More PC11 photos and some photo tips

A few more photos of this famous PC11 whisky. The Dram was not harmed during taking these photos, but the bottle itself got a nice tar-coating being near burning pine bonfire. The result is, that the bottle has not a very smoky-tarred character of it's own.

A few tips for those who are interested about taking this kind of photos

• get close, and try to have different depths in the shot (foreground, object, background)
• don't get too close, so you don't burn your lens. 100-200mm will usually be fine (I use 135mm often).
• if you place the bottle near/on flame, pay attention to it's heat level. The glass won't heat instantly, but it will get hot if you keep it in the flames - and it can affect the taste of the dram as well.
• use of assistant is highly recommended.
• plastic will melt when in contact with the fire
• fire and smoke need to have some action, a small amount of smoke does not do it usually.
• experiment: take lots of shots using different angles and speeds. I usually have a very big aperture (f2) combined with mid-tele (135mm) to mystify the background.

More Octomore 6.2. Pictures

I just found out that Bruichladdich wrote an article about this blog to their news! http://www.bruichladdich.com/news/whisky-reviews/tales-of-the-smoke-and-peat
I am amazed and happy, dazzled and of course very glad that photos and stories have made a good impression. Big Thanks for Bruichladdich for this honor!

This is, obviously, a good time to share a few more photos of Octomore 6.2., that were not included in the original post!

Slainté!

And finally the black and white photo in original colour. To me they both work very well, but of course express a totally different mood and feel. The stories do matter!

Port Charlotte PC11 Eòrna Na H-Alba

The names. The names are getting longer. But when you do it in style, they are an excellent addition to the story and will tell the tale of their own. This one I can’t pronounce but most of the Gaelic escapes my tongue anyway. What does that mean, I don’t know but I am curious to find out. Alba most likely refers to Quercus Alba (American white oak). 

When I poured a dram to my nosing glass, I noticed immense smoke and tar that were strongly present. Also, I did notice that the bottle was very sticky and covered with some substance. For a brief, less than a second, I got worried but then I realized why this had happened. When we took photos of this whisky by (and in..) a bonfire there was a lots of pine and pine’s needles. So this bottle is now covered with some tar, that will produce it’s own nosing qualities when present in a room. Usually, I don’t mind smoke and tar, but this may affect my story a bit. However, whisky itself was not harmed when taking photos.

This was indeed a hard to find bottle for me. It is a travel retail limited edition only, so you can’t find it outside airports and such very easily. I had already lost hope and almost booked up a flight to Scotland, but luckily we took a ferry to Estonia (from Finland) and to my surprise (and amazement) there were lots of these bottles – and in a reasonable price too! For less than 80 euros, it was not bad find!

PC11 is bottle at cask strength (59.5%) and it is the oldest of Port Charlottes (11 YO) so far. Matured in premium oak casks and finished (or matured, I don’t actually know) in ex-sherry casks this is a interesting combination. PC series has grown interestingly over the years. I got into these with PC7 and PC8 and got to taste PC6 at a whisky pub, so I am very happy to add this dram to my list!

There is no coloring and no chill filtering. Raw and pure, the color is sherry tainted red. Almost a classic look. The nose is strong and filled with alcohol. Some sherry but due to taking photos lots of tar and smoke are present. Let’s just say, if you have a flu – this will open up your nose if you inhale via it deeply.

The taste waits for a split-second. It gathers strength and then attacks with a haymaker using a telemark style. None of the drunken boxing is present, but the blows hit deep. Sweet sherry, harsh character, peat and oak kata do find their way through your defense. Rawness has power and character, but after a moment it will settle down and you will feel warmth and joy. This is not a nonsense whisky, it has a big boom and demeanor of a angry bull with bad temper. You may fear, but you will laugh. This is not meant to taken lightly nor easily. It is about the aftertaste and sensation where you will ascend and descend at the same time. Dragon’s will feel envy towards this one’s fire. Use small sips and enjoy, this is a dram of my style.

