Whisky review: Glenglassaugh Torfa, bottled@50%

Whisky review: Glenglassaugh Torfa, bottled@50%

-Glenglassaugh revival !
-Heavily peated !

Colour: Bright gold, light, light bodied

Nose: Wet peat, sweet peat, medicinal, white ashes, deeper peat, black marker, touches of fruits and more peat !

Mouth: Highland peat, yet very decent, spicy peat, more spices, long and lingering, fruits, more like pear covered in ashes, a bit cigarettish, yet very nicely made. 

Finish: peat, white ashes, lingering peaty finish.

A for the taste. Young is a quality here and bravo for the Highland peat.
B+ for the price. 80$(SAQ) remains high, yet I am sure we will see more and more of it at a better price.
A- for the presentation, Clean and Classy.

Whisky review: Isle of Jura Duriach's Own 16 years old, bottled@ 43%

Whisky review: Isle of Jura Duriach's Own 16 years old, bottled@ 43%

-Another Jura !

Colour: dark gold, hints of red notes, light bodied.

Nose: salted fruits, caramel, very fresh, very clean, hints of chocolate, very well made.

Mouth: light mineral notes, hints of smoke here and there, bit of spices, yet nothing comes out....misleading nose indeed.

Finish: light caramel, sweets, spices.

C- for the price. 90$ (SAQ) ? yeah, no. I'll take the Prophecy instead.
A Nice bottling as usual.
B- Taste wise, not very interesting, no wow. Just plain Jura.

Whisky review: Tobermory 15 years old, bottled@ 46.3%

Whisky review: Tobermory 15 years old, bottled@ 46.3%

-I use to enjoy the 10 as well as the more peated expression of Mull.

Colour: deep gold, hints of red notes, medium bodied, lightly oil.

Nose: oily, creamy, deep caramel, hints of light fruits, mineral notes.

Mouth: very spicy, caramel, salted notes, oily, yet falls short of the 10 years old dramatically. A bit sad in fact.

Finish: spices, creamy notes, .....flat.

D for the price. 165$ (SAQ) no way, simply no way.
C for the taste. Sad. Get the 10.
B ok for the presentation I guess. 

Whisky review: Glenglassaugh Evolution, bottled @50%

Whisky review: Glenglassaugh Evolution, bottled @50%

-Revival of Glenglassaugh
-Ex-Tennessee Bourbon cask 

Colour: bright gold, light, nice medium body, very clear.

Nose: very creamy, waxy, honey, vanilla, wood sap, green, sweet fresh, more vanilla, touches of light spices, floral notes.

Mouth: very sweet, spicy, green apples, honey, lots of vanilla, floral, a tad rough yet not unpleasant. Very interesting indeed.

Finish: wood sap, some bitter notes, green.

B for the price. 89$ (SAQ) for a NAS which tastes pretty young...
B for the taste. Good indeed, yet I wouldn't go out of my way to taste nor buy.
A- Clean presentation and very classy.

Whisky review: Glengoyne 12 years old Cask Strength, bottled @ 57.2%

Whisky review: Glengoyne 12 years old Cask Strength, bottled @ 57.2%

-Great whisky, sadly out of stock at SAQ
-Great price.

Colour: Dark gold, medium bodied, short legs.

Nose: Hot brown sugar, sharpie, spices, hints of vanilla, very spirity, ether.

Mouth: Lots of spices, sugar, caramel, wood notes, very tingly, very hot and sweet. Considering its 57.2% per volume, it remains a bit rough around the edges. However, it could be drunk neat. Adding water, bring out more green wood notes, green sugary, very Highlandy character. No mistake.

Finish: spices, wood, bit ethery, broken sugars, very typical highland.

A for the price. 73.25 (SAQ) was a great deal. Sadly, it's no longer available.
B+ for the taste. This one might be better off with no water.
A for the presentation. Simple and clean label with all the needed info.

