Caol Ila 14yo 2005/2020
Old Particular, Douglas Laing
Single malt - Islay
Straw
48.4% ABV
Dram
Nose: Vanilla, buttered toast, peanuts, marmalade, tinned peaches, hints of peat.
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, loosens, slippery, tingly.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Buttered toast, peaches, golden syrup, peanuts, hints of leather, hints of pears.
Finish: Long. Tinned peaches, leather, peanuts, hints of peat, hints of smoke.
Comments:
Cask DL13823. I was a little sad - this is probably the last dram I'm going to drink in a bar for a while. But it was a worthy one - practically unpeated, lots of fruit notes, even buttered toast. The peat is very gentle and mild, almost unnoticeable.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Wednesday, 18 March 2020
Friday, 13 March 2020
Glenlossie 24yo 1995/2019
Glenlossie 24yo 1995/2019
Celebration of the Cask, Carn Mor
Single malt - Speyside
Golden
53.3% ABV
Dram
Nose: Orange peel, peaches, raisins, damson jam, hints of leather. With water, driftwood, sea salt, peaches.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, thickens slightly, cool, slightly tingly.
Tasting: Salty sweet. Peaches, orange peel, white grapes, leather, vanilla, hints of cotton sheets. With water, more savoury, orange peel, peaches, sea salt, sawdust.
Finish: Medium. Black tea, peaches, orange peel, white grapes.
Comments:
Cask 1325. Lots of peaches in this one, along with other fruit. But it's oddly salty, with a slight umami savour. With water, it opens up a bit, but is still heavy on the peach, and also the salt. Very nice.
Verdict:
I like this.
Celebration of the Cask, Carn Mor
Single malt - Speyside
Golden
53.3% ABV
Dram
Nose: Orange peel, peaches, raisins, damson jam, hints of leather. With water, driftwood, sea salt, peaches.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, thickens slightly, cool, slightly tingly.
Tasting: Salty sweet. Peaches, orange peel, white grapes, leather, vanilla, hints of cotton sheets. With water, more savoury, orange peel, peaches, sea salt, sawdust.
Finish: Medium. Black tea, peaches, orange peel, white grapes.
Comments:
Cask 1325. Lots of peaches in this one, along with other fruit. But it's oddly salty, with a slight umami savour. With water, it opens up a bit, but is still heavy on the peach, and also the salt. Very nice.
Verdict:
I like this.
Aultmore 8yo 2008/2017
Aultmore 8yo 2008/2017
The Octave, Duncan Taylor
Single malt - Speyside
Brass
53.9% ABV
Dram
Nose: Lemon sweets, barley sugar, brass polish, vanilla, hints of kiwifruit. With water, sandalwood, cinnamon, barley sugar.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, warm, astringent, tingly.
Tasting: Sweet sour. Lemon sweets, soursop, green tea, barley sugar, white grapes, hints of vanilla. With water, more lemon sweets, white grapes, dust.
Finish: Medium. Green tea, black pepper, white grapes, barley sugar.
Comments:
Excellent cask strength Aultmore, lots of barley sugar, which to me is the typical note for this distillery (also many other distilleries in Speyside!). With water, it loosens, and more fruit notes appear. I really enjoyed this.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
The Octave, Duncan Taylor
Single malt - Speyside
Brass
53.9% ABV
Dram
Nose: Lemon sweets, barley sugar, brass polish, vanilla, hints of kiwifruit. With water, sandalwood, cinnamon, barley sugar.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, warm, astringent, tingly.
Tasting: Sweet sour. Lemon sweets, soursop, green tea, barley sugar, white grapes, hints of vanilla. With water, more lemon sweets, white grapes, dust.
Finish: Medium. Green tea, black pepper, white grapes, barley sugar.
Comments:
Excellent cask strength Aultmore, lots of barley sugar, which to me is the typical note for this distillery (also many other distilleries in Speyside!). With water, it loosens, and more fruit notes appear. I really enjoyed this.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Thursday, 12 March 2020
Paul John Christmas Edition 2019
Paul John Christmas Edition 2019
Official bottling
Single malt - Goa
Amber
46% ABV
Dram
Nose: Vanilla sponge, red grapes, black tea, leather, raisins, pear drops.
Mouthfeel: Light body, airy, slippery, loose.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Peat, leather, red grapes, vanilla sponge, cacao nibs, raisins, hints of cloves.
Finish: Short. Magic marker, pear drops, red grapes, raisins, cacao nibs.
