Four Roses Small Batch Select

Four Roses Small Batch Select 

Official bottling 
Single bourbon - Kentucky 
Amber
52% ABV
Dram

Nose: Strawberries, vanilla, butter, orange peel, sandalwood. With water, orange peel, brown paper, golden syrup. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, tingly, astringent, hot. 
Tasting:  Sweet sour. Vanilla, orange peel, sandalwood, nutmeg, cinnamon, hints of raisins. With water, black tea, cinnamon, orange peel, nutmeg. 
Finish: Medium. Fresh baked bread, orange peel, vanilla, hints of brown paper. 

Comments: 

Quite a spicy little bourbon, and bottled at a nice strength. Neat it’s spicy and a little bit jammy. With water it opens up a treat, turns spicier still, but it then features notes of grain rather than fruit.

Verdict:

I like this.

Michter’s Single Barrel 10yo Bourbon

Michter’s Single Barrel 10yo Bourbon 

Official bottling 
Single bourbon - Kentucky
Dark amber
47.2% ABV
Dram

Nose: Butter, honey, vanilla, nutmeg, cream, hints of black tea. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, slippery, thickens slightly, cool. 
Tasting:  Sweet. Marshmallows, vanilla, butter, nutmeg, butterscotch, hints of strawberry jam. 
Finish: Short. Butterscotch, strawberry jam, black tea, cream. 

Comments: 

Quite a decent bourbon, very rich and buttery. There’s a jammy note at the end that makes it delicious. Aged Michter’s, it seems, is well worth seeking out.

Verdict:

I like this.

Armorik Dervenn

Armorik Dervenn

Official bottling 
Single malt - Brittany
Copper 
46% ABV
Dram

Nose: Toffee, caramel, butterscotch, coffee, orange peel, hints of sulphur. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, thickens, tingly, hot. 
Tasting:  Sweet. Toffee, orange peel, vanilla, coffee, hints of cinnamon. 
Finish: Medium. Toffee, dark chocolate, coffee, orange peel. 

Comments: 

Caramelly, lots of orange peel and vanilla, and a slight tang of coffee. Breton single malt, quite Celtic in character, but not that interesting, but equally, it’s not bad. Needs aging perhaps, quite a lot of these NAS malts do. 

Verdict:

I like this.

Casks of Lindores - Bourbon

Casks of Lindores - Bourbon

Official bottling 
Single malt - Lowlands
Pale gold
49.4% ABV
Dram

Nose: Yoghurt, cream, toast, leather, pink marshmallows, vanilla, hints of pineapples. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, cool, loosens, slippery. 
Tasting:  Sweet sour. Vanilla, milk chocolate, pink marshmallows, honey, toast, hints of leather. 
Finish: Medium. Honey, toast, vanilla, milk chocolate. 

Comments: 

Bourbon casks, of course, apparently showcase the characteristics of the distillate the most. On those grounds, the Lindores Abbey stuff is pretty good - very chocolatey, and a lot of honey as well. Needs aging, of course.

Verdict:

I like this.

Dornoch 4yo 2018/2022

Dornoch 4yo 2018/2022

Official bottling 
Single malt - North Highlands 
Silvery gold
55.5% ABV
Dram

Nose: Pear drops, honey, lemon sweets, leather, hay, hints of germolene. With water, toast, barley sugar, lemon sweets. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, thickens, hot, astringent. 
Tasting:  Sweet salty. Leather, honey, germolene, sea salt, hay, shortbread, lemon sweets. With water, toast, sea salt, germolene, lemon sweets. 
Finish: Short. Hay, shortbread, toast, lemon sweets, hints of pear drops. 

Comments: 

Cask 54. Rather a famous bottling, this - it’s the first Dornoch distillate that I’ve seen in London for sale at a bar! It’s quite salty, almost like a sweet, unpeated Caol Ila. Quite grassy on the finish too, a note I quite enjoy.

Verdict:

I like this.

Adnams 7yo Batch 1

Adnams 7yo Batch 1

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

Nose: Raisins, red grapes, honey, sandalwood, white pepper, sea salt, rolled oats. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, cool, tingly, mouth coating. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Malted grains, raisins, white pepper, rolled oats, aluminium foil, greengages. 
Finish: Short. Honey, malted grains, raisins, white pepper. 

