Hankey Bannister Blended Scotch
Official bottling
Blended malt
Dark gold
43% ABV
Dram
Nose: Vanilla, lemon juice, peaches, peat, strawberries, brass polish, hints of mushrooms.
Mouthfeel: Light body, watery, loose.
Tasting: Sour. Lemon juice, orange juice, vanilla, peat, toffee, hints of mushrooms.
Finish: Medium. Lemon juice, vanilla, orange juice, peat.
Comments:
Interestingly tart, with dark whiffs of fungi. Some fruit is present in this whisky, but it's sour citrusy fruits. Quite an unusual blend, although quite tasty, and great with ice.
Verdict:
I like this.
Sunday 27 June 2010
Friday 25 June 2010
Johnnie Walker Red Label
Johnnie Walker Red Label
Official bottling
Blended malt
Orange
40% ABV
Dram
Nose: Vanilla, egg custard, raisins, diesel exhaust, toffee, new plastic, peanuts, hints of lemon juice.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, tingly, slippery, mouth coating.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Vanilla, egg custard, peat, leather, raisins, new plastic, hints of lemon juice.
Finish: Medium. Walnut skins, diesel exhaust, raisins.
Comments:
I suppose that the hint of smoke in the nose and the taste is done on purpose, with the idea of making a sweeter version of Black Label. Unfortunately it deteriorates somewhat into diesel exhaust and new plastic. Drinkable.
Verdict:
Not bad.
Official bottling
Blended malt
Orange
40% ABV
Dram
Nose: Vanilla, egg custard, raisins, diesel exhaust, toffee, new plastic, peanuts, hints of lemon juice.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, tingly, slippery, mouth coating.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Vanilla, egg custard, peat, leather, raisins, new plastic, hints of lemon juice.
Finish: Medium. Walnut skins, diesel exhaust, raisins.
Comments:
I suppose that the hint of smoke in the nose and the taste is done on purpose, with the idea of making a sweeter version of Black Label. Unfortunately it deteriorates somewhat into diesel exhaust and new plastic. Drinkable.
Verdict:
Not bad.
Wednesday 23 June 2010
Nikka Yoichi Single Cask 1987/2009
Nikka Yoichi Single Cask 1987/2009
Official bottling
Single malt - Hokkaido
Amber red
58% ABV
Dram
Nose: Cedar, tarragon, orange juice, red grapes, mushrooms, chillies, honey, peat.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, loose, watery, smooth.
Tasting: Sweet. Cedar, tarragon, orange peel, chillies, honey, red grapes, raisins, brown paper.
Finish: Long. Oranges, chillies, raisins.
Comments:
The barman at the Curio Parlour's Nikka Whisky Bar mentioned that this was the only bottle in Europe. I feel privileged! Unusual fungal and spice notes in the nose, quickly followed by familiar honey and red grapes. The cedar and tarragon last into the tasting, but then disappear. Excellent whisky, absolutely delicious.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Official bottling
Single malt - Hokkaido
Amber red
58% ABV
Dram
Nose: Cedar, tarragon, orange juice, red grapes, mushrooms, chillies, honey, peat.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, loose, watery, smooth.
Tasting: Sweet. Cedar, tarragon, orange peel, chillies, honey, red grapes, raisins, brown paper.
Finish: Long. Oranges, chillies, raisins.
Comments:
The barman at the Curio Parlour's Nikka Whisky Bar mentioned that this was the only bottle in Europe. I feel privileged! Unusual fungal and spice notes in the nose, quickly followed by familiar honey and red grapes. The cedar and tarragon last into the tasting, but then disappear. Excellent whisky, absolutely delicious.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Miyagikyo 15 yo
Miyagikyo 15 yo
Official bottling
Single malt - East Honshu
Amber gold
45% ABV
Dram
Nose: Orange peel, honey, blueberries, peaches, vanilla, lemon juice, hints of roses.
Mouthfeel: Light body, loose, watery, smooth.
Tasting: Sweet sour. Vanilla, blueberries, lemon juice, peaches, roses, apples, hints of pears.
Finish: Medium. Roses, apples, vanilla, blueberries.
