Five & 20 Rye Cask Sample

Five & 20 Rye Cask Sample

That Boutique-y Whisky Company, Master of Malt
Single rye - New York 
Red
53.55% ABV
Dram

Nose: Green tea, roses, musk, honey, strawberry jam, allspice, milk chocolate. With water, oak chips, allspice, milk chocolate. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, cool, watery around the edges, loose. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Malted grains, cornflakes, milk chocolate, roses, nutmeg, vanilla. With water, oak chips, milk chocolate, black tea, hints of roses. 
Finish: Long. Black tea, strawberry jam, coffee, milk chocolate, hints of musk. 

Comments: 

Jammy, but with a meaty rough note on the nose. It’s almost malty on the tongue, with the rye spice tamed. Water brings out a woody note, and it fades to a long bitter finish.

Verdict:

I like this.

Tuthilltown Rye Cask Sample

Tuthilltown Rye Cask Sample

That Boutique-y Whisky Company, Master of Malt
Single rye - New York
Amber red
57.34% ABV
Dram

Nose: Peach preserves, nectarines, apricot jam, vanilla, honey, pear drops, white pepper. With water, jasmine, pear drops, nectarines, hints of green tea. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, hot, volatile, astringent. 
Tasting:  Sour sweet. Green apples, lemon zest, apricot jam, rye bread, pear drops, white pepper, cinnamon. With water, green tea, green apples, pear drops, white pepper. 
Finish: Medium. Cinnamon, pear drops, apricot jam, nectarines, white pepper. 

Comments: 

Intensely peachy, lot of jammy stone fruit notes. There’s a lot of floral stuff, and it’s not really that sweet, although the nose suggests that it is. Rather, it’s tart and a little spicy. Water diminishes the burn and brings out even more tart notes. Really very good.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Convalmore 21yo 1977/1998

Convalmore 21yo 1977/1998

Authentic Collection, WM Cadenhead 
Single malt - Speyside 
Bright gold
64.4% ABV
Dram

Nose: Clay dust, brown paper, orange peel, sandalwood, lemon sweets, white grapes, hints of cod liver oil. With water, honey, nectarines, sandalwood, lemon sweets. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, hot, astringent, mouth coating. 
Tasting:  Sweet sour. Nectarines, orange peel, white grapes, sandalwood, white pepper, menthol, hints of vanilla. With water, sandalwood, leather, peat, lemon sweets, nectarines. 
Finish: Long. Nectarines, orange peel, vanilla, white pepper, wintergreen. 

Comments: 

Convalmore has this lovely peach or nectarine note, but it’s always hedged about with feinty, peaty notes that make it so interesting. This one was intense, lots of fragrant sandalwood and even something meaty on the nose.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

SMWS 39.175 (Linkwood 29yo 1989/2019)

SMWS 39.175 (Linkwood 29yo 1989/2019)

2019, SMWS
Single malt - Speyside 
Dark amber gold
49.1% ABV
Dram

Nose: Sandalwood, raisins, white pepper, jasmine, pears, orange peel, nutmeg. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, loosens, cool, astringent. 
Tasting:  Sweet salty. Sourdough bread, sandalwood, pears, fresh baked bread, dark chocolate, gooseberries, hints of raisins. 
Finish: Long. Dark chocolate, gooseberries, raisins, hints of jasmine. 

Comments: 

Quite heavy, thick and unctuous. Lots of bread and chocolate, with a fragrant sandalwood note that lightens it a little and makes it interesting. Huge extended finish that goes on and on. Lovely old Linkwood.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Highland Park 32yo 1989/2021

Highland Park 32yo 1989/2021

Connoisseur’s Choice, Gordon & Macphail 
Single malt - Islands
Dark gold
51.9% ABV
Dram

Nose: Pencil lead, honey, gingerbread, shortbread, fresh baked bread, vanilla, green tea, hints of lemon zest. With water, raisins, white grapes, dandelions, honey. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, thickens, warm, hardens. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Honey, gingerbread, smoke, peat, fresh baked bread, dandelions, white grapes, hints of shortbread. With water, pencil lead, leather, peat, raisins. 
Finish: Long. Fresh baked bread, white grapes, smoke, leather, pencil lead. 

