Dalmore 1960, 25 YO, OB, 43%, B:1985. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Rich, very complex, floral, on leather, tannins, rich spices, nutty, with some berries, fruity flavours, on oranges and sultanas.
Taste: Smooth, complex, floral, very fruity, juicy, on tangerine, orange, sultanas, new and old leather, tannins, some rancio, coffee beans, nutmeg, diverse spices, dried and candied fruits, some light peaty smoky flavours and game. The finish is long, very smooth and mellow, slightly floral, on cocoa, milk chocolate, tannins, old leather, some game, dried fruits, orange, tangerine, diverse spices and light peaty and smoky notes.
Impression: A delicious complex old fashioned Dalmore, with a nice smokiness, rich and chewy notes of leather, a pleasant spiciness and a good balance. An old style of Dalmore that I enjoy very much !
Rating: 18/20 FP:G2Next

Dalmore 1996, 17 YO, l'Esprit Whisky, 52.9%, B:2013. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Smoky to very smoky, slightly floral and fragrant, very intense, fresh, malty, and with diverse yellow flowers, as well as a touch of heather.
Taste: Spicy to very spicy, malty, fresh, floral, with some almonds, fruits from the orchards, nice round floral flavours and freshly crushed barley, some vanilla, ginger and tobacco leaves. The finish is medium, slightly waxy and smoky, round, balanced, malty and on freshly crushed burley, as well as some pear and apples drops.
Impression: A very good malty fresh and round whisky, well balanced and enjoyable to drink.
Rating: 14/20 FP:A1

The Day of Pearly Spencer Tomintoul 1973,  46.6%, B:2012, cask 1486. Price:
Colour: Gold-old gold
Nose: Very smooth, round, soft, on peach, melon, some exotic fruits, banana and guava. Rather fruity.
Taste: Very smooth, floral, slightly fragrant and woody, on starch, some melon, fruits from the orchards, pollen and lily of the valley.  The finish is medium, floral to very floral, fragrant, with light sweet juicy flavours and light bitter flavours. Diluted, it becomes slightly more bitter and fragrant, and with green banana.
Impression: A smooth Tomintoul, very floral, slightly fragrant and with some woodiness showing off.
Rating:13/20 FP:C1

Ghosted Cask Reserve, 26 YO, OB, 42%, B:2015. Price:
Colour: Pale gold
Nose: Floral to very floral, smooth, with some hay, straw, floral fragrant notes and a touch of vanilla, toffee and yellow fruits.
Taste: Smooth to very smooth, very floral, fragrant, with light sweet fruity notes of melon, tangerine, peach, citrus, some creamy and malty flavours, and a hint of smoke. The finish is rather short, very smooth, creamy, on light sweet fruity flavours of melon, green apples, green melon and green banana, as well as some citrus and a touch of citrus. Light and elegant. Diluted, the finish becomes shorter and thinner.
Impression: A vatting of Ladyburn and Inverleven malt. This malt is fresh, light and sweet, but rather fragile and soft, especially when water is added.
Rating: 14/20 FP:A1

Dalmore 25 YO, OB, 42%, B:2015, Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Rich, intense, complex to very complex, on sultanas, Christmas spices, milk and dark chocolate, light winey notes, oranges, some lemon twist, vanilla and fudges. Fresher and more intense than the 18 or 21 YO.
Taste: Rich, intense, spicy, peppery, slightly smoky and winey, on sultanas, with some dry Port influence, dry winey influence from the Fino, balsamic vinegar, dark chocolate, orange zest, tangerine, and a touch of peat smoke. Very complex. The finish is long, floral, rich, slightly dry and winey, with some dry Port influence, light balsamic flavours, on sultanas, dark chocolate, Christmas spices, toffee, fudge, some vanilla, cinnamon, leather and tannins.
Impression: A very good, complex, intense Dalmore matured first in ex-bourbon casks, followed by a second maturation either in ex-Fino butts or ex-bourbon casks and a final maturation in Port Pipes. Some might not this combination of finishes, but I found it gave a nice personality and freshness to the whisky. I like it very much.
Rating: 16/20 FP:F1

Dalmore 21 YO, OB, 42%, B:2015, 8000 bottles. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Smooth to very smooth, mellow, rich, slightly grassy and oaky, with some cherries, Christmas cake and spices, cinnamon and vanilla. The sherry influence is slightly more intense, rounder than the 18 YO
Taste: Rich to very rich, smooth, mellow, light rubbery and winey flavours, on sultanas, orange and orange peel, caramel, some vegetal condiment, tobacco and over-infused tea, as well as a few drops of cherries. The finish is long, rich, thick, rather bitter, slightly astringent, on sultanas, orange, orange peel, humus, tobacco, caramel, some roasted coffee beans, dark chocolate (80%-85% cocoa) and over-infused black tea.
Impression: A rich and thick Dalmore, more intense than the 15 or 18 YO, but also more bitter and slightly more astringent.
Rating: 14/20 FP:G1

Damoiseau 1980 Rhum Agricole, 18 YO, 60.3%. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Elegant, very smooth, floral, on banana, papaya, on brown sugar and light notes of guava.
Taste: Elegant, light, aromatic to very aromatic, on ripe bananas, some eucalyptus, light phenolic flavours, a touch of rubber and some treacle. Subtle. The finish is medium, very aromatic, slightly phenolic and with some eucalyptus.
Impression: The nose was very smooth and fruity, while it became more aromatic on the palate and with some eucalyptus. Rather austere and slightly dry. Thank you Jerôme!
Rating: FP:D1

Rum Diamond 2003, 10 YO, Warehouse 8, 62.5%,B: 2013, cask 20, 204 bottles. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Very intense, on treacle, burnt sugar, cocoa, passion fruit, coconut, spices and fresh vanilla.
Taste: Very intense, spirity, clean, bitter, very floral, on burnt wood and sugar, roasted coffee beans and some light bitter and aromatic flavours. The finish is medium to long, bitter, floral to very floral, astringent, slightly phenolic, on burnt and toasted wood.
Impression: A very intense, floral, bitter Rum with a strong influence of burnt wood. Very strong and intense.
Rating: FP:D1

Enmore SVG  Guyana Demerara Rum 1996, 14 YO, Blackadder, 47%, B:2011. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Extremely fruity, very complex, very smooth, intense, on banana, passion fruits with some aniseed, spearmint and a touch of eucalyptus.
Taste: Very fruity, intense, on coconut, maple syrup, treacle, apricots, banana and papaya. Complex. The finish is medium to long, complex, smooth, sweet, fruity, sugary, on maple, coconut, nice floral flavours, candied quince and some exotic fruits. Diluted, it becomes fruitier, slightly fragrant, with nice light and complex floral notes.
Impression: An excellent rum, smooth, elegant, complex and with beautiful floral notes.
Rating: FP:D1

Mortlach Special Strength, OB, 49%, B:2015. Price: (70 cl equivalent)
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: Smooth, floral, on sweet fruity notes, some vanilla, ginger, tangerine, orange, cinnamon and honey. Balanced and sweet.
Taste: Rather spicy and fruity, on ginger, some pepper, oak spices, orange, almond, marmalade, and nutmeg, as well as some elegant floral notes. The finish is medium, spicy, oaky, sweet, fruity, zesty, with some cinnamon, ginger, vanilla, orange, tangerine and oak spices. Diluted, if becomes more zest and fizzy (Fanta come to my mind).
Impression: A nice smooth, floral and fruity Mortlach with a nice spicy-oaky bite. Intense and zesty.
Rating: 14/20 FP:D1

Talisker Dark Storm for Travel Retail, OB, 45.8%, B:2015. Price:
Colour: Dark gold
Nose: Smoky to very smoky, oaky, modern, rather maritime and salty, slightly peaty, on burnt wood, some roasted nuts, spices, pear drops and pepper.
Taste: Dry, extremely oaky, on burnt wood, seaweeds, seawater, some pepper, pear drops, caramel and roasted nuts. Tasted like an infusion of burnt wood. The finish is medium, hugely oaky and nutty, smoky, maritime, with some seaweeds, a light peat smoke and salt.
Impression: A hugely oaky Talisker with a strong influence from the deep charred oak cask. It is very smoky, maritime and taste rather young. I miss the balance from the older version (e.g., the 10 YO).  The oaky influence are slightly too pronounced to my liking.
Rating: 11/20 FP:A5

Laphroaig 16 YO For Travel Retail, OB, 43%, B:2015. Price: (70cl equivalent)
Colour: Gold
Nose: Smoky, peaty, maritime, mellow, sweet citrus notes, some orchards fruits and melon and seaweeds.
Taste: Smoky, mellow, maritime, with lots of sweet citrus, mainly grapefruit, with some melon, starch, seaweeds, toffee and black tea. The finish is medium, dry, oaky, mellow, slightly dry and woody, maritime and salty, with some grapefruits. Diluted, it becomes even more on dry liquorice roots.
Impression:  The nose was pleasant, sweet, complex and fruity (mainly on citrus) and good on the palate, with a rather intense dry and woody influence on the finish. If only the finish was better. Bottles of 35 cl.
Rating: 11/20 FP:D4

Aberfeldy 18 YO Travel Retail, OB, 40%, B:2015. Price:
Colour: Old gold
Nose: Very smooth, slightly floral, grassy and malty, on parsley, some ructtoa
Taste: Sweet, smooth, starchy, slightly floral and malty, on honey and some light fruit notes of the orchards. The finish is medium, malty, starchy, on honey and orchard’s fruits.
Impression: A sweet and smooth Aberfedly, with light sweet fruity notes of the orchards. Rather thin and simple. Might have benefited from some extra abv.
Rating: 11/20 FP:B1

Aberfeldy 19 YO for La Maison du Whisky, OB, 56.7%,  B: 2010, cask 2934, 180 bottles. Price:
Colour: Gold-old gold.
Nose: Very fresh, slightly grassy, rich, malty, with some aromatic herbs and light spices.
Taste: Very spicy, rich, grassy, herbal, complex, very slightly fruity, on sage, cinnamon, some camphor, honey, some melon, apples and barley. The finish is medium, rich, with the same profile as on the nose and some roots extracts.
Impression: An excellent, rich, herbal and malty Abefeldy with a nice complexity. Single casks bottling of Aberfeldy by the owner are very rare.
Rating: 16/20 FP:A1

Highland Park Thorfinn For Travel Retail, OB, 45.1%, B:2013. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: Smoky, maritime, on sea brine, heather honey, old peat smoke, tangerine, some Christmas cake and oranges, and a faint touch of eucalyptus. Elegant and complex. We are back in the old style of Highland Park. Most enjoyable.
Taste: Spicy to very spicy, mineral, smoky, on sea brine, some salty and seaweeds, with sweet and juicy tangerine and orange, and an elegant mineral peat smoke. Complex. The finish is long, subtle, elegant, mineral, on peat smoke, heather honey, tangerine, some old mineral peat smoke with a light and salty maritime influence, dark chocolate, sweet juicy fruity notes of tangerine and orange. Diluted, it becomes slightly woody, bitter, astringent and on liquorice roots.
Impression: An excellent Highland Park from the Warriors serie, without any age statement. The nose is deliciously smoky and mineral, with an elegant influence from the sherry. The whisky is complex, elegant and very enjoyable, showing a slight bitterness and woodiness in the finish. Overall, an excellent Highland Park that I enjoyed better than the 1973 or 1978 for Travel Retail. Not a cheap whisky (over 1300 euros) and better to drink neat. Taste the old type of whisky.
Rating: 17/20 FP:E3

The Glenlivet Master Distiller’s Reserve for Travel Retail, OB, 40%, B:2015. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Floral, smooth, slightly oaky, on pears drops, some smoke, spices (mainly ginger) and a touch of fudge. Rather soft.
Taste: Floral to very floral, with a slight fragrance, pear drops, some orange, caramel, marmalade, leather, ginger and fudge. The finish is medium, floral, bitter, and fragrant, on bitter caramel and orange, pear drops, some ginger and spices.
Impression: A floral to very floral Glenlivet, smooth and round, getting rather bitter on the finish.
Rating: 12/20 FP:C1

The Glenlivet Master Distiller’s Reserve Solera Vatted for Travel Retail, OB, 40%, B:2015. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Spicy, floral, on honey, with some leather, vegetal condiment, nutmeg, burnt sugar, toffee and some pears.
Taste: Smooth, floral, slightly smoky, and spicy, on forest honey, some leather, oak, humus, burnt wood, ginger, pepper and pears. The finish is medium, floral, slightly fragrant, with some orange, tangerine, ginger, pear drops, fudge and some smokiness.
Impression: My preferred Glenlivet from the new Travel Retail range, with intense spicy notes and lots of honey. The most balanced one.
Rating: 14/20 FP:E1

The Glenlivet Small Batch For Travel Retail Batch 9378/001, OB, 40%, B: 2015. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Oaky, intense, floral, slightly smoky, with some humus, charred oak, and tangerine.
Taste: Spicy, fresh, floral, juicy, oaky, with strong notes of pear drops, vanilla, some ginger, charred oak, marmalade, and a touch of smoke. The finish is medium, oaky to very oaky, spicy to very spicy, floral, and slightly smoky, with lots of orchard’s fruits, ginger, some white pepper, marmalade, some humus, vanilla, oranges, forest honey and nutmeg.
Impression: A very smooth, floral Glenlivet with strong oaky and spicy notes of ginger, as well as on charred or toasted oak.
Rating: 12/20 FP:C1

Littlemill 1990 Fighting Fish, 24 YO, Monnier, 52.3%, B:2015. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Smooth to very smooth, round, grassy, slightly floral and soft, with light citric notes, some melon and tangerine.
Taste: Smooth to very smooth, round, mellow, fruity, on herbal tea, some tangerine, soft floral flavours as well as some citric influence. The finish is medium to long, smooth, with a touch of spices, light honey and grassy flavours, some pink grapefruits, tangerine and yellow flowers.
Impression: A very pleasant and smooth Littlemill, with a soft, elegant and light sweet sherry influence. A smooth, sweet and round version of Littlemill, less citric but rounder than the two others.
Rating: 14/20 FP:D1

Littlemill 1988 Kreuzritter, Monnier, 47.7%, B:2015, cask 1067. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Intense, citric, slightly mellow and bitter, on grapefruits and pink grapefruit. Drier than the old Passenger.
Taste: Smooth to very smooth, with some grassy notes, slightly citric, on vanilla, vanilla custard, some pink grapefruit, a touch of banana and bitter fragrance. The finish is medium, mellow, slightly dry, oaky, woody and citric, with some vanilla, melon and a touch of banana and slight aromatic flavours.
Impression: A different version than the Old Passenger line, drier, more citric and less grassy on the nose and markedly mellower on the palate. A good Littlemill, but the age starts to show off. Getting rather mellow and the wood is noticeable.
Rating: 13/20 FP:A1

Littlemill 1992 Old Passenger Line, 22 YO, Jack Wiebers, 49.1%, B:2014, 252 bottles. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Smooth, citric, fresh, and slightly grassy, on grapefruit, pink grapefruit, yellow flowers, vanilla and on freshly cut grass. Very good.
Taste: Intense, fresh, citric, on pink grapefruits, some marzipan, diverse citrus fruits, vanilla, some honey and grassy notes. The finish is medium to long, citric, slightly sour, on pink grapefruits, some marzipan, honey and grassy flavours. Diluted, it becomes slightly woody and more citric.
Impression: A very good, smooth Littlemill on pink grapefruit juice, as well as a nice freshness.
Rating: 15/20 FP:A1

Imperial 1994 Whisky Galore, 12 YO, Duncan Taylor, 46%, B:2006 Price:
Colour: Straw
Nose: Quite spirity and pungent, with vanilla, some grassy notes and dried fruits flavours mixed with fragrant floral influence. A surprisingly rich and intense whisky. Diluted, it gets deeper and extremely floral.
Taste: Some spiciness (pepper and cinnamon), smoke, then green grass and dry fruits. Complex and a lot of character. The finish is short, clean, a bit winey, dry and smoky, with some maltiness.
Impression: A fresh and young whisky, full of character, with a pleasant and subtle sherry influence. Reminds me of some Lochside. Of note, it sold for 32 euros when it was released.
Rating: 15/20

Imperial 1981 Platinum, 25 YO, Douglas Laing, 57.2%, B: 2007. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Rich, floral, complex, on dates, figs, some rancio and nuts.
Taste: Rich, floral, chewy to very chewy, with nice complex spicy notes, some rubber, on orange and cinnamon sticks. Diluted, it becomes slightly soapy and more rubbery. The finish is medium, spicy, floral to very floral, on treacle, with some dates, tannins, spices, leather and oranges.
Impression: A very sherried whisky, richly spicy, chewy with strong floral notes.
Rating: 15/20 FP:I2

Imperial 1995, 18 YO, Acla Selection, 52.3%, B: 2014. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose:  Floral to very floral, soft to very soft, slightly nutty, rather clean, pollen and some faint grassy notes.
Taste: Rich, intense, herbal, slightly aromatic, spicy to very spicy, with some fragrance (perfume), lavender and other flavours. The finish is medium to long, floral to very floral, rather fragrant, on lavender and other floral-perfumy flavours.
Impression: A rather difficult Imperial, complex, very floral and fragrant, but with a flavour balance that confused me.
Rating: 12/20 FP:A1

Imperial 1995 for Waldhaus am See, 19 YO, Signatory, 51.1%, B:2015, cask 50153, 235 bottles. Price:
Colour: Straw
Nose: Smooth, clean, floral to very floral, on strong vanilla flavours, some ginger and mustard seeds, and a light mineral flavour.
Taste: Fresh, oaky to very oaky, clean, slightly smoky and earthy, on lemon zest, hay and some BBQ. The finish is medium to long, bitter, floral to very floral, zesty, slightly smoky and some BBQ.
Impression: A fresh, clean, zesty, very floral Imperial with some smokiness. The flavour profile reminds me of some old Rosebank, with some additional BBQ flavours.
Rating: 12/20 FP:A2

Imperial 1995 for Acla Selection, Signatory, 56.3%, B:2015. Price:
Colour: Pale gold
Nose: Rich, floral, spicy, complex, slightly earthy and smoky, with some chamomile, light mineral notes and light fruity flavours. Well balanced.
Taste: Rich, intense, complex, floral to very floral, on yellow flowers, chamomile, light zesty flavours, some mustards seeds and waxiness. The finish is medium to long, rich, intense, floral, with some hay, mustard, vanilla and waxy flavours, and a hint of peach. Diluted, some light notes of liquorice roots appear.
Impression: A very good Imperial, intense, rich and floral, with a nice complexity and maturity. One of the best Imperial I have tasted so far. The quality of the content is far superior to the quality of the label.
Rating: 16/20 FP:A2

Brora 1982, 24 YO, Chieftains, 46%, B:2006, cask 1522, 256 bottles. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: Mustardy, smooth, smoky, slightly peaty, round, with some humus, light notes of mushrooms, beeswax, shoe polish and light sweet sherry notes.
Taste: Salty, waxy to very waxy, on sea brine and sea spray, tangerine, some humus, farmy and smoky flavours, with nice round and fruity flavours from tangerine and a hint of mushrooms and stables. Diluted, it becomes rather spicy and peppery, with some dark chocolate and light mineral flavours. The finish is medium, smoky, farmy, spicy, peppery, waxy, slightly dry, peaty and bitter, with some sea spray, orange, tangerine and humus.
Impression: A nice round, waxy, farmy Brora, rather spicy and peppery, with some round creamy and sweet sherry influence. Slightly austere. Intense and very enjoyable. Thank you Nicolas.
Rating: 16/20 FP:E4

