Tuesday, 17 December 2024

Shenk’s Homestead 2024 Release

Shenk’s Homestead 2024 Release

Official bottling
Single bourbon - Kentucky
Dark amber
45.6% ABV
Dram

Nose: Honey, cream, yoghurt, vanilla, cinnamon, fresh baked bread, milk chocolate. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, loosens, expands, airy. 
Tasting:  Sweet salty. Brown paper, dried cherries, cream, honey, cinnamon, raisins, milk chocolate. 
Finish: Short. Raisins, brown paper, black tea, cocoa nibs. 

Comments: 

Sweet and creamy, a little less complex than the 2023 version. There are some interesting dried cherries notes on the tongue, but this is an easy drinker, not taxing at all.

Verdict:

I like this.



Port Dundas 21yo 2000/2022

Port Dundas 21yo 2000/2022

Fragrant Drops, The Marble Cask Co
Single grain - South Highlands
Amber
62.1% ABV
Dram

Nose: Vanilla ice cream, coconut cream, milk chocolate, nutmeg, raisins, honey. With water, oats, magic marker, sea salt, fresh baked bread. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, thickens, hot, volatile. 
Tasting:  Sweet salty. Vanilla, milk chocolate, raisins, honey, desiccated coconut, oats, hints of white pepper. With water, oats, fresh baked bread, white pepper. 
Finish: Short. Vanilla, milk chocolate, oats, white pepper. 

Comments: 

Cask 305291. Fudgy honey and ice cream, lots of cereal and a little salt. It’s luscious, but bottled at too high a strength. Port Dundas seems to come into its own around 20 years old, and the older bottles are starting to appear.

Verdict:

I like this.



Knockdhu 18yo

Knockdhu 18yo

Chorlton Whisky
Single malt - Speyside
Golden
58.9% ABV
Dram

Nose: Smoke, peat, honey, lemon zest, sarsaparilla, fresh cut grass, leather. With water, honey, fresh cut grass, vitamin C tablets. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, hot, astringent, syrupy. 
Tasting:  Bitter sour. Lemon zest, peat, smoke, germolene, vitamin C tablets, fresh cut grass, grapefruit. With water, leather, peat, grapefruit, germolene. 
Finish: Medium. Germolene, lemon zest, grapefruit, vitamin C tablets. 

Comments: 

Peated An Cnoc, it’s got a fruity bitterness that’s quite unusual. Grapefruit, honey, grassiness and a baking soda bitter note that reminds me of vitamin C tablets.

Verdict:

I like this.



Monday, 16 December 2024

SMWS 157.2 (Warenghem 7yo 2016/2024)

SMWS 157.2 (Warenghem 7yo 2016/2024)

2024, SMWS
Single malt - Brittany
Amber
61.5% ABV
Dram

Nose: Toffee, fresh cut grass, hay, chocolate, cinnamon, coffee, hints of brown paper. With water, coffee, toffee, cinnamon, chillies. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, thickens, hot, mouth coating. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Chocolate, cinnamon, black tea, hay, raisins, leather, toffee, hints of damson jam. With water, coffee, chocolate, toffee, cinnamon. 
Finish: Medium. Coffee, hay, brown paper, cinnamon. 

Comments: 

Very sweet and grassy, lots of cinnamon notes. These become more prominent with water, and combine with coffee and chocolate too. A very active cask, which obscures the best characteristics of the distillery though.

Verdict:

I like this.



Oban Private Cask 1989/2013

Oban Private Cask 1989/2013

Official bottling
Single malt - West Highlands 
Yellow bronze
47.8% ABV
Dram

Nose: Aluminium foil, honey, lemon zest, wet stones, gooseberries, white grapes, smoke, leather. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, thickens, cool, astringent. 
Tasting:  Bitter salty. Gooseberries, white grapes, winter melons, smoke, honey, wet stones, malted grains, dark chocolate, hints of peat. 
Finish: Medium. Leather, coffee, dark chocolate, white grapes. 

Comments: 

Minerally yet fruity, this has some age in it and good interaction with the cask. There’s plenty of chocolate bad coffee, especially on the finish. Very nice dram indeed.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 



Oban 14yo 200th Anniversary Special Edition

Oban 14yo 200th Anniversary Special Edition 

Official bottling
Single malt - West Highlands
Yellow gold
43% ABV
Dram

Nose: White grapes, pears, honey, white pepper, applesauce, cinnamon, hints of toast. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, cool, astringent, mouth coating. 
Tasting:  Salty sweet. Pears, gooseberries, white grapes, malted grains, cinnamon, vanilla custard, smoke. 
Finish: Medium. Smoke, vanilla custard, white pepper, gooseberries. 

