Whisky-news.com Tasting notes

Octomore 10 YO 2nd edition, OB, 57.3%, B:2016. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Dry, oaky, very peaty, ashy, tarry, winey, on sultanas, grapes, vanilla and farmy flavours.
Taste: Dry, light, grassy, slightly bitter and medicinal, on burnt wood, tar, ashes, some almond and vanilla. The finish is medium to long, grassy, light, dry, peaty to very peaty, with lots of disinfectant, on spearmint, almond, seaweeds, burnt wood, ginger and candied lemon.
Impression: Matured in American bourbon and French Grenache wine casks, the influence of the French casks is rather limited on the palate. Although it has been produced with barley peated to 167 ppm, it does not taste more peated than the new Port Charlotte 10 YO. The peat is very pleasant, complex, light, elegant, complex, with some spearmint, disinfectant and lemon. Very good.
Rating: 15/20 FP:B7

24 Nov

Tomatin Cu Bochan 2005, OB, 46%, B:2016. Price:
Colour: Old gold
Nose: Round, floral, on caramel, some salt, peat smoke, and sweet juicy fruits.
Taste: Round, smooth, floral, slightly fragrant and earthy, on dry and slightly salty peat smoke, caramel, some sea brine, seaweeds, cocoa and tangerine. The finish is medium, floral, round, on caramel, some sea brine, dry and earthy peat smoke, dark chocolate, vanilla and tangerine.
Impression: A Tomatin, light to moderately peaty, with some tangerine, cocoa and on caramel.
Rating: 13/20 FP:F4

23 Nov

Tomatin 1995, OB, 46%, B:2016, 1912 bottles. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: Sweet, smooth, round, floral, on vanilla, some sultanas, orange, tangerine, tangerine and cococa.
Taste: Smooth, floral, rich, spicy, on ginger, vanilla, sultanas, dried fruits, orange and tangerine, and some rubber. The finish is medium, rich, spicy, floral, slightly fragrant and rubbery, on dried fruits, sultanas, and orange, becoming slightly bitter with some water added.
Impression: A rich, floral, and spicy Tomatin, matured initially in ex-bourbon casks followed by a final maturation in oloroso casks. The spiciness from the ex-bourbon is well present as well as the strong dried fruits and sultanas from the sherry casks.
Rating: 14/20 FP:I1

Tomatin 1968 Antica Casa Marchesi Spinola, 21 YO, Sestante, 40%, B: 1990. Price:
Colour: Gold-old gold.
Nose: Fresh, light, juicy, on starch and cardboard and other indiscernible notes (dried fish?).
Taste: Light, sweet, juicy, fresh, rather spicy (some white pepper), slightly spirity, oaky, with some lime blossom, honey and light grassy notes, with some underlying smoky notes. Very smooth. The finish is short to medium, light, on lime blossom, beeswax and some faint notes of cardboard.
Impression: A rather juicy and cardboardy version of Tomatin. Light and refreshing, but too thin to my taste.
Rating: 11/20 FP:A2

22 Nov

Tomatin 36 YO, OB, 46%, B:2016. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: Mellow, smooth, with nice, sweet and intense tropical fruits, a hint of smoke and grapefruits. Excellent.
Taste: Mellow to very mellow, complex, smooth, with some soft floral flavours, on tropical fruits, a hint of grapefruits and soft spices. The finish is medium to long, mellow to very mellow, complex, with some sea brine, soft spices and most pleasant fruity flavours (passion fruits, guava and some pink grapefruits).
Impression: A very old, mellow Tomatin with delicious fruity flavours, including a fair dose of tropical fruits complemented by a dash of grapefruits. Excellent.
Rating: 17/20 FP:D2

21 Nov

Ballechin 3 Port Wood matured, OB, 46%, B: 2008. Price:
Colour: Gold.
Nose: Very peaty, farmy, sweet and sugary, with some hay and herb tea.
Taste: Peaty, malty, sweet, with some grapes, honey and a mixture of herb tea and Pu-Erh. The finish is medium to long, sweet, peaty, sugary, with some dried fruits mixed with the mellowness of herb tea.
Impression: The mixture of Port Influence and heavily peated Edradour is resulting an original flavour profile. Compare to the previous versions, it has gained in complexity and drinkability.
Rating: 14/20 FP:D8

Edradour Fairy Flag, 15 YO, OB, 46%, B:2015. Price:
Colour: Old gold
Nose: Smooth, waxy, heavy, rich, slightly smoky, and fruity, on leather, Christmas cake, orange, tangerine, sultanas, and some cinnamon. Pleasant.
Taste: Rich, waxy, slightly salty, spicy, rich, on cardamom, sultanas, Christmas cake, some aromatic herbs and mustard seeds. The finish is medium to long, waxy, round, slightly bitter, on sultanas, Christmas cake, orange, some marmalade, cinnamon and a touch of nutmeg.
Impression: A good, waxy, round and well matured Edradour, with a nice sherry influence.
Rating: 14/20 FP:E1

20 Nov

This is not a luxury whisky, Compass Box, 53.1%, B:2015. Price:
Colour: Gold-old gold
Nose: Very smooth, floral to very floral, mellow, slightly spicy, with light notes of yellow fruits and some vanilla. Elegant.
Taste: Very smooth, floral, slightly spicy and oaky, malty, on pollen, summer flowers, and a light maltiness. The finish is medium to long, very smooth, mellow, floral, with some pollen, vanilla, a touch of vanilla, melon, tangerine and a slight fragrance. Complex and balanced. Diluted, it becomes slightly spicy and on tobacco, and with stronger fruity flavours (yellow fruits).
Impression: A very smooth and floral whisky, balanced and complex.
Rating: 15/20 FP: C1

Majority, Rutherford & Boyd, 40%, B: 1980s. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Light, fresh, grassy, slightly peaty, on old-fashioned peat smoke, some Mirabelle, smooth floral flavours, slight creamy flavours and a few drops of fruits from the orchards.
Taste: Very light, thin, grassy, herbal, slightly floral and peaty, with some old peat smoke, a touch of apples and some lime blossom tea. The finish is medium, thin, light, and grassy, with some starch, apples, lime blossom and peat.
Impression: A decent blend, with a light and pleasant smokiness, soft but thin.
Rating: 09/20 FP:A3

19 Nov

Timorous beast, Douglas Laing, 46.8%, B:2016. Price:
Colour: Straw
Nose: Sweet, light, slightly peaty and spicy, on toffee, fudge, and vanilla. Taste rather young.
Taste: Young, sweet, slightly peaty and spicy, on toffee and fudge. The finish is short to medium, sweet, slightly peaty and spicy, on fudge, toffee, bitter caramel and a touch of tar.
Impression: A young, sweet and slightly spicy whisky.
Rating: 10/20 FP:A3

Flaming Heart 15th Edition, Compass Box, 48.9%, B:2015 Price:
Colour: Straw
Colour: Gold
Nose: Smooth, spicy, waxy, slightly floral, maritime and peaty, with light fruity notes, hemp rope, peat, tar, ashes, vanilla, some pears and ginger.
Taste: Very peaty, maritime, slightly waxy, on seaweeds, tar, orange peel, ginger, peat smoke, some sea shells, old hemp rope and a slight bitterness. The finish is medium to long, peaty to very peaty, dry, maritime, slightly waxy, floral and fruity, on seaweeds, peated water, orange peel and some smokiness.
Impression: An intense, very peaty, slightly waxy Flaming Heart with a mixture of peat, bitterness and light floral and fruity flavours. A blended malt.
Rating: 14/20 FP:B6

18 Nov

Antiquary 21 YO, OB, 43%, B:2016. Price:
Colour: Old gold
Nose: Smooth, rich, floral, spicy to very spicy, slightly smoky and aromatic, on humus, some peach, apricots, cooked cereals, honey, dried fruits, orange and tangerine. Intense and well balanced.
Taste: Spicy to very spicy, peppery, smooth, mellow, slightly austere and aromatic, on humus, some tobacco, cooked cereals, orange, peat smoke, and tangerine. The finish is medium, rich, intense, rather bold, slightly austere, aromatic and peaty, on cooked cereals, light sweet sherry flavours, almonds, leather and cocoa.
Impression: A very good, intense and rich blended whisky of high quality. Most pleasant.
Rating: 14/20 FP:D3

Antiquary 35 YO, OB, 46%, B:2016. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber,
Nose: Rich, floral, spicy, complex, on cocoa, leather, dry sherry, tannins, cinnamon, dried fruits, peach, tangerine, orange and passion fruits. Very good. It smells pretty much like a single malt.
Taste: Mellow, rich, complex, slightly to moderately spicy, on old wood, passion fruits, mango, guava, a hint of peat smoke and caramel, some cocoa, orange, tangerine and humus.
Impression: A rich, complex, subtle, mellow and quite intense blended whisky. A blended whisky as good as many single malts, with pleasant and rather intense exotic fruit flavours.
Rating: 15/20 FP:E2

17 Nov

Glenmorangie Dornoch, OB, 43%, B:2016. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Smooth, light, malty, floral to very floral, slightly fragrant, with some starch, a hint of smoke, some pear drops, pollen, vanilla and fresh oak extracts, aromatic herbs and some dry winey flavours.
Taste: Soft, smooth, creamy, malty, slightly mineral, winey and tarry, with some peat smoke, anis seed and almond. The finish is medium, malty, and slightly creamy, on rather dry sherry flavours and a touch of peat smoke.
Impression: A combination of classic ex-bourbon matured Glenmorangie and some lightly peated Glenmorangie matured in Amontillado casks. The flavour profile is interesting and reminds me somewhat of the old style of whisky, but I find the whisky rather soft and smooth. I wished it had some more punch.
Rating: 12/20 FP:D2

16 Nov

Ardbeg Supernova SN2015 Committee, OB, 54.3%, B: 2016. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Very peaty, oaky, intense, maritime, on seaweeds, camphor, some iodine and disinfectant.
Taste: Dry, rooty, oaky, very peaty, slightly maritime and phenolic, on seaweeds, some spearmint, tar, iodine and camphor. The finish is quite long, peaty, maritime, rather subtle, and slightly tarry, with some spearmint, iodine and camphor.
Impression: Not the most complex Ardbeg, but very pleasant and rather subtle and elegant, on iodine and disinfectant. Although it is made from the most peated barley ever used at the distillery, the whisky is well balanced, and not as peaty or dry as one might expect. Very good. Thank you Stéphane!
Rating: 15/20 FP:A8

Elements of Islay Ar 7, OB, 56.3%, B:2016. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: Peaty to very peaty, meaty, maritime, rooty, tarry, slightly oaky, on ashes, some soot, seaweeds, old diesel smoke, orange, tangerine and some leather. Complex and very good.
Taste: Oaky, maritime to very maritime, medicinal, phenolic, tarry, on soot, ashes, roots, seaweeds, camphor, iodine, some tangerine, toasted wood, sultanas, and spearmint. The finish is long, peaty, dry, smoky, maritime, and medicinal, with some dried fruits, camphor, spearmint and tar.
Impression: The nose was peaty and tarry, with strong medicinal and maritime flavours, becoming sweeter and more complex on the palate. A very good Ardbeg matured initially in ex-bourbon casks and then re-racked for several years in ex-sherry casks.
Rating: 17/20 E7

15 Nov

Brora 38 YO Special Release 2016, OB, 48.6%, B:2016, 2984 bottles. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Mellow, round, waxy, mustardy, slightly mineral and peaty, on sea brine, some vanilla, leather, a hint of quince, melon and yellow flowers. Very close to the 2015, but slightly rounder, more floral and less mineral.
Taste: Mellow to very mellow, round to very round, soft, on yellow flowers, vanilla, melon, some quince, Mirabelle, grapefruits, and with a light, complex and subtle peat smoke. The finish is medium to long, mellow to very mellow, farmy, slightly waxy, on complex and lingering smoke, a touch of camphor and seaweeds. There is a long smoky, slightly farmy and peaty retro-olfaction. Diluted, it is slightly more on wood spices.
Impression: A very good Brora, slightly more mellow and softer than the 2015 Special Release and with a longer smoky finish. The mustardy flavours are rather soft and discreet. Thank you Lucie!
Rating: 17/20 FP:C3

Brora 37 YO Special Release 2015, OB, 50.9%, B:2015. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Mineral, waxy, mustardy, round, mellow, slightly citric, mineral and peaty, on sea brine, some vanilla, leather and farmy flavours.
Taste: Spicy, mineral, slightly citric, lemony, farmy and smoky, with some mustard seeds, Mirabelle, peat smoke, and honey. The finish is medium to long, waxy, spicy, on mustard, some peat smoke, light farmy and leather flavours, as well as some lemon, grapefruit and other citrus.
Impression: It has been almost one year since I tasted it, and it seems slightly more complex and mellow that last time, but also slightly less fruity. Same rating.
Rating: 17/20 FP:B4

14 Nov

Hanyu 1988 Japanese oak (Mizunara) cask finish, Number One Drink, 55.6%, B: 2007, cask 9501. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: Very smooth, floral, clean, slightly fragrant and oaky, on wood chips, some creamy influence and orange peel, and a hint of coriander.
Taste: Very smooth, floral, fresh, elegant, slightly creamy and fragrant (exotic herbs and flowers), with some dried fruits, dry peat and wood smoke, plums, ginger, tangerine, orange zest and cinnamon. Diluted, it becomes more peaty, spicy and oaky. The finish is medium to long, and on the same flavours.
Impression: A very good Hanyu, rather peaty and smoky, on plums, dried fruits and quite oaky.
Rating: 17/20 FP:E3

Yoichi 15 YO, OB, 45%, B:2014. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: Smooth, peaty, smoky, with some soybean sauce, tangerine, exotic wood, lacquer, plums, and sea brine.
Taste: Rich, quite thick, smooth, complex, floral, peaty, smoky, fruity, on exotic wood, lacquer, plums, sultanas, cinnamon, some nutmeg and cloves, sea brine, orange, tangerine and Turkish delights. The finish is long, rich, complex, on exotic wood and spices, peat smoke, tangerine, cream, soybean sauce and a hint of lacquer and salt. Diluted, it becomes saltier, with a hint of rubber and vegetal condiment.
Impression: The balance of flavours is excellent in this whisky, combining mild peaty flavours, some rich sherry influence and probably some Japanese virgin oak (Mizunara)? Lovely. We will be happy to see it coming back in a decade or so. Thank you Christian M.
Rating: 16/20 FP:E3

13 Nov

Deluxe 3 YO, Compass box, 49.2%, B:2016. Price:
Colour: Pale gold
Nose: Very smooth, mustardy, sweet, light, with a light smokiness and a hint of sea brine.
Taste: Waxy, smooth, mellow, mustardy, rather spicy (on black pepper), some sea brine, a slight smokiness and peatiness. Rather light, but well balanced and with a zest of lemon. The finish is rather long, slightly waxy, with a mixture of pepper and mustard, lemon zest, a hint of smoke and some sea brine.
Impression: A good whisky, rather light, briny, citric, with a mixture of pepper and mustard. This blended malt is a vatting of 0.4% 3 year old Clynelish, 90% of 24 year old Clynelish topped with 20 year old Talisker. While it taste very much like an old Clynelish, the pepper and briny flavours from Talisker are well present.
Rating: 13/20 FP:A2

