A Pour Man's Tasting Notes

[pkt77242]

Ardbeg Rollercoaster

N: Diesel, tar, lemon and lime. A little spirity and young. Salt, and an ocean breeze. faint smell of tree bark.
P: Diesel, tar, coal smoke, smoked fish, and osyters. Classic Ardbeg.
Then the usual lemon and salt crash the party.
F: Medium in length on diesel and that tree bark/root vegetable. Still some lemon and coal smoke linger for a minute or two.

Tastes a little young but that is not a shock. Enjoyable.

87 points. I like the in your face appeal though it lacks complexity.

I will take a 2 hour break or so and then finish the other 3.

[pkt77242]

Back at it again.

Ardbeg Airigh Nam Beist 1990.

N: Some lemon and lime. Diesel and some light smoke. A hint of vanilla and fudge. Salt, and wood smoked fish.
P: Lemon, fudge, salty peat and a drizzle of diesel. Very interesting combo.
F: Medium lenght finish on salted fish, lemon, diesel and fudge.

Enjoyable and the most complex of the Ardbeg's so far, but not globally amazing.

88 points.

[pkt77242]

Ardbeg Uigeadail

N: Coal smoke, tar, diesel, and peat. Lemons, limes and just a hint of fudge.
P: Definitely fudge, tar, diesel and loads of peat. Some lemon and salt.
F: Medium-long on coal smoke, tar and salted lemon.

Complex, yet in your face. I enjoy the older Uigeadail's more (they were more sherried or at least seemed to be.

89 points.

[pkt77242]

Last one for the evening.

Ardbeg Corryvreckan

N: The usual tar, diesel and salted lemons. Also some notes of nuts, just a hint of orange.
P: Salted citrus (both lemons and oranges), diesel and big peat smoke. Tar and smoked seafood (fish, oyster, scallops, clams).
F: Medium-long finish on salted peat. A little lemon and diesel as well.

Much more enjoyable now that it was when i first opened it.
Complex yet in your face. Hmm, this could really grow on me.

89 points.

Hope everyone enjoyed it.

Sean

[pkt77242]

Monday or Tuesday, I will taste Lagavulin 1991 DE and Dewar Rattay Bowmore 1991 17 sherry cask.

[Ryguy]

Excellent notes on the Ardbegs Sean, makes me thirsty!!

[Drammed]

Last one for the evening.

Ardbeg Corryvreckan

N: The usual tar, diesel and salted lemons. Also some notes of nuts, just a hint of orange.
P: Salted citrus (both lemons and oranges), diesel and big peat smoke. Tar and smoked seafood (fish, oyster, scallops, clams).
F: Medium-long finish on salted peat. A little lemon and diesel as well.

Much more enjoyable now that it was when i first opened it.
Complex yet in your face. Hmm, this could really grow on me.

89 points.

Hope everyone enjoyed it.

Sean

Nice notes. I usually find a large helping of chocolate fudge on the palet when I taste this. It's currently my favoutite "production" Ardbeg.

cheers

[pkt77242]

Nice notes Sean!! The Rochefort 10 is also one of my favourites. If you can try the Westmalle Triple at 9.5 % vol don't hesitate. It's different from the Rochefort but just as excellent.

Thanks Johan, I will look for it next time I am at the local superstore.

Up next Balvenie 12 Doublwood.

N: orange and nuts. Honey, vanilla, and some wood varnish. A little closed.
P: Overripe oranges and nuts. Honey, and a little sulphur. Oaky.
F: medium short on the overripe oranges and nuts.

Just ok. Simple, and I don't really enjoy overripe oranges.
78 points.

I agree that it is very simple.

Thanks, it is not unenjoyable, but there are much better options in the price range (Mac 12, HP 12, Crag 12, etc).

[pkt77242]

Just thought I would respond to a few comments while smelling the Laga DE 1991.

Excellent notes on the Ardbegs Sean, makes me thirsty!!

Thanks Ry, while I enjoy Ardbeg, I forget just how consistent it is until I work my way through them.

Last one for the evening.

Ardbeg Corryvreckan

N: The usual tar, diesel and salted lemons. Also some notes of nuts, just a hint of orange.
P: Salted citrus (both lemons and oranges), diesel and big peat smoke. Tar and smoked seafood (fish, oyster, scallops, clams).
F: Medium-long finish on salted peat. A little lemon and diesel as well.

