Still more catching up on reviews to do! Here is the next one...
Whisky - Oban Distillers Edition (1997) Scotch Whisky
Overview: The Oban Distillery is one of the oldest in Scotland, founding in 1794. It is a Highland malt, although the distillery is on the western side of Scotland close to the sea and so renown for its briny flavors. This particular whisky came to me as a Christmas present from my beautiful wife. The Distiller's edition is a particular bottling they do annually, usually with some variance in the length of maturity or wood used. This particular bottling was aged an additional two years over the normal Oban 14yr Scotch in Montilla Fino barrels.
Tasting: When smelling this, the first thing that came to mind is a lush growing field by the sea. There is a strong smell of heather (a flowering shrub found in Scotland) with just a hint of smoke by the ocean. It doesn't have the strong briny, boggy smell like the Islay malts (see my Bowmore review) but more of a subtle, green flavor. The taste is reminiscent of an ocean breeze, and then brings in fruit flavors to finish.
How to Drink: Sipping - Like many single malts, the flavors would be overpowered in mixed drinks and missed in a shot.
Price: $$-$$$
Chance of Buying Again: **** (Absolutely!)
Overall: I liked this Oban, and it was an interesting expression compared to the Oban 14 yr. I am glad my wife picked it up!
Whiskey - Bulleit Bourbon Frontier Whiskey
Overview: Bulleit is a Kentucky Bourbon distilled from a 150 year old recipe, in a distillery less than 30 years old. It is made in small batches, like whiskey used to be made, and over the last 10 years has won a stack of awards. I have wanted to try it for months, and finally took the plunge with a very inexpensive small bottle.
Tasting: I enjoyed this whiskey, but flavor wise it was very understated. I know that this is due to it's heavy rye component (as opposed to corn), but the end result was a tasty whiskey that didn't quite deliver at the end. The nose is very subtle, with hints of grain - like smelling an old grainery from far away. It is very smooth to drink, with no flavor really jumping out at you but an easy sweetness in the finish.
How to Drink: Sipping, Shots, or Mixing - Because of its mild flavor, it is easy to use however you wish!
Price: $ (VERY inexpensive)
Chance of Buying Again: ** (Unlikely - I favor whiskey's with a stronger taste)
Overall: This was a very mild whiskey - it was hard to complain about but also hard to get excited about at the same time. It probably would be a good introduction to whiskey for folks that normally don't drink whiskey, but I think you would be missing out on variety of flavors available in a good whiskey. A whiskey that lends itself mixing and very inexpensive for the quality, but nothing to get excited about.
VERDICT: While I enjoyed the Bulleit, it just wasn't exciting enough to overcome the flavor of the Oban. While the Bulleit is a very inexpensive entry into whiskey drinkg, I think you will enjoy the unique flavors of the Oban more. Whisky wins this week!
Whisky - Oban Distillers Edition (1997) Scotch WhiskyOverview: The Oban Distillery is one of the oldest in Scotland, founding in 1794. It is a Highland malt, although the distillery is on the western side of Scotland close to the sea and so renown for its briny flavors. This particular whisky came to me as a Christmas present from my beautiful wife. The Distiller's edition is a particular bottling they do annually, usually with some variance in the length of maturity or wood used. This particular bottling was aged an additional two years over the normal Oban 14yr Scotch in Montilla Fino barrels.
Tasting: When smelling this, the first thing that came to mind is a lush growing field by the sea. There is a strong smell of heather (a flowering shrub found in Scotland) with just a hint of smoke by the ocean. It doesn't have the strong briny, boggy smell like the Islay malts (see my Bowmore review) but more of a subtle, green flavor. The taste is reminiscent of an ocean breeze, and then brings in fruit flavors to finish.
How to Drink: Sipping - Like many single malts, the flavors would be overpowered in mixed drinks and missed in a shot.
Price: $$-$$$
Chance of Buying Again: **** (Absolutely!)
Overall: I liked this Oban, and it was an interesting expression compared to the Oban 14 yr. I am glad my wife picked it up!
Whiskey - Bulleit Bourbon Frontier WhiskeyOverview: Bulleit is a Kentucky Bourbon distilled from a 150 year old recipe, in a distillery less than 30 years old. It is made in small batches, like whiskey used to be made, and over the last 10 years has won a stack of awards. I have wanted to try it for months, and finally took the plunge with a very inexpensive small bottle.
Tasting: I enjoyed this whiskey, but flavor wise it was very understated. I know that this is due to it's heavy rye component (as opposed to corn), but the end result was a tasty whiskey that didn't quite deliver at the end. The nose is very subtle, with hints of grain - like smelling an old grainery from far away. It is very smooth to drink, with no flavor really jumping out at you but an easy sweetness in the finish.
How to Drink: Sipping, Shots, or Mixing - Because of its mild flavor, it is easy to use however you wish!
Price: $ (VERY inexpensive)
Chance of Buying Again: ** (Unlikely - I favor whiskey's with a stronger taste)
Overall: This was a very mild whiskey - it was hard to complain about but also hard to get excited about at the same time. It probably would be a good introduction to whiskey for folks that normally don't drink whiskey, but I think you would be missing out on variety of flavors available in a good whiskey. A whiskey that lends itself mixing and very inexpensive for the quality, but nothing to get excited about.
VERDICT: While I enjoyed the Bulleit, it just wasn't exciting enough to overcome the flavor of the Oban. While the Bulleit is a very inexpensive entry into whiskey drinkg, I think you will enjoy the unique flavors of the Oban more. Whisky wins this week!
Sounds like your wife a bit about whisky too. lol or maybe she know what you like .
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