RTD – Ready To Drink – offerings seem to be everywhere.
Quarter Hoop was available in my local Aldi.
I found the can visually attractive & thought ‘Why not?‘
Now I don’t normally add coke to my whiskey – I tend to find it ‘drowns out’ the whiskey flavours.
Perhaps that’s the whole point of RTD’s?
As it is Quarter Hoop provides a richer, wholesome & fuller style of coke drinking experience.
Still wouldn’t leave it lying around for my young teenage grand-daughter to consume though!
Sláinte
You can’t keep the Púca down!
Aldi’s exclusive Irish Whiskey brand has risen again as a pair of Pre Mixed Drinks – otherwise known as RTD’s, Ready To Drink.
The RTD market is growing fast so it’s great to see Blackwater Distillery venture into this arena.
I can’t say it would be my cup of tea – but I’m willing to sample what all the fuss is about.
Púca Irish Whiskey Mint Julep, 5%
A very pale coloured fizzy offering.
Definitely getting the mint influence – but struggling to pick up any whiskey elements out of the lemonade-y fizz.
Púca Irish Whiskey Mule, 5%
Pours like a fizzy whiskey – golden brown.
Deeper, darker aroma & taste. I do like a ginger ale myself but found the expected punch a bit muted & again – more lemonade like.
Thoughts
Ermmm – this is not how I enjoy my whiskey.
I’m so far off the demographics for these kind of drinks my palate is giving out to me.
When you actually love the taste, flavour & warm feeling experienced with whiskey – these RTD just leave me cold.
I’ll stick to my Púca Irish Whiskey neat in future!
Sláinte
Spirits Business report into RTD growth here.
I asked myself this question while drinking from an old bottle of Glen Marnoch Speyside Single Malt.
Back in 2018 I reviewed this whisky.
It didn’t particularly suit my palate – I found the added caramel a bit heavy & ‘muddied’ any potential flavours the Speysider possessed.
4 years down the road – long past the 2 years maximum storage recommendations for an opened bottle – I dug it out from the back of my spirits shelf.
This time round I experienced a subtle hint of what I can only describe as ‘burnt’ coming through.
Could this be the caramel degrading?
If anything – age has improved this Glen Marnoch!
I found this ‘burntness’ a far more attractive quality than the rather sweet & sticky caramel experienced with the fresh bottle.
Still wouldn’t rate it however.
Sláinte
Web article on storing your open spirits bottles here.
Original Glen Marnoch blog here.
Well here’s one that almost got away!
I’ve taken to hosting ‘Whiskey By The Water’ tasting evenings in one of my local bars.
The water being the Shannon & the bar Sean’s.
It’s a way of sharing my growing drinks cabinet that would be folly of me to consume on my own.
Old Horseshoe is an Aldi brand from an un-named source.
The 70 Proof is a throwback to the Sikes system of alcohol strength as used in the UK until the 1980’s – they might yet go back to it after leaving Europe.
Deep brown in colour with viscous legs.
I’m getting a classic high-rye bourbon style of nose from Old Horseshoe – very reminiscent of Four Roses.
Quite a dry mouthfeel.
The dry peppery nuttiness is long lasting.
A lovely drop.
Sláinte
Sean’s Bar website here.
Discover The Shannon website here.
Old Horseshoe Aldi website here.
Sikes proof system explanation here.
Non alcoholic drinks are expanding at a rapid rate.
It’s always good to see an Irish Distillery – Old Carrick Mill Distillery in this case – get in on the act. Especially when offered at an attractive price in Aldi too!
Saoirse means freedom in Irish – yet the nose offered up a pleasant sweet fruity fragrance.
A tad watery on the palate – similar to other non-alcoholic spirits – that lacked body & depth.
Sadly the finish faded rather quickly too. Leaving little taste or flavour behind.
Perhaps these kind of drinks are more suited for cocktails – which aren’t my thing.
A pleasant nose, an attractive bottle & affordable price still don’t compensate for a rather weak drinking experience – but then I’m not really the target audience.
A worthy entrant to the non-alcoholic category.
Sláinte
All photos authors own.
MUP – Minimum Unit Pricing of Alcohol became a ‘thing’ in Ireland on 4th January 2022.
Pegged at 10 cent per gram of alcohol it has effectively wiped out the sub €20 bottle of spirits I enjoyed reviewing.
Photographing the shelves of Lidl & Aldi beforehand – all stores have to comply – displays a range going from €14.49 for Samuel Joe’s & Western Gold Bourbon to €20 for Bushmills & Jameson Original.
