Akashi Red Blended Whisky
Official bottling
Single blend - West Honshu
Golden
40% ABV
Dram
Nose: White grapes, green tea, smoked almonds, dried peaches, hints of leather, hints of tobacco leaf.
Mouthfeel: Light body, loosens, slightly sticky, mouth coating.
Tasting: Sweet. Dried peaches, fresh baked bread, raisins, tobacco leaf, mint, vanilla.
Finish: Short. Mint, tobacco leaf, white grapes, hints of oats.
Comments:
Eigashima whiskies are always light and sweet, but over the years they've been getting more complex. This one has lots of cereal in addition to the fruity notes, and some alluring tobacco as well. Quite tasty and refreshing, especially with ice.
Verdict:
I like this.
Saturday, 24 August 2019
Monday, 19 August 2019
Millburn 1972 (bottled 2006)
Millburn 1972 (bottled 2006)
Gordon & Macphail
Single malt - Speyside
Pale gold
46% ABV
Half dram
Nose: Peanuts, peat, honey, lemon juice, apple sauce, sea salt, raisins, hints of leather.
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, thickens, sticky, viscous.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Peat, leather, black tea, ginseng, honey, lemon sweets, sea salt, hints of smoke.
Finish: Long. Ginseng, black tea, sea salt, honey, hints of smoke.
Comments:
Another example of whisky that they don't make any more, and I'm not just referring to the distillery. This one has a bitter-sweet-salty combination, together with a syrupy mouthfeel, that is just irresistible. The herbal bitterness goes well with the leather and sea salt. Just heavenly.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Gordon & Macphail
Single malt - Speyside
Pale gold
46% ABV
Half dram
Nose: Peanuts, peat, honey, lemon juice, apple sauce, sea salt, raisins, hints of leather.
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, thickens, sticky, viscous.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Peat, leather, black tea, ginseng, honey, lemon sweets, sea salt, hints of smoke.
Finish: Long. Ginseng, black tea, sea salt, honey, hints of smoke.
Comments:
Another example of whisky that they don't make any more, and I'm not just referring to the distillery. This one has a bitter-sweet-salty combination, together with a syrupy mouthfeel, that is just irresistible. The herbal bitterness goes well with the leather and sea salt. Just heavenly.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Glenury Royal 37yo 1973/2011
Glenury Royal 37yo 1973/2011
Nectar, The Whisky Agency
Single malt - East Highlands
Amber
43% ABV
Half dram
Nose: Black tea, honey, coffee, apples, lanolin, chocolate, raisins.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, slippery, oily, loosens slightly.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Raisins, chocolate, lanolin, plums, coffee, apples, hints of green olives.
Finish: Long. Apples, coffee, chocolate, honey, black tea, hints of peaches.
Comments:
Now that I look at my tasting note, it seems a bit sparse. But that wasn't what the whisky was like at all. It was a surprising combination of sweet, bitter, herbal and... farmyard? Yes, definitely a hand cream note, from when people used to put wool oil into the stuff. And a long glorious finish, with a little tang of peaches at the end to lift a dense, bitter sweet aftertaste.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Nectar, The Whisky Agency
Single malt - East Highlands
Amber
43% ABV
Half dram
Nose: Black tea, honey, coffee, apples, lanolin, chocolate, raisins.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, slippery, oily, loosens slightly.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Raisins, chocolate, lanolin, plums, coffee, apples, hints of green olives.
Finish: Long. Apples, coffee, chocolate, honey, black tea, hints of peaches.
Comments:
Now that I look at my tasting note, it seems a bit sparse. But that wasn't what the whisky was like at all. It was a surprising combination of sweet, bitter, herbal and... farmyard? Yes, definitely a hand cream note, from when people used to put wool oil into the stuff. And a long glorious finish, with a little tang of peaches at the end to lift a dense, bitter sweet aftertaste.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Brora 19yo 1982/2001
Brora 19yo 1982/2001
Special Bottling, Silver Seal
Single malt - North Highlands
Bronze gold
50% ABV
Half dram
Nose: Papaya, peat, lemon zest, sea salt, honey, hints of smoke, hints of petrol exhaust.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, loosens, turns watery, cool.
