Caperdonich 22yo

Caperdonich 22yo

That Boutique-y Whisky Company, Master of Malt
Single malt - Speyside
Amber
48.6% ABV
Dram

Nose: Fried eggs, raisins, malted grains, cream, carrot cake, hints of cinnamon. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, slippery, loose, airy, evaporates. 
Tasting:  Sweet sour. Leather, malted grains, pineapples, carrot cake, hints of meringue. 
Finish: Long. Cream, pineapples, cinnamon, meringues, hints of leather, hints of honey. 

Comments: 

Although my palate was shot by this point, this Caperdonich still made a powerful impression. Spicy and creamy, and heaps of pineapple jam on the palate, this was a joy to drink and a wonderful cap to an epic night.

Verdict:

I like this.

Johnnie Walker Black Label (bottled 1970s)

Johnnie Walker Black Label (bottled 1970s)

Blended malt
Amber
35% ABV
Dram

Nose: Honey, malted grains, plums, black tea, hints of pineapples. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, sticky, loose, airy. 
Tasting:  Sweet sour. Honey, caramel,leather, orange peel, toast, hints of tobacco leaf. 
Finish: Long. Sea salt, orange peel, tobacco leaf, raisins, red grapes. 

Comments: 

I don't normally review a whisky twice, but this one is so old and so different from its current incarnation that it merits one. Firstly, it's under proof compared to 'real' whisky, and secondly, it's got plenty of old bottle effect, manifesting in this instance as funky tobacco. It's glorious, and waxy and fruity, and lacks that touch of smokiness that characterises today's Black Label. There's probably loads of Brora in it!

Verdict:

I like this a lot.

Old Perth 41yo

Old Perth 41yo

Blended malt
Mahogany
45.3% ABV
Dram

Nose: brass polish, jasmine tea, honey, raisins, plums, hints of sea salt. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, slippery, loose, watery. 
Tasting:  Sweet sour. Honey, plums, jasmine tea, orange juice, hints of strawberries. 
Finish: Short. Jasmine tea, honeysuckle, strawberries, raisins, hints of oranges. 

Comments: 

Wow, this tastes OLD. Floral and sweet, plenty of fruit, yet airy, light and glorious. This is wonderful whisky. What bottlers are doing with blends these days is very exciting. More, please.

Verdict:

I like this a lot.

Springbank 12yo 1989/2002 Rum Wood

Springbank 12yo 1989/2002 Rum Wood

Official bottling
Single malt - Campbeltown
Chinese tea
54.6% ABV
Dram

Nose: Petrol, leather, lemon zest, sea salt, gooseberries. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, loose, airy, slippery, volatile. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Petrol, ginseng, leather, orange peel, black tea. 
Finish: Long. Orange peel, honey, leather, black tea, hints of petrol. 

Comments: 

A classic, if sweet, Springbank. There's a very obvious industrial funkiness about this whisky, almost redolent of engine exhaust, but it's covered well with fruit peel and honey. Highly enjoyable, and quite rare these days.

Verdict:

I like this.

Glen Keith 21yo 1996/2018

Glen Keith 21yo 1996/2018

Old Particular, Douglas Laing
Single malt - Speyside
Amber
51.5% ABV
Dram

Nose: Lemon zest, cinnamon, rhubarb and custard sweets, black tea, hints of leather. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, loosens, airy, slightly astringent, watery around the edges. 
Tasting:  Sweet. Raisins, black tea, cinnamon, honey, candy floss, hints of ginseng. 
Finish: Medium. Black cherries, honey, candy floss, black tea, cinnamon. 

Comments: 

Cask number 12575. Spicy Speyside whisky, quite sweet, some tannic and bitter notes on the tongue. It's fairly old compared to what I've been drinking recently, and I have a new appreciation of how a whisky's age confers complexity.

Verdict:

I like this.

Glenglassaugh Peated Virgin Oak

Glenglassaugh Peated Virgin Oak

Official bottling
Single malt - Speyside
Burnished pine
46% ABV
Dram

Nose: Leather, tobacco leaf, prunes, fresh cut grass, hints of raisins. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, slippery, tingly, mouth coating. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Walnuts, leather, raisins, prunes, honey, hints of black tea. 
Finish: Medium. Black tea, leather, grapefruit, white grapes. 

Comments: 

Another whisky from the resurrected Glenglassaugh distillery. This one is gentle, slightly leathery, with nice tannic notes on the tongue and finish. Very enjoyable, but I can't wait to taste the aged stuff.

Verdict:

I like this.

