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The Scottish
Craftsmen’s Association - Twentieth
Anniversary Whisky Experience By Murray
Cohen, Companion of the Quaich.
It was my privilege to once again
attend a memorable whisky event in St.
Catharines, Ontario, Canada on April
21, 2017 hosted by The Scottish
Craftsmen’s Association. The evening was
filled with Scottish themes and depth of
feeling created by the bagpipes and
drums of the Niagara Police Pipe Band,
the Highland dancers and finally the
flight of 5 single malts specially
selected for the evening. One has to
acknowledge in particular the enthusiasm
and work of John McIntosh who worked
tirelessly to make this yearly event
special in every way.
The 5 specially selected single malt
were as follows:
Bowmore 23 Year
Old 1989 Port Cask Matured Tasting Notes:
 This whisky was bottled in 2013 with a
limited edition of 12,000 bottles. David
Simpson, the farmer and founder of
Bowmore would be proud of this one.
Colour:
Reddish Amber.
Nose:
Instant cherry blossom chocolate candy,
cherries jubilee and heavy sweet layers
from the port influence. The smoke
caresses the chocolate. An intermittent
sour cherry note jives well with late
smoked salmon which is both pervasive
and delectable.
Taste:
Full-bodied. Drying with oak tannin like
a lightning flash. The cask strength
invigorates with spicy mandarin oranges.
The peat parachutes and splashes down
with a pleasant thud. Concentrated
orange peel and sugared grapefruit round
out the profile.
Finish: Long. The peat is now magnified with surging spice
and shades of Echinacea and throat
lozenges. A nut melange executes in
delightful fashion.
Comment:
The nose entertains with a variety of
fruity aroma and flavor threads. The
cask strength breaks the satisfaction
threshold by a mile.
Score
95.5/100
Related:
www.scotchmaltwhisky.co.uk review of the
Bowmore 23 Year Old 1989 Port Cask
Matured
Glenfarclas 12
year Lorne Scots 150th Anniversary Tasting Notes:
This release from Glenfarclas, "The
Valley of the Green Grass" commemorates
the 150th anniversary of a storied
Canadian regiment (Halton) and is part
of the Lorne Scots Commemorative Whisky
Collection which also includes an 8 and
10 year as well as a vintage 2007 single
cask whisky.
Colour:
Gold.
Nose:
A dark fruit parasol unfolds with deep
floral hues and Turkish delight essence.
Fresh figs play an olfactory tune with a
prune underlay and a honey burst.
Taste:
Full-bodied. Spice and Robertson’s
orange marmalade fuse with blood orange
peel and dried apricots.
Finish: Long, the candied fruit and sweet shop notes billow
forth with carnival candy apple pulling
the caboose.
Comment:
A pleasant dessert dram which exudes
fruity character and has an attractive
candied backbone.
Score
86/100
Talisker 25
Year Old Tasting Notes:
This offering from the "Misty Isle" was
bottled in 2011. The distillery stands
on the storm-lashed shores of Loch
Harport with a mineral rich water
supply.
Colour:
Sunny amber.
Nose:
A voluptuous smoke erupts immediately
with medicinal protuberances and oaky
notes soaring with aged wooden galleon
boards. The peat halo hovers with medium
intensity. The epilogue includes
Mennonite cured beef salami and pears in
sweet liqueur. A musky cologne
surprises.
Taste:
Full-bodied. Sticky lice and peat
sandwich with a dressing of black
licorice. There is a mysterious syrupy
fruity sweetness lurking offstage.
Finish: Long, somewhat astringent. The black Australian
licorice reaches an exalted status.
Kalamata olives fill the plate with
subtle smoke and ash. The peat reaches
its ultimate level now with a sweet
interlude.
Comment:
A robust Talisker that struts its stuff
with splendour and grace.
Score
93.5/100
Tomintoul 16
Year Old Tasting Notes:
This Speyside single malt is a creation
of master distiller Robert Fleming.
Colour:
Amber.
Nose:
Peaches and cream “runneth over” with
apple and spice accents. Fruit compote
arises with carrot cake and just a hint
of mince pie. Late crème brulee with
light menthol and sunflowers in full
bloom. Crème de cocoa and coconuts are a
fine epilogue.
Taste:
Full-bodied. Spice and oak collide in a
creamy boat ride. Candied carrots
embedded in savory spice take the day. A
citrus fruit platter is served late.
Finish: Long. Tri-colored corn on the cob takes center stage
with elements of strawberry rhubarb pie.
Comment:
This 16 year old has a sense of depth
and layers of aroma and flavors making
it a solid economically priced dram.
Score
84.5/100
GlenDronach 21
Year Old Parliament Tasting Notes:
This release from “The Valley of the
Blackberries” has nothing to do with
politics. Released in 2011, this whisky
is aged in a mix of sherry casks
(Oloroso and Pedro Ximenez) It is named
“Parliament” to reference a group of
rooks living in the trees near
GlenDronach.
Colour:
Mahogany.
Nose:
A sweetish tinge intersects with
identifiable lilacs, black cherries and
honey. Cooked breakfast cereal meets
pumpkin seeds and a smoky essence.
Taste:
Full-bodied. A peppery element merges
with a sweet membrane ushering in some
smoke and Mediterranean spices. Citrus
infused cake circles the wagons.
Finish: Long, a cornucopia of fruit carries the show. The
spicy platform perseverates. Late anise
gives an interesting twist.
Comment:
This is a substantial dram signalled by
its age and personality. It has a bit of
a split personality from nose to palate
to be honest but in this case it works
brilliantly.
Score
90/100
Most of the drams are available
from
LCBO stores and specialist online whisky retailers such
as
Master of
Malt
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