Ardbeg Supernova Stellar Release (2009)
Official bottling
Single malt - Islay
Green gold
58.9% ABV
Dram
Nose: Lemon juice, peat, smoke, sea salt, leather, hints of vanilla. With water, caramel, peanuts, butterscotch, iodine, preserved lemons.
Mouthfeel: Light body, loose, airy, watery.
Tasting: Bitter sour. Peat, lemon juice, smoke, vanilla, white grapes, peanuts. With water, peanuts, salted lemons, iodine, hints of limes.
Finish: Long. Peanuts, lemon juice, sea salt, fresh cut grass.
Comments:
I finally got to taste this magnificent whisky! It's a classic Ardbeg, if you add water, but I prefer it neat. It's austere and simple, smoke peat, lemon, some sweet floral notes. I'd say it's my favourite Ardbeg so far, along with Lord of the Isles.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Wednesday 27 February 2019
Craigellachie 9yo 2009/2018
Craigellachie 9yo 2009/2018
Small Batch, WM Cadenhead
Single malt - Speyside
Light gold
55.1% ABV
Tiny taste
Nose: Mushrooms, soy sauce, white pepper, carrot cake, hints of smoke.
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, loosens, tingly, warm.
Tasting: Bitter. Mushrooms, carrots, leather, soy sauce, sea salt, hints of lemon.
Finish: Medium. Smoke, peat, mushrooms, leather, lemon juice.
Comments:
Well, this is earthy and mushroomy, with plenty of salty, bitter notes. It's unlike any Craigellachie that I've ever had, and I had to double check to make sure this wasn't a Bunnahabhain. Thanks to Ciaran for the sample.
Verdict:
I like this.
Small Batch, WM Cadenhead
Single malt - Speyside
Light gold
55.1% ABV
Tiny taste
Nose: Mushrooms, soy sauce, white pepper, carrot cake, hints of smoke.
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, loosens, tingly, warm.
Tasting: Bitter. Mushrooms, carrots, leather, soy sauce, sea salt, hints of lemon.
Finish: Medium. Smoke, peat, mushrooms, leather, lemon juice.
Comments:
Well, this is earthy and mushroomy, with plenty of salty, bitter notes. It's unlike any Craigellachie that I've ever had, and I had to double check to make sure this wasn't a Bunnahabhain. Thanks to Ciaran for the sample.
Verdict:
I like this.
Tomatin 36yo
Tomatin 36yo
Official bottling
Single malt - Speyside
Golden
46% ABV
Tiny taste
Nose: Papaya, dried mango, orange peel, apple juice, hints of sandalwood
Mouthfeel: Medium body, static, turns watery, loose.
Tasting: Sweet. Dried mango, toffee apples, orange peel, vanilla, orange blossom, jasmine.
Finish: Long. Lime juice, dried mango, vanilla, orange blossom, jasmine.
Comments:
Incredibly floral, intensely fruity, sweet whisky. The flavours blend so well into each other, in a way that only comes with great age. I was very lucky to taste this, and even luckier to get a second taste after I spilt my first one. Thanks very much to Eddie for both tastes.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Official bottling
Single malt - Speyside
Golden
46% ABV
Tiny taste
Nose: Papaya, dried mango, orange peel, apple juice, hints of sandalwood
Mouthfeel: Medium body, static, turns watery, loose.
Tasting: Sweet. Dried mango, toffee apples, orange peel, vanilla, orange blossom, jasmine.
Finish: Long. Lime juice, dried mango, vanilla, orange blossom, jasmine.
Comments:
Incredibly floral, intensely fruity, sweet whisky. The flavours blend so well into each other, in a way that only comes with great age. I was very lucky to taste this, and even luckier to get a second taste after I spilt my first one. Thanks very much to Eddie for both tastes.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
291 Single Barrel Bourbon (Aspen Stave Finished)
291 Single Barrel Bourbon (Aspen Stave Finished)
Official bottling
Single bourbon - Colorado
Amber red
50% ABV
Dram
Nose: Red grapes, red wine, balsamic vinegar, orange peel, cardboard.
Mouthfeel: Light body, warm, loose, tingly.
