Helping you navigate through the World of Whisk(e)y

Month: December 2015

The Whisky Guy Podcast #8 – Jason and Joshua of the Single Cask Nation

Welcome to Episode #8 of The Whisky Guy Podcast, featuring Jason and Joshua of the Single Cask Nation!

Jason Johnston-Yellin and Joshua Hatton, co-founders of the Single Cask Nation on The Whisky Guy Podcast Episode #8

Jason Johnston-Yellin and Joshua Hatton, co-founders of the Single Cask Nation on The Whisky Guy Podcast Episode #8

It’s Whisky Wednesday – Time for a dram

Published Dec 23, 2015

In this episode of The Whisky Guy Podcast:

Happy Holidays!

Weather you’re celebrating Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Omisoka, Bodhi Day, Winter Solstice or Festivus, I raise my glass to you this holiday season.  If you’re still looking for a holiday gift, this episode features a discount code for the Whisky Jewbilee (produced by the Single Cask Nation) happening in Seattle in 2016, or listen to podcast episode #6 with George from the Chelsea Wine Vault for a list of bang-for-your-buck whiskies.

Subscribe to The Whisky Guy on YouTube!

Subscribe to The Whisky Guy on YouTube!

Subscribe to The Whisky Guy on YouTube

Visit TheWhiskyGuy.com/YouTube to find a 2-part distillery tour of the Catoctin Creek Distillery, and look for more soon including tasting notes, how-tos for making great whiskey cocktails at home, and more distillery tours.  Subscribe today at TheWhiskyGuy.com/YouTube!

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Jason Johnston-Yellin and Joshua Hatton, co-founders of the Single Cask Nation on The Whisky Guy Podcast Episode #8

Jason Johnston-Yellin and Joshua Hatton, co-founders of the Single Cask Nation on The Whisky Guy Podcast Episode #8

Interview with Joshua and Jason of the Single Cask Nation

Joshua Hatton and Jason Johnstone-Yellin are co-founders of the Single Cask Nation, who met through their mutual passion for blogging about whisk(e)y.  The company is an independent bottler of whiskies from around the world available to their members.

Joshua Hatton, co-founder of the Single Cask Nation on The Whisky Guy Podcast Episode #8

Joshua Hatton, co-founder of the Single Cask Nation on The Whisky Guy Podcast Episode #8

  • Josh’s history:
    • Initially got into whisky through his synagogue
    • First taste was Lagavulin 16
    • Got more out of whisky than just being sent to a ‘happy place’
    • Informal tastings were the gateway
  • Jason’s history:
    • Initially got into whisky at University through a Finnish friend
    • Grew up in Scotland with exclusively blended whiskies
    • Glenfiddich, Highland Park and Laphroaig were the gateways after a tasting in the University’s club
    • Started his own whisky society after moving to Spokane, WA
    • Began blogging about whisky after wanting a personal record of the whiskies he was tasting
  • Single Cask Nation is a private club that allows members to purchase bottles directly
  • Blogging was a large part of the origin of the partnership that became the Single Cask Nation
Jason Johnston-Yellin, co-founder of the Single Cask Nation on The Whisky Guy Podcast Episode #8

Jason Johnston-Yellin, co-founder of the Single Cask Nation on The Whisky Guy Podcast Episode #8

