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 Single malt. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Single malt. Show all posts
Tuesday, 4 August 2026
Hakushu 1991/2005 Suntory Furudaru Shiage
Hakushu 1991/2005 Suntory Furudaru Shiage
Official bottling
Official bottling
Single malt - Chūbu
Amber red
43% ABV
Dram
Nose: Raisins, black pepper, leather, rancio, camphor, caramel, honey.
Mouthfeel: Light body, loosens, tingly, warm.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Black pepper, raisins, honey, cherries, leather, burnt sugar, sandalwood, hints of smoke.
Finish: Medium. Black pepper, cherries, honey, leather, hints of soot.
Comments:
Highly complex and sweet, loads of warming spices and dried fruit. A little thin on the mouthfeel but that just makes it easier to drink. Probably the youngest “old-style” sherried whisky that I’ve had.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Amber red
43% ABV
Dram
Nose: Raisins, black pepper, leather, rancio, camphor, caramel, honey.
Mouthfeel: Light body, loosens, tingly, warm.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Black pepper, raisins, honey, cherries, leather, burnt sugar, sandalwood, hints of smoke.
Finish: Medium. Black pepper, cherries, honey, leather, hints of soot.
Comments:
Highly complex and sweet, loads of warming spices and dried fruit. A little thin on the mouthfeel but that just makes it easier to drink. Probably the youngest “old-style” sherried whisky that I’ve had.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
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
Braeval 16yo 2010
Braeval 16yo 2010
Little Brown Dog Spirits
Single malt - Speyside
Bright gold
57.3% ABV
Dram
Nose: Malted grains, peaches, honey, cloves, caramel, hints of carrot cake. With water, honey, peaches, malted grains.
Little Brown Dog Spirits
Single malt - Speyside
Bright gold
57.3% ABV
Dram
Nose: Malted grains, peaches, honey, cloves, caramel, hints of carrot cake. With water, honey, peaches, malted grains.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, volatile, mouth coating, hot.
Tasting: Sweet sour. Lemon zest, orange peel, honey, peaches, malted grains, vanilla, hints of cinnamon. With water, honey, orange peel, cinnamon, hints of malted grains.
Finish: Short. Cloves, cinnamon, peaches, malted grains.
Comments:
Malty and sweet Braeval, with plenty of peach and nectarine notes. Quite a spicy whisky, and water brings out more orange and cinnamon.
Verdict:
I like this.
Tasting: Sweet sour. Lemon zest, orange peel, honey, peaches, malted grains, vanilla, hints of cinnamon. With water, honey, orange peel, cinnamon, hints of malted grains.
Finish: Short. Cloves, cinnamon, peaches, malted grains.
Comments:
Malty and sweet Braeval, with plenty of peach and nectarine notes. Quite a spicy whisky, and water brings out more orange and cinnamon.
Verdict:
I like this.
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.
Lindores Abbey 5yo 2021/2026
Lindores Abbey 5yo 2021/2026
Thompson Brothers
Single malt - Lowlands
Amber red
55.9% ABV
Dram
Nose: Prunes, strawberries, raspberries, raisins, dunnage, leather, red grapes, hints of cloves. With water, malted grains, raisins, strawberries, hints of dunnage.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, expands, tingly, warm.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Malted grains, raspberries, strawberries, leather, photocopy paper, white pepper, cloves. With water, raisins, strawberries, malted grains, cloves.
Finish: Medium. Malted grains, red grapes, leather, raspberries.
Comments:
Sherry cask of course, rather sweet and malty despite all that the raisin and dried fruit characteristics are prominent, with some feinty notes too. With water, it turns spicy and sweet again.
Verdict:
I like this.
Thompson Brothers
Single malt - Lowlands
Amber red
55.9% ABV
Dram
Nose: Prunes, strawberries, raspberries, raisins, dunnage, leather, red grapes, hints of cloves. With water, malted grains, raisins, strawberries, hints of dunnage.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, expands, tingly, warm.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Malted grains, raspberries, strawberries, leather, photocopy paper, white pepper, cloves. With water, raisins, strawberries, malted grains, cloves.
Finish: Medium. Malted grains, red grapes, leather, raspberries.
Comments:
Sherry cask of course, rather sweet and malty despite all that the raisin and dried fruit characteristics are prominent, with some feinty notes too. With water, it turns spicy and sweet again.
Verdict:
I like this.
Akashi 5yo Bourbon Cask 1356
Akashi 5yo Bourbon Cask 1356
Official bottling
Single malt - Kansai
Amber orange
56% ABV
Dram
Nose: Magic marker, lemon zest, malted grains, green tea, gooseberries, hints of white pepper. With water, golden syrup, magic marker, hints of green tea.
