Laphroaig 25yo 2015 Edition

Laphroaig 25yo 2015 Edition 

Official bottling 
Single malt - Islay 
Pale gold
46.8% ABV
Dram

Nose: Smoke, peat, tobacco leaf, autumn leaves, lemon juice, honey, hints of germolene. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, loosens, watery around the edges, cool. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Honey, lemon zest, white grapes, smoke, tobacco leaf, peat, leather. 
Finish: Long. Tobacco leaf, smoke, lemon juice, leather, hints of germolene. 

Comments: 

Well aged, lots of herbal tobacco, plus the obligatory smoke and peat. It’s quite bitter, and fades to an antiseptic finish. Good Laphroaig.

Verdict:

I like this.

Brora 27yo 1981/2009

Brora 27yo 1981/2009

Rare Auld, Duncan Taylor 
Single malt - North Highlands 
Sunshine
51.3% ABV
Dram

Nose: Lemon sweets, leather, green tea, winter melon, smoke, dried pears, sea salt, tobacco leaf. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, cool, expands slightly, tingly. 
Tasting:  Sour sweet. Lemon sweets, leather, hay, peat, sea salt, orange peel, tobacco leaf, hints of dried apricots, hints of smoke. 

Finish: Long. Leather, green tea, orange peel, hay, sea salt. 

Comments: 

As usual, I get a frisson of excitement when tasting Brora. I never know when the last dram I have of it will be, thought maybe I might taste some of the ‘new’ Brora eventually. Early 80s Brora is sweeter than earlier makes, and this one is no exception. Lots of sweet fruit alongside savoury peat, and a herbal edge to boot. 

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Ardmore 21yo 1997/2019

Ardmore 21yo 1997/2019

Connoisseur’s Choice, Gordon & Macphail 
Single malt - Speyside 
Pale gold
58.3% ABV
Dram

Nose: Smoke, peat, leather, white grapes, peanuts, tobacco leaf, hints of butterscotch. With water, peaches, white grapes, nutmeg, hints of tobacco leaf. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, hot, astringent, tingly. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Leather, white grapes, butterscotch, peaches, smoke, orange peel. With water, sea salt, white grapes, lemon zest, nutmeg. 
Finish: Medium. Germolene, leather, white grapes, peaches, smoke. 

Comments: 

Hot and pungent, almost acrid, this Ardmore is intensely flavoured, yet sweet. Water opens it up beautifully, revealing a fruity, spicy, slightly savoury flavour profile. Very good indeed.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

SMWS 39.169 (Linkwood 29yo 1989/2018)

SMWS 39.169 (Linkwood 29yo 1989/2018)

2018, SMWS
Single malt - Speyside 
Green gold
52.9% ABV
Dram

Nose: Fresh cut grass, cotton sheets, lemon thyme, lemon sweets, leather, vanilla. With water, lemon sweets, greengages, grapefruit. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, loosens, tingly, slightly slippery. 
Tasting:  Sweet sour. White grapes, greengages, vanilla, cotton sheets, lemon thyme, leather, hints of green tea. With water, lemon zest, green tea, greengages. 
Finish: Long. Lemon thyme, white grapes, green tea, hints of toffee. 

Comments: 

Well aged Linkwood. This whisky is fruity and herbal, white characteristic of Linkwood in that sense, but so the a clarity and depth that comes from lengthy time in good wood. I enjoyed this very much. .

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

SMWS 30.95 (Glenrothes 26yo 1990/2017)

SMWS 30.95 (Glenrothes 26yo 1990/2017)

2017, SMWS
Single malt - Speyside 
Golden
54.3% ABV
Dram

Nose: Coffee, orange peel, dark chocolate, raisins, cinnamon, leather, hints of black pepper. With water, toffee, mint, dark chocolate, vanilla. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, thickens, slippery, cool.  
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Dark chocolate, leather, vanilla, coffee, black pepper, honey, hints of sugarcane. With water, mint, chocolate, vanilla, cinnamon, honey. 
Finish: Short. Orange peel, sugarcane, raisins, honey, dark chocolate. 

