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Alberta Premium 25 Year Old

Nozinan Mini and Sample Series - 60

0 282

@NozinanReview by @Nozinan

15th Jul 2019

0

  • Nose
    ~
  • Taste
    ~
  • Finish
    ~
  • Balance
    ~
  • Overall
    82

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Distribution of ratings for this: brand user

This is a three way H2H with AP30 and standard NAS Alberta Premium (2 unicorns and a workhorse). I received this sample from @paddockjudge 4-5 years ago. I opened it to help prepare for my first taste of Handy Rye at an epic tasting held by @talexander. There were about 15 cc left in the sample bottle (I think it was gassed).

This expression, in a Glencairn, is reviewed in my usual manner, allowing it to settle after which I take my nosing and tasting notes, followed by the addition of a few drops of water, waiting, then nosing and tasting. I nosed all the whiskies before tasting them, going from oldest to youngest.


Nose: 20.5/25

Dill pickle juice. Some rye spice. Dust, something floral. Delicate but underpowered nose.

Taste: 20/25

Thin. Initially flavours are muted. Some spice in the development, with vanilla most prominent. But a little weak

Finish: 20.5/25

Vanilla and pepper.

Balance: 21/25

Too weak, nose and palate do complement each other.

Score: 82/100


Comparing the three:

Nose

The standard AP had the strongest but least complex nose. The 25 was more floral and rounded, but a little soft. The 30 was the most inviting, complex nose

Taste

The 25 was a bit washed out and thin. The standard was bold but a little sweet and unidimentional, and the 30 had bold flavour and some breadth.

Interestingly, water did not have a significant effect on any of them. The NAS gets a little sweeter.


I have a feeling this sample was past its best before date, because in the past when I’ve tasted AP25 I’ve enjoyed it much more. I’m willing to reassess, if only I could get my hands on some…

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2 comments

@paddockjudge
paddockjudge commented

There is only so much unicorn to go around, when you get one, you've got to take it for a ride, not leave it tied to a post. I believe your sample of AP 25 YO has been compromised, perhaps the gas, perhaps the air. It is unfortunate that you weren't able to enjoy this as it was intended...how do I know this?...a score of 82 for this whisky would be believable if it were 82/90, not 82/100. Perhaps some day soon we will get into a bottle of AP 25.

4 years ago 0

@Nozinan
Nozinan commented

@paddockjudge You are, as always wise in your assessment of all things whisky, especially Canadian whisky.

This is why I would very much like to get through a lot of my samples and pare down my open bottle inventory. For me, FORO of a unicor could cause me to miss out as well.

4 years ago 0

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