The taste afterwards is sweet and includes sherry. This is not a peat nor sherry bomb, but more balanced in that sense. Tasty and pleasant, that will leave you feel the warmth for a long time.

Usually I don’t do this, but I did add some water to this dram as a experiment. The dragon is gone, but instead it is easier and has more complex taste. Of course, right after the full attack, it feels a bit bland but not bad, not bad at all. With some added water, it is easier to enjoy and to taste – so in case you want to offer this to your less experienced friends, instruct them how to add a drop of water.

Octomore 6.2. – the one that almost got away!

I must say, that it was indeed a difficult path to get one of these bottles to my hands. Since Bruichladdich’s latest incarnations of Octomore and Port Charlotte PC11 are sold in travel retail only, it’s been extremely hard to find these drams. Finally some bottles arrived onto Finland-Sweden cruise ships, but the difficulties did not stop there. At last, asking around came to conclusion.. I received a bottle during Christmas! the joy and the delight, after the holidays it was time to open the bottle.. and to notice it was severely faulty at the cap! Fully wet, it had leaked also some of the precious contents out – and the cap broke due to it’s wetness when trying to pry it open. At that point I decided, it is pointless trying to proceed and instead admit that Octomore 6.2. was out of my reach. It must have been destiny. Perhaps it wasn’t such a good dram after all..

But since I am writing this article, new arrow of destiny hit deep onto my backside. When travelling to Tallinn for a day and browsing ship’s whisky shelf there it was.. PC11 and on top of that, there were many bottles of Octomore 6.2. present too! Oh joy, it was Holidays all over again! Finally, finally, I got the bottle for opening and one for long term storage. And yes, I did check caps of all bottles before paying for those. the luck had turned!

Yesterday, it was a great day to remove the metals of Octomore 6.2. – again – and finally hearing the pleasant sound when the cap is retracted. Pouring the dram onto Glencairn glass ended the long await. Sure this liquid had lots of anticipation dripped into it.

What is Octomore 6.2.? It is the latest 5 year old Octomore, which has been matured in ex Eaux de Vie (French Limousin Oak) barrels. Eaux de Vie needed some searching, but I found it was French water of life , clear colorless fruit brandy. Octomore limited release is 18 000 bottles and it is stored in it’s potent form (58.2%).

The color is light and resembles amber. Nose is strong, but not too attacking. There is lots of peat and smoke present, but also sweetness and vanilla. It begs for a taste, and I am most happy to oblige.

The taste has first traditional Octomore qualities. It is strong, peaty and smoky. Put a hot coal in your mouth, and you know the feeling. Surprisingly quickly, however, it turns onto sweetness and less harsh. Lots of similarity with Comus (4.2.) due to sweetness but this one is easier to enjoy that Comus was. This is a dance in the local club, you don’t go for the medieval party this time. There is joy, there is happiness and character. Indeed, 6.2. is an interesting mix of peatfire and fruit sweetness.

The aftertaste is shorter and less vibrant than usually with Octmores. There is no strong ending, it just fades away. What this lacks, is some kick. It is a bit too easy, too sweet and domesticated than I expected. Looking for strong tastes, there isn’t none that is over the top than usually.

Later, after a while – the oak and vanilla find their way into my tongue and mouth. With oak, the taste is somewhat bitter and really woody. Like chewing a treant or fine oar.

Overall, I do love this whisky. The journey to find the bottle insists that I like it, or I weep and like it. Tasting past that, this is not as big hit as I wanted this one to be. It is a good whisky. Great whisky. And compared to some earlier Octomores, the price is a bit more reasonable (less than 100€ anyway). It is easier, classy, domesticated and most likely will attract more Octomore friends than earlier, harder, versions. This won’t be the whisky to ends the tasting series, but it is still breathing, panting and kicking – being alive – and will stand tall and proud amongst most of it’s Islay fellows.

