More romantic than memorable – Arran Whisky

Arran private bottling cask 96/535

Warming up for the next Distant Thunder Whisky Club social on Friday night at the Sydney Whisky Fair I have decided to get out my Arran private bottling for a renewed tasting.

The story behind the whisky is quite romantic. At one time there were over fifty distilleries on the Isle of Arran, however, they had all closed by 1837. After more then 150 years a new distillery was opened on the Isle in 1995.

Scotch whiskies have to be aged for a minimum of three years (although most are aged for longer), which gives new businesses a cash flow problem as they can't sell anything for years! The Arran distillery isn't unique in selling private barrels to generate some revenue before the whisky is ready to drink.

A friend of my aunt bought a barrel and she was kind enough to get me a bottle. The label states:
"The private owner's bottling is from a single cask produced at Lochranza Distillery on the Isle of Arran. Cask number 96/535 was filled in June 1996 and bottled in July 2007 without colouring or chill-filtration.."

Attracted by the story behind the whisky I was willing it to be good. However, as El Capitan pointed out expectations should really be checked by the fact that this was one of the first whiskies the distillery every made. There would inevitably be a learning process going on.

The whisky has a nice deep straw colour. There is a floral nose, definitely not complex. Light and refreshing.

At first taste there was a little bit of alcoholic shock (46%). Slightly buttery there are no distinguishing flavour notes. A short finish with no aftertaste. I tried cutting the whisky with water, but it didn't really change the flavour.

I hate to say it, but this might be a good non-descript whisky to mix with coke. It wasn't a bad whisky, just nothing really distinguishing about it.

I'd be interested to taste one of their more recent whiskies to see how the distillery has developed.

The Converted

Coming through with the goods – The Whisky Exchange

Snapshot of The Whisky Exchange Website

NOTE: This is an old post from 2011. Take note of the date posts are made in reference to your current purchasing considerations.

Right now you cannot ignore just what is happening on the stock exchanges and global recession. Here in Australia we say "What recession…?". With The US dollar and UK Pound in slow down mode the Australian dollar is giving us a field day in overseas purchases online. Why wait for duty free to buy your whisky when you can just get it online even cheaper. If you are in the mood then get yourself to The Whisky Exchange and buy buy buy!

Some members in the past 12 months have taken opportunities at various points to buy whisky online so when I saw the Aussie dollar exchanging at £.64 to $1AU the time had come. I did a quick check at The Whisky Exchange and Master of Malt and found the following results:

Cost of Whisky per bottle: Considerably Cheaper at The Whisky Exchange.

Ability to calculate shipping costs: Both site equally as good.

Cost of postage to Australia: Considerably cheaper with The Whisky Exchange.

Shopping cart process: Better with The Whisky Exchange.

Ability to find the whisky of choice: Faster and more direct at The Whisky Exchange.

Range of available Whisky: Many more harder to get items at The Whisky Exchange.

Presentation of website overall: Better at Master Of Malt but also cluttered where it does not need to be.

Overall you will see from my results that The Whisky Exchange came through with the goods faster and more efficiently in the ordering process, as well as cost leading me to make the choice to order with them. I was disappointed with Master Of Malt simply because I was actually wanting to order form them to have a point of different from other members experiences ordering online but also because Master Of Malt offered me opportunities to order some small samples in the package.

Ok so to follow on, the The Whisky Exchange quickly flowed me through the process of signing up as a member before continuing with the order. A few credit card details and I was away. I got some very quick follow up emails with my details and the purchase receipt as well as a tracking number and a link to Parcelforce.com to track the progress of the order.

How long did it take you may be asking? Despatch date was 11th August and it arrived at my door 7 days later.

Packaging by The Whisky Exchange

Packaging was good and arrived in an unmarked brown box and no Additional duty was charged at customs. As you can see from the pictures it arrived with no damage in site. On cutting through the strong tape I was created with a 4 part partition and green foam slugs filling every empty space. A nice little card was also found on top telling me who packed the box and who to call if there was any issues with the condition of the contents (a nice touch). Extracting the bottle of whisky to my delight I found each individual carton has been opened and repacked with more green foam slugs and each bottle encased in bubble warp. Attention to detail unsurpassed!

