Chestnut Wood Strathearn

Chestnut Wood Strathearn

Robertson’s of Pitlochry
Single malt - Central Highlands
Dark copper
59% ABV
Dram

Nose: Toast, driftwood smoke, autumn leaves, black pepper, white spirit, nutmeg, hints of cloves. With water, raisins, nutmeg, hints of roast pork. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, warm, mouth coating, loosens slightly.  
Tasting:  Bitter salty. Autumn leaves, black pepper, white spirit, tobacco leaf, driftwood smoke, hints of charcoal ash. With water, raisins, roast pork, charcoal ash. 
Finish: Medium. Tobacco leaf, black pepper, charcoal ash, nutmeg. 

Comments: 

Unusual bottle - chestnut wood isn’t very common, especially in scotch. It’s smoky and savoury, lots of spices and burning things. Not sure the wood fits the distillate, but it’s a decent dram.

Verdict:

I like this.

East London Liquor Co 3yo 2019/2023

East London Liquor Co 3yo 2019/2023

#02, The Heart Cut
Single rye - London
Red
49.9% ABV
Dram

Nose: Dark chocolate, orange peel, lemon zest, tyre rubber, cocoa nibs, hints of rhubarb and custard sweets. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, mouth coating, cool, tingly. 
Tasting:  Sour sweet. Cocoa nibs, dark chocolate, cinnamon, tyre rubber, cinder toffee, coffee, hints of cherries. 
Finish: Short. Cinder toffee, cherries, orange peel, black tea, hints of tyre rubber. 

Comments: 

Rye whiskey aged in a chocolate stout cask. It’s sweet and dense, almost like chocolate fruity cake. It’s one of the few cases where a strong ABV was not a good idea, so it comes in at just under 50%, which I think is ideal.

Verdict:

I like this.

Glen Spey 12yo Flora and Fauna

Glen Spey 12yo Flora and Fauna

Official bottling 
Single malt - Speyside
Amber
43% ABV
Dram

Nose: Raisins, rose water, yoghurt, toffee, brown sugar, cloves. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, loosens, tingly, mouth coating. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Raisins, cinder toffee, black tea, cloves, burnt sugar, tyre rubber. 
Finish: Medium. Cinder toffee, burnt sugar, raisins, honey. 

Comments: 

I was surprised that I’d hadn’t had this Flora and Fauna bottling yet. However I found it sulphurous and a little one-dimensional. Sweet with sulphur, which obscures some of the complexity. 

Verdict:

I like this.

Widow Jane American Oak

Widow Jane American Oak

Official bottling 
Single bourbon - New York
Amber
45.5% ABV
Dram

Nose: Coffee, milk chocolate, raisins, fresh baked bread, strawberry jam, hints of cinnamon. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, loosens, cool, mouth coating. 
Tasting:  Sweet sour. Milk chocolate, pears, raisins, fresh baked bread, apricot jam, hints of nutmeg, hints of cinnamon. 
Finish: Medium. Cola nuts, cinnamon, apricot jam, pears, milk chocolate.  

Comments: 

Batch 44. Well matured whisky actually made by Widow Jane. Lots of chocolate notes, some pear and jam come to the fore. It’s quite an intense finish as well - more jam and pears. 

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Killowen 3yo

Killowen 3yo

Redacted Spirits
Single pot still - Ulster 
Pale silver
62.45% ABV
Dram

Nose: Toast, oatcakes, bran flakes, vanilla, sultanas, honey, hints of nutmeg. With water, toast, peaches, apple juice, yoghurt. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, loosens, tingly, hot. 
Tasting:  Sour sweet. Gooseberries, apple juice, orange peel, vanilla, tutti frutti, nutmeg, hints of oatcakes. With water, apple juice, green tea, vanilla. 
Finish: Short. Green tea, gooseberries, apple juice, tutti frutti. 

Comments: 

A rather cereally, lactic young whisky from one of the new crop of distilleries in Ireland. It’s young and strong, and needs a bit of aging.

Verdict:

I like this.

Widow Jane 10yo (bottled 2022)

Widow Jane 10yo (bottled 2022)

Widow Jane distillery
Single bourbon - Kentucky
Amber red

45.5% ABV

Dram

Nose: Autumn leaves, black tea, dunnage, honey, brown paper, hints of dark chocolate. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, loosens, airy, slippery. 
Tasting:  Sweet. Brown paper, dark chocolate, honey, oatcakes, toffee, vanilla. 
Finish: Short. Brown paper, dark chocolate, orange peel, hints of autumn leaves. 

Comments: 

Batch 627. A sourced bourbon from Widow Jane, so this is a mystery malt. It’s rather one dimensional, unfortunately, lots of dark chocolate and brown paper. It’s pleasant enough though.

Verdict:

I like this.

