February 2024 126

New Delhi: Yangdup Lama, co-founder of Sidecar Bar in Delhi, has noticed a shift in alcohol consumption trends. Lama states that vodka’s popularity has declined, being superseded by gin — a trend he did not anticipate when opening Sidecar five years ago. He notes, “Gin consumption has been consistent, unlike vodka.”

A decade ago, Lama would order an equivalent number of vodka and whisky bottles, alongside a small quantity of gin. Nowadays, the count of whisky remained unaltered, but gin increased to eight bottles, while vodka decreased to merely four.

The same trend is observed by regular party-host Vir Kapoor, 37, living in west Delhi. According to Kapoor, gin has become increasingly popular among his friends, who previously turned to vodka as a default white spirit. Now, gin is a staple in Kapoor’s bar, with bottles such as Bombay Sapphire, Greater Than, or Stranger and Sons regularly featured at his parties. Furthermore, his friends have also expressed interest in premium sipping tequila. Both Greater Than and Stranger and Sons are Indian craft gins.

Similar transformations can be seen all over India. Vodka, once the leading white spirit of India and a peer to whisky, now faces stiff competition. Factors behind this phenomenon include the growing popularity of gin. This preference change is discouraging for those considering entering the vodka market, as gin — specifically premium gin, with its characteristic juniper taste — is now the favored beverage. Vodka also competes with high-end tequila, agave-based spirits, and white rum in the crowded white spirits space.

Gin has a history stretching back over a century in India’s liquor market. Despite this, it was often overlooked in favor of other spirits, relegated to the sidelines and largely untouched by innovation. This led to a somewhat stagnant market, with gin consumption in India remaining low.

However, a shift began to occur around 2017. New companies like Nao Spirits and Third Eye Distillery entered the scene, introducing premium gin brands like Greater Than and Stranger & Sons. These were not only high-quality, but also came with hefty price tags. Before long, gin had overtaken entry-level vodka in popularity.

Industry figures indicate that India’s gin market has experienced phenomenal growth in the past few years. In 2017, only about 12,000 cases were sold, but this figure has climbed to roughly 320,000 cases today. It’s important to note that a case typically contains nine bottles, each holding either 750ml or 1,000ml, depending on the specific category of liquor.

Recognizing this burgeoning demand, several companies decided to capitalize on it in 2023. Close to a half dozen companies, among them Radico Khaitan, Spaceman Spirits, Third Eye Distillery, and NV Distilleries & Breweries, launched new gin brands and variants. Some even ventured into the rum market, introducing new white and golden varieties.

Today, numerous other large companies have also enthusiastically joined the trend of white spirits. Allied Blenders and Distillers (ABD), a brown spirits whisky maker primarily, has just launched a premium gin named Zoya. Meanwhile, Associated Alcohol & Breweries Ltd has also introduced its own premium gin brand, Nicobar.

Indian gins that are priced over ₹1,000 have been growing rapidly, outperforming imported premium gins. While four years ago they only accounted for just over a quarter of the premium sector, today this figure has risen to above 40%, as reported by the Confederation of Indian Alcoholic Beverage Companies (CIABC). They also noted that the portion of imported gins has decreased from 74% to 59% in the same timeframe.

This shift in the world of white spirits is not merely about taste, it’s a tale of premiumization. Consumers are more than ever willing to pay higher for quality and experience. Capitalizing on this trend is gin, a versatile spirit with a thriving craft scene. As Lama states, “10-15 years ago, vodka was the most trendy spirit, but gin and craft spirits came in. Dark-spirit making companies have managed to capitalize on the craft market, unlike vodka”.

Siddharth Banerji, who is the owner and Managing Director of Kyndal Group, the spirits manufacturer behind well-known scotch brands such as Cutty Sark and The Famous Grouse, expressed that the trend toward premium, higher-quality spirits is the growth engine for the white spirits sector specifically gin. In different spirit categories, the number of brands within the premium segment has increased. Gin has benefited most from this, since these spirits are presented in impressive packaging with innovation attached.

“All of this has led to individuals exploring a multitude of new brands. This contrasts heavily with previous years where folks were rather set in their ways regarding the brands and categories they preferred. In addition to this, there has also been a significant rise in per capita income. This is evident in India’s surge of ‘premiumization’. Moreover, people have been prioritizing quality over quantity when it comes to consumption since the pandemic,” said Banerji.

The firm he works for is currently in the process of integrating an international tequila into their range of products. Banerji believes that the most rapid growth in India’s spirit industry will be in the premium segment, specifically in the 1,000–2,000 rupees per bottle price range. That said, it is worth noting that despite the intense competition among white spirits, brown spirits still own an impressive 97% of the total market share. This is largely propelled by mass-produced, cost-effective offerings.

Gin, while it is showing extremely quick growth, has volume figures that are still merely a quarter of vodka’s. Vodka has managed to retain its growth momentum, primarily in the bigger economy category. Premium vodka, however, has only experienced a slight nominal increase in its market share. According to IWSR, a consultancy specializing in drinks, in the previous calendar year, the overall growth in the vodka segment was higher than gin’s at 35%. Regardless, in the ‘premium and above’ category, gin managed to grow more rapidly than vodka, with growth rates of 177% in comparison to vodka’s 66% for the same year.

Competing in the white spirits market isn’t exclusive to gin. There is increasing competition from other varieties of white spirits, such as tequila, agave-based spirits, and even white and golden rum. These have become increasingly popular, especially amongst the young, upwardly mobile Indian demographic. We’ve seen new entrants like Allied Blenders, Himmaleh Spirits, and Associated Alcohol & Breweries dabbling in and experimenting with a broad array of beverages for drinkers. This trend was a factor in Diageo’s decision to release its own Don Julio tequila a couple of months back.