Tasting: Sweet. Balsamic vinegar, raspberries, cookie dough, sandalwood, white pepper, hints of cotton sheets.
Finish: Long. Sandalwood, raspberries, iron filings, white pepper.
Comments:
Spicy, sweet, fragrant - this bourbon hits all the right notes, but the edges of the flavours are somewhat harsh, even slightly metallic. This needs some aging, I would guess it's maybe 3 years old.
Verdict:
I like this.
Official bottling
Single bourbon - Colorado
Amber red
50% ABV
Dram
Nose: Red grapes, red wine, balsamic vinegar, orange peel, cardboard.
Mouthfeel: Light body, warm, loose, tingly.
Tasting: Sweet. Balsamic vinegar, raspberries, cookie dough, sandalwood, white pepper, hints of cotton sheets.
Finish: Long. Sandalwood, raspberries, iron filings, white pepper.
Comments:
Spicy, sweet, fragrant - this bourbon hits all the right notes, but the edges of the flavours are somewhat harsh, even slightly metallic. This needs some aging, I would guess it's maybe 3 years old.
Verdict:
I like this.
Tamdhu 11yo 2007/2018
Tamdhu 11yo 2007/2018
Provenance, Douglas Laing
Single malt - Speyside
Light gold
46% ABV
Dram
Nose: Cream, raisins, white wine, fresh cut grass, hints of marzipan.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, sticky, oily, mouth coating.
Tasting: Sweet sour. White grapes, orange blossom, fresh cut grass, butter, fresh baked bread.
Finish: Long. White grapes, raisins, cream, butterscotch.
Comments:
A nice, light, summery whisky to go with an unseasonably warm spring. It's a real shame about climate change, but sometimes whisky helps to lift the gloom, if only for a little while.
Verdict:
I like this.
Provenance, Douglas Laing
Single malt - Speyside
Light gold
46% ABV
Dram
Nose: Cream, raisins, white wine, fresh cut grass, hints of marzipan.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, sticky, oily, mouth coating.
Tasting: Sweet sour. White grapes, orange blossom, fresh cut grass, butter, fresh baked bread.
Finish: Long. White grapes, raisins, cream, butterscotch.
Comments:
A nice, light, summery whisky to go with an unseasonably warm spring. It's a real shame about climate change, but sometimes whisky helps to lift the gloom, if only for a little while.
Verdict:
I like this.
Wednesday 20 February 2019
Karuizawa 1999-2000 Cask Strength 10th Edition
Karuizawa 1999-2000 Cask Strength 10th Edition
Official bottling
Single malt - West Honshu
Mahogany
60.9% ABV
Dram
Nose: Raisins, cloves, apricots, chocolate, honey, hints of liquorice. With water, aluminium foil, black tea, fresh baked bread, more chocolate.
Mouthfeel: Light body, loose, warming, airy.
Tasting: Sweet. Cloves, chocolate, apricots, raisins, pears, hints of black tea, hints of chillies. With water, black tea, apple juice, aluminium foil, pears.
Finish: Long. Nutmeg, black tea, chocolate, fresh baked bread, raisins.
Comments:
This has been vatted, perhaps from a couple of casks. Nevertheless, it's classic Karuizawa, with plenty of chocolate, raisins, and cloves. Water opens it up, with wonderful notes of fresh baked bread on both the nose and the finish. I'm very, very lucky to be able to have another magnificent whisky from this distillery.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Official bottling
Single malt - West Honshu
Mahogany
60.9% ABV
Dram
Nose: Raisins, cloves, apricots, chocolate, honey, hints of liquorice. With water, aluminium foil, black tea, fresh baked bread, more chocolate.
Mouthfeel: Light body, loose, warming, airy.
Tasting: Sweet. Cloves, chocolate, apricots, raisins, pears, hints of black tea, hints of chillies. With water, black tea, apple juice, aluminium foil, pears.
Finish: Long. Nutmeg, black tea, chocolate, fresh baked bread, raisins.
