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.