MB Roland 2yo Straight Rye Whiskey Batch 2

MB Roland 2yo Straight Rye Whiskey Batch 2

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

Nose: White pepper, orange peel, malted grains, sandalwood, cinnamon, hints of brown paper. With water, vitamin C tablets, fresh baked bread, cornflakes. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, loosens, cool, tingly. 
Tasting:  Salty sweet. Sea salt, honey, brown paper, orange peel, fresh baked bread, cornflakes, white pepper, hints of sandalwood. With water, brown paper, oak chips, vitamin C tablets. 
Finish: Short. Cream, malted grains, honey, orange peel. 

Comments: 

Peppery and spicy, and quite sweet. It belies its very young age, not many plasticky notes. Water brings out some dustiness and paperiness, even woodiness. The finish is quite good, lovely creamy maltiness.

Verdict:

I like this.

Yellowstone American Single Malt

Yellowstone American Single Malt

Official bottling
Single malt - Kentucky
Amber
54% ABV
Dram

Nose: Wet stones, peanuts, honey, brown paper, orange peel, white pepper, hints of lemon juice. With water, brown paper, malted grains, corn syrup. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, tingly, warm, astringent. 

Tasting:  Salty sweet. Brown paper, honey, lemon juice, malted grains, cream, fresh baked bread, hints of corn syrup. With water, malted grains, fresh baked bread, corn syrup, hints of new plastic. 
Finish: Long. Lemon juice, brown paper, honey, cream. 

Comments: 

Quite sweet as befits an American whisky, but there’s also heaps of salinity as well as some lemony citrus. Water brings out maltiness and even more sweetness, and some plastic notes that imply it’s a rather young dram.

Verdict:

I like this.

Carpathian Single Cask 2024 Greek Beer Cask

Carpathian Single Cask 2024 Greek Beer Cask

Official bottling
Single malt - Sud-Muntenia
Dark bronze gold
46% ABV
Dram

Nose: Malted grains, leather, peaches, mushrooms, autumn leaves, yoghurt, sea salt, roast chicken. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, loosens, tingly, cool. 
Tasting:  Salty bitter. Malted grains, hoppy beer, peaches, dried apricots, autumn leaves, white pepper, roast chicken. 
Finish: Long. Grapefruit, dried apricots, leather, autumn leaves. 

Comments: 

Cask 2602. Bitter and hoppy, but underlying that is a meaty, fruity sweetness. It fades very gradually, going through a long, intense finish, which turns from fruity to earthy.

Verdict:

I like this.

Carnock Glen Blended Whisky

Carnock Glen Blended Whisky

Carradale Blending Co
Blended malt
Amber gold
43% ABV

Dram

Nose: Cucumbers, gooseberries, dark chocolate, roast chicken, cloves. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, loosens, cool, slightly watery around the edges. 

Tasting:  Sweet salty. Strawberry jam, gooseberries, dark chocolate, black pepper, cloves, hay, hints of smoke. 
Finish: Long. Butter, dark chocolate, black pepper, cloves. 

Comments: 

Fruity and vegetal, with more than a lick of smoke. A long, rich, buttery and sweet finish rounds the dram off. Rather good.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

The Antiquary De Luxe (bottled 1950s / 1960s)

The Antiquary De Luxe (bottled 1950s / 1960s)

The Antiquary, J&W Hardie
Blend
Amber
43.5% ABV
Dram

Nose: Cookie dough, vanilla, hay, milk chocolate, leather, honey. 

Mouthfeel: Medium body, thickens, loosens, cool. 
Tasting:  Sweet salty. Cookie dough, lohan fruit, camphor, vanilla, hay, leather, sea salt. 
Finish: Medium. Sea salt, lohan fruit, vanilla, hay. 

Comments: 

A very interesting dram. Whisky from those days tastes almost dirty, but this is very pleasantly delicate and sweet. But there’s a bitter herbal edge to the sweetness.

Verdict:

I like this.

Cape Wrath Special Blended Whisky

Cape Wrath Special Blended Whisky

Cape Wrath Hotel
Blend
Amber
40% ABV
Dram

Nose: Roast beef, raisins, malted grains, black pepper, toffee, Demerara sugar. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, loosens, cool, mouth coating. 
Tasting:  Sweet. Toffee, burnt sugar, bananas, raisins, cinnamon, kiwifruit, parchment. 
Finish: Long. Cinnamon, raisins, bananas, black tea. 

