Eden Mill 2019 Release

Eden Mill 2019 Release

Official bottling 
Single malt - Lowlands
Bright gold
46.5% ABV
Dram

Nose: Damson jam, milk chocolate, hay, honey, vanilla, hints of black pepper.  
Mouthfeel: Medium body, hot, tingly, expands slightly.  
Tasting:  Sweet. Honey, damson jam, milk chocolate, black tea, blueberries, hints of raisins. 
Finish: Short. Black tea, damson jam, raisins, milk chocolate, black pepper. 

Comments: 

A nice little sherried dram, from a newish Lowlands distillery that I’ve not tried until now. It’s not exactly distinctive, but there’s plenty of pleasant jammy notes here, combined with a rather lactic spirit. Gets the job done. 

Verdict:

I like this.

Lakes WhiskyMaker’s Editions Liberty

Lakes WhiskyMaker’s Editions Liberty

Official bottling 
Single malt - Cumbria
Pale gold
56% ABV
Dram

Nose: Dark chocolate, orange peel, lemon zest, cola nuts, fresh baked bread, hints of bay leaf. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, hot, airy, expands.  
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Honey, bay leaf, lemon zest, fresh baked bread, black tea, black pepper, hints of dark chocolate. 
Finish: Medium. Lemon zest, dark chocolate, fresh baked bread, hints of black pepper, hints of green pepper. 

Comments: 

Sweet and herbaceous, with a citrus undertone. It wasn’t perfect tasting conditions when I had this, but I did manage to have it at the Lakes distillery. A beautiful place that is well worth a visit. 

Verdict:

I like this.

Ben Nevis 24yo 1997/2021

Ben Nevis 24yo 1997/2021

Thompson Brothers
Single malt - Western Highlands
Golden, hints of green 
43.2% ABV
Dram

Nose: Raisins, white grapes, yoghurt, greengages, toffee, hints of pine nuts. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, airy, astringent, warm. 
Tasting:  Sweet sour. White grapes, greengages, green apples, toffee, cream, hints of white chocolate, hints of pine nuts. 
Finish: Medium. Sea salt, green apples, yoghurt, cream, hints of leather. 

Comments: 

This tastes green, lots of tart, slightly herbaceous fruit, allied to deep underlying sweetness. Lots of complexity and a little bit of leathery peatiness on the finish. As uncomplicated as whisky gets. 

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Omar Single Malt (Sherry Cask)

Omar Single Malt (Sherry Cask)

Official bottling 
Single malt - Central Taiwan

Amber gold 
46% ABV
Dram

Nose: Raisins, fresh baked bread, apple juice, prunes, hints of orange peel. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, thickens slightly, slippery, mouth coating. 
Tasting:  Sweet. Fresh baked bread, raisins, apple juice, cloves, orange peel, hints of plums. 
Finish: Medium. Dark chocolate, fresh baked bread, orange peel, prunes. 

Comments: 

Discontinued version of Nantou’s standard sherried malt. It’s quite lovely, with deep intense notes of dried fruity and chocolate, with some nice cereal underpinning it. It’s probably only around 5 years old, but aged in a warmer climate, so tastes more intense than some 10 year old Scotches.

Verdict:

I like this.

Glen Grant 22yo 1995/2017

Glen Grant 22yo 1995/2017

Authentic Collection, WM Cadenhead 
Single malt - Speyside 
Dark gold
57.2% ABV
Dram

Nose: Raisins, plums, honey, kiwifruit, vanilla, hints of black pepper. With water, damson jam, black pepper, fresh baked bread, hints of honey. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, expands slightly, warm, slightly tingly. 
Tasting:  Sweet. Red grapes, fresh baked bread, vanilla, black pepper, black tea, hints of orange peel. With water, fresh baked bread, orange peel, black tea, hints of black pepper. 
Finish: Medium. Orange peel, black pepper, black tea, fresh baked bread. 

Comments: 

Sweet and luscious, lots of fruit and plenty of spicy notes. It deepens with a touch of water, becomes sweeter but less spicy. Nice. 

Verdict:

I like this.

Dalmore 25yo 1992/2017

Dalmore 25yo 1992/2017

Authentic Collection, WM Cadenhead 
Single malt - North Highlands 
Golden, hints of green 
59% ABV
Dram

Nose: Lemon zest, chocolate, malted grains, barley sugar, vanilla, hints of fresh cut grass. With water, vanilla, lemon zest, honey, barley sugar. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, hot, tingly, astringent. 
Tasting:  Sweet sour. Fresh baked bread, vanilla, lemon zest, greengages, hints of cornflakes. With water, malted grains, lemon zest, greengages, barley sugar. 
Finish: Long. Chocolate, green chillies, lemon zest, fresh baked bread. 

Comments: 

Old Dalmore, bourbon cask, quite a rarity. Lots of cereal and green fruit on the tongue and nose, and it finishes with a spicy bang. But it lacks a little in complexity for such an old dram.

Verdict:

I like this.