Vikram Achanta, the co-founder and CEO of beverage consultancy Tulleeho, has noticed a significant swing in the popular preferences for spirits. Tequila, has recently grabbed attention. “Although agave consumption is falling in the U.S., it has gained substantial popularity in India in the past half year. This trend can be attributed to the rising popularity of bars and restaurants with Mexican and Spanish themes, and to an increase in home consumption. Thanks to lower consumption in America, we have more available for markets like ours. The supply of agave spirits is not likely to become an issue soon, and we expect to see more companies investing and innovating in this sector,” Achanta explains.

Internationally renowned beverage producers like Diageo and Bacardi, are now turning their focus onto to their tequila lines Don Julio (Diageo), and Patron (Bacardi) for the Indian market. Locally, companies like DesmondJi that cultivate agave in India, are rising, supplying businesses keen on creating their own signature agave spirits in the Indian market. These notably include Maya Pistola Agavepura, launched by Indian restauranteur Rakshay Dhariwal in the last year.

“Premium tequila is currently enjoying a favorable image among consumers, with a notable rise in interest observed from both genders due to its reputation for providing a ‘clean’ high. Irrespective of the truth of this belief, it certainly has been boosting demand,” Achanta remarked.

In his opinion, now is a good time to be in the clear spirits industry. White rum, gin, and agave spirits account for over a million cases sold annually according to Achanta, with the entire white spirits industry accounting for sales between four to six million cases.

“It (white spirits) is a very, very exciting category right now with a lot of innovation going on in some spirits,” said Alok Gupta, ABD’s managing director. “Gin has had this astounding growth because it offers new experiences. Globally, today, the only two white spirit categories spoken of are gin and tequila. There is a lot of curiosity around mezcal- and agave-based spirits and Indians really want to know what the hype is all about.”

The industry is yet to put out any official data for this fiscal year, but Gupta estimated the market for tequila to be about 75,000–80,000 cases per annum, growing at a rate of 40%.

Meanwhile, vodka, said some aficionados, appears to be suffering from a bit of an identity crisis. It has been stuck in the ‘value’ spirits rut, and is struggling to keep up with gin. While its volume growth continues, that growth is primarily in the lower-priced segments under ₹1,000, according to data from CIABC.

Indeed, Indian brands haven’t made any significant inroad in the premium vodka segment, leaving the space dominated by foreign players, such as Diageo’s Smirnoff, Absolut and Grey Goose. A few players such as NV Distilleries & Breweries, which sells the Smoke brand of vodka, and has innovated with flavours such as saffron and mango, are the exception. Somewhere, this lack of homegrown innovation has hindered vodka’s appeal.

Gupta expressed that India needs to reconsider how to revive the vodka category. He stated, “We believe there is a void in the super-premium vodka segment and we are planning to introduce something in the high-end category soon.”

According to Gupta, vodka was always viewed as “clean” and offered a consistent standard experience each time it was consumed. However, with other white spirits, it has evolved to be more about who introduces new flavors. He argued, “Gin is not replacing the consumption of any other white spirit. The majority of the growth in white spirits is possibly from regular brown spirit drinkers, women, or newer of-age drinkers.”

Anand Virmani, co-founder of Nao Spirits, seems to agree with Gupta. He argued, “It’s not about vodka versus gin. There’s a shift from other categories. Some are beer drinkers, others are new to drinking. India adds approximately 20 million new drinkers each year. Typically, new drinkers begin with lighter spirits.”

Even though the competition for India’s white spirits market is still ongoing, one thing is evident: Premiumization is the current trend.

Starting a whiskey collection is one thing. You add bottles here and there as you go. But buying an official whiskey collection is another endeavor entirely. Every year, big names in the spirits industry release full-on collections of whiskeys. These are not for the novice. Going all in on a whiskey collection often means spending thousands — sometimes tens of thousands — of dollars for extremely rare and unique collection whiskeys that you’ll likely never see again.

So where do you even start with a task like this? I’d argue that you start slowly and do a ton of research. And that research starts right now.

Below, I’m calling out four current whiskey collections that broadly represent whiskey as a category and are full of some pretty goddamn tasty bottles. We’ll be looking at one collection from the U.S. and three from Scotland (there are so many more, but we have to start somewhere). When looking at price, it’s important to remember that even with an inflated secondary market for rare and collectible whiskeys in the U.S., it’s nowhere near the level in price or rarity of Scotch whisky. You have to remember that the bourbons and ryes on this list are inflated prices (I list MSRPs too, for clarity). Whereas the Scotch whisky on this list is the actual suggested retail price without that secondary markup from retailers.

Pricing semantics aside, I curated this list to offer you some dream scenarios when buying a whisk(e)y collection. If you want to start with a significantly softer landing, I love recommending the Westward Whiskey: Columbia Collection, seen below.

This collection is an excellent starting point for exploring the world of whiskey tasting. It includes a unique American single malt from a renowned craft distiller. Moreover, it’s comprised of only two bottles available at the affordable price of $164. Although not insignificant, it’s a real bargain compared to some of the prices you will encounter soon.

Now, let’s examine the premium options!

This collection offers a selection of Glenfiddich releases, all over 20 years old, each with a unique finish. The unpeated malt in these whiskies excellently demonstrates the potential of mature whiskey when appropriately treated with a finished barrel.

Total Price: Around $2,430

ABV: 40%

Average Price: $188

Rum casks and sweet single malts are a great match. This whisky starts by mellowing for 21 years in ex-bourbon casks before that whisky is transferred to Caribbean rum barrels for a final rest. That whisky is then blended and proofed down for bottling.

