Libation of the Day: Kilchoman Machir Bay 2014 Bottling

Name: Kilchoman Machir Bay 2014 Bottling

Brand: Kilchoman

Place of Purchase: Drinks by the Dram Advent Calendar

Country/Region of Origin: Rockside Farm, Bruichladdich, Isle of Islay, Scotland 

Tasting Conditions: Room temperature, neat 

Description: A 14-year old Islay Single-malt

Palate: Raisins, fruit, citrus, nuttiness
 

Finish: More peat and smoke

Nose: PEAT! and 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.  

My Scottish buddy always steered me away from the Islays.  Too peaty! he would say.  I myself always enjoyed Bowmore, but who doesn't?  I made the mistake of thinking that Bowmore was a peaty Scotch.  Then I tried Kilchoman Machir Bay.  Holy moley, this is peaty and smoky.  The flavor catches you by surprise, it is peaty, to be sure, but there is fruit and nutty flavors that rise up to the surface.  Then the peat and smoke smacks you in the face with the finish.  It's a nice whisky, to be sure, with a beautiful color and a strong personality.  But it's a sometimes single-malt.

Libation of the Day: The Dalmore 15 Year Old

Name: The Dalmore 15 Year Old

Brand: The Dalmore

Place of Purchase: Drinks by the Dram Advent Calendar

Country/Region of Origin: Alness, Scotland

Tasting Conditions: Room temperature, neat 

Description: A 15-year old Highland Single-malt

Palate:  Chocolate, Citrus, honey, spice
 

Finish: Smooth, smokey, warm

Nose: Sherry, Chocolate, Sweet Maple, Citrus, 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.  

 There is nothing like a Highland Single-Malt and the folks at The Dalmore have crafted a smooth, sweet, sherry-kissed masterpiece with their 15-year.  So good.

Libation of the Day: Elijah Craig Small Batch Bourbon 12 Year Old

Name: Elijah Craig Small Batch Bourbon 12 Year Old

Brand: Heaven Hill Distillery

Place of Purchase: Drinks by the Dram Advent Calendar

Country/Region of Origin: Bardstown, Kentucky

Tasting Conditions: Room temperature, neat 

Description: A Bourbon Whiskey from the Elijah Craig

Palate:  Oak, apples and spices
 

Finish: Tight, long and warm

Nose: Oak, malty, creamy

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.  

Ah, bourbon, my ancient enemy.  This is not Wild Turkey, my friend.  This is a creamy and sweet treat that will warm you on an Advent Eve.  There are a number of Elijah Craig whiskies and I may just try them all.  

Libation of the Day: Compass Box Great King Street Artist's Blend

Name: Compass Box Great King Street Artist's Blend

Brand: Compass Box

Place of Purchase: Drinks by the Dram Advent Calendar

Country/Region of Origin: London

Tasting Conditions: Room temperature, neat 

Description: A blended Scotch Whisky from the Artist's at Compass Box

Flavor:  Sweet, rich, apples, raisins
 

Mouth-feel: Smooth with a hint of spicy/spiky notes

Aroma: Sweet, vanilla, fruity, berries

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 tend to avoid blended whiskies.  I used to drink Dewer's every time I would go out.  But, once my friend Scott McDonald introduced me to single malts, I found blends to be akin to cheating.  Anyone can make a perfect, blended whisky: smooth, complex and wonderful.  But it take a master to make a perfect single malt.

That being said, the Compass Box Great King Street Artist's Blend is a really good blended whisky.  It is smooth on the palate and very, complex.  Sweet and fruity, with a fabulous finish. 

Libation of the Day: Yoichi Single Malt

Name: Yoichi

Brand: Nikka

Place of Purchase: Drinks by the Dram Advent Calendar

Country/Region of Origin: Hokkaido

Tasting Conditions: Room temperature, neat AND room temperature with a dash of water

Description: A non-age Japanese Whisky

Flavor:  Sweet, peaty, fruity AND Sweeter, smoky, fruity
 

Mouth-feel: Clean, sparkling

Aroma: Oak, fresh moss 

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 Yoichi was good, and my first Japanese whisky.  It was a bit wild on the palate, but the flavors mixed nicely in my mouth. 

Libation of the Day: Glenfarclas 25 year old

Name: Glenfarclas 25 year old

Brand:  Glenfarclas

Place of Purchase: Drinks by the Dram Advent Calendar

Country/Region of Origin: Scotland

Tasting Conditions: Room temperature, neat

Description: A 25-year old Speyside single malt

Flavor:  Sherry, oak
 

Mouth-feel: Clean, effervescent, sublimate

Aroma: Strong sherry

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 Glenfarcas was good and definitely something I wouldn't pick up on my own.  But it was light on the tongue and seemed to linger on my palate for a while.  Sherry and oak dancing around my mouth.   

A break, for now

While I have enjoyed sharing new fruits, cheese and libations with you all.  I fear that I have been running out of steam for this concept.

So, for now, I am going on hiatus.

If you still want to hear from me, please check out: Pleasure of Des Moines, my restaurant review guide for Central Iowa.