Tamnavulin 16yo 55.1% Master of Malt
A single cask bottling from this rare to find distillery. Or actually not that rare to find, but bottled at cask strength at this age. Tamnavulin is one of those making a point of being light and non-peated, like Glengoyne for instance. The nose is fruity, lots of red berries and some vinegar, very nice. On the palate there's some sweet malty notes but the high alcohol proof shins through a little too much. Adding water. With water it gets very hazy, the taste of some vinegar and dry hopsis perfectly fine and gives way to a light and far from complex but still very good aftertaste.
I hoped the strength would've added some more complexity: 7
Tamnavulin-Glenlivet 10yo 40% OB
Another version of the 10yo Tamnavulin OB, This one smells even lighter than the last one, some small hints of wood and some cotton. The taste is again a bit liquoricy but also some hints of dry steak appears. This one is far closer to a malty flavour, but still not as enjoyable as it's successor. Tamnavulin was mothballed in 1996, and from what I know, it hasn't resumed production yet. Perhaps this shows a bit why. Again, not a truly bad experience, just lacks any sign of peculiarity.
A bland whisky: 3.5
Tamnavulin 10yo 40% OB
I'm doing two Tamnavulins today H2H, both 10yo, one with the -glenlivet ending from the 90's, and this one from the 00's. It smells light, grassy, pretty plain. The taste is liquorice, not bad, but not like a malt actually. It sort of a cross between fisherman's minty liquorice and a light aperitif malt. It's far from bad, no flavours are putting me off, but it's not my kind of whisky. No aftertaste.
Sweet liquorice: 4.5
Tamnavulin NAS 40% OB
An old one with the -glenlivet ending. Also it's free of the unnecessary "Naturally light"-statement that's found on contemporary Tamnavulin bottles. It smells very light, butter, floral, vanilla, muscat and green apples. The taste is grassy, cinnamon, herbal and just a small hint of lemon. The aftertaste is a bit peppery, but other than that it's just far too light to enjoy more than as an aperitif.
I'm sure there are many blends out there tasting just like this: 4
Tamnavulin 12yo 40% OB
Tamnavulin has stated on it's label "Naturally Light". I don't know why they try to put themselves in a niche group of whiskies even before the buyer is allowed to consume. The whisky is very pale, and light on the nose, like when pouring water on the barbeque, H2O oxidising? Taste light as well, minty bubblegum, olive oil and some brie cheese or camembert.
Naturally light:): 4
Tamnavulin 37yo 1967-2005 46.7% Duncan Taylor
Duncan Taylor's been stacking this whisky since the 60's, right after it's birth. So now it's time to harvest. Very dark, smells of the sea, seaweed, tar and smoke, reminds me of many Islay malts that I've tasted. But the flavours are yat another story, there's fresh apple pie, brown sugar, honey, and a finish with a neutralising hint of pepper.
One of the best from DT I've tried so far: 7.5
Tamnavulin 9yo 1988-1997 58.9% Cask 4706-4709 G&M
Very powerful on the nose, pretty much what I would expect from a cask strength Tamnavulin, lacks fruitiness and other flavours, a whisky for the machochists out there. Can take a drop of water or five.
Strong and a bit medicinial: 5.5
fredag 28. januar 2011
tirsdag 25. januar 2011
6 Glen Albyns tasted between 1.4.2008-28.5.2011
Glen Albyn 26yo 1975-2001 54.8% Rare Malts
Neighbor of Glen Mhor, another long time gone and just occasionally mentionedin malt whisky circles. Enjoyed at the Grill Bar in Aberdeen, a nice bar with a huge range of whiskies, just a bit pricy but isn't everything in Union Street? A pale one, bourbon casked, smells spirity, sweet, sultanas, The aftertaste is just spirity. At this age I'd expect so much more.
A dead cask?: 3
Glen Albyn 29yo 1981-2010 57.5% Signatory
I love these shops selling samples online, as I've been amazed by two Glen Albyns from Signatory before I'm wondering if I should invest in a CS in the near future, but money talks in this business, so I've now got a 3cl to try first.. fantastic! Bourbon-matured this one, needs time to open up, smells withheld, small, but really nice hints of wheat, powdered sugar and spearmint. The taste is very sour, rusty, weird, nothing like a bourbon, more like really sour gravy. I cannot say it doesn't intrigue me because its so far from well.. any other expression of anything, but I will try with water, just to see what happens. Water gives a more usual vanilla and black pepper bourbon taste. It's nothing special, I prefer it without water.
A weird whisky, to unordinary to not take notice of: 4
Glen Albyn 25yo 1964-1989 58% Signatory Vintage cask#942-943 btl.841/1200
I do have another bottle from same casks, and if I remember correctly I enjoyed that very much. But I also remember that one to be dark red coloured, while this is golden pale..hmmm... Maybe I'm mixing up. It has a phenolic smell, almost like fino sherry. The taste is very peppery, phenolic, dry, salty and has a very long rubbery and salt aftertaste. It's first of all dry and bittersweet. A good expression, but it could've been just slightly sweeter.
Dry sherried malt: 6.5
Glen Albyn 25yo 1979-2005 56% Duncan taylor Rarest of the Rare cask#3958 btl.218/238
"A historic collection of Cask Strength Single Casks..." This label statement reeks of being a collector's item rather then a whisky to enjoy. Anyway, life's too short to let the bottles rot away on a shelf. The nose is pleasant, anis, liquorice and bonfire. The taste is unfortunately a big disaster. I'd say tastewise it's closer to a new-make spirit than even a 10-year old. With additional water it's becoming a bit minty but that's about it, and off course a nauseating sweetness of rotten fruit.
I've been amazed by other Glen Albyns, but this one is horrible: 1.5
Glen Albyn 12yo 1980-1993 43% Signatory Vintage cask 2946-48 btl. 765/2400
The last Glen Albyn I tried from S/V was at cask strength and amazing, will this younger, dilluted version live up to it's ancestor? The odors are quite unpleasant, very strong, but no real hint of any flavours. It has a very sweet taste of much vanilla, fruity, easy, mango, passion fruit and wax. Absolutely fantastic. The aftertaste is short and peppery. This one must be bourbon matured, and very young, but it doesn't lack much compared to the older versions I've tried.
Glen Albyn plays on all strings in this one, unforgetable: 8
Glen Albyn 25yo 1964-89 58% Signatory Vintage
Oh behold mortals, this aniquity has the most amazing odors of white pepper, garlic and parsley. Does have quite a delicate sweet flavour as well, again with some white pepper, sugar and a nice and zesty oakiness. This one, which I guess there aren't much left of, has got something rarely found in modern malts. Close your eyes and it really creates a vision of the highlands.
A closed, dismantled and almost forgotten treasure: 8
Neighbor of Glen Mhor, another long time gone and just occasionally mentionedin malt whisky circles. Enjoyed at the Grill Bar in Aberdeen, a nice bar with a huge range of whiskies, just a bit pricy but isn't everything in Union Street? A pale one, bourbon casked, smells spirity, sweet, sultanas, The aftertaste is just spirity. At this age I'd expect so much more.
A dead cask?: 3
Glen Albyn 29yo 1981-2010 57.5% Signatory
I love these shops selling samples online, as I've been amazed by two Glen Albyns from Signatory before I'm wondering if I should invest in a CS in the near future, but money talks in this business, so I've now got a 3cl to try first.. fantastic! Bourbon-matured this one, needs time to open up, smells withheld, small, but really nice hints of wheat, powdered sugar and spearmint. The taste is very sour, rusty, weird, nothing like a bourbon, more like really sour gravy. I cannot say it doesn't intrigue me because its so far from well.. any other expression of anything, but I will try with water, just to see what happens. Water gives a more usual vanilla and black pepper bourbon taste. It's nothing special, I prefer it without water.
A weird whisky, to unordinary to not take notice of: 4
Glen Albyn 25yo 1964-1989 58% Signatory Vintage cask#942-943 btl.841/1200
I do have another bottle from same casks, and if I remember correctly I enjoyed that very much. But I also remember that one to be dark red coloured, while this is golden pale..hmmm... Maybe I'm mixing up. It has a phenolic smell, almost like fino sherry. The taste is very peppery, phenolic, dry, salty and has a very long rubbery and salt aftertaste. It's first of all dry and bittersweet. A good expression, but it could've been just slightly sweeter.
Dry sherried malt: 6.5
Glen Albyn 25yo 1979-2005 56% Duncan taylor Rarest of the Rare cask#3958 btl.218/238
"A historic collection of Cask Strength Single Casks..." This label statement reeks of being a collector's item rather then a whisky to enjoy. Anyway, life's too short to let the bottles rot away on a shelf. The nose is pleasant, anis, liquorice and bonfire. The taste is unfortunately a big disaster. I'd say tastewise it's closer to a new-make spirit than even a 10-year old. With additional water it's becoming a bit minty but that's about it, and off course a nauseating sweetness of rotten fruit.
I've been amazed by other Glen Albyns, but this one is horrible: 1.5
Glen Albyn 12yo 1980-1993 43% Signatory Vintage cask 2946-48 btl. 765/2400
The last Glen Albyn I tried from S/V was at cask strength and amazing, will this younger, dilluted version live up to it's ancestor? The odors are quite unpleasant, very strong, but no real hint of any flavours. It has a very sweet taste of much vanilla, fruity, easy, mango, passion fruit and wax. Absolutely fantastic. The aftertaste is short and peppery. This one must be bourbon matured, and very young, but it doesn't lack much compared to the older versions I've tried.
Glen Albyn plays on all strings in this one, unforgetable: 8
Glen Albyn 25yo 1964-89 58% Signatory Vintage
Oh behold mortals, this aniquity has the most amazing odors of white pepper, garlic and parsley. Does have quite a delicate sweet flavour as well, again with some white pepper, sugar and a nice and zesty oakiness. This one, which I guess there aren't much left of, has got something rarely found in modern malts. Close your eyes and it really creates a vision of the highlands.
A closed, dismantled and almost forgotten treasure: 8
mandag 24. januar 2011
7 Fettercairns tasted between 1.4.2008-28.5.2011
Fettercairn 23yo 1984-2007 52% OB
A dark sherried I suppose(spanish oak) OB from the Fettercairn Distillery. It smells light, typical Fettercairn, easy, crispy, herbal, nuts and sweet oloroso. Followed by a round warming flavour, definately malty, seems much lighter than its actual abv., almost a trademark for this distillery. This is definately not for the macho peatfreaks of the ones that loves intense flavours, but if you like the malt in malt whisky combines with loads and loads of gentle sherry, you're in for a real treat.
Beautiful Fettercairn: 9
Fettercairn 33yo 1975-2008 50% Old Malt Cask Douglas Laing
Fettercairn, former Fettercairn 1824, former Old Fettercairn, is now out with an impressive new OB range of 24, 30 and 40yo whisky. I have tried none of those, although I have the Fior in my cabinet. I'm looking forward to see the production development in this distillery in the years to come. This one smells awesome, lots of sherry, wood, barbeque, grilled tomatoes, herbs, dried red berries and red peppers. The taste has just the perfect balance, at first a bit phenolic, sweet, rustic, dry, herbal, just everything in small, well-fitted portions. The aftertaste shows green peppercorns and phenol, seeds and dry herbs. Again all in perfect amounts. It doesn't get much better than this.
An utterly great whisky, one of the best: 9.5
Fettercairn NAS 42% OB Fior
The label states this is a limited release, but since there's no number of bottlings, casks or batches mentioned, I find it's a kind of weird statement. But then again aren't really all whiskies limited editions? Orange hue, smells greenish, herbal, peaty, sweet, minty, meaty, just a small bit of everything. This might get confusing tastewise? The taste is definately peaty, mildly so, and herbal, some nice dry sherriness without any rubbery notes, beautiful. The aftertaste is also peaty and herbal. To say it's a fantastic whisky would be wrong, but this one is most definately worth the money paid for it.
A classic whisky with lots of old style charisma: 7
Old Fettercairn NAS 40% OB
Another oldie without age statement today, probably from the 80's with pure instead of single malt stated on the label. It smells caramel, probably its loaded with E150. The taste is much the same as with the Tamnavulin unfortunately, grassy and a bit herbal. With a small addition of water it gets sweeter, red berries, plums and corn. Well, it's not a marvellous malt, but i do like the development when diluted a bit.
One for the nice guys: 4.5
Fettercairn 1824 12yo 40% OB
The new version of Fettercairn, 2 years older than the quite impressive "old fettercairn". This is very fresh and grassy. The taste is quite drying despite having a prominent vanilla flavour and a very herbal, but short aftertaste. It's a very good example of an easy, clean and fun malt. Usually I don't use to much water, or any at all, in whiskies already diluted down to 40%abv, but in this one, just about half a teaspoon will work magic. A bit more peppery and some smoky burnt oak notes.
A summers malt: 6
Old Fettercairn NAS 1997-? 62.3% OB
Fettercairn is one of the hugely underrated scotch distilleries in my opinion. What? No smoky peat? No indulgent special cask maturation? No crazy label name or serie to erase the fact that this is a NAS-bottling? They do it their own way up in Fettercairn. The nose on this one is malty, light and crisp malt notes. The fragrances are beyond superb, pepper, extremely waxy, complex, blue cheese, cheddar, soy, almonds, oranges, really zesty. The aftertaste is not for just anybody, but if you can handle some really strong peppery notes for about 15 minutes it's well worth it.
Up there amongst the great whiskies of our time: 9.5
Old Fettercairn 8yo 43% OB
An older bottling from before the japanese came. It has a very mild nose, some apples, some citrus and of course the some gunpowder. It performs very well on the palate, again citrus, orange, lemon, a slight bitterness and a touch of ale. A small drop of water gets it a bit sweeter, but now it's becoming so mild that it's almost like a borderline blend/malt. The aftertaste is if not exciting, at least very unique, it's just like after a huge sip of guinness ale.
Very enjoyable, but not if you're into peated or sherried stuff: 6.5
A dark sherried I suppose(spanish oak) OB from the Fettercairn Distillery. It smells light, typical Fettercairn, easy, crispy, herbal, nuts and sweet oloroso. Followed by a round warming flavour, definately malty, seems much lighter than its actual abv., almost a trademark for this distillery. This is definately not for the macho peatfreaks of the ones that loves intense flavours, but if you like the malt in malt whisky combines with loads and loads of gentle sherry, you're in for a real treat.
Beautiful Fettercairn: 9
Fettercairn 33yo 1975-2008 50% Old Malt Cask Douglas Laing
Fettercairn, former Fettercairn 1824, former Old Fettercairn, is now out with an impressive new OB range of 24, 30 and 40yo whisky. I have tried none of those, although I have the Fior in my cabinet. I'm looking forward to see the production development in this distillery in the years to come. This one smells awesome, lots of sherry, wood, barbeque, grilled tomatoes, herbs, dried red berries and red peppers. The taste has just the perfect balance, at first a bit phenolic, sweet, rustic, dry, herbal, just everything in small, well-fitted portions. The aftertaste shows green peppercorns and phenol, seeds and dry herbs. Again all in perfect amounts. It doesn't get much better than this.
An utterly great whisky, one of the best: 9.5
Fettercairn NAS 42% OB Fior
The label states this is a limited release, but since there's no number of bottlings, casks or batches mentioned, I find it's a kind of weird statement. But then again aren't really all whiskies limited editions? Orange hue, smells greenish, herbal, peaty, sweet, minty, meaty, just a small bit of everything. This might get confusing tastewise? The taste is definately peaty, mildly so, and herbal, some nice dry sherriness without any rubbery notes, beautiful. The aftertaste is also peaty and herbal. To say it's a fantastic whisky would be wrong, but this one is most definately worth the money paid for it.
A classic whisky with lots of old style charisma: 7
Old Fettercairn NAS 40% OB
Another oldie without age statement today, probably from the 80's with pure instead of single malt stated on the label. It smells caramel, probably its loaded with E150. The taste is much the same as with the Tamnavulin unfortunately, grassy and a bit herbal. With a small addition of water it gets sweeter, red berries, plums and corn. Well, it's not a marvellous malt, but i do like the development when diluted a bit.
One for the nice guys: 4.5
Fettercairn 1824 12yo 40% OB
The new version of Fettercairn, 2 years older than the quite impressive "old fettercairn". This is very fresh and grassy. The taste is quite drying despite having a prominent vanilla flavour and a very herbal, but short aftertaste. It's a very good example of an easy, clean and fun malt. Usually I don't use to much water, or any at all, in whiskies already diluted down to 40%abv, but in this one, just about half a teaspoon will work magic. A bit more peppery and some smoky burnt oak notes.
A summers malt: 6
Old Fettercairn NAS 1997-? 62.3% OB
Fettercairn is one of the hugely underrated scotch distilleries in my opinion. What? No smoky peat? No indulgent special cask maturation? No crazy label name or serie to erase the fact that this is a NAS-bottling? They do it their own way up in Fettercairn. The nose on this one is malty, light and crisp malt notes. The fragrances are beyond superb, pepper, extremely waxy, complex, blue cheese, cheddar, soy, almonds, oranges, really zesty. The aftertaste is not for just anybody, but if you can handle some really strong peppery notes for about 15 minutes it's well worth it.
