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. 

Mars Tsunuki 2022 Edition

Mars Tsunuki 2022 Edition

Official bottling 
Single malt - Kyushu
Golden, hints of bronze
50% ABV
Dram

Nose: Leather, raisins, sandalwood, roast chicken, dried apricots, green tea, sea salt, lemon zest. With water, roast chicken, vanilla, dried apricots. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, loosens, cool, tingly. 
Tasting:  Sour sweet. Soy sauce, sandalwood, lemon zest, dried apricots, sultanas, hay, sea salt, malted grains, hints of gooseberries. With water, green tea, gooseberries, raisins, sandalwood, dark chocolate. 
Finish: Short. Green tea, malted grains, candle wax, roast chicken, dark chocolate. 

Comments: 

My first dram from the other Mars distillery. It’s wonderful, lots of spice and floral notes, allows to a meaty chicken note. Lots of chocolate and more spice appear with a drop of water. Marvellous.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Benrinnes 8yo 2014/2022

Benrinnes 8yo 2014/2022

Old Particular, Douglas Laing
Single malt - Speyside
Amber brown
57.2% ABV
Dram

Nose: Malted grains, dark chocolate, cherries, raisins, nutmeg, cloves, marshmallows. With water, orange peel, cherries, magic marker, malted grains. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, loosens, hot, mouth coating. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Dark chocolate, cloves, marshmallows, orange peel, oatcakes, kiwifruit, copra, vanilla. With water, orange peel, cherries, magic marker, marshmallows. 
Finish: Long. Dark chocolate, cloves, copra, raisins. 

Comments: 

Cask DL16320. Sherried Benrinnes, lots of Christmassy spices and cereal. But it’s a little one note, there aren’t the number of layers to it, and it doesn’t change as much in the glass as the very best whiskies do.

Verdict:

I like this.

Aultmore 10yo 2011/2022

Aultmore 10yo 2011/2022

Bodega Series, Goldfinch Whisky Merchants

Single malt - Speyside
Golden, hints of pink
52% ABV
Dram

Nose: Peaches, raisins, malted grains, vanilla, strawberry jam, hints of watermelon. With water, vanilla, fresh baked bread, malted grains. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, slippery, loosens, cool. 
Tasting:  Sour sweet. Malted grains, leather, fresh baked bread, maraschino cherries, oatcakes, salt caramel, hints of orange juice. With water, sea salt, fresh baked bread, yoghurt. 
Finish: Medium. Oatcakes, salt caramel, black tea, orange juice. 

Comments: 

Fruity and malty, the character of the distillate is still evident despite the strong sherried influence. Plenty of cereal is still there, and with a touch of water there is even a lactic note. Unusual, and turns citrusy too.

Verdict:

I like this.

Dumbarton 21yo 2000/2022

Dumbarton 21yo 2000/2022

Stiubhart, Stewart Whisky Company
Single grain - Lowlands
Golden
55.5% ABV
Dram

Nose: Pear drops, oak chips, sourdough bread, salt caramel, shortbread, hints of milk chocolate. With water, magic marker, pear drops, oatcakes, vanilla. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, expands, tingly, astringent. 
Tasting:  Sweet sour. Pear drops, salt caramel, oatcakes, vanilla, rye bread, aluminium foil, hints of magic marker. With water, oatcakes, sea salt, magic marker, vanilla. 
Finish: Short. Rye bread, magic marker, salt caramel, oatcakes. 

Comments: 

Cask 210090. Sweet and aromatic, lots of estery notes. Some cereal is present, with some feinty, slightly metallic undertones. The esters are strong throughout and provide some much needed intensity.

Verdict:

I like this.

Glenallachie 12yo

Glenallachie 12yo

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

Nose: Cola nuts, cookie dough, cloves, raisins, orange peel, dark chocolate, hints of cardamom. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, loosens, hot, tingly. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Cookie dough, malted grains, raisins, tobacco leaf, nutmeg, hints of sawdust. 
Finish: Medium. Sourdough bread, vanilla, nutmeg, malted grains. 

