October 2008

To My Steadfast Concomitants, Greetings!

I must start my letter this month with a hearfelt thank you to those of you who attended the first meeting of our third year as a club.  And to our newest - though by no means least experienced - companion, the warmest of welcomes!  I realize, with the chill weather now ardently upon us, how difficult it is to make one's way out into th ecold, but what better time can there be to enjoy the invigorating warmth that only a drop of the finest can bring?

So as not to bore you with my ramblings, let me proceed to the results of our first tasting of the '08-'09 year.  You will, I am certain, recall that we have designed to tour around the country (again), comparing members of the Classic Malts line to other specimens of the related regions.  In October, our comparison was between to twelve year old Speysiders: Cragganmore and Macallan.

We began with The Macallan, a deep red-gold whisky evocative of the Nibelungian Hoard.  Caramel, sherry and spice were first to the nose.  ...was there a bit of bubble gum as well?  Unfortunately, the nose misled the tongue, the whisky providing a somewhat hollow flavor.  Burned toast, fruit jams, and an earthiness characterized the medium-legged glass.  More clover and caramel came with water, and more cereal notes as well, but it was noted that this dram might actually be better undiluted.  Pair this one with baked goods.  Overall, we scored The Macallan a 5.8.

Cragganmore, the Diageo brand, was on deck.  This pale golden, seemingly unassuming glass was sweeter all around, with honey and cream on the nose; a bit of solvent as well, apparently thrown in to remind us that it was, after all, a whisky.  There was something in the flavor that none of us could evoke.  The standard vanillas and honey, but also baked yams.  It was warm without being smokey, but there was something else we couldn't put our finger on.  This one finished nicely, and we all agreed it was definitive of the region.  The Macallan earned a solid 7.0.

We finished our evening at supper with the folks at the Old Toad, and it is apparent that, although the talent has not yet returned to our desired level, the service certainly has.  And between the two, I'd pick the generous German who has had Scotch (even if it's just a story) over the copious Cuban who has cigars to spare (especially when they don't smoke that well).

Until next time, I remain faithfully yours,

Sláinte,