Irish Whiskey, 22 YO, The Whisky Exchange, 51.8%, B:2015. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Smooth to very smooth, malty, peaty, on smoked bacon, nice light floral notes, grapefruit, pink grapefruits, melon and a touch of heather honey and verbena.
Taste: Peaty to very peaty, smooth, slightly dry and citric (bitter lemon), on smoked bacon, some tar and charcoal. The finish is medium, citric, peaty, and slightly bitter, on charcoal, smoked bacon, lemon and grapefruit, as well as some coffee.
Impression: A nice, smooth elegant peaty Irish single malt. It is peaty, but it remains rather smooth and with rather strong citric flavours. A very good one.
Rating: 15/20 FP:C5

Irish Single Malt 1989 for La Maison Du Whisky, 24 YO, The Nectar, 42.2%, B:2014. Price:
Colour: Pale gold
Nose: Very smooth and fruity, lots of fruits from the orchards, mainly pears, and light malty flavours. Very good.
Taste: Very sweet and smooth, sugary, fruity, on fruits of the orchards. The finish is medium to long, very smooth, fruity, rather bold, fresh, on honey and fruits from the orchards.
Impression: A very good Irish single malt with a lot of fruitiness. Very pleasant and thank you to the donator!
Rating: 15/20 FP:C1

Dunville’s PX finish, OB, 46%, B:2015. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: Very smooth, rich, round, on dried fruits, red berries, orchard’s fruits and nice malty notes, as well as some slightly oaky spicy notes.
Taste: Initially spicy and oaky, becoming quickly smoother, on grapefruits, leather, some cocoa, vanilla, red berries and pomegranate. The finish is medium, smooth, on orchards fruits (mainly pear), citrus (mainly grapefruits), some light oaky and spicy flavours, as well as some sultanas, tangerine and a touch of leather. Diluted, it becomes more on grapefruit.
Impression: A nice smooth, fresh, slightly spicy and well made Irish whiskey.
Rating: 13/20 FP:D1

Limerick Single Malt for Paul Ullrich AG 1991, 23 YO, Adelphi, 47.2%, B:2015 cask 6886, 126 bottles. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Very smooth, sweet and juicy, slightly smoky, on fruits from the orchards, toffee, fudge, juicy tangerine, some honey and grassy notes, as well as some high grade leather and a touch of red berries. Over time, some aromas of smoked ham develop.
Taste: Very smooth, slightly citric, on lemon, grapefruits, treacle, leather, tannins, orange, tangerine, some roasted coffee beans and fudge. The finish is medium, smooth, fruity, citric, slightly bitter and tannic, on leather, fruits from the orchards, grapefruit , dark chocolate and some mocha. Diluted, it becomes more citric and bitter.
Impression: A nice Irish single malt, with a strong personality, combining strong citric flavours with a sherry influence dominated by the leather and cocoa. Maybe not an easy one, but complex and rewarding.
Rating: 15/20 FP:G1

Maker’s 46 French Oak Staves Finish, OB, 47%, B:2014. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Oaky, smooth, intense, spicy (rye), on cooked cereals and some apricots. The rye flavours are quite intense.
Taste: Very smooth, spicy, peppery, on cooked cereals, some apricots, vanilla and green tea. The finish is medium, spicy, on rice cake, apricots, macha, vanilla, cinnamon and other spices. Diluted, it becomes weaker and slightly more fragrant and bitter.
Impression: I had no regular Maker’s at my disposal and I could not really feel any influence from the French Oak staves finish. It reminds me strongly of the rice cake with macha (green tea) that you can find in Japan.
Rating: 13/20 FP:A1

North Port 1964, 17 YO, Cadenhead's, 46%, B: 1981. Price:
Colour: Gold.
Nose: Peaty, mineral, smoky, malty, with some cold ashes. A nice old bottle effect and some fruits.
Taste: Soft, thin, malty, metallic, with some peat smoke and some light sweet fruits, as well as some grass and hay. Diluted, it becomes quite spicy and slightly salty. The finish is short to medium, thin, malty, metallic, on peat smoke and some liquorice.
Impression: A very nice and mineral North Port (Brechin).
Rating: 16/20 FP:C4

Coleburn 1972 Connoisseur’s choice, Gordon & MacPhail, 40%, B: 1993. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Grassy to very grassy, slightly greasy, on old bold peat smoke and some eucalyptus. A rustic whisky.
Taste: Floral to very floral, quite spicy, on grassy notes, old bold peat smoke, some toffee, pine wax and eucalyptus. The finish is medium to long, bold, grassy, with some humus, pine wax, some floral and slightly bitter fragrant notes.
Impression: A pleasant old fashioned whisky, rather big and with a strong personality. I enjoy tasting these Coleburns. Thank you Martin.
Rating: 13/20 FP:A3

Longmorn 1974, Kingsbury, 46%, B:2000, cask 3497. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose:  Very smooth, floral, slightly fragrant, on orange, some bitter orange, a touch of honey, leather, fudge and smoke. Tasted together with the Karuizawa 1970 Geisha, it smelt almost dull.
Taste: Very smooth, malty, slightly spicy and peppery, on fudge, tangerine, orange, some praline and a touch of vanilla and citrus. The finish is medium to long, floral to very floral, smooth, slightly spicy and tannic, on tangerine, orange, praline, a touch of leather and fudge. Diluted, it becomes slightly dry and more tannic.
Impression: A good, smooth and floral Longmorn. Easy drinking, but not as intense, complex or fruity as some other sherried Longmorn from the same vintage. Thank you Gene.
Rating: 15/20 FP:E1

Mosstowie 1970 Chairman’s Stock, 28 YO, Cadenhead’s, 59.6%, B: 1999. Price:
Colour: Old gold
Nose: Very smooth and fresh, floral, slightly sweet, on pears, vanilla and some exotic fruits.
Taste: Very smooth, fresh, sweet, floral, with some elderberries flowers, lemon as well as some herbal flavours. Slightly aromatic and mineral. The finish is medium, chewy, slightly round and spicy, herbal, candied lemon and tangerine, and some fruits from the orchards, banana puree and bitter lemon. Over time, it becomes slightly more herbal and on lime.
Impression: A good and fresh Mosstowie, sweet and floral, initially smooth, but surprisingly herbal and chewy on the finish. Thank you Cyril.
Rating: 15/20 FP:A1

Ballantine’s Pure Liqueur, OB, B:1940s. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Peaty to very peaty, rich, intense, complex, fruity, slightly floral, meaty, farmy and maritime, on berries, tangerine, orange, candied fruits, some sultanas, various fruits and leather. An excellent nose, with strong sherry-peaty Islay-like flavours.
Taste: Light, fresh, maritime, smoky, peaty to very peaty, on grapefruit, tropical fruits, sea brine, some diesel smoke, high grade leather, cinnamon and precious wood. Excellent. The finish is medium to long, mineral, smoky, peaty, maritime, slightly floral, with some caramel, high grade leather, cinnamon sticks, some black tea, seaweeds, old diesel smoke, dried fruits, orange, grapefruit and tropical fruits.
Impression: Probably the best blended whisky that I have ever tasted. I have not felt the presence of grain whisky, if only but the lightness on the palate. Otherwise, it taste rather like a fine old peaty and mineral Islay single malt matured in a sherry cask.  Delicious.
Rating: 18/20 FP:G5

Ballantine’s 17 YO, OB, 43%, B:1975. Price:
Colour: Old gold
Nose: Floral, balanced, slightly smoky and peaty, with some sea brine, seaweeds and vanilla. Much less peaty, lighter and slightly less complex than the 1940s version.
Taste: Floral to very floral, spicy, peppery (white pepper), slightly smoky, maritime and peaty, with some vanilla, sea brine, a touch of honey and some yellow fruits. Diluted, it becomes more spicy and peppery.
Impression: Tasted together with the 1940s version, the difference is marked: less sherry, less peat but more pepper. It is good, but not match for the old one. Some issues with the sample?
Rating: 13/20 FP:C2

Ainslie’s King’s Legend Tin (Spring) Cap, OB, 44%, B:1950s. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Smooth, waxy, slightly mineral, floral and smoky, on caramel, some flint stone and mustard seeds. Round to very round.
Taste: Dry, intense to very intense, fresh, spicy, peppery, mustardy, waxy, slightly mineral and floral, with a light peat smoke, some pollen, citrus, flint stones and light aromas of toffee. The finish is medium, waxy, citric, spicy, peppery, with a light mineral peat smoke, some sea brine, caramel, flint stone and a touch of rusty iron. Diluted, it becomes more mineral and waxy.
Impression: A nice intense and fresh Blend, spicy and slightly peaty, becoming more pleasant with a few drops of water. The aromas of caramel are rather strong. Is is due to the potentially added caramel? Slightly too much on caramel for me. Batch variability?
Rating: 14/20 FP:C3

VAT 69, OB, 40%, B:1990s. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Smooth, fresh, floral, slightly aromatic, on vanilla and some fruits from the orchards and light sweet fruity flavours.
Taste: Light, fresh, slightly grassy and soapy, with light aromatic smoke, ginger, tobacco quid, and spices. The finish is medium, light, slightly aromatic, smoky, peaty and soapy.
Impression: A whisky difficult to rate, as I appreciated its lightness and a pleasant smokiness, however I enjoyed less some soapy flavours. VAT 69 used to have an excellent reputation, but the quality might have decreased over time.
Rating: 10/20 FP:C2

Crawfords 3 stars, OB, 40%, B:1970s. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: Very smooth and mellow, with some light, old fashioned and slightly aromatic peat smoke, as well as light sweet fruity flavours of tangerine, orange, a touch of leather and cocoa. Diluted, it becomes softer and more floral
Taste: Light, fresh, with sweet fruity flavours, on aromatic and austere peat smoke, some tangerine, orange, a light saltiness and a nice round and sweet sherry influence.  The finis is medium to long, very aromatic, dry, austere, slightly farmy, on floral, aromatic old-fashioned peat smoke, liquorice roots and light sweet fruity flavours of orange and tangerine.
Impression: A blend with a very nice, dry, austere and aromatic peat smoke. Slightly more aromatic than the Aisnlie’s King’s Legend. I enjoyed the smokiness reminding me of the old style of Clynelish and Glen Garioch. The Crawfords 3 star enjoyed a very good reputation for its quality.
Rating: 15/20 FP:D3

Dufftown 8 YO Cork, OB, 80 proof, B: 1960s. Price:
Colour: Pale gold
Nose: Very smoky, peaty, intense, aromatic, slightly malty, austere and complex, with a slight fruitiness. Woaww. A very unexpected nose for a dufftown.
Taste: Dry, ashy, slightly tarry, very smoky, peaty, malty, austere, floral, slightly fragrant, on mineral oil and a hint of salt. Slightly meaty and farmy as well. The finish is medium to long, fatty, oily, slighlty mineral, austere, floral, salty, tarry, farmy, dry and meaty, with some camphor and a hint of cough candies.
Impression: A suprisingly smoky, complex, peaty and austere Dufftown, with a style  that cannot be compared to current production. Tasting blind, this would be a challenge for any whisky expert to guess this was a dufftown. Lovely. After having tasting it, I understand better now why those old Dufftown are reaching a high price.
Rating: 17/20 FP:B5

Dufftown 1984, 25 YO, Signatory, 54.7%, B: 2009, cask 80, 155 bottles. Price:
Colour: Amber.
Nose: Very smooth sherry nose, rich spices, Christmas spices, on violet, some leather and marshmallow.
Taste: Rich, floral, round, smooth, spicy, slightly bitter, on orange, leather, nutmeg, some tannins and honey. Diluted, it becomes more on fudge cake. The finish is long, smooth, slightly floral, lots on rich spices, a hint or rubber, on orange and tangerine.
Impression: A very smooth, rich and spicy Dufftown, with one of these nice round sherry influences.
Rating: 16/20 FP:G2

Brora 1977 Whisky Magazine Editor’s Choice, Scotch Malt Whisky Society, 51.3%, B:2003, cask 529, 187 bottles. Price:
Colour: Light gold
Nose: Peaty, farmy to very farmy, austere, with some seaweeds and sea brine.
Taste: Peaty to very peaty, intense, spicy to very spicy, slightly austere on Dijon’s mustard, sea brine, some bonfire smoke and tangerine. The finish is long, peaty, smoky, intense, farmy to very farmy, slightly citric, on sea brine, lemon juice, a hint of smoke, some seaweeds. Diluted, some camphor is released, as well as some spearmint, ginger and more mustardy flavours. There is also a long peat retro-olfaction on disinfectant, bandages and camphor.
Impression: A very good Brora, peaty, farmy with lovely medicinal flavours of camphor and bandages. Maybe not as intense as the Rare Malt 1977 24 YO, but more complex and medicinal. Thank you very much Gene.
Rating: 17/20 FP:A6

Karuizawa 1970 Geisha, OB, 61.9%, B:2012, cask 6227, 433 bottles. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Rich, floral, intense, very complex, on exotic wood, dried fruits, leather, soft tannins, orange, tangerine, plums, some blackcurrant and a slight fragrance. Excellent
Taste: Very intense and floral, fragrant, intense, on various berries (gooseberries and red berries), exotic wood, leather, cardamom, swiss chocolate, some cinnamon, pineapples and a touch of mint. Diluted, it becomes more on milk chocolate and tinned pineapples, with some tannins and roasted coffee beans. The finish is medium to long, smooth, mellow and on the same flavours.
Impression: The oldest and more mellow Karuizawa I have tasted so far. The nose was very intense and smooth, complex, with a smooth and mellow mouth feel on Swiss milk chocolate. Very enjoyable! Thank you Gene.
Rating: 17/20 FP:E2

Ainslie’s King's Legend, OB, 40%, B: 1978. Price:
Colour: Gold-old gold
Nose: Smooth, spicy to very spicy, slightly oaky, with some tangerine, mustard seeds, farmy and stable flavours, with a certain dryness at the end. Smoother, dryer and more on ginger than the Anslie’s Royal Edinburgh Spring Cap
Taste:  Dry, spicy, austere, aromatic, waxy, intense, slightly farmy, on mustard seeds, lemon zest, some aromatic peat smoky and light rooty flavours. The finish is medium to long, farmy, waxy, austere, aromatic, slightly rooty, on dry peat smoke, some gentian, mustard seeds, and light aromatic and austere peat smoke. Diluted, some aromas of bitter caramel are released.
Impression: A dry to very blended whisky, austere to very austere, with nice old-fashioned aromatic peat style. A good to very good blend, which contained certainly Clynelish malt.
Rating: 14/20 FP:A2

Hanyu 1991 131.1 The Sinful Side of Sexy, 22 YO, Scotch Malt Whisky Society, 57.4%, B:2013, 212 bottles. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Very smooth, oaky, elegant, on vanilla, butterscotch, cloves, a twist of lemon and some sandalwood.
Taste: Very smooth and floral, elegant, mellow,  on vanilla, buttescotch and a twist of lemon. The finish is medium, very smooth, elegant, with some vanilla, butterscotch and light exotic spices. Diluted, it becomes smoother, rather fruity, on melon, some fresh peach, slight notes of orchards fruits, starch and almonds.
Impression: A very smooth, balanced and pleasant Hanyu, become more fruity with some water.
Rating: 15/20 FP:A1

Dufftown 15 YO Fauna & Flora, OB, 43%, B: 2009. Price:
Colour: Gold.
Nose: Light, fresh, malty, nutty and slightly spicy.
Taste: Light, fresh, malty, nutty and slightly spicy, with some caramel. The finish is medium, malty, nutty and on caramel, with a nice smoothness appearing at the end.
Impression: A correct malty and nutty whisky.
Rating: 11/20 FP:C2

Dufftown 1976, 32 YO, Dewar Rattray, 55.4%, B: 2008, cask 7752, 165 bottles. Price:
Colour: Gold.
Nose: Floral, fragrant, smooth, oaky, with some fresh leather and farmy notes.
Taste: Malty, spicy, round, oaky, on toffee, with some coffee, a hint of smoke and some yellow fruits. The finish is medium, malty, spicy, round, oaky, on toffee and with some yellow fruits.
Impression: A nice round Dufftown, slightly tamed by the wood.
Rating: 14/20 FP:D2

Hanyu Ichiro for Zoetrope 2000, OB, 60.7%, B:2009, cask 9800. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Clean, very smooth, young, slightly yeatsy, with some sweet sugary notes and a slight fragrance.
Taste: Light, young, fresh, floral, slightly fragrant, with some oaky spices and a light sugary sweetness. Rather rough. The finish is medium, floral, fragrant to very fragrant, with a slight bitterness.
Impression: A rather youngish, fresh, flroal, fragrant and slightly rough. The influence of the Rum is moderate.
Rating: 08/20 FP:C1

Clynelish 1995, 20 YO, OB, Signatory, 50.3%, B:2016, cask 8685, 398 bottles. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Very smooth, waxy, smooth, fruity, and slightly mineral, with some seaweeds, tangerine, orange and soft spicy notes. Well balanced. Very good.
Taste: Smooth, fruity to very fruity, slightly rubbery, waxy and mineral, on tangerine, some citrus, orange, tangerine, toffee and light notes of mustards. The finish is medium to long, spicy to very spicy (white and black pepper), smooth, mustardy, on tangerine, orange, orange peel, some sea brine and light touch of toffee and smoke.
Impression: A pleasant Clynelish, with a very smooth and balanced nose, slightly mineral on the palate and surprisingly spicy on the finish. A contrasted Clynelish. Thank you Claude and Happy birthday !
Rating: 15/20 FP:D1

Clynelish 5 YO Ainslie & Heilbron for Di Chiano, OB, 43%, B:1970s. Price:
Colour: Old gold
Nose: Smoky to very smoky, waxy to very waxy, very oily and greasy, smooth, austere to very austere, slightly aromatic, on Mirabelle and some light sweet citrus.
Taste: Citric, austere, very waxy and oily, aromatic, smoky, slightly peaty and grassy, on sea brine, grapefruits, mirabelle and a touch of tangerine and ore. The finish is long to very long, waxy, coastal, citric, phenolic, austere, on peat and mineral smoke, some diesel smoke, light mineral flavours, Mirabelle, beeswax and some phenols.
Impression: An excellent young whisky, very waxy and oily, grassy and on beeswax, with mineral smoky flavours. It has also sweet citric flavours of grapefruit. Seems older than 5 years old. More oily than the 12 YO.
Rating: 17/20 FP:C3

