Sunday, December 23, 2012

Hamilton's Regional Malts -- 187 lbs (-42) [7X]

I get the impression that serious whisky drinkers don't take this whisky line, well, seriously. And because they're so fun, well, neither do I! After a couple months of exploring blended scotches* that tend to be subtly different from one to the next (a key reason I pair taste), these 4 whiskies are refreshingly distinct from each other**. I also think the idea of an affordable, one-brand introduction to the 4 major Scottish whisky regions is pretty darn clever (granted I don't have much experience with single malts, and I can't afford to acquire it either):

● Hamilton's Lowland Regional Malt
-- Tasted a bit like ass to me, but in a fun way. "Ass" probably isn't the right adjective, but was the only label I could find for a taste I could not otherwise identify.
● Hamilton's Highland Regional Malt
-- Subtly creamy, sweet, and citrusy.
● Hamilton's Speyside Regional Malt
-- Creamy and slightly smoky, this was the most well-balanced and my favorite of the 4 "expressions". I could see, and afford, drinking this semi-regularly.
● Hamilton's Islay Regional Malt
-- Very peaty and smoky. I thought this is what I like most in a scotch, but this perhaps a tad much. Still very enjoyable, though.


* The blended scotches I've tried up to now were composed of grain and single malt whiskies from multiple distilleries. The store where I bought the Hamilton's line categorized them as "vatted scotch", i.e. composed of single malt whiskies from multiple distilleries. Such whiskies, as one might interpret from the latest regulations, are supposed to be labeled "blended malt whisky" on the bottle, but these just say "single malt". So it is not clear to this consumer which to believe.

** To emphasize how different these are from each other, I tried blending them together in every possible equal-part combination, and each was less distinct than any single whisky on its own.

What I consumed Saturday -- 187 lbs (-42) [7X]:
● 4 oz Hamilton's Highland Regional Malt
● 4 oz Hamilton's Speyside Regional Malt
● 4 oz Hamilton's Lowland Regional Malt
● 4 oz Hamilton's Islay Regional Malt
● Orange
● Half toasted bagel w/ butter & hummus
● Criss-cut fry
● Slice Papa Murphy's cheese pizza
● Half bag of Snyder's buffalo wing pretzels
● 3 peanut butter & Hershey's Kiss cookies
● Bowl of chilaquiles

What I consumed Friday -- 187 lbs (-42) [6X]:
● 4.5 oz Hamilton's Highland Regional Malt
● 4.5 oz Hamilton's Speyside Regional Malt
● 4.5 oz Hamilton's Lowland Regional Malt
● 4.5 oz Hamilton's Islay Regional Malt
● .4 Nissin Cup Noodles w/ grated cheddar cheese
● Hollowed-out toasted bagel w/ hummus
● Half toasted bagel w/ slice reduced-fat cheddar cheese
● 5 Rold Gold tiny twist pretzels dipped in Jif chocolate silk peanut butter
● Bowl of Campbell's chicken noodle soup
● Several handfuls of Snyder's buffalo wing pretzels
● Bowl of lettuce w/ grated cheddar cheese & Newman's Own lite Italian dressing
● 3 slices Papa Murphy's pepperoni pizza & 1 small slice cheese pizza
● 4 pretzel M&M's

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