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Patricia Noonan
After graduating from York University, Patricia has spent two decades working in the hospitality industry, which included getting an advanced certificate (with distinction) from the Wine & Spirit Education Trust and teaching at The School of Hospitality, George Brown College. In addition, Patricia has contributed to many publications. Whether it's creating new drinks or exploring the 'spirits' world, readers are bound to benefit from Patricia's insights.
December 2009
The Flavours of Anjou and Ice Wine
click
here to see the article
•
July 2009
A Day in the Life of a Canadian Club Party
click
here to see the article
•
May 2009
Earth Day Meets Cocktail Culture
click
here to see the article
•
March 2009
Irish Coffee at The Buena Vista 
click
here to see the article
•
December 2008
Gift Packs for the Holidays
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here to see the article
•
October 2007
Holiday gifts - Vintages
Release
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here to see the article
•
October 2007
Visky, Babee
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here to see the article
•
August 2007
Absolut (y) Effen Exquisite!
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here to see the article
•
May 2007
"Bookends, but
for drinks"
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here to see the article
•
March
2007
"How the Irish saved Civilization"
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here to see the article
•
Patricia Noonan's Spirits Evaluation
March 3, 2007 Spirits
Release
GREENORE 8 YEARS OLD SINGLE GRAIN IRISH WHISKEY (Cooley Distillery)
CSPC #27953, 700 mL, $58.95
Soft, placid gold, this single grain spirit sports sweet
vanilla cream with lemon rind aromas. Silky smooth mid weight with gentle
spice flavours. The aromatic development moves forward with notes of maple
sugar and harmonizes into an elegant sipper. (88)
CONNEMARA PEATED SINGLE MALT IRISH WHISKEY (Cooley Distillery)
CSPC #27946, 700 mL, $66.95
A richer gold with orange glints, the smokey iodine aromas give
way to perfumey orange peel with hints of vanilla. Lush on the palate with
vibrant lemon-pepper spice flavours to sew this malt up nicely. Smooth
long lasting finish. (90)
CONNEMARA CASK STRENGTH PEATED SINGLE MALT (Cooley Distillery)
CSPC #913400, 700 mL, $86.95
Pale straw, the cask strength aromas are subtle smoke and
vanilla perfume. Big, mouth filling weightiness, with clove, nutmeg,
cinnamon spice and even licorice notes into the extended finish. Excellent
value for this cask strength baby. (93)
•
Patricia Noonan's Spirits Evaluation
February 17, 2007 Spirits
Release
ALEXANDER GRAPPA CABERNET (Dist. Bottega)
CSPC #14365, 700 mL, $39.95
Grapey, plummy fruit essence with typical, but very mild,
grappa 'sweaty' aromas. A little hint of almond too. Slightly sweet
upfront with a somewhat gummy quality. Smooth velvety body leads to a
slightly hot finish, with some musty notes late into the delivery. (85)
DUN BHEAGAN BUNNAHABHAIN 1994 RUM FINISH
CSPC #19356, 700 mL, $74.95
A refreshing malt with lively aromas of coriander, lemon
pepper, delicate vanilla and spice notes with a slight saltiness. Fairly
oily and mouth filling with flavour replays of the spice and somehow
reminiscent of cognac. McCallum-Caron finished this unpeated Islay whisky
with casks sourced from Guyana. The delicacy of flavours is like an ocean
breeze. (89)
•
Patricia Noonan's Spirits Evaluation
February 3, 2007 Spirits
Release
DUN BHEAGAN AULTMORE 15 YEARS OLD SPEYSIDE SINGLE MALT WHISKEY
CSPC #19372, 700 mL, $78.95
Pinkish gold whisky, the Aultmore opens with the aroma of ripe
apples, more like caramel candy apples, but delicate. Some smokey, peaty
notes, with hints of lemon and honey. Oily, with a youthful integration of
cloves, cinnamon and the finish replays the essential oil of lemon notes.
