Saturday 30 May 2009

Old Pulteney Distillery

Old Pulteney Distillery
Huddard St
Wick
Caithness KW1 5BA

North Highlands, Scotland - Active


Flavour profile


Old Pulteney is in Wick, next to the sea, and maybe it's not surprising that it's quite a salty whisky. Peat and seaweed also add to its maritime character. The whisky isn't that savoury, however, there are some distinctly unsealike characteristics in it. These are mostly very sweet notes.

Sometimes the sweet notes manifest as fruit, but more often, as chocolate and caramel. Caramel blends better than chocolate with the brininess of the whisky. Strangely, any fruitiness tends to get overwhelmed by the brine and the peat, and is rather hidden and elusive. It takes some work and attention to find these notes.


All the Old Pulteneys I've tasted so far are here.

Old Pulteney 17 yo - very good
Old Pulteney 21 yo - good
SMWS 52.18 (Old Pulteney 7 yo 2001/2008) - very good
Old Pulteney 12 yo - good

Distillery history

The distillery was founded by James Henderson in 1823, supposedly named after Sir William Johnstone Pulteney, a Scottish lawyer, MP and once the richest man in Great Britain. It eventually fell into the hands of one of Allied Domecq's ancestor companies. Allied Domecq sold the distillery to InverHouse Distillers, now a subsidiary of Thai Beverages. The distillery was silent between 1930 and 1959 (closed, then rebuilt).

Old Pulteney is a component of some fairly obscure blends (like Inver House, Catton's and Pinwinnie Royal). There are 3 single malt expressions, the 12 yo, 17 yo and 21 yo. Most of the malt is now diverted to these expressions.

Potted distillery facts

Water source: Loch of Yarrows
Washbacks: Six, cast iron, 24,000 litres each
Wash stills:
One, reflux bowls neck with T shape, 21,707 litres
Spirit stills: One, reflux bowls neck, 17,343 litres
Spirit still Lyne arm: Almost right angle, bent vertical descent
Production per year:
3,000,000 litres

- The Scottish Whisky Distilleries, Misako Udo

Tomintoul 16 yo

Tomintoul 16 yo

Official bottling

Single malt - Speyside
Amber
40% ABV
Dram

Nose: Plums, red wine, brown paper, sherry, cherries, chillies, hints of nutmeg.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, thickens quickly, creamy.
Tasting: Sweet. Plums, lemons, brown paper, ume, cherries, nutmeg, hints of chillies, hints of smoke.
Finish: Medium. Brown paper, plums, chillies, hints of coconut.

Comments:


Sweet with a sharp tartness that brings to mind Chinese sour plums, or even Japanese ume. Very good indeed.

Verdict:

I like this.

Talisker 57' North

Talisker 57' North

Official bottling
Single malt - Islands
Amber orange
57% ABV
Dram

Nose: Peat, smoke, honey, mint, peanuts, marmalade, grilled beef, hints of pencil lead. With water, cough mixture, leather and apples appear.
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, thick, viscous, oily.
Tasting: Sweet. Smoke, peat, honey, marmalade, grilled beef, apples, pears, hints of lavender. Turns sweeter with water, notes of apple pie and cotton candy appear.
Finish: Long. Mint, honey, peanuts, apples.

Comments:


This is an excellent Talisker. I feel that this is better than the 18 yo, even. Normally this is only available at duty free, but a few bottles have found their way to normal retailers. The slight mintiness is very appealing.

Verdict:

I like this a lot.

Strathisla 12 yo

Strathisla 12 yo

Official bottling

Single malt - Speyside
Pale amber
43% ABV
Dram

Nose: Peanuts, pears, grass, earth, cashews, hints of brown paper, hints of sea salt.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, loosens, turns watery.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Peanuts, orange juice, cashews, grass, hints of peaches, hints of pears.
Finish: Medium. Rose, peanuts, cashews, pears.

Comments:


Huge hint of steamed peanuts in the nose. A farmer's whisky - close to the soil, strong and robust. Not easy to appreciate, but I think I've managed.

Verdict:

I like this.

