Dr.Whisky

Best Pubs in Edinburgh, Part 3

2008-07-18T08:58:00.000Z

Staying in the heart of the old town, I continue my list of the best places to drink and be merry in Edinburgh.

Happy Friday.

The Bow Bar
80 West Bow
Edinburgh, Scotland
EH1 2HH
0131 226 7667

Located on your way down Victoria Street (or West Bow), into what sometimes can feel like a different century, lies The Bow Bar. The five visiting cask ales are always impressive and well-kept and while the malt list is extensive (150 or so) it is also relatively expensive. Nonetheless, the malts of the month are worth trying, fairly priced, and the occasional splurge for a 27 year old indie bottling of Springbank, Clynelish, or Dallas Dhu are often worth it cuz the charming bar staff won't flinch and they will have the courtesy to serve it in the appropriate glassware.

I love the buzz in this place right after work, but be warned, it often closes quite early. Great mirrors and old adverts adorn the walls of this cozy, one-room pub. Worth checking out for the visiting ales alone, but whisky nerds will love to leaf through their malt menu.

For Dr. Whisky's other picks for best pubs in Edinburgh, click HERE.

Best Pubs in Edinburgh, Part 2

2008-07-17T08:27:00.002Z

Sandy Bell's
25 Forrest Rd.
Edinburgh, Scotland
EH1 2QH
0131 225 1156

With customers from open til close (and often after... shhhh), Sandy Bell's is as welcoming as an old friend's hug. While the pints are oddly priced (£2.73 or something), there is always a malt of the month worth enjoying. The whisky selection is reasonable and reasonably priced and the best thing is that you will note that people actually are drinking the stuff. The people's dram as it should be, in the palms of the people. And the budget blend Black Bottle on optic for, I think, £1.75, is not to be missed.

Come before 9pm if you are scared of fiddles. Live folk music from different local boozehounds nightly. Once enjoyed,Sandy Bell's is a pub never forgotten and eternally missed.

For all of BEST OF EDINBURGH picks, click HERE.

Best Pubs in Edinburgh, Part 1

2008-07-16T09:28:00.012Z

Continuing my list of the best pubs, bars, and whisky spots in Edinburgh, Scotland.

Royal Mile Whiskies
379 High St.
The Royal Mile
Edinburgh, Scotland
EH1 1PW
+44 (0) 131 225 3383

No, it isn't a pub or bar, but it is the best place to get whisky in Edinburgh, without any doubt, and creating your home bar is a great place to start. Lovely people who are always knowledgeable but never condescending or too whiskynerd-y, with some of the fairest prices to be found; they could be really taking the tourists to town when you consider where they are located. They sell excellent Scottish beers, too. And books. And haggis.

Say 'hi' to Stuart, Alex, Alaric, and whoever else is still in the shop and you are certain to be able to try before you buy. Be kind and you'll be treated kindly. They have been doing this since 1991 and have gone from success to success. They even bottle their own malts from time to time (Clynelish, Longmorn, Mortlach, to name a few).

They are always excited about "showing" you something and are about finding the right whisky for you, not the right whisky for their sales goals or profit margins. Not a whisky experience to miss while in Edinburgh and certainly worth popping in every time you walk past... if your mates/family/colleagues will let you.

Check out Royal Mile Whiskies in London, too.

For more of Dr. Whisky's picks of the best pubs in Edinburgh, click HERE.

Best Pubs in Edinburgh

2008-07-15T06:30:00.001Z

So I think I will (finally?) make a list of what I think are the best bars or pubs in Edinburgh, Scotland. It's been asked of me by friends, family and Dr. Whisky readers on MANY occasions so maybe if I write it here I will never have to answer the question again!

Now remember, this probably means best whisky pub rather than best dance and/or cocktail bar. It is tourist season and Edinburgh can triple its population over the summer months. Here's a post to help you tourists avoid the wrong drinking holes. Life is to short to spend time at mediocre public houses.

Now, I like a pub that sells good cask ales and good whisky. Most of all, however, is that I resent being gouged for a dram of Scottish spirit IN Scotland. As a result you will not see any of the usual suspect whisky bars (you know who I mean) on this list because if a whisky drinker has to put up with piss-poor service and pay a minimum of £4 for a drop of the water of life, you know the bar doesn't give a shit about either water OR life.

So I tend to like what some would call "old man pubs": places that have 80/- shilling (Caledonian or other) on tap, at least one malt of the month/moment, veteran boozers holding up the bar, and patrons who don't look at you strange for expressing an opinion or two.

So HERE are Dr. Whisky's picks for the Best (whisky) Pubs in Edinburgh, or at least, the best places to drink whisky in Edinburgh.

One at a time. Possibly even daily!

Beer and Arithmetic

2008-07-07T17:36:00.002Z

The Edinburgh ale Innis & Gunn has taken the back page advertisement on TimeOut magazine here in New York City. The ad is text heavy with some puzzling math in the final paragraph.

Like a math test, it reads:

"There's the 7 days it takes to top ferment the original Edinburgh Ale. Then 30 days spent maturing at a constant temperature in American White Oak barrels [...] Yet another 47 days pass in a marrying tun, where the subtle complext flavours from the wood harmonise and mellow and and natural carbonation takes place. 77 days in all."

