Cragganmore 12 yo
Official bottling
Single malt - Speyside
Golden
40% ABV
Mini
Nose: Chocolate, walnuts, malty beer, iodine, hints of apples, hints of raisins, hints of oak.
Mouthfeel: Light body, thin, quite watery.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Peat, apples, glace cherries, leather, coffee, hints of metal polish, hints of smoke.
Finish: Long. Pineapples, spicy.
Comments:
Interesting Speyside. There's a lot going on in the whisky, but I can't help thinking that the flagship official bottling is under strength. I like the coffee notes in the mouth (as well as the metal polish... what does that say about my palate?), they go quite well with the fruit.
Verdict:
I like this.
Monday, 28 July 2008
Thursday, 17 July 2008
Ardbeg Serendipity
Ardbeg Serendipity
Glenmorangie plc
Vatted malt - Ardbeg, Glen Moray
White wine
40% ABV
Dram
Nose: Smoke, oranges, apples, sherry, pears, lemons, hints of lemon.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, static, a little watery around the edges.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Smoke, peanut skins, spiced apple, tonic water, hints of peat.
Finish: Long. Butter, clotted cream, smoke.
Comments:
Apparently the result of a fortuitous accident. Workers dumped a quantity of old (20-30 yo)Ardbeg into a vat already containing some Glen Moray 12 yo. Someone tasted the result (20% Glen Moray, 80% Ardbeg) and here we are. A good combination of smoke and sweet stuff. I particularly love the buttery, creamy finish - it lasts for ages.
Verdict:
I like this a lot!
Glenmorangie plc
Vatted malt - Ardbeg, Glen Moray
White wine
40% ABV
Dram
Nose: Smoke, oranges, apples, sherry, pears, lemons, hints of lemon.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, static, a little watery around the edges.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Smoke, peanut skins, spiced apple, tonic water, hints of peat.
Finish: Long. Butter, clotted cream, smoke.
Comments:
Apparently the result of a fortuitous accident. Workers dumped a quantity of old (20-30 yo)Ardbeg into a vat already containing some Glen Moray 12 yo. Someone tasted the result (20% Glen Moray, 80% Ardbeg) and here we are. A good combination of smoke and sweet stuff. I particularly love the buttery, creamy finish - it lasts for ages.
Verdict:
I like this a lot!
Balvenie 21 yo PortWood
Balvenie 21 yo PortWood
Official bottling
Single malt - Speyside
Dark gold
46% ABV
Dram
Nose: Apricots, strawberry jam, prunes, marmalade, hints of peat.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, slightly oily, static.
Tasting: Sweet salty. Apples, apricot jam, raisin bread, vanilla, hints of peat, hints of leather.
Finish: Medium. Butterscotch, apricots.
Comments:
Port pipes seem to take away the Balvenie orange, replacing it with something more aged - the marmalade I suppose - and apples too. Great mouth feel, slightly salty is great, but a little too weak I think. Wish this had been bottled at a higher strength.
Verdict:
I like this.
Official bottling
Single malt - Speyside
Dark gold
46% ABV
Dram
Nose: Apricots, strawberry jam, prunes, marmalade, hints of peat.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, slightly oily, static.
Tasting: Sweet salty. Apples, apricot jam, raisin bread, vanilla, hints of peat, hints of leather.
Finish: Medium. Butterscotch, apricots.
Comments:
Port pipes seem to take away the Balvenie orange, replacing it with something more aged - the marmalade I suppose - and apples too. Great mouth feel, slightly salty is great, but a little too weak I think. Wish this had been bottled at a higher strength.
Verdict:
I like this.
Scapa 23 yo 1978/2001
Scapa 23 yo 1978/2001
Old Malt Cask, Douglas Laing
Single malt - Islands (Orkney)
Golden
50% ABV
Dram
Nose: Big prickle of alcohol, surprising at 50%. Lettuce, malty beer, sweet sherry, papaya, cherries, hints of grapefruit.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, a little syrupy, static.
Tasting: Sweet sour. Tangy, candied pineapple, tomatoes, iceberg lettuce, apricots, cherries.
Finish: Long. Warm, spicy, pineapples and cherries.
Comments:
Lovely old Scapa, born in the same year I was. 1978 whiskies are good. Perfect drinking strength, just like the other OMCs. This one is quite rare - the Scapa 14 yo (1993/2008) and Scapa 25 yo (1975/2001) are more popular. One of 612 bottles, not sure what kind of cask this is, but probably sherry.
Verdict:
I like this.
Old Malt Cask, Douglas Laing
Single malt - Islands (Orkney)
Golden
50% ABV
Dram
Nose: Big prickle of alcohol, surprising at 50%. Lettuce, malty beer, sweet sherry, papaya, cherries, hints of grapefruit.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, a little syrupy, static.
