01/07/2016 – Merlin’s Rest, Minneapolis, MN. Highland Park Tasting. Hosted by Dennis Skrade.
Highlights from 2015 Tastings
Highland Park 18yo
Laphroaig 18yo
Lapohroag Cairdeas 2015
G&M Caol Ila 9yo
Malts selected by survey based on the various tastings that Merlins had over the previous year. These were all malts I voted for in the survey, so I was happy to see them. As mentioned previously, Highland Park 18 is one of my staples. I always like to have a bottle of it around. And you can’t go wrong with any Laphroaig expression. This Gordon & MacPhail Caol Ila 9yo is at cask strength and is remarkably light for 59% ABV.
It was a nice review of malts, some of the best available!
12/03/2015 – Merlin’s Rest, Minneapolis, MN. Highland Park Tasting. Hosted by Chris Haselbeck and Dennis Skrade.
The introductory Highland Park line was tasted:
Highland Park 12yo
Highland Park Dark Origins
Highland Park 15yo
Highland Park 18yo
A good way to introduce people to Highland Park whisky. I’m not a fan of the Dark Origins expression, but the others are staples at home. The 18 year old is by far my favorite, and has been for many years (you will find it on my Essential Scotch List). It was good to revisit these whiskies with a fun group of people!
11/06/2015 – Ace Spirits, Hopkins, MN. Gordon & MacPhail tasting.
Brenne
Brenne 10yo
G&M Linkwood 15yo
G&M Mortlach 25yo
G&M Macallan 18yo
G&M Glenlivet 40yo
G&M Macallan 41yo
G&M Caol Ila 9yo
A nice selection from the G&M catalog, also an interesting taste of French single malt. The Brennes were fun to taste, the finish in XO Congac gives them a VERY sweet taste, especially the regular expression.
The best of the night was the Macallan 41yo, which is not really a surprise, but I’m not a big Macallan person, so it was nice to have a taste of the rare ones. If I compare it to the 55yo from the Saint Paul Grille, it was very similar, but less oily and the legs were not as thick – though it did have some very thick legs on it.
They were all good in their own way, but I don’t think I would be buying any of them, they are reasonably priced compared to the distillery’s own bottlings – especially the two Macallans.
10/06/2015 – Ace Spirits, Hopkins, MN. Hosted by Simon Brooking.
Bowmore Dorus Mor
Laphroaig 15yo
Laphroaig 18yo
Laphroaig Cairdeas 2015
Ardmore 30yo
Laphroaig 32yo
The best one of this group was the Laphroaig 32yo. It was very smooth and nicely peated, also fairly oily, but at $1500 or so per bottle, I won’t be getting any. The 30yo Ardmore was also good. I am quite liking this year’s Cairdeas as well.
06/24/2015 – France44 Liquors, Minneapolis, MN. The History Of Peat. Hosted by Brant Foehl.
Auchentosan American Oak
Ardmore
Bowmore Darkest 15yo
Laphroaig 15yo
Laphroaig 18yo
Laphroaig Cask Strength (#6) 10yo 58% ABV
My favorite of this group was my old stand by, the Laphroaig Cask Strength. Though the Auchentosan American Oak was very tasty and a very good value.
03/14/2015 – Encore Hotel, Las Vegas NV. Highland Park Tasting. Hosted by Martin Daraz.
Dark Origins
Thor 16yo
Loki 15yo
Freya 15yo
Odin 16yo
Highland Park 25yo
Martin shared the complete Valhalla collection. My favorites of that collection was the Odin and the Freya. But my favorite overall is the 25yo. I quite enjoy this dram.
03/14/2015 – Encore Hotel, Las Vegas NV. The Dalmore Tasting. Hosted by Richard Paterson.
The Dalmore 25yo
Constellation 1966 45yo
Constellation 1976 35yo
The Dalmore 35yo
The Dalmore 45yo
This was a very special tasting. The estimated cost of the drams themselves was about $13,000. So it’s unlikely that I will be purchasing any of these in the future. And the 35yo and 45yo expressions (not the Constellations) are not yet available anyway!
03/14/2015 – Encore Hotel, Las Vegas NV. Royal Salute Tasting. Hosted by Colin Scott.
Strathisla 25yo
Royal Salute 21yo
World Polo 21yo
Stone Of Destiny 38yo
62 Gun Salute 40yo
Mr. Scott brought some great Royal Salutes to taste. Including the Strathisla 25yo, which is one of the main whiskies in the blend. Sadly, he didn’t share any of the “Tribute To Honor”. đŸ™‚
03/14/2015 – Encore Hotel, Las Vegas NV. Classic Malts: Rare and Limited Tasting. Hosted by Nick Morgan. Diageo’s 2014 release of Classic Malts.
Rosebank 21yo
Benrinnes 21yo
Mortlach 25yo
Caol Ila 30yo
Brora 35yo
Port Ellen 34yo
My favorite of this bunch was the Caol Ila 30yo. Then comes the Port Ellen 34yo. However, none of these are cheap. The Mortlach 25yo is not part of the Classic Malts release, it is going to be a regularly available expression.
03/12/2015 – Delmonico, Las Vegas NV. Glenlivet Tasting. Hosted by Ian Logan.
Glenlivet 12yo
Glenlivet French Oak Reserve 15yo
Glenlivet NĂ durra Oloroso
Glenlivet 18yo
Glenlivet Archive 21yo
Glenlivet XXV 25yo
Some very tasty parings with food and whisky. The 21yo Glenlivet Archive is my favorite Glenlivet expression, at least until I had tasted the XXV.