Glen Ord 10yo 2009/2020
Hidden Spirits Whisky Co
Single malt - North Highlands
Golden, hints of green
53.3% ABV
Dram
Nose: Malted grains, pineapples, fresh baked bread, peaches, stale beer, lemon zest, peanuts, apple juice. With water, honey, pomegranate molasses, germolene, white grapes, hints of peaches.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, slippery, loosens, tingly.
Tasting: Sweet sour. Apple juice, stale beer, fresh baked bread, pineapples, lemon zest, vanilla ice cream, peanuts, honey. With water, malted grains, vanilla ice cream, germolene, hints of pomegranate molasses, hints of peaches.
Finish: Short. Ginseng, lemon zest, apple juice, stale beer.
Comments:
Cask GO0920. It’s lovely and fruity, with intense notes of malt. With water some peat peeks out, giving it a faint hint of antiseptic. The only drawback is the rather short, bitter, thin finish.
Verdict:
I like this.
Sunday, 17 July 2022
Thursday, 14 July 2022
Allt-a-Bhainne 25yo 1995/2021
Allt-a-Bhainne 25yo 1995/2021
Mission Gold, Murray McDavid
Single malt - Speyside
Amber
44.5% ABV
Dram
Nose: Malted grains, red grapes, raisins, cloves, strawberries, white pepper, hints of watermelons.
Mouthfeel: Light body, loosens, tingly, warm.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Barley sugar, red grapes, honeycomb, milk chocolate, strawberries, vanilla, white pepper, hints of watermelons.
Finish: Medium. Red grapes, barley sugar, milk chocolate, raisins, hints of white pepper.
Comments:
Cask 187841. Lovely sweet Speyside, lots of fruit and chocolate. Some vegetal spiciness peeks out from under the fruity shroud, especially in the finish. Bright and tasty, a fitting end to a good session.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Mission Gold, Murray McDavid
Single malt - Speyside
Amber
44.5% ABV
Dram
Nose: Malted grains, red grapes, raisins, cloves, strawberries, white pepper, hints of watermelons.
Mouthfeel: Light body, loosens, tingly, warm.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Barley sugar, red grapes, honeycomb, milk chocolate, strawberries, vanilla, white pepper, hints of watermelons.
Finish: Medium. Red grapes, barley sugar, milk chocolate, raisins, hints of white pepper.
Comments:
Cask 187841. Lovely sweet Speyside, lots of fruit and chocolate. Some vegetal spiciness peeks out from under the fruity shroud, especially in the finish. Bright and tasty, a fitting end to a good session.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Kingsbarns Balcomie
Kingsbarns Balcomie
Official bottling
Single malt - Lowlands
Golden
46% ABV
Dram
Nose: Yoghurt, sour cream, balsamic vinegar, white grapes, caramel, stale beer, hints of lemon zest.
Mouthfeel: Light body, loosens, slippery, mouth coating.
Tasting: Sour. Caramel, stale beer, malted grains, lemon zest, fresh cut grass, sour cream, barley sugar, hints of white pepper.
Finish: Short. Lemon zest, white pepper, fresh cut grass, hints of white pepper.
Comments:
This whisky was part aged in a sherry cask, but it’s not very sweet. Instead it’s tart, lactic and almost vinegary. It’s not unpleasant though, there’s a fair bit of barley that shines through, and a nice hit of spiciness on the tongue and the finish.
Verdict:
I like this.
Official bottling
Single malt - Lowlands
Golden
46% ABV
Dram
Nose: Yoghurt, sour cream, balsamic vinegar, white grapes, caramel, stale beer, hints of lemon zest.
Mouthfeel: Light body, loosens, slippery, mouth coating.
Tasting: Sour. Caramel, stale beer, malted grains, lemon zest, fresh cut grass, sour cream, barley sugar, hints of white pepper.
Finish: Short. Lemon zest, white pepper, fresh cut grass, hints of white pepper.