Comments: 

Sweet, and a little bit bitter, this whisky has a lot of complexity. There are also some spicy notes that really open up and clarify with a few drops of water. Running through all that is this chocolatey bitterness. Lovely. 

Verdict:

I like this.

Glenburgie 25yo 1995/2020 LMDW Exclusive

Glenburgie 25yo 1995/2020 LMDW Exclusive 

Vintage, Signatory
Single malt - Speyside 
Amber
53.7% ABV
Dram

Nose: Raisins, honey, cloves, strawberry jam, clay dust, candied oranges. With water, sea salt, strawberry jam, honey, leather. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, thickens, hot, expands. 
Tasting:  Sweet. Honey, cloves, candied oranges, strawberry jam, sour cream, ginger, black pepper, hints of black tea. With water, honey, leather, strawberry jam, sea salt, hints of cloves. 
Finish: Medium. Candied oranges, strawberry jam, raisins, hints of lemon zest. 

Comments: 

Sweet and fruity, but with a lot of spicy notes to supplement. It’s quite delicious, well aged with clearly delineated flavours. There’s an undertone of sea salt that really makes this whisky mouth watering.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Glenallachie 24yo 1992/2017

Glenallachie 24yo 1992/2017

Authentic Collection, WM Cadenhead 
Single malt - Speyside 
Pale orange 
54.2% ABV
Dram

Nose: Cinder toffee, raisins, malted grains, roast pork, orange peel, leather. With water, raisins, orange peel, ink, hints of roast pork. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, cool, slippery, mouth coating. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Cinder toffee, watermelon, butterscotch, orange peel, black tea, raisins, leather. With water, orange peel, ink, honey, plums, greengages, hints of smoke. 
Finish: Medium. Black tea, raisins, butterscotch, plums. 

Comments: 

Quite an unusual Glenallachie. Good to see what the distillery make looks like under the sherry finishing. It turns out to be quite fruity but with a robust, meaty, almost metallic edge. Rather good.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Clynelish 25yo 1993/2019

Clynelish 25yo 1993/2019

Connoisseur’s Choice, Gordon & Macphail
Single malt - North Highlands
Pale gold
54.3% ABV
Dram

Nose: Toffee, honey, lemon sweets, sea salt, mint, crispy bacon, hints of leather. With water, leather, honey, lemon sweets, vanilla. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, warm, tingly, loosens. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Honey, lemon sweets, vanilla, sea salt, leather, candied oranges, hints of smoke. With water, sweeter, mint, candied oranges, hints of smoke. 

Finish: Medium. Sea salt, candied oranges, lemon sweets, hints of smoke. 

Comments: 

Right, this is a very Brora-like Clynelish, a little bit savoury, some slight meatiness in the nose, and a lot of citrus. It’s wreathed in gentle peat, and is well aged. It’s perhaps a teensy bit sweeter than ideal, but I’m beginning to nitpick here.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Mortlach 20yo 1994/2015

Mortlach 20yo 1994/2015

Small Batch, WM Cadenhead
Single malt - Speyside 
Pale green gold 
53% ABV
Dram

Nose: White grapes, lime zest, fresh cut grass, white pepper, green pepper, hints of lemon juice. With water, pears, leather, lemon juice, hints of celery. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, hot, astringent, airy. 
Tasting:  Bitter sour. Green peppers, fresh cut grass, ginseng, malted grains, white grapes. With water, white grapes, lime zest, grapefruit, hints of celery. 
Finish: Short. White grapes, ginseng, malted grains, honey, hints of pears. 

Comments: 

Not your typical Mortlach. It’s quite vegetal, and even bitter, especially on the tongue. Lots of citrusy zing, and that’s very pleasant indeed combined with a herbal celebration note. Opens up a treat with water, becoming more citrusy and herbal. 

