Muteman Rye Whiskey

Muteman Rye Whiskey 

Official bottling
Single rye - Southern Finland
Amber, hints of bronze
40% ABV
Dram

Nose: Mangoes, leather, sourdough, white grapes, strawberries, hints of watermelon. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, syrupy, sticky, static. 
Tasting:  Sweet sour. Leather, cloves, mangoes, watermelon, malted grains, raisins, hints of strawberries. 
Finish: Medium. Malted grains, black pepper, black tea, oats. 

Comments: 

This is a rather lovely rye whiskey. It’s not quite a ‘single’ rye, if you like, there’s definitely some barley in here, perhaps more than you would find with a typical rye whiskey. The combination is good, lots of complexity from the malt, plus bold spicy notes from the rye. My slight gripe is that it would be better at a slightly higher strength. 

Verdict:

I like this.

SMWS 95.45 (Auchroisk 14yo 2006/2021)

SMWS 95.45 (Auchroisk 14yo 2006/2021)

2021, SMWS 
Single malt - Speyside 
Bronze
57.6% ABV
Dram

Nose: Malted grains, sandalwood, raisins, fresh baked bread, candied orange peel, cream, chamomile, hints of strawberry laces. With water, pears, dried apples, hints of mangoes. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, hot, tingly, astringent.  
Tasting:  Sweet sour. Strawberries, candied orange peel, fresh baked bread, barley sugar, cotton sheets, dried apples, hints of malted grains. With water, pear drops, mangoes, dried apples, cream, hints of bubble gum. 
Finish: Short. Dried apples, malted grains, raisins, barley sugar. 

Comments: 

Red wine finished Auchroisk. It’s odd, even curious, with fewer of the traditional jammy notes but with more cereally and fruity notes. I had to wonder if I did like it, but in the end I decided that I did. It’s quite unbalanced, but, as every so often, it works. 

Verdict:

I like this.

Craigellachie 13yo

Craigellachie 13yo

Official bottling 
Single malt - Speyside 
Bright gold 
46% ABV
Dram

Nose: Malted grains, barley sugar, orange peel, fresh cut grass, bananas, hints of roast pork.  
Mouthfeel: Medium body, tingly, hot, expands slightly. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Fresh baked bread, bananas, black tea, waffles, barley sugar, orange peel, peanuts.  
Finish: Medium. Malted grains, fresh baked bread, waffles, vanilla.  

Comments: 

Malty and fruity expression of Craigellachie. I didn’t find the classic pineapple notes in this one though. It’s still fruity and has some complexity, but it’s different from the ‘normal’ official style. 

Verdict:

I like this.

Dalmore 13yo 2007/2020

Dalmore 13yo 2007/2020

Whisky Broker
Single malt - North Highlands
Amber red
54.7% ABV
Dram

Nose: Chocolate, red grapes, damson jam, malted grains, walnuts, hints of coffee. With water, raisins, pear drops, golden syrup, hints of chocolate. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, slippery, tingly, mouth coating.  
Tasting:  Sweet. Fresh baked bread, chocolate, walnuts, vanilla sponge, golden syrup. With water, walnuts, coffee, raisins, hints of candied orange peel.
Finish: Long. Vanilla sponge, walnuts, golden syrup, chocolate. 

Comments: 

Gloriously sherried Dalmore. Not a lot of independent bottling of Dalmore around, but this is a very decent dram indeed. Lots of sweet, jammy classic sherried notes, tapering to a long bitter finish. Great stuff. 

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

SMWS 16.50 (Glenturret 6yo 2013/2020)

SMWS 16.50 (Glenturret 6yo 2013/2020)

2020, SMWS 
Single malt - Central Highlands
Dark gold

64.1% ABV
Dram

Nose: Peat, orange peel, chocolate, smoke, white grapes, tar, sea salt. With water, leather, salt caramel, sour cream. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, hot, tingly, astringent, mouth coating. 
Tasting:  Sour salty. Smoke, peat, green walnuts, chocolate, orange peel, vanilla, tar, sea salt, hints of lemon zest. With water, saltier, lemon zest, sea salt, malted grains, sour cream.  
Finish: Short. Green walnuts, orange peel, chilli flakes, lemon zest. 

