Ardnamurchan 5yo 2019/2024

Ardnamurchan 5yo 2019/2024

Single Cask, Nickolls and Perks
Single malt - Western Highlands
Mahogany
59.8% ABV
Dram

Nose: Kippers, smoke, black tea, raisins, blackberry jam, brown butter. With water, raisins, lemon sweets, black tea, brown butter. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, loosens, astringent, tingly. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Sandalwood, vitamin C tablets, black tea, blackberry jam, hints of cinnamon. With water, black tea, vitamin C tablets, brown butter. 
Finish: Medium. Brown butter, black tea, sea salt, blackberry jam. 

Comments: 

Cask 2080. Fragrant and smoky, lots of herbal incense notes. In the tongue it’s sweet with blackberry jam notes, and overlaying everything is an impression of nutty brown butter. Water brings this out even more.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Boann Single Pot Still Marsala Cask

Boann Single Pot Still Marsala Cask

Official bottling
Single pot still - Leinster 
Bright gold
47% ABV
Dram

Nose: Lemon juice, pear drops, cream, milk powder, icing sugar, hints of cinder toffee. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, loosens, tingly, warm. 
Tasting:  Sweet sour. Lemon juice, vanilla, icing sugar, marmalade, malted grains, toast, hints of sea salt. 
Finish: Long. Marmalade, lemon juice, cream, milk powder. 

Comments: 

Sweet, quite rich, with jammy marmalade notes. It’s lactic, but not the yoghurty sort of notes, instead it’s creamy and milky. Rather good.

Verdict:

I like this.

Ichiro’s Malt Hanyu 15yo Final Vintage

Ichiro’s Malt Hanyu 15yo Final Vintage

Official bottling 
Single malt - East Honshu
Golden orange
46.5% ABV
Dram

Nose: Leather, walnuts, sea salt, Demerara sugar, peanuts, salt caramel, hints of caramelised onions. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, expands, airy, slightly volatile.
Tasting:  Salty sweet. Orange peel, salt caramel, walnut skins, Demerara sugar, lemon sweets, malted grains, maraschino cherries. 
Finish: Long. Lemon sweets, salt caramel, orange peel, Demerara sugar, walnut skins. 

Comments: 

Citrusy, sweet and slightly bitter. Utterly delicious, I never thought I would be able to have another Hanyu. Now tasting with the benefit of having drunk some Chichibu, I’m struck by how the latter is the heir to the former.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

North of Scotland 49yo 1962/2021

North of Scotland 49yo 1962/2021

15 Years, The Nectar
Single grain - Lowlands
Golden brown
40.5% ABV
Dram

Nose: Toffee, malted grains, magic marker, vanilla, wheat beer, brown paper, hints of cinnamon. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, thickens, cool, airy. 
Tasting:  Salty sweet. Malted grains, vanilla, white grapes, pear drops, wheat beer, sea salt, coconut cream. 
Finish: Medium. Coconut cream, wheat beer, vanilla, magic marker. 

Comments: 

Quite the flavour explosion in the mouth. There’s some barley in this, if I’m any judge, but the grain whisky flavours of wheat, vanilla and coconut are intense and quite forward. Last chance to taste whisky from this long gone distillery.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Cardrona Growing Wings 5yo 2016/2021 PX Finish Melody Whisky Bar Exclusive

Cardrona Growing Wings 5yo 2016/2021 PX Finish Melody Whisky Bar Exclusive

Official bottling
Single malt - Otago
Amber gold
63.7% ABV
Dram

Nose: Malted grains, hoppy beer, fresh baked bread, wheatgerm, honey, raspberry jam. With water, magic marker, pear drops, honey. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, tingly, mouth coating, cool. 
Tasting:  Sweet salty. Malted grains, honey, ink, raspberry jam, raisins, orange peel, wheatgerm, hints of black tea. With water, wet stones, malted grains, magic marker. 
Finish: Short. Orange peel, raisins, raspberry jam, Demerara sugar. 

Comments: 

Fortuitous find! It’s fruity, and opens up nicely with water to become minerally and malty. It builds to a very sweet, and intensely sweet finish. A very pleasant dram.

Verdict:

I like this.

Union 5yo 2017/2023

Union 5yo 2017/2023

Individual Cask, WM Cadenhead
Single malt - Rio Grande do Sul
Amber brown
56.9% ABV
Dram

Nose: Strawberry laces, honey, raisins, gooseberries, vanilla, brown paper. With water, strawberry jam, raisins, cloves, pears. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, astringent, cool, tingly.
Tasting:  Sweet. Brown paper, gooseberries, green tea, strawberry laces, peanuts, orange peel, hints of damson jam. With water, blueberry jam, raisins, damson jam, green tea. 
Finish: Long. Fresh baked bread, vanilla, orange peel, milk chocolate. 

Comments: 

Fruity, lots of sweet jammy notes. It’s not peated, so there’s plenty of cask influence here. There’s a nutty undertone that characterises the whisky and was present int the other Union I had too. Very interesting.

Verdict:

I like this.

