Inchgower 23yo 1997/2020
Vintage, Signatory
Single malt - Speyside
Dark gold, hints of green
59.5% ABV
Dram
Nose: Pistachios, almonds, salted caramel, strawberry laces, beef broth, rhubarb and custard sweets. With water, pear drops, beef broth, almonds, salted caramel.
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, syrupy, oily, hot.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. White grapes, strawberry laces, rhubarb and custard sweets, pistachios, malted grains, black tea, vanilla, acacia honey. With water, malted grains, pear drops, beef broth, pistachios, almonds.
Finish: Long. Acacia honey, vanilla, white grapes, pistachios, rhubarb and custard sweets.
Comments:
Quite sweet and complex, with a wonderful oily mouthfeel. There’s enough complexity such that it’s very drinkable neat, but water opens it up to reveal a meaty nuttiness alongside the sweet fruity notes. Very good indeed.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Sunday, 10 July 2022
Saturday, 9 July 2022
Millburn 18yo 1983/2001
Millburn 18yo 1983/2001
Vintage, Signatory
Single malt - Speyside
Golden, hints of copper
46% ABV
Dram
Nose: Mushrooms, leather, autumn leaves, butterscotch, lemon sweets, vanilla ice cream, hints of roast pork.
Mouthfeel: Light body, cool, loosens, airy.
Tasting: Sweet. Mushrooms, roast pork, sea salt, vanilla ice cream, autumn leaves, strawberry laces, maple syrup, oolong tea, hay.
Finish: Short. Leather, hay, autumn leaves, maple syrup, hints of vanilla ice cream.
Comments:
Rather odd - it starts of earthy and a little savoury, then fades into sweets and vanilla ice cream, then the savouriness returns. There’s also a dry grassiness, like new hay. Very pleasant whisky.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Vintage, Signatory
Single malt - Speyside
Golden, hints of copper
46% ABV
Dram
Nose: Mushrooms, leather, autumn leaves, butterscotch, lemon sweets, vanilla ice cream, hints of roast pork.
Mouthfeel: Light body, cool, loosens, airy.
Tasting: Sweet. Mushrooms, roast pork, sea salt, vanilla ice cream, autumn leaves, strawberry laces, maple syrup, oolong tea, hay.
Finish: Short. Leather, hay, autumn leaves, maple syrup, hints of vanilla ice cream.
Comments:
Rather odd - it starts of earthy and a little savoury, then fades into sweets and vanilla ice cream, then the savouriness returns. There’s also a dry grassiness, like new hay. Very pleasant whisky.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
SMWS 25.125 (Clynelish 25yo 1993/2018)
SMWS 25.125 (Clynelish 25yo 1993/2018)
2018, SMWS
Single malt - North Highlands
Pale gold
47.7% ABV
Dram
Nose: Cucumbers, custard apples, nutmeg, cinnamon, vanilla, honey, candle wax, lemon sweets.
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, loosens slightly, astringent, tingly.
Tasting: Sweet sour. Candle wax, petrol exhaust, lemon sweets, nutmeg, rubber bands, honey, white grapes, hints of jasmine, hints of smoke.
Finish: Medium. Lemon sweets, rubber bands, vanilla, honey, smoke.
Comments:
Rather decent Clynelish, this. It’s somewhat unusual, there’s a fair bit of smoke, as well as a savoury edge. It’s got the typical waxy lemon sweets though, as well as floral jasmine. Very nice.
Verdict:
I like this.
2018, SMWS
Single malt - North Highlands
Pale gold
47.7% ABV
Dram
Nose: Cucumbers, custard apples, nutmeg, cinnamon, vanilla, honey, candle wax, lemon sweets.
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, loosens slightly, astringent, tingly.
Tasting: Sweet sour. Candle wax, petrol exhaust, lemon sweets, nutmeg, rubber bands, honey, white grapes, hints of jasmine, hints of smoke.
Finish: Medium. Lemon sweets, rubber bands, vanilla, honey, smoke.
Comments:
Rather decent Clynelish, this. It’s somewhat unusual, there’s a fair bit of smoke, as well as a savoury edge. It’s got the typical waxy lemon sweets though, as well as floral jasmine. Very nice.
