Author Archives: Steve Prentice

Review: Bowmore’s three new Travel Retail exclusives (Black Rock, White Sands & Gold Reef)

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Bowmore-Logo

Some of you may know by now that Bowmore has released three new Travel Retail exclusives. If you don’t know what Travel Retail is, then basically it means you can only buy it in airports / duty free… so unless you’re a frequent flyer (I’m not!) then you’re not going to find these on general sale.

However for one night only I’ve been lucky enough to get onto a Twitter Tasting to try out the range… my reviews below may help some of you if you’re going through airports, you never know! Bowmore have been kind enough to include some chocolate in with the tasting pack, that’s definitely a treat in my book.

So on to my thoughts on these whiskies…

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Review: anCnoc Peaty Collection Twitter Tasting

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anCnoc Peaty Collection – Twitter Tasting

You may have seen some of the recent talk of the new Peaty Collection releases from anCnoc, they’ve done quite a good job of getting the word out there…. But if you’ve missed any of the chat, then here’s the blurb:

anC Peaty All_BtPeat

This new collection from the Knockdhu Distillery will feature anCnoc’s classic light, easy-drinking style but with a dark, distinctive and smoky twist.

It is range of individual expressions named after traditional peat-cutting tools, some of which are still used to this day.

All anCnoc Peaty Collection expressions are bottled at 46% ABV, non chill-filtered and presented at their natural colour.

 

These are releases are NAS, but most casks used were filled between 2004 to 2006.

Luckily enough I’ve been able to attend a Twitter Tasting to go through this new range, so my thoughts on them all are below!
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Review: Ardbeg Auriverdes

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Ardbeg Auriverdes – 49.9% abv

So as I’m sure many of you know by now, this years Ardbeg Feis Ile release will be Ardbeg Auriverdes. Before I review below, here’s a wee bit of the PR blub that I’m sure you’ve read before now:

AuriverdesAuriverdes is matured in American oak casks with specially toasted cask lids which were tailor-made for this whisky.

The toasting technique has given the whisky a distinctive flavour profile with the lids producing a mocha coffee flavour at one end, flowing into creamy vanilla at the other – truly a dram of two halves!

The name of Ardbeg Auriverdes derives from the colour of the golden whisky (auri) in Ardbeg’s iconic green bottle (verde). Auriverdes is also the nickname of the national football team of Brazil, hosts of this summer’s World Cup, and inspiration behind Ardbeg’s Peat Football tournament

Right then, that said, let’s have a quick review of this whisky to see what we can expect in May.
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Review: Ballantine’s Brasil (makes a good cocktail!)

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Logo-Ballantines-Brasil-BD-560x293Ballantine’s Brasil – Spirit Drink – 35% abv

BBrazilPackRecently I was sent a box of goodies which turned out to be a Ballantine’s Brasil Cocktail Set! Great! It contains all the bits and bobs that you need to make a cracking summer drink… a recipe booklet, bottle of Ballantine’s Brasil, big stirring spoon, bottle of lemonade, tall glass, and a fresh lime, awesome stuff!

So, what is Ballantine’s Brasil? Basically it’s a flavoured whisky, but since you can’t flavour whisky and still call it whisky, it’s actually labelled as a “spirit drink” if you look closely, that’s law for you!

The official blurb reads as such:
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Review: Bunnahabhain 25 Year Old

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bunnahabhain-25-year-old-whiskyBunnahabhain 25yo OB 46.3%

So I was recently chatting with someone who suggested I should review more main stream bottlings that are bottled by the distilleries, rather than ultra expensive malts that are either limited release, or other malts bottled by independent bottlers. So with that in mind I’m starting with this Bunna 25… it’s a distillery bottled whisky, and although it’s right at the top end of the range and probably not entirely affordable it’s at least a start!

So on to the review…
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Review: Master of Malt 60 Year Old Speyside

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Master of Malt 60 Year Old Speyside – 42.2%

master-of-malt-60-year-old-speyside-whiskyColour : Full gold with orange tints.

Nose : Old leathery herbal notes come bounding out of the mossy woody background, caramelly fruit rind.

Palate : This’ll sound odd, and I’ve only had the smallest experience (from music gigs etc), but it’s like the best cannabis, herbal, strong and very pleasing! It’s woody, but not to the point where it’s dominated, and has a touch of polish, cola cubes, smoke and coal. It’s old, smooth and magnificent, you want to hold it on your tongue forever.
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A couple of Vestal Vodkas Reviewed

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Vestal-Logo

“Once upon a time, long before effective tax collection systems, big brands, global marketing and idiosyncratic bureaucrats in Brussels, Polish vodka was an artisanal product. It was made in small batches in villages and small towns across Poland. Vestal Vodka’s goal is to recapture this spirit of time and place and introduce you to the true spirit of Poland.”

I review a couple of their offerings below…
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Breaking News: Bladnoch distillery calls in liquidators

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bladnoch-distillery-signBreaking News

Bladnoch distillery is no longer in the hands of the Armstrong brothers. A liquidator has been called in to take control of the company. It’s important to note that the company was not bankrupt, there are no financial difficulties. The four directors/shareholders simply could not agree on a way forward, two wanted to sell, two did not. Unfortunately there were no buyers wishing to acquire a 50% shareholding and as the value of the distillery as a whole has increased considerably it was not possible to reach an amicable agreement.

Sad news from a great independent distillery.

Comments? Find me on twitter @steveprentice