...where distraction is the main attraction.

The Big Whisk(e)y List

It's extremely ridiculous for a person to assign a grade to something as ethereal and complex as whisky.

But I'm extremely ridiculous.

Below, you'll find an embedded Google Doc (warts and all) with the ratings of all of the whiskies on which I've reported.  (Click here for a brief explanation of the grading system.)  It is sorted first by grade, then by alphabetical order.  I'm actually trying out a different sorting order right now.  Please click the whisky's name for a link to a thorough (yet concise!) entry about each whisky.

(also, here's a link to a full page view of the document)

12 comments:

  1. I would rate the JW green, Laphoaig 10 cask, and glendronach 12, at least a half to full star higher... otherwise, your reviews are very good.

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    1. Thank you very much! The JW Green and Laphroaig Cask are both big faves of mine. I'll always check back in on them (as long as they're available) so they may move up or down the list.

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  2. Awesome, Corry is my favorite too, but I've got the Laph 18 right behind it. Will have to try some of your US recs; I got hooked on Knob Creek Single Barrel 120 proof (which I liked better than Blanton's for the extra kick) and have yet to find anything to take its place.

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    1. Yeah, Corry can be glorious! Though I've heard newer batches have much younger whisky in them than the older ones. I have a sample from 2013 that I'll be reviewing before the year is done. I have a sample of the Knob Creek Single Barrel 120 too. I just hope it's better than their rye! :)

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  3. Seriously try the Laphroaig 18 (and QC) again; given your evolving tendency toward the peat, I think those are likely to move up toward the top.

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    1. To me the Laphroaig QC is the best non-Ardbeg official young Islay on the market right now (that sounds like a lot of qualifiers, but it has a lot of competition right now). Don't know if you've had an opportunity to try a single cask independent Laphroaig, but I highly recommend it. Their only downside are their very very high prices.

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  4. Plus, surprised you've got no Bushmills?!?

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    1. I have many bones to pick with Diageo and am no longer buying any of their products, so there won't be a heck of a lot of Bushmills reviews. There will be a review of the 16yo and the basic white label one at some point, though.

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    2. Would you consider reviewing Bushmill's Black Bush since Diageo sold the brand off?

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    3. Absolutely, I'm thinking of doing another Bushmills v Bushmills v Bushmills post. BUT it might be several months before I do so.

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  5. Well, certainly an interesting list of sampled releases. Many of them are spot on assessments of intrinsic quality. Some are way off the mark, especially your opinion of American whiskies. So, you mean to claim that Weller 12 is a lesser dram than some of the uninspiring younger single malts listed? Or that 1792 Full Proof is nearly a 10 point lessor dram than Glen Gyle 8? Seems you need to do more research sipping American whiskey as there are some real show stoppers out there readily available.

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    1. Firstly, what state or country do you live wherein real showstoppers are readily available? Most states and first-world countries have had their showstoppers cleaned out by flippers, taters and thirsty new money for at least a year if not three. (Or maybe you'll want to keep your location a secret because the hunters are relentless.)

      As I stated at the top, I believe that assigning numeric scores to liquids is a silly endeavor but since I do use scores and I did post this page I will attempt to reply.

      I've consumed more American whiskey in this life than is probably advisable, and it's possible you have too, so it's best for both of us that we not compare quantities. Regarding your examples, yes I was deeply disappointed by 1792 Full Proof. I'd had a lovely single barrel of 1792 Full Proof from Cork & Barrel before reviewing my bummer of a bottle of the regular release. Glen Gyle 8 year old (bottled in the '80s) was surprise in the other direction. I'd expected little from it, but it was malty and fruity and surprisingly complex for something bottled at 43%abv. Regarding Weller 12, I've always preferred Weller 107. The 12 reads thinner than its younger sibling and the oak usually blankets everything else.

      I prefer spirits closer to their distillate, prefer rye over bourbon, would prefer that oak stop being aggressively pushed into every new product, and I deeply enjoy exploring dusty stuff. My palate has changed throughout time, so there are times when I disagree with my own scores from eight years ago.

      It sounds like our two palates are sometimes very different, but I really do appreciate that you've taken a look at my site. Hopefully you've enjoyed some of the (mostly scotch!) reviews.

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