King George IV, The Distiller’s Agency Ltd, B:1970s. Price:
Colour: Old gold
Nose: Austere, mineral, slightly aromatic, peaty, smoky, on humus, tangerine, some sea brine, aromatic and austere peat smoke, some light spices and mushrooms.
Taste: Spicy to very spicy, waxy, slightly austere, aromatic and mineral, on soot, cold ashes, mustard seeds, humus, wet wood, an old fashioned austere and slightly peaty smoke, with some tangerine, wet tobacco leaves and a few drops of orange. The finish is medium, moderately mineral, peaty, smoky and austere, slightly waxy, with some tangerine, soot, cold ashes, humus, tobacco and a few pear drops.
Impression: A very good blend, slightly waxy, with an old-fashioned mineral peat smoke, slightly austere and aromatic. Seems like a fair dose of old Clynelish (i.e., pre-Brora) was present in the blend. I like this old mineral smoke.
Rating: 13/20 FP:D3

12 Nov

Avonside, Jas Gordon, 100 Proof, B:1970s. Price:
Colour: Pale gold-gold
Nose: Spicy, rich, floral to very floral, slightly austere, aromatic, on mineral peat smoke, pollen and heather.
Taste: Spicy to very spicy, aromatic to very aromatic (pepper, some thyme, nutmeg, fresh mint), with some old mineral slightly peaty smoke, pollen, a hint of heather and eucalyptus. The finish is short, floral, rather fresh, with an initial very spicy bite fading quickly, with vanilla and hint of smoke.
Impression: The nose was quite pleasant, spicy to very spicy on the palate, with a short finish.
Rating: 10/20 FP:A2

11 Nov

Brora 1971 Old Malt Cask, 29 YO, Douglas Laing, 50%, B:2000, 274 bottles. Price:
Colour: Pale gold
Nose: Dry, very peaty and intense, medicinal, austere, on iodine, disinfectant, tar, lemon zest, mustard seeds and light farmy flavours. Excellent.
Taste: Intense, very peaty and citric (lemon), dry, waxy, austere, slightly grassy, on almonds, flint stone and some tobacco smoke. The finish is long, austere, waxy, grassy, very citric (lemon zest), on mustard, some farmy flavours, liquorice roots, gentian and almonds. With a very long peaty and medicinal retro-olfaction.
Impression: An excellent, well balanced, very peaty, clean and rather flinty Brora, with nice austere flavours, and a very long lasting medicinal and peaty retro-olfaction. Excellent.
Rating: 19/20 FP:A7

Caol Ila 1983, 32 YO, Signatory, 49.3%, B: 2016, cask 5292. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Mellow, complex, subtle, peaty, smoky, maritime, slightly mineral, on old mineral oil, tar, some iodine, sea weeds and hemp rope. Very good.
Taste: Complex to very complex, subtle, smoky, slightly to moderately peaty, with some zest, old tar and soot, a twist of lemon, old peat smoke and diesel smoke. The finish is medium, very mellow, smoky, slightly to moderately peaty, on old, dry and complex peat smoke, with some seaweeds, citrus, linseed and mineral oil.
Impression: A complex, very mellow and subtle Caol Ila, slightly mineral and citric, with a long, complex peat smoke. Not very peaty, but with a lovely smokiness.
Rating: 17/20 FP: A4

10 Nov

Ben Nevis 1984 for La Maison du Whisky, 31 YO, OB, 56.4%, B:2016. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Intense, floral, smooth, on cardamom, pollen, some hay, rose, cocoa, delicate and subtle tannins from a high grade leather, tangerine and a touch of orange. Given time, the sherry influence gains on strength, with more oranges, some red berries, on vegetal condiments, ground coffee and some raspberries. A whisky that needs time to breath.
Taste: Rich, spicy, floral to very floral, rubbery, round, on pepper, ginger, exotic woods, some chilli, leather, tannins, cinnamon, Pu-erh tea, cinnamon, nutmeg, a touch of coriander, rose and rice cake. Complex and keeps changing of time, while the slightly dry sherry influence on leather and tannins remains. The rubber disappears progressively. It becomes fruiter and smoother with some water. The finish is long, slightly dry and tannic, smooth, complex, rather juicy and floral, on rich fruity flavours of tangerine, orange, exotic woods and flowers, a hint of rubber and many fine spices (mainly cinnamon), and a slight bitterness (Pu-erh).
Impression: A very good rich, spicy and floral Ben Nevis, on slightly dry sherry. It becomes increasingly difficult to find old Ben Nevis matured in sherry casks.
Rating: 17/20 FP:H1

Ben Nevis 1996 for The Malt Clan, 20 YO, Rba, 53.3%, B:2016. Price:
Colour: Straw
Nose: Clean, malty, fresh, floral to very floral, on pollen, straw, some honey, quince, melon and Mirabelle. Nicely fruity.
Taste: Intense, floral, on hay, yellow fruits, some pollen, yellow flowers, vanilla, a touch of fudge and a light fragrance and bitterness. The finish is medium, malty, floral, slightly creamy and grassy, on vanilla, with some heather, quince, green apples, melon and apricots, slightly fragrant.
Impression: A sharp contrast to the Ben Nevis 1984, with a strong ex-bourbon influence. This whisky is fresh, intense, floral and slightly fragrant, with the age giving a pleasant fruitiness. A refreshing whisky. Thank you Christophe.
Rating: 14/20 FP:A1

09 Nov

The Nikka 12 YO, OB, 43%, B:2016. Price:
Colour: Gold-old gold
Nose: Rich, floral, intense, on sandal wood, rosewater, some peat smoke, beeswax, precious wood, various spices, toffee and green apples. Markedly more complex and intense than the new Yoichi or Miyagikyo.
Taste: Rich, round, floral, on toffee, fudge, Christmas cake, some sultanas, vanilla, banana, peat smoke, rosewater, tar and green apples. Rather fresh. The finish is medium to long, floral, on exotic wood and flowers, some peat smoke, rosewater, toffee, fudge, nutmeg, candied fruits, a touch of tar, sea brine and green apples.
Impression: A vatting of Yoichi, Miyagikyo and some Coffey grain whisky. More complex, intense, richer and sharper than the new Nikka single malts. Not only the glass bottles is very nice, but the content as well. Very good!
Rating: 15/20 FP:F3

08 Nov

Nikka Yoichi, 45%, B:2016. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Smooth, malty, starchy, slightly grassy and maritime, with some peat. Quite soft.
Taste: Smooth, dry, peaty, slightly maritime and tarry, on sea brine, peat smoke, vanilla and some fresh floral flavours. The finish is medium, moderately peaty, dry and smoky, with some sea brine, lacquer and exotic woods.
Impression: A moderately peaty Yoichi, soft and weak. As for the Miyagikyo, it seems weak, young and soft, and less complex than the versions with an age statement.
Rating: 12/20 FP:A3

Nikka Miyagikyo, 45%, B:2016. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Smooth, malty, starchy, on barley, some vanilla, honey and a touch of banana. Quite soft.
Taste: Soft, oaky, floral, spicy, peppery, with some peat smoke, jasmine, rose water, cinnamon, exotic wood and tobacco leaves. The finish is medium, rather soft, floral, with a touch of peat smoke, on peat smoke, jasmine and rosewater.
Impression: This non-age statement Miyagikyo taste young and soft, and although it is bottled at 45%, the flavour intensity is weak. I miss the complexity and intensity of the previous versions with an age statement.
Rating: 12/20 FP:B2

07 Nov

Teeling Malt Revival Volume 2 Calvados, 13 YO, OB, 46%, B:2016. Price:
Colour: Pale gold
Nose: Very fruity, clean and smooth, slightly malty, with very strong notes of apples (Calvados). Smells more like a Calvados than a whisk(e)y
Taste: Very smooth, fresh and creamy, malty, slightly spicy, on apples (Calvados). The aromas of Calvados are strong, but less than in the nose. The finish is medium, very smooth and fresh, sweet, sugary, on apple pie and apples (Calvados).
Impression: A special Teeling, fresh and very smooth, with the Calvados casks dominating the spirit. I appreciated the freshness and sweetness of the Calvados, but I am struggling to find the single malt flavours. Thus extremely difficult to rate. If you like Calvados, you will certainly love this one, if you do not like this spirit or the “wineshky”, then you might taste it for curiosity purposed.
Rating: 12/20 FP:C1

Teeling Malt Revival Rum, 15 YO, OB, 46%, B:2016. Price:
Colour: Pale gold
Nose: Very smooth, sweet, sugary, malty, on pina colada, sultanas soaked in rum and brown rum. The influence of the rum is strong to very strong, but as dominating as the Volume 2.
Taste: Very smooth and fresh, sugary, slightly spicy and malty, on pineapples, pina colda, grapefruit and brown sugar. The finish is medium, smooth to very smooth, malty, with light spices, on pineapples, grapefruits and brown sugar.
Impression: A very smooth and well made Irish whisk(e)y, more spicy and intense than the Revival Volume 2, with a strong, but not overwhelming Rum influence.
Rating: 13/20 FP:C1

06 Nov

Tullamore Dew Single Malt, 14 YO, OB, 41.3%, B:2016. Price:
Colour: Old gold
Nose: Clean, malty, smooth, on vanilla, orchard’s fruits, pineapple, grapes and some coconut.
Taste: Intense, spicy to very spicy, slightly malty and creamy, on pineapples, grapes, orchard’s fruits, vanilla and some tannins. The finish is medium, spicy, with some tannins, grapes, vanilla, and a sweet sherry influence.
Impression: A triple-distilled Irish single malt with a final maturation in bourbon, Port, Madeira and Oloroso Sherry casks. The combination of these casks gives a lot of various flavours to the whole, but at the same time creating some unbalance, as not all aromas are complementary. I preferred the previous 12 YO sherry finish for its balance and additional smoothness.
Rating: 12/20 FP:D1

05 Nov

JJ&S John Jameson & Sons 3 stars (Bow Street), 7 YO, OB, 43%, B:1970s. Price:
Colour: Old gold
Nose: Smooth, mellow, fruity, rather bold and heavy, slightly mineral, on a mixture of dry and sweet light sherry flavours, some leather, toffee, peat smoke, mint, jasmine tea and Riesling-like aromas. Complex, with an old style of sherry influence and some old bottle effects.
Taste: Mineral, bitter to very bitter, on ground coffee and some orchard’s fruits. The coffee is progressively replaced by coffee chocolate. The finish is medium, mineral, starchy, light, sweet, fruity, on ground coffee and jasmine tea.
Impression: This was one of the whisky that I always wanted to try, as I have read a lot the Jameson Bow Street distillery and I appreciate very much the labels on the bottle. The flavour profile is rather unique and surprisingly bitter, with lots of coffee ground. Maybe not the best whisk(e)y, but it is becoming very hard to taste these very old Jameson. Thank you Martin
Rating: 11/20 FP:C1

JJ&S John Jameson & Sons Liqueur, 12 YO, OB, 43%, B:1940s. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Musky, slightly fragrant and mineral, on old worn leather, light mineral sherry notes, some blackcurrant, cherries, passion fruits, a few dried fruits. With time, it becomes more perfumy and after 10-15 minutes, more mineral and light tropical fruits. A rather unique nose, with some old grease, musk and leather.
Taste: Mineral, metallic, slightly sweet and fruity, with some spices (cloves, cinnamon and pepper), citrus, ashes, old smoke, black berries and tropical fruits. The finish is medium, fruity, mineral, metallic, musky, on tangerine, some orange, mint, tobacco, humus, old chimney soot and ashes, ground coffee, orchards fruits, banana, citrus, tropical fruits and maybe some brambleberries.
Impression: The Jameson 7 YO was already a treat and tasting such a rare old Irish is an unique opportunity. Thank you so much Martin! As for the 7 YO, the flavours of ground coffee are there, but more discreet, with more fruits and complexity, thus making a more enjoyable drinking experience. A rather austere, but very good whisk(e)y.
Rating: 14/20 FP:D1

04 Nov

Jameson Distiller’s Safe, OB, 43%, B:2016. Price:
Colour: Pale gold
Nose: Very smooth, floral, rather fragrant, slightly spicy and oaky, on vanilla and some pollen. Clean
Taste: Fresh, oaky, floral to very floral, very smooth, on fudge, vanilla, vanilla custard, some candied ginger and a touch of humus. The finish is medium, very smooth, mellow, milky, on orchard’s fruits, vanilla, vanilla custard, a hint of tobacco and ginger.
Impression: A smooth and milky Jameson, with a pleasant freshness. It is a very clean whisky, with a light oaky influence showing a very clean and clear spirit, with little wood influence.
Rating: 11/20 FP:A1

Jameson Cooper’s Croze, OB, 43%, B:2016. Price:
Colour: Old gold
Nose: Smooth, creamy, buttery, on vanilla, vanilla custard, some dried fruits and a light sweetness, and a touch of fresh fruits from the orchard.
Taste: Mellow, rich, spicy, slightly fruity, on dried fruits, sultanas, tangerine, some tropical fruits, pepper, blackcurrant and vanilla custard. The finish is medium, mellow, rich, with some humus, tobacco, tropical fruits and some blackcurrant.
Impression: A rich, intense and fruity Jameson, with a pronounced wood influence, including some sweet and sugary fruity flavours. I like this style. It contains mainly whisky aged between 13 and 16 years.
Rating: 14/20 FP:E1

03 Nov

Redbreast 12 YO, OB, 40%, B:2016. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: Rich, intense, fruity, round, very smooth, on sweet sherry, elegant floral flavours, some leather, cinnamon and tropical fruits. Very good.
Taste: Fruity, round, bold, rather oaky, on tropical fruits, vanilla, some mango, banana and blackcurrant. The finish is medium, bold, fruity, slightly creamy, on vanilla, mango, banana and blackcurrant.
Impression: A very good Irish Pot Still, with a very good, sweet and fruity nose, rather bold and malty on the palate, with nice vanilla and fruity flavours.
Rating: 13/20 FP:D1

Redbreast 15 YO, OB, 46%, B:2016. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: Smooth, floral, rather fresh, slightly yeasty, on caramel, toffee, some vanilla and oaky spices. More oaky and less fruity than the 12 YO, with a fair dose of caramel and toffee. It becomes more fruity after some time.
Taste: Spicy, oaky, round, on oak spices, some ginger, pepper, mango, guava, vanilla and blackcurrant. The finish is medium, spicy to very spicy, rich, fruity, on exotic fruits, vanilla and blackcurrant.
Impression: Another very good Redbreast, less fruity and more on vanilla on the nose than the 12 YO, spicier on the palate, with maybe some more (dry) sherry influence. Different, but as good as the 12 YO.
Rating: 13/20 FP:D1

