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Well, hate is a too strong word, so maybe dislike may be better. Umm!… no, hate is fine, pure distilled clear hate. But anyway, let me explain it to you…
As you know I am from Spain, a country that in less than forty years moved from very poor to reasonably rich ( and it looks like back at fullspeed to poor again ) place. So, as in most in-development countries we had an special interest in those kind of luxury products that come from abroad, for example, Rolex watches, Mercedes Benz cars and Scotch whisky.
So imagine, a country where monthly income moved from £150 to £1500 in less than twenty years… so we were a nice market niche for Scotch Whisky industry, despite the fact that Spanish biggest selling whisky is DYC. So we were invaded with hordes of best whiskies Scotland could produce; Johnnie Walker Red Label, Ballantines, J&B, Cutty Sark, Dewars White Label,… you get an idea of the situation, don’t you?
In the last five years I have seen a constant increase in whisky prices I am interested in. I remember when a interesting new Ardbeg was only £60 or when a 25 years old Ardbeg Lord of Isles was so expensive at £150…
Many persons are now joining the wagon of whisky investment just for the future ( or immediate sometimes ) reward. So read why I think that this is quite a bad idea if you don’t know what you are doing.
I am a whisky collector, I collect whisky, really. Many friends have told me as an insult that I don’t open bottles. And yes, I don’t usually open them. I collect because I love the way the bottles look and love to see them one after the other, to put my hands on them. There is so little moments better than opening a box full of whisky… well, maybe having a dram of them may be better
An open bottle of whisky last several years on my cabinet, so I have an extra problem keeping open bottles at hand.
But I don’t buy whisky as an investment. I haven’t sold a single bottle of my collection nor I will (by now, until my country’s economy finally collapse I am forced to beg on a street corner). The whisky collection profit is an interior growth in knowledge and pleasure.
So, why do I think it is a bad idea to invest in whisky?
“Very interesting single malt. More subtle than the old 10 years old Sherry Oak but nicer at the same time. This whisky shows more of the Macallan Spirit than the old sherry monster”
89
Macallan Gold was released in late 2012 as part of a series of colour-themed bottlings introduced to replace the distillery's age-statement expressions.
This batch of Macallan Gold has been produced from 9-15yo first fill and refill sherry casks and is designed to sit between the now-defunct 10yo Sherry Oak and 10yo Fine Oak bottlings.
This dram has a amber-like color.
Nose (89): more than average.
honey, nuts, citrus, vanilla.
Very nice aroma. Really does the work. It is slightly more subtle than 10 years old Sherry Oak.
Palate (90): powerful, oily.
nuts, honey, wood, citrus, spices, tobacco.
Very nice whisky. Definitively it is a nice Macallan to initiate yourself in the range.
Finish (89): longer than average.
nuts, honey, citrus.
So based on other whiskies I have already tasted I rate this Macallan Gold with 89 points over 100.
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Master of Malt sent me some samples of their new range That Boutique-y and as I happen to have some samples too myself I decided to do a super tasting of this new ramge of whiskies!.
First thing that grab your eye on these whiskies is the precious labels they have created for each of them. And also the fact that the whiskies are bottled at cask strength. Looks like most of them are a vatting of several casks and there is no age statement in any of them but if they are as good as this first batch…
That Boutique-y Whisky Company
That Boutique-y Whisky Company bottles Scotch Single Malt Whiskies from a variety of renowned distilleries like Ardbeg, Macallan or Aberlour in limited batches. These whiskies are adorned with cultish comic-book style labels which feature prominent figures from the whisky industry upon them, as well as other little details for you to find!
The whiskies Batch 1
I have tasted several whiskies from the first batch and most of them are already sold out by the time you read this. On their webpage it is available right now a second batch of whiskies.
Macallan has released a new range of non age statements to replace their Sherry and Fine Oaks whisky bottles from 10 years old to 18 years old.
A bold move? Looking for the best quality? Running out of stock? Age matters? Who knows…
This new Macallan Gold is the initial entry on the new range of bottles, and it is already about £8 more expensive that the old Macallan 10 years old Sherry Oak. But the question is: Is it better?
The Whisky Exchange Whisky Show 2012 took place at October 6th and 7th and although it has been a great experience it has been a short one. With over 450 whiskies to taste and just barely six hours ahead it was impossible to taste them all.
What I couldn’t taste
This post is just a set of photos of what I couldn’t taste. Sorry, people… I can write about this because I get sad… so great stuff that I had to skip… *sniff*
I visited Compass Box stand for saying hi to Chris and I take a few photos with the people on the show.
I have joined Jean-Marie Putz of whisky-distilleries.info and twenty other whisky zealots in the fifth blind tasting session of this year.
