Five & 20 Rye Cask Sample
That Boutique-y Whisky Company, Master of Malt
Single rye - New York
Red
53.55% ABV
Dram
Nose: Green tea, roses, musk, honey, strawberry jam, allspice, milk chocolate. With water, oak chips, allspice, milk chocolate.
Mouthfeel: Light body, cool, watery around the edges, loose.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Malted grains, cornflakes, milk chocolate, roses, nutmeg, vanilla. With water, oak chips, milk chocolate, black tea, hints of roses.
Finish: Long. Black tea, strawberry jam, coffee, milk chocolate, hints of musk.
Comments:
Jammy, but with a meaty rough note on the nose. It’s almost malty on the tongue, with the rye spice tamed. Water brings out a woody note, and it fades to a long bitter finish.
Verdict:
I like this.
Tuesday, 31 January 2023
Tuthilltown Rye Cask Sample
Tuthilltown Rye Cask Sample
That Boutique-y Whisky Company, Master of Malt
Single rye - New York
Amber red
57.34% ABV
Dram
Nose: Peach preserves, nectarines, apricot jam, vanilla, honey, pear drops, white pepper. With water, jasmine, pear drops, nectarines, hints of green tea.
Mouthfeel: Light body, hot, volatile, astringent.
Tasting: Sour sweet. Green apples, lemon zest, apricot jam, rye bread, pear drops, white pepper, cinnamon. With water, green tea, green apples, pear drops, white pepper.
Finish: Medium. Cinnamon, pear drops, apricot jam, nectarines, white pepper.
Comments:
Intensely peachy, lot of jammy stone fruit notes. There’s a lot of floral stuff, and it’s not really that sweet, although the nose suggests that it is. Rather, it’s tart and a little spicy. Water diminishes the burn and brings out even more tart notes. Really very good.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
That Boutique-y Whisky Company, Master of Malt
Single rye - New York
Amber red
57.34% ABV
Dram
Nose: Peach preserves, nectarines, apricot jam, vanilla, honey, pear drops, white pepper. With water, jasmine, pear drops, nectarines, hints of green tea.
Mouthfeel: Light body, hot, volatile, astringent.
Tasting: Sour sweet. Green apples, lemon zest, apricot jam, rye bread, pear drops, white pepper, cinnamon. With water, green tea, green apples, pear drops, white pepper.
Finish: Medium. Cinnamon, pear drops, apricot jam, nectarines, white pepper.
Comments:
Intensely peachy, lot of jammy stone fruit notes. There’s a lot of floral stuff, and it’s not really that sweet, although the nose suggests that it is. Rather, it’s tart and a little spicy. Water diminishes the burn and brings out even more tart notes. Really very good.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Friday, 27 January 2023
Convalmore 21yo 1977/1998
Convalmore 21yo 1977/1998
Authentic Collection, WM Cadenhead
Single malt - Speyside
Bright gold
64.4% ABV
Dram
Nose: Clay dust, brown paper, orange peel, sandalwood, lemon sweets, white grapes, hints of cod liver oil. With water, honey, nectarines, sandalwood, lemon sweets.
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, hot, astringent, mouth coating.
Tasting: Sweet sour. Nectarines, orange peel, white grapes, sandalwood, white pepper, menthol, hints of vanilla. With water, sandalwood, leather, peat, lemon sweets, nectarines.
Finish: Long. Nectarines, orange peel, vanilla, white pepper, wintergreen.
Comments:
Convalmore has this lovely peach or nectarine note, but it’s always hedged about with feinty, peaty notes that make it so interesting. This one was intense, lots of fragrant sandalwood and even something meaty on the nose.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Authentic Collection, WM Cadenhead
Single malt - Speyside
Bright gold
64.4% ABV
Dram
Nose: Clay dust, brown paper, orange peel, sandalwood, lemon sweets, white grapes, hints of cod liver oil. With water, honey, nectarines, sandalwood, lemon sweets.
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, hot, astringent, mouth coating.
Tasting: Sweet sour. Nectarines, orange peel, white grapes, sandalwood, white pepper, menthol, hints of vanilla. With water, sandalwood, leather, peat, lemon sweets, nectarines.
Finish: Long. Nectarines, orange peel, vanilla, white pepper, wintergreen.
Comments:
Convalmore has this lovely peach or nectarine note, but it’s always hedged about with feinty, peaty notes that make it so interesting. This one was intense, lots of fragrant sandalwood and even something meaty on the nose.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
SMWS 39.175 (Linkwood 29yo 1989/2019)
SMWS 39.175 (Linkwood 29yo 1989/2019)
2019, SMWS
Single malt - Speyside
Dark amber gold
49.1% ABV
Dram
Nose: Sandalwood, raisins, white pepper, jasmine, pears, orange peel, nutmeg.
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, loosens, cool, astringent.
Tasting: Sweet salty. Sourdough bread, sandalwood, pears, fresh baked bread, dark chocolate, gooseberries, hints of raisins.
Finish: Long. Dark chocolate, gooseberries, raisins, hints of jasmine.