Only 846 bottles from the single cask available for bottling. (88)
•
Patricia Noonan's Spirits Evaluation
January 20, 2007 Spirits
Release
INISHOWEN IRISH WHISKEY
CSPC #656017, 700 mL, $36.95
Bright gold colour with subdued vanilla, honey and notes of
corn syrup. Medium weight with a seamless, even finish. (86)
THE ORIGINAL OLDBURY SHEEP DIP SCOTCH WHISKY
CSPC #243808, 750 mL, $34.95
Richly burnished hue with orangey tints, the old Sheepdip has a
chaming nose of lemon and orange peels, honey and vanilla pod. Medium
silky velvet weighted blend captures spices of ginger, cloves and some
floral note as well . Drops off a little too suddenly with the spicecake
flavours. (88)
ROBERT BURNS WORLD FEDERATION ARRAN ISLAND SINGLE MALT
CSPC #981084, 700 mL, $47.95
Palest straw colour with lemon and luscious sweet honey florals.
Subtle smoke and iodine aromas. Youthful spice flavours and plush weight
lead to a lengthy, slightly bitter, clove smoked finish. (87)
HOGSHEAD FINE OLD BLENDED MALT SCOTCH WHISKY
CSPC #595595, 700 mL, $51.95
Amber gold in colour, this blended malt sports a very
masculine, smokey dubbin boot polish nose. Honey, vanilla and some fruity
notes trying to sneak out. Gentle spice, some nuttiness and not too heavy
handed. Smokey replays into a resonably balanced finished. (86)
GLENMORANGIE 15 YEARS OLD HIGHLAND SINGLE MALT
CSPC #1362, 750 mL, $118.95
Rich gold, sweet vanilla with hints of maple and corn from the
previous storage in ex bourbon casks. Honeyed flavours with baking spices,
especially cinnamon. Sexy smooth and sophisticated finish with hints of
chocolate. (88)
AULD REEKIE 12 YEAR OLD ISLAY SINGLE MALT (Duncan Taylor)
CSPC #660068, 700 mL, $99.95
The palest green tinged straw, Auld Reekie give up the big
smoke in a powerful way. Briney with hints of honey trying to make a
presence. Big, velvety style with a hot spiced, gripping finish. (86)
•
Patricia Noonan's Spirits Evaluation
January 6, 2007 Spirits
Release
THE BALVENIE PORTWOOD 21 YEARS OLD SPEYSIDE SINGLE MALT
CSPC #500090, 750 mL, $159.95
Deep russet, with orange highlights, there are aromas of smoked
orange peel, honeyed florals, vanilla and a hint of chocolate. Seamless,
and fruity sweet upfront, this silky malt has great poise and a lengthy
spice wrapped finish. (90)
CLOS ST-LANDELIN MARC DE GEWURZTRAMINER 1997
CSPC #18531, 500 mL, $39.95
Clear, perfumey rose petal and marzipan notes with a hint of
almondand faintest sweat notes. Silky and vibrant, the finish recaptures
the perfume with delicate spices. (90)
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Patricia Noonan's Spirits Evaluation
December 9, 2006 Spirits
Release
GRAPPA DI BRUNELLO (Banfi)
CSPC #11403, 700 mL, $85.95
Sparkling clear grappa with a floral, grapey, almost raisiny
nose and delicate 'sweaty' notes.
Slightly sweet fruity attack leads to a soft, velvety weightiness. (88)
GRAPPA DA VINACCE DI SASSICAIA (Jacopo Poli)
CSPC #747519, 500 mL, $99.95
Pale to medium amber, this grappa sports a sweet creme brulee
nose with a delicate resinous, sweaty hit .
