Caol Ila 10yo 2010/2021 for the London Whisky Club
Thompson Brothers
Single malt - Islay
Straw
54.2% ABV
Bottle
Nose: Peat, leather, lemon sweets, apples, soy sauce, tar, oakum, wet stones. With water, tar, green apples, leather.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, warm, thickens slightly, slippery.
Tasting: Bitter. Lemon sweets, apples, peat, fresh baked bread, smoke, soy sauce, tar, oakum, brass polish, hints of grapefruit. With water, sweeter, sea salt, coffee, green apples.
Finish: Medium. Coffee, smoke, peat, leather, grapefruit.
Comments:
Normally I’m not that bothered about young Caol Ila, it’s not so interesting and can be quite samey. This one however is exceptional - impressive complexity, more tarry than you’d expect given its age, and has an underlying sweet sourness that is delicious. Very pleased with my club bottle.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Friday, 30 April 2021
Wednesday, 28 April 2021
Balblair 21yo 1997/2018 for La Maison du Whisky
Balblair 21yo 1997/2018 for La Maison du Whisky
Official bottling
Single malt - North Highlands
Dark gold
56.8% ABV
Dram
Nose: Kiwifruit, apricots, lemon zest, lime curd, calamansi, green tea. With water, honey, vanilla, lime curd, hints of coffee sheets.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, astringent, tingly, mouth coating.
Tasting: Sour. Apricots, calamansi, lemon zest, green tea, fresh baked bread, yuzu, nutmeg, hints of white pepper. With water, yuzu, lime curd, lemon zest, hints of fresh baked bread.
Finish: Medium. Lemon zest, calamansi, nutmeg, yuzu.
Comments:
Cask 1146. This is delightful. Lots of different citrusy flavours I don’t normally find in whisky, like calamansi lime and yuzu. There’s some spiciness that’s very enjoyable too. A cut above its sister cask (see previous tasting note).
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Official bottling
Single malt - North Highlands
Dark gold
56.8% ABV
Dram
Nose: Kiwifruit, apricots, lemon zest, lime curd, calamansi, green tea. With water, honey, vanilla, lime curd, hints of coffee sheets.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, astringent, tingly, mouth coating.
Tasting: Sour. Apricots, calamansi, lemon zest, green tea, fresh baked bread, yuzu, nutmeg, hints of white pepper. With water, yuzu, lime curd, lemon zest, hints of fresh baked bread.
Finish: Medium. Lemon zest, calamansi, nutmeg, yuzu.
Comments:
Cask 1146. This is delightful. Lots of different citrusy flavours I don’t normally find in whisky, like calamansi lime and yuzu. There’s some spiciness that’s very enjoyable too. A cut above its sister cask (see previous tasting note).
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Balblair 22yo 1997/2019 Highland Whisky Festival Exclusive
Balblair 22yo 1997/2019 Highland Whisky Festival Exclusive
Official bottling
Single malt - North Highlands
Bright gold
56.7% ABV
Dram
Nose: Malted grains, green tea, lemon zest, lemon curd, cotton sheets, kiwifruit, nectarines, hints of dried apples. With water, watermelons, white grapes, hints of fresh cut grass.
Mouthfeel: Light body, slippery, airy, expands.
Tasting: Sour sweet. Lemon zest, clotted cream, vanilla, nectarines, key limes, hints of sourdough bread. With water, cotton sheets, lime marmalade, lemon zest, hints of dried apples.
Finish: Short. Lemon juice, lemon zest, key limes, malted grains.
Comments:
Cask 1109. Highly fruity, with a herbal edge. It’s quite an intense spirit, lots of layers, lots of complexity. I really like definition though, and I had to work quite hard on this to discern the individual flavour notes. Very Balblair in that respect.
Verdict:
I like this.
Official bottling
Single malt - North Highlands
Bright gold
56.7% ABV
Dram
Nose: Malted grains, green tea, lemon zest, lemon curd, cotton sheets, kiwifruit, nectarines, hints of dried apples. With water, watermelons, white grapes, hints of fresh cut grass.