FEW Delilah's 23rd Anniversary Bottling

FEW Delilah's 23rd Anniversary Bottling

Official bottling
Single malt - Illinois
Dark amber
50% ABV
Dram

Nose: Caramel, cinnamon, cloves, white grapes, raisins, hints of white chocolate. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, loose, volatile, airy. 
Tasting:  Sweet. Cloves, raisins, vanilla, white chocolate, pears, red wine. 
Finish: Medium. Red wine, pears, white tea, cloves, white chocolate, jasmine. 

Comments: 

Not your usual bourbon, and a rare bottling to boot. This doesn't have the highly sweet, fragrant banana notes in most bourbons, instead it's spicy and slightly bitter, even tannic. This is really good whisky.

Verdict:

I like this a lot.

Method in the Madness Single Malt

Method in the Madness Single Malt

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

Nose: Malted grains, honey, sea salt, orange peel, hints of soy sauce 
Mouthfeel: Light body, loose, turns watery, airy. 
Tasting:  Sweet salty. Raisins, honey, sea salt, candied oranges, marshmallows, hints of soy sauce. 
Finish: Short. Raisins, caramelised peanuts, orange peel, malted grains, hints of salted plums. 

Comments: 

Unlike other Midletons, this whisky has a savoury edge to it. However, it retains the light, loose mouthfeel that defines Irish whisky. Quite unusual.

Verdict:

I like this.

Chichibu London Edition 2018

Chichibu London Edition 2018

Official bottling
Single malt - East Honshu
Dark gold 
56.5% ABV
Dram

Nose: malted grains, lemon zest, baked apples, sandalwood, pine, hints of blackcurrants. With water, apple juice, white grapes, hints of raisins. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, thickens slightly, astringent, volatile. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Lemon zest, apple juice, pine, sandalwood, hints of cinnamon. With water, white grapes, raisins, gooseberries. 
Finish: Long. Walnuts, cinnamon, raisins, apple juice. 

Comments: 

Fruity and woody, even herbaceous. Very strong, and water brings out some of the more delicate fruity notes. I found this to be very good whisky, but definitely under aged.

Verdict:

I like this.

Banff 24yo 1974/1998

Banff 24yo 1974/1998

Connoisseur's Choice, Gordon & Macphail
Single malt - Speyside
Golden
40% ABV
Dram

Nose: Leather, lemon juice, lavender, jasmine, peaches, hints of celery, hints of soy sauce. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, static, loose, airy, cool. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Leather, celery, white grapes, jasmine, hints of peaches. 
Finish: Medium. White tea, white grapes, coffee, raisins, hints of leather. 

Comments: 

There's heaps of old bottle effect in this, with the purported celery note as clear as a bell. I've always associated OBE with old leather, and it's the first time I've found the floral grassiness that many others say exists. What can I say, my palate is growing up. Anyway, the underlying whisky is floral and citrusy, with an alluring bitter sweet finish. This sort of stuff simply isn't made anymore.

Verdict:

I like this a lot.

Glenallachie 10yo Cask Strength Batch 1

Glenallachie 10yo Cask Strength Batch 1

Official bottling
Single malt - Speyside
Amber
57.1% ABV
Dram

Nose: Honey, raisins, white grapes, cotton sheets, hints of balsamic vinegar. With water, candle wax, toffee, hints of sandalwood. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, drying, volatile, astringent, loose. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Black tea, cotton sheets, raisins, peanuts, chocolate, hints of balsamic vinegar. With water, more bitter, sandalwood, more chocolate, hints of marmalade. 
Finish: Long. White grapes, chocolate, black tea, honey. 

Comments: 

The whisky from this distillery mostly gets used in blends, but the single malts in the newly released range have been quite impressive. This 10yo is delicious, very drinkable even at full strength. With water, it opens up, becoming jammy, spicy and bittersweet. Lovely.

Verdict:

I like this a lot.

Octomore Masterclass 08.4 Virgin Oak

Octomore Masterclass 08.4 Virgin Oak

Official bottling
Single malt - Islay
Tea
58.7% ABV
Dram

Nose: Bacon, vanilla, honey, leather, smoke, hints of baked apples. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, hot, volatile, tingly. 
Tasting:  Salty sweet. Leather, honey, lemon zest, baked apples, mint, smoke. 
Finish: Long. Smoke, mint, honey, baked apples, lemon zest. 

Comments: 

8 years old. This whisky is meaty and sweet, and the 170ppm peatiness is apparent only fleetingly. There is heaps of minty flavour mixed with cigar smoke, reminds me of smoking a rather good menthol cigarette while munching on baked apples. Lovely whisky.

Verdict:

I like this.

