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Ben Nevis Heavily Peated 3 YO, Whisky Hood, 56.6%, B:2019, Blood Tub. Price: Colour: Old gold-amber Nose: Round, nice, peaty, slightly malty, on dried fruits (including a fair dose of sultanas), tar, peat smoke, some black liquorice and hemp rope. Nicely balanced. Taste: Peaty, sugary, sweet, aromatic, tarry, on nice dried fruits (apricots, sultanas, figs and some exotic fruits), as well as light oaky flavours. The finish is long, intense, peaty, round, fruity, tarry, on dried and exotic fruits and dry tarry peaty smoke. With a nice meaty and peaty retro-olfaction. Impression: A whisky with a surprising maturity, nice tarry and aromatic peat smoke, as well as nice dried fruits. Rating: 14/20 FP:G6
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Matsui The Peated, OB, 48%, B:2020. Price: Colour: Straw Nose: Peaty to very peaty, clean, feinty, on inner tube, peat smoke, sweat, juniper and rubber. Smells like the air coming out from a tyre. Taste: Beurkkk… a mixture of feints, juniper, inner tube, peat smoke and sweat. The finish is medium and on the same flavours. Impression: A single malt distilled in Japan at the Kurayoshi distillery, . With the exception of maybe the Cu Dhub, I cannot remember of having tasted such a terrible whisky, with feinty and gin flavours. Barely drinkable and on the nose, it seemed the best of the range. Rating: 04/20  FP:A5
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Caperdonich 1972, Gordon & MacPhail, 57.0%, B:2008, cask 1975. Price: Colour: Old gold Nose: Intense, oaky, heavy, on tannins, orange, varnish, lacquer, cinnamon and dried fruits. Taste: Woody, dry, thick, spicy, on old and wet wood, sultanas, lacquer, varnish, lots of tannins, oranges, some bloody oranges and cloves. The finish is long, woody, tannic, on dried fruits, orange, cloves and cinnamon. Impression: A rather tannic and woody expression of Caperdonich, with some old sherry influence. Interesting to compare it with my previous tasting note made from a bottle freshly opened 12 years ago. Thank you Stéphane. Rating: 13/20 FP:AG1
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Old Pulteney 2008 for World of Whisky, 11 YO, Carn Mor, 57.7%, B:2020, cask 8693, 155 bottles. Price: Colour: Straw Nose: Neat, the nose is very close, clean, coastal, slightly smoky and malty, on vanilla and a touch of almonds. Taste: Fresh, clean, salty, coastal, light, on vanilla, ginger, some green almonds and coastal flavours. The finish is medium, light, fresh, on green orchards fruits, some green almonds, marzipan, coastal flavours and fresh malty flavours. Diluted, it becomes more malty and on vanilla. Impression: A nice, light, clean and coastal Old Pulteney, with a very limited cask influence. Rating: 13/20 FP:A1
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Glen Garioch 2011, Sansibar/Spirits Shop Selection, 52.3%, B:2019. Price: Colour: Straw Nose: Malty, spicy, fresh, rather oily, with nice fresh malty flavours, ginger, cinnamon, oak spices, green malt and light nutty flavours. Rather bold. Taste: Spicy, fresh, malty to very malty, green, grassy, bold, rather oily, on fresh crushed barley, fresh ginger, some vanilla, grassy flavours and honey. The finish is medium and on the same flavours. Diluted, it becomes slightly bolder and more on vanilla! Impression: A very good, fresh, malty, bold and gingery Glen Garioch. Rating: 14/20 FP:A2
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Knockando 1988, 21 YO, OB, 43%, B:2010. Price: Colour: Pale gold. Nose: Light, very malty, gristy, smells like freshly crushed barley, with nice nutty flavours. Taste: Malty, floral, slightly bitter, with a hint of toffee and some nuts. The finish is medium, malty, round, slightly smoky and nutty, with a hint of peach and toffee. Quite zesty at the end. Impression: A well-made light and malty Speysider. Rating: 14/20 FP:C2
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Caperdonich 1996 for Waldhaus am See, 23 YO, Carn Mor, 51.7%, B:2019, cask 53630. Price: Colour: Gold Nose: Complex, mineral, clean, slightly milky, balanced, on almonds, chalk, a costal influence and some green apples. Taste: Clean, mineral, slightly waxy and coastal, on chalk, some mineral dust, green almonds, coastal flavours and a touch of almond milk. Subtle and elegant. The finish is medium to long, clean, rather coastal and mineral, slightly waxy, with some green apples and green almonds. Impression: A very clean expression of Caperdonich, elegant and subtle, with light flavours of green apples and almonds, and a surprising coastal influence. Rating: 15/20 FP:A1
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Glen Ord Manager’s Dram, OB, 16 YO, 62%, B:1991. Price: Colour: Old gold. Nose: Smooth, fresh, malty, slightly oaky and grassy, with nice smoky flavours and light fruity notes (Mirabelle). Taste: Spicy to very spicy, very rich, malty, slightly grassy, with some lemon, citrus , honey and an elegant smokiness. Diluted, it becomes slightly on pineapples. The finish is medium to long, malty, slightly nutty and smoky, a touch of oak, some light green fruity notes of apples and pear. Impression: An excellent example of Glen Ord, rich, spicy, light and with a pleasant balance. The best Glen Ord I have tasted so far. Rating: 18/20 FP:B3
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Highland Park 1989, 30 YO, Cadenhead’s, 47.4%, B:2019. Price: Colour: Old gold Nose: Mellow to very mellow, on honey, round floral flavours, some toffee, fudge and dried fruits. Taste: Rich, intense, moderately mellow, on round floral flavours, some fudge, dried fruits (including sultanas), leather, heather honey and toffee. The finish is long, floral, round, rather syrupy, slightly mellow and oaky, with some dried fruits (sultanas, figs and dates), liquid honey and tangerine. Impression: A very nice, round and mellow Highland Park, on honey and dried fruits. Rating: 16/20 FP:E1
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Caol Ila 1974, 22 YO, Signatory, 56.7%, B:1997, cask 12465. Price: Colour: Gold Nose: Peaty, medicinal, smoky, maritime, tarry, slightly oaky, on seaweeds, peat smoke, some tar, mineral oil, soot, kippers, bandages and disinfectant. Taste: Very dry, peaty, tarry, rooty, on dry hemp rope, peat smoke, disinfectant and bandages. The finish is long, very dry, intense, peaty, rooty, rather tarry and with some soot, seaweeds and disinfectant. Diluted, it becomes drier and more rooty. Impression: A rather extreme version of Caol Ila, heavily peated and extremely dry. Rating: 16/20 FP:A6
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Aultmore 2009 White Turf for World of Whisky, 10 YO, Signatory, 46%, 283 bottles. Price: Colour: Gold-old gold Nose: Fresh, floral, slightly oaky, on vanilla, melon, some apricots, oak spices and quince. Taste: Round, oaky, slightly spicy, intense, fresh, on vanilla, honeydew melon, some dried apricots, light floral flavours and almonds. The finish is medium, oaky, fresh, floral, on oak spices, vanilla, fresh almonds, some honeydew melon and dried apricots. Impression: A nice fresh and floral Aultmore, more oaky than the others Aultmore recently tasted. Rating: 13/20 FP:A1
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Tomatin 1994, 25 YO, Sansibar, 50.0%, B:2019. Price: Colour: Gold Nose: Rich, floral, mellow, with nice grassy, bold and fruity flavours, with some melon, honey and exotic fruits. Taste: Floral, rich, grassy, slighty malty, complex, with nice spicy flavours, on nice fragrant flavours, some nice fruity, honey and grassy flavours, as well as melon and bold slightly creamy flavours. The finish is medium to long and on the same flavours. Diluted, it becomes bolder and slightly more spicy. Impression: A very good, nicely floral and rather complex Tomatin. Rating: 15/20 FP:A1
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Tomatin 1990 Single Cask for Charles Hofer Switzerland, OB, 45.6%, B:2018, cask 10191. Price: Colour: Pale gold Nose: Rich, fruity, oaky, sweet and slightly light, with some honey, vanilla and oaky flavours. Taste: Rich, oaky, on vanilla, oak spices, some honey and light grassy flavours. The finish is medium, oaky, slightly woody, with some honey, grassy and light floral flavours. Impression: A good Tomatin, with light fruity flavours. The wood starts to show off. Rating: 13/20 FP:A1
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Glen Scotia 2005 Heavily Peated Spring 2019, 13 YO, OB, 55.7%, B:2018, cask 17/413-8. Price: Colour: Old gold Nose: Peaty, oily, waxy, mineral, on leather, seaweeds, mineral oil, dried fruits, some pepper, wet wood and marmalade. Taste: Peaty, mineral, maritime, on wet wood, some smoke, mineral oil, harbour-like flavours and aromatic herbs. The finish is medium to long, dry, peaty, oaky, maritime, on wet wood, rubber, chalk, some graphite and light aromatic flavours. Impression: A rather “dirty” oily Glen Scotia, with some wet wood and old leather, as well as some light sherry flavours. Rating: 13/20 FP:D5
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Glen Scotia 2009 For Ramseyer’s Whisky Connection, OB, 55.1%, B:2019, cask 852, 247 bottles. Price: Colour: Gold Nose: Salty, round, rather waxy and oily, slightly smoky and mineral, well balanced, on harbour-like flavours, some waxy, oily and harbour-like flavours, Barbour wax, coconuts and light smoky and mineral flavours as well. Taste: Malty, fruity, slightly oaky, spicy and grassy, with some mineral oil, harbour-like flavours, pear drops and a touch of creamy flavours. Well balanced. The finish is medium to long, mineral, waxy, oily, slightly creamy, with almonds and mineral oil, some mineral and smoky flavours, a touch of spices and green orchards fruits. Impression: A very good, balanced, complex, mineral and oily single malty, with nice harbour-like flavours. It reminds me of the old bottling of Glen Scotia that I enjoy very much. Rating: 16/20 FP:A3
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Speyside Single Malt, 25 YO, The Whisky Agency/The Nectar, 49.8%,B:2019, sherry hogshead. Price: Colour: Old gold Nose: Round, clean, intense, floral, on very round floral flavours, dried fruits, ripe orchard fruits, orange, tangerine and some honey. Taste: Round, clean, floral, slightly oaky, on orchard fruits, some malty and dried fruits, as well as oak spices. The finish is medium and on the same flavours. Impression: A nice clean, round and well balanced single malt, on orchard fruits, light malty and some dried fruits. Very fairly price and good value. Rating: 14/20 FP:D1
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Highland Park Viking Soul Cask for Liquid Gold, 13 YO, OB, 55.6%, B:2019, quarter cask 700053. Price: Colour: Old gold Nose: Floral, round, slightly oaky and juicy, with some honey and a touch of smoke and vanilla. Taste: Rich, intense, oaky, sweet, moderately smoky, on heather honey, a light smokiness, nice light grassy, aromatic and oaky flavours, some vanilla, quince and Mirabelle. The finish is medium to long, oaky, moderately smoky and spicy, on oak spices, heather honey, vanilla, some light smoky and grassy flavours, as well some quince and melon. Impression: A very nice, intense and rather smoky Highland Park, without any excessive or unpleasant oaky flavours from the quarter cask (Firkin). One of the most pleasant recent Highland Park. Rating: 16/20 FP:A3
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Glen Spey 38 YO, Whiskyhood, 48.3%, B:2019. Price: Colour: Gold-old gold Nose: Rich, mellow, juicy, very well balanced, rather sweet, on very nice sweet and well balanced yellow fruity flavours, some very nice honey and malty flavours, as well as some round floral flavours. Excellent. Taste: Floral to very floral, malty, complex, fruity, with some tree sap, humus, nice cooked orchard fruits, spices, menthol, slightly fragrant floral and light oaky flavours. The finish is long, rich, floral, complex, slightly spicy, oaky and green, with some oak spices, pears, floral flavours, light fruity flavours. Impression: An excellent expression of Glen Spey, with a delicious sweet, floral and rich fruity nose, getting slightly more oaky on the palate. The influence of the wood on the finish is rather moderate. Rating: 16/20 FP:A1
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Yoichi 1989 Fruity and Rich, OB, 59.7%, B:2002, cask 308703. Price: Colour: Gold Nose: Fruity, rich, well balanced, rather smooth, slightly peaty and salty, round, a light smooth peat smoke, some melon, vanilla, light round floral and aromatic flavours, quince and a touch of sweet fruits. Taste: Rich, fruity, slightly sweet, rich and peaty, with some spices, almonds, melon, quince, frangipane, elegant floral flavours and a touch of orange blossom. The finish is long, elegant, smooth, rich, floral, slightly fruity and peaty, with some elegant and light sugary fruity flavours Impression: A very good expression of Yoichi, smooth and rich, slightly more peaty and intense than the 1990. Rating: 16/20 FP:A2 |
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Inchfad 14 YO, C. Dully, 57.2%, B:2020, cask 408. Price: Colour: Gold Nose: Peaty, aromatic, rather smoky and dry, with some light bitter and aromatic herbs, on aromatic peat smoke and grist. More peaty, tarry and dry than the vatted casks. Taste: Intense, rich, floral, aromatic, peaty, smoky, slightly tarry and malty, with nice fresh floral and malty flavours, a very pleasant dry aromatic peat smoke, some tar, soot, apples and farmy flavours. The finish is long, intense, rather dry, aromatic and tarry and peaty, slightly mineral and on the same flavours. Impression: A very nicely balanced, rich and peaty whisky, slightly austere, more dry and less floral and malty than the vatted cask, and with pleasant light mineral flavours. One of the nicest Inchfad I have ever tried. Thank you Christian and Pascal. Rating: 16/20 FP:A6
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Inchfad 14 YO, C. Dully, 57.1%, B:2020, vatted casks. Price: Colour: Gold Nose: Peaty, aromatic, slightly floral and malty, with an aromatic and rather floral tarry peat smoke, some soot, light malty and toffee flavours, green malt. Very good. Taste: Peaty, tarry, smoky, rather dry and aromatic, with light floral and malty flavours, some toffee, dry aromatic peat smoke, ashes and apples. The finish is moderate to long and on the same flavours. Impression: A very good heavily peated single malt distilled at the Loch Lomond distillery, with a aromatic and tarry peat smoke, as well as some malty and floral flavours, markedly less dry than an Islay single malt. Thank you Christian and Pascal. Rating: 15/20 FP:A6
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Yoichi 1990, 10 YO, OB, 62.7%, B:2002, cask 129544. Price: Colour: Gold Nose: Very smooth, round, on light sweet fruity flavours, light round floral flavours, some melon, vanilla, almonds, and milky flavours. Taste: Smooth, elegant, on light rich fruity flavours, some melon, quince and other light sugary flavours, including exotic fruits. The finish is long, smooth, elegant, on light fruity and slightly milky flavours, as well as some almonds. Impression: A very smooth, elegant, round whisky, with light sweet fruity flavours. Rather subtle and surprised to see that the age statement is 10 YO, when the whisky is over 11 years old. Rating: 14/20 FP:C1
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Aultmore 21 YO, Whisky Hood, 55.9%, B:2018. Price: Colour: Gold Nose: Mellow, floral, fruity, with some almonds, dried apricots, honey, vanilla, honeydew melon, some hay and a touch of smoke. A whisky that needs time to breath. Taste: Mellow, very round, floral, on honey, dried fruits, some apricots, honeydew melon, quince jelly and almonds. The finish is medium to long, mellow, floral, on honey, dried fruits, some almonds, grassy and floral flavours. Diluted, it becomes more on honey and honeydew melons. Impression: A very good Aultmore, mellow, with nice floral and dried fruits flavours. Rating: 15/20 FP:B1
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Aultmore 2009 For Ramseyer’s Whisky Connection, 10 YO, Signatory, 59.1%. B:2019, cask 303235. Price: Colour: Gold Nose: Floral, sweet, fruity, on almonds, quince jelly, some apricots, vanilla, sweet fruity and floral flavours Taste: Floral, malty, slightly spicy, on honeydew melon, vanilla, some apricots, a light fragrance, frangipane, and almonds. The finish is medium to long, fresh, floral, slightly oaky, on vanilla, some dried apricots, quince, malty flavours and light sweet and oaky flavours. Impression: A very good, intense, fresh, floral single malt, with nice honey dew, dried apricots and some almonds flavours. I enjoy very much this profile of Aultmore. Rating: 14/20 FP:A1
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Port Ellen 1982 Old Malt Cask Sherry, 18 YO, Douglas Laing, 50%, B: 2001, 780 bottles. Price: Colour: Amber. Nose: Very vegetal (condiments), vegetamine, peat smoke, seaweeds and cumin. Taste: On berries, grapes, toffee, fresh rubber, nutmeg, vegetal condiments and some salt. The finish is medium to long, dry, round, astringent, with strong flavours of fresh rubber and some red berries. Impression: A Port Ellen with a very strong vegetal and fresh rubber flavour profile. Pleasant, but not really my style. Rating: 14/20 FP:G7
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Bowmore 1968 Fecchio & Frassa, OB, 59.7%, B:1970s, Cask 222. Price: Colour: Gold Nose: Complex, intense, rather clean and peaty, maritime, slightly mineral, on nice clean and maritime peat smoke, some tar, candied citrus and soot. Taste: Mineral, waxy, peaty, grassy, slightly maritime, on citrus, dry, tarry and mineral peat smoke, candied citrus, tar, some ashes and almonds. The finish is rather long, peaty, mineral, moderately waxy, slightly dry, clean and tarry, with some soot, ashes, mineral ore, peat smoke, seaweeds, liquid tar, tobacco and almonds. Impression: A rather clean, mineral and waxy Bowmore, markedly less fruity as you would expect from a Bowmore from the 1960s, but more on candied citrus, almonds, tobacco and some camphor. Excellent, and just 9 years old! Thank you Enrico. Rating: 18/20 FP:C5
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Wolfburn From the Stills Summer 2019, OB, 50%, B:2019. Price: Colour: Straw Nose: Coastal, slightly oaky and round, with some humus, vanilla, coastal flavours, melon and slight exotic flavours. Taste: Okay, salty, coastal, rather rich, with some green orchard fruits, vanilla, vanilla custard, mineral oil, coconut, other light fruity flavours and a hint of citrus. Diluted, it becomes slightly more bitter. The finish is medium, coastal, slightly spicy, oaky and bitter, with some humus, apples, vanilla and oak spices. Impression: A nice oaky, coastal, slightly bitter, oily and austere Wolfburn. Rating: 13/20 FP:A3
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Glenrothes 20 YO, James MacArthur, 51.6%, B:2016, cask 20701. Price: Colour: Pale gold Nose: Very round, smooth, floral, slightly mellow, with some vanilla, spices, light creamy flavours and a hint of tobacco. Taste: Floral, slightly spicy, mellow, complex and fruity, on spices, some vanilla, melon, green fruits and light creamy flavours. The finish is medium to long, balanced, rather elegant, on melon, vanilla, some tobacco leaves, green fruits and light green flavours. Impression: A very nice clean Glenrothes, rather spicy, on vanilla and nice light green fruity flavours. Thank you Peter. Rating: 14/20 FP:A1
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Glenlivet 1973 30th Anniversary, 45 YO, Signatory, 43.1%, B:2018, cask 12/1. Price: Colour: Amber Nose: Rich, intense, complex, waxy, slightly peaty, aromatic and fruity, on nice aromatic and waxy flavours, peat smoke, some orange bitter, heather honey and grassy flavours. A delicious old style of moderately peated Speyside whisky. Taste: Rich, complex, waxy, citric, aromatic, moderately peaty, on pine sap and wax, heather honey, some old peat smoke, aromatic herbs, candied citrus and orange bitter. The finish is long, complex, moderately aromatic, peaty and citric, on tree wax and sap, aromatic herbs, some peat smoke, citrus, heather honey, dried frruits and light malty and grassy flavours. Impression: A delicious, complex, moderately peaty and aromatic Glenlivet, with nice waxy flavours. Rating: 18/20 FP:D3
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Springbank 1965 Flowers, 25 YO, Samaroli, 46%, B:1990, 480 bottles. Price: Colour: Gold Nose: Rich, intense, smoky, moderately peaty, on stewed and candied fruits, sea brine, coconuts, peat smoke, some tar, fur tree sap, light mineral flavours, peach and exotic fruits. Delicious. Taste: Peaty, maritime, intense, salty, on sea brine, coconut, sea salt, fudge, stewed fruits, light fruity flavours, some dried, exotic and mineral flavours and citrus. The finish is long, complex, intense, mineral, smoky, moderately peaty, on sea brine, sea salt, coconut, some toffee, dried fruits, and a hint of burnt rubber. Impression: A very good, rich, fruity, salty and moderately peated, with a nice coastal and fruity influence. Nicely complex. Rating: 18/20 FP:E4
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Springbank 1972 Distillery Picture label, OB, 46%, B:1990s. Price: Colour: Gold Nose: Mineral, peaty, smoky, intense, rather mineral and salty, with sea salt, seabrine, dry peat smoke, some tar, mineral flavours and lemon peel. Rather peaty. Taste: Salty, smoky, peaty, complex, on sea salt, sea brine, coconuts, some soot, candied lemon and a hint of soot and ashes. The finish is long, complex, salty, smoky, on coconut, strong sea brine and sea salt flavours, lemon, candied fruits, a touch of orange and other fruity flavours. Impression: A very good and complex old style of Springbank, rather smoky and salty, on citrus, coconut and some other fruity flavours. Close to the style of the 21 YO tall bottles from the late 1990, with less sherry influence. Rating: 18/20 FP:C4
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Blair Athol 1988 30th Anniversary, 30 YO, Signatory, 54.7%, B:2018, cask 6847. Price: Colour: Gold Colour: Amber Nose: Round, mellow, floral, fruity, on vegetal condiments, toffee, cinnamon, sultanas, dried fruits, orange, some rubber, cloves and round floral flavours. Taste: Round to very round, floral, vegetal, malty, on toffee, cinnamon, vegetal condiment, leather, dates, figs, tangerine, malty flavours, some yeast and leather. The finish is long, rich, syrupy, malty, on toffee, tangerine, vegetal flavours and some yeast. Impression: A very nice malty, round, and mellow Blair Athol, moderately malty, with nice floral and vegetal flavours. Rating: 16/20 FP:G1
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Craigellachie 2008 Collective 2.6, 10 YO, La Maison du Whisky, 43%, B:2018. Price: Colour: Old gold Nose: Fresh, floral, sweet, on soft spices, juicy oranges, some honey, cinnamon and ginger. Taste: Thin, floral, juicy, slightly dry and bitter, on caramel, some burnt sugar, honey, cinnamon, cloves and a touch of very old rubber and old cereals. The finish is medium, floral, dry, on cereals soaked in milk and left too long in a bowl, some old rubber, walnuts, cinnamon, marmalade and caramel. Impression: The nose was nice and pleasant, but it is slightly rough and bitter on the palate. Rating: 11/20 FP:F1 |
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Aberfeldy 12 YO, OB, 40%, B:2018. Price: Colour: Gold Nose: Floral, malty, on nice honey flavours, some vanilla and oaky spices, with light fragrant flavours. Taste: Thin, rather weak, slightly floral, fragrant and soapy, with soft spices, straw, some honey, marmalade and honey. The finish is medium and on the same flavours. Diluted, it becomes spicier and with some tobacco. Impression: Neat, it is rather thin, weak and slightly fragrant. With some water, it becomes spicier and slightly more intense. Rating: 10/20  FP:C1 |
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Aberfeldy 16 YO, OB, 40%, B:2018. Price: Colour: Gold Nose: Floral, malty, round, moderately complex, on liquid honey, juicy malty and fruity flavours, some tangerine, orange and melon. Very nice. Taste: Malty to very malty, round, rather thin, on lightly floral flavours, cinnamon, some pepper, liquid honey, orange, sultanas and a hint of pepper. The finish is medium, malty, slightly round and fruity, rather thin, on liquid honey, some cinnamon, pepper, orange, tangerine, sultanas and melon. Diluted, it becomes maltier, with some tobacco and bitter caramel. Impression: The mouth feel is most pleasant, but the intensity of the flavours is unfortunately rather thin. A whisky that should be bottled at a higher abv. Rating: 12/20 FP:D1 |
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Glen Elgin 1986 for Acla Selection, 31 YO, Signatory, 45.9%, B: 2018, cask 2523. Price: Colour: Straw Colour: Pale straw Nose: Very mellow, soft, slightly grassy and floral, on honey, some dried flowers and woodland flavours. Taste: Spicy, slightly oaky, round to very round, floral, on honey, cinnamon, cream, a touch of smoke and some grassy flavours. The finish is short to medium, very soft, light, slightly creamy, smoky and grassy, with a touch of smoke. Impression: A mellow and very soft whisky. Thinner and slightly smokier than the Waldhaus am See. Rating: 13/20 FP:A1 |
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Glen Elgin 1995 for Waldhaus am See, 21 YO, Signatory, 51.8%, B:2018, cask 3266. Price: Colour: Straw Nose: Very grassy, round, complex, fruity, slightly malty, on freshly cut grass, some honey, blackcurrant and gosseberries. Fresh and good. Taste: Very round, mellow, on soft floral flavours, light spices, honey, gooseberries and freshly cut grass. The finish is very medium, very creamy, malty and grassy, with and impressive softness and smoothness, honey and grass. Impression: One of the softer whisky I have tried, it is so soft and creamy on the palate, grassy, on honey, with light floral and gooseberries flavours. Rating: 15/20 FP: A1 |
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Springbank 1975, Scotch Malt Sales, 46%. Price: Colour: Old gold Nose: Coastal, slightly peaty and smoky, with some peat smoke, coconut, sea brine, mineral oil and a touch of melon. With time, it becomes more on dry peat smoke. Peatier than the 21 YO OBs Taste: Sweet, oaky, smoky, with some peat smoke, coconut, sea brine, charred oak, marmalade and melon. The finish is medium to long and on the same flavours. Impression: A very good Springbank, with a nice old fashioned and slightly oily peat smoke, and with a rather oaky-spicy side. Rating: 16/20 FP: C4 |
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Ben Nevis 1996, 22 YO, Caora, 50.7%, B:2019, cask 1381. Price: Colour: Pale gold Nose: Elegant, rich, mellow, rather subtle and fruity, with some melon, vanilla, aromatic herbs and a touch of heather. Taste: Elegant, mellow, slightly mineral and aromatic, with some melon, vanilla, heather, aromatic herbs and juicy oak. The finish is medium and on the same flavours. Impression: A very good example of a mellow and elegant Ben Nevis, with a discreet wood influence and nice light mineral and aromatic flavours. Rating: 16/20 FP:A2 |
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Glenlivet 15 YO Distillery Label, Gordon & MacPhail, 43%, B:2019. Price: Colour: Gold Nose: Floral, spicy, rather rich, with some dried fruits, smoke, spices, light oaky flavours, some heather and vanilla. Taste: Floral, elegant, fruity, on green orchards fruits, some leather, sultanas, aromatic herbs, spices and vanilla. The finish is medium, rich, floral, rather intense and aromatic. Impression: A nice aromatic, floral, fresh and slightly spicy Glenlivet, with some green orchards fruits. Rating: 15/20 FP:C2 |
