Arran Amarone Cask Finish

Arran Amarone Cask Finish

Official bottling
Single malt - Islands
Copper rose
50% ABV
Dram

Nose: Strawberries, raisins, milk chocolate, tobacco leaf, hints of smoke, hints of leather.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, syrupy, chewy, thickens.
Tasting: Sweet sour . Raisins, strawberries, tobacco leaf, liquorice, milk chocolate, red grapes, hints of leather.
Finish: Medium. Milk chocolate, raisins, tobacco leaf, hints of grapefruit.

Comments:

Sweet, thick and unctuous, with a gorgeous rosy colour. Slightly smoky as well, which is a bit of a sting in the tail. Can't escape those grapey, winey notes, but it's loaded with chocolate and raisins, surprisingly without even a hint of vanilla. Another dessert whisky, but this one is more for grown-ups.

Verdict:

I like this.

Arran Sauternes Cask Finish

Arran Sauternes Cask Finish

Official bottling
Single malt - Islands
Golden yellow
50% ABV
Dram

Nose: Strawberries, honey, cream, peaches, white grapes, hints of cloves.
Mouthfeel: Light body, turns watery, airy, slippery.
Tasting: Sweet sour . Strawberries, honey, cream, white grapes, white wine, hints of white chocolate.
Finish: Short. White grapes, ginseng, cream, white chocolate.

Comments:

Hmm. Sauternes casks clearly impart some of the same character that madeira casks do, this reminds me of Penderyn finished in madeira casks. Very creamy, grapey, winey and chocolatey - white chocolate, that is. Spicy, fragrant and sweet, this is liquid, alcoholic pudding. Dessert wine finish gets you dessert whisky.

Verdict:

I like this.

Bowmore 15 yo Laimrig

Bowmore 15 yo Laimrig

Official bottling
Single malt - Islay
Teak
51.4% ABV
Bottle

Nose: Smoke, dark chocolate, black tea, orange peel, laver bread, raisins, hints of peat. With water, sweeter, strawberries, cream, tobacco leaf.
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, oily, slippery, chewy.
Tasting: Bitter salty. Dark chocolate, cookie dough, black tea, laver bread, raisins, orange juice, hints of smoke. With water, saltier, tobacco leaf, hints of strawberries.
Finish: Long. Vanilla, orange juice, cookie dough, dark chocolate.

Comments:

A parting gift from some old colleagues. Not a typical Bowmore, this one has been finished off and mellowed somewhat in Spanish oloroso sherry casks. Nevertheless the peat and smoke are there, along with some savoury, saline notes that remind me of Welsh laver bread. It's good, this stuff, but I think I prefer the classic Islay style. If Islay whiskies don't do Islay, who will?

Verdict:

I like this.

Yamazaki Sherry Cask 2013

Yamazaki Sherry Cask 2013

Official bottling
Single malt - West Honshu
Dark toffee
48% ABV
Dram

Nose: Red grapes, chestnuts, lemon zest, sandalwood, pine needles, honey, hints of roses.
Mouthfeel: Light body, airy, slightly fizzy, tingly.
Tasting: Sweet salty. Lemon zest, red grapes, cream, honey, chestnuts, liquorice, hints of soy sauce.
Finish: Medium. Lemon zest, soor plooms, honey, liquorice, soy sauce.

Comments:

OK, so what does the 'Best Whisky in the World 2015' taste like? Well, nothing like the best whisky in the world. It's overhyped, but it's a very nice dram indeed. It's not Yamazaki's fault if some bloke bigs up their whisky. It's an unusual sherried whisky, in that the winey, grapey notes are not so apparent, and definitely not overpowering. There is a good deal of salty, even tart notes, and the finish is great - liquoricey, tart, very strong. Excellent stuff.

Thanks to WhiskySanta and Master of Malt for the chance to try this great whisky.

Verdict:

I like this a lot.

Benromach 1999 Origins Batch 1 - Golden Promise

Benromach 1999 Origins Batch 1 - Golden Promise

Official bottling
Single malt - Speyside
Golden
50% ABV
Dram

Nose: Raisins, butterscotch, fudge, vanilla, blackcurrants, carrot cake, dark chocolate, hints of prunes. With water, red grapes, cookie dough.
Mouthfeel: Light body, thickens, chewy, slightly oily.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Vanilla, raisins, fudge, butterscotch, black tea, Horlicks drink, prunes, hints of carrot cake. With water, more bitter, red grapes, egg white, cookie dough.
Finish: Short. Raisins, black tea, butterscotch, hints of prunes.

Comments:

Creamy, redolent with fragrant aromas of chocolate, dark fruit and butterscotch. There's a malty bite to the taste, and the finish is excellent too. It wouldn't be out of place as a digestif, and in fact that's exactly what I had it for. As if an excuse were required. A real gem, fairly priced too.