Port Dundas 34 yo 1973/2007

Port Dundas 34 yo 1973/2007

Rare Auld, Duncan Taylor
Single grain - South Highlands
Amber rose
54.5% ABV
Dram

Nose: Coconut, banana, salt caramel, vanilla, honey, corn syrup, hints of cherries, hints of brine.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, hot, volatile, static.
Tasting: Sweet. Cherries, banana, coconut, honey, brown paper, hints of brine, hints of salt caramel.
Finish: Long. Brown paper, cherries, banana, hints of grilled fish.

Comments:


I've made a new discovery. Grain whisky and sherry go really well together. This one is full of interesting things, especially a spiky hint of grilled fish in the finish. Very good indeed.

Verdict:

I like this a lot.

Knockando 1981 Extra Old

Knockando 1981 Extra Old

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

Nose: Raisins, oak, coconuts, pears, peat, hints of wood smoke, hints of strawberries.
Mouthfeel: Light body, slightly oily, smooth, warming.
Tasting: Sweet sour. Oranges, pears, raisins, white wine, roses, peat, hints of wood smoke, hints of toffee.
Finish: Short. Salt, raisins, white wine, roses.

Comments:


An obscure official bottling indeed! Tastes quite young, not like a flavourful 1981. Quite enjoyable and refreshing though.

Verdict:

I like this.

Auchentoshan 21 yo

Auchentoshan 21 yo

Official bottling

Single malt - Lowlands
Copper gold
40% ABV
Dram

Nose: Mint, grass, apples, raisins, leather, wet stones, hints of hay, hints of wood smoke.
Mouthfeel: Light body, airy, slightly watery, tingly.
Tasting: Sweet salty. Grass, raisins, mint, wet stones, photocopy paper, hints of toffee, hints of rose.
Finish: Medium. Honey, mint, raisins, rose.

Comments:


Light but punchy. Not too sweet, very pleasant and interesting. I think it's been made light to fit the Lowlands style, but it's managed to keep some complexity.

Verdict:

I like this.

Amrut Single Malt

Amrut Single Malt

Official bottling
Single malt - Bangalore
Dark gold
40% ABV
Dram

Nose: Peaches, mangoes, oranges, yoghurt, cardamom, hints of grilled pork, hints of rosemary.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, thickens slightly, turns oily.
Tasting: Sweet. Mangoes, peaches, cardamom, apple pie, orange blossom, hints of grilled pork.
Finish: Medium. Orange blossom, mangoes, peaches, cardamom.

Comments:


Oof. Very Indian - mango lassi scented whisky! But there is an underlying current of peaches and grilled pork that isn't Indian at all. It's still delicious though.

Verdict:

I like this a lot.

Friday 29 May 2009

SMWS G6.1 (Port Dundas 28 yo 1981/2009)

SMWS G6.1 (Port Dundas 28 yo 1981/2009)

2009, SMWS
Single grain - South Highlands
Buttercup yellow
51% ABV
Dram

Nose: Rose, peaches, plums, apples, lemon sweets, hay, hints of grass, hints of strawberries.
Mouthfeel: Light body, airy, smooth, slightly watery.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Cinnamon, roses, peaches, lemon sweets, grass, hints of nutmeg, hints of thyme.
Finish: Long. Chillies, nutmeg, grass.

Comments:


Reminds me of an extremely floral, highly perfumed Rosebank (perhaps accompanied by some Thai food). Very interesting, and very unlike bourbon.

Verdict:

I like this.

SMWS 66.20 (Ardmore 20 yo 1985/2005)

SMWS 66.20 (Ardmore 20 yo 1985/2005)

2005, SMWS

Single malt - Speyside
Copper gold
54.1% ABV
Dram

Nose: Smoke, green beans, vanilla, honey, cotton candy, lemon tart, prunes, hints of grilled pork.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, tingly, volatile, slightly astringent.
Tasting: Sweet. Honey, lemon tart, grilled pork, orange blossom, vanilla, hints of strawberries, hints of prunes.
Finish: Medium. Smoke, honey, mustard, vanilla.

Comments:


Some pruneaux! Hints at armagnac, but the flavours are quickly overwhelmed by the smoke. I didn't detect any grilled fish in this (like the SMWS tasting notes said), it tasted more like grilled pork to me.

Verdict:

I like this a lot.

