Port Ellen 34yo 1982/2016

Port Ellen 34yo 1982/2016

Extra Old Particular, Douglas Laing
Single malt - Islay
Bright gold
48.5% ABV
Dram

Nose: Fish sauce, soy sauce, wood smoke, dates, brown sugar, leather, peat. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, thickens, oily, sticky. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Pomegranates, dried apples, brown sugar, fish sauce, smoke, hints of peat. 
Finish: Long. Peanuts, smoked fish, dried apples, leather, peat. 

Comments: 

Cask 11481. This Port Ellen was a real treat. The nose gives me some idea as to what really old Kilchoman might taste like, smoky dates with savoury hints, but on the tongue, it was unmistakably Port Ellen. The savoury hints strengthened into smoked fish, wreathed through with brown sugar and dried apples. Lovely.

Verdict:

I like this a lot.

Glenrothes 7yo 2011/2019

Glenrothes 7yo 2011/2019

Hepburn's Choice, Langside Distillers
Single malt - Speyside
Golden
46% ABV
Dram

Nose: Burnt toffee, shortbread, malted grains, brown papers, hints of roast pork, hints of petrol. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, loosens, cool, slippery. 
Tasting:  Bitter sour. Orange zest, wet dog, hay, burnt toffee, vanilla, hints of peanuts. 
Finish: Medium. Lemon zest, peanuts, burnt toffee, hay. 

Comments: 

Not your usual Glenrothes. This very young whisky has the characteristic toffee notes, but there's something meaty, something farmyard, and something fermented, very like engine exhaust on the nose. The farmyard bit resolves into wet dog on the tongue, but in quite a pleasant way.

Verdict:

I like this.

Teeling Single Grain 2006/2016

Teeling Single Grain 2006/2016

Teeling Reserves, Teeling
Single grain - Cooley
Straw
46% ABV
Dram

Nose: Vanilla, coconuts, pear drops, vanilla, orange, cinnamon. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, slippery, watery, airy. 
Tasting:  Sweet sour. Coconuts, cinnamon, pear drops, vanilla, orange peel, hints of salt caramel. 
Finish: Short. Black tea, salt caramel, coconuts, hints of cinnamon. 

Comments: 

Cooley spirit, finished in red wine casks. There's not much red fruits (which is maybe not one might expect). Instead, there's typical grain whiskey notes of coconut and vanilla, but these are smoothed over and muted, and blend well into notes such as pear drops and salt caramel, which are perhaps more typical of malt. Good stuff.

Verdict:

I like this.

Macduff 8yo 2009/2018

Macduff 8yo 2009/2018

Cask Collection, AD Rattray
Single malt - Speyside
Pale gold
57% ABV
Dram

Nose: White chocolate, honey, fresh cut grass, white tea, hints of coffee. With water, sugarcane, vanilla, more white chocolate. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, oily, loose, mouth coating. 
Tasting:  Sweet. White chocolate, coffee, white tea, raisins, orange peel, hints of dried apples. With water, coffee, dried apples, hints of strawberries. 
Finish: Short. White tea, dried apples, coffee, white chocolate. 

Comments: 

A strong, sweet, chocolatey Macduff. Lots of dried fruits too, and a really lovely smooth mouth feel. It smooths out a bit with water, turning slightly bitter, but even more dried and red fruits. In fact, all the young 2018 AD Rattrays I've tried have been really good. Excellent whisky.

Verdict:

I like this.

Blair Athol 11yo 2007/2019

Blair Athol 11yo 2007/2019

Small Batch, James Eadie
Single malt - Central Highlands
Light amber
58.4% ABV
Dram

Nose: Red grapes, sandalwood, white grapes, brown paper, orange peel, hints of bacon. With water, orange peel, vanilla, orange blossom. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, loosens, mouth coating, slightly watery around the edges. 
Tasting:  Sweet. Peanuts, black tea, sweet peas, sandalwood, cinnamon, orange peel, coffee, red grapes. With water, sweeter, honey, coffee, orange peel, red grapes. 
Finish: Medium. Vanilla, red grapes, coffee, back tea, chocolate, raisins, hints of honey. 

Comments: 

Cask 3886, matured in Malmsey Madeira casks. It's sweet, mouth coating and unctuous, full of red fruits and spicy Christmassy notes as you'd expect, but there's also something meaty and more-ish here. It's lovely whisky, really sweet and intense, but not overwhelmingly so.

