My lovely wife bought me a whisky/whiskey advent calendar. Whisky/eys off the world. Yes, whisky is produced in other countries besides Scotland. Ireland, Japan, Canada and the USA all produce decent whiskey. Thailand also produces something that they call whiskey. My step-son and his partner brought me some back, the less said about it the better.
I should note before I start that I am in no way a whisky expert. I am just someone who enjoys a dram.
I shall try to get the correct spelling of whisky or whiskey. Scotch, is whisky, as is Canadian and New Zealand. Irish and United States is whiskey. I’m not sure if other countries use whisky or whiskey, please don’t shoot me if I get it wrong.
On to the advent calendar.
December 1st
Today’s whiskey was Irish. Saints & Sinners & Rebels & Rouges 40%. It is a 21 year old blend . There were definite hints of vanilla and honey on the nose. It is very smooth, as you would expect with a 21 year old, slightly too smooth for my tastes. I like a slight bite in my whiskey. On the palate, honey and sultanas were the notes that I found. It was a whiskey that I liked.
December 2nd
Today’s whisky is Indian. Indri Drú Cask Strength – 57.2%. No barrel age is given. Their website mentions that the high temperatures in Northern India speed up the maturation process.
I found tobacco and burnt fruit on the nose. Like almost all cask strength whiskies, I found it initially too fiery for me say anything about it. Diluting it about 1 part water to 3 parts whisky calmed it down.
I found hints of spice but not that much else. It was an interesting whisky to try, but not one that I would think of buying.
December 3rd
For today’s whisky, we move further east, to Japan. A country that has a longer whisky making tradition than India.
Yamazaki Distiller’s Reserve is 43% and is made by Suntory who have been distilling whisky since 1923.
The nose was floral, incense was a word that came to mind. On the palate, there were hints of dried fruit and vanilla and cinnamon.
The whisky is pleasant enough. It shares a few characteristics with Highland malts.
December 4th
We are still in Japan for today’s whisky.
It is Hakushu Distiller’s Reserve 43%
Its nose it is slightly smoky with a hint of dried fruit. On the palate I found smoke, fruit and a hint of peppery spice. Again a pleasant enough whisky, but without any thing that would encourage me to buy it.
Further revelations will follow
A Scotsman in Suburbia 
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