Sipping With Smoth: Blind Luck at a Blind Whiskey Tasting
What happens when a group of friends find themselves with several bottles of whiskey and nothing to do on a Saturday night? Why, a blind whiskey tasting of course. Last year, by sheer coincidence, my close group of friends noticed we were each simultaneously in…
A Real Rye: Canadian Club Chairman’s Select 100% Rye Whiskey
It’s a well know fact that most Canadian Whiskey marketed as a “rye whisky” is usually just a facade — there is typically little actual rye grain used in their production. Most whiskeys we think of as “rye” are made with corn, with maybe dash of rye…
Guardians of Good Taste: Glenlivet’s Guardians’ Chapter Single Malt Scotch
What happens when a distillery sends out scotch samples to its loyal followers and have them vote on the best one? A damn fine product, apparently. This is exactly what Glenlivet did with its Guardians’ Chapter Scotch in 2013, and the winner became a limited…
Hard to Pronounce, Easy to Enjoy: Auchentoshan Valinch 2012 Single Malt Scotch
I never in my life thought I’d be describing a whisky with 57.2% alcohol as “easy drinking.” But if ever a scotch deserved to be associated with this cliched phrase, its Auchentoshan Valinch 2012 Single Malt Scotch. I had the pleasure of trying this whisky…
Woodford Reserve is a Big, Beautiful Bourbon
If you could somehow transport yourself into a Faulkner novel, walk to the nearest liquor store and buy a bottle of bourbon, it would likely taste just like Labrot & Graham Woodford Reserve Bourbon. It’s the quintessential bourbon: Potent (at 45.2% alcohol), rich (it’s got…
Head to Head: Good Scotch, Bad Scotch — The Singleton of Glendullan vs. Cutty Sark
Sometimes it takes a glaringly imbalanced comparison to really provide perspective on what you’re drinking. I was afforded this opportunity when a couple of my buddies busted out their bottles of The Singleton of Glendullan 12 yr. Single Malt Scotch and Cutty Sark Blended Scotch. The Singleton…
A Simple, Stellar Speyside Scotch: Aberlour 10
Many uninitiated Scotch drinkers are a little wary when approaching the legendary beverage. Its potent flavours, high alcohol content, hefty reputation and steep price can be enough to scare off all but the most stalwart drinkers. Thankfully, Aberlour 10 Year Old Highland Single Malt Scotch…
A Bangin’ Single Barrel Bourbon: Eagle Rare 10 Year
The first time I tried Eagle Rare 10 Year, I was already several drinks (and a hardy several at that) deep at a fairly rowdy work event. My co-worker had purchased it for some occasion or other, and in his alcoholically-amalgamated generosity, proffered a taste…
Too Bad to Buy: McClelland’s Budget Scotch
William Faulkner once said, “There is no such thing as bad whiskey.” This proves two things: 1. Faulkner really liked whiskey and 2. He had never tried McClelland’s Islay Single Malt Scotch. Listen, I understand being on a tight budget. Really, I do. And I…
Forty Creek Copper Pot Reserve: A Rye That Deserves Gold
I was first introduced to Forty Creek when I was at the liquor store looking for a half decent rye and was short on cash. I absolutely refused to buy Canadian Club, so that didn’t leave too much else in my price range:…