OTHER WHISK(E)YS
Taiwan
Kavalan Solist Cask Strength: 8.1/10
This is my first ever Taiwanese whisky…I’ve heard of Kavalan before, but never brought myself to try it, but this time it was provided by a friend who wanted me to try it out, which I thought was pretty cool. Because it was cask strength it was pretty potent initially and I actually had to add 2 drops of water which helped it really open up, which brought out the flavors a lot more.
Nose: raisins, oak, cherries, banana bread
Palate: sweet, spice, citrus, caramel
Finish: long, oak, vanilla caramel
Kavalan Solist Cask Strength: 8.1/10
This is my first ever Taiwanese whisky…I’ve heard of Kavalan before, but never brought myself to try it, but this time it was provided by a friend who wanted me to try it out, which I thought was pretty cool. Because it was cask strength it was pretty potent initially and I actually had to add 2 drops of water which helped it really open up, which brought out the flavors a lot more.
Nose: raisins, oak, cherries, banana bread
Palate: sweet, spice, citrus, caramel
Finish: long, oak, vanilla caramel
Kavalan Series
Ok…ok…so Kavalan is starting to creep up there as one of my favorite distilleries cuz holy shit do they make a fine whiskey! I was lucky enough to try all these bottles at whiskies of the world in San Jose 2018 and they were pretty damn good! Now you’re not gonna get the complete flavor profile here cuz I didnt have the time to get them all down during the event (too many whiskies not enough time!), but at least I was with it enough (barely) to give each whisky a JAWS rating so here you go…(side note…FUCK that guy with his stupid fat hand in my shot, and damn, it would have been nice if I was sober enough to have taken a better picture)
Classic: 9.5/10 (yellow bottle)
King Car Conductor: 7/10
Concertmaster: 8/10 (green bottle)
Ex-Bourbon Oak: 7.4/10 (gold labeled bottle)
Oloroso Sherry: 10/10 (red labeled bottle)
Solist Moscatel Sherry Single Cask Strength: 8/10
France
Brenne French Single Malt Whisky
This is the first French whisky I’ve ever heard of and tried so I didn’t know what to expect. Not a real common whisky you’ll find at regular bars or restaurants. I think you’ll mostly find these at whisky bars specifically who know their shit. Either way, not something to write home about. Kinda just, meehhh…Good thing this was at WOW cuz I’d be irritated with myself if I actually spent my own money on it…
Estate Cask: JAWS rating: 5/10
10 year: JAWS rating: 5.3/10
Brenne French Single Malt Whisky
This is the first French whisky I’ve ever heard of and tried so I didn’t know what to expect. Not a real common whisky you’ll find at regular bars or restaurants. I think you’ll mostly find these at whisky bars specifically who know their shit. Either way, not something to write home about. Kinda just, meehhh…Good thing this was at WOW cuz I’d be irritated with myself if I actually spent my own money on it…
Estate Cask: JAWS rating: 5/10
10 year: JAWS rating: 5.3/10
India
Amrut Fusion Single Malt Whisky: 4.8/10
I’ve seen this whisky around before, but didn’t know it was made in India, I was like, “why the hell not?” and gave it a try…I’ve been on decent run of drinking good whiskies that I forgot what shitty whisky tastes like, but it’s a good thing this Amrut reminded me! Keep me humble and bring me back down to earth a little. This shit was NOT enjoyable, it was a good thing I only order a half pour…which was STILL difficult to get down, but I do what I do for my noobs!
Nose: Spice, cherries, orange, band aids
Palate: light peat, orange zest, black liquorice
Finish: medium, more black liquorice, bitter
American Whiskies
Angels Envy Rye: 5.6/10
I’ve never been a big fan of rye to be honest with you, but since I LOVE Angels Envy Bourbon so much I decided to give this a try to see if it would change my mind…and you know what???
I certainly did FUCKIN NOT!!!
This shit is waaaay too sweet for me and I’m just not feelin it…All good though cuz wifey looooves this shit so I just told her I bought it for HER!
Oh shit…she’s looking over my back as I write type this right now…
Oh hey baby! I swear this was fo—
Nose: gingerbread, rye bread, cinnamon, fruitcake
Palate: cinnamon raisin, bundt, pound and fruitcakes, cotton candy
Finish: long, gingerbread latte from Starbucks, toffee, brown sugar
Westland Garryana 2018 edition: 9.1/10
Mmmm…Garryana…
Sounds like Gary and Anna combined their names like: Brangelina or Bennifer
Or my personal favorite: Masterbader (a combo name if Master P and UFC fighter Ryan Bader were a couple, I mean they’re not, but still…justsayin…Make ’em say UUUGGGHHH!!!
