Bunnahabhain 19yo 1980/1999

Bunnahabhain 19yo 1980/1997

First Cask, The Malt Whisky Circle
Single malt - Islay
Golden bronze
46% ABV
Dram

Nose: Cotton sheets, leather, cinder toffee, salt caramel, photocopy paper, black tea, sultanas. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, thickens, astringent, cool. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Photocopy paper, sultanas, dried apricots, kiwifruit, black tea, cinder toffee, hints of orange peel. 
Finish: Short. Candle wax, photocopy paper, cinder toffee, black tea, hints of coffee. 

Comments: 

Cask 5643. It’s unpeated, of course, and it’s been drowned in old bottle effect. It’s become feinty and a little floral, but lots of bitter notes still linger in the background. 

Verdict:

I like this.

Convalmore 16yo 1981/1997

Convalmore 16yo 1981/1997

First Cask, The Malt Whisky Circle
Single malt - Speyside
Pale gold
46% ABV
Dram

Nose: Papayas, starfruit, winter melon, mint, lemon zest, dried blueberries, strawberry laces, hints of leather. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, warm, expands, slippery. 
Tasting:  Sweet sour. Camphor, dried blueberries, starfruit, winter melon, fresh cut grass, vanilla, hints of leather. 
Finish: Medium. Camphor, winter melon, candle wax, fresh cut grass. 

Comments: 

Cask 89/604/122. It’s not quite the Convalmore I know, it’s got a lot of gentle subtle notes that blend softly into each other. There’s a herbal, slightly bitter backbone though, and that’s what keeps things interesting.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Glenrothes 21yo 1975/1996

Glenrothes 21yo 1975/1996

First Cask, The Malt Whisky Circle
Single malt - Speyside
Silvery gold
46% ABV
Dram

Nose: Dried apricots, starfruit, white wine, papayas, Chinese angelica, cinder toffee. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, thickens slightly, tingly, cool. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Starfruit, cinder toffee, Chinese angelica, leather, candle wax, celery salt, dried apricots, menthol. 
Finish: Long. Menthol, candle wax, dried apricots, white wine.

Comments: 

Cask 6051. Fruity and waxy, low level of typical sherried notes. Quite unusual, and the distillate has probably been overtaken by old bottle effect. It’s rather tasty, and unlike any other Glenrothes I’ve had.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Inchgower 18yo 1976/1994

Inchgower 18yo 1976/1994

First Cask, The Malt Whisky Circle 
Single malt - Speyside 
Green gold
46% ABV
Dram

Nose: Menthol, green apples, leather, honey, pistachios, lemon zest. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, slippery, loosens, tingly. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Green apples, honey, dark chocolate, pistachios, vanilla, black tea, allspice. 
Finish: Long. Leather, black tea, green apples, menthol, dark chocolate. 

Comments: 

Cask 9891. Tastes old and leathery, lots of old bottle effect. Plenty of dark chocolate and green apples still shows through though, it must have been quite bright and intense when younger. Lovely whisky.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Tomatin 18yo 1976/1995

Tomatin 18yo 1976/1995

First Cask, The Malt Whisky Circle
Single malt - Speyside 
Pale amber
46% ABV
Dram

Nose: Raisins, honey, cucumber, blackcurrant cordial, marmalade, hints of leather. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, cool, tingly, expands. 
Tasting:  Sweet. Marmalade, damson jam, barley sugar, cocoa nibs, leather, blackcurrant cordial. 
Finish: Medium. Blackcurrant cordial, marmalade, lemon zest, leather, hints of barley sugar. 

Comments: 

Cask 27643. Quite sweet and sherried, with a nice frisson of leathery old bottle effect. It’s got off notes of cough syrup, perhaps, slightly bitter on the after taste. Nevertheless quite interesting and tasty whisky. 

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Glencadam 29yo 1972/2001

Glencadam 29yo 1972/2001

First Cask, The Malt Whisky Circle 
Single malt - East Highlands
Pale gold

46% ABV
Dram

Nose: Papayas, pineapples, lemon zest, guava, leather, malted grains, hints of cream. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, syrupy, tingly, hot. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Barley sugar, malted grains, guava, vanilla, honey, lemon zest, leather. 
Finish: Long. Ginseng, honey, vanilla, malted grains. 

Comments: 

Cask 7639. I do find Glencadam to be quite a fruity distillate, but in this case I think I am tasting more old bottle effect that spirit. It’s indeed fruity, but it’s also leathery and slightly nutty. It’s very tasty and complex, especially at 40%, but I’m pretty sure it didn’t taste like this when bottled. 

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Bladnoch 16yo 1980/1997

Bladnoch 16yo 1980/1997

First Cask, The Malt Whisky Circle 
Single malt - Lowlands 
Golden
46% ABV
Dram

Nose: Pineapples, cream, fresh cut grass, brown sugar, hints of apricots. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, thickens, mouth coating, cool. 
Tasting:  Sweet sour. Pineapples, leather, raisins, barley sugar, winter melon, hints of white grapes. 
Finish: Medium. Sunflower seeds, raisins, white grapes, pineapples, orange peel. 