| Dalwhinnie 1965 102.14, 37 YO, Scotch Malt Whisky Society, 58.1%, B:2003. Price: Colour: Gold Nose: Mellow, complex, floral to very floral, smooth, slightly grassy and smoky, on heather honey, some quince, melon, vanilla and a light peat smoke. Very good. Taste: Floral to very floral, light, grassy, on pineapples, heather honey, some hay, peat smoke, vanilla, melon and quince. The finish is long, elegant, grassy, slightly smoky, on dry flowers and grassy, with some heather honey, vanilla and melon. Diluted, it is more on honey and some dry grass. Impression: A very good Dalwhinnie, complex, very enjoyable, with nice honey and soft and dry floral flavours. Rating: 17/20 FP:A2 |
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Rosebank 1991 175th Anniversary, 25 YO, Cadenhead’s, 50.5%, B:2017. Price: Colour: Pale gold Nose: Clean, fresh, intense, and slightly herbal, on lemon, some camomile, straw, grapefruits and stewed fruits. With time, it becomes more on banana. Taste: Intense to very intense, floral, spicy, on stewed fruits, orchard fruits (mainly apples), bananas and some melon and peach. The finish is medium to long, smooth, fruity, with light citric flavours, on orchard fruits, tobacco leaves, some melon, and vanilla. Diluted, it becomes slightly fruitier. Impression: A very good Rosebank, light, clean and smooth, with fresh orchard fruits and other light fruity flavours. Rating: 16/20 FP:A1 |
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Caol Ila 1980, 15 YO, Wilson & Morgan, 46%, B:1996. Price: Colour: Pale gold Nose: Clean, juicy, fruity, peaty, smoky, light, fresh, medicinal, slightly sweet (young), on a nice medicinal and moderately peated smoke, some camphor, iodine and seaweeds. Taste: Peaty, salty, zesty, citric, light, on peat smoke, tobacco, lemon zest, tar, iodine, some camphor and seaweeds. With a nice and elegant peat smoke. The finish is medium to long, light, fresh, fruity (mainly citrus), with a nicely balanced and rather complex peat smoke, some tar, iodine and kelp. Diluted, it becomes smokier, more on tobacco and iodine. Impression: A very pleasant Caol Ila, light, with a peat smoke moderately intense, but rather complex and in the style of the old 15 YO decanter. Thank you Stéphane. Rating: 15/20 FP:C5 |
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Bruichladdich 2005, The whisky Broker, 13 YO, 60.6%, B:2018. Price: Colour: Amber Nose: Rich, thick, floral, maritime, sweet, round, with lots of dried fruits and leather, tannins, sultanas, dried figs, some seaweeds, orange, lacquer and rubber. Nicely intense. Taste: Round, rich, thick, intense, fruity, very sweet, with loads of fruity flavours (including orange, tangerine, sultanas, strawberries), high grade leather, some smoky and maritime flavours. Very nice. The finish is long, thick, syrupy, fruity, on leather, sultanas, tannins, leather, cinnamon, orange, tangerine, some peat smoke, cardamom, seaweeds and cloves. Diluted, it becomes more bitter and rubbery. Impression: A very nice and heavily sherried Bruichladdich, slightly salty and maritime, with very nice round and thick sweet fruity flavours from an active sherry cask. Thank you to the Swiss donator! Rating: 15/20 FP:G2 |
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Glen Grant 40 YO, Gordon & MacPhail, 40%, B:2018. Price: Colour: Old gold Nose: Very complex, rich, fruity to very fruity, moderately aromatic and peaty, on candied oranges and tangerine, a nice complex moderate peat smoke, some peach, mango, sultanas and dried apricots. Lovely. Taste: Very complex, aromatic, peaty, aromatic, well balanced, on dried fruits, a nice moderate aromatic peat smoke, dried fruits, light mineral flavours, quince, sultanas, and some honey. Very good! The finish is long, aromatic, moderately peaty, on heather honey, aromatic peat smoke, dried fruits, some orange, tangerine, apricots, light mineral flavours and humus. Impression: An excellent, rich, complex, well balanced and with a nice mineral aromatic peat smoke. These old Glen Grant are lovely, and with a nice dash of peat smoke. Rating: 18/20 FP:D3 |
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Glenfarclas 1995 Premium Edition Oloroso Casks, OB, 46%, B:2018. Price: Colour: Old gold Nose: Rich, floral, malty, moderately aromatic and spicy, slightly peaty, with nice flavours of vanilla, sultanas, some aromatic herbs, dried fruits, spices and nuts. Slightly oaky as well, Taste: Soft, very round, floral, slightly oaky, on soft spices, heather honey, some sultanas, tangerine, orange, and vanilla. The finish is medium to long, rich, floral, round, on soft spices, dried fruits, heather honey and some tangerine. Diluted, it becomes spicier. Impression: A nice round, slightly soft and well-balanced Glenfarclas. Rating: 15/20 FP:D2 |
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Glen Moray 2007 Fishes of Samoa, Archives, 62.2%, B:2018, cask 5713. Price: Colour: Straw Nose: Round, mellow to very mellow, fruity, slightly yeasty and creamy, on heather, melon, some peach, gooseberries and juicy oak. Very good. Taste: Fresh, intense, fruity, round, rather complex, slightly creamy, on exotic fruits, juicy oak, vanilla, heather, gooseberries, some melon and peach. Nicely fresh. The finish is rather long, fruity, balanced, on juicy oak, melon, vanilla, heather, melon and some peach. Diluted, it becomes spicier, more oaky and with some tobacco leaves. Impression: A very good, fresh and fruity Glen Moray, complex and very nicely balanced. Thank you Martin. Rating: 16/20 FP:A1 |
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Clynelish 5 YO Pale Vatting Short Cap, OB, 43%, B: 1969. Price: Colour: Pale straw Nose: Very waxy, moderately mustardy and floral, with some dry peat smoke, rusted iron, hay and citrus. Taste: Dry, waxy to very waxy, citric, smoky, on dry mineral peat smoke, citrus, rusted iron, coal, hay and mustard seeds. Complex. The finish is long, very waxy, complex, citric, peaty, dry, mustardy, on dry mineral peat smoke, mustard seeds, coal and some ashes. Diluted, it becomes more waxy and with some liquorice roots. Impression: On the nose is waxy, mustardy and on hay, becoming drier, more peaty and citric on the palate. With a delicious dry and mineral moderate peat smoke. Rating: 18/20 FP:A3 |
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Laphroaig 1974, 16 YO, Signatory, 54.6%, B:1991, cask 5119. Price: Colour: Amber Nose: Intense, thick, heavy, on heavy tannins, dried fruits, sultanas, grapefruits, old leather and wood, humus and old books. Taste: Rich, intense, spicy, complex, slightly citric, on berries, old leather, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, some light bitter aromatic flavours, root, grapefruits, marmalade and some rubber The finish is long and on the same flavours. Diluted, it becomes more meaty, bitter and rubbery. Impression: A very good Laphroaig, with a flavour profile close to the LMDW; but rounder, more balanced and more heavily sherried and meaty. Of similar very high quality. Rating: 17/20 FP:H7
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Linkwood 1997 for Acla Selection, 22 YO, Signatory 59.6%, B:2019, cask 4250. Price: Colour: Old gold Nose: Round, rubbery, floral, malty, with some fresh rubber, light meaty flavours, dried fruits and spices. Taste: Rubbery, fruity, floral, spicy, on burnt rubber, tannins, orange, tangerine, marmalade, some cloves, cinnamon and a hint of varnish. The finish is medium and on the same flavours. Impression: A rather fruity expression of Linkwood, but too much burnt rubber for me. Not my style. Rating: 11/20 FP:G1
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Scapa 2005 Distillery Label, Gordon & MacPhail, 43%, B:2019. Price: Colour: Pale gold Nose: Fresh, rather complex, balanced, moderately malty, on sea brine, vanilla, some heather, lemon peel and a hint of smoke. Very good. Taste: Fresh, malty, slightly grassy and salty, on sea brine, sea salt, vanilla, nice malty and slightly grassy flavours, as well as some heather and lemon peel. The finish is long, malty, grassy, slightly bold, well balanced, on vanilla, heather, some lemon peel, sea brine and sea salt. Impression: A very good example of Scapa, with a very nice balance between the salty, lemony and malty flavours. Rating: 15/20 FP:A2
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Linkwood 1973, The Whisky Exchange, 49.7%. Price: Colour: Gold-old gold Nose: Complex to very complex, rich, mellow, floral, sweet, fruity, with light spices notes, heather, mango, melon, some guava, other exotic fruits and a light smokiness. Taste: Rich, complex, mellow, fruity to very fruity, well balanced, on soft spices, melon, mango, guava, some peat smoke, cinnamon and other exotic fruits. Diluted, some hints of wood appear. Impression: A very good, complex, balanced and slightly smoky Linkwood, with nice fruity flavours. Rating: 17/20 FP:C2
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Glencadam 7 YO, Valinch & Mallet, 52.6%, B:2019. Price: Colour: Amber Nose: Fresh, floral, malty, fruity, on a very nice berries syrup, orange, grenadine, raspberries, some soft and round malty and floral flavours. Taste: Malty, fruity to very fruity, sweet to very sweet, slightly spicy, with nice berries and grenadine sweet fruity flavours, round malty flavours, some honey and a hint of spices. The finish is medium to long, very fruity, sweet, malty, round, on a delicious combination of sweet berries and some honey. Impression: A deliciously balanced and fruity Glencadam. Dangerously drinkable! Rating: 16/20 FP:G1
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Caol Ila 10 YO, Valinch & Mallet, 53.5%, B:2019. Price: Colour: Pale gold Nose: Very peaty and tarry, maritime, on seaweeds, tarry peat smoke, some hemp rope, iodine, camphor and medicinal. Taste: Very peaty, clean, fresh, maritime to very maritime, tarry, on iodine, peat smoke, tarry peat smoke, some camphor and medicinal flavours. Diluted, it becomes more oaky and rooty. The finish is medium to long, peaty, tarry, smoky, slightly bitter, on dry roots, peat smoke and some camphor. Impression: A clean, fresh, peaty, tarry and maritime Caol Ila. Rating: 15/20 FP:A6
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Octomore 10 YO, OB, 56.8%, B:2019. Price: Colour: Gold Nose: Very peaty, dry and oaky, maritime, medicinal, tarry, on dry, maritime and oaky peat smoke, dry roots, seaweeds, some medicinal flavours and camphor. Taste: Peaty, rooty, rather well balance and elegant, salty, maritime, on camphor, iodine, menthol, tar, peat smoke, some vanilla, light oaky flavours and seaweeds. Impression: A nicely peated Octomore, balanced, rather elegant, on camphor and seaweeds. Rating: 14/20 FP:A7 |
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Kilchoman 2011 Ullrich Selection, OB, 57.3%, B:2018, cask 443. Price: Colour: Pale gold Nose: Peaty to very peaty, intense, maritime to very maritime, oaky, rather bitter, on peat smoke, iodine, seaweeds, tar, and liquorice roots. Taste: Dry, tarry, peaty, aromatic, rooty, slightly bitter, on maritime peat smoke, iodine, tar, and dry roots. The finish is medium, dry, bitter, rooty, maritime, slightly satly, on maritime and dry peat smoke, dry roots and light bitter herbs. Impression: A nice, dry, bitter and rooty Kilchoman, with an intense peat smoke. Rating: 14/20 FP:A7
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Blended Scotch batch 11 1980, 35 ans, John Cor Whisky Society Karlstad lot, 46,2%, B: 2015, Sherry Butt 52-5. Price: Colour: Old gold-amber Nose: Spicy, nutty, floral, on sultana, leather, dried fruits, some honey and mellow floral flavours. Taste: Very mellow and fruity, sweet, round, moderately floral, slightly peaty and smoky, with a nice mineral and old fashioned peat smoke, tangerine, orange, some peach, honey, tar, leather and honey. The finish is long, mellow, rich, sweet, fruity, slightly fruity, on candied and ripe sweet fruity flavours. Impression: A very mellow, sweet, rich and fruity whisky, very easy and pleasant to drink. Rating: 15/20 FP:G2
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Bunnahabhain 2006 for Waldhaus am See, 13 YO, Signatory, 59.1%, B:2019, cask 2129. Price: Colour: Old gold-amber Nose: Round to very round, salty, slightly maritime, on sultanas, dried fruits, some hops, cinnamon, vanilla, stewed fruits and grassy flavours. Taste: Round, sweet, slightly salty, fruity to very fruity, slightly green and grassy, on nice sweet fruity flavours (including melon, mango and lychees), some vanilla and nice grassy flavours. The finish is medium and on the same flavours. Diluted, it becomes more on tobacco leaves. Impression: A nice round, slightly maritime and rather fruity expression of Bunnahabhain with some dried fruits. Rating: 14/20 FP:C2 |
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Glentauchers The Distillery Reserve Collection 2006, 11 YO, OB, 64.1%. B:2018, cask 117576. Price: Colour: Amber-dark amber Nose: Rich, thick to very thick, very sweet, intense, floral, with lots of dried fruits, sultanas and leather, on lacquer, orange, tangerine and some cinnamon. Very good. Taste: Rich, floral to very floral, intense, spicy, rich to very rich, sweet, on dried fruits, cocoa, cinnamon, nutmeg, sultanas, lacquer, dried fruits, honey, orange, tangerine, leather and some tannins. The finish is long, rich, thick, floral, sweet, on cocoa, dried fruits (including sultanas), orange, tangerine, cinnamon, nutmeg, some cloves and exotic fruits. Diluted, it becomes more on liquorice (Cachou candies) Impression: A very rich, sweet and thick Glentauchers, well balanced and with a nice mouth feel. Rating: 16/20 FP:G1
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Clynelish Game of Thrones House of Tyrell, OB, 51.2%, B:2019. Price: Colour: Pale gold Nose: Fresh, waxy, slightly oaky and juicy, with a touch of heather, honey, sea brine and beeswax, Taste: Waxy, fresh, slightly oaky and mustardy, with some juicy oak, heather, sea brine and a touch of spices. The finish is medium, waxy and on the same flavours. Impression: A rather light, fresh and waxy Clynelish that taste rather young. Rather simple. Rating: 12/20 FP:
A1
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Highland Park Single Cask Series 2006 for Claudio Bernasconi 65th Anniversary, 12 YO, OB, 63.5%, B:2018, cask 3020. Price: Colour: Amber Nose: Rich, thick, heavy, syrupy, floral, round, on round tannins, leather, cinnamon, nutmeg, orange, some cloves, dark chocolate. Taste: Intense, floral, smooth, round, on lacquer, candied oranges and tangerine, leather, nutmeg, cinnamon, and light meaty flavours. The finish is medium, round, smooth, on lacquer, various chocolate, orange, tangerine, cinnamon, nutmeg, Impression: A very nice, smooth and round Highland, on smooth leather, candied fruits, as well various spices. Needs some water. Rating: 15/20 FP:F2
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Edradour 2006, OB, B:2017, 59.4%, cask 395. Price: Colour: Amber Nose: Thick, winey, syrupy, floral, slightly malty, on pecan nuts, orange, candied fruits, some sultanas, hay, berries and herbal flavours. Taste: Spirity, floral, young, clean, very smooth, on new make like, some sultanas, tangerine, orange, cinnamon, lacquer and fresh and smooth floral flavours. The finish is medium, smooth, rather smooth, light and spirity. Impression: A rather spirit, clean and smooth Edradour, with new-make light flavours and a light sherry influence. Rating: 13/20 FP:E1 |
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Royal Lochnagar 12 YO Game of Throne House of Baratheon, OB, 40%, B:2019. Price: Colour: Old gold Nose: Nutty, spicy, floral, with some caramel, various spices, dried fruits, nuts, and slightly fragrant floral flavours. Taste: Floral, oaky, moderately nutty and spicy, on slightly green chestnuts, light malty and spicy flavours Impression: A nice, rich, spicy, nutty and floral whisky. Rating: 13/20 FP:D1 |
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Pineau des Charentes Edition C. Dully, Daniel Bouju, 18%, B:2019. Price:  Colour: Old gold Nose: Sweet, sugary, slightly sour, on grapes, sweet grapes (grape juice), as well as fur tree buds. Nice, sweet and refreshing. Taste: Nice very sweet grape juice (Rimus), some fur tree buds and slightly sour flavours. It becomes more sugary with time and with temperature increasing. The finish is medium to long and on the same flavours. Impression: A very good sweet, sugary and slightly sour fortified wine (fortified with Cognac). My first Pineau des Charentes. Tasted chilled. A good alternative to whisky for warmer period or with Foie Gras. Rating: |
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Pineau des Charentes Très Vieux Edition C. Dully, Daniel Bouju, 18%, B:2019. Price: Colour: Old gold Nose: Sweet, slightly sour, on grapes, fur tree buds and wax, some woodland flavours. More on fur tree sap than the other one. Taste: A more aromatic and slightly less sugary than the other one, with more fur tree and woodland flavours. The finish is medium to long, with a good balanced between the sweet sugary and the more sour flavours. Also more on sultanas. Impression: The two versions share the same character, while the Très Vieux (very old), is less sugary and more sour. Rating: |
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Arran 1996, 22 YO, Acla Selection, 48.3%, B:2019. Price: . Colour: Gold Nose: Round, creamy, malty, floral, on vanilla, summer flowers and some honey Taste: Mellow, creamy, malty, floral, slightly fragrant and spicy, with some almonds, vanilla, heather and vanillas custard. The finish is medium and on the same flavours. Impression: A good, round, creamy, malty and floral single malt. Rating: 15/20 FP:A1 |
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Deanston 1999, 20 YO, Maltbarn, 50.4%, B:2019, cask 125. Price: . Colour: Straw Nose: Round, slightly floral, fragrant and fruity, with some exotic fruits, and other round fruity flavours. Taste: Round, malty, fragrant, on rosewater, some lychees, and other exotic fruits. The finish is medium, slightly starchy and on the same flavours. Impression: A nice round, smooth, and rather clean whisky, with some rosewater. Rating: 15/20 FP:A1 |
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Caol Ila 1974, First Cask, 46%, cask 12469. Price: Colour: Straw Nose: Peaty to very peaty, complex, maritime, salty, sooty, tarry, on old, light and complex peat smoke, rather elegant, on iodine, some medicinal flavours, soot and tar. Taste: Light, maritime, salty, maritime, peaty, smoky, sooty, tarry, on peat smoke, iodine, camphor, some vanilla, soot and tar. Nicely complex. Diluted, it becomes slightly more on vanilla custard and lemon pie. The finish is long, tarry, peaty, smoky, light, medicinal, oaky, rooty, with a nice and elegant peat smoke, as well as some lemon. Impression: A nice light and rooty peaty Caol Ila, slightly sooty and with light medicinal flavours, and a twist of lemon pie. A Caol Ila that reminds me of the old style of Caol Ila from the old distillery. Rating: 16/20 FP:A6 |
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Bruichladdich Bere Barley 2008, OB, 50%, B:2018. Price: Colour: Gold Nose: Rich, bold to very bold, oily, malty, slightly oily and smoky, on vanilla and some honeydew melon. More oily, bold and less smoky than the Springbank. Taste: Bold to very bold, oily, malty, slightly green, smoky and maritime, on vanilla custard, some honeydew melon and Mirabelle. The finish is medium, bold, oily, slightly young, with some melon, vanilla and honeydew melon. Impression: A nice bold, oily and slightly malty Bruichladdich. A nice one, although it seems slightly young. Rating: 13/20 FP:A2 |
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Springbank Local barley 10 YO, OB, 56.2%, B:2019. Price: Colour: Gold Nose: Malty, balanced, rather rich, on sea brine, some sea salt, vanilla, honeydew melon and a touch of maritime peat smoke. Bolder than most standard bottlings of Springbank. Taste: Rich, malty, intense, rather complex, moderately smoky and salty, on honeydew melon, some yellow fruity, apricots, pineapples and vanilla. Very good. The finish is medium to long and on the same flavours. Impression: A remarkably complex, rich, intense and well balanced Springbank. Very good! Rating: 15/20 FP:B3 |
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Tamdhu 1989 Platinum, 21 YO, Douglas Laing, 55.3%, B:2011. Price: Colour: Amber-black Nose: Thick, complex, mellow, nutty, syrupy, moderately floral, slightly fragrant, on nice high grade leather, round floral flavours, walnuts, candied oranges, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and thick tannins. Taste: Tannic, floral, round, floral, moderately spicy, on nice leather flavours, orange, tangerine, cinnamon, cloves, black liquorice, and various nutty flavours. The finish is medium to long, floral, rather thick, moderately floral and fruity, on leather, cinnamon, cloves, some lacquer, orange, marmalade, and various nuts. Diluted, it becomes more tannic and bitter. Impression: An aged Tamdhu, with a very heavy sherry influence on the nose, bbut fruitier and smoother on the palate. On the palate, the sherry is thick and rather tannic, with a fair dose of nuts. Thank you Bruno. Rating: 16/20 FP:H1 |
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Benrinnes 1996 for Hermann Brothers, 22 YO, Signatory, 51.3%, B:2019, cask 11721. Price: Colour: Gold Nose: Round to very round, floral, fresh, slightly grassy, on nice round floral flavours, some beeswax and vanilla. Very nice. Taste: Smooth, floral, fragrant, rather round, on nice round flavours, vanilla, some beeswax, exotic fruits, light grassy and aromatic flavours. Rather complex and waxy. The finish is medium to long, intense, rich, floral, slightly grassy and mellow, on vanilla, some melon, exotic and stewed fruits. Impression: One of my preferred Benrinnes so far, intense, floral, round, rather complex and with lovely round and various fruity flavours. Rating: 16/20 FP:A1 |
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Mortlach 25 YO, Gordon & MacPhail, 43%, B:2019. Price: Colour: Amber Nose: Round to very round, floral, moderately spicy, on dried fruits, nice round and mellow floral flavours, some cocoa, toffee and honey. Spicier, slightly more on tannins and less fruity than the 25 YO OB. Taste: Round to very round, floral, moderately fragrant and fruity, on tannins, spices, leather, sultanas, dates, candied oranges and tangerine, cinnamon, fudge, some lacquer, coca, cloves and soft flowers. The finish is rather long, mellow, slightly tannic and on the same flavours. Impression: A very good, mellow, round Mortlach, with a rather intense round sherry influence, and a light bitterness. Rating: 16/20 FP:F1 |
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Glenlossie 1993, 23 YO, Valinch & Mallet, 53.9%, B:2018. Price: Colour: Gold Nose: Very mellow, grassy, floral, nicely balanced and fruity, with very nice grassy flavours, some honey, round light flavours, orchards fruits and melon. Very good. Taste: Floral, slightly grassy and malty, with some hay, nice grassy flavours, some spices, candied ginger, melon and a touch of orchards fruits. The finish is medium to long, moderately mellow, floral, grassy and spicy whisky, with nice grassy, fruity and slightly spicy, with some ginger, orchards fruits and melon Impression: A very nice, floral, mellow and grassy Glenlossie, with a nice complexity. Rating: 15/20 FP:B1 |
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Midleton Vintage 2018, OB, 40%, B:2019 Price: Colour: Gold Nose: Extremely fruity, rich, mellow, with lots of exotic fruits, some malty, slightly spicy and orchard fruits. Taste: Sweet, fruity, malty, mellow, on nice exotic fruits, honey, some malty, spicy and orchards fruits. The finish is medium to long, malty, mellow, very fruity, slightly spicy, on exotic fruits, vanilla, some melon, and orchards fruits. Impression: A very sweet, fruity and malty Midleton, with lots of exotic fruits, some honey and orchards fruits. I loved the fruitiness of this Irish whiskey. Rating: 15/20 FP:C1 |
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North Irish 1989 for Waldhaus am See, 27 YO, Signatory, 43.4%, B:2017, 70 bottles. Price: Colour: Gold Nose: Spicy, mellow, fruity, on blackcurrant, exotic fruity, nice spicy flavours and some orchards fruits. Taste: Spicy, mellow, sweet, rather fruity, on blackcurrant, some pepper, ginger and orchards fruits. The finish is medium to long, spicy and on the same flavours. Impression: A very nice and mellow Irish single malt, on blackcurrant and some exotic fruits. Rating: 15/20 FP:A1 |
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Port Charlotte 2004, 13 YO, Caora, 54.1%, B:2017, cask 969. Price: Colour: Gold Nose: Round to very round, peaty, creamy, moderately maritime, with a very round and rather soft peat smoke, some cream, sea brine, seaweeds and some camphor. A surprisingly docile but very good one. Taste: Salty, round to very round, moderately fruity and peaty, on tobacco, peat smoke, sea salt, some seaweeds, iodine and apples. The finish is medium, on a nicely balanced and complex peat smoke, seaweeds, some iodine, camphor as well as some candied lemon. Impression: A very nice Port Charlotte, with a rounder profile than the original bottlings,. Rating: 15/20 FP:A5 |
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Allt-a-Bhainne, 21 YO, James MacArthur, 52.6%, B:2016, cask 125283. Price: Colour: Gold Nose: Very smooth and clean, slightly grean, on cereals, some vanilla, light spices and grassy flavours. Taste: Floral, fragrant to very fragrant, clean to very clean, with some green herbs, light spices and some varnish. The finish is medium and on the same flavours. Impression: A very clean, floral and rather fragrant Allt-a-bhaine, with no noticeable wood influence. Thank you Peter. Rating: 11/20 FP:A1 |
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Kilkerran 8 YO, OB, 56.5%, B:2019. Price: Colour: Gold Nose: Intense, balanced, on sea brine, some vanilla, a light peat smoke, yellow fruits and soft floral flavours. Taste: Intense, spicy, slightly citric, austere and maritime, with some humus, peat smoke, oak spices, nice yellow fruity flavours, including Mirabelle. The finish is medium to long, nicely balanced, rather complex, slightly smoky and austere, on vanilla, some humus and nice yellow fruits. Impression: A very nice balanced, rather complex whisky, with nice round fruity flavours. Rating: 15/20 FP:A2 |
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Kilkerran 8 YO, OB, 57.1%, B:2019. Price: Colour: Amber Nose: Round, fruity, sweet, slightly spicy and mineral, on sultanas, figs, orange, tangerine, sea brine, ashes, some humus and peat smoke. More peaty than the 56.5%. Taste: Sweet, salty, moderately spicy, thick and chewy, on tannins, leather, dried fruits, orange, tangerine, some fudge, rubber, lacquer, cinnamon, cloves, sea brine and mineral peat smoke Impression: A sherry matured option of Kilkerran, with sweet fruity flavours, lacquer and tannins. Diluted, it becomes more on cocoa. Rating: 15/20 FP:G3 |
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Octomore 10.3, OB, 56.8%, B:2019. Price: Colour: Gold Nose: Winey, round, peaty, maritime, with lots of sweet fruity flavours, peat smoke, tar, some soot, oaky flavours and seaweeds. Taste: Oaky, fruity, dry, peaty to very peaty, on sweet wine, oak spices, sultanas, sugar, some light maritime, meaty and tarry flavours. The finish is medium, sweet, round, peaty, tarry, oaky, on dry peat smoke, sweet fruity flavours, seaweeds, grapes and a touch of honey. Impression: A very good expression of Octomore, heavily peated, with the dry and oaky flavours balanced with the different sweet fruity flavours. Rating: 15/20 FP:A7 |