Tasting: Sour. Papaya, dried sour cherries, smoke, sea salt, fresh baked bread, hints of petrol exhaust.
Finish: Long. Dried sour cherries, lemon zest, coriander, oranges, hints of sea salt.
Comments:
Never put water into Brora. Sage advice given to me by a fellow whisky drunk... er, nerd, in a bar a long time ago. I followed it with this one. It's unusual - there's the usual lemony smoke, but there's also papaya and sour cherries, and something like petrol exhaust (Springbank? Are you there?), fading into a herbal, slightly soapy finish. Lovely.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Special Bottling, Silver Seal
Single malt - North Highlands
Bronze gold
50% ABV
Half dram
Nose: Papaya, peat, lemon zest, sea salt, honey, hints of smoke, hints of petrol exhaust.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, loosens, turns watery, cool.
Tasting: Sour. Papaya, dried sour cherries, smoke, sea salt, fresh baked bread, hints of petrol exhaust.
Finish: Long. Dried sour cherries, lemon zest, coriander, oranges, hints of sea salt.
Comments:
Never put water into Brora. Sage advice given to me by a fellow whisky drunk... er, nerd, in a bar a long time ago. I followed it with this one. It's unusual - there's the usual lemony smoke, but there's also papaya and sour cherries, and something like petrol exhaust (Springbank? Are you there?), fading into a herbal, slightly soapy finish. Lovely.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Convalmore 36yo 1977/2013
Convalmore 36yo 1977/2013
Small Batch, WM Cadenhead
Single malt - Speyside
Amber
58.2% ABV
Half dram
Nose: Chocolate, honey, cloves, strawberry jam, pomegranate molasses,black tea, vanilla custard. With water, more strawberry jam, dried blueberries, prunes.
Mouthfeel: Light body, tingly, astringent, warm.
Tasting: Sweet salty. Cloves, mangoes, honey, chocolate, black tea, pomegranate molasses, hints of chocolate. With water, vanilla, strawberry jam, black tea, lavender.
Finish: Medium. Pomegranate molasses, chocolate, cloves, black tea, hints of lavender.
Comments:
Another old find, this one a luscious, sticky, Convalmore. Very high strength, needs more than a little water. Before water, it's floral and fruity, with heaps of spice. After water, it opens up, turning even more floral and slightly tannic. There's something jammy and floral about Convalmore, the tasting notes are remarkably consistent.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Small Batch, WM Cadenhead
Single malt - Speyside
Amber
58.2% ABV
Half dram
Nose: Chocolate, honey, cloves, strawberry jam, pomegranate molasses,black tea, vanilla custard. With water, more strawberry jam, dried blueberries, prunes.
Mouthfeel: Light body, tingly, astringent, warm.
Tasting: Sweet salty. Cloves, mangoes, honey, chocolate, black tea, pomegranate molasses, hints of chocolate. With water, vanilla, strawberry jam, black tea, lavender.
Finish: Medium. Pomegranate molasses, chocolate, cloves, black tea, hints of lavender.
Comments:
Another old find, this one a luscious, sticky, Convalmore. Very high strength, needs more than a little water. Before water, it's floral and fruity, with heaps of spice. After water, it opens up, turning even more floral and slightly tannic. There's something jammy and floral about Convalmore, the tasting notes are remarkably consistent.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Glenflagler 8yo (bottled 1970s)
Glenflagler 8yo (bottled 1970s)
Official bottling
Single malt - Lowlands
Bright gold
40% ABV
Half dram
Nose: Raisins, iron filings, damson jam, marmalade, vanilla, orange blossom.
Mouthfeel: Light body, loose, volatile, airy.
Tasting: Sweet sour. Croissants, orange blossom, marmalade, raisins, vanilla, black tea, hints of pear drops.
Finish: Short. Raisins, vanilla, black tea, damson jam, hints of pear drops.