Arran 21st Anniversary Limited Edition

Arran 21st Anniversary Limited Edition 

Official bottling 
Single malt - Islands 
Amber
52.6% ABV
Dram

Nose: Woodsmoke, sea salt, sandalwood, aluminium foil, raisins, hints of photocopy paper. With water, sandalwood, fresh baked bread, barley sugar, semolina pudding. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, astringent, expands, tingly. 
Tasting:  Sweet. Fresh baked bread, honey, barley sugar, raisins, black tea, hints of woodsmoke. With water, black tea, semolina pudding, honey, hints of white pepper. 
Finish: Long. Sandalwood, sea salt, fresh baked bread, vanilla, semolina pudding. 

Comments: 

Sweet, not a lot of smoke or peat (not that there’s a lot of that in Arran). Quite a lot of cereal as well, especially with a touch of water. It’s all very fragrant with decent complexity. 

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Tobermory Isle of Mull (old dumpy)

Tobermory Isle of Mull (old dumpy)

Official bottling
Single malt - Islands 
Dark gold, hints of copper
40% ABV
Dram

Nose: Bananas, orange juice, toffee apples, fresh baked bread, toast, hints of papayas. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, cool, loosens, tingly. 
Tasting:  Sweet. Orange juice, toffee apples, leather, mint, butterscotch, hints of cocoa powder. 
Finish: Medium. Cocoa powder, butterscotch, toast, orange juice. 

Comments: 

This was bottled around the year 2000, and there’s quite a bit of old bottle effect. It’s mild, milder than today’s Tobermory, and certainly milder than today’s Ledaig. Lots of fruit underneath that peat, and quite a bit of cocoa. Nice. 

Verdict:

I like this.

Torabhaig Club Reserve Oloroso Puncheon 4yo 2017/2021

Torabhaig Club Reserve Oloroso Puncheon 4yo 2017/2021

Official bottling 
Single malt - Islands 
Dark gold, hints of yellow
60.2% ABV
Dram

Nose: Smoke, honey, sea salt, lemon juice, sumac, nashi pears, hints of leather. With water, lemon juice, wildflowers, sea salt, hints of white grapes. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, tingly, warm, astringent. 
Tasting:  Sour salty. Lemon juice, sumac, leather, smoke, germolene, sea salt, hints of nashi pears. With water, sea salt, germolene, wildflowers, lemon juice. 
Finish: Long. Sea salt, sumac, mint, germolene, lemon juice. 

Comments: 

Quite floral underneath the peat, with a great whopping lemon juice note. It devolves to germolene given some air, and on the finish. Very promising indeed, I want to try some older Torabhaig. 

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Undisclosed Orkney 18yo 2003/2021

Undisclosed Orkney 18yo 2003/202-

Infrequent Flyers, Alastair Walker
Single malt - Islands 
Red
53.4% ABV
Dram

Nose: Raisins, barley sugar, sage, vanilla, strawberry laces, hints of smoke. With water, honey, raisins, strawberry yoghurt, hints of leather.  
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, loosens, slippery, warm.  
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Strawberry laces, white grapes, orange peel, black tea, fresh baked bread, hints of smoke. With water, orange peel, honey, white grapes, hints of strawberry yoghurt. 
Finish: Medium. White grapes, raisins, fresh baked bread, orange peel, hints of greengages. 

Comments: 

Cask 5747. This is Highland Park. Quite fruity, lots of strawberry that almost drowns out any peat or salinity. Some cereal, but it’s somewhat atypically sweet for HP. 

Verdict:

I like this.

Talisker Friends of the Classic Malts (bottled 2003)

Talisker Friends of the Classic Malts (bottled 2003)

Official bottling 
Single malt - Islands
Chinese tea 
48% ABV
Dram

Nose: Bananas, sea salt, lime juice, toast, leather, honeydew melons, hints of smoke. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, tingly, warm, expands. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Lime juice, leather, sea salt, honeydew melons, olive oil, hints of leather, hints of roast pork. 
Finish: Long. White pepper, honeydew melons, leather, toast, hints of smoke. 

Comments: 

A limited edition enhanced by a generous dollop of old bottle effect. There’s a savoury oily note underlying a lot of fruit and gentle peat. It’s quite well integrated and a delight to drink.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Raasay Cask #658 Sample 3yo 2018/2021

Raasay Cask #658 Sample 3yo 2018/2021

Official bottling 
Single malt - Islands
Copper
Around 60% ABV
Dram

Nose: Peat, smoke, raisins, green tea, leather, sea salt, dried pears, hints of Worcestershire sauce. With water, lemon zest, green tea, leather, Worcestershire sauce. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, thickens, syrupy, cool.  
Tasting:  Bitter. Sea salt, leather, black pepper, dried pears, lemon zest, peat moss, smoke. With water, lemon zest, sea salt, leather, fresh baked bread, hints of Worcestershire sauce. 
Finish: Medium. Fresh baked bread, lemon zest, peat moss, sea salt, leather. 

