The Whisky Doc

A night of wine and learning- a Beaujolais, a Cotes du Rhone, and a Bourgogne to better understand the reds of France. Starting to get some use of our new educational area of the bar!

Beverages of the Weekend- Santa Margherita Chianti Classico 2016 and Glengoyne Legacy We had an extended family get-together last night and wanted to have some snacks and beverages in a Covid-friendly manner. I contacted Keltic Knot Charcuterie and they made up these amazing, single serving charcuterie boats complete with single serving crackers and jams. Thanks Keltie for the wonderful selection of cheeses, meats and fruit! Now for the libations! The Santa Margherita is a... fantastic wine that’s greatly representative of a Chianti. On the nose- clean with medium intensity. Aromas of red cherry, black plum, raisin, oak spice, black pepper, cooked mushroom. On the palate- dry with medium+ acidity, high tannins, and medium alcohol. Medium body with medium+ intensity. Flavours of blackberry, dark chocolate, allspice, cooked mushroom, and prune. The finish- Medium+ with continued dark fruit and dried fruit. Persistent tannins and balanced acidity. Very enjoyable and available at the NSLC. A gift, the Legacy is yet another great whisky from Glengoyne. An unpeated Highland dram that’s fruit-rich that’s partly due to the spirit itself and the oloroso sherry casks used in it’s maturation. On the nose we get pear, red apple, vanilla, pepper and a hint of dried fruit. On the palate there’s figs, dark plum, nutmeg and cherry, oak spice, and caramel. And a warming, medium finish that carries the palate forward. I love Glengoyne whisky and this was thoroughly enjoyed. The safety measures set by our province allows for small gatherings, and as a health professional I feel it is very important to take the necessary precautions for the health and well-being of my family and friends. Like many others I miss being able to host and attend public events, but am confident that if we’re all safe and aware we WILL get through it together. And be able to enjoy the company of others, and the companionship of the spirit, very soon. Cheers!

Beverages of the Weekend- Raging Crow Can’t Call It B**rbon and Glenmorangie Tarlogan Now I know what you’re all asking - Doc, how do you get your hair so soft and manageable? Followed quickly by Why on earth do these two beverages belong next to each other? As mentioned in a previous review, the Raging Crow is produced in a fashion a la American bourbon- it’s a tasty and solid drinker from the folks at Raging Crow Distillery north of Truro. Flavourful out of the gate I... wondered how it would do with a little time and oxidation (the effect that oxygen will have on the spirit over time once the bottle is partially emptied). The Tarlogan is a true single malt Scotch Whisky that’s aged in new oak and ex-bourbon barrels. When first opened I found the Tarlogan lacking in both body and finish. It had the character of Glenmorangie (light, and fruity) but no real backbone. I put the bottle away and basically forgot about it for almost a year. Interesting enough, the Raging Crow B**rbon softened on the nose (losing its sharp-but-manageable raw spirit aroma) and developed flavours of buttered popcorn, a rounder mouthfeel, and balanced finish while maintaining its spicy rye flavour and sweet corn backbone. In contrast The Tarlogan lost some of its citrusy character and developed more cereal and toffee notes. Such changes are why I like to reevaluate spirits a second time and at a later date. In both examples the changes were compatible with my palate. But this is not always the case (I’ll share a not-so-favourable change of a whisky on Monday). And as always, your experiences may differ- and that’s totally alright! Cheers all!

Devour! Food Film Fest offering an online/virtual experience. Currently enjoying an online tasting/enjoyment of Jim Beam products. Ray’s enthusiasm for good whiskey is very contagious! @raydanielwhiskey @mersoleilagency @jimbeamofficial @devour_fest #whiskey #bourbon

We had the opportunity to hang with Richard a few years ago- utterly brilliant in the world of scotch whisky and a real nice guy to boot! https://whiskymag.com//richard-paterson-joins-wolfcraig-di