Comments:
Quite heavy, thick and unctuous. Lots of bread and chocolate, with a fragrant sandalwood note that lightens it a little and makes it interesting. Huge extended finish that goes on and on. Lovely old Linkwood.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
2019, SMWS
Single malt - Speyside
Dark amber gold
49.1% ABV
Dram
Nose: Sandalwood, raisins, white pepper, jasmine, pears, orange peel, nutmeg.
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, loosens, cool, astringent.
Tasting: Sweet salty. Sourdough bread, sandalwood, pears, fresh baked bread, dark chocolate, gooseberries, hints of raisins.
Finish: Long. Dark chocolate, gooseberries, raisins, hints of jasmine.
Comments:
Quite heavy, thick and unctuous. Lots of bread and chocolate, with a fragrant sandalwood note that lightens it a little and makes it interesting. Huge extended finish that goes on and on. Lovely old Linkwood.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Highland Park 32yo 1989/2021
Highland Park 32yo 1989/2021
Connoisseur’s Choice, Gordon & Macphail
Single malt - Islands
Dark gold
51.9% ABV
Dram
Nose: Pencil lead, honey, gingerbread, shortbread, fresh baked bread, vanilla, green tea, hints of lemon zest. With water, raisins, white grapes, dandelions, honey.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, thickens, warm, hardens.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Honey, gingerbread, smoke, peat, fresh baked bread, dandelions, white grapes, hints of shortbread. With water, pencil lead, leather, peat, raisins.
Finish: Long. Fresh baked bread, white grapes, smoke, leather, pencil lead.
Comments:
Cask 10015. Flinty, minerally and herbal whisky. The sherry influence is light, manifesting mainly as a gentle raisiny note on the nose and on the tongue. A great dram.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Connoisseur’s Choice, Gordon & Macphail
Single malt - Islands
Dark gold
51.9% ABV
Dram
Nose: Pencil lead, honey, gingerbread, shortbread, fresh baked bread, vanilla, green tea, hints of lemon zest. With water, raisins, white grapes, dandelions, honey.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, thickens, warm, hardens.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Honey, gingerbread, smoke, peat, fresh baked bread, dandelions, white grapes, hints of shortbread. With water, pencil lead, leather, peat, raisins.
Finish: Long. Fresh baked bread, white grapes, smoke, leather, pencil lead.
Comments:
Cask 10015. Flinty, minerally and herbal whisky. The sherry influence is light, manifesting mainly as a gentle raisiny note on the nose and on the tongue. A great dram.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Glenlossie 33yo 1984/2018
Glenlossie 33yo 1984/2018
Vintage, Signatory
Single malt - Speyside
Dark amber
56.7% ABV
Dram
Nose: Orange peel, sandalwood, clay dust, raisins, damson jam, white grapes, hints of white pepper. With water, leather, sea salt, orange peel, raisins, white grapes.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, static, cool, mouth coating.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Clay dust, damson jam, white grapes, jasmine, sandalwood, cinnamon, honey, hints of condensed milk. With water, milk chocolate, jasmine, damson jam, white grapes.
Finish: Long. Honey, cinnamon, milk chocolate, damson jam.
Comments:
Cask 2533. Superb whisky - dusty and floral, replete with sweet woody herbal notes. Lots of chocolate and jam, fills the mouth pleasantly and easily. A joy to drink.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Vintage, Signatory
Single malt - Speyside
Dark amber
56.7% ABV
Dram
Nose: Orange peel, sandalwood, clay dust, raisins, damson jam, white grapes, hints of white pepper. With water, leather, sea salt, orange peel, raisins, white grapes.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, static, cool, mouth coating.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Clay dust, damson jam, white grapes, jasmine, sandalwood, cinnamon, honey, hints of condensed milk. With water, milk chocolate, jasmine, damson jam, white grapes.
Finish: Long. Honey, cinnamon, milk chocolate, damson jam.
Comments:
Cask 2533. Superb whisky - dusty and floral, replete with sweet woody herbal notes. Lots of chocolate and jam, fills the mouth pleasantly and easily. A joy to drink.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Glencadam 25yo 1983/2008
Glencadam 25yo 1983/2008
Official bottling
Single malt - East Highlands
Amber gold
46% ABV
Dram
Nose: Clay dust, raisins, mint, tyre rubber, tobacco leaf, honey, orange peel.
Mouthfeel: Light body, loosens, cool, astringent.
Tasting: Sweet salty. Raisins, mint, orange peel, tobacco leaf, honey, pear drops, clay dust, damson jam.
Finish: Long. White grapes, raisins, pear drops, damson jam.
Comments:
Cask 1002. Sweet and slightly sulphurous (albeit a nice level rather than overpowering). Lots of slightly dusty, feinty notes too. Fades to a long lingering fruity finish. Very enjoyable, maybe one of the best Glencadams I’ve had.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Official bottling
Single malt - East Highlands
Amber gold
46% ABV
Dram
Nose: Clay dust, raisins, mint, tyre rubber, tobacco leaf, honey, orange peel.