Afterwards all these offerings are at the new minimum price of €22.09.
How the market for those previously sub €20 brands will fare out is hard to predict – I did however purchase a few before the price increase – as is the impact of MUP pricing in reducing the harmful effects of excess alcohol on Irish society.
One thing’s for certain though – The Time’s They Are A Changin’ 🎶
Sláinte
All images authors own.
The mischievous spirits of Púca Irish Whiskey made a welcome return to the shelves of Aldi.
In addition to the original blend, a single pot still variety has appeared.
Light golden brown in colour, I found a sweet malt biscuity aroma greeting me.
Soft & smooth mouthfeel leading to a flourish of signature single pot still spice livening up the finish.
Very pleasant.
You’ll have to move fast to catch these elusive spirits however.
Only 2 were left on the shelf of my local Aldi!
Sláinte
All images taken by Whiskey Nut in the local Aldi.
Japanese Whisky is in the news.
Primarily for the massive growth & increasing popularity experienced internationally.
Secondly for labelling.
Every dog on the street knows Japanese Whisky can contain whisky distilled in some other country.
This has never put me off.
I enjoy whisky – wherever it’s from – and look forward to tasting the results of Japanese blending & maturation.
Kyasuku Cask Reserve – available in yer local Aldi – is clearly labelled as ‘ World Whisky Matured & Blended In Japan’.
No issues there then!
It also says it’s finished in Mizunara Casks – which makes it very exciting!
I couldn’t wait to try it!
Reassuringly pale in colour.
Getting a sweet, intense floral bouquet with a touch of woody depth on the nose.
Very soft & smooth on the palate – much like many malts.
A gentle oaky spice – Mizunara is Japanese Oak – slowly grows along with a lip smacking juiciness on a luscious long lasting finish.
Kyasuku is a very engaging & highly entertaining blend packed full of fascinating & enticing flavours.
Top marks to Aldi for sourcing this easily affordable & eminently approachable slice of Japanese blending & maturation prowess.
Sláinte
All images authors own.
It’s great to welcome new innovation into the spirits category.
The Woodlab Distillery in Co Tyrone have released this Caribbean Rum infused with Irish Jonagold Apples grown in Co Armagh to create Symphonia Irish Apple Rum.
I picked one up in my local Aldi for appraisal.
Technically I suppose it’s a spiced rum – which as the fastest growing rum category is no bad thing.
Initial nosing is full of sweet nutmeg & assorted spices – much like a liqueur – with a hint of apple purée.
Smooth on the palate. A lovely mixture of golden apples & a warming spiciness which grows to dominate the finish leaving a soft tingling caressed with baked apple.
I may not be the target audience – but it’s certainly an entertaining tipple.
Personally I’d have preferred experiencing the apple influence on it’s own – but as the spiced category is booming it’s fabulous to see a new Irish player on the scene.
Congratulations to The Woodland Lab & their Symphonia Irish Apple Rum.
Sláinte
Sometimes it’s the unexpected whisky selection that gets you.
A trio of samples were sent for my enjoyment.
They were tasted blind & the notes in italics were written before the reveal.
In order of preference they were:
A Bell’s Decanter, HRH Prince Andrew & Miss Sarah Ferguson’s Wedding, 1986, Blend, 43%
The nose had a bit of fustiness – damp old leather – suggesting signs of decay. Nice & easy body with some warmth & an attractive bite. Leaves a touch of sweet spice & juiciness.
B Glen Marnoch Speyside Single Malt 12 Year Old, 40%
Soft clean & fresh. Sherry influence? Found this one sweeter with less body. Faded quickly.
C Suntory Old Whisky, Blend, 43%
Not much on the nose or body – but livened up with a long finish & touch of spice.
Thoughts
I can’t say any grabbed me. All were enjoyable & relatively easy on the palate – but just lacked character & oomph.
Post Reveal
Well that was a bit of a surprise!
Is the decay within the Bell’s Decanter an allegory for Prince Andrew’s paedophilia scandal?
Celebrity whisky pairings are always fraught with the rise & fall of the individuals involved & despite coming out best in the tasting – this one has fallen pretty far.
Glen Marnoch just pipped 2nd for the initial freshness which left Suntory trailing with it’s just too soft & easy approach.
If you want to get involved in some blind tasting fun – get in touch – you never know what you may find!
Sláinte
Many thanks to Sean for the samples & images.
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