A Smoky Christmas – The Wild Rover Meets Laphroaig

A Smoky Christmas

The Wild Rover has been building their own whisky scene for over a year now with their Campbell Corner Whisk(e)y Co-operative. Though I have only made the trek over to The Wild Rover twice before this afternoon (The Hills is a long way out) it was good to see their Christmas party contained whisky. Titled Laphroaig Smoky Christmas your would expect just that right?! In fact I think it only contained whisky thanks to the generous nature of Laphroaig, The Wild Rover, and the dramming hands of Dan “Fingers” Woolley.

Islay Oysters

Held in the upper bar of The Wild Rover, arrival was greeted with, well, whisky and Islay oysters. Before me was presented a nostalgic weights tray filed with fresh shucked oysters, rock salt, and eyedroppers filled with Laphroaig to lace the oyster at your own whisky level. Even though I arrived on time the joint was packed to the rafters. As a live Swamp Delta Blues Slide Guitar Duo set up in the far corner, Penicillin cocktails flowed and Islay oysters were slurped, but where was that crafty Dan “Fingers” Woolley and those pours of Laphroaig.

Laphroaig Eye Droppers

Nestled against the far wall past all the crowd, a cask head was set with a fine selection of Laphroaig 10yo, Laphroaig Select Cask, Laphroaig Quarter Cask (my favourite), and tucked inside the barrel the Laphroaig 25yo. BOOM BABY! Serving out the drams of course was the original rock'n'roller Dan. Simply you can’t get more dedicated to the water of life than a man with WHISKY tattooed across his fingers. Regardless if you choose to flee Dan’s prison breaker appeal (after a Laphroaig pour of course and saying thank you a lot) or see through the mighty exterior to cuddle the mighty bear (and there was a lot of cuddles being given out especially by the ladies), you will find his veins seep with the scent of whisky. Never miss an opportunity to query for insights and tips. The pours were heavy and the drams were fine and at that time there was no where else I wanted to be.

Penicillin Cocktails

Flighting the floor were all faces and names of industry individuals alike. Too many to mention and all old chums in some way or form. It was good everyone was comfortable with each other because if you weren't rubbing a bum or a check with the slightest movement you were not in room at all. I found a comfy spot next to the band and prompt remained rooted for a good duration of the afternoon.

The band cranked up with some pretty cool old school rock while the crowd literally pushed at the walls and whisky plashed the wooden floor like a heaving salt crusted man-of-war. Thunder cracked outside with the skies looming large. As time passed I knew I ‘had’ to attend the next Christmas party that evening. I was committed. Grabbing my trusty Whisky & Wingback’s partner in crime, Whisky Ledger, we departed reluctantly to head for other end of the city. A Frat Party was starting up at the famous, soon to be infamous Shirt Bar. That story is for next time.

Thanks to Laphroaig, Dan Woolley, and The Wild Rover for putting on a classic and all too generous spread. Sláinte.

The Baron.

Chasing The Dream - SIA Blended Scotch Whisky

Founder Carin Luna-Ostaseski and that unique SIA Scotch Whisky bottle

What makes someone want to create their own blend of whisky and how to approach such notion? Why now try crowdsourcing a start up whisky company and see how it goes! That is exactly what SIA Scotch Whisky did. When there is so many whiskies now in the market we have to assume there must be a driving force filled with a passion and ambition to make a go of it. So kudos to Carin of SIA (pronounced See-a, Gaelic for Six) for getting it right.

Carin Luna-Ostaseski, founder of SIA Scotch Whisky, pretty much chased the dream and funded the business through her Kickstarter campaign back in mid 2013. The target was to gain $39,000 USD to purchase enough whisky to fill 250 cases / 1500 bottles at 750ml each, order glass, etch, package and then distribute. Exceeding the target within 40 days, Carin managed to get the product off the ground and sell the first 1500 bottles. SIA is now in its 2nd run of 3500 bottles has the intention of a 3rd release of 5000 bottles soon. Unfortunately we are yet to see the product distributed and sold into Australia. If you want to discover the full story check out Carin’s story: How I Funded my Company with Kickstarter.

SIA is a self styled “superior blended Scotch Whisky” created to appeal to the modern consumers palate. Take it neat, iced, or in a cocktail the preference is yours. The bottle is elegant and well designed with a label displaying a lush feminine touch. Carin worked with with Douglas Laign and Co. Ltd. to created a Scotch whisky matured, blended and bottled in the mother country. The contents are a blend is a ratio of 40% malt to 60% while the region percentages range from 50% Speyside, 40% Highland, 10% Islay malts and grains. Bottled at 43% ABV and priced at $49.00 USD per 750ml bottle I can imagine, with how Australia’s tax work, we would easily see this bottling hit the $70+ AU mark if it ever makes its way here.

SIA Scotch Whisky

SIA Blended Scotch Whisky
Location / Region: Scotland
Alcohol / ABV: 43%
Blender: Douglas Laign and Co. Ltd.

Nose: Vibrant and fruity, vanillas, spice, maple wood, citrus, pears, green tomatoes then also  and a light mix of smoke and iodine thus giving it a mild maritime feel. There is a lot going on in the nose and the maritime effect is much more apparent after the initial sip. On a first pour though I find the whisky is locked up and a bit of air needs to be swilled through to open it up but it is not an uncommon effect to be seen.

