Kirkland Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky 20 year Sherry Cask Finish

A few weeks ago, I picked up this reasonably-priced Kirkland Signature 20 year old Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky from the local Costco. Bottled by Alexander Murray, I am curious to know why they did not list the name of the distiller, like the 15 year old The Macallan that they currently have on the shelves. I’m going to guess that it’s from Glenmorangie. Anyways…

Bottled at 40% abv, nosing this scotch is easy and pleasurable. There is no alcohol burn at all. Instead, I smell gingerbread cupcakes and freshly-baked fruit tarts. On the palate, it is very malty, and slightly sweet. A bit one-note. However, its redeeming feature is that it is smooth, really smooth. There is no bite at all. The finish is very short.

Overall, this is a decent dram, especially at the price point. I give it a B-/C+.

Links:
Alexander Murray
Costco

SGWS: Arran Malt Tasting

Last night, the members and guests of the Seven Grand Whiskey Society were treated to a tasting of the current Isle of Arran range. Specifically, the 10 year old, the award-winning 14 year old, the Amarone finish, the Sauternes finish, and the Port finish, in that order.

I gave these whiskies grades in the B/B- range (Good). However, the stand outs for me were the the 14 year old and the Sauternes Cask finish, with the latter being my favorite.

On the nose, the Arran Sauternes Cask finish had hints of freshly-sliced red apples and almond jello. A bit candle waxy. Still, it’s perfume. Tasting it neat, I could see myself enjoying this much more often in the Spring time. It’s crisp and sweet. Oddly, I am reminded of glazed donuts or maple bars. The finish is medium in length, and not hot at all. Solid B. I’d buy a bottle of it.

Cheers!

PT

Link:
The Arran Malt

LASC: Laphroaig Vertical

This past weekend, the LA Scotch Club hosted a spectacular tasting with Laphroaig in Pasadena, California.

SGWS: The Balvenie Tasting w/ Malt Master David Stewart and Sam Simmons aka Dr. Whisky

Last night, I attended a fun and educational Scotch tasting with The Balvenie Malt Master, David Stewart, and highly-entertaining Balvenie Global Ambassador, Dr. Whisky aka Sam Simmons (he’s got jokes!).

We tasted some fine Speyside whiskies, including The Balvenie 12 year old Double Wood (in a refreshing Seven Grand Whiskey Society Welcome Punch), the newly-released 17 year old Double Wood, the majestic 30 year old, and the crowd-pleasing Tun 1401. I found them all to be pretty delicious!

The real treat, however (at least for me anyways), was being in the presence of and listening to Mr. Stewart tell us about his 50 (!!!) year story in the whisky business. Specifically, during that time, he pioneered a bunch of stuff, most notably developing two cask maturation (the concept of first aging whisky in traditional oak casks, and then finishing it in another type of cask, like those that once contained sherry or port), being the first to apply the Solera process to single malt, and even inventing the internet. Yeah, this guy is Legend.

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LASC: 2nd Annual Port Tasting ~ 1994 Vintage Port Wine

Last week, DA hosted his annual Port wine tasting for the LA Scotch Club at the ultra-exclusive Grand Havana Room in Beverly Hills.

Capped at around 18 people, it was a pretty intimate event.

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