Comments:
Well, it certainly does what it says on the label. Christmas spice, something bitter sweet, lots of chocolate and raisins. Rather young, but I think the cask strength might be very good indeed.
Verdict:
I like this.
Official bottling
Single malt - Goa
Amber
46% ABV
Dram
Nose: Vanilla sponge, red grapes, black tea, leather, raisins, pear drops.
Mouthfeel: Light body, airy, slippery, loose.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Peat, leather, red grapes, vanilla sponge, cacao nibs, raisins, hints of cloves.
Finish: Short. Magic marker, pear drops, red grapes, raisins, cacao nibs.
Comments:
Well, it certainly does what it says on the label. Christmas spice, something bitter sweet, lots of chocolate and raisins. Rather young, but I think the cask strength might be very good indeed.
Verdict:
I like this.
Glenburgie 11yo 2008/2019
Glenburgie 11yo 2008/2019
Hepburn's Choice, Langside Distillers
Single malt - Speyside
Orange pink
46% ABV
Dram
Nose: Oranges, stroopwafel, chocolate, butterscotch, camphor.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, thickens, cool, slippery.
Tasting: Sweet. Oranges, chocolate, red grapes, vanilla, raisins, butterscotch, hints of walnuts.
Finish: Short. Vanilla sponge, red grapes, burnt sugar, fresh baked bread.
Comments:
This is a lovely young Glenburgie, bright, fruity and sweet. Lots of alluring dessert notes, and a slightly bitter hint of burnt sugar at the end, like the top on a creme brulee. Very refreshing, and a great starter dram.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Hepburn's Choice, Langside Distillers
Single malt - Speyside
Orange pink
46% ABV
Dram
Nose: Oranges, stroopwafel, chocolate, butterscotch, camphor.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, thickens, cool, slippery.
Tasting: Sweet. Oranges, chocolate, red grapes, vanilla, raisins, butterscotch, hints of walnuts.
Finish: Short. Vanilla sponge, red grapes, burnt sugar, fresh baked bread.
Comments:
This is a lovely young Glenburgie, bright, fruity and sweet. Lots of alluring dessert notes, and a slightly bitter hint of burnt sugar at the end, like the top on a creme brulee. Very refreshing, and a great starter dram.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Friday, 6 March 2020
Ardbeg Supernova Committee Release 2014
Ardbeg Supernova Committee Release 2014
Official bottling
Single malt - Islay
Silvery gold
55% ABV
Dram
Nose: Peat, leather, smoke, white chocolate, vanilla ice cream, sandalwood, cinnamon. With water, melons, vanilla ice cream, white chocolate.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, slippery, tingly, cool.
Tasting: Bitter. Peat, leather, white chocolate, apple juice, milk chocolate, cinnamon, vanilla, orange juice, lemon zest. With water, peat, cigar smoke, vanilla ice cream, melons.
Finish: Medium. Peat, smoke, tobacco leaf, milk chocolate.
Comments:
A chameleon of a Supernova. This is chocolatey and sweet underneath that peat and smoke, but there's also fruit and spice. With water, it whiffs of peat and smoke, but the sweetness is still there, even more chocolatey. Magnificent.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Official bottling
Single malt - Islay
Silvery gold
55% ABV
Dram
Nose: Peat, leather, smoke, white chocolate, vanilla ice cream, sandalwood, cinnamon. With water, melons, vanilla ice cream, white chocolate.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, slippery, tingly, cool.
Tasting: Bitter. Peat, leather, white chocolate, apple juice, milk chocolate, cinnamon, vanilla, orange juice, lemon zest. With water, peat, cigar smoke, vanilla ice cream, melons.
Finish: Medium. Peat, smoke, tobacco leaf, milk chocolate.
Comments:
A chameleon of a Supernova. This is chocolatey and sweet underneath that peat and smoke, but there's also fruit and spice. With water, it whiffs of peat and smoke, but the sweetness is still there, even more chocolatey. Magnificent.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Springbank Local Barley 9yo (2018 Release)
Springbank Local Barley 9yo (2018 Release)
Official bottling
Single malt - Campbeltown
Yellow gold
57.7% ABV
Dram
Nose: Petrol exhaust, clay, peanuts, melons, honey, white grapes, hints of condensed milk. With water, sweeter, mangoes, pineapples.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, hot, watery, airy.
Tasting: Bitter. Petrol exhaust, white grapes, peaches, condensed milk, clay, black tea. With water, sweeter, mangoes, pineapples, white grapes.
Finish: Medium. Black tea, clay, honey, peaches.
