The Whisky Advent Calendar Tweet Tasting!
The Whisky Red Advent Calendar!
Christmas was certainly in the air (and in the nose!) for last Monday nights Tweet Tastings making us all realise that Chrimbo was only a roasted chestnut throw away!
We were treated to the delight of sampling five drams from Master of Malt’s Whisky Red Advent Calendar (£149.95). It was a great (and early) introduction to the festive season!
Master of Malt’s Advent Calendars are now as traditional as listening to Christmas classic Pop Songs or over-cooking the sprouts so it’s great to have a chance to try out some whiskies which hail from all over the globe – a Whisky Red World Advent Calendar in fact!
The drams sampled were:-
- Starward New World Whisky
- Brenne Cuvée Spéciale
- Whisky Advent That-Boutique-Y-Whisky Irish Single Malt
- Kavalan Single Malt
- Glenfarclas 105
If you want to catch up on what all the tweet tasters had to say you can view the tweets by searching for the hash tag #WhiskyAdvent on Twitter.
So, what did I think?
Here are my tasting notes … and the one which was my favourite on the night!
Tasting Notes – Starward New World Whisky (43%)
An Australian Malt Whisky Produced using 100% Australian malted barley and aged in Australian Apera (fortified wine) casks.
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Nose: Apples, oranges and yummy caramel with a hint of rum soaked plump raisins. Add a little bit of woodiness and some nice creamy fudginess which comes thru after a while! Palate: Rich christmas cake with alcohol infused fruits! Some apples, oranges & tropical fruit with a hefty bit of spice thrown in. Finish: Quite a dry, spicy finish but fair-dinkum all the same. Overall: A solid, tasty dram that I enjoyed very much and would love to re-visit! |
Tasting Notes – Brenne Cuvée Spéciale (40%)
A French Single Malt Whisky Produced using malted barley grown in Cognac. Initially matured in Limousin oak casks before being finished in Cognac casks.
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Nose: Amazing tropical fruits – reminds me of those tuiti-fruiti chewy sweets! Plus there’s apples and pears with sugary vanilla. The banofee pie is also strong in this one with a side-serving of Rum and raisin ice cream. Palate: A watered down version of the nose – banana and strawberry milkshake with a little too much sugar. Finish: Short finish with some pepper but the milkshake lingers … Overall: Not really my style of dram but some of the tweeters loved it! So, as should be the case, each to their own … |
Tasting Notes – That-Boutique-Y-Whisky Irish Single Malt (46.8%)
An Irish Single Malt Whiskey – Whiskey #1 – Aged 13 Years – Batch #3.
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Nose: Restrained sherry with some crisp green apples, fruits, caramel coupled with some fresh new wood. There’s oat and cereal with a little meadow hay. Left in the glass, after a while, there’s sticky toffee! Palate: Yo! That’s nice! Vanilla sweet and fruity with a smooth, punchy, peppery bite! Finish: Tropical fruit coupled with a woody dryness and don’t forget that spice! Overall: I’m not surprised I enjoyed this – another fine, well selected and tasty dram from the Boutiquey Whisky stable! |
Tasting Notes – Kavalan Single Malt (40%)
Kavalan Single Malt is a Taiwanese non-age-stated Whisky. Matured in ex-bourbon barrels it is rumoured to be around 3-4 years old.
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Nose: Crisp apples with some ripe tangerines and pineapple. Vanilla fudge and I keep getting whiffs of Cointreau! – there’s so much oranginess! Palate: Syrupy tropical fruits with some caramel – lovely! Finish: Honeyed layers of fruit with just a dash of spiceiness that make this a very nice dram indeed! Overall: First time sampling the Kavalan brand and I wasn’t dissapointed – amazing flavours and balance for such a young whisky. |
Tasting Notes – Glenfarclas 105 (60%)
A Single Malt Scotch Whisky. The Glenfarclas 105 bottling was the first time a distillery had released a barrel proof single malt whisky. The brand was eventually re-named to 105, referring to its alcohol content in British Proof, which equates now to 60% ABV.