Comments: 

Simple but extremely well executed. Lots of sweet malty notes, spice and fruit - well sherried, in other words. Some more herbal notes appear on the palate, together with a tiny woody, dusty note. Highly enjoyable.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Thomson Saison Cask (Whisky Exchange Exclusive)

Thomson Saison Cask (Whisky Exchange Exclusive)

Official bottling 
Single malt - Auckland
Red gold
53.4% ABV
Dram

Nose: Roast chicken, raisins, red grapes, dried blueberries, leather, chillies, wet stones. With water, dark chocolate, cocoa nibs, raisins, white pepper. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, airy, hot, mouth coating. 
Tasting:  Sweet salty. Dark chocolate, red grapes, malted grains, foam shrimp, leather, dried blueberries. With water, dark chocolate, strawberry jam, white pepper, black tea. 
Finish: Medium. Chillies, foam shrimp, menthol, dark chocolate. 

Comments: 

Sweet and meaty, with a little flintiness that enhances the sweet notes, especially the chocolate. It loses some intensity with water, turning fruity and a little bit spicy. Still, for its age, it’s quite interesting.

Verdict:

I like this.

Scapegrace Rise Limited Release I

Scapegrace Rise Limited Release I

Official bottling 
Single malt - Otago
Amber gold 
46% ABV
Dram

Nose: Leather, musk, vitamin C tablets, candied oranges, wet stones, kiwifruit, golden syrup. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, cool, astringent, expands. 
Tasting:  Salty sweet. Brown paper, vitamin C tablets, wet stones, candied oranges, black pepper, rubber bands, hints of rye bread. 
Finish: Long. Candied oranges, strawberry jam, black pepper, rubber bands. 

Comments: 

Quite minerally, even slightly chalky, with a big hit of sweet citrus. Interesting stuff, albeit a little bit unbalanced. It’s promising whisky, will keep an eye on this distillery.

Verdict:

I like this.

SMWS B4.4 (FEW 5yo 2016/2020)

SMWS B4.4 (FEW 5yo 2016/2022)

2022, SMWS
Single bourbon - Illinois
Amber red
64.1% ABV
Dram

Nose: Honey, pear drops, vanilla, white pepper, brown paper. With water, honey, cherries, white pepper, cinnamon. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, warm, mouth coating, tingly. 
Tasting:  Sweet salty. Pear drops, cough syrup, cherries, fresh cut grass, brown paper, white pepper, honey, popcorn. With water, fresh cut grass, honey, cherries, popcorn. 
Finish: Long. Cherries, cough syrup, fresh cut grass, raisins. 

Comments: 

Intense and sweet, lots of cough syrup like notes. It turns herbal and nutty with a bit of water. Another distillery I’ve not managed to sample in a while. Must search out more. 

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Westland Distillery Release Cask 2632

Westland Distillery Release Cask 2632

Official bottling 
Single malt - Washington
Amber, hints of bronze
57% ABV
Dram

Nose: Yeast extract, mushrooms, black tea, cinder toffee, sea salt, cough mixture, hints of raspberry jam. With water, camphor, winter melon, black tea. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, slippery, cool, tingly. 
Tasting:  Sweet salty. Raisins, raspberry jam, menthol, winter melon, black tea, cinder toffee, blackcurrant jam, hints of leather, hints of strawberry laces. With water, cinder toffee, black tea, blackcurrant jam, hints of mushrooms. 
Finish: Long. Blackcurrant jam, strawberry laces, menthol, raisins. 

Comments: 

Savoury and slightly smoky, lots of fruit and menthol. It’s well layered and complex. I’ve always enjoyed Westlands, they’re among the best of the American single malts.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Balcones Pot Still Bourbon Whiskey

Balcones Pot Still Bourbon Whiskey

Official bottling 
Single bourbon - Texas
Amber
46% ABV
Dram

Nose: Bananas, leather, honey, hay, sage, cloves, hints of camphor, hints of roast chicken. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, cool, slightly astringent, expands. 
Tasting:  Salty sweet. Sage, hay, cloves, brown paper, nutmeg, mint, orange peel, hints of leather. 
Finish: Short. Mint, sage, cloves, nutmeg, orange peel. 

