Practical Whisky?
Practical (prak-ti-kuhl) Adjective: Having the virtue of being realistic and useful, a decision based in pragmatism.

Whisky (hwis-kee) Noun: A liquor distilled from a fermented mash of grain (barley, rye, or corn) containing at least 40% ethyl alcohol. Also: Whiskey, Rye, Scotch, Bourbon. From: Uisge Beatha, Aqua Vitae, Eau de Vie.
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Each of the above colors will take you to a different set of reviews. One (Balvenie) takes you to all the Balvenies (including the 12yo) The second second link takes you directly to the 12yo review. The type of whisky, Single Malt, will take you to a list of Single's and Scotland will take you to every whisky from that country.
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Welcome!

There are dozens of excellent web sites out there that extol the virtues of fantastic whisky. Fantastic in taste, fantastic in character and sadly, often fantastic in price. I have no lack of respect for the whisky aficionados who can dedicate the time, energy and money to tasting all the whiskies that I can't afford, and I salute them with glass held high. That salute will just have to employ a dram of practical whisky.

Practical Whisky, this site, contains my reviews of whiskies that I've sampled, from Scotches , Irishes and Canadians to Single Malts, Bourbons and Blends and how “practical” I think they are. I make recommendations like those found in the Random Dram widget to the left, check the lower review for whiskies that score well in both the taste and cost departments. There will also be news and updates on the goings on in the practical whisky market as I become aware of them. Look for new whiskies every Monday plus whatever else I can squeeze in on Fridays. Be sure and come back and see what's new.

I hope the site is entertaining and useful, or at least one of the two.

Salude!
-- Brian --



Recent Updates (last 30 days)   
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Review Link» My Christmas Bounty: Part 108-FEB-2010
I've had a mixed relationship with Dalmore, but given my love for the Link to another review 21YO I'm more than willing to put money up for another. The 15 does well enough, but it's a fiddly, fussy sort of Scotch.
#386  Dalmore 15 YO Single Malt Scotch (Speyside)
This cost is what I found the likely shelf price for a 750ml bottle to be, based on an average of costs throughout the USA. Your price may differ significantly. This is not an advertisement of sale, this bottle is likely empty by now anyway Cost$8500Bottle Image. Image is © Practical Whisky. Bottle, logo and other trademarked imagery are © their respective owners.
BottlerOfficial Bottling
00-09:Horrid
10-19:Awful
20-29:Unpleasant
30-39:Poor
40-49:Below Average
50-59:Average
60-69:Recommendable
70-79:Very Good
80-89:Excellent
90-99:Fantastic
Taste Score
              71       
The whisky's score as weighed against the cost of a bottle. Adj. Score
         46            
ABV43%
AwardsTaste Award: Bronze
Tasting # 418
1st
Impression		Love the box and bottle, very classic.
SmellMangos, pretzels and caramel covered apples at full strength. With some water (and a lot of toying with the water) I get cantaloupe rind, white wine, cinnamon and a much softer wood note.
TasteWhile the nose is better without water the taste is the opposite. At full strength it opens with a sharp caramel, barley and vanilla cream soda flavor. The top is very hard wood and raisins which makes for a very good fade. It really just screams for a few drops, though. With water things get better. The front is very dry oak that becomes pears and cinnamon, very tasty. The top brings back the vanilla cream and much improved wood, although this can easily go soft with even a tiny bit too much water. There's butter and a very light cream in the fade where oak (inching near balsa flavor) goes a touch bitter. I really have to play with this to find the winning level of water. Usually I'm a fan of playing with water levels but this seems so finicky. The ultimate is a low 70 point whisky (the score that stands) but too little or too much water pushes it down into the 60s or worse.
Tasting Score71
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and other caveats and disclaimers

Posting here and clicking through this means you've essentially agreed to play by the rules of my sandbox. Your options are to agree or to not post.

That said, there is but one rule: I decide what stays and what goes.

Promising nothing, I intend to leave any posts that are on topic and civil, I intend to delete anything else and I will ban anyone who abuses the system without warning. I'm not trying to be a jerk here and I'm not moderating for opinions or even attitudes, stay on target and we'll get along fine.

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Brian.