Comments:
This has been vatted, perhaps from a couple of casks. Nevertheless, it's classic Karuizawa, with plenty of chocolate, raisins, and cloves. Water opens it up, with wonderful notes of fresh baked bread on both the nose and the finish. I'm very, very lucky to be able to have another magnificent whisky from this distillery.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Old Pulteney Huddart
Old Pulteney Huddart
Official bottling
Single malt - North Highlands
Dark gold
46% ABV
Dram
Nose: Peanuts, sea salt, peat, salted lemons, hints of butterscotch.
Mouthfeel: Light body, cool, loose, slightly watery.
Tasting: Sour. Sea salt, salted lemons, apples, butterscotch, white grapes, hints of raisins, hints of white wine.
Finish: Short. Apples, lemon zest, sea salt, hints of peat.
Comments:
I've wanted to taste Old Pulteney's relaunched range for some time now. This is a decent start. Good salty, sour classic Old Pulteney notes.
Verdict:
I like this.
Official bottling
Single malt - North Highlands
Dark gold
46% ABV
Dram
Nose: Peanuts, sea salt, peat, salted lemons, hints of butterscotch.
Mouthfeel: Light body, cool, loose, slightly watery.
Tasting: Sour. Sea salt, salted lemons, apples, butterscotch, white grapes, hints of raisins, hints of white wine.
Finish: Short. Apples, lemon zest, sea salt, hints of peat.
Comments:
I've wanted to taste Old Pulteney's relaunched range for some time now. This is a decent start. Good salty, sour classic Old Pulteney notes.
Verdict:
I like this.
Frisky Whisky Craigellachie 8yo 2002/2010
Frisky Whisky Craigellachie 8yo 2002/2010
Frisky Whisky, John Milroy
Single malt - Speyside
Chinese tea
60.3% ABV
Dram
Nose: Salt caramel, candied pineapples, raisins, vanilla, honey. With water, sweeter, salt caramel, butterscotch.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, thickens, warm, slippery.
Tasting: Sweet. Honey, vanilla, pineapples, dulce de leche, hints of milk chocolate. With water, sweeter, butter, chocolate, salt caramel.
Finish: Long. Dulce de leche, oolong tea, milk chocolate, honey.
Comments:
A cracker of a Craigellachie, this fairly young whisky nevertheless has great complexity. The slightly salty, sweet butteriness goes incredibly well with the luscious candied pineapple notes. A little water goes a long way here, not too much.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Frisky Whisky, John Milroy
Single malt - Speyside
Chinese tea
60.3% ABV
Dram
Nose: Salt caramel, candied pineapples, raisins, vanilla, honey. With water, sweeter, salt caramel, butterscotch.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, thickens, warm, slippery.
Tasting: Sweet. Honey, vanilla, pineapples, dulce de leche, hints of milk chocolate. With water, sweeter, butter, chocolate, salt caramel.
Finish: Long. Dulce de leche, oolong tea, milk chocolate, honey.
Comments:
A cracker of a Craigellachie, this fairly young whisky nevertheless has great complexity. The slightly salty, sweet butteriness goes incredibly well with the luscious candied pineapple notes. A little water goes a long way here, not too much.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Friday 15 February 2019
Westland Cask 724
Westland Cask 724
Official bottling
Single malt - Washington
Amber red
57.9% ABV
Dram
Nose: Mint, plums, cough mixture, fresh cut grass, hints of soy sauce. With water, lemon zest, green apples, sea salt.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, slippery, slightly oily, mouth coating.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Plums, cough mixture, cinnamon, hay, toast, hints of soy sauce. With water, sweeter, raisins, camphor, green apples.
Finish: Long. Black tea, sea salt, cinnamon, red grapes.
Comments:
Intense, spicy, unctuous single malt. Very strong but also very drinkable. With water, it opens up, becoming more tart, and more herbal. Smells like an old herbal remedy my mother used to give me, for bruises.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Official bottling
Single malt - Washington
Amber red
57.9% ABV
Dram
Nose: Mint, plums, cough mixture, fresh cut grass, hints of soy sauce. With water, lemon zest, green apples, sea salt.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, slippery, slightly oily, mouth coating.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Plums, cough mixture, cinnamon, hay, toast, hints of soy sauce. With water, sweeter, raisins, camphor, green apples.
Finish: Long. Black tea, sea salt, cinnamon, red grapes.
