Whisky review : Glen Garioch ''The Founders Reserve'', NAS, bottled @ 48%

Whisky review : Glen Garioch ''The Founders Reserve'', NAS, bottled @ 48%

-2nd Glen Garioch
-Always appreciate the ABV
-Cool simple bottling.
-Non-filtered
-Maybe some caramel there, but it looks ok.

Colour: bright dark gold

Nose: Light fruits, a tad spirity, honey and some ginger notes too, spicy. Water brings more wood touches and flatten the edges...juicer, fresh sweet wood notes.

Mouth: Spicy light fruits, light caramel, ripe ginger and some bitter notes, more the acid green apples. Very nice malt, but come as a bit robust without water. More on the oak, wood sap side when water added. Remains light, bitter notes, juicy, light...very gentle.

Finish: Lacks finesse on arrival but then focuses on ginger and light oak notes when water is added. Came across, this a few years ago and bought the 12 years old as well.

B+ for the taste, as some people say this one is either loved or hated.
B+ for the price. 55.1$ (LBCO) is good considering that this whisky is probably no less than 6 years old.
A- for the presentation. I love the simple presentation of the Glen Garioch. They are not trying to do too much and put emphasis on the quality of the spirit rather on the name or the looks.

Whisky review : Bowmore 10 years old ''Tempest'' Batch IV, bottled @ 55.1%

Whisky review : Bowmore 10 years old  ''Tempest'' Batch IV, bottled @ 55.1%

-Possibly one of the greatest Bowmore out there.
-Non chill-filtered
-Natural Colour
-Cask Strength...what more ?

Colour: Dark gold, very bright, oily.

Nose: Coastal air, sea salt, moss, dry wood, light distant smoke, drift wood on the side of the sea. Water makes it a bit dryer, light peat, candied fruits, light white ashes and salty notes. A great complex nose, so different from from the Bowmore 12, 15 or even 18. Actually, it's refreshing to see such beauty in a Bowmore compare to the usual sadness and predictability of its older bottling.

Mouth: Salted caramel, very heavy and mouth watering, salted drying seaweed, vegetal notes, light chili spices, and yellow fruits. Water tones it down to lighter, yet still present sea salts, more balanced with a gentle post-storm coastal feeling. In lack of a better image, I would describe it as a ''light wood fire smoke next to a lighthouse surrounded by small waves at night''.

Finish: Focuses on salt caramel notes, dry sweetness and some bitter notes resembling those of a grapefruit inside the cheeks.

A for the price. For 74,5$ (SAQ), it is, when compare to England, below market retail price and sometimes even 25$ less than in USA. Unfortunately, it's out of stock and not available in LCBO.
A for the taste. Very complex and a fantastic Bowmore. I would re-buy anytime. The only problem is, this Bowmore is not representative of the line of Bowmores. Yet, I would suggest to avoid the regular ones and find the Tempest.
A for presentation. Very nice light mariner blue, very elegant.

Whisky review : Bruichladdich ''Rocks'', bottled @ 46%

Whisky review : Bruichladdich ''Rocks'', bottled @ 46%

-Suppose to be ''Grenache'' finish
-Non chill-filtered
-bottled at higher strength

Colour: dark copper, orange. Light and juicy.

Nose: Intense creamy caramel, toasted caramel on toast, hints of eucalyptus, touches of spicy fruity notes. Comparable to a Bunnahabhain 12 in terms of nose. Very nice indeed.

Mouth: spicy caramel, caramel with salt and chili, some ether notes too. To its defence, it's a NAS, so it's entitled to be a tad rough. Not as creamy as the Bunn 12, yet very pleasant.

Finish: Long lingering caramel notes, light finish yet very nice for a NAS.

A+ for the price. For 49$ (SAQ) it's simply a great purchase. 
B+ for the taste. Very nice and amazing price/quality ratio. Good spicy-salty caramel.
A for presentation. Looks great, however I would advise this grain to glass company to stay away from over-marketing....a simple carton would have been sufficient and cheaper.

Whisky review : Tasting event SAQ oct. 24 2013 - The Blends

Whisky review: Ballentine blended whisky 21 years old, bottled @ 43%

Whisky review: Ballentine blended whisky 21 years old, bottled @ 43%

-Hurrah for ultra-premium never-to-purchase whiskies !

Colour: light gold, full bodied.

Nose: Very mineral, depth of toffee, candied fruits and cassonade.

Mouth: heavy chewy mineral toffee, spices and hints of ashes.

Finish: lingering caramel and spices.

B- for the taste. It's a good arrival, yet the rest remains uni-dimensional.
E for the price. 163$ (SAQ) is, compare to the Chivas, better yet way off. However, I would suggest to try it, at least once. But avoid buying. There are much better product at much lower prices.
B+ for the presentation. Pristine classy bottle, very nice.  

Whisky review : Big Peat, blended malt, bottled @46%

Whisky review : Big Peat, blended malt, bottled @46%

-Made of Coal Ila, Bowmore, Ardbeg and Port Ellen...(probably not much of it tough). 
-Funny label (complete marketing Fail for N.A markets). 

Colour: light gold, pale straw, oily with long legs.

Nose: Incredible depth of peat and ashes, reminds me of PC8. Very well settled, not overpowering and so inviting. Hints of metal and more peat and sweet notes. Brilliant.

