Glenfiddich 12yo Caoran Reserve
Official bottling
Single malt - Speyside
Amber gold
40% ABV
Dram
Nose: Honey, cinder toffee, barley sugar, malted grains, toast, hints of germolene.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, thickens slightly, warm, tingly.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Cinder toffee, barley sugar, malted grains, pears, fresh baked bread, hints of white grapes.
Finish: Long. Soot, smoke, peat, burnt sugar, cinder toffee, pears.
Comments:
Peated Glenfiddich, I did not know this existed! The peat is very gentle though, the Glenfiddich pear is evident. It’s only sooty and ashy on the finish, even though the sweet notes still come through.
Verdict:
I like this.
Friday, 11 July 2025
Wednesday, 9 July 2025
The Busker Single Pot Still
The Busker Single Pot Still
Official bottling
Single malt - Leinster
Amber
44.3% ABV
Dram
Nose: Farmyard, mushrooms, peaches, winter melons, white grapes, malted grains, cucumbers.
Mouthfeel: Light body, loosens, expands, cool.
Tasting: Sweet salty. Mushrooms, peaches, autumn leaves, malted grains, farmyard, white grapes, menthol, hints of roast chicken.
Finish: Medium. Peaches, autumn leaves, farmyard, white grapes, menthol, hints of bananas.
Comments:
Quite feinty, with earthy notes of fermentation. Lots of mushrooms and peaches, and there’s a hint of something vegetal and savoury on the edge of the tongue. Interesting dram.
Verdict:
I like this.
Official bottling
Single malt - Leinster
Amber
44.3% ABV
Dram
Nose: Farmyard, mushrooms, peaches, winter melons, white grapes, malted grains, cucumbers.
Mouthfeel: Light body, loosens, expands, cool.
Tasting: Sweet salty. Mushrooms, peaches, autumn leaves, malted grains, farmyard, white grapes, menthol, hints of roast chicken.
Finish: Medium. Peaches, autumn leaves, farmyard, white grapes, menthol, hints of bananas.
Comments:
Quite feinty, with earthy notes of fermentation. Lots of mushrooms and peaches, and there’s a hint of something vegetal and savoury on the edge of the tongue. Interesting dram.
Verdict:
I like this.
The Donn Irish Whiskey 7yo 2023 Edition
The Donn Irish Whiskey 7yo 2023 Edition
The Craft Irish Whiskey Co
Single malt - Unknown
Dark brown
46.15% ABV
Dram
Nose: Cola nuts, orange peel, chocolate, sandalwood, raspberry jam, rye bread, hints of black pepper.
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, astringent, hot, tingly.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Raspberry jam, chocolate, black pepper, orange peel, vanilla, cream, cola nuts.
Finish: Medium. Orange peel, cola nuts, raspberry jam, chocolate.
Comments:
Sweet and rich, quite unlike a normal Irish whisky. Lots of fruity and chocolatey notes. I have no idea which distillery this is from.
Verdict:
I like this.
The Craft Irish Whiskey Co
Single malt - Unknown
Dark brown
46.15% ABV
Dram
Nose: Cola nuts, orange peel, chocolate, sandalwood, raspberry jam, rye bread, hints of black pepper.
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, astringent, hot, tingly.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Raspberry jam, chocolate, black pepper, orange peel, vanilla, cream, cola nuts.
Finish: Medium. Orange peel, cola nuts, raspberry jam, chocolate.
Comments:
Sweet and rich, quite unlike a normal Irish whisky. Lots of fruity and chocolatey notes. I have no idea which distillery this is from.
Verdict:
I like this.
Friday, 4 July 2025
Hellyers Road 19yo Voyager
Hellyers Road 19yo Voyager
Official bottling
Single malt - Tasmania
Amber
57% ABV
Dram
Nose: Honey, dried strawberries, dried blueberries, lemon zest, cloves, cinnamon, fresh baked bread. With water, malted grains, dried strawberries, orange peel, honey.
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, volatile, astringent, hot.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Smoke, leather, lemon zest, cloves, honey, fresh baked bread, raisins, hints of dried strawberries. With water, raisins, dried strawberries, honey, rye bread.
