High Coast Berg

High Coast Berg

Official bottling
Single malt - Angermanland
Light amber
50% ABV
Dram

Nose: Red grapes, honey, fresh baked bread, hibiscus, black tea, hints of malted grains. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, slightly oily, mouth coating, smooth. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Red grapes, honey, black pepper, brown paper, vanilla, hints of pine. 
Finish: Long. Red grapes, orange peel, vanilla, cloves, hints of pine. 

Comments: 

First High Coast whisky, under the new badge (previously Box). It's floral and sweet, plenty of cereal too. Characteristic pine and cloves in the finish, these notes are well hidden by the sherry (?) influence.

Verdict:

I like this.

Hiram Walker Dream Cask (bottled 23 July 2019)

Hiram Walker Dream Cask (bottled 23 July 2019)

Official bottling
Single malt - Ontario
Dark gold
57% ABV
Dram

Nose: Raisins, marmalade, damson jam, bitter orange, hints of white grapes. With water, marmalade, black tea, bitter orange. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, astringent, slightly sticky, thickens slightly. 
Tasting:  Sweet sour. Marmalade, damson jam, lemon juice, white grapes, honey, hints of kiwi fruit, hints of milk. With water, vanilla, damson jam, bitter orange, vanilla. 
Finish: Short. Black tea, white grapes, damson jam, vanilla, clotted cream. 

Comments: 

The label says "for testing purposes only". I don't know why it isn't for sale, it's excellent stuff. I only know Hiram Walker through Canadian Club, which, in comparison to this beast, is frankly insipid. There's heaps of fruit in the undiluted spirit, and with water, it opens up to waves of damsons and marmalade. Glorious.

Verdict:

I like this a lot.

Imperial 23yo (for the Whisky Show 2019)

Imperial 23yo (for the Whisky Show 2019)

Show bottling, The Whisky Exchange
Single malt - Speyside
Pale green
45.2% ABV
Dram

Nose: Lemon zest, honey, lime zest, green tea, white grapes, hints of jasmine. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, cool, loosens, slightly oily. 
Tasting:  Sweet sour. White grapes, jasmine, lemon zest, nectarines, kiwi fruit, green tea. 
Finish: Long. Jasmine, kiwi fruit, white grapes, honey, green tea. 

Comments: 

An odd tasting Imperial. I can normally find plenty of lemon zest in Imperial, but this one has plenty of floral notes too, and stone fruit in abundance. There's also a tannic fragrance that I interpret as green tea. It's very refreshing whisky, and somehow, a palate cleanser.

Verdict:

I like this a lot.

Ardnamurchan 2015 Cask Sample (Cask 670P)

Ardnamurchan 2015 Cask Sample (Cask 670P)

Official bottling
Single malt - West Highlands
Amber
63.5% ABV
Dram

Nose: Peat, leather, red grapes, black tea, red wine, prunes, raisins. With water, red grapes, orange peel, leather, lemon zest. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, sticky, warm, spicy. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Black tea, red grapes, prunes, leather, ginseng, coffee. With water, leather, red grapes, raisins, ginseng. 
Finish: Long. Red grapes, black tea, coffee, dark chocolate, hints of lemon zest. 

Comments: 

Well now. This is the sister cask to the previous Ardnamurchan, and this is definitely sherry. It's also peated, and it's intense and sweet, with plenty of tannins. Lemon zest is definitely evident on the nose and the finish - is this a distillery characteristic? It's very pleasant stuff. Again, the distillery product is very promising.

Verdict:

I like this a lot.

Ardnamurchan 2015 Cask Sample (cask 199)

Ardnamurchan 2015 Cask Sample (cask 199)

Official bottling
Single malt - West Highlands
Pale green
63.5% ABV
Dram

Nose: White grapes, green tea, jasmine, lemon zest, honey, hints of lavender. With water, peanuts, lemon zest, lime juice, hints of lavender. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, astringent, warm, tingly. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Lemon zest, peanuts, jasmine, orange peel, honey, green tea. With water, green tea, ginseng, lemon zest, honey. 
Finish: Long. Peanuts, ginseng, orange peel, lemon zest, vanilla. 

Comments: 

First dram from Ardnamurchan! It's really very nice indeed, light, floral, fruity, with some light tannins. It's gentle, and somehow fragile, even loose. I can't really discern the cask type, probably bourbon? Very promising stuff.

Verdict:

I like this a lot.