7 + 30 + 47, right?

I guess if you've made it as far as the final paragraph you're too much of a booze nerd to really be trusted as a human calculator.

BAh!
Too many numbers. Must have beer!

Malt Mission 2008 #305

2008-07-04T10:49:00.002Z

A.H. Hirsch Reserve 16yo
Bourbon Whiskey
45.5% abv
£80
$190 (USD)

As it is July 4, I thought I would taste an American whiskey. I really have not done the due exploration that this whole realm of spirit deserves. I hope to in time now that I am an Alien of Extraordinary Ability residing in the U S of A.

Yeah, America starts with the letter A (the theme of the past week of drams), and so does this bourbon. Distilled in 1974 at the now closed Michter's distillery in Schaefferstown, Virginia, and dedicated to one of the very few men named Adolf worthy of our admiration, Hirsch 16yo is, their website tells us, "the oldest available bourbon made from the time honored pot still tradition."

Quite a great history to the distillery and its craftsmen, too. Go read more HERE. Or HERE. And do NOT confuse this drop with Hirsch Canadian whisky. Speaking of which, why does the bourbon suck so bad at the LCBO? That's not very neighbourly, eh?

This drop is considered by many to be the epitome of bourbon and each remaining bottle represents a sort of time capsule of a craftsmanship in American Whiskey making that, arguably, remains unparalleled today. There have been three bottlings of this expressions (as well as a 20 year old version), and once this batch is gone, that'll be the end of this baby.

Happy Independence Day, or whatever one says on the 4th of July. Don't be stupid around fireworks or booze and motor vehicles.

TASTING NOTES:

Stewed fruits. Honey or no, maple syrup. Perhaps even maple itself, woody. Vanilla and oak with a pleasant bitterness like orange peel and rye.

Wow, strange, and somehow mouthwatering. Juicy like fruitella or something. Grapefruit, but the gentlest pink assortment. Crispy underbelly of sugary cookies. Slightly minty now. The flavours turn and turn in your mouth. Real flavourwheel stuff.

SUMMARY:

A warm and warming bowl of flavours in wonderful balance, a liquid whose aromas are synchro swimming in the pool of my perceptions. Really, quite beautiful. As with most bourbons, and maybe this what makes me a barley spirit addict, the palate pulls too much in the direction of oak and drying tannins. Here however the experience is saved by a gorgeous mouthfeel and flavour development combination that really softens that effect. I read a turn of phrase I really liked in another tasting note online, "explodes with the force of a mouses sneeze." While I never experienced an explosion as such, the flavours turned and moved against my senses like a wind-blown salsola/tumbleweed, that iconic image from a western movie. Now there's that bit of Americana I was digging for to close this paragraph.

Malt Mission #301
Malt Mission #302
Malt Mission #303
Malt Mission #304

Malt Mission HOME

Malt Mission 2008 #304

2008-07-02T08:48:00.002Z

An Cnoc 16yo
Speyside Single Malt Whisky
46% abv
£41

An Cnoc? Never heard of it, you say. But this is the name that owners Inver House Distillers give to the single malt of Knockdhu near Huntly so as not to be confused with Diageo's Knockando in, well, Knockando. Never heard of that either? Well, I don't know what to tell you. Buy a book!

The first bottling of An Cnoc appeared in 1993 and was reintroduced in its current packaging ten years later, in 2003. This 16yo is a new addition to the range and was introduced in January 2008. It has matured in 100% ex-bourbon barrels and is un-chillfiltered.

TASTING NOTES:

Every type of apple you can think of, wonderfully fruity with a firm oakiness that includes all the vanilla and fudge one might expect from 16 years in american oak.

Chewy and full with citrus, apple juice and vanilla toffee. Slightly excited by the higher abv, and it is noticeable. A eucalyptus impression as well with a medium long finish of oak, lemon, and even a little toothpaste.

SUMMARY:

Very good clean whisky, as expected from this distillery. Something awakening, something revitalising about it. Rich and complex without the often overpowering element of sherry cask maturation. Should justifiably attract quite a few admirers.

Malt Mission #301
Malt Mission #302
Malt Mission #303
Malt Mission #305

Malt Mission HOME

Happy Canada Day!

2008-07-01T18:37:00.002Z

Have had great Burns nights, St. Andrews days, and the unforgettable Norway Days, but in Canada, nothing really special happens on Canada Day. I guess that is why it is important that we make it a national holiday.

Yes, I am at work. No day off for this Canadian in New York City.

We are strange patriots, tho. Its as if we are almost proud of not being proud.

Or something.

And sure, Canada is in bed with the USA in more ways than most of us like to admit, but at least we're on top.

Looking forward to 4th of July. More whisky soon; go have a gin and tonic!

Happy Canada Day

Malt Mission 2008 #303

2008-06-30T07:45:00.003Z

Aberlour 12yo, Double Cask Matured
Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky
40% abv
£33.99
$54 (CAD)
$50 (USD)

Easily one of the best value Speyside malts around, Aberlour is an under-celebrated whisky. As the malt that brought a French company (the first) into the world of Scotch whisky (in 1975), Aberlour has a strong foothold in France but remains an undiscovered drop to many.

