Mark’s Whisky Ramblings 535: Old Elk Cigar Cut

Mark Dermul, Belgian whiskyblogger, is very excited, as he’s never heard of Old Elk. They can be found in Fort Collins, Colorado. They set themselves apart from other producers by using a process they call ‘slow cut proofing process’, meaning they dilute by adding small amounts of water over the course of several weeks, meaning they keep more of the finer and lighter flavours in their bourbon. In the glass is their Cigar Cut, which is quite amazing as it’s a vatting – a marriage or a blend, if you will – of their 6 year old bourbon that has been finished on a wide variety of barrels: 1.5 years on sherry, 1.25 years on Armagnac, 3 to 8 months on port casks and 3 to 6 months on cognac casks!

https://youtu.be/JjE1y6fxREI

Mark’s Whisky Ramblings 534: Blanton’s Single Barrel #158

Mark Dermul, Belgian whiskyblogger, tries a single barrel bourbon. Single Barrels are very commonplace nowadays, but it was actually Colonel Albert B. Blanton of the Buffalo Trace distillery who introduced it about a century ago. The marketing boys will have you believe that the best barrels are maturing in the centre of the metal-clad Warehouse H and those are hand selected for ‘their exquisite qualities’. The Single Barrel releases are all bottled at 93 Proof. In the glass is Barrel #158 from Rick #22, bottled on the 10^th of March 2023 and a gracious gift from my friend John.

https://youtu.be/pUfhN5Z2ZTg

Scotch Malt Whisky Society ‘Baptised in Oloroso’

CASK NO. 35.350

https://youtu.be/IjrG9dkxv1c

I’m back again with some sumptuous sherried SMWS releases – this one in particular is a 16YO Glen Moray, finished in first fill sherry and bottled at a rather bold strength.

SMWS are on a roll with sherry releases, whether they be peated or unpeated releases, but it’s a welcome change for me, as I’m normally in the market for those cleaner, bourbon cask matured releases.

Apart from being rather delicious to taste, this bottle came with an incredible magazine that documented the SMWS teams journey through southern Spain, and how sherry, in all of its forms are made. I thought I knew some stuff about sherry, but this has opened up so many other doors for me!

I’m ecstatic to be an SMWS member, you don’t have to purchase things on every outrun, but to try some more obscure distilleries in a more natural fashion, with some rather fun names and surroundings really puts a smile on my face.

Red Bank Canadian Whisky – The Unbottling

Fresh from the July 2024 Whisky Showcase, Adam tries the Red Bank – a whisky created partly by Kiefer Sutherland! Our members scored it 81.12 and put it in the “Fresh & Floral” flavour profile.

BUY IT NOW!

X By Glenmorangie – The Unbottling

Adam explores his complex relationship with X By Glenmorangie after the news that it’s been discontinued. Never tried it? Well you can try is for free in-store at The Strath for the next while, and you can also enjoy 15% off bottles while stocks last.

BUY X By Glenmorangie 

Mark’s Whisky Ramblings 533: Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel

Mark Dermul, Belgian whiskyblogger, tries a bourbon. Legend has it that Elijah Craig, a reverend from Virginia, is the father of bourbon, as he started distilling back in 1789, which is also shown on the bottles. He is credited with being the first to put his distillate in charred oak barrels, one of the key requirements to be classified as bourbon. Today, his bourbon is produced at Heaven Hill. In the glass sits the Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel, which is basically the regular Small Batch, finished in specially toasted oak barrels, created in collaboration with the Independent Stave Company, who used 18 month air dried oak to create the barrels.

https://youtu.be/cW0p_TLrios

The Good Dram Show – Episode 561 ‘The Heart Cut’

Welcome to this week’s episode of the show and to celebrate my return I have a rather good episode of the show for you, even if I say so myself! Today I’m looking at the range of new Indie bottler the Heart Cut. The Good Dram Show with Chris Goodrum Episode 561 – Absolutely None of The Usual Here..!

Filmed in The Study Nottingham

Featuring

The Heart Cut #01 Stauning Distillery 2017 (5 year old) 52%

The Heart Cut #02 East London Liquor Company 2019 (3 year old) 49.9%

The Heart Cut #03 Kyro Distillery Company 2018 (4 year old) 50%

The Heart Cut #04 Milk & Honey Distillery 2019 (4 year old) 57%

The Heart Cut #05 Few Spirits Rye Whiskey 2016 (7 year old) 50%

The Heart Cut #06 Cotswolds Distillery 2018 (5 year old) 54.3%

The Heart Cut #07 Westward American Single Malt 2018 (5 year old) 50%

THE HEART CUT SITE

Waterford Cuvee Koffi, 50%

https://youtu.be/L-8CM3L1RLs

Waterford have come on a long way since those first bottle releases in 2020. But it hasn’t all been met with graciousness.

This is the Koffi, named after the artist of this rather stunning artwork on the bottle and box. Waterford’s oldest whisky to date at six years old. Matured in a combination of ex-American and French oak, and a vatting of numerous styles of their single farm origin styles of whisky, this is a rather stunning combination of Waterford’s house style, as well as some welcome cask influences of fresh summer fruits.

That Waterford house style is, for me, becoming one of the most unique styles in whisky, instantly notable as soon as it hits your nose. This earthy, unpeated, petrichor, grassy, wet Irish hill climb of whisky style is becoming so distinct in the ever-growing world of whisky.

Compass Box Art & Decadence – The Unbottling

Compass Box has long been a favourite here at The Strath, and this recent limited edition will join the pantheon of greats we’ve enjoyed together at Whisky Folk. Try it now for just $3 in-store anytime, and enjoy 10% off bottles while stocks last. 

BUY Compass Box Art & Decadence

Mark’s Whisky Ramblings 532: Michter’s Toasted Barrel Finish Rye

Mark Dermul, Belgian whiskyblogger, tries an old American. Michter’s is one of America’s oldest brands, dating back to 1753 when the original distillery was founded in Pennsylvania, making it one of the oldest. It would take until 1950 before Louis Forman, a liquor broker and salesman, came up with the brand name, but the distillery went bankrupt in 1989. Fast forward to today and there are now two production facilities in Louisvilly Kentucky where the Michter’s bourbon and rye whiskies are being produced. Let’s dive into this Michter’s Toasted Barrel Finish Rye.

https://youtu.be/-QfQTsoPJSk