Comments: 

Fruity and intense, more intense than the regular Oban 14. Lots of custard notes, and the smoke is also more prominent. This is really great stuff, showcases the distillery character.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 



Saturday, 14 December 2024

Peerless Small Batch Rye

Peerless Small Batch Rye

Official bottling
Single rye - Kentucky
Amber 
55.2% ABV
Dram

Nose: Cooked rice, brown paper, black pepper, tobacco leaf, honey, cloves, strawberry jam, hints of chocolate. With water, brown paper, black pepper, cinnamon, cloves.
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, loosens, cool, tingly. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Cocoa nibs, brown paper, cooked rice, strawberry jam, mint, vanilla, black pepper. With water, brown paper, cocoa nibs, black pepper, cloves. 
Finish: Medium. Cocoa nibs, mint, brown paper, cookie dough, cooked rice. 

Comments: 

Slightly unbalanced, lots of cereal and black pepper, as you’d expect from a rye whisky. But it’s not very sweet, there are some jammy notes but they’re buried deep.

Verdict:

I like this.



SMWS 19.43 (Glen Garioch 19yo 1988/2008)

SMWS 19.43 (Glen Garioch 1988/2008)

2008, SMWS
Single malt - East Highlands 
Golden, hints of pink
53.2% ABV
Dram

Nose: Honey, cream, candle wax, hay, fresh cut grass, camphor, hints of turmeric. With water, raisins, blueberry jam, honey, malted grains. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, thickens slightly, warm, astringent. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Blueberry jam, hay, fresh cut grass, camphor, mustard, gooseberries, hints of cocoa nibs. With water, mustard, applesauce, blueberry jam, cinnamon, honey. 
Finish: Short. Camphor, candle wax, hay, gooseberries, applesauce, hints of cocoa nibs. 

Comments: 

Creamy and herbal, and water brings out a lot of fruit. It’s got a bitterness on the tongue that is almost mouth puckering. It’s layered and complex though, with clear delineation between flavours. Very good whisky. 

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 



Glen Garioch 10yo Single Highland Malt

Glen Garioch 10yo Single Highland Malt

Official bottling
Single malt - East Highlands
Amber gold
40% ABV
Dram

Nose: Leather, hay, fresh cut grass, tobacco leaf, camphor, mustard, honey. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, cool, slippery, mouth coating. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Honey, raisins, camphor, mustard, wet stones, hay, black tea, hints of cloves, hints of turmeric. 
Finish: Short. Wet stones, candle wax, black tea, hay, hints of turneric. 

Comments: 

An old official bottling from the 90s. It’s more intense than today’s OBs, tastes like there’s more older spirit in it.  The grassy herbal character is more evident here than in the current OBs too.

Verdict:

I like this.



Friday, 13 December 2024

Sullivan’s Cove 14yo 2006/2020 for 10th Anniversary of Casa de Vinos

Sullivan’s Cove 14yo 2006/2020 for 10th Anniversary of Casa de Vinos

Official bottling
Single malt - Tasmania
Copper 
56.5% ABV
Dram

Nose: Honey, leather, dried pears, dried pineapples, white tea, roses, kiwifruit, malted grains, hints of oats. With water, parchment, dried pears, kiwifruit. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, loosens, expands, tingly. 
Tasting:  Salty sweet. Parchment, photocopy paper, dried pears, white tea, honey, malted grains, raisins, dried pears. With water, leather, dried pears, parchment, raisins. 
Finish: Long. Malted grains, cookie dough, honey, dried pears, raisins. 

Comments: 

A very doughy whisky, lots of feinty parchment paper notes, but it’s also laden with dried fruit and tannins. It’s gentle and rich though, not mouth puckering.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 



Glenburgie 40yo 1963/2003

Glenburgie 40yo 1963/2003

Vintage, Signatory
Single malt - Speyside
Light amber 
56.4% ABV
Dram

Nose: Toffee, pencil lead, desiccated coconut, cream, raisins, cloves, dates, white pepper. With water, desiccated coconut, pomegranate molasses, honey, hints of gunpowder. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, hot, astringent, volatile. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Raisins, desiccated coconut, dried cherries, dried cranberries, honey, dates, cream, white pepper. With water, raisins, pomegranate molasses, desiccated coconut, dried cranberries. 
Finish: Long. Pencil lead, leather, white grapes, honey, hints of gunpowder. 

Comments: 

Sweet and sherried, but with an odd tang of coconut, a flavour I associate more with grain whisky. There’s heaps of dried fruit, and water opens that up even more, as notes of pomegranate molasses begin to appear.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 



Glenburgie 32yo 1988/2020

Glenburgie 32yo 1988/2020

Old and Rare, Hunter Laing
Single malt - Speyside
Pale gold, hints of pink
43.6% ABV
Dram

Nose: Raisins, papayas, starfruit, white grapes, wet stones, leather, honey, hints of sulphur. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, cool, thickens slightly, oily. 
Tasting:  Sweet sour. Honey, pencil lead, papayas, starfruit, cinnamon, white grapes, coffee, cream, vanilla. 
Finish: Long. Coffee, white grapes, pencil lead, starfruit, honey, wet stones. 