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Octomore 10.1, OB, 59.8%, B:2019. Price: Colour: Gold Nose: Very peaty, oaky to very oaky, dry, on dried seaweeds, dry peat smoke, oak spices and rooty flavours. The oaky flavours are strongly present. Taste: Oaky to very oaky, very peaty, dry, tarry, on oak spices, dry peat smoke, tar, soot, some rooty flavours, liquorice roots and meaty flavours. The finish is medium, oaky to very oaky, maritime, dry, peaty and slightly rooty. Impression: A very oaky, dry and peaty whisky. Rather rough and extreme. Rating: 14/20 FP:A8
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Lagavulin Special Releases 2019, 12 YO, OB, 56.5%, B:2019. Price: Colour: Gold Nose: Very peaty and intense, smoky, maritime, on iodine, vanilla, intense and maritime peat smoke, some tar and meaty flavours. Taste: Maritime to very maritime, oaky, peaty, intense, slightly dry, on dry peat smoke, seaweeds, iodine, oak spices and some sea salt. The finish is long, maritime, intense, peaty, smoky, salty, on dry roots, some liquorice, mineral oil and lemon. Impression: A very intense and peaty Lagavulin, maritime, and slightly citric. Nicely powerful. Rating: 16/20 FP:A7
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Longrow 21 YO, OB, 46%, B:2019. Price: . Colour: Old gold-amber Nose: Peaty, smoky, salty, round, slightly mineral, on leather, sea brine, dry and slightly maritime peat smoke, some sultanas, orange, meaty flavours, toffee and dried prunes. Taste: Smoky, peaty, mineral, rooty, rather round, slightly sooty, on citrus, orange, seabrine, sea brine and some aromatic herbs. The finish is long, peaty, smoky, citric, sooty, on orange, other citrus, peat smoke and aromatic herbs. Impression: A very nice, rather round, smoky and peaty Longrow, with nice citrus and slightly aromatic herbs. Rating: 16/20 FP:D4
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Longrow 1974 Bond Reserve, OB, 46%. Price: Colour: Gold Nose: Very complex and peaty, smoky, mineral, moderately sooty, seabrine, citrus, a complex mineral and citric peat smoke, soot, tar and some camphor. Delicious. Taste: Sooty, mineral, smoky, peaty, citric, on a delicious sooty and slightly citric peat smoke, some aromatic herbs, and light mineral flavours. Impression: A delicious smoky, sooty and citric Longrow, slightly lighter, but more elegant and complex than the new 21 YO. A rather different style. Rating: 18/20 FP:B6 |
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Springbank 1996 TWA 10th Anniversary, 21 YO, The Whisky Agency, 50.3%, B:2018. Price: Colour: Old gold Nose: Coastal, smoky, moderately peaty, with a nice complex maritime peat smoke, some sea brine, light mineral and austere flavours, as well as aromatic herbs. Nicely complex. Taste: Round, salty, slightly smoky, aromatic and peaty, on austere aromatic peat smoke, sea brine, some mineral flavours, soot and coconuts. The finish is medium, moderately smoky, peaty, tarry, austere and aromatic, with some candied lemon, ginger, coconuts and coastal flavours. Diluted, it becomes bitterer. Impression: A very nice old-fashioned Springbank, rather “dirty”, with an austere mineral peat smoke, salt, some candied citrus and ginger. Rating: 17/20 FP:A4
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Springbank 1974, 28 YO, Chieftain’s, 56.0%, B:2003, Cask 1161. Price: . Colour: Gold Nose: Intense, peaty, smoky, rather sharp and clean, slightly mineral, some candied citrus, nice austere and slightly dry peat smoke, with some aromatic herbs, sea brine and coconuts. Taste: Smoky, peaty, intense, complex, on nice coastal and sea brine flavours, candied citrus, peat smoke, mineral oil, harbour flavours, some grassy and mineral flavours. The finish is long, peaty, maritime, smoky, rather oily, slightly grassy, with some mineral oil and coconuts. Impression: A very good, smoky, rather complex and oily Springbank, more peaty, rounder and cleaner than the TWA. Two different but very good aged Springbank.Thank you Lukas. Rating: 17/20 FP: A5 |
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Kilchoman Feis Ile 2019, OB, 54.4%, B:2009. Price: Colour: Old gold Nose: Clean, sharp, peaty, oaky, maritime, on peat smoke, oak spices, some seaweeds, tar and wet wood. Taste: Oaky, peaty, maritime, slightly soapy and sooty, on wet wood, oak spices, peat smoke, some iodine, seaweeds, sultanas and red berries. The finish is medium and on the same flavours. Impression: A vatting of an 11 YO bourbon and Oloroso sherry casks. A rather oaky whisky and the flavours slightly unbalanced. Rating: 13/20 FP:D6
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Dalwhinnie Special Releases 2019, 30 YO, OB, 54.2%, B:2019. Price: Colour: Gold Nose: Grassy, aromatic, mellow, on dry aromatic herbs, some heater, juniper, summer flowers, grassy flavours, light sweet fruity flavours (including ripe orchards fruits) and a touch of peat smoke. Taste: Light, sweet, aromatic, slightly smoky, elegant, slightly austere, with a nice light aromatic peat smoke, some heather, heather honey, cinnamon, mellow and candied fruits, cooked orchards fruits, and light mineral flavours. The finish is medium and on the same flavours. Impression: A very nice, mellow, complex and elegant Dalwhinnie, with a touch of peat smoke. Rating: 15/20 FP:B2
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Pittyvaich 1989 Special Releases 2019, 29 YO, OB, 51.4%, B:2019. Price: Colour: Gold Nose: Mellow, floral, slightly to moderately spicy, with some bitter orange and lemon, ginger, oak spices and butter. With time, it becomes more mellow and balanced. Taste: Spicy, oaky, gingery, citric, on bitter orange and lemon, butter cookies, some candied ginger and wood flavours. The finish is medium, fragrant, floral, citric, on bitter lemon and orange and oak spices, Impression: I like the fresh, floral and slightly fragrant style of Pittyvaich. Double-matured in oloroso and Pedro-Ximenez-seasoned casks, this is rather unusual expression, with a fair dose of rather bitter citrus. Not an easy one. Rating: 13/20 FP:D1
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Glen Garioch Renaissance Chapter IV, 18 YO, OB, 50.2%, B:2019. Price: Colour: Old gold Nose: Intense, spicy, rich, slightly aromatic and smoky, on candied ginger, some orange, tropical fruits, honey and nice floral flavours. Taste: Mellow, complex, waxy, rich, with nice spicy (pepper and crystallised ginger) flavours, rich orange flavours, some tropical fruits, honey and beeswax. The finish is long, waxy, spicy, rich, complex, slightly smoky, on heather honey, stewed tropical fruits, oranges, cocoa, cinnamon and some treacle. Diluted, it becomes markedly more peppery and some fudge. Impression: A very good, rich, complex, well balanced and rather fruity Glen Garioch. A good value one. Rating: 17/20 FP:D1
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Cardhu 2000 Special Releases 2019, 14 YO, OB, 55%, B:2019. Price: Colour: Gold Nose: Fragrant, floral, slightly meaty, on nuts, light winey flavours and light fruity flavours. Taste: Spicy, winey, floral, moderately fragrant, on fresh flowers, some winey and slightly acetic flavours, and a nice freshness. The finish is medium, fresh, floral, on slightly dry-acetic winey flavours, some fragrance, almonds, ginger and honey. Impression: A nice single malt, rather floral, with a nice moderate influence from the Amontillado sherry casks. A bit heavy to my liking, but more balanced than the distillery exclusive. Rating: 14/20 FP:C1
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Cardhu Distillery Exclusive, OB 48%, B:2019, Batch 1. Price: Colour: Gold-old gold Nose: Spicy, floral, on wet wood, tobacco smoke, some honey and sweet fruity flavours. Taste: Oaky, winey, floral, on wood spices, tobacco, winey flavours, charred wood and some nuts. Rather heavy. The finish is medium, spicy, floral, slightly to moderately winey and nutty, with some prunes, fragrance and oaky spices. Impression: A rather oaky and nutty expression of Cardhu, with some burnt wood flavours. Rather spicy. Rating: 13/20 FP:D1
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Glendullan 1993, 25 YO, Gordon & MacPhail, 56.2%, B:2018, Batch 18/081. Price: Colour: Pale gold Nose: Mellow, malty, moderately floral, slightly spicy, with some ginger, round floral flavours, as well as some melon and stone fruits. Taste: Intense, spicy, slightly oaky, green and grassy, rather complex, on vanilla, oak spices, some melon, green fruits and light fresh grassy flavours. The finish is medium to long, mellow, slightly oaky and spicy, with nice round grassy flavours, melon, slightly creamy and malty flavours, as well as some stones fruits. Impression: A nice, mellow and well-balanced Glendullan. Rating: 14/20 FP:A1 |
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Singleton of Glendullan House of Tully, OB, 40%, B:2019. Price: Colour: Old gold-amber Nose: Malty, green, grassy, floral, with light oaky and spicy flavours, nice grassy flavours and some juicy oak. Taste: Malty, green, grassy, rather spicy, on ginger, oaky flavours, caramel, vanilla and some grassy flavours. Slightly rough. Diluted, it becomes rather oaky and more on caramel. The finish is medium, oaky, spicy and on the same flavours. Impression: A whisky with a nice malty, grassy, and floral nose, but rather rough, oaky and on caramel on the palate. From rather active casks. Rating: 11/20 FP:B1 |
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Bimber First Release 2016, OB, 54.2%, B:2019, Pedro Ximenez Casks. Price: Colour: Old gold-amber Nose: Very smooth, round, elegant, well balanced, with cocoa, some sultanas, leather, raspberries and dried apricots. Very good. Taste: Smooth to very smooth, slightly young and malty, slightly spicy, with nice elegant smooth and round fruity flavours (such as raspberries, dried apricots, dried figs, and some peach.). The finish is medium to long, smooth, slightly young, creamy, with some toffee, raspberries puree, dried fruits, cocoa, leather, apples and dried apricots. Impression: For being just 3 years old, this single malt from the London distillery is really impressive. The best young whisky that I have tasted so far: elegant, with nice fruity, floral and slightly malty flavours, with all the flavours balanced and harmonious. Very well done. Rating: 14/20 FP:D1
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Knockando 1994, 21 YO, OB, 43%, B:2015. Price: Colour: Amber Nose: Rather spicy, mellow, floral, on nice mellow and slightly soft floral fruits, a mixture of dry and stewed fruits, as well as exotic fruits. Taste: Mellow, rather soft and thin, floral, slightly grassy, on exotic fruits, some spices (including ginger), sultanas, soft floral flavours, nuts, cocoa and a touch of treacle. The finish is medium, mellow, slightly soft and thin and on the same flavours. Diluted, it becomes slightly spicier. Impression: A nice mellow, fruity and moderately floral Knockando. It is a well made whisky, but the flavours are slightly thin. I wished it was bottled at a higher strength. Rating: 14/20 FP:E1 |
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Octomore 8.2, 8 YO, OB, 58.4%, B:2018. Price: Colour: Old gold Nose: Very peaty, tarry, maritime, moderately oaky and sooty, on sweet and sugary a dry, oaky, intense and tarry peat smoke, some seaweeds, soot and tar. A nice balance between the sweet wine flavours and the peat smoke. Taste: Peaty, tarry, sweet, winey, rooty, oaky, slightly sooty, with a combination of dry and tarry peat smoke and sweet winey flavours. The finish is medium to long, dry, rooty, tarry, winey, maritime, and on the same flavours. Impression: A rather oaky, peaty and tarry Octomore, with a strong influence of the sweet wines casks (e.g., Mourvèdre and Sauternes). Some might light this combination, some less. Sightly too oaky to my liking. Rating: 14/20 FP:G8 |
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Glenburgie 1995, 23 YO, Signatory, 53.2%, B:2019, cask 6541. Price: Colour: Gold Nose: Very nice floral, round, mellow, moderately fruity, on nice mellow and round floral flavours, some honey, mango, exotic fruits, melon, bold grassy flavours and a light fragrance. Taste: Floral to very floral, complex, intense, fruity, spicy, malty, grassy, on nice sweet fruity flavours (mango, melon, and other exotic fruits), nice bold grassy flavours, rather intense spicy flavours. The finish is long, mellow, floral, grassy, complex, slightly creamy and spicy, on bold sweet fruity and grassy flavours, including melon and papaya, some vanilla, a touch of smoke. Impression: A prime example of recently bottled Glenburgie, bold sweet and grassy flavours, complex and with nice floral flavours. Very good! Rating: 16/20 FP:B1 |
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Glenburgie 1997, Gordon & MacPhail, 59.9%, B:2018, Batch 18/095. Price: Colour: Gold-old gold Nose: Fresh, floral to very floral, rather sharp, vanilla, fresh floral flavours, on nice fresh and intense floral flavours, some chamomile, oaky spices, honey and melon. Cleaner and sharper than the 1995. It needs some time before the fruity flavours are being released. Taste: Floral, rather clean, sharp and oaky, slightly fruity, on vanilla, melon, some quince, ginger and oak spices. Diluted, it becomes fruitier and slightly grassy. The finish is medium, floral, fresh, clean, slightly fruity, on fresh floral flavours, some vanilla and oak spices. Impression: A nicely made Glenburgie, fresh, floral and rather intense, less complex, bold and fruity than the Signatory. Surprisingly pale and light on sherry from first fill sherry casks. Rating: 14/20 FP:A1 |
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Mortlach 18 YO, OB, 43.4%, B:2019. Price: Colour: Old gold-amber Nose: Round, mellow, moderately spicy, floral and tannic, slightly fragrant, on beeswax, candied oranges, cinnamon, leather, some cardamom, humus, pepper, tangerine, and tannins. Taste: Spicy, mellow, slightly thin, moderately spicy and bitter, on tannins, spices (including pepper), orange, and marmalade, some fragrant floral flavours, leather and treacle. The finish is medium, peppery, floral, slightly dry and tannic, on marmalade, orange, tannins, leather, old furniture, and various spices. Impression: A rather spicy, slightly dry and tannic expression of Mortlach, that seems slightly thin. Rating: 13/20 FP:E1 |
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Mortlach 16 YO, OB, 43.4%, B:2019. Price: Colour: Old gold Nose: Floral, rather spicy and intense, on sultanas, orange, tangerine, spices, lacquer, nice floral flavours, some leather, precious wood and Christmas Cake. Taste: Sweet, fruity, floral, slightly grassy and spicy, on stewed fruits, sultanas, some figs, exotics fruits, orange, tangerine, cinnamon and cardamom. The finish is medium to long and on the same flavours. Diluted, it becomes more complex, spicy and on cocoa. Impression: A very good Mortlach, spicy, with rich stewed fruits flavours and dried fruits. More intense and pleasant than the 18 YO. Rating: 15/20 FP:F1 |
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Mortlach 25 YO, OB, 43.4%, B:2019. Price: Colour: Old gold Nose: Mellow, smooth, floral, slightly soft, with elegant fruity and floral flavours, orange, tangerine, cinnamon, some mango and peach. Well balanced. Softer, smoother and less complex than the 26 YO. Taste: Rich, fruity, floral, smooth, well balanced, rather sweet and fruity, on sweet fruity flavours, dried fruits, round and mellow floral flavours, soft leather, and soft spices. Diluted, it become more spicy, tannic and intense. The finish is long, round, very well balanced, complex, fruity, with round and mellow floral flavours, some orange, tangerine, treacle and cocoa. Impression: A very different style of Mortlach than the 26 YO Special Releases. While the older expression is very intense and spicy, this one is elegant, subtle, with a mellow and soft mouth feel, soft sweet and candied fruits and soft spices. Adding some water will bring the spicy and coca flavours up. Very good! Rating: 17/20 FP:E1 |
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Mortlach 1992 Special Releases 2019, 26 YO, OB 53.3%, B:2019, Price: Colour: Old gold-amber Nose: Rich, intense, complex, spicy, slightly tannic, on rich fruity flavours, sultanas, nice mellow and complex flavours, orange, tangerine, figs, some cinnamon, leather, cocoa and a few exotic fruits. The whole is very pleasant and well balanced. Taste: Rich, intense, spicy, floral to very floral, complex, on lacquer, dried fruits, tannins, leather, dark chocolate, some toffee, treacle, cloves, marmalade and orange. The finish is long, intense, rich, floral, slightly fragrant and bitter, on orange, sultanas, marmalade, cinnamon, some cloves, lacquer, tannins and leather. The finish is long, thick, floral, complex, rather heavy, slightly bitter, on dark tannins, dark cherries and chocolate, lacquer, orange, marmalade, cinnamon, some cloves nuts and a hint of rubber. Impression: A remarkable expression of Mortlach, complex, thick, rich, intense, well balanced and rather spicy. The sherry is rather present and tannins are present, but without being too dry or bitter. The complexity and depth of flavours is rather impressive. Rating: 18/20 FP:G1 |
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Talisker 15 YO Special Releases 2019, OB, 57.3%, B:2019. Price: Colour: Gold Nose: Round, rather intense and salty, slightly smoky, with very nice maritime salty flavours, some soot, peat smoke, candied lemon peel and roots. Taste: Salty, round, slightly malty, floral and fruity, with a light dry and slightly peat smoke, some sea salt, coastal influence, candied citrus, warm spices, pepper, vanilla and apples. The finish is medium, salty, smoky, moderately peaty and medicinal, on seaweeds, some pepper, kipper, peat smoke, iodine, apples, vanilla and citrus. Impression: Matured in freshly charred American oak hogsheads, this is a very nice Talisker, with nice salty and peppery flavours, some fruits and peat smoke. The fans of the 10 YO will not be disappointed, as it is mellower and slightly fruitier than the 10 YO, but with a similar character. Very good. Rating: 15/20 FP:A3 |
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Singleton of Glen Ord 18 YO Special Releases 2019, OB, 55%, B:2019. Price: Colour: Gold Nose: Malty, round, fruity, slightly grassy, on nice stewed fruits (apricots, peach apples and cherries), candied lemon and some nice fresh barley. Taste: Malty, round, fruity, slightly grassy, on cherries, citrus, some warm apricots, vanilla custard and a hint of smoke. The finish is medium, round, malty, slightly oaky, on warm apricots, barley, some citrus, vanilla, cherries and soft cinnamon. Impression: A whisky matured in freshly charred American oak hogsheads, nicely round and malty, with round stewed fruits, including cherries, apricots and citrus. A nice expression of Glen Ord, rather different from what I was used. A whisky that leaves a nice warm mouth feel. Rating: 15/20 FP:AD1 |
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Cragganmore 12 YO Special Releases 2019, OB, 55.4%, B:2019. Price: Colour: Pale gold Nose: Floral, very smooth, well balanced, slightly smoky, on very nice smooth and soft summer flowers flavours, some heather, honey, yellow fruits, apples and ginger. Taste: Smoky, peaty, floral, smooth, fresh, on a nice soft and slightly aromatic peat smoke, some tar, very nice fresh floral flavours, honey, heather, some vanilla and a hint of ginger. The finish is medium to long, floral, smoky, moderately peaty, with a nice soft floral and aromatic peat smoke, heather, lovely fresh floral flavours, some vanilla, soot, dry roots and light malty flavours. With a long sooty-rooty peaty retro-olfaction. Impression: I enjoyed very much this Cragganmore, made with moderately peated barley. It is rather different from the other peated whiskies, as the smooth and fresh floral flavours and heather are caressing softly your palate, mixed with some rather sooty and dry peat smoke. Thus, you do not really feel the dryness the peat smoke on the palate but taste it (if you see what I mean). I like this combination very much, and I do not recall having tasting something close to that for years. Rating: 16/20 FP:A4 |
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Campbeltown 1997, 21 YO, Whiskysponge, 55.0%, B:2019. Price: Colour: Straw Nose: Intense, mellow, complex, slightly coastal and maritime, with some grapefruits and light flavours of vanilla, coconut and green-grassy flavours. Slightly oily. Taste: Oaky, mellow, slightly citric, mineral, grassy, and floral, on candied pink grapefruits and pineapples, other citrus, some vanilla, green fruity and grassy flavours. Diluted, it becomes more on bananas. The finish is medium to long, mellow, moderately salty, citric and grassy, on banana, grapefruits, some vanilla and coconuts. Impression: A nice, mellow, and complex Hazelburn single malt, on citrus and some coastal flavours. Rich and nicely plesant. Rating: 16/20 FP:B1 |
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Port Dundas 1990 Special Releases, 20 YO, OB, 57.4%, B:2011. Price: Colour: Amber Nose: Very round, smooth, grainy, on dried fruits, cooked cereals, orange peel, cinnamon, some rubber and marmalade. Taste: Very round and grainy, fruity, fragrant, on cooked cereals, treacle, lacquer, wood polish, orange peel, some marmalade, red berries, a nice fragrance and orange. The finish is medium to long, slightly tannic and on the same flavours. Impression: A nice sherry grain whisky, smooth, rather fragrant and with light tannins. Thank you Bruno. Rating: 14/20 FP:G1 |
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Dufftown 21 YO Cars, Moon Import, 58%, B: 2000s. Price: Colour: Amber Nose: Intense, thick, round, nutty, on thick tannins, sultanas, figs, treacle, round floral flavours, some treacle, round high grade rubber aroma, some cloves and cinnamon. Taste: Thick, floral, round, rubbery, on round spices, cinnamon, cloves, fresh rubber, tannins, leather and oranges. The finish is long, very thick, syrupy, round, floral, moderately nutty, slightly vegetal, on oranges, treacle, black liquorice and some fresh rubber. Impression: A very round, thick, floral and slightly rubbery Duffown, on thick leather aromas. Not for the faint hearted. Thank you Markus. Rating: 15/20 FP:J1 |
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Inchfad 2005, 14 YO, Warehouse Collection, 55%, B:2019. Price: Colour: Pale gold Nose: Smooth, peaty to very peaty, rather clean and slightly malty, Taste: Sweet, smooth, grassy, slightly malty, on nice smooth and rather sweet peat smoke, some orchards fruits and peated water. The finish is medium, smooth, sweet, on slightly dry peat smoke, grassy flavours, some honey and orchards fruits. Impression: A heavily peated whisky distilled at Loch Lomond, with a rather smooth and sweet peat smoke, very different from the dry peat smoke from the Islay whiskies, for example. Rating: 14/20 FP:A6 |
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Caol Ila 2006, 12 YO, Signatory, 55.9%, B:2019, cask 31156519. Price: Colour: Pale gold Nose: Fresh, clean, floral, slightly maritime, on sea brine, seaweeds, tar and peat smoke. A whisky that needs time in order to get the dry tarry peat smoke coming through. Taste: Clean, smooth, slightly young, moderately peaty, slightly dry and phenolic, The finish is medium, smooth, clean, moderately peaty and phenolic, on sea weeds, sea salt, peat smoke and some vanilla. Diluted, it becomes slightly more spicy. Impression: A rather smooth expression of Caol Ila, from a rather inactive cask. Rating: 13/20 FP:A6 |
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Tobermory 1995, 23 YO, Acla Selection, 49.0%, B:2019. Price: Colour: Gold Nose: Very smooth, creamy, subtle, slightly coastal and malty, on vanilla and some mellow floral flavours. Taste: Coastal, mellow, slightly salty and spicy, elegant, bold, on nice coastal flavours, some citrus and yellow fruits. The finish is medium to long, coastal, bold, slightly salty, with some yellow fruits, quince and soft citrus. Diluted, it becomes slightly more on tobacco. Impression: A very nice, bold, coastal, rather subtle and elegant Tobermory, with a spicy edge and some tobacco flavours. Rating: 14/20 FP:A1 |
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Ben Nevis 1991, 27 YO, Signatory, 57.5%, B:2019, cask 2381. Price: Colour: Old gold-amber Nose: Intense, round, floral, slightly fragrant and creamy, with some starch, spices, peach, cinnamon, dried fruits, tobacco leaves and toffee. Taste: Floral to very floral, slightly fragrant and spicy, with some toffee, fudge, vegetal condiments, light sweet and sugary fruity flavours, as well as some dried fruits. The finish is medium, spicy, floral, grassy, with some cooked cereals, a light fragrance, sweet and fresh fruits. Diluted, it becomes slightly bitter, on tobacco and perfume (lavender and geranium). Impression: A rather floral and fragrant whisky, with light nutty and bitter flavours. Rating: 14/20 FP:D1 |
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Craigellachie 2006 10 years eSpirit shop, Liquid Treasures, 54.0%, B:2019. Price: Colour: Old gold-amber Nose: Clean, fresh, round, floral, slightly oaky, on vanilla, soft oaky spices, summer flowers and light creamy flavours. Taste: Floral, round, smooth, slightly oaky and spicy, on vanilla and round floral flavours. The finish is medium, round, floral, slightly green, creamy and grassy, on vanilla, round summer flowers, some orchards fruits and a hint of smoke. Impression: A nice round and floral single malt. Rating: 13/20 FP:C1 |
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Tomintoul 2005 10th Anniversary eSpirit shop, 14 YO, Liquid treasures, 57.2%, B:2019. Price: Colour: Old gold-amber Nose: Rich, soft, floral, on round and soft spices, sultanas, stewed fruits and some honey. Taste: Soft to very soft, on soft floral flavours, a light fragrance, some honey, light nutty flavours and summer flowers. The finish is medium, vey smooth, soft, with light flavours of leather, summer flowers, dried fruits, and a touch of honey and a slight bitterness. Impression: A very smooth, gentle and soft Tomintoul, with a light but very elegant sherry influence. Rating: 14/20 FP:F1 |
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Glenfarclas 1.1 1975, 8 YO, Scotch Malt Whisky Society, 54.0%, B:1983. Price: Colour: Amber Nose: Round, floral, balanced, moderately spicy, on sultanas, some dates, orange, tannins, leather, cinnamon, cloves and nice round floral flavours. Taste: Very round, floral, balanced, moderately spicy, on soft spices, nice leather, toffee, tannins, sultanas, some dates and oranges. The finish is long, round, moderately floral, on high grade leather, soft and round spices (mainly cinnamon), sultanas, some toffee, orange, and cardamom. Impression: A very good Glenfarclas, round, moderately spicy, with nice leathery flavours. Rating: 16/20 FP:F1 |
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Macallan Rare Cask Batch 3 2018, OB, 43%, B:2018. Price: Colour: Amber Nose: Sweet, floral, mellow, slightly soft and fruity, on soft spices, leather, sultanas, orange, some tangerine, exotic fruits, cinnamon, and rather round floral flavours. Taste: Soft to very soft, floral, on soft floral flavours, some tannins, spices, old wood. The finish is medium, soft, mellow, tannic, slightly bitter and on soft floral and fruity flavours. Impression: A rafter soft, slightly spicy and floral Macallan, with light woody flavours. On the sweet side. Seems rather tired. Rating: 13/20 FP:D2 |