Comments:
Malt spirit from the old Moffat grain distillery, only produced over a period of about 20 years. The distillery has, of course, been closed for yonks. I've been chasing this bottle for a while, and I was very lucky to be able to get a teensy sip. It's light and fruity, very bright flavours, but melded together, not a great deal of clarity. However, it was rather intense despite it's long age, and not much old bottle effect. Lovely buttery, orange and pear drop notes all throughout. I enjoyed this with enormous satisfaction.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Official bottling
Single malt - Lowlands
Bright gold
40% ABV
Half dram
Nose: Raisins, iron filings, damson jam, marmalade, vanilla, orange blossom.
Mouthfeel: Light body, loose, volatile, airy.
Tasting: Sweet sour. Croissants, orange blossom, marmalade, raisins, vanilla, black tea, hints of pear drops.
Finish: Short. Raisins, vanilla, black tea, damson jam, hints of pear drops.
Comments:
Malt spirit from the old Moffat grain distillery, only produced over a period of about 20 years. The distillery has, of course, been closed for yonks. I've been chasing this bottle for a while, and I was very lucky to be able to get a teensy sip. It's light and fruity, very bright flavours, but melded together, not a great deal of clarity. However, it was rather intense despite it's long age, and not much old bottle effect. Lovely buttery, orange and pear drop notes all throughout. I enjoyed this with enormous satisfaction.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Wednesday, 7 August 2019
Hinch Small Batch Bourbon Cask
Hinch Small Batch Bourbon Cask
Hinch Small Batch
Blended malt
Bronze
43% ABV
Dram
Nose: Rye bread, new plastic, juniper, fried eggs, marmalade, fresh baked bread.
Mouthfeel: Light body, slippery, turns watery, loosens.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Rye bread, marmalade, strawberries, new plastic, chocolate, juniper.
Finish: Short. Chocolate, juniper, vanilla, barley sugar.
Comments:
A blend of purchased stock not from the new Hinch distillery. Tastes (almost reeks) of juniper, and sulphurous new plastic. Some sweet things in there, even some cereally rye bread, but not very good, I'm afraid.
Verdict:
Not bad.
Hinch Small Batch
Blended malt
Bronze
43% ABV
Dram
Nose: Rye bread, new plastic, juniper, fried eggs, marmalade, fresh baked bread.
Mouthfeel: Light body, slippery, turns watery, loosens.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Rye bread, marmalade, strawberries, new plastic, chocolate, juniper.
Finish: Short. Chocolate, juniper, vanilla, barley sugar.
Comments:
A blend of purchased stock not from the new Hinch distillery. Tastes (almost reeks) of juniper, and sulphurous new plastic. Some sweet things in there, even some cereally rye bread, but not very good, I'm afraid.
Verdict:
Not bad.
Auchroisk 21yo 1995/2017
Auchroisk 21yo 1995/2017
Rare Select, Montgomerie's
Single malt - Speyside
Light gold
46% ABV
Dram
Nose: Vanilla, lemon juice, clotted cream, gooseberries, white grapes, hints of cedar.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, turns syrupy, sticky, thickens slightly.
Tasting: Sweet sour. White grapes, white jasmine, acacia honey, butterscotch, lemon juice.
Finish: Medium. Acacia honey, fresh baked bread, clotted cream.
Comments:
Cask 589060. Well, this is just like a continental breakfast while on holiday. No protein, lots of sweet, sweet fruit and baked goods. Lovely mouthfeel too, sticky and warm and luscious.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Rare Select, Montgomerie's
Single malt - Speyside
Light gold
46% ABV
Dram
Nose: Vanilla, lemon juice, clotted cream, gooseberries, white grapes, hints of cedar.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, turns syrupy, sticky, thickens slightly.
Tasting: Sweet sour. White grapes, white jasmine, acacia honey, butterscotch, lemon juice.
Finish: Medium. Acacia honey, fresh baked bread, clotted cream.
Comments:
Cask 589060. Well, this is just like a continental breakfast while on holiday. No protein, lots of sweet, sweet fruit and baked goods. Lovely mouthfeel too, sticky and warm and luscious.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Thursday, 1 August 2019
Kavalan Rum Cask
Kavalan Rum Cask
Official bottling
Single malt - North Taiwan
Amber
57.1% ABV
Dram
Nose: Black tea, caramel, raisins, malted grains, dark chocolate, hints of coffee.