Whisky review: Cutty Sark Prohibition Edition blended scotch, bottled @50%

Whisky review: Cutty Sark Prohibition Edition blended scotch, bottled @50%

Colour: bright gold, straw, light bodied

Nose: Very intense spirit, hot pepper, hot-sweet-lemon-pepper, some caramel blinded hot spirit, very robust to say the least

Mouth: Very strong peppery-lemon attack, intense spirit burn, can give hiccup if drank unprepared, long burn in as well, some malty notes, sweet, but so powerful it almost not enjoyable. A few dashes of water help to calm this one down. Brings in more caramel notes, lemon and pepper....way too much pepper.

Finish: pepper, robust, harsh.

A for the price. 35,25$ (SAQ) is worth trying.
C for the taste. It's a young spirit and it's harsh. I however commend the 50% bottling.
A for the presentation. Nice looking black bottle.

Whisky review: BenRiach, Authenticus 25 Years Old, Bottled @ 46%

Whisky review: BenRiach, Authenticus 25 Years Old, Bottled @ 46%

Colour: Dark gold, bright, medium bodied, long legs

Nose: thick prickly smoke, wet ashes, white smoke, sweet medicinal notes, ocean salt, sea water air, citrus, very dense smoke, light peat, very complex and intricate nose.

Mouth: Smoke assault, green peat, burn grain, wet grass, peppery notes, massive wet ashes, dense smoke, eating a bond fire, sweet notes, spices, distant sherry and some woody notes.

Finish: lingering smoke and more smoke....never ending smoke.

D for the price. 349$ (SAQ) ....need I say more? Sad to say i'd prefer their Peat Smoke edition for the price.
A for the taste. Amazing overall. 
A for the presentation. Neat Benriach bottling. 

Spirit review: De Luze Fine X.O Grande Champagne

Spirit review:  De Luze Fine X.O Grande Champagne, bottled @ 40%

-2nd De Luze.
-Not sure if it's composed of 20 years old spirits and up or if there are 20 years old spirits in...

Colour: Dark copper, gold hints, thick with long legs.

Nose: Minerals notes, leathery, dense fruit paste, comfit fruits, very complex yet does not feel totally settled.

Mouth: fruits, fruit paste, peppery, mouth covering, leather notes, hot, minerals, prunes, plums, dried apricots.


Finish: peppery, light fruits, juicy fruits

D for the price. 195.25$ (SAQ) for that product? No way. I'd prefer 25 years old Armagnacs (around 100$) or even some better VSOP
B+ for the taste.It was ok, but easily forgettable. The nose is better than the liquid here, sadly.
A for the presentation, I love these decanter bottling.

Spirit review: De Luze Cognac VSOP Fine Champagne

Spirit review: De Luze Cognac VSOP Fine Champagne

Colour: Bright gold, hints of copper, light bodied

Nose: lots of mineral notes, medicinal oils, fresh apples, comfit red fruits, figs, prunes, very decent.

Mouth: very rich, sweet mineral notes, peppery, thick fruit paste, still harsher undertones, more red fruits. Not superb, yet decent.

Finish: Light fruity, sweet, boiled cherry pie mixing.

B for the taste. Decent yet, I wouldn't got for this VSOP in the Cognac range.
C+ for the price. 88$ (SAQ) is a farce considering I can get much better VSOPs or even XO Argmagnacs.
C for presentation. So so bottle from the 1970s ...need to update that.

Spirit Review: Zacapa Centenario 23 years old Sistema Solera No. 23, bottled@ 40%

Spirit Review: Zacapa Centenario 23 years old Sistema Solera No. 23, bottled@ 40%

-Made with rums aged between 6 and 23 years old.

Colour: Dark thick gold, copper, oily, long legs

Nose: thick sherry, broken cane sugars, molasses, spices, cherries, old wood, distant fruit, very sugary

Mouth: very thick and sweet, maybe too sweet. roasted cane sugars, faint wood, maybe an old cask?, maple water

Finish: red apples, lingering sweetness, oily.

