November '11

My Dear Friends and Esteemed Guests,

In honor of the Thanksgiving holiday, I begin this month’s letter with a note of gratitude: thank you all for helping me to make some warm and wonderful memories over plentiful drams of some of the best whiskies known to mankind - each made better by the fellowship of like-minded connoisseurs and seekers of endless whisky wisdom.  We’ve shared many laughs and raised some ruckus along the way, and all in the spirit of the Spirit that’s graced our tables for the last five+ years.

And though our regular events must, as all good things tend to do, be at an end for a time, I am sure there will be the odd event that will draw us together again en masse.  Until then, let’s all celebrate the memories, and the friendships we’ve shared, and lift, as often as possible, a glass to one another.  Life is short, be sure to embrace and celebrate it fully!

November brought us together to delve into the Balvenie in great detail.  The event was made better, in my humble opinion, by the first-hand experience I acquired in my recent trip to Caledonia.  I must admit that there is something in the air over there that makes the whisky just so enjoyable, but I concede that our own tasting came in a damned close second.  Balvenie has never been a stranger to our table, but this month’s focused review seemed to bring it nearer to our hearts than ever.

First up was the Balvenie DoubleWood.  Aged for 10 years in first fill and refill American Oak barrels, and then finished for two years in ex-Sherry butts, the DoubleWood is a veritable giant among whiskies.  Rich and well rounded, the DoubleWood is ripe with fruit and soft Sherry notes.  On the nose, we discerned honey and vanilla, a certain nuttiness and warm spices.  The palate was won over by this smooth, mellow dram’s sweet sherry, almond praline, and hints of cinnamon.  The DoubleWood has historically earned around 7.9, but this month it did better, pulling its overall average up to an 8.0, tying the Nectar D’Or and Lagavulin 16 on our List.  You will recall that we left some of this to linger in our glasses, and over time it developed into the most luxurious crème brulee.  Oh thou versatile wee rascal!

The Caribbean Cask 14 year old was next.  Once again, Honeyed fruit notes and orange citrus toyed with our olfactory receptors.  Oak and spice tickled the nose, and a certain hint of rum was evident underneath it all.  It was a true champion on the palate however, with its tropical sweetness and toasted oakiness.  It was remarked that, for the lover of both whisky and rum, there could be no other drink!  The finish was long and warm, with the signature Balvenie spice lingering.  The Caribbean Cask emerged well up in our rankings, earning a tie with the Talisker 10, currently holding the top spot among all the “younger” single malts.  Well done, laddie!

The 15 year old Single Barrel was the next specimen under (or rather, in) our glass.  Aged the entire 15 years in ex-Bourbon barrels, this whisky truly shined.  Fragrant with vanilla and light florals, and the sweet perfume of dry oak, we eagerly advanced to the tasting.  Rich and complex, malty and sweet vanilla notes danced on our tongues.  The cinnamon and allspice notes were there, but delicate.  The finish was long and complex, bringing along satisfying notes of anise.  We awarded this well developed dram an 8.1, only marginally behind the Caribbean cask.

Last up came the 21 year old Port Wood.  This one earns a respectable “Wow!”  Raisins and over-ripe apricots backed with a light nuttiness toyed with our senses.  In the mouth, this peg was creamy smooth and silky.  Rich, ripe fruits typical of a sherried whisky, filled the mouth - but every flavor was brighter.  Sweet honey and holiday pie spices mingled with that ever present nuttiness; pecan stuffed dates rolled in brown sugar, perhaps?  The finish was long and soft, and left us eager for more.  In return for the wonderful gift the 21 year old Port Wood gave us, we awarded this whisky our top spot overall, with a well-earned 9.1, topping both the Glenmorangie and Macallan 18 year olds.

To every thing there is a time and a season, and the season for our Third Thursday Club now closes on its Autumn.  But I am assured that I will see you all again in due time.  Until then, may your days be filled with good cheer, and may your glass always be more than half full...

       Sláinte,