Much more enjoyable now that it was when i first opened it.
Complex yet in your face. Hmm, this could really grow on me.

89 points.

Hope everyone enjoyed it.

Sean

Nice notes. I usually find a large helping of chocolate fudge on the palet when I taste this. It's currently my favoutite "production" Ardbeg.

cheers

Thanks Drammed. I really like the Uigeadail (especially the L6 that I had as it was much more sherried), but the Corry is catching it fast. The bottle just keeps getting better and better.

And now for the main attraction.

[pkt77242]

Lagavulin Distillers Edition 1991 finished in PX casks.

N: Very refined smoke, caramel, molasses, and some ripe cherry. Hints of peat, salt and strawberries. Just a sprinkling of dark chocolate.
P: Salted peat, cherries, dark chocolate, and some oranges. Gets a little saltier with smoked orange right before the finish.
F: Medium finish on more of the smoked orange, and some salty peat.

Super nose, great palate but just a very good finish.

90 points.

[pkt77242]

And the Challanger,

Dewar Rattray Bowmore 1991/2009 17yo Sherry Cask

N: Chocolate covered toffee, walnuts, and cranberries. Hints of smoke and salt are there as well.
P: Smokey walnuts, chocolate covered toffee, cranberries, and a nice dollop of peat. Cinnamon, menthol and some toasted oak are there as well. Bacon fat/grease.
F: Long finish. Smokey bacon, toffee, chocolate, and menthol. Peaty.

This is an amazing whisky. I never though that I would say those words about a Bowmore.

92 points.

Sean

[pkt77242]

Ok I have a couple of tastings planned. And if you have suggestions for me let me know (I will try to post up my open bottle list and samples in the next week or so).

Laph 10 CS (US release) vs Laph 10 CS Batch 1 (UK).
Laph 15 OB vs Signatory Laphroaig 15yo
3 Belgian Ales
3 Canadian Ales.
Talisker vertical
Glenrothes tasting
Elijah Craig 18 vs Jefferson's Presidential Bourbon 17yo vs Pappy Van Winkle 20yo

[pkt77242]

Going to do my 3 Belgian Ales

First up is

Duvel
N: Champagne, hints of pears and pineapples, malty, and maybe some hops.
P: Apples, malt, slight hops, and some bitterness.
F: Slightly short on malty apple bitterness.

Hmm, well made but not my cup of tea.

85 points, carried by the nose which is very enjoyable but a slightly simple on the palate and finish and not very complex.

[Holysinner]

I always enjoy reading your notes, Sean, although I think you and I often perceive a given whisky quite differently. It prompts me to re-examine or concentrate harder when I'm tasting.

I look forward to your bourbon flight, I'm particularly curious about the Jefferson's Presidential Select. I don't know if you and your Arizona bottle sharing mates have yet divvied up that Scott's Glen Mhor you guys got, but I'd love to see notes on that when you get around to it...I've been eyeing a bottle of it locally.

[pkt77242]

Westmalle Tripel

N: Yeasty, fresh baked french bread, and apple skins.
P: Apple skins, bread, yeast, slight bitter hops, and dry oak. A little floral and citrus as well.
F: medium short finish on bread and citrus.

A step up from the Duvel but still not my cup of tea.

88 points.

[pkt77242]

I always enjoy reading your notes, Sean, although I think you and I often perceive a given whisky quite differently. It prompts me to re-examine or concentrate harder when I'm tasting.

I look forward to your bourbon flight, I'm particularly curious about the Jefferson's Presidential Select. I don't know if you and your Arizona bottle sharing mates have yet divvied up that Scott's Glen Mhor you guys got, but I'd love to see notes on that when you get around to it...I've been eyeing a bottle of it locally.

Thank you HS.

We still haven't divvied up the Glen Mhor but when I get my sample I will be doing a Scott's Selection tasting with Macallan 1985 21yo, Highland Park 1981 25yo, Old Pulteney 1977, Glen Grant 1977, and Glenlivet 1977 along with the Glen Mhor.

[pkt77242]

Westmalle Dubbel

N: red berries, nutmeg, cinnamon, citrus, and just a hint of bitterness.
P: red berries, milk chocolate, and spices (sage, cinnamon, etc). Maybe some peaches.
F: shortish finish. spices, and berries.

