Here is the customary look-ahead to the month. But first a quick look back at April.
The most read posts in April, by some margin, were two recipes (for “Palak Posole” and “Prawns of Doom“). The most read whisky reviews were whiskey reviews (of High West Bourye 2015 and the Malts of Scotland Heaven Hill Caribbean Cask, followed by my re-review of the Redbreast 12 CS). Single malt Scotch reviews only show up at the bottom of the month’s top 10 (Springbank Bourbon/Madeira and the Signatory Glenlivet 19 for Binny’s). Still in the top 10 after more than two years was my write-up of Glendronach’s single cask shenanigans (it will be interesting to see what the new ownership of the distillery will do with their single cask program) and just outside it was the Laphroaig Cairdeas 2015. I guess to chase page-views I should review more American and Irish whiskey and post even more recipes. Accordingly, I have another long list of obscure single malt Scotch whiskies this month. And there’ll also be more Twin Cities restaurant meal write-ups than I’ve had in recent months. You’re welcome.
Here’s the longlist of potential whisky reviews. As always, feel free to nominate to the shortlist the whiskies you’d like to see reviewed for sure.
Ardmore 13, 1998 (Gordon & MacPhail)
Ardmore Traditional
Balblair 1997-2009, First US Release
Balmenach 26, 1988 (Signatory for Binny’s)
Benriach 26, 1987 (Exclusive Casks)
Benriach 34, 1977, PX Cask 1034
Bunnahabhain XXV
Coppersea Green Malt Rye
Cragganmore 15, 1999 (Malts of Scotland)
Clynelish 22, 1989 (Thosop)
Clynelish 36, 1972 (G&M for LMDW)
Evan Williams, Black Label
Glencadam 21
Glenfarclas 30
Glenfarclas 33, 1973, Bourbon Hogshead (Cadenhead’s)
Glenlossie 22, 1992 (van Wees)
Kavalan Solist Bourbon Cask B091030052A
Kavalan Solist Sherry Cask S090610018B
King’s Legend “Old Special” (Ainslie & Heilbron)
Laphroaig 21, 1994 (Cooper’s Choice)
Linkwood 19, 1993 (Chieftain’s)
Noah’s Mill Bourbon, Batch 15-18
Old Grand-Dad, 80 Proof
Paul John 2009, Bourbon Barrel (Malts of Scotland)
Paul John 2011, Bourbon Barrel (Malts of Scotland)
Paul John Classic Select Cask
Paul John Peated Cask 739 (for Bresser & Timmer)
Springbank 1998-2015, Sherry Hogshead (Malts of Scotland)
Sprinbank 11, 1999, Recharred Sherry Butt
Springbank 12, 2000, Bourbon/Calvados
Strathisla 37, 1967, Cask 1331 (Duncan Taylor)
Talisker 25, 2011 Release
Teeling Whiskey
Tobermory 18, 1994 (Wilson & Morgan)
Tobermory 20, 1994, Oloroso Sherry (Wilson & Morgan)
Willett 7 yo Rye, Barrel 94
My Annoying Opinions 
Bunnahabhain XXV please! Not many recent reviews on it and I am curious how you would place it against the Bunna 18 (or XVIII for the Romans out there)
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The Noah’s Mill Batch 15-18. That one got a good review from bourbontruth. My notes are quite different from his.
The Balmenach (27 years old, I think).
And any bourbon Glenfarclas seems like something to write about.
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The Binny’s website says it’s a 27 yo but the label says 26, and as per the distillation and bottling dates printed on the label it is indeed a month and change short of being a 27 yo.
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Thank You! Looking forward to more recipes and reviews.
FYI, we checked out the newer Maple Grove outpost of STP’s India House. Not happy. Sometimes I think asafoetida is to Indian cuisine as MSG is to Chinese. Our dishes seemed overwhelmed with it. And spice level selections were completely blown.
So, we will return to Ghorka Palace for, while not exclusively Indian, their consistently high quality dishes.
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A little hing/asafoetida goes a long way…
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Benriach 26, 1987 (Exclusive Casks)!
To see your opinion vs. Mr. Kravitz’s @ diving for pearls. (I assume you acquired a sample from him).
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Indeed. Though I’m worried David Stirk and his ghost army may descend on me too if I don’t like it.
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Yup. I hope MAO loves it!
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1. Evan Williams Black Label.
2. I’d be interested in doing a simul-post on that Noah’s Mill batch 15-18 if you’d like. If you say no, you’re mean.
3. If that G&M Ardmore is from a certain Long Beach whisky blogger (and it must be because the world revolves around him) then it could be a 1990. If not, never mind.
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Sure, let’s simul-review the Noah’s Mill.
And yes, I misread the label on the Ardmore sample bottle. I blame you. (Correcting now.)
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I’d love to see your thoughts on the Springbank Calvados cask. I snagged the last two bottles from Beltramos and the first bottle was one of my favorite spirits ever. If only Springbank would keep these weird cask-types in their normal selection.
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I’d love to see the Balblair and Coppersea.
Thanks for your words as always.
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I’m curious about the CC 1994 Laphroaig, since that’s still available.
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