Sampling a wide array of single malt scotch from 375 Park Avenue Spirits extensive lineup is special. Sampling with friends from Whisky Wednesday scotch tastings at Gordon's DTX makes it extra special.
Jump to:
- 375 Park Avenue Spirits tasting
- 375 Park Avenue Spirits
- My Tasting Notes
- Speyburn 10 year
- Old Pulteney 12 year
- Balblair 03 10 year
- Speyburn Arranta (No Age Statement)
- Old Pulteney 17 year
- Balblair 90 25 year
- anCnoc Cutter
- A generous friend
- Glen Grant 32 year
- Signatory Vintage Macallan 1990
- Final Thoughts
- More scotch tasting notes by region
- Comments
Scotch tasting events are more than just trying out a lineup of samples.
They're about learning things about the brand, the production process, and the expression itself. I've learned so much, from how whisky is made, to the importance of cask influence, to the difference between the regions of Scotland.
However, there is one aspect of whisky tastings that so much more important than education, that is sharing the tasting experience with others. Those others start out as strangers, but if you go to enough Whisky Wednesdays or brand presentations, these like-minded people start to become acquaintances, then friends.
And that's where the real joy of tasting events lies.
375 Park Avenue Spirits tasting
It was because of my Whiskey Wednesday friends that I found myself out one evening at a single malt scotch tasting. It was hosted by the North Shore Whisky Club and presented by Erik Greenstein, Brand Ambassador for 375 Park Avenue Spirits.
I sat a table completely filled by my friends from Gordon's, and, as they say, a good time was had by all.
375 Park Avenue Spirits
Here's some brief information into the 375 Park Avenue Spirits lineup:
- Balblair
- established in 1790, the oldest distillery in the Highlands
- Edderton, Highlands
- "Balblair" means "battle"
- Old Pulteney
- located in the maritime community of Wick, Highlands
- a wide portfolio of various age expression and styles, including maritime theme exclusives
- anCnoc
- distillery sits directly on the border of Speyside & Highland regions, uniquely reflected in the whisky style (noses like a Speyside, tastes more like a Highland)
- Knock-Banffshire, Highlands
- "anCnoc" (pronounced an-knock) means "the hill"
- Speyburn
- smooth and fruity in style with broad, easy drinking appeal
- Rothes, Speyside
And now…to the glasses!
My Tasting Notes
375 Park Ave Spirits Single Malt Scotch
Hosted by: North Shore Whisky Club
Presented by: Erik Greenstein, November 3, 2017
Speyburn 10 year
43% ABV
Type: Scottish
Keywords: Scotch, Single Malt, Speyside, Whisky
Tasting Notes
- Nose: Honey, white chocolate, light citrus, cotton candy, hay
- Taste: Light body, honey sweetness, white pepper rises, hay and grass notes
- Finish: Lasts softly, clover honey on the back of the tongue, menthol at the end, fades out to heat
Comments
Nice & light - it tastes like summer, and is easy to drink. Some heat, some sweet.
Old Pulteney 12 year
43% ABV
Type: Scottish
Keywords: Bourbon Cask Finish, Highland, Scotch, Single Malt, Whisky
Tasting Notes
- Nose: Raisins, cooked fruit, cover honey, a little bit of mocha
- Taste: Creamy, thick, sweet plums, rich and spicy
- Finish: The raisin/chocolate flavor lingers, fades to roof of mouth warmth, flavor fades quickl
Comments
Not a sherry bomb or cloying, it's pleasantly balanced and is chill-filtered (when so many other single malts aren't). Note: I've reviewed this expression before if you want to see my previous tasting notes.
Balblair 03 10 year
46% ABV
Type: Scottish
Keywords: Highland, Scotch, Single Malt, Whisky
Tasting Notes
- Nose: Prunes, burnt sugar, slightly floral, butter
- Taste: Soft entry, pine rises, light body, vanilla fudge sweetness
- Finish: Fades to soft black pepper then slightly sweet
Comments
The nose doesn't match the taste, and my expectations were surprised. It's nicely approachable, yet not a spice hit. Note: I've reviewed this expression before if you want to see my previous tasting notes.
