Aberfeldy 17yo 2005/2022
Rare Find Whisky, Gleann Mor Spirits
Single malt - Central Highlands
Yellow gold
53.2% ABV
Dram
Nose: Lemon sweets, white pepper, orange peel, pears, vanilla custard, toast, butter. With water, pears, butter, vanilla custard.
Mouthfeel: Light body, loosens, cool, tingly.
Tasting: Sweet sour. Pineapples, pears, toast, nutmeg, milk chocolate, vanilla custard, kiwifruit, butter. With water, vanilla custard, milk chocolate, pears.
Finish: Long. White pepper, milk chocolate, vanilla custard, nutmeg, pears.
Comments:
Cask 213. This Aberfeldy tastes of poached pears, redolent of spices, and perhaps a little white wine. It’s also buttery and a little chocolatey, almost a dessert wine in itself. Lovely stuff.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Friday, 31 March 2023
Mars Komagatake Shinshu Aging 2021 Edition
Mars Komagatake Shinshu Aging 2021 Edition
Official bottling
Single malt - East Honshu
Dark gold
48% ABV
Dram
Nose: Roses, raspberries, vanilla, plums, strawberries, artificial grape flavour, hints of malted grains.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, oily, tingly, hot.
Tasting: Sour sweet. Strawberries, artificial grape flavour, raspberries, fresh baked bread, cinnamon, cloves, toast.
Finish: Medium. Coffee, toast, dark chocolate, fresh baked bread.
Comments:
Very floral, slightly odd whisky. There’s fruit and spice, but it’s also a cheap grape soda drink. There’s a nice oily mouthfeel as well, and it all builds towards a bitter, cereally finish.
Verdict:
I like this.
Official bottling
Single malt - East Honshu
Dark gold
48% ABV
Dram
Nose: Roses, raspberries, vanilla, plums, strawberries, artificial grape flavour, hints of malted grains.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, oily, tingly, hot.
Tasting: Sour sweet. Strawberries, artificial grape flavour, raspberries, fresh baked bread, cinnamon, cloves, toast.
Finish: Medium. Coffee, toast, dark chocolate, fresh baked bread.
Comments:
Very floral, slightly odd whisky. There’s fruit and spice, but it’s also a cheap grape soda drink. There’s a nice oily mouthfeel as well, and it all builds towards a bitter, cereally finish.
Verdict:
I like this.
Thursday, 30 March 2023
Imperial 27yo 1989/2017
Imperial 27yo 1989/2017
Celebration of the Cask, Carn Mor
Single malt - Speyside
Green gold
43.9% ABV
Dram
Nose: Honeydew melons, white grapes, green apples, cinnamon, nutmeg, kiwifruit, hints of leather.
Mouthfeel: Light body, warm, tingly, static.
Tasting: Sweet salty. Chocolate, kiwifruit, honeydew melons, malted grains, lime juice, hints of leather.
Finish: Medium. Green apples, lime juice, kiwifruit, malted grains, hints of leather.
Comments:
Cask 2892. Lots of melon notes, and some green apples. Spicy too, with a gentle, slightly bitter chocolatey note on the tongue. Whispers of leather remind me how old this whisky is.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Celebration of the Cask, Carn Mor
Single malt - Speyside
Green gold
43.9% ABV
Dram
Nose: Honeydew melons, white grapes, green apples, cinnamon, nutmeg, kiwifruit, hints of leather.
Mouthfeel: Light body, warm, tingly, static.
Tasting: Sweet salty. Chocolate, kiwifruit, honeydew melons, malted grains, lime juice, hints of leather.
Finish: Medium. Green apples, lime juice, kiwifruit, malted grains, hints of leather.
Comments:
Cask 2892. Lots of melon notes, and some green apples. Spicy too, with a gentle, slightly bitter chocolatey note on the tongue. Whispers of leather remind me how old this whisky is.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Wednesday, 29 March 2023
Dumbarton 20yo
Dumbarton 20yo
Dram Mor
Single grain - Lowlands
Yellow
52% ABV
Dram
Nose: Lemon zest, vanilla ice cream, sourdough bread, golden syrup, malted grains, hints of leather. With water, golden syrup, lemon zest, sourdough bread.
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, tingly, mouth coating, oily.
Tasting: Sweet salty. Salt caramel, vanilla ice cream, golden syrup, malted grains, dark chocolate, apple juice. With water, salt caramel, malted grains, golden syrup, sourdough bread.
Finish: Medium. Dark chocolate, sourdough bread, golden syrup, white pepper.
Comments:
Cask 211894. Quite sweet savoury, with plenty of salt caramel and golden syrup. Big cereal notes on the tongue, which fade to a bitter spicy finish. Decent grain whisky.
Verdict:
I like this.
