Mars Tsunuki 2022 Edition
Official bottling
Single malt - Kyushu
Golden, hints of bronze
50% ABV
Dram
Nose: Leather, raisins, sandalwood, roast chicken, dried apricots, green tea, sea salt, lemon zest. With water, roast chicken, vanilla, dried apricots.
Mouthfeel: Light body, loosens, cool, tingly.
Tasting: Sour sweet. Soy sauce, sandalwood, lemon zest, dried apricots, sultanas, hay, sea salt, malted grains, hints of gooseberries. With water, green tea, gooseberries, raisins, sandalwood, dark chocolate.
Finish: Short. Green tea, malted grains, candle wax, roast chicken, dark chocolate.
Comments:
My first dram from the other Mars distillery. It’s wonderful, lots of spice and floral notes, allows to a meaty chicken note. Lots of chocolate and more spice appear with a drop of water. Marvellous.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Wednesday, 22 November 2023
Benrinnes 8yo 2014/2022
Benrinnes 8yo 2014/2022
Old Particular, Douglas Laing
Single malt - Speyside
Amber brown
57.2% ABV
Dram
Nose: Malted grains, dark chocolate, cherries, raisins, nutmeg, cloves, marshmallows. With water, orange peel, cherries, magic marker, malted grains.
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, loosens, hot, mouth coating.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Dark chocolate, cloves, marshmallows, orange peel, oatcakes, kiwifruit, copra, vanilla. With water, orange peel, cherries, magic marker, marshmallows.
Finish: Long. Dark chocolate, cloves, copra, raisins.
Comments:
Cask DL16320. Sherried Benrinnes, lots of Christmassy spices and cereal. But it’s a little one note, there aren’t the number of layers to it, and it doesn’t change as much in the glass as the very best whiskies do.
Verdict:
I like this.
Old Particular, Douglas Laing
Single malt - Speyside
Amber brown
57.2% ABV
Dram
Nose: Malted grains, dark chocolate, cherries, raisins, nutmeg, cloves, marshmallows. With water, orange peel, cherries, magic marker, malted grains.
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, loosens, hot, mouth coating.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Dark chocolate, cloves, marshmallows, orange peel, oatcakes, kiwifruit, copra, vanilla. With water, orange peel, cherries, magic marker, marshmallows.
Finish: Long. Dark chocolate, cloves, copra, raisins.
Comments:
Cask DL16320. Sherried Benrinnes, lots of Christmassy spices and cereal. But it’s a little one note, there aren’t the number of layers to it, and it doesn’t change as much in the glass as the very best whiskies do.
Verdict:
I like this.
Tuesday, 21 November 2023
Aultmore 10yo 2011/2022
Aultmore 10yo 2011/2022
Bodega Series, Goldfinch Whisky Merchants
Bodega Series, Goldfinch Whisky Merchants
Single malt - Speyside
Golden, hints of pink
52% ABV
Dram
Nose: Peaches, raisins, malted grains, vanilla, strawberry jam, hints of watermelon. With water, vanilla, fresh baked bread, malted grains.
Mouthfeel: Light body, slippery, loosens, cool.
Tasting: Sour sweet. Malted grains, leather, fresh baked bread, maraschino cherries, oatcakes, salt caramel, hints of orange juice. With water, sea salt, fresh baked bread, yoghurt.
Finish: Medium. Oatcakes, salt caramel, black tea, orange juice.
Comments:
Fruity and malty, the character of the distillate is still evident despite the strong sherried influence. Plenty of cereal is still there, and with a touch of water there is even a lactic note. Unusual, and turns citrusy too.
Verdict:
I like this.
Golden, hints of pink
52% ABV
Dram
Nose: Peaches, raisins, malted grains, vanilla, strawberry jam, hints of watermelon. With water, vanilla, fresh baked bread, malted grains.
Mouthfeel: Light body, slippery, loosens, cool.
Tasting: Sour sweet. Malted grains, leather, fresh baked bread, maraschino cherries, oatcakes, salt caramel, hints of orange juice. With water, sea salt, fresh baked bread, yoghurt.
Finish: Medium. Oatcakes, salt caramel, black tea, orange juice.
Comments:
Fruity and malty, the character of the distillate is still evident despite the strong sherried influence. Plenty of cereal is still there, and with a touch of water there is even a lactic note. Unusual, and turns citrusy too.
Verdict:
I like this.
Dumbarton 21yo 2000/2022
Dumbarton 21yo 2000/2022
Stiubhart, Stewart Whisky Company
Single grain - Lowlands
Golden
55.5% ABV
Dram
Nose: Pear drops, oak chips, sourdough bread, salt caramel, shortbread, hints of milk chocolate. With water, magic marker, pear drops, oatcakes, vanilla.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, expands, tingly, astringent.
Tasting: Sweet sour. Pear drops, salt caramel, oatcakes, vanilla, rye bread, aluminium foil, hints of magic marker. With water, oatcakes, sea salt, magic marker, vanilla.
Finish: Short. Rye bread, magic marker, salt caramel, oatcakes.