SMWS 41.34 (Dailuaine 14 yo 1992/2007)

SMWS 41.34 (Dailuaine 14 yo 1992/2007)

2007, SMWS
Single malt - Speyside
Orangey yellow
59.8% ABV
Dram


Nose: Plums, peaches, lemon sweets, brine, honey, vanilla, hints of rose.
Mouthfeel: Light body, tingly, volatile, hot.
Tasting: Sweet. Honey, corn syrup, peaches, apples, rose, chillies, hints of lavender, hints of brine. With water, turns nutty - macadamias, walnuts.
Finish: Short. Peanuts, honey, cornflakes, peaches.

Comments:


Pretty good whisky, doesn't mess around - full on and strong. I felt like I had been whacked in the mouth and nose. Nice nutty flavours once a little water is dripped in.

Verdict:

I like this.

SMWS 23.61 (Bruichladdich 7 yo 2001/2009)

SMWS 23.61 (Bruichladdich 7 yo 2001/2009)

2009, SMWS
Single malt - Islay
Golden
68.2% ABV
Dram

Nose: Cornflakes, peat, smoke, peanuts, salt caramel, roast lamb, whipped cream, hints of butterscotch.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, tingly, spicy, hot, volatile, thickens.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Smoke, peat, butterscotch, roast lamb, chillies, green apples, hints of brine. With water, sweeter, pears and apples appear.
Finish: Long. Green apples, lemons, peat, salt caramel.

Comments:


Peaty and muscular, quite complex. It's a little too strong, but I don't find that frustrating like I normally do. This time there's something like the joy of discovery - the whisky turns more appealing as I dripped water in.

Verdict:

I like this.

Thursday 28 May 2009

SMWS G1.5 (North British 24 yo 1984/2009)

SMWS G1.5 (North British 24 yo 1984/2009)

2009, SMWS
Single grain - Lowlands
Brown gold
60.7% ABV
Dram

Nose: Vanilla, cornflakes, corn syrup, honey, sweet yoghurt, hints of cough mixture. With water, coconut and apples appear.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, static, astringent.
Tasting: Sweet sour. Cornflakes, banana, honey, brown paper, vanilla, corn syrup, hints of prunes. With water, coconut, salt caramel.
Finish: Long. Brown paper, banana, vanilla, honey.

Comments:


An excellent grain whisky, reminds me of the very best bourbon. This grain whisky stuff is pretty good, I must drink more of it.

Verdict:

I like this a lot.

SMWS 72.18 (Miltonduff 18 yo 1988/2006)

SMWS 72.18 (Miltonduff 18 yo 1988/2006)

2006, SMWS

Single malt - Speyside
Yellow gold
56.7% ABV
Dram

Nose: Honey, orange juice, prunes, lemons, hints of beeswax, hints of apple peel.
Mouthfeel: Light body, thickens, slightly watery around the edges.
Tasting: Sweet. Lemons, prunes, tobacco, beeswax, apples, hints of roast pork, hints of roses.
Finish: Medium. Brown paper, tobacco, vanilla, honey, prunes.

Comments:


Quite an uncomplicated nose - love the prunes! The detail is in the finish, with lots of brandy-like brown paper, tobacco and more prunes...

Verdict:

I like this.

SMWS 72.17 (Miltonduff 23 yo 1981/2005)

SMWS 72.17 (Miltonduff 23 yo 1981/2005)

2005, SMWS
Single malt - Speyside
Lemon gold
54.5% ABV
Dram

Nose: Lemonade, peanuts, cream soda, vanilla, honey, limes, hints of orange juice.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, hot, slightly astringent.
Tasting: Sour. Vanilla, lemons, peaches, cream soda, honey, hints of orange juice, hints of plums.
Finish: Medium. Vanilla, plum cake, honey.

Comments:


Refreshing and fruity, just the right amount of tartness. I could drink this all day, it's like a lemonade and whisky, cask strength, straight out of the bottle!

Verdict:

I like this a lot.

SMWS 46.11 (Glenlossie 27 yo 1978/2006)

SMWS 46.11 (Glenlossie 27 yo 1978/2006)

2006, SMWS
Single malt - Speyside
Amber gold
54.1% ABV
Dram

Nose: Marzipan, bread, vanilla, honey, malty beer, lemons, hints of cornflakes, hints of caramel.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, astringent, thickens, slightly watery around the edges.
Tasting: Sweet salty. Vanilla, honey, lemons, cornflakes, plums, apples, hints of barley sugar.
Finish: Short. Vanilla, plums, barley sugar, caramel.