Bomberger’s Declaration 2023 Release

Bomberger’s Declaration 2023 Release

Official bottling 
Single bourbon - Kentucky
Copper amber 
54% ABV
Dram

Nose: Pear drops, black tea, autumn leaves, vanilla ice cream, brown paper, hints of milk chocolate. With water, orange peel, whipped cream, milk chocolate. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, loosens, astringent, tingly. 
Tasting:  Sweet salty. Hoppy beer, vanilla ice cream, pear drops, milk chocolate, cola nuts, orange peel, hints of cream. With water, aluminium foil, milk chocolate, whipped cream. 
Finish: Medium. Cola nuts, milk chocolate, vanilla ice cream, hoppy beer. 

Comments: 

Batch L23E1952. Sweet and luscious, chocolatey as well. It’s much more like a sherried whisky than a bourbon, surprisingly. Only the occasional whiffs of brown paper and whipped cream remind me it’s from Kentucky.

Verdict:

I like this.

Shenk’s Homestead Sour Mash Whiskey 2023 Edition

Shenk’s Homestead Sour Mash Whiskey 2023 Edition

Official bottling 
Single bourbon - Kentucky
Copper
45.6% ABV
Dram

Nose: Raisins, whipped cream, desiccated coconut, brown paper, milk chocolate, hints of honey. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, cool, tingly, loosens. 
Tasting:  Sour sweet. Fresh baked bread, kiwifruit, red grapes, milk chocolate, whipped cream, marshmallows, hints of milk. 
Finish: Medium. Milk, milk chocolate, whipped cream, raisins. 

Comments: 

Creamy and sweet, lots of cereal along with the fruity notes. I like this style of American whisky, lots of complexity, multi-layered yet distinct. Well crafted stuff.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Wireworks Virgin Oak Finish Batch 08/2022

Wireworks Virgin Oak Finish Batch 08/2022

Official bottling 
Single malt - Derbyshire
Dark gold
51.7% ABV
Dram

Nose: Digestive biscuits, dates, raisins, photocopy paper, brass polish, toast, hints of aluminium foil. With water, dates, aluminium foil, toast. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, tingly, loosens, hot. 
Tasting:  Salty bitter. Brass polish, aluminium foil, toast, black tea, black pepper, nutmeg, digestive biscuits. With water, oatcakes, bran flakes, toast. 
Finish: Medium. Black tea, brass polish, toast, aluminium foil, hints of leather. 

Comments: 

Slightly metallic tasting, but has a decent malty backbone. Lots of biscuity notes are apparent, but these fade a bit with some water, leaving the slightly burned metal. It’s not unpleasant, maybe it’s a distillery characteristic.

Verdict:

I like this.

Ledaig 10yo 2009/2020 Bordeaux Cask

Ledaig 10yo 2009/2020 Bordeaux Cask

Official bottling 
Single malt - Islands
Amber red
56.9% ABV
Dram

Nose: Raisins, brown paper, rubber bands, foam shrimp, strawberry laces, black pepper, hints of bananas. With water, tyre rubber, strawberry laces, soy sauce, moss. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, expands, airy, mouth coating. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Raisins, peat, autumn leaves, smoke, honey, red grapes, fresh cut grass, hints of rubber bands. With water, orange peel, black tea, brown paper, peat. 
Finish: Long. Orange peel, moss, peat, red grapes, smoke. 

Comments: 

Sweet, floral, yet laden with savoury notes. There’s some earthiness with the smoke that clashes slightly with the sweet wine notes. Yet still a pleasant dram.

Verdict:

I like this.

Ledaig 19yo Oloroso Finish Handfilled Distillery Exclusive

Ledaig 19yo Oloroso Finish Handfilled Distillery Exclusive

Official bottling

Single malt - Islands
Golden
45.9% ABV
Dram

Nose: Toffee, butterscotch, raisins, maraschino cherries, autumn leaves, hints of honey. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, loosens, cool, airy. 
Tasting:  Bitter salty. Autumn leaves,  charcoal ash, maraschino cherries, honey, sea salt, germolene, hints of golden syrup. 
Finish: Medium. Lemon zest, sea salt, peat, autumn leaves, honey. 

Comments: 

Sweeter, lots of cherry and cough syrup notes from the oloroso finish. Unfortunately these clash a little bit with the peat and smoke. That’s the risk with sherrying peated stuff, it often doesn’t quite go together.

Verdict:

I like this.

Ledaig 8yo 2012/2020 Handfilled Warehouse 1

Ledaig 8yo 2012/2020 Handfilled Warehouse 1

Official bottling 
Single malt - Islands
White wine
62.5% ABV
Dram

Nose: Smoke, peat, lemongrass, lemon zest, vanilla, sultanas, hints of white pepper. With water, sultanas, white wine, kiwifruit. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, thickens, astringent, mouth coating. 
Tasting:  Salty bitter. Sea salt, autumn leaves, peat, charcoal ash, lemon zest, vanilla, sultanas, hints of kiwifruit. With water, autumn leaves, sultanas, white wine. 
Finish: Medium. Honey, leather, autumn leaves, peat, kiwifruit. 

