John came by with a few bottles of the Water of Life for a tasting. Since he had a GlenDronach 18 and 21 we tasted the 15 year for comparison. I rated my 1, 2 and 3. We compared a Bunnahabhain 12 and 18 as well. The Ballechin, from Edradour, was also on the menu.
*Aberlour A’bunadh Batch No. 56 61.2% ABV
-smelled sherry, cherry syrup
-strong cinnamon and caramel
-tasted caramel, sherry, grape juice into cinnamon
-w/water smelled lighter sweet with oak
-tasted oaky w/pepper and cherry
Water does not improve this much!
-smelled sherry, cherry syrup
-strong cinnamon and caramel
-tasted caramel, sherry, grape juice into cinnamon
-w/water smelled lighter sweet with oak
-tasted oaky w/pepper and cherry
Water does not improve this much!
1*GlenDronach 18 yr 46% ABV
-Smelled vanilla, cherry, caramel dessert
-tasted cherry scone/dessert with cinnamon
-very light pepper
-w/water smelled cinnamon bun! With cherry tart
-tasted slight pepper w/light sweet dessert
I enjoyed this one the most of the three.
-Smelled vanilla, cherry, caramel dessert
-tasted cherry scone/dessert with cinnamon
-very light pepper
-w/water smelled cinnamon bun! With cherry tart
-tasted slight pepper w/light sweet dessert
I enjoyed this one the most of the three.
2*GlenDronach 15 yr Revival (My bottle) 46% ABV
-smelled caramel, cinnamon
-tasted slight pepper with cherry
-trailed oak quickly
-w/water smells caramel and cinnamon bread
-tasted sweet dessert with oak slightly
The 15yr was my second favorite of the group. It’s just good!
-smelled caramel, cinnamon
-tasted slight pepper with cherry
-trailed oak quickly
-w/water smells caramel and cinnamon bread
-tasted sweet dessert with oak slightly
The 15yr was my second favorite of the group. It’s just good!
3*GlenDronach 21yr 48% ABV
-smelled tinge of lemon dish soap w/caramel and cherry
-tasted peppery citrus/orange w/cherry
-w/water smelled shortbread cookie w/cherry
-tasted peppery w/sweet cookie dough
Water doesn’t ruin this but less is better.
This whisky was my least favorite of the comparison. Still a whisky worth going out of your way for though!
-smelled tinge of lemon dish soap w/caramel and cherry
-tasted peppery citrus/orange w/cherry
-w/water smelled shortbread cookie w/cherry
-tasted peppery w/sweet cookie dough
Water doesn’t ruin this but less is better.
This whisky was my least favorite of the comparison. Still a whisky worth going out of your way for though!
*Bunnahabhain 12yr 46.3% ABV
-smelled chocolate chip cookie w/vanilla
-tasted sweet w/peppery oak and trailed quickly
-w/water smelled lemon floral
-tasted slight oak
Very sweet on the nose with and without water.
-smelled chocolate chip cookie w/vanilla
-tasted sweet w/peppery oak and trailed quickly
-w/water smelled lemon floral
-tasted slight oak
Very sweet on the nose with and without water.
*Bunnahabhain 18yr 46.3% ABV
-smelled sugar cookie
-tasted slight rubber w/oak
-w/water smelled oak but sweet
-tasted sweet pastry with pepper
The extra six years in a barrel imparted a sweetness on the finish that the 12yr did not have.
-smelled sugar cookie
-tasted slight rubber w/oak
-w/water smelled oak but sweet
-tasted sweet pastry with pepper
The extra six years in a barrel imparted a sweetness on the finish that the 12yr did not have.
*Ballechin 10yr 46% ABV (Edradour)
-smelled sweet, burnt wood, grass
-tasted sweet grass, peat w/grilled meat
-w/water smelled bacon
-tasted peppery, bacon, oak
-smelled sweet, burnt wood, grass
-tasted sweet grass, peat w/grilled meat
-w/water smelled bacon
-tasted peppery, bacon, oak
*Stranahan’s Whiskey 47% ABV Rocky Mountain Single Malt
(Denver, CO, small batch straight, barley whiskey from a combination of 2,3 and 5 yr old stock)
-smelled lemon bar dessert
- tasted pepper, chicken BBQ
-w/water smelled lemon
-tasted lemon, poppy seed
-trailed quickly!
Interesting, to say the least.
(Denver, CO, small batch straight, barley whiskey from a combination of 2,3 and 5 yr old stock)
-smelled lemon bar dessert
- tasted pepper, chicken BBQ
-w/water smelled lemon
-tasted lemon, poppy seed
-trailed quickly!
Interesting, to say the least.