Woodford Reserve

I bought this the same day as the Gentleman Jack, again large discount (£10) in the supermarket was all the incentive I needed to give it a go, it’s been on my wish list for a while 😃

It’s similar to Gentleman Jack, it’s a very sweet, smooth, mellow whiskey, vanilla, caramel, spice. Again, it’s a good whiskey to drink neat, one sip at a time to enjoy the flavour, don’t want to ruin it with coke or any other mixer.

But there’s the problem, it’s perhaps too mellow! Don’t get me wrong, it’s a nice drink, and you do feel the 43.2% kick rather than 40%, the taste lingers that little bit longer, but there’s not much real flavour to it, you have to concentrate on it while drinking it. It’s kind of forgettable. I prefer Gentleman Jack, that has a more lasting flavour to it.

I did try Woodford Reserve with Coke, and also with lemonade (both 1 part spirit, 2 parts mixer) and it was a waste, with it being so mellow, the flavour was lost.

It’s a nice drink, but in short I really don’t think it’s worth the extra money over Bulleit, although I think it’s nicer than Bulleit Rye.

So my “league table” so far of American Whiskey/bourbon:

1) Gentleman Jack

2) Bulleit

3) Woodford Reserve

4) Bulleit Rye

5) Jack Daniels

The first 3 I’ll buy again, as I enjoyed them neat, Bulleit is better value for money, but I’d buy Gentlemen Jack again when on special offer. The last two, I wouldn’t buy again, I’d drink either if out with Coke, but they wouldn’t be my first choice of drink.

Gentleman Jack

Another case of a large price reduction (£10) in the supermarket twisting my arm to give Gentleman Jack a go, and I’m glad I did, I find Gentleman Jack to be much nicer than regular Jack Daniel’s old No. 7. This I can very happily drink neat, no need for coke. I did try it with coke (ratio 1 part Gentleman jack, 2 parts coke), and as expected it was nice, very smooth, and sweet, however it would be a shame to pollute such a good whiskey with coke!

It’s much smoother and sweeter than the traditional Jack Daniel’s Old No. 7. The flavour is similar, vanilla, caramel, but where it has been charcoal filtered twice, rather than once, you can enjoy that flavour more as the harshness is gone, it’s cleaner, but still a welcome slight kick with the finish.

Cardhu Gold Reserve

This is definitely one of the better NAS whiskies I’ve had, it’s very nice. Very sweet and smooth, honey-like, with pleasant burn and aftertaste as it goes down, just right for a sore throat 🙂

It’s very nice and drinkable, could quite happily sip it all evening, neat, or with a dash of water or an ice cube to make it last a little longer!

The honey may make it a bit too sweet and overpowering for some, but I would happily buy this again. However as often is the case with my whisky purchases, I paid £25 in the supermarket, not the £42 RRP, it’s the £25 I’d happily again, I don’t think I’d pay much more than that.

One day I’ll treat myself, probably in a pub, rather than to a whole bottle, just in case, to a more expensive whisky to see if I can taste the difference.

Bulleit Bourbon Frontier Whiskey Vs. Jack Daniel’s Old No. 7

Different review to “normal” for me. JD and coke is a classic, it’s a nice drink, it’s never been my favourite but over Christmas bottles of JD were reduced in supermarkets so I bought a bottle.

Neat, it’s not great, it’s harsh, and no particularly distinct flavours, but with coke it’s good, the sweetness helps, I like a ratio of 1 part JD, 2 parts coke.

A while ago a friend said he moved off JD to other US Whiskies and bourbons, so when Bulleit was on offer in the supermarket, I thought I’d give it a go. Glad I did, it’s much better than JD. It can be drunk neat, it’s much smoother, and has a pleasant whiskey, spicy taste, hints of vanilla. Again, with coke the sweetness brings out the flavour even more.

I’ve got the rye whiskey to try next, as that’s been on offer again as well 🙂

Whisky in the Freezer

Dalwhinnie Winter’s Gold has the serving suggestion of from the freezer, so as an experimented I decanted some Jura Origin 10 year old, Glenfiddich 12 year old, and some Talisker Skye into small bottles and put them in the freezer for a week or so, I was curious to see if they would taste any different. In short, they lost most of their flavour. The Jura is relatively bland anyway, so this was a complete waste of time from the freezer, the Glenfiddich was ok, but a waste of a good whisky.

The Talisker Skye however I found more drinkable, but that’s because the peatiness was dumbed down, but no other flavours were exaggerated.

So, in short, if it says put it in the freezer, it’s not a bad idea, if it doesn’t, don’t, unless you’re not too keen on it 😉

Glenfiddich 12 Year Old

I think this was the first single malt I ever bought a bottle of, I think it was to celebrate coming to the end my final year of my degree. I’ve not bought it since, not for an particular reason, however £10 off a bottle in the supermarket (down to £25 from £35) over Christmas tempted me to revisit.

It’s very nice, but another “cup of tea” whisky. I can see why it’s so popular and well known around the world, it’s smooth, but has that slight burn at the end. Hints of vanilla, fruit(pear), spice, but nothing too overpowering, no peat or smoke. It ticks all the right boxes, but is safe, nothing too special or outstanding about it, which I guess is why it’s a classic, there’s nothing wrong with it, I can see why it’s so popular, and has won awards, it’s a safe bet.

Better in my opinion than the Glenmorangie or the Jura, but I still prefer the Aberfeldy, or the Penderyn if I fancy something a bit more out there.

Another case of a whisky I’d be delighted to receive as a gift, but probably wouldn’t buy again for myself, but I’d be tempted to try the older ones if the price was right.

Jura Origin Aged 10 Years

Jura Origin was reduced to £25 from £30, an old colleague used to drink this and recommended it, I’ve had it in a pub once before and liked it, and so even though I wasn’t impressed by Jura Elixir or Prophecy, I thought I’d give it a go.

I’m glad I did, it definitely the best of the Jura bunch I’ve tried. It’s another “cup of tea” whisky, it doesn’t do anything too exciting, or ground breaking, but it’s a good solid whisky. There’s a pleasant classic whisky taste, nothing too prominent or overpowering, hints of vanilla, it’s smooth, but has a slight burn (a good thing), and goes down a treat.

Another one I’d probably put it in the category of “would appreciate as a gift, but wouldn’t buy again myself”, worth trying, probably another “beginner’s” whisky, I’m don’t mean to sound patronising or give the impression I’m starting to know what I’m talking about 😉