My Handcrafted Opinions on Whiskies, Distilleries and Other Related Stuff
The nose on this is salty and fruity, with some seaweed, a hint of rubber and a prick of alcohol even at 43% ABV. The taste is rich with toffee, burnt coffee, caramel at first then some more acrid camp fire notes and along with bitter fruit peels and spices. The finish is gentle hum of heat and peppermint along with some smokiness. At 43% ABV it can take a drop of water and still hold up, but it doesn't need it. Overall a delicious expression from one of my favourite distilleries.
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The nose on this is salty and fruity, with some seaweed, a hint of rubber and a prick of alcohol even at 43% ABV. The taste is rich with toffee, burnt coffee, caramel at first then some more acrid camp fire notes and along with bitter fruit peels and spices. The finish is gentle hum of heat and peppermint along with some smokiness. At 43% ABV it can take a drop of water and still hold up, but it doesn't need it. Overall a delicious expression from one of my favourite distilleries.
Location: The Marsh Tavern, Manchester, Vermont
Date: August 2021
Price: $18
Recipe: Listed as Black Manhattan with Basil Hayden's Port Infused Dark Rye, Averna Siciliano, Black Walnut and Vanilla Bitters
Garnish: 1 x black cherry and orange peel twist
Served: Rocks
Comments: Interesting flavor that was rather led by the vanilla bitters. A great drink but quite pricey and I am not 100% sure it was manhattan.
What is this about? Check out http://www.somanywhiskies.com/item/749-the-manhattan-project-ii
Location: Copper Grouse, Manchester, Vermont
Date: August 2021
Price: $15
Recipe: None given, ordered off menu with Sazerac Rye
Garnish: 2 x black cherry and peel slice
Served: Rocks
Comments: Solid all rounder... classic recipe with both classic garnishes. Something's are classic for a reason.
What is this about? Check out http://www.somanywhiskies.com/item/749-the-manhattan-project-ii
Location: Simon and Seaforts, Anchorage, Alaska
Date: July 2021
Price: est $12
Recipe: None given, ordered off menu (hence no price listed)
Garnish: 1 x glace cherry
Served: Rocks
Comments: recipe did not stand up to being on the rocks. Washed out and not enough sweetness.
What is this about? Check out http://www.somanywhiskies.com/item/749-the-manhattan-project-ii
Location: Carters, Wind Crest Senior Living, Littleton, CO
Date: July 2021
Price: Free (actually included in dinner)
Recipe: None given
Garnish: 1 x glace cherry
Served: Up
Comments: Pretty good for "free"... a little muted maybe, light on bitters and perhaps a generic spirit?
What is this about? Check out http://www.somanywhiskies.com/item/749-the-manhattan-project-ii
Location: Strato 550, Houston, Texas
Date: June 2021
Price: $12.00
Recipe: Bourbon, sweet vermouth, bitters
Garnish: 2 x black cherry
Served: Up
Comments: Great classic option at the bar on 43rd floor in my new office building
What is this about? Check out http://www.somanywhiskies.com/item/749-the-manhattan-project-ii
I have said it before and I will say it again, I do regret never going to Jura when I had the chance because the more I try their whisky the more I like it. The label describes this 46% ABV expression as "heavily peated" which might be a slight overstatement, but I did like it and my prophecy is I that will drink this again sometime. The nose was more smoky than peaty, with lots of citrus peel and dried fruits that also came through in the taste, along with sweet, sugary marmalade - even jammy - notes and a oily, mouthcoating richness. Very approachable and morish (moorish?). The oily, smokey and slightly bitter, burnt wood notes in the finish balance the sweetness well. If I still rated whiskies with stars this would get some.
If this was Whisky Facebook then my relationship with Macallan would probably be "It's complicated". I love many of their products but they have also driven me crazy with some of their product and marketing decisions in recent years. However at end of the day any of my attempts to compile a "Top 10" or even a shopping list usually feature something from Macallan. After years of "so so" offerings this could well be their "Blood on the Tracks" (no apologies for the Bob Dylan reference) and it is a massive return to form by doing what they do best... sherry cask whisky and as an extra bonus they even upped the ABV to 52.9%. My bottle was described as a 2019 Limited Edition. The nose is classic dried fruits, citrus peels, ginger cake and orange marmalade. The mouthfeel is creamy with sharp citrus notes, spike of alchohol (>50% ABV), cinnamon, almond marzipan and even the signature rubbery notes. The finish has dark chocolate, black pepper and in my case, pure joy. With a little water (it won't hurt at this level of ABV) the flavor gets more oaky and woody with milk chocolate.
Location: Rainbow Lodge, Houston, Texas
Date: March 2021
Price: $11.00
Recipe: 1792 small batch bourbon and Carpano Antica aged in oak barrel with bitters and Luxardo cherry
Garnish: Orange peel (not as per menu?)
Served: Up
Comments: Very nice, and a good price, but lacked the cherry note I was expecting. Not sure from menu if cherry was is in the barrel and part of aging process or bar replaced it with peel?
What is this about? Check out http://www.somanywhiskies.com/item/749-the-manhattan-project-ii
Location: Squable, Houston, Texas
Date: March 2021
Price: $15.00
Recipe: Old Grand Dad 114 proof, Cocchi vermouth di Torino, Carpano Antica vermouth, Angosturo and Regan's Orange bitters
Garnish: Cherry
Served: One large rock
Comments: Nice all around Manhattan and like the kick of 114 proof bourbon but didn't get complexity the recipe ( 2 x vermouth, 2 x bitters) would suggest
What is this about? Check out http://www.somanywhiskies.com/item/749-the-manhattan-project-ii