Verdict:

I like this a lot.

SMWS B3.1 (Rocktown 3 yo 2011/2014)

SMWS B3.1 (Rocktown 3 yo 2011/2014)

2014, SMWS 
Single bourbon - Arkansas
Chestnut
53.9% ABV
Dram

Nose: Vanilla, cherries, orange juice, cream, pumpkin pie, nutmeg, hints of bananas. With water, raisins, honey, Dr Pepper.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, loosens, airy, watery.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Cherries, bananas, orange juice, meringue, pumpkins, cloves, hints of egg white. With water, nutmeg, blackberries, hints of papaya.
Finish: Long. Nutmeg, pumpkins, meringue, blackberries. With water, more nutmeg, papayas, hints of guava.

Comments:

Interesting bourbon. I normally find a lot of banana, and maybe brown paper notes in bourbon, but this one is nothing like that. It's very creamy and spicy, reminds me of pumpkin pie and baked meringue. With water it opens up and loses some of that spiciness, becoming very fruity. The third great whisky of the night, I was very lucky indeed.

Verdict:

I like this a lot.

SMWS 120.7 (Hakushu 14 yo 1999/2014)

SMWS 120.7 (Hakushu 14 yo 1999/2014)

2014, SMWS 
Single malt - West Honshu
Mahogany, tinge of purple
55.5% ABV
Dram

Nose: Red grapes, tobacco leaf, red wine, raisin liqueur, brown paper, prunes, raisin fudge. With water, sweeter, Pedro Ximenez wine, raisins, orange peel.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, loosens, turns slippery, watery around the edges.
Tasting: Sweet. Raisin fudge, butterscotch, tobacco leaf, red grapes, prunes, dark chocolate, blackcurrants. With water, bitter, brown paper, burnt oranges, liquorice.
Finish: Long. Sweet, raisins, prunes, dark chocolate, brown paper.

Comments:

Hakushu, aged in a first fill sherry cask. I like sherried whiskies where there's a lot of fruit and complexity, this one has it in spades. Tastes like Pedro Ximenez raisiny sherry, but loaded with additional chocolatey, toasty notes. Upon addition of water, it changes character, turning bitter with fragrant burnt notes and perhaps something even liquoricey. Brilliant whisky.

Verdict:

I like this a lot.

SMWS G13.1 (Chita 4 yo 2009/2014)

SMWS G13.1 (Chita 4 yo 2009/2014)

2014, SMWS 
Single malt - West Honshu
Copper rose
58.3% ABV
Dram

Nose: Mangoes, vanilla, pineapples, coconut water, lychees, hints of white grapes. With water, more white grapes, plums, hints of prunes.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, loose, slippery, turns watery.
Tasting: Sweet sour. Mangoes, vanilla, lychees, milk chocolate, pineapples, maraschino cherries, toast, hints of wood smoke. With water, more cherries, pineapples, fresh baked bread.
Finish: Long. Maraschino cherries, toast, pineapples, mangoes. With water, plums, bread.

Comments:

A new grain distillery! Chita distillery in Japan mainly makes the stuff that is the backbone of Hibiki. It's pretty decent quality on its own as well. This grain is soft, rounded, loaded with fruit and vanilla, and once one adds water, a toasty bready quality. I really enjoyed this, and I'm amazed that such a young whisky has such great complexity. Very, very nice indeed.

Verdict:

I like this a lot.

Spirit of Hven Seven Stars No 1 Dubhe

Spirit of Hven Seven Stars No 1 Dubhe

Official bottling 
Single malt - Scania
Amber, tinge of green
45% ABV
Dram

Nose: Leather, hay, orange peel, fresh cut grass, sandalwood, vanilla, smoke.
Mouthfeel: Light body, thickens, turns oily, slippery.
Tasting: Bitter. Vanilla, sandalwood, orange peel, white grapes, red peppers, leather, hints of manchego cheese.
Finish: Short. Vanilla, white grapes, leather, hints of fresh cut grass.

Comments:

This is the first release in the Seven Stars series from Hven distillery, on the island of the same name, in the Oresund strait between Sweden and Denmark. It's herbal and grassy, with huge notes of sandalwood and leather, on the nose. Then on the tongue, it's uncompromising and bitter, with great fruity notes and something slightly salty at the end - manchego cheese perhaps? Big hitter for a new distillery, this is really good whisky.

Verdict:

I like this a lot.

Tobermory 15 yo

Tobermory 15 yo

Official bottling 
Single malt - Islands
Copper
46.3% ABV
Dram

Nose: Cream, red grapes, orange peel, peanuts, musk, apricots, mint.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, static, turns watery, mouth coating.
Tasting: Sweet. Red grapes, peanuts, white grapes, orange peel, musk, lemon sweets, hints of mint.
Finish: Long. Peanuts, apricots, lemon sweets, white grapes.