Comments: 

Very complex and layered, big hits of honey and tropical fruit, with a long minerally finish. A really excellent whisky that showcases the power of wood aging in a low temperature environment.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 



Thursday, 12 December 2024

A Speyside distillery 17yo

A Speyside distillery 17yo

Chorlton Whisky
Single malt - Speyside 
Mahogany
55.8% ABV
Dram

Nose: Raisins, honey, chocolate, raspberry jam, treacle, vanilla, cream. With water, cream, raspberry jam, vanilla, shortbread. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, loosens, tingly, hot. 
Tasting:  Sweet. Cream, vanilla, honey, Demerara sugar, raspberry jam, meringues, cloves, nutmeg, sandalwood. With water, shortbread, black tea, malted grains, vanilla. 
Finish: Medium. Raspberry jam, cloves, meringues, cream, vanilla. 

Comments: 

Now this is a sherry bomb. Lots of classic jammy sugary notes, but water brings out buttery shortbread and some floral sandalwood. A very nice dram indeed.

Verdict:

I like this.



White Peak 4yo 2020/2024

White Peak 4yo 2020/2024

#10, The Heart Cut
Single malt - Derbyshire
Copper
55% ABV
Dram

Nose: Smoke, roast chicken, chicken stock, honey, peanuts, leather, raisins, cloves. With water, vitamin C tablets, cloves, black tea, smoke. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, static, warm, tingly. 
Tasting:  Salty sweet. Roast chicken, chicken stock, vitamin C tablets, lemon zest, cloves, nutmeg, smoke, orange juice. With water, chicken stock, nutmeg, honey, hints of strawberry jam. 
Finish: Medium. Vitamin C tablets, smoke, cloves, nutmeg. 

Comments: 

Peated, with a great meaty feel, lots of roast chicken notes water increases the savouriness, and bring in jammy notes with smoke and cloves. Impressively layered.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 



JJ Corry Irish Whiskey

JJ Corry Irish Whiskey

#11, The Heart Cut
Blended malt
Dark gold 
48% ABV
Dram

Nose: Strawberry jam, apricots, vanilla, raisins, copper pipes, aluminium foil, black tea. With water, strawberry jam, cream, shortcrust pastry. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, loosens, expands, warm. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Aluminium foil, copper pipes, chocolate, black tea, raisins, apricot jam. With water, strawberry jam, shortcrust pastry, cream, brown paper. 
Finish: Medium. Black tea, sandalwood, apricot jam, aluminium foil. 

Comments: 

Four casks blended together, one of which is a pajarette cask (a first for me). It’s not a sherry bomb though, it’s delicate and complex, with plenty of feinty notes that prickle the nose. Lovely stuff.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 



Tuesday, 3 December 2024

Cardhu 14yo (2021 Special Releases)

Cardhu 14yo (2021 Special Releases)

Official bottling
Single malt - Speyside
Pale gold 
55.5% ABV
Dram

Nose: Peaches, sandalwood, honey, cherries, marigolds, vanilla, hints of orange peel. With water, malted grains, sandalwood, honey, cherries. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, loosens, mouth coating, expands. 
Tasting:  Sweet sour. Cream, vanilla, cherries, marigolds, malted grains, white pepper, orange peel. With water, vanilla, cream, cherries, peaches. 
Finish: Short. Orange peel, white pepper, malted grains, honey, hints of cherries. 

Comments: 

Floral and fragrant, lots of honey, lots of stone fruit. Very intense on the top layer, but the finish is brief, although powerful. Water brings out more cream and vanilla.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 



Glenglassaugh 12yo Soho Selection

Glenglassaugh 12yo Soho Selection

Soho Selection, Milroy’s of Soho
Single malt - Speyside
Dark amber
55.3% ABV
Dram

Nose: Chocolate, raisins, cloves, cream, vanilla, cinnamon, brown paper, black tea. With water, cream, sourdough bread, chocolate, hazelnuts. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, volatile, loosens, tingly. 
Tasting:  Sweet. Cream, vanilla, honey, chocolate, dates, raisins, cinnamon, oats. With water, cream, chocolate, hazelnuts, honey. 
Finish: Long. Cinnamon, oats, cloves, cream. 

Comments: 

Tastes like Nutella, but also with plenty of malt and cereal. Water brings the cereal to the fore, the chocolate recedes and it tastes more like hazelnuts too. A good, seasonal sherried dram.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 



Ichiro’s Malt Mizunara Wood Reserve

Ichiro’s Malt Mizunara Wood Reserve

Ichiro’s Malt
Blended malt
Amber
46.5% ABV
Dram

Nose: Chocolate, raisins, milk powder, nutmeg, malted grains, vanilla, honey. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, tingly, astringent, loosens slightly. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Aluminium foil, milk powder, nutmeg, malted grains, chocolate, brown paper, hints of cinnamon. 
Finish: Long. Cocoa nibs, cinnamon, raisins, aluminium foil. 

Comments: 

Sweet and luscious blend, lots of chocolate and raisin notes. There’s a feinty edge, metallic, like chewing on aluminium foil, that’s present on the nose and the tongue. A very tasty blend.

Verdict:

I like this.