Mouth: Gentle and soft ashes and peat, very PC yet different, not as sweet. Chewy peat..so tender. So smooth it's almost flawless. So good.

Finish: lingering sweet peat and light ashes...

A for the taste. Excellent whisky. Highly recommended.
B+ for the price. Great taste for a reasonable price (77,75$). Yes it's NAS, but I would say some of its components are more than 10 years old for sure, maybe even 15. 
B- for presentation. So so for the label, it's funny but not appealing. Yet, I would suggest to take a closer look at it..it deserves attention.

Whisky review: Douglas Laing Double Barrel Talisker and Craigellachie bottled@ 46%

Whisky review: Douglas Laing Double Barrel Talisker and Craigellachie bottled@ 46%

-I love the idea of mixing single barrels
-However, I was told these 2 whiskies are not ''married'' prior to bottling.
-From the colour, I'd say it is natural colouring. But I may be wrong.

Colour: light bright gold. Not very oily with medium legs.

Nose: Very Laphroiag nose, salt, fruits hidden behind peat, a few metallic notes, apples, metallic peat. A tad spirity...

Mouth: Peat, spices explosion, chili peppers mix with fruits, ashes, more peat. My impression is the latter : very unsettled. The Talisker tries to overpower the Craig but dies in the mingling...which results in ether and robust notes. Water makes it more settled yet still confused.

Finish: peat and spices and fruits. Not as long as the Talisker nor as fruity as the Craig.

C- for the price. 88$ for something so unstable is unreasonable.
C for the taste. It's interesting yet unstable and not very the best of those 2 whiskies. Avoid and buy separately.
A for the presentation. Nice modern wild west look. 

Whisky review : Chivas Regal Royal Salute 21 years old ''Blue Decanter'' bottled @ 40%

Whisky review : Chivas Regal Royal Salute 21 years old ''Blue Decanter'' bottled @ 40%

-1st time trying the Royal Salute
-Sadly...this 21 years old blend is bottled at 40%...what a shame.
-Weird cheap ceramic looking decanter....who would decant anything in this ? Seriously ?

Colour: Dark gold, light bodied, medium legs.

Nose: creamy, grain spirit, light caramel and fruits. That's it. No wow, no surprise, nothing much actually.

Mouth: Arrival = light caramel and fruits, slight turn to ether then......beeeeeeeeeeep......flat, flat, flat. It's a sad whisky, as sad as its decanter I'd say.

Finish: humm, maybe caramel ?, maybe...

E for the price. 184$ is a complete rip off for a mix of grain spirit and weird Chivas malts. Avoid.
D+ for the taste. Flat is the word. Blindfolded, this could be said to be a cheap blend.
E for presentation. Ugly out-of-the-70's decanter....

Whisky review : Wemyss ''The Hive'' 12 years old Blended Malt bottled @ 40%

Whisky review : Wemyss ''The Hive'' 12 years old Blended Malt bottled @ 40%

-Cool name
-Made of 16 different single malts

Colour: dark gold, light coppery tones. A tad oily with long legs.

Nose: Cream Soda, smooth creamy thick fruits, massive honey, pear, touches of wood, very sweet honey pickled fruits. After a few minutes I noticed a distant hint of sweet ash.

Mouth: very thick, sweet, honey, spices, very long lingering spices, vanilla, more fruits and honey coming along. Touches of vanilla as well. The name ''hive'' is very well chosen indeed, it's mouth watering.

Finish: extended spices, honey, vanilla....sticky.

B+ for taste. A very nice Speysider with lots of fruits and honey. I would recommend this Blended Malt to anyone enjoying smooth and fruity Whiskies.
B+ for presentation. A nice metal tubing and cool label with Bees on it. Simple yet effective.
B for the price. 68$ (SAQ) it simply an ''ok'' price. However, it's marketed at 36GBP (58$) in UK, so I guess 10$ of import and taxes if fair.

Whisky review : Ardbeg ''Ardbog'' bottled @ 52.1%

Whisky review : Ardbeg ''Ardbog'' bottled @ 52.1%

-New NAS addition.
-Un-chill filtered
-Mix of bourbon and sherry casks
-Limited release for the Ardbeg day
-Very hard to find now.

Colour: dark gold, medium-oily, long legs

Nose: deep caramel, very dense, peat, spices, more butter caramel, fresh, brine, raisins, something yellow maybe autumn dried peat, very well seated in the glass, baked sugar. The profile of the Ardbog evolves over time and gets back to a mix of caramel and peat.

Mouth:  Very spicy and big caramel arrival, rubbery notes, peat, sweet notes, touches of ether as well, very intense, sherry spices and sweetness, remain very heavy at the end, coats the mouth. Pretty good yet different for an Ardbeg. The caramel and spices mixed a more gentle peat is quite nice. After a few minutes in the glass, it becomes more butter-creamy caramel mixed with nice peat notes.

Finish: Lingering butter caramel notes, peat, ashes, medicinal and sweet spices, and a few off bitter notes... This being said, the finish is not nearly as long as the 10 years old or the Uigeadail.

A for the taste. It's a different ardbeg but a very well made and very interesting one. I still feel there some robust immature notes in this whisky. However, it does not affect too much the final result which is pretty enjoyable.
A- for the presentation. Could be mistaken for the regular ardbeg if not looked at properly.
C+ for  the price. Why ? (1) 90ish $ on the US market, (2) it's a NAS release (3) considering taxes and import I'd say 105$ might be more interesting. 

