October 28, 2019

Ardbeg Kelpie Review — A 2017 Playback of the Committee Release vs the ‘Regular’ Keplie

October 28, 2019/ Mark Bylok

Ardbeg’s annual special releases come in two flavors: Regular, and Committee Release. The latter is typically a few points higher proof, and distributed specifically to the Ardbeg’s fan club and select stores.

However, sometimes a bottle apparently sneaks through into retail. Back in 2017, I was able to pick this one up in Kentucky the day of its official release. I also seemed to have purchased it at the regular non-Committee Edition price. Miracles do happen!

February 20, 2018

Arran Cask Strength 12 Year Old Batch Number 5 (52.9%) Bottled: 05.2015, 52.9% Review

February 20, 2018/ Mark Bylok

Island of Arran is a large Scottish island that was once a Viking stronghold. The last distillery on the island dates back to 1837, and previous to that there were estimated to be over fifty active distilleries on the island. The 19th century wasn't overly kind to the island, though. Due to many factors (known as the clearances), the population severely decreased as people moved mainland. Today, there are just five-thousand residents on the island. They have one distillery.

November 06, 2017

Glenmorangie Quinta Ruben 12 Review - The most Glenmorangie Scotch of them all

November 06, 2017/ Mark Bylok

Not all Glenmorangie scotches are complex, but all are rich and luxurious; they capture that essence of drinking a special pour. Quinta Ruben 12 Year Old, is perhaps, the best fitting of the Glenmorangie name from the regular release expressions.

August 25, 2017

J.P. Wiser’s One Fifty - Undisputed Winner in Canada's Celebration

August 25, 2017/ Mark Bylok

J.P. Wiser’s (or more generally, Corby’s) is the only big Canadian whisky company truly embracing today’s whisky drinker. Other whisky brands will argue the point, certainly, but J.P. Wiser’s deserves the credit. A decade ago, we had Forty Creek leading the Canadian whisky category. Five or so years ago, this category has grown with Canadian Club 100% Rye, Dark Horse, and Corby’s own Lot No 40. Barrels of whisky purchased from Alberta Distillers made big inroads, but were all sold under the US flag (Masterson’s & WhistlePig as an example). Last year we were left asking the question, who would take the next big leap?

December 19, 2016

Reviewing Redbreast 12 Cask Strength, 15, and 21 - You Can't Go Wrong

December 19, 2016/ Mark Bylok

Redbreast is produced in New Midleton Distillery (home of Jameson). It’s not a single malt, but rather a pot still, which is made from both malted and unmalted barley. Unmalted barley is typically responsible for greener notes, and it’s traditional from an era where the UK charged taxes based on how much barley was malted.

August 15, 2016

JP Wiser's Last Barrels - Canadian Whisky Boops Bourbon

August 15, 2016/ Mark Bylok

Last Barrels represents Canada's unintended nudge into bourbon territory, all from an experiment that started back in 2001. At that time Hiram Walker's master distiller, Jim Stanski, was promoted into management. Before leaving his post, Jim started an experiment from an old recipe J.P. Wiser used dating back to 1869.

August 04, 2016

Lagavulin Double Matured Batch lev 4/503 16 Year Old

August 04, 2016/ Mark Bylok

Lagavulin 16 Year Old is a crowd favourite among scotch drinkers. It made it to the last chapter of my book, when I answer the "what's my favorite whisky" question (somewhat ironically). Lagavulin Double Matured is part of a limited number of whisky that the distillery releases outside of the popular 16 year old expression. It’s, essentially, fan whisky for people that love Lagavulin.

May 31, 2016

High West Double Rye - Edgy Boisterous Rye Combining New and Older

May 31, 2016/ Mark Bylok

High West Double Rye is an excellent example of why age statements aren't always relevant. Double Rye is, technically, a 2 year old whisky being sold for a deluxe price point. But one shouldn't focus on that.

May 19, 2016

Aberlour A'Bunadh Review (53 & 54) - Cask Strength Scotch Delivering on Flavor

May 19, 2016/ Mark Bylok

For whisky enthusiasts, today's lack of supply of old favorites is creating a frantic buying environment. There are, however, whiskies that are available and delicious. Aberlour A'Bunadh is one of those whiskies. It's not cheap in any traditional sense, but it is affordable considering it's cask strength first-fill single malt scotch.

May 10, 2016

Wild Turkey Rare Breed - Hey Man, Sorry I'm On Your Lawn

May 10, 2016/ Mark Bylok

Long-time whisky drinkers hate the youth of today. These old-time bourbon drinkers started getting grumpy years ago when Pappy become exclusive. But let's face it, Pappy was "that pretentious stuff some celebrity chef-turned-tv-personality drank."

December 21, 2015

Gooderham & Worts 4 Grain - Canadian Tradition & Innovation In One Bottle

December 21, 2015/ Mark Bylok

In 1900, Gooderham & Worts was the largest distillery in the world. It was located in what is now Toronto’s historic Distillery District. The company was started by James Worts, a Englishman that opened up a prominent windmill in Canada. He went into business with his brother-in-law, William Gooderham.

September 24, 2015

Redbreast 12 - A Charmingly Complex Irish Sipper

September 24, 2015/ Mark Bylok

Redbreast 12 is the exact opposite type of drink I reach for, and yet it continues to be one I always have around. This isn’t a ‘staying out at a loud bar’ whisky, but rather an ‘at home reading a book’ sipper.

whisky.buzz