February 2017 - whiskytanuki

Aultmore 22 Year Old (SMWS 73.69 – Dark Side Eclipsed by Sweet Joys)

February 25, 2017October 17, 2017 whiskytanuki Leave a comment

Aultmore 22 Year Old (SMWS 73.69 – Dark Side Eclipsed by Sweet Joys)

I was suggested to review before looking up the distillery code and cask info, which is what I would be doing below!

[The info will be filled up after my tasting notes]

Region: Speyside
ABV: 52.9%
E150: No
Chill-filtered: No

Colour: Light gold

Nose: Right off the bat, sherry cask! Strawberry jam, orange peel, red cherry, raisin, toffee, glazed roast duck (is this the roast duck dram? That I’ve read about?), cocoa powder, oak, baking spice.

Palate: Strawberry jam, sweet malt, cereal, nuts, espresso, ginger, cola.

Finish: Long and spicy, ginger, pepper, oak tannins, mineral water.

Score: 87/100

My guess: 18-20 Year old, refill sherry cask, Speyside/Highland malt?
After looking up: Aultmore 22Y, 52.9%, Refill sherry butt.

Schroder & Schyler Margaux Private Reserve 1982

February 24, 2017 whiskytanuki Leave a comment

Schroder & Schyler Margaux Private Reserve 1982

Schroder & Schyler own’s the famous Margaux third growth winery – Chateau Kirwan, and this is their “Private Reserve label”, which other than Margaux they also produce a Medoc and Saint-Emilion variant. This particular wine is made from 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, and 10% Cabernet Franc. Bottled at 12% ABV.

Colour: Medium-tawny core, light red rim.

Nose: Clean nose, worn leather, dust, plum, red currant, dark cherry, touch of spice, faint liquorice.

Palate: Dry, medium- body, medium- acidity, low-medium tannis, dusty plum, red raspberry, cured meat, touch herbal.

Finish: Medium long finish, faint suggestion of dried chili pepper.

Score: 81/100
Do note I score tighter than the average

The top part of the cork didn’t look alright, but after carefully inserting my corkpops needle into the cork via a lot of twisting and fiddling, the cork appears to be fine below.
Surprisingly it’s still alive, got some decent notes from it, but it’s definitely way past it’s prime, doesn’t have the powerful complexity of the more modern Margaux I’ve tried, and this is no match to Chateau Margaux 1982 for obvious reasons. Still have a bottle of Chateau Margaux 1982, will open that in the future and post notes.

Masi Campofiorin 2013

February 16, 2017 whiskytanuki Leave a comment

Masi Campofiorin 2013

A very popular wine in Masi’s lineup, also I believe it’s one of their cheapest? Let’s dive in!

Left in the glass for an hour before consumption.

Colour: Deep ruby core

Nose: Clean nose, intense black cherries, red cherries, red currant, touch of oak and spice.

Palate: Dry, medium-bodied, high acidity, medium- tannins, juicy red cherries, plums.

Finish: Medium finish, plums and touch of pepper.

Score:74/100

–Note my scores are tighter than average.

Very solid wine, the nose is very pleasant with waves of sweet red fruits. The high acidity of this wine is mouthwatering, giving the impression of juicy fruits and a touch of spice on the palate. Lacks complexity, at this price point I would be much happier shopping for wines like San Vincenti Chianti Classico 2012 which happens to be slightly cheaper as well.

The wine drinks well on its own or with food such as steak or grilled sausages, and pizza. Great for those looking for something that is easy-drinking.

Macallan Cask Strength 58.4%

February 16, 2017October 17, 2017 whiskytanuki Leave a comment

Macallan Cask Strength 58.4%

Region: Speyside
ABV: 58.4%
E150: No
Chill-filtered: No

Container: Spiegelau Whisky Snifter

Colour:Mahogany

Nose: Sharp ethanol, rich stewed red fruits, walnuts, biscuit, raisins, milk chocolate, candied orange, strawberry, plum.

Palate: Raisins, cinnamon, ginger, orange, red fruit jam, toffee, stewed plums.

Finish: Long finish, lingering cinnamon, ginger, strawberry, oak, and oak tannins.