Whisky review : SAQ Tasting Event 10 Octobre 2013 - Islay

Whisky review : Laphroaig cairdeas ''Origin'', bottled @ 51.2%

Whisky review : Laphroaig cairdeas ''Origin'', bottled @ 51.2%

-NAS
-Cask strength
-Un-chill filtering
-Between 13 and 21 yo apprently
-bottled 50-50 with new spirit matured 7y in Quarter casks. 

Colour: pale gold, medium bodied, medium legs.

Nose: Classic Laphroaig, ether, peat, medicinal oil, white ashes after a fire, very well seated in the glass, creamy and sweet notes, touches of fruits

Mouth: mix of soft ether and peat, juicy peat, with fruits notes. More caramel then the usual and some spices as well. However, it seemed to be flawed as the massive ABV tries to hide the low arrival. It develops well in the mouth after, yet the initial impact is a tad off.

Finish: ether, light sweet peat with ashes, lots of white ashes.

A- for taste. It's a good Lap for sure. However, flaws are preventing greatness here.
B for the price. 100$ is actually reasonable if not on a budget.
B+ for the presentation. I'm use to the white tubing...the green one looks just weird.

Whisky review : Bruichladdich Islay Barley 2006 bottled @ 50%

Whisky review : Bruichladdich Islay Barley 2006 bottled @ 50%

-Un-chill filtered
-Higher abv
-Yet another nice unpeated expression of B

Colour: light yellow straw, short legs, light bodied

Nose: light creamy fruits, barley sugars, rolls down to a more profound fruity expression, fresh, light, seems delicate yet very straightforward. Similar to the Bere but turns to a different sweet profile. A nice mouth watering malt.

Finish:  sticky, fruits, salted notes, lingers a little bit on fruits and creamy notes.

B++. When it comes down to the taste, it's pretty nice. A nice B to try and possibly to buy.
A- for the price. at 65$, it's easily accessible and good value for the money.
A for the presentation. Clear bottle with nice information, just what we need

Whisky review : SAQ Highland Whisky tasting event (October 3rd, 2013)

Whisky review : SAQ Highland Whisky tasting event (October 3rd, 2013)

(left to right)

- Benrinnes 23 years old
- Clynelish 2008
- Dalmore 18 years old
- Longmorn 16 years old
- Aberlour 12 years old

Whisky review : Benrinnes 23 years old bottled @ 58.8%

Whisky review : Benrinnes 23 years old bottled @ 58.8%

-1st Benrinnes
-Outrageously expensive
-Cask Strength

Colour: Dark mahogany, copper, oily, very dense.

Nose: Very thick caramel nose, Butter caramel arrival, touches of medicinal oil, band-aid,

Mouth: Thick butter caramel, spices, pine wood, medicinal, chewy, touches of leather, mineral. Does not need water, excellent spirit quality.

Finish: lingering mineral, leather, butter caramel notes. Very pleasant malt !

A for the taste. Thick, chewy, sweet. Excellent.
B+ for the presentation. Would be nice to know if this is or not un-chill filtered.
D for the price. 406,25$ (SAQ)....what more can I say ? Yes it is 23 years (from 1985)...but it stays out of reach for common whisky amateurs. 

Whisky review : Clynelish Bottled in 2008 Batch CLBR 171-3H bottled @ 46%

Whisky review : Clynelish Bottled in 2008 Batch CLBR 171-3H bottled @ 46%

-1st reviewed Clynelish

Colour: dark gold, light bodied

Nose: fresh fruits, coastal winds, barely sugar, yellow fruits, salt water, ripe fruits

Mouth: creamy fruits, mouth watering, light spices, very light sherry, lots of fruits.

Finish: long lingering creamy red fruits, touches of oakes

B for taste. It has an interesting flavour profile but...no wow effect...not a lot of effects anyway.
B for presentation. Sad brown looking bottling.
C for the price. at 139$ (SAQ) it's a complete rip off. Way too much for what it is.

Whisky review : Longmorn 16 years old, bottled @ 48%

Whisky review : Longmorn 16 years old, bottled @ 48%

-1st Longmorn
-48%

Colour: dark gold, medium bodied, a tad oily

Nose: very soft and shy nose, light yellow fruits, pear, creamy, fruity chewy paste

Mouth: tad crisp, more fresh yellow fruits, pear,butterscotch, touches of honey. Very light yet tingly. Nice malt indeed.

Finish: gentle fresh ripe fruits, sweet, honey

B for the taste
A for the presentation, great packaging and leather-looking band.
C for the price. For 100$ (SAQ) it's a bit overpriced compare to its suggested market retail price (76$). I wouldn't say avoid it, but taste prior to buy as this is not and entry level nor a good introductory whisky.

Whisky review : Kavalan Solist Ex-Bourbon Cask, bottled @ 57%

Whisky review : Kavalan Solist Ex-Bourbon Cask, bottled @ 57%

-Forgotten Kavalan !
-Cask strength
-Original colouring
-Non chill-filtered
-Outrageous price.

Colour: light gold, bright, and somewhat oily.

Nose: fresh crisp cask nose (light wood, sweet, vanilla), light coconut, apples, baked apples, light candies, very spirity by moment, creamy coconut, light hints of flat coca-cola.