  • Josh decided to blaze his own trail and start the Single Cask Nation after a seemingly impossible climb and possibilities of being taken away from his family for long periods of time made him reconsider that goal
  • Josh reached out to Jason as a partner in the venture, along with a 3rd partner – Seth
  • Single Cask Nation puts out several bottlings per year, and most sell out quickly
  • Jason’s blog contains ~300 whiskies, but his personal notes include 2,500-3000 whiskies
  • Jason believes in tasting a whisky with charity in mind; there’s always something nice to say about a whisky
  • Josh’s tasting process:
    • Must be in the right mood; there’s no reason to try if you’re in the wrong mood
    • In his ‘happy zone’ – next to his wife on the couch watching TV
    • Starts with a ‘reference whisky’ – a whisky that he knows well enough that he knows if his palate is working
    • Pour into the glass, then spend time with it – appreciating it
    • Getting to know a whisky “is like getting to know a person”
    • Looks for notes on the bottle about maturation notes; types of casks, etc
    • Learned the process on his own
    • No rocks glass – too open and the aromas escape
    • A white wine glass works in a pinch
    • Puffs air into the glass if it’s too ‘hot’ to wipe away the strong alcohol vapors
    • Only pours a little into the glass
    • Noses for a bit – 15 minutes+
    • Doesn’t begin taking notes till the 2-3 sip
    • Won’t add water if it doesn’t need it
  • Jason’s tasting process:
    • Similar to Joshua, but not next to his wife – more solitude
    • Appreciates color, then takes a few sips before taking notes
    • Likes to focus on texture
    • Takes 90 minutes to 2 hours for a tasting
    • Tries to connect flavors to the distillery and previous bottlings from it
Catoctin Creek 2 - a 100% rye whisky available exclusively from the Single Cask Nation

Catoctin Creek 2 – a 100% rye whisky available exclusively from the Single Cask Nation

  • I watched them taste and they had very similar processes, that included closing their eyes and ‘chewing’ the whisky
    • Josh: ‘By limiting one sense (sight) you heighten your other senses’
  • Josh looks for a bottle’s story, not just the distillery and why choices were made to get into the bottle
  • A single cask bottling has to tell you the whole story – it has to have a beginning, middle and end
  • Catoctin Creek Distillery reached out to the Single Cask Nation for a unique bottling, which was a yes or no decision
  • When choosing a bottle for the Single Cask Nation:
    • Sit down with 2-5, maybe 10 samples
    • Must pass the nose test first
    • Must tell a story – something special that speaks from the glass
    • Tasting – Important that a whisky is drinkable from the bottle without diluting
    • Glen Elgin 18 made the cut because it was ‘elegant and confident’ – a great ‘end of the night’ whisky
    • Catoctin Creek 2 made the cut when the group tasted it and the unanimous response was “What do we have here?” A ‘large and in charge’ whisky.  Jason likes high rye mash bills, and this whisky is a 100% rye. Bottled at 61.5% ABV
  • Membership in the Single Cask Nation starts at $36
  • Learn more about the Single Cask Nation by visiting the website – SingleCaskNation.com
  • The owners of the company are very accessible – Joshua@SingleCaskNation.comJason@SingleCaskNation.com
Glen Elgin 18 - a single malt scotch whisky available exclusively from the Single Cask Nation

Glen Elgin 18 – a single malt scotch whisky available exclusively from the Single Cask Nation

Whisky Jewbilee Seattle

March 8, 2016 in Seattle – Tickets are on sale now!  Normally $95, but use discount code “EBGTW216” before Dec 31, 2015 to save 5% with an additional 5% if you tweet about the event at checkout.  Learn more on the Whisky Jewbilee Event Page.  I’ll be there recording for episode #14 of the podcast which will launch after the event.

Whisky Jewbilee Seattle - March 8, 2016 - Tickets on sale now

Whisky Jewbilee Seattle – March 8, 2016 – Tickets on sale now

Thank You Patrons

The Whisky Guy is listener supported.  Thank you Carsten, the newest Patron of the whisky guy.  Each episode of the podcast takes over 20 hours to produce and costs over $1,000.  By becoming a Patron, you help keep the Whisky Guy on the air, free and ad-free.  Learn more about becoming a patron at TheWhiskyGuy.com/ThankYou.

Your support keeps The Whisky Guy free and ad-free. Become a Patron today!

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Tasting Notes: Russell’s Reserve 10

When you subscribe to The Whisky Guy newsletter, you’ll receive a link to download a free copy of How to Taste Whisky – an eBook by The Whisky Guy with step-by-step instructions on how to get the most from a whisky tasting experience.  I use that process every time I evaluate a whisky, including Russell’s Reserve 10 year.  **Disclosure: I’ve worked as a paid ambassador for Wild Turkey / Russell’s Reserve as recently as 2012.