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Highland Park Schwiiz 2006, 12 YO, OB, 62.2%, B:2018, cask 3024. Price: Colour: Amber Nose: Round, floral to very floral, slightly fragrant, on nice round leather, sultanas, cherries, orange, some marmalade, exotic fruits, cinnamon, lacquer, and tannins. Very nice and balanced. Diluted, it becomes slightly smokier. Taste: Round, fresh, floral, balanced, slightly salty and smoky, with a hint of fresh rubber, on tannins, cherries, orange, lacquer, tangerine, cinnamon, tannins, some exotic fruits and a hint of peat smoke. The finish is medium, round, smooth, balanced, floral, slightly salty, with a nice coastal influence, cinnamon, leather, tannins, candied oranges and tangerine, sultanas, high grade freshly tanned leather, cinnamon and dark chocolate. Diluted, it becomes slightly more tannic and bitter. Impression: A very good and pleasant Highland Park, round, balanced, with nice fresh leather and cocoa flavours, as well as candied fruits. Less complex but more balanced than the previous single cask for Switzerland. Rating: 16/20 FP:F2 |
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Inchgower 1989, 29 YO, The Whisky Agency, 51.5%, B:2019. Price: Colour: Old gold Nose: Mellow to very mellow, round, slightly salty, on round and mellow exotic fruits (mainly mango and papaya), some vanilla and coastal flavours. Taste: Spicy, intense, mellow, moderately salty and citric, on mineral smoke, sea salt, grapefruits, some light rooty flavours and vanilla. The finish is medium, mineral, citric, salty, slightly smoky and rooty, with some pineapple, mineral wool, sea brine, grapefruits, vanilla and other citrus fruits. Diluted, it becomes bitterer and on tobacco leaves. Impression: A nice mellow, rather citric, intense and moderately salty Inchgower. Rating: 15/20 FP:A2 |
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Ardmore 1998, 20 YO, The Whisky Agency, 51.6%, B:2018. Price: Colour: Pale gold Nose: Smoky, aromatic, balanced, slightly mellow, with some humus, aromatic herbs, light floral flavours and a touch of vanilla. Taste: Aromatic to very aromatic, smoky, balanced, rather mellow and elegant, with nice aromatic herbs, a moderate aromatic peat smoke, some vanilla, chamomile and a hint of quince. The finish is rather long, mellow, aromatic, moderately rooty, slightly smoky, with nice aromatic herbs, some dried roots, vanilla and chamomile. Elegant. Diluted, it becomes mellower and slightly more floral. Impression: A very elegant, balanced and aromatic expression of Ardmore, rather moderately peaty. Rating: 16/20 FP:A3 |
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Glen Elgin 1993, 23 YO, The Whisky Agency, 48.2%, B:2018. Price: Colour: Pale gold Nose: Very round and grassy, on nice ground grassy flavours, some honey and round floral flavours. Taste: Mellow, fruity, grassy to very grassy, floral, slightly creamy, with some soft spices, nice grassy flavours, some honey, light spices, sweet fresh fruity flavours (including lychees), vanilla, and peach. The finish is medium to long, elegant and on the same flavours. Diluted, it becomes sweeter and fruitier. Impression: An elegant, mellow, sweet and fruity Glen Elgin, with nice grassy flavours. Rating: 15/20 FP:A1 |
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Loch Lomond 17 YO Organic, OB, 54.9%, B:2019. Price: Colour: Gold-old gold Nose: Very malty and round, green, on vanilla, freshly sawn oak and creamy flavours. Taste: Malty, oaky, round, spicy, green, grassy, on honey, creamy flavours, oak spices, some almonds and nice grassy flavours. The finish is medium, oaky, creamy, juicy, malty, on honey and nice grassy flavours. Diluted, it becomes spicier, more oaky. Impression: A whisky matured in a virgin oak. Markedly heavier and more malty than the core range from this distillery. Rating: 14/20 FP:A1 |
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Loch Lomond for Best Taste Trading 2004, OB, 54.6%, B:2019, cask 151624-2. Price: Colour: Amber Nose: Round to very round, malty, slightly floral, with some round vegetal condiments, malty flavours, sultanas and toffee. Taste: Rubbery, malty, round, slightly bitter, on coffee beans, rubber, cinnamon, sultanas, figs, round vegetal flavours, leather and some tannins. The finish is medium, malty, rubbery, round, on tannins, leather, rubber, cinnamon and nutmeg. Impression: A very round expression of Loch Lomond, on very round sherry flavours, soft spices and rubber. Rating: 13/20 FP:G1 |
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Glenturret 1989 for Waldhaus am See, 30 YO, Signatory, 43.1%, B:2019, cask 229. Price: Colour: Pale gold Nose: Grassy to very grassy, slightly floral and aromatic, complex, with some citrus, light mineral flavours, and a touch of hops. Taste: Grassy, mellow, round, complex, fruity, on hops, honey, nice mellow fruity flavours, some green flavours, nice bitter flavours, citrus and austere flavours. The finish is long, austere, bitter, complex, slightly citric and spicy, on grapefruits, nice austere flavours, some hops, vanilla and exotic fruits. Impression: A very good, austere, complex and mellow Glenturret. Rating: 16/20 FP:A2 |
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Eigashima 3 YO, Blackadder, 61.5%, B:2018, cask 101474, Oloroso Sherry Butt, 847 bottles. Price: Colour: Old gold-amber Nose: Meaty, vegetal to very vegetal, slightly floral, on vegetal condiment, fudge and some berries. Taste: Floral, rubbery, vegetal, fragrant, smooth, on fresh rubber, cherries, exotic wood and red berries. The finish is medium to round, smooth, vegetal to very vegetal, rubbery, on vegetal condiment, fresh rubber and various berries. With time, it becomes better and less rubbery. Impression: A smooth, rubbery and vegetal whisky. Not really my cup of rubber. Rating: 10/20 FP:G1 |
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High Coast BOX 2012, 6 YO, OB, 61.4%, B:2018, cask 2015-799, American Oak, 164 bottles. Price: Colour: Amber Nose: Sweet, fresh, floral, juicy, grainy, on sweet pastries fresh from the oven, orchard fruits, some spearmint, porridge, Mirabelle, tangerine, peach and apricots. Taste: Very mellow, round, on porridge, cooked cereals, peach, apricots, some anise seeds, tangerine, vanilla and some treacle. The finish is mellow, sweet, fruity, on porridge, peach, apricots, vanilla, some treacle, honey, lemon and cinnamon. Impression: A very good and mellow whisky, that taste like a mature bourbon whiskey, on porridge and sweet-sugary fruity flavours. Rating: 16/20 FP:E1 |
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Clynelish 1988 Duty Paid Cask at the Distillery, OB, B:2019, Bourbon cask- Price: N.A. Colour: Gold-old gold Nose: Complex to very complex, balanced, slightly spicy and coastal, on vanilla, sea brine, some heather honey, quince, Mirabelle and light aromas of tropical fruits. Rather intense. Taste: Waxy, complex to very complex, coastal, rich, on wax, mineral smoke, quince, Mirabelle, some tropical fruits and beeswax. The finish is long is complex, coastal, slightly waxy, with some ginger, Mirabelle, quince, spices, orchard fruits, vanilla and a touch of grassy flavours. Diluted, it becomes slightly smoky, spicier (more ginger and mustard seeds). Impression: A very good Clynelish, mellow, complex, with little wood influence and a nice freshness. From the duty paid cask that you taste during special tours at the distillery. Rating: FP:A1 |
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Port Charlotte MC:01 2009, OB, 56.3%, B:2019. Price: Colour: Old gold Nose: Very peaty, winey, maritime, syrupy, moderately oaky and spicy, on tarry peat smoke, thick winey flavours, seaweeds, oaky spices, sultanas, some pepper and dark berries. Taste: Very peaty, tarry and winey, oaky, thick, maritime, slightly phenolic, on thick red wine, spices, oak extract, berried, candied fruits, some pepper and seaweeds. The finish is long, thick, heavy, peaty, tarry, very winey and on the same flavours. Impression: A very thick, heavy and winey Port Charlotte with a final maturation in ex-Sicilian wine casks for 2 years. Rating: 16/20 FP:G7 |
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GlenDronach Forgue, 10 YO, OB, 43%, B:2018. Price: . Colour: Old gold Nose: Floral, sweet, slightly floral and spicy, on sweet fruity flavours, some honey, grassy flavours, oranges, cinnamon and round floral flavours. Taste: Grassy, sweet, fruity, floral, slightly grassy, with spices, some sweet fruity and grassy flavours, honey, vanilla, orange, toffee and light nutty flavours. The finish is medium, sweet, fruity, slightly floral, with some nutty, spicy and grassy flavours, as well as some citrus. Impression: A rather easy drinking GlenDronach, rather sweet and fruity, with some citrus, spices and grassy flavours. Rating: 13/20 FP:D1 |
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Mortlach 1993, 25 YO, Adelphi, 56.1%, B:2018, cask 4466, 385 bottles. Price: Colour: Old gold Nose: Floral, spicy, intense, slightly nutty, fruity to very fruity, on exotic fruits, melon, tangerine, candied ginger, soft leather, Taste: Floral to very floral, mellow, balanced, slightly fragrant and nutty, on orange, tangerine, honey, light grassy flavours, freshly cut flowers, some toffee, clove, dark chocolate, passion fruit, melon and mango. The finish is long, mellow, well balanced, with a nice round mouth feel and the same flavours. Diluted, it becomes sweeter and fruitier. Impression: A very good, balanced and complex floral whisky, with a very nice round sherry influence, combining some soft spices and leather, with sweet fruity flavours. Most pleasant. Rating: 17/20 PA:F1 |
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Bowmore 1997, 20 YO, Adelphi, 56.3%, B:2018, cask 2414, 601 bottles. Price: Colour: Old gold-amber Nose: Very peaty, intense, maritime, meaty, phenolic, powerful, tarry slightly floral, on seaweeds, iodine, leather, maritime peat smoke, tar, some sultanas, dried fruits and camphor. Very good! Taste: Very peaty, intense, floral, very maritime, salty, phenolic, tarry, mellow, rather maritime. The finish is long, peaty to very peaty, complex, well balanced, maritime, medicinal, slightly floral and tarry, with a nice light sherry influence, some camphor, dried fruits and leather. Impression: An excellent peated, complex and maritime whisky, very intense and with a well integrated sherry influence. Rating: 18/20 PA:G5 |
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Wolfburn Highland Festival, OB, 46%, B:2019. Price: Colour: Gold Nose: Coastal, slightly smoky, malty and mineral, on vanilla, light creamy flavours and sea brine. Slightly young Taste: Young, fresh, malty to very malty, oaky, on fresh pressed and slightly green orchard fruits, some smoke and coastal flavours. Diluted, it becomes smoother, greener and younger. The finish is medium, green, grassy, malty, on vanilla, some oak spices and green orchards fruits freshly pressed, with light sea brine, Impression: A young and fresh bourbon matured Wolfburn bottled for the Highland whisky festival, with light coastal flavours. Rating: 12/20 PA:A2 |
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Wolfburn Latitude, OB, 46%, B:2019. Price: Colour: Straw Nose: Smoky, intense, spicy, with light malty flavours, spices, some peat smoke, citrus and dried fruits. Smokier and more peaty than the Festival. Taste: Smoky, peaty, dry, aromatic, with a nice aromatic and slightly dry peat smoke, some vanilla and tar. The finish is medium and on the same flavours. Impression: A very peaty expression of Wolfburn, with a nice aromatic peat smoke. While the barley is only medium peated (12 ppm if I recall), it smells and tasted like it was as peated as an Ardmore single malt. A very nice one. Rating: 14/20 PA:A4 |
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Wolfburn Klyver 5 Raido, OB, 50%, B:2019. Price: Colour: Gold-old gold Nose: Creamy, malty, smooth, on vanilla custard, some sea brine and pear drops. Markedly rounder and less coastal than the two others. Taste: Young to very young (new-make like), slightly coastal, on sea brine, oak spices, some treacle, dried fruits green orchards fruits (mainly pears). The finish is medium and on the same flavours. Impression: A vatting of bourbon and PX-casks. Spicier than the other Woflburns and rounder, but the influence of the PX is rather moderate and the whole taste rather young. Rating: 11/20 PA:D1 |
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Millstone 1998 PX Special #2 , 19 YO OB, 46%, B:2018, cask 2548, PX cask, 299 b. Price: Colour: Amber Nose: Mellow, very elegant, floral, on high grade leather, delicate tannins, some lacquer, exotic woods, sultanas, other dried fruits, orange, cinnamon and a touch of cocoa. Very good. Taste: Mellow, very elegant, floral, on exotic wood, sultanas, plums, dates, cinnamon, nutmeg, high-grade leather, some orange, candied oranges, rose water, lacquer and a touch of high grade rubber. Diluted, it becomes more on fudge, cocoa, and with some roasted coffee beans. The finish is medium to long, mellow, smooth, on high-grade leather, some tannins, cinnamon, nutmeg, nuts, orange, tangerine, dates, sultanas, lacquer, and exotic wood. Diluted, it becomes sweeter and fruitier. Impression: A mellow whisky matured in an excellent sherry cask, with an elegant sherry influence on high-grade leather, exotic woods and dried fruits. Very good and well made. Rating: 17/20 FP:G1 |
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Glen Keith 1994 for GAIAFLOW, 23 YO, Asta Morris , 52.5%, B:2018. Price: Colour: Old gold Nose: Very fruity, grassy, slightly creamy, on a basket of exotic fruits, with mango, guava, passion fruity, papaya and honey. Very good. Taste: Rich, slightly starchy and floral, fruity to very fruity, sweet, on exotic fruits, some citrus, light grassy flavours and pepper. Rather hot. Diluted, it becomes sweeter, grassier, with more grapefruit. The finish is medium to long, bold, grassy, floral, fruity, citric, on grapefruits, papaya, guava, orange and tangerine, with some light peppery flavours. Impression: A very nice, bold and grassy whisky combining exotic fruits and citrus. Very good. Rating: 16/20 FP:C2 |
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Lochside 10 YO, OB, 43%, B:1970s. Price:. Colour: Pale gold Nose: Round, sweet, fruity to very fruity, on stewed fruits (mainly exotic fruits) and light starchy flavours. Very good. Taste: Starchy, floral, fruity, with some grist, pepper, exotic fruits and light oaky flavours. The finish is medium and on the same flavours. Diluted, it becomes slightly spicier and more oaky. Impression: A nice starchy, slightly spicy and rather fruity Lochside. Rating: 14/20 FP:B1 |
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Lochside 1966, 22 YO, Signatory, 43%, B:1989, cask 7253-55. Price: Colour: Old gold Nose: Floral, fragrant, fruity, malty, on exotic fruits, soft spices, cinnamon and porridge. Taste: Fresh, smooth, very fruity, fragrant, with lots of exotic fruits, a nice clean fragrance and soft round underlying spices. Diluted, it becomes smoother and fruitier. The finish is long, smooth, fruity to very fruity, slightly fragrant, on rich exotic fruits, some porridge and soft spices. Impression: A lovely rich and fruity Lochside, with the exotic fruity flavours you would expect from the old Lochside. Very good! Rating: 17/20 FP:E1 |
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Lochside 1981, The Whisky Agency, 48.6%, B:2018. Price: Colour: Old gold-amber Nose: Intense, spicy, on stewed fruits, cooked cereal some mango and papaya. Slightly close. Taste: Starchy, grassy, floral, on ripe exotic fruits, porridge, light spices, some dried fruits, orange, soft spices, and a hint of nuts and burnt sugar. The finish is medium to long, mellow, fruity, moderately spicy, on porridge, stewed fruits, cinnamon, various spices, some exotic fruits and burnt sugar. Impression: A rather heavy and spicy of Lochside, with nice flavours of stewed fruits.The sherry tends to take over the distillate. Rating: 15/20 FP:E1 |
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Pittyvaich 1980 90.2, Scotch Malt Whisky Society, 58.3%, B:1991. Price: Colour: Straw Nose: Fresh to very fresh, round, floral, on nice round creamy and floral flavours, some Mirabelle, quince and light fresh yellow fruits flavours. Elegant. Taste: Round, light, floral to very floral, grassy, on nice grassy flavours, light and elegant floral flavours, some lemon, Mirabelle, quince and heather. Nicely balanced. The finish is medium to long, light, balanced, elegant, floral to very floral, grassy, slightly grassy and on nice light and fresh grassy flavours, as well as some lemon custard. Impression: A lovely floral, fresh and elegant whisky, well balanced and rather complex. Refreshing. From one of the shortest lived distillery from the late 20th century. Rating: 15/20 FP:A1 |
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Whisky Buechibörgen 2008, 11 YO, OB, 55%, B:2019, cask 33, Price: Colour: Old gold Nose: Round, malty, rather mellow, with some round orchards fruits, vanilla, soft floral flavours, and light creamy flavours. Taste: Malty, oaky, intense, floral, slightly nutty, on vanilla, grist, some light fruity and floral flavours. The alcohol is rather present. Diluted, it improves markedly, with more yellow fruits, honey, cooked orchards fruits, and some mango. The finish is medium, malty, rather rich, nutty and spicy, on vanilla, some nuts, grist and vanilla. Diluted, it becomes fruitier. Impression: A nice malty, rather rich and intense whisky, becoming nicely fruity and balanced once some water has been added. Rating: 14/20 FP:A1 |
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Whisky Börden, OB (Brennerei Schwab), 44.0%, B:2019, cask 66. Price: Colour: Gold Nose: Peaty, smoky to very smoky, on smoked meat Colour: Gold Nose: Fresh, very round, on cinnamon, treacle, cooked cereals, and some apricots. Taste like a fresh and clean Bourbon whiskey. Taste: Fresh, round, clean, slightly fragrant, on cooked maize (corn), a nice fragrance, cinnamon, vanilla and light creamy flavours. The finish is medium, clean, round, fresh, on cinnamon, vanilla, cooked cereals and light creamy flavours. Impression: A nice, clean and fresh Swiss whisky that taste very much like a Bourbon whiskey made with the same ingredients as US-bourbon, but with a different style of stills. More fragrant and cleaner than most Bourbon. Made with wheat, maize and rye. Rating: 13/20 FP:A1 |
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Gremli’s Gold-Schwarz, OB, 47%, B:2019. Price: Colour: Gold Nose: Peaty, smoky to very smoky, on smoked meat (including bacon), tar, ham on the bone cooked in tar, dry and cold tobacco ashes and some tobacco pipes. Taste: Peaty to very peaty, light, tarry, sooty, ashy, on old ashy and rooty peat smoke, smoked ham and bacon, farmy flavours, some light fruity and malty flavours. A lovely peat smoke. The finish is long, sooty, ashy, peaty, tarry and smoky. Impression: A very good peaty and smoky whisky, on soot, tar, ashes and smoked meat. A lovely peaty smoke reminding me of some Highlands or Islay single malts from the 1970s. The peat smoke is surprisingly smooth. Rating: 17/20 FP:A7 |
| Gremli’s Schwarz, OB, 47%, B:2019. Price: Colour: Gold Nose: Smooth, round, moderately malty, slightly yeasty and fruity, on sweet malty and fruity flavours, some vanilla, heather and light tropical fruity flavours. Rather complex and well balanced. With time, it becomes more on schnapps and on nuts. Taste: Nutty, young, slightly malty, on schnapps, dry malt, nuts, some banana and smoked meat. The finish is medium, nutty, slightly smoky and dry, with some banana, apples and kirsch-like flavours. Impression: A very different whisky than the Gold-Schwarz, more nutty, on schnapps and less balanced. Not an easy one. Rating: 09/20 FP:B2 |
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Macallan Genesis, OB, 45.5%, B:2018. Price: Colour: Amber Nose: Rich, round to very round, mellow, floral, on toffee, fudge, leather, sultanas, vegetal condiments, orange, tangerine and cinnamon. Rounder and less intense than the ESC. Taste: Round to very round, sweet, floral, slightly fragrant, rubbery and tannic, on fudge, sultanas, candied fruits, fresh rubber, cinnamon, toffee, some lacquer, orange and marmalade. The finish is medium and on the same flavours. Impression: A very round version of Macallan, not very complex, on toffee, fudge and dried fruits. A rather all-rounder whisky. Rating: 14/20 FP:G1 |
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Macallan 2005 Exceptional Single Cask 2017, OB, 66.1%, B:2017, cask ESB-5234/09. Price: Colour: Amber Nose: Rich, round, floral, spicy, on leather, tannins, round floral flavours, sultanas, cinnamon, some fudge, fresh floral and slightly fragrant flavours. Taste: Floral to very floral, fragrant to very fragrant, spicy, on various spices, leather, lacquer, sultanas, oranges, marmalade, and some berries. The finish is medium to long, rich, intense, spicy, floral, round, floral and on leather. Diluted, it becomes slightly rubbery Impression: A very good, round, spicy and floral Macallan, on dried fruits, leather and rather fragrant floral flavours. Rating: 16/20 FP:G1 |
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Brora 1972 cask sample, OB, 40.1%, B:07/2019, cask 990. Price: N/A Colour: Gold-old gold Nose: Very peaty, intense and complex, on citrus, old leather, old stable, humid croft house, some soot, tar and aromatic herbs. The 1972 style will be immediately recognized, with its intense and intense peat smoke and farmy flavours. This whisky rested for 47 years in a cask and it is a peaty as some young Islay whisky, Impressive! Taste: Mellow to very mellow, complex to very complex, with lovely citrus fruits, mainly candied citrus, a rather intense, tarry, sooty and farmy peat smoke, ashes, some beeswax, vanilla and a hint of fudge. The finish is long, mellow to very mellow, complex, well balanced, moderately waxy, on beeswax, old farmy and sooty peat smoke, some ashes, tar, old worn leather, stables, old croft house, as well as light mineral flavours. Diluted, a cloud of old peat smoke is released, and it becomes more citric and intense of the palate, with a lingering peat smoke from old Scottish croft house heated by peat. Impression: A whisky with an impressive peated nose. The peat intensity on the palate is more moderate, but remains more intense than the 1978. The peat smoke, soot and farmy flavours seem to remain forever, as if you palate was coated with the soot from a peat fire. Another excellent Brora. These two cask samples were presented together with the 1978 40 YO during a master class animated by Colin Dunn from Diageo at the Whisky Show in October 2019. It is very interesting to see how the Brora has sustained time so well and to see the evolution of the flavour profile between 1972 and 1982. Rating: B5 |
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Clynelish Distillery Exclusive Batch 1, OB, 48%, B:2019, 3000 bottles. Price: Colour: Gold Nose: Light, fresh, rather clean, moderately coastal, slightly salty, on freshly pressed pear drops, some light aromas of vanilla custard, grassy flavours and vanilla. Taste: Smooth, coastal, waxy, with light spicy flavours, some orchard fruits, ginger, vanilla, sea brine, mustard seed and a touch of heather honey. More complex than the 14 YO. The finish is medium, smooth, rich, waxy, and moderately spicy, with some orchard fruits, ginger, vanilla, and a hint of smoke Impression: A whisky with a nose rather close to the 14 YO, but on the palate is more intense, complex, and satisfying. Rating: 15/20 FP:A1 |
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Clynelish 14 YO, OB, 46%, B:2019. Price: Colour: Gold-old gold Nose: Sweet, waxy, coastal to very coastal, some vanilla, light grassy flavours and a hint of smoke. Markedly better than I used to remember. Taste: Light, fresh, waxy, with some ginger, mustard seeds, freshly pressed orchard fruits, vanilla, sea brine and grassy flavours. Diluted, it becomes spicier, smokier, more mustardy and slightly bitter and rooty. The finish is medium, fresh, light, waxy, grassy, on fresh ginger, some vanilla, grassy flavours and sea brine. Diluted, it becomes more on vanilla and slightly oakier. Impression: A nice, grassy and waxy whisky, with nice coastal flavours and some fresh orchard fruits. Pleasant to drink. Rating: 14/20 FP:A1 |
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Brora 1981, OB, 43.1%, B:07/2019, cask 1060, Sherry butt. Price:N/A Colour: Old gold-amber Nose: Complex, farmy to very farmy, mellow, well balanced, elegant, waxy, and slightly peaty, with excellent farmy flavours (mainly stables), a nice dry underlying peat smoke, dried fruits (mainly oranges), some tropical fruits, stewed fruits and sea brine. An excellent nose, very complex and well balanced. You can keep nosing it for hours. Taste: Waxy, complex to very complex, fruity, citric, smoky, slightly to moderately peaty and tarry, with strong citrus fruits, mainly pink grapefruits and candied grapefruits, a nice farmy, complex and tarry peat smoke, some sea brine, sultanas, soot, old stables and a hint of fudge. The finish is long to very long, mellow, complex, waxy, on dry farmy peat smoke, citrus (mainly grapefruits), some marmalade, heather honey, soot and dried fruits (including mango and papaya). Diluted, it becomes slightly more spicy and with some ginger. Impression: A stunning Brora. While some thoughts that all good casks were already bottled, this sample drawn from a cask from Diageo’s stocks for the Whisky Show Brora tasting clearly shows that they managed to retain some excellent casks. For its vintage, it is a rather peaty version. The combination of nice sweet and dry fruity flavours and nice slightly dry farmy and peaty flavours is simply delicious. The best Brora from the 1980s I have tasted so far! Thank you for the treat. Can we hope to see it bottled soon? Rating: FP:F3 |
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Brora 1978 200th Anniversary, 40 YO, OB, 49.2%, B:2019, 1819 bottles. Price: Colour: Gold-old gold Nose: Complex, subtle, moderately dry, peaty and farmy, on citrus, some dry and farmy peat smoke, marmalade, and grapefruit. More peaty, citric and drier than the 1981 cask sample. Taste: Subtle, complex, peaty, farmy, tarry, on various grapefruits, some mustard seeds, stables, sooty and farmy peat smoke, candied oranges, tar, and old ashes. The finish is long, smoky, moderately peaty, dry, sooty, tarry and citric, with some old leather, old dry sooty peat smoke, ashes, marmalade, grapefruits, stables, dried meat and mustard seeds. Diluted, it becomes more mustardy, spicy and peaty. Impression: An excellent Brora, complex, with a fair dose of citrus fruits, some dried fruits and a lovely old peat smoke, as you can smell in some old Scottish croft houses that were heated with a peat fire. While the intensity of peat is only moderate, the peat smoke flavours are rich, lingering and coating your palate. You keep feeling the peat smoke coating your palate for a very long time. An excellent way to celebrate the 200th Anniversary of the Brora (old Clynelish) distillery. Rating: 18/20 FP:D4 |
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Oban Games of Thrones The Night’s Watch, OB, 43%, B:2018. Price: Colour: Gold Nose: Smooth to very smooth, on schnapps, some heather, sweet fruity flavours as well as some sea brine. Taste: Smooth, sweet to very sweet, fruity, on vanilla, sweet fruity flavours, heather honey, quince jelly and some Mirabelle. The finish is medium, sweet, well balanced, on honey, sweet fruity flavours and a hint of sea brine. Impression: A very good expression of Oban, smooth to very smooth, with a surprising and good sweetness. Highly drinkable. Rating: 15/20 FP:A1 |