Comments:


Quite strong. This whisky is hard work, with the alcohol obscuring a number of the flavour notes. Not particularly satisfying. Unfortunately water doesn't help much, even when I added a little drop. The flavours slip away too easily.

Verdict:

Not bad.

SMWS 122.16 (Loch Lomond "Croftengea" 15 yo 1992/2008)

SMWS 122.16 (Loch Lomond "Croftengea" 15 yo 1992/2008)

2008, SMWS
Single malt - South Highlands
Yellow gold
59.4% ABV
Dram

Nose: Tobacco, roast pork, honey, peat, smoke, hints of plums, hints of caramel.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, hot, volatile, static.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Tobacco, plums, peat, honey, leather, charcoal.
Finish: Long. Coal smoke, leather, peat, plums.

Comments:


Smoky and delicious. It's got a nice combination of peaty, leathery notes with grilled meat on the barbecue. Excellent.

Verdict:

I like this a lot.

SMWS 122.15 (Loch Lomond "Croftengea" 15 yo 1992/2008

SMWS 122.15 (Loch Lomond "Croftengea" 15 yo 1992/2008)

2008, SMWS
Single malt - South Highlands
Pale gold
59.5% ABV
Dram

Nose: Peat, smoke, vanilla, honey, curry powder, peanuts, hints of sweet lemon.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, astringent, hot, volatile.
Tasting: Sour salty. Smoke, curry, roast chicken, lemons, oranges, honey, curry powder, hints of curry leaf.
Finish: Short. Lemons, curry leaf, roast chicken.

Comments:


Strange tasting. Not quite sweet enough I think, could do with a little more aggressive fruitiness to offset the salt and meat notes. Still quite satisfying, I can't very well give this my lowest rating.

Verdict:

I like this.

Monday 18 May 2009

Dalwhinnie 16 yo 1990/2007 Distiller's Edition


Dalwhinnie 16 yo 1990/2007 Distiller's Edition

Official bottling
Single malt - Central Highlands
Dark amber
43% ABV
Bottle

Nose: Raisins, toffee, salt caramel, heather, honey, blueberries, smoke, hints of peat.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, static, slightly watery around the edges.
Tasting: Sweet salty. Salt caramel, honey, toffee, blueberries, peat, smoke, hints of almond nougat, hints of peaches.
Finish: Medium. Peanuts, honey, toffee, blueberries.

Comments:


Cask reference O.SO 312, matured in oloroso sherry casks. I drank this on a beach in Indonesia, on a diving trip. It was surprisingly appropriate. Despite the oloroso influence, it still has some dry, unsherried characteristics. Very smooth and drinkable.

Verdict:

I like this.

Wednesday 13 May 2009

SMWS 84.11 (Glendullan 11 yo 1997/2009)

SMWS 84.11 (Glendullan 11 yo 1997/2009)

2009, SMWS
Single malt - Speyside
Sun gold
58.6% ABV
Dram

Nose: Cotton candy, caramel, raisins, vanilla, plums, limes, hints of banana. With water, leather, hints of peat, more plums appear.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, static, slightly astringent.
Tasting: Sweet sour. Cookie dough, marzipan, cotton candy, caramel, vanilla, limes, hints of raisins. Turns sweeter with water, plums, lemons sweets and honey appear.
Finish: Long. Limes, marzipan, plums, salt caramel.

Comments:


Sweet, tangy, and strangely uplifting. Reminds me of walking around a spring fairground, munching on cotton candy and toffee apples.

Verdict:

I like this.

SMWS 28.21 (Tullibardine 18 yo 1990/2009)

SMWS 28.21 (Tullibardine 18 yo 1990/2009)

2009, SMWS

Single malt - Central Highlands
Light gold
54.8% ABV
Dram

Nose: Vanilla, cookie dough, hazelnuts, lemon cake, cashew nuts, macadamias, hints of grapefruit.
Mouthfeel: Light body, loose, volatile.
Tasting: Sour. Hazelnuts, cashew nuts, vanilla, lemons, grapefruit, honey, macadamias, hints of frogs legs, hints of toasted peanuts.
Finish: Short. Lemons, honey, macadamias, vanilla.

Comments:


Nutty and citrusy, with something meaty floating in the background. I identify this as Chinese cashew frog legs (?!), something quite unusual to find in a whisky. Quite luscious, and very interesting.

