Altos Reposado Tequila

Altos Reposado Tequila is on my Middle Shelf. It is a general-purpose cheap tequila and can be sipped neat or mixed in drinks. In today's blog, I intend to cover the following-

-Brief history behind this tequila

-My tasting notes

-SJ's Rating & review

-SJ's Pro tip

-Occasions best suited 

Altos Tequila does not have any history like a highly authentic artisanal tequila. It is mass-produced by the Pernod Ricard company. The creators are two former bartenders according to its website. They seem to follow high-quality standards in crafting their tequila with high-quality agave. Also, it is cooked in a brick oven and Tanoa stone is used to shred the agave. It gets double distilled in small-batch copper stills and finally ages 6-8 months in former whiskey barrels. 

Now speaking of Altos Reposado expression. According to the website, it is made of 100% Blue Agave grown in Mexico in the lands of Los Altos, Jalisco. Seems like an interesting tasting session :-). 

Enjoy my tasting notes!

Vital Stats- Altos Reposado Tequila 

Price- $12.99 for 375ml bottle 

Age- 6 to 8 months

ABV- 40%

Region/country-Mexico

Produced/Bottled-Pernod Ricard, Mexico

Awards won- 2016 Gold, The Tequila Masters The Spirits Business

Tasting info-

Serving glass- Glencairn glass

Serving style- Neat

Appearance- Light golden

Aroma- Blue agave, spearmint, lemon

Flavor- Wow quite a mouthful, spearmint, lemon, a hint of oak

Body- Medium

Finish- Spicy, long warm slightly lingering

SJ's Rating- Middle Shelf

It is a general-purpose cheap tequila and can be sipped neat or mixed in drinks.

Occasions- Bbq, casual day parties

SJ's Pro tip- Good for mixing in drinks

I am pleased to have tasted this liquid gold from Mexico and share my findings. I am 100% sure you will find it useful. Enjoy! Drink Responsibly, Cheers!

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

Glendronach 12 Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Glendronach 12 Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky is on my TOP Shelf. Exceptionally smooth & delicious! In today's blog, I intend to cover the following

-Brief history behind this whisky/distillery

-My tasting notes

-SJ's Rating & review

-Occasions

-SJ's Pro tip

Reads the product packaging "Deep in the east Highland Hills the Glendronach Distillery has been quietly perfecting sherry wood maturation since 1826". The founder was James Allardice & this legendary distillery has been in operation for over 200 years. Quite a history and craftsmanship. Glendronach means "Valley of brambles" in Scots Gaelic. 

About Glendronach 12 Original. It is matured in fine Pedro Ximenez & Oloroso sherry casks from Andalucia in Spain and is Non-Chill Filtered. Both these casks are ex-wine casks so the whisky imparts flavors from them, that is where the magic is. 

Now enough of talk, time for my sampling :-). Enjoy my tasting notes! 

Vital stats- Glendronach 12 Original Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Price- $62.99 for 750ml

Age- 12 years 

ABV- 43%

Region- Highland

Distillery- The Glendronach Distillery, Aberdeenshire, Scotland

Awards won- 2021 Gold, International Wine & Spirits Competition

Tasting info-

Serving glass- Glencairn

Serving style-  Neat

Appearance- Dark amber

Aroma- Sherry, vanilla, whiff citrus, dark chocolate

Flavor- Sherry, notes of citrus, honey, chocolate, vanilla.A hint of spices like cinnamon & cloves

Body- Full

Finish- Robust, smooth, long lingering & spicy

SJ's Rating- TOP Shelf

It hits all the parameters to hit the top spot. The smell is amazing, the appearance is beautiful the flavor is out of this world. Absolutely enjoyed it!

Occasions- For celebrating any special occasion since it is slightly expensive

SJ's Pro tip- Great as a gift for any Scotch lover

This whisky was a joy to find and savor, I absolutely loved gathering information and sharing it with the world. Do give it a shot yourself. Cheers! Enjoy Responsibly!