Hanyu 2000 131.2, 13 YO, Scotch Malt Whisky Society, 55.1%, 646 bottles. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Very smooth, elegant, rich, sweet, fruity, on Christmas cake, diverse spices, high grade leather, fine tannins, exotic and polish wood, as well as chocolate. Complex.
Taste: Very smooth and rich, floral, on chocolate, spices, tannins, some red berries and pineapples, as well as some polished and exotic wood. The finish is medium, thick, chewy, heavy on the tannins, cocoa, roasted coffee beans, leather, some red berries as well as rich spicy notes.
Impression: A nicely made Hanyu, with rich and intense spicy influence of sherry and on chocolate.
Rating: 17/20 FP:H1

Hanyu 1990 Bar Show 2013, OB, 53.9%, cask 518. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Very smooth, on exotic spices, vanilla, sandalwood and leather of the highest grade.
Taste: Very smooth, fragrant,  oaky, slightly spicy, on exotic spices, some oaky flavours, slightly meaty and leathery, on sandalwood, some hops and floral flavours.  The finish is medium to long, musty, slightly oaky and bitter, with some vanilla, wallnuts, a few fragments fo fugde, some melon and a touch of mango.
Impression: A good, oaky, spicy and rather intense Hanyu, with some musty flavours on the finish.
Rating: 13/20 FP:C1

Hanyu 2000 for La Maison du Whisky, OB, 59.9%, B:2014, cask 957. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Very intense and smooth, spirity, clean, on vanilla, some humus and peach and a touch of pears. Elegant, subtle and with soft spcies.
Taste: Spirty, intense, very smooth to extremely smooth, soft, subtle, creamy to very creamy, with soft spices. Diluted, it becomes extremely soft and silky. The finish is short to medium, smooth to very smooth, silky, on soft floral flavours, with some vanilla cream and sugar icing. Diluted, it becomes smoother and more silky.
Impression: A very smooth, creamy and silky whisky, initially slightly spirit and oaky. Diluted, it becomes one, if not, the smoothness and silkiest whisky I have tasted. The mouth feel is excellent. Thank you Fabrice.
Rating: 17/20 FP:A1

Bowmore Bicentenary 1969, OB, 56.2%, B:1979, cask 322. Price:
Colour: Old gold
Nose: Smoky, maritime, peaty, intense, austere, on citrus, grapefruit, complex peat smoke, lime blossom, some seaweeds and mineral notes.
Taste: Smoky, peaty, maritime, salty, bitter, on citrus, bitter lemon and grapefruits, some seaweed, seashells and some tropical fruits on the background, as well as some tobacco flavours. The finish is long, slightly bitter and citric, on peat smoke, humus, tobacco leaves and some old oxidised mineral flavours.
Impression: An intense, maritime and rather citric version of Bowmore. Not an easy one.
Rating: 17/20 FP:E5

Bowmore 1965, 20 YO, Sestante, 49.1%, B: 1985. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: Maritime, salty, smoky, with lots of citrus, some bandages, a slight peatiness, iodine and seaweeds.
Taste: Round, smooth, salty, maritime, on citrus, some tropical fruits, bandages, iodine and peat smoke. Rounder and smoother than the 40% version of Intertrade. The finish is medium to long, rather citric, with some sweet tropical fruits, tangerine, salt, seaweeds, old fashioned peat smoke, some bonfire smoke and a hint of diesel smoke.
Impression: A very good, maritime and citric Bowmore, with some sweet fruity notes, but as well with some slightly woody and oaky flavours on the finish.
Rating: 17/20 FP:F4

Bowmore 1965, 20 YO, Intertrade, 40%, B:1985. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: Maritime, salty, smoky, peaty, complex, medicinal, slightly aromatic, on bandages, phenols, iodine, seaweeds, citrus and mineral notes. Excellent.
Taste: Salty, maritime, rather sweet and juicy, medicinal, phenolic, slightly mineral and austere, with some peat smoke and liquorice roots, on tropical fruits, bandages, iodine, seawater, seaweeds and tangerine. Complex. The finish is medium to long and on the same flavours.
Impression: An excellent, mineral, austere, maritime and citric Bowmore, with some sweet fruitiness coming from tropical fruits.
Rating: 18/20 FP: D4

Bowmore 1997 “A walk on the wild side» 3.196, 14 YO, Scotch Malt Whisky Society, 56.2%, B:2013. Price:
Colour: Old gold
Nose: Farmy to very farmy, intense, very peaty, oaky, on stable, seaweeds, camphor and other medicinal flavours.
Taste: Dry to very dry,  very peaty, oaky to very oaky, rough, on cough syrup, medicinal flavours, vanilla and other bitter notes. Very rough. The finish is long, oaky, very peaty, intense and maritime, on vanilla, oak chips and smoke.
Impression:  An extremely peaty, intense and oaky Bowmore. A hate or love whisky.
Rating: 11/20 FP:A8

Bowmore Decanter, 15 YO, OB, 40%, B:1988. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Very smooth, slightly mellow, peaty and maritime, on orange, tangerine, some fragrance, (lavender),  tropical fruits and  a slight soapiness
Taste: Very fragrant (lavender and perfume), soapy, smoky, floral, on orange, tangerine, some leather and wood polish, and a hint of dry wood. Diluted, it becomes more fragrant and bitter. The finish is medium, with a similar flavour profile as on the palate, with slightly more maritime flavours.
Impression: A curious Bowmore, with some nice smooth, fruity and smoky flavours, some tropical fruits mixed with perfume and some light soapy flavours.
Rating: 12/20 FP:E3

Brora 35 YO Special Release 2012, OB, 48.1%, B: 2012. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Smooth, mellow, farmy to very farmy, on peat smoke, grapefruit, wax, and some slight mineral flavours. Rather peaty and intense, with a slight bitterness. Smells more peaty than the 1977 21 YO Rare Malts.
Taste: Smooth, mellow to very mellow, slightly farmy, with some peat smoke, grapefruits, other citrus, slight notes of leather. Diluted, it becomes more farmy, wxy, smoky and citric. The finish is long, waxy, slightly farmy, peaty, citric and dry, with some peat smoke and light round fruity notes. Diluted, it becomes more waxy.
Impression: A complex, round, slightly peaty and farmy Brora, with a nice waxiness once some water has been added.
Rating: 18/20 FP:B4

Brora 35 YO Special Release 2012, OB, 48.1%, B: 2012. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Smooth, mellow, farmy to very farmy, on peat smoke, grapefruit, wax, and some slight mineral flavours. Rather peaty and intense, with a slight bitterness. Smells more peaty than the 1977 21 YO Rare Malts.
Taste: Smooth, mellow to very mellow, slightly farmy, with some peat smoke, grapefruits, other citrus, slight notes of leather. Diluted, it becomes more farmy, wxy, smoky and citric. The finish is long, waxy, slightly farmy, peaty, citric and dry, with some peat smoke and light round fruity notes. Diluted, it becomes more waxy.
Impression: A complex, round, slightly peaty and farmy Brora, with a nice waxiness once some water has been added.
Rating: 18/20 FP:B4

Glen Garioch 1993, Adelphi, 59.0%, B:2014, cask 774, 501 bottles. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose:  Very smooth and malty, round, slightly spicy, aromatic and smoky, with nice sweet fruity flavours, some tangerine, orange, grapefruits, fudge, almond and guava. It becomes drier and more aromatic over time.
Taste: Smooth, intense, malty, waxy, rich, spicy, complex, on ginger, aromatic herbs, some peat smoke, banana, guava, tangerine, orange, sun bathed barley, honey and humus. The finish is medium to long, dry, spicy to very spicy, aromatic, oaky, rich,on ginger, aromatic herbs, tangerine, orange, bananas and light flavours of grapefruits.
Impression: A very intense and spicy Glen Garioch, aromatic and with pleasant fruity flavours.
Rating:16/20 FP:F1

Yamazaki 1995 Owner’s Cask for JFTD, OB, 58%, B:2008, cask 5P70140. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Very intense, oaky, smooth and floral, on vanilla, on spices, some sandthorn (sea buckthorns) and light touches of peach.
Taste: Spirity, hot, spicy, oaky, with some peach and pears. Diluted, it becomes more floral, smoother, slightly creamy, spicy to very spicy, on white pepper, some ginger, light vanilla and creamy flavours. The finish is medium, creamy, floral, very smooth, slightly milky, on vanilla and a touch of berries.
Impression: A whisky rather hot, spirity and spicy initially, that benefits from some water. It becomes then smoother, more creamy-milky and with soft floral flavours. Thank you Gene.
Rating: 15/20 FP:A1

Bulleit 95 Rye small batch, OB, 45%, B:2015. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Very spicy, intense, dry to very dry, oaky and with some pepper, juniper and honey.
Taste: Extremely spicy, peppery to very peppery, on orange peel, vanilla and strong notes of juniper berries. The finish is medium to long, dry, oaky, slightly bitter, on juniper, pecan nuts, black pepper, some apricots and orange peel.
Impression: Composed of 95% Rye it is not surprising that the nose smells like pure rye and with a dry spicy rye impression on the mouth feel without any excessive dryness. A well made whiskey that would fit well in any tasting. Good value.
Rating: 14/20 FP: A1

Knock Creek Rye Small Batch, OB, 50%, B:2015. Price:
Colour: Old gold
Nose: Soft, oaky, creamy, slightly peppery and dry, on aromatic herbs, cinnamon and cloves.
Taste: Creamy to very creamy, soft, slightly spicy, with some corn syrup, cinnamon, nutmeg and cooked cereals. The finish is medium, creamy, spicy to very spicy, with some dry-bitter aromas.
Impression: A pleasant rye whiskey, slightly oaky and with a rather strong dry, spicy, peppery and slightly bitter finish.
Rating:13/20 FP:A1

Sazerac Rye, 6 YO, OB, 45%, B:2015. Price:
Colour: Old gold
Nose: Spicy to very spicy, very intense, peppery, on cooked cereals, cinnamon and some cloves.
Taste: Very intense, spicy, rich, complex, slightly oaky and nutty, on cinnamon, nutmeg, mint, pecan nuts and some aromatic herbs. The finish is long, spicy, nutty and intense, on pecan nuts, cinnamon, some nutmeg and mint.
Impression: A very pleasant, intense, well balanced and complex Sazerac, with lovely rye spices. A good value whiskey.
Rating: 15/20 FP:C1

Jefferson’s 1991, 18 YO, OB, Batch 15. Price:
Colour: Brown-amber
Nose: Very smooth and floral, on cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, maple and corn syrup, apricots and spices, including some pepper.
Taste: Smooth, spicy, with strong notes of corn syrup, on treacle, spices, some rye, apricots, peach and nutmeg. The finish is medium to long, smooth, spicy, on corn syrup, rye, some tannins, cinnamon, nutmeg and orange.
Impression: A good whisky, with quite some rye influence and a rather woody-tannic influence on the finish.
Rating: 14/20 FP:A1

High West Double Rye, OB, 46%, Batch 13A16. Price:
Colour: Gold-Old gold
Nose: Very soft, dry, milky, on rye, intense mint and some black pepper.
Taste: On soft and creamy rye spices, cinnamon and apples. The finish is medium, soft, slightly sweet and spirity, spicy, on cinnamon, lights aromas of pecan and pepper.
Impression: Composed of 2 years old and 16 years old rye, with a 95% Rye mashbill for the young one and 53% Rye in the old one. The result is a rather sweet and soft rye whisky, pleasant, but slightly young and spirit on the finish.
Rating: 12/20 FP:B1

Ardmore 1978 Authentic Collection, 19 YO, Cadenhead’s, 59%, B:1998. Price:
Colour: Straw
Nose: Slightly peaty, aromatic, floral to very floral, with some starch and a light sweetness.
Taste: Peaty, aromatic, intense, floral, slightly sweet, with some cocoa and a light astringency and bitterness. The finish is medium, floral, slightly fragrant and bitter, on vanilla and some liquorice root.
Impression: A rather bitter and rooty Ardmore, with little wood influence and some sweet oaky flavours. Slightly unbalanced.
Rating: 11/20 FP:A3

Ardmore 1965 Dumpy Dark Label, 18 YO, Cadenhead’s, 45.7% (80 Proof), B:1984. Price:
Colour: Old gold
Nose: Smooth, austere, mineral, slightly smoky and peaty, on humidor, some light sour berries, bonfire smoke and tangerine. Very good.
Taste: Spicy, fragrant, slightly floral (lavender), on orange juice (Fanta), some menthol, eucalyptus and tangerine. The finish is medium, with strong aromas of orange juice (Fanta), rather sweet, fragrant and floral, slightly mineral, smoky and austere, and on tangerine.
Impression: A surprising Ardmore, with a nice smoky, austere and old fashioned peat smoke, while it is very much on Fanta on the palate. Original.
Rating: 14/20 FP:D4

Ardmore 2000, 14 YO, James MacArthur, 58.3%, B: 2014, cask 215. Price:
Colour: Pale gold
Nose: Very clean, sharp, intense, slightly smoky and on varnish. It becomes smokier given time and less on varnish.
Taste: Fragrant, very spicy, hot, alcoholic, with some hay and fruits from the orchards. The finish is medium, intense, hot, spicy, fragrant to very fragrant, fierce, on lavender and some fruits from the orchards.
Impression: A hot and spirit Ardmore, very clean and sharp, rather fierce and harsh.
Rating: 10/20 FP:A3

Ardmore 1998 66.82 Gritty-turned-pretty, 17 YO, Scotch Malt Whisky Society, 57.5%, B:2016. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Very round, vegetal, on toffee, fudge, rubber, a slight smokiness and some bonfire smoke.
Taste: Smoky, floral, slightly peaty and aromatic, very round, on burnt rubber, tar, dark berries, toffee, fudge and lingonberries. The finish is long, rich, thick, chewy, on burnt rubber and sugar, toffee, fudge, cocoa, leather, cinnamon, black berries, lingonberries.
Impression: An Ardmore with a strong personality, with strong rubber flavour, lighter vegetal aromas on top of some aromatic peat smoke and cocoa. I like some sides of this whisky very much and some less.
Rating: 14/20 FP:F3

Lomond Original, OB, 40%, B:2015. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Very smooth and creamy, light, round, malty, on vanilla, porridge and orchard’s fruits.
Taste: Light to very light, very smooth, slightly spicy, malty, creamy, on green apples, some grist and light floral and fragrant flavours, as well as vanilla. The finish is medium, light, fresh, grainy, malty, on green apples, some vanilla and floral notes.
Impression: A light and very smooth whisky, with some young components, but easy drinking and fresh green apples. Refreshing.
Rating: 11/20 FP:A1

Glenturret 1986 The Helvetian Collection, Signatory, 49.1%, B:2015, cask 302, 259 bottles. Price:
Colour: Gold –old gold
Nose: Smooth to very smooth, malty, with some hops, dry grass, a touch of honey and light aromatic herbs.
Taste: Very smooth, malty, juicy, slightly aromatic and mineral, with light floral flavours and yellow fruits, and a touch of hops.
Impression: A very smooth Glenturret, mellow and slightly aromatic. Very pleasant to drink, but I enjoyed the Balmenach slightly better. The flavours of hops are less pronouced than in the younger versions of Glenturry and I like this better. Thank you Julian.
Rating: 16/20 FP:A1

Glenury Royal 1984 Rare Old R0/02/15, Gordon & MacPhail, 43%, B:2012. Price:
Colour: Old gold
Nose: Intense, rich, spicy to very spicy, smoky, slightly peaty, on humus, some grapefruit, apples and hay.
Taste: Oaky, spicy, slightly smoky, on humus, toffee, old wood, dry bonfire smoke, various fruity flavours (including some apples), oak extracts, cocoa, some peat smoke and light aromatic and austere flavours. The finish is medium to long, complex, mellow, slightly aromatic, smoky, peaty and spicy, with some humus, bonfire smoke, fudge, caramel, and liquorice candies (cachou).
Impression: A mellow Glenury Royal, with the typical smoky, spicy and light aromatic and “dusty” flavours from that distillery. Very good. Thank you Martin.
Rating: 16/20 FP:D2

Glenury Royal 1970, 40 YO, OB, 59.4%, B:2011, 1500 bottles. Price:
Colour: Gold-old gold.
Nose: Smooth, clean, mellow, slightly spicy, with some vanilla, smoke, potpourri and humus.
Taste: Dry, floral to very floral, fragrant, slightly soapy, on toffee, fudge, hops, smoke, yellow flowers, bacon and a touch of cocoa, pineapples, apples, melon and various bitter flavours. The finish is medium to long, bitter, floral, slightly fragrant, on yellow fruits, vanilla and roots. Diluted, it becomes extremely bitter, floral and fragrant.
Impression: A very floral and bitter version of Glenury. With water, the bitterness is too much for me. I liked the earlier official versions better.
Rating: 13/20 FP:B2

Glen Garioch 1988, 16 YO, Usquebaugh Society, 54.4%, B:2004. Price:
Colour:  Gold-old gold
Nose: Heavy, waxy, austere, slightly aromatic, peaty and smoky, on humus, paraffin, on thick fruity flavours and some fudge.
Taste: Waxy, very spicy, rough, floral, slightly grassy and creamy, on ginger, candied ginger, honey, peat smoke and juicy fruity flavours. The finish is rather long, waxy to very waxy, slightly creamy, floral and fragrant, on humus, ginger, some vanilla, peat smoke and fruity flavours.
Impression: An intense, waxy, slightly creamy and peaty Glen Garioch. Very enjoyable. Thank you Martin.
Rating: 16/20 FP:B2