A very enjoyable beer. 89 points for me. If you don't like this kind of beer go with the tripel but I would take this over the Tripel any day.

Sean

[pkt77242]

As long as my son goes to bed soon, I will be doing my 2 Laphroaig tastings.



Sean

[pkt77242]

Laphroaig 15 OB.

N: slight iodine and seaweed. very salty, a little peat and some cedar. Cantaloupe and slight red berries.
P: Melon is still present maybe honeydew and cantaloupe with a lot of salt poured over them. Slight smoke and seaweed.
F: medium and gets rather dry. smoked cedar and salted cantaloupe hang around for a while.

Very enjoyable. I need to get another bottle of this before it is gone.

89 points.

[pkt77242]

Signatory Laphroaig 1991/2007 15yo bourbon barrel 53.8%

N: lemon yogurt, vanilla, and some peat. simple but nice.
P: peated lemon yogurt. vanilla, and just a hint of iodine/seaweed/salt.
F: Medium, and very salty. Salted vanilla. Much more smoke on the finish along with salted fish.

Simple but enjoyable.
86 points.

[pkt77242]

Laphroaig 10 CS (US release) 55.7%

N: Melons (cantaloupe and honeydew), lots of salt, iodine, seaweed, and ocean breeze. Lots of peat.
P: Salted peat, seaweed, smoked fish, and just a hint of cantaloupe. Lots of iodine.
F: Medium lenght finish on soot, smoked fish, seaweed and loads of peat/iodine.

I really like the Laph 10 CS, slightly unbalanced but who cares when it is this much fun to drink.

88 points.

[pkt77242]

Laphroaig 10 CS Batch 1 (UK Release) 57.8%

N: lots of salted fish, oysters, iodine, seaweed, and a little grass
P: Coal smoke, ash, salted fish, iodine and peat. Just a hint of lemon sweetness. oyster, and seaweed. Did I mention loads of peat.
F: Long, I mean long finish. on loads of smoke, salted fish and peat.

90 points. A great 10 CS.

Sean

[SamF]

Really enjoying your tasting notes Sean, the only downside is that they're making me want to buy more whisky, which I can't afford!

[pkt77242]

Really enjoying your tasting notes Sean, the only downside is that they're making me want to buy more whisky, which I can't afford!

Thank you Sam. And for tonight a Canadian Ale tasting.

Unibroue Maudite.

N: Citrus peel, yeast, and something slightly putrid. Hmm, it is the smell of stomach acid when you throw up. . Please God, don't have it taste like this.
P: Citrus peel, yeast, bread, and just a little of the stomach acid. Not near as strong as the nose, but still rather sick.
F: rather short and sour.

I am going to hope that I got a bad bottle. horrific.

I am going to wash my mouth out, give myself a little time and come back for the two others.

[anationonfire]

WOW.
Not sure what the hell is going on with that bottle Sean.
I my self would be tempted to take it back too the point of purchase.
(I would assume that they know you)

I have been looking forward to your notes on the Uni's and this is not that start I was looking for!

To be honest I think the only hitch I have ever come across was I had one bottle that seemed a little flat for my liking.
And I'm talking about over 100 bottles.
But I'm really not impressed with this puke smell.


I am so confident in these brew's Sean I would honestly wire you $$ to reimburse you if you found them that bad.

[pkt77242]

:shock:

WOW.
Not sure what the hell is going on with that bottle Sean.
I my self would be tempted to take it back too the point of purchase.
(I would assume that they know you)

I have been looking forward to your notes on the Uni's and this is not that start I was looking for!

To be honest I think the only hitch I have ever come across was I had one bottle that seemed a little flat for my liking.
And I'm talking about over 100 bottles.
But I'm really not impressed with this puke smell.


I am so confident in these brew's Sean I would honestly wire you $$ to reimburse you if you found them that bad.

Thanks, but I think it was just a bad bottle (just poured the Trois Pistoles and it smells much better, no puke) and I will take it up with my local place.

Be back in a second with the TP notes.

