Blog — Page 129 of 280

Glenturret Burns Night

Sydney Opera House

January 25, 2020

Sydney, Australia

Reimagining a traditional Sottish gathering and weaving in indigenous Australian components is an exercise that demands a delicate balance, let alone when it comes to honouring the memory of the Ayrshire-born Scottish poet Robert Burns. Then again there are commonalities that can be drawn and one could make a connection between Burns’s agency as a member of the lower middle class, who took pride in supporting his family independently to what indigenous Australian communities struggle with to this day.

This 2020 localised incarnation of a night celebrating all that Scotland stands for was well-orchestrated and rich in nuances: A nuanceful calibration honouring two different cultures, which culminated in specifically powerful crescendos when e.g. indigenous artist Eric Avery joined forces with one of Scotland’s best known musical exports, i.e. Breabach.  While it was an evening of merrymaking, one could hear a needle drop during some of the musical performances while on the other end of the spectrum proceedings where counteracted with the whole room joining in in unison when poetry was recited or toasts where delivered with poise and conviction.

Eric Avery is from the Ngiyampaa, Yuin, Gumbangirri and Bundjalung people of NSW and being an interdisciplinary artist, who is used to combine and fuse dance and music, it was interesting to see him incorporate the cultural theme of the evening.

Scottish contemporary folk band Breabach provided the soundtrack of the night, channelling their idiosyncratic melange of intensity and musical prowess in not only traditional songs but also contemporary compositions with commentary on the state of affairs of the world we live in.

Summa summarum, a well-curated musical potpourri that acknowledged and respected the origins of both Australia and Scotland. the music they play and the roots of the band whilst embracing the future with new ideas, energy and belief is a key attribute of the band and another theme that is strongly conveyed through this new release.

Having had Scotland’s what can be considered Scotland’s oldest distillery Glenturret as a sponsor certainly added not only decorum but also highlighted the merits of whisky distilling and in the distilleries case, blending, as the lion’s share of Glenturret’s liquid emissions served as the foundation for expressions of Famous Grouse.

While my favourite, i.e. the peat variety, was unfortunately not on offer, a dram of the Glenturret ten-year-old was an appropriate and nice way to open proceedings. With its apricot aromas that are married with earthy, fungal and oaky caramel undertones, the nostrils are given an idea for what is to materlize on the palate: Sweetness in honey-esque syrup and cereal form rest of a bed of fruits, framed by oaky nuances, which by adding a few drops of water open up to include a distinct nuttiness. The latter then extends into a medium finish, which goes full circle to the apricot aromas and a very welcome sooty and oaky appearance of tannins. Certainly a great starting point for anyone interested in delving into whisky territory.

The menu (of which a vegetarian alternative was available) of the evening was again an ode to both traditional Gaelic and cuisine down under, proffering seared kangaroo and Kingfish at arrival, beef with pickled local mushrooms and greens and – before an excellent dessert comprised of vanilla watlle seed mousse and local berries – a traditional shared haggis.

While Burns Night had so far not been an integral part of my calendar, tonight’s event put it on my map and I look forward to attend future one’s equipped with a bit more knowledge.

Thus Let Us Drink Beer - Moon Dog

Claiming that it is currently not a bad time for Australian craft beers and breweries would be an understatement par excellence. We are not talking brewing concoctions for the sake of novelty, but beer making that excites the palate and makes one look forward to upcoming releases.

A brewery that has intrigued me ever since I came across them at Melbourne’s Beer Week is Moon Dog , specifically because of their limited releases that proved not only to be a delight to drink but whose presentation and naming was also on point – in some ways the nomenclature reminded me a bit of the genesis of names for the expressions of the Scotch Malt Whisky Society.

Now, if you like craft beer, the mere mention Moon Dog having created Cognac barrel-aged double IPA along other beers that run the gamut from lagers via stouts to sources, all presented in visually and aesthetically pleasing packaging that despite all its idiosyncratic features depending on the individual beers, always carries the creative DNA of Moon Dog.

As you might have gathered, experimentation is key and things get interesting once you leave the territory of their delicious core range, which I find popping up as staples in more and more quality bars, i.e. Old Mate pale ale, Mack Daddy dark ale, Beer Can and their deliciously hoppy Lager with its well-balanced bitterness.

