Whisky Shelf Ratings explained

Hello single malters, today I am deviating from my regular review and doing an informational blog on my whisky rating system. This is how my rating works. 

Top Shelf- Most Desirable(Simply the best,highly recommended)

Middle Shelf- Less Desirable (Than Top Shelf)

Bottom shelf - Least Desirable (Not recommended for drinking)

As stated above, it is quite self-explanatory. With over 200 whisky reviews I find that good taste is subjective but there is a consensus when it comes to bad taste. 
For example, when I have sampled whisky with friends there are different opinions based on one's profile on Top Shelf for the middle shelf. However, if whisky is completely terrible, everyone agrees that it is bottom shelf. 
Hope my reviews are helpful and if you have a suggestion on my rating system please leave a comment. 
Cheers! 🥃🥃 Enjoy Responsibly. 

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Bud Light beer

 

The first segment(Mostly not available on google search)

Occasions, Tips, alternates, cocktails, food pairings, SJ's Rating, Feel

SJ's Rating-Bottom shelf

Not my cup of tea. It is beer that tastes like water, flavorless. It went down the drain literally after two sips. Light means No flavor! 

Off it goes!

Occasion- Sampling 

SJ's pro tip- Avoid it if you are looking for flavor

Alternates- Water or club soda

Feel(After Drinking)- Disappointed 😒

The Second Segment(Technical details that are mostly available on google search)

The product label says "We carefully brew our beer to be perfect for anywhere. There's fun because when there's fun, there's a bud light there. Every bottle, can and draft of bud light uses, simple, high quality ingredients to create a clean, crisp taste."

This is made words by the marketing agency copywriter to create a certain brand image of this beer. Yes, it is light and also flavorless. It is positioned as an easy-to-drink beer? So is it easy to drink? Yes but it is, so is water!

Vital Stats- Bud light

Price- $12.98 for 12 pack

Age- NAS

ABV- 4.9%

Region/Country- USA

Brewery- Anheuser Busch

Awards won- None

Tasting info-

Serving glass- Tall beer glass

Serving style- Chilled

Appearance- Light golden, pale

Aroma- Crisp, hoppy, citrus

Flavor- Clean, light, no flavor

Body- Light

Finish- Short, non-lingering

I am glad I reviewed this beer and present my findings so you can make a sound decision. 

Cheers! enjoy other beers that I have reviewed. Enjoy Responsibly. 

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

The Balvenie 15 Madeira Cask Travel Exclusive

 

The first segment(Mostly not available on google search)

Occasions, Tips, alternates, cocktails, food pairings, SJ's Rating, Feel

SJ's Rating- Top Shelf 

Hits the spot on everything, full of flavor, higher ABV smooth and delicious. This is available exclusively for travel retail only so grab one when you can. 

Occasion- Friend's PhD completion 

SJ's Pro tip- Great for celebrating special achievements or occasions

Alternates- Jura Turas mara

Food Pairing- Chicken momo

Feel(After drinking)- Elevated

The Second Segment(Technical details that are mostly available on google search)

Here goes the product story "The Balvenie Madeira Cask is lively and summery single malt finished in casks that previously held Madeira wine" 

Don't get carried away by the story itself, all it means is they matured the whisky first in American Oak Barrels then finished it in Madeira cask. 

So what is madeira cask?

Madeira is a region in Portugal which happens to be an archipelago. It's eponymous Madeira wine is very popular. Casks that mature this wine is madeira cask. 

The thing that is special is the location and weather of this place that influence how the casks impart their flavor. 

Well enough of this, time to taste this thing. 

Vital Stats-The Balvenie 15 Madeira Cask Travel Exclusive

Price- $119 for 750ml bottle(Duty free, Cabo Airport Mexico)

Age- 15 years

ABV- 43%

Region- Speyside

Distillery- The Balvenie Distillery, Banffshire, Scotland

Awards won-  95 points 2022, IWSC(International Wine & Spirits Competition)

Tasting info-

Serving glass- Whisky glass

Serving style- Neat

Appearance- Dark amber

Aroma- Fruity, spicy, dark chocolate, pepper, chocolate similar to Carribean cask 

Flavor- Fruity, spicy, cinnamon, pepper, citrus

Body- Full

Finish- Long, warm, spicy & lingering

I absolutely loved this one which is hard to find. If you find one, Cheers! Enjoy Responsibly. 

