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Whisky of the Month

Compass Box Flaming Heart 2018 Limited Edition

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48.9%

700ml

The 6th edition of Flaming Heart a blended whisky using Clynesh, Deanston, Caol Ila and other malts matured in ex-bourbon cask

Nose: Coastal air and fiery peat with hints of honey and vanilla

Palate: Smokiness, dried spices and raisins.

Finish: Orange and clove

Once again Compass Box does not disappoint with this superb blend. Certainly warm but not over powering. The finish was clean and left you looking for another sip right away. What a great dram to combat the lingering coldness of a late November evening in Canada.

Cheers to all!

Whisky of the Month

Dewars Double Double 21 Year Old Mizunara

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46%

750ml

$199.70

Named double double for its 4 stage ageing process while finishing in Mizunara casks from master blender Stephanie Macleod. Not noted what is blended other than single malt and single grain whiskies but Dewars owns Aberfeldy, Aultmore, Craigallechie, Macduff and Royal Brackala single malt brands.

Light golden amber colour with sturdy legs and  excellent viscosity.

Nose: Tropical Bananas, nutmeg, green apple and candied ginger.

Palate: Smooth with sharp green apple, pears, dried figs and hints of oak.

Finish: Sweet long and subtle finish

Whisky of the Month

Royal Salute 21 year Miami Polo Edition

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This months theme was inspired by members of the Expensive Taste club, 20 different personalities(maybe 40 if we really counted), 20 different tastes, an eclectic group of people with a common enjoyment for fine whisky! A perfectly unique blend of fine folks.

The original thought was to have a blind tasting to showcase quality blended whiskies at an affordable price but, in true Expensive Taste fashion the selection for the month has evolved into three higher end and pricey blended malts sourced from 3 different bottlers and with this wide range there is sure to be something for everyone.

As always we look forward to seeing everyone for what is sure to be a great wrap to 2024!

40% ABV

700ml

LCBO

$272.50

This is the sixth edition in the Royal Salute Polo series, fully finished in first-fill Rye and first-fill Bourbon casks a first for Royal Salute! This nod to the vibrant city of Miami reveals aromas of vanilla, coconut and subtle spice with a rich, smooth feel in the mouth. Stylized and distinct pink ceramic bottle is unique and eye catching on any bar or cabinet display. Can’t confirm but typical whiskies used to blend are: Strathisla, Longmorn, Glen Keith, Caperdonich.

Whisky of the Month

Miyagikyo Aromatic Yeast: Nikka Discovery

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Miyagikyo Aromatic Yeast

47%

700ml

$279.95 (LCBO)

Medium and Herbal

Fruit aromas of Peach and Apricot

Pepper, spices, Tomato Leaf….haven’t heard that one before

From the Distillery:

After the remarkable Miyagikyo Single Malt Peated launched in 2021, the magic behind this unpeated version comes from the use of yeasts that encourage the development of delicately fruity aromas and flavours. An invitation to dive quite literally into a washback in the midst of fermentation, it begins first by laying the foundations of a deeply malty character. Then, as the tasting unfolds, deliciously luscious, floral, rich and even fruity sequences interweave with one another, like dissolving transitions in a film.

COLOR: Bright gold.

NOSE: Refined, full of ardour. The very exuberant first nose (lavender, marshmallow, marsh mallow plant) is also softly liquoricey and lush (malted barley). Allowed to breathe, succulent perfumes of comté cheese, flowering meadow, and fruits (peach, pear, apricot) intensely take hold of the olfactory arena. Gradually, notes of vanilla, coconut milk and lemon meringue tart draw out the first stage of the tasting.

PALATE: Radiant, well-balanced. The full-bodied attack is at first refreshingly herbaceous (barley field, fern). Very delicately, the mid-palate then becomes wonderfully rich (brioche, leavened baguette). Next, white peaches and pears release their deliciously tangy juice onto the taste buds as acacia honey spreads voluptuously around the sides of the palate.

FINISH: Long, silky. Closely linked to the end of the palate, incredibly fresh flavours of herbal tea (sage, camomile, verbena) cross through the start of the finish. At the end of the finish, grains of salt are placed gently onto a bed of cut grass. The mentholated, very slightly empyreumatic (smoking cigar) and spicy (fresh ginger) retro-nasal olfaction gradually reveals subtle floral notes (pear tree, lily of the valley). The empty glass releases fermentation aromas.

Whisky of the Month

Yoichi Aromatic Yeast: Nikka Discovery

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This month we have a double header, a pairing of unique whiskies from the Far East coast!

Born from the Nikka distillery these two special releases are sure to be interesting shift from our usual Scottish malts.

Nikka operates several distilleries across the land of the rising sun and these 2022 single malts come from the Yoichi and Miyagiko locations. 