Moon Dog Mack Daddy is a Dark Ale, and again, a deliciously hoppy one at that and the more robust roasty chocolate flavours one would expect from a dark brew.

Let’s delve into more interesting emissions, shall we?

It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Beer is, well, a big, rich dark Christmas beer and being a sticky date quad, it makes an ideal companion to your dessert, or, a welcome alternative to that. I had it with a dram of Laphroaig’s Quarter Cask, and it made for a boilermaker combination that took things to the next level.

Moon Dog has a range of revolving more traditional IPAs, the common denominator of which is that their hop game is on point. Take for example the Tiger’s IPA, named after the brewery’s dog, which is heavily informed by the usage of Kiwi hops, which is not as bold as other Moon Dog beers and brings with its fruity flavour that culminate in a melange of apricots and melon subtlety into the mix.

While the aforementioned should make your mouth water, we have not even covered the tip of the iceberg yet as learning more about Moon Dog’s special releases, we need to look at covering the brewery with further instalments to do justice to how they have refined the art of turning things to 11 in terms of the triumvirate of boundary pushing brewing, flavours that leave you smacking your lips and presentation that is a feast for the eyes.

---

Photos from company website

Water of Life – Kavalan’s celebration of the fourth decade of the King Car Group

Kavalan is one of those distilleries that might go under the radar of the most dedicated whisky aficionado until, well, until you get to try any of its expressions. This might be partly due to the fact that Taiwan is not necessarily having a reputation for creating quality whiskies and that it the uninitiated might label it as an exotica.

Anyone who has had the fortune of trying from Kavalan’s exquisite range, will attest to the fact that they have yet to release an underwhelming expression and that the  distillers have mastered the craft of not only creating a delicious base spirit, but introduced a level of quality when it comes to the curation of their casks that in terms of consistency does not have a lot of rivals.

Needless to say that I was more than mildly excited when I learned that Kavalan was going to release a whisky aged in red wine casks to mark the fortieth anniversary of King Car Group.

Now, I love peat and smoke and anything from Islay would need to be pretty bad to at least not get a nod of approval from me.

However, Kavalan is one of the distilleries that produces fruity expressions that make my palate celebrate with the anniversary release not being an exception: Having matured in red wine casks, what materializes on my nostrils is an exercise in complexity ranging from oak undertones via a unique melange of spicy Cabernet Sauvignon nuances to wafts of berries.

What then materialized on the roof of my mouth in all its thick, textured glory meanders between the poles of spiciness and toffee notes and does it in a manner that keeps you on your toes as every time you think it has subsided, a new facet reveals itself and adds another layer of depth. Claiming that the finish is “elongated” would be an understatement par excellence as hours later, I’d still taste its delicious aftertaste.

Apart from this special release, I finally made the acquaintance of the Kavalan Solist Peaty Cask. Now, when we talk Kavalan-esque “peat”, it is not remotely in a league with what is commonly referred to as peaty whisky.

This expression has been aged in casks that previously matured peated whisky, so it is not further wondrous that it is defined by a sophisticated subtlety, which in terms of aromas is embedded ion fruits, almonds and spicy, peppery notes.

On the palate there are vestiges of my beloved peat smoky, yet again it is enriched by zesty flavours, which seamlessly transition into a finish that culminates in a marriage of vanilla and pepper. Sounds intriguing? Well, wait until you try this well-rounded drop.

Another new release is the Sherry Finish, which is released as part of the Concertmaster range – a telling name as it has spent the final stint in Sherry casks after spending time in Kavalan’s special reserve refill casks.

On the nose, I felt instantly reminded of the French Armorik as decadent aromas of crème brûlée are prevalent.

With nutty flavours being dominant, I specifically like the dark chocolate flavours with its fruity highlights, which again highlights the x-factor of most of Kavalan’s expressions, i.e. Taiwan’s unique subtropical climate.

I’d say that you should use the next chance you get to sample Kavalan’s emissions but given how well it is being received by whisky lovers, I’d recommend making a deliberate effort to get your hands on some while it is still easily available.

---

Photos by T

Christian Dior: History and Modernity, 1947 – 1957

Hirmer Verlag / Thames and Hudson

No matter if you are a fashionista or completely detached from the world of haute couture, chances are you will have come across Christian Dior and his creations in some shape or form with him being on the forefront of the most influential fashion designer of the last century.