Comments: 

Quite a gentle and floral Ledaig. The high ABV doesn’t make it harsh, in fact, it’s scarily drinkable. Lots of citrus complement the smoky salty peat.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Holy 4yo 2017/2021 Salvation Vino Cask

Holy 4yo 2017/2021 Salvation Vino Cask

Official bottling 
Single malt - North Taiwan
Red brown
64.8% ABV
Dram

Nose: Bubble gum, cucumbers, marshmallows, strawberry laces, foam shrimp, rubber bands, mint, hints of fresh cut grass. With water, rubber bands, raisins, cucumbers, hints of new plastic. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, hot, tingly, oily. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Bubble gum, rubber bands, rye bread, black pepper, mint, dill, foam shrimp, fresh cut grass. With water, iodine, rye bread, cucumbers, rubber bands. 
Finish: Short. Rye bread, foam shrimp, dill, rubber bands, cucumbers. 

Comments: 

Very estery and bubble gummy. It’s an odd whisky, there’s no indication of what the cask was, and it’s got some herbal notes underneath all that sweetness that clash a little bit. A very bracing introduction to Holy distillery for me.

Verdict:

Not bad. 

Kilkerran 14yo Virtual Open Day 2020

Kilkerran 14yo Virtual Open Day 2020

Official bottling

Single malt - Campbeltown
Bronze

57.8% ABV
Dram

Nose: Peanuts, wet stones, clay dust, toffee, gooseberries,  coffee, vanilla. With water, fresh baked bread, wet stones, peat. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, tingly, astringent, warm. 
Tasting:  Bitter sour. Wet stones, clay dust, vanilla, fresh baked bread, sultanas, nutmeg, hints of orange peel. With water, peat, wet stones, gooseberries, hints of clay dust. 
Finish: Long. Menthol, orange peel, fresh baked bread, gooseberries. 

Comments: 

Feinty and minerally, lots of fruit notes but those fade a bit into the background. Not as stellar as the Springbank virtual open day bottles, but good nevertheless.

Verdict:

I like this.

Nikka Days

Nikka Days

Nikka
Blended malt
Pale amber
40% ABV
Dram

Nose: Honey, camphor, grapefruit, green tea, hints of honeydew melons. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, loosens, cool, expands slightly. 
Tasting:  Sour sweet. Gooseberries, green tea, wet stones, sultanas, nutmeg, hints of brown paper. 
Finish: Short. Green tea, wet stones, gooseberries, honey. 

Comments: 

Realised I’d never had this, Nikka’s entry level blend. It’s alright, a little underpowered and inoffensive. Which is precisely what it was created to do.

Verdict:

I like this.

Lowland 10yo 2013/2023

Lowland 10yo 2013/2023

Rare Find, Gleann Mor Spirits
Single malt - Lowlands
Dark amber
63.9% ABV
Dram

Nose: Dark chocolate, honey, butterscotch, toffee, raisins, condensed milk, brown paper, hints of cloves. With water, milk chocolate, condensed milk, butterscotch, vanilla. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, loosens, hot, tingly. 
Tasting:  Sweet. Dark chocolate, digestive biscuits, butterscotch, coffee, condensed milk, raisins, hints of cinnamon. With water, brown paper, aluminium foil, milk chocolate, black tea. 

Finish: Medium. Black tea, dark chocolate, condensed milk, butterscotch. 

Comments: 

I was told this is Bladnoch. It’s sweet and chocolatey, very Christmassy. Lots of feinty notes then appear when a little (a lot of!) water is added. Great cask, but I can’t tell what the distillate is like.

Verdict:

I like this.

Crabbie 22yo Orkney Single Malt

Crabbie 22yo Orkney Single Malt

Crabbie
Single malt - Islands
Copper orange
47.5% ABV
Dram

Nose: Marmalade, mint, menthol, lemon sweets, honey, brass polish, leather, hints of fresh cut grass. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, loosens, expands, warm. 
Tasting:  Sour sweet. Lemon sweets, marmalade, honey, toffee apples, brass polish, wet stones, hints of fresh cut grass. 
Finish: Medium. Rhubarb and custard sweets, brass polish, orange peel, lemon sweets. 

Comments: 

A very marmalade-y, fruity Highland Park. The peatiness is just a whisper, manifesting itself in some menthol and brass polish in the finish. A very pleasant dram, wouldn’t have guessed it was Highland Park if I’d hadn’t been told.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Williamson 10yo 2013/2023 (Milroy’s of Soho Exclusive)

Williamson 10yo 2013/2023 (Milroy’s of Soho Exclusive)

Berry Bros & Rudd
Single malt - Islay
Amber gold 
57.1% ABV
Dram

Nose: Iodine, orange peel, strawberry jam, menthol, leather, smoke. With water, orange peel, peaches, menthol. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, thickens slightly, syrupy, tingly. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Iodine, germolene, leather, smoke, orange peel, rye bread, bran flakes, peat. With water, black tea, iodine, honey, raisins. 
Finish: Short. Rye bread, bran flakes, leather, raisins. 

