Category: 13 Years

Hazelburn Sherry Wood 13 Years Review

If you don’t like peat, then the Hazelburn Sherry Wood 13 Years might be something you want to check out. Springbank is lightly peated, Longrow is heavily peated and Hazelburn is unpeated; Springbank makes something for everyone. It’s also triple-distilled. Though commonly associated with Irish Whiskey there are several distilleries in Scotland that triple-distill to […]

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If you don’t like peat, then the Hazelburn Sherry Wood 13 Years might be something you want to check out. Springbank is lightly peated, Longrow is heavily peated and Hazelburn is unpeated; Springbank makes something for everyone. It’s also triple-distilled.

Hazelburn Sherry Wood 13 Years Review

Though commonly associated with Irish Whiskey there are several distilleries in Scotland that triple-distill to produce a lighter, creamier spirit before hitting the casks. Auchentoshan is probably the most well-known triple-distilled Scotch, but both BenRiach and Benromach have 3x distilled releases and the revived Rosebank will be following in its own 3xD footsteps.

Now, let’s get to drinkin’!

Hazelburn Sherry Wood 13 Years – Details and Tasting Notes

 

Whiskey Details

Cask Strength | Non-Chill Filtered | Natural Color

Style: Single Malt (Scotch)
Region: Campbeltown, Scotland
Distiller: Springbank

Mash Bill: 100% Malted Barley
Cask: ex-Sherry
Age: 13 Years
ABV: 50.3%

Batch: 2020
Bottles: 9,900

Hazelburn Sherry Wood 13 Years Price: $150

Related Whiskey

Springbank 10 Years
Springbank 12 Years Cask Strength
Springbank 15 Years
Springbank Local Barley 16 Years
Springbank The Bottlers 16 Years

White background tasting shot with the Hazelburn Sherry Wood 13 Years bottle and a glass of whiskey next to it.
“The Hazelburn Sherry Wood is an annually released limited edition matured exclusively in Oloroso Sherry casks.” – Springbank

Hazelburn Sherry Wood 13 Years Tasting Notes

EYE
Drying blood

NOSE
Sticky dark fruit, leather, pepper, hazelnuts, citrus peel, copper, vanilla cake, waxy and malty with a touch of cocoa and spice.

Heavy, deep and dark, this is a bold and heavy delivery

PALATE
SHERRY! Copper, leather, sticky dark fruit, cocoa, black tea, vanilla cake, malt, baking spice and a bit of nuts and smoke.

Lightly smoky but heavily sweet and rich, this is heavenly.

FINISH
Long -> Sherry, smoke, malt, and cocoa fade to citrus smoke and spice.

BALANCE, BODY and FEEL
Very well balanced, full-round body, heavy oily feel.

Hazelburn Sherry Wood 13 Years – Overall Thoughts and Score

There are folks out there who don’t like this whisky. I don’t know any of them personally, but I know they exist. When it comes to me, don’t just like this whisky, I love it. It’s dark, it’s heavy, it’s a little funky and feels a bit perverse to enjoy it while lounging on the couch.

If I had to give it any criticism, it would be that it’s almost too rich. The sherry is so heavy it starts walking up the line to cloying, but it falls a good 2 or 3 steps short. And because of that slight feeling of restraint it retains this near-perfect balance making Hazelburn Sherry Wood 13 Years a whisky I want to drink again, and again, and again, and again…

SCORE: 4/5 (good, definitely recommend ~ B+ | 87-89)

Hazelburn Sherry Wood 13 Years Review $150
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Hazelburn Sherry Wood 13 Years Back Label

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Glenmorangie 13 Years Cognac Finish

This barrel select Glenmorangie 13 Years Cognac Finish is unlike most of the finished whiskies Glenmo puts out because it didn’t start life as the traditional Glenmo 10. Shocking I know, but this whisky only spent 8 years in ex-Bourbon casks before being transferred to ex-Cognac casks to finish it’s maturation. But not just any […]

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This barrel select Glenmorangie 13 Years Cognac Finish is unlike most of the finished whiskies Glenmo puts out because it didn’t start life as the traditional Glenmo 10. Shocking I know, but this whisky only spent 8 years in ex-Bourbon casks before being transferred to ex-Cognac casks to finish it’s maturation. But not just any ex-Cognac casks, well worn ex-Cognac casks.

Glenmorangie 13 Years Cognac Finish Review

Dr. Bill didn’t want the cognac to overshadow the Glenmo spirit so he used ex-Cognac casks that had been used multiple times before to age whisky so they’d have less of a dominant influence. Though we all know that too much use and the casks give very little. So where did this land? Only one way to find out.

Let’s get to drinkin’

Glenmorangie 13 Years Cognac Finish – Details and Tasting Notes

 

Whiskey Details

Natural Color

Style: Single Malt (Scotch)
Region: Highlands, Scotland
Distiller: Glenmorangie

Mash Bill: 100% Malted Barley
Cask: ex-Bourbon, ex-Cognac
Age: 13 Years
ABV: 46%

Glenmorangie 13 Years Cognac Finish Price: $87

Related Whiskey

Glenmorangie Malaga 12 Years
Glenmorangie Cadbol Estate 15 Years
Glenmorangie Lasanta 12
Glenmorangie Nectar D’ Or 12
Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban 14

White background tasting shot with the Glenmorangie 13 Years Cognac Finish sample bottle and a glass of whiskey next to it.
“Glenmorangie’s head of whisky creation Dr. Bill Lumsden had experimented with Cognac casks before, but found they would overshadow the spirit’s character. For this expression, however, Dr. Bill used Cognac casks that had been filled several times, resulting in a more subtle wood influence on the whisky.” – Glenmorangie

 

Glenmorangie 13 Years Cognac Finish Tasting Notes

EYE
Amber

NOSE
Waxy vanilla, nutty malt, graham, cocoa, baking spice and a touch of bubblegum and raisins.

