Strathisla 17yo 2002/2020

Strathisla 17yo 2002/2020

Hidden Spirits Whisky Company
Single malt - Speyside 
Golden
52.4% ABV
Dram

Nose: Yoghurt, honey, peaches, orange peel, cinnamon, lemon zest. With water, cinnamon, honey, lemon zest, malted grains. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, loosens, thickens slightly, warm. 
Tasting:  Sweet sour. Yoghurt, peaches, honey, fresh baked bread, vanilla, fermented bananas, hints of malted grains. With water, malted grains, peaches, vanilla, honey. 
Finish: Medium. Fresh baked bread, coffee, malted grains, peaches. 

Comments: 

I really enjoy Hidden Spirits expressions. They’re well chosen, and this Strathisla is no exception. Lots of delicious peach notes, together with overripe, fermented fruit undertones. It fades nicely to a slightly savoury, bitter finish.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Dingle Batch No 6

Dingle Batch No 6

Official bottling 
Single malt - Munster
Dark red 
46.5% ABV
Dram

Nose: Yoghurt, lemon zest, sesame, fresh cut grass, tyre rubber, honey, red grapes, millet. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, astringent, loosens, warm. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Honey, sesame, tyre rubber, red grapes, cotton candy, sandalwood, millet, hints of cinnamon. 
Finish: Medium. Red grapes, cotton candy, orange peel, sage. 

Comments: 

Definitely an interesting whisky, has plenty of intensity, unlike many Irish whiskies. Lots of sweet notes, wreathed through with a sulphurous edge, tyre rubber and grainy millet.  Some lactic notes as well, but these are rather faint. Promising. 

Verdict:

I like this.

Kavalan Solist Moscatel Cask (Cask MO100623031A)

Kavalan Solist Moscatel Cask (Cask MO100623031A)

Official bottling 
Single malt - North Taiwan
Dark amber red 
56.3% ABV
Dram

Nose: Black tea, black cherries, orange peel, honey, raisins, champagne, fresh baked bread. With water, fresh baked bread, vanilla, orange peel, champagne, cough syrup. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, syrupy, hot, astringent. 
Tasting:  Sweet. Black cherries, orange peel, honey, vanilla, golden syrup, raisins, hints of white grapes. With water, orange peel, champagne, cough syrup. 
Finish: Medium. Sea salt, fresh baked bread, raisins, black pepper. 

Comments: 

Complex and impressive wine cask finished whisky from Kavalan. I find my tastes have changed over the years though - it’s a little too intense, even with quite a bit of water. Lots of good fruity notes, though, very straightforward whisky. 

Verdict:

I like this.

Ironroot Harbinger (TriBarrel Blend, Solstice Edition)

Ironroot Harbinger (TriBarrel Blend, Solstice Edition)

Official bottling 
Single bourbon - Texas
Amber red 

64.8% ABV
Dram

Nose: Sea salt, honey, raisins, orange peel, brown paper, hints of bananas. With water, honey, red grapes, orange peel, fresh baked bread, hints of sandalwood. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, thickens slightly, hot, astringent. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Black tea, honey, cornflakes, orange peel, bananas, hints of coconut curd. With water, oats, honey, orange peel, hints of bananas. 
Finish: Medium. Sea salt, brown paper, coconut curd, bananas, hints of black tea. 

Comments: 

Quite grapey, not a note one associates with bourbon. Lots of fruit and spice, but the cereal flavours come through eventually, especially after a bit of water is added. Interesting, but probably over strength. A bit more aging would have been nice, I think.

Verdict:

I like this.

Ironroot Apotheosis

Ironroot Apotheosis 

Official bottling 
Single bourbon - Texas
Amber red 
63.8% ABV
Dram

Nose: Sugarcane, coconut curd, bananas, cornflakes, orange peel, hints of raisins. With water, red grapes, orange peel, bananas, coconut curd. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, airy, loosens, hot. 
Tasting:  Sweet. Cornflakes, vanilla ice cream, coconut curd, orange peel, fresh baked bread, hints of raisins. With water, saltier, cornflakes, oats, orange peel, hints of raisins. 
Finish: Medium. Cornflakes, fresh baked bread, vanilla ice cream, sugarcane. 

Comments: 

Cognac cask finished bourbon. Quite high strength, but it’s very sweet. Needs a touch (more than a touch, really) of water to bring out some rather nice cereal flavours. Not really to my taste, it’s a bit too sickly.

