Dingle Conocht am Fomhair
Official bottling
Single malt - Munster
Bright gold
50.5% ABV
Dram
Nose: Peaches, apricots, pineapples, passionfruit, orange peel, cinnamon. With water, peaches, orange peel, cinnamon.
Mouthfeel: Light body, thickens slightly, cool, tingly.
Tasting: Sour sweet. Passionfruit, peaches, honey, dates, grapefruit, orange peel, cinnamon. With water, orange peel, vanilla, honey, cinnamon.
Finish: Short. Cinnamon, nutmeg, white pepper, peaches.
Comments:
Fruity and rich, lots of tropical and stone fruit. Water brings out vanilla, honey and cinnamon. A very drinkable and straightforward whisky, slips down easily and smoothly, almost quaffable.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Tuesday, 13 May 2025
Kyrö 6yo 2018/2024
Kyrö 6yo 2018/2024
Pienso Ruskea Koira, Little Brown Dog Spirits
Single rye - South Ostrobothnia
Amber, hints of red
53.7% ABV
Dram
Nose: Black pepper, new plastic, rubber bands, rye bread, brown paper, hints of strawberry jam. With water, orange peel, brown paper, black pepper.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, syrupy, tingly, hot.
Tasting: Sweet salty. Black pepper, sea salt, brown paper, rye bread, coffee, rubber bands, salt caramel. With water, salt caramel, coffee, orange peel, hints of new plastic.
Finish: Medium. Salt caramel, rye bread, sea salt, coffee.
Comments:
Peppery and spicy, but with an odd hint of new plastic. There’s something a bit sulphurous too. Water brings out salt caramel and coffee, as well as something a little sweeter.
Verdict:
I like this.
Pienso Ruskea Koira, Little Brown Dog Spirits
Single rye - South Ostrobothnia
Amber, hints of red
53.7% ABV
Dram
Nose: Black pepper, new plastic, rubber bands, rye bread, brown paper, hints of strawberry jam. With water, orange peel, brown paper, black pepper.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, syrupy, tingly, hot.
Tasting: Sweet salty. Black pepper, sea salt, brown paper, rye bread, coffee, rubber bands, salt caramel. With water, salt caramel, coffee, orange peel, hints of new plastic.
Finish: Medium. Salt caramel, rye bread, sea salt, coffee.
Comments:
Peppery and spicy, but with an odd hint of new plastic. There’s something a bit sulphurous too. Water brings out salt caramel and coffee, as well as something a little sweeter.
Verdict:
I like this.
Friday, 9 May 2025
Cragganmore 1972
Cragganmore 1972
Original Cask Strength, Gordon & Macphail
Single malt - Speyside
Light amber
56.5% ABV
Dram
Nose: White grapes, honey, malted grains, vanilla, roast chicken, white pepper, hints of camphor. With water, honey, white grapes, roast chicken.
Mouthfeel: Light body, loosens, warm, mouth coating.
Tasting: Sour sweet. Malted grains, clay dust, white grapes, gooseberries, roast chicken, toffee, sandalwood, camphor. With water, malted grains, grapefruit, honey.
Finish: Long. Lemon zest, cinnamon, white grapes, honey.
Comments:
Lighter and looser than the Creditable, but instead, sweeter and a meatier texture. There’s also some dustiness and a long honeyed citrusy finish. I love this sort of old bottle effect.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Original Cask Strength, Gordon & Macphail
Single malt - Speyside
Light amber
56.5% ABV
Dram
Nose: White grapes, honey, malted grains, vanilla, roast chicken, white pepper, hints of camphor. With water, honey, white grapes, roast chicken.
Mouthfeel: Light body, loosens, warm, mouth coating.
Tasting: Sour sweet. Malted grains, clay dust, white grapes, gooseberries, roast chicken, toffee, sandalwood, camphor. With water, malted grains, grapefruit, honey.