Comments: 

Cask 89/591/12. Sweet sour and fruity, like eating pineapple upside down cake huge amounts of old bottle effect, there’s a leather strap or two baked into that cake! There’s a herbal, seedy finish as well. Gorgeous.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Dallas Dhu 24yo 1979/2003

Dallas Dhu 24yo 1979/2003

First Cask, The Malt Whisky Circle 
Single malt - Speyside 
White wine 
46% ABV
Dram

Nose: White grapes, custard apples, rose apples, pears, cream, hints of malted grains. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, slippery, tingly, warm. 
Tasting:  Sour. White grapes, rose apples, malted grains, pears, autumn leaves, hints of vanilla, hints of leather. 
Finish: Medium. Green tea, white grapes, malted grains, rose apples, vanilla. 

Comments: 

Cask 1382. Fruity, earthy and tangy, this whisky is redolent of certain juicy tropical fruits, and shares their thirst quenching properties. I didn’t have a lot more than a single dram, but if it isn’t too sacrilegious with a malt from a closed distillery, I'd love to have this in a highball or with ice.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Glen Elgin 20yo 1990/2011

Glen Elgin 20yo 1990/2011

First Cask, The Malt Whisky Circle 
Single malt - Speyside 
White wine
46% ABV
Dram

Nose: Peaches, white wine, ink, white grapes, malted grains, dried pears, hints of dried apricots. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, syrupy, thick, cool. 
Tasting:  Sweet sour. Malted grains, lemon zest, dried pears, dried apricots, fresh cut grass, golden syrup, hints of nutmeg. 
Finish: Long. Nutmeg, dried pears, white grapes, hints of cinnamon. 

Comments: 

Cask 7871. Spicy and well aged, with a lot of dried fruit notes overlaying what was once a grassy bright spirit. I don’t know if this is bottle aging rather than cask aging, but it’s really quite delicious.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Mortlach 20yo 1991/2011

Mortlach 20yo 1991/2011

First Cask, The Malt Whisky Circle 
Single malt - Speyside 
Bright gold 
46% ABV
Dram

Nose: Toffee, honey, vanilla, greengages, hints of sour cream. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, thickens slightly, syrupy, slightly astringent. 
Tasting:  Bitter salty. Toffee, honey, raisins, sea salt, malted grains, hints of apricots, hints of roast pork. 
Finish: Medium. Mint, apricots, sea salt, toffee. 

Comments: 

Cask 7713. A light Mortlach, at least in comparison to other Mortlachs. There’s some fruit and a hint of the Mortlach meatiness, but the dominant flavours are sea salt and bitter caramel or toffee. There’s some minty coolness on the finish. 

Verdict:

I like this.

Glen Spey 30yo 1976/2006

Glen Spey 30yo 1976/2006

First Cask, The Malt Whisky Circle 
Single malt - Speyside 
Bright gold
46% ABV
Dram

Nose: Papayas, white grapes, gooseberries, leather, green apples, hints of honey. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, warm, tingly, expands. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. White grapes, honey, leather, malted grains, green apples, canned peaches, hints of gooseberries. 
Finish: Medium. Vanilla, malted grains, honey, gooseberries. 

Comments: 

Cask 361. Brightly coloured, brightly flavoured. Lots of fruit and a bit of cereal, but all overlaid with a nice helping of old bottle effect. It’s complex without being overwhelming, which some higher strength whiskies can be. Delicious. 

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Convalmore 16yo 1981/1997

Convalmore 16yo 1981/1997

First Cask, The Malt Whisky Circle 
Single malt - Speyside 
Straw
46% ABV
Dram

Nose: Autumn leaves, lemons, starfruit, leather, mint, vanilla, hints of kiwifruit. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, cool, airy, slightly astringent. 
Tasting:  Sour bitter. Kiwifruit, lemon zest, vanilla, marshmallows, malted grains, leather, white grapes, hints of aluminium foil. 
Finish: Long. Lemons, marshmallows, white grapes, starfruit, malted grains. 

Comments: 

Cask 89/604/114. This has been an exercise in expectations management. I always have high expectations and excitement about Convalmore, as I do with almost every closed distillery that I try. I often have to remind myself that not all such juice is fantastic, and sometimes distilleries closed for a reason. This one is decent, tart and fragrant fruit fading to a bitter finish. But it was a smidgen of a let down. 

Verdict:

I like this.

Tomatin 18yo 1976/1995

Tomatin 18yo 1976/1995

First Cask, The Malt Whisky Circle 
Single malt - Speyside 

Amber gold
46% ABV
Dram

Nose: Papayas, honey, peaches, stewed raspberries, lilies, elderflower, blueberries, hints of leather. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, slippery, mouth coating. 
Tasting:  Sweet. Peaches, cranberries, cherries, cream, elderflower, honey, vanilla, stewed raspberries. 
Finish: Long. Cherries, black tea, vanilla, cranberries. 

Comments: 

Cask 27637. A luscious, fruity and floral whisky, tempered slightly by a hint of peat and a fair bit of old bottle effect (especially on the nose). Once on the tongue it’s like eating alcoholic raspberry ice with a side of cherry cough mixture in the finish. It’s lovely. 