Up there amongst the great whiskies of our time: 9.5
Old Fettercairn 8yo 43% OB
An older bottling from before the japanese came. It has a very mild nose, some apples, some citrus and of course the some gunpowder. It performs very well on the palate, again citrus, orange, lemon, a slight bitterness and a touch of ale. A small drop of water gets it a bit sweeter, but now it's becoming so mild that it's almost like a borderline blend/malt. The aftertaste is if not exciting, at least very unique, it's just like after a huge sip of guinness ale.
Very enjoyable, but not if you're into peated or sherried stuff: 6.5
tirsdag 18. januar 2011
7 Mortlachs tasted between 1.4.2008-28.5.2011
Mortlach 15yo 40% Gordon and Macphail Rare Old
I´m not sure what´s the name of this G&M-series, it says Rare Old on the label and there´s a golden eagle above the distillery name. Light, malty, spirity and a little rubbery smell. This could be an older bottling from the 80´s perhaps so I´ll give it some time to settle down. Some bitter citrus notes develops after some time, grapefruit perhaps.. The taste doesn´t have the meaty character many associates with the distillery, for me it´s more rustic, sweetness, sufary bitterness, burnt sugar? Spirity, sweet with an acidic bitter finish, like some strange bitter schnaps.
Rare Old perhaps, but for me, not Good Old: 3
Mortlach 12yo 1997-2009 50% Old Malt Cask Douglas Laing
I'm doing two young whiskies today traded from a fellow online whisky browser. I don't know what cask been used but it's pretty pale so I guess it's from a bourbon cask as I do not believe there's many refill casks in the OMC series? Smells somewhat peaty and raw chopped onions, it definately got a bite. The taste is fresh, spiced and full of vanilla. Kind of one-dimensional, but not boring. This is very spicy and sweet, hard to describe other than some vanilla, peppery and banana notes, perhaps some lime skin. The aftertaste is starch and smoke, a bit woody.
A well expressed malt, if not very refined: 5
Edit: Note from owner of an original bottle says that the label states this comes from a sherry cask(!) I guess perhaps a refill then, or maybe Fino or Manzanilla? It's just too pale to come from a fresh Oloroso or Amontillado.
Mortlach 19yo 1990-2009 57.5% Signatory Vintage
A Mortlach from Signatory's Cask Strength Collection, this series I often enjoy a lot, but the when I enjoy it it's usually always been in a sherry cask for a good while. This one smells sweet, syrupy, vanilla, corn and fluoride mints. The taste is of sage, oregano, lots of herbs, a very herbal malt, something a bit like paprika butter and mashed red onions. This is just too high %abv. on this one, I'll add water. Now it gets very floral with lots of herbs. This is not good, better without water.
A spirity and green Mortlach: 3.5
Mortlach 12yo 1998-2010 59.1% G&M for The Whiskyshop Dufftown
Another purchased sample, this time from the whiskysamples.flyingcart.com, not nearly as estethiqually bottled, but like with humans, it's what's inside that counts? And it smells delicious, these smoky, sweet, farmy aromas on the nose, and something citrussy, mouth-watering! The taste is fruity, grapefruit, sour, zesty, very good, but considering the high %abv and the very intense flavours I'll add some water. With water it gets more oaky, peppery, even drier. This sherry cask does give a lot of surprises. The finish is creamy, voloptous (in lack of a better word) and smoked meat.
A Mortlach with much character: 6
Mortlach 12yo 40% Gordon & Macphail
One from the flat bottled series of the 80's by G&M. I've never found a Mortlack that stood out as far as being a really good whisky. The nose is smells of cotton, old books and apple pie. The taste is also pretty schizo, theres sort of a nice round buttery sweetness and at the same time a real dusty, harsh sourness. The aftertaste is a bit the one you get from a bad stout, let's say Beamish or Buffalo (Sorry to the ones I may offend).
No wonder there's lots of these strange bottles still lying around: 2
Mortlach 50yo 1936-1986 40% Gordon & Macphail's
This one is with no doubt one of the rarest malts I've had in my hand, therefore I will not dilute it with any water. It's very mild at first nosing, perhaps it needs some more air and time. Still mild, candyfloss and cinnamon. It's pretty strange-tasting, mild at first, as some sort of artificial malt aperitif. But the finish is so oaky that it's almost like licking a barrell.
It's sad, but it doesn't reach higher than: 4.5
Mortlach 22yo 46% Cadenhead's
Wow, this one seems pretty massive, but straightforward, candied apples and dark liqueur chocolate. At first very sweet, like honey concentrate, but with an aftertaste that can be a little too dry for some of us. Seems almost to be like a very tannined red wine on the palate.
Schizofrenic Whisky: 6
I´m not sure what´s the name of this G&M-series, it says Rare Old on the label and there´s a golden eagle above the distillery name. Light, malty, spirity and a little rubbery smell. This could be an older bottling from the 80´s perhaps so I´ll give it some time to settle down. Some bitter citrus notes develops after some time, grapefruit perhaps.. The taste doesn´t have the meaty character many associates with the distillery, for me it´s more rustic, sweetness, sufary bitterness, burnt sugar? Spirity, sweet with an acidic bitter finish, like some strange bitter schnaps.
Rare Old perhaps, but for me, not Good Old: 3
Mortlach 12yo 1997-2009 50% Old Malt Cask Douglas Laing
I'm doing two young whiskies today traded from a fellow online whisky browser. I don't know what cask been used but it's pretty pale so I guess it's from a bourbon cask as I do not believe there's many refill casks in the OMC series? Smells somewhat peaty and raw chopped onions, it definately got a bite. The taste is fresh, spiced and full of vanilla. Kind of one-dimensional, but not boring. This is very spicy and sweet, hard to describe other than some vanilla, peppery and banana notes, perhaps some lime skin. The aftertaste is starch and smoke, a bit woody.
A well expressed malt, if not very refined: 5
Edit: Note from owner of an original bottle says that the label states this comes from a sherry cask(!) I guess perhaps a refill then, or maybe Fino or Manzanilla? It's just too pale to come from a fresh Oloroso or Amontillado.
Mortlach 19yo 1990-2009 57.5% Signatory Vintage
A Mortlach from Signatory's Cask Strength Collection, this series I often enjoy a lot, but the when I enjoy it it's usually always been in a sherry cask for a good while. This one smells sweet, syrupy, vanilla, corn and fluoride mints. The taste is of sage, oregano, lots of herbs, a very herbal malt, something a bit like paprika butter and mashed red onions. This is just too high %abv. on this one, I'll add water. Now it gets very floral with lots of herbs. This is not good, better without water.
A spirity and green Mortlach: 3.5
Mortlach 12yo 1998-2010 59.1% G&M for The Whiskyshop Dufftown
Another purchased sample, this time from the whiskysamples.flyingcart.com, not nearly as estethiqually bottled, but like with humans, it's what's inside that counts? And it smells delicious, these smoky, sweet, farmy aromas on the nose, and something citrussy, mouth-watering! The taste is fruity, grapefruit, sour, zesty, very good, but considering the high %abv and the very intense flavours I'll add some water. With water it gets more oaky, peppery, even drier. This sherry cask does give a lot of surprises. The finish is creamy, voloptous (in lack of a better word) and smoked meat.
A Mortlach with much character: 6
Mortlach 12yo 40% Gordon & Macphail
One from the flat bottled series of the 80's by G&M. I've never found a Mortlack that stood out as far as being a really good whisky. The nose is smells of cotton, old books and apple pie. The taste is also pretty schizo, theres sort of a nice round buttery sweetness and at the same time a real dusty, harsh sourness. The aftertaste is a bit the one you get from a bad stout, let's say Beamish or Buffalo (Sorry to the ones I may offend).
No wonder there's lots of these strange bottles still lying around: 2
Mortlach 50yo 1936-1986 40% Gordon & Macphail's
This one is with no doubt one of the rarest malts I've had in my hand, therefore I will not dilute it with any water. It's very mild at first nosing, perhaps it needs some more air and time. Still mild, candyfloss and cinnamon. It's pretty strange-tasting, mild at first, as some sort of artificial malt aperitif. But the finish is so oaky that it's almost like licking a barrell.
It's sad, but it doesn't reach higher than: 4.5
Mortlach 22yo 46% Cadenhead's
Wow, this one seems pretty massive, but straightforward, candied apples and dark liqueur chocolate. At first very sweet, like honey concentrate, but with an aftertaste that can be a little too dry for some of us. Seems almost to be like a very tannined red wine on the palate.
Schizofrenic Whisky: 6
mandag 17. januar 2011
7 Glenfiddichs tasted between 1.4.2008-28.5.2011
Glenfiddich 15yo 51% OB Distillery Edition
To call a whisky Distillery Edition makes me asume there´s some other almost similar edition out there?? None that I´ve heard of. Not the way to create fuzz about a new bottling if you ask me. "Solera Reserve" had a better ring in my ears. Time to try this then. Actually the nose is not far from the 12yo, just a bit more punchy, with some enhanced sweetness. Probably due to the higher proof. The taste is floral with some lime and sweet liquorice. Sort of thick, fat, lovely texture. The aftertaste is peppery, ginger, but unfortunately a bit short.
Go try the Distillery Edition: 8
Glenfiddich/Strathblair 16yo 1978-1994 56% The Whisky Connoisseur
Another alternatively named bottling from the IB The Whisky Connoisseur, the one I know so very very little about, but seems to have stocks of almost everything and anything. Strathblair is Glenfiddich, a fairly rare whisky to find from IB bottlers. This smells very soft, not unlike the 18yo OB actually. The taste is very salty, heinz bbq-sauce, peppery, a very strong burning sensation. Adding water. With water it just gets more peppery, but less burnt and smoky. This is maybe why Glenfiddich is yet to puT a lot of effort into their CS projects.
A bit dull: 4.5
Glenfiddich 8yo 43% OB Italian Market
This one is from back in the days, with screw cap and everything, dating from the 60's according to whiskyfun. It's very pale and got a sweet, mustard nose. It tastes very young, a bit spirity and dry. Off course it's nice to have tried this oldie, but it's clear that it comes from a different era, compared to the modern 43% Glenfiddichs. I wouldn't buy it again, but if you want a bit of old school malt in your cabinet, this could be it.
Old fashion, old style: 6
Glenfiddich 12yo 40% OB Chaoran Reserve
This one has been maturing in ex-Islay casks from what I've heard, so it's actually not peated in the traditional way. It is a bit darker than the original. The smell is also just a tad smokier. The taste has at first the initial roundness and light taste of the original but soon shows to be far more smoky and a bit creamier. It has a finish of nice and instant smoke, wood, white pepper and grain cereal. The aftertaste is soft and lingering.
I prefer it to the original, a nice variation: 6
Glenfiddich 15yo 43% OB Solera Reserve
The most widely recognized Glenfiddich original amongst malt connoisseurs. The cask finish makes a huge impact both in smell and taste. The nosing reminds me a bit of dry tawny, a sweet glenfiddich with honey and syrup. Maybe it's a bit over the top.
Good apperitif, but in small sips: 6.5
Glenfiddich 18yo 40% OB
More delicate and much sweeter than the 12-year old, but not worth the prize difference in my opinion. Shows that there's perhaps a small lack of development potential in the traditionally casked Glenfiddichs. Cask experimentation or higher abv might be the answer.
Good, but not worth the money: 6.5
Glenfiddich 12yo 40% OB
The worlds most popular single malt, very commercial and easy taste. Little to none cask influence and no particularly recognizeable fragrances. Very light and easily drinkable, but there are no challenges for my tastebuds here.
Will always be liked by most people: 5
To call a whisky Distillery Edition makes me asume there´s some other almost similar edition out there?? None that I´ve heard of. Not the way to create fuzz about a new bottling if you ask me. "Solera Reserve" had a better ring in my ears. Time to try this then. Actually the nose is not far from the 12yo, just a bit more punchy, with some enhanced sweetness. Probably due to the higher proof. The taste is floral with some lime and sweet liquorice. Sort of thick, fat, lovely texture. The aftertaste is peppery, ginger, but unfortunately a bit short.
Go try the Distillery Edition: 8
Glenfiddich/Strathblair 16yo 1978-1994 56% The Whisky Connoisseur
Another alternatively named bottling from the IB The Whisky Connoisseur, the one I know so very very little about, but seems to have stocks of almost everything and anything. Strathblair is Glenfiddich, a fairly rare whisky to find from IB bottlers. This smells very soft, not unlike the 18yo OB actually. The taste is very salty, heinz bbq-sauce, peppery, a very strong burning sensation. Adding water. With water it just gets more peppery, but less burnt and smoky. This is maybe why Glenfiddich is yet to puT a lot of effort into their CS projects.
A bit dull: 4.5
Glenfiddich 8yo 43% OB Italian Market
This one is from back in the days, with screw cap and everything, dating from the 60's according to whiskyfun. It's very pale and got a sweet, mustard nose. It tastes very young, a bit spirity and dry. Off course it's nice to have tried this oldie, but it's clear that it comes from a different era, compared to the modern 43% Glenfiddichs. I wouldn't buy it again, but if you want a bit of old school malt in your cabinet, this could be it.
Old fashion, old style: 6
Glenfiddich 12yo 40% OB Chaoran Reserve
This one has been maturing in ex-Islay casks from what I've heard, so it's actually not peated in the traditional way. It is a bit darker than the original. The smell is also just a tad smokier. The taste has at first the initial roundness and light taste of the original but soon shows to be far more smoky and a bit creamier. It has a finish of nice and instant smoke, wood, white pepper and grain cereal. The aftertaste is soft and lingering.
I prefer it to the original, a nice variation: 6
Glenfiddich 15yo 43% OB Solera Reserve
The most widely recognized Glenfiddich original amongst malt connoisseurs. The cask finish makes a huge impact both in smell and taste. The nosing reminds me a bit of dry tawny, a sweet glenfiddich with honey and syrup. Maybe it's a bit over the top.
Good apperitif, but in small sips: 6.5
Glenfiddich 18yo 40% OB
More delicate and much sweeter than the 12-year old, but not worth the prize difference in my opinion. Shows that there's perhaps a small lack of development potential in the traditionally casked Glenfiddichs. Cask experimentation or higher abv might be the answer.
Good, but not worth the money: 6.5
Glenfiddich 12yo 40% OB
The worlds most popular single malt, very commercial and easy taste. Little to none cask influence and no particularly recognizeable fragrances. Very light and easily drinkable, but there are no challenges for my tastebuds here.
Will always be liked by most people: 5
tirsdag 11. januar 2011
6 Glen Ords tasted between 1.4.2008-28.5.2011
Glen Ord 28yo 2975-2003 58.3% OB
I traded a couple samples of this one from another malt connoisseur. When I heard there was a 28yo Glen Ord I knew I had to grab the chance, how often do I come across that? Golden colour, smells sweet and honeyed, with a small alcohol sting. Reminds me somewhat of the 12yo OB which I enjoyed quite a bit. The taste is sweet, chalk, dry, a bit spirity. Water. It gets a bit sweeter with the help of water, but it isn't as fresh as the younger version. A bit tired from many years in the cask?
At this age I believe it could've developed some more: 6
Glen Ord 27yo 1962-1989 55.4% Cadenhead's
An oldie from Glen Ord, a malt that I rarely try, but I was a bit fascinated by the 12yo OB back in the days. This smells really rustic, cereal, corn jacks, iron, smokey, very delicate. The taste is a killer, lots of ashes, dusty, burning, lots of herbs and spices. Magnificent so far, even though I'll add some water as the taste can be too concentrated and hide the aftertaste. Now it gets a bit rounder, some flowery notes, a bit phenolic. I believe this one comes from a sherry cask. And if so it's cask magic at its best.
Pure pleasure: 8.5
Glen Ord 31yo 50% Old Malt Cask Douglas Laing
This has a round smell, hints of caramel, honey and lemon zest. Very good, I do like to point out that Glen Ord is a malt that I find to vary a lot in quality, not depended on cask or age. The taste shows this is a sherry matured whisky, very dry aftertaste, sweet, phenolic, creamy cheese, herbs and cinnamon. With water it gets lighter, fruitier, mango, kiwi, grape fruit and banana(?). A very pleasant malt, if not the most complex 31yo I've ever tried.
Could've benefited from even higher %abv: 6
Glen Ord 11yo 1999-2010 54.5,% Malts of Scotland cask#31212 btl.x/289
Now a showdown of some young IB cask strengths. This one is Bourbon matured in a hogshead. A very round nose on such a young whisky, floral, sweet, honey. The taste is a bit anonymous on the palate, some sweet notes of plum and sour fruit, but that's about it. The finish is a bit dry with lots of caramel. With some water more bourbon is showing along with some coffee notes and even more dryness on the finish. It's a good whisky and I bet many would love it, but for me, this style is a bit too weird unfortunately.
I'm having a trouble finding balance in this one: 5
Glenordie 12yo 40% OB
An 80's bottling of Glen Ord this on, some ginger, allspice and nutmeg on the nose. Tastewise it has something going with gingerbread, wheat and cigars, but all in all, it's not quite as good as the slightly more sophisticated and modern 12yo Glen Ord OB. I can imagine this is very fine blending material, but it doesn't really deliver as a single.
