Suntory Hibiki 17 yo

Suntory Hibiki 17 yo

Official bottling
Blended malt
Golden brown
43% ABV
Dram

Nose: Soy sauce, raisins, oatcake, apricots, cucumber, hazelnuts, hints of peat, hints of sea salt.
Mouthfeel: Light body, water, expands.
Tasting: Sweet sour. Malty beer, apricots, raisins, hazelnuts, soy sauce, butter.
Finish: Medium. Butter, apricots.

Comments:

Mmm... flavour explosion! Very fruity, with some soy sauce notes that create a savoury counterpoint, overlaid with butter. If there is a weakness it's the finish, which is a little short and slightly too buttery. Great whisky, I don't care if it's a blend.

Verdict:

I like this a lot.

Blair Athol 12 yo 1993/2005

Blair Athol 12 yo 1993/2005

Provenance, Douglas Laing
Single malt - Central Highlands
Golden yellow
46% ABV
Dram

Nose: Raisins, peaches, leather, orange peel, rosehips, malty beer, hints of peat.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, static, slightly watery around the edges.
Tasting: Sweet sour. Coffee, leather, malty beer, raisins, walnut skins, white grapes, peaches.
Finish: Long. Coffee, raisins, leather, walnut skins.

Comments:

Sweet and fruity. Nice notes of coffee in the taste and finish, with walnut skins to provide and accentuate some bitterness. Could do with a little more strength, then it would really taste like rum and raisin...

Verdict:

I like this.

Braeval 8 yo

Braeval 8 yo

Old Malt Cask, Douglas Laing
Single malt - Speyside
Golden
50% ABV
Mini

Nose: Vanilla, barley sugar, nutmeg, cinnamon, christmas pudding, cookie dough, hints of orange peel.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, thickens in the mouth, egg white.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Coffee, orange peel, cinnamon, vanilla, cookie dough.
Finish: Short. Coffee, vanilla, orange peel.

Comments:

Lousy packaging - the bottle started leaking before I got home! The smell was glorious though, Christmas pudding, all manner of sweet spice and orange peel, and even a little chocolate chip cookie. The nose however promised more than the taste delivered. The mouthfeel and taste gave away how young this whisky was.

Verdict:

I like this.

SMWS 44.38 (Craigellachie 9 yo 1999/2008)

SMWS 44.38 (Craigellachie 9 yo 1999/2008)

2008, SMWS
Single malt - Speyside
Pink gold
61.1% ABV
Dram

Nose: Caramel, butter, toffee, honey, honeycomb, raisins, treacle.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, turns watery, very loose.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Apples, chocolate, vanilla, butter, raisins, oak.
Finish: Medium. Oak, chocolate, vanilla, apples.

Comments:

Sweet, some fruit, a little like fruit cake with some wine on the side. Not particularly interesting, slightly too appley. Not objectionable though. Not my type of mouthfeel. 26 November wasn't a good night for whisky.

Verdict:

Not bad.

SMWS 35.25 (Glen Moray 10 yo 1998/2008)

SMWS 35.25 (Glen Moray 10 yo 1998/2008)

2008, SMWS
Single malt - Speyside
Pink gold
59.1% ABV
Dram

Nose: Peat, butter, smoked ham, toffee, raisins, Brazil nuts, hints of apples.
Mouthfeel: Light body, tingly, volatile, thickens in the mouth.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Brazil nuts, hazelnuts, mint, vanilla, honey, hints of peat, hints of butter.
Finish: Short. Salty, Brazil nuts, orange peel.

Comments:

You can have too much of a good thing I suppose. There's a really interesting whisky lurking inside this, but it's hidden in folds and layers of Brazil nut. I like Brazil nuts as much as the next man, but having to scrape through to find sweet, fruity and meaty notes underneath is a little frustrating. Shame.

Verdict:

Not bad.

SMWS 122.17 (Loch Lomond "Croftengea" 16 yo 1992/2008)

SMWS 122.17 (Loch Lomond "Croftengea" 16 yo 1992/2008)

2008, SMWS
Single malt - South Highlands
Light gold
58.2% ABV
Dram

Nose: Peat, smoke, tar, salt ham, smoked chicken, butter, apples, hints of coal.
Mouthfeel: Light body, volatile, hot, tingly.
Tasting: Bitter salty. Smoke, apples, raisins, smoked chicken, soy sauce, butter, hints of lime.
Finish: Long. Smoky, coal, smoked chicken.

Comments:

Peated Loch Lomond (hence branded Croftengea) made in Lomond stills. Tastes a little like roast chicken that sat too long in a coal fire. The hints of lime make me think of Thai food - perhaps a little like pad thai perhaps? Interesting, and quite delicious.

Verdict:

I like this.

SMWS 7.38 (Longmorn 38 yo 1968/2007)

SMWS 7.38 (Longmorn 38 yo 1968/2007)

2007, SMWS
Single malt - Speyside
Mahogany
52.5% ABV
Dram

Nose: Sherry, coriander, oak, vanilla, apples, orange peel, hints of black pepper.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, watery, thickens slightly in the mouth, astringent.
Tasting: Sweet. Coriander, chilli pepper, rubber bands, apples, marmalade, hints of brown paper.
Finish: Long. Red grapes, warm, salty.

Comments:

The oldest whisky I've tasted so far (and, given the credit crunch, the oldest whisky I'm likely to taste for a while). Sherry cask matured, with a tang of coriander seed that differentiates it from the best sherried Glen Grants. Very tasty, and unique.

