The Busker Single Malt Small Batch No 1

The Busker Single Malt Small Batch No 1

Official bottling
Single malt - Leinster
Amber brown 
46.3% ABV
Dram

Nose: Malted grains, fresh baked bread, orange peel, white pepper, cinnamon, hints of grapefruit. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, thickens, cool, tingly. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Orange peel, raspberry jam, fresh baked bread, malted grains, red grapes, raisins, hints of cinnamon. 
Finish: Medium. Raisins, raspberry jam, malted grains, cinnamon, orange peel. 

Comments: 

Orangey, lots of malted grains and raisins. Quite spicy too, with plenty of cinnamon and white pepper. The finish isn’t so long, but brings more of the jammy cooked fruit notes.

Verdict:

I like this.

The Busker Single Grain

The Busker Single Grain

Official bottling
Single grain - Leinster
Golden
44.3% ABV
Dram

Nose: Chocolate, vanilla, desiccated coconut, orange peel, nutmeg, toffee. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, mouth coating, volatile, tingly.
Tasting:  Sweet. Toffee, caramel, black pepper, menthol, nutmeg, hints of fresh baked bread. 
Finish: Short. Toffee, orange peel, vanilla, brown paper. 

Comments: 

Quite a simple, straightforward whisky, with toffee, caramel, and grain whisky note if desiccated coconut. Plenty of vanilla and brown paper as well, flavours I usually associate with bourbon.

Verdict:

I like this.

Bladnoch Talia

Bladnoch Talia

Official bottling
Single malt - Lowlands
Dark yellow gold
45.5% ABV
Dram

Nose: Nectarines, magic marker, clay dust, malted grains, fresh cut grass, white pepper, glue. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, cool, tingly, expands. 
Tasting:  Sweet sour. Nectarines, lemon zest, honey, fresh cut grass, white pepper, nutmeg, pears, hints of apricots. 
Finish: Medium. Malted grains, apricots, white pepper, honey, lemon zest. 

Comments: 

Dusty and old, lots of stone fruit, honey, esters and white pepper. Beautiful sweet sour finish, with plenty of barley maltiness and more stone fruit.

Verdict:

I like this.

Glen Spey 16yo 2008/2024

Glen Spey 16y 2008/2024

The Single Cask
Single malt - Speyside
Amber gold
58.5% ABV
Dram

Nose: Peaches, nectarines, malted grains, orange peel, white pepper, hints of smoke. With water, malted grains, pear, nectarines. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, hot, volatile, mouth coating. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. White pepper, smoke, germolene, tobacco leaf, nectarines, white wine, orange peel. With water, coffee, peat, smoke, germolene. 
Finish: Long. Coffee, smoke, nectarines, white wine. 

Comments: 

Cask 801879. Ex-Islay cask, peppery but also orangey, full of stone fruit? And quite sweet. Water brings out more bitterness, with peat, smoke and coffee. It’s a nice long semi-sweet finish too.

Verdict:

I like this.

Glen Ord 11yo

Glen Ord 11yo

Soho Selection, Milroys of Soho
Single malt - North Highlands
Golden
56.4% ABV
Dram

Nose: Peaches, apricots, lemon zest, sultanas, hoppy beer, honey, malted grains. With water, malted grains, apricots, peaches, honey. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, loosens, cool, mouth coating. 
Tasting:  Sweet sour. Wet stones, coffee, lemon zest, sultanas, malted grains, chicory, dark chocolate. With water, peaches, apricots, hints of sultanas. 
Finish: Medium. Coffee, chicory, malted grains, lemon zest, wet stones. 

Comments: 

Minerally with heaps of stone fruit. There’s a bitter note here is that I interpret as coffee and chicory, and water brings out even more stone fruit and much more sweetness. Good minerally finish too.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Black Fox Single Grain Tritticosecale

Black Fox Single Grain Tritticosecale 

Official bottling
Single grain - Saskatchewan
Amber red 
48.1% ABV
Dram

Nose: Brown paper, red grapes, blackberries, vanilla, desiccated coconut, sandalwood, fresh baked bread. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, cool, mouth coating, expands. 
Tasting:  Sweet sour. Brown paper, desiccated coconut, raisins, pear drops, rye bread, black pepper. 
Finish: Long. Fresh baked bread, rye bread, black pepper, raisins. 

Comments: 

High rye flavour. The grain is a rye-wheat hybrid, and brings the usual black pepper notes. There’s also some creamy cereal, with plenty of grain whisky coconut flavours.

Verdict:

I like this.

Glendalough Pot Still Virgin Irish Oak Batch 2

Glendalough Pot Still Virgin Oak Batch 2

Official bottling
Single pot still - Leinster
Dark gold

43% ABV
Dram

Nose: White pepper, malted grains, lemon zest, yuzu, cream, hints of white wine. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, mouth coating, cool, slightly tingly. 
Tasting:  Sour salty. Photocopy paper, malted grains, lemon zest, sea salt, yoghurt, white wine, hints of yuzu. 
Finish: Short. Sea salt, lemon zest, malted grains, white pepper, yoghurt. 