Month: Boooooom ! sweet applely fresh wood, bourbon, tons of hot sweet chilies, chili dipped fruits (mostly apples), very dense and complex to say the least.Water : Nicer and quieter, sweet apples notes, lead, bitter notes and few spices. It's a good bourbon finish for sure.Yet...I wonder if the problem is not the spirit itself. I feel like the cask is of wonderful quality yet I not quite convinced of the same for the Kavalan single malt inside.

Finish: light very light...bourbon for sure, lingering bitter notes, fresh apples, oak.

A- for the taste. It's a good whisky for sure. However, I would suggest to actually put an age statement on it and maybe 10 years old would be great. As it stands, I'd say it's below 7 years old (3 to 4 maybe).
C+ for the price. The full bottle version costs 640RMB (107CAD), which is way too much for something like this. (especially considering I got the Arran Bourbon Cask - 10 years old - for 65$ at SAQ.....
A- for the presentation. Nice Wood tubing and clean label.

Whisky review : Glenfiddich ''Rich Oak'' 14 years old bottled @ 40%

Whisky review : Glenfiddich ''Rich Oak'' 14 years old bottled @ 40%

-Classic Glenfiddich bottling
-40%...sad....so sad
-New American and Spanish Oak

Colour: bright gold-copperish, medium bodied, a tad oily.

Nose: Fresh cut apples, candied apples, hot metallic-spices-Sherry notes, like a Chilean wine, mineral oils (reminds of me a Vinia Tondonia Cosecha 1995), some kind of light ointment, 

Mouth: Boom...spicy wood notes, very mineral, the metallic-ointement-creamy notes...so interesting ! unlike any Glenfiddich I've had (12 - 15 - 18). Very fresh, intense minerals notes, touches of spices, creamy green apples, peaches, apricot. Quite impressive I must say. Coats the mouth and develops this mineral-oak flavour...

Finish:  gets back to metal, but something very natural and raw, mineral notes, creamy fruits notes, acidic oak, perhaps wood sap (that might just the ''new wood'' coming through). Yet

A for the taste and quite possibly my favourite Glenfiddich out there.
A+ for the price. I paid 59.95$ (LCBO) for this, which I consider to be a superb whisky and thus a great investment.
B+ for the presentation. Yeah Yeah triangular.... 

Whisky review : Highland Park 10 years old bottled @ 40%

Whisky review : Highland Park 10 years old bottled @ 40%

-Limited international release
-Bottled 2 years younger

Colour: Light gold, straw, light bodied, juicy.

Nose: very nice citrus / orange notes, sweet floral notes, very mouth watering indeed, candied fruits, touches of sherry spices. Very mild inviting nose.

Mouth: Soft, chili, lots of fruity sweet notes, quickly wants to turn to ether notes - and partially goes there. Stays on fruits, light orange jam, but again perhaps a bit short lived in the mouth. I tried it with water and I feel it does not benefit from it.

Finish: They wrote ''light smoke'' finish...From my point of view there is not smoke whatsoever here. You get a short re-flux of the candied fruits notes, marmalade, light floral perfume, barley sugar.


B+ for the taste. Great initial taste. The only shortcoming would be the ''dies-to-quickly''. Regardless, it's a great younger malt and I would choose it over the HP12 anytime. This one is more straightforward and fun to drink.
A- for price. I got it for 59,95$ (LCBO). It's not available at the SAQ, yet. Still, for 60$ it's a good purchase for any novice drinker or anyone looking to try a different style of HP.
B++ for the packaging. All too similar to me. Furthermore, as the their master distiller states ''colour comes only with the wood here''....then why not simply write it on the label ? It gets confusing....

Whisky review : Three Ships Premium Whisky (Blend of South African and Scotch) 5 years old bottled @ 43%

Whisky review : Three Ships Premium Whisky (Blend of South African and Scotch) 5 years old bottled @ 43%

-1st South African

-Bottled at 43%

-Great price

Colour: bright gold, a bit on the dark side, oily with long legs

Nose:  very light white smoke, broken coffee grain, sweet notes, some kind of sour pepper...a bit weird here. (water) brings out sweet white smoke and more peat...similar to a light Lap.

Mouth: light peat, bitter-hot notes, bitterness of the bitter-melon or either some roasted grain but not like the Conn, eucalyptus, a bit harsh on the sides. Good on arrival but shows some kind of immaturity. (water) Much more interesting. Very light and settled, gentle peat and touches of ashes...yet those bitter notes are still present.

Finish: those bitter notes are lingering a bit and left us wondering : where is the peat now ? Gone. The smoke resurfaces but....its not booming for sure.

A for the price. For 39.99 (LCBO), it's an affordable exotic whisky that any club can try and compare to other Scotches or other world whiskies. However, For young blend, I would still go for a the Islay Mist 8 years old : it does not ''lurk'' smoke but expresses it.

B- for the taste. It's good but not that good. I suppose the 10 years old is more mature in terms of flavour.

D for the presentation. Cheap Chivas Style...no really appealing.

Whisky review : Bruichladdich Port Charlotte PC10 (Heavily Peated) bottled @ 46%

Whisky review : Bruichladdich Port Charlotte PC10 (Heavily Peated) bottled @ 46%

-40ppm..so no sure we can say Heavily peated
-Natural colouring
-No filtration

Colour: Light cassonade brown (raw sugar), oilier than the peat project was.

Nose: spicy peat, sweet peat...touches of bourbon sweetness, very nice fragrant peat/sweetness going on, very juicy yet misty and somehow dense, you can feel that this malt, behind its gentleness (in peat) will punch you in the mouth !

