DYC 15yo

DYC 15yo

Official bottling
Single malt - Castile and León
Amber gold
40% ABV
Dram

Nose: Lemon zest, tyre rubber, malted grains, pencil erasers, fresh cut grass, malted grains, white pepper, nutmeg. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, loosens, cool, tingly. 
Tasting:  Sour. Lemon zest, apple juice, pencil erasers, malted grains, honey, white pepper, nutmeg, hints of fresh baked bread. 
Finish: Long. Honey, raisins, apple juice, lemon zest, malted grains. 

Comments: 

Rather sulphurous and feinty, but there’s plenty of spicy notes underneath. It builds to a long, malty finish. It’s an interesting whisky, and different (not necessarily worse) to Scotch.

Verdict:

I like this.

Brenne 10yo

Brenne 10yo

Official bottling
Single malt - Poitou-Charentes
Golden
48% ABV
Dram

Nose: Magic marker, lemon zest, grapefruit, pomeloes, cinnamon, pencil erasers, hints of pencil lead. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, volatile, cool, tingly. 
Tasting:  Sour sweet. White grapes, sultanas, honey, fresh cut grass, cinnamon, pomeloes. 
Finish: Medium. Cinnamon, lemon zest, grapefruit, sultanas, hints of damson jam. 

Comments: 

Citrusy and feinty, also some esters. Good jammy notes on the finish as well, although there’s a hint of bitterness that reminds me of grapefruit. This is not the same as the early Brennes I tried. It’s much better.

Verdict:

I like this.

EM&C Classic 4yo 2017/2021

EM&C Classic 4yo 2017/2021

Official bottling
Single malt - Buenos Aires

Very pale gold
43% ABV
Dram

Nose: Raisins, damson jam, magic marker, cream, malted grains, photocopy paper, hints of rye bread. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, loosens, mouth coating, volatile. 
Tasting:  Sour bitter. Damson jam, apricots, magic marker, pears, photocopy paper, brown paper, ink, hints of malted grains. 
Finish: Short. Fresh baked bread, malted grains, photocopy paper, lemon zest, hints of white pepper. 

Comments: 

Estery and cereally, rather light. It’s not very sweet, surprisingly, and has some harsh edges. Still, for a 4 year old it’s quite complex, and interesting.

Verdict:

I like this.

La Alazana Single Malt

La Alazana Single Malt

Official bottling
Single malt - Chubut
White wine
46% ABV
Dram

Nose: Green apples, malted grains, lemon zest, vanilla, white pepper, grapefruit, hints of cream. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, thickens slightly, warm, mouth coating. 
Tasting:  Sour. Green apples, malted grains, lemon zest, fresh baked bread, fresh cut grass, grapefruit, hints of wheat beer. 
Finish: Medium. Green apples, wheat beer, lemon zest, fresh baked bread, hints of white pepper. 

Comments: 

Been chasing this whisky for years. It’s rather nice, lots of green apples, and a bitter citrusy bite. It’s also got some nice cereally notes, altogether impressive for something made in a non-traditional whisky country.

Verdict:

I like this.

Glen Keith 30yo 1991/2020

Glen Keith 30yo 1991/2020

Cask Strength Collection, Signatory
Single malt - Speyside
Golden brown
50.2% ABV
Dram

Nose: Camphor, honey, oak, raisins, white pepper, sandalwood, white grapes, hints of hay. With water, apricot jam, gooseberries, hints of tyre rubber. 
Mouthfeel: Medium, expands, tingly, hot. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Honey, raisins, cough syrup, brown butter, white grapes, sandalwood, fresh cut grass, white pepper. With water, camphor, sandalwood, gooseberries, hints of white pepper. 
Finish: Long. Sea salt, white grapes, white pepper, brown butter, hints of apricot jam. 

Comments: 

Cask 73658. Herbal, grassy and honeyed. Water brings out fruity, jammy notes. It’s still grassy on the tongue as well as the nose. Beautiful long finish.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Glen Keith 27yo 1992/2020

Glen Keith 27yo 1992/2020

Spirits Shop Selection, Sansibar
Single malt - Speyside
Buttercups
48.4% ABV
Dram

Nose: Pear drops, clay dust, white pepper, apricot jam, white grapes, honey, hints of sarsaparilla, hints of lilies. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, loosens, cool, astringent. 
Tasting:  Sour sweet. Clay dust, vanilla, honey, apricot jam, fresh baked bread, lilies, sarsaparilla, gooseberries, white pepper. 
Finish: Long. Hay, clay dust, white pepper, lilies, fresh cut grass. 