Comments:
Intense, spicy, unctuous single malt. Very strong but also very drinkable. With water, it opens up, becoming more tart, and more herbal. Smells like an old herbal remedy my mother used to give me, for bruises.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Highland Park Dark 17yo
Highland Park Dark 17yo
Official bottling
Single malt - Islands
Amber red
52.9% ABV
Dram
Nose: Red grapes, vanilla, strawberries, leather, black tea, hints of white grapes.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, sticky, astringent, warm.
Tasting: Sweet. Vanilla, black tea, red grapes, apples, hints of wood smoke.
Finish: Long. Black tea, red grapes, mint, hints of white grapes, hints of leather.
Comments:
The sister bottling to the Light, it's very similar, but for much more intense fruitiness. The herbal, woody aromas in the finish of the Light have been transmuted by the sherry cask into mint and black tea. This is very nice whisky.
Verdict:
I like this.
Official bottling
Single malt - Islands
Amber red
52.9% ABV
Dram
Nose: Red grapes, vanilla, strawberries, leather, black tea, hints of white grapes.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, sticky, astringent, warm.
Tasting: Sweet. Vanilla, black tea, red grapes, apples, hints of wood smoke.
Finish: Long. Black tea, red grapes, mint, hints of white grapes, hints of leather.
Comments:
The sister bottling to the Light, it's very similar, but for much more intense fruitiness. The herbal, woody aromas in the finish of the Light have been transmuted by the sherry cask into mint and black tea. This is very nice whisky.
Verdict:
I like this.
Highland Park Light 17yo
Highland Park Light 17yo
Official bottling
Single malt - Islands
Golden
52.9% ABV
Dram
Nose: White grapes, star fruit, pineapples, leather, mint, pear drops.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, thickens, sticky, slightly chewy.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Vanilla, white grapes, mint, pineapples, hints of apples.
Finish: Long. Leather, autumn leaves, white grapes, hints of smokes.
Comments:
A lovely, unctuous, fruity Highland Park. Very gentle and subtle coastal and outdoorsy aromas, overlaid by delicious tropical fruit. Very nice indeed.
Verdict:
I like this.
Official bottling
Single malt - Islands
Golden
52.9% ABV
Dram
Nose: White grapes, star fruit, pineapples, leather, mint, pear drops.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, thickens, sticky, slightly chewy.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Vanilla, white grapes, mint, pineapples, hints of apples.
Finish: Long. Leather, autumn leaves, white grapes, hints of smokes.
Comments:
A lovely, unctuous, fruity Highland Park. Very gentle and subtle coastal and outdoorsy aromas, overlaid by delicious tropical fruit. Very nice indeed.
Verdict:
I like this.
Wednesday 13 February 2019
Craigellachie Fire 12yo 2006/2018
Craigellachie Fire 12yo 2006/2018
Official bottling
Single malt - Speyside
Amber
53.9% ABV
Dram
Nose: Malted grains, raisins, red grapes, butterscotch, honey, hints of marzipan.
Mouthfeel: Light body, loose, slippery, tingly.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Peanuts, red grapes, raisins, apples, black tea, hints of vanilla.
Finish: Long. Orange peel, black tea, apples, vanilla, red grapes.
Comments:
Smooth as silk, sweet as sin. Slight tannic notes on the tongue and finish, perhaps a little jarring after the lovely buttery notes on the nose. Still delicious.
Verdict:
I like this.
Official bottling
Single malt - Speyside
Amber
53.9% ABV
Dram
Nose: Malted grains, raisins, red grapes, butterscotch, honey, hints of marzipan.
Mouthfeel: Light body, loose, slippery, tingly.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Peanuts, red grapes, raisins, apples, black tea, hints of vanilla.
Finish: Long. Orange peel, black tea, apples, vanilla, red grapes.
Comments:
Smooth as silk, sweet as sin. Slight tannic notes on the tongue and finish, perhaps a little jarring after the lovely buttery notes on the nose. Still delicious.
Verdict:
I like this.
Longrow Red 11yo Pinot Noir Cask
Longrow Red 11yo Pinot Noir Cask
Official bottling
Single malt - Campbeltown
Amber red
53.1% ABV
Dram
Nose: Peat, raisins, leather, red grapes, seaweed.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, tingly, hot, loosens.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Raisins, peat, leather, red grapes, black tea, hints of peanuts.