Mouth: And punch it did. rubbery peat effect, caramel, malt sugar, spicy touches, alternate between peat/sweet notes/spicy notes while you roll it in your mouth, very nice effect indeed ! Feels aggressive at first but it's quite interesting. Water brings a light ''wet tar'', bitter/sweet notes and dry caramel bonbon. Great PC which has a superb peat-sweet balance. Highly recommended.

Finish: lingering spices, peat, light smoke, rubber, touches of milk chocolate lurking....

A for taste. Peat-sweet-spices in a very nice balance....what else ?
A for the price. for 69$ (SAQ) it's a great priced malt. However, I'm not sure the stocks will last long.
A for the presentation, Yet again, I do enjoy the sober/clean look of B.

Whisky review : Lagavulin 12 years old (2012) bottled @ 56.1%

Whisky review : Lagavulin 12 years old (2012) bottled @ 56.1%

-What is there to say ? It's the Lag 12 !

Colour: very pale, medium oily body, short legs.

Nose: strong spirit, heavy yet gentle peat, white smoke, creamy chocolate milk, toasted oak wood, light sweet/floral notes lurking on the sides, incredible nose. Once you let it settle in the glass, you notice the spirit goes away and the nice heavy peat/ light white ashes/smoke comes. Simply great !

Mouth: Mist of peat and white smoke, creamy sweet notes, covers then expands into a cloud of light white pungent peat smoke. A few medicinal notes as well. Regardless of its ABV, it can easily be drunk neat, that's how well seated this malt is. Water brings out a light rubber, burnt grain, peat, light wet ashes, more white smoke. This is one that any peat fan ought to try.

Finish: Long lingering peat, high smoke, yet so well balanced....

A for price. Considering it was purchased for 82$ (NYC), it's almost perfect. However, it tops 116,25$ (SAQ) and 129,95$ (LCBO)...need I say more ? Fail.
A+ for the taste. So heavy yet balanced and gentle....incredible malt.
B for the presentation. We would like to have more information on the label (if it is indeed a small batch, why no cask number ? or bottle number ? / what is the PPM of this malt ?)

Whisky review: Bruichladdich Bere Barley 2006 bottled @ 50%

Whisky review: Bruichladdich Bere Barley 2006 bottled @ 50%

-5 years old
-Natural colouring
-Non chill filtering
-Higher strength

Colour: light honey yellow, light bodied, very bright and clean

Nose: apricot, candied fruits, old wood, dusty oak, creamy barley sugar, malt sugar, very fresh, fruity and inviting.

Mouth: Very strong initial impact, lots of candied fruits, wax tubes with juice in it (old candy), chili pepper, milk strawberry candies, candied chili. Very nice unpeated malt indeed, but fades a bit too quickly. Water brings more fruit notes and candied apricots.

Finish: sweet and chili spiciness. However, it remains quite short.

B+ for the taste, very nice initial/mouth. However, the finish is yet to be found.
B+ for the price. at 70$ (SAQ) its great value considering its characteristics.
A for the presentation. Clean tubing very sober yet sophisticated. I do enjoy B's bottling.

Whisky review : Kavalan Solist Sherry Cask - Cask Strength, bottled @ 57%

Whisky review : Kavalan Solist Sherry Cask - Cask Strength, bottled @ 57%

-3rd Kavalan
-Natural colour

Colour: Very dark-red copperish, medium port red, medium bodied, long legs.

Mouth: very hot tannin, brandy style raisin, wood polish, metallic notes, very intense cloud of light Sherry, old grapes, touches of youg VSOP Cognac, leather, exotic dried fruits, fresh vanilla sticks, very complex nose yet not a regular Sherried nose.

Mouth: Light regardless of the 57%, dense fruits, cognac tannin, chemical marker, hot thick macerated grapes, light sherry spices. Water emphasises light grapes, very juicy, much interesting after tasting the previous 2. I can say this whisky can rather take a large a mount of water without drowning. After more water, it remains thick but more on tannin and grapes, hints of wood.

Finish: light Sherry, spices, creamy, touches of coconut, sticky Sherry, peach

A- for the taste. A very nice Whisky indeed. Different style of Sherry than we are used to.
C for the price. Priced at 117$, it's way too high. A good price would be more around a 65ish dollars would be more like it.
A- for presentation. I like the nice tubing. So so for the bottle but the packaging...simple and nice.

Whisky review : Jade Supremacy Taiwan Blended Whisky, bottled @ 40%

Whisky review : Jade Supremacy Taiwan Blended Whisky, bottled @ 40%

-Made by TTL
-Double distilled
-Blended from Taiwanese and Scottish Whiskies

Colour: apple juice gold, medium bodied. Not sure there is caramel added here as the colour is fairly light.

Nose: lots of exotic fruits, smooth creaminess, juicy apples, delicate Mango, lots of fresh fruits, delicate sweet fresh aroma to it. Very nice fresh fruity nose. So, the second, if not first, best nose of the Taiwanese whiskies.(Update : a few weeks of oxidization, more coffee notes are showing up, vanilla, cake, very sweet angel cake, caramel candy as well, much more on the creamy side 28-07)

Mouth: Smooth, lots of fruits, sweet, vanilla, chilli, chilli Mango style, soft pepper burns, more fruits, comes out a bit harsh on the sides yet very nice. A dash of water makes this young malt more fruity, creamy, chewy chill-dipped fruits. (Update: on first sip a very surprising coffee liquor flavour...very nice !)

