Speyburn 26yo 1980-2006 61.3% Signatory
Speyburn's a whisky hard to get by both as an IB and as Original bottling over 12yo. There seems to be some 21yo OB's around anyway. This smells sweet, metallic, ginseng, hay, mints and clover. The taste is dry, spirity and lemony, bring the water. At this strength and bourbon-matured I expected an explosion, but this is absurd. With plenty water it gets a bic acidic, sour, peppery, not too enjoyable, I think that Speyburn is a malt that needs to be carried in a sweeter cask, at least a couple years. Othe than that it just seems underdeveloped, very young-ish.
Another bummer: 2.5
Speyburn-Glenlivet 15yo 1975-1991 60.1% Cadenhead's
Now, time to break up the game, last time I tried a young 60% whisky, I believe it was a Fettercairn which totally surprised me in a positive way. This Speyburn smells of pine, hay, leather, lime, veal and grilled onions. The taste is far to dry and heavily alcohol influenced to enjoy neat, even though it shows great potential with honey, banana and almond among the flavours. The almond, plum, sugar and banana notes are fantastic, with lots of vanilla coming through when water's added you could say it's a bit like a vanilla split, malt style.
I never thought a Speyburn could be like this: 9.5
Speyburn 15yo 1979-1994 62.9% James MacArthur's "500 years of Scotch Whisky"
The rarely single bottled speyburn is hard to find. The smell is very strong, as indeed the abv is, christmas tree, cigar smoke and pistachio. The taste is extremely strong, a bit too big, concentrated damp and oaky fragrances. This one might be hard to find, but I'm already guessing why. Very strong with much taste, but no finesse whatsoever.
One to ruin your tastebuds with: 3
Speyburn 10yo 40% OB
Speyburn is a malt that's not to widely sold on the european market. Neither bottled too often independently. It's pretty dark with a strong, pungent nose, floral, minty, oaky, funny little thing. The taste is a bit of a let down, very woody, but quite boring and slow to develop. I'll add some time and water. It becomes even more woody, and some sugar in the aftertaste.
A pretty tired malt: 3.5
Speyburn 21yo 1971-1992 40% CC G&M
A mature speyburn is usually a malt to my liking. It's very floral, smells of dried flowers and mosquito spray. There's taste of freshly popped pocorn with lots of butter, cured ham, chorizo. Some chilli oil on the palate, and it finishes off with lots of salty flavours.
I'm not overly surprised, only a bit: 7.5
tirsdag 28. september 2010
4 Glenlochys tasted between 1.4.2008-28.5.2011
Glenlochy 20yo 46% Cadenhead's
Lately I've had an epiphany when it comes to the whisky from this sadly closed distillery. Cadenheads bottlings at 46% is also usually a lot better than the dumpy's of other IB's. This has a pleasant but very oaky flavour, deems maybe the slight evaporation has hightened the %abv some(?). The taste is very spirity and grassy, not pleasant at all, needs water. A bit better with water, but even more grassy and a bit austere, not my kind of malt at all this.
Poor Spirit, poor cask, I guess: 2
Glen Lochy 27yo 46% Cadenhead's
Glenlochy is one of the closed distilleries truly hard to find these days, not so much because they're in big demand, but because most of it were used for blending purposes. It smells mild, creamy, hay, old style. The taste is sweet, pesto, a bit sour, farmy, hay, really charming old style malt. With water comes addition of some really sweet liquorice notes. I must admit that not many connoisseur's mention Glenlochy amongst their most beloved lost ones, but I do find it to be a whisky of good example of how fabulous older whiskies can be without being bottled Cask Strength or killed with special cask maturations.
A true gem if you like to try some old school malt: 7.5
Glenlochy 18yo 60.5% The Whisky Connoisseur
Very odorless for a whisky with such an high abv. It needs some time to develop. It becomes pleasantly sweet after a while with hints of caramell and fresh christmas bakery. On the palate it's very herbal at first, but quickly gets very salty . Surprisingly "wet" whisky, a cask strength at 60+% at this age is usually more influenced by wood and dryness. With water is the salt still present, also an extraordinarily long aftertaste of diabolic mint, pepper, oak, nuts, red meat and lots of wasabi comes out.
