Royal Lochnagar 10yo 1998-2009 46% Signatory Vintage cask#613
Royal Lochnagar has always been a whisky with major sherry components, as I remember. This is a bourbon-matured bottling. The nose is full of vanilla, very sweet and pleasant. The taste has three layers, first it's sweet and full of vanilla, then it becomes very dry and sort of bitter before it ends with a medium long and very distinctive peppery aftertaste. This has some sort of complex lightness if that makes any sense. A straightforward malt with just that little extra.
I think this could be a very successful mainstream malt: 6.5
Royal Lochnagar 12yo 40% OB
I find the odors, in this often ignored malt, quite exciting actually. Some citrussy notes, some honey, a bit rum, and wonderful dark chocolate. The taste is mildly spiced with hints of juniper berries, liquorice and a mild cigar. The finish brings sweetness of carrots and apricot tea to the table. Unfortunately it is a bit too much, very many flavours are combined and it is hard to find a true character.
All in all a good experience: 5.5
tirsdag 27. april 2010
torsdag 18. mars 2010
2 Dalwhinnies Distillers Edition tasted between 1.4.2008-28.5.2011
Dalwhinnie 17yo 1991-2008 43% OB Distillers Edition
About every distillery of a mentionable size does produce their own "DE" bottling nowadays. I haven't been too impressed as I rarely find them better than the standard OBs. This one is finished in Oloroso sherry oak. It has a pretty strong odor, dark chocolate. The taste is also very phenolic, dark chocolate and sulphur. I can't find any distillery character in this one, and being one of the lightest malts in Scotland, maybe the sherry has just got the best of it. It has some bitterness, but it's far from worth the money for me.
ordinary whisky to a very expensive price: 3.5
Dalwhinnie 15yo 43% OB
Pretty anonymous and weak for a fifteen year old. Good and clean flavour, a but smoke but no particular character. Clean and crisp but far too bland for being called a classic malt in my opinion, sorry Diageo.
Would expect more in a 15-year old: 6
About every distillery of a mentionable size does produce their own "DE" bottling nowadays. I haven't been too impressed as I rarely find them better than the standard OBs. This one is finished in Oloroso sherry oak. It has a pretty strong odor, dark chocolate. The taste is also very phenolic, dark chocolate and sulphur. I can't find any distillery character in this one, and being one of the lightest malts in Scotland, maybe the sherry has just got the best of it. It has some bitterness, but it's far from worth the money for me.
ordinary whisky to a very expensive price: 3.5
Dalwhinnie 15yo 43% OB
Pretty anonymous and weak for a fifteen year old. Good and clean flavour, a but smoke but no particular character. Clean and crisp but far too bland for being called a classic malt in my opinion, sorry Diageo.
Would expect more in a 15-year old: 6
tirsdag 23. februar 2010
3 Millburns tasted between 1.4.2008-28.5.2011
Millburn 25yo 1981-2006 46% Robert Castle Ltd. for Juuls Flight No4 btl. x/803
A nice and pale sherry matured Millburn, I must say I ususally do like my Millburn a bit under 50% abv. A sweet and nice smell, with a small hint of laurel. The first taste is strong, not much sherry influence to be found here, but the malt itself seems to have some dark chocolate and sour cream notes. It's a bit dry, but then again, the aftertaste is fruity with honey, kiwi, pears and coconut. All in all a very fine old malt.
I guess it's a shame this distillery is gone: 6
Millburn 22yo 1969-1992 51.7% Cadenhead's
I really enoyed the last Millburn I tried. Could this be one of those distilleries that people discover a bit too late? At first it smells absurdly mild, I guess it needs some time. After a while some gentle odors of leather and honey appears. The taste is kind of supreme, it has a warmth and depth I don't see very often. Very gentle and mild, but it's not that sweet. The aftertaste is a bit lemony and quite peppery. With some added water It opens a bit up and the line between palate and finish becomes even clearer.
Not a classic, but charming and honest: 5.5
Millburn 27yo 1976-2003 40% CC G&M
Mixed scents of nuts and peppermint, reminds me somehow of a young Highland Park. Good fragrances of honey, peppermint and burnt sugar. It is a great shame that this distillery now definately is out of business.
I'm amazed and saddened: 9
A nice and pale sherry matured Millburn, I must say I ususally do like my Millburn a bit under 50% abv. A sweet and nice smell, with a small hint of laurel. The first taste is strong, not much sherry influence to be found here, but the malt itself seems to have some dark chocolate and sour cream notes. It's a bit dry, but then again, the aftertaste is fruity with honey, kiwi, pears and coconut. All in all a very fine old malt.
I guess it's a shame this distillery is gone: 6
Millburn 22yo 1969-1992 51.7% Cadenhead's
I really enoyed the last Millburn I tried. Could this be one of those distilleries that people discover a bit too late? At first it smells absurdly mild, I guess it needs some time. After a while some gentle odors of leather and honey appears. The taste is kind of supreme, it has a warmth and depth I don't see very often. Very gentle and mild, but it's not that sweet. The aftertaste is a bit lemony and quite peppery. With some added water It opens a bit up and the line between palate and finish becomes even clearer.