Tasting Notes:

Nose: The dominant scent is reminiscent of perfume, highlighting sticky toffee pudding elements – dates, nutmeg, toffee, vanilla and more. This is followed by undertones of cherry bark and aged leather.

Palate: The palate offers a delicate undertone of cream soda, paired with the same floral perfume, cinnamon apple wood and a touch of sultana and prunes.

Finish: Towards the finish, there’s a shift towards floral and honey elements, evoking the scent of freshly baked banana bread. The creamy notes amplify, developing into a distinct Key lime pie sensation.

Final Thoughts:

This is a beautiful and subtle creation of unpeated single malt. It carries a pleasant tone of bourbon with a hint of rum, which feels more like a concentrated rum fragrance than an actual gulp from a rum bottle. Ideally, this spirit is savored slowly, preferably over a large rock.

Alcohol By Volume: 40%

Typical Price: $260

The brand’s yearly special release, as indicated by its name, is matured for more than 23 years in both ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks. This whisky is then filled into French Cuvée casks previously used for champagne. This is subsequently brought down to proof and bottled, making its arrival just in time for the holiday season, thus completing the Grand Reserve’s annual collection.

Tasting Notes:

Nose: Here, you will find the quintessential malt aroma paired with stewed apples and pears. There is a gentle sourness and a floral hint atop a base of buttery brioche, rounded off with a suggestion of maple wood.

Palate: Upon first taste, the palate is both lush and malleable with a central note of vanilla. Additional flavours include pear candy, aged toffee, creamed honey, and touches of wood from an orchard. The palate also sports a mild sweetness.

Finish: Finished with a feel of pear and apple skins, the drink leaves you with impressions of bark, cores, and stems. The end notes blend in soft floral honey with a trace of proofing water.

Bottom Line:

This is the quintessential unpeated malt from beginning to end. This is the pour you offer to someone who wants top-tier quality matched with comfort. It’s a whisky with no sharpness, just smoothing. Each sip will remind you of the warmth of returning home.

ABV: 43.8%

Average Price: $529

Glenfiddich Grande Couronne spends over 25 years resting in ex-bourbon casks. The selected casks are then vatted, and the whisky is placed in super rare French cognac casks for a final rest prior to vatting, proofing, and bottling.

Tasting Notes:

Nose: The scent of French oak presents itself with a burst of vanilla bean, gentle brioche, and a deep, caramelized apple tarte tatin, coupled with plenty of woody winter spice and delicately buttery pastry.

Palate: A suggestion of almond, a trace of pear, and soft espresso cream swirl on the palate. The caramel and apple from the apple tarte tatin work in harmony with the mellow oakiness lightly touched by pipe tobacco.

Finish: That soft oak delivers a touch of an old wine cellar as the gentle tobacco takes on notes of pear and apple with a soft cinnamon, nutmeg, and cedar vibe at the very end.

Bottom Line:

This is a subtle and delicious whisky. It’s like a walk through a Parisian boulangerie just as the pastries are coming out of the oven. It’s delicate and divine as a sipper.

ABV: 45.1%

Average Price: $1,453

The brand-new bourbon Glenfiddich has launched a limited edition bourbon that marks their initial venture into the world of Japanese cask finishing. With a significant period of 29 years spent in American oak and re-fill oak, the whisky is transferred to an ex-Awamori cask – which is a type of a rice spirit found in Okinawa – for an additional 9 months to mellow. Finally, the barrels are batched and bottled with a subtle hint of proofing water.

Tasting Notes:

Nose: An immediate delight to the senses, the nose is rich with dense notes of caramelized orange and grapefruit peels, with a garnish of roasted almonds. Traces of allspice and salt appear, with a faint hint of confectioner’s sugar, leading on to a sweet toffee-like maltiness that resonates with an underlying tone of dark, fruity leather. This exquisite blend is finely balanced with a creamy mix of vanilla and chocolate, and ends subtly with a hint of dried savory herbs and a whiff of aged oak.

Palate: The delightful combination of ultra creamy vanilla and toffee blends beautifully with the subtle hint of soft oak and caramelized malt. A slight tartness from green apples and the rustic scent of tree barks from old wicker baskets complement the taste of date tobacco and salted caramel chocolate ganache exquisitely.

Finish: The initial taste of tobacco transforms into the flavour of sticky toffee pudding and mincemeat pie, as the creaminess continues to intensify on the long spiced malt finish.

Final Thoughts:

The modern Glenfiddich might just be the best yet. It’s depth and unique nuances makes it truly exceptional, potentially even surprising to the seasoned whiskey enthusiast. There’s a myriad of flavours to explore, so take your time to fully enjoy this sensational journey. Addition of water is optional and can be done as per personal preference. Enjoy the ride as it unravels its treasure trove of tastes.

The premier collection of American whiskeys in the 21st century is often considered to be this one. It consists of five distinct ones from the Buffalo Trace Distillery that’s located in Frankfort, Kentucky. They represent exceptional small batches garnered from the distillery’s finest barrels across four signature brands.

The challenge, however, is that these whiskeys are seldom available at their recommended retail price, which turns the process of acquiring these whiskeys into a quest.

Aggregate Price: $625 (Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price)/$7,921 (after-market retail)

Alcohol By Volume (ABV): 67.5%

Average Price: $1,199

The batch of George T. Stagg for 2023 was distilled back in the spring of 2008 and left to mature in warehouses C, I, K, L, and M around the Buffalo Trace campus situated in Frankfort. After allowing it to rest for 15 lengthy years, the barrels were finally blended and bottled as it is, without any dilution, at the cask strength.