Falkirk Inaugural Release

Falkirk Inaugural Release

Official bottling
Single malt - Lowlands
White wine
52% ABV
Dram

Nose: Yoghurt, sour cream, cinder toffee, toast, lemon juice, pencil erasers. With water, honey, lemon juice, yoghurt, pencil lead. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, tingly, loosens, expands. 
Tasting:  Sour. Sour cream, lemon juice, toast, honey, white grapes, hints of vanilla. With water, vanilla, lemon juice, yoghurt, icing sugar. 
Finish: Short. Yoghurt, honey, lemon juice, wet stones, hints of vanilla. 

Comments: 

Very tart and lactic, underpinned by lots of slightly smoky notes and some citrus. Quite promising, and the lactic notes should fade in prominence with age. Interesting whisky.

Verdict:

I like this.

Crabbie’s Chain Pier 3yo 2019/2022 Inaugural Release

Crabbie’s Chain Pier 3yo 2019/2022 Inaugural Release

Official bottling
Single malt - Lowlands
Dark gold 
57% ABV
Dram

Nose: Peanuts, wet stones, honey, haw flakes, sandalwood, clay dust, hints of white pepper. With water, peanuts, ink, clay dust. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, airy, hot, astringent. 
Tasting:  Sour sweet. Haw flakes, honey, sandalwood, hay, strawberry jam, clay dust, chillies, hints of ink. With water, celery, ink, strawberry jam, hints of cucumber. 
Finish: Long. White pepper, haw flakes, malted grains, clay dust, honey. 

Comments: 

Minerally, but also fruity and jammy. There’s a tartness on the tongue that reminds me of hawthorn berry sweets. Water brings out something iron-y, enhancing the minerality.

Verdict:

I like this.

Miltonduff 16yo 2007/2024

Miltonduff 16yo 2007/2024

James Eadie
Single malt - Speyside
Pink
54.3% ABV
Dram

Nose: Raspberry jam, wheat germ, malted grains, black pepper, honey, cloves, hints of violets. With water, honey, malted grains, hints of violets. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, tingly, slippery, hot. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Wheatgerm, raspberry jam, cherries, honey, hints of cinnamon. With water, black pepper, malted grains, raspberry jam. 
Finish: Medium. Black pepper, wheatgerm, malted grains, hoppy beer, honey. 

Comments: 

Cask 369584. Sweet and fruity, but laden with plenty of cream and malt. Water brings out a peppery spiciness. I think this is a PX cask, a decent marriage of whisky and wine.

Verdict:

I like this.

Tamnavulin 15yo 2009/2024

Tamnavulin 15yo 2009/2024

Thompson Brothers
Single malt - Speyside
Amber, hints of pink
57.1% ABV
Dram

Nose: Orange peel, strawberry jam, cream, caramel, malted grains, white chocolate. With water, strawberry jam, orange peel, raisins, ice cream soda. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, tingly, warm, creamy. 
Tasting:  Sweet sour. Orange peel, vanilla, ice cream soda, white chocolate, white pepper, black tea. With water, malted grains, fresh cut grass, ice cream soda. 
Finish: Medium. Strawberry jam, malted grains, white pepper, orange peel. 

Comments: 

Sweet and fruity, quite luscious, with plenty of sweet vanilla-laden things. Water opens up a grassiness, with plenty of maltiness too. Very nice indeed.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Belgrove Oat 3yo (Rum and Raisin)

Belgrove Oat 3yo (Rum and Raisin)

Bonded International Series, Killowen bottler
Single grain - Tasmania
Amber brown, hints of green
59.42% ABV
Dram

Nose: Peanuts, chocolate, raisins, walnut skins, oregano, fresh cut grass, hints of black pepper. With water, diesel exhaust, black pepper, chocolate. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, cool, tingly, oily. 
Tasting:  Sour sweet. Peanuts, raisins, walnut skins, thyme, diesel exhaust, autumn leaves, hints of ume. With water, raisins, autumn leaves, thyme, chocolate. 
Finish: Long. Black pepper, diesel exhaust, raisins, chocolate. 

Comments: 

Green and herbal, but with underlying notes of raisins and chocolate. There also a bitter undertone, that I interpret as diesel exhaust and walnut skins. Perhaps a little too young.

Verdict:

I like this.

Singleton of Glendullan Golden Autumn Orchard

Singleton of Glendullan Golden Autumn Orchard

Official bottling
Single malt - Speyside
Orange
41.8% ABV
Dram

Nose: Orange peel, apple juice, vanilla, honeycomb, cream, hints of ginger beer. 

Mouthfeel: Medium body, cool, tingly, slippery. 
Tasting:  Sweet. Malted grains, ginger beer, honeycomb, apple juice, cream, toffee, hints of maple syrup. 
Finish: Short. Honeycomb, malted grains, barley sugar, apple juice, hints of cinder toffee. 

Comments: 

Travel exclusive. It’s sweet and gingery, more apple than any other fruit. There’s a slight hint of smoke, and plenty of barley sugar. Straightforward and almost quaffable.

