Review: Glenmorangie Astar (2017)

Glenmorangie Astar is back on the market after a few years. It is essentially a high proof version of the beautifully delicate Glenmorangie Original. The distillery uses only ex-bourbon casks from specially selected slow-growth, American oak trees from the Ozarks. They are very picky about wood, if you haven’t noticed.

Where Glenmorangie Original carries a ten year age statement, Astar does not. What this whisky lacks in an age statement it than makes up in a fullness of flavor delivered at 52.5% ABV versus Original’s 43% ABV.

The nose features delicate aromas in a slightly robust way, with hints of vanilla bean, light toffee, coconut macaroons, and a sprinkling of nutmeg. The palate is creamy with hints of whipped vanilla creme. Splashes of mild spices, toasted oak, honey and light fruits soon develop. The finish is clean, but warming, driven by spiced vanilla and lightly roasted coffee bean.

This is everything we love about Glenmorangie Original turned up to 10. The higher proof delivers those flavors in a more concentrated way. It doesn’t come across as young, so those with a penchant for dismissing non age statement whiskies should rethink their stance here. Highly recommended! 8.5/10

Glenmorangie.com

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

Review: Uncle Nearest 1856 Whiskey

As we move forward into the future, it is important not to forget our past. After all, the past is what shaped our present. The whiskey industry has taken that creedo to heart. Countless whiskies are named after their founders or important figures in the history of the spirit here in America.

One in particular stands out as of late – Uncle Nearest 1856 Premium Whiskey. It’s a tribute to Nathan Green, a name you might not be familiar with. Nathan, who went by the name Nearest, was the man who taught a young Jack Daniel how to make whiskey back in the mid-1800s. That’s important enough, but what makes this story special is that Nathan Green was African-American. CBS News produced a great piece on the story, which I highly encourage you to watch.

As for the whiskey itself, it is distilled in Tennessee, maple charcoal filtered, and bottled at 100 proof. There is no age statement on the label, but the website states the whiskey is aged for a minimum of seven years. The producers of Uncle Nearest 1856 utilize two unnamed Tennessee distilleries. The SRP is $59.95. Though the brand is growing, as of the writing of this post the whiskey’s only available in select markets.

The nose is rather robust, thanks to the whiskey’s high proof. Hints of caramelized sugar, peach, vanilla, orange peel and minerals fly out of the glass. Taste-wise, Uncle Nearest stays in the same area as its nose. Candied stone fruits and flint sit on a bed of sweet maple wood. Some spice, cinnamon stick especially, pops up mid-palate. The long finish sees that spice intensify and introduce semi-sweet barrel char.

If I was a betting man, I’d say Uncle Nearest is sourcing whiskey from Jack Daniel’s and George Dickel. The former because of Green’s impact on the brand’s founder. The latter because of the slight minerality found in the whiskey, something I usually associate with Dickel.

Uncle Nearest 1856 Premium whiskey is an enjoyable pour. Its maple charcoal filtering smooths the rough edges, making the whiskey drink more like 90 proof than 100 proof. The whiskey’s stone fruits and minerality really stand out compared to others I’ve tasted, making Uncle Nearest’s flavor profile somewhat unique. Unique, though not utterly complex. That’s not necessarily a bad thing. The more complex a whiskey, the more time you should spend dissecting aromas, flavors and the way those notes evolve. Sometimes you just want to relax with a pour of nice whiskey. For those occasions, Uncle Nearest fits the bill. 8/10

unclenearest.com

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

My Favorite Whiskies of 2017

In my reflection of the past 12 months, I commend the whiskey industry for another year of wonderful whiskies. The majority of what I sampled in 2017 was generally pretty solid. Sure, there were a few duds, but a handful of whiskies really stood out. What follows are releases that have stuck with me this year. While they aren’t necessarily the highest rated here on the blog, the whiskies have brought the most enjoyment while tasting after their reviews were posted. There were some releases that weren’t included here, like Laphroaig Cairdeas, Tyrconnell 16-year-old, Knob Creek 25th Anniversary and Elijah Craig Barrel Proof. I thoroughly enjoyed these but haven’t had the chance to go back and revisit.

Before we get to the list, I’d like to end by sharing a couple of things. First, the most viewed post on the blog this year, for the second year in a row, was Jim Beam Black Label. It shows that not everybody is spending hundreds of dollars on bottles of whiskey. One of my goals for 2018 is to feature more affordable whiskies.

Lastly, people always ask me about my favorite whiskey. I simply don’t have one. It’s like asking a parent about their favorite child. Instead, I’ll share with you the whiskey I drank the most of this year – Knob Creek, neat. No ice. No water. Just good ole bourbon. It always hit the spot.

I want to thank each of you for another wonderful year. I’m looking forward to the year ahead. On that note, have a safe and happy new year. Cheers!

FAVORITE BOURBONS

PARKER’S HERITAGE COLLECTION – Simply put, this bourbon is flawless. One of my Top 3 releases of the year.

BARRELL BOURBON BATCH 012 – It’s been a great year for Barrell, but this 9-year-old bourbon fired on all cylinders.

GEORGE T. STAGG – I know, why put a bourbon that’s so difficult to find on a year-end list? I enjoyed it that much, and this is only after two pours.

BOOKER’S BATCH 2017-04 – One of the best batches of the generally consistent Booker’s of the last couple of years.

FAVORITE RYE WHISKIES

MICHTER’S TOASTED BARREL FINISH RYE – Loads of richness and spice. The toasted barrel finish elevated an already strong rye into the stratosphere.

MINOR CASE RYE – A 2-year-old rye on this list? I’m as surprised as you are, but the skillful hands (and palates) of the folks at Limestone Branch Distillery have crafted a beautiful sherry cask finish to the sourced rye whiskey. It’s good, folks!

A MIDWINTER NIGHTS DRAM – If ever there was a perfect Christmas whiskey, this would be it. This year’s was as good as ever.

FAVORITE BLENDED WHISKY

JOHNNIE WALKER BLUE LABEL GHOST AND RARE – A luscious blend crafted primarily around whiskies from Brora and closed distilleries, Ghost and Rare stayed with me long after the glass was empty. In my Top 3 releases of 2017.

FAVORITE SINGLE MALTS

HIGHLAND PARK FULL VOLUME – The distillery takes a side step away from its sherry-cask maturation for a release that used exclusively ex-bourbon casks. Absolutely love what they’ve achieved with this release.

BRORA 38-YEAR-OLD – Technically this was released in 2016, but I didn’t taste it until this year, hence the inclusion in this list. An amazingly elegant expression from the closed (but soon-to-be reopened) distillery. The last of my top 3 whiskies of the last year.

LAGAVULIN 1991 SINGLE CASK – As brilliant a release as 2016’s Lagavulin 25-year-old.