MrWizard's Ramblings

Today lets run down new to the shelf additions:

Grain whiskey… It’s an interesting thing. Lately I’ve come to the conclusion that there are some tremendous bargains to be had with grain whiskey without compromising on the insane price points that single malts have been going for lately (with no sign of stopping). What’s the catch? Well that’s simple, Jimmy! Its age… My overall opinion that grain whiskeys need 5 to 10 years longer in the barrel to get ‘interesting’ but ‘interesting’ they do get. Note: “Single Grain” can mean a lot of things but typically means that its not 100% malted barley and/or continuous (column) still vs pot stills which are required for single malt scotch. Then again, Loch Lomond was 100% malted barley in a vodka still… soooo I guess ‘Single Grain’ is sometimes a way to denote things that are scotch but not fall under ‘Single Malt’ as defined by regulations.

Invergordon 26 Single Grain
Almost oily consistency. Smells like perfume again. On the tongue, barrel char fights with strawberry jam and all sorts of sweet candied white fruits. Lovely. In your face. Musky. Powerful. One of those contemplative scotches one should try.
https://www.klwines.com/p/i?i=1331550
Score: N/A

Glenmorangie Allta
Glenmorangie 10th special edition. I feel like I just wrapped up writing about the 9th and now a new contender have entered the ring. Overall? Its more of my style of drink when I want something light and sweet. This time the distillery focused on natural yeasts rather than experimenting with barrels or blending. In many ways it reminds me of the regular 12, with a 3rd dimension of ‘interesting’ added in. Honey and wax. Tiny bit of smoke and nuts both in the smell and the taste. Almost like a mix between 12 and 18 release taking the best of the two and mixing them together.
https://www.klwines.com/p/i?i=1401121
Score: N/A

Glen Oak 17
You thought it was a no-name, but it was me Bruichladdich all along! Briny, funky, interesting, almost swamp-watery in some ways… I don’t use ‘old leather’ very often but this one is definitely in that general idea when I sip it slowly and chew in my mouth. Highly dry and dusty… maybe like licking an cry leather couch or a horse saddle… but in a good way. Definitely one of the more divisive tastes for my palate but overall I’m glad I have it on my shelf.
https://www.klwines.com/p/i?i=1400399
Score: N/A

Next up…. We’ll talk Compass Box.