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.

Glen Keith 26yo 1992/2019

Glen Keith 26yo 1992/2019

Celebration of the Cask, Carn Mor
Single malt - Speyside
Amber gold
55.1% ABV
Dram

Nose: Peaches, dried apricots, winter melons, leather, mint, honey, hints of cloves. With water, honey, dried apricots, leather, lychees. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, volatile, loosens, expands. 
Tasting:  Sweet sour. Lychees, cream, peaches, cinnamon, nutmeg, honey, mint, white pepper. With water, leather, lychees, cream. 
Finish: Long. Lychees, mint, dried apricots, honey. 

Comments: 

Cask 102371. Lots of dried fruit notes on the nose, but on the tongue there’s an immediate explosion of lychees. Water brings out a creaminess, allied to leather, showing its age. A pleasant dram.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Fettercairn 22yo 1998/2020

Fettercairn 22yo 1998/2020

Celebration of the Cask, Carn Mor
Single malt - East Highlands
Pale gold
56.1% ABV
Dram

Nose: Gooseberries, lemon zest, magic marker, malted grains, white pepper, hints of camphor, hints of fresh cut grass. With water, gooseberries, cream, honey. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, loosens, expands, tingly. 
Tasting:  Bitter sour. Malted grains, lemon zest, gooseberries, camphor, grapefruit, white pepper, hints of gentian. With water, vanilla, cream, malted grains, honey. 
Finish: Short. White pepper, malted grains, lemon zest, fresh cut grass. 

Comments: 

Cask 3222. Fruity but with a bitter edge, lots of citrus and camphor. The finish doesn’t match the rest of the dram, a little short, although it’s peppery and citrusy.

Verdict:

I like this.

Glen Garioch 30yo 1990/2020

Glen Garioch 30yo 1990/2020

Celebration of the Cask, Carn Mor
Single malt - East Highlands
White wine 
52.2% ABV
Dram

Nose: Cotton sheets, white wine, malted grains, yoghurt, white grapes, hints of white pepper. With water, lemon sweets, camphor, mustard, white grapes. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, cool, tingly, mouth coating. 
Tasting:  Sour salty. White wine, autumn leaves, camphor, white grapes, mustard, cotton sheets, photocopy paper. With water, white wine, white grapes, cotton sheets, fresh baked bread. 
Finish: Short. White grapes, malted grains, fresh cut grass, hints of yoghurt. 

Comments: 

Cask 20253. Lactic and spritely, lots of tart fruity notes. The mustard is there though, but gentle, more like an earthiness that pervades the whisky. Well layered, but I like the lactic notes less.

Verdict:

I like this.

Glen Garioch 27yo 1991/2018

Glen Garioch 27yo 1991/2018

Carn Mor
Single malt - East Highlands
Golden
51% ABV
Dram

Nose: Wet stones, pencil lead, green tea, coffee, mustard, lemon, cinnamon, hints of oregano. With water, lemon zest, peaches, sea salt. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, loosens, cool, airy. 
Tasting:  Bitter salty. Wet stones, peaches, leather, smoke, lemon zest, hints of walnut skins. With water, pencil lead, mustard, peaches, oregano. 
Finish: Long. Smoke, leather, walnut skins, wet stones. 

Comments: 

Herbal and pungent, lots of the sulphurous notes that herbs like mustard and oregano have. It’s elegant and complex, bitter notes come to the fore, but fade with a little water.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Caol Ila 7yo 2012/2020

Caol Ila 7yo 2012/2020

Strictly Limited, Carn Mor
Single malt - Islay
Amber pink
47.5% ABV
Dram

Nose: Smoke, honey, leather, raisins, strawberry jam, germolene, hints of toast. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, expands, slippery, cool. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Autumn leaves, raisins, germolene, honey, yoghurt, hints of strawberry jam. 
Finish: Medium. Germolene, yoghurt, autumn leaves, honey, cocoa nibs. 

Comments: 

Young Caol Ila, a little lactic and with some sweet sherried notes. The harsher smoke notes have been tamed by the sherry cask, and so it’s more medicinal and antiseptic than usual.

Verdict:

I like this.

Macduff 13yo 2009/2023

Macduff 13yo 2009/2023

Strictly Limited, Carn Mor
Single malt - Speyside 
Amber
47.5% ABV
Dram

Nose: Aluminium foil, orange peel, dried pears, pomeloes, green tea, dried apricots. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, loosens, hot, turns airy. 
Tasting:  Sweet sour. Malted grains, orange peel, dried pears, green tea, clay dust, lemon zest, hints of cloves. 
Finish: Short. Green tea, dried apricots, lemon zest, hints of cloves. 

Comments: 

Slightly metallic and dusty, but laden with heaps of dried fruit and peel. It’s only got a couple of layers of flavour, but they’re really very good layers indeed.

Verdict:

I like this.

