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Malt Sampling – The Paul John Whisky Tweet Tasting!

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The Paul John Whisky Tweet Tasting Samples

The Paul John Whisky Tweet Tasting Samples

What a way to celebrate The Longest Day (Summer Solstice) AND glorious sunshine than with a Paul John Whisky Tweet Tasting!

I got a great chance to sample some fine Indian Malts last Saturday, all of which were new to me.

I’ve never tasted whiskies from India before but I certainly will be doing so in the future – they are exceptional!

The malts sampled (which are all Non chill-filtered and Non coloured) were:-

  • Paul John Brilliance
  • Paul John Edited
  • Paul John Classic Select
  • Paul John Peated

If you want to catch up on what all the tasters had to say (and they were very chatty!) you can view the tweets by searching for the hash tag #PJWhisky on Twitter.

So, what did I think?

Here are my tasting notes … and the one which was my favourite on the night!

Tasting Notes – Paul John Brilliance

  • A non-peated Indian Single Malt Whisky.
  • Matured in ex-bourbon casks.
  • Distilled in traditional copper pot stills in Goa, India.
Nose: Grassy, slight wood apples, vanilla and toffee with zesty lemon thrown in.

Palate: Very spice n’ peppery, sweet cake mixture and love the banana in there as well!

Finish: Long spicy, sweet finish, also a little dry leather.

Overall: They got the word for this before I did – Brilliant indeed!
70cl, 46% £38.45

Tasting Notes – Paul John Edited

  • Indian Single Malt whisky, with a hint of peat.
  • Matured in ex-bourbon casks.
  • Distilled in traditional copper pot stills in Goa, India.
Nose: A peaty hit! Smoky, charred wood with a bit of mint coming through.

Palate: Subtle peat flavour after the strong nose. Woodsmoke and surprisingly sweet gives way to a little fruit and getting quite spicy.

Finish: Spicy and earthy. Reminds me of barbecuing Linda Mc.Cartney veggie sausages!

Overall: A lovely malt, especially for peat fans but not so peaty as to put others off.
70cl, 46% £42.45

Tasting Notes – Paul John Classic Select

  • Indian Single Malt whisky bottled at Cask Strength.
  • Matured in ex-bourbon casks.
  • Distilled in traditional copper pot stills in Goa, India.
Nose: Seems quite subdued to me after the first two … Ah! But then the fruit comes thru!

Palate: Smooth, fruity and vanilla.

Finish: Long spicy finish, warm pepper closed down with fruity sweetness.

Overall: I wasn’t sure about this one at first but it’s growing on me now … 😉

70cl, 55.2% £62.95

Tasting Notes – Paul John Peated

  • Peated Indian Single Malt whisky.
  • Matured in ex-bourbon casks.
  • Distilled in traditional copper pot stills in Goa, India.
Nose: Smoky corn snax and a profusion of heather n’ wood!

Palate: Syrupy sweet with a fine smokiness thrown in! Less peat than expected but nicely balanced.

Finish: Long, spicy finish, sweet but slightly fiery – left me with a longing for another taste – a dram sensation!

Overall: Love this! Best nosing of the night!
70cl, 55.5% £67.95

My Favourite On The Night

Out of the four, I think it’s got to be the Paul John Peated.

I knew this would be my nights favourite from the get go. Warming peat finely matched with tasty sweetness makes this a dram-and a-half!

Many thanks to Steve from The Whisky Wire (@TheWhiskyWire) for a great dram twittering evening and the team at The Great Whisky Co. (@greatwhisky) for sending the samples!

And of course, Paul John Whisky, without which!

My fellow Tweeters were:-

@TheWhiskyWire @TheWhiskyLounge @TwlAmanda @TWLJoe @greatwhisky @cowfish @TimFFS @jasonbstanding @lizbonline @DaveyHaste @Mooley @Rockyajl @SpiritsBureau @rickfurzer @WhiskyDiscovery @WhiskyDiscovKat @SohoWhiskyClub @GreatDrams @BeersIveKnown @TheWhiskyKiwi @WhiskyCorner @steveprentice @Saunders_AFC @mynameisgone

Paul John is available to buy from these Whisky Merchants:-

Cognac Tasting: L’esprit de Tiffon 200 Year Old!

