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My Handcrafted Opinions on Whiskies, Distilleries and Other Related Stuff

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Most Recent Whisky Review

Glenfiddich Fire and Cane

This release is part of the Glenfiddich Experimental series and bottled at 43% ABV (which is quite unusual from Glenfiddich).   It is a peated malt that is finished in rum casks, hence the Fire and Cane (as in sugarcane)  name.  The nose is smokey, but more camp fire rather than strong peat.  Fire before the Cane.  The taste is spicy and nutty, chocolate, pepper, brown sugar and some honey and a hint of the phenol from peat.  The finish is a little hot, like eating burnt cake batter off a wooden spoon.  Water brings up more brown sugar and some lemon peel.  Very nicely done but not sure I would pair peat and rum casks, personnally I prefer peat and sherry casks.

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  • Wednesday, 28 December 2011 03:18

    My Alfred Barnard Blend Project Part 3

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    My Alfred Barnard Blend Project Part 3

    I quite liked my second version of the recipe and I have posted tasting notes under Reviews.  

    The nose has some malt and peat smoke.  This version is a bit more subdued than Blend #1,  The taste is still smooth and rich, orange maramalade and caramel notes.  The finish is spicy and long with tobacco and smoke.  With water the finish becomes a little more peppery.  Overall  this is still pretty hefty for a blend and my guess with just 25% grain most people would assume this is a single or perhaps a blended malt whisky.

    This version was more balanced than blend #1, but overall I think I will stick to drinking whisky and let the experts do the blending.  Those that can, do.  Those that can't, write blogs.

    More in this category: « My Alfred Barnard Blend Project Part 2 A New Year Whisky Resolution Worth Keeping »

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    George T Stagg

    This is a classic annual release, harder to find than a scottish meal that "disnae come with chips" and it was no surprise to see it included in Ian Buxton's 101 World Whiskies to Try Before You Die.  I knew that my favorite whisky bar (recently recognised by Whisky Magazine) Reserve 101 in down town Houston, had a bottle of this and went to try it in early 2013. The bottle should carry a FLAMMABLE warning as it comes at such high proof yet the nose was rather subdued, which was in part due to glass they serve in (my only niggle with R101 is the glassware).  Some of the usual bourbon notes but no alcohol and absolutely no indication of the flavor storm that was to come.  The taste was an overload of sweet corn syrup, licorice, fruits and spices.  This is a force of nature more than a drink but somehow stays smooth.  The finish?  Hell yes!  Led by alcohol and mouth puckering.  With a little water gets sweeter and there are more minty rye notes in the finish.

    Update: Reserve101 now has nosing glasses.  Heading there tonight for there 5th Anniversary Party to test them out!!