North of Scotland 50yo

North of Scotland 50yo

Official bottling
Single grain - Lowlands
Golden brown
40.4% ABV
Dram

Nose: Black tea, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, orange peel, hints of dark chocolate. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, cool, oily, tingly. 
Tasting:  Sweet sour. Red grapes, black tea, raisins, caramel, prunes, vanilla, nutmeg. 
Finish: Long. Caramel, dark chocolate, red grapes, nutmeg, vanilla, black tea, cherry. 

Comments: 

A closed distillery that is new to my experience. It may well be my only chance to taste this - it's spicy and loaded with dark fruits, and a little bit of tannin. As with other aged grains, the spicy sharpness is gone, toned down into gentle nutmeg and prunes, like an aged armagnac. Really enjoyable, and rather drinkable at this low strength.

Verdict:

I like this a lot.

Invergordon 53yo 1966/2019

Invergordon 53yo 1966/2019

Extra Old Particular, Douglas Laing
Single grain - North Highlands
Chinese tea
49.6% ABV
Dram

Nose: White grapes, vanilla, cocoa powder, milk chocolate, lemon sweets, hints of Horlicks. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, thickens, syrupy, sticky. 
Tasting:  Sweet. Vanilla, tutti frutti, chocolate, lemon sweets, black tea, hints of caramel. 
Finish: Long. Caramel, black tea, chocolate, butterscotch, Horlicks, hints of condensed milk. 

Comments: 

Cask DL13339. Another old grain, this one superbly mellowed and sweet. The fruit and spice and been boiled down to more-ish chocolate and Horlicks and condensed milk, all very chewy and delicious. This was truly magnificent, not over-oaked at all.

Verdict:

I like this a lot.

Cambus 25yo 1991/2017

Cambus 25yo 1991/2017

Berry Bros & Rudd
Single grain - Lowlands
Dark gold
57.7% ABV
Dram

Nose: Orange peel, kiwi fruit, honey, white grapes, hints of cloves, hints of cinnamon. With water, green tea, sandalwood, lemon zest. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, oily, warm, sticky. 
Tasting:  Sweet. Peaches, white grapes, vanilla, cinnamon, honey, dried apples, hints of cloves. With water, vanilla, tutti frutti, lemon zest, peaches. 
Finish: Short. White grapes, peaches, brown paper, lemon zest, hints of chillies. 

Comments: 

Cask 061971, a special bottling by Berry Bros & Rudd - I don't often see these around. The age has mellowed and blunted the sharp spicy edge of the grain spirit. What's left is sweet, gentle spice, plenty of fruit, but I woke it up again with a little water. This unlocked floral and white fruit flavours.

Verdict:

I like this.

Wolfburn Small Batch No 375

Wolfburn Small Batch No 375

Official bottling
Single malt - North Highlands
Green gold
46% ABV
Dram

Nose: Chocolate, malted grains, white grapes, pears, honey, hints of leather. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, slippery, mouth coating, loosens. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Malted grains, orange peel, cream, butterscotch, white grapes, hints of caramel. 
Finish: Medium. Malted grains, white grapes, coffee, walnut skins. 

Comments: 

Wolfburn always struck me as good whisky, but not remarkable whisky. It's slightly unfair maybe, whiskies after all become great with age, but for example, Bimber has succeeded in making something taste great when it's young. This small batch expression is decent though, good sweet flavours, fading to a complex bitter finish.

Verdict:

I like this.

Littlemill 29yo

Littlemill 29yo

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

Nose: Chocolate, peaches, winter melon, honeycomb, raisins, black tea. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, syrupy, sticky, mouth coating. 
Tasting:  Sweet. Chocolate, peaches, cornflakes, winter melon, honeycomb, hints of coffee, hints of black tea. 
Finish: Medium. Black tea, leather, peaches, winter melon. 

Comments: 

Well, well, an official Littlemill. I doubt there will be many more times where I will get to taste this, one of my favourite distilleries. This one is complex and sweet, spry and bright, it wears its years lightly. There's sweet notes, bitter notes and fruity notes, all very well balanced and intense.

Verdict:

I like this a lot.

Langatun Old Bear Cask Proof

Langatun Old Bear Cask Proof

Official bottling
Single malt - Bern
Golden
58.5% ABV
Dram

Nose: Milk chocolate, sea salt, smoke, bitter orange, lemon zest, hints of cream. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, loose, slippery, airy. 
Tasting:  Bitter sour. Lemon zest, milk chocolate, bitter orange, malted grains, vanilla, hints of Horlicks. 
Finish: Medium. Bitter orange, malted grains, Horlicks, raisins, hints of cream. 