Mouthfeel: Light body, slippery, airy, expands.
Tasting: Sour sweet. Lemon zest, clotted cream, vanilla, nectarines, key limes, hints of sourdough bread. With water, cotton sheets, lime marmalade, lemon zest, hints of dried apples.
Finish: Short. Lemon juice, lemon zest, key limes, malted grains.
Comments:
Cask 1109. Highly fruity, with a herbal edge. It’s quite an intense spirit, lots of layers, lots of complexity. I really like definition though, and I had to work quite hard on this to discern the individual flavour notes. Very Balblair in that respect.
Verdict:
I like this.
Balblair 18yo
Balblair 18yo
Official bottling
Single malt - North Highlands
Amber
46% ABV
Dram
Nose: Bananas, malted grains, candied oranges, raisins, apricots, cream, dried apples.
Mouthfeel: Sweet. Malted grains, honey, cream, vanilla, raisins, orange peel, dried apples, hints of barley sugar.
Tasting: Sweet. Malted grains, honey, cream, vanilla, orange peel, dried apples, hints of barley sugar.
Finish: Long. Lemon juice, malted grains, raisins, dried apples.
Comments:
A very decent offering from Balblair. Lots of bright fruity notes, something characteristic of the distillery. It’s malty and slightly funky as well, a style I enjoy. Lastly, it’s at a decent strength too. Strong like from me.
Verdict:
I like this.
Official bottling
Single malt - North Highlands
Amber
46% ABV
Dram
Nose: Bananas, malted grains, candied oranges, raisins, apricots, cream, dried apples.
Mouthfeel: Sweet. Malted grains, honey, cream, vanilla, raisins, orange peel, dried apples, hints of barley sugar.
Tasting: Sweet. Malted grains, honey, cream, vanilla, orange peel, dried apples, hints of barley sugar.
Finish: Long. Lemon juice, malted grains, raisins, dried apples.
Comments:
A very decent offering from Balblair. Lots of bright fruity notes, something characteristic of the distillery. It’s malty and slightly funky as well, a style I enjoy. Lastly, it’s at a decent strength too. Strong like from me.
Verdict:
I like this.
Tuesday, 27 April 2021
SMWS 39.200 (Linkwood 13yo 2007/2020)
SMWS 39.200 (Linkwood 13yo 2007/2020)
2020, SMWS
Single malt - Speyside
Amber
59.3% ABV
Dram
Nose: Black tea, coffee, chocolate, raisins, walnuts, brown paper, fresh cut grass, hints of malted grains. With water, chocolate, rhubarb and custard sweets, honey.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, slippery, loosens, hot.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Chocolate, black tea, fresh baked bread, vanilla ice cream, dried apples, hints of cream. With water, honey, malted grains, chocolate, raisins.
Finish: Medium. Cream, vanilla ice cream, chocolate, raisins.
Comments:
Lots of chocolate and dried fruits, although I think this was matured in an ex bourbon barrel. The high ABV is a little off putting, so some water is essential. Quite tasty indeed.
Verdict:
I like this.
2020, SMWS
Single malt - Speyside
Amber
59.3% ABV
Dram
Nose: Black tea, coffee, chocolate, raisins, walnuts, brown paper, fresh cut grass, hints of malted grains. With water, chocolate, rhubarb and custard sweets, honey.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, slippery, loosens, hot.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Chocolate, black tea, fresh baked bread, vanilla ice cream, dried apples, hints of cream. With water, honey, malted grains, chocolate, raisins.
Finish: Medium. Cream, vanilla ice cream, chocolate, raisins.
Comments:
Lots of chocolate and dried fruits, although I think this was matured in an ex bourbon barrel. The high ABV is a little off putting, so some water is essential. Quite tasty indeed.
Verdict:
I like this.
