April 2012 Live Tasting - Spring Cleaning

[Ganga]

Time to finish off some of those bottles that are getting low. Chime in with your closing thoughts on the bottle. Better, worse, not much change...whatever fits your fancy.

[johan brugge]

I've been waiting for this thread for two months now! I've got quite a few bottles that can leave my cabinet.

[pkt77242]

I've been waiting for this thread for two months now! I've got quite a few bottles that can leave my cabinet.

Glad to have you back on Johan. I already have 5 bottles down to one pour and a couple that are getting very close.

[AdamMY]

First bottle to bite the dust this April for me ( it is 3 minutes past midnight as I write this) Glen Moray Classic.

Rubbing alcohol, and banana's on the nose, slight touch of lemon, with a nice hint of gelatin candy. The flavor hasn't improved much with the bottle being open, almost tastes like I imagine a lemon scented cleaner would taste, a good bit of lemon and malt, and a strong bit of alcohol. Somehow it works decently but not amazing. Finish is nearly non existent.

[pkt77242]

First bottle to bite the dust this April for me ( it is 3 minutes past midnight as I write this) Glen Moray Classic.

Rubbing alcohol, and banana's on the nose, slight touch of lemon, with a nice hint of gelatin candy. The flavor hasn't improved much with the bottle being open, almost tastes like I imagine a lemon scented cleaner would taste, a good bit of lemon and malt, and a strong bit of alcohol. Somehow it works decently but not amazing. Finish is nearly non existent.

I am not a fan of Glen Moray classic and based off your notes I will not be trying it anytime soon.

[Ganga]

How can you decide if you are or are not a fan w/o actually trying it?

[pkt77242]

How can you decide if you are or are not a fan w/o actually trying it?

Oops that should be try it again anytime soon. I had it about 2.5 year ago and didn't like it.

[Willie JJ]

I haven't been paying attention again. I've finished a bunch of bottles in the last two weeks. Still I'm sure I can find some more.

[Ganga]

Ancient Age - a nice bourbon that is relatively inexpensive. I can't say that a bottle lasts long enough to experience "change". This is a nutty whisky. Lots of grains and crushed almond shells. I will be replacing this in the very near future.

[pkt77242]

Ancient Age. Bottle died to fast to really notice any change but it is a nice entry level bourbon.

Charred oak, caramel and vanilla on the nose with a little grain.
similar on the palate. with an added hint of orange.
finish is medium on the char, vanilla and caramel.

I will probably buy another bottle again as it is about $8 here.

[Ganga]

End of the Buffalo Trace. This one is very nice although it has some vegetal notes that aren't my favorite. This bottle was opened for New Year's so it didn't last all that long. I think the vegetal notes have strengthened with the time though.

[Ganga]

I can see the vanilla and caramel in the Ancient Age. 750 runs about 9 here but I can get a 1.75 for around 16. Definitely something that I don't regret having around.

[Ganga]

End of the Buffalo Trace. This one is very nice although it has some vegetal notes that aren't my favorite. This bottle was opened for New Year's so it didn't last all that long. I think the vegetal notes have strengthened with the time though.

I forgot about how "dirty" the vegetal is. Also some very strong vanilla notes come through on the nose and palate.

[pkt77242]

Kirkland Signature Bourbon

Maybe a little softer now but still has some nice firm rye notes. Caramel, vanilla and toffee are there as well. A good whisky and a must buy at $20 for a Liter

[Ganga]

Catto's blended scotch whisky. This is a very old bottle that I inherited. Lemons and grains with a lottle of estery character still. It's an ok blend but I think there are a lot better ones out there.

[Ganga]

75 South.

This is a very inexpensive whisky. It is surprisingly good and has been from the start. I picked this up a year ago so it has had time to settle. The grains and nuts in it have become richer. If I find this again, I will get another bottle.

[Ganga]

Glenmo Ten, The Original. Think this one really is at the time to go. The bottle needed a couple of weeks to open up and then it kinda plateaued. However, it has started to tail off with some grains that aren't as sweet. Good bottle and will replace this one down the road.