Balmenach 1979 for Magnin vins, 33 YO, The Perfect Dram, 52.8%, B:2012, 202 bottles. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Malty, fresh, slightly milky, with some citrus, gooseberries, humus and grassy flavours.
Taste: Smooth, spicy, dusty, slightly floral, on pineapples, some coconut and grapefruit. The finish is medium to long, slightly bitter and tannic, on citrus, with light floral flavours and some tobacco leaves.
Impression: A nice Balmenach, spicy, and with some citrus and a slight bitterness.
Rating: 12/20 FP:B1

Balmenach 1988 The Helvetian Collection,  Signatory, 49.6%, B:2016, 206 bottles. Price:
Colour: Gold-old gold
Nose: Smooth, floral, malty, elegant, on freshly crushed barley, some fruits from the orchards, other fruity flavours and a touch of fudge.
Taste: Smoky, intense, floral, malty, slightly dry and peaty, with some fruits from the orchards, melon and other yellow fruits. Smooth, complex and elegant. The finish is long, complex, mineral, malty, slightly peaty, floral, and aromatic, with some yellow fruits, quince and a touch of honey.
Impression: An excellent Balmenach, surprisingly peaty and with nice fruity influence. The Helvetian Collection is a new range of whiskies bottled for the Whisky Neumarkt in Zürich in Switzerland. Thank you Julian.
Rating: 17/20 FP:B3

Balmenach 1979, 32 YO, The Maltbarn, 53.1%, B: 2012, 209 bottles. Price:
Colour: Gold.
Nose: Smooth, clean, malty, with some hay, melon and a hint of smoke.
Taste: Smooth, clean, slightly juicy and floral, with sweet and delicate fruity notes, on honey, malt, end of spring flowers, vanilla and lots of bananas. Elegant. The finish is medium, light, very smooth, elegant, and slightly waxy, with a few drops of lemon and hay, on banana, honey and some vanilla.
Impression: A less intense and slightly less fruity version than the Whisky Exchange version bottled some years ago, but more subtle and elegant. Two rather clean and slightly different versions of the same high quality.
Rating: 15/20 FP:A1

Oban at the distillery only, OB, 55.2%, B:2010. Price:
Colour: Old gold
Nose: Salty, maritime, thick, slightly oaky, on tobacco leaves, leather, dried fruits, some tangerine, toffee, peat smoke, sea brine, and with slight farmy notes. Excellent.
Taste: Salty, slightly maritime, intense, oaky, spicy, peppery, slightly nutty, with some peat smoke, a touch of humus, liquorice roots, vanilla and some walnuts. Rather dry. Slightly “dirty”. The finish is medium to long, intense, dry to very dry, on liquorice roots, vanilla and lots of walnuts, some salt, over-infused tea, peat smoke and sea brine.
Impression: A dry to very dry version of Oban that seems to have been matured in a walnut cask. An Oban with a strong personality and rather different from the other official bottlings.
Rating: 13/20 FP:B2

Brora 1978 Rare & Old, Gordon & MacPhail, 46%, B:2013, Ref: RO/13/05. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber.
Nose: Smooth, rich, peaty, smoky to very smoky, slightly farmy, on tangerine, orange, sultanas, leather, juicy fruits, with light medicinal, tarry and citric flavours. Well balanced.
Taste: Spicy, oaky, smoky, slightly peaty, waxy, farmy and citric, with nice fruity flavours, some seabrine, chocolate, leather, orange, tangerine, tobacco leave, over-infused black tea and a touch of rubber and vegetal flavours. The finish is long, peaty, smoky, rather salty and spicy, slightly woody and oaky, on ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, tobacco leaves, cocoa, tangerine, orange and some leather.
Impression: An excellent Brora, moderately peaty and smooth, on leather, cocoa, spices and nice sweet fruity flavours. Very pleasant!
Rating: 18/20 FP:E4

GlenDronach 1993, 21 YO, OB, 52.3%, B: 2014, cask 6. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Very rich, intense, thick, on dry sherry, dried fruits, sultanas, berries, cherries, lots of fine leather, orange, tangerine, cocoa and cinnamon. Very good.
Taste: Smooth, chewy, fruity to very fruity, on orange, tangerine, some tropical fruits, pineapples, cinnamon, nutmeg, and dry tannins. The finish is medium to long, smooth, mellow, rich, fruity to very fruity, on tannins, leather, dried fruits, various berries, sultanas, some chocolate, tangerine and orange.  Diluted, it becomes slightly drier and more tannic.
Impression:  An excellent GlenDronach, heavily sherried, with a nice, thick and smooth sherry influence, and very pleasant fruity flavours. Bottled at the right time, as it would have certainly become too dry and tannic.
Thank you Gene!
Rating: 17/20 FP:H1

Glen Garioch 1973 (US version), 21 YO, OB, 43%. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Smoky, peaty, intense, clean, aromatique, mineral, on flint stone, aromatic herbs and slight medicinal flavours.
Taste: Peaty to very peaty, medicinal, smoky, aromatic, mineral, on flint stone, aromatic herbs, spices, some menthol and eucalyptus. Rather light, but intense and clean. The finish is long, intense, peaty, austere, smoky, aromatic, mineral, with some soot, tar, ashes, liquorice roots, gentian and aromatic herbs.
Impression: A very aromatic, clean, peaty and tarry Glen Garioch, suprisingly intense. We do not really feel the slightly low ABV of 43%. I really enjoy this type of peaty and austere old type of heavily peated Glen Garioch. Thank you very much Carsten !
Rating: 18/20 FP:A7

Littlemill 1990, 24 YO, Cadenhead’s, 53.7%, B:2015. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Very smooth and grassy, floral, on honey, some vanilla, fruits from the orchards and coconut.
Taste: Smooth, slightly spicy, grassy and woody, with some ginger, pepper, pollen and a touch of honey. The finish is medium, floral and slightly grassy, with some honey, pepper, ginger and vanilla, as well as a hint of tobacco leaves. Diluted, it becomes more oaky and woody, with some light bitterness.
Impression: The nose is pleasantly grassy and smooth, rather spicy on the palate and becoming slightly woody on the finish. Thank you Fabrice.
Rating: 14/20 FP:A1

Littlemill 1984 For La Boutique du Chemin, Cooper’s Choice, 48.5%, B:2016, cask 3901, 260 bottles. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Very smooth and grassy, mellow, round, green, floral, subtle and soft, on honey and vanilla, with a touch of melon. Very pleasant.
Taste: Smooth, elegant, floral, grassy, intense, fruits from the orchards, some pollen, honey and fresh grassy flavours, as well as some other fruity flavours. The finish is medium, grassy, sweet, smooth, slightly mellow and fruity, with some fruits from the orchards and yellow fruits. Diluted it becomes greener and with a touch of bitter tobacco extracts.
Impression: A very smooth, grassy and elegant Littlemill. Well balanced and very pleasant.
Rating: 16/20 FP:A1

Littlemill 1984, Cooper’s Choice, 49%, B:2015, cask 3904, 270 bottles. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Very smooth and mellow, soft, round, slightly floral, with some honey, aromatic herbs, vanilla and a touch of watermelon and honey melon. Thinner and more oaky than the cask 3901, but also slightly more grassy and aromatic.
Taste: Very smooth, soft, floral, grassy to very grassy, with some melon, quince, honey and fruits from the orchards. The finish is medium, mellow, smooth, slightly woody, grassy and oaky, with some honey and fruits from the orchards.
Impression: A smoother and lighter version of Littlemill than cask 3901, with more wood influence. I like better the one for the shop in Brussels.
Rating: 14/20 FP:A1

Littlemill 1990, 24 YO, Eiling Lim, 46.8%, B:2014, 113 bottles. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Smooth, very grassy, round, rich, floral, and intense, on honey and grapefruits. Very good!
Taste: Very grassy, smooth, rich, spicy and citric, on grapefruit, with some tar, tobacco smoke, ginger, thyme, pepper. The finish is medium, very citric, grassy, slightly smoky, on grapefruit and pink grapefruit, some tobacco, thyme, honey and light grassy flavours.
Impression: The nose is deliciously grassy and pleasant, very grassy on the palate and with strong flavours of grapefruits, getting even more citric and slightly dry on the finish. A well made Littlemill. Thank you Fabrice!
Rating: 16/20 FP:A1

Littlemill 1988, 27 YO, Pearls of Scotland, 54.2%, B:2015, cask 130, 195 bottles. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Smooth, malty, floral to very floral, slightly dry and smoky, on dry flowers, grass, heather and fur tree honey, as well as some grapefruit and tropical fruits (mainly mango).
Taste: Very smooth and grassy, slightly smoky (including tobacco smoke) and aromatic, on heather and fur tree honey, grapefruits, some ginger, guava, vanilla and bananas. The finish is medium, citric, slightly grassy, aromatic and smoky, on grapefruits and some dry rooty flavours. Diluted, it becomes smoother but also bitterer.
Impression: A very smooth and grassy Littlemill, slightly more rooty than the Eiling Lim. And thank you again Fabrice!
Rating: 15/20 FP:A1

Brora 1977 Rare Malts, 21 YO, OB, 56.9%. Price:
Colour: Pale Gold
Nose: Peaty, smoky, meaty, oaky, with some tar, sea brine, sea salt and mustard seeds. Less peaty and more maritime than the 1975 Rare Malts 60.75%.
Taste: Peaty, salty to very salty, meaty, with some leather, diesel smoke, sea brine, a touch of dried seaweeds and a slight bitter fragrance, as well as a touch of Mirabelle or quince gelly. Diluted, it becomes much more waxy, and on sweet candied fruits (apples and pears), with some fresh leather and a strong sea brine influence. Slightly bitter and fragrant. The finish is medium to long, coastal, salty, on sea brine, peat smoke, some bitter-fragrant flavours, as well as some lemon. Diluted, it becomes smoother, more waxy and with some more citrus.
Impression: A version less intense and peaty than the 1975 RM 60.75%. Aromas of wild leather are present. This whisky becomes more pleasant, smoother and fruitier once some water has been added.
Rating: 16/20 FP:B4

Tobermory Spanish Sherry Cask Finish Distillery Only, 20 YO, OB, 56.1%, B:2016. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber.
Nose: Extremely vegetal, meaty, on vegetal condiment, spices, toffee and sulphur.
Taste: Smoky, smooth to very smooth, fruity, very vegetal, on vegetal spices, some sulphur, strawberries, orange, smoke and sea brine. The finish is medium to long, fruity, maritime, smooth, on sea brine, orange, tangerine, vanilla, watermelon, pineapples, some sulphur and vegetal spices. Diluted, it becomes more sulphury, on rubber and slightly bitter.
Impression:  A very smooth and fruity Tobermory, extremely vegetal on the nose and becoming fruitier and juicy on the palate. Too vegetal for me, but I enjoyed the nice fruity flavours.
Rating: 13/20 FP:H1

Old Fitzgerald, 6 YO, OB, 86 Proof, B:1960s. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: Very smooth, elegant, soft, and creamy, with some apples, tangerine, orange, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cashew nuts. Complex.
Taste: Light, smooth, creamy, slightly bitter and aromatic, with some orange peel, citrus, cinnamon and cloves. Subtle and elegant. The finish is medium, subtle, elegant and creamy, with some cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, orange, apricots, peach and light notes of toasted/charred wood.
Impression: A very nice elegant and smooth bourbon, with a pronounced creamy influence from the wheat. Distilled at the old Stitzel Weller distillery. Thank you Martin.
Rating: 15/20 FP:C1

Old Joe (distilled at Four Roses distillery), 4 YO, OB, 86 proof, B:1960s. Price:
Colour:  Old gold-amber
Nose: Very intense, smooth, oaky to very oaky, spicy to very spicy, on cinnamon, nutmeg, toasted wood, some cloves, cooked cereals and apricots.
Taste: Smooth, spicy, on cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon, rye spices, toasted-charred wood, orange, orange peel, some slightly green apricots and apples. The finish is medium, spicy to very spicy, peppery, smooth, on cloves, rye spices, toasted-charred wood, orange and orange peel, with light notes of caramel. Diluted, it becomes slightly soapy and the peppery spices from the rye are becoming stronger.
Impression: A very spicy and intense Bourbon, with nice flavours of orange peel, cloves and rye. Thank you Martin
Rating: 13/20 FP:D1

Old Taylor (Colonel E.H. Taylor), OB, 86 Proof, B:1960s. Price:
Colour:  Old gold-amber
Nose: Very smooth, elegant, on orange, orange peel, cinnamon, nutmeg, some apricots, cooked cereals and a hint of cloves.
Taste: Rich, spicy, on cooked cereals, apricots, peach, vanilla, nutmeg, cinnamon and a hint of cloves. Well balanced. The finish is medium, spicy, rich, on orange, orange peel, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, light notes of citrus and tangerine. Diluted, there are some additional aromas of fennel, caramel, mint and cloves
Impression: A well balanced, aromatic, spicy and rich bourbon distilled at the old distillery of E.H. Taylor, and not at the Buffalo Trace distillery as the most recent E.H. Taylor whiskies.
Rating: 15/20 FP:C1

Images of Bartstown, Malts of Scotland, 53.2%. Price:
Colour: Old gold
Nose: Extremely smooth, creamy, milky, with some light rye spices, caramel and corn syrup.
Taste: Extremely smooth, very light, floral to very floral, creamy, slightly spicy and creamy, with some cinnamon, vanilla and mint. The rye spices are light. The finish is medium, creamy, light, very smooth, floral, with light spices of rye, some orange, orange peel and cinnamon.
Impression: An extremely smooth Bourbon, creamy and slightly spicy. A product from Heaven Hill distillery? Thank you Martin.
Rating: 13/20 FP:A1

Old Pulteney 1989, OB, 46%, B:2015. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Oaky, maritime, coastal, slightly meaty (salami and dried meat), some dry peat smoke, and a touch of seaweeds.
Taste: Salty to very salty, oaky, slightly soapy and meaty, with some seaweeds, sea brine, a light peat smoke, some pear jelly, vanilla and light notes of banana.  The finish is medium, on seawater, peated water, salt, seaweeds, vanilla and some banana.
Impression: An unbalanced whisky, with some diluted peat smoke struggling with the coastal and maritime flavours from the distillate. The previous version was pretty good, but this new edition of the Old Pulteney matured in ex-peated casks does not work so good, to my humble opinion, but others have a quite different opinion.
Rating: 09/20 FP:A3

Old Pulteney 1973, Scott’s Selection, 55.3%, B:2005. Price:
Colour:  Gold
Nose: Peaty, smoky, maritime to very maritime, salty, on seaweeds, light peat smoke, some diesel smoke, sea brine, vanilla and pine needles.
Taste: Salty to very salty, maritime, on sea brine, some yellow flower and fruits, smooth, slightly aromatic, on diesel smoke, some candied quince, honey and vanilla. The finish is long, mellow to very mellow, smooth, round, salty, slightly maritime and smoky, on sea brine, with some heather honey, quince, vanilla, melon, light herbal and woody flavours,
Impression:  A very good, complex and salty Old Pulteney, with a smooth and mellow pleasant fruity influence. Thank you Peter.
Rating: 16/20 FP:A3

Bunnahabhain 1991, 21 YO, Single Cask Collection, 49.1%, B:2012. Price:
Colour: Pale gold
Nose: Smooth to very smooth, juicy, oaky, slightly floral and maritime, with nice light fruity flavours (pears drops) and a light smokiness.
Taste: Light to very light, floral to very floral, spicy, slightly smoky and maritime, with some ginger, oak extracts, vanilla and pears. The finish is medium, spicy, light, slightly smoky and woody, on ginger, some vanilla and pears. Diluted, it becomes more floral and bitter.
Impression: A light whisky, floral, spicy to very spicy, with some wood showing off on the finish. Thank you Manfred.
Rating: 12/20 FP: A2

Bunnahabhain 1976, 39 YO, Cadenhead’s, 49.4%, B:2015. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: Very smooth and mellow, rich, complex, very fruity, on tangerine, orange, some citrus, tropical fruits and sweet sugary flavours. Very good.
Taste: Soft, smooth to very smooth, mellow, floral, slightly maritime, on soft sweet fruity flavours of tangerine, orange, apricots, cinnamon, various spices, dry flowers and a touch of salt. The finish is medium, soft, thin, slightly bitter and tannic, on spices, orange, tangerine, some tropical fruits, apricots, cinnamon and a light maritime and salty influence.
Impression: The nose is very pleasant, smooth, mellow with abundant fruity flavours, that are present initially on the palate and that becomes thinner and more woody afterwards, especially when water is added. Better to drink without water. Thank you Fabrice.
Rating: 15/20 E1

Bunnahabhain 1987 Circus joint bottling with the Nectar, 28 YO, The Whisky Agency, 55.0%, B:2015. Price:
Colour: Gold-old gold
Nose: Very smooth, fruity and juicy, mellow, slightly maritime, on melon, pear drops, some tangerine, smoke and honey.
Taste: Light to very light, citric, floral, juicy and fruity, slightly spicy and grassy, on honey, some vanilla, passion fruits, pineapples, citrus, smoke and grassy flavours.
Impression: A whisky difficult to rate, as it is very nice when tasted neat, but becoming thin and woody with water added.
Rating: 15/20 FP: A2

Bunnahabhain 1991, 16 YO, Whisky Club Royal, 48.6%, B: 2013. Price:
Colour: Straw
Nose: Smoky, maritime to very maritime, salty, complex, rather fruity, with some melon, vanilla and banana.
Taste: Oaky, intense, smoky, maritime, on wet tobacco leaves, some fudge, sea brine, slight juicy notes as well as some seaweeds. The finish is medium to long, with some vanilla and banana.
Impression: A maritime and oaky Bunnahabhain with some fudge. Whisky club royal is a small German society.
Rating: 12/20 FP: A2