Comments: 

Rich, meaty blend, lots of sweet flavours, and a slightly surprising, bourbony banana note. It’s old, the Cape Wrath Hotel is long gone. A really lovely old blend.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Millburn 17yo 1983/2001

Millburn 17yo 1983/2001

Unchillfiltered, Signatory
Single malt - Speyside
Pale yellow
46% ABV
Dram

Nose: Vitamin C tablets, lemon zest, almonds, walnuts, malted grains, gooseberries. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, loosens, cool, mouth coating. 
Tasting:  Sour sweet. Candle wax, lemon zest, vitamin C tablets, malted grains, leather, petrichor, hints of peat. 
Finish: Long. Leather, candle wax, lemon zest, gooseberries. 

Comments: 

Cask 1538. Waxy and tart, with slightly chalky fizzy flavours. There’s a little earthy zing on the finish, with a gentle wispy peatiness. No water required, just enjoy the long lemony finish.

Verdict:

I like this.

Rosebank 22yo 1981/2004 Rare Malts

Rosebank 22yo 1981/2004 Rare Malts

Official bottling

Single malt - Lowlands
Sunshine gold
61.1% ABV

Dram

Nose: Cream, lemon zest, leather, rhubarb and custard sweets, pears, hints of roast chicken. With water, sandalwood, cinnamon, hints of roast chicken. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, loosens, tingly, hot. 
Tasting:  Sour sweet. Mint, malted grains, lemon zest, pears, leather, white grapes, rhubarb and custard sweets. With water, malted grains, pears, white grapes, vanilla, rhubarb and custard sweets. 
Finish: Long. Malted grains, hoppy beer, white grapes, pears. 

Comments: 

Brilliant old Rosebank, especially delicious at cask strength. Lovely classic notes of rhubarb and custard sweets and white grapes. Water brings out more malt and a floral vanilla note.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Rabbit Hole Boxergrail Straight Rye

Rabbit Hole Boxergrail Straight Rye

Official bottling 
Single rye - Kentucky
Amber
47.5% ABV
Dram

Nose: Honey, butter, Demerara sugar, raisins, orange peel, black pepper, hints of brown paper. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, loosens, mouth coating, turns watery around the edges. 
Tasting:  Sweet. Demerara sugar, butter, raisins, brown paper, black pepper, orange peel, hints of cooked rice. 
Finish: Medium. Coffee, raisins, black pepper, Demerara sugar, hints of cooked rice.  

Comments: 

Quite sweet and luscious, lots of sugary notes with a big stick of butter. It’s rye, so it’s peppery and spicy too. There’s some odd cereally notes, with rice coming through.

Verdict:

I like this.

Kinglassie 8yo 2017/2025 Double Matured

Kinglassie 8yo 2017/2025

Official bottling
Single malt - Lowlands
Dark gold
46.3% ABV
Dram

Nose: Driftwood smoke, honey, coffee, white pepper, peat, leather, hints of roast chicken. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, static, warm, slightly tingly. 
Tasting:  Salty sweet. Driftwood smoke, honey, hay, fresh cut grass, white pepper, peat, autumn leaves, sea salt. 
Finish: Long. Coffee, peat, autumn leaves, white pepper. 

Comments: 

Kinglassie is peated Inchdairnie. This one is sweet and savoury, and quite fragrant. It’s very earthy, almost ahead of its peatiness, and laden with overtones of grass and hay.

Verdict:

I like this.

Dingle Conocht am Fomhair

Dingle Conocht am Fomhair

Official bottling 
Single malt - Munster
Bright gold
50.5% ABV
Dram

Nose: Peaches, apricots, pineapples, passionfruit, orange peel, cinnamon. With water, peaches, orange peel, cinnamon. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, thickens slightly, cool, tingly. 
Tasting:  Sour sweet. Passionfruit, peaches, honey, dates, grapefruit, orange peel, cinnamon. With water, orange peel, vanilla, honey, cinnamon. 
Finish: Short. Cinnamon, nutmeg, white pepper, peaches. 

Comments: 

Fruity and rich, lots of tropical and stone fruit. Water brings out vanilla, honey and cinnamon. A very drinkable and straightforward whisky, slips down easily and smoothly, almost quaffable.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Kyrö 6yo 2018/2024

Kyrö 6yo 2018/2024

Pienso Ruskea Koira, Little Brown Dog Spirits
Single rye - South Ostrobothnia
Amber, hints of red 
53.7% ABV
Dram

Nose: Black pepper, new plastic, rubber bands, rye bread, brown paper, hints of strawberry jam. With water, orange peel, brown paper, black pepper. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, syrupy, tingly, hot. 
Tasting:  Sweet salty. Black pepper, sea salt, brown paper, rye bread, coffee, rubber bands, salt caramel. With water, salt caramel, coffee, orange peel, hints of new plastic. 
Finish: Medium. Salt caramel, rye bread, sea salt, coffee. 

Comments: 

Peppery and spicy, but with an odd hint of new plastic. There’s something a bit sulphurous too. Water brings out salt caramel and coffee, as well as something a little sweeter.