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Longrow Private Cask 1993 MacMhuirich, Currie & Wilkinson, 13 YO, OB, 57.1%, cask 635. Price: Colour: Pale gold Nose: Peaty, rooty, oaky, with some vanilla, sea tang, peat smoke, roots and salt. Taste: Oaky, smoky, peaty, on peat smoke, oak spices, some lemon and old wood. The finish is medium to long, oaky, smoky, and slightly peaty, on vanilla, sea tang, oak spices and peat smoke. Impression: A nice peaty, smoky and oaky Longrow, with nice vanilla flavours. Rating: 15/20 FP:A5 |
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Caol Ila 1983 30th Anniversary, 35 YO, Signatory Vintage, 52.7%, B:2019, cask 5290. Price: Colour: Gold Nose: Mellow, peaty, elegant, maritime, smoky to very smoky, on seaweeds, iodine, peat smoke, some camphor, medicinal flavours and a touch of tar. Taste: Mellow, maritime, peaty, smoky, maritime, slightly salty and tarry, on a mellow and slightly soft peat smoke, candied citrus, medicinal flavours, some lemon zest, seaweeds and dry tar. The finish is long, mellow, moderately peaty and on the same flavours. Diluted, it becomes slightly woody. Impression: A very nice, mellow and elegant aged Caol Ila, and with some candied lemon. Do not add too much water, as it starts to get more woody then. Rating: 16/20 FP:A4 |
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Brora 1981 For LMDW, 18 YO, Signatory, 46%, B:1999. Price: Colour: Gold Nose: Intense, complex, waxy, moderately peaty and smoky, on dry peat smoke, Dijon mustard, some farmy flavours and quince. Very good and rather smoky for a Brora of that vintage. Taste: Peaty, intense, waxy, mustardy, complex, on dry and farmy peat smoke, some mustard, heather honey, quince jelly and elderberries flowers. The finish is long, complex, well balanced, waxy, farmy moderately smoky and peaty, on farmy peat smoke, beeswax, quince jelly and some elderberries flowers. Impression: An excellent Brora, with a lovely farmy peat smoke. While it is not as smoky as the Brora from the early or mid-1970s, it is rather peaty and in addition, the nice honey sweetness makes it very pleasant. Rating: 17/20 FP:A4 |
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Macallan Boutique Collection 2019, OB, 52%, B:2019. Price: Colour: Old gold Nose: Smooth, floral, moderately oaky, with some spices, dried fruits, sultanas, soft spices, light vanilla and honey flavours. Taste: Oaky, smooth, floral, moderately spicy, on oak spices, sultanas, some dried fruits (orange, some tangerine and dates), as well as vanilla and toffee. The finish is medium, oaky, spicy, floral, on dried fruits, oak spices, some honey and dried fruits. Diluted, it becomes creamier, smoother and less oaky. Impression: A whisky more pleasant and intense than the Quest range, probably thanks to its higher strength. This single malt is not overly complex, but it is pleasant, with nice floral flavours and dried fruits, with a fair amount of oak spices. Adding some water is beneficial, as it becomes smoother and less oaky. A vatting of American and European sherry casks. Bottled exclusively for their Boutiques. Rating: 13/20 PA:D1 |
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Aisla Bay 1.2 Sweet Smoke, OB, 48.9%, B:2019. Price: Colour: Gold Nose: Round, aromatic, moderately smoky, with some rather dry, tarry and aromatic peat smoke, with light farmy flavours. Lovely peaty flavours. Taste: Sweet, floral, fruity, on a nice mellow aromatic and tarry peat smoke, with light farmy flavours, some fudge and stewed fruits. Rather complex and subtle. The finish is medium to long, aromatic, smoky, moderately sweet and mellow, on stewed fruits, a nice and elegant aromatic and rather tarry peat smoke, as well as quince jelly. A few drops of anise seeds as well? With a long dry, tarry and aromatic peaty retro-olfaction. Diluted, the finish is markedly shorter. Impression: A very good whisky, rather subtle and sweet, with a lovely aromatic and rather tarry peat smoke. Well done and fairly priced. Rating: 15/20 PA:C4 |
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Talisker Game of Thrones House Greyjoy, OB, 45.8%, B:2018. Price: Colour: Gold Nose: Oaky, smoky, salty, maritime, on vanilla, sea brine, nice maritime smoke and some oak spices. Taste: Smoky, salty to very salty, peppery, rather intense, maritime, on seaweeds, peat smoke, pepper and nice coastal flavours, as well as some vanilla and caramel. The finish is medium, smoky, salty, maritime, peppery, on seaweeds, peat smoke, vanilla and oaky flavours. Impression: A nice smoky, peppery and maritime Talisker. A smoother and rounder version of the Talisker 10 YO. Diluted, it becomes more on caramel. A nice one. Rating: 14/20 PA:A3 |
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Fettercairn 1988 for C. Dully Selection, 30 YO, Signatory, 59.9%, B:2019, cask 2007. Price: Colour: Gold-old gold Nose: Mellow, elegant, floral, rather sweet, on stewed fruits, some light exotic fruits, vanilla, grassy flavours and a touch of aromatic herbs. Well balanced. Taste: Mellow, elegant, floral, with a silky mouth feel, on vanilla, nice round and complex floral flavours, some melon and exotic fruits (lychees, guava) and a hint of grassy and aromatic herbs. Very elegant. The finish is medium to long, elegant, mellow, floral, moderately grassy, with nice light and round floral flavours, Impression: The quality of the bottling from Fettercairn is rather variable, sometimes disappointing, or sometimes, very good, as in this example. This version selected by C. Dully is a very elegant one, with nice and elegant floral flavours complemented by pleasant fruity flavours. Thank you Christian. Rating: 15/20 PA:A1 |
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Highland Single Cask Helvetia 2003 2nd Swiss Edition, 15 YO, OB, 58.4%, B:2018. Price: Colour: Amber Nose: Round to very round, rather complex and balanced, slightly mellow, on dried fruits (sultanas, figs and dates), orange, precious wood, some lacquer, heather honey and thick sherry notes. Taste: Intense, floral, slightly fragrant, on strong sherry flavours, lacquer, leather, orange, marmalade, some fragrance, honey, tannins and rubber. The finish is long, intense, thick, syrupy, tannic, moderately bitter and rubbery, on lacquer, dried fruits, leather, tannins, cinnamon, cloves, orange, marmalade, precious wood, some sea brine and heather. Impression: A sherry monster expression of Highland Park, with loads of dried fruits and tannins. Probably too heavy sherry for some, but the sherry freaks will certainly love it. Rating: 15/20 PA:H1 |
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Millstone Peated 2013 for Millstone Fanbase, 5 YO, OB, 52.6%, B:2018, cask 17B216, PX Cask, 645 bottles. Price: Colour: Amber Nose: Earthy, slightly austere and aromatic, with a light aromatic, complex and moderately peaty mineral smoke. Very good. With time, it becomes more earthy. Taste: Very smooth, light, floral, on freshly varnished wood, peat smoke, wood smoke, some leather, tannins, and vanilla. The finish is medium, rather round, slightly young, earthy to very earthy, on toffee, fudge, aromatic herbs, aromatic peat smoke, some fresh flowers as well as some pecan nuts. Diluted, it becomes rounder. Impression: A rather earthy whisky, with a nice round aromatic smoke, some fudge and a sweet fruity influence. Rather unusual, but pleasant. Showing a remarkable maturity for such a young whisky. Rating: 14/20 PA:G4 |
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Lagavulin Game of Thrones House Lannister, 9 YO, OB, 46%, B:2019. Price: Colour: Gold-old gold Nose: Thin, light, smoky to very smoky, maritime, on peat smoke, seaweeds, iodine and caramel. Taste: Salty, maritime, smoky to very smoky, moderately peaty, on seaweeds, peat smoke, some iodine, caramel and camphor. The finish is medium and on the same flavours. Diluted, it becomes more maritime, tarry and rooty. Impression: A rather smoky and medicinal version of Lagavulin, but rather thin in intensity. Rating: 14/20 PA:B5 |
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Lagavulin Feis Ile 2019, 19 YO, OB, 53.8%, B:2019. Price:. Colour: Gold-old gold Nose: Smoky to very smoky, peaty, oaky, maritime, medicinal, on seaweeds, peat smoke, camphor, oaky and slightly winey flavours. Taste: Intense, smoky, oaky, moderately winey, peaty and maritime, on winey flavours, fresh sawn oak, peat smoke, and some seaweeds. The finish is medium, oaky, winey and on the same flavours. Impression: From sherry-treated American oak casks. A rather oaky and winey version of Lagavulin, rather rough. Not an easy one. Rating: 14/20 PA:A4 |
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Blair Athol Swiss Import, 8 YO, OB, 80 Proof, B:1970. Price: Colour: Gold Nose: Floral, round, moderately smoky, slightly earthy and peaty, on humus, some toffee, round floral flavours, aromatic peat smoke, sultanas, cocoa, caramel and a hint of bitterness. Taste: Earthy, smoky, rather dry and aromatic, slightly malty and floral, on dry aromatic peaty smoke, some earthy and slightly bitter herbal flavours. Rather austere. Impression: A very good old style Blair Athol, very different from the current production, with a rather smoky, earthy and aromatic style. Lovely. Rating: 16/20 PA:C4 |
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Highland Park Valfather, OB, 47%, B:2019. Price: Colour: Old gold Nose: Round, slightly salty, smoky and maritime, on sea brine, some smoke, heather and caramel. Taste: Round, sweet, slightly weak, on heather honey, lots of sea brine, some seaweeds, tangerine, orange, butterscotch and caramel. The finish is medium, round, salty, slightly smoky, on sea brine, caramel, dried fruits and some green fruits. Diluted, it becomes slightly bitter. Impression: A round Highland Park, with a strong sea brine influence and some caramel. A good one, even if not very complex. Rating: 13/20 PA:D2 |
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Kilbride 1989, 28 YO, The Mash Tun, 51 %, B:2017, 300 bottles. Price: Colour: Gold Nose: Peaty to very peaty, mellow, maritime, complex, on maritime peat smoke, some seaweeds, iodine and tar. Taste: Mellow, peaty, smoky, maritime, phenolic, with a nice mellow medicinal peat smoke, some seaweeds, iodine, camphor, citrus and tar. With time, the citrus flavours are becoming more intense. The finish is medium to long, mellow and on the same flavours. Impression: A very good mellow, peaty, maritime and phenolic single malt, on citrus and with a nice complexity. Supposed to be a Laphroaig. Rating: 16/20 PA:A5 |
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Kilbride distillery 1989, 28 YO, HNWS, 51.1%, B:2017. Price: Colour: Gold-old gold Nose: Smoky, maritime, peaty, on dry maritime peaty smoke, some tar, soot, aromatic herbs and sea brine. Taste: Peaty to very peaty, smoky, maritime, on iodine, seaweeds, kelp, soot, tar, and various maritime flavours. The finish is long, salty, maritime, peaty, smoky, with an intense maritime peat smoke on iodine, seaweeds, kelp and tar. Impression: A very good peaty and maritime whisky, with a strong influence of seaweeds and iodine. Rating: 16/20 PA:A6 |
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Linkwood 12 YO Manager’s Dram, OB, 59.5%, B:1999. Price: Colour: Gold Nose: Fresh, round, floral to very floral, on summer flowers, freshly cut flowers, some hay, and a nice freshness. Taste: Fresh, intense, complex, floral, on fresh floral flavours, some peat smoke, cinnamon, honey, warm pineapples, soft fruits and bananas. Very good. The finish is medium to long, floral, slightly dry and smoky, on cooked bananas and pineapples, vanilla and fresh floral flavours. Impression: A nice Linkwood, fresh, intense, floral and with a fair smoky influence. Rating: 16/20 PA:A3 |
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Dailuaine 17 YO Manager’s Dram, OB, 59.5%, B:2000. Price: Colour: Old gold Nose: Intense, floral, on sultanas, dried fruits, cinnamon, some rubber, round spices, cardamom, orange and cinnamon. Taste: Intense, spicy, floral, rubbery, on old leather, orange, marmalade, sultanas, dried fruits, some old rubber, sweet fruity flavours and soft spices. Complex and well balanced. The finish is long, rich, spicy, with lots of dried fruits, including sultanas, on orange, marmalade, old leather, soft spices, some lacquer and old rubber. Impression: A very good, rich and complex sherry matured Dailuaine. I was concerned by the rubber on the nose, but the mild rubbery flavours on the palate are not unpleasant, more like a mixture of old rubber and old leather, mixed with sweet and dry fruits flavours. Most enjoyable. Rating: 17/20 PAG2 |
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Clynelish 1995, 23 YO, Signatory, 53.7%, B:2019, cask 11246. Price: Colour: Old gold-amber Nose: Round to very round, mellow, slightly mustardy, with rich leather flavours, dried fruits, orange, and lacquer. Slightly heavier and drier than the Granville. Taste: Round, waxy to very waxy, slightly mustardy and farmy, rather heavy on the sherry, on old leather kept for a long time on a stable, orange, some marmalade, cocoa, dark chocolate, cinnamon, cloves and lacquer, with just a hint of high grade rubber. The finish is long, waxy, complex, heavy, slightly mustardy and farmy, on old leather, stable, orange, some marmalade, dark chocolate, dark tannins, cinnamon and just a hint of rubber. Impression: A heavier expression of Clynelish from the Granville, rounder, less fruity and more on leather. There is a light touch of rubber, but far from being unpleasant. Maybe not the easiest Clynelish, but I enjoyed it very much. Rating: 17/20 PA:F1 |
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Bunnahabhain Staiosha Heavily Peated 2014 for Hermann brothers, 4 YO, Signatory, 60.3%, B:2019, cask 10717. Price: N.A. Colour: Old gold-amber Nose: Very peaty, dry, maritime, tarry, slightly young, on a dry peat smoke, dry tar, some soot, vanilla and oaky flavours. Taste: Very peaty and dry, young, salty, tarry to very tarry, oaky, on dry and tarry peat smoke, iodine, seaweeds and burnt oak. The finish is long, dry, very peaty, tarry and moderately oaky. Diluted, it becomes more medicinal, smoother and more sooty. Impression: A very dry and peaty super heavily peated version of Bunnahabhain, peated to similar levels as the Octomore. It is however, smoother, remarkably well balanced for its age and with nice maritime and phenolic flavours. A whisky to watch for. Thank you Markus Rating: 15/20 PA:D9 |
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Rhuvaal 2010 for Ramseyer’s Whisky Connection, 8 YO, Maltbarn, 55.3%, B:2019, ref 130. Price: Colour: Old gold-amber Nose: Very peaty and maritime, intense, tarry, rich, on a very intense and maritime peat smoke, fresh seaweeds, tar, a fair dose of soot, some old worn leather and s dried fruits. Very good! Taste: Fresh, round, intense, peaty, on maritime peat smoke, seaweeds, iodine, some toffee, red berries, leather, cinnamon, dried fruits and camphor. Diluted, it becomes saltier and more maritime. The finish is long, round, salty, maritime, intense, very peaty, on a dry and intense peat smoke, tar, iodine, dry tobacco smoke, some marmalade, cocoa, red berries and a hint of fudge. Diluted, it becomes more medicinal and phenolic. Impression: A very good, balanced and heavily peated whisky distilled at the Bunnahabhain distillery, with strong maritime flavours, and a nice sherry integration marking this whisky round and rather smooth. A very good selection from Markus. Rating: 16/20 PA:D7 |
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Granville 1996, 22 YO, Maltbarn, 51.9%, B:2019, ref 126, 177 bottles. Price: Colour: Old gold-amber Nose: Rich, mellow, fruity, slightly farmy, austere and mustardy, on orange, tangerine, sultanas, beeswax, some mustard seeds and treacle. Taste: Rich, fruity to very fruity, waxy, some humus, mustard seeds, orange, candied ginger, tangerine, and dried fruits. Diluted, it becomes spicier, with more cinnamon and some cloves. The finish is medium to long, fruity, slightly waxy, on cocoa, tangerine, sweet fruits, some dark chocolate, marmalade, lacquer and various spices, as well as light tannins. Impression: A very good sweet and fruity expression of the distillery built in 1819 by George Granville Leveson-Gower, better known as the 1st Duke of Sutherland. The sherry works well in this Clynelish, giving a nice fruitiness as well as some tannin. It sold out rather quickly. Thank you Markus. Rating: 16/20 PA:D1 |
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Clynelish 2008 Waldhaus am See, 11 YO, Signatory, 56.2%, B:2019, cask 800165. Prix: Colour: Gold Nose: Round, waxy, nicely balanced, on vanilla, vanilla custard, a touch of mustard and farmy flavours, as well as light yellow fruits. Well balanced and rather complex. Taste: Intense, complex, waxy to very waxy, well balanced, slightly mustardy, on beeswax, honey, fresh vanilla, some mustard seed, lemon pie and light coastal flavours. Diluted, it becomes creamier. The finish is medium to long and on the same flavours. Impression: A very good Clynelish, intense, waxy to very waxy, with nice fresh vanilla flavours, a good balance and complexity. What else do we need? It becomes difficult to find young and good Clynelish. Rating: 16/20 PA:A1 |
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Ardbeg Traigh Bhan 19 YO, OB, 46.2%, B:2019. Price: Colour: Pale gold Nose: Peaty, sooty, maritime, phenolic, smoky, on seaweeds, maritime peat smoke, disinfectant, tar and soot, as well as some dry liquorice roots. Very Ardbegian. Taste: Maritime, salty, rooty, smoky, moderately peaty and medicinal, slightly thin, on dry liquorice roots, camphor, iodine, seaweeds, tar and some lemon. The finish is medium to long, rooty, maritime, smoky, salty, slightly weak, with some seaweeds, peat smoke, lemon zest, medicinal flavours and tar. Impression: A pretty good Ardbeg, moderately peaty, rather maritime and medicinal, but slightly thin as well. Seems like there was a fair proportion of tired casks. Rating: 15/20 PA:A5 |
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Ledaig 2007, 11 YO, Acla Selection, 52.6%, B:2018. Price: Colour: Straw Nose: Smooth, peaty to very peaty, intense, slightly maritime, on camphor, complex peat smoke, sea tang and vanilla. Very good! Taste: Peaty to very peaty, light, smooth, salty, slightly maritime and earthy, on an intense, dry and slightly earthy and farmy peat smoke, sea tang, some camphor and vanilla, as well as a hint of lemon. Well balanced and rather complex. The finish is long, smoky, peaty, medicinal, rooty, on a complex slightly earthy and farmy peat smoke with some lemon zest, roots and some aromatic herbs. Impression: An excellent Ledaig, well balanced and intense, while remaining rather smooth on the palate. I love this complex earthy-medicinal peat smoke from this distillery. Well done Acla. Rating: 17/20 PA:A7 |
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Säntis Malt Edition Formosa Batch 011 for ARen Trading 2003, 15 YO, OB, 63.4%, B:2018, Pinot Noir finish, 108 bottles. Price: Colour: Amber Nose: Very mellow, floral, rather vegetal, on toffee, fudge, melon, treacle, maple syrup and dried fruits. Taste: Round, complex, moderately fruity, on hops, mango, melon, vanilla, toffee, fudge, some sultanas, cinnamon, other dried fruits and treacle. The finish is medium to long, round, mellow, rather sweet and fruity, on hops, light grassy flavours, fudge, some honey, mango and melon. Diluted, it becomes more on beer-like flavours and liquorice. Impression: A nicely made whisky, mellow, combining sweet fruity flavours and toffee, with moderated and well-integrated winey flavours. Rating: 14/20 PA:H1 |
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Caol Ila 2011, 7 YO, Asta Morris, 56.1%, B:2018, Cask AM055, 580 bottles. Price: Colour: Amber Nose: Very peaty, intense, clean, meaty, maritime, on leather, dried meat, maritime peat smoke, some sweet and round sherry (light spices, orange and tangerine). Taste: Round to very round, fruity, maritime, peaty, tarry, maritime, on hemp rope, tar, peat smoke, sultanas, sweet fruity flavours, red berries, some tangerine, orange and fudge. Thick to very thick. The finish is medium, very round, thick, syrupy, peaty, maritime, on hand made fudge, peat smoke, red berries, sultanas, some sea salt and hemp rope. Diluted, it becomes more on fudge and with some treacle. Impression: A very good peaty and maritime whisky, clean, with nice thick and round sherry influence, on fudge and berries. Rating: 16/20 PA:G6 |
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Brewery Locher AG 2005 for Taiwan, 11 YO, The Whisky Agency & PRT, 54.5%, B:2016, Sherry, 220 bottles. Price: Colour: Dark Amber Nose: Intense, complex, mellow, very fruity, elegant, slightly winey and peppery, on melon, some red grapes, spices, pepper, guava and leather. Taste: Intense, complex, winey, slightly spicy and peppery, on red berries, mainly ripe strawberries, grapes, leather, guava, sultanas, lacquer and some precious wood. Diluted, there is some eucalyptus. The finish is medium to long, nutty, complex, fruity, slightly floral and dry, on tannins, leather, grapes, light winey flavours, grapes, melon and guava. Diluted, it becomes slightly astringent, tannic and on eucalyptus. Impression: A very nice whisky, complex and mellow, with a nice fruitiness. The Brewery Locher is in Switzerland and produces the Säntis single malt. Rating: 15/20 PA:G1 |
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Angels Nectar Rich Peat Edition Blended Malt, OB, 46%, B:2018. Price: Colour: Gold Nose: Peaty to very peaty, dry, aromatic, rooty, on intense, dry and aromatic peat smoke, some roots, soots and light vanilla flavours. Taste: Light, fresh, maritime, peaty, moderately salty and medicinal, on camphor, peat smoke, iodine, dry roots, seaweeds and vanilla. Diluted, it becomes more phenolic, aromatic, rooty and tarry. The finish is medium, light, salty, maritime and on the same flavours. Impression: A nice light, fresh, maritime, rooty and heavily peated whisky, with a fair proportion of sea brine and some aromatic flavours. Very good. Rating: 14/20 PA:A6 |
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Glasgow 1770, OB, 46%, B:2019. Price: (70 cl equivalent) Colour: Gold Nose: Round, malty, slightly creamy and winey, rather intense, on fresh barley, grist, some spices, vanilla and winey flavours. The winey flavours become stronger other time. Taste: Spicy, winey, intense, malty, on dark fruits, with some pepper, vanilla, oak spices, plums and light exotic fruits. The finish is long, intense, round, oaky to very oaky, slightly floral, on vanilla, oak spices, with some green orchards fruits and creamy flavours. Diluted, it tasted younger and more on orchards fruits. Impression: The first whisky from the Glasgow distillery is pleasant and surprisingly matured for such a young product, as the distillery started to produce in 2015. It is a vatting of ex-bourbon and virgin-oak, explaining the strong oaky flavours. More products are expected in the next few months. A good start! Rating: 12/20 PA:C1 |
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Ardmore 2009, The Golden Barley, 45%, B:2017, cask 706428, Laphroaig Barrel. Price: Colour: Straw Nose: Peaty to very peaty, dry, maritime, on dry maritime peat smoke, some sea tang, vanilla, lemon and tar. Taste: Round, malty to very malty, round, smooth to very smooth, young, on aromatic peat smoke, some tar, bitter and aromatic herbs. The finish is rather short and on the same flavours. Diluted, it become slightly more oaky and rooty. Impression: A round, smooth and malty whisky, with a very limited wood influence and on a nice aromatic peat smoke. Young but nice and rather pleasant. The cask strength version from l’Esprit was markedly better. Problem with the reduction? Rating: 10/20 PA:A5 |
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Penderyn Peated, OB, 46%, B:2018. Price: Colour: Straw Nose: Oaky, aromatic, smoky, round, slightly young and malty, on vanilla and with a touch of toffee. Taste: Young, smooth, tarry, peaty, on peat smoke, tar, vanilla and some freshly crushed barley. The finish is short to medium and on the same favours. Impression: A peaty whisky that taste very young, like a new make. While Penderyn quality seems to have increased the last years, the peated version would have benefited from a longer maturation. Rating: 08/20 PA:A4 |
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W.G. O’Doherty Matured Old Irish, B:1880s. Price: Colour: Old gold-amber Nose: Soft, mellow to very mellow, slightly spicy and earthy, on nice old leather, some humus, mushrooms, earthy flavours, dried fruits, tinned (canned) peaches and cooked cereals. Smells like leather and freshly harvest mushrooms in fall. Taste: Taste like water used to clean freshly harvested mushrooms…The mushrooms are very present in the finish, with some leathery, malty (cereals), creamy and spicy flavours, as well as some vanilla and blackcurrant. Impression: The nose was rather pleasant, although slightly soft, but on the palate, it is thin and tasted like water infused with mushrooms. I do not know if this coming from the cork or the distillate. If the olfactory experience was not great, the experience of tasting such an old Irish whiskey is unique. Thank you Martin. Rating: N/A |
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Irish Single Malt Whiskey 1990, 27 YO, Acla Selection, 47.1%, B:2017, 182 bottles. Price: Colour: Gold Nose: Pleasant, round to very round, malty, slightly mellow, on yellow fruits, fresh round and floral flavours, vanilla, melon, some quince jelly and exotic fruits. Taste: Very fruity, juicy, fresh, slightly aromatic, citric and grassy, on exotic fruits, some citrus, fresh and sweet fruity flavours. Very good and complex. The finish is long, complex, sweet, fruity, rather grassy, slightly aromatic and citric, with nice exotic fruits and some citrus. Fresh and rather intense. Diluted it becomes more on ripe papaya and mango. Impression: An excellent fruity, fresh and juicy Irish single malt, with nice citrus and exotic fruity flavours. Rating: 17/20 PA:C2 |
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Ardmore 20008, L'Esprit, 57.5%, B:2017, cask BB709231, 180 bottles. Price: Colour: Pale gold Nose: Round, floral, slightly malty and fruity, with some juniper and a touch of aromatic peat smoke. With time it becomes rather peaty. Taste: Malty, slightly milky, rather young and fresh, on a rather smooth peat smoke, some iodine, camphor, vanilla custard, cream and aromatic peat smoke. The finish is medium to long and on the same flavours. Diluted, it becomes more bitter, aromatic, rooty and with some gentian Impression: A nice clean, aromatic and moderately peaty whisky. Well-made and enjoyable to drink. Rating: 14/20 PA:A4 |
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Ardmore 20008 Laphroaig Cask, L'Esprit, 58.8%, B:2017, cask BB709225, 220 bottles. Price: Colour: Pale gold Nose: Very peaty, aromatic, on peat smoke, seaweeds, fresh juniper berries, light farmy smoke, some vanilla and a touch of toffee. Clean and very good. Taste: Intense, peaty, smoky, maritime, slightly salty, on camphor, seaweeds, peat smoke, some light round vanilla flavours. Diluted, there is a hint of gentian. The finish is long, intense, peaty and on the same flavours. Rather dry and oaky. Impression: A really nice and heavily peated Ardmore from the French label L’Esprit. Rating: 16/20 PA:A7 |
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Glen Garioch 2011, The Golden Barley, 45%, B:2017, cask 882. Price: Colour: Pale straw Nose: Young to very young, smooth, light, floral, with some light floral flavours and gooseberries. Taste: Young, light, very fresh, smooth to very smooth, slightly juicy, on light floral and milky flavours, with some honey, peach, vanilla and melon. The finish is short to medium, young, malty, floral, milky and on the same flavours. Impression: A young, fresh, malty, floral whisky, with some light milky and fruity flavours. Rating: 11/20 PA: A1 |
