7 Archives - The Distillates

Tasting Notes Rated: 7

Shane

Savanna HERR 2017 @ 62.5% by Habitation Velier

Nose: The day we moved to the canaries and walked into our first grocery store, we had an intense moment of deja vu. A large box of fresh, luscious ripe Driscol strawberries sat right at the entrance. I understand when I see the same candy brand in different countries, but the fact that the strawberry grower who produced most of California’s berries not 10 miles from our home, was the main provider to a small island off of Africa, that was a strange moment of global awakening. It’s all connected. We’d pick strawberries and set them on warm hay. Mom would get such an abundance when I lived in LA that we would dehydrate them, concentrating their flavors and adding a touch of tannic intensity. While we have pineapples on the island, they are odd stunted little creatures, nothing like the potent juicy ones from our time in Hawaii. I loved grilling on the lanai, cutting a pineapple in half and caramelizing it on the bbq. I’ve had this a few times and those two notes, ripe strawberries and overripe pineapple are the DNA I associate with HERR. But tonight I also get that cloying smell that comes from hanging next to the cotton candy machine during carnaval. And the slightest moment of brine and salinity, olives and red bell peppers marinated together.

Palate: The palate is so deeply concentrated as to make me pucker. Potent cedar note first followed by a wallop of sweet eucalyptus honey lozenges. Papaya while still firm. Twice fried sweet plantains with lime and seasalt. Pineapple dance party. The hint of salinity on the nose is a full on tsunami, dutch double salted licorice. I honestly would love this whole experience as a bubble gum flavor.

Rating: 7 / 10 – this is amazing. While I truly enjoy the powerful complexity in this bottling, it’s so overwhelming as to be a tiny sipper. I would rarely reach for it. But it is also not my favorite HERR. That was the black label with the pink ribbon – 57 if I remember – that Christian poured for me? That was all the glorious fruit and none of the intense salinity.

Eau-De-Vie

Shane

Château Mouton Rothschild 2001 Eau-de-Vie de Prune 42%

Nose: lightly toasted almonds. those amazing looking fruit shaped marzipan pastries. Almond blossom honey. Mirabel jam spread on whole grain farm bread. Baked apricots. The plum trees in my grandparents’ orchard ~1.5 hrs from Paris. Which interestingly smelled incredibly different from the plums my mom had in our orchard in LA. My grandparents’ mirabelle were quite floral in character, while mom’s red plums had deeper fruit basenotes. The fact that I remember it given how young I was is sort of silly, but you only need to eat green plums and cherries once and you don’t forget. The nose is just elegant.

Palate: a burst of mirabelle (small bright yellow plums) with vibrant citrus notes. Followed by a more rounded plum character. The acidity is lovely. This glass really benefits from larger sips. White apricot tea with honey. Kumquat peel. Aji dulce peppers. Touch of warm cinnamon. Beneath the sweetness is a potent floral layer. Tiptoeing on the edge of a bath balm / spa body soap. I’m often quite hesitant with that layer of floral potency, but somehow Sascha and I are reversed – I can see my way past it, and he found it too much. But if I focus on that, then it’s an issue for me too.

Rating: 7 / 10 – 5 species of plums, aged 15+ years on oak, then more of glass.I genuinely am unsure if this is a 2001 distillation or a 2001 bottling. It has LP2001 on the back label. They seem to vary in ABV, from 40 – 42% depending on the release. The retail on this is a doozie, but after a few attempts at auction I landed one within my budget and brought it to share at the Stuttgart Armagnac Festival.

Shane

Vieux Sajous 2018 / 2023 5 Year Grand Terroir Saint Michel de l’Attalaye 57.5% by Velier VSGB

Nose: clarified butter / ghee, dried lemon peel, crayola crayons, rye seed cracker or buckwheat crepes drizzled with honey.

Palate: jasmine flower honey, kumquat peel and golden berries. cinnamon life cereal – the king of breakfast. How the cereal companies ever convinced my parents that those aren’t desert is pure magic. teddy grahams.

Rating: 7 / 10 – I truly appreciate when someone manages to tiptoe into esters without jumping the shark. This is so well balanced.

Cognac

JC Saunier Grand Champagne Lot 75 / 2025 Uni Blanc 44% by Authentic Spirits

Nose: super ripe peaches right off the tree, cantaloupe and prosciutto, orange peel, cotton candy, stewed apricots, black tea

Palate: vanilla wafers, peach black tea ice tea concentrate, parma violets… this reminds me of the time at Que Leche julie and I had dessert and they served us foie gras on apricot cotton candy. Weird as fuck… we tocked in and the intense sweetness, savorynesses and richness made for a bite that I still remember years later. For its novelty more than its deliciousness. BUT after resting it 30 minutes, it really evolves and the stonefruit vanquishes.

Rating: 7 (Ryan) 6 (Shane) / 10 – I’m so rarely this far apart – with a 9 on the nose and a 5 on the palate. Its like drinking perfume. Its so intense and concentrated. And water didn’t help. Ok, an adjustment… let it rest 30 minutes. What is insane is that we came back to this after a phenomenal 60.3% oloroso Glendronach, and this pour not only holds its own but goes toe to toe. This is quite special. #respect.

Shane

Ardnahoe Bholsa Oloroso 50%

Nose: Smoked oysters with blackberry vinegar, burnt ends, dark cherry

Palate: Smokey salted pecans, dried raspberries, tobacco leaf, dates

Rating: 7 / 10 – for a core line bottle this is really excellent

Glendronach 1993 20 Year Sherry Butt #3 52.9%

Nose: Gooey dried prunes, bazooka joe’s grape bubblegum, black tea, apricot jam, black licorice.

