Scotland @ MindSay 
ireland
Realizations...
I've really changed this summer. Much more than I have ever changed actually. I experienced so many new things and I've realized some things.
I started off the summer by teaching some grade 12 English and I was channeling Mr. Keating from Dead Poets Society the entire time. The kids really seemed to respond and they all did well, save for that one girl who didn't show up for the last few days, thus missing out on 30% of her grade. The day summer school ended, I was on a plane to Scotland. I didn't know what was waiting for me when I got there but I was ready to face it. The plan was to spend a week in Scotland, 10 days in England, and a week in Ireland. I would joke around with my friends before I left, saying that I would find my destiny there. I found something much better. I found joy.
Scotland blew me away. Every time I had planned my trip to the UK in my mind, I had always envisioned walking around in museums and libraries. I was finally there and I spent the majority of the time hiking through the highlands, looking out over the water, hearing stories about the locals and the bloody history that is marked across the country, drinking with friends until the wee hours of the morning. It was beautiful and the best moments were the free ones. The first glimpse of Glencoe was enough to take your breath away. Watching the salmon jump at Rogie Falls was another moment that will stay with me forever. I made many friends in Scotland and they all helped me realize something- I can do whatever I set my mind to. I can take chances and take that ever scary leap of faith.
From there I took the train to England. It broke my heart to leave Scotland but I knew that I had many more exciting moments ahead. In Nottingham I stayed with a friend (and got to have a hot shower!!!)and learned about cricket (which is really nothing like baseball in any way). It was nice to just relax and see a friendly face. After that, it was off to Cambridge. Cambridge is a beautiful city. I truly loved it there. Walking around the city was fun and I'm really glad that I went punting down the river Cam. The universities are beautiful and the people there seemed to be nice. I got lost many times though, and that was a little frustrating. I managed to find the Catholic church there and went to mass before getting instructions on how to get back to my hotel. After Cambridge, I took the train to London. I arrived at Kings Cross, took the Victoria line to my hotel, saw Wicked (which was my favourite thing about London), saw Westminster Abbey, the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, St. Paul's Cathedral, the Tower of London, the Tower Bridge, and many other places. I didn't really enjoy it there though, mostly because I was alone, and partly because the people there don't actually talk to people. From there, it was off to Oxford. Oxford is also a beautiful city. I took a walking tour through the colleges and while it rained for the majority of my time there, I did manage to find something very important/valuable. I found, in the bottom corner of a little basement bookshop, a 1905 copy of Emma by Jane Austen. After Oxford, I took the train into Bath. Bath was my favourite city in all of England. It's beautiful there and it's safe. Also, the people there are really nice and helpful. I experienced as much as I could there, including the theatre, the Roman Baths, the culture, the Jane Austen Centre, the Assembly Rooms, and many other places. The next morning, I was off to the Bristol airport to catch a flight to Dublin.
Dublin was my second favourite city I visited on my trip, the first being Edinburgh. Ireland is a beautiful and enchanting country. Everyone who visits understands why everyone wants to claim a bit of Irish blood. I took a 5 day tour through the republic of Ireland (there's the ROI and Northern Ireland) and I truly fell in love with the place. I can't wait to go back. While I was in England, I saw many beautiful sights but they were all man made structures. In Ireland, much like it is in Scotland, the beauty is in the natural world, taking your breath away at least once a day. Our first day saw us walking on the Hill of Tara, amongst sheep and, well, more sheep. The next day we found ourselves spending the night in Galway, a charming, seaside city, bustling with activity. We watched Irish dancing at one pub and ended the evening at another, sharing pints and laughing. I formed some very strong friendships that night. The next night was in Doolin, home of traditional celtic music. We all sat around, sipping our pints, while we listened to a few of the locals sing and play. I wouldn't trade that memory for all the money in the world. We then went to Killarney and our bonds of friendship strengthened even more in that small town. When we got back to Dublin, none of us wanted to say goodbye. I was glad when I ran into a friend from the tour that night, while walking down the street. I saw some things that blew my mind in Ireland. I saw the Cliffs of Moher (aka the Cliffs of Insanity in The Princess Bride), I walked in the Atlantic ocean, and I stood on the most western point of Europe, arguing with Kevin, our tour guide, over the correct pronunciation of Newfoundland (he said that because it was discovered by an Irishman, they get naming rights. I told him that it's my feckin' country. I get naming rights. He said, "fair enough.".