02 Nov

Redbreast 1999 Single Sherry Cask for The Whisky Exchange, OB, 59.9%, B:2016, 596 bottles. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Rich, intense, on dry sherry, tannins, leather, dried fruits, figs, dates, toffee, some mango, tropical fruits, cocoa and a slight fragrance. Very good.
Taste: Dry, rich, thick, chewy, syrupy, fruity, with lots of dried fruits, on tannins, leather, treacle, pecan nuts, cinnamon, nutmeg, rubber, some mango and tropical fruits. The finish is medium to long, round, on dry tannins, leather, dried fruits, figs, dates, sultanas, cocoa, roasted coffee beans, some toffee, mango, orange, cinnamon and cloves.
Impression: A very intense Redbreast, with an almost extreme sherry influence, on leather, tannins, cocoa, coffee and a thick and chewy mouth feel, as well as some light rubbery notes, that prevented me to give a higher rating. If you are a sherry freak and like the Irish Pot Stills, this is a must to have!
Rating: 15/20 FP:I1

Midleton Dair Ghaelach Grinsells Wood Tree N°7, OB, 57.9%, B:2016. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: A fruit bomb, with abundant exotic fruits, mango, papaya, passion fruits, guava, banana. Creamy, very smooth, on blackcurrant and some dried fruits. I love this style.
Taste: Rich, very fruity, smooth, bold, intense, creamy, slightly spicy, on vanilla and with the same tropical flavours as on the nose. The finish is long, creamy, spicy, on tropical fruits, banana, ground coffee, blackcurrant and mild spices.
Impression: An excellent Irish Pot Still, with a mixture of blackcurrant, roasted coffee beans and tropical fruits. A masterpiece. From pot still whisk(e)y aged between 15 and 22 years, with 1 year of maturation in a virgin oak tree cask.
Rating: 17/20 FP:C1

01 Nov

Kavalan Manzanilla Solist, OB, 57.8%, B:2016, cask MA1102230101. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: Very smooth, rather dry, complex, on grapes, vanilla, orange, soft spices, peach and melon,
Taste: Rich, thick, complex, well balanced, slightly salty and peppery, on grapes, fresh figs, orange, dried figs, grapes, peach, some slightly dry wine and porridge, melon and honeydew melon. The finis is medium to long, dry to very dry, on grapes, figs, melon, honeydew melon, some tropical fruits, toffee and a touch of salt.
Impression: An excellent Kavalan, with a most pleasant dry influence Manzanilla and lots of various fruity flavours.
Rating: 17/20 FP: F1

Kavalan Fino Solist, OB, 57.8%, B:2016, cask S1007690141(7?). Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: Dry, winey, slightly mineral, on dry and white grapes, tiger balm, toffee, some fudge made with slightly salted cream, almonds and various rather fresh fruity flavours. Very good and with a strong and pleasant fino influence.
Taste: Dry to very dry, fruity, slightly mineral, with a strong influence of fino, on grapes, dry wine, almonds, marzipan, mango, some warm chestnuts, walnuts, and fudge. The finish is medium to long, dry, spicy, peppery, nutty, with some marzipan, mango, exotic fruits, dry grapes and a slight mineral influence.
Impression: A very good Kavalan, with a dry to very Fino influence, on pepper, some nuts and pleasant tropical fruits. Slightly less complex and rich than the other two sherry casks.
Rating: 16/20 FP: F1

31 Oct

Bowmore 9 YO Sherry Matured, OB, 40%, B: 2016. Price: N.A.
Colour: Amber
Nose: Smooth to very smooth, smoky, slightly peaty, very round, maritime, with some seaweeds, leather, sea brine, cinnamon, orange, sultanas and figs.
Taste: Sweet, soft, thin, juicy to very juicy, fruity, slightly oaky and maritime, on orange, with some starch, leather, cinnamon and sea salt. Diluted, it becomes slightly saltier. The finish is medium, oaky, soft, smooth, slightly maritime and smoky, with some juicy and fruity flavours of tangerine and orange, as well as some smoke, cinnamon and leather.
Impression: A rather soft, smooth and juicy Bowmore. It seems pretty good, but I found it too thin and soft. Seems like it has been reduced too much.
Rating: 09/20 FP: F3

30 Oct

Kavalan Amontillado Solist, OB, 55.6%, B:2016. Cask ?, Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Very smooth, elegant, nutty, on dried fruits, orange, Christmas cake, chestnuts and some exotic fruits.
Taste: Rich, nutty, floral, thick, on chestnuts, fruitcake, dried fruits, banana and exotic fruits (mango puree, papaya and passion fruits). The finish is medium to long, rich, nutty, floral, thick, on exotic wood and nuts. Diluted, it becomes more nutty, tannic (leather) and dryier.
Impression: An excellent Kavalan, nutty, with a nice round and fruity influence from the Amontillado. Very well made.
Rating: 17/20 FP: E1

Kavalan Amontillado Solist, OB, 55.6%, B:2016, cask AM100623018A. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: Dry, smooth, slightly acetic, with some balsamic vinegar, exotic fruits, nuts, and tiger balm.
Taste: Rich, intense, complex, on a mixture of grapes, tropical fruits, some dried grapes, figs, nuts, some dry and slightly acetic notes, mango and a touch of tiger balm. Complex. Diluted, the profile is very different, fruitier, smoother, richer and the dry-acetic aromas almost gone. The finish is medium, rich, with a mixture of dry and sweet-sugary fruits, exotic fruits, mango, guava, some banana, nuts, and very light aromas of toffee and fudge.
Impression: The profile is quite different from the Manzanilla, drier, slightly more mineral, with more dry fruity and exotic fruits. Of the same and excellent quality.
Rating: 17/20 FP: E1

29 Oct

Croftengea Heavily Peated 2006, Cooper’s Choice, 46%, B:2016, cask 498, 370 bottles. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Sweet, round, malty, peaty, slightly floral, on seaweeds, some vanilla and honey. A sweet malty-peaty combination.
Taste: Soft, sweet to very sweet, peaty, on freshly crushed barley, a touch of lemon, some aromatic peat smoke and seaweeds. The finish is short to medium, very smooth, round and malty, on salty and maritime peat smoke, some milk and freshly crushed barley.
Impression: An original and heavily peaty whisky, with a maritime peat smoke combined with a very smooth, sweet and creamy mouth feel. Well made.
Rating: 13/20 FP:A7

Croftengea 1992 122.17 Tarmac and Lemon, 16 YO, Scotch Malt Whisky Society, 58.2%, B: 2008. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Tarry to very tarry, peaty, on burnt wood and soot.
Taste: Malty, tarry, slightly citric, on lemon pie, peat, soot and some grassy notes. Reminds me somewhat of these old peaty Ledaig. The finish is medium, peaty, tarry, rather round, on dry peat smoke and some bitter roots.
Impression: A very pleasant, peaty and very tarry expression of the Loch Lomond distillery. Well done.
Rating: 15/20 FP:A7

28 Oct

Ledaig 1993, Gordon & MacPhail, 43%, B:2010. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Smooth, maritime, meaty, moderately peaty, slightly medicinal, on seaweeds and some peat smoke.
Taste: Very maritime, salty, smooth, juicy, moderately peaty and smoky, grassy, on honey, wet seaweeds, some wet wood and light meaty (bacon) flavours. The finish is medium, grassy, on dry tarry and ashy peat smoke, some wet wood, camphor, dried meat, bacon, seaweeds and some salt.
Impression: A moderately peaty Ledaig, smooth and grassy with some dry peat smoke. It taste like a vatting of Tobermory and heavily peated Ledaig. Thank you Manfred.
Rating: 14/20 FP: D3

Tobermory 1995, 17 YO, Single Cask Collection, 54.9%,B:2013. Price:
Colour: Straw
Nose: Very smooth, light and clean, with just a dash of sea brine. As smooth as the Ledaig are peaty.
Taste: Maritime, slightly salty, spicy and oaky, with some seabrine, melon, quince, peach, a touch of smoke and tobacco leaves, vanilla and tangerine. The finish is medium to long, spicy, peppery, smooth, slightly creamy, malty and maritime, on black pepper, some salt, vanilla, tobacco and a hint of smoke.
Impression: The nose was extremely smooth and light, almost flavourless, but it was very pleasant and balanced on the palate and slightly peppery on the finish. Thank you Manfred.
Rating: 16/20 FP: C1

27 Oct

Ledaig 2001, 11 YO, Single Malts of Scotland, 56.8%, B:2016, cask 900161, 647 bottles. Price:
Colour: Gold-old old
Nose: Very peaty and maritime, intense, on iodine, camphor, seaweeds, tar, hemp rope and a slight sweetness. Lovely.
Taste: Very intense, dry, rooty, tarry, maritime, medicinal, on camphor, iodine, disinfectant and a slight sweetness coming from some red berries and orange. Complex and very good! The finish is long, medicinal, peaty, maritime, round, on seaweeds, tar, ashes, soot, orange, liquorice root, some dried fish, tangerine and red fruits.
Impression: A very good and very peaty Ledaig, intense and with a lovely sweet sherried finish. Most enjoyable, and with an interesting label…
Rating: 17/20 FP: F7

Ledaig 18 YO Batch 2, OB, 46.8%, B:2016. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Smooth, round to very round, peaty, slightly meaty, with some bacon, BBQ, sea brine, fish, and a hint of varnish and Gruyère cheese. A rather fishy Ledaig, less peaty and tarry than the Batch 1.
Taste: Peaty, maritime, sweet, slightly meaty and cheesy, on seaweeds, some fudge, sea brine, dry fish and a mixture of fragrance and varnish. The finish is medium, peaty, maritime, rather sweet and round, slightly meaty, on dry peat smoke, with some seaweeds, red berries, orange, fudge and a touch of disinfectant.
Impression: I like the first batch of the 18 YO very much, but I am struggling with this second batch, as the flavours are original and slightly unbalance. The best description I can give is a combination of dry peat smoke, tar, red berries and some fudge.
Rating: 14/20 FP: E6

26 Oct

Brora 1981, 27 YO, Duncan Taylor, 53.8%, B:2008, cask 1427, 349 bottles. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Very smooth, waxy, slightly mustardy, clean to very clean, slightly malty and grassy, with a hint of smoke and some light slightly fragrant yellow flowers.
Taste: Very smooth and clean, waxy to very waxy, coastal, slightly mineral, with a light dry peat smoke, some mustard seeds, honey comb, and a dash of sea brine. Elegant, subtle and complex. The finish is medium, waxy, round, slightly malty and grassy, with some hay, Mirabelle, quince gelly and few drops of lemon. Diluted, it becomes spicier, peppery and slightly oaky and bitter.
Impression: An unpeated Brora, smooth, mellow and waxy, with nice grassy flavours and becoming spicier with some water. It has a pleasant and slightly mineral lingering flavour. Subtle. Thank you Christian M.
Rating: 16/20 FP: A1

25 Oct

Bowmore 1998 for La Maison Du Whisky, 18 YO, Wilson & Morgan, 60.2%, B:2016. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Very round and smooth, on fudge, orange, peat smoke, seaweeds and light spices, with a slight saltiness on the back
Taste: Rich, intense, maritime, smoky, on peat smoke, fudge, caramel, seaweeds, iodine, camphor, orange, cinnamon and nutmeg. The finish is long, intense, salty, maritime, smoky, slightly peaty, on cinnamon, nutmeg, fudge, seaweeds, camphor, some iodine, orange and tar. Diluted, it becomes juicier and slightly bitter and citric.
Impression: A well-made Bowmore, balanced, intense to very intense, with a mixture of sweet sherry and fudge, as well as strong medicinal flavours. Very good.
Rating: 16/20 FP:D6

Bowmore The Devil’s Cask III, OB, 56.7%, B:2016. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Dry, intense, with lots of dried fruits, sultanas, dates, some sea brine, peat smoke and tar. More intense and dryer than the Wilson & Morgan or the previous release of the Devil’s Cask.
Taste: Intense, dry, tarry, maritime, smoky, quite thick, sticky and medicinal, on peat smoke, dry sherry, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, dried fruits, sultanas, seaweeds and orange. The finish is long, dry to very dry, slightly bitter, on dried fruits, sultanas, tar, ashes, soot, iodine, disinfectant, seaweed, cloves, orange and candied oranges.
Impression: A very dry, intense, maritime and rather medicinal Bowmore. Drier, thicker and more extreme than the previous batch. Not for the faint hearted. I liked it very much.
Rating: 15/20 FP:H7

24 Oct

Glencadam 1825 Origin, OB, 40%, B:2016. Price:
Colour: Pale gold
Nose: Young, fresh, very malty, floral, light, slightly yeasty, on freshly crushed barley, green apples, with some vanilla and hops.
Taste: Very young, fresh, light, malty, grassy, on green apples, vanilla, some hops, ginger, juicy oak and milk, as well as some green and juicy fruits from the orchards. The finish is medium, young, malty, fresh, juicy, grassy, on juicy oak, pepper, ginger, green apples and some milk.
Impression: The whisky taste young to very young, malty and grassy, with a surprisingly spicy (pepper and ginger) finish. It does not have the maturity of the core range with an age statement, but some might enjoy the freshness combined with the spiciness. Works well with water and refreshing.
Rating: 09/20 FP:A1

Glencadam 25 YO, OB, 46%, B:2016, 1600 bottles. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Floral, light, malty, creamy, on freshly crushed barley, yellow flowers, some apples, papaya, mango and other tropical fruits.
Taste: Rich, complex, malty, slightly waxy and fragrant, on ripe tropical fruits (banana, mango, papaya and guava), with some ginger, honey, yellow flowers and vanilla. The finish is medium, rather spicy (ginger and pepper), slightly malty, on tropical fruits, honeycombs, some hazelnuts, yellow flowers, pollen, a hint of hops and yeast extracts.
Impression: A nice rich and malty Glencadam, on tropical fruits, some honeycombs and with a pleasant spiciness. Very good.
Rating: 15/20 FP:B1

23 Oct

Slyrs, OB, 43%, B:2016. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Smooth, oaky, intense, floral, slightly yeasty and malty, with some caramel, vanilla and light fruity flavours.
Taste: Oaky to very oaky, spicy to very spicy, slightly yeasty, on vanilla, with some hops, caramel, orchard’s fruits and juicy oak. The finish is medium, oaky, juicy, spicy, on ginger, oak chips, some hops, vanilla, honey, and a slight bitterness.
Impression: Matured in ex-bourbon casks, the result is a pleasant whisky, which benefits of a few drops of water to tame the spicy-oaky flavours. A very decent whisky.
Rating: 11/20 FP:A1

