#Single Malt Review

[maltrunners]

KIMCHANGSOO Whisky (2021)

KIMCHANGSOO Whisky (2021) Review by: zSolaris Image Credit: Hankyung / Yonhap News Distillery: Kim Chang Soo. Region: Gimpo, Korea. Age: Distilled in 2021. Bottled August 29th, 2022. ABV: 48.7%. Reportedly cask strength. Cask Type: Uses 100L and 180L Korean oak (Shin Gal oak/신갈나무) casks. Color: 0.9, Amontillado Sherry. This is the 22nd installment of this years’ Christmas Countdown. You…

[bottlebrief]

Kavalan Classic Single Malt Whisky: A Balanced Experience - Whiskey Review

Rating 5/10 – Rating System Introduction Kavalan Classic Single Malt Whisky, hailing from Taiwan, has quickly gained recognition in the global whisky market. This whisky is produced by the Kavalan Distillery, which is known for its innovative approach and dedication to quality. Established in 2005, the distillery has leveraged Taiwan’s unique climate to accelerate the aging process, resulting…

[whiskyconsidered]

Ardbeg Wee Beastie 5 year old

The Basics: Do I recommend it?: Yes! Availability: Widespread ABV: 47.4% Presentation: Unchillfiltered General information: Heavily peated Bottling type: Proprietary Character: Smoky, maritime and surprisingly…Mexican? Score: 94/100 The details: I try to mix it up with my reviews; review some obscure stuff that you’ll only be able to dig up at auction, if even there, and review some…

[angelsportion]

Review - Eimverk, Flóki, Sheep Dung Smoked Reserve, 3 Years Old, 47%

You might be surprised to hear it, but I’m fascinated by rude people. Not in a good way, of course. Like you, my sinful side is usually rooting for a rude person’s demise. It’s just that the animalistic confidence is darkly intriguing. It’s the kind of behavior that, as I watch, I almost expect to hear David Attenborough’s voice narrating its necessity for a particular subspecies of humanity’s…

[whiskyaway]

Glenfiddich 15 Year Old Distillery Edition Single Malt Scotch Whisky

A Well-Executed but Short-Lived Glenfiddich Cask Strength Offering

I was tentative in approaching the Glenfiddich 15YO Distillery Edition because the Solera version is so well-loved. Thankfully, it keeps many of its promises, pulling me to a world of flavour so light that its mist disappears with the sun. 

Immediately, I recognize the easy aromas that make this such a great entry into the world of Scotch. On the nose is varnish, dressed in lemon skin and enmeshed in dried and dark fruit, particularly raisins. There is a hint of fresh strawberries as I pull the glass away, invigorating freshness that eventually blossoms like a well-aired flower shop. It takes me further still into the country, where short grasses sway under the large, watchful leaves of large trees. I’m surrounded by the smell of newly cut wood, muddled by the play of waxy crayons, before nectarines ripen on the branches, a little tart but still honey-sweet. As I move further into the glass, the whisky serves a large slice of Madeira cake --thick, moist, and spongy. This heavy flavour overhangs the easy, welcoming aroma of butterscotch candy.

The smell is whimsical and light; amazingly, its taste is a mature expression of these smells. After that short time outdoors, it brings me to a kitchen where I’m stuffing my face with bready, milk cookies, the vanilla radial as it swoops out with sweetness and spice. Pepper and raisins swirl on the palate, again touched by refreshing green apples and two flavours of wood, light and dry like kindling. I’m still very much in the comfort of a home, hints of fresh laundry sitting in a cupboard for a week and unloading the promise of sleep in the air. On the deep exhale, there is a dash of iodine and smoke, and then a crowd of nuts.

Despite the bustle of flavour, I don’t notice its ABV of 51% in the slightest, nor is there any lingering oiliness to smack my lips against. I wish there was more length and density to this; like any good memory, it should linger in the way the aforementioned flavours deserve. Instead, this well-conceived tableau disappears like paint that’s too thinly applied. It is incredibly easy to drink, but disappointment overshadows a story that is far too linear and short. I find myself wanting more! In fact, I was under the impression for months now that what I had tasted was the non-Distillery Edition until I looked at the tasting bottle labels from SMWhisky more closely. For its great taste but uncomplicated, too-safe execution, I give it a 6.5 out of 10.