Not a classic, but charming and honest: 5.5
Millburn 27yo 1976-2003 40% CC G&M
Mixed scents of nuts and peppermint, reminds me somehow of a young Highland Park. Good fragrances of honey, peppermint and burnt sugar. It is a great shame that this distillery now definately is out of business.
I'm amazed and saddened: 9
tirsdag 16. februar 2010
2 North Port Brechins tasted between 1.4.2008-28.5.2011
North Port Brechin 20yo 1970-1990 40% Connoisseurs Choice Gordon & Macphail
North Port Brechin is one of those closed distilleries almost impossible to find today. It has a sort of caramelized and sweet smell, as a soft creme cheese. the odors are quite perfumy, like some strange woody fahrenheit. The taste is very peppery and wheat-like dry. With some water it gets softer. This is an honest whisky, I guess once upon a time this was a working class gem, but with todays prices it's unfortunately not worth it.
An old-fashioned classic malty malt: 5.5
North Port-Brechin 19yo 1974-1993 40% CC G&M
Really amber golden whisky, fresh smell that tickles the nostrils. Also some rose, marcipan and ammonia, pretty complicated actually. In the tasting, it's characteristics are sweet, light, butter and pretty plane. A victim of the 80's.
Promising take-off, troubled landing: 5.5
North Port Brechin is one of those closed distilleries almost impossible to find today. It has a sort of caramelized and sweet smell, as a soft creme cheese. the odors are quite perfumy, like some strange woody fahrenheit. The taste is very peppery and wheat-like dry. With some water it gets softer. This is an honest whisky, I guess once upon a time this was a working class gem, but with todays prices it's unfortunately not worth it.
An old-fashioned classic malty malt: 5.5
North Port-Brechin 19yo 1974-1993 40% CC G&M
Really amber golden whisky, fresh smell that tickles the nostrils. Also some rose, marcipan and ammonia, pretty complicated actually. In the tasting, it's characteristics are sweet, light, butter and pretty plane. A victim of the 80's.
Promising take-off, troubled landing: 5.5
mandag 15. februar 2010
1 Lagavulin tasted between 1.4.2008-28.5.2011
Lagavulin 16yo 1991-2007 43% OB Distillers Edition
Let's start tonight off with the Lagavulin DE, I have still to try a fantastic socalled "Distillers Edition", this might be the one? Double matured with some Pedro Ximenez casks, sherry or wine? Very dark colour, sweet, roasted garlic and shrimps odorwise. It seems a bit less peaty than usual, maybe it's the Pedro etc. It's a very fine malt, with some liquorice and brandynotes. And the aftertaste is pleasantly peaty and peppery. A fine whisky, but I don't get the whisky-feel, just a bit too strange for me.
One of the nicer DE-versions I've tried: 6
Let's start tonight off with the Lagavulin DE, I have still to try a fantastic socalled "Distillers Edition", this might be the one? Double matured with some Pedro Ximenez casks, sherry or wine? Very dark colour, sweet, roasted garlic and shrimps odorwise. It seems a bit less peaty than usual, maybe it's the Pedro etc. It's a very fine malt, with some liquorice and brandynotes. And the aftertaste is pleasantly peaty and peppery. A fine whisky, but I don't get the whisky-feel, just a bit too strange for me.
One of the nicer DE-versions I've tried: 6
torsdag 11. februar 2010
3 Glenkinchies tasted between 1.4.2008-28.5.2011
Glenkinchie 27yo 50% Old Malt Cask Douglas Laing
A sherrymatured Glenkinchie of a respectable age, this one can be a winner? The nose is very big, strong odors of dried herbs, dark chocolate and scented candles. The first taste really makes it mark, and the sherry-notes are almost too overpowering. I believe that the tripple distilled lowlanders almost can have too much of a good cask when given so much time. Since it's a bit much I'll add some water. It's hot and peppery, almost like chili oil. Very unusual, but who's to say it's not good?
Weird and different: 6
Glenkinchie 10yo 43% OB
A younger version of the Glenkinchie available on the norwegian market. Very strong odors of citrus, almost like an air cleanser. The taste brings out excactly what the nose promised, it's a bit like chewing lemon kernels. A generous dash of water reduces some of the lemon and allows a decent finish of black pepper.
Exciting when compared to the 12yo: 5
Glenkinchie 12yo 43% OB
"The Edinburgh Malt" is one of the most widespread lowlanders. It seems sweeter than most other lowlanders, almost nauseating, the first impression is like it's a blend of brandy and bitterschnaps. On the taste it gives another impression, more malty flavours, perhaps a bit like aberlour at first, but without the good, soft finish. It's strong and sweet, typical lowland, but no debth to set it apart.
Nice to try such a typical lowlander: 6
A sherrymatured Glenkinchie of a respectable age, this one can be a winner? The nose is very big, strong odors of dried herbs, dark chocolate and scented candles. The first taste really makes it mark, and the sherry-notes are almost too overpowering. I believe that the tripple distilled lowlanders almost can have too much of a good cask when given so much time. Since it's a bit much I'll add some water. It's hot and peppery, almost like chili oil. Very unusual, but who's to say it's not good?
Weird and different: 6
Glenkinchie 10yo 43% OB
A younger version of the Glenkinchie available on the norwegian market. Very strong odors of citrus, almost like an air cleanser. The taste brings out excactly what the nose promised, it's a bit like chewing lemon kernels. A generous dash of water reduces some of the lemon and allows a decent finish of black pepper.
