The Mystery Whisky of Caesarea

"Labels" generally have a negative connotation attached to them. We tell ourselves not to judge books by the cover yet we always, and usually negatively, seem make snap assumptions at first sight.

A great study at the University of Bordeaux had students who were majoring in Oenology (the study of wine tasting and making) taste two wines: a red and a white. The "red" was the same white wine just with added food coloring. Despite this, the students vividly described the "berries and various tannins" that they tasted in the red. Who said "labels" are only found OUTSIDE of the bottle?

The label on this particular Whisky found in Caesarea, Israel, was its pristine crystal decanter and the rumor that it hailed from the UK and was over 20 years old.

It was delicious. The sensory exploration prior to sipping was nearly as exciting as the first dram.

Whisky tasters are known as "nosers" as a Whisky is almost entirely evaluated by the sense of smell before being sipped.

The color was somewhere between burnished and deep copper.

Swishing the Whisky around the glass produced medium tears on the side of the glass indicating a mid level (40-45%) alcohol percentage.

It lacked the musky barber-shop smell that I usually find off-putting when I uncork a special mystery bottle.

Rather, it was floral scented and had a distinctive grassy aroma with a subtle hint of sage which is characteristic of Lowland Malts .

The taste lived up to its scent with the sweet taste buds at the tip of my tongue activated with the smooth flavor of this mystery Whisky.

Life IS better without labels.

You Don't Know Jack...5 Jack Daniel's Facts

Jack Daniels... that distinctive sour mash whisky that some swear by and many have sworn off after imbibing way too much of this distinctive Tennessee firewater.

We all have some policy of how to serve Jack: with ice, with peppermint schnapps (DELICIOUS "Jack Frost"), apple schapps, with ice, with water, by itself or just avoiding it all together.

What are come cool facts behind that revered black bottle that has become an icon for both frat parties, bachelor parties and bourbon experts?

Here are 5 cool Jack Daniel's facts:

1. Moore County, where Jack Daniel's whisky is made, is a dry county which means you cannot drink or buy the famous whisky that is bottled in this part of Tennessee!

2. Jack Daniel's real name is Jasper Newton "Jack" Daniel and he is thought to have began distilling whisky at the age of 20.

3. Since he had no children, he gave the distillery to his favorite nephew Lem Motlow.

4. Jack Daniel's died in 1911 due to an infection in his toe which was caused by kicking his safe because he forgot the pass code.

5. His last words were "One last drink, please."

What is YOUR favorite Jack Daniel story?

Source

YAMAZAKI: The Worlds Best Single Malt Whisky?

When one thinks of Single malt whisky, Japan is often the last country that comes to mind. Or is it? Japan is actually the second biggest producer of single malt whisky in the world. And according to Whisky Magazine, Japanese whisky continued its dominance of World Whiskies Awards this 2012; with Suntory scooping one of the top titles and Nikka securing the blended malt title for the fourth year running. Who knew?

The Japanese have excelled at not only distilling whisky, but also putting it on the map as a global front runner along side countries such as Australia, Belgium, Canada, France, India, Ireland, Japan, Scotland, South Africa, Sweden, USA and Wales. The World Whiskies Awards is open to proprietary bottlings and exists to inform and educate consumers throughout the world about whisky.


Some have rated it from superb to mediocre. In terms of price, between 2009 and 2012 the price of each bottle has ranged from 700 to 1100 dollars a bottle! Chris Bunting, author of the book Drinking Japan: A Guide to Japan's Best Drinks and Drinking Establishments gave the following review:

 Nose: like a nice breakfast with a hangover - rich jams and Weetabix, with the heavy wines and ports from the night before still on the breath. In the mouth, you are immediately manhandled by dark jams, red wines and tannins. There is a lot of vanilla and wood in there with a delicious memory of quietly opening my mother's kitchen cupboard for a twisted spoonful of Lyle's black treacle. Later on, it dries in the mouth. Some very good judges of whisky have been underwhelmed by this Yamazaki. I enjoyed it.

Yamazaki, the name makes the decision for you!