I know we recently did a Johnnie Walker as a group, but this was another gift to the lounge that we’ve got to discuss. This is a Rye cask finished whiskey which is notable for thankfully not being sherry. The scotch overall is fairly good, but is best treated as something worth trying, and for Rye fans a joy. The rest of the time though – move along.
So as those of you might recall we’ve previously had another entry from the Explorer’s Club Collection – The Spice Road. However as shown we had 2 slightly different takes one by The Buffalo, and the other Justice. Now historically Justice has been a lot more forgiving in scotch reviews which was shown in his entry. We therefore decided for this top-tier entry to meet up and discuss as a group.
We are continuing this (likely extended) month of various whiskies, this time going with a scotch. However instead of this week being some single malt that I either enjoy immensely or wish I had never met – we are doing a blend I picked up way back when I was in the UK. (Damn it’s been 4 months already). I got this because it was cheap, and I knew it wasn’t a scotch I could take my time with having less than a week.
Good Morning Ladies and Gentleman, Boys and Girls, and all the other ones. I am the man called Justice and I’d like to talk to you about a particularly unique Scotch I didn’t know existed, as I found it somewhat unexpectedly. I was recently returning from a trip to the Dominican Republic, and on my way through the airport, I was not to subtly navigated through at least three duty free shops on my way to my gate entirely by the building’s architecture. On my winding Journey through these magical halls of tax free liquor and suspiciously friendly staff offering me free samples I began noticing a series of Johnnie Walker bottles I didn’t recognize. Long time readers will know that we have sampled at one time or another all of the standard Johnnie Walker Rainbow (Red, Black, Green, DoubleBlack, Gold, Platinum, and Blue), all of which were, if not excellent, then at least above average (I’m looking at you red). Based on that past experience the idea of a new Johnnie Walker, and not wanting to get screwed out of money exchanging my Pesos back to USD drove me to decide on picking up this novelty.
Well part 3 of the UK trip – this time I got myself a blended scotch purely because it had the name ‘Claymore’ my personal choice of weapon. Sadly though much like its namesake this has perhaps too much edge, and it’s not good if you put it through your throat and stomach. I also get that a basket-edge single bladed sword can be called Claymore – but c’mon just put a picture of a stupid sword belonging to a Final Fantasy character on the bottle
Well I think it’s time for some scotch, but because I am clearly masochistic by point of doing this site – it’s time for some more bottom shelf scotches. This week we got with Ballantine, which they themselves have little to say and since I was taught to never say anything unless it’s nice I do as well. (Read: Total lies)
As the 1L marker may indicate – this review is a little special. I was recently traveling through London (and apparently will return, so expect a new segment on London pubs to hit this site), and on the way home after some successful business I got myself some duty-free scotch. Of course with many options I couldn’t resist another entry from the Walker line.
I chose this scotch because I tend to buy myself a nice scotch at the close of a project. I choose this because it’s distinctive shape and look appealed to me. My purveyor of spirits however told me that this used to sell like hotcakes because of it’s usage on Breaking Bad.
So there I was, in a New Hampshire liquor store. I was stocking up on so many things (I love you Ezra Brooks), but sadly the store I was at was smaller, and had almost nothing for a scotch selection. Worse what was there were things I’d already had/reviewed. There was something that stood out, that I had not seen before.
Yes it’s more scotch. Come fight me if you have a problem with that. Anyway this week we discuss one of our more recent finds, and one that we love – because so far we’ve yet to find a 12 year (albeit blended) scotch for this price point that we can drink time and time again and still enjoy it.