Comments: 

Quite tart and lactic, which is to me a characteristic of pot still whisky. Lost of fruity citrus notes along the edges which emphasise the sour flavours. The finish is brief, intense and a little minerally.

Verdict:

I like this.

The Cheshire Single Malt

The Cheshire Single Malt

Official bottling
Single malt - Cheshire
Amber

46% ABV

Dram

Nose: Hoppy beer, malted grains, cream, shredded wheat, white pepper, orange peel. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, expands, cool, tingly. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Hoppy beer, shredded wheat, raisins, white pepper, orange peel, hints of gentian, hints of nectarines. 
Finish: Medium. White pepper, malted grains, orange peel, nectarines. 

Comments: 

Beery and loaded with stone fruit. There’s plenty of malty goodness with a pinch of white pepper. Still rather bitter with mountainous herbs. This might take some water well, although I didn’t try.

Verdict:

I like this.

Akashi 5yo Red Wine Cask

Akashi 5yo Red Wine Cask

Official bottling
Single malt - Kansai
Amber red
50% ABV
Dram

Nose: Red wine, wet stones, raisins, pears, apples, red grapes, dried blueberries. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, cool, tingly, volatile. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Malted grains, cloves, oak chips, damson jam, camphor, apples, hints of dried blueberries. 
Finish: Medium. Camphor, apples, pears, oak chips, cloves. 

Comments: 

Active cask that masks most of the notes from the distillate. Jammy red fruit flavours, with a bitter herbal note of camphor. Was on the fence as to whether to add water but in the end didn’t.

Verdict:

I like this.

Aberfeldy 20yo 1999 Handfill Cask

Aberfeldy 20yo 1999 Handfill Cask

Official bottling
Single malt - Central Highlands
Dark amber red 
60.6% ABV
Dram

Nose: Malted grains, camphor, roast beef, raisins, black tea, damson jam, cloves. With water, roast beef, cloves, molasses. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, astringent, hot, volatile. 
Tasting:  Bitter. Coffee, camphor, roast beef, damson jam, clay dust, cloves, red grapes. With water, damson jam, dried apricots, raisins, clay dust, oak chips. 
Finish: Long. Coffee, clay dust, roast beef, red grapes. 

Comments: 

Meaty, winey, lots of jammy notes and warming spices. Water brings out a little dustiness and more dried fruit notes, but also makes the wood more prominent.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Blair Athol 29yo 1988/2017 175th Anniversary

Blair Athol 29yo 1988/2017 175th Anniversary 

Authentic Collection, WM Cadenhead
Single malt - Central Highlands
Amber, hints of yellow
51.8% ABV
Dram

Nose: Sandalwood, raisins, lemon zest, clay dust, popping candy, malted grains, orange peel, hints of cloves. With water, candle wax, orange peel, raisins. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, cool, tingly, loosens. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Vanilla, raisins, sandalwood, candle wax, lemon zest, orange peel, cinnamon, popping candy. With water, raisins, malted grains, sandalwood. 
Finish: Long. Black tea, longans, orange peel, candle wax. 

Comments: 

Sweet and fruity, but also with a heavy waxy note that gets more prominent with water. Plenty of little vanilla estery accents to the flavours, and a nice fruity, slightly tannic finish.

Verdict:

I like this a lot.

1792 Full Proof Nickolls and Perks Exclusive

1792 Full Proof Nickolls and Perks Exclusive

Official bottling
Single bourbon - Kentucky
Amber
62.5%% ABV
Dram

Nose: Vanilla, toffee, magic marker, pear drops, dark chocolate, apricots. With water, magic marker, malted grains, brown paper, hints of hay. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, loosens, tingly, warm. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Toffee, cola nuts, magic marker, cream, dark chocolate, vanilla. With water, malted grains, brown paper, dark chocolate. 
Finish: Short. Cream, magic marker, pear drops, toffee, hints of hay. 

Comments: 

Quite fruity and strong. The alcohol masks a lot of flavours, water brings out maltiness, a dusty papery note and dark chocolate. The finish is short, intense and fragrant.

Verdict:

I like this.

Killowen 3yo Barantuil Pinot Noir Firkin

Killowen 3yo Barantuil Pinot Noir Firkin

Official bottling 
Single pot still - Ulster
Amber gold
57% ABV
Dram

Nose: Peaches, malted grains, icing sugar, lemon zest, yoghurt, hints of raisins. With water, white pepper, icing sugar, persimmons. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, hot, mouth coating, volatile. 
Tasting:  Sour sweet. Raisins, damson jam, yoghurt, lemon sherbet, icing sugar, cola nuts. With water, icing sugar, damson jam, persimmons. 
Finish: Short. Cloves, lemon sherbet, damson jam, raisins. 