Verdict:

I like this a lot.

Miltonduff 12yo 2006/2018

Miltonduff 12yo 2006/2018

Authentic Collection, WM Cadenhead
Single malt - Speyside
Pale straw
54.8% ABV
Dram

Nose: Malted grains, lemon zest, candle wax, vanilla, brass polish, hints of soy sauce. With water, lemon juice, more vanilla, hints of raisins. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, thickens, sticky, warm. 
Tasting:  Bitter sour. Candle wax, vanilla, lemon zest, honey, hints of orange blossom. With water, vanilla, sourdough bread, rolled oats. 
Finish: Short. Orange blossom, vanilla, lemon zest, hints of white grapes. 

Comments: 

Sweet and waxy on the nose and tongue, plenty of citrusy floral notes. A light and delicate Speyside. With water, it somehow (rather oddly) becomes more robust, cereally, more citrusy, and sweet. Very delicate, lovely, light whisky.

Verdict:

I like this a lot.

Hazelburn 14yo Oloroso Cask 2004/2019

Hazelburn 14yo Oloroso Cask 2004/2019

Official bottling
Single malt - Campbeltown
Amber
49.3% ABV
Dram

Nose: Red grapes, red wine, stewed plums, cinnamon, sandalwood, hints of roses. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, slippery, thickens, tingly. 
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Peanuts, sandalwood, vanilla, lemon zest, stewed plums, red grapes. 
Finish: Long. Sandalwood, damsons, peanuts, roses, red grapes. 

Comments: 

Oloroso cask matured Hazelburn - not many greater pleasures in the whisky world greater than this! There's heaps of sweet sherry in here, and the Springbank spirit's wild funk has been triple distilled into a spicy, cinnamon flavour. Great citrusy notes alongside the red fruits on the nose.

Verdict:

I like this a lot.

Puni Nova

Puni Nova

Official bottling 
Single malt - Alto Adige
Straw
43% ABV
Dram

Nose: Lemon juice, rhubarb and custard sweets, pink peppercorns, jasmine, hints of peanuts, hints of bananas. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, slippery, cool, slightly tingly. 
Tasting:  Bitter. Vanilla, bananas, peanuts, fresh baked bread, orange juice, hints of jasmine. 
Finish: Short. Fresh baked bread, rolled oats, peanuts, hints of black tea. 

Comments: 

Italian whisky, from the South Tyrol in the Italian Alps. I'm not sure it's all malt, there's definitely spicy hints of rye. It's floral and spicy, pleasingly bitter on the tongue, but then turns all cereally, and even slightly savoury. Good stuff, for what's probably about 3 years old.

Verdict:

I like this.

Longrow 18yo

Longrow 18yo

Official bottling
Single malt - Campbeltown
Amber red
46% ABV
Dram

Nose: Malted grains, peat, raisins, petrol exhaust, peanuts, lemons. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, slippery, cool, loose. 
Tasting:  Sweet. Mint, peanuts, petrol exhaust, raisins, chocolate, orange peel, hints of leather. 
Finish: Medium. Raisins, lemons, chocolate, peanuts, leather. 

Comments: 

Muscular stuff! There's a lot to unpack here - nutty spirit, citrusy notes, plenty of peat (but of course), and a strong heavy punch of Springbank's classic petrol notes. Lots of other notes too, bitter sweet chocolate, leather... very pleasant indeed.

Verdict:

I like this.

Kilkerran Heavily Peated

Kilkerran Heavily Peated

Official bottling
Single malt - Campbeltown
Golden
59.3% ABV
Dram

Nose: Pears, peat, smoke, raisins, ginseng, lemons, hints of fresh cut grass. With water, burning leaves, lemons, pears. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, loosens, slippery, watery. 
Tasting:  Bitter. Lemon juice, raisins, peat, smoke, fresh cut grass, ginseng. With water, ginseng, burning leaves, lemon sweets, butterscotch. 
Finish: Long. Peat, pears, ginseng, lemons. 

Comments: 

There's a lot to this whisky, but it doesn't change much between the nose and the tongue. Citrusy, herbal spirit, cut with peat, smoke, and some sweet notes that switch between butterscotch and raisins, depending on the sip. With water, it gets more earthy, and the character of the spirit is more obvious.

Verdict:

I like this.