Verdict:

I like this.

SMWS 36.127 (Benrinnes 12yo 2004/2017)

SMWS 36.127 (Benrinnes 12yo 2004/2017)

2017, SMWS 
Single malt - Speyside 
Pale sunshine
60% ABV
Dram

Nose: White grapes, lemon zest, roast chicken, scotch bonnet pepper, lime juice, hints of cedar. With water, rhubarb and custard sweets, lemon sherbet, cedar, hints of wood polish. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, airy, evaporates quickly, hot. 
Tasting:  Sweet sour. Lemon zest, malted grains, white grapes, white pepper, nutmeg, hints of scotch bonnet pepper. With water, lemon sherbet, honey, cedar, rhubarb and custard sweets. 
Finish: Short. Roast chicken, lemon zest, nutmeg, white pepper, malted grains. 

Comments: 

A sweet and fruity Benrinnes, but with a savoury edge. It’s reminiscent of lemon chicken, that British Chinese special of fried chicken doused in a sweet sour lemon sauce. There’s a floral hint of scotch bonnet pepper as well, albeit without the heat. 

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Mortlach 20yo 1991/2011

Mortlach 20yo 1991/2011

First Cask, The Malt Whisky Circle 
Single malt - Speyside 
Bright gold 
46% ABV
Dram

Nose: Toffee, honey, vanilla, greengages, hints of sour cream. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, thickens slightly, syrupy, slightly astringent. 
Tasting:  Bitter salty. Toffee, honey, raisins, sea salt, malted grains, hints of apricots, hints of roast pork. 
Finish: Medium. Mint, apricots, sea salt, toffee. 

Comments: 

Cask 7713. A light Mortlach, at least in comparison to other Mortlachs. There’s some fruit and a hint of the Mortlach meatiness, but the dominant flavours are sea salt and bitter caramel or toffee. There’s some minty coolness on the finish. 

Verdict:

I like this.

Glen Spey 30yo 1976/2006

Glen Spey 30yo 1976/2006

First Cask, The Malt Whisky Circle 
Single malt - Speyside 
Bright gold
46% ABV
Dram

Nose: Papayas, white grapes, gooseberries, leather, green apples, hints of honey. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, warm, tingly, expands. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. White grapes, honey, leather, malted grains, green apples, canned peaches, hints of gooseberries. 
Finish: Medium. Vanilla, malted grains, honey, gooseberries. 

Comments: 

Cask 361. Brightly coloured, brightly flavoured. Lots of fruit and a bit of cereal, but all overlaid with a nice helping of old bottle effect. It’s complex without being overwhelming, which some higher strength whiskies can be. Delicious. 

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Auchentoshan 22yo 1998/2021

Auchentoshan 22yo 1998/2021

Celebration of the Cask, Carn Mor
Single malt - Lowlands
Dark gold
48.6% ABV
Dram

Nose: Malted grains, black tea, green tea, lemon zest, ink, raisins, hints of leather. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, loosens, slightly watery around the edges, slightly warm. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Black tea, green tea, sea salt, lemon zest, ink, honey, hints of malted grains. 
Finish: Short. Ink, orange peel, honey, white grapes, cloves, hints of sea salt. 

Comments: 

Cask 100696. It’s been a while since I’ve had an Auchentoshan. This one is rather unusual, quite bitter and iron-laden (irony? Ironic?) on the tongue, but fades quickly to a sweet spicy finish. Excellent Lowlands lightness on the mouthfeel too. 

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

I Hope This Ben Nevis Tastes Good

I Hope This Ben Nevis Tastes Good

Special Reserve, The Whisky Exchange 
Single malt - West Highlands
Dark gold
48% ABV
Dram

Nose: Malted grains, tyre rubber, toffee, raisins, hints of smoke, hints of honey. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, cool, thickens slightly, slightly slippery. 
Tasting:  Bitter. Malted grains, honey, tyre rubber, walnut skins, black tea, hints of fried eggs. 