Comments:
This whisky was part aged in a sherry cask, but it’s not very sweet. Instead it’s tart, lactic and almost vinegary. It’s not unpleasant though, there’s a fair bit of barley that shines through, and a nice hit of spiciness on the tongue and the finish.
Verdict:
I like this.
Macallan 30yo 1988/2018 Exceptional Single Cask ASB-3980-09
Macallan 30yo 1988/2018 Exceptional Single Cask ASB-3980/09
Official bottling
Single malt - Speyside
Mahogany
51.7% ABV
Tiny taste
Nose: Chocolate, raisins, sourdough bread, beef broth, red grapes, honeysuckle, hints of vanilla.
Mouthfeel: Light body, loosens, warm, tingly.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Chocolate, raisins, beef broth, sourdough bread, toast, honeysuckle, red grapes, cloves, strawberry laces.
Finish: Long. Cloves, toast, honeysuckle, raisins, strawberry laces.
Comments:
Delicious! It’s not very often I get to taste well-aged Macallan. I’m very impressed. I wish it didn’t sell for thousands of course, but I understand why. It’s also meaty and cereally, lovely balance of complexity and intensity. Very good indeed.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Official bottling
Single malt - Speyside
Mahogany
51.7% ABV
Tiny taste
Nose: Chocolate, raisins, sourdough bread, beef broth, red grapes, honeysuckle, hints of vanilla.
Mouthfeel: Light body, loosens, warm, tingly.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Chocolate, raisins, beef broth, sourdough bread, toast, honeysuckle, red grapes, cloves, strawberry laces.
Finish: Long. Cloves, toast, honeysuckle, raisins, strawberry laces.
Comments:
Delicious! It’s not very often I get to taste well-aged Macallan. I’m very impressed. I wish it didn’t sell for thousands of course, but I understand why. It’s also meaty and cereally, lovely balance of complexity and intensity. Very good indeed.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
A Lowland Distillery 13yo 2007/2021 Reserve Casks Parcel No 7
A Lowland Distillery 13yo 2007/2021 Reserve Casks Parcel No 7
Single Malts of Scotland, Elixir Distillers
Single malt - Lowlands
Golden
48% ABV
Dram
Nose: Lemon zest, stale beer, pencil erasers, sea salt, cinnamon, yoghurt, hints of roast chicken.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, slippery, loosens, tingly.
Tasting: Sweet sour. Stale beer, malted grains, cinnamon, lemon zest, yoghurt, orange peel, cinnamon, hints of malted grains.
Finish: Short. Lemon zest, black tea, malted grains, pencil erasers.
Comments:
I have it on good authority that this is Glenkinchie. Cheers Andrea! Anyway, it’s quite robust, lots of citrus and yoghurt, a lot of spice as well. There are some slightly sulphurous notes that detract a little bit, but it’s a nice summery whisky.
Verdict:
I like this.
Single Malts of Scotland, Elixir Distillers
Single malt - Lowlands
Golden
48% ABV
Dram
Nose: Lemon zest, stale beer, pencil erasers, sea salt, cinnamon, yoghurt, hints of roast chicken.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, slippery, loosens, tingly.
Tasting: Sweet sour. Stale beer, malted grains, cinnamon, lemon zest, yoghurt, orange peel, cinnamon, hints of malted grains.
Finish: Short. Lemon zest, black tea, malted grains, pencil erasers.
Comments:
I have it on good authority that this is Glenkinchie. Cheers Andrea! Anyway, it’s quite robust, lots of citrus and yoghurt, a lot of spice as well. There are some slightly sulphurous notes that detract a little bit, but it’s a nice summery whisky.
Verdict:
I like this.
JP Wiser 10yo
JP Wiser 10yo
Official bottling
Single malt - Ontario
Copper
40% ABV
Dram
Nose: Toffee, caramel, vanilla, brown paper, white pepper, hints of orange peel.
Mouthfeel: Light body, tingly, astringent, warm.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Toffee, caramel, black tea, coffee, vanilla, dark chocolate, hints of white pepper.
Finish: Short. Oats, toffee, caramel, vanilla, hints of dark chocolate.