Dram Mor
Single grain - Lowlands
Yellow
52% ABV
Dram
Nose: Lemon zest, vanilla ice cream, sourdough bread, golden syrup, malted grains, hints of leather. With water, golden syrup, lemon zest, sourdough bread.
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, tingly, mouth coating, oily.
Tasting: Sweet salty. Salt caramel, vanilla ice cream, golden syrup, malted grains, dark chocolate, apple juice. With water, salt caramel, malted grains, golden syrup, sourdough bread.
Finish: Medium. Dark chocolate, sourdough bread, golden syrup, white pepper.
Comments:
Cask 211894. Quite sweet savoury, with plenty of salt caramel and golden syrup. Big cereal notes on the tongue, which fade to a bitter spicy finish. Decent grain whisky.
Verdict:
I like this.
Tuesday, 28 March 2023
Copper Republic Bourbon Cask Finish
Copper Republic Bourbon Cask Finish
Official bottling
Single grain - KwaZulu Natal
Dark gold, hints of orange
43% ABV
Dram
Nose: Sandalwood, vanilla, watermelons, brass polish, sea salt, white pepper, hints of lime juice.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, thickens, warm, tingly.
Tasting: Sweet sour. Vanilla, honey, fresh baked bread, lime juice, brass polish, gingerbread, white pepper.
Finish: Short. Fresh baked bread, lime juice, white pepper, honey.
Comments:
Bright and flavourful grain whisky from South Africa. Some of the layers don’t quite complement each other, but the lime juice and cereal notes are pleasant enough. Interesting stuff.
Verdict:
I like this.
Official bottling
Single grain - KwaZulu Natal
Dark gold, hints of orange
43% ABV
Dram
Nose: Sandalwood, vanilla, watermelons, brass polish, sea salt, white pepper, hints of lime juice.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, thickens, warm, tingly.
Tasting: Sweet sour. Vanilla, honey, fresh baked bread, lime juice, brass polish, gingerbread, white pepper.
Finish: Short. Fresh baked bread, lime juice, white pepper, honey.
Comments:
Bright and flavourful grain whisky from South Africa. Some of the layers don’t quite complement each other, but the lime juice and cereal notes are pleasant enough. Interesting stuff.
Verdict:
I like this.
Monday, 27 March 2023
Mars Komagatake Single Cask 6yo 2015/2021
Mars Komagatake Single Cask 6yo 2015/2021
Official bottling
Single malt - East Honshu
Bright gold
63% ABV
Dram
Nose: Jasmine, white grapes, lemon sweets, toast, green apples, apricot jam. With water, malted grains, toast, green apples, apricot jam.
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, hot, oily, tingly.
Tasting: Sour sweet. Jasmine, lemon sweets, white pepper, apricot jam, kiwifruit, green apples, malted grains. With water, toast, vanilla, green apples, apricot jam.
Finish: Long. Walnut skins, white pepper, apricot jam, jasmine, nutmeg.
Comments:
Cask 3225. Floral and jammy, with complex layers of cereal and toast leading to a long bitter finish. Excellent whisky that does not show its high ABV at all, it’s quite drinkable neat. Amazing dram.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Official bottling
Single malt - East Honshu
Bright gold
63% ABV
Dram
Nose: Jasmine, white grapes, lemon sweets, toast, green apples, apricot jam. With water, malted grains, toast, green apples, apricot jam.
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, hot, oily, tingly.
Tasting: Sour sweet. Jasmine, lemon sweets, white pepper, apricot jam, kiwifruit, green apples, malted grains. With water, toast, vanilla, green apples, apricot jam.
Finish: Long. Walnut skins, white pepper, apricot jam, jasmine, nutmeg.
Comments:
Cask 3225. Floral and jammy, with complex layers of cereal and toast leading to a long bitter finish. Excellent whisky that does not show its high ABV at all, it’s quite drinkable neat. Amazing dram.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Saturday, 25 March 2023
Gold Cock Peated Malt
Gold Cock Peated Malt
Official bottling
Single malt - Zlin
Amber brown
49.2% ABV
Dram
Nose: Mint, leather, smoked bacon, peat, fresh baked bread, hoppy beer.
Mouthfeel: Light body, astringent, mouth coating, expands.
Tasting: Sour bitter. Mint, lemon, anise, leather, peat, fresh baked bread, orange peel, hints of smoked bacon.
Finish: Medium. Leather, smoked bacon, dark chocolate, peat.
Comments:
Nice interesting malt from the Czech Republic. It’s sweet and aniseedy, with notes of leather and smoked bacon. Very interesting and distinctive whisky.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Official bottling
Single malt - Zlin
Amber brown
49.2% ABV
Dram
Nose: Mint, leather, smoked bacon, peat, fresh baked bread, hoppy beer.
Mouthfeel: Light body, astringent, mouth coating, expands.
