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Notes from WhiskyFest '11 Well I just got back from WhiskyFest NYC on Tuesday Nov. 1. There were 90 booths filled with Scotch, Bourbon, Canadian, American and Irish Whiskies as well as several booths with other assorted spirits like Armagnac and Rum. I'll give you my short list of highlights: Yamazaki Hakushu 12 yr. and Yamazaki 18 yr. - Japan The Hakushu was intense but well-balanced offering up front notes of dried fruits and soft peat with a richness to the finish that kept the whole show together. The Yamazaki 18 yr. was smooth but not smooth forsaking character. Rich and supple with plenty of flavor yet so well-knit that the seams were transparent. The Dalmore 12 yr. Excellently balanced Scotch that has a great depth of flavor with an exceptionally smooth round body that is a delight to drink with just enough peat and smoke. I think the best of their line and the least expensive. Glenmorangie Astar A high-proof lighter-style single malt that when watered back delivered on an intensity that was focused and textured at the same time. Really filled your mouth with flavor and the addition of water cut the heat perfectly. Surprising. Pappy Van Winkle 12 yr. Well if we could get any, this would be my go to Bourbon. And I want to hate it. Rich, elegant, smooth and full of flavor, this Bourbon had it all. Believe the hype. Isle of Jura Superstition Really well balanced, full bodied, slightly spicy, easy drinking Scotch. 'Nuf said. Bruichladdich The Organic I believe it was a 10 year old Scotch (sorry one of the last of the night) yet had great depth of flavor for how light it looked. Clean, with good peat and just a pinch of smoke neatly woven into the finish. A few surprises: Templeton Rye Well made Rye from the mid-west that showed light flavors of honey and possibly ginger up front with a high heat that dissipated quickly in the smooth finish. On the lighter side but that showed its subtlety. Spicebox Canadian 100% Rye whisky infused with among other things cinnamon. Very neatly done. Not too sweet and not too much spice to overpower the taste of the whisky. Cool niche-y stuff and quite enjoyable. And a few disappointments (for the money you would pay at retail): Oban 18 With a nose like Chlorseptic it was hard just to get it up to my lips and when I did it was just all over the place. No sense of focus. If you like the 14 - stick with it. Glenmorangie Signet The gimmick is that it is partially distilled with chocolate malt and there are whiskies that are 30 years old in there. All I tasted was a smooth yet mediocre full-bodied Scotch. A $150+ mediocre Scotch. Isle of Arran Amarone Finish Sounds like a match made in heaven, right? Well…it still sounds like a match made in heaven but in reality - quite dull and not at all put together. So all together a great experience and I look forward to it again next year where they will be adding an extra day of tasting. Get a car service. We did and it made the night completely enjoyable. Almost not like work at all. Thanks to Sam and the gang for letting me join in.
Whiskies tasted:
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