Monday, 2 December 2024

Waterford Organic Gaia 2.1

Waterford Organic Gaia 2.1

Official bottling 
Single malt - Munster
Pale copper
50% ABV
Dram

Nose: Yoghurt, malted grains, mushrooms, pineapples, orange peel, hints of honey. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, loosens, expands, tingly. 
Tasting:  Salty sweet. Cookie dough, malted grains, pears, pineapples, orange peel, honey, hints of shortcrust pastry. 
Finish: Short. Malted grains, toffee, honey. 

Comments: 

Waterford usually smells like mushrooms when it’s first out of the bottle. It’s not something I’m a particular fan of, but after a while it fades to reveal toasty, vanilla and fruity, with a hint of pastry. It then moves to short and slightly weak finish.

Verdict:

I like this.



Ardmore 14yo 2010/2024

Ardmore 14yo 2010/2024

Saltire Rare Malt Whisky Co
Single malt - Speyside
Golden 
58.8% ABV
Dram

Nose: Farmyard, malted grains, pear, roast beef, smoke, cream, lemon zest, magic marker. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, thickens, mouth coating, warm. 
Tasting:  Salty sweet. Peat, peanuts, lemon zest, smoke, cream, autumn leaves, magic marker, hints of yoghurt. 
Finish: Short. Peat, rye bread, yoghurt, lemon zest, hints of peanuts. 

Comments: 

Meaty and organic, lots of whiffs of the peat, not so much the smoke. Underneath that, there’s a estery core, very much like pear drops. There’s a hint of lactic note as well, before it gets very peppery and malty at the end.

Verdict:

I like this.



Fruitful Spirits 21yo Blended Whisky

Fruitful Spirits 21yo Blended Whisky

Fruitful Spirits
Blended malt
Amber bronze
45.4% ABV
Dram

Nose: Cream, brown paper, green tea, vanilla, desiccated coconut, shortcrust pastry. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, loosens, tingly, expands. 
Tasting:  Sweet salty. Brown paper, desiccated coconut, green tea, sea salt, nutmeg, strawberry jam, sourdough bread. 
Finish: Medium. Toast, malted grains, sourdough bread, shortcrust pastry. 

Comments: 

Decent blend, toasty and malty but with a very obvious grain component. There’s a bourbon-like brown paper note, with jam and spice accompanying it.

Verdict:

I like this.



Friday, 29 November 2024

Springbank 12yo Cask Strength (2024 Edition)

Springbank 12yo Cask Strength (2024 Edition)

Official bottling
Single malt - Campbeltown
Dark amber 
56.2% ABV
Dram

Nose: Raisins, honey, petrol exhaust, winter melons, cream, Demerara sugar, hints of damson jam. With water, raisins, petrol exhaust, honey, winter melons. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, loosens, hot, mouth coating. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Raisins, farmyard, petrol exhaust, cream, Demerara sugar, soot, hints of winter melons. With water, petrol exhaust, damson jam, candle wax, honey. 
Finish: Long. Green tea, cream, Demerara sugar, damson jam, soot. 

Comments: 

A very nice Springbank, this - lots of petrol and smoke notes, even soot, and sweet tannins. Water brings out more smoke, some fruit, and on the tongue, even some wax. Delicious.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 



Sunday, 24 November 2024

Yuza 2023 Edition

Yuza 2023 Edition

Official bottling
Single malt - East Honshu
Golden
51% ABV
Bottle 

Nose: Malted grains, white grapes, peaches, magic marker, apricot jam, gunpowder, hints of sultanas. With water, gunpowder, magic marker, pears. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, mouth coating, volatile, warm.
Tasting:  Sour sweet. Malted grains, apricot jam, pears, orange peel, black pepper, vanilla, honey, hints of lemon zest. With water, malted grains, apricot jam, pears, hints of sultanas. 
Finish: Long. Malted grains, lemon zest, apricot jam, vanilla. 

Comments: 

Extremely fruity, with a frisson of metallic sulphur on the nose. On the tongue it changes to pepper and malt, and loosens up with water. Water brings out more malt, apricots and pears.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 



Balvenie 15yo 1974/1990

Balvenie 15yo 197/1990

Vintage, Signatory
Single malt - Speyside
Bright yellow
57.1% ABV
Dram

Nose: Peaches, gooseberries, papayas, white grapes, raisins, malted grains, hints of orange peel. With water, pear drops, malted grains, orange peel, hints of fresh baked bread. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, mouth coating, tingly, astringent. 
Tasting:  Sweet sour. Peaches, gooseberries, damson jam, malted grains, cocoa nibs, black pepper, cloves, hints of orange peel. With water, pear drops, fresh baked bread, winter melons, cocoa nibs. 
Finish: Long. Winter melons, cloves, malted grains, vanilla, damson jam. 