Sadly, all good things must come to an end, and with a heavy heart, I boarded a plane the next morning bound for Canada.
So I learned three important things about myself on this trip, one for each country.
Scotland- If I try new things and strive to accomplish things, I will find that I (a)like it and (b) will succeed.
England- I can survive on my own and make my way through cities on foot.
Ireland- I'm actually a pretty cool person and I just need to remember to let go and have fun with life.
Apparently I have come back as a changed person. I can see it at times but not as much as everyone else does. All I know is that I'm planning on going back to Ireland next summer.
I started off the summer by teaching some grade 12 English and I was channeling Mr. Keating from Dead Poets Society the entire time. The kids really seemed to respond and they all did well, save for that one girl who didn't show up for the last few days, thus missing out on 30% of her grade. The day summer school ended, I was on a plane to Scotland. I didn't know what was waiting for me when I got there but I was ready to face it. The plan was to spend a week in Scotland, 10 days in England, and a week in Ireland. I would joke around with my friends before I left, saying that I would find my destiny there. I found something much better. I found joy.
Scotland blew me away. Every time I had planned my trip to the UK in my mind, I had always envisioned walking around in museums and libraries. I was finally there and I spent the majority of the time hiking through the highlands, looking out over the water, hearing stories about the locals and the bloody history that is marked across the country, drinking with friends until the wee hours of the morning. It was beautiful and the best moments were the free ones. The first glimpse of Glencoe was enough to take your breath away. Watching the salmon jump at Rogie Falls was another moment that will stay with me forever. I made many friends in Scotland and they all helped me realize something- I can do whatever I set my mind to. I can take chances and take that ever scary leap of faith.
From there I took the train to England. It broke my heart to leave Scotland but I knew that I had many more exciting moments ahead. In Nottingham I stayed with a friend (and got to have a hot shower!!!)and learned about cricket (which is really nothing like baseball in any way). It was nice to just relax and see a friendly face. After that, it was off to Cambridge. Cambridge is a beautiful city. I truly loved it there. Walking around the city was fun and I'm really glad that I went punting down the river Cam. The universities are beautiful and the people there seemed to be nice. I got lost many times though, and that was a little frustrating. I managed to find the Catholic church there and went to mass before getting instructions on how to get back to my hotel. After Cambridge, I took the train to London. I arrived at Kings Cross, took the Victoria line to my hotel, saw Wicked (which was my favourite thing about London), saw Westminster Abbey, the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, St. Paul's Cathedral, the Tower of London, the Tower Bridge, and many other places. I didn't really enjoy it there though, mostly because I was alone, and partly because the people there don't actually talk to people. From there, it was off to Oxford. Oxford is also a beautiful city. I took a walking tour through the colleges and while it rained for the majority of my time there, I did manage to find something very important/valuable. I found, in the bottom corner of a little basement bookshop, a 1905 copy of Emma by Jane Austen. After Oxford, I took the train into Bath. Bath was my favourite city in all of England. It's beautiful there and it's safe. Also, the people there are really nice and helpful. I experienced as much as I could there, including the theatre, the Roman Baths, the culture, the Jane Austen Centre, the Assembly Rooms, and many other places. The next morning, I was off to the Bristol airport to catch a flight to Dublin.