Comments:
Quite a simple whisky, sweet and toffee’d. There are some notes of dark chocolate, and some peppery burn on the tongue, but otherwise it’s quite inoffensive. Reasonable session dram.
Verdict:
I like this.
Official bottling
Single malt - Ontario
Copper
40% ABV
Dram
Nose: Toffee, caramel, vanilla, brown paper, white pepper, hints of orange peel.
Mouthfeel: Light body, tingly, astringent, warm.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Toffee, caramel, black tea, coffee, vanilla, dark chocolate, hints of white pepper.
Finish: Short. Oats, toffee, caramel, vanilla, hints of dark chocolate.
Comments:
Quite a simple whisky, sweet and toffee’d. There are some notes of dark chocolate, and some peppery burn on the tongue, but otherwise it’s quite inoffensive. Reasonable session dram.
Verdict:
I like this.
Wednesday, 13 July 2022
Starward 5yo 2011/2021
Starward 5yo 2011/2021
Selection, Adelphi
Single malt - Victoria
Amber pink
58.9% ABV
Dram
Nose: Ginger, stale beer, malted grains, dark chocolate, orange peel, nutmeg, black pepper, hints of gas. With water, honey, blackcurrant cordial, strawberries, cinnamon, orange peel.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, hot, slippery, turns watery around the edges.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Malted grains, dark chocolate, dried apricots, blackcurrant cordial, black pepper, bananas, hints of ginger, hints of cardboard. With water, strawberries, cinnamon, blackcurrant cordial, dried apricots.
Finish: Short. Black pepper, bananas, nutmegs, dried apricots.
Comments:
This whisky was rested in an inert vessel for 5 years. Lots of wine and fruit, as befits an Aperol finished whisky. It’s got whiffs that remind me of bourbon, and there are some feinty, slightly cardboardy notes underneath.
Verdict:
I like this.
Selection, Adelphi
Single malt - Victoria
Amber pink
58.9% ABV
Dram
Nose: Ginger, stale beer, malted grains, dark chocolate, orange peel, nutmeg, black pepper, hints of gas. With water, honey, blackcurrant cordial, strawberries, cinnamon, orange peel.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, hot, slippery, turns watery around the edges.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Malted grains, dark chocolate, dried apricots, blackcurrant cordial, black pepper, bananas, hints of ginger, hints of cardboard. With water, strawberries, cinnamon, blackcurrant cordial, dried apricots.
Finish: Short. Black pepper, bananas, nutmegs, dried apricots.
Comments:
This whisky was rested in an inert vessel for 5 years. Lots of wine and fruit, as befits an Aperol finished whisky. It’s got whiffs that remind me of bourbon, and there are some feinty, slightly cardboardy notes underneath.
Verdict:
I like this.
Monday, 11 July 2022
Jura 28yo 1989/2017
Jura 28yo 1989/2017
Old Malt Cask, Hunter Laing
Single malt - Islands
Straw
45.9% ABV
Dram
Nose: Driftwood smoke, yoghurt, lemon zest, heather honey, sour cream, vanilla, lemon sweets.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, cool, loosens slightly, tingly.
Tasting: Sweet sour. Leather, peat, lemon sweets, heather honey, black tea, driftwood smoke, charcoal ash.
Finish: Long. Lemon sweets, heather honey, charcoal ash, leather, hints of sour cream.
Comments:
Cask HL13894. Savoury, but not salty, there’s the usual Jura lactic notes, but only on the nose and the finish. On the tongue, it’s more like an Islay, quite smoky and peaty, with a long ashy note. Highly enjoyable, as Juras go.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Old Malt Cask, Hunter Laing
Single malt - Islands
Straw
45.9% ABV
Dram
Nose: Driftwood smoke, yoghurt, lemon zest, heather honey, sour cream, vanilla, lemon sweets.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, cool, loosens slightly, tingly.
Tasting: Sweet sour. Leather, peat, lemon sweets, heather honey, black tea, driftwood smoke, charcoal ash.
