Whisky Review: Pine Barrens “Sunrise Wildfire Moon”

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From the continuously innovative mind of Rich Stabile owner of Long Island Distillery comes the Pine Barrens Sunrise Wildfire Moon. What makes this spirit more unique than the traditional “un-aged” whisky that seems to flood the market is that Sunrise Wildfire Moon uses a 100% English style high hop malted barley wine ale for their mash. It is then double pot distilled and aged slightly in American oak. This is a break from the traditional mash and style almost every other un-aged spirit maker uses and the profile in the Sunrise Wildfire Moon is a testament to Rich’s pursuit of quality and originality in spirit making. The name Sunrise Wildfire Moon is an acknowledgement to the 1995 Pine Barrens Wildfires that damaged over 7,000 acres of forest on Long Island which is the home of Long Island Distillery. The rare dwarf pine cones on the label of Sunrise Wildfire Moon harken to the ecosystem unique to Long Island. I was fortunate enough to sample their Batch #1 and the results were quite pleasing. Enjoy.

Spirit: Pine Barrens “Sunrise Wildfire Moon” Batch #1

Appearance: Clear like an un-aged spirit ala moonshine. Thin long legs slide down the glass when swirled.

Nose: Malty, warm spice, medicinal.

Taste: Lots of malty flavors to start with a hint of cinnamon spice. Refined mouthfeel unlike a lot of un-aged whiskies that are rough on the palate. The slight cask aging in this spirit really brings out the nuances of the barley wine ale. The second sip welcomes more of that hoppy malt activating a scope of flavors that give complexity to the whisky. The finish is sweet and malty with a warm spice lingering long on the palate. A truly unique and high quality whisky that can easily be savored in a snifter glass neat.

Conclusion: Once again Rich has hit the mark with a high quality whisky that continues to push the styles that can be created from quality ingredients and precision craft sprit making. If your local does not carry Sunrise Wildfire Moon then you need to request it as its worth seeking out and enjoying on a nice summer evening.

Website info: www.lispirits.com

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Scotch Review: Tomatin 12 Year Highland Single Malt Scotch

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Tomatin 12 Year

The other day I was going to meet up with David and a few other friends at Cigar Inn’s new 73rd street location and I wanted to bring a drink that didn’t break the bank (which, let’s be honest, is already broken).

So I stopped by Park Avenue Spirits, my absolute favorite liquor store in NYC, and picked up the Tomatin 12 Year Highland Scotch. For $32, it was as low as I would go. As I mention below, for the price, this is a good everyday scotch for those times when you want to sip on something but don’t necessarily want to drain your top shelf.

Product Information

Spirit Type: Highland Single Malt Scotch
Producer: Tomatin Distilelry
Website: http://www.tomatin.com/
Age: 12 Years
ABV: 43% ABV

Nose

Sherry, floral (rose), vanilla, citrus, and a pinch of alcohol fumes.

Taste

Not incredibly complex, but enjoyable all the same. Notes of caramel, vanilla, citrus, and faint apple.

Finish

Here’s where the “you get what you pay for” aspect comes in. The finish, though pleasant, is medium in length and has a real alcohol ring to it. Right in the center of the tongue, the burn is most present.

Conclusion

For the price, I give this a buy rating. It is a good introduction to Highland scotch, though it certainly won’t completely satisfy the avid scotch drinker.

Final Grade: B

 

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Whiskey Review: High West Double Rye

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High West Double Rye“It’s about damn time.”

That was the first thought that came to mind when I sat down for a rooftop dram of this marvelous straight-rye blend. I’ve been drinking the Double Rye from the High West Distillery on and off again now for about a year. It’s just one of those whiskies that keeps you coming back again and again.

High West Double Rye is unique among rye whiskey in that in is actually a blend of two rye whiskies, a 2 and a 16 year. The result is a rye experience that switches back and forth between ultra smooth and kick in the pants spice.
But now for the review.

Product Information:

Spirit Type: Rye Whiskey
Producer: High West Distillery
Age: Mix of 2 year and 16 year rye
ABV: 46% ABV

Nose

Spices and more spices. As other reviewers have noted, there are some really interesting gin notes, notably a subtle evergreen smell along with some oak.

Taste

The Double Rye opens up very smooth with vanilla and caramel and transforms in a moment to a flavor bomb of rye spices, confectionary spices, and an interesting mix of botanicals. Lots of character!