Lovely cask strength, but not for beginners: 8
Glenlochy 14yo 1968-1982 40% CC G&M
Strong smell of dark chocolate infused with hints of malty aromas, a beauty from the highlands. Too bad this distillery doesn't produce anymore. Hard to define the taste, complicated, some fruit, pear, salt, malt, and white pepper.
nice and clean, firm on the palate: 6
Lately I've had an epiphany when it comes to the whisky from this sadly closed distillery. Cadenheads bottlings at 46% is also usually a lot better than the dumpy's of other IB's. This has a pleasant but very oaky flavour, deems maybe the slight evaporation has hightened the %abv some(?). The taste is very spirity and grassy, not pleasant at all, needs water. A bit better with water, but even more grassy and a bit austere, not my kind of malt at all this.
Poor Spirit, poor cask, I guess: 2
Glen Lochy 27yo 46% Cadenhead's
Glenlochy is one of the closed distilleries truly hard to find these days, not so much because they're in big demand, but because most of it were used for blending purposes. It smells mild, creamy, hay, old style. The taste is sweet, pesto, a bit sour, farmy, hay, really charming old style malt. With water comes addition of some really sweet liquorice notes. I must admit that not many connoisseur's mention Glenlochy amongst their most beloved lost ones, but I do find it to be a whisky of good example of how fabulous older whiskies can be without being bottled Cask Strength or killed with special cask maturations.
A true gem if you like to try some old school malt: 7.5
Glenlochy 18yo 60.5% The Whisky Connoisseur
Very odorless for a whisky with such an high abv. It needs some time to develop. It becomes pleasantly sweet after a while with hints of caramell and fresh christmas bakery. On the palate it's very herbal at first, but quickly gets very salty . Surprisingly "wet" whisky, a cask strength at 60+% at this age is usually more influenced by wood and dryness. With water is the salt still present, also an extraordinarily long aftertaste of diabolic mint, pepper, oak, nuts, red meat and lots of wasabi comes out.
Lovely cask strength, but not for beginners: 8
Glenlochy 14yo 1968-1982 40% CC G&M
Strong smell of dark chocolate infused with hints of malty aromas, a beauty from the highlands. Too bad this distillery doesn't produce anymore. Hard to define the taste, complicated, some fruit, pear, salt, malt, and white pepper.
nice and clean, firm on the palate: 6
mandag 20. september 2010
so far so good...
I've now reached just over 500 tasting notes, and to see what's the result I've made a list over the distilleries I've tasted 5 or more of, and counted out each's average score. So here goes...
Aberlour 6.4
Ardbeg 5.25
Balvenie 5.2
Benriach 4.4
Bowmore 5.7
Bruichladdich 6.25
Bunnahabhain 5.5
Caol Ila 6.7
Fettercairn 7.2
Glen Elgin 6.6
Glen Grant 5.3
Glen Mhor 6.2
Glen Moray 4.7
Glen Ord 6
Glendronach 5.7
Glenfarclas 6.1
Glenfiddich 5.75
Glenlivet 4.8
Glenmorangie 5.2
Glenrothes 4.5
Glenturret 5
Highland Park 5.8
Laphroaig 6.5
Linkwood 5.3
Longmorn 6
Macallan 4.9
Macduff 4.4
Port Ellen 7.2
Rosebank 5.8
Scapa 4.4
Springbank
st. Magdalene 7.2
Tamdhu 5.8
Strathisla 6
Tamnavulin 4.8
Tomintoul 4
Port Ellen, Fettercairn and st. Magdalene (Linlithgow) as winners, only ones to top 7. Perhaps will the results be a bit different when I reach 1k, who knows?