Tasting Notes:

Nose: The first scent that greets you is a classic blend of Cherry Coke, old leather tobacco pouches, and rich buttercream using natural vanilla bean, reminiscent of a fall orchard. Gradually, an unexpected layer of Neapolitan ice cream surfaces, displaying dominant undertones of strawberry and chocolate ice cream.

Palate: Picture yourself in a crisp apple orchard on an autumn day, crunching leaves underfoot and savouring the deep dark cherry, cinnamon bark, clove buds, and allspice berries flavours. Get a surprise hint of Neopolitan ice cream making a late appearance.

Finish: The finish is a pleasing blend of creamy vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry. It takes you back to the old orchards and fall leaves, with a hint of rickhouse floors and soft cherry-spiced tobacco leaves rolled with cedar. Enjoy the smudging sage aroma and the comforting warmth of a Kentucky hug at the end.

Final Thoughts:

This barrel-proof whiskey surpasses the high-alcohol-content reputation of the brand. It presents a depth of flavours that unravel as you take your time to indulge in it. Dare to explore – add some water or pour it over a chunky ice cube. You are in for a bold and riveting experience.

ABV: 45%

Average Price: $1,799

The 2023 Sazerac is a compilation of rye whiskey barrels that were initially filled during the fall of 2004 and the spring of 2005. This results in an 18-year-old rye that also comprises a hint of 19-year-old extract. These barrels were stored in warehouses K, L, and M on the Buffalo Trace campus for all these years before being batched, tested for proof, and bottled without further alterations.

Tasting Notes:

Nose: The alluring scent of leathery spice barks, combined with the rich aroma of rye bread covered in aniseed, clove-infused oranges, and a touch of sweet pear captivates the senses.

Palate: The palate is treated to the traditional flavors of dark winter spice, complemented by black pepper, cumin, and chili pepper powder. The taste of candied BBQ pork and new leather transitions into a mid-palate rich in vanilla wrapped in soft oak.

Finish: From the soft oakiness emerges a light and refreshing sweetness of honey, balanced by the mild tones of pine and cinnamon bark immersed in warm apple cider. A subtle hint of barrelhouse completes the finish.

Bottom Line:

This is truly a top-notch American rye whiskey. Don’t let the reduced proof fool you- this whiskey is best served neat, so you can fully appreciate the rich, nuanced flavors. This whiskey would greatly enhance classic drinks like a Manhattan or Sazerac.

ABV: 66.8%

Average Price: $1,975

Known for their wheated bourbon, Buffalo Trace reintroduces us to their 2023 Weller BTAC. This particular batch was distilled in spring of 2011 and rested for a dozen years in warehouses C, L, M, and N. The barrels were then batched together and the whiskey was bottled directly from the barrel, preserving its pure, undiluted strength.

Tasting Notes:

Nose: Experience a profound and rich essence of candied black cherry intertwined with dry cedar bark, molasses, organic vanilla beans, nutty aroma of brown butter, and vintage leather laced with pipe tobacco finished off with hints of smoky sage and dry chili pepper flakes.

Palate: The palate reveals an enthusiastic burst of ABVs, sparking a tingling sensation at the tip of the tongue. The sweet floral honey, delightful cherry cobbler topped with the creamy vanilla ice cream, and irresistible brown butter streusel infused with nutmeg, cinnamon, and clove unfold onto a subtle hint of dry orange tobacco.

Finish: The finish introduces cinnamon sticks and clove buds bathed in maple syrup accompanied by the scent of old leather boots, the hint of oak in an aged rickhouse, the fragrance of orchard barks, and subtle notes of vanilla and cherry cake.

Bottom Line:

This is the top-tier offering when referring to the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection from 2023. Astoundingly tasty whiskey, whether bourbon or otherwise, doesn’t get better than this.

ABV: 62.45%

Average Price: $749

Handy 2023 is distilled from straight rye, noticeably without “Kentucky” listed on the label. Barrels aging for over six years were blended, and the whiskey was bottled as it was at its cask strength.

Tasting Notes:

Nose: The aroma presents itself with leathery orange peels and subtle hints of lemon poppyseed cake. Along with these are notes of pine bark soaked in sap, caramel with salt sprinkled on top, and tobacco with accents of cumin and chili.

Palate: The first taste that hits the palate is of dense rye bread with a gentle touch of molasses sweetness. As the ABVs tingle the tongue, deep and dark orange marmalade, pine-infused honey, delicate vanilla oils, and a hint of potpourri laced leather become apparent on the mid-palate.

Finish: That potpourri vibe mellowing fades on the finish as vanilla and star fruit arrive with a sense of dried chili and star anise hint at black licorice and sarsaparilla bark on the dry end.

Bottom Line:

This is one of the best Handy releases since the late aughts. It’s very unique and floral-forward, so take your time and find your place in the profile, and then revel in that moment. You’ll be rewarded with a unique and delicious pour of whiskey.

ABV: 50.5%

Average Price: $2,199

This year’s production of Eagle Rare bourbon is older than usual, clocking in at 19 years and three months. The label’s “17 Years” signifies the minimum age of the barrels utilized within the blend. The whiskey in this latest release was distilled and barreled in spring 2004, maturing in different warehouses at the Buffalo Trace properties. Upon reaching the desired age, the whiskey was simply proofed and bottled.

Tasting Notes:

Nose: The aroma evokes a scene of consuming an exquisite Black Forest cake inside a vintage barrel warehouse, alongside a dormant fruit orchard in autumn. This olfactory journey continues with an air pleasantly humid with a light drizzle, underfoot crunching of fallen leaves, and subtle notes of cinnamon cake, smoldering sage, and sweetgrass.

