Scotch Sessions

Drinks Table Before the Gifts from the Guests

Loyal Scotch Chix fans may remember that the Scotch Chix originally hooked up at a conference hosted by the Scotch Gents (see How the Scotch Chix Hooked Up and Schmoozing Scotch Chix Style). Well, last week the guys hosted their fifth conference, and once again the Scotch Chix were in charge of the Drinks Table for the Scotch Session. We've come a long way from our single bottle of Bruichladdich 10 that first year, Ladies and Gentlemen. 

This year's Drink's Table included:

Woodford Reserve Bourbon

Four Roses Bourbon

The Glenlivet 18

The Macallan Fine Oak 17

Yamazaki 18

Springbank 10

In addition, the conference participants have started to get into the act. The CA Scotch Couple's friend from Japan (the Japanese Peat Chick — Scotch Chix Fans will hear more about her in later posts) brought a bottle of Nikka 12 Year Pure Malt from Hokkaido, the town in which she attended graduate school. In addition, a local group offered a bottle of Lagavulin  16, a welcome whiff of peat.

The Scotch Session was a rousing success. CA Scotch Chick expected the Glenlivet 18 and the Macallan Fine Oak 17 to reign, but while folks enjoyed all the whiskys/whiskeys, it was the Four Roses Bourbon and the Lagavulin 16 that got the most play.

The Scotch Chix bought the Four Roses Bourbon for a taste comparison with their favorite bourbon, Woodford Reserve. And, while CA Scotch Chick liked it more than the Woodford, and it got more attention at the conference, DC Scotch Chick detected a chemical overture in Four Roses she didn't care for. 

The Lagavulin 16 was a sweet surprise. The peat brought out an intensely sweet but very pleasant palate and a finish that was as pleasant but smokey. There was no taste of earth sometimes associated with peat, and even non-peat lovers liked it. This is the whisky the Scotch Chix are taking on their next ski trip.

In addition, both of the Japanese offerings, the Yamazaki 18 and the Nikka 12 were remarkably palatable single malt whiskys. The Nikka, which is unavailable in the US, was especially enjoyed. 

The only disappointment was the Springbank 10. It simply didn't have the lightness and sweetness that has made it one of the Scotch Chix favorite whiskys. A post-conference drinking session at CA Scotch Chick's house revealed the extreme batch variation that affected this bottle (more on this in a later post).

As usual, the conference and the accompanying Scotch Session were intellectually stimulating and a heck of a lot of fun. In addition, the Scotch Chix can rack up a few more converts to the world of single malt whiskys. Folks are already asking what will be on offer on the Drinks Table at next year's conference, and the Scotch Chix are already workin' on the list.

Below please find joint reviews on Four Roses Bourbon, Lagavulin 16, the Yamazaki 18, and Nikka 12.