Aberlour 6.4
Ardbeg 5.25
Balvenie 5.2
Benriach 4.4
Bowmore 5.7
Bruichladdich 6.25
Bunnahabhain 5.5
Caol Ila 6.7
Fettercairn 7.2
Glen Elgin 6.6
Glen Grant 5.3
Glen Mhor 6.2
Glen Moray 4.7
Glen Ord 6
Glendronach 5.7
Glenfarclas 6.1
Glenfiddich 5.75
Glenlivet 4.8
Glenmorangie 5.2
Glenrothes 4.5
Glenturret 5
Highland Park 5.8
Laphroaig 6.5
Linkwood 5.3
Longmorn 6
Macallan 4.9
Macduff 4.4
Port Ellen 7.2
Rosebank 5.8
Scapa 4.4
Springbank
st. Magdalene 7.2
Tamdhu 5.8
Strathisla 6
Tamnavulin 4.8
Tomintoul 4
Port Ellen, Fettercairn and st. Magdalene (Linlithgow) as winners, only ones to top 7. Perhaps will the results be a bit different when I reach 1k, who knows?
søndag 19. september 2010
4 Royal Bracklas tasted between 1.4.2008-28.5.2011
Royal Brackla 14yo 1992-2007 57.9% Cadenhead's btl.x/228
Last time I tried Royal Brackla I was truly impressed. Now I have another chance to be amazed, as Royal Brackla isn't bottled much as a single malt it's a rare occasion to try it. A very powerful whisky this smells like. oak, gelatin, espresso coffee, roasted nuts, and with a small alcohol sting. The flavour is dry, toffee, butter, floral, bisquits, many many different flavours. This one comes from a bourbon cask, but there's no sign of an banana/vanilla notes, I'd say it's almost more like fino sherry. A pleasant surprise.
I'm still impressed: 8
Royal Brackla 14yo 1992-2007 57.9% Cadenhead's btl.x/228
Last time I tried Royal Brackla I was truly impressed. Now I have another chance to be amazed, as Royal Brackla isn't bottled much as a single malt it's a rare occasion to try it. A very powerful whisky this smells like. oak, gelatin, espresso coffee, roasted nuts, and with a small alcohol sting. The flavour is dry, toffee, butter, floral, bisquits, many many different flavours. This one comes from a bourbon cask, but there's no sign of an banana/vanilla notes, I'd say it's almost more like fino sherry. A pleasant surprise.
I'm still impressed: 8
Royal Brackla 14yo 1978-1993 43% The Master of Malt cask 11081 btl 205/240
The Master of Malt I have no idea about although they're doing quite some advertising online I've seen, but who aren't these days. Totally blank whisky, Has a sweet and perfumy odor, pretty nice and appetizing. This is a strong and fullbodied malt, cupcakes, cinnamon sticks, beef tartar, brine and mussels. The aftertaste is very minty and fresh, soothing, and it needs to be because of the very rich palate. A well-balanced malt that can accomodate just about anything.
Very very nice: 7.5
Royal Brackla 14yo 1969-1983 40% CC G&M
Royal Brackla has never been a very popular single malt, let's see if I can figure why. It smells of lemon-like detergent and concentrated oranges, orange kernels? In other words lots of citrus. It does taste the same, reminds me of soap, with something bitter too it. Hard to describe better.
Total Failure: 1
Royal Brackla 11yo 58.4% SMWS The Chattering Glass cask#55.15
I was quite pleased with the Dailuaine from the same artsy series, that I tried a while back. This one has the color of white wine, and it has a nice and modest wheat, hay, dried herbs and butterscotch sweetness scent. Extremely nice at such a strength, I'd say its one of the finest noses I've ever had. The taste is The taste is dried and taste of leather, prunes, mellow and silky. There's also this sweet licorice note that follows through the whole experience. Definately something new.
A smooth and mellow but tender whisky: 8
Last time I tried Royal Brackla I was truly impressed. Now I have another chance to be amazed, as Royal Brackla isn't bottled much as a single malt it's a rare occasion to try it. A very powerful whisky this smells like. oak, gelatin, espresso coffee, roasted nuts, and with a small alcohol sting. The flavour is dry, toffee, butter, floral, bisquits, many many different flavours. This one comes from a bourbon cask, but there's no sign of an banana/vanilla notes, I'd say it's almost more like fino sherry. A pleasant surprise.