Brora Old Malt Cask 1983, 22 YO, Douglas Laing, 50%, B:2005,  DL 1836, 421 bottles. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: Farmy, round, waxy, on beeswax, stables, orange, tangerine, leather, shoe polish and some violet and chocolate.
Taste: Waxy, mustardy, round, with some vegetamine (yeast extract), rubber, tangerine, orange, orange zest, and sea spray. The finish is medium, salty, farmy, on juicy fruits, sea brine, some rubber, yeast extract, vegetal condiment, sweet orange, tangerine and slight farmy flavours. Diluted, it becomes slightly bitter, on bitter orange, more farmy and vegetal.
Impression: A Brora from the final distillation year, with nice juicy and sweet fruity notes, but also with some rubber and vegetal flavours. Slightly unbalanced.
Rating: 14/20 FP:E3

Brora 1977 Special Release 2015, 37 YO, OB, 50.4%, B:2015. 2976 bottles. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Smooth, mellow, slightly citric, mineral and lemony, with some grapefruit, lemon, cold peat smoke, bonfire smoke, sea spray and worn leather. More intense and peaty than the previous Special Release 2014.
Taste: Mineral, waxy, slightly citric and lemony, farmy, rather smoky, with some peat smoke, Mirabelle, lemon, char, beeswax, liquid honey and some mixed fruit jam. The finish is medium to long, mineral, waxy, on charcoal, some peat smoke, light farmy and sweet fruity note, with some grapefruits, melon, peach and dark chocolate. The wood starts to show off on the finish. Diluted, the finish becomes rather unpleasantly tannic and woody, smokier and on salmiak.
Impression: It is a very good Brora, smokier and slightly peatier the previous release, more citric and austere as well, but with the wood starting to show off. The flavour profile is substantially different from the previous 35 years old. How long will Diageo continue to release a Brora as part of their Special releases? Until the 200th Anniversary of the distillery in 2019?
Rating: 17/20 FP:B4

Rosebank 1991, Gordon & Macphail, 43%, B: 2009. Price:
Colour: Pale gold
Nose: Light, clean, fresh, and grassy.
Taste: Light, fresh, grassy and lemony. The finish is short to medium, clean, grassy and lemony.
Impression: A nice and fresh Rosebank tasting much younger than 18 years.
Rating: 14/20 FP:A1

Convalmore 1981 Connoisseur's choice, Gordon & Macphail, 40%, B: 2002. Price:
Colour: Gold.
Nose: Round, smooth, full, oaky, with quite some round peat.
Taste: Sweet, slightly earthy, on quince, with marzipan and some peat smoke. The finish is medium to long, round, mellow, fruity, earthy and with some bold peat smoke.
Impression: A very nice Convalmore, rather peaty. Another lost distillery that produced a whisky that I enjoy very much and rather unknown.
Rating: 16/20 FP:C4

Rosebank 12 YO for Zenith, OB, 43%, B:1980s. Price:
Colour: Old gold.
Nose: Malty, round, slightly spicy, oaky, smoky. With time, it becomes slightly citric and zesty.
Taste: Oaky, round, slightly malty, zesty, on ripe fruits (pears, apples and some melon). The finish is medium, syrupy, malty and smoky, with some melon, lemon and quince.
Impression: A good and fresh Rosebank, but rather heavy (heavier than the 20 YO,  more sherry casks used?).
Rating: 12/20 FP:D2

Rosebank 20 YO for Zenith, OB, 57%, B:1980s. Price:
Colour: Gold.
Nose: Fresh, light, sweet, slightly lemony and grassy, smoky, with some freshly cut grass. Sharp.
Taste: Sharp, intense, light, spicy to very spicy, slightly smoky and zesty. Very fresh. The finish is medium, light, fresh, zesty and smoky.
Impression: Fresher and spicier than the 12 YO. A very charming Rosebank.
Rating: 15/20 FP:B2

Rosebank 21 YO True Love, The Whisky Exchange, 55.1%, B:2015. Price:
Colour: Pale gold
Nose: Smooth, malty, fresh, slightly creamy, fruity, on melon, grapefruit and some lychees.
Taste: Fresh, floral to very floral, zesty (lemon), on lychees, rosewater, some grapefruits and a slight creamy notes, as well as a dash of soft spices. The finish is medium to long, fresh, floral, with lots of grapefruits, some vanilla, melon, quince jam and a touch of tobacco leaves.
Impression: A good fresh, slightly smooth Rosebank with strong grapefruits notes, without any unpleasant bitterness. Well made.
Rating: 15/20 FP:A1

Rosebank 1975 Old Malt Cask, 27 YO, Douglas Laing, 50%, B:2002. 322 bottles. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Rich, complex, very intense, floral to very floral, on fresh floral notes, tangerine, some candied oranges, Turkish delights, sultanas, dates, a touch of almond, wood polish and some high grade leather. Well rounded.
Taste: Smooth to very smooth, round, complex, on grapefruits, exotic fruits, some cigar box, a slight zesty touch, some high-grade leather and cocoa. Well balanced and with an excellent slightly oily mouth feel. The finish is medium to long, smooth, mellow, on grapefruits, exotic fruits, cocoa, some fudge, leather, a touch of old furniture’s, beeswax, cigars and soft rich spices. Very complex and slightly oily.
Impression: An excellent Rosebank, with an excellent texture, smooth, complex and a most enjoyable combination of smooth and round sherry with grapefruits and passion fruits. Simply delicious.
Rating: 18/20 FP:G1

Wolfburn Spirit 34 months, OB, 46%(?), B:2015. Price:
Colour: Pale straw
Nose: Smooth, floral, rich, intense, slightly smoky and spicy, a touch of vanilla and oak spices, as well as hint of sea brine. The nose is remarkably matured and complex for its age.
Taste: Smooth, slightly smoky and malty, with some berries, mushrooms, a touch of humus and some wood spices. The finish is medium, rich, spicy, with some sea brine and blackcurrant, on oak spices, mushrooms and slight maritime flavours.
Impression: For being almost 3 years old, this spirit is surprisingly rich and matured, showing already a pleasant complexity, without the new-make flavours that you could expect from such a young distillate. Promising for the soon to come whisky. Whisky available for pre-sale at the price of 125 CHF, with delivery in early 2016.
Rating: FP: A2 (no score as it is not yet a whisky)

Orma Double Wood Peated 12.1, OB, 44%, B:2015. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Peaty, smoky to very smoky, on smoked bacon, wood smoke, some inner tube and tar. The peaty flavours are very difficult to describe, as they are so different from any peated whisky I tasted so far. Unique.
Taste: Smooth, peaty to very peaty, tarry, on inner tube, wood smoke and smoked bacon. Special. The finis is medium, peaty, tarry, on a mixture of smooth flavours and smoked meat.
Impression: A very special peated whisky, with a mixture of peat smoke and smoked ham. The peat flavours is so peculiar and different from any peated whiskies I have tasted so far. Very difficult to describe and difficult to rate. If you can, try to taste it and make your own opinion.
Rating: 10/20 FP: A5

Orma 10.1 Corvatsch, OB, 44%, B:2015. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: Smooth to very smooth, with some new make flavours and fresh soft floral notes. Smells like dry aromatic herbal tea from the alps with a rather strong winey flavour.
Taste: Very smooth, on dry winey and sugary influence, some soft herbal tea from the Swiss alps, sweet, and some light starchy notes. Young. The finish is medium, soft, sweet-sugary, young, slightly rubbery, with a strong dry Port wood influence and diverse spices.
Impression: A very smooth, sugary, winey and slightly rubbery Orma, with a round and smooth mouth feel and “Ricola”-infused herbal flavours. A special Swiss whisky.
Rating: 11/20 FP:C1

Orma Pinot 11.6, OB, 44% B:2015. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: Smooth to very smooth, soft, round, with rather sweet winey flavours from the Pinot wine.
Taste: Very smooth, malty, slightly creamy and milky, on starch, light spicy, vegetal and peppery flavours and well as some red wine influence. The finish is medium, spicy, vegetal, malty, creamy, slightly yeasty and rubbery, with some red wine flavours, blackcurrant and some red berries.
Impression: Of the same quality as the Port one, more matured, but also with a more peppery flavours and slightly more rubbery.
Rating: 11/20 FP:C1

Swiss Highland Ice Label, OB, 56.7%, B:2015. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Smooth, floral, fragrant,  slightly malty, with some vegetal condiments, orange, tangerine and a hint of leather. More complex and matured than the two other.
Taste: Round, slightly rubbery, floral and fragrant, oaky, with some toffee and leather. The finish is medium, rubbery, round, slightly yeasty, on leather and dried fruits.
Impression: More complex than the classic and with more pronounced oaky-spicy flavours, but as well as with stronger rubbery flavours. An older expression than the Classic. This whisky was matured for 3 years at above 3000 m after 4 years of maturation spent in Interlaken.
Rating: 11/20 FP:F1

Swiss Highland Fourty Three, OB, 43%, B:2015. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Smooth, malty, floral, round, with some hops and bier-like flavours and on vanilla.
Taste: Very smooth, fresh and juicy, young, with some new-make sweetness,  on fruits from the orchards and some vanilla. The finish is medium, very juicy, smooth, oaky, fresh, on fruits from the orchards, honey and freshly crushed malt.
Impression: A rather young and mono-dimensional whisky, but fresh, very smooth, juicy, and easy drinking.
Rating: 10/20 FP: A1

Swiss Highland Classic, OB, 46%, B:2015. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: Smooth, floral, round, slightly yeasty, with some round sweet sherry notes, leather, tangerine and dried fruits.
Taste: Round, smooth, elegant, slightly yeasty, on tangerine, orange, fruity flavours, some dried fruits and a slight spiciness. The finish is medium, smooth, slightly rubbery, with some leather and tangerine, as well as light creamy and nutty flavours.
Impression: The classic version is matured for approximately 5 years in Oloroso sherry casks. The extra year of maturation contributes to a better maturity than the 43, and with some additional sweetness and light yeasty flavours.
Rating: 11/20 FP: F1

Thursky 12 YO Final Edition, OB, 52%, B:2013. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Smooth, malty, round, complex, elegant, fruity to very fruity, on orange, tangerine, rancio, smoke, plums, butterscotch and some aromatic herbs.
Taste: Very smooth, juicy, on schnapps, aromatic herbs, round fruity notes, some rye-like spiciness, nice sweet aromas of tangerine, orange and ripe apples. The finish is medium, slightly smoky, round, juicy, smooth, on apples, orange, tangerine, some apricots, honey, aromatic and fragrant herbs as well as some rye-like flavours.
Impression: A very well made Swiss whisky, round, sweet and elegant, fruity and with some pleasant aromatic herbal flavours. My best Swiss whisky so far, with the content better than the container. Sadly, the distillery closed in 2013 and the final edition is indeed the final bottling from the distillery. My first and last Thursky.
Rating: 14/20 FP: F1

Glenfiddich 21 YO, Zenith, 43%, B:1980s. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Smoky, intense, complex, slightly peaty, on pears, some oaky and vanilla notes. More smoky and peaty than the more recent Glenfiddich.
Taste: Rich, oaky, complex, slightly floral and spicy, on ginger, some vanilla, pepper, smoke, honey and light herbal notes. The finish is medium, floral, on pepper, spearmint, some pears and honey. Diluted it becomes even spicier and peppery.
Impression: A very intense and peppery Glenfiddich, slightly smoky and with a touch of spearmint.
Rating: 13/20 FP: A1

Glen Grant 42 YO, OB, 70 Proof, B: 1970s. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Very fruity and juicy, sweet, grassy, with some peat smoke, light notes of humus, eucalyptus and camphor. Excellent.
Taste: Very sweet and fruity, smoky, on peat smoke, humus, some mushrooms, mineral smoke, a hint of eucalyptus, melon, papaya and rich honey notes. The finish is long, rich, sweet, grassy, on peat smoke, melon, watermelon, papaya, some camphor, bandages, tea and light notes of chocolate and wallnuts.
Impression: An excellent sweet and complex old Glen Grant probably distilled before the 1940s. Delicious and thank to the Crane
Rating: 18/20 FP: D3

Glen Grant 1952, 50 YO, Gordon & MacPhail, 40%, B:2013. Price:
Colour: Old gold
Nose: Smooth, very fruity, on orange, tangerine, honey, melon, sultanas, stewed and dried fruits. The fruity notes are excellent and complex.
Taste: Rich, fruity, fresh, intense, complex, on dried fruits, some aromatic herbs and a touch of eucalyptus. The finis is long, complex, smooth, rather fresh, aromatic to very aromatic, fruity and with some eucalyptus and a hint of smoke.
Impression: An excellent Glen Grant, elegant, fresh, fruity and aromatic. Considering its age, the freshness is impressive. Difficult to guess its age when tasted neat. Gordon & MacPhail has some stunning old casks.
Rating: 18/20 FP: G2

Dalmore 18 YO, OB, 43%, B:2015. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: Smooth to very smooth, mellow, rich, elegant, on some exotic wood, orange, sultanas, cherries and light soft spicy notes. Very soft and smooth.
Taste: Smooth, spicy to very spicy, slightly zesty, on ginger, some pepper, sultanas, Christmas cake and spices, orange, and milk chocolate. The finish is medium, floral, smooth, slightly fragrant, rich, on sultanas, Christmas spices, some lemon, vanilla and orange zest, cocoa, toffee, fudge, leather and light tannins.
Impression: The nose is smoother and softer than the younger versions, while it is more peppery and slightly dryer on the palate and in the finish. Complex.
Rating: 14/20 FP: G1

Dalmore 15 YO, OB, 40%, B:2015. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: Smooth, floral, fragrant to very fragrant, slightly earthy, on cherries, cinnamon, nutmeg, and some light nutty flavours. More nutty and drier than the 12 YO.
Taste: Rich, spicy, thick, syrupy, on orange, tangerine, cinnamon, nutmeg, light nutty flavours, rich spices and a slight dryness. The finish is medium to long, rich, with a thick mouth feel, on spices, cardamom, nutmeg, orange, tangerine, sultanas, cinnamon stick, chocolate, light nutty flavours and some over-infused black tea. Diluted, it becomes more nutty and dryer.
Impression: A good, spicy and rich Dalmore, with some dark chocolate and rich Christmas spices.
Rating: 13/20 FP:F1

Dalmore 12 YO (tall bottle), OB, 43%, B:1980s. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber.
Nose: Sherry, floral, round and full, on honey, nuts and a lot of toffee.
Taste: Round, mellow, slightly tannic, earthy and bitter, on toffee, sherry, leather, old books, and spices (red pepper) flavours. The finish is medium, clean, mellow, on orange peel, fudges and quite spicy, slightly bitter and of medium length. Diluted, it gets smoother and less spicy.
Impression: An old and mellow Dalmore, on old leather and toffee bitterness.
Rating: 14/20 FP:E1

Dalmore 12 YO (dumpy bottle), OB, 43%, B:1970s. Price:
Colour: Old gold
Nose: Smooth, juicy to very juicy, resinous, slightly mineral, smoky and peaty, with some tangerine, beeswax, humus and light earthy notes. Elegant and rather subtle.
Taste: Juicy, mineral, slightly smoky and peaty, floral, waxy, resinous, on humus, some ashes, tea, beeswax and some tangerine. Diluted, it becomes spicier, more mineral and floral. The finish is medium to long, mineral, slightly ashy, smoky and peaty, floral, with some spices, tangerine and beeswax.
Impression: An excellent Dalmore, juicy, mineral and waxy, with a remarkable complexity.
Rating: 17/20 FP:D3

Dalmore 12 YO, OB, 80 proof, B: 1970s. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: Floral to very floral, juicy, fruity, rather fresh, with some alonds, grassy notes, game, rancio, tobacco and old worn leather.
Taste: Slightly mineral, on rancio, leather, sea salt, orange and tangerine zest, some menthol, sweet light fruity and floral notes, with some game, diesel smoke and some other « harbour-medicinal»-like flavours. Rather aromatic. The finish is medium to long, slightly peaty, maritime, medicinal, phenolic, aromatic, with a light sweetness and some tangerine-orange zest.
Impression: An old Dalmore, rather peaty and medicinal, with a light sweetness and a flavour porfile markedly different from the current production. A whisky difficult to rate, but that I enjoyed drinking.
Rating: 15/20 FP:E2

Dalmore 12 YO, OB, 43%, B:1980s (?). Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Fresh, floral, slightly grassy, with some game, leather, berries, orange liquor and orange peel.
Taste: Sweet, grassy, slightly floral and smoky, with some honey, heather, tangerine, orange and some slightly mineral flavours. The finish is medium, rather grassy and smooth, elegant, floral, slightly sweet, with a slight smokiness, on honey, heather and a touch of caramel.
Impression: A pleasant grassy whisky, with some honey sweetness.  A good whisky of unconfirmed authenticity. Fake or not ?
Rating: 14/20 FP:C2

Dalmore 12 YO, OB, 40%, B:2015. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: Floral, fragrant, slightly oaky, smooth, on toffee, fudge, some oaky spices, with light notes of leather, orange, and rubber.
Taste: Very smooth, oaky to very oaky, floral, thick, malty, with some toffee, ginger, orange and coffee. The finish is medium, oaky, thick, slightly dry, on bitter caramel, some orange and vanilla. Diluted, it becomes smoother and drier, as well as on some old tobacco leaves.
Impression: The nose is pleasantly smooth and floral, with a rather thick mouth feel and pronounced dry oaky influence.
Rating: 12/20 FP:E1

Dalmore Cigar Malt Reserve, OB, 44%, B:2015. Price:
Colour: Old gold
Nose: Smooth, floral, rich, slightly earthy, on toffee, fresh and candied oranges, Christmas cake, cinnamon, sultanas and some dark chocolate.
Taste: Smooth to very smooth, rich, slightly minty, floral, sweet, fruity, with light earthy notes, on Christmas cake, orange, tangerine, tobacco leaves and rich spices. The finish is long, rich, thick, syrupy, slightly earthy, on tobacco leaves, Christmas cake, humus, tangerine, orange, sultanas, some dark and mint chocolate, ginger and cinnamon sticks. Complex.
Impression: A nice, rich, rather tick, intense and complex Dalmore. A Christmas delight? Very good and well made Dalmore, with a high proportion of ex-Oloroso sherry casks.
Rating: 15/20 FP:F1

Glen Moray 1959, OB, 50.9%, 400 bottles. Price:
Colour : Old gold
Nose : Smooth, mellow, fruity, complex, on melon, peach, ripe and tropical fruits and some peat smoke. A slightly smoky fruit basket. Excellent.
Taste : Very smooth, mellow and sweet, on grape juice, melon, tropical  and ripefruits, some honey and grassy notes, as well as a hint of smoke. The finish is long, smooth, mellow, on sweet and juicy fruity aromas. Diluted, the aromas of banana are stronger.
Impression : A legendary bottling of Glen Moray with an explosion of sweet and smooth fruity flavours. Delicious. Glen Moray at his best?
Rating : 18/20 FP:E2

