Benrinnes 14yo 1994-2008 46% Dun Bheagan
A sherried Benrinnes, I did love the 14yo sherried 1994 OMC Benrinnes last time I tried, maybe this one can reach those high, or even surpass. Smells fresh, green herbs, olive oil, chives, a bit soapy. The taste is certainly oaky, lots of character, but it's just too simple. With water it gets sweeter, bananas and vanilla, but the aftertaste is acidic and ruins much of the potential palate pleasure.
An oaky Benrinnes with little soul: 4
Benrinnes/Stronachie 12yo 43% Dewar's
Stronachie has, according to many online sources been outed as a Benrinnes malt, after many a year as a good kept secret, when it comes to distillery of origin. I've always enjoyed my Benrinnes when sherry-matured, how will this lighter version make it? The smell is round, soft, woody, cigars, toast and bacon. The taste is just as pleasant, easy, rubbery, cinnamon, rope, dry. It's not my favourite Benrinnes by far, but it's a pleasant, honest working-class malt whisky.
A naughty speysider: 5
Benrinnes 23yo 1986-2009 58.8% OB
A cask strength version from this little known, and little sought after, but to my experience very good distillery. This sherry cask has definately made it's mark, and the taste is estremely sweet and pungent, a real kick. It's very dry, and the afteretaste is almost too phenolic. A small drop of water makes the finish a bit softer. This is a crazy cask, one of the strongest sherry notes I've ever tried.
Dry, peppery and sherried: 5
Benrinnes 14yo 1994-2008 50% Douglas Laing Old Malt Cask
Benrinnes is one that's hard to find, but I've heard some good about it. It comes across as very elegant on the nosing, fresh, fruity and pretty spiced. Gets me thinking the percentage of alcohol may be a bit high. But the taste is nicely tuned, with spices, herbs, sour fruits and a nice crisp finish. A malt that would bless almost any occation.
Almost perfect: 9
torsdag 11. november 2010
fredag 5. november 2010
5 Ben Nevis tasted between 1.4.2008-28.5.2011
Ben Nevis 15yo 1992-2007 56.6% Signatory Vintage
Ben Nevis is a malt that unfortunately for me seems to have a word by mouth of stupendous old sherried bottlings, but the recent batches seems to not work out, or maybe it's just people beeing to spoiled by older(better) times? Smells of cocoa, toffee, smooth. The taste is at first very sweet, honey, mango, peaches, oily, mushy peas and vegetabel stock. The aftertaste is very spirity. Water needed. With water it's the same stuff, nice fruity notes at start, then spirity, sulphur notes at the end.
A shame, it started so well: 5
Ben Nevis 12yo 1996-2008 46% The Warehouse Collection
A 2cl bottle of Ben Nevis from a 1st fill sherry cask of only 576 bottles. I actually have no idea how I got this one, but anyway, here goes. It smells very fresh, and smoky, smoky mountain air? It tastes like a bad grain whisky, nothing going on at all. The aftertaste is just woody, and bland. I'm not going to say it out loud, but if you read a bit between the lines, and I've heard of the Warehouse Collection either, and the bottle most certainly aren't from the british Isles. Well, well...
Useless: 2
Maybe a bit off topic, but still... http://www.trademarkia.com/the-warehouse-collection-76408807.html
Ben Nevis 14yo 1996-2010 57.1% Malts of Scotland cask 1466
I'm travelling further down the sherry road with a relatively young sherried Ben Nevis Cask Strength. The alcohol level completely dominates the smell of this one. And the taste is überspirity. Let's add water. With water it gets a bit less spirity, but it's still very off. No real flavours that's recognizeable, eveything is hidden behind dryness and spirity notes. When given some time an initial sweetness shows tastewise, but it's not enough to save this one.
Ben Nevis needs much time, mostly in the cask: 4
Ben Nevis 10yo 46% OB
The first OB of Ben Nevis for me. I do enjoy the older CS IB's, so how does a youngster come across? A very anonymous nose, some hints of sulphur, sherry? The first taste confirms my suspicions, here there are some sherry-notes involved. But I can hardly find any sweetness, smokiness or anything else, maybe just some hay and leather. Water doesn't improve much, but it becomes a bit more cuddly, a whisky to enjoy responsibly while watching a curling match or some snooker. This is not a loud, aggressive or punchy whisky in any sort of way.
One for a lazy day: 4.5
Ben Nevis 27yo 1963-1990 54% James MacArthur
This one is a cask strength of 54%, at 27 yo that's usually proof of a good cask. It's coppercoloured, with a firm taste of garlic, salt and sun dried tomatoes, very rustic, sherry cask?It has many a good flavour in store, mild pepper, roasted pine nuts, pistachios and dried ham of pork. This is truly one to save for a special occation.
Will outshine just about anything: 9.5
Ben Nevis is a malt that unfortunately for me seems to have a word by mouth of stupendous old sherried bottlings, but the recent batches seems to not work out, or maybe it's just people beeing to spoiled by older(better) times? Smells of cocoa, toffee, smooth. The taste is at first very sweet, honey, mango, peaches, oily, mushy peas and vegetabel stock. The aftertaste is very spirity. Water needed. With water it's the same stuff, nice fruity notes at start, then spirity, sulphur notes at the end.
A shame, it started so well: 5
Ben Nevis 12yo 1996-2008 46% The Warehouse Collection
A 2cl bottle of Ben Nevis from a 1st fill sherry cask of only 576 bottles. I actually have no idea how I got this one, but anyway, here goes. It smells very fresh, and smoky, smoky mountain air? It tastes like a bad grain whisky, nothing going on at all. The aftertaste is just woody, and bland. I'm not going to say it out loud, but if you read a bit between the lines, and I've heard of the Warehouse Collection either, and the bottle most certainly aren't from the british Isles. Well, well...
Useless: 2
Maybe a bit off topic, but still... http://www.trademarkia.com/the-warehouse-collection-76408807.html
Ben Nevis 14yo 1996-2010 57.1% Malts of Scotland cask 1466
I'm travelling further down the sherry road with a relatively young sherried Ben Nevis Cask Strength. The alcohol level completely dominates the smell of this one. And the taste is überspirity. Let's add water. With water it gets a bit less spirity, but it's still very off. No real flavours that's recognizeable, eveything is hidden behind dryness and spirity notes. When given some time an initial sweetness shows tastewise, but it's not enough to save this one.
Ben Nevis needs much time, mostly in the cask: 4
Ben Nevis 10yo 46% OB
The first OB of Ben Nevis for me. I do enjoy the older CS IB's, so how does a youngster come across? A very anonymous nose, some hints of sulphur, sherry? The first taste confirms my suspicions, here there are some sherry-notes involved. But I can hardly find any sweetness, smokiness or anything else, maybe just some hay and leather. Water doesn't improve much, but it becomes a bit more cuddly, a whisky to enjoy responsibly while watching a curling match or some snooker. This is not a loud, aggressive or punchy whisky in any sort of way.
One for a lazy day: 4.5
Ben Nevis 27yo 1963-1990 54% James MacArthur
This one is a cask strength of 54%, at 27 yo that's usually proof of a good cask. It's coppercoloured, with a firm taste of garlic, salt and sun dried tomatoes, very rustic, sherry cask?It has many a good flavour in store, mild pepper, roasted pine nuts, pistachios and dried ham of pork. This is truly one to save for a special occation.
Will outshine just about anything: 9.5
4 Aultmores tasted between 1.4.2008-28.5.2011
Aultmore 12yo 1997-2009 50% Dun Bheagan
Aultmore is a malt far to rarely bottled as a single Malt I believe, I've tried some older aherried versions almost exclusively of brilliance. This one smells of toffee and autumn leaves, pretty bland. The taste is sort of the middle of the road sherried. A bit dry, a bit sweet, a bit sulphury, far from enough to leave a lasting impression, at least for me.