I'm still impressed: 8
Royal Brackla 14yo 1992-2007 57.9% Cadenhead's btl.x/228
Last time I tried Royal Brackla I was truly impressed. Now I have another chance to be amazed, as Royal Brackla isn't bottled much as a single malt it's a rare occasion to try it. A very powerful whisky this smells like. oak, gelatin, espresso coffee, roasted nuts, and with a small alcohol sting. The flavour is dry, toffee, butter, floral, bisquits, many many different flavours. This one comes from a bourbon cask, but there's no sign of an banana/vanilla notes, I'd say it's almost more like fino sherry. A pleasant surprise.
I'm still impressed: 8
Royal Brackla 14yo 1978-1993 43% The Master of Malt cask 11081 btl 205/240
The Master of Malt I have no idea about although they're doing quite some advertising online I've seen, but who aren't these days. Totally blank whisky, Has a sweet and perfumy odor, pretty nice and appetizing. This is a strong and fullbodied malt, cupcakes, cinnamon sticks, beef tartar, brine and mussels. The aftertaste is very minty and fresh, soothing, and it needs to be because of the very rich palate. A well-balanced malt that can accomodate just about anything.
Very very nice: 7.5
Royal Brackla 14yo 1969-1983 40% CC G&M
Royal Brackla has never been a very popular single malt, let's see if I can figure why. It smells of lemon-like detergent and concentrated oranges, orange kernels? In other words lots of citrus. It does taste the same, reminds me of soap, with something bitter too it. Hard to describe better.
Total Failure: 1
Royal Brackla 11yo 58.4% SMWS The Chattering Glass cask#55.15
I was quite pleased with the Dailuaine from the same artsy series, that I tried a while back. This one has the color of white wine, and it has a nice and modest wheat, hay, dried herbs and butterscotch sweetness scent. Extremely nice at such a strength, I'd say its one of the finest noses I've ever had. The taste is The taste is dried and taste of leather, prunes, mellow and silky. There's also this sweet licorice note that follows through the whole experience. Definately something new.
A smooth and mellow but tender whisky: 8
5 Linlithgow/St. Magdalenes tasted between 1.4.2008-28.5.2011
Linlithgow 26yo 1982-2008 61.2% Signatory Vintage
Returning to the lowlands with this one, now seen as a true connoisseurs malt, I have no idea why they put it to sleep, but seems almost every closed whisky distillery gets sort of a renaissance post mortem. I'll keep an eye on Littlemill, who knows, years from now people may sit complain why it was brought to sleep? Smells honey, fruity, tar, paint, musk, hard to put a finger on an odor definition here. Very delicate for a whisky of this strength. It's really sweet and zesty, an absolute summers dram, the taste actually makes me smile and its far from the alcohol talking. I think if I should sum up the flavours it's look pretty mediocre, but there's just something really vibrant about this old malt that gives me chills all over.
I guess not all whiskies go dry and oaky with age: 9
St. Magdalene 23yo 1982-2006 50% Old Malt Cask Douglas Laing
A totally blank whisky bottled at 23yo, bourbon-matured for sure. Smells a bit salty, raw, radishes and mint, but most of all it is sour, full of lemon notes. The taste is also very lemony, salty, kind of a classic st. magdalene, with a heavy minty aftertaste. I only have 2cl of this to enjoy, unfotunately, so I do not have the opportunity to try it with water. Anyway, I don't think it would need that to impress me.
Wonderful old st. Magdalene: 8
St. Magdalene 15yo 46% Cadenhead's
The Linlithgow is considered by many as one that we all should mourn over, but I often find it to be a malt of very varying caliber. This one comes from a bourbon cask. It smells good, vanilla, liquorice, oaky, kiwi and blackberry jam. Very unusual. The taste is very concentrated on acidy taste, lots of lemon and some herbs. It's immensely sour, lemon all the way. The aftertaste gives way to even more lemon. Alright, there aren't many layers of flavours in this whisky, but the lemon sensation is absolutely fabulous.