Comments: 

Gloriously unbalanced, but with a nice sourish tang of umami on the nose and tongue. The peat is almost overwhelming, not like Octomore, but like the other flavours are too delicate to stand up to it. But it’s promising. 

Verdict:

I like this.

Abhainn Dearg 10yo (2021)

Abhainn Dearg 10yo (2021)

Official bottling 
Single malt - Islands
Pale orange gold
46% ABV
Dram

Nose: Strawberry sweets, cola nuts, honey, malted grains, photocopy paper, hints of orange peel. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, loosens, warm, slightly tingly.  
Tasting:  Sour sweet. Strawberry sweets, oats, fresh baked bread, honey, hints of vanilla, hints of maraschino cherries. 
Finish: Short. Orange peel, oats, vanilla, fresh baked bread, hints of mint. 

Comments: 

Finally, Abhainn Dearg whisky is of a reasonable age. The results are alright, quite fruity and cereally, but perhaps on the low side with respect to complexity. It’s a little too fruit forward for me. 

Verdict:

I like this.

Caol Ila 31yo 1988/2020

Caol Ila 31yo 1988/2020

Connoisseur’s Choice, Gordon & Macphail 
Single malt - Islay
Golden, hints of silver
51.4% ABV
Dram

Nose: Sandalwood, fresh baked bread, leather, white pepper, dunnage, hints of orange peel. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, loosens, airy, tingly. 
Tasting:  Bitter salty. Smoke, sour cream, honey, white pepper, orange peel, hints of cinnamon. 
Finish: Long. Fresh baked bread, orange peel, lemon juice, cinnamon, dunnage. 

Comments: 

An atypical Caol Ila, and not just for its age. It’s a little bit lactic, alongside the obligatory smoke and peat, but the lemon sweet and soy sauce notes are not there (or if they are, they’re quite faint). It’s quite salty though, and it made me realise that Caol Ila normally tastes of umami rather than just salt. 

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Ardmore 26yo 1995/2021

Ardmore 26yo 1995/2021

Connoisseur’s Choice, Gordon & Macphail 
Single malt - Speyside 
Golden, hints of copper
52.7% ABV
Dram

Nose: Leather, roast pork, vanilla, peat, sea salt, caramel. With water, cream, smoke, hints of roast pork. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, thickens slightly, warm, slippery. 

Tasting:  Bitter salty. Sea salt, vanilla, white pepper, smoke, peat, fresh cut grass, hints of roast pork. With water, sweeter, vanilla, cream, caramel, smoke. 
Finish: Medium. Bitter, cocoa powder, fresh cut grass, peat, hints of smoke. 

Comments: 

This is a perfectly acceptable Ardmore, but when tasting it I was struck by the difference between bottle aging and no bottle aging for certain whiskies. Now I like old bottle effect, but a long time in the bottle allows flavours to merge, becoming less well defined. It’s not necessarily so good for lighter whiskies, but for peated drams, it makes the peat gentler and allows other notes to surface. This is decent whisky but a little (ok, a lot) time in glass would make it a great whisky, polishing off some of those slightly harsh smoky medicinal flavours. 

Verdict:

I like this.

Highland Park 19yo 1999/2018 Spiritual Home 1st Release

Highland Park 19yo 1999/2018 Spiritual Home 1st Release 

Connoisseur’s Choice, Gordon & Macphail 
Single malt - Islands
Straw
54.1% ABV
Dram

Nose: Lemon sweets, chocolate, leather, pine, shredded wheat, hints of white pepper. With water, lemon zest, white pepper, nutmeg, leather. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, tingly, warm, expands. 
Tasting:  Sweet sour. Chocolate, fresh baked bread, vanilla, lemon sweets, leather, hints of toast. With water, more bitter, fresh baked bread, toast, leather, lemon sweets. 
Finish: Medium. Fresh baked bread, shredded wheat, lemon sweets, toast, hints of aluminium foil. 

Comments: 

Not a usual Highland Park. This one is surprisingly bready and cereally, and the hint of smokiness on the tongue creates an impression of warm buttered toast. There’s a little bit of sweetness in it, but not too much. Quite good. 

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Convalmore 26yo 1984/2010

Convalmore 26yo 1984/2010

Connoisseur’s Choice, Gordon & Macphail 
Single malt - Speyside 
Straw
40% ABV
Dram

Nose: Fresh cut grass, lemon zest, honey, green tea, wildflowers. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, syrupy, expands, cool.  
Tasting:  Sweet sour. Lemon zest, honey, vanilla, pears, green tea, fresh cut grass, hints of lemon curd, hints of leather.
Finish: Long. Lemon zest, lemon curd, wildflowers, honey, hints of leather. 

Comments: 

Floral and gentle, with no discernible old bottle effect, this whisky is highly drinkable. Lots of flowers and lemon, perhaps a smidgen of vanilla. I would have said this was Imperial rather than Convalmore, there’s little to no peat on the tongue (maybe just a whisper on the finish). 

