Annandale 8yo Defender of the Crown

Annandale 8yo Defender of the Crown

Whiskyheroes, Brave New Spirits
Single malt - Lowlands
Amber gold 
52.9% ABV
Dram

Nose: Peat, germolene, raisins, sea salt, white grapes, smoke, leather, autumn leaves. With water, leather, raisins, cocoa nibs. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, volatile, hot, mouth coating. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Germolene, raisins, white grapes, honey, soot, smoke, hints of gentian. With water, smoke, germolene, cocoa nibs. 
Finish: Long. Raisins, white grapes, smoke, germolene. 

Comments: 

Quite sweet and delicate despite the peatiness of the distillate. It’s characteristic of Annandale in my view. Rather well aged, with layered complexity. Very well constructed whisky.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Inchmurrin 11yo 2014/2025

Inchmurrin 11yo 2014/2025

Cask Masters, Brave New Spirits
Single malt - South Highlands
Golden orange
48.5% ABV
Dram

Nose: Orange peel, peaches, roses, honey, mangoes, malted grains. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, syrupy, thick, tingly. 
Tasting:  Sweet sour. Orange peel, honey, black tea, malted grains, lemon zest, mangoes, passionfruit, golden syrup. 
Finish: Medium. Golden syrup, black tea, molasses, peaches. 

Comments: 

Fruity, floral, lots of malty notes. Quite intense, and surprisingly heavy bodied despite the lower ABV. Rather sweet, and gets sweeter on the finish.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Inchfad 17yo Secrets of Bonnie Banks

Inchfad 17yo Secrets of Bonnie Banks

A Cask Noir Production, Brave New Spirits
Single malt - South Highlands
Copper red
48.1% ABV
Dram

Nose: Strawberries, brown paper, leather, cream, aluminium foil. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, loosens, tingly, cool. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Strawberries, leather, cinnamon, sandalwood, driftwood smoke, vanilla, fresh baked bread. 
Finish: Medium. Leather, aluminium foil, white pepper, hints of driftwood smoke. 

Comments: 

Cask 430, a Pinot Noir cask. Sweet and winey, with feinty notes, some spice and a little smoke. I’ve tended to drink the smoky end of Loch Lomond, it’s interesting to explore other expressions.

Verdict:

I like this.

Royal Brackla 9yo 2012/2021

Royal Brackla 9yo 2012/2021

Rebels - Guerrilla Casks, Brave New Spirits
Single malt - Speyside 
Pale gold
55.9% ABV
Tiny taste

Nose: Yoghurt, peaches, toast, milk chocolate, greengages, hints of damson jam. With water, yoghurt, peaches, damson jam, lemon zest. 

Mouthfeel: Light body, hot, tingly, astringent. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Peaches, toast, honey, cloves, greengages, nutmeg, cinnamon, lemon zest. With water, malted grains, damson jam, peaches, hints of honey. 
Finish: Short. Malted grains, nutmeg, cinnamon, peaches, hints of black tea. 

Comments: 

Cask 493, Banyuls Barrique. Really surprising stuff, redolent of peaches, toast and honey. It’s sweet and luscious, and the high ABV makes it quite light and volatile too. Huge amounts of spice as well. All in all, quite excellent. 

Verdict:

I like this a lot.