Millstone Peated PX Cask 4yo 2013/2018

Millstone Peated PX Cask 4yo 2013/2018

Official bottling
Single malt - North Brabant
Dark gold
46% ABV
Dram

Nose: Oranges, jasmine tea, tobacco leaf, lemon zest, hints of driftwood. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, turns watery, loose, airy. 
Tasting:  Sweet salty. Tobacco leaf, lemon zest, oranges, salt caramel, leather, hints of smoke. 
Finish: Medium. Jasmine tea, raisins, salt caramel, hints of leather. 

Comments: 

Fragrant and briny, this has a dry, perfumy floral note overlaying sweet saltiness. It works, despite sounding a bit odd. It's also young, and I think it would benefit from aging a bit more. A problem all young distilleries face.

Verdict:

I like this.

Clynelish 22yo 1995/2018

Clynelish 22yo 1995 2018

Cask Strength, Signatory
Single malt - North Highlands
Dark amber
55.4% ABV
Dram

Nose: Apples, nectarines, orange peel, raisins, hints of fried eggs. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, hot, tingly, volatile. 
Tasting:  Sweet. Raisins, nectarines, chocolate, orange peel, hints of black tea. 
Finish: Long. Chocolate, coffee, black tea, apples. 

Comments: 

Cask 11230. Sherry finish, doesn't taste like a refill butt. Quite sulphurous neat, but it's 'good' sulphur somehow. I didn't like diluting it in any case. Very sweet and estery, with a bittersweet finish. Lovely stuff.

Verdict:

I like this a lot.

Sullivan's Cove Single Cask American Oak

Sullivan's Cove Single Cask American Oak

Official bottling
Single malt - Tasmania
Copper
47.5% ABV
Dram

Nose: Orange peel, pears, lemon zest, red wine, raisins, leather. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, loose watery, airy. 
Tasting:  Sweet. Lemons, orange peel, leather, red wine, rust, cinnamon. 
Finish: Short. Black tea, orange peel, raisins, lemons. 

Comments: 

This is gloriously sweet, complex and well-aged. Heaps of fruit, old leather, even tinges of metallic sparks on the tongue. Good tannic, bitter sweet finish. I'm well impressed.

Verdict:

I like this a lot.

Sullivan's Cove Rare Double Cask

Sullivan's Cove Rare Double Cask

Official bottling
Single malt - Tasmania
Amber
40% ABV
Dram

Nose: Clotted cream, leather, tobacco leaf, orange peel, malted grains, hints of caramel. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, astringent, turns watery, loosens. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Leather, orange peel, butterscotch, burnt toffee, tobacco leaf, hints of peat. 
Finish: Medium. Burnt toffee, leather, black tea, hints of dates. 

Comments: 

Cask no DC093. Creamy, yoghurty nose, coupled with good burnt sugar flavours on the tongue. The finish is particularly good, slightly peaty, but gloriously sweet and caramelly.

Verdict:

I like this.

Imperial 21yo 1997/2018

Imperial 21yo 1997/2018

Single Malts of Scotland, Specialty Drinks
Single malt - Speyside
Straw
50.5% ABV
Dram

Nose: Pears, honey, lemon zest, rhubarb and custard sweets, hints of magic marker. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, thickens, slightly, slippery, tingly. 
Tasting:  Sweet sour. Honey, lemon zest, cola nuts, cream, hints of vanilla. 
Finish: Long. Lemon zest, ginger, cola nuts, hints of cloves. 

Comments: 

This is classic Imperial! Sweet and floral, little medicinal notes on the tongue, spicy finish. Not many of these left, drink them while you can.

Verdict:

I like this.

Santis 10yo Batch 1

Santis 10yo Batch 1

That Boutique-y Whisky Company, Master of Malt
Single malt - Appenzell
Amber red
51.4% ABV
Dram

Nose: Magic marker, red grapes, black tea, brown paper, orange peel. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, loose, volatile, slippery. 
Tasting:  Sweet sour. Black tea, red grapes, lohan fruit, orange peel, hints of brown paper. 
Finish: Long. Brown paper, black tea, red grapes, hints of ginseng. 

Comments: 

This is excellent, dispels the myth that they don't know how to make whisky on the Continent. There's tannins, red fruits, dried fruits (even medicinal Chinese fruits) and bitter notes. Complex and layered, great whisky.

Verdict:

I like this a lot.

Macduff 8yo 2009/2018

Macduff 8yo 2009/2018

Provenance, Douglas Laing
Single malt - Speyside
Silver
46% ABV
Dram

Nose: Sandalwood, lemon juice, malted grains, cloves, hints of cinnamon, hints of orange peel. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, slippery, volatile, airy. 
Tasting:  Bitter sour. White grapes, sandalwood, cinnamon, orange peel, hints of peaches. 
Finish: Short. Honey, white grapes, white tea, peaches, hints of malted grains. 

