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17th April 2018 |
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Review of the
Scottish Craftsman's Association 21st
Anniversary event and the whiskies
tasted on the night by guest writer and
Scotch Malt Whisky forum member,
Companion of the Quaich, Murray Cohen.
One of the premier whisky events of
the year in Southern Ontario, Canada
took place in St. Catharines on April,
Friday 13th. The event featured 5 single
malt whiskies and a cornucopia of
entertainment for the scores of guests
including contributions by the Niagara
Police Pipe Band, Highland dancers and
of course the Ode to Robbie Burns. A
lovely roast beef dinner also
accompanied the evening.
The whiskies tasted during Scottish
Craftsman's Association 21st Anniversary
event were:
- Singleton’s of Dufftown Tailfire
- Royal Brackla 21 Year Old
- Craigellachie 23 Year Old
- Bruichladdich Black Art 5.1
Edition
- BenRiach 1997 Cask 85103 18 Year
Old
You can read the tasting notes below,
all of the whiskies are available from
LCBO stores in Canada and outside
Canada most are available from
specialist online whisky shops such as
The Whisky Exchange
and
Master of Malt
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Singleton’s of Dufftown Tailfire Review
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Here is an offering from Dufftown
with the highest concentration of
distilleries in Scotland. This one is
aged in European oak casks. The water is
supplied from “Jock’s Well”. Bottled at
40% ABV
Murray Cohen's Tasting Notes:
Nose:
The elegant aromas here seem infinite:
pumpkin, sultana raisins, peach fuzz,
bananas, lilacs, Lowery’s cherry blossom
chocolate candy, mixed nuts, fruity
melange with late figs and intense
apricots.
Taste:
Full-bodied, smooth, creamy with
watermelon, honey and caramel taking the
stage initially followed by a grand
entrance of passion fruit, salt water
taffy and coconut.
Finish:
Long, the espresso crema merges with
mild spice and crests with Swiss
chocolate.
Comment:
This whisky has a spectacular nose with
a fruity and candied kaleidoscope of
aromas and flavors
Score
89.5/100
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Royal Brackla 21 Year Old Review
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This Highland single malt is bottled
at 40% ABV and is aged in Oloroso
sherry casks. It has the honor of
being recognized as King William IV
“King’s Own Whisky” and hence the
“Royal” prefix.
Murray Cohen's Tasting Notes:
Nose:
Dried fruit on steroids begins the
journey with candied orange peel and
freshly ground peanut butter. Crème
brule, marble halvah (crushed sesame
seeds) and buckwheat honey appear in
layers with the late arrival of
pungent pipe tobacco.
Taste:
The honey hangs on the palate with
marshmallow. Medium-bodied and
drying, there is a sweet oaky halo
with a dollop of apricot jelly.
Finish:
Chocolate shavings swirl in mocha
foam with a stir stick of black
licorice and cubes of Turkish
delight.
Comment:
This whisky performs a sweetish
curtsey with fruity essences wafting
endlessly.
Score
93.5/100
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Craigellachie 23 Year Old Review
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High on the Rock of Craigellachie,
this distillery built in 1891 offers
this Banffshire single malt at 46%
ABV.
Murray Cohen's Tasting Notes:
Nose:
A vegetable Farmer’s Market explodes
onto the scene. An oaky aura gives
rise to celery heart, paprika, lemon
peel and a charming breakfast tea.
Taste:
Full-bodied, spice, sweet salad
dressing and cocoa powder complement
each other. Mandarin oranges in
sugary syrup join the fray with
chocolate and fudge notes.
Finish:
Long, the purple plums stand tall
with spice, leather and bold hot
chocolate.
Comment:
A multidimensional whisky with
distinct olfactory and taste
parameters that are balanced in
spite of at times sharp contrasts.
Score
92.5/100
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Bruichladdich Black Art 5.1 Edition Review
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This is an offering from Islay’s
most westerly distillery built in
1881 by William and Harvey. A secret
combination of casks belies the
possible American, European and wine
cask remembrances. This Black Art
5.1 Edition is Edition 24 Year Old
Unpeated and was bottled at 48.4%
ABV.
Murray Cohen's Tasting Notes:
Nose:
A summer meadow grows before us.
Strawberry jelly melds with
bulrushes in the marsh. Berries and
nuts in a basket with a dark fruit
extravaganza erupt. The black cherry
burst is memorable.
Taste:
Full-bodied and syrupy. The sweetish
tinge builds and waves goodbye to
guest appearance of delectable
spice. An explosion of vanilla
nougat and praline ice cream
satisfies.
Finish:
Long. Throat warms like a hot toddy.
This whisky oozes dessert. Late
tobacco essences entice.
Comment:
A robust voluptuous single malt
which wins from beginning to end.
Score
95.5/100
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BenRiach 1997 Cask 85103 18 Year Old Review
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Exclusively bottled for the LCBO,
this single cask has spent 18 years
in bourbon barrel and was bottled at
51.3% ABV.
Murray Cohen's Tasting Notes:
Nose:
Marzipan soothes with butterscotch
and aromatic summer flowers.
Peaches, sunflower seeds entwine
with vanilla bean and coconut
shreds.
Taste:
Full-bodied, smooth with thick
sweetness, exuding shades of
chocolate, nougat and delightful
syrup.
Finish:
Long, malty, mocha-frappuccino and
lychee nuts.
Comment:
Cask-strength magnificence with
balance and aplomb.
Score
93.5/100
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Where To Buy Whisky Online
|
|
Select a country for a list of
specialist Whisky shops who delivers to
you:
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Whisky Focus
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