Verdict:

I like this.

Glen Scotia Double Cask Rich and Spicy

Glen Scotia Double Cask Rich and Spicy

Official bottling
Single malt - Campbeltown
Amber red 
46% ABV
Dram

Nose: Dates, prunes, jujubes, autumn leaves, leather, strawberry jam, lohan fruit, hints of black pepper. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, cool, tingly, loosens.  
Tasting:  Sweet salty. Lohan fruit, leather, pears, dried mangoes, peat, autumn leaves, hints of black pepper. 
Finish: Short. Strawberry jam, jujubes, leather, dates. 

Comments: 

Fruity and savoury, perhaps on the sweet side for a Campbeltown malt. On the tongue it reveals its true colours, peaty and earthy, with heaps of dried mangoes and pears.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Copenhagen Raw Edition No 5

Copenhagen Raw Edition No 5

Official bottling 
Single malt - Hovedstaden
Brown 
59.7% ABV
Dram

Nose: Cream, vanilla, oak chips, chocolate, cornflakes, maple syrup, hints of fresh cut grass. With water, chocolate, hay, maple syrup. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, loosens, cool, airy. 
Tasting:  Sweet. Oak chips, vanilla, fresh cut grass, cocoa powder, maple syrup, white pepper, hints of cinnamon. With water, oak chips, coconut cream, cinnamon, hints of fresh cut grass. 
Finish: Short. Oak chips, fresh cut grass, cinnamon, cornflakes. 

Comments: 

Very cereally, woody and green, lots of spice on the tongue. It’s raw, alright, I’d guess aged in lightly seasoned wood, if that. Water creates sweeter notes.

Verdict:

I like this.

An Orkney Distillery 8yo 2012/2021

An Orkney Distillery 8yo 2012/2021

Watt Whisky, Campbeltown Whisky Company
Single malt - Islands
Pale gold 
57.1% ABV
Dram

Nose: Lemon zest, lemon sweets, yoghurt, vanilla, cream, cardamom, cinnamon. With water, toast, yoghurt, cardamom, cinnamon. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, loosens, warm, expands. 
Tasting:  Sour sweet. Vanilla, lemon zest, lemon juice, cinder toffee, cardamom, toast. With water, toast, cinnamon, lemon sweets. 
Finish: Short. Cinder toffee, cardamom, lemon juice, toast, autumn leaves. 

Comments: 

Heavy and citrusy, lots of semi toasted notes that waft like a haze of smoke over the whisky. Not a very usual Scapa in my experience, but a very good one.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Uncle Nearest 1884 Small Batch

Uncle Nearest 1884 Small Batch 

Official bottling
Single bourbon - Tennessee
Golden 
46.5% ABV
Dram

Nose: White pepper, white grapes, pencil erasers, honey, popcorn, hints of icing sugar. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, loosens, tingly, cool. 
Tasting:  Sweet. Cherries, cough syrup, white pepper, honey, cloves, hints of icing sugar. 
Finish: Short. Coffee, cloves, cough syrup, white pepper. 

Comments: 

Fruity, almost cough syrup like, with light pepper notes. I didn’t review the sourced spirits from Uncle Nearest, but the first make from their distillery that I’ve tried seems promising.

Verdict:

I like this.

Elijah Craig Straight Rye

Elijah Craig Straight Rye

Official bottling 
Single rye - Heaven Hill
Amber copper
47% ABV
Dram

Nose: Rye bread, vanilla, black pepper, silicone rubber, pencil erasers, strawberry jam. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, mouth coating, hot, astringent.
Tasting:  Sweet sour. Black tea, black pepper, pencil erasers, strawberry jam, honey, damson jam. 
Finish: Short. Black tea, strawberry jam, damson jam, black pepper. 

Comments: 

Bready, slightly sulphurous rye from Heaven Hill, with fruity notes atop the sulphur and pepperiness. I’ve had more complex ryes, but this is easy drinking.

Verdict:

I like this.

Glenburgie 22yo 1998/2021

Glenburgie 22yo 1998/2021

Connoisseur’s Choice Cask Strength, Gordon & Macphail
Single malt - Speyside
Golden 
57% ABV
Dram

Nose: Cinder toffee, yoghurt, cream, barley sugar, peppermint, hints of plums. With water, vanilla, cinder toffee, white grapes. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, tingly, astringent, warm. 
Tasting:  Bitter sour. Yoghurt, lemon zest, cream, barley sugar, peppermint, white grapes, gooseberries, hints of coffee, hints of smoke. With water, coffee, cinder toffee, white grapes, hints of yoghurt. 

Finish: Medium. Cinder toffee, yoghurt, white grapes, lemon zest, hints of smoke. 

Comments: 

Cask 12601101. Bitter, lactic, smoky dram, with light notes of grapes, peppermint and gooseberries. Not as complex as the older Glenburgies, but still rather good.

Verdict:

I like this.