Comments: 

Cask 10015. Flinty, minerally and herbal whisky. The sherry influence is light, manifesting mainly as a gentle raisiny note on the nose and on the tongue. A great dram.

Verdict:

I like this a lot.

Glenlossie 33yo 1984/2018

Glenlossie 33yo 1984/2018

Vintage, Signatory
Single malt - Speyside 
Dark amber
56.7% ABV
Dram

Nose: Orange peel, sandalwood, clay dust, raisins, damson jam, white grapes, hints of white pepper. With water, leather, sea salt, orange peel, raisins, white grapes. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, static, cool, mouth coating. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Clay dust, damson jam, white grapes, jasmine, sandalwood, cinnamon, honey, hints of condensed milk. With water, milk chocolate, jasmine, damson jam, white grapes. 
Finish: Long. Honey, cinnamon, milk chocolate, damson jam. 

Comments: 

Cask 2533. Superb whisky - dusty and floral, replete with sweet woody herbal notes. Lots of chocolate and jam, fills the mouth pleasantly and easily. A joy to drink.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Glencadam 25yo 1983/2008

Glencadam 25yo 1983/2008

Official bottling 
Single malt - East Highlands
Amber gold
46% ABV
Dram

Nose: Clay dust, raisins, mint, tyre rubber, tobacco leaf, honey, orange peel. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, loosens, cool, astringent. 
Tasting:  Sweet salty. Raisins, mint, orange peel, tobacco leaf, honey, pear drops, clay dust, damson jam. 
Finish: Long. White grapes, raisins, pear drops, damson jam. 

Comments: 

Cask 1002. Sweet and slightly sulphurous (albeit a nice level rather than overpowering). Lots of slightly dusty, feinty notes too. Fades to a long lingering fruity finish. Very enjoyable, maybe one of the best Glencadams I’ve had.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Glendronach 27yo 1992/2020 for the Whisky Shop

Glendronach 27yo 1992/2020 for the Whisky Shop

Official bottling
Single malt - Speyside 
Amber red
58.4% ABV
Dram

Nose: Leather, raisins, black pepper, roast pork, green tea, orange peel, golden syrup. With water, red grapes, raisins, golden syrup, cloves. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, loosens, mouth coating, slightly oily. 
Tasting:  Sweet salty. Raisins, golden syrup, cooked rice, orange peel, black pepper, cloves. With water, golden syrup, red grapes, cooked rice, cloves. 
Finish: Long. Raisins, prunes, damson jam, black pepper. 

Comments: 

Cask 5852. This is very sweet, and typical of the newer style of sherried whisky, which is sweet and rather uncompromising. There are other interesting notes, but the spices, fruits and cereal are subordinate to the sugar.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Blossoming Auld Sherried Whisky (bottled 2016)

Blossoming Auld Sherried Whisky (bottled 2016)

Michel Couvreur
Single malt - Unknown
Amber red
45% ABV
Dram

Nose: Roast pork, raisins, clay dust, cinnamon, black tea, blackcurrant cordial, orange peel, hints of blue cheese. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, loosens, cool, tingly. 
Tasting:  Sweet. Raisins, cola nuts, clay dust, tobacco leaf, black tea, black pepper, hints of blue cheese. 
Finish: Medium. Black tea, raisins, orange peel, black pepper, hints of tobacco leaf. 

Comments: 

Whisky of unknown origin, save that it’s Scotch, apparently cave aged. The aging has imbued the whisky with some rancio and a little minerality. The sweet notes are enhanced, but the whole is perhaps a little unbalanced.

Verdict:

I like this. 

Glenrothes 30yo 1989/2020

Glenrothes 30yo 1989/2020

Extra Old Particular, Douglas Laing
Single malt - Speyside 
Dark amber brown
47.5% ABV
Dram

Nose: Menthol, orange peel, lemon zest, roast pork, plums, five spice powder. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, cool, expands, mouth coating. 
Tasting:  Sweet. Orange peel, lemon zest, five spice powder, plums, honey, molasses, raisins, hints of liquorice. 
Finish: Long. Liquorice, molasses, plums, raisins. 