Palate: Orange cake and salted caramel lead on the palate with a sense of dark chocolate tobacco moving the mid-palate toward dry roasting herbs and a touch of nuttiness.

Finish: Cinnamon sticks and nutmeg pop up on the finish with a hint of vanilla buttercream and eggnog before the spices dry out with a sense of mince meat pie and old leather tobacco pouches.

Bottom Line:

This is the quintessential Kentucky bourbon. This is the stuff you pour for a pro when they want a perfect bourbon pour. It also makes an incredible old fashioned.

This new collection from The Dalmore is a masterclass on how Spanish sherry can influence single malt (and how to do it right). These whiskies are like a Ph.D. course in whisky while still holding onto being 100% delicious.

Total price: $37,500 (set of three)

ABV: 48.2%

Average Price: $37,500 (set of three)

The Dalmore has launched their most recent release, which is the youngest among a trio of superior whiskies. This bottling, which is extremely limited in availability, emanates from The Dalmore’s signature malt that aged for many years inside ex-bourbon casks. This whisky was then collected together and placed into a González Byass 2002 Vintage Sherry Cask (Cask #4), where it aged for additional years until it reached an optimal stage. The final bottling was performed without any alterations to the whisky, to emphasize the influence of that finishing cask on the distinctive character of The Dalmore.

Tasting Notes:

Nose: The aroma invites you with a vibrant hint of caramelized oranges, freshly collected floral honey, and ripe, vine-picked apricots. These are layered with rich tones of vanilla pods, dried cacao, and freshly harvested almonds, accentuated by a hint of cherry syrup.

Palate: The taste reveals the notes of cakes generously loaded with raisins and spiced with zesty orange. It further unfolds with the hint of cherry syrup and almond cookies blended with vanilla oils, giving way to the image of sultanas baking under the hot sun.

Finish: There’s a buttery sense of a fresh croissant on the finish next to creamy espresso for sipping, ginger rock candy, and lush vanilla cake cut with more orange oil, almond, and poppy seed.

Bottom Line:

This is one of the lightest and freshest The Dalmores in a while. The soft brightness of the Spanish sherry oak shifts this whisky to something unique and kind of new. It’s wildly bright with a soft sweetness that transports you to a sunny vineyard in Spain with grapes fermenting on the stem all around you as you sip a subtly delectable single malt.

ABV: 55.3%

Average Price: $37,500 (set of three)

The narrative of this whisky begins with The Dalmore’s ex-bourbon-cask-aged single malt. This whisky was then relocated into a 30-year-old Matusalem Oloroso Sherry, a sherry recognized for its dark, sweet, spicy undertones and a plummy depth. After a significant period of rest, the whisky was sealed in cask strength to embrace and enhance the dark sherry flavors in the whisky.

Tasting Notes:

Nose: The nose captivates with the aroma of black-tea-soaked dates, prunes reminiscent of aged leather, and raisins flushed with rum. These scents pave the way for the essence of black licorice ropes, a dark yet creamy honey with a dash of summer blooming flowers, and a luminous burst of star fruit. Beneath all these complex layers hide a profound sense of bourbon vanilla.

Palate: Mincemeat pies and sticky toffee pudding (cut with orange zest and salted toffee) drive the lush palate toward bold marmalade, brandy-soaked pears cut with marzipan, and more of that black licorice with a hint of absinth candy.

Finish: Black cherries soaked in brandy and dipped in salted dark chocolate arrive late on the finish with a sense of sasparilla bark, dark molasses, and more of that mince meat pie vibe next to candied orange tobacco and whispers of cedar.

Bottom Line:

This feels like The Dalmore turned up to MAX volume. If you’re a fan of the distillery, this will be a delight for your senses. It’s deep and dark Christmas-y malt that’s layered with dark, sweet, and spicy sherry that feels black and syrupy. Pour this over a single rock and you’ll be set for sipping all year long.

ABV: 46.8%

Average Price: $37,500 (set of three)

This long-aged version of whisky rests in ex-bourbon barrels for several years before it undergoes the batching process. It is then refilled into a 30-year-old Apostoles sherry cask, which is known for its sweet, spicy, and plummy sherry with deep woodiness. The whisky is bottled at cask strength 100% without any dilution.

Tasting Notes:

Nose: The aroma of summer honeycombs paired with bright, fresh oranges welcomes you. This is further accentuated by a hint of fire-roasted chestnuts, fresh raisins, sultanas, flavorous dates, deep bourbon vanilla and a touch of almond oil.

Palate: On the front of the palate, the vanilla flavor intensifies and becomes rich. The sweetness of the orange blends with the bitterness of dark chocolate, lightly sprinkled with salt. This pairs beautifully with hints of huckleberry, black currant, and grapefruit pith, accompanied by a flutter of oaky tobacco.

Finish: The taste concludes with the sweetness of apricot jam, served over a soft scone with a hint of butter. This drives the finish towards juicy orange mixed with sharp cinnamon, chocolate, and sea salt. A side of grilled pineapple studded with cloves and nutmeg gives a wonderful final touch.

Bottom Line:

This pour of whisky is magical, managing to retain its bright and youthful spirit while delivering incredibly deep flavor notes. This unique The Dalmore experience resonates with the essence of a warm Spanish day, delicately layered with a tantalizing single malt.

Diageo’s Prima & Ultima 2023 Collection is an amalgamation of Diageo’s single malts from iconic, as well as extinct, distilleries spread across Scotland. These whiskies come from barrels once thought lost to time, monitored by the legends of Scotch whisky themselves, and some of the most unique casks drawn from actual historical eras.