Finish: Long. Raisins, mint, leather, black tea, red grapes.
Comments:
A highly complex, leathery Longrow. The industrial funk of Springbank distillery has been softened and rounded by the wine aging, and there's plenty of sweet lovely things, married to a seaside vibe. Great stuff.
Verdict:
I like this.
Official bottling
Single malt - Campbeltown
Amber red
53.1% ABV
Dram
Nose: Peat, raisins, leather, red grapes, seaweed.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, tingly, hot, loosens.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Raisins, peat, leather, red grapes, black tea, hints of peanuts.
Finish: Long. Raisins, mint, leather, black tea, red grapes.
Comments:
A highly complex, leathery Longrow. The industrial funk of Springbank distillery has been softened and rounded by the wine aging, and there's plenty of sweet lovely things, married to a seaside vibe. Great stuff.
Verdict:
I like this.
Carsebridge 48yo 1970/2018
Carsebridge 48yo 1970/2018
Official bottling
Single grain - Central Highlands
Amber
43.2% ABV
A tiny taste
Nose: Coconut cream, sea salt, burnt sugar, vanilla, hints of raisins.
Mouthfeel: Light body, loose, airy, slightly watery.
Tasting: Salty sweet. Coconut cream, sea salt, bananas, vanilla, raisins.
Finish: Medium. Vanilla, cinnamon, sea salt, butterscotch, coconut cream.
Comments:
One of Diageo's special releases for 2018. This is an amazing grain - so old it tastes like malt. It's coconutty and full of vanilla, yet slightly saline and crisply toasty. Incredible whisky, and I'm very lucky to be able to try this.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Official bottling
Single grain - Central Highlands
Amber
43.2% ABV
A tiny taste
Nose: Coconut cream, sea salt, burnt sugar, vanilla, hints of raisins.
Mouthfeel: Light body, loose, airy, slightly watery.
Tasting: Salty sweet. Coconut cream, sea salt, bananas, vanilla, raisins.
Finish: Medium. Vanilla, cinnamon, sea salt, butterscotch, coconut cream.
Comments:
One of Diageo's special releases for 2018. This is an amazing grain - so old it tastes like malt. It's coconutty and full of vanilla, yet slightly saline and crisply toasty. Incredible whisky, and I'm very lucky to be able to try this.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Glenallachie 28yo 1990/2018
Glenallachie 28yo 1990/2018
Official bottling
Single malt - Speyside
Amber
60.7% ABV
Dram
Nose: Peanut butter, honey, raisins, shortbread, orange peel. With water, vanilla, cookie dough, oranges.
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, tingly, warm, slightly astringent.
Tasting: Sweet. Peanut butter, raisins, honey, butterscotch, cola nuts, orange peel. With water, cookie dough, candy floss, vanilla.
Finish: Long. Honey, peanuts, cola nuts, orange peel, chocolate.
Comments:
Lovely sherried whisky, plenty of delicious fruity flavours, but with a slight savouriness that brings to mind peanut butter. Magnificent dram.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Official bottling
Single malt - Speyside
Amber
60.7% ABV
Dram
Nose: Peanut butter, honey, raisins, shortbread, orange peel. With water, vanilla, cookie dough, oranges.
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, tingly, warm, slightly astringent.
Tasting: Sweet. Peanut butter, raisins, honey, butterscotch, cola nuts, orange peel. With water, cookie dough, candy floss, vanilla.
Finish: Long. Honey, peanuts, cola nuts, orange peel, chocolate.
Comments:
Lovely sherried whisky, plenty of delicious fruity flavours, but with a slight savouriness that brings to mind peanut butter. Magnificent dram.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Monday 11 February 2019
Bakery Hill Double Wood
Bakery Hill Double Wood
Official bottling
Single malt - Victoria
Dark gold
46% ABV
Dram
Nose: Vanilla, raisins, chocolate, malted grains, hints of cranberries, hints of brass polish.
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, thickens, sticky, warm.
Tasting: Sweet. Vanilla, cranberries, strawberries, chocolate, orange peel, raisins.