Finish: Long. Raisins, dried strawberries, peaches, lemon zest, hints of smoke.
Comments:
Cask 20F10C04. Very fruity, but water brings out maltiness and honey. There’s some smoke in this, it’s more apparent on the tongue. The finish is long and fruity again, with more smoke.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Official bottling
Single malt - Tasmania
Amber
57% ABV
Dram
Nose: Honey, dried strawberries, dried blueberries, lemon zest, cloves, cinnamon, fresh baked bread. With water, malted grains, dried strawberries, orange peel, honey.
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, volatile, astringent, hot.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Smoke, leather, lemon zest, cloves, honey, fresh baked bread, raisins, hints of dried strawberries. With water, raisins, dried strawberries, honey, rye bread.
Finish: Long. Raisins, dried strawberries, peaches, lemon zest, hints of smoke.
Comments:
Cask 20F10C04. Very fruity, but water brings out maltiness and honey. There’s some smoke in this, it’s more apparent on the tongue. The finish is long and fruity again, with more smoke.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Hellyers Road 18yo 2004/2022 Peated French Exclusive (for LMDW)
Hellyers Road 18yo 2004/2022 Peated French Exclusive (for LMDW)
Official bottling
Single malt - Tasmania
Golden
58.4% ABV
Dram
Nose: Smoke, peat, menthol, black pepper, potting soil, lemon zest, orange peel. With water, smoke, autumn leaves, cookie dough, lemon zest.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, oily, astringent, hot.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Orange peel, menthol, black pepper, honey, lemon zest, tobacco leaf, driftwood smoke, hints of autumn leaves. With water, driftwood smoke, tobacco leaf, lemon zest, orange peel.
Finish: Long. Smoke, tobacco leaf, driftwood smoke, autumn leaves, menthol.
Comments:
Cask 4022.03. Smoky but still sweet and redolent of overripe fruit. There’s some tobacco here, which is all the more alluring for the saline smoke. Water releases more earthiness and saltiness.
Verdict:
I like this.
Official bottling
Single malt - Tasmania
Golden
58.4% ABV
Dram
Nose: Smoke, peat, menthol, black pepper, potting soil, lemon zest, orange peel. With water, smoke, autumn leaves, cookie dough, lemon zest.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, oily, astringent, hot.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Orange peel, menthol, black pepper, honey, lemon zest, tobacco leaf, driftwood smoke, hints of autumn leaves. With water, driftwood smoke, tobacco leaf, lemon zest, orange peel.
Finish: Long. Smoke, tobacco leaf, driftwood smoke, autumn leaves, menthol.
Comments:
Cask 4022.03. Smoky but still sweet and redolent of overripe fruit. There’s some tobacco here, which is all the more alluring for the saline smoke. Water releases more earthiness and saltiness.
Verdict:
I like this.
Hellyers Road 18yo 2002/2001 Original French Exclusive (for LMDW)
Hellyers Road 18yo 2002/2021 Original French Exclusive (for LMDW)
Official bottling
Single malt - Tasmania
Amber gold
61.4% ABV
Dram
Nose: Peat, clay dust, apple juice, orange blossom, orange juice, lemon zest, rye bread. With water, orange juice, dried strawberries, apricots.
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, loosens, tingly, cool.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Sea salt, orange juice, dried strawberries, apricots, clay dust, rye bread, black pepper. With water, rye bread, dried strawberries, apricots, orange juice.
Finish: Long. Dried strawberries, clay dust, lemon zest, orange juice.
Comments:
Cask 2283.03. Quite thick, but the flavours are gentle. Some dusty notes vie with the sweet, slightly overripe fruit. It builds to a long dusty finish.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Official bottling
Single malt - Tasmania
Amber gold
61.4% ABV
Dram
Nose: Peat, clay dust, apple juice, orange blossom, orange juice, lemon zest, rye bread. With water, orange juice, dried strawberries, apricots.
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, loosens, tingly, cool.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Sea salt, orange juice, dried strawberries, apricots, clay dust, rye bread, black pepper. With water, rye bread, dried strawberries, apricots, orange juice.
