Highland Queen Majesty Sauternes Cask Finish

Highland Queen Majesty Sauternes Cask Finish is for today's review. The product story reads "Since 1961, Mary Queen of Scots has embodied the enduring and noble values, history and independent spirit of Scotland. Highland Queen Majesty Sauternes Cask Finish has been carefully selected from the the finest malts in Scotland to offer a distinctive and smooth whisky, for the enjoyment of all. The result we leave with confidence to your judgement". Let me see if it matches up to the legacy 😃. Upon some research I found that the whisky comes from Tullibardine Distillery along with other distilleries for its blended expressions. Enjoy my tasting notes! 

Vital Stats-
Highland Queen Majesty Sauternes Cask Finish 
Price- $22.99 for 750ml bottle
Age- NAS(No Age Statement) 
ABV- 46%
Company-  Alexander Murray & Co Ltd
Region- Highland
Awards won- None I could find on the net.

Tasting info-
Serving glass- Glencairn whisky glass

Serving style- Neat
Appearance- Light Amber
Aroma- Pleasant aroma green apple, white grapes from sauternes cask, citrus & honey
Flavor- Intense oak flavor slightly sweet taste from the sauternes wine cask. Vanilla & honey notes
Body- Medium
Finish- Smooth, long and dry. Does not linger is mouth too long.

SJ's rating- Middle Shelf
I loved it for the intense and robust flavor like Glenlivet 12 First fill. It does not get the top spot for one reason.... the finish which is very short. However for the price, it is more than worth the money
Occasions best suited- For casual gatherings with friends. I enjoyed with friends while playing cards.

Cocktails- Not applicable. It does go well with club soda if it is too strong for some people.

Cheers! and enjoy responsibly. Not a big reader? Listen to my podcast https://www.buzzsprout.com/344792

Buffalo Trace Kentucky Bourbon

Buffalo Trace Bourbon..what can I say about this...it was an unknown liquid for me until I tried it out not too long ago. Do not be fooled by the lower price tag, it packs a surprisingly delicious flavor which I am sharing today in my review. I have been emphasizing in my blogs that the price of whisky is not necessarily an indicator of it's flavor.Buffalo Trace is a perfect example of this. 

It has a timeless history and any words would not do justice to the impeccable craftsmanship behind their whiskey. According to their website... Buffalo Trace distillery opened way back in 1792(Oh my....) and for over 200 years it has been defined by dedication to one craft- making fine bourbon whiskey. That sums it up pretty well and I am attesting it's legacy in my blog. Honestly I would give it an honorary Top Shelf just for it's legacy. However, everyone has their own tastes so sharing my experience with this whiskey. Enjoy! 

Vital Stats
Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight Bourbon
Price- $22.99 for 750ml (Pictured $4.29 for 50ml sampler bottle)
Age- N/A
ABV- 45%
Distillery/Region- Buffalo Trace Distillery Frankfort,Kentucy
Awards won- 2016 Double Gold, San Francisco World Spirits Competition among many others

Tasting info-
Serving glass- Glencairn whisky glass

Serving style- Neat
Appearance- Dark Amber
Aroma- Very pleasant and complex aroma of caramel, chocolate with hints of cinnamon, clove spices & mint
Flavor- Rich vanilla, sweet, spicy with toffee and citrus
Body- Medium
Finish- Incredibly long and smooth. Taste lingers in the mouth forever
Occasion best enjoyed- Outdoors like camping and a good gift for a bourbon lover. Suitable for all occasions.
Suitable cocktails-  Old Fashioned, Manhattan

SJ's rating- Top Shelf

Buffalo Trace is a hidden gem... a Rolce Royce of bourbons. It is smooth and delicious bursting with rich flavor. Highly recommended. With a robust 45% ABV, it packs a punch and knocks out competition with its unique flavor. It is now among my top go to bourbons like Makers Mark and Woodford Reserve. 

Topo Chico mineral water- Palette Cleanser

Fellow Single Malters , today I am reviewing a different kind of beverage -Topo Chico carbonated mineral water. I know it is not what I usually review but it is an essential drink for a proper drinking etiquette. I am turning the spotlight to the neglected humble club soda that lies on the table with the boozier liquid taking all the attention. 

As humble as it may be, Topo Chico has an interesting history behind it. The company began in 1895 and was acquired by Coke in 2017. It is sourced and bottled at the Cerro Del Topo Chico, Monterrey, Mexico. It is said that the water has healing properties which makes the drinker happy,strong and refreshed. I can attest to this on a hot summer day,a big fan of Topo Chico like most Texans and would like to visit their factory in Monterrey soon. I am not sure about the availability of Topo Chico elsewhere in the country. 