B- for the price. at 80$ (SAQ) it's fairly decent, however, it's hard to tell how much 23 years old spirit we are actually getting.
C for the taste, too thick and too sweet as in 1 glass and I'm done.
A for the presentation. Cool looking bottle and not over the top.

Whisky review: Bulleit Frontier Bourbon, bottled @ 45%

Whisky review: Bulleit Frontier Bourbon, bottled @ 45%


- Long overdue !

Colour: light , gold, hints of reddish notes, light bodied.

Nose: Very canadian to begin with, sherry notes, spicy, hand cream, lighter than Rye, you can feel the sweetness of the corn.

Mouth: Again very Canadian, but maybe a bit softer. Less tasty than the Dark Horse, yet well balanced, with hints of vanilla, rye spices, wood chips, creamy.

Finish: light, sherry notes, rye, light sweet notes.

A+ for the price. for 36, 25 (SAQ) you can't go wrong with this.
B for the taste. I am not a fan of Rye, yet this could replace my Dark Horse if I ever run out.
A- for the presentation. Very Cow-boy-ish looking bottle.

Spirit review: Plantation Trinidad Multi-Millésimes 1999/2001/2003 Single Cask fini en fût de Claret, bottled @ 46%

Spirit review: Plantation Trinidad Multi-Millésimes 1999/2001/2003 Single Cask fini en fût de Claret, bottled @ 46%

Colour: Dark gold, red hints, medium bodied, long legs

Nose: Broken sugars, heavy mineral tones, hot, crème brulée, wood powder, very nice complex nose which indicates lots of maturation. However, it might a bit all over the place.

Mouth: Very dense sugary arrival, bit much in fact, maraschino cherries syrup, cough drops, cough medicine, very sweet molasses.

Finish: Syrupy sweet, thick, sticky cherry cough drop

C for the taste. Way too sweet and sticky for my taste. The heavy burnt sweet are overwhelming.
C for the price. 104$ (SAQ) makes it unattractive vs. more reasonable options such as the 12 years old Arcane.
B+ for the presentation. Decent looking bottle.

Whisky review: Mortlach Rare Old NAS, bottled @ 43.4%

Whisky review: Mortlach Rare Old NAS, bottled @ 43.4%

-Goes into JW blends.

Colour: Crisp gold, medium oily body

Nose: fresh, green fruits, green apples, waxy, sweet, crushed apples, vanilla, very light.

Mouth: Light arrival, turn to wood sap, green apples, long sweet notes, remains thin, vanilla.

Finish: Malty, sweet, some bitter notes, more green apple and vanilla.

B- for the taste. Nothing overly complex and no wow factor either. I'm not sure how old this is, but certainly not above 12-13.
D for the price. 100$ (SAQ) for this? No way.
E. For presentation. Way over the top as if they are trying to sell the container to compensate the liquid's shortcomings.

Spirit review: Darroze Armagnac Grand Assemblage 12 bottled @ 43%

Spirit review: Darroze Armagnac Grand Assemblage 12 bottled @ 43%

Colour: Light gold, oily with long legs.

Nose: floral, pepper notes, lots of fruits, fresh, very fragrant, comfit fruits, light tannin

Mouth: very peppery to start with, lots of fruit, oily, oranges, chewy, even more waves of fruits

Finish: Lots of sweets, light tannin, leather notes.

B+ for the price. 99$ sounds not bad. Can easily win over Laballe's
A- for the taste. Very nice, yet hard to begin with but give it some times.
A for the presentation.

Spirit review: Michel Forgeron XO Grande Champagne 1er Cru bottled @ 43%

Spirit review: Michel Forgeron XO Grande Champagne 1er Cru bottled @ 43%

Colour: Dark gold, medium bodies, medium legs

Nose: Minerals, tannin, leather, comfit fruits, fruits, orange, marmalade

Mouth: Nothing like the nose. Robust to say the least, leather notes, fruity, oily, sweets, oranges again....meh

Finish: lighter sweet, light warming, rough.