Bunnahabhain 1997, 16 YO, The First Editions, 56.4%, B:2014. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Very peaty, maritime, phenolic, tarry, slightly meaty and on ashes and toasted wood.
Taste: Salty, bitter, maritime to very maritime, intense, very peaty, phenolic and with some bandages, vanilla and liquorice. The finish is long, very peaty, salty, maritime to very maritime, very tarry, with some ashes, vanilla, bandages and medicinal-phenolic flavours.
Impression: A very good, heavily peated Bunnahabhain, with nice and strong maritime flavours.
Rating: 16/20 FP: A7

Kuddels Bunny 1987, 27 YO Anam na h-Alba, 50.3%, B; 2014, 24 bottles. Price:
Colour: Old gold
Nose: Smooth to very smooth, mellow, maritime, with some toffee, fudge, smoke and seaweeds.
Taste: Maritime, smooth, mellow, maritime to very maritime, with some toffee, fudge, vanilla and a slight smokiness, as well as some quince and melon. The finish  is medium, smooth, mlellow, maritime, on fudge and toffee,  and light fruity flavours.
Impression: A nice smooth, round and mellow Bunnahabhain, with some pleasant maritime and light fruity flavours.
Rating: 14/20 FP: A2

Bunnahabhain Moine PX Feis Ile 2016, 12 YO, OB, 54.6%, B:2016, 833 bottles. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Peaty to very peaty, dry, maritime, on fudge, sultanas, with lots of seaweeds, some bonfire smoke and orange.
Taste: Dry to very dry, oaky to very oaky, bitter, peaty, slightly maritime and smoky, on ginger, seaweeds, lots of vanilla, some tar, hemp rope, tangerine, sultanas and orange. The finish is long to very long, dry to very dry, peaty to very peaty, smoky, tarry and maritime, slightly salty, oaky to very oaky, on vanilla, some tangerine and fudge.
Impression: A very peaty, oaky and dry expression of Bunna, with a light sherry influence.
Rating: 14/20 FP: D7

Bunnahabhain 1987, Lady of the Glen, 50.01%, B:2014, cask 2470, 205 bottles. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Smooth, round, slightly maritime, with some diesel and peat smoke, some tar, light mineral and salty notes, nice round notes of honey and banana. Very nice.
Taste: Rich, rather intense, smooth, on banana, vanilla, some heather, a touch of salt, some diesel and peat smoke, as well as sweet honey notes. Well balanced. Diluted, it becomes spicier and waxy. The finish is medium, spicy, slightly maritime and smoky, on honey, white chocolate, vanilla and some banana.
Impression: A charming, intense, round Bunna, well balanced and with pleasant flavours of banana and vanilla.
Rating: 16/20 FP: A2

Kilchoman 2007 Oloroso Feis Ile 2016, OB, 8 YO, 56.6%, B:2016, Butt 429. Price:
Colour: Old gold
Nose: Very peaty, maritime to very maritime, tarry to very tarry, on hemp rope, seaweeds, iodine, light sweet notes of tangerine, some ginger, sea brine, plums and dried fruits.
Taste: Very peaty, dry and tarry, ashy, slightly rough, very intense, on tangerine, cinnamon, nutmeg, seaweeds, some berries, starch, ginger, iodine and oak extracts. The finish is long, very intense, peaty, maritime and tarry, dry, on iodine, seaweeds, some tangerine, dried fruits and a touch of citrus.
Impression: A very good Kilchoman, with some slightly rough edges, but very intense, peaty, tarry and maritime, with pleasant iodine flavours. Very complex for its age. More Kilchoman like this one please!
Rating: 15/20 FP: F7

Lagavulin 18 YO Feis Ile 2016, OB, 49.5%, B:2016, 6000 bottles. Price:
Colour: Gold Nose: Very smoky, peaty, maritime, mellow, on bonfire smoke, barbecue, some seaweeds, light medicinal flavours, camphor and citrus. The Bodega influence is mild to very mild. Taste: Very smoky, peaty, maritime, slightly medicinal, bitter and herbal, on barbecue, some seaweeds, liquorice roots, citrus and bonfire smoke. The finish is long, smoky to very smoky, peaty, maritime, slightly bitter and citric, on barbecue, some camphor, bandages, sea brine and light oaky-woody flavours. Diluted, it becomes slightly thicker, with some sultanas, more citric with more woody and bitter flavours. Impression: A very nice, rather bitter and citric version of Lagavulin, very smoky, with some wood showing off. I liked the first editions for the Feis Ile better. A vatting for refill hogsheads and European bodega sherry butts. The “Bodega” are casks made of European wood and seasoned with grape in Scotland, like done with Spanish sherry casks, but matured in Scotland, as I have been informed.
Rating: 15/20 FP:C5

Bowmore Mizunara Finish, OB, 53.9%, B:2015. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Smooth, smoky, peaty, maritime, fruity, on peach, bonfire smoke, some apricots and tangerine.
Taste: Smoky to very smoky, peaty, maritime, slightly medicinal, with some barbecue, peach, apricots and light notes of tangerine. The finish is medium to long, maritime, smooth, smoky, peaty, slightly medicinal, with some peach, tangerine and apricots.
Impression: A very nice, fresh, smooth, moderately peaty Bowmore with a nice sweet fruity influence of the Japanese oak cask Mizunanara. Very enjoyable. Thank you very much Fabrice. The quality is very good, but I wished the price was more friendly.
Rating: 17/20 FP:C4

Laphroaig Cairdeas 2016 Madeira, OB, 51.6%, B:2016. Price:
Colour:  Old gold
Nose: Very peaty, dry, smoky, maritime, slightly medicinal, winey, on berries (mainly strawberries), ashes, some seaweeds and camphor.
Taste: Ashy, tarry to very tarry, dry to very dry, oaky to very oaky, winey, maritime, on berries, strawberries, seaweeds and some vanilla. The finish is long, dry, peaty, smoky, tarry, ashy, winey, on berries and liquorice roots. Diluted, it becomes bitter and more on liquorice roots.
Impression: A very dry, oaky, tarry and peaty Laphroaig with a strong influence from the Madeira. This does not work well for me, but for the fans of Madeira finish, this is probably one not be missed.
Rating: 12/20 FP:D7

Laphroaig 2000 LPH.015, 14 YO, Hidden Spirit, 48%. Price:
Colour:  Gold.
Nose: Smooth, maritime, medicinal to very medicinal, subtle, and slightly mineral, on camphor, seaweeds and a complex peat smoke.
Taste: Light, very smooth, subtle, medicinal, maritime, on camphor, bandages, seaweeds and a delicate peat smoke. The finish is long, subtle, smoky, medicinal, maritime, with a nice smokiness, some liquorice roots, light elegant bitter and mineral flavours.
Impression:  A very good Laphroaig, very different from the Cairdeas 2016, more elegant and subtle, with a nice complex smokiness. A style that reminds me of the latest Laphroaig from Samaroli Thank you Enrico.
Rating: 15/20 FP:A5

Caol Ila Feis Ile 2016, 12 YO, OB, 56.2%, B:2016. Price:
Colour: Pale gold
Nose: Peaty, smoky, very maritime, clean, oaky, on seaweeds, vanilla, hemp rope and toffee.
Taste: Peaty to very peaty, intense, oaky, maritime to very maritime, slightly salty, with some seaweeds, iodine and citrus (a mixture of pink grapefruit, tangerine and bitter orange). The finish is long, peaty, maritime, citric, tarry, slightly medicinal, dry and bitter, rather clean and oaky, with some pink grapefruit, tangerine and a zest of orange. Diluted, the finish becomes drier and bitterer.
Impression: A very good, clean, intense, dry and peaty Caol Ila, with a profile reminding me of the standard 12 YO with more intensity and slightly more complexity. A vatting of ex-American and European oak.
Rating: 15/20 FP:C6

Bowmore Virgin Oak & European Oloroso Casks Feis Ile 2016, 17 YO, OB, 54.9%, B:2016. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: Smooth, creamy, smoky, floral, with some lavender, bacon, bonfire smoke, barbecue, vanilla and strawberries.
Taste: Smooth, oaky, creamy, smoky, maritime, with some fresh wood, green apples, strawberries and seaweeds. The finish is medium, oaky, creamy, maritime, smoky, on green apples, some vanilla, strawberries and light touches of BBQ.
Impression: A good Bowmore, smoky, with a creamy influence from the Virgin oak and a strawberry influence from the Oloroso sherry cask. Smooth and balanced.
Rating: 14/20 FP:D3

Bowmore 1997 3.248 Like a hot coal in the mouth, 17 YO, Scotch Malt Whisky Society, 57.7%, B:2015, 594 bottles. Price:
Colour: Old gold
Nose: Very smoky, peaty, maritime, on barbecue, bacon, bonfire smoke, some tangerine and tar. Very good.
Taste: Very smoky, tarry, peaty, maritime, salty, dry, on tar, bonfire smoke, bacon, some pepper and barbecue. The finish is long, dry, peaty to very peaty, smoky to very smoky, slightly bitter, with some lavender, barbecue, bonfire smoke and citrus.
Impression: A very smoky, peaty, intense and Bowmore with nice BBQ flavours.
Rating: 17/20 FP:C6

Glenfarclas 21 YO, OB, 43%, B: 1980s. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Fresh, intense, lively, slightly floral, with sweet fruity notes, including some melon. Playful and very enjoyable.
Taste: Fresh, floral, rather grassy, slightly aromatic, sweet, with a hint of eucalyptus, fur tree wax, some tangerine and light mineral peat smoke. The finish is long, rather austere, aromatic and mineral, with some peat smoke.
Impression: The 21 YO is my favourite of the core range of Glenfarclas. This version probably contained a fair proportion of refill casks and I enjoyed the austere, aromatic and mineral notes of this one very much.
Rating: 16/20 FP:D3

Glenfarclas Premium Edition Oloroso Sherry Cask For Germany 1996, OB, 46%, B:2015. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose:  Smooth, vegetal, floral, on yeast extract and toffee.
Taste: Floral, oaky, juicy, floral, on round sweet fruity notes, pear drops, yeast extract, vegetal condiment, rubber, old tyres and some hay. The finish is medium, vegetal, rubbery, and slightly yeasty, with some fudge and caramel.
Impression: A rubbery and vegetal whisky. Sorry, but this is not my type of whisky.
Rating: 09/20 FP:E1

Glenfarclas 1989 Distillery Exclusive, 26 YO, OB, 56.3%, B:2016. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Spicy to very spicy, round, floral, intense, complex, with lots of berries, leather, orange, tangerine, spices, various fruits, including orange and tangerine, on cinnamon sticks. Lovely.
Taste: Rich, round, floral to very floral, on cocoa, orange, tangerine, cinnamon sticks, some tannins, leather, sultanas, berries, some cloves and woody flavours. The finish is long, very spicy, floral, fruity, slightly bitter and tannic, on leather, sultanas, orange, bitter orange, cinnamon, lots of berries,
Impression: A very good, intense, fruity, rich and spicy Glenfarclas, with some light woody flavours.
Rating: 16/20 FP:H1

Glenfarclas 15 YO, OB, 46%. B: 1980s. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Mineral (pencil), slightly peaty and floral, rather heavy, on toffee, fudge and a touch of parsley. Thick and very different from the current 15 YO.
Taste: Light, fresh, floral, slightly grassy and aromatic, with some wax, eucalyptus, orange and light smoky notes. Mouth coating. Diluted, it falls apart. The finish is long, rather chewy and heavy, floral, waxy and with nice sherry notes.
Impression: A good old fashioned Glenfarclas, rather heavy and resinous.
Rating: 14/20 FP:I2

Glenfiddich 2001 Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival 2016, OB, 61.5%, cask 14089/12. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: Floral to very floral, smooth, fruity, juicy, slightly yeasty and nutty, on pears and pear juice and some tangerine. Very fresh.
Taste: Intense, oaky to very oaky, intense, round to very round, floral, with some rubber, on orange, leather, tannins, some tangerine, cinnamon, vanilla, nutmeg, cloves and pears. Rather young. The finish is medium, very round, oaky and floral, creamy and young, on pear drops, vanilla, some tangerine and light spices.
Impression: A young, floral and very oaky Glenfiddich, with fresh flavours of pears. The influence from the 2nd refill sherry is mild.
Rating: 13/20 FP:C1

Glenfiddich 1964, 44 YO, Kingsbury, 55.0%. Price:
Colour: Dark amber
Nose: Intense, very thick, and very heavily sherried, floral, on leather, tannins, wood extract, spices, lots of cinnamon, cloves, and orange.
Taste: Very intense, floral to very floral, dry, tannic, on bitter orange, tannins, tangerine, some honey, cinnamon, sultanas and dark chocolate (80% cocoa). The finish is medium to long, woody to very bitter, dry, bitter to very bitter, on plums, sultanas and dark chocolate.
Impression: A whisky with a very pleasant rich and heavily sherried nose, floral, but very woody and bitter on the palate. Kept too long in the cask.
Rating: 14/20 FP:J1

Banff 1982 Rare Malts, 21 YO, OB, 57.1%, B: 2004. Price:
Colour: Straw
Nose: Oaky, slightly spicy and nutty, floral to very floral, smooth, on pollen and honey. A good smooth and soft whisky, with light notes of fruits from the orchards.
Taste: Fresh, very floral, slightly nutty, with some coconut, hay, summer flowers, pollen and oaky notes. The finish is medium, floral to very floral, slightly bitter, fresh, on hay, some oaky and spicy notes.
Impression: A good fresh and rather floral whisky, with a slight spicy bite.
Rating: 14/20 FP:A1

Littlemill 1977, 23 YO, Signatory, 49.0%, B:2001, cask 1151, 224 bottles. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Floral to very floral, with some humus, wet wood, and with the smell from a harbour on the sea side with drying salt and seaweeds, as well as some inner tube. Special.
Taste: Smooth to very smooth, floral, slightly fishy and salty, with harbour like flavours, some cardboard, dry fish, starch and a few drops of vomit. The finish is medium, unbalanced, fishy, and maritime, with a mixture of lemon and grapefruit zest, soft floral and slightly soapy-cardboardy flavours.
Impression: A rather special Littlemill, unbalanced and with some off-flavours, coming from distillation and/or poor cask selection. The worst Littlemill I tasted so far.
Rating: 07/20 FP:A1

Littlemill 1992 For Charles Hofer Switzerland, 23 YO, Berry Bros & Rudd, 57%, B:2015, cask 506. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Very floral, fragrant, smooth, with some hay, straw, vanilla and light spicy flavours.
Taste: Floral to very floral, light, fragrant, on yellow flowers, light fruity notes (melon), with some vanilla and a touch of ginger. A flower bouquet. The finish is medium, floral, slightly dry and fragrant, on vanilla, some spices and light fruity flavours.
Impression: A very floral expression of Littlemill, slightly spicy and on vanilla. A good whisky.
Rating: 15/20 FP:A1

Littlemill 1989, 24 YO, Anam na h-Alba, 48.5%, B:2014, 37 bottles. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose:  Very smooth, floral, malty, with some dry floral notes, melon, vanilla and a touch of honey.
Taste:  Very smooth, sweet, floral to very floral, on juicy oak, melon and honey. Subtle and elegant. The finish is medium to long, juicy, sweet, smooth, and rather mellow, on sweet oaky and melon flavours. Diluted, it becomes slightly bitter.
Impression: Avery good, smooth and juicy Littlemill, with pleasant floral and melon flavours.
Rating: 16/20 FP:A1

Tobermory 1995 Allier Wine Cask Benchmark, 20 YO, Murray McDavid, 46%, B:2015, cask 4. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Peaty, smoky, winey, maritime, slightly sweet and fruity, with some sultanas, grapes, sea brine and Ovomaltine.
Taste: Peaty, tarry, sweet, winey with some sea salt, seaweeds, prune juice, dry peat smoke, as well as some spicy flavours. The finish is medium, sweet, winey, peaty, smoky, and slightly salty, on grapes, some spices and cloves. Diluted, it becomes more winey.
Impression: A whisky with mixture of sweet, winey and peaty flavours. The winey flavours are too strong to my liking.
Rating: 13/20 FP:A5

Rosebank 34 YO, George Strachan, 88 Proof, B:1970s. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Smoky to very smoky, aromatic, austere, slightly mineral and peaty, on gooseberries, diesel smoke, some green apples and pineapples. Very good and so different from the 1990 G&M.
Taste: Dry, smoky, peaty, fruity, complex, and mineral to very mineral, on austere aromatic herbs, pineapples, some ore, passion fruits and green apples. The finish is long, mineral, slightly dry, on ashes, soot, old tobacco leaves, some cloves, pineapples, grapefruits, and mineral oil.
Impression: An aromatic, austere and mineral old style of whisky. Excellent, I love this old style of whisky, but very different from the current production. Probably distilled in the 1930s.
Rating: 18/20 FP:D2

Rosebank 1990 Rare Auld, Gordon & MacPhail, 46%, B:2014, RO/14/02. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Smooth, clean, dry, floral, grassy to very grassy, on hay, some smoke, tangerine, gooseberries and green apples.
Taste: Smooth, creamy, slightly waxy, grassy to very grassy, fruity, on melon, honey, pineapples, green apples, a touch of smoke, pepper and tobacco. Slightly dry. The finish is medium, floral, grassy to very grassy, creamy, slightly woody and bitter, with some aniseed, oak, cloves, bitter orange, smoke and tobacco. Diluted, it becomes drier, more fragrant and floral (lavender) and also more creamy-waxy
Impression: A nice floral and grassy Rosebank, slightly smoky, and showing some dryness on the palate.
Rating: 14/20 FP:C1

Convalmore 1978, 28 YO, OB, 59.4%, B:2003. Price:
Colour: Old gold.
Nose: Malty, nutty, spicy, floral, fruity, and mellow, with some orange and cereals.
Taste: Very smooth, slightly grassy and floral, on light spices, coriander, orange, tangerine and maybe a touch of salt. The finish is medium to long, quite nutty, clean, very smooth, on light spices, orange and tangerine.
Impression: A very nice whisky, very smooth, with a lot of light spices and some honey. Lighter and fresher than the 36 YO OB. Fairly priced when it was released.
Rating: 17/20 FP:E2