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Balmenach 19yo 1973/1992

Balmenach 19yo 1973/1992

Connoisseur’s Choice, Gordon & Macphail 
Single malt - Speyside 
Bright amber 
40% ABV
Dram

Nose: Black tea, orange peel, vitamin C tablets, bovril, white pepper. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, cool, loosens slightly, tingly.  
Tasting:  Salty sweet. Bovril, honey, white pepper, black tea, orange peel, sage, hints of cardamom. 
Finish: Long. Vitamin C tablets, orange peel, honey, cardamom, hints of bovril. 

Comments: 

Meaty, fruity and spicy, this whisky is unbalanced - gloriously so. There’s heaps of rich beefiness, jus or gravy or bovril, overlaid by fizzy vitamin C tablets and orange peel, plus some slightly rancid socks, in the best possible way. Odd, but utterly delicious. 

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Imperial 24yo 1996/2021

Imperial 24yo 1996/2021

Connoisseur’s Choice, Gordon & Macphail 
Single malt - Speyside 

Amber
56.6% ABV
Dram

Nose: Fresh baked bread, black tea, raisins, ginger, white pepper, hints of chocolate. With water, leather, sea salt, dried blueberries, hints of roast pork. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, thickens, hot, syrupy. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Fresh baked bread, chocolate, raisins, cinnamon, white pepper, ginger, dried blueberries. With water, dried blueberries, ginger, sea salt, chocolate. 
Finish: Long. Raisins, white pepper, cinnamon, chocolate, dried blueberries. 

Comments: 

Fruity and full bodied, the cask strength makes this whisky complex and inviting. Lots of dried blueberry notes, alongside some spicy ginger. Luscious, although not what one expects from Imperial (lighter, and perhaps a little more herbal rather than fruity). 

Verdict:

I like this.

Tormore 24yo 1995/2019

Tormore 24yo 1995/2019

Connoisseur’s Choice, Gordon & Macphail
Single malt - Speyside 
Dark gold
56.2% ABV
Dram

Nose: Roast pork, honey, red grapes, butterscotch, stewed raspberries, hints of chocolate. With water, sandalwood, honey, chocolate, raisins. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, sticky, hot, astringent.  
Tasting:  Sweet. Vanilla, red grapes, stewed raspberries, chocolate, cinnamon, mace, raisins. With water, black tea, sea salt, stewed raspberries. 
Finish: Medium. Honey, red grapes, roast pork, cinnamon, hints of mint. 

Comments: 

Sweetly sherried with a meaty undernote, this whisky could well be a Mortlach. But it isn’t, it’s got a nice hit of cinnamon and mace, especially on the tongue. A beautiful mid-session dram. 

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Teaninich 20yo 1983/2003

Teaninich 20yo 1983/2003

Connoisseur’s Choice, Gordon & Macphail
Single malt - North Highlands
Golden
46% ABV
Dram

Nose: Pound cake, marzipan, orange peel, leather, cedar, vanilla, hints of sea salt. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, cool, astringent, tingly. 
Tasting:  Sweet salty. Leather, vanilla, honey, marzipan, lohan fruit, black tea, smoke, sea salt. 
Finish: Medium. Black tea, honey, smoke, orange peel, sea salt, cedar. 

Comments: 

Lovely Teaninich, fruity with a whisper of peat, and quite a bit of old bottle effect. There’s a spicy, woody note that I recall appears in the best Japanese whiskies. This isn’t Japanese, but it ranks among the best.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Littlemill 21yo 1991/2012

Littlemill 21yo 1991/2012

Connoisseur’s Choice, Gordon & Macphail
Single malt - Lowlands
Golden, hints of green
43% ABV
Dram

Nose: Dried mangoes, lemon sweets, fresh cut grass, starfruit, vanilla. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, tingly, thickens, syrupy. 
Tasting:  Sweet sour. Dried mangoes, barley sugar, fresh cut grass, starfruit, lemon sweets, leather, toast. 
Finish: Long. Starfruit, leather, toast, lemon sweets, honey. 

Comments: 

Lots of delicious tropical fruit flavours, and perhaps a smidgen of old bottle effect. The leathery, slightly savoury finish is a delight. 

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Linkwood 26yo 1990/2017

Linkwood 26yo 1990/2017

Dimensions, Duncan Taylor
Single malt - Speyside 
Amber
45.9% ABV
Dram

Nose: Toffee, lemon sweets, chocolate, leather, peanut butter. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, cool, loosens, mouth coating.  
Tasting:  Sour sweet. Chocolate, lemon sweets, fresh baked bread, greengages, barley sugar, hints of rhubarb and custard sweets. 
Finish: Short. Lemon sweets, fresh baked bread, barley sugar, honey, toffee.  

Comments: 

Cask 5046. This whisky is like chocolate covered toffee greengages. I did argue with Marco and a fellow patron as to whether it was apples rather than greengages, but we had to agree to disagree in the end! Very pleasant indeed. 

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Glenlossie 27yo 1993/2021

Glenlossie 27yo 1993/2021

Celebration of the Cask, Carn Mor
Single malt - Speyside 
Copper
54.7% ABV
Dram

Nose: Orange peel, fresh cut grass, barley sugar, strawberries, marmalade. With water, lemon zest, rhubarb and custard sweets, fresh baked bread. 

