Hi everyone!
Here is a little feedback from my last masterclass at the O’Flaherty’s irish pub in Namur on the theme “Whiskeys of the World” (organized by Whiskey-Select). Some options were available for some whiskeys so I will only talk about the ones I’ve tasted (logic eh!). Once again, I would like to thank them all for the explanations provided and the price they asked for!
25 € for 6 glasses including a 5 € voucher for a bottle purchase or a drink in the pub. If you’re in Belgium, do not hesitate to register for the next special tasting “Road of the peat” scheduled for the end of January (well, you have to love peat, necessarily… Otherwise take a good beer, like the McDouglas).
Fujimi – 3yo The 7 virtues of the Samurai (40.0%)
Nose: At the very first, we feel that’s a young whiskey, shy notes of pears and apples, some woody / spicy notes. It doesn’t lack of interest but it lacks richness and complexity.
Mouth: Essentially fruity with apples but quite “light” in the mouth. It lacks again complexity, not punchy enough, or, i don’t know, it lacks again something really special.
Finish: Short and fruity.
Note: 78/100
You can find this bottle of 3yo for less than 40€ (ok, it remains cheaper than the Belgian Owl), I can hear that the good Japanese whiskeys are rare (with a lot of closed distilleries, or distilleries, like Hibiki, limiting their production… so the prices, when you find them, are seriously increased), but for 40 € I would personally get something else I rather like. We still have to see how their whiskey will evolve with some more years, this first bottle remains very promising and I wait to see what it will give with a few more years. On the other hand, when I see almost online shops talking about “very spicy” nose and mouth, I’m asking myself if they have tasted it … Or I’m maybe used to REALLY spicy whiskey. (NO, I was not already drunk)
Nikka Coffey Grain (45.0%)
Nose: Relatively fruity (apples and pears), but especially caramelized with the classic notes of vanilla coming from bourbon. A small salty tip giving a character of salted butter caramel (it remains light, do not expect a lot of of salted caramel on a slice of bread). I would have liked more of this but it’s pleasant.
Mouth: Also “bourbonesque” as we could say in french, more on vanilla than with the nose. If the term “coffey” has nothing to do with coffee (but comes from the name of the alembics used), however, it has a small gourmet and creamy side, like an irish coffee and it’s nice. Well, an irish coffee but using some rum… Yeah suddenly it’s not an Irish coffee at all but I understand myself (I’m maybe the only one to understand, ok). A very slight fruity touch, hard to define, maybe banana coming from its rum accents (yeah, sorry, that’s all a can say… NO I’m still not drunk).
Finish: Medium lenght with vanilla.
Note: 80/100
Not bad to discover the Nikka whiskey without breaking the bank… but they do SO much better. But it’s definitely more expensive too.
Mackmyra Vinterglöd (46.1%)
Nose: Notes of oranges and apricots with aniseed touch. All this with a nice touch of vanilla (thank you bourbon barrels).
Mouth: The same fruits as for the nose and the same aniseed touch, all this with a touch of spices, like cinnamon reminiscent of a Christmas cake. It’s “hot”, vanilled and spicy. Very pleasant.
Finale: Medium to long, on fruits and spices.
Note: 84/100 (I rather like the Skördetid) but I maybe should taste them together)
My second favorite from this Masterclass, Swedes do it good 😉
Hellyers Road Pinot Noir (46.2%)
Nose: Fruity with a hint of licorice and anise.
Mouth: Peat, but slightly present, the fruity and aniseed side is more apparent (nose and taste). A tiny bit of vanilla. It lacks complexity. (yeah, I know, I too lack complexity sometimes)
Finale: Long enough, the winey side is more present at the end of the mouth.
Note: 79/100
About 65 €, dispensable according to my taste and for this price, when I drink peated whisky, I rather like it really peated. But i’m not a big fan of wine finish…
Glendalough 13yo Mizunara Finish (46.0%)
Nose: Very fruity on yellow fruits, peaches and exotic fruits with a beautiful roundness. A slightly vinous side. Slight notes of spices and vanilla.
Mouth: Hot, round, spicy. Alcohol more present in the mouth than the previous ones, so a little more alcoholic. Always notes of peaches and yellow fruits very present. Caramel and vanilla. Nice balance in the mouth. A strong Irish but sweet as I like them (Ho, we talk about whiskey huh! 😐 ).
Finish: Medium to long, fruity and vanilla. Woody and spicy notes on the finish.
Note: 86/100 (I do not understand these people who give a score over 90/100 on whiskybase but, hey, it’s not the first time nor the last).
Price a bit high for its age and quality (about 75 €, although Teeling prices are generally high, you could find the same quality whiskey, maybe different, for 40 €, like the Teeling Stout Cask) but this whiskey is my favorite of this masterclass).
Kavalan Distiller’s Select (40.0%)
Nose: Fruity, rather on exotic fruits, and spicy. It lacks complexity especially when you are used to their special finishes (like port cask that are just a killing, especially for their age).
Mouth: There are notes of spices, always notes of exotic fruits, rather on the mango. It still lacks a bit of complexity. Although he has more complexity than others for this age.
Finish: Long and fruity with always this little hint of spices.
Note: 79/100
The guys from Kavalan are doing so much better that I’d rather like to pay more for a nice finish and more complexity. Again, a question of taste, interest and budget.
A Masterclass that has met my expectations and I look forward to the next one! Strongly a special masterclass dedicated to independent bottlers, like Cadenhead, Douglas Laing, Compass Box or other(s) 😀
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