Comments: 

Quite malty, which is fitting, since the distillery is based in a brewery. Lots of fruit and cereal, with a slightly metallic edge, but this is malt, not grain, so it’s quite robust rather than delicate. Tasty.

Verdict:

I like this.

Fary Lochan 6yo Batch 1

Fary Lochan 6yo Batch 1

That Boutique-y Whisky Company, Master of Malt 
Single malt - Syddanmark
Amber pink
60.2% ABV
Dram

Nose: Strawberries, red grapes, vanilla, honey, brown paper, orange juice, black tea, hints of nutmeg. With water, orange juice, black pepper, strawberries. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, astringent, tingly, fiery. 
Tasting:  Sweet. Oak staves, orange juice, brown paper, honey, black tea, blackcurrant cordial, hints of cinnamon. With water, orange juice, strawberries, brown paper, malted grains. 
Finish: Short. Black tea, coffee, cinnamon, brown paper, hints of nutmeg. 

Comments: 

I was quite taken with my first Fary Lochan, and was looking forward to this one. Alas, slightly less interesting. It’s subtly spicy, but mostly, it’s quite sweet and fruity. There’s a bit of over-oaking, but it’s rather tasty.

Verdict:

I like this.

Teaninich 8yo 2013/2021

Teaninich 8yo 2013/2021

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

Nose: Black pepper, blackcurrants, malted grains, red grapes, lemon zest, barley sugar. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, hot, tingly, astringent. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Blackcurrants, honey, dark chocolate, black tea, jasmine, fresh baked bread. 
Finish: Medium. Black tea, dark chocolate, barley sugar, honey, jasmine, hints of lemon zest. 

Comments: 

Sweet and jammy, this Teaninich is quite young, but the low ABV does bring out certain notes, such as the distillate’s malty character. It has a long, fragrant, floral finish, and is quite refreshing.

Verdict:

I like this.

Loch Lomond “Croftengea” 11yo 2010/2021

Loch Lomond “Croftengea” 11yo 2010/2021

The Hidden Spirits Whisky Company
Single malt - South Highlands
Straw
51.7% ABV
Dram

Nose: Honey, peat, lemon zest, jasmine, smoke, hints of tobacco leaf. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, thickens slightly, tingly, hot. 
Tasting:  Sour bitter. Pickle brine, lemon zest, smoke, leather, tobacco leaf, peat, autumn leaves. 
Finish: Long. Lemon zest, peat, tobacco leaf, smoke, autumn leaves. 

Comments: 

Cask LL1021. Sour, slightly spicy, and a long earthy finish. I’ve not had a lot of Croftengea, but the ones I’ve had have been generally intense and floral, yet smoky. This one has less of these floral notes, instead a lot more herbal and vegetal notes.

Verdict:

I like this.

Milroy’s 40yo 1975/2015 Blended Whisky

Milroy’s 40yo 1975/2015 Blended Whisky

Milroy’s of Soho
Blended malt 
Dark copper
43.2% ABV
Dram

Nose: Figs, honey, clay dust, leather, cinder toffee, glacé cherries. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, cool, tingly, slightly astringent. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Tobacco leaf, figs, malted grains, cinder toffee, dark chocolate, black tea. 
Finish: Medium. Black tea, honey, malted grains, dark chocolate, lemon zest. 

Comments: 

This is a lovely old blend, 5 casks from 5 different distilleries, vatted together for decades. It’s fig jam and honey, a little smoke, and a lovely bitter dark chocolate edge. This is very good, but I’m told there were just over 40 bottles available in total.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Braes of Glenlivet 27yo 1994/2021

Braes of Glenlivet 27yo 1994/2021

Rare Find Whisky
Single malt - Speyside 
Amber 
53.3% ABV
Dram

Nose: Clay dust, peaches, orange peel, dried apricots, vanilla custard. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, warm, loosens slightly, slippery. 
Tasting:  Sweet. Peaches, orange peel, cinnamon, brown paper, vanilla custard, dried apricots, hints of leather. 
Finish: Short. Peaches, vanilla custard, leather, clay dust, hints of dunnage. 

