Review 145: Laphroaig Signatory 16 Yr 1995/2011 Cask Strength

Review 145

2/23/13

Laphroaig 1995/2011 16 Yr Signatory Cask Strength: 59.5% abv

Background: Signatory has a range of whiskies called the Cask Strength series, and bless them for it. This particular bottling is a Laphroaig, and if you remember Laphroaig, you remember that they’re an Islay distillery and they don’t hold back when it comes to peating their whisky. This particular bottling is no exception, but don’t be afraid by the big numbers or big smokiness. This is a gentle giant, and as far as quality whiskies go, this is among the upper echelon. 

Nose: Campfire, big peat, barbeque, wood smoke, sweet malt, slight salt, subtle white wine, seaweed, phenol, intense, slightly fruity, berries

            A/W: More subtle, fruity, apple, honey, peat starts to calm down

Arrival: Warm, gentle peat, hot spice, ginger and cinnamon, vanilla

            A/W: Sweet, slight smoke, honey

Body: Peaty, fruity, hot cinnamon, caramel, apple, berries, smokey zing

            A/W: Slight peat, honey, slightly fudgy, oily

Finish: Fruity, peat, savory meat flavor, caramel, vanilla, malt, spice, subtle salt, slight sweet sugar, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg

A/W: Peat, honey, well balanced spice, smoke, barbeque, barley, spice, hot cinnamon, slightly bready, yeast, slight fudge notes, hints of tobacco

Final Comments: This is one of the most refined tasting peated Scotches we’ve ever had. It has great balance and complexity, and this only gets better with some water, which comes as no surprise. What is a surprise is how well it holds up without the water. It isn’t harsh; it simply comes through smooth and “clean”, with a peat finish to contradict its smoothness. You might not realize for a second you’re drinking a Laphroaig, but it is a fantastic craft whisky. We’ve tried peated whiskies by Laphroaig, Lagavulin, Ardbeg, Kilchoman, Smokehead, Port Charlotte, Caol Ila and many others, but this might be the best one we’ve ever had.

Why you’d buy it: You have the money, and you aren’t afraid to buy an independent bottling of a fantastic peated Scotch.

Why you wouldn’t: You can’t afford it. That’s really the only reason you shouldn’t.

Score: 9.5/10

Review 138: Di Majo Norante Sangiovese

Review 138

2/4/13

Di Majo Norante Sangiovese 2011: 13% abv

Background: Now and again we like to try a wine and adjust our palates to something different. That does not by any means make KCM an expert on wines. We can tell you some facts and our impressions, none-the-less. There are quite a few producers of wine in the world, so we won’t really go into some great detail about Di Majo Norante, but what we can tell you is that they are from Italy. What about sangioveses? Well this is actually the name of a grape. The Sangiovese is a red Italian grape type, described as having fresh fruit flavors and mild spiciness. Sangiovese grapes are used to make many types of wine blends, which we won’t go into, but know that the grape is used for a variety of things. This particular wine is self-titled for the grape used. Here are some tasting notes.

Nose: Strawberry, blackberry, dry, light aroma, cherry, cranberry, light sawdust, raisons, light sweetness

Arrival: Tart, large blackberry notes, sour apple skin, bitter, tart grape

Body: Tannins, woody, sour apple skin, bitter, acidic, vanilla, quick body, juicy

Finish: Blackberry, sweet fruit, woody, dry, big sweet apple notes, crisp finish, tart, leathery, slight sugar, juicy

Final Comments: This is an interesting wine, and yes it is dry. There is no doubt about that. What you will find is that the complex range of fruitiness, slight floral quality, and some old aromas like sawdust and some leathery qualities makes this a surprisingly enjoyable wine for the complex drinker, without being expensive. This isn’t exactly a friendly wine for the ladies’ book club on Saturday if they’re normally drinking ice wine. This wine would couple great with a savory meal.

Why you’d buy it: You enjoy a complex, dry red and don’t want to spend a lot of money.

Why you wouldn’t: You don’t want to experience a dry mouth feel in your wine and are regularly drinking sweet Riesling.

Score: 8.5/10