Aultmore 13yo 2010/2024
A Year Long Celebration, Hidden Spirits
Single malt - Speyside
Dark gold
51.5%% ABV
Dram
Nose: Lemon zest, rhubarb and custard sweets, white grapes, honey, malted grains, hints of cinnamon. With water, lemon juice, photocopy paper, rhubarb and custard sweets, malted grains.
Mouthfeel: Light body, cool, tingly, expands.
Tasting: Sweet sour. Honey, rhubarb and custard sweets, malted grains, barley sugar, white grapes, hints of green tea. With water, peaches, white grapes, gooseberries, apple juice, hints of cinnamon.
Finish: Medium. Green tea, honey, malted grains, lemon zest.
Comments:
Cask AU1024. Tangy and sweet, lots of complexity, and there’s an especially thick layer of feintiness in this one. Water opens it up dramatically, more fruit, more spice, more tannins. Lovely whisky.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Showing posts with label The Hidden Spirits Whisky Company. Show all posts
Showing posts with label The Hidden Spirits Whisky Company. Show all posts
Thursday, 3 October 2024
Tuesday, 23 January 2024
Knockdhu 16yo 2006/2022
Knockdhu 16yo 2006/2022
Hidden Spirits Whisky Company
Single malt - Speyside
Amber
54.2% ABV
Dram
Nose: Demerara sugar, peat, smoke, cinnamon, orange peel, carrot cake, hints of vanilla ice cream. With water, pineapples, toast, malted grains, carrot cake.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, loosens, tingly, astringent.
Tasting: Bitter salty. Peat, smoke, orange peel, yoghurt, vanilla, toast, cocoa nibs, hints of cinnamon. With water, smoke, peat, autumn leaves, pineapples.
Finish: Long. Peat, smoke, orange peel, vanilla, Demerara sugar.
Comments:
Cask KN0622. Sweet and fragrant, lots of sugary spicy notes, but all under a light blanket of peat. Opens up with water to become quite pineappley.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Hidden Spirits Whisky Company
Single malt - Speyside
Amber
54.2% ABV
Dram
Nose: Demerara sugar, peat, smoke, cinnamon, orange peel, carrot cake, hints of vanilla ice cream. With water, pineapples, toast, malted grains, carrot cake.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, loosens, tingly, astringent.
Tasting: Bitter salty. Peat, smoke, orange peel, yoghurt, vanilla, toast, cocoa nibs, hints of cinnamon. With water, smoke, peat, autumn leaves, pineapples.
Finish: Long. Peat, smoke, orange peel, vanilla, Demerara sugar.
Comments:
Cask KN0622. Sweet and fragrant, lots of sugary spicy notes, but all under a light blanket of peat. Opens up with water to become quite pineappley.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Wednesday, 22 November 2023
Miltonduff 13yo 2009/2023
Miltonduff 13yo 2009/2023
Hidden Spirits Whiskey Co
Single malt - Speyside
Amber gold
52.4% ABV
Dram
Nose: Malted grains, vanilla, green tea, fresh cut grass, pear drops, hints of grapefruit. With water, malted grains, pear drops, artificial grape flavour, green tea.
Mouthfeel: Light body, loosens, airy, mouth coating.
Tasting: Sweet. Artificial grape flavour, grapefruit, green tea, raisins, pineapples, malted grains, vanilla. With water, pineapples, artificial grape flavour, green tea, nutmeg.
Finish: Medium. Pineapples, artificial grape flavour, honey, orange peel.
Comments:
Cask MD0923. Lots of malty goodness, some water brings out artificial grape flavour, making the whisky taste a lot like Fanta grape. Even more water makes it tannic and floral, with lots of green tea. Very nice indeed.
I like this a lot.
Hidden Spirits Whiskey Co
Single malt - Speyside
Amber gold
52.4% ABV
Dram
Nose: Malted grains, vanilla, green tea, fresh cut grass, pear drops, hints of grapefruit. With water, malted grains, pear drops, artificial grape flavour, green tea.
Mouthfeel: Light body, loosens, airy, mouth coating.
Tasting: Sweet. Artificial grape flavour, grapefruit, green tea, raisins, pineapples, malted grains, vanilla. With water, pineapples, artificial grape flavour, green tea, nutmeg.
Finish: Medium. Pineapples, artificial grape flavour, honey, orange peel.
