Pitilie 10yo 2015/2025
Private Cask Collection, Finn Thomson
Single malt - Central Highlands
Yellow gold
55.9% ABV
Dram
Nose: Malted grains, aluminium foil, green apples, honey, lemon zest, hints of yoghurt. With water, magic marker, green apples, fresh baked bread.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, astringent, warm, tingly.
Tasting: Sweet sour. Green apples, honey, white grapes, elderflower, vanilla, malted grains, hints of caramel. With water, malted grains, green apples, lemon zest.
Finish: Short. White pepper, white grapes, malted grains, lemon zest.
Comments:
Cask 105. Pitilie is another name for Aberfeldy. Fragrant, floral and tart, with plenty of underlying sweetness. The tartness is melic rather than citrus, with a sprinkling of peppery notes especially on the finish.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Showing posts with label Central Highlands. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Central Highlands. Show all posts
Tuesday, 7 July 2026
Tuesday, 5 May 2026
Ruadh Maor 14yo 2011/2026
Ruadh Maor 14yo 2011/2026
Chorlton Whisky
Single malt - Central Highlands
Golden yellow
57.3% ABV
Dram
Nose: Raisins, smoke, peat, orange peel, gooseberries, sandalwood, pine, hints of sawdust. With water, honey, sandalwood, germolene.
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, astringent, hot, expands.
Chorlton Whisky
Single malt - Central Highlands
Golden yellow
57.3% ABV
Dram
Nose: Raisins, smoke, peat, orange peel, gooseberries, sandalwood, pine, hints of sawdust. With water, honey, sandalwood, germolene.
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, astringent, hot, expands.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Smoke, orange peel, raisins, gooseberries, soot, sandalwood, sawdust, coffee, dark chocolate. With water, raisins, honey, soot, dark chocolate.
Finish: Medium. Dark chocolate, peat, soot, orange peel, hints of pine.
Comments:
Chunky, sweet smoke, lots of herbal and incense notes, but with plenty of dried fruit and fragrant coffee. Water expands the range of flavours, bringing in notes of honey and dark chocolate.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Finish: Medium. Dark chocolate, peat, soot, orange peel, hints of pine.
Comments:
Chunky, sweet smoke, lots of herbal and incense notes, but with plenty of dried fruit and fragrant coffee. Water expands the range of flavours, bringing in notes of honey and dark chocolate.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Tuesday, 10 March 2026
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.
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.
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.
Tuesday, 3 March 2026
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.
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.
Wednesday, 28 January 2026
Blair Athol 27yo 1975/2003 Rare Malts
Blair Athol 27yo 1975/2003 Rare Malts
Official bottling
Single malt - Central Highlands
Amber copper
54.7% ABV
Dram
Nose: Leather, papayas, dates, cream, peaches, hints of smoke. With water, leather, papayas, raisins.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, cool, volatile, mouth coating.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Leather, cola nuts, dates, cream, papayas, white pepper, hints of smoke. With water, leather, papayas, raisins, dates.
Finish: Long. Hoppy beer, papayas, aluminium foil, dates, white pepper.
Comments:
Lots of dried fruit, even the tropical fruit notes are reminiscent of the dried preserved version rather than the fresh. Water brings out a meaty leathery note, almost giving it more body. A lovely whisky.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Official bottling
Single malt - Central Highlands
Amber copper
54.7% ABV
Dram
Nose: Leather, papayas, dates, cream, peaches, hints of smoke. With water, leather, papayas, raisins.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, cool, volatile, mouth coating.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Leather, cola nuts, dates, cream, papayas, white pepper, hints of smoke. With water, leather, papayas, raisins, dates.
Finish: Long. Hoppy beer, papayas, aluminium foil, dates, white pepper.
Comments:
Lots of dried fruit, even the tropical fruit notes are reminiscent of the dried preserved version rather than the fresh. Water brings out a meaty leathery note, almost giving it more body. A lovely whisky.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Blair Athol 29yo 1988/2017
Blair Athol 29yo 1988/2017
No Tie Required, The Whisky Agency
Single malt - Central Highlands
Golden
51.9% ABV
Dram
Nose: Malted grains, white pepper, wet stones, peaches, cream, hints of aluminium foil. With water, lemons, peaches, malted grains.