Finish: Long. Raisins, black tea, vanilla, honey, hints of fried eggs. 

Comments: 

Thanks Andrea and Jason. This is a limited edition bottling from the Whisky Exchange. Quite bitter, but clean and well constructed. The flavours are well defined, if a bit sulphurous. Rather unusual and indeed enjoyable.

Verdict:

I like this.

Paul John Mithuna

Paul John Mithuna

Official bottling 
Single malt - Goa
Red
58% ABV
Dram

Nose: Butter, red grapes, rose hips, raisins, strawberries, orange blossom, pears, hints of vanilla. With water, oats, raisins, pears, hints of rose hips. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, loosens, warm, mouth coating. 
Tasting:  Sweet. Lemon zest, butter, red grapes, rose hips, vanilla, oats, hints of orange blossom, hints of peaches. With water, orange peel, butter, oats, raisins. 
Finish: Long. Lemon zest, orange peel, red grapes, rose hips, hints of peaches. 

Comments: 

This is a heck of a bourbon. Yes, I know it’s a single malt, but it tastes like an excellent bourbon. Lots of robust cereal notes, with a lot of creamy fruit and butter. Utterly delicious.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Lindores Abbey Commemorative First Release MCDXCIV

Lindores Abbey Commemorative First Release MCDXCIV

Official bottling 
Single malt - Lowlands
Golden
46% ABV
Dram

Nose: Honeydew melons, peat, leather, white grapes, pomeloes, hints of gooseberries. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, sticky, thickens, mouth coating. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Raisins, white grapes, black tea, gooseberries, toffee, hints of ginseng. 
Finish: Long. Ginseng, black tea, gooseberries, hints of honeydew melons. 

Comments: 

Lots of green fruits, grapes, gooseberries etc. Some fragrant citrus too, manifesting as pomeloes. It all builds nicely then slowly ramps down to a bitter finish. Very promising - the flavours are well defined and the mouth feel is great.

Verdict:

I like this.

Glenfarclas 185th Anniversary Bottling

Glenfarclas 185th Anniversary Bottling

Official bottling 
Single malt - Speyside 
Pale amber
46% ABV
Dram

Nose: Black tea, raisins, toffee, honey, dried pears, hints of smoke. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, loosens, slightly tingly, warm. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Honey, toffee, black tea, raisins, white grapes, walnut skins, hints of gooseberries. 
Finish: Long. Walnut skins, dried pears, honey, toffee. 

Comments: 

Rather good! No age statement, but there’s some old whisky in this if I’m any judge. Lots of honeyed fruity notes, exactly what you’d expect from a Glenfarclas, but not red grapes. Instead the grapes are white and juicy, and there’s a good long bitter finish.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Isle of Raasay Single Malt Batch 1

Isle of Raasay Single Malt Batch 1

Official bottling 
Single malt - Islands 
Golden
46.4% ABV
Dram

Nose: Peat, raisins, strawberries, leather, honey, candied oranges, hints of dried pears. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, cool, slippery, slightly tingly. 
Tasting:  Sweet. Raisins, candied oranges, figs, honey, peat, dates, strawberry jam, hints of leather. 
Finish: Short. Dates, raisins, strawberry jam, black tea, hints of leather. 

Comments: 

Not the inaugural bottling, but decent nevertheless. Lots of honeyed fruity notes, but with an underlying edge of peatiness that adds complexity and savouriness. Even though I would have appreciated a higher strength expression, 46% plus is quite high enough to convey the flavours.

Verdict:

I like this.

Armorik 14yo 2002/2016 Single Cask 3309

Armorik 14yo 2002/2016 Single Cask 3309

Official bottling 
Single malt - Brittany
Amber, hints of copper
56.3% ABV
Dram

Nose: Leather, peat, honey, winter melon, pears, hints of mint. With water, lemon zest, green apples, walnut skins. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, tingly, astringent, hot. 
Tasting:  Sour bitter. Winter melon, green apples, pears, walnut skins, leather, peat, hints of toast. With water, lemon zest, green apples, more leather, walnut skins, black tea. 
Finish: Long. Orange peel, lemon zest, peat, leather, green apples. 