Mouthfeel: Light body, hot, astringent, expands.  
Tasting:  Sweet sour. Fresh baked bread, fresh cut grass, barley sugar, vanilla, marmalade, green tea. With water, honey, fresh baked bread, orange peel. 
Finish: Medium. Barley sugar, vanilla, fresh cut grass, orange peel. 

Comments: 

Cask 3650. Rather mild and grassy, but with some nice marmalade notes. It’s decent, but I’d expected more for its age and also the reputation of the bottler. 

Verdict:

I like this.

Glen Garioch 9yo 2011/2021

Glen Garioch 9yo 2011/2021

Carn Mor
Single malt - East Highlands
Dark gold
47.5% ABV
Dram

Nose: Honey, red grapes, sandalwood, toast, blueberries, hints of soy sauce. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, tingly, astringent, thickens. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Fresh baked bread, toast, leather, honey, red grapes, blueberries. 
Finish: Medium. Honey, red grapes, barley sugar, toast, hints of blueberries. 

Comments: 

Sweet and rich, lots of fruit over cereal notes. Pleasantly alluring, I particularly like the blueberry notes. Quite the sherried whisky.

Verdict:

I like this.

Ardmore 10yo 2009/2018

Ardmore 10yo 2009/2018

Provenance, Douglas Laing
Single malt - Speyside 
Straw
46% ABV
Dram

Nose: Honey, orange peel, lemon zest, fresh cut grass, smoke, hints of leather. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, loosens slightly, sticky, syrupy. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Lemon zest, sea salt, orange peel, fresh cut grass, smoke, oats, hints of rosemary. 
Finish: Short. Smoke, honey, orange peel, fresh cut grass. 

Comments: 

Cask 13540. I like my Ardmore more heavily peated than not and this one is quite characteristic of that distillery profile. Lots of fruit, a little herbal top note, and plenty of smoke and leather. This sort of whisky gains a bit of complexity as it ages, but at 10 years old it’s perfectly fine. 

Verdict:

I like this.

Tormore 9yo 2011/2021

Tormore 9yo 2011/2021

Carn Mor
Single malt - Speyside 
White wine
47.5% ABV
Dram

Nose: Leather, smoke, peat, toast, cream, black tea, hints of greengages. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, thickens, syrupy, astringent. 
Tasting:  Bitter. Honey, greengages, smoke, peat, leather, fresh baked bread, cream, hints of tar. 
Finish: Long. Smoke, fresh baked bread, cream, tar, peat. 

Comments: 

Peated bourbon cask Tormore. Quite fruity and rich, with a lot of smoke and leather. There’s a tarry medicinal background note that lets this whisky compare with the Islays. Rather good. 

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Royal Brackla 14yo 2007/2021 Christmas Edition

Royal Brackla 14yo 2007/2021 Christmas Edition

Single Cask, Berry Brothers & Rudd
Single malt - Speyside 
Dark gold
50.6% ABV
Dram

Nose: Orange peel, grapefruit, lemon zest, white grapes, marzipan, hints of pineapples. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, cool, slippery, tingly. 
Tasting:  Sour sweet. Cream, orange peel, barley sugar, white grapes, vanilla, hints of white pepper. 
Finish: Medium. Vanilla, lemon zest, marzipan, white grapes, hints of caramel. 

Comments: 

Cask 03086. Not very Christmassy! But I suppose it doesn’t have to be. It’s fruity alright, but there’s a spicy edge to this as well as a tanginess reminiscent of white grapes. Pleasant nonetheless. 

Verdict:

I like this.

Glen Ord 8yo 2012/2021

Glen Ord 8yo 2012/2021

Carn Mor 
Single malt - North Highlands 
Pale gold 
47.5% ABV
Dram

Nose: Lemon sweets, barley sugar, vanilla, cardamom, caramel, hints of liquorice. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, thickens, slippery, tingly. 
Tasting:  Sweet salty. Barley sugar, sea salt, vanilla, cardamom, fresh baked bread, iron filings, hints of marzipan. 
Finish: Short. Green tea, fresh baked bread, iron filings, hints of liquorice. 

Comments: 

Cereally and sweet, the highland peat character is gentle and faint, manifesting itself mainly in a savoury edge on the tongue, and perhaps a slightly meaty metallic note. Lovely. 

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Glen Elgin 13yo 2007/2021

Glen Elgin 13yo 2007/2021

Carn Mor
Single malt - Speyside 
Mahogany
47.5% ABV
Dram

Nose: Barley sugar, black tea, fresh baked bread, vanilla ice cream, hints of brown paper. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, thickens slightly, tingly, cool. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Raisins, orange peel, fresh baked bread, vanilla ice cream, hints of marzipan, hints of shortbread. 
Finish: Medium. Black tea, fresh baked bread, orange peel, shortbread. 