Comments: 

This peated Langatun is odd stuff. The high proof probably intensifies the esters and fruit notes, but they clash a little with the smoke. There's not a lot of peat flavour, maybe in the bitter orange. There are large hints of smoky Horlicks. But it's thin, not intense at all. No water required.

Verdict:

Not bad.

Rampur Double Cask

Rampur Double Cask

Official bottling
Single malt - Uttar Pradesh
Sunshine yellow
45% ABV
Dram

Nose: Mangoes, leather, pears, orange peel, hints of peat, hints of lychees. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, sticky, mouth coating, slightly syrupy. 
Tasting:  Sweet. Mangoes, lychees, honey, chocolate, marmalade, hints of olive oil. 
Finish: Medium. Chocolate, honey, mangoes, lychees, rambutans. 

Comments: 

Rampur, both sherried and bourbon. It's got the wonderful tropical fruit character that I've come to associate with the distillery, loads of mangoes, lychees, and now rambutans. There's a slick, peppery, savoury character to the spirit though, just a hint, like the best virgin olive oil. This is excellent whisky, and I await aged expressions.

Verdict:

I like this a lot.

Yushan Single Malt Bourbon Cask

Yushan Single Malt Bourbon Cask

Official bottling
Single malt - Central Taiwan
Pale gold
46% ABV
Dram

Nose: Lemon juice, fried eggs, honey, malted grains, white grapes. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, warm, watery, loosens. 
Tasting:  Sweet sour. Honey, white grapes, white chocolate, coffee, fried eggs, lemon juice. 
Finish: Medium. Coffee, white grapes, honey, fried eggs, dark chocolate. 

Comments: 

A light, fresh, summery whisky, but strangely, retains some sulphurous character more often found in sherried whiskies. Maybe it's a characteristic of the distillate. That mildly confusing note aside, there's plenty to like here - fresh lemon juice, white chocolate, and gentle bitter coffee. I think I prefer this to the sister sherried bottling.

Verdict:

I like this.

Chichibu 11/18 Red Wine Finish for Sexy Fish

Chichibu 11/18 Red Wine Finish for Sexy Fish

Official bottling
Single malt - East Honshu
Amber
60.1% ABV
Dram

Nose: Red grapes, malted grains, sandalwood, fresh baked bread, Japanese ume, orange peel. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, warm, slightly watery, slightly astringent. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Dark chocolate, malted grains, fresh baked bread, raisins, red grapes, hints of coffee. 
Finish: Long. Malted grains, brown paper, Japanese ume, fresh baked bread, hints of toast. 

Comments: 

Cask 5253. This is really good stuff, plenty of cereal and red grapes, plus a few very Japanese notes of ume and sandalwood. Absolutely delicious, despite not much red wine influence, and despite the whisky's youth. Chichibu is rarely disappointing. That reminds me - one of these days, I must get over to Sexy Fish.

Verdict:

I like this a lot.

Langatun Old Deer Cask Strength

Langatun Old Deer Cask Strength

Official bottling
Single malt - Bern
Sunshine yellow
62.2% ABV
Dram

Nose: Lemons, sandalwood, malted grains, dill, white pepper, milk chocolate, prunes. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, loose, watery, airy. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Prunes, lemons, milk chocolate, white pepper, brown paper. 
Finish: Short. Milk chocolate, prunes, white pepper, brown paper. 

Comments: 

Good fruit and chocolate flavours, the bourbon cask comes through as, well, bourbon, with strong brown paper notes. I would have liked to try this with water, but the rep poured me a very small portion that was only sufficient to taste neat. Oh well. I suppose I could have gone back to get another sample, but life's too short..

Verdict:

I like this.

Ardbeg 1974 19yo

Ardbeg 1974 19yo

First Cask, The Malt Whisky Circle
Single malt - Islay
Light gold 
46% ABV
Dram

Nose: Peat, smoke, chocolate, pears, apples, hints of peaches. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, thickens slightly, slippery, cool. 
Tasting:  Bitter salty. Sea salt, peat, smoke, dark chocolate, pears, lemon zest, peaches, hints of balsamic vinegar. 
Finish: Long. Peat, smoke, tobacco leaf, peaches, dark chocolate. 