Palate: Cranberry-raspberry fruit leather, takes an herbal / ricola bent, and then nice finish of leather, chocolate covered espresso beans, prunes. I used to make an orange juice, worcestershire, red wine, garlic and ginger reduction, which I would then baste and BBQ my salmon with. Mic drop.

Rating: 6 (Ryan) 7 (Shane) / 10 – this is damn delicious although the herbal note on a big sip is a doozie. Might be a love hate thing.

Chateau de Lacquy 24 Year 1991 45%

Nose: Cherries, cranberry, ocean spray cranberry-raspberry. Cabinet spices and peppercorn

Palate: Explosion of tart fruit, cranberry all the way, orange concentrate / peel, spice cabinet, drying on the palate, nice cinnamon

Rating: 6 (Ryan) 7 (Shane) / 10 – a delicious and tart juicy explosion …. Feel the flavor.

Shane

Domaine du Hourtica 1996 @ 44%

Nose: This is a complicated nosebeast. A scoop of Rum-raisin ice cream and an espresso gelato, cuddled in a bowl of charred oak. It could be a great pairing, and I keep coming back to it as I am working. 10 minutes later and I still haven’t sipped it. Just smells great… with a rich yet dry umami note, nearly cecina or biltong. It could be a seasonal special old spice blend. I took responsibility for a company today and I viscerally feel the dual sides of both a new adventure, and the weight and pressure that comes with it. I don’t have to look far to see an ocean of conflicting complexities. Just hoping the palate, and my new team con find harmony.

Palate: Oh.. huh. The first impression is that it is a touch thin, but slow the duck down man and give it space to speak. Probably the best advice I’ve been given when stepping into a new role. It’s hard to just listen when my body and soul are powered for perpetual motion. I’m listening Hourtica. The palate really blooms with patience. This is quite lovely and coats the tongue with oak, leather, coffee beans and pomegranate. Cloves, nutmeg, and a dusting of dark chocolate. This is an armchair pour.

Rating: 7 / 10 – I’m genuinely surprised by the 7. It was a 6, but then I got to the bottom, and started googling to see how much a bottle costs. And if that isn’t a 7.. Well what is.

Shane

Raasay Peated 5 Year Chinquapin Single cask 18/26 61.8%

Nose: Sweet peat, cinnamon, dates, dr pepper bbq sauce, espresso.

Palate: Burnt ends, smokey bbq, cold smoked cold drip coffee, coffee caramels, mole

Rating: 7 / 10 – too late into the tasting to nail the score but hot damn this is tasty, makes me wish I picked the peated rather than unpeated when buying my own Raasay chinquapin cask.

Bourbon & American

Balcones FR.OAK Single Malt 60%

Nose: Intensely garden patch, violet, green wood, green bell pepper, cedar

Palate: did not expect elegance. such a delightful blend of violets and wood, the mouth feel is velvety and syrupy. Roasted bell peppers and fresh fish on a cedar plank. Quickly sauteed mushroom with browned butter, and coffee grounds. Finish is long and full of leather, coffee, and the lingering violets.

Rating: 7 (Ryan) 6 (Shane) / 10 – Ryan loves the interplay between the floralness and the deep wood character. I acknowledge the beauty of the dram that way I often look at a super model and can see how she is beautiful, but wouldn’t want to marry her.

Balcones Texas Bock 2022 Cask Strength 63.4%

Nose: Begonia, mustard seed, turmeric, all spice

Palate: Indian spice ball blend, interesting and fun; cardamom, dijon mustard, cinnamon, turmeric, cedar chips, pickling spices: allspice, coriander, bay leaves. Unrefined maple syrup.

Rating: 7 / 10 – Been fasting. Doing bloodwork tomorrow. Perhaps the tasting was unwise. But damn this good. So there is that. What is crazy is how different this is from the 50% release a couple years prior. Both lovely, but this rocks. Its gets better with time in the glass.

Shane

Springbank 10 Year 2023 release Palo Cortado 55%

Nose: cherry cola bbq sauce, which if you haven’t made it, now belongs at the top of your bucket list. It a tough debate which is better Vs Dr Pepper sauce. But with ribs, the real secret is the balance between your rub and the sauce. The best rubs are brown sugar, celery salt, powdered mustard, paprika and used coffee grounds. And this pour somehow pulls in elements which bring me back. Hands down the best rib combo you’ll ever brew. Deep earth sweetness, talking RJs raspberry licorice. Which has nothing to do with any anise derivatives, just a good old earthy fruit chew.

Palate: This is much better than I was expecting. But as buddhist scripture says expectation is the root of all suffering. And I am not suffering in the slightest, take that optimists. Dang, wish I had a bigger sample. Rasberry was truly on point. Espresso gin and tonic. Little takes me back to grandpas pipe tobacco and scratchy wool sweaters. Gamey biltong with a touch of smoke. Dark chocolate with seasalt. Sojourn continues his deep obsession with Acai. An obsession I dont mind in abstract, but in practice its a pricey addiction.

Rating: 7 / 10 – This is actually quite lovely. I was expecting a mass blended and bitter brew after my disappointment with the 2022 PX release. Instead I found a nice classic springbank dna with great fruitiness and earthiness that palo cortado brings to the table. I do wish I could try it at 16 years, to see how it continues to evolve. At market price this is an easy call. Secondary pricey are silly thought and for what I see people asking (beacause I checked) I’ll take a 1993 glendronach any day.