Comments:
Light and ethereal, remarkably rounded and tasty. Floral and spice notes predominate, but there's a lot of fruit in here. Easy drinking, scarily easy. This is one whisky where a bottle will disappear quickly among friends.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Official bottling
Single malt - East Honshu
Amber gold
45% ABV
Dram
Nose: Orange peel, honey, blueberries, peaches, vanilla, lemon juice, hints of roses.
Mouthfeel: Light body, loose, watery, smooth.
Tasting: Sweet sour. Vanilla, blueberries, lemon juice, peaches, roses, apples, hints of pears.
Finish: Medium. Roses, apples, vanilla, blueberries.
Comments:
Light and ethereal, remarkably rounded and tasty. Floral and spice notes predominate, but there's a lot of fruit in here. Easy drinking, scarily easy. This is one whisky where a bottle will disappear quickly among friends.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Yoichi 20 yo
Yoichi 20 yo
Official bottling
Single malt - Hokkaido
Amber
52% ABV
Dram
Nose: Leather, red grapes, peat, orange peel, strawberries, toffee, raspberries, peanuts, honey, hints of smoke.
Mouthfeel: Light body, watery, slippery, loose.
Tasting: Sweet. Strawberries, red grapes, raspberries, peanuts, leather, vanilla, honey, brown paper, hints of peach.
Finish: Long. Chillies, leather, honey, strawberries.
Comments:
Like burgundy, smooth, round and light - on first nosing and tasting at least. After a while, the caramel, toffee and peanut notes begin to predominate, bringing to mind caramel peanuts at a fairground. Delicious
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Official bottling
Single malt - Hokkaido
Amber
52% ABV
Dram
Nose: Leather, red grapes, peat, orange peel, strawberries, toffee, raspberries, peanuts, honey, hints of smoke.
Mouthfeel: Light body, watery, slippery, loose.
Tasting: Sweet. Strawberries, red grapes, raspberries, peanuts, leather, vanilla, honey, brown paper, hints of peach.
Finish: Long. Chillies, leather, honey, strawberries.
Comments:
Like burgundy, smooth, round and light - on first nosing and tasting at least. After a while, the caramel, toffee and peanut notes begin to predominate, bringing to mind caramel peanuts at a fairground. Delicious
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Monday 14 June 2010
SMWS 77.19 (Glen Ord 22 yo 1987/2010)
SMWS 77.19 (Glen Ord 22 yo 1987/2010)
2010, SMWS
Single malt - North Highlands
Butter
58% ABV
Dram
Nose: Apples, butter, cedar, chillies, milk, cream, pears, hints of vanilla.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, thickens, gritty, slightly fizzy.
Tasting: Sweet sour. Vanilla, lemon sweets, apples, cedar, butter, pears, cream, hints of peaches.
Finish: Long. Apples, butter, pears, cedar.
Comments:
Deliciously fruity and dry. Tastes like a cider, or perhaps perry, that hasn't been as fermented as English cider normally is. There are nice sweet creamy, milky, buttery notes as well, which round out the whisky and give it some body.
Verdict:
I like this.
2010, SMWS
Single malt - North Highlands
Butter
58% ABV
Dram
Nose: Apples, butter, cedar, chillies, milk, cream, pears, hints of vanilla.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, thickens, gritty, slightly fizzy.
Tasting: Sweet sour. Vanilla, lemon sweets, apples, cedar, butter, pears, cream, hints of peaches.
Finish: Long. Apples, butter, pears, cedar.
Comments:
Deliciously fruity and dry. Tastes like a cider, or perhaps perry, that hasn't been as fermented as English cider normally is. There are nice sweet creamy, milky, buttery notes as well, which round out the whisky and give it some body.
Verdict:
I like this.
SMWS 123.5 (Glengoyne 8 yo 2001/2010)
SMWS 123.5 (Glengoyne 8 yo 2001/2010)
2010, SMWS
Single malt - South Highlands
Orange copper
60.8% ABV
Dram
Nose: Cinnamon, chocolate, plums, marmalade, peanuts, vanilla fudge, burnt sugar, hints of mint. With water, peanuts, fresh cut grass, walnuts.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, burning, hot, thickens.
Tasting: Sweet. Burnt sugar, marmalade, chocolate, cinnamon, plums, peanuts, vanilla, oak, raisins, hints of brown paper. With water, more bitter, walnuts, fresh cut grass, hints of red grapes.
