Maybe I shouldn’t have said anything. Yes, that’s right, so not like me. But when my brother couldn’t keep up with his daily dram intake – from the Master of Malts Drinks by the Dram Whiskey Advent Calendar – I wrote about it. On his Facebook page. For everyone to see.
Do you think my brother felt my plea and sent me a few drams of his passed up drams? Nope. Another pal, who must’ve heard about my desire for whiskey from another source – the hubby – sent over a nice little 5-dram gift.
I posted a photo on my Facebook, if my brother noticed it I do not know, as he has yet to send me anything.
Happy a new pal sent me goodies, not through blasting my brother, but okay, rant over. I pretty much won anyway as all five that I tasted scored no less than 89 points each in my book.
Tasting Notes From My Samples (hyperlink gives Master of Malt notes)
Compass Box Great King Street – Artist’s Blend
Nose: Buttered popcorn, cheddar cheese, hard butterscotch candy, white pepper and no burn. Palate: sharp, smoke, Kentucky bourbon, peppery, would like more fruit/nuts. 89 Eve pts.
Elijah Craig Small Batch Bourbon 12 Year Old
Nose: Toasted almond, cinnamon, sugar cone, butter toffee, vanilla ice cream with salted caramel topping. Palate: Harsh, peppery, orange zest, cinnamon toast, with long lingering finish. 91 Eve pts.
Nose: Hazelnut, crème fraîche, tea, pale honey, wheat toast and a hint of apricot. Palate: caramel green apple, pepper, hazelnut, dried melon, metal and a welcoming peaty finish. Interesting. 90 Eve pts.
Balvenie 15 Year Old Single Barrel Sherry Cask
Nose: Salted caramel, creamery butter, milk, vanilla bean, milk chocolate, smooth and resonating. Palate: Caramel again, white pepper, salted butter, smoke and a lingering finish. 92 Eve pts.
Nose: Toasted marshmallow, sweet heavy cream, popcorn kernel, no burn. Palate with water: Tobacco, vanilla, toast. 90 Eve pts.
Order your own, and/or get the whole list if you want to “read more” and spoil the surprise: https://www.masterofmalt.com/whiskies/drinks-by-the-dram/the-whisky-advent-calendar/
Eve Bushman has been reading, writing, taking coursework and tasting wine for over 20 years. She has obtained a Level Two Intermediate Certification from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust, has been the subject of a 60-minute Wine Immersion video, authored “Wine Etiquette for Everyone” and recently served as a judge for the Long Beach Grand Cru. You can email Eve@EveWine101.com to ask a question about wine or spirits that may be answered in a future column. You can also seek her marketing advice via Eve@EveBushmanConsulting.com