Glenburgie 31yo 1990/2021

Glenburgie 31yo 1990/2021

Connoisseur’s Choice Cask Strength, Gordon & Macphail
Single malt - Speyside
Mahogany
52.9% ABV
Dram

Nose: Dried mangoes, black tea, raisins, cream, chocolate, coffee, icing sugar. With water, cream, raisins, blackberry jam. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, astringent, mouth coating, warm. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Raisins, chocolate, coffee, dried mangoes, hazelnuts, icing sugar, malted grains, butterscotch, cinder toffee. With water, cream, raisins, cinder toffee, blackberry jam. 
Finish: Long. Black tea, coffee, chocolate, raisins, cream. 

Comments: 

Cask 12524. Excellent, a fruity slightly bitter dram with plenty of great things like dark chocolate and coffee. It’s sweet and rich, and very satisfying.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Glencadam 17yo 2005/2022 Port Pipe

Glencadam 17yo 2005/2022 Port Piper

Official bottling 

Single malt - East Highlands
Dark red 
59% ABV
Dram

Nose: Blackcurrant cordial, raspberry jam, sandalwood, ginger snaps, toast, shortbread. With water, raspberry jam, orange peel, roses, malted grains. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, loosens, mouth coating, airy. 
Tasting:  Sweet sour. Blackcurrant cordial, chocolate, vanilla, cherries, ginger snaps, shortcrust pastry. With water, cherries, orange peel, raspberry jam, shortbread. 
Finish: Short. Shortcrust pastry, toast, chocolate, ginger snaps, vanilla. 

Comments: 

Cask 2788. Posh Ribena! Toasty, fruity and warm, with plenty of ginger biscuits on the nose and on the tongue. Water opens up a floral set of notes, roses predominate. Very nice dram indeed.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Bluegrass Distillers Bourbon Toasted Oak

Bluegrass Distillers Bourbon Toasted Oak

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

Nose: Oats, porridge, vanilla, salt caramel, white pepper, cinnamon. 

Mouthfeel: Medium body, loosens, cool, astringent. 
Tasting:  Sweet salty. Vanilla, salt caramel, toffee, blackcurrant cordial, white pepper, cinnamon, hints of cloves. 
Finish: Short. Cola nuts, vanilla, blackcurrant cordial, cloves. 

Comments: 

Decent bourbon, quite cereally. Plenty of vanilla and Ribena flavours. Overall a promising dram from quite a young distillery.

Verdict:

I like this.

Bluegrass Distillers Straight Rye Whiskey

Bluegrass Distillers Straight Rye Whiskey

Official bottling 
Single rye - Kentucky
Amber red
55% ABV
Dram

Nose: Black pepper, rye bread, vanilla, cloves, honey, strawberry jam. With water, rye bread, apricots, magic marker. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, loosens, tingly, warm. 
Tasting:  Sour sweet. Apricots, strawberry jam, fresh baked bread, magic marker, rye bread, black pepper. With water, apricots, rye bread, magic marker. 
Finish: Long. Apricots, strawberry jam, magic marker, black pepper. 

Comments: 

New micro distillery in Kentucky. The rye is quite good, lots of nice black pepper notes, plus you can really taste the grain. It’s estery and fruity as well.

Verdict:

I like this.

The Whistler - The Good, The Bad, The Smoky

The Whistler - The Good, The Bad, The Smoky

Official bottling 
Single blend - Leinster
Copper gold
48% ABV
Dram

Nose: White wine, diesel exhaust, white grapes, apricots, peanuts, vanilla. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, thickens, oily, syrupy. 
Tasting:  Sour. White wine, lemon juice, vanilla, peat, diesel exhaust, soot, smoke, cream. 
Finish: Short. White wine, wet stones, pencil lead, diesel exhaust. 

Comments: 

Just a little smoky, and it’s not bad at all. Quite layered, lots of distinct tasting notes, mostly white wine and wet stones, it’s very gentle and welcoming as a peated dram.

Verdict:

I like this.

Caol Ila 8yo Bourbon Cask

Caol Ila 8yo Bourbon Cask

Collector Series, Caskshare 
Single malt - Islay
Pale silver yellow
60.8% ABV
Dram

Nose: Peanuts, peat, yoghurt, lemon juice, tobacco leaf, soy sauce, hints of sour cream. With water, sea salt, sour cream, peat, hints of smoke. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, thickens, astringent, tingly. 
Tasting:  Bitter. Peat, pears, lemon juice, soy sauce, ginseng, black pepper, hints of smoke, hints of grapefruit. With water, sour cream, lemon juice, peat, hints of yoghurt. 
Finish: Short. Farmyard, diesel exhaust, black pepper, ginseng, peat. 

Comments: 

Cask CA.16.01. A gentle, not very smoky Caol Ila, with plenty of peat, lactic notes and citrus notes. Not quite as salty as some others I’ve had, but a decent dram nonetheless.

Verdict:

I like this.