Macduff 21yo 1997/2018

Macduff 21yo 1997/2018

Old Particular, Douglas Laing
Single malt - Speyside
Golden
51.5% ABV
Dram

Nose: Barley sweets, honey, shortbread, raisins, hints of soy sauce, hints of leather. With water, lemon sweets, barley sweets, hints of soy sauce. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, thickens, chewy, slightly oily. 
Tasting:  Bitter salty. Barley sweets, honey, raisins, dark chocolate, orange peel, leather, hints of iron filings. With water, dark chocolate, orange peel, soy sauce. 
Finish: Long. Chocolate, orange peel, shortbread, soy sauce. 

Comments: 

DL Cask 12943. The nose on this one doesn't fit the taste. There's glorious promise of sweet barley, citrus and shortbread, but on the tongue this doesn't translate into sweet flavours. The whisky is bitter, and slightly salty. With water, this opens up into bitter chocolate and a touch of soy sauce. Interesting whisky.

Verdict:

I like this.

Glengoyne Legacy Chapter One 2019

Glengoyne Legacy Chapter One 2019

Official bottling
Single malt - South Highlands
Amber, tinge of green
48% ABV
Dram

Nose: Lemons, raisins, brass polish, white chocolate, leather, hints of salt caramel. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, cool, loose, watery. 
Tasting:  Sour sweet. Raisins, lemons, oranges, white chocolate, pears. 
Finish: Medium. Chocolate, raisins, pears, hints of lemons. 

Comments: 

A new series of expressions from Glengoyne. This one is somewhat atypical, at least for me. It's not raisin-sweet and chocolatey, rather, the chocolate is less bitter, and there are clear notes of citrus. Nice whisky, and I look forward to trying the other expressions.

Verdict:

I like this.

Aultmore 21yo 1997/2018

Aultmore 21yo 1997/2018

Maltbarn
Single malt - Speyside
Bright gold
50.7% ABV
Dram

Nose: White grapes, peaches, vanilla, honey, roses, hints of caramel. With water, fresh baked bread, figs, salt caramel. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, slippery, warm, tingly. 
Tasting:  Sweet salty. Peaches, white grapes, figs, toast, malted grains, hints of chocolate. With water, salt caramel, fresh baked bread, hints of roast ham.
Finish: Medium. Chocolate, coffee, caramel, figs. 

Comments: 

Maltbarn cask 108. This whisky is floral and fragrant, plenty sweet jammy notes, almost tropical in intensity. On the tongue, there is a surprisingly savoury cluster of flavours, even some mild smoke. This is much clearer with a bit of water added. Then it all comes together in a bittersweet finish. Good stuff.

Verdict:

I like this a lot.

Aberfeldy 16yo

Aberfeldy 16yo

Official bottling
Single malt - Central Highlands
Dark gold
40% ABV
Dram

Nose: Molasses, leather, raisins, black tea, cinnamon, hints of apples. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, watery, loose, airy. 
Tasting:  Sweet. Apple juice, shortcrust pastry, cinnamon, leather, raisins. 
Finish: Long. Butter, leather, cinnamon, black tea. 

Comments: 

This whisky tastes a lot like apple pie, but there's plenty of raisins, and peaty, slightly bitter notes to offset that group of flavours. It's also a tad weak, and I made a mistake drinking this as a last dram after so many strong and cask strength bottlings.

Verdict:

I like this.

Miyagikyo Sherry Wood Finish (2018)

Miyagikyo Sherry Wood Finish (2018)

Official bottling
Single malt - East Honshu
Amber
46% ABV
Dram

Nose: Red grapes, black tea, molasses, raisins, hints of white grapes. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, loosens, cool, watery. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Winter melons, molasses, red grapes, black tea, hints of raisins. 
Finish: Medium. Red grapes, leather, raisins, black tea. 

Comments: 

I was surprised at how few flavour notes I recorded. Don't let that fool you. The flavours in this whisky are crisp, clear, and quite intense. I liked this much better than its Yoichi sister.

Verdict:

I like this a lot.

Yoichi Sherry Wood Finish (2018)

Yoichi Sherry Wood Finish (2018)

Official bottling
Single malt - Hokkaido
Amber
46% ABV
Dram

Nose: Red grapes, leather, honey, brown paper, cardboard, molasses, hints of burning leaves. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, loosens, slippery, airy. 
Tasting:  Sweet. Molasses, burnt sugar, honey, red grapes, leather, oolong tea, cedar, hints of cucumber. 
Finish: Medium. Oolong tea, molasses, red grapes, cedar. 