Finish: Long. Dried strawberries, clay dust, lemon zest, orange juice.
Comments:
Cask 2283.03. Quite thick, but the flavours are gentle. Some dusty notes vie with the sweet, slightly overripe fruit. It builds to a long dusty finish.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Hellyers Road 17yo 2004/2021 French Exclusive (for LMDW)
Hellyers Road 17yo 2004/2021 French Exclusive (for LMDW)
Official bottling
Single malt - Tasmania
Amber
59.7% ABV
Dram
Nose: White grapes, gooseberries, apricots, lemon zest, meringues, hints of white pepper. With water, lemon zest, seaweed, meringues, malted grains.
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, astringent, oily, thickens.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Gooseberries, smoke, peat, walnut skins, sea salt, seaweed, meringues, lemon zest, autumn leaves. With water, malted grains, cream, meringues, lemon zest, hints of seaweed.
Finish: Long. Smoke, peat, seaweed, autumn leaves, hints of cookie dough.
Comments:
Cask 4082.06. Citrusy, with prominent notes of meringue, but this is quickly overtaken by savory saline notes of seaweed. So seaweed meringues are a thing. The finish is long and smoky, and the seaweed appears again.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Official bottling
Single malt - Tasmania
Amber
59.7% ABV
Dram
Nose: White grapes, gooseberries, apricots, lemon zest, meringues, hints of white pepper. With water, lemon zest, seaweed, meringues, malted grains.
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, astringent, oily, thickens.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Gooseberries, smoke, peat, walnut skins, sea salt, seaweed, meringues, lemon zest, autumn leaves. With water, malted grains, cream, meringues, lemon zest, hints of seaweed.
Finish: Long. Smoke, peat, seaweed, autumn leaves, hints of cookie dough.
Comments:
Cask 4082.06. Citrusy, with prominent notes of meringue, but this is quickly overtaken by savory saline notes of seaweed. So seaweed meringues are a thing. The finish is long and smoky, and the seaweed appears again.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Hellyers Road 15yo Slightly Peated
Hellyers Road 15yo Slightly Peated
Official bottling
Single malt - Tasmania
Golden
46.2% ABV
Dram
Nose: Toast, smoke, peat, leather, rye bread, black pepper, lemon zest, apricots, sea salt, hints of roast beef.
Mouthfeel: Light body, astringent, chalky, cool.
Tasting: Bitter sour. Peat, leather, soot, tobacco leaf, lemon zest, apricots, peaches, diesel exhaust.
Finish: Long. Soot, peaches, peat, leather, apricots, lemon zest.
Comments:
Smoky, citrusy, less fruity than the others perhaps. There’s a lot of soot and bitter ashy flavours here. There’s finish is long and smoky, and finally the stone fruits poke through.
Verdict:
I like this.
Official bottling
Single malt - Tasmania
Golden
46.2% ABV
Dram
Nose: Toast, smoke, peat, leather, rye bread, black pepper, lemon zest, apricots, sea salt, hints of roast beef.
Mouthfeel: Light body, astringent, chalky, cool.
Tasting: Bitter sour. Peat, leather, soot, tobacco leaf, lemon zest, apricots, peaches, diesel exhaust.
Finish: Long. Soot, peaches, peat, leather, apricots, lemon zest.
Comments:
Smoky, citrusy, less fruity than the others perhaps. There’s a lot of soot and bitter ashy flavours here. There’s finish is long and smoky, and finally the stone fruits poke through.
Verdict:
I like this.
Hellyers Road 15yo Original
Hellyers Road 15yo Original
Official bottling
Single malt - Tasmania
Golden
46.2% ABV
Dram
Nose: Honeydew melons, cinnamon, white grapes, gooseberries, nutmeg, apricots, green tea.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, loosens, volatile, mouth coating.
Tasting: Sour sweet. White grapes, honeydew melons, peaches, nutmeg, toast, cookie dough, photocopy paper, rye bread.
Finish: Long. Rye bread, photocopy paper, gooseberries, peaches, honeydew melons.
