The BenRiach Peated Cask Strength Batch 2 Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Hello Single Malters, today I have BenRiach peated cask strength Batch 2 whisky for the reivew. Reads the product label "Benriach peated cask strength is a rare peated Speyside Single Malt bottled at it's natural state. The strength is kept high as if sampled from the cask and the natural color has developed over the years. The full flavor from the wood remain". No words express the depth of flavor your palette will go through after sampling this golden liquid. Now let me take you to the roller coaster ride fun I had with my tasting notes. Enjoy!

Vital Stats-
The BenRiach Peated Cask Strength Batch 2 Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Price- $89.99
Age- No age statement
ABV- 60%
Region- Speyside
Distillery-The Benriach Distillery,Morayshire,Scotland
Awards won- Gold,2019 World Whisky Awards

Tasting info-
Serving glass- Glencairn whisky glass
Serving style- Neat then with 2 cubes of ice
Appearance- Light golden

Aroma- Heavy peat, citrus, vanilla& spices
Flavor- Exactly how it should be heavily peated, smokey, robust. Multiple layers of complex flavors. After the bitter peat ,sweet oak follows.
Body- Full bodied
Finish- Sweet lingering aftertaste

SJ's Rating- Top Shelf (for those who like smokey peated)

It was like a roller coaster ride tasting this 60% ABV smokey whisky. It is not for the faint of heart. Surprisingly once the bitterness was gone, I was greeted by sweet oak like a good old friend. In other words you need to take your time to really enjoy this robust bad boy. First I tired it neat and felt like a dragon was breathing down my throat. It is that strong. I realized a couple of ice cubes makes the flavor more palatable.

Occasions- Special occasions like turning a boy into a man :-), winter, connoisseur tasting.
Cocktails- None. Meant to be enjoyed neat or on the rocks

I enjoyed it on the rocks as well ! Cheers. Merry Christmas & Happy New Year. See you all in 2020.

WoodFord Reserve Kentucky Bourbon

Reads the product label "The art of making fine bourbon first took place on the site of the Woodford Reserve Distillery, a national historic landmark in 1812". Hello friends on this note I am reviewing Woodford Reserve Kentucky Bourbon which has set a hallmark standard for exceptional bourbon. It certainly has a long history & legacy behind it and an amazing product that speaks for itself. It is widely associated with the Kentucy Derby and sell a lots of delicious Mint Julips during the event.

Without further delay, I am unleashing the tasting notes. Enjoy.

Vital Stats
WoodFord Reserve, Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whisky
Price- $26.99 for 750ml bottle, $4.49 for 50ml sampler(pictured)
Age- N/A
ABV- 45.2%
Distillery- Woodford Distillery, Versailles,Kencutky
Awards won- Gold Medal,Class Bartenders Awards 2018

Tasting info-
Serving glass- Glencairn Whisky Glass
Serving style- Neat
Appearance- Dark Amber

Aroma- Vanilla, citrus, cinnamon, pepper, spices
Flavor- Sweet oak, pleasant toffee, vanilla, butterscotch, nutmeg
Body- Full bodied
Finish- Smooth & long.Lingers in mouth for a while.

SJ's Rating- Top Shelf

WoodFord Reserve is one of my favorite bourbon in the ranks of Makers 46. For me it hits the spot, smooth with just the right amount of sweetness and delicious. If you are looking for a sipping bourbon then this fits the bill. 

Occasions best enjoyed- Connoisseur tasting, on a quiet cold evening by the fireside.Special gift
Cocktails- Manhattan, Old Fashioned

Leaving you with the quintessential drunk humor😃😃😃😃

Hope you enjoyed reading the review. Not in the mood to read? Listen to my SingleMaltLives Podcast instead. Cheers 🥃🥃🥃 & Enjoy Responsibly.

Fistful of Bourbon

Friday night with a nice bourbon and a Clint Eastwood western movie. This is one of my pleasures of life and a bourbon that sounds like a western is an icing on the cake. Today I am reviewing Fistful of Bourbon, it is a blend of straight bourbon whiskies . Even the mini sampler comes in a nice glass bottle unlike cheaper plastic ones. It is aged in new charred oak barrels aged for a minimum of two years. Now for the best part lets see if this fistful packs any punch or falls flat on it's knees. Time for my tasting . Enjoy!

Vital Stats-
Fistful of Bourbon - A blend of straight bourbon whiskies
Price- $23.99 for 750ml, $0.99 for 50ml sampler(pictured). Gifted to author by a friend 😃
Age- 2 years
ABV- 45%
Bottled & produced by- William Grant & Sons Inc New York,NY
for Tuthilltown Spirits Gardiner,NY
Awards Won- None found but I would give an award just for it's name

Tasting info- 
Serving glass- Glencairn whisky glass
Serving style- Neat
Appearance- Light golden

Aroma- Corn, vanilla, fruits and hint of oak & nuts. Aromas from all different bourbons blended
Flavor- Many different flavors from the blends corn,caramel, vanilla, oak. Strong omnipresent burning sensation, spicy, some sweetness but has more bite to it like a fireball whisky.
Body- Medium
Finish- Medium dry finish, burning sensation lingers in mouth for a bit
SJ's Rating- Middle Shelf
I like the idea of blended bourbon and the taste is soothing.

Occasions- Low key events like outdoors camping
Cocktails- Old Fashioned, Manhattan, with club soda to curb that sting of strong alcohol

A little humor
Cowboy to Bartender, "Wash your hands and give me three fingers of red rye whisky". 🤣🤣🤣

Hope you enjoyed the review. Not in the mood to read? Listen to my SingleMaltLives Podcast instead. Cheers ! 🥃🥃🥃 & enjoy responsibly

Glenlivet New Fashioned

Hello everyone, today I am making a classic cocktail with a twist. It is called Glenlivet New Fashioned. The original recipe is the Classic bourbon Cocktail old fashioned which I have written in my blog as well. I got the Glenlivet New Fashioned cocktail kit in a sipping session that I went last month. So thought would be interesting to make it myself and present it here for you. The difference between them is that The New Fashioned uses Scotch(Glenlivet) whereas old Fashioned is made with bourbon So lets get started, I cannot wait.

Contents of the Glenlivet New Fashioned Cocktail kit

From left to right the recipe, 2 bags of raw sugar, A small bottle of Angostura Bitters, A bar spoon/muddler and a small bar towel, 50 ml of Glenlivet 14 whisky(not included) 

Step 1 Take a mini bottle of the Glenlivet whisky, one cup of ice and one empty cup

Step 2 Combine one pack of cane sugar, 3 dashes of Angostura bitters and whisky in the empty cup

Step 3 With the muddler end of the bar spoon lightly crush the sugar and stir to dissolve(This is where SJ's magic happens) 

Step 4 Pour the cocktail over ice, stir for 10 seconds and Enjoy!

Step 5 Admire the color, aroma of the finished product and savor it slowly

I absolutely enjoyed making and drinking The new fashioned. Hope you enjoyed as well and inspired to make it for you and your loved ones to enjoy.
Cheers ! and enjoy responsibly.
Not in the mood to read? Listen to my SingleMaltLives Podcast instead.