Verdict:

I like this.

SMWS 25.47 (Rosebank 20 yo 1989/2009)

SMWS 25.47 (Rosebank 20 yo 1989/2009)

2009, SMWS
Single malt - Lowlands
Golden
56.7% ABV
Dram

Nose: Coca cola, lemon sweets, lavender, limes, honey, vanilla, custard, hints of chocolate.
Mouthfeel: Light body, thickens quickly, slightly astringent.
Tasting: Sweet. Chillies, chocolate, lemon sweets, hints of brass polish, hay, lavender, limes. With water, lemon juice and biscuits appear.
Finish: Medium. Chocolate, honey, limes.

Comments:


Subtle and muted at first. Requires a few drops of water to release the classic Rosebank lemony notes, and to me, biscuity notes. Quite tasty, although perhaps a mite too strong.

Verdict:

I like this.

Monday 11 May 2009

SMWS 5.22 (Auchentoshan 9 yo 1999/2008)

SMWS 5.22 (Auchentoshan 9 yo 1999/2008)

2008, SMWS

Single malt - Lowlands
Pale gold green
60% ABV
Sampler

Nose: Raisins, tablet, lemons, shortbread, vanilla, hints of leather, hints of grapefruit.
Mouthfeel: Light body, volatile, hot, spicy, thickens quickly.
Tasting: Sweet. Lemons, tablet, cookie dough, vanilla, chillies, leather, hints of peat, hints of white pepper.
Finish: Short. Tablet, lemons, leather, vanilla.

Comments:


Very young, and very strong. Yet very complex for such a young whisky. I detect hints of baking, citrus and Scottish tablet (always a favourite). Slight notes of peat and leather round it out. Very enjoyable indeed.

Verdict:

I like this a lot.

Bladnoch 17 yo Spirit of the Lowlands

Bladnoch 17 yo Spirit of the Lowlands

Official bottling
Single malt - Lowlands
Bright gold
46% ABV
Sampler

Nose: Lemon sweets, malty beer, pine, freshly squeezed lime juice, vanilla, antiseptic .
Mouthfeel: Medium body, spicy, thickens, expands a little.
Tasting: Sweet sour. Vanilla, cookie dough, limes, lemon sweets, hints of honey, hints of raisins.
Finish: Long. Peanuts, cookie dough, lemon sweets, vanilla.

Comments:


Tastes more alcoholic than it actually is! It's a little hard to discern the notes in the nose - maybe Germolene, Listerine? But it doesn't take water well. Best had strong, that way the lemony sweet notes still show through.

Verdict:

I like this.

Sunday 10 May 2009

Imperial 15 yo 1991/2006

Imperial 15 yo 1991/2006

Distillery Labels, Gordon & Macphail
Single malt - Speyside
Pale gold
43% ABV
Sampler

Nose: Leather, raisins, coffee, grapefruit, lemons, honey, peanuts, hints of peat.
Mouthfeel: Light body, thickens slightly, cool.
Tasting: Sweet. Honey, lemons, peanuts, raisins, coffee, lemons, hints of orange juice, hints of bitter gourd.
Finish: Medium. Lemons, honey, bitter gourd.

Comments:


A very refreshing whisky, light and smooth. It's honey-soaked, but not too sweet, as it is tempered with citrusy flavours and a bitter thrust right at the end. This is one of the "official" bottlings done by Gordon and Macphail.

Verdict:

I like this.

Friday 8 May 2009

George T Stagg Bourbon

George T Stagg Bourbon

Official bottling
Single bourbon - Kentucky
Amber rose
72.4% ABV
Dram

Nose: Marshmallows, bananas, raisins, black tea, peat, caramel, cinnamon, hints of rose, hints of lychee.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, astringent, hot, volatile.
Tasting: Sweet. Lemons, raisins, leather, pear, magic marker, cinnamon, rose, hints of nutmeg.
Finish: Medium. Magic marker, rose, coconut.

Comments:


Despite the whopping ABV, no water is needed. This is an incredible bourbon, complex, alluring and fragrant. A little expensive, but worth every penny.

Verdict:

I like this a lot.