Comments: 

Cask DL 14056. Minty and soothing, lots of spicy sweet meaty notes. It’s very gentle and frankly, a bit of a relief in the middle of an intense tasting. Quite delicious on its own.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Miltonduff 31yo 1990/2021

Miltonduff 31yo 1990/2021

Connoisseur’s Choice, Gordon & Macphail
Single malt - Speyside
Dark amber, hints of green
54.6% ABV
Dram

Nose: Milk chocolate, shortbread, cinder toffee, butterscotch, raisins, hints of smoke, hints of fried onions. With water, shortbread, butterscotch, milk chocolate, hints of fried onions. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, hot, tingly, oily. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Shortbread, raisins, marmalade, milk chocolate, cinder toffee, butterscotch, clarified butter. With water, cinder toffee, black tea, marmalade. 
Finish: Long. Black tea, cinder toffee, marmalade, shortbread, hints of fried onions. 

Comments: 

Some rancio in this one, here it tastes like fried onions. But set beside that there’s butterscotch, marmalade and shortbread, lots of sweet and slightly bitter sweet stuff. Very enjoyable indeed.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Cragganmore 25yo 1995/2021

Cragganmore 25yo 1995/2021

Old & Rare, Hunter Laing
Single malt - Speyside 
Amber gold
57.2% ABV
Dram

Nose: Pencil lead, raisins, marmalade, winter melon, honeycomb, oolong tea. With water, fresh baked bread, white grapes, winter melon. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, warm, tingly, slippery. 
Tasting:  Sweet salty. Winter melon, strawberry jam, raisins, honeycomb, cinder toffee, pencil lead, hints of sandalwood. With water, cinder toffee, winter melon, honeycomb, oolong tea. 
Finish: Long. Raisins, honeycomb, fresh baked bread, oolong tea, hints of cloves. 

Comments: 

Quite a savoury whisky for a supposed sherry bomb. Lots of lemon and some sulphurous pencil lead. Lots of cereal, sweetness and spice on the finish, but even that is tinged with a touch of bitter and salt.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Clynelish 23yo 1995/2019

Clynelish 23yo 1995/2019

Vintage, Signatory
Single malt - North Highlands
Amber red
51.8% ABV
Dram

Nose: Peanuts, raisins, linseed oil, candle wax, sea salt, orange peel, hints of damson jam. With water, candle wax, sea salt, roast pork, hints of pear drops. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, loosens, airy, mouth coating. 

Tasting:  Salty sweet. Raisins, candle wax, damson jam, peanuts, oak chips, pear drops, nashi pears. With water, cloves, damson jam, sandalwood, nashi pears. 
Finish: Medium. Candle wax, orange peel, raisins, nashi pears, hints of linseed oil. 

Comments: 

Another atypical sherried dram - lots of classic dirty Clynelish waxiness, augmented by sweet raisins, jam, a lot of oak. Slightly tart and salty nashi pears make an appearance. Excellent dram, as Clynelish tends to be.

Verdict:

I like this.

Aultmore 25yo Batch 41

Aultmore 25yo Batch 41

Official bottling 
Single malt - Speyside 
Amber
46% ABV
Dram

Nose: Raisins, orange juice, golden syrup, lemon zest, nutmeg, vanilla, fresh baked bread. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, loosens, tingly, airy. 
Tasting:  Sweet salty. Orange juice, fresh baked bread, cloves, nutmeg, dark chocolate, raisins, sandalwood, hints of sea salt. 
Finish: Long. Orange juice, dark chocolate, raisins, sea salt, molasses. 

Comments: 

Sweet and citrusy, with a bold cereal spine. Lots of dark chocolate and cloves on the mid-palate, before fading to fragrant sandalwood. Very enjoyable indeed.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Inchgower 20yo 2000/2020

Inchgower 20yo 2000/2020

Maltbarn
Single malt - Speyside
Bronze
50.7% ABV
Dram

Nose: Cream, fresh cut grass, jasmine, vanilla, marshmallows, ginger, hints of marmalade. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, cool, slippery, tingly. 
Tasting:  Sour bitter. Fresh cut grass, white grapes, raisins, vanilla, green tea, cinnamon, ginger. 
Finish: Long. Marshmallows, white grapes, jasmine, ginger, hints of cream. 

