Taylor Marsala wine

Hello single malters, today I am diving into the world of wine and reviewing Taylor Marsala -a dessert wine. In today's post I intend to share the following- 

- The history behind this wine(at least attempt to find info)

- Tasting notes

- SJ's Rating

- Food Pairing

- SJ's pro tip

When I type Taylor Marsala in the search engine, there is not much information about the company, no legit site or anything. All I can find is the product story in the bottle which reads "A creamy, medium sweet marsala with raisin-like flavoring. Delicious for sipping or a gourmet touch in recipes". This is what I find amazing about this wine

- Perfect for cooking( I made chicken marsala and it was delicious)

- Great for enjoying by itself

- High ABV of 18% gives satisfaction and keep you slightly buzzed

- Cognac flavored makes it little stronger and tastier than other wines

Now for the real fun stuff, my tasting notes! Enjoy

Vital Stats-Taylor Marsala wine

Price- $5.29 for 750ml bottle 

Vintage- N/A

Age- N/A

ABV- 18%

Region- New York, USA

Producer- The Taylor wine company, Canadaigua,N.Y.

Awards won- None found 

Tasting info-

Serving glass- Tall wine glass

Serving style- Room temperature 

Appearance- Dark like cognac

Aroma- Alcohol wiff unlike other softer wines, rum, sherry, cognac

Flavor- Pleasantly sweet, raisins, hint of port &sherry

Body- Full

Finish- Short, non-lingering

SJ's Rating- Middle Shelf

It is a boozy, sweet dessert wine but not that smooth hence in my middle shelf. It is a great all occasion wine particularly for cooking. 

Occasions- Dinner with Families & Friends & as a dessert wine

Food Pairing-  Marsala chicken(what else could it be? ) 

SJ's Pro tip-  Cognac lovers will like this flavor as it is fortified wine with high ABV of 18%

I enjoyed drinking this wine, enjoying with my food and sharing it here in my blog. Check it out for your self and find out. Cheers 🥃🥃🍷🍷. Enjoy Responsibly! 

Not in the mood to read? Listen to my Single Malt Lives Podcast instead. 

Jim Beam Devil's Cut Bourbon Whiskey

Hello Single Malters, Today I am reviewing Jim Beam Devil's cut bourbon whiskey. In today's blog I will share the following info- 

• My research on the history behind this whiskey
• Vital Stats
• Tasting notes
• SJ's Rating
• SJ's Pro tip

Jim Beam is no new name to any whiskey lover which is world famous for its line of whiskies. It has been around for over 200 years way back in the late 1700's. It apparently has a rich history passed along family generations and distilling one of the best bourbon's in the world. 

Jim Beam Devi's cut was released in 2011- a slightly sinister bourbon made from the liquid that becomes trapped within the wood of the barrel during ageing. The way they do that is by filling those barrels with water and rolling them, the trapped whiskey gets out that way. It is the opposite of the term Angel's share where whiskey is evaporated and taken by the angels. 

Vital Stats- Jim Beam Devil's Cut Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey 

Price- $33.67 for 750ml bottle( $1.39 for 50ml pictured sampler)

Age- 6 years

ABV-  45%

Country of Origin- USA

Distillery- James B.Beam Distilling company, Clermont, Frankfort, Kentucky

Awards Won- 2012 , Gold- San Francisco World Spirits Competition

Tasting info-

Serving glass-Glencairn Whisky Glass

Serving style- Neat

Appearance- Dark Amber

Aroma- Oak wood deep aroma, vanilla, citrus, dark chocolate

Flavor- Robust deep oak, vanilla, spices

Body- Full

Finish- Not lingering, not so smooth, warm spicy robust

SJ's Rating- Middle Shelf 

It is a as unique as it's cool name, however doesn't cut out to be a pleasing top shelf sipping whiskey. Very cool marketing and concept though. 

Occasions- Whiskey flight

Cocktails- Old Fashioned( The robust oak and vanilla flavor would make a mean cocktail)

SJ's Pro Tip- Any bourbon lover would appreciate this diverse taste of Devil's cut

Loved tasting this cool Devil's cut whiskey. It sure is the devil's cut hidden deep inside that oak wood. Check it out for yourselves and find out, cheers! 🥃🥃. Enjoy Responsibly. Not in the mood to read? Listen to my Single Malt Lives Podcast instead. 

Wild Turkey 101

One World Many Malts & many bourbons!😃😃. The quest to find the best whisk(e)y continues with Wild Turkey 101. It is Top Shelf & I found another unicorn apart from Buffalo Trace Bourbon. By unicorn I mean lower price but exceptional quality that takes one by surprise. 

In today's blog I will be sharing the following information- 

• My research on the history behind this whiskey
• Vital Stats
• Tasting notes
• SJ's Rating
• SJ's Pro tip

Wild Turkey distillery opened doors way back in 1869. It was in 1940, the distillery gets the name after distillery executives shares his bourbon with friends on a annual hunting trip apparently they got the wild turkey. 🦃🦃

Now about Wild Turkey 101.Reads the product label "For more than 60 years, legendary Master Distiller Jimmy Russel has been crafting Wild Turkey 101 the right way. With a high rye content, this iconic bourbon is perfectly aged in American white oak barrels with the deepest char for more character. It is made using corn, rye & barley with higher content of rye. An interesting fact is they barrel the bourbon at lower proof so by the time it's finished ageing they can add less water than other whiskey makers before bottling. This results in retaining true, rich flavor and deep auburn color it acquires from the barrel. 