Founded in 1879, Aberlour was a replacement of sorts for a distillery that was housed just up the river Lour, a tributary of the Spey. Walkers famous shortbread was and is made in the nearby town of the same name. Pretty cute place, too.

The core range has a focus on the sherried side of things with several special local expressions, bottlings available only in certain markets. This adds to its esoteric status, but word of mouth (and a conscious effort by parent company Pernod Ricard) could bring Aberlour into the realm of the household malt whisky names.

This double-matured version is made in a very similar fashion to that of The Balvenie Doublewood: 10+ years in "traditional oak", barrels that held something else once upon a time (ie. 2nd or 3rd fill) and then 'finished' in sherry butts. A winning recipe, to be fair.

For all Aberlours had on the mission, click HERE.

TASTING NOTES:

Big sherry notes immediately noticeable. Dry sherry, very sweet wine, Manischewitz. Caramel, cardboard, almonds, crabapples, ladyfingers, a some boozy freshness like the smell of Mojito or an open bottle of certain perfumes.

Shimmering with sherry, bright. Lots of raisins, ripe nectarines, and maybe some smoke? Candied finish with an oakiness that dries quickly.

SUMMARY:

I needed to let this mellow a bit in the glass before drinking it. It was VERY punchy with dry sherry. After some time the raisiny sweetness had mellowed and merged with the oakiness to make it more approachable. Friends enjoyed this drop much more than I did and that is what makes this wide world of whisky so exciting. It is a sharp whisky, which isn't necessarily a bad thing; even the producers use the adjective to describe this malt on their website.

Malt Mission #301
Malt Mission #302
Malt Mission #304
Malt Mission #305

Malt Mission HOME

Malt Mission 2008 #302

2008-06-27T09:55:00.006Z

Aberlour 10 yo
Speyside Single Malt Whisky
40% abv
£24
$42.80 (CAD)
$35 (USD)

Ridiculous that after more that 300 malt missions I have never featured Aberlour. Once again a reminder of just how vast the world of whisky is and why it can be so intimidating to new comers. I hope this whisky blog helps make it all a little more digestible.

Sure, I featured Aberlour Abunadh way back in North American Adventure #5, but this is the first Aberlour to be a part of the Malt Mission proper. As a result, I will have the 12yo next.

Aberlour is a lovely distillery which boasts one of the best tours in the industry. Sure the buildings are cute and the histories interesting, but the full-flight tasting at the end of the tour in a reception area in one of the warehouses is the real appeal. New make spirit and the full range of standard Aberlour bottlings are on show and few folks leave without whisky breath... and whisky legs. More distillery info when I taste the 12yo.

TASTING NOTES:

Young but toasty with nuts, raisins and hay. Malt, sherried tones, and kiwis.

Dry sherry, edgy oak and almonds.

SUMMARY:

Simply put, this didn't jive with my memory of this drop; I remember really liking it in my early days of malt exploration. Perhaps it has changed over the years? Perhaps my mouth has. Today I found it disharmonious, immature, and bland. Easy to drink and gets you where you want to go, though.

Malt Mission #301
Malt Mission #303
Malt Mission #304
Malt Mission #305

Malt Mission HOME

Malt Mission 2008 #301

2008-06-24T08:48:00.005Z

Alberta Premium 25 yo
Canadian Rye Whisky
40% abv
$30 (CAD)

In the first week (which now means 5 whiskies, not necessarily 7 days) back on the mission since the Malt Mission #300 landmark I want to have whiskies that start with the letter "A". Why?

1) because I have them
2) because I held a tasting for friends in Toronto recently with "The Letter A" as its theme (the Letter B will be next)
3) because the beginning of the alphabet can symbolise the beginning of our new lives in NYC and the new shape(s) this blog will take over the next little while.

No, I don't know where we're going with this, but it'll be fun so long as I can make it so. When that stops, well, then this stops.

I also hope to really dive in to the world of bourbons within the next 100 Malt Missions, but first I have to plow through my remaining Scotch whiskies. Maybe even explore the world of Tequila! Oh, Freedomland...what can't you offer me?

Some of you might also be wondering why I didn't do a big "thank you" post and "top picks" post, etc. this time (new additions would probably have been Greenore and Benromach Organic). Well, what is the point in celebrating anymore? The first 100, 200; okay. 300? Nah. Maybe 500 will get a retrospective. I mean, shit, Serge over on Whiskyfun hit 3000 (!!!) tasting notes in August 2007. Who the hell am I? (who the hell is he!?!!)

Usually the terms "Canadian Whisky" and "rye" are synonymous but this is not necessarily an accurate partnership; in fact, Alberta Premium is one of the last whiskies in Canada to be produced using 100% rye and is made by Alberta Distillers in Calgary, Alberta.

TASTING NOTES:

Rye, clearly. Caramel and generally sweet, corn syrup. Burnt and sweet, butterscotch flavouring like from an ice cream truck.

Easy. Corn sweetness. Doesn't bite, but is certainly boozy. Sweet and a little bit laundry-like. Corny, again.

SUMMARY:

Really, very much what you would expect and most reactions around the room proved this. Like nail biting or teeth grinding this spirit annoyed at least half of the room. My own mouth would have trouble drinking this neat for more than one dram. Did you notice the startling price of 30 bucks? Its fricking 25 years old, man!!! Good value? Maybe. Ginger ale? Yes please.

