Bourbon - 6 March 2009 - 7pm GMT

[TheTross]

I'm hoping my Glenfarclas gets here from TWE in time for the Glenfarclas tasting. It will either be outstanding or way too woody as its 43.

I've got the 42yo Glenfarclas that was released a few months prior to the one you have. It isn't really woody at all but is very heavy on the sherry. Not sure how the 43 will compare, but if it's anything like the 42 then you're in for a treat - as long as you like 'em sherried

Currently on Elijah Craig 18. Notes to follow shortly.

[Ganga]

I'm back with the "frozen" Joshua Brook. Chilled a glass of the JB for 25 minutes.

At first, there is very little nose. Then a small bit of white chocolate and early harvest grains start to appear. Palate has bitter herbs and raw vegetables, dark chocolate and early spring grass.

Each minute of warming adds layers to the nose. Menthol on the nose and palate now.

And here comes some caramel and chocolated coated marshmallows - fresh from the freezer of course.

Lots of rye starting to come through.

This is a fabulous experiment. You get the chill in the whiskey wihout the impact of dilution from ice.

[Ganga]

I'll certainly let you know what comes of it. Glenfarclas, Mortlach and Glen Grant really hold up to cask time compared to some of the others.

[Ganga]

Good afternoon Nick. Glad to see you here!

[TreacleSponge]

Buffalo Trace next, thanks for this, Ras.

Buffalo Trace
Brand : Buffalo Trace Expression : -
Nose : Very definite toffee. Might be the most toffee-ish nose I've got from a whiskey. Eventually after all that toffee a musty smell. Then pecan pie and custard, which is a bad dessert combination but smells really great here. In time menthol creeps in. The mildew fades the longer it stands but there's still something a bit earthy. Palate : Brown sugar, woodsmoke, then it gets quite floral with sweet blossom and fresh mint, heading towards aniseed (almost but not quite). Finish : Dusty brie cheese rind. What? That's really strong at first then it's much less prominent when it's been standing in the glass a while. Comment : What's going on with the mildew? It's not noticeable in the taste until the finish but surely that isn't supposed to be there. Wonder if it's the bottle or glass. I've tried it twice but maybe I should give it another try another day. Colour : - Score : 0
Age : >9yo Years Old Vintage : 0 ABV : 45% Bottler : -	Type : - Region : Kentucky Water : - Ice : - Glass : Glencairn Notes : -
More tasting notes by None Please do not reproduce or copy this tasting note without permission.

[TreacleSponge]

Hi C57 and TheTross

[TreacleSponge]

Just read your notes too You found that mouldy mildew thing going on in the Buffalo Trace too then. Isn't that strange? Just seems out of place, doesn't it?:

[Ganga]

Old Charter 13
Brand : Old Charter Expression : Proprietor's Reserve
Nose : liquid caramel, crushed mint, bed of hay, powdered cocoa Palate : natural grain bars with some honey and caramel. Minty menthol character almost slips by if you don't pay attention. Finish : Long, lingering rye and caramel Comment : - Colour : Amber gold Score : 0
Age : 13 Years Old Vintage : 0 ABV : 45% Bottler : Old Charter Distillers	Type : - Region : - Water : - Ice : - Glass : Glencairn Notes : -
More tasting notes by None Please do not reproduce or copy this tasting note without permission.

[TheTross]

Hi TS!

Perhaps by 'earthy/mossy' I also detected the mould/mildew you found? Have none of the Buffalo Trace left now though so I can't give it another go unfortunately.

[Ganga]

It is interesting about what you guys are detecting with the mildew/mould/moss. Occassionally, I get a malt in which I think back to the bottom of a silo. The moisture seems to go to the bottom, heat up and ferment and mould the grains. Not a great thing but it has memories for me as I used to clean out silos 25 years ago.

[TheTross]

Elijah Craig 18yo (45%, cask #2284, distilled 24/10/1089)

Nose: Very sweet! Lots of marzipan and sugar, with a lovely earthy edge. Slightly bitter orange and a little desiccated coconut. Dust, wood smoke and wood spice. Becomes nutty over time, which joins the marzipan notes well to form Christmas cake aromas. Vanilla ice-cream with chocolate sauce drizzled over it.

Palate: Very subtle in comparison to the nose and quite watery. Raisins? Slightly oaky, with weak citrus fruit (mainly lemon) and vanilla. Quite hot!

