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.
Thursday, 8 May 2025
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.
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.
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.
Wednesday, 7 May 2025
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.
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
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.
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.
Saturday, 3 May 2025
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.
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.
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.
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.
Friday, 2 May 2025
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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