Comments: 

Fruity, slightly dusty, with herbal, jammy notes. It’s very floral, especially on the tongue. Many layered and complex, a great whisky.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Glendalough 7yo Mizunara Cask

Glendalough 7yo Mizunara Cask

Official bottling
Single malt - Leinster
Orange gold
46% ABV
Dram

Nose: Mangoes, papayas, tyre rubber, pencil erasers, magic marker, pear drops, hints of soot. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, cool, loosens, volatile. 
Tasting:  Bitter sour. Black pepper, fresh baked bread, pencil erasers, mangoes, papayas, white grapes, walnut skins. 
Finish: Medium. Papayas, lemon zest, mangoes, fresh baked bread. 

Comments: 

Fruity, but rather sulphurous. There’s a bitter, sooty edge that is apparent on the finish and towards the back of the palate. It builds to a nice cereally finish.

Verdict:

I like this.

Whitlaw 2019 (Private Cask Sample)

Whitlaw 2019 (Private Cask Sample)

Private cask sample
Single malt - Islands
Amber
64.5% ABV
Dram

Nose: Orange juice, fresh cut grass, malted grains, toffee, white pepper, hints of smoke. With water, peat, raisins, orange juice. 

Mouthfeel: Medium body, hot, volatile, mouth coating. 
Tasting:  Sour sweet. Peat, autumn leaves, malted grains, toffee, orange juice, cucumbers, hints of smoke. With water, autumn leaves, clay dust, toffee, peat. 

Finish: Medium. Toffee, malted grains, orange juice, peat. 

Comments: 

Thank you SM. Citrusy, and slightly smoky, with an earthy layer that I like in Highland Park. There’s some dustiness as well, which is surprising given the age, that improves with water. Very nice indeed. 

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Macduff 2009 (Private Cask Sample)

Macduff 2009 (Private Cask Sample)

Private Cask Sample
Single malt - Speyside
Amber pink
62.8% ABV
Dram

Nose: Cinder toffee, burnt sugar, strawberry jam, blackberries, tyre rubber, cream. With water, cream, yoghurt, malted grains. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, tingly, hot, oily. 
Tasting:  Sweet sour. Lemon zest, blackberries, cinder toffee, cream, fresh cut grass, malted grains. With water, malted grains, yoghurt, tyre rubber, hints of black pepper. 
Finish: Long. Lemon zest, blackberries, malted grains, fresh cut grass. 

Comments: 

Thank you SM. Spent time in a bourbon cask and almost as long in a Chateau de Palmer wine cask. Quite fruity and mild, but with a little edge of burnt sugar and rubber. Complex and interesting.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Pelter 5yo Batch 3

Pelter 5yo Batch 3

Official bottling 
Single malt - Northern District
Dark gold
53% ABV
Dram

Nose: Gooseberries, lemon zest, malted grains, white pepper, fresh cut grass, white grapes. With water, pears, magic marker, malted grains, hints of fresh baked bread. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, loosens, tingly, warm. 
Tasting:  Sour sweet. Magic marker, gooseberries, malted grains, pears, white grapes, hints of cloves. With water, white pepper, lemon zest, malted grains, magic marker. 
Finish: Short. Magic marker, lemon zest, gooseberries, white grapes. 

Comments: 

Light fruity notes, lots of pears, grapes and a grassy character underneath. This distillery uses a cognac / charentais still, the distillate is predisposed to a light fruity character apparently. This is quite decent.

Verdict:

I like this.

Anohka This Is Not Whisky

Anohka This Is Not Whisky

Official bottling
Single malt - Alberta
Very pale gold
57.2% ABV
Dram

Nose: Smoke, peat, lemon juice, lime zest, honey, marmalade, hints of diesel exhaust. With water, lime zest, lemon juice, smoke, cucumbers. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, volatile, hot, tingly. 
Tasting:  Sour salty. Lime zest, marmalade, smoke, peat, grapefruit, photocopy paper, sea salt, smoke, peat. With water, sea salt, lime zest, hints of roast chicken. 
Finish: Long. Autumn leaves, peat, smoke, lime zest, grapefruit. 