Comments: 

Not tried a Balcones for a while. This one is herbal, rather than sweet and fruity. There’s something savoury here too, like roast chicken, but it’s a little elusive on the tongue. Nice dram. 

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Glenlivet 24yo 1998/2023

Glenlivet 24yo 1998/2023

Thompson Brothers
Single malt - Speyside
Buttercups 
53.2% ABV
Dram

Nose: Malted grains, hoppy beer, rhubarb and custard sweets, apple skins, brass polish, sandalwood, honey. With water, honey, apple juice, lemon zest, brass polish. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, loosens, expands, tingly. 
Tasting:  Bitter sour. Apple skins, apple juice, hoppy beer, malted grains, molasses, butterscotch, hints of rhubarb and custard sweets. With water, malted grains, walnut skins, apple juice, lemon zest. 
Finish: Long. Apple skins, apple juice, honey, rhubarb and custard sweets, malted grains. 

Comments: 

Oof. This is rather lovely, hugely complex, lots of apples and sweet sour fruit, but also feinty and slightly sulphurous. It’s well balanced but also layered. Very interesting dram.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Glasgow 1770 Cognac Cask Finished

Glasgow 1770 Cognac Cask Finished

Official bottling 
Single malt - Lowlands
Dark gold 
56% ABV
Dram

Nose: Green tea, smoke, cooked rice, leather, tobacco leaf, orange peel, hints of raisins. With water, brass polish, marmalade, smoke, hints of tobacco leaf. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, tingly, hot, thickens. 
Tasting:  Salty sour. Cooked rice, tobacco leaf, peanuts, peat, wet stones, smoke, orange peel, green tea, petrichor. With water, orange peel, gooseberries, honey, tobacco leaf. 
Finish: Long. Petrichor, smoke, cooked rice, honey. 

Comments: 

Earthy, peated and cereally, it’s not very sweet. There’s a lot of tobacco and fragrant green tea. I’d be hard pushed to say this was a cognac cask finished whisky.

Verdict:

I like this.

Benromach 10yo 2011/2022 Polish Oak Cask

Benromach 10yo 2011/2022 Polish Oak Cask

Official bottling 
Single malt - Speyside
Amber red 
59.1% ABV
Dram

Nose: Strawberry jam, marzipan, orange peel, raspberries, leather, vanilla, hints of toast. With water, marshmallows, vanilla, honey, orange peel. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, slippery, loosens, hot. 
Tasting:  Sweet salty. Marzipan, orange peel, raspberries, oak chips, butterscotch, toffee, hints of black tea. With water, black tea, raisins, vanilla, marzipan. 
Finish: Medium. Photocopy paper, butterscotch, orange peel, marzipan. 

Comments: 

Polish oak finish - I guess that makes it quite sweet, fruity and toffee’d. I’m not sure whether there are any special notes unique to Polish oak, but it’s surely sweeter than normal. And there’s not a lot of the farmyard note that you can get in Benromach.

Verdict:

I like this.

Kyrö Peat Smoke Malt Rye Whiskey

Kyrö Peat Smoke Malt Rye Whiskey

Official bottling 
Single rye - Southern Finland
Copper gold
47.2% ABV
Dram

Nose: Vanilla, honey, marshmallows, marmalade, photocopy paper, brown paper, oolong tea. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, astringent, hot, expands. 
Tasting:  Salty sweet. Brown paper, rye bread, black pepper, marmalade, digestive biscuits, oatcakes, hints of toast. 
Finish: Medium. Rye bread, oatcakes, digestive biscuits, hints of leather. 

Comments: 

Surprisingly, not that smoky! There’s lots of cereal - rye bread, digestive biscuits, and the rye characteristic black pepper. The nose is slightly misleading, it’s sweet and not very rye like. That character shows up more on the tongue.

Verdict:

I like this.