B- for the taste. Some VSOPs are better than this one. Sad XO indeed.
B- for the price. 99$ for this...how about No way. Plus its 500ml...
B for the presentation. Very forgettable and not eye catching at all.

Spirit review: Armagnac Laballe 1963 (2013) Bottled @ 40%

Spirit review: Armagnac Laballe 1963 (2013) Bottled @ 40%

- 4th Laballle, 50 years old

Colour: deep gold, darker copper, oily, long legs

Nose: lighter pepper, lots of yellow and red fruits, very fresh, depths of confit fruits, very fresh, light yellow fruits, very settled.

Mouth: strong wow factor on first delivery, oily, pear, cherries, white pepper, orange, marmalade, strong arrival that turns to yet agani a bit flat. 

Finish: almost no burn, cherries, pear, sticky fruits. almost perfect. Very nice.

B+ for the price. 327$ is like...ok But... Very enjoyable. This 50 years old Armagnac should have been more carefully monitored.
A- for the taste. I would sip on this one, no questions asked. But, the price...c'mon, some XO's are more affordable and better.
A for the presentation. Nice bottling.

Conclusion for Laballe: Not the best Armagnac House for sure. Worth giving a shot if you are into decent priced but very peppery Armagnacs.

Spirit review: Armagnac Laballe 1973 (2013) Bottled @ 40%

Spirit review: Armagnac Laballe 1973 (2013) Bottled @ 40%

- 3rd Laballle, 40 years old

Colour: dark gold, hints of copper, medium oily, long legs

Nose: lighter pepper, lots of fruits, very fresh,depths of confit fruits, very fresh, light yellow fruits, very settled.

Mouth: strong arrival again, greasy, oilier, crisp fruits, pear, cherries, white pepper, orange, strong arrival that turns to yet agani a bit flat. 

Finish: almost no burn, cherries, pear, sticky fruits. Very nice.

B+ for the price. 200$ is good for the age. Much better than the 2 previous ones. Very enjoyable. But then again, would you expect less for a 40 years old spirit?
A- for the taste. Impressive upgrade, less peppery.
A for the presentation. Nice bottling.

Spirit review: Armagnac Laballe 1983 (2013) Bottled @ 40%

Spirit review: Armagnac Laballe 1983 (2013) Bottled @ 40%

- 2nd Laballle, 30 years old

Colour: dark gold, hints of copper, oily, long legs

Nose: lighter pepper, lots of fruits, very fresh,depths of confit fruits, very fresh, floral, much more settled.

Mouth: strong arrival again, crisp fruits, pear, cherries, white pepper, orange, strong arrival that turns to yet agani a bit flat. 

Finish: long burn, sticky fruits, notes of sherry

B for the price. 140$ is very good for the age. Yet the taste it still a tad behind.
B+ for the taste. A rougher yet Nice armagnac, a bit peppery again. Maybe these hard white pepper notes are Laballe style.
A for the presentation. Nice bottling.

Spirit review: Armagnac Laballe 1993 (2013) Bottled @ 40%

Spirit review: Armagnac Laballe 1993 (2013) Bottled @ 40%

- 1st Laballle, 20 years old

Colour: dark gold, hints of copper, oily, long legs

Nose: light white pepper, lots of fruits, very fresh, broken sugar pieces, vanilla, mineral notes, sweets, confit fruits, light and peppery

Mouth: strong arrival, crisp fruits, pear, cherries, white pepper, some robust notes, orange, apples. Wow arrival that turns to a quick halt. Turns to sticky fruits

Finish: light afterburn...but not very pleasing.

B for the price. 112$ is ok for the age. Yet the taste does not fit.
B for the taste. A rougher yet Nice armagnac.
A for the presentation. Nice bottling.

