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One of many employees requested me what the largest shock was at this yr’s Whiskies of the World San Francisco. “That it was really occurring” was my response.
WotW marked the primary time in almost two years that I’d attended a spirits occasion of any substance, and whereas it was great to walk the cubicles alongside the bottom ground of San Francisco’s Pier 27, it’s clear that we have now but to “return to regular,” and possibly received’t for the foreseeable future. The standard crowds had been absent, as had been most of the massive manufacturers you’d usually discover at these occasions. No massive buffet with a carving station to fill your stomach from. As an alternative, meals vans parked outdoors handed small plates to famished drinkers who descended upon the trays like locusts as quickly as somebody would stroll within the door from outdoors.
However hey, it was a whiskey occasion, and attendees like me had been clearly keen to place up with some hiccups in an effort to pattern the newest releases from a curious assortment of old-guard classics, craft distilleries, and — oddly — a stunning variety of rum operations. I actually had no bother filling the time I spent right here on a pleasant September night within the metropolis, discovering loads of outdated favorites and new spirits to sip on.
As all the time, temporary notes for the whole lot tasted comply with.
Tasting Report: Whiskies of the World Expo San Francisco 2021
Scotch
Edradour 9 Years Outdated Marsala Cask (Whisky Store Unique) – straight-up Marsala notes, massive with oxidized wine, rec currents, and spice; an excessive amount of. B
Linkwood 11 Years Outdated Bourbon Cask (Whisky Store Unique) – Malty, chewy, with maple notes on the again finish. A-
The GlenAllachie 15 Years Outdated – massive and malty, stone fruit, cherries. A-
The ImpEx Assortment Mix 1980 40 Years Outdated – the showstopper of the night time, a single cask mix of varied Edrington malts, all casked and aged collectively; beautiful with fairly sherry, wealthy fruit, and nougat; exhausting to place down, however this isn’t one they’re going to pour endlessly. A+
Black Bull 12 Years Outdated Blended Scotch – nutty, ample vanilla, an awesome worth providing at about 30 bucks a bottle. B+
Duncan Taylor 12 Years Outdated Mix (Complete Wine Unique) – simple, easygoing, with prolonged cereal components. B+
Duncan Taylor Dimensions Dalmore 2002, 15 Years Outdated Cask 10802053 – numerous oak right here, surprisingly; tannic and bitter on the end; doesn’t evoke Dalmore actually. B
Uncommon Auld Grain Cambus 1991 26 Years Outdated Cask 1179891 – a shock; nice depth however mild and candy, with sesame seed and golden syrup evident. A-
Highland Park 18 Years Outdated – a basic, peatier immediately than I remembered although; seductive, toasted wooden notes, malt, caramel in a robust combine. A-
Highland Park Cask Energy Launch 2 – beefy, sharp with citrus, spice, and a few tea components; fairly warming; full evaluation to come back. A
Japanese Whisky
Tottori Japanese Whisky Blended – Fairly however easy; nougat heavy. B
Tottori Japanese Whisky Bourbon Barrel – Bolder and extra aggressive; some clear peanut notes. B+
The Shin Japanese Malt Whisky 15 Years Outdated – tender, heavy with notes of apples, lingering oak. A-
tenth Avenue California Coast – a mildly peated expression from San Jose’s tenth Avenue; candy sesame, gentle smoke, floral notes. A-
Barber Lee Heirloom Bourbon – 1 1/2 to 2 years outdated; heavy with corn, toasty, virtually smoky, lingering mushroom word. B-
Wright & Brown Bottled-in-Bond American Single Malt – fairly candy with notes of sesame evident; overripe. B
Virginia Distilling Braveness & Conviction Cuvée Cask Whisky – well-integrated flavors, together with mild wooden, wine notes, and candy fruit on the end. A-
Virginia Distilling VHW Port Cask Completed Whisky – a bit gritty, with massive Port-driven raisin components; enjoyable. B+
Catoctin Creek Roundstone Rye – a cask power monster, boldly sweetened, however powerful with funky hemp notes. B-
Rum
Santa Teresa 1796 – mild, candy, well-fruited, with gentle spice notes. A-
Diplomatico Single Classic 2005 – massive and winey, fairly candy, with deep oak notes and lightweight tobacco components. A-
Diplomatico The Distillery Assortment #1 Batch Kettle Rum – a collection of rums every from a distinct kind of nonetheless (with loads of different variables within the combine); this maple-heavy bottling gives a giant wine component. A-
Diplomatico The Distillery Assortment #2 Barbet Rum – a lot heavier on the wooden; bolder however fairly younger; much less balanced. B+
Diplomatico The Distillery Assortment #3 Pot Nonetheless Rum – glorious; balanced fruit, oak, caramel notes; heaps to like right here. A