Speyburn Arranta (No Age Statement)
46% ABV
Type: Scottish
Keywords: Bourbon Cask Finish, Scotch, Single Malt, Speyside, Whisky
Tasting Notes
- Nose: Honey, light and sunshine, grass, butterscotch
- Taste: Oily, thick body, brown sugar, nutmeg-topped egg custard
- Finish: Cinnamon kicks in, fades to creamy custard
Comments
Excellent! Tastes like melted vanilla ice cream.
Old Pulteney 17 year
46% ABV
Type: Scottish
Keywords: Bourbon Cask Finish, Highland, Oloroso Cask Finish, Scotch, Single Malt, Whisky
Tasting Notes
- Nose: Coffee, molasses, rum distillery
- Taste: Dark chocolate, banana, medium body with oil, white pepper
- Finish: Fades quickly, vanilla cream lingers, no burn or heat
Comments
Dark & stormy with lots of character. It's a good scotch for beginners to try, and really quite good. Note: I've reviewed this expression before if you want to see my previous tasting notes.
Balblair 90 25 year
46% ABV
Type: Scottish
Keywords: Bourbon Cask Finish, Highland, Oloroso Cask Finish, Scotch, Single Malt, Whisky
Tasting Notes
- Nose: Raisins and cooked plums, deep caramel, dark chocolate
- Taste: Medium body, pumpkin pie spices, vanilla bean ice cream custard
- Finish: Fades to light caramel, very lightly astringent at the tail end
Comments
Deep color, but not a sherry bomb. I liked it very much. Note: I've reviewed this expression before if you want to see my previous tasting notes.
anCnoc Cutter
46%ABV, Peated to 22.5ppm
Type: Scottish
Keywords: asdf
Tasting Notes
- Nose: Mountain campfire, pine, menthol, oak and prunes peek out
- Taste: Smoke dominated, sweet floral notes rise, thick body, oily
- Finish: The sulfur and ash returns, lasts long on the mid tongue
Comments
This was my favorite of the lot.
A generous friend
One of the wonderful things about going to these tastings with friends that are experts and collectors is that sometimes one will bring something from home for us to try.
My friend, Norm Simonton, is one such generous soul, and he brought two wonderful bottles for us to try.
Glen Grant 32 year
51% ABV
Type: Scottish
Keywords: asScotch, Single Malt, Speyside, Whiskydf
Tasting Notes
- Nose: Molasses, coffee, cooked fruit underneath
- Taste: Light spice, pine, currants, ginger, liquid molasses
- Finish: Fades to black licorice
Comments
Absolutely fabulous with lots of taste! Like drinking a liquid gingerbread cookie.
Signatory Vintage Macallan 1990
43% ABV
Type: Scottish
Keywords: Scotch, Sherry Cask Finish, Single Malt, Speyside, Whisky
Tasting Notes
- Nose: Butter, pineapple, green grass, citrus
- Taste: Butterscotch, bright hay, apple tart with flaky butter crust
- Finish: Pine at the end, some spiciness, candy corn
Comments
So soft but extremely bright, with lots of flavor layers.
Final Thoughts
Now when I go to Whisky Wednesday, I try to welcome and engage with the new people I see at the tastings.
I introduce myself (and hand out my card for this website, a bit of shameless self-promotion), then ask about their thoughts on what we've tried. I usually ask their names again, and before they leave I tell them I hope to see them again next week.
Because it's nice for the crew to grow.
I hope you like this review! If you've tried any of the expressions and have your own tasting notes, please leave a comment. Thanks!
Slainté! L'chaim! Cheers!
- Tammy
Gretchen Hahn says
One of my favorite blog posts you've done; perhaps it's because I count myself as one of your whisky friends. 🙂
Tammy says
Thanks, Gretchen. I’m so happy to have you as a friend! 😉