Silky and lighter than I expected, with a long finish that builds and
captures the initial aromas. Barrique aged, so definitely not your every
day grappa. (90)
OBSTBRAND APPLE/PEAR EAU-DE-VIE (Josef Hoermann)
CSPC #460386, 500 mL, $23.95
Clear and simple, a delicate duet of ripe pear and apple cidery
aromas. Sweet upfront, with silky, mouthfilling quality leading into a
gently spiced finish. I like the thought of this with a pear/ginger tart
or an old fashioned apple pie. I've always thought this was a great deal.
(86)
THE WILD GEESE RARE IRISH WHISKEY (Avalon Group)
CSPC #13623, 700 mL, $69.95
Bright gold whiskey with a fruity corn syrup, spiced nose. Big,
smooth with a slightly sweet personality.
Elegant cinnamon and nutmeg spice finish replays the initial aromas in the
finish. (88)
15 YEARS OLD SINGLE BARREL SPEYSIDE SINGLE MALT (The Belvenie)
CSPC #366963, 750 mL, $99.95
Voluptuous golden malt with caramel-vanilla spiced baked apple
and floral perfume aromas. Fleshy but well packed spice finish. It's a
Wow. (93)
GLENFIDDICH 21 YEARS OLD GRAN RESERVA HIGHLAND SINGLE MALT
CSPC #981381, 750 mL, $149.95
Brilliant buckwheat colour with a nose ranging from caramel
toffee to tropical fruit, sherried orange peel and spice. Quite
harmonious, with added hints of cocoa making their way through into the
warming spiced finish. The flavours meld together beautifully. It may seem
pricey but think of it in terms of all those years spent
ageing....definitely an after dinner sipper. (91)
•
Patricia Noonan's Spirits Evaluation
October 14, 2006 Spirits
Release
'EDRADOUR' 10 YEARS OLD HIGHLAND SINGLE MALT (Edradour)
CSPC #904995, 700 mL, $77.95
Deep golden amber, herbal, grassy, even notes of fresh corn
husks, leading to orange peel and spice in a firmly weighted malt with a
youthful spicy finish.(86)
'GLEN GARIOCH' 15 YEAR OLD Highland Single Malt (Glen Garioch)
CSPC #446310, 750 mL, $60.95
A smokey, peaty, earthier perfumed malt with dried citrus and floral
aromas peeking through. Oily mouthfeel, spicy flavours but not over the
top. Fairly balanced. Very good value.(90)
'GLENGOYNE' 17 YEAR OLD HIGHLAND SINGLE MALT (Lang Brothers)
CSPC #306233, 750 mL, $89.95
Very subtle malt with what I like to call 'green' aromas. Delicate citrus
fruit. Nice velvety mouthfeel with minty flavour into a lengthy finish.
Unpeated.(87)
'OLD PULTENEY' 12 YEAR OLD Highland Single Malt (Old Pulteney)
CSPC #515346, 700 mL, $60.95
Gold malt with grass, honey and fresh airy aromas. Similar flavour replays
in a bigger smoked velvety delivery carrying through with gentle spice
notes into the finish. Good value.(87)
MACALLAN 'FINE OAK' 15 YEARS OLD Highland Single Malt (Macallan)
CSPC #620229, 750 mL, $114.95
The first few times I tried this, nothing really distinctive leapt out at
me. This tasting, more vanilla, orange peel and honey notes, but a
feminine delivery of unctuous sweet fruit and gingery spice carrying the
initial aromas and flavours into the finish.(86)
ABERLOUR 16 YEARS OLD SPEYSIDE SINGLE MALT Double Cask Matured (Aberlour)
CSPC #224, 700 mL, $89.95
Beautiful buckwheat amber colour with smokey florals and sweet vanilla,
sherried fruitcake aromas and flavours. Big finish, balanced and
delicious.(90)
ARDBEG 'UIGEADAIL' ISLAY SINGLE MALT Non Chill-Filtered (Ardbeg)
CSPC #660860, 700 mL, $124.95
The legendary Ardbeg Distillery's non-chill filtered cask strength is big,
bold, fresh, yet seductive and even lyrical. An intense peaty, smokey,
licorice tinged malt that develops a weighty honey - velvet mouthfeel and
full spice flavour, pulling in all the aromatic elements. Lengthy,
hedonistic finis(95)
'BOWMORE' 16 YEARS OLD ISLAY SINGLE MALT 1989
'Limited Edition', Non Chill Filtered, Natural Cask Strength (Morrison
Bowmore Ltd.)
