Twisted X Austin Lager beer

Imagine a hot summer day in Dallas,TX. It is 105 degrees Fahrenheit and in the backyard with my kiddo for some pool time. Could not be a more perfect setting for an ice cold beer. Today I am reviewing Twisted X Austin Lager beer. I like trying local products and this happens to be made in TX. Established in 2011,it is a fairly new brewery & also has IPAs, Blonde Ales in its product line. Located in Dripping Springs (Interesting name ) it is about 30 miles west of Austin. 

As the label indicates Austin Lager, it is a lager beer. So what exactly is lager?  I am no beer expert & it gets quite boring to get down to the technical details. Simply put lagers use an entirely different type of yeast during fermentation. For a normal beer drinker all you need to know is it reflects on the appearance, aroma and flavor of the beer. Lagers are lighter and have a more crisp fresh taste to it and of lesser IBV. It all depends on the preference of a drinker, if they prefer a darker ale or a lager. Also the choice comes down to the environment , time of the day and weather. For example, I prefer a darker higher ABV beer during winter and lager in summer.  

Vital Stats- TwistedX -TX Austin Lager beer

Price- $8.49 for 6pack of 12oz cans
Age- N/A
ABV- 5.2%
Region- TX,USA
Brewery- Twisted X Brewing Co,Dripping Spring,TX
Beer style- Lager
Awards won- None found so I personally give it my gold medal 😀 for summer beer.
Tasting info-
Serving glass- Tall beer glass
Serving style- Ice cold
Appearance- Light, pale yellow

Aroma- Fresh citrus, lemon,fresh hops, chocolate
Flavor- Crisp,Incredibly delicious, sweet, orange,lemongrass, hops. Very well balanced
Body- Medium
Finish- Nice & smooth, short lingering from hops
SJ's Rating- Top Shelf(Of refrigerator in this case 😀)

This is amazing, well crafted lager beer. It felt like heaven sipping this cold one on a hot summer day in Dallas.
Occasions best enjoyed- Outdoor/pool party, summertime
Cocktails- N/A
SJ's Pro tip- Alternate to darker beer like Shiner Bock. Perfectly light & summer drink

I absolutely had a blast drinking this beer, the environment was perfect for this cold one. I am sure you guys will quench your thirst with it and find out as well. 

Cheers! Enjoy Responsibly.

Not in the mood to read? Listen to my SingleMaltLives Podcast instead.

Tobermory 10

Today I am reviewing Tobermory 10. Tobermory Distillery is the only distillery in the Isle of Mull. It is one of the oldest as well, established in 1798... of wow 😀 really? What a legacy. They produce two kinds of whiskies -Non peated Tobermory & the heavily peated Ledaig. Their product line also includes gin. 

The interesting part is due to its location in the coast, the flavor reflects maritime influence with subtle salty notes. It is very unique & one that many single malt lovers would be caught by surprise. 

Now lets get to the tasting info , Enjoy!

Vital Stats- Toberymory 10 Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Price- $54.73 for 750ml bottle($4.99 for 50ml pictured sampler bottle)

Age- 10 years

ABV- 46.3%

Region- Isle of Mull

Distillery- Tobermory Distillery,Isle of Mull,Scotland

Awards Won- 2009 Gold, International Wine & Spirits Competition

Tasting info-

Serving glass- Glencairn Whisky Glass

Serving style- Neat

Appearance- Pale,light gold

Aroma- Light, very slight hint of peat, breezy, fruity, sherry from bourbon cask ageing,chocolate,citrus

Flavor- Sweet & light, honey, spices, pepper & fruits.

Body- Medium

Finish- Smooth,short linger, peat & sweet flirts with palette 

SJ's Rating- Top Shelf 

Very light yet packs the intensity that lingers on. I enjoyed this because it has so much of a surprise with every sip. Also, I found it of unique character than many other single malts I have tried.

Occasions- Connoisseur tasting meant for sipping 

Cocktails- None, Neat or on the rocks

Food Pairings- Lightly grilled meat compliments the light peat flavor

SJ's Pro tip- Perfect for a surprise gift for single malt lovers

I thoroughly enjoyed this very unique single malt scotch. Even though this is the non-peated one, I found a very faint hint of peat to it. I do not know how. Anyone got the answer then let me know in the comments below.This is why I love reviewing whisky, every bottle has a story to tell,new world of flavor & aroma to uncover. 

Sit back & take a sip of this golden pour.Cheers! Enjoy Responsibly. 