  • Package/Appearance: The bottle is striking, but it’s the liquid inside that grabs my attention.  Great color, and velvety texture.
  • Nose: Big vanilla with spicy caramel, cherries and clove, also candle wax and pine needles
  • Taste: Surprisingly soft and approachable.  Burnt toffee still with big vanilla and blanched almonds
  • Finish: Long and warm – great as an ingredient in cocktails or for cooking
  • Diluted: Nougat, and very soft on the palate with a much shorter finish
  • Part of the Wild Turkey family – $40, 45% ABV
  • Overall rating: Second Shelf
Russell's Reserve - 10 year old Straight Kentucky Bourbon - Review by The Whisky Guy

Russell’s Reserve – 10 year old Straight Kentucky Bourbon – Review by The Whisky Guy

Connect with The Whisky Guy Socially

Next time on The Whisky Guy Podcast…

Episode #9 of the Whisky Guy Podcast will wrap up the tasting with George Grant from the Glenfarclas distillery, talking about higher marques and more stories from Scotland.  Look for more videos on the Whisky Guy YouTube channel in the meantime.

Sláinte!

The Whisky Guy Podcast #7 – George Grant of Glenfarclas

Welcome to Episode #7 of The Whisky Guy Podcast, featuring George Grant from Glenfarclas!

George Grant - 6th Generation Distiller Owner and Manager at Glenfarclas on The Whisky Guy Podcast Episode #7

George Grant – 6th Generation Distiller Owner and Manager at Glenfarclas on The Whisky Guy Podcast Episode #7

It’s Whisky Wednesday – Time for a dram!

Published Dec 9, 2015

In this episode of The Whisky Guy Podcast:

Live from Washington DC – Hello YouTube!

After Repeal Day celebrations till the wee hours on Saturday, I was up early Sunday for a flight to Washington DC for a visit to the Catoctin Creek Distillery.  In an upcoming episode of the podcast you’ll hear from Scott at Catoctin Creek about the history of the distillery and their rye-based spirits, but right now you can see a tour of their distillery.  Visit The Whisky Guy on YouTube – Part 1 is up already and Part 2 will be added shortly, with lots more videos to come.  Please Subscribe to The Whisky Guy on YouTube and give the videos a Thumbs Up!

Subscribe to The Whisky Guy on YouTube!

Subscribe to The Whisky Guy on YouTube!

Thank You Patrons!

The Whisky Guy is listener supported!  It’s free and ad-free because of Patrons through the Patreon crowdfunding platform.  Becoming a Patron is fast and easy.  As low as $1 per episode lets you walk a little taller, knowing you’re supporting The Whisky Guy and keeping all the great info coming, and also keeps The Whisky Guy free and ad-free.  Learn more about my Patreon campaign, and become a Patron today by visiting The Whisky Guy on Patreon.  Thank You Patrons!

Your support keeps The Whisky Guy free and ad-free. Become a Patron today!

Your support keeps The Whisky Guy free and ad-free. Become a Patron today!

Interview with George Grant of Glenfarclas Distillery

One of the few remaining independent distilleries in Scotland, Glenfarclas now has its 6th generation owner – George Grant – traveling the world and talking about his family’s distillery.  He was in Seattle in early November for a tasting with members of the Washington State Bartenders Guild (a USBG chapter).  I had a chance to sit with him for a short interview before a tasting that lasted over an hour.  The tasting will be broken into 2 episodes; Part 1 today will cover Glenfarclas 10, 12, and 17 year old.  Part 2, which will release early 2016 in episode 9 of The Whisky Guy Podcast, will cover the 21 and 25 year old, and the 105 Proof.  This episode is best listened to on headphones; some of the questions from the audience are a little quiet.  Also, I was live tweeting using #GlenfarclasWA – another way to follow along!

