The Winter Worries Wane With Whisky

“Winter Worries Wane With Whisky” Let’s test this theorem with a whisky experiment. By the time we complete the sixth stage of this experiment, I believe that you won’t be thinking about the weather. We haven’t featured one of better aperitif drams in 4 years, so it’s time to call on Benromach Traditional single malt. From the Glenburgie Distillery, let’s try the 15- year from the Ballantine’s SM Series. The most recent Deanston elixir that we tasted was
also in 2021. I’ve selected its 12-year-old which is a tasty 46.3% ABV whisky that is finished for several weeks in toasted virgin oak casks. Dailuaine is among the most underrated distilleries in Speyside.

Although the same size as the well-known Glenfarclas and Glen Grant distilleries, only a tiny portion of its single malt is bottled as such. Why? Because Diageo uses most of its output for blending Johnnie Walker, White Horse, and Old Parr. Let’s go with a cask strength 52% ABV 11-year-old from the good folks at Battlehill. Over my 14-year Atlanta residence, I’ve notice that the most popular SM are Oban and Talisker. We will give Talisker Storm a go. Now for a big ending with the star of the show being Ardbeg Heavy Vapours. I’ve chosen the Committee Release at or about cask strength (50.2% ABV). Apparently, they have extended the lower cut as the heavier phenols are in the 62% to 58% ABV end of the run.

Thus, they have cut to feints a bit later than their standard point. I am quite happy with this flight and hopeful that it will create synergies whereby the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. So, do join us and bring a friend, because “good whisky is made great when shared among friends.”

WHISKY MENU

1. BENROMACH Single Malt / ‘Traditional’ / NAS / 40% ABV / OB / Dist
Owner: Gordon & MacPhail / Speyside (Findhorn)

2. GLENBURGIE Single Malt / 15-Year / 40% ABV / OB: Ballantine’s Single
Malt Series / Dist Owner: Chivas Brothers Ltd. (Pernod Ricard S.A.) /
Speyside (Findhorn)

3. DEANSTON Single Malt / 12-Year / 46.3% ABV / NCF / OB / Dist Owner:
CVH Spirits Ltd (Capevin Holdings) / Highland (Southern)

4. DAILUAINE Single Malt / 11-Year / CS 52.0% ABV / NCF / IB: Battlehill
(Duncan Taylor & Co.) / Dist Owner: Diageo Scotland Ltd. (Diageo plc) /
Speyside (Central) – 5 Bourbon HHs; 1374 bottles

5. TALISKER Single Malt / ‘Storm’ / NAS / 45.8% ABV / NCF / OB / Dist Owner:
Diageo Scotland Ltd. (Diageo plc) / Island (Skye)

6. ARDBEG Single Malt / Committee Release: 2023 – ‘Heavy Vapours’ Ltd
Edition / NAS / CS 50.2% ABV / NCF / OB / Dist Owner: LVMH (Moët
Hennessy Louis Vuitton S.E.) / Islay (Kildalton)