Comments:
Cask MD0923. Lots of malty goodness, some water brings out artificial grape flavour, making the whisky taste a lot like Fanta grape. Even more water makes it tannic and floral, with lots of green tea. Very nice indeed.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Thursday, 2 March 2023
Glen Spey 12yo 2009/2022
Glen Spey 12yo 2009/2022
Hidden Spirits Whisky Company
Single malt - Speyside
Straw
53.9% ABV
Dram
Nose: Milk, yoghurt, hibiscus, honey, lemon zest, toffee, hints of bananas. With water, condensed milk, toffee, lemon zest, honey.
Mouthfeel: Light body, loosens, tingly, airy.
Tasting: Sour. Yoghurt, cream, butterscotch, nutmeg, hibiscus, ginseng, hints of white pepper. With water, butterscotch, condensed milk, vanilla, lemon zest.
Finish: Long. Ginseng, toffee, nutmeg, white pepper.
Comments:
Very lactic, not typical for this distillery. Also paired with some tart notes, although with water, a little bit of sweetness appears. Lots of herbal spice in the background too.
Verdict:
I like this.
Hidden Spirits Whisky Company
Single malt - Speyside
Straw
53.9% ABV
Dram
Nose: Milk, yoghurt, hibiscus, honey, lemon zest, toffee, hints of bananas. With water, condensed milk, toffee, lemon zest, honey.
Mouthfeel: Light body, loosens, tingly, airy.
Tasting: Sour. Yoghurt, cream, butterscotch, nutmeg, hibiscus, ginseng, hints of white pepper. With water, butterscotch, condensed milk, vanilla, lemon zest.
Finish: Long. Ginseng, toffee, nutmeg, white pepper.
Comments:
Very lactic, not typical for this distillery. Also paired with some tart notes, although with water, a little bit of sweetness appears. Lots of herbal spice in the background too.
Verdict:
I like this.
Wednesday, 2 November 2022
Glen Moray 30yo 1991/2022
Glen Moray 30yo 1991/2022
Hidden Spirits Whisky Company
Single malt - Speyside
Dark gold
50.1% ABV
Dram
Nose: Peaches, honey, lemon zest, white grapes, cream, nutmeg, mace, hints of orange sherbet.
Mouthfeel: Light body, loosens, cool, turns watery around the edges.
Tasting: Sour. Cream soda, mace, cucumber, peaches, orange sherbet, lemon zest, malted grains, hints of photocopy paper.
Finish: Medium. Photocopy paper, nutmeg, lemon zest, mace, cucumber, hints of peaches.
Comments:
A magnificent dram. Lots of lemon zest and cream soda, alongside fruit and an intense, yet gentle hit of mace. It’s absolutely delicious, one of the best drams of 2022.
Verdict:
Magnificent.
Hidden Spirits Whisky Company
Single malt - Speyside
Dark gold
50.1% ABV
Dram
Nose: Peaches, honey, lemon zest, white grapes, cream, nutmeg, mace, hints of orange sherbet.
Mouthfeel: Light body, loosens, cool, turns watery around the edges.
Tasting: Sour. Cream soda, mace, cucumber, peaches, orange sherbet, lemon zest, malted grains, hints of photocopy paper.
Finish: Medium. Photocopy paper, nutmeg, lemon zest, mace, cucumber, hints of peaches.
Comments:
A magnificent dram. Lots of lemon zest and cream soda, alongside fruit and an intense, yet gentle hit of mace. It’s absolutely delicious, one of the best drams of 2022.
Verdict:
Magnificent.
Sunday, 17 July 2022
Glen Ord 10yo 2009/2020
Glen Ord 10yo 2009/2020
Hidden Spirits Whisky Co
Single malt - North Highlands
Golden, hints of green
53.3% ABV
Dram
Nose: Malted grains, pineapples, fresh baked bread, peaches, stale beer, lemon zest, peanuts, apple juice. With water, honey, pomegranate molasses, germolene, white grapes, hints of peaches.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, slippery, loosens, tingly.
Tasting: Sweet sour. Apple juice, stale beer, fresh baked bread, pineapples, lemon zest, vanilla ice cream, peanuts, honey. With water, malted grains, vanilla ice cream, germolene, hints of pomegranate molasses, hints of peaches.
Finish: Short. Ginseng, lemon zest, apple juice, stale beer.
Comments:
Cask GO0920. It’s lovely and fruity, with intense notes of malt. With water some peat peeks out, giving it a faint hint of antiseptic. The only drawback is the rather short, bitter, thin finish.
Verdict:
I like this.
Hidden Spirits Whisky Co
Single malt - North Highlands
Golden, hints of green
53.3% ABV
Dram
Nose: Malted grains, pineapples, fresh baked bread, peaches, stale beer, lemon zest, peanuts, apple juice. With water, honey, pomegranate molasses, germolene, white grapes, hints of peaches.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, slippery, loosens, tingly.