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Peated Cask Matured Blended Malt Scotch Whisky, Berry Bros and Rudd 44.2%, B:2018. Price: Colour: Straw Nose: Young to very young, malty, peated, maritime, slightly milky and sour, with some vanilla and seaweeds. Taste: Light, fresh, young, peaty, maritime, slightly milky, on peat smoke and seaweeds. The finish is medium, peaty, salty, slightly maritime, round, and tarry. Impression: A young, fresh, peaty and moderately maritime blended malt. Less complex and balanced than the Islay Blended. Rating: 11/20 PA:A5 |
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Speyside Blended Malt Scotch Whisky, Berry Bros and Rudd, 44.2%, B:2018. Price: Colour: Pale straw Nose: Young to very young, malty, slightly winey and some vanilla. Taste: Floral, slightly malty, oaky and sour, with some vanilla custard, fresh milk, some vanilla and gooseberries. Fresh. The finish is short to medium, smooth, fresh, young, slightly malty, with some tobacco and orchard fruits. Impression: A young, fresh and floral whisky. Rating: 10/20 PA: A1 |
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Kavalan Solist Sherry Cask for Tiger Selection, OB, 57.8%, B:2018, cask S090306022,1st Fill sherry butt, 474 bottles. Price: Colour: Dark amber Nose: Very vegetal, rather heavy and tannic, on cola, cocoa, vegetal condiment (Maggi), prunes, lacquer, cloves and wood spices. Taste: Thick, heavy, fruity, on lacquer, burnt wood, cloves, bitter herbs, orange, and cola. The finish is medium to long, rich, floral, astringent, on varnish, marmalade, cloves and bitter herbs. Impression: A sherry monster, heavy and with loads of tannins. Rating: 12/20 PA:J1 |
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Highland Park Single Cask for Wu Dram Clan Whisky Society Clan 2003, 15 YO, OB, 58.2%, B:2019, 1st Fill sherry cask 6162. Price: Colour: Amber-dark amber Nose: Intense, round to vey round, thick, maritime, with loads of dried fruits, on orange, cinnamon, leather, cardamom, some heather, vegetal condiment (Maggi) and just a hint of rubber. Very nice and with a very strong sherry influence. Taste: Round, salty, maritime, fruity, on Haribo candies with orange, tangerine and some exotic fruits, berries, leather, some rubber, cinnamon, cloves and various herbs. The finish is rather long, salty, round to very round, very fruity, slightly rubbery, on leather, herbs and lots of various fruits (Haribo Tropifrutti). Diluted, it becomes sweeter and fruitier. Impression: A recent single cask from the German of Wu Dram Clan, with a very heavy sherry nose, very round and thick, with abundant dried fruits flavours, while on the palate it was very fruity and reminding me strongly of the Haribo Tropfruitti I ate in the afternoon. Thank you Boris. Rating: 16/20 PA:H2 |
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Highland Park 1984 Old Malt Cask, 17 YO, Douglas Laing, 50%, B:2001, Sherry cask, DL900. Price: Colour: Gold Nose: Intense, complex, smoky, maritime, with a nice peat smoke, seaweeds, some heather and light mineral notes. Taste: Light, mineral, moderately smoky, slightly salty, on heather, peat smoke, some light sweet flavours (elderberries flowers and honey), sea brine and a touch of graphite and mineral flavours. Rather subtle. The finish is medium, rather light, salty and maritime, slightly aromatic, with a moderate and slightly bitter peat smoke, some heater and liquorice roots. Diluted, it becomes slightly bitter and on artichoke. Impression: A whisky with a very light sherry influence. Rather smoky for a Highland Park, light, rather subtle and slightly mineral. Rating: 15/20 PA:C3 |
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Peatside Blended Malt 2011, The Golden Barley, 45%, B:2017, cask 5557. Price: Colour: Old gold Nose: Peaty to very peaty, smoky, on air dried bacon, light meaty flavours, oaky, tarry and maritime flavours. Taste: Peaty, smoky, aromatic, with some sea brine, smoked meat, dried bacon, some vanilla and light rooty flavours. The finish is medium to long, peaty, round, smoky, balanced, on dry bacon, peat smoke, some aromatic herbs and a light sweetness. Impression: A nice peaty and smoky whisky, aromatic and on bacon. Well matured for its age. Rating: 14/20 FPA5 |
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Ben Nevis 2012, The Golden Barley, 45%, B:2017, Cask 2044. Price: Colour: Straw Nose: Fresh, floral, on freshly pressed pears, some almonds and fresh flowers. Taste: Fresh, floral, round, malty, smooth, on freshly pressed pears, some light grassy flavours and honey. Diluted, there are some Mirabelle and quince jelly. The finish is medium, round, malty, fresh, and on the same flavours. Impression: A young whisky, fresh, malty, round, with a pleasant mouth feel and some nice fresh fruity flavours. Rating: 14/20 FP:A1 |
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Penderyn Rich Oak, OB, 50%, B:2018, Rejuvenated Ex-Wine Barriques. Price: Colour: Old gold-amber Nose: Smooth, slightly mellow, on fresh exotic fruits, such as papaya and passion fruits, and some peach. Very good! More floral and complex than the Bryn Tefel Taste: Round, mellow, malty, slightly floral and fragrant, on nice round exotic fruits (papaya, mango and guava) and some almonds. Very good. The finish is long, rich, complex, on a fruit basket of exotic fruits (papaya, mango, guava, and banana) and juicy oak. Nicely complex and balanced. Diluted, it becomes more on exotic fruits purée. Impression: An excellent whisky, complex, well balanced, round, slightly mellow and on rich exotic fruit flavours, reminding me of the fruitiness from the 1976 BenRiach. Rating: 17/20 FP:A1
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Crown Royal XR LaSalle, OB, 40%, Price: Colour: Old gold Nose: Round, spicy, smooth, grainy, slightly winey, on vanilla, cinnamon, pecan nuts and some maple syrup. Taste: Round, spirity, grainy, smooth to very smooth, rather floral and clean, on cooked cereals, vanilla, cinnamon, some nutmeg, peach and apricots. The finish is medium and on the same flavours. Diluted, it becomes more oaky, on vanilla and caramel. Impression: A rather clean and spirity Canadian whisky, with unfortunately little complexity. Made with the last rare batches of the old LaSalle distillery. Thank you Martin. Rating:11/20 FP:A1 |
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Seagram V.O. , 6 YO, OB, 40% B:1978. Price: Colour: Gold Nose: Spicy, peppery, intense, clean and slightly grainy. Rather neutral, except for the peppery-spicy flavours. Taste: Smooth to very smooth, clean, grainy, rather spirity, on alcohol, some grain, vanilla and toasted wood. The finish is medium and on the same flavours. Diluted, it becomes more on caramel, vanilla and cooked cereals. Impression: A smooth, but rather bland, spirit and grainy whisky. Better as a mixer than tasted neat. Thank you Martin, Rating: 10/20 FP:A1
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Kilchoman 1997 Private Cask for Patrick B, 12 YO, OB, 54.6%, B:2019, cask 145. Price: Colour : Gold-old gold Nos : Very peaty and intense, powerful, moderately maritime and medicinal, with a balanced and smoky maritime peat smoke, with some ioding, medicinal flavours, soot, vanille and pencil shavings. Palate: Very peaty and intense, rather complex, medicinal and maritime, with a lovely complex peat smoke, graphite, medicinal flavouras, seaweeds, some camphor, vanilla, and light sweet fruity flavours. The finish is long, balanced, peaty, smoky, maritime, medicinal, with a very pleasnt medicinal peat smoke, some iodine, tar, citrus, bandages, vanilla, a hint of soot and liquorice roots. General Impression: An excellent Kilchoman from a first fill bourbon cask, very intense and peaty, showing also a very nice balance and complexity. A delicious treat. If you are interested by a bottle, please contact me. Rating: N/A |
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Penderyn Bryn Terfel, OB, 41%, B:2018. Price: Colour: Pale straw Nose: Smooth to very smooth, on fresh sweet fruity flavours, mainly fresh exotic fruits and pears. Very good! Taste: Light, fresh to very fresh, juicy, on a mixture of diluted fresh pear juice and exotic fruits. The finish is long, juicy, sweet and on the same flavours. Diluted, it becomes more on mango purée. Impression: A very nice and pleasant whisky, light and fresh, with diluted flavours of pear juice and exotic fruits. Refreshing. Rating: 15/20 FP:A1 |
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Islay Blended Malt Scotch Whisky, Berry Bros and Rudd, 44.2%, B:2018. Price: Colour: Pale straw Nose: Very peaty, intense, maritime, tarry, on peat smoke, tar, hemp rope, seaweeds, iodine and a touch of lemon Taste: Peaty to very peaty, tarry, dry, maritime, on peat smoke, iodine, peat smoke, tar and hemp rope. The finish is long, peaty, dry, maritime, on iodine, sea weeds, camphor, hemp rope, gentian and some disinfectant. Impression: A nice smooth, clean, rather light whisky, very peated, maritime and rather medicinal. Very enjoyable and very good value. Rating: 16/20 FP:A8 |
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Ledaig 2005, 12 YO, Wilson & Morgan, 57.9%, B:2018, Casks 8000073-74, Sherry finish Oloroso, 587 bottles. Price: Colour: Old gold Nose: Round, rather mellow, slightly maritime and smoky, on vanilla, sea brine, some seaweeds and melon. Nicely balanced. Taste: Very round, mellow, slightly smoky and maritime, on peat smoke, vanilla, toffee, some dried fruits, and a hint of sea salt and tangerine. The finish is long and on the same flavours. Impression: A very round and balanced whisky, slightly maritime and a pleasant mouth feel. I loved it! Rating: 16/20 FP:D3 |
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Glen Moray 1991, 25 YO, Sansibar, 50.9%, B:2016. Price: Colour: Old gold-amber Nose: Floral, complex, mellow, on melon, peach, vanilla, some dried apricots, humus, Mirabelle, a light peat smoke and a hint of nuts. Very good. Taste: Floral, round, slightly peaty, smoky and farmy, on a light, dry, tarry and farmy peat smoke, some leather, orange, dried fruits, and smoked bacon. The finish is medium, smoky, meaty and on the same flavours. Diluted, it becomes more on toffee. Impression: A version close to the 152, rounder, more floral and slightly less meaty. Very good. Rating: 15/20 FP:E2 |
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Benromach 15 YO, OB, 43%, B:2018. Price: Colour: Old gold Nose: Meaty, smoky, peaty, aromatic, on stewed fruits, farmy flavours and slightly aromatic peat smoke. Very good. Taste: Very round and soft, on dry bacon and ham, farmy (stables) flavours, some vanilla, leather, humus, tar and smoke. The finish is long and on the same flavours. Impression: A very good and surprisingly meaty whisky, with nice smoky flavours. Rating: 15/20 FP:D3 |
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Fettercairn 2008 Pinot Noir, 10 YO, Cadenhead’s, 56.6%, B:2019. Price: Colour: Pale gold Nose: Intense, spicy to very spicy, winey, peppery, on spices, some pepper and rather strong red wine flavours. Taste: Winey to very winey, spicy, okay, intense, on pepper, red wine, red grapes, some hay, vanilla and oak spices. The finish is medium, intense, spicy to very spicy, peppery, winey, on spicy red wine, hay and oaky flavours. Diluted, it becomes more winey. Impression: A very original Fettercairn, with a very intense influence of Pinot Noir, dominating the spirit. A whisky difficult to rate, as it is atypical. Thank you Manfred. Rating: 13/20 FP:A1 |
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Benrinnes 2000, 18 YO, Cadenhead’s, 57.3%, B:2019. Price: Colour: Gold Nose: Round, floral, slightly soft, with some hand made fudges, light aromatic flavours and spices. More intense than the Glenfarclas. Taste: Floral to very floral, fragrant, moderately spicy, slightly grassy, with some rubber, hops, vanilla and heather. The finish is medium, floral, slightly fragrant and spicy, with some hops, rubber, heather and vanilla. Impression: A nice floral expression of Benrinnes. Thank you Manfred. Rating: 14/20 FP:C1 |
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Glenfarclas 1988, 30 YO, Cadenhead’s, 50.9%, B:2018. Price: Colour: Gold Nose: Very round, mellow, elegant, floral, with light grassy and aromatic notes. Very pleasant. Taste: Floral, mellow, rather intense, elegant, on light spices, coconut, pineapples, complex floral flavours. The floral flavours are very good. The finish is long, floral, complex, elegant, on soft spices, some pineapples, coconut, vanilla and fudge. Diluted, there are some additional flavours of Mirabelle. Impression: A very good, elegant, mellow and complex floral Glenfarclas. The wood influence is rather limited, allowing tasting the nice and well matured spirit. Thank you Manfred. Rating: 16/20 FP:C1 |
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Port Askaig 100 Proof, Elixir Distillers, 57.1%, B:2018. Price: Colour: Gold-old gold Nose: Mellow, peaty, slightly aromatic and tarry, on vanilla, a nice moderate, mellow and aromatic peat smoke. Taste: Aromatic, complex, moderately peaty and smoky, with light farmy flavours, some aromatic peat smoke, some yellow fruits, dried fruits and floral honey. Very good. The finish is long, very round, mellow, rather aromatic, moderately meaty and smoky, with some quince, Mirabelle, cooked yellow fruits, dried fruits and soft floral flavours. Diluted, there are some old rubber boots flavours. Impression: A nice round and aromatic whisky, with very pleasant soft peaty flavours. Rating: 16/20 FP:D4 |
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Highland Park 1992, 24 YO, Sansibar & Spirits Shop' Selection, 51.4%, B:2016, 278 bottles. Price: Colour: Gold Nose: Malty, slightly spicy, with some pepper, honey and green fruits. Elegant. Taste: Round, malty, floral, with some honey, Mirabelle, quince, and other sweet fruity flavours. Diluted, it becomes more floral and smoother. The finish is medium, round, floral, slightly fragrant, with some honey, quince and elder berries flowers. Impression: A nice, mellow, and rather floral whisky, with some nice round soft fruity flavours. Rating: 13/20 FP:B1 |
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Kavalan Solist Sherry, OB, 55.6%, B:2018, cask S081229029, 497 bottles. Price: Colour: Old gold-amber Nose: Fresh, floral, light, on orchard fruits, some elder berries flowers. Elegant and slightly sweet. Taste: Fresh, floral, slightly round and malty, with nice soft fruity-floral flavours and some light honey and grassy aromas. The finish is medium and on the same flavours. Impression: A fresh, floral, slightly dry and oaky whisky. Not the easiest whisky. A summer dram. Rating: 11/20 FP:A1 |
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Benromach 10 YO 100 Proof, OB, 57%, B:2018. Price: Colour:Old gold Nose: Very round and malty, slightly floral, on summer flowers and round malty and slightly creamy flavours. Taste: Round, mellow, floral, slightly green and vegetal, on hay, fresh summer flowers, vanilla and a light fragrance. The finish is medium and on the same flavours. Impression: A round, floral and slightly fragrant whisky. Rather complex and nicely mellow. Rating: 12/20 FP:A2
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Hakushu 25 YO, OB, 43%, B:2018. Price: Colour: Old gold-amber Nose: Fresh, intense, on orchard fruits, some yellow and dried fruits, light malty flavours and vanilla. Taste: Round, malty, nicely balanced, slightly floral and fragrant, on vanilla, some cooked orchard fruits and vanilla custard, as well as some light spices. The finish is medium to long and on the same flavours. With time, it becomes more on round and stewed yellow fruits. Diluted, it becomes more on cinnamon and cardamom. Impression: A very nice whisky, smooth and on orchards fruits. Seems less sherry influenced than the earlier versions. Rating: 16/20 FP:D1 |
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Glen Moray 2007 10th Anniversary Whisky & Rhum, L'Esprit, 61.7%, B:2017, cask BB5719, 194 bottles. Price: Colour: Gold Nose: Very round, floral, rather fresh, on vanilla, hand made fudges, light creamy and slightly green orchard fruits. Lovely. Taste: Fresh, zesty, slightly floral, on slightly green orchards fruits, some quince jelly, melon and vanilla. The finish is medium to long, round, slightly floral, with some Mirabelle, vanilla, vanilla custard and light oaky spices. Balanced. Impression: A fresh, slightly green and floral whisky. Rating: 14/20 FP:B1 |
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Chichibu Peated 2012 Mangacamo For LMDW, OB, 62.9%, OB, B:2018, ex-Hanyu cask 2070, 258 bottles. Price: Colour: Gold Nose: Peaty, round, aromatic, well balanced, on aromatic peat smoke, some bitter herbs and vanilla. Very good. Taste: Mellow, peaty, round, aromatic, balanced, slightly tarry, on a mellow aromatic peat smoke, some vanilla, vanilla custard, slightly bitter herbs, seaweeds, sea brine, tar and hemp rope. The finish is long to very long, elegant, on a mellow maritime peat smoke, with some tar, soot, seaweeds, camphor and iodine Impression: It taste like a mellow and old peated whisky that has matured very well. Impressive for such a young whisky. Very elegant and enjoyable. Rating: 17/20 FP:A5 |
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Givran 2006, The Golden Barley, 45%, B:2017, cask 532406. Price: Colour: Pale gold Nose: Floral to very floral, fresh, slightly fragrant, on vanilla and some varnish. Taste: Very light, floral, fresh to very fresh, slightly creamy and grainy, on vanilla, some vanilla custard, light floral and fragrant flavours. The finish is medium, light, fresh and on the same flavours. Impression: A very light, fresh and floral whisky, with fresh vanilla. Rating:11/20 FP:A2 |
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Benromach 10 YO, OB, 43%, B:2018. Price: Colour: Old gold Nose: Floral, fresh, mellow, on dried fruits, some sultanas, melon, peach, orange, and cinnamon. With time, it becomes fruitier and sweeter. Taste: Floral, round, moderately peaty, dry, tarry, with some soot, peat smoke, vanilla, cinnamon and melon. Diluted, it becomes slightly aromatic and bitter. The finish is medium to long and on the same flavours. Diluted, it becomes more oaky and spicy. Impression: A good whisky, combining a very dry peat smoke and some nice sweet fruity flavours. Rating: 13/20 FP:C5 |
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Edradour 2008 for LMDW, OB, 57.9%, B:2018, cask 8, First Fill Sherry Butt, 515 bottles. Price: Colour: Dark Amber Nose: Clean, vegetal, on cardamom, round floral flavours, some lacquer, precious wood and light vegetal condiments. Taste: Round, spicy to very spicy, moderately vegetal, on leather, orange, cinnamon, nutmeg, tannins, some cloves, tangerine, precious wood, lacquer and bitter oranges. Diluted, it becomes slightly smoother, but it remains heavy on tannins and with some black liquorice. The finish is long, tannic, round, very spicy, on treacle, nuts, oranges, tannins, heavy leather, spices and some vegetal condiment. Impression: A nice thick and heavily sherried whisky, on tannins and black liquorice. Rating: 14/20 FP:H1 |
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Kavalan Selection Whisky Live Paris 2018, OB, 59.4%, cask N060828A47, Virgin Oak, 89 bottles. Price: Colour: Dark Amber Nose: Thick, heavy, on leather, tannins, lacquer, brambleberries, plums, sultanas, some blackcurrant, exotic fruits, mango and oranges. Very good and rather complex. Taste: Complex, fruity, slightly smoky, on leather, exotic fruits (mainly passion fruits and mango), some tannins, orange and tangerine and other fruity flavours. Rich and rather intense. The finish is long, intense, complex, rich, very fruity, on various exotic fruits, leather, tannins, dried fruity, some nut and vegetal condiments. Impression: An excellent whisky, with nice high-grade leather combined with dried fruits, berried and exotic fruits. The combination of flavours works very well here. Difficult to believe it was a virgin oak, considering its colour and flavour profile. Rating: 17/20 FP:G1 |
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Edradour 2004 For Taiwan Warrior Series, 11 YO, OB, 59.2%, B:2016 cask 416, 1st Fill Oloroso Sherry Cask. Price: Colour: Dark Amber Nose: Intense, thick, tannic, heavy, on precious wood, treacle, wood and dried fruits. Very heavy on the tannins. Taste: Round to very round, vegetal, green, on treacle, leather, tannins, some nuts, caramel, sultanas, dried fruits and dark berries, The finish is medium to long, heavy, thick, syrupy, moderately floral and bitter, on dried fruits, nuts, lacquer, precious wood, black liquorice and marmalade. Diluted, it becomes more on vegetal condiment and bitterer. Impression: A very heavily sherried whisky, on tannins, leather and black liquorice. Very good, with will integrated flavours.. Rating: 15/20 FP: I1 |
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Kavalan Solist Sherry cask, OB, 54.8%, B:2018 cask S081229027, 496 bottles. Price: Colour: Amber Nose: Floral, vegetal, round, spicy, on nutmeg, vegetal condiment, round and soft spices, orange, tangerine, cinnamon, lacquer and a hint of incense. Taste: Rubbery to very rubbery, thick, intense, lacquer, marmalade, and on cloves. Diluted, it becomes more musky and tanninc. The finish is long and on the same flavours. Impression: A thick floral whisky, musky, rather tannic and very strong rubbery flavours. Too much for me. Rating: 09/20 FP:J1 |
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Highland Park 2005, 12 YO, Duncan Taylor, 53.9%, B:2018, cask 5017304, Octave, 62 bottles. Price: Colour: Old gold -amber Nose: Floral to very floral, slightly fragrant, fruity, on stewed fruits, melon, passion fruits, mango and a hint of aromatic herbs. Rather complex. Taste: Rich, intense, round, moderately spicy, with some aromatic herbs, cinnamon, complex floral flavours, a few cooked fruits and a touch of peat smoke. Rather complex. The finish is long, floral, fruity, slightly aromatic, with some leather, orange, tangerine, and light aromatic herbs. Diluted, it becomes spicier and with some cloves. Impression: A nicely balanced whisky, rather complex, with a very pleasant mouth feel and elegant spices. Rating: 15/20 FP:H2 |
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Sherry Cask Matured Blended Malt Scotch Whisky, Berry Bros and Rudd, 44.2%, B:2018. Price: Colour: Amber Nose: Floral, round, rather intense, on fudge, fresh flowers, some toffee and spices. Taste: Very round, fresh, floral, slightly juicy, on fudge, some red berries, toffee and fresh clean floral flavours. The finish is medium, floral, clean and round, on cinnamon, nutmeg, round leather, some red berries, tannins, fudge, and caramel and on clean floral flavours. Impression: A very clean and round sherried whisky, on round toffee and caramel flavours. Not very complex, but nicely balanced and pleasant to drink. Rating: 14/20 FP:G1 |
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Fettercairn 2008, L'Esprit, 58.4%, B:2017, cask BB4624, 237 bottles. Price: Colour: Gold Nose: Fresh, floral, slightly malty and young, on vanilla and light creamy flavours. Taste: Floral, peaty, rooty, slightly dry, on vanilla, some humus, straw and light oaky flavours. The finish is medium, moderately dry, floral and fragrant, with some straw and dry spices. Diluted, it becomes slightly more fragrant. Impression: A fresh, floral, slightly dry and fragrant whisky. Rating: 11/20 FP:A1 |
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GlenAllachie 12 YO, OB, 46%, B:2018. Price: Colour: Gold Nose: Milky, creamy, slightly floral, on vanilla cream and some whipped cream. Taste: Fresh, clean, smooth, with some vanilla, honey, and orchard fruits. The finish is medium and on the same flavours. Impression: A nice, clean and fresh whisky. Rating: 13/20 FP:A1 |
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Benrinnes 1997, 18 YO, Acla Selection, 52.2%, B:2015, cask 819, Hogshead, 138 bottles. Price: Colour: Pale gold Nose: Fresh, intense, clean, grassy, floral, with some light orchards fruits and a touch of vanilla. Taste: Fresh, smooth, moderately grassy, slightly spicy, with some orchards, vanilla, and some oak spices. Diluted, it becomes more on green apples. The finish is medium, smooth, pleasant, well balanced, rather fresh and spicy, on vanilla and some apples. Impression: A nice, fresh, smooth and grassy whisky. Nice to taste a Benrinnes not dominated by a sherry cask. Rating: 14/20 FP:A1 |
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Bunnahabhain 2007, 9 YO, Chieftain's, 56.8%, B:2017, cask 3755, Peated Hogshead, 291 bottles. Price: Colour: Gold Nose: Peaty, smoky, aromatic, intense, moderately oaky, maritime and medicinal, on bandages, iodine, seaweeds, peat smoke and some sea shells. Taste: Young, oaky, aromatic, spicy, slightly fragrant, with some varnish, fragrance, vanilla and some spices. Slightly rough. The finish is medium, aromatic, rough, young, moderately peaty and maritime. Impression: A rather aromatic and peaty whisky, slightly rough and unbalanced. Rating: 10/20 FP:A6 |
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GlenAllachie 18 YO, OB, 46%, B:2018. Price: Colour: Gold Nose: Light to very light, clean, with some vanilla, dough and orchards fruits. Taste: Light to very light, fresh, floral, on dough, vanilla and some orchards fruits. The finish is medium, fresh, floral, light, slightly creamy, on vanilla, vanilla custard, some orchards fruits and a hint of melon. Diluted, it becomes spicier and on tobacco. Impression: A light to very light, fresh and clean whisky, with a nice mouth feel and spices. Rating: 14/20 FP:A1 |
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Dailuaine 1973 Rare Malts, 22 YO, OB, 61.80%, B:1995. Price: Colour: Pale gold Nose: Round, floral to very floral, smooth, on round and soft vanilla and floral flavours, as well as some green melon. Slightly heavier than the Glendullan. Taste: Heavy, floral, grassy, slightly mineral and smoky, on nice grassy and mineral flavours, with some quince, Mirabelle, light aromatic herbs and a light peat smoke. The finish is medium, rather heavy, aromatic and mineral, with some quince, green melon, vanilla and a light peat smoke. Impression: A very good Dailuaine, rather heavy, with very pleasant nice grassy, floral and mineral flavours. Rating: 16/20 FP:C2 |
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Glendullan 1972 Rare Malts, 23 YO, OB, 62.43%, B:1995. Price: Colour: Pale gold Nose: Flora, clean, round, fresh, intense, on intense and round vanilla flavours, some heather, round floral flavours, spices and nutmeg. Taste: Clean, floral, round, on vanilla, soft yellow fruity flavours, some honey, and heather. Diluted, it becomes smoother. The finish is medium, round, rather smooth, well balanced, slightly spicy, on vanilla and fresh and round floral flavours. Impression: A very nice round, smooth and floral Glendullan. Rating: 15/20 FP:A1 |
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Bowmore 2001 for Shinanoya Old Malt Cask, 13 YO, Hunter Laing, 57.7%, B:2015. Price: Colour: Straw Nose: Maritime, smoky, slightly floral, oaky and fragrant, on floral fragrance, some peat smoke, sea salt, vanilla and a touch of seaweeds. Taste: Peaty, intense, oaky, maritime, salty, fragrant, floral, on peat smoke, floral fragrance, some vanilla and lavender. The finish is medium and on the same flavours. Diluted, it becomes smokier and more rooty. Impression: A nice Bowmore, rather clean, oaky and floral. Rating: 13/20 FP:A5 |
