SMWS 69.3 (Glen Albyn 16yo 1978/1994)
1994, SMWS
Single malt - North Highlands
Straw
64.5% ABV
Dram
Nose: Lemon zest, malted grains, fresh cut grass, cream, elderflower, hints of roast chicken. With water, honey, white pepper, malted grains.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, mouth coating, tingly, expands.
Tasting: Sour sweet. Malted grains, lemon zest, cream, elderflower, honey, grapefruit, hints of vanilla. With water, elderflower, malted grains, honey, lemon zest.
Finish: Long. Elderflower, honey, lemon zest, cream, hints of vanilla.
Comments:
Malty and citrusy, with a floral elderflower note (I find this to be quite unusual). There’s a slightly meatiness to it as well, especially prominent given the high strength. Water brings out more of that floral elderflower note.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Showing posts with label I like this a lot. Show all posts
Showing posts with label I like this a lot. Show all posts
Tuesday, 4 August 2026
Dallas Dhu 17yo 1970/1987
Dallas Dhu 17yo 1970/1987
Sestante
Single malt - Speyside
Dark gold
58.3% ABV
Dram
Nose: Honeydew melons, honey, cinnamon, malted grains, white pepper, hints of green pepper, hints of camphor. With water, honeydew melons, fresh cut grass, lemon zest.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, volatile, hot, mouth coating.
Tasting: Sweet sour. Honeydew melons, white pepper, fresh cut grass, honey, lemon zest, hints of camphor. With water, magic marker, camphor, leather, honey, honeydew melons.
Finish: Medium. White pepper, malted grains, honey, cinnamon.
Comments:
Fruity and complex, lots of melon and honey notes. Water brings out some grassiness and citrus, and eventually some herbal bitterness. This is perfectly layered and constructed, an alluring, mouth watering whisky.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Sestante
Single malt - Speyside
Dark gold
58.3% ABV
Dram
Nose: Honeydew melons, honey, cinnamon, malted grains, white pepper, hints of green pepper, hints of camphor. With water, honeydew melons, fresh cut grass, lemon zest.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, volatile, hot, mouth coating.
Tasting: Sweet sour. Honeydew melons, white pepper, fresh cut grass, honey, lemon zest, hints of camphor. With water, magic marker, camphor, leather, honey, honeydew melons.
Finish: Medium. White pepper, malted grains, honey, cinnamon.
Comments:
Fruity and complex, lots of melon and honey notes. Water brings out some grassiness and citrus, and eventually some herbal bitterness. This is perfectly layered and constructed, an alluring, mouth watering whisky.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Balvenie 29yo 1994+1996
Balvenie “Blended Malt Whisky” 29yo 1994+1996
Decadent Drinks
Teaspooned malt - Speyside
Amber
53% ABV
Dram
Nose: Beeswax, cola nuts, honeycomb, malted grains, honey, foam shrimp, gooseberries. With water, honey, white pepper, sandalwood.
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, thickens, tingly, hot.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Cola nuts, beeswax, honeycomb, gooseberries, nectarines, greengages, lemon zest. With water, nectarines, honey, beeswax.
Finish: Long. Honey, greengages, sandalwood, nectarines.
Comments:
Very waxy, plenty of peach. If you’d asked me to taste blind I’d have said this was Clynelish and not Balvenie. But that’s what it is, and there’s some notes of greengageS that hint a little bit at its origins.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Decadent Drinks
Teaspooned malt - Speyside
Amber
53% ABV
Dram
Nose: Beeswax, cola nuts, honeycomb, malted grains, honey, foam shrimp, gooseberries. With water, honey, white pepper, sandalwood.
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, thickens, tingly, hot.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Cola nuts, beeswax, honeycomb, gooseberries, nectarines, greengages, lemon zest. With water, nectarines, honey, beeswax.
Finish: Long. Honey, greengages, sandalwood, nectarines.