Comments: 

Fruity, spicy, lots of deeply sweet notes. But there’s also a lactic note that’s quite prominent. Water brings out a powdery sugariness and persimmons. 

Verdict:

I like this.

Bardstown Origin Series Straight Wheated Bourbon 6yo

Bardstown Origin Series Straight Wheated Bourbon 6yo

Official bottling
Single bourbon - Kentucky
Amber gold
53% ABV
Dram

Nose: Wet stones, white pepper, vanilla, toffee, cough mixture, blackcurrant cordial. With water, magic marker, cough mixture, cornflakes. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, cool, tingly, astringent. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Blackcurrant cordial, white pepper, cola nuts, raspberry jam, cornflakes, cream. With water, cream, cough mixture, magic marker. 
Finish: Medium. Toffee, vanilla, cola nuts, blackcurrant cordial. 

Comments: 

Flinty, peppery, with big blackcurrant notes. Tastes a little like cough mixture. There’s plenty of corn in this, if I’m any judge. Water brings out even more blackcurrant.

Verdict:

I like this.

Glen Wyvis 6yo 2018/2024

Glen Wyvis 6yo 2018/2024

Official bottling
Single malt - North Highlands
Amber
60.2% ABV
Dram

Nose: Raisins, red grapes, honey, lohan fruit, cloves, black tea, hints of molasses. With water, menthol, raisins, eucalyptus. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, hot, evaporates, mouth coating. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Black tea, lohan fruit, cloves, menthol, damson jam, orange peel, hints of cinnamon. With water, menthol, damson jam, eucalyptus. 
Finish: Long. Black tea, menthol, raisins, orange peel. 

Comments: 

Cask 59. A well sherried whisky, plenty of the sweet red fruit notes you’d expect, but also plenty of complexity like black tea, menthol and cloves. Surprisingly layered for such a young dram.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Dalmunach 9yo 2016/2025

Dalmunach 9yo 2016/2025

James Eadie
Single malt - Speyside
Amber gold
46% ABV
Dram

Nose: Malted grains, white wine, lemon zest, white pepper, yoghurt, vanilla, hints of sour cream. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, loosens, tingly, mouth coating. 
Tasting:  Sour. White wine, sour cream, cashews, yoghurt, malted grains, fresh baked bread. 
Finish: Short. Yoghurt, vanilla, white pepper, white wine. 

Comments: 

Casks 364523, 364524, 364525. Stripped back whisky, a bit of a lactic note but also plenty of fragrant citrusy and winey notes too. There’s some nuttiness and pepperiness especially on the finish.

Verdict:

I like this.

Brenne Special Edition (Pineau de Charentes Finish)

Brenne Special Edition (Pineau de Charentes Finish)

Official bottling
Single malt - Poitou-Charentes
Dark yellow gold
40% ABV
Dram

Nose: Artificial grape flavour, sultanas, cream, artificial melon flavour, honeydew melons, bubble gum. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, astringent, cool, tingly. 
Tasting:  Sour sweet. Artificial melon flavour, mint, sultanas, white wine, icing sugar, white pepper, bubble gum. 
Finish: Medium. Bubble gum, icing sugar, sultanas, raspberries, artificial grape flavour. 

Comments: 

Floral and fragrant, definitely an improvement on previous bottlings. Tastes rather like melon Ramune, the Japanese soft drink, especially at this low ABV.

Verdict:

I like this.

Aberargie Inaugural Release

Aberargie Inaugural Release

Official bottling
Single malt - Central Highlands
Amber
48.2% ABV
Dram

Nose: Raisins, orange peel, malted grains, honeycomb, orange blossom, red grapes. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, astringent, mouth coating, slightly volatile. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Honeycomb, orange blossom, malted grains, marshmallows, foam shrimp, strawberry sweets, hints of cream. 
Finish: Medium. Fresh baked bread, malted grains, marshmallows, strawberry sweets. 

Comments: 

Sweet, malty and robust, definitely not a 3 year old. They’ve done the right thing by waiting to release something older. Very promising and flavourful.

Verdict:

I like this.

Old Bakery Small Batch for Gerry’s of Soho

Old Bakery Small Batch for Gerry’s of Soho

Official bottling
Single malt - London
Dark gold
60.3% ABV
Dram

Nose: Lemon zest, white grapes, white chocolate, vanilla, magic marker, nail varnish. With water, vanilla, cooked rice, pear drops. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, thickens, expands, tingly. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Lemon zest, white grapes, magic marker, white pepper, fresh cut grass, hints of dried apricots. With water, vanilla, cooked rice, pear drops, fresh baked bread. 
Finish: Long. Fresh baked bread, vanilla, white pepper, magic marker. 