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L’esprit de Tiffon 200 year old Cognac

L’esprit de Tiffon 200 year old Cognac

I know this is a Whisky Blog but when Wealth Solutions gave me the opportunity of tasting a 200 year old cognac I simply could not resist!

Well who would?

And this blog is all about quality after all and this Cognac certainly fills that criteria!

Last Tuesday the Tiffon Cognac house and Wealth Solutions launched a limited edition of the L’esprit de Tiffon cognac.

The celebration was attended by Richard Braastad – Maitre de Chais of the Tiffon cognac house and Edward Bates, a BNIC educator.

L’esprit de Tiffon is a cognac made of distillates from the private cellar (the so-called “paradis”) of Sverre Braastad, where the oldest Cognac is dated back to 1805.

All of the cognacs used in the blend date from before the phylloxera bug devastated the French wine and cognac industry from the 1860’s onwards.

This catastrophe forced the French vineyards to re-plant with a different, more hardy species of vine.

My more modest sample!

My more modest sample!

Consequently, the taste of all French wines and cognacs changed forever – so this release is truly a taste of history – and one that can never be repeated.

A book was also specially prepared for the launch of L’esprit de Tiffon by Nicholas Faith, a prominent cognac expert and recognised writer, which contains information on the Braastad family, the Tiffon Cognac house, as well as the cognac in question.

The demand for L’esprit de Tiffon has been such that all of the decanters were sold ahead of the official launch event (I shudder to think what each decanter cost but I’d be surprised if the cost for each was below £5,000.)

Nicholas Faith described it thus: “L’esprit de Tiffon – it’s got floral notes, it’s elegant, it’s rich. It is delicious! What is ridiculous about it is that cognac well over the century-old is still so young!”

Edward Bates, an expert from the Bureau National Interprofessionnel du Cognac (BNIC), added: “To find a blend, that is made from pre-phylloxera Cognac, basically doesn’t exist. It’s a window into another time, something that just wasn’t available. Until now.”

Take a look at this You Tube video to get an idea of how special a cognac this is.

Tasting Notes – L’esprit de Tiffon Cognac

Nose: Sweet caramel with lovely floral notes. I also detected pleasant, woody, slightly charred aromas.

Palate: Ultra smooth on the palate with amazing passion fruit flavours bursting out.

Finish: A glorious, long finish with summer fruits, mango and slight pepper to perfectly round it off.

Overall: An exceptional cognac, absolutely smooth, a taste to savour and full of life and passion. A real privilege to drink!

Many thanks to Wealth Solutions for sending the sample!

And of course, Tiffon Cognac, for saving us a bit of history to enjoy!

Abbey Whisky – New Glenburgie, Balvenie & Kilchoman Malts!

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Abbey Whisky has 4 New additions to it’s range this week with whiskies from the Islay and Speyside regions.

The brands include Glenburgie, Abbey Whisky, Balvenie & Kilchoman.

The ages of the new whiskies range from 15 to 32 Year Old malts.

Supplier Brand Bottle
Size		 Price
Abbey Whisky
Abbey Whisky 30 Year Old Speyside Gift Set

 Abbey Whisky 30 Year Old Speyside Gift Set
Country: Scotland   Region: Speyside
Age: 30 Years Old   Strength: 43%		 10cl £ 28.50  BUY NOW
Abbey Whisky
Balvenie 15 Year Old / Single Sherry Cask #16290

 Balvenie 15 Year Old / Single Sherry Cask #16290
Country: Scotland   Region: Speyside
Age: 15 Years Old   Strength: 47.8%		 70cl £ 84.95  BUY NOW
Abbey Whisky
Glenburgie 1974 / 32 Year Old / Master Blenders Selection

 Glenburgie 1974 / 32 Year Old / Master Blenders Selection
Country: Scotland   Region: Speyside
Age: 32 Years Old   Strength: 55.9%
Vintage: 1974   Bottler: 		 70cl £ 274.50  BUY NOW
Abbey Whisky
Kilchoman 100% Islay / Fourth Edition

 Kilchoman 100% Islay / Fourth Edition
Country: Scotland   Region: Islay
Age:    Strength: 50%		 70cl £ 58.50  BUY NOW

Moonshine Tasting – The Americans Are Coming!