Comments: 

Cask 165617. Old Braeval, still called Braes, and it’s rich and yet a little dry and dusty. Lots of dried apricots, over-dried, as if they’ve been left in the sun too long. Delicious.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Lot 40 Cask Strength Rye Whiskey

Lot 40 Cask Strength Rye Whiskey 

Official bottling 
Single rye - Ontario
Amber red
57% ABV
Dram

Nose: Black pepper, honey, strawberry laces, vanilla, cinnamon. With water, honey, blueberry jam, cinnamon, hints of cloves. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, slippery, hot, loosens slightly. 
Tasting:  Sweet salty. Black pepper, lemon juice, honey, strawberry laces, blueberry jam, cinnamon, hints of allspice. With water, black tea, honey, dark chocolate, allspice. 
Finish: Short. Allspice, blueberry jam, black pepper, honey. 

Comments: 

Spicy rye, very sweet. The usual black pepper is there in abundance, of course, but it’s accompanied by blueberry jam, honey and strawberry laces, fruity and quite rich. Water gentles it a little, with some dark chocolate notes emerging.

Verdict:

I like this.

Dalmore 9yo 2011/2020

Dalmore 9yo 2011/2020

No Nonsense Whisky
Single malt - North Highlands 
Straw

60.4% ABV
Dram

Nose: Fresh cut grass, vanilla, malted grains, vanilla, hints of pear drops. With water, lemon juice, vanilla, hints of honey. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, hot, astringent, fiery. 
Tasting:  Bitter sour. Lemon juice, fresh cut grass, vanilla, fresh baked bread, green tea. With water, lemon juice, dark chocolate, green tea. 

Finish: Medium. Green tea, malted grains, dark chocolate, hints of pear drops. 

Comments: 

Never had anything from this bottler before, who I believe started life as a whisky review site / blog. Anyway, unsherried Dalmore is unusual and shouldn’t be turned down. This one is grassy and wild, lots of citrus and bitter notes. Needs a bit more aging perhaps.

Verdict:

I like this.

Tullibardine 28yo 1993/2021

Tullibardine 28yo 1993/2021

Thompson Brothers
Single malt - Speyside 
Bright gold 
48.8% ABV
Dram

Nose: Sea salt, lemon zest, butter, shortcrust pastry, pink marshmallows, hints of jasmine. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, warm, static, slightly tingly. 
Tasting:  Sour salty. Sea salt, white pepper, pink marshmallows, lemon zest, green apples, hints of shortcrust pastry. 
Finish: Medium. Green tea, lemon zest, green apples, sea salt. 

Comments: 

Quite a tart little number, this whisky. Green apples and lemon zest predominate, but there’s a little peppery spiciness in the background. The eggy marshmallow and fruit notes conceal a salty edge.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Glen Keith 29yo 1992/2021

Glen Keith 29yo 1992/2021

Thompson Brothers
Single malt - Speyside 
Golden, hints of green 
46.2% ABV
Dram

Nose: Malted grains, cucumbers, pears, chillies, kombucha, vanilla, hints of sea salt. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, tingly, hot, astringent. 
Tasting:  Sweet sour. Desiccated coconut, golden syrup, kombucha, vanilla, hints of chillies. 
Finish: Short. Vanilla, pears, toast, hints of desiccated coconut. 

Comments: 

Sweet, sour, salty and slightly fermented. This oldish Glen Keith nails it - perfectly balanced, lots of interesting flavour notes, and a little spike of chilli heat on the nose and on the tongue.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Puni 4yo Batch 1

Puni 4yo Batch 1

That Boutique-y Whisky Company, Master of Malt 
Single malt - Alto Adige
Buttercup yellow
47.3% ABV
Dram

Nose: Malted grains, cola nuts, honey, vanilla, coffee, golden syrup, rolled oats, hints of lemon zest. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, thickens, cool, tingly. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Golden syrup, pear drops, vanilla, honey, malted grains, coffee, hints of cocoa nibs. 
Finish: Short. Cocoa nibs, coffee, honey, rolled oats, hints of raisins. 

