May has had a little bit of everything in the weather department here: Rain, Sun, Hot, Cold – all the good things we expect here in Southern Ontario. I reminisce to those May 24 camping weekends which inspired this month’s Whisky selection.

I know what you’re thinking, Chad has gone and put a full-on smoldering campfire in my jar. Not so.
Just imagine My Name Is by Eminem or Genie in a Bottle or even Every Morning from Sugar Ray blasting out of your Sanyo ghetto blaster that has just chewed through 74 C batteries from a weekend of camping… that year was 1999.

So while you were sitting around the campsite trying to fight off hypothermia with a case of Molson Canadian a few packs of Players cigarettes; this spectacular dram was about to be laid to rest for the next 22 years.

Longmorn 1999 – 22 year old
Speyside Region
Bottled by Gleann Mor from their Rare find collection
Coming in at 54.3% ABV
Refill Bourbon Barrels

Longmorn distillery has been around since 1893 and mainly produces 15 and 16 year old single malts for sale in the UK among some other special edition releases. There are virtually no reviews and very limited information on this whisky. All I can tell you it’s smells delicious.

So, remember while you are sitting back relaxing in your camping chair or backyard listening to Vertical Horizon on your Bluetooth speaker this Friday, who would have thought we would all be where we are today in 2023 and how awesome it is that we get to enjoy a few sips of nostalgia with our closest friends.

Cheers!

Hello, whisky lovers! Today I’m going to review a new release from Lindores Abbey Distillery: the Lindores Lowland Single Malt Scotch Whisky. This is the first whisky from this historic site, where the earliest written record of whisky distillation in Scotland was found. The whisky is aged for three years in ex-bourbon and sherry casks, and bottled at 46% ABV. Let’s see how it tastes!

On the nose, I get a lot of fruity and floral notes, like apples, pears, honey, and roses. There’s also a hint of spice and vanilla from the oak. It’s very fresh and inviting.

On the palate, the whisky is smooth and creamy, with a nice balance of sweetness and acidity. The fruitiness continues, with some citrus and dried fruits coming through. The spice is more pronounced, with some pepper, ginger, and cinnamon. The finish is long and warming, with a touch of smoke and malt.

Overall, I really enjoyed this whisky. It’s a great example of a lowland style, with a lot of character and complexity. It’s also very easy to drink, and would suit any occasion. I highly recommend it to anyone who likes a light and fruity whisky with some depth. Cheers!

Today I’m going to tell you about a new release that will blow your mind: the Smokehead Rum Rebel Cask!

This is not your ordinary whisky. This is a peaty, smoky, spicy beast that has been finished in Caribbean rum casks for an extra kick of sweetness and complexity. It’s like a pirate party in your mouth, with explosions of vanilla, banana, caramel and smoke.

If you’re looking for a whisky that will challenge your taste buds and make you feel like a rebel, this is the one for you. But be warned: this is not for the faint of heart. This is a whisky that demands your attention and respect. It’s a whisky that will make you scream: “I am Smokehead!”

But don’t take my word for it, try it yourself and see if you can handle the rum riot. You won’t regret it. Cheers!

If you are looking for a Cask Strength Whisky to sip on this weekend, check out the Stalk & Barrel 100% Rye Cask Strength Edition, coming in at 60.2% Alcohol it is a surprisingly mild Cask Strength Bottle. I wasn’t able to track this bottle down on the LCBO website, but it is available for Sale on the Stalk & Barrel website (www.stillwatersdistillery.com).

I found this whisky very light on the nose with a Woody aroma it leaves you wondering what to expect in your first sip….. Well, let me tell you! Expect Strong Oak and Grassy flavors followed by a quick finish that brings through the Ginger or a Sweet & Spicy flavor at the end.

A fellow Expensive taste member sitting next to me had added a small drop of water to his glass on a suggestion to open up the whisky! I personally didn’t do this in my glass because I enjoyed it in it’s original form, but I did try theirs with the water and WOW!!!! It was an eye watering experience which I did not enjoy, in fact I think it ruined the whisky and turned it into fuel with no particular flavours.

Overall, I enjoyed this Whisky, it is not as mature as some others on the market in the Cask category, but I am always one to support local distilleries and the products they create, the story that comes along with the samples always makes me enjoy the experience much more.

This was a pleasant and enjoyable Speyside.  I recommend letting this single malt breath once you pour it into the glass to enhance the aromas.

A hint of citrus with lots of spice that stays with you well after you have had a swill of this well crafted dram. Overall I enjoyed this Scotch, if the first sip doesn’t quite appeal to your palate don’t be discouraged, there is much more to be discovered in the next mouthful.

Glenrothes Sherry Cask Reserve is available at the LCBO.

For someone who has only tasted a handful of Irish Whiskeys this one was by far the best I have ever tried!

A well balanced nose which was pleasant and addictive, but that was only the beginning of this memorable experience. The palate was even more exciting with a sweet full flavour that had hints of vanilla, cinnamon and candied fruits. The finish was spicy and long lasting. When it was all over I was sad to say goodbye.

I would highly recommend this bottle to any amateur or experienced whiskey drinker. A great bottle! If you can get your hands on one…