Mouthfeel: Light body, cool, tingly, astringent.
Tasting: Sweet sour. Wet stones, chalk, malted grains, cream, barley sugar, white pepper, lemon zest, hints of pears. With water, malted grains, wet stones, lemons, white pepper.
Finish: Long. Cream, barley sugar, wet stones, malted grains.
Comments:
Quite a sweet dram, but there’s some complex earthiness, almost a chalky minerally flavour along with the malty notes. Water brings out the maltiness along with a citrus zing.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
No Tie Required, The Whisky Agency
Single malt - Central Highlands
Golden
51.9% ABV
Dram
Nose: Malted grains, white pepper, wet stones, peaches, cream, hints of aluminium foil. With water, lemons, peaches, malted grains.
Mouthfeel: Light body, cool, tingly, astringent.
Tasting: Sweet sour. Wet stones, chalk, malted grains, cream, barley sugar, white pepper, lemon zest, hints of pears. With water, malted grains, wet stones, lemons, white pepper.
Finish: Long. Cream, barley sugar, wet stones, malted grains.
Comments:
Quite a sweet dram, but there’s some complex earthiness, almost a chalky minerally flavour along with the malty notes. Water brings out the maltiness along with a citrus zing.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Sunday, 11 January 2026
Aberfeldy 18yo 1999 Handfilled Cask #3
Aberfeldy 18yo 1999 Handfilled Cask #3
Official bottling
Single malt - Central Highlands
Mahogany
57% ABV
Dram
Nose: Raisins, camphor, roast beef, malted grains, chocolate, white pepper, hints of cream. With water, camphor, honey, orange peel, hints of roast beef.
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, mouth coating, astringent, hot.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Raisins, white pepper, sandalwood, orange peel, chocolate, honey, hints of cloves. With water, chocolate, white pepper, honey, orange peel.
Finish: Long. Camphor, white pepper, orange peel, cloves.
Comments:
Herbal and rich, but with a creaminess that’s quite lactic. Paired with the other dominant note of chocolate, it’s really quite delicious. Water brings out more chocolate, honey and orange peel. A very good whisky indeed.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Official bottling
Single malt - Central Highlands
Mahogany
57% ABV
Dram
Nose: Raisins, camphor, roast beef, malted grains, chocolate, white pepper, hints of cream. With water, camphor, honey, orange peel, hints of roast beef.
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, mouth coating, astringent, hot.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Raisins, white pepper, sandalwood, orange peel, chocolate, honey, hints of cloves. With water, chocolate, white pepper, honey, orange peel.
Finish: Long. Camphor, white pepper, orange peel, cloves.
Comments:
Herbal and rich, but with a creaminess that’s quite lactic. Paired with the other dominant note of chocolate, it’s really quite delicious. Water brings out more chocolate, honey and orange peel. A very good whisky indeed.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Aberfeldy 18yo 1998 Handfill
Aberfeldy 18yo 1998 Handfill
Official bottling
Single malt - Central Highlands
Golden brown
55.2% ABV
Dram
Nose: Camphor, white pepper, malted grains, mangoes, orange peel, cream, vanilla. With water, raisins, malted grains, white pepper, hints of camphor.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, astringent, tingly, mouth coating.
Tasting: Sweet salty. White pepper, raisins, orange peel, mangoes, chocolate, cream, hints of coffee. With water, malted grains, raisins, hints of coffee.
Finish: Long. Camphor, cream, orange peel, white pepper.
Comments:
Herbal and spicy, reminds me of nothing so much as an alcoholic Irn-Bru. Water brings it more maltiness and more peppery spice. Long and herbal finish, extremely enjoyable.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Official bottling
Single malt - Central Highlands
Golden brown
55.2% ABV
Dram
Nose: Camphor, white pepper, malted grains, mangoes, orange peel, cream, vanilla. With water, raisins, malted grains, white pepper, hints of camphor.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, astringent, tingly, mouth coating.
Tasting: Sweet salty. White pepper, raisins, orange peel, mangoes, chocolate, cream, hints of coffee. With water, malted grains, raisins, hints of coffee.
Finish: Long. Camphor, cream, orange peel, white pepper.
