Pappy van Winkle Family Reserve Bourbon 20yo
Official bottling
Single bourbon - Kentucky
Amber
45.2% ABV
Dram
Nose: White chocolate, walnuts, buttermilk, sea salt, damson jam.
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, oily, thick, creamy.
Tasting: Sweet salty. Butterscotch, sea salt, white chocolate, damson jam, sugared almonds, hints of prunes.
Finish: Long. Honeycomb, prunes, salted butter, white chocolate.
Comments:
Extremely buttery and creamy, with more than a hint of sea salt. This is like some magic combination of Armagnac, whisky and buttermilk liqueur (if such a thing exists). It's pretty amazing. Let's say it's the best bourbon I have ever had.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Wednesday, 24 July 2019
Benrinnes 22yo 1995/2018
Benrinnes 22yo 1995/2018
Celebration of the Cask, Carn Mor
Single malt - Speyside
Light gold
50% ABV
Dram
Nose: Rambutans, red grapes, honeydew melon, watermelon, apple juice.
Mouthfeel: Light body, evaporates quickly, warm, slightly airy.
Tasting: Sweet sour. Rambutans, mangosteen, apple juice, cinnamon, vanilla, hints of toast.
Finish: Long. Mangosteen, rambutans, black tea, white grapes.
Comments:
Cask 7808. Sweet and luscious, laden with tropical fruit - but not the usual tropical fruit one finds in whisky. Instead of pineapples and mangoes, there's heaps of mangosteens and rambutans. It's like munching fresh fruit at the roadside, while someone is grilling a slice of cinnamon toast nearby. This is excellent stuff.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Celebration of the Cask, Carn Mor
Single malt - Speyside
Light gold
50% ABV
Dram
Nose: Rambutans, red grapes, honeydew melon, watermelon, apple juice.
Mouthfeel: Light body, evaporates quickly, warm, slightly airy.
Tasting: Sweet sour. Rambutans, mangosteen, apple juice, cinnamon, vanilla, hints of toast.
Finish: Long. Mangosteen, rambutans, black tea, white grapes.
Comments:
Cask 7808. Sweet and luscious, laden with tropical fruit - but not the usual tropical fruit one finds in whisky. Instead of pineapples and mangoes, there's heaps of mangosteens and rambutans. It's like munching fresh fruit at the roadside, while someone is grilling a slice of cinnamon toast nearby. This is excellent stuff.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Clynelish 21yo 1996/2018
Clynelish 21yo 1996/2018
Unchillfiltered, Signatory
Single malt - North Highlands
Golden
52% ABV
Dram
Nose: Candle wax, lemon zest, shortbread, lemon meringue, hints of vanilla.
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, tingly, astringent, warm.
Tasting: Sweet. Candle wax, lemon zest, cinnamon, toast, lemon meringue, hints of fresh baked bread.
Finish: Medium. Candle wax, orange peel, lemon meringue, shortbread.
Comments:
Cask 11390. I'm on a roll, this is my second classic Clynelish in as many months. I love this distillery, it makes the sort of whisky I like, complex, yet robust. This specimen has lemon meringue and shortbread, alongside the classic Clynelish waxiness.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Unchillfiltered, Signatory
Single malt - North Highlands
Golden
52% ABV
Dram
Nose: Candle wax, lemon zest, shortbread, lemon meringue, hints of vanilla.
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, tingly, astringent, warm.
Tasting: Sweet. Candle wax, lemon zest, cinnamon, toast, lemon meringue, hints of fresh baked bread.
Finish: Medium. Candle wax, orange peel, lemon meringue, shortbread.
Comments:
Cask 11390. I'm on a roll, this is my second classic Clynelish in as many months. I love this distillery, it makes the sort of whisky I like, complex, yet robust. This specimen has lemon meringue and shortbread, alongside the classic Clynelish waxiness.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Friday, 19 July 2019
Glenlossie 24yo 1992/2017
Glenlossie 24yo 1992/2017
Unchillfiltered, Signatory
Single malt - Speyside
Golden
56.3% ABV
Dram
Nose: Honeydew melon, honey, rhubarb and custard sweets, lemon zest, hints of lavender. With water, lemon thyme, lemons, fresh baked bread.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, astringent, tingly, warm.
Tasting: Sweet sour. Honeydew melon, white grapes, peaches, honey, lemon zest, hints of lavender. With water, sweeter, fresh baked bread, honey, lemon thyme.
Finish: Medium. White grapes, gooseberries, lemon zest, hints of lavender.
Comments:
Cask 3449. Dramming this whisky is like standing in a Provence meadow munching on fruit and rhubarb crumble. It's subtle and forceful at the same time, with plenty of multi-layered flavours. Glorious.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Unchillfiltered, Signatory
Single malt - Speyside
Golden
56.3% ABV
Dram
Nose: Honeydew melon, honey, rhubarb and custard sweets, lemon zest, hints of lavender. With water, lemon thyme, lemons, fresh baked bread.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, astringent, tingly, warm.