Comments: 

Sherried, but quite a lot of distillate character shines through. Cereally and fragrant, with some delicious fruit. Whisky doesn’t have to be old to taste nice.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Paul John Nirvana

Paul John Nirvana

Official bottling 
Single malt - Goa
Amber
40% ABV
Dram

Nose: Leather, orange peel, caramel, honey, strawberries, hints of raspberries. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, static, slightly tingly, cool. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Lemon zest, fresh baked bread, honey, caramel, hints of orange peel. 
Finish: Short. Lemon zest, caramel, barley sugar, orange peel. 

Comments: 

Fruity and light, lovely and sweet. The same could be said of many Paul John whiskies. It’s a very consistent distillate. Unfortunately this one isn’t as smashing as the Mithuna, but it’s decent of an evening.

Verdict:

I like this.

Makers Mark Cask Strength

Makers Mark Cask Strength

Official bottling 
Single bourbon - Kentucky
Amber, hints of red
55.05% ABV
Dram

Nose: Corn syrup, honey, fresh baked bread, polenta, vanilla, golden syrup. With water, vanilla ice cream, sandalwood, corn syrup. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, slippery, cool, slightly tingly. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Fresh baked bread, orange peel, golden syrup, polenta, vanilla, hints of black tea. With water, vanilla ice cream, fresh baked bread, hints of black tea. 
Finish: Short. Vanilla ice cream, corn syrup, orange peel, hints of golden syrup. 

Comments: 

Batch 20-01. This is a blast from the past, I used to really like Makers Mark before I started drinking whisky seriously. It’s still sweet and laden with vanilla, this time larded with a huge amount of corn cereal flavour. Pleasant enough.

Verdict:

I like this.

Amrut Port Pipe Peated

Amrut Port Pipe Peated

Official bottling 
Single malt - Bangalore
Amber red 
62.8% ABV
Dram

Nose: Oranges, red grapes, leather, germolene, mint, hints of smoke. With water, honey, strawberries, red grapes. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, thickens, hot, tingly. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Leather, peat, sage, strawberries, red grapes, smoke, hints of mint. With water, smoke, tar, red grapes. 
Finish: Medium. Toast, leather, fresh cut grass, peat. 

Comments: 

Cask 2713. Peaty and herbal, with quite a lot of red fruit. I’m not sure where the light citrusy notes are, probably lost in the port finishing. Quite confusing, one of the rare instances where a gentler strength might bring out the best in the whisky. Pleasant nevertheless.

Verdict:

I like this.

Kilkerran 8yo Cask Strength

Kilkerran 8yo Cask Strength 

Official bottling 
Single malt - Campbeltown

Amber copper
56.9% ABV
Dram

Nose: Lemon sweets, green tea, fresh cut grass, leather, sandalwood, hints of peat. With water, lemon zest, toast, germolene, honey. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, hot, astringent, tingly.  
Tasting:  Sweet salty. Fresh baked bread, honey, leather, fresh cut grass, sea salt, toast, germolene, hints of lemon zest, hints of peat. With water, sea salt, honey, germolene, peat. 
Finish: Long. Sea salt, germolene, toast, fresh cut grass. 

Comments: 

Quite complex, the higher strength really intensifies the peaty, leathery, antiseptic notes. There’s a lot of sweetness here too, honey and a bit of citrus. Very nice indeed. 

Verdict:

I like this.

Cameronbridge 25yo 1992/2017 (TWE Exclusive)

Cameronbridge 25yo 1992/2017 (TWE Exclusive)

Creative Whisky Company
Single grain - Lowlands
Dark amber
57.7% ABV
Dram

Nose: Toffee, raisins, dark chocolate, candied orange peel, tutti frutti, hints of jasmine. With water, black tea, salted caramel, raisins, orange peel. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, loosens, turns airy, mouth coating. 
Tasting:  Sweet. Raisins, dark chocolate, tutti frutti, vanilla, pear drops, cinnamon, hints of candied orange peel. With water, salted caramel, raisins, orange peel, red grapes. 
Finish: Medium. Dark chocolate, orange peel, fresh baked bread, vanilla, hints of cinnamon. 

Comments: 

Sweet and spicy, this grain is also luscious and rich. The mouthfeel is excellent, almost malty, but there’s a not a lot of cereal in the flavours. There’s quite a lot of complexity, with spices wreathed through it.

Verdict:

I like this.

Oxford Artisan 3yo Batch 1

Oxford Artisan 3yo Batch 1

That Boutique-y Whisky Company, Master of Malt
Single grain - Oxfordshire 
Amber
50% ABV
Dram

Nose: Cornflakes, honey, vanilla, cinnamon, black pepper, damson jam. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, cool, thickens, slightly tingly. 
Tasting:  Sweet salty. Cornflakes, sea salt, oats, orange peel, black pepper, damson jam, hints of chocolate. 

Finish: Long. Sea salt, fresh baked bread, cinnamon, butter. 

Comments: 

Sweet and robust, with intense flavours that belie its young age. It’s a little salty, which accentuates the richness of the spirit. Very enjoyable. 