Malt sour?: 7
St. Magdalene 23yo 1982-2006 56% Hart Brothers
A cask strength from the old st. Magdalene Distillery could be a treasure. Fantastic odors of strong camphor and barley. The taste is very dry, with some honey, a bit like fernet with syrup I guess. Very very dry whisky, with a finish of sour leaves. It has no problems handling some water, which will make it a bit less dry.
Honey and dry white wine: 6
St. Magdalene 16yo 1981-1997 40% CC G&M
St. Magdalene, also known as Linlithgow is a dearly departed. Lowland-whisky like this is hard to come across these days. Sweet and spicy notes on the nose, very light-hearted. Taste of sweet liquorice, should definately been bottled at a higher abv, as this whisky comes off as too tame when dilluted to only 40%
I'll be on the lookout for other bottlings: 6
Returning to the lowlands with this one, now seen as a true connoisseurs malt, I have no idea why they put it to sleep, but seems almost every closed whisky distillery gets sort of a renaissance post mortem. I'll keep an eye on Littlemill, who knows, years from now people may sit complain why it was brought to sleep? Smells honey, fruity, tar, paint, musk, hard to put a finger on an odor definition here. Very delicate for a whisky of this strength. It's really sweet and zesty, an absolute summers dram, the taste actually makes me smile and its far from the alcohol talking. I think if I should sum up the flavours it's look pretty mediocre, but there's just something really vibrant about this old malt that gives me chills all over.
I guess not all whiskies go dry and oaky with age: 9
St. Magdalene 23yo 1982-2006 50% Old Malt Cask Douglas Laing
A totally blank whisky bottled at 23yo, bourbon-matured for sure. Smells a bit salty, raw, radishes and mint, but most of all it is sour, full of lemon notes. The taste is also very lemony, salty, kind of a classic st. magdalene, with a heavy minty aftertaste. I only have 2cl of this to enjoy, unfotunately, so I do not have the opportunity to try it with water. Anyway, I don't think it would need that to impress me.
Wonderful old st. Magdalene: 8
St. Magdalene 15yo 46% Cadenhead's
The Linlithgow is considered by many as one that we all should mourn over, but I often find it to be a malt of very varying caliber. This one comes from a bourbon cask. It smells good, vanilla, liquorice, oaky, kiwi and blackberry jam. Very unusual. The taste is very concentrated on acidy taste, lots of lemon and some herbs. It's immensely sour, lemon all the way. The aftertaste gives way to even more lemon. Alright, there aren't many layers of flavours in this whisky, but the lemon sensation is absolutely fabulous.
Malt sour?: 7
St. Magdalene 23yo 1982-2006 56% Hart Brothers
A cask strength from the old st. Magdalene Distillery could be a treasure. Fantastic odors of strong camphor and barley. The taste is very dry, with some honey, a bit like fernet with syrup I guess. Very very dry whisky, with a finish of sour leaves. It has no problems handling some water, which will make it a bit less dry.
Honey and dry white wine: 6
St. Magdalene 16yo 1981-1997 40% CC G&M
St. Magdalene, also known as Linlithgow is a dearly departed. Lowland-whisky like this is hard to come across these days. Sweet and spicy notes on the nose, very light-hearted. Taste of sweet liquorice, should definately been bottled at a higher abv, as this whisky comes off as too tame when dilluted to only 40%
I'll be on the lookout for other bottlings: 6
3 Broras tasted between 1.4.2008-28.5.2011
Brora 30yo 53.2% OB
I've tried the much talked about Brora before, but never an OB, this should be a cracker from what I've heard. It smells fresh, green notes, forest, wet grass, tea, nice but very gentle. The taste is slightly bitter, lemon peel, sage, fish sauce, but that's not the problem, to me it seems kind of dead. I'll add some water. With enought time and water some notes of red onion and salt appears, very nice, but at this age, well, I guess it should've been bottled earlier then.
Good, but at this age and price?: 6
Brora 23yo 1981-2005 48% Dun Bheagan cask#1512 btl.x/648.
From a refill sherry butt, Brora is a dearly departed as it shows to be one of the most sought after discontinued malts today. It smells minty and grassy, maybe it needs some time. It doesn't improve much. The taste is so sweet and lovely, oloroso sherry, caramel, marshmallows, green tea and banana leaves. The aftertaste is long and peppery, not much going on. With some water it gets dryer and richer on the palate. But all in all, what saves this malt is the palate.
