Category Archives: Whisky of the Month

Posts of each month’s taster!

Whisky of the Month

JJ Corry – The Hanson Irish Whiskey

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It’s March! In celebration of St. Patricks Day month our whisky ambassador Chad made a few fantastic Irish whiskey choices for the month. Up first is an expression from JJ Corry called the “Hanson”. It’s availble at the LCBO for $99.15.

I’d recommend taking a tour of JJ Corry’s website for their extensively detailed story behind the “Hanson”.

The Hanson | JJ Corry

Blended Irish whiskies from around Ireland aged from 5-11 years, bottled at 46% ABV.

Nose: Rich and deep notes of vanilla fudge and toasted coconut speak of the bourbon influence. Top notes of griddled pineapple and lime give a fresh zing.

Palate: A lively start with bright, green apples, toasted coconut continuing from the nose. The influence of fresh oak is clear; with rye grass developing to lemon grass.

Whisky of the Month

Glenallachie 15 Year Old

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Pronounced Glen-alla-key, they are one of the few remaining independent distilleries led by iconic master distiller Billy Walker. They proudly present the Glenallachie 15 Year old with natural colour, non chill filtered and bottled at 46% abv. (Pictured on left above)

Colour: rich mahogany, surprisingly dark as labelled as natural colour

Nose: waves of heather honey, dark chocolate and figs. Notes of fruit cake, mocha and a wisp of cinnamon

Taste: fig syrup mocha and treacle toffee, followed by dark chocolate, sweet spices fused with ginger and the finish

This expression was a crowd favourite forsure. Lovers of sherry cask matured whisky will be sure to enjoy this expression. Available here in Ontario, currently in stock at the LCBO. Have a look and find out for yourself. Cheers!

Whisky of the Month

Highland Park 1989 30 Year Old

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Gordon and Macphail Independent bottled at Cask Strength 51.1 % ABV

This Highland Park 1989 30 Year Old was bottled once again by Gordon and Macphail at a cask strength 51.1 % ABV. Finished in refill Sherry butt casks. This specific version was filled in 1989 and then bottled on March 20, 2019.

Nose: Toffee and coffee bean aromas with a citrus tinge

Palate: Pepperiness backed by orange zest, dark choclate and warming spices

Finish: Long and fruity, smooth sherry warmth, hint of charred oak smoke

It’s not too often we venture into the realm of 30 Year old single malts, but once again we were able to find this gem of an independent bottling from Gordon and Macpail for a reasonable price point whish isn’t too bad when you have a group of people contributing to the purchase. This was the highlight of the night for our 16 year club anniversary. Highland park has long been a club favourite and this expression did not disappoint. A must try for all lovers of Highland Park whisky. Shout out to our whisky procurement point man Chad Nagle, the line up to celebrate our 16 year club anniversary was absolutely fantastic. Cheers to all!

Whisky of the Month

Linkwood 25 Year Old

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Also a Gordon and Macphail independent bottling at 46%

This Linkwood 25 Year was also bottled indpendently by Gordon and Macphail and was sourced for $389.99. This expression was finished for 25 years in refill sherry casks. Normally 99% of Linkwoods whisky is used for blended malts like Johannie Walker and J&B, so Linkwood single malt bottlings are fairly rare to come by. Plus like the Mortlach we felt the value for a 25 Year bottling was excellent.

Nose: Baked apple, raisins, sherry sweetnes and licorice

Palate: sweet spiciness, warm pepper, touch of cinnamin, citrus fruits and a little smokiness

Finish: smooth warmness, nuts and lingering oak, sheery cask finish characteristics all over this one

Again, the value cost for the flavour on this one is amazing. 25 Year old single malt prices are out of touch across the board. Having a bottle of Linkwood at our 16 Year anniversary is a throwback to our inaugural tasting when we had a Linkwood. Nice to see things come full circle 16 years down the road.

Whisky of the Month

Mortlach 25 Year Old

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Gordon and Macphail independent distillery label series bottling at 46%

Mortlach was the first legal distillery in Dufftown and is named after the ancient parrish where the town is located. This wonderful expression was matured in both sherry and bourbon casks during it’s 25 year slumber!

Regular 25 Year bottlings of Mortlach are priced in the $1000 range, so this independent version
from Gordon and Mcphail was a fantastic value at $389.95.