Verdict:

I like this.

Cragganmore 1972

Cragganmore 1972

Original Cask Strength, Gordon & Macphail
Single malt - Speyside 
Light amber
56.5% ABV
Dram

Nose: White grapes, honey, malted grains, vanilla, roast chicken, white pepper, hints of camphor. With water, honey, white grapes, roast chicken. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, loosens, warm, mouth coating. 
Tasting:  Sour sweet. Malted grains, clay dust, white grapes, gooseberries, roast chicken, toffee, sandalwood, camphor. With water, malted grains, grapefruit, honey. 
Finish: Long. Lemon zest, cinnamon, white grapes, honey. 

Comments: 

Lighter and looser than the Creditable, but instead, sweeter and a meatier texture. There’s also some dustiness and a long honeyed citrusy finish. I love this sort of old bottle effect.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Creditable 25yo 1975/2001

Creditable 25yo 1975/2001

Old Malt Cask, Douglas Laing
Single malt - Speyside
Golden
50% ABV
Dram

Nose: Roast chicken, white grapes, malted grains, white wine, fresh cut grass, honey. With water, white grapes, honey, candle wax, lemon zest. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, warm, tingly, astringent. 
Tasting:  Sweet salty. Honey, white grapes, raisins, white wine, candle wax, malted grains, walnut skins. With water, candle wax, white grapes, grapefruit. 
Finish: Long. Candle wax, white grapes, malted grains, walnut skins. 

Comments: 

An old Cragganmore, both in age statement and time in the bottle. It’s very waxy, almost Clynelish-ey, and there’s a slightly bitter, nutty note that covers it all. Water brings out more wax, and a bit more sweetness and bitterness.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Dalmunach 6yo 2016/2022

Dalmunach 6yo 2016/2022

Na Braithrean, Wee Brother
Single malt - Speyside
Very pale gold
52% ABV
Dram

Nose: Yoghurt, lemon zest, malted grains, leather, grapefruit, yuzu, hints of cream. With water, peaches, honey, malted grains. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, loosens, tingly, mouth coating. 
Tasting:  Sour sweet. Yuzu, honey, malted grains, hoppy beer, lemon zest, marmalade, hints of white pepper. With water, marmalade, honey, malted grains. 
Finish: Medium. Lemon zest, marmalade, honey, malted grains, hints of peaches. 

Comments: 

Quite citrusy, but has the young whisky lactic note. Stone fruit notes abound as well, and some jammy marmalade. Water brings out more barley and honeyed sweetness.

Verdict:

I like this.

Four Roses Limited Edition 2024 Release

Four Roses Limited Edition 2024 Release

Official bottling
Single bourbon - Kentucky
Dark amber 
54.1% ABV
Dram

Nose: Oak chips, chocolate, brown paper, raisins, honey, black tea, butter. With water, orange peel, brown paper, black tea. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, volatile, mouth coating, astringent. 
Tasting:  Salty sweet. Raisins, oak chips, vanilla, brown paper, sea salt, fresh baked bread, cornflakes. With water, brown paper, chocolate, black tea. 
Finish: Short. Black tea, oak chips, vanilla, sea salt. 

Comments: 

Sweet and luscious, Four Roses is always buttery and chock full of cornflakes. Water brings out notes of chocolate and orange peel, almost like a Terry’s. Decent bourbon.

Verdict:

I like this.

Allt-a-Bhainne 7yo 2016/2024

Allt-a-Bhainne 7yo 2016/2024

Connoisseur’s Dram, DH Global Imports
Single malt - Speyside 
Dark brown
61.7% ABV
Dram

Nose: Lemon zest, walnuts, sea salt, black pepper, raisins, cloves. With water, raisins, ink, iron filings. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, astringent, hot, tingly. 
Tasting:  Salty sweet. Raisins, sea salt, olive brine, walnuts, vanilla, hazelnuts, honey, raisins. With water, vanilla, ink, honey, raisins. 
Finish: Long. Sea salt, walnuts, black pepper, honey. 

Comments: 

Heavily sherried whisky, with notes of raisins, and hazelnuts. The oloroso cask has conferred slightly savoury notes, with sea salt and olive brine, and they pair well with the sweet honey and dried fruit. With water, it turns slightly metallic.

Verdict:

I like this a lot.

Speyburn Rum Cask Finish

Speyburn Rum Cask Finish

Official bottling
Single malt - Speyside
Amber
40% ABV
Dram

Nose: Passionfruit, pineapples, malted grains, vanilla, burnt sugar, cloves, nutmeg. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, cool, tingly, mouth coating. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Burnt sugar, marshmallows, passionfruit, pineapples, honey, hints of raisins. 
Finish: Long. Malted grains, pineapples, black tea, nutmeg. 