A bland expression: 4
Aultmore 11yo 1985-1997 60.4% Signatory Vintage cask#2905 btl.109/1200
One bourbon-matured Aultmore at high strength bottled 13 years ago, this should be something new. The colour is totallt blank, like spring water. It smells very fresh, mushrooms, earth, banana skin, green tea, many subtle flavours, nothing screams 60% here. It needs some time, then develops some candy odors, very sweet. The taste is extremely sweet and burnt, burnt matches, ink, vanilla, needs water. With water it gets interestingly fruity, something very similar to small sour green grapes, very peculiar, an aggressive fruity beauty.
With water its a very aromatic, fruity whisky: 7.5
Aultmore/Tarracroy 18yo 1975-1993 57.3% The Whisky Connoisseur
The Whisky Connoisseur gives alternative names to their bottlings, like this one, Tarracroy, it makes it fun, giving the bottle an unpredictable content, which I later can check what is online. The nose on this one is very citrussy, I'd say its lemon scent overpowers everything else. The taste is pretty simple, apples, lemon and pepper. With some water it gets sweeter, bananas, lemon, grapes and cinnamon. The aftertaste is wheaty. Once again a nice cask strength, but it doesn't compare to the best yet.
A fine whisky from Aultmore, one I'm not too familiar with: 6.5
Aultmore 16yo 1992-2008 59.2% SMWS
Aultmore is one that I'm not to familiar with, I don't think it is too common on international markets yet. At this strength it has a very phenolic fragrance, needs water, then comes a sweet, raspberryliquer like flavour forth. Dark chocolate with cognac inside is the first that comes to mind.
Can't handle the strength, 40-46% could do the trick: 5
Aultmore is a malt far to rarely bottled as a single Malt I believe, I've tried some older aherried versions almost exclusively of brilliance. This one smells of toffee and autumn leaves, pretty bland. The taste is sort of the middle of the road sherried. A bit dry, a bit sweet, a bit sulphury, far from enough to leave a lasting impression, at least for me.
A bland expression: 4
Aultmore 11yo 1985-1997 60.4% Signatory Vintage cask#2905 btl.109/1200
One bourbon-matured Aultmore at high strength bottled 13 years ago, this should be something new. The colour is totallt blank, like spring water. It smells very fresh, mushrooms, earth, banana skin, green tea, many subtle flavours, nothing screams 60% here. It needs some time, then develops some candy odors, very sweet. The taste is extremely sweet and burnt, burnt matches, ink, vanilla, needs water. With water it gets interestingly fruity, something very similar to small sour green grapes, very peculiar, an aggressive fruity beauty.
With water its a very aromatic, fruity whisky: 7.5
Aultmore/Tarracroy 18yo 1975-1993 57.3% The Whisky Connoisseur
The Whisky Connoisseur gives alternative names to their bottlings, like this one, Tarracroy, it makes it fun, giving the bottle an unpredictable content, which I later can check what is online. The nose on this one is very citrussy, I'd say its lemon scent overpowers everything else. The taste is pretty simple, apples, lemon and pepper. With some water it gets sweeter, bananas, lemon, grapes and cinnamon. The aftertaste is wheaty. Once again a nice cask strength, but it doesn't compare to the best yet.
A fine whisky from Aultmore, one I'm not too familiar with: 6.5
Aultmore 16yo 1992-2008 59.2% SMWS
Aultmore is one that I'm not to familiar with, I don't think it is too common on international markets yet. At this strength it has a very phenolic fragrance, needs water, then comes a sweet, raspberryliquer like flavour forth. Dark chocolate with cognac inside is the first that comes to mind.
Can't handle the strength, 40-46% could do the trick: 5
onsdag 3. november 2010
9 Glenmorangies tasted between 1.4.2008-28.5.2011
Glenmorangie NAS 46% OB Lasanta
Apart from reciding in the fanciest miniature bottle I've seen in a good while, this is also finished in sherry casks, no statement wether it's a fresh or refill. Orange colour, smells light, burnt polyester, phenolic, rubbery. The taste is a nice surprise, onions, blueberries, sharp, kiwi, lots of bitter berries, small ones from the woods, like blackcurrants and gooseberries. The aftertaste is long and tastes of pistachio and oak. A bit of water lightens it up a bit and gives hints of the standard 10yo OB.
There are better finished Glenmorangies out there: 4.5
Glenmorangie NAS 46% OB Signet
This one is said to be distilled from some dark chocolate malt, whatever that is. It has a golden brown colour extremely nice smell, the dark chocolate they've been talking about completely knocks me over. This smells fantastic. Dark chocolate, roasted nuts, honey, just wonderful. I don't wanna drink this, just sit and nose it. The taste is at firste very similar to the smell, lot of dark chocolate. But the finish changes radically and becomes bitter, not bad, like bitter dark chocolate. I've never taken the taste notes on bottles too serious as I think they're not always too objective. But this dark chocolate stuff is really hittin' the nail.
Kind of one-dimensional, but the odors oh the odors: 6
Glenmorangie 12yo 46% OB Burgundy Finish
In contrast to the sweet Sauterne-finished Nectar D'Or, this one is finished in a red or white-wine cask from eastern france, known as Burgundy. Not much darker in colour. Smells less intriguing than the D'Or, a bit metallic, needs some time, gets floral, honey and malty. The taste is very nice, deep, dark chocolate, hazel and almonds. It's not as complex as the D'Or, but that's not necessarily a bad thing, this is clean, sweet, with a bitterness of dark chocolate and in the end it kind of reminds me just a bit of the very good Balvenie rum wood. Seems Glenmorangie yet again has played and won in the cask finishing casino.
Splendid, but hardly complex: 7.5
Glenmorangie 12yo 46% OB Nectar D'Ór
I tried this one many years ago while in france, it was an instant match and since that I've been longin to get a bottle of my own. Finally it's here, will it be as I remember it? Smells honey, oak and vanilla, a perfect combination of subtle odors. The taste gets a bit dry, nuts, honey, lavender, liquorice, vanilla, cinnamon, lemon and mustard. Amazing!! Later I'll definately have a cigar withis one. I'll admit there's been, and still is, some ups and downs with Glenmorangie's finishing experiments, but this is a true beauty in every sense of the word, only thing a bit on the downside is the lack of a complex finish, it's got some apple and ginger but that's about it.
One of the best Glenmorangies: 9
Glenmorangie 18yo 43% OB
The legal aged Glenmorangie, one I've been looking forward to. It's fairly mild I guess, as the smell doesn't let me in on anything, quite futile and boring. Perhaps it needs some water. In the tasting I get more of the distillery character, carnation, turnips, white wine vinegar and cranberry jello. A very mild one.
I prefer many of the younger versions opposed to this one: 5
Glenmorangie 12yo 43% OB Madeira Finish
The star of this finish-serie of Glenmorangie. It has a mild and well balanced scent. Like a summerwhisky, reminds me of the more modern Nectar D'Or, but then, there are strong cask similarities. On taste it gives what the nosing promised, mild, creamy, with hints of vanilla and caramelized almonds. The finish is of dry red wine, or madeira.
Glenmorangie's reaping benefits of its cask policy: 8
Glenmorangie 12yo 43% OB Sherry Finish
Number 2 in the now discontinued serie with Glenmorangie on different cask finishes. I think that to mature well in a sherry cask a whisky needs to be quite strong, and mature for quite some time. Here unfortunately, this is not the case, it tastes just like the ordinary Glemorangie OB, except it's sweeter and a little darker. A light taste of outdated Mascarpone is one of the only golden moments in this one, it's hardly impressive in any way.
I actually prefer the 10yo OB: 4
Glenmorangie 12yo 43% OB Port Wood Finish
This Glenmorangie finished in port wood casks is one of many a variation to come from this distillery in the last years. It does have a nice tawny port-influenced smell, and it's seems quite dry. The taste is exciting, but seems much younger than 12 years old. A very harsh and alcoholic taste, doesn't handle water well at all. Some notes of blueberry and liquorice in the finish.