Friday, 23 April 2021
Bowmore 25yo 1994/2019
Bowmore 25yo 1994/2019
Limited, Adelphi
Single malt - Islay
Amber, hints of red
54.2% ABV
Dram
Nose: Butterscotch, tobacco leaf, leather, pomeloes, peat, raisins, hints of smoke. With water, raisins, butter, caramel, orange juice.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, slippery, hot, tingly.
Tasting: Sweet sour. Tobacco leaf, raisins, peanuts, pear drops, butterscotch, leather, peat, hints of smoke. With water, butter, caramel, orange juice, hints of chocolate.
Finish: Medium. Smoke, peat, orange juice, caramel, butterscotch.
Comments:
Cask 554. An enjoyable old Bowmore, but one with gentle peat (even gentler than regular Bowmore). The fruity notes shine, alongside a hefty helping of butterscotch. It’s quite sweet, and works very well.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Limited, Adelphi
Single malt - Islay
Amber, hints of red
54.2% ABV
Dram
Nose: Butterscotch, tobacco leaf, leather, pomeloes, peat, raisins, hints of smoke. With water, raisins, butter, caramel, orange juice.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, slippery, hot, tingly.
Tasting: Sweet sour. Tobacco leaf, raisins, peanuts, pear drops, butterscotch, leather, peat, hints of smoke. With water, butter, caramel, orange juice, hints of chocolate.
Finish: Medium. Smoke, peat, orange juice, caramel, butterscotch.
Comments:
Cask 554. An enjoyable old Bowmore, but one with gentle peat (even gentler than regular Bowmore). The fruity notes shine, alongside a hefty helping of butterscotch. It’s quite sweet, and works very well.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Ardnamurchan 5yo 2015/2020 Maclean & Bruce bottling
Ardnamurchan 5yo 2015/2020 Maclean & Bruce bottling
Limited, Adelphi
Single malt - West Highlands
Dark amber red
59.3% ABV
Dram
Nose: Red grapes, orange peel, peat, honey, roast pork, raisins, sea salt, hints of smoke. With water, raisins, orange peel, watermelon rind.
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, hot, tingly, astringent.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Leather, peat, orange peel, raisins, peanuts, fresh baked bread. With water, peat, brown paper, peanuts, raisins, watermelon rind.
Finish: Long. Peanuts, peat, tarry rope, cinnamon.
Comments:
Cask 333 and 332. Not strictly an IB I suppose, but there’s a story behind that. Anyway, the liquid in the bottle is highly enjoyable, lots of leather and peat but also hugely sweet. Somehow the peat is really obvious and forward, compared to the previous Ardnamurchans I’ve had, but it’s delicious.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Limited, Adelphi
Single malt - West Highlands
Dark amber red
59.3% ABV
Dram
Nose: Red grapes, orange peel, peat, honey, roast pork, raisins, sea salt, hints of smoke. With water, raisins, orange peel, watermelon rind.
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, hot, tingly, astringent.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Leather, peat, orange peel, raisins, peanuts, fresh baked bread. With water, peat, brown paper, peanuts, raisins, watermelon rind.
Finish: Long. Peanuts, peat, tarry rope, cinnamon.
Comments:
Cask 333 and 332. Not strictly an IB I suppose, but there’s a story behind that. Anyway, the liquid in the bottle is highly enjoyable, lots of leather and peat but also hugely sweet. Somehow the peat is really obvious and forward, compared to the previous Ardnamurchans I’ve had, but it’s delicious.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
KilchArd Blended Malt
KilchArd Blended Malt
Kilchoman / Ardnamurchan
Vatted malt
Dark gold
50% ABV
Dram
Nose: Peat, leather, sugared almonds, red grapes, sea salt, oolong tea, honey, smoke.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, tingly, astringent, warm.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Sugared almonds, smoke, honey, peat, sea salt, dates, fresh baked bread, hints of goji berries.
Finish: Medium. Sea salt, dates, orange peel, goji berries.
