The Big Red Dram

So I wanted to do a comparison between the two different Willett Rye bottles that I had.  1 opened for 3 months at 54.1% the other newly opened at 54.7%.  I honestly didn't think there would be much, if any difference.  It would come down to being more about the openness of the 54.1 vs the 54.7 and how the 54.1 seemed a little more expressive, more detailed in its nose and palate than the 54.7.  The profiles between the two were very similar and one should expect them to be and I find them both to be delicious alone and even better when mixed with Noah's Mill in an Old Fashioned.  Good Stuff. 

This fun little bottle was available at the Heaven Hill distillery in Bardstown and I heard so much about it, I had to grab one.  It doesn't disappoint.  It is a delicious little bottle that packs a punch and delivers on some wonderful smells and tastes.  I tell you, the more I discover what comes from Heaven Hill the more bottles are winners.  This is a great distillery. 

Born in 2014 this wonderfully complex dram was released to help fund a new community center in Port Ellen.  Having a delightful nose this dram gives way to such a delightful palate and slow, warm finish.  I was happy Ardbeg still had some of these in the gift shop when we visited back in 2017.

A recap of our visit to this Mecca of Bourbon called Bardstown.  If you have never been, I encourage you to go visit and see some of the most picturesque distilleries in Kentucky.  You will not be disappointed.  

A double topic episode talking a little about upcoming events then moving into the Old Ezra 7 year old.  Lux Row has only been around since 2015 but it is bringing some delicious Whiskey to the masses.  The OE7 was a surprise less than Chicago retail find while in Effingham and this bottle has grown on me every time I come back to it.  When I visit Bardstown soon, I look forward to visiting Lux Row and learning more about their amazing spirits. 

Cheers!

This once iconic 16 year old seems to have lost a step in recent years.  Having been one of the more richly complex and smoky Whiskies from Islay, I feel as though this particular bottle has been watered down.  It takes a back seat to younger expressions from this once legendary distillery and it makes me sad.  That said, this isn't without merit, don't get me wrong, this is an easy sipping whisky if you are learning about Islay and want to dial into some peat, this one will do the trick, it just doesn't have the complexity that so many more Islay Whiskies now have.  The better question to raise might be this; Is the Lagavulin 16 falling behind, or are the rest of the distilleries on Islay, catching up?  

Just a few lessons learned from my one and likely only bottle trade.  

Another comparison episode, but I am a wee bit more prepared for this one.  The Octomore Masterclass 8.2 (167ppm @ 58.4) vs. the Octomore 10.1 (107ppm @ 59.8). The brain child of Jim McEwan and Mark Reynier, Octomore rounded out the triple threat from Bruichladdich.  Bruichladdich, Port Charlotte and Octomore would give the distillery a wide reach in single malt expressions. Octomore being the HEAVILY peated offerings, would ignite a cult following of legendary status.  Don't let the PPM's scare you.  I was afraid and now I believe.  The 8.2 is a fruity dessert of complex flavors with a delightful twist of smoke within, likely a result of the wine casks used in the maturation. The 10.1 is a delightful blend of bourbon notes and classic Bruichladdich, sweet vanilla caramel with a smokey oak giving way to a delectable dark chocolate, toffee salty seaweed.  Both bottles are high proof, yet easy to drink. 

I am now a believer.  

So this episode is a little all over the place.  Normally I try to do just one take, it will generally be unorganized and not well thought out but I like that because it gives it a more casual feel.  This one took 5 takes, and I ended up with the middle one. These two bottles gave me fits!  HAHA.  The batch 10 has its complex yet smoky traits while the 11 is a little lighter on the front smoke and gave way to more vanilla and sweeter notes, then the door slammed shut and it became the similar smoky burnt oak seasalty seaweed that caught me off guard.  The joy of single malts over bourbon lies within a mystery like these two bottles.  There are such wild and unusual underlying notes that just come out of nowhere.  I don't know of too many bourbons that offer this much complexity (they are out there Micther's 10 comes to mind).  And this is only a 10 year!  Delightfully fun to drink side by side.  I guess I am getting the 12 this Christmas.  HA!