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.
Showing posts with label AD Rattray. Show all posts
Showing posts with label AD Rattray. Show all posts
Monday, 5 July 2021
Wednesday, 21 April 2021
Glen Elgin 24yo 1995/2020
Glen Elgin 24yo 1995/2020
Cask Collection, AD Rattray
Single malt - Speyside
White wine
52.9% ABV
Dram
Nose: Magic marker, pears, white grapes, malted grains, candle wax, brass polish, green walnuts. With water, lemon zest, kombucha, brass polish.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, hot, tingly, slippery.
Tasting: Sour. Pears, white grapes, malted grains, acetone, candle wax, lemon zest, green tea, hints of apricots. With water, kombucha, brass polish, lemon zest, acetone.
Finish: Medium. Green tea, walnut skins, ginseng, lemon zest.
Comments:
Cask 3206. Quite tart and refreshing, waxy and fruity. It’s reminiscent of Imperial, or perhaps a youngish Clynelish. But there’s a slightly fermented note, especially once water is added, that is characteristic of neither. Quite enjoyable.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Cask Collection, AD Rattray
Single malt - Speyside
White wine
52.9% ABV
Dram
Nose: Magic marker, pears, white grapes, malted grains, candle wax, brass polish, green walnuts. With water, lemon zest, kombucha, brass polish.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, hot, tingly, slippery.
Tasting: Sour. Pears, white grapes, malted grains, acetone, candle wax, lemon zest, green tea, hints of apricots. With water, kombucha, brass polish, lemon zest, acetone.
Finish: Medium. Green tea, walnut skins, ginseng, lemon zest.
Comments:
Cask 3206. Quite tart and refreshing, waxy and fruity. It’s reminiscent of Imperial, or perhaps a youngish Clynelish. But there’s a slightly fermented note, especially once water is added, that is characteristic of neither. Quite enjoyable.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Wednesday, 30 December 2020
Ardmore 21yo 1998/2019
Ardmore 21yo 1998/2019
Cask Collection, AD Rattray
Single malt - Speyside
Pale gold
51.7% ABV
Dram
Nose: Germolene, peat, smoke, toffee, rye bread, butter, marmalade.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, tingly, warm, slippery.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Marmalade, toffee, butterscotch, vanilla, smoke, honey, leather.
Finish: Long. Fresh baked bread, butterscotch, cinnamon, smoke, peat, honey.
Comments:
Cask 750802. I’m not too familiar with peated Ardmore, but I enjoyed this dram. The peat is quite gentle of course, lightly layered over some sweet oaky butterscotch, but it’s very pleasant. A very well constructed dram, both sweet and smoky at the same time.
Verdict:
I like this.
Cask Collection, AD Rattray
Single malt - Speyside
Pale gold
51.7% ABV
Dram
Nose: Germolene, peat, smoke, toffee, rye bread, butter, marmalade.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, tingly, warm, slippery.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Marmalade, toffee, butterscotch, vanilla, smoke, honey, leather.
Finish: Long. Fresh baked bread, butterscotch, cinnamon, smoke, peat, honey.
Comments:
Cask 750802. I’m not too familiar with peated Ardmore, but I enjoyed this dram. The peat is quite gentle of course, lightly layered over some sweet oaky butterscotch, but it’s very pleasant. A very well constructed dram, both sweet and smoky at the same time.
Verdict:
I like this.
Thursday, 30 January 2020
Stronachie 10yo Small Batch Release
Stronachie 10yo Small Batch Release
Stronachie, AD Rattray
Single malt - Speyside
Silvery gold
43% ABV
Dram
Nose: Leather, lemon zest, heather honey, mint, hints of chocolate.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, tingly, loosens, cool.
Tasting: Sweet. Chocolate, leather, mint, raisins, vanilla, heather honey.
Finish: Short. Sea salt, honey, mint, raisins, nutmeg.
Comments:
This is Benrinnes spirit. It's decent at 43%, lots of honey and chocolate. Salt and leather notes add some complexity, and make it interesting. Otherwise, it's a rather simple, mild dram, easy to start with. Breakfast whisky.
Verdict:
I like this.
Stronachie, AD Rattray
Single malt - Speyside
Silvery gold
43% ABV
Dram
Nose: Leather, lemon zest, heather honey, mint, hints of chocolate.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, tingly, loosens, cool.
Tasting: Sweet. Chocolate, leather, mint, raisins, vanilla, heather honey.
Finish: Short. Sea salt, honey, mint, raisins, nutmeg.
Comments:
This is Benrinnes spirit. It's decent at 43%, lots of honey and chocolate. Salt and leather notes add some complexity, and make it interesting. Otherwise, it's a rather simple, mild dram, easy to start with. Breakfast whisky.
Verdict:
I like this.
Thursday, 1 August 2019
Bunnahabhain 15yo Sherry Octave
Bunnahabhain 15yo Sherry Octave
Cask Collection, AD Rattray
Single malt - Islay
Amber rose
55.9% ABV
Dram
Nose: Pear drops, vanilla, magic marker, red grapes, damson jam, guava jam.
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, warming, tingly, alcohol burn.
Tasting: Sweet. Red grapes, fresh baked bread, guava jam, vanilla, raisins, pear drops.
Finish: Medium. Orange peel, red grapes, vanilla, marmalade.
Comments:
Cask 3058. Ah, the power of sherry, allied to unpeated Islay spirit. This one has heaps of jammy tropical fruits, alongside sharp acetone pear drops. There's plenty of alcohol prickle on the nose and even more on the tongue, but it's easy to drink. Big, powerful, complex and robust.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Cask Collection, AD Rattray
Single malt - Islay
Amber rose
55.9% ABV
Dram
Nose: Pear drops, vanilla, magic marker, red grapes, damson jam, guava jam.
