Review: Blended Whisky #1 Batch 3 Blended Scotch Aged 35 Years

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Free sample bottle provided by Atom Brands.

Blended Whisky #1 Batch 3 Blended Scotch Whisky Aged 35 Years, blended by That Boutique-y Whisky Company and bottled at 46.5% ABV

Price: $129.76 for 500ml

That Boutique-y Whisky Company is an independent whisky bottler who selects unique whiskies from around the world. Their Blended Whisky #1 was designed to highlight older malt and grain whiskies from Scotland that when blended creates a smooth and well balanced drinking experience. Batch 3 was released in 2016 and the youngest whisky in the blend was 35 years old.

Tasting Notes

Nose: Initially the nose has a strong alcohol bite but after it has a little time to breath, a very strong and fragrant aroma fills your nose. At first there are notes that remind me of Islay peat with its distinctive combination of smoke, iodine and sea air. And, underneath this first layer of aromas are notes of chocolate, fresh apple, and caramel. 

Palate: The palate is smooth with a light touch of heat from the alcohol and medium bodied. The whisky is pleasantly sweet on the tongue with a flavor that is not immediately obvious but reminds me of sweet corn bread. As the whisky warms in your mouth the flavor begins to reveal some of the smoke character followed by briny sea air.

Finish: The finish is mostly dominated by smoke with underlying notes of malt and a slight nuttiness.  

Conclusion: This is a very complex and flavorful blended Scotch that is easy to drink neat and will likely to appeal to those who prefer a touch more smokiness and peat in their whisky.

Thank you to Master of Malt and That Boutique-y Whisky Company for providing the free sample.

Tequila Aficionado's Sipping off the Cuff: Ayate Tequila Añejo

Here is the Sipping off the Cuff review of Ayate Tequila Añejo that I participated in with Mike Morales of Tequila Aficionado. Ayate Tequila Añejo is madea at  NOM 1519 in the highlands of Jalisco and it is "is aged for two months in new American barrels, then transferred to used French oak barrels for a resting period of four months and finally finished in Chardonnay barrels for six months." Ayate Tequila Reposado retails for $95 for a 750ml bottle.

Tequila Aficionado's Sipping off the Cuff: Ayate Tequila Reposado

Here is the Sipping off the Cuff review of Ayate Tequila Reposado that I participated in with Mike Morales of Tequila Aficionado. Ayate Tequila Reposado is madea at  NOM 1519 in the highlands of Jalisco and it is "aged for four months in new American oak barrels followed by four months of finishing in Chardonnay barrels." Ayate Tequila Reposado retails for $65 for a 750ml bottle.

Review: Ableforth's Batch 2 Pedro Ximénez Aged Bathtub Gin

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Free sample bottle provided by Atom Brands.

Ableforth's Batch 2 Pedro Ximénez Aged Bathtub Gin was macerated, and aged by Ableforth's  for That Boutique-y Gin Company and bottled at 43.3% ABV

Price: $3.92 for 30ml

Ableforth's is a self described "Madcap creator of unique, small-batch spirits." In the US, Ableforth's would be described as a rectifier, in that they purchase spirits, and then modify them by macerating botanicals, fruit or maturing the spirit in special casks. In the late 1800s the term rectifier took on an negative connotation in the US from the bad practices of some companies that would buy well made bourbon or rye and dilute it with neutral spirit, prune juice and even acids. However, there is a responsible way to be a rectifier and Ableforth's demonstrates that. They are well know for their Bathtub Gin which takes neutral spirit and macerates juniper, coriander, cardamom, cinnamon, orange peel and clove. The result is a gin with an yellow or amber tint from the botanicals. For this bottling, That Boutique-y Gin Company took some of the regular Ableforth's Bathtub Gin and aged it in a Pedro Ximénez Sherry cask.

TASTING NOTES

Nose: The nose has a very pleasant aroma of of cherries with baking spices like cinnamon and nutmeg. The nose is rich with notes from the sherry supported by juniper and the citrus. 

Palate: On the palate the gin is smooth and full bodied. There are notes of coco, orange zest, cinnamon, and a slight undertone of brightness from the juniper.

Finish: The finish is medium long with concurrent flavors of juniper and citrus followed by deeper flavors from the wood.

Conclusion: It is hard to do this gin justice in writing but Ableforth's Batch 2 Pedro Ximénez Aged Bathtub Gin is one of the most amazing and wonderful spirits I've had the pleasure of drinking. The gin is a complete treat. The gin picks up a wonderful sweetness and complexity from the sherry while still allowing the juniper and other botanicals to sing. This gin should be enjoyed neat or use in an amazing Martinez.

Thank you to Master of Malt and That Boutique-y Gin Company for providing the free sample.

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Review: Batch 1 Cherry Gin

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Free sample bottle provided by Atom Brands.

Batch 1 Cherry Gin was macerated by That Boutique-y Gin Company and bottled  42.6% ABV

Price: $32.36 for 500ml

Cherry Gin is whats known as a flavored or cordial gin. This means that That Boutique-y Gin Company took a finished gin and then added additional flavors and some sugar to sweeten it. In this instance, they macerated a combination of sweet and sour marasca cherries along with some spices in a classic juniper forward gin. Once the maceration was finished the cordial gin is filtered, sweetened and proofed down before bottling. 

TASTING NOTES

Nose: On the nose there are clear aromas of sweet cherries, lemon zest, grape juice and mulling spices. 

Palate: On the palate the gin is very sweet, with flavors of milk chocolate and fruit jam, perhaps cherry or raspberry though it is had to say exactly. The gin is bright withe a fresh tartness from the cherries and lemon zest. 

Finish: The finish is very long and sweet however, not cloying. Notes of fruit and milk chocolate linger on the palate.

Conclusion: Batch 1 Cherry Gin is an intensely fruity, bright and sweet cordial gin. That being said, the gin could work as an after dinner desert drink with a hazelnut biscotti. In a cocktail, I am sure it would work nicely in a tall drink with soda, or perhaps it could be used in place of Cherry Heering. Aside from cocktails, Cherry Gin would be excellent drizzled over vanilla ice cream.

Thank you to Master of Malt and That Boutique-y Gin Company for providing the free sample.

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