18Feb 2019 by Matt Edwards No Comments

Scotch Tasting – Whiskies Aged 15 Years

The theme for this scotch tasting was whiskies aged 15 years from across Scotland. Eleven of us - from first-timers to many-timers - sat down to see how these six distilleries expressed themselves. Our lineup was: Glen Moray 15 Glenfarclas 15 Glen Scotia 15 Dalmore 15 Distiller's Art Auchentoshan 15 Bowmore 15 Darkest It was a great evening of whisky, food, laughter, and camaraderie. (more…)
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12Feb 2019 by Matt Edwards No Comments

Tasting notes for Macaloney’s Twa Cask Islay: Caol Ila & Bunnahabhain

Distillery: Coal Ila and Bunnahabhain Cask Type: Ex-Bourbon, Red Wine Barriques Region: Islay Age: NAS ABV: 46% Nose: Peat and smoke, salty sea air hinting at medicinal iodine, sweet chocolate and dark fruit. Very subtle grass or hay. Palate: Oh wow. Smooth, a bit oily, strong woody notes and earthy peat. The medicinal iodine is there alongside almost a bitterness of dark chocolate. Cinnamon and cloves and dried fruit. Just love how it envelopes my tongue and brings so much flavour. Finish: There’s a flicker of spiciness early in the finish with sweet smoke curling its way throughout. The salty, earthy notes really hang on as the rest drifts away and the whisky leaves my whole mouth coated in layers of flavour. Overall: This whisky is out of control. The…
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29Jan 2019 by Matt Edwards No Comments

Time to grow

My relationship with time is complicated (honestly, it can be a bit ridiculous). When I have to spend time doing something that doesn't create value or move things forward, I tend to look on that time as a waste. It drives me nuts. Up until the beginning of 2019, commuting to and from work fell into that waste category. Spending 30-35 minutes in traffic each day would get me stressed if I wasn't in the office by a certain time. Plus I'd dedicate way too much energy on things like the optimal lane to be in, the drivers I thought had suffered a head injury, and calculating how long before I'd be at my desk. It seems so silly now when I write that out. Let me now introduce a…
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31Dec 2018 by Matt Edwards No Comments

Top Nine Words of 2018

With millions of folks sharing their top nine pics for 2018, I picked the top nine words that I think best reflect my 2018. At the centre of it all is, of course, love. I believe love for our families, our friends and colleagues, our communities, and our work anchors us and helps us in everything we do. To all of us doing great things together in 2019!
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01Dec 2018 by Matt Edwards No Comments

Whisky Advent 2018

Edmonton (Alberta) has an enthusiastic whisky scene that seems to have really grown in profile over the past few years (hat tip to the folks at the Edmonton Scotch Club for playing a big part in that). It’s given many people (myself included) the opportunity to connect with other whisky enthusiasts and share our passion for the aqua vitae. Looking back over the year, I’ve sampled a lot of whisky at tastings and other events and I can’t believe it’s already time to crack open the 5th Edition of Secret Spirits’ Scotch Whisky Advent Calendar. As always, Jonathan Bray publishes his tasting notes over at singlemalting.com so please head over there to see what he has to say about each one. Also, you can check out Instagram and Twitter for…
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25Nov 2018 by Matt Edwards 1 Comment

Scotch Tasting on November 24, 2018

What a solid tasting on Saturday night! There were 10 of us who sat down and explored: Aberfeldy 16Bunnahabhain 12Wemyss Treacle ChestSpringbank 15Distiller’s Art Fettercairn 14The Sovereign Invergordon 27 The Springbank 15 was the group favourite as a first or second choice. The nose started with peat and maple or brown sugar. Dark fruits on the palate with walnuts. Oaky in the finish surrounded by peat and a hint of floral. The middle of the pack was the Bunnahabhain, Treacle Chest, and Fettercairn. The Bunnahabhain 12 smelled of a sweet and salty caramel, its palate had a seaside sweetness with dried fruit, and it finished slow by coating your tongue. The Treacle Chest smelled of plums and sweetness. Cinnamon, raisins, and nuttiness on the palate into a long, sweet sherry…
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