Comments: 

A slightly unusual, yet delicious Ardbeg, this whisky has but gentle peat and smoke. There's salty notes of the sea, alongside the peat, but also plenty of fruit and dark chocolate. I felt this would have been better at a higher strength, but it was gorgeous even at 46%. I'll take the rep's advice and seek out more First Cask bottlings in the future, if there are any left.

Verdict:

I like this.

Stauning Heather 5yo 2013-2014/2019

Stauning Heather 5yo 2013-2014/2019

Official bottling
Single malt - Midtjylland
Pale gold
48.7% ABV
Dram

Nose: Fresh baked bread, lemon zest, rice crackers, cookie dough, vanilla, hints of grapefruit. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, cool, loose, watery. 
Tasting:  Sweet sour. Cinnamon, cloves, cookie dough, vanilla, lemon zest, heather honey. 
Finish: Short. Vanilla, heather honey, brown paper, rice crackers. 

Comments: 

Sweet and malty, maybe a little bitter citrus on the nose. More honey sweetness on the tongue, and this lasts all the way through to the finish. It's very bourbony, and its youth shows. It seems to be a distillery characteristic.

Verdict:

I like this.

Annandale Man O'Sword Bourbon Cask (Cask 470)

Annandale Man O'Sword Bourbon Cask (Cask 470)

Official bottling
Single malt - Lowlands
Pale yellow
61.6% ABV
Dram

Nose: Peat, leather, germolene, sea salt, caramel, butterscotch, hints of kelp. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, warm, slightly slippery, loose. 
Tasting:  Bitter. Kelp, iodine, leather, smoke, peat, caramel, brown butter, hints of chocolate. 
Finish: Medium. Black tea, chocolate, germolene, sea salt, brown butter. 

Comments: 

This is the peated version of the previous Annandale spirit, both aged in bourbon casks. I tried to compare them. There is some resemblance, mainly in the estery fruity notes (like germolene antiseptic here), but in this whisky it is quite subdued. Instead, there is sea salt and iodine, leather, and seaweed. It's absolutely delicious, and needs no water (or at least, I didn't see fit to add it at the time).

Verdict:

I like this a lot.

Annandale Man O'Words Bourbon Cask (Cask 149)

Annandale Man O'Words Bourbon Cask (Cask 149)

Official bottling
Single malt - Lowlands
Pale green
61% ABV
Dram

Nose: Lemon zest, maraschino cherries, milk chocolate, apples, hints of leather. With water, apples, leather, cedar. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, loosens, astringent, slippery. 
Tasting:  Bitter sour. Maraschino cherries, milk chocolate, kiwi fruit, apple juice, fresh baked bread, hints of rolled oats. With water, mint, milk chocolate, cedar. 
Finish: Long. Rolled oats, milk chocolate, kiwi fruit, fresh baked bread. 

Comments: 

So, a new Lowlands distillery, trying to make spirit in the style of decades past. This one is highly complex despite its youth (about 4 years old), with plenty of fruit and even chocolate. It opens up with water, turns fruity and woody.

Verdict:

I like this a lot.

Milk and Honey Single Cask (Whisky Show 2019 exclusive)

Milk and Honey Single Cask (Whisky Show 2019 exclusive)

Official bottling
Single malt - Tel Aviv
Amber
55% ABV
Dram

Nose: Coffee, dark chocolate, orange peel, red grapes, fresh baked bread, hints of fried eggs. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, slippery, loosens, slightly oily. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Black tea, walnuts, bitter orange, dark chocolate, coffee, raisins, hints of fried eggs. 
Finish: Long. Fresh baked bread, walnuts, coffee, red grapes, hints of yeast. 

Comments: 

This is promising - highly sherried, plenty of bitter notes even so, with a smidgen of good sulphur on the nose. It's still bitter on the tongue, but plenty of intriguing flavours, and still that smidgen of good sulphur. Finally in the nose, I can detect something yeasty, it's definitely the cousin of the new make.

Verdict:

I like this.

Bimber Small Batch Recharred American Oak

Bimber Small Batch Recharred American Oak

Official bottling
Single malt - London
Bright gold
51.9% ABV
Dram

Nose: Leather, cucumber, honey, raisins, milk chocolate, hints of cloves. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, loosens, airy, warm. 
Tasting:  Sweet. Cucumber, orange peel, leather, honey, red grapes, prunes, cloves, milk chocolate. 
Finish: Medium. Red grapes, black tea, raisins, cucumber, hints of winter melon. 