[memories-of-ancients]

Currently drinking this

Having a little drinky poo of Rogue Dead Guy Whiskey before I turn in for bed. I really enjoy this one! It is made by Rogue, the craft beer maker, and to make this whiskey they use the mash bill for their Dead Guy Ale to make their whiskey! So it's a single malt made from malted barley. To me the aroma is very much like banana nut bread. It tastes of a very rich dark bread like a pumpernickel. Very bready. Also, it tastes like beer! Kinda like a dark lager minus the hops with a crisp pilsner finish. It tastes like what I imagine a whiskey would taste like if you distilled and aged beer. Which makes sense because they are using their beer mash.

I rate it 80/100. I saw a lot of reviews from 2 or 3 years ago where reviewers said it was terrible. I don't know if it's just my palate or if Rogue has improved their methods since then, but I definitely recommend it. Cost around $58 where I live.

[bellshazes]

beginning to get the sickness that is wanting to watch mindcrack content. any recommendations/tips/warnings?

i've really only ever watched etho & bdubs so my knowledge is fully localized to their seasons, so frankly i feel unqualified to advise. this hasn't stopped me from making lists over the years anyway so I hope these posts give you some starting points:

this ethubs-centric post, not just mindcrack; in that case, see also cora's herstory document that includes various mindcrack streams

my favorite bdubs mindcrack episodes; you HAVE to watch the e pranker stuff at least.

my favorite etho mindcrack episodes, which conveniently has some thematic groups at the top and also please please watch the PVP events they are some of my favorites. probably good for branching out into other povs

bdubs UHCs. even just specifically only the final episodes. i'm not gonna spoil it but give UHC 11 a spin and report back what you think the moral of the story is. also uhcs are fun though i've watched only a couple of them

speaking of other povs i must defer to @single-malt-scotch. speaking of SMS, here's all about that. also the delicious antagonism between nebris and etho. or this relic of season 4 in review.

FTB and crackpack and such are also out there and fun. they might be in the links above probably maybe somewhere. go for it. theres a mindcrack podcast as well but i've never listened to it personally

recommendations etc include just follow your whims and always give into your urge to skip around, speed through episodes, come back later, switch it up. these are old and the people who do still love it and talk about it don't have perfect recall or expect that of others if you end up wanting to jam. speaking of old... there will be slurs, occasionally, depending on your pov. yes even if you stick to etho pov.

since i never so much as looked at someone play minecraft until.... like, late 2019? i find peeking back at the first big mc boom very charming and interesting. it is anthropologically dear to me. have fun and tell me how it goes!

[whiskeyfellow]

Barrell Craft Spirits Cask Finish Series: Ice Wine Bourbon Review

Have you ever had a Bourbon finished in former ice wine casks? Barrell Craft Spirits just released one as part of its Cask Finish Series, and I’ve had the chance to try it. My review tells you all you need to know. Cheers!

[boozedancing]

Nikka Yoichi SIngle Malt Whisky Review

We’re kicking off 2024 with a review of a seriously delicious #Japanese whisky. It’s from @NikkaWhiskyUSA and their #Yoichi distillery. A no age statement release. Click the link to hear all about it.

For those of you that aren’t familiar with Japanese Whisky, when we were first introduced to it, affordable and accessible were the names of the game… Yamazaki 12 and 18, Hakushu 10, Hibiki 12, 17, and 21, Nikka Whisky from the Barrel, Nikka Yoichi 10, etc etc. In under 10 years, that all changed. The whiskies listed above are both elusive and wildly expensive. So what do you do when you can’t…

[thewhiskyphiles]

Aberlour 9 Years Old Batch 7

Aberlour 9 Years Old Batch 7 single malt scotch whisky from @BoutiqueyWhisky #review

1. What they say This right here is the seventh batch of single malt from the Aberlour distillery to be independently bottled by That Boutique-y Whisky Company! We’re no none the wiser as to why the chap in the top room of Aberlour’s Mash Tun hotel looks so scared. Will we ever know? It’s a question for the ages… While we ponder it, how about we enjoy some tasty Speyside single malt!? Batch 7…

[bowlzone]

Hi, have you ever tried gluten-free cereals? If so, are there any you'd recommend?

Hey there, I absolutely have! Besides from the one allowance of cereal, my feeble constitution requires me to stick to a fully gluten free diet. Unfortunately, they tend to have better gf cereal options in the US rather than here in the UK, where the staple of American gluten free breakfasts, the Cheerio, has been bastardised from its traditional oat base into a 'wholegrain' travesty.