Comments: 

A rather sweet Laphroaig, but it’s a cereal sweetness target than a fruity sweetness. In fact there’s plenty of cereal notes, including some spicy rye (oddly). Tasty and engaging dram. 

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Suntory Pure Malt Whisky “Yamazaki” 1983

Suntory Pure Malt Whisky “Yamazaki” 1983

Official bottling 
Single malt - West Honshu
Amber
43% ABV
Dram

Nose: Roast chicken, sea salt, honey, raisins, cinder toffee, hints of nutmeg. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, cool, expands, tingly. 
Tasting:  Sweet salty. Raisins, roast chicken, honey, raisins, milk chocolate, cocoa nibs, hints of sea salt. 
Finish: Medium. Milk chocolate, roast chicken, honey, cocoa nibs. 

Comments: 

This is the first (or one of the very first) Yamazaki single malts bottled, way back in 1983. It’s surprisingly savoury, and I’ve always believed that Yamazaki has a savoury note until it’s gets buried under all that sherry. I feel vindicated :).

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Fuji Gotemba 17yo Small Batch

Fuji Gotemba 17yo Small Batch

Official bottling 
Single malt - West Honshu
Amber 
46% ABV
Dram

Nose: Magic marker, peanuts, pear drops, vanilla, orange peel, hints of green tea. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, loosens, warm, tingly. 
Tasting:  Sweet sour. Magic marker, yoghurt, pear drops, orange peel, lemon zest, honey, sultanas. 
Finish: Short. Green tea, magic marker, pear drops, hints of white pepper. 

Comments: 

Quite estery, reminiscent of nail varnish, with a good, enjoyable, floral overtone. It’s light and refreshing as well, wearing its age lightly.

Verdict:

I like this.

Indri Trini Three Wood

Indri Trini Three Wood

Official bottling 
Single malt - Haryana
Amber
46% ABV
Dram

Nose: Orange peel, orange juice, vanilla, lemon zest, sultanas, hints of honey. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, expands, warm, tingly. 
Tasting:  Sweet sour. Honey, orange juice, cream, brown sugar, cinnamon, sultanas. 
Finish: Short. Malted grains, orange juice, cream, brown sugar. 

Comments: 

Quite citrusy and sweet. Not what I expected, it’s quite fresh and not too intense for an Indian whisky. It’s surprisingly refreshing and gentle.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Ontake Single Malt First Edition

Ontake Single Malt First Edition

Official bottling 
Single malt - Kyushu
Amber pink
43% ABV
Dram

Nose: Yoghurt, rubber bands, fried eggs, orange peel, cinder toffee. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, loosens, tingly, warm. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Fried eggs, yoghurt, strawberry laces, cinder toffee, honey, hints of cloves. 
Finish: Short. Raisins, cinder toffee, honey, strawberry laces. 

Comments: 

Rather sulphurous, for a sherried malt. The fried egg and cinder toffee notes are quite evident and dominate the flavours. It’s quite straightforward and simple.

Verdict:

I like this.

Fuji Single Malt

Fuji Single Malt

Official bottling 
Single malt - West Honshu
Dark gold
46% ABV
Dram

Nose: Wet stones, photocopy paper, toffee, cooked rice, green apples. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, loosens, mouth coating, airy. 
Tasting:  Sweet sour. Honey, photocopy paper, lemon zest, green apples, malted grains, hints of cream. 
Finish: Short. Cream, honey, malted grains, photocopy paper. 

Comments: 

Quite light, a little creamy. The flavours are muted and not very intense. A very gentle, entry level malt.

Verdict:

I like this.

Highwayman The Dark Side

Highwayman The Dark Side

Official bottling 
Single malt - New South Wales
Mahogany 
55% ABV
Dram

Nose: Leather, farmyard, honey, winter melon, white pepper, dark chocolate, hints of orange peel. With water, vanilla, cocoa nibs, raisins, hints of peanuts. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, loosens, expands, warm. 
Tasting:  Sweet. Peanuts, honeycomb, peat, hay, fresh cut grass, raisins, dark chocolate, photocopy paper, hints of coffee. With water, raisins, peanuts, hints of coffee. 
Finish: Short. Black tea, honeycomb, raisins, peat. 

Comments: 

Really sweet, peated dram. The high proof is good, brings out some feinty notes that would otherwise be lost in the layers of flavour. I’ve not had anything from this distillery before, but the juice is nice and the branding attractive.

Verdict:

I like this.

Ki One Batch 2 Distiller’s Edition

Ki One Batch 2 Distiller’s Edition

Official bottling 
Single malt - Gyeonggi
Amber brown
57% ABV
Dram

Nose: White pepper, sandalwood, cooked rice, boiled eggs, honey, hints of nutmeg. With water, nutmeg, rubber bands, hints of rhubarb and custard sweets. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, expands, tingly, slightly oily. 
Tasting:  Sweet salty. Honey, white pepper, rubber bands, malted grains, nutmeg, hints of new plastic. With water, nutmeg, honey, new plastic. 
Finish: Medium. Honey, orange peel, rubber bands, white pepper. 

