BOWMORE 16 YEARS OLD SHERRY MATURED ISLAY SINGLE MALT 1990
11254
750 mL $119
TASTING NOTE: The deep topaz color is lovely; flawless clarity. This aroma is off the charts in terms of assertive scents of lead pencil, iodine, sea salt, and inner tube; seven more minutes of exposure to air bring out salty sherry notes as well as hints of prunes, dates, black raisins, cigarette ash, and smoked trout. Aggressive in the palate entry, this taste profile is equal parts sherry and seaweed; the midpalate stage showcases more of the sherry influence than the maritime influence and the result is deliciously raucous, hearty, and far more unruly than most Bowmores, which are renowned for their island grace and power. No grace here; just flat out in-yer-puss Islay grit and electric strength. A tongue-tingling experience ... Highly Recommended.
Score - **** (out of 5).
(F. Paul Pacult,
www.spiritjournal.com,
2007)
BOWMORE 37 YEARS OLD ISLAY BOURBON CASK SINGLE MALT 1968
37135
750 mL $1599
TASTING NOTE: Nose: Scented, spicy with some Seville orange, cedar then sweetness into poached tropical fruit, and mint. A complex aroma with hints of rancio. Palate: Oak lends a firm edge, balancing concentrated raspberry fruit initially fragrant before deepening into dark vegetal areas. Finish: Long, fruity, silky. Comment: What a start! A truly magnificent dram and for me miles ahead of the competition.
Score - 9 (out of 10).
(Dave Broom,
www.whiskymag.com)
GLENFIDDICH VINTAGE RESERVE SINGLE MALT 1973
606145
750 mL $849
Each year, Glenfiddich selects a specific scotch for their annual Glenfiddich Vintage Reserve Scotch. For the first time, they selected a sherry butt-matured single malt for this rare honour. Most Glenfiddichs are matured in bourbon casks, so this was a unusual choice indeed. Malt Master, David Stewart, describes the scotch as follows: "The dark colour is the deepest of any Vintage Reserve release to date. The nose has rich oak notes, a subtle nuttiness and sherried sweetness that leads to a stunning sweet and spicy sensation upon taste and a warm and lingering finish". There were only 861 bottles of this unique product for the entire world.
Japanese Whisky
YAMAZAKI SINGLE MALT WHISKY AGED 18 YEARS Japan
54494
750 mL $109
TASTING NOTE: One of the most sophisticated Yamakazi noses of them all, somehow combining an ancient Kentucky bourbon, oaky depth with rich plum pudding, an element of old pot still Port Morant Demerara rum and the most distant smoke. There is no dominance and no beginning nor end: just perfect harmony. Taste: Succulent and chewy, the build-up and middle is one of ever-increasing sugared oak. Finish: Hints of liquorice and burnt raisin balance beautifully with the thick oak and powering malt. Balance: Indisputably brilliant whisky for all its obvious age.
Score - 93.
(Jim Murray,
Whisky Bible,
2007)
YAMAZAKI SINGLE MALT WHISKY AGED 12 YEARS Japan
54767
750 mL $59
TASTING NOTE: The Suntory Single Malt Whisky "Yamazaki" Aged 12 Years is 43% Alcohol by Volume and has a rich gold appearance. Although whisky can be drank straight, we added a bit of water to our tasting glasses to open up the whisky and bring out the full flavors, and we nosed dried fruit aromas, prune, nuts, wood, caramel and someone even smelled chocolate. The taste was creamy, buttery, sweet, dry, with prune and wood. This is a medium-body whisky with a pleasant lingering warm finish.
(Debra C. Argen,
luxuryexperience.com,
May 2006)
Cognac
HARDY NOCES D'OR COGNAC With Gift Box
622548
700 mL $250
TASTING NOTE: Deep amber-bronze in color. Opening nosings pick up distant, delicately fruity and viny aromas; time in the glass allows for more expressive aromas such as pine, honeysuckle and oak to come alive. In the mouth, the sweet flavors of dark caramel, honey, oloroso Sherry, candied walnuts and spiced pears make for intriguing and beguiling tasting from palate entry through midpalate. Closes beautifully, as rich, warming tastes of tea, cedar, tobacco and honey excite the taste buds. Highly recommended.
Score - 90-95.
(Wine Enthusiast,
Feb. 2003)
Armagnac
LAUBADE ARMAGNAC 1958 AC
54650
700 mL $375
In 1958, Elvis Presley joined the army, Sir Edmund Hillary reached the South Pole overland, Gigi was named Best Picture, and the Hula Hoop was introduced. This Armagnac is the perfect gift for friends or family celebrating their 50th anniversary or birthday this year. Rare, rich and spicy, this would go well with a dark chocolate cake. Felicitations!
LAUBADE ARMAGNAC 1957 AC
54668
700 mL $425
In 1957, Dwight D. Eisenhower was President of the United States, Leave it to Beaver premiered on television, Bridge on the River Kwai won the Best Picture Oscar, Jack Kerouac's On the Road was released, Velcro was patented, and Jackie Robinson retired from baseball. A perfect meditative libation for those who are old enough to remember 1957 and even for those who are not.
LAUBADE BAS ARMAGNAC 1977 AC
54635
700 mL $145
The year 1977 saw the release of the film Star Wars, Fleetwood Mac's record Rumours, and Alex Haley's book Roots. The Toronto Blue Jays played and won their first game and Pierre Trudeau did his famous pirouette behind the back of the Queen. And Laubade made this Bas Armagnac. Let it take you back 31 years.
Brandy
GONZALEZ BYASS LEPANTO OLOROSO VIEJO SOLERA GRAN RESERVA DO Jerez
49056
700 mL $75
Lepanto is named to commemorate the 16th century naval battle where Spain defeated the Ottoman empire. Most of the 15 years of ageing occurs in a regular sherry cask, but the last five is spent in a sweeter Oloroso sherry barrel. This rich and vibrant brandy has the taste and character to echo the exciting and colourful history of its namesake.
GONZALEZ BYASS LEPANTO PEDRO XIMÉNEZ SOLERA GRAN RESERVA DO Jerez
49049
700 mL $75
As in the case of their Oloroso Viejo Solera Gran Reserva (49056, $75), Lepanto's Pedro Ximénez (PX) brandy is aged for 15 years in sherry casks and then spends five years in barrels that previously held Gonzalez Byass' great sweet sherry, Noe, made with the PX grape. The resulting brandy is smooth and incredibly elegant with a pretty hint of PX sweetness. A brandy to enjoy around the fireplace after a fine meal.
