Port Askaig 30yo 45.8%
Same strength as a Talisker but I think this is a Caol Ila, and at 30yo, one of the oldest I've tried so far. It's a bit strange how Caol Ila always seems to be the middle of the road Islay malt, never very good and never bad, just always perfectly drinkable. Is this because they have a very steady produce, or is it that they are very good at choosing similar casks? I guess I'll never know, but this one might shaw me a different side to their produce. Smells floral, peaty and peppery, with burnt butter and mashed horseradish. The taste is peaty and floral along with some peppermint and green straws.
Not any better than the regular OB stuff: 6
Talimburg 20yo 1986-2006 43.8% Artist Edition
One bottled for/by(?) the Limburg whisky festival, and by the name it's not hard to guess which distillery this one comes from. Sad to say, this is my only IB Talisker as they normally keep the casks to themselves, but again, that's maybe why their range keeps such good standard. Limited to 240 bottles. Pale white wine color. The taste is sweet and full of vanilla, marshmallows and peat. It's perfectly good, light, crisp, fresh, but it lacks some of the complexity found in the 18yo, due to there's no sherry in the mix here, I presume. It reminds me somewhat of the 1997 Fettercairn cask# 2032, at 62.3%. Except the peat, but the high spirit gives some of the same impression. The lightest Talisker for me so far.
Perfect light summers dram: 8
Probably Speyside's Finest 41yo 1967-2009 50% Old Malt Cask Douglas Ling cask#5159
This one could also very well be a Glenfarclas, I'm looking forward to this one, Douglas Laing must have some tight casks as they keep 50+% abv after over 40 years. Could it be they've been diluted with water as well? Not much then, I hope. Much lighter color than the Ballindaloch, peach tea. The taste is fruity and peppery, zesty, unripe oranges, and lime, some peat as well. Some earthy noes and old haystack. Not a style I usually see affiliating with such old Glenfarclases, maybe its a refill cask?
More whisky, less sherry, better than the Ballindaloch: 6.5
Ballindalloch 40yo 1965-2005 50% Douglas Laing Old Malt Cask cask#2097
This one could very well be a Glenfarclas as they're usually reluctant to let IB's put their name on labels. And affordable(!) sherried whiskies this old, well, we've seen them come from Glebfarclas more often than other distilleries. Dark color, smells malt syrup, honey lozenges, green tea, dark roasted coffee beans, peppery notes. The taste is all on malty vinegar and white wine reduced meat stock, dried ginger and garlic. With water it becomes sweeter, more sherry, dry sherry, junipers, cranberry juice, the sherry completely overpowers the whisky in this case.
For sherry-lovers only: 5.5
Glen Appin 20yo 43% Highland Single Malt Ets. Henri Mugnier
I have tried finding what distillery this might come from, but there seems to be little information online. But "highland" limits the number of possibilities a bit, at least if mr. Mugnier considers Speyside a region of its own. A dark colour, could very well be some sherry casks in the mix. Smells sweet oloroso, sweet peach limonade, small hints of rubber alongside some oaky herbal butter. Enticing. The taste is more on the bitter side, again herbal and lemongrass, mint. With water it develops a more soft side, reminds me of the Bowmore enigma, there's some peat in the mix, it's not bad at all, but too bitter on the palate and finish for my taste.
My guess would be its a Dalmore, but I'm far from sure: 4
Highland 8yo 57.8% Ian Macleod As We Get It
A young highlander from unknown distillery, last time I tried an "As We Get It", I believe it was a Balvenie, and it was close to rubbish, hopefully this one will be better. Smells spirity, oaky, malty, I will add water to this right away, The taste is sort of zesty, lemon, chili, nuts, but lots of alcohol, needs a touch of water. With water it gets a bit like rotten fruits, a bit sweet and sour, but with a long aftertaste of fruits gone bad. Brown apples and weed.
A malt misfit: 1.5
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