Comments: 

Young but bright, this Italian whisky has lots of bittersweet, slightly savoury notes. Most of the great bitter things in life can be found here - chocolate, coffee, cola nuts - and the result is delicious. Very promising, wish it was a little older.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Clynelish 25yo 1993/2019

Clynelish 25yo 1993/2019

Celebration of the Cask, Carn Mor
Single malt - North Highlands
Golden
48.6% ABV
Dram

Nose: Green apples, lemon sweets, brass polish, raisins, fresh baked bread, green tea, hints of autumn leaves. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, cool, loosens, tingly. 
Tasting:  Sweet salty. Leather, green tea, green apples, lemon sweets, black tea, celery salt, hints of autumn leaves. 
Finish: Long. Lemon sweets, black tea, chocolate, leather, hints of celery salt. 

Comments: 

Cask 11218. Highly complex and more than a little herbal, this isn’t classic Clynelish, although most of the major flavour notes are present. There’s a bit more smokiness than usual, and it’s a little bit savoury, but these extras make the whisky better. Lovely. 

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Benrinnes 18yo 1962/1980

Benrinnes 18yo 1962/1980

Dumpy, WM Cadenhead 
Single malt - Speyside 
Pale gold
46% ABV
Dram

Nose: Lemon sweets, cotton sheets, green tea, jasmine tea, brass polish, hints of cinnamon. 

Mouthfeel: Light body, loosens, expands, tingly. 
Tasting:  Sweet sour. Lemon sweets, honey, fresh cut grass, cinnamon, tangerines, jasmine tea, hints of leather. 
Finish: Long. Mint, honey, tangerines, honey, jasmine tea. 

Comments: 

First time I’ve ever had a dumpy bottle from Cadenhead. It’s magnificent, floral and citrusy, with a tannic bite. Highly complex, with just a whisper of old bottle effect.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Caperdonich 18yo Peated Small Batch CP/002

Caperdonich 18yo Peated Small Batch CP/002

Official bottling
Single malt - Speyside 
Sunshine yellow
48% ABV
Dram

Nose: Lemon sweets, leather, vanilla, sea salt, pineapple jam, limes, driftwood smoke. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, loosens, airy, warm. 
Tasting:  Salty sweet. Lemon sweets, driftwood smoke, honey, farmyard, sea salt, hints of pineapple jam, hints of limes. 
Finish: Medium. Sea salt, leather, driftwood smoke, lemon sweets. 

Comments: 

Lovely smoky Caperdonich. The classic lemon sweets and pineapple jam notes are still present, but it’s alongside saline smoke, and a wedge of leather. Very enjoyable, and a whisky I’ve been after for a while.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Benromach 18yo 2003/2021

Benromach 18yo 2003/2021

Official bottling
Single malt - Speyside 
Bright gold
57.4% ABV
Dram

Nose: Smoke, peat, leather, limes, honey, white pepper. With water, fresh cut grass, honey, limes, green apples. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, loosens, warm, turns sticky. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Limes, honey, toffee, golden syrup, smoke, peat, leather, hints of white pepper. With water, golden syrup, limes, honey, leather, green apples. 
Finish: Medium. Fresh baked bread, honey, toffee, golden syrup. 

Comments: 

Single Cask 51. Spicy yet sweet, citrusy yet a little sticky. Lots of juicy limes, a little bit like citrus chewing gum. Some tartness with the honey, but it all fades into a sweet toffee finish.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Mortlach 25yo 1993/2019

Mortlach 25yo 1993/2019

Limited, Adelphi 
Single malt - Speyside 
Dark amber
56.2% ABV
Dram

Nose: Red grapes, black pepper, raisins, ink, pear drops, roast beef, black tea. With water, raisins, pear drops, orange peel. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, syrupy, loosens, warm. 
Tasting:  Sweet. Raisins, black tea, chocolate, pear drops, ink, brown paper, hazelnuts, hints of roast beef. With water, red grapes, raisins, orange peel, honey. 
Finish: Long. Ink, hazelnuts, raisins, black tea, hints of cherries. 

Comments: 

Lovely old Mortlach, heavily sherried, to the point where the Mortlach meatiness is almost lost. Lots of sweet honey, some fruit and nuts and a little iron-rich beefiness. It’s lovely. 