Malt Mission #300
Malt Mission #302
Malt Mission #303
Malt Mission #304
Malt Mission #305

Malt Mission HOME

Online Presents/Presence

2008-06-15T17:23:00.004Z

The internet is a crazy place; wonderful, but crazy.

This whisky blog started as a daily post of tasting notes for the benefit of friends who couldn't come over to our flat in London to drink from our 30 or so bottles. It should have lasted only as many days and been read by those few people. But the world wide wondernet brought me 10 times more liquid and a thousand times more readers. Thanks to all that brought Dr. Whisky into your homes and to all who brought your spirit into my belly. Cheers!

You may have noticed the irregularity of Dr. Whisky over the past month and I want to assure you that it was not due to waning interest in drinking whisky and sharing distillery info and tasting impressions. It was more due to a state of homelessness since April 1 2008, when K and I left our jobs and flat in London to, we thought, move to New York. A long and unexpected waiting period followed while we waited for my visa to be properly submitted and processed. During this time we stayed busy but also maxed out on favours from friends and family. THANK YOU and SORRY.

I fear the irregularity of Dr. Whisky's posts will continue for some time so in addition to the links I urge you to visit on the left (GET INFORMED BY OTHERS), there are a few recent discoveries and long time faves that I must share with you.

Caskstrength
The first is a new blog started by a guy with whom I crossed paths on a few occasions on our mutual journeys of malt discovery in London. Very nerdy and often funny, it is worth a read.

For Scotch Lovers.com
is a whisky community thing that was started recently in America and it seems to be working better than Buxton's Whisky Channel, especially if the goal is to create a community rather than a platform for the constant reiteration one man's views. It is called For Scotch Lovers and was started by two scotch lovers, and, while it is still in its infancy, I can see it being a great place for info, commentary, shopping, and whisky nerd fora. As with anything like this, its the people that can make it succeed or fail so hopefully people continue to get involved.

The next two are food blogs.

Sku's Recent Eats
The first is a regular read for me and although it more often than not leaves me with major food envy, it is a great read and an invaluable source when hunting for cheap eats in L.A. Sku also does something called Whisky Wednesdays which is always well researched, informative and often funny.

My Life in Food
The second is a straighforward and charming food blog a friend of mine recently started in order to, well, show off her new iPhone? My Life in Food is fun, straightforward, short-winded, and also manages to present the city of Toronto in all its multiculinarism. Or whatever. I am sure everyone has a friend doing this kind of thing, but this is MY friend, and it is uniquely HER kind of thing.

More whisky soon, I swear. And I imagine I will start sharing some of my bar and restaurant experiences in NYC pretty soon, too.

Sweat in the City

2008-06-10T01:58:00.002Z

Hello perspiration.

If I sweat too much, will I die?

Where does this liquid come from?

How does sweat work, and is it weird that my sweat tastes malty?
Am I distilling myself?

It is hot (we hit 100F/37C) today.

Whisky weather?
No such thing.
Whisky ALWAYS goes down right.
You just got to play with ways to serve it. Any ideas?

Seriously though, rehydrate.

Malt Mission 2008 #300

2008-06-06T07:55:00.002Z

Balvenie Classic
Speyside Single Malt Whisky
43% abv
***price unknown***

Flew the amazing Porter airlines from Toronto Island to Newark, had a brilliant lunch with Charlie Maclean, and lugged my bags up 5 flights in an old walk-up in Hell's Kitchen: I have finally arrived in NYC, baby! And just in time for Malt Mission #300. Thank you so much for reading and supporting Dr. Whisky over these centuries of dramming. I raise a glass to you all. Cheers!

Discontinued in 1993, this old cognac-style (E&J?) bottle Balvenie is often referred to as "the tennis racket". It is a predecessor to the current Doublewood 12yo having been matured for many years in traditional casks (casks used too many times to be reasonably called ex-anything) and then finished in sherry butts. It also had an 18yo version that was more common and not finished in sherry casks.

I tasted this beauty with Sukhinder Singh and a room of whisky lovers and whisky makers that he had invited back to his batcave of whisky on the WhiskyLIVE London weekend after we had sat on a judging panel at the World Whisky Awards. Was a crazy day/night. As a result, my notes might not be 100% "scientific"... or accurate. It must also be admitted that many of SS's bottles have been open since the 1980s (exaggeration? maybe) so they may no longer be fair representations of their original selves. Nonetheless...

TASTING NOTES:

Buttery soft, warming nose with doughnuts, dried fruits and a meatiness of flesh, salt, and pepper, blood like a freshly seasoned raw steak. Garden weeds and a bit of smoke, too.

Oaky impact that blows flavours like warm air. Apricots, plums (sour?) rice pudding, but it is not sweet in the sugary sense, has a sherried sweetness and an oaky core. More meatiness like bacon and heavy sherried tones through the LONG jammy and fruity finish.

SUMMARY:

Confident and meaningful. Forward, fabulous, and doesn't faff about. Like a meaningful kiss from a long time lover or a hug from a much-missed friend. “It’s fucking good,” said John Glaser after a long sip directly from the bottle. Told you it was a great night.