Verdict:

I like this a lot.

Nikka Whisky from the Barrel

Nikka Whisky from the Barrel

Official bottling
Blended malt
Amber
51.4% ABV
Bottle

Nose: Banana, vanilla, oak, pineapple, camphor, apple, hints of orange peel.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, slightly oily, thickens in the mouth.
Tasting: Sweet salty. Musk, camphor, banana, apples, melon, peat, hints of orange peel.
Finish: Long. Warm, chillies, vanilla.

Comments:

I'm not sure whether or not this is a blend or a vatted malt. The soft fruity oaky notes make me plump for the former. But there's a lot of robust stuff under the soft cloak - camphor, hints of chillies, and the muscular olive oil-like mouthfeel. My bottle (it only comes in half litres) gave me great pleasure.

Verdict:

I like this a lot.

Yamazaki 18 yo

Yamazaki 18 yo

Official bottling
Single malt - West Honshu
Amber
43% ABV
Dram

Nose: Peat, raisins, orange peel, custard, cloves, marmalade, grilled pork.
Mouthfeel: Light body, watery, expands in the mouth.
Tasting: Sweet sour. Peat, orange peel, walnuts, sherry, raisins, bitter melon, black pepper.
Finish: Long. Oranges, bitter melon, peat, ginseng.

Comments:

Voted best whisky in the world in 2008. Even at low strength the spiciness comes through, and there's excellent variety - I almost wrote down coriander seed and cardamom, but realised that they were ghost notes, not even hints. It's not that easy to describe this whisky. Excellent char siu in the nose, reminiscent of five spice powder perhaps?

Verdict:

I like this a lot.

SMWS 78.39 (Ben Nevis 10 yo 1997/2008)

SMWS 78.39 (Ben Nevis 10 yo 1997/2008)

2008, SMWS
Single malt - West Highlands
Amber red
54.4% ABV
Dram

Nose: Butter, custard, leather, raisins, vanilla, cinnamon, cloves.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, dry, astringent, tannic.
Tasting: Sweet sour. Oat porridge, dried cranberries, raisins, black tea, mulled wine, hints of citrus.
Finish: Long. Dry, citrus, vanilla, coca cola.

Comments:

For something so young, this has excellent depth of flavour - almost like an aged Glen Grant. Except there's a lot more fruit, and hints of cereal, tea and coca cola. Loaded with leather and butter in the nose too. Very good indeed.

Verdict:

I like this a lot.

SMWS 77.15 (Glen Ord 21 yo 1987/2008)

SMWS 77.15 (Glen Ord 21 yo 1987/2008)

2008, SMWS
Single malt - North Highlands
Peach gold
54.5% ABV
Dram

Nose: Custard, butter, hazelnuts, rose petals, vanilla, oranges, walnuts.
Mouthfeel: Light body, volatile, hot, tingly.
Tasting: Sweet. Marmalade, custard, hazelnuts, fried eggs, vanilla, tobacco leaf, coconut, hints of cloves.
Finish: Medium. Rose petals, coconut.

Comments:

If you could make crumble out of roses, it would taste like this. Perhaps enhanced a little with some drops of orange oil, and hazelnuts scattered on top. Loaded with custard and other nice eggy flavours!

Verdict:

I like this.

SMWS 3.142 (Bowmore 18 yo 1990/2008)

SMWS 3.142 (Bowmore 18 yo 1990/2008)

2008, SMWS
Single malt - Islay
Pale gold
58.5% ABV
Dram

Nose: Grilled meat, smoke, peat, marmite, carbolic soap, soy sauce, hints of toffee.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, astringent, thickens.
Tasting: Sweet salty. Smoke, peat, peanut butter, soy sauce, marmite, grilled meat, caramel, hints of garlic.
Finish: Long. Chillies, peat, soy sauce, black pepper.

Comments:

Interesting, slightly harsh and abrasive Bowmore. I like the notes of marmite and carbolic soap, one of those "madness or genius" combinations (although carbolic soap is poisonous, no?). Lots of soy sauce, grilled meat and black pepper too - very barbecuey.

Verdict:

I like this.

SMWS 19.43 (Glen Garioch 19 yo 1988/2008)

SMWS 19.43 (Glen Garioch 19 yo 1988/2008)

2008, SMWS
Single malt - East Highlands
Golden
53.2% ABV
Dram

Nose: Peaches, coca cola, oranges, lemons, brass polish, hints of smoke.
Mouthfeel: Light body, hot, thickens quickly.
Tasting: Sweet sour. Apples, pears, lemons, orange peel, peaches, pistachios, hints of jasmine.
Finish: Medium. Pears, peaches, hints of smoke.

Comments:

Flowery and fruity, with a punchy tangy sweetness that sits strangely with the high alcohol content and light body. This whisky draws you in, and demands that you drink more. I had another couple of drams just sitting and thinking.

Verdict:

I like this a lot.

SMWS 1.140 (Glenfarclas 14 yo 1993/2008

SMWS 1.140 (Glenfarclas 14 yo 1993/2008)

2008, SMWS
Single malt - Speyside
Golden
58.1% ABV
Dram

Nose: Butter, raisins, custard, grilled beef, honey, pineapples, peaches, vanilla .
Mouthfeel: Light body, astringent, slightly watery.
Tasting: Sweet sour. Hazelnuts, butter, custard, walnut skins, green apples.
Finish: Medium. Lemons, green apples, raisins, vanilla.

