Nikka From the Barrel...

Nikka From the Barrel (51.4%): This is the famous blend of Nikka which scored numerous awards in different competitions worldwide in recent years. It is blended from grain and malt whiskies from Miyagikyo distillery and malt whiskies from Yoichi distillery, matured for an additional time period in first-fill bourbon casks after the marriage and bottled at cask strength. With its hard to believe price to value ratio and incredibly cute 50cl bottles this whisky has been very popular throughout Europe in last two years. Fortunately news are out that Nikka is about to hit also the US market soon so we won't need to wait for the next trip abroad to bring a bottle back. Color: Clear amber, clover honey. Nose: Chewy... Malty and fruity: Banana, Dole canned pineapple slices, orange peel. Strong oak aromas like nosing a young high-rye bourbon. Not done yet... Life magazines from fifties found in the attic and damp cardboard binders. Palate: Hot and spicy: white pepper, nutmeg, allspice, cloves and vanilla. Toffee candy. Everything is surrounded by oak notes carried from the nose. No need of adding any water unless you want to erase some of the spiciness. Finish: Long and bitter. One of the best finishes I experienced in a blend. Overall: I would never guess this whisky as a blend in a blind tasting. It is an impressively balanced whisky which carries all the best qualities taken from ex-bourbon and ex-sherry barrels equally. It also raises the price to value ratio to a very high level. With a price tag of €25 ($32) this bottle will be your every day whisky right away. Definitely deserves it's permanent spot in everybody's whisky cabinet.

some cars are more beautiful than the others (part VI)...

Jaguar XK-E series I 1966
sarasota, october 2011

Chevrolet Malibu 2nd generation
brooklyn, october 2011

Citroen 2CV Fourgonnette
albi, november 2011

Peugeot 403
toulouse, november 2011

Chevrolet Caprice Classic Landau Coupe
brooklyn, january 2012

Mercedes w110
brooklyn, february 2012

International Harvester Scout
brooklyn, march 2012

The Macphail's Collection Bunnahabhain 8yo...

The Macphail's Collection Bunnahabhain 8yo (43%): The Macphail's Collection is the affordable range of the famous independent bottler Gordon & Macphail which got the "Best Buy Whisk(e)y of the Year" award from Whisky Advocate (which was known as Malt Advocate back then) in 2010. Under this label they release relatively younger but quite tasty expressions from distilleries of different regions with a price tag under $40. This bottle is filled with spirit coming from one of my favorite distilleries: Bunnahabhain. There are no detailed info on the label or on the tube except it's age but I learned that the whisky is aged in refill sherry casks. To be honest after tasting a surprisingly very impressive three year old expression of Bunnahabhain at a spirit shop in Dijon, France last year I am pretty excited to sample this youngster. Color: Pinot Grigio. Very pale hay. Nose: Unripe pears. Feels like nosing the empty tin pipe tobacco cans I used to steal from my father when I was a kid. Reminded me also the smell of the spirit rooms of the distilleries. And a little bit of sea spray on your face at the beach on a drizzly and windy winter day. Adding a few drop of water makes it completely grassy. A feast of wild greens like dandelion, stinging nettle and watercress. Palate: Baked pie crust and tobacco. Feels way younger and vibrant. It must be the second fill sherry cask. New make taste underneath but strangely enough in a very pleasing and exciting way. I also got young and rough grape brandy notes, most like an Armagnac. Finish: Stinging spiciness, black pepper and wood notes. It leaves with a sizzling feel on the tongue. Almost like the unmalted barley notes from an Irish Whiskey. Overall: It is a punchy, young, arrogant and macho dram. I don't think that it is very suitable for beginners. You have to have an experienced palate, be adventurous and open to surprises. To be honest, I liked it... Exactly what I am looking for from an independent bottler and needless to say it is a steal for this price/value ratio. I have to admit that it won't be your everyday dram at a relaxing night at home but a great dram in your flask for a cold day hike. 

compass box great king street...