Bunnahabhain 12

One world many Malts! Welcome all whisky lovers to my blog. This is SingleMaltLives where I review single malts one bottle at a time, some names I can barely pronounce like this one Bunnahabain 12 which I am reviewing today.Recently I had been sidetracked by reviewing other spirits but now I have refocused on the core domain of Single Malts. This is possible due to small samples available so I can try it for a fraction of the price of a regular bottle. Had got some samplers which I will be sharing in today & in upcoming posts. 

Named after the river Bunnahabhain & completely new to me , it will be exciting to see what surprise this little bottle has inside. Enjoy my tasting notes & some legacy behind this bottle. According to it's website, Bunnahabhain 12 which means "Mouth of the River" in Gaelic, was first launched in 1979. It is double matured in Ex Bourbon & Sherry casks which gives its unique and distinctive flavor.

I noticed recently that the samplers I bought all had 46.3% ABV so I am curious to find out if it is a coincidence or something else. Nothing in my research suggests why it is so. If you know then let me know in the comments below. 

Vital Stats- Bunnahabhain 12 Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky 

Price- $55.49 for 750ml bottle($4.99 for 50ml sampler pictured)

Age- 12 years 

ABV- 46.3%

Region- Speyside

Distillery- Bunnahabhain Distillery,Distell Groups Ltd,Scotland

Awards won- 2016 Gold, San Francisco World Spirits Competition 

Tasting info-

Serving glass- Glenacairn Whisky Glass

Serving style- With diet coke(No way just kidding :-) , you know how I like it....Neat

Appearance- Russet Gold

Aroma- Faint peat smoke,oak, citrus, vanilla, cinnamon

Flavor- Smokey peat, rich & robust oak with lingering sensation of pepper.

Body- Full

Finish- Smooth, long warm & lingering

SJ's Rating- Top Shelf

Just what I expected, my instincts were correct. A very well balanced scotch whisky. It is very hard to find a 12 year old whisky with so much flavor & complexity.Tasty, flavorful & just the right amount of smokiness that complements the other flavors & aroma. Loved it. Overall, it is an easy to drink lightly peated whisky good for people new to scotch and seasoned single malt drinkers alike. 

Occasions- For sipping in all occasions

Cocktails- None, enjoy neat or on the rocks.

Food Pairings- Pork momos.Why? Because the rich robust flavor complements the fatty pork momo. It is made for each other. 

SJ's Pro tip- Great gift for smokey whisky lovers

I simply enjoyed the taste of this golden liquid. So smooth and easy to drink even at a higher ABV. Check it out for yourselves and let me know in the comments below. 

Cheers! Enjoy responsibly & stay safe. 

Not in the mood to read? Listen to my SingleMaltLives Podcast instead. 

Fireball Cinnamon Whisky

"Ignite the nite" reads the product label of Fireball Cinnamon Whisky. This is bottom shelf as it can get & yet one of the top selling brands and is omnipresent in bars & clubs everywhere. It is clearly targeted to young party goers and with so much sugar there will be no shortage of energy throughout the night. Let me be very clear I do not encourage binge drinking & strictly follow & expect adults to enjoy responsibly.

Having said that let me get to some history of this brand followed by my tasting. It is a mixture of Canadian whisky, cinnamon flavors and produced by Sazerac Company. It is not whisky actually just a flavored one because whisky should be bottled at 40%, Fireball is only 33% ABV. Believed to have been originated in Canada by a bartender who was trying to warm up the night. Apparently, booze was not enough so this mystery bartender added sugar & cinnamon creating this recipe. Lets get the party started! Enjoy my tasting notes. 

Vital Stats

Price- $12.99

Age- N/A

ABV- 33%

Country of Origin- Canada

Bottled by- Sazerac Company, Frankfort,KY

Awards won-2010, Bronze Medal, Los Angles International Wine & Spirits Competition

Tasting info-

Serving glass- Glencairn Whisky Glass

                                            

Serving style- Neat

Appearance- Bright Amber

Aroma- Overwhelmingly cinnamon, cloves & dry spices

Flavor- Exactly like aroma, cinnamon , sweet. Some bite of pepper just like liquid cinnamon candy

Body- Medium

Finish- Sweet,short, non-lingering

SJ's Rating- Bottom Shelf

This is something that I would not drink to enjoy. It is too sweet for my taste. Nothing else except for the overwhelming cinnamon sugary sweetness. Surprisingly it would be great to heat up your body in colder weather like Canada where it originates from. Makes sense.

Occasions- For party goers as a shot, but don't drink too much

Cocktails- None, have it neat or with club soda

SJ's Pro tip- Have it as a desert or digestive after a meal

Food Pairings- Marshmallows, meatballs

I enjoyed tasting this red hot cinnamon liquid and it is like liquid candy. Let me know your views. 

Not in the mood to read? Listen to my SingleMaltLives Podcast instead.