Comments: 

First South Korean whisky! It’s quite unusual, floral and woody, but with a plasticky note (especially with a little water) that implies a very young age. It’s only about 3 years old too.

Verdict:

I like this.

Mars Tsunuki 7th Anniversary Local Barley

Mars Tsunuki 7th Anniversary Local Barley

Official bottling 
Single malt - Kyushu
Amber
55% ABV
Dram

Nose: Malted grains, apple juice, clay dust, cinnamon, hints of mint. With water, apple juice, malted grains, hints of menthol. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, thickens, astringent, tingly. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Malted grains, honey, apple juice, strawberry jam, hoppy beer, hints of magic marker, hints of clay dust. With water, apple juice, clay dust, hoppy beer. 
Finish: Medium. Apple juice, hoppy beer, honey, strawberry jam, hints of magic marker. 

Comments: 

Very malty appley dram, just the sort of whisky I like. It’s a little bit dusty, perhaps a sign of age in my experience. It’s quite estery on the finish too. Lovely stuff.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Osuzu Malt Chestnut Barrel Local Barley

Osuzu Malt Chestnut Barrel Local Barley

Official bottling 
Single malt - Kyushu
Amber copper
46% ABV
Dram

Nose: Strawberry jam, pears, vanilla, honey, starfruit, cream, hints of guavas. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, loosens, slippery, cool. 
Tasting:  Sweet. Sandalwood, pears, starfruit, guavas, green tea, ginseng, hints of camphor. 
Finish: Medium. Camphor, ginseng, pears, starfruit. 

Comments: 

Sweet and fragrant, very estery. Lots of floral, slightly woody notes too. Lots of bitter herbal notes on the finish. I do like this, but it’s probably not for everyone. 

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Yuza 3yo 2018/2021 First Edition

Yuza 3yo 2018/2021 First Edition

Official bottling 
Single malt - East Honshu 
Copper
61% ABV
Dram

Nose: Malted grains, honey, vanilla, lemon zest, hints of orange peel, hints of cream. With water, green tea, malted grains, honey, hints of yuzu. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, hot, mouth coating, slippery. 
Tasting:  Sour sweet. Green tea, lemon zest, bergamot, vanilla, malted grains, hints of photocopy paper. With water, honey, yuzu, malted grains, cinder toffee, pomeloes. 
Finish: Long. Green tea, fresh cut grass, lemon zest, vanilla, honey. 

Comments: 

Very citrusy, lots of floral notes (even bergamot) allied to a nice level of feinty malt. It opens up a lot with water, becoming even more citrusy. Very nice indeed.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Mars The Y.A. #2

Mars The Y.A. #2

Yakushima Aging, Mars
Vatted malt
Amber
49% ABV
Dram

Nose: Peat, sea salt, malted grains, honey, leather, smoke, hints of germolene. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, loosens, airy, mouth coating. 
Tasting:  Sour salty. Sea salt, malted grains, lemon zest, smoke, green tea, rubber bands, hints of yoghurt. 
Finish: Short. Malted grains, honey, orange peel, brown sugar. 

Comments: 

A combination of Shinshu and Tsunuki malt. It’s more peated than I expected, and sour as well as savoury. Some sulphur appears as well. Otherwise it’s a good, malty whisky.

Verdict:

I like this.

Okayama Triple Cask

Okayama Triple Cask

Official bottling 
Single malt - West Honshu 
Amber red
43% ABV
Dram

Nose: Raisins, vanilla, cream, orange peel, cloves, hints of cinder toffee. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, slippery, mouth coating, slightly astringent. 
Tasting:  Sweet. Cream, orange peel, cloves, marshmallows, raisins, cocoa nibs, black tea, hints of sandalwood. 
Finish: Short. Chinese angelica, orange peel, black tea, hints of strawberry jam, hints of camphor. 

Comments: 

Creamy and sherried, lots of classic notes here, but also with sandalwood and camphor. It’s not a typical Japanese whisky, except maybe for the clarity of flavour. One dram I’m very pleased to be able to try.

Verdict:

I like this.

Nikka Coffey Grain Woody and Mellow

Nikka Coffey Grain Woody and Mellow

Official bottling 
Single grain - East Honshu
Copper gold
55% ABV
Dram

Nose: Honey, oak chips, apple juice, malted grains, dunnage, hints of roast chicken. With water, toffee, honey, magic marker, oak chips. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, expands, airy, mouth coating. 
Tasting:  Sweet sour. Vanilla, marshmallows, magic marker, tutti frutti, malted grains, dunnage, hints of oatcakes. With water, magic marker, toffee, malted grains, oak chips. 
Finish: Medium. Oatcakes, magic marker, malted grains, apple juice. 