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Bowmore Distillery Manager's Selection 1997, OB, 51.7%, B:2019. Price: Colour: Dark Amber Nose: Nutty, rich, complex, fruity to very fruity, on dark fruits, maritime peat smoke, seaweeds, sultanas, exotic fruits, cocoa, nuts and nice leather. Taste: Riche, nutty, intense, floral, moderately bitter, slightly fragrant, on peat smoke, lavender perfume, cloves, nuts, tannins and some rubber. The finish is medium to long, rather fragrant, slightly tannic and bitter, on nuts, orange, sultanas, leather and tannins. Diluted, it is more bitter and tannic. Impression: A Bowmore with an excellent rich and fruity nose, but rather fragrant, nutty and bitter on the palate. Rating: 14/20 FP: I4 |
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Glen Elgin 1995, 23 YO, Cadenhead’s, 50.6%, B:2019. Price: Colour: Pale gold Nose: Round, moderately grassy and floral, on nice round and mellow grassy and floral flavours, some almonds, vanilla and honey. Taste: Complex, elegant, grassy, moderately floral and well balanced, on soft spices, nice grassy flavours, light mellow fruity flavours and aromatic herbs. The finish is long, elegant, grassy, softy floral, mellow, well balanced, on nice grassy and mellow aromatic herbs, some vanilla and light floral flavours. Lovely. Impression: A very good Glen Elgin, elegant, complex and well balanced. A lovely one with most enjoyable mouthfeel. Thank you Manfred. Rating: 16/20 FP: A1 |
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Old Pulteney 2006, 13 YO, Cadenhead’s, 54.7%, B:2019. Price: Colour: Pale gold Nose: Coastal to very coastal, salty, round, intense, some vanilla and fudge. Well balanced and very pleasant. Taste: Intense, spicy, salty, round, very coastal, on round vanilla flavours, light round floral flavours, some spices, a hint of oak spices, smoke and heather. The finish is medium and on the same flavours. Diluted, it becomes slightly more oaky and spicier. Impression: A very coastal, round, rather salty Old Pulteney, with some round vanilla and floral flavours. Thank you Manfred. Rating: 14/20 FP:A1 |
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Glenrothes 1994, 24 YO, Cadenhead’s, 47%, B:2019, Sherry finish. Price: Colour: Old gold Nose: Floral to very floral, round, fruity, rather intense, slightly thick and spicy, on dried fruits, sultanas, some orange, cinnamon, vanilla and soft oaky spices. More intense, spicier and richer than the 2001. Taste: Smooth to very smooth, floral to very floral, rich, rather complex, on nice summer flowers, light to moderate oaky flavours, sultanas, some fudge, orange, vanilla, and a hint of tobacco quid. The finish is medium to long, round, floral, moderately oaky, with some vanilla, fudge, oak spices, light fresh floral flavours, a hint of liquorice roots and tobacco leaves. Impression: The nose was very different from the 2001, more intense and complex, while it gets closer on the palate with its floral and oaky flavours. The sherry finish provides a nice rounder and sweeter influence to this nice whisky. Thank you Manfred Rating: 14/20 FP:D1 |
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Glenrothes 2001, 17 YO, Cadenhead’s, 53.2%, B:2018. Price: Colour: Gold Nose: Very smooth, round, on nice soft summer floral flavours, some vanilla and light fruity flavours. Taste: Very smooth, round, floral, oaky, on vanilla, nice oaky flavours, summer flowers, cinnamon, freshly sawn wood, a hint of heather and liquorice roots. The finish is medium, oaky, fresh, floral, on vanilla, cinnamon, summer flavours and light rooty flavours. Impression: A single malt with a very nice smooth and soft nose, smelling good a field in summery filled with flowers, becoming more oaky on the palate. Thank you Manfred. Rating: 13/20 FP:A1 |
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Teaninich 1983 30th Anniversary, 35 YO, Signatory, 57.5%, B:2018, cask 8070. Price: Colour: Gold Nose: Mellow, complex, intense, on vanilla, melon, nice round grassy and honey flavours. Well balanced. Taste: Floral to very floral, fragrant, intense, spirity, grassy, on vanilla, heather, honey, nice vanilla flavours, fresh floral flavours and some fragrant perfume. The finish is medium to long and on the same flavours. Impression: A very fresh and floral Teaninich, rather fragrant, on vanilla and grassy flavours. Rather spirit when tasted neat. Rating: 15/20 FP:A1 |
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John Powers Pure Pot Three Swallows, OB, 43%, B:1970s. Price: Colour: Gold Nose: Rich, slightly malty and gristy, on vanilla, light oaky spices, some melon, exotic fruits, cooked cereals, orchard’s fruits drops and a hint of varnish. Balanced. Diluted, it becomes fruitier. Taste: Rich, floral, fragrant, malty, with some oak spices, vanilla, pepper, a light fragrance and some green apples. The finish is medium, dry, oaky, and moderately spicy, on vanilla, oak spices and some green orchards fruits. Impression: A good John Powers, with a rather pronounced oaky (ex-bourbon) spices. Thank you Martin. Rating: 14/20 FP:A1 |
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Macallan 1998 30th Anniversary, 25 YO, Signatory, 48%, B:2019, cask 13/1. Price: Colour: Amber Nose: Rich, floral, intense, complex, spicy, with lots of sultanas, on figs, treacle, oranges, spices, leather, tannins and nice thick and various spicy flavours. Lovely. Taste: Rich, thick, intense, heavy, floral, with lots of dried fruits, on tannins, leather, sultanas, orange, figs, dates, some treacle, marmalade and thick spices. Diluted, it becomes slightly more tannic. Impression: The whisky is very good, thick, intense, heavy, heavily sherried and lots of dried fruits. Tannins are present but not unpleasant. Rating: 17/20 FP:H1 |
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Caperdonich 1972 Reserve for Holland, Gordon & MacPhail, 57.0%, B:2008, cask 1975. Price: Colour: Amber Nose: Very rich and fruity, floral, intense, woody, on dried fruits, figs, tannins, cinnamon, orange, wet wood, and leather. Taste: Woody to very woody, very fruity, slightly dry and tannic, malty, floral, on dried fruits, figs, some lacquer, sultanas, grapes, orchard’s fruits, honey, orange, orange peel, cooked apples, and some humus. Complex and nicely fruity. Diluted, it becomes quite woody and dry. The finish is medium to long, fruity, rich, woody, on dark chocolate, honey, fruity flavours, cooked orchards fruits, dried fruits and figs. Diluted, it becomes more wood, dry and tannic. Impression: A heavily sherried Caperdonich, rich and very fruity. I enjoyed it very much, but diluted, it becomes quite woody. Better to enjoy neat. Thank you Stéphane C. Rating: 16/20 FP:I1 |
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Knob Creek K&L, 9 YO, OB, Barrel 3128. Price: Colour: Old gold Nose: Rich, spicy, smooth, mellow, on cinnamon, nutmeg, some apricots, peach, cloves, maples syrup and light vanilla and creamy flavours. The smoothest and creamiest of the 3. Taste: Smooth to very smooth, mellow, complex, rich, fragrant, floral, on cinnamon, some cloves, fudge, gingerbread, pepper, molasses, peach, charred wood, and spearmint. The finish is medium, smooth, slightly fragrant, floral and dry, on cinnamon, nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves and some molasses. Impression: A version with a smoother and creamier nose, initially creamy on the palate, before becoming drier and more peppery afterwards. Thank you Martin. Rating: 14/20 FP:C1 |
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Knob Creek for K&L, 9 YO, OB, Barrel 3127. Price: Colour: Old gold Nose: Rich, very spicy, dry, peppery, floral, fragrant, on cinnamon, nutmeg, peach, apricots, black pepper, cloves, molasses and gingerbread. Spicier, drier and more peppery than Barrel 3080. Taste: Dry to very dry, oaky, quite woody and tannic, on gingerbread, pepper, molasses, cloves, cinnamon and nutmeg. The finish is medium to long, spicy, peppery, and slightly fragrant, on cinnamon, caramel, some cloves, charred wood and apricots. Impression: A rather dry expression of Knob Creek, with strong peppery flavours. The rye is dominating the whisky. Thank you Martin. Rating: 12/20 FP:C1 |
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Knob Creek for K&L Wine, 9 YO, OB, 60%, Barrel 3080. Price: Colour: Old gold Nose: Rich, very spicy, on cinnamon, nutmeg, maple syrup, pecan nuts, peach, some fragrance, cloves, anise and fudge. Taste: Intense to very intense, very spicy, peppery, with lots of cinnamon, on pecan nuts, peach, cloves, cinnamon, fudge, some apple pie, apricots and maple syrup. Diluted, it becomes creamier, more on anise and with some spearmint. The finish is medium, rich, spicy, smooth, intense, slightly peppery, floral and fragrant, on pepper, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, maple syrup, peach and gingerbread. Impression: A rich, intense, complex and very spicy whiskey, with various spices and a good balance. Very pleasant. Thank you Martin. Rating: 15/20 FP:D1 |
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John Jameson L.E. Egan, 10 YO, OB, B:1930s. Price: Colour: Old gold-amber Nose: Excellent! Rich, fruity, complex, deep, very well balanced, on soft spices, high grade leather, oranges, sultanas, ripe exotic fruits (including a fair dose of passion fruits), fine mild and exotic spices, and a hint of smoke. So much better than the ones from the 1960-70s Bouche: Rich, round, mellow, fruity, complex, balanced, slightly malty, on vanilla, malt, soft spices, some leather, tangerine, oak spices, cinnamon, cooked cereals, exotic fruits and a hint of smoke and nuts. The finish is medium to long, rich, complex, mellow, moderately nutty, spicy and fruity, on high grade and round spices, cinnamon, some porridge, malt, tangerine, oranges and a dash of exotic fruits. Diluted, it becomes softer and fruitier, with a slightly more pronounced oaky influence. Impression: An excellent, rich, complex and balanced John Jameson, more complex and fruitier than the ones distilled in the 1960-70s, with a fair dose of well balanced and integrated sherry influence. Thank you so much Martin for the opportunity of tasting such an old Jameson. Rating: 17/20 FP:G2 |
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Cask Islay, A.D. Rattray, 46%, B:2018. Price: Colour: Gold Nose: Smooth, clean, peaty, maritime, intense, on iodine, peat smoke, some bandages and camphor. Taste: Fresh, intense, oaky, maritime, on camphor, peat smoke, some iodine and seaweeds, and mercurochrome. The finish is medium, oaky, clean, intense, smoky to very smoky, camphor, iodine, some bandages, mercurochrome, seaweeds and peat smoke. Impression: A nice clean whisky, intense, peaty, very smoky and rather medicinal flavours. Nicely balanced. A small batch Islay single malt. Rating: 15/20 FP:A8 |
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High Privacy 1998, 20 YO, Michel Couvreur, 43.8%, B:2018, PX Sherry Cask. Price: Colour: Amber Nose: Round, complex, floral, spicy, moderately vegetal, on heavy leather, tannins, sultanas, some cinnamon, nutmeg, nuts, cardamom, dried fruits, high-grade vegetal condiments, orange, tangerine and heather. Very good, with a thick and heavy round sherry influence from the Pedro Ximinez sherry cask. Taste: Floral, balanced, rather fresh, with nice fresh vanilla flavours, with light creamy flavours, some sultanas, nuts, aromatic herbs and fresh rubber. With time, it becomes more rubbery and nutty. The finish is long, dry, nutty, rubbery, tannic, moderately bitter, thick and nutty, on sultanas, rubber, orange, tangerine and nuts. Impression: The nose was very good and pleasant, but then, on the palate is becomes rather rubbery and tannic. The wood is too loud to my liking. Rating: 13/20 FP:I1 |
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Coeur de Cave Triple Wood batch ½ Whisky for Life & Brühler Whiskyhaus, 13 YO, Michel Couvreur, 53%, B:2016. Price: Colour: Gold-old gold Nose: Intense, complex, thick, heavy, round, moderately floral, on tannins, nuts, lots of dried fruits, orange, sultanas, some vanilla and oaky spices. Taste: Floral, spicy, round, oaky, vegetal, rather thick and heavy, on nuts, treacle, oak spices, orange, vegetal condiment and lots of sultanas. The finish is medium, thick, heavy, dry, nutty, slightly floral, on sultanas, some vegetal condiment, treacle, vegetamine, orange and various spices, including cloves. Impression: A rather thick, heavy and nutty whisky, with a fair dose of vegetal condiment. A good whisky, but the wood combination would benefit of a better balance. Rating: 13/20 FP:G1 |
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Strathmill 1995 Port Cask, Cadenhead’s, 50.8%, B:2018. Price: Colour: Old gold Nose: Mellow, grassy, round, slightly winey and sugary, on nice round and mellow grassy flavours, round and sweet light winey flavours. Very nice. Taste: Light, floral, sweet, grassy, with a very light wood influence, light floral flavours and some light sweet and winey flavours of Port. The finish is medium, light, floral, grassy, and slightly fragrant, with some vanilla and nice sugary Port flavours. Diluted, it becomes more on Port. Impression: A very nice Strathmill, elegant, light and pleasant Port flavours. The Port is rather discreet when tasted neat, and it becomes more pronounced with some water added. Rating: 15/20 FP:D1 |
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GlenDronach 1992 for Whisky-online.com, 26 YO, OB, 54.3%, B: 2019, cask 220. Price: Colour: Amber Nose: Round, mellow, moderately floral and vegetal, on soft tannins, treacle, fudge, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, sultanas, some rubber and vegetal condiment. Taste: Round, mellow, thick, heavy, spicy, balanced, rather spicy, on sultanas, spices, cinnamon, nutmeg, some fresh rubber, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, fudge and vegetal condiment. The finish is long, complex, mellow, round, spicy, rather fruity, with nice round flavours of fudge. Impression: A very good, rich, thick and heavy GlenDronach. Thank you Harrison. Rating: 15/20 FP:G1 |
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Old Forester, OB, 80 Proof, B:1977. Price: Colour: Old gold-amber Nose: Intense, spicy, rather complex and dry, on pepper, cinnamon, nutmeg, some cooked cereal, rye bread, orange and tangerine. Markedly drier and spicier than the Kentucky. Taste: Spicy to very spicy, dry, intense, on bitter orange, cinnamon, nutmeg, some cloves and light creamy flavours. The finish is medium and on the same flavours. Diluted, it becomes slightly spicier, drier and more nutty. Impression: A very good dry and spicy Bourbon, with a pleasant intensity. Thank you Martin. Rating: 15/20 FP:A1 |
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Old Kentucky’s Tavern, 8 YO, 43%, B:1970s. Price: Colour: Old gold-amber Nose: Intense, sweet, rich, with lots of cooked cereals, various spices, including lots of cinnamon), on orange, tangerine, peach, vanilla, some honey and exotic wood. Very good! Taste: Rich, intense, complex, spicy, with some nice malty flavours, on cinnamon, nutmeg, orange, some tangerine, peppery, cooked cereals and toffee. The finish is medium to long, rich, spicy, intense, complex, on orange, orange peel, various spices, some honey and vanilla. Diluted, it becomes fruitier. Impression: A lovely Bourbon, rich, fruity, complex and with nice creamy and spicy flavours. Thank you Martin. Rating: 15/20 FP:A1 |
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Ardbeg 1974 33.11, Scotch Malt Whisky Society, 56.0%, B:1991. Price: Colour: Gold Nose: Very peaty, dry, maritime, on dry and intense peat smoke, seaweeds, camphor, and some iodine. Lovely. Taste: Very intense and peaty, dry, smoky, phenolic, rooty, on camphor, maritime and dry peat smoke, ashes, soot, dry liquorice roots, some vanilla, sea weeds and other medicinal flavours. Diluted, it becomes more medicinal. The finish is very long, dry, maritime, peaty, smoky, rooty, intense, complex, and slightly oily, on camphor, peat smoke, seaweeds, iodine, tar, and a touch of spearmint. Impression: An excellent very peat and intense Ardbeg, complex, sooty, tarry and with lovely camphor flavours. It is so good to taste such a good old Ardbeg. Rating: 19/20 FP:A8 |
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Ardbeg 1975 33.5, Scotch Malt Whisky Society, 55.7%, B:1987. Price: Colour: Gold Nose: Smooth, elegant, peaty, maritime, on iodine, peat smoke, sea brine, some seaweeds, light oaky and vanilla flavours. Lighter, less intense and complex than the 33.11. Taste: Dry, smoky, peaty, and moderately fragrant, medicinal to very medicinal, slightly tarry and oily, on camphor, peat smoke, medicinal flavours (chloroform), some dry roots, vanilla and seaweeds. The finish is long, elegant, subtle, medicinal, moderately smoky and peaty, and with some vanilla. Impression: A rather sharp contrast to the 33.11, as is it more subtle and medicinal, but also less intense and peaty. Very good, but I enjoyed the 1974 better. Rating: 17/20 FP:A6 |
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Paddy, 10 YO, OB, 40%, B: 1960s. Price: Colour: Gold-old gold Nose: Round, malty, moderately mellow, slightly fruity, on nice malty flavours, some green malt, honey, grassy flavours and apples. Less spicy and rounder than the green band. Taste: Malty, round to very round, moderately green and grassy, on green malt, freshly ground malt, some spices, slightly green apples, melon and hint of oaky flavours. The finish is medium and on the same flavours. Impression: A nice round, malty, moderately green and spicy Paddy, with some light fruity flavours. More balanced, complex and rounder than the Green band. Rating: 14/20 FP:B1 |
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Paddy Green Band, OB, B:mid 1960s. Price: Colour: Gold Nose: Rich, green, malty, rather spicy and intense, on green malt, green apples, spices and some grassy flavours. Taste: Grassy, round, malty, moderately spicy, slightly green, on green malt, spices, freshly and grossly crushed barley, some green apples and oaky flavours. The finish is medium and on the same flavours. Diluted, it becomes more on green apples and with a hint of tobacco. Impression: An intense, spicy, rich and rather green Paddy, that seems rather young. Thank you Martin. Rating: 13/20 FP:A1 |
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Jameson 10 YO for T.W. Begge, OB, B:1960s. Price: Colour: Gold-old gold Nose: Round, fruity, well balanced, malty, with a fair dose of blackurrant and other berries, some ripe mango, candied exotic fruits and soft spices. Rounder, fruitier and less spicy than the Millar. Taste: Malty, moderately spicy and fruity, on soft spices, some pepper, mango, melon, wild berries and vanilla, as well as a hint of smoke and mushrooms. The finish is medium, malty to very malty, moderately spicy, with some tannins, cinnamon, melon, blackcurrant and exotic fruits. Impression: Another very good Jameson, smoother and fruitier (more berries) than the Millar. Thank you Martin. Rating: 15/20 FP:C2 |
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JJ Jameson 10 YO for A. Millar, OB, B:1960s, Price: Colour: Gold-old gold Nose: Malty, round, moderately spicy and fruity, on soft spices, porridge, some stewed fruits, vanilla, and berries. Well balanced and rather intense. Taste: Malty to very malty, round, on soft spices, freshly crushed barley, some honey, melon, berries and a hint of exotic fruits. The finish is medium, rather mellow and round and on the same flavours. Diluted, it becomes more on crushed barley. Impression: A very good malty, rather spicy and slightly fruity whiskey. Martin. Rating:14/20 FP:C2 |
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Teeling 1991 for The Whisky Exchange, 27 YO, OB, 49.8%, cask 6838. Price: Colour: Old gold-amber Nose: Mellow, round, elegant, on vanilla, blackcurrant, dried fruits, some exotic fruits and nuts. Less intense and expressive than the Gelston. Taste: Soft, mellow, elegant, complex, rather spicy, on soft leather, mango, some fudge, blackcurrant and various exotic fruits. The finish is medium to long, soft, mellow, on soft flavours of exotic fruits, some malty and creamy flavours, fudge and cinnamon. Diluted, it becomes slightly more tannic and with a light bitterness. Impression: A rather soft and elegant version of Teeling, with subtle sherry flavours, mainly on leather, spices and some candied fruits. Markedly less intense than the Gelston. Thank you Stéphane. Rating: 15/20 FP:G1 |
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Gelston Old Irish Whiskey, 26 YO, OB, 54.2%, B:2018, Bourbon cask, 144 bottles. Price: Colour: Gold-old gold Nose: Mellow, intense, fruity, spicy, on exotic fruits, blackcurrant, vanilla, melon, mango and intense spices. Taste: Round, intense, spicy, very fruity, complex, on mango, vanilla, blackcurrant, exotic fruits, intense spicy flavours, some fruit sherbet and oak spices. Diluted, it becomes rounder, less spicy and more on malty and creamy flavours. The finish is rather long, spicy, fruity, slightly oaky, on exotic fruits, some vanilla, tobacco, blackcurrant and mango. Impression: A very good Irish whiskey, very intense, complex, on blackcurrant and nice exotic fruits. A very powerful dram that I enjoyed very much. Thank you Stéphane. Rating: 16/20 FP:B1 |
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Slyrs Oloroso, OB, 46%, B:2018. Price: Colour: Old gold-amber Nose: Very round, malty, floral, on sultanas, some orange, tangerine and a touch of fudge. Taste: Floral, fresh, round, malty, slightly spicy, oaky and yeasty, with some dried fruits, new leather, cinnamon, sultanas and nutmeg. Diluted, it seems even spicier and with more berries. The finish is medium, rich, spicy, slightly floral and malty, on sultanas, some berries and nutty flavours. Impression: A good floral and rather malty whisky, with a nice spicy and nutty round influence for the Oloroso final maturation. Rating: 13/20 FP:G1 |
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Clynelish 1972, Liquid Gold Enterprise, 58%, B:2002. Price: Colour: Gold Nose: Intense, sharp, waxy, moderately farmy, slightly smoky and mineral, with a light dry peat smoke, Taste: Intense, waxy, dry, citric, complex, rather farmy, moderately peaty, with some moderate dry peat smoke, wax, various citrus, mustard seeds, pepper and stable. The finish is long, complex, rather dry and peaty and on the same flavours. Impression: A very complex, dry, citric and rather farmy Clynelish, with a fair amount of dry peat smoke. Most enjoyable. More intense and pleasant that the 1974 Adelphi. Rating: 18/20 FP:A2 |
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Glenlivet Solera, Thompson Brothers, 48.3%, B: 1994. Price: Colour: Old gold-amber Nose: Intense, complex, slightly mineral, peaty, clean and grassy, on a very nice clean and slightly aromatic and dry peat smoke, soft spices, some heather, sultanas, and candied fruits. Nicely sharp and intense. Taste: Complex, rich, slightly mineral, metallic, smoky, peaty and grassy, on a nice complex, dry and slightly aromatic peat smoke, some sultanas, dry leather, candied oranges and tangerine. The finish is long, clean, complex, round, on sultanas, some old worn leather, heather, candied orange, tangerine, and a lovely old fashioned slightly aromatic and mineral peat smoke. Diluted, it becomes sweeter and fruitier. Impression: A very charming, complex, intense, rather clean Glenlivet, with a lovely moderate peat smoke, as you can taste in the Glenlivet distilled in the 1960-70s. Thank you Phil. Rating: 17/20 FP:E4 |
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Clynelish 1974, 27 YO, Adelphi, 56.3%, B:2012, cask 2565. Price: Colour: Gold Nose: Mellow, round to very round, waxy to very waxy, slightly mineral, on beeswax, light notes of mustard seeds. Taste: Intense, mellow, moderately spicy (pepper and mustard), waxy and citric, slightly dry and farmy, on grapefruit, some dry peat smoke and stable flavours, as well as some bitter lemon. The finish is long and on the same flavours. Impression: A Clynelish with a very round and waxy nose, but more intense and citric on the palate. Very good, even if it not overly complex. Rating: 17/20 FP:A2 |
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Omar Cask Strength Virgin Oak 2012, OB, 57.4%, B:2018, cask 011120002 Price: Colour: Amber Nose: Deliciously fruity, round, rich, complex, with lots of round and sweet exotic fruits. Really good. Taste: A very round and mellow whisky, complex, well balanced, loads of exotic fruits and some soft spices. The finish is long, round, sweet and very fruity, with light grassy fruity and exotic woods. Impression: A very nice mellow, round and very fruity whisky, A nice basket of vitamins. Diluted, it becomes slightly spicier. Rating: 17/20 FP:E1 |
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Omar Cask Strength Sherry Cask 2008, OB, 53.8%, B:2018, cask 23130012. Price: Colour: Amber Nose: Nutty, tannic, heavy, on dry spices, leather, tannins, marmalade and oranges. Taste: Round, floral, slightly vegetal and fragrant, with some fudge, light fruity flavours, marmalade, sultanas, vegetal condiment and a touch of rubber. The finish is medium and on the same flavours. Impression: A good, round, floral and slightly fragrant sherried whisky. Rating: 13/20 FP:E1 |
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Springbank 1965 27.6, Scotch Malt Whisky Society, 58.7%, B:1987. Price: Colour: Amber Nose: Rich, intense, complex to very complex, moderately smoky, peaty and maritime, on humus, a complex maritime and slightly dry “dirty” peat smoke, oranges, sultanas, dried fruits, some old furniture’s, leather and spices. Excellent. Taste: Rich, complex to very complex, smoky, maritime, on old leather, slightly dry old fashioned peat smoke, some aromatic and bitter herbs, rancio, sultanas, exotic fruits, orange and pineapples. The finish is long to very long, smoky, slightly dry, nutty and farmy, on leather, sultanas, old maritime peat smoke, humus, pineapples, orange and dried fruits. Impression: An excellent old style of complex, rich and rather peaty Springbank, and lovely fruity flavours, old leather, some nuts and humus. Thank you Harrison. Rating: 19/20 FP:G4 |
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Springbank 1991 Le Fanculle Dell’Eoo For Japan, Moon Import, 59.3%, B:2003. Price: Colour: Old gold-amber Nose: Smoky, intense, rich, farmy, “dirty”, slightly musky, moderately peaty and maritime, on leather, light farmy flavours, some peat smoke, harbour-like flavours, sultanas, oranges, lacquer, stable and other dried fruits. Very good. Taste: Complex, intense, well balanced, rich, moderately sweet, fruity and maritime, on nice leather, some sea salt, orange, tangerine, coconut, humus, sultanas, dried fruits and nuts. The finish is long and on the same flavours. Diluted, it becomes more on walnuts and some dry liquorice roots. Impression: An excellent sherried Springbank, rather smoky for the period, with a lovely balance and fruity flavours. Thank you Enrico. Rating: 18/20 FP:E3 |
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Amrut single cask for Taiwan Hot Malt 2014, 4 YO, OB, 56.5%, B:2018, cask 4683, PX Sherry Cask, 360 bottles. Price: Colour: Amber Nose: Rubbery, thick, tannic, on cloves, heavy tannins, sultanas, figs and bitter caramel. Very heavy, dry, bitter and nutty. Taste: Round, floral, spicy, slightly bitter, on heavy tannins, sultanas, orange, marmalade, cloves and fudges. The finish is long, dry, tannic, bitter, floral and nutty. Diluted, it becomes more on orange juice and rubber. Impression: A very dry, tannic, floral, rather rubbery and bitter whisky. Too much for me. Rating: 12/20 FP:J1 |