Glen Moray 1959, Samaroli, 46%, B:1994, 240 bottles. Price:
Colour: Dark amber
Nose: Very intense, sweet, very fruity, on tropical fruits, mango, melon, fine leather, tannins, grapes, some dates and light spicy notes. Superb.
Taste: Very fruity, sweet, with lots of pineapples, leather, tannins, some dates, mango and some bitter floral notes. The finish is long, syrupy, chewy, floral, bitter, tannic, fruity and astringent. Diluted, it becomes more bitter and astringent.
Impression: The nose is excellent, fruity and with nice sweet sherry notes, but becoming rather bitter, woody and astringent in the finish. Too much to my liking. For sherry freaks.
Rating: 16/20 FP:J2

Glen Moray 1998, 16 YO, Samaroli, 45%. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: Intense, smooth, spicy, rubbery, floral, vegetal, on leather, toffee, vegetal condiment, diverse spices.
Taste: Malty, smooth, spicy to very spicy, on fermented aromatic herbs, vegetal condiment, rubber, toffee, fudge and some malty notes. The finish is rather long, vegetal, aromatic, slightly fragrant, on rubber, toffee, fudge, mocha, and a touch of varnish.
Impression: A Glen Moray with a very intense and thick sherry influence, with a mixture of vegetal condiment (Maggi), rubber and a touch of sulphur. Not really my cup of tea (or coffee). Starts rather heavy on the sherry, before becoming smoother over time.
Rating: 10/20 FP:H1

Glen Moray 25 YO Port Finish 1987 Batch 2, OB, 43%, B: 2015. Price:
Colour: Old gold-Amber (slightly pinkish)
Nose: Smooth to very smooth, slightly malty and sugary, subtle, elegant, with some dried grass and a light dry Port influence. Balanced.
Taste: Very smooth, mellow, malty, complex, subtle, with light starchy notes, light sweet and dry winey notes, with some vanilla and a touch of coconut. The finish is medium, very smooth, slightly mineral, with a slightly dry and nice influence from the port.
Impression: I tasted two years ago a cask strength sample from this Glen Moray and I am pleasantly surprised to discover a very nice, elegant, smooth and subtle Glen Moray, with the Port influence in symbiosis with the whisky. As you might know me, Port wood whiskies are not such much to my liking, but I might do an exception for this one.
Rating: 15/20 FP:D1

Glen Moray Classic Peated, OB, 40%, B:2015. Price:
Colour: Pale gold
Nose: Very peaty, dry, ashy, tarry, on charcoal, hemp rope and vanilla. Slightly smoother than some peated Islay and less maritime.
Taste: Smooth, very peaty, tarry, slightly sweet, sugary, young, creamy and maritime, on freshly crushed barley, some vanilla, charcoal, BBQ and light ashes. The finish is medium to long, peaty, tarry, slightly young, ashy and salty, with some charcoal, BBQ and vanilla.
Impression: A very peaty Glen Moray, dry and tarry, that taste slightly young. The sweet-sugary flavours work well with the dry-peaty aromas.
Rating: 13/20 FP:A5

Glen Albyn 1975 Rare Malts, 26 YO, OB, 54.8%, B: 2002. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Smooth, light, fruity to very fruity, sweet, with a whiff of old bold and complex peat smoke, some melon and tropical notes.
Taste: Bitter, floral, smoky, slightly mineral and peaty, on old wood smoke, some wet wood, pink grapefruits, melon, quince as well as some papaya. The finish is medium slightly bitter and mineral, with some wood and peat smoke, as well as pink grapefruit.
Impression: Glen Albyn tends to be a single malt of variable quality. This bottling taste good the “old fashioned” whisky, with some smoky, slightly mineral, austere and citric notes. This might not be everyone’s whisky, but I enjoyed tasting it, since different from most commercially available single malts.
Rating: 14/20 FP:B2

Glen Albyn 1964, Dun Eideann, 43%, B:1992, cask 2486, 380 bottles. Price:
Colour: Pale gold
Nose: Smooth, clean, fresh, aromatic to very aromatic, on eucalyptus and old peat smoke
Taste: Floral, fragrant, aromatic to very aromatic, smoky, on eucalyptus and some green-grassy flavours. The finish is medium to long, slightly dry, aromatic, fresh, with some eucalyptus, old peat smoke, some eucalyptus and just a touch of toffee.
Impression: A light, old-fashioned and aromatic Glen Albyn, with a light smokiness.
Rating: 13/20 FP:A2

Glenfiddich 125th Anniversary, OB, 43%, B: 2013. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Fresh, oaky, juicy, slightly malty, zesty and floral, with a light smokiness, on vanilla and some spices (nutmeg), as well as light nutty flavours.
Taste: Spicy, oaky to very oaky, nutty, slightly zesty and creamy, on fruits from the orchards, ginger, peat smoke, a nice sweetness, tar and ashes. The finish is rather short, creamy, slightly ashy and tarry, on vanilla, spices, some peat and sweet fresh fruits from the orchards.
Impression: A Glenfiddich with a surprising peatiness, although it is less peaty than the previous Caoran. The peat is clearly noticeable, leaving some ashy and slightly maritime influence. Sees like the peat is coming from an ex-peated (Islay?) cask, as the peat is not as intense or lingering, as one might expect from a peated malt. Peated vanilla with oak spices?
Rating: 12/20 FP:A3

Glenfiddich Original 1963, OB, 40%, B: 2015. Price:
Colour: Gold-old gold
Nose: Oaky, juicy, creamy, on toasted oak, some nuts, vegetamine, smoke and fruits from the orchards.
Taste: Fresh, young, juicy, slightly spicy, on liquid honey, juicy oak, fruits from the Orchards, some cream, light fruitiness and on toasted/burnt wood.
Impression: A nice fresh, very juicy Glenfiddich tasting slightly young and with the influence of some toasted/deep charred wood.
Rating: 12/20 FP:C2

Mon Roll and Morse Drop distilled at Ben Nevis, 18 YO, Bar du Nord, 48.9%, B:2015. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Smooth, very round, floral, intense, complex, on caramel, fudge, vanilla, and some sea brine. Very good!
Taste: Complex, round, smooth, slightly salty, with some tangerine, sweet fruity notes, citrus (mainly pink grapefruits), melon and a light smokiness. The finish is medium to long, complex, smooth, intense, and slightly aromatic, on citrus, pink grapefruits, some sea brine, fudge and tangerine.
Impression: A very good Ben Nevis, complex, on citrus and a nice intensity. A very good selection from the Bar du Nord in Carouge, Switzerland.
Rating: 16/20 FP:C2

Inchgower Eau de Morse 2000, Bar du Nord, 58.3%, B: 2014. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Intense, salty, malty, on fudge, vegetal extracts, some smoke and slight rubbery notes.
Taste: Intense, salty, maritime to very maritime, rather vegetal, spicy to very spicy, with a hint of tangerine and light rubbery notes, as well as some toffee. The finish is medium, salty, maritime, bitter, slightly citric and rubbery, with some toffee and a hint of tangerine and a touch of smoke.
Impression: A rather salty, maritime and spicy Inchgower with a light sherry influence.
Rating: 13/20 FP:D1

Port Charlotte 2007, Cooper’s Choice, 46%, B:2015, cask 2424, 480 bottles. Price:
Colour: Straw
Nose: Very peaty, dry, tarry to very tarry, ashy, maritime, slightly young, on seaweeds, some dry hemp rope. Complex and very intense.
Taste: Fresh, juicy, maritime to very maritime, salty, peaty, very tarry, ashy, slightly creamy, on seaweeds, ashes, charcoal and some salt. The finish is very long, dry to very dry, very peaty, tarry to very tarry, ashy, bitter, maritime, on dried fish, liquorice sticks, quinine, salt and charcoal.
Impression: A very peaty, fresh, intense, maritime Port Charlotte with a certain dry bitterness. Very good and one of the most intense and peaty Port Charlotte I tasted the last couple of years.
Rating: 15/20 FP:A8

Port Charlotte 2001, 12 YO, The Maltman, 52.4%, B:2014, cask 846, 269 bottles. Price:
Colour: Pale gold
Nose: Peaty, maritime, floral, fishy, on wet socks, seaweeds, wet wood and wool, as well some hemp rope.
Taste: Peaty, salty, maritime, oaky, medicinal, on wet wood, tar, charcoal and vanilla. The finish is medium, malty, peaty, floral, salty, maritime, and medicinal, on seaweeds, old wet wood, hemp rope, tar and vanilla.
Impression: A rather oaky and slightly mellow Port Charlotte, with rather medicinal flavours.
Rating: 12/20 FP:A6

Octomore 7.3 Islay Barley 169 PPM, 5 YO, OB, 63.0%, B:2015. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Dry, very peaty and tarry, slightly salty, on dry wine, ashes, seaweeds and light medicinal flavours. Rather matured.
Taste: Very dry and peaty, citric, slightly winey, on lemon tart, tar, peat, ashes, some peach, seaweeds and vanilla, with light medicinal flavours. The finish is long to very long, peaty to very peaty, very dry, on liquorice roots, light winey flavours and some maritime influence.
Impression: A very good and dry heavily peated Octomore and well matured.
Rating: 15/20 FP:B8

Octomore 7.1 Scottish Barley 208 PPM, 5 YO, OB, 59.5%, B:2015. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Young, peaty, dry, ashy, floral, on wet socks, seaweeds and with a mixture of burnt wood, soot and graphite. Rather special.
Taste: Young, dry, peaty to very peaty, tarry, on seaweeds, some iodine, soot and charcoal, and with a light fragrance and bitterness. The finish is long to very long, tarry, ashy, with some light aromas of new-make, dry peat smoke, iodine and seaweeds.
Impression: A very dry and peaty version of Octomore. Although it is very peaty and dry, the whisky taste rather young and it might have benefited from a few years of additional maturation. Quite different from the 7.3 and tasting less matured.
Rating: 13/20 FP:A8

Caol  Ila 1982 Archives, Whiskybase, 51.2%, B: 2012. Price:
Colour: straw
Nose: Peaty, smooth,  subtle, slightly maritime, with some seaweeds, vanilla and melon.
Taste: Smooth, medium peated, with some round vanilla and floral flavours, seaweeds, peat smoke, some citrus and salt. The finish is medium, round, on peat and wood smoke, as well as some seaweeds, liquorice sticks and vanilla.
Impression: A smooth, mellow and slightly soft Caol Ila, with pleasant maritime flavours.
Rating: 14/20 FP:A4

Caol Ila 1976, Dun Eideann, 58.2%, B : 1995, cask 8072, 250 bottles. Price:
Colour : Gold
Nose : Peaty, oaky, slightly round, maritime, on seaweeds, vanilla, some notes of hemp ropes.
Taste : Peaty, intense, complex, slightly oaky, maritime, on hemp rope, some seaweeds and seashells. The finish is long to very long, intense, peaty, citric, on peat smoke and seaweeds. Complex.
Impression : A very intense peaty and citric Caol  Ila delivering a nice kick of peat reek.
Rating : 17/20 FP:A8

Caol Ila 1993 for Alba Import Germany, 21 YO, A.D. Rattray, 56.8%, B:2014, cask 11144. Price:
Colour: Straw
Nose: Smooth, peaty, maritime, slightly floral, with light vegetal and spicy notes, some iodine, tar and a touch of hemp rope. Rather mellow.
Taste: Very dry, slightly bitter and peaty, on liquorice, seaweeds and tar, with a light saltiness and a lemon twist. The finish is medium, peaty, tarry, ashy, slightly bitter, on liquorice, seaweeds, a twist of lemon and tangerine, as well as light notes of kippers. Diluted, it becomes even drier, with more tar, seaweeds and with some iodine.
Impression: A good intense and dry version of Caol Ila. Difficult to perceive the sherry influence from the re-fill sherry cask. Thank you Manfred.
Rating: 14/20 FP:A6

Caol Ila 2004, Speymalt (G&M), 46%, B:2013. Price:
Colour: Straw
Nose: Very peaty and maritime, clean, tarry, ashy, on hemp rope, seaweeds and some liquorice roots.
Taste: Peaty, clean, slightly young and sweet, on salt, tar, salty liquorice, hemp rope, vanilla, diesel smoke and some seaweeds. The finish is medium to short, peaty, smoky, maritime, clean, on seaweeds, some oysters, diesel smoke, hemp rope, as well as some chlorophyll and tar.
Impression: A clean, nice peaty and maritime Caol Ila, with a nice freshness.
Rating: 11/20 FP:A7

Caol Ila 1995, Moon, 46%, B:2011. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Smooth, intense, mineral, peaty, maritime, with some chlorophyll, vegetal condiment, tar, and hemp rope. Becomes peatier over time.
Taste: Salty, maritime, slightly salty and medicinal, with some bandages, seaweeds, tar and light note of hemp rope. The finish is medium, peaty, maritime, medicinal, slightly mineral, dry and tarry, on charcoal, seaweeds, some bandages and phenols.
Impression: A very good, peaty, medicinal and intense old-fashioned Caol Ila. More maritime and mineral, and less oaky than most of the recently released ones. Very enjoyable.
Rating: 16/20 FP:A6

Caol Ila  for The Whisky Exchange, 31 YO, Signatory, 48.1%, B:2015, cask 5294. Price:
Colour: Gold-old gold
Nose: Smooth, mellow to very mellow, on verbena, aromatic herbs, some citrus, eucalyptus, a touch of salt and a light maritime flavours, with only a light smokiness.
Taste: Smooth, mellow, salty, grassy, slightly fruity, with some melon, pink grapefruit and lemon, as well as some aromatic herbs. With a mixture of sweet and slightly citric fruits. The finish is medium, moderately peaty, subtle, aromatic, with some aromatic herbs, chlorophyll, bandages, and some tar.
Impression: A mellow, subtle and moderately peaty Caol Ila, with pleasant aromatic herbs.
Rating: 15/20 FP:A5

Ledaig 2008, 7 YO, Carn Mor, 46%, B:2015, 783 bottles. Price:
Colour: Pale straw
Nose: Extremely peaty, very maritime, meaty and tarry, on charcoal, BBQ, seaweeds and salt. Not for the faint hearted.
Taste: Intense, sweet-sugary, peaty, juicy, salty, oaky, on seaweeds, salt and some bitterness. The finish is medium, intense, clean, fresh, peaty to very peaty, juicy, maritime, salty, tarry, on seaweeds, some liquorice roots, soot, sea shells and diesel smoke.
Impression: A young, but very peaty, intense Ledaig, slightly young on the palate, but with nice salty and maritime intense. One of the peatiest whisky I tasted recently. Young and very good.
Rating: 14/20 FP:A9

Ledaig 2004 Waldhaus am See, 10 YO, Signatory, 46%, B:2015, cask 15/790, 418 bottles. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Peaty, maritime, round, slightly salty, on tar, ashes, grapefruit, leather, some exotic fruits and red fruits.
Taste: Salty, citric, sweet, fruity, peaty, maritime, meaty, on smoke meat, seaweeds, tar, tropical fruits, pink grapefruits and diesel smoke. The finish is medium to long, peaty, tarry, maritime, slightly dry, meaty and citric, on sweet fruity notes, tropical aromas, tangerine, orange, some strawberries, cocoa and a touch of leather.
Impression: A very good Ledaig, well balanced, on a mixture of peat, maritime influence and sweet sherry influence.
Rating: 15/20 FP:E5

Ledaig 2004 Waldhaus am See, 10 YO, Signatory, 60.8%,B:2015, cask 900181, 300 bottles. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Peaty, maritime, round, slightly salty, on tar, ashes, leather, some red fruits and light citric flavours. Close to the version bottled at 46%, but slightly less citric. Not as expressive as the 46% version.
Taste: Very intense, hot, peaty, maritime, with some tar, ashes, charcoal, BBQ, soot, leather, round and sweet fruity notes and leather. The finish is medium to long, dry, tarry, peaty, maritime, on leather, seaweeds, liquorice, and soot.
Impression: This version is drier and less fruity than the 46% version, even when watered down. I usually prefer cask strength versions to reduced versions, but this a case, when I prefer a reduced version. The quality of the recent Ledaig is generally very good and this one is no exception.
Rating: 14/20 FP:E5

Glen Scotia 8 YO, OB, 43%, B:1960s. Price:
Colour: Old gold
Nose: Grassy, smoky, on diesel smoke, harbour flavours, with some flint stone and farmy notes. With a rather « dirty » pleasant nose.
Taste: Smooth, grassy, slightly malty and salty, with some diesel smoke, flint stone,  starch, old mineral oil and a touch of citrus. The finish is medium to long, on humus, some diesel smoke, old oil, harbour flavours, some citrus and flint stone.
Impression: Not the most complex whisky, but I enjoy very much this style of old fashioned rusty and smoky whisky. Smells good the Campbeltown harbour.
Rating: 15/20 FP:B3

Glen Scotia Full Proof (Gillies), 12 YO, OB, 54%, B:1980s. Price:
Colour: gold
Nose: Slightly salty and maritime, with some diesel smoke, vanilla and a touch of caramel
Taste: Salty, smooth, malty, floral, with some fudge and vanilla, and on slight mineral notes, with a nice freshness. Diluted, it becomes more salty and starchy. The finish is medium, smooth, slightly salty, maritime, floral and fragrant, with some starch and grassy notes, as well as some vanilla and smoke
Impression: A rather clean, fresh and simple whisky.
Rating: 12/20 FP:A2

Glen Scotia Victoriana, OB, 51.5%, B:2015. Price:
Colour: Old gold.
Nose: Smooth, round, rather winey, on toffee, burnt sugar, some sea spray, vanilla, smoke and heather honey. The flavour profile is rather different from the 15 YO, smoother, rounder and more on toffee.
Taste: Oaky, spicy to very spicy, on burnt wood and sugar, ginger, lots of vanilla, some heather, a slight smokiness and sea spray. The finish is medium, slightly oaky and salty, on sea spray, vanilla, some heather honey,
Impression: The influence from the finish in deep charred oak cask is well present in this rather smooth and round Glen Scotia, with aromas of burnt wood and sugar, while retaining strong vanilla notes. Although it is bottled at a high strength, it is very drinkable neat. The profile is different from the 15 YO and tasted younger and smoother, with lighter notes of sea spray. The influence of the deep charring is slightly too strong to my liking. Compared to the 2013 products, the new range seems to be more diverse and thus, different products might appeal to different consumers. It is good to see the new owner doing something with this charming old fashioned distillery. Glen Scotia has its own personnality and worth a try.
Rating: 12/20 FP:A1

Glen Scotia 15 YO, OB, 46%, B:2015. Price:
Colour: Old gold
Nose: Salty, on sea spray, sea brine, some humus, harbour-like flavours, a touch of vanilla and coconut, with  some spices and an old type of maritime smoke. Smells good the Campbeltown harbour and the signature of Glen Scotia.
Taste: Spicy, gingery, slightly salty and aromatic, with some sea spray, coconut, vanilla, smoke, bergamot and humus. The finish is medium, aromatic, slightly floral and smoky, on vanilla, with some sea spray, vanilla, soft spices, ginger, wet wood, humus and heather.
Impression: A slightly smoky Glen Scotia smelling good the flavours from the Campbletown harbour, with some sea spray, light floral notes and heather. The vanilla from the American oak is well present, without being rough. On the nose, the profile is reminding from the old Dumpy Glen Scotia, but it is smoother and rounder on the palate and thus more accessible. A good whisky that retained its personality.
Rating: 14/20 FP:A2