Comments: 

Quite a light whisky, lots of estery notes, which must also come from the rum cask finish. It’s quite cereally under all that sweetness. Water brings out more esters and more cereal, although it becomes less sweet.

Verdict:

I like this.

Macaloney’s Peat Project Portuguese Red Wine STR Barrique

Macaloney’s Peat Project Portuguese Red Wine Barrique

Official bottling
Single malt - British Columbia
Amber copper
46% ABV
Dram

Nose: Peanuts, peat, germolene, nutmeg, tobacco leaf, orange peel, malted grains. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, mouth coating, tingly, warm. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Peat, smoke, germolene, orange peel, peaches, malted grains, honey, nutmeg, hints of cinnamon. 
Finish: Medium. Germolene, peat, autumn leaves, honey, hints of orange peel. 

Comments: 

Interesting dram, made with sugar kelp. It is quite peaty - medicinal peat - and has a nice underlying sweetness that must come from the Portuguese red wine cask. Decent whisky.

Verdict:

I like this.

Convalmore 30yo 1962/1993

Convalmore 30yo 1962/1993

Authentic Collection, WM Cadenheads
Single malt - Speyside
Amber
46.5% ABV
Dram

Nose: Pencil lead, blackcurrant cordial, cherries, honey, malted grains, hay, vanilla, nutmeg. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, cool, tingly, astringent. 
Tasting:  Sweet sour. Malted grains, vanilla, pencil lead, wet stones, honey, leather, brown sugar, hints of cherries, hints of dark chocolate. 
Finish: Long. Malted grains, honey, leather, brown sugar, cherries. 

Comments: 

Sweet and luscious, rich malty sugary notes. There’s Black Forest cake (cherries and dark chocolate) in this, if I’m any judge. Alongside there’s also some minerality and leather. A very good dram indeed.

Verdict:

I like this.

Glenlochy 38yo 1965/2003

Glenlochy 38yo 1965/2003

Old and Rare, Douglas Laing
Single malt - West Highlands
Amber orange
42.3% ABV

Dram

Nose: Magic marker, pandan, orange peel, malted grains, molasses, black pepper. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, loosens, expands, warm. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Magic marker, molasses, barley sugar, malted grains, black tea, heather, pandan, hints of candle wax. 
Finish: Long. Heather, hay, black tea, malted grains. 

Comments: 

Rather herbal and grassy, not as many saline notes as I’d expect given what I found in other Glenlochies. No water, it’s a bit low in strength and rather drinkable as is.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Aultmore 37yo 1985/2023 Exceptional Cask

Aultmore 37yo 1985/2023 Exceptional Cask

Official bottling
Single malt - Speyside

Amber
42.6% ABV
Dram

Nose: Pencil lead, wet stones, malted grains, sandalwood, honey, toffee, black tea. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, loosens, expands, tingly. 
Tasting:  Salty sweet. Hoppy beer, malted grains, pencil lead, burlap, white pepper, wet stones, hints of sandalwood. 
Finish: Medium. Brass polish, white pepper, burlap, pencil lead, honey. 

Comments: 

Certainly an exceptional cask, and there’s a lot of feintiness - beery notes, some musty dunnage and burlap, alongside minerality and floral fragrance. Layered and complex.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Brora 19yo 1981/2000

Brora 19yo 1981/2000

The Bottlers
Single malt - North Highlands
Amber
60.4% ABV
Dram

Nose: Pear drops, leather, lemon sweets, lemon zest, sea salt, menthol, honey. With water, menthol, cloves, lohan fruit, candied lemons. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, loosens, tingly, astringent. 
Tasting:  Salty sweet. Menthol, honey, wet stones, petrol exhaust, lemon sweets, cloves, orange juice, lohan fruit, hints of candied lemons. With water, lemon sweets, cloves, wet stones, candied lemons. 
Finish: Long. Wet stones, pear drops, leather, lemon sweets, honey. 

Comments: 

Cask 1077. Lemony and saline, lots of leather and even some sense of petrol exhaust for smokiness. Quite lovely. Beautiful old menthol and mineral notes too. Always a pleasure to have a Brora.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Jura vatting - 1960s and 30yo

Jura vatting - 1960s and 30yo

Personal vatting
Single malt - Islands
Orange brown 
About 45% ABV
Dram

Nose: Green tea, pencil lead, barley sugar, malted grains, honey, black tea. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, cool, loosens, mouth coating. 
Tasting:  Sweet salty. Pencil lead, barley sugar, malted grains,  white pepper, black tea, cloves, milk chocolate. 
Finish: Short. White pepper, black tea, pencil lead, barley sugar. 

Comments: 

A vatting of several 1960s Jura and a 30yo, done at a tasting. Quite feinty and little of that lactic note that seems to characterise Jura for me. Not as good as the sum of its parts.