Comments: 

Decent rum finished whisky. There’s the slightly smoky toffee note, with plenty of tropical fruit and vanilla sweetness. There’s finish is surprisingly long too, with heaps of pineapples, and the barley peeking through.

Verdict:

I like this.

SMWS 49.4 (St Magdalene 12yo 1980/1992)

SMWS 49.4 (St Magdalene 12yo 1980/1992)

1992, SMWS
Single malt - Lowlands
White wine
62.8% ABV
Dram

Nose: Pears, magic marker, cucumbers, cinnamon, white grapes, fresh cut grass, hints of acetone. With water, magic marker, cucumbers, cinnamon. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, loosens, volatile, hot. 
Tasting:  Sour. Acetone, fresh baked bread, fresh cut grass, white grapes, lemon zest, vanilla, honeycomb, hints of nutmeg. With water, honeycomb, pears, candle wax, hints of dried apricots. 
Finish: Long. White pepper, white grapes, malted grains, vanilla, fresh cut grass. 

Comments: 

Delicate, but with surprisingly well defined flavour layers. Water brings out delicious floral, waxy notes, and reminds me of sitting in a meadow with bees, flowers and grass. Very lovely whisky indeed.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Inverleven 11yo 1989/2001

Inverleven 11yo 1989/2001

Mackillop’s Choice
Single malt - Lowlands
Bright yellow 
64.1% ABV

Dram

Nose: Malted grains, lemon zest, pears, white grapes, cream, peanuts, persimmons, hints of creme fraiche. With water, lemon zest, malted grains, peanuts. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, hot, volatile, astringent. 
Tasting:  Sour sweet. Malted grains, fresh baked bread, pears, honey, orange blossom, cream, persimmons. With water, malted grains, peanuts, pears, hints of fresh baked bread. 
Finish: Medium. Malted grains, walnut skins, lemon zest, creme fraiche. 

Comments: 

Nutty and fruity. There’s a bitterness coming through, but it’s still quite floral. The high ABV makes it heavy and oily, and a fair amount of water is needed to bring out maltiness and other cereally flavours. A great chance to drink a rare whisky.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Glenburgie 18yo 1998/2017

Glenburgie 18yo 1998/2017

Single Malts of Scotland, Elixir Distillers
Single malt - Speyside
Dark gold
59.5% ABV
Dram

Nose: Pear drops, magic marker, acetone, fresh cut grass, gooseberries, lemon zest, hints of yoghurt. With water, peanuts, fresh cut grass, gooseberries. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, loosens, volatile, hot. 
Tasting:  Sour. Lemon zest, cream, acetone, pear drops, white grapes, white pepper, grapefruit. With water, magic marker, grapefruit, white grapes. 
Finish: Short. Lemon zest, white pepper, gooseberries, magic marker. 

Comments: 

Cask 791399. Fruity and estery, definitely a bit of a nail varnish vibe. Water brings out more esters, as well as bitter citrus. Quite a robust whisky, with well integrated flavours.

Verdict:

I like this.

Glen Keith 26yo 1992/2019

Glen Keith 26yo 1992/2019

Celebration of the Cask, Carn Mor
Single malt - Speyside
Amber gold
55.1% ABV
Dram

Nose: Peaches, dried apricots, winter melons, leather, mint, honey, hints of cloves. With water, honey, dried apricots, leather, lychees. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, volatile, loosens, expands. 
Tasting:  Sweet sour. Lychees, cream, peaches, cinnamon, nutmeg, honey, mint, white pepper. With water, leather, lychees, cream. 
Finish: Long. Lychees, mint, dried apricots, honey. 

Comments: 

Cask 102371. Lots of dried fruit notes on the nose, but on the tongue there’s an immediate explosion of lychees. Water brings out a creaminess, allied to leather, showing its age. A pleasant dram.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Glen Garioch 1971 for Oddbins

Glen Garioch 1971 for Oddbins

Official bottling
Single malt - East Highlands
Amber
43% ABV
Dram

Nose: Leather, camphor, black tea, raisins, sea salt, hints of roast chicken, hints of mustard. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, thickens, oily, cool. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Camphor, leather, gentian, raisins, roast chicken, sea salt, black pepper. 
Finish: Long. Lemon zest, leather, gentian, camphor, hints of mustard. 

