That's the last of 2016, I swear - Runner ups!

When January 1st rolls around, I don't purposely set out to break records. What I mean by that is, I don't set a goal and other than taking photos and keeping a spreadsheet I don't go out of my way to try and supersede previous years numbers. For 2016 I tried 397 NEW whiskies. To the average person this may sound like a crazy number but when you start to talk to other enthusiasts, I'm not even considered hard core... yet!

I like picking out whiskies that really stood out as my top 10 or 12 of the year. I make notes, put little stars beside the ones I think were most memorable and for what reason. I've had a few people say: "Wow, I'm surprised you picked (that) whisky". So again, I'll explain that sometimes it's about the memory the whisky created, or the moment itself. For instance: Benromach 35 and how it transported me back to a time when my grandfather was still alive. How magical is it to sit there, close your eyes and be inundated with memories of someone who was very special. (Just the thought of that day as I sat there nosing that whisky and remembering pepere Mossey brings tears to my eyes as I type this). That is powerful indeed.

With 397 whiskies to choose from there are bound to be some that I initially say: Oh yeah - top 12 indeed but then as the year rolls on they get bumped by others. When I created my list this year, I noticed two things:

1. There wasn't one single American whiskey that even made the top 30!? As I surfed my photos it made me wonder. Is it because, here in Canada we don't really get to try many new/interesting USA whiskies or is it because I simply gravitate toward other whiskies in general. Hmmm...  Goal for 2017: Try more American brands.

2. As I went through the spreadsheet it became very apparent that the whiskies I did seem to gravitate toward in 2016 were independent bottlings. Again, it made me ponder: Was I naturally inclined toward those or did I somehow have more access than usual to these types of whiskies?

If you look at my list of honorable mentions you'll see for yourself. Here are whiskies number 30-13.

30. SMWS 59.49 - Celebration in a glass (Thanks Ross)

29. SMWS 1.196 - Sunshine, motherhood and apple pie (Thanks Blair & Clare)

28. Canadian Club 20 year old (Celebrate Whisky festival Halifax)

27. Douglas Laing Rock Oyster (Celebrate Whisky Festival Halifax)

26. Deerstalker Braeval 20 year old (Celebrate Whisky Festival Halifax)

25. SMWS 9.84 Playing "Sea battle" in the garden (Club whisky tasting) 

24. Cadenhead Mortlach 26 year old (Thanks Dave W)

23. Cadenhead Caperdonich 39 year old (Thanks Mark W)

22. Balvenie 25 year old Triple cask (Thanks Ian M)

21. Gordon & MacPhail Macallan 1958, 11 year old (Thanks Richard U)

20. Balvenie 1966 (HUGE thanks to Jill B - my birth year!)

19. The Cask of Yamazaki 1990 Sherry Butt (Thanks Martine N)

18. Highland Park 1968 (Thanks Nicolas V and Dan V!!)

17. Two Brewers Yukon Single Malt, Release 2 (Thanks Lydia!)

16. Wemyss Malts 1988 Kirsch Gateau (Thanks Jacqueline)

15. Sansibar Tomatin 18 year old (Thanks Igor K)

14. Springbank 12 Rum Wood (Thanks Frank S)

13. Adelphi 1988 Cambus 27 year old (Thanks Jonathan B)

It's always an amazing journey and you'll likely also notice that the majority of whiskies on this list were shared by friends in one form or another. 

You can make fun of me all you like but #whiskyfabric truly is a weave of personalities, friendships and connections that I am truly grateful for. We share moments, we create memories and best of all: We love whisky!

Now, if you'll excuse me I'm off to make some room on my sample shelf: Thanks Benoit B for the latest rounds of drams I can't wait to try!

Here's to 2017... may the list of new whisky discoveries, friendships and adventures be long and good for all of you!

Cheers,

Lassie

You ready to join the revolution?

As a self-professed whisky geek there are very few whiskies that I will try but NEVER drink again. I can count 3 times in my 30 years of imbibing where I can clearly remember a whisky that fits in that category. The first and worst was with a blend and it was truly disastrous. As I recall it combined spitting, several expletive comments and a mad dash to the bathroom to pour the contents of my glass down the toilet immediately followed by brushing my teeth. Ahhh blends! Now, honestly, ten years ago I would have said I prefer single malts over blends but that was before the 2nd revolution. All I knew back then was Johnnie Walker, Bells and Teachers. Whoa whoa whoa!!! Wait a minute Lassie, back up the truck did you just say this is the second revolution? Yes, that's exactly what I said.