Comments: 

This is a hearty, high strength peaty Glenturret. It’s not a whisky I’m very familiar with, but this one was unusual even so. It’s a very unbalanced style, lots of oddly clashing flavours, salty, sour and sweet at the same time. But it works, I think. 

Verdict:

I like this.

Springbank 25yo (2019 Edition)

Springbank 25yo (2019 Edition)

Official bottling 
Single malt - Campbeltown
Light amber 
46% ABV
Dram

Nose: Raisins, malted grains, petrol exhaust, petrichor, orange peel, leather, peat, hints of smoke. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, slippery, loosens slightly, mouth coating. 
Tasting:  Sweet. Leather, petrol exhaust, petrichor, orange peel, raisins, honey, smoke, hints of pineapples. 
Finish: Medium. Orange peel, raisins, honey, malted grains, hints of dark chocolate. 

Comments: 

They’ve begun putting edition numbers on Springbank now, because the funkiness seems to be eroding for some reason. Thankfully it’s all correct and present in this 25yo expression, even if it’s fading a little from the younger expressions. 

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Black Art 1990 (Bruichladdich 23yo) Edition 04.1

Black Art 1990 (Bruichladdich 23yo) Edition 04.1

Official bottling 
Single malt - Islay 

Amber
49.2% ABV
Dram

Nose: Orange peel, honey, cucumbers, black tea, hints of sulphur.  
Mouthfeel: Light body, astringent, mouth coating, airy.  
Tasting:  Sweet sour. Honey, raisins, orange peel, cherry blossom, black tea, hints of blackberry jam. 
Finish: Short. Black tea, sulphur, leather, cucumbers, hints of wet stones.  

Comments: 

Unpeated Bruichladdich, not something you see everyday. Anyway, it’s been quite highly sherried. Lots of sweet notes, jammy even. But the sweetness is quite light, somehow, with sulphur and tannins hovering in the background. 

Verdict:

I like this.

Mortlach 21yo 1992/2013

Mortlach 21yo 1992/2013

Director’s Cut, Douglas Laing 
Single malt - Speyside 
Amber rose 
56.7% ABV
Dram

Nose: Raisins, black tea, strawberries, fresh cut grass, dried cranberries, hints of bacon. With water, black tea, candied orange peel, dried cranberries. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, airy, loose, warm. 
Tasting:  Sweet. Raisins, dried cranberries, rose water, bacon, hazelnuts, liquorice, candied orange peel. With water, black tea, liquorice, dried cranberries, honey, hazelnuts.  
Finish: Long. Candied orange peel, liquorice, rose water, hazelnuts. 

Comments: 

Cask 10143. This whisky was spicy and meaty, despite the huge wood influence. Plenty of fruit, especially strawberries, one the nose, and it followed straight through onto the tongue. I savoured it till the last drop. It was a magnificent example of sherry aging. 

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Clynelish 20yo 1997/2018

Clynelish 20yo 1997/2018

Candlelight Series, Whisky Illuminati
Single malt - North Highlands 
Silver gold
55.3% ABV
Dram

Nose: Bananas, plums, lemon zest, candle wax, vanilla, cream, hints of cinnamon. With water, lemon zest, honey, cucumbers, vanilla. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, hot, tingly, airy.  
Tasting:  Sweet salty. Plums, lemon zest, malted grains, green tea, sea salt, hints of candle wax. 
Finish: Short. Lemon zest, bananas, toasted coconut, green tea.  

Comments: 

Whisky from an indie bottler that I’ve never tried. It’s quite classic Clynelish, lots of lemon zest and honey, together with a gentle waxy quality. Very delicious, well aged and rare. And expensive of course, sadly. 

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

SMWS 105.24 (Tormore 25yo 1992/2018)

SMWS 105.24 (Tormore 25yo 1992/2018)

2018, SMWS
Single malt - Speyside 
Dark gold
49% ABV
Dram

Nose: Olive oil, lemon zest, bananas, creme chantilly, vanilla. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, hot, tingly, astringent.  
Tasting:  Sweet. Malted grains, bananas, creme chantilly, digestive biscuits, lemon zest, candle wax, cream cheese. 
Finish: Medium. Barley sugar, malted grains, digestive biscuits, lemon zest, olive oil. 