Comments: 

Cask no DL12603. A young Macduff, but quite complex, spicy and fruity. It's a tad bitter though, and that jars more than a little. Nice tannic finish, but short. I didn't finish the dram, and I didn't feel the loss.

Verdict:

Not bad.

Boulder Single Malt Whiskey American Oak

Boulder Single Malt Whiskey American Oak

Official bottling
Single malt - Colorado
Amber red
42% ABV
Dram

Nose: Honey, bananas, rooibos tea, red grapes, magic marker, hints of cling film. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, loosens, airy, slippery. 
Tasting:  Sweet. Bananas, vanilla, toffee, red grapes, hints of pomegranates. 
Finish: Short. Red grapes, pomegranates, honey, orange peel. 

Comments: 

Sweet and estery on the nose, even slightly plasticky. That must be the American oak. On the tongue it improves, with earthy sweetness, even pomegranate juice. Good attempt.

Verdict:

Not bad.

Pittyvaich 19yo 1993/2012

Pittyvaich 19yo 1993/2012

Connoisseur's Choice, Gordon & Macphail
Single malt - Speyside
Pale gold
46% ABV
Dram

Nose: Malted grains, lemon zest, leather, yoghurt, tobacco leaf, hints of orange blossom. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, sticky, chewy, creamy. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Tobacco leaf, lemon zest, honey, hints of toffee, hints of smoke. 
Finish: Short. White wine, lemon zest, butterscotch, tobacco leaf, hints of orange blossom. 

Comments: 

Floral and slightly fermented, the nose on this Pittyvaich is unimpressive at first. But give it time - it blossoms into highly complex layered flavours, with notes of lemon zest and even a slight toastiness. The finish is awesome - hugely complex and floral, buttery sweetness vying with minerally white wine.

Verdict:

I like this.

Lochside 18yo 1991/2010

Lochside 18yo 1991/2010

Connoisseur's Choice, Gordon & Macphail
Single malt - East Highlands
Golden
43% ABV
Dram

Nose: Ripe peaches, violets, honey, lemons, hints of brass polish. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, loose, slippery, slightly watery. 
Tasting:  Sweet. Honey, peaches, toast, fried bananas, caramel, hints of raisins. 
Finish: Medium. Fried bananas, peaches, toast, honey. 

Comments: 

Oof, this whisky tastes like I'm standing in a peach orchard in Spain. The peach notes are strong, almost overripe, with fragrant smoke, toast, and caramelised fruit. It's delicious.

Verdict:

I like this a lot.

Glenury Royal 12yo bottled 1970s

Glenury Royal 12yo bottled 1970s

John Gillon & Sons
Single malt - East Highlands
Amber
40% ABV
Dram

Nose: Lemon, peaches, honeycomb, leather, fried eggs, hints of apple juice. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, volatile, tingly, airy. 
Tasting:  Sweet sour. Apple juice, white grapes, sandalwood, leather, honeycomb. 
Finish: Long. Lemons, peaches, sandalwood, hints of ginseng. 

Comments: 

Wow, there's heaps of old bottle effect in this whisky. I identify it as something between sandalwood and leather, with a hint of lemon. This wreathes through the entire dram, overlaying sweet luscious notes of honeycomb. There's even a hint of floral, bitter ginseng at the end.

Verdict:

I like this a lot.

An Cnoc 18 yo

An Cnoc 18yo

Official bottling
Single malt - Speyside
Dark gold
46% ABV
Dram

Nose: Butterscotch, fried eggs, tobacco leaf, black tea, hints of honey. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, slippery, loose, turns watery. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Fried eggs, butterscotch, sea salt, black tea, hints of smoke. 
Finish: Long. Peaches, pears, orange peel, hints of black tea. 

Comments: 

A rather robust Speyside, as Knockdhu whisky tends to be. Good tannins, some slight smoke, and rubbery fried eggs. It's not for everyone, but I have a soft spot for eggy whiskies.

Verdict:

I like this.

Glen Albyn 36yo 1976/2012

Glen Albyn 36yo 1976/2012

Gordon & Macphail
Single malt - North Highlands
Golden
43% ABV
Dram

Nose: Lemon zest, salt caramel, rhubarb and custard sweets, magic marker, sea salt. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, loosens, turns watery, airy. 
Tasting:  Sweet salty. Salt caramel, fig jam, lemon zest, raisins, pears, hints of magic marker. 
Finish: Long. Sea salt, walnuts, lemon zest, hints of driftwood smoke. 

Comments: 

Briny and citrusy, this is a wonderful dram. There are layers of flavour - floral fruit, brassy citrus, luscious jam and finally, gentle, yet briny salt and smoke. There's even a smidgen of old bottle effect.

