March 2008 Live Tasting

[mikeymad]

Thanks for trying Matt..... I will have to just work the bottles I got...

Maybe in the future, if there is a rep over here that could breakdown a bottle and just ship some samples around. I don't think that it too bad.

Cheers,

[Di Blasi]

Thanks again Matt!! And thanks also to Balvenie / William Grant too!!

[woodhill]

Thanks a Million Matt!

Looking forward to that Signature and the 21yo

Should be a great evening!

[Matt2]

if there is a rep over here that could breakdown a bottle and just ship some samples around

Exactly what I was thinking, and thank you for offering your services

[SoMK]

I got mine today ! That single barrel looks really interesting .. and the Signature 12 has a beautiful colour imho... Many thanks Matt !

[Ryguy]

My Balvenie Trio pack came in today! Just in time. So I'll be around Saturday at some point for the tasting, looking forward to it!!

[Willie JJ]

Mine came too . Thanks Matt. This will be fun.

[woodhill]

Matt

Cheers. My parcel was also waiting when i got home.

Thanks - very excited to taste them. ( hope i can wait till then)

Is the Signature available anywhere? or is this the first taste?

[Ryguy]

Mine came too . Thanks Matt. This will be fun.

Willie, I actually had to order mine locally. It was only $15.99 at my local store. Matt was unable to send samples to the U.S. or Canada this time around. Maybe next time!

[Deactivated Member]

Mine too!

With Sig 12 and Port 21!

Thanks, Matt!

[Willie JJ]

Mine came too . Thanks Matt. This will be fun.

Willie, I actually had to order mine locally. It was only $15.99 at my local store. Matt was unable to send samples to the U.S. or Canada this time around. Maybe next time!

Sounds like he is working on it Ryan. Fingers crossed he manages to sort out the logistics in time for the next one. Having said that $15.99 is not too bad for that set. Cheapest I have seen it in Edinburgh is £10.

[TreacleSponge]

Nothing for me. I'll check if the postie looks hungover tomorrow morning

[arkle]

Mine was waiting when I got home, the family asked why was I sent urine samples in the post! Looking forward to my first live tasting with you all. Thanks Matt.(p.s I believe urine tasting is quite good too ,now theres a thought..........!

[Ras Mazunga]

I'm stuck to the mailbox for 4 days now,
No samples... yet

[Ganga]

Oh well, I'll stick with the samples I have. Thanks for trying Matt. Ok ladies and laddies, only two days to go. Wee.

[TreacleSponge]

Big thanks to lovely Matt and lovely Balvenie. My lovely postie brought my lovely samples today. Really looking forward to tomorrow

[Di Blasi]

Gonna run out and check the mail now! Hope to have mine cause maybe a little tasting tonight is possible, (Musky, anyone else?) Fingers crossed!

[Muskrat Portage]

Gonna run out and check the mail now! Hope to have mine cause maybe a little tasting tonight is possible, (Musky, anyone else?) Fingers crossed!

I'm here.

Seems that I have to leave tomorrow for the city and will miss the Saturday tasting! The flight to Faro leaves early Sunday and we don't want to risk getting caught in a snowstorm driving up on Sunday so are going up a day early.

Muskrat Portage

[Ganga]

Are ya still here, Musky? I'll at least share a dram with you while you try some Balvenies.

[Muskrat Portage]

Whaddaya got?

[Ganga]

Ok Musky, I'm here with HP 12 in hand.

[Muskrat Portage]

Highland Park 12 yo
should we try "tasting notes" again?
Naw!
Nose: Honey, heather, I sense a sweetness like bananas as well

[Ganga]

We can certainly give it a go. I have the newest bottling of HP 12. You?

[Muskrat Portage]

Older bottling that's been around for a year or so. There is a new one dow in the lair, already opened, 'though.

Hang on a mo.

Musky
oh darn, it's an 18.

Oh well....
Highland Park 18 yo (New bottle)
Colour: Pale yellow, not as deep and red as the 12 yo old botling.
Nose: Light grassy but with a powerful undercurrent of spice and alcohol coming to the fore.
Palate: Warm, definite fiery spice and peat notes along with a sweetness that is delightful
Finish: Long warming and getting more pronounced and sweet as the finish goes on. A definite tingle on the lips that hangs around as well.
Comment: Really surprised at how I enjoy this bottle. I always lean towards an Islay lately when looking for a dram. I shouldn't overlook the Island offerings.

[Ganga]

Very understandable Musky. I need to get another bottle of the 18.

[Ganga]

HP 12 #3
Brand : Highland Park Expression : Newer bottling circa 2007
Nose : Heather/floral, light honey, oranges, strawberries (?) - some kind of red fruit, just a hint of smoke Palate : Honey and a nice layering of smoke, apples, citrus, grains/malt Finish : moderately long with interplay of fruit and honey Comment : Very good beverage. One I'd find good for most occasions. Colour : Antique Gold Score : 0
Age : 12 Years Old Vintage : 0 ABV : 43% Bottler : Original Bottling	Type : Single Malt Region : Island (non Islay) Water : No Ice : No Glass : Glencairn Notes : -
More tasting notes by None Please do not reproduce or copy this tasting note without permission.

[Muskrat Portage]

Highland Park 12 yo
should we try "tasting notes" again?
Naw!
Nose: Honey, heather, I sense a sweetness like bananas as well

Colour: a deeper reddish gold than the 18.
Nose: Definitely honey in there as well as the heather. And close as I can come in that final note is still bananas.
Palate: Honey, sweetness from sherry notes, malt surfaces after a bit and a hint of saltiness, not overbearing 'though, very subtle. Apples, Ganga? Maybe that's the sweetness I can't describe... yes maybe a crisp winter spy.
Finish: Nice long and low, but there's a cereal flavour in the finish, somewhat like wheatabix. Odd I'd not noticed that before. Warms the belly and a gentle feeling of warmth infuses the body. What a pleasing little dram!
Musky

[Ganga]

Yes, I can see the bananas now. Not quite ripe but not overly green either. Very interesting.

[Muskrat Portage]

I wonder if we drink too much sometimes. Now we both taste bananas in our whisky!

[Ganga]

Poured the same beverage into a brandy glass. Malt is so much stronger on the nose. Fresh berries on cereal! Citrus is much more muted.

Bit o' Honey is really strong on the palate drifting off into a honeyed malt finish. I think I like this better in this glass.

[Muskrat Portage]

Ganga:
Yes, we'd done a taste sampling with glassware last ear and found that somewhiskies tastes are better rponounced in different glasses than others. I've yet to sit and work it out as yet. It would be an interesting weekend experiment to try.

Mrs Musky is ready to go out for supper so I must beg leave. Have a good time at the Live Tasting tomorrow. I head ot tomorrow for Winnipeg as we fly out early Sunday morning to Faro.

Hold down the fort for me okay?

Peter

[Ganga]

I wonder if we drink too much sometimes. Now we both taste bananas in our whisky!

I'd suggest sometimes it is not enough. Sometimes taking a big woof brings out things I don't always see.

[Ganga]

My best to Mrs. Musky. Safe journey to you.

[Muskrat Portage]

Thank you Ganga.

Musky has left the building...

[Ras Mazunga]

Samples arrived. SB and Signature 12. Very interesting.
Going to the store now to get a 10yo.

What time do we start?