Comments: 

What is it about Bimber that makes their 3 year old whisky taste so old? There's a passable imitation of bottle aging, with that leathery note, but there's also cloves and milk chocolate, something which I tend to associate more with 10 year old whisky...

Verdict:

I like this.

The Cally 40yo

The Cally 40yo

Official bottling
Single grain - Lowlands
Sunshine yellow
53.3% ABV
Dram

Nose: Honey, rye bread, black pepper, apple sauce, cinnamon, brown paper. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, warm, tingly, slightly astringent. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Coffee, lemon zest, black pepper, rye bread, cinnamon, nutmeg, brown paper. 
Finish: Long. Vanilla, nutmeg, cinnamon, brown paper, coffee. 

Comments: 

No water in this, a magnificent 40 year old single grain whisky. The spicy notes are toned down by the age, less intense, but no less clear. Plenty of rye bread and cinnamon, even nutmeg, but this is offset by bitter coffee and a very bourbony brown paper note.

Verdict:

I like this a lot.

Yushan Signature Sherry Cask

Yushan Signature Sherry Cask

Official bottling
Single malt - Central Taiwan
Yellow
46% ABV
Dram

Nose: Coffee, winter melon, dark chocolate, orange peel, lemon zest, black tea. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, loosens, slightly oily, slippery. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Black tea, walnuts, coffee, red grapes, dark chocolate, lemon zest, dried pears. 
Finish: Medium. Winter melon, orange peel, lemon zest, dark chocolate. 

Comments: 

A malt from Nantou, the elusive Taiwanese distillery, although maybe not so elusive now. This is a replacement for the old Omar series. It's surprisingly lightly coloured for a sherry finished whisky, but there's no mistaking the sherry influence. Winter melon, dark chocolate, it's more subtle than the Kavalans.

Verdict:

I like this.

Deanston Mill (bottled 1970s)

Deanston Mill (bottled 1970s)

Official bottling
Single malt - Central Highlands
Green gold
35% ABV
Dram

Nose: Leather, celery, honey, raisins, marmalade, peaches, hints of wet dog. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, cool, loosens, slippery. 
Tasting:  Sweet sour. Peaches, marmalade, guava jam, vanilla, honey, hints of milk chocolate. 
Finish: Long. Black tea, marmalade, red grapes, leather. 

Comments: 

Very old, official Deanston, technically not whisky nowadays. These lower proof bottlings have a bit of a milksop mouthfeel, but make up for it in flavour. There's old bottle effect, of course, but it's somewhat hidden under a creamy fruitiness, almost chocolatey in intensity. Very nice indeed.

Verdict:

I like this a lot.

Black and White (bottled 1960s)

Black and White (bottled 1960s)

Official bottling
Blended malt
Orange gold
35% ABV
Dram

Nose: Celery, leather, cucumber, orange peel, cedar, vanilla, hints of peat. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, cools, loosens, watery. 
Tasting:  Bitter. Sandalwood, marmalade, leather, cedar, ginseng, hints of guarana. 
Finish: Medium. Ginseng, black tea, marmalade, cucumber. 

Comments: 

Old blends, sometimes, there's nothing better. This one is gentle and loose (presumably because of the lower strength), but has heaps of old bottle effect, married to marmalade and cucumber. It's not very sweet, although it fades to something that tastes artificial, like energy drink.

Verdict:

I like this.

Bimber 1st Release

Bimber 1st Release

Official bottling
Single malt - London
Dark gold
54.2% ABV
Dram

Nose: Honeydew, leather, peat, white grapes, wet dog, plums, hints of honey. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, loosens, warm, slightly tingly. 
Tasting:  Sweet. Black tea, honey, raisins, celery, lohan fruit, red grapes, hints of walnuts. 
Finish: Medium. Walnuts, coffee, red grapes, honey. 

Comments: 

There's much to like about this whisky, some leather and wet dog on the nose, but deep jammy sweetness on the tongue. There's a very Asian note too, like lohan fruit, and combined with the celery, makes this taste like Chinese herbal soup. Fades to a bitter finish.

Verdict:

I like this a lot.

Hillside 25yo 1969/1995

Hillside 25yo 1969/1995

Rare Malts, Official bottling
Single malt - East Highlands
Pale gold
61.9% ABV
Dram

Nose: Lemon juice, leather, prunes, sea salt, stables, dark chocolate, smoke, hints of pears. With water, lemon, vanilla, jasmine, green tea. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, syrupy, sticky, thickens. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Leather, smoke, lemon curd, meringue, dark chocolate, raisins, prunes. With water, leather, stables, green tea, honey, jasmine. 
Finish: Medium. Celery, leather, dark chocolate, lemon curd, hints of black tea. 