Tasting: Sweet sour. Tangy, candied pineapple, tomatoes, iceberg lettuce, apricots, cherries.
Finish: Long. Warm, spicy, pineapples and cherries.
Comments:
Lovely old Scapa, born in the same year I was. 1978 whiskies are good. Perfect drinking strength, just like the other OMCs. This one is quite rare - the Scapa 14 yo (1993/2008) and Scapa 25 yo (1975/2001) are more popular. One of 612 bottles, not sure what kind of cask this is, but probably sherry.
Verdict:
I like this.
Balblair 40 yo 1965/2007
Balblair 40 yo 1965/2007
Anniversary Selection (Single Malts of Scotland), Specialty Drinks Ltd
Single malt - North Highlands
Mahogany
47.7% ABV
Dram
Nose: Black tea, sherry, glace cherries, walnuts, fruitcake, hints of house dust.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, smooth, slightly viscous.
Tasting: Sweet. Orange peel, honey, apricots, prunes, hints of peach, hints of brown paper.
Finish: Medium. Vanilla, melon, chilli.
Comments:
This tastes old. Like something which has lain forgotten in the attic for years - it actually tastes dusty and wrapped in brown paper. Great, great fruit in it though, I started salivating once I got a close look at the colour, and I wasn't disappointed. Surprising little spicy kick in the finish too. Very nice indeed.
Verdict:
I like this a lot!
Anniversary Selection (Single Malts of Scotland), Specialty Drinks Ltd
Single malt - North Highlands
Mahogany
47.7% ABV
Dram
Nose: Black tea, sherry, glace cherries, walnuts, fruitcake, hints of house dust.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, smooth, slightly viscous.
Tasting: Sweet. Orange peel, honey, apricots, prunes, hints of peach, hints of brown paper.
Finish: Medium. Vanilla, melon, chilli.
Comments:
This tastes old. Like something which has lain forgotten in the attic for years - it actually tastes dusty and wrapped in brown paper. Great, great fruit in it though, I started salivating once I got a close look at the colour, and I wasn't disappointed. Surprising little spicy kick in the finish too. Very nice indeed.
Verdict:
I like this a lot!
Wednesday, 16 July 2008
Port Ellen 25 yo 1982/2007
Port Ellen 25 yo 1982/2007
Old Bothwell
Single malt - Islay
White wine
51% ABV
Dram
Nose: Smoke, sweet cherries, vanilla, clotted cream, hints of peanuts.
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, oily, smooth, silky.
Tasting: Sweet. Smoke, peach, lemongrass, custard, sweet cherries, tobacco.
Finish: Long. Citrus tang, smoke, hints of peat.
Comments:
Cask 2471 (sherry). I think this would have been the same whisky as the Old Malt Cask bottling tasted a while back, but for the sherry cask. Great peach and sherry notes, with something citrusy and tangy lurking in the finish and in the background. Nicely spiced, smoky offering, thumbs up all the way.
Verdict:
I like this a lot!
Old Bothwell
Single malt - Islay
White wine
51% ABV
Dram
Nose: Smoke, sweet cherries, vanilla, clotted cream, hints of peanuts.
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, oily, smooth, silky.
Tasting: Sweet. Smoke, peach, lemongrass, custard, sweet cherries, tobacco.
Finish: Long. Citrus tang, smoke, hints of peat.
Comments:
Cask 2471 (sherry). I think this would have been the same whisky as the Old Malt Cask bottling tasted a while back, but for the sherry cask. Great peach and sherry notes, with something citrusy and tangy lurking in the finish and in the background. Nicely spiced, smoky offering, thumbs up all the way.
Verdict:
I like this a lot!
Lagavulin 12 yo 1991/2004 Cask Strength
Lagavulin 12 yo 1991/2004 Cask Strength
Official bottling
Single malt - Islay
White wine
58.2% ABV
Dram
Nose: Apples, smoke, shisha tobacco, strawberry, ammonia.
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, oily, thick, unctuous.
Tasting: Sweet sour. Smoke, peat, orange peel, spiced barley, preserved lemons, vanilla, custard.
Finish: Long. Smoke, vanilla.
Comments:
Wow. Lots going on here - I particularly like the shisha tobacco in the nose and the vanilla threading its way throughout the whisky. It makes the raw smoke a little less aggressive and more comfortable. Nice strength too, great when slightly diluted. There are 6 or 7 releases of this expression (I think this one is the 4th, and the strongest).
Verdict:
I like this a lot!
Official bottling
Single malt - Islay
White wine
58.2% ABV
Dram
Nose: Apples, smoke, shisha tobacco, strawberry, ammonia.
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, oily, thick, unctuous.
Tasting: Sweet sour. Smoke, peat, orange peel, spiced barley, preserved lemons, vanilla, custard.
Finish: Long. Smoke, vanilla.