Not very deep, but what’s there is warm and inviting.

PALATE
Cognac, cinnamon-heavy baking spice, malty graham, nuts, cocoa, raisiny fruit and a touch of bubblegum.

Richer than the aroma, but feels rather dead mid-palate, like it’s missing something.

FINISH
Medium -> Raisiny fruit and graham fade to baking spice.

BALANCE, BODY and FEEL
Ok balance, medium body and a soft easy feel.

Glenmorangie 13 Years Cognac Finish – Overall Thoughts and Score

There is nothing to dislike about it, but it feels a bit off, a bit not right, a bit incomplete. I don’t know how better to describe the oddness that is this whisky except that it doesn’t feel done. I also don’t get much of a cognac note, it seems like maybe the casks were a bit too tired, a bit too used to impart so little character after spending nearly 5 years in them.

I’m incredibly happy to have tried this Glenmorangie 13 Years Cognac Finish, I’ve been very curious about a cognac finished Glenmo and while this is the only one I’ve had so far, I’m not convinced they’re a good match. But then again, they did purposely use tired casks. I’d love to try this with first and second-fill casks only and see what it can do to the spirit. If this Glenmo mega vertical has shown us anything, it’s that the spirit can easily mesh with bigger flavors and come out awesome.

SCORE: 3/5 (above average, worth checking out ~ B- | 80-82) – Thanks to Travis for the sample.

Glenmorangie 13 Years Cognac Finish Label

Glenmorangie 13 Years Cognac Finish Review $87
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George Dickel Bottled In Bond Spring 2007 13 Years Review

Hailing from one of my favorite distilleries, the George Dickel Bottled In Bond Spring 2007 13 Years is exactly what its name says it is. And I love that. No surprises, no having to play detective, no having to rant. Just whiskey. Honest, straight up, easy to discern, and know what you’re drinking, whisky – […]

The post George Dickel Bottled In Bond Spring 2007 13 Years Review appeared first on The Whiskey Jug.

Hailing from one of my favorite distilleries, the George Dickel Bottled In Bond Spring 2007 13 Years is exactly what its name says it is. And I love that. No surprises, no having to play detective, no having to rant. Just whiskey. Honest, straight up, easy to discern, and know what you’re drinking, whisky – exactly as it should be.

George Dickel Bottled In Bond 13 Years Review

To be clear, I don’t dislike NDPs. I don’t dislike indie bottlers or blenders. I like them… when they’re honest and as transparent as they legally can be. The honest and transparent ones are the only ones I will spend my money on. Though, to be honest, 90% of the time with American Whiskey, my money goes directly to the distiller. I don’t want games and shenanigans, I just want good whiskey, so I mostly buy OB bottles.

The dishonest NDP route is a topic I’ve covered at length on here, so no need to really retread it. Instead, let’s get to drinkin’ and see if this release is any good.

 

George Dickel Bottled In Bond 13 Years – Details and Tasting Notes

 

Whiskey Details

Region: TN, USA

Distiller: George Dickel
Mash Bill: 84% Corn, 10% Rye, 6% Malted Barley
Cask: New Charred Oak
Age: 13 Years
ABV: 50%

Non-Chill Filtered | Natural Color

Batch: Spring 2007 (distilling season)

Price: $45*

White background tasting shot with the George Dickel Bottled In Bond Spring 2007 13 Years bottle and a glass of whiskey next to it.
“At 100 proof, George Dickel Bottled in Bond Distilling Season Spring 2007 is best enjoyed neat or on the rocks and plays well in many classic cocktails like a Perfect Manhattan, garnished with an orange peel. Whisky drinkers can enjoy this rare, 13-year-old high proof liquid at a great value.” – George Dickel

Tasting Notes

EYE
Ruddy caramel

NOSE
Cherry-heavy dried dark fruit, dried corn, oak, candied nuts, citrus peels, milk chocolate, baking spice, walnuts and caramel with a hint of menthol.

This aroma is outstanding. I’ve only had one or two other George Dickel’s with this much sticky dried dark fruit before… wow.

PALATE
Butterscotch, oak, cherry-heavy dried dark fruit, dried corn, candied walnuts, black tea, milk chocolate, baking spice, brown sugar and a bit of citrus and leather.

The George Dickel Bottled In Bond 13 Years’ palate bows to the aroma, but only slightly. This profile is why people love Dickel.

FINISH
Long -> Dried corn, oak and cherry-heavy dried dark fruit slowly dissipates to leather and olde candy sweetness.

BALANCE, BODY and FEEL
Great balance, med-full body and a warm soft feel.

George Dickel Bottled In Bond 13 Years – Overall Thoughts and Score

The aroma is my favorite part of this whiskey and it’s one of the best smelling Dickels I’ve had in my life – it’s so heavy, dark and expressive. I want to smell this every day and it just might be how this whisky goes down; slowly evaporated as I keep going back to it over and over for more sniffs than sips.

That’s not to say the palate of the George Dickel Bottled In Bond 13 Years is a slouch… it’s not. It doesn’t quite nab the “best of” for the brand, but it does come close. That best of honor still goes to the George Dickel Single Barrel from 2014, but this is giving it one hell of a run for its money.

SCORE: 4/5

*Disclosure: The bottle for this Tennessee Whisky review was graciously sent to me by the company without obligation. The views, opinions, and tasting notes are 100% my own.

George Dickel Bottled In Bond 13 Years Label

George Dickel Bottled In Bond 13 Years Review $45

Summary

This is the darkly fruity, tannic oaky, and warmly grainy profile Dickel fans flock to. It’s a stunner.

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