Comments:
Very waxy, plenty of peach. If you’d asked me to taste blind I’d have said this was Clynelish and not Balvenie. But that’s what it is, and there’s some notes of greengageS that hint a little bit at its origins.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Thursday, 30 July 2026
Aultmore 15yo 2010/2026
Aultmore 15yo 2010/2026
Chorlton Whisky
Single malt - Speyside
Golden
58.1% ABV
Dram
Nose: Lemon zest, white chocolate, foam shrimp, malted grains, white pepper, vitamin C tablets, fresh cut grass. With water, lemon zest, nectarines, white pepper, fresh cut grass.
Chorlton Whisky
Single malt - Speyside
Golden
58.1% ABV
Dram
Nose: Lemon zest, white chocolate, foam shrimp, malted grains, white pepper, vitamin C tablets, fresh cut grass. With water, lemon zest, nectarines, white pepper, fresh cut grass.
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, hot, tingly, astringent.
Tasting: Sour sweet. Lemon zest, nectarines, clementines, malted grains, honey, white pepper, photocopy paper, vitamin C tablets. With water, malted grains, fresh cut grass, foam shrimp, clementines.
Finish: Short. Malted grains, photocopy paper, vitamin C tablets, fresh cut grass.
Comments:
Quite citrusy and peppery, with a thick heavy body that sits on the tongue. Water brings out some malty sweetness, some additional grassiness to cut the ought h citrus.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Tasting: Sour sweet. Lemon zest, nectarines, clementines, malted grains, honey, white pepper, photocopy paper, vitamin C tablets. With water, malted grains, fresh cut grass, foam shrimp, clementines.
Finish: Short. Malted grains, photocopy paper, vitamin C tablets, fresh cut grass.
Comments:
Quite citrusy and peppery, with a thick heavy body that sits on the tongue. Water brings out some malty sweetness, some additional grassiness to cut the ought h citrus.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Friday, 24 July 2026
Auchentoshan 20yo
Auchentoshan 20yo
Whisky Craft, Solasta Holdings
Single malt - Lowlands
Yellow gold
55.1% ABV
Dram
Nose: Marmalade, lemon zest, lemon curd, cream, magic marker, green tea, malted grains, hints of brown paper. With water, fresh cut grass, lemon curd, malted grains, ume.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, thickens slightly, astringent, slightly chalky.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Green tea, lemon zest, marmalade, dried apricots, fresh cut grass, white pepper, hints of chalk. With water, fresh cut grass, green tea, ume, leather.
Finish: Medium. Lemon curd, marmalade, fresh cut grass, cinnamon, hints of dried apricots.
Comments:
Citrusy and bright, lots of grassy notes with pepper. Slightly chalky (both in body and on the tongue). Water burns out more grassy florals, with fermented ume.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Whisky Craft, Solasta Holdings
Single malt - Lowlands
Yellow gold
55.1% ABV
Dram
Nose: Marmalade, lemon zest, lemon curd, cream, magic marker, green tea, malted grains, hints of brown paper. With water, fresh cut grass, lemon curd, malted grains, ume.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, thickens slightly, astringent, slightly chalky.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Green tea, lemon zest, marmalade, dried apricots, fresh cut grass, white pepper, hints of chalk. With water, fresh cut grass, green tea, ume, leather.
Finish: Medium. Lemon curd, marmalade, fresh cut grass, cinnamon, hints of dried apricots.
Comments:
Citrusy and bright, lots of grassy notes with pepper. Slightly chalky (both in body and on the tongue). Water burns out more grassy florals, with fermented ume.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Ardnamurchan 6yo 2019/2026
Ardnamurchan 6yo 2019/2026
#24, The Heart Cut
Single malt - Western Highlands
Orange gold
52% ABV
Dram
Nose: Cedar, olive brine, smoke, peat, germolene, popcorn, honey, hints of dried apricots. With water, honey, dried apricots, magic marker.
Mouthfeel: Light body, volatile, cool, astringent.
Tasting: Sour salty. Cedar, popcorn, smoke, peat, germolene, lemon zest, grapefruit, hints of gentian. With water, honey, dried apricots, pears, germolene.
Finish: Medium. Grapefruit, gentian, popcorn, smoke.
