Balvenie 12yr

 For Peat Sake Review:
Style  Single Malt
Release Unspecified
Age 12 Years
Alcohol 40% abv.
Region: Scotland, Highlands
Bottled For Distillery
     " The Balvenie Doublewood Single Malt Scotch Whisky is a 12 year old single malt which gains its distinctive character from being matured in two woods. During its period of maturation The Balvenie Doublewood is transferred from a traditional oak whisky cask to a first fill Spanish oak sherry cask. Each stage lends different qualities to the resulting single malt - the traditional casks, having previously held bourbon, soften and add character, whilst the sherry wood brings depth and fullness of flavour."

Balvenie 15yr

 For Peat Sake Review:
"The Balvenie Single Barrel Single Malt Scotch Whisky is a 15 year old single malt which is drawn from a single bourbon cask of a single distillation. Each cask forms a limited edition of hand-numbered bottles - there will be a maximum of 350 bottles from any one cask - so each bottle is unique and unrepeatable. Each cask is subtly different, however, The Balvenie Malt Master selects for bottling only those casks that have the essential characteristics of The Balvenie Single Barrel - particularly honey, vanilla and oaky notes."

Maker's Mark

"Maker's Mark, Kentucky Straight Bourbon (USA)
Maker’s Mark is produced at Loretto in Kentucky, where distilling has been taking place on the Star Hill Farm site since to 1805. The present brand was developed by Bill Samuels Snr, who bought Star Hill in 1953, and the Scottish spelling of ‘whisky’ has been employed since the outset in recognition of Samuels’ Scottish ancestry. Since 2005 maker’s Mark has been owned by Fortune Brands, who are also responsible for Jim Beam. Samuels chose to create a Bourbon using a proportion of red winter wheat instead of the more common rye, in order to reduce the ‘burn’ left by many Bourbons of the time. The result is a comparatively soft and gentle spirit, which becomes very mellow as it matures. A subtle, complex, clean nose, with vanilla and spice, a delicate floral note of roses, plus lime and cocoa beans. Medium in body, Maker’s Mark offers a palate of fresh fruit, spices, eucalyptus and ginger cake. The finish features more spices, fresh oak with a hint of smoke, and a final flash of peach cheesecake. A delicate and circumspect Bourbon compared to some of its more redneck cousins. Very drinkable. 45.0% ABV, 70cl, £21.00, specialist whisky merchants. "
Whisky Pages.com

Tasting Notes From:

Whisky Magazine

Jim Murray

"Nose
Aroma with delightful strands of exotic fruit and honey. Fruit cake. Oak adds to feeling of class.
Palate
Lush, pleasingly deep and malty. A firm nuttiness adds extra oily, chewability to the toffee.
Finish
Drier than of old. Caramel toffee with the oak guarantees a bittersweet edge.
Comment
An old faithful of a bourbon. Never lets you down and being from the wheaty school always shows good oak balance. Nose is to die for."

Michael Jackson

"Nose
Wheaty, nutty. Bananas?
Palate
Buttered toast. Molasses. Maple syrup.
Finish
Clean, dryish, flapjack.
Comment
Beautifully structured. Tightly combined flavours. Every bit as smooth as it claims to be."

George Dickel

                                                    


Bandit Review:
This is a great deal for anyone looking for a great mixing whiskey at a reasonable price.  This is my go to whiskey, I have a bottle in my house for my guests or for an after work cocktail.  This bottle is proof that you don't always have to come out of pocket to get a great product.  This is a great representation of a Bandit approved whiskey.  Happy drinking and saving!

Spiritsreview.com Review:

"This is the younger, cheaper brother of Dickel No.12 , Special Barrel Reserve, and Barrel Select .

Appearance: Dark copper in the bottle, bronze gold in the glass.
First Impression: Heavy corn presence, leather, vanilla, oak grain influence amidst galangal, trace of mint, and char developing. Interesting lack of phenols and other "off" smells you get with some grain distillates, only good whiskey smells.