Mouthfeel: Light body, loosens, cool, astringent.
Tasting: Sweet salty. Raisins, mint, orange peel, tobacco leaf, honey, pear drops, clay dust, damson jam.
Finish: Long. White grapes, raisins, pear drops, damson jam.
Comments:
Cask 1002. Sweet and slightly sulphurous (albeit a nice level rather than overpowering). Lots of slightly dusty, feinty notes too. Fades to a long lingering fruity finish. Very enjoyable, maybe one of the best Glencadams I’ve had.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Glendronach 27yo 1992/2020 for the Whisky Shop
Glendronach 27yo 1992/2020 for the Whisky Shop
Official bottling
Single malt - Speyside
Amber red
58.4% ABV
Dram
Nose: Leather, raisins, black pepper, roast pork, green tea, orange peel, golden syrup. With water, red grapes, raisins, golden syrup, cloves.
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, loosens, mouth coating, slightly oily.
Tasting: Sweet salty. Raisins, golden syrup, cooked rice, orange peel, black pepper, cloves. With water, golden syrup, red grapes, cooked rice, cloves.
Finish: Long. Raisins, prunes, damson jam, black pepper.
Comments:
Cask 5852. This is very sweet, and typical of the newer style of sherried whisky, which is sweet and rather uncompromising. There are other interesting notes, but the spices, fruits and cereal are subordinate to the sugar.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Official bottling
Single malt - Speyside
Amber red
58.4% ABV
Dram
Nose: Leather, raisins, black pepper, roast pork, green tea, orange peel, golden syrup. With water, red grapes, raisins, golden syrup, cloves.
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, loosens, mouth coating, slightly oily.
Tasting: Sweet salty. Raisins, golden syrup, cooked rice, orange peel, black pepper, cloves. With water, golden syrup, red grapes, cooked rice, cloves.
Finish: Long. Raisins, prunes, damson jam, black pepper.
Comments:
Cask 5852. This is very sweet, and typical of the newer style of sherried whisky, which is sweet and rather uncompromising. There are other interesting notes, but the spices, fruits and cereal are subordinate to the sugar.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Blossoming Auld Sherried Whisky (bottled 2016)
Blossoming Auld Sherried Whisky (bottled 2016)
Michel Couvreur
Single malt - Unknown
Amber red
45% ABV
Dram
Nose: Roast pork, raisins, clay dust, cinnamon, black tea, blackcurrant cordial, orange peel, hints of blue cheese.
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, loosens, cool, tingly.
Tasting: Sweet. Raisins, cola nuts, clay dust, tobacco leaf, black tea, black pepper, hints of blue cheese.
Finish: Medium. Black tea, raisins, orange peel, black pepper, hints of tobacco leaf.
Comments:
Whisky of unknown origin, save that it’s Scotch, apparently cave aged. The aging has imbued the whisky with some rancio and a little minerality. The sweet notes are enhanced, but the whole is perhaps a little unbalanced.
Verdict:
I like this.
Michel Couvreur
Single malt - Unknown
Amber red
45% ABV
Dram
Nose: Roast pork, raisins, clay dust, cinnamon, black tea, blackcurrant cordial, orange peel, hints of blue cheese.
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, loosens, cool, tingly.
Tasting: Sweet. Raisins, cola nuts, clay dust, tobacco leaf, black tea, black pepper, hints of blue cheese.
Finish: Medium. Black tea, raisins, orange peel, black pepper, hints of tobacco leaf.
Comments:
Whisky of unknown origin, save that it’s Scotch, apparently cave aged. The aging has imbued the whisky with some rancio and a little minerality. The sweet notes are enhanced, but the whole is perhaps a little unbalanced.
Verdict:
I like this.
Glenrothes 30yo 1989/2020
Glenrothes 30yo 1989/2020
Extra Old Particular, Douglas Laing
Single malt - Speyside
Dark amber brown
47.5% ABV
Dram
Nose: Menthol, orange peel, lemon zest, roast pork, plums, five spice powder.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, cool, expands, mouth coating.
Tasting: Sweet. Orange peel, lemon zest, five spice powder, plums, honey, molasses, raisins, hints of liquorice.
Finish: Long. Liquorice, molasses, plums, raisins.
Comments:
Cask DL 14056. Minty and soothing, lots of spicy sweet meaty notes. It’s very gentle and frankly, a bit of a relief in the middle of an intense tasting. Quite delicious on its own.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Extra Old Particular, Douglas Laing
Single malt - Speyside
Dark amber brown
47.5% ABV
Dram
Nose: Menthol, orange peel, lemon zest, roast pork, plums, five spice powder.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, cool, expands, mouth coating.
Tasting: Sweet. Orange peel, lemon zest, five spice powder, plums, honey, molasses, raisins, hints of liquorice.
Finish: Long. Liquorice, molasses, plums, raisins.
Comments:
Cask DL 14056. Minty and soothing, lots of spicy sweet meaty notes. It’s very gentle and frankly, a bit of a relief in the middle of an intense tasting. Quite delicious on its own.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
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