Invergordon 30yo 1990/2020
#179, Maltbarn
Single grain - North Highlands
Dark gold
53.1% ABV
Dram
Nose: Vanilla, popcorn, pear drops, vanilla, peaches, apricots, white grapes. With water, popcorn, vanilla, corn syrup.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, loosens, expands, cool.
Tasting: Sour sweet. Peaches, pear drops, vanilla, apricots, corn syrup, rhubarb and custard sweets, white pepper. With water, popcorn, apricots, vanilla.
Finish: Medium. White pepper, pear drops, vanilla, apricots.
Comments:
Very fruity and bright, it wears its age lightly. Plenty of apricots and peaches, even pear drops. Water brings out the grain - popcorn and vanilla abound.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Showing posts with label Maltbarn. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Maltbarn. Show all posts
Thursday, 4 December 2025
Saturday, 22 March 2025
Fettercairn 29yo 1988/2017
Fettercairn 29yo 1988/2017
75, Maltbarn
Single malt - East Highlands
Pale green gold
48.9% ABV
Dram
Nose: Wet stones, gooseberries, lemon zest, yoghurt, ink, iron filings, strawberry laces.
Mouthfeel: Light body, hot, astringent, tingly.
Tasting: Bitter sour. Peat, iron filings, gooseberries, wet stones, ink, lemon zest, pears, hints of roast beef.
Finish: Medium. Pears, gooseberries, ink, lemon zest.
Comments:
Fruity, astringent, but retains a bitter, slightly metallic note. There’s a meatiness to this whisky, but it’s delicate and probably present only as a faint note on the back palate.
Verdict:
I like this.
75, Maltbarn
Single malt - East Highlands
Pale green gold
48.9% ABV
Dram
Nose: Wet stones, gooseberries, lemon zest, yoghurt, ink, iron filings, strawberry laces.
Mouthfeel: Light body, hot, astringent, tingly.
Tasting: Bitter sour. Peat, iron filings, gooseberries, wet stones, ink, lemon zest, pears, hints of roast beef.
Finish: Medium. Pears, gooseberries, ink, lemon zest.
Comments:
Fruity, astringent, but retains a bitter, slightly metallic note. There’s a meatiness to this whisky, but it’s delicate and probably present only as a faint note on the back palate.
Verdict:
I like this.
Friday, 27 January 2023
Inchgower 20yo 2000/2020
Inchgower 20yo 2000/2020
Maltbarn
Single malt - Speyside
Bronze
50.7% ABV
Dram
Nose: Cream, fresh cut grass, jasmine, vanilla, marshmallows, ginger, hints of marmalade.
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, cool, slippery, tingly.
Tasting: Sour bitter. Fresh cut grass, white grapes, raisins, vanilla, green tea, cinnamon, ginger.
Finish: Long. Marshmallows, white grapes, jasmine, ginger, hints of cream.
Comments:
Intensely flavoured, clearly defined whisky. It’s not sweet, instead being herbal, floral and spicy. Some vanilla sweetness is evident in the finish, but it’s still floral and spicy.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Maltbarn
Single malt - Speyside
Bronze
50.7% ABV
Dram
Nose: Cream, fresh cut grass, jasmine, vanilla, marshmallows, ginger, hints of marmalade.
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, cool, slippery, tingly.
Tasting: Sour bitter. Fresh cut grass, white grapes, raisins, vanilla, green tea, cinnamon, ginger.
Finish: Long. Marshmallows, white grapes, jasmine, ginger, hints of cream.
Comments:
Intensely flavoured, clearly defined whisky. It’s not sweet, instead being herbal, floral and spicy. Some vanilla sweetness is evident in the finish, but it’s still floral and spicy.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Wednesday, 10 July 2019
Port Charlotte 15yo 2003/2019
Port Charlotte 15yo 20013/2019
Maltbarn
Single malt - Islay
Amber brown
55.5% ABV
Dram
Nose: Strawberry bonbons, condensed milk, smoke, leather, sour cream, hints of peat. With water, blackcurrant cordial, cream, hints of black tea.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, slightly astringent, slippery, slightly tingly.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Chocolate, sour cream, watermelons, leather, gentle smoke. With water, sweeter, blackcurrant cordial, red grapes, hints of honey.
Finish: Long. Strawberry bonbons, watermelons, raisins, hints of orange.
Comments:
Maltbarn 119. This whisky is luscious, with gentle smoke but plenty of sweet fruity notes. There's a sour cream note that brings Bruichladdich to mind, of course. It's not unpleasant. Quite a delicious whisky.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Maltbarn
Single malt - Islay
Amber brown
55.5% ABV
Dram
Nose: Strawberry bonbons, condensed milk, smoke, leather, sour cream, hints of peat. With water, blackcurrant cordial, cream, hints of black tea.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, slightly astringent, slippery, slightly tingly.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Chocolate, sour cream, watermelons, leather, gentle smoke. With water, sweeter, blackcurrant cordial, red grapes, hints of honey.