Comments:
Quite a smoky whisky as Ardnamurchan goes. Lots of bitter citrus alongside all that smoke and peat. Water opens up a fruitiness that is quite intense, dried apricots are especially prominent.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
#24, The Heart Cut
Single malt - Western Highlands
Orange gold
52% ABV
Dram
Nose: Cedar, olive brine, smoke, peat, germolene, popcorn, honey, hints of dried apricots. With water, honey, dried apricots, magic marker.
Mouthfeel: Light body, volatile, cool, astringent.
Tasting: Sour salty. Cedar, popcorn, smoke, peat, germolene, lemon zest, grapefruit, hints of gentian. With water, honey, dried apricots, pears, germolene.
Finish: Medium. Grapefruit, gentian, popcorn, smoke.
Comments:
Quite a smoky whisky as Ardnamurchan goes. Lots of bitter citrus alongside all that smoke and peat. Water opens up a fruitiness that is quite intense, dried apricots are especially prominent.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Sunday, 19 July 2026
Bowmore 22yo 2004/2026 (bottled for Bar Lotus)
Bowmore 22yo 2004/2026 (bottled for Bar Lotus)
Thompson Brothers
Single malt - Islay
Golden
51% ABV
Dram
Nose: Peat, smoke, nori, soot, malted grains, golden syrup, sea salt, hints of cough syrup. With water, lemon zest, smoke, malted grains, hints of nori.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, tingly, astringent, thickens.
Tasting: Bitter. Golden syrup, nori, orange peel, lemon zest, smoke, peat, sea salt, hints of cough syrup, hints of toast. With water, smoke, lemon zest, orange peel, golden syrup, hints of sea salt.
Finish: Short. Golden syrup, orange peel, sea salt, smoke, hints of nori.
Comments:
A very decent Bowmore, sweet and smoky, with plenty of salinity to balance it. Great pick for this bar, one of the best in London. Plenty of smokiness too, once water is added.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Thompson Brothers
Single malt - Islay
Golden
51% ABV
Dram
Nose: Peat, smoke, nori, soot, malted grains, golden syrup, sea salt, hints of cough syrup. With water, lemon zest, smoke, malted grains, hints of nori.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, tingly, astringent, thickens.
Tasting: Bitter. Golden syrup, nori, orange peel, lemon zest, smoke, peat, sea salt, hints of cough syrup, hints of toast. With water, smoke, lemon zest, orange peel, golden syrup, hints of sea salt.
Finish: Short. Golden syrup, orange peel, sea salt, smoke, hints of nori.
Comments:
A very decent Bowmore, sweet and smoky, with plenty of salinity to balance it. Great pick for this bar, one of the best in London. Plenty of smokiness too, once water is added.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Knockando 32yo 1986/2019 Casks of Distinction
Knockando 32yo 1986/2019 Casks of Distinction
Official bottling
Single malt - Speyside
Mahogany
47.9% ABV
Dram
Nose: Raisins, prunes, honey, red grapes, cream, weetabix, malted grains, hints of hibiscus.
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, syrupy, thickens, mouth coating.
Tasting: Sweet. Weetabix, black pepper, prunes, red grapes, raisins, honey, dried apricots, dried blueberries, hints of hibiscus.
Finish: Long. Malted grains, weetabix, cream, prunes, dried apricots.
Comments:
Cask 394. A very sophisticated dram, very classic aged whisky. Layered and complex with loads of black pepper and dried fruit. There’s also a very prominent cereal note with a mouth watering mouth feel. Great whisky.
Verdict:
I like this.
Official bottling
Single malt - Speyside
Mahogany
47.9% ABV
Dram
Nose: Raisins, prunes, honey, red grapes, cream, weetabix, malted grains, hints of hibiscus.
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, syrupy, thickens, mouth coating.
Tasting: Sweet. Weetabix, black pepper, prunes, red grapes, raisins, honey, dried apricots, dried blueberries, hints of hibiscus.
Finish: Long. Malted grains, weetabix, cream, prunes, dried apricots.
Comments:
Cask 394. A very sophisticated dram, very classic aged whisky. Layered and complex with loads of black pepper and dried fruit. There’s also a very prominent cereal note with a mouth watering mouth feel. Great whisky.
Verdict:
I like this.