Review Link» I guess I can't avoid Johnnie Reb any longer.01-FEB-2010
I have carefully avoided Rebel Yell for my entire whisky drinking life. It has a reputation, certainly, and its cost point and shelf address don't add anything to it. I knew it would strain any attempt at me being objective. I think I'm as ready as I'll ever be, though. I've found surprising joy in everything from Link to another review the dirty bird to Link to another review Beam Green and been hugely disappointed by whiskies as old as I am. It doesn't guarantee I'll be perfectly open to whatever this bottle brings, but it's the best chance I think RY will get.
#385  Rebel Yell NAS Straight Bourbon American
This cost is what I found the likely shelf price for a 750ml bottle to be, based on an average of costs throughout the USA. Your price may differ significantly. This is not an advertisement of sale, this bottle is likely empty by now anyway Cost$2500Bottle Image. Image is © Practical Whisky. Bottle, logo and other trademarked imagery are © their respective owners.
00-09:Horrid
10-19:Awful
20-29:Unpleasant
30-39:Poor
40-49:Below Average
50-59:Average
60-69:Recommendable
70-79:Very Good
80-89:Excellent
90-99:Fantastic
Taste Score
      31               
The whisky's score as weighed against the cost of a bottle. Adj. Score
     29                
ABV40%
AwardsNo Medals Awarded
Tasting # 417
1st
Impression		Bottle is actually fairly nice. Given the 100 year history of this bourbon, the slightly cliche elements might actually have been invented here.
SmellPretty typical stuff. Corn syrup and oak firewood. There's also a nice candied pecan scent and some soft fruity notes. The corn raises a few flags, but nothing that can't be overcome.
TasteAnd that my friends, is awful. The front is mild corn, wheat and just a bit of wood that drives you off the cliff into a lake of fire. It's raw charcoal and pepper and bitter metallic flavors that made me wince. Water does nothing. The only thing that made it better was dumping the glass, followed shortly by the bottle. Low 30s.
Tasting Score31
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and other caveats and disclaimers

Posting here and clicking through this means you've essentially agreed to play by the rules of my sandbox. Your options are to agree or to not post.

That said, there is but one rule: I decide what stays and what goes.

Promising nothing, I intend to leave any posts that are on topic and civil, I intend to delete anything else and I will ban anyone who abuses the system without warning. I'm not trying to be a jerk here and I'm not moderating for opinions or even attitudes, stay on target and we'll get along fine.

Clicking [Agree] will set a small cookie so you'll never see this again. All submissions will be tracked by IP address.

Brian.

Review Link» It's Feckin whisky.25-JAN-2010
I tend to avoid alcohol of all types that attempt to win my dollar with amusing names. Wines, cocktails, beer and now whiskies that sell appearance before substance are usually hiding something. Today's review of FECKiN (sic) does little to convince me that my name-based purchasing policies need review.
#384  FECKiN NAS Blended Irish
This cost is what I found the likely shelf price for a 750ml bottle to be, based on an average of costs throughout the USA. Your price may differ significantly. This is not an advertisement of sale, this bottle is likely empty by now anyway Cost$2500Bottle Image. Image is © Practical Whisky. Bottle, logo and other trademarked imagery are © their respective owners.
00-09:Horrid
10-19:Awful
20-29:Unpleasant
30-39:Poor
40-49:Below Average
50-59:Average
60-69:Recommendable
70-79:Very Good
80-89:Excellent
90-99:Fantastic
Taste Score
        41             
The whisky's score as weighed against the cost of a bottle. Adj. Score
        40             
ABV40%
AwardsNo Medals Awarded
Tasting # 416
1st
Impression		Hideous bottle. The label looks like rusted corrugated tin that's been covered with graffiti. A quick stroll over to Google reveals that “Feckin” is slang for exactly what word you think it's slang for. Wonderful.
SmellTonic water is the first and biggest scent. The total absence of malt is curious, I feel like I'm drinking a Gin & Tonic. There some faint orange and salt as well.
TasteOpens inert and flat. It isn't awful, there's just a lot of weak grains and wood flavors that don't do much. The build gets sharp quickly and when the Irish malt finally appears it's amidst a hurricane of harsh alcohol. Really not a pleasant journey so far. The fade is better, rye flavors and some of the remnants of the malt, but these go tart and then bitter. The finish is unusually harsh, whatever flavors are left aren't worth worrying about. Generally unlikable in almost every way and saved from 30 point territory only by the boring front and fade.
Tasting Score41
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Post Tips

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and other caveats and disclaimers

Posting here and clicking through this means you've essentially agreed to play by the rules of my sandbox. Your options are to agree or to not post.

That said, there is but one rule: I decide what stays and what goes.

Promising nothing, I intend to leave any posts that are on topic and civil, I intend to delete anything else and I will ban anyone who abuses the system without warning. I'm not trying to be a jerk here and I'm not moderating for opinions or even attitudes, stay on target and we'll get along fine.