Mouthfeel: Light body, loosens, tingly, volatile.
Tasting: Sour sweet. Malted grains, lemon zest, gooseberries, white grapes, fresh baked bread, hints of white pepper. With water, malted grains, golden syrup, green tea.
Finish: Medium. White pepper, fresh baked bread, lemon zest, malted grains.
Comments:
Cask 1356. Rich, slightly tannic and very cereally. Water brings out even more cereal, alongside some floral notes and slightly caramelised sweetness.
Verdict:
I like this.
Official bottling
Single malt - Kansai
Amber orange
56% ABV
Dram
Nose: Magic marker, lemon zest, malted grains, green tea, gooseberries, hints of white pepper. With water, golden syrup, magic marker, hints of green tea.
Mouthfeel: Light body, loosens, tingly, volatile.
Tasting: Sour sweet. Malted grains, lemon zest, gooseberries, white grapes, fresh baked bread, hints of white pepper. With water, malted grains, golden syrup, green tea.
Finish: Medium. White pepper, fresh baked bread, lemon zest, malted grains.
Comments:
Cask 1356. Rich, slightly tannic and very cereally. Water brings out even more cereal, alongside some floral notes and slightly caramelised sweetness.
Verdict:
I like this.
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.
Whisky Galore Macallan 1989
Whisky Galore Macallan 1989
Official bottling
Single malt - Speyside
Amber
40% ABV
Dram
Nose: Raisins, black pepper, leather, cream, dark chocolate, hints of oak chips.
Mouthfeel: Light body, cool, slippery, mouth coating.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Raisins, dark chocolate, leather, cream, photocopy paper, black pepper, hints of lemon zest.
Finish: Short. Cream, prunes, raisins, dark chocolate, hints of photocopy paper.
Comments:
Slightly lower strength, but still quite delightful. Again, very classic Macallan, lots of leather and dark chocolate and raisins to make me enjoy whisky from this distillery again.
Verdict:
I like this.
Official bottling
Single malt - Speyside
Amber
40% ABV
Dram
Nose: Raisins, black pepper, leather, cream, dark chocolate, hints of oak chips.
Mouthfeel: Light body, cool, slippery, mouth coating.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Raisins, dark chocolate, leather, cream, photocopy paper, black pepper, hints of lemon zest.
Finish: Short. Cream, prunes, raisins, dark chocolate, hints of photocopy paper.
Comments:
Slightly lower strength, but still quite delightful. Again, very classic Macallan, lots of leather and dark chocolate and raisins to make me enjoy whisky from this distillery again.
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.
Thursday, 9 July 2026
Allt-a-Bhainne 17yo 2008/2025
Allt-a-Bhainne 17yo 2008/2025
Vintage Sherry Reserve, Milroys of Soho
Single malt - Speyside
Amber copper red
62.3% ABV
Dram
Nose: Raisins, strawberry jam, clay dust, black tea, malted grains, black pepper, orange peel. With water, raisins, cola nuts, black pepper.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, loosens, astringent, warm.
Tasting: Sweet. Strawberry jam, fresh baked bread, shortcrust pastry, black pepper, raisins, orange peel, malted grains. With water, strawberry jam, orange peel, cola nuts.
Finish: Short. Raisins, shortcrust pastry, black pepper, fresh baked bread.
Comments:
Cask 80900249. Sweet and laden with heaps of dried fruit, and a tangy cola taste. It’s also a little dusty, something that is reminiscent of old style sherried whiskies. With water brings out a tinge of black pepper.
Verdict:
I like this.
Vintage Sherry Reserve, Milroys of Soho
Single malt - Speyside
Amber copper red
62.3% ABV
Dram
Nose: Raisins, strawberry jam, clay dust, black tea, malted grains, black pepper, orange peel. With water, raisins, cola nuts, black pepper.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, loosens, astringent, warm.
Tasting: Sweet. Strawberry jam, fresh baked bread, shortcrust pastry, black pepper, raisins, orange peel, malted grains. With water, strawberry jam, orange peel, cola nuts.
Finish: Short. Raisins, shortcrust pastry, black pepper, fresh baked bread.
Comments:
Cask 80900249. Sweet and laden with heaps of dried fruit, and a tangy cola taste. It’s also a little dusty, something that is reminiscent of old style sherried whiskies. With water brings out a tinge of black pepper.
Verdict:
I like this.
London Distillery Co New Forms Ex Bourbon Cask
London Distillery Co New Forms Ex Bourbon Cask
Official bottling
Single malt - London
Amber
60.7% ABV
Dram
Nose: Raisins, sandalwood, clay dust, pears, white pepper, aluminium foil, raspberry jam. With water, cherries, raspberry jam, white pepper.