Comments:

Green apples, lots and lots of them, combined with meaty, fruity notes, with a slight bitter tang. Interesting, and very unlike those fruitcakey official Glenfarclas bottlings. Delicious.

Verdict:

I like this.

SMWS 72.20 (Miltonduff 20 yo 1988/2008)

SMWS 72.20 (Miltonduff 20 yo 1988/2008)

2008, SMWS
Single malt - Speyside
Gold, tinge of pink
56.5% ABV
Dram

Nose: Orange oil, vanilla, cedar wood, lemon zest, hints of garlic, hints of smoked meat.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, hot, thickens in the mouth.
Tasting: Sweet sour. Butter, vanilla, orange peel, cedar, wood ash, lemon zest, Moroccan preserved lemons.
Finish: Medium. Garlic, butter, vanilla, caramel.

Comments:

Fruity, citrusy and sweet, nice smoky notes in the background. Quite tasty, except for the hints of garlic, which spoil it somewhat. Some you win, some you lose.

Verdict:

Not bad.

SMWS 64.16 (Mannochmore 23 yo 1984/2008)

SMWS 64.16 (Mannochmore 23 yo 1984/2008)

2008, SMWS
Single malt - Speyside
White wine
57.3% ABV
Dram

Nose: Grilled meat, grilled skate, smoke, caramel, popcorn, toffee, hints of peat.
Mouthfeel: Light body, hot, volatile.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Coffee, smoke, cinnamon, vanilla, toffee, hints of peat.
Finish: Long. Buttery, lemons, smoke, vanilla.

Comments:

Meaty and smoky, with quite a lot of fish... but slathered in caramel and vanilla! A strange combination, one that doesn't quite work, to my mind. Almost Ardbeggy, but not peaty enough.

Verdict:

Not bad.

SMWS 45.25 (Dallas Dhu 33 yo 1975/2008)

SMWS 45.25 (Dallas Dhu 33 yo 1975/2008)

2008, SMWS
Single malt - Speyside
Golden brown
48.3% ABV
Dram

Nose: Honey, tobacco leaf, raisins, vanilla, salt caramel, hints of oak.
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, rich, thick, tingly.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Coffee, custard, melon, honey, tobacco, strawberries.
Finish: Long. Slightly astringent, chillies, honey.

Comments:

Extremely fine whisky! Honey-laden, slightly spicy, tangy like a Cuban cigar. Perfect body that rolls around on the tongue. I love this. It's one of the best I have ever tasted.

Verdict:

I like this a lot.

SMWS 104.11 (Glencraig 34 yo 1974/2008)

SMWS 104.11 (Glencraig 34 yo 1974/2008)

2008, SMWS
Single malt - Speyside
Golden
47.8% ABV
Dram

Nose: Coffee, raisins, runner beans, cedar, sandalwood, apples.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, static, slightly watery around the edges.
Tasting: Salty sour. Coffee, butter, vanilla, starfruit, mango, cloves, chocolate, melon.
Finish: Medium. Citrus, sandalwood, incense, mango.

Comments:

Ooh. Lovely perfumy notes - incense, sandalwood, like a Buddhist temple. Chocolate and mango too, with some other fruits and spice. Very nice indeed. Less perfumy than this one (described to me as "a Sophia Loren whisky") and actually a lot tastier.

Verdict:

I like this a lot.

SMWS 66.26 (Ardmore 23 yo 1985/2008)

SMWS 66.26 (Ardmore 23 yo 1985/2008)

2008, SMWS
Single malt - Speyside
Pink gold
52.3% ABV
Dram

Nose: Walnuts, smoke, soy sauce, bitter sweet caramel, sea salt.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, thickens, slightly watery around the edges.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Smoke, cigars, walnuts, lemons, orange peel, demerara sugar, hints of peat.
Finish: Short. Woody, bitter, hints of orange peel.

Comments:

Very smoky for a Speyside. And yet, almost a little too sweet. Still, there's a fair amount of orange peel and other citrus fruit that marries well with the peat and smoke. Delicious.

Verdict:

I like this a lot.

SMWS 124.1 (Miyagikyo 16 yo 1988/2005)

SMWS 124.1 (Miyagikyo 16 yo 1988/2005)

2005, SMWS
Single malt - West Honshu
Bronze
59.4% ABV
Dram

Nose: Apples, cognac, rubber bands, butter, hints of peat, hints of hazelnut.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, tingly, warm, astringent.
Tasting: Sweet. Apples, peanuts, pears, magic marker, turmeric, hints of lemon juice.
Finish: Long. Spicy, cayenne pepper, salty.

Comments:

I'm beginning to get some of the differences between Japanese whiskey and Scotch. Japanese whisky, to me, has a little more saltiness, married with fruit, like ume, the Japanese salted plums. Scotch is a little more diverse. This Miyagikyo has a great dealt of fruitiness, the requisite salt, plus something quite earthy and pungent - turmeric, maybe. Very interesting.

Verdict:

I like this.

Port Ellen 25 yo 1982/2008

Port Ellen 25 yo 1982/2008

Independent bottling, Dormant Distillery Co
Single malt - Islay
Golden
57.3% ABV
Dram

Nose: Smoke, peat, lemons, oranges, black pepper, hints of kippers.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, slightly oily, thickens.
Tasting: Sour. Smoke, peat, kippers, leather, lemons, peanuts, sea salt, custard, honey.
Finish: Short. Smoke, peanuts, lemons, leather.