Through yeast experimentation over a number of years they have been able to create unique flavours instead of the traditional maturation methods used, essentially by growing and aging yeast Nikka has been able to create a variety of flavours to use in their single malt whiskey, flavours that are normally only obtained by traditional barrel aging methods.

The reviews on both of these Bottles were quite good and with a limited number of each experimental bottle available in Canada, we would have to have Zombie brain to not give them a try!

47% ABV

700ml

$279.95 (LCBO)

This rare version of the Yoichi Single malt is from the Nikka discovery series. Focusing on Aromas selected from Nikka’s vast collection of yeast the expression is partially made a batch that has aromas similar to ginjyo sake, know to be fruit and floral which is balanced by the peaty, smokiness of the original Yoichi.

Cereal, Elderflower, licorice, berries, light peat

Whisky of the Month

Tamdhu 18 Year Single Malt

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Tamdhu 18

46.8% ABV

$285.20

LCBO

Matured exclusively in Sherry oak cask

The distillery is Located in Speyside region.

Owned by Independent bottlers Ian Macleod a majority of the whisky distilled at Tamdhu that not made in Sherry casks are used for independent bottling or blends.

Not completely rare but Single malt Tamdhu are bit of a unicorn in certain markets and made in limited releases.

Nose:

Rich dark fruits with Cherry and plum, zesty citrus notes and nutty milk chocolate

Palate:

Red apples, dried fruits

Sweet spice, cinnamon and brown sugar

Finish:

Long and lingering, spiced apples and a hint of Sherry 

Whisky of the Month

Shelter Point 10 Year Old Single Malt

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The Single Malt Canadian whisky market is here and is here to make a statement.

This month we have Three Single Malt Canadian whiskeys on tap. 

In a small niche market which Glen Breton had typically only played in has now become a boom on Canada’s beautiful West Coast up to Yukon Territory across the Prairies to the 100th Meridian(where the Great Plains begin).

Are we ready to take on the global single malt market dominated by Scotland? Not yet, however, us Canadians are not scared of our foes and we thrive on commitment and excellence in every endeavour we choose to take on.

This is just the beginning for our Home and native land and its Single Malt whisky industry.

Friday June 28th we can sit back, relax and enjoy some Canadian ingenuity in liquid form. Whether the whisky is good or bad it won’t matter because after the last drop is gone, Canada is still the best country in the world!

Shelter Point 10 Year Old Single Malt

(Oyster River, B.C)

46% ABV

$118.00

Matured in 3 different ex-bourbon casks

  • Nose: Rich chewy caramel malt, no abv, light spice, touch floral
  • Taste: Bold, sweet and spicy, creamy caramel malt, baking spice, the oak is balancing
  • Finish: Salinity, joins the sweet malt and tasty oak.

The club felt this one was bang on and most represented a true single malt scotch version, just one that was distilled and aged right here in Canada on Vancouver Island. What a fantastic bottling and taster that all enjoyed. Oh Canada!!

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.

Whisky of the Month

Tomatin 1988

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The club recently had the pleasure of tasting the Tomatin 1988, a single malt Scotch whisky that was aged for over 25 years in ex-bourbon barrels and finished in first-fill Tawny Port casks. This is a limited edition release of only 2500 bottles, and I must say, as the reviewer, it is one of the most exquisite whiskies I have ever tried.

The nose is rich and complex, with aromas of dried fruits, vanilla, honey, oak, and a hint of spice. The palate is smooth and creamy, with flavors of caramel, chocolate, orange, raisins, and nuts. The finish is long and sweet, with a touch of port wine and wood. The whisky has a beautiful amber color and a velvety texture.

The Tomatin 1988 is a masterpiece of craftsmanship and maturation. It is a whisky that deserves to be savored and appreciated. It is not cheap, but it is worth every penny. If you are looking for a special treat or a gift for a whisky lover, you can’t go wrong with this one. It is simply sublime.

Whisky of the Month

Talisker Port Ruighe

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The Talisker Port Ruighe is a non-age statement whisky that has been finished in port casks, giving it a reddish hue and a fruity twist. Here are my thoughts on this dram:

Nose: Rich and smoky, with notes of peat, salt, raisins, plums, and chocolate. A hint of spice and vanilla in the background.

Palate: Full-bodied and smooth, with a burst of peat smoke and saltiness, followed by sweet and sour flavours of port, berries, citrus, and dark chocolate. Some oak and pepper add complexity.

Finish: Long and warming, with lingering smoke, salt, and fruit.

Overall, I really enjoyed this whisky. It has the classic Talisker character of peat and sea salt, but with an added layer of sweetness and richness from the port casks. It’s well balanced and complex, with a lot of flavour and depth. If you like smoky and fruity whiskies, you should give this one a try.