Comments:

This was the last whisky of a reasonably long night, but I reckon my taste buds were still in fine fettle. However, the whisky was slightly off. It was musky and tart, and that's odd for something matured in Oloroso. I could tell it was sherry finished, but it seemed somewhat oxidised. Can't say I enjoyed it too much.

Verdict:

Not bad.

Yamazaki Mizunara 2013

Yamazaki Mizunara 2013

Official bottling 
Single malt - West Honshu
Amber
48% ABV
Dram

Nose: Plums, orange crush, chocolate, vanilla, cedar, sandalwood, strawberries. With water, spicier, cedar, sandalwood, hints of black pepper.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, turns watery, slippery, mouth coating.
Tasting: Sweet sour. Cedar, sandalwood, orange crush, vanilla, milk chocolate, plums, hints of strawberries. With water, sweeter, sandalwood, apricots, black pepper.
Finish: Short.Vanilla, orange crush, plums, pears. With water, strawberries, sandalwood.

Comments:

I went on a fool's errand looking for a Yamazaki Sherry Cask 2013, but that was long gone. This one was a decent substitute. Brewed beer and orange crush, very unlike the 'usual' Yamazaki, whatever that means - less meaty, less savoury. Mizunara wood imparts a delicious finish.

Verdict:

I like this a lot.

Penderyn Peated

Penderyn Peated

Official bottling 
Single malt - South Wales
Pale green
46% ABV
Dram

Nose: Peat, chocolate, plums, Chinese sour plums, leather, lemon zest, soy sauce, hints of oranges.
Mouthfeel: Light body, thickens, chewy, slightly oily.
Tasting: Bitter salty. Peat, chocolate, white grapes, Chinese sour plums, chocolate, lemon zest, pear drops, hints of leather.
Finish: Medium. White grapes, peat, plums, leather, pear drops, hints of mint.

Comments:

Peaty, grapey, plummy, salty. This is the one special edition that tastes most like the flagship malt. Lots of leathery, tart yet fruity notes. Very enjoyable. I think this is my favourite Penderyn so far. More, please. Quickly, please.

Verdict:

I like this a lot.

Kavalan Solist Vinho Barrique

Kavalan Solist Vinho Barrique

Official bottling 
Single malt - North Taiwan
Red
57.7% ABV
Dram

Nose: Grilled meat, sandalwood, cranberries, soy sauce, red grapes, oolong tea, jasmine, hints of chillies. With water, less savoury, sweeter, honey, red grapes, peaches.
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, thickens, chewy, oily.
Tasting: Sweet sour . Red grapes, orange peel, peaches, sandalwood, oolong tea, jasmine, hints of pear. With water, sweeter, less floral, honey, peaches, strawberries.
Finish: Long. Orange peel, red grapes, sandalwood, jasmine.

Comments:

Ooh, this is incredible. The wine finishing creates a heavy, unctuous whisky, full of red fruits, yet there is a complex floral dimension, as well as a delicious savoury note (on the nose). With water, it loses that complexity, but is a lot more drinkable, and sweet. One of the best whiskies I've tasted this year. And Taiwanese, to boot!

Verdict:

I like this a lot.

Tyrconnell 10 yo Madeira Finish

Tyrconnell 10 yo Madeira Finish

Official bottling 
Single malt - Central Ireland
Golden
46% ABV
Dram

Nose: Red grapes, candle wax, cinnamon, cloves, raspberries, vanilla, chocolate, hints of musk.
Mouthfeel: Light body, airy, loose, expands in the mouth.
Tasting: Sweet sour. Oranges, red grapes, vanilla, chocolate, peaches, cloves, peanuts, hints of pear.
Finish: Long. Peanuts, chocolate, peaches, cloves.

Comments:

Fruity, very spicy, still retains a great deal of winey red grape flavour. But this one is buttressed by loads of chocolate and peanuts. Remarkable depth of flavour despite its light body, and, er, triple distilled Irish character.

Verdict:

I like this a lot.

Talisker Port Ruighe

Talisker Port Ruighe

Official bottling 
Single malt - Islands
Amber
45.8% ABV
Dram

Nose: Smoke, peat, honey, cedar, lemons, orange peel, hints of grapefruit, hints of red grapes.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, thickens, slippery, slightly oily.
Tasting: Bitter sour. Orange peel, palm sugar, peat, smoke, lemons, red grapes, grapefruit, hay, hints of peanuts.
Finish: Short. Peanuts, honey, peat, orange peel.

Comments:

Citric tartness, mixed with smoke (for me the hallmark of Talisker), but here overlaid by a delicious sweetness. The usual fruity red grapes I associate with port. Lots of other interesting notes, the smoke is somewhat subdued, in the background. Nice.

Verdict:

I like this a lot.