Nice try, but not quite there yet: 4.5
Glenmorangie 10yo 40% OB
Glenmorangie's a distillery that's taken a couple new turns the last decades with countless different cask finishes. The traditional 10-year old upon which these are based, is very sweet, concentrated apple liqueur, cinnamon and hard malty candy. A very simple, easy and sweet malt. Good for cask experimentation, but comes across a little weak on it's own.
Too bland to make a lasting impression: 4.5
Apart from reciding in the fanciest miniature bottle I've seen in a good while, this is also finished in sherry casks, no statement wether it's a fresh or refill. Orange colour, smells light, burnt polyester, phenolic, rubbery. The taste is a nice surprise, onions, blueberries, sharp, kiwi, lots of bitter berries, small ones from the woods, like blackcurrants and gooseberries. The aftertaste is long and tastes of pistachio and oak. A bit of water lightens it up a bit and gives hints of the standard 10yo OB.
There are better finished Glenmorangies out there: 4.5
Glenmorangie NAS 46% OB Signet
This one is said to be distilled from some dark chocolate malt, whatever that is. It has a golden brown colour extremely nice smell, the dark chocolate they've been talking about completely knocks me over. This smells fantastic. Dark chocolate, roasted nuts, honey, just wonderful. I don't wanna drink this, just sit and nose it. The taste is at firste very similar to the smell, lot of dark chocolate. But the finish changes radically and becomes bitter, not bad, like bitter dark chocolate. I've never taken the taste notes on bottles too serious as I think they're not always too objective. But this dark chocolate stuff is really hittin' the nail.
Kind of one-dimensional, but the odors oh the odors: 6
Glenmorangie 12yo 46% OB Burgundy Finish
In contrast to the sweet Sauterne-finished Nectar D'Or, this one is finished in a red or white-wine cask from eastern france, known as Burgundy. Not much darker in colour. Smells less intriguing than the D'Or, a bit metallic, needs some time, gets floral, honey and malty. The taste is very nice, deep, dark chocolate, hazel and almonds. It's not as complex as the D'Or, but that's not necessarily a bad thing, this is clean, sweet, with a bitterness of dark chocolate and in the end it kind of reminds me just a bit of the very good Balvenie rum wood. Seems Glenmorangie yet again has played and won in the cask finishing casino.
Splendid, but hardly complex: 7.5
Glenmorangie 12yo 46% OB Nectar D'Ór
I tried this one many years ago while in france, it was an instant match and since that I've been longin to get a bottle of my own. Finally it's here, will it be as I remember it? Smells honey, oak and vanilla, a perfect combination of subtle odors. The taste gets a bit dry, nuts, honey, lavender, liquorice, vanilla, cinnamon, lemon and mustard. Amazing!! Later I'll definately have a cigar withis one. I'll admit there's been, and still is, some ups and downs with Glenmorangie's finishing experiments, but this is a true beauty in every sense of the word, only thing a bit on the downside is the lack of a complex finish, it's got some apple and ginger but that's about it.
One of the best Glenmorangies: 9
Glenmorangie 18yo 43% OB
The legal aged Glenmorangie, one I've been looking forward to. It's fairly mild I guess, as the smell doesn't let me in on anything, quite futile and boring. Perhaps it needs some water. In the tasting I get more of the distillery character, carnation, turnips, white wine vinegar and cranberry jello. A very mild one.
I prefer many of the younger versions opposed to this one: 5
Glenmorangie 12yo 43% OB Madeira Finish
The star of this finish-serie of Glenmorangie. It has a mild and well balanced scent. Like a summerwhisky, reminds me of the more modern Nectar D'Or, but then, there are strong cask similarities. On taste it gives what the nosing promised, mild, creamy, with hints of vanilla and caramelized almonds. The finish is of dry red wine, or madeira.
Glenmorangie's reaping benefits of its cask policy: 8
Glenmorangie 12yo 43% OB Sherry Finish
Number 2 in the now discontinued serie with Glenmorangie on different cask finishes. I think that to mature well in a sherry cask a whisky needs to be quite strong, and mature for quite some time. Here unfortunately, this is not the case, it tastes just like the ordinary Glemorangie OB, except it's sweeter and a little darker. A light taste of outdated Mascarpone is one of the only golden moments in this one, it's hardly impressive in any way.
I actually prefer the 10yo OB: 4
Glenmorangie 12yo 43% OB Port Wood Finish
This Glenmorangie finished in port wood casks is one of many a variation to come from this distillery in the last years. It does have a nice tawny port-influenced smell, and it's seems quite dry. The taste is exciting, but seems much younger than 12 years old. A very harsh and alcoholic taste, doesn't handle water well at all. Some notes of blueberry and liquorice in the finish.
Nice try, but not quite there yet: 4.5
Glenmorangie 10yo 40% OB
Glenmorangie's a distillery that's taken a couple new turns the last decades with countless different cask finishes. The traditional 10-year old upon which these are based, is very sweet, concentrated apple liqueur, cinnamon and hard malty candy. A very simple, easy and sweet malt. Good for cask experimentation, but comes across a little weak on it's own.
Too bland to make a lasting impression: 4.5
mandag 25. oktober 2010
4 Banffs tasted between 1.4.2008-28.5.2011
Banff 26yo 1979-2006 56.1% Duncan Taylor cask#2913 btl.146/220
On vacation in the rainy town of Bergen, Norway, I decided to try some rarities. Smells of honey notes, vanilla, sawdust, dried peppers. The taste is very strong, strong peppery mustard, very dark, reminds me somewhat of a sherried Littlemill, kind of spirity so to speak. Hmm.. doesn't make much sense to me, let's add some water. The odors are getting gentler, the taste now becomes sweeter and extremely acidic. I've had some banffs that really impressed me lately, but this one is a poor spirit. The aftertaste is fortunately a small saving grace, peppery and very longlasting.
Poor banff: 3
Banff 28yo 1976-2005 40% Connoisseurs Choice Gordon & Macphail
As well as the Sheep and the Pig, we tried a range of rare G&M CC-bottlings from Terroir Wines tonight. This smells of vanilla, linen and sand, dirt, just a bit heavy, opens up after a while. The taste is also strong, applecore and a half peppery aftertaste. It comes from a refill sherry cask, maybe that's why it lacks the sweetness that I usually find in malt from Banff.
Not my cup of tea, but still pleasant: 4.5
Banff 26yo 1980-2006 56.1% Duncan Taylor Old & Rare
I've always liked the sort of sweet peppery taste of the sadly demolished Banff Distillery. Will the nice notes disappear behind the strong alcohol level in this one? It has a weird smell of garlic, dried sage, grilled artichokes and smoked swiss cheese. There's a burning peppery sweet taste with a long aftertaste of honey and lemon. To this I will not recommend water as I think such a remarkably rich flavour isn't enhanced by being watered down.
A dangerous malt, as it just gets better and better by every sip: 9
Banff 23yo 1974-1997 40% CC G&M
Banff is one of the really hard-to-get-a-hold-off-nowadays malts. And therefore it's prices increases at a skyrocking speed. This one smells of peppermints and ammonia, chlorine? Not much to cheer for. But the taste is actually quite charming with some notes of cactus, salt and apple nectar, one to have on the pier? Unfortunately it's a bit too dry on the finish to be worth the amount of hard earned cash it goes for these days.
Summery malt: 7
On vacation in the rainy town of Bergen, Norway, I decided to try some rarities. Smells of honey notes, vanilla, sawdust, dried peppers. The taste is very strong, strong peppery mustard, very dark, reminds me somewhat of a sherried Littlemill, kind of spirity so to speak. Hmm.. doesn't make much sense to me, let's add some water. The odors are getting gentler, the taste now becomes sweeter and extremely acidic. I've had some banffs that really impressed me lately, but this one is a poor spirit. The aftertaste is fortunately a small saving grace, peppery and very longlasting.