The principle is that whisky producers supply whisky they select themselves, according to their marketing goals. The sent whisky bottles are sampled and sent to about 20 tasters who write their impressions about every whisky. Their impressions and their quotation are published in Whisky distilleries blog.
The Whisky Tasting sessions are a flight of six whiskies tasted blind. Usually bottles are from independent bottlers that are really strong sellers in central Europe.
The samples arrived a few weeks ago in a supercool box. Each samples was 2.5cl and bottled in a small flask. Work has been been delaying me on tasting the six samples but finally this Thursday I had a few spare hours to taste them.
Usually I try to short the samples as explained in the how to taste whisky article, but this time I just decided to enjoy and go ahead. Mainly because if I sort the samples I will lack of time to taste them properly.
Sample Nº 1
“Unpromising nose but then a really delicious taste. Maybe Redbreast?”
89
Impressive whisky from Macduff distillery bottled by Malts of Scotland from the 1980 vintage.
This single cask malt has been matured in a bourbon hogshead and bottled at cask strength at a whopping 54,1% abv.
This dram has a gold-like color.
Nose (87): more than average.
floral, honey, spices, vanilla, citrus.
Very irish style.
So based on other whiskies I have already tasted I rate this Aberlour 17 years Anam Na H-Alba with 88 points over 100.
Sample Nº 3
“Very nice sherried whisky. I think I have already tasted this one...”
89
A single malt whisky distilled in the Macallan distillery.
This whisky has been bottled at 47.1% abv from the 1989 vintage by Whiskies of Scotland
This dram has a fino-like color.
Nose (89): more than average.
toffee, floral, vanilla, peaches.
Very closed nose but really nice.
Palate (90): smooth, powerful, oily.
honey, wood, vanilla, citrus, spices, cinnamon, tobacco.
I am sure I have tasted this one before... umm... no clue right now.
So based on other whiskies I have already tasted I rate this Macallan 1989 Whiskies of Scotland with 89 points over 100.
Sample Nº 4
“Superb nose! I am almost sure this one is An Cnoc single malt”
90
This vatted whisky, or blended malt whisky as the Scotch Whisky Association prefers, is the result of blending together a Dailuaine 1999 with a Linkwood 1998.
Bottled by Jean Boyer - Le Puits à Whisky at 43%. This bottled belongs to batch 116.
This dram has a fino-like color.
Nose (91): more than average.
toffee, vanilla, citrus.
An Cnoc! It must be an Cnoc! Delicious!
Finish (89): longer than average.
honey, spices, nuts.
So based on other whiskies I have already tasted I rate this Macallan 1990 Fino Sherry Hogshead Malts of Scotland with 90 points over 100.
In conclusion
It has been a very nice tasting, really fun. And I have tasted two Macallans! Tasting the first one I was really really sure that I have already tasted it. Also really impressed by a very nice Bunnahabhain with its incredible peat and sherry style.
“It is hard to find an Oloroso cask aged whisky that let the character of Macallan shine in such a way. Absolutely delicious.”
89
According to The Macallan, "Containing rare whisky distilled from barley grown on The Macallan's Estate which brings a velvety mouthfeel, Whisky Maker's Edition recognises the skill and dedication of The Macallan's Whisky Maker, Bob Dalgarno. Bottled at Bob's preferred strength of 42.8%, this has an intensity and robustness of flavor."
Less obviously sweet on the nose than Select Oak, this Edition offers a nose of toffee, raisins, figs and honey. The palate is rounded, full and spicy, with nutmeg, leather, hazelnuts and chocolate orange. Lengthy in the finish, with nutty, dark chocolate, a whiff of smoke and mild oak.
It is one of the nicest sherried Macallan that allow the true characteristics of the Macallan spirit to shine. Lovely one. Part of the 1824 Collection that was originally created as a travel retail exclusive.
“Most mindblowing awesomeness! And to think that I bought two of this Macallan for €50 just a few years ago... best buy ever!”
92
The Macallan Sherry Oak is exclusively matured in selected sherry oak casks from Jerez, Spain instead of using different kind of casks as the Fine Oak range does.
This expression is matured for 10 years and then bottled at original cask strength without chill filtration or the addition of water. The result is a particularly rich Single Malt, best enjoyed with a splash of water to release the complex aromas and sumptuous flavours.
Even if the prices on the Internet are high this Macallan is worth every penny you pay for it.
This dram has a old oak-like color.
Nose (91): more than average.
nuts, honey, citrus, wood, cinnamon.
Marvelous!
Palate (92): powerful, oily.
nuts, honey, wood, citrus, cocoa, tobacco.
The epitome of sherry aged drams. I love this profile.
Finish (92): longer than average.
nuts, honey, citrus.
So based on other whiskies I have already tasted I rate this Macallan 10 year Sherry Oak Cask Strength with 92 points over 100.
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