Glen Garioch 1797 Founder's Reserve

Glen Garioch 1797 Founder's Reserve

Official bottling 
Single malt - East Highlands
Amber
48% ABV
Dram

Nose: Leather, soy sauce, raisins, vanilla, white grapes, white chocolate, smoked ham, hints of orange peel.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, thickens, turn syrupy, mouth coating.
Tasting: Sweet salty. Smoked ham, orange peel, white chocolate, soy sauce, walnuts, vanilla, cocoa butter, hints of brass polish.
Finish: Medium. Walnuts, white chocolate, orange peel, honey.

Comments:

Chocolaty, milky, somewhat buttery, with a nice tangy fruity bite. This is good whisky, and a new (ish) no-age statement bottling from Glen Garioch. I'm beginning to think the distillery character is mainly chocolaty and raisiny.

Verdict:

I like this a lot.

Speyside 17 yo 1993/2010

Speyside 17 yo 1993/2010

Scott's Selection, Speyside Distiller's Company
Single malt - Speyside
Pink
61.5% ABV 
Dram

Nose: Red grapes, chillies, grilled beef, tobacco leaf, peanuts, fresh baked bread, vanilla, hints of cinnamon. With water, more vanilla, acacia honey, leather, more grilled beef.
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, loosens, turns watery, slippery.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Vanilla, peanuts, chillies, tobacco, leaf, orange peel, fresh baked bread, hints of cinnamon, hints of saffron. With water, saltier, more bread, saffron, grilled beef.
Finish: Long. Chillies, orange peel, tobacco leaf, peanuts, walnuts.

Comments:

An unofficial official bottling - Scott's Selection is independent whisky bottled by the Speyside Distiller's Company. I don't know why they did this. Anyway, it's meaty, fruity and delicious. With water it turns saltier, and I can taste a nice (if slightly odd) combination of bready fruit and Turkish kebab. Very unusual, and very good.

Verdict:

I like this a lot.

Cragganmore 12 yo Distiller's Edition 2000/2013

Cragganmore 12 yo Distiller's Edition 2000/2013

Official bottling 
Single malt - Speyside
Copper
40% ABV
Dram

Nose: Leather, vanilla, malted grains, tomato juice, cookie dough, oranges, lemons.
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, thickens, chewy, syrupy.
Tasting: Sweet sour . Oranges, peaches, tomato juice, pears, apricots, hay, hints of walnuts.
Finish: Long. Peaches, pears, tamarind, hay, walnuts.

Comments:

Odd whisky. I can definitely taste the port pipe it was matured in, but there's grassy, slightly woody notes, alongside with some fruity savoury (tomatoey!) notes. No change when one adds water. I categorise this one as one of those where the nose doesn't quite match the taste.

Verdict:

I like this.

Bushmills 16 yo Three Wood

Bushmills 16 yo Three Wood

Official bottling 
Single malt - Northern Ireland
Amber
40% ABV
Dram

Nose: Tobacco leaf, red grapes, oak, vanilla, cedar, black pepper, orange peel, hints of cinnamon.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, thickens, chewy.
Tasting: Sweet sour . White grapes, red grapes, orange peel, honey, roast carrots, vanilla, hints of cloves, hints of cinnamon.
Finish: Long. White grapes, red grapes, orange peel, sherry.

Comments:

Fruity and rich, yet light and drinkable. This is pretty good triple distilled whisky, but I note, rather similar to the Auchentoshan Three Wood in texture, if perhaps not in flavour. Nevertheless, I enjoyed it.

Verdict:

I like this.

Banff 32 yo 1976/2008

Banff 32 yo 1976/2008

Connoisseur's Choice, Gordon & Macphail
Single malt - Speyside
Light gold
43% ABV
Dram

Nose: Leather, peat, apple juice, molasses, honey, pears, roses, hints of lemons.
Mouthfeel: Light body, slippery, mouth coating, turns watery.
Tasting: Bitter sour. Apple juice, pears, walnuts, leather, lemons, honey, hints of chocolate, hints of orange blossom.
Finish: Long. Walnuts, pears, molasses, roses, orange blossom.

Comments:

My first Banff! At first sniff tastes a bit old and tired, like it's been sat too long in the bottle. Perhaps even a little understrength. But leave it for a bit, and it develops, tastes tart and bitter but with luscious sweet notes of honey and pears flowing through it. It even becomes floral and citrusy. Very nice indeed. It's a real pleasure to taste a whisky older than I am, sadly gets rarer and more expensive every year.

Verdict:

I like this a lot.

