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.
Wednesday, 28 November 2018
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.
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.
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.
Wednesday, 21 November 2018
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.
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.
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.
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.
Thursday, 15 November 2018
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Wednesday, 7 November 2018
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.
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.
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.
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