Scotch Whisky Observations

[2Beers]

I owe the Hubby a bottle of the 18 year Macallan, although now he has the 12 year to keep him content. It is to celebrate our making it thru our motorcycle accident and after all the b#$ s&^* paperwork was done. So he's gently reminding me that I need to put it on the grocery list.

[Boomer]

That lucky guy! Too bad you had to live thru a motorcycle accident, but that 18 year is worth every penny.

I'd just get it and be done with it

[Boomer]

Just a few notes on The Balvenie 12 year from my initial observations Friday night.



This is called a "Doublewood" - meaning it aged in two different cask types in the 12 year aging process. My first observation on smell is it seemed a bit "warmer" and not as fruity as some of the other single malts. Almost no "peat" aroma at all, a bit more smoky, and a lot more spicey than the other malts. The taste is a bit stronger than The Balvenie 15 year, more spicey, and much more smoky. I did not taste any of the sherry cask, though, which may be a product of what cask it aged in last. Taste is most affected by what type of cask it ages in the longest, or last. A very warm malt, but not so warm as to have to choke it down. Although not quite as smooth as their other malts, this is a great drinking malt for a relaxing evening, or even a cold winter night to warm up with. Very tasty and aromatic!

[NWoBHM]

Nice photo Boomer. I read somewhere, that the single most expensive cost in whiskey manufacture is the packaging. Presumably they mean direct manufacturing cost and not overhead - but an interesting statistic to bore people with.

[Boomer]

For scotch, an inviting color can be just as inviting as taste and smell. Some whiskies will hide their color with a differently colored bottle, or run labels all over the bottle hiding the elixir from an inviting eye. I tend to prefer a distillery that isn't afraid to show off its color, because the ones that do can't be all that good. In effect - less is more.

Thanks for the compliment! I took that on New Years Eve thinking I'd be having a wee dram or two that night but changed my mind at the last minute.

[NWoBHM]

I know many people whom if they open a single malt - then they cannot stop until they have finished it.

So they dont have it in their houses as they know their weaknesses - must be miserable being a slave to something like that.

I saw a Macallan once down at Dartmouth - it must have been special as it was £250 - YIKES!!

[Boomer]

That particular vintage of Macallan was probably the 21 year or 30 year - and those bottles are ones some folks will to their kids!!! Those are indeed special. So special I am hoping for one of those for my birthday!

I know more than a few people who are like that. I never could understand that. Even in my younger days when bourbon and cheap whiskey were rampant, I never could drink that much. Since I have been into single malt, I find a glass or two on a Friday night is about all I could want. Anything more and you're just kidding yourself. I still have my bottle of Balvenie 15 year that I bought 3 years ago. Its about half gone, but elixir such as this is meant to be savored, not guzzled!

[NWoBHM]

Boomer - I was reading in my Sunday newspaper of and to quote - "Worship the great cheiftain of the pudding race in style by washing down your Burns Night haggis (or washing out your mouth if you re English) with this, The Dalmore Eos, a 59 -year -old sherry casked malt encased in a blown glass decanter. Any Scots who live up the stereotype of being careful with their cash should look away now - it`s £15,000."

I guess you drink it on bended knew and head bowed in reverance - still it does look the dogs undercarriage doesnt it?

Available at http://www.thedalmore.com/eos

[Boomer]

Lets set the record straight. Cute as the bottle is, I do NOT have 15,000 pounds or $25,000 for that. Second - I do NOT do haggis. It would most likely take about TWO bottles of that particular mouthwash just to get the haggis taste out of my craw. Last - the only way I am getting on bended knee is if I fall down. Nothing is THAT good.

At that price, the decanter alone better be hand made crystal. I'd be interested in the article though!

[2Beers]

My Hubby say that there is a saying that goes "If you have to ask how much, you can't afford it". His comments on the mouth wash " For that $$ it's a complete new Beemer for the garage, a nice GS or RT with farkles and fuel".