Tasting: Sweet sour. Apple juice, stale beer, fresh baked bread, pineapples, lemon zest, vanilla ice cream, peanuts, honey. With water, malted grains, vanilla ice cream, germolene, hints of pomegranate molasses, hints of peaches.
Finish: Short. Ginseng, lemon zest, apple juice, stale beer.
Comments:
Cask GO0920. It’s lovely and fruity, with intense notes of malt. With water some peat peeks out, giving it a faint hint of antiseptic. The only drawback is the rather short, bitter, thin finish.
Verdict:
I like this.
Friday, 22 April 2022
Loch Lomond “Croftengea” 11yo 2010/2021
Loch Lomond “Croftengea” 11yo 2010/2021
The Hidden Spirits Whisky Company
Single malt - South Highlands
Straw
51.7% ABV
Dram
Nose: Honey, peat, lemon zest, jasmine, smoke, hints of tobacco leaf.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, thickens slightly, tingly, hot.
Tasting: Sour bitter. Pickle brine, lemon zest, smoke, leather, tobacco leaf, peat, autumn leaves.
Finish: Long. Lemon zest, peat, tobacco leaf, smoke, autumn leaves.
Comments:
Cask LL1021. Sour, slightly spicy, and a long earthy finish. I’ve not had a lot of Croftengea, but the ones I’ve had have been generally intense and floral, yet smoky. This one has less of these floral notes, instead a lot more herbal and vegetal notes.
Verdict:
I like this.
The Hidden Spirits Whisky Company
Single malt - South Highlands
Straw
51.7% ABV
Dram
Nose: Honey, peat, lemon zest, jasmine, smoke, hints of tobacco leaf.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, thickens slightly, tingly, hot.
Tasting: Sour bitter. Pickle brine, lemon zest, smoke, leather, tobacco leaf, peat, autumn leaves.
Finish: Long. Lemon zest, peat, tobacco leaf, smoke, autumn leaves.
Comments:
Cask LL1021. Sour, slightly spicy, and a long earthy finish. I’ve not had a lot of Croftengea, but the ones I’ve had have been generally intense and floral, yet smoky. This one has less of these floral notes, instead a lot more herbal and vegetal notes.
Verdict:
I like this.
Thursday, 31 March 2022
Strathisla 17yo 2002/2020
Strathisla 17yo 2002/2020
Hidden Spirits Whisky Company
Single malt - Speyside
Golden
52.4% ABV
Dram
Nose: Yoghurt, honey, peaches, orange peel, cinnamon, lemon zest. With water, cinnamon, honey, lemon zest, malted grains.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, loosens, thickens slightly, warm.
Tasting: Sweet sour. Yoghurt, peaches, honey, fresh baked bread, vanilla, fermented bananas, hints of malted grains. With water, malted grains, peaches, vanilla, honey.
Finish: Medium. Fresh baked bread, coffee, malted grains, peaches.
Comments:
I really enjoy Hidden Spirits expressions. They’re well chosen, and this Strathisla is no exception. Lots of delicious peach notes, together with overripe, fermented fruit undertones. It fades nicely to a slightly savoury, bitter finish.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Hidden Spirits Whisky Company
Single malt - Speyside
Golden
52.4% ABV
Dram
Nose: Yoghurt, honey, peaches, orange peel, cinnamon, lemon zest. With water, cinnamon, honey, lemon zest, malted grains.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, loosens, thickens slightly, warm.
Tasting: Sweet sour. Yoghurt, peaches, honey, fresh baked bread, vanilla, fermented bananas, hints of malted grains. With water, malted grains, peaches, vanilla, honey.
Finish: Medium. Fresh baked bread, coffee, malted grains, peaches.
Comments:
I really enjoy Hidden Spirits expressions. They’re well chosen, and this Strathisla is no exception. Lots of delicious peach notes, together with overripe, fermented fruit undertones. It fades nicely to a slightly savoury, bitter finish.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Thursday, 18 March 2021
Isle of Jura 21yo 1998/2019
Isle of Jura 21yo 1998/2019
Hidden Spirits Whiskey Company
Single malt - Islands
Silver
51.3% ABV
Dram
Nose: Sour cream, fresh cut grass, sea salt, malted grains, lemon zest, hints of tarragon, hints of leather.
Mouthfeel: Light body, cool, tingly, expands.
Tasting: Bitter sour. Lemon zest, fresh cut grass, sea salt, leather, green tea, preserved lemons, hints of peach.
Finish: Medium. Preserved lemons, green olives, peaches, tarragon, leather.