West Cork Black Cask

West Cork Black Cask

Official bottling 
Single malt - Munster
Dark bronze
40% ABV
Dram

Nose: Raisins, vanilla, molasses, orange peel, cocoa nibs, white pepper, honey. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, loosens, astringent, tingly. 
Tasting:  Bitter sour. Malted grains, brown paper, molasses, yoghurt, autumn leaves, cocoa nibs, sourdough bread, hints of green tea. 
Finish: Medium. Cocoa nibs, vanilla, molasses, white pepper, hints of autumn leaves. 

Comments: 

Earthy, bitter, with some yoghurty, lactic character. Slightly loose in body, could definitely have benefited from a higher ABV. It’s a blend, not a malt, so the flavours are a little softer.

Verdict:

I like this.

Filey Bay Yorkshire Day 2020

Filey Bay Yorkshire Day 2020

Official bottling 
Single malt - Yorkshire 
Golden
55% ABV
Dram

Nose: Raisins, sultanas, malted grains, menthol, apple juice, leather, hints of camphor. With water, apple juice, raisins, cloves, malted grains. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, loosens, astringent, warm. 
Tasting:  Sweet salty. Malted grains, strawberries, raisins, apple juice, toffee, hay, hoppy beer, hints of brown paper. With water, malted grains, hoppy beer, apple juice, hay. 
Finish: Medium. Malted grains, hay, sultanas, menthol, hoppy beer. 

Comments: 

Appley, malty and a little bit minty. Lots of character and layers of flavour. It’s quite a distinctive whisky, and although quite young, has some intense complexity. Very nice dram indeed.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Kanosuke New Born 8mo Feb 18/Nov 18

Kanosuke New Born 8mo Feb 18/Nov 18

Official bottling 
Single malt - Kyushu
Dark gold
58% ABV
Dram

Nose: Apples, malted grains, honey, leather, cloves, musk, hints of roast chicken. With water, brass polish, wet stones, honey, apples, hints of roast chicken. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, syrupy, oily, tingly. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Apples, popcorn, honey, leather, malted grains, dark chocolate, raisins, cloves. With water, leather, vanilla, strawberry laces, apples, malted grains. 
Finish: Long. Dark chocolate, brass polish, popcorn, cloves, hints of musk. 

Comments: 

For an 8 month old whisky, the depth of flavour is remarkable. Huge whiffs of apple and popcorn offset sweet chocolatey notes. It’s excellent stuff, and as whisky generally tends to improve, the sky’s the limit for this one.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Bonnington First Release 2020/2023

Bonnington First Release 2020/2023

Fruitful Spirits
Single malt - Lowlands
Amber
64.8% ABV
Dram

Nose: Peat, smoke, leather, sandalwood, driftwood smoke, autumn leaves, honey. With water, sea salt, autumn leaves, sandalwood, smoke. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, loosens, hot, astringent. 
Tasting:  Salty bitter. Smoke, new plastic, autumn leaves, honey, black tea, ginseng, petrichor. With water, new plastic, black tea, petrichor. 
Finish: Medium. New plastic, sandalwood, petrichor, nutmeg, sea salt. 

Comments: 

Quite peaty and smoky, lots of earthy notes underlying that peat. There’s some tannic notes, and a little honey that provides some relief. The one problem I have with this dram is that it turns a little plasticky.

Verdict:

I like this.

Starward Dolce 2016/2020

Starward Dolce 2016/2020

Official bottling 
Single malt - Victoria
Red
48% ABV
Dram

Nose: Watermelons, peanut brittle, strawberry laces, malted grains, honey, foam shrimp, hints of peanut butter. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, loosens, warm, tingly. 
Tasting:  Sweet salty. Peanut butter, sea salt, strawberry laces, cinnamon, honey, hints of foam shrimp. 
Finish: Medium. Orange peel, peanut brittle, cloves, honey, cinnamon. 

Comments: 

Sweet and winey, lots and lots of sweet notes, but there’s some peanut there that’s almost smoky. It’s quite unbalanced, but it’s still rather tasty, if you’re in the mood for sweet stuff.

Verdict:

I like this.