History lesson time my friends: Let's go back to the mid 19th century. Irish whiskey was queen -> Yes, you read correctly. The whiskey from Ireland was the world's sweetheart and Scotch was mostly crap. Now don't send me hate mail because these are the facts... However; the Scots got really smart and started distilling grain whisky. They in turn blended those with their single malts which created a milder product much more suitable to the foreign palate. By the mid 20th century Johnnie Walker was now king and blended Scotch whiskies were being drunk all over the world. Then came the disastrous 80's where the bottom of many whisky distilleries fell out. Closures, mothballs, bankruptcies and loads of whisky barrels sitting in warehouses occurred. Not long after that, the birth of "age statement" whisky was born. (That's the Cliff note versions...)

My favorite 80's show, MASH, quote: 

Radar: Is 12 year old scotch ok for everybody?
Colonel Blake: Yeah, fine Radar, perfect.
Radar: (as he hands him a glass) Uh, I ran out of ice sir so I used bourbon.

Blends took a back seat as aged statements demanded the stage. The blended whiskies became the bottle to have on hand if your grandfather came over or if you had a friend who liked mixing it with coke. 

Then comes the 2nd revolution of the 21st century (oh good you are still paying attention). 

Recognize that guy? Well if you don't you are still a single malt snob or worse you've been living in the mountains off the grid for the last 15 years?! John Glaser, ex Johnnie Walker International Marketing Director, who founded Compass Box Whisky Co. in 2000. This highly respected man has been featured at least 5 times as Whisky Innovator of the year and the range of Compass Box spirits have won close to 75 awards including package design. This company has rocked and pushed the limits of definition to the point where the SWA had no choice but to pay attention and as a result changed some of their rules and regulations... which of course caused the rest of us in the whisky world to wonder what exactly Compass Box Whiskies were all about?  

Still have no clue what I'm talking about? Awwww man now I seriously feel for you at this point ;) 

Behold the loveliness:

These John Glaser creations are the not bland harsh young whiskies thrown together for the sake of mass consumption! Au contraire my whisky frère, these are small batch, high quality blends. I will even go as far as saying these are a whisky art form. Yes, yes, I know there are many, MANY blends on the market that are not even fit to clean your garden shears but the same can be said for wine, beer or any other spirit on the market. What I'm saying is, from a chemistry perspective, blending is a far more complex and creative process and when done right demonstrates a deep understanding of distillery whisky & flavour profiles. It's the difference between buying a canned spaghetti sauce and watching an Italian display the magnificient relationship between garlic, fresh vine tomatoes and basil by creating the most delicate yet delicious marinara you've just tasted. 

THAT'S WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT HERE!!!! 

Still don't believe me? Well then I will tell you from personal experience what it feels like to create your own blend. You see on my fabulous trip to the UK in 2014 I had the pleasure and honor of attending the Compass Box School of Blending. We spent the better part of a day with a hands learning experience about the fascinating process of making a blended whisky. 

The first thing we did, of course was enjoy a few whiskies, as one should on a Friday morning :)

Then we proceeded to learn about many of the core whiskies that Compass Box has on the market. This involved an intense hour of schooling about what goes into each of the five whiskies we had before us. 
Many opportunities to ask questions, take notes and truly understand the compositions for Asyla, Oak Cross, Spice Tree, Peat Monster and Hedonism. Then it was our turn to use all the tools and information we were provided to create, name and bottle our own blend. If I wasn't already brimming ear to ear like a true geek we then relaxed while we were offered the opportunity to sample some of the whiskies of years gone by. Glass in hand the room came to a hush as we sat in an enlightened state of pure whisky bliss as we sipped the holy grails of the Compass Box world. I think I may have cried a little when I experienced this one: 

At the end of the day I left an even bigger fan and/or geek. If ever you have the chance to speak to John Glaser he's a lovely man who truly is passionate about his whiskies (and he's got great taste in music -> Miles Davis poster in his office). He takes the time at almost every whisky show I've ever seen him at to spend it with the people who come to the table. Mr Glaser never rushes, always has an ear for every fan and is more than happy to introduce a novice to the core line. 

One of the greatest things I love about Compass Box is the fact that I use them to demonstrate to "blend nay-sayer friends" that it's not crap. So, I have a tendency to say: What shall I pour and when they say surprise me, I do... I usually pour a Spice Tree, an Oak Cross or as of late The General. The absolute joy I get listening to them go on about what a great single malt they are nosing/tasting followed by the shocking gasp when I say: it's a blend, surprise is simply devilish! I dare say, often they sit speechless until finally they ask for the price and whether it's available at our local liquor establishment. A few months down the road, I'll notice they have a bottle in their own collection and no longer badmouth blends. But then again, it goes to show that good whisky made by innovative people doesn't need a number on the bottle nor does it have to be a single malt to have value for money appeal. 