Bunnahabhain 16yo 2004/2021

Bunnahabhain 16yo 2004/2021

Carn Mor
Single malt - Islay
Amber, hints of bronze
56.5% ABV
Dram

Nose: Smoke, leather, peat, raisins, lemon zest, toffee, cocoa nibs, hints of cinnamon. With water, apple juice, leather, cocoa nibs, peat. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, hot, airy, mouth coating. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Peat, leather, pears, cinnamon, smoke, cocoa nibs, coffee, oak chips, hints of vanilla. With water, cocoa nibs, peat, smoke, apple juice. 
Finish: Medium. Vanilla, leather, raisins, apple juice. 

Comments: 

Sweet and smoky, lots of bitter fragrant notes. The smoke is very gentle, almost a lick rather than clouds. But the wood predominates, and reduces the complexity.

Verdict:

I like this.

Imperial 27yo 1989/2017

Imperial 27yo 1989/2017

Celebration of the Cask, Carn Mor
Single malt - Speyside 
Green gold
43.9% ABV
Dram

Nose: Honeydew melons, white grapes, green apples, cinnamon, nutmeg, kiwifruit, hints of leather. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, warm, tingly, static. 
Tasting:  Sweet salty. Chocolate, kiwifruit, honeydew melons, malted grains, lime juice, hints of leather. 
Finish: Medium. Green apples, lime juice, kiwifruit, malted grains, hints of leather. 

Comments: 

Cask 2892. Lots of melon notes, and some green apples. Spicy too, with a gentle, slightly bitter chocolatey note on the tongue. Whispers of leather remind me how old this whisky is.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Ruadh Maor 8yo 2012/2021

Ruadh Maor 8yo 2012/2021

Strictly Limited, Carn Mor
Single malt - Central Highlands
Yellow gold
47.5% ABV
Dram

Nose: Smoke, leather, lemon zest, peat, white chocolate, iodine, hints of limes. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, loosens, slightly oily, cool. 
Tasting:  Salty sweet. Lemon zest, limes, white chocolate, white pepper, fresh baked bread, smoke, leather, hints of vanilla. 
Finish: Short. Leather, tobacco leaf, smoke, iodine, lemon zest. 

Comments: 

Peated Glenturret. It’s really quite peaty, smoky leather notes dominate citrus and sweet white chocolate. There’s a malty spine to this as well. Quite drinkable and enjoyable.

Verdict:

I like this.

Glenburgie 8yo 2012/2021

Glenburgie 8yo 2012/2021

Strictly Limited, Carn Mor
Single malt - Speyside 
White wine
47.5% ABV
Dram

Nose: Caramel, sandalwood, sea salt, butterscotch, vanilla, wet stones, hints of allspice. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, loosens, tingly, warm. 
Tasting:  Sweet salty. Caramel, butterscotch, wet stones, black tea, carrot cake, allspice, hints of hay, hints of milk chocolate. 

Finish: Short. Black tea, hay, butterscotch, wet stones, milk chocolate. 

Comments: 

Herbal, slightly grassy and musty, and rather sweet. This whisky has an undertone of carrot cake and allspice, all in all rather moreish. There’s some minerality on the nose and the finish.

Verdict:

I like this.

Glenrothes 8yo 2011/2020

Glenrothes 8yo 2011/2020

Strictly Limited, Carn Mor
Single malt - Speyside 
Amber
47.5% ABV
Dram

Nose: Raisins, strawberry laces, malted grains, honeydew melons, black tea, chocolate, hints of salted caramel. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, loosens, cool, expands. 
Tasting:  Sweet. Black tea, fresh baked bread, vanilla custard, honeydew melons, strawberry laces, cloves. 

Finish: Medium. Cloves, raisins, black tea, chocolate, salt caramel. 

Comments: 

Well sherried Glenrothes is always a pleasure, especially an expression as spicy and malty as this. Lots of fruit notes vie with tannic spice. But as a whole it’s quite well balanced and very enjoyable. 

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Longmorn 13yo 2009/2022

Longmorn 13yo 2009/2022

Strictly Limited, Carn Mor
Single malt - Speyside 
Golden, hints of pink
47.5% ABV
Dram

Nose: Vanilla, cornflakes, popcorn, dulce de leche, white pepper, hints of lemon zest. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, slippery, cool, expands slightly. 
Tasting:  Sweet salty. Orange peel, cornflakes, dulce de leche, butterscotch, popcorn, caramel, raisins, hints of nutmeg. 
Finish: Medium. Orange peel, butterscotch, dulce de leche, milk, hints of white pepper. 

Comments: 

A lovely little Longmorn, lots of milk and caramel, but not overly lactic. It tastes almost exactly like a sweet, highly buttered popcorn. There are some other notes as well, orange peel and a little white pepper, but these don’t detract at all. Delicious.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Williamson 10yo 2010/2020

Williamson 10yo 2010/2020

Strictly Limited, Carn Mor
Single malt - Islay
Pale orange 
47.5% ABV
Dram

Nose: Red grapes, mint, leather, peat, Chinese angelica, black tea, matches, driftwood smoke. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, tingly, warm, astringent. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Mint, red grapes, black tea, matches, jasmine, leather, peat, sandalwood, wet stones, driftwood smoke, hints of fresh baked bread. 
Finish: Medium. Wet stones, Chinese angelica, driftwood smoke, leather, mint, fresh baked bread. 

