While the focus of this site is primarily on reviews of beer and wine (the staples), we do occasionally enjoy other beverages (particularly Scotch), and will post reviews as well. If you are looking for a regular Scotch whisky review, I recommend subscribing to The Scotchcast. My regular Scotch purchase this time led me to The Dalmore, and I happened to get a Dalmore glass along with it, complete with stag's head logo and a thick glass bottom, from which I will be trying the Scotch. The glass does have a slight tulip shape, adding to my ability to nose the Scotch a bit.
Distillery: The Dalmore Distillery Alness, Ross-shire, Scotland
Overview: The Dalmore Distillery has been making malt whisky since 1839. The Dalmore distills using copper stills and then ages the whisky in Spanish oak sherry wood casks. The Dalmore distillery is heavily associated with the Clan MacKenzie, sharing the stag's head on the bottle that adorns the MacKenzie coat of arms.
Neat:
Nose: Dark fruits are predominant. Some mild spice and a hint of maple syrup in the end. Sherry definitely is hidden in there, with a quite forward black cherry. Mild hint of salt. A worn piece of shoe leather and a few old books round out the nose for quite a balance with the sweetness.
Appearance: Dark amber, some gold and copper highlights like a clover honey. Does run the glass some, not too watery.
Flavor: Extremely mild up front, with a hint of sweetness. Finish is long and leaves salt and some burn on the tongue and throat. Dark fruits are present, but slight, perhaps mixed with figs. Perhaps a hint of clove, cinnamon, and other spiciness in the mouth. What's interesting is there is absolutely no burn with the Scotch in the mouth until swallowing, and the vapors of the finish provide the alcohol warmth.
With Water:
Nose: Salt is gone, but still a very nice balance of roasting dark fruits in a library lined with dark woods and old books.
Appearance: Water does not really change appearance at all. Perhaps lightens the gold characteristics.
Flavor:A little more smoke is present with the water, which is strange (or perhaps I didn't notice before), but the burn is entirely gone. The flavor, however, is not. Some honey sweetness starts to come out of the flavor. Very creamy feel in the mouth.
Overall Impression: My preference is always for the lighter Scotches, which tends towards the Speysides, but occasionally drifts to the Highlands, Lowlands, and last the Islays. The Dalmore was, as are many of my Scotch purchases outside of my preferred small set of "standards," an impulse buy at the store, but it was a very good choice nevertheless. This Scotch has a wonderful complexity to it, but is not overwhelming with any particular flavor, and its balance carries over well to the addition of water, which, with this whisky, is my preference. The complex flavors are there, but with substantially less burn in the finish.
Vitals:
Style Highland Single Malt
Maturation Age 12 Years
Price $44.00
Found In Local Liquor Store
Alcohol Content 40% by volume
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Friday, August 6, 2010
Wine: 2009 Arbor Crest Sauvignon Blanc
Bouquet: Fruity with light butter. Some lime, apples, light fruits.
Appearance:Clear, extremely pale yellow, perhaps a light corn silk, with a slight greenish tint.
Flavor: Sweet in the mouth, with some bitterness in the finish. Leaves a slight astringency on the tongue as it goes down. Grows on you as you drink, with Granny Smith apples and hints of citrus. Not overly bitter, and extremely well balanced.
Overall Impression: This white is immediately refreshing and extremely deceptive. I picked this up, to be honest, because it was a "select manager's special" at the local liquor store, but it turned out to be excellent, and really complex for a young white wine. When it first hits your tongue, it carries with it a sweetness that seems almost out of character and more in line with a Riesling or Gewurtzraminer, but upon swallowing, the dryer finish balances out the sweetness almost perfectly, making this a wonderful drinking wine. If you like Sauvignon Blanc, this is definitely worth picking up to try.
Vitals:
Vintage: 2009
Varietal Sauvignon Blanc
Price $13.99
Found In Local Liquor Store
Alcohol Content 13.2% by volume
Monday, August 2, 2010
Beer: Dogfish Head 60 Minute IPA
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| Used with permission Dogfish Head Brewery |
Overview: Dogfish's "session IPA" boasts 60 hop additions over 60 minutes and is the most tame of their three IPA brews - junior kid to the 90- and 120-minute versions.
Aroma: All hops. Some sweet citrus hop flavors fronted by fresh grapefruit notes. Hints of greenery with an undertone of lemon punching through the grapefruit. Slight candy sweetness underneath the hops (I only find this once my nose starts to get fatigued). Some possible fresh cut grass.
Appearance: Rich gold color with a giant foamy white head potentially requiring a staged pour. Some light hints of orange in the color, but primarily a deep, rich gold, reminiscent of a Scotch whisky. Crystal clear.
Flavor: Hit with a quick malt that instantly disappears into typical hop bitterness. Grapefruit lighter in the flavor that in the nose but still present. Bitterness lingers well past the finish to hang on to the sides of the tongue. There is a slight undertone of malty sweetness, perfect for balancing the IPA without detracting from the dominant hoppiness.