Comments: 

This is perhaps 'classic' Yoichi. It's sweet, slightly smoky, with some vegetal or herbal notes. There's perhaps a tad more smoke than the old age statement expressions. A familiar, and comforting dram.

Verdict:

I like this.

Fettercairn 8yo 2009/2017

Fettercairn 8yo 2009/2017

Cask Collection, AD Rattray
Single malt - East Highlands
Golden
60.3% ABV
Dram

Nose: Caramel, malt vinegar, malted grains, lemon zest, leather, hints of damsons. With water, damsons, more malt vinegar, gooseberries, lemon juice. 
Mouthfeel: Light bod, astringent, tingly, sharp. 
Tasting: Sour. Malt vinegar, caramel, orange juice, leather, hints of smoke. With water, lemon zest, toast, sour cream. 
Finish: Short. Malt vinegar, orange juice, caramel, hints of cream. 

Comments: 

A very strange whisky. There's heaps of sour, slightly chemical notes, like malt vinegar, but this is made more gentle by some citrus and some smoke. Water does not ameliorate the vinegar, instead it oddly intensifies the acidity. For all that, it's not unpleasant. Instead, it's very interesting.

Verdict:

I like this.

Cameronbridge 27yo 1991/2018

Cameronbridge 27yo 1991/2018

Chairman's Choice, Douglas Laing
Single grain - Lowlands
Dark gold 
54.5% ABV
Dram

Nose: Vanilla, coconut, salt caramel, cotton candy, lemon zest, hints of green olive. With water, coconut cream, chocolate, cotton candy. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, warm, loosens, airy. 
Tasting:  Sweet. Vanilla, honey, coconut, fresh baked bread, hints of oats. With water, sweeter, toast, oats, chocolate. 
Finish: Medium. Brown sugar, vanilla, coffee, coconut. 

Comments: 

Cask DL12492. I can't believe that this is the same stuff as Haig Club. It's fragrant and flavourful, with a cereally undernote that freshens everything up. Excellent grain whisky.

Verdict:

I like this a lot.

Oban Little Bay

Oban Little Bay

Official bottling
Single malt - West Highlands
Light copper
43% ABV
Dram

Nose: Fresh cut grass, salt caramel, cream, butterscotch, peat, hints of roast pork. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, thick, rolls off the tongue, static. 
Tasting:  Sweet salty. Vanilla, fresh cut grass, butterscotch, plums, black tea, peat, hints of salted lemons. 
Finish: Medium. Salt caramel, toast, plums, salted lemons. 

Comments: 

My first Oban in nearly a decade! It's recognisably Oban though - saline, slightly peaty, plenty of sweet and citrus notes. And very pleasant herbal notes, like sitting on a freshly mowed lawn by the seaside.

Verdict:

I like this.

Jim Beam Double Oak

Jim Beam Double Bourbon

Official bottling
Single bourbon - Kentucky
Amber
43% ABV
Dram

Nose: Nutmeg, sandalwood, butterscotch, caramel, honey, bananas. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, loosens, watery, slippery. 
Tasting:  Sweet sour. Black tea, white grapes, bananas, honey, cardamom. 
Finish: Medium. Black tea, lemon juice, cardamom, white grapes. 

Comments: 

A very sweet, spicy bourbon, plenty of bananas. Also fruity estery notes of white grapes. Lots of sugar. Quite enjoyable.

Verdict:

I like this.

Macallan Sienna

Macallan Sienna

Official bottling
Single malt - Speyside
Sienna
43% ABV
Dram

Nose: Honey, raisins, vanilla, toast, fresh baked bread, hints of nutmeg. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, thickens, warm, tingly. 
Tasting:  Sweet. Raisins, vanilla, fresh baked bread, red grapes, black tea. 
Finish: Long. Mint, lemon zest, honey, black tea. 

Comments: 

Well, this is well-constructed, plenty of honey, red grapes, vanilla. But it's like many other sherried whiskies, and really in the mold of the age-statement Macallans. It's not as sweet and intense. There are some interesting cool citrusy notes in the finish.

Verdict:

Not bad.

Bowmore 26yo 1991/2017 The Chairman's Legacy

Bowmore 26yo 1991/2017 The Chairman's Legacy

Bequest, Carn Mor
Single malt - Islay
Golden
42.9% ABV
Dram

Nose: Smoke, chocolate, lemon juice, dulce de leche, peat. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, loose, watery, slippery. 
Tasting:  Bitter sour. Fresh cut grass, lemon juice, peat, smoke, orange juice, hints of lemon zest. 
Finish: Medium. Fresh cut grass, lemon juice, orange juice, lemon zest. 