The Still house at the Glenfarclas Distillery

The Still house at the Glenfarclas Distillery

Interview

  • George Grant is 6th Generation owner of the Glenfarclas distillery, and current Director of Sales
  • George’s first time in Seattle in 7-8 years
  • Distillery roots are a little unknown – First license to distill was in 1836 tho records go back much further; at least 1791 and likely earlier
  • John Grant family purchased the distillery on June 8, 1865, 150 years ago
  • Sales price was £511.19; approximately $800 in today’s US dollars
  • After John Grant, in succession, was George, then George, then George, then John, and today – George
  • With the birth of Prince William and Kate’s son George, “after 36 years, my name is finally cool”
  • George Grant has 2 daughters – Kaitlyn and Sofie
  • Distilleries across Scotland (and around the world) all have unique selling points – 2 things make Glenfarclas special:
    • Largest stills in Speyside with direct fire heated stills
    • Only using dunnage-style warehouses, keeping casks to a limit of 3 high which helps all casks mature at the same rate
  • Excited to see global whiskies growing – new distilleries coming online helps more people appreciate whisk(e)y
  • The average blended whisky drinker will have 1 bottle at home – the average malt whisky drinker will have 12 bottles at home
Casks rest in the maturation warehouse at the Glenfarclas Distillery

Casks rest in the maturation warehouse at the Glenfarclas Distillery

Tasting

  • Recap of history covered in the interview
  • Best guess is the distilleries was build in the 1750’s
  • Some bottles of Glenfarclas sell today for 40x the purchase price of the distillery in 1865
  • Glenfarclas whisky is sold in over 100 countries, with Germany being the top 2 markets – both domestic sales and duty free
  • Growth is strong globally.  36 new distilleries just opened or opening soon in Scotland
  • Whisk(e)y drinkers are easy to buy gifts for
  • At WhiskyFest in New York, a group of gentlemen stopped by the Glenfarclas table for their first taste after walking past others, just because it had the word ‘Glen’ in the name
  • Glenfarclas is matured in Oloroso sherry casks
  • Distillery is in Speyside, and has both the words Highland and Speyside on the label
  • Speyside, as a named region, has only existed since 1972 – many distilleries in the region have the word Highland, even though they sit in Speyside, after Glenlivet distillery took ownership of the name for which many of the distilleries in the area were adding to their title.  For example, Glenfarclas was Glenfarclas Glenlivet for some time
  • Part of the name change was to limit confusion over ownership
  • All Speyside whiskies are Highland, but not all Highland whiskies are Speyside
  • Location hasn’t changed – on a slight slope that helped gravity-feed the stills until electricity was more common
  • Only Water, Malted Barley and Yeast go into making malt whisky, and the water is the only truly unique ingredient
  • Glenfarclas stopped doing their own maltings in 1972
  • First taste – Glenfarclas 10 year old
    • No added color in Glenfarclas whiskies – all color from the Oloroso Sherry casks, from Jerez, Spain
    • Sherry casks are approx 10x the cost of Bourbon casks
    • Glenfarclas uses a combination of 60% 1st and 2nd fill casks, and 40% 3rd and 4th fill casks married together
    • 10 year is balanced but has a short finish
    • “Good every day drinking whisky”
    • Difficult to sell for a while in the US as it was lower proof than many other Scotch whiskies sold, but 40% is more common today
  • Many distilleries are removing age statements, but Glenfarclas still has theirs even at 10 years
  • George is sad about the loss of age statements across the industry
  • Scotch whisky growth is helping Glenfarclas, as is the global growth of the internet allowing people to do their own research and find smaller brands like Glenfarclas
  • Whisky makes a great gift for hosts at dinner parties as it lasts longer/goes further
  • Glenfarclas is a ‘typical Speyside whisky’ – palatable, non-aggressive, not peated, easy to drink
  • Some distilleries in Speyside are experimenting with peated barley and casks
  • Second Taste – Glenfarclas 12 year old
    • George’s pick to represent the essence of Glenfarclas
    • Glenfarclas translates to ‘Valley of Green Grass Land’
    • Grassy-ness and sweetness, with dried fruit
    • Surprising departure from the 10, especially in the finish – a much longer finish
    • Creme Brule, Vanilla and Caramel flavors – a ‘bigger, longer whisky’
    • 12 year old is export only – not sold in the UK at all.  UK has 10 and 15 where US has 12 and 17 year old
  • Late 60’s Glenfarclas bottlings have a slight peat influence, mostly as it was used as a fuel source but not introduced intentionally
  • Peat in Speyside is much different than Islay peat – much lighter
  • George tried his hand working as an accountant before going into whisky, first as a Maltster, then for Inver House distillers at Old Pulteney, Speyburn, Balblair and AnCnoc distilleries before Glenfarclas
  • Working at Glenfarclas is not a right when being born into the Grant family – by George’s great grandfather’s decree, you must work at another distillery before working at Glenfarclas, so ‘any mistakes you make are made at someone else’s distillery’
  • George worked in Hong Kong circa 1998 as a salesman
  • Glenfarclas 10 and 12 are ‘before dinner drinks’ – 17 year old ‘covers all the bases
  • Third Taste – Glenfarclas 17 year old
    • Good before, during or after dinner
    • Still has some of the aggression of a younger whisky, but has the depth and finesse of an older whisky.  Very balanced.
    • Only sold in North America and Asia
    • Started as a Japan exclusive to limit discounting sales through importing from cheaper markets
    • George buys bottles when he travels as he can’t purchase it at all in the UK, even as the owner
    • Flavor – Eating cotton candy.  Sweetness dancing across the tongue.  Toffee, marmalade zestiness, typical Glenfarclas bitter chocolate finish
  • Question: Please speak to the age statement issue and distilleries removing the age statement
    • Answer: Mostly about having trouble growing and not having enough stock, true at Glenfarclas as well, tho Glenfarclas has chosen to drop expressions from the line-up entirely or limit the bottles to certain regions instead of removing age statements.  Distilleries have little incentive to re-introduce age statements after replacing them with lower production cost whiskies.
  • Question: Where does the slight peat character in the tasting notes come from in Glenfarclas if it’s a non-peated whisky?
    • Answer: Aside from George smoking, just by malting barley you get approx 3 parts per million of peat in the grain.
The unique watersource for whisky making at the Glenfarclas Distillery