Slyrs Fity-one, OB, 51%, B:2016. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: Winey to very winey, thick, syrupy, on dried fruits, grapes, sultanas, and some white wine. The Port influence is clearly noticeable.
Taste: Winey, dry, spicy, on dry grapes, coconut, some oak chips, pineapples, yeast and a touch of caramel. The finish is medium, dry, syrupy, winey, sugary, on dry grapes, some coconut, pineapples and brown sugar.
Impression: This whisky is a firework of aromas going in various directions: dry, sweet, winey and spicy. It seems rather young and this firework would require some more harmony.
Rating: 09/20 FP:E1

Slyrs 2004, 12 YO, OB, 43%, B:2016. Price:
Colour: Gold-old gold
Nose: Smooth, floral, fragrant, with some varnish, beeswax, peach, apricots, melon and vanilla custard. Rather complex.
Taste: Smooth, floral, fragrant, on cooked cereals, peach, apricots, varnish, some treacle, orchard’s fruits, vanilla, some honey and grassy flavours, cinnamon and cloves. It tastes very much like a bourbon. The finish is medium, creamy, spicy, smooth to very smooth, on cooked cereals, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, peach, apricots and some cloves.
Impression: A good whisky, quite different from the non-aged version, and with a flavour profile close to a bourbon.
Rating: 13/20 FP:A1

22 Oct

Invergordon 1973, Sansibar, 52.2%, B:2015, 240 bottles. Price:
Colour: Gold-old gold
Nose: Very fragrant, intense, floral, smooth, on varnish, corn syrup and aromatic herbs. Reminds me of some clean Jamaican Rums. Original.
Taste: Very fragrant, on varnish, corn syrup, some treacle, aromatic herbs, cooked corn (maize), some coconut and rum-like flavours. The finish is medium, very fragrant, on corn syrup, cooked corn (maize), some apricots, peach, vanilla, cinnamon and a fair dose of rum-like sugary flavours.
Impression: An original Invergordon, with strong aromas of maize and sugary flavours reminding me strongly of Jamaican rum. Taste like a combination of bourbon and Jamaican rum. A whisky difficult to rate, but well made.
Rating: 14/20 FP:A1

Givran 25 YO, OB, 42%, B:2016. Price:
Colour: Pale gold
Nose: Very mellow and smooth, clean, slightly malty and creamy, with some vanilla and milk.
Taste: Malty, creamy, mellow, very smooth, with coconut and milk, some apples, vanilla and honey. The finish is medium, creamy, smooth, mellow, on coconut, vanilla, honey and some milk.
Impression: A very good Givran. The nose was rather discreet and monolithic, but delivering a pleasant, creamy and malty mouth feeling. Markedly better than the younger Givran OB. To be tasted with a clean and fresh palate.
Rating: 13/20 FP:A1

21 Oct

Glengoyne 1988, 26 YO, OB, 57.5%, cask 686. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Intense, dry to very dry, tannic, on leather, cinnamon, nutmeg, orange, candied orange, some cloves and tannins.
Taste: Very smooth and chewy, spicy, fruity, floral, slightly dry, with some ginger, nutmeg, cloves, cinnamon, cherries, sultanas, orange and coffee. The finish is medium to long, dry, tannic, bitter, floral, slightly fragrant, on orange, bitter orange, cinnamon, toffee, leather, cloves, some tangerine and ground coffee. Diluted, it becomes smoother, more fruity but also more bitter.
Impression: An aged, thick and smooth Glengoyne, with intense sherry flavours, but also with quite pronounced dry tannins. Slightly too tannic for me. Thank you Gene.
Rating: 15/20 FP:I1

Glengoyne 25 YO, OB, 48%, B:2016. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Mellow, malty, floral, complex, on dried fruits, tropical fruits, high-grade leather, cinnamon, tangerine, orange, and various spices. An excellent nose, with the sherry flavours reminding me of famous Speyside whiskies from the 1970s. I love this nose.
Taste: Rich, intense, slightly floral, on luxurious and soft spices, tangerine, tropical fruits, high grade leather, cinnamon, some orange, marmalade, sultanas, and light aromas of dried fruits. The finish is long, floral, on rich spices, Christmas cake, tropical fruits, leather, some tannins, berries, cocoa and sultanas.
Impression: A rich, complex, subtle Glengoyne, with a smooth and elegant sherry influence, tropical fruits and rich and various spices. My favourite of the core Glengoyne range.
Rating: 17/20 FP:G1

20 Oct

Glengoyne 18 YO, OB, 43%, B:2016. Price:
Colour: Old gold
Nose: Smooth, mellow, floral to very floral, fragrant, subtle, fruity, on leather, some tropical fruits, melon, vanilla, and various spices. Very pleasant.
Taste: Malty, complex, on soft spices, leather, cinnamon, melon, some tannins, tropical fruits, tangerine, a hint of cocoa and various spices. The finish is medium, smooth, malty, on rich spices, high-grade leather, some orange, marmalade, tropical fruits, melon and pineapples. Diluted, it become more on fudge and fruity.
Impression: A very good, malty, smooth and round Glengoyne, with pleasant soft but rich spices and a nice balance. Contains 50% of First fill sherry casks.
Rating: 15/20 FP:F1

Glengoyne 21 YO, OB, 43%, B:2016. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Floral to very floral, fragrant to very fragrant, on varnish, beeswax, spices, leather, Christmas cake, orange, and some cloves. More intense and spicy than the 18 YO, and more sherried.
Taste: Rich, floral to very floral, tannic, round, slightly bitter, with some coffee, cocoa, on rich spices, leather, tannins, cinnamon, cloves, Christmas cake and light toffee notes. The finish is medium to long, dry, bitter, spicy to very spicy, on toffee, fudge, some tropical fruits, orange, marmalade, cocoa and cloves.
Impression: A heavily sherried Glengoyne, floral, fragrant, quite bitter and spicy, with a fair dose of toffee and fudge. Slightly too bitter to my liking.
Rating: 14/20 FP:I1

19 Oct

Glengoyne 12 YO, OB, 43%, B:2016. Price:
Colour: Gold-old gold
Nose: Smooth, oaky, rather malty, on vanilla, some nuts, fudge and a zest of lemon. The influence of the ex-bourbon is strong compared.
Taste: Smooth, malty, slightly creamy, on vanilla, some apples, ginger, a hint of lemon, various nuts and a zest of lemon and tangerine. The finish is medium, spicy, rather malty, on vanilla, oak spices, some apples, ginger and nuts. More spicy than the 10 YO. Diluted, it becomes more nutty, slightly bitter, on coffee and some liquorice roots.
Impression: A good Glengoyne, heavier and more complex than the 10 YO, but also more spicy. Contains a certain proportion of first-fill bourbon cask.
Rating: 12/20 FP:D1

Glengoyne 15 YO, OB, 43%, B:2016. Price:
Colour: Old gold
Nose: Smooth, malty, fruity, rather complex, on tropical fruits, some tangerine, vanilla and light oaky spices, with light nutty and toffee aromas.
Taste: Rich, malty, creamy, slightly spicy and nutty, on toffee, fudge, apples, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla, some ginger, tropical fruits and treacle. The finish is medium, spicy to very spicy, nutty to very nutty, on ginger, treacle, fudge, apples, and coconut. Diluted, it becomes more on melon, pineapples and tropical fruits.
Impression: A good Glengoyne, spicy and nutty, malty and with pleasant fruity flavours. A version with 30% Bourbon, more fruity and less oaky than the 12 YO.
Rating: 13/20 FP:D1

18 Oct

Glengoyne Cask Strength Batch 4, OB, 58.8%, B:2016. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Very smooth, floral, malty, round, with some dried fruits, sultanas, beeswax and berries.
Taste: Very intense, spicy, floral, malty, very round, on dried fruits, some beeswax, sultanas, cinnamon and nuts. The finish is medium, intense, round, spicy, slightly malty, on beeswax, red berries, and cinnamon, some cloves, dried fruits and light exotic flavours
Impression: A very good and round Glengoyne, sherry, malty and slightly floral, with nice fruity flavours and more to my liking than the previous batch, which was quite rubbery.
Rating: 14/20 FP:H1

Glengoyne 10 YO, OB, 40%, B:2016. Price:
Colour: Old gold
Nose: Smooth, mellow, juicy, fruity, malty, slightly nutty, on apples, apricots, tangerine, and light oaky spices.
Taste: Sweet, juicy, malty, fresh, grassy, slightly nutty and smoky, on apples, some tangerine, orange and light aromas of fudge. The finish is medium, very smooth, malty, on green apples, some ginger, a hint of fudge, and light nutty aromas.
Impression: A nice, fresh, juicy, smooth and malty Glengoyne. Well made.
Rating: 12/20 FP:F1

17 Oct

Jura 30 YO Camas an Staca, OB, 44%, B:2016. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Mellow, complex, rich, intense, slightly floral, on juicy and sweet sherry, grapes, some cinnamon, cocoa, high grade leather. Very good.
Taste: Mellow, complex, rich, rather chewy, slightly oaky and spicy, on vanilla, fudge, Christmas cake, some cocoa, sultanas, candied orange, cinnamon and bitter orange. Diluted, it becomes sweeter and more fruity, with a hint of bitter smoke.
Impression: A very good, thick, intense and complex Jura, pleasantly sweet and juicy with some water.
Rating: 17/20 FP: G1

16 Oct

Jura Tastival Triple Sherry Matured, OB, 51%, B:2016. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Rich, fruity, salty, with some toffee, fudge, caramel (carambar), a hint of smoke, dried fruits, treacle, sweet liquorice (Haribo), dates, leather and some red berries.
Taste: Rich, salty, on caramel, toffee, a hint of smoke, some vegetal condiment and round sherry influence, as well as some vanilla and a touch of rubber. The finish is medium, slightly salty and maritime, very round and smooth, with lots of toffee, some vegetal condiment, vanilla and orange.
Impression: A very pleasant, well balanced and very round Jura, quite spicy and with strong toffee aromas.
Rating: 15/20 FP: E1

15 Oct

Hanyu 2000 Final Vintage, 15 YO, Ichiro's Malt, 46.5%, B:2016, 3710 bottles. Price:
Colour: Old gold
Nose: Intense, rich, complex, slightly smoky, with some fresh apples and pears, grapes and slightly sugary fruits. Very good.
Taste: Rich, intense, complex, spicy, moderately winey, with a whiff of peat smoke, on apples, some white sugar, grapes, cinnamon and cloves (Glühwein spices). The fruity flavours are very diverse, fresh and sugary. The finish is medium, fresh, slightly peaty and smoky, with the same rich diverse sugary fruity flavours as on the palate.
Impression: A combination of Hanyu matured in Cognac, Puncheon, Bourbon Barrel, Hogshead and Port Pipe giving very fruity, fresh and sugary aromas to the whisky. While I am usually not so fond of such combinations, it works very well in this whisky.
Rating: 16/20 FP: G2

Ichiro Pure Malt MWR Mizunara Wood Reserve, OB, 46%, B:2016. Price:
Colour: Old gold
Nose: Intense, smooth, slightly creamy, on old wood, humus, apricots, some peach and soft spices.
Taste: Rich, young, sweet (new make-like), malty, on freshly crushed barely, some pear drops, light spices, vanilla, cinnamon and a touch of apricots. The finish is short, slightly spicy and oaky, sweet, on crushed barley, some vanilla, cream, peach and humus. Diluted, it becomes younger and some fennel and star anise is released.
Impression: A whisky that taste very young, on humus and some rather discreet Mizunara influence.
Rating: 10/20 FP:D1

14 Oct

Highland Park 1970 Centenary, Gordon & MacPhail, 40%, B:1995. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Smooth, round, smoky, sweet, slightly peaty and fruity, on heather honey, orange, peat smoke, tangerine, Christmas cake and cinnamon. Very good.
Taste: Sweet, juicy to very juicy, very fruity, rich, on tangerine, honey, heather honey, Christmas cake, spices, bonfire and peat smoke, with some dark chocolate, figs, dates, some humus and earthy notes. The finish is medium to long, juicy, thick, fruity, earthy, on old complex and bold peat smoke, old tobacco leaves and cigar, dark chocolate, figs, dates, heather honey and tangerine. Very complex and most enjoyable.
Impression: A delicious old style of Highland Park, earthy, peaty, smoky, slightly rooty and mineral, with pleasant tobacco and cigar flavours. The whisky is very dark, but the sherry influence is sweet, juicy and fruity.
Rating: 18/20 FP:H3

Highland Park 1995 Sherry Finish, Cooper’s Choice, 46%, B:2015, 300 bottles. Price:
Colour: Old gold
Nose: Oaky, slightly smoky and peaty, modern, with some spices, ginger, heather honey and a twist of orange, with a light tarry flavour.
Taste: Smooth, sweet to very sweet, grassy, juicy to very juicy, with strong liquid honey flavours, some wood spices and tangerine. The finish is medium to long, very sweet and sugary, grassy, on honey, some vanilla and tangerine, with a slight oakiness.
Impression: A sweet, juicy, grassy Highland Park with a light sherry influence and strong notes of honey.
Rating: 14/20 FP:D2

13 Oct

Highland Park 1978, 18 YO, The Bottlers, 57.6%, cask 3476. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Intense, smoky, slightly peaty, on heather honey, juicy tangerine, light spicy and fresh floral notes, as well as a touch of kiwi.
Taste: Intense to very intense, spicy and strong alcohol. Let’s add quickly water. Diluted, it becomes smooth, slightly waxy, on tangerine, orange, pollen, honey, some tangerine, burnt heather, bonfire and peat smoke, with light notes of melon. The finish is rather short and drying, as the alcohol is very present. Diluted, it becomes smoother, rounder, waxy, on pollen, light fruity and floral notes, some heather and almonds.
Impression: A round and rather waxy Highland, with round honey flavours. The alcohol is very present and needs dilution. Thank you Nicolas.
Rating: 14/20 FP:C2

Highland Park 1972, 24 YO, The Bottlers, 52.8%, B:1996, cask 1639. Price:
Colour: Gold-old gold
Nose: Smooth, smoky to very smoky, slightly peaty and floral, with some sea brine, sea breeze, heather, burnt heather, peat smoke, honey and thyme.
Taste: Very fruity and juicy, sweet, slightly smoky and waxy, on pineapples, tangerine, heather honey, burnt heather, some sea brine, liquid honey, citrus and a touch of salt. The finish is long, sweet, fruity, on tropical fruits, honey, heather, a light and delicate peat smoke, tangerine, some orange, cardamom, and light grassy flavours.
Impression: A very good, sweet and fruity Highland Park, round and with pleasant tropical flavours.
Rating: 16/20 FP:E2

12 Oct

Highland Park Ice, 17 YO, OB, 53.9%, B:2016. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Smooth, juicy, fresh, slightly oaky, smoky and grassy, on heather and some heather honey. Rather light and a slight wood influence.
Taste: Fresh, oaky, slightly creamy, grassy and smoky, on sea brine, honey, some salt, heather, a touch of peat smoke and juniper, as well as some juicy oaky and light milky flavours. Diluted, there are some light yeasty aromas. The finish is medium, juicy, fresh, light, grassy, on honey, oak extracts, a hint of ginger, some vanilla and a light smokiness.
Impression: A fresh Highland Park, with little wood influence and rather simple. The packaging is more impressive than the content. The next expression, the Fire, is due soon.
Rating: 12/20 FP:A3