Comments: 

A special Bowmore, bottled by Carn Mor to mark the retirement of the chairman of Morrison & Mackay. It's got a deceptive nose that's closer to the 'classic' Bowmore - sweet and chocolatey, underneath all that smoke. On the tongue and the finish, it's citrusy and herbal. Very good stuff indeed.

Verdict:

I like this a lot.

Collectivum XXVIII (Special Releases 2017)

Collectivum XXVIII (Special Releases 2017)

Official bottling
Blended malt
Amber
57.3% ABV
Dram

Nose: Lemon juice, smoke, roast pork, iron filings, candle wax, black tea. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, thickens, mouth coating, cool. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Smoke, olives, roast pork, raisins, chocolate, white grapes, hints of coffee. 
Finish: Medium. Orange peel, black tea, candle wax, chocolate, white grapes. 

Comments: 

Diageo had never released a blend as one of their special releases until this one. It had to be something special, and indeed so it proved. This is eminently drinkable at cask strength, and I felt no need to add water. There's Clynelish in this, and Caol Ila, and something very much like Alisa Bay (which it can't be of course, since Alisa Bay is owned by William Grant - thanks Eddie). And there's plenty more, perhaps even Roseisle.

Verdict:

I like this a lot.

Glenburgie 21yo 1997/2018

Glenburgie 21yo 1997/2018

Old Particular, Douglas Laing
Single malt - Speyside
Amber gold
51.5% ABV
Dram

Nose: Papaya, gooseberries, autumn leaves, brass polish, hints of raspberries 
Mouthfeel: Light body, mouth coating, watery, loosens. 
Tasting:  Bitter sour. Gooseberries, chocolate, brass polish, hints of roast beef. 
Finish: Long. Chocolate, corn on the cob, coffee, autumn leaves. 

Comments: 

My first thoughts were, "ok, I have a lot to learn about whisky". This was confusing, to say the least - clean, fruity flavours were surrounded by earthy, even slightly metallic notes. The finish was the best bit, bittersweet, cereally, and earthy.

Verdict:

I like this.

Miyagikyo Bourbon Wood Finish (2018)

Miyagikyo Bourbon Wood Finish (2018)

Official bottling
Single malt - East Honshu
Amber
46% ABV
Dram

Nose: Roast ham, honey, chocolate, orange peel, soy sauce, hints of sandalwood, hints of thyme. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, loose, watery, airy. 
Tasting:  Bitter sour. White grapes, chocolate, orange peel, vanilla, honey, hints of sandalwood. 
Finish: Short. White grapes, vanilla, orange peel, hints of leather. 

Comments: 

A sweet meaty nose, but that adds to tart bitterness on the tongue. But that's 'sweet' bitterness - that which comes from coffee and burnt sugar, not the herbal bitterness that comes from, say ginseng. Also fruity sour notes, fading through to an almost-peaty leathery finish. I liked this much better than its Yoichi sister.

Verdict:

I like this a lot.

Yoichi Bourbon Wood Finish (2018)

Yoichi Bourbon Wood Finish (2018)

Official bottling
Single malt - Hokkaido
Amber
46% ABV
Dram

Nose: Leather, peanuts, honey, cola nuts, coffee, peach jam. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, mouth coating, slightly oily, warm. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Peanuts, vanilla, butterscotch, malted grains, toast, chocolate, hints of peach jam, hints of smoke. 
Finish: Medium. Mint, chocolate, honey, hints of raisins. 

Comments: 

Lovely notes of peach jam, but wreathed through with gentle smoke, so gentle it's almost like a piece of toast left a little too long in the toaster. Lots of other sweet notes, leading to a cool, slightly herbal finish. Very nice indeed.

Verdict:

I like this.

Benrinnes 25yo 1988/2013

Benrinnes 25yo 1988/2013

Authentic Collection, WM Cadenhead
Single malt - Speyside
Pale green gold
53% ABV
Mini

Nose: Malty beer, roast ham, peaches, mint, pears, hints of tobacco leaf. With water, sea salt, smoked ham, dark chocolate. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, cool, astringent, tingly. 
Tasting:  Bitter sour. Leather, peaches, pears, vanilla, lemon zest, hints of peat. With water, more bitter, ginseng, peaches, leather, tobacco leaf. 
Finish: Medium. Lemon zest, mint, vanilla, hints of black tea. 