Comments:
Springbank's Local Barley series is one of a very few expressions that really represents the distillery. You can't get more local than this, and it's quite characteristic of Springbank. This one has the earthy, petrol notes of Springbank, married to lots of tropical fruit. It's excellent with a touch of water.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Official bottling
Single malt - Campbeltown
Yellow gold
57.7% ABV
Dram
Nose: Petrol exhaust, clay, peanuts, melons, honey, white grapes, hints of condensed milk. With water, sweeter, mangoes, pineapples.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, hot, watery, airy.
Tasting: Bitter. Petrol exhaust, white grapes, peaches, condensed milk, clay, black tea. With water, sweeter, mangoes, pineapples, white grapes.
Finish: Medium. Black tea, clay, honey, peaches.
Comments:
Springbank's Local Barley series is one of a very few expressions that really represents the distillery. You can't get more local than this, and it's quite characteristic of Springbank. This one has the earthy, petrol notes of Springbank, married to lots of tropical fruit. It's excellent with a touch of water.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
JJ Corry Blended Malt "The Birdie" (for Milroy's of Soho and the Proofing Room)
JJ Corry Blended Malt "The Birdie" (for Milroy's of Soho and the Proofing Room)
Blended malt
Bright gold
46% ABV
Dram
Nose: Lemons, vanilla, white grapes, quince, hints of limes, hints of rhubarb and custard sweets.
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, astringent, thickens, sticky.
Tasting: Sweet sour. White grapes, limes, honey, kalamansi, green tea, bitter orange.
Finish: Short. Limes, honey, bitter orange, vanilla.
Comments:
Heavily citrusy, quite well layered, and sweet sour. This is really good whisky, and I'm very impressed by these JJ Corry bespoke bottlings.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Blended malt
Bright gold
46% ABV
Dram
Nose: Lemons, vanilla, white grapes, quince, hints of limes, hints of rhubarb and custard sweets.
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, astringent, thickens, sticky.
Tasting: Sweet sour. White grapes, limes, honey, kalamansi, green tea, bitter orange.
Finish: Short. Limes, honey, bitter orange, vanilla.
Comments:
Heavily citrusy, quite well layered, and sweet sour. This is really good whisky, and I'm very impressed by these JJ Corry bespoke bottlings.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Thursday, 5 March 2020
Aberlour 9yo 2009/2018
Aberlour 9yo 2009/2018
Bottled during AISH trip, Whisky Advisors Ltd
Single malt - Speyside
Golden
57.8% ABV
Dram
Nose: Raisins, black tea, red grapes, black pepper, walnuts, coffee. With water, fresh baked bread, coffee, raisins, honey.
Mouthfeel: Light body, loose, slippery, astringent.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Black tea, red grapes, camphor, vanilla, coffee, hints of walnut skins. With water, chocolate, black tea, fresh baked bread, more raisins.
Finish: Medium. Black tea, dark chocolate, red grapes, vanilla, walnuts.
Comments:
Cask 150027. This is a very niche bottling, I believe bottled for a specific group on a trip. It's quite heavily sherried, perhaps it would have qualified for a batch of A'bunadh. It's impressive, lots of red grapes, but the highlight is a strong camphor note, and something quite bitter in the finish - dark chocolate certainly, even walnut skins.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Bottled during AISH trip, Whisky Advisors Ltd
Single malt - Speyside
Golden
57.8% ABV
Dram
Nose: Raisins, black tea, red grapes, black pepper, walnuts, coffee. With water, fresh baked bread, coffee, raisins, honey.
Mouthfeel: Light body, loose, slippery, astringent.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Black tea, red grapes, camphor, vanilla, coffee, hints of walnut skins. With water, chocolate, black tea, fresh baked bread, more raisins.
Finish: Medium. Black tea, dark chocolate, red grapes, vanilla, walnuts.
Comments:
Cask 150027. This is a very niche bottling, I believe bottled for a specific group on a trip. It's quite heavily sherried, perhaps it would have qualified for a batch of A'bunadh. It's impressive, lots of red grapes, but the highlight is a strong camphor note, and something quite bitter in the finish - dark chocolate certainly, even walnut skins.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Glengoyne Cask Strength (Batch 7)
Glengoyne Cask Strength (Batch 7)
Official bottling
Single malt - Sout Highlands
Green gold
58.9% ABV
Dram
Nose: Lemon juice, raisins, lime curd, fresh cut grass, chocolate, honey. With water, butterscotch, lemon juice, honey, hints of rhubarb and custard sweets.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, astringent, warm, loosens slightly.