Verdict:

I like this.

Torabhaig Allt Gleann (The Legacy Series)

Torabhaig Allt Gleann (The Legacy Series)

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

Nose: Lemon zest, smoke, jasmine, peat, green apples, sandalwood, hints of dishwashing liquid. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, syrupy, thickens, slightly sticky. 
Tasting:  Bitter sour. Smoke, peat, sandalwood, leather, ginseng, lemon zest, sea salt, vitamin C tablets, hints of dishwashing liquid. 
Finish: Medium. Ginseng, leather, smoke, green apples. 

Comments: 

Smoky and tart, with a pleasant bitter edge, lots of nice sour fruit notes. A very good specimen of young whisky, or it would be, except for a soapiness that reminds me of Fairy liquid. It’s still decent, just not as delicious as it would otherwise have been.

Verdict:

I like this.

Singleton of Dufftown 15yo

Singleton of Dufftown 15yo

Official bottling
Single malt - Speyside

Amber
40% ABV
Dram

Nose: Toffee, butterscotch, burnt sugar, barley sugar, yoghurt, hints of dark chocolate, hints of tyre rubber. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, cool, tingly, slightly astringent. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Burnt sugar, toffee, tyre rubber, sea salt, black tea, burnt orange, hints of petrol exhaust. 
Finish: Short. Dark chocolate, petrol exhaust, black tea, burnt sugar. 

Comments: 

It’s been more than a decade since I’ve had a Dufftown. It’s not a very commonly available distillery at indie bottlers than I tend to focus on. This one starts out sweet and caramelly, but then carries it on throughout, a bit one dimensional It’s also a bit understrength for me. 

Verdict:

I like this.

Penderyn 6yo Batch 2 Home Nations Series

Penderyn 6yo Batch 2 Home Nations Series

That Boutique-y Whisky Company, Master of Malt
Single malt - South Wales
Amber gold
50% ABV
Dram

Nose: Sea salt, tomato puree, raisins, orange peel, lemon zest, hints of yellow peppers. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, tingly, astringent, warm. 
Tasting:  Sweet sour. Red grapes, raisins, orange peel, fresh baked bread, honey, barley sugar, hints of tomato puree. 
Finish: Short. Red grapes, orange peel, barley sugar, hints of vanilla. 

Comments: 

Quite an interesting Penderyn, warming and sweet, but with an umami edge. It’s vegetal as well, so brings tomatoes and tomato puree to mind. Lovely and bright, but I think it could have taken a bit more aging. Very nice nevertheless.

Verdict:

I like this.

Carsebridge 41yo 1976/2018

Carsebridge 41yo 1976/2018

Extra Old Particular, Douglas Laing
Single grain - Central Highlands
Amber
50.8% ABV
Dram

Nose: Banana fritters, toast, coconut cream, tutti frutti, apple sauce, vanilla. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, cool, tingly, airy. 
Tasting:  Sweet sour. Cornflakes, oats, lemon zest, toast, sea salt, banana fritters, applesauce, butterscotch, hints of petrol exhaust. 
Finish: Medium. Sea salt, cornflakes, black tea, applesauce, hints of pear drops. 

Comments: 

Beautiful old grain whisky, with appley flavours and a savoury edge. Lots of coconutty fruit on the nose, which fades a little bit on the tongue, as the grain takes over. As most old grain does, it wears its years quite lightly.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Teeling 18yo Renaissance Series No 2 (Australian Shiraz Cask)

Teeling 18yo Renaissance Series No 2 (Australian Shiraz Cask)

Renaissance Series, Teeling
Single malt - unknown
Amber pink
46% ABV
Dram

Nose: Strawberry laces, raisins, blueberries, sandalwood, cinnamon, cornflakes. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, slippery, warm, slightly astringent. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Black tea, black pepper, raisins, strawberry laces, cinnamon, oatcakes, hints of sourdough bread. 
Finish: Medium. Cinnamon, sandalwood, orange peel, raisins. 

Comments: 

Probably Cooley, but it’s not online and I don’t know for sure. Heavily influenced by the wine cask finish of course, but it’s not unpleasant at all. Lots of sweet jammy wintery spices, alongside some sweet cereal. A warning dram for cold spring evenings.

Verdict:

I like this.