Convalmore 1984 Connoisseur choice, G&M, 43%, B: 2008. Price:
Colour : Gold,
Nose : Malty, fresh, slightly peaty, on porridge, with light floral notes (lily of the valley).
Taste: Very light, fresh, slightly lemony, on light spices, with some coriander and ginger. Quite juicy. The finish is quite short, with nice juicy malt and some peat smoke.
Impression: A very fresh and light whisky, which seems much younger than its age.
Rating: 14/20 FP:A1

Convalmore 1977, 30 YO, Cadenhead's, 61.6%, B: 2007, 240 b. Price:
Colour: Old gold.
Nose: Sweet, rich, fruity, with some mild spices, on tangerine, papaya, passion fruit, fig and Christmas cake.
Taste: Very rich, creamy, spicy to very spicy, slightly peaty, complex, quite intense, on nut and Christmas cake, fig, orange, tangerine and some passion fruit. The finish is long, creamy, mouth coating, slightly peaty-smoky, with a hint of salt, on orange, tangerine and Christmas cake.
Impression: A very rich, complex and "gourmand" Convalmore that I appreciated very much. This cask was selected by Grant MacPherson for his Birthday. A very nice selection.
Rating: 18/20 FP:E4

Convalmore 1962, The Costumes, Moon, 46%, B: 1988. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: Rich, fruity, floral, grassy, smoky, on honey, some old fashioned and complex peat smoke, tangerine, juicy fruits and humus. Very good and complex.
Taste: Rich to very rich, spicy, floral, very grassy, smoky, with some peat smoke, humus, mushrooms, oranges and a slight note of walnut. The finish is long, complex, rich, floral, grassy, fruity, on orange, some peat smoke and humus, as well as light notes of woodlands and just a touch of bitter and citric flavours.
Impression: A very good, complex and rich Convalmore, slightly smoky and on humus. An old fashioned type of whisky that I enjoyed very much.
Rating: 17/20 FP:E2

Convalmore 1962, 17 YO, Cadenhead’s, 46%, B:1979. Price:
Colour: Gold-old gold
Nose: Smoky, waxy, mineral, slightly aromatic, grassy and austere, with some peat smoke, pine wax and needles, and Alps herbal liquor (Genepi).
Taste: Bold, waxy, very grassy, slightly starchy, smoky and peaty, with some vanilla, humus, old wood, wet liquorice roots, and a slight bitterness. The finish is medium to long, bold, slightly creamy, waxy, smoky, on humus, wet wood, some citrus and light aromatic and slightly bitter herbal flavours.
Impression: This might not be the easiest whisky, but I like these old whiskies, slightly waxy and smoky, and rather big and bold. A whisky with its own personality.
Rating: 16/20 FP:A3

Imperial 1962 Dumpy, 18 YO, Cadenhead’s, 46%, B:1990. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Rich, thick, heavy on dry sherry, on leather, tannins, spices, cinnamon, humus, orange, bitter orange, some mineral flavours and a touch of blackberries. Excellent.
Taste: Intense, thick, dry, floral, chewy, very spicy, on bitter herbal liquor (Fernet Branca and Appenzeller), old wood, slightly fragrant, on cloves, cinnamon sticks, orange and bitter orange, humus, some walnut and light dry mineral aromas. The finish is long, dry, tannic, aromatic, floral, slightly mineral, on overinfused black tea and walnut shells infusion, cinnamon sticks, cloves, orange and bitter orange.
Impression:  A dry and heavily sherried Imperial, with strong mineral, bitter and aromatic flavours with a dry and tannic finish. Some might find it excessively tannic, but I liked this type of dry tannic, without too strong bitter flavours.
Rating: 17/20 FP: H1

Springbank 1965 27.21, Scotch Malt Whisky Society, 52.8%, B:1992. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Dry, smoky and mineral, slightly maritime, on mineral oil, some coconut, peat smoke, seaweeds, tar, tangerine and some slightly aromatic flavours.
Taste: Spicy, salty, maritime, slightly citric, peaty, aromatic and smoky, on grapefruits and juicy oak, some humus, seaweeds, coconut, marmalade, and slightly bitter herbal flavours. The finish is long, citric, mineral, slightly salty, maritime, peaty, smoky, on juicy oak, with some iodine, coconut, peat smoke, seaweeds, a few drops of tangerine, light herbal aromatic flavours, as well as some diesel smoke.
Impression: An old fashioned, slightly citric and maritime Springbank with a very pleasant mineral peat smoke.
Rating: 17/20 FP: A3

Kilkerran Bourbon Work in Progress 7, OB, 54.1%, B:2015. Price:
Colour: Gold-old gold
Nose: Intense, rich, maritime, on peat smoke, coconuts, sea brine, some seaweeds, and diesel smoke. Complex.
Taste: Intense, oaky, maritime, salty, on coconuts, some fruits from the orchards, lemon, seaweeds, coconut, ginger, wood smoke and rich spices. Nicely spicy. The finish is medium to long, rich, intense, complex, maritime, on coconut, some humus, diesel oil and smoke, as well diverse spices and lemon.
Impression: A very nice complex, intense, maritime and spicy Campbeltown malt. Very expressive.
Rating: 16/20 FP: A2

Kilkerran Sherry Work in Progress 7, OB, 46%, B:2015. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: Spicy, intense, maritime, on seaweeds, sea brine, some coconuts, tangerine and smoke. Smells good the Campbletown harbour
Taste: Sweet, maritime, slightly salty and lemony, on seaweeds, tangerine, spices (ginger), orange, some coconut and wet wood. The finish is medium to long, sweet, slightly salty and maritime, on tangerine, orange, diesel smoke, seaweeds and some cream-grassy flavours. Diluted, some notes of wet tobacco leaves are released, as well as some toffee.
Impression: A good, rich, spicy, complex and maritime whisky, with a sweet sherry influence, but less balanced than the bourbon version.
Rating: 14/20 FP: F2

Highland Park 5 YO (James Grant), OB, 43%, B:1960s. Price:
Colour: Gold –old gold
Nose: Very dry, smoky, aromatic, waxy, slightly austere and mineral, on heather, heather honey, some dry and maritime peat smoke.
Taste: Dry, waxy to very waxy, aromatic, slightly austere and mineral, on burnt heather, heather honey, slight grassy flavours and flint stone, and some grapefruit. The finish is medium to long, austere, dry to very dry, waxy to very waxy, aromatic, on heather, heather honey, some citrus and sap.
Impression: An excellent old style of Highland Park, and very different from the current production, much drier, austere and aromatic, with more citrus (grapefruit) as well. Intense.
Rating: 18/20 FP:C3

Highland Park 1959, 21 YO, OB, 43%. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Smooth, mellow, resinous, smoky, slightly aromatic, on shoe polish, tree sap, heather honey, a mixture of bitter orange and orange. Over time, it becomes more peaty and on humus.
Taste: Smoky, resinous, slightly earthy, austere and aromatic, on dried fruits, peat smoke, heather, heather smoke, some humus, tobacco leaves, tree sap, spices and some citrus. The finish is long, dry, aromatic, slightly earthy, austere and smoky, on heather, burnt heather, orange, tangerine, spices some peat smoke and sap.
Impression: A very good Highland Park, aromatic, austere, and on a dry sherry influence.
Rating: 18/20 FP:E3

Lochside 1964, 48 YO, Cooper’s choice, 41.2%, B:2015. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: Very smooth, intense, grainy, on peach, apricots, some starch, light floral and fragrant flavours, as well as some turpentine.
Taste: Grainy, floral, dry, slightly tannic, on almond, tiger balm and some floral notes that I cannot recognize (lavender?), old wood furniture and some walnut. The finish is medium to long, slightly dry, fragrant, with some lavender, walnut infusion, peach and apricots.
Impression: A good and intense Lochside, rich and pleasant, but with the wood and dry tannins quite present, although not overwhelming.  Interestingly, the age indicated on the label does not match the distillation and bottling date (2015-1964= 51 year old).
Rating: 14/20 FP: E2

Golden Grain (Blended Grain) over 50 years, Cooper’s choice, 50%, B:2016. Price:
Colour: Old gold
Nose: Soft, smooth and mellow, grainy, dry, on dry floral notes , peach, apricots, cooked cereals and some straw. Much weaker and softer than the Lochside.
Taste: Very grainy and mellow, smooth, rich, spirity, on peach, apricots, cooked cereals and some toasted wood. Close to a bourbon. The finish is medium, very grainy, woody, on cooked cereals, orange, tangerine, some peach and apricots.
Impression: An old, smooth, soft and mellow grain whisky, rather mono-dimensional and with the wood well contained for being 50 years old.
Rating: 13/20 FP: B1

Tomintoul 1967, 48 YO, Murray McDavid, 40.1%, B:2015, casks 150031/32. Price:
Colour: Old gold
Nose: Mellow to very mellow, on sweet fruity flavours (melon and vanilla), some light vegetal flavours and a touch of mint.
Taste: Smooth, mellow, soft, slightly floral and woody, on melon, vanilla, vanilla custard, some exotic fruits, a touch of mint and eucalyptus. The finish is medium, mellow, fruity, slightly woody, on vanilla, melon and light tropical fruits.
Impression: A mellow, smooth and fruity, with some soft and woody flavours, but rather well contained considering its advanced age. From the old stocks of Murray McDavid and please to see them back in activity.
Rating: 13/20 FP: A1

Redbreast 12 YO (Gilbey), OB, 40%, B:1980s. Price:
Colour: Gold-old gold
Nose: Very smooth, slightly starchy, complex, balanced, subtle, with lots of berries initially (including blue and blackberries), ripe fruits, some camphor, cooked apples. Very good.
Taste: Starchy, malty, green, spicy to very spicy, bold, waxy, on ginger, oak, camphor, some menthol, peach and apricot juice, and light mineral flavours. The finish is medium to long, spicy to very spicy, oaky, on toasted wood, ginger, some peach, apricots, slight notes of berries and almonds.
Impression: A very good, balanced and very spicy Irish Pot Still, with also nice flavours of peach, apricots, and a mineral touch. Very difficult to find nowadays. Thank you Martin.
Rating: 15/20 FP: C1

John Power & Sons Gold Label (John’s Lane distillery), OB, 43%, B:1960s. Price:
Colour: Gold-old gold
Nose: Smooth, rich, intense to very intense, bold, on green malt, spices, porridge, some lemon and malt. Pleasant. A very good Pot Still with a green nose.
Taste: Spicy to very spicy, on ginger, green malt, some light mineral flavours, a touch of starch, some peach and apricots. The finish is medium, spicy to very spicy, oaky, green, smooth, on green malt, peach, some toffee, ginger, cooked apples, starch and grist.
Impression: A bold, smooth Irish Pot still, with a spicy mouth feel, as well as with some peach. Thank you Martin.
Rating: 13/20 FP:C1

Glen Grant 1990, 25 YO, James MacArthur, 55.5%, B:2015, cask 15226. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Smooth, floral to very floral, on pears, with some light notes of toffee and pollen.
Taste: Smooth, oaky to very oaky, floral, on vanilla, vanilla custard, some green apples and pears, starch, as well as some milk. The finish is medium, smooth, and floral, with some slightly bitter and fragrant flowers, vanilla, vanilla custards and some green fruits from the orchards. Diluted, the flavours of green chestnut are becoming stronger.
Impression: A smooth and oaky Glen Grant, with strong vanilla flavours on the palate. A profile closer to a bourbon than a sherry cask.
Rating: 13/20 FP:C1

Glen Grant (Moray Bonding Co), 10 YO, OB, 70 Proof, B:1954. Price:
Colour: Gold –old gold
Nose: Peaty to very peaty, dry, aromatic to very aromatic, slightly austere, on heather, some tangerine, orange, a touch of bitter orange, some cigar and humidor. Very good and intense.
Taste: Peaty, dry to very dry, floral, resinous and on dry aromatic herbs. The finish is long to very long, dry, peaty to very peaty, smoky, very aromatic, resinous, with some cigar and camphor.
Impression: An excellent old style of Glen Grant, with a lingering and rather intense peat smoke and dry aromatic herbs. I love this style, but the fans of the current Glen Grant might be surprised for this one. If you have the chance to taste it, do not hesitate.
Rating: 18/20 FP:C4

Macallan 1946, 56 YO, OB, 44.3%, B:2012, cask 46/3M. Price:
Colour: Old gold
Nose: Peaty, dry, aromatic, slightly austere, with some honey, ginger, eucalyptus, and candied lemon. The aromatic and austere peat smoke are very un-Macallan, but very good!
Taste: Dry to very dry, very aromatic and austere, on rucola, bitter herbal liqueur  (Appenzeller or Fernet-Branca), dry flowers, some pinesap, eucalyptus and a touch of camphor. The finish is long, woody, very dry, tannic, on dry peat smoke, ginger, tobacco, herbal bitter liqueur, liquorice roots, pinesap, some austere flavours and old worn leather.
Impression: I had a lot of expectation for this whisky and I enjoyed the nose very much, reminding me of some very old peaty Highland whisky, such as the Glen Garioch distilled in the 1950 or 1960s. The peat smoke was pleasantly aromatic and austere, with some candied lemon. On the palate, the whisky was very dry, bitter and aromatic, even astringent. I was very glad to have the opportunity of tasting this whisky, but it much too dry for me and kept too long in the wood, to my humble opinion. What makes this whisky very special is that the malt was kilned over a peat fire, making it as one of the few peaty official Macallan
Rating: 13/20 FP:A4

Macallan 1936, Gordon & MacPhail, 70 Proof. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: Smoky, peaty, rich, intense, thick, aromatic, slightly floral and nutty, on tangerine, orange, dried fruits, spices, toffee and Christmas cake. A very thick, fruity and rather peaty Macallan.
Taste: Smooth, very fruity, nutty, slightly dry and peaty, on Christmas cake, some over-infused tea, cinnamon sticks, pine sap, eucalyptus, orange and chocolate. The finish is medium to long, rich, slightly dry and tannic, on old leather, cinnamon sticks, Christmas cake, cloves and nuts, as well as some tobacco leaves, eucalyptus, caramel, chocolate and a touch of pepper.
Impression: A very good, thick and fruity Macallan, with some peat smoke, as well as rather intense spices and nutty flavours, slightly dry on the finish.
Rating: 16/20 FP:E2

Penderyn Celt, OB, 41%, B:2016. Price:
Colour: Straw
Nose: Round, smooth to very smooth, young, malty, with some dry peat smoke.
Taste: Smooth, sweety, young, fresh and on dry peat smoke. The finish is medium, dry, floral, bitter, young and fragrant, with some sweetness of new make and light malty flavours.
Impression: A young fresh, floral and fragrant whisky with some dry peat smoke. Lacks some balance between the flavours as well. A Welsh whisky matured in ex-peated cask.
Rating: 08/20 FPA3

Littlemill 1991 Rare Old, Gordon & MacPhail, 45.5%, B:2015, RO/15/04. Price:
Colour: Pale gold
Nose: Very round, grassy, rather heavy, on starch, pollen, vanilla, some cardboard and orange peel.
Taste: Very grassy, fresh, round, slightly mellow, on honey, vanilla, some orange peel, berries and kiwi. The finish is medium to long, grassy, drying, slightly oaky, on heather honey, some slightly bitter orange, kiwi and vanilla custard.
Impression: A round and very grassy Littlemill, with lots of honey and a good initial mouth feel, but getting oaky, dry and bitter on the finish.
Rating: 13/20 FP:D1

Jameson Limited Reserve 18 YO, OB, 40%, B:2015. Price:
Colour: Gold-old gold
Nose: Smooth, slightly mellow, green and grassy, on fruits from the orchards (mainly apples), vanilla with some honey notes and light spicy notes.
Taste: Smooth, grainy to very grainy, very fruity, on fruits from the orchards, lots of peach, some slightly peppery spices, tangerine, juicy orange, honey and vanilla. The finish is medium, very smooth, grainy, fruity, juicy, on fruits from the orchards, vanilla, banana, juicy tangerine and some green malt.
Impression: A very smooth and juicy Jameson, on fruits from the orchards and a strong grainy influence. The influence from the grain influence is very strong. Not very complex. Thank you Jacek.
Rating:11/20 FP:C1

Jameson Bow Street, OB, 43%, B:1970-80s. Price:
Colour: Gold-old gold
Nose: Very smooth, soft, malty, starchy, some ripe fruits (apricots and peach), with light mineral and caramel flavours.
Taste: Rich, spicy, smooth, on green malt, some ginger, starch, tangerine, orange, peach and orange, a touch of smoke and caramel. Reminds me of some Bourbon. The finish is medium, spicy, peppery, intense, slightly starchy, with some apples, apricots and peach.
Impression:  The nose was very smooth and slightly soft, becoming more intense and spicy on the palate. More intense than the 12 YO. Thank you Cyril
Rating: 12/20 FP:C1

John Jameson 12 YO (Bow Street Distillery), OB, 40%, B:1970s. Price:
Colour: Gold-old gold
Nose: Very starchy and malty, on green malt, oak spices, caramel and some mineral flavours.
Taste: Very starchy, smooth and malty, slightly mineral, on green malt, grist, caramel, a touch of green apples, peach and apricots. The finish is medium, smooth, malty, slightly dry and oaky, on green apples, some peach, apricots, caramel and vanilla.
Impression: A smooth, malty and starchy John Jameson Irish Whiskey. Bland. The Bow Street distillery was the old Jameson distillery and I was glad to have the opportunity of tasting this one (thank you Martin), but I was expecting something more complex considering its age. The 15 YO with the same dark label is markedly better.
Rating: 08/20 FP:C1

