Reviews - The Distillates

Jun 2023

Who, What, and Where are Domaine le Chaou?!?

The last few years Armagnac has experienced a small renaissance. The traditional single producer rustic brandy has struck a chord with connoisseurs. At the start..

Scotch

May 2021

The Journey’s End w/ Jim McEwan

We tried 6 pre-release bottlings from both Jim McEwan and Dramfool’s personal collection. Some of the best bottles I’ve had this year.

May 2021

Where is L’Encantada Domaine Le Freche?!?

L’Encantada Domaine Le Freche has joined a short and vaunted list of serious personal favorites. I will literally go out of my way to chase..

Apr 2021

SMWS 26.151 – Fragrance clings to the hand that gives flowers – Clynelish 26yo 47.3%

Let’s do a SMWS Clynelish tasting! I’ve had very little Clynelish and have heard wonderful things about this bottle. Nose Tangerine, peach/apricot cobbler, honeysuckle, jasmine,..

Apr 2021

New Distilleries Tasting: Act 1 2021

When Bruce at Dramfool asked a small tasting group what we should source next, the resounding answer was to bring on the new distilleries! Lets..

Apr 2021

L’encantada Le Freche 1989 Cask #121 50.2%

L’Encanada Le Freche 1989 Cask 121 is a mighty oak bomb of the best caliber. My first 9 / 10 for 2021.

Apr 2021

L’encantada Le Freche 1986 #44 45.8%

You might safely call me a Le Freche fan boy. I love the core profile and the nuance and character between the casks. They can..

Scotch

Mar 2021

Jim McEwan Signature Collection Vol 1 & 2

Dramfools managed to get their hands on a number of casks from Jim McEwan’s private collection. A huge win for Bruce and his crew. May..

Scotch

Mar 2021

Springbank Old & Rare Tasting

These notes are much shorter than I normally write. I prefer to focus on a single bottle and marinate in the experience. Make sure to..

Feb 2021

Grosperrin N°28 Borderies Cognac 53.8%

Today I’m excited and delighted to be tasting a sample of Grosperrin N°28 Borderies Cognac which I received as part of a greater Grosperrin sample..

Feb 2021

Grosperrin 1973 Petite Champagne Cognac 60.3%

Welcome to my very first written review! Happy to have you and I hope you will find our reviews to be helpful, informative, and fun…

Brandy

Feb 2021

L’Heritier-Guyot Vieux Marc de Bourgogne VSOP 42%

This last year has really been all about find special moments and creating my own adventure. On a good year, I typically cross three continents..

Scotch

Jan 2021

Cask Whisperer: Release #2 Series

The first cask whisperer release had one of the best Port Charlotte’s I’ve ever tried. If you aren’t familiar, Jim McEwan was the maestro of..

Irish

Jan 2021

Killowen 10 Year Pinot Noir Burgundy Cask Bonded Experimental Series

Sometimes, the best thing you could ever do to truly experience a whisky is to have someone call it swill. The Killowen Pinot Noir /..

Armagnac

Jan 2021

Chateau de Lacaze 1981 (46%)

I spend nearly as much money and time sourcing samples and trading with people as adding bottles to my cellar. It’s fun trying new things…