The 4th taster in our evening of fine Irish whiskey brought us to the Redbreast 15. The nose came through with orchard fruit, caramel and nutty undertones. The flavour starts slowly but builds to include fresh tree fruits, toasted oak, and a touch of spice. It is a well rounded, easy drinker that lingered on the tongue. An overall easy drinker and a fine expression of Irish Whiskey.
All posts by Adam Buchholtz
Redbreast Lustau Edition
The 3rd taster in our Irish evening was the Redbreast Lustau Edition, which is a sherry cask finished whiskey. The nose has sherry tones, cranberry and red fruit. With the first sip, the sherry washes over you with ripe fruity freshness followed by some nice spiciness. The fruit and spice play nice while the velvety whiskey washes over your tongue. The finish was kind of quick, a tad dry but still very smooth. This taster received rave reviews from most of our club membership. If you can get your hands on a bottle of this, it comes highly recommended.
Redbreast 12 Year old Single Pot Still Whiskey
This was our 2nd taster of the guided tasting with Joe Duffy. The Redbreast 12 is one of their core offerings and is usually available at most LCBO’s. It is a solid dram at a decent price point for Irish Whiskey. One the nose you get lots of red fruit, plum and cherries came to my mind, along with hints of apple, raisins, wood and nuts. Upon tasting it comes across as a very sherry forward taste, with hints of sweet fruit and dark chocolate. The finish is super smooth, not much length to it, and finishes quickly. The Redbreast 12 is an easy drinker, best enjoyed amongst friends.
Green Spot Single Pot Still Whiskey
The first taster in our evening with Joe Duffy brought us Green Spot Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey. The nose was very sweet with hints of green apple, bourbon and honey. It had great texture and mouthfeel with flavours of toffee, floral notes, and apples. A robust feel on the tongue, with a warm smooth finish that lasted a bit, but not too long. A great way to start what became an amazing evening of whiskey, learning and sharing with friends.
The Glenrothes 18 Year Old
Matured only in sherry seasoned oak casks, a high proportion first fill. Bottled at natural colour, with flavours of ginger, rose water, pears and vanilla.
Stalk and Barrel Canadian Single Malt Whisky (46%)
Expensive Taste KW was privileged enough to host a private tasting with Stalk and Barrel Whisky, by the Still Waters Distillery in April 2017. While Barry and Barry could not attend due to some last minute issues our host took us through the wonderful spread of Stalk and Barrel Whiskeys.
The Black Label Canadian single malt whisky was one of the highlights of the tasting session.
Made from 100% Canadian two-row malted barley they mash, ferment, and distill by hand in small batches in a copper pot still. The whisky is then aged in ex-bourbon casks on site for a minimum of three years.
Knowing that this whisky was only a few years old made me a bit apprehensive before the tasting. Normally single malt whisky’s are allowed to percolate for a decade or more to enhance and bring out the flavors of the spirit. New spirits typically don’t have the breadth of flavor that older spirits do so I was pleasantly surprised by the flavors during our tasting.
Pale straw in color, the whisky looks a little bit oily in the glass, with the legs slowly running down the sides of the glass when nosed. Initial flavors from the nosing would make this whisky seem a little bit immature, but those thoughts evaporated upon the first sip. This whisky has great earthy flavors, picking up barley and grassy undertones. It reminded me of being in a freshly cut hayfield in mid-summer. As the spirit spills around the tongue you can also pick up hints of sweetness, with a touch of butterscotch. As it heats up your mouth and tongue it gives you the fire of a young single malt. The fire lasts for a bit before fading away with a dry finish.
Overall for a young spirit it has surprising depth of flavor. It has intrigued me enough to warrant adding a bottle to my personal collection to continue to decipher the flavors and nuances of a made in Ontario single malt. The Still Waters Distillery is trending in the right direction and most likely their whiskeys will only get better with age.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
Good Afternoon fellow ET members,
On behalf of the Eboard I would like to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Years!
I look forward to seeing everyone at the 9 Year anniversary party to be held Saturday January 28th at Franks new place.
For those of you with outstanding bills from last months bottle auction please forward your money to the Eboard prior to January 1st or sanctions will be brought forward.
I will leave you with a quote I have always liked so in the words of Johnny War Amps “Play Safe!”
Take Care,
Your President,
Adam
Movember
Hey All,
Just wanted to pass along a note of support for our fellow member Raf Wyszynski who is participating in Movember this year.
If you would like to support the cause and make a donation please follow the attached link.
Support men’s health!
https://ca.movember.com/mospace/13453810
Expensive Taste Burger Cook-off
Hey All,
The Expensive Taste Burger Cook-off is fast approaching. I hope you all are ready to have your asses handed to you on a silver platter hahaha!!
Anyways please find attached the cookoff rules, timeslots, and judging criteria for the contest.
Should you have any questions or concerns feel free to contact anyone on the Eboard to let us know.
See you all soon!
Glass Turkey Winner
Congratulations goes out to Nicki Proulx, the winner of Expensive Taste’s 2016 Glass Turkey Draw. The winning ticket was sold by Expensive Taste member, Tom Suliman.
With proceeds from the draw a donation of $250 will be made in the name of Jacek Wyszynski to the Canadian Cancer Society, Kitchener Branch.
Thank you to all who supported the club and this worthwhile cause and to all those who did not win better luck next time!