Highland Park 1987, 28 YO, Silver Seal, 43.3%, B:2016. Price:
Colour: Old gold
Nose: Mellow, rich, slightly fruity and aromatic, on heather honey, some tangerine, sea brine, and vanilla. Balanced
Taste: Mellow, smooth, on light juicy fruity and oaky aromas, a light but subtle peat smoke, heather, some honey, vanilla custard, and spices, as well as some sea brine. The finish is medium, light, fresh, aromatic, slightly citric, with some grapefruit, tobacco, sea brine, heather, salt, vanilla and vanilla custard.
Impression: The nose was richer and fruitier than the Ice, while retaining a similar freshness and lightness on the palate, with more complexity and aromatic aromas. Very good, but slightly soft and weak. Easy drinking.
Rating: 13/20 FP:A2

11 Oct

Macmyra Svensk Rök, OB, 46%, B:2016. Price:
Colour: Gold-old gold
Nose: Fresh, smooth, aromatic, slightly fragrant, on vanilla, some lemon and with a very strong influence of juniper.
Taste: Young, light, grassy, slightly bitter, on juniper, smoke from juniper bushes, vanilla and a hint of lemon. The finish is short to medium, bitter, sweet, on juniper, some vanilla and vanilla custard.
Impression: A young, light, slightly smoky whisky with the bitterness from the juniper bushes used to smoke the malt. Original.
Rating: 10/20 FP:A2

Macmyra Bärnsten, OB, 49.8%, B:2016, 1550 bottles. Price:
Colour: Old gold
Nose: Winey, round, malty, on dried fruits, juniper, some peat smoke, leather, and sultanas. Balanced, complex and pleasant.
Taste: Winey, sweet, smooth, round, slightly smoky, on cloudberries, some red berries, grapes, juniper, cinnamon, dried fruits, sultanas, and a touch of honey. The finish is medium to long, smooth, round, winey, rather creamy, on dried fruits, cloudberries, some leather, tangerine, vanilla and a juniper.
Impression: A vatting of Macmyra matured in French Bordeaux wine casks, Swedish virgin oak and cloudberries wine cask. The wine influence works well in this whisky, bringing grapes and sultanas, while the Swedish Clouberries wine casks give a nice sweetness to the whole. I have not tried the cloudberries wine, but cloudberries are berries growing in the pot bogs of Scandinavia, with a nice honey sweetness.
Rating: 14/20 FP:E1

10 Oct

Box Early Days 002, OB, 51.5%, B: 2016. Price:
Colour: Straw
Nose: Very smooth, light, fresh, floral, moderately peaty and with some lemon. Markedly less peaty than the Box 01
Taste: Young, oaky, moderately peaty, on new-make-like flavours, vanilla and a dry-tarry peat smoke. The finish is medium, dry to very dry, peaty, smoky, peppery, on liquorice root, dry tobacco leaves and some chilli.
Impression: A version slightly less peaty than the Box 01, but more spicy, on pepper and some chilli. Seems also less mature. (Note: The picture is from the 001).
Rating: 12/20 FP:A5

Box Dalve, OB, 40%, B:2016. Price:
Colour: Pale gold
Nose: Smooth, light, fresh, malty, with some pollen, yellow flowers, vanilla and a light dry peat smoke.
Taste: Grassy, spicy, fresh, light, slightly smoky, on vanilla, some vanilla custard, yellow flowers, light honey notes, sultanas and a hint of dried fruits. The finish is medium, smooth, rather sweet and grassy, on vanilla, a hint of dry peat smoke, sultanas and honey.
Impression: A good, fresh, rather light, young and grassy whisky, with nice light peaty flavours. Pleasant. Should be available as next month (November)
Rating: 12/20 FP:C3

09 Oct

Box 01 2nd Step Collection, OB, 51.1%, B:2016. Price: (70 cl equivalent)
Colour: Pale gold
Nose: Smooth, malty, slightly oaky, intense, peaty and slightly aromatic, with some spices, a dry and slightly aromatic peat smoke, as well as some tar.
Taste: Young, sweet, on very dry peat smoke, some aromatic herbs, tar, soot and a touch of juniper. The peat smoke is rather complex and enjoyable. The finish is rather long, young, on dry to very dry and tarry peat smoke, some sea brine, a few seaweeds and light aromatic flavours. With a nice and long dry peaty reto-olfaction.
Impression: I can feel that the whisky is quite young, but it shows already a nice maturity and the dry peat smoke is very enjoyable.
Rating: 13/20 FP:A7

Box 02 2nd Step Collection, OB, 51.2%, B:2016. Price: (70 cl equivalent)
Colour: Old gold
Nose: Very round, malty, smooth, on vegetal condiment, fudge, toffee and orange.
Taste: Very smooth and round, malty, young, on vegetal condiment, fudge, toffee, orange, tangerine, with some rubber and cinnamon. The finish is short to medium, round, sweet (new-make like), on dried fruits, sultanas, fudge, toffee, some rubber, orange, cinnamon and tangerine.
Impression: An unpeated sherried version of Box, sweet, quite fruity and on fudge. Young.
Rating: 12/20 FP:H1

08 Oct

Speyside 1975, 40 YO, Sansibar, 50.6%, B:2015. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Very fruity, mellow, on tropical fruits, mango, papaya, passion fruits, beesewax, some grapefruit and other fruity flavours. It reminds me of another recent 1975 Speyside Fino from Acla Selection.
Taste: Intense, mellow, complex, fruity, with some slightly dry and mineral grapes (fino?), citrus, tropical fruits (mango, banana, guava and passion fruits) and slightly green pineapples. Very good. The finish is long, rich, fruity, slightly citric, mineral and woody, on grapefruits, some pineapples, passion fruits, peach, and a slight bitterness.
Impression: A very good, complex and mellow whisky combining some citrus, exotic fruits and a slight dry mineral influence.
Rating: 17/20 FP:A1

Macallan 21 YO Triple Oak, OB, 43%, B:2016. Price:
Colour: Gold-old gold
Nose: Floral, round, mellow, quite fruity and spicy, on sultanas, some cinnamon, orange, tropical fruits and honey.
Taste: Rich, spicy, floral, slightly peppery and creamy, on citrus, orange, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, some humus, sweet fruity flavours, honey, vanilla and a touch of peat. Complex and intense. The finish is long, intense, spicy to very spicy, on citrus, some peat smoke, orange, juicy oaky, tobacco, Christmas cake, cinnamon and black tea.
Impression: A very good rich and spicy Macallan, with a pleasant sweet and fruity influence. I wish it was more sherried.
Rating: 15/20 FP:D2

07 Oct

Punti Nova, OB, 43%, B:2016. Price:
Colour: Straw
Nose: Sweet to very sweet, floral very young and with some vanilla. Smells like a spirit.
Taste: Soft, light, floral, very young, slightly bitter, a touch of cream and on pear drops. The finish is short, young, floral, slightly creamy, with some vanilla and on pear drops.
Impression: A sweet and young whisky, immature that taste very much like a new make. Enough said. The bottle is however very design.
Rating: 07/20 FP:A1

Chivas Regal Mizunara, OB, 40%, B:2016. Price:
Colour: Old gold
Nose: Very smooth, subtle, creamy, with some pears, peach, light and soft spices. It is not very expressive on the nose.
Taste: Smooth to very smooth, silky, creamy, with some vanilla custard, peach, apricots, light spices, sultanas, a few crystallised fruits and a touch of white chocolate. Juicy, elegant, and with a light but pleasant Mizunara influence. The finish is medium, spicy to very spicy, slightly peppery, creamy, on exotic wood, some pear, peach, apricots, green apples, dried fruits, some orange and tangerine
Impression: The nose is very smooth, but soft and weak and would have benefited from a higher alcohol content. On the palate, it is very smooth with a creamy and fruity profile, where the influence of the Mizunara is clearly present, while retaining the rich and intense spiciness of the Chivas Regal. Although the age statement is not mentioned on the label, the youngest whisky is 12 years old. A blend sold initially in Japan.
Rating: 12/20 FP:D1

06 Oct

Westland American Oak, OB, 46%, B:2016. Price:
Colour: Old gold
Nose: Rich, malty, spicy, slightly nutty, on charred wood, chocolate, muesli, some peach and cinnamon.
Taste: Intense, thick-heavy, spicy, peppery, malty, nutty, on chocolate cereals, dates, figs, sultanas, treacle, muesli, some apricots and a few drops of pear. The finish is medium, bold, quite heavy, on muesli, apricots, peach, cloves, pepper (Cayenne pepper) and chocolate.
Impression: Made with barley dried at different temperature (including chocolate malt), the chocolate flavours are quite noticeable, as the barley flavours and the influence of charred wood. A rather bold and heavy whisky. Well made and with its own style.
Rating: 12/20 FP: C1

Westland Garryana, OB, 56.2%, B:2016, 2500 bottles. Price:
Colour: Deep old gold
Nose: Smooth to very smooth, malty, creamy, on juicy oak, with some berries, cinnamon, a touch of cloves. Different from the core range, more creamy and slightly lighter.
Taste: Thick, intense, malty, rather creamy, on treacle, cloves, cinnamon, chocolate, some blueberries, peach, apricots, vanilla custard and nutmeg. Complex and rich. The finish is medium, on an explosion of spices (pepper, nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves, vanilla and others), some blueberries, molasses, and chocolate cereals.
Impression: A very good whisky, more creamy, intense, complex and spicy than the American oak. Westland single malt is rather unique in style, as it combines the standard double-distillation process for single malt, but using air dried virgin oak cask, as for the bourbon, a different type of yeast (brewer’s yeast) and a combination of barley dried at different temperature. This whisky has a final maturation in Garry oak and its part of the new Native Oak series.
Rating: 14/20 FP:B1

05 Oct

Westland Sherry Wood, OB, 46%, B:2016. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: Rich, intense, bold, malty, slightly spicy and nutty, on chocolate, tangerine, orange, apricots, cinnamon, nutmeg, dried fruits, sultanas, figs, some vegetal condiment and various spices.
Taste: Rich, sweet, malty, with lots of dried fruits, some sultanas, peach, orange, tangerine, clove, cinnamon, nutmeg and nuts. The finish is medium, bold, spicy, on orange, tangerine, apricots, some peach, nuts, dried and crystallised fruits, sultanas and some chocolate.
Impression: A good whisky, with a nice sweet and fruity sherry influence. As this whisky is heavy, spicy and bold, the sherry struggles with these flavours. Quite different from most single malts and it might require some time to get use to it? A well made whisky.
Rating: 11/20 FP:F1

Westland Peated, OB, 46%, B:2016. Price:
Colour: Old gold
Nose: Very smoky, peaty to very peaty, tarry, on dry barley, chocolate, tobacco, bacon, some charred wood and a hint of juniper.
Taste: Dry to very dry, peaty, tarry, smoky to very smoky, with some chocolate, juniper, pepper, cinnamon, and cloves. The finish is medium, dry, smoky, slightly tarry, with some juniper, pepper, clove and light aromatic herbs.
Impression: The whisky is moderately peated, rather smoky, with a dry peaty and slightly aromatic smoke.
Rating: 12/20 FP:A4

04 Oct

Glenfiddich IPA, OB, 43% B:2016. Price:
Colour: Gold-old gold
Nose: Fresh, floral, slightly oaky, on pear and apple juice, vanilla, some honey and hops.
Taste: Oaky to very oaky, fresh, slightly floral and creamy, on apple juice and apple drops, some hops and light spices. The finish is medium, slightly spicy and sour, with lots of apples and some hops.
Impression: A bourbon-matured finish in ex-beer casks. Taste like a cider-matured whisky with its abundance of apples, some hops and a light beer influence. Pleasantly fresh. This will be a permanent addition to the range.
Rating: 13/20 FP:A1

Glenfiddich Project XX, OB, 47%, B:2016. Price:
Colour: Gold-old gold
Nose: Smooth, floral, fresh, slightly creamy, on pear, apples, some honey drops, vanilla, rose, and a light fruity Port influence.
Taste: Very smooth, fresh, spicy, creamy, on orange, port, apples, some hops, candied fruits, sultanas, tangerine and figs. The finish is medium, creamy, winey to very winey, on grapes, dried and candied fruits, fruitcake, some dry port, apples and hops.
Impression: A vatting of different types of casks, including bourbon, Porto and sherry. The winey influence is quite strong on the finish and the results of all these casks are a fresh and creamy whisky, with lots apples complemented by various dried and candied fruits. I liked it better than the IPA: more complex and heavier.
Rating: 14/20 FP:F1

03 Oct

Glenlivet Cipher, OB, 48%, B:2016. Price:
Colour: Gold-old gold
Nose: Smooth, malty, slightly creamy, some honey, juicy oaky, pear and apple drops, a hint of smoke and exotic fruits. Some components smell rather young
Taste: Light, fresh, creamy, slightly smoky, on honey, some vanilla, ginger, a hint of liquorice roots, raisins and oak spices. Diluted, it becomes more on ginger and liquorice roots. The finish is medium, spicy, moderately floral, with lots of honey, on ginger, vanilla, vanilla custard, some cinnamon, nutmeg, sultanas, orange and liquorice.
Impression: The composition of this whisky is not revealed, but the wood influence is rather light, with lots of honey, various spices (ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg and others), as well as light sweet and fruity flavours. More spicy and less juicy than the Alpha. Maybe slightly younger as well?
Rating: 14/20 FP:C2

Scapa Glansa GL01/08/16, OB, 40%, B:2016. Price:
Colour: Old gold
Nose: Smoky, maritime, slightly peaty, on sea brine, seaweeds, honey, some peach and vanilla.
Taste: Initially dry, peaty, tarry and very smoky, becoming softer afterwards, on sea brine, honey, vanilla, some peach, pear and melon. The finish is medium, sweet, smoky, salty, tarry, slightly peaty, on orchards fruits, honey, some sea brine, bacon, BBQ and peach.
Impression: A good whisky, smooth, sweet, on honey and a pleasant sea brine, with a lingering peat smoke, dry and tarry. It is not made with peated barley but matured in ex-peated whisky casks. I wish it was bottled at higher strength, as it is slightly soft and weak.
Rating: 13/20 FP:C3

02 Oct

Chichibu 2010 for La Maison du Whisky, OB, 61.5%, B:2016, cask 663, 209 bottles. Price:
Colour: Pale gold
Nose: Intense, bitter, slightly rough, on varnish, some juniper, bitter and slightly sour berries, as well as some aromatic herbs. Special
Taste: Young, fierce, with strong aromas of juniper, on vanilla, aromatic herbs (thyme and others) and some banana. The finish is medium, intense to very intense, oaky, rough, spicy, on liquorice, some banana and vanilla.
Impression: A fierce, rough and rather bitter whisky. Not a whisky for me and very expensive.
Rating: 09/20 FP:A1