Laphroaig 1991 29.10 Darkness and light, SMWS, 60.2%, B:1999. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Dry to very dry, oaky, clean, maritime, intense, on peat smoke, vanilla, seaweeds and sea shells.
Taste: Light, clean, oaky, maritime to very maritime, with some disinfectant, vanilla and subtle diverse maritime flavours, as well as some dry notes. The finish is medium, rather light and smooth, oaky, maritime to very maritime, with some cardboard, starch, disinfectant and light vanilla notes.
Impression: A light, rather dry, maritime Laphroaig.
Rating: 14/20 A5

Laphroaig 1994, 21 YO, Coopers’ Choice, 46%, B:2015, cask 3441. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: Peaty, smooth, maritime to very maritime, slightly mellow, mineral, medicinal, tarry and ashy, with a hint of sea spray.
Taste: Smooth, mellow, maritime, slightly salty, bitter and aromatic, on peat smoke, citrus (lemon and grapefruits), some red berries, a touch of caramel and grapefruits. The finish is medium, slightly mineral and on the same flavours as on the palate.
Impression: Tasted first from a freshly opened bottle, I remembered a smooth and moderately peaty Laphroaig, slightly mineral, with a nice round sweet sherry influence, but tasted with a slightly older sample, the citric flavours became very strong.
Rating: 14/20 FP:F4

Laphroaig 30 YO (750 ml, US), OB, 43%, B:2000s. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Very smooth and sweet, mellow, slightly peaty, on tropical fruits, pink grapefruit, some citrus, old complex peat smoke and a pleasant slight fragrance. Complex and most enjoyable.
Taste: Very complex, subtle, sweet, fruity, citric, on delicate peat smoke, tropical fruits, ping grapefruit, some bonfire smoke, seaweeds and medicinal flavours. The finish is medium to long, complex, mellow, citric, peaty, on peat smoke, iodine, grapefruits, some cocoa, roasted coffee beans and other light sweet fruity notes.
Impression: A legendary Laphroaig that I have not tasted for several years. From a US bottling (750ml). The whisky is complex, with lots of citrus and a complex mild peaty flavours, with a flavour profile rather typical from the Laphroaig of the mid-end 1960s, the most sought after vintages from the Laphroaig fans. A great one and thank you very much Nicolas
Rating: 18/20 FP::D4

Laphroaig 32 YO, OB, 46.6%, B: 2015. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Very round, smooth, on hand made fudge, a light sea brine and peat smoke, some red berries and sweet and dried fruity notes. The peat and the fruity notes are discreet. Given time, the fruity notes become more intense.
Taste: Smooth, mellow, rather fruity, slightly salty and maritime, with some iodine, citrus (mainly grapefruits), some red berries, leather, rubber, oak and a slight vegetal influence. The finish is medium, citric, slightly maritime, peaty, woody, with some fudge, sea brine, grapefruits, bandages, a touch of iodine, disinfectant and tar.
Impression: A very good Laphroaig, with only a mild peaty influence and although it is matured in first fill sherry cask, the sherry influence is also rather mild. Slightly less fruity and complex than the 30 YO, but slightly more intense and with a rounder sherry influence.
Rating: 17/20 FP:F3

Glenlivet Atlantic 1965, 40 YO, OB, 41.6%, B:2005. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Deliciously smooth and complex, rich, intense, with some peat smoke, on exotic fruits, guava, papaya, tangerine, orange, high grade leather, soft spices, and many other fruits notes. Excellent!
Taste: Deliciously smooth, sweet and fruity, complex, mouth watering, on tropical fruits, tangerine, orange, some leather and a touch of eucalyptus. Simply excellent and too complex to describe all the diverse fruity flavours. The finish is medium to long, sweet, complex, mellow, very fruity, with a hint of peat smoke, some roasted coffee beans, and a full fruit basket, as well as some slightly mineral notes.
Impression: The opportunity to taste very old official bottlings of Glenlivet is limited, but they are usually very good, or event better than that. This new version is simply excellent, with loads of diverse fruity notes, an impressive complexity and a delicious mouth feel. Not cheap, but if you can afford it, then you will not be disappointed! Well done!
Rating: 19/20 FP: F2

Glenlivet 1965, 20 YO, Zenith, 56.9%. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Clean, slightly oaky, floral, slightly mineral, spicy and smoky and a touch of grass.
Taste: Round, oaky, floral, slightly fragrant and bitter, rather spirity, with some wet and bitter wood as well as some spices and a few fruity notes. The finish is medium, fragrant, floral, rather bitter, oaky, intense and some mineral peat smoke.
Impression: A rather clean, bitter and fragrant version of Glenlivet. Not the most easy old Glenlivet.
Rating: 13/20 FP:C3

Glenlivet 1981 For The Whisky Exchange, 33 YO, Signatory, 52.2%, B:2015, cask 9468, 154 bottles. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: Smooth, sweet, mellow, complex, fruity, with a slight smokiness. Very elegant.
Taste: Smooth, mellow, slightly spicy and creamy, on pineapples, coconut, vanilla, soft spicy notes, some dried fruits, tangerine and a touch of home made fudge. Complex and slightly smoky. The finish is medium, mellow, smooth, very sweet, fruity, juicy, with slight oaky and smoky notes, vanilla custard, pineapples, slight notes of cumin, star anise and tannins.
Impression: A very smooth, mellow and fruity Glenlivet, but some light tannins in the finish.
Rating: 14/20 FP:D1

Glenlivet Ladderfoot, 16 YO, OB, 58.6%, B:2014, c. 120960. Price:
Colour: Old gold
Nose: Floral, oaky, with some dried fruits, stewed fruits and spices. Elegant and well balanced.
Taste: Complex, slightly floral, intense, smooth to very smooth, juicy, on sweet fruity flavours, dried and stewed fruits, some smoke, tangerine, cinnamon, Christmas cake and a touch of cocoa. The finish is medium to long, smooth, slightly mellow, floral, fragrant and bitter, with some tannins, leather and floral notes, on sweet fruity flavours, diverse spices (cinnamon, vanilla and a hint of ginger and black pepper).
Impression: A more complex, richer and fruiter version of Glenlivet than the Oloroso Nadurra, more subtle and less spicy. Very enjoyable and well made.
Rating: 16/20 FP:E1

Glenlivet Nadurra First Fill FT07114, OB, 63%, B:2015. Price:
Colour: Pale gold
Nose: Floral, smooth, round, slightly malty, oaky and creamy, on vanilla, spices and some melon. Surprisingly fresh and with a light smokiness.
Taste: Round, floral, smooth, oaky, on ginger, some vanilla and vanilla custard, apricots, peach, melon, a slight fragrance and a rather spicy bite. The finish is medium, floral, slightly fragrant, spicy and rough, on ginger, vanilla, some cream and light slightly green fruity flavours.
Impression: A floral Glenlivet, not as oaky as I would have expected from a first fill bourbon matured whisky, a nice complexity, with a rather spicy influence. Slightly too much to my liking.
Rating: 13/20 FP:A1

Glenlivet Nadurra Peated PW0715, OB, 61.5%, B:2015. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Floral, smooth, on round peat notes, some vanilla, ginger, a slight bitterness and spices.  Diluted, it becomes very peaty.
Taste: Peaty to very peaty, smooth, floral, very intense, oaky, on vanilla, some ashes, seaweeds, tar and light aromatic flavours. The finish is medium, round, salty, on iodine, sea spray, seaweeds and some floral notes. Diluted, it becomes even saltier.
Impression: A surprisingly peaty Glenlivet, peatier than other peated cask finishes I have tasted so far. Not as dry and peaty as a real peated whisky (made with peated barley), but pleasant and well done. A positive surprise.
Rating: 15/20 FP:A4

Big Peat Christmas 2015, Douglas Laing, 53.8%, B:2015. Price:
Colour:  Pale gold
Nose: Intense, peaty to very peaty, maritime, very tarry and ashy, on seaweeds, sea spray, some medicinal flavours and a lemon twist. Very good.
Taste: Peaty to very peaty, complex, intense, ashy, maritime, with some lemon, oysters, tar, bandages, some soot and seaweeds. The finish is long, peaty, complex, balance, slightly mellow, on dry ashes, tar, seaweeds and sea spray.
Impression: A well made blended whisky (with malts from Ardbeg, Caol Ila, Bowmore and Port Ellen), with a lovely and complex peat smoke, reminding me strongly of old Port Ellen, with a nice peatiness, tarry and ashy notes, without being too dry. A lovely, very enjoyable and good value whisky.
Rating: 15/20 FP:A5

BenRiach 1994 For Lateltin Switzerland, OB, 52.9%, B: 2015, cask 41165, 218 bottles. Price:
Colour:  Gold
Nose: Very smooth, slightly floral and grassy, on pastries, honey, fresh vanilla and vanilla custard.
Taste: Smooth, floral, slightly fragrant, mellow, on yellow flowers, some honey, vanilla, a touch of banana and soft spices. The finish is short to medium, floral to very floral, slightly woody and fragrant, with light spicy notes, some vanilla, vanilla custard and juicy oak.
Impression: A very floral BenRiach, rather mellow and soft and with some woody influence. The soft side of BenRiach.
Rating: 12/20 FP:A1

BenRiach 2005 Peated Virgin Oak Cask Finish, 9 YO, OB, 58.7%, B:2014, cask 3781, 294 bottles. Price:
Colour: Old gold
Nose: Very peaty and smoky, oaky, tarry, intense, on humus and some tar. The peat smoke flavours are very good and intense.
Taste: Oaky, intense, meaty, farmy, tarry and very peaty. The finish is long, very peaty, smoky, tarry, on humus and a slight buttery note.
Impression: A very peaty, oaky, tarry and modern BenRiach. Young and very intense !
Rating: 16/20 FP:A8

BenRiach 1975 for Asta Morris Belgium, 35 YO, OB, 51.0%, B:2011, cask 7227, 236 bottles. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose:Very fruity, bold, slightly peaty and smoky, on humus, some mushrooms, citrus and exotic fruits, with a light touch of tannins and game. Becoming dryier, peatier and slightly tarry over time.
Taste: Salty, citric, floral, on tropical fruits, orange, tangerine, some citrus, including pink grapefruit. The finish is medium, ciric, austere,  slightly salty, on grapefruits, a slight dryness and smokiness. Elegant. Diluted, it is even more citric.
Impression: A very citric version of BenRiach, with a rather bold and fruity nose, and a rather citric mouthfeel. Pleasant, with a slight smokiness.
Rating: 15/20 FPC4

BenRiach 1979 for Shinanoya, 32 YO, OB, 44.9%, B:2012, cask 737, 139 bottles. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Fresh, fruity, intense, mellow, with lots of diverse tropical fruits. Very good !
Taste: Very fruity, floral, on dried fruits, some tannins, with lots of bold tropical fruits, slight citric notes and a light smokiness. The finish is medium to long, fruity, slightly woody and astringent, on liquorice roots, tropical fruits, some peat smoke, melon and citrus.
Impression: A surprisingly dark coloured whisky for being matured in a bourbon cask, with intense and bold fruity notes, slightly citric and well balanced. Very good, with some woody and light farmy notes.
Rating: 17/20 FP:B3

BenRiach 1971 for Shinanoya, 40 YO, OB, 45.1%, B:2012, cask 330, 216 bottles. Price:
Colour: Pale gold
Nose: Peaty, mineral, citric, smooth, fresh, and with lots of lime blossom syrup. Very good !
Taste: Light, fresh, sweet, fruity, subtle, sugary, on honey, vanilla, a hint of smoke and liquorice root, some slightly sour berries, lime blossom syrup, peach, and light aromatic flavours. The finish is medium to long, sweet, slightly aromatic and herbal, on lime blossom, a touch of bitter lemon, some sour berries, nice fruity notes, citrus and a slight smokiness.
Impression: A very good, complex, elegant and fruity BenRiach, with nice sweet and sugary flavours of lime blossom. Refreshing.
Rating: 18/20 FP: A3

BenRiach 10 YO, OB, 43%, B: 2015. Price:
Colour: Gold-old gold
Nose: Smooth, juicy, malty, oaky, fresh, on fudge, fruits from the orchards, some tangerine, orange, vanilla custard and a hint of citrus. Balanced.
Taste: Intense, oaky, zesty, crisp, slightly juicy and floral, on ginger, orchards fruits, lots of vanilla, some banana and diverse spices, as well as a hint of aromatic herbs. The finish is medium, juicy, fresh, slightly floral, sweet and spicy, with some ginger, fruits from the orchards, honey, tangerine and a touch of lemon and nuts
Impression: This is the new BenRiach 10 years old made predominantly with BenRiach distilled since the purchase of the distillery by Billy Walker and his team, with a mixture from ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks. The result is a good and well made whisky, sweet and juicy, with a nice spicy touch and a good balanced. A good introduction to BenRiach
Rating: 13/20 FP: D1

BenRiach 1998 Triple Distilled Pedro Ximenez sherry finish for The Whisky Exchange, 17 YO, OB, 48.9%, cask 7758. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Smooth, rich, intense, nutty, with some damp hearth, humus, walnuts, cinnamon, cloves, milk and dark chocolate.
Taste: Very smooth, fresh, clean, floral, slightly nutty and fragrant, on fruits from the orchards, some dried fruits, figs, cocoa, cinnamon, and sweet fruity notes of tangerine. The finish is medium to long, rather bitter, slightly floral, on cocoa, roasted coffee beans and nuts, dark chocolate (60% cocoa), walnuts and some tangerine, orange and dried fruits.
Impression: A very enjoyable and smooth BenRiach, with a lovely PX finish contributing to nutty and rather thick sherry influence, but without dominating the spirit. The combination of 3x distillation and the PX worked very well with the bottling.
Rating: 16/20 FP: E1

Isle of Jura 1965 for Jane Prosser, 20 YO, OB, 56%, B: 1986. Price:
Colour: Gold –old gold
Nose: Smoky, intense, rich, slightly salty and coastal, with some humus, almonds, bandages, slight floral notes as well as a touch of coffee.
Taste: Slightly oaky, salty to very salty, rather bitter and aromatic (“Appenzeller liquor), on eucalyptus and smoke. The finish is medium to long, aromatic, slightly bitter and salty, some phenols, eucalyptus, tree sap, old seaweeds, almonds and a slight oakiness,
Impression: Tasted first from a freshly opened bottle, it seemed rather waxy and round, but from an older sample, flavours of bitter aromatic herbs were stronger, while keeping some waxiness. A very good Isle of Jura.
Rating: 16/20 FP: A3

Isle of Jura 1966 for Corti, 20 YO, Duthie’s, 43% (86 US Proof), B: 1986. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose:  Smoky, meaty, peaty, phenolic, on tree sap, honey, oranges, tangerine, some home made fudges, herbs, leather, sweet fruity flavours and light mineral notes. Never tasted an Isle of Jura like this. The nose is truly excellent
Taste: Spicy, very aromatic and herbal, on Ricola herb candies, tree sap, diesel, wood and peat smoke, some Flintstone, orange, tangerine, sweet ripe fruits, leather, metallic brushes, quince and Mirabelle jam, as well as light citric notes. Well balanced and complex. The finish is medium, smooth, mellow, round, on old leather, aromatic herbs, slight phenolic and medicinal flavours, sweet ripe fruits, some smoke, mineral notes and tree sap.
Impression: An excellent old very aromatic Jura with some mineral and phenolic influence.
Rating: 18/20 FP: E2

Springbank 1996 for Potstill, 17 YO, OB, 56%, B: 2014, 149 bottles. Price:
Colour: Pale gold
Nose: Vegetal, maritime, slightly mineral and metallic, on old rusty metal, harbour-like flavours, and a hint of smoke and herbal tea, and some green notes. Rather complex.
Taste: Slightly maritime and smoky, with some vegetal condiment (Maggi), smoked bacon, diverse spices, a hint of coconut and tangerine, with some herbal and green tea. The finish is medium, smoky, spicy, and maritime, with some sea brine, light aromatic flavours, vegetal condiments and a hint of coconut. Diluted, it become more briny and aromatic, and remains rather spicy-vegetal.
Impression: A good single cask of Springbank, with nice maritime and harbour-like flavours, a good complexity and a nice vegetal condiment influence. Thank you Manfred.
Rating: 14/20 FP: C3

Hanyu & Karuizawa blend, Ichiro’s Malt, 46.5%. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber.
Nose: Very intense, on tannins, leather, chocolate, sultanas, lacquer, tangerine and spices (laeckerli), with some honey and other fruity notes. Difficult to miss the presence of the Karuizawa on the nose.
Taste: Young, fresh, fierce, intense, slightly spirit, round, and waxy, with tannins, berries, fresh fruity flavours, some apricots, vanilla, and floral fragrance, as well as some slightly sour berries and melon. Complex. The finish is medium, creamy, slightly waxy and nutty, on vanilla, cardamom, spicy, on oak extracts, apricots, some pear drops, and slightly sour berries.
Impression: A challenging blended malt, with the nose speaking rather loudly Karuizawa whisky, while the taste is more on Hanyu flavours, with some Bourbon influence. Some flavours suggest some rather young cask(s) in the mix. Thank you Enrico for this unusual whisky!
Rating: 13/20 FP: C1

Nikka Taketsuru Pure Malt, OB, 43%, B:2015. Price:
Colour: Gold-old gold
Nose: Oaky, intense, rich, smooth, slightly peaty, with mild spices and light fruity notes. Elegant and complex.
Taste: Rich, spicy, intense, smooth, silky, floral, on plums, dried fruits, some high grade leather, ripe and sweet fruits, a slight peatiness and some sandal wood and lacquer. The finish is long, rich, spicy, smooth, complex, slightly peaty, with some sandalwood, rosewater, leather, cinnamon, nutmeg, orange, tangerine and other ripe fruits.
Impression: A well-made pure malt made, elegant, smooth, complex and with a nice sherry influence. I wished all non-age statement whiskies were as good as this one. A mixture of Yoichi and Miagikyo single malts.
Rating: 15/20 FP: D2

Mars The Revival Komagatake 2011, OB, 58%, B:2014. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose:  Spirity, clean, very malty and fresh, sweet, slightly sugary, creamy and some almonds.
Taste: Sweet, slightly sugary, fresh and clean and on pear juice. The finish is short to medium, young, smooth, juicy, fresh, sweet, slightly sugary, on freshly crushed barley and pear drops. Diluted, it becomes younger and on freshly pressed pear juice, with some vanilla and a touch of spices and fudge.
Impression: A fresh, clean and intense Mars, young and with loads of pear juice. A good start. Thank you Jerôme.
Rating: 08/20 FP: A1

Isle of Jura 1989 Heavily Peated, 25 YO, Signatory, 60.9%, B: 2015, cask 30729, 194 bottles. Price:
Colour:  Pale gold
Nose: Dry, peaty, intense, slightly maritime, with harbour-like flavours and slight tarry notes.
Taste: Peaty, dry, slightly bitter, phenolic, on cloves, some burnt wood and slight grassy-bitter and liquid tar. The finish is medium, peaty, on liquid tar, phenols, some liquorice and light floral notes.
Impression: The last version of Signatory Heavily Peated for World of Whisky was extremely good, but this version is moderately peated, with lots of phenols and liquid tar, which gives a rather unique profile. Not an easy one.
Rating: 13/20 FP: A3