Malt Mission #296
Malt Mission #297
Malt Mission #298
Malt Mission #299

Malt Mission HOME

Malt Mission 2008 #299

2008-06-04T15:09:00.004Z

Balvenie Port Wood 21yo
Speyside Single Malt Whisky
40%
£69
$130 (USD)

I have featured this drop on Dr. Whisky way back in March 2007 (here) but not as part of the malt mission proper so here it is, immediately following its younger brother (see Malt Mission #298).

This time I also tasted it under much more controlled conditions in the Robbie Dhu centre at the Glenfiddich Distillery with Balvenie Global Brand Ambassador David Mair, a true Dufftown boy with an honest and unpolluted passion for The Balvenie. We did a lot of "work" that afternoon and I will share more notes from that research session over the next few posts, if possible.

This expression was initially launched in 1999 as part of the standard range and has been critically acclaimed ever since winning accolades from the San Francisco World Spirits Competition to the Spirit of Speyside Festival. In fact, Balvenie made history when in 2006 it won Gold Medals for it's entire core range of whiskies (save the Single Barrel 15yo) at the International Spirits Challenge, the biggest single distillery award haul in the competition's history.

For all Balvenies had on the mission, click HERE.

TASTING NOTES:

Fruity and creamy, like orange creamsicles. Raisin sweetness and brazil nut dryness. A distinct mustiness in the background verifies the age.

Honeyed and creamy with a big, rich flavour impact; but somehow gentle, like a pillowfight or Jello wrestling. Spicy, too, pepper and a bit of chinese 5-spice or something. Deep and complex. Long creamy finish with nutty oakiness and, i dunno... hard to explain; not a flavour but a feeling...very exciting, like gently touching the inside lip of someone you love (or lust) with your tongue. Warming and sensual. Each sip an experience that is happily repeated.

SUMMARY:

A Balvenie that is totally worth taking the plunge for the price jump, especially when you look around the whisky world and see other speyside distillers (Macallan?!?) charging almost double for their 21yo. Totally dig this sip after sensual sip. Ideal for after dinner-date dramming or even alone in the wee hours as a masterbatory malt. Could be my mood and present circumstances. Yours, Randy.

Malt Mission #296
Malt Mission #297
Malt Mission #298
Malt Mission #300

Malt Mission HOME

Malt Mission 2008 #298

2008-06-02T08:02:00.004Z

Balvenie Port Wood 1993
Speyside Single Malt Whisky
40% abv
£29

This is part of a popular series of whiskies with 1989 and 1991 vintages preceding this release, each one finished in port pipes after 14 years of initial maturation.

Many folks agree that each expression has been different and whether or not that was the intention of its creators, the very fact of that variation is one of the great excitements of enjoying malt whisky. Sure, sometimes it is a risk from the perspective of both the consumer and producer, but it is a risk we all take in the hope of discovering some new and more delicious flavour complex. Speaking of which, I had some chicken wings at beerbistro in Toronto and was absolutely bowled over by the intense but balanced flavours. Heavenly stuff. I haven't been able to shut up about them and now here I am typing about them. Thank goodness chickens can't fly, those wings just wouldn't taste the same.

There are apparently no more vintages of this line planned for the future. For all Balvenies had on the mission, click HERE.

TASTING NOTES:

Shy at first, museli, oak, the white bottoms of green/spring onions and then more fruit: raspberries, blackberries, and a slightly sour malty note with pepper and shiraz-like wine notes emerging.

Honey and bittersweet fruits. Very drying ¾ of the way through, finishing with impressions of oak, egg noodles and newspaper.

SUMMARY:

A unique profile among the Balvenie family of malts (Founder’s Reserve, DoubleWood, 15yo, 21yo Port Wood) that once again brings to our attention the seemingly infinite diversity of scotch whisky, not just from region to region or distillery to distillery, but often between two bottlings from the same distillery. Subdued and oaky, this dram will lack excitement for many, but it is a well-constructed and unique Balvenie whose charms lie beyond superficial initial examinations.

Malt Mission #296
Malt Mission #297
Malt Mission #299
Malt Mission #300

Malt Mission HOME

Malt Mission 2008 #297

2008-05-30T14:50:00.010Z

Balvenie Signature 12 yo
Speyside Single Malt Whisky
40% abv
£29

Launched in April in the UK this is Balvenie's newest product. Come autumn 2008, this Balvenie Signature will be available in selected markets globally to commemorate the forty-five (45!!!) years that Malt Master David Stewart has been with William Grant and Sons. Over the next short while I will be drinking The Balvenie to commemorate something as well.

At some point in the near future I will be taking up a position with William Grant and Sons as the Balvenie Brand Ambassador USA. There are few whisky companies I could proudly work for and the Scottish and family-owned WGS is one of them. I have known folks involved in the company for years and everyone I have met since being offered this job has been totally lovely, friendly, and supportive. Further, Balvenie is an outstanding hand-crafted whisky that maintains traditional production methods while being innovative with cask management and product development. Finally, the stuff tastes great. Doublewood was the first single malt I consciously saved up precious pounds to buy (it was £4 off at OddBins). I couldn't be happier to represent this stuff professionally.

