Friday, August 30, 2019

Hogs 3 Kentucy Straight Bourbon


Reads the product story in the bottle "This mature kentucky bourbon whisky has been aged for over 3 full years in newly crafted & charred American White Oak Barrels from which it takes its depth of colors & smooth dry taste".That explains the number three in it's name. Now it is time to see if it lives up to it's story. Moving on to the best part , my tasting notes :-). Enjoy.

Vital Stats
Hogs 3 Kentucy Straight Bourbon
Price- $19.88(For 750ml bottle)
ABV- 40%
Region- Kentucy, USA
Produced by- Quality Spirits International
Awards won- Silver 2015 &2016, Bronze 2018 International Wine and Spirits Competition

Tasting info-
Serving style- Neat
Serving Glass- Whisky Glass
Appearance- Pale Yellow

Aroma- Honey with hints of chocolate and clove.Also smelled cinnamon, orange zest, oak
Flavor- Toasted fruit with chocolate,orange and vanilla
Body- Medium bodied
Finish- Warm, pleasing and short lingering sweetness

SJ's Rating- Middle Shelf
For the price it is surprisingly flavorful. It is a little on the sweeter end just like any bourbon. It is an easy to drink whisky, would go well on the rocks as well. It does not really have a deep complex flavor like scotch of course. Also, because of it's price point it is ideal for large parties or using it in cocktails. I believe it would make a mean Old Fashioned or a Manhattan. Yum!

Have a great Labor Day Weekend. Cheers 🥃🥃🥃🥃 and Enjoy Responsibly.

Thursday, August 22, 2019

Aha Yeto Blanco Artesanal Tequila



A few months back I had published a review on Aha Yeto Artesanal Anejo Tequila which I had enjoyed with friends. With the power of this digital footprint, I got in contact with the lovely people of Aha Yeto. They were kind enough to send me a few bottles of their tequila for my blog. I appreciate their kind gesture and am reviewing Aha Yeto Blanco Artesanal Tequila for today's review. Price point wise this is their lowest offering followed by Reposado and Anejo. 
In my last blog I had questions from readers asking what the difference was between "Aha Toro" and "Aha Yeto". So I reached out to them to clear the confusion once and for all.  According to Aha Yeto, there is no difference between "Aha Toro" and "Aha Yeto", it was an issue with brand registration. It is distilled at Destileria Rancho Cabrito. "Aha Toro" brand was found in found in 1998, "Aha Yeto" in 2002. A consistent brand image would further strengthen this brand, just like the outstanding tequila it produces for the world to enjoy. In the same price point and category,Aha Yeto Blaco easily outruns competition like Patron silver in terms of flavor and value for money. 


Vital Stats-
Aha Yeto Blanco Artesnal Tequila 
Price- $42.99 for 750ml bottle
ABV- 40%
Country/Region- Mexico
Distillery- Destileria Rancho El Cabrito
Awards won- 2010,Spain Awarded highest grade(94 points), imported alcoholic beverage category

Tasting info-
Serving glass- Glencairn Glass

Serving style- Neat
Appearance- Clear, white, colorless
Aroma- Even being a blanco it has the aroma of an anejo, aged barrel, blue agave and oak wood
Flavor- Do not be fooled by it's color, very flavorful. Bursts in mouth like an anejo, spice, peppermint, like a mouth freshener, smooth ageing in barrel flavor
Body- Medium
Finish- Smooth, lingers in mouth for a bit but apparently not as smooth as an Anejo or Reposado

SJ's Rating- Middle Shelf
All of Aha Yeto's products are no less than middle shelf. It is an excellent tequila at every price point and sets the bar high for tequilas. Even when comparing it with the more popular Patron silver, it is way higher in quality, flavor and smoothness. I would not be able to sip a Patron sliver neat but Aha Yeto Blanco is surprisingly smooth even for its base product. I think the artesanal craft comes into play which gives it a unique flavor.
Look out for Aha Yeto Reposado review in my upcoming blogs.

Thursday, August 15, 2019

A. De Fussigny Selection Cognac



Hello Single Malters, Today I am sampling and reviewing A De Fussigny Selection Cognac. I have a unique appreciation for the French on their expertise to extract golden liquid out of grapes. I do not like wine but am inclined to Cognac as it suits my palette. Made from white grapes Cognac is a blend of brandy from different regions in France. A Cognac must aged for at least 2 years in French oak. A De Fussigny Distillery was established in 1814 and is located in the banks of Charente River(which flows into The Atlantic ocean in the Bay of Biscay) Sounds exotic already!
I have just started to scratch the surface of Cognac which is as vast as the Scotch domain. More in depth research and tastings to follow in my upcoming blogs.Now let's get down to tasting the labors of the French and see if it lives up to their name :-)

