Buffalo Trace Bourbon

The nose on this Buffalo Trace Single Barrel (#170) shows salvos of vanilla, cut timber, rugelach and apples baked with honey, cinnamon and granola; it is very deep, interlaced and tantalizing. The flavors are broad, rich, evocative and spicy-- replete with a myriad of subtleties – caramel glazed brown bread sweetened with molassess and baked with raisins, plumcots, peaches, apple and a complex array of baking spice thrown in . . . delectable. The finish is where the wood nuances are revealed; Corn and rye show themselves (in the intricate fade) to be responsible for these large and
fantastic flavors of grain, spice, vanilla and caramelized fruit. This Barrel was picked by, and for Hi-Time Wine Cellars, but this Bourbon consistently delivers whether it be a single barrel offering or the normal offering, it has not disappointed me ever! Have this whiskey neat, with ice, or in a cocktail--like:
Cheerio Cocktail


1 1/2 oz bourbon
3/4 oz orange curacao
1/4 oz maraschino liqueur

Stir in mixing glass with ice & strain
Serve in a cocktail glass (garnish with a brandied cherry)

Hey i just noticed a cool contest at Buffalo Trace Saloon (oh yeah contests!):

Buffalo Trace Derby Big Shot Weekend - Chance to win an all expense paid trip to the Kentucky Derby and the Buffalo Trace Saloon! Registration for this actually ends April 1st 2010!

Redbreast 12 Year Old Pure Pot Still

Redbreast is a truly wonderful example of uniquely Irish Whiskey. 'Pure Pot Still' is a method that is utilized only in Ireland; what it is, is Malted Barley blended with un-malted Barley to achieve the mash (the grain base for fermentation). The flavors of 'Pure Pot Still' are more vegetal and herbaceous than 'Single Malt' (100% Malted Barely) because of the un-converted starches in the un-malted Barley.
Redbreast is a perfectly articulated demonstration of this style of Whiskey.
The nose has huge baking spices, brown bread, caramel and soft tree fruit. Some of the flavors that come through are pancake grain, maple, leather, vanilla, butterscotch and dried fruit. The finish just lasts for what seems like a glorious forever showing anise and fudges to fade into soft fruit and call you for another sip.

Want more Irish Whiskey? They are here . . .

Paddy's Irish Whiskey

Another new Irish Whiskey?? Well no, this one has been around a while (although un-available in the US for around a decade). The good news-- it is here now. The bad news-- it is only here for a couple months.

Originally known as Cork Distillery Company Old Irish Whiskey, Paddy was first produced in 1789 (name changed to Paddy in 1912). In 1881 the company hired a young local named Paddy Flaherty as a salesman. If you crossed paths with him, he made sure you tried some of his whiskey. Soon every customer was calling and requesting "Paddy Flaherty's whiskey". This went on until 1912 when the distillery officially renamed it. This whiskey has been away from the US for a long time, and we are glad to have it back. Aromas of soft vanilla caramel with hints of light grains and persimmon resolve on the palate entry that is smooth, brisk and clean-- this whiskey is delicate finesse. The finish is smooth, crisp and short with a tiny touch of spice at the end. Try this any way you can think of—it will work.

You want more Irish Whiskey, well then it is here . . ..

John L. Sullivan-- Irish Whiskey

Here we a brand new Whiskey named after John L Sullivan who is recognized as the last heavyweight champion of bare-knuckle boxing and the first heavyweight champion of gloved boxing a title he held from Feb 7, 1881 through 1892. To get to the Whiskey, the scents are tart and fresh with corn scents some honey and citrus zest. The flavors are bold and vibrant revealing sapid spices at play with citrus and malt subtleties. The mouth-feel is oily and lingers with tenacious gusto. The finish is long and shows a generous restatement of the flavors. Like it's name sake, this whiskey packs a punch and it comes out a winner over and over again. Try this one on ice, in a high-ball or a tasty adult beverage.

i hate to cave into packaging but this a really cool bottle and the whiskey is nice too.