Exciting when compared to the 12yo: 5
Glenkinchie 12yo 43% OB
"The Edinburgh Malt" is one of the most widespread lowlanders. It seems sweeter than most other lowlanders, almost nauseating, the first impression is like it's a blend of brandy and bitterschnaps. On the taste it gives another impression, more malty flavours, perhaps a bit like aberlour at first, but without the good, soft finish. It's strong and sweet, typical lowland, but no debth to set it apart.
Nice to try such a typical lowlander: 6
søndag 17. januar 2010
1 Glenugie tasted between 1.4.2008-28.5.2011
Glenugie 27yo 1982-2009 50% OMC Douglas Laing
The bottlings of Glenugie are becoming harder and harder to find, and I don't think there are too many casks left lying around nowadays. Very strong smell, puts me of a bit to be honest. It has much vanilla and earthy notes going on, subtle and pleasant. The aftertaste is sharp, blackcurrant, raspberry, blue cheese and salt. With a tiny drop of water, it opens up a bit and creates an even longer aftertaste.
A very nice and classy malt: 7
The bottlings of Glenugie are becoming harder and harder to find, and I don't think there are too many casks left lying around nowadays. Very strong smell, puts me of a bit to be honest. It has much vanilla and earthy notes going on, subtle and pleasant. The aftertaste is sharp, blackcurrant, raspberry, blue cheese and salt. With a tiny drop of water, it opens up a bit and creates an even longer aftertaste.
A very nice and classy malt: 7
lørdag 9. januar 2010
1 Glen Flagler tasted between 1.4.2008-28.5.2011
Glen Flagler 5yo 40% OB
Time to try this one, a very young malt from the long lost Moffat distillery complex, called Glen Flagler. This were also the last still to close on the complex. The colour is pale straw, it has a beautiful, old styled smell, malt and a very rich caramel odor. The taste is not what the nosing promised, it is thin, laidback, flowery, brandy-ish. Quite nice at first, but the aftertaste is like that of any other poor spirit.
Nice to have tried, but no repetition I'm afraid: 3.5
Time to try this one, a very young malt from the long lost Moffat distillery complex, called Glen Flagler. This were also the last still to close on the complex. The colour is pale straw, it has a beautiful, old styled smell, malt and a very rich caramel odor. The taste is not what the nosing promised, it is thin, laidback, flowery, brandy-ish. Quite nice at first, but the aftertaste is like that of any other poor spirit.
Nice to have tried, but no repetition I'm afraid: 3.5
fredag 8. januar 2010
2 Coleburns tasted between 1.4.2008-28.5.2011
Coleburn 26yo 1983-2009 49.5%
This is from The Fossile Seires, by The Whisky Agency. I don't care too much about that, but what I know is that it's bourbon matured, and that's probably the reason it's hit below 50% before 30yo. It's so strong it's hard to get much else than phenol and wood on the nose, some lacquer maybe. The first tasting says it realy needs water, again there's only phenol and wood. With a splash of the good old H2O, the nose opens up and there's marcipan and stilton, odd but nice combination. Still the taste is a bit off, and it's just too old fashioned for me, a bit orange skin, and plenty bitterness there is.
No no no, it's all going wrong on this one: 2.5
Coleburn 30yo 1972-2002 40% CC G&M
Coleburn reminds me of, not surprisingly, burnt wood. The distillery were put down in the nineties, The taste is very burnt and somewhat phenolic, almost acid-like. Unusual for a speysider, lotas of coal, not much taste.
after all, it's got some old school nuances: 3
This is from The Fossile Seires, by The Whisky Agency. I don't care too much about that, but what I know is that it's bourbon matured, and that's probably the reason it's hit below 50% before 30yo. It's so strong it's hard to get much else than phenol and wood on the nose, some lacquer maybe. The first tasting says it realy needs water, again there's only phenol and wood. With a splash of the good old H2O, the nose opens up and there's marcipan and stilton, odd but nice combination. Still the taste is a bit off, and it's just too old fashioned for me, a bit orange skin, and plenty bitterness there is.
No no no, it's all going wrong on this one: 2.5
Coleburn 30yo 1972-2002 40% CC G&M
Coleburn reminds me of, not surprisingly, burnt wood. The distillery were put down in the nineties, The taste is very burnt and somewhat phenolic, almost acid-like. Unusual for a speysider, lotas of coal, not much taste.
after all, it's got some old school nuances: 3
tirsdag 5. januar 2010
3 Taliskers tasted between 1.4.2008-28.5.2011
Talisker 13yo 1992-2005 45.8% OB Distillers Edition
This one is a new one for me, I've never tried a double matured Talisker before, I do believe it's bourbon and amoroso this time. It has a nice bronze colour, the nose is more delicate and sweeter than the standard's. Unfortunately the finishing cask seems to have added just a bit too much, and all of the good coastal character is gone. It's sweet, very sweet, with little aftertaste, could have been saved by less amoroso, or maybe just amoroso, who knows, but this seems to be a mismatch.