But the problem is that now, suddenly, all that confessional fluff above could easily sound like marketing speak and that is the last thing I want to be present on Dr. Whisky. It always has been. That shit doesn't belong here and every distiller or bottler who has sent me samples has been aware that their drops are subject to my objective and honest critique/analysis/tasting notes, etc., no matter how many bottles they send me or product launches they invite me to. I have worked for various companies over the lifespan of Dr. Whisky and still been able to maintain objectivity. That doesn't mean you will trust me and I guess I could have continued and just said nothing about this. Oh well.

Although this site is well aware of its value as a whisky marketing tool (I often call myself a whiskevangelist) there will be no marketing bullshit on Dr. Whisky. Dr. Whisky will continue to represent all of god's own heavenly spirit but Sam Simmons will represent Balvenie professionally. So I will shut up. In fact, Dr. Whisky will shut up about Balvenie forever.

But before he does that and before I am on contract with the company and thus obliged not to say anything bad about their whiskies, I need to post on all the Balvenies I have tasted before my objectivity is legally stripped away from me and I officially become the Balvenie Bloke (very different than the Balvenie Guy... I will not wear bowties nor drink Balvenie in tumblers or on ice.)*

I can't wait for the supportive comments and/or hate mail. Bring it on. I am not scared.

For all Balvenie had on the mission click HERE.

*- note, I am not forbidden from expressing honest opinions about any other whiskies, just urged (legally) not to write anything negative about Balvenie, effective soon.

TASTING NOTES:

Not unlike the 10yo Founder's Reserve (discontinued come 2009) in its restrained richness with orange oil, honey, a touch of smoke, and a slight sherry influence of dried fruits.

Mellow and fruity. Some kind of spiciness, too. Toasty, vanilla-ed and laundry fresh, with a medium short finish of oak and outdoorsy spice.

SUMMARY:

Compact and complex, although pinpointing particular flavours is a challenge as they are all bound up in eachother. The kind of well-constructed whisky that reveals a new aroma, taste or impression every sip. The 18% sherry casks used in this whisky make their mark, but gently, like the Founder's Reserve (Malt Mission #113). Available in small releases, who knows how each batch will vary?

Malt Mission #296
Malt Mission #298
Malt Mission #299
Malt Mission #300

Malt Mission HOME

Malt Mission 2008 #296

2008-05-29T11:33:00.005Z

Robbie Dhu 12 yo
Blended Scotch Whisky
40% abv
£ no idea $

As we approach the landmark of Malt Mission #300, we also get closer to a big change in our lives. More on that tomorrow.

Named after the water source of Glenfiddich distillery, this blended whisky is not often seen anymore. As far as I am aware this is a discontinued blend from William Grant and Sons although it is still available in some Latin markets (South American, Spain).

TASTING NOTES:

Soft and floral with some chewy, dense vanilla and a touch of smoke.

Malty, smoky, sweet and vegetal like potatoes and cooked turnips. Turns drier and more salty but overall very soft and easy. Dry, oaky finish.

SUMMARY:

Great blend of characteristics from across the wide world of whisky, all well-bound together.

Malt Mission #295
Malt Mission #297
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Malt Mission #299
Malt Mission #300

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Malt Mission 2008 #295

2008-05-27T13:52:00.002Z

Lonach "A Confidential Distillery in Speyside"
41 yo, 1966
Duncan Taylor
43.9% abv
£129

Yeah, I know. I disappeared for a bit. Get used to it. Things are changing in Dr. Whiskyland but I assure you that for no matter how many days this site remains silent, the clinic will always remain open. Now here's the doctor with a 41 year old... um... with a 41 year old...

So, from what distillery does this whisky come? Here are some clues.

- This is one of the few family controlled distilleries in Scotland
- Their stills are direct fired (by gas)
- I have not had a drop from this distillery for over 100 malt missions (although I have enjoyed it a few times with friends since November).
- The family behind this distillery shares their surname with other distilling family patriarchs William, John and James.
- This distillery famously forbids others from releasing their product under the distillery name, though it has certainly happened on occasion. The working title for this particular release was "Far A Bouts".

For all Duncan Taylor bottlings had on the mission, click HERE and for all products from this distillery had on the mission click HERE.

TASTING NOTES:

Deep and inviting like a cool lake in the sweat of summer. Has a toasted or baked character, cherry turnover, subtle oakiness. Hints of sherry, grape candy powder (Fun Dip?) and perfumy like shoe polish.

Much more toasty than the nose indicated, pleasantly fungal and oily verging on rubbery. Early sweetness is shortlived. Celery, pickled turnips, slightly metallic or even bloody. Good balsamic vinegar, oak, and the taste of eating carnations.

SUMMARY:

Hard, tired oak, but with a great nose. Not unpleasant, but certainly challenging on the palate after the initial sweetness and like a 41 year old athlete after an injury, it never really recovers.