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Aberfeldy 12yo Spiritual Home Exclusive #9

Aberfeldy 12yo Spiritual Home Exclusive #9

Connoisseur’s Choice, Gordon & Macphail 
Single malt - Central Highlands
Amber
56.4% ABV
Dram

Nose: Chocolate, caramel, coffee, vanilla, red grapes, cherries, cinder toffee, hints of aluminium foil. With water, fresh baked bread, cookie dough, honey, vanilla. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, loosens, mouth coating, slippery. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Chocolate, cherries, cinnamon, orange peel, coffee, cinder toffee, black tea. With water, cookie dough, fresh baked bread, black tea, honey. 
Finish: Long. Cherries, chocolate, orange peel, red grapes. 

Comments: 

Lovely sherried Aberfeldy - lots of chewy toffee notes, yet the texture of the whisky is still quite light. There’s a fair bit of fruit as well, which when mellowed with water, breaks up into sweet vanilla goodness. Highly enjoyable.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Ardnamurchan AD/12:14 CK.440 (FC Whisky Denmark Exclusive)

Ardnamurchan AD/12:14 CK.440 (FC Whisky Denmark Exclusive)

Official bottling 
Single malt - Western Highlands
Pale amber 
59.1% ABV
Dram

Nose: Sandalwood, cotton sheets, sage, pu erh tea, orange peel, sea salt. With water, orange peel, mint, pu erh tea, aluminium foil. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, loosens, slippery, tingly. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Orange peel, red grapes, raisins, sea salt, Chinese angelica, fresh cut grass. With water, Chinese angelica, pu erh tea, sea salt, sandalwood, aluminium foil. 
Finish: Long. Chinese angelica, fresh cut grass, orange peel, sage, sea salt. 

Comments: 

Ardnamurchan is always intense and coastal. No different with this one, it’s got lots of herbal notes, including the bittersweet savoury notes Chinese medicinal herbs have. There’s also some earthy pu erh tea, and some metallic notes dancing on the edge of the tongue. Very good, young Ardna can stand up to whisky of much greater age. 

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Balvenie 21yo The Second Red Rose

Balvenie 21yo The Second Red Rose 

Official bottling 
Single malt - Speyside 
Copper pink
48.1% ABV
Dram

Nose: Rose petals, caramel, orange peel, cinnamon, dark chocolate, hints of black tea. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, thickens, expands, astringent. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Caramel, orange peel, strawberry laces, dark chocolate, cinnamon, cookie dough, rose petals. 
Finish: Long. White pepper, orange peel, rose petals, dark chocolate. 

Comments: 

Wine finished Balvenie. Rosy by name, rosy by nature. The rose petals are quite evident throughout. Some Balvenie orange is there too, with some spice and vanilla throughout. Very nice whisky, and a real treat to sample.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Singleton of Dufftown 30yo 1988/2019 Prima & Ultima

Singleton of Dufftown 30yo 1988/2019 Prima & Ultima

Official bottling 
Single malt - Speyside 
Sunshine gold
48.8% ABV
Dram

Nose: Sandalwood, lemon zest, white pepper, jasmine, rose water, tangerines. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, cool, tingly, static. 
Tasting:  Sweet sour. Lemon zest, tangerines, caramel, butterscotch, toffee, hints of white pepper. 
Finish: Medium. White pepper, rose water, lemon zest, sandalwood. 

Comments: 

Never had a Prima & Ultima before, but this one is quite sweet and complex. Lots of citrus fruits, and floral spice. There’s the Dufftown caramel bitterness buried underneath, and it’s far down enough that I only found it because I was looking for it. Quite delicious.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Rosebank 13yo 1991/2005

Rosebank 13yo 1991/2005

Dun Bheagan, Ian Macleod Distillers
Single malt - Lowlands
Bright gold 
46% ABV
Dram

Nose: Coal smoke, leather, lemon zest, pomeloes, charcoal ash, hints of jasmine. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, warm, astringent, tingly. 
Tasting:  Bitter sour. Charcoal ash, leather, coal smoke, lemon zest, starfruit, hints of vanilla custard, hints of orange peel. 
Finish: Long. Vanilla, starfruit, orange peel, lemon zest, coal smoke. 