Comments:
Herbal and spicy, reminds me of nothing so much as an alcoholic Irn-Bru. Water brings it more maltiness and more peppery spice. Long and herbal finish, extremely enjoyable.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Tuesday, 16 December 2025
Blair Athol 25yo 1975/2000
Blair Athol 25yo 1975/2000
Old Malt Cask, Douglas Laing
Single malt - Central Highlands
Pale orange gold
49.3% ABV
Dram
Nose: Yoghurt, wet stones, ink, molasses, lemon zest, orange peel, malted grains.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, thickens, cool, tingly.
Tasting: Sweet sour. Molasses, wet stones, orange peel, lemon zest, cream, iron filings, hints of mangoes.
Finish: Long. Molasses, cream, gentian, wet stones, hints of iron filings.
Comments:
Quite lactic, with minerally notes all throughout. But there’s also oranges and lemjns and hints of tropical fruit. The finish is surprisingly bitter and minerally, with a burnt sugar sweetness.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Old Malt Cask, Douglas Laing
Single malt - Central Highlands
Pale orange gold
49.3% ABV
Dram
Nose: Yoghurt, wet stones, ink, molasses, lemon zest, orange peel, malted grains.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, thickens, cool, tingly.
Tasting: Sweet sour. Molasses, wet stones, orange peel, lemon zest, cream, iron filings, hints of mangoes.
Finish: Long. Molasses, cream, gentian, wet stones, hints of iron filings.
Comments:
Quite lactic, with minerally notes all throughout. But there’s also oranges and lemjns and hints of tropical fruit. The finish is surprisingly bitter and minerally, with a burnt sugar sweetness.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Blair Athol 29yo 1989/2019
Blair Athol 29yo 1989/2019
Cask Strength Collection, Signatory Vintage
Single malt - Central Highlands
Pale gold, hints of pink
50.6% ABV
Dram
Nose: Malted grains, mangoes, white pepper, wet stones, creamy lemon zest, hints of sea salt.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, loosens, astringent, hot.
Tasting: Sour bitter. Malted grains, wet stones, lemon zesty ginseng, cream, white pepper, coffee.
Finish: Long. Ginseng, cream, gentian, white pepper, mangoes.
Comments:
Cask 3427. A beautiful fruity and minerally nose, but on the tongue, it’s surprisingly bitter and peppery. Lots of herbal bitterness that lingers onto the finish, alongside gentle peppery spice.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Cask Strength Collection, Signatory Vintage
Single malt - Central Highlands
Pale gold, hints of pink
50.6% ABV
Dram
Nose: Malted grains, mangoes, white pepper, wet stones, creamy lemon zest, hints of sea salt.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, loosens, astringent, hot.
Tasting: Sour bitter. Malted grains, wet stones, lemon zesty ginseng, cream, white pepper, coffee.
Finish: Long. Ginseng, cream, gentian, white pepper, mangoes.
Comments:
Cask 3427. A beautiful fruity and minerally nose, but on the tongue, it’s surprisingly bitter and peppery. Lots of herbal bitterness that lingers onto the finish, alongside gentle peppery spice.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Tuesday, 28 October 2025
Dalwhinnie 29yo 1973/2003 (Special Releases 2003)
Dalwhinnie 29yo 1973/2003 (Special Releases 2003)
Official bottling
Single malt - Central Highlands
Golden
57.8% ABV
Dram
Nose: Honey, mangoes, bananas, cream, white chocolate, nutmeg, cinnamon. With water, honey, pencil lead, cream, sandalwood.
Mouthfeel: Light body, expands, volatile, tingly.
Tasting: Sweet sour. Honey, bananas, cream, vanilla, nutmeg, gooseberries, pencil lead. With water, malted grains, mangoes, honey, pencil lead, cream.
Finish: Long. Nutmeg, gooseberries, mangoes, cream, white pepper.
Comments:
Lots of tropical fruit again, with plenty of sweet honey and bananas. There’s a slightly grapy, maybe gooseberry tang to this, and the finish is spicy and creamy. Utterly lovely.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Official bottling
Single malt - Central Highlands
Golden
57.8% ABV
Dram
Nose: Honey, mangoes, bananas, cream, white chocolate, nutmeg, cinnamon. With water, honey, pencil lead, cream, sandalwood.