What a shame: 3
Talisker 18yo 45.8% OB
Talisker 18 is my favourite expression by far when it somes to Talisker, at least under 20yo. It has an expressive odor of smoked barbequesauce and sundried tomatoes. Feisty pepper and a powerful peatyness that almost numbs my tongue. It also has a combined sweet and dry finish. Water? No thanks!
An amazing dram: 8
Talisker 10yo 45.8% OB
Fantastic, everything from start to finish, a conglomeration of scents and flavours, which thanks to a laden alcoholic influence can shine, each in their own right. Relatively dark and smoky, without that stopping fragrances of salty, earthy, meaty and nutty flavours to break through.
Much of everything: 7.5
This one is a new one for me, I've never tried a double matured Talisker before, I do believe it's bourbon and amoroso this time. It has a nice bronze colour, the nose is more delicate and sweeter than the standard's. Unfortunately the finishing cask seems to have added just a bit too much, and all of the good coastal character is gone. It's sweet, very sweet, with little aftertaste, could have been saved by less amoroso, or maybe just amoroso, who knows, but this seems to be a mismatch.
What a shame: 3
Talisker 18yo 45.8% OB
Talisker 18 is my favourite expression by far when it somes to Talisker, at least under 20yo. It has an expressive odor of smoked barbequesauce and sundried tomatoes. Feisty pepper and a powerful peatyness that almost numbs my tongue. It also has a combined sweet and dry finish. Water? No thanks!
An amazing dram: 8
Talisker 10yo 45.8% OB
Fantastic, everything from start to finish, a conglomeration of scents and flavours, which thanks to a laden alcoholic influence can shine, each in their own right. Relatively dark and smoky, without that stopping fragrances of salty, earthy, meaty and nutty flavours to break through.
Much of everything: 7.5
torsdag 10. desember 2009
2 An Cnoc/Knockdhus tasted between 1.4.2008-28.5.2011
An Cnoc 12yo 40% OB
An Cnoc is the single malt made at Knockdhu distillery, although independent bottlers ususally call it "Knockdhu Single Malt". Seems very light, colour of applejuice. I smell some sweetness and tea, light herbs. The taste is also very sweet, mint bubblegum, very plain and kind of boring. Some drops of water adds some dark chocolate. It reminds me of after eight. The aftertaste is very short and has something like apple core going on.
A nice aperitif and a real lightweighter: 4.5
Knockdhu 17yo 1974-1991 40% CC G&M
This is from the same distillery that produces the An Cnoc single malt. It's smells of caramel and sugar. The flavour is a bit harsh and burnt, with notions of dried seaweed, sushi anyone? The caramell shows it's face also on the palate, but all in all seems this malt a lot younger than 17 years old. A dry and alcoholic finish, the one you might get from bad wodka.
Boooring!: 2
An Cnoc is the single malt made at Knockdhu distillery, although independent bottlers ususally call it "Knockdhu Single Malt". Seems very light, colour of applejuice. I smell some sweetness and tea, light herbs. The taste is also very sweet, mint bubblegum, very plain and kind of boring. Some drops of water adds some dark chocolate. It reminds me of after eight. The aftertaste is very short and has something like apple core going on.
A nice aperitif and a real lightweighter: 4.5
Knockdhu 17yo 1974-1991 40% CC G&M
This is from the same distillery that produces the An Cnoc single malt. It's smells of caramel and sugar. The flavour is a bit harsh and burnt, with notions of dried seaweed, sushi anyone? The caramell shows it's face also on the palate, but all in all seems this malt a lot younger than 17 years old. A dry and alcoholic finish, the one you might get from bad wodka.
Boooring!: 2
torsdag 19. november 2009
1 Ayrshire/Ladyburn tasted between 1.4.2008-28.5.2011
Ayrshire/Ladyburn 34yo 1975-2009 46.9% Signatory Vintage
The whisky from Ayrshire distillery was called Ladyburn, but for some reason Signatory weren't allowed to have that name on the label. I smell vanilla, liquorice and alcohol, very strong, but far from exciting. I taste something grassy, some lime and vanilla. With a dry and alcoholic finish that ruins some of the experience.
Bourbon-matured for sure: 6
The whisky from Ayrshire distillery was called Ladyburn, but for some reason Signatory weren't allowed to have that name on the label. I smell vanilla, liquorice and alcohol, very strong, but far from exciting. I taste something grassy, some lime and vanilla. With a dry and alcoholic finish that ruins some of the experience.
Bourbon-matured for sure: 6
onsdag 4. november 2009
1 Kilkerran tasted between 1.4.2008-28.5.2011
Kilkerran 2009 46% OB Work in Progress
An early bottling from this highland distillery, it seems very well made, one of the best newmakes I've tried. Very sweet odor, honey and vanilla, reminds me slightly of Aberlour. The taste is very similar to the smell, but it does have a small ounce of bitterness which makes it seem unfinished. The aftertaste is the same as I find in 3-5yo brandies unfortunately.
This will be fantastic one day: 5
An early bottling from this highland distillery, it seems very well made, one of the best newmakes I've tried. Very sweet odor, honey and vanilla, reminds me slightly of Aberlour. The taste is very similar to the smell, but it does have a small ounce of bitterness which makes it seem unfinished. The aftertaste is the same as I find in 3-5yo brandies unfortunately.