Comments: 

Bitter and herbal to begin with, but leather and raisins take over. There’s some savoury notes as well, and a tinge of the characteristic mustard. Tastes old, which it is, of course.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Circumstance Single Grain 1:11:1:29:37

Circumstance Single Grain 1:11:1:29:37

Official bottling
Single grain - Bristol
Bright gold
42.7% ABV
Dram

Nose: Pomeloes, cherry blossom, white grapes, lemon zest, white pepper, cotton sheets, hints of gooseberries. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, thickens slightly, cool, slightly oily. 
Tasting:  Sour sweet. Cherry blossom, pomeloes, white grapes, sour cream, white pepper, marmalade, lemon curd, hints of new plastic. 
Finish: Short. Lemon curd, cherry blossom, white grapes, hints of sour cream. 

Comments: 

Light and flavourful, lots of lactic and fruity notes. Soft and delicate, lots of layers and complexity for a young whisky. Unexpectedly impressive.

Verdict:

I like this.

Orphan Barrel Rhetoric 24yo

Orphan Barrel Rhetoric 24yo

Orphan Barrel

Single bourbon - Kentucky
Amber
45.4% ABV
Dram

Nose: Hazelnuts, walnuts, oak chips, toffee, cinnamon, maple syrup, nutmeg. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, thickens slightly, astringent, cool.
Tasting:  Sweet salty. Hazelnuts, walnuts, chocolate, maple syrup, brown paper, fresh baked bread, cinnamon. 
Finish: Short. Brown paper, hazelnuts, fresh baked bread, chocolate, hints of white pepper. 

Comments: 

Nutty and chocolatey, but with heaps of wood. There are savoury edges to this whisky, and some complexity commensurate with its age. Decent dram.

Verdict:

I like this.

Weller Full Proof (for Melody Whisky Bar)

Weller Full Proof (for Melody Whisky Bar)

Official bottling
Single bourbon - Kentucky
Amber gold
57% ABV
Dram

Nose: Cranberry juice, fresh baked bread, orange peel, walnuts, raisins, hints of cooked rice. With water, cream, raisins, fresh baked bread. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, loosens, volatile. 
Tasting:  Sweet. Cranberry juice, orange peel, walnuts, raisins, sandalwood, brown sugar, hints of parchment paper. With water, brown sugar, raisins, blackcurrant cordial, cream. 
Finish: Medium. Raisins, fresh baked bread, salt caramel, orange peel, hints of strawberry jam. 

Comments: 

Rich, fruity, lots of feinty parchment notes that tickle the palate. Brown sugar sweetness vies with creamy, fragrant blackcurrants. Water brings out even more sweetness. Sticky and luscious.

Verdict:

I like this.

Old Fitzgerald 1849 8yo 1987

Old Fitzgerald 1849 8yo 1987

Official bottling
Single bourbon - Kentucky
Amber
45% ABV
Dram

Nose: Cotton sheets, raisins, popcorn, brown butter, dates, toffee, hints of black pepper. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, loosens, mouth coating, cool. 
Tasting:  Sweet. Brown butter, popcorn, toffee, blackcurrant cordial, clay dust, hints of cloves. 
Finish: Long. Raisins, walnuts, clay dust, cloves, popcorn. 

Comments: 

Sweet, rich and intense, well aged with whiffs of dust and walnuts, yet not took cloying. I enjoyed the savoury nutty notes on the tongue, like drinking liquid popcorn soaked in Ribena. An excellent dram.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Peerless Rye Whiskey Absinthe Barrel Finish

Peerless Rye Whiskey Absinthe Barrel Finish

Official bottling
Single rye - Kentucky
Amber gold
55.85% ABV
Dram

Nose: Mint, white chocolate, burnt sugar, wormwood, vanilla, white pepper. With water, anise, lemon juice, white pepper, grapefruit. 

Mouthfeel: Light body, volatile, hot, tingly. 
Tasting:  Bitter sour. Fennel, wormwood, white chocolate, anise, white pepper, hints of mint. With water, mint, anise, lemon juice, malted grains. 
Finish: Medium. White pepper, wormwood, fennel, anise, malted grains. 

Comments: 

A very unusual finish, but the wood has overtaken the whisky. It tastes of mint and white chocolate, with a huge layer of anise. Interesting and different.

Verdict:

Not bad. 

Longrow 100 Proof

Longrow 100 Proof

Official bottling
Single malt - Campbeltown
Bright gold
57.1% ABV
Dram

Nose: Peat, white grapes, yoghurt, orange peel, honey, smoke, white pepper, hints of cloves. With water, white pepper, orange peel, peat, malted grains. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, loosens, warm, astringent. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. White grapes, white pepper, peat, smoke, autumn leaves, grapefruit, malted grains, hints of petrol exhaust. With water, white pepper, petrol exhaust, white grapes, peat. 
Finish: Long. Petrol exhaust, autumn leaves, white pepper, soot. 

Comments: 

Slightly lactic, but it’s got the characteristic motor exhaust note, and plenty of peat and soot. Water brings out more fruity and a peppery spiciness. I don’t always get to try a new whisky from Springbank distillery, quite pleased with this.