Comments: 

I like this Nikka series where they simply label the bottle with what it tastes like. Simple and straightforward. Not quite so with this whisky. It’s got lots of lovely grain notes, estery and smooth, but it’s also got the woody vanilla and some dusty dunnage. Intriguing dram.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Kanosuke Single Malt 2023 Limited Edition

Kanosuke Single Malt 2023 Limited Edition

Official bottling 
Single malt - Kyushu
Amber
59% ABV
Dram

Nose: Yoghurt, leather, cream, malted grains, hoppy beer, apple juice, marshmallows. With water, cinder toffee, apple juice, hoppy beer, smoke. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, hot, astringent, tingly. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Apple juice, cinder toffee, photocopy paper, cream, malted grains, fresh cut grass. With water, cinder toffee, apple juice, tyre rubber, hints of marshmallows. 
Finish: Long. Photocopy paper, cinder toffee, marshmallows, sandalwood. 

Comments: 

It says a lot about Kanosuke that this is one of the less good ones that I’ve had. It’s still quite glorious - rich creamy apple juice, lightly peated and smoked. Some slightly sulphurous rubber appears with a bit of water.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Port Ellen 24yo 1982/2007

Port Ellen 24yo 1982/2007

The Whisky Fair
Single malt - Islay
Pale gold
59.6% ABV
Dram

Nose: Tyre rubber, fish sauce, farmyard, charcoal ash, leather, lemon zest, hints of nutmeg. With water, smoke, cream, leather. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, mouth coating, warm, tingly. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Charcoal ash, smoke, peat, farmyard, lemon zest, honey, cream, hints of nutmeg. With water, charcoal ash, tyre rubber, cream, lemon zest. 
Finish: Long. Lemon zest, honey, cream, peat, hints of charcoal ash. 

Comments: 

I like 1982 Port Ellen, even if I’m told 1981 is better. This one is savoury and ashy, with a slightly fishy flavour. It goes well with the smoke and peat. With some water it eases up, bring out some citrus and cream notes.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Akashi 3yo 2018/2022

Akashi 3yo 2018/2022

Official bottling 
Single malt - West Honshu
Straw
62% ABV
Dram

Nose: Leather, tablet, orange peel, vanilla, green tea, sandalwood, hints of cinnamon. With water, cream, condensed milk, hints of starfruit. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, loosens, warm, slightly astringent. 
Tasting:  Sour. Tablet, vanilla, green tea, condensed milk, cinnamon, leather, hints of orange peel. With water, green tea, leather, peat, cream. 
Finish: Long. Leather, peat, green tea, orange peel. 

Comments: 

Cask 101857 + 58. It’s tart stuff, but tart with the earthy sourness of peat rather than fruity acidity. Still, there’s some of that, especially with a bit of water. It’s also got notes of milk and cinnamon. Quite a lovely dram.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Kornog 13yo 2007 Sauternes Cask

Kornog 13yo 2007 Sauternes Cask 

Animal Spirits
Single malt - Brittany
Mahogany
57% ABV
Dram

Nose: Leather, peat, vanilla, orange peel, smoke, cinder toffee, tyre rubber. With water, raisins, candied oranges, vanilla, butterscotch. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, loosens, astringent, warm. 
Tasting:  Salty sweet. Peat, smoke, peanuts, leather, hibiscus, orange peel, cinder toffee, rubber bands, wet stones. With water, rubber bands, raisins, candied oranges, peanuts. 
Finish: Long. Peanuts, wet stones, rubber bands, smoke. 

Comments: 

Cask 937. Sweet wine cask on peated distillate can be hit or miss. This one is sort of a hit, I guess - lots of sweet floral notes that float on top of robust peat. I can’t tell whether the sulphur is from the wine cask or from the distillate. From a Singaporean bottler that’s new to me. 

Verdict:

I like this.

Brass Lion Single Malt Batch 001

Brass Lion Single Malt Batch 001

Official bottling 
Single malt - South West Singapore
Golden
48% ABV
Dram

Nose: Leather, sandalwood, vanilla, butterscotch, gooseberries, hints of cola nuts. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, thickens, tingly, warm. 
Tasting:  Sweet. Butterscotch, gooseberries, orange peel, vanilla, cucumbers, menthol, sandalwood, hints of new plastic. 
Finish: Long. Orange peel, hoppy beer, sandalwood, butterscotch. 

Comments: 

Batch 001. Well, I managed to find this whisky, despite despairing of getting a sample. It’s rather good - quite intense with some buttery sweetness, malty strength and some hints of gooseberries. It’s also noticeably young, maybe it’s how whisky has to be if it’s made in the tropics.

Verdict:

I like this.

Dornoch 5yo 2017/2023 Cask 14

Dornoch 5yo 2017/2023 Cask 14

Official bottling 
Single malt - North Highlands
Golden yellow
58.4% ABV
Dram

Nose: Pears, vanilla, magic marker, malted grains, hoppy beer, hints of gooseberries. With water, pears, sultanas, nail varnish. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, thickens, tingly, hot. 
Tasting:  Sweet sour. Gooseberries, strawberry laces, rye bread, magic marker, pears, oatcakes, nail varnish. With water, pears, malted grains, nail varnish, gooseberries. 
Finish: Long. Oatcakes, rye bread, nail varnish, gooseberries. 