Finish: Medium. Chocolate, grapefruit, malted grains, hints of cranberries.
Comments:
Fruity and chocolatey, nothing very much wrong with it... but it's not particularly interesting. Pleasant whisky, for sure, and I enjoyed the slightly bitter notes in the finish, but that's really all there is to say.
Verdict:
I like this.
Official bottling
Single malt - Victoria
Dark gold
46% ABV
Dram
Nose: Vanilla, raisins, chocolate, malted grains, hints of cranberries, hints of brass polish.
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, thickens, sticky, warm.
Tasting: Sweet. Vanilla, cranberries, strawberries, chocolate, orange peel, raisins.
Finish: Medium. Chocolate, grapefruit, malted grains, hints of cranberries.
Comments:
Fruity and chocolatey, nothing very much wrong with it... but it's not particularly interesting. Pleasant whisky, for sure, and I enjoyed the slightly bitter notes in the finish, but that's really all there is to say.
Verdict:
I like this.
Thursday 7 February 2019
Mackmyra Skordetid
Mackmyra Skordetid
Official bottling
Single malt - Gastrikland
Pink
46.1% ABV
Dram
Nose: Blueberries, raspberries, raisins, thyme, bubblegum.
Mouthfeel: Light body, slightly oily, slippery, loosens slightly.
Tasting: Sweet. Marshmallows, vanilla, raspberries, dried apples, hints of bubblegum.
Finish: Short. Burnt caramel, raspberries, vanilla, hints of thyme.
Comments:
Finished in amarone wine casks. I'm not sure I can discern a lot of the distillery's character, beyond a certain herbal note that is not unpleasant. I think the wine finish may have overwhelmed what might have been a very good whisky. It's just alright now.
Verdict:
Not bad.
Official bottling
Single malt - Gastrikland
Pink
46.1% ABV
Dram
Nose: Blueberries, raspberries, raisins, thyme, bubblegum.
Mouthfeel: Light body, slightly oily, slippery, loosens slightly.
Tasting: Sweet. Marshmallows, vanilla, raspberries, dried apples, hints of bubblegum.
Finish: Short. Burnt caramel, raspberries, vanilla, hints of thyme.
Comments:
Finished in amarone wine casks. I'm not sure I can discern a lot of the distillery's character, beyond a certain herbal note that is not unpleasant. I think the wine finish may have overwhelmed what might have been a very good whisky. It's just alright now.
Verdict:
Not bad.
Clynelish 20yo 1997/2018
Clynelish 20yo 1997/2018
Artful Dodger Whisky Collective, Woolf Sung
Single malt - North Highlands
Golden
55.9% ABV
Dram
Nose: Lemon zest, honey, ginger, candle wax, hints of cardamom, hints of brass polish. With water, toast, star fruit, orange peel.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, oily, warm, tingly.
Tasting: Sour sweet. Toast, ginger, candle wax, lemon zest, hay, hints of cardamom. With water, guava, lemon juice, hints of roses.
Finish: Long. Honey, brass polish, cinnamon, toast.
Comments:
Cask 6526. This whisky is the closest I've ever tasted to the 'perfect' Clynelish that I construct in my head, the most emblematic of the distillery's character. It's very, very good indeed. With water, it becomes more unusual, expanding into tropical fruits and citrus.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Artful Dodger Whisky Collective, Woolf Sung
Single malt - North Highlands
Golden
55.9% ABV
Dram
Nose: Lemon zest, honey, ginger, candle wax, hints of cardamom, hints of brass polish. With water, toast, star fruit, orange peel.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, oily, warm, tingly.
Tasting: Sour sweet. Toast, ginger, candle wax, lemon zest, hay, hints of cardamom. With water, guava, lemon juice, hints of roses.
Finish: Long. Honey, brass polish, cinnamon, toast.
Comments:
Cask 6526. This whisky is the closest I've ever tasted to the 'perfect' Clynelish that I construct in my head, the most emblematic of the distillery's character. It's very, very good indeed. With water, it becomes more unusual, expanding into tropical fruits and citrus.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Tuesday 5 February 2019
Glenturret 23yo 1994/2018
Glenturret 23yo 1994/2018
Artful Dodger Whisky Collective, Woolf Sung
Single malt - Central Highlands
Amber red
50.7% ABV
Dram
Nose: Black tea, peat, leather, dried apples, pomegranate molasses.