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Malt Mission 2008 #294

2008-05-22T18:51:00.002Z

Glenrothes 1968
cask 13498
Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Duncan Taylor and Co.
48.2% abv
£110

It is ridiculous that I have not yet had a Glenrothes for the malt mission. I suppose it is a bit nuts to imagine that someone could have almost 300 whiskies and still have negelected a whole distillery. Well it is not my fault, I have visited Ronnie Cox et al at whisky tasting events and tried their old and new vintages, just never in the controlled environment of the malt mission. To be completely honest, this is mainly because I have never received any samples through the post, and its not cuz the owners don't don't know this whisky blog exists; I have see Berry Brothers and Rudd (or their server, anyways) and the Edrington Group reading Dr. Whisky many times over the past year. Oh well. I try not to solicit and this is getting to that point, so enough. Sorry, I'm writing like an idiot today. Just not feeling it.

Thanks to the nice folks at Duncan Taylor and Co. for sending the sampler of their Glenrothes bottling along. I might as well tell you that between them sending me the drop and me getting around to posting on it over the past few tumultuous months, all bottles have been sold out. Nonethless...

Rather than having only a graveyard of casks at the distillery, Glenrothes is unique in having a still house that overlooks a cemetery. The distillery was off to a shaky start when the initial investors behind the construction of Glenrothes withdrew (to open a neighbouring distillery and begin a dispute over the water source). The financial difficulties led to the construction of a distillery much smaller than had originally been planned. Joining forces with Bunnahabhain to become Highland Distillers in 1897 and doubling its size in 1898 created a more secure future for the distillery. Today it is one of the largest distilleries in the industry with much of its produce finding its way in to Famous Grouse and Cutty Sark blended whiskies. It was a year after a distillery fire in 1922 that Cutty Sark was created.

God, what stilted prose today. Sorry.

Tasted with TF.

TASTING NOTES:

Raspberry, strawberry-tinged baby power. Smells like a place, i just can't pinpoint where, but it fills me with guilt -associated feelings. A brothel? The ladies room? The apartment of the other woman? Oak, some sour sherry notes, butter and crepes. "Quite fruity, red apple, cheesecake base, do you know what I mean? Biscuity. There's a sort of... you know, Haribo fried eggs." Laughter. Totally, says I. "Green oak, broken twigs, less fruit as it develops." Time in the glass lets out more estery high notes again."I like the old mahogany church pew you get off these oldies."

Soft, then bright, cloves, Brio chinotto, sweet soda fountain syrup, butterscotch. Floral notes and then tons of oaky grip. A sugary (muscovado?) sweetness lingers low among ginger roots and twigs. "Pruny, sort of like old cognac, raisins. Ginger, or gingerbread maybe, baked apple. The oak comes out so much on the finish, it becomes slightly astringent, wood tannins, that sort of almost resiny taste that you get."

SUMMARY:

A tasty mouthfull, with an emphasis on full. Less interesting on the nose, "yeah, but we've had it for like twenty minutes. Its still got it on the palate, maybe just a touch too woody. I like it." Tim was surpirsed to learn it was Glenrothes.

Malt Mission #291
Malt Mission #292
Malt Mission #293
Malt Mission #295

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Malt Mission 2008 #293

2008-05-21T12:13:00.004Z

Glendronach 12 yo
Speyside Single Malt Whisky
40% abv
£27
$51.20 (CAD) *
$50 (USD)

What a wild few months it has been. I have now lived in 10 different accommodations since April 1, 2008. Perhaps I should consciously begin a couch-surfing campaign with my suitcase of clothes and suitcase of spirit. While I am getting tired of having the same set of clothes for nearly two months, the second suitcase is certainly getting lighter. Ah, Dr. Whisky is dedicated.

In 2004, this release replaced the 100% sherry cask matured Glenronach 15yo (Malt Mission #30). It is made up of a mixture of ex-bourbon, regular oak casks (meaning barrels that have held whiskies too many times to be called ex-anything), and ex-sherry casks. Additionally, this bottling (at least currently) was likely made from barley malted at the distillery, a on-site process which ceased in 1996.

For more distillery info and to see all Glendronach had on the mission, click HERE. Tasted with LR and MH.

* - currently on offer at LCBO (3 bucks off)

TASTING NOTES:

Sherried sweetness, lots of oak, citrus, "synthetic aromas like washing-up liquid". Cherry chocolate and a mustiness, some organic notes and a persistent nuttiness.

Great mouthfeel, "sweet and chewy", grows a bit woody and tannin-ed.

SUMMARY:

Mouthfeel alone confirms the influence this malt has on Teachers blended whiskies. Good malt whisky although simple. Oaky, sherried, and pretty decent.

Malt Mission #291
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Malt Mission 2008 #292

2008-05-20T10:22:00.004Z

Glentauchers 1990 (bottled 2006)
Gordon & Macphail
Speyside Single Malt Whisky
40% abv
£25

So we're gonna have a GLEN-filled week here on the Malt Mission and continue today with another offering from Gordon and Macphail, a company who for many years was the only outlet for single malt whiskies from countless distilleries around Scotland. That is how most independent bottlers began; because most distillers were 100% dedicated to producing malts as components in blends, single malts were not widely available until the 1970s. Acquiring casks from distilleries, independent bottlers would bottle and release them locally. The tradition continues today, although it is much more difficult to source quality casks as most distillers have their own proprietary bottling needs. Speaking of indie bottlers, I saw a Douglas Laing Old Malt Cask in IRON MAN over the weekend. Among the most esoteric of product placements I have ever seen... or noticed.