Cigar Malt?: 4
Glen Ord 12yo 40% OB
Smells very malty, almost like newly poured guinness. It has also got a strong and dominant malty flavour. Some might call it simple and old fashioned, but still this is a very nice and gentle dram, a good value for your money. Relatively short aftertaste.
A good introduction to other malts: 6.5
I traded a couple samples of this one from another malt connoisseur. When I heard there was a 28yo Glen Ord I knew I had to grab the chance, how often do I come across that? Golden colour, smells sweet and honeyed, with a small alcohol sting. Reminds me somewhat of the 12yo OB which I enjoyed quite a bit. The taste is sweet, chalk, dry, a bit spirity. Water. It gets a bit sweeter with the help of water, but it isn't as fresh as the younger version. A bit tired from many years in the cask?
At this age I believe it could've developed some more: 6
Glen Ord 27yo 1962-1989 55.4% Cadenhead's
An oldie from Glen Ord, a malt that I rarely try, but I was a bit fascinated by the 12yo OB back in the days. This smells really rustic, cereal, corn jacks, iron, smokey, very delicate. The taste is a killer, lots of ashes, dusty, burning, lots of herbs and spices. Magnificent so far, even though I'll add some water as the taste can be too concentrated and hide the aftertaste. Now it gets a bit rounder, some flowery notes, a bit phenolic. I believe this one comes from a sherry cask. And if so it's cask magic at its best.
Pure pleasure: 8.5
Glen Ord 31yo 50% Old Malt Cask Douglas Laing
This has a round smell, hints of caramel, honey and lemon zest. Very good, I do like to point out that Glen Ord is a malt that I find to vary a lot in quality, not depended on cask or age. The taste shows this is a sherry matured whisky, very dry aftertaste, sweet, phenolic, creamy cheese, herbs and cinnamon. With water it gets lighter, fruitier, mango, kiwi, grape fruit and banana(?). A very pleasant malt, if not the most complex 31yo I've ever tried.
Could've benefited from even higher %abv: 6
Glen Ord 11yo 1999-2010 54.5,% Malts of Scotland cask#31212 btl.x/289
Now a showdown of some young IB cask strengths. This one is Bourbon matured in a hogshead. A very round nose on such a young whisky, floral, sweet, honey. The taste is a bit anonymous on the palate, some sweet notes of plum and sour fruit, but that's about it. The finish is a bit dry with lots of caramel. With some water more bourbon is showing along with some coffee notes and even more dryness on the finish. It's a good whisky and I bet many would love it, but for me, this style is a bit too weird unfortunately.
I'm having a trouble finding balance in this one: 5
Glenordie 12yo 40% OB
An 80's bottling of Glen Ord this on, some ginger, allspice and nutmeg on the nose. Tastewise it has something going with gingerbread, wheat and cigars, but all in all, it's not quite as good as the slightly more sophisticated and modern 12yo Glen Ord OB. I can imagine this is very fine blending material, but it doesn't really deliver as a single.
Cigar Malt?: 4
Glen Ord 12yo 40% OB
Smells very malty, almost like newly poured guinness. It has also got a strong and dominant malty flavour. Some might call it simple and old fashioned, but still this is a very nice and gentle dram, a good value for your money. Relatively short aftertaste.
A good introduction to other malts: 6.5
8 Macduff/Glen Deverons tasted between 1.4.2008-28.5.2011
Macduff 19yo 55.7% Whisky-Doris
A single cask from german bottler Whisky-Doris, I've not tried too many of these but I believe I've read somewhere that they sometimes buys from other IB's. If that's true it surely makes me question why the one IB wanna sell stock to another IB? Let's see.. The colour is sort of dirty, like earl grey tea, it smells great, honey, leather and smoked ham. The taste is beautiful, plums, aniseed, sweet liquorice, honey, herbs, grilled tomatoes, this is just about as exciting as a whisky can be. The aftertaste is like a good rum, sweet, dark syrupy, goes on forever.
A fantastic bottling from this fairly unknown Whisky-Doris: 10
Macduff 25yo 1984-2009 54.9% Thosop Import
An even lighter nose than the longmorn, I can't believe its been so long since I tried some older CS bourbon-matured non-Islayers. Now it reminds me of childrens booze. The taste is hard and heavy, soapy with hints of hard candy. I'm afraid I didn't enjoy this one bit. With water it gets even worse.
Could be any kind of newmake: 2
Glen Deveron 5yo 40% OB 80's
After a good night of very light and delicate, yet also attractive whiskies I will now try the Glen deveron again as last time I had it straight after a CS Old Pulteney. I guess my palate will provide me with better answers this time. Smells fragrant, hay, pesto, dried herbs and fresh bakery. The taste is much as I remember, sweet, sugary, plums, malty, but with a nice peppery finish that just puts it above being average/boring flavourwise. I must say I enjoy this old 5yo from decades ago much better than the contemporary bottlings. It's just so damn nice, actually reminds me of some lowland whisky, sweet and zesty, but very light.
I'll give it 1.5 more points, a very enjoyable experience: 6.5
Glen Deveron 5yo 40% OB 80's
One from Italy, I know its silly trying this after a cask strength, but I've got a whole bottle so I guess I can check if my first impression don't give a realistic view. This was distilled at the Macduff distillery, which I think is a way cooler name than Glen Deveron, anyway, here goes. The nose is sweet, vanilla, bourbon-matured, bananas, sugar peas and wheat. The first taste is nice, allright, like some young 40% Glengoynes, very light and thats probably due to my very roughed up palate. Now, to say more I guess would be unfair so I'll come back to this later. For now, it's far from a bad malt, very young, but carries that well as the spirit shows great potential.
Fine Glen Deveron, one for each year: 5
Glen Deveron 12yo 40% OB
Glen Deveron is the malt whisky produced at MacDuff Distillery. It's a very mild and sweetish smell on this thing, a bit like aqua vitae, or maybe it's just the holiday spirits playing a trick on me.. It's a bit watery as well, almost like very young grain whisky. The taste is bitter, oaky and without any real character. With water it becomes even more bitter.
Like Underberg only more bitter: 1.5
MacDuff 31yo 1969-2001 50% Douglas Laing OMC
An old sherry-matured bottling which I've been aching to try. beautiful odors, mashed cranberries, spices, dried onions and garlic on the very aromatic nose. A sweet taste of caramel, honey, lemon and raisins. It's an incredibly rich whisky with a finish of pepper and clementines.
As close to perfect as one can get: 9.5
Macduff 18yo 1975-1993 40% CC G&M
A strong scent, despite being diluted to only 40%, it's the first smell that I've come over that actually has an aftersmell(!), the phenolic odors stays with me for quite some time here.The taste is also a bizarre case, at first sweet, then strong, sugar and medicine? The finish is sour and strong, like pickled jalapeñoes. Water works and modifies the flavours a bit, and a mild sweetness emerges.
Lots of things going on, too bad none of them really works together: 3
MacDuff 16yo 59.8% Cadenhead's
Beautiful golden whisky from the destillery that produces Glen Deveron. Smells sweet, strong, reminding me slightly of rum. The taste is much more robust, gasolin, fire, smoke, not easy to get a hold of any real flavours here. Needs water!
Too strong: 3
A single cask from german bottler Whisky-Doris, I've not tried too many of these but I believe I've read somewhere that they sometimes buys from other IB's. If that's true it surely makes me question why the one IB wanna sell stock to another IB? Let's see.. The colour is sort of dirty, like earl grey tea, it smells great, honey, leather and smoked ham. The taste is beautiful, plums, aniseed, sweet liquorice, honey, herbs, grilled tomatoes, this is just about as exciting as a whisky can be. The aftertaste is like a good rum, sweet, dark syrupy, goes on forever.
A fantastic bottling from this fairly unknown Whisky-Doris: 10
Macduff 25yo 1984-2009 54.9% Thosop Import
An even lighter nose than the longmorn, I can't believe its been so long since I tried some older CS bourbon-matured non-Islayers. Now it reminds me of childrens booze. The taste is hard and heavy, soapy with hints of hard candy. I'm afraid I didn't enjoy this one bit. With water it gets even worse.
Could be any kind of newmake: 2
Glen Deveron 5yo 40% OB 80's
After a good night of very light and delicate, yet also attractive whiskies I will now try the Glen deveron again as last time I had it straight after a CS Old Pulteney. I guess my palate will provide me with better answers this time. Smells fragrant, hay, pesto, dried herbs and fresh bakery. The taste is much as I remember, sweet, sugary, plums, malty, but with a nice peppery finish that just puts it above being average/boring flavourwise. I must say I enjoy this old 5yo from decades ago much better than the contemporary bottlings. It's just so damn nice, actually reminds me of some lowland whisky, sweet and zesty, but very light.
I'll give it 1.5 more points, a very enjoyable experience: 6.5
Glen Deveron 5yo 40% OB 80's
One from Italy, I know its silly trying this after a cask strength, but I've got a whole bottle so I guess I can check if my first impression don't give a realistic view. This was distilled at the Macduff distillery, which I think is a way cooler name than Glen Deveron, anyway, here goes. The nose is sweet, vanilla, bourbon-matured, bananas, sugar peas and wheat. The first taste is nice, allright, like some young 40% Glengoynes, very light and thats probably due to my very roughed up palate. Now, to say more I guess would be unfair so I'll come back to this later. For now, it's far from a bad malt, very young, but carries that well as the spirit shows great potential.
Fine Glen Deveron, one for each year: 5
Glen Deveron 12yo 40% OB
Glen Deveron is the malt whisky produced at MacDuff Distillery. It's a very mild and sweetish smell on this thing, a bit like aqua vitae, or maybe it's just the holiday spirits playing a trick on me.. It's a bit watery as well, almost like very young grain whisky. The taste is bitter, oaky and without any real character. With water it becomes even more bitter.
Like Underberg only more bitter: 1.5
MacDuff 31yo 1969-2001 50% Douglas Laing OMC
An old sherry-matured bottling which I've been aching to try. beautiful odors, mashed cranberries, spices, dried onions and garlic on the very aromatic nose. A sweet taste of caramel, honey, lemon and raisins. It's an incredibly rich whisky with a finish of pepper and clementines.
As close to perfect as one can get: 9.5
Macduff 18yo 1975-1993 40% CC G&M
A strong scent, despite being diluted to only 40%, it's the first smell that I've come over that actually has an aftersmell(!), the phenolic odors stays with me for quite some time here.The taste is also a bizarre case, at first sweet, then strong, sugar and medicine? The finish is sour and strong, like pickled jalapeñoes. Water works and modifies the flavours a bit, and a mild sweetness emerges.
Lots of things going on, too bad none of them really works together: 3
MacDuff 16yo 59.8% Cadenhead's
Beautiful golden whisky from the destillery that produces Glen Deveron. Smells sweet, strong, reminding me slightly of rum. The taste is much more robust, gasolin, fire, smoke, not easy to get a hold of any real flavours here. Needs water!
Too strong: 3
3 Knockandos tasted between 1.4.2008-28.5.2011
Knockando 18yo 1991-2009 43% OB
Knockando, a malt mostly sold in france and usually not a whisky stirring up much fuzz when mentioned among malt whisky geeks. One thing I believe the pioneered is the vintage standard OB's which we now also see at Balblair. Light amber colour, smells spirity, sulphury, some hints of dry sherry. The taste is spirity, somewhat closed, needs time and maybe some water? Initially it got some nice hints of orange peel, sweet bitterness on the palate before it quickly turns spirity. I liked the double matured 15yo much better.
Spirity above anything else: 3
Knockando 15yo 1994-2009 43% OB Double Matured
I believe Knockando is the #1 most sold whisky in france, this one I bought on the riviera in the small town of st. Maxime. It is double matured in bourbon and sherry casks. It has a nice round, a bit dry smell, plum syrup and burnt moscatel wine. The taste is dry, sherry, oaky, grape seeds and small pears. This is very nice compared to the other Standard Versions I've tried, it's very exciting.
I like the sherry twist: 6
Knockando 18yo 1990-2008 43% OB
One bought from the french, as Knockando makes it good on the southern european markets. It's sherrymatured, but very pale, I guess it somes from a well used refill. It smells sharp, and the malt is unfortunately to weak to hold it's own against the cask, and the whole experience turns into something soapy and pretty plastic.
nauseating: 2
Knockando, a malt mostly sold in france and usually not a whisky stirring up much fuzz when mentioned among malt whisky geeks. One thing I believe the pioneered is the vintage standard OB's which we now also see at Balblair. Light amber colour, smells spirity, sulphury, some hints of dry sherry. The taste is spirity, somewhat closed, needs time and maybe some water? Initially it got some nice hints of orange peel, sweet bitterness on the palate before it quickly turns spirity. I liked the double matured 15yo much better.
Spirity above anything else: 3
Knockando 15yo 1994-2009 43% OB Double Matured
I believe Knockando is the #1 most sold whisky in france, this one I bought on the riviera in the small town of st. Maxime. It is double matured in bourbon and sherry casks. It has a nice round, a bit dry smell, plum syrup and burnt moscatel wine. The taste is dry, sherry, oaky, grape seeds and small pears. This is very nice compared to the other Standard Versions I've tried, it's very exciting.
I like the sherry twist: 6
Knockando 18yo 1990-2008 43% OB
One bought from the french, as Knockando makes it good on the southern european markets. It's sherrymatured, but very pale, I guess it somes from a well used refill. It smells sharp, and the malt is unfortunately to weak to hold it's own against the cask, and the whole experience turns into something soapy and pretty plastic.
nauseating: 2
tirsdag 4. januar 2011
2010 (a personal review)
2010 was a good year for me what whisky is concerned, my favourite distillery Fettercairn has released a new series showing proof of much old stock, even though the 24, 30 and 40yo is a bit too expensive for my taste. I've tried some new Distillers Editions double matured whiskies, all bollocks, why fuck up something good with funky finishes? Real sherry-matured whiskies becoming more expensive as re-treating casks and so on seems to become the rule more than the exception. The standard % has risen, something I wholeheartly applaude as 40% seems to becoming extinct amongst standard OB's. Deanston and Bnnahabhain being amongst the last ones still bottling at 40% now upping till 46.3%. Unfortunately Tamdhu jumped on the mothball train, Imperial seems to be pretty much out of business and Caperdonich's now out of business for good, something that again will increase the already expensive prices on whisky from this distillery. More CS OB's are hitting the market, Glengoyne single casks, new Ardbegs, 2nd batch Laphroaig Cask and Bowmore Tempest, nice for those of us that enjoy a high strength abv, and I do. All in all it's been an interesting year for malt enthusiasts, with good prospects for year 2011!
onsdag 29. desember 2010
7 Grains tasted between 1.4.2008-28.5.2011
Invergordon 10yo 40% OB Grain
Grain can be fantastic but usually it needs a bit more years in the cask to develop flavours like malt whisky. This one smells of liquorice and boiled peas. The taste is peppery, liquorice, papery, bitter and just extremely weird, like some cardboard stew.
No thanks: 1.5
North British 12yo 1997-2009 43% Signatory Vintage
Another blank single grain whisky, or is it just called "grain"? Well, as long as it's from same distillery I'll just use same standards as with malts. Once again the nose is extremely boring, maybe some salty water? Tonic? The taste on the other hand is pretty herbal, a bit dry, shows more promise than the Cameronbridge, but it just doesn't give much more than hints of real character. I've really liked the older CS grains I've tried before, but to bottle it young and diluted just like any other standard malt obviously won't work for grain whiskies, at least not for me.
All right, but far from it's peak: 3.5
Cameronbridge 12yo 1995-2007 43% Signatory Vintage
Although I've always been pretty exclusively a fan of scotch single malt, I've lately had some grain, some japanese and some irish, and I've been hugely impressed by some of them. So today I'll take another alternative journey, and try some grain as well as a recently revealed secret malt. This one comes from a bourbon cask, smells really light, some hay and wheat. The taste is sweet, spicy, hints of liquorice, kind of boring, with no aftertaste at all. I guess that the single grain needs some more mturing than the single malt?
Boring, bland grain: 3
Strathclyde 24yo 1980-2005 62.4% Duncan Taylor
A grain whisky of crazy strength, at a respectable age, I think this has to be something not many get to try. Strathclyde also produced the malt Kinclaith, the short period it was produced that is. it smells liquorice, salty, ammonia. This is a remarkably salty grain whisky, reminds me of the unpeated Caol Ila, or some older Bunnahabhains. I think it's a splendid grain. The taste is salty, peppery and really rustic, something of onions and red peppers. I know at a strength like this water is usually a necessity, but not here. This one's got all it needs.
A totally new grain experience: 8
Garnheath 40yo 1969-2009 47.9% Douglas Laing
Nice to try such an old grain whisky, usually it's said that the difference between old and young is even bigger when it comes to single grain than single malts. It smells really big, lots of different odors, honey, syrup, black pepper, grilled aubergine, melted butter and pesto. The taste doesn't quite follow up, but it's really pleasant, peanut butter, chorizo, slightly dry, rustic, many fine flavours. I do like to point that this is an oldie that truly doesn't need any water. Anyway, the aftertaste is a bit short and lacks character, but other than that it's a fine whisky.
