tirsdag 23. februar 2010

3 Millburns tasted between 1.4.2008-28.5.2011

Millburn 25yo 1981-2006 46% Robert Castle Ltd. for Juuls Flight No4 btl. x/803

A nice and pale sherry matured Millburn, I must say I ususally do like my Millburn a bit under 50% abv. A sweet and nice smell, with a small hint of laurel. The first taste is strong, not much sherry influence to be found here, but the malt itself seems to have some dark chocolate and sour cream notes. It's a bit dry, but then again, the aftertaste is fruity with honey, kiwi, pears and coconut. All in all a very fine old malt.

I guess it's a shame this distillery is gone: 6



Millburn 22yo 1969-1992 51.7% Cadenhead's

I really enoyed the last Millburn I tried. Could this be one of those distilleries that people discover a bit too late? At first it smells absurdly mild, I guess it needs some time. After a while some gentle odors of leather and honey appears. The taste is kind of supreme, it has a warmth and depth I don't see very often. Very gentle and mild, but it's not that sweet. The aftertaste is a bit lemony and quite peppery. With some added water It opens a bit up and the line between palate and finish becomes even clearer.

Not a classic, but charming and honest: 5.5



Millburn 27yo 1976-2003 40% CC G&M

Mixed scents of nuts and peppermint, reminds me somehow of a young Highland Park. Good fragrances of honey, peppermint and burnt sugar. It is a great shame that this distillery now definately is out of business.

I'm amazed and saddened: 9

tirsdag 16. februar 2010

2 North Port Brechins tasted between 1.4.2008-28.5.2011

North Port Brechin 20yo 1970-1990 40% Connoisseurs Choice Gordon & Macphail

North Port Brechin is one of those closed distilleries almost impossible to find today. It has a sort of caramelized and sweet smell, as a soft creme cheese. the odors are quite perfumy, like some strange woody fahrenheit. The taste is very peppery and wheat-like dry. With some water it gets softer. This is an honest whisky, I guess once upon a time this was a working class gem, but with todays prices it's unfortunately not worth it.

An old-fashioned classic malty malt: 5.5



North Port-Brechin 19yo 1974-1993 40% CC G&M

Really amber golden whisky, fresh smell that tickles the nostrils. Also some rose, marcipan and ammonia, pretty complicated actually. In the tasting, it's characteristics are sweet, light, butter and pretty plane. A victim of the 80's.

Promising take-off, troubled landing: 5.5

mandag 15. februar 2010

1 Lagavulin tasted between 1.4.2008-28.5.2011

Lagavulin 16yo 1991-2007 43% OB Distillers Edition

Let's start tonight off with the Lagavulin DE, I have still to try a fantastic socalled "Distillers Edition", this might be the one? Double matured with some Pedro Ximenez casks, sherry or wine? Very dark colour, sweet, roasted garlic and shrimps odorwise. It seems a bit less peaty than usual, maybe it's the Pedro etc. It's a very fine malt, with some liquorice and brandynotes. And the aftertaste is pleasantly peaty and peppery. A fine whisky, but I don't get the whisky-feel, just a bit too strange for me.

One of the nicer DE-versions I've tried: 6

torsdag 11. februar 2010

3 Glenkinchies tasted between 1.4.2008-28.5.2011

Glenkinchie 27yo 50% Old Malt Cask Douglas Laing

A sherrymatured Glenkinchie of a respectable age, this one can be a winner? The nose is very big, strong odors of dried herbs, dark chocolate and scented candles. The first taste really makes it mark, and the sherry-notes are almost too overpowering. I believe that the tripple distilled lowlanders almost can have too much of a good cask when given so much time. Since it's a bit much I'll add some water. It's hot and peppery, almost like chili oil. Very unusual, but who's to say it's not good?

Weird and different: 6



Glenkinchie 10yo 43% OB

A younger version of the Glenkinchie available on the norwegian market. Very strong odors of citrus, almost like an air cleanser. The taste brings out excactly what the nose promised, it's a bit like chewing lemon kernels. A generous dash of water reduces some of the lemon and allows a decent finish of black pepper.

Exciting when compared to the 12yo: 5



Glenkinchie 12yo 43% OB

"The Edinburgh Malt" is one of the most widespread lowlanders. It seems sweeter than most other lowlanders, almost nauseating, the first impression is like it's a blend of brandy and bitterschnaps. On the taste it gives another impression, more malty flavours, perhaps a bit like aberlour at first, but without the good, soft finish. It's strong and sweet, typical lowland, but no debth to set it apart.

Nice to try such a typical lowlander: 6