So what did we order? 4 bottles all up with x2 Laphroaig Cask Strength Batch 001, x1 Laphroaig Quarter Cask, and x1 Glenmorangie Sonnalta PX.

Price comparison per bottle:

Laphroaig Cask Strength: £41.63 / $64.95 AU each
Laphroaig Quarter Cask: £23.29 / $36.19 AU each
Glenmorangie Sonnalta PX: £ 46.88 / $73.14 AU each
Shipping x4 bottles: £48.00 /  $74.88 AU ($18.72 AU per bottle)

For those in the know a quick calculation in your head with give you some astounding results in comparison to anything you pay in any of the shops locally. Even on the best day the Laphroaig Quarter Cask will still fetch $98AU at a Dan Murphy's if your lucky. That's a BIG saving!

Overall the experience was great with no hiccups. Price was good, items available was good, delivery was good, results were great! Just remember to always calculate your shipping costs into the deal before purchasing to ensure your making a genuine saving. If I was to give a dram than the experience was a solid 6 1/2 out of 7. Many thanks to The Whisky Exchange.

The Baron

Where the Angels Roost - Jack Daniel's Single Barrel Select

Jack Daniel's Single Barrel Select

So I have taken some time before reviewing this whisky. I think it is because I am not sure about it even now. I like it yes but I am somewhat disappointed. I have had my eye on a bottle of Jack Daniel's Single Barrel for sometime and when the opportunity arose to spend those few extra dollars I lashed out in ernest. About 6 months back I had an absolutely excellent bottle of Wild Turkey Rare Breed (not a single barrel) and I think I was hoping for the same experience with the Jack Daniel's Single Barrel. Yes I know these are not even close to being the same whiskies but to me the a $80 price tag and the words Single Barrel means this should be something special and that was what I was looking forward to.

Two unique things that make the Single Barrel so special firstly the fact that this each bottle only comes from one barrel and not blended. Secondly is the fact that these barrels sit and remain in the upper reaches of the barrelhouse, aka The Angels Roost, which forces the more extreme fluctuations in temperature and humidity into the barrel and its contents. Ultimately the heavier the fluctuation on the whisky in the barrel the more the whisky is forced in and out of the wood drawing the tannins and sugars out. Though of course I have never been to the Jack Daniel's Distillery, from various sources including a documentary I have seen recently seen on the distillery these barrels do in fact suffer very heavily to the angels share and in the upper reaches of the barrelhouse the smell of whisky is quite prevalent.

Jack Daniel's Single Barrel Select
Alcohol: 45%
Location / Region: Lynchburg, Tennessee
Rick No.: L-11
Barrel No.: 10-1913
Botteling Date: 5-5-10

The Colour is deep amber. The whisky is presented in a rather over the top squat square bottle with a wooded cap and cork stopper that looks quite dated and not very well thought through.

One the nose lots of corn, maple vanillas and toasted oak. It is very strong and in your face in comparison to a regular Jack Daniels Old No.7 which I was expecting though it needs to be noted that this is only 45% so it is not ridiculous to the senses.

To taste much softer mouth feel than usual that just cushions the tongue. Again pretty much the same corns, vanillas and toasted oak notes found on the nose (personally not a big difference at all which leads to some disappointment). After an initial taste I get lots of tingle on the lips and tips of the tongue and cheecks.

The finish is rich, hot and sits in the middle of the throat. Not too much heat makes it into the chest at all an your pallet does get an aftershock of the caramel and toasted oaks for some time.

As you can see I really cannot pick out too much at all and it has a unfortunate sameness the whole way through. Honestly it is a great whisky but drastically overpriced. I feel this is a $50AU bottle of whisky and not the asking price of $80AU to $90AU found in the stores. In mentioning this it is leads me to a previous post on Jack Daniel's Old No.7 and how I feel that is a great whisky at a great price and tends to begin where many a American whisky finishes off.

If I was to give a dram then this would be a 5 1/2 out of 7. Great but not a leader in the field.

A thing to note and probably one of the most outstanding things about Jack Daniel's Single Barrel is you can buy a entire  barrel if you like. That is  250 750ml bottles (packaged individually) + the original barrel it was stored in for around $9000 AU. That has got to be 20 years of stocks if you consume 2.5 bottles a year. Not a bad deal at all if you ask me. Dear god even if you were a bar that is only $36 a bottle, a sure fire investment to have on the shelf.