Mouthfeel: Light body, expands, volatile, tingly.
Tasting: Sweet sour. Honey, bananas, cream, vanilla, nutmeg, gooseberries, pencil lead. With water, malted grains, mangoes, honey, pencil lead, cream.
Finish: Long. Nutmeg, gooseberries, mangoes, cream, white pepper.
Comments:
Lots of tropical fruit again, with plenty of sweet honey and bananas. There’s a slightly grapy, maybe gooseberry tang to this, and the finish is spicy and creamy. Utterly lovely.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Dalwhinnie 25yo 1989/2015 (Special Releases 2015)
Dalwhinnie 25yo 1989/2015 (Special Releases 2015)
Official bottling
Single malt - Central Highlands
Golden yellow
48.8% ABV
Dram
Nose: Raisins, chocolate, mangoes, peaches, wet stones, papayas, cream, vanilla.
Mouthfeel: Light body, thickens slightly, cool, mouth coating.
Tasting: Sweet sour. Mangoes, peaches, wet stones, pencil lead, cream, white grapes, honey, malted grains.
Finish: Long. Pencil lead, white pepper, white grapes, mangoes.
Comments:
Fruity and minerally, with a pleasing note of pencil lead. Plenty of tropical fruit and cream, something that really ups the complexity. I love the long minerally finish.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Official bottling
Single malt - Central Highlands
Golden yellow
48.8% ABV
Dram
Nose: Raisins, chocolate, mangoes, peaches, wet stones, papayas, cream, vanilla.
Mouthfeel: Light body, thickens slightly, cool, mouth coating.
Tasting: Sweet sour. Mangoes, peaches, wet stones, pencil lead, cream, white grapes, honey, malted grains.
Finish: Long. Pencil lead, white pepper, white grapes, mangoes.
Comments:
Fruity and minerally, with a pleasing note of pencil lead. Plenty of tropical fruit and cream, something that really ups the complexity. I love the long minerally finish.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Tuesday, 7 October 2025
Aberfeldy 17yo 2001/2018 Single Cask Handfill
Aberfeldy 17yo 2001/2018
Official bottling
Single malt - Central Highlands
Golden
54.8% ABV
Dram
Nose: Cola nuts, orange peel, cherries, roast chicken, malts grains, menthol, hints of eucalyptus. With water, damson jam, cherries, raisins.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, loosens, hot, tingly.
Tasting: Sweet salty. Leather, menthol, eucalyptus, roast chicken, raisins, orange peel, fresh baked bread, damson jam. With water, fresh baked bread, menthol, damson jam.
Finish: Medium. Leather, autumn leaves, roast chicken, raisins.
Comments:
A rich, herbal Aberfeldy, lots of leather and orange peel. It’s sherried, of course, so lots of raisins and jam too, but there’s a nice meaty savouriness especially on the finish. Lovely.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Official bottling
Single malt - Central Highlands
Golden
54.8% ABV
Dram
Nose: Cola nuts, orange peel, cherries, roast chicken, malts grains, menthol, hints of eucalyptus. With water, damson jam, cherries, raisins.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, loosens, hot, tingly.
Tasting: Sweet salty. Leather, menthol, eucalyptus, roast chicken, raisins, orange peel, fresh baked bread, damson jam. With water, fresh baked bread, menthol, damson jam.
Finish: Medium. Leather, autumn leaves, roast chicken, raisins.
Comments:
A rich, herbal Aberfeldy, lots of leather and orange peel. It’s sherried, of course, so lots of raisins and jam too, but there’s a nice meaty savouriness especially on the finish. Lovely.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Aberfeldy 25yo Sherry Cask Finish
Aberfeldy 25yo Sherry Cask Finish
Official bottling
Single malt - Central Highlands
Amber orange
46% ABV
Dram
Nose: Sandalwood, raisins, pruneaux, rose water, fresh baked bread, cloves, hints of violets.
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, thickens, oily, mouth coating.
Tasting: Sweet. Orange peel, raisins, pruneaux, rose water, cherries, damson jam, hints of violets, hints of fresh baked bread.
Finish: Long. Fresh baked bread, pruneaux, raisins, orange peel, cloves.