Find more Irish Whiskey here . . ..

Connemara Cask Strength

The Connemara Cask Strength arrogates the heart and soul of peated Irish Single Malt with astonishing polish. Nosing exposes peat smoke, cedar, fennel, dried flowers, light anise, and pipe tobacco. The mouth feel is full and rich, leading off on a huge burst of peat smoke and quickly evolving with soft oak, orange zest, nutmeg, cinnamon, caramelized honey, cedar, cocoa, dried fruits and a hint of basil. The finish is pleasantly oily with salt, peat and soft fruits lingering and clinging. This is complex, unique, superior whiskey. Enjoy it neat or with a splash of water whenever you find a chance to sit back and contemplate all this whiskey offers (revelations in each taste and an after taste that dawdles endlessly).

i have reviewed Connemara 12 here. . . and other Irish Whiskey here . . ..

Connemara 12

Connemara is a totally unusual Irish Whiskey. Where most Irish is un-peated, triple distilled blends-- Connemara is fully peated, double distilled, Single Malt Whiskey. Leave it to those innovative Irish Pioneers at the Cooley Distillery (Malt Advocates Distillery of the Year!) they are always up to something crazy and it is always delicious! When nosed the whiskey shows smoke, cider, flowers, light anise tones, and sweet pipe tobacco. The mouth-feel is full and rich with soft oak (warmed honey, cedar and vanilla), fruit leather and just the slightest hint of basil. The finish is very pleasant with mists of salt, peat and cherries that lingers and is complex. This, like all of the Cooley Whiskeys, is an amazing whiskey-- especially for the peat lover in the house.

The review of the Cask Strength is here . . . and more Irish Whiskey reviews here . . .

Jameson 12 Year Old

Triple distilled grain (corn) and Pure Pot Still spirit (a mix of Malted and Un-Malted Barley) is aged in Oloroso Sherry and Bourbon casks for 12 years then carefully blended to become this exceptional offering from Jameson--Special Reserve. The nose shows the sherry right out of the gate--clean, nutty, honeyed, leathery raisins--followed by crisp grains and bold-rich Pure Pot Still. The flavors begin there then fill out to include greengage plums, apricots, filberts and subtle warming spice. The finish is long and complex with assertive sherry tones that build into white pepper with cocoa, dryish oak and toasty vanilla. This is a full bodied, oily example of great Irish Whiskey. Enjoy this neat, or 'Irish style' with 1 ice cube.

Here are some more Irish Whiskey reviews. . .

Tyrconnell 10 Year Port Wood Finish

This glorious example of Irish Single Malt is finished in a Port cask after being double distilled and aged for 10 years in American Oak. Tyrconnell Port finish leads with aromas of wild strawberry, currants, tea, elegant tropical fruit and herbs. It is incredibly opulent with exultant malt tones and limpid oak spice to create an irresistible call to relish. Replete and contiguous flavors are copious, seductive and elaborate, beginning with supple ripe fruit ( apricot, Black Currant, straw dried sultanas, mango, fig and strawberry ), moving to candied ginger, baking chocolate, dry-roasted nut, delicate spice and malty malt. The finish lightly modulates through each of the manifold nuances patiently, with finesse and grace leaving only a saporous invocation for another taste. This whiskey is recherché- each sip is a new bliss. Savor this neat or with water and plenty of time to enjoy all of its glory.

i reviewed the original Tyrconell here . . . also the exquisite Madeira finish here . . . and other terrific Irish Whiskey here . . ..