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I'm watching you!

I’m watching you!

Something a bit different for sampling this time – my first experience with Moonshine!

Once the premise of bootlegging gangsters in prohibition America it always makes me think of old black & white movies I’ve seen over the years.

Well, this famous American spirit is now back in British hands and though it may have grown up a little it’s still has a fine rebellious streak to it!

MoonshineUK has the exclusive rights to sell Moonshine produced at the Palmetto Moonshine Distillery in South Carolina.

Triple distilled for extra smoothness it’s available as a full strength shot (a hearty 52.5% ABV) and as a flavoured alcohol ideal for producing some great cocktails.

Quick Moonshine Facts:-

  • Originated back in the 1700’s by British settlers who distilled alcohol from corn to sell to the locals.
  • Banned and so began the illegal industry that is at the heart of every b/w gangster flick.
  • The inspiration of the NASCAR motor racings event because bootleggers would modify their cars to outrun the law.
  • In 2010 the US Government allowed Moonshine to be distilled legally.
  • 2014 – Now it’s here – courtesy of MoonshineUK!

The Moonshine Products Range

The Moonshine Products Range

Currently Moonshine is available in four styles:-

  • Original American Shine
  • Apple Pie Flavour
  • Blackberry Flavour
  • Peach Flavour

Tasting Notes
– American Shine
52.5% ABV

 Nose: Corn, sugary sweetness and a heady spirit hit!

Palate: Sweet, syrupy popcorn.

Finish: Toasted corn, sharp lemon citrus, lingering pepper – a short dry finish.

Overall: Quite a kick but not too fiery as it’s well tempered by the corn sweetness. A strong candidate for ‘shots’ but only for the brave!

Tasting Notes
– Apple Pie Flavour
22.5% ABV

 Nose: Cinnamon, apple, ginger cake with extra spices!

Palate: Apple strudel infused with generous cinnamon, sweet cake spices.

Finish: The cinnamon goes on and on and there’s warming Ginger beer in there as well.

Overall: WoW! Taste the pastry! Moonshine and Moms apple pie, roll out the Stars n’ Stripes!

Tasting Notes
– Blackberry Flavour
22.5% ABV

 Nose: Rich, fruity blackberry, reminds me of vimto!

Palate: Sweet, mild blackberry, slightly floral.

Finish: Floral comes through quite distinctly. Warming, spicy dry citrus.

Overall: Half the strength makes this considerably smoother and very drinkable – be careful!

Tasting Notes
– Peach Flavour
22.5% ABV

 Nose: Strong peach and vanilla.

Palate: Sweet, smooth peach, thick consistency which reminds me of a dessert wine.

Finish: Citrus punch appears, sweet finish, short n’ slightly spicy.

Overall: Mmmm … a perfect accompaniment to long, hot afternoons sat under a shady tree!

Moonshine will be available from July.

Many thanks to @MoonshineUK1 for the sample.

The Moonshine Products Range

The Moonshine Products Range

New Glenfarclas / 1993 Family Cask / Sherry Butt 74 From Edencrofts!

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Supplier Brand Bottle
Size		 Price
Edencroft
Glenfarclas / 1993 Family Cask / Sherry Butt 74

 Glenfarclas / 1993 Family Cask / Sherry Butt 74
Country: Scotland   Region: Speyside
Age: 19 Year Old   Strength: 58.70%
Summary: Colour: Rich Autumn sunset.

Nose: Big sherried nose, long sensation of warmth and demerara sugar, after nosing this whisky you are desparate to taste it.
Flavour: Taste envelops your entire mouth senses in a split second, a 19 year old whisky that acts like a much younger sibling, but the maturity really comes through in the finish, long and defined, enjoyable to the last.

Glenfarclas / One Family / Six Generations: Since 1865 Glenfarclas has been owned and managed by just one family, the Grants of Glenfarclas.
On the 8th of June 1865 John Grant acquired the tenancy for the Rechlerich Farm and as part of the transaction purchased the Glenfarclas Distillery for £511.19S.0d.
To this day Glenfarclas is one of only a few distilleries in Scotland to remain family owned and managed. Now in the hands of the fifth and sixth generation of the family, the Grants remain committed to the vision of creating the best quality Single Highland Malt Scotch Whisky, in the traditional Speyside style.