Dublin was my second favourite city I visited on my trip, the first being Edinburgh. Ireland is a beautiful and enchanting country. Everyone who visits understands why everyone wants to claim a bit of Irish blood. I took a 5 day tour through the republic of Ireland (there's the ROI and Northern Ireland) and I truly fell in love with the place. I can't wait to go back. While I was in England, I saw many beautiful sights but they were all man made structures. In Ireland, much like it is in Scotland, the beauty is in the natural world, taking your breath away at least once a day. Our first day saw us walking on the Hill of Tara, amongst sheep and, well, more sheep. The next day we found ourselves spending the night in Galway, a charming, seaside city, bustling with activity. We watched Irish dancing at one pub and ended the evening at another, sharing pints and laughing. I formed some very strong friendships that night. The next night was in Doolin, home of traditional celtic music. We all sat around, sipping our pints, while we listened to a few of the locals sing and play. I wouldn't trade that memory for all the money in the world. We then went to Killarney and our bonds of friendship strengthened even more in that small town. When we got back to Dublin, none of us wanted to say goodbye. I was glad when I ran into a friend from the tour that night, while walking down the street. I saw some things that blew my mind in Ireland. I saw the Cliffs of Moher (aka the Cliffs of Insanity in The Princess Bride), I walked in the Atlantic ocean, and I stood on the most western point of Europe, arguing with Kevin, our tour guide, over the correct pronunciation of Newfoundland (he said that because it was discovered by an Irishman, they get naming rights. I told him that it's my feckin' country. I get naming rights. He said, "fair enough.".
Sadly, all good things must come to an end, and with a heavy heart, I boarded a plane the next morning bound for Canada.
So I learned three important things about myself on this trip, one for each country.
Scotland- If I try new things and strive to accomplish things, I will find that I (a)like it and (b) will succeed.
England- I can survive on my own and make my way through cities on foot.
Ireland- I'm actually a pretty cool person and I just need to remember to let go and have fun with life.
Apparently I have come back as a changed person. I can see it at times but not as much as everyone else does. All I know is that I'm planning on going back to Ireland next summer.
My favorite Highland dress pet peeves
Here are a few of my favorite Highland dress pet peeves that I often see at Scottish Events and Highland games... Please feel free to express your own pet peeves!
1.) Kilt Shirts aka Jacobite shirts -
2.) Men wearing a multitude of lapel pins on their bonnet -
3.) Men wearing their bonnets indoors -
4.) Men wearing their flashes wrong, e.g., around on the backside of their calf - also droopy kilt hose!
5.) kilts worn too long, droopy kilts...usually done deliberately, the offender is usually someone under 20. Also, men wearing their kilts down on their hips like blue jeans! Even my kilt will drop a bit after long day at the games or an evening of Scottish country dancing...but come on guys!...pull the kilts UP where they belong! Especially you CANADIANS! (Tom muttering under his breath, Canadians tend to wear their kilts longer than anyone else.)(Love Thompson's term for this, "Trollopy kilts"!)
6.) utilikilts and other facsimiles worn is if they are traditional Scottish National attire...
7.) wearing the wrong level of formality to an event OR mixing items of formality...example: a Prince Charlie coatee worn with daywear...or mistaking "casual" with "daywear" (they are not the same!) One would not generally wear sneakers with a suit or slacks and a sportcoat so why wear sneakers with daywear?
8.) Wearing dirks, swords, etc. to Highland games or other Scottish events! The only item of this nature that is, or should be, worn is the sgian dubh. Dirks and swords are OK for the parade of the tartans or display, but I'd personally rather see the pageantry of flags and banners! (Dirks are appropriate for very dressy formal evening wear. I don't really recommend them because you really have to lay them aside for any sort of vigorous dancing. Same with plaids!) Heck, I saw a man wear a sword to a recent Kirking of the Tartan!
9.) People who get bent out of shape when they see a man in a kilt wearing a sports coat! I honestly do not have a problem with this!
10.) Men wearing ladies tartan sashes! Come on! You KNOW you have seen this at least once! :-D
11.) The cost of kilts and accouterments! One can only hope for the good old days when the dollar was stronger!
12.) Finding a hole in a pair of $200+ Argyll Kilt hose RIGHT before an event! @#*&$$$!!!^^*)@(
13.) People who come up to you and say, "I LUV YOUR COSTUME!" I usually have to bite my tongue not to come up with a Gordon Ramsay reply!
