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    Home » American Whiskey

    Published Oct 27, 2017 · Updated Apr 16, 2022 · by Tammy Spencer · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Random whisky reviews from individual notes

    Jump to Reviews

    Writing up tasting notes for Dalwhinnie Scotch, WhistlePig Straight Rye, Basil Hayden's Straight Bourbon, and Slane Irish Whiskey. It's a random, eclectic group, but worth reading.

    Collage of Dalwhinnie, Slane, Basil Haydens, and WhistlePig bottles.this …

    When I first discovered scotch, I knew I needed to write down what I had tried and what I liked about it, so when I'd go into restaurants I'd know what to order. So I did, using the Notes app on my laptop. And I kept adding to those notes for almost 1½ years, until one fateful day, all my notes were gone.

    Pfft.

    Poof.

    [insert other appropriate sound effect here]

    I don't know why or how it happened, and I couldn't seem to restore them from my backup. ** SIGH **

    This blog then became a record of my review notes...another backup, if you will.

    a small scone
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    Most of the time I go to tasting events with a lineup of 4 to 6 samples (like Whisky Wednesdays at Gordon's DTX or a more formal tasting), but when I go to a restaurant and order something or go to someone's house and they're pouring a new expression for me, I write up my tasting notes for those expressions as well.

    This post, then, is a short collection of some of those random tastings I come across. There's no rhyme or reason to how I collected these notes to present to you. Instead, think of it as a cleaning up of my files for my (and your) perusal. And so I don't lose these notes again, Heaven forbid!

    Let's begin, shall we?

    Jump To: hide
    Random whisky reviews from individual notes
    Dalwhinnie Winter's Gold
    Slane Irish Blended Whiskey
    Whistlepig Rye 10yr
    Basil Hayden Kentucky Bourbon
    Final thoughts
    Related Tasting Notes

    Random whisky reviews from individual notes

    Dalwhinnie Winter's Gold

    43%ABV
    I found this bottle last weekend at a friend's house and knew I had to give it a try
    Dalwhinnie Winter's Gold is a 2015 addition to the Highland distillery's range inspired by the chilly climate up in the remote part of Scotland where their single malt Scotch whisky is distilled - as the label remarks, it was "Crafted by the Cold". It's made only with spirit that has been distilled between October and March, and interestingly enough, they suggest that you try serving this expression frozen!
    Type: Scottish

    Tasting Notes

    • Nose: Honey, butterscotch
    • Taste: Very soft, medium body, caramel, pineapples, bananas
    • Finish: Fades quickly, cinnamon and brown sugar lingers
    • Comments: So approachable! Wonderful sweetness and no fire. I had it room temperature, but trying it cold sounds interesting
    Dalwhinnie Winter's Gold bottle on a counter.

    Slane Irish Blended Whiskey

    40% ABV
    At last week's Gordon's DTX Whisky Wednesday; from the family that runs Slane Castle in County Meath, Ireland; this Irish whiskey is aged in 3 casks:
    Heavy toasted New American Oak adds the flavors of butter and vanilla; Jack Daniels cask gives notes of brown sugar and banana; Oloroso sherry butt adds raisin notes and body to the spirit
    Type: Irish

    Tasting Notes

    • Nose: light vanilla, slight pineapple
    • Taste: hay, cinnamon spice, medium body, light
    • Finish: banana, very light raisins on the finish (need to look for it)
    • Comments: very soft & approachable, had characters not usually found in Irish Whiskey
    Slane Irish Whiskey bottles on a counter.

    Whistlepig Rye 10yr

    50% ABV
    A slightly older discovery from a restaurant last summer; aged in New American Oak with a bourbon barrel finish, a nice rye
    Type: American

    Tasting Notes

    • Nose: corn, rye underneath, hint of vanilla
    • Taste: pepper immediately, hint of sweet Toffee candy before rye rises,
    • Finish: spice lingers in the back of the throat, Rye slowly fades
    • Comments: the rye isn't overpowering, it's balanced by the sweetness; with water: pepper is tempered so sweet corn and caramel is more prominent, rye becomes even more sublime. Finish fades faster
    WhistlePig Straight Rye Whiskey 10 year bottle on a counter.

    Basil Hayden Kentucky Bourbon

    40%ABV
    Recommended by a friend last summer...had to try it!
    Type: American

    Tasting Notes

    • Nose: Soft nose, corn, hints of rye, slight vanilla oak
    • Taste: hit of pepper first, rye shows up,
    • Finish: some dark chocolate decided to join the mix and lingers
    • Comments: I really like this! The rye is pleasantly balance with the sweetness of the corn. A good sipping bourbon
    Basil Hayden's Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey bottle.

    Final thoughts

    It's good to know that I can count on the Internet to hold my notes so I can keep writing whisky reviews. Nothing can happen here, can it?

    Slainté! L’chaim! Cheers!

    Tammy

    Related Tasting Notes

    Whiskey can be found all over the world, and it has such a rich and diverse array of flavor profiles and distinct characteristics from which to choose. Here's where you can find a whiskey or bourbon I've reviewed from America. Cheers!

    • American Whiskey

    More American Whiskey Tasting Notes

    • Smugglers’ Notch Distillery whiskey
    • WhistlePig Rye Whiskey Comparisons
    • On the Rocks Premium Cocktails
    • Selecting Single Barrel Picks for Limited Edition Bottles

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    Hi, I'm Tammy! My fascination with baking comes from my love of science and the magic of bringing together ingredients to produce something yummy. Coupling that with my appreciation of scotches and bourbons, I love to bake stuff, jot down my whisky tasting notes, and share my experiences with you!

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