Finish: Long. Lemon sweets, heather honey, charcoal ash, leather, hints of sour cream.
Comments:
Cask HL13894. Savoury, but not salty, there’s the usual Jura lactic notes, but only on the nose and the finish. On the tongue, it’s more like an Islay, quite smoky and peaty, with a long ashy note. Highly enjoyable, as Juras go.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
SMWS 9.171 (Glen Grant 26yo 1992/2018)
SMWS 9.171 (Glen Grant 26yo 1992/2018)
2018, SMWS
Single malt - Speyside
Golden
52.8% ABV
Dram
Nose: Malted grains, lemon zest, white grapes, rhubarb and custard sweets, honey, fresh baked bread. With water, honey, golden syrup, oat clusters, apricots.
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, hot, thickens, syrupy.
Tasting: Sweet sour. Malted grains, white grapes, greengages, apricots, fresh cut grass, cinnamon, fresh baked bread, hints of cloves. With water, lemon zest, honey, apricots, malted grains.
Finish: Medium. Pear drops, fresh baked bread, rhubarb and custard sweets, white grapes.
Comments:
Bright and fresh, lots of stone fruit and cereal. There some estery notes that come to the fore on the finish that stand out. Water opens it up, but drowns the complexity a little, it just intensified the cereal and stone fruit. Quite pleasant.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
2018, SMWS
Single malt - Speyside
Golden
52.8% ABV
Dram
Nose: Malted grains, lemon zest, white grapes, rhubarb and custard sweets, honey, fresh baked bread. With water, honey, golden syrup, oat clusters, apricots.
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, hot, thickens, syrupy.
Tasting: Sweet sour. Malted grains, white grapes, greengages, apricots, fresh cut grass, cinnamon, fresh baked bread, hints of cloves. With water, lemon zest, honey, apricots, malted grains.
Finish: Medium. Pear drops, fresh baked bread, rhubarb and custard sweets, white grapes.
Comments:
Bright and fresh, lots of stone fruit and cereal. There some estery notes that come to the fore on the finish that stand out. Water opens it up, but drowns the complexity a little, it just intensified the cereal and stone fruit. Quite pleasant.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Sunday, 10 July 2022
SMWS 50.88 (Bladnoch 25yo 1990/2015)
SMWS 50.88 (Bladnoch 25yo 1990/2015)
2015, SMWS
Single malt - Lowlands
Amber gold
58.7% ABV
Dram
Nose: Honeydew melons, lemon zest, white grapes, hay, hints of fresh cut grass. With water, honeydew melons, rambutans, white grapes, honey, hints of broccoli.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, thickens slightly, hot, expands.
Tasting: Sweet sour. Rambutans, yoghurt, lemon zest, hay, fresh cut grass, hints of broccoli, hints of honeydew melons. With water, sweeter, honey, lemon zest, rambutans, fresh cut grass.
Finish: Medium. Lemon zest, fresh cut grass, honeydew melons, hints of malted grains.
Comments:
Quite a vegetal Bladnoch, there’s a cabbagey green note that I’ve written down as broccoli, alongside some more familiar grassiness. Plenty of grain and tropical fruity too. Highly enjoyable.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
2015, SMWS
Single malt - Lowlands
Amber gold
58.7% ABV
Dram
Nose: Honeydew melons, lemon zest, white grapes, hay, hints of fresh cut grass. With water, honeydew melons, rambutans, white grapes, honey, hints of broccoli.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, thickens slightly, hot, expands.
Tasting: Sweet sour. Rambutans, yoghurt, lemon zest, hay, fresh cut grass, hints of broccoli, hints of honeydew melons. With water, sweeter, honey, lemon zest, rambutans, fresh cut grass.
Finish: Medium. Lemon zest, fresh cut grass, honeydew melons, hints of malted grains.
Comments:
Quite a vegetal Bladnoch, there’s a cabbagey green note that I’ve written down as broccoli, alongside some more familiar grassiness. Plenty of grain and tropical fruity too. Highly enjoyable.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
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