Ah the clanking of ice in glasses, food wrapped in foil, cigars and - we're saved - Palm Ridge Reserve is here! The 2012 Whiskey Affair tickets cost us less but I think that was a reflection of the whisk(e)y selection. I know I blasted last year's Affair. Having someone tell me that Bushmills is "the only triple distiled whisky in Ireland" irked me. Can I say irked?
This year the event was modest in size and offerings. We were crammed into the Bold City Restaurant area like kids at a DJ Keoki show. The desserts were awesome though!! We did have a surprise from Riverside Liquors to make the tasting worth while.
The highlight of the evening was the purchase of our "own" whisky barrels from Palm Ridge Reserve, empty of course. Well one is full now. Beer is being scientifically married to the residual contents of the wood with special attention being paid to atmospheric influences and subtle nuances of flavor profiles from the Palm Ridge aging process.........ah yeah. Pull on your Wellies!
Here is the whisk(e)y I tasted that night:
Palm Ridge Reserve Newly Charred barrel
It tasted sweeter than the other bottles we've acquired. The trailing taste was bourbon but sweet. Dick and Marty said it was just the difference between batches.
Ben Riach 12 year 46% ABV
-smells sweet/soapy (possibly the glass)
-tasted sweet on the lips but sour on the pallette
-trailed quickly with slight sour
-too light to add water
I didn't mind the taste. Low on the Aly and Donna scale.
John L. Sullivan The Ten Count 46% ABV Irish Bourbon and Sherry casks
-smells rubbery with a tinge of grass
-tastes hot peppery rubber
-didn't have any water to add but knew it would unleash the garden hose
Green Spot anyone?
Balcones Brimstone 53%ABV "Texas Scrub Oak Smoked" - corn whiskey
-smelled bandaid/mossy/smoke like Ardbeg
-tasted sweet on the tongue with bourbon
-tinge of oak
-with water - smelled mossy/bandaid
-tasted sour but not bitter
The initial flavor is almost an Islay peated whisky. However I was reminded that this is a whiskey. The flavor quickly turned to a light bourbon (much like the shoeless guy in NY after the cop gave him boots). It was almost like taking a bite of a good sandwich and having to spit it out before you can really enjoy it. I still may buy a bottle. It's not Amrut.
I am interested to see what the 2013 Whiskey Affair will be like. Even though I said I am not going I am sure I will be there. Here's some pics from the event this year:
http://photos.jacksonville.com/mycapture/enlarge.asp?image=44832599&event=1568577&CategoryID=57820
This year the event was modest in size and offerings. We were crammed into the Bold City Restaurant area like kids at a DJ Keoki show. The desserts were awesome though!! We did have a surprise from Riverside Liquors to make the tasting worth while.
The highlight of the evening was the purchase of our "own" whisky barrels from Palm Ridge Reserve, empty of course. Well one is full now. Beer is being scientifically married to the residual contents of the wood with special attention being paid to atmospheric influences and subtle nuances of flavor profiles from the Palm Ridge aging process.........ah yeah. Pull on your Wellies!
Here is the whisk(e)y I tasted that night:
Palm Ridge Reserve Newly Charred barrel
It tasted sweeter than the other bottles we've acquired. The trailing taste was bourbon but sweet. Dick and Marty said it was just the difference between batches.
Ben Riach 12 year 46% ABV
-smells sweet/soapy (possibly the glass)
-tasted sweet on the lips but sour on the pallette
-trailed quickly with slight sour
-too light to add water
I didn't mind the taste. Low on the Aly and Donna scale.
John L. Sullivan The Ten Count 46% ABV Irish Bourbon and Sherry casks
-smells rubbery with a tinge of grass
-tastes hot peppery rubber
-didn't have any water to add but knew it would unleash the garden hose
Green Spot anyone?
Balcones Brimstone 53%ABV "Texas Scrub Oak Smoked" - corn whiskey
-smelled bandaid/mossy/smoke like Ardbeg
-tasted sweet on the tongue with bourbon
-tinge of oak
-with water - smelled mossy/bandaid
-tasted sour but not bitter
The initial flavor is almost an Islay peated whisky. However I was reminded that this is a whiskey. The flavor quickly turned to a light bourbon (much like the shoeless guy in NY after the cop gave him boots). It was almost like taking a bite of a good sandwich and having to spit it out before you can really enjoy it. I still may buy a bottle. It's not Amrut.
I am interested to see what the 2013 Whiskey Affair will be like. Even though I said I am not going I am sure I will be there. Here's some pics from the event this year:
http://photos.jacksonville.com/mycapture/enlarge.asp?image=44832599&event=1568577&CategoryID=57820
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