Verdict:

I like this.

Aultmore 15yo 2009/2024

Aultmore 15yo 2009/2024

Hogshead Imports
Single malt - Speyside
Amber
48% ABV
Dram

Nose: Strawberry laces, cream, cherry blossom, parchment, salt caramel, hints of toffee. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, astringent, warm, volatile. 
Tasting:  Salty sweet. Salt caramel, toffee, dates, raisins, parchment, black tea, hints of cherry blossom. 
Finish: Medium. Salt caramel, raisins, malted grains, dates. 

Comments: 

Sherried and sweet, with a nice floral, slightly papery top note. It’s sticky toffee pudding on the tongue, together with more of that floral sweetness. A very nice dram indeed.

Verdict:

I like this.

Bernheim Original 7yo Small Batch

Bernheim Original 7yo Small Batch

Official bottling 
Single bourbon - Kentucky
Amber brown 
45% ABV
Dram

Nose: Bananas, brown paper, caramel, chocolate, golden syrup. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, slippery, expands, loosens. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Brown paper, caramel, desiccated coconut, walnut skins, cola nuts, milk. 
Finish: Medium. Milk, golden syrup, walnut skins, brown paper. 

Comments: 

Easy drinking, session bourbon, with some interesting lactic notes. It’s creamy and rich, pleasant to drink and at a reasonable strength too.

Verdict:

I like this.

Scapa 28yo 1993/2022 Distillery Exclusive

Scapa 28yo 1993/2022 Distillery Exclusive

Official bottling
Single malt - Islands
Sunshine yellow
57.6% ABV
Dram

Nose: Mangoes, peaches, winter melons, lemon zest, icing sugar, cinnamon. With water, raisins, honey, mangoes, hints of sandalwood. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, thickens slightly, warm, astringent. 
Tasting:  Sour salty. Mangoes, peaches, lemon zest, peat, sea salt, cinnamon, white pepper, hints of malted grains. With water, lemon zest, icing sugar, sandalwood, hints of peat. 
Finish: Long. Lemon juice, icing sugar, cinnamon, sea salt. 

Comments: 

Citrusy and fruity, and with a dusty sweet note that reminds me of icing sugar. Water brings out spicy herbal fragrances, almost perfumed, but also peat. An excellent dram.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

The Hearach Batch 1.8

The Hearach Batch 1.8

Official bottling 
Single malt - Islands
Golden bronze
46% ABV
Dram

Nose: White grapes, sultanas, smoke, tyre rubber, olive brine, lemon juice. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, loosens, tingly, hot. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Soot, smoke, white grapes, sultanas, pencil erasers, olive brine, walnut skins, hints of diesel exhaust. 
Finish: Long. Soot, diesel exhaust, peat, smoke, sultanas. 

Comments: 

Sooty and smoky, yet fruity with savoury notes. It’s well integrated and delicately layered, excellent for its young age, and one of the first releases from this distillery.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Arran 21st Anniversary Limited Edition

Arran 21st Anniversary Limited Edition

Official bottling
Single malt - Islands
Amber bronze
52.6% ABV
Dram

Nose: Magic marker, pears, eucalyptus, menthol, raisins, malted grains, sea salt, hints of soot. With water, fresh baked bread, menthol, camphor, hints of pencil lead. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, expands, mouth coating, astringent. 
Tasting:  Salty sweet. Pears, eucalyptus, camphor, menthol, raisins, dried apricots, black tea, sea salt. With water, fresh baked bread, dried apricots, menthol. 
Finish: Medium. Walnut skins, camphor, black tea, eucalyptus. 

Comments: 

Quite herbal, with refreshing notes of menthol and eucalyptus, like liniment. But it’s also sweet and savoury, and water brings out dried fruit and cereally notes. Complex, layered, delicious.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Mortlach 30yo for the Puritan Yacht

Mortlach 30yo for the Puritan Yacht

Gordon & Macphail
Single malt - Speyside
Dark gold
45% ABV
Dram

Nose: Pears, gooseberries, malted grains, aluminium foil, raisins, toast, hints of roast beef. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, loosens, tingly, oily. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Butter, raisins, malted grains, aluminium foil, honey, toast, chocolate, black pepper. 
Finish: Long. Aluminium foil, raisins, pears, toast, honey. 

Comments: 

A rich, mouth coating, textured dram, lots of typical fruit notes with a touch of the meatiness that characterises this distillery. There’s also some feinty aluminium foil, but that complements the sweetness rather than distracting from it.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Reservoir Bourbon 2022 Batch 2

Reservoir Bourbon 2022 Batch 2

Official bottling
Single bourbon - Virginia
Amber
45% ABV
Dram

Nose: Bananas, brown paper, popcorn, brown sugar, sawdust, vanilla, hints of white pepper. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, thickens, tingly, cool. 
Tasting:  Sweet salty. Brown paper, popcorn, sawdust, fresh baked bread, caramel, vanilla, white pepper. 
Finish: Medium. Toffee, caramel, brown paper, cinnamon, white pepper. 

