Once again our little club has gathered to taste malt.
Marty was our host. He loves Japanese whisky and was originally keen to set that as our theme.
But we soon realised that there are only a few Japanese whiskies available for our budget of $100, so it was quite limiting and we were likely to have double-ups.
Instead he set the theme of “my old favourite”, which lent itself to a wide variety of malts and story-telling.
Tim’s story:
Tim was introduced to whisky with this scotch! He wanted to try one at a bar and this was what was chosen for him.
Tasting notes:
The first taste is peaty, but not so much that you feel like you’re chewing on it. Pleasantly smoky.
It also has that iodine taste of coastal waters, with a peppery bite.
Not sweet, not sour, but a little bitter. Marty in particular loved it.
Water made the flavour leap! It really deepens your appreciation.
Whisky: Talisker 10 (45.8% ABV)
Scores: 7 / 6 / 9 = 22/30
Joel’s story:
Early in my whisky education, I did a favour for a friend and he gifted me a bottle of this.
It was the first whisky that I enjoyed without reservation. It’s still my favoured style.
Tasting notes:
It has a sweet syrupy liqueur smell, like vanilla ice cream.
It’s very smooth and easy. Lots of top sweet notes, like caramel and cinnamon.
Not much of a finish, though. There’s a little coffee in the aftertaste, but it fades all too quickly.
Water makes it even easier. Too easy, in fact. It becomes a little weak.
Whisky: Aberlour 12 yo double cask (40% ABV)
Scores: 7 / 7 / 6 = 20/30
Marty’s story:
Marty lived in Scotland for a while as a young man and drank plenty of whisky, but never really knew what he was drinking.
Then he saw this being ordered in a movie and decided to give it a try.
He found it was well balanced. It had good flavour, but was smooth enough that he could drink it without much hassle. And it went well with beer, which was how the locals ordered their drinks - a shot of whisky with a beer chaser.
Tasting notes:
Stick your nose in the glass and it immediately announces itself as a scotch.
It’s a little bitey and has a tang to it too.
The taste is very oakey, maybe even a little over oaked? We suspect a bourbon cask finish.
Water takes out the bite, making it smoother.
Whisky: Glenmorangie 10 y/o (40% ABV)
Scores: 7 / 8 / 7 = 23
Here’s the movie scene where it’s ordered!
Simon’s story:
30 years ago he’d buy this label in cans, pre-mixed with coke.
This announcement makes us all a bit worried! But Simon assures the group that this bottle is a much nicer version of the stuff that once came in a six-pack.
Tasting notes:
It’s smooth and has almost has no taste. We see why he liked it as a teen - this is L plate whiskey.
It has a citrus nose and creates a noticeable warmth in the belly.
Not a lot of personality. If this was a person you took home from a nightclub last night, you would have already forgotten their name.
Water makes it watery. You can tell it would be very easy to have with Coke.
Theres nothing wrong with it, but nothing right with it either.
Whisky: Highland Park 10 (40% ABV)
Scores: 6 / 7 / 6 = 19/30