Comments:
Fragrant and floral, lots of sweet winey notes, it’s almost like an armagnac. No need for water, it’s utterly delicious as it is. It builds to a long bready finish, and only then does it remind me of whisky.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Official bottling
Single malt - Central Highlands
Amber orange
46% ABV
Dram
Nose: Sandalwood, raisins, pruneaux, rose water, fresh baked bread, cloves, hints of violets.
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, thickens, oily, mouth coating.
Tasting: Sweet. Orange peel, raisins, pruneaux, rose water, cherries, damson jam, hints of violets, hints of fresh baked bread.
Finish: Long. Fresh baked bread, pruneaux, raisins, orange peel, cloves.
Comments:
Fragrant and floral, lots of sweet winey notes, it’s almost like an armagnac. No need for water, it’s utterly delicious as it is. It builds to a long bready finish, and only then does it remind me of whisky.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Tuesday, 29 July 2025
Carsebridge 48yo 1975/2024
Carsebridge 48yo 1975/2024
Fragrant Drops, Keeble Cask Company
Single grain - Central Highlands
Dark yellow
45.3% ABV
Dram
Nose: Bananas, vanilla, toffee, aluminium foil, white chocolate, black tea, hints of peaches.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, thickens slightly, mouth coating, warm.
Tasting: Sweet salty. Blackcurrant cordial, vanilla, toffee, peaches, cocoa nibs, coffee, honey, hints of cooked rice.
Finish: Long. Black tea, peaches, honey, vanilla, toffee.
Comments:
Cask 455300. Quite fruity, but with cereally tones characteristic of aged grain. Chocolate and coffee and really apparent on the tongue, and it all builds to a nice log sweet finish.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Fragrant Drops, Keeble Cask Company
Single grain - Central Highlands
Dark yellow
45.3% ABV
Dram
Nose: Bananas, vanilla, toffee, aluminium foil, white chocolate, black tea, hints of peaches.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, thickens slightly, mouth coating, warm.
Tasting: Sweet salty. Blackcurrant cordial, vanilla, toffee, peaches, cocoa nibs, coffee, honey, hints of cooked rice.
Finish: Long. Black tea, peaches, honey, vanilla, toffee.
Comments:
Cask 455300. Quite fruity, but with cereally tones characteristic of aged grain. Chocolate and coffee and really apparent on the tongue, and it all builds to a nice log sweet finish.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Thursday, 12 June 2025
Strathearn Cask 9 (for Whisky.Me.com)
Strathearn Cask 9 (for Whisky.Me.com)
Official bottling
Single malt - Central Highlands
Amber gold
57.4% ABV
Dram
Nose: Toffee, raisins, malted grains, orange peel, hoppy beer, honey, lilies. With water, sandalwood, hoppy beer, malted grains.
Dram
Nose: Toffee, raisins, malted grains, orange peel, hoppy beer, honey, lilies. With water, sandalwood, hoppy beer, malted grains.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, loosens, volatile, astringent.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Malted grains, hoppy beer, honey, orange peel, fresh cut grass, hints of toffee. With water, orange peel, hoppy beer, malted grains.
Finish: Short. Malted grains, orange peel, walnut skins, hoppy beer.
Comments:
Cask 9. Complex and bitter, lots of fragrant herbal notes especially with water. It’s a punchy whisky, plenty of intense flavours that come in waves. Water does gentle it a little bit, and brings out some subtle flavours of hops and grain.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Malted grains, hoppy beer, honey, orange peel, fresh cut grass, hints of toffee. With water, orange peel, hoppy beer, malted grains.
Finish: Short. Malted grains, orange peel, walnut skins, hoppy beer.
Comments:
Cask 9. Complex and bitter, lots of fragrant herbal notes especially with water. It’s a punchy whisky, plenty of intense flavours that come in waves. Water does gentle it a little bit, and brings out some subtle flavours of hops and grain.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Monday, 9 June 2025
Aberfeldy 10yo 2014/2024
Aberfeldy 10yo 2014/2024
Fragrant Drops, Keeble Cask Company
Single malt - Central Highlands
Bright gold
60.7% ABV
Dram
Nose: Acetone, toffee, pear drops, cola nuts, malted grains, fresh baked bread. With water, honey, malted grains, sultanas.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, hot, tingly, astringent.