Comments:

Very nice indeed. So good that there's no need to add water. Lots of the leathery, fishy character that is says Port Ellen to me. Great mouth feel too. There's not much of this left, have to enjoy whatever I can get!

Verdict:

I like this a lot.

Brora 26 yo 1981/2007

Brora 26 yo 1981/2007 Signatory Cask Strength

Cask Strength, Signatory
Single malt - North Highlands
Mahogany
57.1% ABV
Dram

Nose: Oranges, sherry, rubber bands, cognac, strawberry, coriander.
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, thick, oily.
Tasting: Sweet. Oak, vanilla, oranges, raisins, coriander, rubber bands. With water, it gets more fruity - oranges, mainly. Also stronger notes of coriander and some hints of peat.
Finish: Long. Cayenne pepper, black pepper, vanilla.

Comments:

Cask #1520, 391 bottles. A little too much wood in the taste, although the nose was fantastic. Lots of fruit if you look for it, and it's quite peppery and spicy, differentiating it from the very nice aged Glen Grants I've had. It was a little underwhelming though, because of what came before it.

Verdict:

I like this.

St Magdalene 32 yo 1975/2008

St Magdalene 32 yo 1975/2008

Distillery Labels, Gordon & Macphail
Single malt - Lowlands
Amber
43% ABV
Dram

Nose: Coca cola, raisins, orange peel, lemons, oat bread, hints of soy sauce.
Mouthfeel: Light body, oily, thickens slightly.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Peanuts, hazelnuts, sherry, prunes, apples, pears, oranges, hints of peat, hints of smoke.
Finish: Long. Coca cola, leather, raisins.

Comments:

Best dram of the night! So good I didn't want to ruin it with water. I loved the slightly biting, very slightly minty coca cola notes, unique in my experience. Fruity and robust without being overpowering, even a little bit of smoke. Not your usual Lowlands whisky.

Verdict:

I like this a lot.

Dallas Dhu 26 yo 1979/2006

Dallas Dhu 26 yo 1979/2006 Chieftain's Choice

Chieftain's Choice, Ian Macleod
Single malt - Speyside
Pale gold
48.5% ABV
Dram

Nose: Ginger, white chocolate, soy sauce, strawberries, vanilla, tobacco leaf.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, thickens slightly, oily.
Tasting: Sweet. Cigars, tobacco leaf, ginger, raisins, coriander, orange peel, apples, pears.
Finish: Long. Smoke, molasses, soy sauce, apples.

Comments:

Cask #90721, 348 bottles. The rum finish lends ginger and chocolate to the whisky. It also tastes vaguely of tobacco, quite Cuban. Very tasty indeed, but it took me a while to get into this. I decided against buying the remaining half bottle, as I think I prefer the unfinished Dallas Dhus.

Verdict:

I like this.

Imperial 9 yo "Battlehill"

Imperial 9 yo "Battlehill"

Battlehill, Duncan Taylor
Single malt - Speyside
Light amber
43% ABV
Dram

Nose: Pears, magic marker, soy sauce, apples, hints of peat.
Mouthfeel: Light body, watery, thickens slightly.
Tasting: Sweet sour. Lemons, pears, raspberries, strawberries, hints of rose. With water, more rose, sweeter notes, more floral.
Finish: Short. Rose, pears, peanuts.

Comments:

Decent dram, if a bit young and spirity. Mellowed with water, lots of fruit and rose. My first Imperial - I like.

Verdict:

I like this.

Rosebank 12 yo Flora & Fauna

Rosebank 12 yo Flora & Fauna

Flora & Fauna, official bottling
Single malt - Lowlands
Straw
43% ABV
Dram

Nose: Strawberries, raisins, lavender, lemons, oat bread, sponge cake, caramel.
Mouthfeel: Light body, watery, slightly oily.
Tasting: Sweet sour. Lemons, brass polish, strawberries, hints of orange peel.
Finish: Long. Tingly, lemon peel, coconut sweets.

Comments:

Had this at a Royal Mile Whiskies tasting, with the theme "Silent Stills". Light and lovely, although sweeter than I expected. Less lemony and bold than the unofficial Rosebanks. I really like this. They shouldn't have closed this distillery! I believe the bottle was release #12.

Verdict:

I like this a lot.

Mortlach 15 yo

Mortlach 15 yo

Distillery Labels, Gordon & Macphail
Single malt - Speyside
Amber, tinge of rose
43% ABV
Dram

Nose: Hazelnuts, vanilla, malt beer, banana, pineapple, hints of sherry.
Mouthfeel: Light body, slightly watery, thickens quickly.
Tasting: Sweet. Lemon peel, pineapple, banana, vanilla, cotton candy.
Finish: Short. Peanut skin, bitter sweet.

Comments:

This was a bottle that I bought for a friend, on recommendation from the staff at La Maison du Whisky in Paris. It was exactly what they said it would be - fruity, pineappley and sweet. Good introductory bottle. Very enjoyable indeed.

Verdict:

I like this.