Finish: Long. Lemon zest, cinnamon, white grapes, honey.
Comments:
Lighter and looser than the Creditable, but instead, sweeter and a meatier texture. There’s also some dustiness and a long honeyed citrusy finish. I love this sort of old bottle effect.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Creditable 25yo 1975/2001
Creditable 25yo 1975/2001
Old Malt Cask, Douglas Laing
Single malt - Speyside
Golden
50% ABV
Dram
Nose: Roast chicken, white grapes, malted grains, white wine, fresh cut grass, honey. With water, white grapes, honey, candle wax, lemon zest.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, warm, tingly, astringent.
Tasting: Sweet salty. Honey, white grapes, raisins, white wine, candle wax, malted grains, walnut skins. With water, candle wax, white grapes, grapefruit.
Finish: Long. Candle wax, white grapes, malted grains, walnut skins.
Comments:
An old Cragganmore, both in age statement and time in the bottle. It’s very waxy, almost Clynelish-ey, and there’s a slightly bitter, nutty note that covers it all. Water brings out more wax, and a bit more sweetness and bitterness.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Old Malt Cask, Douglas Laing
Single malt - Speyside
Golden
50% ABV
Dram
Nose: Roast chicken, white grapes, malted grains, white wine, fresh cut grass, honey. With water, white grapes, honey, candle wax, lemon zest.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, warm, tingly, astringent.
Tasting: Sweet salty. Honey, white grapes, raisins, white wine, candle wax, malted grains, walnut skins. With water, candle wax, white grapes, grapefruit.
Finish: Long. Candle wax, white grapes, malted grains, walnut skins.
Comments:
An old Cragganmore, both in age statement and time in the bottle. It’s very waxy, almost Clynelish-ey, and there’s a slightly bitter, nutty note that covers it all. Water brings out more wax, and a bit more sweetness and bitterness.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Thursday, 8 May 2025
Dalmunach 6yo 2016/2022
Dalmunach 6yo 2016/2022
Na Braithrean, Wee Brother
Single malt - Speyside
Very pale gold
52% ABV
Dram
Nose: Yoghurt, lemon zest, malted grains, leather, grapefruit, yuzu, hints of cream. With water, peaches, honey, malted grains.
Mouthfeel: Light body, loosens, tingly, mouth coating.
Tasting: Sour sweet. Yuzu, honey, malted grains, hoppy beer, lemon zest, marmalade, hints of white pepper. With water, marmalade, honey, malted grains.
Finish: Medium. Lemon zest, marmalade, honey, malted grains, hints of peaches.
Comments:
Quite citrusy, but has the young whisky lactic note. Stone fruit notes abound as well, and some jammy marmalade. Water brings out more barley and honeyed sweetness.
Verdict:
I like this.
Na Braithrean, Wee Brother
Single malt - Speyside
Very pale gold
52% ABV
Dram
Nose: Yoghurt, lemon zest, malted grains, leather, grapefruit, yuzu, hints of cream. With water, peaches, honey, malted grains.
Mouthfeel: Light body, loosens, tingly, mouth coating.
Tasting: Sour sweet. Yuzu, honey, malted grains, hoppy beer, lemon zest, marmalade, hints of white pepper. With water, marmalade, honey, malted grains.
Finish: Medium. Lemon zest, marmalade, honey, malted grains, hints of peaches.
Comments:
Quite citrusy, but has the young whisky lactic note. Stone fruit notes abound as well, and some jammy marmalade. Water brings out more barley and honeyed sweetness.
Verdict:
I like this.
Four Roses Limited Edition 2024 Release
Four Roses Limited Edition 2024 Release
Official bottling
Single bourbon - Kentucky
Dark amber
54.1% ABV
Dram
Nose: Oak chips, chocolate, brown paper, raisins, honey, black tea, butter. With water, orange peel, brown paper, black tea.
Mouthfeel: Light body, volatile, mouth coating, astringent.