Piran Strange 28yo Macallan Private Cask Bottling
Piran Strange 28yo Macallan Private Cask Bottling
Official bottling
Single malt - Speyside
Amber gold
47.8% ABV
Dram
Nose: Raisins, cocoa nibs, carrot cake, pomeloes, coffee, black pepper.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, chalky, astringent, warm.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Coffee, raisins, honey, orange peel, vanilla, carrot cake, cocoa nibs.
Finish: Short. Orange peel, vanilla, carrot cake, dark chocolate, pomeloes.
Comments:
Cask 6916. A very good whisky, lots of the sweetness that characterises old Macallan, together with a fudgy, nutmeggy flavour that I identify as carrot cake. Excellent whisky.
Verdict:
I like this.
Official bottling
Single malt - Speyside
Amber gold
47.8% ABV
Dram
Nose: Raisins, cocoa nibs, carrot cake, pomeloes, coffee, black pepper.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, chalky, astringent, warm.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Coffee, raisins, honey, orange peel, vanilla, carrot cake, cocoa nibs.
Finish: Short. Orange peel, vanilla, carrot cake, dark chocolate, pomeloes.
Comments:
Cask 6916. A very good whisky, lots of the sweetness that characterises old Macallan, together with a fudgy, nutmeggy flavour that I identify as carrot cake. Excellent whisky.
Verdict:
I like this.
Sunday, 12 July 2026
Lagg Kilmory Edition
Lagg Kilmory Edition
Official bottling
Single malt - Islands
Pale gold
46% ABV
Dram
Nose: Germolene, peat, smoke, mint, pineapples, honey, lemon zest, hints of roast chicken.
Mouthfeel: Light body, cool, tingly, expands.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Germolene, menthol, pineapples, smoke, peat, sea salt, cedar, lemon zest, hints of peanuts.
Finish: Medium. Menthol, pineapples, honey, smoke, peanuts.
Comments:
Fruity but with plenty of the peaty island medicinal pest character. Clearly quite young, but very promising stuff from Lagg.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Official bottling
Single malt - Islands
Pale gold
46% ABV
Dram
Nose: Germolene, peat, smoke, mint, pineapples, honey, lemon zest, hints of roast chicken.
Mouthfeel: Light body, cool, tingly, expands.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Germolene, menthol, pineapples, smoke, peat, sea salt, cedar, lemon zest, hints of peanuts.
Finish: Medium. Menthol, pineapples, honey, smoke, peanuts.
Comments:
Fruity but with plenty of the peaty island medicinal pest character. Clearly quite young, but very promising stuff from Lagg.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Tuesday, 7 July 2026
Pitilie 10yo 2015/2025
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.
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.
Friday, 3 July 2026
London Distillery Co 10yo Ten Times Around the Sun Bourbon Cask
London Distillery Co 10yo Ten Times Around the Sun Bourbon Cask
Official bottling
Single malt - London
Dark gold
51.4% ABV
Dram
Nose: Peaches, marmalade, dunnage, raspberry jam, leather, malted grains, nectarines. With water, malted grains, gooseberries, marmalade, white grapes.
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, cool, tingly, expands.
Tasting: Sweet sour. White pepper, peaches, nectarines, white grapes, malted grains, gooseberries, marmalade, hints of cucumbers. With water, black tea, peaches, marmalade, nectarines.
Finish: Long. Lemon zest, cucumbers, gooseberries, hints of raspberry jam.
Comments:
Very fruity, beautiful golden colour, should be stripped back and malty but is surprisingly sweet and complex. Water brings out jammy notes and some tannins. Not your usual bourbon cask!
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Official bottling
Single malt - London
Dark gold
51.4% ABV
Dram
Nose: Peaches, marmalade, dunnage, raspberry jam, leather, malted grains, nectarines. With water, malted grains, gooseberries, marmalade, white grapes.
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, cool, tingly, expands.
Tasting: Sweet sour. White pepper, peaches, nectarines, white grapes, malted grains, gooseberries, marmalade, hints of cucumbers. With water, black tea, peaches, marmalade, nectarines.
