Blended Whiskies - August 2019 @ Ian fowkes-Smith's abode
After tasting 33 single malt and single grain whiskies in 12 meetings over three years, we finally decided to taste Blended whiskies - thanks to an informal suggestion from Bob Harris earlier in the year... and an excellent evening was held in Ian FS's abode..
Our first whisky was from Canada - JP Wiser's 18 yo - an tasty blend of Canadian Corn and Rye whiskies which are milled and mashed separately before being distilled and matured in oak casks of ex-bourbon casks for 18 years.
The result was a nose of pencil shavings and a taste of vanilla, sweet fruits and caramel with hints of black pepper - which inspired the immortal Jim Murray (he of the Whisky Bible) to quote: “The whiskey is a flawless young yoga instructor. The way she bends with slow grace and precision fills my head with thoughts not suitable for a whiskey site.”
Our second blended whisky was from Japan - Hibiki Japanese Harmony - a blend of thirty distinctive malt and mellow grain whiskies of varying ages - which are meticulously blended to create a full range flavours and aromas. The whiskies are drawn from 5 different types of cask, including American white oak casks, Sherry casks and hand-made Mizunara oak casks.
The Hibiki brand was launched in 1989 to commemorate Suntory’s 90th anniversary - Japan’s most highly awarded blended whisky.
Our third blend was one of the most well known blended whiskies and Frank Sinatra's favourite whisky - Chivas Regal 18 yo. A multi-award winning and uniquely rich and multi-layered blend that includes over twenty of Scotland's rarest single malt Scotch whiskies, the youngest being 18 Years. There as 85 flavour notes that have been identified by their Master Distiller in every single drop! Beautiful stuff!
Host Ian generously finished off the evening with a bottle (sorry Ian, I've forgotten the name of the whisky) that he'd brought back from his recent venture to see the Edinbough Tattoo...
The evening was an excellent soiree through the wondeful world of blends.. Many thanks to Ian..