SMWS 103.13 (Royal Lochnagar 18 yo 1986/2005)

SMWS 103.13 (Royal Lochnagar 18 yo 1986/2005)

2005, SMWS
Single malt - East Highlands
Pale gold
55.9% ABV
Dram

Nose: White grapes, cloves, cinnamon, soy sauce, roast chicken, oat bread, raisins.
Mouthfeel: Light body, watery, volatile.
Tasting: Sweet sour. Raisins, candied winter melon, toast, brown paper, hints of peat, hints of dates, hints of lo han guo.
Finish: Long. Sour, winter melon, oat bread.

Comments:

I got the last dram in this bottle - it was a bin end, sitting on the bar, going for cheap. It's got some of the oat bread notes that characterise Royal Lochnagar for me, but allied with sweet fruit, almost herbal, and sumptuous roast chicken notes. Not a suitable one to end a tasting session normally, but it was a lucky find.

Verdict:

I like this a lot.

SMWS 93.29 (Glen Scotia 15 yo 1992/2008)

SMWS 93.29 (Glen Scotia 15 yo 1992/2008)

2008, SMWS
Single malt - Campbeltown
Gold, tinge of pink
64.6% ABV
Dram

Nose: Peat, roast ham, dark chocolate, butter, apples, soy sauce, hints of orange peel.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, thickens in the mouth, oily.
Tasting: Bitter salty. Cayenne pepper, brown paper, apples, runner beans, peat, grass, smoke, hints of roast ham.
Finish: Long. Soy sauce, roast ham, apples, peat.

Comments:

Wow. Very strong, but very drinkable too. No water needed at all. Very meaty and savoury, with lots of sweet things in the nose, particularly apples. Somewhat less on the tongue and in the finish, but lots of that sweet savoury roast ham.

Verdict:

I like this.

SMWS 84.10 (Glendullan 10 yo 1997/2008)

SMWS 84.10 (Glendullan 10 yo 1997/2008)

2008, SMWS
Single malt - Speyside
White wine
58% ABV
Dram

Nose: Butter, black tea, oranges, white grapes, dark chocolate, hints of anchovies, hints of roast chicken.
Mouthfeel: Light body, warm, volatile, static.
Tasting: Sweet salty. Raisins, butter, cinnamon, white grapes, lemons, hints of roast chicken .
Finish: Medium. Sour cream, lemons, roast chicken.

Comments:

Very meaty and savoury, surprisingly so. Reminds me of my mother's roast chicken and potato stuffing. Some fruit lurking around, but it's hidden under wafts of roast chicken and accompanying savoury condiments.

Verdict:

I like this a lot.

SMWS 63.21 (Glentauchers 18 yo 1989/2008)

SMWS 63.21 (Glentauchers 18 yo 1989/2008)

2008, SMWS
Single malt - Speyside
Honey gold
53.6% ABV
Dram

Nose: Boiled sweets, black tea, almonds, butter, coconut, lemons, hints of roast ham.
Mouthfeel: Light body, watery, expands slightly in the mouth.
Tasting: Sweet. Orange peel, coconut, lemons, butter cookies, vanilla, black tea.
Finish: Medium. Lemons, vanilla, caramel.

Comments:

Shows no influence of peat, except maybe for the very subtle roast ham in the nose. Lots of butter, vanilla and fruit, just like a pound cake I suppose. Still quite light for a Speyside, tasty indeed.

Verdict:

I like this.

SMWS 22.23 (Glenkinchie 18 yo 1987/2006)

SMWS 22.23 (Glenkinchie 18 yo 1987/2006)

2006, SMWS
Single malt - Lowlands
Golden
52.6% ABV
Dram

Nose: Lemons, sandalwood, black tea, cloves, orange peel, hints of bitter lemon zest.
Mouthfeel: Light body, egg white, slippery in the mouth.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Lemons, custard, cloves, oat bread, hints of raisins and lemon thyme.
Finish: Short. Lemons, demerara sugar, sponge cake.

Comments:

Light and perfumed, perfect way to start an afternoon drinking session. A little too sticky in the mouth perhaps, but otherwise a very enjoyable whisky indeed. Reminded me, despite the total absence of any smoke or peat, of the clove cigarettes that people smoke in Indonesia.

Verdict:

I like this.

Royal Lochnagar 12 yo

Royal Lochnagar 12 yo

Official bottling
Single malt - East Highlands
Golden
43% ABV
Dram

Nose: Raisins, oat bread, orange peel, cinnamon, hints of peat, hints of cardamom.
Mouthfeel: Light body, watery, thickens in the mouth.
Tasting: Sweet salty. Raisins, oat bread, honey, cornflakes, hints of roast ham.
Finish: Medium. Honey, oat bread.

Comments:

Tasty and bready - much like raisin and oat bread rolls. Very more-ish, definitely an aperitif whisky, gets the saliva flowing. I had this before dinner at a restaurant, shame the food didn't match up to the drinks list.

Verdict:

I like this.

Springbank 31 yo 1974/2005 Cask Strength

Springbank 31 yo 1974/2005 Cask Strength

Chieftain's Choice, Ian MacLeod
Single malt - Campbeltown
Light gold
57.2% ABV
Dram

Nose: Peat, tyre rubber, raisins, white chocolate, oranges, fried eggs.
Mouthfeel: Light body, volatile, warm, tingly.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Butterscotch, sheep's wool, raisins, peanuts, peat, heather honey, tyre rubber, brown paper. Water brings out lots of molasses, less butterscotch.
Finish: Long. Peat, honey, molasses.

Comments:

Wow. Very complex and interesting. Not like anything I've ever had before - clearly Springbank is a distillery that creates excellent whisky. Sweet and smoky, even chemical, but in a pleasantly tasty way.

