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