Comments: 

Hillside is apparently what Glen Esk distillery was once called. This little gem has heaps of old bottle effect, plenty of leather and celery, but has a gentle smokiness wreathed through with lemon, jasmine and dark chocolate. Water opens it up, bringing some farmyard notes, but also green tea and honey.

Verdict:

I like this a lot.

Lambay Whiskey Small Batch Blended

Lambay Whiskey Small Batch Blended

Official bottling
Blended malt
Golden
40% ABV
Dram

Nose: White sultanas, white pepper, red grapes, fresh baked bread, rye, vanilla. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, warm, tingly, slightly astringent. 
Tasting:  Bitter. White pepper, bitter orange, vanilla sponge, raisins, hints of fried eggs. 
Finish: Short. Prunes, rye bread, vanilla, bitter orange. 

Comments: 

Finished in cognac casks. Peppery, with strong notes of rye bread. There's some sulphurous stuff in here too, perhaps a relic of the finishing cask. A promising whiskey, if the distillery make is of this quality, I can see myself coming back for more.

Verdict:

I like this.

Mackmyra Vintersol

Mackmyra Vintersol

Official bottling
Single malt - Gastrikland
Pink
46.1% ABV
Dram

Nose: Red grapes, cinnamon, green tea, cookie dough, raisins, butterscotch. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, warm, slightly sticky, loosens. 
Tasting:  Sweet. Cinnamon, red grapes, nutmeg, green tea, vanilla, cookie dough, hints of honey. 
Finish: Short. Red grapes, green tea, vanilla, nutmeg, honey. 

Comments: 

Thanks, Katie, for the sample. More wine cask Mackmyra, but not so sweet as you'd expect. There's tannins and spice here, it's very pleasant indeed.

Verdict:

I like this.

Big Strand Single Malt Whisky

Big Strand Single Malt Whisky

Big Strand, Morrison and Mackay
Single malt - Islay
Bright gold
46% ABV
Dram

Nose: Lemon zest, peat, smoke, leather, peanuts, balsamic vinegar, hints of soy sauce. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, slippery, cool, turns watery. 
Tasting:  Bitter sour. Lemon juice, vanilla sponge, balsamic vinegar, ginseng, peat, smoke. 
Finish: Medium. Smoke, peat, lemon zest, leather, black tea. 

Comments: 

This is apparently Caol Ila. There's something of the official Caol Ilas in it, some hints of soya sauce, but it's more the savouriness you get in balsamic vinegar. There's enough lemon in here to make me think that it might be something else.

Verdict:

I like this.

Burnside 28yo 1991/2019

Burnside 28yo 1991/2019

Celebration of the Cask, Carn Mor
Teaspooned malt - Speyside
Dark gold
46.4% ABV
Dram

Nose: Rambutans, green tea, raisins, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, orange peel. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, slippery, loosens, cool. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Green tea, raisins, fresh baked bread, black tea, brown butter, hints of cinnamon. 
Finish: Medium. Black tea, bitter orange, pear drops, orange peel, cinnamon. 

Comments: 

Cask 7378. This is teaspooned Balvenie of course, probably with Glenfiddich. It's really classic Speyside whisky, plenty of fruit (hello rambutans!), some cereal, some tannins, and plenty of Balvenie orange peel.

Verdict:

I like this a lot.

Glen Grant 32yo (bottled 1960s)

Glen Grant 32yo (bottled 1960s)

Official bottling
Single malt - Speyside
Dark gold
35% ABV
Tiny taste

Nose: Bubble gum, pears, honey, plums, leather, candle wax, clay dust. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, loose, watery, airy. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Pears, plums, honey, candle wax, lemon zest, leather, bitter orange, clay dust. 
Finish: Long. Clay dust, bitter orange, bubble gum, peanuts, candle wax. 

Comments: 

Well now. This is the oldest spirit that I have ever tried, distilled sometime in the 1930s. There's heaps of old bottle effect, leathery notes mingled with candle wax and clay dust. Clynelish and Balvenie, along with some lovely peanuts and bubble gum. Glorious stuff - thanks Katie!

Verdict:

I like this a lot.