Comments: 

Intensely flavoured, clearly defined whisky. It’s not sweet, instead being herbal, floral and spicy. Some vanilla sweetness is evident in the finish, but it’s still floral and spicy.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Tamdhu 25yo (bottled 2006)

Tamdhu 25yo (bottled 2006)

Official bottling 
Single malt - Speyside 
Dark gold
43% ABV
Dram

Nose: Orange peel, liquorice, cloves, menthol, raisins, nutmeg, roast beef, hints of camphor. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, tingly, hot, oily. 
Tasting:  Sweet sour. Liquorice, menthol, camphor, orange peel, molasses, roast beef, raisins, damson jam, oak chips. 
Finish: Medium. Menthol, raisins, liquorice, raisins, oak chips. 

Comments: 

A good starting point to this sherried whisky tasting. Not so sweet, and with a meaty backbone, this whisky is enjoyable and herbal. A very different sort of sherry influence to those whiskies of today.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Langatun 5yo Batch 1

Langatun 5yo Batch 1

That Boutique-y Whisky Company, Master of Malt
Single malt - Bern
Amber gold
49.4% ABV
Dram

Nose: Honey, raisins, malted grains, blackcurrant cordial, strawberry jam, menthol. 

Mouthfeel: Heavy body, cool, loosens, tingly. 
Tasting:  Sweet. Honey, strawberry jam, menthol, vanilla, oatcakes, brown paper, hints of leather. 
Finish: Medium. Strawberry jam, raisins, blackcurrant cordial, black tea, menthol. 

Comments: 

Sweet and jammy, but there’s a strong menthol note that brings it to life. I do like sherried whiskies, and this is an interesting expression. It’s not quite like the Langatuns I’ve had in the past though.

Verdict:

I like this.

Seven Seals Port Wood Finish

Seven Seals Port Wood Finish

Official bottling 
Single malt - Nidwalden
Amber
46% ABV
Dram

Nose: Leather, peanuts, raisins, damson jam, roast pork, cloves, hints of cinnamon. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, slippery, loosens, tingly. 
Tasting:  Sweet salty. Raisins, damson jam, leather, peanuts, milk chocolate, malted grains, hints of peat. 
Finish: Long. Milk chocolate, raisins, cloves, peanuts, mint, hints of tyre rubber. 

Comments: 

Sweet and meaty, the port wood finish suits this distillate well. There’s definitely a lot of wine cask influence, but there’s some nutty, leathery, peat notes that must originate with the spirit. I’d like to get to know this distillery better.

Verdict:

I like this.

Knockando 12yo 2007/2020

Knockando 12yo 2007/2020

Vintage, Signatory
Single malt - Speyside 
Pale silvery gold
46% ABV
Dram

Nose: Cream, white wine, sour cream, sandalwood, lemon zest, hints of tyre rubber. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, thickens, tingly, warm. 
Tasting:  Sour sweet. White wine, sour cream, raisins, cinder toffee, sandalwood, white pepper, hints of tyre rubber. 
Finish: Long. Cinder toffee, white pepper, caramel, vanilla, hints of sandalwood. 

Comments: 

Tart, rich, fragrant, and slightly sulphurous, this whisky is complex and interesting. I haven’t had Knockando for a good few years, but this one is quite good, so I’m going to search out a few more.

Verdict:

I like this.

Arran 10yo 2011/2021

Arran 10yo 2011/2021

Thompson Brothers
Single malt - Islands
Chinese tea
55.1% ABV
Dram

Nose: Raisins, sea salt, cooked rice, strawberry jam, honey, Chinese angelica, hints of leather. With water, strawberry jam, cream, cooked rice, leather. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, loosens, mouth coating, expands. 
Tasting:  Sweet salty. Raisins, cooked rice, leather, black tea, cloves, Chinese angelica, hints of cinnamon. With water, raisins, leather, Chinese angelica, cream. 

Finish: Long. Black tea, cloves, cooked rice, leather, raisins. 

Comments: 

Quite superb - cereally, starchy, sweet and herbal, lots of slightly bitter, savoury flavours. Excellent complexity, and some interesting flavour notes. Very enjoyable whisky.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Bunnahabhain 18yo 2002/2020

Bunnahabhain 18yo 2002/2020

Chorlton Whisky
Single malt - Islay
Dark gold 
53.4% ABV
Dram

Nose: Yoghurt, green apples, lemon zest, honey, nutmeg, kiwifruit, hints of greengages. With water, cream, honey, lemon zest, greengages. 