Finish: Short but sweet, with vanilla and hints of lemon sorbet. A lightly earthy and oaky bitterness rounds things off.


I must say that the palate is hugely disappointing in comparison to what the nose promised. A nice, albeit short finish. I think I prefer the 12yo offering from Elijah Craig, it seems to have more going on.

[Ganga]

Ridgemont Reserve 1792.

Chilled in the freezer.

Initially, notes of frozen marshmallow and straw. Spirity rye on the palate.

A clean bed of straw, some caramel, "clean". Palate displays a mixture of greens - mixed salad greens?, maybe a little forest moss, fresh mint, rye.

As it continues to warm bitter greens, rye and caramel dominate both the nose and palate.

This one was even better to try this experiment with. Thank you for the "clue" Treacle.

[TreacleSponge]

Ooh, your Ridgemont Reserve sounds interesting, Ganga. I'll look out for that.

[TheTross]

They all definitely have a lot in common Nick. But then to me, so too do grain whiskies - at least Scotch grain.

Right. Three down, with probably just one to go (GTS 2007, no less...), but I also have samples of Georgia Moon and Old Overholt. Do they count?

[Ganga]

I'm thinking of stocking the 1792 on a regular basis...and I'm not generally a bourbon drinker! I can get it for $30 compared to $70-100 for the GTS. Diminishing returns at that price.

[Ganga]

They may not be bourbons but they provide a good comparison against bourbons for other Am. whiskies. Last night I did a Dickel (Tennessee) against the bourbons.

Tennessee whiskies are charcoal filtered, a difference from bourbons.

[Ganga]

Nick, rye has a course (less refined) nose, taste compared to other grains. Think about the difference between cracked pepper and finely ground pepper.

[TreacleSponge]

Woodford Reserve now - thanks, Willie.

Woodford Reserve Kentucky Derby 133
Brand : Woodford Reserve Expression : Woodford Reserve Kentucky Derby 133
Nose : Initially quite closed except for tons of vanilla. A little grapefruit lurking in the background. Restrained smell of emulsion paint. It opens up with time, showing plenty of apples and grapes and eventually marzipan. Palate : Amongst the usual bourbon descriptors there is cereal (Shredded Wheat) and fresh fruit (white grapes) and lots of whole almonds. How interesting! It's worth leaving to stand to be able to savour this. Finish : Smooth and warm. Buttered toast and sugared almonds. Comment : I wasn't expecting anything so lovely from a WR, as I went off the Distiller's Select some time ago. This is one to explore, I really enjoyed the taste. Colour : - Score : 0
Age : 0 Years Old Vintage : 0 ABV : 42.5% Bottler : -	Type : - Region : - Water : - Ice : - Glass : - Notes : -
More tasting notes by None Please do not reproduce or copy this tasting note without permission.

[Ganga]

Old Fitzgerald 12
Brand : Old Fitzgerald Expression : Very Special 12
Nose : almond paste, marzipan, red apples, coconut, vanilla Palate : Caramel, mixed Christmas nuts, fresh mint, mild rye Finish : Long and warming, linger rye on a bed of marzipan Comment : - Colour : Amber bronze Score : 0
Age : 12 Years Old Vintage : 0 ABV : 45% Bottler : Old Fitzgerald	Type : Bourbon Region : Kentucky Water : - Ice : - Glass : Glencairn Notes : -
More tasting notes by None Please do not reproduce or copy this tasting note without permission.

[TreacleSponge]

You're very welcome, C57

Sometimes with bourbons I suffer that vanilla-oak-orange-spice bourbon fatigue that you almost hit on, and everything tastes the same. I don't know if it just depends on how my palate is playing on the day - sometimes I get the same with very sherried malts. Time in the glass seems to help with the bourbons tho.

[TreacleSponge]

Ooh snap, I'm just tasting Old Fitz 12 Ganga

[Ganga]

Hey, I'm getting some creamy peanut butter now!

[Ganga]

Added some water to the OF 12. Hmm, intense. Mint is strong. Maybe even a hint of sweet, cigar tobacco. Definitely red delicious apples. Honey mixed with grains. Palate is now very smooth. Honey roasted peanuts, cereals, marzipan.