Poor banff: 3
Banff 28yo 1976-2005 40% Connoisseurs Choice Gordon & Macphail
As well as the Sheep and the Pig, we tried a range of rare G&M CC-bottlings from Terroir Wines tonight. This smells of vanilla, linen and sand, dirt, just a bit heavy, opens up after a while. The taste is also strong, applecore and a half peppery aftertaste. It comes from a refill sherry cask, maybe that's why it lacks the sweetness that I usually find in malt from Banff.
Not my cup of tea, but still pleasant: 4.5
Banff 26yo 1980-2006 56.1% Duncan Taylor Old & Rare
I've always liked the sort of sweet peppery taste of the sadly demolished Banff Distillery. Will the nice notes disappear behind the strong alcohol level in this one? It has a weird smell of garlic, dried sage, grilled artichokes and smoked swiss cheese. There's a burning peppery sweet taste with a long aftertaste of honey and lemon. To this I will not recommend water as I think such a remarkably rich flavour isn't enhanced by being watered down.
A dangerous malt, as it just gets better and better by every sip: 9
Banff 23yo 1974-1997 40% CC G&M
Banff is one of the really hard-to-get-a-hold-off-nowadays malts. And therefore it's prices increases at a skyrocking speed. This one smells of peppermints and ammonia, chlorine? Not much to cheer for. But the taste is actually quite charming with some notes of cactus, salt and apple nectar, one to have on the pier? Unfortunately it's a bit too dry on the finish to be worth the amount of hard earned cash it goes for these days.
Summery malt: 7
Three short ones.
I was doing some whiskies at a busy bar on vacation recently and had a hard time finding an opportunity to write down notes. So here's some plain scores for you:
Braeval 8yo 46% Provenance Douglas Laing (6)
Imperial 11yo 1994-1995 53% Exclusive Malts (3.5)
Glenkinchie 20yo 55.1% OB (8.5)
Braeval 8yo 46% Provenance Douglas Laing (6)
Imperial 11yo 1994-1995 53% Exclusive Malts (3.5)
Glenkinchie 20yo 55.1% OB (8.5)
tirsdag 12. oktober 2010
3 Glen Speys tasted between 1.4.2008-28.5.2011
Glen Spey 31yo 1977-2009 55.8% Malts of Scotland cask#3656
Matured in a bourbon hogshead for 31 years, I'm wondering what will be the result as I usually find this to be one of the whiskies that needs another cask to function well. Smells a bit restrained, but sweet and delicate, marshmallows, summer fruits and caramelized nuts.The taste is way too simple, sweet and extremely dry, dark grape seeds. This one needs water. Water brings less dryness, bananas, watermelon, stills weet, but a much gentler dram. The aftertaste is short an anonymous. After a while it develops some sourness, but that's all.
a slight diappointment, boring malt: 3.5
Glen Spey 12yo 1996-2008 58.3% Die Abfüllung (Derwhisky.de) btl. 86/100 cask# 712
A bourbon-matured CS bottling for www.derwhisky.de, a german forum for malt enthusiasts. The label states that you should not add ice or fizzy drinks to this with some fun illustations, "wasser erlaubt". This whisky is about as pale as it gets. Nice odors of coffee, barley, vanilla and spices, it needs a bit time to open up. It's very robust and fresh, immensely sweet and very spirity, I'll add some water straight away. It becomes a bit more pleasant, but still very sweet and dry. Like chewing malt syrup. With even more added water it just gets too plain for me. No real high here.
Far too sweet: 3
Glen Spey 21yo 55.4% James Macarthur's
Glen Spey is hard to find both as OB and IB, and therefore goes for insane prices on online auctions and ebay and so on. Very strong nose, sulphur, gasoline, smoked salmon, fantastic. very strong, burning the tongue, paint stripper, nail polish remover, not pleasant, needs water. With water it changes on the palate and becomes more sweet, like sweet dough, chirstmas bakery, but quickly turns into a strong haze of phenol, french mustard and acid.
Like a mix of malt and stroh, saved by the nose: 3
Matured in a bourbon hogshead for 31 years, I'm wondering what will be the result as I usually find this to be one of the whiskies that needs another cask to function well. Smells a bit restrained, but sweet and delicate, marshmallows, summer fruits and caramelized nuts.The taste is way too simple, sweet and extremely dry, dark grape seeds. This one needs water. Water brings less dryness, bananas, watermelon, stills weet, but a much gentler dram. The aftertaste is short an anonymous. After a while it develops some sourness, but that's all.
a slight diappointment, boring malt: 3.5
Glen Spey 12yo 1996-2008 58.3% Die Abfüllung (Derwhisky.de) btl. 86/100 cask# 712
A bourbon-matured CS bottling for www.derwhisky.de, a german forum for malt enthusiasts. The label states that you should not add ice or fizzy drinks to this with some fun illustations, "wasser erlaubt". This whisky is about as pale as it gets. Nice odors of coffee, barley, vanilla and spices, it needs a bit time to open up. It's very robust and fresh, immensely sweet and very spirity, I'll add some water straight away. It becomes a bit more pleasant, but still very sweet and dry. Like chewing malt syrup. With even more added water it just gets too plain for me. No real high here.
Far too sweet: 3
Glen Spey 21yo 55.4% James Macarthur's
Glen Spey is hard to find both as OB and IB, and therefore goes for insane prices on online auctions and ebay and so on. Very strong nose, sulphur, gasoline, smoked salmon, fantastic. very strong, burning the tongue, paint stripper, nail polish remover, not pleasant, needs water. With water it changes on the palate and becomes more sweet, like sweet dough, chirstmas bakery, but quickly turns into a strong haze of phenol, french mustard and acid.
Like a mix of malt and stroh, saved by the nose: 3
4 Pittyvaich tasted between 1.4.2008-28.5.2011
Pittyvaich 12yo 54% James MacArthur's cask#15096
Last time I tried a CS Pittyvaich I believe it was a very good OB at 21yo?This one is very light in colour, smells woody, floral, dry, intense, burnt butter, needs some time to open up, then it turns more flinty and rustic. The taste is extremely sweet, loads of bubble gum, charcoal, vanilla and kiwi fruit. I love it even though its a bit weird and wacky. The aftertaste is citrussy, very long and ends on some nice oaky notes. I've always meant that Pittyvaich at CS is a malt that talks, and this one is no other.
Wonderful Pittyvaich: 8.5
Pittyvaich 13yo 1977-1991 58.4% Cadenhead's
A sherry-matured Pittyvaich at CS, not many of them to be found on the market, at least not at this age. Smells wonderful sherry, blueberries, plums, honey, floral, guinness, leather, sweet soy and far too many other delicious odors to mention all here. The taste is slightly dry, peppery, chilli, couscous and blueberries. Needs some water because of the dryness, a personal preference of course. Even with water its very dry, but now in a good way, actually perfect dryness.
A wonderful dry sherried malt: 7
Pittyvaich 20yo 1989-2009 57.5% OB
A cask strength 20yo from Pittyvaich, I hope many other distilleries will start bottling older cask strengths at fair prices soon. It has a very anonymous odor, I'd say if it weren't for the high abv I couldn't smell anything. The taste is also much milder than what I'd expect. Something a bit off, like old dry wood. Other than that it has a sort of plum infused sweetness with some fine pepper notes as well. It's kind of dry, I'll add water. Oh yes, this is what it needs, the nose really talks now, and it tells me of pepper, salt, burnt rubber and smoked ham. The taste gets perfect, big, bold, with a nice flinty peppery style, very rustic.