Comments: 

This whisky is tart and bitter neat, with delicious fruity notes. With water, it opens up, but turns bitter and herbal, with tobacco and ginseng masking the fruit. I think it's better neat, but be prepared for a big prickle of alcohol. Once you get through that, it's great.

Verdict:

I like this.

James E Pepper 1776 Barrel Proof Rye

James E Pepper 1776 Barrel Proof Rye

James E Pepper
Single rye - Indiana
Amber
57.3% ABV
Tiny taste

Nose: Vanilla, nutmeg, cloves, coriander, raisins, cardboard. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, loose, warm, airy. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Nutmeg, cloves, coriander, cardboard, cookie dough, raisins. 
Finish: Medium. Cookie dough, raisins, ginseng, coriander. 

Comments: 

A very spicy, sweet rye, and I especially like the bitter, herbal notes in the finish. Very good indeed at cask strength.

Verdict:

I like this.

Green Spot Chateau Montelena

Green Spot Chateau Montelena

Official bottling
Single malt - Southern Ireland
Dark gold
46% ABV
Dram

Nose: Peaches, lemon zest, honey, lavender, honeydew melon. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, slippery, oily, tingly. 
Tasting:  Sweet sour. Cookie dough, vanilla, lavender, peach jam, hints of cloves. 
Finish: Short. Honey, peach jam, cloves, vanilla. 

Comments: 

This is not as good as the previous expression in the series (Chateau Leoville Barton), but it's fragrant and sweet, with plenty of jammy notes, and a large slug of lavender. Potpourri whisky, if that's your thing.

Verdict:

I like this.

Mackmyra Moments Prestige

Mackmyra Moments Prestige

Official bottling
Single malt - Gastrikland
Light gold
46.1% ABV
Tiny taste

Nose: White wine, white grapes, grape must, fresh baked bread, custard apples, hints of pine. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, loosens, airy, almost misty. 
Tasting:  Sweet sour. White grapes, grape must, honey, cloudberries, fresh baked bread, vanilla, cookie dough. 
Finish: Long. Honey, cloudberries, fresh baked bread, hints of apples. 

Comments: 

Finished in champagne casks, and it's obvious. There's heaps of white grape notes, rich and floral, almost hiding Mackmyra's piney woody notes. Lots of berries and bread. This is lovely whisky. I normally don't comment on packaging, but the bottle is a design classic.

Verdict:

I like this a lot.

Miyagikyo Rum Wood Finish (2017)

Miyagikyo Rum Wood Finish (2017)

Official bottling
Single malt - East Honshu
Dark gold
46% ABV
Dram

Nose: Molasses, honey, coconut cream, sugarcane, fresh cut grass, hints of raisins. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, loosens, watery, slippery. 
Tasting:  Bitter. Sugarcane, hay, Sichuan pepper, vanilla, brass polish, hints of leather, hints of peat. 
Finish: Long. Peat, Sichuan pepper, leather, hints of smoke. 

Comments: 

The influence of the rum cask here is very obvious - it practically tastes like rum, except for the gentle smoke and peat. There's also soapy, floral notes that are reminiscent of Sichuan pepper, bright herbal grassy notes, and perhaps something metallic on the tip of the tongue.

Verdict:

I like this a lot.

Yoichi Rum Wood Finish (2017)

Yoichi Rum Wood Finish (2017)

Official bottling
Single malt - Hokkaido
Amber gold
46% ABV
Dram

Nose: Peaches, orange peel, honey, cedar, hints of coffee, hints of toast. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, sticky, astringent, warm. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Cedar, orange peel, vanilla, toast, coffee, ginseng. 
Finish: Medium. Toast, ginseng, orange peel, coffee. 

Comments: 

There's not a lot of rum flavour in this whisky, the toasty, smoky notes predominate instead. There's heaps of bitter notes, in what is normally quite a sweet whisky, with ginseng, coffee, and fragrant woody cedar covering up some faint esters at the back of the mouth.

Verdict:

I like this.

Ragtime Rye (British Bourbon Society expression)

Ragtime Rye (British Bourbon Society expression)

Official bottling 
Single rye - New York
Amber red
57.9% ABV
Dram

Nose: Yoghurt, whipped cream, raisins, cardboard, chocolate, nutmeg. With water, strawberries, violets, hints of cinnamon. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, loosens slightly, tingly, slightly astringent. 
Tasting:  Sweet. Raisins, nutmeg, cinnamon, whipped cream, hints of coffee, hints of chocolate. With water, violets, chocolate, more cinnamon. 
Finish: Medium. Cardboard, vanilla, cinnamon, coffee, chocolate. 