Compass Box Great King Street Artist's Blend (43%): I know I am pretty late for this post... Almost everybody tasted and reviewed Artist's Blend months ago. It is another unique blend from John Glaser dedicated to revive the interest in blended Scotch whiskies they deserve. Great King Street contains 51.4% Lowland grain, 46.4% Northern Highland single malt and 23.2% Speyside single malt whiskies which are matured in 62.3% first fill American  and 27.7% new French oak barrels and 10% first fill sherry butts. To be honest I tasted it very early even before it hit the shelves and many times later but didn't have a chance to spend some quality time with it. Finally this weekend I managed to sit home alone peacefully with the sample tube I got during Great King St. Cocktail Competition, a tasting glass and my laptop in front of me. So, here is what I think about Great King St.: Color: Hay, pale linden tea. Nose: Beautiful young grain whisky. Incredibly fruity and sweet: Green pears, pineapple and nectarine with vanilla, coconut flan and lemon meringue pie. Fresh cut grass and calm, warm sea spray. A few drops of water amplifies citrusy and grassy aromas. Lemon zest, clementine peel and lemongrass. Palate: Such a gentle and delicate whisky. First notes are creamy and sweet: Flower honey, vanilla cream and marzipan. Then some sourness and a touch of spiciness fill in with green apples and white pepper. Adding water made the mouthfeel meaty and brought the grainy character more forward but didn't add too much like it did for the nose. Finish: Medium long with bitter and salty notes: Lightly salted cashews and salted caramel. Overall: One of the best price to value ratios on the market. It is definitely not the most sophisticated Scotch of the year but a very pleasant and easy going whisky. Great example to introduce to people who think that Scotch whisky is not for them. Perfectly serves its mission... Even so I still don't understand why they are pushing so hard to drink it with soda or in cocktails. I really enjoyed it neat. A great everyday dram...

more winter brews on the dark side...

Brooklyn Brewery Black Chocolate Stout (10%): Technically it is a Russian Imperial Stout. That explains the high abv and promises a thick roasted barley soup... Sounds like a good fit for winter. Look: They weren't joking. Literally opaque pitch black... Nice brown head sinking pretty quick leaving a good looking lacing around the glass. Nose: As promised dark bitter chocolate aromas hit first. Heavily roasted espresso beans, sour thick grape molasses and burnt, caramelized malt follow right after. Palate: Quite thick and creamy. Like the nose suggested chocolate and dark coffee beans are all over the place but distinct malt, crunchy cocoa nibs and damp earth notes are also present. It finishes with a tart, sour taste which matches the molasses I got at the nose. Like medlar or thick balsamic vinaigrette. Odd one... Also high alcohol level adds some off notes to the palate. Overall: To be honest usually I am not a big fan of Brooklyn Brewery's wider releases but this brew is definitely a bolder and more satisfying expression. I enjoyed the low carbonation, the thick mouthfeel and the tartness but I wish we could get more than chocolate and coffee. It is a little one-dimensional. It would be so nice to get more dark and red fruits or nuttiness to freshen up a little bit. It would make it more accessible. Nevertheless it's a great beer right from Brooklyn. Would pair really good with stews and roasts.

Fuller's London Porter (5.4%): This is a legendary porter from one of Britain's most famous breweries. For a lot of people it is the definition of English porter. Look: Almost black with an elegant dark maroon glitter visible when it's hold up to the light. Faint beige head disappears into a thin film in seconds. Nose: A lot of stuff going on here. Some dark chocolate and lightly roasted coffee beans with very tempting licorice, sour cherry, red plum and molasses aromas. Nothing too aggressive though, moderate and very even-tempered. Palate: Caffe macchiato, toasted pumpernickel bread and almond chocolate. This is an awesome brew. Creamy texture with a slightly metallic finish like stainless steel container. Amazingly balanced and gentle. Overall: This is an incredibly easy drinking and well balanced porter. A true classic... I could drink this dangerous beauty day and night. One of the true winners of this winter. If you like porters or stouts it's a must have in the fridge... I don't think that I want to taste anything else tonight. I will enjoy sipping it as long as I can.