Spey Tenne

Spey Tenne

Official bottling
Single malt - Speyside
Rose wine
46% ABV
Dram

Nose: Strawberries, yoghurt, raisins, roses, vanilla, red grapes. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, slippery, slightly oily, tingly. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Black tea, strawberries, raisins, walnuts, fresh baked bread, hints of hay. 
Finish: Short. Black tea, walnuts, fresh baked bread, strawberries. 

Comments: 

Port finished Speyside! It's a marriage made in heaven, heaps of strawberry yoghurt notes, along herbal, nutty and vegetal layers. Very nice, very satisfying, and a fantastic dram to start off with.

Verdict:

I like this a lot.

Milk and Honey New Make Single Malt

Milk and Honey New Make Single Malt

Official bottling
Single malt - Tel Aviv
Colourless
40% ABV
Dram

Nose: Yeast, malt vinegar, plums, hibiscus, jute sacks, hints of aluminium foil. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, oily, mouth coating, warm. 
Tasting:  Bitter sour. Lemon zest, apples, malt vinegar, hibiscus, fresh baked bread, aluminium foil, hints of vanilla. 
Finish: Medium. Plums, yeast, jute sacks, hints of ginseng. 

Comments: 

A first for me - Israeli single malt whisky! This is new make of course, so it's slightly unfair to judge it too harshly. There are interesting notes - fruit, something tart, something metallic, and a yeasty, sour note. Also something dusty and vegetal, which smells like jute sacks full of uncooked rice...

Verdict:

Not bad.

Edradour 10yo 2009/2019

Edradour 10yo 2009/2019

Unchillfiltered, Signatory
Single malt - Central Highlands
Amber
46% ABV
Dram

Nose: Raisins, petrol exhaust, bitter orange, burnt toffee, butterscotch. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, astringent, tingly, loosens slightly. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Bitter orange, petrol exhaust, salt caramel, lemon zest, hints of marmalade. 
Finish: Short. Black tea, raisins, bitter orange, hints of burnt toffee. 

Comments: 

An official indie - Signatory, of course, owns Edradour. This whisky is sweet and mellow, with deliciously jammy citrus. However it's a bit odd - there are notes of petrol exhaust on the nose and tongue, reminiscent of a young Springbank. Thanks Andrea for the sample.

Verdict:

I like this.

Port Charlotte MRC:01 2010 7yo

Port Charlotte MRC:01 2010 7yo

Official bottling
Single malt - Islay
Copper
59.2% ABV
Dram

Nose: Cooked rice, leather, peat, smoke, wet dog, shiitake mushroom. With water, red grapes, honey, damson jam. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, astringent, tingly, turns watery. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Leather, peat, cow dung, honey, orange peel, vanilla, red grapes. With water, sweeter, bitter oranges, peat, leather, raisins. 
Finish: Medium. Red grapes, peat, smoke, honey, damson jam. 

Comments: 

Peaty and leathery, very farmyard without water. It's scarily drinkable despite the strength, as so many of the best Port Charlottes are. With water, it mellows out, becoming sweet and honeyed, with notes of bitter citrus.

Verdict:

I like this a lot.

Athyr Single Malt Whisky Batch 1

Athyr Single Malt Whisky Batch 1

Official bottling
Single malt - Mount Lebanon
Amber red
56.1% ABV
Dram

Nose: Aniseed, honey, raisins, molasses, kale, burnt toffee. With water, toffee, raisins, hints of coffee. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, slippery, loosens, turns slightly watery. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Honey, raisins, white pepper, molasses, raisins, sulphur, hints of new plastic. With water, white pepper, vanilla, burnt toffee, raisins. 
Finish: Long. Raisins, hay, kale, white pepper, hints of sulphur. 

Comments: 

A first for me - Lebanese single malt whisky! It was intense and sweet, with plenty of oaky notes (as you'd expect for maturation in a warm country) but there were interesting and unusual flavours. Aniseed, kale, hay, lots of herbal and vegetal flavours. It's also highly spicy for some reason.

Verdict:

I like this.

Tobermory 19yo

Tobermory 19yo

Official bottling
Single malt - Islands
Orange brown
55.7% ABV
Dram

Nose: Honey, prunes, plums, mushrooms, autumn leaves, hints of sandalwood. With water, honey, butter biscuits, petrichor. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, warm, tingly, slightly astringent. 
Tasting:  Sweet salty. Mushrooms, honey, malted grains, iron filings, plums, hints of pear drops. With water, black tea, pear drops, butter biscuits. 
Finish: Long. Honey, pear drops, mushrooms, hints of maraschino cherries. 