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Nose: Creamy sherry with just a hint of port. Chocolate with stewed fruits. Palate: Rich christmas cake with luscious chocolate! Thick, creamy fudge with fruit! Adding a few drops of water releases a lot more caramel and chocolate and sets the taste buds tingling! Heady stuff though at an un-diluted 60%! Finish: Basically the same as the initial palate. This dram just keeps on giving! Overall: It’s 60% but it’s VERY smooth! I’m Mr. “No Water” usually but this dram certainly shows more of it’s facets with some H2O and I recommend adding some. (Never thought I’d hear myself say that!) |
My Favourite On The Night
Out of the 5, I think it’s got to be the Glenfarclas 105, closely followed by That-Boutique-Y-Whisky. The Glenfarclas 105 is what Christmas is all about – but liquified!
There’s still time to grab an Advent Calendar and they cover a variety of whiskies and other spirits including Gin, Tequila and Rum. Why not celebrate the run up to Santa’s upcoming visit with something tasty and different each day? But keep them away from those Elves!
Many thanks to Steve at The Whisky Wire (@TheWhiskyWire) for a great dram evening and the team at Drinks By The Dram (@DrinksByTheDram) for sending the samples and without whom!
My fellow Tweeters were:-
@TheWhiskyphiles @ocdwhisky @JasonVaswani @FiShoop @TomsWhisky @dvdbloke @Jotterface @iheartwhisky @CherryConstable @Whisky_And1 @whiskywings @steveprentice @WhiskyUnplugged @SpiritAndWood @drinkersite @RumDiariesBlog @julie_gwc @NikkiHayes1969 @wetwewhistle @MaltMusings @RealDramRob @SimonFieldCFM @AmateurDrammer
SMWS Festive Advent Calendar!
SMWS have released quite possibly one of the greatest advent calendars ever!
For 25 days as a countdown to Christmas you can try a different dram each day. The advent calendar has an excellent selection from whiskies to spirits and even a couple of extra surprises thrown in along the way!
Price: £150
Drinks by the Dram Advent Calendars 2018!
Douglas Laing Advent Calendar
See The Range Here!
Following on from the success of 2017 with sales increasing by almost 75% year on year, Drinks by the Dram has refreshed its calendar line up and is pleased to reveal its 2018 offering, including new themed packaging, exciting collaborations and plenty of ways to ensure you countdown to Christmas in style.
This year some of Drinks by the Dram’s Advent Calendars have taken on a global feel, each featuring the finest liquids from different countries, all wrapped in unique, themed packaging. In the collection there’s the classic Whisky calendar, The Tequila calendar, The Scotch Whisky calendar, The Bourbon calendar, The Rum calendar and The Gin calendar — each containing 24 wax-sealed 30ml drams of fine global spirits.
Without giving too much away (we all know Father Christmas won’t visit if you open all of your calendar at once), there are some very exciting tipples to be discovered behind these doors. Enjoy rare spirits, award-winning expressions and distinguished drams from all around the world.
Whisky lovers are in for a treat with this year’s calendar offering; in the Old & Rare Advent Calendar you’ll find truly exceptional expressions, including The Blended Whisky Company’s XL Blend – aged for over 40 years and extra large in intense flavours.
The best-selling original Whisky calendar returns this year in festive red packaging, and inside you’ll find 24 delicious drams including the highly sought-after Lost Distilleries Blend Batch 8 from The Blended Whisky Company, and the incredible Japanese Nikka Whisky from the Barrel. And, new to the line-up for this year is the World Whisky Advent Calendar, showcasing exceptional whiskies from around the globe – try whiskies from Ireland, Japan, Taiwan, England, India and more.
The Rum Advent Calendar
For gin enthusiasts, there’s a whole host of calendars to tantalise the taste buds, and after the huge success of last year’s calendar, That Boutique-y Gin Company has once again teamed up with Drinks by the Dram to bring you 24 incredible gins to count you down to Christmas. Behind these doors you’ll discover gins with interesting botanicals, incredible flavours and unique concepts. Sample award-winning expressions from boutique producers, and even get into the festive spirit with Yuletide Gin, containing gold, an entire gingerbread house and even Christmas tree needles.
Our Drinks by the Dram advent calendars have become an annual Christmas essentials for many consumers, along with the tree and festive jumpers.