I'm not as fascinated by Brora as many others I guess: 4.5
Brora 17yo 1982-1999 40% CC G&M
The odor gives me a small idea of honey and flowers, summery. Tastewise it's also honey at first, then blackberries on the palate. A very special taste, perhaps a bit strange, who knows, but absolutely worth a shot.
Charismatic for the highlands: 7
I've tried the much talked about Brora before, but never an OB, this should be a cracker from what I've heard. It smells fresh, green notes, forest, wet grass, tea, nice but very gentle. The taste is slightly bitter, lemon peel, sage, fish sauce, but that's not the problem, to me it seems kind of dead. I'll add some water. With enought time and water some notes of red onion and salt appears, very nice, but at this age, well, I guess it should've been bottled earlier then.
Good, but at this age and price?: 6
Brora 23yo 1981-2005 48% Dun Bheagan cask#1512 btl.x/648.
From a refill sherry butt, Brora is a dearly departed as it shows to be one of the most sought after discontinued malts today. It smells minty and grassy, maybe it needs some time. It doesn't improve much. The taste is so sweet and lovely, oloroso sherry, caramel, marshmallows, green tea and banana leaves. The aftertaste is long and peppery, not much going on. With some water it gets dryer and richer on the palate. But all in all, what saves this malt is the palate.
I'm not as fascinated by Brora as many others I guess: 4.5
Brora 17yo 1982-1999 40% CC G&M
The odor gives me a small idea of honey and flowers, summery. Tastewise it's also honey at first, then blackberries on the palate. A very special taste, perhaps a bit strange, who knows, but absolutely worth a shot.
Charismatic for the highlands: 7
lørdag 18. september 2010
4 Old Pulteneys tasted between 1.4.2008-28.5.2011
Old Pulteney 20yo 1990-2010 57.4% OB cask#5253
This is an edition only available at the distillery, on the sample it says it's handfilled, does that effect the taste??? Surely not, but anything sells these days. It smells pretty coastal, actually reminds me of some CS versions of Port Ellen. Salty, earthy, smoky, coastal, really nice. The taste is extreme, truly dry, I'd bet a fair amount cash that this was a peaty Islayer. Extremely rich, salty notes, rustic. I have to add some water. Given water it becomes herbal, sherry-like, fino style. A true gem, if you like a punchy whisky.
One to test your palate with: 6
Old Pulteney 14yo 1993-2007 59.9% G&M Cask
Another bar-whisky from yesterday's escapades. Now the Old Pulteney I've always reckoned a fine malt without too much fancyness. This one is sherry matured and quite dark, probably some E150 a well. A very aromatic nose, white wine and glue plus some salty dry notes. More coastal than most OB's I've tried. The taste is very peppery, almost overpowering combined with the dryness. I dare to add some water. I wish I didn't, now it becomes a bit like some of the horrible CC-bottlings one could get their hands on in the 80's.
Without water I'll give it: 7
Old Pulteney 8yo 40% Gordon & Macphail for J&G Stodart
Old Pulteney is a fascinating distillery, and hard to find bottled independently. This is one from back in the 70's or 80's bottled for J&G Stodart. It has a very nice golden colour, artificial for sure. A perfumy, honey-like and a bit coastal smell, pleasant. The taste is like that of roasted nuts, sweet smoke, dry, hops, very, very dry. The aftertaste is of peppers and rum. This must be sherry-matured.
A straight-forward old-styled sherry thing: 6
Old Pulteney 12yo 40% OB
Pulteney is the nothernmost distillery on the scottish mainland. It has a somewhat soothing and passive smell, with hints of caramelized nuts. Tastes of butterscotch, gingerbread, really sweet, spicy, honey, lemon, caramel, oregano, sundried tomatoes and some salt.