Comments: 

Tobermory always seems to have a bit of a funk - earthy, mushroomy, a very autumnal dram. This one is intense and savoury, with honey and butter biscuits alongside the mushrooms. I really liked this - very satisfying and robust whisky.

Verdict:

I like this a lot.

Imperial 23yo 1995/2019

Imperial 23yo 1995/2019

Celebration of the Cask, Carn Mor
Single malt - Speyside
Dawn sunshine
42.1% ABV
Dram

Nose: Lemon zest, osmanthus flowers, honey, pineapples, jasmine, hints of chrysanthemums. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, thickens, syrupy, oily. 
Tasting:  Sour. Lemon zest, lemon juice, pineapples, jasmine, green tea, hints of elderflower. 
Finish: Short. Green tea, osmanthus flowers, honey, lemon zest. 

Comments: 

Cask 4190. This Imperial is gentle and floral, very summery. It's quite complex and layered, but also subtle, not very intense. I had to work to get through all the layers. Highly enjoyable for all that - how many more Imperials will I get to drink?

Verdict:

I like this.

Glenfarclas 2007 Marriage of Casks

Glenfarclas 2007 Marriage of Casks

Official bottling
Single malt - Speyside
Dark amber
51.1% ABV
Tiny taste

Nose: Raisins, black tea, vanilla, white pepper, sponge cake. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, sticky, loosens slightly, oily. 
Tasting:  Sweet. Honey, vanilla, chocolate, sponge cake, hints of blackberry jam. 
Finish: Medium. Vanilla sponge, black berry jam, chocolate, hints of coffee. 

Comments: 

Many thanks, Andrea, for a taste of this Glenfarclas, an exclusive bottling for the Whisky Exchange. It's jammy and sweet, heaps of chocolate, and eggy sponge. Classic sherried 'farclas, but with a little bit of tannins and spice on the nose. It's lovely whisky.

Verdict:

I like this a lot.

Chichibu the Peated 2018 10th Anniversary

Chichibu the Peated 2018 10th Anniversary

Official bottling
Single malt - East Honshu
Dark gold
55.5% ABV
Dram

Nose: Smoke, leather, raisins, honey, marmalade, dried pears, applesauce, hints of fresh cut grass. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, loose, volatile, airy. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Peanuts, peat, dried apples, honey, cinnamon, white pepper, hints of sandalwood. 
Finish: Short. White pepper, leather, cinnamon, hints of sandalwood. 

Comments: 

Fruity, leathery and smoky, this Chichibu dram is highly complex despite its young age. There's a layer of herbal savouriness, with plenty of spice, white and even pink peppercorns. I love this, it's really impressive whisky.

Verdict:

I like this a lot.

Bunnahabhain 10yo 2009/2019

Bunnahabhain 10yo 2009/2019

Selection, Adelphi
Single malt - Islay
Mahogany
59.3% ABV
Dram

Nose: Raisins, honey, brown butter, plums, magic marker, fresh baked bread, hints of pears. With water, buttered toast, raisins, honey. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, astringent, warm, turns watery. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Black tea, ginseng, caramel, raisins, pears, winter melon, toast. With water, fresh baked bread, butter, honey, plums. 
Finish: Long. Fresh baked bread, winter melon, ginseng, raisins, hints of smoke. 

Comments: 

Gloriously sherried, unpeated Bunnahabhain! This one is fruity, with some saline notes, but has herbal melony flavours that I identify as winter melon. It's highly complex for a 10 year old, and has surprising strength.

Verdict:

I like this a lot.

Probably Orkney's Finest 16yo 2003/2019

Probably Orkney's Finest 16yo 2003/2019

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

Nose: Bitter orange peel, raisins, malted grains, oolong tea, hints of jasmine, hints of smoke. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, oily, syrupy, warm. 
Tasting:  Sweet sour. Bitter orange peel, lemon curd, oolong tea, ginseng, smoke, hints of jasmine. 
Finish: Long. Ginseng, oolong tea, marmalade, smoke. 

Comments: 

DL Cask 13371. This is a fruity, orangey, floral Highland Park, surprisingly very gentle. It lacks the robustness of the other Highland Parks that I've had, but it has a layer of bitter smoke under the surface. Quite the dram.

Verdict:

I like this a lot.