I love my wife. Why? Well, there are many reasons. The most recent is that she signed us up for a local scotch tasting. No, not me and my River City Whisky Society buddies. Just she and I. And she is not a big fan of scotch. She knows my love for whisky and thought it might be a fun date night. Who am I to argue?!?
The tasting was held as a local gourmet wine shop called Vino Vitae. It is a small place but very comfortable, well stocked (mostly wine but some spirits) and has a great atmosphere. The owner, Craig Adams, is very accommodating and extremely well educated in not only the making of the products but the science behind the entire process. I will certainly be returning to have a drink and talk whisky with him.
Now for the tasting notes:
Dalwhinnie 15 yr – The nose gave hints of honey and fruit. It had a silky texture on the tongue but needed a little water to lessen the “bite”. A good scotch but unfortunately did not live up to others in this tasting.
Auchentoshan Three Wood – I have had other expressions of this brand and did not prefer them. This one however was excellent. It is aged in three different types of casks and has a very complexed taste, filled with spices, chocolate and toffee.
Highland Park 12 yr – This one starts out smoky and dry but has a sweet finish. A great, above average scotch that should have a place on every scotch drinker’s shelf.
The Glenlivet 12 yr – I wrote about this one from a recent tasting so I refer to my notes from then, which were reinforced at this tasting: “Creamy smell, good even taste, simple and clean, good finish. Good all around scotch”.
Bowmore 12 yr – This is an Islay scotch with a medium to strong influence of peat. I don’t like the medium to strong influence of peat so this was at the bottom of my list for this tasting. This is just a personal preference. I recommend you try is and form your own opinion.
Craig, thanks for a great tasting. I look forward to more in the future.