Comments: 

Very rare treat this - not only is it a Rosebank, it’s a peated, smoky Rosebank. Lots of fruit underneath that bitter coal smoke, alongside notes of leather and vanilla custard. The usual Rosebank rhubarb and custard has disappeared. Unusual and quite an experience.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Ben Nevis 15yo

Ben Nevis 15yo

WhiskySponge, Decadent Drinks
Single malt - Western Highlands 
Green gold
48.5% ABV
Dram

Nose: Yoghurt, cream, peaches, strawberries, orange peel. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, airy, loosens, tingly. 
Tasting:  Bitter sour. Cream, yoghurt, black tea, peaches, lemon juice, hints of white pepper. 
Finish: Short. Black tea, lemon juice, white pepper, yoghurt. 

Comments: 

Quite a straightforward Ben Nevis, lactic and fruity, but not very sweet. Not too complex, but it’s got a fair bit of citrus and spice. Nice one from WhiskySponge.

Verdict:

I like this.

Unnamed Speyside 15yo 2006/2021

Unnamed Speyside 15yo 2006/2021

Thompson Brothers
Single malt - Speyside 
Golden
52.4% ABV
Dram

Nose: Lemon zest, rhubarb and custard sweets, caramel, iron filings, pear drops, sea salt. With water, red grapes, honey, pear drops. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, tingly, thickens, hot. 
Tasting:  Salty sweet. Fresh baked bread, sea salt, lemon zest, butterscotch, egg nog, hints of mint. With water, cocoa nibs, red grapes, honey. 
Finish: Long. Lemon zest, butterscotch, rhubarb and custard sweets, caramel, iron filings. 

Comments: 

I have it on good authority that this is a Glen Elgin. It’s certainly a very pretty label of a swallow against a pink background. Swallows, of course, nest around Glen Elgin distillery. 

The whisky is sweet, thick, spicy and eggy. There’s a metallic aftertaste, and even some iron filings notes on the nose. Not a bad start to an epic tasting.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Royal Lochnagar 16yo 2004/2021 (2021 Special Release)

Royal Lochnagar 16yo 2004/2021 (2021 Special Release)

Official bottling 
Single malt - East Highlands
Dark gold
57.5% ABV
Dram

Nose: Malted grains, honey, peaches, butterscotch, guava, hints of yoghurt, hints of orange peel. With water, peaches, lemon zest, butterscotch. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, loosens, airy, mouth coating. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Malted grains, peaches, guava, green tea, yoghurt, leather, hints of tobacco leaf. With water, peaches, green tea, butterscotch. 
Finish: Medium. Green tea, tobacco leaf, peaches, honey. 

Comments: 

One of the very nicely packaged 2021 Special Releases, also known as the Spring Stallion. Lots of sweet tropical fruit, with a slightly bitter, tannic edge. It fades to a tannic, fragrant herbal finish. Very good indeed. 

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Balblair 29yo 1990/2020

Balblair 29yo 1990/2020

Connoisseur’s Choice Cask Strength, Gordon & Macphail 
Single malt - North Highlands 
Amber
58.4% ABV
Dram

Nose: Wheat porridge, sea salt, leather, lemon zest, honey, golden syrup, raisins. With water, farmyard, dunnage, raisins. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, airy, loosens, turns watery. 
Tasting:  Sweet salty. Black tea, oats, leather, lemon zest m, sea salt, hints of dunnage. With water, sea salt, oats, dunnage, golden syrup. 
Finish: Long. Black tea, oats, leather, malted grains, dunnage. 

Comments: 

Cask 4166. Lovely old Balblair, lots of savoury leather notes, together with dunnage. It’s almost dusty, yet drank neat, it’s quite sweet and citrusy. Very interesting and a real treat. Thanks Lutz!

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Lakes WhiskyMaker’s Reserve No 4

Lakes WhiskyMaker’s Reserve No 4

Official bottling 
Single malt - Cumbria
Amber
52% ABV
Dram

Nose: Red grapes, cloves, cinnamon, orange peel, raisins, black tea. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, loosens, astringent, warm. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Fresh baked bread, butter, cloves, orange peel, black tea, hints of cinnamon. 
Finish: Medium. Black tea, red grapes, butter, cloves. 

Comments: 

Well-sherried whisky from the Lakes distillery. It’s a little bit more cereally than previous editions, and I think the distillate really marries well with the sherried sweet notes. Highly enjoyable.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Cambus 35yo (bottled 2018)

Cambus 35yo (bottled 2018)

Old Particular, Douglas Laing
Single grain - Lowlands

Pink gold

51.5% ABV
Dram

Nose: Chocolate, cornflakes, coconut jam, vanilla ice cream, pandan, hints of oats. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, loosens, tingly, warm. 
Tasting: Sweet salty. Cornflakes, coconut jam, sea salt, oats, pandan, vanilla ice cream, hints of white pepper. 
Finish: Medium. Sea salt, cornflakes, oats, vanilla ice cream. 