Mouthfeel: Light body, loose, slippery, airy.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Toast, shortbread, dried apples, pomegranate molasses, leather.
Finish: Long. Dried apples, lemon zest, leather, honey.
Comments:
Cask 618, apparently a Pedro Ximenez octave. This isn't a sherry bomb in the true sense of the term, there's plenty of other flavours that make this whisky oh-so glorious. Waves of leather, gentle peat, toasty smoke mingle with sweet dried apples and sweet-tart pomegranate molasses. I was tasting this whisky the next day.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Artful Dodger Whisky Collective, Woolf Sung
Single malt - Central Highlands
Amber red
50.7% ABV
Dram
Nose: Black tea, peat, leather, dried apples, pomegranate molasses.
Mouthfeel: Light body, loose, slippery, airy.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Toast, shortbread, dried apples, pomegranate molasses, leather.
Finish: Long. Dried apples, lemon zest, leather, honey.
Comments:
Cask 618, apparently a Pedro Ximenez octave. This isn't a sherry bomb in the true sense of the term, there's plenty of other flavours that make this whisky oh-so glorious. Waves of leather, gentle peat, toasty smoke mingle with sweet dried apples and sweet-tart pomegranate molasses. I was tasting this whisky the next day.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Glen Moray 10yo Batch 2
Glen Moray 10yo Batch 2
That Boutique-y Whisky Company, Master of Malt
Single malt - Speyside
Golden
48.6% ABV
Dram
Nose: Lemon zest, cola nuts, chocolate, orange peel, burnt caramel.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, loosens, turns slippery, watery.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Malted grains, cola nuts, chocolate, butterscotch, orange peel.
Finish: Long. Cola nuts, malted grains, lemon zest, honey.
Comments:
Spicy, darkly sweet Glen Moray. Doesn't taste as young as it is, and there's a lot of bitter alongside the sweet to keep it interesting. Fairly good whisky.
Verdict:
I like this.
That Boutique-y Whisky Company, Master of Malt
Single malt - Speyside
Golden
48.6% ABV
Dram
Nose: Lemon zest, cola nuts, chocolate, orange peel, burnt caramel.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, loosens, turns slippery, watery.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Malted grains, cola nuts, chocolate, butterscotch, orange peel.
Finish: Long. Cola nuts, malted grains, lemon zest, honey.
Comments:
Spicy, darkly sweet Glen Moray. Doesn't taste as young as it is, and there's a lot of bitter alongside the sweet to keep it interesting. Fairly good whisky.
Verdict:
I like this.
Friday 1 February 2019
McCarthy's Oregon Single Malt
McCarthy's Oregon Single Malt
Official bottling
Single malt - Oregon
Straw
42.5% ABV
Dram
Nose: Leather, peat, smoke, peanuts, hints of soy sauce.
Mouthfeel: Light body, loose, watery, airy.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Lemon zest, peanuts, smoke, peat, soy sauce, apples, hints of plums.
Finish: Medium. Ginseng, peat, apple juice, lemon zest.
Comments:
Batch W17-01. Very young and straightforward. I found this easy to understand, and I pegged it as a young Caol Ila, perhaps slightly under peated. Nice to find out that it's an American malt, of decent quality too.
Verdict:
I like this.
Official bottling
Single malt - Oregon
Straw
42.5% ABV
Dram
Nose: Leather, peat, smoke, peanuts, hints of soy sauce.
Mouthfeel: Light body, loose, watery, airy.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Lemon zest, peanuts, smoke, peat, soy sauce, apples, hints of plums.
Finish: Medium. Ginseng, peat, apple juice, lemon zest.
Comments:
Batch W17-01. Very young and straightforward. I found this easy to understand, and I pegged it as a young Caol Ila, perhaps slightly under peated. Nice to find out that it's an American malt, of decent quality too.
Verdict:
I like this.
