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.