Comments: 

Good finishing dram, this rye has the requisite spiciness, with plenty of floral notes once water is added. It's a cask strength version of the normal Ragtime Rye, originally created as part of a marketing campaign to promote New York rye whiskey, but bottled in the UK for the British Bourbon Society, and I think it's better for the added alcohol level.

Verdict:

I like this.

Tamnavulin 8yo 2009/2017

Tamnavulin 8yo 2009/2017

Cask Collection, AD Rattray
Single malt - Speyside
Lemon gold
59.4% ABV
Dram

Nose: Peanuts, wet stones, white wine, lemon juice, hints of malt vinegar. With water, lemon juice, sea salt, chocolate, rolled oats. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, loosens, watery, warm. 
Tasting:  Sweet sour. Sea salt, wet stones, lemon juice, raisins, rolled oats. With water, chocolate, coffee, lemon zest, malt vinegar. 
Finish: Long. Rolled oats, lemon juice, peanuts, wet stones. 

Comments: 

Cask 700629. Superb level of strength for an 8yo. This whisky has a minerally and cereally backbone, lots of sour citrus notes too. With water, it opens out, like a bird stretching its wings, with plenty of creamy chocolate and sea salt. Excellent complexity.

Verdict:

I like this.

Green Spot Chateau Leoville Barton Cask

Green Spot Chateau Leoville Barton Cask

Official bottling
Single malt - Southern Ireland
Copper
46% ABV
Dram

Nose: Orange peel, red grapes, tobacco leaf, lemon zest, hints of leather. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, syrupy, sticky, tight. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Red grapes, black tea, leather, orange peel, hints of brass polish. 
Finish: Medium. Black tea, raisins, orange peel, leather. 

Comments: 

First expression in the 'Wild Geese' series, where Green Spot whisky is finished in a particular set of wine casks. This one is a Bordeaux made by an Irish family. The whisky is classic wine cask, plenty of red grapes and orange peel, but there's a gentle, leathery feel to it that makes it stand out from the rest. Good stuff.

Verdict:

I like this.

Speyburn 12yo 2006/2018

Speyburn 12yo 2006/2018

Provenance, Douglas Laing
Single malt - Speyside
Light gold
46% ABV
Dram

Nose: Yoghurt, lime juice, rosemary, green apples. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, loosens, airy, slightly tingly. 
Tasting:  Salty sweet. Lime juice, sea salt, orange peel, green apples, honey, fresh baked bread. 
Finish: Medium. Sea salt, green apples, fresh baked bread, yoghurt. 

Comments: 

Cask DL 12967. Salty, sweet, yet tangy and full of citrus bite. A very gentle, light Speyside, but with a briny edge that sharpens up all the fruity notes. Oh, and a strong waft of rosemary on the nose. Very good stuff indeed.

Verdict:

I like this.

Starward Solera Single Malt

Starward Solera Single Malt

Official bottling
Single malt - Victoria
Amber
43% ABV
Dram

Nose: Vanilla, honey, raisins, orange peel, black tea, hints of chocolate. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, slippery, oily, thickens. 
Tasting:  Sweet. Honey, vanilla, fresh baked bread, raisins, cinnamon, chocolate, hints of pears. 
Finish: Short. Red grapes, vanilla, fresh baked bread, chocolate. 

Comments: 

Heavy, chewy, sticky and great. This whisky tastes like chocolate chip cookies and stewed pears. There's a lot of sweetness as you'd expect with a solera matured expression, but there's also complexity and depth. Good stuff.

Verdict:

I like this.

Convalmore 17yo 1981/1998

Convalmore 17yo 1981/1998

Connoisseur's Choice, Gordon & Macphail
Single malt - Speyside
Amber gold
40% ABV
Dram

Nose: Tobacco leaf, leather, raisins, butterscotch, liquorice, pomegranate molasses. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, silky, oily, mouth coating. 
Tasting:  Sweet sour. Tobacco leaf, honey, raisins, pomegranate molasses, white grapes, hints of pineapples, hints of rhubarb and custard sweets. 
Finish: Medium. Ginseng, honey, tobacco leaf, pineapples. 