Verdict:

I like this a lot.

Glenfiddich Project XX

Glenfiddich Project XX

Official bottling
Single malt - Speyside
Amber
47% ABV
Dram

Nose: Yoghurt, raisins, honey, chocolate, hints of coffee. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, syrupy, thickens, slightly slippery. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Toffee, chocolate, raisins, orange peel, hints of coffee. 
Finish: Medium. Chocolate, raisins, orange peel, vanilla, hints of coffee. 

Comments: 

Plenty of sherry casks in this one. Nicely complex, rather warming on a cool autumn day, this rather hit the spot. I don't advise drinking it out of season though.

Verdict:

I like this.

Mackmyra 10yo

Mackmyra 10yo

Official bottling
Single malt - Gastrikland
Dark gold
46.1% ABV
Dram

Nose: Honey, raspberries, malted grains, yoghurt, hints of cloudberries. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, loosens, turns watery, slightly volatile. 
Tasting:  Sweet sour. Cloudberries, oranges, black tea, cloves, hints of lemon thyme. 
Finish: Medium. Yoghurt, oranges, raspberries, black tea, malted grains. 

Comments: 

This is floral and spicy, with a briny, malty kick. Yes, Mackmyra ages well, and I think this is but a glimpse of what the spirit could become given time. It's excellent.

Verdict:

I like this a lot.

Wild Turkey 101

Wild Turkey 101

Official bottling
Single bourbon - Kentucky
Amber red
50.5% ABV
Dram

Nose: Honey, orange peel, white grapes, gooseberries, toffee. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, syrupy, volatile, slightly astringent. 
Tasting:  Sweet. Orange peel, bananas, gooseberries, toffee, raisins, hints of caramel. 
Finish: Medium. Orange peel, cloves, bananas, caramel. 

Comments: 

This is a powerful, robust bourbon, with better tha average complexity. It's been aged at least 6 years, according to the literature, and it shows. Excellent notes of orange peel predominate, almost crowding out the classic bourbon banana flavours.

Verdict:

I like this a lot.

Glen Esk 34yo 1980/2014

Glen Esk 34yo 1980/2014

Rare Old, Gordon & Macphail
Single malt - East Highlands
Goldenrod
46% ABV
Dram

Nose: Lemon, honeysuckle, fresh cut grass, peaches, jasmine. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, sticky, astringent, syrupy. 
Tasting:  Sweet sour. Lemon drops, peaches, mint, vanilla, figs, hints of white tea. 
Finish: Long. Lemon sherbet, honeysuckle, jasmine, mint, figs. 

Comments: 

Well, this is glorious. Floral, citrusy and sweet, with a luscious jammy note, this is excellent whisky. It's so delicate it could almost be a Speyside, but it's a rare gem from a well-mourned distillery (at least for me).

Verdict:

I like this a lot.

Chita Distiller's Reserve

Chita Distiller's Reserve

Official bottling
Single grain - West Honshu
Pale gold
43% ABV
Dram

Nose: Lemon zest, cotton sheets, jasmine, white tea, brass polish. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, loose, volatile, watery. 
Tasting:  Sour bitter. White tea, lemon zest, brass polish, fried eggs, burnt sugar. 
Finish: Medium. Jasmine, brass polish, lemon zest, burnt sugar. 

Comments: 

Well, this is rather odd. It's a grain whisky, but it's tannic, even sulphurous. If it were a malt whisky, I'd say it's one of the strange, intense Speysides that the Scotch Malt Whisky Society serve up every so often, but it's Japanese grain...

Verdict:

Not bad.

Boulder Bourbon

Boulder Bourbon

Official bottling
Single bourbon - Colorado
Amber
42% ABV
Dram

Nose: Black tea, raisins, camphor, cinnamon, marshmallows, vanilla. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, airy, volatile, loose. 
Tasting:  Sweet. Black tea, cinnamon, fresh baked bread, raisins, malted grains. 
Finish: Short. Fresh baked bread, dried pears, camphor, hints of raisins. 

Comments: 

A very odd bourbon from Colorado. It's spicy, but lacks much of the fruity estery notes that characterise, say, Kentucky bourbon. Instead, it's cereally, medicinal, perhaps even on the harsh side. An interesting product, takes some getting used to.

Verdict:

I like this.

Glenallachie 18yo

Glenallachie 18yo

Official bottling
Single malt - Speyside
Straw
46% ABV
Dram

Nose: Rhubarb and custard sweets, raisins, brass polish, dried apples, lemon zest. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, thickens slightly, static, slightly oily. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Dried apples, fresh baked bread, lemon zest, marzipan, hints of black tea. 
Finish: Long. Black tea, marzipan, oats, hints of dried apples. 