Mars Komogatake 2012 for La Maison du Whisky, OB, 58.8%, B:2016, cask 1555. Price:
Colour: Pale gold
Nose: Fresh, light, young, slightly bitter, on vanilla and some pear drops.
Taste: Smooth, milky, creamy, young, slightly spicy, on vanilla, vanilla custard, and a touch of heather. The finish is medium, malty, creamy, slightly milky, on vanilla, and some banana. Young.
Impression: A very creamy-milky whisk tasting young to very young, with some light aromatic flavours.
Rating: 10/20 FP:A1

01 Oct

Redbreast 25 YO for La Maison du Whisky, OB, 53.2%, B:2016, cask 42972, 576 bottles. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Mellow, fruity, grassy, on exotic fruits, some strawberries, rancio, balsamic vinegar, leather, dates and a touch of pink grapefruit.
Taste: Huge initial delivery of blackcurrant (reminds me of the blackcurrant sweet for the cough), rich, round, intense, slightly tannic, on leather, some roasted coffee beans, rancio, balsamic vinegar, brambles, some red berries, tropical fruits, cinnamon and clove. Diluted, quite some varnish is released. The finish is medium to long, slightly dry and tannic, and with the same flavours as on the palate.
Impression: A bold, malty, grassy Redbreast, on tannins, leather and lots of blackurrant on top of some tropical fruits. Very complex, good, and slightly woody as well. A whisk(e)y that needs to breath.
Rating: 15/20 FP:H1

Redbreast Sherry Finish Lustau, OB, 46%, 2016. Price:
Colour: Old gold
Nose: Very smooth, fresh, light, malty, floral, on light aromas of cooked cereals, some peach, apricots, sultanas, leather, honey, tannins and orange.
Taste: Fresh, light, malty, oaky, on cooked cereal, vanilla, some milk, apricots and slightly dry leather. The sherry influence is quite dry and light. The finish is medium, malty, with some cooked cereals, blackcurrant, vanilla, peach, a hint of vanilla custard, varnish, cinnamon and clove.
Impression: A fresh and rather light version of Redbreast, with the fruitiness rather contained and more on vanilla. Slightly dry as well. Made with whisky aged between 9 and 12 years.
Rating: 12/20 FP:C1

30 Sep

Glen Grant 21 YO Director’s Reserve, OB, 43%, B:1980s. Price:
Colour: Old gold
Nose: Smooth, juicy, round, very fruity, grassy, on honey, tangerine, some orange, passion fruits and a nice peat smoke. Complex and delicious.
Taste: Dry, floral, on dry peat smoke, tropical fruits, tangerine, some orange, soot and tar. Dryer, more peaty and less fruity than the nose. The finish is long, spicy, dry, smoky, rather peaty, slightly floral and grassy, on dry peat smoke, some honey, light citric and tropical fruits flavours.
Impression: The nose was deliciously smooth and mellow, with rich fruits aromas, but becoming rather dry, peaty and sooty on the palate. Complex.
Rating: 15/20 FP:E3

Glen Grant 15 YO, Gordon & MacPhail, 70 Proof, B:1980s. Price:
Colour: Old gold
Nose: Smooth, juicy, round, grassy, fruity to very fruity, quite smoky, with some mineral and dry peat smoke, tangerine, honey, some orange and pink grapefruits. More citric and peaty than the 21 YO.
Taste: Rich, fruity, with some dry peat smoke, tangerine, grapefruits, a hint of sea brine and light notes of tropical fruits. The finish is medium to long, spicy, rather bold, citric, smoky, floral, fruity, slightly peaty, on grapefruits, bitter lemon, some tangerine and lemon.
Impression: A very nice whisky, with intense fruity flavours on the nose, and more citric and peaty on the palate. Complex and very enjoyable.
Rating: 15/20 FP:D3

Glen Grant 1996, Cooper’s Choice, 46%,B:2016, 330 bottles. Price:
Colour: Old gold
Nose: Very smooth, floral, round, slightly spicy, on vanilla, on juicy oak, a light fragrance, some vanilla and spicy-aromatic flavours
Taste: Very smooth, floral, round to very round, on vanilla, on juicy oak, a light fragrance and some spicy-aromatic flavours. The finish is medium to long, very smooth, round, balanced, floral, malty, with some almonds and vanilla. Diluted, there are some peach, apricots and a touch of cinnamon.
Impression: A very good, smooth and round Glen Grant, rather intense and well balanced.
Rating: 14/20 FP:A1

29 Sep

Glen Grant 1956 Book of Kells for La Maison du Whisky, 59 YO, Gordon & MacPhail, 53.9%. B:2016. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Very rich, intense, complex, on sultanas, rich spices, exotic and precious woods, leather, dried fruits, figs, dates, orange, tangerine, cinnamon, nutmeg, beeswax, and some cloves.
Taste: Woody, floral, round, slightly bitter, on roasted coffee beans, mocha, eucalyptus, precious wood, blood orange, black berries, lots of tannins, orange, tangerine, cinnamon, cloves and some bitter orange as well. The finish is long, very tannic, floral, nutty, slightly astringent, moderately bitter, on old and precious wood, leather, berries, various oranges (normal, bloody and bitter), cinnamon, roasted coffee beans, cloves and rancio.
Impression: It is always a treat to taste very old whiskies. It is tannic, slightly astringent and bitter, but not as woody as many other very old whiskies. It is very complex, with a complex and slightly dry sherry influence, on a mix bag of oranges and various spices. Very good. The bottle is pricey, but comparing to other whiskies of its age, it is a pretty good value.
Rating: 17/20 FP:J2

Glen Grant 18 YO, OB, 43%, B:2016. Price:
Colour: Pale gold
Nose: Round, very floral, fragrant, clean, slightly bitter, on vanilla and a hint of fudge
Taste: Sweet, malty, grassy, on juicy oak, honey, melon, some sultanas and a few drops of lemon. The finish is medium, oaky, malty, juicy, spicy, slightly creamy, astringent and floral, with some almonds, mild spices, vanilla and fudge. Diluted, it becomes more creamy and on almonds, with some additional nutty flavours as well.
Impression: A clean, floral and juicy whisky. It might not be the most complex whisky, but its freshness and juiciness makes it easy to drink.
Rating: 13/20 FP:C1

28 Sep

Lagavulin 25 YO Bicentenary, OB, 51.7%, B:2016. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Smoky to very smoky, maritime, meaty, on smoked ham, some bacon, seaweeds, peat smoke, tangerine, some orange peel, candied orange, humus, bonfire smoke. Harmonious and most pleasant
Taste: Very smoky, smooth, elegant, slightly woody, peaty, tarry, with some hemp rope, a complex and lingering smoke, combining peat smoke and bonfire smoke, smoked ham, dried seaweeds, some iodine, dry fruity, candied orange, orange, some tangerine, bacon and dried tobacco leaves. The finish is long, very smoky, maritime, quite fruity, slightly salty and tarry, on peat and bonfire smoke, smoked ham, bacon, orange, and tobacco leaves.
Impression: An excellent Lagavulin, with a fine and complex peat smoke and quit meaty. Not as intense or round as the previous 21 YO, but slightly drier and smokier.
Rating: 18/20 FP:E5

Ardbeg 1998 Straight from the Cask for La Maison du Whisky, 18 YO, Signatory, 56.6%, B: 2016, cask 1776. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Dry, bitter, rough, maritime, peaty, clean, very crisp, on juniper, some seaweeds and peat smoke
Taste: Dry, bitter to very bitter, very rough, crisp, on juniper, burnt juniper bushes, seaweeds, lots of tar, some ham and smoked fish. The finish is medium to long, bitter, rough, peaty, slightly salty and maritime, on iodine, camphor and lots of juniper.
Impression: A very intense, rough and bitter Ardbeg, with lots of juniper. Not to my liking. A quite unique expression of Ardbeg.
Rating: 12/20 FP:A8

Old Big Peat for La Maison du Whisky, Douglas Laing, 50%, B:2016. Price:
Colour: Pale gold-gold
Nose: Peaty, maritime, tarry, slightly meaty, on toffee, iodine, toasted wood, peat smoke and some iodine.
Taste: Smooth, maritime, smoky, and moderately peaty, on iodine and seaweeds. Rather light and mellow. The finish is long, light but intense, on lemon juice, seaweeds, iodine, some disinfectant and a lingering complex and subtle peat smoke. Seemed lighter than Big Peat of last year.
Impression: A nice light malt blended whisky, with a pleasant mellow and complex peat smoke.
Rating: 14/20 FP:A6

27 Sep

Craigellachie 19 YO batch 78-SC33, OB, 46%, B:2016. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Very smooth, fresh, juicy, fruity, on fruits from the orchards, honey, and other light fresh and fruity flavours.
Taste: Light, fresh, juicy, very fruity, slightly floral, on fruits from the orchards, honey, pollen, melon, light milky flavours, and some cédrat (a typical fruit from Corsica). The finish is medium to long, light, fresh, juicy, fruity to very fruity, on fruits from the orchards, honey and cedrat.
Impression: A very nice, light, fresh and fruity Craigellachie.
Rating: 15/20 FP:B1

Braeval 1994, FEW Barrel, 54.20%, B:2016, cask 165673. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Floral, smooth, malty, spicy, on vanilla, peach, apricots, some tropical fruits and milk. Complex and very pleasant.
Taste: Complex, malty, fresh, grassy, slightly floral and aromatic, on vanilla, some round fruity flavours, honey, grass, some milk, peach, apricots and mango. The finish is medium to long, round, floral, milky, aromatic, on peach, apricots, and some cinnamon and toasted wood.
Impression: A very good, complex, floral, aromatic Braeval with fruity flavours reminding of some Bourbon whiskies. A nice pick from a Swiss bottler based in Lausanne, Switzerland.
Rating: 17/20 FP:A1

26 Sep

Somewhere in the Speyside 1975 Fino, Acla Selection, 52.8%, B:2016, 120 bottles. Price:
Colour: Gold-old gold
Nose: Smooth, mellow to very mellow, complex, balanced, slightly mineral, on Mirabelle, some heather honey and a most pleasant rather sweet fino influence, as well as a light smokiness.
Taste: Mellow, complex, well balanced, floral, grassy, slightly aromatic, on heather honey, spices and an excellent fino influence, on dry white grapes, some mineral flavours (Riesling). The finish is long, mellow to very mellow, grassy, complex, well balanced, with some honey, Mirabelle, an excellent dry-sweet fino influence, with some dried grapes and a Riesling-like influence.
Impression: An excellent single malt, with a beautiful fino influence contributing probably to the dry-sugary and mineral flavours. Fairly priced considering the age.
Rating: 18/20 FP:E1

25 Sep

Clynelish 1997, 18 YO, The Whisky Cask Collection, 51.6%, B:2016. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: Clean, smooth, round, slightly waxy, mineral, juicy and fruity, with some juicy tangerine and a few drops of orange juice.
Taste: Spicy to very spicy, mustardy, waxy, slightly peppery, with some Dijon’s mustard, orange, orange peel, tangerine, honey and a few drops of bitter lemon. The finish is medium to long, waxy, fruity, spicy to very spicy, oaky, on pepper, mustard seeds, some dry smoke, marmalade, some cinnamon and nutmeg, orange peel and citrus.
Impression: A Clynelish with a nice smooth, round and mellow nose hiding an intense, spicy, peppery and slightly bitter, but intense body. Becomes more intense with a few drops of water.
Rating: 15/20 FP:E1

Blend Malt 1995, 18 YO, Samaroli, 45%, B:2014, cask 91. Price:
Colour: Old gold
Nose: Floral, very grassy, slightly malty, with a hint of lemon, some pollen and a touch of honey. With time, it becomes smokier, drier and slightly peaty.
Taste: Mellow, spicy, floral, balanced, with some honey, dried fruits, orange, tangerine, vanilla and some heather and sea brine. The finish is medium, balanced, spicy, slightly floral, on tobacco, dried tobacco leaves, some leather, dried fruits, orange, honey and a slight nutty influence.
Impression: A good spicy, intense, rich and balanced Samaroli. I like it. Thank you Christian M.
Rating: 14/20 FP:C2

24 Sep

Brora 1982 Authentic Choice, 13 YO, Cadenhead’s, 59.9%, B:1996. Price:
Colour: Pale gold
Nose: Smooth to very smooth, soft, sweet, creamy, waxy and grassy, on almonds and mustard seeds.
Taste: Smooth, very waxy and grassy, creamy, on green apples and pears, light medicinal flavours, some almonds, mustard seeds, ginger, green apples and pears, and a touch of smoke.
Impression: A surprisingly smooth, grassy and waxy young Brora, with no noticeable peat, but on green fruits from the orchards. My youngest Brora and markedly different from older versions.
Rating: 16/20 FP:A1

Brora 1981 Unchillfiltered, Signatory, 46%, B:2004, cask 1560. Price:
Colour: Straw
Nose: Very smooth, juicy, sweet, grassy, floral, light, with some lemon, a few drops of pineapple juice and just a hint of peat.
Taste: Farmy, light, juicy, grassy, with some sea brine, elderberries flowers, some honey drops. The finish is medium, light, juicy, grassy to very grassy, on honey, some elderberries flowers, syrup, vanilla and candied lemon.
Impression: An untypical Brora, juicy and grassy, with some sweet honey flavours and just a touch of peat.
Rating: 14/20 FP:A1

23 Sep

Auchentoshan 1965, 31 YO, OB, 47.1%, B:1997, cask 2503. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Very smooth, mellow, waxy, floral, slightly oaky and grassy, on honey, peach, melon, some vanilla, vanilla custard and slightly sour berries. Intense.
Taste: Very smooth, juicy, oaky, grassy, slightly waxy, with lots of honey, some peach, spices, peat smoke, melon, as well as some mango. Intense, complex and well balanced. The finish is long, sweet, juicy, floral, oaky, on peach, peat smoke, vanilla, honey, beeswax, some ginger, melon and humus, as well as a hint of salmiak.
Impression: A fine example of Auchentoshan, very smooth and mellow, very pleasantly sweet on the palate with lots of honey and some underlying smoke.
Rating: 17/20 FP:C2

Auchentoshan 1965, 31 YO, OB, 45.6%, B:1997, cask 2144. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Smooth, mellow, round, floral to very floral, oaky, spicy, slightly fragrant, on dry flowers, vanilla, some ginger and vanilla custard.
Taste: Extremely smooth, floral, slightly fragrant and oaky, with a hint of soap, on vanilla, honey, floral and fragrant flowers. The finish is long, very smooth, floral, fragrant, grassy, on vanilla, some spices, honey and floral fragrance. Rather light.
Impression: A smooth, rather floral and fragrant Auchentoshan. The smoothest and lightest Auchentoshan 1965 I have tasted so far. From a tasting. Thank you Patrick S.
Rating: 16/20 FP:A1