Nose: Rich and full bodied backed by sherry and whisps of orange marmalade. Brown sugar, vanilla and toffee

Palate: Apricots, candied fruit, smooth and creamy mouth feel

Finish: Medium warm fonish, not over powering, slightly dry from the classic sherry maturation, linger of light charred oak for additional body

Certainly one of the favourites from our amazing 16 Year anniversary line up. Recommended that if you can find a bottle to pick it up based on fantastic taste and value proposition of this 25 year old gem.

Whisky of the Month

Balblair 1991

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Bottled at 54.5% on October 7, 2009 with Refill American Hogshead barrels Exclusively for Calgary Co-Op and wines. Bottle donated by member Lee Snetsinger

Nose: Peppercorn, strawberry jam, pear and baking spices

Palate: Vanilla, rich malts, citrus, marmalade

Finish: Dry, warming cocoa with a backing of toffee apples

The wonderfully fruity nose whets the appetite for more. Unfortunately the fruity taste of the nose is missing. The taste is initially a bit sour with a heavy presence of spicy wood which at the cask strength makes sense. Backed by the presence of dry sherry and dark fruits. Berries, plums and a hint of orage are merried together to offer a beautifully well rounded flavour profile.

Balblair distillery is one of the favourites of Lee Snetsinger’s and their bottlings never disssapoints. The cub was quite happy to be able to try out some of Lee’s favourite.

What a way to add to our 16 year tasting extravaganza, thanks Lee!

Whisky of the Month

Edradour Natural Cask Strength Ibisco

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Bottled at 58.9%, 700 ml, Cost to secure $180.00

This Edradour bottling was aged 10 years and a day in 7 different ex-bourbon casks. Here are some of the tasting details on that bottle:

Nose: Vanilla Bean, butterscotch with spicy oak and floral aromas, would recommend comparing before and after addign a drop or two of water

Palate: Full bodied and robust with intense sweet and fruity notes. Vanilla is paired with fresh herbs and spicy oak. The drop or two of water helps to tone down the strength of the alcohol and opens up the flavours

Finish: Medium length, subtle sweetness with warm floral notes

Once again another fine offering from Edradour which specializes in smaller batch offerign and fnishes like this example, quite a way to kick off our 16th anniversary tasting!

Whisky of the Month

Mac-Talla Strata 15 Year

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15 year old single malt from the Mac-Talla range, titled Strata, as a reference to the various rock formations across Islay’s shores. The whisky is also from Islay, though the distillery remains a mystery. Drawn from a combination of bourbon and sherry casks, it’s a flavoursome dram with fruity, spice, and whiffs of mineral-rich smoke.

Nose Rock pools and sea shells, juxtaposed by redcurrant and toffee pennies.

Palate Rounded barley with waves of soft smoke, dotted by chocolate, vanilla, cassia, and salted butter.

Finish Very subtly grassy, still with vanilla and coastal peat smoke at the fore.

Whisky of the Month

Inchdairnie RyeLaw

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RYELAW

A RYE WHISKY THAT QUESTIONS HISTORY

£114.99 inc VAT & delivery

RyeLaw is a single distillery Fife Rye Scotch Whisky made from malted rye and barley. It is hammer milled, mashed, outdoor fermented, precision distilled and matured in new charred oak casks at InchDairnie Distillery in Fife.

RyeLaw is the world’s only precision distilled malted rye Scotch whisky.

About: We are a Fife distillery that builds on malt whisky tradition, while actively exploring and pushing the limits of Scotch whisky. From grain to bottle, we take an innovative approach to flavour, and engineer our whiskies with a strong purpose: to excite palates.

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Whisky of the Month

Highland Park 21 2022

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This latest release of our 21 Year Old opens with enticing aromas of espresso coffee, dark chocolate, marmalade on toast and crushed coriander seeds. Notes of tangy ginger and oriental spice driven by first-fill, sherry seasoned European oak hogsheads marry sweet citrus and cedar notes from ex-bourbon barrels, while refill casks diffuse any lingering oak and deliver an intriguing layer of complexity. This, and all bound in an aromatic cloud of our trademark heather-infused peat smoke.

Created from only 14 casks, all laid down in 2000 and earlier years, our 2022 release is a superb example of the expert craftsmanship of our Master Whisky Maker, Gordon Motion, who has selected three distinctive cask types and married them to perfection, creating a mature whisky of exceptional quality and character.