Posts of each month’s taster!
July highlighted a double-header Deanston tasting, a Highland Distillery. The Pinot Noir finish is part of Deanston’s 2020 Limited Edition Series. An interesting offering, somewhat acidic with a red fruit character from the wine cask. Overall, the Cream Sherry finish definitely had the edge over the Pinot Noir for the club. 50% ABV.
Glen Keith is another Speyside distillery that is new to us, and what a treat at 28 years old! Such a lovely presentation and an even lovelier bourbon barrel aged whisky inside, offered as part of the Carn Mor “Celebration of the Cask” series. Vanilla, caramel, apples and peaches, oh my! Thoroughly enjoyable and one I wish I could find again. Cask Strength at 55.6%. Sourced from Alberta and long sold out.
Inchgower is another first-time distillery for the Club from the Speyside region. One of 255 bottles. 51.5% ABV. As the bottle suggests, “21 Glorious Years Old”, with an earthy honeyed sweetness. Sourced from Alberta. A nice, pleasing sampler.
A rare bottle from 1988 from the dusty shelf of our very own Lee Snetsinger. Great presentation! Sweetness from the port finish is apparent, along with vanilla and oak notes. A great opportunity to taste a unique Speysider.
April’s second selection – a hefty 60% cask strength! Formerly available in the LCBO at $109.65.
A double-header March Speyside tasting rounded out with another novel distillery to the Club. Tamdhu Single Cask, distilled in 2004 and bottled in 2018, was another great example of a little-known distillery that can pack a punch. This bottle is 1 of only 317. Adding a little water to this dram did change it significantly – thanks to “Ben” for that “magical” post-it note tip, and Club member Lee for sacrificing this one to the cause! A lovely taster with lots of dried fruit, raisins, apricots, jam and of course, toasty sherry.
Another first-timer for Club Expensive Taste. An interesting sampler with a lovely bright straw (natural) colour. Light and fruity, grape-forward, certain vanilla, with a hit of spice on the end. A delicate and appealing combination. 43%, hogshead maturation and a very appealing price point at only $100 with shipping from out-of-country. Glad we broadened the horizons with this little rarity.
