Seattle Whisky Jewbilee 2018

The Seattle Whisky Jewbilee is a whisky tasting event with over 40 distilleries represented at exhibition tables, and this is its third year here. The event also includes a kosher buffet and complimentary tasting glass. We attended last year’s event with our whisky friends Ali and Alison (of advent calendar fun), and enjoyed the experience so much that we had to repeat it this year. It’s a fun way to taste new releases or new-to-you whiskies, and ask nerdy questions of the brand ambassadors. (Guess who stumped an ambassador with a specific question about casks and vatting? This dork, that’s who, lol.)

With this year’s event, we noticed some changes that improved the overall experience even more. First, the organizers provided a map of where distilleries would be located within the venue, which was very helpful for prioritizing those you really wanted to check out. Each offered anywhere from 2-5 expressions. As much as I love whisky, I’m not actually a lush, so I tend to be particular in my selections. Along those lines, each distillery was judicious in the samples given, and if I didn’t like it, I dumped it in the provided receptacle. My goal was not to get hammered (that could be easily achieved in a far cheaper way than this event), but to expand my palate with new whiskies.

Additionally, even though the event was sold out, it was definitely less crowded than last year. That was very welcome! It was much more enjoyable than to be breathing in your neighbor’s whisky fumes the entire time.

Lastly, the food remained available the for the duration of the event, which was an improvement over last year when the food disappeared after about an hour. Sometimes you want a quick break in the tasting to have a snack, you know? The food was delicious and not too overpowering in flavor to mess up your tastebuds for the tasting. There was a nice range of food that included sushi, spring rolls, chicken and lamb kebabs, potato pasties, roasted yams, meatballs and chutney, fruit, bars, and more.

Yes, yes, you say, that’s all fine and well, but what about the whiskies you tried? I won’t bore you with the tasting notes for each of the dozen whiskies I sampled, but suffice it to say that some were great, and some… will likely not make a repeat appearance in my glass. Here were my favorites from the evening:

Ardbeg An Oa

Single Malt Scotch (Islay) 46.6%ABV

Nose: Peaty, but virgin oak barrel coming through the smoke.

Palate: Smoky of course, but it’s not as aggressive as normal. Briny, a little spicy, yet sweet.

Notes: Maturated in a combination of casks including Pedro Ximénez, charred virgin oak and ex-bourbon. It’s meant to be a more approachable Ardbeg, and I would say they’ve succeeded. It’s still plenty smoky for Ardbeg fans, but well-balanced enough for Ardbeg newbies.

Single Cask Nation Port Charlotte 14 Yr Old

Single Malt Scotch (Islay) 60.2%ABV

Nose: Light smoke, but sweet and dark

Palate: Some brininess, but the dark, fruity sweetness carries through with some smoke

Notes: Very drinkable for the ABV. It’s a heavily peated Bruichiladdich, aged 14 years in first fill Oloroso casks. I really enjoyed this one. When telling Alison about it, she said “You had me at Oloroso,” but her face fell at “heavily peated.” Ha! She’s a Speyside woman, through and through.

Alexander Murray Glen Moray 13 Yr Old 2002 Cask Strength

Single Malt Scotch (Speyside) 53.4%ABV

Nose: Light and bright sweetness

Palate: Light, fruity sweetness. Like sunshine.

Notes: Reminds me of a madeira cask finish. Very drinkable for the ABV. It was quite the contrast to the dark and smoky whiskies we sampled the rest of the night.

Laphroaig 25 Yr Old

Single Malt Scotch (Islay) 40%ABV

Nose: Surprisingly sweet, and peaty, but not the typical Laphroaig punch in the face

Palate: Classic peaty and medicinal flavor, but milder and more well balanced. It rounds out nicely with a sherry sweetness. Long finish.

Notes: I can’t believe this was my favorite of the night. What is happening to me?? But at nearly $500/bottle, it should be good! 😉 (Unfortunately this bottle will likely never be on my shelf due to the cost, but I can dream, right?)

We also tried:

• Glenmorangie 18 Yr Old Extremely Rare
• Glenmorangie Spios
• Highland Park Valkyrie
• Highland Park 18 Yr Old
• Laphroaig 1815 Legacy Edition
• Tullibardine 20 Yr Old
• Whisky Jewbilee 2018 Festival Bottling
• Bruichladdich Octomore 8.1

You might have noticed that 92% of the  whiskies I tasted were single malt Scotches, but no worries, there were some bourbons, Japanese whiskies, and other American whiskies (like our local favorite – Westland) represented at the event. I just love single malt Scotches in my glass. 🙂

Overall, it was another wonderful evening of whisky tasting, and I look forward to next year’s event!