Comments: 

Leathery and rancio, lots of old dusty notes. It’s estery and cereally, the fruit notes are starting to break down. Very complex and layered, a single session dram.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 



Friday, 22 November 2024

Blinking Owl Rye Whiskey

Blinking Owl Rye Whiskey

Official bottling
Single rye - California
Amber, hints of yellow
45% ABV
Dram

Nose: Sea salt, white pepper, sandalwood, vanilla, nutmeg, nutmeg, honey, hints of damson jam. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, thickens slightly, cool, mouth coating. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Vanilla, honey, sandalwood, nutmeg, white pepper, shortbread, hints of milk powder. 
Finish: Medium. Nutmeg, shortbread, honey, milk powder, hints of coffee. 

Comments: 

Quite an unusual tasting rye, lots of fragrant notes on the nose. On the tongue it moves to the milky and lactic spectrum, with notes of milk powder and shortbread. Very interesting.

Verdict:

I like this.



Blinking Owl Four Grain Bourbon

Blinking Owl Four Grain Bourbon

Official bottling
Single bourbon - California
Amber
45% ABV
Dram

Nose: Brown paper, cloves, black pepper, raisins, strawberry jam, cocoa nibs, hints of vanilla. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, slippery, loosens, warm. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Oak chips, honey, moss, fresh cut grass, cocoa nibs, cloves, black pepper, hints of coffee. 
Finish: Long. Moss, coffee, cocoa nibs, vanilla. 

Comments: 

Interesting bourbon from a now closed distillery. It starts out with jammy sweet notes - so far so normal. On the tongue it turns earthy and green, losing some of the sweetness. There’s more than a smattering of oaky wood too.

Verdict:

I like this.



Thursday, 21 November 2024

Torabhaig Cnoc na Moine Chapter 3

Torabhaig Cnoc na Moine Chapter 3

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

Nose: Smoke, peat, leather, tyre rubber, tarry rope, vanilla, applesauce, apricot jam. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, loosens, expands, tingly. 
Tasting:  Salty sweet. Leather, peat, smoke, tyre rubber, raisins, vanilla, applesauce. 
Finish: Short. Applesauce, cinnamon, smoke, vanilla. 

Comments: 

My word, this tastes more and more like Islay whisky every time I try it. It’s smoky and peaty, even sulphurous, but all that covers a light distillate that carries notes of apple and vanilla.

Verdict:

I like this.



Casks of Lindores - Sherry Cask

Casks of Lindores - Sherry Cask

Official bottling
Single malt - Lowlands
Walnut
49.4% ABV
Dram

Nose: Aluminium foil, red grapes, chicken stock, raisins, damson jam, hints of mushrooms. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, thickens, cool, astringent. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Raisins, sea salt, chicken stock, black pepper, black tea, damson jam, hints of mushrooms.
Finish: Medium. Red grapes, sherry, olive brine, chicken stock. 

Comments: 

Sweet, but also quite savoury. It’s like drinking good chicken jus with a huge glug of sherry and brandy in it. Slightly harsh around the edges, but otherwise rather good.

Verdict:

I like this.



Glen Spey 10yo 2011/2022

Glen Spey 10yo 2011/2022

James Eadie
Single malt - Speyside
Golden
46% ABV
Dram

Nose: Lemon juice, gooseberries, white grapes, yoghurt, malted grains, white pepper, hints of sour cream. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, hot, tingly, expands. 
Tasting:  Sour. Lemon juice, peaches, cinder toffee, malted grains, vanilla, fresh cut grass, white pepper. 
Finish: Long. Cinder toffee, lemon juice, fresh cut grass, gooseberries, hints of sour cream. 

Comments: 

Casks 801625 and 801626. Lactic whisky, lots of fruity notes, but those are under a thick layer of sour cream. It’s grassy and green as well, especially on the finish.

Verdict:

I like this.



Tuesday, 19 November 2024

Belgrove Oat 3yo (Ex Pinot Noir, ex Tasmanian whisky)

Belgrove Oat 3yo (Ex Pinot Noirc ex Tasmanian whisky)

International Series, Killowen bottler
Single grain - Tasmania
Amber gold 
59.79% ABV
Dram

Nose: Peanut butter, clay dust, white pepper, photocopy paper, sandalwood, birch sap, hints of oak chips. With water, lemon juice, oak chips, hints of tyre rubber. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, loosens, cool, expands. 
Tasting:  Salty. Peanut butter, oak chips, sea salt, toast, sandalwood, photocopy paper, lemon juice, hints of driftwood smoke. With water, lemon juice, birch sap, peanut butter. 
Finish: Medium. Sea salt, peanut butter, butterscotch, toast. 

Comments: 

Salty oat spirit, quite unbalanced. It’s green and sappy, but also laden with peanut butter and some sulphurous notes. Water brings out more sulphur and sappy notes.

Verdict:

I like this.



Killowen Rum and Raisin Single Malt (Great Northern)

Killowen Rum and Raisin Single Malt (Great Northern)

Killowen bottler
Single malt - Leinster
Yellow gold
55% ABV
Dram

Nose: Peanuts, yoghurt, sultanas, cocoa nibs, coffee, hints of butterscotch. With water, peanuts, farmyard, damson jam. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, warm, slippery, tingly. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Orange peel, sultanas, cocoa nibs, dark chocolate, cream, yoghurt, vanilla. With water, damson jam, rum, cocoa nibs. 
Finish: Long. Peanuts, white pepper, cream, hints of butterscotch. 

