Reviews

Crown Royal Virtual Tasting

I recently presented a virtual tasting on YouTube with Crown Royal National Brand Ambassador Stephen Wilson.  In addition to a brief history of the brand, we taste through some of Crown Royal’s blends: Deluxe, Black, Reserve and the limited edition Cornerstone Blend.

So, grab a glass of your favorite Crown Royal, sit back, and enjoy!

Four Roses OBSF Single Barrel Bourbon Review (Maisano’s bottled 12-08-16)

Photo courtesy of Maisano’s

Last December, I took a ride over to Ocean Springs, Mississippi for one of my semi-regular visits to Maisano’s Fine Wine & Spirits.  I’m always interested in what single barrel store picks owner Jonathan Maisano has in stock.  I picked up a bottle of his store pick 1792 Full Proof while I was there.  Before I left, he gave me a tiny sample of his next Four Roses Single Barrel pick  – a 9 year, 9 month old 118 proof OBSF.

I asked him to let me know when the bottle was hitting shelves, as I’d like to post short piece about the release.  So, as you’re reading this post, 114 bottles are currently hitting the shelves at Maisano’s for about $60 each.  That’s the barrel yield.  Not a lot to go around.  

Being an OBSF recipe, this Four Roses is spicy!  Cardamon and cinnamon lead the nose, alongside hints of caramel, red fruits, and oak.  Taste-wise, oak spice is a major player here.  Underneath lies a bed of creamy caramel.  The bourbon opens up to reveal ripe tree fruits and vanilla, with a touch of spearmint.  The finish is long, leaving a warm, satisfying cinnamon-topped vanilla creme.

Four Roses store picks generally don’t disappoint, and this one is no exception.  I tend to like the spicier “B” recipes from the distillery.  Great barrel pick from Jonathan.  8.5/10

Thanks to Maisano’s for the sample.  As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Lagavulin 1991 Single Cask Whisky Review

lagavulin-1991_bottle-and-box

Image courtesy: Diageo

In 1816, Lagavulin began legally distilling whisky on Islay.  Two hundred years later, the distillery released three limited edition whiskies to celebrate their important bicentennial.  First a lovely 8-year-old Lagavulin hit the market, a ode to the whisky famed writer Alfred Bernard tasted when he visited the distillery in the late 1800s.  Then a tribute to Lagavulin’s distillery managers was bestowed among us, an exquisitely crafted 25-year-old Lagavulin that was matured exclusively in ex-sherry casks.  It turned out to be my favorite whisky of 2016.

Now, the third and final 200th anniversary release of Lagavulin is a single cask bottling, distilled in 1991.  It’s the rarest of the three releases, with only 522 bottles available.  It’s also the priciest, costing roughly $1860 a bottle.  The best part?  In a classy move, Lagavulin owner Diageo is donating all proceeds from this release to various Islay charities.

This Lagavulin bottling won’t be available in stores.  You have to head over to The Whiskey Exchange and sign up for a lottery by February 12th, so go there now if you’re interested.  Entrants will be picked randomly for a chance to buy a bottle. 

Still undecided?  Trust me, it’s a killer.  The nose on this cask strength beauty (52.7%) is full of juicy tropical fruit (especially pineapple), campfire smoke, toasted barley, and burnt orange peel, with hints of dried fruit and leather in the background. A little airtime reveals lovely toffee notes.  The palate is quite the stunning kaleidoscope of flavors.  An initial burst of citrus and brown sugar lend to slightly tame peat smoke, mulled wine, spice and some herbs.  “Beef brisket slow cooked over a wood fire” paints a rough picture.  Soon after, hints of leather, sherried fruit and oak spice show through.  The long, satisfying finish has smoked sherried fruits, followed by slightly astringent oak tannins and a final refreshing mint note.

Like I said, killer.  Not everyday Lagavulin releases a single cask whisky.  Fans of the distillery with deep pockets won’t want to miss this soon-to-be legendary whisky.  To those of you who end up lucky enough to own a bottle, for the love of whatever you consider holy, open this whisky and revel in its aromas and flavors.  Remember, whisky is meant to be enjoyed, not stared at.

9.5/10

Thanks to Lagavulin for the sample!  As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own.