Comments: 

The pear and nail varnish notes are so strong one can smell them from several feet away. On the tongue, it’s malty and cereally as well. Lots of interesting notes, especially the combination of cereal and estery fruit.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Tobermory 24yo 1994/2020 Manzanilla Cask Distillery Handfill

Tobermory 24yo 1994/2020 Manzanilla Cask Distillery Handfill

Official bottling 
Single malt - Islands
Amber gold
52.7% ABV
Dram

Nose: Cotton sheets, olive brine, cream, cinnamon, orange peel, raisins, hints of roast chicken. With water, raisins, gooseberries, fresh cut grass, white pepper. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, loosens, tingly, warm. 
Tasting:  Salty sweet. Olive brine, cream, rubber bands, orange peel, malted grains, white pepper. With water, rubber bands, cotton sheets, orange peel, white pepper. 
Finish: Medium. Orange peel, rubber bands, white pepper, cotton sheets. 

Comments: 

Very feinty, lots of savoury, slightly salty notes. Unusual for a sherried dram, but perhaps it carries more of the sherry characteristics than other whiskies. It’s also a little sulphurous, and that is less pleasant. 

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Tobermory 15yo 2004/2020 PX Butt Distillery Handfill

Tobermory 15yo 2004/2020 PX Butt Distillery Handfill

Official bottling 
Single malt - Islands
Amber brown
56.7% ABV
Dram

Nose: Yuzu, cream, raisins, dark chocolate, coffee, damson jam, cinnamon, dried apricots. With water, damson jam, dried apricots, coffee. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, hot, tingly, astringent. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Raisins, coffee, dark chocolate, black tea, dried apricots, vanilla, malt loaf, hints of cloves. With water, damson jam, dried apricots, vanilla. 
Finish: Long. Malt loaf, cloves, dried apricots, dark chocolate, hints of yuzu. 

Comments: 

Fruity and quite sweet. The yuzu interlacing throughout all the other notes is quite unique in my experience. It’s what makes this whisky stand out, from a pack of generally very good sherried drams. 

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Drumshanbo Single Pot Still Whiskey

Drumshanbo Single Pot Still Whiskey

Official bottling 
Single grain - Connacht
White wine
43% ABV
Dram

Nose: Oatcakes, sultanas, autumn leaves, aluminium foil, digestive biscuits, hints of white spirit. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, thickens slightly, astringent, cool. 
Tasting:  Sour. Sultanas, aluminium foil, cotton sheets, photocopy paper, oatcakes, hints of black tea. 
Finish: Medium. Black tea, autumn leaves, white spirit, sultanas. 

Comments: 

Cereally, a little bit sweet, a little bit bitter. Quite spirity, and it’s also got some feinty notes on the tongue. Very straightforward, and easy drinking. I prefer a bit more malt though.

Verdict:

I like this.

Glen Garioch 10yo Equinox & Solstice Summer 2022

Glen Garioch 10yo Equinox & Solstice Summer 2022

Equinox & Solstice, Decadent Drinks
Single malt - East Highlands
Silver
48.5% ABV
Dram

Nose: White wine, elderflower, sultanas, fresh cut grass, vanilla, apple juice. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, mouth coating, airy, warm. 
Tasting:  Sour sweet. White wine, elderflower, black tea, orange peel, cinnamon, hints of ginseng, hints of coffee. 
Finish: Medium. Black tea, ginseng, sultanas, strawberry laces. 

Comments: 

Delicate and floral, I’ve not had a Geery like this before. The tart, slightly acrid mustard note is absent. It’s young and almost quaffable, subtly sweet and very nice indeed.

Verdict:

I like this.

Ardbeg BizarreBQ

Ardbeg BizarreBQ 

Official bottling 
Single malt - Islay
Copper
50.9% ABV
Dram

Nose: Raisins, brass polish, creosote, marmalade, germolene, leather, hints of white spirit. With water, vanilla, marmalade, apple juice. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, thickens slightly, oily, expands. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Brass polish, tarry rope, raisins, dark chocolate, leather, smoke, marmalade, hints of tobacco leaf. With water, leather, peat, peanuts, marmalade. 
Finish: Medium. Peanuts, peat, smoke, creosote, charcoal ash. 

Comments: 

Sweet, tarry and slightly sulphurous. It’s not very barbecue-y, but perhaps that’s the bizarre bit. It’s got huge notes of marmalade and dark chocolate. Quite delicious.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Circumstantial Oat 1:21:1:1:50

Circumstantial Oat 1:21:1:1:50

Official bottling 
Single grain - Bristol
Golden, hints of silver
46.8% ABV
Dram

Nose: Leather, musk, butterscotch, dulce de leche, vanilla, malted grains. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, loosens, expands, mouth coating. 
Tasting:  Salty sweet. Raisins, damson jam, vanilla, dulce de leche, violets, straw, oat bran, hints of magic marker. 
Finish: Medium. Oat bran, leather, damson jam, butterscotch. 

