Corsair Rasputin

Corsair Rasputin 

Official bottling 
Single bourbon - Tennessee
Red gold
43% ABV
Dram

Nose: Chocolate, cherry, brass polish, cream, key lime, hints of burnt plastic. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, loosens, watery, spicy. 
Tasting: Bitter. Cherries, chocolate, brass polish, coffee, key lime, burnt plastic, hints of sour plum. 
Finish: Long. Coffee, key lime, chocolate, cherry, sour plum. 

Comments: 

The distillers brewed a Russian imperial stout (one of the very best beers one can drink), and used that as the mash from which the whisky was eventually distilled. The whisky has been hopped, which dramatically changes its flavour profile. This is experimental, and it shows. It is fragrant and complex, with loads of wonderful flavours - but offset by an acrid tang of what I can only describe as burnt plastic. The finish is wonderfully long and complex though, and I can still taste sour plums, limes and coffee, 5 hours and 2 meals on.


Verdict:

Not bad.

Corsair Small Batch Triple Smoke

Corsair Small Batch Triple Smoke

Official bottling
Single bourbon - Tennessee
Yellow gold
40% ABV
Dram

Nose: Orange juice, key lime, honey, grass, smoke, hints of leather. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, fizzy, airy, turns watery. 
Tasting: Bitter sour. Orange juice, key lime, honey, lemon zest, grass, hints of leather. 
Finish: Short. Key lime, lemon zest, grass, hints of leather. 

Comments: 

An unusual sort of American whiskey. No notes of bananas, not a hint. Instead, I get loads of citrus and smoke. Well, it certainly does what it says on the bottle, but it's a gentle smoke, subtle, and not in-your-face like the Islays. Deliciously refreshing.


Verdict:

I like this a lot.

George Dickel Barrel Select

George Dickel Barrel Select

Official bottling
Single bourbon - Tennessee
Amber, tinge of green
43% ABV 
Dram

Nose: Vanilla, oak, bananas, cardamom, icing sugar, hints of leather, hints of brown paper. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, oily, loose, watery. 
Tasting: Sweet. Vanilla, oak, bananas, cardamom, pears, hints of leather. 
Finish: Long. Raisins, pears, cardamom. 

Comments: 

A bourbon (sorry, Tennessee whiskey) not dominated by bananas, cardboard or brown paper. Really complex, I think this must be older than most bourbons - 12 years and up perhaps? Spicy and tangy. Very nice indeed. To think that this isn't the small batch, named barrel version.


Verdict:

I like this a lot.

The Famous Grouse

The Famous Grouse

Official bottling 
Blended malt
Amber
40% ABV 
Dram

Nose: Oranges, toffee, icing sugar, grilled meat, honey, hints of chocolate. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, syrupy, thickens. 
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Oranges, honey, chocolate, lemon zest, milk, hints of smoke, hints of quinine. 
Finish: Short. Quinine, oranges, milk, lemon zest. 

Comments: 

Citrusy and sweet, yet not delicate at all. It's robust, even muscular, and on the tongue there's a sort of heavy bitterness that lingers through into the finish. It's hard-drinking whisky, it doesn't slip down easily, but is rewarding for all that.

Verdict:

I like this.

SMWS 26.96 (Clynelish 10 yo 2003/2014)

SMWS 26.96 (Clynelish 10 yo 2003/2014)

2014, SMWS
Single malt - North Highlands
Honey 
61.4% ABV
Dram

Nose: Milk, cream, apples, walnuts, honey, hints of olive oil. With water, bread, savoury, tomatoes. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, thickens, chewy, warming. 
Tasting: Sweet. Lemon zest, cream, apples, walnuts, honey, hints of olive oil. With water, more savoury, tomatoes, nuttier. 
Finish: Long. Cream, lemons, apples, pineapples, bread. 

Comments: 

Oof - somewhat young, and somewhat strong. Needed more water than the customary dribble to get it to develop. Still, an atypical Clynelish, water brings out a tartness and savouriness that suggests tomatoes and nuts. Rather interesting.


Verdict:

I like this.

SMWS 25.65 (Rosebank 22 yo 1991/2014)

SMWS 25.65 (Rosebank 22 yo 1991/2014)

2014, SMWS
Single malt - Lowlands
Straw 
50% ABV
Dram

Nose: Peaches, papayas, lemon zest, rhubarb and custard sweets, hints of ginger. With water, bread, apples. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, thickens, spicy, warming. 
Tasting: Sweet sour. Peach, mint, papayas, rhubarb and custard sweets, hints of apples, hints of ginger. With water, turns more savoury, bready, stewed apples. 
Finish: Long. Rhubarb and custard sweets, lemon zest, mint, ginger. 

Comments: 

Mmm. Lovely, lovely Rosebank, full of the typical rhubarb and custard notes I've come to associate with this distillery. This is peak drinking quality. The stuff must be running out; best taste it if you can.


Verdict:

I like this a lot.
 

Glen Garioch 'West Highland Line' 12 yo

Glen Garioch 'West Highland Line' 12 yo

Official bottling 
Single malt - East Highlands
Dark gold
40% ABV
Sampler

Nose: Mint, chocolate, leather, oats, hints of cherries. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, thins, turns watery, smooth. 
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Leather, oats, cherries, chocolate, coffee, hints of butterscotch. 
Finish: Short. Leather, oats, chocolate. 

Comments: 

I don't know whether this is a different whisky from the old Glen Garioch 12 yo, but, as that's no longer available, I suppose this is my last best chance of trying it. Quite fruity, with a good range of flavours, and superbly easy to drink. Yum.

Verdict:

I like this.

Paul John Brilliance

Paul John Brilliance

Official bottling  
Single malt - Goa
Dark gold 
46% ABV
Dram

Nose: Peanuts, honey, vanilla, hay, bread, hints of apple. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, smooth, watery. 
Tasting: Sweet sour. Cream, honey, hay, walnuts, peanuts, hints of apple. 
Finish: Long. Bread, cream, honey, peanuts. 

Comments: 

Cereally, nutty, creamy. The phrase 'bread of heaven' came to mind. This is tasty whisky, and complex for its age (apparently 4-5 years old). This is what tropical aging creates. More, please.

Verdict:

I like this.

Penderyn Madeira Finish

Penderyn Madeira Finish

Official bottling 
Single malt - South Wales
Golden
46% ABV 
Dram

Nose: Oranges, apricots, caramel, vanilla, white grapes, hints of white wine. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, creamy, thickens. 
Tasting: Bitter sour. Apricots, caramel, vanilla, white chocolate, white grapes, white wine. 
Finish: Medium. White chocolate, white grapes, white wine. 

Comments: 

White everything! The madeira cask clearly imparts the winey notes, but the white chocolate and the fruit were surprises. Very tasty whisky.

Verdict:

I like this.

SMWS 94.4 (Fettercairn 24 yo 1989/2013)

SMWS 94.4 (Fettercairn 24 yo 1989/2013)

2013, SMWS
Single malt - East Highlands
Light gold
52.3% ABV
Dram

Nose: Lemons, freshly cut grass, hazelnuts, brass polish, apricots. With water, red peppers, hay. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, thickens, turns syrupy. 
Tasting: Sweet sour. Milk, hazelnuts, orange zest, apricots, brass polish. With water, salty, hints of olive oil, grass. 
Finish: Medium. Apricots, orange zest, hints of chillies. 

Comments: 

Complex and confusing, a bit of a mess if I'm honest. My own tastebuds and nose aren't in the greatest tasting shape, but I suspect this whisky really has a lot going on.

Verdict:

Not bad.