Comments:
The characteristic overripe fruit notes are here, alongside the peppery rye bread, but there’s also feinty notes of green tea and photocopy paper. Some slight smoke is present too.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Official bottling
Single malt - Tasmania
Golden
46.2% ABV
Dram
Nose: Honeydew melons, cinnamon, white grapes, gooseberries, nutmeg, apricots, green tea.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, loosens, volatile, mouth coating.
Tasting: Sour sweet. White grapes, honeydew melons, peaches, nutmeg, toast, cookie dough, photocopy paper, rye bread.
Finish: Long. Rye bread, photocopy paper, gooseberries, peaches, honeydew melons.
Comments:
The characteristic overripe fruit notes are here, alongside the peppery rye bread, but there’s also feinty notes of green tea and photocopy paper. Some slight smoke is present too.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Hellyers Road Journeyman (Bourbon and Port Casks)
Hellyers Road Journeyman (Bourbon and Port Casks)
Official bottling
Single malt - Tasmania
Golden
46.2% ABV
Dram
Nose: Cookie dough, fresh cut grass, apricots, white grapes, apples, orange blossom, hints of desiccated coconut, hints of dried strawberries.
Mouthfeel: Light body, astringent, cool, tingly.
Tasting: Sweet sour. Limes, lemon zest, orange blossom, apricots, cookie dough, rye bread, hints of white pepper, hints of dried strawberries.
Finish: Medium. Apricots, white pepper, malted grains, limes, orange blossom.
Comments:
12 years in bourbon casks and 5 years in port casks, so there’s a component in this that’s a fair age. Tangy and sweet, lots of citrus fruits. Through it all there are big notes of rye bread and apricots. Well integrated, estery notes seem to be the distillery characteristic! Very good whisky indeed.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Official bottling
Single malt - Tasmania
Golden
46.2% ABV
Dram
Nose: Cookie dough, fresh cut grass, apricots, white grapes, apples, orange blossom, hints of desiccated coconut, hints of dried strawberries.
Mouthfeel: Light body, astringent, cool, tingly.
Tasting: Sweet sour. Limes, lemon zest, orange blossom, apricots, cookie dough, rye bread, hints of white pepper, hints of dried strawberries.
Finish: Medium. Apricots, white pepper, malted grains, limes, orange blossom.
Comments:
12 years in bourbon casks and 5 years in port casks, so there’s a component in this that’s a fair age. Tangy and sweet, lots of citrus fruits. Through it all there are big notes of rye bread and apricots. Well integrated, estery notes seem to be the distillery characteristic! Very good whisky indeed.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Hellyers Road 10yo Oloroso de Jerez
Hellyers Road 10yo Oloroso de Jerez
Official bottling
Single malt - Tasmania
Amber
46.2% ABV
Dram
Nose: Fresh cut grass, bamboo shoots, cookie dough, cinnamon, cloves, orange blossom, hints of orange peel.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, expands, loosens, tingly.
Tasting: Sweet sour. Orange juice, orange blossom, raspberry jam, cloves, malted grains, cinnamon, vanilla, hints of pear drops.
Finish: Medium. Orange juice, orange blossom, pear drops, malted grains, hints of apricots.
Comments:
Really orangey whisky! Almost orange opal fruits flavour. It’s still spicy and malty, but there’s peel, blossom and juice of orange galore. Lovely dram.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Official bottling
Single malt - Tasmania
Amber
46.2% ABV
Dram
Nose: Fresh cut grass, bamboo shoots, cookie dough, cinnamon, cloves, orange blossom, hints of orange peel.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, expands, loosens, tingly.
Tasting: Sweet sour. Orange juice, orange blossom, raspberry jam, cloves, malted grains, cinnamon, vanilla, hints of pear drops.
Finish: Medium. Orange juice, orange blossom, pear drops, malted grains, hints of apricots.
Comments:
Really orangey whisky! Almost orange opal fruits flavour. It’s still spicy and malty, but there’s peel, blossom and juice of orange galore. Lovely dram.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Hellyers Road 7yo Peated
Hellyers Road 7yo Peated
Official bottling
Single malt - Tasmania
Pale green
46.2% ABV
Dram
Nose: Starfruit, dried strawberries, honeydew melons, orange peel, apricots, malted grains, hints of cinnamon.
