In my last post, about the October 23rd tasting, I mention that we had two bonus whiskies. These are two new whiskies on the market that I have been looking forward to for some time. One is a bourbon and one is a scotch.
The first was 1792 Port Finished Bourbon. It is bottled at 44.45% ABV and priced at $38.00. 1792 has been around for a while as an 8 year old bourbon and has been a favorite of mine. This expression spent 6 years in new oak, then 2 years in former Port casks for a total of 8 years of aging. This whisky gives you all the classic notes of a great bourbon (caramel, vanilla, toffee, spices and sweetness). But the port cask aging adds a denser sweetness, notes of chocolate and cherry. You will even find some bit of cinnamon on the tongue. This is a very good expression that I and the tasters recommend. This is being released in limited quantities so it you find it, buy it.
The second bonus whisky was Glenfiddich Single Malt 14 Year Bourbon Barrel Reserve. It is bottled at 43% ABV and priced at $60.00 and is exclusive to the U.S. market. Most all scotch spends a great amount of their aging time in a used American oak barrel, ex-bourbon barrel. In this case the scotch spends its final four months in a new (unused) charred American oak barrel. So all those notes coming from the barrel, as you would expect, are more intensified. This scotch has a very nutty, toffee, sweet taste along the great scotch flavor that Glenfiddich consistently delivers. You will also find the undertones of the wood coming through. The reviews from the tasters was mixed but I found this to be a very good expression.
Cheers,
Doug