Mouthfeel: Medium body, loosens, expands, astringent. 
Tasting:  Sweet salty. Green apples, lemon zest, honey, fresh baked bread, gooseberries, malted grains. With water, lemon zest, greengages, honey, hints of cardboard. 
Finish: Medium. Honey, lemon zest, malted grains, gooseberries. 

Comments: 

An unusual Bunna, lots of tart yet salty notes. There’s a little bit of cardboard once water is added, which detracts slightly. Neat, the fruit and cereal notes are very enjoyable.

Verdict:

I like this.

Thy No 12 - Kornmod

Thy No 12 - Kornmod

Official bottling 
Single malt - Nordjylland
Amber gold
52.5% ABV
Dram

Nose: Brown paper, camphor, green peppers, orange peel, toffee, cocoa nibs, black tea. With water, raisins, toffee, camphor, hints of green pepper. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, tingly, hot, thickens. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Toffee, barley sugar, raisins, camphor, cocoa nibs, black tea, hints of pears. With water, orange peel, cocoa nibs, black tea, hints of green pepper. 
Finish: Long. Black tea, camphor, cocoa nibs, raisins. 

Comments: 

Very interesting whisky, it’s not quite malt, sweet and rich. But there’s also quite a lot of herbal notes, camphor and vegetal green pepper. There’s a bit of sherry influence, raisins and cocoa. Good to drink.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Elsburn 7yo Batch 3

Elsburn 7yo Batch 3

That Boutique-y Whisky Company, Master of Malt
Single malt - Bavaria 
Amber
48.7% ABV
Dram

Nose: Sourdough bread, raisins, coffee, leather, pears, caramel, toasted coconut, white pepper. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, loosens, tingly, cool. 
Tasting:  Sweet. Brown paper, coffee, toasted coconut, caramel, pears, nutmeg, dark chocolate, hints of orange peel. 
Finish: Medium. Dark chocolate, coffee, golden syrup, vanilla, hints of cinder toffee. 

Comments: 

Starts our yeasty and bready, but soon turns sweet and caramelly. There’s something that’s not quite malty in this - brown paper and toasted coconut suggest some corn - but it’s got a good level of sweetness and flavour intensity.

Verdict:

I like this.

Crabbie’s Chain Pier 3yo 2019/2022 for Milroy’s of Soho

Crabbie’s Chain Pier 3yo 2019/2022 for Milroy’s of Soho 

Official bottling 
Single malt - Lowlands
Red gold
57.8% ABV
Dram

Nose: Vanilla, raisins, balsamic vinegar, sweat, horsehair, lemon zest, yoghurt, sourdough bread. With water, leather, sourdough bread, lemon zest, hints of balsamic vinegar. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, loosens, warm, expands. 
Tasting:  Salty sweet. Leather, horsehair, cooked rice, green tea, raisins, hints of white pepper. With water, balsamic vinegar, lemon zest, raisins, cream, sourdough bread. 
Finish: Medium. Sourdough bread, white pepper, cooked rice, raisins, hints of yoghurt. 

Comments: 

Apparently this is heads mixed with tails, then aged in a Shiraz cask. Very strange and funky stuff. Lots of gamey horsehair, with a sweaty note that goes away with time. Turns out quite pleasant and drinkable, given time. 

Verdict:

I like this.

Cardrona Growing Wings Bourbon & Sherry Cask

Cardrona Growing Wings Bourbon and Sherry Cask

Official bottling 
Single malt - Otago
Amber red
65.6% ABV
Dram

Nose: Limes, coconut cream, raisins, pear drops, magic marker, rye bread. With water, coconut cream, lemon zest, limes, pear drops. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, cool, astringent, tingly. 
Tasting:  Sour sweet. Raisins, limes, kumquats, pear drops, pomeloes, malted grains, makrut lime leaves. With water, kumquats, pear drops, pomeloes, grapefruit. 
Finish: Short. Makrut lime leaves, pear drops, vanilla, hints of coconut cream. 