Glenlochy 26yo 1969/1995 Rare Malts Selection

Glenlochy 26yo 1969/1995 Rare Malts Selection

Official bottling 
Single malt - Western Highlands 
Golden
58.8% ABV
Dram

Nose: Toast, ink, honey, leather, lemon zest, tamarind, hints of prawn crackers. With water, honey, orange peel, guava, hints of soursop. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, hot, loosens, slightly airy. 
Tasting:  Sweet sour. Honey, lemon zest, toast, leather, fresh baked bread, smoke, cucumbers, hints of charcoal ash. With water, sweeter, honey, soursop, leather, hints of charcoal ash. 
Finish: Long. Smoke, leather, cucumbers, hints of honey. 

Comments: 

An amazing Glenlochy tasting concluded with this beauty. It’s delightful - not too sweet, vegetal and smoky, but with plenty of tropical fruit notes. It’s probably one of three whiskies I’ve thought might be worth at 11 out of 10.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Glenlochy 38yo 1965/2003

Glenlochy 38yo 1965/2003

Old & Rare Platinum Selection, Douglas Laing 
Single malt - Western Highlands 
Dark gold
42.3% ABV
Dram

Nose: Cream, bubblegum, peaches, honey, lemon zest, blueberries, leather. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, thickens, cool, slippery. 
Tasting:  Sweet sour. Bubblegum, peaches, lemon zest, cream, fresh baked bread, honey, limes, hints of toast. 
Finish: Long. Fresh baked bread, malted grains, leather, hints of toast. 

Comments: 

Surprisingly bright and fruity for such and aged malt. Not a lot of leather or celery, so the OBE gremlins appear to have left this one alone. I normally don’t like bubblegum too much, but here, it is pleasant and floral, lifts the whole experience. Very nice.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Glenlochy 27yo 1974/2002

Glenlochy 27yo 1974/2002

Vintage, Signatory 
Single malt - Western Highlands 
Bright gold
53.3% ABV
Dram

Nose: Honey, papayas, starfruit, white pepper, peat, cinnamon, hints of lemon zest. With water, strawberries, lemon zest, smoke, hints of charcoal ash. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, loosens, tingly, warm. 

Tasting: Sweet. White pepper, damson jam, strawberries, honey, vanilla, peat, lemon zest, hints of papayas. With water, lemon zest, strawberries, leather, farmyard.

Finish: Long. Sweet, peat, lemon zest, strawberries, hints of charcoal ash. 

Comments: 

Sweeter Glenlochy, some sherried character, but slowly decays into the usual peppered honey and ashy, smoky finish. I’m definitely a fan of this by now, it’s like licking a piece of wet charcoal. Doesn’t sound too pleasant, but that’s one of the joys of whisky, some taste experiences that you’d never partake of can indeed be bottled.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Glenlochy 1979/2012

Glenlochy 1979/2012

Rare Old, Gordon & Macphail 
Single malt - Western Highlands 
Bright gold
46% ABV
Dram

Nose: Applesauce, cotton sheets, jasmine, lemon zest, leather, hints of farmyard. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, tingly, astringent, warm. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Applesauce, leather, lemon zest, white pepper, cooked rice, hints of farmyard. 
Finish: Long. Leather, lemon zest, honey, cooked rice, hints of vanilla. 

Comments: 

RO/12/04. Glenlochy whisky is quite consistent, they may have been quite different when younger, but they appear to age and take on OBE in the same way. This one has some honey and white pepper but there’s some differences with cooked rice notes and very little smoke. 

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Glenlochy 29yo 1980/2010

Glenlochy 29yo 1980/2010

Vintage, Signatory 
Single malt - Western Highlands
Dark gold
52.8% ABV
Dram

Nose: Honey, wheaties, orange peel, winter melons, lemon zest, hints of jasmine. With water, honey, five spice powder, hints of orange peel. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, thickens, warm, tingly. 

Tasting: Bitter sweet. Orange peel, lemon zest, honey, cucumbers, smoke, leather, hints of charcoal ash. With water, leather, honey, smoke, white pepper, charcoal ash.

Finish: Medium. Honey, orange peel, lemon zest, cucumbers, hints of charcoal ash. 