Comments: 

Strange stuff - it’s apparently 4 years old, oats and wheat spirit, aged in virgin oak with spindles in the barrel. It’s intense, yet somehow thin, like drinking air. Still it’s got a good layering of flavour.

Verdict:

I like this.

Cotswolds Sherry Cask

Cotswolds Sherry Cask

Official bottling 
Single malt - Warwickshire 
Amber gold
57.4% ABV
Dram

Nose: Desiccated coconut, aluminium foil, raisins, dark chocolate, oatcakes, sea salt, hints of magic marker. With water, honey, dark chocolate, hoppy beer. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, slippery, tingly, loosens slightly. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Raisins, cinnamon, malted grains, candied oranges, aluminium foil, dark chocolate, hints of hoppy beer. With water, sea salt, hoppy beer, raisins, malted grains. 
Finish: Long. Malted grains, hoppy beer, orange peel, raisins, vanilla. 

Comments: 

Malty and mean, lots of intense notes that aren’t overly sherried. There’s plenty of savoury and feinty notes here, they give the whisky an edge. Unusual and enjoyable.

Verdict:

I like this.

Bunnahabhain 19yo 1980/1999

Bunnahabhain 19yo 1980/1997

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

Nose: Cotton sheets, leather, cinder toffee, salt caramel, photocopy paper, black tea, sultanas. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, thickens, astringent, cool. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Photocopy paper, sultanas, dried apricots, kiwifruit, black tea, cinder toffee, hints of orange peel. 
Finish: Short. Candle wax, photocopy paper, cinder toffee, black tea, hints of coffee. 

Comments: 

Cask 5643. It’s unpeated, of course, and it’s been drowned in old bottle effect. It’s become feinty and a little floral, but lots of bitter notes still linger in the background. 

Verdict:

I like this.

Convalmore 16yo 1981/1997

Convalmore 16yo 1981/1997

First Cask, The Malt Whisky Circle
Single malt - Speyside
Pale gold
46% ABV
Dram

Nose: Papayas, starfruit, winter melon, mint, lemon zest, dried blueberries, strawberry laces, hints of leather. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, warm, expands, slippery. 
Tasting:  Sweet sour. Camphor, dried blueberries, starfruit, winter melon, fresh cut grass, vanilla, hints of leather. 
Finish: Medium. Camphor, winter melon, candle wax, fresh cut grass. 

Comments: 

Cask 89/604/122. It’s not quite the Convalmore I know, it’s got a lot of gentle subtle notes that blend softly into each other. There’s a herbal, slightly bitter backbone though, and that’s what keeps things interesting.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Glenrothes 21yo 1975/1996

Glenrothes 21yo 1975/1996

First Cask, The Malt Whisky Circle
Single malt - Speyside
Silvery gold
46% ABV
Dram

Nose: Dried apricots, starfruit, white wine, papayas, Chinese angelica, cinder toffee. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, thickens slightly, tingly, cool. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Starfruit, cinder toffee, Chinese angelica, leather, candle wax, celery salt, dried apricots, menthol. 
Finish: Long. Menthol, candle wax, dried apricots, white wine.

Comments: 

Cask 6051. Fruity and waxy, low level of typical sherried notes. Quite unusual, and the distillate has probably been overtaken by old bottle effect. It’s rather tasty, and unlike any other Glenrothes I’ve had.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Widow Jane Rye Mash Oak and Apple Batch 52

Widow Jane Rye Mash Oak and Apple Batch 52

Official bottling 
Single rye - New York 
Amber red
45.5% ABV
Dram

Nose: Brown paper, strawberry jam, cloves, damson jam, black pepper, malted grains, fresh baked bread. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, slippery, loosens, mouth coating. 
Tasting:  Sweet. Malted grains, strawberry jam, brown paper, orange peel, hints of photocopy paper. 
Finish: Short. Rye bread, black pepper, dark chocolate, strawberry jam. 

Comments: 

Not as appley as advertised, but it’s got some more malt and jammy notes than I’m used to in rye. It’s fairly simple, but it’s definitely promising.

Verdict:

I like this.

Miltonduff 13yo 2009/2023

Miltonduff 13yo 2009/2023

Hidden Spirits Whiskey Co
Single malt - Speyside 
Amber gold
52.4% ABV
Dram

Nose: Malted grains, vanilla, green tea, fresh cut grass, pear drops, hints of grapefruit. With water, malted grains, pear drops, artificial grape flavour, green tea. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, loosens, airy, mouth coating. 
Tasting:  Sweet. Artificial grape flavour, grapefruit, green tea, raisins, pineapples, malted grains, vanilla. With water, pineapples, artificial grape flavour, green tea, nutmeg. 
Finish: Medium. Pineapples, artificial grape flavour, honey, orange peel. 

Comments: 

Cask MD0923. Lots of malty goodness, some water brings out artificial grape flavour, making the whisky taste a lot like Fanta grape. Even more water makes it tannic and floral, with lots of green tea. Very nice indeed.

Verdict:

I like this a lot.