I'd also like to mention John is not the only one who is doing this. He may have started the 2nd revolution but since then many companies have also been producing some really amazing blends. This is currently my top 10 list:

1. Blue Hanger: Any of them

2. Chivas: 18 year old

3. Cutty Sark: Prohibition

4. Douglas Laing: Big Peat, Timorous Beastie

5. Duncan Taylor: Black Bull 12

6. Monkey Shoulder: Any of them

7. Spencerfield Spirits: Pig's Nose, Sheep Dip

8. Springbank: Campbeltown Loch 21 (My newest discovery - DELISH)

9. Tweeddale: Any of them

10. Wemyss: Lord Elcho 15, The Hive 8, Velvet Fig

And I SHIT you not when I say the following: I practice what I preach. I own a blend from every of the above ten above mentioned. If you don't believe me, let me know and I'll happily post a picture to you.

Are you still complaining about single malt prices going through the roof? I'm not. I know where the value for money is (for me) and right now it's in good quality blends. Then again, I don't put much thought into age statements. I simply am a consumer who loves and shares good whisky. 

So: VIVE LA RÉVOLUTION and let me drink blends! Be damned the people who don't know any better or who choose to wear whisky blinders because in the end that means more for those of us with open minds and wallets. 

Now, if you'll excuse me there's a Compass Box Cocktail waiting with my name on it to start my lovely weekend.  

Cheers #whiskyfabric and until next time.

Lassie

A whisky tour of Scotland, Douglas Laing style!

Lovely to say I'm happy this is one of my first solo whisky blogs.  I believe in supporting all aspects of the #whiskyfabric and saying yes to as many open doors and opportunities because, honestly, do we ever really know how one simple gesture can change the entire way you look at something or how it can propel you in a direction you simply wouldn't have even considered? 
  
Earlier this year, two brothers made the choice to split a very well established whisky company in half.  One brother, Douglas would retain the name of the company as well as some of the whiskies in question.  The other retained some of the line and started a new company and at this time both seem to be doing quite well with the new changes and directions.  And that's where I come in...  hehe.  Another fabulous part of being a contributor to the #whiskyfabric is talking, meeting and making contacts when it comes to whiskies.  The day Douglas Laing Co. announced the split was official, I was fortunate enough to be in touch with Cara Laing and was honored and privileged to be one of the first to interview her after she joined her father in the family business. 

http://www.whiskylassie.blogspot.ca/2013/06/whisky-profile-cara-laing-head-of.html

Again, you never really know where things will lead in life, but as a result of being introduced to Cara I made it a point to try and get a few whiskies from Douglas Laing.  Alas, as always in Canada when something is good it doesn't stick around for long and I was SOL.  After a few tweets about how I was going to make it a goal to try and get some this year, a nice little package arrived and I was overjoyed.  As I do with every sample I receive from all around the world, I immediately nosed to my heart's content.  The lovely aromas did not disappoint and in some instances completely surprised me and I'd be happy to tell you why...  keep reading.

First and foremost let's talk about what the "Provenance" line is all about.  It's a series of specialist Single Cask and/or Small Batch bottlings where many of the legendary Scottish Distillieries are featured.  It's bottled in a traditional style - no color or chill-filtration and typically at 46% ABV.  I looked at the lovely handwritten notes and descriptions and couldn't wait to sit down to try them all. 
The three I received were from the summer range.  So, come with me now and let's take a walk on the outer edges of Scotland.  Better grab your hiking boots and a good flask, there's quite a bit of road to cover.  Shall we!?

Let us start in the southern part and take a ferry ride over to Isle of Arran where we find one distillery that I really enjoy.  The island is 20 miles long and only 10 miles wide but is rumored to have had almost 30 illegal distilleries at one point in its early history.  Now there is only one and it's quite legal.  It's fairly new having opened in 1995.  The whiskies:  No complaints from me.  I love most of them with only one mild disappointment in the last 5 years so I couldn't help but wonder as I poured the sample into my Glencairn if I was going to be able to taste the "Arran" in this one.

Douglas Laing's Provenance Arran 16, 46%

Color:  Considering this line is not colored, it's quite beautiful.  It reminds me of golden straw.

Nose: Hints of cereal, and salted caramel.  A bit earthy, like the smell of a wooded path after a rain storm.  Very lovely aromas.

Palate:  Nice mouthwatering mouth feel with hints of chocolate covered ginger. Sweet like clover honey.  Much more on the palate then the nose seem to promise.

Finish:  Drying, quite peppery at the very end, almost a bit of surprise.  Nice, long and lingering.  Quite smooth.

