Tawny ruby colour; spicy, minerally, plum and vanilla oak on the nose; medium-bodied, dry cherry and plum flavours. Drinking well now.
Deep plum-red. Somewhat subdued nose of raspberry, cassis, earth and fresh mushrooms eventually gives way to liquorice and pipe tobacco. On the palate is fresh, clean fruit and lots of it: strawberries, plums, raspberries. Tannins are soft and dwindling, but still sufficient to add the necessary structure to what would otherwise be an overwhelming fruit bomb. Drink now, with a grilled rib-eye steak.
The first of four unique whiskies released annually by Highland Park under the Valhalla Collection umbrella. Bottled at 52.1% and eye-catchingly packaged, Thor offers up a complex aromatic profile with cognac-like nuances buttressed by smoke, cocoa, ginger, toasted nuts, cigar box and a bare whiff of tar. With a dash of water to temper the heat, the whisky displays an intriguing mélange of brine, smoke, tobacco leaf, dried fruit and exotic spices. Like a hammer wrapped in velvet.
Named after an infamous Prohibition-era shipping dock used to help move Canadian Club whisky south of the border, this new offering from Canadian Club adds to the growing roster of spiced and flavoured spirits. Hints of rye grain, vanilla, cinnamon and citrus segue to a sweet/spicy palate with suggestions of vanilla bean and crème brûlée and a long, warm end notes.
Beam’s new Devil’s Cut uses a proprietary system that extracts whiskey from the wood in which it is aged. This potent extract is then blended with 6-year-old bourbon, resulting in a full-bodied expression with aromatics of exotic spice, dried fruit, treacle and marmalade. Assertive in the mouth with overtones of molasses, honey and tangerine. Serve with a dash of spring water.
Six years in barrel gives Jim Beam Black Label more colour and complexity both in terms or aromatics and flavour than the White Label. The sweet corn notes still show through but are complemented by sultana/fruitcake elements, a touch of charred oak and a kick of vanilla and pepper.
The flagship of the Jim Beam line-up is aged four years and sports a clean, forward nose of toffee, candied orange and sweet corn. Smooth and fairly gentle on the palate, it is mildly smoky with hints of clove, vanilla and caramel. Nicely balanced, it finishes with lingering butterscotch and smoke notes.