Comments: 

This delicious Convalmore has spent longer in the bottle than it did in the cask. It's was a real find, and I had the pleasure of the first dram from the bottle. It's slathered in old bottle effect, with the leather and tobacco overwhelming the fruity notes. Those are no longer bright and lively, but instead muted and 'cooked', jammy and unctuous. Lovely, lovely whisky.

Verdict:

I like this a lot.

Sheep Dip Vatted Whisky

Sheep Dip Vatted Whisky

Official bottling
Vatted malt
Dark gold
40% ABV
Dram

Nose: Cream, grated coconut, yoghurt, malted grains, mint, hints of marzipan. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, static, slightly astringent, slightly sticky. 
Tasting:  Bitter sour. Lemon juice, malted grains, ginseng, yoghurt, hints of sarsaparilla. 
Finish: Medium. Mint, lemon juice, orange peel, hints of ginseng. 

Comments: 

This is not as fragrant and gentle as its sibling. Instead, it's earthy, slightly bitter, with lots of creamy and sour notes. Not unpleasant, but I think I prefer the Pig's Nose.

Verdict:

I like this.

Pig's Nose Blended Whisky

Pig's Nose Blended Whisky

Official bottling
Blended malt
Dark gold
40% ABV
Mini

Nose: Raisins, orange juice, cola nut, sarsaparilla, peaches, hints of vanilla. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, slightly oily, mouth coating, slightly slippery. 
Tasting:  Sweet sour. Peat, leather, orange juice, malted grains, hints of peanuts, hints of raisins. 
Finish: Short. Peanuts, leather, malted grains, raisins. 

Comments: 

A gentle, fragrant dram, this whisky has a mouth feel that I really like. It's oily and slippery, smooth and silky, and utterly pleasurable to roll around in my mouth. It tastes pretty good too!

Verdict:

I like this.

Caol Ila 27yo 1983/2010

Caol Ila 27yo 1983/2010

Frisky Whisky, John Milroy
Single malt - Islay
Orange gold
52% ABV
Dram

Nose: Peat, leather, tangerines, tobacco leaf, orange peel, hints of lemon juice. With water, sweeter, orange juice, rhubarb and custard sweets. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, warm, loose, watery. 
Tasting:  Bitter sour. Peat, smoke, tangerines, orange peel, soy sauce, hints of honey. With water, sweeter, honey, orange juice, hints of pomelo. 
Finish: Medium. Tangerines, orange peel, honey, orange juice. 

Comments: 

Cask 1119/1112. This is very unusual whisky, it's unlike any Caol Ila that I've ever had. The savoury, salty notes are very faint, the peat and smoke are gentle instead of harsh, and there's a lingering tangerine sweetness throughout. Very good stuff.

Verdict:

I like this a lot.

Clynelish 21yo Batch 7

Clynelish 21yo Batch 7

That Boutique-y Whisky Company, Master of Malt
Single malt - North Highlands
Golden
47.8% ABV
Dram

Nose: Toast, pineapples, papayas, honey, lemon juice, hints of oats. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, static, mouth coating, oily. 
Tasting:  Sweet sour. Pineapples, fresh baked bread, cinnamon, starfruit, honey. 
Finish: Medium. Honey, fresh baked bread, starfruit, hints of papayas. 

Comments: 

This Clynelish is rich and fragrant, with less 'classic' flavours, more tropical fruit, but retains that honeyed sweetness. It's funny how after 10 drams, I finally think I'm beginning to understand this distillery. I used to believe it took about 3.

Verdict:

I like this.

Glentauchers 8yo 2008/2016

Glentauchers 8yo 2008/2016

Exclusives, Milroy's of Soho
Single malt - Speyside
Mahogany
65.1% ABV
Dram

Nose: Lemon juice, blackcurrant cordial, red grapes, candle wax, vanilla, cinnamon. With water, strawberries, cinnamon, vanilla, hints of caramel. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, loose, airy, hot. 
Tasting:  Sweet. Vanilla, toast, lemon juice, cinnamon, fresh baked bread. With water, sweeter, honey, blackcurrant cordial, strawberries. 
Finish: Short. Candle wax, fresh baked bread, vanilla, cinnamon. 

Comments: 

Cask 900188. A very young, very strong, heavily sherried whisky. Still very flavourful and has decent complexity for its age. Plenty of tasty toast, spice and cereally notes. Excellent with water.

Verdict:

I like this a lot.