Verdict:

I like this.

Balvenie 46yo 1968/2016 DCS Compendium Chapter 1

Balvenie 46yo 1968/2016 DCS Compendium Chapter 1

Official bottling
Single malt - Speyside 
Amber brown
45.9% ABV
Dram

Nose: Honey, white flowers, lemon zest, molasses, pear drops, blackcurrant cordial, cherries. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, expands, cool, volatile. 
Tasting:  Sweet. Blackcurrant cordial, black pepper, lemon zest, pear drops, cloves, hints of dark chocolate. 
Finish: Medium. Black pepper, pear drops, magic marker, dark chocolate, lemon zest. 

Comments: 

Cask 7293. Sweet and luscious, lots of complexity with pear drops and dark chocolate. Also highly floral on the nose. Absolutely excellent. I think this may be the most expensive dram I’ve ever drank.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

St Magdalene 39yo 1982/2021

St Magdalene 39yo 1982/2021

Private Collection, Gordon & Macphail
Single malt - Lowlands
Golden
54.8% ABV
Dram

Nose: White pepper, lemon zest, fresh cut grass, honey, marigolds, malted grains, nutmeg, hints of cinnamon. With water, honey, lemon zest, barley sugar. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, loosens, tingly, warm. 
Tasting:  Sour sweet. Lemon zest, candle wax, nutmeg, malted grains, pears, gooseberries, cream, golden syrup. With water, honey, gooseberries, barley sugar, lemon zest.
Finish: Short. Icing sugar, golden syrup, gooseberries, lemon zest. 

Comments: 

Cask 2094. Superb. Complex, layered with that lovely delicate malty, honeyed St Magdalene note. Lots of gooseberry fool on the tongue too. Delicious whisky.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Old Pulteney 18yo 1970/1988

Old Pulteney 18yo 1970/1988

Sestante, Gordon & Macphail
Single malt - North Highlands
Golden
56% ABV
Dram

Nose: Cookie dough, sea salt, kippers, fish sauce, cardboard, chillies, wet stones. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, mouth coating, expands, cool. 
Tasting:  Salty sweet. Glue, sea salt, kippers, wet stones, pears, chillies, blue cheese, lemon zest, hints of peaches. 
Finish: Medium. Wet stones, glue, blue cheese, lemon zest, hints of pears. 

Comments: 

Lots of saline notes, as befits a coastal whisky. There’s other notes, maybe something reminiscent of rancio, like glue and blue cheese. Unusual and rather good.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

SMWS 14.15 (Talisker 15yo 1989/2004)

SMWS 14.15 (Talisker 15yo 1989/2004)

2004, SMWS
Single malt - Islands
Pale yellow
59.3% ABV
Dram

Nose: Charcoal ash, peat, lemon zest, autumn leaves, clay dust, watermelon rind, fresh cut grass. With water, menthol, autumn leaves, clay dust, soot. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, thickens, hot, volatile. 
Tasting:  Salty sour. Lemon zest, autumn leaves, charcoal ash, tobacco leaf, clay dust, watermelon rind, gooseberries. With water, soot, tobacco leaf, charcoal ash, menthol. 
Finish: Long. Charcoal ash, soot, clay dust, gooseberries, fresh cut grass. 

Comments: 

Thick layers of peat, smoke and ash overlay a delicate, grassy spirit. Lots of saline diary notes that may come from the age (including the bottle aging). A delicious dram in a style which is rarely seen nowadays.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Balvenie 29yo 1974/2004

Balvenie 29yo 1974/2004

Authentic Collection, WM Cadenhead 
Single malt - Speyside
Light amber
48% ABV
Dram

Nose: Bananas, toffee, molasses, maraschino cherries, honey, pears. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, tingly, astringent, expands. 
Tasting:  Sweet. Pears, strawberry jam, honey, cinnamon, molasses, white chocolate, maraschino cherries, nutmeg. 
Finish: Long. Pears, molasses, strawberry jam, white chocolate. 

Comments: 

Fruity and chocolatey, lots of sweet preserved fruit notes. There’s a big heaping note of almond maraschino on the tongue that threatens to overwhelm everything. But doesn’t quite. Lovely whisky.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Benrinnes 44yo 1979/2023

Benrinnes 44yo 1979/2023

Berry Bros & Rudd
Single malt - Speyside
Golden
42.1% ABV
Dram

Nose: Kiwifruit, starfruit, candle wax, lemons, sandalwood, fresh cut grass, honey, white pepper. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, thickens, tingly, hot. 
Tasting:  Sour sweet. Starfruit, candle wax, white pepper, fresh cut grass, Buddha palm fruit, peppermints, cotton sheets. 
Finish: Medium. Fresh cut grass, Buddha palm fruit, peppermint, cotton sheets, white pepper. 