Comments: 

Tried this on a whim, very positively surprised. It’s rather like a very youthful Ardnahoe, definitely the same style of whisky. Peaty, smoky and citrusy, grapefruit and limes forever.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Hardenberg Club Straight Rye Whiskey

Hardenberg Club Straight Rye Whiskey

Official bottling
Single rye - Lower Saxony
Amber
42.5% ABV
Dram

Nose: Orange juice, fresh cut grass, tarragon, black pepper, honey, strawberry jam, hints of black pepper, hints of cucumbers. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, loosens, cool, mouth coating. 
Tasting:  Sour sweet. Orange juice, honey, black pepper, fresh baked bread, tarragon, cinnamon. 
Finish: Medium. Honey, strawberry jam, fresh cut grass, tarragon, hints of cinnamon. 

Comments: 

Grassy and light, quite unlike other ryes I’ve tried. Lots of orange notes, and plenty of tarragon, an unusual whisky tasting note for me. It fades to a good jammy herbal finish.

Verdict:

I like this.

Scapegrace Timbre Limited Release IV

Scapegrace Timbre Limited Release IV

Official bottling
Single malt - Otago 
Light amber
46% ABV
Dram

Nose: Damson jam, honeycomb, cream, brown paper, plums, haw flakes, hints of redcurrant jelly. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, tingly, cool, mouth coating. 
Tasting:  Sweet. Malted grains, fresh baked bread, white pepper, damson jam, honeycomb, redcurrant jelly, hints of sea salt. 
Finish: Short. Damson jam, white pepper, fresh baked bread, haw flakes. 

Comments: 

Plummy and sweet, lots of damsons and redcurrants. There’s a fair bit of malt here, but it’s quite buried underneath the cask influence. Still, quite enjoyable.

Verdict:

I like this.

London Rye Whisky Chardonnay

London Rye Whisky Chardonnay

Official bottling
Single rye - London
Golden, hints of pink
57.6% ABV
Dram

Nose: Cream, lemon zest, strawberry laces, white wine, blackcurrant cordial, white pepper. With water, honey, apricot jam, rye bread. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, thickens, oily, hot. 
Tasting:  Sour sweet. Strawberry laces, soot, cinder toffee, white wine, pencil erasers, honey, rye bread. With water, honey, pencil erasers, apricot jam, white wine, rye bread. 
Finish: Short. Apricot jam, strawberry laces, soot, white wine. 

Comments: 

Cask 57. Sweet and sour, but with an undertone of soot and smoke. There’s some peppery rye notes, but this is unlike most other ryes I’ve had - it’s less sweet, and perhaps spicier.

Verdict:

I like this.

Tormore 20yo 1996/2016

Tormore 20yo 1996/2016

Single Cask, Gordon & Macphail
Single malt - Speyside
Amber
57.4% ABV
Dram

Nose: Wet stones, peaches, raisins, fresh baked bread, cream, honey, hints of white pepper. With water, cream, wet stones, peaches, hints of malted grains. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, volatile, airy, tingly. 
Tasting:  Sweet sour. Fresh baked bread, malted grains, wet stones, honey, cream, peaches, white pepper. With water, peaches, cream, honey, hints of pencil erasers. 
Finish: Long. Malted grains, white pepper, wet stones, peaches. 

Comments: 

Cask 5655. Rich and apricotty, lots of jammy, even peppery notes. There’s some sulphurous, rubbery notes that appear with water. Very complex and tasty.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Powers Gold Label 12yo First Release

Powers Gold Label 12yo First Release

Official bottling 

Single malt - Munster 
Amber
40% ABV
Dram

Nose: Cream, peaches, vanilla ice cream, malted grains, honey, hints of toffee. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, thickens, cool, volatile. 
Tasting:  Sweet sour. Peaches, apricot jam, vanilla ice cream, icing sugar, honey, hints of toffee. 
Finish: Medium. Apricot jam, peaches, vanilla ice cream, milk powder, hints of icing sugar. 