 70cl £ 250.00  BUY NOW

Abbey Whisky – New Islay & Speyside Malts!

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Abbey Whisky has 5 New additions to it’s range this week with whiskies from the Islay and Speyside regions.

The brands include Kilchoman, GlenDronach, Bowmore & Longmorn.

Supplier Brand Bottle
Size		 Price
Abbey Whisky
Bowmore 1985 / Feis Ile 2012

 Bowmore 1985 / Feis Ile 2012
Country: Scotland   Region: Islay
Age:    Strength: 52.3%
Vintage: 1985   Bottler: Bowmore Distillery		 70cl £ 772.50  BUY NOW
Abbey Whisky
Glendronach 18 Year Old Allardice

 Glendronach 18 Year Old Allardice
Country: Scotland   Region: Speyside
Age: 18 Years Old   Strength: 46%		 70cl £ 58.75  BUY NOW
Abbey Whisky
Glendronach Grandeur / 24 Year Old / Batch 5

 Glendronach Grandeur / 24 Year Old / Batch 5
Country: Scotland   Region: Speyside
Age: 24 Years Old   Strength: 48.9%		 70cl £ 297.50  BUY NOW
Abbey Whisky
Kilchoman Small Batch Release / Oloroso Sherry Finish

 Kilchoman Small Batch Release / Oloroso Sherry Finish
Country: Scotland   Region: Islay
Age: 5 Years Old   Strength: 58.2%
Vintage: 2008   Bottler: Kilchoman		 70cl £ 132.00  BUY NOW
Abbey Whisky
Longmorn 1967 / Gordon & MacPhail

 Longmorn 1967 / Gordon & MacPhail
Country: Scotland   Region: Speyside
Age:    Strength: 43%
Vintage: 1967   Bottler: Gordon & MacPhail		 70cl £ 332.50  BUY NOW

Fathers Day Ideas From Edencrofts – Classic Glenfarclas & Glenglassaugh!

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Glenfarclas / 105 Cask Strength

Glenfarclas / 105 Cask Strength

Forget Socks – Choose Malts!

And Edencrofts can help with these classic Glenfarclas and Glenglassaugh malts plus a fine Elijah Craig for Bourbon lovers – and all on Special Fathers Day Offer Prices!

Supplier Brand Bottle
Size		 Price
Edencroft
Elijah Craig / 12-year-old / Small Batch Bourbon

 Elijah Craig / 12-year-old / Small Batch Bourbon
Country: American   Region: American
Age: 12 Years Old   Strength: 47%
Summary: Elijah Craig 12-Year-Old is a true Small Batch premium Bourbon, and had that distinction before the term even existed.
Bottled exclusively from a dumping of 70 barrels or less, the brand carries the name of the Rev. Elijah Craig, the man who discovered the method of making true Kentucky Bourbon when he stored his wares in barrels that had been charred in a fire.
Elijah Craig is critically acclaimed. It was awarded a “Double Gold Medal” at both the San Francisco World Spirits Competition and WSWA Tasting Competition, and whiskey expert and author Jim Murray calls it “unquestionably one of the great Bourbons.” It has twice been awarded “Best of the Best” from Whisky Magazine.

 75cl £ 31.75  BUY NOW
Edencroft
Glenfarclas / 10 Year Old Single Malt

 Glenfarclas / 10 Year Old Single Malt
Country: Scotland   Region: Speyside
Age: 10 Year Old   Strength: 40%
Summary: Colour: Vibrant straw-gold.
Nose: Tempting sherry-sweet malty tones combine with delicate smokiness, releasing subtle spices. Warming the glass reveals honey, vanilla and pear drops.
Flavour: Delicately light, with a mouth-watering combination of maltiness, smokiness and sherry sweetness. Hints of dried fruit, vanilla, cinnamon and cloves tempt the taste buds further.
Finish: Long, smooth and spicy, with a delicious, yet delicate, lingering smokiness.
Glenfarclas / One Family / Six Generations: Since 1865 Glenfarclas has been owned and managed by just one family, the Grants of Glenfarclas. On the 8th of June 1865 John Grant acquired the tenancy for the Rechlerich Farm and as part of the transaction purchased the Glenfarclas Distillery for £511.19S.0d.
To this day Glenfarclas is one of only a few distilleries in Scotland to remain family owned and managed. Now in the hands of the fifth and sixth generation of the family, the Grants remain committed to the vision of creating the best quality Single Highland Malt Scotch Whisky, in the traditional Speyside style.