Comments: 

A papery, dry bourbon, with plenty of woody notes as well. There’s plenty of caramel and bananas, but that’s as far as it goes. A session dram.

Verdict:

I like this.

Frysk Hinder 5yo 2019/2024

Frysk Hinder 5yo 2019/2024

Official bottling
Single malt - Friesland
Amber bronze
40% ABV
Dram

Nose: Malted grains, fresh baked bread, ginger, raisins, white pepper, yoghurt, lemon zest. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, cool, static, mouth coating. 
Tasting:  Sour. Malted grains, lemon zest, gooseberries, yoghurt, cinder toffee, hints of ginger. 
Finish: Short. Cinder toffee, malted grains, lemon zest, white pepper. 

Comments: 

Cask 282. Red wine cask, but the wood is reasonably well integrated with the spirit. Burnt sugar and bready notes predominate, but there’s also some raisins and a warming ginger note. A pleasant dram.

Verdict:

I like this.

Kingsbarns Distillery Reserve 2024

Kingsbarns Distillery Reserve 2024

Official bottling 
Single malt - Lowlands
Amber gold
58.2% ABV
Dram

Nose: Yoghurt, lemons, fresh cut grass, cinder toffee, malted grains, hints of vanilla. With water, cinder toffee, hay, rubber bands. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, volatile, hot, tingly. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Yoghurt, cinder toffee, malted grains, vanilla, lemon zest, white pepper. With water, malted grains, hay, rubber bands. 
Finish: Long. Cinder toffee, malted grains, lemon zest, white pepper. 

Comments: 

Funky and light, lots of citrus coupled with a burnt sugar, dark caramel note. Water brings out a sulphurous side, with notes of rubber band and musty hay. A reasonable dram given its young age.

Verdict:

I like this.

Ardnahoe Bholsa

Ardnahoe Bholsa

Official bottling 
Single malt - Islay
Orange gold
50% ABV
Dram

Nose: Lemon zest, orange juice, peaches, watermelons, peat, smoke, peanuts, autumn leaves, white pepper. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, loosens, tingly, warm. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Orange juice, watermelons, coffee, peaches, peat, smoke, germolene, pear drops, autumn leaves. 
Finish: Medium. Coffee, orange juice, pears, peat, germolene. 

Comments: 

Citrusy and sweet, the peat is gentle with this one, although still there. It’s a delicious dram. I really enjoy Ardnahoe, it’s a great distillery and is a magical addition to an island that already makes great whisky.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Old Forester 1870 Original Batch

Old Forester 1870 Original Batch

Official bottling
Single bourbon - Kentucky
Amber brown
45% ABV
Dram

Nose: Honey, raisins, corn syrup, popcorn, brown paper, cola bottles, black pepper. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, loosens, expands, astringent. 
Tasting:  Sweet salty. Brown paper, walnuts, cola bottles, honey, cinnamon, corn syrup, hints of strawberry jam. 
Finish: Medium. Popcorn, brown paper, parchment paper, cinnamon, popcorn. 

Comments: 

A rather good bourbon, sweet of course, but with complex notes of cola bottle sweets and a little darkness of walnuts. The top note is lightly sweet and reminds me of buttered popcorn.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Fettercairn 22yo 1998/2020

Fettercairn 22yo 1998/2020

Celebration of the Cask, Carn Mor
Single malt - East Highlands
Pale gold
56.1% ABV
Dram

Nose: Gooseberries, lemon zest, magic marker, malted grains, white pepper, hints of camphor, hints of fresh cut grass. With water, gooseberries, cream, honey. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, loosens, expands, tingly. 
Tasting:  Bitter sour. Malted grains, lemon zest, gooseberries, camphor, grapefruit, white pepper, hints of gentian. With water, vanilla, cream, malted grains, honey. 
Finish: Short. White pepper, malted grains, lemon zest, fresh cut grass. 

Comments: 

Cask 3222. Fruity but with a bitter edge, lots of citrus and camphor. The finish doesn’t match the rest of the dram, a little short, although it’s peppery and citrusy.

Verdict:

I like this.

Fettercairn 22yo

Fettercairn 22yo

Official bottling
Single malt - East Highlands
Dark gold
47% ABV
Dram

Nose: Bananas, honey, malted grains, vanilla, caramel, rubber bands, white pepper. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, thickens, tingly, cool. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Pencil lead, white pepper, honey, rubber bands, leather, pears, gooseberries. 
Finish: Long. Malted grains, pears, pencil lead, gooseberries, honey. 

