Dallas Dhu 17yo 1970/1987
Sestante
Single malt - Speyside
Dark gold
58.3% ABV
Dram
Nose: Honeydew melons, honey, cinnamon, malted grains, white pepper, hints of green pepper, hints of camphor. With water, honeydew melons, fresh cut grass, lemon zest.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, volatile, hot, mouth coating.
Tasting: Sweet sour. Honeydew melons, white pepper, fresh cut grass, honey, lemon zest, hints of camphor. With water, magic marker, camphor, leather, honey, honeydew melons.
Finish: Medium. White pepper, malted grains, honey, cinnamon.
Comments:
Fruity and complex, lots of melon and honey notes. Water brings out some grassiness and citrus, and eventually some herbal bitterness. This is perfectly layered and constructed, an alluring, mouth watering whisky.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Tuesday, 4 August 2026
Balvenie 29yo 1994+1996
Balvenie “Blended Malt Whisky” 29yo 1994+1996
Decadent Drinks
Teaspooned malt - Speyside
Amber
53% ABV
Dram
Nose: Beeswax, cola nuts, honeycomb, malted grains, honey, foam shrimp, gooseberries. With water, honey, white pepper, sandalwood.
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, thickens, tingly, hot.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Cola nuts, beeswax, honeycomb, gooseberries, nectarines, greengages, lemon zest. With water, nectarines, honey, beeswax.
Finish: Long. Honey, greengages, sandalwood, nectarines.
Comments:
Very waxy, plenty of peach. If you’d asked me to taste blind I’d have said this was Clynelish and not Balvenie. But that’s what it is, and there’s some notes of greengageS that hint a little bit at its origins.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Decadent Drinks
Teaspooned malt - Speyside
Amber
53% ABV
Dram
Nose: Beeswax, cola nuts, honeycomb, malted grains, honey, foam shrimp, gooseberries. With water, honey, white pepper, sandalwood.
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, thickens, tingly, hot.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Cola nuts, beeswax, honeycomb, gooseberries, nectarines, greengages, lemon zest. With water, nectarines, honey, beeswax.
Finish: Long. Honey, greengages, sandalwood, nectarines.
Comments:
Very waxy, plenty of peach. If you’d asked me to taste blind I’d have said this was Clynelish and not Balvenie. But that’s what it is, and there’s some notes of greengageS that hint a little bit at its origins.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Thursday, 30 July 2026
Braeval 16yo 2010
Braeval 16yo 2010
Little Brown Dog Spirits
Single malt - Speyside
Bright gold
57.3% ABV
Dram
Nose: Malted grains, peaches, honey, cloves, caramel, hints of carrot cake. With water, honey, peaches, malted grains.
Little Brown Dog Spirits
Single malt - Speyside
Bright gold
57.3% ABV
Dram
Nose: Malted grains, peaches, honey, cloves, caramel, hints of carrot cake. With water, honey, peaches, malted grains.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, volatile, mouth coating, hot.
Tasting: Sweet sour. Lemon zest, orange peel, honey, peaches, malted grains, vanilla, hints of cinnamon. With water, honey, orange peel, cinnamon, hints of malted grains.
Finish: Short. Cloves, cinnamon, peaches, malted grains.
Comments:
Malty and sweet Braeval, with plenty of peach and nectarine notes. Quite a spicy whisky, and water brings out more orange and cinnamon.
Verdict:
I like this.
Tasting: Sweet sour. Lemon zest, orange peel, honey, peaches, malted grains, vanilla, hints of cinnamon. With water, honey, orange peel, cinnamon, hints of malted grains.
Finish: Short. Cloves, cinnamon, peaches, malted grains.
Comments:
Malty and sweet Braeval, with plenty of peach and nectarine notes. Quite a spicy whisky, and water brings out more orange and cinnamon.
Verdict:
I like this.
Aultmore 15yo 2010/2026
Aultmore 15yo 2010/2026
Chorlton Whisky
Single malt - Speyside
Golden
58.1% ABV
Dram
Nose: Lemon zest, white chocolate, foam shrimp, malted grains, white pepper, vitamin C tablets, fresh cut grass. With water, lemon zest, nectarines, white pepper, fresh cut grass.
Chorlton Whisky
Single malt - Speyside
Golden
58.1% ABV
Dram
Nose: Lemon zest, white chocolate, foam shrimp, malted grains, white pepper, vitamin C tablets, fresh cut grass. With water, lemon zest, nectarines, white pepper, fresh cut grass.
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, hot, tingly, astringent.
Tasting: Sour sweet. Lemon zest, nectarines, clementines, malted grains, honey, white pepper, photocopy paper, vitamin C tablets. With water, malted grains, fresh cut grass, foam shrimp, clementines.
Finish: Short. Malted grains, photocopy paper, vitamin C tablets, fresh cut grass.
Comments:
Quite citrusy and peppery, with a thick heavy body that sits on the tongue. Water brings out some malty sweetness, some additional grassiness to cut the ought h citrus.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Tasting: Sour sweet. Lemon zest, nectarines, clementines, malted grains, honey, white pepper, photocopy paper, vitamin C tablets. With water, malted grains, fresh cut grass, foam shrimp, clementines.