Nose: green apples, pineapples, mangoes
Palate: apricot, peach, green apple jolly rancher
Finish: long, light spice like tajin, green apples, tropical fruits, papaya
Westland Garryana 2018 edition: 9.1/10
Mmmm…Garryana…
Sounds like Gary and Anna combined their names like: Brangelina or Bennifer
Or my personal favorite: Masterbader (a combo name if Master P and UFC fighter Ryan Bader were a couple, I mean they’re not, but still…justsayin…Make ’em say UUUGGGHHH!!!
Nose: green apples, pineapples, mangoes
Palate: apricot, peach, green apple jolly rancher
Finish: long, light spice like tajin, green apples, tropical fruits, papaya
Smooth Ambler: Old Scout: 7.1/10
Randomly Picked this up at a local spot for about $45 , normally retails for $35, but oh well…
Definitely drinkable, but the finish was just a little short an leaves you wanting a little more…
Kinda like having BLUE BALLS…
Am I right?
Anyone?
No?
Ok….
Nose: spicy, vanilla, graham crackers, green apple
Palate: apple pie, cinnamon, caramel
Finish: short, spicy immediately, but gone just as fast, vanilla, peppermint, lingering bitterness
Gentleman Jack: 7.1/10
Ladies and gentlemen…Jack!!! I decided to put this in the “other whiskeys” section because it’s technically not a bourbon (see Just The Tips section for expanation). Here’s something u can bring to a get together to a group of people who don’t like too much or when you just don’t wanna bring ur gud shit…If ur lookin for an easy drinker, a good mixer, easliy accessible (picked this up at a Target) and for a low price (~$20-25) then this GENTS for you! I mean he’s cheap, smooth and goes down east…what more can u ask for?!? Then again, u might end up regretting fuckin with him when u wake up the next morning…#justsayin
Nose: caramel, oak, black licorice
Palate: vanilla, cinnamon, banana
Finish: med, a little bland, citrus zest
Gentleman Jack: 7.1/10
Ladies and gentlemen…Jack!!! I decided to put this in the “other whiskeys” section because it’s technically not a bourbon (see Just The Tips section for expanation). Here’s something u can bring to a get together to a group of people who don’t like too much or when you just don’t wanna bring ur gud shit…If ur lookin for an easy drinker, a good mixer, easliy accessible (picked this up at a Target) and for a low price (~$20-25) then this GENTS for you! I mean he’s cheap, smooth and goes down east…what more can u ask for?!? Then again, u might end up regretting fuckin with him when u wake up the next morning…#justsayin
Nose: caramel, oak, black licorice
Palate: vanilla, cinnamon, banana
Finish: med, a little bland, citrus zest
Westland American Single Malt: Sherry Wood: 8.1/10
I visited this distillery last year and have to say that this bottle definitely stood out to me. It usually goes for $70+, but luckily I was able to find it for a better price while on a hunt. That’s the great thing about just keeping your eyes open all the time…you never know when you might find something you weren’t even looking for…
Like a new job opportunity, new friendship or a new oddly shaped and colored mole you never noticed before on your back…hmmm, was that there before? Oh well, happy Whiskey hunting everyone! Cheers!!
Nose: Vanilla, toffee, dried fruit, plums
Palate: sherry sweetness, citrus, berries, raisins
Finish: long, dates, dark chocolate, maple syrup
Tasmania
Sullivans Cove Small Batch: American Oak Cask: 8.1/10
I tried this at the Multomah Whiskey Library in Portland (which everyone should visit once) and I thought it was pretty good. Is it wrong that everytime I think of Tasmania all I can think about is that scary ass cartoon devil??? That motherfucker scared me as a kid! I mean, damn…I remember having nightmares and shit…Oops! Sorry…I digress…I’ll just have to discuss this with a therapist sometime…but until then I’ll just have to BOTTLE it all up….that’s healthy right?!? Anyway..this whiskey is great!
Nose: Pineapple, mangoes, grapes, champagne
Palate: sweet, vanilla, butterscotch, champagne
Finish: long, grapefruit, tropical fruit