CSPC #11254, 750 mL, $127.95
That big, briney, smokey 'dubbin boot polish' aroma opens up to honey
fruit and smokey flavour with a massive, he-man finish. Great stuff if you
like a heady, masculine whisky after dinner. The cask strength is 51.8 %
abv. (I'm not in the habit of eating fishnets, so I find the Malt Advocate
notes on the 'fishnet' flavours odd but amusing.)(93)
'BOWMORE' 17 YEARS OLD ISLAY SINGLE MALT (Morrison Bowmore Ltd.)
CSPC #368209, 750 mL, $85.95
Golden amber malt with spicey fruitcake aromas. A smokey, elegantly
weighted malt. Obviously more subdued compared to the cask strength.(89)
ARRAN MALT 10 YEARS OLD ISLE OF ARRAN MALT
Non Chill Filtered (Isle of Arran Distillers)
CSPC #5090, 700 mL, $59.95
The Arran is pale gold with lemony dried peel, ginger, honey and mild
iodine aromas. Perfumey nose is very appealing and than the malt kicks in
a youthful fireworks display of gingery spice on the palate and into the
finish.(86)
'HIGHLAND PARK' 18 YEARS OLD Orkney Islands Single Malt (Highland
Park)
CSPC #500231, 750 mL, $117.95
Perfumed heathery smoke, honey sweet fruitiness with nut, baking spice and
dried plummy fruit flavours. Firm and full flavoured on the palate.
Provocative. Attractive chararacter, some muscle, a hint of vulnerability
and staying power. In other words, sexy.(92)
JOHNNIE WALKER 'BLUE LABEL' (Johnnie Walker)
CSPC #308155, 750 mL, $229.95
The ultra premium blend sports a sweet, heathery floral nose, honey,
spiced fruitcake aromas with a more subtle smokiness. Quite silky in
texture, then it opens up to a more masculine, spiced libation. Assertive,
smoked clove finish, but overall, an elegantly beautiful blend. A little
on the pricey side, though.(88)
AUCHENTOSHAN 'THREE WOOD'
Lowland Single Malt, Triple Distilled (Morrison Bowmore Distillers)
CSPC #720532, 750 mL, $79.95
The malt is a brooding amber, a bit musty with fruity plum and raisin
aromas. Lots of spice notes of cloves, cinnamon and ginger wrapped into a
well integrated warming and long finish.(86)
'GREEN SPOT' IRISH WHISKEY (Mitchell & Son)
CSPC #699827, 700 mL, $82.95
Yellow gold, vanilla notes with grassy notes, corn syrup. Velvety,
mouthfilling whiskey with a gingery, crisp clean finish , a nice
counterpoint to the initial vanilla-lemon cake aromas and flavours.(88)
'BLACK RIBBON' SCOTCH MALT WHISKY LIQUEUR (Drambuie)
CSPC #687830, 1000 mL, $60.95
This single malt liqueur has a nose of spicy corriander, orange peel,
cinnamon, nutmeg. There's a slight herbaceous quality that carries through
the glamorous, cushy mouthfeel, with a great flavour replay of the fruit
and spices into the finish.(90)
These tasting notes may
be quoted as long as the author
and this publication (Vintage Assessments) is properly
credited along with the link for contacting us
(patricianoonan@vintageassessments.com) is included.
Advance
written permission is required for any commercial usage
and/or reference to out of date notes. All rights are retained by the
author.