Linkwood 1957 selected by Giaccone and bottled for Samaroli, 12 YO, OB, 56.9%, B: 1969. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Floral, thick, intense, slightly juicy and malty, on toffee and fudge, with some nuts, peat smoke. Over time, it becomes fruitier and fruitier and slightly mineral and keeps changing. Very complex.
Taste: Deliciously smooth, malty, rich, intense and very fruity, with some peat smoke, with lots of tropical fruits, candied fruits, oranges, honey, beeswax, a touch of leather, some rancio, and bandages, with a hint of dried meat. Very complex. The finish is long to very long, smooth, very fruity, on spices, some peat smoke, bandages, camphor, light maritime flavours, honey. Diluted, it becomes even more complex and fruitier, with nice smoky, peaty and medicinal flavours.
Impression: Linkwood is not necessarily on my list of favourite whiskies, but based on the recommendation of a client at The Crane in Tokyo, I decided to have a wee taste at this one. And well, this was a huge surprise. This Linkwood is exceptional: intense, very complex, with a delicious sweet, smooth and juicy sherry influence combined with most pleasant light peaty, smoky and medicinal flavours. Superb! Considering that this bottle was selected by Mr Giaccone himself and bottled for Silvano Samaroli, you might be less surprised by the excellence of the product.
Rating: 20/20 FP: G3

Akashi Blended 5 YO, OB, 40%, B:2015. Price:
Colour: Pale gold
Nose: Light, very grainy and light notes of pear drops.
Taste: Very young, sweet, sugary, extremely grainy and with some pear drops. The finish is short to medium, very grainy and with dry liquorice roots aromas.
Impression: What to say? This looks like a mixture of new make grain with a small proportion of new make malt whisky. Immature and very bland. A world apart from the excellent Akashi 15 YO bottled a few years ago.
Rating: 05/20 FP: A1

Mars Cosmo, OB, 43%, B:2015. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Very smooth and round, juicy, sweet and fruity, with a smooth and sweet sherry influence.
Taste: Juicy, smooth, with some oaky-spicy notes, nice warm sweet sherry notes, some dried and candied fruits (orange, tangerine and others), as well as some cinnamon, nutmeg and a touch of sweet liquorice (Haribo). The finish is medium, round, sweet, juicy, on liquorice, oranges, spices, leather and becoming rather oaky and slightly bitter over time.
Impression: A very smooth, sweet and juicy whisky, with a soft “Japanese-style” nose and an oaky finish. Rather pleasant. A vatting of Japanese malts.
Rating: 12/20 FP: E1

Dalwhinnie Winter’s Gold, OB, 43%, B:2015. Price:
It is the new Dalwhinnie and apparently, it was made to be enjoyed straight from the freezer. Therefore, I tasted this whisky from a sample stored at room temperature and one kept at -20°C for 2h.
Colour:  Old gold-amber
Nose:
Frozen: Rather close, with light sweet and sugary fruity flavours and honey.
Room temperature: Floral, oaky to very oaky, spicy to very spicy, with some leather and honey.
Taste:
Frozen: Very spicy, on cloves, nutmeg, honey and some liquorice and a hint of smoke. The finish is medium, very oaky and spicy, on honey and warm spices, like in a Glühwein.
Room temperature: Oaky, spicy, slightly young, with some heather honey and a slight roughness. The finish is medium, oaky to very oaky, on rich intense spicy notes, some toasted wood, and honey and light notes of tangerine and vanilla custard.
Impression: A different expression than the Dalwhinnie 15 YO, less complex, but more oaky and spicy. It is pretty well made, but not so much to my liking.
Rating: 10/20 FP: C1

Scapa 1975, The Vintage Malt Whisky Co., 43%, B:1993. Price:
Colour: Straw
Nose: Fresh, light, clean, floral to very floral, slightly dry and with some light orchards fruits. Initially lighter than the 1974 but becomes slightly rounder over time.
Taste: Spicy, round, mellow, juicy, on honey, some spices (including some ginger and a touch of pepper), light oaky notes as well as a light bitterness and smokiness. The finish is medium, slightly dry, smoky and bitter, with some fruity notes and spices.
Impression: On the nose, it was close to the 1974, but on the palate, it was drier and rather bitter and spicy. Slightly unbalanced.
Rating: 12/20 FP: A1

Scapa 1980, 25 YO, OB, 54.0%, B: 2005, 2000 bottles. Price:
Colour: Straw-gold.
Nose: Spicy, oaky, earthy, quite smoky and thick, juicy, on banana and tropical fruits. Diluted, it becomes lighter and slightly more floral.
Taste: Spicy, salty, earthy, maritime, quite smoky, thick, on tropical fruits, with some dry peat and mineral flavours. The finish is long, earthy, smoky, quite dry, on juicy and syrupy fruits, with some peat and mineral flavours.
Impression: This might not be an easy whisky, but the marriage of the salt, smoke and earthy-mineral notes is very successful.
Rating: 17/20 FP: D3

Scapa 1974, The Vintage Malt Whisky Co., 43%, B: 1992. Price:
Colour:  Gold
Nose: Fresh, slightly smoky, floral, herbal, with some hay, light floral notes, a touch of orchards fruits and of smoke.
Taste: Rich, spicy, very juicy, fruity, on fruits from the orchards, honey, some melon and vanilla custards. Slightly oily, with a light peat smoke and a pleasant mouthfeel. The finish is medium, round, slightly oily, smooth, floral, with light fruits from the orchards, some honey and light grassy notes.
Impression: A pleasant smooth Scapa, well balanced and pleasant to drink.
Rating: 15/20 FP: B1

Scapa Skiren batch SK01, OB, 40%, B:2015. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Juicy, sweet, fruity, sugary, on ripe fruits, honeydew and heather honey, some melon, citrus and a slight sea brine.
Taste: Initially sweet and fruity, becoming slightly more oaky over time, on ripe fruits, honey, melon, citrus, some vanilla, vanilla custard, and some wood spices. The finish is medium, round, smooth, mellow, on juicy oaky and heather honey, some vanilla custard, melon and yellow fruits. Diluted, it becomes slightly smoky.
Impression: A good Scapa, sweet and juicy, with a sugary influence of honey and some spiciness. Lighter than the previous 16 YO, but with some additional spiciness. It is a non-age statement and it tasted like a mixture of old Scapa with a dash of younger malt. Since it is a light whisky, better not to taste it after a heavier malt. Good and easy drinking. Made exclusively from First fill American oak cask.
Rating: 13/20 FP: A1

Miltonduff 1968, 37 YO, Gordon & Macphail, 40%, B:2005. Price:
Colour: Old gold
Nose: On plums, berries, old furniture and leather, apricots and papaya. Quite floral and mellow, with a hint of old peat smoke.
Taste: Mellow, fruity, slightly floral, on juicy malt and tropical fruits, with some cigar smoke. The finish is medium, slightly dry, on fudge, orange and leather.
Impression: A mellow Miltonduff, with a nice sherry influence. Very good.
Rating: 15/20

Caperdonich 1992, 21 YO, Liquid Sun, 52.3%, B:2014. Price:
Colour: Pale gold-gold
Nose: Light, clean, fresh, floral to very floral, with some pear drops and freshly cut flowers. Rather close.
Taste: Light, very floral, slightly fragrant, on chamomile, vanilla and freshly cut flowers, with a light spicy touch. The finish is medium, very floral, fragrant, and slightly bitter, on tobacco leaves and vanilla. Diluted, it becomes more on wet tobacco leaves. Rather austere.
Impression: A good, light, fresh, floral and fragrant expression of Caperdonich.
Rating: 14/20 FP: A1

Glen Keith 1970, 40 YO, The Whisky Fair, 51.8%, B:2011,171 bottles. Price:
Colour: Old gold.
Nose: Very smooth and mellow, grassy to very grassy, with some herbal and fruity notes.
Taste: Spicy, herbal, grassy, slightly smoky, with some woody and light fruity notes. The finish is medium, grassy, herbal, slightly bitter and tannic.
Impression:  A very nice smooth and mellow nose, but the age shows off on the palate.
Rating: 14/20 FP: D2

Glen Keith 1992, 21 YO, Signatory, 59.5%, B:2013, cask 120561/5. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Smooth to very smooth, rather grassy and floral, on vanilla and light fruity notes. Over time, it becomes smokier and richer, as well as rather complex.
Taste: Rich, intense, complex, floral, with complex and diverse fruity notes, some smoke, spices, vanilla and quince jelly. Charming. The finish is medium to long, very smooth, charming, complex, on soft spices, some quince jelly, vanilla and leaving a warming effect on the mouth.
Impression: At first, the nose was rather average but given time, the nose gained in complexity, with a complex and intense body. Lovely.
Rating: 17/20 FP: B1

Irish single malt 1991 for Pangalactic Whisky Blasters, 23 YO, The Whisky Agency, 51.6%, B :2015. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Fruity, slightly austere, on grapefruit, pink grapefruit, citrus, kiwi and some sea brine.
Taste: Smooth, fruity, slightly creamy, on citrus, some spices (pepper), leather, cardamom, candied lemon, fresh floral notes, pear and a hint of smoke. The finish is medium, creamy, smooth, slightly oaky and smoky, on citrus (mainly grapefruit), some sea brine, hops, gooseberries and a hint of diesel.
Impression: A smooth, pleasant and rather complex Irish Single Malt, not the most fruity one, but it is well balanced.
Rating: 16/20 FP: C1

Single Malt Irish Whisky 1987, 26 YO, The Nectar of the Daily Dram, 51.6%, B:2014. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: Smooth, mellow, round, slightly creamy, on pears, some citrus, tangerine and exotic fruits.
Taste: Fruity, rich, smooth, slightly smoky and salty, with some citrus, hops, grassy notes, grapefruit, some fudge, leather and tangerine. The finish is medium to long, very smooth and fruity, grassy, on exotic fruits, tangerine, banana and some cream
Impression: A very smooth, fruity, well-balanced Irish single malt. Well-made and very good!
Rating: 17/20 FP: E1

Irish single malt 1991 for whiskysite.nl & the single malt whisky shop, 23 YO, The Whisky Mercenary, 52.2%, B: 2015. Price:
Colour:  Gold
Nose: Peaty, smooth, fruity, on pears, fudge, passion fruits, pink grapefruit, mango, guava, papaya, tar, some ashes, banana, dried meat and light medicinal flavours. Very good.
Taste: Peaty, salty, smoky, very smooth, rather tarry and ashy, on pineapples, grapefruit, some passion fruit, camphor and medicinal flavours. The finish is medium to long, peaty, smoky, with lots of grapefruits, on passion fruits, pears and some pineapples, as well as light tarry and ashy notes.
Impression: A most pleasant Irish single malt, with intense peaty notes, without being a peat monster. The combination between the peat and the intense fruitiness works very well. A lovely whisky.
Rating: 17/20 FP: A5

Irish 1988 Nose Art, 24 YO, Whisky Doris, 45.6%, B:2015, sherry cask 14360. Price:
Colour: Old gold
Nose: Extremely smooth, very mellow and fruity, on pears, mango, passion fruits, guava, banana. Flawless.
Taste: Rich, smooth to very smooth, malty, slightly salty, creamy and intense, on citrus, passion fruit, pears, and a hint of smoke and tobacco leaves. The finish is medium to long, smooth, rich, mellow, with some fudge, nutmeg, pear, citrus (mainly grapefruit), hops, a hint of eucalyptus and aniseed,
Impression: The nose was deliciously smooth and fruity, with lots of exotic fruits and with a nice flavour profile, getting slightly on citrus in the finish. A well made Irish single malt.
Rating: 16/20 FP:E1

Glen Moray 2006 Hand-filled, OB, 61.7%, B:2015, cask 3390. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Round, smooth, malty, slightly waxy, with loads of dried fruits (mainly sultanas and plums), milk chocolate, cocoa, cream, cardamom, various spices, including cinnamon and cloves, and with some walnuts.
Taste: Fresh, slightly young, spirity and smooth, on leather, cocoa, with a slight sweetness, some apricots, peach and mango. The finish is medium to long, smooth, rich to very rich, on leather, cocoa, beeswax, exotic fruits, some dates, sultanas, milk chocolate and floral notes.
Impression: It is slightly young on the palate, but the nose is impressive, rich, smooth and intense, with a very pleasant round sherry finish.
Rating: 14/20 FP: H1

Glen Moray 1990, 21 YO, Glenscoma, 57.9%, B:2011, cask 4564. Price:
Colour: Old gold
Taste: Fresh, floral, oaky, on green pears and apples, vanilla, with a malty sweetness and roundness.
Nose: Fresh, fruity, oaky, spicy, slightly peppery and gingery, oak spices, slight juicy and fruity notes (melon, green apples, pears and banana), some slightly dry grass, honey, pollen, and a touch of toffee. The finish is medium, oaky, slightly spicy and round, with a touch of toffee, some old tobacco leaves, black pepper, vanilla and floral flavours. Diluted, it becomes very green, oaky and slightly soapy, with some unbalance.
Impression: A correct whisky, smooth, floral, rather pleasant neat, but becoming slightly soapy once water has been added.
Rating:11/20 FP: A1

Port Askaig 45 YO, Speciality Drinks, 40.8%, B:2014. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Mellow, smooth, peaty, mineral, juicy, on soot, watermelon, some camphor. Rather fresh and complex.
Taste: Rather thin, but smoky, tarry, ashy, oaky, on camphor, eucalyptus, some tobacco leaves and some light mineral notes, as well as some citrus. The finish is medium, oaky, bitter, astringent, smoky, mineral, on diesel smoke and maritime flavours.
Impression: A nice and elegant Bunnahahbhain, with complex mineral and smoky flavours, but with the age thinning the intensity of the flavours and leaving some woodiness in the finish. Not a cheap one (£1,2000) and only a faint sherry influence.
Rating: 15/20 FP: C2

Glen Moray 1990, 21 YO, Single Cask Collection, 55%, B:2012, cask 4560. Price:
Colour: Gold
Taste: Floral to very floral, fresh, smooth, malty, with some straw, a slight juiciness, pollen, yellow floral and a touch of vanilla. Well rounded and slightly waxy.
Nose: Oaky, mellow, spicy to very spicy, peppery (black pepper), on ginger, cream, yellow flowers, some malt, straw and a touch of cloves. Diluted, it remains very spicy and with some beeswax. The finish is medium, spicy to very spicy, peppery, on ginger, vanilla, beeswax, black pepper, vanilla and a nice roundness.
Impression:  The nose is smooth, round and malty, with a pleasant structure and becoming surprisingly peppery on the palate, with a nice waxiness (honeycomb). A good whisky, more waxy than the products of the official range. Thank you Manfred!
Rating: 13/20 FP:A1

Mars Single Cask, 15 YO, OB, 43%, cask 904. Price:
Colour: Old gold
Nose: Very smooth, extremely fruity, rich, deep, intense, nutty, on rhubarb, tangerine, orange, fudge, sandalwood, some lacquer and treacle.
Taste: Very sweet and fruity, slightly spirit and rough, malty, with some almonds, toffee, honey, grassy notes, orange, tangerine and pear drops, as well as some apricots. With some flavours reminding of a Bourbon. The finish is medium, clean, smooth, fresh, fruity, with some fudge, peanut butter, orange, tangerine, apricots, as well as on honey and pears.
Impression: The fruity flavours are very smooth, juicy and round, with some nutty influence and some maltiness. A very easy drinking whisky, surprisingly close to the Revival, but smoother, mellower and fruitier. A whisky difficult to rate.  Mixed feelings: Some sides I like very much and some less. Thank you Enrico!
Rating: 11/20 FP: E1

Laphroaig 1974 for La Maison du Whisky, 31 YO, OB, 49.7%. Price:
Colour : Amber
Nose :  Very fruity, peaty, mellow, on tropical fruits, round peat smoke, slightly mineral and maritime and with some leather. Complex and delicious.
Taste : Round, soapy, with some eucalyptus, peat smoke, salt, tannins, some seaweeds, maritime influence and rubber. The finish is medium, woody, salty, maritime, tannic, on wood and peat smoke, juniper, cloves, nutmeg, soap and wallnuts.
Impression : I expected a lot from this whisky based on numerous and very positive feedbacks. The nose was most pleasant, with a beautiful smoke and a nice fruitiness. However, the tannins and wood were rather pronounced on the palate and on the finish, with some soapiness. Since I tasted it from two different bottles opened a few months after its opening and both showed the same flavour profile, this suggests that this whisky should be drunk rapidly after opening. Thank you Nicola and Patrick.
Rating: 16/20 FP: H3

Kavalan Sherry Cask, OB, 46%, B:2015. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Very round and smooth, fruity, on cherries, cream, apricots, peach, dates, some chocolate, cocoa, nice floral flavours, as well as a touch of coffee.
Taste: Very smooth, elegant, floral, juicy, fruity, on leather, gooseberries, raspberries, toffee, fudge, on Christmas cake, some passion fruits (mango), cardamom, and slightly nutty flavours. The finish is long and very smooth, on the same flavours as on the palate. Diluted, it becomes rather bitter.
Impression: A very smooth, balanced and well made Kavalan, from an excellent sherry cask, with very pleasant fruity flavours. A whisky of the same quality as some famous Speyside distilleries. Better neat than with some water. Thank you Gilles!
Rating: 15/20 FP: H1

Caperdonich 1992, 20 YO, A.D. Rattray, 56.7%, B: 2013, cask 121138. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Very smooth, sweet, oaky, on jonquils, vanilla, with some lemon and hay.
Taste: Smooth, floral to very floral, fragrant, on citrus, hay, end of spring and summer flowers, some pollen, a slight oakiness and soft spices. The finish is medium to long, oaky, bitter, fragrant, aromatic, on spices, some hay, apples and a touch of honey
Impression: A smooth and floral Caperdonich, but with a rather bitter finish.
Rating: 14/20 FP: A1

Caperdonich 1992, 21 YO, Douglas Laing, 51.5%, B: 2014, ref 102 82. Price:
Colour: Pale gold-gold
Nose: Fresh, floral to very floral, intense, slightly oaky and spicy, on chamomile and lemon.
Taste: Smooth, rich, round, floral, malty, slightly smoky and grassy, on tobacco leaves and some melon. Diluted, it becomes slightly heavier and more grassy. The finish is medium, smoky, grassy, on tobacco leaves, some spices, light floral and fragrant notes.
Impression: The nose is fresh and floral, while the body is heavier and rather fruity, with some fragrant and bitter flavours. Very good!
Rating: 15/20 FP: A2

Caperdonich 1992, 19 YO, Signatory, 57.3%, B: 2011, cask 46238. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Smooth, malty, round, slightly creamy, on pear and apple juice. Most pleasant.
Taste: Smooth, slightly spicy and nutty, creamy, smooth, with some freshly pressed pears. The finish is medium, creamy,  malty and slightly nutty.
Impression: A very good Caperdonich rather creamy and oily, with a pleasant texture. Thank you Martin.
Rating: 16/20 FP: A1