Comments:
Cask 210090. Sweet and aromatic, lots of estery notes. Some cereal is present, with some feinty, slightly metallic undertones. The esters are strong throughout and provide some much needed intensity.
Verdict:
I like this.
Stiubhart, Stewart Whisky Company
Single grain - Lowlands
Golden
55.5% ABV
Dram
Nose: Pear drops, oak chips, sourdough bread, salt caramel, shortbread, hints of milk chocolate. With water, magic marker, pear drops, oatcakes, vanilla.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, expands, tingly, astringent.
Tasting: Sweet sour. Pear drops, salt caramel, oatcakes, vanilla, rye bread, aluminium foil, hints of magic marker. With water, oatcakes, sea salt, magic marker, vanilla.
Finish: Short. Rye bread, magic marker, salt caramel, oatcakes.
Comments:
Cask 210090. Sweet and aromatic, lots of estery notes. Some cereal is present, with some feinty, slightly metallic undertones. The esters are strong throughout and provide some much needed intensity.
Verdict:
I like this.
Glenallachie 12yo
Glenallachie 12yo
Official bottling
Single malt - Speyside
Amber copper
46% ABV
Dram
Nose: Cola nuts, cookie dough, cloves, raisins, orange peel, dark chocolate, hints of cardamom.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, loosens, hot, tingly.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Cookie dough, malted grains, raisins, tobacco leaf, nutmeg, hints of sawdust.
Finish: Medium. Sourdough bread, vanilla, nutmeg, malted grains.
Comments:
Simple but extremely well executed. Lots of sweet malty notes, spice and fruit - well sherried, in other words. Some more herbal notes appear on the palate, together with a tiny woody, dusty note. Highly enjoyable.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Official bottling
Single malt - Speyside
Amber copper
46% ABV
Dram
Nose: Cola nuts, cookie dough, cloves, raisins, orange peel, dark chocolate, hints of cardamom.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, loosens, hot, tingly.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Cookie dough, malted grains, raisins, tobacco leaf, nutmeg, hints of sawdust.
Finish: Medium. Sourdough bread, vanilla, nutmeg, malted grains.
Comments:
Simple but extremely well executed. Lots of sweet malty notes, spice and fruit - well sherried, in other words. Some more herbal notes appear on the palate, together with a tiny woody, dusty note. Highly enjoyable.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Sunday, 19 November 2023
Thomson Saison Cask (Whisky Exchange Exclusive)
Thomson Saison Cask (Whisky Exchange Exclusive)
Official bottling
Single malt - Auckland
Red gold
53.4% ABV
Dram
Nose: Roast chicken, raisins, red grapes, dried blueberries, leather, chillies, wet stones. With water, dark chocolate, cocoa nibs, raisins, white pepper.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, airy, hot, mouth coating.
Tasting: Sweet salty. Dark chocolate, red grapes, malted grains, foam shrimp, leather, dried blueberries. With water, dark chocolate, strawberry jam, white pepper, black tea.
Finish: Medium. Chillies, foam shrimp, menthol, dark chocolate.
Comments:
Sweet and meaty, with a little flintiness that enhances the sweet notes, especially the chocolate. It loses some intensity with water, turning fruity and a little bit spicy. Still, for its age, it’s quite interesting.
Verdict:
I like this.
Official bottling
Single malt - Auckland
Red gold
53.4% ABV
Dram
Nose: Roast chicken, raisins, red grapes, dried blueberries, leather, chillies, wet stones. With water, dark chocolate, cocoa nibs, raisins, white pepper.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, airy, hot, mouth coating.
Tasting: Sweet salty. Dark chocolate, red grapes, malted grains, foam shrimp, leather, dried blueberries. With water, dark chocolate, strawberry jam, white pepper, black tea.
Finish: Medium. Chillies, foam shrimp, menthol, dark chocolate.
Comments:
Sweet and meaty, with a little flintiness that enhances the sweet notes, especially the chocolate. It loses some intensity with water, turning fruity and a little bit spicy. Still, for its age, it’s quite interesting.
Verdict:
I like this.
Scapegrace Rise Limited Release I
Scapegrace Rise Limited Release I
Official bottling
Single malt - Otago
Amber gold
46% ABV
Dram
Nose: Leather, musk, vitamin C tablets, candied oranges, wet stones, kiwifruit, golden syrup.
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, cool, astringent, expands.
Tasting: Salty sweet. Brown paper, vitamin C tablets, wet stones, candied oranges, black pepper, rubber bands, hints of rye bread.
Finish: Long. Candied oranges, strawberry jam, black pepper, rubber bands.
Comments:
Quite minerally, even slightly chalky, with a big hit of sweet citrus. Interesting stuff, albeit a little bit unbalanced. It’s promising whisky, will keep an eye on this distillery.
Verdict:
I like this.
Official bottling
Single malt - Otago
Amber gold
46% ABV
Dram
Nose: Leather, musk, vitamin C tablets, candied oranges, wet stones, kiwifruit, golden syrup.
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, cool, astringent, expands.