Comments: 

Cask 62. Quite a vegetal Speyside, with big notes of peppermint, grass and Buddha palm fruit. There’s also something that reminds me of fresh laundry, or rather scented laundry detergent. A very interesting whisky that wears its age lightly.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Old Vatted Talisker (1910s blend)

Old Vatted Talisker (1910s blend)

GF Heublein & Co
Blend
Golden brown 
c35% ABV
Dram

Nose: Tarry rope, peat, menthol, cough mixture, lychees, wood smoke, autumn leaves. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, mouth coating, tingly, astringent. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Peat, charcoal ash, honey, menthol, lychees, watermelon rind, cardamom, autumn leaves. 
Finish: Short. Menthol, cardamom, white pepper, charcoal ash. 

Comments: 

Smoky, tarry, but surprisingly delicate and floral. There notes of lychees and watermelon rind, that are still obvious beneath the layer of ash and smoke. It’s now quite a low ABV, in the mid to low 30s, but it still packs quite a punch. Remarkable whisky.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Milroys Heavily Peated Virgin Oak Batch VO1

Milroys Heavily Peated Virgin Oak Batch VO1

Heavily Peated, Milroys of Soho
Single malt - Lowlands
Golden
46% ABV
Dram

Nose: Peanuts, peat, smoke, dark chocolate, peaches, pear drops, lemon zest. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, cool, expands, tingly. 
Tasting:  Sour bitter. Smoke, pears, dark chocolate, lemon zest, lemon juice, sea salt, peanuts, hints of malted grains. 
Finish: Short. Malted grains, lemons, limes, lemon zest. 

Comments: 

Peated Lowlands whisky from Bonnington. It’s quite gentle on the back palate and the finish, would probably has been quite intense at cask strength. Rather citrusy.

Verdict:

I like this.

The Storyteller Bourbon Batch 1 5yo

The Storyteller Bourbon Batch 1 5yo

The Story Of
Single bourbon - Kentucky
Amber
54.4% ABV
Dram

Nose: Cooked rice, vanilla, malted grains, brown paper, white pepper, caramel. With water, malted grains, vanilla, brown paper. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, loosens, volatile, mouth coating. 
Tasting:  Sweet salty. Vanilla, malted grains, brown paper, honey, caramel, hints of nutmeg. With water, honey, white pepper, dried apricots, nutmeg. 
Finish: Short. Vanilla, nutmeg, brown paper, honey, white pepper. 

Comments: 

Bardstown distilled. Rather cereally, but also with many malty toasty vanilla and caramel notes. Water brings out some more pepper and dried apricot notes. Dried apricots seem to be a theme.

Verdict:

I like this.

The Bootzamon Wheated Bourbon Batch 1

The Bootzamon Wheated Bourbon Batch 1

The Story Of
Single bourbon - Kentucky
Amber brown
56.6% ABV
Dram

Nose: Popcorn, dried apricots, white pepper, honey, damson jam, hints of cloves. With water, popcorn, dried apricots, white pepper. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, evaporates, mouth coating, astringent. 
Tasting:  Salty sweet. White pepper, vanilla, honey, ink, pear drops, hints of damson jam. With water, popcorn, dried apricots. 
Finish: Medium. Pear drops, damson jam, vanilla, honey, dried apricots. 

Comments: 

Bardstown distilled. Quite cereally, with notes of buttered popcorn. Cask strength and high intensity, makes it hard to discern the layers of flavours. Water brings out more dried apricots and pepper. 

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

The Roggenwolf Rye Batch 1 6yo

The Roggenwolf Rye Batch 1 6yo

The Story Of
Single rye - Kentucky
Amber copper
63.7% ABV
Dram

Nose: Eucalyptus, strawberry jam, black pepper, peppermint, vanilla, lavender, foam shrimp, cream. With water, dried apricots, cream, vanilla. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, slippery, volatile, hot. 
Tasting:  Sweet salty. Strawberry jam, foam shrimp, black pepper, eucalyptus, dried apricots, vanilla, honey. With water, dried apricots, eucalyptus, black pepper, honey. 
Finish: Long. Black pepper, rye bread, dried apricots, honey. 

Comments: 

Bardstown distilled. A herbal, peppery rye, with a strong eucalyptus note. It’s also sweet and jammy with notes of foam shrimp and strawberry jam. Water brings out even more eucalyptus.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

The Whistler Mosaic Marsala Cask

The Whistler Mosaic Marsala Cask

Official bottling 
Single grain - Leinster
Golden
46% ABV
Dram

Nose: Vanilla, honey, peaches, ice cream soda, desiccated coconut, hints of nutmeg. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, syrupy, warm, tingly. 
Tasting:  Sweet salty. Desiccated coconut, raspberry jam, vanilla, honey, cola nuts, cloves, nutmeg. 
Finish: Short. Vanilla, molasses, honey, cola nuts, cinnamon. 