Overall Impression: The brewery describes this as their "session IPA," and while I am not sure I could consume six or eight of these without being worse for wear from the alcohol, I definitely agree that this is an easily drinkable "party IPA" that will not knock you down halfway through the first one. Overall quite enjoyable and with a good hop profile which does not overwhelm with a particular grapefruit or other flavor but still maintains the excellent blend of bitter flavors. While this beer primarily makes me want to go find the 90- and 120- minute versions for a try, it also has staying power on its own as something to keep around as a "go-to" for IPA flavor without an immediate punch in the skull.
Vitals:
Style American IPA
Price $8.99/six-pack
Found In Regional Liquor Store
Alcohol Content 6.0% by volume
Availability Year-round
Bitterness 60 IBU
Rating: 95
Monday, July 26, 2010
Beer: Stone Smoked Porter
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| Used with permission Stone Brewing Company |
Overview: Stone Brewing Company's Arrogant Bastard and IPAs often cycle through my beer fridge, leading me to want to check out the Stone Smoked Porter (and I'll get back to the "staples" in later reviews). I have had mixed feelings about smoked beers generally, and have found them to have notable ups and downs, but did not let the "smoke" in the name of this beer scare me off.
Aroma: Hints of campfire smoke, chocolate syrup, a slight sugary sweetness from malt with hints of caramel and syrup.
Appearance: Deep, dark brown with some very slight garnet highlights around the edges giving the tone of rich wood - the brewery describes it as "mahogany" on the bottle. Solid, frothy light tan head leaves a light lacing down the glass that falls out.
Flavor: Rich flavor with a full mouthfeel that sticks around. Starts like baking chocolate, mixed with a strong cup of coffee. Some coffee bean acidity with a strong roasted ending that lingers on the tongue. Some hop bitterness balances out the bold flavor. Some light thoughts of plum jam on toast, dunked in a cup of morning joe. Smoke flavor not overwhelming, but present, with some hardwood elements.
Overall Impression: I have yet to dislike a beer I have tried from the Stone Brewing Company, and this Smoked Porter is no exception. I was truly expecting an overzealous attempt to bring a smoke flavor out front, but it is only a backing note in this beer and helps to complement the roasted flavors that dominate the overall porter style of the beer. Instead of a charcoal-overwhelmed experimental beer, the Stone Smoked Porter is a well-balanced, roasty example of deliciousness.
Vitals:
Style Other Smoked Beer
Price $4.99/22 oz. bottle
Found In Regional Liquor Store
Alcohol Content 5.9% by volume
Availability Year-round
Bitterness 53 IBU
Rating: 95
Monday, July 19, 2010
Beer: Shiner 101
Brewery: Spoetzl Brewery Shiner, Texas
Overview: While the label on a given Shiner beer may not always accurately reflect the style of beer inside, they do still make some exceptionally drinkable beers. Add to that probably the broadest reach of a Texas brewery, along with the variety of beers that they produce, and you have a good recipe for success. A few years back, Shiner started working towards their centennial with annual specialty brews, some of which have been quite exceptional. Now, one year past the centennial celebration, the 101 is marketed as a Czech-Style Pilsener, though their website mentions it as a Helles, which would be a Munich Lager with a more dominant malt profile.
Aroma: Some malt profile with bread-like notes. Light citrus hops aroma. Fresh smell, very little complexity.
Appearance: Crystal clear gold. Extremely thin white head that does hang around the edges. Constant stream of bubbles - this beer does not flatten quickly.
Flavor: Upfront fresh hops hit right off the bat leaving some bitterness in the throat but with a very short finish. Crisp mouthfeel from moderately high carbonation. Very low maltiness evident in the flavor though what is there balances some of the hop bitterness in the middle.
Overall Impression: I am always intrigued to try Spoetzl's new brews, just to see where they fall, be it seasonal or annual or otherwise. The 101, however, doesn't track on my top five beers to have emerged from Shiner, Texas. The lack of any overwhelming maltiness settles the Pilsener versus Helles question for me, setting this in along side a Pilsner Urquell or other Czech Pils, but with a little bit more of a "mass-market" flavor profile. I could certainly see swapping this out in your fridge if you are stocked to the brim with American Lite Lagers, and possibly even replacing the occasional standard import Pilsner, but I'm not going to replace anything with a higher level of flavor. Overall, I'd say this is a fine beer to drink in an extended session on the lake or at the pool, or perhaps after doing the yardwork, but not something to take much time to consider or work your way through. Chug it down, feel refreshed, and move along.