Verdict:
I like this.
Imperial 24yo 1995/2020
Imperial 24yo 1995/2020
Single Malts of Scotland, Elixir Distillers
Single malt - Speyside
Pale straw
51.7% ABV
Dram
Nose: Barley sugar, malted grains, bananas, white grapes, white chocolate, green tea, hints of blueberries. With water, white grapes, green tea, white chocolate, hints of rubber bands.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, tingly, warm, loosens slightly.
Tasting: Sweet sour. Brass polish, green tea, candle wax, blueberries, malted grains, lemon zest, white grapes. With water, candle wax, malted grains, white grapes, brass polish.
Finish: Medium. White grapes, green peppers, brass polish, malted grains, hints of barley sugar.
Comments:
Cask 7854. Lovely and sweet, this Imperial is atypically waxy, and full of cereal notes. There’s some grit of course, but also a fair bit of (pleasant) sulphur. Highly enjoyable and delicious.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Single Malts of Scotland, Elixir Distillers
Single malt - Speyside
Pale straw
51.7% ABV
Dram
Nose: Barley sugar, malted grains, bananas, white grapes, white chocolate, green tea, hints of blueberries. With water, white grapes, green tea, white chocolate, hints of rubber bands.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, tingly, warm, loosens slightly.
Tasting: Sweet sour. Brass polish, green tea, candle wax, blueberries, malted grains, lemon zest, white grapes. With water, candle wax, malted grains, white grapes, brass polish.
Finish: Medium. White grapes, green peppers, brass polish, malted grains, hints of barley sugar.
Comments:
Cask 7854. Lovely and sweet, this Imperial is atypically waxy, and full of cereal notes. There’s some grit of course, but also a fair bit of (pleasant) sulphur. Highly enjoyable and delicious.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Friday, 8 July 2022
Miltonduff 23yo 1995/2019
Miltonduff 23yo 1995/2019
Connoisseur’s Choice, Gordon & Macphail
Single malt - Speyside
Straw
56.9% ABV
Dram
Nose: Malted grains, watermelons, fresh cut grass, lemon sweets, white grapes, hints of matches. With water, pear drops, white grapes, pencil erasers, leather, hints of watermelons.
Mouthfeel: Light body, loosens, turns watery around the edges, cool.
Tasting: Sour salty. Malted grains, matches, white grapes, fresh cut grass, lemon zest, lemon sweets, hints of pencil erasers. With water, sandalwood, fresh cut grass, pencil erasers, lemon zest, leather.
Finish: Medium. Lemon sweets, lemon zest, fresh cut grass, green tea, hints of pencil erasers.
Comments:
I find this whisky to be a good illustration of ‘good’ sulphur. It’s not to strong, ranging from erasers to match heads, providing a sharp counterpoint to lemon sweets and floral grassiness.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Connoisseur’s Choice, Gordon & Macphail
Single malt - Speyside
Straw
56.9% ABV
Dram
Nose: Malted grains, watermelons, fresh cut grass, lemon sweets, white grapes, hints of matches. With water, pear drops, white grapes, pencil erasers, leather, hints of watermelons.
Mouthfeel: Light body, loosens, turns watery around the edges, cool.
Tasting: Sour salty. Malted grains, matches, white grapes, fresh cut grass, lemon zest, lemon sweets, hints of pencil erasers. With water, sandalwood, fresh cut grass, pencil erasers, lemon zest, leather.
Finish: Medium. Lemon sweets, lemon zest, fresh cut grass, green tea, hints of pencil erasers.
Comments:
I find this whisky to be a good illustration of ‘good’ sulphur. It’s not to strong, ranging from erasers to match heads, providing a sharp counterpoint to lemon sweets and floral grassiness.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Tamdhu 25yo 1989/2015
Tamdhu 25yo 1989/2015
Authentic Collection, WM Cadenhead
Single malt - Speyside
Green gold
53.3% ABV
Dram
Nose: Candle wax, lemon zest, lemon sweets, brass polish, white grapes, honey, hints of wet stones. With water, honey, lemon sweets, wet stones, photocopy paper.
Mouthfeel: Light body, loosens, airy, mouth coating.