Comments:
A blend of bourbon barrel Kilchoman and PX hoggy Ardnamurchan. It’s slightly off the wall but very good indeed, the smoky saline dried fruit notes of Kilchoman work with the citrus honey of Ardnamurchan. A very highly rated whisky for me.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Kilchoman / Ardnamurchan
Vatted malt
Dark gold
50% ABV
Dram
Nose: Peat, leather, sugared almonds, red grapes, sea salt, oolong tea, honey, smoke.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, tingly, astringent, warm.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Sugared almonds, smoke, honey, peat, sea salt, dates, fresh baked bread, hints of goji berries.
Finish: Medium. Sea salt, dates, orange peel, goji berries.
Comments:
A blend of bourbon barrel Kilchoman and PX hoggy Ardnamurchan. It’s slightly off the wall but very good indeed, the smoky saline dried fruit notes of Kilchoman work with the citrus honey of Ardnamurchan. A very highly rated whisky for me.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Mortlach 34yo 1986/2020
Mortlach 34yo 1986/2020
Limited, Adelphi
Single malt - Speyside
Amber
54.2% ABV
Dram
Nose: Malted grains, orange peel, honeycomb, vanilla, watermelon rind, hints of apricots. With water, raisins, mead, hints of oolong tea.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, tingly, astringent, expands.
Tasting: Sweet salty. Malted grains, orange peel, honeycomb, apricots, vanilla ice cream, fresh cut grass, green tea, bitter lemon. With water, sweeter, oolong tea, raisins, pomegranates.
Finish: Long. Green tea, malted grains, vanilla, orange peel.
Comments:
Cask 2035. This is pretty good, perhaps exceptional. It’s not your average meaty Mortlach, instead it’s delicate and fruity, herbaceous and tannic. Definitely new to me. I particularly enjoyed that long, malty finish.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Limited, Adelphi
Single malt - Speyside
Amber
54.2% ABV
Dram
Nose: Malted grains, orange peel, honeycomb, vanilla, watermelon rind, hints of apricots. With water, raisins, mead, hints of oolong tea.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, tingly, astringent, expands.
Tasting: Sweet salty. Malted grains, orange peel, honeycomb, apricots, vanilla ice cream, fresh cut grass, green tea, bitter lemon. With water, sweeter, oolong tea, raisins, pomegranates.
Finish: Long. Green tea, malted grains, vanilla, orange peel.
Comments:
Cask 2035. This is pretty good, perhaps exceptional. It’s not your average meaty Mortlach, instead it’s delicate and fruity, herbaceous and tannic. Definitely new to me. I particularly enjoyed that long, malty finish.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Wednesday, 21 April 2021
Copperworks American Single Malt Whiskey Release 020
Copperworks American Single Malt Whiskey Release 020
Official bottling
Single malt - Washington
Amber
50% ABV
Dram
Nose: Bananas, orange peel, membrillo, desiccated coconut, vanilla, hints of cocoa powder.
Mouthfeel: Light body, loosens, tingly, airy.
Tasting: Sweet. Desiccated coconut, vanilla, tutti frutti, honey, bananas, blackcurrants, brown paper, cocoa powder.
Finish: Short. Brown paper, desiccated coconut, orange peel, bananas, hints of tamarind.
Comments:
Young and spirity stuff. I don’t think this is even 3 years old. But there’s some decent complexity there which is promising. I hope they age these a little bit more, those fruity notes are quite enjoyable.
Verdict:
I like this.
Official bottling
Single malt - Washington
Amber
50% ABV
Dram
Nose: Bananas, orange peel, membrillo, desiccated coconut, vanilla, hints of cocoa powder.
Mouthfeel: Light body, loosens, tingly, airy.
Tasting: Sweet. Desiccated coconut, vanilla, tutti frutti, honey, bananas, blackcurrants, brown paper, cocoa powder.
Finish: Short. Brown paper, desiccated coconut, orange peel, bananas, hints of tamarind.
Comments:
Young and spirity stuff. I don’t think this is even 3 years old. But there’s some decent complexity there which is promising. I hope they age these a little bit more, those fruity notes are quite enjoyable.
Verdict:
I like this.
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