14.) Did I mention that I HATE kilt shirts!
15.) Yes, Indeed, I loath kilt shirts...If there was anything I could do to contribute to Scottish National Dress, it would be the total elimination of the kilt shirt! No Scottish supplier, kilt maker, etc. would dream of carrying them and no self-respecting man would even consider wearing one! Wake up and retire yours to the rag pile!
16.) Men who do not know when to move their sporrans! When a gentleman is dressed in Highland attire and dances with a lady (cheek to cheek), he should move the sporran to his left hip. He should also do this when sitting down to dinner.
17.) Wearing the sgian dubh with the sheath portion in the hose with the whole handle sticking out.
18.) If I hear the old worn out, "What do are you wearing under your kilt" question one more time I can't promise I won't go "Ramsay" on them!
19.) There is some question regarding the wearing of tartan ties with the kilt. In my opinion, a tie should be left up to the man's choice, with the only rule being the constraint of good taste.
20.) Wearing kilt belts with a waistcoat....
21.) Women (who are not a part of a pipeband) wearing men's Highland attire.
CuldeeDeacon+
CuldeeDeacon+
Whisky Tasting Notes
The Dalmore 12 Year Old
ABV: 43
Color - copper penny…
Glass - CM
Nose - English toffee, Cadbury’s milk chocolate, light peat smoke, chocolate birthday cake, fruit -- apricots, pineapple, woodsmoke, canvas tent in summer heat, a fireplace in winter -- this is a complex malt! Sherry fighting with bourbon!
Flavor - Sherry vs. Bourbon, salty notes -- I like it! Chocolate afternotes & finish. Sweet -- long finish with bourbon note. Note the nice long legs…this malt streaks down the sides of glass!
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Grant’s Family Reserve NAS
ABV: 40%
Color - Medium Gold
Glass - CM
Nose - Clean, Citrus fruity, vanilla(oak), some pineapple, slight peat smoke.
Flavor - Citrus fruit vs. Toffee. Strong sense of The Balvinie Founder’s Reserve & Glenfiddich15. Malt vs.Sherry…
Grain..............Grape.............Oak
Multidimensional!
There is quality here for as much as this costs (all of $14! With tax!) It is worth many times the actual price! Much better blend than many of the so called "premium" blends.
Next: a taste off between Grant’s Family Reserve v White Horse.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ledig Sherry Cask - NAS (Tobermory Distillery)
ABV: 42% (I understand that this strength is common to some areas of Eastern Europe.)
Color - Medium Gold
Glass - White Wine with stem. (Tasted at SABR Spring Tea, bottle brought by a friend who was gifted this by his grandson.
Nose - Feints! Peat like model airplane glue, reminds me of moonshine, toasted grain.
Flavor -- again peat & feints, why do they make whisky this bad? Toasted corn taco shells. What is so strange is WHERE IS THE SHERRY??? How can Tobermory make this stuff when Tobermory 10 year old is so nice and clean? Clearly the cut has been made WAY too wide maybe in an effort to put emphasis on the peat much to the determent of the overall whisky. Still, is WHERE IS THE SHERRY???
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The MacAllan 15 Year Old Fine Oak Finish
ABV: 43%
Glass - Medium Brandy Balloon (tasted at Churchill’s with a friend).
Nose -- caramel, clean light sherry (not quite a nude MacAllan!), Malt sweetness, fruit, juicy.
Flavor - Fruit, spices, grape vs grain, very clean clear malt, brown sugar…
Complex and will need a revisit.
This malt has a long beautiful finish. This age is so very much better than the 10 year old Fine Oak version.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Longrow 17 Year Old - Springbank Distillery (Scotch Malt Whisky Society bottling).
ABV:50% (100 proof) (cask strength).
Glass - Medium Brandy Balloon (tasted at Churchill’s with a friend. He brought this back from Scotland.)
Nose -- Kippered Herring, salt, ocean air, leather, clearly maritime, peat.
Flavor - Interesting interplay between sweet malt and sherry, peat & salt.