Taste: Slightly light body, slightly astringent, light sweetness and oak pepper. Lighter than the No.12 but good. Spicy, aromatic, grainy/malty medium-to-long dry finish. Quite smooth and mellow.
Drinks: Interesting variant for any bourbon or rye drink. Much cheaper, too!
Final Thoughts: Some may consider it a bit light in body or find the dryness/char not to their liking. It is a good bargain for someone seeking a better whiskey for less than $20, hell one of the few. A much older and more drinkable whisk(e)y than most in that price range. Cheaper than Jack Daniels, more refined and lighter in body (but not excessively so) a good civilized whisky"

Slane Castle

Bandit Review:

 My staff has gone nuts over this Irish whiskey. Slane Castle has all the smoothness of a southern Irish whiskey, with hints of vanilla and honey suckle. However, there is a hint of the spiciness and light smoke of Northern Irish whiskeys, take Bushmills for example. Every time you go to taste this whiskey lick your lips after each sip in order to heighten your experience of all the sweetness this whiskey has to offer. Then after swallowing take a slow deep breath in through your mouth and you will pick up the faint lingering of spice and smoke. This whiskey is complex and still remains approachable making it a great whiskey to recommend over the bar to almost any whiskey drinker. The price point is extremely reasonable as well, making this whiskey a favorite of the Bar Bandits.

Maltadvocate.com Review:
      " So, unsolicited, today I recieve a bottle of blended Irish whiskey called “Slane Castle.” Metal screw top, picture of a castle on the label, no age statement, and 40% ABV. I never heard of this. As expected, the back label says it was distilled at Cooley (being the only independent Irish distillery and the distillery where most private Irish whiskey labels come from.)

      Sure, I know that Cooley has made some delicious blended whiskeys lately,but still…I am always a little wary of “branded” whiskeys. You never know who’s deciding what goes in the bottles. Let me tell you: what a pleasant surprise! And at a very affordable price. You want a value whiskey? Here’s one. My formal review follows.

Slane Castle Irish whiskey, 40%, $23
     Great malt flavor for a blend–and creamy–with honeyed vanilla, soothing caramel, lively summer fruits, golden raisin, subtle date, and butter cookie. Well-balanced, very clean with no harshness, and very drinkable!

Advanced Malt Advocate magazine rating: 80
According to my contact, here’s the scoop on availability:
    The product only landed in the US in July. We have begun the distribution process, but it coincided with the Constellation brand shuffle, which has slowed many of my wholesalers down. I will begin broad based sales in January, and I am “spot starting” in MA, SC, CT, FL and IL."

Woodford Reserve

Bandit Review 
There are so Many Bourbons to choose from I often feel like a child in a candy store. Woodford is a great place for anyone to start their journey into exploring the world of Bourbons. This whiskey is very soft and easy going, with its rich sweetness and relatively light burn. This Bourbon is great neat, over the rocks, or in a classic Manhattan.
Tastings.com Review:
"Deep amber color. Spicy charred oak, sweet toffee, and pepper aromas. A rich entry leads to a dryish medium-to full-bodied palate with toffee, mocha, and white pepper flavors with a pronounced copper tang. Finishes with a sweet, charred barrel, brown, and metallic fade. An aggressive and spicy bourbon that will work nicely in a bourbon peach tea cocktail.


International Review of Spirits Award: Gold Medal
RATING: 90 points (Exceptional)
ALCOHOL BY VOLUME: 45.0%
CATEGORY: Whiskey Bourbon, Whiskey
TASTING LOCATION: In Our Chicago Tasting Room
TASTING DATE: Jan-01-2006"






















Woodfordreserve

Michter's US 1 Rye And it's Older Brother Michter's 10yr Rye

Cocktail Chronicles Review:
"Michter’s US1 Straight Rye Whiskey
        The US1 has earned a reputation as an excellent mixing whiskey that also isn’t too shabby on its own.
It has a nose that is good and spicy, but not too aggressive, with little hints of cherry and tobacco. Tasted neat, the spice is quickly followed by a subdued dryness with a mild fruitiness, and without a great deal of complexity. The finish is short, smooth and sweet, with the cherry notes following through to the end.
     Verdict: Overall this was an enjoyable whiskey, but not a standout. One panelist noted that there was “not much complexity to it; it has a very simple, dry flavor,” but others found the cherry notes on the nose and the palate appealing.