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, hot, tingly, astringent.
Tasting: Sweet sour. White pepper, peppermint, pears, malted grains, sea salt, raspberry jam. With water, peppermint, malted grains, black tea.
Finish: Long. Black tea, malted grains, peppermint, raspberry jam.
Comments:
Cask 11190. Fragrant, quite raisiny with other dried fruit flavours despite the bourbon cask. Water brings out a mintiness, with some tannins and more malty sweetness. Again, a pleasant dram.
Verdict:
I like this.
Official bottling
Single malt - London
Amber
60.7% ABV
Dram
Nose: Raisins, sandalwood, clay dust, pears, white pepper, aluminium foil, raspberry jam. With water, cherries, raspberry jam, white pepper.
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, hot, tingly, astringent.
Tasting: Sweet sour. White pepper, peppermint, pears, malted grains, sea salt, raspberry jam. With water, peppermint, malted grains, black tea.
Finish: Long. Black tea, malted grains, peppermint, raspberry jam.
Comments:
Cask 11190. Fragrant, quite raisiny with other dried fruit flavours despite the bourbon cask. Water brings out a mintiness, with some tannins and more malty sweetness. Again, a pleasant dram.
Verdict:
I like this.
Tuesday, 7 July 2026
London Distillery Co New Forms Moscatel Sherry Cask
London Distillery Co New Forms Moscatel Sherry Cask
Official bottling
Single malt - London
Amber brown
61.6% ABV
Dram
Nose: Plums, foam shrimp, sandalwood, clay dust, magic marker, raspberry jam, hints of tamarind. With water, strawberries, plums, honey.
Mouthfeel: Light body, hot, astringent, slippery.
Tasting: Sour sweet. Leather, plums, vanilla, honey, malted grains, magic marker, raspberry jam. With water, malted grains, plums, strawberries, honey.
Finish: Long. Magic marker, plums, sandalwood, black pepper, hints of honey.
Comments:
Cask 9008. Very sweet and luscious, the cask influence overwhelmed the distillate. There’s some maltiness perhaps but it’s hard to tell if the whisky tastes of much else. Pleasant dram.
Verdict:
I like this.
Official bottling
Single malt - London
Amber brown
61.6% ABV
Dram
Nose: Plums, foam shrimp, sandalwood, clay dust, magic marker, raspberry jam, hints of tamarind. With water, strawberries, plums, honey.
Mouthfeel: Light body, hot, astringent, slippery.
Tasting: Sour sweet. Leather, plums, vanilla, honey, malted grains, magic marker, raspberry jam. With water, malted grains, plums, strawberries, honey.
Finish: Long. Magic marker, plums, sandalwood, black pepper, hints of honey.
Comments:
Cask 9008. Very sweet and luscious, the cask influence overwhelmed the distillate. There’s some maltiness perhaps but it’s hard to tell if the whisky tastes of much else. Pleasant dram.
Verdict:
I like this.
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
Bonnington 3yo 2021/2025
Bonnington 3yo 2021/2025
Soho Selection, Milroy’s of Soho
Single malt - Lowlands
Amber
51.5% ABV
Dram
Nose: Peat, leather, surgical spirit, green tea, lemon zest, hints of sea salt. With water, leather, lemon zest, green tea, hints of sandalwood.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, cool, tingly, astringent.
Tasting: Bitter sour. Green tea, smoke, peat, sandalwood, soot, surgical spirit, leather, hints of vitamin C tablets. With water, smoke, peat, green tea, hints of vitamin C tablets.
Finish: Smoke. Peat, smoke, sandalwood, green tea, lemon zest.
Comments:
Quite sooty and spirity, but underneath that thick layer of peaty industrial mess, there’s something floral and citrusy. It was a little too spirity for me to really like it, but decent dram nonetheless.
Verdict:
I like this.
Soho Selection, Milroy’s of Soho
Single malt - Lowlands
Amber
51.5% ABV
Dram
Nose: Peat, leather, surgical spirit, green tea, lemon zest, hints of sea salt. With water, leather, lemon zest, green tea, hints of sandalwood.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, cool, tingly, astringent.
Tasting: Bitter sour. Green tea, smoke, peat, sandalwood, soot, surgical spirit, leather, hints of vitamin C tablets. With water, smoke, peat, green tea, hints of vitamin C tablets.
Finish: Smoke. Peat, smoke, sandalwood, green tea, lemon zest.
Comments:
Quite sooty and spirity, but underneath that thick layer of peaty industrial mess, there’s something floral and citrusy. It was a little too spirity for me to really like it, but decent dram nonetheless.
Verdict:
I like this.
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