This collection is not to be taken lightly. It contains whiskies we will never encounter again. This implies that you will have to be willing to invest substantially to be part of this collection.

Total Price: Approximately $48,000

ABV: 48.2%

Average Price:

$14,999

The whisky from Brora — a Highland distillery that has been dormant since 1983 up until 2021 — is a real throwback to a bygone era. The whisky was made from the final hogsheads that were filled on the 15th of December 1977, marking the end of whisky production at the distillery during the “Age of Peat”. This makes this extremely rare bottling a glimpse into whiskies that simply do not exist anymore.

Tasting Notes:

Nose: There is an initial gentle hint of a beeswax candle followed by baby oil fragrance, smooth caramel candies, and a hint of salty sugar sweets. A faint smell of calming fireplace smoke is discernible in the distance.

Palate: The palate experiences a softening effect of the baby oil, as the smoke quotient picks up strength, evoking images of spicy wood barks and shreds of cedar. There is also the presence of a delicate ginger-spiced apple cake with a dash of red pepper flakes inducing some warmth on the tongue.

Finish: As the experience concludes, the ginger intensifies with a sweet overtone. This is followed by a subdued, dry mushroom flavor and a firewood bark. The finale is graced by a soft tobacco chew taste underscored by pronounced spearmint, aged oak, and additional spice barks.

Final Thoughts:

This whisky pour is indeed quite incredible. The peaty smokiness is so subdued and reflective of a hearth at home that you may scarcely recognize its peat content. It offers a cozy and lush experience, with a bit of spice kick to remind you of life’s vitality.

Alcohol By Volume: 52%

Typical Cost: $2,199

Consistency is the key with Clynelish. This special release stands out as the last of its era. It represents a blend of two experimental barrels from the company’s storage—Pedro Ximenez and Oloroso sherry oak—that were filled in 1996.

Tasting Notes:

Nose: The aroma is gentle and refined, with hints of orange and grapefruit oils leading the way. This is followed by an undercurrent of subtly polished wood and a hidden wisp of smoke emanating from a freshly extinguished vanilla candle wick.

Palate: The taste is rich and almost thick in texture, enveloping the palate with intense flavours of freshly picked apples combined with burnt toffee encrusted in almonds. These are overlayed with a dusting of French vanilla chocolate powder and an intriguing hint of dried ancho chili powder that’s almost smouldering.

Finish: The finale sees a turn towards the spicy, with a distinct hit of bright red chili. However, this is soon tempered by a solid punch of salt, smoothening the journey back towards the comforting flavours of burnt toffee, tender vanilla candle wick, and faint remnants of vanilla chocolate tobacco flakes barely singed by flame.

Bottom Line:

Experience a mesmerizing sip of Scotch whisky that artfully weaves together uncanny flavor notes into a coherent whole. A hint of water can reveal nuances of candle, vanilla, and apple toffee, integrating them into a creamy blend. Take this journey slowly and relish the rewarding taste.

ABV: 50.7%

Average Price: $2,899

The final barrels from Lagavulin’s ‘Golden Year’ are the subject of this conversation. Mike Nicolson, a whisky legend, produced and barrelled this whisky in 1997. This bottling serves as a look back at an era of Lagavulin distillery, similar to an oak time machine sending us back in time.

Tasting Notes:

Nose: Its strong, peat-dominant aroma can be likened to freshly ignited Ace bandages near a tire yard. This slowly mellows to the scent of birch water-soaked acacia in a dying campfire, as a pot of greens splash over flickering flames, all tied together with a trace of sea breeze and rock candy.

Palate: The creamy palate introduces you to mild hints of dirty carrots and parsnips. There’s a hint of salted rock candy, seawater-drenched logs on a smoky fire, and aromatic herbs burning after being immersed in beef tallow.

Finish: The transformation of campfire smoke from blue to white to transparent is beautifully observed as flames dance and wood turns into coal below. The fleeting aroma of salted sweet carrots, charred steak bones, and subtle hints of sea breeze making its way through the orchard trees is wonderfully intoxicating.

Final Thoughts:

Welcome back to the age-old charm of Lagavulin. It’s bold, audacious, savoury, eccentric, salty, and smoky in one. Drinking this whisky makes you crave a steak cooked over an open flame. This is traditional Scottish haggis, served with neeps and tatties, enjoyed alongside a dram of whisky. An old cliche it might be, but this the sort of whisky that might just put hair on your chest.

Alcohol By Volume: 55.5%

Average Price: $1,995

Pittyvaich distillery ended its operations in 1993. This whisky was brewed using the remaining Pedro Ximénez and Oloroso butts. This implies that it will be the final Pittyvaich 30-Year released.

Tasting Notes:

Nose: It manifests a complex blend of dark fruits including cherry, prune, currant, raspberry steeped in mulled wine and profoundly spicy sherry. Concurrently, one can discern hints of dark spiced Christmas cakes with minced meat, the subtle aroma of orange oils, and vanilla paste in the background. It is accompanied by a faint trace of creamy chocolate that’s almost stale.

Palate: Those dark sherry-soaked fruits drive the palate toward dry red wine that’s oaky and tobacco-filled next to soft chocolate that’s just kissed with cinnamon and red chili flakes before a moment of brioche and marmalade sneaks in.

Finish: The peppery tobacco kicks up on the finish as the mulled wine spices and dark fruits stew toward a soft winter cake with plenty of minced meat and almost rumminess before brandy-soaked cherries dipped in dark chocolate layered with tobacco on the very end.