Comments: 

Sweet and nutty, but with a bitter edge. Water brings out some interesting notes, mostly from the cask, but there’s a big whiff of farmyard smells on the nose.

Verdict:

I like this.



Monday, 18 November 2024

Puni 4yo Oloroso Cask Finish

Puni 4yo Oloroso Cask Finish

Darkness, Master of Malt
Single malt - Alto Adige
Dark gold
53.8% ABV
Dram

Nose: Raisins, malted grains, peaches, white pepper, aluminium foil, fresh baked bread, hints of apricot jam. With water, malted grains, red grapes, damson jam. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, loosens, tingly, warm. 
Tasting:  Sweet. Peaches, apricot jam, raisins, red grapes, malted grains, chocolate, fresh baked bread, damson jam, hints of coffee. With water, black tea, fresh baked bread, damson jam. 
Finish: Long. Malted grains, chocolate, fresh baked bread, damson jam. 

Comments: 

Cask 11813/2020. Very jammy and sweet, lots of sherried notes from the cask. Water brings out some malt and some bread, but it’s still very cask forward.

Verdict:

I like this.



Sunday, 17 November 2024

Allt a’Mhullin 15yo 2005/2021

Allt a’Mhullin 15yo 2005/2021

Roslin Distillers
Single malt - West Highlands
Light copper 
50.3% ABV
Dram

Nose: Shortbread, aluminium foil, white grapes, malted grains, vanilla, butterscotch. With water, sandalwood, vanilla, butterscotch, shortbread. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, tingly, hot, expands. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Butterscotch, malted grains, sandalwood, vanilla, shortcrust pastry, white grapes, hints of white pepper. With water, vanilla, butterscotch, chocolate, white grapes. 
Finish: Short. Shortcrust pastry, vanilla, white pepper, butterscotch, shortbread. 

Comments: 

Vanilla, pastry, butter, lots of delicious things that appeal, but it doesn’t have the fruity intensity of the usual Ben Nevises. Water brings some fruit to the fore, but it’s still unusually buttery. Very interesting.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 



Friday, 15 November 2024

Oban 11yo Handfilled Exclusive Batch 5

Oban 11yo Handfilled Exclusive Batch 5

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

Nose: Photocopy paper, cotton sheets, lemon juice, cinder toffee, sea salt, hints of apricot jam. With water, peaches, pear drops, lemon juice. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, loosens, expands, warm. 
Tasting:  Sour sweet. Lemon juice, peaches, cinder toffee, leather, cotton sheets, white grapes. With water, malted grains, white grapes, apricot jam, rye bread. 
Finish: Long. Lemon juice, cinder toffee, white grapes, white pepper, hints of smoke. 

Comments: 

Feinty, but with that salty marine lemony flavours. Water brings in apricot jam and more cereal, on the tongue, and leads to a nice long slightly smoky finish. Again, great whisky.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 


Oban Distillery Exclusive Batch 3

Oban Distillery Exclusive Batch 3

Official bottling
Single malt - West Highlands
Bronze
48% ABV
Dram

Nose: Lemon juice, malted grains, white pepper, photocopy paper, sea salt, white grapes, hints of yoghurt. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, loosens, cool, expands. 
Tasting:  Sour sweet. Leather, malted grains, white pepper, gooseberries, white grapes, cinder toffee, hints of soot. 
Finish: Long. Leather, malted grains, soot, white grapes, cinder toffee. 

Comments: 

Light, fresh and saline, perfectly Oban so far, but at the end, at the back of the mouth, there’s a small wash of dirty soot. It’s very interesting, and almost catches in the mouth. Great whisky.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 



St George Breaking and Entering Whiskey

St George Breaking and Entering Whiskey

Official bottling
Single blend - California
Amber gold
43% ABV
Dram

Nose: Vanilla, cola nuts, malted grains, black pepper, brown sugar, apples. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, thickens, cool, tingly. 
Tasting:  Sweet salty. Malted grains, brown paper, cinnamon, apples, brown sugar, butterscotch. 
Finish: Medium. Brown paper, malted grains, honey, butterscotch. 

Comments: 

Appley and herbal whisky, with plenty of sweet, even butterscotch notes. It’s very drinkable, almost quaffable, and has a nice malty sweet finish. Definitely a session whisky.

Verdict:

I like this.



Wednesday, 13 November 2024

Dingle Lunasa

Dingle Lunasa 

Official bottling
Single malt - Munster
White wine 
50.5% ABV
Dram

Nose: Ink, iron filings, sandalwood, malted grains, white grapes, apricots, peaches, hints of walnut skins. With water, ink, pear drops, lemon juice. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, loosens, mouth coating, tingly. 
Tasting:  Sour sweet. Apricots, peaches, malted grains, walnut skins, white pepper, ink, hints of vanilla. With water, malted grains, white grapes, ink, lemon juice. 
Finish: Short. Ink, white grapes, malted grains, apricots. 