Comments: 

Cask DL12331. Savoury, yet sweet old grain whisky. There’s a herbal scent to it that I identify as pandan leaf, and it transforms the whisky into something quite delicious. Well balanced and highly enjoyable.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Mannochmore 13yo 2008/2021 (Milroy’s Exclusive)

Mannochmore 13yo 2008/2021 (Milroy’s Exclusive)

James Eadie
Single malt - Speyside 
Dark amber
52.7% ABV
Dram

Nose: Red grapes, cinnamon, brown paper, black tea, black pepper, hints of cloves. With water, fresh baked bread, orange peel, chocolate. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, thickens, hot, tingly. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Chocolate, raisins, fruitcake, orange peel, black pepper, hints of cloves. With water, chocolate, sea salt, orange peel. 
Finish: Short. Orange peel, black pepper, fruitcake, fresh baked bread. 

Comments: 

Cask 362236. Classic, well-sherried Speyside, but it’s a little bit too much cask and too little distillate for me. Lots of nice fruity flavours, and more than a little spice. Good Christmas dram, but it’s spring...

Verdict:

I like this.

Aber Falls Inaugural Release

Aber Falls Inaugural Release 

Official bottling 
Single malt - North Wales
Amber orange 
46% ABV
Dram

Nose: Raisins, cinnamon, yoghurt, vanilla, orange peel, hints of cloves, hints of sulphur. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, thickens, sticky, astringent. 
Tasting:  Sweet salty. Cinnamon, breadsticks, rolled oats, orange peel, raisins, golden syrup, hints of sea salt. 
Finish: Medium. Rolled oats, breadsticks, orange peel, raisins. 

Comments: 

I’ve been very keen to try some Aber Falls distillate for a while. It’s nice that Wales is now a proper whisky producing country (that is, with more than one distillery). The whisky itself is promising, quite cereally with a little bit of fruit on the nose and palate. I’m quite looking forward to future, older releases.

Verdict:

I like this.

Garnheath 45yo 1974/2019

Garnheath 45yo 1974/2019

Extra Old Particular, Douglas Laing 
Single grain - Lowlands
Bronze
46.3% ABV
Dram

Nose: Desiccated coconut, sea salt, popcorn, vanilla, sandalwood, lime zest. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, cool, astringent, expands. 
Tasting: Sweet. Red grapes, sea salt, popcorn, lime zest, cookie dough, vanilla, hints of pear drops, hints of cinnamon. 

Finish: Long. Oats, cookie dough, desiccated coconut, vanilla.

Comments: 

Cask 13462. A very cereally old grain, with some fragrance spice notes and a little citrus. Some small remnants of possible sherry flavours on the tongue, but the predominant flavour is vanilla and cereal. Very well balanced, a real treat.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Dumbarton 27yo 1987/2015 Inverleven Stills

Dumbarton 27yo 1987/2015 Inverleven Stills

Closed Distilleries, WM Cadenhead 
Single malt - Lowlands
Sunshine gold  
53.9% ABV
Dram

Nose: Cola nuts, cotton sheets, sandalwood, white pepper, sarsaparilla, hints of lychees. With water, peaches, orange peel, cotton sheets. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, thickens, astringent, turns oily. 
Tasting:  Sour salty. Cola nuts, sandalwood, sarsaparilla, fresh baked bread, sea salt, jasmine, peaches, hints of lychees. With water, fresh baked bread, oats, cotton sheets, jasmine. 
Finish: Long. White pepper, jasmine, sea salt, cola nuts, cornflakes. 

Comments: 

An austere Dumbarton, lots of cereal notes, a little floral jasmine and some fruit. A long savoury, spicy finish. Very well balanced, almost perfect old grain whisky. 

Edit: turns out this is actually an Inverleven, and it’s a single malt (of course, since Inverleven was Dumbarton’s malt distillery). Whatever it was, it’s delicious. 

Verdict:

I like this a lot.