Whisky review: Old Pulteney Flotilla 2000, bottled @ 46%

Whisky review: Old Pulteney Flotilla 2000, bottled @ 46%

Colour: Bright pale, similar to the Navigator

Nose: Again very close to the Navigator, maybe a but lighter and sweeter maybe.

Mouth: Sweet notes, light green wood, salt, sea salt, wet straw, light fruits, fresh wood, bitter notes. Again very close to the Navigator.

Finish: light sweet notes, green notes, bitter sweet taste, longer finish than the Navigator.

B- for the price. 87$ (SAQ) is for sure not bad considering its age. However, this malt is too subtle to be really enjoyed and too close to a light version of the Old Pulteney 12 to be considered enjoyable.
B for the taste. Too light for my personal taste, yet I enjoyed its green notes.
B for the presentation. Aqua green is simply a no no.

Whisky review: Old Pulteney Navigator, bottled @ 46%

Whisky review: Old Pulteney Navigator, bottled @ 46%

Colour: Very light, pale straw, very natural

Nose: Bitter green notes, green wood, sweet notes, very light, easy going, fresh.

Mouth: soft, sweet, fresh green wood notes, like a virgin oak, some harsh notes, still very sapy, yet remains too soft. 

Finish: Very light, sweet, bitter, sapy, touches of salt.

B for the taste. Good malt, yet remains too quiet and soft mixed with bitter notes.
B- for the price. 83$ (SAQ) is a bit high for this one. 60 would be a better price point.
B+ for presentation. Nice mariner colour !

Whisky review: Highland Park Dark Origins, bottled @ 46.8%

Whisky review: Highland Park Dark Origins

-Yet another disappointing Highland Park

Colour: Bright golden, light-bodied

Nose: Sweet malts notes, a bit rough, classic oranges, marmalade, hints of smokes, yet dos not seem well put. A bit uneasy.

Mouth: Sweet entry, hints of smoke, marmalade, peppery notes, rough, lots of rough notes.

Finish: Forgettable and sweet, hints of oranges, spicy, ethery.

E for the price. 100$ (SAQ) Hell no. It's a NAS, and not well assembled and full of very robust notes.
C- for the taste. As said, very forgettable.
A for the presentation. A black bottle always makes an impression.

Whisky review: Guillon, Esprit du Malt bottled 45.3%

Whisky review: Guillon, Esprit du Malt bottled 45.3%

-French whisky

Colour: gold, medium bodied, long legs.

Nose: wall paper paste, old nasty musty cellar, tannin, mineral notes, whisky on top of a brandy, cheap fruit juice, wax juice tube. 

Mouth: old musty cellar, goes back and forward between brandy (cheap) and cheap whisky, sweet notes, cheesy.....no more.

Finish: bitter notes, cheap sweet notes, sticky and acidic.

E for the price. 125$ (SAQ)....no no no. Half then remove another 20$ then maybe.
E for presentation. It's not a Cognac Bottle...is this so hard to understand ?
D- for the taste.....simply awful.

Whisky review: The Glenlivet Nadurra Oloroso NAS, bottled @ 60.7%

Whisky review: The Glenlivet Nadurra Oloroso NAS, bottled @ 60.7%

-Will be replacing the regular Nadurra 16 years old....
-Sexy bottling.

Colour: dark gold

Nose: light caramel, spices, powdered candy, baby powder, old wood, tangy, sweet notes, lots of spices, light fruits notes. Dense and complex yet very well seated.

Mouth: so complex, spices, caramel, fruits, like rubber, so complex....wow wow. Mineral notes, salted notes, more caramel, thick complex fruits.

Finish: long caramel, sweet notes, light fruits, more spices...awesome.

A- for the price. 84-5$ (SAQ) very decent.
A+ for the taste. Nice wow factor here.
A for presentation. Classical boxes and all the info. Nice. 

