It’s advent time again and this year Hailey really stepped it up. It’s not beer this year, it’s…. Whiskey!!!! What an absolute treat! I’m so excited!
A Whiskey Tour Around The World – 2nd Edition.
I guess my beard wasn’t up to snuff when the first edition released but I am more than pleased to partake in this array of daily sippin’s. It promises a tour of 24 exciting whiskeys from around the world. And it comes with a book with descriptions, fun facts, and pictures about each whiskey as well as two glencairn whiskey glasses with which to partake. 🥂The bound books which hold each tiny bottle are pretty fun too. Lastly, the handmade wooden bookcase that holds all the books is beautifully crafted with wood joinery and the like! Incredible!
Now so I’ve just recently started enjoying finer whiskeys and the like. I have no idea what hints of this and essences of that to look for. It might be pretty whisky, but bear with me as I try.
1. Paul John – Single Malt Whisky- India – 46%abv – I enjoyed this as the kickoff. It’s very simple and delicious. I can taste some oakiness. Some sweetness. But not too strong any which way. It’s just a smooth flavourful whiskey. Yum! – 3/5
2. Flóki – Icelandic Single Malt Whisky – Iceland – 47%abv – Wow! Just wow! The first whiff gave a hint of earthiness. It smelled flavourful but less… robust. And gosh golly! The first sip did not disappoint!! Similar to the smell, it was earthy and full of flavour but I couldn’t tell you what those flavours are! A glacier? Maybe the green rolling hills of Iceland? I couldn’t say, but it was so complex and interesting. I LOVE this one! Ten outta ten baby! – 5/5
3. Scapegrace Anthem – Single Malt Whisky – New Zealand – 46%abv – Ooo! Smooth, a hint of apple sweetness, a little woodsy. With an “Oaky afterbirth”. Yeah you heard me. This was a smooth, simple one. It would probably pair great with your average meat and potatoes kinda meal. – 3/5
4. Clonakilty – Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey – Ireland – 46%abv – This Irish boy is a bit odd. Initial flavour is pretty typical. A hint of apple in the finish but the most notable part of this whiskey is the slightly oily film it leaves inside your mouth. Not terrible but also not pleasant. 🤷♂️ – 2/5
5. Uncle Nearest 1884 – Small Batch Whiskey – USA – 46.5abv – Smoooooth… ooo! So smooth. Carmelly, but not too sweet. No outstanding taste or texture. A delicate note of oak or something woodsy. Just good old fashioned whiskey. – 4.5/5
6. Isle of Raasay – The Draam – Single Malt Whiskey – Scotland- 46.4%abv – I don’t even know what a draam is but apparently this is THE draam. And I would agree. Lots of wood tones. You can really taste the aged casks. In a good way. And a soft but very dry finish which I thought was delightful. Though I felt it was lacking some flavour. – 3/5
7. Le Breuil – Sherry Cask Oloroso – Single Malt Whiskey – France – 46%abv – The fancy French boy here left something to be desired. Unsurprisingly, this WHISKEY was FRUITY. 🙄 It lacked that typical whiskey flavour. You know sweet, caramelly flavour? I don’t know, not my fave. – 2/5
8. Boann – Madeira Single Pot Still – Irish Whiskey – Ireland – 47%abv – Whiskey… yeah this was whiskey. But I think that’s all there is to say. Nothing really stood out about this one. It was … Irish? 🤷♂️ – 2.5/5
9. Indri Dru Cask-Strength – Single Malt Whisky – India – 57.2%abv – Oooo! Maybe I’m a fan of Indian whiskey! Nothing fancy or standouty with this one but not lacking either. Good caramelly flavour with a bit of a dry finish. Yum! – 4/5
10. Arran 10 Year Old Single Malt – Single Malt Scotch Whisky. – Scotland – 46%abv – Hints of fruit, hints of hairspray, hints of meh. It wasn’t offensive or very off putting but it had a few qualities that I would shy away from. Oh well. – 2/5
11. Don Michael Black Whisky Rye – Rye Whisky – Peru – 45%abv – Well this was a refreshing change of pace. No fruit! Just some good rye flavour. A little note of whatever mystery wood the barrels are made from. No odd texture. Just a simple rye whisky. Kudos! – 4/5
12. Filliers 10 Year Old Single Malt Whisky – Belgium – 43%abv – Yeah, this is one I’d drink again. Just the right mix of that aged-in-oak-barrels-iness, with a tiny fruity sweetness, and some kinda flavoury spice in the finish. Very nice! – 4.5/5