Michter’s 10-Year-Old Straight Rye

     The 10-year-old has earned a lot of raves in recent years, being given the highest recommendation by Wine Enthusiast in 2005, and chosen as the top pick by the Los Angeles Times rye tasting panel that same year.
     This rye was striking, even before we started sniffing it. Panelists noted its engaging amber color in the glass, and on the nose it showed its age and its proof with a rich, sweet aroma with a little pear and a little graininess — “It’s got a great, sweet nose, and the color is exquisite,” one panelist noted.
      At nearly 93 proof, the whiskey had a little heat and an earthy spiciness that was really engaging, but not over the top, and a lush, full body that made the sipping very enjoyable. The spiciness was followed by a slightly sweet middle touched with banana and oatmeal, and a long, smooth finish that was very engaging."
Cocktail Chronicles

Bandit Review:
     These Ryes are amazing! The 10 year has been on back order for the past two months due to its recent popularity! I use the term "recent" lightly as this is one of America's oldest distilleries. It was a favorite of George Washington’s; he actually carried Michters on his campaigns during the revolutionary war in order to keep his troops from getting restless. Rumor has it, he would stop his troops when the weather was too cold, or there was unrest amongst his men and they would all get hammered on Michter's finest. In the morning after a little "R and R", the boys would be back on the road and back in the fight (Or they were too hung-over to complain.).

      All great stories aside, these whiskeys are a personal favorite of all the Bandits. Give it to us straight, give us at least two fingers worth, and otherwise leave the bottle bar keep! We only want to save you the work of having to go back and forth to get the bottle every time we want a refill!

Your speaking Japanese I want to talk Scotch!

    This whiskey is just fun because its Japanese whiskey acting like a Scotch. If you were to close your eyes when drinking this whiskey, images of Scotland would surely work their way into your mind. There is a light air of peat in this whiskey, just a subtle smokiness that I find really enjoyable. Professionals say, whiskey is all about the water, and I think this product shows this to be true.  If you really focus when drinking this product you will find amongst all its bold flavors, whispers of this whiskey's origins.  Make a night of it and go out for sushi, have some sake, and finish with a pour of the 12 or 18-year.  I think you too will become a fan of this product.
     This Whiskey is a conversation starter and a crowd pleaser. As a bartender I find people are rather excited to buy it when you tell them where it comes from. We carry the 12 and the 18-year, and I have been very happy with this whiskey. Even though we have over 140 whiskey's this product still moves off our back bar at a steady pace.

The following review was taken from their website,

"SUNTORY YAMAZAKI 18-YEAR-OLD WHISKY
WINS DOUBLE GOLD IN SAN FRANCISCO

First Japanese Whisky Honored at International Spirits Competition

NEW YORK, May 12, 2005 – Suntory Yamazaki has won Double Gold for its 18-year-old single malt whisky at this year’s San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Yamazaki was the first and only Japanese whisky to pick up an award at the competition, beating out a host of other international competitors to claim the gold.

“We are very proud of this recognition by the spirits world,” said Shin Adachi, Vice President of Sales & Marketing for Suntory International. Yamazaki 18 impressed an esteemed panel of judges, including F. Paul Pacult, Dale DeGroff and Richard Carleton Hacker, Spirits Editor of the Robb Report. The San Francisco World Spirits Competition is overseen by Anthony Dias Blue.

“We introduced Yamazaki only last July,” added Adachi. “Winning Double Gold affirms our 18-year-old whisky meets the highest international standards for excellence.”