 

 

(no Whisky was harmed while taking these photos)

Happy New Year 2014!!

It’s been an eventful Year. Most of my December has been busy, but I’ll get back with more blog posts and smoky stories in January! Until that, I wish You all Very Happy and Tasty New Year 2014!

Port Charlotte Scottish Barley, the Winter Solstice Whisky of 2013

This time of the year is full of flavors and strong tastes. Oriental, Scandinavian, Celtic, Teutonic and even Gothic present their full choice of tastes and spices. Who dares to try on old Viking delicacies and who rather seeks south, to enjoy a variety of fruits and cheese? It is all about appreciation of the year past, and to celebrate what’s coming next. Winter solstice is near and thus there is a great time to choose one whisky to go with all these splendid holiday times.

For me, to bring in warmth, the whisky needs to have smoke and a strong character. Peat, fire, smoke and charred oak. They all are very present on this one. Some spices, some leftovers of the warm oak. The nose is strong and pleasant. This is a whisky to enjoy by fire and family, friends and laughter.

Taste enhances those feelings. Strong (50%) burning fire, by the fireplace, is an delicacy enjoyed both externally and internally. Some pepper, some spice, even a slight hint of fruits and citrus is present.  This is not the Santa, this is the Dragon who is only masquerading as a bearded shaman with a red cap. There is potent magic, lava and spells. But keeping with the spirit, there is lots of light mood and complex character. The perfect dram for the Winter Solstice and Christmas times.

Charred wood will last long in mouth and this Uisge Beatha will provide some topics to  discuss and enjoyable experience that will do fine with Finnish chocolates and sweet bagels. But you also want to try this one with cheese and fish foods. The testing will commence, how this will fare when taken to sauna for full enjoyment. What I can confirm, that this is a whisky that is made of warmth and friendship, to be enjoyed during those long and dark nights of Winter.

Other great whiskies to be enjoyed during this time of the year are

• Ardbeg Corryvreckan, filled with tar fire and smoke. Strong, tasty and memorable.
• Octomore 5.1 or 6.1: the high peak experience, that will stop the clock for a moment
• Kilchoman Loch Gorm has smoke and sweetness, it will be a delightful different realm of tastes – easier for some, and brings in the happiness via ethereal messenger

Kummallisia sample-pulloja maistelussa

Näitä on päässyt kertymään, kun ei ole ehtinyt maistelemaan ja kirjoittelemaan putelien sisällöistä. Vähän sampleja Viskisiepolta, joka kirjoittaa – yllättäen – Viskisieppo blogia. Hänen bloginsa taitaa olla Suomen vanhin viskiblogit ja kun laittelin hänelle parit mysteerisamplet niin analyysit olivat aika huikeita! Siinä on kaveri joka osaa maistelun ja maut, taidan itse pysyä vain tarinoissa ja maistelen nautiskellen :)
Mutta ehkä näistä jotain voisi kertoa, vaikkei matkoja ehkä nyt niin tehdäkään.

WhipperSnapper

Sieppo taitaa jaella tätä viskiä ahkerasti ympärilleen. Elävä Pullo oli aiemmin tutustunut tähän mysteerin nimissä. Viskin viralliset sivut kertovat  että Whippersnapper on nuori, villi, vanhempia kunnioittamaton persoona jolla kuitenkin on kunnianhimoa ja potkua ajaa itseään eteenpäin kohti menestystä. Aina se ei onnistu.
Tuoksu on aika ärhäkkä. Ei miellyttävä, mutta ei ihan samoja kuvauksia tule mieleen kuin mitä Elävällä Pullolla oli. Vahvat mausteet, vernissa, epäpuhtaus ja likaisuus ovat kyllä läsnä.
Maku jatkaa linjaa. Ärtsy ja likainen. Kuin Detroitin sivukujat, joihin ei mennä ilman vahvaa partiota. Pummeja, punkkareita ja katujengejä. Aika cyberpunkmainen, elämä on kovaa ja raskasta mutta verenmaku suussa pusketaan eteenpäin kohti dystopista tulevaisuutta ja toivotaan parempaa. Jokin makea mauste nousee esille hyvin vahvasti – kuin maustekakusta esiinnostettu. Ei mene suosikkeihini, mutta mielummin tätä joisi kuin perusbourbonia.