Score: 89/100

The Macallan CS is an exceptional sherry bomb, which I think was last sold for about $80CAD which would be a steal. It’s a tad pungent on the nose, and a tad too hot for 58.4% on the palate. But it’s complex with waves of red fruits, and nutty chocolate notes on the nose. Part from the usual red fruits, it’s also loaded with spices, especially ginger, with a drying finish.

Can’t imagine this is the same distillery that bottles such amazing whisky, but at the same time introduce us with tier not-good-at-all colour series. This leaves me wanting to try out some older Macallan Single Casks.

Chateau Saint-Arnaud Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 1993

February 14, 2017 whiskytanuki Leave a comment

Chateau Saint-Arnaud Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 1993

Left breathing for 1 hour.

Colour: Tawny, clear core.

Nose: Initially closed up, showing cured meat, leather, touch of black fruits. After an hour, the nose opened up, with aromas of plums, liquorice, cherries, and a faint hint of vanilla.

Palate: Dry, medium+ acidity, fine grainy tannins, plums, sour cherries, touch of old wood.

Finish: Short to medium finish, sour cherries and touch of oak.

Score: 70/100

Always interesting diving into older wines, 1993 isn’t a good vintage for Saint-Emilion, and this wine is showing that. Definitely past it’s prime, the nose is what you expect from old Bordeaux, the palate falls short on the simple side.

Bowmore 18 Year Old, SMWS 3.270 (18 Year Old “Surf ‘n turf in a camel’s saddle bag”)

February 9, 2017October 17, 2017 whiskytanuki Leave a comment

Bowmore 18 Year Old

Region: Islay
ABV: 43%
E150: Yes
Chill-filtered: Yes

Container: Glencairn Neat

Colour: Amber

Nose: Caramel, brine, raspberry, light peat, citrus, floral, creamy corn.

Palate: Peat, oak, vanilla, creamy corn, light ash, red fruits, touch mineral.

Finish: Short finish, oak, earth, mineral water, cough syrup, touch of spice.

Score: 80/100

Surprisingly decent, had the 12 before and wasn’t a fan. Although I enjoy their Tempest and Laimrig. The finish is definitely the weak point, just as I was about to detect more flavour, it just disappears all together. I blame the 43% ABV.

Bowmore 18 Year Old 1997 (SMWS 3.270 “Surf ‘n turf in a camel’s saddle bag”)

Region: Islay
ABV: 55.8%
E150: No
Chill-filtered: No
Cask type: Refill Sherry Butt

Container: Glencairn Neat

Colour: Amber

Nose: Strawberry, raisins, Chinese plum sauce, caramel, ash, faint rubber, leather, cocoa.

Palate: Ash, peat, black tea, ginger, caramel, apple skin, plums.

Finish: Long finish, smoke, oak, baking spice, red fruits, touch of mineral during in the end.

Score: 87/100

Rather different from the Bowmore I’ve tried, the sherry cask is shining through, while maintaining balance with the ashy peat, sweetness along with ash and spice. Looking forward to try out more Bowmore IB in the future!

Not a fair game for the OB 18 Year Old, the 3.270 is miles ahead in terms of complexity and presentation, probably should’ve reviewed them separately.

Tintonegro Malbec Uco Valley 2012

February 9, 2017 whiskytanuki Leave a comment

Tintonegro Malbec 2012

Very affordable wine from Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina. Let’s see how it goes.

Colour: Medium+ purple core

Nose: Clean nose, liquorice, very fruit forward, blackberries, blueberries, black cherries, and a touch of oak.

Palate: Dry, medium-body, medium+ acidity, medium+ soft tannins, ripe dark fruits, plums, well integrated oak.

Finish: Medium finish, plums, oak.

Score: 78/100

Very good malbec, not overly ripe, decent complexity, paired with canjun chicken after the review, solid buy for $18CAD.

NOTE: I score tighter than the average, and price isn’t part of the consideration.