Tasting: Sweet. Black tea, lemon juice, fresh baked bread, vanilla, sponge, chocolate, raisins. With water, chocolate, raisins, rhubarb and custard sweets, lemon juice.
Finish: Long. Chocolate, mint, vanilla sponge, fresh baked bread, lime curd.
Comments:
Not quite your usual Glengoyne, I've gotten very used to those chocolate covered raisin notes, which were present in the very first Glengoyne I ever had. This one still has those chocolate covered raisins, but these are muted behind fruit, some tartness, and even some tannic black tea.
Verdict:
I like this.
Official bottling
Single malt - Sout Highlands
Green gold
58.9% ABV
Dram
Nose: Lemon juice, raisins, lime curd, fresh cut grass, chocolate, honey. With water, butterscotch, lemon juice, honey, hints of rhubarb and custard sweets.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, astringent, warm, loosens slightly.
Tasting: Sweet. Black tea, lemon juice, fresh baked bread, vanilla, sponge, chocolate, raisins. With water, chocolate, raisins, rhubarb and custard sweets, lemon juice.
Finish: Long. Chocolate, mint, vanilla sponge, fresh baked bread, lime curd.
Comments:
Not quite your usual Glengoyne, I've gotten very used to those chocolate covered raisin notes, which were present in the very first Glengoyne I ever had. This one still has those chocolate covered raisins, but these are muted behind fruit, some tartness, and even some tannic black tea.
Verdict:
I like this.
Tomatin 12yo 2006/2019 Amontillado Cask
Tomatin 12yo 2006/2019 Amontillado Cask
Official bottling
Single malt - Speyside
Golden
46% ABV
Dram
Nose: Raisins, peanuts, chocolate, tobacco leaf, sage, hints of red grapes.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, loosens, watery, airy.
Tasting: Sweet. Coffee, chocolate, fresh baked bread, raisins, peanuts, sage, hints of cloves.
Finish: Medium. Sage, chocolate, honey, tobacco leaf, coffee.
Comments:
Interesting Tomatin. There is sherried sweetness, of course, along with the obligatory grape and chocolate notes, but there is also something herbal and bitter here. I interpret this as sage and coffee. It's quite fragrant and enjoyable whisky.
Verdict:
I like this.
Official bottling
Single malt - Speyside
Golden
46% ABV
Dram
Nose: Raisins, peanuts, chocolate, tobacco leaf, sage, hints of red grapes.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, loosens, watery, airy.
Tasting: Sweet. Coffee, chocolate, fresh baked bread, raisins, peanuts, sage, hints of cloves.
Finish: Medium. Sage, chocolate, honey, tobacco leaf, coffee.
Comments:
Interesting Tomatin. There is sherried sweetness, of course, along with the obligatory grape and chocolate notes, but there is also something herbal and bitter here. I interpret this as sage and coffee. It's quite fragrant and enjoyable whisky.
Verdict:
I like this.
Bunnahabhain Toiteach a Dha
Bunnahabhain Toiteach a Dha
Official bottling
Single malt - Islay
Yellow
46.3% ABV
Dram
Nose: Peat, preserved lemons, tobacco leaf, marmalade, smoke.
Mouthfeel: Medium, loosens, slippery, slightly airy.
Tasting: Bitter sour. Preserved lemons, butter, smoke, marmalade, mint, vanilla, hints of peaches.
Finish: Short. Butter, peaches, mint, preserved lemons, lemon juice, smoke.
Comments:
The Bunnahabhains that I've tried have been variable in terms of the smoke and peat levels, but there's normally plenty of fruit and sweet things. And also, surprisingly, some buttery notes, occasionally salty butter. This is no exception, it's tart, a little salty, with those interesting butter notes making an appearance on the tongue.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Official bottling
Single malt - Islay
Yellow
46.3% ABV
Dram
Nose: Peat, preserved lemons, tobacco leaf, marmalade, smoke.
Mouthfeel: Medium, loosens, slippery, slightly airy.
Tasting: Bitter sour. Preserved lemons, butter, smoke, marmalade, mint, vanilla, hints of peaches.
Finish: Short. Butter, peaches, mint, preserved lemons, lemon juice, smoke.
