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Showing posts with label 12 Year Old. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 12 Year Old. Show all posts

The Macallan 12 Year Old Double Cask Impressions

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The Macallan 12 Year Old Double Cask Impressions


What is it?

Distillery: The Macallan
Name: 12 Year Old Double Cask
Make: Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Extra Info: The Macallan are very particular about the casks they select to age their whisky in, believing the cask wood to be responsible for imparting two-thirds of the whisky’s final aromas and flavours. Fast growing American Oak, from Ohio and Missouri, is selected for its dense tight grain structure which imparts lighter flavours of vanilla and fresh fruits to the spirit. Slower growing European Oak, from the northwest of Spain, is selected for its porous grain structure, imparting more tannins and richer flavours of dried fruits and spices.

Why did I buy it?

I didn’t. This bottle was a gift after attending the Sydney Toast The Macallan event in June last year. The event celebrated whisky from The Macallan, but in particular the launch of The Macallan 12 Year Old Double Cask onto the Australian Market. Sietse Offringa, The Macallan Brand Ambassador and now Head of Education at Edrington,  hosted the event on the night; that's his signature on the bottle. The 12 Year Old Double Cask is matured in a combination of European and American Oak ex-Sherry casks.

What did I think of it?

Presentation: Classic Macallan packaging, clean and premium looking.

Appearance: Naturally bright gold in colour and chill filtered for clarity. Bottled at 40% ABV which is the minimum for a whisky.

Aroma: Yeasty, bread dough, sweet vanilla cream and a hint of further sweetness like munching on milk chocolate coated sultanas.

Flavour: Velvety mouthfeel, smooth and light, orange rind but not too bitter, some hot spices prickle the palate towards the finish.

Finish: Medium length, dry, malty aftertaste lasts but spice fades quickly.

Would I buy it again?

Yes, some whisky from The Macallan can be rather expensive, primarily because of their rarity, but the 12 Year Old Double Cask is reasonably priced and commonly available. The Double Cask is lighter than a typical ex-sherry cask matured whisky but I quite enjoyed it.


Disclaimer: I do not claim to have the nose and palate of a Master Sommelier, however, I am working to train my senses to better identify whisky aromas and flavours. Consider all my whisky 'Impressions' to be a work in progress and I hope to come back to each of them in the future to see if I notice anything different. Most importantly, I'm not just throwing around random aromas, flavours and adjectives for the hell of it; I am trying really hard to critically describe each whisky I taste - WhiskyDad.
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Kilkerran 12 Year Old Impressions

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Kilkerran 12 Year Old Impressions

What is it? 

Distillery: Glengyle, Campbeltown, Scotland
Name: Kilkerran 12 Year Old
Make: Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Extra Info: Glengyle is the fourth whisky label to be owned and operated by J&A Mitchell and Co. along with Springbank, Longrow and Hazelburn. The distillery is named after the original Glengyle distillery, founded in Campbeltown by William Mitchell in 1875 and operated until 1925. The name Kilkerran is used to distinguish the brand from the similarly named 'Glen Gyle' which is an established blended Highland malt scotch whisky and in reference to the Gaelic name of the original settlement where Campbeltown now stands.

Why did I buy it?

Every whisky I have tried from the Campbeltown region to date I have loved, so it was only natural for me to try the new kid on the block. It has taken a few months for the Kilkerran 12 Year Old to make it to the Australia market and a slew of positive reviews have caused it to be already sold out in many regions...So I bought two bottles. Needless to say, I was very excited to taste.

What did I think of it?

Presentation: Strikingly simple. Black text and graphics on a textured white background adorn both the packaging and clear glass bottle label. 
Appearance: Bright gold, non-chill filtered with no added colouring and bottled at 46%.

 I'm going to break from tradition here and discuss my tasting experience with the Kilkerran 12 Year Old. There are two main ways to drink whisky, critically where you attempt to systematically critique each aspect of the whisky and draw out as much information as you can; and non-critically, where you just sit back and enjoy the bloody thing. I am sitting here right now with barely a finger left in my first bottle of Kilkerran 12 Year Old and my tasting notes are still blank! I really want to explore the depths of this whisky but I keep giving up, putting my pen down and enjoying it instead. The following notes are taken against my will, I would have much preferred to just drink it.

Aroma: A generous fruit bowl with a banana just past its prime. Wet driftwood.

Flavour: A subtle smoky woodiness surprises since it does not smell smoky at all. 

Finish: Long, spicy tingle with a mild warming deep in the chest and a pinch of salt on the aftertaste.

Would I buy it again?

Yes and I thought I might, hence why I bought two bottles to avoid being disappointed in the future. The Kilkerran 12 Year Old is a great whisky and another winner from Campbeltown. I know I will have to come back and revisit my notes when I open the second bottle but for this first taste of a brand new Campbeltown whisky, I was more than happy to just sit back and enjoy the bloody thing.

Disclaimer: I do not claim to have the nose and palate of a Master Sommelier, however, I am working to train my senses to better identify whisky aromas and flavours. Consider all my whisky 'Impressions' to be a work in progress and I hope to come back to each of them in the future to see if I notice anything different. Most importantly, I'm not just throwing around random aromas, flavours and adjectives for the hell of it; I am trying really hard to critically describe each whisky I taste - WhiskyDad.
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BenRiach 12 Year Old Sherry Wood Matured Impressions

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BenRiach 12 Year Old Sherry Wood Matured Impressions

What is it? 

Distillery: BenRiach, Speyside, Scotland
Name: 12 Year Old Sherry Wood Matured
Make: Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Extra Info: The BenRiach Distillery has closed twice in the past, the last time being in 2003 before being acquired by a private consortium in 2004. The BenRiach of today is very different to the BenRiach of pre-2003.

Why did I buy it?

This was the first 100% ex-sherry cask matured whisky that I bought. This means that all the whisky used in this expression of the BenRiach 12 Year Old has been matured exclusively in European oak casks that previously held either Oloroso or Pedro Ximenez sherry from the Jerez region of Spain. This will give a very different aroma and flavour profile to a whisky matured in American oak ex-bourbon casks or even whisky finished (from a few months to a few years) in ex-sherry casks.

What did I think of it?

Presentation: Bottled in a traditionally shaped clear glass bottle, the burgundy label screams out sherry. The white lettering and iconography with gold highlights looks good on the shelf but is perhaps a little conservative. Bottled at 46% ABV.

Appearance: Dark amber with almost a tinge of red, this whisky is both non-chill filtered and natural colour.

Aroma: Beautiful strong aromas of rich fruitcake and sweet dried fruits. Some chocolate, cream and coconut notes.

Flavour: Sweet and smooth, fruity, some honey, rising cinnamon and nutmeg spice.

Finish: Long, balanced, lingering spice.

Would I buy it again?

Yes, if you are a sherry fan then this is a fantastic whisky. If you don't like the rich, sweet and fruity character indicative of sherry influenced whisky then this isn't for you. There is zero smokiness. This is an excellent digestif or good friend for a cold winter night by the fire.

Disclaimer: I do not claim to have the nose and palate of a Master Sommelier, however, I am working to train my senses to better identify whisky aromas and flavours. Consider all my whisky 'Impressions' to be a work in progress and I hope to come back to each of them in the future to see if I notice anything different. Most importantly, I'm not just throwing around random aromas, flavours and adjectives for the hell of it; I am trying really hard to critically describe each whisky I taste - WhiskyDad.
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