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, oily, cool, tingly.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Dried strawberries, apricots, starfruit, rye bread, peat, honey, leather, hints of smoke.
Finish: Short. Smoke, leather, rye bread, orange peel, malted grains.
Comments:
Very fruity and spicy, with a light lick of smoke. The peat is more prominent here, with earthy notes well integrated with the fruit. The finish is smoky though, with a nice spiciness.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Official bottling
Single malt - Tasmania
Pale green
46.2% ABV
Dram
Nose: Starfruit, dried strawberries, honeydew melons, orange peel, apricots, malted grains, hints of cinnamon.
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, oily, cool, tingly.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Dried strawberries, apricots, starfruit, rye bread, peat, honey, leather, hints of smoke.
Finish: Short. Smoke, leather, rye bread, orange peel, malted grains.
Comments:
Very fruity and spicy, with a light lick of smoke. The peat is more prominent here, with earthy notes well integrated with the fruit. The finish is smoky though, with a nice spiciness.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Hellyers Road Peated 16yo 2004/2020
Hellyers Road Peated 16yo 2004/2020
Official bottling
Single malt - Tasmania
Lime green
61.7% ABV
Dram
Nose: Smoke, tyre rubber, lavender, sandalwood, peat, lemon zest, hints of white grapes. With water, lemon zest, smoke, apricots.
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, astringent, hot, tingly.
Tasting: Bitter sour. Lemon zest, lavender, peat, autumn leaves, peat, smoke, white grapes, potting soil, malted grains, starfruit. With water, smoke, apricots, starfruit, chillies, hints of potting soil.
Finish: Long. Peat, potting soil, starfruit, lavender, hints of sandalwood.
Comments:
Cask 4082.01. Very floral, wreathed through heaps of smoke. Earthiness predominates on the tongue, actual earth this time. But there’s plenty of fruit and malt buried underneath.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Official bottling
Single malt - Tasmania
Lime green
61.7% ABV
Dram
Nose: Smoke, tyre rubber, lavender, sandalwood, peat, lemon zest, hints of white grapes. With water, lemon zest, smoke, apricots.
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, astringent, hot, tingly.
Tasting: Bitter sour. Lemon zest, lavender, peat, autumn leaves, peat, smoke, white grapes, potting soil, malted grains, starfruit. With water, smoke, apricots, starfruit, chillies, hints of potting soil.
Finish: Long. Peat, potting soil, starfruit, lavender, hints of sandalwood.
Comments:
Cask 4082.01. Very floral, wreathed through heaps of smoke. Earthiness predominates on the tongue, actual earth this time. But there’s plenty of fruit and malt buried underneath.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Hellyers Road Dark Harmony IPA Cask
Hellyers Road Dark Harmony IPA Cask
Official bottling
Single malt - Tasmania
Dark amber
53.5% ABV
Dram
Nose: Smoke, diesel exhaust, tobacco leaf, cloves, dark chocolate, sea salt, hints of toffee. With water, rubber bands, tyre rubber, tobacco leaf.
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, volatile, astringent, hot.
Tasting: Bitter. Diesel exhaust, smoke, tobacco leaf, toffee, burnt sugar, lemon zest, tyre rubber, cloves, hints of fresh cut grass. With water, dark chocolate, walnut skins, starfruit, smoke, fresh cut grass.
Finish: Medium. Cloves, diesel exhaust, smoke, tobacco leaf, tyre rubber.
Comments:
Very smoky, sooty and fragrant. Water brings out more sulphurous notes and a little bit of sweetness. Still, the smoke predominates, and the finish is sooty and herbal.
Verdict:
I like this.
Official bottling
Single malt - Tasmania
Dark amber
53.5% ABV
Dram
Nose: Smoke, diesel exhaust, tobacco leaf, cloves, dark chocolate, sea salt, hints of toffee. With water, rubber bands, tyre rubber, tobacco leaf.