Comments: 

Very Rosebank-ey on the nose (many whiskies have managed to replicate the characteristics of Rosebank these days), but this transforms into fruit leather and almonds on the tongue. Tasty whisky, but it doesn't show its age.

Verdict:

I like this.

Talisker 8yo 2009/2018

Talisker 8yo 2009/2018

Old Particular, Douglas Laing
Single malt - Islands
Pale gold 48.4% ABV
Dram

Nose: Fresh baked bread, bacon, peat, driftwood smoke, orange peel. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, loose, turns watery, slippery. 
Tasting:  Sour salty. Lemon zest, orange blossom, peat, bacon, hints of orange peel. 
Finish: Medium. Peat, sea salt, lemon zest, fresh baked bread, hints of driftwood smoke. 

Comments: 

Cask 12364. A light and unusual Talisker. It's not very marine, but there's plenty of peat, smoke and bacon rind. It's floral, yet meaty, with delicious cereal notes in the finish.

Verdict:

I like this.

Starward 10th Anniversary Release

Starward 10th Anniversary Release

Official bottling
Single malt - Victoria
Amber red
52% ABV
Dram

Nose: Red grapes, roses, orange peel, honey, strawberries, hints of peaches. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, loose, slippery, turns watery. 
Tasting:  Sweet. Roses, strawberries, black tea, dried pears, peaches. 
Finish: Long. Vanilla, raisins, cookie dough, black tea. 

Comments: 

A celebratory release by New World, marking the distillery's 10th anniversary. It's a vatting of 10 casks distilled throughout the last 10 years. There's definitely a red wine finish, and a couple of sherry casks. It's fruity and floral, and perhaps a little too sweet, but it's highly drinkable and very characteristic of the distillery.

Verdict:

I like this.

Westland Sherry Wood

Westland Sherry Wood

Official bottling
Single malt - Washington
Amber
46% ABV
Dram

Nose: Raisins, camphor, honey, ginger, hints of brine. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, tingly, loose, turns slightly watery. 
Tasting:  Sweet. Ginger, honey, candied orange, sea salt, fresh baked bread, hints of black tea. 
Finish: Long. Candied orange, white pepper, black tea, fresh baked bread. 

Comments: 

This whisky is very Christmassy, and somehow Caribbean. It reminds me of rum-spiked Jamaican fruit cake, chock full of candied ginger and allspice, fruity and boozy and spicy. Glorious flavours, gentle whisky.

Verdict:

I like this.

Westland Peated Whiskey

Westland Peated Whiskey

Official bottling
Single malt - Washington
Amber green
46% ABV
Dram

Nose: Honey, gooseberries, wood smoke, camphor, hints of peat, hints of cloves. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, slippery, turns watery, slightly tingly. 
Tasting:  Bitter sour. Gooseberries, smoke, honey, peaches, pears, peat. 
Finish: Long. Peat, menthol, camphor, lemon zest. 

Comments: 

This American offering is not particularly peaty, despite it's name. Instead, gentle peat and smoke overlay a core of fruity, tart, spicy whisky. It's particularly good if you're not feeling like an aggressive peathead.

Verdict:

I like this.

Blair Athol 8yo 2008/2017

Blair Athol 8yo 2008/2017

Small Batch, James Eadie
Single malt - Central Highlands
Buttercups
46% ABV
Dram

Nose: Lemons, peaches, malted grains, meringues, hints of limes. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, thickens, syrupy, sticky. 
Tasting: Sweet sour. Honey, lemons, cotton sheets, meringues, hints of elderflower. 
Finish: Short. Fresh baked bread, lemons, elderflower, hints of cotton sheets. 

Comments: 

Wonderfully fresh and floral. There's also an unctuous sticky character to the whisky, somehow like lemon meringue pie, sharp and decadent at the same time. Excellent stuff, I really enjoyed this whisky, from a bottler I've not encountered before.

Verdict:

I like this a lot.

Auchroisk 10yo

Auchroisk 10yo

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

Nose: Apple juice, lemon zest, oats, vanilla, hints of rhubarb crumble. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, tingly, astringent, thickens slightly. 
Tasting:  Sour bitter. Lemon zest, vanilla, apple juice, fresh baked bread, rhubarb crumble. 
Finish: Short. Fresh baked bread, plum jam, lemon zest, oats. 

Comments: 

Flora and Fauna bottling. This is more heavy going whisky, it's a bit young even at 10 years old. It's as if the flavours are still sharp edged and slightly harsh, maybe they need a little longer to meld together better.

Verdict:

I like this.

