Week 24 - Longrow C-V

To finish our tour of the Campbeltown area, we are tasting the the Longrow C-V.  This incarnation of the Longrow brand was first distilled in 1973.  The C-V  is the latest addition.   This is a double distilled entrant from the same Springbank distillery.  The barley is entirely peat dried, so it should have a  nicely smokey flavor. Follow the link from week 22 for more info.

Week 23 - Springbank C-V

Ned again, we continue to explore the Cambletown area. From the same distillery as last week, we get the Springbank CV this week. Opened in 1828, this is one of the oldest distilleries going. Dried over peat unlike the Hazelburn of last week, I hope it is enjoyed.

Week 22 - Hazelburn C-V

Ned here again for round 2.  Brother Rick did an amazing job last month, the best month so far by my take.  Will, I follow in his footsteps?  Doubt it.  Instead I plan on offering 4 malts I never tried. So this month we will sample some (3)  from Campeltown, and something else at the end.  The Campbeltown ones are all C-V style, which I think means a blend of different agings (perhaps different typtes of casks?) of the same single malt. Campbeltown is on a peninsula on the south-west side of Scotland.  It is near the island of Islay.  The Distillery is Springbank, with a web site http://www.springbankwhisky.com/  Hazelburn is a new offering from this distillery, only since 2005, and named for a now defunct Campbeltown disillery.  Unfortunately, due to health issues I am likely to only host these, not actually partake.  I will certainly try my best however.  I can always look and smell.

Ned

Week 21 - Lagavulin 16 yr old

Lagavulin is an Islay distilled in Lagavulin "Hollow by the Mill".   The 16 year old is their signature single malt and my personal go to Scotch.  When I want to impress a real scotch drinker, I bring out the Lagavulin.   It has a robust peat smoke aroma and is smooth on the tongue with a slightly dark chocolate finish.  It routinely wins awards in competition, but who cares about that?  For me there is no better scotch to watch the sunset with.   I hope you enjoy it... and anytime you want to give me a gift, a bottle of Lagavulin will do just fine thank you.

Week 20 - THE Balvenie 14 year Caribbean Cask

If last week was deceptively simple, this week is a whisky that bears all the hallmarks of the Balvenie, but with an added level of complexity that comes from finishing the whisky in casks that once held Caribbean rum. After a 14 year maturation period in traditional oak whisky casks, the Balvenie is then transferred to the rum casks, leading to an exceptional Single Malt that exemplifies the signature smooth, honeyed character of the Balvenie, while adding unique notes of toffee and fruit that come from its innovative cask finish.   

A CASTLE stands in a fertile Speyside glen. Robert the Bruce crops up in its history, Mary Queen of Scots once slept there and Margaret Douglas, The Fair Maid of Galloway, had a tempestuous history that ended happily with the annual castle rent fixed by an admiring king at a single red rose.  From such history, and stones, springs Balvenie the handcrafted Malt.

And I find that history in each sip, the initial taste is mild but it quickly rises up to take hold of your palette, a grip that is not released even after you swallow…  a strong taste of peat but also fruit.  Not a dram to only have one of.  Enjoy.

- Rick

Week 19 - Highland Park 12

http://www.highlandpark.co.uk/

I count myself as blessed.  My appreciation for whisky began in no other than Edinburgh itself.   The bartender in hearing I was a Yank offered to give me a tour without my having to get up from my place at the bar.  And that tour started with Highland Park 12.   He told me you could search the land over and not find a smoother whisky.   I have honored that challenge by continuing the search, but for the price I have to agree with him.

Highland Park got its start in 1798 in the Orkney Islands though it didn't start its own bottling until 1979, and that first was their core expression, Highland Park 12.   The discerning consumer will note the glowing amber color that invites you to inhale a heather-honey sweetness.   The palate has a balanced smoky sweetness with a heather finish.   A bit of fruit is in there as well, a flavor that will keep you tasting for more.

Yes Highland Park 12 is easy on the senses.  Just a simple joy to taste and keep you warm.

Enjoy.

For those that like this kind of thing, a tasting diagram.   Me personally, I like to use my tongue more than my eyes.   Each to their own.

Week - 18 Glenmorangie

http://www.glenmorangie.com/

Glenmorangie , Gaelic for “Vale of Tranquility”, made from water fresh from Tarlogie Springs in the Tarlogie hills was founded in 1843.  The Glenmorangie Distillery is north of Inverness, half a mile from Tain in the Highlands of Scotland and claims perfection as a result of the tallest stills in Scotland (8.0 meters).  

Curiosly, Glenmorangie begins in the Ozark Mountains of Missouri, I kid you not, where Glenmorangie has its own forest to manufacture white oak casks.   These casks are first leased to Jack Daniel’s to hold bourbon for four years (no wonder our sainted mother liked Glenmorangie ).   The Original, of which we are imbibing tonight is matured in these casks, mom’s favorite is further matured in casks that matured sherry. 

So.  Yes, this is another Whisky favorite of mom’s for more common occasions or people like her sons.  Thank you mom, for an excellent choice.

This original is a 10 year old with a scent of citrus and peaches.   On the tongue a hint of vanilla and fruit, or so the literature says.   I am not sure I get the hint of orange, but I sure do like the taste and the Finish is clean and smooth.  The color is a pale gold.

I don’t think I will ever tire of drinking Glenmorangie, mellow and creamy it nonetheless is distinctive.  *I* being eldest son btw, we have survived a full rotation and the month of  May is mine.  No Glenlivet I promise.