European Oak

Glenrothes Sherry Cask Reserve

The Glenrothes distillery is guided by what it calls its four corners: Water, Slow Distillation, Sherry Seasoned Casks, and Natural Color. The distillery also relaunched its brand recently, doing away with the previous method of categorizing its line and returning age statements. This is a refreshing choice given how many brands are going in the opposite direction. While the current line is mostly age statements, however, the Glenrothes Sherry Cask Reserve is from before the relaunch and, as the name would indicate, entirely aged in ex-sherry casks. It first appeared in 2014. We bought the bottle some time before this review went live, so what was once an easy introduction to a sherried single malt is now about a discontinued offering.

By Adam | September 5, 2019 | Speyside | No Comments |

Balcones made the world take notice when their single malt began winning blind tastings against more established whiskies from Scotland and Ireland, along with a bevy of competitive gold medals beginning in 2011 and not looking back. They are continually listed near the top of American whiskies in various publications and have an array of core range offerings along with more limited experiments. The Balcones Single Malt Reserve 101 is a single cask of their “1” Texas Single Malt, specifically bought by Houston whiskey bar Reserve 101. Sourced from an early relationship with Balcones co-founder, Chip Tate, this malt is not on their regular menu. Even if you do get a chance to try it, there is no guarantee the staff will tell you where the only liquor store in the city is where you can buy a bottle. We’ve been sworn to secrecy for this barrel (though feel free to visit Reserve 101 and cozy up to the bartenders to see if they’ll spill the details), but encourage everyone to seek out a single cask expression.

By Adam | August 5, 2019 | Foreign | No Comments |