Edradour 12 yo 2000/2012 Chardonnay Cask

Edradour 12 yo 2000/2012 Chardonnay Cask

Official bottling 
Single malt - Central Highlands
Straw
56.1% ABV
Dram

Nose: Red grapes, mint, white grapes, apricots, lemons, hints of sandalwood, hints of honey. With water, mint, dark chocolate, more honey.
Mouthfeel: Light body, tingly, loose, turns watery.
Tasting: Sour. Sandalwood, mint, pine nuts, white grapes, honey, lemons, hints of figs, hints of balsamic vinegar. With water, sweeter, more honey, dark chocolate, apricots.
Finish: Medium. White grapes, honey, lemons, figs, hints of chocolate.

Comments:

Perhaps the maturation clashes with the spirit a little bit, perhaps it's my own preconceptions (I always associate Edradour with mint and chocolate), but I think this one is less good than it could be. There's a little bit of a cloying sweetness on the nose when neat, which makes it hard to discern the underlying notes. Once water is added though, this disappears, and the familiar Edradour aromas of chocolate and spiky little minty notes appear.

Verdict:

I like this.

Kilkerran Work In Progress 4

Kilkerran Work In Progress 4

Official bottling 
Single malt - Campbeltown
Golden
46% ABV
Dram

Nose: Bananas, iodine, chillies, carrot cake, grass, apple juice, hints of leather.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, slippery, airy, loose, static.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Vanilla, bananas, apple juice, lemon juice, hints of carrot cake, hints of cinnamon.
Finish: Short. Cookie dough, vanilla, bananas, apple juice, carrot cake.

Comments:

These early releases showcasing maturation progress are a bit hit and miss - of course the bottler will want to show good progress, but occasionally later releases don't quite live up to the promise of earlier releases. I'm happy to report that this Glengyle isn't one of them. I like the cinnamon carrot cakeyness of the whisky, and although it's a bit one dimensional and not very complex, that's probably to do with its young age rather than the quality of the spirit. Quite tasty, this.

Verdict:

I like this.

Poit Dhubh 21 yo

Poit Dhubh 21 yo

Official bottling 
Blend
Amber gold
43% ABV 
Sampler

Nose: Oranges, watermelons, leather, smoke, tobacco leaf, black tea, hints of red grapes.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, thickens, chewy, slippery.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Oranges, red grapes, smoke, black tea, peat, tobacco leaf, hints of cookie dough, hints of vanilla.
Finish: Long. Tobacco leaf, cookie dough, black tea, coffee.

Comments:

I'm told this is mostly Talisker, and it certainly has a fair bit of that smoke, and a hint of citrus. However, there's a big chunk of sherry sweetness and the fruit that goes along with it. Perfectly constructed, totally delicious. What a great blend.

Verdict:

I like this a lot.

SMWS G3.4 (Caledonian 27 yo 1984/2012

SMWS G3.4 (Caledonian 27 yo 1984/2012

2012, SMWS
Single grain - Lowlands
Very pale gold
57.5% ABV
Dram

Nose: Raisins, vanilla, dried cherries, black tea, red grapes, hints of dried apricots. With water, sour, lemons, lime jelly.
Mouthfeel: Light body, airy, loose, slippery.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Vanilla, dried cherries, black tea, raisins, blackberries, hints of kombucha. With water, more sour, brown paper, lemons, lime jelly, hints of strawberries.
Finish: Short. Kombucha, red grapes, raisins, dried cherries.

Comments:

Interesting sweet, fermented notes, with a savoury edge. Reminds me of nothing so much as the kombu tea health drink lately seen in London. Tannic, with bitter overtones, especially without water, but once water is added it turns a lot more gentle, maybe a little tart.

Verdict:

I like this.

SMWS G10.5 (Strathclyde 23 yo 1989/2013)

SMWS G10.5 (Strathclyde 23 yo 1989/2013)

2013, SMWS
Single grain - Lowlands
Pale peach
61% ABV 
Dram

Nose: Vanilla, leather, roast beef, limes, lemons, peaches, hints of wintergreen, hints of chillies. With water, opens up, savoury, more roast beef, more leather.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, thickens, mouth coating, slippery.
Tasting: Sour. Vanilla, leather, brass polish, peanuts, antiseptic, peaches, limes, hints of wintergreen. With water, salty, brown paper, roast beef, antiseptic, preserved lemons.
Finish: Short. Lemons, limes, antiseptic, brass polish. With water, brown paper, preserved lemons, sandalwood.

Comments:

Not as sweet as the usual grain whisky I have, with that strong vanilla note overshadowed by a lot of other (interesting stuff). Very savoury, and meaty even, with tart lemony notes. With water, the citrus disappears, to be replaced by a fairly salty flavour profile.

Verdict:

I like this.

SMWS 123.10 (Glengoyne 9 yo 2005/2014)

SMWS 123.10 (Glengoyne 9 yo 2005/2014)

2014, SMWS
Single malt - South Highlands
Brass
57.6% ABV
Dram

Nose: Vanilla, milk chocolate, white grapes, pears, amaretto, marzipan, hints of sandalwood.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, thickens, turns syrupy, chewy.
Tasting: Sweet sour . Vanilla, white grapes, strawberries, honey, marzipan, pears, hints of lime, hints of milk chocolate.
Finish: Medium. Milk chocolate, pears, limes, white grapes, hints of honey.