Probably a bit expensive, but flawless: 7
Greenore 8yo 40% OB Cooley Single Grain
From the distillery Cooley in Ireland comes this Greenore, pretty young grain whisky. A so called small batch release, which I never understood why is a considered a sign of quality. It's a yellow, almost greenish colour, smells sort of grassy and minty, nothing special but pleasant. The taste is really light, a bit grassy, sweet, coastal, spicy, herbal, very herbal actually, I'd say the herbal flavours makes this just a bit more than your usual delicate youngster. I'm very impressed by this, unfortunately as far people have come in discovering that singles usually surpasses blends tastewise in scotch, I believe that Jameson will be the whisky of Ireland for many the year still. :(
Try this, you'll be surprised: 6
Cameronbridge 30yo 1978-2008 56.6% Adelphi cask 5 btl 1/238
A very limited bottling from this grain distillery by Adelphi. An impressing cask strength at this age. Very alcoholic and woody taste. A beautifully balanced whisky, sweet and sour, kind of like a sorbet of lime and strawberry. It changes to a peppery and very very long aftertaste of syrup, chilli, coconut, olive oil and many more flavours that's hard to describe. I haven't tried much old grain from before, but this definately makes me want much, much more.
Like a good story, a good beginning, good middle and good end: 9.5
Grain can be fantastic but usually it needs a bit more years in the cask to develop flavours like malt whisky. This one smells of liquorice and boiled peas. The taste is peppery, liquorice, papery, bitter and just extremely weird, like some cardboard stew.
No thanks: 1.5
North British 12yo 1997-2009 43% Signatory Vintage
Another blank single grain whisky, or is it just called "grain"? Well, as long as it's from same distillery I'll just use same standards as with malts. Once again the nose is extremely boring, maybe some salty water? Tonic? The taste on the other hand is pretty herbal, a bit dry, shows more promise than the Cameronbridge, but it just doesn't give much more than hints of real character. I've really liked the older CS grains I've tried before, but to bottle it young and diluted just like any other standard malt obviously won't work for grain whiskies, at least not for me.
All right, but far from it's peak: 3.5
Cameronbridge 12yo 1995-2007 43% Signatory Vintage
Although I've always been pretty exclusively a fan of scotch single malt, I've lately had some grain, some japanese and some irish, and I've been hugely impressed by some of them. So today I'll take another alternative journey, and try some grain as well as a recently revealed secret malt. This one comes from a bourbon cask, smells really light, some hay and wheat. The taste is sweet, spicy, hints of liquorice, kind of boring, with no aftertaste at all. I guess that the single grain needs some more mturing than the single malt?
Boring, bland grain: 3
Strathclyde 24yo 1980-2005 62.4% Duncan Taylor
A grain whisky of crazy strength, at a respectable age, I think this has to be something not many get to try. Strathclyde also produced the malt Kinclaith, the short period it was produced that is. it smells liquorice, salty, ammonia. This is a remarkably salty grain whisky, reminds me of the unpeated Caol Ila, or some older Bunnahabhains. I think it's a splendid grain. The taste is salty, peppery and really rustic, something of onions and red peppers. I know at a strength like this water is usually a necessity, but not here. This one's got all it needs.
A totally new grain experience: 8
Garnheath 40yo 1969-2009 47.9% Douglas Laing
Nice to try such an old grain whisky, usually it's said that the difference between old and young is even bigger when it comes to single grain than single malts. It smells really big, lots of different odors, honey, syrup, black pepper, grilled aubergine, melted butter and pesto. The taste doesn't quite follow up, but it's really pleasant, peanut butter, chorizo, slightly dry, rustic, many fine flavours. I do like to point that this is an oldie that truly doesn't need any water. Anyway, the aftertaste is a bit short and lacks character, but other than that it's a fine whisky.
Probably a bit expensive, but flawless: 7
Greenore 8yo 40% OB Cooley Single Grain
From the distillery Cooley in Ireland comes this Greenore, pretty young grain whisky. A so called small batch release, which I never understood why is a considered a sign of quality. It's a yellow, almost greenish colour, smells sort of grassy and minty, nothing special but pleasant. The taste is really light, a bit grassy, sweet, coastal, spicy, herbal, very herbal actually, I'd say the herbal flavours makes this just a bit more than your usual delicate youngster. I'm very impressed by this, unfortunately as far people have come in discovering that singles usually surpasses blends tastewise in scotch, I believe that Jameson will be the whisky of Ireland for many the year still. :(
Try this, you'll be surprised: 6
Cameronbridge 30yo 1978-2008 56.6% Adelphi cask 5 btl 1/238
A very limited bottling from this grain distillery by Adelphi. An impressing cask strength at this age. Very alcoholic and woody taste. A beautifully balanced whisky, sweet and sour, kind of like a sorbet of lime and strawberry. It changes to a peppery and very very long aftertaste of syrup, chilli, coconut, olive oil and many more flavours that's hard to describe. I haven't tried much old grain from before, but this definately makes me want much, much more.
Like a good story, a good beginning, good middle and good end: 9.5
mandag 20. desember 2010
6 Littlemills tasted between 1.4.2008-28.5.2011
Littlemill 5yo 40% OB
I'm doing a vertical of some of the less talked about closed distilleries. Starting with this OB from Littlemill, one that rarely amazes me. Straw color, smells spirity, tiger balm, minty, you know the smell when you've rubbed tiger balm on your hands, waxy and minty is the best I can describe it. The taste is sweet with iodine and dark vinegar, it definately got someting to it on the palate, but the finish is just spirity with some restrained acrylic notes.
Not very enjoyable, but fun to see how different a whisky really can get: 5
Littlemill 16yo 1980-1996 46% Murray McDavid The Perfect Dram btl.x/480
I tried this at a bar yesterday. It is a bourbon-matured Littlemill, the now, finally might some say, closed down distillery fairly known for it's variable malts. Strong smell, very strong alcohol notes and some citrus. The taste then is a bit off as I'm getting something similar to the most recent Glen Albyn I tried. With water it becomes a bit more citrussy and herbal as well. The aftertaste then kills it being mainly bitter and soapy, not enjoyable at all.
A poor malt but it has its moment halfway through: 3
Littlemill 18yo 58.5% Cadenhead's
Golden colour, european oak. Heathery, wheat and oak, traditional odors, needs some time to open up. With time, some really nice hints of honey develops. The taste is very intense, lots of honey here as well, cream soap, herbal butter and almonds. This must be one of the best versions of Littlemill, maybe it's a bit like another hard tried malt, Glen Scotia. Best when served at cask strength!
I'll be looking for cask strength Littlemills from now on: 8
Littlemill 20yo 1984-2004 46% Hart Brothers
I believe that Littlemill was the oldest distillery in scotland until it's pretty recent closure. It has a nice and fruity odor, cooked apples, prunes, coconutjuice and bananaflavoured carb shake. The taste is very nice at first, and I'm getting excited, but it finishes on weizenkorn, burnt matches and a horrible, long aftertaste of water with chlorine, the ones you accidently swallow in public baths.
I've heard much bad about this distillery, and I guess some of it is true then.
Not too bad, but far from good: 3.5
Dunglass 5yo 40% OB
Dunglass was a malt from Littlemill Distillery, without standing apart from the Littlemill OB in any way that I know of. It's very pale, short whiff of leather jacket from a second hand shop, pretty futile. Doesn't really taste anything except some diluted applejuice, with no finish at all. If I'd guess I'd say this one is far below 40% abv.
Great if you wanna get drunk in a hurry: 4
Littlemill 40% 8yo OB
Littlemill was until its recent closure Scotlands oldest distillery. It has a sort of tickling and grassy smell of dried grass and wheat flour. Nothing fancy on this one, a bit sweetness, but very uninteresting. Strong alcoholic influence tastewise, dilluting will unfortunately just make it even worse.
won't be missed by many: 2.5
I'm doing a vertical of some of the less talked about closed distilleries. Starting with this OB from Littlemill, one that rarely amazes me. Straw color, smells spirity, tiger balm, minty, you know the smell when you've rubbed tiger balm on your hands, waxy and minty is the best I can describe it. The taste is sweet with iodine and dark vinegar, it definately got someting to it on the palate, but the finish is just spirity with some restrained acrylic notes.
Not very enjoyable, but fun to see how different a whisky really can get: 5
Littlemill 16yo 1980-1996 46% Murray McDavid The Perfect Dram btl.x/480
I tried this at a bar yesterday. It is a bourbon-matured Littlemill, the now, finally might some say, closed down distillery fairly known for it's variable malts. Strong smell, very strong alcohol notes and some citrus. The taste then is a bit off as I'm getting something similar to the most recent Glen Albyn I tried. With water it becomes a bit more citrussy and herbal as well. The aftertaste then kills it being mainly bitter and soapy, not enjoyable at all.
A poor malt but it has its moment halfway through: 3
Littlemill 18yo 58.5% Cadenhead's
Golden colour, european oak. Heathery, wheat and oak, traditional odors, needs some time to open up. With time, some really nice hints of honey develops. The taste is very intense, lots of honey here as well, cream soap, herbal butter and almonds. This must be one of the best versions of Littlemill, maybe it's a bit like another hard tried malt, Glen Scotia. Best when served at cask strength!
I'll be looking for cask strength Littlemills from now on: 8
Littlemill 20yo 1984-2004 46% Hart Brothers
I believe that Littlemill was the oldest distillery in scotland until it's pretty recent closure. It has a nice and fruity odor, cooked apples, prunes, coconutjuice and bananaflavoured carb shake. The taste is very nice at first, and I'm getting excited, but it finishes on weizenkorn, burnt matches and a horrible, long aftertaste of water with chlorine, the ones you accidently swallow in public baths.
I've heard much bad about this distillery, and I guess some of it is true then.
Not too bad, but far from good: 3.5
Dunglass 5yo 40% OB
Dunglass was a malt from Littlemill Distillery, without standing apart from the Littlemill OB in any way that I know of. It's very pale, short whiff of leather jacket from a second hand shop, pretty futile. Doesn't really taste anything except some diluted applejuice, with no finish at all. If I'd guess I'd say this one is far below 40% abv.
Great if you wanna get drunk in a hurry: 4
Littlemill 40% 8yo OB
Littlemill was until its recent closure Scotlands oldest distillery. It has a sort of tickling and grassy smell of dried grass and wheat flour. Nothing fancy on this one, a bit sweetness, but very uninteresting. Strong alcoholic influence tastewise, dilluting will unfortunately just make it even worse.
won't be missed by many: 2.5
11 Rosebanks tasted between 1.4.2008-28.5.2011
Rosebank 20yo 1990-2010 50% Old Malt Cask Douglas Laing cask#6396
I know there are many people that loves their occasional Rosebank more than me, but sometimes it shows what a great dram it can be. Another pale one, smells very light, a bourbon-cask? vanilla and alcohol, needs some time to open up, turns more spicy, goat cheese in chili, tapas-style. Time to taste this. Floral, vanilla and black pepper, a great whisky in all its simplicity. The finish is a tad short, spirity and one-dimensional.
A good whisky, but not worth the cost: 6
Rosebank 18yo 1990-2008 50% Old Malt Cask Douglas Laing cask#4655
A pale whisky from this closed lowland distillery, Smells sweet, aniseeds, vanilla, cream toffee and liqueur filling. Give it some time to rest and it develops a bit to the lighter side. The taste is at first very sweet, and a bit bitter, like some liqueur filled dark chocolate. It soon turns into some absolutely fantastic flavors of sour and herbal character. All in all this is a fantastic whisky, of the long lost Rosebank. Hopefully there's stock left for a couple more years before it turns too expensive for the common whisky drinker.
Fine example of the lowland character: 7.5
Rosebank 19yo 1990-2009 50% Old Malt Cask Douglas Laing
Rosebanks one that was lost in the 90's, therefor still pretty widely available, but if you wanna make a good purchase, buy one now before the demand increases the price because of decreasing stock. This one smells spirity, tobacco, glue and vanilla. Much bourbon influence here. The taste is peppery and floral, typical lowland-style. I know many are very impressed by Rosebank, unfortunately I still don't quite fall into that category. Some sour lemon notes appears after a while.
A good rosebank, just not my style: 5.5
Rosebank 12yo 50% Old Malt Cask Douglas Laing
Now Rosebank has been closed for nearly two decades, but there are still many bottlings to be found, and if I might say so, of very varying quality. This is a bourbon-matured version, smells very citrussy, lemon and oranges, sort of cider-ish. The taste is pretty easy, aniseed, lemon drops and pears. A nice easy-drinking malt which would've probably been a tad boring if bottled at about 40%abv. I'll add some water and see what happens. Still very gentle, cider-ish, pears, apples, aftertaste of sour apples. It's a fun, light and crispy malt, definately a whisky suitable as an aperitif.
A fine, classy, smooth, just plain good malt whisky: 7
Rosebank 13yo 1990-2003 46% Murray McDavid
This one is matured for 5 more years, will that make a big difference tastewise? Oh yes, instantly a much richer and rounder smell, like thick syrup, but still a bit burnt. This is much sweeter than the younger version, butter, syrup, malty, sort of like a strong caramel toffee. I'll add just a couple drops of water. Water doesn't enhance at all and I therefore recommend it to be taken neat.
A sweet, malty whisky: 6
Rosebank 8yo 1990-1998 46% Murray McDavid
I'm doing two different 1990-vintage Rosebanks from Murray McDavid today, both 46% and Bourbon-matured. Will they be as similar as they sound? This one smells really spirity with some burnt sugar, far from mouth-watering. The first taste is woody, burnt and very austere, I'll add some water. With water it gets a bit sweeter, some vanilla, but all in all it's not a very good Rosebank. It lacks both flavour and body.
Not complex enough: 4.5
Rosebank 10yo 1989-1999 40% Connoisseurs Choice Gordon & Macphail
This one is a bit paler despite being 2 years older, a good thing I guess, as the use of E150 has decreased at G&M. It has a far less substantial smell than the 1988, much more spirity even at 40%. The taste is kind of dry, I wonder if there's been any wine casks involved here, but I doubt it. peanut butter, capers, onion mayo and breadcrumbs. Water does no good in this one, and the aftertaste is bot with or without water a pretty dismal.
I guess it should been bottled a couple years earlier: 3.5
Rosebank 8yo 1988-1996 40% Connoisseurs Choice Gordon & Macphail
Today I'll be trying to Rosebanks from the CC-series with only a year different vintage. This 8yo has a nice and firm sweetish, caramelly odor. I have enjoyed some really young Rosebanks in the past. This tastes fresh and vibrant, blackberries, peppery, a bit woody, and it has that dirty lowland style, try a young Glenkinchie to compare. The aftertaste is quite sour, bitter and very sweet, all at once. I recommend just the tiniest drop of water in this one. Then it becomes a bit rounder.
A swell youngster from a sadly closed distillery: 6.5
Rosebank 12yo 43% OB F&F
Rosebank were due to unfortunate circumstances closed. Pretty distinctive smell, woody and mild oakiness. It has the initial fragrances of a classic lowlander, some withdrawn woody flavours, some pine nuts, burnt rubber, fried sugar, strong coffee and flowers.
Advanced but no classic: 4.5
Rosebank 8yo 40% Distillers Agency
An 8-year old version of this classic malt, maybe an OB, I'm not sure. Very dark for it's age, some lavender, hot spices and lots of herbal notes in the smell. It tastes about the same as the nosing predicted, remarkably many flavour for a whisky that consists of only 40% abv. I'm getting Fishermans Friend, cactus, lime, dried herbs and much more. One of the better Rosebanks I've come across.
By far one of the best 8yo's yet: 8.5
Rosebank 17yo 1991-2008 55.1% Single Malts of Scotland
An older Rosebank, the distillery from which I tend to lean more towards the younger versions. A fantastic nose, clearly soft, mild, sweet, manchego cheeze, dried fruits and blueberry jam. The taste is very smooth, waxy, honey, brie and mozzarella. It's just a tad drying on the finish. With a small drop of water the pleasant and quite beautiful taste all disappears, and some old tawny notes shows. I would not encourage dilution of this whisky anyhow.
A good Rosebank, not my favourite, but it's up there: 6.5
I know there are many people that loves their occasional Rosebank more than me, but sometimes it shows what a great dram it can be. Another pale one, smells very light, a bourbon-cask? vanilla and alcohol, needs some time to open up, turns more spicy, goat cheese in chili, tapas-style. Time to taste this. Floral, vanilla and black pepper, a great whisky in all its simplicity. The finish is a tad short, spirity and one-dimensional.
A good whisky, but not worth the cost: 6
Rosebank 18yo 1990-2008 50% Old Malt Cask Douglas Laing cask#4655
A pale whisky from this closed lowland distillery, Smells sweet, aniseeds, vanilla, cream toffee and liqueur filling. Give it some time to rest and it develops a bit to the lighter side. The taste is at first very sweet, and a bit bitter, like some liqueur filled dark chocolate. It soon turns into some absolutely fantastic flavors of sour and herbal character. All in all this is a fantastic whisky, of the long lost Rosebank. Hopefully there's stock left for a couple more years before it turns too expensive for the common whisky drinker.