Vitals:
Style Bohemian Pilsener
Price $7.49/six-pack
Found In Grocery Store Beer Aisle
Alcohol Content 5.5% by volume
Availability Year-round/Limited Release (2010)
Bitterness 25 IBU
Rating: 87
Overview: While the label on a given Shiner beer may not always accurately reflect the style of beer inside, they do still make some exceptionally drinkable beers. Add to that probably the broadest reach of a Texas brewery, along with the variety of beers that they produce, and you have a good recipe for success. A few years back, Shiner started working towards their centennial with annual specialty brews, some of which have been quite exceptional. Now, one year past the centennial celebration, the 101 is marketed as a Czech-Style Pilsener, though their website mentions it as a Helles, which would be a Munich Lager with a more dominant malt profile.
Aroma: Some malt profile with bread-like notes. Light citrus hops aroma. Fresh smell, very little complexity.
Appearance: Crystal clear gold. Extremely thin white head that does hang around the edges. Constant stream of bubbles - this beer does not flatten quickly.
Flavor: Upfront fresh hops hit right off the bat leaving some bitterness in the throat but with a very short finish. Crisp mouthfeel from moderately high carbonation. Very low maltiness evident in the flavor though what is there balances some of the hop bitterness in the middle.
Overall Impression: I am always intrigued to try Spoetzl's new brews, just to see where they fall, be it seasonal or annual or otherwise. The 101, however, doesn't track on my top five beers to have emerged from Shiner, Texas. The lack of any overwhelming maltiness settles the Pilsener versus Helles question for me, setting this in along side a Pilsner Urquell or other Czech Pils, but with a little bit more of a "mass-market" flavor profile. I could certainly see swapping this out in your fridge if you are stocked to the brim with American Lite Lagers, and possibly even replacing the occasional standard import Pilsner, but I'm not going to replace anything with a higher level of flavor. Overall, I'd say this is a fine beer to drink in an extended session on the lake or at the pool, or perhaps after doing the yardwork, but not something to take much time to consider or work your way through. Chug it down, feel refreshed, and move along.
Vitals:
Style Bohemian Pilsener
Price $7.49/six-pack
Found In Grocery Store Beer Aisle
Alcohol Content 5.5% by volume
Availability Year-round/Limited Release (2010)
Bitterness 25 IBU
Rating: 87
Monday, July 12, 2010
Beer: Mirror Pond Pale Ale
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| Used with permission Deschutes Brewery |
Overview: Mirror Pond Pale Ale is a product of Deschutes Brewery, which started as a brewpub in 1988 in Bend, Oregon. They have several year-round brews as well as a variety of seasonal selections. Mirror Pond is Deschutes' most popular beer.
Aroma: Malt sweetness, some hop aroma of citrus with less prominent herbal notes. Hints of caramel.
Appearance: Clear gold with substantial white head. Small amount of lacing present as it drinks down.
Flavor: A healthy dose of malt sweetness is the first note, with a predominant hop bitterness that follows it down. Slight grapefruit hints in the bitterness.
Overall Impression: Overall, this is an incredibly easy drinking beer. The hop bitterness is extremely noticeable but not out of place for this pale ale, and it finds itself well balanced with the malt. The beer is not overwhelming with any particular attribute, which simplifies the flavor and allows for a more drinkable result. Overall, quite a nice pale ale that definitely could use a place in the rotation.
Vitals:
Style American Pale Ale
Price $1.99/single (part of a mix-and-match 6 pack)
Found In Chain Import Store, Grocery Store Beer Aisle
Alcohol Content 5.0% by volume
Availability Year-round
Bitterness 40 IBU
Rating: 91
Monday, July 5, 2010
Beer: Big Sky Moose Drool
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| Big Sky Moose Drool by kapital Licensed under Creative Commons |
Overview: Moose Drool first hooked me when I was looking for an example of an American Brown Ale to try. I found it at a local pub, and gave it a try. Since then, I have gone back to it again and again. The brewers indicate it is the best selling beer in Montana, and, while that might not say much to someone living in a metroplex with over ten times the population of the entire state of Montana in our metropolitan area alone, it still is worth checking out.
Aroma: Sweet roasted malty aroma, some light citrus from hops, slight alcohol.
Appearance: Brown, not opaque, with red highlights when viewed with backlight. Tan to white head very persistent with some lace that persists as you drink the beer down.
Flavor: Heavy roast and coffee flavors present themselves up front, though the body of the beer is not heavy, and lends itself to easy drinking. Some hints of caramel and burnt malty sweetness come through. Some hop bitterness and roasted coffee flavors persist into a finish.
Overall Impression: I really have to admit that at first I was afraid that the roast of this beer may end up making it a heavy beverage, and while I am not sure I can drink several of these over a night, I do enjoy Moose Drool as a refreshing and settling beer at the end of a long day. Moose Drool has made its way into a go-to beer slot for a light-bodied, roasted beer.
Vitals:
Style American Brown Ale
Price $9.99/six-pack
Found In Regional Liquor Store, Local Pub
Alcohol Content 5.3% by volume
Availability Year-round
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