Vital Stats-
A.De Fussigny Selection 
Price-$2.99 for 50 ml bottle($37.99 for 750ml bottle)
Age- 2 years
ABV- 40%
Country/Region- Cognac, France
Distillery- A De Fussigny
Awards won- None I could find online

Tasting info- 
Serving glass- Glencairn Glass

Serving style- Neat
Appearance- Dark amber
Aroma- Fresh wine smell , oak aroma from barrel, various white grapes , spices clove, pepper, breazy aroma of wine
Flavor- Well rounded ripe grapes, smooth cinnamon, clove spice
Body- Full bodied
Finish- Incredibly smooth and flavorful, feels like a nice mouth freshner. Flavor lingers in mouth for a while

SJ's Rating- Top Shelf 
A De Fussigny Selection Cognac hits the spot for me. It suits my palette as a whisky drinker. It is flavorful and highly enjoyable. It makes for a perfect after dinner drink as a digestive. It has such a mellow and light flavor that any beginner or ladies can enjoy it as an alternate to wine.

Drunk humor- Two finger joke
A Roman walks into a bar and holds up two fingers, "Sir can I have five beers please". 

Enjoy responsibly and Cheers. 🥃🥃🥃🥃🥃🥃


Friday, August 9, 2019

Aberfeldy 12 Highland Scotch Whisky



Today I am reviewing an interesting whisky Aberfeldy 12 Highland Scotch. I say interesting because it's flavor profile is quite unique with a burning sensation. Upon some research I found that the distillery sources it's water from "The Pitilie Burn". It is said the water is pure and fresh and "The Burn" is known to contain deposits of alluvial gold. Wow I feel very rich drinking this lol. Owned by Bacardi it is mellwed for twelve years in Handmade Oak casks. 

Vital Stats
Aberfeldy 12 Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Price-$30.59 for 750 ml bottle
Age- 12 years
ABV-40%
Region- Highland
Distillery- Dewar's Aberfeldy Distillery, Perth,Scotland
Awards won- Gold,Scotch Single Malt Highland-2019(International Wine & Spirits Competition)

Tasting info-
Serving glass- Glencairn glass
Serving style- Neat(with few drops of filtered water to open aroma)

Appearance- Light golden
Aroma- Smokey burnt aroma, citrus, hints of fruits, lemongrass, pepper
Flavor-  Strong burning sensation, smokey flavor, clove, pepper
Body- Medium bodied
Finish- There is a certain bitterness and burn, short aftertaste,not very smooth

SJ's Rating- Middle Shelf
Aberfeldy 12 is an interesting whisky on the palette. It is a middle grade single malt scotch. If you like burnt, smokey flavor this whisky is for you. Good for casual drinking and not much complex flavors. Have it on the rocks to numb the burning sensation. 

Thursday, August 1, 2019

High West Double Rye Bourbon review and Utah Mount Jordan hike


Like I promised last week, this is part 2 of my Utah visit. Today I will review High West Double Rye Bourbon which was part of the whisky flight in High West Distillery. Also, I am sharing some pictures of Mount Jordan hike in Utah and some other fun moments. Let me start with the beautiful Mount Jordan hike pictures and the whisky review at the end.


Hike starts here






                                  Trying my mountain climbing skills on a children's rock :-)


Yep horses are not allowed! for safety reasons
A good sized deer welcomed us early in the hike
The way to another trail. It has several ones depending on how long you want your hike to be

Scary suspension bride 

Some graffiti creative artists showing their talent underneath a bridge

Relaxing after the short hike 



 Feasted on the most delicious Chinese food at Sweet Ginger.


Enjoying the party afterwards with friends. 




Vital Stats-
High West Double Rye Bourbon
Price- $25.99 for 375ml bottle
Age- A blend of straight rye whiskies ranging from age 2 to 7 years
ABV- 46%(Whoaa..that's how I like it...strong)
Distillery- High West Distillery, Park City, Utah
Awards won- Gold Medal, International Review of Spirits

Tasting info-
Serving glass- Whisky flight tasting glass

Serving style-  Neat
Appearance- Light golden
Aroma- Fresh herbs and spices. Pleasant botanical, cinnamon, clove, mint, spice wood
Flavor- Spicy, powerful flavor of rye and herbs
Body- Full bodied
Finish- Smooth medium finish

SJ's Rating- Middle Shelf
This whisky is excellent, it is just because I sampled it as part of a whisky flight it ranks lower than others. It is just my preference, if you like rye whisky it is a great selection. Also, I compared it to HW Grand Prairie bourbon and don't prefer Rye whisky that much. Highly recommended for any occasion. Enjoy it neat or on the rocks.