Verdict:

I like this a lot.

Glen Elgin 12 yo Flora & Fauna

Glen Elgin 12 yo Flora & Fauna

Flora & Fauna, official bottling
Single malt - Speyside
Golden
43% ABV
Dram

Nose: Peanuts, raisins, hazelnuts, hints of lavender, hints of boot polish.
Mouthfeel: Light body, watery, static.
Tasting: Sour. Peat, beer, spiced barley, hints of lavender, peanuts.
Finish: Medium. Slightly astringent, peanuts, hazelnuts.

Comments:

Very nutty, almost chemical. Slight floral flavours in the taste do lift the haze of nut flavours, but it's not that pleasant or interesting. Maybe I had a dram from a dud bottle, although the bottle was opened in front of me, and mine was the first dram poured.

Verdict:

Not bad.

Auchentoshan 1973 29 yo (1973/2003)

Auchentoshan 1973 29 yo (1973/2003)

Official bottling
Single malt - Lowlands
Dark amber red
55.8% ABV
Dram

Nose: Red wine, cognac, rubber bands, black pepper, peat, apples, rose petals.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, smooth, lightens up in the mouth.
Tasting: Sweet. Cognac, red grapes, apple cider, black pepper, brown paper. With water, lots more orange notes - marmalade, orange peel, orange juice.
Finish: Long. Orange peel, watermelon.

Comments:

Cask #793, sherry butt. Full on sherry monster, this one. Very like an aged Glen Grant, but lighter, very smooth, and a little more floral. Very nice fruit and black pepper in the mouth, just like eating strawberries in Italy!

Verdict:

I like this a lot.

Cardhu 12 yo

Cardhu 12 yo

Official bottling
Single malt - Speyside
Light gold
43% ABV
Dram

Nose: Raisins, hint of peat, white grapes, caramel, butterscotch, demerara sugar.
Mouthfeel: Light body, tingly, warm.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Honey, cayenne pepper, raisins, white grapes, strawberries, orange peel, hints of peat.
Finish: Short. Peanuts, raisins, white grapes.

Comments:

This is the Cardhu bottling that replaced the infamous Cardhu Pure Malt (something which wasn't wholly Cardhu spirit, and was rightly pulled by Diageo after massive complaints). Very raisiny and grapey without being too aggressive. Nice fruit and spiciness in the taste. Good whisky.

Verdict:

I like this.

SMWS 9.39 (Glen Grant 33 yo 1972/2006)

SMWS 9.39 (Glen Grant 33 yo 1972/2006)

2006, SMWS
Single malt - Speyside
Mahogany
51.8% ABV
Dram

Nose: Cognac, oak, raisins, rubber bands, black pepper, nectarines, brown paper, hints of cayenne pepper.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, static, slightly watery around the edges.
Tasting: Sweet. Christmas pudding, oak, brandy, glace cherries, cinnamon, nutmeg, apples, hints of peanuts.
Finish: Long. Coffee, apples, oak.

Comments:

Excellent old sherry monster. Tastes very similar to the DL OMC bottling I got for my birthday. There are slight differences - this one is more peppery and appley - but the lovely brandy, rubber band notes are exactly the same.

Verdict:

I like this a lot.

SMWS 73.26 (Aultmore 25 yo 1982/2008)

SMWS 73.26 (Aultmore 25 yo 1982/2008)

2008, SMWS
Single malt - Speyside
White wine
55.7% ABV
Dram

Nose: Orange peel, figs, salt caramel, black pepper, blueberries, hints of seaweed.
Mouthfeel: Light body, expands in the mouth, thickens slightly.
Tasting: Sweet salty. Oak, sherry, oranges, chocolate, raisins, brazil nuts. Water brings out more fruity notes - mango, kiwifruit, among others.
Finish: Long. Oak, leather, peaches, peanuts.

Comments:

Quite fruity and complex. After tasting 2 other whiskies in quick succession before this one, I probably wasn't able to appreciate it properly, particularly after adding water. Slightly salty too - add a little peat or smoke and it would be extremely delicious.

Verdict:

I like this.

SMWS 26.56 (Clynelish 8 yo 1999/2008)

SMWS 26.56 (Clynelish 8 yo 1999/2008)

2008, SMWS
Single malt - North Highlands
Straw
61.8% ABV
Dram

Nose: Lemons, sea salt, cheddar cheese, brass polish, limes, hints of mint.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, thickens, slightly watery around the edges.
Tasting: Sour salty. Lemons, lemon meringue pie, salted popcorn, mint, hint of olive oil.
Finish: Medium. Warm, chillies.

Comments:

Not very Clynelish-ey, at least to me. There are the lemon and brass notes I associate with this distillery, but they are quite muted. The whisky is surprisingly salty too. I would have thought this was an unpeated Caol Ila, perhaps, if there were such a thing. Very young and fiery.

Verdict:

Not bad.

SMWS 50.34 (Bladnoch 15 yo 1992/2008)

SMWS 50.34 (Bladnoch 15 yo 1992/2008)

2008, SMWS
Single malt - Lowlands
Straw
56.3% ABV
Dram

Nose: Raisins, butter, peaches, chocolate, blueberries, floral lightness.
Mouthfeel: Light body, watery, quite smooth.
Tasting: Sweet. Bread, cookie dough, grassy, chocolate, lettuce, lemons. With water, sweeter and more savoury, like a good carrot cake.
Finish: Medium. Dark chocolate, grapefruit.