Extraordinary and different from anything else: 8
This is an edition only available at the distillery, on the sample it says it's handfilled, does that effect the taste??? Surely not, but anything sells these days. It smells pretty coastal, actually reminds me of some CS versions of Port Ellen. Salty, earthy, smoky, coastal, really nice. The taste is extreme, truly dry, I'd bet a fair amount cash that this was a peaty Islayer. Extremely rich, salty notes, rustic. I have to add some water. Given water it becomes herbal, sherry-like, fino style. A true gem, if you like a punchy whisky.
One to test your palate with: 6
Old Pulteney 14yo 1993-2007 59.9% G&M Cask
Another bar-whisky from yesterday's escapades. Now the Old Pulteney I've always reckoned a fine malt without too much fancyness. This one is sherry matured and quite dark, probably some E150 a well. A very aromatic nose, white wine and glue plus some salty dry notes. More coastal than most OB's I've tried. The taste is very peppery, almost overpowering combined with the dryness. I dare to add some water. I wish I didn't, now it becomes a bit like some of the horrible CC-bottlings one could get their hands on in the 80's.
Without water I'll give it: 7
Old Pulteney 8yo 40% Gordon & Macphail for J&G Stodart
Old Pulteney is a fascinating distillery, and hard to find bottled independently. This is one from back in the 70's or 80's bottled for J&G Stodart. It has a very nice golden colour, artificial for sure. A perfumy, honey-like and a bit coastal smell, pleasant. The taste is like that of roasted nuts, sweet smoke, dry, hops, very, very dry. The aftertaste is of peppers and rum. This must be sherry-matured.
A straight-forward old-styled sherry thing: 6
Old Pulteney 12yo 40% OB
Pulteney is the nothernmost distillery on the scottish mainland. It has a somewhat soothing and passive smell, with hints of caramelized nuts. Tastes of butterscotch, gingerbread, really sweet, spicy, honey, lemon, caramel, oregano, sundried tomatoes and some salt.
Extraordinary and different from anything else: 8
tirsdag 7. september 2010
5 Glenlossies tasted between 1.4.2008-28.5.2011
Glenlossie 12yo 65.8% James MacArthur's cask#8230
A golden bronze coloured Glenlossie of unusual high %abv. I wonder if the reason J.M. is bottling all these young CS is that they're offering a strength a bit above the average? Anyway, high strength CS' seems to be becoming more and more in demand nowadays, so could be they're just doing their best to satisfy the market. Even the G&M CC-series have upped now. The nose is spicy, nutty, tickling, blueberries, elderflower, sherry, phenolic, too many notes to mention. The flavour is what I expect airplane fuel to taste like. far too strong without water. Water tames the beast, and a sweet, dried herbs, spices, dried elderberries, and a bit perfumy notes appears.
A malt you can nose for hours, otherwise mediocre: 5.5
Glenlossie 24yo 1984-2008 59.1% Signatory Vintage
I've always loved the whisky from Glenlossie Distillery, the few I've managed to come across that is. But I don't believe I've ever tried it at this strength. It has a nice bronze colour, sherry matured, the nose is full on plums, grapes, soft fruits, mango puree, red pesto and red wine reduction. Oh yes, this is a gentle, but oh so powerful monster, starts sweet, butter cookies, goose liver (to say it in english), and thick sherriness, it then turns peppery, phenolic, a bit burning, but not too much and finishes with a long waxy aftertaste.
There are far too few Glenlossies out there: 8.5
Glenlossie 28yo 1978-2005 46% Connoisseurs Choice Gordon & Macphail
Having already tried the G&M 29yo Glenlossie from the same vintage I was expecting a treat here. It starts off with some nice scents, smoky, salty and juniper berries. The taste is sweet, much liquorice, a small disappointment, but the finish lifts it again with notes of chilli, brown sugar and shallots. Again a refill sherry.
Good whisky: 7.5
Glenlossie 10yo 1993-2004 46% Murray McDavid
Glenlossie have nipped my attention before but since it's so hard to get by I've just been able to taste so so many. This one is bourbon-matured and of course without any colouring or such. It does smell of apples, young ripe green ones, very much apples, hard to find much else but that doesn't matter as the apple-notes are fantastic. The taste is also a bit sweet/sour apple-like to start off before it becomes very peppery a bit too soon I'm afraid. The initial taste is delicate but just doesn't last long enough or it'd be a winner in my book. To make most of it just keep it in the mouth a bit before swallowing and let the tip of your tongue fetch all the fruity taste. The aftertaste is very peppery and quite long. Addition of water makes little difference in this one.