Taste: At the beginning it is smooth to the lips which lets go to become a little mouth puckering. A spice tingle starts at the lips and moves all the way to the back of the tongue. Pears and green tomatoes again make an appearance but the fruitiness is more stewed with the vanillas maple woods before the drier smoke wafts through.

Finish: Long and drawing on the breath. Not necessarily hot as can be expected with a blend but certainly a fire is smouldering deep down as the palate dries out even more. The spice lingers in an enjoyable way.

Overall there is a lot of vibrancy in the scotch whisky blend as a whole and much more than I have found in others I have tasted recently. I find this blend quite reasonable as the palate remains excitable long after the last dram. I enjoyed it neat though I can see it working very well in a cocktail as it holds a complexity that won’t be moved to the background when mixed. Unfortunately my sample was only enough for 2 medium drams so I did not attempt making a cocktail out of it. I would love to see it make its way into Australia.

I have to pass thanks to Carin for sending me the sample and correspondence that has followed all the way from the US. This blend is a real challenger not only to the palate but against many mainstream blends on our shelves. Lets hope we see it soon.

The Baron

D.T.W.C. was supplied a sample for review. All views and opinions are our own unless otherwise stated. 

A Bit Of This & A Bit Of That – Label 5 Gold Heritage

Label 5 Gold Heritage

Label 5 is not the most common names that comes up in Australia when mentioning a Blended Scotch Whisky even though it is ranked in the top 10 sales of a blended whisky in the world. We have seen a rise in the brand over the last few years on shelves  locally but in asking around I have found still it can get a bit of a look over. The more common bottle you would be familiar with is the Label 5 Classic Black or the Label 5 12 Year Old. This bottling, Label 5 Gold Heritage, is yet to be seen on our shelves and is the brands most recent release. Graciously supplied to us for tasting by La-Martiniquaise, a French based group and the 2nd largest spirits company in France at this time.

If you recall La-Martiniquaise has come up before when we have reviewed launches and reviews of the Scotch Single Malt and distillery Glen Moray. La-Martiniquaise purchased Glen Moray back in 2008 from Glenmorangie, so it is no surprise when Glen Moray’s Distillery Manager Graham Coull’s name is attributed to the creation of Label 5 Gold Heritage. Graham also takes the title also as Master Blender of Label 5. I had the pleasure to speak in length with Graham Coull in August 2013 at the launch of the Glen Moray 25yo: A taste of things to come - Glen Moray 25yo Syndey Launch. Graham has been taking Glen Moray in a great direction so I recommend you keep a good eye on the brand over the coming years. If you have not tried it also I recommend delving in the Glen Moray 10yo Chardonnay Cask Matured to get a better idea of what is being offered by the distillery and the malt that makes up the bulk of the Label 5 blends.

Moving on we best look a little closer at the Label 5 Gold Heritage. There is is no question the name signifies an approach into the higher echelons of the premium blend market. The bottle is tall and angular with thick glass and an embossed crest. On opening a plastic pourer is fitted much like what we see in other premium blends. On any Dan Murphy’s shelf you will find Label 5 commonly shelved higher than most lower grade whisky blends. I can speculate when the Label 5 Gold Heritage makes it to Australia it will be sitting directly next to the Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve. Dan Murphy’s, as I understand it, is the exclusive importer of Label 5 and Glen Moray through the Woolworth’s import brand Pinnacle Liquor Group.

Other details available on the Label 5 site claim there is anything up to and over 20yo malt whiskies being blended into the mix of this product. That sounds great but the reality is that this happens all the time for many many blends and malts but it is certainly nice to know. We can also assume being a NAS (No Age Statement) that some very young whiskies also make it into the mix. Again not a big issue but certainly something to consider.

Label 5 Gold Heritage
Distiller & Blender: Label 5 / La-Martiniquaise
Location / Region: Scotland
Alcohol/ ABV: 40%

Nose: Thick, rich and sweet with a side of egg sandwiches. A bit leathery and no doubt I am getting some smokiness. Grains are prevelant and sweet while a heavy hit of alcohol burn will sting if you nose too closely or vigourously. After the fist sip though the nose burn subsides in a much more festive fruity character.

Taste: Light, fruity(ish) and exceptionally smooth at first. It easily goes down but the sweetness falls into the central back pallet before a typical blend burn seeps down the throat. A bit smokey like tabbaco smoke, a bit of citrus, a bit of spice, and a bit of wood creep. It gets watery fast and the flavour is one dimensional which is unfortunate. Not embracing to the senses, this whisky has been clearly designed this way to simply be sipped easily.

Finish: Hot at first and a bit of mousey woods develops in the palate.

Overall: I have to say not challenging and malt drinkers will be hard pressed to approve. Blend drinkers on the other hand wanting to move slightly up the ladder would appreciate what it is offering as the typical grain burn and intense sweetness is mellowed by the malts blended.

This is a blend offering smoothness over character. It is a bit of a fence sitter. If I was to give a dram 3 1/2 out of 7. It does not fall into the category of our clubs flavour profile appreciation and I fear neither that of any malt drinkers. As I said though a dedicated blend drinker would probably enjoy this.

Thank you to La-Martiniquaise for the opportunity to examine and review the Label 5 Gold Heritage. I have reserved the bottle contents for presentation at our next clubs meeting to get further input.

The Baron

D.T.W.C. was supplied a sample for review by La-Martiniquaise. All views and opinions are our own unless otherwise stated.