Comments: 

This is lovely, malty whisky. The malty notes are overlaid with biscuit, cereal, and fruit. To top it all off there’s a funky note that makes dramming this like eating banana cheesecake. It’s delicious. 

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Teaninich 33yo 1973/2006

Teaninich 33yo 1973/2006

Mission Cask Strength, Murray McDavid
Single malt - North Highlands
Dandelion 
55.9% ABV
Dram

Nose: Mangoes, jackfruit, leather, tobacco leaf, pear drops, hints of white grapes. With water, cucumbers, fresh cut grass, white grapes.  
Mouthfeel: Medium body, turns airy, slightly fizzy, astringent. 
Tasting: Sour bitter. Tobacco leaf, white grapes, leather, green tea, cucumbers, butterscotch, hints of jackfruit. With water, cucumbers, fresh cut grass, winter melon, green tea, malted grains. 
Finish: Long. Fresh baked bread, cucumbers, menthol, leather. 

Comments: 

Lingering, and complex. There’s some jackfruit fermentedness to this whisky, sweet and funky. Neat, that is. Water opens it up, creating a more herbaceous, floral set of top notes. Lovely and delicious. 

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Amrut Triparva

Amrut Triparva

Official bottling
Single malt - Bangalore

Silver gold
55.3% ABV
Dram

Nose: Bananas, plums, lemon zest, candle wax, vanilla, cream, hints of cinnamon. With water, lemon zest, honey, cucumber, vanilla.  
Mouthfeel: Light body, hot, tingly, airy. 
Tasting:  Sweet salty. Plums, lemon zest, malted grains, green tea, sea salt, hints of candle wax. With water, sweet sour, plums, lemon zest, honey, honeydew melons. 
Finish: Short. Lemon zest, bananas, toasted coconut, green tea. 

Comments: 

A triple distilled whisky from Amrut. Very young of course, but has been finished in quite a few different casks. It’s also got that odd combination of complexity and rawness that (I think) comes from maturation in a warmer climate than Scotland. It’s very pleasant, but I’d prefer a bit more age on it. 

Verdict:

I like this.

North British 20yo 1994/2015

North British 20yo 1994/2015

Single Cask, Master of Malt
Single grain - Lowlands
Silver gold 
51.7% ABV
Dram

Nose: Lavender, oats, bananas, vanilla ice cream, toffee, hints of apple juice.  
Mouthfeel: Medium body, slippery, cool, slightly tingly. 
Tasting:  Sweet sour. Oats, cornflakes, white grapes, bananas, toffee, vanilla ice cream, hints of popcorn. 
Finish: Medium. Popcorn, toffee, white chocolate, hints of lavender.  

Comments: 

Not quite old enough, but pleasant for all that. This single grain is rather cereally and sweet, lots of corn notes alongside some floral top notes. I like my grain whisky older, but this was very drinkable. 

Verdict:

I like this.

SMWS 66.167 (Ardmore 7yo 2012/2020)

SMWS 66.167 (Ardmore 7yo 2012/2020)

2020, SMWS
Single malt - Speyside 
Sunshine yellow
61.6% ABV
Dram

Nose: Peat, orange peel, autumn leaves, toffee, cocoa nibs. With water, germolene, vanilla ice cream, orange peel. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, thick, syrupy, hot. 
Tasting:  Sweet sour. Leather, peat, orange peel, marshmallows, vanilla, dark chocolate, golden syrup. With water, sweeter, vanilla ice cream, candle wax, orange peel, hints of leather. 
Finish: Medium. Chocolate, orange peel, lemon zest, marshmallows, autumn leaves. 

Comments: 

This is a strong young Ardmore, high ABV, lots of fruit but also not shy with the peat. It’s two very distinct layers, bitter peat and fragrant fruit, and it opens up quite a bit with a drop of water. It somehow melds the two layers well, and is really quite delicious. 

Verdict:

I like this.

Compass Box Magic Cask 2020

Compass Box Magic Cask 2020

Compass Box 

Vatted malt
White wine
46% ABV
Dram

Nose: White wine, wet stones, white grapes, winter melon, sultanas, lemon zest, hints of pineapples. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, thickens, cool, tingly.  
Tasting:  Sour. Lemon zest, yoghurt, white wine, white grapes, pears, vanilla sponge. 
Finish: Medium. Fresh baked bread, sultanas, lemon zest, hints of cream. 