Fine example of the lowland character: 7.5
Rosebank 19yo 1990-2009 50% Old Malt Cask Douglas Laing
Rosebanks one that was lost in the 90's, therefor still pretty widely available, but if you wanna make a good purchase, buy one now before the demand increases the price because of decreasing stock. This one smells spirity, tobacco, glue and vanilla. Much bourbon influence here. The taste is peppery and floral, typical lowland-style. I know many are very impressed by Rosebank, unfortunately I still don't quite fall into that category. Some sour lemon notes appears after a while.
A good rosebank, just not my style: 5.5
Rosebank 12yo 50% Old Malt Cask Douglas Laing
Now Rosebank has been closed for nearly two decades, but there are still many bottlings to be found, and if I might say so, of very varying quality. This is a bourbon-matured version, smells very citrussy, lemon and oranges, sort of cider-ish. The taste is pretty easy, aniseed, lemon drops and pears. A nice easy-drinking malt which would've probably been a tad boring if bottled at about 40%abv. I'll add some water and see what happens. Still very gentle, cider-ish, pears, apples, aftertaste of sour apples. It's a fun, light and crispy malt, definately a whisky suitable as an aperitif.
A fine, classy, smooth, just plain good malt whisky: 7
Rosebank 13yo 1990-2003 46% Murray McDavid
This one is matured for 5 more years, will that make a big difference tastewise? Oh yes, instantly a much richer and rounder smell, like thick syrup, but still a bit burnt. This is much sweeter than the younger version, butter, syrup, malty, sort of like a strong caramel toffee. I'll add just a couple drops of water. Water doesn't enhance at all and I therefore recommend it to be taken neat.
A sweet, malty whisky: 6
Rosebank 8yo 1990-1998 46% Murray McDavid
I'm doing two different 1990-vintage Rosebanks from Murray McDavid today, both 46% and Bourbon-matured. Will they be as similar as they sound? This one smells really spirity with some burnt sugar, far from mouth-watering. The first taste is woody, burnt and very austere, I'll add some water. With water it gets a bit sweeter, some vanilla, but all in all it's not a very good Rosebank. It lacks both flavour and body.
Not complex enough: 4.5
Rosebank 10yo 1989-1999 40% Connoisseurs Choice Gordon & Macphail
This one is a bit paler despite being 2 years older, a good thing I guess, as the use of E150 has decreased at G&M. It has a far less substantial smell than the 1988, much more spirity even at 40%. The taste is kind of dry, I wonder if there's been any wine casks involved here, but I doubt it. peanut butter, capers, onion mayo and breadcrumbs. Water does no good in this one, and the aftertaste is bot with or without water a pretty dismal.
I guess it should been bottled a couple years earlier: 3.5
Rosebank 8yo 1988-1996 40% Connoisseurs Choice Gordon & Macphail
Today I'll be trying to Rosebanks from the CC-series with only a year different vintage. This 8yo has a nice and firm sweetish, caramelly odor. I have enjoyed some really young Rosebanks in the past. This tastes fresh and vibrant, blackberries, peppery, a bit woody, and it has that dirty lowland style, try a young Glenkinchie to compare. The aftertaste is quite sour, bitter and very sweet, all at once. I recommend just the tiniest drop of water in this one. Then it becomes a bit rounder.
A swell youngster from a sadly closed distillery: 6.5
Rosebank 12yo 43% OB F&F
Rosebank were due to unfortunate circumstances closed. Pretty distinctive smell, woody and mild oakiness. It has the initial fragrances of a classic lowlander, some withdrawn woody flavours, some pine nuts, burnt rubber, fried sugar, strong coffee and flowers.
Advanced but no classic: 4.5
Rosebank 8yo 40% Distillers Agency
An 8-year old version of this classic malt, maybe an OB, I'm not sure. Very dark for it's age, some lavender, hot spices and lots of herbal notes in the smell. It tastes about the same as the nosing predicted, remarkably many flavour for a whisky that consists of only 40% abv. I'm getting Fishermans Friend, cactus, lime, dried herbs and much more. One of the better Rosebanks I've come across.
By far one of the best 8yo's yet: 8.5
Rosebank 17yo 1991-2008 55.1% Single Malts of Scotland
An older Rosebank, the distillery from which I tend to lean more towards the younger versions. A fantastic nose, clearly soft, mild, sweet, manchego cheeze, dried fruits and blueberry jam. The taste is very smooth, waxy, honey, brie and mozzarella. It's just a tad drying on the finish. With a small drop of water the pleasant and quite beautiful taste all disappears, and some old tawny notes shows. I would not encourage dilution of this whisky anyhow.
A good Rosebank, not my favourite, but it's up there: 6.5
4 Lochsides tasted between 1.4.2008-28.5.2011
Lochside 19yo 1991-2010 50% Old Malt Cask Douglas Laing cask#6553
Lochside produced both single malt and grain whisky, and is a distillery that seems to have gotten some sort of renaissance as far as their reputation is concerned the last couple of years. Another pale one from a refill hogshead, Smells of licorice and galiano, a weird combination, sweet, honey, yeast and dark chocolate. The taste is dry and peppery with hints of dark toffee and oat meal. Its a fine mix, and my guesses would be that this comes from hoggie previously containing fino sherry?
About the same quality as the Rosebank: 6
Lochside 18yo 1991-2010 50% Old Malt Cask Douglas Laing cask#6303
Lochside, one of those that survived the 80's to sadly be put asleep just a decade later. Thankfully it seems that Douglas Laing predicted many of these years ago and bought casks at closing time or prior. White wine color, amazing how pale it is even after 18 years. Really strong, punchy, spirity smell with banana sweetness sprinkled with vanilla and rum and coconut liqueur. The taste is pretty straight-forward on vanilla notes and rum(again?). Water added. Now it turns extremely sweet, to the point that I can't take it serious anymore.
A disappointment, sweet and tame: 4
Lochside 27yo 1981-2009 56.1% Gordon & Macphail Cask cask#803 btl.x/205
I need another one to re-establish my relationship with the dead malts after the last disastrous Glen Albyn. This Lochside comes from a refill sherry hogshead. The nose is very anonymous, not much sherry notes or anything else actually. It needs time. The taste shows much more sherry influence, although a bit sulphury it's got some dark grapes, dry, and a bit sour. Give it a bit. It's rather pale for a sherry cask, and pretty fresh as well so I'll try with some water. Water does it very well, it makes for very sweet and spicy initial flavour, and ends with a short but lively peppery finish. Although Lochside aren't among the most sought after closed distilleries, it's well worth checking out.
A mellow beauty: 8
Lochside 17yo 1968-1985 40% CC G&M
A real oldie this one, hence some evaporation since bottling. Very strong smell, burnt toffee cake, booze filled dark chocolate, kind of charming in it's own bizarre way. The taste isn't that bad either, sweet and anticing, gingerbread, minty and strong coughdrops. Unfortunatley it gets ruined by a very burnt and rubbery finish.
To bad there's not much more left anywhere: 6.5
Lochside produced both single malt and grain whisky, and is a distillery that seems to have gotten some sort of renaissance as far as their reputation is concerned the last couple of years. Another pale one from a refill hogshead, Smells of licorice and galiano, a weird combination, sweet, honey, yeast and dark chocolate. The taste is dry and peppery with hints of dark toffee and oat meal. Its a fine mix, and my guesses would be that this comes from hoggie previously containing fino sherry?
About the same quality as the Rosebank: 6
Lochside 18yo 1991-2010 50% Old Malt Cask Douglas Laing cask#6303
Lochside, one of those that survived the 80's to sadly be put asleep just a decade later. Thankfully it seems that Douglas Laing predicted many of these years ago and bought casks at closing time or prior. White wine color, amazing how pale it is even after 18 years. Really strong, punchy, spirity smell with banana sweetness sprinkled with vanilla and rum and coconut liqueur. The taste is pretty straight-forward on vanilla notes and rum(again?). Water added. Now it turns extremely sweet, to the point that I can't take it serious anymore.
A disappointment, sweet and tame: 4
Lochside 27yo 1981-2009 56.1% Gordon & Macphail Cask cask#803 btl.x/205
I need another one to re-establish my relationship with the dead malts after the last disastrous Glen Albyn. This Lochside comes from a refill sherry hogshead. The nose is very anonymous, not much sherry notes or anything else actually. It needs time. The taste shows much more sherry influence, although a bit sulphury it's got some dark grapes, dry, and a bit sour. Give it a bit. It's rather pale for a sherry cask, and pretty fresh as well so I'll try with some water. Water does it very well, it makes for very sweet and spicy initial flavour, and ends with a short but lively peppery finish. Although Lochside aren't among the most sought after closed distilleries, it's well worth checking out.
A mellow beauty: 8
Lochside 17yo 1968-1985 40% CC G&M
A real oldie this one, hence some evaporation since bottling. Very strong smell, burnt toffee cake, booze filled dark chocolate, kind of charming in it's own bizarre way. The taste isn't that bad either, sweet and anticing, gingerbread, minty and strong coughdrops. Unfortunatley it gets ruined by a very burnt and rubbery finish.
To bad there's not much more left anywhere: 6.5
6 Imperials tasted between 1.4.2008-28.5.2011
Imperial 12yo 1997-2009 55% Closed Distilleries btl.96/250
Imperial isn't necessarily closed as far as I'm concerned, it's just out of business as current owners refuses to start producing again. Straw color, smells very light for its high %abv, very delicate, austere, fresh lavender, notes of delicious spicy bratwurst, lightly spiced and meaty. The taste is at first mild, whipped cream and orange marmalade, but the finish is long and extremely peppery, needs some water I think. With a drop of water it it gets more rubbery and quite unpleasant, I prefer it without.
Very well made Imperial but stay away from water: 6.5
Imperial 18yo 43% Chieftain's Choice
I'm one of those hoping that we will see Imperial distilling in the future even though it seems Chivas sees no future for the distillery. White wine color, smells little to nothing, like a young Glen Grant OB. Given time it develops on heathery notes and slight sweetness, sweet white wine, but very withdrawn. The taste is fresh, clean, sweet, floral, honey, winter fruits, peach, sauternes, amazingly well composed. It's all ended with a spicy peppery finish that settles the fruitiness and gives the impression of a mature malt.
Perfectly balanced fruity malt: 7
Imperial 10yo 1998-2009 46% Duncan Taylor nc2 cask#1022 btl.209/323
Imperial, seems to be one in the dangerzone of being closed within near future. This would be a major mistake I think, as its bottlings are way better at a younger and much more profitable age than for example Caperdonich, Glen Keith and Littlemill. This one has the colour of straw, smells slightly spirity and peppery, farm house. This taste is light and floral with an aftertaste of fresh mint. From a bourbon cask. A good whisky that's worth checking out while its still affordable.
From a cask that demands a flavourful malt: 5.5
Imperial 27yo 1982-2009 58.3% Signatory Vintage
The Imperial seems to be closed forever, but in this whiskyworld nothing is impossible, so we might in the future see a change of hands on this distillery, and hopefully it will start reproducing its fine malt whisky. At 27 years of age this needs some time to open up. The smell is spirity, I am a firm believer that sherry-matured whiskies handles high alcohol strength better than bourbon-matured, which shows to be true here, so I'll add some water right away. With water its still way to dry, with taste of starch, grass and orange peel, very bitter.
A bitter, ruined Imperial: 2
Imperial 17yo 1989-97 46% Signatory Vintage
Very oaky this one from Signatory. Imperial can be anything from exceptional to rock bottom when it comes to taste. This is no different, that's for sure, sweet and eucalyptic. Modern tasting, almost minty, clean. I'm looking forward to and hoping there will be some new OB's from this distillery soon.
Sofisticated and modern Signatory: 6
Imperial 12yo 65% James MacArthur's
65% on this very dark malt sherried malt. Smells of lemon, caramelized almonds and quite flowery. Very pleasant drink, even with the staggering amount of alcohol. Tastes of dark toffe, creamy caramel and leather. Is to be enjoyed without water in my opinion, and Imperial here shows that it can handle a high percentage of alcohol very well, without loosing any of the beautiful and pleasant, soft flavours.
A connoisseur's gem: 8
Imperial isn't necessarily closed as far as I'm concerned, it's just out of business as current owners refuses to start producing again. Straw color, smells very light for its high %abv, very delicate, austere, fresh lavender, notes of delicious spicy bratwurst, lightly spiced and meaty. The taste is at first mild, whipped cream and orange marmalade, but the finish is long and extremely peppery, needs some water I think. With a drop of water it it gets more rubbery and quite unpleasant, I prefer it without.
Very well made Imperial but stay away from water: 6.5
Imperial 18yo 43% Chieftain's Choice
I'm one of those hoping that we will see Imperial distilling in the future even though it seems Chivas sees no future for the distillery. White wine color, smells little to nothing, like a young Glen Grant OB. Given time it develops on heathery notes and slight sweetness, sweet white wine, but very withdrawn. The taste is fresh, clean, sweet, floral, honey, winter fruits, peach, sauternes, amazingly well composed. It's all ended with a spicy peppery finish that settles the fruitiness and gives the impression of a mature malt.
Perfectly balanced fruity malt: 7
Imperial 10yo 1998-2009 46% Duncan Taylor nc2 cask#1022 btl.209/323
Imperial, seems to be one in the dangerzone of being closed within near future. This would be a major mistake I think, as its bottlings are way better at a younger and much more profitable age than for example Caperdonich, Glen Keith and Littlemill. This one has the colour of straw, smells slightly spirity and peppery, farm house. This taste is light and floral with an aftertaste of fresh mint. From a bourbon cask. A good whisky that's worth checking out while its still affordable.
From a cask that demands a flavourful malt: 5.5
Imperial 27yo 1982-2009 58.3% Signatory Vintage
The Imperial seems to be closed forever, but in this whiskyworld nothing is impossible, so we might in the future see a change of hands on this distillery, and hopefully it will start reproducing its fine malt whisky. At 27 years of age this needs some time to open up. The smell is spirity, I am a firm believer that sherry-matured whiskies handles high alcohol strength better than bourbon-matured, which shows to be true here, so I'll add some water right away. With water its still way to dry, with taste of starch, grass and orange peel, very bitter.
A bitter, ruined Imperial: 2
Imperial 17yo 1989-97 46% Signatory Vintage
Very oaky this one from Signatory. Imperial can be anything from exceptional to rock bottom when it comes to taste. This is no different, that's for sure, sweet and eucalyptic. Modern tasting, almost minty, clean. I'm looking forward to and hoping there will be some new OB's from this distillery soon.
Sofisticated and modern Signatory: 6
Imperial 12yo 65% James MacArthur's
65% on this very dark malt sherried malt. Smells of lemon, caramelized almonds and quite flowery. Very pleasant drink, even with the staggering amount of alcohol. Tastes of dark toffe, creamy caramel and leather. Is to be enjoyed without water in my opinion, and Imperial here shows that it can handle a high percentage of alcohol very well, without loosing any of the beautiful and pleasant, soft flavours.
A connoisseur's gem: 8
fredag 17. desember 2010
3 Deanstons tasted between 1.4.2008-28.5.2011
Deanston 33yo 1977-2010 43% Thosop Import
To find a Deanston of this age is nothing short of exceptional, I just wish it would've been bottled at cask strength as well. Whiskysamples is now sadly closed although Thosop will continue bottling whiskies, and I bet there's still a lot of samples going around. The colour is golden- The smell is fruity and fat, loads of apples and barbeque smoke. The taste is fresh with hints of apples and pears a real light and fruity treat. Deanston is a light malt and I was worried that it as such an age would be overdominated by oakiness, but it's actually just enhanced its best assets. This is a light and easy malt, overall very good, but considering the price it's perhaps not as fancy as many would expect. But I'm no posh commentator anyway.
A wonderful light whisky from the early days of Deanston Distillery: 8
(Ruben, thanks a lot for informing me that although whiskysamples is closed, Thosop is not!!! And by the way, Thosop bottled a new Bowmore 1993 and Tomintoul 1967 last week) mmm... :)
Deanston NAS 40% OB
This one has got some funky paper inside the cork. Thankfully it hasn't disintegrated and mixed with the malt. Odorwise it's very light, even lighter than the Strathisla, it has some barely recognizeable nutty smell. The taste is nice, a bit dry, but that doesn't matter here. Sweet, rich, nuts, mascarpone and burnt toffee, burnt baileys? The aftertaste is somewhat woody and bland. I wish there would be more than just a good malt, but unfortunately it doesn't excell beyond the palate.
A fine old malt, easily approachable: 4
Deanston 12yo 40%OB
Pale straw colour on this one, with a powerful and very very malty odor, with a small hint of gingerbread, christmas malt? The taste is soft like velvet, with a distinctive sweetness of strawberries and honey. What's perhaps missing is some muscles, there's a lot of delicate flavours, but not much character.
The sweet elixir of the Highlands: 6.5
To find a Deanston of this age is nothing short of exceptional, I just wish it would've been bottled at cask strength as well. Whiskysamples is now sadly closed although Thosop will continue bottling whiskies, and I bet there's still a lot of samples going around. The colour is golden- The smell is fruity and fat, loads of apples and barbeque smoke. The taste is fresh with hints of apples and pears a real light and fruity treat. Deanston is a light malt and I was worried that it as such an age would be overdominated by oakiness, but it's actually just enhanced its best assets. This is a light and easy malt, overall very good, but considering the price it's perhaps not as fancy as many would expect. But I'm no posh commentator anyway.
