Category Archives: Whisky of the Month

Posts of each month’s taster!

Longmorn 1999 – 22 year old

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!

Macallan A Night On Earth In Scotland

If you are looking for a unique and memorable experience, you might want to consider Macallan A Night On Earth In Scotland. This is a special event that offers you the opportunity to spend a night in a luxury dome surrounded by nature and whisky. But, how did the scotch with the same name taste?

This scotch is a blend of rare and aged whiskies from different casks, each with its own unique character and flavor. The result is a complex and rich scotch that offers a sensory journey through the Scottish landscape.

The nose of this scotch is inviting and warm, with notes of dried fruits, vanilla, oak, and spice. The palate is smooth and full-bodied, with layers of honey, citrus, chocolate, and nuts. The finish is long and satisfying, with hints of smoke, leather, and wood. This scotch is a true masterpiece that showcases the art of blending and maturing whiskies.

Macallan A Night On Earth In Scotland is also an experience collaboration between The Macallan, one of the most renowned whisky brands in the world, and Unyoked, a company that specializes in creating off-grid escapes. The event takes place at The Macallan Estate, a 485-acre property in Speyside, Scotland, where the whisky is made.

The event includes a guided tour of The Macallan Distillery, where you can learn about the history and craftsmanship of the whisky, as well as a tasting session of some of the rarest and finest expressions. You will also enjoy a gourmet dinner prepared by a local chef, using fresh and seasonal ingredients.

To finish, this is a scotch that deserves to be savored and appreciated. It is a rare and exquisite expression of the Macallan legacy and the beauty of Scotland. If you have a chance to taste this scotch, don’t miss it. You will be rewarded with an unforgettable experience that will transport you to a night on earth in Scotland.

Canadian Rockies 28 Year Old

This was a last minute find from the LCBO! If you’re looking for a smooth and satisfying whisky that will make you feel like you’re in the Canadian Rockies, look no further than the 28 Year Old whisky from Canadian Rockies. This whisky is aged for 28 years in oak barrels, giving it a rich and complex flavor with hints of vanilla, caramel, and spice. Whether you enjoy it neat, on the rocks, or mixed with your favorite cocktail, you’ll love the smooth and balanced taste of this whisky. It’s perfect for celebrating special occasions, or just relaxing after a long day. Canadian Rockies 28 Year Old whisky is a rare and limited edition whisky that you don’t want to miss. If you can get your hands on it, you will experience the best of Canadian whisky!

Kinahan’s Single Malt Irish Whiskey

Hey whiskey lovers, I have some exciting news for you! We celebrated St Patrick’s day with an Irish Whiskey focused tasting session. It began with a bottle of Kinahans Single Malt Irish Whiskey, and let me tell you, it’s a treat. This whiskey is made from 100% malted barley and aged in ex-bourbon barrels for a smooth and complex flavor. It has notes of vanilla, honey, citrus and spice, with a long and satisfying finish. It’s perfect for sipping neat or mixing in cocktails.

If you’re looking for a new whiskey to try, we highly recommend Kinahans Single Malt Irish Whiskey. It’s a true Irish gem that will make you feel like you’re in the Emerald Isle. Cheers!

Writers Tears Double Oak

Our next sampling in the tour across Ireland was a new release from one of my favorite Irish distilleries: Writers Tears Double Oak. This is a blend of single pot still and single malt whiskeys that have been aged in both American oak and French oak casks. Sounds intriguing, right? Let’s dive in!

The nose is rich and sweet, with notes of vanilla, honey, caramel, and dried fruits. I also get some hints of spice, oak, and leather. The aroma is very inviting and complex. The palate is smooth and creamy, with a nice balance of sweetness and spice. The flavors are similar to the nose, but with more depth and intensity. I taste vanilla, honey, caramel, raisins, figs, cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, oak, and leather. The finish is long and warming, with a lingering sweetness and spice. The oak influence is noticeable but not overpowering.

Writers Tears Double Oak is a delicious and satisfying whiskey that showcases the best of Irish whiskey making. It has a lot of character and flavor, but also a lot of elegance and finesse. It’s a whiskey that can be enjoyed by both beginners and connoisseurs alike. I, and the club, highly recommend it to anyone who loves Irish whiskey or wants to try something new and different. Cheers!

Writers Tears Inniskillin Ice Wine Cask

To finish our Irish Whiskey tasting we bring you a very special discovery: Writers Tears Inniskillin Ice Wine Cask. Yes, you read that right. This is a whiskey that has been aged in barrels that previously held ice wine, a type of dessert wine made from frozen grapes. Sounds amazing, right?

Well, let me tell you, it is. This whiskey is smooth, sweet and complex, with notes of honey, vanilla, apricot and oak. It has a rich and creamy texture that coats your mouth and warms your soul. It’s like drinking liquid poetry.

But why is it called Writers Tears? Well, according to the legend, this whiskey was inspired by the 19th century Irish writers who would drink whiskey to cope with their creative struggles and personal tragedies. They would shed tears of frustration and sorrow into their glasses, giving the whiskey a unique flavor and character.

Now, I don’t know about you, but I don’t think I would want to drink someone else’s tears. That sounds kind of gross and sad. But I do appreciate the idea of a whiskey that celebrates the joys and sorrows of writing. And I think this whiskey does just that.

So, if you’re looking for a new way to treat yourself after a long day of writing, or if you just want to try something different and delicious, I highly recommend Writers Tears Inniskillin Ice Wine Cask. It’s a whiskey that will make you laugh and cry at the same time. Cheers!

Lindores Abbey Lowland Single Malt

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!

Smokehead Rum Rebel Cask

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!

Port Dundas 1974

The fifth and final bottle from our 15 year anniversary. Port Dundas 43 – distilled June 1, 1974! Bottled by independent bottler, The Exclusive Grains, with only 228 available. There is very little out there about this rare bottle, from a closed and demolished (2011) Lowland distillery, which once was the largest in Scotland. From our perspective, this was a light and easy-going dram, with some vestiges of vanilla, and definite cereal and herbal tones. A whopping $2300 CAD average on Whisky Base!

What a pleasure to sample these 5 great bottles this past January, now concluding our “139 years in the barrel” journey.

Strathclyde 31

Taster #4 from our 15th Anniversary prestige whisky extravaganza, leaving only 1 more reveal for that total of 139 years in the barrel! Do the math, this means our 5th and final taster was a whopping 43 years old (post coming soon)!!

Check out Cadenhead’s Strathclyde 31, a single grain whisky from the Scottish Lowlands. It was aged in ex-bourbon casks, with heaps of vanilla ice cream and pecan pie on the nose, and subtly spicy, orange chocolate on the pallet. Sounds scrumptious, and it did not disappoint! 

Strathclyde distillery opened in 1927 and its production primarily goes into blends. It is currently used in Chivas Brothers offerings and owned by Pernod Ricard. There are very few bottlings of straight-up Strathclyde ever made, all from independents. One of a kind, ours was bottled in 2020. Couldn’t have an anniversary without another new distillery to the club, at an impressive 31 years old!

A lovely pre-pop photo, chilling in a snowbank just waiting for us to crack into it!