[pkt77242]

Unibroe Trois Pistoles

N: First nosing is yeast, unbaked bread, citrus peel (mostly orange but maybe some lemon as well). Some brazil nuts, wheat, and almonds. Maybe a touch of orange and grapefruit juice as well.
P: Wheat bread with orange juice poured over it. Still the brazil nuts and roasted almonds from the nose along with the fresh cut wheat (anyone ever live on a farm or visit one?). Just a faint hint of grapefruit.
F: medium finish on slight coffee, orange peel, and unbaked bread. Towards the very end the roasted almonds and brazil nuts hang around.

Very enjoyable, maybe not amazing but I will definitely grab another bottle or two.

87 points.

[anationonfire]

That's a little better!

Are the Belguim and Trappist styled ales refrigerated where you buy them Sean? From a Wine background I'm surprised you didn't pick up more dark fruit notes and some spice, Excellent notes.

Just a pointer maybe you do maybe you don't but I always give any beer that is refermented in bottle a few turns at a 45deg angle to stir it up and let it sit for 5 mins before opening.

[pkt77242]

That's a little better!

Are the Belguim and Trappist styled ales refrigerated where you buy them Sean? From a Wine background I'm surprised you didn't pick up more dark fruit notes and some spice, Excellent notes.

Just a pointer maybe you do maybe you don't but I always give any beer that is refermented in bottle a few turns at a 45deg angle to stir it up and let it sit for 5 mins before opening.

This past couple of weeks have been my first foray into nicer beers. Thanks for the tips. For me the yeast/unbaked bread and citrus really took over the flavor. I am now smelling the Unbroue Terrible and it is full of figs and plums. I will post those notes in a minute or two.

[pkt77242]

Unibroue Terrible

N: Roasted coffee, figs, plums, and prunes. Some spices, brown sugar and cinnamon. Just a hint of wheat bread freshly baked. A little raisins linger.
P: There is the figs and plums. Roasted coffee just like on the nose. For that matter just copy the info from the nose here except for the prunes, which I am not getting. A little cashew mixed in as well.
F: Rather long on slightly bitter dark roast coffee and figs.

Lots of roasted coffee and figs in the one. Very enjoyable, maybe not as complex as some of the super high end belgians but, there is no doubting the wonderful flavors.

90 points.

Thanks to anationonfire for the inspiration for this tasting.

[pkt77242]

Later tonight I will be tasting 2 different Nadurra batches and the Glenmo Astar. I don't have a definite time yet as it depends on when the little man goes to bed.

[pkt77242]

First up for the night.

Glenmorangie Astar.

N: Vanilla, lemon meringue pie, and creme brulee. Lots of lemons. Just a hint of oak, and yogurt.
P: Overpowering vanilla, lemon, and wood varnish. A little oak, and some toast.
F: medium-short finish on vanilla and a little bitter oak. Also there is some lemo hanging around as well.

An enjoyable whisky but it seems to be lacking something.

85 points.

[pkt77242]

Glenlivet Nadurra 16yo Batch 1206B 59.2% (thanks to Jobi for the sample).

N: lemon pledge, wood varnish, lemon peel, and some oak. Just a little vanilla, coconut and orange peel. Rather closed.
P: A little hard and mineraly. Lemon, vanilla, and wood varnish. Oak.
F: medium on lemon, wood varnish and slightly bitter oak.

With water. More lemon and toast on the nose. Palate gets more lemon and lots of varnish. Finish is shorter but not much else changed. Better with water than without.

77 points straight, 79 with water, so lets call it a 78 pointer.

[pkt77242]

Glenlivet Nadurra 16yo Batch 0606A 57.2%

N: Lemon (I think there might be a theme here), pledge, vanilla and some oak. A small hint of lime, lemon peel, and olive oil.
P: Ultra sharp lemon, lots of barley and wheat. A little vanilla and olive oil.
F: Medium length, sharp lemon, and vanilla. Just a hint of oak.

With water, pears, apples and coconuts get added in on the nose.
Palate gets the same pears, apples and coconuts, also some banana.
Finish gets a little shorter but not much and the apples and coconuts show up in the finish as well.

82 points neat, 88 points with water and a nice 85 overall.

[pkt77242]

After two very enjoyable Rye (please go over to rye live tasting and post your notes viewtopic.php?f=21&t=12678)

Tonight 3 well aged bourbons Jefferson's Presidential Reserve 17yo, Elijah Craig 18yo, and Pappy Van Winkle 20yo.