Comments: 

Cask 3309 as it says on the bottle. Quite complex in its own way, lots of fruit and more than a hint of peat. It tastes older than it is, and is very pleasurable to drink at cask strength. Lovely bitter finish.

Verdict:

I like this.

Bernheim Original Straight Wheat Whiskey

Bernheim Original Straight Wheat Whiskey

Official bottling 
Single bourbon - Kentucky 
Amber, hints of red
45% ABV
Dram

Nose: Honey, vanilla, bananas, fresh baked bread, oats, orange peel, cornflakes. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, astringent, tingly, static. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Walnut skins, bananas, fresh baked bread, orange peel, black pepper, hints of cloves. 
Finish: Short. Black pepper, fresh baked bread, walnut skins, oats, hints of honey. 

Comments: 

Something that has been formulated to recapture an old expression. I’m unable to say whether it was successful, but on its own merits it’s rather decent. Lots of cereal notes, with a hint of spiciness and lovely mouth feel.

Verdict:

I like this.

Glenury Royal 26yo 1975/2002

Glenury Royal 26yo 1975/2002

Vintage, Signatory 
Single malt - East Highlands 
Dark gold
52.6% ABV
Dram

Nose: Sea salt, roast pork, sultanas, peaches, pears, kiwifruit, hints of lemon sherbet. With water, lemon zest, lemon sherbet, hints of roast pork. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, thickens slightly, expands, slightly tingly. 
Tasting:  Sour salty. Sea salt, lemon zest, lemon sherbet, peaches, malted grains, pears, hints of kiwifruit. With water, lemon zest, rhubarb compote, hints of pears. 

Finish: Short. Lemon zest, lemon sherbet, pears, hints of smoke. 

Comments: 

Cask 5240. This is unbelievably good. Just a whisper of old bottle effect, lots of citrus and kiwifruit, and a touch of smoke. With water it expands and opens up, lots of lemony sweet flavours and again a little touch of smoke.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Glenugie 25yo 1976/2001

Glenugie 25yo 1976/2001

Vintage, Signatory 
Single malt - East Highlands
Sunflower gold
51.8% ABV
Dram

Nose: Leather, lemon zest, sea salt, celery, malted grains, fresh baked bread, sultanas, hints of honey. With water, orange peel, dried pears, leather, hints of celery. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, syrupy, thick, slightly astringent. 
Tasting:  Sweet salty. Sea salt, leather, celery, lemon zest, candied oranges, honey, smoke, hints of canned peaches. 
Finish: Long. Walnut skins, honey, lemon zest, celery, sea salt. 

Comments: 

Cask 2699. Lovely old expression this, heaps of old bottle effect, that celery note as clear as a bell. There’s some gentle smoke in this, but it’s in the background and is dominated by a lot of fruity, almost jammy notes. Utterly lovely. 

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Woodford Reserve Master’s Collection- Brandy Cask Finish

Woodford Reserve Master’s Collection- Brandy Cask Finish 

Official bottling 
Single bourbon - Kentucky 
Dark amber
45.2% ABV
Dram

Nose: Raisins, cornflakes, toast, sesame, red grapes, orange peel. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, slippery, thickens slightly, tingly. 
Tasting:  Sweet. Orange peel, butter, honey, mint, vanilla, raisins, caramel, hints of brown paper. 
Finish: Short. Rolled oats, chocolate, toast, black tea, raisins, hints of sesame. 