Comments: 

Peaches forever and a day, that’s what this tastes like. It’s got apricots as well, and a dusty sweetness that reminds me of icing sugar. Lovely delicious dram.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Nc’Nean 4yo 2020/2024

Nc’Nean 4yo 2020/2024

#12, The Heart Cut
Single malt - West Highlands
Orange gold
54% ABV
Bottle

Nose: Raisins, vanilla ice cream, dried raspberries, dried blueberries, malted grains, magic marker, red grapes. With water, magic marker, wet stones, red grapes, hints of gentian. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, tingly, expands, astringent. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Vanilla ice cream, dried blueberries, shortcrust pastry, toffee, honey, hints of wet stones, hints of walnut skins. With water, wet stones, raisins, dried blueberries, hints of gentian. 
Finish: Medium. Dried blueberries, raisins, shortcrust pastry, wet stones, hints of walnut skins. 

Comments: 

Magnificent whisky, lots of body, almost chewy, with plenty of blueberry pie notes. There’s a pleasant bitterness that develops slowly on the finish, almost herbal. Everything I’ve had from this bottler is excellent.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Fettercairn 29yo 1988/2017

Fettercairn 29yo 1988/2017

75, Maltbarn
Single malt - East Highlands
Pale green gold
48.9% ABV
Dram

Nose: Wet stones, gooseberries, lemon zest, yoghurt, ink, iron filings, strawberry laces. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, hot, astringent, tingly. 
Tasting:  Bitter sour. Peat, iron filings, gooseberries, wet stones, ink, lemon zest, pears, hints of roast beef. 
Finish: Medium. Pears, gooseberries, ink, lemon zest. 

Comments: 

Fruity, astringent, but retains a bitter, slightly metallic note. There’s a meatiness to this whisky, but it’s delicate and probably present only as a faint note on the back palate.

Verdict:

I like this.

Fettercairn 34yo 1975/2009

Fettercairn 34yo 1975/2009

Old Train Line, Jack Wieber’s Whisky World
Single malt - East Highlands
Amber bronze
48.6% ABV
Dram

Nose: Peanuts, yoghurt, ink, iron filings, fresh cut grass, dried pears, hints of oak. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, cool, tingly, slippery. 
Tasting:  Sour. Lemon zest, raspberries, dried pears, iron filings, fresh cut grass, sarsaparilla, hints of oak. 
Finish: Long. Black pepper, raisins, raspberries, cream, ink, iron filings. 

Comments: 

Cask 0297. Quite feinty and minerally, almost metallic. There’s also a herbal edge, grassy sarsaparilla, that fades to raspberries and cream on the finish.

Verdict:

I like this.

Stork Club 5yo 2019/2024

Stork Club 5yo 2019/2024

#13, The Heart Cut
Single rye - Brandenburg
Amber
55% ABV
Dram

Nose: White grapes, black pepper, rye bread, coffee, dark chocolate, sea salt. With water, roses, photocopy paper, white grapes, coffee. 
Mouthfeel: Medium, cool, tingly, astringent. 
Tasting:  Salty sweet. Coffee, dark chocolate, rye bread, honeysuckle, fresh cut grass, hints of black pepper. With water, coffee, photocopy paper, fresh cut grass. 
Finish: Long. Coffee, dark chocolate, photocopy paper, honeysuckle. 

Comments: 

Sweet and honeyed, with lots of dark chocolate and earthy coffee. It’s extremely fragrant, like a freshly made espresso. There’s a herbal element to it, something grassy and sweet underneath. Lovely dram, the Heart Cut releases are always good.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Glen Scotia 12yo The Mermaid Release No 1

Glen Scotia 12yo The Mermaid Release No 1

Official bottling
Single malt - Campbeltown
Amber copper
54.1% ABV
Dram

Nose: Watermelon rind, cucumbers, sea salt, raisins, cinnamon, nutmeg, mace, toffee. With water, raisins, white pepper, mace, molasses. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, loosens, astringent, tingly. 
Tasting:  Salty sour. Watermelon rind, red grapes, raisins, cinnamon, sea salt, pears, hints of molasses. With water, raisins, cucumber, mace, hints of cinnamon. 
Finish: Long. Red grapes, cucumbers, mace, pears. 

Comments: 

Herbal and grassy, but with a sweet molasses-laden edge. Water brings out raisins and mace, not something too common these days in whisky. Very nice dram indeed.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Cotswolds 7yo 2017/2024

Cotswolds 7yo 2017/2024

Single Cask, Nickolls & Perks
Single malt - Warwickshire 
Mahogany 
59.2% ABV
Dram

Nose: Apple juice, cotton candy, pomegranate molasses, raisins, malted grains, honey, red wine, hints of red grapes. With water, honey, cotton candy, golden syrup, raisins. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, cool, astringent, tingly. 