This will be fantastic one day: 5
lørdag 23. mai 2009
1 Cardhu tasted between 1.4.2008-28.5.2011
Cardhu 12yo 40% OB
Cardhu is a little talked about malt, mostly sold in southern european countries. The whisky is golden pale, with a tame nose, some apple sweetness. The taste is far too sweet for my taste, sugar, pepper, concentrated apples, with a finish of cherry wine.
A sugarbomb: 4.5
Cardhu is a little talked about malt, mostly sold in southern european countries. The whisky is golden pale, with a tame nose, some apple sweetness. The taste is far too sweet for my taste, sugar, pepper, concentrated apples, with a finish of cherry wine.
A sugarbomb: 4.5
fredag 22. mai 2009
1 Cragganmore tasted between 1.4.2008-28.5.2011
Cragganmore 12yo 40% OB
Cragganmore is a smoky speysider, a rare combination indeed. Smells of dark syrup, coca-cola and some cough-drops. Didn't quite blow me away, but the taste on the other hand... Cream caramels, camphor, tomatoes, green peppers, salt bars, soy, burnt chocolate and sweet liquorice, fantastic!!! Doesn't get much more beautiful than this.
Enjoy a drop of paradise: 9
Cragganmore is a smoky speysider, a rare combination indeed. Smells of dark syrup, coca-cola and some cough-drops. Didn't quite blow me away, but the taste on the other hand... Cream caramels, camphor, tomatoes, green peppers, salt bars, soy, burnt chocolate and sweet liquorice, fantastic!!! Doesn't get much more beautiful than this.
Enjoy a drop of paradise: 9
fredag 1. mai 2009
3 Loch Lomonds tasted between 1.4.2008-28.5.2011
Loch Lomond NAS 40% OB
This malt has an initially exciting nose with sweet peppermint, say polo lozenges for instance. It has a balanced and quite pleasant taste, but nothing to get excited about really. Something citrusy and just the faintest hint of honey. Add a few drops of water, and a more interesting stilton-like character derives. Would love to try an older bottling.
Much potential: 6
Inchmurrin NAS 40% OB
Inchmurrin is yet another no-age-stated malt from the Loch Lomond Distillery. It smells young and of much alcohol, sweet. The taste is also sweet and very fresh flavoured, peppermint, eucalyptus leaves and dried mintleaves. Far better than the Loch Lomond Ob, at least in my book. Water gives nothing, only removes flavour, and is not recommended, at least not by me.
I'd like to try it at cask strength: 6.5
Old Rhosdhu NAS 40%
A whisky produced at Loch Lomond Distillery. It's a bit sherry-like, sweet wine, although it's not matured in sherry-casks. It does also taste exceptionally sweet, and has some more flare than the Loch Lomond OB. On the palate I'm getting marshmallows, heavily boiled chick peas and corn. A strange phenomenon that probably won't be widely recognized anytime soon.
Candy are for kids: 3
This malt has an initially exciting nose with sweet peppermint, say polo lozenges for instance. It has a balanced and quite pleasant taste, but nothing to get excited about really. Something citrusy and just the faintest hint of honey. Add a few drops of water, and a more interesting stilton-like character derives. Would love to try an older bottling.
Much potential: 6
Inchmurrin NAS 40% OB
Inchmurrin is yet another no-age-stated malt from the Loch Lomond Distillery. It smells young and of much alcohol, sweet. The taste is also sweet and very fresh flavoured, peppermint, eucalyptus leaves and dried mintleaves. Far better than the Loch Lomond Ob, at least in my book. Water gives nothing, only removes flavour, and is not recommended, at least not by me.
I'd like to try it at cask strength: 6.5
Old Rhosdhu NAS 40%
A whisky produced at Loch Lomond Distillery. It's a bit sherry-like, sweet wine, although it's not matured in sherry-casks. It does also taste exceptionally sweet, and has some more flare than the Loch Lomond OB. On the palate I'm getting marshmallows, heavily boiled chick peas and corn. A strange phenomenon that probably won't be widely recognized anytime soon.
Candy are for kids: 3
lørdag 24. januar 2009
1 Glenesk tasted between 1.4.2008-28.5.2011
Glenesk 12yo 43% OB
Closed Highland distillery, this is an updated version of the old 70's OB. Sweet and caramelized scent, not much have changed, phenolic, doesn't hide the alcohol, should be able to take some water, but the danger of loosing the small hints of caramel is then inevitable. Then there will be nothing left.
a great disappointment, really: 3.5
Closed Highland distillery, this is an updated version of the old 70's OB. Sweet and caramelized scent, not much have changed, phenolic, doesn't hide the alcohol, should be able to take some water, but the danger of loosing the small hints of caramel is then inevitable. Then there will be nothing left.
a great disappointment, really: 3.5
onsdag 30. april 2008
3 Speysides tasted between 1.4.2008-28.5.2011
Speyside 10yo 46% Hart Brothers Finest Collection
Citrussy, smells young, pretty much the same lightness as the original 12 year old. But the taste is really much more intriguing and exciting. Quite sweet, anis seeds, liquorice, vanilla and raw marcipan. Much to discover, but lacks some aftertaste and roundness
A sweet adventure: 6
Speyside 12yo 40% OB
From the producers of Drumguish comes the real highland malt, the Speyside (?). Taste of cut/dried grass, a little anonimous, mountain air. Nearly no aftertaste at all. Does have a couple o'miles to go before it's broadly recognized, but a little plus for the nice softness.