Finish: Lingering light fruits, Mango, apples, creamy vanilla, soft cake.

A for the price. Purchased for 240RMB at a wine fair (40$). A nice pricing for a young whisky. Not easy to find, yet I would recommend it.
B- for the presentation. The old-decanter-style bottles are out. They should really review their packaging to appeal to a larger audience.
B++ for the taste. The fresh fruits taste and aromas are making this whisky into an easy ''moorish'' spirit.

Whisky review : New arrivals The Kavalan set.

Whisky review : Kavalan set

From left to right

-Kavalan ''Concertmaster''
-Kavalan Single Malt
-Kavalan Solist Ex-Bourbon Cask
-Kavalan Solist Sherry Cask

If I had to choose only one : Solist Ex-bourbon Cask. A real hidden Gem !

Whisky review : Kavalan Single Malt bottled @ 40%

Whisky review : Kavalan Single Malt bottled @ 40%

-2nd kavalan
-A bit more interesting than the Concertmaster

Colour: Light Gold, medium bodied. Much lighter than the Concertmaster, look very natural.

Nose: very sweet, hot, solar screen creaminess, exotic light yellow flower, hints of Mango, juicy Mango, creamy fruit, waxy sweetness. Very interesting exotic nose.

Mouth: Light creamy sweet notes, oily, touches if citrus, oranges, very light mouth despite the nose, a bit robust, turning to spirit. Water opens the malt to a more juicy fruits, still very light and distant touches of banana. Nice yet not very evolved, fades rapidly. 

Finish: Mango, floral, more Mango....very nice leftover taste.

B+ for the taste. Better than the Concertmaster for sure. Despite the interesting finish, it remains robust all the way. Lots of potential yet it's bottled a very young age.
A- for the price. Stands at 350RMB (59$) hence it's not too bad. Yet I am not I would purchase a whole bottle of this. A taste yes, a bottle....meh.
A+ for presentation.

Whisky review : Kavalan Single Malt ‘Concertmaster’ Port Cask Finish bottled @ 40

Whisky review : Kavalan Single Malt ‘Concertmaster’ Port Cask Finish bottled @ 40%

-1st Kavalan

-Promising Cask finish?

-Very nice bottling

Colour: Copper-gold, oily, thick.

Nose : light port, creamy, exotic fruits, white honey, hints of coconut – similar yet less than the Alberta Premium – a tad spirity for 40%, might I say ‘Robust’ ?

Mouth : a bit off, sweet, chili, wood notes, not very complex, the ‘port’ barely comes through or maybe as ‘sherry spices’. Water opens to more port sweetness, exotic yellow fruits. Interesting yet not very mature.

Finish : light oak, eucalyptus, sweet notes, touches of port, tobacco leaves, hints of Mango.

B for the taste. Interesting exotic fruits touches, however, a bit too robust and young. Worth a try but not a buy.

A for the price. At 278RMB (47$), definitely not an expensive bottling.

A+ for the presentation. Very nice box and bottle, very different from the usual Malts.

Whisky review : Abroad Whisky collection

Whisky review : Abroad Whisky collection

From left to right :

Bowmore 15 years old Mariner
Ardbeg 10 years old
Glenfiddich 18 years old Small Batch
Dalmore 12 years old
Aberlour A'bunadh Single Sherry Cask
White Horse Blended
Nikka Pure Malt Blended
Yamazaki 12 years old
Suntory Old Whisky Blended

Whisky review : Aberlour A’bunah, batch 41 bottled @ 59%

Whisky review : Aberlour A’bunah, batch 41 bottled @ 59%
 

-Single sherry cask

-Non chill-filtered

-High strength

-Nice waxed cork

-Clean packaging

Colour : light-medium brown, copperish-gold. Definitely sherry influenced.

Nose: High Sherry, sweet spices, vanilla, touches of toffee, creamy. Very interesting nose indeed. Water opens this malt to hot-toffeed sherry spices. The creaminess comes through very nicely.

Mouth: thick, creamy-intense, light at first then …. Explosion of sherry spices, discreet smoke…still the 59% make the explosion a bit too complex: this one needs water. Water: much creamier, light fruits, spices, vanilla, eucalyptus, toffee, salt, long spices, touches of wood and lead, like pencil. Very nice malt indeed. However, the punch resides in the palate, the first incoming.

Finish: long spices, light toffee, eucalyptus.

B++ for the taste. I know it might sound harsh, however, the punch is in the first delivery and the most interesting part, the creamy-light smoke-vanilla, fades away too quickly.

A+ for the presentation. Clean packaging, nice bottling, and nice waxed corked.

A+ for the price considering I got it at the duty Free (60$). Considering it’s 94, 95$ (LCBO) and at 94$ (SAQ)….it has to be lowered down to B-.

Whisky review : Aberlour A’bunah, batch 41 bottled @ 59%

-Single sherry cask

-Non chill-filtered

-High strength

-Nice waxed cork

-Clean packaging

Colour : light-medium brown, copperish-gold. Definitely sherry influenced.

Nose: High Sherry, sweet spices, vanilla, touches of toffee, creamy. Very interesting nose indeed. Water opens this malt to hot-toffeed sherry spices. The creaminess comes through very nicely.