Comments:
In this whisky, the typical Jura funk is melded with herbal, slightly savoury flavours, reminiscent of tarragon and green olives. This is really excellent and unusual, not a regular flavour bomb. Very spirit forward and well aged, with flavours that I like.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Hidden Spirits Whiskey Company
Single malt - Islands
Silver
51.3% ABV
Dram
Nose: Sour cream, fresh cut grass, sea salt, malted grains, lemon zest, hints of tarragon, hints of leather.
Mouthfeel: Light body, cool, tingly, expands.
Tasting: Bitter sour. Lemon zest, fresh cut grass, sea salt, leather, green tea, preserved lemons, hints of peach.
Finish: Medium. Preserved lemons, green olives, peaches, tarragon, leather.
Comments:
In this whisky, the typical Jura funk is melded with herbal, slightly savoury flavours, reminiscent of tarragon and green olives. This is really excellent and unusual, not a regular flavour bomb. Very spirit forward and well aged, with flavours that I like.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Tuesday, 12 January 2021
Inchgower 10yo 2009/2020
Inchgower 10yo 2009/2020
The Hidden Spirits Whisky Company
Single malt - Speyside
Pale straw
52.9% ABV
Dram
Nose: Honey, cola nuts, malted grains, blueberries, cotton sheets, hints of smoke.
Mouthfeel: Light body, thickens, syrupy, sticky.
Tasting: Sweet. Malted grains, blueberries, sea salt, candied orange peel, preserved lemons, cola nuts.
Finish: Long. Sea salt, preserved lemons, malted grains, vanilla, hints of candied orange peel.
Comments:
I like Hidden Spirits, nearly every one of their bottlings that I’ve been lucky enough to try has been excellent. This one is too, lots of malty, spirity notes, with salty citrus and vanilla. Well aged, released at what might be the perfect time.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
The Hidden Spirits Whisky Company
Single malt - Speyside
Pale straw
52.9% ABV
Dram
Nose: Honey, cola nuts, malted grains, blueberries, cotton sheets, hints of smoke.
Mouthfeel: Light body, thickens, syrupy, sticky.
Tasting: Sweet. Malted grains, blueberries, sea salt, candied orange peel, preserved lemons, cola nuts.
Finish: Long. Sea salt, preserved lemons, malted grains, vanilla, hints of candied orange peel.
Comments:
I like Hidden Spirits, nearly every one of their bottlings that I’ve been lucky enough to try has been excellent. This one is too, lots of malty, spirity notes, with salty citrus and vanilla. Well aged, released at what might be the perfect time.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Wednesday, 30 September 2020
Ledaig 12yo 2007/2020
Ledaig 12yo 2007/2020
Hidden Spirits Whisky Company
Single malt - Islands
Pale gold
52.8% ABV
Dram
Nose: Leather, burning plastic, lemon zest, white grapes, hints of cedar.
Mouthfeel: Light body, turns watery, slippery, loose.
Tasting: Bitter. Smoke, peat, lemon zest, white grapes, marzipan, hints of yoghurt.
Hidden Spirits Whisky Company
Single malt - Islands
Pale gold
52.8% ABV
Dram
Nose: Leather, burning plastic, lemon zest, white grapes, hints of cedar.
Mouthfeel: Light body, turns watery, slippery, loose.
Tasting: Bitter. Smoke, peat, lemon zest, white grapes, marzipan, hints of yoghurt.
Finish: Medium. Lemon zest, peat, smoke, cedar, egg whites.
Comments:
Cask LG0720. Here’s a non meaty Ledaig, less bacon than some smoked butter and cream. Lots of wood as well for some reason, so it still smells somewhat like a barbecue. There’s something sulphurous in the finish too.
Verdict:
I like this.
Comments:
Cask LG0720. Here’s a non meaty Ledaig, less bacon than some smoked butter and cream. Lots of wood as well for some reason, so it still smells somewhat like a barbecue. There’s something sulphurous in the finish too.
Verdict:
I like this.
Thursday, 27 February 2020
Balmenach 13yo 2004/2018
Balmenach 13yo 2004/2018
Hidden Spirits Whisky Co
Single malt - Speyside
Dark yellow
51.2% ABV
Dram
Nose: Lemon zest, rhubarb and custard sweets, pear drops, vanilla, orange peel. With water, lemon zest, cotton sheets, lemon sweets.
Mouthfeel: Light body, astringent, static, tingly.
Tasting: Sour. Lemon juice, lime juice, green tea, green apples, vanilla, hints of cinnamon. With water, sweeter, lemon zest, fresh baked bread, Battenberg cake.