Finish: Short. Malted grains, photocopy paper, vitamin C tablets, fresh cut grass.
Comments:
Quite citrusy and peppery, with a thick heavy body that sits on the tongue. Water brings out some malty sweetness, some additional grassiness to cut the ought h citrus.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Friday, 24 July 2026
Auchentoshan 20yo
Auchentoshan 20yo
Whisky Craft, Solasta Holdings
Single malt - Lowlands
Yellow gold
55.1% ABV
Dram
Nose: Marmalade, lemon zest, lemon curd, cream, magic marker, green tea, malted grains, hints of brown paper. With water, fresh cut grass, lemon curd, malted grains, ume.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, thickens slightly, astringent, slightly chalky.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Green tea, lemon zest, marmalade, dried apricots, fresh cut grass, white pepper, hints of chalk. With water, fresh cut grass, green tea, ume, leather.
Finish: Medium. Lemon curd, marmalade, fresh cut grass, cinnamon, hints of dried apricots.
Comments:
Citrusy and bright, lots of grassy notes with pepper. Slightly chalky (both in body and on the tongue). Water burns out more grassy florals, with fermented ume.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Whisky Craft, Solasta Holdings
Single malt - Lowlands
Yellow gold
55.1% ABV
Dram
Nose: Marmalade, lemon zest, lemon curd, cream, magic marker, green tea, malted grains, hints of brown paper. With water, fresh cut grass, lemon curd, malted grains, ume.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, thickens slightly, astringent, slightly chalky.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Green tea, lemon zest, marmalade, dried apricots, fresh cut grass, white pepper, hints of chalk. With water, fresh cut grass, green tea, ume, leather.
Finish: Medium. Lemon curd, marmalade, fresh cut grass, cinnamon, hints of dried apricots.
Comments:
Citrusy and bright, lots of grassy notes with pepper. Slightly chalky (both in body and on the tongue). Water burns out more grassy florals, with fermented ume.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Westland 9yo
Westland 9yo
The Whisky Trail, Elixir Distillers
Single bourbon - Washington
Amber
56.5% ABV
Dram
Nose: Leather, roast pork, honey, magic marker, dried apricots, marmalade, hints of surgical spirit. With water, sandalwood, leather, dried apricots.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, expands, astringent, mouth coating.
Tasting: Sour sweet. Lemon zest, marmalade, surgical spirit, leather, honey, cloves, sandalwood. With water, sandalwood, lemon zest, surgical spirit, marmalade.
Finish: Short. Sandalwood, lemon zest, cloves, cinnamon.
Comments:
Rather herbal and floral for bourbon. Plenty of jammy notes too (not raisins or blackcurrant). Quite unusual, in that it’s still spirity after 9 years. Water brings out some more citrus.
Verdict:
I like this.
The Whisky Trail, Elixir Distillers
Single bourbon - Washington
Amber
56.5% ABV
Dram
Nose: Leather, roast pork, honey, magic marker, dried apricots, marmalade, hints of surgical spirit. With water, sandalwood, leather, dried apricots.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, expands, astringent, mouth coating.
Tasting: Sour sweet. Lemon zest, marmalade, surgical spirit, leather, honey, cloves, sandalwood. With water, sandalwood, lemon zest, surgical spirit, marmalade.
Finish: Short. Sandalwood, lemon zest, cloves, cinnamon.
Comments:
Rather herbal and floral for bourbon. Plenty of jammy notes too (not raisins or blackcurrant). Quite unusual, in that it’s still spirity after 9 years. Water brings out some more citrus.
Verdict:
I like this.
Ardnamurchan 6yo 2019/2026
Ardnamurchan 6yo 2019/2026
#24, The Heart Cut
Single malt - Western Highlands
Orange gold
52% ABV
Dram
Nose: Cedar, olive brine, smoke, peat, germolene, popcorn, honey, hints of dried apricots. With water, honey, dried apricots, magic marker.
Mouthfeel: Light body, volatile, cool, astringent.
Tasting: Sour salty. Cedar, popcorn, smoke, peat, germolene, lemon zest, grapefruit, hints of gentian. With water, honey, dried apricots, pears, germolene.
Finish: Medium. Grapefruit, gentian, popcorn, smoke.
Comments:
Quite a smoky whisky as Ardnamurchan goes. Lots of bitter citrus alongside all that smoke and peat. Water opens up a fruitiness that is quite intense, dried apricots are especially prominent.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
#24, The Heart Cut
Single malt - Western Highlands
Orange gold
52% ABV
Dram
Nose: Cedar, olive brine, smoke, peat, germolene, popcorn, honey, hints of dried apricots. With water, honey, dried apricots, magic marker.
Mouthfeel: Light body, volatile, cool, astringent.
Tasting: Sour salty. Cedar, popcorn, smoke, peat, germolene, lemon zest, grapefruit, hints of gentian. With water, honey, dried apricots, pears, germolene.
Finish: Medium. Grapefruit, gentian, popcorn, smoke.