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, warming, tingly, alcohol burn.
Tasting: Sweet. Red grapes, fresh baked bread, guava jam, vanilla, raisins, pear drops.
Finish: Medium. Orange peel, red grapes, vanilla, marmalade.
Comments:
Cask 3058. Ah, the power of sherry, allied to unpeated Islay spirit. This one has heaps of jammy tropical fruits, alongside sharp acetone pear drops. There's plenty of alcohol prickle on the nose and even more on the tongue, but it's easy to drink. Big, powerful, complex and robust.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Friday, 12 July 2019
Blair Athol 21yo 1997/2018
Blair Athol 21yo 1997/2018
Cask Collection, AD Rattray
Single malt - Central Highlands
Rose gold
63% ABV
Dram
Nose: Fresh baked bread, roses, honey, vanilla, nectarines, hints of white grapes. With water, yeasty, bread, sponge cake, white grapes.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, slippery, tingly, loosens slightly.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Fresh baked bread, honey, roses, white grapes, gooseberries, hints of fresh cut grass. With water, black tea, vanilla, peaches, gooseberries, hints of raisins.
Finish: Medium. White grapes, honey, gooseberries, hints of nectarines.
Comments:
At the higher strength, this whisky bursts with fruit and floral notes. Once you add water however, it becomes more bitter, more cereally, and frankly, quite a lot more interesting. I really enjoyed the contrast, and honestly, at 63%, some water is required.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Cask Collection, AD Rattray
Single malt - Central Highlands
Rose gold
63% ABV
Dram
Nose: Fresh baked bread, roses, honey, vanilla, nectarines, hints of white grapes. With water, yeasty, bread, sponge cake, white grapes.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, slippery, tingly, loosens slightly.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Fresh baked bread, honey, roses, white grapes, gooseberries, hints of fresh cut grass. With water, black tea, vanilla, peaches, gooseberries, hints of raisins.
Finish: Medium. White grapes, honey, gooseberries, hints of nectarines.
Comments:
At the higher strength, this whisky bursts with fruit and floral notes. Once you add water however, it becomes more bitter, more cereally, and frankly, quite a lot more interesting. I really enjoyed the contrast, and honestly, at 63%, some water is required.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Friday, 5 July 2019
Glenburgie 10yo 2008/2019
Glenburgie 10yo 2008/2019
Cask Collection, AD Rattray
Single malt - Speyside
Sunshine
59.8% ABV
Dram
Nose: Tinned peaches, lemons, sourdough, green apples, violets, hints of liquorice. With water, yeast, sourdough, hints of pomegranates.
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, syrupy, hot, oily.
Tasting: Sour. Lemons, mango chutney, green apples, tinned peaches, hints of pomegranate molasses. With water, slightly salty, yeast, sourdough, lemon drizzle cake.
Finish: Short. Green apples, pomegranate molasses, lemons, hints of sourdough.
Comments:
A floral, yeasty Speyside whisky, quite tart with some fruity notes. It takes water very well, opening up to soft sponge cake and pomegranates. Quite delicious - with water.
Verdict:
I like this.
Cask Collection, AD Rattray
Single malt - Speyside
Sunshine
59.8% ABV
Dram
Nose: Tinned peaches, lemons, sourdough, green apples, violets, hints of liquorice. With water, yeast, sourdough, hints of pomegranates.
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, syrupy, hot, oily.
Tasting: Sour. Lemons, mango chutney, green apples, tinned peaches, hints of pomegranate molasses. With water, slightly salty, yeast, sourdough, lemon drizzle cake.
Finish: Short. Green apples, pomegranate molasses, lemons, hints of sourdough.
Comments:
A floral, yeasty Speyside whisky, quite tart with some fruity notes. It takes water very well, opening up to soft sponge cake and pomegranates. Quite delicious - with water.
Verdict:
I like this.
Friday, 29 March 2019
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.
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.
Wednesday, 20 March 2019
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.
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.
Friday, 8 March 2019
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.
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.
Saturday, 14 January 2017
Girvan 50 yo 1964/2015 (cask 2)
Girvan 50 yo 1964/2015 (cask 2)
Vintage Cask Collection, AD Rattray
Single grain - Lowlands
Gold, tinge of pink
46.8% ABV
Dram
Nose: Raisins, blackcurrant cordial, iron filings, brass polish, honey, vanilla.
Mouthfeel: Light body, thickens slightly, astringent, hot.
Tasting: Sweet sour. Raisins, white grapes, vanilla, honey, lemon zest, hints of rice krispies .
Finish: Short. Fresh baked bread, white grapes, blackcurrant cordial, hints of cotton candy.
Comments:
Ok, this is a real treat. As I grow older, whiskies older than I am are rarer and rarer. I'm pleased to report that this one is very good indeed. I like the fruity, slightly bitter notes - no bright, brassy estery notes here. It's been very well aged, and there's plenty of cereally notes on the back of the tongue and on the finish.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Vintage Cask Collection, AD Rattray
Single grain - Lowlands
Gold, tinge of pink
46.8% ABV
Dram
Nose: Raisins, blackcurrant cordial, iron filings, brass polish, honey, vanilla.
Mouthfeel: Light body, thickens slightly, astringent, hot.
Tasting: Sweet sour. Raisins, white grapes, vanilla, honey, lemon zest, hints of rice krispies .
Finish: Short. Fresh baked bread, white grapes, blackcurrant cordial, hints of cotton candy.
Comments:
Ok, this is a real treat. As I grow older, whiskies older than I am are rarer and rarer. I'm pleased to report that this one is very good indeed. I like the fruity, slightly bitter notes - no bright, brassy estery notes here. It's been very well aged, and there's plenty of cereally notes on the back of the tongue and on the finish.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
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