Comments:
Wow. Lots going on here - I particularly like the shisha tobacco in the nose and the vanilla threading its way throughout the whisky. It makes the raw smoke a little less aggressive and more comfortable. Nice strength too, great when slightly diluted. There are 6 or 7 releases of this expression (I think this one is the 4th, and the strongest).
Verdict:
I like this a lot!
Port Ellen 20 yo 1982/2003
Port Ellen 20 yo 1982/2003
Connoisseur's Choice, Gordon & Macphail
Single malt - Islay
Green gold
40% ABV
Dram
Nose: Smoke, peat, sweet heather, salted fish, tobacco leaf, pistachio, sea salt.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, smooth, silky.
Tasting: Sweet salty. Vanilla, tobacco, lemongrass, thyme, iodine, hints of caramel.
Finish: Short. Leather, hints of cherries.
Comments:
Very interesting colour indeed - very Australian. Port Ellen whisky is often described as slipper-and-kipper. I think I get it now; the salted fish and leather is quite clear here. Very good indeed, great combination of savoury and sweet, in the proportions that I like.
Verdict:
I like this a lot!
Connoisseur's Choice, Gordon & Macphail
Single malt - Islay
Green gold
40% ABV
Dram
Nose: Smoke, peat, sweet heather, salted fish, tobacco leaf, pistachio, sea salt.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, smooth, silky.
Tasting: Sweet salty. Vanilla, tobacco, lemongrass, thyme, iodine, hints of caramel.
Finish: Short. Leather, hints of cherries.
Comments:
Very interesting colour indeed - very Australian. Port Ellen whisky is often described as slipper-and-kipper. I think I get it now; the salted fish and leather is quite clear here. Very good indeed, great combination of savoury and sweet, in the proportions that I like.
Verdict:
I like this a lot!
Wednesday, 9 July 2008
Balblair 1997 9 yo (1997/2007)
Balblair 1997 9 yo (1997/2007)
Official bottling
Single malt - North Highlands
Golden
43% ABV
Sampler
Nose: Overripe fruits, apricots, boiled lemon sweets, hints of leather, pineapple.
Mouthfeel: Thin, light body, slightly gritty.
Tasting: Sweet sour. Beefsteak tomatoes, hints of fresh lettuce, pineapple, lemons, limes, floral notes.
Finish: Long. Jasmine, slightly salty.
Comments:
Young, fruity and floral. Very floral actually, makes for a nice change from fruit and peat. Great finish, like a good jasmine tea. Balblair moved recently from making whiskies with age statements to whiskies with vintages - guess this allows them to increase prices and creates some scarcity value once the vintage runs out.
Verdict:
I like this.
Official bottling
Single malt - North Highlands
Golden
43% ABV
Sampler
Nose: Overripe fruits, apricots, boiled lemon sweets, hints of leather, pineapple.
Mouthfeel: Thin, light body, slightly gritty.
Tasting: Sweet sour. Beefsteak tomatoes, hints of fresh lettuce, pineapple, lemons, limes, floral notes.
Finish: Long. Jasmine, slightly salty.
Comments:
Young, fruity and floral. Very floral actually, makes for a nice change from fruit and peat. Great finish, like a good jasmine tea. Balblair moved recently from making whiskies with age statements to whiskies with vintages - guess this allows them to increase prices and creates some scarcity value once the vintage runs out.
Verdict:
I like this.
Tuesday, 8 July 2008
Talisker 20 yo 1982/2003
Talisker 20 yo 1982/2003
Official bottling
Single malt - Islands, Skye
Light orange gold
58.8% ABV
Dram
Nose: Vanilla, apples, cream, peat, smoke, white pepper.
Mouthfeel:Medium body, thick, hot, astringent.
Tasting: Sweet sour. Marmalade, condensed milk, ginger, spiced apples, pepper, candied winter melon, a hint of peat.
Finish: Medium. Brown paper, quinine, hints of rose, hints of melon.
Comments:
Wow. Lots going on in this whisky, almost too much for me. Fruity and creamy, married to bitter, slightly peaty notes. Very good, and I like the strength too. A little water kills the fruity subtleties, so it's meant to be drunk strong. Nice.
Verdict:
I like this a lot!
Official bottling
Single malt - Islands, Skye
Light orange gold
58.8% ABV
Dram
Nose: Vanilla, apples, cream, peat, smoke, white pepper.
Mouthfeel:Medium body, thick, hot, astringent.
Tasting: Sweet sour. Marmalade, condensed milk, ginger, spiced apples, pepper, candied winter melon, a hint of peat.
Finish: Medium. Brown paper, quinine, hints of rose, hints of melon.
Comments:
Wow. Lots going on in this whisky, almost too much for me. Fruity and creamy, married to bitter, slightly peaty notes. Very good, and I like the strength too. A little water kills the fruity subtleties, so it's meant to be drunk strong. Nice.
Verdict:
I like this a lot!
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