Comments: 

Plenty of bitter notes, but they’re buried quite deep. The surface notes are lightly fruity, even a little tart. But there’s something metallic and slightly chemical down underneath that.

Verdict:

I like this.



Dingle Samhain

Dingle Samhain 

Official bottling 
Single malt - Munster
Golden, tinge of pink
50.5% ABV
Dram

Nose: Malted grains, raisins, white grapes, sandalwood, oak chips, apricots, hints of persimmons. With water, pear drops, apricots, malted grains. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, tingly, cool, astringent. 
Tasting:  Sour sweet. Malted grains, ginseng, vanilla, apricots, white grapes, coffee, autumn leaves, hints of oak chips. With water, ginseng, black pepper, vanilla. 
Finish: Short. Coffee, ginseng, autumn leaves, black pepper. 

Comments: 

Fruity and tart, lots of bitter notes are apparent, but not immediately. Needs a little bit of air, then the fruit dissipates somewhat. The finish is unexpectedly bitter and earthy.

Verdict:

I like this.



Saturday, 9 November 2024

Distillery 291 3yo Batch 3

Distillery 291 3yo Batch 3

That Boutique-y Whisky Company, Master of Malt
Single rye - Colorado
Dark amber red
67.8% ABV
Dram

Nose: Cream, desiccated coconut, red grapes, brown paper, honeycomb, orange peel. With water, honeycomb, damson jam, artificial grape flavour, black pepper. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, volatile, hot, airy. 
Tasting:  Sweet salty. Damson jam, malted grains, cream, red grapes, artificial grape flavour, honeycomb, hints of oak chips. With water, sea salt, strawberry jam, artificial grape flavour, malted grains. 
Finish: Medium. Artificial grape flavour, black pepper, honeycomb, damson jam. 

Comments: 

Oof, the cask totally influences this. Honeyed, lots of strawberry and damson jam notes, but also that tang of Fanta grape. Luscious whisky.

Verdict:

I like this.



Glen Garioch 33yo 1978/2012 for Milroy’s of Soho

Glen Garioch 33yo 1978/2012 for Milroy’s of Soho

Official bottling
Single malt - East Highlands
Dark gold
58.8% ABV
Dram

Nose: Toffee, white grapes, digestive biscuits, leather, honey, gooseberries, hints of cream. With water, honey, malted grains, coffee, hints of digestive biscuits. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, volatile, astringent, mouth coating. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Toffee, dark chocolate, white pepper, leather, white grapes, gooseberries, coffee, malted grains. With water, honey, white grapes, malted grains, coffee. 
Finish: Long. Gooseberries, honey, coffee, toffee, hints of mustard. 

Comments: 

Cask 10999. Sweet with big bitter notes that come in waves. Water brings out the malty sweetness, less fruity, but still the bitter fragrant notes that taste like coffee. Delicious.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 



Glen Garioch 41yo 1978/2020 Handfilled Cask 11002

Glen Garioch 41yo 1978/2020

Official bottling
Single malt - East Highlands
Golden brown
55.1% ABV
Dram

Nose: Bananas, mustard, photocopy paper, orange peel, honey, oolong tea, turmeric. With water, honey, chocolate, damson jam, turmeric. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, astringent, hot, mouth coating. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Chocolate, toffee, orange peel, honey, turmeric, mustard, tobacco leaf. With water, leather, damson jam, tobacco leaf, white grapes. 
Finish: Long. White grapes, orange peel, mustard, honey. 

Comments: 

Cask 11002. Fruity and bitter sweet, lots of layered complex notes, it’s a rich and rounded whisky. There’s that characteristic mustard and pungent turmeric note on the nose. Lovely whisky.

Verdict:

I like this a lot.



Wednesday, 6 November 2024

Belgian Owl 36 months First Fill Bourbon Cask

Belgian Owl 36 months First Fill Bourbon Cask

Official bottling
Single malt - Liège
Pale yellow 
46% ABV
Dram

Nose: Cream, leather, shoe polish, malted grains, white pepper, oak chips, honey, hints of smoke. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, loosens, cool, astringent. 
Tasting:  Sour. Fried eggs, shoe polish, malted grains, fresh cut grass, lemon zest, hints of smoke. 
Finish: Short. Oak chips, leather, cream, lemon zest. 

Comments: 

Quite gritty and chemical, almost tarry. Smoke is ever present but not too acrid. There’s herbal, sometimes sulphurous notes as well. Odd but interesting.

Verdict:

I like this.



Ardnahoe Infinite Loch

Ardnahoe Infinite Loch

Official bottling
Single malt - Islay
Buttercups
50% ABV
Dram

Nose: Peanut butter, driftwood smoke, peat, tobacco leaf, fresh cut grass, hints of cloves. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, loosens, mouth coating, cool. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Peanut butter, peat, driftwood smoke, cloves, chocolate, butter, hints of red grapes. 
Finish: Short. Smoke, leather, peat, peanut butter, honey. 