There are also a needless amount of UK based cereals that contain malt syrup or something similar, technically making them contain low amounts of gluten when the base ingredient for the cereal itself is naturally gluten free. This really takes out Crunchy Nut and Coco Pops (as well as it's various spinoffs, like the strawberry and white chocolate flavour that perfectly hit every expectation one has of that particular taste combination).

For actual gf cereals here though, I tend to rely pretty heavily on Doves Farm. Their Chocolate Stars are my go to every day cereal, and although I think they could have a more full bodied and interesting taste, the texture rejects even a hit of sog and gives each bite a satisfying crunchy chew. I would recommend chucking some mix-ins in the bowl as well for a more decadent experience, a bit of fresh fruit and chocolate chips make the single dimension of the taste more engaging. Nestle's Go Free Honey Nut Flakes are also really great, and hit the spot if you are pining for some classic Crunchy Nut. I try to make an effort not to buy routinely from Nestle however, so my memory of how they actually stack up isn't particularly strong.

Apologies that most of this was me complaining about lack of gf options, I hope at least some of it was useful. I've got some gluten free cereals sitting on the shelf waiting to be opened and reviewed so hopefully soon this roster of recommendations can grow!

[maltrunners]

Copperworks 3 Year Release 048 New Oak and Manzanilla

Review by: DemiTastes For #ASMWAdvent2023 Day 4. When I visited Copperworks Kenmore on Sunday I got to try Release 048 which was new to me. I’ve heard of at least one previous release which incorporated a small amount of Manzanilla sherry, which got rave reviews for being sweet and nutty and still very much Copperworks. Per Copperworks’ website: “Crafted from the same whiskey used in Release…

[whiskyconsidered]

Lochside 1991 (Gordon & MacPhail/Connoisseur’s Choice)

The Basics: Do I recommend it?: Only to serious Scotch enthusiasts and completionists Availability: Auction ABV: 43% Presentation: Unspecified General information: Distilled 1991, bottled 2008, ~17 years old, matured in refill bourbon barrels Bottling type: Independent Character: Cereal, light fruit and herbal Score:  77/100 The details: Located in the East-Central Highland town of…

[thebottleboutique]

Celebrating the Greats of Japanese Whisky with Legendary Labels

Bonded by innovation and craft seamless Japanese whiskies label the country’s golden spirit of aesthetics and creating works. Through the years, quality brands like Yoichi, Hakushu Kogei Peated Malt and Hibiki have been present in global markets. And in this review, we observe some of the exceptional Yamazaki 18 Year and Hibiki 21 Year and some other special releases like the Hibiki 100th Anniversary.

The Beauty of Japanese Whisky

From the look of precision, there is passion in the making of Japanese whisky. Crafted with local ingredients, Japanese whisky is known for its mild depth and a wide variety of tastes. Water, climate, and time are crucial factors in forming the distinct characteristics of whiskies sought after by collectors such as the Yoichi 10 Year Single Malt.

Yoichi: A Tribute to The Past

Hakushu Kogei Peated Malt: A Smoky Symphony

Develop from the beautiful forests located in the Southern Japanese Alps, Hakushu Kogei Peated Malt easily enchants any whisky lover as they begin to drink it. This unique blend includes a blend of fresh herbal notes, along with a peaty taste, which allows this drink to be a fusion between history and nature. Its popularity is rapidly growing among those who have even the slightest appreciations regarding being complex.

Honoring Heritage: Hibiki 100th Anniversary

The Hibiki 100th Anniversary edition is an excellent blend that’s quite literally a perfect representation of a year long celebration. As it is a limited edition blend, it is a representation of the brand’s consistent motto of harmony and has a unique taste which does feel like it has aged with time. As for the collectors, this is something worth having especially if they are enthusiasts of Japanese whisky.

Excellence Refined: Yamazaki 18 Year

As for the aged whiskies, the Yamazaki 18 Year is at the top and its a masterpiece among the elite aged whiskys. Yamazaki 18 Year is also known to have an exotic taste filled with dark chocolate and a sweet mix of dried fruits with hints of oak wood, given its complexity and multitude of fruity flavors. This drink can be the perfect ‘last piece of the puzzle’ in one’s collection as this exquisite drink won numerous accolades globally.

