Friday, July 01, 2011

Broadening Our Horizons XXVI

Heresy!  I'm an apostate!  By that I mean I bought my first bottle of blended scotch in at least 30 years today... this:

That's a bottle of Johnnie Walker Gold... a blend of 18-year-old single malts (no grain spirits added... it's ALL single malts).  I saw this on the shelf of the Class VI store yesterday but wasn't prepared to pay the considerable freight on this blend (a blend, fer gawd's sakes!) until I got home and did some basic research, which is to say: read some reviews.  I read, I was impressed, I made the return trip to Cannon today and picked up a bottle.  I'm glad I did... let's quote one review:
So, the question that arises: Is Gold Label that good? And the answer is . . . yes, it is. Very good indeed.
The reviewer waxes eloquent about the nose of this scotch and I'm with him there... the nose is magnificent.  But really: it's all about the taste, innit?  And the taste is superb; slightly sweet, peaty, and smooooth.  Exceptionally smooth.  I like this scotch a LOT.

A couple o' notes...  (1)  There were six bottles of JW Gold on the shelf at the Class VI yesterday; there were three when I returned today.  The stuff moves pretty fast for as pricey as it is.  (2)  I included that bottle of Glenmorangie in the pic simply to show how much of it has been consumed since I brought it home.  A bottle o' scotch will normally last me about six weeks; this bottle has been in my likker locker for less than two.  Which is testimony on how much I like this stuff:  it, too, is that good.  But the Glenmorangie has some serious competition now.  (3)  The sun was over the yardarm... albeit just barely... when I poured the wee dram you see above.  That's just because I AM an American, and I'm ALL about instant gratification.  And because I CAN.
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8 comments:

  1. Anonymous01 July, 2011 13:20

    I generally tend to go with single malts, but one of the benefits of blended is that they are consistent in a way that the singles sometimes aren't.

    Usually though, blended means a better price tag.

    I do have a hard time keeping my supply shelf stocked with Scotch. I find that one just isn't enough no matter how hard I try. Course, I don't try exceptionally hard when it comes to going for a few more fingers of fine scotch.

    Speaking of which, you'll have to pardon me whilst I go and pour me a bit of the nectar of the gods. CHEERS!

    Magic Wordy Thingy... COWCAN? Really? For a discussion on the finest libation on earth? COW-CAN? lol

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  2. Barco Sin Vela II01 July, 2011 14:07

    Should buy the other three up. This is why I have been buying wines by the case.

    I hate to open something up and enjoy it so thoroughly as to be sorry when there is no more.

    Wine Warehouse called a half hour ago, there are two cases of Veuve de Vernay waiting for me!

    T-Minus 55 minutes to yabba dabba do time.

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  3. virgil xenophon02 July, 2011 01:30

    Sorry, Buck, that was me above..

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  4. virgil xenophon02 July, 2011 01:32

    No, I'm not anonynous at the top--my comment seems to have disappeared..

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  5. virgil xenophon02 July, 2011 01:40

    Second time: Ever try "The Famous Grouse," Buck? I'm NOT a Scotch drinker per se...but there are times... And one of my favorite cocktails of all time (the Wagon-Wheel at Mr. Nicks on Tulane Ave in New Orleans just opposite the old Dixie Brewery) is Scotch-based..

    (PS: I've been told by Scotch drinkers that J&B is the Scotch for non-Scotch drinkers...fairly inexpensive and a mild, smooth, nondescript taste. Ever hear that said, Buck?)

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  6. Buck02 July, 2011 11:32

    I do have a hard time keeping my supply shelf stocked with Scotch.

    I seem to be havin' that problem of late, Anon.

    Virgil: Blogger still hates you; your first comment ended up in my spam folder again. I wonder what's up with THAT? It's ONLY you! I never heard that thing about J&B and yes, I've tried Famous Grouse. But I don't drink blends as a rule, as noted in the post.

    Darryl: I've given some thought to goin' back out to Cannon and buyin' at least ONE more bottle of this stuff. Haven't jumped yet, though.

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  7. Moogie P03 July, 2011 14:13

    How peaty is it? I'm more of a Highlands kinda gal than Islay.

    The Famous Grouse -- now that brings back memories!

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  8. Buck03 July, 2011 14:21

    I'd give this a four on a scale of ten where "peaty" is concerned, Moogie. You can pick it up but it ain't overbearing.

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Just be polite... that's all I ask.

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