Tasting: Sweet sour. Honeydew melon, white grapes, peaches, honey, lemon zest, hints of lavender. With water, sweeter, fresh baked bread, honey, lemon thyme.
Finish: Medium. White grapes, gooseberries, lemon zest, hints of lavender.
Comments:
Cask 3449. Dramming this whisky is like standing in a Provence meadow munching on fruit and rhubarb crumble. It's subtle and forceful at the same time, with plenty of multi-layered flavours. Glorious.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Royal Brackla 16yo
Royal Brackla 16yo
Official bottling
Single malt - Speyside
Dark gold
40% ABV
Dram
Nose: Fresh baked bread, orange peel, honeydew melon, overripe peaches, lemon squash.
Mouthfeel: Light body, thickens slightly, slippery, slightly airy.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Orange peel, malted grains, black tea, lemon zest, vanilla sponge, hints of lemon curd.
Finish: Short. Chocolate, orange peel, overripe peaches, black tea.
Comments:
Warm, fresh and fruity, lots and lots of citrus and stone fruit. It's subtle, and you need to work a bit to get to the flavours underneath, but it's all worth it.
Verdict:
I like this.
Official bottling
Single malt - Speyside
Dark gold
40% ABV
Dram
Nose: Fresh baked bread, orange peel, honeydew melon, overripe peaches, lemon squash.
Mouthfeel: Light body, thickens slightly, slippery, slightly airy.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Orange peel, malted grains, black tea, lemon zest, vanilla sponge, hints of lemon curd.
Finish: Short. Chocolate, orange peel, overripe peaches, black tea.
Comments:
Warm, fresh and fruity, lots and lots of citrus and stone fruit. It's subtle, and you need to work a bit to get to the flavours underneath, but it's all worth it.
Verdict:
I like this.
Cradle Mountain from the Small Concern Distillery 23yo 1996/2019
Cradle Mountain from the Small Concern Distillery 23yo 1996/2019
Individual Cask, WM Cadenhead
Single malt - Tasmania
Amber red
53.2% ABV
Dram
Nose: Red grapes, raisins, raspberries, satsumas, magic marker, pear juice, hints of miso.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, loosens, slightly watery, evaporated quickly.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Raspberries, light smoke, old tyres, honey, pear juice, peanut butter.
Finish: Long. Smoke, old tyres, raisins, red grapes, peanut butter.
Comments:
Matured in a Cabernet Sauvignon cask. I've never had this distillery before, but this whisky is very interesting - sulphurous, slightly savoury, but heaped with sweet lovely goodness. Lovely stuff.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Individual Cask, WM Cadenhead
Single malt - Tasmania
Amber red
53.2% ABV
Dram
Nose: Red grapes, raisins, raspberries, satsumas, magic marker, pear juice, hints of miso.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, loosens, slightly watery, evaporated quickly.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Raspberries, light smoke, old tyres, honey, pear juice, peanut butter.
Finish: Long. Smoke, old tyres, raisins, red grapes, peanut butter.
Comments:
Matured in a Cabernet Sauvignon cask. I've never had this distillery before, but this whisky is very interesting - sulphurous, slightly savoury, but heaped with sweet lovely goodness. Lovely stuff.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Tuesday, 16 July 2019
Rampur PX Sherry Cask
Rampur PX Sherry Cask
Official bottling
Single malt - Uttar Pradesh
Dark gold, tinge of pink
45% ABV
Dram
Nose: Dark chocolate, red grapes, dried mangoes, fresh cut grass, raisins, hints of coffee.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, slippery, loosens slightly, mouth coating.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Vanilla, dried mangoes, cocoa powder, honey, lychees, hints of coffee.
Finish: Medium. Coffee, fresh baked bread, raisins, dark chocolate.
Comments:
A little PX in your single malt goes a long way. Here the tropical fruit notes in the original Rampur Select have been deepened and mellowed into dark chocolate, coffee and red grapes, Absolutely delicious.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Official bottling
Single malt - Uttar Pradesh
Dark gold, tinge of pink
45% ABV
Dram
Nose: Dark chocolate, red grapes, dried mangoes, fresh cut grass, raisins, hints of coffee.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, slippery, loosens slightly, mouth coating.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Vanilla, dried mangoes, cocoa powder, honey, lychees, hints of coffee.
Finish: Medium. Coffee, fresh baked bread, raisins, dark chocolate.
Comments:
A little PX in your single malt goes a long way. Here the tropical fruit notes in the original Rampur Select have been deepened and mellowed into dark chocolate, coffee and red grapes, Absolutely delicious.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Friday, 12 July 2019
Clynelish 21yo 1993/2015
Clynelish 21yo 1993/2015
Rare Select, Montgomerie's
Single malt - North Highlands
Dark gold
46% ABV
Dram
Nose: Peaches, candle wax, honey, white grapes, hints of watermelon.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, slippery, static, warm.