Wednesday 6 May 2009

Lagavulin Distillery

Lagavulin Distillery
Port Ellen
Islay
Argyll PA42 7DZ

Islay, Scotland - Active


Flavour profile


Lagavulin is fragrant and smoky, not sweet and smoky like other Islay malts. I think the only sure fire way to ensure that there is some sweetness in Lagavulin whisky is to age it in sweet sherry casks - like the fantastic Lagavulin Distiller's Edition releases, aged in Pedro Ximenez sherry casks.

The whisky also absorbs vanillin well. All the official bottlings I've tried and recorded notes for (as well as a couple I didn't manage to note) display huge vanilla influences alongside the ubiquitous peat and smoke. Some fruit flavours are usually also prominent, although it's not always the same fruit.



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

Lagavulin 16 yo - good
Lagavulin 12 yo 1991/2004 Cask Strength - very good
Lagavulin 1991 Distiller's Edition (1991/2007) - very good

Distillery history

Founded in 1816 by John Johnston. It was merged with a neighbouring distillery called Ardmore in 1837. It was acquired by James Logan Mackie in 1867, and passed into the ownership of his eponymous company Mackie & Co. Peter Mackie used the old distillery buildings to house a new distillery, Malt Mill, which was eventually closed, and now houses Lagavulin's visitor centre. Lagavulin distillery eventually passed into the hands of Scottish Malt Distillers, which eventually became part of Diageo. The distillery was silent in 1918, 1953 and 1960.

Lagavulin was, and probably still is, an important component of White Horse. Independent bottlings are rare. The flagship bottling is the 16 yo, although the famous, delicious one is the Distiller's Edition, usually aged around the same, matured in Pedro Ximenez casks.

Potted distillery facts

Water source: 2 Solan lochs, Loch Sholum and Loch Lochan
Washbacks:
Ten, New England larch, 22,000 litres each
Wash stills:
Two, normal neck, 12,300 litres each
Spirit stills: Two, short pear shaped neck, 12,900 litres each
Spirit still Lyne arm: Nearly 45 degrees descending
Production per year:
2,300,000 litres

- The Scottish Whisky Distilleries, Misako Udo

Glen Grant Pure Malt NAS

Glen Grant Pure Malt NAS

Official bottling
Single malt - Speyside
Pale green
40% ABV
Sampler

Nose: Hazelnuts, coca cola, malty beer, lemon sweets, raisins, caramel, mint, hints of peat.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, watery, burst of heat then cools down.
Tasting: Sweet sour. Lemon sweets, vanilla, raisins, orange juice, cookie dough, mint, hints of peat.
Finish: Short. Coconut, mint, cookie dough, raisins.

Comments:


This is called a Pure Malt, but the full bottle version seems to be called a Single Malt. I assume this miniature is a single malt also (Google seems to think so!). Anyway, it's watery and light, nothing like those incredible old Glen Grants. I think it is really true - Glen Grant is one of the slowest aging of all whiskies.

Verdict:

Not bad.

Bowmore Darkest NAS

Bowmore Darkest NAS

Official bottling
Single malt - Islay
Dark tea
43% ABV
Sampler

Nose: Peat, smoke, sherry, raisins, dried cherries, apricots, black tea, hints of ginger.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, thickens slightly, cool.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Raisins, dried cherries, apricots, lemons, sherry, grass, peat, smoke, hints of ginger, hints of cinnamon.
Finish: Long. Sweet, red wine, grass, lemons, apricots.

Comments:


This is the old version of Bowmore Darkest. The new one is a 15 yo version released in January 2007. The sweet notes seem to form an impenetrable layer over the smoke and peat. Not as well integrated as other sherried peaty whiskies. I wonder if the newer version is better?

Verdict:

I like this.

Monday 4 May 2009

North Port-Brechin 16 yo 1981/1998

North Port-Brechin 16 yo 1981/1998

Connoisseur's Choice, Gordon & Macphail
Single malt - East Highlands

Light gold
40% ABV
Dram

Nose: Leather, banana, malty beer, sea salt, grass, hints of peat, hints of limes.
Mouthfeel: Light body, loosens up, quite watery, slightly tingly.
Tasting: Sweet. Banana, leather, peat, grass, lime zest, lemon juice, hints of lavender.
Finish: Long. Peat, banana, limes.

Comments:


Very light and refreshing. Fermented banana juice, perhaps? Certainly reminds me of the tropics, maybe a nice holiday in the sun.

Verdict:

I like this a lot.
 

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