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Macduff 20yo 1997/2017

Macduff 20yo 1997/2017

Samaroli
Single malt - Speyside 
Dark gold
43% ABV
Dram

Nose: Marmalade, vanilla ice cream, fresh baked bread, raisins, cocoa nibs, hints of black tea. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, thickens, turns syrupy, tingly. 
Tasting:  Sweet. Marmalade, raisins, cocoa nibs, dried orange peel, oats, hints of lemon zest. 
Finish: Medium. Chocolate, cocoa nibs, marmalade, lemon zest. 

Comments: 

Cask 5869. Quite rich and sweet, lots of robust chocolate underneath the fruit. There’s a little bit of citrus and cereal as well, quite wonderful whisky. 

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Glenlossie 12yo 2009/2021

Glenlossie 12yo 2009/2021

Carn Mor
Single malt - Speyside 
Dark amber, hints of red
47.5% ABV
Dram

Nose: Strawberries, honey, bubble gum, marmalade, fresh baked bread. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, astringent, cool, slightly tingly. 
Tasting:  Sour bitter. Barley sugar, vanilla, dark chocolate, raisins, bubble gum, hints of orange peel. 
Finish: Short. Black tea, strawberries, marmalade, vanilla. 

Comments: 

Fruity and sweet, but very estery. It’s almost fake fruit flavours, with a tannic edge. Lots of cereal underpins the whisky, and it’s quite pleasant. 

Verdict:

I like this.

Benrinnes 12yo 2008/2021

Benrinnes 12yo 2008/2021

Carn Mor
Single malt - Speyside 
Light copper
47.5% ABV
Dram

Nose: Ink, raisins, plums, carrot cake, cocoa nibs, barley sugar. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, cool, tingly, slippery. 
Tasting:  Sweet sour. Damson jam, vanilla, cocoa nibs, marzipan, fresh baked bread, hints of apple skins. 
Finish: Long. Marzipan, fresh baked bread, rolled oats, vanilla. 

Comments: 

Fruity and spicy, with a bitter cocoa bite. It’s light but lingers long on the tongue. Not tropical fruits as one might get with young Benrinnes, instead damson jam and apples. 

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Bladnoch 16yo 1980/1997

Bladnoch 16yo 1980/1997

First Cask, The Malt Whisky Circle 
Single malt - Lowlands 
Golden
46% ABV
Dram

Nose: Pineapples, cream, fresh cut grass, brown sugar, hints of apricots. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, thickens, mouth coating, cool. 
Tasting:  Sweet sour. Pineapples, leather, raisins, barley sugar, winter melon, hints of white grapes. 
Finish: Medium. Sunflower seeds, raisins, white grapes, pineapples, orange peel. 

Comments: 

Cask 89/591/12. Sweet sour and fruity, like eating pineapple upside down cake huge amounts of old bottle effect, there’s a leather strap or two baked into that cake! There’s a herbal, seedy finish as well. Gorgeous.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Bimber Selfridges Exclusive (Oloroso Sherry Cask)

Bimber Selfridges Exclusive (Oloroso Sherry Cask)

Official bottling 
Single malt - London
Amber, hints of pink 
51.5% ABV
Dram

Nose: Raisins, black tea, grass, honey, white pepper, hints of peaches. With water, honey, raisins, barley sugar, white pepper. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, slippery, warm, tingly. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Chocolate, raisins, peaches, white pepper, vanilla, fresh baked bread. With water, black tea, brown paper, raisins, barley sugar, hints of toast. 
Finish: Long. Raisins, white pepper, vanilla, barley sugar. 

Comments: 

Cask 544/7/67. Characteristically fruity, with the sherry cask enhancing the flavours with a chocolate note. Lots of grain ass well, particularly with water. Excellent and well defined. 

Verdict:

I like this.

Caledonian 30yo 1987/2018

Caledonian 30yo 1987/2018

Closed Distilleries, WM Cadenheads 
Single grain - Lowlands
Bright gold
48.5% ABV
Dram

Nose: Vanilla, oats, coconut cream, sea salt, butterscotch, hints of orange peel. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, syrupy, tingly, warm. 
Tasting:  Sweet. Vanilla, oats, orange peel, butterscotch, toffee, hints of sea salt, hints of caraway. 
Finish: Medium. Toffee, vanilla, sea salt, caramel, hints of caraway. 

Comments: 

This is clearly grain whisky, but it does feel that there’s more than a touch of malt in it. Lots of orangey fruit notes, and some spiciness. There’s a depth that is lacking in younger grains, and it’s intensified by the heavy luxurious mouthfeel. Excellent stuff.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Braes of Glenlivet 25yo 1994/2019

Braes of Glenlivet 25yo 1994/2019

Official bottling 
Single malt - Speyside 
Amber
48% ABV
Dram

Nose: Raisins, honey, coconut cream, toffee, white grapes, sea salt, hints of toast. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, tingly, cool, expands slightly. 
Tasting:  Salty sweet. Coconut cream, honey, black tea, vanilla, sea salt, hints of orange peel, hints of toast. 
Finish: Medium. Toffee, vanilla, orange peel, toast. 