Tasting: Sour sweet. Malted grains, hoppy beer, acetone, fresh baked bread, honey, burnt sugar, hints of cola nuts. With water, malted grains, honey, hoppy beer.
Finish: Short. Malted grains, pear drops, fresh baked bread, honey.
Comments:
Cask 252. Very high ABV, so the spirity nature of the whisky stands out initially. It’s volatile and quite sweet. In the tongue some tart notes come to the fore, mainly beery notes. It’s got a very short finish for the ABV.
Verdict:
I like this.
Fragrant Drops, Keeble Cask Company
Single malt - Central Highlands
Bright gold
60.7% ABV
Dram
Nose: Acetone, toffee, pear drops, cola nuts, malted grains, fresh baked bread. With water, honey, malted grains, sultanas.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, hot, tingly, astringent.
Tasting: Sour sweet. Malted grains, hoppy beer, acetone, fresh baked bread, honey, burnt sugar, hints of cola nuts. With water, malted grains, honey, hoppy beer.
Finish: Short. Malted grains, pear drops, fresh baked bread, honey.
Comments:
Cask 252. Very high ABV, so the spirity nature of the whisky stands out initially. It’s volatile and quite sweet. In the tongue some tart notes come to the fore, mainly beery notes. It’s got a very short finish for the ABV.
Verdict:
I like this.
Thursday, 6 March 2025
Aberfeldy 18yo Tuscan Red Wine Cask Finish
Aberfeldy 18yo Tuscan Red Wine Finish
Official bottling
Single malt - Central Highlands
Amber pink
43% ABV
Dram
Nose: Peaches, raspberries, cream, white grapes, Demerara sugar, milk, hints of cinnamon.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, thickens, cool, tingly.
Tasting: Sour sweet. Cinnamon, molasses, raspberries, cream, golden syrup, gooseberries, photocopy paper.
Finish: Short. Malted grains, coffee, molasses, raspberries, golden syrup.
Comments:
Batch 2922/A. The red wine finish is relatively well integrated here, giving a creamy raspberry jam sort of vibe. There’s other fruits as well, and some gently feinty notes too. Decent dram.
Verdict:
I like this.
Official bottling
Single malt - Central Highlands
Amber pink
43% ABV
Dram
Nose: Peaches, raspberries, cream, white grapes, Demerara sugar, milk, hints of cinnamon.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, thickens, cool, tingly.
Tasting: Sour sweet. Cinnamon, molasses, raspberries, cream, golden syrup, gooseberries, photocopy paper.
Finish: Short. Malted grains, coffee, molasses, raspberries, golden syrup.
Comments:
Batch 2922/A. The red wine finish is relatively well integrated here, giving a creamy raspberry jam sort of vibe. There’s other fruits as well, and some gently feinty notes too. Decent dram.
Verdict:
I like this.
Wednesday, 16 October 2024
Blair Athol 8yo 2015/2024
Blair Athol 8yo 2015/2024
Thompson Brothers
Single malt - Central Highlands
Amber gold
48.5% ABV
Dram
Nose: Leather, vanilla custard, cherries, malted grains, cocoa nibs, hints of marmalade.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, loosens, mouth coating, airy.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Raisins, cocoa nibs, vanilla custard, malted grains, butterscotch, orange peel, hints of gooseberries.
Finish: Medium. Malted grains, raisins, marmalade, vanilla custard.
Comments:
Sweet and vanilla laden, lots of chocolate as well. Decent fruity finish too, lots of jammy notes. It’s very drinkable, but is probably at the lower end of the Thompson brothers’ stuff that I’ve tried.
Verdict:
I like this.
Thompson Brothers
Single malt - Central Highlands
Amber gold
48.5% ABV
Dram
Nose: Leather, vanilla custard, cherries, malted grains, cocoa nibs, hints of marmalade.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, loosens, mouth coating, airy.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Raisins, cocoa nibs, vanilla custard, malted grains, butterscotch, orange peel, hints of gooseberries.
Finish: Medium. Malted grains, raisins, marmalade, vanilla custard.
Comments:
Sweet and vanilla laden, lots of chocolate as well. Decent fruity finish too, lots of jammy notes. It’s very drinkable, but is probably at the lower end of the Thompson brothers’ stuff that I’ve tried.
Verdict:
I like this.
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