Libation of the Day: Monkey Shoulder Blended Scotch Whisky

Name: Monkey Shoulder Blended Scotch Whisky

Brand: Monkey Shoulder

Place of Purchase: Drinks by the Dram Advent Calendar

Country/Region of Origin: Dufftown, Scotland

Tasting Conditions: Room temperature, neat 

Description: A blend of three Speyside whiskies (Glenfiddich, Balvenie and Kininvie)

Nose: Cream, cocoa, vanilla, citrus

Palate: Cream, berry, citrus, caramel
 

Finish: Smooth, ginger, citrus

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.  

These blended whiskies are tasty.  Considering the pedigree of this blend, it had to taste wonderful.  

Libation of the Day: Tullamore DEW 12 Year Old Special Reserve Blended Whiskey

Name: Tullamore DEW 12 Year Old Special Reserve Blended Whiskey

Brand: Tullamore DEW

Place of Purchase: Drinks by the Dram Advent Calendar

Country/Region of Origin: Tullamore, Ireland

Tasting Conditions: Room temperature, neat 

Description: A Triple-distilled blended Irish whiskey

Nose: Cream with honey

Palate: Smooth, creamy, honey, fruity and smooth
 

Finish: Creamy smooth, oak, butter, 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.  

Again, I don't drink a lot of Blended Whiskeys.  I don't drink a lot of Irish whiskeys, either.  I focused on Scotch and finding what I liked.  What I am discovering is the the blended whiskeys have less bite.  And if this is what an Irish whiskey can do, I will definitely be trying more of them.

Libation of Day: Balvenie Single Barrel Sherry Cask 15 Year Old

Name: Balvenie Single Barrel Sherry Cask 15 Year Old

Brand: The Balvenie

Place of Purchase: Drinks by the Dram Advent Calendar

Country/Region of Origin: Dufftown, Scotland 

Tasting Conditions: Room temperature, neat 

Description: A Speyside Single-malt aged in one Sherry cask

Nose: Apples, citrus, ginger and oak

Palate: Caramel, rummy, spice cake, ginger
 

Finish: Plums and chocolate

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 love The Balvenie.  It was one of my go-to Poker drinks.  I have never gotten my mitts on any of their specialty bottlings.  This whisky is scrumptious.  It's like drinking a plum pudding.  Spicy and fruity and warm as summer. 

Libation of the Day: Glen Scotia Double Cask

Name: Glen Scotia Double Cask

Brand: Glen Scotia

Place of Purchase: Drinks by the Dram Advent Calendar

Country/Region of Origin: Campbelltown, Scotland 

Tasting Conditions: Room temperature, neat 

Description: A Campbelltown Single-malt aged in two sets of Pedro Ximenez Sherry casks

Palate: Sweet and buttery, so smooth
 

Finish: Smooth smooth smooth with a sherry note at the end

Nose: Apples and oak

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 feel bad for drinking this whisky.  My Scot buddy is a McDonald and this is a Campbell brew, but it is tasty.  Smooth as silk and sweet as candy.  This is good stuff.

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.