Caperdonich 1967 Platinum, 36 YO, Douglas Laing, 57.9%, B: 2004, 167 bottles. Price:
Colour: Gold-old Gold
Nose: Very smooth, round, grassy, with some honey, tropical fruits, a few drops of pear and a thread of smoke. Most pleasant. Diluted, the nose is more on honey.
Taste: Smooth, slightly grassy, on mild spices, summer flowers, honey, starch, some fruity notes and a light bitter smokiness. The finish is medium, slightly spicy (ginger), floral, fragrant, with some honey and a touch of gentian. Slightly creamy.
Impression: A fine Caperdonich, rich, slightly dryer, smokier and more complex than the 1972 bottlings. Thank you Lukas and Philip
Rating: 17/20 FP: B2

Laphroaig 1998, 14 YO, Chieftain’s Choice, 44.3%, B:2013, casks 8601 / 8604. Price:
Colour:  Gold-old gold
Nose: Oaky to very oaky, peaty, intense, farmy, maritime, on seaweeds, tar, ashes, oak extracts and vanilla. More modern and oaky than the 21 YO.
Taste: Very oaky, peaty, salty, maritime, on iodine, slightly medicinal, tarry and ashy, with some vanilla. The smoky flavours are very good and complex. The finish is  medium, very oaky, citrusy, smoky, peaty, salty, maritime, on iodine, seaweeds, camphor, ashes, tar and some vanilla.
Impression: A very modern and oaky Laphroaig, rather peaty, with a good dose of citrus and loads of oaky flavours.
Rating: 13/20 FP: A6

Laphroaig 1993 For the Friends of Laphroaig, 21 YO, OB, 48.4%, B:2015. Price: (70 cl equivalent)
Colour:  Gold-old gold
Nose: Peaty to very peaty, mineral, tarry, very maritime, with lots of seaweeds, bandages and iodine, on vanilla, linseed oil and some char. Very good, smooth and elegant, with an old style of peat smoke.
Taste: Smooth to very smooth, mellow, salty, maritime, woody, smoky, peaty, with some bitter flavours, on vanilla, sunbathed seaweeds, sea spray, bandages, iodine, tar and some fish. Diluted, it becomes more floral and on chamomile. The finish is medium, smoky, peaty, slightly woody, salty and maritime, on bandages, iodine, seaweeds, some disinfectant, liquorice, vanilla and tar.
Impression: This is the latest release from Laphroaig sold to their Friends for £99 the bottle of 35 cl. The nose is most pleasant, elegant, smooth, peaty and medicinal, with the palate showing some woodiness and slight bitter notes, with less pronounced peaty flavours than on the nose. Very good, but with some wrinkles.
Rating: 15/20 FP: A5

Caperdonich 1973 Old Malt Cask, 34 YO, Douglas Laing, 41.5%, B: 2008, ref 4296, 267 bottles. Price:
Colour: Gold.
Nose: Smooth, creamy, with a light freshness and a juicy oakiness.
Taste: Creamy, slightly spicy, malty, woody, and smoky, on juicy oak, light floral notes and some pear. The finish is medium to long, oaky, slightly fruity and floral, with some pears and fragrant spring flowers.
Impression: A very good and fresh oaky Caperdonich, with some light woody notes.
Rating: 15/20 FP: B2

Caperdonich 1988 Cask Strength, 16 YO, OB, 58.80%, B:2005, CD 16 001. Price: (70cl equivalent)
Colour: Gold.
Nose: Fresh, rich, slightly juicy, floral, with a nice roundness.
Taste: Spicy, rich, with some almond and some smooth oakiness. The finish is medium, round, oaky, floral and rather fresh.
Impression: A nice round and fresh Caperdonich.
Rating: 14/20 FP: B1

Caperdonich 1992, 21 YO, A.D. Rattray, 59.5%, B: 2014, cask 121124, 240 bottles. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Smooth, round, malty, floral, on toffee, vanilla, honey, some apples and soft spices.
Taste: Smooth, oaky, floral to very floral, malty, slightly dry, with some hay, ginger, and spices. The finish is medium to long, fragrant, intense, slightly aromatic, spirity, with some varnish, bitter herbal flavours, ginger and a touch of cloves.
Impression: A slightly fierce and fragrant Caperdonich, with some unbalance.
Rating: 12/20 FP: A1

Caperdonich 1996, 18 YO, Blackadder, 50.2%, B: 2014, cask 82239. Price:
Colour: Pale gold-gold
Nose: Round, malty, floral, oaky, with some lemon, chamomile, a light touch of cardamom and light smoky notes. Heavier than the two 21 YO.
Taste: Grassy to very grassy, floral, rich, fruity, slightly smoky and with rather intense fruity notes. The finish is medium, rich, heavy, grassy to very grassy, on tobacco and fruity flavours. Very enjoyable.
Impression: A very enjoyable Caperdonich, rich, heavy, with a very good combination of fruity and grassy flavours.
Rating: 16/20 FP:A1

Royal Lochnagar 1977, 29 YO, Blackadder, 55.6%, cask 512, 209 bottles. Price:
Colour: Gold.
Nose: Floral, rich, slightly malty, oaky, with some flavours of a European forest after a rainfall.
Taste: Rich, spicy, floral, with a mixture of spices and diverse types of nuts, as well as some geranium. Complex and satisfying. The finish is long, rich, and spicy, with some nice fir tree sap, eucalyptus and wet wood.
Impression: Royal Lochnagar is seldom bottled by independent bottlers. This one is very pleasant, with its woodlands flavours.
Rating: 15/20 FP:B2

Longmorn 1969 for La Maison Du Whisky, 39 YO, Gordon & MacPhail, 50%, cask 5295. Price:
Colour: Old Gold
Nose: Rich, intense, oaky, spicy, slightly humic, on old wood and some mushrooms and a pleasant round smokiness. Diluted, lighter and slightly fruity.
Taste: Round, oaky, slightly fruity and syrupy (pineapples and Mirabelle), some walnuts, some wood, spices and red berries. The finish is medium, oaky, slightly round, rich, spicy, some sweet fruits, red berries and some humus and tobacco.
Impression: A very pleasant and rich Longmorn, on sweet and fruity flavours. Complex.
Rating: 17/20 FP:E3

Longmorn 1999, 10 YO, Blackadder, 62%, cask 4569, bottle 302. Price:
Colour: Old Gold
Nose: Lighter and less intense than the 1. Fresh, oaky, with some humus, mushrooms and old smoke, with light fragrant notes. Diluted, slightly herbal.
Taste: Spicy to very spicy, very intense, oaky and round, some ginger, pepper, with some tobacco leaves and humus. Diluted, it becomes more  floral and on toffee. The finish is long, oaky, intense, spicy and on humus.
Impression:  A creamy and clean modern Longmorn, on vanilla and oak.
Rating: 13/20 FP:A2

Aultmore 1989, 18 YO, Blackadder, 50.4%, 218 bottles. Price:
Colour: Pale gold.
Nose: Light, very floral, malty and on hay.
Taste: Light, round, floral, slightly juicy and malty, with some high quality vanilla. The finish is long, malty, round and on vanilla.
Impression: A very nice light and flawless Aultmore.
Rating: 14/20 FP:A1

Longmorn 1972, 29 YO, Blackadder for Caledonian Connections, 57.6%, B: 2001. Price:
Colour: Amber.
Nose: Red fruits, leather, plums, raspberries, blueberries, peat smoke, game and then it becomes more on sweet fruits over time. Very nice!
Taste: Very fruity, juicy, spicy, slightly salty, on strawberry juice, leather, berries, pineapples, orange, tangerine, melon and peach, with some peat and slight tannic notes, as well as some Fanta. The finish is long, on Fanta, strawberries, leather, peat, orange, tangerine and berries.
Impression: A beautiful nose, with an interesting combination of sherry, peaty and sweet fruits.
Rating: 18/20 FP:H4

Millburn 1974, 33 YO, Blackadder, 55.1%, B:2007. Price:
Colour: Old gold.
Nose: Slightly smoky, clean, very fruity, on apricots, cereal mash, and green apples. Quite close to an old grain whisky.
Taste: Spicy, oaky, fruity, slightly grassy and smoky, on banana and some apples, with some maritime notes. Complex. The finish is medium to long, slightly dry and bitter, smoky, with some gentian and a certain fruitiness. The peat smoke is quite present at the end.
Impression: An interesting Millburn, with the nose quite close to a grain whisky, before revealing a solid peaty malt in the mouth.
Rating: 15/20 FP:C5

Blair Athol Manager’s Dram, 15 YO, OB, 59.4%, B: 1996. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Very vegetal, floral, on vegetal condiments, yeast extracts, honey, orange, cinnamon, Christmas cake and other spices. Heavy on the sherry, but with just a hint of rubber.
Taste: Very vegetal, floral to very floral, on honey, lots of spices and vegetal condiment. The finish is medium to long, thick, chewy, intense, on treacle, vegetal extracts, orange, cinnamon, clove, Christmas cake, lots of spices, some rubber, as well as slight notes of burnt rubber and sugar.
Impression: A very floral, intense and thick sherry version of Blair Athol. A sherry monster without compromise.
Rating: 15/20 FP:H1

Aberfeldy 19 YO Manager’s Dram, OB, 61.3%, B: 1993. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Very intense, rich, floral, on precious wood, leather, wood polish, tannins, spices, dried fruits and sultanas. Very good !
Taste: Very intense and rich, resinous, floral, on heather honey, tangerine, orange, soft spices, christmas cake, dried fruits, some treacle, tannins, barley and some herbal liquor. Diluted, it becomes more on Earl Gray. The finish is long, complex, rich, thick, on leather, tangerine, orange, spices, heather honey, cinnamon, some treacle and other pleasant fruity flavours.
Impression: A deliciously, smooth, rich Aberfeldy, very complex and well balanced, on a sweet but intense sherry influence.  A real pleasure.
Rating: 19/20 FP:G1

Oban 200 Anniversary Manager’s Dram, 16YO, OB, 64%, B: 1994. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Very sweet and intense, on leather, cocoa, chocolate, orange, tangerine, some humus, sea brine, old peat smoke
Taste: Very sweet and thick, intense, resinous, slightly salty and smoky, on orange liqueur, orange, some leather, cinnamon, lots of spices, on honey, sultanas, dried fruits, a touch of peat smoke. The finish is long to very long, intense, thick, chewy, slightly dry, with some walnuts, leather, oranges, spices (cinnamon), some sultanas, dried fruits and some sea brine. Diluted, it becomes stronger, more resinous and with some cough syrup.
Impression: A deliciously sherry matured Oban, intense and with a rich smooth sherry influence of the highest quality.  Simply delicious.  I wished there was more sherry matured Obans. One of most sought after Manager's dram
Rating: 19/20 FP:H2

Mortlach Manager’s Dram 19 YO, OB, 55.8%, B:2002. Price:
Colour: Old gold
Nose: Very floral, spirity, rich, malty, fresh, slightly oaky, with some ginger, oak spices and some fresh tangerine drops.
Taste: Very spicy, rich, intense, floral, slightly fragrant, with some ginger, vanilla, a hint of smoke and some light aromas of slightly sour berries and eucalyptus.The finish is medium, slightly spicy, floral, rather fresh, slightly malty with light berry notes and a slight smokiness.
Impression: A good and fresh Mortlach, with little influence of the wood. One could have expected more flavours.
Rating: 13/20 FP:C1

Glendullan Manager’s Dram, 18 YO, OB, 64%, B:1989. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Floral to very floral, smooth to very smooth, grassy to very grassy, malty, rather spicy, on tangerine, orange, some smoke and a hint of camphor. Very good.
Taste: Spicy to very spicy, intense, slightly malty and grassy, rather big, complex, on bitter and sweet oranges, smoke, some camphor and light notes of cough syrup. The finish is long, intense, rich, fruity, malty, thick, with some cough syrup and camphor, on almonds, smoke, tangerine and oranges.
Impression: A very intense, floral, malty Glendullan with a rich sweet sherry influence. Old Glendullan at its best.
Rating: 18/20 FP:G2

Benrinnes Manager’s Dram, 12 YO, OB, 63%, B:1988. Price:
Colour: Gold-old gold
Nose: Meaty to very meaty, vegetal, very smooth, slightly rubbery, with some sulphur and floral-fragrant flavours.
Taste: Very intense, spicy, floral, fragrant and hot. Water is then quickly added. Diluted, it becomes spicy to very spicy, round, smooth, slightly salty and vegetal, with nice round flavours of tangerine, a hint of high grade rubber, end of spring flowers and light meaty and vegetal notes. The finish is medium, very smooth, elegant, floral, fresh, with some spices and on tangerine.
Impression: A very good fresh Benrinnes, rather rubbery and fragrant on the nose, but with some water, it becomes very pleasantly smooth and elegant. A most enjoyable Benrinnes.
Rating: 17/20 FP:E1

Teaninich Manager’s dram, 17 YO, OB, 58.3%, B:2001. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Clean, smooth, floral, slightly malty, on blooming flowers and some ripe pears.
Taste: Very smooth, floral to very floral, slightly oaky, with some malty notes, a hint of tobacco smoke, vanilla and a hint of fruitiness. The finish is medium, smooth, floral, rather fruity, on vanilla and some watermelon. Diluted it becomes more fruity, on fruits from the orchards.
Impression: A nice floral, slightly creamy and rather smooth single malt with a fruity influence.
Rating: 15/20 FP:A1

Craigellachie 17 YO Batch 98-ZC21, OB, 46%. B:2014. Price:
Colour: Pale gold
Nose: Soft, floral, sweet, slightly fruity, on cooked apples and pears and some heather.
Taste: Soft, sweet, on apple pie, floral notes, some almonds and a touch of honey, with light grassy and a hint of smoke. The finish is medium, soft, round, rather grassy and on honey, with cooked fruits from the orchards and a very pleasant mouthfeel.
Impression: A nice sweet, floral and rich whisky. Well done and pleasant to drink.
Rating: 15/20 FP:A1

Craigellachie 23 YO Bartch 67-KA23, OB, 46%, B:2014. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Intense, smooth, complex, floral to very floral, with some heather honey and cooked fruits from the orchards, spices and some menthol.
Taste: Floral, fruity, on sherbet, heather honey, a touch of smoke, slightly meaty, with some hay, candied fruits and some tangerine. The finish is medium, mellow, rich, rather fruity and with a stronger sherry influence than the 17 YO.
Impression: A rounder, mellower and sweeter version than the 17 YO, with a little extra complexity.
Rating: 16/20 FP:D1

Craigellachie 13 YO batch 83-LH88, OB, 46%, B:2014. Price:
Colour: Pale gold
Nose: Soft, floral, sweet, slightly juicy, with a touch of almond, some honey, cooked apples and light spicy notes.
Taste: Soft to very soft, floral, slightly spicy and juicy, with some heather honey and cooked apples. The finish is medium, soft, on vanilla, spices, a touch of ginger and some fresh apples.
Impression: A very good soft whisky, floral and on pleasant fresh notes of apples.
Rating: 14/20 FP:A1

Glen Garioch 1990 10th Anniversary, 25 YO, Exclusive Malts, 54.8%, B: 2015. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Complex, smooth, intense, rich, aromatic, slightly peaty and smoky, on spices, some bitter floral notes (gentian) and a touch of humus. Very good.
Taste: Smoky, peaty, aromatic to very aromatic, floral, slightly fragrant, complex, with spices and some coastal influence. The finish is medium to long, complex, slightly peaty, smoky and aromatic, with a nice round and full body, some waxiness, humus, wet wood, bold old peat smoke, as well as some cashew and a slight note of gentian. Diluted, it becomes smoother and spicier, with some ginger, vanilla and mustard.
Impression: A very good, smooth, complex, Glen Garioch, with an elegant peat smokiness. I loved its balance.
Rating: 17/20 FP:A3

Ardmore 2009 10th Anniversary, 5 YO, Exclusive Malts, 56.7%, B:2015, 265 bottles. Price:
Colour: Pale gold
Nose:  Peaty to very peaty, tarry, ashy, meaty, on toffee, malt and wet wood. Slightly young but intense.
Taste: Oaky, tarry, ashy, meaty, very peaty, aromatic, slightly floral, on toffee, vanilla and with some flavours from the stables. The finish is long, tarry, peaty to very peaty, farmy, slightly meaty, on stables and toffee. Diluted, it becomes slightly younger.
Impression: A young, very peaty, pleasant and well matured whisky for its age.
Rating: 15/20 FP:A6

Karuizawa 1993 Dark, mysterious and seductive 132.3, 20 YO, Scotch Malt Whisky Society, 62.1%, 344 bottles. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: Rich, intense, very smooth, sweet, fruity, juicy, on tropical fruits (papaya, mango, passion fruits), berries, some cream and peach, as well as nice smooth floral notes.
Taste: Intense, rich, spicy, oaky, smooth, round, rather creamy, fruity, on vanilla, melon, some tropical fruits, berries and diverse floral notes. The finish is medium, floral to very floral, sweet, juicy, fruity, slightly sugary and light tropical fruits.
Impression: A very good, sweet, slightly sugary and fruity Karuizawa.
Rating: 16/20 FP:E1

Karuizawa 1990 10th Whisky Live Japan, 19 YO, Number One drinks, 60%, B:2009, cask 6446. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: Floral to very floral, on pollen, saw dust, some brambleberries, old leather, tannins and some game, cherries and pine wood.
Taste: Very intense, spirity, rather bitter, spicy, tannic, floral and fragrant, on orange and grapefruit peel, with some tangerine, lacquer, tannins and leather. The finish is medium, intense, to very intense, floral, rather astringent, rubbery and spicy, on leather, orange peel, some berries, mint, pine wax, and roasted coffee beans. Diluted, it becomes fruitier, less rubbery and tannic, with some tobacco flavours and slightly stronger citrusy notes.
Impression: A Karuizawa with an intense, thick and rich sherry influence on leather, becoming slightly rubbery and citric on the palate. A good, lively and intense Karuizawa.
Rating: 15/20 FP:F1

Memories of Karuizwa 1996, 16 YO, OB, 61.8%, cask 3684. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: Very smooth, floral, slightly meaty (salami), on lacquer, some varnish, exotic wood, beeswax, apples, sultanas and plums. Rather fruity.
Taste: Riche, intense, rather spirity, on green apples,  and then let’s quickly add some water. With dilution, it becomes very smooth, light, elegant, on green apples, elderberries, some orange peel, light soft spices, almonds and a touch of mint. Since it was too sprity, I only recorded the finish with water added. The finish is medium, very soft, smooth, with light sweet and sugary notes of elderberries sirup, some peach, exotic wood, mint, cream and some citrus.
Impression: The sherry influence is not very strong. The alcohol is very present and it was very difficult to taste it neat. Diluted, it was a very smooth and soft version of Karuizawa, with little spices and more on a sugary  side. Not the most stunning Karuizawa.
Rating: 14/20 FP:D1