Half perfect, half mediocre: 7
Glenlossie 29yo 1978-2007 46% Connoisseurs Choice Gordon & Macphail
My first Glenlossie ever calls for a celebration, I'll pour myself a double... oh yes, this is a rocket up your nose, spicy, hints of dried herbs and irish stew. Very salty. the taste is dry, flinty, peppery, like a good old Coleburn. With water it does excell with some nice notes of beef tartar and mashed peas. Now, it's far from fantastic, but it has something honest and good going on. An old school quality malt that doesn't need finishing touches in strange wood or added peat for that sake, it's fabulous just the way it is.
It won't win many awards, but a true whiskylover will enjoy this: 7
A golden bronze coloured Glenlossie of unusual high %abv. I wonder if the reason J.M. is bottling all these young CS is that they're offering a strength a bit above the average? Anyway, high strength CS' seems to be becoming more and more in demand nowadays, so could be they're just doing their best to satisfy the market. Even the G&M CC-series have upped now. The nose is spicy, nutty, tickling, blueberries, elderflower, sherry, phenolic, too many notes to mention. The flavour is what I expect airplane fuel to taste like. far too strong without water. Water tames the beast, and a sweet, dried herbs, spices, dried elderberries, and a bit perfumy notes appears.
A malt you can nose for hours, otherwise mediocre: 5.5
Glenlossie 24yo 1984-2008 59.1% Signatory Vintage
I've always loved the whisky from Glenlossie Distillery, the few I've managed to come across that is. But I don't believe I've ever tried it at this strength. It has a nice bronze colour, sherry matured, the nose is full on plums, grapes, soft fruits, mango puree, red pesto and red wine reduction. Oh yes, this is a gentle, but oh so powerful monster, starts sweet, butter cookies, goose liver (to say it in english), and thick sherriness, it then turns peppery, phenolic, a bit burning, but not too much and finishes with a long waxy aftertaste.
There are far too few Glenlossies out there: 8.5
Glenlossie 28yo 1978-2005 46% Connoisseurs Choice Gordon & Macphail
Having already tried the G&M 29yo Glenlossie from the same vintage I was expecting a treat here. It starts off with some nice scents, smoky, salty and juniper berries. The taste is sweet, much liquorice, a small disappointment, but the finish lifts it again with notes of chilli, brown sugar and shallots. Again a refill sherry.
Good whisky: 7.5
Glenlossie 10yo 1993-2004 46% Murray McDavid
Glenlossie have nipped my attention before but since it's so hard to get by I've just been able to taste so so many. This one is bourbon-matured and of course without any colouring or such. It does smell of apples, young ripe green ones, very much apples, hard to find much else but that doesn't matter as the apple-notes are fantastic. The taste is also a bit sweet/sour apple-like to start off before it becomes very peppery a bit too soon I'm afraid. The initial taste is delicate but just doesn't last long enough or it'd be a winner in my book. To make most of it just keep it in the mouth a bit before swallowing and let the tip of your tongue fetch all the fruity taste. The aftertaste is very peppery and quite long. Addition of water makes little difference in this one.
Half perfect, half mediocre: 7
Glenlossie 29yo 1978-2007 46% Connoisseurs Choice Gordon & Macphail
My first Glenlossie ever calls for a celebration, I'll pour myself a double... oh yes, this is a rocket up your nose, spicy, hints of dried herbs and irish stew. Very salty. the taste is dry, flinty, peppery, like a good old Coleburn. With water it does excell with some nice notes of beef tartar and mashed peas. Now, it's far from fantastic, but it has something honest and good going on. An old school quality malt that doesn't need finishing touches in strange wood or added peat for that sake, it's fabulous just the way it is.
It won't win many awards, but a true whiskylover will enjoy this: 7
Abonner på:
Innlegg (Atom)