Libation of the Day: The Girvan Patent Still Proof Strength

Name: The Girvan Patent Still Proof Strength

Brand: The Girvan Patent Still

Place of Purchase: Drinks by the Dram Advent Calendar

Country/Region of Origin:  Richmond, Surrey, UK

Tasting Conditions: Room temperature, neat

Description: Single grain Scotch whisky from the Girvan Patent Still range, presented at 57.1% ABV. Despite its higher strength, this single grain retains its mellow, creamy vanilla and vibrant citrus notes that other expressions from the range exhibited.

Nose: Vanilla, bananas and honey

Palate: Vanilla cream, pepper, citrus peel
 

Finish: Sweet, peppery, sunshine

Notes: So, I am back after an almost 2-year hiatus.  I bought a Whisky Advent Calendar from Master of Malt's Drinks by the Dram line.  I am pretty pedestrian in my single-malt choices (Glenmorangie, Balvenie, Dalwhinnie), so I decided to spend this holiday season trying new whiskies (and new wines, but I will post those after Christmas).  The advent calendar was pricey, but definitely cheaper than trying 25 whiskies at my local pub.

At 114-proof, this stuff is pretty potent.  But man, does it taste good.  Sweet as candy.  Something to keep you warm when the snow falls.

Libation of the Day: The Lost Distilleries Blend Batch 7

Name: The Lost Distilleries Blend Batch 7

Brand: The Blended Whisky Company

Place of Purchase: Drinks by the Dram Advent Calendar

Country/Region of Origin:

Tasting Conditions: Room temperature, neat

Description: Batch 7 is a blend of Port Ellen, Caperdonich, Mosstowie, Glenisla, Glenlochy and Imperial Scotch malt whiskies as well as grain from Port Dundas.

Nose: Sharp apples, vanilla, peat

Palate: Sweet, honey, peat, pears, 
 

Finish: Cereal, raisins, some peppery notes

Notes: So, I am back after an almost 2-year hiatus.  I bought a Whisky Advent Calendar from Master of Malt's Drinks by the Dram line.  I am pretty pedestrian in my single-malt choices (Glenmorangie, Balvenie, Dalwhinnie), so I decided to spend this holiday season trying new whiskies (and new wines, but I will post those after Christmas).  The advent calendar was pricey, but definitely cheaper than trying 25 whiskies at my local pub.

The Blended Whisky Company has been making blended batches of rare and out-of-production whiskies for a while now.  Batch 7 has, you guessed it, seven whiskies.  These are small bottlings, so I am lucky to try one.  Mostly because the most I have ever paid for a bottle of whisky is $200.  This was good.  Partly because of the complexity and party because after these bottles are gone, noone will ever taste its like again.

Libation of the Day: Mackmyra Brukswhisky (The Swedish Whisky)

Name: Mackmyra Brukswhisky (The Swedish Whisky) 

Brand: Mackmyra

Place of Purchase: Drinks by the Dram Advent Calendar

Country/Region of Origin: Kungsbäck, just outside Gävle, Sweden

Tasting Conditions: Room temperature, neat

Description: Mackmyra's core expression is a light Swedish whisky matured primarily in first fill bourbon barrels but also includes whisky aged in Sherry and Swedish oak casks too as well as some smokier malt, which all adds to the complexity.

Nose: Grassy, pine needles, fruity

Palate: Warm custard, berry, spicce
 

Finish: Smooth and sweet, with a hint of spice

Notes: So, I am back after an almost 2-year hiatus.  I bought a Whisky Advent Calendar from Master of Malt's Drinks by the Dram line.  I am pretty pedestrian in my single-malt choices (Glenmorangie, Balvenie, Dalwhinnie), so I decided to spend this holiday season trying new whiskies (and new wines, but I will post those after Christmas).  The advent calendar was pricey, but definitely cheaper than trying 25 whiskies at my local pub.

I rolled my eyes at the Swedish whiskey, but not the Japanese.  I wonder why that is, because this Brukswhisky was very good.  There were some wonderful fruity notes, and a "Northern" pine aroma that I haven't encountered in a whiskey before. 

Libation of the Day: Balvenie 12 Year Old Doublewood

Name: Balvenie 12 Year Old Doublewood

Brand: The Balvenie

Place of Purchase: Drinks by the Dram Advent Calendar

Country/Region of Origin: Dufftown, Scotland

Tasting Conditions: Room temperature, neat

Description: The Balvenie DoubleWood is a 12 year old single malt which gains its distinctive character from being matured in two wood types. Over the period of maturation it is transferred from a traditional oak whisky cask to a first fill European oak sherry cask. Each stage lends different qualities to the resulting single malt ~ the traditional casks soften and add character, whilst the sherry wood brings depth and fullness of flavor.

Nose:  Spice and raisins

Palate: Bourbon, vanilla, honey, fruit
 

Finish: Spices, sweet, honey

Notes: So, I am back after an almost 2-year hiatus.  I bought a Whisky Advent Calendar from Master of Malt's Drinks by the Dram line.  I am pretty pedestrian in my single-malt choices (Glenmorangie, Balvenie, Dalwhinnie), so I decided to spend this holiday season trying new whiskies (and new wines, but I will post those after Christmas).  The advent calendar was pricey, but definitely cheaper than trying 25 whiskies at my local pub.