Tasting: Sweet sour. Stale beer, gas, lemon sweets, sandalwood, brass polish, white grapes, honey, fresh baked bread. With water, lemon sweets, sandalwood, wet stones, photocopy paper.
Finish: Long. Wet stones, brass polish, honey, lemon sweets.
Comments:
Malty and sweet, brightly and intensely flavoured despite its age, this whisky is joyful to drink. Very tasty with notes of white grapes, honey and spice. Some feinty notes appear with water.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Authentic Collection, WM Cadenhead
Single malt - Speyside
Green gold
53.3% ABV
Dram
Nose: Candle wax, lemon zest, lemon sweets, brass polish, white grapes, honey, hints of wet stones. With water, honey, lemon sweets, wet stones, photocopy paper.
Mouthfeel: Light body, loosens, airy, mouth coating.
Tasting: Sweet sour. Stale beer, gas, lemon sweets, sandalwood, brass polish, white grapes, honey, fresh baked bread. With water, lemon sweets, sandalwood, wet stones, photocopy paper.
Finish: Long. Wet stones, brass polish, honey, lemon sweets.
Comments:
Malty and sweet, brightly and intensely flavoured despite its age, this whisky is joyful to drink. Very tasty with notes of white grapes, honey and spice. Some feinty notes appear with water.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Limeburners Port Cask (Barrel M308)
Limeburners Port Cask (Barrel M308)
Official bottling
Single malt - Western Australia
Dark gold, hints of pink
61% ABV
Dram
Nose: Peppermint, raisins, strawberries, quince jelly, stale beer, rhubarb and custard sweets. With water, raisins, gas, manuka honey.
Mouthfeel: Light body, airy, warm, tingly.
Tasting: Sweet sour. Raisins, strawberry laces, quince jelly, stale beer, greengages, white grapes, wet stones, rhubarb and custard sweets. With water, quince jelly, manuka honey, raisins, gas.
Finish: Long. Wet stones, greengages, strawberry laces, quince jelly, hints of rhubarb and custard sweets.
Comments:
Lovely and sweet whisky, as port cask finishes tend to be. A flinty, minerally note is present throughout, and slightly sulphurous notes appear once water is added. This is not unpleasant, adding interest instead. Nice whisky.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Official bottling
Single malt - Western Australia
Dark gold, hints of pink
61% ABV
Dram
Nose: Peppermint, raisins, strawberries, quince jelly, stale beer, rhubarb and custard sweets. With water, raisins, gas, manuka honey.
Mouthfeel: Light body, airy, warm, tingly.
Tasting: Sweet sour. Raisins, strawberry laces, quince jelly, stale beer, greengages, white grapes, wet stones, rhubarb and custard sweets. With water, quince jelly, manuka honey, raisins, gas.
Finish: Long. Wet stones, greengages, strawberry laces, quince jelly, hints of rhubarb and custard sweets.
Comments:
Lovely and sweet whisky, as port cask finishes tend to be. A flinty, minerally note is present throughout, and slightly sulphurous notes appear once water is added. This is not unpleasant, adding interest instead. Nice whisky.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Monday, 4 July 2022
Glenfarclas 15yo 100 Proof
Glenfarclas 15yo 100 Proof
Official bottling
Single malt - Speyside
Dusty gold
57.1% ABV
Dram
Nose: Lemon zest, dark chocolate, raisins, toffee, kiwifruit, pear drops, hints of pineapples. With water, white pepper, pear drops, photocopy paper.
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, thickens, hot, astringent.
Tasting: Sweet sour. Lemon zest, barley sugar, pear drops, dark chocolate, raisins, cocoa nibs, white pepper, hints of pineapples. With water, photocopy paper, cotton sheets, white pepper, pear drops, hints of pineapples.
Finish: Long. White pepper, dark chocolate, cocoa nibs, toffee, lemon zest.
Comments:
A rather fruity Glenfarclas, plenty of tropical fruit and chocolate. With water, some feinty, even slightly sulphurous notes appear, but it keeps its spiciness and chocolatiness. Rather pleasant.
Verdict:
I like this.
Official bottling
Single malt - Speyside
Dusty gold
57.1% ABV
Dram
Nose: Lemon zest, dark chocolate, raisins, toffee, kiwifruit, pear drops, hints of pineapples. With water, white pepper, pear drops, photocopy paper.