Finish

The finish is long and satisfying, leaving a lingering taste of orange peel and rye spice across the tongue. Really enjoyable.

Conclusion

This really isn’t a rye whiskey that any American whiskey sipper can afford to miss. For just $35 a bottle, it’s a standard on my shelf for the foreseeable future.
Final Grade: A
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Review: Sindicato Robusto

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Photo courtesy emersoncigars.com

Recently I had the pleasure of smoking the new Flagship cigar from Sindicato aptly called “Sindicato”. The cigar is blended by Arsenio Ramos at the Casa Fernandez factory and is something to behold.

Appearance & Construction

The box press along with its excellent construction make it one silky smooth stick that I don’t know if I should smoke or take a bite like a chocolate bar. The pig tail cap is expertly crafted which makes it all the more attractive. I thought box pressed Behikes at first glance which ain’t a bad thing, and when I clipped it the draw was perfect.
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Blend specifics

Wrapper: Shade Grown Corojo Jalapa

Binder: Esteli Double Leaf

Filler: Jalapa and Esteli

Size Robusto- 5 x 54

 

Taste & Smoking Characteristics

The dry draw on this cigar yielded some sweet raisinated flavor. Upon lighting the sweetness continued along with some cedar and slight pepper. The spices were really unique and although I had trouble depicting what they were I enjoyed them very much. The spice lingered on the finish and tingled the lips. Midway the cigar transformed to more of that sweet cedar and some rich tobacco notes emerged. The shade grown Corojo Jalapa wrapper was sweet and worked well with the blend. In the final third the spice picked up along with a little more fuller body. At this point the richness of the cigar created a long finish with wonderful flavor. The complexity here is a testament to its quality and the maker. I smoked the Sindicato to the nub.

 

Conclusion

I haven’t had the previous incarnations from the Sindacato portfolio but if they are anything like their namesake you are in for some wonderful cigars. The Sindicato delivered a blend of sweetness, spice, cedar and tobacco with such complexity that it’s no surprise it comes from the Casa Fernandez factory. What’s interesting to note is that Arsenio Ramos blended each vitola slightly different to adjust the flavors properly to each size. A lot of cigar makers make a blend for a cigar and simply use the same blend for every size in the line. This can leave some sizes in a line tasting muddled or unbalanced. The attention to detail shows as each size I smoked was complex and balanced in its own right. Sindicato has a hit with these smokes. I know Smoke Inn has them in stock for the moment so grab them while you can!

Smoke Inn: http://www.smokeinn.com/eshop/Sindicato.html

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Cigar Review: La Pluma Origin of Species

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La Pluma Origin of Species

Up for review today is the Origin of Species by La Pluma Cigars. This brand sponsored our last Smoker Social at Merchants NY Cigar Bar, and they were a huge hit. I’ve only smoked a handful of cigars from La Pluma, but I’m already a big fan. Reasons below.

Blend Specifics

  • Size: Corona Gorda
  • Wrapper: Jalapa (Nicaragua)
  • Binder: Mexican San Andreas and Nicaraguan binders
  • Filler: Nicaraguan

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Appearance & Construction

This cigar is presented beautifully. I love the offset and angled band, as well as the yellow and black color scheme. Construction is sold with a slightly restrictive draw.

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Flavor & Smoke Characteristics

Off of the foot, I pick up notes of wood, cinnamon and a pleasant sweetness. Upon lighting, the cigar opens up with medium bodied smoke and a lot of flavor. Prominent is an oak note with a hint of vanilla and grassy sweetness.

At about half an inch in, another interesting note enters the mix. A salty sweetness that reminds me of caramel corn. Additionally, there’s a nice spice on the retrohale. Unfortunately, at about this time the wrapper splits a little as well, though the problem corrects itself a few minutes later.

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At 2/3, this cigar is still at a solid medium. The oak, spice, and vanilla notes are still present. The size really is perfect on this blend, bringing out the notes in a balanced way that is very enjoyable.

The final third is much the same. Little change in body or strength, though a bit of white pepper is present, hitting the tip of my tongue.

Conclusion

Overall, a very enjoyable smoke. The Origin of Species by La Pluma Cigars is a great first release. The profile is complex, well balanced, and maintains great strength of flavors through the entire smoke. I highly recommend this cigar to anyone interested in finding a great new boutique.

Final Grade: B+/A-

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