Why these unnecessary breaks from the older glories, and with these rather modest/cheap sessions? Supermarket Auchentoshans and now a wild spread of whiskies I suspect absolutely nothing from? The reason is simple. First of all, if only tasting whiskies that I expect/hope to taste great, there will be some that reaches up there, and the rest of the whisky from that distillery will only be compared to that one. But if I like now, in amongst some Glen Grants and Springbanks and such, drink a Canadian Club, or even a Famous Grouse, and say:
- Wow, this 1987 Famous Grouse really reminds me of that 38yo one from Glen Grant!!!
Wouldn't that be something. Right, so I guess if I were to find a cheap 1987 Famous Grouse at an auction, I'd know I just had to grab it.But most of all it just makes for some interesting variations for my palate.
Canadian Club 12yo 80Proof bottled 1973, square bottle
So, what was this canadian blend like back in 1973, of course I should have gotten a cheap contemporary Canadian Club just for comparison purposes. I do however like Canadian Club quite a bit. Bright orange hue, lots of E's surely. It smells nuts, oak, rotting bananas, barley(?!?), musty. I hate to say it, but I'm finding this very "cheap-suggesting" old style a bit charming. The taste is sweet and peppery, nothing to get excited about really. I must say that I like the 2000+ versions of Canadian Club better than this. It lacks both flavor and finish.
It smells okay, the rest lacks a certain profile: 3.5
Knappogue Castle 1995 40% Bushmills Distillery (online resources say)
Some Irish whisky for a change, not many of the I've tried, but the 1950-something 48yo from Daly's Tullamore was the absolute best whisky I've tried from outside of Scotland, and a contender for the title of "best whisky ever" in my book. Enough about that, lets try to see what Bushmills has to offer (and yes, I do know that its actually a part of the UK, not Ireland). Light white wine color. It smells rich and honeyed, banana and vanilla as well, obviously from some good bourbon cask(s). Toffee and orange marmalade as well. The taste is mild and floral, some grassy notes and pollen. This is way too bland for me, needs some higher alcohol strength to even be recogniceable as a whisky for me. This could be some vodka for all that I knew.
Bland and blander so far in this session: 3
The Famous Grouse 1987 40% Vintage Malt Whisky (Glenturret?)
I cannot say I'm sure this is a Glenturret as there's no statement of it being a "single malt". But if it is a so called blended malt, as its called nowadays, I surely think there is some Glenturret involved. Why buy lots of expensive single malt for vatting purposes when you produce your own single malt in you backyard. Or in you own home as it would be for Famous Grouse. Anyway a very interesting version. Golden hue. It smells rich, plums, tonic water, burnt butter, creme brulee, some bitter sherry notes here. The taste is quite thick and creamy, but still a lightweighter. a nice and nutty flavor. Very pleasant, and just a bit more complex than the CC and KC.
Sweet, creamy and nutty is what I get from this one: 4.5
Glengyle/kilkerran 46% OB Work in Progress
A new Cambeltown Distillery, which is owned by Springbank if my information is correct. The color is as one would expect, very light. It smells bitter and raw, this one is still a bit unfinished it seems, but very oaky for such a young whisky. The taste is burnt and bitter. I have no high expectations for the future of Glengyle Distillery based on this, but I hope I'm wrong.
This is not good, not good, but I hope it can improve: 2
Bruichladdich 50% OB X4 Newmake
I'm actually doing two new-makes today, one by a big distillery, certainly able to produce whisky that will sail the world. And another one from a distillery that has produced about 5 casks of whisky, or somewhere thereabout, altogether. This is interesting as I feel that Bruichladdich is looking towards a very bright future, when production of Octomore reaches full potential, and the new Port Charlotte Distillery is able to work in full production, there will be a great hype following. And remember, its getting a couple years now since they re-opened, so therefore we'll be able to expect the fruits of their labour very soon. I did try the Glenglassaugh Newmake at 50%, and it was not my cup of tea, perhaps this can do a bit better? It smells rich and malty, very good actually although a bit spirity. Some beetroots and raw onions follows. The taste is spirity and malty, not a friend of mine. But I can surely see why this could make magic in any cask.There are no off-notes, its just very pure and clean spirity new-make. An onliner you may all well know once said that "the nose of the new-make foresees the palate years ahead." I hope he's right.
Interesting, but not really enjoyable yet: 3
Loch Ewe 2011 50.6% OB
So, this Distillery stands in the backyard of a hotel. It's a small distilling machinery with nothing more to it. How will it compare to that of the distillery producing 1.5 million liters a year of new-make to become Bruichladdich 12, 15, 18 and such in years to come. It smells sweet, light, heathery, almonds, floral, some parsley, musty, freshly baked bread, wood oven, a very good new-make. Lighter, yet more powerful. It kind of reminds me of some young Fettercairns. The taste is grainy, burnt, oaky, marzipan, nut mixtures, clay, peppery. Do I like it? Oh yes, very well indeed. Would I ever travel to Drumchork Hotel in Aultbea to get a bottle of this? No chance in hell...
For a new-make, splendid, but please buy more casks: 4
Next tasting: #4 Classic Malts
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