Upcoming gentleman's malt?: 4
Drumguish NAS 40% OB (Speyside Distillery)
Brags on the bottle about being one of Scotlands smallest distilleries, and truly there aren't much else to brag about here. Doesn't taste bad at all, but taste really of nothing at all. A little hint of peach and alcohol maybe.
A tasteless dram: 2
Citrussy, smells young, pretty much the same lightness as the original 12 year old. But the taste is really much more intriguing and exciting. Quite sweet, anis seeds, liquorice, vanilla and raw marcipan. Much to discover, but lacks some aftertaste and roundness
A sweet adventure: 6
Speyside 12yo 40% OB
From the producers of Drumguish comes the real highland malt, the Speyside (?). Taste of cut/dried grass, a little anonimous, mountain air. Nearly no aftertaste at all. Does have a couple o'miles to go before it's broadly recognized, but a little plus for the nice softness.
Upcoming gentleman's malt?: 4
Drumguish NAS 40% OB (Speyside Distillery)
Brags on the bottle about being one of Scotlands smallest distilleries, and truly there aren't much else to brag about here. Doesn't taste bad at all, but taste really of nothing at all. A little hint of peach and alcohol maybe.
A tasteless dram: 2
tirsdag 1. april 2008
13 Ardbegs tasted between 1.4.2008-28.5.2011
Ardbeg NAS 57.3% OB Rollercoaster
This one exclusively made for the Ardbeg Committee, some sort of cult containing peatheads from all over the world, and I also think they're owning a square of Islay, or maybe that is the Laphroaigians? Anyway, let's see if this can tempt me towards a membership. Smells oil and alcohol, not the typical citrus coastal nose. Oh yeah, and there's some peat as well. The taste is peppery, citrus, grapefruit, a very mild Ardbeg with far less coastal character than I'm used to. Turns a bit yeasty after a while, not my favorite Ardbeg but it got its moments.
One that needs water to deliver some complexity: 6.5
Ardbeg 25yo 46% OB Lord of the Isles
I'm doing a very small peat marathon today, all from Islay, starting with this pricey and much talked about bottling by Ardbeg distillery. It's rare to see a whisky at only 46% and not from a single cask create so much fuzz. Smells classical Ardbeg peat, light peatiness over coastal odors of sea salt, fuel and bonfire smoke, not unlike older versions of the 10yo. But its as if the smell has a sweet finish, a provocative nose, but in a good way. It tells me its robust and powerful before it in the end shows a completely different, sweet and innocent speyside-ish side. The taste is opposite, in that it starts on some sweet marshmallows and fat oily notes with some mellow citrus fruits in the background. Then the ashy, sort of peppery notes comes along. A very good Ardbeg, but just not as coastal as I remember it at its best.
a two-sided Ardbeg, some of the best of two worlds: 8
Ardbeg 11yo 1998-2009 57.9% Adelphi's cask#1981
This one from Adelphi, I'm yet to have a good young peated whisky from this independent bottler, but when it come to older sherry casked whiskies they're usually fantastic. This one is more peppery and less peaty than Dun's. Smells just a bit tired. Extremely peppery, a bit dry, and far less complex than Dun's. Needs water I guess, but it's an alright dram without water too. Water makes it more dry, more peppery, less flavoursome.I'm not sure, but I guess this comes from a 2nd fill sherry cask or something.
A bit much cask influence maybe?: 5
Ardbeg 11yo 56.2% Dun Bheagan cask#1782
Finishing this Islay escapade with two independently bottled Ardbegs. This one smells fresh, salty, oaky, peaty, coastal, ashy, it's just a mix of everything good from islay, I believe. It's just perfectly peaty, very peppery and lightly sweet, like some very aromatic barbeque sauce. The taste returns all of these flavours again and again, the peatiness that usually makes the tastebuds numb after a while takes nothing away from this intense coastal whisky.
No water in this one: 8
Ardbeg 10yo 56% OB Renaissance
The offspring of the Almost There, again an offspring of the Very Young, well I haven't got the other generations here so I guess this one will have to make it on its own. This one has a pretty similar nose as the Blasda, definately a good amount of bourbon-matured whisky. The taste is extremely sweet and smoky, hickory, peppery style. Actually Chili would be the right pepper, an inferno of good flavours, just a bit hard to detect behind all the peaty notes. I believe it needs a small bit of water. With a small drop of water i gets mineral, minty, a bit metallic, smoky, pure pleasure, but once again far from as complex as I remember the good Almost There.
Sweet baby, a dangerous blonde: 8
Ardbeg NAS 40% OB Blasda
Another day, another dram, but wait a minute, something I've seen going on for ages on other whiskytasting websites, the fairly extended ones at least, is vertical tasting. Different drams from same distillery. Let's give it a try with some Ardbeg. This is the lightly peated Blasda that used to come in a clear container. It doesn't have much colour, smells sweet, whipped eggs, cream, sweet & fruity. The taste is very sweet, sugary, maple syrup, then turns peaty and peppery. Because the body in this case seems to be so much lighter than other Ardbegs the peat still gets a say here.