Mouthfeel: Light body, turns watery, loosens, airy.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Fresh baked bread, coffee, dark chocolate, orange blossom, marmalade.
Finish: Medium. Black tea, orange blossom, lemon curd, dark chocolate.
Comments:
Cask M111104063A. Bitter, not overly sweet, but plenty of fragrant complex floral and fruit flavours. The rum cask showcases the cereally notes in the spirit, rather than overwhelming them like sherry casks do.
Verdict:
I like this.
Official bottling
Single malt - North Taiwan
Amber
57.1% ABV
Dram
Nose: Black tea, caramel, raisins, malted grains, dark chocolate, hints of coffee.
Mouthfeel: Light body, turns watery, loosens, airy.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Fresh baked bread, coffee, dark chocolate, orange blossom, marmalade.
Finish: Medium. Black tea, orange blossom, lemon curd, dark chocolate.
Comments:
Cask M111104063A. Bitter, not overly sweet, but plenty of fragrant complex floral and fruit flavours. The rum cask showcases the cereally notes in the spirit, rather than overwhelming them like sherry casks do.
Verdict:
I like this.
Teeling Revival Vol V 12yo
Teeling Revival Vol V 12yo
Teeling Reserves
Single malt - Central Ireland
Silvery bronze
46% ABV
Dram
Nose: Apple juice, apple skins, boiled peanuts, petrichor, raisins, autumn leaves.
Mouthfeel: Light body, astringent, mouth coating, loosens slightly.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Marzipan, autumn leaves, vanilla sponge, apple juice, hints of green tea.
Finish: Short. Green tea, petrichor, autumn leaves, apple juice, hints of marzipan.
Comments:
Another Teeling release from their stocks of Cooley. This one is earthy and appley, not overly sweet. There's a lot of complexity here, many dimensions of flavours that I did not expect to find in an Irish whisky. Nice stuff.
Verdict:
I like this.
Teeling Reserves
Single malt - Central Ireland
Silvery bronze
46% ABV
Dram
Nose: Apple juice, apple skins, boiled peanuts, petrichor, raisins, autumn leaves.
Mouthfeel: Light body, astringent, mouth coating, loosens slightly.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Marzipan, autumn leaves, vanilla sponge, apple juice, hints of green tea.
Finish: Short. Green tea, petrichor, autumn leaves, apple juice, hints of marzipan.
Comments:
Another Teeling release from their stocks of Cooley. This one is earthy and appley, not overly sweet. There's a lot of complexity here, many dimensions of flavours that I did not expect to find in an Irish whisky. Nice stuff.
Verdict:
I like this.
Bunnahabhain 15yo Sherry Octave
Bunnahabhain 15yo Sherry Octave
Cask Collection, AD Rattray
Single malt - Islay
Amber rose
55.9% ABV
Dram
Nose: Pear drops, vanilla, magic marker, red grapes, damson jam, guava jam.
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, warming, tingly, alcohol burn.
Tasting: Sweet. Red grapes, fresh baked bread, guava jam, vanilla, raisins, pear drops.
Finish: Medium. Orange peel, red grapes, vanilla, marmalade.
Comments:
Cask 3058. Ah, the power of sherry, allied to unpeated Islay spirit. This one has heaps of jammy tropical fruits, alongside sharp acetone pear drops. There's plenty of alcohol prickle on the nose and even more on the tongue, but it's easy to drink. Big, powerful, complex and robust.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Cask Collection, AD Rattray
Single malt - Islay
Amber rose
55.9% ABV
Dram
Nose: Pear drops, vanilla, magic marker, red grapes, damson jam, guava jam.
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, warming, tingly, alcohol burn.
Tasting: Sweet. Red grapes, fresh baked bread, guava jam, vanilla, raisins, pear drops.
Finish: Medium. Orange peel, red grapes, vanilla, marmalade.
Comments:
Cask 3058. Ah, the power of sherry, allied to unpeated Islay spirit. This one has heaps of jammy tropical fruits, alongside sharp acetone pear drops. There's plenty of alcohol prickle on the nose and even more on the tongue, but it's easy to drink. Big, powerful, complex and robust.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
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