Whitlaw 2019 (Private Cask Sample)

Whitlaw 2019 (Private Cask Sample)

Private cask sample
Single malt - Islands
Amber
64.5% ABV
Dram

Nose: Orange juice, fresh cut grass, malted grains, toffee, white pepper, hints of smoke. With water, peat, raisins, orange juice. 

Mouthfeel: Medium body, hot, volatile, mouth coating. 
Tasting:  Sour sweet. Peat, autumn leaves, malted grains, toffee, orange juice, cucumbers, hints of smoke. With water, autumn leaves, clay dust, toffee, peat. 

Finish: Medium. Toffee, malted grains, orange juice, peat. 

Comments: 

Thank you SM. Citrusy, and slightly smoky, with an earthy layer that I like in Highland Park. There’s some dustiness as well, which is surprising given the age, that improves with water. Very nice indeed. 

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Macduff 2009 (Private Cask Sample)

Macduff 2009 (Private Cask Sample)

Private Cask Sample
Single malt - Speyside
Amber pink
62.8% ABV
Dram

Nose: Cinder toffee, burnt sugar, strawberry jam, blackberries, tyre rubber, cream. With water, cream, yoghurt, malted grains. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, tingly, hot, oily. 
Tasting:  Sweet sour. Lemon zest, blackberries, cinder toffee, cream, fresh cut grass, malted grains. With water, malted grains, yoghurt, tyre rubber, hints of black pepper. 
Finish: Long. Lemon zest, blackberries, malted grains, fresh cut grass. 

Comments: 

Thank you SM. Spent time in a bourbon cask and almost as long in a Chateau de Palmer wine cask. Quite fruity and mild, but with a little edge of burnt sugar and rubber. Complex and interesting.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Balblair 1990/2019 Mystery Bottle

Balblair 1990/2019 Mystery Bottle

Private bottling
Single malt - North Highlands
Amber orange
I make it around 54% ABV
Dram

Nose: Heather honey, golden syrup, dried pineapples, papaya, orange peel, hints of malted grains. With water, dried pineapples, golden syrup, farmyard, malted grains, hints of wet stones. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, thickens, tingly, warm. 
Tasting:  Sweet sour. Apricots, dried pineapples, papaya, orange peel, nutmeg, cinnamon, allspice, farmyard, hints of peaches. With water, cinnamon, orange peel, pear drops, papaya, farmyard, allspice.  
Finish: Long. Malted grains, apricots, papaya, dried cherries, dried pineapples. 

Comments: 

Not much on background detail, but it’s absolutely magnificent whisky. Huge amounts of dried fruits, heaping variety, opens up beautifully with water. Very sweet as well.

Verdict:

I like this a lot.