An easy, clean cut and very bourbonized Ardbeg: 7
Ardbeg NAS 60.1% OB Supernova 2010
Time to try this crazy peat freak experiment, I believe the Supernova used to be the most heavily peated malt in the world. Then Bruichladdich launched the Octomore, the rest is history I guess. This one smells almost only smoke and some very restrained salty coastal notes. The taste is so sweet it numbs the tongue, but other than the peat there aren't much else to it I'm afraid, some vanilla, some burnt notes. Hey, this is one of the few Islayers I've come across that actually really improves a lot with time, like old sherried speysiders. Same vanilla and coastal notes, just a bit stronger, and the peatiness gets just a bit more subtle, good, if that's to your liking.
A funny end to the Vertical, must try again some time: 7.5
Ardbeg NAS 54.2% OB Uigeadail
I was pretty disappointed with the Corrywreckan the other day. Hopefully this will be much better. On the nose I'm getting sweet cigar, honey, smoke, peat, salt and more peat. It's peppery, peaty, a real straight-forward Ardbeg, with a less coastal profile than many others, but it's plenty enough for me. The aftertaste is long and sweet. It first of all compares with some older versions of the 10yo, but I'd say it's even better.
Fantastic Ardbeg: 9
Ardbeg 27yo 1978-2005 43% Connoisseurs Choice Gordon and Macphail
Ardbeg is very good when originally bottled, but I've rarely found it as good when it comes to IB's. At this age it should be a treat anyway. It smells very sour, lemon and peat. The taste is peppery, lemons, some light peatiness and salt. The taste is a bit closed so I'll give it some water. With some water it gets a bit sweeter and a bit stearic, like rubbery and oily. The aftertaste is short and anonymous.
Slightly boring, but still a nice malt: 5.5
Ardbeg NAS 56.2% OB Still Young
This Ardbeg is inbetween the "very young" and the "almost there", I don't care too much about which's youngest and oldest of the NAS editions, but I do like younger Ardbegs better than the +15yo's I've tried. It smells fresh, lively, smoky, vanilla, lemon and oak. Very fresh and smooth. The taste is also fresh, numb, austere, pepper, grassy, all works good together. The aftertaste is short, sweet and very anonymous.
A nice Ardbeg initiation malt: 6.5
Ardbeg NAS 57.1% OB Corryvreckan
One of the many gaelic named versions of Ardbeg. It has a sweet and spicy malt nose. Reminds me at first somewhat of the fabulous Talisker 18. The taste is rather dry and quite boring to be honest. I guess some of the good maritime character might disappear behind the high abv. OK, I recognize the peat in this one, but it's very weak. And there's no aftertaste at all. I know many people love this one, but honest to god, I have no idea why.
A boring whisky: 3
Ardbeg 17yo 40% OB
Finally I'm going to try the 17yo from the much connoisseur-promoted Ardbeg Distillery. Fun to see what another 7 years does to the robust and peaty 10yo. It is bizarely mild on the nose actually, like a much diluted version of Talisker 18, with some coffee, marshmallows and tea. It tastes very mild as well, grassy, some liquorice and some Malzbier.
Good, but not living up to it's potential, I presume: 5
Ardbeg 10yo 46% OB
Massive whisky, rich smoke, pepper, lemon, seasalt and much much more. One of the things that really surprised me with this one, is that even though it's peaty and strong, it works absolutely perfect in Irish Coffee as well ;)
An Almost Ultimate Experience?: 8.5
This one exclusively made for the Ardbeg Committee, some sort of cult containing peatheads from all over the world, and I also think they're owning a square of Islay, or maybe that is the Laphroaigians? Anyway, let's see if this can tempt me towards a membership. Smells oil and alcohol, not the typical citrus coastal nose. Oh yeah, and there's some peat as well. The taste is peppery, citrus, grapefruit, a very mild Ardbeg with far less coastal character than I'm used to. Turns a bit yeasty after a while, not my favorite Ardbeg but it got its moments.
One that needs water to deliver some complexity: 6.5
Ardbeg 25yo 46% OB Lord of the Isles
I'm doing a very small peat marathon today, all from Islay, starting with this pricey and much talked about bottling by Ardbeg distillery. It's rare to see a whisky at only 46% and not from a single cask create so much fuzz. Smells classical Ardbeg peat, light peatiness over coastal odors of sea salt, fuel and bonfire smoke, not unlike older versions of the 10yo. But its as if the smell has a sweet finish, a provocative nose, but in a good way. It tells me its robust and powerful before it in the end shows a completely different, sweet and innocent speyside-ish side. The taste is opposite, in that it starts on some sweet marshmallows and fat oily notes with some mellow citrus fruits in the background. Then the ashy, sort of peppery notes comes along. A very good Ardbeg, but just not as coastal as I remember it at its best.
a two-sided Ardbeg, some of the best of two worlds: 8
Ardbeg 11yo 1998-2009 57.9% Adelphi's cask#1981
This one from Adelphi, I'm yet to have a good young peated whisky from this independent bottler, but when it come to older sherry casked whiskies they're usually fantastic. This one is more peppery and less peaty than Dun's. Smells just a bit tired. Extremely peppery, a bit dry, and far less complex than Dun's. Needs water I guess, but it's an alright dram without water too. Water makes it more dry, more peppery, less flavoursome.I'm not sure, but I guess this comes from a 2nd fill sherry cask or something.