Also of note is to remember this is a single barrel so other barrels will be different but I am sure not so extremely different that you would be playing Russian Roulette with your purchase.

The Baron

Hallelujah – Whisky Fair 2011

Yes we have been delivered from despair with the crash out of Whisky Live Sydney! (phew) The Oak Barrel has continued with their own event or more so an enhancement of last years activities at the Oak Barrel with Sydney Whisky Fair 2011.

For those that attended last years Whisky Live Sydney 2010 may recall word that Oak Barrel was running pre-event activities in the week(s) prior to Whisky Live Sydney (if I recall correctly). Simply with the distance needed to travel to Whisky Live Sydney in the same period + the price was too much for myself to take interest in other eventide around the same date. I personally have never been to an Oak Barrel event though other club members have and speak highly of them.

Only 24hrs ago I discovered an announcement for Sydney Whisky Fair 2011 via the Oak Barrel website. Considering several members of the club actually are on a subscription list to Oak Barrel I am disappointed  to say none of us got any notification. In fact it is fare to say that the Oak Barrel's marketing has failed big time as the last notification I ever got form them was late 2010. None the less we are here now and somewhat excited.

For any locals that might have an interest like us that did not know the event was on, you can find out most information via the Sydney Whisky Fair website.

In brief the event will be held at the Oak Barrel in Sydney City which means an intimate affair. Though no clear indication is noted if actually distillery representatives will be attending it does seem like a good swag of whiskies will be on offer for tasting. The event is on for 2 days, in 3hr sessions, on Friday 2nd September and Saturday 3rd September. There is no indication that you need to attend both dates to enjoy the pleasures on offer. Tickets are limited so get in quick.

A prompt email this morning 2 August 2011 (which I am much appreciated for) from Frolic Events (Event Co-ordinators for Sydney Whisky Fair) outlined some key details I felt missing from the site and needed clarification. The comments are as follows:

"We will be limiting the number of guests at each session as we want guests to enjoy the experience and not feel crushed. We will be utilising the Cellar Room & the Cave, which is the space in between the Cellar Room and the shop front. It will certainly be more cosy than some of our events, but it won't be unpleasant. 

We understand that guests will want to try a variety of whiskies and will therefore be serving smaller tasters (max 10ml). We will be providing food and plenty of water as we operate under strict responsible service of alcohol rules at all of our events."

So in light of this info it sounded like a good intimate night and I have booked my ticket in force. For those feeling a bit let down with the absence of Whisky Live Sydney and are in or around Sydney on these dates will probably get a kick out attending. Where one door closes another one opens.

Das Baron

Smoke and Booze – DEDICATED TO LIFE'S PLEASURES

A quick snap of the Smoke and Booze site 1 August 2011

This quick post goes out to fellow DTWC members and our Aussie followers primarily but of course to anyone else internationally that likes a good blog on booze. It is not often you come across a blog that instantly has appeal. For me earlier tonight while skimming twitter I notice one of our tweets retweeted. On quick investigation a link led me to this site 'Smoke and Booze – DEDICATED TO LIFE'S PLEASURES'.

Firstly: What a great name! Instant appeal and just makes me think of a well worn armchair in a gentle-persons club. Dig the byline.

Secondly: Great look with leather stitching! (why didn't we think of that)

Thirdly: Cigars, Beer, and Whisky. Right on brother!

Fourthly: Probably one of the more important bits is that it is Aussie. How long have we waited for another home grown booze blog site to crop up with content we can relate to on a daily basis. Yes words like Dan Murphys are there. Like!

So a review of content leaves me thinking yes, yes, yes, YES! Beers I have tasted and beers I want to taste are all there. For me I like cigars but hate the devastation it does to my taste buds (and lungs) so if there is an opportunity to read about it on a virtual tasting then I am in balls deep. And of course comes the whisky (hope to see more of that).

Ok sure the blog appears to be in it's infancy (first post April 2011) but if only a few months is to go on  then this is one to keep watching. Nice one Mitch keep it up.

The Baron