Tasting: Sweet sour. Honey, candied lemons, magic marker, pears, fresh baked bread, hints of peach preserve.
Finish: Medium. Black tea, peach preserve, lemon zest, honey.
Comments:
Cask 7559. Good old waxy Clynelish. Here though, that wariness is rather prominent on the nose, but somehow changes to magic marker and acetone on the tongue. Rather delicious, but maybe not so classic.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Rare Select, Montgomerie's
Single malt - North Highlands
Dark gold
46% ABV
Dram
Nose: Peaches, candle wax, honey, white grapes, hints of watermelon.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, slippery, static, warm.
Tasting: Sweet sour. Honey, candied lemons, magic marker, pears, fresh baked bread, hints of peach preserve.
Finish: Medium. Black tea, peach preserve, lemon zest, honey.
Comments:
Cask 7559. Good old waxy Clynelish. Here though, that wariness is rather prominent on the nose, but somehow changes to magic marker and acetone on the tongue. Rather delicious, but maybe not so classic.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Hazelburn R Marsala HHD 9yo Cask Sample
Hazelburn R Marsala HHD 9yo Cask Sample
Official bottling
Single malt - Campbeltown
Dark gold
59.8% ABV
Dram
Nose: Red grapes, honey, sandalwood, raisins, sponge cake, hints of orange zest. With water, sandalwood, orange zest, hints of tobacco leaf.
Mouthfeel: Light body, loose, slippery, warm.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Sandalwood, honey, red grapes, jackfruit, pears, overripe peaches, hints of leather. With water, fresh baked bread, raisins, honey, lemon zest.
Finish: Short. Black tea, leather, overripe peaches, fresh baked bread, hints of pears.
Comments:
Bottled 2007? At least, that's how I read the label. It's an odd sort of cask sample, no branding, just a white label with plenty of detail (like which barrel it was in which warehouse). Anyhow, it's not your usual Campbeltown, the wine finish has deepened the usual industrial funkiness into sandalwood and tobacco. Heaps of ripe stone fruit too.
Verdict:
I like this.
Official bottling
Single malt - Campbeltown
Dark gold
59.8% ABV
Dram
Nose: Red grapes, honey, sandalwood, raisins, sponge cake, hints of orange zest. With water, sandalwood, orange zest, hints of tobacco leaf.
Mouthfeel: Light body, loose, slippery, warm.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Sandalwood, honey, red grapes, jackfruit, pears, overripe peaches, hints of leather. With water, fresh baked bread, raisins, honey, lemon zest.
Finish: Short. Black tea, leather, overripe peaches, fresh baked bread, hints of pears.
Comments:
Bottled 2007? At least, that's how I read the label. It's an odd sort of cask sample, no branding, just a white label with plenty of detail (like which barrel it was in which warehouse). Anyhow, it's not your usual Campbeltown, the wine finish has deepened the usual industrial funkiness into sandalwood and tobacco. Heaps of ripe stone fruit too.
Verdict:
I like this.
Blair Athol 21yo 1997/2018
Blair Athol 21yo 1997/2018
Cask Collection, AD Rattray
Single malt - Central Highlands
Rose gold
63% ABV
Dram
Nose: Fresh baked bread, roses, honey, vanilla, nectarines, hints of white grapes. With water, yeasty, bread, sponge cake, white grapes.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, slippery, tingly, loosens slightly.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Fresh baked bread, honey, roses, white grapes, gooseberries, hints of fresh cut grass. With water, black tea, vanilla, peaches, gooseberries, hints of raisins.
Finish: Medium. White grapes, honey, gooseberries, hints of nectarines.
Comments:
At the higher strength, this whisky bursts with fruit and floral notes. Once you add water however, it becomes more bitter, more cereally, and frankly, quite a lot more interesting. I really enjoyed the contrast, and honestly, at 63%, some water is required.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Cask Collection, AD Rattray
Single malt - Central Highlands
Rose gold
63% ABV
Dram
Nose: Fresh baked bread, roses, honey, vanilla, nectarines, hints of white grapes. With water, yeasty, bread, sponge cake, white grapes.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, slippery, tingly, loosens slightly.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Fresh baked bread, honey, roses, white grapes, gooseberries, hints of fresh cut grass. With water, black tea, vanilla, peaches, gooseberries, hints of raisins.
Finish: Medium. White grapes, honey, gooseberries, hints of nectarines.
Comments:
At the higher strength, this whisky bursts with fruit and floral notes. Once you add water however, it becomes more bitter, more cereally, and frankly, quite a lot more interesting. I really enjoyed the contrast, and honestly, at 63%, some water is required.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)