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, volatile, astringent, hot.
Tasting: Bitter. Diesel exhaust, smoke, tobacco leaf, toffee, burnt sugar, lemon zest, tyre rubber, cloves, hints of fresh cut grass. With water, dark chocolate, walnut skins, starfruit, smoke, fresh cut grass.
Finish: Medium. Cloves, diesel exhaust, smoke, tobacco leaf, tyre rubber.
Comments:
Very smoky, sooty and fragrant. Water brings out more sulphurous notes and a little bit of sweetness. Still, the smoke predominates, and the finish is sooty and herbal.
Verdict:
I like this.
Hellyers Road Aurora Australis
Hellyers Road Aurora Australis
Official bottling
Single malt - Tasmania
Yellow, hints of green
40% ABV
Dram
Nose: Tyre rubber, fresh cut grass, peaches, apricots, white grapes, dried strawberries, peat, hints of smoke.
Mouthfeel: Light body, volatile, mouth coating, expands.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Tyre rubber, orange peel, orange blossom, peaches, white grapes, malted grains, rye bread, hints of mushrooms.
Finish: Short. Rye bread, tyre rubber, black pepper, orange peel, orange blossom.
Comments:
Rubbery, sulphurous, but lots of dried fruit and more than a little smoke. The dried, almost fermented fruit notes are probably a result of the long fermentation times, and they’re really luscious and rich.
Verdict:
I like this.
Official bottling
Single malt - Tasmania
Yellow, hints of green
40% ABV
Dram
Nose: Tyre rubber, fresh cut grass, peaches, apricots, white grapes, dried strawberries, peat, hints of smoke.
Mouthfeel: Light body, volatile, mouth coating, expands.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Tyre rubber, orange peel, orange blossom, peaches, white grapes, malted grains, rye bread, hints of mushrooms.
Finish: Short. Rye bread, tyre rubber, black pepper, orange peel, orange blossom.
Comments:
Rubbery, sulphurous, but lots of dried fruit and more than a little smoke. The dried, almost fermented fruit notes are probably a result of the long fermentation times, and they’re really luscious and rich.
Verdict:
I like this.
Hellyers Road Roaring Forties
Hellyers Road Roaring Forties
Official bottling
Single malt - Tasmania
Pale gold
40% ABV
Dram
Nose: Peaches, dried strawberries, white pepper, fresh baked bread, malted grains, white wine.
Mouthfeel: Light body, loosens, expands, warm.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Dried strawberries, white wine, malted grains, hoppy beer, white pepper, rye bread, hints of vanilla.
Finish: Medium. White pepper, vanilla, fresh baked bread, lemon zest, hints of peaches.
Comments:
Fruity, malty malt, lots of fermented flavours, including a quite unique note of dried strawberries. On the tongue it’s quite bitter, even beery, and there’s a peppery tang of rye bread.
Verdict:
I like this.
Official bottling
Single malt - Tasmania
Pale gold
40% ABV
Dram
Nose: Peaches, dried strawberries, white pepper, fresh baked bread, malted grains, white wine.
Mouthfeel: Light body, loosens, expands, warm.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Dried strawberries, white wine, malted grains, hoppy beer, white pepper, rye bread, hints of vanilla.
Finish: Medium. White pepper, vanilla, fresh baked bread, lemon zest, hints of peaches.
Comments:
Fruity, malty malt, lots of fermented flavours, including a quite unique note of dried strawberries. On the tongue it’s quite bitter, even beery, and there’s a peppery tang of rye bread.
Verdict:
I like this.
Girvan 27yo 1996/2023
Girvan 27yo 1996/2023
Whisky Blues, The Whisky Age
Single grain - Lowlands
Bronze
55.1% ABV
Dram
Nose: Acetone, malted grains, black pepper, rye bread, sea salt, white grapes, hints of peaches. With water, vanilla, pear drops, fresh baked bread, sea salt.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, thickens, hot, astringent.
Tasting: Salty sweet. Pear drops, fresh baked bread, acetone, peaches, vanilla, popcorn. With water, vanilla, peaches, pear drops, popcorn.