Finish: Long. Strawberry bonbons, watermelons, raisins, hints of orange.
Comments:
Maltbarn 119. This whisky is luscious, with gentle smoke but plenty of sweet fruity notes. There's a sour cream note that brings Bruichladdich to mind, of course. It's not unpleasant. Quite a delicious whisky.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Thursday, 27 June 2019
Tennessee Whiskey 3yo 2016/2019
Tennessee Whiskey 3yo 2016/2019
Maltbarn
Single bourbon - Tennessee
Dark gold
61.1% ABV
Dram
Nose: Butterscotch, raisins, honey, caramel, vanilla ice cream, bananas. With water, sweeter, fresh baked bread, honey.
Mouthfeel: Light body, astringent, watery, loosens.
Tasting: Sweet. Bananas, honey, brown paper, caramel, red grapes, raisins, hints of ink. With water, fresh baked bread, raisins, honey, apples.
Finish: Long. Apple juice, honey, raisins, black tea.
Comments:
Maltbarn 123. It's apparently George Dickel, and it's got a nice sweet, toffee apple character. Plenty of vanilla ice cream on the nose too. Brings some classic American desserts to mind.
Verdict:
I like this.
Maltbarn
Single bourbon - Tennessee
Dark gold
61.1% ABV
Dram
Nose: Butterscotch, raisins, honey, caramel, vanilla ice cream, bananas. With water, sweeter, fresh baked bread, honey.
Mouthfeel: Light body, astringent, watery, loosens.
Tasting: Sweet. Bananas, honey, brown paper, caramel, red grapes, raisins, hints of ink. With water, fresh baked bread, raisins, honey, apples.
Finish: Long. Apple juice, honey, raisins, black tea.
Comments:
Maltbarn 123. It's apparently George Dickel, and it's got a nice sweet, toffee apple character. Plenty of vanilla ice cream on the nose too. Brings some classic American desserts to mind.
Verdict:
I like this.
Friday, 24 May 2019
Deanston 20yo 1999/2019
Deanston 20yo 1999/2019
Maltbarn 125
Single malt - Central Highlands
Pale silvery gold
50.4% ABV
Dram
Nose: Malted grains, sour cream, lemon zest, leather, honey, red grapes, apricot jam.
Mouthfeel: Light body, thickens, turns syrupy, slightly astringent.
Tasting: Sweet sour. Vanilla sponge, lemon zest, brass polish, apricot jam, mint, hints of leather, hints of hibiscus flower.
Finish: Short. Toast, chocolate, lemon zest, apricot jam, mint.
Comments:
A rather delicate dram, not like the official Deanstons, which are quite robust. This one is minty, slightly chocolatey, and has a nice jammy note, redolent of stewed apricots. It's quite delicious, very drinkable neat.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Maltbarn 125
Single malt - Central Highlands
Pale silvery gold
50.4% ABV
Dram
Nose: Malted grains, sour cream, lemon zest, leather, honey, red grapes, apricot jam.
Mouthfeel: Light body, thickens, turns syrupy, slightly astringent.
Tasting: Sweet sour. Vanilla sponge, lemon zest, brass polish, apricot jam, mint, hints of leather, hints of hibiscus flower.
Finish: Short. Toast, chocolate, lemon zest, apricot jam, mint.
Comments:
A rather delicate dram, not like the official Deanstons, which are quite robust. This one is minty, slightly chocolatey, and has a nice jammy note, redolent of stewed apricots. It's quite delicious, very drinkable neat.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Friday, 22 March 2019
Aultmore 21yo 1997/2018
Aultmore 21yo 1997/2018
Maltbarn
Single malt - Speyside
Bright gold
50.7% ABV
Dram
Nose: White grapes, peaches, vanilla, honey, roses, hints of caramel. With water, fresh baked bread, figs, salt caramel.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, slippery, warm, tingly.
Tasting: Sweet salty. Peaches, white grapes, figs, toast, malted grains, hints of chocolate. With water, salt caramel, fresh baked bread, hints of roast ham.
Finish: Medium. Chocolate, coffee, caramel, figs.
Comments:
Maltbarn cask 108. This whisky is floral and fragrant, plenty sweet jammy notes, almost tropical in intensity. On the tongue, there is a surprisingly savoury cluster of flavours, even some mild smoke. This is much clearer with a bit of water added. Then it all comes together in a bittersweet finish. Good stuff.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Maltbarn
Single malt - Speyside
Bright gold
50.7% ABV
Dram
Nose: White grapes, peaches, vanilla, honey, roses, hints of caramel. With water, fresh baked bread, figs, salt caramel.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, slippery, warm, tingly.