22 Sep

Auchentoshan 1992 Waldhaus am See, 23 YO, Signatory, 50.3%, B:2016, cask 533. Price:
Colour: Pale gold
Nose: Very mellow, smooth, round to very round, oaky, on vanilla, some liquid honey and vanilla custard.
Taste: Smooth, slightly juicy and oaky, floral to very floral, slightly woody, on vanilla, heather and some melon. The finish is medium, oaky, slightly woody and bitter, floral, slightly fragrant, on vanilla and some tobacco. Diluted, it becomes bitter to very bitter and more floral.
Impression: A rather oaky and floral Auchentoshan, particularly bitter with water.
Rating: 12/20 FP:A1

Auchentoshan 1999 5.23, 8 YO, Scotch Malt Whisky Society, 56.8%, B:2008, 236 bottles. Price:
Colour: Pale gold-gold
Nose: Light, very floral, fragrant and on straw. Clean and simple
Taste: Light to very light, very floral, fragrant, on vanilla, some honey and green fruits from the orchards. The finish is short, round, sweet, floral, with some honey and on pear drops
Impression: A light version of Auchentoshan, fresh and on pear drops.
Rating: 11/20 FP:A1

21 Sep

Ledaig 2005 Archives, 7 YO, Whiskybase, 62.8%, B:2013, cask 900092. Price:
Colour: Pale gold
Nose: Peaty, smooth to very smooth, smoky, slightly maritime, tarry and ashy. Smells younger than the Tobermory from MoS.
Taste: Dry, peaty, smoky, maritime, oaky, with a slight sweetness, on vanilla, a touch of Gruyère cheese, iodine, disinfectant and seaweeds. The finish is medium, slightly round and sweet, on dry peat smoke, seaweeds, salt, some liquorice roots and tar. It becomes dryer and bitterer over time.
Impression: A young, peaty and dry Ledaig, with some sweetness. Good, but still rather young. Thank you Manfred.
Rating: 13/20 FP:A7

Ledaig 1998, 8 YO, Provenance, 46%, B:2006, cask 2913/2914. Price:
Colour: Pale straw
Nose: Peaty, meaty, dry, slightly young and maritime, on iodine, some camphor and disinfectant.
Taste: Young, round, oaky, bitter-sweet, citric, peaty, slightly floral and creamy, on iodine, sea brine, sea weeds, camphor and some mint. The finish is medium, sweet, creamy, on dry peat smoke, vanilla, seaweeds, disinfectant and dough.
Impression: A rather young, peaty Ledaig, with rather strong notes of disinfectant. It would have benefited from a slightly longer maturation. Thank you Manfred.
Rating: 13/20 FP:A7

20 Sep

Ledaig 18 YO, OB, 46.3%, B:2015. Price:
Colour: Gold-old gold
Nose: Peaty to very peaty, very maritime and intense, tarry, on seaweeds, smoke, humus and nice light to moderate sherry flavours. Very good
Taste: Maritime, rather light, peaty to very peaty, tarry, ashy, smoky, with nice and complex maritime flavours, an elegant complex peat smoke, sea brine, seaweeds and light notes of bitter orange. The finish is long, peaty, maritime to very maritime, tarry, ashy, rather light, with some ashes, soot and seaweeds.
Impression: A very good, peaty, intense and complex Ledaig, with strong maritime flavours and a complex old-fashioned peat smoke. An excellent product with a nice Island character.
Rating: 17/20 FP:D6

Ledaig 1975, Blackadder, 56.5%, B:1995, cask 65, 180 bottles. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Peaty to very peaty, mineral, smoky, maritime, on sea brine, some grass, apple juice and ham.
Taste: Peaty, maritime, spicy, on sea brine, apple juice, some ham, bacon, grass, tar, and light flavours of lemon. The finish is medium to long, peaty, smoky, citric, slightly grassy, with some green apples, lemon, sea brine, seaweeds and a touch of coal.
Impression: A nicely moderately peaty Ledaig, on green apples and some slightly meaty flavours. Not as peaty as the Ledaig from 1972 or 1973.
Rating: 15/20 FP:A4

Ledaig distilled at Tobermory 2005, 6 YO, Single Malts of Scotland, 56%, B:2012, cask 971009. Price:
Colour: Old gold
Nose: Peaty to very peaty, dry, very tarry, on ashes, coal, seaweeds, slightly meaty flavours and vanilla. A very peaty Tobermory, i.e., Ledaig.
Taste: Peaty to very peaty, young, smooth, meaty, maritime to very maritime and tarry, on seaweeds, light meaty flavours, some leather, orange, charcoal, various spices and other fruity flavours. The finish is long, peaty, round, tarry, maritime, fruity, on leather, seaweeds, vanilla, orange and some liquorice.
Impression: A young, but matured, peaty, maritime and slightly medicinal Ledaig. Thank you Manfred.
Rating: 15/20 FP:E7

19 Sep

Ledaig 2004 Whisky Club Luxembourg, 10 YO, Signatory, 58%, B:2015, cask 900173. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: Very peaty, tarry and sooty, smoky, farmy, on bacon, leather, some seaweeds and liquid tar. Very good!
Taste: Very peaty, tarry and dry, smoky, farmy, on smoked meat, treacle, sultanas, leather, fruity (mainly orange and tangerine), soot and some cocoa. The finish is long, thick, rich, sooty, peaty, smoky, on bacon, smoke ham, liquid tar, sultana, some ore, leather and orange.
Impression: A very intense peaty and sooty Ledaig, with very pleasant aromas of smoke meat. Not for the faint hearted, but I enjoyed the sooty-peaty flavours very much. Thank you Claude.
Rating: 17/20 FP:E8

Ledaig 2005, 10 YO, Signatory, 54.6%, B:2016, cask 900145, 576 bottles. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: Round, sweet, peaty, on dried fruits, leather, some fudge, seaweeds, light aromatic herbs, orange, charcoal and tar. A sweet and round sherry influence.
Taste: Young, sweet, smooth, peaty, slightly bitter and maritime, on marmalade, spices, and rubber. The finish is medium to long, peaty, maritime, smoky, slightly salty and fruity, on rubber and some liquorice root.
Impression: A good Ledaig, moderately peaty and quite maritime, with some rubber. Taste younger than some 6-7 years old Ledaig.
Rating: 12/20 FP:E6

18 Sep

Special Swiss Whisky Experience

Springbank 13 YO Green, OB, 46%, B:2016, 9000 bottles. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: Intense, round, malty, vegetal, slightly salty and maritime, with some rubber, coconut, sea brine, vegetal condiment and pear drops
Taste: Round, malty, vegetal, salty, slightly oily and creamy, with some aromatic herbs, vegetal condiments, rubber, coconut, orange and sea brine. Diluted, it becomes rounder, slightly pepper and with some worn leather. The finish is medium, round, malty, salty, slightly maritime, with some diesel smoke, worn leather, sultanas, orange and on sea brine.
Impression: A good round sherried matured Springbank, on leather, vegetal condiment and oranges. The Springbank greens are organic whiskies.
Rating: 14/20 FP:E2

Springbank 21 YO Single Cask for Lateltin, OB, 47.6%, B:2016. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: Maritime, complex, subtle, slightly salty, mineral and smoky, on sea brine, some peat smoke, light aromas of tangerine, diesel smoke and pink grapefruit. An old fashioned and subtle style of Springbank.
Taste: Salty, slightly bitter and mineral, on pineapples, coconut, diesel smoke, grapefruit, tangerine, some light aromatic herbs (thyme and sage), old peat smoke and bitter lemon. The finish is medium to long, citric, rather bitter (bitter lemon and orange), salty, slightly rooty, on sea brine, diesel smoke and some peat smoke, pineapples and coconut.
Impression: This single cask is rather different from the core range, showing a rather mineral, subtle and citric Springbank and a light sherry influence, with various smoky and slightly peaty flavours. Complex and enjoyable.
Rating: 16/20 FP:D2

17 Sep

Säntis Malt Edition Siegel, OB, 40%, B:2016. Price:
Colour: Gold-old gold
Nose: Very smooth, spicy, creamy, slightly malty, with some hops and a light beer influence. The spices are quite aromatic, with a hint of bitterness. Pleasant.
Taste: Smooth, malty, spicy, creamy, slightly nutty, on hops and light fruity flavours. The finish is medium, smooth, balanced, spicy, slightly creamy, nutty, on hops, barley flour, fresh hazelnuts and a touch of bitterness (from the ex-beer barrel?).
Impression: A smooth, spicy, matured and well balanced whisky, with some hops and its unique mild-slightly bitter spicy flavours, coming from the spirit or from the ex-beer barrel? In any case, a good whisky.
Rating: 12/20 FP:A1

Säntis Malt Edition Himmelberg, OB, 43%, B:2016. Price:
Colour: Gold-old gold
Nose: Very different from the Siegel. Very smooth, sweet, slightly winey, mellow and balanced, with some grapes and light notes of berries. Sweeter and less spicy than the Siegel. The flavours from the ex-beer cask are mild and come over time.
Taste: Sweet, fruity to very fruity, malty, smooth to very smooth, on grape juice, juicy berries, light spicy aromatic flavours and some hops. The finish is medium to long, smooth, round, sweet, fruity, on grape and berries juice, with a hint of hops.
Impression: A pleasant whisky, sweet and juicy, less spicy than the Siegel. The finish in wine cask is well made, as it does not really contribute to a “winey” flavours, but more to sweet and juicy grapes and berries influence. Very good.
Rating: 14/20 FP:E1

Säntis Malt Dreifaltigkeit, OB, 52%, B:2016. Price:
Colour: Brown-amber
Nose: Very smoky, peaty to very peaty, smooth, malty, tarry, meaty to very meaty, on ham cooked on the bone, bonfire smoke, tar, ashes, soot and aromatic peat smoke. The peat smoke flavour is very different from the peated Scotch single malts.
Taste: Very smoky and meaty, peaty, malty, slightly spicy and bitter, on wood and bonfire smoke, tar, ashes, asphalt, soot, some aromatic and slightly bitter spices. Diluted, it becomes more fruity. There is a very long peaty-meaty smokiness.
Impression: Difficult to compare this whisky with other single malts, as the flavour profile is quite unique. It is indeed heavily peated, but the peat flavour is very different from any peated whiskies I could taste so far. The peat is coming from the moors in Appenzell, and thus, the composition is different from the Scottish peat. I suspect it is also smokier. In terms of flavours, it taste pretty much like another Swiss speciality in the Val de Travers (the county of Absinthe): Jambon à l’os cuit dans l’asphalte (ham on bone cooked in asphalt). Unique and I liked it very much.
Rating: 15/20 FP:C6

16 Sep

Royal Brackla, 21 YO, OB, 40%, B:2016. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: Very floral, mellow, complex, nutty, on dried fruits, leather, various spices, light grassy and honey flavours, as well as blossoming flowers.
Taste: Smooth, mellow, grassy to very grassy, sweet, fruity to very fruity, on soft spices, gingerbread, with some chestnut purée, candied orange and tangerine, honey and nougat. The finish is medium, complex, rich, spicy to very spicy, nutty, grassy, on honey, nuts, sweet fruits (orange, tangerine), with some cinnamon and other spices.
Impression: A very good, floral, complex, mellow and nutty Royal Brackla, with a nice intensity for being bottled only at 40%. Retailing for 129 CHF in Switzerland, it is a very good value whisky
Rating: 16/20 FP:F1

Royal Brackla for John Bisset, 16 YO, 57%, B:1980s
Colour: Pale straw-gold
Nose: Light, fresh, floral to very floral, fragrant, on straw and hay.
Nose: Smooth, mellow, mineral (old bottle effects), nutty, on walnuts, fresh flowers, pollen, beeswax, shoe polish, slightly grassy and rusty, with a light mineral smoke, walnuts, pollen and some beeswax.
Impression: A lighter, less complex, but more nutty and mineral than the new 21 YO.
Rating: 15/20 FP:C2

15 Sep

Balvenie 21 YO Madeira, OB, 40%, B:2016. Price:
Colour: Old gold-red
Nose: Sweet, smooth, floral, light, slightly malty, creamy and winey, on heather honey, pollen, glühwein (hot wine) spices and grapes. The influence of Madeira is well present and integrated.
Taste: Dry, spicy to very spicy, winey, malty to very malty, floral, slightly fragrant, on tannins, dry red wine, red berries, clove, honey, cinnamon, some bitter and Glühwein. The influence of the Madeira is very strong. The finish is short to medium, with a combination of very malty and creamy flavours mixed with some dry spicy wine.
Impression: I liked the malty-creamy flavours of this Balvenie, but the dry winey spicy influence from the Madeira is dominating the whole. For the amateurs of Madeira finished whiskies.
Rating: 10/20 FP:F1

Ledaig 1999, 17 YO, The Whisky Cask Company, 55%, B: 2016. Price:
Colour: Straw-pale gold
Nose: Clean, peaty to very peaty, maritime, on iodine, camphor, disinfectant, with some melted Gruyère Surchoix (cheese).
Taste: Dry, peaty, maritime, citric, on subtle peat smoke, iodine, camphor, disinfectant, sea brine and seaweeds. Very complex. The finish is long to very long, complex, peaty, smoky, maritime, slightly bitter, with some lemon peel, a very complex peaty-medicinal smoke, on seaweeds, camphor and bandages.
Impression: An excellent Ledaig with a complex and subtle peat smoke, reminding me strongly of the old Ledaig from the 1972-74 or Ardbeg from the same period.
Rating: 17/20 FP:A6

14 Sep

Irish Special Edition N°3 1989 In the North of Ireland, 27 YO, Acla Selection, 43.4%, B:2016, cask 16264. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Smooth, slightly winey, with some slightly acidic pineapples and a light mineral smokiness. Drier than the selection N°2.
Taste: Very smooth, creamy, spicy, slightly dry, tannic and woody, on pepper, dry rum, some pineapples and blackcurrant. The finish is medium to long, smooth, slightly dry, sugary and woody, on blackcurrant, some pepper and vanilla.
Impression: Matured in a Rum cask. A pretty good Irish Malt, but I do not know if is the age and/or the rum influence that contributes to a noticeable dry-wood influence. A good Irish single malt, however, I found its younger sibling more enjoyable.
Rating: 14/20 FP:A1

Cu Chulainn 1998, The Stillman’s, 45.7%, B: 2016, cask 14370. Price:
Colour: Gold-old gold
Nose: Sweet, smooth, round, on pineapple, cane sugar, blackcurrant. A nice and intense malt with a good rum influence.
Taste: Extremely smooth, soft, round, slightly sugary, with some cane sugar, blackcurrant, red berries, melon and vanilla custard. The finish is long, very smooth, soft, creamy, sugary, slightly mineral, on cane sugar, melon, vanilla custard blackcurrant and some tinned pineapples.
Impression: I am usually not so fond of Rum finished/matured whiskies, but it works very well in this case, where the sugary rum influence melted with the smoothness and the softness of this creamy Irish single malt. Delicious.
Thank You Bernhard.
Rating: 17/20 FP:B1