Wow: 8.5
Pittyvaich 14yo 1976-90 54.5% James McArthur's
This bottling of Pittyvaich is almost completely blank. Almost like Vodka. Smells of nothing except some pine. Very sweet taste, some marcipan, but the alcohol is too intense on this one unfortunately. The finish is the big disappointment, it consists of nothing but a bit dried grass.
too mild for 54%: 4
Last time I tried a CS Pittyvaich I believe it was a very good OB at 21yo?This one is very light in colour, smells woody, floral, dry, intense, burnt butter, needs some time to open up, then it turns more flinty and rustic. The taste is extremely sweet, loads of bubble gum, charcoal, vanilla and kiwi fruit. I love it even though its a bit weird and wacky. The aftertaste is citrussy, very long and ends on some nice oaky notes. I've always meant that Pittyvaich at CS is a malt that talks, and this one is no other.
Wonderful Pittyvaich: 8.5
Pittyvaich 13yo 1977-1991 58.4% Cadenhead's
A sherry-matured Pittyvaich at CS, not many of them to be found on the market, at least not at this age. Smells wonderful sherry, blueberries, plums, honey, floral, guinness, leather, sweet soy and far too many other delicious odors to mention all here. The taste is slightly dry, peppery, chilli, couscous and blueberries. Needs some water because of the dryness, a personal preference of course. Even with water its very dry, but now in a good way, actually perfect dryness.
A wonderful dry sherried malt: 7
Pittyvaich 20yo 1989-2009 57.5% OB
A cask strength 20yo from Pittyvaich, I hope many other distilleries will start bottling older cask strengths at fair prices soon. It has a very anonymous odor, I'd say if it weren't for the high abv I couldn't smell anything. The taste is also much milder than what I'd expect. Something a bit off, like old dry wood. Other than that it has a sort of plum infused sweetness with some fine pepper notes as well. It's kind of dry, I'll add water. Oh yes, this is what it needs, the nose really talks now, and it tells me of pepper, salt, burnt rubber and smoked ham. The taste gets perfect, big, bold, with a nice flinty peppery style, very rustic.
Wow: 8.5
Pittyvaich 14yo 1976-90 54.5% James McArthur's
This bottling of Pittyvaich is almost completely blank. Almost like Vodka. Smells of nothing except some pine. Very sweet taste, some marcipan, but the alcohol is too intense on this one unfortunately. The finish is the big disappointment, it consists of nothing but a bit dried grass.
too mild for 54%: 4
mandag 11. oktober 2010
4 Miltonduffs tasted between 1.4.2008-28.5.2011
Miltonduff 10yo 40% OB
Of my Miltonduff tastings so far I think I've been mostly impressed by the Mosstowie, a whisky produced at Miltonduff in Lomond Stills back in the days. Smells of black peppers and air, one of the easiest odors I've sampled for a long time. The taste is sweet, vanilla, peppery, honey, orange peel and herbal tea. It's a fresh, pleasant, smooth single malt. Like a very nice blend at first, then ending with a peppery finish, bringing the whole experience up a notch or two. An all in all very pleasant whisky to drink, but beware, it's easily drinkable.
A good everyday dram: 6
Miltonduff 37yo 1971-2008 40% Duncan Taylor "Lonach"
Another oldie today, but this one is either diluted or from a seriously different cask, hence the 25%+ difference from the Inchgower. It smells sweet, mild, sophisticated, flipper soles, cinnamon, paperdust and orange zest. The taste is very very light, I'm tempted to guess it's dilluted. There are some winegum, apples and choriander there, quite flawless, but then again, a bit too nice to really adore. I'd say if it were a 10+ something Standard it'd be a really good whisky, but at this age and price it falls a bit behind unfortunately.
Nice and gentle malt: 6
Miltonduff 36yo 1967-2004 40.1% Duncan Taylor
This 36-year has an undeniable cask influence, both in smell and taste. Woody, semi-smoky, sugar and coffee. It lingers on the tounge, followed by an intense taste of white pepper, medicinical aftertaste, not for the faint hearted.
A well developed malt: 6.5
Mosstowie 12yo 1970-1982 40% CC G&M
Mosstowie is a version of Miltonduff that was produced on Lomond stills, up until 1981, not too many casks left. Has a strong wood-influenced taste, best combined with some drops of water. A bit of honey and cream is revealed initially, it finishes woody once more.
Can measure up to most modern whiskies: 6
Of my Miltonduff tastings so far I think I've been mostly impressed by the Mosstowie, a whisky produced at Miltonduff in Lomond Stills back in the days. Smells of black peppers and air, one of the easiest odors I've sampled for a long time. The taste is sweet, vanilla, peppery, honey, orange peel and herbal tea. It's a fresh, pleasant, smooth single malt. Like a very nice blend at first, then ending with a peppery finish, bringing the whole experience up a notch or two. An all in all very pleasant whisky to drink, but beware, it's easily drinkable.
A good everyday dram: 6
Miltonduff 37yo 1971-2008 40% Duncan Taylor "Lonach"
Another oldie today, but this one is either diluted or from a seriously different cask, hence the 25%+ difference from the Inchgower. It smells sweet, mild, sophisticated, flipper soles, cinnamon, paperdust and orange zest. The taste is very very light, I'm tempted to guess it's dilluted. There are some winegum, apples and choriander there, quite flawless, but then again, a bit too nice to really adore. I'd say if it were a 10+ something Standard it'd be a really good whisky, but at this age and price it falls a bit behind unfortunately.
Nice and gentle malt: 6
Miltonduff 36yo 1967-2004 40.1% Duncan Taylor
This 36-year has an undeniable cask influence, both in smell and taste. Woody, semi-smoky, sugar and coffee. It lingers on the tounge, followed by an intense taste of white pepper, medicinical aftertaste, not for the faint hearted.
A well developed malt: 6.5
Mosstowie 12yo 1970-1982 40% CC G&M
Mosstowie is a version of Miltonduff that was produced on Lomond stills, up until 1981, not too many casks left. Has a strong wood-influenced taste, best combined with some drops of water. A bit of honey and cream is revealed initially, it finishes woody once more.
Can measure up to most modern whiskies: 6
fredag 8. oktober 2010
My Dearly Departed....
Most of the whiskies I've tried and loved are still available and being produced, but some have sadly been discontinued or distilleries have been shut down.. Here's my ones to get before they're all gone.
Ardbeg Uigeadail OB - getting scarcer and scarcer as the sherry stocks at Ardbeg are being vatted at a larger amount than what's produced. One of the best Ardbegs whatever competition.
Balblair 16yo OB - Balblair's now making some vintage OB's instead of the ones with age statement. I've got this in england some years back, and been looking for it ever since when travelling to the UK. Sadly discontinued, splendid malt.
Bowmore Tempest OB batch#1 - One that won't disappear anytime soon, but try to get your hands on the batch#1, as I think it will be a bit like the usually very nice Aberlour A'bunadh, weaker as the number of batches increase.
Dallas Dhu 10yo G&M - the closest you get to a young affordable Dallas Dhu today, and I guess as close as you get to a young OB, like it was back in the good old days. Worth checking out before its all gone.
Edradour/Glenforres 12yo OB - Glenforres was an experiment at Edradour, still available broadly at a fair price, and it is very good, I like it much better than the standard OB.
Highland Park 8yo 57% OB - A classic bottling from the 80's mouthwatering HP.
Old Fettercairn 10yo OB - Relaunched as Fettercairn 1824 some years ago without the Old, with 12yo, 15yo and 18yo, now again relaunched as only Fettercairn with Fior, 24yo 30yo and 40yo. But try the old 10yo first and compare. It's a smooth malt.
Macallan 12yo OB Sherry - Less and less 12yo sherry matured Macallan is produced, and I believe it's all stopped now, one to get before prices become ridiculous.
These whiskies are all available today at a pretty fair price, but who knows for how long, so to get something to save for later enjoyment, or if you like, but I never recommend, invest!
Ardbeg Uigeadail OB - getting scarcer and scarcer as the sherry stocks at Ardbeg are being vatted at a larger amount than what's produced. One of the best Ardbegs whatever competition.