Specifically when it comes to creations for the ladies, his more often than not dramatic creations are a sight to behold and it was time for an opulently illustrated tome like the one in front of me to find its way into my collection.

With a focus on what informed Dior’s approach to design and him almost single handedly infusing what was left after the second world war with new life blood.

Based on a collection curated by the Royal Ontario Museum, original sketches and great photographs, the book documents how Dior’s design endeavours evolved from humble beginnings to the creation of couture that counteracted the doom of gloom of WW II’s aftermath.

For the uninitiated, it will be interesting to learn about Dior specific techniques, pattern layouts and fabric information that are employed for dress making as well his impact on the wider art landscape and other seemingly unconnected scenes realms of the fabric of modern-day culture.

Very thoroughly researched and with great attention to detail, this has instantly become one of my favourite books on fashion design, especially regarding the era between the 1940s and 1950s.

Water of Life – Rest and Be Thankful

So far we have our focus mainly set on covering distilleries, which makes sense as they make the spirit. However, given that distillers swap, sell and exchange their emissions both old and new, there are a myriad of whisky companies that specialise in releasing whiskies the characteristics of which can be quite different from what one is used from their mothership, no matter if we are talking single malts, blends, grain or literally everything in between.

In other words, independent bottlers keep the whisky game interesting and a relatively new one has sparked by curiosity, as word around the campfire had that it was founded by a former Bruichladdich sales manager. Given the ties with the great Hebridean progressive distillery, it was not further wondrous to find bottlings of two of my all-time favourite whiskies, i.e. Bruichladdich’s Octomore and Port Charlotte, in the line-up of Rest and Be Thankful – the name being an ode to a landmark that graces the peak the road out of Glen Crow.

The first Rest and Be Thankful whisky I was introduced to was a Ledaig, which left originally left the still at Tobermory in 2007 after having been matured for eleven years in a single sherry cask. Bottled at 58.5%, the Ledaig packs a punch, yet not overwhelmingly so, as the relatively high alcohol content is embedded in a complex melange of fruity, spicy and smoky notes.

Nuances of fruity and nuts along with smoky bacon tickle the nostrils and hint at the delicious peaty smokiness that caresses the palate. Berry and plum flavours are omnipresent and culminate in an elongated finish that leaves one thirsting for another dram.

Now, given previous instalments of our Water of Life series, it should not come as a surprise that I have yet to come across an Octomore expression that does not make me wax lyrical.

Needless to say that I was excited to try the Rest and Be Thankful variation, which upon being distilled in 2009, spent six years maturing in a barrel that previously contained Tempranillo wine.

I would not go as far as claiming that this is an exotic Octomore as the trademark idiosyncratic iodine peatyness and earthy aromas are there, yet there is a creaminess on the roof of the mouth and sweetness specifically in the finish that is reminiscent of a great mezcal. Clocking in at 65.7%, this rust coloured beauty of a drop is dangerously more-ish and each sip resulted in lip smacking while inhaling the wonderful aromas.

Fancy drams from the Highlands? R&BT’s Fettercairn aged for ten years in a single bourbon cask and is a nice variant based on to the nutty flavours and balancing sweetness the distillery has become known for.

Fruity aromas on the nose – think bananas and mangoes – transcend to spicy vanilla and malt flavours that seamlessly transition into a peanut and almond infused finish, which finds its crescendo in peppery highlights.

If you are more into the Speyside and a fan of Benrinnes’ expression that are part of the Flora and Fauna series, R&BT’s eleven-year-old will delight you: Once uncorked, the wafts of cinnamon and caramel remind one immediately of their core expression, yet this one has a more defined earthiness and orangey aromas that give it a bit of a twist. On the palate it unfolds its savoury, big-bodied character that is spicy yet more on the fruity end of the spectrum with a medium-length finish that lingers with nuances of apples and berries.

Summa summarum, if you are remotely into appreciating fantastic whiskies and dead set on your favourite expressions, you do want to check out Rest and Be Thankful’s bottlings as not only the network the founders are able to source from is unparalleled, but the careful curation of the casks they gain access o tensures consistency in terms of quality across their by now more than fifty bottlings from over twenty distilleries.

---

Photo from company website