Tasting:  Sweet. Honey, raisins, pomegranate molasses, raisins, black pepper, black tea, hints of coffee. With water, apple juice, pomegranate molasses, raisins, honey. 
Finish: Long. Coffee, pomegranate molasses, honey, raisins, Demerara sugar. 

Comments: 

Cask 1355. Sweet and spicy, lots of fruit and herbal notes. There’s plenty of pomegranate molasses, black pepper and even coffee. Water brings out notes of apple and cotton candy. What a delicious dram!

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Lindores Abbey Friar John Cor Chapter II

Lindores Abbey Friar John Cor Chapter II

Official bottling
Single malt - Lowlands
Sunshine yellow
60.9% ABV
Dram

Nose: Peaches, vanilla, apricots, white grapes, malted grains, lemon sweets, hints of coriander. With water, apricots, vanilla, white grapes, honey. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, oily, warm, static. 
Tasting:  Sour sweet. Malted grains, peaches, white grapes, white pepper, lemon zest, hints of coriander. 
Finish: Medium. Wet stones, white pepper, apricots, vanilla. 

Comments: 

Fruity and herbal, with a satisfying, thick and heavy mouthfeel. Water brings out even more fruitiness, and makes it sweeter. Lots of feinty minerally notes on the finish round it off.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Invergordon 30yo 1994/2024

Invergordon 30yo 1994/2024

Capella, North Star Spirits
Single grain - North Highlands
Golden, hints of copper
50% ABV

Dram

Nose: Vanilla, toffee, desiccated coconut, sandalwood, wheat beer, hints of photocopy paper. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, astringent, volatile, mouth coating. 
Tasting:  Salty sweet. Toffee, sea salt, salt caramel, wheat beer, raisins, dates, photocopy paper, hints of cooked rice.
Finish: Medium. Vanilla, toffee, salt caramel, dates. 

Comments: 

Very much like sticky toffee pudding, with some feinty notes underneath all that caramel. Quite intense, rich and deep, more on the salty rather than the sweet side.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Glendalough Single Cask Calvados Finish

Glendalough Single Cask Calvados Finish

Official bottling
Single pot still - Leinster
Amber gold
42% ABV
Dram

Nose: Cotton sheets, photocopy paper, apples, rye bread, pear drops, white pepper. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, loosens, astringent, cool. 
Tasting:  Sour sweet. Pear drops, rye bread, white pepper, apples, golden syrup, honey, vanilla. 
Finish: Short. Malted grains, golden syrup, pear drops, apples. 

Comments: 

Feinty and loose, some fruity esters appear (that’s the Calvados cask). It’s fades to a short but intense malty, sweet finish. Enjoyable dram.

Verdict:

I like this.

Slyrs Marsala Cask Finish

Slyrs Marsala Cask Finish

Official bottling
Single malt - Bavaria
Golden
46% ABV
Dram

Nose: White wine, malted grains, lemon juice, vanilla, bubble gum, acetone, hints of vanilla. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, cool, expands, tingly. 
Tasting:  Sour. Lemon juice, pear drops, magic marker, white wine, pink peppercorns, hints of cinnamon. 
Finish: Short. Pear drops, acetone, vanilla, bubble gum. 

Comments: 

Not quite sure this is all malt, but I’m not familiar with the German rules, if they exist at all. It’s quite estery, almost nail varnish like. On top of that, it’s quite spicy and feinty too.

Verdict:

I like this.

Godawan PX Sherry Cask Edition Series 01

Godawan PX Sherry Cask Edition Series 01

Official bottling
Single malt - Rajasthan
Amber brown
46% ABV
Dram

Nose: Strawberry jam, raisins, chocolate, malted grains, damson jam, dried blueberries. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, loosens, airy, expands. 
Tasting:  Sweet. Malted grains, vanilla, raisins, bananas, chocolate, pecans, brown butter, hints of walnut skins. 
Finish: Short. Raisins, strawberry jam, black pepper, fresh baked bread. 

Comments: 

Batch 5/24. Sweet and rich, lots of fruit of course, but there’s also nuttiness (pecans, in this case) and also brown butter. Very well finished whisky.

Verdict:

I like this.