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, thickens, hot, astringent.
Tasting: Sweet sour. Lemon zest, barley sugar, pear drops, dark chocolate, raisins, cocoa nibs, white pepper, hints of pineapples. With water, photocopy paper, cotton sheets, white pepper, pear drops, hints of pineapples.
Finish: Long. White pepper, dark chocolate, cocoa nibs, toffee, lemon zest.
Comments:
A rather fruity Glenfarclas, plenty of tropical fruit and chocolate. With water, some feinty, even slightly sulphurous notes appear, but it keeps its spiciness and chocolatiness. Rather pleasant.
Verdict:
I like this.
Sunday, 3 July 2022
Glen Moray 10yo 2009/2020
Glen Moray 10yo 2009/2020
Selection, Adelphi
Single malt - Speyside
Gold, hints of pink
59.4% ABV
Dram
Nose: Marzipan, cola nuts, orange peel, vanilla, honey, fresh baked bread, hints of stale beer. With water, sweeter, candy floss, bubble gum, vanilla, hints of honey.
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, mouth coating, loosens slightly, hot.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Cola nuts, orange peel, honey, fresh baked bread, stale beer, oats, chocolate, hints of new plastic. With water, honey, candy floss, new plastic, hints of bubble gum.
Finish: Medium. Oats, new plastic, orange peel, marzipan.
Comments:
This whisky is quite fragrant and sweet, but upon sitting exposed to air, it takes on a slightly plasticky note, still almost malty. It’s not unpleasant, but it’s certainly less interesting than the initial nose.
Verdict:
I like this.
Selection, Adelphi
Single malt - Speyside
Gold, hints of pink
59.4% ABV
Dram
Nose: Marzipan, cola nuts, orange peel, vanilla, honey, fresh baked bread, hints of stale beer. With water, sweeter, candy floss, bubble gum, vanilla, hints of honey.
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, mouth coating, loosens slightly, hot.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Cola nuts, orange peel, honey, fresh baked bread, stale beer, oats, chocolate, hints of new plastic. With water, honey, candy floss, new plastic, hints of bubble gum.
Finish: Medium. Oats, new plastic, orange peel, marzipan.
Comments:
This whisky is quite fragrant and sweet, but upon sitting exposed to air, it takes on a slightly plasticky note, still almost malty. It’s not unpleasant, but it’s certainly less interesting than the initial nose.
Verdict:
I like this.
Saturday, 2 July 2022
Tin Shed 3yo Batch 1
Tin Shed 3yo Batch 1
That Boutique-y Whisky Company
Single malt - South Australia
Amber red
48% ABV
Dram
Nose: Red grapes, malted grains, dark chocolate, lemon zest, cocoa nibs, honey, hazelnuts, hints of pencil erasers.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, astringent, slippery, warm.
Tasting: Sweet sour. Cocoa nibs, muesli, cornflakes, chocolate, pencil erasers, apple juice, lemon zest, dark chocolate.
Finish: Short. Lemon zest, dark chocolate, red grapes, pencil erasers.
Comments:
This whisky is a little sulphurous, but its good sulphur, almost like an accent to the wine cask finish, rather than overpowering and unpleasant. Lots of citrus and chocolate notes as well. Very pleasant to drink, appropriate for a Southern Hemisphere winter.
Verdict:
I like this.
That Boutique-y Whisky Company
Single malt - South Australia
Amber red
48% ABV
Dram
Nose: Red grapes, malted grains, dark chocolate, lemon zest, cocoa nibs, honey, hazelnuts, hints of pencil erasers.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, astringent, slippery, warm.
Tasting: Sweet sour. Cocoa nibs, muesli, cornflakes, chocolate, pencil erasers, apple juice, lemon zest, dark chocolate.
Finish: Short. Lemon zest, dark chocolate, red grapes, pencil erasers.
Comments:
This whisky is a little sulphurous, but its good sulphur, almost like an accent to the wine cask finish, rather than overpowering and unpleasant. Lots of citrus and chocolate notes as well. Very pleasant to drink, appropriate for a Southern Hemisphere winter.
Verdict:
I like this.
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