Finish: Long. Fiery, plums, marmalade, cinnamon.
Comments:
Matured in a port pipe - usually these are nice and sweet, with lots of flavour. Christmassy, yet light. Reminds me of the Glengoyne 17 yo official bottling, lots of dried fruit and chocolate. This one is more spicy.
Verdict:
I like this.
2010, SMWS
Single malt - South Highlands
Orange copper
60.8% ABV
Dram
Nose: Cinnamon, chocolate, plums, marmalade, peanuts, vanilla fudge, burnt sugar, hints of mint. With water, peanuts, fresh cut grass, walnuts.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, burning, hot, thickens.
Tasting: Sweet. Burnt sugar, marmalade, chocolate, cinnamon, plums, peanuts, vanilla, oak, raisins, hints of brown paper. With water, more bitter, walnuts, fresh cut grass, hints of red grapes.
Finish: Long. Fiery, plums, marmalade, cinnamon.
Comments:
Matured in a port pipe - usually these are nice and sweet, with lots of flavour. Christmassy, yet light. Reminds me of the Glengoyne 17 yo official bottling, lots of dried fruit and chocolate. This one is more spicy.
Verdict:
I like this.
Friday 11 June 2010
Glenburgie-Glenlivet 11 yo
Glenburgie-Glenlivet 11 yo
Authentic Collection, WM Cadenhead
Single malt - Speyside
Pale green gold
59.8% ABV
Sampler
Nose: Mint, raisins, milk chocolate, bananas, salt caramel, hints of brine.
Mouthfeel: Light body, thickens, smooth, slippery.
Tasting: Sweet salty. Mint, raisins, milk chocolate, white grapes, vanilla, salt caramel, hints of bananas.
Finish: Short. Chillies, milk chocolate, white grapes, hints of brine.
Comments:
I don't know the year of distillation or year of bottling for this one. It is fragrant and sweet, with lots of Edradour-like mint chocolate notes. Layered over that base are white grapes and some dried fruit, with a slightly salty bite. Tastes simple, somehow, and doesn't need any water at all, despite the strength.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Authentic Collection, WM Cadenhead
Single malt - Speyside
Pale green gold
59.8% ABV
Sampler
Nose: Mint, raisins, milk chocolate, bananas, salt caramel, hints of brine.
Mouthfeel: Light body, thickens, smooth, slippery.
Tasting: Sweet salty. Mint, raisins, milk chocolate, white grapes, vanilla, salt caramel, hints of bananas.
Finish: Short. Chillies, milk chocolate, white grapes, hints of brine.
Comments:
I don't know the year of distillation or year of bottling for this one. It is fragrant and sweet, with lots of Edradour-like mint chocolate notes. Layered over that base are white grapes and some dried fruit, with a slightly salty bite. Tastes simple, somehow, and doesn't need any water at all, despite the strength.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Tuesday 8 June 2010
Fettercairn 13 yo 1993/2007
Fettercairn 13 yo 1993/2007
Authentic Collection, WM Cadenhead
Single malt - East Highlands
Straw
59% ABV
Sampler
Nose: Mint, raisins, prunes, leather, toffee, chocolate, hints of brown sugar. With water, sweeter, strawberries, lemon sweets.
Mouthfeel: Light body, smooth, tingly, warm.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Mint, raisins, prunes, leather, brown sugar, vanilla, strawberries, hints of leather. With water, sweeter, lemon sweets, orange peel.
Finish: Medium. Prunes, toffee, leather, walnuts.
Comments:
Light, yet complex. Sweet, strong and redolent of dried fruit neat, then opens up, turning more delicate and fruitier with a touch of water. Very tasty, needs just a little bit of water. Adding too much destroys the balance.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Friday 4 June 2010
SMWS 76.70 (Mortlach 15 yo 1994/2010)
SMWS 76.70 (Mortlach 15 yo 1994/2010)
2010, SMWS
Single malt - Speyside
Caramel brown
59% ABV
Dram
Nose: Coca cola, black pepper, raisins, strawberries, orange peel, balsamic vinegar. With water, orange juice and vanilla appear.
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, thickens, smooth, syrupy.
