Most Recent Review
Whisky Castle Edition Kaser
There is a little story behind my acquisition of this very interesting bottle of single malt from a small Swiss distillery. I first learned of it in the book 101 World Whiskies to Try Before You Die. Unavailable in USA I found their website and attempted to order a bottle (or sample) online. As they only delivered in Europe I tried to get a bottle delivered to my father in the UK. However website was in German, no credit card details were requested or taken, no confirmation or follow up email was ever received (I think it went straight to Junk Mail) and so I put it out of my mind, assuming failure, and vowed to come up with another plan. That was August 2013. In January 2014 my father travelled to USA to visit me and in his bag was a bottle of Whisky Castle Edition Kaser. They had shipped it to UK and included an invoice with shipment. As I was not expecting the shipment and had not seen the invoice I had basically ignored their fine whisky (and their invoice) for over 4 months! I felt bad and can assure all readers that I have since dispatched payment along with an apology. The nose is quite rich and rather good with dark fruits, and a light yeasty, even cheesy note (Kaser = cheese). The taste is blast of spice and alcohol, citrus peel and cayenne pepper. Finish is spicy, malty and a touch of tobacco. Plenty going on and what it lacks in complexity and subtlety it makes up in overall flavor and overall punch! I spent a little time trying to come up with a line about Swiss whisky, like Swiss cheese, being full of holes.... but it isn't.
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The table at the bottom of this entry reflects all the changes from the first edition of 101 Whiskies to Try Before You Die and the second edition released in 2013. There are thirteen changes in total and in this blog I will focus on the departures which I will categorize accordingly:
“The Marketing Department’s Revenge”: Three victims here. Some were simply a straight swap of one expression to an updated expression. That accounts for Cutty Sark 18 for 25 and the Bruichladdich 10 for 12. I am pretty sure even their own Marketing department agreed that continuing to sell Glenglassaugh’s new make spirit was not a good idea now that they had real whisky.
“TTTTTThat’s All Folks!”: Phrases you don’t often hear include “Justin Bieber is a wise young man” and “Of course I have a bottle Glen Grant 25 year old, doesn’t everyone?” Adios Gordon and MacPhail Glen Grant 25 year old and Glenglassaugh 26 year old. If you still have a bottle of one of these enjoy it, because they are rarer than a Scottish World Cup victory
“Compass Box: Your 15 Minutes of Fame is Up”: I think even John Glaser’s mother would agree Compass Box get a pretty good shake of the whisky publicity tree and had a more than fair representation in the original edition. However they have been culled like a Canadian seal pup in this version. Their redaction (it’s a word – look it up) accounts for three more victims.
“Three for one”: Macallan have recently revamped their well-established line up for a new “no age statement” offering based on colors (I still giggle when I read the “official” explanation). Their fully deserved punishment is three out with just one of the newbies, Macallan Gold, making the second edition cut. They are getting off lightly.
“The Conspiracy Theory”: At face value the final two British badgers in Buxton’s gun sights may seem unconnected, Berry Bros and Rudd’s Blue Hanger and Glen Rothes Select Reserve. Except that as every whisky anorak worth his tattered copy of Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible knows they are in fact very closely related with BBR jointly developing the concept of whisky vintages with Glen Rothes single malts. As these are both great products and still available, I have to assume a Christmas card got lost in the post in 2012 and a score had to be settled.
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OUT |
IN |
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Compass Box Aysla |
Balcones Baby Blue |
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Blue Hanger |
Bruichladdich The Laddie 10 |
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Bruichladdich 12 year old |
Cutty Sark 18 year old |
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Cutty Sark 25 year old |
Glenglassaugh Evolution |
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Glenglassaugh spirit |
Johnnie Walker The Spice Road |
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Glenglassaugh 26 year old |
Kavalan Concertmaster |
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Gordon and Macphail Glen Grant 25 year old |
Lord Elcho 15 year old |
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Compass Box Hedonism |
Mackinlay’s Rare Old |
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Macallan 10 year old Sherry Oak |
Balvenie Tun 1401 |
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Macallan 18 year old Sherry Oak |
Dalmore Cigar Malt Reserve |
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Macallan 30 year old Fine Oak |
Macallan Gold |
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Glen Rothes Select Reserve |
Naked Grouse |
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Compass Box The Spice Tree |
Tweeddale 12 year old |
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101 World Whiskies to Try Before You Die
by Ian Buxton
Total to Date: 97
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Random Review
White Horse
I have seen this blended whisky for years in bars in the UK, but until recently never tried it. I did know that Lagavulin was the single malt at the heart of the blend and how much that knowledge affected my tasting notes is hard to tell, but I have commented before that the power of suggestion is very strong. The nose is little fruity and sweet but not overly complex or interesting. However the taste makes up for it! Salty and sweet, caramel with chocolate, I could definately taste the smoky Lagavulin influence and I suspect some sherried whiskies as well. Very nice and creamy. There is also some salt and chocolate in the finish, some peat as well and little spice. A really good blend, worth trying, especially if you like the peaty Islay single malts.