Erin Go Bragh 1967, 20 YO, OB, 43%, B:1987. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Very smooth, intense, rich, spicy, malty, complex, on vanilla, tangerine, some candied fruits, berries, apricots and peach. An excellent smooth and well balanced nose.
Taste: Very smooth, starchy, elegant and subtle, with some green apples, green malt, a hint of smoke, some berries and caramel, as well as some mineral and slightly aromatic smoke. Subtle. The finish is medium, smooth, slightly soft and light, complex, subtle, with light mineral flavours, a hint of smoke, green apples, some starch and various fruity flavours (berries, melon, apples and watermelon).
Impression: A very good whisk(e)y, with an elegant, smooth and intense nose, with nice fruity flavours giving complexity to it. On the palate, the flavours released are elegant, subtle and rich and I enjoyed tasting it very much. I could detect many other flavours, however they were of very low intensity and I would not be surprised if some extra abv would have brought this whisky to another dimension. Only very few bottles of this Irish Whisk(e) distilled at the old Midleton distillery do exist. Thank you Martin for this opportunity!
Rating: 14/20 FP:A1

Irish Single Malt Whisky The Perfect Dram 1991, The Whisky Agency, 49.5% B:2016, 152 bottles. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Very smooth, rich, malty, intense, slightly oaky, on vanilla, some tangerine, peach and apricots, as well as some candied ginger. Very good.
Taste: Rich, spicy, bold to very bold, oaky to very oaky, with some bitter smoke, blackcurrant, grapefruit, some hops, starch and grist, as well as some green apples, apricots and peach. The finish is medium, bold to very bold, floral, smooth, slightly bitter and oaky, with some berries, grapefruit and green apples.
Impression: A good and bold Irish whisk(e)y, with a pleasant nose, while the finish is more bitter and floral. Good, but it might have been even better if bottled at a younger age.
Rating: 13/20 FP:A1

Glen Flagler All Malt Scotch, 5 YO, OB, B:1970s. Price:
Colour: Pale gold.
Nose: Very grassy, smooth, waxy, grainy, with some hay and pear drops.
Taste: Smooth, grainy to very grainy, grassy to very grassy, with some starch and pear drops. Diluted, it becomes more spirity. The finish is medium, grainy, grassy and smooth, with some starch and pear drops.
Impression: A smooth and grassy whisky, easy drinking and not unpleasant. Not very complex and with almost no wood influence. It is was not mentionned "All Malt", I would have thought it was a blended (and not a blended malt), as it had strong "grainy" aromas. Thank you Martin.
Rating: 11/20 FP:C2

Robertson Yellow Label, OB, 70 Proof, B:1960s. Price:
Colour: Pale gold-gold
Nose: Smooth to very smooth, slightly mineral, smoky and peaty, on cooked cereals, some smoke, starch and toffee.
Taste: Smooth to very smooth, slightly salty, grassy and mineral, with some old-fashioned peat smoke, green apples, cooked cereals, apricots and light herbal flavours.
Impression: A good grassy and very smooth blended whisky, rather grainy, suggesting a high proportion of grain whisky. Balanced and easy drinking.
Rating: 12/20 FP:D2

Longrow 1973, Samaroli, 53%, B:1985. Price:
Colour: Pale gold
Nose: Peaty to very peaty, dry, very intense and medicinal, sharp, on sea brine, an old complex, mineral, dry old fashioned peat smoke, some liquorice roots, iodine, disinfectant and bandages. Excellent.
Taste: Peaty to very peaty, intense, sharp, medicinal, slightly mineral, on pineapples an intense old fashioned peat smoke, some citrus, seaweeds, flint stone, light meaty and farmy flavours, liquorice and bitter citrus aromas. The finish is long to very long, mineral, maritime, bitter, slightly earthy, on old seaweeds, kippers, bitter citric flavours (bitter lemon and orange), light farmy and smoky aromas.
Impression: An excellent peaty, intense, maritime Longrow, with bitter citric flavours. Speaks loud the old style of Longrow. Enough said?
Rating: 18/20 FP:B7

Longrow 18 YO, OB, 46%, B:2015. Price:
Colour: Gold-old gold
Nose: Peaty, bold, meaty, slightly salty, earthy and maritime, with some kippers and fruity flavours (some vanilla, melon, tangerine and apples).
Taste:  Fruity, earthy, maritime, slightly salty, peaty, smoky, and winey, with some dried fruits, orange, pineapple, coconuts and rhubarb. The finish is long, rich, spicy, slightly rubbery, fruity, smoky, and tarry, with earthy peat smoke, some humus, dried fruits, orange, tangerine, sultanas, as well as some tropical fruits, berries, sea brine, diesel smoke and slight meaty flavours.
Impression: Not a very easy one: a Longrow with a combination of citric, salty, peaty and sweet fruity flavours.  A different style from the Longrow of the 1970s.
Rating: 16/20 FP:D5

Caol Ila 1974, 17 YO, Signatory, 61.1%, B:1991, cask 5-9. Price:
Colour: Pale gold
Nose: Very intense and sharp, peaty, maritime, slightly meaty and maritime, on soot, ore, rusty iron, tar, lemon zest (citric), some seaweeds and bandages
Taste: Very intense and citric. Let’s quickly add some water. With water it is clean, intense, very peaty, on soot, tar, ore, rusty iron, ground coffee, and old fashioned peat smoke (like in an old croft house). The finish is very long, sooty, peaty, tarry, clean, intense, on old fashioned peat smoke, some ore, citrus, light farmy aromas, smoked and air dried bacon and ham. This sooty and old fashioned peat smoke seems to linger forever.
Impression: This is definitely the style of Caol Ila 1974, with its dirty, rusty and sooty old-fashioned peat smoke, in a clean and sharp style. Close to the famous Caol Ila Manager’s Dram, but without the sherry. Excellent and thank you Udo for the swap.
Rating: 19/20 FP:A7

Green tree over 6 YO, OB (Low Robertson & Co Ltd), 40%. B:1970s. Price:
Colour: Old gold
Nose: Peaty, smooth, intense, slightly floral and aromatic, on sea brine, some seaweed, peat smoke and eucalyptus. Complex and well balanced.
Taste: Light, peaty, smoky, and grassy to very grassy, with some starch, sea brine, humus, earthy flavours and eucalyptus. Diluted, it becomes intense, spicy, slightly green and peatier. The finish is medium, grassy, slightly maritime, peaty, smoky, grassy, floral and with a touch of honey.
Impression: A rather complex whisky for being 6 years old. With water added, it becomes more intense, spicy, and maritime.
Rating: 13/20 FP:C4

Port Ellen 1979, 16 YO, Dun Eideann, 43%, B: 1995, cask 590. Price:
Colour: Straw.
Nose: Light, floral, clean, on peat, pollen, with some fruity notes. Rather atypical for a Port Ellen.
Taste: Rather smooth, on sweet citric notes, tobacco leaves, peat and some seaweeds. Soft. The finish is short, round, slightly peaty and tarry.
Impression: A correct Port Ellen, round, enjoyable, but not very expressive.
Rating: 12/20 FP:A5

Port Ellen 1979, 16 YO, Dun Eideann, 56.7%, B: 1995, cask 306. Price:
Colour: Straw.
Nose: Clean, dry, light, peaty, tarry, with some ashes and slight maritime notes.
Taste: Dry, tarry, peaty, with some light floral and coconut notes. Slightly bitter and rather rough. The finish is medium, dry, peaty bitter and tarry.
Impression: A very dry and bitter Port Ellen. A rough version from this distillery. Several casks of Port Ellen 1979 have been bottled by Dun Eideann.
Rating: 13/20 FP:A6

Port Ellen 1974, 14 YO, Intertrade, 64.3%, B:1988. Price:
Colour: Straw-pale gold
Nose: Maritime to very maritime, peaty, smoky, intense, meaty, slightly farmy and tarry, on fried bacon, soot, sea brine, fish, ground coffee and citrus.
Taste: Very intense, sharp, hot and citrusy. After some dilution, it remains very intense, citrusy, clean, peaty and maritime, with some iodine, pepper, almond, sea brine and seaweeds. The finish is medium to long, peaty, smoky, maritime, citrusy, on seaweeds, some dry peat smoke, soot and tar.
Impression:  A very intense, citrus, maritime and peaty Port Ellen. A whisky that requires a few drops of water. A very good and clean version of this distillery.
Rating: 17/20 FP:A7

Port Ellen 1982 Royal Wedding, The Whisky Exchange, 53.0%, B:2011, cask 2290. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Smoky, slightly peaty, on leather, tannins, spices, orange, seaweeds, Dundee’s cake, praline, some high grade rubber, cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves,
Taste: Rich, maritime, smoky, peaty, on seaweeds, tiramisu, leather, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, dried fruits, orange, peat smoke, kippers and some dry sherry flavours. Diluted, it becomes much smoother and releases some flavours of over infused tea. The finish is long, smoky and maritime, on seaweeds, some kippers, leather, tannins, cocoa, and tiramisu.
Impression: A very nice rich and intense sherry Port Ellen, on leather, cocoa and maritime flavours.
Rating: 18/20 FP:H6

Glen Esk 1984 For Whisky Fair, 31 YO, Cooper’s choice, 50%, B: 2016, cask 5282, 300 bottles. Price:
Colour: Straw
Nose: Floral, very smooth, sweet and fruity, grassy, with fresh floral notes of early summer, fruits from the orchards, honey and some melon.
Taste: Spicy, light, fresh, floral, smooth, sweet, fruity, grassy, on melon, fruits from the orchards, honey and nice grassy flavours, as well some exotic fruits and a hint of bitterness. The finish is medium to long, floral to very floral, slightly fragrant and bitter, on vanilla, some hay and grassy flavours. Diluted, it becomes slightly more fragrant and bitter, and with some dry tobacco leaves.
Impression: A very good smooth, sweet and fruity whisky distilled at the Glen Esk/Hillside distillery. Smoother and less bitter and fragrant than most of the Glen Esk I have tried so far.
Rating: 15/20 FP:C1

Glenesk 1983 Peerless, 20 YO, Duncan Taylor, 58.4%. B: 2004, cask 4928, 616 bottles. Price:
Colour: Pale yellow- straw
Nose: Malty, bitter, with some floral flavours (lilac and geraniums) and a very strong porridge flavour.
Taste: Spirity, malty, dusty, dry, tannic, on hazelnuts and eau de Cologne. The finish is short, bitter, on toffee and hazelnuts.
Impression: Far from being flawless: dry and bitter. There are other nicer whiskies.
Rating: 09/20 FP:A1

Karuizawa 2000 Bar Show 2013, OB, 62.4%, B:2013, cask 7603. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Smooth, very round, floral, with lots of toffee and fudge, as well as some yeast extract.
Taste: Spicy, intense, floral, rather rough and oaky, on toffee, fudge, some fruity and rubbery notes, as well as some red berries. The finish is short, floral, slightly fragrant, spicy, oaky and with a touch of rubber. Diluted, it becomes more floral, on lavender and geranium, as well as on bitter orange flavours.
Impression: A rather rough, oaky and fragrant Karuizawa, without too much balance. The quality is not as high as the Karuizawa from the 1970s or 1980s.
Rating: 11/20 FP:F1

Karuizawa 1983 Charity for Nepal, OB, 59.1%, B:2014, cask 3557, 50 bottles. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Very rich and intense, smooth, on exotic woods, plums, lacquer of the highest grade, sultanas, dried fruits, wood and shoe polish, cocoa, and spices.
Taste: Very intense, dry to very dry, floral, on dried fruits, pineapples, some tropical fruity notes, a touch of rubber, lots of spices (cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom and some cloves), old leather, tannins, oranges, tangerine, lacquer, plums, exotic wood, wood polish, dark chocolate and some roasted coffee beans. The finish is long to very long, dry, woody, slightly floral and fragrant, dried fruits, black berries, sultanas, cocoa and some cloves, jasmine and plums.
Impression: A very intense, rich and very complex Karuizawa, with a heavy sherry influence, on dried fruits, spices and cocoa, but with a rather dry-leathery finish. One of the nicest recently bottled Karuizwa.
Rating: 17/20 FP:I1

Single Islay Scotch Whisky, Fatima (Auxil), 40%, B:1980s. Price:
Colour: Gold-old gold
Nose: Light, fresh, very peaty, grassy, mineral, on old fashioned mineral peat smoke, flint stone, some iodine, camphor, bandages, sea weeds and a touch of starch.
Taste: Light, grassy, starchy, maritime, smoky, slightly salty and mineral, with light meaty and BBQ flavours.  The finish is long, smoky to very smoky, peaty, maritime, starchy, dry, tarry, on BBQ, old fashioned peaty and tarry peat smoke, as well as some ashes.
Impression: The whisky is rather complex, with a very good old fashioned mineral peat smoke. It is very good but rather thin. Some extra ABV would have been welcomed and certainly increased the rating by several points. As it was distilled and bottled by Stanley P. Morrison Ltd, we can be sure it is a Bowmore. Unfortunately, neither the vintage or the age is provided.Thank you Cyril.
Rating: 13/20 FP:A5

Islay 2007, 8 YO, The Whisky Agency, 51.5%, B:2016, 349 bottles. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Intense, smoky to very smoky, peaty, oaky, maritime, on BBQ, bonfire smoke, some seashells and a light sweetness. Close to the Lagavulin 8 YO, but slightly less meaty and with lighter smoky flavours.
Taste: Very intense, smooth, smoky, peaty, maritime, slightly sweet and bitter, on bonfire smoke, some green apples, citrus and tobacco leaves. Diluted, it becomes smokier and more meaty. The finish is medium to long, clean, slightly young, smoky, maritime, on green apples, bonfire smoke, and some lemon zest.
Impression: A young Islay whisky (Lagavulin?), intense, smooth and smoky, slightly citric with a moderate ex-bourbon cask influence. Same quality as the Lagavulin 8 YO.
Rating: 13/20 FP:A7

Lagavulin 1979, Vintage Malt Whisky Co, 43%, B:1992. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Very smooth, mellow, fruity, citric, mineral, on pencil shaving, seaweeds, on melon, pink grapefruits and a lemon twist. Very good.
Taste: Very smoky, smooth to very smooth, salty, mellow, juicy, on sweet pink grapefruit, a light maritime flavours, as well as tropical fruits and a nice subtle peatiness. The finish is medium to long, sweet, juicy, very smoky, citric, tarry, maritime, with some grapefruit and tobacco leaves. Diluted, it becomes more tarry, salty to very salty, on liquorice and a slight bitterness.
Impression: A very nice juicy and sweet Lagavulin, complex, very enjoyable to drink, on the mineral side, with a complex smoke, becoming more tarry with some water.
Rating: 17/20 FP:C5

Lagavulin Jazz Festival 2015, OB, 55.4%, B:2015. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Intense, peaty, maritime, oaky, smoky to very smoky, on seaweeds, some tar and liquorice. Given time, the peat smoke becomes more complex.
Taste: Maritime, smoky, peaty, oaky, slightly salty and spicy, on lemon, some grapefruit, seaweeds, tar, ashes, charcoal, and some bonfire smoke.  The finish is medium to long, smoky, peaty, maritime, with some salt, seaweeds, bonfire smoke, liquorice root, citrus, lemon twist, oysters and vanilla.
Impression: A vatting of 12 and 14 YO Lagavulin, intense, oaky, with a nice complex smoky flavours, as well as a pleasant maritime influence.
Rating: 15/20 FP:A6

Lagavulin 8 YO, OB, 48%, B:2016. Price:
Colour: Straw
Nose: Intense, smoky to very smoky, peaty, maritime, oaky, on BBQ, fried bacon, seaweeds, bonfire smoke, some seashells, spearmint and light sweet notes. Smells markedly younger than the 12 YO cask strength.
Taste: Very smoky, peaty, intense, spicy, maritime, slightly peppery, on green apples, fresh oranges, bonfire smoke, some citrus, starch, BBQ and salty notes. The finish is medium to long, smoky to very smoky, peaty, slightly bitter and salty, on citrus, fresh orange, tangerine, bonfire smoke and tobacco leaves.
Diluted, it becomes more citric, bitter and on tobacco leaves.
Impression: A very intense Lagavulin, young, fresh, and very smoky, with a slightly bitter, citric and spicy bite. Clean and slightly young to my taste. I prefer the complexity of the older versions.
Rating: 13/20 FP:C7

Strathisla 1960 for LMDW, Gordon & MacPhail, 50%, B:2009. Price:
Colour: Amber.
Nose: Intense, fresh, floral, clean, on heavy tannins, walnuts, high grade rubber, some heather, on honey, orange with some redcurrant.
Taste: Very round, smooth, slightly chewy, on big sherry, red fruits, high quality rubber, tannins and heather. The finish is long, very round, on sherry, walnut, red berries and tannins.
Impression: A very big sherried Strathisla with an impressive strength of 50%! The tannins are present, but the dry-woody flavours are well contained for a whisky of this age. Some will love it, some with find too big.
Rating: 17/20 FP:F3

Strathisla 1979 Oloroso Sherry Finish, 36 YO, Signatory, 46.0%, B:2016, cask 1536, 262 bottles. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Rich, mellow, very sweet and fruity, slightly smoky, on spices, leather, cocoa, peach, berries, some menthol, and eucalyptus. Very good!
Taste: Very rich, intense, spicy, slightly woody, tannic, waxy and austere, with some grassy flavours, on orange, tangerine, prunes, cocoa, tobacco leaves, eucalyptus, cinnamon and over-infused tea. The finish is long, rich, sweet, mellow, very fruity, on berries, tangerine, orange, and cinnamon, with some bitter herbal flavours and cloves. Diluted, it becomes more tannic, dry and woody, with more earthy flavours as well as more prunes and sultanas.
Impression: A very good, rich, sweet and complex Strathisla, with a fruity sherry influence, with the woody-tannic influence becoming stronger once water has been added.
Rating: 16/20 FP: I2

Strathisla 1973, 16 YO, Gordon & MacPhail, 62.3%, B:1990. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: Smoky, austere, waxy, mineral, resinous to very resinous, slightly earthy, on eucalyptus, spices, prunes, leather, and some rubber.
Taste: Rubbery, dry, spicy, clean, earthy to very earthy, very floral, slightly fragrant, on eucalyptus, some bitter herbal flavours, cocoa, leather, prunes and other fruity flavours.  The finish is long to very long, earthy, waxy, austere, rather clean and dry, slightly grassy, on eucalyptus, menthol, chocolate, spices, bitter herbal flavours, some sweet fruity aromas and juniper.
Impression: A very good Strahisla, intense, complex, waxy, aromatic, with some bitter flavours and light sherry flavours, as well as some cocoa.
Rating: 17/20 FP:E3

