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Bowmore & Deanston

Thu, 20 Dec 2007 12:05:00 -0600

Bowmore - 12yo - Islay

At first there was an overwhelming scent of medical tape. It came through in the taste too, however there was also a hint of smokiness, like your clothes after you've been by a campfire. I thought I'd try it neat, so it was highly astringent. My mistake.

It became even more clear to me that I have no idea what I'm doing, so I did some more reading. After learning some terms I could pick out the Phenol Wood Smoke flavor, as well as the Wood Associated Pine. I think I could brake down the Medical tape to pine and astringent.

The overwhelming astringent left it Dry and Neutral for me. I think this will be a good one to break down my sensitivity.

Deanston - 12yo - Highlands

This was the first bottle I've tried so far that just tasted like my mental image of Whisky. I purchased a bottle of still water from World Market, and I could definitely taste it better with a little water. The nose and mouth were both caramel and sherry. I couldn't pick out much more than that.

I read some other notes and found many references to peat and malt. These two essential flavors are not in my vocabulary yet, so I guess I'll need more practice.

I'm curious to know if it's better to go through many different bottles, or to work on one at a time. For now I'll keep trying new things.

The First Two: Isle of Jura & Glen Moray

Tue, 11 Dec 2007 20:31:00 -0600

Isle of Jura - 10yr

My Wife says she chose this because it was supposed to be mild and would be a good place to start. I definitely agree. It was very smooth and went down easy. I drank it neat and my virgin throat had no problem. I couldn't comment on the nose, but it did have a distinct cherry and choclate flavor. It's supposed to taste of honey, however I couldn't pick up on this.

Glen Moray - 12yr

After reading about the different Scotch Whisky regions it was clear that Speyside is the largest. Not a very calculated way to pick the next bottle, but hey, I'm a simple man. I tried it with about a 3 to 1 Scotch to Water mix. Even watered down it was a lot more harsh than the Jura. The nose was like fruity candy, almost like a jolly rancher. The same for the taste. I'd say pear and apple. I'm drinking it neat right now, and it's definitely kicking my ass. I can still taste the fruit, but something else that I can't quite discern.

I'll probably drop by World Market and get some nice spring water and a tulip glass.

Origin of Leazure

Tue, 11 Dec 2007 20:08:00 -0600

My wife was lucky that her wine of the month club shipment came at the same time as my Xmas present or I would have been a little suspicious when the UPS guy asked me if I was 21. Though it doesn't matter much, because she let me open it early.

I was blown away when I opened the box and saw a Talisker scotch box on top of what was obviously styrofoam shaped to ship liquor. She went on to explain that she did a lot of research into the different Scotch Whisky Regions and got a bottle from each of the six, plus an extra.

Glen Moray - 12yr - Speyside
Isle of Jura - 10yr - Islands
Deanston - 17yr - Highlands
Talisker - 10yr - Isle of Skye
Springbank - 10yr - Campbeltown
Auchentoshan - 10yr - Lowland
Bowmore - 12yr - Islay

I work in a world of information and abstract nothingness. It's nice to have something real to grasp on to.