Comments: 

Cask 2649. This whisky displays another facet of Glenlochy, this time its propensity to taste like Chinese herbs. This one is like five spice powder, especially once a little water is added. There’s still that ashy charcoal on the tongue though.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Glenlochy 22yo 1977/2000

Glenlochy 22yo 1977/2000

Authentic Collection, WM Cadenhead 
Single malt - Western Highlands 
Pale gold
57% ABV
Dram

Nose: Smoke, leather, winter melons, cooked rice, honey, white pepper. With water, smoke, leather, honey, lemon zest, hints of liquorice. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, thickens, hot, astringent. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Leather, honey, white pepper, cooked rice, smoke, lemon zest, hints of liquorice. With water, smoke, leather, lemon zest, charcoal ash. 
Finish: Long. Smoke, leather, white pepper, lemon zest, hints of liquorice. 

Comments: 

A sister cask to the previous Glenlochy, this is more cereally in character. Less jamminess, and when a few drops of water are added, the smoky charcoal ash characteristics start to appear. No soap either :).

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Glenlochy 19yo 1977/1997

Glenlochy 19yo 1977/1997

Authentic Collection 
Single malt - Western Highlands 
Pale green gold 
56.5% ABV
Dram

Nose: Honey, lemon zest, damson jam, white pepper, leather, yoghurt, hints of smoke. With water, lemon zest, wet stones, smoke. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, thickens, hot, tingly. 
Tasting:  Bitter salty. Lemon zest, peanuts, damson jam, white pepper, cream, smoke, hints of yoghurt. With water, peanuts, smoke, honey, wet stones. 
Finish: Medium. Lemon zest, white pepper, honey, white grapes, wet stones. 

Comments: 

I found this Glenlochy quite flinty and fruity, with more than a hint of sherried jamminess. Others at the tasting got some soapiness, like dishwashing liquid. I liked it, and perhaps found only a hint of soap in the finish.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Glenlochy 1974 Speymalt Special Reserve

Glenlochy 1974 Speymalt Special Reserve 

Speymalt Special Reserve, Gordon & Macphail 
Single malt - Western Highlands 
Dark gold
40% ABV
Dram

Nose: Honey, winter melons, leather, cotton sheets, smoke, leather, Chinese angelica. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, cool, thickens slightly, airy. 
Tasting:  Sweet salty. Toast, smoke, honey, leather, cotton sheets, leather, white pepper, hints of farmyard. 
Finish: Long. Honey, white pepper, lemon zest, smoke, peat. 

Comments: 

Another Glenlochy, showcasing another facet of the whisky. This one has the honey and pepper spice, but not quite the charcoal ash. There’s a savoury herbal sweetness, like Chinese herbal soups, particularly those featuring Chinese angelica. Strange and wonderful.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Glenlochy 1977/1994

Glenlochy 1977/1994

Connoisseur’s Choice, Gordon & Macphail 
Single malt - Western Highlands 
Dark gold, hints of green
40% ABV
Dram

Nose: Pears, watermelons, white grapes, leather, fresh cut grass, white pepper, roast pork, hints of lychees. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, thickens, tingly, slightly astringent. 
Tasting:  Bitter sour. Pears, white pepper, lemon zest, lemon juice, fresh cut grass, peat, roast pork, leather, hints of lychees. 
Finish: Medium. Honey, lychees, white pepper, peat, lemon juice. 

Comments: 

This Glenlochy is different yet again in character. The charcoal ash smoke manifests slightly differently, more roast meat rather than ashy bitterness. Lots of tropical fruit and pepper spice, with a citrus tang. Quite gentle as Glenlochys go. 

Verdict:

I like this.

Glenlochy 38yo 1968/2006

Glenlochy 38yo 1968/2006

Rare Old, Gordon & Macphail 
Single malt - Western Highlands 
Dark gold
43% ABV
Dram

Nose: White pepper, orange peel, cinnamon, leather, vanilla, hints of sage. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, astringent, warm, tingly. 
Tasting:  Bitter. Smoke, orange peel, fresh baked bread, vanilla, damson jam, leather, charcoal ash, hints of turmeric. 
Finish: Short. Damson jam, leather, charcoal ash, smoke, hints of turmeric. 

Comments: 

Superb old Glenlochy. I’m starting to learn more about the characteristics of 1960s and 1970s distillate from this distillery. It’s ashy yet fruity and sweet, and there’s this spiciness that I think of as turmeric. It’s rare in whisky. So good.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Wireworks Single Malt First Release

Wireworks Single Malt First Release 

Official bottling 

Single malt - Derbyshire
Copper
50.3% ABV
Dram

Nose: Yoghurt, white grapes, oats, cream, strawberry jam, hints of pencil erasers. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, thickens, astringent, tingly. 