I’m very impressed with this malt.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Glendronach 12 Year Old
ABV: 40%
Glass: Celtic Malt Spirits Glass (CM).
Nose - Sherry, toffee with sweet brown sugar and oaky vanilla, on the nose this is totally glorious! Deep sweet sherry combined with sweet malt & vanilla, alcohol with a slight bit of smoke at the end. Sometimes it all comes out in a different order!
Flavor - much dryer than the nose would suggest - quite a bit of disconnect between the nose and taste. Dry toffee(ish) sherry (wonder what kind of sherry casks this was aged in?) Lots of malt but still very dry. I tasted this several times but the notes are much dryer - reminds me of a much dryer sherry - I wish the flavor was more on key with the nose. Still not bad.
Still not the Glendronach of old, the 1980s squat green bottle was quite a different malt and much superior over all. It was aged in oak ex-bourbon casks versus this sherry monster!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Glendronach 15 Year Old
ABV: 40%
Glass: Stemless White Wine
Color: deep old copper penny
Nose - Clearly more smoke, sherry, peat, brown sugar, Christmas spices, soft alcohol, raisins.
Flavor - distinct sherry, quite sweet in the beginning - quite thin, smoke on the finish with oak
Tannins - less dry than the "12".
This is the malt that started it all for me and holds a special place in my esteem. The Glendronach of 23 years ago and again tasting this malt in the Summer of 2007, brought it all back again! My dad gave me this sample which was tasted on May 21, 2008 - it was his Christmas present in 2003.
What a shame that this expression is no longer available!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Glenfarclas 10 Year Old
ABV: 40%
Color: light-Amber
Nose - This is such an odd duck! Something very off key and seems feinty (to me) - Sherry - soft alcohol, raisin cream pie.
Flavor - Sherry, very youngish, it is interesting to see what I consider a great malt at age 12 (on up) this one falls a wee bit short but is still very pleasant with a soft mouthfeel and a long sherry like finish. I just miss the wonderful nose of the "12".
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Culdeedeacon †
ABV: 43
Color - copper penny…
Glass - CM
Nose - English toffee, Cadbury’s milk chocolate, light peat smoke, chocolate birthday cake, fruit -- apricots, pineapple, woodsmoke, canvas tent in summer heat, a fireplace in winter -- this is a complex malt! Sherry fighting with bourbon!
Flavor - Sherry vs. Bourbon, salty notes -- I like it! Chocolate afternotes & finish. Sweet -- long finish with bourbon note. Note the nice long legs…this malt streaks down the sides of glass!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Grant’s Family Reserve NAS
ABV: 40%
Color - Medium Gold
Glass - CM
Nose - Clean, Citrus fruity, vanilla(oak), some pineapple, slight peat smoke.
Flavor - Citrus fruit vs. Toffee. Strong sense of The Balvinie Founder’s Reserve & Glenfiddich15. Malt vs.Sherry…
Grain..............Grape.............Oak
Multidimensional!
There is quality here for as much as this costs (all of $14! With tax!) It is worth many times the actual price! Much better blend than many of the so called "premium" blends.
Next: a taste off between Grant’s Family Reserve v White Horse.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ledig Sherry Cask - NAS (Tobermory Distillery)
ABV: 42% (I understand that this strength is common to some areas of Eastern Europe.)
Color - Medium Gold
Glass - White Wine with stem. (Tasted at SABR Spring Tea, bottle brought by a friend who was gifted this by his grandson.
Nose - Feints! Peat like model airplane glue, reminds me of moonshine, toasted grain.
Flavor -- again peat & feints, why do they make whisky this bad? Toasted corn taco shells. What is so strange is WHERE IS THE SHERRY??? How can Tobermory make this stuff when Tobermory 10 year old is so nice and clean? Clearly the cut has been made WAY too wide maybe in an effort to put emphasis on the peat much to the determent of the overall whisky. Still, is WHERE IS THE SHERRY???
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The MacAllan 15 Year Old Fine Oak Finish
ABV: 43%
Glass - Medium Brandy Balloon (tasted at Churchill’s with a friend).