Now time to see if this turkey lives up to the expectation. Enjoy my tasting notes!

Vital Stats- Wild Turkey 101 Bourbon Whiskey 
Price-  $24.49 for 750ml ($13.99 for 375ml pictured half bottle)

Age- 6-8 years

ABV-  50.5%

Country of Origin- USA

Distillery-  Wild turkey Distilling co, Lawrenceburg, Kentucky

Awards Won- Highly decorated since 2010. Latest being 2016, Double Gold in San Francisco World Sprits Competion. 

Tasting info-

Serving glass-Glencairn Whisky Glass

Serving style- Neat

Appearance- Dark Golden 

Aroma- Caramel, Vanilla, honey just like its appearance, citrus, rye

Flavor- Oh my goodness! Wow! Sweet, smooth, lingering, chocolate, caramel, honey, oak, rye, spices, cinnamon, cloves. Wow! again 

Body- Full 

Finish- Exceptionally smooth, spicy, warm, long & lingering

SJ's Rating- Top Shelf 

For the price, it is an exceptional quality bourbon. it hits the spot for me, full bodied, smooth, aromatic and flavorful. Hence, it sits proudly on my top. 

Occasions-  Outdoors parties, hiking bonfire or just casual drinking with friends 

Cocktails- The high ABV & amazing flavor would make a mean Old Fashioned

SJ's Pro tip- For those looking for an alternate to  Buffalo Trace, there is another unicorn in town called Wild Turkey 101. It is as good or even better & much more easier to find. 

Like always I enjoyed tasting this new drink and so can you. Cheers! 🥃🥃. Enjoy like a gentleman. 

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

AnCnoc Highland Single Malt

Happy New Year 2021! Single Malters, Today I am reviewing anCnoc 12 Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky. I had never heard of it before, so I made it a point to pick it up based on intuition. Was my intuition correct or did I waste $43 down the drain? You will find out at the end.  As a lifestyle habit, I like starting my year by reading a book that gives some food for thought throughout the year. Don' worry I will do my tasting review like always 😉.In today's blog I will share the following:

1. Book I am currently reading

2. My research & history behind this whisky

3. Vital Stats

4. SJ's Rating

5. Occasions best enjoyed & SJ's Pro tip.

Let me start with the book I am reading- The Myth of Capitalism and death of competition by Johnathan Tepper & Denise Hearn. It is a thought provoking read on big corporations controlling most of all consumer essentials like retail, airline, banking, healthcare. Authors also promise a  a resolution to this problem at the end of the book( I haven't reached that part 😃). 

Author SJ happily reading & enjoying a cup of coffee( Simple pleasures of life 😎 ) 

Now back to business, ancNoc is distilled by Knockdhu Distillery. (Yes I am hearing these names for the first time as well). It was established in 1894 so it carries a legacy of over 125 years...wow. Named after the nearby Black Hill, known as Khockdhu in Gaelic which is an alluring backdrop of the distillery. 

Very interestingly though, their single malt is not named after the distillery.It is  proudly named after the anCoc, which provides the source of the pure crystal spring water that is an essential element of anCnoc Single Malt Whisky. anCnoc 12 got me by surprise in a good way just like the new year brings joy in people's lives. What can I say, smooth yet not overly complex, it has its twists and turns in flavor and something for the likes of everyone. I would say it is a very versatile & friendly drink. 

Now the moment you all have been waiting for ...my very tasty tasting notes! Enjoy. 

Vital Stats- anCnoc 12 Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky 

Price- $43.99 for 750ml

Age- 12 years

ABV- 43%

Country of Origin- Scotland

Region- Highland

Distillery- Knockdhu Distillery company, Aberdeenshire

Awards won- 2015 Gold, Outstanding International Wine & Spirits Competition among host of others

Tasting info-     

Serving glass- Glencairn whisky glass  

Serving style- Neat

Appearance-  Light Amber with yellowish hue

Aroma- Gentle whiff of honey, lemon. Hint of vanilla, oak, cinnamon, nutmeg.

Flavor- Wow, gets right to the palette. Light yet complex  flavor of fruits, spices. Warm & spicy

Body- Full 

Finish-  Smooth, warm, long & lingering

SJ's Rating- Top Shelf

Surprisingly light yet challenging in flavor & high in character. Long nice warm finish with an explosion of flavor in the mouth. This unknown whisky stands tall in my top shelf. The aroma is somewhat lacking though but still top quality single malt for sipping. 

Occasions- Connoisseur tasting & casual drinking with friends & families

SJ's Pro tip- Amazing whisky with high ABV of 43% compared to similar whiskies like Glenfiddich 12. 

I enjoyed every drop of this drink saying goodbye to 2020 & welcoming 2021. Wishing everyone of my readers a prosperous year..Cheers! 🥃🥃 & Enjoy it like a gentleman.(resposonbibly )

Not in the mood to read? Listen to my Single Malt Lives-podcast instead.