Tasting: Sweet salty. Peaches, white grapes, figs, toast, malted grains, hints of chocolate. With water, salt caramel, fresh baked bread, hints of roast ham.
Finish: Medium. Chocolate, coffee, caramel, figs.
Comments:
Maltbarn cask 108. This whisky is floral and fragrant, plenty sweet jammy notes, almost tropical in intensity. On the tongue, there is a surprisingly savoury cluster of flavours, even some mild smoke. This is much clearer with a bit of water added. Then it all comes together in a bittersweet finish. Good stuff.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Friday, 27 April 2018
Bruichladdich 12yo 2006/2018
Bruichladdich 12yo 2006/2018
Maltbarn
Single malt - Islay
Amber
51.8% ABV
Dram
Nose: Peanuts, chocolate, honey, salt caramel, red grapes, hints of apples.
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, loosens slightly, sticky.
Tasting: Sweet. Peanuts, chocolate, salt caramel, toffee apples, red grapes, white pepper.
Finish: Short. Toffee apples, chocolate, honey, red grapes, white pepper, hints of cinnamon.
Comments:
A very nice unpeated Bruichladdich, sherry casked, redolent of all manner of sweet things. A nice peppery finish too. This makes for a refreshing change, especially with all the peaty stuff the distillery is doing.
Verdict:
I like this.
Maltbarn
Single malt - Islay
Amber
51.8% ABV
Dram
Nose: Peanuts, chocolate, honey, salt caramel, red grapes, hints of apples.
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, loosens slightly, sticky.
Tasting: Sweet. Peanuts, chocolate, salt caramel, toffee apples, red grapes, white pepper.
Finish: Short. Toffee apples, chocolate, honey, red grapes, white pepper, hints of cinnamon.
Comments:
A very nice unpeated Bruichladdich, sherry casked, redolent of all manner of sweet things. A nice peppery finish too. This makes for a refreshing change, especially with all the peaty stuff the distillery is doing.
Verdict:
I like this.
Thursday, 10 March 2016
Glen Spey 26 yo 1988/2014
Glen Spey 26 yo 1988/2014
35, Maltbarn
Single malt - Speyside
Dark gold
43.5% ABV
Dram
Nose: Raspberries, cream, cola nuts, brass polish, hints of sarsaparilla.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, thickens, slippery, slightly chewy.
Tasting: Sweet sour. Cola nuts, vanilla, brass polish, orange peel, honey, hints of chocolate.
Finish: Medium. Cream, honey, chocolate, hints of raspberries.
Comments:
Mild and gentle, slightly metallic (that's the brass polish) with some good fruitiness. It doesn't really perk up much till the finish, where there's waves of cream and honey and chocolate. I couldn't quite get into this, it's good whisky but maybe slightly tired.
Verdict:
Not bad.
35, Maltbarn
Single malt - Speyside
Dark gold
43.5% ABV
Dram
Nose: Raspberries, cream, cola nuts, brass polish, hints of sarsaparilla.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, thickens, slippery, slightly chewy.
Tasting: Sweet sour. Cola nuts, vanilla, brass polish, orange peel, honey, hints of chocolate.
Finish: Medium. Cream, honey, chocolate, hints of raspberries.
Comments:
Mild and gentle, slightly metallic (that's the brass polish) with some good fruitiness. It doesn't really perk up much till the finish, where there's waves of cream and honey and chocolate. I couldn't quite get into this, it's good whisky but maybe slightly tired.
Verdict:
Not bad.
Tuesday, 2 February 2016
Invergordon 27 yo 1988/2015
Invergordon 27 yo 1988/2015
Number 48, Maltbarn
Single grain - North Highlands
Brass
51.3% ABV
Dram
Nose: Vanilla, bananas, toast, strawberries, marshmallows, hints of honey.
Mouthfeel: Light body, loosens, slippery, airy.
Tasting: Sweet. Toast, strawberries, bananas, black tea, honey, hints of orange peel.
Finish: Medium. Black tea, fresh cut grass, marshmallows, vanilla.
Comments:
Not as sweet as most grains, I think this one has mellowed in the cask. Good grain whisky, and beats any number of single malts for complexity. There's even a alluring toasty note. There's really no substitute for cask aging, and it's a shame that age now equals expensive.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Number 48, Maltbarn
Single grain - North Highlands
Brass
51.3% ABV
Dram
Nose: Vanilla, bananas, toast, strawberries, marshmallows, hints of honey.
Mouthfeel: Light body, loosens, slippery, airy.
Tasting: Sweet. Toast, strawberries, bananas, black tea, honey, hints of orange peel.
Finish: Medium. Black tea, fresh cut grass, marshmallows, vanilla.
Comments:
Not as sweet as most grains, I think this one has mellowed in the cask. Good grain whisky, and beats any number of single malts for complexity. There's even a alluring toasty note. There's really no substitute for cask aging, and it's a shame that age now equals expensive.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
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