Nose -- caramel, clean light sherry (not quite a nude MacAllan!), Malt sweetness, fruit, juicy.
Flavor - Fruit, spices, grape vs grain, very clean clear malt, brown sugar…
Complex and will need a revisit.
This malt has a long beautiful finish. This age is so very much better than the 10 year old Fine Oak version.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Longrow 17 Year Old - Springbank Distillery (Scotch Malt Whisky Society bottling).
ABV:50% (100 proof) (cask strength).
Glass - Medium Brandy Balloon (tasted at Churchill’s with a friend. He brought this back from Scotland.)
Nose -- Kippered Herring, salt, ocean air, leather, clearly maritime, peat.
Flavor - Interesting interplay between sweet malt and sherry, peat & salt.
I’m very impressed with this malt.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Glendronach 12 Year Old
ABV: 40%
Glass: Celtic Malt Spirits Glass (CM).
Nose - Sherry, toffee with sweet brown sugar and oaky vanilla, on the nose this is totally glorious! Deep sweet sherry combined with sweet malt & vanilla, alcohol with a slight bit of smoke at the end. Sometimes it all comes out in a different order!
Flavor - much dryer than the nose would suggest - quite a bit of disconnect between the nose and taste. Dry toffee(ish) sherry (wonder what kind of sherry casks this was aged in?) Lots of malt but still very dry. I tasted this several times but the notes are much dryer - reminds me of a much dryer sherry - I wish the flavor was more on key with the nose. Still not bad.
Still not the Glendronach of old, the 1980s squat green bottle was quite a different malt and much superior over all. It was aged in oak ex-bourbon casks versus this sherry monster!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Glendronach 15 Year Old
ABV: 40%
Glass: Stemless White Wine
Color: deep old copper penny
Nose - Clearly more smoke, sherry, peat, brown sugar, Christmas spices, soft alcohol, raisins.
Flavor - distinct sherry, quite sweet in the beginning - quite thin, smoke on the finish with oak
Tannins - less dry than the "12".
This is the malt that started it all for me and holds a special place in my esteem. The Glendronach of 23 years ago and again tasting this malt in the Summer of 2007, brought it all back again! My dad gave me this sample which was tasted on May 21, 2008 - it was his Christmas present in 2003.
What a shame that this expression is no longer available!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Glenfarclas 10 Year Old
ABV: 40%
Color: light-Amber
Nose - This is such an odd duck! Something very off key and seems feinty (to me) - Sherry - soft alcohol, raisin cream pie.
Flavor - Sherry, very youngish, it is interesting to see what I consider a great malt at age 12 (on up) this one falls a wee bit short but is still very pleasant with a soft mouthfeel and a long sherry like finish. I just miss the wonderful nose of the "12".
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Culdeedeacon †
Whisky Tasting Notes
These next few single malt whiskies are from Islay which is pronounced, "eye-la". Islay is one of the islands off the west coast of Scotland. Islay has basically three different regions, which I call the "North Shore", "The West", and "The South Shore". Each of these have different distilleries and each produce a distinctly different character of whisky but all also share certain characteristics as well. Of these areas, the South Shore distilleries are in my opinion the most distinctive and I believe the best. These whiskies are characterized by a strong nose of Islay peat which has a distinctly seaweed character. One can smell the sea air, smell and taste sea salt, iodine...etc. This comes from the peat used in the malting process, the water which comes from various sources including coastal lochs, streams, etc, and from the proximity to the sea.
Islay malts are my favorites and in particular I enjoy the "South Shore" malts the best. There are three distilleries which make up the South Shore and these are Laphroaig, Lagavulin & Ardbeg.
Here are some of my recent tastings of Islay malts:
Laphroaig 10 Year Old
ABV -- 43%
Glass - White wine w/stem
Color - Gold Gold Gold - Liquid Fort Knox!!!
Nose -- Islay peat smoke, apples, Apple cider, juicy, Beach & Ocean smells...
Flavor - Smoke from a peat fire, apples, Big Sweetness, Salty
Sometimes I forget how good this one really is!