Glenlivet Sherry 1995, 14 YO, Glenscoma, 46%. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: Rich, intense to very intense, slightly vegetal, with abundant toffee and fudge flavours, with light notes of yeast extracts.
Taste: Rich, intense to very intense, floral, spicy, on toffee, fudge, some rubber, orange and tangerine. The finish is medium, rich, intense, round, floral, slightly aromatic, on toffee, fudge, orange, tangerine and some rubber.
Impression: A nice and very round Glenlivet, with a strong sherry influence.
Rating:14/20 FP:G1

Glenlivet 12 YO for Barreto, OB, 45.7%, B:1970s. Price:
Colour: Gold-old gold
Nose: Floral to very floral, spicy, smoky to very smoky, peaty, mineral, slightly metallic and austere, on ripe apples, some hay, humus and ginger.
Taste: Floral, slightly fragrant, grassy, on ripe apples, ginger, light smoky and peaty flavours, some cardboard, light soapy flavours, and on lavender. The finish is medium, floral to very floral, fragrant to very fragrant, grassy, and slightly soapy, on lavender, and ginger, some tangerine, light notes of cardboard, and light mineral flavours.
Impression: The nose was pleasantly floral and smoky, with light peaty flavours, with some soapy and cardboard aromas creating some unbalance.
Rating: 11/20 FP:D3

Glenlivet 1975, 36 YO, Wilson & Morgan, 58.3%, B:2012. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: Smooth, floral, round, on Christmas spices, tangerine and orange.
Taste: Smooth, juicy, oaky, floral, intense, rather spicy, on Christmas spices, tangerine, orange and diverse floral notes. The finish is medium, rich, spicy, on honey, light floral notes, cinnamon, nutmeg and orange.
Impression: A good and intense whisky, but less complex than the previous 35 years old.
Rating: 13/20 FP:D3

Glenlivet 1972, 24 YO, Cadenhead’s, 52%, B:1996. Price:
Colour: Old gold
Nose: Smooth, floral, elegant, slightly smoky and peaty, with some green apples and slight nutty flavours.
Taste: Floral, spicy, rich, elegant, on yellow flowers and ginger, some smoke, a touch of tobacco leaves, cardamom, subtle floral flavours and a touch of vanilla. The finish is medium to long, floral, slightly oaky, spicy and floral, with some vanilla custard and a touch of smoke.
Impression: A very good Glenlivet, floral, elegant and subtle, floral and with nice vanilla flavours. Thank you Cyril.
Rating: 15/20 FP:A2

Glenlivet 1946, Berry Bros & Rudd, 43%, B:1972. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: Rich, intense, complex, peaty, slightly malty, on humidor, humus, some tropical fruits, peach and peat smoke.
Taste: Smooth, very fragrant, floral, slightly soapy, with some eucalyptus, tobacco leaves, lavender, a slight peat smoke and some ripe tangerine. The finish is medium to long, sweet, salty, fragrant, floral, with some ginger, peat smoke, tangerine, walnuts and ground coffee.
Impression: A smoky, peaty, round Glenlivet, rather fragrant. A good old Style Glenlivet, with a good sherry influence, but slightly weak. Some additional ABV might have been welcomed.
Rating: 14/20 FP:E4

Ardbeg 1975, OB, 43%, B:2000. Price:
Colour: Old gold
Nose: Peaty, spicy, maritime, smoky to very smoky, on old seaweeds, some iodine, camphor, light farmy flavours and some lemon zest.
Taste: Maritime, intense, peaty to very peaty, smoky, on old seaweeds, some humus, lemon peel, bandages, tar, iodine and light notes of liquorice. Oily to very oily, and with light peppery notes. The finish is medium to long, very maritime and medicinal, on complex peat smoke, some tar, liquorice, lemon zest and iodine, with some light fruity flavours. Diluted, it becomes rather bitter and more peppery. With a very long peaty and phenolic retro-olfaction.
Impression: A very good maritime and peaty Ardbeg, complex, oily and most enjoyable. Thank you Lukas.
Rating: 17/20 FP:B6

Ardbeg 1958, 18 YO, Gordon & MacPhail, 70 Proof. Price:
Colour: Old gold
Colour: Gold-old gold.
Nose: Juicy, peaty, maritime, mineral, slightly fruity, with some iodine, seaweed, blackcurrant and disinfectant.
Taste: Fruity, smoky, slightly peaty and mineral, on intense blackcurrant juice, some iodine, eucalyptus, seaweeds, tar, ashes and peat smoke, as well as faint notes of soot. The finish is medium, juicy, oaky, fruity, rather sweet, slightly mineral and smoky, on blackcurrant, some passion fruits, iodine, strawberries, seaweeds, tar and ashes.
Impression: The authenticity of this whisky is a matter of debate, but considered by several experts as a fake. Compared to the old white label OB Ardbeg, the flavour profile seems indeed suspicious. Fake or not?
Rating: 13/20 FP:C4

Sandeman, OB, 40%, B:1970s. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Smooth, malty, slightly grainy, mineral, smoky and peaty, with some diesel oil, sea brine, seaweeds, tangerine, a few drops of green apples and a touch of leather.
Taste: Grassy, waxy, slightly austere and bitter, some ginger, mustard seeds, aromatic herbs, tangerine, leather, light mineral and earthy flavours. Smooth and complex. The finish is medium to long, smooth, spicy, slightly smoky, waxy-oily, mineral, austere, aromatic and grainy, with some ginger, mineral smoke, tobacco leaves, a touch of leather and tangerine.
Impression: Compared to an older version of Sandeman I tasted a few months ago, this one is richer, more waxy, rounder and on sherry. This whisky is smooth, elegant, waxy-oily, slightly austere and aromatic, with nice mineral smoky flavours, suggesting the presence of some Highland malts such as Clynelish, Glen Mhor and/or Glen Garioch. I would love to taste it at a higher volume.
Rating: 13/20 FP:D2

Hudson Bay 1670, OB, 45%, B:1970. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: Intense, round, smooth, slightly maritime, peaty and smoky, with some seaweeds, peach, cooked cereals, light floral and malty flavours.
Taste: Intense, rich, mellow, smooth, on peach, apricots, cooked cereals, some toffee and sea brine, with a slight saltiness and smokiness. The finish is short to medium, very smooth, sweet, fruity, slightly floral and maritime, with some tobacco leave, sea brine, caramel, peach and apricots.
Impression: The nose was pleasant smooth, mellow and intense, with a pleasant taste, but fading quickly on the finish. Thank you Enrico!
Rating: 12/20 FP:C2

Ardbeg 1965 for Sestante White Label, 24 YO, Cadenhead’s, 54.4%. Price:
Colour: Old gold
Nose: An old style of Ardbeg! Very maritime and complex, medicinal, oily, on iodine, bandages, seaweeds, camphor and some farmy flavours.
Taste: Rich, spicy to very spicy, oily, slightly salty, on old and wet wood, disinfectant, bandages, lots of iodine, lemon zest, old complex peat smoke, mineral oil, seaweeds, camphor and light notes of dried fish. Very complex. The finish is very long and complex, medicinal, resinous, peaty, smoky, maritime, austere, slightly salty, on disinfectant, iodine, bandages, old fashioned peat smoke, with some lemon zest, liquorice, pepper, seaweeds, old mineral oil, camphor and some cough syrup.
Impression: A superb old style of Ardbeg, with a complex peat smoke, and an excellent combination of austere, lemony, peaty and medicinal flavours. A whisky that deserves well its reputation.
Rating: 19/20 FP:A6

Ardbeg 1965 Black label, 24 YO, Cadenhead’s, 54.4%. Price:
Colour:  Pale gold-straw
Nose: Very medicinal and phenolic, maritime, on camphor, disinfectant, tar, old oil, diesel smoke and phenols. Less intense than the white label and more on disinfectant.
Taste: Maritime, peaty, medicinal, bitter, peppery, slightly soapy and resinous on lemon zest, liquorice, with some tropical fruits, peat smoke, iodine and disinfectant. Rather light. The finish is long, bitter, and maritime, on peat smoke, disinfectant, lemon zest, some old mineral oil, tropical fruits and dry liquorice roots.
Impression: Although it is supposed to be the same as the white label for Sestante, the two whiskies were tasted head to head, the whisky were different, not only in colour, but also in the flavour profile. This version was more peppery, bitter and citric, with some tropical flavours developing if you keep it long enough in the mouth.
Rating: 16/20 FP:A4

Ardbeg 1976, 31 YO, OB, 52.4%, cask 2397. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: Rich, smooth, rather mellow, on tangerine, orange, cocoa, figs, tar, old fashioned peat, intense smoky notes, some disinfectant and maritime flavours. Balanced and mineral.
Taste: Salty, peaty, rubbery, with some toffee, coffee beans, leather, tangerine, orange, some cocoa, seaweeds, iodine and disinfectant. Diluted, the rubbery flavours fade, exposing more the toffee, medicinal and maritime side of this whisky. The finish is medium to long, peaty, maritime, meaty, medicinal, with strong notes of iodine and disinfectant, toffee, cocoa, orange, some leather, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
Impression: A moderately peated Ardbeg, with a nice sweet and moderate sherry influence complemented by medicinal and maritime flavours. An excellent whisky, slightly more to my liking with a drop of water.
Rating: 18/20 FP:F4

Ardbeg 1989 For Societa Dei Mandibolari, 15 YO, Giuseppe Gambi, 40%, B:2004, 120 bottles. Price:
Colour: Pale gold
Nose: Oaky to very oaky, peaty, maritime, on caramel, vanilla and some rooty flavours and BBQ, with light medicinal flavours.
Taste: Intense, oaky to very oaky, maritime, peaty, maritime, medicinal, slightly tarry, on seaweeds, lemon zest, iodine and vanilla. The finish is medium, medicinal, oaky to very oaky, maritime, smoky, peaty, tarry, slightly ashy and sooty, on vanilla, with some sea spray, camphor, iodine and a touch of spearmint.
Impression: A good oaky and peaty Ardbeg, with nice medicinal flavours.
Rating: 16/20 FP:A7

Ardbeg Dark Cove Committee Release, OB, 55.0%, B:2016. Price:
Colour: Dark gold
Nose: Oaky to very oaky, spicy, slightly maritime, on wet and burnt wood, some leather, tar, charcoal, cocoa and tannins.
Taste: Rich, oaky, spicy, slightly young, maritime and medicinal, on toasted wood, seaweeds, tannins, cocoa, some smoked ham and bacon, lemon, spices, cinnamon, a touch of rubber and some cloves. The finish is medium, maritime, oaky, spicy, and slightly medicinal, with some rubber, tannins, cinnamon, nutmeg, seaweeds, cocoa, leather, sultanas, and toffee.
Impression: A good and modern Ardbeg, tasting slightly young, but with some nice thick sherry influence.
Rating: 15/20 FP:A6

Ardbeg 1990 Old Malt Cask, 10 YO, Douglas Laing, 50%, B:2000, 348 bottles. Price:
Colour: Straw
Nose: Smooth, peaty, smoky, slightly maritime, medicinal, farmy and oaky, and with a zest of lemon and some seaweeds.
Taste: Dry, tarry, peaty, smoky, salty, slightly bitter and oaky, on liquorice roots, seaweeds, some phenols, toffee and a zest of lemon. The finish is medium, tarry, peaty, slightly ashy and oaky, on liquorice roots, bandages, some camphor, seaweeds and nice light medicinal flavours.
Impression: A good medicinal Ardbeg, clean and rather light.
Rating: 15/20 FP:A6

Springbank Solera, Dornoch Castle Whisky Bar, Abv ?, B: March 2016. Price: N/A.
Colour: Dark amber
Nose:  Smoky, peaty, maritime, mineral, salty, complex, on rancio, leather, balsamic vinegar, tar and sweet fruits flavours (tangerine, orange, sultanas, coconut and some tropical fruits).
Taste: Rich, intense, spicy to very spicy, slightly salty, mineral and maritime, on peat smoke, old style of mineral sherry influence, leather, sultanas, coconuts, some seaweeds, tropical fruits, tar, soot, tangerine and orange. Very complex. The finish is long to very long, salty, maritime, mineral, peaty, fruity, smoky, on tropical fruits, diesel smoke, leather, spices, tar, soot, tangerine, orange, some tannins, walnuts and dates.
Impression: An excellent old style of Springbank, mineral, smoky, with a pleasant old fashioned dry, mineral and fruity influence from the sherry.  The dry, tarry and sooty peat smoke is most enjoyable. A whisky without any age statement or ABV, with some Springbank from 1954 topped with other younger Springbank over time (“Solera” system). Available only at the Dornoch Whisky Bar. Thank you Phil and Simon.
Rating: 18/20 FP:F4

The Balvenie Double Wood 12 YO, OB, 40%, B:2012, Price:
Colour: Old gold
Nose: Smooth, grainy, grassy, malty, with a hint of bitter smoke and some fish.
Taste: Smooth, slightly grainy and grassy, creamy, aromatic, with some discreet peat smoke, orange, heather, pink grapefruit and custard. Rich and complex. Diluted, it becomes fruitier and more on fudge and caramel. The finish is medium, slightly bitter and citric, aromatic, on heather, tangerine, orange, fudge and some peat smoke.
Impression: A rather pleasant, although slightly unusual whisky, on fudge and with some nice aromatic flavours.
Rating:  14/20 FP:E2

Glengoyne Cask Strength Batch 1, OB, 58.7%, B:2013. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Clean, oaky to very oaky, spicy (ginger), slightly rough, on vanilla, toffee and some hay.
Taste: Intense, smooth, floral, malty, with some hay, ginger, vanilla, a hint of rubber and some light toffee notes.  The finish is medium, smooth and on the same flavours. Diluted, it becomes slightly more rubbery.
Impression: A nice Glengoyne, more oaky and spicier than the oldest versions of the core range, with the high alcohol content contributing to more intensity, but also with slightly rough edges when consumed straight without any water.
Rating: 12/20 FP:D1

Glengoyne Cask Strength Batch 3, OB, 58.2%, B:2015. Price:
Colour: Dark amber
Nose: Round, smooth to very smooth, vegetal, on leather, tannins, rubber and spices.
Taste: Very smooth, round, malty, creamy, light floral flavours, on rubber, toffee, orange, sultanas and cinnamon sticks. The finish is medium, smooth to very smooth, creamy, sweet, on sultanas, orange, tangerine, some cinnamon and fresh floral flavours.
Impression: A smooth, round and malty Glengoyne, with nice creamy and round sherry influence. The rubber was not excessive and the result pleasant.
Rating: 12/20 FP:I1

Glengoyne 21 YO, OB, 43%, B:2013. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: Very smooth, slightly floral and malty, on leather, sweet fruity notes, some berries, orange and cinnamon. Very good.
Taste: Very sweet and smooth, very fruity, slightly rubbery, on tannins, leather, cinnamon, nutmeg, lots of tangerine and orange and some dried fruits. The finish is medium, sweet, fruity, juicy, on dried fruits, sultanas, leather, tannins, some honey and light grassy notes, as well as tangerine and orange.
Impression: A lovely rich and rather complex Glengoyne, with a most pleasant sweet and smooth sherry influence. A good value whisky.
Rating: 15/20 FP:G1

Glengoyne Single Cask 1992 For Switzerland, 20 YO, OB, 51%, B: 2012, cask 2070. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Smooth, intense, malty, on cocoa, some fudge, orange, a touch of leather and some tannins.
Taste: Rich, malty, complex, sweet, smooth, with some cocoa, hand made fudge, some butter, light spicy notes of cinnamon, clove and nutmeg, as well as on orange and orange skin. The finish is long to very long, on nice persisting and intense spicy notes, without being overwhelming. On tannins as well.
Impression: An excellent example of Glengoyne with a balanced, rich and complex sherry influence. A pleasure.
Rating : 18/20 FP:E1

Balvenie 15 YO Single Barrel Sherry Cask, OB, 47.8%, B:2015, cask 241. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Round, smooth, rich, thick, spicy, on leather, sultanas, honey, cinnamon, nutmeg, chocolate, as well as some Christmas cake and orange.
Taste: Very smooth, sweet, spicy, rubbery, bitter, on orange, tangerine, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, Christmas cake, lots of sultanas, honey and burn tyres. The finish is medium, fragrant, bitter, rubbery, round, on leather, tannins, honey, sultanas, Christmas cake, clove, nutmeg, cinnamon, rubber, oranges and tangerine and some dark and milk chocolate. Diluted, it becomes unpleasantly rubbery, fragrant, bitter and tannic.
Impression: A round, smooth and heavily sherried Balvenie, rather rubbery and bitter when tasted neat, and becoming too bitter, tannic and rubbery to my taste, once some water had been added.
Rating: 09/20 FP:I1

Springbank 10 YO HMS Campbeltown, OB, 50.5%, B:2011. Price:
Colour: Pale gold
Nose: Smooth, maritime, very intense, smoky, and mineral, on sea brine, with some coconuts, toffee and smoke. Complex.
Taste: Spicy, intense to very intense, smoky, salty, on harbour-like flavours, sea brine, coconuts and some diesel smoke. The finish is medium to long, intense, salty, on harbour-like flavours, sea brine and coconuts. Diluted, it becomes more on almonds, and with some hops and a touch of toffee.
Impression: A very good Campbletown, very intense, complex and well matured, with a nice mixture of sea brine and some almonds.
Rating: 15/20 FP:A3

Caol Ila 1992 NC2, 15 YO, Duncan Taylor, 54.4%, B:2007. Price:
Colour :  Straw
Nose :  Very peaty, smoky, maritime, on seaweeds, hemp rope and lots of tar.
Taste : Oaky, slightly soapy, peaty, maritime, on seaweeds, hemp rope, light floral and oaky notes. The finish is medium to long, rather clean, intense, peaty, smoky, maritime, slightly dry, on seaweeds and wet liquorice roots.
Impression : A very nice, clean and heavily peated Caol Ila.
Rating : 15/20 FP:A8