A Collector’s Gem: Hibiki 21 Year

Pour it over ice or drink it neat, the Hibiki 21 Year demonstrates smoothness and sophistication like no other. It is in fact a masterpiece that is made by carefully blending malt and grain whiskies. There’s honey, dried plums and a light perfume of smoke; everything in one bottle and a nice fusion of old and new.

Innovation in Craft: Yamazaki Kogei

The Yamazaki Kogei is in fact the future of whisky processes and techniques. The label features traditional skillsets combined with innovative taste to create a new frontier. It showcases the potential and changes of Japanese whisky to whisk new and younger generations of whisky drinkers.

[cathygeha]

REVIEW

The Drowning Game by Barbara Nickless

Taking a chance on a new book is much easier when every book previously read by the author has been excellent. I met this author on her second book, was hooked, and have been on the line ever since. This is either a standalone novel or perhaps (fingers crossed) the beginning of a new series.

What I liked:

* The Legend of the Merlion and how it tied into the story

* The perfect title for the book and the story behind it

* The epigraphs that introduced each section

* That Cassandra Brenner’s introduction in August grabbed me and made me want to keep reading

* Nadia Brenner: yacht designer, wealthy, close to her sister Cassandra, daughter of generational megayacht family empire, loves her family, believes in the work she does, in a relationship with Matthew, learns and grows a lot, has inner strengths she finds in this story

* Cassandra: strong, enjoys excitement, loves Shanghai, puts family first, protective, caring, not seen much but pivotal piece in this book

* The yin/yang of the sisters personalities

* Learning more about yachts and yacht building

* The plot, pacing, setting, and writing

* The subplots that bring in more than one family name and the issues and the family histories that impact the present in a variety of ways

* The new tidbits learned about Asia, Asian philosophies, games I’d never heard of

* The tension and reason for it

* The twists, turns, secrets exposed, and how it all came together in the end

* The ending…but also wondering if perhaps it is just the beginning of a new series…would love to get to know the main characters better?

What I didn’t like:

* Who and what I was meant not to like

* Thinking about Karma and wondering about how it might have played a part in some of the characters’ lives

* The loss of some of the lives of some of the characters

Did I like this book? Yes

Would I read more by this author? Yes

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the ARC – This is my honest review.

4-5 Stars

BLURB

A woman’s investigation into her sister’s death exposes the dark side of a secret life in a gripping novel of power, money, and murder by a Wall Street Journal bestselling author. Sisters Nadia and Cass Brenner are heirs to Ocean House, a decades-old empire that builds superyachts for the rich and emirs, oligarchs, and titans of industry throughout America and Europe. They’re a next-generation success with the design of their soon-to-be-commissioned megayacht for a Chinese billionaire. But the sisters’ entrée into the coveted Asian market is tragically cut short when Cass falls from a fortieth-floor hotel window. A Singapore detective rules suicide. Nadia’s been in the yacht business too long not to be suspicious. Especially when she discovers Cass’s involvement in dangerously illicit activities. Pulled into the same web of betrayal, lies, and secrets that trapped her sister, Nadia is on the most perilous mission of her life. Because uncovering the truth behind her sister’s death could tear the Brenner family apart—and it just might get her killed. From Seattle to Austria to the South China Sea, Nadia must hold on to the one thing that can keep her safe. It’s the Brenner family Trust no one.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Barbara Nickless is the Wall Street Journal and Amazon Charts bestselling author of Play of Shadows, Dark of Night, and At First Light in the Dr. Evan Wilding series, as well as the Sydney Rose Parnell series, which includes Blood on the Tracks, a Suspense Magazine Best of 2016 selection and winner of the Colorado Book Award and the Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence; Dead Stop, winner of the Colorado Book Award and nominee for the Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence; Ambush; and Gone to Darkness. Her essays and short stories have appeared in Writer’s Digest and on Criminal Element, among other markets. She lives in Colorado, where she loves to cave, snowshoe, hike, and drink single malt Scotch—usually not at the same time. Connect with her at www.barbaranickless.com.

The Drowning Game by Barbara Nickless Thomas & Mercer | January 1, 2025 | 380 pages | Trade Paperback Original | ISBN 9781662510014 $4.99 Kindle e-Book | ASIN B0D183RYWK $19.99 Digital Audio | ISBN 1511344261