We begin 2013 with the theme for the February tasting being “Cask Strength”. With 32 on attendance it was quite a crowd.
As usual we sampled five whiskies from the category. We then made notes and ranked them (1 being the favorite). We also had a couple bonus whiskies to try. Here are the results:
#5: Signatory 1993 Bladnoch 19 Year Old – Cask Strength
Leathery taste, Over bearing, Peppery, Spicy, Flavor fell flat, No finish, Full flavored and tasty.
#4: Signatory 1992 Glenlassie 18 Year Old – Cask Strength
PFT (Pretty Freakin’ Tasty), Smooth and spicy, Oak after taste, Soft and sweet, Creamy, Lingering sweetness.
#3: Chieftain 1995 Mortlack 15 Year Old – cask Strength – Sherry Butt Finish
Oaky, Chocolate, Body is thick, Fruity, Rum raisin, Finish falls off quickly.
#2: Glenlivet Nadurra 16 Year Old – Cask Strength
Nutty aroma, Dry, Warm, Smooth, Mild oak, Peppery at the end, Water opened the flavor.
And the overall favorite…..
#1: Macallen – Cask Strength
Classic, Very drinkable, Plum nose, Chocolate, What Scotch should taste like.
The first bonus item to taste was the new Jack Daniels Rye Whisky – Unaged. This was graciously provided by Robert, member #5. The consensus was…age that stuff and get back to us. It was harsh. I have always had the belief that distilleries market the “unaged” stuff to simply get quick money in the door. Then they market it as if it is the next cool thing to drink. Here is a bit of advice for anyone who happens to want some….unaged whisky is for starting your camp fire. There is no other satisfactory use for the stuff. It is rarely smooth and always lacks flavor. It will never have complexity and you will always be overcharged for it. Enough said.
The second bonus whiskey was a blended scotch marketed to the Korean population. Richard, member #8, was recently there on business and brought this back. It is called Scotch Blue….and it had no flavor….at all.
It was another great evening.
Doug #1