Bottom Line:

This is dark, spicy, and fruity whisky that shines as an after-dinner sipper, especially in colder months. It’s also the last of its kind, so maybe pour it sparingly.

ABV: 55.2%

Average Price: $1,699

This whisky is also the last of its kind. It’s made with the very last barrels filled in 1996 in Oban. The barrels used were refill European oak, adding a subtly to the aging over the decades.

Tasting Notes:

Nose: The initial scent invites with gentle hints of a beachside fair – salt water candies, salted butter, freshly shucked oysters, sugar-coated apples, and glazed nuts. Behind all this, faintly detectable, is a distant coastal bonfire with a dash of cinnamon-flavored tobacco.

Palate: The flavors of stewed pear and sugar-coated apple dip into sea salt, alongside a taste of smoky seaweed that pulls the flavor profile towards subtle notes of vintage dock planks, lobster cages, and a hint of chili pepper hovering above smoked oyster shells.

Finish: The finale swings back towards the candy, with a shade of orange extracts and beeswax before a mild tobacco flavor with a slight bite presents itself, accompanied by pear and apple soaked in brandy, lightly spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg, alongside faintly burning beach driftwood.

Overall:

This delightful malt is softly peated and conjures faint memories of times spent by the ocean enjoying sweets, seafood, and warm campfires.

Alcohol By Volume: 53.4%

Typical Cost: $16,147

Originating from the esteemed Port Ellen Distillery on Islay, which resumed operations in 2023, this whisky is a product of the final four American oak hogsheads filled in 1978. For years, famed whisky distiller Iain MacArthur expertly managed these barrels until they achieved the perfect condition for bottling.

Tasting Notes:

Nose: There is a sensation similar to looking up a cold chimney flue at the beginning, which then transitions towards walking down a rock jetty sprayed with sea water as fishing boats arrive. This is followed by the subtle dominance of soft, creamy fudge with a hint of salt, topped off with a smear of wet coal.

Palate: The palate resembles the oiliness of a classic Islay peated malt — it embodies a strong sense of smoked seaweed next to a beach fire stacked with aged oyster and clam shells. Dried red chilis smoldering nearby deliver a wisp of Scotch broom.

Finish: The chili spice intensifies towards the end while the salinity from the water tones it down towards a subtle hint of chewing tobacco, aged sea stones, and linseed oil on vintage gloves.

Bottom Line:

If you enjoy unique, complex flavours, this whisky might be just the thing for you. Its distinct character is reminiscent of traditional Islay peated malt, which is both intense and delightfully rewarding.

ABV: 47.7%

Average Price: $2,899

This whisky was made from barrels that were lost to time in an old Dufftown warehouse. The batch was made from the last The Singleton of Dufftown casks from 1985, closing the book on that era’s whiskies.

Tasting Notes:

Nose: Stewed pears with saffron and soft apple sauce cut with nutmeg and cinnamon glide the nose toward a mix of almond and coconut rolled in oats, buttery pastry, and raisins as poached apricots and a hint of yellow melon skin arrive late.

Palate: The palate is lush and full of those stewed and poached fruits layered with spice barks and buds next to soft notes of slate before a hint of banana bread with walnuts and plenty of salted butter arrives.

Finish: The end gets even softer as the spice from the fruits and banana bread fades toward dry old oak staves with a hint of birchbark and an old wine cellar evokes a dry yet soft finish.

Bottom Line:

This is the most approachable whisky in 2023’s Prima & Ultima Collection. This is so easy to sip on its own while delivering a beautifully supple unpeated malt experience. Drop in a little water to find a creamy vanilla-forward depth.

ABV: 50.9%

Average Price: $5,999

This whisky is extraordinary in two ways. Firstly, it was distilled during a unique heatwave that graced the Isle of Skye in 1976. This unusual weather caused the still to run abnormally hot, resulting in a more extensive and prolonged interaction between the distillate and the copper still. The whisky was then casked and left untouched for an impressive 46 years. This brings us to the second reason for its uniqueness – it is the oldest Talisker release ever.

Tasting Notes:

Scent: The aroma of this whisky embodies the sea breeze in such a way that it takes you straight to the shore. It incorporates the scent of old leather pouches hinting of dried prunes, apricots, and pears. This is then followed by faint notes of beachside bonfire smoke drifting over lava rocks. It also brings to mind oyster liqueur and little pools filled with sea life and surrounding flora.

Palate: The palate is luxurious with a deep sense of sweet and spiced pear and plum next to a soft note of woody oak spice and red peppercorn before salted leather and bivalves arrive with a note of smoked tinned oysters and sardines over a soft brioche with a light smear of whipped butter.

Finish: The pears, plums, and apricots get dry and smoked with a sweet/spicy vibe as the finish mellows towards soft oak soaked in seawater, piles of old clam nailed on driftwood fence, and a whisper of minty chewing tobacco.

Bottom Line:

This is a masterpiece. It’s the sort of whisky that opens your senses up to things long forgotten whilst deeply offering comfort.

One of Kentucky’s largest distillers is adding a new whiskey to its lineup.

Bulleit, which has Kentucky distilleries in Shelbyville and Lebanon, is releasing Bulleit American Single Malt. The new whiskey is distilled with a mash bill of 100% malted barley and aged in charred new American white oak barrels, according to a news release from Bulleit.

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It is 90 proof and, according to the tasting notes, has a nose of sweet vanilla and toasted oak. On the palate, it’s light and fruity with hints of red fruit and pear, and a finish of oaky caramel and subtle cocoa notes.

Bulleit American Single Malt is now available in stores throughout the country as well as at the Bulleit visitor center in Shelbyville. The suggested retail price is $59.99. For more details on where to purchase, visit bulleit.com/where-to-buy

The new malt whiskey comes in a flattened oval bottle similar to the iconic Bulleit bourbon bottle, made this time, however, out of green recycled glass.

