Then we skipped over to Bourbon & Branch. Cior had the cucumber gimlet there that she really wanted. I tried it for the first time and I've got to say: Believe The Hype. Ciaran had the Rouge No. 10, which was magnificent as always. I tried The Communist, which has gin, orange juice, Cherry Heering, and lemon. It was excellent, and made even better after I tried a sip of the Rouge No. 10 and the taste of pepper was still in my mouth.
I also tried Peregrine Rock, another Californian single-malt. (If it were made in Scotland, it would be a scotch, coming from malted barley instead of the usual American corn or rye.) It had a wonderful cherry nose and leading flavor. Usually the cherry flavor I pick up in whiskies comes from aging in casks that previously held port or sherry. This whiskey, on the other hand, smells of fresh cherries. Usually the only 'fresh' flavors I usually pick up in scotch are of the grains, and the fruit tastes of dried fruit flavors or candied fruits. The finish of the Peregrine Rock is clean and neat, without the residual sweetness I'd expect from something that starts off so bright. I really liked this one.