[Ganga]

End of the An Cnoc 12.

Bottle has been open for about 13 mos. It started off as mostly a waxy malt. This is still true. However, it has some honey notes and ground black pepper. Good whisky. Will consider moving up to the 16.

[AdamMY]

Old Pulteney 12.

Either my tastebuds are way off calibration of the month this spent on life support was not nice to this one. It has been down to at least one dram in the bottle for at least 2 weeks, and quite low for at least a month prior to that.

Typical OP on the Nose but their is a slightly more pronounced alcohol scent. Taste nice if not a little tart, and very tart going into the finish.

[Ganga]

Talisker 18. Goodbye old friend, I knew ye well.

This is waxy peat with just a touch of spices and pepper. Brilliant whisky. This was a gifted bottle from something I hosted back a few months ago so I don't have much information on change. It does remind me of the bottles I've had in the past.

[AdamMY]

Monkey Shoulder Batch 27.

I think this improves with being open. The aroma is decidedly fruity, and honeyed. The taste and finish is quite similar, almost think an unsalted Old Pulteney, with a bit more pear.

[Ganga]

Sean will be jealous as I finish off the Littlemill 8 sample.

This is a schizo-dram. At times it is pleasant at other times bland and still other times downright offensive. Today it is ok. Malty, marshmallows and canteloupe.

[pkt77242]

Old Potrero 18th century style 100% rye

When I first opened it tasted like a 50/50 mix of rye and gasoline. Now most of the gasoline flavor is gone and it just tastes like super spicy rye with fresh cracked rye grains. A little sweetness towards the end. Definitely has improved and was interesting to try but I will not be buying again at $60

[pkt77242]

Teachers. I liked it when it was first opened, then it got a little astringent in the middle and now it is pretty good again. Some grains, some soft peat, and some farmyard notes. Solid and I will probably buy again sometime down the road

[pkt77242]

OP 12.

Not as good as my last bottle of this but still pretty good.

Some salted mango, peaches, and melon. A slight bitterness that drags it down.

A little better then when I first opened the bottle.

I am sure I will be buying a new bottle by the start of May

[Ganga]

Teachers. I liked it when it was first opened, then it got a little astringent in the middle and now it is pretty good again. Some grains, some soft peat, and some farmyard notes. Solid and I will probably buy again sometime down the road

Always liked this one for whisky and Coke. The peat is strong enough to cut through the sweetness of the Coke.

[Ganga]

OP 12. this was a gift pack bottling from a couple of years ago. It just popped with the maritime character at the start. Over the last month or so this has softened. Still very good. I am not worrying about backing up. I have a couple more in storage.

[pkt77242]

The end of my sample of Glenburgie. Very good

[AdamMY]

Eagle Rare 10 Tiffany's Wine and Spirits Kalamazoo Michigan select.

With age it lost a lot of its rough edges, and now is quite drinkable, though incredibly spiced and brown sugared. So think an amalgamation of the typical charactaristics of a bourbon rolled into one bottle. The only thing its missing is a hint of bubble gum.

[Ganga]

looking forward to see what Willie will clean out of his "closet".

[AdamMY]

Great King Street Artists blend

Granted I only had this bottle for about a month, but it stayed fairly consistent all the way through. Perhaps picking up a bit more toasted marshmallow notes.

[AdamMY]

Abelour Abunadh Batch 36

I swear this just keeps getting better with each pour. I am sad to see the bottle dead. Lots of dried fruit and spiced nuts. Mild taste of rubber, but there is enough else going on to distract from it. Also has a strong profile of strongly brewed malty black tea.

[lockejn]

AnCnoc 16. I rather enjoyed this one all the way through - it surprised me. One of the better whiskies - and better values - in this style. Would love to try it with a few more years.

[lockejn]

Islay Mist 8. Definitely the best value blend I can get readily. A splash of Laph CS in each bottle brings it way up, too.

[pkt77242]

AnCnoc 16. I rather enjoyed this one all the way through - it surprised me. One of the better whiskies - and better values - in this style. Would love to try it with a few more years.

Locke will you be buying another bottle?