Vital Stats
Topo Chico Mineral Water
Price- $9.99 for 12 pack(12oz bottle)
Country/Region- Monterrey, Mexico
Beverage type- Carbonated water(Also comes in lime and grapefruit flavor)
Calories- Zero

Tasting notes

Since this is not whisky it would be silly of me to review it in that way. I need to come up with a different template to rate non-alcoholic drinks. All I can say is it  crisp, cleansing and hydrating what else can one ask for? The best way to drink is with a slice of lemon.(Just like Corona ). Not to forget it is a great mixer for whisky based cocktails like Mint Julip.

SJs Rating-  Top Shelf

A palette cleanser like Topo Chico is carbonated and does an excellent job in resetting the taste buds after a delicious meal. It also hydrates as you loose water when drinking alcohol which is a diuretic. While any club soda like San Pellegrio will do, I prefer Topo Chico because it has a clean, crisp taste and the packaging is cool too, it feels like a beer bottle.
Bonus tasting etiquette  
-Do not put overly aromatic perfume because it will interfere with the aroma of the whisky.
-If you use a hand lotion try a neutral one so that it does not hinder your(or others) smelling ability.
If you do not like carbonated water here are other options that work just as well
Coffee or Espresso (Black) 

Mint- I like Altoids minis

Leaving you with very cool vintage ads of Topo Chico

I enjoyed putting this together, hope you guys enjoyed reading it.
 Is reading not your thing? No problem! listen to my SingleMaltLives Podcast

Aha Yeto Reposado Artesanal Tequila

Hello Single Malters, I am back with the Aha yeto Tequila series with it's artesanal Reposado. Not too long ago, I had reviewed Aha Yeto Artesanal Blanco Tequila & Aha Yeto Artesanal Anejo Tequila. Today's tequila has been sponsored by the very lovely people at Old Town Tequila. They are a superstore of Tequila and Mezcal. I would love to review Mezcal in my coming days. Looking forward to a long lasting partnership with Old Town Tequila in the days to come. 

Aha Yeto Reposado is made with 100% Agave and is aged under a year. It is made from estate grown , mature agave plants by highly experienced distillers to capture the highest quality alcohol to bring the agave's characters. With so much skill and love into making this golden liquid , it is meant for sipping straight. Only then can you appreciate the unique flavor this authentic tequila has to offer.
Compared to similar competing tequila like Patron, I find this much more flavorful and very unique. 

Vital Stats
Aha Yeto Reposado Tequila 
Price- $47.99 for 750ml( Mine was sponsored by Old Town Tequila)
ABV- 40%
Age-Under one year
Country of origin- Mexico
Distillery- Distileria Rancho El Cabrito
Awards won-2010, Spain Awarded Highest grade (94 points) , imported alcoholic beverage

Tasting info-
Serving glass- Glencairn whisky glass

Serving style- Neat
Appearance- Faint golden yellow
Aroma- Agave slightly aged in barrel. Nice aroma almost like an anejo. Wiff of Fresh lemon and citrus
Flavor- Exactly like expected. Very subtle on the palette, spices, clove, cinnamon, peppermint
Body- Medium
Finish- Subtle on the mouth, light and smooth. Lingers a short time.

SJ's rating- Middle Shelf 
Very pleasant tequila to sip. Middle shelf because it would not do justice to Anejo which is better apparently as it is aged more. Aha Yeto Reposado has it's own character. It is a light sipping tequila good for summer.
Enjoy responsibly. In mood to listen and not read? Check out my SingleMaltLives Podcast for more whisky reviews.

Dewars White Label

Today I am reviewing Dewar's White Label-True Scotch.The product story in the bottle reads "A scotch of unusual subtlety and refinement. Up to 40 of the finest malt and grain whiskies are blended together in perfect harmony, to create this time honored blend". Dewar's was established in 1846, talk about being around for a while :-)

Now the fun part..enjoy my tasting notes and find out if Dewar's White Label lives up to it's legacy.

Vital Stats-
Dewars While Label Blended Scotch 
Price- $18.99 for 750ml ($2.29 for 50ml sampler bottle)
Age- N/A
ABV- 40%
Country/Region- Scotland
Manufacturer- Bacardi
Awards won- Gold,Blended standard 2018 The Scotch Whisky Masters

Tasting info-
Serving glass-  Glencairn Whisky Glass

Serving style- Neat
Appearance- Light Golden
Aroma- Lemon, citrus, honey, pepper spices , fruity aroma
Flavor- Bursting with subtle spices, oak. Taste of clove and cinnamon
Body- Medium
Finish- Lingers in mouth for a while. Quite smooth and enjoyable

SJ's Rating- Middle shelf

Highly enjoyable and smooth like a well rounded whisky. It is a little light on the palette which is why it is in my middle shelf. It is a good value for money and a crowdpleaser. Also good for mixing. Compared to similar blended whiskies like Johnnie Walker Red I enjoyed it more as it is more refined flavor. It is almost like a single malt I loved the flavor. 

In the mood to listen whisky reviews and not read? check out my SingleMaltLives Podcast