Bushmills 21 Year Single Malt

This is an excellent example of finespun, well crafted Irish Single Male. This delicious whiskey began as 100% malted Barley, it is fermented into a low-wine and then distilled 3 times before beginning an elaborate aging process. First it is aged separately in bourbon and Oloroso sherry casks for at least 19 Years; then these well heeled spirits are married together into a Madeira cask to 'finish' the spirit for an additional 2 years. The resulting whiskey provide a lifted, fruit perfume filled nose, soft and pulpy, apricot yogurt, toffee, chocolate and berries with oats, sugar and cream. Palate starts sweet and juicy, some nuttiness, treacle, cocoa, toffee again and subtle grains. The flavor begin with apricot and end up with redcurrant or cherry with all of this articulated marzipan, nuts and brittle in the middle. It maintains a precarious, and glorious balance to finishes with a very light smokiness and mixed oak tones mingled with fruit.

Also i have reviewed Black Bush here . . . and other Irish Whiskey here . . ..

Kilbeggan 15 Year Old

To continue on our treatments of Irish Whiskey i happily present:
A tremendous 15 year-old, small batch, limited edition whiskey bottled to celebrate the 250th anniversary of Kilbeggan distillery. To make it even more special, a lovely decanter holds the gift of this gorgeous whiskey. The nose is creamy like an apple custard with wonderful spices backing it up and lucullan honey sweetness lifting it out of the glass. The flavors range from sweet stewed fruits and vanilla tones that flatter the rich malt nuances to vivid mineral and spice that bring vibrant warmth. On the finish, hints of toffee and treacle emerge amidst the lingering toasty oak ribaldry-- this is an excellent whiskey that is a joy to drink neat, or even with a little ice.

i also reviewed the delicious, value priced, standard offering of Kilbeggan here . . . and more wonderful Irish Whiskey here . . ..

Tyrconnell

This Irish Single Malt is friendly and courteous. On first sniff there is easy oranges, and casual inviting oak tones. The flavors unfolding on the palate are neat, and clear; they hint at tasty honeyed soft fruit-- pears, peaches, golden apples -- in their essence, without cloying sweetness. Then The Tyrconnell finishes with more elegant oak twisted up with the malt to make a lingering finale with a creamy vanilla popping in to show off. The bottle say it perfectly: "Fresh malty bouquet, smooth sweet taste, delicate dry finish".


i also reviewed the exquisite Madeira finish here . . . and more wonderful Irish Whiskey here . . ..

Greenore 8

Since St Patric's day is coming up i thought it would be nice to show off some Irish Whiskey. So to start off a string of reviews here it is:Greenore Single Grain is yet another unparalleled product from Cooley Distillery (winners of Malt Advocate's Distillery of the Year). Distilled from maize/corn and aged in American oak, it is the ONLY Single Grain Whiskey available from Ireland. This month we are going to enjoy the 8 Year old. The aromas are nuanced—sumptuous—inviting--elegant: Soft vanilla, green apple, corn, white tea, lemon and toasty grains. These clean, fresh smells fall lightly onto your palate in a finespun, oily mouth-feel with flavors of vanilla, marchpane or crème caramel mingled with fruitier tones like an apple or lemon bouchee; preposterously enjoyable to drink. The finish lingers, showing finally some warm baking spices to clean up the palate and insist on another drink.

i also reviewed the 15 year old here . . ..

If you are looking for some more Irish write ups, they are here. . ..

There are plenty more to come!!!

Rhum JM and a drinky . . .

Last night my lover and i were watching Bogart & Bacall movies and it got me in the mood for some classic 'styled' cocktails with Rhum Agricole. So i reached for my Rhum JM Eleve Sous Bois-Gold Rhum, frankly this is wonderful Rhum.

On the nose there are tight tropical and ripe exotic fruits (papaya, dried mango, quince, persimmon, dried pineapple)> The flavors are grassy slightly sweet and deeply enjoyable. i love this stuff and it hurts (a little) to put it in a drink, but you have to follow Le Muse...
The drink is a lovely juxtaposition of fruit tones with a bitter back note that is really quite refreshing. i present to you:

Hotel Marquis

60ml Rhum JM (2oz)
25ml Aperol (3/4oz+a dash)
10ml Lemon Juice (1/3oz)
Shake with ice until chilled
strain into chilled cocktail glass,
express oils of, and
garnish with lemon zest