Yamazaki single malt whisky is made from the purest natural ingredients and has a smooth, honeyed taste. Suntory whiskies are handcrafted at Japan’s oldest distillery, built by Suntory founder Shinjiro Torii in 1923. The distillery is situated in the Vale of Yamazaki on the outskirts of Kyoto, an ideal environment for whisky production where the same exceptionally pure waters used in Japan’s most famous tea ceremonies are used to produce Yamazaki whiskies."

For more information go to http://www.suntory.com/yamazaki/

SACRAMENTO'S LARGEST WHISKEY LIST!

SACRAMENTO'S LARGEST WHISKEY LIST

Bourbon

Basil Hayden's 8yr
Booker's
Bulleit
Buffalo Trace
Eagle Rare
Eagle Rare 17yr
Four Roses
George T' Stagg
Jim Beam
Jim Beam Black
Johnny Drum 101pr
Knob Creek 9yr
Maker's Mark
Michter's US 1
Noah's Mill
Old Bardstown Estate
Pappy Van Winkle 15yr
Pappy Van Winkle 20yr
Pappy Van Winkle 23yr
Pure Kentucky XO
Rip Van Winkle 10yr 90pr
Rip Van Winkle 12yr 107pr
Rowan's Creek 12yr
Wild Turkey 101pr
Willett Reserve
William Larue Weller
Woodford Reserve

Whiskey

Crown Royal
Crown Royal Reserve
Crown Cask No' 16
Leopold's Peach
Seagram's 7

Rye Whiskey

High West Rendezvous
High West 16yr
High West 21yr
Michter's US 1
Michter's 10yr
Rip Van Winkle 13yr
Sazerac 6yr
Sazarac Thomas Handy

Irish Whiskey

Bushmills
Bushmills Black
Bushmills 10yr
Bushmills 16yr
Bushmills 21yr
Connemara
Connemara Cask
Finian's
Jameson
Jameson 12yr
Jameson Gold
Jameson 18yr
Jameson 21yr
Jameson Vintage
John Powers
Kilbeggan
Knappogue Castle
Michael Collins
Michael Collins SM
Midleton Rare
Red Breast 12yr
Slane Castle
Tullamore Dew

Tennessee Whiskey

George Dickel
Jack Daniel's
Jack Daniel's SB
Gentleman Jack

Congnac

Courvosier VSOP
Remy Martin VSOP

Scotch


Islay

Ardbeg 10yr
Bowmore 12yr
Caol Ila 12yr
Lagavulin 15yr DE
Lagavulin 16yr
Laphroaig 10yr

Speyside

Balvenie 12yr
Balvenie 15yr
Balvenie 21yr
Cragganmore DE
Craigellachie 16yr
Dewar's White
Dewar's 12yr
Dewar's 18yr
Dewar's Signature
Glenfiddich 12yr
Glenfiddich 15yr
Glenfiddich 18yr
Glenfiddich 21yr
Glenlivet 12yr
Glenlivet 15yr
Gelnlivet 16 Nadura
Glenlivet 18yr
Glenrothes Select Rsv'
Glenrothes 1991
Macallan 12yr
Macallan 18yr Singleton 12yr
Speyburn 10yr

Island

Highland Park 12yr
Inchmurrin 12yr
Talisker 10yr

Highland

Chivas Regal 12yr
Clynelish 14yr
Dalwhinnie 15yr
Glen Garioch 8yr
Glenmorangie 10yr
Glenmorangie 18yr
Oban 14yr
Oban 1993 DE
Stronachie 12yr
Stronachie 17yr

Campbeltown

Lowland

Glenkinchie 12yr
J.W. Black 12yr
J.W. Blue
J.W. Gold 18yr
J.W. Green 15yr
J.W. Red

Grain

Pig's Nose 5yr
Sheeps Dip
Yamazaki 12yr
Yamazaki 18yr