Neil Yamamoto
29th December 2003, 20:56
OK, Been way too swamped with things in life - you know, that thing training in martial arts is supposed to compliment and make better. Don’t believe all that garbage, it’s just what we do because we don’t fit into society…
Important things – New booze I’ve tried lately due to Holiday gatherings where I have been forced to attend. Good Booze for the budget minded. All under $25 (For those who appreciate better booze, I thought I’d share)
Lismore $20
This is a 5 year old single malt and I’m told the source is Glen Rothes. I don’t know that for sure, but my taste buds approve highly. There is a very rich malt honey sweet taste, some nuttiness with a bit of bite in the mouth, a light to medium sherry overtone, a with very light smoke in the background. The finish is medium in length, very warm. Yeah, this makes my list of “Must Buy” bargain scotch.
Tomatin $25
This is simply one of the easiest sipping scotches I’ve had. There is nothing outstanding about this scotch when examined in stages. The aroma is short with sherry overtones, a little light. In the mouth it’s impressively smooth, well balanced in flavor with a soft mild sherry honey fruitiness. The finish is medium, with a hint of smoke and more sherry and fruit coming out. But combine it all together and the bottle disappears very rapidly. It’s just so easy to keep topping off your glass that the bottle just seems to vaporize when around anyone who drinks scotch.
Glen Garioch 10 year old. $22
This was my bargain bin scotch that I kept in the cabinet at 8 years old until the 10 year old version came along. But I replaced it with Tomatin and Lismore when they hit the shelf. Sure, it’s good still but not as good as the other two. Still, this has a nice light sherry aroma, a good taste of fruit sweetness and a malty flavor in the mouth, and some smoke in the background with a short finish that has a bit too much heat. I wouldn’t turn down a wee dram of this if offered.
Old Charter Bourbon 10 year old $19
This surprised me, it’s got a lot of rich vanilla oaky nose, more of the same in the mouth, with a nice sweetness that comes on at the back of your mouth, with a sweet long finish, just a hint of bite. Would make a good mixed drink if you like, but I think it’s about perfect with a splash of water or on the rocks.
Angus Dundee Pure Malt $15
This is a vatted malt, and if the press is correct, has about 20 single malts in it’s make up. It’s got a slight smoke, mild sweetness with a hint of spice, surprisingly smooth finish with some toffee in the background. Nothing fancy here, but it’s a good one to offer to anyone who wants a mixed drink.
Flor De Cana 7 year old $24
Actually, I’ve had this one around a while but never thought to mention it for some obscure lack of mental capacity. This is rum from Central Americas, Nicaragua specifically. It’s got a warm vanilla and orange in aroma and palate, smooth but a hint of fire, oak, molasses, and honey wheat finish. Really nice to sip on the rocks, a twist or wedge of lemon or lime. This makes a kick butt and forget your name hot buttered rum. The black and white versions at 5 years and younger are great mixing rums and make a great mojito. If you don’t know what a mojito is, go find out and buy me one.
Glen Moray 12 year old $24 and Classic $20
This is Glenmorangie’s lesser known sister distillery. It’s got a good bit of peat and smoke, a light wood and oak background, some spicy overtones with a dry fruit crisp sweetness. Finish is medium and spicy. The classic entry level is actually better, more fruit and sweetness in a better balance of flavor, spicy and warm, with a medium finish with more spice.
Whew, time to rest my liver.
Important things – New booze I’ve tried lately due to Holiday gatherings where I have been forced to attend. Good Booze for the budget minded. All under $25 (For those who appreciate better booze, I thought I’d share)
Lismore $20
This is a 5 year old single malt and I’m told the source is Glen Rothes. I don’t know that for sure, but my taste buds approve highly. There is a very rich malt honey sweet taste, some nuttiness with a bit of bite in the mouth, a light to medium sherry overtone, a with very light smoke in the background. The finish is medium in length, very warm. Yeah, this makes my list of “Must Buy” bargain scotch.
Tomatin $25
This is simply one of the easiest sipping scotches I’ve had. There is nothing outstanding about this scotch when examined in stages. The aroma is short with sherry overtones, a little light. In the mouth it’s impressively smooth, well balanced in flavor with a soft mild sherry honey fruitiness. The finish is medium, with a hint of smoke and more sherry and fruit coming out. But combine it all together and the bottle disappears very rapidly. It’s just so easy to keep topping off your glass that the bottle just seems to vaporize when around anyone who drinks scotch.
Glen Garioch 10 year old. $22
This was my bargain bin scotch that I kept in the cabinet at 8 years old until the 10 year old version came along. But I replaced it with Tomatin and Lismore when they hit the shelf. Sure, it’s good still but not as good as the other two. Still, this has a nice light sherry aroma, a good taste of fruit sweetness and a malty flavor in the mouth, and some smoke in the background with a short finish that has a bit too much heat. I wouldn’t turn down a wee dram of this if offered.
Old Charter Bourbon 10 year old $19
This surprised me, it’s got a lot of rich vanilla oaky nose, more of the same in the mouth, with a nice sweetness that comes on at the back of your mouth, with a sweet long finish, just a hint of bite. Would make a good mixed drink if you like, but I think it’s about perfect with a splash of water or on the rocks.
Angus Dundee Pure Malt $15
This is a vatted malt, and if the press is correct, has about 20 single malts in it’s make up. It’s got a slight smoke, mild sweetness with a hint of spice, surprisingly smooth finish with some toffee in the background. Nothing fancy here, but it’s a good one to offer to anyone who wants a mixed drink.
Flor De Cana 7 year old $24
Actually, I’ve had this one around a while but never thought to mention it for some obscure lack of mental capacity. This is rum from Central Americas, Nicaragua specifically. It’s got a warm vanilla and orange in aroma and palate, smooth but a hint of fire, oak, molasses, and honey wheat finish. Really nice to sip on the rocks, a twist or wedge of lemon or lime. This makes a kick butt and forget your name hot buttered rum. The black and white versions at 5 years and younger are great mixing rums and make a great mojito. If you don’t know what a mojito is, go find out and buy me one.
Glen Moray 12 year old $24 and Classic $20
This is Glenmorangie’s lesser known sister distillery. It’s got a good bit of peat and smoke, a light wood and oak background, some spicy overtones with a dry fruit crisp sweetness. Finish is medium and spicy. The classic entry level is actually better, more fruit and sweetness in a better balance of flavor, spicy and warm, with a medium finish with more spice.
Whew, time to rest my liver.