Agitator Swedish Four Grain Whisky Ex White Port Cask

Agitator Swedish Four Grain Whisky Ex White Port Cask

Collector Series, Caskshare 
Single grain - Västmanland
Amber
58.6% ABV
Dram

Nose: Lemon juice, white pepper, rye bread, peppermint malted grains, roast chicken, hints of rosemary. With water, rye bread, petrol exhaust, roast chicken, sultanas. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, thickens, tingly, cool. 
Tasting:  Salty sour. Peppermint, rosemary, rye bread, caraway seed, petrol exhaust, white pepper, hints of roast chicken. With water, rye bread, caraway seed, peppermint, hints of chocolate. 
Finish: Medium. Farmyard, lemon juice, petrol exhaust, caraway seed. 

Comments: 

Cask 4067. There’s quite a lot of different grains in this whisky, making for a jumble of odd notes that don’t normally go together. But it’s pretty interesting, and I’d like to drink more from this distiller.  

Verdict:

I like this.

Craigellachie 21yo Ex PX Sherry Cask

Craigellachie 21yo Ex PX Sherry Cask

Collector Series, Caskshare
Single malt - Speyside
Amber brown 
58.7% ABV
Dram

Nose: Raisins, damson jam, black tea, chocolate, malted grains, candle wax, hints of roast beef. With water, cream, strawberries, magic marker, damson jam. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, oily, mouth coating, expands. 
Tasting:  Sweet. Damson jam, strawberries, malted grains, raisins, black pepper, roast beef, coffee. With water, raisins, cream, fresh baked bread, hints of peppermint. 
Finish: Medium. Black tea, malted grains, peppermint, candle wax. 

Comments: 

Cask CR.03.01. Very sweet and more-ish, with a meaty savoury sweetness. Heaps of waxiness on the nose and on the finish as well, this ought to be from the cask, but I can’t think of what wood might do this. Interesting and good.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Auchroisk 12yo Oloroso Cask

Auchroisk 12yo Oloroso Cask

Collector Series, Caskshare
Single malt - Speyside 
Amber gold 
59% ABV
Dram

Nose: Toffee, cream, vanilla custard, malted grains, orange peel, milk chocolate. With water, white grapes, strawberry jam, malted grains, hints of black tea. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, oily, syrupy, hot. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. White grapes, orange peel, malted grains, black tea, cream, hints of coffee. With water, white grapes, strawberry jam, black pepper, hints of orange peel. 
Finish: Medium. Milk chocolate, cream, orange peel, white grapes, hints of coffee. 

Comments: 

Cask 22074024. Creamy and sweet, and with a notable lactic note (but not sour, like yoghurt). Lots of jammy fruit and pepper. I don’t normally comment on the mouthfeel, but this whisky is notably oily and heavy.

Verdict:

I like this.

Benrinnes 12yo Oloroso Cask

Benrinnes 12yo Oloroso Cask

Collector Series, Caskshare
Single malt - Speyside
Amber gold
55.7% ABV
Dram

Nose: Wet stones, black tea, brown paper, black pepper, coconut cream, raisins, barley sugar. With water, barley sugar, black tea, malted grains. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, astringent, tingly, mouth coating. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Malted grains, black pepper, butterscotch, coconut cream, black tea, hints of coffee. With water, black tea, malted grains, coffee, hints of butterscotch. 

Finish: Long. Malted grains, barley sugar, fresh baked bread, butterscotch, black pepper. 

Comments: 

Cask 11875/082. Feinty and spicy, lots of barley sugar and malt. There’s also something oddly like coconut cream, something I associate more with grain whisky. Interesting and unusual.

Verdict:

I like this.

Oban 20yo 1984/2004 (2004 Special Releases)

Oban 20yo 1984/2004 (2004 Special Releases)

Official bottling
Single malt - West Highlands 
Very pale gold
57.9% ABV
Dram

Nose: Green tea, grapefruit, lemon juice, yoghurt, sea salt, white grapes, malted grains. With water, green tea, white grapes, malted grains, wet stones. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, loosens, tingly, cool. 
Tasting:  Bitter sour. Fresh cut grass, grapefruit, white pepper, green tea, leather, wet stones, pencil lead, hints of yoghurt. With water, wet stones, grapefruit, pencil lead, lemon juice. 
Finish: Short. Sea salt, lemon juice, leather, wet stones. 

Comments: 

Excellent, feinty, lots of minerally goodness, but this time with a lot of citrus and green tea. I love these complex, slightly saline whiskies.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Oban 26yo 1996/2022 Prima and Ultima

Oban 26yo 1996/2022 Prima and Última

Official bottling
Single malt - West Highlands
Golden brown 
55.2% ABV
Dram

Nose: Black tea, toffee, autumn leaves, wet stones, grapefruit, sea salt, hints of roast chicken. With water, toffee, grapefruit, candle wax, hints of roast chicken. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, astringent, mouth coating, loosens slightly. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Grapefruit, bay leaves, autumn leaves, sea salt, camphor, ginseng, lemon juice, hints of raisins, hints of toffee. With water, malted grains, bay leaves, lemon juice, hints of raisins. 
Finish: Medium. Bay leaves, lemon juice, sea salt, raisins. 