Comments: 

Fruity and fragrant, lots of honeyed notes and plenty of ja. The Marsala cask sweetens what is already quite a delicate and sweet whisky. I’d have gone a little gentler with the wood but it’s a decent dram nonetheless.

Verdict:

I like this.

East London Liquor Co Radikon Merlot

East London Liquor Co Radikon Merlot

Official bottling
Single malt - London
Orange brown 
47.2% ABV
Dram

Nose: Lemon zest, malted grains, vanilla, honey, plums, strawberry jam, hints of cinnamon. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, cool, tingly, mouth coating. 
Tasting:  Sweet sour. Malted grains, orange juice, lemon zest, damson jam, strawberry jam, cinnamon. 
Finish: Short. Damson jam, malted grains, barley sugar, orange juice. 

Comments: 

Cask 485. Orangey and sweet sour, there are some clear hints of the wine cask finish. Lots of damson jam notes especially on the tongue and the finish. On the nose it’s plums.

Verdict:

I like this.

New Riff 4yo 2021/2025

New Riff 4yo 2021/2025

#22, The Heart Cut
Single bourbon - Kentucky
Amber brown
52% ABV
Dram

Nose: Walnuts, toffee, coffee, molasses, cough mixture, cherries. With water, walnuts, toffee, molasses. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, hot, volatile, astringent. 
Tasting:  Sweet salty. Mint, cherries, cough mixture, blackcurrant cordial, walnuts, marmalade, hints of coffee. With water, cherries, vanilla, cough mixture, popcorn. 
Finish: Medium. Cough mixture, walnuts, cherries, marmalade. 

Comments: 

Love me a new Heart Cut when they come out. This one is like walnut praline, with lots of mint and cough mixture on the tongue. It’s quite intense, not much of the brown paper note that so many bourbons have.

Verdict:

I like this.

The English Heavily Smoked Cask Fusion

The English Heavily Smoked Cask Fusion

Official bottling
Single malt - East Anglia
Amber gold
46% ABV
Dram

Nose: Malted grains, smoke, raisins, honey, lemon sweets, hints of coffee. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, slippery, tingly, cool. 
Tasting:  Bitter. Lemon sweets, raisins, coffee, autumn leaves, smoke, germolene, peat. 
Finish: Long. Autumn leaves, smoke, peat, germolene. 

Comments: 

Smoky and peaty, some medicinal antiseptic notes. There’s also an earthiness that is quite prominent in the tongue. Plenty of salty lemon sweets, a bit like some Caol Ilas.

Verdict:

I like this.

Ludlow Cider Brandy Cask

Ludlow Cider Brandy Cask

Official bottling
Single malt - Shropshire 
Dark gold
55% ABV
Dram

Nose: Apples, mushrooms, malted grains, fresh cut grass, coffee, lemon sweets. With water, apples, toffee, lemon sweets. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, oily, syrupy, hot. 
Tasting:  Sour sweet. Molasses, apples, cinnamon, lemon sweets, toffee, vanilla, caramel. With water, apples, malted grains, caramel. 
Finish: Medium. Toffee, apples, cloves, cinnamon. 

Comments: 

Some slightly odd mushroom notes at the first nose, but these pass to reveal toffee apples and cinnamon flavours on the tongue. It’s a nicely bodied whisky too, oily and substantial without being too heavy.

Verdict:

I like this.

Wireworks Port Wine LBV

Wireworks Port Wine LBV

Official bottling 
Single malt - Derbyshire 
Orange gold
53.5% ABV
Dram

Nose: Raisins, orange juice, malted grains, vanilla, strawberry jam, white chocolate, honey. With water, orange juice, malted grains, dried apricots. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, tingly, volatile, expands. 
Tasting:  Sweet. Raisins, orange juice, white chocolate, black tea, red grapes, honey, golden syrup. With water, dried apricots, malted grains, honey. 
Finish: Medium. Golden syrup, malted grains, orange juice, white chocolate. 

Comments: 

Fruity, sweet and rich, lots of buttery white chocolate notes. It enriches everything up to and including the finish. Water brings out pleasing notes of dried apricots.

Verdict:

I like this.

Adnams 9yo Sauternes Finish

Adnams 9yo Sauternes Finish

Official bottling
Single malt - East Anglia
Copper orange
55% ABV
Dram

Nose: Coffee, raisins, pear drops, magic marker, molasses, carrots, cinnamon, hints of mushrooms. With water, magic marker, applesauce, carrots, coffee. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, hot, astringent, mouth coating. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Magic marker, pear drops, orange blossom, coffee, molasses, cloves, peaches, hints of carrots. With water, pear drops, applesauce, cloves, cinnamon. 
Finish: Long. Golden syrup, molasses, pear drops, cloves, hints of carrots. 