A wonderful light whisky from the early days of Deanston Distillery: 8
(Ruben, thanks a lot for informing me that although whiskysamples is closed, Thosop is not!!! And by the way, Thosop bottled a new Bowmore 1993 and Tomintoul 1967 last week) mmm... :)
Deanston NAS 40% OB
This one has got some funky paper inside the cork. Thankfully it hasn't disintegrated and mixed with the malt. Odorwise it's very light, even lighter than the Strathisla, it has some barely recognizeable nutty smell. The taste is nice, a bit dry, but that doesn't matter here. Sweet, rich, nuts, mascarpone and burnt toffee, burnt baileys? The aftertaste is somewhat woody and bland. I wish there would be more than just a good malt, but unfortunately it doesn't excell beyond the palate.
A fine old malt, easily approachable: 4
Deanston 12yo 40%OB
Pale straw colour on this one, with a powerful and very very malty odor, with a small hint of gingerbread, christmas malt? The taste is soft like velvet, with a distinctive sweetness of strawberries and honey. What's perhaps missing is some muscles, there's a lot of delicate flavours, but not much character.
The sweet elixir of the Highlands: 6.5
torsdag 9. desember 2010
7 Port Ellens tasted between 1.4.2008-28.5.2011
Port Ellen 27yo 1982-2010 55.5% Old Bothwell cask#2558
Another pale Port Ellen, but last one of those was very good, and I believe Port Ellen absolutely makes it better in bourbon casks. This smells sort of briny, salty, old hard italian dry cheese, say well vintaged parmigiano. The taste is obviously peated, but the alcohol stings a bit and overshadows other flavours that pretty much stays in the background, I can detect som cod liver and raisins. I'll try some water in this one. Some time and water opens this one and some minty and herbalness comes out on the nose. The flavour is peppery and peaty with some minty sweetness, some weird but good stuff.
A good Port Ellen, if not a typical one in any way: 6.5
Port Ellen 26yo 1982-2008 46% Berry Bros.
A Port Ellen 1982 vertical today then, I believe Port Ellen bottles now has reached a prize far above justification. So this might be some of the last PE on my part then... Light colour, beautiful salty, coastal and a bit peaty nose, like the ocean winds blowing through a fire by the seaside(wow). The taste is sweet and peaty, a bit honeyed and lots of vanilla, banana, yoghurt cream, wonderful light whisky with some gentle peat in the background. The coastal character has disappeared but that doesn't really bother me in this one.
Port Ellens reaching these ages are usually solid gold: 9
Port Ellen 24yo 1982-2006 40% Connoisseurs Choice Gordon & Macphail
This has a recognizeable Port Ellen, Islay, nose. Smoke, choriander, honey, lots of salt, coastal. The taste on the other hand is extremely light and sweet for a peated Islay malt. It's just a bit too sweet to take seriously I'm afraid. That's partly, I guess, also due to the fact that it's been diluted down to 40% prior to bottling. The aftertaste is short and sweet,
Islay childrens booze: 4
Port Ellen 28yo 1983-2009 53.5% Old Bothwell for Thosop Bvba cask 221
Aaah, good old Port Ellen, now let's see if it blows me away this time. A wonderful nose, much coastal things going on here, salt, salted haddock, shrimps and fish stock. The taste continues on very salty notes, but maybe the alcohol level is showing a bit too much. It's just perfectly dry and the aftertaste is just slightly salty once again.
A beautiful old Port Ellen: 8
Port Ellen 23yo 1983-2006 50% Old Malt Cask Douglas Laing
Another OMC today, this one from Douglas Laing who seems to be sitting on many Port Ellen casks. It's very pale, unusually light coloured, white wine? It's smells a lot like burnt rubber, very smoky with a sting. The taste is a hundred percent Port Ellen, it's like some of the older bottlings, a bit more coastal than the 1th-9th release. And I think that the modest and good salty and herbal flavours of Port Ellen works very well together with the peat in this one, and the result is a very fine balanced malt.
I'll have this any day: 8
Port Ellen 24yo 1975-1999 43% Signatory Vintage cask 1768 btl. 272/1250
This one's a pale and a bit hazy Port Ellen, with 24 years maturation, I suggest this to be bourbon matured. A peaty and strong smell, some vanilla, bourbon. It has a very coastal character, much saltiness, black caviar, sushi and scallops. The aftertaste is quite short with some peat and chilli.
Good, but there are many better PE's out there: 7
Port Ellen 17yo 1980-1997 40% CC G&M
Port Ellen is unfortunately becoming harder and harder to get a hold of. Clear odors of sea, mussels, pan-fried onions and sweet nuts. Lots of good fragrances, pistachio, shallots and parsley. Islay flavours combined with a nice herbal twist.
One to buy before it's too late, or too expensive: 9
Another pale Port Ellen, but last one of those was very good, and I believe Port Ellen absolutely makes it better in bourbon casks. This smells sort of briny, salty, old hard italian dry cheese, say well vintaged parmigiano. The taste is obviously peated, but the alcohol stings a bit and overshadows other flavours that pretty much stays in the background, I can detect som cod liver and raisins. I'll try some water in this one. Some time and water opens this one and some minty and herbalness comes out on the nose. The flavour is peppery and peaty with some minty sweetness, some weird but good stuff.
A good Port Ellen, if not a typical one in any way: 6.5
Port Ellen 26yo 1982-2008 46% Berry Bros.
A Port Ellen 1982 vertical today then, I believe Port Ellen bottles now has reached a prize far above justification. So this might be some of the last PE on my part then... Light colour, beautiful salty, coastal and a bit peaty nose, like the ocean winds blowing through a fire by the seaside(wow). The taste is sweet and peaty, a bit honeyed and lots of vanilla, banana, yoghurt cream, wonderful light whisky with some gentle peat in the background. The coastal character has disappeared but that doesn't really bother me in this one.
Port Ellens reaching these ages are usually solid gold: 9
Port Ellen 24yo 1982-2006 40% Connoisseurs Choice Gordon & Macphail
This has a recognizeable Port Ellen, Islay, nose. Smoke, choriander, honey, lots of salt, coastal. The taste on the other hand is extremely light and sweet for a peated Islay malt. It's just a bit too sweet to take seriously I'm afraid. That's partly, I guess, also due to the fact that it's been diluted down to 40% prior to bottling. The aftertaste is short and sweet,
Islay childrens booze: 4
Port Ellen 28yo 1983-2009 53.5% Old Bothwell for Thosop Bvba cask 221
Aaah, good old Port Ellen, now let's see if it blows me away this time. A wonderful nose, much coastal things going on here, salt, salted haddock, shrimps and fish stock. The taste continues on very salty notes, but maybe the alcohol level is showing a bit too much. It's just perfectly dry and the aftertaste is just slightly salty once again.
A beautiful old Port Ellen: 8
Port Ellen 23yo 1983-2006 50% Old Malt Cask Douglas Laing
Another OMC today, this one from Douglas Laing who seems to be sitting on many Port Ellen casks. It's very pale, unusually light coloured, white wine? It's smells a lot like burnt rubber, very smoky with a sting. The taste is a hundred percent Port Ellen, it's like some of the older bottlings, a bit more coastal than the 1th-9th release. And I think that the modest and good salty and herbal flavours of Port Ellen works very well together with the peat in this one, and the result is a very fine balanced malt.
I'll have this any day: 8
Port Ellen 24yo 1975-1999 43% Signatory Vintage cask 1768 btl. 272/1250
This one's a pale and a bit hazy Port Ellen, with 24 years maturation, I suggest this to be bourbon matured. A peaty and strong smell, some vanilla, bourbon. It has a very coastal character, much saltiness, black caviar, sushi and scallops. The aftertaste is quite short with some peat and chilli.
Good, but there are many better PE's out there: 7
Port Ellen 17yo 1980-1997 40% CC G&M
Port Ellen is unfortunately becoming harder and harder to get a hold of. Clear odors of sea, mussels, pan-fried onions and sweet nuts. Lots of good fragrances, pistachio, shallots and parsley. Islay flavours combined with a nice herbal twist.
One to buy before it's too late, or too expensive: 9
mandag 6. desember 2010
6 Foreign Whiskies tasted between 1.4.2008-28.5.2011
Amrut NAS 2006 63.8% OB Peated
A peated indian whisky, I wonder if there's any vast differences between british peat and indian peat? There might be considering humidity, temperature and all that jazz. I reckon this was distilled in 2006 since that's the only vintage stated on label, which in that case makes it a very dark whisky for its young age. It smells lovely, some sweet strawberry sherry notes, moreso than peat or alcohol. The taste on the other hand is also sweet at first, but just for half a hundred of a second before the peat and massive alcohol bites. Needs water! It's another, not so pronounced peaty taste along with some tame champagne notes and a bit tarry stuff. A weird malt. As far as I'm concerned peat works best on Islay/Islands although some Highlanders and a certain Campbeltown distillery pulls it off. India? No...
Madonna doing Back In Black doesn't make it a bad song, but still: 4
The Tyrconnell NAS 40% OB
Next up on this vertical of whiskies off the beaten path is this Irish standard whisky from Cooley distillery. This one smells a bit citrussy, not bad, it's hard to taste these NAS "foreigners" without being just a little judgemental. The taste is somewhat citrussy, bitter lemon, but once again far too bland for my palate. The aftertaste is just peppery, one-dimensional, but lifts the rather boring overall impression just a bit.
I'd rather just have a regular Connemara: 2.5
Swn Y Mor NAS 40% Blended
Honest mistake, when I bought this I thought it was a welsh malt whisky, but I've since learned that Swn Y Mor started as a blend but has later been produced as a single. So this is sort of first edition, perhaps could be worth something years from now? Who cares, definately not me! Pale straw colour, smells grassy, sweet and light. The taste is zesty and bitter, I usually don't use water in Blends, but this is just a bit too mean. No, this just doesn't get any better, no aftertaste worth mentioning here.
This stuff is way too bitter, tonic stuff?: 1.5
Sikkim Old Gold Himalayan Single Malt 40% OB(?)
Okay, this is totally unfamiliar terrain for me, and I've never heard of it actually. On the bottle it says it comes from Himalaya's Dreams in Schönberg, Germany, the sole importer of Sikkim to Europe. Not a widespread whisky then, to say the least. Smells very light, actually a bit like cheap calvados, or vodka. The taste is sweet and light, sugar notes, nothing more, no aftertaste at all. It's drinkable, but not for the connoisseur. No maltiness, nothing close to scotch whisky.
Childrens booze: 2.5
Redbreast 12yo 40% OB
Well, on a trip yesterday to denmark I had a visit to a local run-down shabby to the max pub in the dirty port town of Hirtshals. They had two different single malts on their shelves, one irish and one scotch. This one smells rustic and fruity, choriander and oregano. Extremely light, just a bit too light to take seriously, like a tripple distilled Tamnavulin, Glengoyne or Highland Park. The label states it's a unique whisky. I'm not that sure.
whisky stock?: 4.5
Connemara NAS 57.9% OB CS Peated
I've had many a disappointment with irish whiskeys, as I many times find them a bit dull, but let's give this one a try. Soft nose, liquorice, very young I guess. Weird little dram, as I can't find any notes of peat at all on the nose. On the other hand, in the tasting the peat overshadows everything else. I'm not sure I follow the idea of combining tripple distillation and much peat. Anyway, no alcohol taste or aftertaste in this one, only peat.
A peat massacre: 4
A peated indian whisky, I wonder if there's any vast differences between british peat and indian peat? There might be considering humidity, temperature and all that jazz. I reckon this was distilled in 2006 since that's the only vintage stated on label, which in that case makes it a very dark whisky for its young age. It smells lovely, some sweet strawberry sherry notes, moreso than peat or alcohol. The taste on the other hand is also sweet at first, but just for half a hundred of a second before the peat and massive alcohol bites. Needs water! It's another, not so pronounced peaty taste along with some tame champagne notes and a bit tarry stuff. A weird malt. As far as I'm concerned peat works best on Islay/Islands although some Highlanders and a certain Campbeltown distillery pulls it off. India? No...
Madonna doing Back In Black doesn't make it a bad song, but still: 4
The Tyrconnell NAS 40% OB
Next up on this vertical of whiskies off the beaten path is this Irish standard whisky from Cooley distillery. This one smells a bit citrussy, not bad, it's hard to taste these NAS "foreigners" without being just a little judgemental. The taste is somewhat citrussy, bitter lemon, but once again far too bland for my palate. The aftertaste is just peppery, one-dimensional, but lifts the rather boring overall impression just a bit.
I'd rather just have a regular Connemara: 2.5
Swn Y Mor NAS 40% Blended
Honest mistake, when I bought this I thought it was a welsh malt whisky, but I've since learned that Swn Y Mor started as a blend but has later been produced as a single. So this is sort of first edition, perhaps could be worth something years from now? Who cares, definately not me! Pale straw colour, smells grassy, sweet and light. The taste is zesty and bitter, I usually don't use water in Blends, but this is just a bit too mean. No, this just doesn't get any better, no aftertaste worth mentioning here.
This stuff is way too bitter, tonic stuff?: 1.5
Sikkim Old Gold Himalayan Single Malt 40% OB(?)
Okay, this is totally unfamiliar terrain for me, and I've never heard of it actually. On the bottle it says it comes from Himalaya's Dreams in Schönberg, Germany, the sole importer of Sikkim to Europe. Not a widespread whisky then, to say the least. Smells very light, actually a bit like cheap calvados, or vodka. The taste is sweet and light, sugar notes, nothing more, no aftertaste at all. It's drinkable, but not for the connoisseur. No maltiness, nothing close to scotch whisky.
Childrens booze: 2.5
Redbreast 12yo 40% OB
Well, on a trip yesterday to denmark I had a visit to a local run-down shabby to the max pub in the dirty port town of Hirtshals. They had two different single malts on their shelves, one irish and one scotch. This one smells rustic and fruity, choriander and oregano. Extremely light, just a bit too light to take seriously, like a tripple distilled Tamnavulin, Glengoyne or Highland Park. The label states it's a unique whisky. I'm not that sure.
whisky stock?: 4.5
Connemara NAS 57.9% OB CS Peated
I've had many a disappointment with irish whiskeys, as I many times find them a bit dull, but let's give this one a try. Soft nose, liquorice, very young I guess. Weird little dram, as I can't find any notes of peat at all on the nose. On the other hand, in the tasting the peat overshadows everything else. I'm not sure I follow the idea of combining tripple distillation and much peat. Anyway, no alcohol taste or aftertaste in this one, only peat.
A peat massacre: 4
fredag 3. desember 2010
7 Longmorns tasted between 1.4.2008-28.5.2011
Longmorn 19yo 1990-2009 54.5% Malts of Scotland cask#25003
I'm doing a CS bourbon-matured vertical today. I guess it isn't a real vertical, but still. Starting it all with this Longmorn, a malt that I myself have been both impressed and depressed over. Smells light, vanilla, banana, toffee(the lame sugarfree ones). The taste is dry and sour, lemon juice, but halfway it turns sweet again with anis and vanilla notes. Do I dare add water? Yes I do! With a small touch of water it becomes more robust, the sweetness and the soury notes almost disappears and left is a real peppery flavour. I wish I didn't use water.
A good example of an aged bourbon expression: 6
Longmorn 18yo 1989-2007 54.5% Signatory Vintage
Longmorns one of those malts highly regarded by many connoisseurs although never really launched in varieties like Ardbeg, Glenmorangie and so on. Usually you can find one or maybe two if you're really lucky at the liquor store. Smells plain, lots of chlorin, like being in an overheated svimmingpool. The taste is intense, some ripe notes of pear and grapefruit as well as some nice bitterness. With a small dash of water the fruitiness and bitterness disappears, now to have this one neat will be my advice, then it's really a treat.
A really nice fruity Longmorn: 6.5
Longmorn 16yo 48% OB
The new Longmorn, replacing the old 15yo, in addition to another year of maturation it's upping the abv 3%. It doesn't smell much, caramel, glucose and woodiness. The taste is slightly dry and very straight, no fragrances really standing out. It's more like a high strength blend, a really big disappointment compared to the old 15yo standard. I have to try with some water added. It's really kind of one dimansional, rubbery and pepper. I hope they revert back to the 15yo in the future.
A bland and uninspiring malt: 3
Longmorn 15yo 1991-2006 56% JWWW Scottish Castles cask 12851
Well, this then, to celebrate my temporary break, but not to worry, I'll be back with some notes on the fine whiskies from the Great Expectations list near summer. This is a single cask cask strength from JWWW, another IB I'm not familiar with. Very light colour, and definate hints of bourbon on the nose. The taste is absolutely amazing, lots of raw vanilla, small hints of lemon and a wonderful taste of palm heart. This is the kind of malt that is wonderful by itself because of it's complexity, but would also fit just about any meal because it's so damn appetizing. Actually it makes me hungry as there are some flavours that just teases my tastebuds. The aftertaste is of vanilla, lemon and melon pie.
A fantastic version of Longmorn: 8.5
Longmorn-Glenlivet 12yo 40% Gordon and Macphail
One from back in the days, bottled by G&M, stacked with E150 and very cleverly called Pure Malt. But let's hold on to the assumption that it's single malt.It smells really weak, some well hidden rustic notes, sherry or tired cask? The taste is dry and really hot, chili and lime. Adding just a drop of water then. It really opens up with some sweetness, grape soda-like with a spicy finish, actually a pretty huge transformation for such a low abv-malt.