Imperial 28yo 1989/2018

Imperial 28yo 1989/2018

Celebration of the Cask, Carn Mor
Single malt - Speyside
Golden
42.7% ABV
Dram

Nose: Fresh baked bread, lemon juice, brass polish, meringue, key lime pie. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, warming, loosens, turns watery. 
Tasting:  Sweet sour. Vanilla, lemon juice, short crust pastry, lime juice, hints of marzipan. 
Finish: Medium. Lime juice, marzipan, vanilla, hints of pears. 

Comments: 

Bottle 021/201, cask 1675. This whisky is fresh, light and floral, despite its age. It's highly complex with plenty of luscious cereally and citrus notes, at times bringing to mind a key lime pie. This is excellent whisky.

Verdict:

I like this a lot.

Minor Case Rye Whiskey (Sherry Cask Finished)

Minor Case Rye Whiskey (Sherry Cask Finished)

Official bottling
Single rye - Kentucky
Amber
45% ABV
Dram

Nose: Brown paper, cloves, bananas, orange peel. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, loose, slightly astringent, turns slippery. 
Tasting:  Sweet. Bananas, raisins, cloves, orange peel, honey, strawberries, hints of vanilla. 
Finish: Long. Chillies, vanilla, strawberries, orange peel. 

Comments: 

A young rye whiskey, perhaps slightly overwhelmed by the sherry influence. Still, it's not quite a sherry bomb. There's cloves, orange peel, plenty of vanilla, and these notes are still sharp and clear.

Verdict:

I like this.

Heaven Hill 16yo 2001/2017

Heaven Hill 16yo 2001/2017

Malts of Scotland
Single bourbon - Kentucky
Amber rose
46.5% ABV
Dram

Nose: Raisins, honey, strawberries, plums, hints of cinnamon. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, loose, slightly astringent, tingly. 
Tasting:  Sweet. Black tea, strawberries, bananas, plums, cinnamon, honey. 
Finish: Long. Brown paper, black tea, honey, cinnamon, plums. 

Comments: 

Cask 17024, bottle 95/199. This is rather sweet, but the long aging has added complexity to the bourbon. There's plenty of cinnamon and tannic notes, with the usual bourbony flavours of bananas and brown paper quite attenuated.

Verdict:

I like this.

Laphroaig Cairdeas Fino Cask

Laphroaig Cairdeas Fino Cask

Official bottling
Single malt - Islay
Amber
51.8% ABV
Dram

Nose: Honey, raisins, smoke, peat, plums, hints of bacon. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, astringent, tingly, static. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Raisins, honey, leather, sea salt, peat, hints of smoke. 
Finish: Long. Honey, plums, bacon, hints of sea salt. 

Comments: 

From peated Speyside to sherried Islay! This one is not too sweet, the smoke and leathery peat are not overshadowed by the sweet honey. Each element is quite distinct, and the sweetness seems to give the leathery notes a meaty, robust edge.

Verdict:

I like this a lot.

Balvenie 14yo Peat Week 2003

Balvenie 14yo Peat Week 2003

Official bottling
Single malt - Speyside
Dark gold
48.3% ABV
Dram

Nose: Lemon zest, honey, leather, peat, orange juice, hints of malted grains 
Mouthfeel: Light body, loosens, slippery, slightly astringent. 
Tasting:  Bitter. Honey, lemon zest, orange juice, smoke, leather, peat, hints of chillies. 
Finish: Long. Peanuts, orange juice, peat, hints of chillies. 

Comments: 

Much like a hot toddy made with Islay whisky, it's chockfull of citrus and smoky leathery goodness. Peated Speyside whiskies may seem like a gimmick, but every now and then someone manages to create one where the floral delicacy of Speyside whisky isn't overpowered by the smokiness.

Verdict:

I like this a lot.

Stauning Young Rye (3yo 2013/2017)

Stauning Young Rye (3yo 2013/2017)

Official bottling
Single rye - Midtjylland
Dark copper
48.4% ABV
Dram

Nose: Sour plums, vanilla, plums, apple juice, raisins, hints of cinnamon. 
Mouthfeel: light body, astringent, tingly, turns watery. 
Tasting:  Sweet salty. Cinnamon, cloves, dried apples, plums, raisins, brown paper, hints of pineapples. 
Finish: Medium. Raisins, honey, cinnamon, hints of sour plums. 

Comments: 

Young rye whiskey from Denmark. It's not obviously rye spirit on first taste, being rather fruity and sweet. But then it develops, and the spicy notes come to the fore - lots of cinnamon and cloves, like apple pie and all things nice.

Verdict:

I like this.