Ryelaw Single Grain 2017/2022

Ryelaw Single Grain 2017/2022

Official bottling 
Single rye - Lowlands
Amber
46.3% ABV
Dram

Nose: Magic marker, pear drops, lemon zest, white pepper, sour cream, hints of green tea. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, thickens slightly, cool, slightly slippery. 
Tasting:  Sour. Pear drops, lemon zest, brass polish, malted grains, white pepper, hints of sour cream. 
Finish: Short. Lemon zest, vanilla, rye bread, gooseberries, lemon juice, hints of white pepper. 

Comments: 

Bottle AZ3501. Quite a tart whisky, and unusually sour for a rye whisky. Lots of fruit and cereal are present, but it’s overlaid by this strong, rather intense sour note. It’s lemon juice but also sour cream. 

Verdict:

I like this.

Colonel EH Taylor Straight Rye Whiskey

Colonel EH Taylor Straight Rye Whiskey

Official bottling 
Single rye - Kentucky
Amber red
50% ABV
Dram

Nose: Desiccated coconut, strawberries, raisins, black pepper, honey, rye bread. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, loosens, airy, hot. 

Tasting:  Salty sweet. Brown paper, butterscotch, rye bread, strawberry jam, black pepper, toffee. 
Finish: Medium. Brown paper, rye bread, desiccated coconut, hints of honey. 

Comments: 

Not too sweet, in fact it’s got a savoury edge to it, like desiccated coconut, lightly toasted with a pinch of salt. It’s got the standard black pepper and butterscotch, and it’s been bottled at a nice strength.  

Verdict:

I like this.

Drum Whisky Red Label

Drum Whisky Red Label

Official bottling 
Single malt - Bali
Bright gold
43% ABV
Dram

Nose: New plastic, rubber bands, matches, white spirit, caramel, hints of butterscotch. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, thickens, hot, turns syrupy. 
Tasting:  Sour salty. Matches, vanilla, rubber bands, coffee, white spirit, butterscotch, hints of ginger. 
Finish: Short. Vanilla, honey, coffee, white spirit. 

Comments: 

Plasticky and quite sulphurous. There’s something underneath all that - bittersweet coffee and a little ginger - but it’s rather one note.

Verdict:

I like this.

Cadenhead Speyside 18yo 2001/2020 Virtual Open Day 2020

Cadenhead Speyside 18yo 2001/2020 Virtual Open Day 2020

WM Cadenhead 
Single malt - Speyside 
Amber
52.3% ABV
Dram

Nose: Raisins, honey, roast pork, cloves, soy sauce, winter melon, hints of wintergreen. With water, honey, milk chocolate, soy sauce, cloves. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, syrupy, tingly, hot. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Raisins, gooseberries, cloves, fresh baked bread, wintergreen, malted grains, hints of photocopy paper. With water, honey, coffee, gooseberries, hints of white grapes. 
Finish: Long. Black tea, malted grains, cloves, honey. 

Comments: 

Sweet yet meaty and savoury. I’d have said this was a blend if it hadn’t been labelled as a single malt - it’s got some characters that remind me of Caol Ila, as well as the herbal raisiny ‘Farclas, which of course it is.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Campbeltown Loch 30yo

Campbeltown Loch 30yo

JA Mitchell & Co
Blended malt
Dark gold 
40% ABV
Dram

Nose: White grapes, sultanas, papayas, dried mangoes, leather, hints of roast pork. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, cool, airy, mouth coating. 
Tasting:  Salty. Raisins, sea salt, Chinese angelica, dried mangoes, camphor, papayas, orange peel, hints of roast pork. 
Finish: Medium. Black tea, dried mangoes, camphor, Chinese angelica. 

Comments: 

Herbal and sweet, lots of raisins - but it’s really quite salty on the tongue. Quite complex for a 40% blend, but I guess that’s the age. Very pleasant indeed, even if it lacks the power of the single malts.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Longrow 10yo Virtual Open Day 2020

Longrow 10yo Virtual Open Day 2020

Official bottling 
Single malt - Campbeltown 
Amber
53.7% ABV
Dram

Nose: Peanuts, red grapes, rubber bands, strawberry jam, raisins, petrichor, hints of smoke, hints of roast pork. With water, honey, camphor, raisins, Chinese angelica. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, loosens, cool, mouth coating. 
Tasting:  Sweet salty. Red grapes, raisins, orange peel, sea salt, petrichor, autumn leaves, toast, smoke, hints of charcoal ash. With water, Chinese angelica, camphor, raisins, orange peel. 
Finish: Long. Charcoal ash, smoke, autumn leaves, raisins, petrichor. 