I had the chance to try the Arran 16 with Ralfy in May of 2013.  I'd dare say this could easily stand up and in some palate preferences surpass that distillery bottling.  Quite a nice start to our little journey!

Where to next, let's see do I dare be bold and go Islay or shall I bypass and wait?   Nope, I'm going against the grain (pardon the pun) and Islay here I come!   The next lovely sample I opened was the Big Peat.  
Another bottling at 46% ABV and from the looks of the picture, the gentleman is getting quite a gust of something hitting him?  Ohhh, I was a bit worried but poured a good size dram in my glass anyway and put my hair in a pony tail.  Going in!

PIG PEAT, 46%

Color:  Almost the color of a light white wine.  Barely any color at all really.  

Nose:  Well, as it states BIG!  I put the glass on the kitchen table and from where I was sitting I could smell the peat enveloping me.  BIG PEAT IS RIGHT!  If I had closed my eyes, I could have sworn I was sitting on the beach tending the driftwood bonfire I built while the salt air breeze played havoc with my hair.  Once you are past all that, there's also a sweetness of deep red cherries or ripe summer fruit.  Quite nice actually.  Sweet peat!

Palate:  A bit harsher than I expected after reveling in the sweetness.  It was more industrial in nature, a bit like band-aids or a bit of burnt rubber.  It's a full bodied dram that doesn't disappoint if you are a peat head.

Finish:  Light, doesn't last long and then the surprise:  When I exhaled, I felt like I had smoked a cigar!?  Quite a cool feeling actually.


No disappointment there!  I finished up that lovely dram and went on to the next whisky distillery on the tour:  Laphroaig 10.  Another peaty mind blowing experience, or at least I thought...

DOUGLAS LAING'S PROVENANCE LAPHROAIG 10, 46%

Color:  Light sunlight gold.  Almost a sparkling yellow.

Nose:  Recognizable peat from the get go, but because of the preceding dram, I seemed to have the ability to nose out the remainder of the aromas more clearly?  I was getting huge citrus - lemon meringue pie almost.  I also found hints of seaweed tucked in there.  

Palate:  Recognized the Laphroaig instantly.  No doubt in my mind.  It's one of the few Islay's that I can detect black licorice in & it was plentiful in this dram.  Mouthwatering, smoky flavored licorice.  Delish really!

Finish:  Long, quite warming, more so that the Big Peat which surprised me.  Nice peppery, lingering heat.   

Again, a triumph.  Glad I did the Big Peat first as I feel it allowed me to zero in on a few lovely flavors in the Laphroaig.

And last but not least, we are headed north.  As north as you can go.  Highland Park.  Another very distinctive flavor profile whisky that has a huge following.  How would this one compare?

DOUGLAS LAING PROVENANCE HIGHLAND PARK 14, 46%

Color:  Deep gold, or old gold.  Quite lovely knowing it isn't colored.

Nose:  Can smell the sherry influence on this one.  Stewed dried fruits.  Quite sweet.  A bit oaky, hints of smoke.

Palate:  So spicy:  Ginger, cinnamon, cloves.  Everything that reminds me of Christmas?  I was a bit confused but went on...  I waited for a few minutes and came back to this one.  It wasn't as spicy as before, but it was still there.  Gingerbread cake?   Not at all what I had expected after nosing. I literally checked the label just to make sure it was a Highland Park...

Finish: Fairly long.  Stayed with me for quite some time.  Very satisfying dram, heat, a bit of smoke and still spicy.

Not at all what I was thinking?   

So of the four whiskies I tried I would have to say the last surprised me the most.  I can't help help but wonder if it's because I went against convention and had peaty whiskies first?  Did this cause me to nose/taste in a different way.  I would have never thought the last one was a Highland Park?  Or maybe it was the sherry influence?   I'm not sure but of the four I'd pick that one to buy as it totally threw me for a loop and it's completely different than what I consider a traditional Highland Park whisky.

The Arran was very nice and I'd likely buy that as a nice sipping whisky or a "summer evening" whisky. 

The BIG PEAT and the Laphroaig 10, (Exhales smoke...) are phenominal if you are a huge peat lover.  If you are not, or are thinking of "trying" peat, I personally would not recommend these as your starting point.  You might want to wait until you have a few under your belt.

And like I stated the Highland Park 14 so perplexed me, I'm choosing it as my favorite of the four.  

Either way, the Douglas Laing Provenance Line is quite remarkable and in some cases I would dare say surpasses what the distilleries in question are putting out in the market.  If you have a chance to get any of the bottlings, I highly recommend them.  

A huge Whisky Lassie thank you to Cara for this opportunity.  Now I'm on the hunt for these whiskies, I hope you will be too!  



The exciting adventures continue...  


Johanne