-Single Cask
-153$

Whisky review: Glen Garioch Virgin Oak (NAS) bottled @ 48%

Whisky review: Glen Garioch Virgin Oak (NAS) bottled @ 48%

-3rd Glen Garioch if I'm not mistaken
-Virgin oak
-bottled above 40%
-American White Oak matured
-Non chill-filtered

Colour: Golden with red hints

Nose: wood sap (as one would expect from ''virgin oak''), acidic notes, apples, fruit juice.

Mouth: spices, wood sap, fresh cut wood, apples, bitter notes, yet light.

Finish: acidic notes, sap and some distant apples.

D for the price. 127$ for a NAS? really? I would not purchase this Glen Garioch. I would rebuy the Founder's reserve instead.
B+ for presentation. Same bottling with more fancy colours on it.
C+ for the taste. It's a good whisky but just ok in terms of Virgin Oak. The Deanston remains on of the best at a much better price point.

Spirit tasting: Pierre Ferrand ''1er Cru de Cognac, Original Formula'' bottled @ 45%

Spirit tasting: Pierre Ferrand ''1er Cru de Cognac, Original Formula'' bottled @ 45%

-2nd Cognac
-Tasted previously during SAQ salon
-VS in terms of raking.

Colour: Deep gold, medium bodied, oily

Nose: nice sweet mineral notes, yellow fruits, hints of leather notes, alcohol vapours come through, yet nothing unpleasant. Great depth for a VS. I love the mineral notes and fruits combination.

Mouth: Very strong entry, lots of mineral notes, leather, chili powdered fruits, pear, thickness to it yet it wants to turn to ''ether'' notes.When water is added, this Cognac is so much more settled, you get round mineral and fruit notes, very thick and dense regardless of the water.

Finish: mineral notes, bitter fruits, cherries, pears, very sticky and lingering minerals notes. Great finish

A- for the price. at 68, 75$ (SAQ) its a very nice Cognac and it's highly recommended
A for the taste (with water). Can give some XOs a ride for their money. So gentle with water you will wonder if they haven't blended much older Cognacs with this one.
B for presentation. I like the retro metal-covered cap. Clean looking bottle, but not a fan of the ''far west'' looking labels.

Spirit Tasting: Deau Cognac XO bottled @ 40%

Spirit Tasting: Deau Cognac XO bottled @ 40%

-1st Cognac on blog
-XO but I would side this with a low VSOP...
-Age evaluation 7-8 years old.

Colour: Very dark, mahogany wood, oily with long legs.

Nose: light mineral notes, fruity edges, fruits confits, cherries, black pitted cherries, pear, deepthness

Mouth: Very light entry, tad oily, pine needles, apple, chili pepper. A bit too ''robust'' for a XO, turn flat and burns....I mean, this is not an old spirit, it's fairly young and not really settled in.

Finish: light woody notes, black fruits....but nothing really lingering.

D for taste. I know XO can go for brandies as young as 8 years old....but the industry standards are usually higher as a lot of VSOPs are 8-10 years old (and older). It's too light and does not have the body of a proper XO.
A for presentation. Very elegant bottling, like great XO's.
E for price. 215$? Really? That's not 20 years old matured. It's rough and falls to pieces. 90$ tops for this. Rip off. Avoid.

Spirit Tasting: Longueteau VS bottled @ 42%

Spirit Tasting: Longueteau VS bottled @ 42%

-One of the best rum I have ever tasted by far.
-Matured in Ex-Cognac barrel.

Colour: Coppery, oily

Nose: deep mineral notes, very thick, fruit confit, rocks, touches of salt.

Mouth: So close to a nice VS Armagnac, mineral notes, dense fruits, covers the mouth and remain complex. Shows some signs of youth, but you will forgive him for it.


Finish: lingering cherries, mineral, nice heat, soft and gentle

E for pricing. at 90$ (SAQ) we have much better rum/whisky option than this one. I hope to see the price going down to 65$.
A+ for taste. For rum, it's simply mind-blowing. Strongly advise to buy if money allows it or if it can be found at a more reasonable price.
C- for presentation. Not sure how I should see it : (1) velvet premium attempt of VS(?) rum...(2) weird bottled brandy. Anyway, they should reconsider the bottling to fit a specific style.