Comments: 

Williamson is, of course, Laphroaig by another name. This one is sherry cask finished, and is herbal and rather gently peated. There’s plenty of cereal and floral jasmine notes, especially on the tongue. I enjoyed this very much.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Ben Nevis 6yo 2015/2021

Ben Nevis 6yo 2015/2021

Strictly Limited, Carn Mor
Single malt - Western Highlands 
Buttercups
47.5% ABV
Dram

Nose: Cream, salt caramel, tyre rubber, black tea, pears, hints of green tea. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, loosens, slippery, expands. 
Tasting:  Bitter. Cream, fresh baked bread, brown paper, honey, pears, dish soap, hints of tyre rubber. 
Finish: Medium. Dish soap, tyre rubber, fresh baked bread, green tea. 

Comments: 

A promising, if slightly sulphurous nose, lots of sweet fruit and fragrant tannins. However it morphs into slightly bready, soapy fruit. It’s a little disappointing. Ben Nevis can be hit or miss for me, sadly this one misses a little.

Verdict:

I like this.

Teaninich 8yo 2013/2021

Teaninich 8yo 2013/2021

Carn Mor
Single malt - North Highlands 
Amber gold 
47.5% ABV
Dram

Nose: Black pepper, blackcurrants, malted grains, red grapes, lemon zest, barley sugar. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, hot, tingly, astringent. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Blackcurrants, honey, dark chocolate, black tea, jasmine, fresh baked bread. 
Finish: Medium. Black tea, dark chocolate, barley sugar, honey, jasmine, hints of lemon zest. 

Comments: 

Sweet and jammy, this Teaninich is quite young, but the low ABV does bring out certain notes, such as the distillate’s malty character. It has a long, fragrant, floral finish, and is quite refreshing.

Verdict:

I like this.

Clynelish 25yo 1993/2019

Clynelish 25yo 1993/2019

Celebration of the Cask, Carn Mor
Single malt - North Highlands
Golden
48.6% ABV
Dram

Nose: Green apples, lemon sweets, brass polish, raisins, fresh baked bread, green tea, hints of autumn leaves. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, cool, loosens, tingly. 
Tasting:  Sweet salty. Leather, green tea, green apples, lemon sweets, black tea, celery salt, hints of autumn leaves. 
Finish: Long. Lemon sweets, black tea, chocolate, leather, hints of celery salt. 

Comments: 

Cask 11218. Highly complex and more than a little herbal, this isn’t classic Clynelish, although most of the major flavour notes are present. There’s a bit more smokiness than usual, and it’s a little bit savoury, but these extras make the whisky better. Lovely. 

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Glen Spey 26yo 1994/2021

Glen Spey 26yo 1994/2021

Carn Mor
Single malt - Speyside 
Amber brown
44.2% ABV
Dram

Nose: Orange peel, sandalwood, honey, papayas, hints of leather. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, sticky, thickens, mouth coating. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Sandalwood, red grapes, raisins, strawberries, damson jam, oats, dark chocolate, hints of orange peel. 
Finish: Long. Dark chocolate, golden syrup, oats, damson jam, leather. 

Comments: 

Rather lovely, lots of sticky jammy notes interspersed with cereal. Glen Spey is not a distillery I am familiar with, but this is an expression that stands out. An excellent example of well-aged Speyside.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Glentauchers 9yo 2011/2021

Glentauchers 9yo 2011/2021

Carn Mor
Single malt - Speyside 
Amber rose
47.5% ABV
Dram

Nose: Red grapes, hazelnuts, honey, sandalwood, cinnamon, artificial grape flavour, hints of sea salt. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, expands, cool, tingly. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Honey, fresh baked bread, red grapes, black pepper, damson jam, artificial grape flavour, vanilla, hints of sandalwood. 
Finish: Short. Black pepper, damson jam, artificial grape flavour, mint, hints of cinnamon. 

Comments: 

Sometimes, especially in young sherried whiskies, there’s this really lovely fake grape flavour that reminds me of Fanta grape soda. I used to be told it was bad for me and I didn’t drink much of it. So when I find it in whisky it takes me back to the fun I had trying to sneak a can or a bottle. This whisky has a lot of it, and not a lot of distillery character. Still, it’s a decent and enjoyable dram.

Verdict:

I like this.

Glenlossie 27yo 1993/2021

Glenlossie 27yo 1993/2021

Celebration of the Cask, Carn Mor
Single malt - Speyside 
Copper
54.7% ABV
Dram

Nose: Orange peel, fresh cut grass, barley sugar, strawberries, marmalade. With water, lemon zest, rhubarb and custard sweets, fresh baked bread. 

Mouthfeel: Light body, hot, astringent, expands.  
Tasting:  Sweet sour. Fresh baked bread, fresh cut grass, barley sugar, vanilla, marmalade, green tea. With water, honey, fresh baked bread, orange peel. 
Finish: Medium. Barley sugar, vanilla, fresh cut grass, orange peel. 

Comments: 

Cask 3650. Rather mild and grassy, but with some nice marmalade notes. It’s decent, but I’d expected more for its age and also the reputation of the bottler. 

Verdict:

I like this.