Amrut, GlenDronich, Jefferson Reserve, AnCnoc, Arran, Glenkinchie, Chieftain’s Benrinnes or Longmorn, which one finished first?
There were 7 members at our tasting and we tried the $50 range and tasted 6 scotches, 1 bourbon, and 1 single malt from India…and we liked everyone of them. This was one of our favorite nights of tasting, as there wasn’t one that we didn’t like. In fact, we are hoping that simply because one of the whiskies finished at the bottom of the list it doesn’t prevent you from buying or trying it. One had to finish last.
We tried the following, and here are our notes:
Amrut – Fusion: At 50% alcohol, it had a little bite, not that this is a bad thing. It is slightly peaty with hints of vanilla and carmel. This is a warming whiskey that is both smooth and sweet. Surprisingly, this whiskey was rated very high.
Glinkinchie 12 year old: A lowland malt that is triple distilled. It has a very light taste, floral and fruity. Not very complex but not bad either. A good beginner or even a summer scotch.
Chieftain’s Longmorn 13 year old: Very clean and fruity, not heavy. This scotch has a long peppery, almost cayenne, finish. Although this rated near the bottom of our list it was still a very enjoyable dram.
The Arran Malt – 10 year old: A good mix of sweet and spice. Complex, yet smooth and fruity. I could actually taste orange marmalade. This has a good long wood finish.
GlenDronich 12 year old: Great nose of carmel and wood. A palate of carmel and toffe. Smooth, but complex with other flavors. This has a nice finish and the wood can be tasted. One of our favorites.
Chieftain’s Benrinnes 11 year old: This was finished in a Tokaj cask, which is a wine region in Northern Hungary. This is what everyone said: spicy, cherry, toffee, fruity, good smell, chocolate finish (4 said this), creamy, prunes, plums, fruity smooth and pleasant. What a great scotch. Get a bottle before it runs out.
AnCnoc 16 year old: This dram has a great nose and is very fruity. It has a spicy and chewy toffee palate. The finish was good, but with a drop of water, a great finish that lingers. Almost everyone agreed this is a good scotch without water, a better scotch with water.
Jefferson Reserves – Very Small Batch: Well, we’re a scotch bunch, except for #7. Pretty much everyone didn’t rate it and only wrote “it’s bourbon.” One other member thought it tasted like cough syrup. This finished last. However, you have to keep in mind we tried this last, so this really isn’t a fair rating. Among other bourbons I’m sure it would rate very well.
Here’s how they ranked:
1. Chieftain’s Benrinnes. Wow, this stuff is good. 4 of the 7 rated it number 1, and the other 3 rated it number 2.
2. Amrut. This was our biggest surprise. This is good and we look forward to trying other expressions from Amrut.
3. GlenDronich. Not as good as the 15 year old, but still a great dram. Enough that it finished 3rd.
4. Arran Malt. Everything Arran puts out is pretty good, and this is their standard expression. B+
5. AnCnoc. A very fruity scotch and new to the St. Louis market. A must try.
6. Chieftain’s Longmorn. A good all around whisky. Try it, you won’t be disappointed.
7. Glenkinchie. Don’t be fooled by the 7th place ranking. This is a good light scotch.
8. Jefferson’s Reserve. It’s bourbon. We’ll have to rate it another time.