Comments: 

Feinty and fragrant, lots of leather and rubber bands notes, but it’s well integrated with the fruity notes in the background. It all makes for a very complex, layered dram.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Starward 5yo 2019/2024

Starward 5yo 2019/2024

#14, The Heart Cut
Single malt - Victoria
Red
55% ABV
Dram

Nose: Chocolate, raisins, strawberry jam, magic marker, fresh baked bread, vanilla, white pepper. With water, strawberry jam, raisins, chocolate, hints of golden syrup. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, volatile, loosens, hot. 
Tasting:  Sweet sour. Strawberry jam, blackcurrant cordial, white pepper, fresh baked bread, raisins, apricot jam, hints of marzipan, hints of brown butter. With water, raisins, marzipan, golden syrup, hints of brown butter. 
Finish: Long. Strawberry jam, magic marker, marzipan, white pepper, blackcurrant cordial. 

Comments: 

Another red wine cask with high ABV, lots of fruit notes, but here it’s deeper, with flavours of butter and nuts. It takes water well, the buttery notes become more forward and intense. Very nice indeed.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Starward 6yo 2018/2024

Starward 6yo 2018/2024

#15, The Heart Cut
Single malt - Victoria
Red
54% ABV
Dram

Nose: Strawberry laces, cherry blossom, fresh baked bread, lemon zest, black pepper, hints of raspberry jam. With water, malted grains, black pepper, cherry blossom. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, loosens, expands, volatile. 
Tasting:  Sweet sour. Lemon zest, blackcurrant cordial, cherry blossom, vanilla, cola nuts, fresh baked bread, mint, hints of raspberry jam. With water, blackcurrant cordial, black pepper, hints of coffee. 
Finish: Medium. Blackcurrant cordial, raspberry jam, strawberry laces, cherry blossom, mint. 

Comments: 

High ABV red wine cask, usually a recipe for disaster but in this case, it makes a very floral sweet whisky. Lots of interaction between the wood and the spirit, creating fruity and vanilla notes. Complex and layered.

Verdict:

I like this.

Filey Bay Orange Wine Barrique

Filey Bay Orange Wine Barrique

Official bottling
Single malt - Yorkshire

Orange amber
46.2% ABV
Dram

Nose: Orange peel, pencil erasers, pencil lead, raspberry jam, malted grains, vanilla, burnt sugar, coffee. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, thickens slightly, mouth coating, tingly. 
Tasting:  Sour sweet. Orange peel, malted grains, grapefruit, pencil lead, orange blossom, burnt sugar, raisins, hints of apricot jam. 
Finish: Medium. Apricot jam, orange peel, orange blossom, grapefruit, hints of pencil lead. 

Comments: 

Rather orangey, despite the fact that orange wine refers to the colour, not the fruit. Perhaps the cask was seasoned, like Amrut Naarangi. Anyway, the flavours are well integrated and tend towards the gentle floral variety. Very pleasant indeed.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Smögen 10yo 2014/2024

Smögen 10yo 2014/2024

Decadent Drams, Decadent Drinks
Single malt - Bohuslän
Amber
57.1% ABV
Dram

Nose: Lemon zest, pears, raisins, cloves, fresh cut grass, smoke, hints of fresh baked bread. With water, peat, smoke, pears. 

Mouthfeel: Heavy body, volatile, loosens, hot. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Peat, smoke, tarry rope, raisins, cloves, pears, malted grains, hints of vanilla, hints of fresh cut grass. With water, peat, smoke, lemon zest, fresh cut grass. 
Finish: Medium. Peat, smoke, malted grains, pears, hints of tarry rope. 

Comments: 

Quite fruity, but of course it’s laden with huge layers of pear and smoke. But the fruit still comes through alongside some cereal. Water brings out more citrus and grassiness.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Ardnamurchan Sherry Cask 2024

Ardnamurchan Sherry Cask 2024

Official bottling
Single malt - Western Highlands
Amber brown
50% ABV
Dram

Nose: Coffee, raisins, dark chocolate, orange peel, malted grains, hints of roast beef, hints of driftwood smoke. With water, driftwood smoke, roast beef, raisins. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, thickens, warm, tingly. 
Tasting:  Sweet salty. Malted grains, dark chocolate, orange peel, black pepper, fresh baked bread, hints of driftwood smoke. With water, coffee, dark chocolate, hints of roast beef. 
Finish: Long. Walnut skins, coffee, black pepper, fresh baked bread. 

Comments: 

Deep spicy notes with a lick of salty smoke that intensifies when water is added. On the tongue, water brings out even more bitterness, and the fragrance of coffee and chocolate.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

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.