Comments: 

This whisky tastes like carrot cake, plenty of that sweet vegetal note with lots of pear drops and various other estery flavours. Water brings out more spice notes.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Masthouse Distillery Exclusive

Masthouse Distillery Exclusive

Official bottling
Single malt - Kent
Orange amber
58% ABV
Dram

Nose: Sea salt, nori, black pepper, malted grains, rye bread, rubber bands, hints of new plastic. With water, new plastic, rye bread, hints of rubber bands. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, volatile, hot, evaporates quickly. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Raisins, cooked rice, black pepper, nori, rye bread, honey, hints of strawberry jam. With water, cooked rice, raisins, nori, hints of coffee. 
Finish: Long. Cooked rice, honey, raisins, strawberry jam. 

Comments: 

Quite a lot of rye-like spice, with a plasticky note. Might be my sample bottle (which would be a shame) but somehow I don’t think so. I’ve encountered the same note before in Masthouse whisky.  I must say I like the cereally starchy note that comes out when you add water.

Verdict:

I like this.

Arbikie Highland Rye 1794 The Peated

Arbikie Highland Rye 1794 The Peated

Official bottling
Single rye - East Highlands
Dark gold
48% ABV
Dram

Nose: Peat, lemon zest, black pepper, rye bread, coriander, hints of smoke. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, loosens, expands, volatile. 
Tasting:  Bitter sour. Vanilla, lemon zest, black tea, black pepper, coriander, smoke, sea salt, peat. 
Finish: Short. Peat, smoke, black pepper, coriander, lemon zest. 

Comments: 

Quite herbal, plenty of that peppery rye note, but also married to peat, smoke, lemons and rye bread. Quite balanced, peated rye whisky definitely works. More please.

Verdict:

I like this.

Arbikie Highland Rye 1794 The PX

Arbikie Highland Rye 1794 The PX

Official bottling
Single rye - East Highlands
Dark amber 
48% ABV
Dram

Nose: Black pepper, turpentine, raisins, pear drops, rye bread, orange blossom, hints of pine needles. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, volatile, mouth coating, expands. 
Tasting:  Salty sour. Turpentine, rye bread, orange blossom, sea salt, marmalade, honey, vanilla, black pepper. 
Finish: Short. Orange blossom, black pepper, sea salt, rye bread. 

Comments: 

Quite a chemical tasting whisky, the spicy rye note has been transmuted to oily turpentine and maybe some pine. It’s surprisingly salty, lots of rye bread and sea salt come to the fore in the mouth.

Verdict:

I like this.

Pokeno Discovery

Pokeno Discovery

Official bottling
Single malt - Waikato
Amber pink
43% ABV
Dram

Nose: Strawberry jam, roses, nashi pears, malted grains, molasses, coffee, hints of burnt sugar. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, cool, loosens, slightly volatile. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Strawberry jam, raspberry jam, honey, wine gums, molasses, hints of burnt sugar. 
Finish: Short. Raisins, molasses, cloves, coffee. 

Comments: 

Very jammy but also laden with bitter, caramelly notes. The two (berry jam and bitter notes) clash a little, they fight for supremacy on the tongue. Who wins is a little dependent on what you had before.

Verdict:

I like this.

Virginia Distillery American Single Malt Cider Cask

Virginia Distillery American Single Malt Cider Cask

Official bottling
Single malt - Virginia
Pale gold
46.5% ABV
Dram

Nose: Green apples, vanilla, white wine, nutmeg, peaches, pears, hints of fresh cut grass. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, thickens slightly, cool, astringent.
Tasting:  Sour sweet. Barley sugar, white grapes, pears, green apples, white wine, hints of malted grains. 
Finish: Short. Malted grains, hoppy beer, white wine, barley sugar. 

Comments: 

Quite an appley whisky, but with a high level

Of maltiness and even some fermented grape notes. A very Scotch like single malt, which actually makes it quite unusual for American whisky.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Ben Nevis 10yo 2015/2025

Ben Nevis 10yo 2015/2025

Single Cask, Carn Mor
Single malt - West Highlands
Amber copper
54.3% ABV
Dram

Nose: Raisins, smoke, rubber bands, bacon, fresh baked bread, cinnamon, cinder toffee. With water, pear drops, cinder toffee, bacon, smoke. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, loosens, astringent, tingly. 
Tasting:  Salty sweet. Rubber bands, raisins, fresh baked bread, orange peel, cinder toffee, hints of nutmeg. With water, raisins, cinder toffee, cream, smoke. 
Finish: Long. Golden syrup, orange peel, raisins, cinder toffee. 

Comments: 

Quite a smoky sulphurous dram, but it’s paired with sweet orange peel notes, lots of raisins and bread. Water brings out even more smokiness, with the same long sweet finish.

Verdict:

I like this.