We see great loyalty for these calendars, and a large number of consumers come back year after to year to treat themselves to one. With stunning new designs this year, on a range of our best sellers, they look better than ever and also make the perfect gift for any drinks enthusiast.
– James Griswood: Senior Product Manager, Drinks by the Dram
Drinks by the Dram first launched its line of advent calendars in 2012, starting with The Whisky Advent Calendar. Since then the range has grown year-on-year, always showcasing the most exciting liquids across each category and price bracket.
This year the full Drinks by the Dram Advent Calendar range includes Whisky, Premium Whisky, Old & Rare Whisky, Very Old & Rare Whisky, World Whisky, Scotch Whisky, Bourbon, Japanese Whisky, American Whiskey, Irish Whiskey, Single Cask Whisky, Gin, Vodka, Rum, Cognac, Tequila, Armagnac, Mezcal and Absinthe.
In addition, the calendar range sees some exciting collaborations including with That Boutique-y Whisky Company, That Boutique-y Gin Company, Origin, Douglas Laing, Glenfarclas, The Hot Enough Vodka Co and The Gin Foundry, whose in-demand Ginvent calendar returns for another year.
See The Range Here!
The Scotch Whisky Advent Calendar
Calendar Range:-
Drinks by the Dram Advent Calendars with a NEW themed makeover and lineup for 2018
The Drinks by the Dram Gin Advent Calendar (2018 Edition) CRAFT & THEMED £124.95
The Drinks by the Dram World Whisky Advent Calendar (2018 Edition) THEMED £149.95
The Drinks by the Dram Bourbon Advent Calendar (2018 Edition) CRAFT & THEMED £139.95
The Drinks by the Dram Scotch Whisky Advent Calendar (2018 Edition) CRAFT &
THEMED £149.95
The Drinks by the Dram Rum Advent Calendar (2018 Edition) CRAFT & THEMED £149.95
The Drinks by the Dram Cognac Advent Calendar (2018 Edition) CRAFT & THEMED £149.95
The Drinks by the Dram Tequila Advent Calendar (2018 Edition) CRAFT & THEMED £149.95
Drinks by the Dram Advent Calendars with a classic craft box and NEW lineup for 2018
The Drinks by the Dram Very Old & Rare Whisky Advent Calendar WALNUT (2018
Edition) £9,999.95
The Drinks by the Dram Very Old & Rare Whisky Advent Calendar MACASSAR
EBONY (2018 Edition) £9,999.95
The Drinks by the Dram Old & Rare Whisky Advent Calendar (2018 Edition) CRAFT
and NEW FESTIVE £999.95
The Drinks by the Dram Premium Whisky Advent Calendar (2018 Edition) CRAFT &
RED £249.95
The Drinks by the Dram Whisky Advent Calendar (2018 Edition) CRAFT & RED £149.95
The Drinks by the Dram American Whiskey, Bourbon & Rye Advent Calendar (2018
Edition) CRAFT £149.95
The Drinks by the Dram Japanese Whisky Advent Calendar (2018 Edition) CRAFT £194.95
The Drinks by the Dram Irish Whiskey Advent Calendar (2018 Edition) CRAFT £149.95
The Drinks by the Dram Single Cask Whisky Advent Calendar (2018 Edition) £194.95
The Drinks by the Dram Vodka Advent Calendar (2018 Edition) CRAFT £99.95
The Drinks by the Dram Armagnac Advent Calendar (2018 Edition) CRAFT £149.95
The Drinks by the Dram Mezcal Advent Calendar (2018 Edition) CRAFT £149.95
The Drinks by the Dram Absinthe Advent Calendar (2018 Edition) CRAFT £149.95
Drinks by the Dram collaborations for 2018
That Boutique-y Whisky Company Advent Calendar (2018 Edition) £149.95
That Boutique-y Gin Company Advent Calendar (2018 Edition) £99.95
The Origin Single Botanical Gin Advent Calendar (2018 Edition) £99.95
The Douglas Laing Advent Calendar (2018 Edition) £159.95
The Glenfarclas Advent Calendar (2018 Edition) £279.99
The Ginvent Advent Calendar (2018 Edition) £124.95
The Naga Chilli Vodka Escalation Calendar £99.95