Comments: 

92% Imperial, and 8% Aberlour, according to the bottle notes. There’s certainly a lot of Imperial in this, lots of fruit and cream. It was rather like a very high proof white wine, quite refreshing. I wonder what this would be like diluted to wine strength, around 15-17%, it would probably hold up against good wines. Unfortunately I did not have enough to try it. 

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Lakes Whisky Maker’s Edition Colheita

Lakes Whisky Maker’s Edition Colheita

Official bottling 
Single malt - Cumbria
Amber rose
52% ABV
Dram

Nose: Yoghurt, strawberries, red grapes, grape soda, cocoa nibs, hints of fresh baked bread.  
Mouthfeel: Medium body, cool, mouth coating, slightly tingly. 
Tasting:  Sweet. Strawberries, shortbread, cocoa nibs, vanilla sponge, sea salt, toast, hints of coffee. 
Finish: Medium. Damson jam, strawberries, toast, hints of marmalade.  

Comments: 

No water for this, there’s plenty of delicious sweet fruit here. And the Colheita finish adds strawberries and cocoa. I really enjoyed this, a masterful finish from a great whisky maker. 

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

 

Lakes Whisky Maker’s Reserve No 3

Lakes Whisky Maker’s Reserve No 3

Official bottling
Single malt - Cumbria
Amber
54% ABV
Dram

Nose: Orange peel, cucumber, raisins, sultanas, black tea, shortcrust pastry. With water, raisins, cucumber, marmalade, hints of sulphur.  
Mouthfeel: Medium body, cool, tingly, astringent. 
Tasting:  Sweet sour. Fresh baked bread, shortcrust pastry, sultanas, damson jam, orange peel. With water, chocolate, damson jam, marmalade, fresh baked bread.  
Finish: Short. Black tea, marmalade, vanilla sponge, raisins.  

Comments: 

Clearly a sibling of the No 2, lots of the same marmalade, pastry and damson jam notes. But this one is more vegetal, and so a little more refreshing. There’s also a bit of tannins on the finish, and it’s more subtle at the lower ABV than the No 2. 

Verdict:

I like this.

Lakes Whisky Maker’s Reserve No 2

Lakes Whisky Maker’s Reserve No 2

Official bottling
Single malt - Cumbria 
Copper brown
60.9% ABV
Dram

Nose: Butter, croissants, shortcrust pastry, vanilla, sea salt, blackberry jam, marmalade, hints of mint. With water, marmalade, red grapes, vanilla, fresh baked bread.  
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, syrupy, tingly, astringent.  
Tasting:  Sweet sour. Blackberries, blackcurrant cordial, red grapes, damson jam, croissants. With water, marmalade, raisins, red grapes. 
Finish: Short. Blackcurrant cordial, damson jam, marmalade, hints of mint. 

Comments: 

Like eating a croissant stuffed with a mince pie. It’s a masterpiece of sherry aging and finishing, heaps of fruit, especially Ribena with mint on top. 

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Mortlach Wee Witchie 12yo

Mortlach Wee Witchie 12yo

Official bottling 
Single malt - Speyside 
Amber
43.4% ABV
Dram

Nose: Malted grains, cola nuts, marmalade, tobacco leaf, raisins, hints of apple juice. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, cool, slippery, loosens. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Fresh baked bread, apple juice, raisins, vanilla sponge, malted grains, hints of tobacco leaf. 
Finish: Short. Cola nuts, lime soda, marmalade, malted grains.  

Comments: 

Malty and jammy, I found this whisky to be a bit atypical of Mortlach. There’s a punch, almost a meatiness that Mortlach has, which isn’t much in evidence here. Instead, there’s a beery base note with lots of fruit and cereal on top. It was very interesting indeed. 

Verdict:

I like this.

Glenglassaugh Octaves Classic Batch 2

Glenglassaugh Octaves Classic Batch 2

Official bottling
Single malt - Speyside 
Amber, hints of red
44% ABV
Dram

Nose: Dried cranberries, chocolate, honey cake, vanilla, red grapes, hints of pomegranate molasses. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, static, cool, tingly. 
Tasting:  Sweet. Honey cake, pomegranate molasses, orange peel, chocolate, hints of coffee, hints of walnuts. 
Finish: Long. Black tea, orange peel, coffee, walnuts, dried cranberries. 

