Each Winter I treat myself to ONE bottle of good Single Malt Whisky, preferably made by some small independent distillery, hidden away amongst the highlands of Scotland.
This year I had even bought myself a beautiful Thistle shaped glass from which to savour the 'Nectar from the North'. I eventually found myself a bottle of Aerstone 10 year old Whisky, and could hardly wait to taste it.
I had my first taste just before Christmas, and frankly I was shocked. The bottle didn't come cheap, yet it was almost undrinkable; IT TASTES OF TAR.
No doubt this all invasive flavour comes from the barrel in which it was aged, but surely they taste each barrel before sending it to be bottled. If I had been in charge of bottling, this barrel would have been tipped down the drain. What a disappointment. There is a beautiful background flavour, but the top-taste of tar is all invasive.
Luckily my son, Kimbo, had bought me another bottle for Christmas, and it is wonderful. Even more expensive than my own purchase (almost twice the price) it is exactly what one hopes from a good Single Malt.
'The Balvenie' 14 year old Whisky is perfect. As you can can see from the bottles, I have made good headroad into his bottle, but not into mine; even though I keep sampling it just to remind myself of how awful it is.
I usually keep my Single Malt for the colder weather, when a wee dram before bed is very comforting, but this year we have yet to experience any real cold. I'm sure it will come, and I shall sip at my Thistle shaped glass with real pleasure.
So, in anticipation; Slàinte Mhath.
What a shame to have something taste so bad, but why keep sampling it? Empty it down the sink or return it with a note asking the seller to please taste as there is something wrong with it.
ReplyDeleteI keep having to remind myself how awful it is. I keep thinking I must have missed something, or my taste-buds were on strike.
DeleteTip it down the sink. Life is too short for bad drinks.
DeleteYou should email the makers and tell them how disappointed you are. At least you might get an explanation...of some sort. Or maybe they'll sort out a better bottle .
ReplyDeleteI was tempted to do that, but decided against. I think I'll just continue to taste it every so often just to remind myself.
DeleteFor Heaven's sake ! Take it back to where you bought it and get it sorted. If it's a dud batch they will be pleased to know.
ReplyDeleteI agree, you should send it back or at least let the distillers know. I'm not a whisky drinker myself but I did get desperate when I had covid, found it was just the thing for burning the back of the throat off!
ReplyDeleteI did find this when I did a search: "The peat smoke however comes back from the dead and resumes its duties on your final breath with a tar-like, almost chemical-like, final flurry ..." might explain things!
DeleteThe problem is (to both previous comments) that I quite expect it's supposed to taste like this. It just took me by surprise as it was so pronounced!
DeleteI may even get used to it.
DeleteAdd some lemonade to it! Sacrilege I know, but the one time I had a drink of whisky the only way I could stomach it was with lemonade. ( or ginger ale maybe?)
ReplyDeleteNot sure about the Lemonade, but I may try with Ginger Ale. I usually 'sip' it neat.
DeleteIt sounds like very expensive drain cleaner! If you make a complaint you might find that other people have also registered their dissatisfaction. From Sue G's comment though, it sounds as though it's supposed to taste like tar. Ugh!
ReplyDeleteThis is what I'd thought. But I think they went slightly overboard with the flavour.
DeleteGood luck!
ReplyDeleteThanks.
DeleteVery interesting as the Aerstone Sea Cask is pleasant
ReplyDeleteMaybe I should have bought that one. I did stand looking at each for a while. I obviously chose the wrong one!
DeleteDalwhinnie is my favourite malt at Christmas. I have visited the distillery.
ReplyDeleteI've had several over the years; mostly bought in France. One of my favourites was Singleton.
Delete"The Balvenie - Caribbean Cask"
ReplyDeleteNose... The aroma is rich with notes of tropical fruits, namely passion fruit, and creamy toffee.
Palate... Sweet vanilla forms a creamy palate with notes of apples and mangoes with a hint of orange in the background.
Finish... The finish lingers with a vanilla focussed character.
Overall... Mouth-coating and fruity with superb balance, this is an excellent new release from the chaps at Balvenie.
(Masters of Malt)
I can confirm that The Balvenie is an excellent tipple. The perfect Christmas prezzie.
DeleteI don't drink alcohol but YP's description here makes me want to try that particular one.
DeleteI can't understand why anyone would choose to drink Scotch when Irish Whiskey is so much better…..always!
ReplyDeleteMy son bought me a bottle of Bushmills Distillery Exclusive (Acacia Wood) at Christmas, it's absolutely wonderful! X
I have a friend who visited their distillery, and he always said how good it was. Maybe next year. I shall remember your advice.
DeleteI agree with Col. In my humble opinion, Irish whiskey is always very palatable. My favourite is Powers and my least favourite is Jamesons.
DeleteI've taken note!
DeleteSarah bought me a bottle of that Balvenie for my birthday recently. It tastes sublime. So glad that Paul doesn't drink whiskey.
ReplyDeleteIt is really delicious. It has a terrific 'bite' and the flavour lingers. I only have a tiny sip before bed.
DeleteI'm a Scot and can't do spirits. Did a distillery tour with a friend because we wanted to see the process. The only two on the tour that didn't want to taste the finished product. The Norwegians happily had our samples.
ReplyDeleteRegardless of the above, I'm not really a spirits drinker. I do like cheap Rum, and my tiny sips of Whiskey, but otherwise I'm not interested. I stick to red wine.
DeleteIt always disappointing when a good bottle, isn't. I brought home a couple of what should be good single barrel bourbons from last weeks adventures.
ReplyDeleteI hope they don't disappoint. I'm sure they won't.
DeleteGive me a good gin anyday xx
ReplyDeleteYou sound like Lady M.
DeleteWhat happened to quality control? Taste of tar is a first for me. Great that Kimbo's bottle was outstanding.
ReplyDeleteKimbo is a genuine gourmet, I'm just an amateur.
DeleteMy gin comment has been spammed
ReplyDeleteYou were right, but I found it!
DeleteI'll leave you all to it. Split mine amongst everyone.
ReplyDeleteHappy to do so!
Delete