13. Kyrö Malt – Rye Malt Whisky – Finland – 47.2%abv – My dude Kyrö may be from Finland but it tastes a lot like straight up Canadian rye whisky. Kinda carmelly, kinda spicy, kinda sweet, very yummy! I’d drink this again. – 4/5
14. Stork Club Straight Rye – Straight Rye Whisky – Germany – 45%abv – The title ‘Straight Rye Whisky’ is missing one word in this case, ‘UP’. Much like yesterday, this one is straight up rye whisky. Pretty standard flavour. A little vanilla, a little bready, all around decent. It doesn’t stand out but I’d drink it again. – 2.5/5
15. Hellyers Road Double Cask – Single Malt Whisky- Australia- 46.2%abv – huh. That’s weird. It’s starts off normal, and then it’s fruity, and then it’s oaky, and then it’s filmy. All in a matter of seconds. It’s a weird little guy. Would not recommend. – 1/5
16. New Riff – Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whisky – USA – 50%abv – Boyle says boom!! This is all I want whisky to be. Straight up Kentucky Bourbon. Oh that flavour!! Can’t beat it. A little sweet carmelouscity, a little oakiness, a little dry. No weird notes of anything. Just simple whisky. Best one yet! Yeah baby! – 5.5/5
17. Akashi – Sherry Cask Whisky – Blended Whisky- Japan – 40%abv – Hey Japan! Good job! This was a decent whisky. Nothing stands out but it had a little cask flavour, a little spicy. Just right. – 3.5/5
18. The English – The English Smokey – Single Malt Whiskey – England – 43%abv – Oh this is a good one! It lives up to its name. Smokey. I can taste the caskiness and the smokiness. It’s a little dry and just really yummy. Top notch ole’ chap! – 5/5
19. The Isle of Harris – The Hearach – Single Malt Scotch Whisky – Scotland – 46%abv – Is a pretty standard scotch. Dry but earthy, a touch of hairspray, a little sweet, and a little caskiness. Pretty good overall but nothing I’d write about. 😏 – 3.5/5
20. High Coast – Hav – Single Malt Whisky – Sweden – 48%abv – Hailey tried this one with me and put it perfectly, “It’s not too bad but it’s not my favourite.” Yeah, nailed it. Pretty standard except it starts a little fruity. 🤷♂️ Why the fruity? Don’t overcomplicate a good thing. 🙄 – 3/5
21. Starward – Nova – Single Malt Whisky – Australia – 41%abv – Oooo! Another good one! I was actually expecting less today. The write up said that this one was aged in red wine barrels. But I have to say, it’s not weird. It’s just flavourful. And a little dry. And soft. – 4/5
22. Kavalan – Lán – Single Malt Whisky – Taiwan – 43%abv – I was very apprehensive to try this one. The write up was all about the citrus and the fruit and even mentioned that there would be notes of (I kid you not) HONEYDEW MELON & FRUIT GUMMIES! AAAAHHH! Now I mean this in the most mean and degrading way possible… it did not disappoint. It started fruity and then it was a different kind of fruity and then it finished with the texture and taste of what I imagine an old railroad tie would taste like. You know the ones that are black and oily. ☹️ no. – 0.5/5
23. Westward – Original Whisky – Westward Whisky – USA – 45%abv- Now this is a whisky that I’d buy for realskies. Nothing adventurous, or bold, or daring. No reinventing. Single malt whisky from Merica! That’s all it needs to be. Solid! – 4.5/5
24. Einar’s – Limited Edition 5-Year-Old Single Malt – Denmark – 47%abv – I’m discovering that I’m moreso a fan of bourbon than scotch (I had to google the difference) but this was a scotch that was definitely worthy of the final day. It was described in the write up as “liquid gold” and I just really have to agree. It’s not bourbon but it is really delicious! What a closer! – 4.5/5
In the words of Laela, “BRUH” I thoroughly enjoyed this advent calendar. Bar none The best one I’ve ever enjoyed. Super enjoyed!
It has a handful of low moments but overall I would 100% ask for this one again. All the way yes. If you’re someone or know someone who enjoys whisky for more than cocktail mixers, this calendar will be a win for you!!
The low points for me were the fruity ones. I’m sure you could tell. Especially the one from France.
The high points were simple. The Icelandic Flóki, Uncle Nearest 1884, and by a landslide, New Riff Kentucky Bourbon.
I told Hailey a few times throughout and I’ll tell you too. I think this might be my favorite Christmas present of all time!
10/10