Finish: Long. Lemon zest, cucumbers, gooseberries, hints of raspberry jam.
Comments:
Very fruity, beautiful golden colour, should be stripped back and malty but is surprisingly sweet and complex. Water brings out jammy notes and some tannins. Not your usual bourbon cask!
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Saturday, 27 June 2026
Glenlossie 8yo 2017/2026
Glenlossie 8yo 2017/2026
Octave, Duncan Taylor
Single malt - Speyside
Golden
55% ABV
Dram
Nose: Pears, white chocolate, elderflower, malted grains, magic marker, honey, vanilla. With water, cream, magic marker, pears, surgical spirit.
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, volatile, hot, tingly.
Tasting: Sweet sour. White chocolate, magic marker, pears, elderflower, cream, honey, hints of malted grains. With water, cream, pears, elderflower, malted grains.
Finish: Medium. Honey, orange peel, burnt sugar, elderflower.
Comments:
Floral and caramelly, and outstanding dram. Lots of spirity, feinty notes appear once water is added. But there’s an intrinsic sweetness and richness to this, quite like white chocolate.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Octave, Duncan Taylor
Single malt - Speyside
Golden
55% ABV
Dram
Nose: Pears, white chocolate, elderflower, malted grains, magic marker, honey, vanilla. With water, cream, magic marker, pears, surgical spirit.
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, volatile, hot, tingly.
Tasting: Sweet sour. White chocolate, magic marker, pears, elderflower, cream, honey, hints of malted grains. With water, cream, pears, elderflower, malted grains.
Finish: Medium. Honey, orange peel, burnt sugar, elderflower.
Comments:
Floral and caramelly, and outstanding dram. Lots of spirity, feinty notes appear once water is added. But there’s an intrinsic sweetness and richness to this, quite like white chocolate.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Stauning Curious
Stauning Curious
Official bottling
Single rye - Midtjylland
Colourless
Official bottling
Single rye - Midtjylland
Colourless
43% ABV
Dram
Nose: Smoke, raspberries, black pepper, orange peel, peat, pears.
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, thickens, tingly, mouth coating.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Peat, soot, smoke, pears, orange peel, raspberries, foam shrimp.
Finish: Long. Menthol, smoke, soot, raspberries.
Comments:
A very smoky, yet fruity rye new make. It doesn’t suffer too much from its low strength, in fact some of the fruity notes are more prominent as a result. The finish is long, minty and sooty.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Dram
Nose: Smoke, raspberries, black pepper, orange peel, peat, pears.
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, thickens, tingly, mouth coating.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Peat, soot, smoke, pears, orange peel, raspberries, foam shrimp.
Finish: Long. Menthol, smoke, soot, raspberries.
Comments:
A very smoky, yet fruity rye new make. It doesn’t suffer too much from its low strength, in fact some of the fruity notes are more prominent as a result. The finish is long, minty and sooty.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Friday, 19 June 2026
Glenfarclas 12yo 100 Proof Reserve (selected for Milroys of Soho)
Glenfarclas 12yo 100 Proof Reserve (selected for Milroys of Soho)
Official bottling
Single malt - Speyside
Orange
57.1% ABV
Dram
Nose: Raisins, cream, cinnamon, dunnage, white pepper, marzipan, orange peel, hints of dark chocolate. With water, black tea, orange peel, dark chocolate.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, expands, mouth coating, volatile.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Raisins, dark chocolate, brown sugar, clay dust, dunnage, black tea, cloves, hints of orange peel. With water, black tea, orange peel, lemon zest, hints of dark chocolate.
Finish: Long. Black tea, dark chocolate, orange peel, dunnage.
Comments:
Sweet and luscious, perfectly Glenfarclas and at cask strength too. Lots of spice and sweet citrus and dried fruit notes. Plenty of dark chocolate too. Excellent 12yo whisky.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Official bottling
Single malt - Speyside
Orange
57.1% ABV
Dram
Nose: Raisins, cream, cinnamon, dunnage, white pepper, marzipan, orange peel, hints of dark chocolate. With water, black tea, orange peel, dark chocolate.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, expands, mouth coating, volatile.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Raisins, dark chocolate, brown sugar, clay dust, dunnage, black tea, cloves, hints of orange peel. With water, black tea, orange peel, lemon zest, hints of dark chocolate.