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

Southern Comfort 100 whiskey liquor

 

The first segment(Mostly not available on google search)

Occasions, Tips, alternates, cocktails, food pairings, SJ's Rating, Fee

SJ's Rating- Bottom Shelf 

Disappointing, don't buy this cough syrup like whiskey liquor. Way too syrupy and sugary. I found cough syrup like Nyquil much better than this. 

Occasion- Tasting 

SJ's Pro tip- Use it as a cocktail if you don't want to throw it away and waste money

Alternates- Early times, cheap yet better quality

Feel(After Drinking)- Terrible

The Second Segment(Technical details that are mostly available on google search)

Every product has it's story, here it goes from the website "Southern Comfort was created in 1874 by a man born to do things his own way M.W. Heron wondered, why does whiskey have to be harsh and overpowering? Why can't it be smooth, easygoing & delicious?His recipe, blending stone fruits and spices created an iconic Amerian taste"

This particular expression Southern Comfort 100 seems to be made for cocktails. It has a high ABV of 50% but isn't so hard to drink. 

Vital Stats- Southern Comfort 100 whiskey liquor

Price- $17.99 for 750ml($0.99 for pictured 50ml sampler)

Age- No Age Statement(NAS)

ABV- 50%

Region/Country- New Orleans, Lousiana

Distillery/Company- Sazerac Co, New Orleans, LA,USA

Awards won- None found

Tasting info-

Serving glass- Glencairin glass

Serving style- Neat

Appearance- Dark amber

Aroma- Caramel, vanilla, molassas

Flavor- Very very sweet & syrupy, medicinal

Body- Medium

Finish- Non lingering, extremely sweet

I had an eye-opener drinking this one and am sure you will make a wise decision of avoiding it!. Cheers 🥃🥃🥃 Enjoy Responsibly!

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

Red Eye Rye Whiskey(Coffee infused)

 

The first segment(Mostly not available on google search)

Occasions, Tips, alternates, cocktails, food pairings, SJ's Rating, Feel

SJ's Rating- Middle Shelf

Though I enjoyed it being a coffee lover, it is not the best coffee-infused liquor I had.

Occasion- After dinner drink

SJ's Pro tip- Great as a shot or on the rocks and cocktails

Alternates- Patron XO coffee liquor

Feel(After Drinking)- Neutral

The Second Segment(Technical details that are mostly available on google search)

Standard Proof Whisky Company produces Red Eye and a host of other infused liquors. It is a new kid in the old block of Tennesse whisky distilleries. The product label says it was established in 2014. Its website further claims "Born behind the bar, Buy standard proof and have your own handcrafted whisky experience". 

As for red eye rye, they use 100% American Arabica coffee which is mixed with their straight rye whisky. That is where the magic of blending happens which creates this coffee-infused whisky. 

Vital Stats- Red Eye Rye(Whiskey infused with coffee)

Price- $30.99 for 750 ml(Pictured is 50ml sampler)

Age- 2 years in new American oak barrels

ABV- 40%

Region/Country- Tennessee,USA

Distillery/Company- Standard Proof Whiskey Co

Awards won- Bronze in 2020 San Franscisco World Spirit Competition

Tasting info-

Serving glass- Whisky tumbler

Serving style- Neat

Appearance- Dark

Aroma- Coffee, fruits

Flavor- Not too sweet, coffee, rye, spices

Body- Medium

Finish- Short, warm, non-lingering

I enjoyed sampling this as a coffee lover and a whisky lover both! Cheers, Enjoy Responsibly. 

Not in the mood to read, listen to my SingleMaltLives Podcast

The Balvenie 21 Portwood

 

The first segment(Mostly not available on google search)

Occasions, Tips, alternates, cocktails, food pairings, SJ's Rating, Feel

SJ's Rating- Top Shelf

Loved the aroma and amazing flavor of this whisky. Simply one of the smoothest and silkiest liquor single malt I have come across. Standing ovation to this beautiful spirit made by the best in the business. 

Occasion- Friend's 40th birthday celebration 

SJ's Pro tip- Amazing as a gift for special occasions

Alternates- Glenlivet 21 Archive

Food Pairing- Spicy Chinese firecracker chicken

Feel(After Drinking)- Beyond delighted😍

The Second Segment(Technical details that are mostly available on google search)

Great things don't need a lot of words to explain, this is one of them. Reads the product label "In the making of the Balvenie Portwood, our malt master carefully selects rare reserves of Balvenie and transfers them to port casks for a further few months of maturation". Basically, the First period of maturation is over more than two decades mellows the spirit, and builds character. The second cask aging is at the heart of The Balvenie Porwood and produces a single malt of remarkable complexity.  