It's something special for sure: 5.5
Longmorn 32yo 1976-2008 53% The Whisky Agency
I haven't tried any of the whisky agency series yet, but I've heard it's supposed to be really good, so.. Nice and dark colour, old style, malty nose, some sweetness and much wood. The taste is instantly oaky and sweet, not much for the ones that loves special casks or peat or any other fragrant "additives". It takes some water and the taste becomes a bit more harmonic, eh, fantastic that is. The aftertaste is peppery, like sweet wasabi.
It's not perfect, but very charming in all it's simplicity: 8
Longmorn 15yo 45% OB
From what I know, Longmorn have now stopped distributing the 15 years old. Funky smells of sweet liquorice, blackberries and cured meat. It has a nice and powerful taste of tawny portwine, dark berries, something sweet and something very peppery. No water needed. All in all a very dry malt, which I won't invest more in event though it will become increasingly harder to get a hold of.
Nice, but don't add water: 5
I'm doing a CS bourbon-matured vertical today. I guess it isn't a real vertical, but still. Starting it all with this Longmorn, a malt that I myself have been both impressed and depressed over. Smells light, vanilla, banana, toffee(the lame sugarfree ones). The taste is dry and sour, lemon juice, but halfway it turns sweet again with anis and vanilla notes. Do I dare add water? Yes I do! With a small touch of water it becomes more robust, the sweetness and the soury notes almost disappears and left is a real peppery flavour. I wish I didn't use water.
A good example of an aged bourbon expression: 6
Longmorn 18yo 1989-2007 54.5% Signatory Vintage
Longmorns one of those malts highly regarded by many connoisseurs although never really launched in varieties like Ardbeg, Glenmorangie and so on. Usually you can find one or maybe two if you're really lucky at the liquor store. Smells plain, lots of chlorin, like being in an overheated svimmingpool. The taste is intense, some ripe notes of pear and grapefruit as well as some nice bitterness. With a small dash of water the fruitiness and bitterness disappears, now to have this one neat will be my advice, then it's really a treat.
A really nice fruity Longmorn: 6.5
Longmorn 16yo 48% OB
The new Longmorn, replacing the old 15yo, in addition to another year of maturation it's upping the abv 3%. It doesn't smell much, caramel, glucose and woodiness. The taste is slightly dry and very straight, no fragrances really standing out. It's more like a high strength blend, a really big disappointment compared to the old 15yo standard. I have to try with some water added. It's really kind of one dimansional, rubbery and pepper. I hope they revert back to the 15yo in the future.
A bland and uninspiring malt: 3
Longmorn 15yo 1991-2006 56% JWWW Scottish Castles cask 12851
Well, this then, to celebrate my temporary break, but not to worry, I'll be back with some notes on the fine whiskies from the Great Expectations list near summer. This is a single cask cask strength from JWWW, another IB I'm not familiar with. Very light colour, and definate hints of bourbon on the nose. The taste is absolutely amazing, lots of raw vanilla, small hints of lemon and a wonderful taste of palm heart. This is the kind of malt that is wonderful by itself because of it's complexity, but would also fit just about any meal because it's so damn appetizing. Actually it makes me hungry as there are some flavours that just teases my tastebuds. The aftertaste is of vanilla, lemon and melon pie.
A fantastic version of Longmorn: 8.5
Longmorn-Glenlivet 12yo 40% Gordon and Macphail
One from back in the days, bottled by G&M, stacked with E150 and very cleverly called Pure Malt. But let's hold on to the assumption that it's single malt.It smells really weak, some well hidden rustic notes, sherry or tired cask? The taste is dry and really hot, chili and lime. Adding just a drop of water then. It really opens up with some sweetness, grape soda-like with a spicy finish, actually a pretty huge transformation for such a low abv-malt.
It's something special for sure: 5.5
Longmorn 32yo 1976-2008 53% The Whisky Agency
I haven't tried any of the whisky agency series yet, but I've heard it's supposed to be really good, so.. Nice and dark colour, old style, malty nose, some sweetness and much wood. The taste is instantly oaky and sweet, not much for the ones that loves special casks or peat or any other fragrant "additives". It takes some water and the taste becomes a bit more harmonic, eh, fantastic that is. The aftertaste is peppery, like sweet wasabi.
It's not perfect, but very charming in all it's simplicity: 8
Longmorn 15yo 45% OB
From what I know, Longmorn have now stopped distributing the 15 years old. Funky smells of sweet liquorice, blackberries and cured meat. It has a nice and powerful taste of tawny portwine, dark berries, something sweet and something very peppery. No water needed. All in all a very dry malt, which I won't invest more in event though it will become increasingly harder to get a hold of.
Nice, but don't add water: 5
tirsdag 30. november 2010
3 Kilchomans tasted between 1.4.2008-28.5.2011
Kilchoman 2010 46% OB Summer
I really don't like these whiskies making a point of different months or seasons of the year the bottling takes place, as I mean that the good old vintage statements is plenty. But on the other hand I believe I tried the Spring release just weeks ago. So I guess it works. Pale whisky, smells very peaty, all on peaty notes and hay, summer on the farm? Extremely peaty compared to the Spring release, how could this be? Seems like two diferent malts. This is like a reincarnation of Lagavulin 16 from the 90's when it was incredible. So sweet, so bitter, so salty, so citrussy, it's all thats good from Islay in one small jar.
A pleasant surprise: 7.5
Kilchoman NAS 46% OB Spring 2010 Release
Kilchoman then, I usually don't see the reason for bottling spirits and malt at 3-4 years old. Spirits that dares and blushes and so on. Early marketing I guess and if one could pull it off with quality, I guess it would have to be some young Islay distillery. Kilchoman is the newest distillery on Islay, and I guess this one is about 4yo. Dilluted to only 46%. It smells good, bourbon, vanilla, oaky, peaty, iron, seems much older than my assumption. The taste is hot, peppery with good peatyness, caviar, cod liver, tarry, a huge whisky. Oh yes, a little spirity and young-ish on the aftertaste, but I see a great future for this malt.
No dark sails on the horizon for Kilchoman: 5.5
Kilchoman 3yo 2006-2009 61.1% LMDW
The spirit from the new Kilchoman Distillery on Islay has finally reached the age of whisky! I'm delighted to try this one. It has a lovely nose, with beautiful small portions of smoke, enticing! Sweet on the palate, with much peat in presence, it works for this age. I prefer it without addition of water, as I feel much of the peaty character then disappears. A dry finish with some tickling on the tongue makes this a "one to watch" in the coming years.
The future looks bright for Kilchoman: 6
I really don't like these whiskies making a point of different months or seasons of the year the bottling takes place, as I mean that the good old vintage statements is plenty. But on the other hand I believe I tried the Spring release just weeks ago. So I guess it works. Pale whisky, smells very peaty, all on peaty notes and hay, summer on the farm? Extremely peaty compared to the Spring release, how could this be? Seems like two diferent malts. This is like a reincarnation of Lagavulin 16 from the 90's when it was incredible. So sweet, so bitter, so salty, so citrussy, it's all thats good from Islay in one small jar.
A pleasant surprise: 7.5
Kilchoman NAS 46% OB Spring 2010 Release
Kilchoman then, I usually don't see the reason for bottling spirits and malt at 3-4 years old. Spirits that dares and blushes and so on. Early marketing I guess and if one could pull it off with quality, I guess it would have to be some young Islay distillery. Kilchoman is the newest distillery on Islay, and I guess this one is about 4yo. Dilluted to only 46%. It smells good, bourbon, vanilla, oaky, peaty, iron, seems much older than my assumption. The taste is hot, peppery with good peatyness, caviar, cod liver, tarry, a huge whisky. Oh yes, a little spirity and young-ish on the aftertaste, but I see a great future for this malt.
No dark sails on the horizon for Kilchoman: 5.5
Kilchoman 3yo 2006-2009 61.1% LMDW
The spirit from the new Kilchoman Distillery on Islay has finally reached the age of whisky! I'm delighted to try this one. It has a lovely nose, with beautiful small portions of smoke, enticing! Sweet on the palate, with much peat in presence, it works for this age. I prefer it without addition of water, as I feel much of the peaty character then disappears. A dry finish with some tickling on the tongue makes this a "one to watch" in the coming years.
The future looks bright for Kilchoman: 6
lørdag 27. november 2010
7 Juras tasted between 1.4.2008-28.5.2011
Jura Beinn a' Chaolais 15yo 46% OB
This time it's the Mountain of Sound, so let's see what a Cabernet Sauvignon finished Jura sounds like. It's much lighter colourwise than the previous two. Strong, fresh and herbal nose, not that bad actually, much more straight-forward than the other two. It's clearly a lighter whisky, more oaky and smooth, this reminds me of some of the less sweet Glenfarclas'es like the 21yo. Reminds me more and more of some older Glenfarclas'es the more I drink of it, not that that's a bad thing, just very unexpected.
Absolutely one of my favourite Juras: 7.5
Jura Beinn Shiantaidh 15yo 46% OB
The Sacred Mountain, this time a Barolo finishing, I believe I've only tried one Barolo finish in the past. That was a longrow and I believe I was disappointed then. But again, I believe it's a harder task finding fitting cask for finishing peaty malts than lightweighters like Jura. A much lighter nose, white peppers, dried tomatoes, something honeyed and fruity, very nice. Seems thicker tastewise, at first a bit honey, turns into anis, then turns peppery before it finishes with nicely bitterness.
I prefer this one neat: 6
Jura Beinn an Oir 15yo 46% OB
I'm doing 3 different 15yo finished Jura whiskies today, a strange vertical. Jura Distillery have never been a fav of mine, but with a couple new edition the last years, like superstition, they seem to have gotten a boost. This one, translated as mountain of the gold is finished in a pinot noir cask. Golden colour(surprise!), smells spicy and crispy, sugar mellowed in butter on a hot stove. The taste is extremely spirity, needs water. With water it gets herbal, medicinal, laphroaig without peat? A very special expression.
I can't quite make up my mind on this one: 5
Isle of Jura 8yo 40% OB
A version from back in the 80's I believe, or maybe even the 70's, a time when Isle of Jura was a distillery far from its peak. Smells wheat, hay and bisquits, clean flavours. The taste is herbal, green tea, parsley and chamomile. It's a clean and good malt, a perfect starter, although a bit bitter on the finish. Not many either ups or downs in this one.
A pretty flawless malt: 5
Isle of Jura 16yo 40% OB
The 16yo Isle of Jura might be a bit more pungent than the rather bland 10yo? I certainly hope so. The colour is golden brown, and it has a flowery nose pretty dominated by alcohol, at 40% only... The first taste is kinda dry, some liquorice, a bit bitter sweetness and some sage. I must try this with water, to see if the disaster can be prevented. With water some of the dryness, naturally, disappears, but nothing else improves and for what aftertaste is concerned there aren't any.
Maybe I'll have to try the Superstition next: 3
Isle of Jura 25yo 50% OMC Douglas Laing
A very pale Jura, that's been 25 years in sherry casks, I'd expect it to fetch some colour. Very herbal, flowery and spirity smell. It's sweet on the palate, honey, cheddar, sweet breakfast cereal, rum and dark syrup. A very sweet and nice malt with a longlasting and warming finish of spices and coal. It's kinda flawless, but there's something a bit unfinished about it.
Very nice old jura: 7
Isle of Jura 10yo 40% OB
This whisky have been victim of much, to a certain degree well put, critiscism in the last years, in contradiction to its high sales number. Much of, I believe comes from it's simplicity, and lack of having a particular character. It's a whisky with some light malty whiffs, and light taste of oak and a bit smoke.
Simple but alright whisky: 4.5
This time it's the Mountain of Sound, so let's see what a Cabernet Sauvignon finished Jura sounds like. It's much lighter colourwise than the previous two. Strong, fresh and herbal nose, not that bad actually, much more straight-forward than the other two. It's clearly a lighter whisky, more oaky and smooth, this reminds me of some of the less sweet Glenfarclas'es like the 21yo. Reminds me more and more of some older Glenfarclas'es the more I drink of it, not that that's a bad thing, just very unexpected.
Absolutely one of my favourite Juras: 7.5
Jura Beinn Shiantaidh 15yo 46% OB
The Sacred Mountain, this time a Barolo finishing, I believe I've only tried one Barolo finish in the past. That was a longrow and I believe I was disappointed then. But again, I believe it's a harder task finding fitting cask for finishing peaty malts than lightweighters like Jura. A much lighter nose, white peppers, dried tomatoes, something honeyed and fruity, very nice. Seems thicker tastewise, at first a bit honey, turns into anis, then turns peppery before it finishes with nicely bitterness.
I prefer this one neat: 6
Jura Beinn an Oir 15yo 46% OB
I'm doing 3 different 15yo finished Jura whiskies today, a strange vertical. Jura Distillery have never been a fav of mine, but with a couple new edition the last years, like superstition, they seem to have gotten a boost. This one, translated as mountain of the gold is finished in a pinot noir cask. Golden colour(surprise!), smells spicy and crispy, sugar mellowed in butter on a hot stove. The taste is extremely spirity, needs water. With water it gets herbal, medicinal, laphroaig without peat? A very special expression.
I can't quite make up my mind on this one: 5
Isle of Jura 8yo 40% OB
A version from back in the 80's I believe, or maybe even the 70's, a time when Isle of Jura was a distillery far from its peak. Smells wheat, hay and bisquits, clean flavours. The taste is herbal, green tea, parsley and chamomile. It's a clean and good malt, a perfect starter, although a bit bitter on the finish. Not many either ups or downs in this one.
A pretty flawless malt: 5
Isle of Jura 16yo 40% OB
The 16yo Isle of Jura might be a bit more pungent than the rather bland 10yo? I certainly hope so. The colour is golden brown, and it has a flowery nose pretty dominated by alcohol, at 40% only... The first taste is kinda dry, some liquorice, a bit bitter sweetness and some sage. I must try this with water, to see if the disaster can be prevented. With water some of the dryness, naturally, disappears, but nothing else improves and for what aftertaste is concerned there aren't any.
Maybe I'll have to try the Superstition next: 3
Isle of Jura 25yo 50% OMC Douglas Laing
A very pale Jura, that's been 25 years in sherry casks, I'd expect it to fetch some colour. Very herbal, flowery and spirity smell. It's sweet on the palate, honey, cheddar, sweet breakfast cereal, rum and dark syrup. A very sweet and nice malt with a longlasting and warming finish of spices and coal. It's kinda flawless, but there's something a bit unfinished about it.
Very nice old jura: 7
Isle of Jura 10yo 40% OB
This whisky have been victim of much, to a certain degree well put, critiscism in the last years, in contradiction to its high sales number. Much of, I believe comes from it's simplicity, and lack of having a particular character. It's a whisky with some light malty whiffs, and light taste of oak and a bit smoke.
Simple but alright whisky: 4.5
mandag 15. november 2010
2 Kinclaiths tasted between 1.4.2008-28.5.2011
Kinclaith 35yo 1969-2004 53.3% Signatory Vintage
The fat lady sang at Kinclaith long before its due, but I've managed to come across some scarce samples during the last years. This one smells quite spirity, I wouldn't think it'd been casked for more than 20 years, or even that long. Given time it gets more sulphury. Extremely peppery taste, chilli, dried spices, a burning sensation. I'll add some water. With water it gets acidic, dry, fino sherry? Quite exciting, a real explosion of hard flavours, no honey or creamy toffee here. If you like a malt that talks, this is perfect, and I do!!
Maybe not presentable for bygone days Kinclaiths: 8.5
Kinclaith 16yo 1966-1982 40% CC G&M
One malt that today is almost impossible to find anywhere, it's an honour to finally taste the Kinclaith. The taste is a bit off, some beetroot, canned enchalots and fried tomatoes. It finishes very mild and almost boring.
Could have worked with game meat: 5
The fat lady sang at Kinclaith long before its due, but I've managed to come across some scarce samples during the last years. This one smells quite spirity, I wouldn't think it'd been casked for more than 20 years, or even that long. Given time it gets more sulphury. Extremely peppery taste, chilli, dried spices, a burning sensation. I'll add some water. With water it gets acidic, dry, fino sherry? Quite exciting, a real explosion of hard flavours, no honey or creamy toffee here. If you like a malt that talks, this is perfect, and I do!!
Maybe not presentable for bygone days Kinclaiths: 8.5
Kinclaith 16yo 1966-1982 40% CC G&M
One malt that today is almost impossible to find anywhere, it's an honour to finally taste the Kinclaith. The taste is a bit off, some beetroot, canned enchalots and fried tomatoes. It finishes very mild and almost boring.
Could have worked with game meat: 5
5 Dallas Dhus tasted between 1.4.2008-28.5.2011
Dallas Dhu 18yo 43% Master of Malt cask#1497
I've heard rumours that when Dallas Dhu were active, their milestone malt was the 20yo. As most DD's bottled today usually are undiluted cask strengths and older as well, I presume this perhaps can give me some idea of what the well spoken of 20yo OB could be like. This one has a pale colour, it smells very old fashioned, malty, grainy, earth notes, herbs, and a small alcohol sting. The taste is also very old school, small hints of vanilla, very waxy, malty and just a small spiritiness that really gives some extra punch to it all.
