WINE FINISH SINGLE MALTS
+ CHEESE PAIRING

Eight malt whiskies from all over the UK and Ireland, all finished in a different type of wine cask, then each paired with unique cheeses.  Swanky.

* FLIGHT ONE *

Expression 1
 Glen Moray Elgin Classic Chardonnay

AGED ENGLISH CHEDDAR
 

Background: Speysider that produces mild entry level single malts as well as distillate for blends.  The Elgin Classic series features different wine finishes including Sherry and Port, plus a Peated expression.

Stats:  ABV = 40%. Finished in Chardonnay.

Tasting Notes: The white wine Chardonnay notes hit you right away on the nose. Taste is light while some acidity punches through.  Not much of a finish.

With Cheese: The Aged English Cheddar boosts the whisky into something meatier, a fuller mouth feel.  Definite improvement.

Worth Drinking Again?	Worth Buying a Pour?	Worth Buying a Bottle?
NO	NO	NO

Expression 2
 Oban Distillers Edition 15 Year
 SPANISH SMOKED SHEEP

Background:  
Named after the Highland resort town in which it operates, Oban is best known for their 14 Year Old expression which Diageo makes sure is in every airport, hotel bar, and Costco in the world.

Stats: 1999 Vintage. ABV = 43%
.  Finished Montilla Fino. 

Tasting Notes: The Fino Sherry provides some interesting chocolate and coffee flavors not present in their 14 Year.

With Cheese: The Spanish Smoke Sheep Cheese brings some briny notes to the forefront, which was surprising, perhaps due to the smoke of the cheese, as well as enhancing the coffee notes.

Worth Drinking Again?	Worth Buying a Dram?	Worth Buying a Bottle?
YES	YES	NO

Expression 3
 Green Spot Chateau Montelena
 SOFT GOAT w/ CUCUMBER + JALAPENO

Background: The Spot Whiskies are some of the few Single Pot Still expressions from Ireland.  Owned by Mitchell and Son, the whisky  is comparable to Redbreast, which makes sense since the spirit is produced at Midleton.

Stats: ABV = 46%. Finished in Zinfandel. 
 

Tasting Notes: With only a minimal jump in the alcohol volume, the nose was hotter than expected.  Taste is a lovely balance between floral and fruity. Slightly nutty on the finish.

With Cheese: The spicy jalapeno really brings out the wine notes.  Good pairing.

Worth Drinking Again?	Worth Buying a Dram?	Worth Buying a Bottle?
YES	YES	NO

Expression 4
 Arran Trebbiano Casks
ITALIAN SHEEP TRUFFLE 


 

Background: When other distilleries were closing or remained closed in the 1990s, Arran became fully operational in 1995 on the island that is its namesake.  Their product is often varied and adventurous, but usually solid to outstanding.  

Stats: ABV = 54.6%. Finished in Trebbiano d'Abruzzo. 
 

Tasting Notes: Big and buttery on the nose with ever-changing baking spices. There's just a lot going on with this whisky.  The Trebbiano wine cask is a new one - getting a lot of mocha notes.

With Cheese: Another good pairing with this medium strong cheese enhancing and expanding on the oil and butter.

Worth Drinking Again?	Worth Buying a Dram?	Worth Buying a Bottle?
YES	YES	YES

* FLIGHT TWO *

Expression 1
  Tullibardine 228
SWISS COW

Background: Speaking of closed distilleries, Tullibardine was mothballed the same year Arran opened, but resumed production in 2003.  Classic Highland profile.

Stats: ABV = 43%. Finished in Burgandy. 
 

Tasting Notes: A light floral nose.  On first taste, the expected light milk chocolate notes come through and kept building and building with subsequent sips.

With Cheese: Good cheese and good whisky, but neither really had an affect on the other.

Worth Drinking Again?	Worth Buying a Dram?	Worth Buying a Bottle?
YES	YES	NO

Expression 2
   Caol Ila Distillers Edition 11 Year
STILTON BLUE CHEEE

Background: Founded in 1846 and located at Port Askaig on Islay, the bulk of Caol Ila's distillate goes to blends like Johnnie Walker and Compass Box.  

Stats:  2000 Vintage. ABV = 43%. Finished in Moscatel.
 

Tasting Notes: The nose is perfect peated perfection.  Taste is exactly what you would want: barbecue shrimp on the beach.  Smokey slate finish.  Really don't get a lot of Moscatel notes, however.

With Cheese: Oh there it is - Now the wine sweetness comes through with a little bit of Stilton Cheese.  An essential compliment, apparently.

Worth Drinking Again?	Worth Buying a Dram?	Worth Buying a Bottle?
YES	YES	YES

Expression 3
Penderyn Madeira Finish
FRENCH TRIPLE CREAM CHEESE

Background: Welsh whisky was kind of a big deal for hundreds of years, but that all came to an end at the close of the 19th century.  Whisky making was dormant in Wales for over a hundred years until Penderyn started distilling in 2004.  

Stats: ABV = 46%. Finished in Madeira. 

Tasting Notes: Apprehensive about Welsh whisky?  Don't be.  Penderyn is surprisingly excellent.  This expression has a nice floral nose, rich and spicy taste with a hint of malt.  Well-balanced, the finish is long and warm with honeydew melon.

With Cheese: This awesome cream cheese makes anything better, but no need because the whisky is outstanding on its own.

Worth Drinking Again?	Worth Buying a Dram?	Worth Buying a Bottle?
YES	YES	YES

Expression 4
 Longrow Red 11 Year
DRUNKEN GOAT CHEESE

Background: Originally, Longrow was a Campbeltown distillery that closed in the early 1900s.  Springbank has been using the name for branding their heavily peated spirit for years now .

Stats: Bottled 2014. ABV = 53.7%. Finished in Australian Shiraz.
 

Tasting Notes: Classic Longrow peat on first nosing, then rich Shiraz floral notes.  The taste is complex as you'd expect, diving in and out of rich red fruits, into wood and vanilla, and finishing with some salty peat.

With Cheese: Drunken Goat Cheese is a perfect match since it spent some time drowning in red wine itself.

Worth Drinking Again?	Worth Buying a Dram?	Worth Buying a Bottle?
YES	YES	YES

[Tasting conducted with the Sneaky Trips Tasting Group which consists of Whisk(e)y Enthusiasts ranging from Beginner to Advanced.  Tastings are held monthly and are usually 8 Expressions based on a particular theme.]