[TreacleSponge]

Haha, I would never accuse you of stealing my notes, C57! It reassures me when I see you've found the same flavours

[Ganga]

Speaking of Willie, will he be joining in at some point? I really look forward to seeing his point of view on these!

[Ganga]

Well I'm down to some WL Weller. Pouring it now.

[Ganga]

Speaking of Willie, will he be joining in at some point? I really look forward to seeing his point of view on these!

I believe he's at the Leith Vaults with SoI tonight so won't be joining. Or if he does it will be late and incoherent (only joking Willie!)

Late's pretty early from my stand point!

[TreacleSponge]

Last one for tonight...

Old Fitzgerald 12 yo
Brand : Old Fitzgerlad Expression : Very Special Old Fitzgerald
Nose : Immediately a swift whiff of glue and cucumber. Is that right? Perhaps I'm broken ...OK, now I've left it to stand a while and it's more what I'd expect. Or probably more likely, my nose is working again! There we go, honey, mixed fruits, brazil nuts. Palate : Quite resinous. Bitter dark chocolate, coffee and chilli. As it develops, liquorice and damp rolling tobacco Finish : Gets herby like lemon thyme then perfectly bitter and drying. Cinnamon sticks. Also something medicinal like toothache remedies (oil of cloves). Comment : This is lovely. Big bittersweet flavours enveloping me like a big warm blanket. Colour : - Score : 0
Age : 12 Years Old Vintage : 0 ABV : 45% Bottler : -	Type : - Region : Kentucky Water : - Ice : - Glass : Glencairn Notes : -
More tasting notes by None Please do not reproduce or copy this tasting note without permission.

Mmm, a good end-of-the-night drink.

[Ganga]

OF 12 is really nice isn't it TS?

[Ganga]

Weller 10
Brand : Weller Expression : Centennial 10
Nose : Truckload of caramel, rye and straw, vanilla, coconut Palate : Rootbeer?! Incorporates the caramel and vanilla flavors. Little bit of minty Certs. Rye on the backend of things. Finish : Really starts and finishes with that rootbeer flavor. Long, warming finish Comment : - Colour : Reddish gold Score : 0
Age : 10 Years Old Vintage : 0 ABV : 50% Bottler : WL Weller	Type : Bourbon Region : Kentucky Water : - Ice : - Glass : Glencairn Notes : -
More tasting notes by None Please do not reproduce or copy this tasting note without permission.

[TreacleSponge]

OF 12 is really nice isn't it TS?

Yep, I really enjoyed that It was a nice contrast after so many sweet drinks too - it seemed to have fewer of those sugary notes (toffee/fudge/caramel/maple syrup etc) that so many of the others have had.

[Ras Mazunga]

Hello fellow bourbon drinkers.

Starting with EC12:
n: vanilla, caramel, toffee, rye, wax, chocolate, after the corn and rye more malty tastes seem to emerge
t: vanilla, oranges, tea
f: woody oranges
c: nice to smell how the nose develops. there is just enough rye in this one to restrain the sweets but not to much to let the rye come out to much

[TheTross]

Evening Ras!

George T. Stagg 2007 (72.4%)

Nose: Marzipan and nuts. Fruitcake, rum 'n' raisin chocolate. Hints of wood polish and antiseptic cream. A little citrussy (mainly lemon). Mentholated. Coffee-flavoured chocolate liqueurs. Water creates a slightly dusty profile but also something akin to Cherry Bakewell tarts (the iced ones), Bounty bars (coconut-centred chocolate bars) and basil leaves.

Palate: Drying! And too hot at full strength to hold in the mouth for more than a few seconds, but I do get notes of rum 'n' raisin. Water needed, methinks... Water calms it down a lot and makes it very velvety, indeed revealing rum 'n' raisin and also a little menthol.

Finish: Sweet and mentholated. Marzipan. Water cools it somewhat but doesn't reveal anything extra.


The neat nose is absolutely astounding, but I just cannot drink this undiluted - it's too hot! Water makes it incredibly soft and, dare I say it, drinkable, but it's still quite hot in the mouth. This is an astonishing whiskey and, were it not for the ridiculous price it goes for in the UK, one I'd have in my cabinet at all times - with a water jug at its side, of course!

[TreacleSponge]

Hi Ras!

[Ganga]

Welcome Ras! I've had an enjoyable morning/afternoon with Treacle, C57 and the Tross. Will definitely keep you company as you try yours.