Comments: 

Layered fruity, feinty, mineral and very, very complex. Stuff makes it into the Prima and Última range for a reason, and this whisky fully deserves its place. Top 1% stuff.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Kanosuke 3yo 2018/2022

Kanosuke 3yo 2018/2022

Ghost Series, Hideo Yamaoka
Single malt - Kyushu
Pale gold
58% ABV
Dram

Nose: Lemon juice, peaches, apricots, mint, sultanas, dried guava, gooseberries, hints of camphor. With water, sultanas, dried guava, lemon juice, hints of camphor. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, loosens, hot, astringent. 

Tasting:  Sour sweet. Magic marker, photocopy paper, dried guava, sandalwood, peaches, apricots, white pepper, hints of rosewood. With water, malted grains, dried guava, lemon juice, hints of rosewood. 
Finish: Long. Dried guava, magic marker, rosewood, sandalwood. 

Comments: 

Fruity and jammy, lots of tropical fruit and estery notes. There’s a deep, woody floral fragrance as well, rosewood, a note I’ve never encountered in whisky before. Delicious stuff.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Mackmyra 8yo Green Tea and Amontillado Cask

Mackmyra 8yo Green Tea and Amontillado Cask

Permutations Series 2, Fib Whisky
Single malt - Gastrikland
Copper gold
45.4% ABV
Dram

Nose: Peaches, gooseberries, cinder toffee, dates, hibiscus, pine needles, hints of cloudberries. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, cool, mouth coating, airy. 
Tasting:  Sweet sour. Cloudberries, gooseberries, peaches, mulberries, vanilla, cream, barley sugar, strawberry jam, hints of pine needles. 
Finish: Short. Cinder toffee, hibiscus, vanilla, cream, hints of mulberries. 

Comments: 

Tastes like a dry, complex, alcoholic fruit tea. There’s barley here too, and some of that pine needle flavour, that accentuates the herbal tea aspect. Very nice indeed.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Banff 18yo 1980/1998

Banff 18yo 1980/1998

Chieftain’s Choice, Ian Macleod
Single malt - Speyside
Light copper
43% ABV
Dram

Nose: Apple juice, barley sugar, malted grains, leather, celery salt, photocopy paper. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, cool, slightly oily, mouth coating.
Tasting:  Sweet salty. Apple juice, soot, barley sugar, malted grains, leather, lemon zest, white pepper, gooseberries. 
Finish: Medium. Tar, soot, photocopy paper, apple juice, wet stones. 

Comments: 

Appley and very feinty, with a big heap of old bottle effect. It layers up to a surprisingly smoky, tarry finish. Still complex and distinct after all these years. There can’t be much Banff left in the world.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Makers Mark 12yo Cellar Aged 2024

Makers Mark 12yo Cellar Aged 2024

Official bottling
Single bourbon - Kentucky
Amber red
59.7% ABV
Dram

Nose: Peanuts, chocolate, wet stones, pencil lead, coffee, black pepper. With water, raisins, damson jam, ink. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, tingly, hot, astringent. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Bananas, damson jam, chocolate, peanuts, pencil lead, cough syrup, black pepper, sea salt. With water, ink, damson jam, raisins, blackcurrant cordial. 
Finish: Medium. [etc]. 

Comments: 

[etc].

Verdict:

I like this.

Two Stacks Polaris 3.1 5yo Cab Franc Ice Wine Finish

Two Stacks Polaris 3.1 5yo Cab Franc Ice Wine Finish

Polaris, Two Stacks
Single malt - Leinster
Bronze gold
58% ABV
Dram

Nose: Peanuts, yoghurt, blue cheese, petrol exhaust, peat, tyre rubber, hints of tobacco leaf. With water, tyre rubber, soot, peat. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, slippery, tingly, cool. 
Tasting:  Bitter. Petrol exhaust, raisins, apple juice, blue cheese, tobacco leaf, honey, peat, smoke, tarry rope. With water, apple juice, soot, tarry rope. 
Finish: Medium. Peat, soot, tyre rubber, apple juice. 

Comments: 

Well, I’m dubious about sweet wine finishes of peated whisky this menus odd, notes of blue cheese and tobacco appear, but they’re covered in a thick layer of soot and petrol. It’s fine.

Verdict:

I like this.

Masthouse Single Cask No 137

Masthouse Single Cask No 137

Official bottling
Single malt - Kent
Amber brown
56.2% ABV
Dram

Nose: Blueberries, bananas, raisins, mint, tarragon, black tea, toffee. With water, mint, coffee, raisins, toffee. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, hot, astringent, tingly. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Raisins, mint, tarragon, blueberries, cough syrup, malted grains, raisins, coffee. With water, malted grains, raisins, cough syrup, oats. 
Finish: Medium. Coffee, raisins, toffee, hints of oats. 

Comments: 

Fruity and herbal, quite a heavy spirit. Tarragon and blueberries, two quite unusual tasting notes, appear, especially on the tongue. Water loosens it, bringing out the barley.

Verdict:

I like this.