Finish: Long. Black tea, dark chocolate, orange peel, dunnage.
Comments:
Sweet and luscious, perfectly Glenfarclas and at cask strength too. Lots of spice and sweet citrus and dried fruit notes. Plenty of dark chocolate too. Excellent 12yo whisky.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Wednesday, 10 June 2026
Arran 11yo 2013/2026
Arran 11yo 2013/2026
Eldym Bottling Expressions, Lachlan Gillies
Single malt - Islands
Dark amber red
59.6% ABV
Dram
Nose: Raisins, pears, white grapes, wet stones, orange peel, black pepper, thyme. With water, raisins, mint, wet stones, thyme, honey.
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, volatile, astringent, mouth coating.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Raisins, honey, cream, orange peel, black pepper, pears, black tea, hints of aluminium foil. With water, pears, honey, orange peel, black pepper.
Finish: Short. Aluminium foil, black pepper, ginseng, black tea, honey.
Comments:
Really amazing whisky, especially for its age. Lots and lots of sweet honeyed notes, with a metallic edge especially on the tongue. Water brings out a peppery spiciness, which remains on the finish, which is short, intense and bitter.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Eldym Bottling Expressions, Lachlan Gillies
Single malt - Islands
Dark amber red
59.6% ABV
Dram
Nose: Raisins, pears, white grapes, wet stones, orange peel, black pepper, thyme. With water, raisins, mint, wet stones, thyme, honey.
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, volatile, astringent, mouth coating.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Raisins, honey, cream, orange peel, black pepper, pears, black tea, hints of aluminium foil. With water, pears, honey, orange peel, black pepper.
Finish: Short. Aluminium foil, black pepper, ginseng, black tea, honey.
Comments:
Really amazing whisky, especially for its age. Lots and lots of sweet honeyed notes, with a metallic edge especially on the tongue. Water brings out a peppery spiciness, which remains on the finish, which is short, intense and bitter.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Teaninich 13yo 2012/2025
Teaninich 13yo 2012/2025
Soho Selection, Milroy’s of Soho
Single malt - North Highlands
Golden
51.5% ABV
Dram
Nose: Dried apricots, pencil lead, wet stones, ice cream soda, dried mangoes, hints of white pepper. With water, magic marker, wet stones, pencil lead, dried mangoes.
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, thickens slightly, expands, tingly.
Tasting: Sweet sour. Dried mangoes, wet stones, pencil l dead, white pepper, gooseberries, white grapes, hints of nutmeg. With water, cream, lemon zest, orange peel, hints of white pepper.
Finish: Medium. Orange peel, nutmeg, gooseberries, dried apricots, wet stones.
Comments:
Fruity and feinty, lots of interesting layered dried fruit, but not very estery. That is, until water is added, and then the pear drops / magic marker notes come out. Very good indeed, even for a Teaninich.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Soho Selection, Milroy’s of Soho
Single malt - North Highlands
Golden
51.5% ABV
Dram
Nose: Dried apricots, pencil lead, wet stones, ice cream soda, dried mangoes, hints of white pepper. With water, magic marker, wet stones, pencil lead, dried mangoes.
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, thickens slightly, expands, tingly.
Tasting: Sweet sour. Dried mangoes, wet stones, pencil l dead, white pepper, gooseberries, white grapes, hints of nutmeg. With water, cream, lemon zest, orange peel, hints of white pepper.
Finish: Medium. Orange peel, nutmeg, gooseberries, dried apricots, wet stones.
Comments:
Fruity and feinty, lots of interesting layered dried fruit, but not very estery. That is, until water is added, and then the pear drops / magic marker notes come out. Very good indeed, even for a Teaninich.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Friday, 5 June 2026
Kimchangsoo Gimpo First Edition 2024
Kimchangsoo Gimpo First Edition 2024
Official bottling
Single malt - Gyeonggi
Amber copper
50.1% ABV
Dram
Nose: Copper kettles, aluminium foil, black tea, smoke, raisins, sandalwood, ume, hints of prunes.