 70cl £ 30.00  BUY NOW
Edencroft
Glenfarclas / 105 Cask Strength

 Glenfarclas / 105 Cask Strength
Country: Scotland   Region: Speyside
Age:    Strength: 60%
Summary: Colour: Deep peaty-gold.
Nose: Complex, oaky, apples and pears, and a tempting dark toffee sweetness.
Flavour: Dry and assertive, develops quickly to reveal a rich spiciness, combined with a hint of oak and sherried fruit.
Finish: Amazingly smooth for the strength; wonderfully warming and with a lingering smokiness, yet very rounded.
Comment: A great whisky holding all the flavours of all the Glenfarclas in one glass. Being so warming, this is the perfect Hogmanay dram. Don’t be afraid of the strength and order a 210, if you dare!
The smoothness makes the 105 drinkable at cask strength, but I suggest adding a little water to fully explore its great depth.
Glenfarclas / One Family / Six Generations: Since 1865 Glenfarclas has been owned and managed by just one family, the Grants of Glenfarclas. On the 8th of June 1865 John Grant acquired the tenancy for the Rechlerich Farm and as part of the transaction purchased the Glenfarclas Distillery for £511.19S.0d.
To this day Glenfarclas is one of only a few distilleries in Scotland to remain family owned and managed. Now in the hands of the fifth and sixth generation of the family, the Grants remain committed to the vision of creating the best quality Single Highland Malt Scotch Whisky, in the traditional Speyside style.

 70cl £ 43.50  BUY NOW
Edencroft
Glenfarclas / 1994 Family Cask / Sherry Butt 2950

 Glenfarclas / 1994 Family Cask / Sherry Butt 2950
Country: Scotland   Region: Speyside
Age: 18 Year Old   Strength: 57.9%
Summary: Colour: Rich Amber.
Nose: Rich sweet, malty almost like a chocoalte covered digestive. Some dried fruit present, sultanas and raisins.
Flavour: 1994 is a fantastic vintage for Glenfarclas. This dram although not as sweet on the palate as on the nose, has dry coffee bitterness, rich dark chocolate also very much present.
Finish: One of the longest finishies I have ever experienced in a whisky. A truly moreish whisky (you will have more!).
Glenfarclas / One Family / Six Generations: Since 1865 Glenfarclas has been owned and managed by just one family, the Grants of Glenfarclas. On the 8th of June 1865 John Grant acquired the tenancy for the Rechlerich Farm and as part of the transaction purchased the Glenfarclas Distillery for £511.19S.0d.
To this day Glenfarclas is one of only a few distilleries in Scotland to remain family owned and managed. Now in the hands of the fifth and sixth generation of the family, the Grants remain committed to the vision of creating the best quality Single Highland Malt Scotch Whisky, in the traditional Speyside style.

 70cl £ 210.00  BUY NOW
Edencroft
Glenglassaugh / 1973 / 41 Year Old / Massandra Sherry Finish

 Glenglassaugh / 1973 / 41 Year Old / Massandra Sherry Finish
Country: Scotland   Region: Highlands
Age: 41 Years Old.   Strength: 44.5%
Summary: Cask Formula: Massandra Sherry Puncheon.
Colour: Warm harvest gold.
Nose: Dried pineapple, banana and golden sultanas warmed by hints of stem ginger and white pepper spice. Candied peel notes soften to a unique sweet oak character.
Palate: A fresh crisp lime zest flows over green apple and pear. Hints of tantalising ripe tropical fruits emerge in the mid palate and combine with delicate cigar box spices and a gentle oiliness, bringing great depth to the long exclusive vintage.
Finish: A fantastically vibrant expression for a malt of this vintage, giving a diverse combination of classic fruit and spiced flavours.

 70cl £ 550.00  BUY NOW

Tags

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