A bit much cask influence maybe?: 5
Ardbeg 11yo 56.2% Dun Bheagan cask#1782
Finishing this Islay escapade with two independently bottled Ardbegs. This one smells fresh, salty, oaky, peaty, coastal, ashy, it's just a mix of everything good from islay, I believe. It's just perfectly peaty, very peppery and lightly sweet, like some very aromatic barbeque sauce. The taste returns all of these flavours again and again, the peatiness that usually makes the tastebuds numb after a while takes nothing away from this intense coastal whisky.
No water in this one: 8
Ardbeg 10yo 56% OB Renaissance
The offspring of the Almost There, again an offspring of the Very Young, well I haven't got the other generations here so I guess this one will have to make it on its own. This one has a pretty similar nose as the Blasda, definately a good amount of bourbon-matured whisky. The taste is extremely sweet and smoky, hickory, peppery style. Actually Chili would be the right pepper, an inferno of good flavours, just a bit hard to detect behind all the peaty notes. I believe it needs a small bit of water. With a small drop of water i gets mineral, minty, a bit metallic, smoky, pure pleasure, but once again far from as complex as I remember the good Almost There.
Sweet baby, a dangerous blonde: 8
Ardbeg NAS 40% OB Blasda
Another day, another dram, but wait a minute, something I've seen going on for ages on other whiskytasting websites, the fairly extended ones at least, is vertical tasting. Different drams from same distillery. Let's give it a try with some Ardbeg. This is the lightly peated Blasda that used to come in a clear container. It doesn't have much colour, smells sweet, whipped eggs, cream, sweet & fruity. The taste is very sweet, sugary, maple syrup, then turns peaty and peppery. Because the body in this case seems to be so much lighter than other Ardbegs the peat still gets a say here.
An easy, clean cut and very bourbonized Ardbeg: 7
Ardbeg NAS 60.1% OB Supernova 2010
Time to try this crazy peat freak experiment, I believe the Supernova used to be the most heavily peated malt in the world. Then Bruichladdich launched the Octomore, the rest is history I guess. This one smells almost only smoke and some very restrained salty coastal notes. The taste is so sweet it numbs the tongue, but other than the peat there aren't much else to it I'm afraid, some vanilla, some burnt notes. Hey, this is one of the few Islayers I've come across that actually really improves a lot with time, like old sherried speysiders. Same vanilla and coastal notes, just a bit stronger, and the peatiness gets just a bit more subtle, good, if that's to your liking.
A funny end to the Vertical, must try again some time: 7.5
Ardbeg NAS 54.2% OB Uigeadail
I was pretty disappointed with the Corrywreckan the other day. Hopefully this will be much better. On the nose I'm getting sweet cigar, honey, smoke, peat, salt and more peat. It's peppery, peaty, a real straight-forward Ardbeg, with a less coastal profile than many others, but it's plenty enough for me. The aftertaste is long and sweet. It first of all compares with some older versions of the 10yo, but I'd say it's even better.
Fantastic Ardbeg: 9
Ardbeg 27yo 1978-2005 43% Connoisseurs Choice Gordon and Macphail
Ardbeg is very good when originally bottled, but I've rarely found it as good when it comes to IB's. At this age it should be a treat anyway. It smells very sour, lemon and peat. The taste is peppery, lemons, some light peatiness and salt. The taste is a bit closed so I'll give it some water. With some water it gets a bit sweeter and a bit stearic, like rubbery and oily. The aftertaste is short and anonymous.
Slightly boring, but still a nice malt: 5.5
Ardbeg NAS 56.2% OB Still Young
This Ardbeg is inbetween the "very young" and the "almost there", I don't care too much about which's youngest and oldest of the NAS editions, but I do like younger Ardbegs better than the +15yo's I've tried. It smells fresh, lively, smoky, vanilla, lemon and oak. Very fresh and smooth. The taste is also fresh, numb, austere, pepper, grassy, all works good together. The aftertaste is short, sweet and very anonymous.
A nice Ardbeg initiation malt: 6.5
Ardbeg NAS 57.1% OB Corryvreckan
One of the many gaelic named versions of Ardbeg. It has a sweet and spicy malt nose. Reminds me at first somewhat of the fabulous Talisker 18. The taste is rather dry and quite boring to be honest. I guess some of the good maritime character might disappear behind the high abv. OK, I recognize the peat in this one, but it's very weak. And there's no aftertaste at all. I know many people love this one, but honest to god, I have no idea why.
A boring whisky: 3
Ardbeg 17yo 40% OB
Finally I'm going to try the 17yo from the much connoisseur-promoted Ardbeg Distillery. Fun to see what another 7 years does to the robust and peaty 10yo. It is bizarely mild on the nose actually, like a much diluted version of Talisker 18, with some coffee, marshmallows and tea. It tastes very mild as well, grassy, some liquorice and some Malzbier.
Good, but not living up to it's potential, I presume: 5
Ardbeg 10yo 46% OB
Massive whisky, rich smoke, pepper, lemon, seasalt and much much more. One of the things that really surprised me with this one, is that even though it's peaty and strong, it works absolutely perfect in Irish Coffee as well ;)
An Almost Ultimate Experience?: 8.5
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