Old style, charming malt, do not add water: 7
Dallas Dhu 26yo 48.5% Chieftain's cask#90721
A rum finished Dallas Dhu. I've always found Dallas Dhu to be a whisky often underrated. But then again I've never really enjoyed a rum- or cognac-finished whisky. Spirit gives little from cask unless it's bourbon in my opinion. A very light colour on this one. Seems like a young bourbon-matured, maybe the finishing time has been short? The taste is all on bourbon influence, vanilla, liquorice, aniseed, sunflower oil and some peppery aftertaste.
Want a bourbon-matured Dallas Dhu you could also try this: 4.5
Dallas Dhu 10yo 40% G&M
One from back in the 80's, some E150 added, a dry and a bit clinging nose, it's a bit like ammonium and lime, not pleasant. The taste is sharp, like liquorice with mint and dark chocoloate, a very strange combination but far from disappointing. I've heard many a bad rumour of the malt produced at the Dallas Dhu distillery, but this young one is not far from brilliant.
I guess that some whiskies may be better when bottled at a young age, and if this is the case with Dallas Dhu, there will probably never come any younger bottlings on the market, so I guess you have to dig into the glory days archive to find the good reviews?
A blast from the past: 7
Dallas Dhu 30yo 1962-1993 53.3% Cadenhead's
Another old treasure from Cadenhead's, This time from the long mothballed distillery Dallas Dhu. This one needs some time to open up as well. It doesn't smell too interesting, some weak spirit and sour milk. I do also get some hints of stale mushrooms. The taste is bittersweet, sour grapes, old stilton and mushy tomatoes. With some dillution it gets sweeter, and develops a fatastic minty and spicy aftertaste.
Down like a stick, then up like a rocket: 5.5
Dallas Dhu 24yo 1971-1995 40% CC G&M
This whisky has one of the most anonymous expressions I can remember on the nosing. When it comes to the tasting it's intense and sweet, alcoholic. With a little water appears a somewhat burnt sugary taste and some oak. I don't think Dallas Dhu will resume operating for a while based on this.
I hope the OB's are better : 3
I've heard rumours that when Dallas Dhu were active, their milestone malt was the 20yo. As most DD's bottled today usually are undiluted cask strengths and older as well, I presume this perhaps can give me some idea of what the well spoken of 20yo OB could be like. This one has a pale colour, it smells very old fashioned, malty, grainy, earth notes, herbs, and a small alcohol sting. The taste is also very old school, small hints of vanilla, very waxy, malty and just a small spiritiness that really gives some extra punch to it all.
Old style, charming malt, do not add water: 7
Dallas Dhu 26yo 48.5% Chieftain's cask#90721
A rum finished Dallas Dhu. I've always found Dallas Dhu to be a whisky often underrated. But then again I've never really enjoyed a rum- or cognac-finished whisky. Spirit gives little from cask unless it's bourbon in my opinion. A very light colour on this one. Seems like a young bourbon-matured, maybe the finishing time has been short? The taste is all on bourbon influence, vanilla, liquorice, aniseed, sunflower oil and some peppery aftertaste.
Want a bourbon-matured Dallas Dhu you could also try this: 4.5
Dallas Dhu 10yo 40% G&M
One from back in the 80's, some E150 added, a dry and a bit clinging nose, it's a bit like ammonium and lime, not pleasant. The taste is sharp, like liquorice with mint and dark chocoloate, a very strange combination but far from disappointing. I've heard many a bad rumour of the malt produced at the Dallas Dhu distillery, but this young one is not far from brilliant.
I guess that some whiskies may be better when bottled at a young age, and if this is the case with Dallas Dhu, there will probably never come any younger bottlings on the market, so I guess you have to dig into the glory days archive to find the good reviews?
A blast from the past: 7
Dallas Dhu 30yo 1962-1993 53.3% Cadenhead's
Another old treasure from Cadenhead's, This time from the long mothballed distillery Dallas Dhu. This one needs some time to open up as well. It doesn't smell too interesting, some weak spirit and sour milk. I do also get some hints of stale mushrooms. The taste is bittersweet, sour grapes, old stilton and mushy tomatoes. With some dillution it gets sweeter, and develops a fatastic minty and spicy aftertaste.
Down like a stick, then up like a rocket: 5.5
Dallas Dhu 24yo 1971-1995 40% CC G&M
This whisky has one of the most anonymous expressions I can remember on the nosing. When it comes to the tasting it's intense and sweet, alcoholic. With a little water appears a somewhat burnt sugary taste and some oak. I don't think Dallas Dhu will resume operating for a while based on this.
I hope the OB's are better : 3
8 Benriachs tasted between 1.4.2008-28.5.2011
Benriach 16yo 43% OB
A couple years ago Benriach launched a new range of OB's, I've tried the peaty ones, Curiositas and Authenticus, now let's try the one that's possibly a bit closer to the distillery profile then. Smells fresh and caramelly, nice and clean with a bit spicy sweetness. The taste gives me less, peppery, grassy, one of the grassies whiskies I've had, even more grassy than the ol' Dunglass from Littlemill¨Distillery. With water it gets sweeter, some minty floral notes, not bad at all. This is a widely available and quite affordable 16yo OB, if you like it light and don't mind adding water.
Light and grassy sweetness: 6
Benriach 11yo 1982-1993 60.6% Gordon and Macphail cask#5211-5213
My first IB Benriach then, nothing to get excited about, a friend told me the other day, well I'm excited anyway! This one is from the good old days, before the distillery were relaunched, and I slightly believe in bottle maturation... Smells like minty caramel, pan-browned sugar, pears and dark chocolate, a real dessert malt, so creamy.. The taste is full of caramel and appel notes, a true sweet treasure, but the alcohol level is so high and the taste so concentrated it needs some water. With a fair amount of water it becomes softer, more red apples, sour notes of ginger and smoked salmon, a strange combo that works very well. I can't see why this distillery was mothballed back in the days, when giving such an aromatic and characterful set of flavours. maybe it was a bit before its time.
If you like sometihing new, try something old: 7
Benriach 10yo 43% OB
I've tried the "Curiositas" before, and I remember it a good malt, so let's see what Benriach can do at same age without peatiness. It sure got an intense smell for such a young speysider, floral, leather, soap and a bit spirity. It seems a malt quite enjoyable in it's own right, but something puts me a bit off. Perhaps the strong floral notes. The taste is sweet, spicy and yes, spirity, and a bit dry, a bizarre combo. With some water it gets sweeter, more floral, herbal and earthy. The aftertaste is earthy, ammonia and bitter.
I enjoyed it more when peated, at least at this age: 4
Benriach 21yo 46% OB Authenticus
An older version of the curiositas, this time unchill-filtered as well. A much stronger and more oaky smell then the last one. This seems to be a bit more for the experienced connoisseur. It is far more dry, and not as easy to enjoy, but there are some flavours, when given time, that truly makes up for the far from sophisticated start. Apples, oysters, raw eggs and ranch dressing creates a somewhat memorable finish.
I actually prefer the 10yo: 4.5
Benriach 10yo 46% OB Curiositas
Benirach has by far the most peated whisky outside of Islay with a striking 55ppm. The peat is very noticeable on the nose in this one as well as some sweet fruits. On my palate it's very wholesome, with a bit of everything a speysider should have, sweetness, freshness, spicyness and some dryness. The peat is unfortunately a bit shy in this one, I wish it would be a bit more punchy. However, it's a very nice malt that I think fits just any malt enthusiast well, but it might never really astound anyone.
An affordable and nice whisky, one to share with your friends: 6
Benriach 20yo 43% OB
Benriach's producing a lot of different aged OB's nowadays, with the peated versions "Authenticus" and "Curositas" getting most of the fuzz. This one has a fresh nose with much vanilla and barley. The first sip tells the story of good casks, much vanilla and oaky notes, nice bourbon-matured whisky. It's semi-dry and toasty, like smoke of a barbeque. With water it becomes just a bit too sweet for me. But all in all a lovely dram.
Traditional speyside, very good: 6.5
Benriach 12yo 1969-1981 40% CC G&M
Benriach is in my opinion a whisky that's often best when bottled at a young age. This one is very dark, and has spent some time in a sherry cask, no doubt. It has withdrawn hint of dried spices and herbs, say fennel. Easier on the palate with dry straws, and a finish of pepper and alcohol.
Not very enjoyable: 2.5
Benriach 34yo 1968-2003 49.8% Hart Brothers
Too be honest, I didn't give this one time enough in the glass before sinking it, but anyway, here's a very questionable review. Nose, mhm, a bit funky, hard to get anything from, reminds me of anis spirit. Sweet and steady put taste, much too strong finish, hard to define anything but the alcohol here.
Hart Bros could have improved this with a different cask or a finish maybe?: 3
A couple years ago Benriach launched a new range of OB's, I've tried the peaty ones, Curiositas and Authenticus, now let's try the one that's possibly a bit closer to the distillery profile then. Smells fresh and caramelly, nice and clean with a bit spicy sweetness. The taste gives me less, peppery, grassy, one of the grassies whiskies I've had, even more grassy than the ol' Dunglass from Littlemill¨Distillery. With water it gets sweeter, some minty floral notes, not bad at all. This is a widely available and quite affordable 16yo OB, if you like it light and don't mind adding water.
Light and grassy sweetness: 6
Benriach 11yo 1982-1993 60.6% Gordon and Macphail cask#5211-5213
My first IB Benriach then, nothing to get excited about, a friend told me the other day, well I'm excited anyway! This one is from the good old days, before the distillery were relaunched, and I slightly believe in bottle maturation... Smells like minty caramel, pan-browned sugar, pears and dark chocolate, a real dessert malt, so creamy.. The taste is full of caramel and appel notes, a true sweet treasure, but the alcohol level is so high and the taste so concentrated it needs some water. With a fair amount of water it becomes softer, more red apples, sour notes of ginger and smoked salmon, a strange combo that works very well. I can't see why this distillery was mothballed back in the days, when giving such an aromatic and characterful set of flavours. maybe it was a bit before its time.
If you like sometihing new, try something old: 7
Benriach 10yo 43% OB
I've tried the "Curiositas" before, and I remember it a good malt, so let's see what Benriach can do at same age without peatiness. It sure got an intense smell for such a young speysider, floral, leather, soap and a bit spirity. It seems a malt quite enjoyable in it's own right, but something puts me a bit off. Perhaps the strong floral notes. The taste is sweet, spicy and yes, spirity, and a bit dry, a bizarre combo. With some water it gets sweeter, more floral, herbal and earthy. The aftertaste is earthy, ammonia and bitter.
I enjoyed it more when peated, at least at this age: 4
Benriach 21yo 46% OB Authenticus
An older version of the curiositas, this time unchill-filtered as well. A much stronger and more oaky smell then the last one. This seems to be a bit more for the experienced connoisseur. It is far more dry, and not as easy to enjoy, but there are some flavours, when given time, that truly makes up for the far from sophisticated start. Apples, oysters, raw eggs and ranch dressing creates a somewhat memorable finish.
I actually prefer the 10yo: 4.5
Benriach 10yo 46% OB Curiositas
Benirach has by far the most peated whisky outside of Islay with a striking 55ppm. The peat is very noticeable on the nose in this one as well as some sweet fruits. On my palate it's very wholesome, with a bit of everything a speysider should have, sweetness, freshness, spicyness and some dryness. The peat is unfortunately a bit shy in this one, I wish it would be a bit more punchy. However, it's a very nice malt that I think fits just any malt enthusiast well, but it might never really astound anyone.
An affordable and nice whisky, one to share with your friends: 6
Benriach 20yo 43% OB
Benriach's producing a lot of different aged OB's nowadays, with the peated versions "Authenticus" and "Curositas" getting most of the fuzz. This one has a fresh nose with much vanilla and barley. The first sip tells the story of good casks, much vanilla and oaky notes, nice bourbon-matured whisky. It's semi-dry and toasty, like smoke of a barbeque. With water it becomes just a bit too sweet for me. But all in all a lovely dram.
Traditional speyside, very good: 6.5
Benriach 12yo 1969-1981 40% CC G&M
Benriach is in my opinion a whisky that's often best when bottled at a young age. This one is very dark, and has spent some time in a sherry cask, no doubt. It has withdrawn hint of dried spices and herbs, say fennel. Easier on the palate with dry straws, and a finish of pepper and alcohol.
Not very enjoyable: 2.5
Benriach 34yo 1968-2003 49.8% Hart Brothers
Too be honest, I didn't give this one time enough in the glass before sinking it, but anyway, here's a very questionable review. Nose, mhm, a bit funky, hard to get anything from, reminds me of anis spirit. Sweet and steady put taste, much too strong finish, hard to define anything but the alcohol here.
Hart Bros could have improved this with a different cask or a finish maybe?: 3
fredag 12. november 2010
5 Bladnochs tasted between 1.4.2008-28.5.2011
Bladnoch 16yo 1992-2008 46% Murray McDavid
Another one from an ex-sherry cask of Murray McDavid, these ex-sherries aof very light colour has disappointed me a bit lately, last with an expression of the usually so very good Highland Park. This smells burnt and spirity, not good. The taste is kind of a mix of phenolic dry sherry and peat, more peatiness than in any other expression I've tried from Bladnoch. The aftertaste is long and herbal, dark chocolate and figs. A textbook sherried Bladnoch I guess.
A PEATY lowlander: 6
Bladnoch 17yo 46% OB
A bottling to celebrate "Alex Barclay 5 years as officer of the mini bottle club". Bladnochs rare bottlings are often just standard OB's with a special label. This one smells very strong, spirity, a bit too raw for me. With water added, a harsh and semi-sweet limeish aftertaste appears. Very one-dimensional and alcoholic whisky. The aftertaste is alcoholic and unfortunately very long-lasting.
Hard to consume: 2
Bladnoch 8yo 40% OB
A bottling probably from the 80's, made for Arthur Bell. Pale, powerful, smoky fragrances, could it be peated? Very rough flavours as well, with som acidic sweetness. A couple drops of water doesn't improve much on the flavours, but extends the finish quite a bit and creates a softer and nicer aftertaste.
8 years' perhaps too young for a Bladnoch: 3
Bladnoch 17yo 55% OB "Obama Inauguration" 235/238
So pale it's almost like water, this very limited bottling to celebrate the inauguration of Barack Obama. Pleasantly minty, sends me towards contaminated air and the Indian kitchen. Sweet-tasting, tonic water, jupiter and wet leather. With some water added, it becomes more minty, mint leaves and dried herbs dominates the flavours.
A special case: 4
Bladnoch 17yo 55% OB
Bladnoch doesn't really have any standard OB's, but they do bottle a lot at 17 years old. This one is called "Spirit of the Lowlands". It smells pretty harsh, of wood and alcohol, not much else. The taste is pretty intense, with menthos and white wine. 55% have with no doubt contributed to a woody flavour. It has a dry aftertaste of vinegar and wheat flour.
Unorthodox, but not bad at all: 6
Another one from an ex-sherry cask of Murray McDavid, these ex-sherries aof very light colour has disappointed me a bit lately, last with an expression of the usually so very good Highland Park. This smells burnt and spirity, not good. The taste is kind of a mix of phenolic dry sherry and peat, more peatiness than in any other expression I've tried from Bladnoch. The aftertaste is long and herbal, dark chocolate and figs. A textbook sherried Bladnoch I guess.
A PEATY lowlander: 6
Bladnoch 17yo 46% OB
A bottling to celebrate "Alex Barclay 5 years as officer of the mini bottle club". Bladnochs rare bottlings are often just standard OB's with a special label. This one smells very strong, spirity, a bit too raw for me. With water added, a harsh and semi-sweet limeish aftertaste appears. Very one-dimensional and alcoholic whisky. The aftertaste is alcoholic and unfortunately very long-lasting.
Hard to consume: 2
Bladnoch 8yo 40% OB
A bottling probably from the 80's, made for Arthur Bell. Pale, powerful, smoky fragrances, could it be peated? Very rough flavours as well, with som acidic sweetness. A couple drops of water doesn't improve much on the flavours, but extends the finish quite a bit and creates a softer and nicer aftertaste.
8 years' perhaps too young for a Bladnoch: 3
Bladnoch 17yo 55% OB "Obama Inauguration" 235/238
So pale it's almost like water, this very limited bottling to celebrate the inauguration of Barack Obama. Pleasantly minty, sends me towards contaminated air and the Indian kitchen. Sweet-tasting, tonic water, jupiter and wet leather. With some water added, it becomes more minty, mint leaves and dried herbs dominates the flavours.
A special case: 4
Bladnoch 17yo 55% OB
Bladnoch doesn't really have any standard OB's, but they do bottle a lot at 17 years old. This one is called "Spirit of the Lowlands". It smells pretty harsh, of wood and alcohol, not much else. The taste is pretty intense, with menthos and white wine. 55% have with no doubt contributed to a woody flavour. It has a dry aftertaste of vinegar and wheat flour.
Unorthodox, but not bad at all: 6
torsdag 11. november 2010
4 Benrinnes tasted between 1.4.2008-28.5.2011
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
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
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