Tasting: Salty sweet. Raisins, oak chips, vanilla, brown paper, sea salt, fresh baked bread, cornflakes. With water, brown paper, chocolate, black tea.
Finish: Short. Black tea, oak chips, vanilla, sea salt.
Comments:
Sweet and luscious, Four Roses is always buttery and chock full of cornflakes. Water brings out notes of chocolate and orange peel, almost like a Terry’s. Decent bourbon.
Verdict:
I like this.
Official bottling
Single bourbon - Kentucky
Dark amber
54.1% ABV
Dram
Nose: Oak chips, chocolate, brown paper, raisins, honey, black tea, butter. With water, orange peel, brown paper, black tea.
Mouthfeel: Light body, volatile, mouth coating, astringent.
Tasting: Salty sweet. Raisins, oak chips, vanilla, brown paper, sea salt, fresh baked bread, cornflakes. With water, brown paper, chocolate, black tea.
Finish: Short. Black tea, oak chips, vanilla, sea salt.
Comments:
Sweet and luscious, Four Roses is always buttery and chock full of cornflakes. Water brings out notes of chocolate and orange peel, almost like a Terry’s. Decent bourbon.
Verdict:
I like this.
Allt-a-Bhainne 7yo 2016/2024
Allt-a-Bhainne 7yo 2016/2024
Connoisseur’s Dram, DH Global Imports
Single malt - Speyside
Dark brown
61.7% ABV
Dram
Nose: Lemon zest, walnuts, sea salt, black pepper, raisins, cloves. With water, raisins, ink, iron filings.
Mouthfeel: Light body, astringent, hot, tingly.
Tasting: Salty sweet. Raisins, sea salt, olive brine, walnuts, vanilla, hazelnuts, honey, raisins. With water, vanilla, ink, honey, raisins.
Finish: Long. Sea salt, walnuts, black pepper, honey.
Comments:
Heavily sherried whisky, with notes of raisins, and hazelnuts. The oloroso cask has conferred slightly savoury notes, with sea salt and olive brine, and they pair well with the sweet honey and dried fruit. With water, it turns slightly metallic.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Connoisseur’s Dram, DH Global Imports
Single malt - Speyside
Dark brown
61.7% ABV
Dram
Nose: Lemon zest, walnuts, sea salt, black pepper, raisins, cloves. With water, raisins, ink, iron filings.
Mouthfeel: Light body, astringent, hot, tingly.
Tasting: Salty sweet. Raisins, sea salt, olive brine, walnuts, vanilla, hazelnuts, honey, raisins. With water, vanilla, ink, honey, raisins.
Finish: Long. Sea salt, walnuts, black pepper, honey.
Comments:
Heavily sherried whisky, with notes of raisins, and hazelnuts. The oloroso cask has conferred slightly savoury notes, with sea salt and olive brine, and they pair well with the sweet honey and dried fruit. With water, it turns slightly metallic.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Speyburn Rum Cask Finish
Speyburn Rum Cask Finish
Official bottling
Single malt - Speyside
Amber
40% ABV
Dram
Nose: Passionfruit, pineapples, malted grains, vanilla, burnt sugar, cloves, nutmeg.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, cool, tingly, mouth coating.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Burnt sugar, marshmallows, passionfruit, pineapples, honey, hints of raisins.
Finish: Long. Malted grains, pineapples, black tea, nutmeg.
Comments:
Decent rum finished whisky. There’s the slightly smoky toffee note, with plenty of tropical fruit and vanilla sweetness. There’s finish is surprisingly long too, with heaps of pineapples, and the barley peeking through.
Verdict:
I like this.
Official bottling
Single malt - Speyside
Amber
40% ABV
Dram
Nose: Passionfruit, pineapples, malted grains, vanilla, burnt sugar, cloves, nutmeg.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, cool, tingly, mouth coating.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Burnt sugar, marshmallows, passionfruit, pineapples, honey, hints of raisins.