Comments: 

Smoky and herbal, lots of nutty notes in the background. Cloves make an appearance, but it’s not easy to discern under all that smoke. A complex, layered dram.

Verdict:

I like this.



Floki 3yo Single Cask Barrel 20

Floki 3yo Single Cask Barrel 20

Official bottling
Single malt - Capital Region
Yellow gold 
47% ABV
Dram

Nose: Yoghurt, cream, photocopy paper, parchment, leather, white grapes, malted grains, hints of cinder toffee.
Mouthfeel: Light body, loosens, cool, volatile. 
Tasting:  Bitter sour. Cinder toffee, smoke, white grapes, yoghurt, parchment, malted grains, diesel exhaust, hints of lemon juice. 
Finish: Long. Soot, yoghurt, cream, diesel exhaust. 

Comments: 

Barrel 20. Quite smoky, lots of bittersweet toffee notes. There’s that parchment and photocopy paper again. Also a lot of hydrocarbon smoke, sweetish on the nose.

Verdict:

I like this.



Floki 3yo Double Wood Reserve 2019

Floki 3yo Double Wood Reserve 2019

Official bottling 
Single malt - Capital Region
Dark gold
46% ABV
Dram

Nose: White grapes, pencil erasers, white pepper, gooseberries, leather, parchment. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, loosens, tingly, cool. 
Tasting:  Sour. Pencil erasers, gooseberries, parchment, photocopy paper, rye bread, malted grains, hints of leather. 
Finish: Short. Parchment, green tea, leather, pencil erasers. 

Comments: 

Cask Floki SM2 and Cask Birch 2. Very feinty and odd, lots of slightly sulphurous notes and a lot of parchment and penci erasers. Sour and slightly tannic too. 

Verdict:

I like this.



Glen Mhor 10yo 1978/1989

Glen Mhor 10yo 1978/1989

Intertrade
Single malt - Speyside
Bright gold
65.3% ABV
Dram

Nose: White pepper, fresh cut grass, pear drops, lemon juice, sandalwood, white grapes, gooseberries. With water, oats, farmyard, sandalwood, pear drops, magic marker. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, tingly, hot, airy. 
Tasting:  Sour sweet. Magic marker, pear drops, marmalade, lemon juice, malted grains, farmyard, white pepper, hints of white grapes. With water, magic marker, pear drops, white pepper, lemon juice. 
Finish: Long. Magic marker, pear drops, lemon juice, farmyard. 

Comments: 

Very estery, lots of pear drop and magic marker notes. The acetone soon morphs into gooseberries and sandalwood. Water brings out some cereal and even some farmyard notes.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 



The Matsui Sakura Cask

The Matsui Sakura Cask

Official bottling
Single malt - West Honshu 
Very pale gold
48% ABV
Dram

Nose: Yoghurt, malted grains, honey, cream, white pepper, orange peel, hints of cherry blossom. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, thickens slightly, mouth coating, cool. 
Tasting:  Sweet sour. Cinder toffee, honey, malted grains, orange peel, cherry blossom, white grapes, hints of peaches. 
Finish: Short. Malted grains, honey, white pepper, white grapes. 

Comments: 

Slightly lactic at the beginning on the nose, but it soon changes to cream, honey, white pepper and cherry blossom. Very Japanese, very delicious.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 



Saturday, 2 November 2024

Glenburgie 36yo 1980/2017

Glenburgie 36yo 1980/2017

Old and Rare Platinum, Hunter Laing
Single malt - Speyside
Yellow gold
47.4% ABV
Dram

Nose: Leather, white grapes, gooseberries, dark chocolate, pencil lead, hints of coconut cream. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, loosens, mouth coating. 
Tasting:  Sweet sour. White grapes, gooseberries, peaches, pencil lead, leather, white pepper, hints of coconut cream. 
Finish: Short. Chocolate, coconut cream, gooseberries, white pepper. 

Comments: 

Feinty and sweet, with tangy side notes of gooseberries and sour peaches. It’s a little flat on the finish, but that’s after a lot of fireworks going on in the mouth. A very, very nice dram.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 



Glenburgie 45yo 1975/2020

Glenburgie 45yo 1975/2020

Dalswinton Series, Claxton’s 
Single malt - Speyside
Amber gold
44.6% ABV
Dram

Nose: Coconut cream, mint, sultanas, lemon zest, sea salt, chalk, peaches, pencil lead. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, thickens, mouth coating, cool. 
Tasting:  Sweet salty. Leather, celery salt, coconut cream, sea salt, chalk, raisins, white pepper, hints of pencil lead. 
Finish: Medium. Sultanas, white pepper, pencil lead, coconut cream. 

Comments: 

Very, very coconutty, lots of savoury and feinty notes underneath that layer. It’s got some spice and fruity notes, and a little chalk, but the coconut is predominant. Excellent dram.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 



 

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