Again with the marketing genius...a whisky named after the lurking place of some evil, nameless beast? Strong, smokey spirit recalling a dark, foreboding grotto filled with a nameless dread? Sold! Ring up the bottle, pour me a glass...I'm in. Ardbeg's 1990 Airigh Nam Beist has been aged for 16-18 years in old bourbon barrels and sadly, … Continue reading Ardbeg 1990 Airigh Nam Beist – Review
Whisky Reviews
Van Winkle Family Reserve Rye, 13 Years Old – Review
Geeez, just when I proclaim that rye isn't my favorite branch of the whisky tree, I find one I really, really like. I guess it should come as no surprise that it's from the Van Winkle family of American hooch as everything else I've tried of theirs I've really enjoyed. There are a couple of … Continue reading Van Winkle Family Reserve Rye, 13 Years Old – Review
Van Winkle 12 Year Old Reserve Kentucky Straight Bourbon – Review
According to Washington Irving, Mrs. Van Winkle was a royal pain in the ass. From the sound of it, all she did was nag old Rip Van Winkle into a bowl of Dutch jelly. Granted, Ol' Rip might have deserved some nagging as he really let his place go, and he wasn't quite the ladder-climbing … Continue reading Van Winkle 12 Year Old Reserve Kentucky Straight Bourbon – Review
Gentleman Jack Rare Tennessee Whiskey – Review
Only in America could you have a world-famous distillery planted smack-dab in the middle of a dry county. I guess it should come as no surprise to anyone that our nasty puritanical streak can only be usurped by the lure of the almighty dollar. With that in mind, I'd like to think that the counties … Continue reading Gentleman Jack Rare Tennessee Whiskey – Review
Caol Ila 12 Year Old – Review
According to my handy, pocket-sized, 6" thick, 15lb., 1961 Websters New International Dictionary (2nd Edition, unabridged), "smoke" is defined thusly: smoke (smōk), n. [AS. smoca; akin to AS. smeocan to smoke, smēcan to smoke, smēc, smyc, smoke, LG. & D. smook smoke, G. schmauch, Gr. smychiein to smolder, Lith. smaugti suffocate, choke.] 1. the gaseous … Continue reading Caol Ila 12 Year Old – Review
Talisker 18 Year Old – Review
I've read that on the Eastern shore of the Trotternish peninsula on Skye, there is a rock formation called Elglais Bhreugach, or "false church". It's a largish stone arch that, as you might expect, kind of resembles a church. The local folklore of the spot is that many, many centuries ago it was used for … Continue reading Talisker 18 Year Old – Review
Bernheim Original Kentucky Wheated Whiskey – Review
I have no idea which grain they're talking about when people sing "amber waves of grain." It could be wheat, I guess...or barley...oats, maybe. Hell, if you leave corn sit around long enough, it'll probably turn a nice golden brown. What do I know, I'm no farmer. I've also never had a chance to sit … Continue reading Bernheim Original Kentucky Wheated Whiskey – Review
Sazerac 18 Year Old Straight Rye Whiskey- Review
Had the chance to taste the Sazerac 18 Year Old Rye at Alembic yesterday. I've heard great things about this one but I have to admit, rye typically isn't my favorite. I like the sharp spiciness or the spicy sharpness, but sometimes wish that quality didn't overwhelm subtler notes as it often does. The Nose: … Continue reading Sazerac 18 Year Old Straight Rye Whiskey- Review
Redbreast 12 Year Old – Review
Happy St. Patrick's Day! A little over 10 years ago, I was sitting in the Mercer Hotel in Dublin with my family in the early evening, enjoying a drink before we went out to find dinner. Being in Ireland, we were possibly drinking Guinness, definitely drinking Jameson and most likey, if memory serves, and it … Continue reading Redbreast 12 Year Old – Review
Highland Park 12 Year Old
There are those scotches, and I won't mention Ardbeg & Laphroaig by name, that really seem to relish knocking the wind out of you. Strong, challenging, complex, and at times overwhelming, but all in a good way. They leave us lying in the dirt with only one shoe on, laughing as they walk away, knowing … Continue reading Highland Park 12 Year Old
THE CASKS 