This is an extremely informative & highly stylised publication that provides a potted history of 10 drinks that changed the world.
They are – in order of appearance in the book;
Baijiu
Cognac
Vodka
Scottish & Irish Whiskies
Shochu
Tequila & Mezcal
Bourbon
Rum
Gin
Absinthe
Packed full of colourful stories, factual details, cocktail recipes & suggested bottle choices – the publication is an entertaining insight into the various worldwide spirits categories.
There’s only two I haven’t yet explored – Shochu & Absinthe.
This book makes me want to seek them out & give them a taste!
Distilled at the Great Wagon Road Distillery in North Carolina & claiming Irish heritage with the Rúa name is this non chill filtered , natural colour organic, non GMO barley offering.
A lovely richness to the nose. Mild & mellow on the palate. Slowly builds developing into a very attractive & enjoyable array of flavours which dance merrily away.
Hailing from the long established & popular Four Roses Distillery in Kentucky is this Small Batch release. A blend of different bourbon mash-bills with varying degrees of rye content.
I immediately get a warm dry nose – indicative of the high rye content Four Roses is known for. A satisfying mouthfeel where the dry spiciness of the rye interplays with the smooth sweet corn influence. Leaves with that signature prickly spice.
Nice & easy.
Thoughts
I enjoyed both of these!
Trying to pick a winner is a bit tricky.
Do I go for the subtle yet engaging flavours of the newcomer single malt?
Or stick with the bolder rye spices of the established player?
Four Roses are relatively easy to encounter – but I do think Rúa is worth seeking out.
It’s constantly seeking new experiences that engage me on this spirit journey – so Rúa it is!
Authors from differing disciplines were invited to submit essays on varying aspects relating to whiskey.
The results are highly entertaining, thought provoking and at times – challenging.
Can you apply Hegelian thought, Aristotle virtue, the philosophy of Dualism, Buddhism or plain old group think & social cohesion to tasting a whiskey?
It’s all in the mix of this publication.
Why do you like one whiskey over another?
Is taste malleable?
Does knowing the master blender, visiting the distillery, being part of the clan, liking the manufacturing techniques, agreeing with the sustainable policies, bottle design, price point all alter our experience of drinking whiskey?
I certainly have my views of the above – and they’ve been further enlightened by the discourse within the pages of this book.
Whiskey & Philosophy is a bold publication full of complexity & rich depth. The diverse elements combine elegantly giving creative excitement to this blended entity.
Named after a famous Irish/American boxer of the late 1800’s – which attracted initial upset – an original bottling of John L Sullivan displayed the legend ‘Irish Bourbon’.
Attempting to celebrate the Irish/American heritage with a blend of Irish & Bourbon whiskeys fell foul of labelling laws & the bottle was withdrawn.
Before me is a sample from a bottle labelled John L Sullivan Irish Whiskey – aged in bourbon casks.
Pale straw in colour, shy nose, not giving much away, smooth easy palate, gentle growing warmth with a hug of sweet vanilla & caramel, flourish of mild spice on the rear.
A collaboration between the Irish Teeling Whiskey Co & Scotch Bruichladdich Distillery to create a harmonious blend of single malts to celebrate the 2 nations spirits.
Pale straw colour, gorgeous expressive nose of gentle peat coming through, the palate displays more soft Irish notes before the embers of a peat fire warms up the finish.
An entertaining soft peater.
Thoughts
Both of these whiskeys had great potential.
The pugilist inspired John L Sullivan pre-dated the global success of Proper Twelve & there’s been subsequent Irish/American Whiskey/Bourbon collaborations on the market since.
Cross nation blends have been a staple earning for both Scotch & Irish distilleries over the years – mainly for the lower end of the market. Perhaps this high profile open & transparent offering was just too much for the SWA?
Whatever the reasons – controversy is not a tasting note I encountered in either of these blends.
There’s a bright new shiny brand of Irish Whiskey from Limerick creating a few waves.
Using artwork designed by a local illustrator Foxes Bow strikes a bold, fresh & contemporary pose – and that’s only the bottle label!
So what of the liquid?
Positively sparkles on my palate!
A light, clean & fresh nose offers up hints of peppery spice.
Smooth mouth coating palate.
Dries out towards the finish but leaves a fruity juiciness gently fading away too.
The bourbon cask maturation with Oloroso & Rye barrel finishing has created a highly entertaining blend with an engaging array of flavours to tease out.
Very enjoyable!
Sláinte
All images courtesy Foxes Bow website & social media.
Now ‘high rye’ isn’t legally defined. It loosely equates to a rye grain content of between 20 to 35% in the all important mash-bill – along with the 51% minimum corn to be labelled as bourbon.
The rye produces a pleasing dry spiciness over and above the candy floss sweet bourbon which adds a degree of complexity, depth & bite to my palate.
Old Grand-Dad c/othewhiskeynut
Old Grand-Dad certainly is a fine example of this style.
Slightly shy on the nose. The rye is in there – but the 40% ABV might just mute it a little.
Mild & sweet in the palate – it’s not until the finish Old Grand-Dad opens up for me.
That dry, almost biscuity ryeness kicks in above a sugary sweet candy floss leaving an enjoyable prickly tingling slowly departing.
I also read Old Grand-Dad is a ‘cult’ whiskey.
Whether that’s because it’s an old brand given a resurgence, hard to get hold of or limited release – I don’t know.
A happy dram. c/othewhiskeynut
What I do know is Old Grand-Dad offers a lot of flavour for it’s affordable price point.
It also further confirms my high rye bourbon soft spot.
Cognisant of the rise in non-alcoholic drinks – when this American Malt appeared in my local SuperValu I was intrigued enough to purchase one.
Promising a taste experience similar to bourbon – other offerings are available – could it deliver?
It certainly looks like a bourbon – although the legs are watery & limpid.
It even nosed like an entry level bourbon – caramels, vanilla & hints of toasty oak – despite no 51% corn or virgin oak barrel ageing.
On the palate it fell apart – watery & weak mouthfeel – but recovered on the finish leaving a warm spiciness that lasted a long time.
I’m not exactly the target audience – but the branding is good, the presentation is fine & despite the watery experience – it possesses some bourbony qualities.
Non-alcoholic drinks are clearly a growing market & Lyre’s appear to be leading trend setters.
I wish them well – but think I’ll stick to the real thing myself.
Presented in an attractively embossed bottle – common throughout the range – Bacoo offers ‘Made with Fresh Cane Juice’ & ‘Aged in Ex-Bourbon Barrels’ as temptation.
Yummy! c/othewhiskeynut
Fresh & fruity notes greeted me, touches of sugarcane grassiness, slight funk & dollops of demerara too.
Vanillas & caramel dominated the palate over that sweet sugarcane base.
A flourish of welcoming spice wrapped up this smooth – if rather sugar heavy offering.
Bacoo back label c/othewhiskeynut
A fun, easy going rum vying for sweet dessert status.
WestmeathWhiskeyWorld 