Karuizawa 1991 A Stunning panorama of exotic fruits 132.2, 22 YO, Scotch Malt Whisky Society, 62.4%, B: 2013. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: Intense, spicy to very spicy, rich, with some sandalwood, berries, leather, tangerine, game, rancio, green apple and rose water. Very good
Taste: Intense, rich, floral, spicy to very spicy, rather juicy and fruity, on exotic wood, some lacquer, sweet fruity notes of tropical fruits and cooked fruits, as well as tangerine, with a slight smokiness and a nice balance. The finish is medium to long, smooth, rich, sweet, fruity, complex, rather juicy, with some leather, cocoa, chocolate, exotic fruits such as mango, papaya and bananas. Diluted, there are more sweeter notes of citrus (orange and pink grapefruits).
Impression: A rare bottling of Karuizawa from the SMWS, complex, rich, intense and with excellent fruity notes. Very enjoyable.
Rating: 17/20 FP:E1

Karuizawa 1981, OB, 57.5%, B:2011, cask 6256. Price:
Colour: Old gold
Nose: Slightly smoky, rich, spicy, complex, fruity, on sandalwood, with light sweet candied fruits.
Taste: Spicy, slightly floral, on rice cake, cinnamon, some green and macha tea and wax. The finish is long, complex, smooth, rich, spicy, on ripe fruits, green tea and a hint of smoke.
Impression: A very good, rich, intense and rather spicy Karuizawa
Rating: 17/20 FP:A1

Karuizawa 1979, OB, 59.9%, B:2013, cask 7752. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Rubbery, intense, on game, leather, tannins and some fruits.
Taste: Slightly rubbery, spicy, on cloves, game, tannins, sweet and intense fruits notes of tangerine, orange, some exotic fruits, as well as some roasted coffee beans, dark chocolate and some honey. The finsh is medium, spicy, on coffee, chocolate, tannins a slight astringency, orange, tangerine and some exotic fruits.
Impression: The nose was rather rubbery, but surprisingly less on the palate. On the palate, it was very fruity, with just some astringence and tannnins on the finish.
Rating: 16/20 FP:G1

Clynelish 1997, Douglas of Drumlanrig, 56.2%, B:2013, cask 10174, 60 bottles. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Intense, oaky, spicy, mustardy, slightly waxy, with some honey, grapefruit, and end of spring flowers.
Taste: Very intense, spicy, oaky, slightly dry, on beeswax, some bitter orange, lemon twist and hay, as well as some tangerine. Diluted, it becomes more waxy and on beeswax. The finish is medium, spicy, intense, round, slightly waxy and floral, on beeswax, some citrus (lemon and grapefruit) and a touch of vanilla.
Impression: A very intense, with the expected Clynelish flavour profile, becoming very smooth with some water.
Rating: 13/20 FP:A1

Clynelish 1996, 17 YO, The First Editions, 58.2%, B: 2014. Price:
Colour: Pale gold-gold
Nose: Light, fresh to very fresh, waxy, on lemon, butter, mustard seeds and some citrus. Subtle and elegant.
Taste: Coastal, waxy, mustardy, with some honey, barley, beeswax, yellow flowers and a touch of hay and melon. The finish is medium to long, elegant, smooth, balanced, with a touch of honey, lemon, mustard and freshly cut flowers, as well as a hint of smoke and bitter. Diluted, it becomes more complex and waxier.
Impression: Not the most intense Clynelish, but it is smooth, very elegant and nicely balanced. I enjoyed it very much.
Rating: 15/20 FP:A1

Clynelish 1996 Old Particular, 17 YO, Douglas Laing, 48.4%, B: 2014, Ref DL10033. Price:
Colour: Pale gold-gold
Nose: Smooth, slightly malty and waxy, intense, with a lemon twist, slight mineral notes and slightly coastal.
Taste: Intense, oaky, zesty, rather harsh, on bitter lemon, spices and wax. Diluted, it becomes slightly farmy and more citric. The finish is medium, oaky, slight waxy and citric.
Impression: A very intense, slightly rough and citric Clynelish. A whisky that needs some water.
Rating: 14/20 FP:A1

Clynelish 1997 Distiller’s Art, 16 YO, Langside distillers, 48%, B: 2014, 242 bottles. Price:
Colour: Pale gold
Nose: Fresh, intense, waxy, on mustard, some lemon and clean oaky notes. Smooth and nice.
Taste: Citric, waxy, fresh, malty, on almonds, some oaky notes and pollen. The finish is medium, citric, fresh, intense, waxy and on vanilla. Diluted, it becomes even fresher and very clean.
Impression: A very nice, fresh, clean and lemony Clynelish.
Rating: 14/20 FP:A1

Tamdhu 1988 Old Malt Cask, 25 YO, Douglas Laing, 53.6%, B: 2013, 237 bottles. Price:
Colour: Straw
Nose: Smooth, slightly oaky and floral, with light malty notes and a slight smokiness.
Taste: Smooth, malty, slightly floral and creamy, with a touch of marzipan and a nice complexity. The finish is medium, floral, creamy, slightly waxy, with slight sweet fruity notes, light spices.
Impression: A nice, elegant, complex Tamdhu with nice creamy notes. A good dram for a quiet evening.
Rating: 15/20 FP:A1

Tamdhu 1998, 16 YO, The First Editions, 56.2%, B: 2014. Price:
Colour: Pale gold
Nose: Very smooth, rather round, creamy, buttery and slightly floral. Pleasant.
Taste: Spicy, slightly oaky and floral, with light creamy notes and some marzipan. The finish is medium, spicy, rather rich and intense, with creamy notes.
Impression: A good version of Tamdhu, slightly less complex and spicier than the 1988 Old Malt Cask.
Rating: 14/20 FP:A1

Teaninich 1996, 18 YO, Blackadder, 55.9%, B: 2014, cask 5583, 278 bottles. Price:
Colour: Straw
Nose: Clean to very clean, floral, slightly dusty, malty and blooming flowers, with light underlying fruity flavours.
Taste: Very intense and smooth, floral, creamy to very creamy and on vanilla. Diluted, it becomes even smoother, with a surprising creaminess and some pear and apple drops.
Impression: A very smooth and creamy Teaninich that becomes even smoother and creamier with some added water.
Rating: 14/20 FP:A1

Cardhu Gold Reserve, OB, 40%, B:2014. Prix:
Colour: Gold.
Nose: Fresh, oaky, rich, intense, with some wood spices and a touch of honey.
Taste: Sweet, oaky, slightly dry, floral, with some vanilla, spices and oaky, notes. The finish is medium and on the same flavours
Impression: Another non-aged statement (NAS) Cardhu, with a stronger woody-oaky influence than the 12 YO version.
Rating: 13/20 FP:C1

Cardhu Amber Rock, OB, 40%, B: 2014. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: Oaky, rich, floral, on honey, dried fruits, figs and some sultanas.
Taste: Very smooth, oaky, juicy, sweet, on dried fruits, some fruits from the orchards and vanilla. The finish is medium, rich, intense, fruity, sweet, juicy, on sultanas, sweet honey notes.
Impression: A charming, rich, sweet and fruity Cardhu double matured in toasted in american oak casks.
Rating: 14/20 FP:F1

Irish Whiskey 1988 for The WhiskySchiff, 26 YO, Acla Selection and The Whisky Agency, 48.3%, B: 2014. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Very smooth, mellow, very fruity, on pear drops, some fresh porridge and floral notes. Very good!
Taste: Very fruity, floral, juicy, very smooth, with some marzipan, warm pears and apples, some mild spices, cinnamon, vanilla and a touch of melon. Complex. The finish is medium to long, very smooth, mellow, fruity, floral, on cinnamon, some cardamom, marzipan, fruits from the orchards, some dried apricots, melon and vanilla.
Impression: A very smooth, rather round and waxy Irish whiskey, with a lovely fruitiness.
Rating: 17/20 FP:C1

Ardmore 1992, 20 YO, The Auld Alliance, 51.3%, B:2013, 218 bottles. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Smoky, peaty, aromatic, slightly waxy, farmy, tarry and ashy, with light maritime flavours, some vanilla. Very good.
Taste: Intense, round, slightly salty, floral and fragrant, with some farmy, peaty and smoky notes. Rather smooth, subtle and complex, with some coastal influence and a few drops of soybean. The finish is medium to long, subtle, complex, slightly austere and floral, with some citrus, peat smoke, ashes and a touch of tar and farmy notes.
Impression: It might not be the most peaty or dry expression of Ardmore, but I really enjoy it subtletly, and a very enjoyable balance between the smoothness, the peat smoke and a slight maritime influence. Very good !
Rating: 17/20 FP:A3

Littlemill 1992, 22 YO, Chieftains, 50.7%, B: 2014. Price:
Colour: Gold-old gold
Nose: Smooth, grassy, floral, with some oaky notes, honey, light smoky flavours, vanilla, some melon and other fruity notes. Rather round.
Taste: Rather spicy, grassy, floral, slightly fragrant, on candied lemon, honey, vanilla and some melon. The finish is medium, round, floral, slightly grassy, with some tobacco leaves, honey, vanilla and slight bitter notes.
Impression: A good and very round version of Littlemill, with the honey and grassy flavours rather intense.
Rating: 13/20 FP:A1

Braeval 1997,17 YO, Single Cask Collection, 54.7%, B: 2015, cask 126677, 280 bottles. Price:
Colour: Straw
Nose: Very grassy, malty, on freshly cut green grass, honey, and cumcumber.
Taste: Dry, floral to very floral, fragrant to very fragrant, grassy, with some honey and a zest of tangerine. The finish is medium to long, very floral, smooth, slightly fragrant, with some honey, hay and a touch of vanilla. Diluted, it becomes drier.
Impression: A very floral Braeval, rather dry and fragrant.
Rating: 12/20 FP:A1

Rosebank 15 YO for Zenith, OB, 61%, B: 1980s, 2400 bottles. Price:
Colour: light gold-gold.
Nose: Light, very fresh and malty, grassy, floral, slightly woody, with a light smoky and spiciness.
Taste: Very spicy, wood, intense, malty and hot. Water is quickly added and then it becomes more fruity (pineapple and grapefruit), rather bitter. The finish is long, dry, hot, woody, bitter and malty, as well as on green grass.
Impression: An old Rosebank, rather pleasant, but with some rough edges. Needs water!
Rating: 14/20 FP:A1

Rosebank 12 YO for Zenith, OB, 43%, B: 1980s. Price:
Colour: Gold-old gold
Nose: Oaky, rather dry, floral, on hay and dried flowers.
Taste: Grassy, smooth to very smooth, slightly dry, with some lemon and cereals and a slight fruitiness (rather sweet and sugary). The finish is rather short, smooth, mellow, slightly floral and dry, with a light fragrance, some liquorice root, ginger and a touch of citrus. Rather weak.
Impression: A smooth and mellow whisky, rather easy drinking, weak and not too complex.
Rating: 11/20 FP:A1

Linkwood 12 YO For Samaroli, OB, 43%, B:1970s. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Smoth, rich, juicy, floral, sweet to very sweet, fruity, slightly smoky and grassy, on honey, ripe fruits as well as some citrus. Well balanced and complex.
Taste: Spicy, rich, intense, slightly oaky, juicy, fruity, on vanilla, melon, with some grapefruits, tangerine, light aromatic flavours and a slight smokiness. The finish is medium to long, rich, rather spicy, slightly oaky and floral, on grapefruit, pink grapefruit, melon, tangerine, some lime blossom, tobacco and peat smoke.
Impression: A very nice, complex, rich, fruity Linkwood, rounder  and fruitier than the current production and without any dryness. Very good selection from Samaroli.
Rating: 16/20 FP:C2

Linkwood 14 YO, Sestante, 60.8%, B: 1980s. Price:
Colour: Gold-old gold
Nose: Smooth, floral to very floral, on hay, caramel, and some spices. Diluted, it becomes smoother, rather rich, waxy and on fudge.
Taste: Very intense, floral, spicy and spirity. Let’s quickly add some water to it : it becomes smoother, rich, fruity, juicy, with some vegetal sherry influence, spices, oranges and tangerine, cinnamon and starch. The finish is medium to long, sweet, fruity, floral, slightly starchy and smoky, on orange, tangerine, some honey and freshly cut grass.
Impression: A very good, smooth, mellow and juicy Linkwood, rounder than the 12 YO for Samaroli and with less citrus. Both are whiskies of very high qualty, but I enjoyed the Samaroli version slightly better.
Rating: 15/20 FP:E1

Littlemill 1988, 26 YO, Hart Brothers, 52.5%, B: 2015. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: Very smooth and floral, malty, with some sweet fruity notes, on oranges, tangerine, light honey notes and tannins.
Taste:  Very smooth, spicy, round, rich, on sultanas, orange, tangerine, some red berries and a touch of honey. Well balanced. The finish is medium to long, spicy, with some hops, tangerine, orange, ginger, a slight smokiness, some tannins, red berries and a hint of tobacco.
Impression: A very smooth and slightly spicy Littlemill with a round slightly sweet and fruity sherry influence. An excellent cask from Hart Brothers.
Rating: 17/20 FP:F1

Banff 1975 Angel’s Choice, 40 YO, Malts of Scotland, 46.8%, B:2015. Price:
Colour: Gold –old gold
Nose:  Mellow, oaky, waxy, slightly mineral, on old smoke, humus, honey and sweet and round fruits (peach, melon, vanilla and cooked apples) and a hint of cinnamon, lemon zest and eucalyptus. Given time, it becomes rounder and very fruity.
Taste: Mellow to very mellow, round, smooth, and slightly oaky, on honey, cooked apples, melon, peach, other round sweet fruity flavours, as well as a slight smokiness. The finish is long, very mellow, round, slightly smoky, well balanced and complex, on sweet and cooked fruits (melon, banana, apples and peach), with some vanilla custard.
Impression: A very mellow, round and very fruity version of Banff, without any woodiness. Rather impressive. Since the distillery was closed more than 30 years ago, it is becoming very rare to taste them, and this one is a fine example from this distillery.
Rating: 17/20 FP:A1

Images of Islay Loch Indaal Lighthouse, Malts of Scotland, 53.2%, B:2015, 265 bottles. Price:
Colour: Straw
Nose: Peaty to very peaty, smoky, slightly malty and farmy, maritime to very maritime, rather young and clean, and on hemp rope.
Taste: Very peaty, smoky, maritime, dry, tarry, on hemp rope, some diesel smoke, seaweeds, soot, camphor and iodine.
Impression: A good very peaty whisky, with a flavour profile very close to a slightly young Caol Ila.
Rating: 14/20 FP:A7

Bruichladdich 2003 Robin Laing Selection, Malts of Scotland, 58.4%, B:2015, cask 15015, 313 bottles. Price:
Colour: Old gold
Nose:  Smooth, sweet, vegetal, yeasty, floral, slightly maritime and mineral and a hint of smoke.
Taste: Salty, smoky, maritime, slightly mineral and austere, vegetal, yeasty, on seaweeds, sea shells, some tar, rubber, orange, tangerine, vegetal condiment (maggi) and  toffee. The finish is medium, round to very round, maritime, vegetal, with some seaweeds, salt, spices, rubber and toffee.
Impression: A nice round Bruichladdich, with a rather vegetal sherry influence combined with salty and maritime flavours.
Rating: 14/20 FP:G1

Auchentoshan 1965 for World of Whiskies, 36 YO, OB, 45.3%, B:2002, cask 2516. Price:
Colour: Gold-old gold
Nose: Mellow to very mellow, round, slightly grassy and floral, on fudge, vanilla, some peat smoke, peach, melon, honey and beeswax. Rounder, mellow and slightly more complex than cask 2508.
Taste: Extremely smooth, subtle, waxy, slightly smoky, juicy, oaky, grassy, on honey, peach, vanilla custard, with some melon, beeswax and tangerine, as well as some soft spices and a hint of peat smoke. The finish is long, waxy, very smooth, grassy, fruity, juicy, malty, slightly creamy, on honey, vanilla, some peach, tangerine and a slight spiciness. Very complex and with a beautiful mouthfeel.
Impression: A very smooth, waxy and mellow Auchentoshan, becoming smoother and waxier over time. These old Auchentoshan are beautiful. Slightly peatier and mellower than the 1965 31 YO versions. This was released together with the Glen Garioch 1968 34 YO and both versions are extremely difficult to find. If you are lucky, you can find them at Whisky Fairs such as Limburg.
Rating: 17/20 FP:B1

Auchentoshan 1965, 31 YO, OB, 48.9%, B:1997, cask 2508. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Smooth, mellow to very mellow, round, slightly grassy, on honey and some beeswax, with some vanilla, peach, peat smoke and humidor. Very good.
Taste: Very smooth, mellow, intense, complex, waxy, slightly spicy, on frangipane, honey, some almond, tangerine, peach, melon, malt and butter. The finish is long, waxy, mellow, complex, on almond, tangerine, humidor and a hint of lemon and peach.
Impression:  A fine Auchentoshan, waxy, very smooth, elegant and leaving a pleasant mouthfeel, on beeswax and some fruity notes, without any harshness or woodiness. Most pleasant.
Rating: 17/20 FP:B1

Auchentoshan 1995, 17 YO, Single Cask Collection, 53.5%, Sherry hogshead 657, 261 bottles. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose:  Round, smooth, mellow, malty, floral, slightly vegetal, round, on toffee, fudge, some leather, honey, and diverse spices (cinnamon, nutmeg), as well as some cashew nuts.
Taste: Rich, spicy, smooth, round, on honey, spices, pollen, some fragrance, aromatic herbs and tree sap, as well as a hint of eucalyptus. The finish is medium, dry, aromatic, very sappy, smooth, on eucalyptus, spices, some hay and fragrance.
Impression: The nose was smooth, mellow and round, while it tasted rather dry and aromatic. Good, but rather atypical.
Rating: 13/20 FP:E1

Auchentoshan 1988, 16 YO, The First Editions, 53.4%, B: 2014. Price:
Colour: Straw
Nose:  Clean to very clean, smooth, juicy, oaky, floral, on orchards fruits, vanilla and some pollen.
Taste: Spirity, light, clean, hot, smooth, with some new make flavours, honey and vanilla. The finish is rather short, young, rather spirity, clean and smooth.
Impression: A whisky that taste rather young, with a rather inactive cask.
Rating: 09/20 FP:A1

Auchentoshan three woods, OB, 43%, B:2014. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Rich, sweet, slightly floral and spicy, on dried fruits, sultanas, orange, tangerine and beeswax. Well rounded and balanced.
Taste: Rich, sweet, floral, on honey, dried and dark fruits, sultanas, orange and tangerine, as well as some leather. The finish is medium, smooth, juicy, on dark fruits, honey, leather, sultanas, orange, tangerine, cinnamon and spices.
Impression: A very nice, rich, sherried Auchentoshan, smooth and with nice leather flavours. Very pleasant.
Rating: 14/20 FP:G1

Auchentoshan 12 YO, OB, 40%, B:2014. Price:
Colour: Gold-old gold
Nose: Sweet, juicy, fresh, on vanilla, melon and other sweet fruity notes. Very good.
Taste: Very smooth, sweet, juicy, fruity, on lime blossom, some sweet lemon and vanilla. The finish is medium, very smooth, floral, on honey, some tangerine and dried fruits.
Impression: A very good standard whisky, smooth and a sweet honey side, as well as pleasant fruity notes. Well made.
Rating: 14/20 FP:C1