Comments: 

Sweet, fruity and luscious Glenglassaugh. Lots of sherried influence here, I enjoyed it, but thought that the wood masked the spirit. Can’t quite tell if the underlying whisky was good, bad or indifferent. But it was probably good. 

Verdict:

I like this.

Lagavulin 20yo Feis Ile 2020

Lagavulin 20yo Feis Ile 2020

Official bottling
Single malt - Islay
Amber gold
54% ABV
Dram

Nose: Honey, sea salt, leather, driftwood smoke, peat, pears, hints of cucumber. With water, sweeter, orange peel, honey, hints of ginger. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, cool, tingly, mouth coating.  
Tasting:  Sweet salty. Leather, driftwood smoke, fresh baked bread, honey, peanuts, pears, peat. With water, vanilla, oats, honey, orange peel, white grapes.
Finish: Long. Black tea, peanuts, pears, driftwood smoke, white grapes. 

Comments: 

This is glorious. Typical Lagavulin dry, salty smoke, but over a base of sweet fruity, luscious whisky. Opens up with a touch of water, turning cereally and a little spicy. Excellent, well-aged dram. 

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Lakes Cask Sample 2

Lakes Cask Sample 2 (possibly Lakes Quatrefoil Hope)

Official bottling
Single malt - Cumbria
Dark gold 
59% ABV
Dram

Nose: Chocolate, raisins, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, pear drops, damson jam. With water, marmalade, grape soda, cloves. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, warm, astringent, expands slightly. 
Tasting:  Sweet. Pear drops, damson jam, nutmeg, grape soda, cinnamon, fresh baked bread, cocoa nibs, hints of roast chicken. With water, grape soda, sea salt, marmalade, roast chicken.
Finish: Medium. Damson jam, nutmeg, cocoa nibs, raisins, hints of roast chicken. 

Comments: 

Another unknown sample, which I think might just possibly be the Quatrefoil Hope. This has a deeper, more savoury flavour than its sibling, same sherry monster fruit notes, but with sea salt and a meatiness thrown in. Good with a touch of water (and I don’t say that about many whiskies). 

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Lakes Cask Sample 1

Lakes Cask Sample 1 (possibly Lakes Quatrefoil Collection Faith)

Official bottling 
Single malt - Cumbria
Amber
56.5% ABV?
Dram

Nose: Cinnamon, leather, vanilla ice cream, raisins, dried apricots, marmalade. With water, orange peel, brown sugar, pears.  
Mouthfeel: Light body, tingly, drying, hot. 
Tasting:  Sweet. Cinnamon, leather, Scottish tablet, shortbread, raisins, vanilla sponge, marmalade, hints of white chocolate. With water, slightly bitter, pears, black tea, hints of cucumber. 
Finish: Long. Shortbread, raisins, crumpets, butter, vanilla sponge. 

Comments: 

I wasn’t told what this was, but in terms of the official bottlings that the Lakes distillery has released, the cask aging and ABV seems closest to the Quatrefoil Faith. Anyway, it’s masterful sherry aging, lots of delicious fruit notes, but also more than a hint of cereal. 

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Johnett Whisky 8yo 2011/2019

Johnett Whisky 8yo 2011/2019

Official bottling
Single malt - Zug
Amber
44% ABV
Bottle

Nose: Orange peel, fennel, white grapes, malted barley, fresh cut grass, leather.  
Mouthfeel: Medium body, slippery, cool, loosens slightly. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Fresh cut grass, fennel, orange peel, fresh baked bread, cloves, hints of oregano, hints of sulphur.
Finish: Medium. Fresh cut grass, oregano, fresh baked bread, hints of vanilla. 

Comments: 

Swiss whisky, apparently named after the distiller, John Etter. Anyway, it’s rather good, with a unique herbaceous note that reminds me of something between fennel and oregano, with perhaps a hint of sage thrown in. The distillery normally makes eau de vie, and perhaps there was a little left over in the still pipes...

Verdict:

I like this.