Balblair 16yo OB - Balblair's now making some vintage OB's instead of the ones with age statement. I've got this in england some years back, and been looking for it ever since when travelling to the UK. Sadly discontinued, splendid malt.
Bowmore Tempest OB batch#1 - One that won't disappear anytime soon, but try to get your hands on the batch#1, as I think it will be a bit like the usually very nice Aberlour A'bunadh, weaker as the number of batches increase.
Dallas Dhu 10yo G&M - the closest you get to a young affordable Dallas Dhu today, and I guess as close as you get to a young OB, like it was back in the good old days. Worth checking out before its all gone.
Edradour/Glenforres 12yo OB - Glenforres was an experiment at Edradour, still available broadly at a fair price, and it is very good, I like it much better than the standard OB.
Highland Park 8yo 57% OB - A classic bottling from the 80's mouthwatering HP.
Old Fettercairn 10yo OB - Relaunched as Fettercairn 1824 some years ago without the Old, with 12yo, 15yo and 18yo, now again relaunched as only Fettercairn with Fior, 24yo 30yo and 40yo. But try the old 10yo first and compare. It's a smooth malt.
Macallan 12yo OB Sherry - Less and less 12yo sherry matured Macallan is produced, and I believe it's all stopped now, one to get before prices become ridiculous.
These whiskies are all available today at a pretty fair price, but who knows for how long, so to get something to save for later enjoyment, or if you like, but I never recommend, invest!
tirsdag 28. september 2010
5 Speyburns tasted between 1.4.2008-28.5.2011
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
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
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
søndag 29. august 2010
3 Mannochmores tasted between 1.4.2008-28.5.2011
Mannochmore 18yo 1990-2008 54.9% OB
Once producer of the now strangely very sought after Loch Dhu - the black single malt, Mannochmore is a malt you rarely find, or at least rarely find good stuff said about. It smells spirity, cloying, needs some time, then a light, extremely sweet smell appears, like some fruity bubble gum, say hubba-bubba. The taste is again extremely sweet, and a bit spirity. A very one-dimensional malt. I'll add some water just for fun. Still sweet, with a weird rubber-plastic aftertaste.
This is some weird stuff: 3
Mannochmore 16yo 1984-2001 43% Signatory Vintage cask#4576
Today I'm doing a vertical of some distilleries I'm not tasting too often. This Mannochmore comes from 16 years in a refill sherry butt, and it's paler than a 3-year old bourbon matured whisky. What's been in the cask prior and how many times have it been refilled? Well, better pale than black might some say having tasted the Loch Dhu. The nose is fresh, vibrant, grassy, oily, some winey notes. The taste is dry and very burnt, much sulphur going on, unpleasant, let's add water. Now it becomes a bit more sweet, some minty fragrance, mint leaves and cotton... But still there's that extremely burnt taste that just puts me off.
A foul whisky from a foul cask: 2
Mannochmore 16yo 1990-2006 46% Connoisseurs Choice Gordon & Macphail
I've not tried to many of the newer bottlings by G&M with higher abv and no colouring. This one is from the rarely bottled Mannochmore Distillery. It has a nice earthy, salty and grassy smell. Oh yes, it has a distinct taste of dark chocolate and praline. With a grassy finish that just goes on and on and on. There aren't too much good said about Mannochmore, but this one is wonderful in all it's simplicity.
Some great and distinct flavours: 7
Once producer of the now strangely very sought after Loch Dhu - the black single malt, Mannochmore is a malt you rarely find, or at least rarely find good stuff said about. It smells spirity, cloying, needs some time, then a light, extremely sweet smell appears, like some fruity bubble gum, say hubba-bubba. The taste is again extremely sweet, and a bit spirity. A very one-dimensional malt. I'll add some water just for fun. Still sweet, with a weird rubber-plastic aftertaste.
This is some weird stuff: 3
Mannochmore 16yo 1984-2001 43% Signatory Vintage cask#4576
Today I'm doing a vertical of some distilleries I'm not tasting too often. This Mannochmore comes from 16 years in a refill sherry butt, and it's paler than a 3-year old bourbon matured whisky. What's been in the cask prior and how many times have it been refilled? Well, better pale than black might some say having tasted the Loch Dhu. The nose is fresh, vibrant, grassy, oily, some winey notes. The taste is dry and very burnt, much sulphur going on, unpleasant, let's add water. Now it becomes a bit more sweet, some minty fragrance, mint leaves and cotton... But still there's that extremely burnt taste that just puts me off.
A foul whisky from a foul cask: 2
Mannochmore 16yo 1990-2006 46% Connoisseurs Choice Gordon & Macphail
I've not tried to many of the newer bottlings by G&M with higher abv and no colouring. This one is from the rarely bottled Mannochmore Distillery. It has a nice earthy, salty and grassy smell. Oh yes, it has a distinct taste of dark chocolate and praline. With a grassy finish that just goes on and on and on. There aren't too much good said about Mannochmore, but this one is wonderful in all it's simplicity.
Some great and distinct flavours: 7
fredag 20. august 2010
3 Ardmores tasted between 1.4.2008-28.5.2011
Ardmore 12yo 56.2% James Macarthur's
Returning to the 2000's with this Ardmore from James MacArthur's. Ardmore is another speyside distillery producing whisky with additional peat, but they do also make non-peated whisky. This smells totally different, really herbal with much more alcohol influence. Well, I guess none of the whisky here has had the commodity of reciding in a sherry caskt then...(?) Allright, the taste is herbal, peppery and again very influenced by the high abv. Actually, it gets a bit more aromatic and also oaky and buttery.
The difference between new and old is immense, but this is good: 6
Ardmore NAS 1977-? 40% G&M
Another one from bygone days bottled by G&M outside the CC-series. It smells very sweet, camphor and marshmallows, like flour sugar. The taste is also very sweet and light, it seems to not be peated, like the current NAS-version from the distillery is. There's caramel, champagne, walnuts, rum and sugar peas. The aftertaste is short and hardly worth to mention. It's a good whisky allright, and at it's time probably a good value for money malt, but this vintage would probably hit a price far above its less than gourmet-standard on todays market.
a nice and clean malt, a beginnerswhisky: 5.5
Ardmore NAS 46% OB
Should be about 6-8yo this one. A strongly peated highlander, and it is interesting to see what generous amounts of peat does to a mild highlander. It smells very rough, white pepper, nutmeg, cardamom, parsley and yeast. Not as smoky as I envisioned, perhaps it's local peat, and of course the flora is quite different in the Highland than on Islay. The taste is quite straight-forward with garlic, chilli, honeybread and snow peas.
A classy youngster: 7.5
Returning to the 2000's with this Ardmore from James MacArthur's. Ardmore is another speyside distillery producing whisky with additional peat, but they do also make non-peated whisky. This smells totally different, really herbal with much more alcohol influence. Well, I guess none of the whisky here has had the commodity of reciding in a sherry caskt then...(?) Allright, the taste is herbal, peppery and again very influenced by the high abv. Actually, it gets a bit more aromatic and also oaky and buttery.
The difference between new and old is immense, but this is good: 6
Ardmore NAS 1977-? 40% G&M
Another one from bygone days bottled by G&M outside the CC-series. It smells very sweet, camphor and marshmallows, like flour sugar. The taste is also very sweet and light, it seems to not be peated, like the current NAS-version from the distillery is. There's caramel, champagne, walnuts, rum and sugar peas. The aftertaste is short and hardly worth to mention. It's a good whisky allright, and at it's time probably a good value for money malt, but this vintage would probably hit a price far above its less than gourmet-standard on todays market.
a nice and clean malt, a beginnerswhisky: 5.5
Ardmore NAS 46% OB
Should be about 6-8yo this one. A strongly peated highlander, and it is interesting to see what generous amounts of peat does to a mild highlander. It smells very rough, white pepper, nutmeg, cardamom, parsley and yeast. Not as smoky as I envisioned, perhaps it's local peat, and of course the flora is quite different in the Highland than on Islay. The taste is quite straight-forward with garlic, chilli, honeybread and snow peas.