Comments:

Sweet, fruity, lovely and drinkable. This is Glengoyne without any sherry influence, and it's equally good. Very, very nice indeed, delicious at this high strength, no water required.

Verdict:

I like this a lot.

Yoichi 12 yo

Yoichi 12 yo

Official bottling 
Single malt - Hokkaido
Golden
45% ABV
Dram

Nose: Vanilla, leather, shortbread, cookie dough, milk, cream, hints of raisins.
Mouthfeel: Light body, slippery, watery, loose.
Tasting: Bitter salty. Vanilla, leather, smoke, cookie dough, milk, cream, raisins, fresh baked bread.
Finish: Short. Sweet, raisins, leather, smoke, milk.

Comments:

Sweet, fragrant, even milky - but smoky too. And it's only sweet on the nose. On the tongue, it's really quite different. A hard whisky to appreciate, can't say I liked this very much. Unlike the usual Yoichis.

Verdict:

Not bad.

Ichiro's Malt Four of Diamonds (Hanyu 11 yo 2000/2011)

Ichiro's Malt Four of Diamonds (Hanyu 11 yo 2000/2011)

Official bottling
Single malt - East Honshu
Amber
56.9% ABV 
Dram

Nose: Raisins, malted grains, old leather, red wine, brown paper, sandalwood, red grapes. With water, more raisins, cookie dough, vanilla, dried apricots.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, thickens, chewy, mouth coating.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Raisins, red grapes, red wine, old leather, carrot cake, brown paper, hints of mint. With water, sweeter, vanilla, cookie dough.
Finish: Medium. Brown paper, red grapes, raisins, hints of carrot cake.

Comments:

Whisky of high strength, aged in sweet wine casks, a style that I like very much. This one is fruity and fragrant, perhaps a tad sulphuric undiluted. But with water, it opens up and turns more complex, with strong notes of cinnamon and spice.

Verdict:

I like this a lot.

Glencadam 15 yo (OB 2013)

Glencadam 15 yo (OB 2013)

Official bottling 
Single malt - East Highlands
Straw 
46% ABV
Sampler

Nose: Vanilla, lemon juice, cough mixture, hibiscus, dried cherries, hints of chillies.
Mouthfeel: Light body, tingly, slippery, turns water.
Tasting: Sweet sour . Vanilla, dried cherries, apricots, orange peel, hibiscus, hints of leather.
Finish: Short. Vanilla, apricots, lemon juice, hints of smoked ham.

Comments:

Hmm. Very different from its pre-2008 cousin, in almost all respects. The colour and mouthfeel are different, and this is very much lighter whisky. It is less savoury, less chewy, instead being light, sweet, and ever so floral. I associate that note with hibiscus water. Nice.

Verdict:

I like this.

Mackmyra Brukswhisky

Mackmyra Brukswhisky

Official bottling 
Single malt - Gastrikland
Pale straw 
41.4% ABV 
Dram

Nose: Cola nuts, vanilla, bananas, cookie dough, lemon zest, hints of juniper.
Mouthfeel: Light body, watery, slippery, static.
Tasting: Sweet sour . Vanilla, lemon zest, cookie dough, malted grains, limes, hints of leather.
Finish: Medium. Ginseng, cookie dough, limes, vanilla.

Comments:

Light, pale, with the merest hint of juniper, and a robust bitter finish. This whisky is taglined 'The Swedish Whisky', but I reckon it tastes more of the Lowlands. It's fruity and light, and you'd never know it was Swedish unless you read the label. Nice.

Verdict:

I like this.

Penderyn Sherrywood

Penderyn Sherrywood

Official bottling 
Single malt - South Wales
Dark gold
46% ABV 
Sampler

Nose: Chocolate, plums, chillies, old leather, orange peel, salt caramel, vanilla, red grapes.
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, thickens, turns syrupy, mouth coating.
Tasting: Sweet. Red grapes, raisins, old leather, chocolate, salt caramel, vanilla, orange peel, hints of chillies.
Finish: Short. Red grapes, salt caramel, orange peel, old leather, hints of chillies.

Comments:

Young, light whisky, heavily sherried. Good, complex, interesting nose, although the sherry influence is slightly overpowering on the tongue. There's a lot in here, nice notes of orange peel, floral chillies without the spiciness, savoury old leather. Pretty good stuff.

Verdict:

I like this.

