Johnnie Walker Blender’s Batch Triple Grain American Oak Blended Whisky Review

New from Casa de Walker is the limited edition Triple Grain American Oak.  It’s the third entry in the Johnnie Walker’s experimental Blender’s Batch series, and first released here in the U.S. The Triple Grain American Oak (TGAO) is made up of three grain whiskies (wheat, barley, and corn) including some from Port Dundas, and two malt whiskies from the Cardu and Mortlach distilleries.  The whiskies here are at least 10 years old, and have matured in American oak casks.  

This blend is said to be inspired by Master Blender Jim Beveridge’s interest in American whiskies.  The last new Johnnie Walker expression I tried, Select Casks Rye Cask Finish, also tried to cater to the American whiskey drinker.  I really enjoyed that blend.  I’d love to see rye whiskey barrels used more in Scotland.  Johnnie Walker TGAO is bottled at 41.3% abv and can be found for about $30 a bottle, while supplies last.

Information from the brand suggests it was designed to be a mixer in cocktails, but it’s really nice on its own.  On the nose, I pick up – no smoke!  A rare deviation for Johnnie Walker.  Instead we get candied fruit, vanilla, caramel and a light floral note.  The palate is creamy, and combined with the vanilla on entry comes across as vanilla pudding.  Some caramel apple and spice follow, with hints of buttered wheat toast and very, very light whisp of wood smoke (maybe I’m imagining).  The finish is short and clean – sweet grain with just a touch of spice.

Add this to my list of Scotch whiskies for bourbon drinkers to try.  Sweet fruit and vanilla are the stars here, and are two notes usually found in bourbon.  There’s virtually zero peat here, which I know seems to turn off a lot people thinking of getting into Scotch.  I have to reiterate that Johnnie Walker Blender’s Batch Triple American Oak is a one-time release and very well priced for what it delivers.   8.5/10

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

Booker’s Bourbon Batch 2017-01 “Tommy’s Batch” Review


Earlier this year, I was asked to take part in the Booker’s Roundtable selection of the next batch of Booker’s.  That batch, 2017-01, or “Tommy’s Batch”, is now upon us.  Though I took part in selecting this batch, I’ll do my best to be as impartial as I can be with this post.

This batch is named after Tommy Crume, a longtime distillery who worked closely with the late Booker Noe.  Jim Beam Master Distiller Fred Noe said the following about Tommy:

“I’m proud to share the first of four batches in the Booker’s® Bourbon 2017 Batch Collection, Batch 2017-01, also called Booker’s “Tommy’s Batch.” I’m especially pleased to release this special batch as our first, as it is named in tribute to Tommy Crume, who started his career at the distillery as a young man and worked closely alongside Dad for decades. They spent so much time together that we used to joke that he was like a second son to Dad!   

Over all those years, Tommy learned just how Dad liked things to be done around the distillery, especially when it came to his namesake bourbon and eventually worked his way up to Distillery Manager at the Clermont, Ky. plant, helping to make sure that everything continued to run just the way Dad would have wanted.   

After almost 30 years with us, Tommy retired in 2016 and I know Dad would be honored to name the first batch of 2017 after his dear friend. I hope you’ll join me in raising a glass of Booker’s “Tommy’s Batch” in celebration of Dad’s legacy and Tommy’s, too.” 

As for the bourbon, it’s a blend of whiskies from two production dates (January 2009 & July 2010) – making the youngest whiskey in the batch 6 years, 4 months, and 6 days old.  Barrels were pulled from the 6th and 7th floor of three warehouses.  It was a small batch (for Jim Beam, anyway), with 335 barrels comprising this release.  Like all batches of Booker’s, this is bottled at barrel proof (128.5). Also, it’s the first to be priced between $69.99 – $74.99, though a friend of mine saw it on a shelf for $54.  If you’re a regular reader of this blog, you know my thoughts on the price increase.  Agree or disagree, we all have an opinion.

The nose is classic Booker’s – big and robust, with hints of vanilla, molasses, charred oak, kettle corn and herbs.  Taste-wise, right past that intital high octane burn, find toasted sweet corn and light brown sugar, developing into some cigar box, vanilla and toasted almonds.  A hint of chocolate covered oranges appears late-palate, along with a touch of fresh basil.  The finish is long and warming.  Something I’ve come to expect from Booker’s.  Lingering notes of honey nut cereal, molasses, and barrel char make you want to reach for another sip.  

Tommy’s Batch is another fantastic release of Booker’s.  It’s as good or slightly better than recent batches.  The faint ‘chocolate-covered oranges’ note is a welcome surprise.  I know the price increase is a touchy subject with many, and we all have our opinions.  Price aside, this new batch is classic “Booker’s,” and comes with my recommendation.  9/10

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

Tyrconnell 16-Year-Old Single Malt Irish Whiskey Review


A limited edition 16-year-old Tyrconnell Single Malt.  Have I got your attention?  It definitely has mine.  

Tyrconnell, produced at the Cooley Distillery, is one of the few Irish whiskies that is double-distilled, as opposed to the more traditional triple-distillation utilized in other Irish whiskies.  This 16-year-old expression was matured in American ex-bourbon barrels, so I’m expecting some creaminess and vanilla.  It’s also bottled at a healthy 46% abv.

Curious about where the name Tyrconnell came from?  The whiskey is named after a racing horse that, in 1876, took the crowd by surprise and won first place at 10th running of the National Produce Stakes Horse Race.  A family in that crowd also owned a distillery, and soon after produced a small batch whiskey named after the winner of the race – Tyrconnell.  A whisky named after a racing horse?  Love it.  But how is it?

The nose is full of fruit, especially cinnamon apples and tropical fruit.  There are also hints of grassiness, vanilla bean, and ripe grapefruit.  Honestly one of the fruitiest noses I’ve come across in quite a while.  The palate closely follows the nose with crisp orchard fruits bursting upon entry, only to reveal some mango and honeydew.  A slightly creamy spiced caramel adds some richness.  I agree with the official tasting notes on the finish:  “a very long, herbal spice-rich finish.”  Specifically, I’m picking up a little dried thyme, ginger and a touch of black pepper.

The development of this whiskey is beautiful.  A lovely fruity nose and initial entry, then developing into some rich caramel followed by that herbal/spice finish.  Sadly, there’s not a lot of this stuff to go around.  It’s available in select markets for about $100/bottle.  I’m hoping it comes to New Orleans.  I really need to find a bottle of this lucious, fruity whiskey.  Highly recommended.  9/10

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