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

Cutty Sark Prohibition Edition Blended Scotch Whisky

Cutty Sark Prohibition Edition is on my TOP Shelf. Initially had a very bad impression of cutty sark as watered-down cheap alcohol but my impression has changed since I tasted this expression. In today's blog I intend to cover the following; 

-Brief history behind this whisky/distillery

-My tasting notes

-SJ's pro tip

-Occasions to drink 

This whisky is as mysterious as the pitch dark bottle it comes in. It came into existence in 1923 according to package labeling. Its famous name comes from the clipper ship design which was one of the fastest ships in its day.  

Cutty Sark Prohibition Edition according to the product story has been crafted as a salute to the notorious Captain William S.McCoy, who smuggled Cutty Sark blended Scotch whisky into America during the Prohibition era of the 1920s. His impeccable reputation for only dealing in the finest, genuine & unadulterated liquor gave rise to Cutty Sark being "The Real McCoy"

It is time for the real test of McCoy! Enjoy my tasting notes :-)

Vital Stats- Cutty Sark Prohibition Edition Blended Scotch Whiskey

Price- $29.99

Age- NAS(No Age Statement)

ABV- 50%

Region/Country- Scotland

Manufacturer/Distillery- La Martiniquaise

Awards won- None found

Tasting info-

Serving glass- Glencairn 

Serving Style- Neat

Appearance- Medium gold

Aroma- Well rounded, vanilla, citrus all the good stuff

Flavor- Robust, packs a punch, sweetness from vanilla, oak 

Body- Medium to full-bodied

Finish- Medium spicy linger, warm. Not the smoothest or longest. 

SJ's Rating- TOP Shelf

This is top-shelf stuff because it's pretty good for the price, high ABV with raw charm to it. 

Occasions- Casual

SJ's Pro tip- Great for a gift because of its attractive packaging

I really enjoyed this rustic, notorious-looking whiskey and hope the information above will help decide whether to buy it or not. As always, Enjoy it Responsibly! Cheers! 

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

Teeling Small Batch Irish Whiskey

Teeling Small Batch Irish Whiskey is on my MIDDLE Shelf. A decent Irish whiskey for the price but lacks the body and finish to be on the top spot. In today's blog, I intend to cover the following-

-Brief history behind this whiskey/distillery

-Tasting notes

-SJ's Rating & review

-SJ's pro tip

The website states "Here at Teeling whiskey, we are renowned for our vision in doing things differently with deep roots in distilling pedigree dating back to 1782, have shaped the Irish whiskey landscape through generations ". The Teeling whiskey distillery is the first new distillery in Dublin for over 125 years. 

Now about Teeling Small Batch Irish Whiskey. Reads the product label "Hand selected casks of malt and grain whiskey are initially fully aged in ex-bourbon barrels, then married together in Central American Rum Casks for 12 months for a unique, dried fruit profile. 

Enough of the story, now it is time for the fun stuff :-). Enjoy my tasting notes!

Vital Stats- Teeling Whiskey Small Batch Irish Whiskey

Price- $38.99 for 750ml(50ml free sampler pictured)

Age- 6 months in Rum Casks

ABV- 46.5%

Country/Region- Ireland

Distillery- Teeling Whiskey Distillery, Dublin, Ireland

Awards won- Double Gold, San Fransico Spirits Competition

Tasting info-

Serving glass- The Glencairn whisky glass

Serving style- Neat

Appearance- Light to medium amber

Aroma- Vanilla, rum sweetness, cinnamon, spices

Flavor- Sweet with fruitiness, a hint of cinnamon, spices. Quite pleasant for high ABV nonchill filtered.

Body- Medium 

Finish- Medium, bitter spicy finish

SJ's Rating- Middle Shelf 

Because the finish is almost nonexistent, very short so doesn't hit the top spot for me. However, a decent non-chill filtered Irish Whiskey for the price. 

Occasions- Casual

Food Pairing- Goat meat(High ABV blended well with the fatty meat )

SJ's Pro tip- I would prefer Jameson or Tullamore Dew over this

I really enjoyed reviewing and presenting the facts and hope this will make it easier to decide whether to buy it for your next occasion or not. Cheers! Enjoy Responsibly. 

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