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.
Category: Spirits
Laphroaig An Cuan Mor Single Malt Scotch Whisky 750mL
My final UK-centric post here. This comes as my duty-free purchase on the flight back (where I spent my entire layover in Switzerland running to catch my flight since the 1st was delayed). Anyway while there was a beautiful room of scotches, and multiple tastes tasting in the airport – I was sold the minute I saw the name Laphroaig next to a name (An Cuan Mor) that I did not know.
Black Robert’s Spiced Rum 750mL
They often say one should not judge a book by it’s cover. This is usually meant to imply that something that looks vain or vapid could be deeply rewarding and complex on the inside. The parallel here is that this looks like a cheap, spiced rum that may smell nice – but would kill a small hamster in a coughing fit from the burn itself. Instead though we get something that might as well have a Willy Wonka stamp on the side.
The Claymore Blended Scotch Whiskey 750mL
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
Maestro Dobel Reposado Tequlia 750mL
So we come to part 2 of my UK travels, and because I know exactly when reviews go up – I anticipated this posting on July 4th. And while as I write this I may not be in the USA – I am still very much an American. (I have a drawer in my fridge for cheese). Now if you feel that a Mexican tequila isn’t considered American at all – well hello Trump supporter! Also piss off, because I like having Mexicans become part of my country.
The Hakushu Single Malt Whisky Distiller’s Reserve 750mL
Well I recently found myself in the UK, paying a visit before the country went tits up in the Brexit. I paid a visit to Soho for some sushi, papercraft kits, and some Japanese whisky. I had tried a version of Hakushu once in a restaurant, but I had not heard of the distiller’s reserve (this might be because at this time I can’t find it in the states) but I figured I’d give it a try.
Berry Bros. & Rudd No. 3 London Dry Gin 750mL
I bought this gin because there was a skeleton key on it, and based on it’s shape and little booklet I figured it would be a good martini gin. In that respect it is partially true, but alas the tale of this gin is summed up perfectly by the same key on it’s front. (not a real key, flat backing with glue on the back and low-grade material)
Hacienda Vieja Tequila Blanco 750mL
So this was recently at a wine tasting at my local shop, and I was surprised by how clean it tasted that I decided to buy it at the sale price it was for. The Buffalo Lounge has a lot of transient spirits, but only a select few get bought again and again to fill decanters, or be used as infusers. This however is a high contender for replacing my standard silver tequila.
Sauza Silver Tequila 750mL
Well in continuing our coverage of the lower shelves, we this time hit up the silver version of Sauza. We’ve previously had the gold and while that was not a great tequila it was certainly better than what we have here.
Deep Eddy Vodka 750mL
Time again for some American-based vodka, and sadly the stereotype of good vodka only coming from the Eastern Bloc is getting truer every time we review an American vodka. The story is much the same – while this can do well in the right cocktail – overall it just lacks the cleanliness and clarity that vodkas from Russian or Poland have.