Stauning Kaos

Stauning Kaos

Official bottling
Single malt - Midtjylland
Dark gold
47.3% ABV
Dram

Nose: Crem, green tea, sour plums, brown paper, oats, hints of rye bread. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, loose, watery, airy. 
Tasting:  Sour. Brown paper, honey, cinnamon, oats, rye bread, hints of lemon. 
Finish: Medium. Lemon juice, honey, rye bread, oats. 

Comments: 

Danish whisky! It's a vatting of two casks, distilled in 2013 and 2014, bottled in 2017. Rather bready and cereally, like sitting in a flour mill. Underneath that, there's a soft sweetness, rather like a young bourbon.

Verdict:

I like this.

Glendalough 7yo Black Pitts Porter Finish

Glendalough 7 yo Black Pitts Porter Finish

Glendalough
Single malt - Central Ireland
Copper
46% ABV
Dram

Nose: Pears, cream, marshmallows, cloves, brown paper, hints of peaches. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, loosens immediately, turns watery, slippery. 
Tasting:  Sweet sour. Pears, green tea, peanuts, peaches, cloves, hints of marshmallows. 
Finish: Medium. Cloves, magic marker, pears, hints of pineapples. 

Comments: 

Another Cooley, bottled by Glendalough distillery while their single malt matures. It's been finished in porter casks, and seems to have picked up a rich, unctuous mouthfeel. There's a lot of spice in this, quite unusual in an Irish whiskey. Tasty.

Verdict:

I like this.

Snuffed Candle (Aberfeldy 15yo 1999/2014)

Snuffed Candle (Aberfeldy 15yo 1999/2014)

Single Cask, Wemyss Malts
Single malt - Central Highlands
Bright gold
46% ABV
Dram

Nose: Beer, beeswax, apples, leather, lemon zest, pears, hints of smoke. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, thickens, sticky, mouth coating. 
Tasting:  Sweet. Pears, apples, honeydew melons, leather, lemon zest, hints of beeswax. 
Finish: Medium. Mint, honeydew melons, lemon zest, brass polish. 

Comments: 

Silky and smooth, this sweet sour bold tasting Highlander was delicious on a sticky warm summer night. There's precious little smoke though, perhaps it should be renamed 'Candle', as it's not really been snuffed.

Verdict:

I like this.

Kurayoshi 8yo Sherry Cask

Kurayoshi 8yo Sherry Cask

Kurayoshi, Matsui Shuzo
Blended malt 
Amber
46% ABV
Dram

Nose: Cream, raisins, malted grains, cream cheese, apple juice. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, syrupy, thickens slightly, turns oily. 
Tasting:  Sweet sour. Lemon juice, apple juice, sea salt, prunes, hints of cream cheese, hints of autumn leaves. 
Finish: Short. Apple juice, pears, prunes, hints of cream. 

Comments: 

Scottish malt, blended with Japanese grain and aged in Japan. It's sweet, slightly savoury on the nose, but bursts into tart flavours of lemon and apple. The saltiness is a gentle murmur underneath these notes, and there's even a whisper of earthy autumnal forest floor.

Verdict:

I like this.

Mackmyra 3yo Batch 1

Mackmyra 3yo Batch 1

That Boutique-y Whisky Company, Master of Malt
Single malt - Gastrikland
Dark gold
47.1% ABV
Dram

Nose: Fresh cut grass, raisins, prunes, orange juice, camphor, hints of fig jam. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, thickens slightly, mouth coating, slightly oily. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Camphor, fresh cut grass, orange peel, lemon, hints of pine, hints of leather. 
Finish: Long. Honey, orange peel, fresh cut grass, fig jam. 

Comments: 

A light, grassy herbal Mackmyra, not so much of the piney notes that characterise Swedish whisky for me. Very little smoke, just a tiny hint, but there's a spicy, even chemical note that reminds me of camphorated oil (old Chinese remedy for bruises - don't ask me if it works). Nice whisky.

Verdict:

I like this.

2nd Chance Wheated Bourbon

2nd Chance Wheated Bourbon

Official bottling
Single bourbon - California
Dark gold
47.1% ABV
Dram

Nose: Orange juice, bread and butter pudding, brown paper, pears, apples, hints of bananas. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, loose, slightly astringent, turns watery. 
Tasting:  Sweet sour. Pears, apples, marmalade, bread and butter pudding, hints of toast, hints of peaches. 
Finish: Short. Peaches, raisins, marmalade, hints of toast. 

Comments: 

The flavours are great - buttery and toasty, lots of fruit, even lovely jammy notes on the tongue. But the mouthfeel is loose, slightly puckery. I don't normally take mouthfeel into account, but for some reason it did not match the flavours. Still, it's worth drinking for those alone.

Verdict:

I like this.