Finish: Long. Malted grains, pineapples, black tea, nutmeg.
Comments:
Decent rum finished whisky. There’s the slightly smoky toffee note, with plenty of tropical fruit and vanilla sweetness. There’s finish is surprisingly long too, with heaps of pineapples, and the barley peeking through.
Verdict:
I like this.
Wednesday, 7 May 2025
SMWS 49.4 (St Magdalene 12yo 1980/1992)
SMWS 49.4 (St Magdalene 12yo 1980/1992)
1992, SMWS
Single malt - Lowlands
White wine
62.8% ABV
Dram
Nose: Pears, magic marker, cucumbers, cinnamon, white grapes, fresh cut grass, hints of acetone. With water, magic marker, cucumbers, cinnamon.
Mouthfeel: Light body, loosens, volatile, hot.
Tasting: Sour. Acetone, fresh baked bread, fresh cut grass, white grapes, lemon zest, vanilla, honeycomb, hints of nutmeg. With water, honeycomb, pears, candle wax, hints of dried apricots.
Finish: Long. White pepper, white grapes, malted grains, vanilla, fresh cut grass.
Comments:
Delicate, but with surprisingly well defined flavour layers. Water brings out delicious floral, waxy notes, and reminds me of sitting in a meadow with bees, flowers and grass. Very lovely whisky indeed.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
1992, SMWS
Single malt - Lowlands
White wine
62.8% ABV
Dram
Nose: Pears, magic marker, cucumbers, cinnamon, white grapes, fresh cut grass, hints of acetone. With water, magic marker, cucumbers, cinnamon.
Mouthfeel: Light body, loosens, volatile, hot.
Tasting: Sour. Acetone, fresh baked bread, fresh cut grass, white grapes, lemon zest, vanilla, honeycomb, hints of nutmeg. With water, honeycomb, pears, candle wax, hints of dried apricots.
Finish: Long. White pepper, white grapes, malted grains, vanilla, fresh cut grass.
Comments:
Delicate, but with surprisingly well defined flavour layers. Water brings out delicious floral, waxy notes, and reminds me of sitting in a meadow with bees, flowers and grass. Very lovely whisky indeed.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Inverleven 11yo 1989/2001
Inverleven 11yo 1989/2001
Mackillop’s Choice
Single malt - Lowlands
Bright yellow
64.1% ABV
Mackillop’s Choice
Single malt - Lowlands
Bright yellow
64.1% ABV
Dram
Nose: Malted grains, lemon zest, pears, white grapes, cream, peanuts, persimmons, hints of creme fraiche. With water, lemon zest, malted grains, peanuts.
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, hot, volatile, astringent.
Tasting: Sour sweet. Malted grains, fresh baked bread, pears, honey, orange blossom, cream, persimmons. With water, malted grains, peanuts, pears, hints of fresh baked bread.
Finish: Medium. Malted grains, walnut skins, lemon zest, creme fraiche.
Comments:
Nutty and fruity. There’s a bitterness coming through, but it’s still quite floral. The high ABV makes it heavy and oily, and a fair amount of water is needed to bring out maltiness and other cereally flavours. A great chance to drink a rare whisky.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Nose: Malted grains, lemon zest, pears, white grapes, cream, peanuts, persimmons, hints of creme fraiche. With water, lemon zest, malted grains, peanuts.
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, hot, volatile, astringent.
Tasting: Sour sweet. Malted grains, fresh baked bread, pears, honey, orange blossom, cream, persimmons. With water, malted grains, peanuts, pears, hints of fresh baked bread.
Finish: Medium. Malted grains, walnut skins, lemon zest, creme fraiche.
Comments:
Nutty and fruity. There’s a bitterness coming through, but it’s still quite floral. The high ABV makes it heavy and oily, and a fair amount of water is needed to bring out maltiness and other cereally flavours. A great chance to drink a rare whisky.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
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