Tasting: Sweet. Strawberries, coca cola, orange peel, balsamic vinegar, honey, black pepper, hints of walnuts. With water, tarter, orange juice and vanilla appear.
Finish: Long. Vanilla, honey, coca cola, balsamic vinegar.
Comments:
In Italy, they eat strawberries dipped in balsamic vinegar with a sprinkle of black pepper over them - brings out the sweetness and fragrance of the fruit. I get the same feeling when drinking this whisky. Quite special.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
2010, SMWS
Single malt - Speyside
Caramel brown
59% ABV
Dram
Nose: Coca cola, black pepper, raisins, strawberries, orange peel, balsamic vinegar. With water, orange juice and vanilla appear.
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, thickens, smooth, syrupy.
Tasting: Sweet. Strawberries, coca cola, orange peel, balsamic vinegar, honey, black pepper, hints of walnuts. With water, tarter, orange juice and vanilla appear.
Finish: Long. Vanilla, honey, coca cola, balsamic vinegar.
Comments:
In Italy, they eat strawberries dipped in balsamic vinegar with a sprinkle of black pepper over them - brings out the sweetness and fragrance of the fruit. I get the same feeling when drinking this whisky. Quite special.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
SMWS 23.64 (Bruichladdich 7 yo 2002/2010)
SMWS 23.64 (Bruichladdich 7 yo 2002/2010)
2010, SMWS
Single malt - Islay
Light gold
59% ABV
Dram
Nose: Cured ham, cream, brine, leather, butter, honey, hints of peat. With water, sweeter, vanilla, hints of golden syrup.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, thickens, smooth, slippery.
Tasting: Bitter salty. Cured ham, cream, leather, butter, honey, limes, hints of peat. With water, sweeter, vanilla, almonds.
Finish: Medium. Walnut skins, cream, limes, cured ham, peat.
Comments:
Quite milky, yet peaty and salty, with salty serrano ham. An interesting combination, but one that ultimately doesn't quite do it for me. I enjoyed this less than other Bruichladdichs, perhaps.
Verdict:
Not bad.
2010, SMWS
Single malt - Islay
Light gold
59% ABV
Dram
Nose: Cured ham, cream, brine, leather, butter, honey, hints of peat. With water, sweeter, vanilla, hints of golden syrup.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, thickens, smooth, slippery.
Tasting: Bitter salty. Cured ham, cream, leather, butter, honey, limes, hints of peat. With water, sweeter, vanilla, almonds.
Finish: Medium. Walnut skins, cream, limes, cured ham, peat.
Comments:
Quite milky, yet peaty and salty, with salty serrano ham. An interesting combination, but one that ultimately doesn't quite do it for me. I enjoyed this less than other Bruichladdichs, perhaps.
Verdict:
Not bad.
Tuesday 1 June 2010
Strathisla 18 yo 1987/2006
Strathisla 18 yo 1987/2006
Distillery Labels, Gordon & Macphail
Single malt - Speyside
Golden
40% ABV
Sampler
Nose: Raisins, peaches, magic marker, ink, brine, leather, hints of flint, hints of orange peel.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, thickens, smooth, oily.
Tasting: Bitter. Walnut skins, ink, flint, peaches, vanilla, leather, hints of brine, hints of magic marker.
Finish: Medium. Walnut skins, orange peel, peanuts, hints of peaches.
Comments:
Sweet salty bitter on the nose, but then tightens up on the tongue - for the first 10 seconds all I can taste is harsh bitter walnut skins! Then it loosens up, gains some fruitiness and some vanilla, and the more subtle notes come into play.
Verdict:
Not bad.
Distillery Labels, Gordon & Macphail
Single malt - Speyside
Golden
40% ABV
Sampler
Nose: Raisins, peaches, magic marker, ink, brine, leather, hints of flint, hints of orange peel.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, thickens, smooth, oily.
Tasting: Bitter. Walnut skins, ink, flint, peaches, vanilla, leather, hints of brine, hints of magic marker.
Finish: Medium. Walnut skins, orange peel, peanuts, hints of peaches.
Comments:
Sweet salty bitter on the nose, but then tightens up on the tongue - for the first 10 seconds all I can taste is harsh bitter walnut skins! Then it loosens up, gains some fruitiness and some vanilla, and the more subtle notes come into play.
Verdict:
Not bad.
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