Comments: 

Quite a briny dram, but that’s overlaid with heaps of coconut and a little vanilla. I would have said this was a grain whisky. Just goes to show how much I know. I’m afraid the complexity deriving from age was not really there, but it was an interesting dram nonetheless.

Verdict:

I like this.

Myken 4yo 2017/2021

Myken 4yo 2017/2021

Nordic Casks #1, Berry Bros & Rudd
Single malt - Nord-Norge
Straw 
61.4% ABV
Dram

Nose: Greengages, lemon zest, sea salt, peat, hints of vanilla, hints of cooked rice. With water, lemon zest, ginseng, cooked rice, greengages. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, expands, loosens, mouth coating. 
Tasting:  Bitter sour. Peat, lemon zest, fresh cut grass, sea salt, vanilla, hints of smoke. With water, lemon zest, lime zest, ginseng, peat, hints of smoke. 
Finish: Long. Sea salt, vanilla, lemon zest, wood ash, hints of smoke. 

Comments: 

Cask 15. Never had a Myken before, it seems to be briny and coastal, with a tangy bitterness that’s quite interesting. Sort of a Norwegian Talisker. This one is quite enjoyable, especially the ashy, smoky finish. 

Verdict:

I like this.

Fary Lochan 7yo 2014/2021

Fary Lochan 7yo 2014/2021

Nordic Casks #1, Berry Brothers & Rudd 
Single malt - Syddanmark
Pale gold 
60.9% ABV
Dram

Nose: Lemon zest, nettles, fresh cut grass, green tea, chocolate, cotton sheets. With water, lemon zest, greengages, fresh cut grass. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, syrupy, oily, warm. 
Tasting:  Bitter. Fresh cut grass, green tea, nettles, limes, olive oil, hints of oats. With water, chocolate, nettles, greengages, green tea. 
Finish: Short. Lemon zest, limes, olive oil, nettles, hints of smoke. 

Comments: 

Cask 06. Nettle smoked whisky, a first in my experience. It tastes… green, and vegetal. There’s some bitterness and some savoury notes, which bring to mind a good olive oil, and a gentle sweetness overlaid on top. Excellent stuff, I’d be looking to try more from this distillery. 

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

High Coast 8yo 2013/2021

High Coast 8yo 2013/2021

Nordic Casks #1, Berry Bros & Rudd
Single malt - Ångermanland
Amber
60.9% ABV
Dram

Nose: Black tea, red grapes, malted grains, cocoa nibs, prunes, hints of sea salt. With water, fresh baked bread, dark chocolate, raisins, sea salt. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, hot, expands, airy. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Prunes, butterscotch, tobacco leaf, date molasses, red grapes, cocoa nibs, hints of honey. With water, black tea, fresh baked bread, raisins, prunes. 
Finish: Short. Red grapes, black tea, prunes, honey. 

Comments: 

Cask 1384. Highly sherried, and very high ABV for the age. Lots of underlying cereal notes but these are overlaid by chocolate, cocoa and dried fruit. It’s not that characteristic of the distillery, but it’s a decent sherried dram. 

Verdict:

I like this.

Kyrö 5yo 2016/2021

Kyrö 5yo 2016/2021

Nordic Casks #1, Berry Bros & Rudd
Single rye - Southern Finland
Amber, hints of gold
54.6% ABV
Dram

Nose: Black pepper, vanilla, rye bread, butter, apples, hints of cedar. With water, marmalade, strawberry jam, rye bread. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, astringent, warm, mouth coating.  
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Damson jam, vanilla, marmalade, black pepper, cloves, bananas, hints of cedar. With water, sweeter, marmalade, rye bread, cloves, black pepper.
Finish: Long. Marmalade, damson jam, black pepper, cedar. 

Comments: 

Cask 16037. This is a very good rye, spicy and sweet with a luscious orangey flavour note. Black pepper is the main spice note, but cloves abound as well (and are intense enough to numb the mouth briefly). Water helps, opening up some bready notes that complement the fruit. 

Verdict:

I like this.

Ardnamurchan AD/04:21 Paul Launois Release

Ardnamurchan AD/04:21 Paul Launois Release

Official bottling
Single malt - West Highlands 
Light copper
57.6% ABV
Dram

Nose: Strawberries, green tea, brown paper, peaches, honey, orange peel, hints of rose water. With water, honey. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, hot, tingly, astringent.  
Tasting:  Sweet sour. Vanilla, peaches, white grapes, orange peel, green tea, honey, toast, hints of malted grains. With water, malted grains, honey, peaches, toast, hints of sandalwood. 
Finish:  Medium. Malted grains, toast, orange peel, hints of honey. 

Comments: 

Well finished in champagne and bourbon casks, this whisky is floral and fruity. There’s not much of the cereally Ardnamurchan character, but the finishing adds rather than detracts. A good and refreshing dram. 

Verdict:

I like this.