Tasting: Salty sweet. Brown paper, vitamin C tablets, wet stones, candied oranges, black pepper, rubber bands, hints of rye bread.
Finish: Long. Candied oranges, strawberry jam, black pepper, rubber bands.
Comments:
Quite minerally, even slightly chalky, with a big hit of sweet citrus. Interesting stuff, albeit a little bit unbalanced. It’s promising whisky, will keep an eye on this distillery.
Verdict:
I like this.
Friday, 17 November 2023
SMWS B4.4 (FEW 5yo 2016/2020)
SMWS B4.4 (FEW 5yo 2016/2022)
2022, SMWS
Single bourbon - Illinois
Amber red
64.1% ABV
Dram
Nose: Honey, pear drops, vanilla, white pepper, brown paper. With water, honey, cherries, white pepper, cinnamon.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, warm, mouth coating, tingly.
Tasting: Sweet salty. Pear drops, cough syrup, cherries, fresh cut grass, brown paper, white pepper, honey, popcorn. With water, fresh cut grass, honey, cherries, popcorn.
Finish: Long. Cherries, cough syrup, fresh cut grass, raisins.
Comments:
Intense and sweet, lots of cough syrup like notes. It turns herbal and nutty with a bit of water. Another distillery I’ve not managed to sample in a while. Must search out more.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
2022, SMWS
Single bourbon - Illinois
Amber red
64.1% ABV
Dram
Nose: Honey, pear drops, vanilla, white pepper, brown paper. With water, honey, cherries, white pepper, cinnamon.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, warm, mouth coating, tingly.
Tasting: Sweet salty. Pear drops, cough syrup, cherries, fresh cut grass, brown paper, white pepper, honey, popcorn. With water, fresh cut grass, honey, cherries, popcorn.
Finish: Long. Cherries, cough syrup, fresh cut grass, raisins.
Comments:
Intense and sweet, lots of cough syrup like notes. It turns herbal and nutty with a bit of water. Another distillery I’ve not managed to sample in a while. Must search out more.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Westland Distillery Release Cask 2632
Westland Distillery Release Cask 2632
Official bottling
Single malt - Washington
Amber, hints of bronze
57% ABV
Dram
Nose: Yeast extract, mushrooms, black tea, cinder toffee, sea salt, cough mixture, hints of raspberry jam. With water, camphor, winter melon, black tea.
Mouthfeel: Light body, slippery, cool, tingly.
Tasting: Sweet salty. Raisins, raspberry jam, menthol, winter melon, black tea, cinder toffee, blackcurrant jam, hints of leather, hints of strawberry laces. With water, cinder toffee, black tea, blackcurrant jam, hints of mushrooms.
Finish: Long. Blackcurrant jam, strawberry laces, menthol, raisins.
Comments:
Savoury and slightly smoky, lots of fruit and menthol. It’s well layered and complex. I’ve always enjoyed Westlands, they’re among the best of the American single malts.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Official bottling
Single malt - Washington
Amber, hints of bronze
57% ABV
Dram
Nose: Yeast extract, mushrooms, black tea, cinder toffee, sea salt, cough mixture, hints of raspberry jam. With water, camphor, winter melon, black tea.
Mouthfeel: Light body, slippery, cool, tingly.
Tasting: Sweet salty. Raisins, raspberry jam, menthol, winter melon, black tea, cinder toffee, blackcurrant jam, hints of leather, hints of strawberry laces. With water, cinder toffee, black tea, blackcurrant jam, hints of mushrooms.
Finish: Long. Blackcurrant jam, strawberry laces, menthol, raisins.
Comments:
Savoury and slightly smoky, lots of fruit and menthol. It’s well layered and complex. I’ve always enjoyed Westlands, they’re among the best of the American single malts.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Balcones Pot Still Bourbon Whiskey
Balcones Pot Still Bourbon Whiskey
Official bottling
Single bourbon - Texas
Amber
46% ABV
Dram
Nose: Bananas, leather, honey, hay, sage, cloves, hints of camphor, hints of roast chicken.
Mouthfeel: Light body, cool, slightly astringent, expands.
Tasting: Salty sweet. Sage, hay, cloves, brown paper, nutmeg, mint, orange peel, hints of leather.
Finish: Short. Mint, sage, cloves, nutmeg, orange peel.
Comments:
Not tried a Balcones for a while. This one is herbal, rather than sweet and fruity. There’s something savoury here too, like roast chicken, but it’s a little elusive on the tongue. Nice dram.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Official bottling
Single bourbon - Texas
Amber
46% ABV
Dram
Nose: Bananas, leather, honey, hay, sage, cloves, hints of camphor, hints of roast chicken.
Mouthfeel: Light body, cool, slightly astringent, expands.
Tasting: Salty sweet. Sage, hay, cloves, brown paper, nutmeg, mint, orange peel, hints of leather.
Finish: Short. Mint, sage, cloves, nutmeg, orange peel.
Comments:
Not tried a Balcones for a while. This one is herbal, rather than sweet and fruity. There’s something savoury here too, like roast chicken, but it’s a little elusive on the tongue. Nice dram.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
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