Deanston 9yo 2008/2018 Brandy Cask Finish
Deanston 9yo 2008/2018 Brandy Cask Finish
Official bottling
Single malt - Central Highlands
Red gold
56.4% ABV
Dram
Nose: Raisins, molasses, leather, roast beef, hints of soy sauce.
Mouthfeel: Light body, slippery, loosens, astringent.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Molasses, raisins, black tea, orange peel, hints of roast beef.
Finish: Medium. Black tea, honey, soy sauce, leather.
Comments:
Meaty and robust, with a sweet-salty tannic finish. Decent stuff, but very strong. Oddly though, water doesn't seem to make a blind bit of difference - I dropped quite a lot in, but it didn't open up too much.
Verdict:
I like this.
Official bottling
Single malt - Central Highlands
Red gold
56.4% ABV
Dram
Nose: Raisins, molasses, leather, roast beef, hints of soy sauce.
Mouthfeel: Light body, slippery, loosens, astringent.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Molasses, raisins, black tea, orange peel, hints of roast beef.
Finish: Medium. Black tea, honey, soy sauce, leather.
Comments:
Meaty and robust, with a sweet-salty tannic finish. Decent stuff, but very strong. Oddly though, water doesn't seem to make a blind bit of difference - I dropped quite a lot in, but it didn't open up too much.
Verdict:
I like this.
Strathclyde 27yo 1990/2018
Strathclyde 27yo 1990/2018
Artful Dodger Whisky Collective, Woolf Sung
Single grain - Lowlands
Dark gold
51.8% ABV
Dram
Nose: Fresh cut grass, green apples, lemon zest, brass polish, hints of blackcurrant.
Mouthfeel: Light body, loose, slippery, airy.
Tasting: Sweet salty. Coconut cream, green apples, vanilla, lemon zest, candy floss.
Finish: Medium. Coconut cream, candy floss, green apples, vanilla, hints of caramel.
Comments:
Cask 110035. Very sweet and coconutty, but full of flavour and body. This is a whisky that drags me into a flavour memory, eating candy floss at a fair as an 8 year old, alongside sweet-salty coconut candy. Wonderful stuff.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Artful Dodger Whisky Collective, Woolf Sung
Single grain - Lowlands
Dark gold
51.8% ABV
Dram
Nose: Fresh cut grass, green apples, lemon zest, brass polish, hints of blackcurrant.
Mouthfeel: Light body, loose, slippery, airy.
Tasting: Sweet salty. Coconut cream, green apples, vanilla, lemon zest, candy floss.
Finish: Medium. Coconut cream, candy floss, green apples, vanilla, hints of caramel.
Comments:
Cask 110035. Very sweet and coconutty, but full of flavour and body. This is a whisky that drags me into a flavour memory, eating candy floss at a fair as an 8 year old, alongside sweet-salty coconut candy. Wonderful stuff.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Russell's Reserve Single Barrel
Russell's Reserve Single Barrel
Official bottling
Single bourbon - Kentucky
Amber
55% ABV
Dram
Nose: Lychees, caramel, green tea, green apples, raisins, hints of marzipan. With water, green tea, hay, fresh cut grass.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, oily, mouth coating, slightly astringent.
Tasting: Sweet. Caramel, butterscotch, honey, raisins, hints of lychees. With water, black tea, honey, hay.
Finish: Short. Butterscotch, caramel, raisins, green tea.
Comments:
A muscular, robust bourbon, with a mash bill that contains a lot of barley, if I'm any judge. The sweet fruitiness disappears upon adding water, and the flavours turn herbal, grassy, and fresh. Very nice and warming.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Official bottling
Single bourbon - Kentucky
Amber
55% ABV
Dram
Nose: Lychees, caramel, green tea, green apples, raisins, hints of marzipan. With water, green tea, hay, fresh cut grass.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, oily, mouth coating, slightly astringent.
Tasting: Sweet. Caramel, butterscotch, honey, raisins, hints of lychees. With water, black tea, honey, hay.
Finish: Short. Butterscotch, caramel, raisins, green tea.
Comments:
A muscular, robust bourbon, with a mash bill that contains a lot of barley, if I'm any judge. The sweet fruitiness disappears upon adding water, and the flavours turn herbal, grassy, and fresh. Very nice and warming.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
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