Comments: 

Very citrusy and tropical, almost like a Thai curry, minus the ginger and the galangal. Lots of sweet notes abound too, with a little breadiness on the nose.

Verdict:

I like this.

Stoutridge Rye Cask Sample

Stoutridge Rye Cask Sample

That Boutique-y Whisky Company, Master of Malt
Single rye - New York
Amber
54.28% ABV
Dram

Nose: Cookie dough, vanilla, sourdough bread, brown paper, milk chocolate, nutmeg. With water, brown paper, milk chocolate, pumpernickel. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, tingly, hot, astringent. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Black pepper, vanilla, cookie dough, pumpernickel, black tea, nutmeg. With water, black pepper, pumpernickel, milk chocolate. 
Finish: Long. Orange peel, pumpernickel, black pepper, nutmeg. 

Comments: 

Very yeasty rye, lots of sweet notes. The rye spiciness has softened into a slightly chemical funk, but it’s still pretty good. A little water enhances the yeastiness and brings it together.

Verdict:

I like this.

Seaweed & Aeons & Digging & Fire 10yo

Seaweed & Aeons & Digging & Fire 10yo

& Whisky, Master of Malt
Single malt - Islay
Orange 
40% ABV
Dram

Nose: Leather, peat, honey, wood smoke, autumn leaves, nori, orange peel. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, cools, thickens, astringent. 
Tasting:  Bitter. Nori, honey, orange peel, wood smoke, leather, smoked bacon, hints of cinnamon. 
Finish: Short. Peat, leather, wood smoke, orange peel. 

Comments: 

Excellent smoky salty whisky, especially for the price. I think this is a Laphroaig, but others say Caol Ila. Regardless, there’s plenty of savoury yet gentle smoke.

Verdict:

I like this.

Morris Muscat Barrel Finish

Morris Muscat Barrel Finish

Official bottling 
Single malt - Victoria 
Chinese tea
46% ABV
Dram

Nose: Red grapes, damson jam, blueberries, aluminium foil, black tea, black pepper, hints of brass polish. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, thickens, turns syrupy, tingly. 
Tasting:  Sweet. Black tea, raisins, damson jam, black pepper, cocoa nibs, cloves, dark chocolate, sandalwood. 
Finish: Long. Dark chocolate, raisins, damson jam, cocoa nibs, malted grains. 

Comments: 

Quite sweet, classic sweet wine finished whisky. Lots of jammy and chocolate notes, but also fragrant and spicy. This distillery produces interesting stuff.

Verdict:

I like this.

Ben Nevis 9yo 2012/2021

Ben Nevis 9yo 2012/2021

Thompson Brothers
Single malt - West Highlands
Golden
50% ABV
Dram

Nose: Starfruit, vanilla ice cream, malted grains, jasmine, pear drops, icing sugar, hints of blueberries. With water, pear drops, burnt sugar, grapefruit, hops. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, hot, tingly, astringent. 
Tasting:  Sweet sour. Starfruit, vanilla ice cream, jasmine, lemon zest, grapefruit, pear drops, burnt sugar, hops. With water, pear drops, starfruit, hops. 

Finish: Medium. Grapefruit, blueberries, pear drops, hops. 

Comments: 

Lovely and floral Ben Nevis. It’s intense and bright. The Cromarty beer cask finish adds additional citrus and hops notes. A fine example of what cask finishing can bring to a whisky.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Auchroisk 37yo 1982 (bottled 2022)

Auchroisk 37yo 1982 (bottled 2022)

Thompson Brothers
Single malt - Speyside 
Dark gold
48.3% ABV
Dram

Nose: Leather, fresh cut grass, sea salt, cooked rice, raisins, roast pork, hints of chalk. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, loosens, cool, airy. 
Tasting:  Salty sweet. Leather, marmalade, sea salt, cooked rice, vanilla ice cream, maple syrup, roast pork, hints of orange peel. 
Finish: Medium. Raisins, vanilla ice cream, fresh cut grass, Chinese angelica. 

