Isle Of Jura 10 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky Review

Country: Scotland
Region: Isle Of Jura
ABV: 40%
LCBO Price: $47.95

The Isle Of Jura is one of the Inner Hebrides islands, an archipelago off the west coast of Scotland. It is separated by a small channel from the island of Islay, which is the most well known whisky producing island in Scotland. Jura on the other hand has only a single distillery, this being the eponymous Isle Of Jura distillery.

The Isle Of Jura range is diverse, and cannot be pigeonholed as such. Their lineup contains young, light single malts. Peated blended malts, and bottlings of various ages.

This review is for the Isle Of Jura 10 year old, also known as Isle Of Jura Origin. It is the youngest and least expensive Jura malt available, and it recently appeared for a limited time at the LCBO.

On the nose, there is sweet malt, subdued leather, sea air, toffee, grass or green leaves, cocoa, citrus (perhaps closest to orange) and some definite floral notes. The longer it is left in the glass, the longer the malt/sea air combination becomes dominant.

To taste without water, it has a lighter mouthfeel, toasty notes, sea salt, milk chocolate, chocolatey malt, orange and leather. On the finish, the sea salt/air is the last to leave. This is quite pleasant.

With water, it becomes instantly over-diluted, and therefore I don't recommend adding water to this whisky. It is already of light constitution, and it is already bottled at a delicate 40% abv.

If you are shopping in Canada at the LCBO, the only ten year old whisky in the same price range is Aberlour 10 year old, and I would say this single malt is easily comparable in quality to that whisky.

Rating: 87/100

Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight Bourbon Review

Country: United States
Region: Kentucky
ABV: 45%
LCBO Price: $39.95 in limited quantities

Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight Bourbon, regarded as one of the more reliable and consistently well crafted entry level bourbons on the market, recently became available at the LCBO for a limited time. I was able to obtain a bottle, and have been sampling it over the past week leading up to this review.

The included booklet tells the story of how America's first pioneer's followed the path, or "trace" left by migrating buffalo. The distillery is located on the spot where the migration route crossed the Kentucky river. Bourbon whisky has been crafted at this location for over 200 years.

On the nose there is wood, caramel, subdued char bitterness, smoke, fall leaves, vanilla, birch-bark and a distinctly earthy, soil-like note. The overall profile is autumnal and woodsy.

Without water, the mouthfeel is quite oily and viscous. The taste profile revisits all of the notes found in the nose. Fall leaves, smoke, caramel, earthy tones, with some faint char. At 45%abv. the whisky has quite a bite, though it is not overly unpleasant or abrasive.

Once water is added, the oily nature of the whisky dissipates, and some butternut squash and vegetal notes begin to come through. More so with each drop of water added.

Overall, Buffalo Trace is a very rugged, pleasant bourbon which is not cloyingly sweet or unpleasantly bitter. it is bottled at 45% and it takes water very well. The only downside is the price at the LCBO, which I feel is a bit high considering this bourbon sells for the same price as Jack Daniels Old No.7 in the United States. For that reason, I give it 87/100.

Rating: 87/100