Vital Stats- The Balvenie 21 finished in Portwood port casks

Price-  $269.99

Age- 21 years

ABV-  43%

Region- Speyside

Distillery- The Balvenie Distilling Company, Bannfshire, Scotland

Awards won- Gold 2020, International Spirits Competition

Tasting info-

Serving glass- Whisky tumbler

Serving style- Neat

Appearance- Beautiful dark amber

Aroma- Floral, perfume, chocolate

Flavor- Light sweet chocolate, apple, vanilla,

Body- Medium bodied

Finish- Silky smooth, long, gentle & lingering

I am so glad to enjoy one of the finest whiskies out on the market and hope you will too. 

Cheers! Enjoy Responsibly. 

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

Chivas Royal Salute 21

 

The first segment(Mostly not available on google search)

Occasions, Tips, alternates, cocktails, food pairings, SJ's Rating, Feel

SJ's Rating- Top Shelf

A true salute to great craftsmanship, smooth as silk, aromatic and exceptionally flavorful. You will have to try it to find out. Also, it comes in a very elegant flagon glazed in sapphire hue. The whole drinking experience is heighted because of the packaging. 

Occasion- Cabo Bachelor's Party

SJ's Pro tip- Pop one open on special occasions

Alternates- Glenlivet 21 archive

Food Pairing- Grilled lamb with Mexican rice

The Second Segment(Technical details that are mostly available on google search)

Reads the product story in the attractive packaging "Royal Salute was created to mark the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II and has since been the official partner of all ceremonial royal gun salutes fired at the Tower of London"

The blend is a result of a selection of rare and exceptional Scotch whiskies, including precious whiskies carefully watched over at the Royal Salute Vault destined to create the perfect expression. The age statement 21 implies that the selected whiskies have matured for at least 21 years before the magic of blending. 

Vital Stats- Chival Royal Salute 21 blended scotch whisky

Price- $127.50

Age- 21 years

ABV- 40%

Region/Country- Scotland

Distillery- Chivas Brothers Distillers, Keith, Scotland

Awards won- 2021, Double gold & gold in International Spirits Challenge. 

Tasting info-

Serving glass- Whisky glass

Serving style- Neat

Appearance- Dark gold

Aroma- Fruits, hints of chocolate, spices, oak, vanilla

Flavor- Spices, chocolate, vanilla, peppermint, citrus

Body- Full

Finish- Smooth, warm, long lingering & spicy

I loved reviewing this amazing whisky and am sure you enjoy it as well. Cheers! Enjoy Responsibly. 

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

Plantation Artesenal Rum

 

The first segment(Mostly not available on google search)

Occasions, Tips, alternates, cocktails, food pairings, SJ's Rating, Feel

SJ's Rating- Middle Shelf

Great for cocktails but not practical for sipping because it has a high ABV of 69%

Occasion- Christmas

SJ's Pro tip- Use 1oz instead of the standard 1.5 oz of this spirit. Why? Apparently, it has almost twice the alcohol content.

Alternates- Khukuri rum from Nepal for sipping

Cocktails- Mai Tai

Feel(After Drinking)- Delighted

The Second Segment(Technical details that are mostly available on google search)

Plantation Artisonal rum, the product packaging is the most confusing thing. It says a product of Barbados but bottled in France. There is information overload but no information regarding where this rum actually comes from or how it is made. 

My guess is that it is a private label but sourced from the Caribbean.  If anyone from plantation rum is readying this I would like them to share the proper information. 

About Plantation OFTD 69, it is crafted/blended quite well had has a unique artisanal taste to it. By artisanal, I mean high quality. 

Vital stats- Plantation Artesenal Rum O.F.T.D(Old Fashioned Traditional Dark)

Price- $41.99 for 1-liter bottle

Age- NAS(No Age Statement)

ABV- 69%

Region/Country- Barbados

Distillery/Bottled by Maison Ferrand, France

Awards won- Several awards including Gold Medal, 2018 World Spirits Competition

Tasting info-

Serving glass- Tumbler

Serving style- Neat and Mai Tai Cocktail

Appearance- Dark

Aroma- Spices, medicinal

Flavor- Fruity, spicy

Body- Full 

Finish- Warm, lingering

I absolutely enjoyed drinking this one. Happy New year 2023! Cheers 🥃🥃🥃Enjoy Responsibly

Taking a week off so the next blog will be published January 17th 2023. 

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