Roseisle 12yo (2024 Special Releases)

Roseisle 12yo (2024 Special Releases)

Official bottling
Single malt - Speyside
Yellow gold
55.6% ABV
Dram

Nose: Yoghurt, white grapes, magic marker, malted grains, raisins, honey, wet stones, hints of white pepper. With water, yoghurt, white grapes, barley sugar. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, thickens slightly, cool, astringent.
Tasting:  Sour. White grapes, lemon zest, barley sugar, magic marker, malted grains, green tea, fresh baked bread. With water, honey, barley sugar, white grapes, hints of white pepper. 
Finish: Medium. Green tea, wet stones, pencil erasers, malted grains. 

Comments: 

Fragrant, estery and feinty, lots of dried fruity notes. On the tongue, tannins and esters abound, and the whole is wreathed through with a little lactic sourness. Interesting dram.

Verdict:

I like this.

Teaninich 45yo 1975/2021

Teaninich 45yo 1975/2021

Highland Laird, Bartels Rawlings International
Single malt - North Highlands
Amber gold
49.5% ABV
Dram

Nose: Pencil lead, honey, wet stones, bananas, dates, kiwifruit, dried mangoes, pomegranate molasses. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, thickens, mouth coating, turns syrupy. 
Tasting:  Sweet. Pencil lead, dried mangoes, honey, fresh baked bread, pomegranate molasses, dates, vanilla sponge, cream. 
Finish: Long. Dried mangoes, pencil lead, wet stones, fresh baked bread, vanilla sponge. 

Comments: 

Cask 14796. Fruity and complex, lots of luscious cooked and dried fruit notes. But there’s a sharp, almost metallic, hit of pencil lead, and flinty stone. It tastes mouth puckering, even though it really isn’t. Excellent whisky.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

VAT 69 (1970s bottling)

VAT 69 (1970s bottling)

Diageo
Blended malt
Pale gold 
43% ABV
Dram

Nose: Smoke, peat, toffee, sausages, baked beans, candle wax, hints of lemon juice. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, cool, loosens, tingly. 
Tasting:  Sour bitter. Candle wax, toffee, smoke, baked beans, fresh baked bread, hints of tyre rubber. 
Finish: Short. Toffee, fresh baked bread, candle wax, smoke, honey. 

Comments: 

Bitter but fragrant, lots of complexity, including some unique sausages and baked beans notes! It turns sulphurous at the back of the tongue, and waxy on the finish. Can’t beat old blends.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Spring Bay Tawny Cask

Spring Bay Tawny Cask

Official bottling
Single malt - Tasmania
Amber red
46% ABV
Dram

Nose: Red grapes, cloves, raisins, cherries, brown paper, damson jam, hints of chocolate. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, thickens, turns oily, turns syrupy. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Red grapes, toffee, cherries, damson jam, oats, fresh baked bread, white pepper, hints of chocolate. 
Finish: Medium. Cherries, toffee, damson jam, fresh baked bread. 

Comments: 

Matured in Australian fortified wine casks, lots of cherry cordial and maybe something Ribena-like. It’s sweet and young, and takes the cask influence well. Good whisky.

Verdict:

I like this.

Spring Bay Bourbon Cask 2019

Spring Bay Bourbon Cask 2019

Official bottling
Single malt - Tasmania
Amber gold

46% ABV
Dram

Nose: Cream, malted grains, butterscotch, honey, vanilla, white pepper, white grapes, hints of butterscotch. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, tingly, loosens, astringent. 
Tasting:  Sour sweet. Malted grains, cream, lemon zest, barley sugar, white pepper, fresh baked bread, toffee, hints of oats. 
Finish: Short. Malted grains, white pepper, toffee, barley sugar, oats. 

Comments: 

Not Springbank, in fact quite literally the other side of the world. Sweet and honeyed, lots of barley, without the muscular industrial flavours of its close-namesake. Interesting and promising.

Verdict:

I like this.

Hakushu Peated Spanish Oak Kogei Collection

Hakushu Peated Spanish Oak Kogei Collection

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

Nose: Peat, roast beef, sea salt, damson jam, strawberries, artificial grape flavour, chocolate, honey. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, cool, tingly, thickens. 
Tasting:  Sweet sour. Peat, smoke, honey, strawberries, sea salt, artificial grape flavour, chocolate, pencil erasers, hints of tyre rubber. 
Finish: Medium. Peat, smoke, pencil erasers, roast beef, artificial grape flavour, peanuts. 

Comments: 

Gently peated, fruity (with a flavour of Fanta Grape), and quite meaty. I haven’t had a Hakushu for a while, theyre not easy to come by in this part of the world. This one was very good indeed.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Yamazaki Peated Malt Spanish Oak Kogei Collection

Yamazaki Peated Malt Spanish Oak Kogei Collection

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

Nose: Chocolate, coffee, peat, smoke, tobacco leaf, raisins, toast, sea salt, walnut skins. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, loosens, tingly, astringent. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Sea salt, tyre rubber, coffee, roast chicken, raisins, tobacco leaf, walnut skins. 
Finish: Long. Raisins, chocolate, coffee, walnut skins, smoke. 