Built in 1898 to supply malt for James Buchanan's blended whiskies, Glentauchers is today used mainly for Ballantine's. Like yesterday's Glenburgie, a 15yo was released for a short run in 2000 but other than that, official bottlings don't exist. I read that production ceased between 1985 and 1992, but this and several other independent bottlings (Wilson and Morgan, Duncan Taylor) also share the 1990 distillation date. I can only assume that there was intermittent production, largely sold off to independent interests, after Allied purchased the distillery in 1989.

Tasted with IM.

TASTING NOTES:

Apricot, orange marmalade, carrot muffins, sweet and sour winey aroma, roasted chestnuts, salty vegetable soup broth, and a little nail polish.

Sherry, but soggy sherry, as if it was a damp sock of a cask. Suntan lotion, shea butter. Some bitterness like rye or fennel tea. Inder says, "tastes thin but expensive."

SUMMARY:

Simple but appealing enough nose, some rubber and bitterness at times, but I would still say its a nice drop to have on the shelf because a) it's something that most your friends have never had, and b) won't cost you much for the thrill of obscurity.

Malt Mission #291
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Malt Mission 2008 #291

2008-05-19T11:02:00.005Z

Glenburgie 10 yo
Speyside Single Malt Whisky
40% abv
£24

This little known distillery is one of the most interesting in Scotland due to its down-to-business attitude, innovation over the years and use of state of the art machinery. As a major component of the Ballantines blends, Glenburgie has been a silent workhorse since 1810, when it was known as Kilnflat. It was renamed Glenburgie in 1878 and purchased by Canadian company Hiram Walker in 1936, the time after which it became a key ingredient in Ballantines blended whiskies.

Between 1958 and 1981, Glenburgie also produced a spirit with Lomond stills called Glencraig, which, with any luck, can still be found from time to time. I recently had an excellent bottling of Glencraig from the Scotch Malt Whisky Society.

Owned by Chivas Brothers (Pernod Ricard) since 2005, official bottlings do not currently exist (there is a 15yo from 2002 that is hard to find) and this expression is from Gordon and Macphail.

TASTING NOTES:

Hard and clean, even metallic. Dry and mineral with some fruitiness and maltiness like apple cider and oat cakes. Red grapefruit, red cabbage, and some buttery sherried tones, too.

Thin impact in the texture, some undesirable heat, but rich with fruit and maltiness. Honey, vanilla, dry sherry, too. Lingering and spicy.

SUMMARY:

Whisky really is a drink that demands that the drinker slows down. This reminds me of that fact because this whisky needed some time to warm up to me, or vice versa. Good, simple, easy drinker at a brilliant price. I quite dig the simplicity of the label, too.

Malt Mission #290
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Malt Mission 2008 #290

2008-05-16T09:38:00.001Z

The Dalmore 40 yo
Highland Single Malt Whisky
45% abv
£1350

Malt Mission #290, wow.

I look back through this blog and I have to admit, I am pretty proud of myself. That's a lot of focused controlled consumption! Then I look at Kevin's Scotch Blog, Johannes et al's Malt Madness or Serge's Whiskyfun and all is put into perspective. But, to be fair, with that perspective comes the realisations that pride isn't enough to sustain something like this because, a) I don't have the apparent cash flow that Serge has and b) that my passion (but mostly time) is diminishing, much like Kevin's in recent months. It has to be said that one solution to these problems might be to accept advertising on Dr. Whisky. I am not going to lie to you, I have resisted for some time now and turned down two offers I simply could not morally justify in the sacrifice of my credibility and integrity. But as my beloved K consoled me the other night, "we can't afford credibility right now." Valid point. The dilemma continues.

That is the ugly 'real-life' crap that is really none of your business. What IS your business is that in the run-up to Malt Mission 300 I hope to pull out all the £1350 drams that I can (I think this is the only one). But there will be some sweet drams before the closing of THIRD century of Malt Missions. After that I might have ads for porn all over Dr. Whisky and start Dr. Whiskey reviewing bourbons and such. Anyways, to this 40 year old Dalmore...

On the 13th February 1965 this whisky ran from Dalmore's oddly designed copper stills and was filled to American white oak barrels. Kind of mind blowing to think about how long a single whisky maker has been monitoring a few barrels. Four decades! That alone has to be worth something. The final result has been transfered from American white oak ex-bourbon barrels to Europen oak ex-Matusalem sherry casks and finally to casks that used to hold Amoroso sherry. Crafty.

This is one of only 1000 bottles. Thanks to David Robertson, Richard Paterson and Margaret Nicol for sending along the drops and supporting information for this and all drams this week. For all Dalmores had on the mission click HERE.

TASTING NOTES:

Age immediately apparent with lush oak the keynote. Surprisingly malty after so many years of cask influence on a barley spirit. Orange juice or Sunny D, tobacco and ash, black tea, some petrol, banana and maple syrup.

Luscious fruits initially, banana, apples, raisins, blueberries and vanilla, then honeyed tones explode into a toasty oaky bearhug that is in turns drying and mouthwatering. Great flavour ride and a slow drinker.

SUMMARY:

High and low tones of citrus, blueberry jam and oak; great harmony in a fruity, musty and surprisingly malty old beauty.

Malt Mission #286
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Malt Mission #289

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