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Glentauchers 25yo 1981/2006

Glentauchers 25yo 1981/2006

First Cask, The Malt Whisky Circle 
Single malt - Speyside 
Amber
46% ABV
Dram

Nose: Pomeloes, winter melon, raisins, toffee, honey, kiwifruit, orange peel. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, static, warm, slightly astringent. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Leather, winter melon, sandalwood, toffee, raisins, mint, hints of orange peel. 
Finish: Long. Black tea, mint, raisins, toffee, honey, hints of sandalwood, hints of leather. 

Comments: 

Cask 1053. Sherried, and fragrant, with a tinge of old bottle effect, this whisky is sweet and luscious. There’s toffee, honey, orange peel - it’s all very festive and delicious. Much appreciated.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Old Pulteney 19yo 1974/1993

Old Pulteney 19yo 1974/1993

First Cask, The Malt Whisky Circle 
Single malt - North Highlands 
Pale gold
46% ABV
Dram

Nose: Leather, lemon zest, white grapes, blueberries, strawberry laces, hints of rose. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, static, airy, slightly tingly. 
Tasting: Sweet salty. Lemon zest, strawberry laces, vanilla, roses, sea salt, sandalwood, hints of grapefruit. 
Finish: Medium. Leather, lemon zest, roses, hints of sea salt. 

Comments: 

Cask 6283. Lovely Old Pulteney, fruity, even slightly salty, with a great coastal character. It comes in waves, then fades to a leathery, floral finish. Rather good.  

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Glenrothes 21yo 1975/1991

Glenrothes 21yo 1975/1991

First Cask, The Malt Whisky Circle 
Single malt - Speyside 
Green gold
46% ABV
Dram

Nose: Leather, peanuts, white grapes, kiwifruit, green tea, cinder toffee, hints of white pepper. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, thickens, slightly astringent, tingly. 
Tasting:  Salty sweet. Peanuts, sea salt, white grapes, kiwifruit, pears, hints of cinder toffee, hints of olive oil. 
Finish: Medium. Olive oil, sea salt, leather, cinder toffee, vanilla. 

Comments: 

Cask 6051. There’s some old bottle effect here, if I’m any judge. There’s something leathery and dusty, alongside some sweet notes I’d expect from Glenrothes, like cinder toffee and peanuts. Also some fruit in the background.

Verdict:

I like this.

Glendronach 23yo 1975/1998

Glendronach 23yo 1975/1998

First Cask, The Malt Whisky Circle
Single malt - Speyside 
Amber
46% ABV
Dram

Nose: Peat, bananas, peaches, fresh baked bread, strawberries, orange peel, hints of toast. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, astringent, tingly, warm. 
Tasting:  Salty sweet. Honey, strawberries, bananas, leather, sea salt, peat, hints of greengages. 
Finish: Long. Toast, leather, peaches, fresh baked bread. 

Comments: 

Cask 1687. This is glorious, salty briny peaty whisky overlaid with typical Glendronach sherried fruit. It’s intense and complex, and remarkably so given it’s only 46%. A higher ABV would have made it very rich indeed. 

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Dallas Dhu 20yo 1977/1997

Dallas Dhu 20yo 1977/1997

First Cask, The Malt Whisky Circle
Single malt - Speyside 
Straw
46% ABV
Dram

Nose: Leather, white grapes, watermelon rind, tobacco leaf, sultanas, lemon zest, honey. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, thickens slightly, cool, slightly chalky. 
Tasting:  Sweet salty. Sea salt, white grapes, watermelon rind, tobacco leaf, lemon sweets, sultanas, wet stones, hints of grilled meat. 
Finish: Long. Tobacco leaf, sea salt, wet stones, lemon sweets, leather. 

Comments: 

Cask 1118. Lovely old Dallas Dhu, from the Malt Whisky Circle, a bottler that no longer exists. Some of these are stunning, but this Dallas Dhu is not one of them. It’s good though, perhaps a little bit peatier and brinier than the average Dallas Dhu. There’s a whisper of smoke that brings to mind meat on a barbecue at the end. 

Verdict:

I like this.

Ardbeg 1974 19yo

Ardbeg 1974 19yo

First Cask, The Malt Whisky Circle
Single malt - Islay
Light gold 
46% ABV
Dram

Nose: Peat, smoke, chocolate, pears, apples, hints of peaches. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, thickens slightly, slippery, cool. 
Tasting:  Bitter salty. Sea salt, peat, smoke, dark chocolate, pears, lemon zest, peaches, hints of balsamic vinegar. 
Finish: Long. Peat, smoke, tobacco leaf, peaches, dark chocolate. 

Comments: 

A slightly unusual, yet delicious Ardbeg, this whisky has but gentle peat and smoke. There's salty notes of the sea, alongside the peat, but also plenty of fruit and dark chocolate. I felt this would have been better at a higher strength, but it was gorgeous even at 46%. I'll take the rep's advice and seek out more First Cask bottlings in the future, if there are any left.

Verdict:

I like this.