A new year and a new decade were welcomed in by the Wee Drammers on January 21. The event was hosted by Dick D. with a total of 10 in attendance. Dick introduced the group to #’s 72 and 73 on our growing list of those whiskies we have sampled. This time, two relatively unknown bottles were on the agenda. Dick accompanied the whisky with a sampling of shrimp, smoked salmon, cold meats, veggies, crackers, and cheeses. Of course, dark, rich chocolate was prevalent as well.
Our first sampling was Jura Seven Wood. One review branded the whisky this way. “Released as part of the Jura Signature Series in March 2018, Jura Seven Wood first ages in American oak first-fill ex-bourbon barrels. It then is further aged in six different French oak barrels: Limousin, Tronçais, Allier, Vosges, Jupilles, and Les Bertranges. None of these barrels previously held wine. This no-age statement release has a “hint of subtle smoke” and is bottled at 42% ABV.” Most in attendance felt that the process seemed a bit complicated. However none turned down seconds (thirds)!
Second up was Glenfiddich IPA cask, described by the Whisky Exchange as “One of the first pair of entries in the Glenfiddich Experimental Series – a whisky finished in casks seasoned with India Pale Ale. The Speyside Craft Brewery created a special beer which was aged in ex-Glenfiddich casks for a month before they were returned to the distillery and filled with whisky for a three-month finishing period. The result is a vibrant and fruity dram.”
While no formal rating process is used in the group, the consensus seemed to favour the Glenfiddich.
While not everyone was able to stay for the full evening, those that remained delved into “the ‘unnamed’ reserves” before bringing the evening to a close. It was a nice way to spend a dark, damp evening and to welcome in a new year and decade.
