Mr Fjeld and Musky's post Christmas dram tasting

[Muskrat Portage]

Seasons Greetings to all and sundry!

Mr Fjeld and I have been booting around the idea of doing a post Christmas tastings for a couple of weeks now. This is separate and apart from the excellent ongoing tasting program that Ganga is setting up on a regular basis.

Here are the simple guidelines:

1) The date we have set is December 27, 2008 at around 7 pm Bergen time (Central European Timezone).
[That's 6 pm in the UK (GMT); 2 pm in Halifax (Atlantic); 1 pm in Toronto (Eastern); noon in Winnipeg (Central); 10 am in Gangaland.(Mountain)]

2) The drams have to be something you've received as a gift for Christmas. This can be SM, Beer, Aqavit, Vodka, whatever ... as long as there is an alcohol content.

3) And, no, it can't be a bottle you gifted yourself with - it has to be a gift from someone other than Santa Claus (...or Sinter Klaus'; Topo Gigo; Pere Noel and any other National guises he wears)

4) Log on that date and time, post your notes and then stick around and chat about what everyone else is drinking.

See you hereabouts at 7 pm Bergen time on Saturday Dec 27th, 2008.

Musky and Mr Fjeld

[LagaDrinker]

Excellent idea, my mother-in-law bought me a mystery SM for christmas on her latest trip to Scotland so I'll log on with that in my glass

[Ganga]

Gangaland is actually Pacific but the time is correct. I don't know if I'll receive anything by Xmas. M-in-law will be in Washington and won't return until New Years. But I'll likely join in just to chat for awhile.

[Mr Fjeld]

Ganga - bring your mother in law
I'm very curious myself about the presents......although I have a pretty good idea!

[Kernow]

I will come along with many bottles of Laphroaig 10 no doubt .

[I_SPEY]

Nice idea, Musky and Chistian
Maybe I'll be there

[Willie JJ]

I might make it. Stranger things have happened.

[TreacleSponge]

What a good idea! I'll have a look-in but I won't be joining... I never ever get given a bottle for a Christmas gift But plenty of times I've heard "I was going to get you whisky but I didn't know what you'd like". Still, you can never have enough bubble bath sets

[Muskrat Portage]

Treacle:
Don't drink bubble bath okay? Leaves a terrible after taste - and just don't ask.

If you get too many of something not whisky, return them for a cash refund. Then ... take said refunds to the local outlet and get yourself that gift of whisky. It's not really a gift from you or Santa as the money is coming from a "third party", so to speak. At least, I would accept that perspective!

It's how I aquired my first 12" tall "G.I. Joe" in 1965 - I took back some gifts that were missing parts and applied the money to what I really, really wanted!

Musky (age and cunning will beat youth and vigour)

[mikeymad]

Since I will be missing the 13th... and I don't have plans for the holiday weekend yet. I might be able to do this gathering.

Cheers,

[Muskrat Portage]

So? Whatcha got? Anything?

I'll be bringing a bottle of rum that was an early gift from Mrs Musky as there wasn't anything liquid under the tree this morning.

Musky

[LagaDrinker]

I shall be sampling the Royal Lochnagar 12 from my mother-in-law

[Willie JJ]

I got a bottle of 18yo CS Mortlach from the Wine Society and a Scott's 1977 Glenlivet. Might get something else tomorrow though.

[TreacleSponge]

So far a bottle of red, a bottle of white and a sparkling rose. There's a secret something else on the way, but I don't know if it's alcoholic. Or if it's bubble bath

[Mr Fjeld]

Looking forward to see what you all got for christmas

[Mr Fjeld]

From my better half I received among other things also two bottles of Appleton Estate Extra 12 - a wonderful rum from Jamaica.

Rum
Brand : Appleton Estate Expression : Extra
Nose : Vanilla, brown sugar/Demerara, moist pipe tobacco, leather and some banana. Palate : Much the same impressions as found in the nose. Finish : Lasts for ages. It's the type of spirit which leaves a mark long after you've had it in the mouth. Almost as if it clings to the inside of your throat whre it keeps on releasing those wonderful aromas Comment : Despite not being able to assess it probably due to the flu I'd say this is a top 5 rum. Why do people only drink rum with coke when there is aged rums like this? Btw, used a brandy snifter instead of the usual Glencairn. Colour : Bronze Score : 0
Age : 12 Years Old Vintage : 0 ABV : 43% Bottler : J. Wray and Nephew Ltd.	Type : Blended Region : Caribbean/Jamaica Water : no Ice : no Glass : Brandy Glass Notes : -
More tasting notes by None Please do not reproduce or copy this tasting note without permission.