Tasting: Sour bitter. Mint, lemon, anise, leather, peat, fresh baked bread, orange peel, hints of smoked bacon.
Finish: Medium. Leather, smoked bacon, dark chocolate, peat.
Comments:
Nice interesting malt from the Czech Republic. It’s sweet and aniseedy, with notes of leather and smoked bacon. Very interesting and distinctive whisky.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Friday, 24 March 2023
Filey Bay Moscatel Finish Batch #3
Filey Bay Moscatel Finish Batch #3
Official bottling
Single malt - Yorkshire
Amber, hints of pink
46% ABV
Dram
Nose: Fresh baked bread, marzipan, strawberry jam, cinnamon, cloves, hints of orange peel.
Mouthfeel: Light body, cool, tingly, airy.
Tasting: Sweet sour. Malted grains, brass polish, orange peel, black tea, dark chocolate, hints of marzipan.
Finish: Medium. Malted grains, strawberry jam, dark chocolate, cinnamon.
Comments:
Quite straightforward sherried whisky. Chocolatey and orangey, with some marzipan. Enjoyable young dram, from a rather promising distillery.
Verdict:
I like this.
Official bottling
Single malt - Yorkshire
Amber, hints of pink
46% ABV
Dram
Nose: Fresh baked bread, marzipan, strawberry jam, cinnamon, cloves, hints of orange peel.
Mouthfeel: Light body, cool, tingly, airy.
Tasting: Sweet sour. Malted grains, brass polish, orange peel, black tea, dark chocolate, hints of marzipan.
Finish: Medium. Malted grains, strawberry jam, dark chocolate, cinnamon.
Comments:
Quite straightforward sherried whisky. Chocolatey and orangey, with some marzipan. Enjoyable young dram, from a rather promising distillery.
Verdict:
I like this.
Linkwood 12yo 2010/2022
Linkwood 12yo 2010/2022
Fragrant Drops, Marble Cask Co
Single malt - Speyside
Pink
58% ABV
Dram
Nose: Raspberries, vanilla, apple juice, strawberries, cinnamon, malted grains. With water, strawberries, apple juice, honey.
Mouthfeel: Light body, loosens, hot, tingly.
Tasting: Sweet sour. Strawberries, malted grains, honey, white pepper, peach preserves, cinnamon, hints of fresh baked bread. With water, cinnamon, apple juice, peach preserves, honey.
Finish: Medium. Coffee, strawberries, peach preserves, fresh baked bread.
Comments:
Tokaji cask finish. It’s very sweet and fruity, lots of cinnamon spice. This was very highly rated by others, and I think it’s rather good, if very cask influenced. I’d like to see more from this bottler.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Fragrant Drops, Marble Cask Co
Single malt - Speyside
Pink
58% ABV
Dram
Nose: Raspberries, vanilla, apple juice, strawberries, cinnamon, malted grains. With water, strawberries, apple juice, honey.
Mouthfeel: Light body, loosens, hot, tingly.
Tasting: Sweet sour. Strawberries, malted grains, honey, white pepper, peach preserves, cinnamon, hints of fresh baked bread. With water, cinnamon, apple juice, peach preserves, honey.
Finish: Medium. Coffee, strawberries, peach preserves, fresh baked bread.
Comments:
Tokaji cask finish. It’s very sweet and fruity, lots of cinnamon spice. This was very highly rated by others, and I think it’s rather good, if very cask influenced. I’d like to see more from this bottler.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Wednesday, 22 March 2023
Ben Holladay 6yo 2016/2022 Missouri Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Ben Holladay 6yo 2016/2022 Missouri Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Official bottling
Single bourbon - Missouri
Amber copper
50% ABV
Dram
Nose: Raisins, brown paper, black tea, coffee, allspice, orange peel.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, loosens, cool, tingly.
Tasting: Sweet. Black tea, cinnamon, cloves, coffee, raisins, allspice, hints of black pepper.
Finish: Medium. Brown paper, orange peel, black tea, hints of cinnamon.
Comments:
Only ever had one bourbon from Missouri before, and it didn’t stand out. This is slightly different, quite spicy, not too sweet. It’s a higher ABV, so carries a bit more complexity. A decent dram.
Verdict:
I like this.
Official bottling
Single bourbon - Missouri
Amber copper
50% ABV
Dram
Nose: Raisins, brown paper, black tea, coffee, allspice, orange peel.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, loosens, cool, tingly.
Tasting: Sweet. Black tea, cinnamon, cloves, coffee, raisins, allspice, hints of black pepper.
Finish: Medium. Brown paper, orange peel, black tea, hints of cinnamon.
Comments:
Only ever had one bourbon from Missouri before, and it didn’t stand out. This is slightly different, quite spicy, not too sweet. It’s a higher ABV, so carries a bit more complexity. A decent dram.
Verdict:
I like this.
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