Finish: Long. White grapes, popcorn, vanilla, black pepper, pear drops.
Comments:
A rather good aged grain, lots of fruity notes. The vanilla / slightly estery note is turned down, or perhaps matured into something very much like pear drops. Water brings out notes of popcorn and peaches.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Whisky Blues, The Whisky Age
Single grain - Lowlands
Bronze
55.1% ABV
Dram
Nose: Acetone, malted grains, black pepper, rye bread, sea salt, white grapes, hints of peaches. With water, vanilla, pear drops, fresh baked bread, sea salt.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, thickens, hot, astringent.
Tasting: Salty sweet. Pear drops, fresh baked bread, acetone, peaches, vanilla, popcorn. With water, vanilla, peaches, pear drops, popcorn.
Finish: Long. White grapes, popcorn, vanilla, black pepper, pear drops.
Comments:
A rather good aged grain, lots of fruity notes. The vanilla / slightly estery note is turned down, or perhaps matured into something very much like pear drops. Water brings out notes of popcorn and peaches.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Thursday, 3 July 2025
Springbank 12yo Cask Strength (2025 Edition)
Springbank 12yo Cask Strength (2025 Edition)
Official bottling
Official bottling
Single malt - Campbeltown
Amber, hints of pink
55.9% ABV
Dram
Nose: Malted grains, honeydew melons, cinder toffee, acetone, nutmeg, hints of tyre rubber. With water, acetone, lemon zest, malted grains.
Mouthfeel: Light body, loosens, expands, mouth coating.
Tasting: Sour. Honeydew melons, cinder toffee, acetone, lemon zest, malted grains, kombucha, hints of diesel exhaust. With water, cinder toffee, lemon zest, nutmeg.
Finish: Medium. Walnut skins, cinder toffee, toast, molasses, diesel exhaust, hints of lychees.
Comments:
Having a chance to drink Springbank these days feels like a rare gift. This one is fruity and has that characteristic diesel note. There’s plenty of bitterness, but mostly it’s estery and sour. A very interesting dram.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Amber, hints of pink
55.9% ABV
Dram
Nose: Malted grains, honeydew melons, cinder toffee, acetone, nutmeg, hints of tyre rubber. With water, acetone, lemon zest, malted grains.
Mouthfeel: Light body, loosens, expands, mouth coating.
Tasting: Sour. Honeydew melons, cinder toffee, acetone, lemon zest, malted grains, kombucha, hints of diesel exhaust. With water, cinder toffee, lemon zest, nutmeg.
Finish: Medium. Walnut skins, cinder toffee, toast, molasses, diesel exhaust, hints of lychees.
Comments:
Having a chance to drink Springbank these days feels like a rare gift. This one is fruity and has that characteristic diesel note. There’s plenty of bitterness, but mostly it’s estery and sour. A very interesting dram.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Benromach 21yo
Benromach 21yo
Official bottling
Single malt - Speyside
Amber gold
43% ABV
Dram
Nose: Orange peel, black pepper, malted grains, barley sugar, toast, hints of smoke, hints of tyre rubber.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, syrupy, oily, cool.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Walnut skins, black pepper, malted grains, orange peel, barley sugar, hints of smoke, hints of olive brine.
Finish: Long. White grapes, popcorn, vanilla, black pepper, pear drops.
Comments:
Fruity and sweet, but there’s a slightly peaty edge. This is also a little savoury and brings some bitterness. This is a complex dram, with waves of different flavours. Very enjoyable.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Official bottling
Single malt - Speyside
Amber gold
43% ABV
Dram
Nose: Orange peel, black pepper, malted grains, barley sugar, toast, hints of smoke, hints of tyre rubber.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, syrupy, oily, cool.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Walnut skins, black pepper, malted grains, orange peel, barley sugar, hints of smoke, hints of olive brine.
Finish: Long. White grapes, popcorn, vanilla, black pepper, pear drops.
Comments:
Fruity and sweet, but there’s a slightly peaty edge. This is also a little savoury and brings some bitterness. This is a complex dram, with waves of different flavours. Very enjoyable.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
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