Auchentoshan American Oak, OB, 40%, B:2014. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Fresh, rather light, slightly oaky and floral, rather juicy, on vanilla, butter, some pear drops and lime blossom.
Taste: Light, fresh, sweet, floral, very smooth, on juicy oak, vanilla, pear drops and some lime blossom. The finish is medium, smooth to very smooth, on juicy oak, lime blossom, some butter and herbal tea.
Impression: A nice smooth Auchentoshan, with a smooth and juicy influence from an ex-bourbon cask maturation.
Rating: 13/20 FP:A1

Auchentoshan 1988 Bordeaux Wine finish, 20 YO, OB, 52.4%, B: 2009. 1800 bottles. Price:
Colour: Old gold-red.
Nose: Fresh, clean, winey, mellow, very grassy and on grapes.
Taste: Oaky, malty, slightly soapy, grassy, fruity, with some aromatic herbs and spices. With time, the winey flavours are gaining in strength. The finish is medium, malty, clean, slightly smoky and fruity, on grapes, spices and vanilla.
Impression: Quite different from the first Auchentoshan Bordeaux wine finish, this version is more "modern" (i.e., more oaky). It has spent its first 8 years in bourbon barrel and then 12 years in the Bordeaux wine casks, but the Bordeaux influence is not as strong as you might expect. A well made finished whisky.
Rating: 13/20 FP:E1

Auchentoshan 1992, The Whisky Fair, 46.3%, B:2015.Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Very smooth, fresh and grassy, with fruits from the orchards, vanilla and melon. Nicely fruity and rather close to some Irish whiskies.
Taste: Malty, smooth to very smooth, with fruits from the orchards, some starch and light herbal liquors flavours. Very good.  The finish is long, smooth to very smooth, fresh, fruity, on fruits for the orchards, with light mellow notes, some heather and honey.
Impression: A very smooth, sweet, fresh and fruity Auchentoshan.
Rating: 16/20 FP:A1

Angels Envy Port Finish, OB, 43%, 2015. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: Very sweet, smooth, with lots of spices, corn syrup and cooked cereals, on peach, treacle, cinnamon, nutmeg, candied fruits. Rather floral and very good.
Taste: Sweet, rather sugary, winey, fruity, on candied fruits, treacle, peach, white grapes, vanilla and a certain freshness for the Port wood. The finish is medium to long, fresh, fruity, on white grapes, some pear drops, sweet sugary and winey notes, nutmeg, cinnamon, roasted oak and some charcoal.
Impression: The nose was pleasant, rich, intense and on candied fruits, with the Port Wood influence giving a nice sweetness and freshness to the body. The Port wood influence gives an unsual flavour profile to whisky. Some might enjoy this difference, some less. In any case, a well made whiskey.
Rating: 13/20 FP:C1

Nikka Single Coffey Grain Woody and Mellow Distillery only, OB, 55%, B:2015. Prix:
Colour: Gold
Nose:  Extremely smooth and mellow, soft, floral to very floral, with some vanilla and light notes of fruits from the Orchards. Rather fresh.
Taste: Extremely smooth and mellow, slightly soapy, floral, with some peach, apricots and corn syrup. The finish is medium, extremely smooth, mellow, slightly floral and fragrant, with some peach, apricots, cooked cereals, corn syrup and cooked apples.
Impression: An extremely smooth grain whisky, rather floral and soft fruity notes. Easy to drink.
Rating: 13/20 FP:A1

Glendalough Irish Single malt pot still whisky, 13 YO, OB, 46%, B:2015. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Malty, smooth, yeasty, on dough, vanilla and some grassy notes.
Taste: Smooth, malty, fruity, on pear drops, some honey and slight sweet sugary notes. The finish is medium, bold, smooth, fruity, with some yeast, pear drops and hops. Diluted, it becomes smoother, with some more honey and apple drops.
Impression: A smooth, rather bold and malt Irish whiskey. Heavier than expected for an Irish whiskey.
Rating: 12/20 FP:C1

Rum Jamaican 12 YO for Whiskyteca Giaccone, OB, 72%, B:1970s. Price: N.A.
Colour: Straw
Nose: Very intense, clean, phenolic, on dried fruits, some humus and dry earth. Never nosed a rum like this one, but I found it superb.
Taste: Clean, sharp, intense, smooth, phenolic, on candied bananas and pineapples, with some cristalised brown sugar cane. The finish is medium, elegant, sharp, clean, phenolic, on candied pineapples and cristalised brown sugar.
Impression: I have limited experience in Rum tasting, but I thorougly enjoyed this clean, sharp and rather phenolic Rum, with a surprisingly discreet sweet-sugarness. Very different from the otherRums I have tasted so far. If you have one for sale, do not hesitate to contact me !
Rating: NA

Albion Demerara Full Proof 1986, 25 YO, Velier, 60.6%, cask 10546. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Very smooth, intense, sugary, floral, rich, on crisatlised brown sugar and some mineral and slightly phenolic flavours. Very good.
Taste: Very fresh and smooth, floral, fragrant, on maple syrup, some roses, treacle and light notes of cristalised brown sugar. The finish is medium to long, very floral and fresh, elegant, subtle, well balanced, some eucalyptus, a light fragrance and treacle.
Impression: A very good, elegant, fresh, floral and very smooth rum. Very enjoyable. Thank you Jerome.  Note : since I have a very limited experience with Rums, no rating is provided, only an appreciation.
Rating: N/A

GlenDronach 1994 for Abbeywhisky.com, 20 YO, OB, 54.8%, B:2014, cask 3400, 672 bottles. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Fresh, rather juicy, fruity and floral, on berries, orange, oriental spices, exotic wood and beeswax.
Taste: Very round, smooth, floral, slightly fragrant, on toffee, fudge, spices, berries, some cocoa, orange, tangerine, cinnamon, nutmeg, tannins and a slight woodiness and astringence. The finish is medium to long, fragrant, floral, slightly astrigent, nutty and tannic, on red and blue berries, spices (cinnamon sticks, nutmegs and some cloves), chocolate, tannins, fudge, toffee and diverse cooked fruits and sultanas.
Impression: The nose was fresh, intense and complex, with a  smooth and rather thick-chewy body, but some woody and astringency showing off.
Rating: 14/20 FP: H1

Glendronach 1968, 25 YO, OB, 43%, B: 1993. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Smoky, slightly to moderately peaty, on an old style of mineral and slightly dry sherry influence, old leather, some berries, grapes and floral notes. Excellent and rather fresh and intense.
Taste: Fruity, slightly dry and floral, with some peat and tobacco smoke, lots of berries, on old leather, some sultanas, plums, dried figs, a touch of rancio and high grade balsamic vinegar, tangerine, orange, and ore. Well balanced.  The finish is long, slightly smoky, on berries, old slightly mineral, dry and peaty smoke, dried fruits, some spices, orange, tangerine and cinnamon sticks.
Impression: An excellent Glendronach up to its reputation. Drier, smokier and peatier than the production from the 1970s, with a nice freshness and balance. An old style and well made sherried Glendronach. Thank you Martial! I liked it slightly better than the other bottle I tasted 2 years ago.
Rating: 18/20 FP:H3

GlenDronach 1995 for The Whisky Agency, 18 YO, OB, 52.2%, cask 4408, 740 bottles. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Very smooth, elegant, rich, on treacle, red berries, some tannins, cocoa powder as well as some fudge and sweet fruity flavours.
Taste: Smooth, very fruity, rich, floral, on berries, chocolate, tannins, diveses spices, cocoa, heather, tangerine, orange and some peach and fudge. The finish is medium, smooth to very smooth, elegant, floral, slightly fruity, on berries, honey, some leather, tannins and cocoa powder. Diluted, it becomes more floral, toffee and fudge, with a light fragrance.
Impression: A very good, smooth and round GlenDronach, rather easy to drink and with a strong fudge influence.
Rating: 15/20 FP:F1

GlenDronach 1995 for La Maison Du Whisky, 19 YO, OB, 54.2%, B:2014, cask 1563, 640 bottles. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Intense, oaky, floral, heavy, on treacle, plums, berries, leather, strong spices, humus, some cocoa and roasted coffee beans. Very good.
Taste: Smooth, floral, on salted liquorice, milk chocolate, some menthol, cinnamon, nutmeg, heather honey and sandal wood. The finish is medium, smooth, floral, on liquorice (salted liquorice and Cachous), with some cocoa, menthol, diverse spices, plums, sultanas and heather honey.
Impression: A very good GlenDronach, heavier than the version for la Maison du Whisky, with some additional liquorice flavours. Both are of the same quality.
Rating: 15/20 FP:F1

Glendronach 1996 For Vinothek Massen an d Dram Brothers, 17 YO, OB, 53.4%, B: 2013, cask 1479. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Very intense, rich, sweet, vegetal, floral, on raisins, yeast, orange, dates and leather.
Taste: Rich, intense, floral, on yeast extract, rubber, orange, vegetal condiment (Maggi) and leather. The finish is medium to long, chewy, slightly tannic, on leather, yeast extracts, orange, spices and light rubbery notes.
Impression: A rather vegetal GlenDronach, balanced, with some rubbery flavours.
Rating: 15/20 FP:G1

Glendronach 1995 For Mövenpick AG, 18 YO, OB, 55.1%, B: 2013, cask 1654. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Rich, floral, smooth, rather sweet and fruity, with some sultanas, some honey and spices a slight smokiness. Harmonious.
Taste: Intense, rich, complex, balanced, slightly spicy, with some honey, light floral notes, sweet fruity notes (orange, tangerine and some tropical notes). The finish is medium to long, rich, complex, aromatic, slightly mineral, with some vegetal condiment and a nice sweetness.
Impression: A deliciously sweet version of GlenDronach, with a pleasant sherry but not overwhelming sherry influence and some pleasant aromatic notes. A most pleasant one that is very much to my liking. One of the finest GlenDronach I have tasted from the 1990s.
Rating: 17/20 FP:F1

GlenDronach 1993 for Whiskybase, 21 YO, OB, 52.1%, B:2014, cask 23. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Rich, intense, with a lot of berries, mainly black berries, on cocoa, with some leather, tannins and treacle.
Taste: Rich, sweet, fruity, spicy, with some pineapples, exotic fruits, tannins and some berries, cocoa and leather. The finish is medium to long, on tannins, leather, dark berries, and some cocoa and rubbery notes. Diluted, it gains some toffee and fudge flavours.
Impression: A good, intense, rich and thick sherried GlenDronach and rather sweet. Thank you Bernhard!
Rating: 15/20 FP:G1

GlenDronach 16 YO Platinum, 48%, B:2014. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: Slightly floral, rather vegetal, on vegetal condiments, some yeast, and sweet and rich fruity notes.
Taste: Fruity, floral, slightly woody, vegetal and yeasty, with some sour and red berries and vegetal condiments (Maggi), as well as a hint of cocoa. The finish is medium, rather vegetal and floral, slightly rubbery and meaty, with some sweet fruity notes, black berries, some leather and tannins.
Impression: A rather vegetal version of Glendronach, with some meaty and cocoa flavours. I prefer the 15 or 18 YO version to this one.
Rating: 13/20 FP: G1

Jim Beam Black double aged, OB, 43%, B:2011. Price:
Colour: Old gold.
Nose: Very smooth and mellow, on maple syrup, orange peel, cinnamon, some nutmeg, milk chocolate and cherries. Very sweet.
Taste: Very smooth, mellow, slightly bitter, on orange peel, some coriander, nutmeg, cherries, some light fragrant and floral notes of jasmine, mint,  and geranium, as well as some maple and corn syrup. The finish is medium, rather oaky, lots of treacle, corn syrup and toffee, as well as some orange bitter.
Impression: A smooth and mellow bourbon, with a strong cask influence contribution to rich sweet aromas of treacle and corn syrup. To keep out of reach of children!
Rating: 09/20 FP:D1

Van Winkle Rye Family Reserve, 13 YO, OB, 47.8%, Ref J0275. Price:
Colour: Brown-amber
Nose: Very smooth and fruity, rich, spicy, floral, complex, on apricots and peach, some nutmeg and cloves. Elegant and very good.
Taste: Very smooth, elegant, subtle, fruity, spicy, on rye, some apricots, maple syrup and cinnamon. The finish is medium to long, smooth, elegant, spicy, on treacle, cinnamon, maple syrup and some nutmeg.
Impression: A very good, elegant and complex rye whisky. Thank you Nicolas.
Rating: 15/20 FP:A1

Pappy Van Winkle 20 YO, OB, 45.2%, B: 2012. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: Very smooth, mellow, balanced, elegant, complex, rather floral, on vanilla, sultanas, cocoa, some cream and fruits.
Taste: Initially bitter, on bitter orange skin, candied fruits, tannins, wood, orange, cigar smoke, cocoa, apple pie with cinnamon and strong oaky notes. The finish is long, tannic, bitter, slightly astringent, on roasted wood, candied and bitter orange, lots of spices, some creamy-buttery notes, vanilla, cocoa and smoke. Diluted, it becomes more fragrant.
Impression: A very nice, complex and rich wheated bourbon. I was expecting wood, but maybe not as much as in this one. The quality is very high, but too woody to my liking. In any case, a nice experience to taste such an old rare whiskey. Thank you Nicolas.
Rating: 14/20 FP: C1

Pappy Van Winkle 12 YO Lot B, OB, 45.2%. Price:
Colour: Gold-old gold
Nose: Very smooth, rich, complex, creamy, intense, sweet, on cooked cereal, cane sugar, some apricots, orange, and spices. Excellent.
Taste: Very smooth, creamy, on cooked cereals, orange zest, tangerine, some apricots, spices, cinnamon, nutmeg, maple syrup, cashew nuts, ginger and other spices. The finish is medium to long, smooth, rich, fruity, on orange zest, spices, cinnamon, maple syrup, tangerine, apricots and a slight bitterness, as well as some spices from rye. Diluted, it becomes spicier and more peppery.
Impression: An excellent, rich, very spicy and intense Pappy Van Winkle. Most enjoyable. Thank you Jerome!
Rating: 17/20 FP:A1

Bowmore 1964 for Corti, 22 YO, Duthie’s, 86 US proof. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Austere, smoky, maritime, on sea brine, ore, some seaweeds, old wood smoke, almonds, lemon zest, sea shells, metallic brush, tar, and vanilla custard.
Taste: Rather light and oaky-woody, on wood spices, peat smoke, tar, soot, with some liquorice roots, metallic brush, some oysters, sea brine, light notes of citrus (pink grapefruits), some melon, peach and apricots. Slightly austere as well. The finish is medium to long, very austere, rather dry, slightly woody and tarry, on soot, some burnt woods, seaweeds, some sea shells, wood spices and light metallic flavours, as well as some bitter citrus fruits.
Impression: A rather light, dry, and citric Bowmore, with some wood smoke and strong austere flavours. Not a very easy one.
Rating: 17/20 FP:A3

Bowmore 30 YO Seadragon, OB, 43%, B:1990. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: Huge initial notes of citrus, maritime to very maritime, slightly smoky and maritime, with loads of citrus and on exotic fruits
Taste: Very fruity, smoky, smooth, citric, slightly peaty and maritime, with some seabrine, oysters, grapefruits, other citrus fruits and exotic fruits. The finish is medium to long, citric, rather smooth and mellow, with some peat smoke, salt, sea brine, seaweeds, some sea shells and rich sweet and tropical fruity flavours.
Impression: An excellent fruity Bowmore, with very nice and rather sweet citrus fruits, a nice balance and complexity, with a moderate smokiness. From a bottle opened since a few months.
Rating: 18/20 FP:C4

Bowmore 30 YO Seadragon, OB, 43%, B:1990. Price:
I had the chance to taste another bottles of Seadragon this week end, from a just opened bottled. Let's see how they compapre:
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: Maritime, citric, peaty and smoky. Peatier and less tropical fruits than the one above.
Taste: Citric, maritime, peaty, smoky, on sea brine, sea salt, tangerine, orange and some tropical fruits. The finish is medium to long, maritime, peaty, smoky, on seaweeds, some leather, citrus, orange and tangerine.
Impression: An excellent Seadragon, less fruity and not as sweet as the bottle above, but heavier on the sherry than the one above. This whisky was tasted during an event with a different glas than usual, thus in "nonn-standard" confiditions. I suspect that the tropical flavours might have been stronger with some additional resting time, but I suspect that the change of profile reflects more differences in vintages. And many thanks to Patrick S. for the opportunity.
Rating: 18/20 FP:D5

Bowmore 1999, 14 YO, A.D. Rattray, 58.8%. B: 2014, Sherry butt 2261, 287 bottles. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Vegetal, maritime, peaty, tarry, slightly floral, on fudge, toffee, some leather and a touch of orange and rubber.
Taste: Salty, maritime, slightly peaty and dry, with some tar, oak, toffee and light floral notes. Rather smooth. The finish is medium to long, slightly salty and maritime, with some peat smoke, some tangerine, grapefruit and toffee.
Impression: A moderately peated Bowmore, rather salty and with some fruity notes. Pretty good.
Rating: 15/20 FP:E4

Bowmore 18 YO, OB, 43%, B:2014. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: Fruity to very fruity, sweet, juicy, maritime, on orange, tangerine, ripe fruits, some tropical fruits and cocoa.
Taste: Fruity, maritime, salty, rather juicy, on sea breeze, chocolate, peat smoke, tangerine and other ripe fruits.
Impression: A very good Bowmore, maritime and with a nice combination of ripe fruits and cacao. More intense and plesant than I could remember when it was first launched.
Rating: 15/20 FP:E5

Bowmore 1985, Single Malts of Scotland, 54.9%, B: 2012. Price:
Colour: gold
Nose: Round, peaty, slightly farmy, floral, with some aromatic notes. Given time, it becomes cleaner, more peaty and youngish. Diluted, more on pears.
Taste: Soapy, peaty, floral, slightly aromatic, young, clean, dry, tarry to very tarry. Rather rough. Diluted, it falls apart. The finish is medium, peaty, very tarry, soapy, clean, on bitter floral and farmy notes.
Impression: A young, very peaty and tarry whisky, with rather strong floral and soapy notes. The flavour balance is rather disturbing and not to my liking.
Rating: 08/20 FP:A8

Bowmore 1965, 42 YO, OB, 43.6%, B: 2008, cask 811, 42 bottles. Price:
Colour: Old gold.
Nose: Very fruity, smooth, on exotic fruits, coconut, pineapples, and some beautiful peat smoke.
Taste: Salty, maritime, on lime, lemon, peat smoke, grapefruit, papaya, guava, and some passion fruits. More intense and saltier than the 1964s. The finish is long, on the same aromas.
Impression: A stunning Bowmore with a beautiful combination of peat, tropical fruits and maritime flavours. A real tour de force and my best Bowmore so far. I wish I had a bottle of this one on my drinking cabinet.
Rating: 20/20 FP:F4

Bowmore 1974, OB, 43%, B: 1995. Price:
Colour: Old gold
Nose: Round, mellow, fruity, medium peaty, with lots of tropical fruits and on peat smoke.
Taste: Mellow, spicy, slightly oaky and tannic, maritime, slightly salty and on tropical fruits. The finish is medium, slightly salty and maritime, on peat smoke, wet wood and tobacco, some tropical fruits and a slight fragrance.
Impression: A mellow and peaty Bowmore, with a fair dose of exotic fruits, but as well as some rather present oaky and woody notes.
Rating: 15/20 FP:G4