Mouth: thick, creamy-intense, light at first then …. Explosion of sherry spices, discreet smoke…still the 59% make the explosion a bit too complex: this one needs water. Water: much creamier, light fruits, spices, vanilla, eucalyptus, toffee, salt, long spices, touches of wood and lead, like pencil. Very nice malt indeed. However, the punch resides in the palate, the first incoming.

Finish: long spices, light toffee, eucalyptus.

B++ for the taste. I know it might sound harsh, however, the punch is in the first delivery and the most interesting part, the creamy-light smoke-vanilla, fades away too quickly.

A+ for the presentation. Clean packaging, nice bottling, and nice waxed corked.

A+ for the price considering I got it at the duty Free (60$). Considering it’s 94, 95$ (LCBO) and at 94$ (SAQ)….it has to be lowered down to B-.

Whisky review : Bowmore 15 years old ''Mariner'' 1L format bottled @ 43%

Whisky review :　Bowmore 15 years old ''Mariner'' 1L format bottled @ 43%

-Yet another great bowmore.
-Good price at Duty Free

Colour: Dark brown, caramel looking here.....since only oak is involved, I believe this is ''caramel'' added yet again. Sad for such a great whisky.

Nose: light sweet smoke, soft caramel, light iodine, ashes, apples, sea breeze (seaweed, salt water), very light and ''tender'' in the glass. The light caramel and light ashy smoke are very pungent here...very nice.

Mouth: peat smoke, caramel, spices, chili, eucalyptus, very nice balance of peat, smoke, ashes and caramel. However some harsher notes are coming through as if it was a 50% ABV spirit, yet it's bottled at 43%. Salt water, seaweed. It has the consistency of much higher ABV whisky without water for sure....which for a 43%  is very special. Water tones it down and put emphasis on light peat, ashes and toffee.

Finish: lingering sticky peat, light peat, caramel-apply notes, white ashes, cold white ashes...Another superb Bowmore with long long finish.

B+ for the taste. Close to the Dun Bheagan in character but surpasses it in terms of balance. Great whisky.
B for presentation. Weird green colour and sad bottling
A for the price. I paid 65$ at Incheon International Airport for it, hence the mark. However when looking at the price for the 15 years old (Laimrig or Darkest), it's around 90-100$....which would make it a ''fail''.

Whisky review : Isle of Arran Port Cask Finish bottled @ 50%

Whisky review : Isle of Arran Port Cask Finish bottled @ 50%

-Yet another Arran !
-Great cask finish here yet again

Colour: very dark, reddish-copper, pale wine. medium bodied

Nose: Caramel, port, wet tobacco leaves, dry-sweet port wine, captain black gold, quite spirity at first, dry grapes, old grape juice, touches of chocolate.

Mouth: very complex ! Caramel that turns to Port and spices, tobacco, ether, tawny, cinnamon, pepper. With water it focuses on Port characters. Very fine malt indeed.

Finish: lingering tobacco, touches of sherry, sweet, pepper, oranges.


A for the taste. Excellent whisky. The Arrans are really something to look for and this one is the same.

A for the price for 68$ (SAQ) I'm considering buying one myself !
A for the presentation. Great presentation with all the info needed on the label.

- Whisky tasting event ;
-Arran Bourbon Cask
-Arran Sherry Cask
-Arran Port Cask

Excellent night !

Whisky review : Bowmore 18years old bottled @ 43%

Whisky review : Bowmore 18years old bottled @ 43%

-same old bottling
-only 43%...commercial...commercial...

Colour: dark coppery tones....half cask half caramel ?, oily, very long legs.

Nose: sweet caramel, lurking peat, light ashes, old cave humidity, wet rocks, ether, liquor sweet, cigarette touches. Very interesting nose here.

Mouth: Peat, turns to ''aerial'' brine stuck in a old-style-rock-sandy-basement, medicinal oils, beer hop, touches of smokes, peated caramel, distant misty ashes-smoke shadow.....

Finish: hope, bitter tea notes, peat, caramel, butched cigar in beer....yeah sounds weird...but is interesting !

B++ for the taste.
D for the price. Goes for 147$ (SAQ) or 126.95 (LCBO)..need I say more ? No No No. Above 90$...I would refuse just to look at it.
B for presentation. Same bottling...where is the charm ?

*Retaste Octobre 10 2013*

Colour : Heavy sherry cask influence

Nose: sweet peat, cave moss, wet wood, more touches of peat, wood dust, sweet notes

Mouth: humid peat in a mossy cave, sherry spices, herbs, cut and wet grass, peat, touches of brine. A very steady malt for sure.

Finish: light lingering peat, bitter notes as well.

A remark here : this was a freshly opened bottle, hence, the tasting notes may be off as the spirit sometimes need to oxidize a bit.


B+ for the taste. Same old...
D for the price.
C+ for presentation...please change the label at least !

Whisky review : Glenmorangie ''Nectar d'Or' 12 years old' bottled @ 46%

Whisky review : Glenmorangie ''Nectar d'Or' 12 years old' bottled @ 46%

-Another Glen !
-46%
-Finished in Sauternes Casks

Colour: Bight gold, oily

Nose : wet straw, bee wax, honey, lots of fruits, sweet dairy wax, candied ginger, deep white honeyish, touches of  floral notes.