Finish: Medium. Lemon juice, vanilla, pear drops, green apples.
Comments:
Cask BL418. Another gem from Hidden Spirits, and yes, I killed the bottle. It's pretty sour, lots of tart things, with some spicy notes. It opens up well with water, turning sweeter, and slightly herbal, a particular fragrance that I associate with freshly laundered cotton sheets. Very nice whisky.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Hidden Spirits Whisky Co
Single malt - Speyside
Dark yellow
51.2% ABV
Dram
Nose: Lemon zest, rhubarb and custard sweets, pear drops, vanilla, orange peel. With water, lemon zest, cotton sheets, lemon sweets.
Mouthfeel: Light body, astringent, static, tingly.
Tasting: Sour. Lemon juice, lime juice, green tea, green apples, vanilla, hints of cinnamon. With water, sweeter, lemon zest, fresh baked bread, Battenberg cake.
Finish: Medium. Lemon juice, vanilla, pear drops, green apples.
Comments:
Cask BL418. Another gem from Hidden Spirits, and yes, I killed the bottle. It's pretty sour, lots of tart things, with some spicy notes. It opens up well with water, turning sweeter, and slightly herbal, a particular fragrance that I associate with freshly laundered cotton sheets. Very nice whisky.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Wednesday, 26 February 2020
Teaninich 12yo 2006/2019
Teaninich 12yo 2006/2019
Hidden Spirits Whisky Co
Single malt - North Highlands
Silvery
51.7% ABV
Dram
Nose: Lemon sweets, barley sugar, leather, honeydew melons, rhubarb and custard sweets, pears, white grapes.
Mouthfeel: Light body, loose, cool, static.
Tasting: Sour sweet. Lemon sweets, rhubarb and custard sweets, white grapes, pears, hints of barley sugar.
Finish: Medium. Green tea, pear drops, lemon sweets, barley sugar.
Comments:
Cask TH619. My second expression from this Italian bottler, and I was very impressed - the whiskies this bloke (and it is, I think, a very small operation) manages to find are very good indeed. This one is sweet with lots of citrus and fruit notes, and an intense tannic bite on the finish.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Hidden Spirits Whisky Co
Single malt - North Highlands
Silvery
51.7% ABV
Dram
Nose: Lemon sweets, barley sugar, leather, honeydew melons, rhubarb and custard sweets, pears, white grapes.
Mouthfeel: Light body, loose, cool, static.
Tasting: Sour sweet. Lemon sweets, rhubarb and custard sweets, white grapes, pears, hints of barley sugar.
Finish: Medium. Green tea, pear drops, lemon sweets, barley sugar.
Comments:
Cask TH619. My second expression from this Italian bottler, and I was very impressed - the whiskies this bloke (and it is, I think, a very small operation) manages to find are very good indeed. This one is sweet with lots of citrus and fruit notes, and an intense tannic bite on the finish.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Wednesday, 30 October 2019
Mortlach 17yo 2002/2019
Mortlach 17yo 2002/2019
The Hidden Spirits Whisky Company
Single malt - Speyside
Pale silver
55.5% ABV
Dram
Nose: Orange zest, lemon zest, white grapes, honey, vanilla, hints of cloves.
Mouthfeel: Light body, warm, tingly, loosens.
Tasting: Sweet sour. White grapes, cloves, orange juice, malted grains, hints of fresh baked bread.
Finish: Medium. Fresh baked bread, malted grains, cloves, honey.
Comments:
Cask ref MR 219. Thanks Andrea for the sample. No water needed, this whisky is just a symphony of fruit, cereal and spice. It's warming and bright, perfect for a cold winter's evening. Also probably perfect for a warm summer's evening, in fact perfect at any time. Andrea thinks Hidden Spirits are the new Samaroli, based on the quality of this cask, I have to agree.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
The Hidden Spirits Whisky Company
Single malt - Speyside
Pale silver
55.5% ABV
Dram
Nose: Orange zest, lemon zest, white grapes, honey, vanilla, hints of cloves.
Mouthfeel: Light body, warm, tingly, loosens.
Tasting: Sweet sour. White grapes, cloves, orange juice, malted grains, hints of fresh baked bread.
Finish: Medium. Fresh baked bread, malted grains, cloves, honey.
Comments:
Cask ref MR 219. Thanks Andrea for the sample. No water needed, this whisky is just a symphony of fruit, cereal and spice. It's warming and bright, perfect for a cold winter's evening. Also probably perfect for a warm summer's evening, in fact perfect at any time. Andrea thinks Hidden Spirits are the new Samaroli, based on the quality of this cask, I have to agree.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
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