Comments:

Light and subtle, this. Instantly identifiable as Lowlands, even though this is my first dram from this distillery. Gets more rough and heavy with water though, a little less enjoyable in my opinion.

Verdict:

I like this.

Balvenie Distillery

Balvenie Distillery
Dufftown
Keith
Banffshire AB55 ADH

Speyside, Scotland - Active

Flavour profile

I would consider Balvenie the quintessential Speyside - sweet, fruity, and not too heavy (but not too light either). For me, it's a benchmark malt, what I measure other Speysides against.

Balvenie is quite fruity, with lots of oranges (this seems to be consensus) and apricots (not really consensus). I think it's also got a fair bit of vanilla, although this flavour element is quite unobstrusive and is usually underlying the fruit. It's pretty ubiquitous though. There are lots of caramel notes going on too (do they add caramel to their official bottlings?) - caramel itself, dulce de leche, butterscotch, in the Wordle below.



All the Balvenies I've tasted so far are here.

Balvenie 12 yo Double Wood - good
Balvenie 15 yo Single Cask 1990/2006 - good
Balvenie 21 yo Port Wood - good

Distillery history

Founded in 1892, by William Grant. It was originally supposed to be called Glen Gordon. It's still owned by William Grant today. It's never been silent, according to the information I have.

The original 2 stills were added to in 1957, again in 1965 and again in 1971. An entirely new distillery, Kininvie, was constructed on Balvenie's premises in 1990. This distillery supplies malt for the Grant's blends, freeing up more Balvenie malt for bottling as single malt. There are many official bottlings, with the 12 yo DoubleWood the most popular.

Potted distillery facts

Water source: Springs from the Conval Hills
Washbacks: Ten, Oregon pine, 50,000 litres each
Wash stills: Four, reflux bowls neck, 2 are 12,729 litres each, 2 are 9,092 litres each
Spirit stills: Five, reflux bowls neck, 12,729 litres each
Spirit still Lyne arm: nothing unusual
Production per year: 5,000,000 litres a year

- The Scottish Whisky Distilleries, Misako Udo

SMWS 85.19 (Glen Elgin 8 yo 1999/2008)

SMWS 85.19 (Glen Elgin 8 yo 1999/2008)

2008, SMWS
Single malt - Speyside
Golden
62.4% ABV
Dram

Nose: Butter, raisins, salted egg (Chinese style), ham, rice, cream, hints of cinnamon. Water moderates the salt and brings out the raisins.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, static, slightly watery around the edges.
Tasting: Sweet sour. Scottish tablet, plums, oranges, stewed rhubarb, oat bread, hints of pineapple. Water brings out more tablet, much sweeter.
Finish: Long, sour, aluminium foil, stewed rhubarb.

Comments:

A little warm and tingly, due to the alcohol content, but quite tasty in the mouth. I do like Scottish tablet, and it's certainly an unusual note in whisky, in my limited experience. The stewed rhubarb provides an interesting counterpoint. However, the harsh metallic finish is a little off-putting.

Verdict:

Not bad.

SMWS 23.59 (Bruichladdich 14 yo 1993/2008)

SMWS 23.59 (Bruichladdich 14 yo 1993/2008)

2008, SMWS
Single malt - Islay
Gold
52.1% ABV
Dram]

Nose: Sour plums, brine, vodka, tomato, lemons, grapefruit.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, thickens, expands in the mouth.
Tasting: Sour salty. Lemons, hazelnuts, white pepper, plums, sea salt, apples, hints of peat. Water brings out plums, prunes and apricots.
Finish: Medium. Plums, cotton candy, sea salt.

Comments:

One of the very lightest Islays I have ever had. Almost could be mistaken for a Lowlands whisky, except for the slight hint of peat. Very fruity too, with no smoke at all. Quite refreshing and enjoyable.

Verdict:

I like this.

SMWS 73.28 (Aultmore 15 yo 1992/2008)

SMWS 73.28 (Aultmore 15 yo 1992/2008)

2008, SMWS
Single malt - Speyside
Amber
59.8% ABV
Dram

Nose: Chocolate, orange peel, varnish, oak, raisins, hints of raspberry jam. Water brings out lots of peach and magic marker.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, thickens, sweet.
Tasting:Sweet. Oranges, raspberries, cherries, oak, pears, raisins, hints of peat. Water brings out magic marker (but no peach!).
Finish: Medium, magic marker, raisins, peanuts.

Comments:

Quite tasty, and lots of chemical notes with diluted with water. Reminds me of pear drop sweets, only just that little too strong. One of the sweeter, more luscious Speysides.

Verdict:

I like this.

Littlemill 16 yo 1990/2006

Littlemill 16 yo 1990/2006

Old Malt Cask, Douglas Laing
Single malt - Lowlands
Straw
50% ABV
Mini

Nose: Lemon sweets, peat, roast chicken, chocolate, hints of rose, hints of lavender.
Mouthfeel: Light body, smooth, watery, volatile.
Tasting: Sour salty. Lemons, oat biscuits, butter, white grapes, orange peel.
Finish: Long. Light, lemons, gooseberries.

Comments:

DL Cask #2930. On nosing, doesn't smell like a Lowlands whisky, much less a Littlemill. Quite meaty, yet floral. However, the meaty notes disappear in the mouth, and it's wonderfully refreshing and light. Very, very nice. They really shouldn't have closed this distillery.