[LagaDrinker]

Good evening gents, I shall be posted notes of the Royal Lochnagar I got after my meal. Lovely evening for it

[Mr Fjeld]

Hi Lagadrinker

[LagaDrinker]

Hello Mr Fjeld, Ok I have had tea now so on now going to open the Lochnagar - not very many pf us tonight

[Mr Fjeld]

Hello Mr Fjeld, Ok I have had tea now so on now going to open the Lochnagar - not very many pf us tonight

Agreed, still two is better than none I'm curious about that Lochnagar. Di Blasi gave me a mini of Lochnagar 12 - maybe I should open it despite it's not a christmas present? It's a gift so maybe it's alright?

Aberlour A'bunadh coming up in a sec!

[Muskrat Portage]

I'm late! I'm late! I'm terribly sorry I'm late!

I was charging my Garmin GPS in the car and lost track of time. Still figuring out how to acquire satellites.

What we got to drink?

Musky

Mrs Musky gave me this following bottle of rum just before Christmas so it barely meets my own requirements for this tasting.

Musky

[Muskrat Portage]

Appleton Estate Jamaica Rum
Brand : V/X Expression : Not sure what week
Nose : Oddly more like marzipan in the initial nose than the expected rum Palate : Very smooth and rich feeling. almost a velvet coating on the mouth and tongue. Finish : Quick and yet warming. Lingers on the tongue with a very sweet aftertaste. Comment : Very nice without any ice or mix. A definitively sippable rum. Colour : Ruddy gold - like Jura Score : 95
Age : unk Years Old Vintage : 2008? ABV : 40%% Bottler : Wray & Nephew Canada ltd	Type : Rum Region : Jamaica Water : nope Ice : None Glass : Tulip Nosing Glass Notes : -
More tasting notes by None Please do not reproduce or copy this tasting note without permission.

[Mr Fjeld]

-
Brand : Aberlour Expression : A'bunadh
Nose : Sherry nutiness, a faint trace of rubber, burnt oak and young spirit. Palate : Oh, this is good and much better than the last time around; sherry nutiness, pickled fruit, intense but not in a bad way. Although I think the sherry masks the gristy character it's still slightly "fatty" - which is good enough for me. It seems a lot less bourbony than batch 12 and 17 - and that's definately a good thing. Finish : Nutiness stays on for a while but doesn't "cling" to the throat like the rum I just had. Comment : A much more pleasant experience than the previous two times. This one feels much more composed. It's a great whisky! Colour : Bronze Score : 0
Age : ? Years Old Vintage : batch 25 ABV : 60.4% Bottler : -	Type : Single Malt Region : Speyside Water : Yes, a few drops Ice : certainly not Glass : Glencairn Notes : -
More tasting notes by None Please do not reproduce or copy this tasting note without permission.

I've had the pleasure of tasting two A'bunadhs before and they were batch 12 and 17 - both of which failed to impress me as I thought of them as "trying too hard". Back then I felt they had an obvious sherry character (of course) but they also reminded me of a small batch bourbon with caramelised wood sugars and astringency. So how's batch 25 then?

[Mr Fjeld]

I'm late! I'm late! I'm terribly sorry I'm late!

I was charging my Garmin GPS in the car and lost track of time. Still figuring out how to acquire satellites.

What we got to drink?

Musky

Mrs Musky gave me this following bottle of rum just before Christmas so it barely meets my own requirements for this tasting.

Musky

Great tasting notes Peter - and good to see you

Edit: regarding the batch 25; it reminds me of the Aberlour 12 Double Wood (think it's called that) which I loved.

[Muskrat Portage]

Christian:
The most recent A'Bunadh I've got is the batch 23, which I'll sample once I finish this lovely rum.

Musky

[Mr Fjeld]

It's strange isn't it - I felt relieved when I finally finished the last bottle of A'bunadh - and I didn't like batch 12 much either. And here I am with a lovely whisky?