Springbank Claret wood 12yo 54.4%

9 vuotta ex bourbon-tynnyrissä, sen jälkeen 3 vuotta French claret-tynnyrissä. Kuulostaa lupaavalta.
Tuoksu on ärtsyhkö, mutta – toisin kuin useissa Springbankeissa – sherry ei iske päälle. Äskeisen WhipperSnapperin jälkeen tämä on taas aivan eri maailmasta.
Maku on makea. Todella makea minun kielelleni. Sitten yllättäen ja pyytämättä se on ärhäkkä kuin suututettu T-Rex, jolta on varastettu karkit käsistä. Tyly, jyskyttävä ja raju otteissaan. Mutta kyllähän siitäkin nauttii, kun on varsin tasaisia viskejä tässä maistellut blogauksien yhteydessä. Alku oli vähän pehmeä, mutta pidin siitä kuinka tämä otti homman haltuun ja nappasi päästä kiinni. Savua on hiukan, mutta makeus ja öljyisyys tasoittaa upeasti tätä viskiä. Ei mitenkään yksiulotteinen, vaikka tuoksu onkin hyvin sherrymaailmainen. Toisellakin suullisella tuo alun pehmeys ja äkillinen rajuus osuvat kovasti. Tämä on todella hieno elämys ja erilainen viski! Palautti uskoa Springbankkiin minulle!

Blanton’s Gold Edition 51.5% (2001)

Sitten taas vaihdetaan manteretta ja siirrytään bourbonien maailmaan. Blanton’s Gold Edition on joidenkin lähteiden mukaan parhaimpia bourboneita mitä löytyy. Jos nimellä googlailee, niin pullokin on todella tyylikkään näköinen! Sample-pullo jää siitä hitusen näyttävyydessään.

Tuoksu on kyllä selvää Bourbon-maailmaa. Makeutta, vernissaa ja tekopyhää likaisuutta. Toisaalta tähän sopii blues ja rokki, jossa ei kaunistella vaan tilataan ihan rohkeasti vielä yksi kierros…
Maussa on pehmeyttä, sen jälkeen vernissaa ja vanilijaa. Aika ärhäkkä ja irvistyksen aiheuttava, mutta pakko sanoa että joissain mainospuheissa on joskus ihan ponttakin. Ehdottomasti paras jenkkiviski mitä olen maistanut! Erilainen kuin Wasmund mutta tässä on fiilistä, klubia, cyberiä ja letkeää countria. Pieni irvistys kuuluu asiaan, koska tässä on sielua kaiken muun lisäksi. Tällaisen kanssa voisi hyvin istua baari-iltaa ja vähitellen tiputtaa pullossa olevaa pintaa. Helpohko, makea, mutta voittaa silti useimmat konjakit mitä minulle on tullut vastaan. Ei pärjää useille savuisille, mutta paljon on vähemmän nautinnollisia skottiviskejäkin tullut eteen!
Loppumaku on muuten aika makea ja pitkä. Hiukan pistelevä, mutta nautinnollinen.
Lopuksi on vielä lisättävä että, jos vain on mahdollista, vaihdelkaa sampleja toisten  harrastajien kanssa! Näillä pääsee kokeilemaan erilaisia makumaailmoita joihin ei tulisi koskettua omien ennakkoluulojen vuoksi. Mitä enemmän sitä saa kokemusta erilaisista mauista ja viskeistä, sitä paremmin sitä omaa maailmaa voi kehittää. Jos vain elää tynnyrissä, ei koskaan voi kokea maailmaa.