Chateau de la Maltroye Chassagne-Montrachet 2014, Roux Pere & Fils Les Valozieres Aloxe-Corton 2013, Paolo Scavino Bric del Fiasc Barolo 2011, Ulysses Cabernet Sauvignon 2012

February 9, 2017 whiskytanuki Leave a comment

Château de la Maltroye Chassagne-Montrachet Morgeot 1er Cru 2014

Colour: Pale lemon

Nose: Clean nose, mineral, peach, pineapple, citrus, white flower.

Palate: Dry, full bodied, high acidity, citrus, pineapple, mineral.

Finish: Long finish, mineral and pineapple.

Score: 75+/100

On the simple side, aside from the long finish, nothing special.

Roux Père & Fils Les Valozières Aloxe-Corton 1er Cru 2013

Colour: Light purple core

Nose: Clean nose, cedar, cherry, strawberry, raspberry, floral, touch of smoke.

Palate: Dry, medium body, high acidity, low tannins, raspberry, salt, mineral, sour cherry, pepper.

Finish: Medium finish, raspberry, cherry, touch of oak.

Score: 80+/100

Lacks layers of complexity of a great burgundy.

Paolo Scavino Bric dël Fiasc Barolo 2011

Colour: Medium purple core

Nose: Clean nose, black tea, banana, light red fruits, floral, touch of earthiness.

Palate: Dry, medium+ body high acidity, full tannins, raspberry, sour cherries, blackberries, well integrated oak, touch of spice.

Finish: Medium+ finish, red fruits, oak.

Score: 86+/100

Classic Barolo on the nose, drinking quite well now but will definitely improve in the next 5-15 years.

Ulysses Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2012

Colour: Dark purple core

Nose: Clean nose, liquorice, black currant, bell pepper, black currant leaf, black cherry, raspberry, mineral.

Palate: Dry, full body, full grippy tannins. Black currant, blackberries, raspberries, liquorice, well integrated oak, floral, pepper.

Finish: Long finish, black fruits, oak, and a touch of spice.

Score: 84+/100

Classic Napa cab sauv, showing great depth, great refinement. Wouldn’t pay $275CAD asking price for it.

**Do note I score tighter than average, and price isn’t part of the considering for scoring.

Conclusion: Burgundy and Napa over priced as usual, and there are better Barolo for less.

Benrinnes 13 Year Old 1998 (Cask: 6868) A.D. Rattray Cask Collection

February 6, 2017April 2, 2018 whiskytanuki Leave a comment

Region: Speyside
ABV: 56.8%
E150: No
Chill-filtered: No
Cask type: Sherry Butt

One of 270 Bottles

Container: Glencairn Neat

Colour: Amber

Nose: Raisins, prunes, dried dates, vanilla, pine, oak, hint of nutmeg.

Palate: A bit hot on the palate. Strawberry, cherry syrup, red fruit jam sweetness, touch of minty coolness, dark chocolate, oak, pepper, ginger, oak.

Finish: Long lingering finish, pepper, ginger, oak, mineral.

Score: 88/100

Very surprising for a 13 year old, certainly got some heat on the palate. Surprising amount of oak influence, I am almost certain it was a PX Sherry cask due to how syrupy it was on the nose. Rather complex on the palate at the same time a bit dry, getting spicy towards the end. Overall a very good cask, and very reasonably priced.

Macallan 15 1992 Murray McDavid

February 5, 2017April 2, 2018 whiskytanuki Leave a comment

Macallan 15 1992 Murray McDavid

Bottled for Chateau Louis in Edmonton, AB, Canada

Region: Speyside
ABV: 46%
E150: No
Chill-filtered: No
Cask Type: Refill Sherry

Container: Glencairn Neat

Colour: Gold

Nose: Touch of pungent ethanol, cocoa, orange peel, baking spice, ginger, icing sugar, apple, light strawberry note.

Palate: Malt, oak , touch of caramel, cocoa powder, ginger, pepper, mineral.

Finish: Long, lingering malt, oak, and pepper.

Score: 77/100

Overall kind of disappointed, perhaps the refill sherry cask isn’t doing the justice, was hoping for a slightly bumped up Macallan 12 with extra proof and un-chill-filtered. The nose is a bit pungent for 46%, not too bad got some basic sherry notes. The palate is rather simple, more malty and oaky than sherry.