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, cool, tingly, astringent.
Tasting: Sweet sour. Raisins, ume, prunes, apricots, black tea, roast chicken, sandalwood, aluminium foil, black pepper.
Finish: Long. Copper kettles, black tea, sandalwood, apricots, hints of farmyard.
Comments:
Very flavourful, and quite the sherry bomb. Well blended with plenty of balance, but also with distinct flavours, int is case apricots, ume and copper. Very good whisky indeed.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Official bottling
Single malt - Gyeonggi
Amber copper
50.1% ABV
Dram
Nose: Copper kettles, aluminium foil, black tea, smoke, raisins, sandalwood, ume, hints of prunes.
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, cool, tingly, astringent.
Tasting: Sweet sour. Raisins, ume, prunes, apricots, black tea, roast chicken, sandalwood, aluminium foil, black pepper.
Finish: Long. Copper kettles, black tea, sandalwood, apricots, hints of farmyard.
Comments:
Very flavourful, and quite the sherry bomb. Well blended with plenty of balance, but also with distinct flavours, int is case apricots, ume and copper. Very good whisky indeed.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Thursday, 4 June 2026
Kilchoman Maury Cask Matured
Kilchoman Maury Cask Matured
Official bottling
Single malt - Islay
Dark amber bronze
50% ABV
Dram
Nose: Figs, raisins, brown paper, black tea, dark chocolate, cooked rice, dates, hints of peat.
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, astringent, mouth coating, warm.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Raisins, figs, butterscotch, black teac peat, smoke, dates, hints of dark chocolate, hints of sea salt.
Finish: Long. Autumn leaves, dates, butterscotch, smoke, hints of fish sauce.
Comments:
A rather good Kilchoman, plenty of sweet notes complementing the distillery character of gentle smoke and dates. There’s some earthiness as well, especially on the finish. Excellent dram.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Official bottling
Single malt - Islay
Dark amber bronze
50% ABV
Dram
Nose: Figs, raisins, brown paper, black tea, dark chocolate, cooked rice, dates, hints of peat.
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, astringent, mouth coating, warm.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Raisins, figs, butterscotch, black teac peat, smoke, dates, hints of dark chocolate, hints of sea salt.
Finish: Long. Autumn leaves, dates, butterscotch, smoke, hints of fish sauce.
Comments:
A rather good Kilchoman, plenty of sweet notes complementing the distillery character of gentle smoke and dates. There’s some earthiness as well, especially on the finish. Excellent dram.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Thursday, 28 May 2026
Balmenach 26yo 1999/2025
Balmenach 26yo 1999/2025
Mystery Malt Series 5, Thompson Brothers
Single malt - Speyside
Pale green gold
46.3% ABV
Dram
Nose: Malted grains, coffee, lemon zest, lime juice, burnt sugar, yoghurt, hints of bananas.
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, thickens, tingly, mouth coating.
Tasting: Sour sweet. Malted grains, barley sugar, lime juice, grapefruit, honey, yoghurt, hints of bananas, hints of prunes.
Finish: Long. Lemon sherbet, lemon zest, lime juice, honey, hints of yoghurt.
Comments:
Citrusy yet bitter, with a crisp, caramelly edge. It’s almost burnt caramel, the sort you scrape off the bottom of the pan. Quite a complex dram with a hint of lactic.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Mystery Malt Series 5, Thompson Brothers
Single malt - Speyside
Pale green gold
46.3% ABV
Dram
Nose: Malted grains, coffee, lemon zest, lime juice, burnt sugar, yoghurt, hints of bananas.
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, thickens, tingly, mouth coating.
Tasting: Sour sweet. Malted grains, barley sugar, lime juice, grapefruit, honey, yoghurt, hints of bananas, hints of prunes.
Finish: Long. Lemon sherbet, lemon zest, lime juice, honey, hints of yoghurt.
Comments:
Citrusy yet bitter, with a crisp, caramelly edge. It’s almost burnt caramel, the sort you scrape off the bottom of the pan. Quite a complex dram with a hint of lactic.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
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