Nips

Unique finds shared by a family member looking to “clean out” a closet!

Researching this whisky wasn’t easy, the best I could find was from ScotchWhisky.com’s Whiskypedia:

“Ambassador is a discontinued export blend first created by Glasgow blender Taylor & Ferguson Ltd, which was a big success in the US but unknown elsewhere. Over the years it was available as De Luxe, De Luxe 8-year-old, 12-year-old and Royal 12- and 25-year-old. It is likely that the constituent malts included Scapa and Glen Scotia at some point due to the brand’s ownership. It is not known what its make-up was and is very much an auction item now.” https://scotchwhisky.com/whiskypedia/2303/ambassador/

I did find one store in New York City selling it for $499.99 and saw it on eBay for auction in the $225-$250 range. However, having two bottles, I decided to take one to a bottle share event to get the thoughts of others and it was fairly well received. So, here goes:

Color: a deep golden amber.

Nose: Old bottle mustiness leaves after the whisky has spent a few minutes in a glass; there is very little EtOH on the nose. Dried dark fruits and citrus are forward with some caramel towards the end. There is a very slight coastal aroma present, reminiscent of sea salt air

Palate/Finish: Mouth feel is light to medium in body and pleasant. Sweet fruits like apricot, plum and date, with orange zest come forward quickly, and a general oaky and malty flavor linger with the orange zest for the finish of medium duration and intensity.

There clearly is a sherry cask influence in this blended whisky and the constituent malts likely including Scapa and Glen Scotia would explain the gentle coastal brininess. The dram is very smooth and enjoyable. I can see myself pouring this for fellow whisky drinkers with some appreciation of history.

Glen Deveron 16 Years
Glen Scotia 15 Years
Jura 10 Years

Tasting notes for the Glen Scotia 15 Years in American Oak Barrels can be found here

The Glenfarclas Distillery is in the heart of the Speyide region, a relatively short drive (by American standards) from Edinburgh or Glasgow. It is a personal favorite and was one of the first Scottish distilleries JSW visited.

The 105 is the reasonably priced, cask strength sherry bomb that embodies the character of the expressions of whisky produced by this family owned, iconic distillery: dried dark fruits, and spices like a Christmas pudding with a gentle mineral flavor, almost like a sulphuric peat, underlying it all. The whisky’s nose and flavors open up with a splash of water, which Jeff suggests is needed to really appreciate this spirit; it is a bit harsh and tight without the water, but quite smooth and easy with it.

The final dram with a Cadbury Fruit and Nut Bar from the UK as well as with lemon Girl Scouts Cookies. While the raisins and nuts in the milk chocolate melded with the whisky, the lemon frosted shortbread contrasted with the rich whisky quite enjoyably.

Game of Thrones House Tully - The Singleton of Glendullan
Glen Scotia Campbeltown (NAS)
Glen Keith Distiller’s Edition (NAS)
Bunnhabhain 12 Years

Tasting notes for the Bunnahabhain !2 Years can be found here

Tasting notes for The Singleton of Glendullan (non-GoT version) can be found here

This low ABV single malt whiskey is matured in former bourbon barrels. Lackluster neat, it opens up very nicely with some water, releasing malt and vanilla flavors and reducing the surprisingly strong alcohol vapor. This bottle was obtained in Delaware for $38. A reasonably nice and easy drinking whiskey, but it will not replace Knappogue Castle or Red Breast at the top of Jeff’s list of favorite Irish single malts. The funny thing about the label is that it indicates it is made from the finest hand selected ingredients. The ingredients can only be barley, water and yeast!

Liberty Pole Peated Bourbon
Aberfeldy 12 Years
Douglas Laing’s Old Particular Bunnahabhain 2005 Feis Ile Release
Rebel Yell Single Barrel Kentucky Bourbon
Cadenhead’s Bottling “Highland PBS” (NAS)
Tullamore D.E.W. Caribbean Rum Cask Finish (NAS)

The Empress of India cocktail was created at Veronica’s, Osprey Avenue, Sarasota, Florida. Old Forrester bourbon, blackberry brandy, 43 Liqueur and star anise over an ice ball with fresh blackberry garnish. A sweet, fruity, fun beverage on a brunch day. The whisky is just strong enough to hold up against the liqueurs. The rye in the mash gives the bourbon the spice necessary for the cocktail to work. Don’t try this with a wheated bourbon. Props to bar manager and partner in Veronica’s, Mike Yoder, who dreamed up this really nice cocktail that he ages in a small oak barrel behind the bar.

This is a very nice whisky. The nose is pleasantly oaky and malty, but gently so. making one think of second fill bourbon barrels. It is very soft and smooth, with a lovely anise and vanilla spice that lingers gently on the finish. It's very hard to think of anything beyond the licorice and vanilla, though ultimately, there is a slightly creamy finish lingering as well. This whisky is a must taste. It will not be the best whisky you ever had, but it will be something you'll say, yes, that's a pretty nice whisky I tried once upon a time as an odd ball find.

This is a lovely example of a Speyside whisky well matured (15 years) exclusively in Oloroso Sherry casks. A dark spirit with a strong sweet sherry and oak aroma, spice and a dried fruity sweetness on the palate, with a finish that endures for a fair amount of time until the next sip is savored. At 46% ABV, this whisky can withstand a few drops of water, or even an ice cube, but it doesn’t need it.

First Fill Sherry butts, 58.3 ABV, Natural color!

Screaming sherry bomb! Smooth as silk, light spice, plenty of cream and surprisingly little alcohol drinking it neat! Lovely whisky!

Jeff was drawn to this bottle, a 16 years aged sherry casked expression that I’d never seen before. The citrus notes in the nose and palate that are the hallmark of this distillery’s whiskies are present, but are overwhelmed by the sherry cask influence of spice and dried fruit. It is very smooth and easy drinking, as are all of the expressions of Knappogue Castle which I have tasted to date. If you like a sherry bomb style of whisky, you will enjoy this dram. Jeff personally would choose the 12 and 14 year old expressions over this one as he feels feel the sherry influence is just a wee too strong on this distillery’s gentle yet flavorful spirit.

Jura is a classic island malt whisky, typically with a peaty, briny and/or oily undertone to go with a warm spicy finish. Not this one. This is the first time Jeff ever did really taste chocolate in a whisky. The cynic often mocks such tasting notes, but there it was on the first sip, dark chocolate front and center. Not much of the typical Jura character at all. Jeff couldn't do a full review because he was tasting at duty free and so only enjoyed a small out of maybe 8 to 10 ml, but that chocolate revelation was worth sharing. The price was 59 GBP.