Comments:
Quite a smoky whisky as Ardnamurchan goes. Lots of bitter citrus alongside all that smoke and peat. Water opens up a fruitiness that is quite intense, dried apricots are especially prominent.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Sunday, 19 July 2026
Bowmore 22yo 2004/2026 (bottled for Bar Lotus)
Bowmore 22yo 2004/2026 (bottled for Bar Lotus)
Thompson Brothers
Single malt - Islay
Golden
51% ABV
Dram
Nose: Peat, smoke, nori, soot, malted grains, golden syrup, sea salt, hints of cough syrup. With water, lemon zest, smoke, malted grains, hints of nori.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, tingly, astringent, thickens.
Tasting: Bitter. Golden syrup, nori, orange peel, lemon zest, smoke, peat, sea salt, hints of cough syrup, hints of toast. With water, smoke, lemon zest, orange peel, golden syrup, hints of sea salt.
Finish: Short. Golden syrup, orange peel, sea salt, smoke, hints of nori.
Comments:
A very decent Bowmore, sweet and smoky, with plenty of salinity to balance it. Great pick for this bar, one of the best in London. Plenty of smokiness too, once water is added.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Thompson Brothers
Single malt - Islay
Golden
51% ABV
Dram
Nose: Peat, smoke, nori, soot, malted grains, golden syrup, sea salt, hints of cough syrup. With water, lemon zest, smoke, malted grains, hints of nori.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, tingly, astringent, thickens.
Tasting: Bitter. Golden syrup, nori, orange peel, lemon zest, smoke, peat, sea salt, hints of cough syrup, hints of toast. With water, smoke, lemon zest, orange peel, golden syrup, hints of sea salt.
Finish: Short. Golden syrup, orange peel, sea salt, smoke, hints of nori.
Comments:
A very decent Bowmore, sweet and smoky, with plenty of salinity to balance it. Great pick for this bar, one of the best in London. Plenty of smokiness too, once water is added.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Lindores Abbey 5yo 2021/2026
Lindores Abbey 5yo 2021/2026
Thompson Brothers
Single malt - Lowlands
Amber red
55.9% ABV
Dram
Nose: Prunes, strawberries, raspberries, raisins, dunnage, leather, red grapes, hints of cloves. With water, malted grains, raisins, strawberries, hints of dunnage.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, expands, tingly, warm.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Malted grains, raspberries, strawberries, leather, photocopy paper, white pepper, cloves. With water, raisins, strawberries, malted grains, cloves.
Finish: Medium. Malted grains, red grapes, leather, raspberries.
Comments:
Sherry cask of course, rather sweet and malty despite all that the raisin and dried fruit characteristics are prominent, with some feinty notes too. With water, it turns spicy and sweet again.
Verdict:
I like this.
Thompson Brothers
Single malt - Lowlands
Amber red
55.9% ABV
Dram
Nose: Prunes, strawberries, raspberries, raisins, dunnage, leather, red grapes, hints of cloves. With water, malted grains, raisins, strawberries, hints of dunnage.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, expands, tingly, warm.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Malted grains, raspberries, strawberries, leather, photocopy paper, white pepper, cloves. With water, raisins, strawberries, malted grains, cloves.
Finish: Medium. Malted grains, red grapes, leather, raspberries.
Comments:
Sherry cask of course, rather sweet and malty despite all that the raisin and dried fruit characteristics are prominent, with some feinty notes too. With water, it turns spicy and sweet again.
Verdict:
I like this.
Akashi 5yo Bourbon Cask 1356
Akashi 5yo Bourbon Cask 1356
Official bottling
Single malt - Kansai
Amber orange
56% ABV
Dram
Nose: Magic marker, lemon zest, malted grains, green tea, gooseberries, hints of white pepper. With water, golden syrup, magic marker, hints of green tea.
Mouthfeel: Light body, loosens, tingly, volatile.
Tasting: Sour sweet. Malted grains, lemon zest, gooseberries, white grapes, fresh baked bread, hints of white pepper. With water, malted grains, golden syrup, green tea.
Finish: Medium. White pepper, fresh baked bread, lemon zest, malted grains.
Comments:
Cask 1356. Rich, slightly tannic and very cereally. Water brings out even more cereal, alongside some floral notes and slightly caramelised sweetness.
Verdict:
I like this.
Official bottling
Single malt - Kansai
Amber orange
56% ABV
Dram
Nose: Magic marker, lemon zest, malted grains, green tea, gooseberries, hints of white pepper. With water, golden syrup, magic marker, hints of green tea.
Mouthfeel: Light body, loosens, tingly, volatile.
Tasting: Sour sweet. Malted grains, lemon zest, gooseberries, white grapes, fresh baked bread, hints of white pepper. With water, malted grains, golden syrup, green tea.
Finish: Medium. White pepper, fresh baked bread, lemon zest, malted grains.
Comments:
Cask 1356. Rich, slightly tannic and very cereally. Water brings out even more cereal, alongside some floral notes and slightly caramelised sweetness.
Verdict:
I like this.
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