Mouth: rich sweet, sweet wines, tingly honey notes, high palate experience, creamy, mouth covering, touches of coconut, warming ginger. After adding a touch of water, it simply disintegrates...hence I would suggest to drink it neat. In this way, it is perhaps a bit ''robust'' on the side, you will feel it might be a bit over the edge. Hence a 15 years old version would be interesting.

Finish: creamy vanilla, sweet notes, more fruits.

B for the taste. It's a nice malt for sure. However, I enjoyed the 10 years old version just as much.
C for the taste. At 86.75$ (SAQ) and 89.3$ (LCBO)...why buy ? You can get the nice 10 years old for 64 ish dollars. This is a try before buy malt.
A for presentation. Very nice golden label.

Whisky review: Port Charlotte ''the Peat project'' bottled at 46%

Whisky review: Port Charlotte ''the Peat project'' bottled at 46%

-40ppm
-No colouring
-Not chill-filtered
-Says ''heavily peated"" but can't be compared to the Peat Smoke at 53ppm

Colour: golden, bright. No colouring here.

Nose: hard to grasp, not easy to ''discover'' at first. salt notes, sherry spices, light smoke, bitter notes, distant peat

Mouth: peat, light peat, vegetal, pepper, salt water, bitter caramel, very nice , lingering sweetness and peat. chewy bitter notes, with pepper and then salt water, surrounded by peat...a very gentle one.

Finish: lingering light and soft peat, touches of salt, caramel, brine, soft and gentle. Exquisite.

A for the taste. Could be more peated but it creates a nice balance between vegetal and peat followed by pepper.
A+ for presentation. Nice bottling
B for the price. Unexpected events rendered this bottle to 86$. It's ok. However, considering it's NAS, it's too pricey. Regardless, this is not available at SAQ not LCBO for the time being. 

Whisky review : Ardbeg Blasda bottled @ 40%

Whisky review : Ardbeg Blasda bottled @ 40%

-8ppm peat....vs. 24 for the 10 y/o
-the least peated expression of Ardbeg

Colour: very light, very light straw, oily

Nose: Sweet, very sweet, touches of peat, creamy ashes, soft chocolate, caramel lurking behind, fruits, very settled, peppermint

Mouth :soft, fresh, more of end of palate here, peat, cocoa powder, light peat, lots of finesse, light medicinal oils...very light and velvety

Finish: touches of spices, vanilla, peat

E for price. at 136$ (SAQ) it's a complete rip off.
B+ for presentation...Nice bottling, clear glass and design decal on it. But it shows who's the new owner...LV
C- for the taste. Too light...and dies quickly...not sure it should be label as a ''Ardbeg''....

*update*
-Sadly enough I was reminded that this is not even a ''Single'' malt...it's blended malt with Ardbeg and Glen Moray...That is quite embarrassing for Ardbeg ! Just a sad Malt....probably the saddest of the Arbegs. 

Whisky review : Ledaig Connoisseurs Choice 1993, bottled in 2010 - 17 years old. Bottled @ 43%

Whisky review : Ledaig Connoisseurs Choice 1993, bottled in 2010 - 17 years old. Bottled @ 43%

-1st Ledaig
-2nd bottling from Tobermory

Colour : bright gold, oily.

Nose: Caramel, soft creamy caramel, less intense yet smells like the Bun 12....

Mouth: very very light...touches of fruits, oranges, spices....yet disappear quickly...

Finish: DOA - dead on arrival.

B- for the price. 78$ (SAQ) is normal considering the age. However, tastewise...waste of money.
C- for the taste...flat and sad.
B for presentation. Same old CC packaging.

Whisky review : Tobermory 15 years Old Old Malt Cask - 1995 - bottled @ 50%

Whisky review : Tobermory 15 years Old Old Malt Cask - 1995 - bottled @ 50%

-1st Tobermory

Colour: very pale, medium bodied...no caramel here

Nose : light caramel, straw, mineral, salt touches, light sand

Mouth: Floral, spicy, fruity, chili oil, wet straw. Water turns this malt into more floral notes, spicy notes, ether, salted notes, very hot apples

Finish: light caramel, orange touches, floral.

B for the taste. It's a good malt, but not one I would go back to...it's a ''ok'' single malt.
D for the price. At 115$ (SAQ), this is way too much for what it is...
A for presentation. Clean presentation, lots of information

Whisky review : Benromach ''Peat Smoke'' dist.2004 bot.2012, 53ppm bottled @ 46%

Whisky review : Benromach ''Peat Smoke'' dist.2004 bot.2012, 53ppm bottled @ 46%

-Natural colouring
-Non chill-filtered
-bottled at 46%
-1st filled bourbon cask

Colour: very pale, gold, light straw

Nose: light peat, smoke, white smoke, sweet notes, light spices.

Mouth: peat, medicinal oil, light ash, smoke, chili, more peat, fresh smoke. With water, it turns to the classic wet tar, peat, very light and soft, smooth peat, very nice. Very close to Ardbeg in terms of palate. Not as mature and ''fine'' yet...a great alternative to the pricey Islay malt.

Finish: lingering peat and smoke, sticky peat...tar, touches of herbs and oil..just slowly fading. very good indeed.

A for the price. at 64,5 (SAQ), simply a great purchase. Still a tad young but the taste is great.
A for the taste. For any Islay fan, it a great Malt. Great peat and smokes touches. Recommended for any peat lover. 
A for presentation. Metal tubing and very good looking label. Simple and clean.