Comments: 

Meaty and nutty, lots of herbal notes. There’s the typical Campbeltown earthiness, allied to smoke and ash. It’s a wonderful herbal concoction, reminds me of Chinese medicinal tonics I used to get fed as a child. 

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Hazelburn 18yo 2001/2020 Virtual Open Day 2020

Hazelburn 18yo 2001/2020 Virtual Open Day 2020

Official bottling 
Single malt - Campbeltown 
Silvery gold 
47.4% ABV
Dram

Nose: Cream, yoghurt, white grapes, gooseberries, peaches, hints of apricot jam. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, tingly, loosens, slightly oily. 
Tasting:  Sour. Photocopy paper, apricot jam, rubber bands, peaches, petrichor, fresh cut grass, hints of yoghurt. 
Finish: Medium. Petrichor, fresh cut grass, autumn leaves, white grapes, hints of petrol exhaust. 

Comments: 

Lightly fruity, subtle with feinty and slightly sulphurous notes. A very delicate yet complex whisky. It rewards introspection, I spent a long time with this dram.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Springbank 26yo 1993/2020 Virtual Open Day 2020

Springbank 26yo 1993/2020 Virtual Open Day 2020

Official bottling 
Single malt - Campbeltown
Bright yellow gold
51.1% ABV
Dram

Nose: Wet stones, autumn leaves, petrichor, lemon zest, honey, charcoal ash, hints of peanuts. With water, white grapes, white wine, hints of gooseberries. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, astringent, hot, slightly syrupy. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Pears, honey, charcoal ash, autumn leaves, diesel exhaust, peanuts, hints of white wine. With water, charcoal ash, smoke, pears, white grapes. 
Finish: Long. Diesel exhaust, honey, charcoal ash, smoke, hints of strawberry laces. 

Comments: 

It’s been a while since I’ve had a Springbank. It’s smokier and ashier than I remember, but maybe this is a special one. Lots of white fruit swims underneath a veil of gritty ash. Unusual and potent.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Speyside Single Malt (Macallan) 24yo 1995/2020

Speyside Single Malt (Macallan) 24yo 1995/2020

Thompson Brothers
Single malt - Speyside
Golden
46.9% ABV
Dram

Nose: Pencil lead, brass polish, cherries, orange peel, camphor, cinnamon, strawberry laces. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, cool, astringent, tingly. 
Tasting:  Sweet salty. Raisins, milk chocolate, cherries, pencil lead, malted grains, strawberry laces, hints of gooseberries. 
Finish: Medium body. Milk chocolate, malted grains, cherries, black tea, strawberry laces. 

Comments: 

I don’t think very much of the official Macallans, at least nothing that warrants their mighty reputation. However, every so often I run into a whisky that confirms it. This is one of them. Slightly flinty with lots of sweet chocolate and fruit, several layers of complexity make it utterly delicious.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Eagle Rare 17yo Small Batch

Eagle Rare 17yo Small Batch

Official bottling 
Single bourbon - Kentucky

Red
50.5% ABV
Dram

Nose: Strawberry laces, strawberry jam, brown paper, bananas, camphor, hay, hints of black pepper. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, volatile, loosens slightly. 
Tasting:  Sweet salty. Strawberry laces, black pepper, camphor, brown paper, hay, honey, green tea, hints of orange peel. 
Finish: Medium. Camphor, brown paper, hay, orange peel, cinnamon, hints of bananas. 

Comments: 

Complex, fruity, chockful of those alluring bourbon notes. There’s several layers to this - something grassy underneath the sweet, and something herbal as well. Delicious.

Verdict:

I like this a lot.