Inchmurrin 12 yo

Inchmurrin 12 yo

Official bottling 
Single malt - South Highlands
Amber gold
40% ABV
Sampler

Nose: Salt caramel, orange peel, honey, pears, lemons, orange blossom, hints of leather.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, thickens, slippery.
Tasting: Sweet sour . Orange peel, orange blossom, lemons, salt caramel, peanuts, hints of leather, hints of peat.
Finish: Medium. Peanuts, salt caramel, lemon zest, hints of ginseng.

Comments:

Lightly peated whisky made at Loch Lomond's famous Lomond stills. This is very floral and sweet, with a tart edge. The peat adds a little salt and savoury note. Nutty in the finish, very enjoyable. Easy sipping whisky.

Verdict:

I like this.

Chichibu 3 yo 2009/2012 Floor Malted

Chichibu 3 yo 2009/2012 Floor Malted

Official bottling 
Single malt - East Honshu
Pale yellow
50.5% ABV
Dram

Nose: Milk chocolate, coffee, mint, milk, plums, rhubarb compote, hints of seaweed. With water, smoked ham, hints of cedar wood.
Mouthfeel: Light body, turns watery, slippery, airy.
Tasting: Bitter salty. Milk chocolate, coffee, seaweed, plums, rhubarb compote, apples, hints of brown paper. With water, slightly sweeter, saltier, more coffee, smoked ham.
Finish: Medium. Coffee, milk chocolate, seaweed, apples.

Comments:

Needs a bit of water to open up, but possesses a depth of flavour that belies its young age. Fruity, slightly salty, yet no hint of peat or leather. A very interesting, unusual whisky.

Verdict:

I like this a lot.

Hanyu 2000/2012 Whisky Talk

Hanyu 2000/2012 Whisky Talk

Official bottling 
Single malt - East Honshu
Golden
60.1% ABV
Dram

Nose: Cola nuts, vanilla, malted grains, plums, dark chocolate, hints of hay. With water, hay, mint, more chocolate.
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, thickens, static, mouth coating.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Dark chocolate, hay, plums, malted grains, coffee, milk, hints of cola nuts. With water, hay, mint, hints of salt caramel.
Finish: Medium. Coffee, milk, dark chocolate, hay.

Comments:

Dark, rich and chocolatey, almost like a good stout. Even the mouthfeel fits. I really enjoyed this, and with water, even more. Can't be many of these Hanyus left in the world, better try them before they go.

Verdict:

I like this a lot.

Glengoyne distillery

Glengoyne distillery
Dumgoyne, by Killearn
Stirling G63 9LB

South Highlands - Scotland, active

Flavour profile

Well, there it is - chocolate, peanuts and raisins. These flavours dominate Glengoyne whisky to the extent that I often think of chocolate-covered peanuts and raisins, the kind one can get in cinemas, or perhaps at Christmas. Glengoyne doesn't taste cheap at all though - it's sweet, unctuous and flavourful, to the point where I think it's the sort of whisky one indulges in as a luxury. Perhaps, indeed at Christmas.

These sweet, fruity, nutty notes are probably the result of the casks - official Glengoyne bottlings use a lot of sherried whisky, while the two independent bottlings that I've had appear to be aged in port pipes. There is no peat - Glengoyne of course advertises its whisky as completely unpeated. Nevertheless I've detected some odd leather notes in one or two Glengoyne bottlings, so it does exist.

Glengoyne 17 yo was one of the first whiskies I ever tasted, and the distillery's output remains a great introduction into the world of dramming and the related world of single malt whisky. I've often thought about putting together a Glengoyne tasting. Maybe one day...

All the Glengoynes I have tasted so far are here.

SMWS 123.5 - good
SMWS 123.3 - very good
Glengoyne 21 yo - good
Glengoyne 10 yo - good
Glengoyne 17 yo - very good

Distillery history

This distillery sits so southerly that it's practically in the Lowlands. In fact, I believe some of its grounds technically sit across the Highland line. I've decided that it needs a special designation in my categories, so I've simply called this malt 'South Highlands'. The distillery markets itself as the only distillery in Scotland to eschew peat entirely. Flavourwise this is certainly true, and one can taste it, but I'm not really sure.

Glengoyne distillery was founded in 1833 by one George Connell, and was first named Burnfoot of Dumgoyne. The distillery passed through the hands of several private owners till it ended up in the hands of Lang Brothers Ltd by 1876. Lang Brothers Ltd eventually became part of the Edrington Group. The group refurbished the distillery in 1967, adding an additional still. The Edrington Group sold the distillery to Ian Macleod & Co in 2003.

There are 4 single malts in the entry-level range - the 10 yo, the 17 yo, the 21 yo, and a new 15 yo that I haven't tasted yet (but I will!). There are also a host of other special releases, like the Teapot Dram, which are harder to find. There are a few indie bottlings around though.