Tasting: Sour. Whey, white grapes, lemon zest, cream, yoghurt, hints of strawberry jam, hints of malt vinegar. 

Finish: Short. Oats, cream, cornflakes, whey, vanilla. 

Comments: 

Batch 01/2022. White Peak has had rave reviews for its distillate. I’m not sure I concur though, this first release is a little sour and tasting slightly of fermented fruit. Lots of lactic notes too. I think it’s quite promising, but a little too young for my palate.

Verdict:

I like this.

Cardrona 4yo 2016/2021 Growing Wings Breckinridge Bourbon Cask

Cardrona 4yo 2016/2021 Growing Wings Breckinridge Bourbon Cask

Official bottling 
Single malt - Otago
Dark gold
65.7% ABV
Dram

Nose: Fresh baked bread, coconut cream, figs, peaches, lemon zest, oats. With water, oats, sourdough, lemon zest. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, hot, astringent, fiery. 
Tasting:  Bitter sour. Coconut cream, oats, figs, tyre rubber, vanilla, hints of white grapes, hints of peaches. With water, oats, tyre rubber, cornflakes. 
Finish: Medium. White grapes, peaches, persimmons, lemon zest. 

Comments: 

Breckinridge Bourbon Cask 111. Fruity, and fiery. The high ABV makes a difference, but I don’t know if it needed to be quite this high. Very young of course, and quite promising. On its own merits though, there’s a strange sort of rubbery, coconut note that jars against the nice cereal and fruit.

Verdict:

I like this.

Caperdonich 23yo 1995/2018 30th Anniversary

Caperdonich 23yo 1995/2018 30th Anniversary 

Vintage, Signatory 
Single malt - Speyside 
Dark pink gold 
58.4% ABV
Dram

Nose: Fresh baked bread, papayas, pineapples, lime zest, green tea, cream, hints of toast. With water, guava, pineapples, tamarind,  hints of sea salt. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, loosens slightly, hot, slippery. 
Tasting:  Sweet sour. Pineapples, strawberry laces, fresh baked bread, soursop, lime zest, vanilla ice cream, hints of toast. With water, fresh baked bread, winter melons, guava, hints of pineapples. 
Finish: Short. Fresh baked bread, green tea, lime zest, vanilla ice cream. 

Comments: 

Rich and luscious, this whisky definitely has the tropical fruit and pineapple notes that define Caperdonich for me. Lots of bready green tea and citrus too. It’s lovely to have a Caperdonich at cask strength, really brings out the intensity of the fruit flavours.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Glen Spey 26yo 1994/2021

Glen Spey 26yo 1994/2021

Carn Mor
Single malt - Speyside 
Amber brown
44.2% ABV
Dram

Nose: Orange peel, sandalwood, honey, papayas, hints of leather. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, sticky, thickens, mouth coating. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Sandalwood, red grapes, raisins, strawberries, damson jam, oats, dark chocolate, hints of orange peel. 
Finish: Long. Dark chocolate, golden syrup, oats, damson jam, leather. 

Comments: 

Rather lovely, lots of sticky jammy notes interspersed with cereal. Glen Spey is not a distillery I am familiar with, but this is an expression that stands out. An excellent example of well-aged Speyside.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Glentauchers 9yo 2011/2021

Glentauchers 9yo 2011/2021

Carn Mor
Single malt - Speyside 
Amber rose
47.5% ABV
Dram

Nose: Red grapes, hazelnuts, honey, sandalwood, cinnamon, artificial grape flavour, hints of sea salt. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, expands, cool, tingly. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Honey, fresh baked bread, red grapes, black pepper, damson jam, artificial grape flavour, vanilla, hints of sandalwood. 
Finish: Short. Black pepper, damson jam, artificial grape flavour, mint, hints of cinnamon. 

Comments: 

Sometimes, especially in young sherried whiskies, there’s this really lovely fake grape flavour that reminds me of Fanta grape soda. I used to be told it was bad for me and I didn’t drink much of it. So when I find it in whisky it takes me back to the fun I had trying to sneak a can or a bottle. This whisky has a lot of it, and not a lot of distillery character. Still, it’s a decent and enjoyable dram.

Verdict:

I like this.