A classy youngster: 7.5
mandag 16. august 2010
4 Glenallachies tasted between 1.4.2008-28.5.2011
Glenallachie 17yo 1989-2007 58.5% Cadenhead's btl.x/240
Glenallachie has never been too good if I remember correctly, a pretty young distillery making a malt with hint of industrial spirit. Smells pretty ordinary, young, underdeveloped for a 17yo. The taste is dry all the way, fino sherry, just a bit too strong, bitter and dry flavours to discover much else. With water it gets a bit lighter, but it's still to bitter to really enjoy, actually if I tasted this one blind I'd guess it was a bitter schnapps.
A bitter Glenallachie: 2.5
Glenallachie 12yo 43% OB
One from back in the days when most distilleries used the -Glenlivet ending. Glenallachie-bottlings are hard to come by even though it's a pretty young distillery. It smells of alcohol and polluted air, rush hour traffic in London, not very pleasant but not directly bad either. The taste on the other hand is nice and clean, but just too bland. It smells really industrialized, just thrown in some re-re-refill bourbon casks and put out there. The taste is at best a bit oaky. Any aftertaste is not present in this malt.
I think Glenallachie is a malt very dependent on a fresh cask: 4
Glenallachie 13yo 1991-2005 43% Dun Bheagan cask 90261-90262 1800btls.
This is a sherry-finished bottling by Dun Bheagan. I haven't tried to many Dun Bheagan's yet. The smell is nice, fruity with a small hint of lemon and chives. The taste is very fresh and peppery, a straight-forward malt. This is wonderful, a nice combo of oak and sherry notes. No pretentious extravaganza, just a simply nice and enjoyable malt. The aftertaste is a bit phenolic and kind of minty, but not in any way a letdown.
A powerful malt with a gentle touch of sherry: 7
Glenallachie 12yo 1992-2004 43% Signatory Vintage
One from Signatory Vintage who seems to have been stacking up on some unusual spirits for some time. It smells very smoked, peat, Puerto Rican cigars. It has a nutty flavour, some bitterness, fernet, tonic water. With some drops of water the bitterness disappears, and a richer flavour of nuts and dried dates appear.
Will never be a classic, but nice however: 5
Glenallachie has never been too good if I remember correctly, a pretty young distillery making a malt with hint of industrial spirit. Smells pretty ordinary, young, underdeveloped for a 17yo. The taste is dry all the way, fino sherry, just a bit too strong, bitter and dry flavours to discover much else. With water it gets a bit lighter, but it's still to bitter to really enjoy, actually if I tasted this one blind I'd guess it was a bitter schnapps.
A bitter Glenallachie: 2.5
Glenallachie 12yo 43% OB
One from back in the days when most distilleries used the -Glenlivet ending. Glenallachie-bottlings are hard to come by even though it's a pretty young distillery. It smells of alcohol and polluted air, rush hour traffic in London, not very pleasant but not directly bad either. The taste on the other hand is nice and clean, but just too bland. It smells really industrialized, just thrown in some re-re-refill bourbon casks and put out there. The taste is at best a bit oaky. Any aftertaste is not present in this malt.
I think Glenallachie is a malt very dependent on a fresh cask: 4
Glenallachie 13yo 1991-2005 43% Dun Bheagan cask 90261-90262 1800btls.
This is a sherry-finished bottling by Dun Bheagan. I haven't tried to many Dun Bheagan's yet. The smell is nice, fruity with a small hint of lemon and chives. The taste is very fresh and peppery, a straight-forward malt. This is wonderful, a nice combo of oak and sherry notes. No pretentious extravaganza, just a simply nice and enjoyable malt. The aftertaste is a bit phenolic and kind of minty, but not in any way a letdown.
A powerful malt with a gentle touch of sherry: 7
Glenallachie 12yo 1992-2004 43% Signatory Vintage
One from Signatory Vintage who seems to have been stacking up on some unusual spirits for some time. It smells very smoked, peat, Puerto Rican cigars. It has a nutty flavour, some bitterness, fernet, tonic water. With some drops of water the bitterness disappears, and a richer flavour of nuts and dried dates appear.
Will never be a classic, but nice however: 5
tirsdag 27. juli 2010
4 Dufftown tasted between 1.4.2008-28.5.2011
Dufftown 12yo 40% OB "Singleton of..."
I believe that Singleton doesn't really have anything to do with what kind of whisky, as I've also tried Singleton of Auchroisk and there are no obvious similarities between the two. So anyway, its just a regular 12yo OB then. Smells very full-bodied, aromatic, vanilla, cranberries, leather, oak and orange marmalade. The taste is undeniably lighter, a bit oaky, after eight, bourbony and floral. The aftertaste is short and reminds me somewhat of some OB Glengoynes I've tried, Tamnavulin?
A nice malt but far from generous tastewise: 4.5
Dufftown 10yo 40% OB
One from back in the days, I guess a late 70's or early 80's bottling. This one stands a bit apart from the last two as it has some quite expressive scents. There's white wine, club soda, pistachio and spices. The taste follows up very well. This is an old-fashioned whisky with a nice maltiness, some dried fuitiness and smoke. The aftertaste is kind of short and doesn't bring much to the table, but other than that it's a perfectly swell dram.
A nice old bottling: 6.5
Dufftown 8yo 40% OB
Another one from back in the 80's. An austere nose, not much to get excited about, just like any cheap blend. The taste is once again very rancid, bad spirits all the way, only thing saving it is a slight burning sensation right after swallowing. Actually, the aftertaste isn't that bad, it's quite alright and reminds me of some of the younger versions from this distillery. But other than that it's kind of off.
I guess it's a victim of it's time: 2.5
Dufftown 18yo 1979-1997 46% Murray McDavid
A very dark sherried malt from this little talked about distillery. Seriously oaky and nutty odors here, very exciting. Its very dry, phenol, really really sherried, but no sweetness at all. It's so dry it seems a bit lifeless, maybe some water will do some good. Indeed it's good, and it gets a bit sweet and some sour fruits. This wasn't bad at all, but I think a higher abv would do it very good.
If you like a real sherry-monster: 5.5
I believe that Singleton doesn't really have anything to do with what kind of whisky, as I've also tried Singleton of Auchroisk and there are no obvious similarities between the two. So anyway, its just a regular 12yo OB then. Smells very full-bodied, aromatic, vanilla, cranberries, leather, oak and orange marmalade. The taste is undeniably lighter, a bit oaky, after eight, bourbony and floral. The aftertaste is short and reminds me somewhat of some OB Glengoynes I've tried, Tamnavulin?
A nice malt but far from generous tastewise: 4.5
Dufftown 10yo 40% OB
One from back in the days, I guess a late 70's or early 80's bottling. This one stands a bit apart from the last two as it has some quite expressive scents. There's white wine, club soda, pistachio and spices. The taste follows up very well. This is an old-fashioned whisky with a nice maltiness, some dried fuitiness and smoke. The aftertaste is kind of short and doesn't bring much to the table, but other than that it's a perfectly swell dram.
A nice old bottling: 6.5
Dufftown 8yo 40% OB
Another one from back in the 80's. An austere nose, not much to get excited about, just like any cheap blend. The taste is once again very rancid, bad spirits all the way, only thing saving it is a slight burning sensation right after swallowing. Actually, the aftertaste isn't that bad, it's quite alright and reminds me of some of the younger versions from this distillery. But other than that it's kind of off.
I guess it's a victim of it's time: 2.5
Dufftown 18yo 1979-1997 46% Murray McDavid
A very dark sherried malt from this little talked about distillery. Seriously oaky and nutty odors here, very exciting. Its very dry, phenol, really really sherried, but no sweetness at all. It's so dry it seems a bit lifeless, maybe some water will do some good. Indeed it's good, and it gets a bit sweet and some sour fruits. This wasn't bad at all, but I think a higher abv would do it very good.