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Laphroaig 15 Year Old (tasted blind)
ABV -- 43%
Color - Amber
Nose -- Reminds me of Highland Park 12 - smoke peat but not distinctly Islay but clearly Maritime/Scottish Isles. Salt spray - the Ocean.
Flavor - This is the giveaway! Clearly Islay! Also, clearly Southshore Islay! Peat, seaweed, sweet malt, Sherry(?), Salt.
The nose on this threw me at first but the tasting cleared it up. I just love these big Islay malts!
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Laphroaig Quarter Cask
ABV -- 48% (note that this is non-chill filtered.)
Glass - Medium Brandy Balloon
Color - Dark Gold
Nose - closed at first but opens with water with lots of Islay peat smoke - much like Ardbeg. Alcohol burn...
Flavor - dry peat smoke, dry peat smoke, dry peat smoke...
Typey Islay South Shore -- needs a revisit
Revisit x 2
This time in a stemless white wine
Nose - no water this time, opens with time - huge peat smoke, sweet malt, vanilla oak... Alcohol burn, oatcakes!
Flavor -- Sweet malt, more pronounced - then dry peat smoke, apples, phenolic, seaweed/iodine.
Very South shore Islay! This is fast becoming a favorite!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lagavulin 16 Year old
AVB - 43%
Glass - Whisky Tumbler
Color - Dark Gold/Amber
Nose - peat fire, phenol, sherry, sweetness
Flavor -- Sweet then dry as a bone finish! Salty, Peat.
Revisit
Glass - stemless white wine
Color - Dark Amber
Nose - smoke, Peat, sweet malt, vanilla, oak, licorice(ish)?
Flavor - Salt!, vanilla, big oak, malt sweetness, Sherry, smooth as a baby’s butt, chocolate...
This whisky has as long a finish as I have ever experienced! Memories!
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Ardbeg 10 Year Old
ABV 46%
Glass - Stemless White Wine
Color - very light gold
Nose - beautiful! Islay peat! Smoke, Phenolic, very complex, beach smells, can one really get beyond the nose???
Flavor - like no other! This still remains the taste of Scotland! Can anything be this smooth?
Revisit - added more water as this is nonchill filtered it goes cloudy which is not a pretty sight.
Nose - citrus notes - lime juice?
Flavor - toasted corn taco shells, dry peat smoke with lime juice
Revisit - No water this time! This malt is wonderful WITHOUT water! Water ruins it! This is the equal to Lagavulin 16 as long as no water is added.
CuldeeDeacon †
ABV -- 43%
Glass - White wine w/stem
Color - Gold Gold Gold - Liquid Fort Knox!!!
Nose -- Islay peat smoke, apples, Apple cider, juicy, Beach & Ocean smells...
Flavor - Smoke from a peat fire, apples, Big Sweetness, Salty
Sometimes I forget how good this one really is!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Laphroaig 15 Year Old (tasted blind)
ABV -- 43%
Color - Amber
Nose -- Reminds me of Highland Park 12 - smoke peat but not distinctly Islay but clearly Maritime/Scottish Isles. Salt spray - the Ocean.
Flavor - This is the giveaway! Clearly Islay! Also, clearly Southshore Islay! Peat, seaweed, sweet malt, Sherry(?), Salt.
The nose on this threw me at first but the tasting cleared it up. I just love these big Islay malts!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Laphroaig Quarter Cask
ABV -- 48% (note that this is non-chill filtered.)
Glass - Medium Brandy Balloon
Color - Dark Gold
Nose - closed at first but opens with water with lots of Islay peat smoke - much like Ardbeg. Alcohol burn...
Flavor - dry peat smoke, dry peat smoke, dry peat smoke...
Typey Islay South Shore -- needs a revisit
Revisit x 2
This time in a stemless white wine
Nose - no water this time, opens with time - huge peat smoke, sweet malt, vanilla oak... Alcohol burn, oatcakes!
Flavor -- Sweet malt, more pronounced - then dry peat smoke, apples, phenolic, seaweed/iodine.