Whisky review: Glenlivet Guardians Chapter bottled @ 48.7%

Whisky review: Glenlivet Guardians Chapter bottled @ 48.7%

-Almost bought it, until I tasted it.

Colour: dark gold, medium bodied

Nose: musty, deep straightforward caramel, butterscotch, caramel all the way.

Mouth: Nice arrival, full of caramel, spices, bit of pepper, then simply fades.......great arrival. Nothing memorable.

Finish: caramel, spices, pepper, touches of sherry, light wood notes.

B- for the taste. Good but.....even the 15 years old beats it.
C- for the price. 83ish$(SAQ) for a NAS...
A+ for the presentation. Nice blue label

Whisky review: The Arran Malt Private Cask: SAQ Signature Bottling 13 Years old, bottled @ 55.6%

Whisky review: The Arran Malt Private Cask: SAQ Signature Bottling 13 Years old, bottled @ 55.6%

-Cask Strength
-Big Hogshed
-Bottle No.89/342

Colour: dark copper tones, light, medium bodied.

Nose: fresh woods, dark cherries, tangy, caramel, hints of rubber, just so complex, mineral, ...so nice.

Mouth: lots of fruits, plums, white pepper, so well crafted, does not even need water. Massive wow factor from this Arran. So complex...simply wow and wow. So much black fruits, tangy caramel....mineral tones.

Finish: light wood, spices, lots of lingering fruits, pepper.

A+ for the taste. A massive wow here.
A- for the price. 107$ (SAQ) is quite alright for what you're getting.
A for presentation. Sober, clean and all the infos.

Whisky Review: Gordon & MacPhail Connoisseurs Choice Arran 2000-2013, bottled @ 46%

Whisky Review: Gordon & MacPhail Connoisseurs Choice Arran 2000-2013, bottled @ 46%

-1st CC Arran.
-1st 13 years old Arran....

Colour: very light, straw, light bodied, medium legs.

Nose: very thick caramel, depths of caramel, light, spices, very dense sweetness of caramel.

Mouth: oily, creamy caramel, spices, candy, very thick very complex, so good and creamy. Awesome malt.

Finish: lingering caramel and creaminess.

A for the taste. Just brilliant.
A- for the price. 90$ (SAQ) is good for this kind of quality.
B for the presentation. .....

Whisky Review: Gordon & MacPhail Connoisseurs Choice Jurra 1997-2013, bottled @ 46%

Whisky Review: Gordon & MacPhail Connoisseurs Choice Jurra 1997-2013, bottled @ 46%

-1st Jura from CC
-Higher ABV
-Nice 16 years old Jura.

Colour: very pale and thin, light bodied.

Nose: broken candies, floral notes, light sweet caramel notes, delicate.

Mouth: light spices, cookie powder, touches of light smoke, old wood, bitter notes, light yellow fruits.

Finish: lingering spices and caramel, bitter notes.

B- for the price. 107.75 (SAQ) seems a bit high when comparing to the Prophecy (83$)...
B for the taste. Nice nose and delicate taste, yet no ''wow'' factor whatsoever.
B for the presentation. CC label are boring.

Whisky Review: Gordon & MacPhail Connoisseurs Choice Dalmore 1999-2013, bottled @ 46%

Whisky Review: Gordon & MacPhail Connoisseurs Choice Dalmore 1999-2013, bottled @ 46%

-Another Dalmore
-Higher ABV

Colour: very light straw, very pale, light bodied, juicy, very thin.

Nose: Fruit paste, sherry spices, apples, sweet, mouth watering, more spices, apricot, very fruity, caramel.

Mouth: Minerals notes, spices, sherry, light fruits, some harsh notes, yet very well done, nice caramel light fruit mix.

Finish: lingering light fruits, some bitter aftertaste.

B+ for the price. 87$ (SAQ) is very decent for a 14 years old malt.
B for the taste. Nice, but I preferred the 1996 vintage.
B for the presentation. Same old CC label....