Comments: 

This was pricey, but it’s got the bitter sweet, fragrant, meaty notes that I like in Yamazaki. This is supposed to be fairly young, but it reminds me of some of the older Yamazakis I’ve had.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Ardbeg Heavy Vapours

Ardbeg Heavy Vapours

Official bottling 
Single malt - Islay
Pale green gold 
46% ABV
Dram

Nose: Lemon zest, peppermint, chocolate, smoke, peat, sea salt, hints of honey. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, tingly, warm, airy. 
Tasting:  Bitter. Peppermint, lemon zest, smoke, tyre rubber, peat, malted grains, chocolate, sea salt, hints of oats. 
Finish: Medium. Peat, chocolate, black pepper, lemon zest, malted grains. 

Comments: 

Ardbeg is smoky chocolate to me, but this one has a big hit of peppermint and lemon. It’s also slightly salty, and that enhances the other flavours. A very good dram indeed.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Compass Box Myths and Legends I (Balblair)

Compass Box Myths and Legends I (Balblair)

Myths and Legends, Compass Box
Single malt - North Highlands
Pale yellow 
46% ABV
Dram

Nose: Pears, cream, white wine, apricots, honey, white pepper, hints of Demerara sugar. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, loosens, cool, tingly. 
Tasting:  Sour sweet. Green tea, white wine, apricots, honey, pears, malted grains, gooseberries. 
Finish: Short. Green tea, pears, honey, gooseberries, white wine. 

Comments: 

Fruity and creamy, quite sweet with a light acidity. Almost like white wine and deliciously quaffable. Smooth and slippery, especially down the throat. A dangerous session dram.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Ardmore 13yo 2009 Reserve Casks Parcel No 11

Ardmore 13yo 2009 Reserve Casks Parcel No 11

Single Malts of Scotland, Elixir Distillers
Single malt - Speyside
Pale lemon
48% ABV
Dram

Nose: Peaches, apricots, toast, smoke, golden syrup, white grapes. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, static, mouth coating, syrupy. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Apricots, honey, smoke, peat, coffee, white grapes, dark chocolate, ginseng, hints of oakum. 
Finish: Long. Wet stones, peat, toast, golden syrup, hints of apricots. 

Comments: 

Fruity and chocolatey, but it’s all coated in a thickish layer of gentle peat. It’s very close to the surface, almost like licking the peat. Quite delicious. 

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Glenburgie 29yo 1984/2014

Glenburgie 29yo 1985/2014

Single Cask, WM Cadenhead
Single malt - Speyside
Dark gold 
55.3% ABV
Dram

Nose: Camphor, toffee, wet stones, peaches, white grapes, honey, chocolate, hints of roast chicken. With water, wet stones, roast chicken, chocolate, hints of camphor. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, volatile, mouth coating, tingly. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Honey, camphor, damson jam, gooseberries, chocolate, wet stones, cola nuts, malted grains. With water, peaches, gooseberries, chocolate. 
Finish: Long. Chocolate, cola nuts, camphor, damson jam, wet stones. 

Comments: 

Cask 95/36/10. Chocolatey, toffee-laden and meaty whisky, on the tongue more fruit comes to the fore. Cola nuts make an appearance at the back of the throat, and again on the finish. Very impressive dram.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Glenburgie 29yo 1980/2009

Glenburgie 29yo 1980/2009

Glen Cawdor, Samaroli
Single malt - Speyside
Pale sunshine yellow
45% ABV
Dram

Nose: Peaches, honey, camphor, white grapes, white pepper, fresh baked bread, hints of carbolic soap. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, cool, mouth coating, slippery. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Honey, white grapes, peaches, starfruit, camphor, black tea, ginseng, hints of carbolic soap. 
Finish: Long. Ginseng, black tea, camphor, raisins, honey. 

Comments: 

Cask 14510. Very gentle smokiness, overlaying some white fruit, mostly starfruit and peaches. Turns bitter on the tongue, feels very close to the whisky. A delicious dram

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

SMWS G16 Rare Release (Glasgow 6yo 2016/2023)

SMWS G16 Rare Release (Glasgow 6yo 2016/2023)

2023, SMWS
Single grain - Lowlands
Amber gold 
50% ABV
Dram

Nose: Shortcrust pastry, aluminium foil, butter, fresh baked bread, sea salt, plums, white grapes, hints of roast chicken. With water, fresh baked bread, damson jam, roast chicken. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, astringent, hot, tingly. 
Tasting:  Sweet salty. Fresh baked bread, shortcrust pastry, damson jam, prunes, butter, raisins, hints of ginseng. With water, fresh baked bread, damson jam, prunes, hints of fresh cut grass. 
Finish: Medium. Raisins, sea salt, fresh baked bread, black pepper, damson jam. 

Comments: 

Unusual grain whisky from Glasgow distillery. It’s buttery and redolent with dried plums and damsons. Complex for its young age, and bottled at a decent strength. Pleasing and pleasurable.

Verdict:

I like this a lot.