Potted distillery facts

Water source: Blairgar Burn
Washbacks: Six, Oregon pine, 19,000 litres each
Wash stills: One, reflux bowl neck, 16,520 litres.
Spirit stills: Two, reflux bowl neck, 5,000 litres
Spirit still Lyne arm: slightly descending
Production per year: 1,200,000 litres

- The Scottish Whisky Distilleries, Misako Udo

Akashi White Oak Blended

Akashi White Oak Blended

Official bottling 
Single blend - East Honshu
Light gold
40% ABV
Dram

Nose: White grapes, photocopy paper, steamed rice, cotton sheets, hints of lavender, hints of peach.
Mouthfeel: Light body, watery, slippery.
Tasting: Sweet sour . Green tea, white grapes, steamed rice, cotton sheets, hints of lavender.
Finish: Short. Green tea, white grapes, peaches, cotton sheets.

Comments:

OK, this is very unusual. In fact, it doesn't even taste like whisky. And there's a good reason for this, because this is a blend of single malt from Eigashima distillery, distilled molasses spirit (isn't this rum?) from the same distillery, and possibly a smidgen of non-Japanese grain whisky. It's not really whisky by the usual definition. It is light, fresh, mild and gentle, with pleasant notes of freshly laundered cotton sheets, green tea, and steamed rice. I really like this.

Verdict:

I like this a lot.

Kawasaki 33 yo 1976/2009

Kawasaki 33 yo 1976/2009

Ichiro's Choice, Number One Drinks Co
Single grain - East Honshu
Amber, tinge of red
65.6% ABV
Dram

Nose: Oranges, pears, magic marker, vanilla, lemon zest, honey, red grapes. With water, pears disappear, lots of magic marker, bananas.
Mouthfeel: Light body, loosens, turns slippery.
Tasting: Sweet sour . Oranges, magic marker, lemon zest, honey, red grapes, dried cranberries, hints of pears. With water, sweeter, lots of magic marker, hints of oats.
Finish: Short. Oranges, lemon zest, pears, dried cranberries.

Comments:

Wow! Like a punch in the mouth, incredibly fruity and spicy. The sherry cask complements the spice of the grain whisky really well. With water, it opens up, tastes slightly chemical, like pear drop sweets. Very, very tasty indeed.

Verdict:

I like this a lot.

Hakushu Distiller's Reserve

Hakushu Distiller's Reserve

Official bottling 
Single malt - West Honshu
Gold, tinge of green
43% ABV
Dram

Nose: Cucumber, mint, leather, lemon zest, pomeloes, hints of grass.
Mouthfeel: Light body, slippery, turns to water.
Tasting: Sour salty. Mint, cucumber, grapefruit, orange peel, leather, grass, hints of lemon.
Finish: Short. Salted plums, lemon zest, cucumber, grapefruit.

Comments:

Apparently blended from whiskies not less than 8 years old. So, very young, but quite flavourful nevertheless. It tastes... green? Like a mojito, but with savoury leatheriness and plummy, sweet-salty notes. Very good.

Verdict:

I like this a lot.

Karuizawa 1990/2012 Cask #679

Karuizawa 1990/2012 Cask #679

Official bottling 
Single malt - West Honshu
Dark amber
56.1% ABV
Dram

Nose: Raisins, blackcurrants, vanilla, dried cherries, leather, cloves, hints of sandalwood. With water, less spicy, more malted grains, hints of oats.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, thickens in the mouth, slightly astringent.
Tasting: Sweet. Raisins, chocolate, cloves, blackcurrants, vanilla, leather, hints of sandalwood. With water, saltier, leather, hints of smoke.
Finish: Medium. Chocolate, blackcurrants, leather, hints of sandalwood.

Comments:

Not your usual Karuizawa. Instead of full-on, winey, vinous red grapes, this whisky has a savoury, slightly leathery (rancio?) undertone throughout. With water, it opens up, becoming saltier and even slightly smoky. Tricksy, but a real treat.

Verdict:

I like this a lot.

Auchroisk 16 yo 1989/2006

Auchroisk 16 yo 1989/2006

Authentic Collection, WM Cadenhead
Single malt - Speyside
Beeswax
58.8% ABV
Sampler

Nose: Bananas, cream, custard, vanilla, leather, mint, hints of prunes. With water, sweeter, cookie dough, raisins, grilled pork, more leather.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, thickens, slippery, tingly.
Tasting: Salty. Bananas, lemon zest, prunes, apples, leather, vanilla, hints of cream, hints of bubblegum. With water, raisins, grilled pork, more leather.
Finish: Long. Leather, peanuts, lemon zest, prunes. With water, more lemony, fresh, hints of pine.

Comments:

Fruity and strong, almost bites the tongue when drunk neat. Opens up a great deal with a dribble of water, meatier and saltier, almost like good pork with a sweet sauce on top. Apparently, this whisky was aged in first fill sherry casks, although judging by the colour I'd have thought it would have been refill. Very good indeed.

Verdict:

I like this a lot.