Jesse Damashek, the Senior Vice President of Whiskies & Liqueurs at Diageo, shares in a statement, “Bulleit American Single Malt introduces Bulleit’s continuous innovation and sustainability commitment into this new exciting category that is bound to cause ripples in the whiskey industry for the foreseeable future. With a 100% malted barley mash bill, and a noticeable green bottle resulting from recycled post-consumer glass use, this exemplary whiskey represents numerous new approaches for the brand. I am convinced we have managed to create a unique American Single Malt that will be treasured and adored by whiskey fanatics everywhere.”

It’s worth noting that the malt whiskey, despite not qualifying as a Scotch because it is not Scottish-made, forms the most recent part of Bulleit Frontier Whiskey’s inventive experimentation with flavor, maturity, and overall finish, as per the press release.

Bulleit, which is owned by global spirits giant Diageo, opted for a recycled glass bottle as part of the company’s commitment to sustainability. This initiative includes their first carbon-neutral distillery in Lebanon which uses 100% renewable energy.

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DALLAS – The NFL will be dedicating the Super Bowl weekend to increase awareness about hunger in the entire nation.

Celebrity Chef Tim Love will once again take part in the Taste of the NFL.

He gave a preview of what he would be preparing for the grand event on Good Day.

Enough to serve 4 people

INGREDIENTS FOR THE SAUCE:
2oz (half stick) Unsalted Butter
1 lb Yellow Onion, ¼” dice
½ oz(weight) Minced Garlic
1 ½ tsp Red Pepper Flakes
½ lb Tomato Paste
1(one) 28oz can San Marzano Tomatoes, Peeled
1 QT Heavy Whipping Cream
¼ lb Parmesan Cheese, grated on a microplane
To Taste, Lemon Juice
To Taste, Salt and Pepper

TO COMPLETE:
½ lb Dried Bucatini
1 T canola oil
1 T Garlic, Minced
1 T Shallot, Minced
1 T Red Chile Flake
½ C Vodka
3 C Vodka Sauce
¼ C Parsley, Finely Chopped
¼ C Parmesan Cheese, Grated on a Micro Plane
½ lb Rabbit and Rattlesnake Sausage, Roasted and Cut Into ½” Thick Coins

PREPARATION INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE SAUCE:

Heat your oven to 350 degrees.

In a large pan over medium heat, add butter and allow it to melt.

Next, add onions and sweat thoroughly, remember to stir frequently to prevent any browning.

Then, add garlic and chile flakes. Let them sweat for another 2-3 minutes.

Finish by adding the tomato paste. Stir constantly and let it caramelize for another 2-3 minutes.

Add peeled tomatoes and stir to incorporate fully.

Cover and place in 350 degree oven for 2 hours.

Remove from oven, uncover, and slowly add parmesan cheese, stirring constantly to incorporate.

Add heavy whipping cream

Puree with an immersion blender until completely smooth. Season as necessary with salt, pepper, and lemon juice.

CONSTRUCTING THE PASTA:

In a large pot, combine 2 gallons of water with ½ C of kosher salt.

Set on high heat until boiling.

Once boiling, add pasta and cook, stirring occasionally, until al dente

While pasta is cooking:

In a large pan over medium heat add oil, garlic, shallot, and chile flake. Allow it to sweat for 1 minute, until chile flakes give off a robust aroma, making sure to stir frequently.

Increase heat to a high setting, remove the pan from the flame, add in chunks of sausage, and then include vodka.

Return pan to flame and allow vodka to flambe. Continue on high heat for 30 seconds until alcohol has evaporated.

Add Sauce base and bucatini and toss until hot and thoroughly incorporated.

Add parsley and half the parmesan, tossing to incorporate.

Check seasoning and sauce texture. Adjust with salt, pepper, and pasta water to taste.

LINK: www.TasteoftheNFL.com

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Ten to One is one of the best new rum brands to emerge over the past few years, founded by Caribbean native Marc Farrell with the intention of moving away from the stories of “pirates and plantations” that have guided so many brand narratives. And now the Ten to One core lineup has a new member with the addition of Five Origin Select, an excellent new expression that is a blend of rum sourced from five different countries.

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Five Origin Select will be a permanent addition to the portfolio and not a limited release, but according to the brand it will be available in smaller quantities throughout the year. There are some key differences between this new expression and the core Dark Rum. The latter is a blend of rum from four countries, aged up to eight years, and bottled at 80 proof. Five Origin Select is, as you can guess from the name, a blend of rum from five countries—Guyana, Jamaica, Trinidad, Barbados, and the Dominican Republic—aged up to 15 years and bottled at 92 proof. The oldest rum in the blend is a rum aged between 11 and 15 years from Guyana that was distilled on the Port Mourant double wooden pot still. This is a true rarity in the rum world that has been in use for nearly 300 years, and is used to produce El Dorado Rum. Like all Ten to One rum, no color, flavoring, or sugar was added.

We got an early taste of the rum, and it’s delicious. The color is a light copper-brown, with notes of brown sugar, banana, and molasses leading on the nose. There’s a natural sweetness to the palate, with notes of pineapple, ginger, pear, baked apple, vanilla, and milk chocolate. The bottle’s label is green, which according to the brand is supposed to represent both the Guyanese flag and the greenheart wood used to make the Port Mourant still. You can find Five Origin Select available to purchase now from the Ten to One website, and the rest of the collection (including last year’s Black History Month Artist special edition) is available from websites like ReserveBar.

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