Comments:
The Bunnahabhains that I've tried have been variable in terms of the smoke and peat levels, but there's normally plenty of fruit and sweet things. And also, surprisingly, some buttery notes, occasionally salty butter. This is no exception, it's tart, a little salty, with those interesting butter notes making an appearance on the tongue.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Caol Ila 13yo Discovery
Caol Ila 13yo Discovery
Discovery, Gordon & Macphail
Single malt - Islay
Golden
43% ABV
Dram
Nose: Soy sauce, peat, smoke, kiwifruit, cocoa powder, hints of raisins.
Mouthfeel: Light body, cool, loosens, slightly tingly.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Peat, leather, chocolate, soy sauce, apples, kiwifruit, hints of golden syrup.
Finish: Long. Peat, smoke, leather, golden syrup, candied apples.
Comments:
A rather delicate Caol Ila, the smoke is very gentle, although the peat notes are heavier. There's something of the characteristic savouriness of soy sauce, but it's buried underneath layers of sweet stuff, fruit and even golden syrup.
Verdict:
I like this.
Discovery, Gordon & Macphail
Single malt - Islay
Golden
43% ABV
Dram
Nose: Soy sauce, peat, smoke, kiwifruit, cocoa powder, hints of raisins.
Mouthfeel: Light body, cool, loosens, slightly tingly.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Peat, leather, chocolate, soy sauce, apples, kiwifruit, hints of golden syrup.
Finish: Long. Peat, smoke, leather, golden syrup, candied apples.
Comments:
A rather delicate Caol Ila, the smoke is very gentle, although the peat notes are heavier. There's something of the characteristic savouriness of soy sauce, but it's buried underneath layers of sweet stuff, fruit and even golden syrup.
Verdict:
I like this.
Glenfiddich New Make (2018)
Glenfiddich New Make (2018)
Official bottling
Single malt - Speyside
Colourless
71.4% ABV
Dram
Nose: Melons, cucumber, popcorn, pears.
Mouthfeel: Light body, hot, slippery, tingly.
Tasting: Sour. Pears, popcorn, vanilla, cucumber, sugared peanuts.
Finish: Long. Pears, apples, cucumber, sugared peanuts.
Comments:
Cask sample 180117201 (distilled on 17 January 2018). Freshly distilled Glenfiddich spirit, aged not a jot in wood. A few people I've shown it to believe that this is a very high ABV for a whisky with Glenfiddich's flavour. It's not as sweet as I thought it would be, but it's got some pear notes. They're subtly different from the pear notes in aged Glenfiddich though, and there's something more herbal in it.
Verdict:
I like this.
Official bottling
Single malt - Speyside
Colourless
71.4% ABV
Dram
Nose: Melons, cucumber, popcorn, pears.
Mouthfeel: Light body, hot, slippery, tingly.
Tasting: Sour. Pears, popcorn, vanilla, cucumber, sugared peanuts.
Finish: Long. Pears, apples, cucumber, sugared peanuts.
Comments:
Cask sample 180117201 (distilled on 17 January 2018). Freshly distilled Glenfiddich spirit, aged not a jot in wood. A few people I've shown it to believe that this is a very high ABV for a whisky with Glenfiddich's flavour. It's not as sweet as I thought it would be, but it's got some pear notes. They're subtly different from the pear notes in aged Glenfiddich though, and there's something more herbal in it.
Verdict:
I like this.
Deanston 18yo (Batch 3)
Deanston 18yo (Batch 3)
Official bottling
Single malt - Central Highlands
Dark gold
46.3% ABV
Dram
Nose: Honey, melons, butterscotch, raisins, vanilla.
Mouthfeel: Light body, astringent, slippery, thickens slightly.
Tasting: Sweet. Peanuts, melons, butterscotch, apples, vanilla, fresh baked bread.
Finish: Short. Chocolate, peanuts, butterscotch, vanilla.
Comments:
Bourbon casked Deanston (mostly), less sherried than the sister bottling which I tasted a couple of years ago. I like it, it's straightforward, sweet and gentle, but I think it lacks a little complexity. But it's decent whisky.
Verdict:
I like this.
Official bottling
Single malt - Central Highlands
Dark gold
46.3% ABV
Dram
Nose: Honey, melons, butterscotch, raisins, vanilla.
Mouthfeel: Light body, astringent, slippery, thickens slightly.
Tasting: Sweet. Peanuts, melons, butterscotch, apples, vanilla, fresh baked bread.
Finish: Short. Chocolate, peanuts, butterscotch, vanilla.
Comments:
Bourbon casked Deanston (mostly), less sherried than the sister bottling which I tasted a couple of years ago. I like it, it's straightforward, sweet and gentle, but I think it lacks a little complexity. But it's decent whisky.
Verdict:
I like this.
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