Very South shore Islay! This is fast becoming a favorite!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lagavulin 16 Year old
AVB - 43%
Glass - Whisky Tumbler
Color - Dark Gold/Amber
Nose - peat fire, phenol, sherry, sweetness
Flavor -- Sweet then dry as a bone finish! Salty, Peat.
Revisit
Glass - stemless white wine
Color - Dark Amber
Nose - smoke, Peat, sweet malt, vanilla, oak, licorice(ish)?
Flavor - Salt!, vanilla, big oak, malt sweetness, Sherry, smooth as a baby’s butt, chocolate...
This whisky has as long a finish as I have ever experienced! Memories!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ardbeg 10 Year Old
ABV 46%
Glass - Stemless White Wine
Color - very light gold
Nose - beautiful! Islay peat! Smoke, Phenolic, very complex, beach smells, can one really get beyond the nose???
Flavor - like no other! This still remains the taste of Scotland! Can anything be this smooth?
Revisit - added more water as this is nonchill filtered it goes cloudy which is not a pretty sight.
Nose - citrus notes - lime juice?
Flavor - toasted corn taco shells, dry peat smoke with lime juice
Revisit - No water this time! This malt is wonderful WITHOUT water! Water ruins it! This is the equal to Lagavulin 16 as long as no water is added.
CuldeeDeacon †
Whisky Tasting Notes
Glenmorangie 12 Year Old - Maderia Finish
ABV-- 43%
Glass - Medium Brandy Balloon
Color -- Light Gold to Light Amber
Nose - Maderia Wine?, Brown Cow Sucker (remember those?), Sugar Daddies candy, all day Slow Poke sucker, caramelized sugar, vanilla (oak)...this one is complex....
Flavor -- Pepper, creamy (sweet cream), Christmas spices, not so nice oak tannins(?), vanilla.
This one goes for around $62...
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Glenmorangie 18 Year Old
ABV - 43% tasted with a tiny bit of water
Glass -- regular white wine
Color -- Dark Gold/Amber
Nose - Sweet, Nuts, Oak (vanilla)
Flavor - Nuts, Spices, Oaky Vanilla ... nothing off even at this age, oak is reserved and of the best kind.
This was impressive. Runs in the low $100s.
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Glenmorangie 10 Year Old
ABV -- 43%
Glass -- Sherry Copita
Color - Light Straw Gold
Nose -- Vanilla(oak) (see a pattern here with Glenmorangie?), sweetness, grass, very complex nose!, black pepper?
Flavor - Initially a peppery attack that I remember from Glenmorangie..., light and dreamy with vanilla on the backside and finish, malt sweetness...
The nose is quite complex and hard to figure out...I will need to revisit this one!
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CuldeeDeacon +
ABV-- 43%
Glass - Medium Brandy Balloon
Color -- Light Gold to Light Amber
Nose - Maderia Wine?, Brown Cow Sucker (remember those?), Sugar Daddies candy, all day Slow Poke sucker, caramelized sugar, vanilla (oak)...this one is complex....
Flavor -- Pepper, creamy (sweet cream), Christmas spices, not so nice oak tannins(?), vanilla.
This one goes for around $62...
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Glenmorangie 18 Year Old
ABV - 43% tasted with a tiny bit of water
Glass -- regular white wine
Color -- Dark Gold/Amber
Nose - Sweet, Nuts, Oak (vanilla)
Flavor - Nuts, Spices, Oaky Vanilla ... nothing off even at this age, oak is reserved and of the best kind.
This was impressive. Runs in the low $100s.
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Glenmorangie 10 Year Old
ABV -- 43%
Glass -- Sherry Copita
Color - Light Straw Gold
Nose -- Vanilla(oak) (see a pattern here with Glenmorangie?), sweetness, grass, very complex nose!, black pepper?
Flavor - Initially a peppery attack that I remember from Glenmorangie..., light and dreamy with vanilla on the backside and finish, malt sweetness...
The nose is quite complex and hard to figure out...I will need to revisit this one!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CuldeeDeacon +
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