Caol Ila 15 YO Orange Label Bulloch Lade, OB, 57%, B:1980s. Price:
Colour: Pale gold
Nose: Very clean, fresh, fruity, very maritime, slightly smooth, on candied lemon, camphor, seaweeds and some hemp rope. Given time, it becomes slightly more mineral and with stronger peaty notes.
Taste: Spicy, slightly peppery, round, fruity, maritime, slightly soft, with some candied lemon, seaweeds, mineral peat smoke and some citrus. The finish is medium, peaty, slightly citric and soft, maritime, on camphor, some iodine, mineral peat smoke and seaweeds.
Impression: A clean, slightly soft and very maritime Caol Ila, with some camphor. Very good and with a complex peat smoke, but not as peaty as I would have expected.
Rating: 16/20 FP:B6

Caol Ila 17 YO, James MacArthur, 43%, B:1990. Price:
Colour : Pale gold
Nose : Peaty to very peaty, smoky, mineral, tarry, with some ashes, graphite, old seaweeds and other maritime notes. We are in the old Cao Ila style (distilled before 1975).
Taste : Salty, zesty, slightly citric and mineral, ashy, on old fashioned peatsmoke, some light sweet fruity notes contributing to some roundness. The finish is medium to long, very smoky, peaty, ashy, tarry, on charcoal and some dried kelps.
Impression : A very good old fashioned and very peaty Caol Ila. Intensity is okay, but a few extra abv would have been welcomed.
Rating : 16/20 FP:A8

Caol Ila 1994 for La Maison du Whisky, 15 YO, Douglas Laing, 58.2%. B:2009, 90 bottles. Price:
Colour: Pale gold.
Nose: Clean, peaty, sharp, maritime and on hemp rope.
Taste: Peaty, dry to very dry, slightly tarry, on hemp rope, rather hot, with some tobacco leaves and some bitter lemon. The finish is long, clean, sharp, zesty, peaty, on liquorice root and some vanilla.
Impression: If you like them sharp and slightly aggressive, you will enjoy this one very much.
Rating: 15/20 FP:A8

Caol Ila 1982 for LMDW, 26 YO, Berry Bros & Rudd, 54.8%, B:2009, cask 6502. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Very smooth, peaty, slightly maritime and zesty, with light floral notes and some fish. Harmonious. The finish is short to medium, round, smooth, oaky, on vanilla, smoke and some seaweeds.
Impression: A subtle, mellow, round, smooth and medium peated Caol Ila.
Rating: 14/20 FP:A5

Laphroaig 1980, 27 YO, OB, 57.4%. Price:
Colour: Amber-black
Nose: Rich, sweet, thick, complex, slightly maritime and medicinal, on leather, dried fruits, sultanas, sweet fruity flavours, peat smoke and fudge.
Taste: Very sweet, thick, chewy, syrupy, slightly rubbery and medicinal, maritime, on leather, toffee, seaweeds, a touch of camphor, iodine and eucalyptus, bloody oranges, tangerine, coffee beans and dark chocolate. The finish is long to very long, extremely thick and chewy, bitter, maritime, peaty, smoky, on disinfectant, on dark and bitter chocolate, leather, tannins, cloves, cinnamon sticks and nutmeg. Diluted, it becomes more tannic.
Impression: The nose is very round and sweet, while the palate is very rich, thick and chewy and becoming more tannic and bitter on the finish. A real sherry monster, slightly too bitter and tannic for me.
Rating: 17/20 FP:H5

Laphroaig 1996 Fasszination, 17 YO, Hunter Laing, 46%, B:2014, 323 bottles. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Very peaty, smoky, intense and maritime, phenolic, dry, tarry, medicinal, on seaweeds, disinfectant, iodine and bonfire smoke
Taste: Very medicinal, smoky, peaty and maritime, tarry, ashy, on vanilla custard, iodine, sea shells, bonfire smoke and seaweeds. Diluted, it becomes more creamy and oaky. The finish is long, dry, peaty, tarry, maritime, and medicinal, on iodine, seaweeds, some hemp, seaweeds and dry bonfire smoke. With a long medicinal retro-olfaction.
Impression: A very medicinal, peaty and intense Laphroaig. Impressive!  A delicious and complex well matured Laphroaig
Rating: 17/20 FP:A7

Caol Ila 1983 Special Releases, 30 YO, OB, 55.1%, B:2014, 7638 bottles. Price:
Colour: Straw
Nose: Clean to very clean, smooth, mellow, smoky, peaty, complex, with some candied lemon, seaweeds and citrus. Moderately peaty.
Taste: Peaty to very peaty, mellow, complex, with some candied citrus fruits, slightly maritime, and a complex and rather mineral peat smoke. With some disinfectant. The finish is medium to long, on lingering complex peat smoke, sweet citrus, some disinfectant, camphor, seaweeds, cigar smoke. With a dry, rather ashy and tarry peat smoke retro-olfaction.
Impression: A complex Caol Ila with an excellent dry, tarry and complex peat smoke and maritime influence. Well made.
Rating: 18/20 FP:A5

Kavalan Vinho Barrique Sollist, OB, 59.2%, B:2015. Price:
Colour : Red-amber
Nose : Very floral, smooth, winey, on red berries and some lavender.
Taste : Very smooth, warm, floral, slightly fragrant, on red berries, slight winey notes and very light notes of a  mixture of eucalyptus and lavender. The finish is medium, very smooth, silky, warm, slightly spicy, floral, fragrant and on a mixture of eucalyptus and lavender. Diluted, additional notes of curry and cumin are released.
Impression : A rather special whisky, rather winey on the nose, but becoming spicy on the palate, including Indian spices. Thank you Gilles
Rating : 12/20 FP:D1

Sandeman Scotch Whisky, OB, B:1940s. Price:
Colour: Pale gold
Nose: Smooth, smoky, peaty, slightly metallic and austere, some tar and soft floral notes, with a touch of citrus (grapefruits)
Taste: Soft, light, floral, fragrant, with some pollen, tangerine, light notes of humus, some green apples, grapefruits, and light smoky and peaty flavours. Diluted, it becomes rather spicy. The finish is short to medium, very smooth, slightly metallic, smoky and peaty, with some tangerine, light austere and aromatic flavours. Diluted, it becomes more floral, spicy and smokier, with some additional aromatic flavours.
Impression: A smooth, old style and light to moderately smoky-peaty whisky. A whisky bottle without indication of volume and strength. From a freshly opened bottled with intact foil. Probably 40% abv.
Rating: 13/20 FP:D2

Talisker Neist Point, OB, 45.8%, B:2016. Price:
Colour: Old gold
Nose: Very smoky, maritime, peaty, on toasted wood, bonfire smoke, spices, vanilla custard, some sea brine and cocoa.
Taste: Salty to very salty, oaky to very oaky, smoky to very smoky, peppery, on cocoa, orange peel, some seaweeds, vanilla and sultanas.  The finish is medium to long, peppery, oaky, smoky to very smoky, peaty, slightly salty and maritime, on vanilla custard, orange peel, cocoa and some seaweeds and sultanas. Diluted, it becomes more oaky and on bonfire smoke.
Impression: A very oaky and smoky Talisker, rather mineral, with some orange and bonfire smoke, with some fruity flavours probably from some sherry casks. Enjoyable.
Rating: 15/20 FP:C4

Glen Garioch 1998, 17 YO, Carn Mor, 51.5%, B:2015, cask 3728, 220 bottles. Price:
Colour: Dark Amber
Nose: Very smooth, elegant, complex, on leather, sweet fruity flavours, dried fruits, orange, cinnamon, nutmeg, some peat and aromatic smoke.
Taste: Intense, spicy to very spicy, waxy, on ginger, pepper, cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom, orange, tangerine, orange zest, some leather, treacle, dried fruits and a light smokiness.  The finish is long, rich, fruity, intense, thick, oily, syrupy, aromatic, slightly smoky, on leather, rich spices, cinnamon, nutmeg, leather, orange, dried fruits and orange juice.
Impression: An excellent rich, sweet, spicy and fruity Glen Garioch. The colour is very dark and might suggest a dry and tannic whisky, but it was pleasantly smooth, sweet and juicy. One of the best recent Glen Garioch I have tasted.
Rating: 16/20 FP:F2

Glen Garioch 1990, 24 YO, Cadenhead’s, 47.8%, B:2014. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Mineral, grassy, slightly austere, with some peat smoke and sweet fruity flavours (fruits from the orchards). Subtle and rather complex.
Taste: Oaky, austere, slightly floral and mineral, with some mushrooms, fudge, toffee and slightly sour berries. The finish is medium to long, mineral, slightly smoky, peaty, smooth and austere, with a light sweetness, a touch of honey and some aromatic peat smoke
Impression: A very good, smooth, smoky and slightly peaty, Glen Garioch, rather mineral and well balanced.
Rating: 15/20 FP:A2

Glen Garioch Bicentenary, 37 YO, OB, 43%, B:1997. Price:
Colour: Gold-old gold
Nose: Slightly smoky, aromatic and mineral, with some slightly bitter herbal flavours, wax, oranges and tangerines. Over time, it becomes smoother, rounder, fruitier and sweeter as well.
Taste: Very waxy, on eucyalptus, mint, pine wax, tea, spices (cardamon), orange peel and some grapefruits. The finish is medium to long, very waxy, on pine and fur tree wax, some menthol, eucalyptus, smoke, orange and grapefruit peels, light mineral notes and a combination of Earl gray and matcha tea.
Impression: A very waxy and very old Glen Garioch, with quite some bitter notes. There are bitter flavours, but it is not really bitter on the palate, but rather round, mellow and aromatic. Not a very easy one
Rating: 16/20 FP:C2

Glen Garioch 21 Limited Edition, OB, 43%, B: circa 2005. Price:
Colour: Old gold
Nose: Smooth, slightly waxy, austere, floral and grassy, on caramel and peat smoke. The peat smoke gains in intensity over time.
Taste: Smooth, round, waxy, slightly salty, floral and fragrant, on peat smoke, some toffee, fudge and pollen. The finish is medium to long, fragrant, smoky, peaty, with some sea brine, toffee, fudge, orange peel and beeswax.
Impression: A whisky rather difficult to rate. I enjoyed very much the austere and slightly salty peat smoke, but the flavours of fragrance, toffee and fudge tend to dominate slightly too much to my liking. Slightly unbalanced.
Rating: 14/20 FP:D3

Glen Garioch 1993, Whiskymax, 52.5%, B:2015, cask 1794. Price:
Colour: Pale gold
Nose: Very smooth, malty, creamy, aromatic, slightly austere and smoky.
Taste: Smooth, light, fresh, malty, slightly creamy and aromatic, with some fudge, light aromatic flavours, vanilla, almonds and fruits from the Orchards. The finish is medium, slightly mineral and on the same flavours as on the palate.
Impression: A smooth and malty Glen Garioch, with light round aromas of toffee.
Rating: 14/20 FP:A1

Glen Garioch FassZination 1991, 24 YO, Hunter Laing, 46%, B:2015. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Smooth, aromatic, slightly austere and floral, with some fudge, heather honey and light mineral notes.
Taste: Intense, spicy, floral, aromatic, slightly mineral, smoky and peaty, with a touch of sea brine, some ginger, white pepper and light grassy flavours. The finish is medium, aromatic, austere, slightly mineral and peaty. Complex and pleasantly mineral.
Impression: A very enjoyable Glen Garioch, rather mineral, smoky and austere, with a nice balance and rather intense. Well made.
Rating: 15/20 FP:A3

Mortlach 1971, Gordon & MacPhail, 40%, B:1996. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Rich, thick, intense, floral, smooth, spicy to very spicy, on leather, old worn leather, red berries, cinnamon, nutmeg, orange, sultanas, other dried fruits and a slight smokiness. Excellent.
Taste: Smooth to very smooth, intense, slightly smoky and fragrant, round, on rich spicy flavours, cinnamon, nutmeg, cocoa, some cloves, light tannins, diverse berries, cocoa. The finish is long, rich, intense, complex, very spicy, on tannins, leather, orange, dried and candied fruits, cocoa, berries and a light smokiness. Diluted, it becomes more floral and fragrant and on toffee.
Impression: A very good, intense and very spicy Mortlach,  with an excellent sherry influence. Tasted more than 40%. Thank you Bernhard
Rating: 17/20 FP:G2

Glenrothes 1980 Private Stock, 34 YO, The Whisky Agency, 48.5%, B:2014. Price:
Colour: Old gold
Nose: Mellow to very mellow, smooth, floral, and slightly oaky, with some ginger, melon, toffee and light creamy flavours. Subtle.
Taste: Spicy, oaky, floral, creamy, slightly fragrant, on toffee, some soft spices, oak spices and light fruity notes from the orchards. The finish is medium, smooth, floral, creamy, grassy, slightly fruity, with some honey.
Impression: A very smooth, mellow, floral, creamy and slightly grassy whisky.
Rating: 16/20 FP:C1

Somewhere in the Speyside 1977, 38 YO, Acla Selection & The Whisky Agency, 46.8%, B:2015. 150 bottles. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Smooth to very smooth, round, mellow, on orange, leather, some black and blue berries, fudge and soft spices.
Taste: Smooth, floral to very floral, on soft spices, leather, fudge, Christmas cake, cocoa, dried fruits, some berries, cinnamon and nutmeg. The finish is medium, smooth, mellow, round, fruity, floral, on dried fruits, leather and cinnamon sticks.
Impression: A very smooth, elegant, floral and fruity whisky from Ballindalloch, with out any woody-tannic flavours. Very good and fairly priced.
Rating: 17/20 FP:F1

An Cnoc Rascan, OB, 46%, B:2015. Price:
Colour: Pale straw
Nose: Peaty to very peaty, slightly sweet, maritime, tarry and sugary, and with a hint of vanilla and burnt wood. Rather complex.
Taste: Dry, peaty, smoky, with lots of seaweeds, sugary flavours, on tar, iodine, disinfectant, diesel smoke, hemp rope and ashes. The finish is medium, peaty, maritime, minty, ashy, slightly aromatic and on seaweeds. Diluted, it becomes more minty, aromatic and on liquorice sticks.
Impression: Probably the most peaty and complex peated AnCnoc, with a rather strong maritime and aromatic influence. Peated to 11.1 PPM.
Rating: 13/20 FP:A6

An Cnoc 18 YO, OB, 46%, B:2015. Price:
Colour: Old gold
Nose: Smooth to very smooth, floral, slightly fragrant, fruity, and earthy, on spices, orange, cocoa, tangerine, some Christmas cake, toffee and pralines. Rather oily.
Taste: Oily (bold), floral, round, on praline, toffee, orange, tangerine, caramel, rich spices, some leather, cocoa, candied fruits, a twist of lemon and orange and light aromatic flavours. The finish is rather long, bold, aromatic, rich, complex, on dry spices, orange, tangerine, cocoa, pralines, slight notes of pepper, leather, bloody oranges and humus.
Impression: A very good bold, rich, complex and well balanced AnCnoc, with a nice influence of the European oak. Rather spicy and oily. I enjoyed it very much. Recommended.
Rating: 15/20 FP:E1

GlenDronach 2004, 11 YO, OB, 57.8%, B:2015, cask 5524. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: Smooth, round, floral, on milk chocolate, spices (cardamom, cinnamon and nutmeg), some honey and prunes.
Taste: Rich, spicy, intense, floral, on fudge and toffee, orange peel, some tangerine and liquorice. The finish is medium, spicy, bitter, fragrant, floral, with some dark chocolate, fudge, toffee, cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves.
Impression: A spicy version of GlenDronach, with round flavours of toffee and fudge, as well some bitter and floral aromas.
Rating: 12/20 FP:D1

GlenDronach 2003 for Lateltin AG Switzerland, 12 YO, OB, 54.3%, B:2015, cask 4098. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose:  Smooth, oaky, slightly floral and silky, with some vanilla, slightly sour berries, prunes, and light fruity flavours.
Taste: Spicy, rich, oaky, floral to very floral, fresh, slightly fragrant and oaky, on vanilla, prunes, some slightly sour berries, liquorice, melon, pears and a hint of pepper. The finish is medium, fresh, fruity, with some sultanas, berries, oak extracts, melon and tangerine. Diluted, some flavours of hops are released and it becomes spicier (cinnamon), with some more fudge and on orange.
Impression: A fresh GlenDronach with the spicy and oaky flavours suggestive of an initial maturation in an ex-bourbon cask and a final maturation in an ex-sherry cask.
Rating: 13/20 FP:D1

GlenDronach 1995, 19 YO, OB, 55.4%, B:2015, cask 4034. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Smooth, rich, complex, on sultanas, leather, spices, cinnamon, nutmeg with some berries, fudge, cocoa, and Christmas cake.
Taste: Dry, oaky to very oaky, floral, rich, chewy, on cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, some cocoa, wild berries, and light sweet fruity flavours (orange, tangerine and some peach). The finish is medium to long, smooth, rich, chewy, complex, slightly floral, on sultanas, dried fruits, toffee, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, some cocoa, liquorice and leather. Diluted, it becomes smoother and more on toffee.
Impression: A very good, complex and rich GlenDronach, with a sweet and round sherry influence.
Rating: 16/20 FP:G1

GlenDronach Peated, OB, 46%, B:2016. Price:
Colour: Pale gold
Nose: Smooth, peaty to very peaty, with a mixture of dry and tarry peat smoke, as well as some sweetness from young whiskies. With some liquorice.
Taste: Dry, tarry, peaty, smoky, slightly floral, farmy and creamy. The finish is medium, smooth, peaty, smoky, with some tar and liquorice root. Diluted, it taste young to very young.
Impression: A good moderately peaty GlenDronach, with a dry and tarry peat smoke, but as well as some smoothness, suggests a whisky of rather young age.
Rating: 12/20 FP:A6