This Double wood Balvenie was a complex and warm treat.  

Libation of the Day: Fettercairn Fior

Name: Fettercairn Fior

Brand: Fettercairn Whiskies

Place of Purchase: Drinks by the Dram Advent Calendar

Country/Region of Origin: 

Tasting Conditions: Room temperature, neat

Description: A peated whiskey aged in Bourbon barrels.

Nose: Smoke, peat, honey

Palate: Cocoa, peat, citrus
 

Finish: Citrus, nutty, smoke

Notes: So, I am back after an almost 2-year hiatus.  I bought a Whisky Advent Calendar from Master of Malt's Drinks by the Dram line.  I am pretty pedestrian in my single-malt choices (Glenmorangie, Balvenie, Dalwhinnie), so I decided to spend this holiday season trying new whiskies (and new wines, but I will post those after Christmas).  The advent calendar was pricey, but definitely cheaper than trying 25 whiskies at my local pub.

This whisky was good, with a nice flavor profile, but a bit too smokey, too peaty on the nose and finish.

Libation of the Day: Isle of Jura Superstition

Name: Isle of Jura Superstition

Brand: Jura Whiskies

Place of Purchase: Drinks by the Dram Advent Calendar

Country/Region of Origin: Isle of Jura, Scotland

Tasting Conditions: Room temperature, neat

Description: An Islay Scotch whisky

Nose: Smokey, sweet cream

Palate: Cream, honey and pepper
 

Finish: Honey and Spice

Notes: So, I am back after an almost 2-year hiatus.  I bought a Whisky Advent Calendar from Master of Malt's Drinks by the Dram line.  I am pretty pedestrian in my single-malt choices (Glenmorangie, Balvenie, Dalwhinnie), so I decided to spend this holiday season trying new whiskies (and new wines, but I will post those after Christmas).  The advent calendar was pricey, but definitely cheaper than trying 25 whiskies at my local pub.

This was a nice treat.  Smokey and a little peaty, but creamy and sweet on the tongue.  I might grab a bottle of this.

Libation of the Day: The GlenDronach 12 Year Old

Name: The GlenDronach 12 Year Old

Brand: GlenDronach

Place of Purchase: Drinks by the Dram Advent Calendar

Country/Region of Origin: Aberdeenshire, Scotland

Tasting Conditions: Room temperature, neat 

Description: A 12 year old Highland Scotch whisky

Nose: Raisins, apples

Palate: Fruity raisins and smoke
 

Finish: Smokey caramel

Notes: So, I am back after an almost 2-year hiatus.  I bought a Whisky Advent Calendar from Master of Malt's Drinks by the Dram line.  I am pretty pedestrian in my single-malt choices (Glenmorangie, Balvenie, Dalwhinnie), so I decided to spend this holiday season trying new whiskies (and new wines, but I will post those after Christmas).  The advent calendar was pricey, but definitely cheaper than trying 25 whiskies at my local pub.  

The Highland whiskies have always been my favorite.  The GlenDronach had a nice smokey flavor and you could taste the sweet cereal malts with every sip.

Libation of the Day: Caol Ila 12 year old

Name: Caol Ila 12 year old

Brand: Caol Ila

Place of Purchase: Drinks by the Dram Advent Calendar

Country/Region of Origin: Port Askaig, Isle of Islay

Tasting Conditions: Room temperature, neat 

Description: A 12 year old Islay Scotch whisky

Nose: Peat and oak

Palate: Smoke, sweet oil
 

Finish: Peat, smoke, spiky and grassy notes

Notes: So, I am back after an almost 2-year hiatus.  I bought a Whisky Advent Calendar from Master of Malt's Drinks by the Dram line.  I am pretty pedestrian in my single-malt choices (Glenmorangie, Balvenie, Dalwhinnie), so I decided to spend this holiday season trying new whiskies (and new wines, but I will post those after Christmas).  The advent calendar was pricey, but definitely cheaper than trying 25 whiskies at my local pub.  

OK, the oily peaty smokey thing isn't doing it for me.  I will stick with old vanilla Bowmore.

Libation of the Day: Arran - Batch 4

Name: Arran - Batch 4

Brand: That Boutique-y Whisky Company

Place of Purchase: Drinks by the Dram Advent Calendar

Country/Region of Origin: Isle of Arran, Scotland

Tasting Conditions: Room temperature, neat 

Description: An unconventional Single Malt

Nose: Spice cake, vanilla, cream

Palate: Citrus, malt
 

Finish: Orange blossoms

Notes: So, I am back after an almost 2-year hiatus.  I bought a Whisky Advent Calendar from Master of Malt's Drinks by the Dram line.  I am pretty pedestrian in my single-malt choices (Glenmorangie, Balvenie, Dalwhinnie), so I decided to spend this holiday season trying new whiskies (and new wines, but I will post those after Christmas).  The advent calendar was pricey, but definitely cheaper than trying 25 whiskies at my local pub.  

Tasty, complex, creamy and fruity, but the spikey finish didn't do it for me.