Waterford Hook Head 1.1

Waterford Hook Head 1.1

Official bottling
Single malt - Munster
Amber gold
50% ABV
Dram

Nose: Caramel, cinder toffee, yoghurt, lemon zest, autumn leaves, hints of mushrooms. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, expands, airy, volatile. 
Tasting:  Sour. Yoghurt, lemon zest, lemon juice, autumn leaves, caramel, burnt sugar, hints of toast. 
Finish: Medium. Autumn leaves, yoghurt, lemon zest, burnt sugar, hints of mushrooms. 

Comments: 

Quite lactic and earthy, but with a deep, smoky toffee note. Bottled at 50% as with most Waterfords, so I never quite know whether to add water or not. For this one I decided not to, as I enjoyed the richness of that toffee note. 

Verdict:

I like this.

Teeling Blackpitts Big Smoke Cask Strength

Teeling Blackpitts Big Smoke Cask Strength

Official bottling
Single malt - Leinster
Dark gold, hints of orange
56.5% ABV
Dram

Nose: Coffee, smoke, orange blossom, dark chocolate, soot, strawberry jam. With water, autumn leaves, peat, soot. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, loosens, hot, tingly. 
Tasting:  Bitter sour. Orange blossom, lemon zest, smoke, peat, rubber bands, soot, diesel exhaust. With water, peat, rubber bands, lemon zest. 
Finish: Medium. Diesel exhaust, dark chocolate, coffee, lemon zest. 

Comments: 

Sooty and intense, but also floral. The orange blossom note merges quite with the diesel exhaust note, and overlays a not unpleasant, rubbery, slightly sulphurous flavour. Complex and interesting.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Glen Keith 23yo 1997/2021

Glen Keith 23yo 1997/2021

15 Years, The Nectar
Single malt - Speyside
Golden
49.9% ABV
Dram

Nose: Photocopy paper, lemon sweets, wet stones, magic marker, malted grains, hints of sour cream. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, thickens, slippery, volatile. 
Tasting:  Sour. Malted grains, lemon sweets, wet stones, magic marker, membrillo, barley sugar, hints of cinnamon. 

Finish: Long. Lemon sweets, wet stones, barley sugar, hints of membrillo, hints of sour cream. 

Comments: 

Feinty and malty, and a little bit lactic. That last bit spoils it slightly for me - clashes with the deep jammy fruit notes that characterise this whisky.

Verdict:

I like this.

Glen Keith 28yo Special Aged Release

Glen Keith 28yo Special Aged Release

Official bottling
Single malt - Speyside
Light copper
43% ABV
Dram

Nose: Malted grains, hoppy beer, bananas, honey, cloves, hints of sarsaparilla. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, cool, tingly, mouth coating. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Malted grains, hoppy beer, sarsaparilla, coffee, cloves, barley sugar, hints of dark chocolate. 
Finish: Medium. Cherries, cough syrup, coffee, dark chocolate, vanilla. 

Comments: 

Bottled 2019. Very rich and intense, malty, chocolatey, and herbal, almost everything I want in a Speyside of this age. Absolutely delicious.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Ardnahoe 5yo Feis Isle 2024

Ardnahoe 5yo Feis Isle 2024

Official bottling
Single malt - Islay
Pale green gold
59.3% ABV
Dram

Nose: Smoke, lemon sweets, sea salt, peat, green tea, fresh cut grass, hints of white grapes. With water, white grapes, magic marker, autumn leaves. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, loosens, hot, tingly. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Lemon sweets, white grapes, peat, smoke, green tea, leather, apricot jam, photocopy paper. With water, white grapes, apricot jam, honey, peat. 
Finish: Medium. Smoke, peat, autumn leaves, leather, hints of apricot jam. 

Comments: 

Excellent Islay whisky. There’s sweetness underneath the smoke and peat, and also more than a little apricot jamminess. Water brings that fruitiness to the fore, but it doesn’t need very much.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Wilderness Trail 4yo Family Reserve, for the British Bourbon Society

Wilderness Trail 4yo Family Reserve, for the British Bourbon Society

Official bottling
Single bourbon - Kentucky
Amber brown
56.5% ABV
Dram

Nose: Honey, bananas, cinnamon, persimmons, caramel, raisins, milk powder. With water, cream, prunes, cinnamon, brown paper. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, loosens, tingly, warm. 
Tasting:  Sweet. Milk powder, cream, cinnamon, icing sugar, raisins, prunes, hints of sea salt. With water, raisins, blackberries, prunes, milk powder. 
Finish: Short. Milk powder, cream, prunes, cinnamon, raisins. 