13 Sep

King Mor, OB, 40%, B:2016. Price:
Colour: Gold-old gold
Nose: Grainy, very smooth, spicy, floral, on caramel, maize (corn) some apricots and honey.
Taste: Smooth, round, grassy, very floral and grainy, on caramel, honey, some apricots and pepper. The finish is medium, grainy, spicy, floral to very floral, peppery and grassy, slightly creamy and on caramel.
Impression: A blend with nice floral, grassy and a peppery flavours, as well as a good dose of caramel. It taste rather young and bland, suggesting a very proportion of grain whisky.
Rating: 08/20 FP:D1

Irish Selection N°2 1991 Somewhere in Ireland, 24 YO, Acla Selection, 47.4%, B:2016, cask 10705, 212 bottles. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Smooth, malty, round, slightly mineral, on blackcurrant, some pastries and melon. Well balanced and harmonious. With time, it becomes more creamy. Diluted, it becomes slightly more mineral. At the peak of its maturation?
Taste: Very smooth, creamy, fruity, balanced, on blackcurrant, vanilla custard, some melon and exotic fruits, light and various soft spices, as well as a light mineral influence. Very good. Diluted, it becomes slightly more mineral and spicier (white pepper). The finish is long, very smooth, soft and creamy, round, balanced, on fresh vanilla and some light berries.
Impression: A very good and very smooth Irish single malt, melting on the tongue.
Rating: 16/20 FP:A1

12 Sep

Kilkerran 12 YO, OB, 46%, B:2016. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Clean, floral, slightly oily, maritime and peaty, with some sea brine, vanilla, coconut, ginger, dried fruits and a touch of citrus
Taste: Oily, slightly salty and malty, with some sea brine, dried fruits, coconut, citrus peat smoke and ginger, on melon, vanilla, vanilla custard and white pepper. Diluted, it becomes fatter and rounder. The finish is medium, oily, fatty, slightly salty and citric, on ginger, vanilla, some citrus, slightly bitter spices, aromatic herbs and marmalade.
Impression: A very nice fatty-oily whisky, with a light peat smokiness. Rounder and more oily that the previous Work in Progress.
Rating: 14/20 FP:C2

Black Mountain B&M N°1 Excellence, OB, 42%, B:2016. Price:
Colour: Gold-old gold
Nose: Very clean, neutral, bland and with some light sweet-sugary winey flavours
Taste: Very neutral, bland, slightly floral and fragrant, on sweet sugary winey flavours, some burnt sugar, sultanas and dried white grapes. The finish is rather short, bland, on grain, sweet sugary winey flavours, some burnt sugar, sultanas and dried white grapes.
Impression: Probably the blandest whisky I have tasted so far. It tasted like a young blended grain whisky. Matured for 7 months in ex-Armagnac casks, the cask contributes to sweet-sugary winey/grapes flavours.
Rating: 06/20 FP:D1

11 Sep

Wolfburn Aurora Sherry Oak, OB, 46%, B:2016. Price:
Colour: Straw
Nose: Smooth, sweet, oaky, slightly mineral, with some green apples, vanilla and a light sweet-fruity influence. The sherry influence is discreet but contributes to a nice roundness.
Taste: Oaky to very oaky, spicy to very spicy (oak spices), oily, slightly mineral, with some dried fruits and sultanas, green apples, a light tarry smoke and a touch of tangerine. The finish is medium, oaky, slightly oily, with some green apples, a few sultanas and dried fruit and a light smokiness. Diluted, there are some tobacco leaves.
Impression: The sherry influence in this Wolfburn is light, but contributes to a light nice sweetness. Compared to the ex-bourbon version, is rounder and sweeter. If you liked the first one, you might even like this one better.
Rating: 13/20 FP:C1

Jacoulot 13 YO Highland Scotch Whisky, OB, 43%, B:2016. Price:
Colour: Old gold
Nose: Very floral, fragrant, round to very round, moderately sweet-sugary, on grape juice and some pears. The freshness of the marc (Pomace brandy) is well present, but well combined with the distillate.
Taste: Winey, sugary, floral, peppery to very peppery, on grape juice, some honey, pollen and light mineral (Rieseling) flavours. The finish is medium, sugary, floral, round, winey, on very sweet grape juice, some vanilla custard, white chocolate and spices.
Impression: An original whisky matured in ex-Marc de Bourgogne (Pomace brandy) contributing to very strong sweet sugary grape juice influence. The quality of the whisky is good and if you like sweet-sugary whiskies, you might be interested by this one.
Rating: 13/20 FP:D1

10 Sep

Ben Nevis 1998, 15 YO, The First Editions, 57.6%, B: 2014. Price:
Colour: Old gold
Nose: Heavily sherried, with huge toffee and fudge notes, vegetal extracts and rubber. A nose for sherry freaks.
Taste: Floral, sweet, spicy, complex, aromatic, on vegetal extracts and some fudge. The finish is medium to long, sweet, fruity, on orange, tangerine and some spices.
Impression: The nose was very heavy on the condiments, fudge and toffee, but on the mouth it becomes more docile, sweeter, fruitier and more complex-
Rating: 15/20 FP: A1

Ben Nevis 1970, 26 YO, OB, 52%, B:1996, cask 4535. Price:
Colour: Old gold
Nose: Smooth to very smooth, mellow, slightly fragrant, herbal, aromatic and light notes of tangerine, on caramel and sweet floral notes.
Taste: Very smooth and mellow, sweet, herbal, slightly aromatic, with some tangerine and wood smoke. The finish is medium, floral, very smooth and mellow, with some toffee.
Impression: A good Ben Nevis, rather aromatic, but slightly weak and woody.
Rating: 14/20 FP: A1

09 Sep

Aberlour 16 YO Double Cask Matured, OB, 40%, B:2015. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: Smooth, slightly floral, on beeswax and huge honey (Forest) flavours.
Taste: Smooth, malty, creamy, oaky, spicy, on honey, some vanilla, starch and light aromatic flavours. The finish is medium, oaky to very oaky, spicy, slightly malty and creamy, with wood spices, vanilla and some heather honey.
Impression: The nose is very smooth and round, with strong honey notes and a nice sherry influence. On the palate, it speaks loud the ex-American white oak influence.
Rating: 12/20 FP: D1

Aberlour 18 YO, OB, 43%, B:2015. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: Smooth, fresh, malty, slightly creamy, on beeswax and huge honey (Forest) flavours. Slightly more complex than the 16 YO, but otherwise comparable.
Taste: Smooth, malty, spicy, rich, on orange, tangerine, crystallised orange, cinnamon, some anise seed, apples, sultanas and a touch of vanilla. The finish is medium to long, rich, spicy, and malty, on leather, sultanas, vanilla, honey and some creamy notes.
Impression: The nose was similar to the 16 YO, while the sherry influence is more pronounced on the palate, richer, rounder and spicier. I like this one better.
Rating: 14/20 FP: E1

Aberlour A’Bunnadh batch 52, OB, 60.5%, B:2015. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Smooth to very smooth, round, floral, slightly malty and creamy, on leather, strong honey flavours, beeswax, orange, tangerine, candied oranges, peach, cinnamon, and a touch of nutmeg. Very good and elegant.
Taste: Spicy to very spicy, slightly rubbery, on orange, tangerine, candied orange, cinnamon, leather, honey, some anise seeds, nutmeg, cloves and tannins. The finish is medium to long, spicy, rich, malty, slightly floral, on honey, orange, tangerine and spices, with some green apples and toffee.
Impression: A rich, spicy, elegant and honeyed Aberlour, fully matured in ex-oloroso casks. One of the best value sherried whisky.
Rating: 15/20 FP: F1

08 Sep

Columban of Iona 1991, 23 YO, The Stillman’s, 57.5%, B:2014. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Smooth to very smooth, round, peaty, smoky, waxy-oily, slightly malty, with some almond, camphor and bandages.
Taste: Smooth, peaty to very peaty, intense, floral, on almond, some beeswax, a touch of melon, exotic fruits, grapefruits, honey and a touch of blackcurrant and peach. The peat is well present, but different from most peated Scotch whiskies. Much rounder. The finish is medium to long, peaty to very peaty, smooth, round, oily to very oily, slightly aromatic and citric, on grapefruit, a zest of lemon mixed with vanilla custard, honey, blackcurrant and almonds.
Impression: A peated Irish single malt combining the smoothness and oiliness of an Irish single malt and a round peat smoke. Different from the peated Scotch single malt, but very enjoyable. Daniel Kissling has bottled a few Irish single malts under his Stillman’s (swiss) brand. Thank you Christian D.
Rating: 16/20 FP:A4

Irish Single Malt 1988, 26 YO, Ramseyer’s Whisky Connection, 50.4%, B:2014, 175 bottles. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Waxy, very smooth, on beeswax, fruits from the orchards, blackcurrant, some peach and grapefruits.
Taste: Rich, intense, spicy, smooth, on fruits from the orchards, blackcurrant, some strawberries, rich exotic fruity flavours, melon, peach, pink grapefruit and some cardamom. The finish is medium to long, grassy, smooth, on honey, pink grapefruit, blackcurrant and some fruits from the orchards.
Impression: An excellent, smooth, rich and well balanced Irish single malt. Ramseyer’s Whisky Connection is a shop established in Zürich, Switzerland. Thank you Christian M.
Rating: 17/20 FP:A1

07 Sep

Lagavulin 12 YO Special Release 2015, OB, 56.8%, B:2015. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Very peaty and smoky, maritime, intense, tarry, slightly medicinal, on ashes, bitter lemon peel, with some camphor, seaweeds and bacon.
Taste: Intense to very intense, oaky to very oaky, maritime, smoky, very peaty, moderately meaty and dry, on spearmint, tar, disinfectant, iodine, seaweeds and some sea brine Diluted, it becomes slightly less oaky and dry, with more spearmint. The finish is long, peaty, smoky, tarry, ashy, slightly rooty and meaty, with some spearmint, bacon and disinfectant.
Impression: A very good peaty and smoky Lagavulin, with a rather strong oaky influence and pleasantly medicinal. Thank you John.
Rating: 16/20 FP:A7

06 Sep

Dailuaine 1996, 17 YO, A.D. Rattray, 56.9%, B:2014, cask 10622, 281 bottles. Price:
Colour: Pale gold
Nose: Smooth, spicy, slightly oaky and round, on vanilla, yellow flowers, apples and some heather.
Taste: Smooth, floral to very floral, intense, and rather fragrant, on slightly bitter and herbal flowers, oaky spices, some ginger, diverse spices and a touch of heather. Diluted, it becomes more floral and with stronger dry and bitter herbal notes. The finish is medium and on the same flavours.
Impression: An intense and floral Dailuaine, with rather dry and bitter herbal notes. Not an easy one.
Rating: 11/20 FP:A1

Dailuaine 1997, 16 YO, Whisky Club Royal, 53.6%, B; 2013. Price:
Colour: Pale gold
Nose: Smooth, spicy, floral, on toffee, fudge, vanilla, heather and some warm cabbage.
Taste: Intense, spicy, oaky to very oaky, floral, on vanilla, some toffee, wax, almond and melon. The finish is medium to long, smooth, spicy to very spicy, oaky, floral, on almonds, vanilla, some ginger and heather.
Impression: A good spicy whisky, rather smooth, floral and with a pleasant balance.
Rating: 14/20 FP:A1

05 Sep

Dailuaine 1974, Signatory, 53.3%, B:2001, cask 8551. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Clean, light, fresh, floral to very floral, with some hay, heather, light aromatic and sweet flavours.
Taste: Grassy, floral, slightly aromatic, austere and mineral, with some hops, vanilla, heather and a touch of slightly sour berries. The finish is medium to long, austere, slightly aromatic, floral, peaty and mineral, with a light sweetness and heather.
Impression: A good, mineral, austere and slightly aromatic Dailuaine, reminding me of the Dailuaine 29 YO bottles some years ago by The Whisky Exchange Thank you Martin
Rating: 15/20 FP:A2

04 Sep

Royal Mile 40 YO blended Malt, The Royal Mile, 47.1%, B:2015. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: Very smooth, mellow, intense, balanced, complex, spicy, on sultanas, dried fruits, leather, some figs, Christmas cake, cocoa and various fruits.
Taste: Spicy, rich, slightly salty and floral, very round and smooth, mellow, fruity, on orange, tangerine, some citrus, vanilla, honey, leather, dried fruits, milk chocolate and treacle. The finish is long, rich, smooth, balanced, nutty, spicy, floral, on leather, walnut, milk chocolate, vanilla, dried fruits, Christmas cake, cinnamon, nutmeg, some honey and various fruity flavours.
Impression: A very good aged malt resulting from the blending of a sherry cask from Macallan, Glenrothes and Tamdhu. Well balanced, smooth, floral and with a nice round sherry influence. Lovely and initially sold for £199.50, it was a very good value whisky. Thank you Christian.
Rating: 16/20 FP:G2

Suntory, OB, 80 Proof. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: Very floral and smooth, fresh, sweet, fruity, on lychees, fruits from the orchards, fresh vanilla and some exotic floral fragrance.
Taste: Very light, sweet, on fresh apple and pear juice, with a hint of smoke, a light fragrance, some marzipan and exotic fruits. The finish is short, sweet, fresh, floral, slightly fragrant and on fresh fruits from the orchards, as well as some starch and a hint of smoke.
Impression: A very smooth, slightly sweet and easy drinking with strong flavours or fruits from the orchards. Thank you Manfred.
Rating: 11/20 FP:C1

03 Sep

Glen Cawdor 1976, Samaroli, 57%, B: 1980s. Price:
Colour: Pale gold
Nose: Very peaty, intense, farmy, aromatic, some tar, ashes, floral notes, a touch of vanilla and citric fruits (grapefruits?) and some sea brine.
Taste: Light, intense, very peaty, waxy, aromatic, subtle, slightly citric, on vanilla and farmy notes, as well as a touch of humus. The finish is long, clean, very peaty and intense, smoky, citric (lime and grapefruit), aromatic, smoky, slightly waxy and spicy and on grapefruit.
Impression: A Glen Garioch impressive of intensity. The clean profile allows the intense and complex peaty and aromatic flavours to express in full. I love this style. I tasted it previously and the rating remains the same.
Rating: 19/20 FP:A8

Glen Garioch, 16 YO, McClelland’s, 40%, B:1990s. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: Clean, very aromatic, floral, smooth, slightly mellow, on peat smoke, tangerine, some fudge, vanilla and ginger.
Taste: Smooth, malty, slightly waxy, aromatic, peaty and spicy, with some ginger, gingerbread, orange, tangerine, fudge and caramel, with soft slightly fragrant floral flavours. The finish is medium to long, aromatic, slightly dry, peaty, floral and fragrant, some orange juice, caramel, toffee and aromatic herbs
Impression: A pleasant Glen Garioch, smooth, aromatic and slightly peaty, with a rather strong influence of fudge and caramel (carambar).
Rating: 13/20 FP:D3

02 Sep