The unique watersource for whisky making at the Glenfarclas Distillery

End of Part 1 of the tasting with George Grant – Episode 9 of The Whisky Guy Podcast will have part 2 of the tasting.  After the tasting, George conducted a 20 minute Q&A session.  The audio from that session is available to Patrons; lean how to keep The Whisky Guy free and ad-free while also getting access to that sort of exclusive content by becoming a Patron of The Whisky Guy here.  Thank You to George Grant, The Glenfarclas Distillery and the Washington State Bartenders Guild for letting me sit in!  Find George and the Glenfarclas Distillery on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and on the web.

Tasting Notes: Aberlour 12 Double Cask Matured

Disclosure – I’ve done paid ambassador work for Aberlour

The color of the whisky and its viscosity are very exciting.  A medium amber with long, stick legs.  The aroma really highlights the sherry cask influence of the whisky – Cardamom, Tamarind, and late-season dark tree fruits.  On the palate it has a great medium creaminess to it and a nice medium finish, but diluting the whisky brings out some challenges.

At approx. $50 and 40% ABV, it packs a lot of flavor, depth and complexity and earns a regular place on the second shelf.

Aberlour 12 Double Cask Matured - Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Aberlour 12 Double Cask Matured – Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Connect with The Whisky Guy Socially!

Next time on The Whisky Guy Podcast…

Look for episode 8 in 2 weeks, on December 23, 2015, when I’ll speak with Joshua Hatton and Jason Johnstone-Yellin, both whisk(e)y bloggers and co-founders of the Single Cask Nation, about their processes for tasting whisk(e)y.  Subscribe to The Whisky Guy podcast today so the episode downloads automatically!

Happy Jerry Thomas Day!

December 15 is Jerry Thomas Day – the anniversary of his death.  Jerry Thomas is considered by many to be the first ‘celebrity bartender’ – head to your local that day and order a Blue Blazer, one of his signature drinks.

Sláinte!

 

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