Comments: 

Herbal and leathery old dram, with plenty of meaty fruity notes. It’s got a little tangy zing in the finish, but again, more herbal than citrus. Very good stuff, this old Auchroisk has been very popular.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Glen Garioch 29yo 1988 (bottled 2022) for East Coast Whisky

Glen Garioch 29yo 1988 (bottled 2022) for East Coast Whisky

Thompson Brothers
Single malt - Eastern Highlands
Amber gold
46.2% ABV

Bottle

Nose: White pepper, mustard seeds, honey, leather, celery salt, raisins, orange peel, hints of bananas. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, thickens, expands, cool. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Wet stones, leather, pears, mustard seeds, honey, pencil lead, celery salt, orange peel. 
Finish: Long. Orange peel, pencil lead, leather, pears, hints of celery salt. 

Comments: 

The whisky has spent some time in HDPE. But it’s excellent - minerally and sweet, with nutty hints of mustard seeds. A really good old Garioch. Thank you Fred for the chance to get this lovely bottle.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Waterford Bannow Island Edition 1.1

Waterford Bannow Island Edition 1.1

Official bottling 
Single malt - Munster
Pale golden brown 
50% ABV
Dram

Nose: Vanilla, autumn leaves, lemon zest, marshmallows, sour cream, hints of magic marker, hints of mushrooms. With water, magic marker, lemon zest, photocopy paper. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, cool, tingly, loosens. 
Tasting:  Sour. Sour cream, malted grains, raisins, lemon zest, marshmallows, cinder toffee, cinnamon, hints of mushrooms. With water, cinder toffee, vanilla, marshmallows, hints of mushrooms. 
Finish: Short. Marshmallows, cinnamon, sour cream, magic marker. 

Comments: 

I’m a little wary of Waterford after some previous experiences, but this one met expectations. Lots of sweet flavours coalesce around an earthy, slightly savoury core. Quite pleasant.

Verdict:

I like this.

St George’s Distiller’s Elect 2014

St George’s Distiller’s Elect 2014

Official bottling 
Single malt - East Anglia
Orange yellow
46% ABV
Dram

Nose: Raisins, dark chocolate, lemon zest, hay, leather, cloves, wet stones. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, slippery, cool, expands. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Raisins, dark chocolate, magic marker, malted grains, leather, wet stones, hints of nutmeg. 
Finish: Short. Malted grains, cloves, wet stones, magic marker, hints of coal gas. 

Comments: 

Straightforward malt, with a little bit of old bottle effect. Very drinkable and approachable, a pleasant, delicious dram. My first St George’s in several years. 

Verdict:

I like this.

Milroy’s Exclusive Mackmyra Cloudberry Wine Cask Finish

Milroy’s Exclusive Mackmyra Cloudberry Wine Cask Finish

Milroy’s of Soho
Single malt - Gästrikland
Bright gold
52.6% ABV
Bottle

Nose: Raspberries, cloudberries, vanilla ice cream, roses, sarsaparilla, juniper berries, malted grains. With water, lemon zest, vanilla ice cream, roses, pine. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, thickens slightly, turns oily, sticky. 
Tasting:  Sweet sour. Vanilla ice cream, malted grains, wheat beer, juniper berries, roses, cloudberries. With water, malted grains, vanilla ice cream, pine, sarsaparilla. 
Finish: Long. Sarsaparilla, wheat beer, malted grains, raspberries. 

Comments: 

Cask 19-1053. One of the best cask finishes I’ve ever tasted, it’s floral and fruity, well integrated into the typical woody Mackmyra flavours. The flavour notes are clean and distinctive, and meld together very well.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Maple Syrup & Toasted Oats & Orange Zest & Vanilla

Maple Syrup & Toasted Oats & Orange Zest & Vanilla 

& Whisky, Master of Malt

Blended malt
Dark amber orange 
40% ABV
Bottle

Nose: Popcorn, toffee, butterscotch, maple syrup, orange peel, vanilla, aluminium foil. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, loosens, airy, slightly astringent. 
Tasting:  Sweet salty. Oatcakes, orange peel, leather, toffee, honey, maple syrup, cloves, hints of cinnamon. 
Finish: Medium. Cloves, aluminium foil, toffee, popcorn, hints of sea salt. 

Comments: 

Surprisingly rich and intense, great mouthfeel and exactly what it says on the bottle. Possibly the best value for money whisky I’ve had for a while.

Verdict:

I like this a lot.