Verdict:

I like this a lot!

SMWS 116.13 (Yoichi 23 yo 1985/2008)

SMWS 116.13 (Yoichi 23 yo 1985/2008)

2008, SMWS
Single malt - Hokkaido
Dark gold
51.7% ABV
Dram

Nose: Peaches, smoke, peat, soy sauce, bacon, hints of spiced apple, hints of butter.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, thickens slightly, smooth.
Tasting: Bitter. Oranges, smoke, peat, peaches, pineapples, raisins, bacon. Water transforms the oranges into orange peel, a little more volatile and oily to the tongue.
Finish: Long. Smoke, salted peanuts, oranges.

Comments:

Another sweet and savoury whisky. It's very unlike the official Yoichi, being a lot more smoky and meaty. Almost like a good Bowmore, except there's a fairly obvious hint of pineapple. It's a good reminder that Japanese whisky has a character all of its own.

Verdict:

I like this a lot.

SMWS 3.136 (Bowmore 10 yo 1998/2008)

SMWS 3.136 (Bowmore 10 yo 1998/2008)

2008, SMWS
Single malt - Islay
Amber
58.2% ABV
Dram

Nose: Smoke, peat, sherry, roast chicken, soy sauce, hints of white grape.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, static, slightly watery around the edges.
Tasting: Sweet salty. Roast chicken, fried onion, orange peel, lemon sweets, caramel, smoke, hints of peat.
Finish: Medium. Peat, orange peel, caramel.

Comments:

Very savoury and sweet, just the way I like my whisky. Soy sauce, fried onion and roast chicken reminds me of roast chicken rice (it's been ages since I've had that). Quite fruity too, wreathed in caramelised sugar and sweet smoke.

Verdict:

I like this a lot.

SMWS 48.13 (Balmenach 19 yo 1989/2008)

SMWS 48.13 (Balmenach 19 yo 1989/2008)

2008, SMWS
Single malt - Speyside
Golden
52.8% ABV
Dram

Nose: White pepper, lemon sweets, green apples, kiwifruit, hints of starfruit, hints of gooseberries.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, astringent, static.
Tasting: Bitter sour. Oranges, lemons, green apples, bitter chocolate, hints of chilli.
Finish: Medium. White vinegar, mint, quinine, hints of aniseed.

Comments:

Very harsh and astringent, almost vinegary. This was certainly not what I'd expected at all! I think I could learn to appreciate this whisky on its own merits, but because I was expecting a light, sweet-sour Speyside, it simply didn't agree with my tastebuds. Whisky is really a mood thing.

Verdict:

Not bad.

Caol Ila Distillery

Caol Ila Distillery
Port Askaig
Islay
Argyll PA46 7RL

Islay, Scotland - Active

Flavour profile

The Wordle below doesn't fully reflect my impression of Caol Ila. Yes, there's smoke and peat, but the major flavour element besides those is soy sauce, then maybe lemons and honey. For me, behind the smoke and peat Caol Ila whisky is usually sweetness and light veiled in a savoury, umami, salty cloak. The word "soy sauce" should be bigger.

All 5 flavour elements are prominently displayed in the Wordle. I suppose Caol Ila whisky wouldn't be Ileach if it didn't have at least a little smoke and peat, but it doesn't have a little, it has quite a lot! That big "smoke" word is very appropriate.



All the Caol Ilas I've tasted so far are here.

Caol Ila 16 yo 1991/2007 cask strength - very good
Caol Ila 12 yo - good
Caol Ila Cask Strength NAS - good
SMWS 53.115 (Caol Ila 15 yo 1991/2007) - very good

Distillery history

Founded by Hector Henderson in 1846. Henderson sold just 6 years later, and the distillery eventually passed through a succession of owners to United Distillers (eventually Diageo) in 1992. The distillery was silent from 1930-1937, 1941-1945 and 1972-1974.

As one of 7 or more distilleries on Islay, the malt from Caol Ila used to almost entirely be used in Johnnie Walker. This was so until 2002, where Diageo "promoted" Caol Ila to Classic Malt status, and began to sell official bottlings. There are even some unpeated official bottlings available now. Unfortunately, due to the expansion in production, almost all Caol Ila whisky is now matured on the mainland.

Potted distillery facts

Water source: Loch Nam Ban
Washbacks: Eight, larch, 60,000 litres each
Wash stills: Three, normal neck, 35,345 litres each
Spirit stills: Three, normal neck, 29,549 litres each
Spirit still Lyne arm: Nearly 5 degrees descending
Production per year: 3,500,000 litres

- The Scottish Whisky Distilleries, Misako Udo

Bowmore 17 yo

Bowmore 17 yo

Official bottling
Single malt - Islay
Pale gold
43% ABV
Dram

Nose: Lemons, peanuts, leather, tyre rubber, peat, hints of smoke, hints of steamed fish.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, thickens, slightly gritty.
Tasting: Sour. Peat, tyre rubber, grapefruit, lemons, butter, new plastic, hints of black tea, hints of sherry.
Finish: Long. New plastic, leather.

Comments:

This Bowmore has been discontinued and replaced with a new range, so this is something of a last chance to taste it. Quite a chemical nose, with an interesting fishy hint somewhere. Also very chemical in the mouth, with some slight whiffs of sherry relieving it. Decent whisky, but difficult to get to know I suppose.

Verdict:

Not bad.