The Bush Is Back – Lagavulin 1995 Distillers Edition

Lagavulin 1995 Distillers Edition

At the last DTWC meeting at the Greybush Manor hosted by The Greybush himself, the choice whisky for the evening was a bottle of 1995 Lagavulin Distillers Edition, finished in Pedro Ximenez sherry casks and bottled in 2011.

In choosing a whisky for the auspicious occasion I wanted to get something that the club members had possibly not tried. Searching in the usual haunts did not produce anything special that we had not tried.

The next step was then to engage someone who was more experienced in these matters. I contacted the Baron, who, though young in years (compared to me) has a vast knowledge of all things good in a malt whisky. We called upon the resources of the internet and soon were browsing web sites from England, where the availability of exotic whiskies is large. In our search we came across the Lagavulin range, a few of which I had tried before and must admit were very smooth to drink. I have a love of peated whiskies (Laphroaig Cask Strength is my favourite) so when we spotted the blurb for the Lagavulin DE Limited Edition, I knew this was the one. What intrigued me was the fact that this 16 year old was finished in Pedro Ximenez desert sherry casks. I figured that not too many (if any) of the members would have had a chance of trying this whisky, so I would be bringing something new to the table.

The bottle was duly purchased and arrived in Sydney in just over a week. Then the doubt set in - maybe this whisky was going to be too sweet!

Lagavulin 1995 Distillers Edition, Double Matured, Special Release Limited Edition
Batch No.: lgv.4/499
Distilled: 1995
Bottled: 2011
Alcohol: 43%
Location Region: Islay, Scotland

On the night the whisky was well liked by all. Although it was sweeter than most other whiskies we have tried, it was not over the top.

When poured into a glass, it has a beautiful golden brown colour. It smells smoky and woody, with a hint of iodine and sweet wood, pulling its sweetness from the sherry casks. The whisky has good legs when heated in the hands and swirled around the glass.

The finish was quite strong and lasting. I found it very pleasing on the palate and could have quite easily settled back in front of an open fire place with the rest of the bottle. I'm not sure this whisky is readily available in Sydney but will certainly include it in any future shopping list when purchasing overseas.

The Greybush

St Patrick's Day and a Tullamore Dew

Tullamore Dew Original

Now with St Patrick's day well and gone it is time look back briefly on what some of us DTWC club members got up to for an excuse to appreciate whisky.

These days I always aim to have a St Patrick's day dinner for family at the humble abode of The Woolery tartan. This years as with previous both The Grey Bush and El Capitan with wives and children in tow attended. Let us not forget also The Converted also was welcomed to the table (as cramped as it was).

Yes this little dinner we have is more an excuse to spend one day a year dedicating out taste buds to Irish Whisky but it is also an excuse to cook up a tasty meal for all. This year I went against the grain of the Beef and Gushiness Pies and instead made a rope of pork, beef, barley and whisky sausages, supported buy a balsamic vinegar gravy, boiled cabbage, and a round of bubble and squeak. The Converted brought to the table a freshly baked loaf of sour dough, while El Capitan delivered green ice cream and cup cakes, while the Grey Bush provided an additional mixed box of beer and irish liqueur. Not to be forgotten a bottle of Tullamore Dew (review below) was the table whisky of choice, while lashings of Guinness and Kilkenny were passed around.

The Grey Bush, El Capitan, and The Converted

Overall a good night was had by all, though a week of reminding still saw The Grey Bush arrive almost 2hrs late even though he lives 2min down the road but the additional carton of beer made up for it.

With all too few irish whiskies available in Australia I imagine doing this once a year for the next 10 years should be long enough to exhausted all unique tasting options.

I urge all club members to try this and that way the wife cannot complain about that additional bottle of whisky you just purchased.

Tullamore Dew Original
Triple Distilled, Blended Irish Whiskey (No age statement)
Location/region: Ireland
Alcohol: 40%

Before beginning it is worth noting that Tullamore Dew is a Pot Still Irish Whisky. It uses both malted and unmalted barley as well as being tripled distilled. The age of whiskies in the Original are between 4 to 7 years old.

Colour:Very clean/pure golden straw.

Nose: Very light florals, vanilla creams and butters, with some peaking citrus in the alcohol. I would certainly not say the citrus is in the forefront as some have quoted on the nose. It is quite pleasant overall.

Taste: A sharp sting to the tip of the tongue with the butters and creams reminiscent of the nose. Mid hints of mint spice but depth of flavour is shallow and edging towards stretched. Much more spicy on the edges of the pallet but it lacks the staying power I enjoy.

The finish is spicy and warming but diminishes rather quickly.

Overall I think this is a nice dram but lacks true complexity to excite my pallet. I can easily see someone being introduced to whisky enjoying this and or someone not wanting to feel like you have a plumb in your mouth for a good few minutes after each dram. Interestingly enough after one or 2 sips a real charred wood scents develops on the nose not noted on first nosing.

Overall if I was to give a dram I would give this 3 3/4 out of 7.

The Baron

The Sherry Bomb - Aberlour A'bunadh

Aberlour A'bunadh #32

The A'bunadh is a cask strength offering from the Aberlour distillery, located in Speyside. The distillery is part of the Chivas family of whiskys and apparently much loved in France. This expression is readily available from Dan Murphy's in Australia and the batch considered in this review was number #32.

The 'sherry bomb' title points to both the bottle and its contents. The former is short and fat, with thick glass and a squat shape. The thick neck has been given the 'dipped in wax' treatment reminiscent of Makers Mark and contains the largest cork stopper I have seen to date. Certainly a substantial and well presented package and despite the bomb-like appearance the bottle pours like a dream, feeling well balanced in the hands.

The contents have an incredibly rich burgundy red colour, almost plum. I am unsure how much this has to do with marketing (i.e. caramel colouring) or the sherry cask maturation process.

The nose blasts big-round notes of dried fruit, currents, plum and Christmas cake straight up your nostrils...you almost immediately feel like eating this whisky. There is a mellow alcoholic burn, but nothing harsh and its sweetness makes for a very addictive whiff.

To taste, well its just the ignition of the sherry explosion...BOOM! dried currents...BOOM! cherry and plums…BOOM! Christmas cake…BOOM! cinnamon and star-anise…BOOM! musty oakiness. You can feel this whisky evaporating before it even hits the tongue, such is the alcoholic content. For my mind, it has a very similar mouth feel to the Sullivans Cove Port Matured Single Cask tried at a previous D.T.W.C. meeting.

So I wanted to try a big-sherry cask whisky and that's certainly what this is. I find the flavours echo a Hennessy V.S.O.P. cognac, giving an indication of the strong fortified wine-grape flavours present. The strong alcoholic content from the cask strength certainly entices you to swill it like a cognac. The finish is long and chest warming. Adding water brings out fresher flavours, including citrus fruit and lemon zest.

Overall, its a great whisky but its a little too rich for my taste. I feel the whisky needs the 60% abv to add some excitement and to balance the heavy, syrupy sweet flavours. However, I struggle with the mouth feel. Rating, maybe a 5.75 from seven bolts of lightening. Would I buy it again? Maybe, its a great whisky digestive...especially with a piece of Christmas cake on the side.

I can say if your looking for the 'Octomore' of Abelour or the 'Sherry Bomb' of Speyside, then look no further. Whilst on the sherry train, I look forward to trying some Dalmore in the future.

Keep trucking'
The Diplomat