LH FCL & FCT Whisky Tasting
Jun 4, 2017, 10:18 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: IAH
Programs: UA GS, TK Gold
Posts: 304
LH FCL & FCT Whisky Tasting
My top three Whisky choices at LH FCL and FCT are:
1. The Dalmore King Alexander III
2. Springbank 15 yo
3. The Glenmorangie Signet
Honorable mention:
The Macallan Sienna
Now here is the short story. I was flying CPH-FRA-US, and had a really tight connection at FRA.
At first I've settled for a visit to FCL:
FCL entrance
Nearly empty FCL
FCL attendant approached me to inform that my flight is delayed by 60 min. Well, may be I have a time for a smoke...
FCL Cigar Lounge
Cohiba accompanied by Armagnac Samalens
Armagnac Samalens
Very smooth and went down nicely with some water and smoke. But I cannot really say much more since I'm not a cognac or armagnac drinker.
I also sampled few other beverages in Cigar Lounge:
The Balvenie 17 yo
Ok, but nothing special. Tried to get some aromaticity out by adding some water, still nothing.
Springbank 15 yo
Really delicate palate and have multiple aftertaste overtones. Really impressive for a middle shelf scotch
The Dalmore 15 yo
Solid, but really was an afterthought after I tried KA III (vide infra)
Old Pulteney 15 yo
Sweet malty fruity aroma, perhaps too fruity for my taste. Will make a great after dinner drink perhaps
Another 3 hrs delay! Now I'm heading to FCT - why not?
FCT Entrance
FCT is as good as it gets. I will skip the other pictures I've taken since FCT and LH F trip reports are dime-a-dozen and will continue where I left of at FCL...
FCT main bar
The Dalmore King Alexander III
Simply the best. Rich yet mellow, very smooth and full of flavor.
The Glenmorangie Signet
Smooth and has a lot of nutty flavor. Finished with a strong lemon zest sensation. Very good indeed.
The Glenfiddich 21 yo
Solid GF, as good as expected. But not better than 18yo version which I really came to like in last few years.
Glenfarclas 25 yo
Nothing. Tasted just as 12yo version on United flight. Very disappointing. Tried with water and still nothing.
The Balvenie 21 yo
Absolutely delicious with a hint of port wine, however, was a little bit too sweet for my taste.
The Macallan Sienna
I've never seen this version of The Macallan in US and I was afraid this is one of the "special release for Duty free" versions. Turned out to be a very solid. Not as tannic as traditional Macallan perhaps, with distinct apple cider overtones.
This were good times. My personal assistant called me up for boarding.
My ride to the aircraft
Yes, I'm still standing up without assistance
View from the tarmac
The bird
My seat
And finally, my last drink for next month
1. The Dalmore King Alexander III
2. Springbank 15 yo
3. The Glenmorangie Signet
Honorable mention:
The Macallan Sienna
Now here is the short story. I was flying CPH-FRA-US, and had a really tight connection at FRA.
At first I've settled for a visit to FCL:
FCL entrance
Nearly empty FCL
FCL attendant approached me to inform that my flight is delayed by 60 min. Well, may be I have a time for a smoke...
FCL Cigar Lounge
Cohiba accompanied by Armagnac Samalens
Armagnac Samalens
Very smooth and went down nicely with some water and smoke. But I cannot really say much more since I'm not a cognac or armagnac drinker.
I also sampled few other beverages in Cigar Lounge:
The Balvenie 17 yo
Ok, but nothing special. Tried to get some aromaticity out by adding some water, still nothing.
Springbank 15 yo
Really delicate palate and have multiple aftertaste overtones. Really impressive for a middle shelf scotch
The Dalmore 15 yo
Solid, but really was an afterthought after I tried KA III (vide infra)
Old Pulteney 15 yo
Sweet malty fruity aroma, perhaps too fruity for my taste. Will make a great after dinner drink perhaps
Another 3 hrs delay! Now I'm heading to FCT - why not?
FCT Entrance
FCT is as good as it gets. I will skip the other pictures I've taken since FCT and LH F trip reports are dime-a-dozen and will continue where I left of at FCL...
FCT main bar
The Dalmore King Alexander III
Simply the best. Rich yet mellow, very smooth and full of flavor.
The Glenmorangie Signet
Smooth and has a lot of nutty flavor. Finished with a strong lemon zest sensation. Very good indeed.
The Glenfiddich 21 yo
Solid GF, as good as expected. But not better than 18yo version which I really came to like in last few years.
Glenfarclas 25 yo
Nothing. Tasted just as 12yo version on United flight. Very disappointing. Tried with water and still nothing.
The Balvenie 21 yo
Absolutely delicious with a hint of port wine, however, was a little bit too sweet for my taste.
The Macallan Sienna
I've never seen this version of The Macallan in US and I was afraid this is one of the "special release for Duty free" versions. Turned out to be a very solid. Not as tannic as traditional Macallan perhaps, with distinct apple cider overtones.
This were good times. My personal assistant called me up for boarding.
My ride to the aircraft
Yes, I'm still standing up without assistance
View from the tarmac
The bird
My seat
And finally, my last drink for next month
Jun 5, 2017, 11:43 pm
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: IAH
Programs: DL DM, Hyatt Ist-iest, Stariott Platinum, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 12,790
Sounds like the delay we all aspire to.
Is the blurriness in the pic of you to protect your anonymity, a reflection of your then current state, or both?!
Is the blurriness in the pic of you to protect your anonymity, a reflection of your then current state, or both?!
Jun 6, 2017, 1:39 am
#8
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Geneva, Dubai, Paris
Programs: Disillusioned Cent
Posts: 1,880
A great source of inspiration! 
For some reason I never did a Whisky, Champagne or any other tasting for that matter in the FCT. Will do it on my next visit, right after the Porsche Experience...
For some reason I never did a Whisky, Champagne or any other tasting for that matter in the FCT. Will do it on my next visit, right after the Porsche Experience...
Jun 6, 2017, 6:22 am
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: IAH
Programs: UA GS, TK Gold
Posts: 304
Jun 6, 2017, 11:19 am
#12
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Free Republic of Florida
Programs: LH Senator, CX Diamond, UA Prem Plat, Fans of MO Elite
Posts: 589
Bravo on an original TR and being able to still stand after that tasting.
I'll be at MUC FCL in a little over a week and like JohnRain and perhaps Madone59, I would prioritize a Porsche Experience then follow your inspirational tasting. In the event the Porsche Experience doesn't work out for whatever reason, then I'll try the Dalmore and the Balvenie and I'll have another reason to test drive my brother's new 911 4S.
I'll be at MUC FCL in a little over a week and like JohnRain and perhaps Madone59, I would prioritize a Porsche Experience then follow your inspirational tasting. In the event the Porsche Experience doesn't work out for whatever reason, then I'll try the Dalmore and the Balvenie and I'll have another reason to test drive my brother's new 911 4S.
Jun 6, 2017, 7:08 pm
#14
Join Date: Jun 2013
Programs: United MP, HHonors Gold, SPG Gold, Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 61
Thanks for posting, great report. The FCT is one of my favorite places in the world to do a scotch tasting!!!!! Very jealous of your afternoon and you make me think i must somehow convince the wife to fly to Europe for a random reason just to stop back in there again.