Comments: 

Barrel 15D07. Fruity, milky, a hint of sea salt - this is what I always look for in a bourbon! Trust the British Bourbon Society to pick something that appeals massively to Scotch drinkers. Brilliant whisky.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Overeem Sherry Cask Matured Cask Strength (Cask OHD-94)

Overeem Sherry Cask Matured Cask Strength (Cask OHD-94)

Official bottling
Single malt - Tasmania
Amber
60% ABV
Dram

Nose: Cotton sheets, photocopy paper, blueberries, black tea, raisins, driftwood smoke, hints of malted grains. With water, peanuts, lohan fruit, coffee, blueberries. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, loosens, tingly, hot. 
Tasting:  Salty sweet. Sea salt, wheat beer, blueberries, malted grains, raisins, peanuts, driftwood smoke, hints of gooseberries. With water, black tea, driftwood smoke, blueberries, coffee. 
Finish: Medium. Wheat beer, sea salt, black tea, blueberries. 

Comments: 

Cask OHD-94. Very fruity, lots of feinty and malty notes still break through the sherry cask influence. It’s also surprisingly smoky, lots of savoury umami as well. Highly complex, needs a bit more time in wood I’d say.

Verdict:

I like this.

Cooper King First Edition Expedition Series

Cooper King First Edition Expedition Series

Official bottling
Single malt - Yorkshire
Yellow gold
48.1% ABV
Dram

Nose: Peanuts, malted grains, raisins, lemon juice, soor ploom sweets, black pepper. 

Mouthfeel: Medium body, oily, mouth coating, warm. 
Tasting:  Sour sweet. Toffee, blackberries, raisins, fresh baked bread, lemon juice, soor plooms, malted grains. 
Finish: Short. Malted grains, lemon juice, fresh baked bread, black pepper, blackberries. 

Comments: 

Estery, quite funky, but also sweet and reasonably well balanced. Underneath the cask influence there’s a good deal of cereally malt. Decent and distinctive.

Verdict:

I like this.

Rosemullion Batch WHY2

Rosemullion Batch WHY2

Official bottling 
Single malt - Cornwall
Sunshine yellow
43% ABV
Dram

Nose: Magic marker, watermelons, pear drops, white grapes, cucumbers, cotton sheets, hints of apple skins. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, loosens, mouth coating, airy. 
Tasting:  Sour. Watermelons, apple skins, lemon juice, magic marker, vanilla, barley sugar, cucumbers. 
Finish: Medium. Honey, lemon juice, watermelons, magic marker, hints of bananas. 

Comments: 

Batch WHY2. Quite unusual, and distinctive. It mainly tastes like cucumber and watermelons, with some very estery pear drops notes. The finish is surprisingly sweet given how tart it is on the tongue.

Verdict:

I like this.

Aber Falls 2021 Release

Aber Falls 2021 Release

Official bottling
Single malt - North Wales
Golden
40% ABV
Dram

Nose: Peaches, lemon sweets, green tea, white grapes, vanilla, malted grains. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, syrupy, oily, tingly. 
Tasting:  Sweet sour. Green tea, lemon sweets, malted grains, vanilla, cream, lemon zest, barley sugar. 

Finish: Medium. Pencil erasers, cream, vanilla, lemon sweets. 

Comments: 

Fruity, quite citrusy, lots of tannins (but fragrant ones). It’s got an oily mouth feel that is very pleasant indeed. Not hugely complex, but tasty and satisfying.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Aberfeldy 18yo Tuscan Red Wine Cask Finish

Aberfeldy 18yo Tuscan Red Wine Finish

Official bottling
Single malt - Central Highlands
Amber pink
43% ABV
Dram

Nose: Peaches, raspberries, cream, white grapes, Demerara sugar, milk, hints of cinnamon. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, thickens, cool, tingly. 
Tasting:  Sour sweet. Cinnamon, molasses, raspberries, cream, golden syrup, gooseberries, photocopy paper. 
Finish: Short. Malted grains, coffee, molasses, raspberries, golden syrup. 

Comments: 

Batch 2922/A. The red wine finish is relatively well integrated here, giving a creamy raspberry jam sort of vibe. There’s other fruits as well, and some gently feinty notes too. Decent dram.

Verdict:

I like this.

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.