Edit: more impressions of batch 25; There's winegum in there. It reminds me a little of a decent rum called Angostura 1824.

[Matt2]

Hi all, fleating visit, but I did get a 1971 Glenfarclas. Not usually a fan, but there are some really nice fruit cake notes on the nose. Very christmasy.

The finish is quite harsh, lot of woody things, but the second finish a bit later is much more mellow. You have to wait till you're through the woods

I'll try and pop back a bit later

[Muskrat Portage]

It's strange isn't it - I felt relieved when I finally finished the last bottle of A'bunadh - and I didn't like batch 12 much either. And here I am with a lovely whisky?

Edit: more impressions of batch 25; There's winegum in there. It reminds me a little of a decent rum called Angostura 1824.

A hyes, I've developed a personal enjoyment of the 1824 myself. Sadly it's empty now and I have to track down a new one in Winnipeg next time I'm in the city.
Musky

[Mr Fjeld]

Hi all, fleating visit, but I did get a 1971 Glenfarclas. Not usually a fan, but there are some really nice fruit cake notes on the nose. Very christmasy.

The finish is quite harsh, lot of woody things, but the second finish a bit later is much more mellow. You have to wait till you're through the woods

I'll try and pop back a bit later

Hi Matt - that's a nice present
I'm tempted to open the Glenfarclas 21 I recieved for christmas?

[Mr Fjeld]

Not a lot of people here so I'll log off for a while and come back later.

[LagaDrinker]

Ok here goes...

Royal Lochnagar 12 Yo 40%

N: slightly floral, sweet honey, raspberries, plum, pear drops

T: Sweet honey, then dries away to warming malt.

F: Dry, sweet short finish

The nose promises so much, however the taste and finish lack any depth and body. Not one I will bother buying again. Not bad just not great.

6/10

[Dram fine idea]

Cheers Laga for your note. I didn't get a bottle for Christmas so I don't qualify in this section. Instead I've posted a note (belatedly) on the Christmas drams section.

[TreacleSponge]

As anticipated, Santa completely overlooked me when handing out Christmas whiskies. I received some wines, but I'm not really in the mood for them, so I reckon I can count recent whisky samples as gifts, can't I?

[TreacleSponge]

First a Glenmo, thanks to TheTross for this.

Glenmorangie 12yo Golden Rum Cask
Brand : Glenmorangie Expression : Golden Rum Cask
Nose : Lots of apples and then chocolate nougat and vanilla custard. Light and sweet. Palate : Fruity and fresh. Finish : Orange rind, quite pithy. Comment : This is very shy at first, but opens up a little in time. I thought the rum would be big and bold here, but it's not. But that's not a bad thing, just not what I expected. Perhaps it's just very well integrated rather than being tagged on as an afterthought. It's very clean and easy to drink Colour : - Score : 0
Age : 12 Years Old Vintage : 0 ABV : 40% Bottler : -	Type : - Region : Scotland Water : - Ice : - Glass : - Notes : -
More tasting notes by None Please do not reproduce or copy this tasting note without permission.

[TreacleSponge]

Next and last, thanks to Dram Fine Idea for this one. Not sure what 2.35 means; I know there'll be a way to work it out if I make the effort, but for now I'm just going to drink and enjoy it.

SMWS 2.35 Glenlivet
Brand : SMWS Expression : Glenlivet Distilled March 1976 Bottled Feb 2001
Nose : Enormously sherried. Buckets of sherry. Then a big helping of Christmas pudding. Palate : After lots of chewy sherry, a little apple and cinnamon. A brief interlude of woodiness then mince pies and chocolate raisins. Finish : Oaky dryness and cinnamon sticks Comment : This is a fabulous cliche of Christmassyness in a glass. Sometimes I take a dislike to heavily sherried drams but I absolutely loved this. I'm tempted to pour some more, but I think I'll hoard the rest of the sample until I need a big hit of festive goodness again. Colour : ooh, that's dark! Score : 0
Age : 24 Years Old Vintage : 0 ABV : 61% Bottler : -	Type : - Region : - Water : yes Ice : no Glass : Glencairn Notes : -
More tasting notes by None Please do not reproduce or copy this tasting note without permission.