If you like a real sherry-monster: 5.5
onsdag 21. juli 2010
3 Blair Athols tasted between 1.4.2008-28.5.2011
Blair Athol 21yo 46% Cadenhead's
Another bourbon-matured highlander, this time from Cadenhead's, I have had some good experiences with Blair Athol, but I have to admit I'm kind of on unknown territory on this one. Colour is intense yellow, almost green. It smells grassy, sweet, vanilla, applejuice and liquorice. The taste is fantastic, sweet, vanilla, lemon, sugary, malt syrup, pepper and unripe red apples. The aftertaste is peppery, a bit dry and very sweet, grape juice.
A bit of water gives it an even more round flavour.
Blair Athol, anything but your usual malt: 9
Blair Athol 8yo 40% Arthur Bell & Co
A bottling from the 70's, slightly evaporated. A soft and refreshing nose, woodlands. A very nice and smoky, mild cheddary taste. It's a classic light-smoky and easy drinking malt, actually it's far better than the new F&F bottlings by Diageo from this distillery. The aftertaste is like sauna air, hot and oaky.
Good stuff from the old days: 6
Blair Athol 12yo 43% OB Flora and Fauna
Blair Athol doesn't bring much single malts to the market, so this is interesting. The odors are very rich and strong, lots of good sweetness, like in some tawny ports. Seems sophisticated. The taste extends my first impression for a while, then goes over in a more woody and burnt notion. Give a bit water and I find a bitter smokiness coming on.
Different in many ways: 6.5
Another bourbon-matured highlander, this time from Cadenhead's, I have had some good experiences with Blair Athol, but I have to admit I'm kind of on unknown territory on this one. Colour is intense yellow, almost green. It smells grassy, sweet, vanilla, applejuice and liquorice. The taste is fantastic, sweet, vanilla, lemon, sugary, malt syrup, pepper and unripe red apples. The aftertaste is peppery, a bit dry and very sweet, grape juice.
A bit of water gives it an even more round flavour.
Blair Athol, anything but your usual malt: 9
Blair Athol 8yo 40% Arthur Bell & Co
A bottling from the 70's, slightly evaporated. A soft and refreshing nose, woodlands. A very nice and smoky, mild cheddary taste. It's a classic light-smoky and easy drinking malt, actually it's far better than the new F&F bottlings by Diageo from this distillery. The aftertaste is like sauna air, hot and oaky.
Good stuff from the old days: 6
Blair Athol 12yo 43% OB Flora and Fauna
Blair Athol doesn't bring much single malts to the market, so this is interesting. The odors are very rich and strong, lots of good sweetness, like in some tawny ports. Seems sophisticated. The taste extends my first impression for a while, then goes over in a more woody and burnt notion. Give a bit water and I find a bitter smokiness coming on.
Different in many ways: 6.5
torsdag 10. juni 2010
3 Tormores tasted between 1.4.2008-28.5.2011
Tormore 12yo 43% OB
A french speaking label, either this is abv-adjusted for the french market or it's an older standard version. I'll put my money on the older version as the Tormore aren't a very prominent whisky in france. It smells fresh, caramel, honey, cinnamon and red apples. The taste is very sweet, grapes, plums, sweets, a bit minty and floral. It's first of all a fresh and clean whisky, but the aftertaste is a bit off. Some burnt notes, leaves me with a bitter taste. All in all a good malt though.
An everyday malt for lightweight connoisseurs: 5.5
Tormore 12yo 1990-2002 65.9% Blackadder Raw Cask cask#1964
A Tormore above 65%, just when I thought I'd seen it all... Tormore is a nice distillery, no doubt, but can it's light speyside flavours handle this strenght? The nose is special to say the least, magic mushrooms and paint thinner, a trip for sure! The taste is extremely dry and oaky, but with a very strong aftertaste of applecore and grain. What I dislike about the raw Cask serie of Blackadder is that it almost always contain a big part of cask sediments. Now, with water it becomes a bit salty and peppery. Very nice actually. An easy, strong and charming whisky.
Not too bad, but I wish they'd given it more time in the cask: 6.5
Tormore 10yo 40% OB
An 80's bottling, 2 years younger than today's standard bottling. It gets misty when poured, almost like wheat beer. First it's pretty flowery, with some burnt sugar. The taste is mild and round, camphorcandy, caramel liqueur, candyfloss, summer breeze and freshly fried pancakes.
A nice summermalt: 7
A french speaking label, either this is abv-adjusted for the french market or it's an older standard version. I'll put my money on the older version as the Tormore aren't a very prominent whisky in france. It smells fresh, caramel, honey, cinnamon and red apples. The taste is very sweet, grapes, plums, sweets, a bit minty and floral. It's first of all a fresh and clean whisky, but the aftertaste is a bit off. Some burnt notes, leaves me with a bitter taste. All in all a good malt though.
An everyday malt for lightweight connoisseurs: 5.5
Tormore 12yo 1990-2002 65.9% Blackadder Raw Cask cask#1964
A Tormore above 65%, just when I thought I'd seen it all... Tormore is a nice distillery, no doubt, but can it's light speyside flavours handle this strenght? The nose is special to say the least, magic mushrooms and paint thinner, a trip for sure! The taste is extremely dry and oaky, but with a very strong aftertaste of applecore and grain. What I dislike about the raw Cask serie of Blackadder is that it almost always contain a big part of cask sediments. Now, with water it becomes a bit salty and peppery. Very nice actually. An easy, strong and charming whisky.
Not too bad, but I wish they'd given it more time in the cask: 6.5
Tormore 10yo 40% OB
An 80's bottling, 2 years younger than today's standard bottling. It gets misty when poured, almost like wheat beer. First it's pretty flowery, with some burnt sugar. The taste is mild and round, camphorcandy, caramel liqueur, candyfloss, summer breeze and freshly fried pancakes.
A nice summermalt: 7
søndag 6. juni 2010
2 Glentauchers tasted between 1.4.2008-28.5.2011
Glentauchers 11yo 1985-1996 43% Signatory for Thurso & District Round Table
An IB bottling for a private company from a distillery rarely bottled as single malt. Intense bourbon on the nose, a bit grassy and spirity. Very sweet, lots of honey mustard, and some grapefruit. These notes of honey mustard are really appetizing, something to have before dinner? The aftertaste is a bit burning, but not too much. It's a nicely balanced malt, just lacks a bit complexity. The honey mustard palate alone gives this an honourable score in my book.
A flavoursome youngster, one to start with: 6.5
Glentauchers 19yo 1979-1998 40% Gordon & MacPhail
Another little rarity from G&M tonight. Very spirity and pungent odors, reminds me of strong potato spirit. Perhaps a reason why it isn't bottled that much as a single? It's has also a very strong taste, once again aqua vitae scandinavian style, oatmeal, fish scales, oil stain and flushing fluid.
Horrible stuff: 2
An IB bottling for a private company from a distillery rarely bottled as single malt. Intense bourbon on the nose, a bit grassy and spirity. Very sweet, lots of honey mustard, and some grapefruit. These notes of honey mustard are really appetizing, something to have before dinner? The aftertaste is a bit burning, but not too much. It's a nicely balanced malt, just lacks a bit complexity. The honey mustard palate alone gives this an honourable score in my book.
A flavoursome youngster, one to start with: 6.5
Glentauchers 19yo 1979-1998 40% Gordon & MacPhail
Another little rarity from G&M tonight. Very spirity and pungent odors, reminds me of strong potato spirit. Perhaps a reason why it isn't bottled that much as a single? It's has also a very strong taste, once again aqua vitae scandinavian style, oatmeal, fish scales, oil stain and flushing fluid.
Horrible stuff: 2
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