Comments: 

Well finished bourbon. The brandy cask gives it a sweeter, luscious feel, almost buttery and fruity. Yet the equally sweet notes of the grain are evident and clear.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Bakery Hill 5yo Batch 1

Bakery Hill 5yo Batch 1

That Boutique-y Whisky Company 
Single malt - Victoria
Golden
50% ABV
Dram

Nose: Chocolate, peat, smoke, sea salt, leather, dried apples, hints of seaweed. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, slippery, hot, tingly. 
Tasting:  Bitter salty. Peat, chocolate, malted grains, sea salt, brass polish, orange zest, hints of dried apples. 
Finish: Medium. Brass polish, germolene, sea salt, dried apples, hints of seaweed. 

Comments: 

Peated Australian whisky! It’s rather good, made in the Islay style, with a great deal of complexity. It’s quite saline, lots of sea salt and seaweed. There’s an underlying sweetness, but also some mellowed chemical notes. Excellent stuff.

Verdict:

I like this a lot.

Riverbourne 3yo Batch 1

Riverbourne 3yo Batch 1

That Boutique-y Whisky Company, Master of Malt
Single malt - New South Wales 
Amber gold
50% ABV
Dram

Nose: Leather, cranberries, canned pears, raisins, orange peel, lychees, hints of liquorice. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, airy, cool, slightly tingly. 
Tasting:  Sweet salty. Fresh baked bread, leather, canned pears, oats, lychees, orange peel, hints of kiwifruit. 
Finish: Long. Sea salt, oats, leather, liquorice, orange peel. 

Comments: 

Young but intense whisky. Lots of tropical fruit notes, along with a malty sweetness. It’s really quite highly sherried, and there is an underlying complexity that is quite cereally. Good stuff, this.

Verdict:

I like this.

Black Gate 3yo Batch 1

Black Gate 3yo Batch 1

That Boutique-y Whisky Company, Master of Malt 
Single malt - New South Wales
Amber, hints of red 
46% ABV
Dram

Nose: Raisins, honey, red grapes, peaches, dried pears, matcha, sandalwood, hints of black tea. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, slightly tingly, slippery, cool. 
Tasting:  Sweet. Red grapes, raisins, honey, matcha, sandalwood, peaches, hints of leather. 
Finish: Medium. Fresh baked bread, raisins, dried pears, honey. 

Comments: 

Lovely sherried Australian whisky. It has a herbal tang, as so many Aussie whiskies do, and in this case it is reminiscent of matcha powder. It’s quite tannic indeed. Despite the young age, it’s quite complex and slightly woody.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Tamnavulin 10yo 2010/2020

Tamnavulin 10yo 2010/2020

Warehouse Collection, AD Rattray
Single malt - Speyside 
Silvery gold 
54.2% ABV
Dram

Nose: Pears, malted grains, white wine, vanilla, lemon zest, hints of elderflower. With water, lemon zest, cream, malted grains. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, fizzy, astringent, hot. 
Tasting:  Sour. Pears, elderflower, lemon sherbet, malted grains, white grapes, kiwifruit, hints of walnut skins. With water, malted grains, lemon zest, hints of barley sugar. 
Finish: Medium. Walnut skins, malted grains, vanilla, hints of lemon sherbet. 

Comments: 

Very tart and sharp. Lots of citrus, a little elderflower and some other tart fruits. With a bit of water some sweetness comes out, with kiwifruit and lemon sherbet. Quite bright, young and tasty.

Verdict:

I like this.

Macduff 11yo

Macduff 11yo

Hepburn’s Choice, Langside Distillers
Single malt - Speyside 
Yellow gold
46% ABV
Dram

Nose: Dark chocolate, lemon sweets, malted grains, grapefruit, hints of camphor, hints of white grapes. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, syrupy, thick, expands slightly.  
Tasting:  Salty sour. Lemon sweets, malted grains, fresh baked bread, sea salt, hints of dried pears. 
Finish: Medium. Walnuts, fresh baked bread, malted grains, hints of dried pears. 

Comments: 

Quite a savoury whisky. There are tart, and even slightly sweet notes, but it’s really sea salt, malty walnuts and some camphor. I liked it, it was unusual and not your usual Macduff.

Verdict:

I like this.