Clicking [Agree] will set a small cookie so you'll never see this again. All submissions will be tracked by IP address.

Brian.

Review Link» An anniversary gift of another type18-JAN-2010
While my wife generally gives me whisky on our anniversary, this comes from my job. For my ten year anniversary they offered me about a hundred bucks worth of gifts, so I put it all on a nice Murray McDavid. I chose this one because I'd never had anything from Auchroisk and because the store offered to let me taste it first. Money well spent, given that it was essentially free. As for Auchroisk, it's one of the youngest distilleries in Scotland and is pretty tough to find anywhere outside an indie bottler. This used to be the Singleton expression now taken over by Glendullan, so it had some prior exposure, but currently this is nigh impossible to find.

Review Link» More Honey Bourbon11-JAN-2010
To my knowledge Link to another review Wild Turkey had the first and second major-brand honey liqueurs on the market. Their Link to another review latest is quite drinkable straight, if you're a fan of bourbon and honey. Now with Red Stag challenging SoCo for the cherry side of things, Evan Williams has tossed their hat into the ring with a Honey Bourbon.



Site Layout
  • Index: The page you are on. Right now. Presently even.
  • Reviews: The raison d'etre of the site where the reviews go to congregate and establish pecking orders. This is important, get moving
  • » Brand Listing: A breakdown of brands for ease of location or general interest
  • » Events: A subsection of reviews, with a ranked list of whiskies for each taste event.
  • About
  • » About Whisky: Start your education here.
  • » About PW: Info about how this site works and what some things mean.
  • » Stats: Lies, damn lies and statistics.
  • Tops: The top (and bottom) 5% of the list and the tops of each style. If you want to know the best of the best, go here.
  • History: Will eventually contain everything I've ever done. Ever. For now it's just the history of this site. Sanitized for your protection.
  • My 2¢: Rants and raves about ... well, whisky related topics mostly. Gripping stuff.
  • Links: Places to go when you're tired of being here. I refuse to make this one a link because I don't want you to leave. See how much I care?


Whisky Cred
  • Member of the Ardbeg Committee
    One of the finest Islays, and the 10YO is legendary.
  • Ambassador of Maker's Mark
    Don't be put off by the hype as I was. MM is a fine bourbon and a perfectly Practical Whisky.
  • Companion of Aberlour
    Speysiders that will warm your heart without draining your wallet.
  • Balvenie Club Member
    One of my first, and I've yet to find a Balvenie I haven't liked.
  • Compass Box Hedonists Society
    Master mixers and Lords of variety. Expand your horizons here.
  • Striding Man Society
    If all you know is the Red Label, you don't know Johnnie.
  • Glenmorangie Kindred Spirits
    They once made the perfect 10YO, I still love them despite changing her.
  • Member of the Springbank Society
    My first true Scotch and the bar by which all others have been measured.
  • Jim Beam Brotherhood of Bourbon
    Beam Black is nearly the definition of Practical Whisky in Bourbon.
  • Glenfarclas Friend of the Family
    Glenfarclas is a wonder and impossible to find locally outside the 10 and 12. Luckily a buddy loves the 21 and so I get a taste reminder once in a while.


Boring Notices
  • This site is not offering anything for sale. Should I ever decide to offer anything for sale it will not include anything produced or trademarked by a whisky company.
  • I receive no compensation for doing reviews, linking to manufacturers web sites or for doing anything else in relation to this page.
  • The images on this site are eiter:
    • Original works created by me
    • Photographs of bottles taken by me for purposes of review
    • Images taken from official sources for identification under Fair Use provision of the Copyright Act for purposes of Review and Criticism.
  • The links on the links page and distillery data pages lead to the companies that produce the whiskies and are provided explicitly without agreeing to any "Linking Policy" presented by the company in question. The proliferation of these unenforceable policies is ridiculous and I refuse to be a party to it. The company web pages are public information, I am presenting them clearly as addresses to be visited for further information, I am linking only to the top level entry page of the site with no framing and I offer no option to deep link. Should the company in question complain, I'll just add a link to a Google search for their name and let Google's lawyers fight it out. The content of those pages is outside of my control, such links do not represent any endorsement by myself or the linked company and should you choose to follow those links, I am no longer in control of your internet destiny.
  • The images of bottles clearly include copyrighted works, and are presented under the Fair Use Statute of the Copyright Act for purposes of review and criticism. All trademarks and copyrights are held by the companies represented.
  • It sucks that I should have to even consider posting this legaleese here, but that's the world we live in.
  • Isn't this text TINY! Man, you could get a migrane reading this.