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Säntis Genesis Edition N°1, OB, 49%, B:2019, Matured in Beer & Finished in Wine Casks Winery Feiler-Artinger. Price: Colour: Old gold-amber Nose: Sweet, thick, rich, sugary, winey, on nice heavy sweet wine, stewed fruits, porridge, some ripe apricots, late harvest wine and mellow beer. Very pleasant. Taste: Mellow, complex, rich, intense, winey, rather intense and heavy, on mellow beer flavours, late harvest sweet wine, grapes, apricots, stewed fruits, some hops, vanilla and cinnamon. The finish is long, mellow, rich, complex and on the same flavours. Diluted, the beer flavours are more apparent. Impression: A very nice, mellow, rich and sweet Säntis matured in ex-beer casks and with the Winery Feiler-Artinger wine casks contributing to nice sweet fruity flavours. I found that these casks works very well with this single malt. In addition, the mellowness and flavour profile of this rather aged Säntis (approximately 7 YO) is most enjoyable. Well made! Rating: 16/20 FP:G1 |
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Tamnavulin 22 YO Swiss Import, OB, 45%, B:1980s. Price: Colour: Old Gold Nose: Round, mellow, balanced, rather complex, sweet and fruity, slightly smoky, on heather honey, sweet juicy and fruity flavours, some nice old-fashioned smoke, dry and aromatic peat and juicy oak. Very good. Taste: Juicy, fresh, complex, round, slightly malty, on nice sweet and fresh juicy fruity flavours (mainly orchards fruits), some melon, cinnamon, heather honey and soft spices. The finish is medium to long, rich, sweet, fresh, on fresh fruity flavours, some melon and heather honey. Diluted, it becomes slightly more oaky and smokier. Impression: A very nice, complex, fresh and fruity Tamnavulin, rather different from the current products. Rating: 16/20 FP:C2 |
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Dalmore 1991 for World of Whisky, 27 YO, Carn Mor, 59.9%, B:2019, cask 9736. Price: Colour: Old gold Nose: Round, mellow, rather complex, slightly grassy, with some tobacco, floral and malty flavours and soft fruity flavours. Rather heavy. A very good expression of Dalmore. Taste: Intense, spicy, fruity, moderately grassy, slightly aromatic, on round aromatic and floral flavours, some tangerine, vanilla, melon and light grassy flavours. Well balanced. The finish is medium to long, floral, grassy, round, balanced, on nice grassy, fruity and floral flavours. Impression: A very nice grassy, floral and fruity expression of Dalmore. Rating: 16/20 FP:A1 |
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Tomintoul 1995 for World of Whisky (Waldhaus am See), Signatory, 46%, B:2018. Sherry butt finish Price: Colour: Pale gold Nose: Oaky, fresh, floral, slightly fragrant and malty, on fresh fragrant flower, wood spices and some slightly green orchards fruits. Taste: Fresh, floral to very floral, malty, smooth, slightly fragrant, with moderate wood spices, fresh floral flavours and some green orchards fruits. The finish is medium and on the same flavours. Impression: A nice fresh, floral and rather oaky expression of Tomintoul. Rating: 14/20 FP:A1 |
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Imperial 1997 For World of Whisky (waldhaus am See), Carn Mor, 41.7%, B:2019, cask 1611. Price: Colour: Gold Nose: Mellow to very mellow, grassy to very grassy, with light smoky and spicy flavours, on mellow grassy flavours, some light aromatic herbs, almonds, and a hint of smoke. Taste: Grassy to very grassy, mellow, moderately fruity and sweet, on soft spices, almonds, nice grassy flavours, some honey and light aromatic flavours. The finish is medium, grassy, aromatic, slightly spicy, on aromatic herbs and honey, as well as some Mirabelle. Impression: A nice, mellow and grassy expression of Imperial, with some honey and aromatic herbs. Rating: 15/20 FP:A1 |
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Rare Old Blended Whisky, Campbell East & Co, B:1940-50s. Price: Colour: Old gold-amber Nose: Dusty, complex, deep, nutty, on old furniture’s, humus, old wood, lots of dried fruit and some old peat smoke. Smells like an old British damp library. With time, it becomes fruitier and slightly peppery. A whisky that needs to breath. Taste: Smooth, grainy, mineral, nutty to very nutty, slightly metallic, woody, dusty and smoky, with old furniture’s, old damp library, stewed fruits, candied oranges, a light mineral peat smoke and some rye-like. The finish is medium, smooth, fruity, rather mellow and on the same flavours. Impression: A very nice old blend, rich, mellow, nutty, deep and with some old wood. Smells like an old damp British library. Thank you Nicolas. Rating: 14/20 FP:G2 |
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Black & White, OB, B:1910-20s. Price: Colour: Old gold-amber Nose: Complex, elegant, smooth, on dried fruits, stewed fruits, some old furniture’s and humus. Taste: Smooth, elegant, rich, slightly nutty, peaty and smoky, with some maritime peat smoke, candied oranges, fine leather, and a hint of old wood. The finish is medium to long, smooth, elegant, moderately smoky, peaty and maritime, with some leather, light fruity flavours, candied fruits and a light peat smoke. Diluted, it becomes spicier and more nutty. Impression: A smooth and elegant blended malt, with a pleasant light maritime peat smoke. Rating: 15/20 FP:D2 |
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Tormore 1995, 23 YO, Awico, 51.1%, B:2018. Price: Colour: Gold Nose: Intense, floral, elegant, complex, slightly spicy, well balanced, on vanilla, round floral flavours, some tobacco and nice spicy flavours, as well as a hint of tobacco leaves. Very enjoyable. Taste: Intense, elegant, complex, grassy, slightly floral, well balanced, with light grassy flavours, round floral flavours, some vanilla and honey. The finish is medium to long, elegant, on the same flavours and some tobacco. Impression: A very nice, complex, elegant and well made Tormore selected for Awico. Thank you Willy. Rating: 16/20 FP:B1 |
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Clynelish 1992, 26 YO, Hidden Spirits, 50.1%, B:2019, cask CY9219. Price: Colour: Straw Nose: Mineral, round, waxy, slightly mustardy and mellow, on nice mineral waxy, some mustard seeds, flint stones, quince, and hint of peat and Mirabelle. Very nice. Taste: Mellow, round, fruity, moderately waxy and mineral, slightly fruity, on flint stone, wax, some mustard seeds, candied citrus, quince, Mirabelle, paraffin and a hint of oil. The finish is long, mellow, waxy, moderately mineral and on the same flavours. Diluted, it becomes more mineral but also more peppery, oaky and bitter. Impression: A very nice mineral and mellow Clynelish, rather clean and waxy, but with some slight woody and bitter aftertaste. Rating: 17/20 FP:A1 |
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Clynelish 1995 Glen Cawdor, Samaroli, 45%, B:2010. Price: Colour: Straw Nose: Round, mineral, waxy, slightly oaky and citric, with some grapefruits, oil, mineral wax, vanilla, some light aromatic herbs and a hint of spices. Sharper and slightly less complex than the Hidden Spirits. Taste: Waxy, round, sweet, slightly grassy, with some hops, candied citrus, honey, mustard seeds, and grassy flavours, with a hint of quince and Mirabelle. Rather sweet. The finish is medium, round, sweet, rather mellow, grassy, with some honey and light mineral flavours. Impression: A nice, round, moderately mineral and rather sweet expression of Clynelish. Thank you Stéphane. Rating: 15/20 FP:A1 |
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Bunnahabhain 2011 Heavily Peated for World of Whisky, Signatory, 60.3%, B:2019, cask 704153. Price: Colour: Pale gold Nose: Peaty to very peaty, smoky, maritime, salty, intense, tarry, rooty, on dry and maritime peat smoke, oak spices and seaweeds. Taste: Very peaty, intense, maritime, on dry roots, dry and maritime peat smoke and some iodine. The finish is medium, peaty to very peaty, dry, oaky, intense, maritime, on camphor, peat smoke, iodine, some menthol and spearmint. Diluted, it becomes more on spearmint. Impression: A very nice, dry, rooty and heavily peated Bunna. Rating: 14/20 FP:A7 |
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Aberlour 2006, 12 YO, Maltbarn, 52.1%, B:2018. Price: Colour: Pale gold Nose: Floral, round, complex, slightly spicy, on nice honey flavours, some vanilla, cinnamon, oak spices and soft fresh floral flavours. Taste: Floral to very floral, fresh, slightly spicy and malty, on honey, hops, vanilla, some oak spices and a hint of grassy flavours. Diluted, it becomes smoother, rounder, more on vanilla and less on hops. The finish is medium to long, spicy, floral, moderately round and oaky, on vanilla and some honey. Impression: A very nice, expressive, intense and round Aberlour. Nice to taste a non-sherried Aberlour. Thank you Markus. Rating: 14/20 FP:A1 |
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Balvenie As We Get it, Macfarlane Bruce & Co, 106 Proof (60.5%), B:1970s. Price: Colour: Amber Nose: Clean, intense, round, rather sharp, on orange, some tangerine, cinnamon, sultanas, honey and nice malty flavours. Taste: Intense, clean, round, malty, floral, slightly peaty, with an elegant round and aromatic peat smoke, orange, tangerine, some cinnamon, sultanas and soft spices. The finish is long, round, malty, clean, with some old-fashioned aromatic peat smoke, candied oranges and tangerines, honey and nice malty flavours. Diluted, it becomes slightly more on old fashioned dry and aromatic peat smoke. Impression: A surprising Balvenie, with nice moderate old-fashioned dry and aromatic peat smoke and nice round and clean orange, tangerine and honey flavours. Rating: 17/20 FP:E3 |
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Bruichladdich Port Cask 2004, 14 YO, House of Maccallum, 50.5%, B:2019, cask 154. Price: Colour: Gold Nose: Round, complex, slightly maritime and winey, with nice round and rather sweet Port flavours, as well as sea brine. Taste: Light, round, smooth, slightly salty and maritime, with light winey flavours, some sea brine and light sweet-sugary flavours. The finish is medium, light, on sea brine and the same flavours. Diluted, it becomes more winey and syrupy. Impression: A nice, light, sweet and slightly winey Bruichladdich, matured exclusively in a Port cask. Becomes rather winey with some water. Rating: 13/20 FP:G1 |
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Ichiro’s Malt And Grain World Blended French Virgin Oak selected by Thompson Bros, OB, 58.5%, cask 7255. Price: Colour: Old gold Nose: Grainy to very grainy, oaky to very oaky, slightly floral, round, on vanilla, some honey, oak spices, porridge, some malty and creamy flavours. Taste: Simple, grainy, spirity, young to very young, on green orchards fruits, green malt and varnish. The finish is medium, rather young, spirity, grainy, on green malt and green orchards fruits, oaky spices and some vanilla. Impression: A rather simple and grainy whisky. Rating: 09/20 FP:A2 |
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Invergordon The Future of Whisky, 44 YO, Elixir Distillery, 51.6%, B:2018. Price: Colour: Old gold-amber Nose: Rich, grainy, round, fruity, on sultanas, exotic fruits, oranges, cinnamon, dried and stewed fruits. Very good. Taste: Mellow, round, rich, elegant, complex, grainy, on stewed fruits, nice round grainy flavours, leather, polished wood, exotic fruits and some lacquer. Elegant and complex. Diluted, it becomes smoother, more on fine leather and with some nice home made fudged. The finish is medium to long and on the same flavours. Impression: A very good sherried Invergordon, mellow, round and with nice fruity and worn leather flavours. Rating: 16/20 FP:G1 |
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Littlemill 1989, The Whisky Agency, 49.3%, B:2019. Price: Colour: Gold-old gold Nose: Grassy to very grassy, mellow, floral, fruity, on lovely bold, mellow and grassy flavours and nice sugary and fruity flavours. Very good! Taste: Oaky, grassy, malty, sugary, moderately floral and fruity, on oak spices, malt, grassy flavours, some dry wood, floral fragrant flavours, honey and vanilla. The finish is medium, oaky to very oaky, dry, grassy and moderately fruity. Impression: A single malt from the lost distillery of Littlemill with a lovely sweet and grassy nose, but the wood is rather loud on the palate. Rating: 15/20 FP:A1 |
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Littlemill 1984 Le Fanciulle Dell’ Eco for Japan, Moon, 55.1%, B:2008. Price: Colour: Gold-old gold Nose: Intense, round, bold, grassy, complex, moderately malty, with very nice bold grassy flavours, sugary fruits, some honey and nice floral flavours. Very good! Taste: Round, malty, rich, fruity, floral, grassy, on nice grassy flavours, some almonds, spices and freshly ground malt. The finish is medium, round, malty, floral, grassy, with nice sweet fruity flavours, some honey, almonds and soft spices. Impression: A very nice, round, malty and grassy Littlemill, with a lovely mouth feel and balance. Thank you Enrico. Rating: 16/20 FP:A1 |
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Talisker 8 YO Special Release 2018, OB, 59.4%, B:2018. Price: Colour: Old gold Nose: Intense, maritime, peaty, moderately salty, smoky and oaky, on peat smoke, bonfire smoke, seaweeds, spices and some disinfectants. Very good. Taste: Very maritime, intense, oaky, round, moderately peppery, smoky and peaty, with some nice round fruits flavours, iodine, disinfectant, sea salt and a maritime peat smoke. The finish is medium, oaky, maritime, smoky and on the same flavours. Diluted, it becomes more on spearmint and toasted wood. Impression: A very good, maritime, salty and smoky Talisker, from different types of 1st fill ex-bourbon casks. Rating: 16/20 FP:B4 |
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Port Askaig 19 YO, Elixir Distillers, 50.4%, B:2018. Price: Colour: Gold Nose: Round, smoky, maritime, moderately mellow, on seaweeds, sea salt, and maritime peat smoke and light round fruity flavours on the back. Taste: Mellow, smoky, sweet, slightly fruity, on citrus, smoke, BBQ, sea brine, peat smoke, iodine, seashells and some menthol. The finish is medium, smoky, maritime to very maritime, on sea brine, menthol, citrus, and some other fruity flavours. Diluted, it becomes mellower. Impression: A nice mellow, smoky and rather phenolic single malt distilled in the South shore of Islay. Rating: 15/20 FP:C4 |
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Secret Orkney for Taiwan Hot Malt 2005, 12 YO, The Cooper's Choice, 57%, B:2018, cask 28, 360 bottles. Price: Colour: Gold Nose: Round to very round, on toffee, quince, vanilla, some peach and a few stewed fruits. Nice sweet fruity flavours. Taste: Dusty, malty, slightly aromatic, moderately round, with a touch of tobacco, some Mirabelle, quince, peat smoke, and a hint aromatic herbs. The finish is medium, spicy, slightly dusty, on roughly crushed barley, slightly aromatic, with tobacco, some slightly bitter and aromatic herbs. Impression: A nice coarse and malty single malt. Rating: 14/20 FP:A3 |
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Glenfarclas 1990 for Asia Palate Association, OB, 57.7%, B:2016, cask 9467, 546 bottles. Price: Colour: Amber Nose: Very thick, heavy, on tannins, nuts, leather, treacle, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, oranges and precious wood. Heavy on the tannins. Taste: Rich, dry, bitter, rather spicy and floral, on tannins, toffee, fresh fragrant flavours, cinnamon, cloves, precious wood and sultanas. The finish is long, dry, bitter, tannic, heavy, floral, on leather, nuts, sultanas, exotic wood and lacquer. Impression: A very dry, tannic and bitter floral whisky. A true sherry monster. Too much wood for me. Rating: 12/20 FP:J1 |
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English Whisky Company, 8 YO, Cadenhead's, 61.9%, B:2018, 228 bottles. Price: Colour: Gold-old gold Nose: Very round, floral, nicely balanced, on vanilla, some yellow fruits and goosberries. Very pleasant. Taste: Dry, oaky, spicy, floral, slightly to moderately peaty, smoky and aromatic, on toasted wood, cinnamon, aromatic peat smoke, some vanilla, quince and a light fragrance. The finish is medium to long, aromatic, slightly dry, oaky, peaty, smoky and fragrant, on vanilla, aromatic peat smoke and fragrance. Impression: A very nice whisky, moderately peaty, smoky and aromatic, with some fragrance. Rating: 15/20 FP:A4 |
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Cask Orkney, 18 YO, A.D. Rattray, 46%, B:2018. Price: Colour: Pale gold Nose: Young, smooth to very smooth, with some soap, vanilla and pear drops. Taste: Light, fresh, slightly oaky, on fresh fruity flavours, some vanilla, pear drops and a touch of spices. Diluted, it becomes slightly grassy and on honey. The finish is medium, fresh, smooth and on the same flavours. Impression: A light and fresh whisky, elegant and satisfying. Rating: 14/20 FP:A2 |
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OMAR Bourbon Barrel 2009, OB, 52.%, B:2018, cask 11090094. Price: Colour: Old gold-amber Nose: Very mellow, round, extremely fruity, on a basket of exotic fruits. So good! A beautiful nose. Taste: Round, nicely floral, very fruity, on sweet and round fruity flavours, exotic fruits, some pollen and peach. The finish is long, sweet, fruity, complex, slightly floral, round, mellow, on sweet and rich fruity flavours, exotic fruits, as well as some pears. Impression: An excellent, rich, sweet and complex whisky, with excellent fruity flavours, mainly exotic fruits. Rating: 17/20 FP:F2 |
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OMAR Sherry Cask 2008, OB, 54.2%, B:2018, cask 23130014. Price: Colour: Amber Nose: Rich, mellow, fruity to very fruity, on sweet exotic fruity flavours. Slightly thicker and with a dash of floral notes more than the bourbon. Taste: Round to very round, fruity, on toffee, fudge, bloody oranges, oranges, some tangerine, marzipan, exotic fruits and dried fruits. The finish is long, thick, heavy, slightly tannic, on leather, lacquer, exotic fruits, some peach, sultanas and other dried fruits. Impression: A rich, heavy and fruity whisky, with nice exotic fruits and some slightly dry and woody flavours. Rating: 16/20 FP:H1 |
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Breath of Speyside for Hot Malt 2006, 11 YO, Adelphi, 58.1%, B:2018 sherry cask, 240 bottles. Price: Colour: Old gold-amber Nose: Thick, rich, nutty, on leather, plums, sultanas, dried fruits, toffee, spices and light floral flavours. Taste: Rich, spicy, oaky, intense, slightly peppery, on ginger, dried fruits, toffee, some old tobacco, sultanas, candied orange and bloody orange, leather, precious wood, some honey and ripe fruits. Diluted, the thick and heavy fruits are getting more intense. The finish is long, thick, mellow, rich, intense, slightly peppery, on toffee, plums, sultanas, dates, a mixture of candied and stewed fruits, orange, treacle, some leather and various spices. Impression: A very good, thick, rich and robust whisky, that becomes nicely fruity once some water has been added. Rating: 16/20 FP:G1 |
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OMAR Peated Bourbon Barrel 2014, OB, 59%, OB, B:2018, cask 11140796, Price: Colour: Old gold Nose: Aromatic, peaty, oaky, on ginger, dry roots (mainly liquorice), some vanilla and sea brine. Taste: Peaty, dry, oaky, aromatic, rooty, slightly floral, on aromatic peat smoke, some dry roots, vanilla and oaky spices. The finish is long and on the same flavours, with a very long aromatic peat smoke retro-olfaction. Impression: A whisky with an intense and dry aromatic peat smoke. Rating:15/20 FP:A5 |
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Paul John Peated Select Cask, OB, 55.5%, B:2018. Price: Colour: Old gold Nose: Round, malty, slightly peaty and aromatic, with some dry aromatic peat smoke, vanilla, light malty flavours, as well as a hint of white chocolate. Taste: Round to very round, sweet, sugary, slightly peaty, on sugar-like sweetness, some light salty and maritime peat smoke, spices, some pepper and seaweeds. The finish is long, dry, peppery, peaty, slightly medicinal and rooty, on peat smoke, pepper, some iodine and menthol. Impression: A very good peated whisky, very intense and peppery, spicy and moderately maritime. Rating: 16/20 FP:A6 |
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Kanya by Paul John, 7 YO, OB, 50%, B:2018. Price: Colour: Old gold Nose: Rich, intense, fruity to very fruity, sweet slightly juicy, with some banana and other exotic fruits. Taste: Soft, round, on sweet and soft fruity flavours, on soft floral flavours, a touch of spices, some melon, vanilla, exotic fruits and ginger. The finish is medium, soft, rather fruity, with a very pleasant smooth and very mellow fruitiness and some ginger and a light spiciness on the background. Nicely balanced, Impression: A very enjoyable whisky, with a very soft mouth feel, and mellow fruity flavours, with an light underlying spiciness giving a nice attractiveness to the whole. Rating: 16/20 FP:C1 |
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Ben Nevis 2006 Heavily Peated, Hidden Spirits, 48% B:2019. Price: Colour: Old gold-amber Nose: Round, floral, intense, peaty, meaty, on a very smoky and slightly meaty peat smoke, some seabrine, a light maritime influence and sultanas. Balanced. Taste: Peaty, round, floral, balanced, slightly maritime and meaty, on nice round floral flavours, aromatic and meaty peat smoke, some smoked ham and sultanas. Diluted, it becomes slightly more maritime. The finish is medium to long, balanced, meaty, smoky to smoky, slightly oaky, on smoked ham, a very smoky peat smoke, with aromatic herbs, light floral and oaky spices, as well as some seaweeds and sultanas. Impression: A very nice, balanced and very smoky expression of Ben Nevis. It might not as peaty as the label might indicate, but it is a well made whisky, with a rather meaty peat smoke, with some aromatic peat smoke and some maritime flavours probably coming from the ex-Laphroaig cask used the finishing. Rating: 15/20 FP:C5 |
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Ben Nevis 1996, 21 YO, Cadenhead’s, 52.9%, B:2018. Price: Colour: Gold Nose: Round, fruity, moderately mellow and sweet, on sweet fruity flavours, mango, honey, elderberries flowers, and some exotic fruits. Taste: Spicy, mellow, grassy, mellow, slightly starchy, on mango, exotic fruits, vanilla pods, some honey and grassy flavours. The finish is medium, grassy, fruity, moderately starchy and sweet, on nice round grassy flavours, honey and some exotic fruits. Diluted, it become spicier and more grassy. Impression: A very good Ben Nevis, well balanced, grassy, mixing honey, spices and nice exotic fruits. Rating: 16/20 FP:A1 |
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Port Askaig 45 YO, Elixir Distillers, 40.8%, B:2017. Price: Colour: Old gold-amber Nose: Maritime, mellow, complex, fruity, slightly mineral and aromatic, on sea brine, dried fruits, orange, soft spices, aromatic herbs, some seaweeds and a light aromatic and peaty smoke. Most pleasant. Taste: Mellow to very mellow, mineral, aromatic, fruity, moderately grassy, on citrus zest, orange, mineral and aromatic smoke, some sea brine, seaweeds and moderate fresh grassy flavours. The finish is long and on the same flavours. Diluted, it becomes slightly more on elderberries flowers and with some prunes. Impression: It is always to taste this excellent mellow and complex single malt distilled in 1968 at Bunnahabhain distillery. Rating: 17/20 FP:G2 |
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Bunnahabhain 1968 30th Anniversary, 50 YO, Signatory, 41.8%, B:2019, cask 12397. Price: Colour: Amber Nose: Intense, round, moderately mellow, fruity, slightly mineral and aromatic, on sea brine, orange, tangerine, some grapefruits, aromatic peat smoke and sea weeds. Slightly less aromatic and rounder than the Port Askaig. Taste: Mellow, round to very round, fruity, on stewed fruits, moderate grassy flavours, some sea brine, toffee, light aromatic and grassy smoke, as well as some citrus. The finish is long and on the same flavours. Diluted, it becomes slightly more on toffee, marmalade and roasted coffee beans. Impression: A version close to the Askaig on the nose, but on the palate, it is markedly softer and rounder initially, before the aromatic and grassy flavours are released. Rating: 17/20 FP:H1 |
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Edradour Straight from the Cask for World of Whisky 2008, OB, 58.1%, B:2019, cask 362. Price: Colour: Amber Nose: Intense, floral to very floral, round, thick, heavy, slightly fragrant, on leather, tannins, sultanas, dried fruits, some berries, cherries and high grade rubber. Taste: Intense, round, balanced, thick, chewy, rather complex, on cherries, soft spices, leather, old worn boiled leather, sultanas, dates, figs, some cocoa and roasted coffee beans. The finish is long and on the same flavours. Diluted, it becomes drier, spicier, with more cherries and some high-grade rubber. Impression: A very nice, thick, intense and heavily sherried Edradour, with a good complexity. Rating: 16/20 FP:H1 |
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Macallan edition 1, OB, 48%, B:2015. Prix: Colour: Amber Nose: Round, sweet, floral, spicy, slightly vegetal and young, on toffee, soft spices, round floral and slightly fragrant flavours, caramel, some dried fruits, orange and tangerine. Less intense and complex than the Edradour. Taste: Sweet, smooth to very smooth, young, moderately spicy, on caramel, fresh floral and slightly fragrant flavours, cinnamon, nutmeg, some cloves, sultanas, rubber, vegetal condiment and green orchards fruits. Diluted, it falls apart and taste like flavoured water. The finish is medium, smooth, floral, moderately spicy and young, on caramel, soft spices, some dried fruits and a light fragrance. Diluted, it fades and the caramel is more pronounced. Impression: I was glad to finally taste this Edition n°1, as the prices at auctions is very high and it was the only one from the Edition series that I have not tried. It has the lowest abv of the series. It is smooth, rather young and on caramel, with soft spices. The worst from the series, according to my taste. Rating: 11/20 FP:F1 |
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Clynelish 5 YO for Di Chiano Short Cap, OB, 43%, B:1970s. Price: Colour: Pale straw Nose: Austere, clean, mustardy, waxy, on grapefruits, mustard seeds, some mineral oil and peat smoke. Taste: Austere to very austere, dry, mustardy, waxy, citric, on dried grapefruits, mustard seeds, some vanilla, austere mineral peat smoke and some diesel smoke. The finish is long, dry, austere to very austere, aromatic herbs and smoke, some flint stone, citrus (mainly grapefruits), vanilla, dry liquorice roots and limestone. Diluted, it becomes more waxy and slightly fruitier. Impression: A very dry and austere expression of Clynelish distilled at the Brora distillery, mustardy and with mineral flavours. Not the easiest one but I enjoyed very much. Rating: 17/20 FP:A3 |
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Clynelish 12 YO bi-colour label for Widimport, OB, 43%, B:1973. Price: Colour: Old gold Nose: Waxy, complex, intense, mustardy, rather farmy, moderately austere and citric, on aromatic and austere peat smoke, candied citrus, and light fruity flavours. Taste: Mustardy, fruity, farmy, “dirty”, waxy, moderately spicy and austere, on mineral, austere and aromatic peat smoke, grapefruits, lemon zest, limestone, various light fruity flavours, some farmy flavours and stewed fruits. The finish is long, waxy, fruity, moderately austere, citric, mineral and farmy, on mustard seeds, various fruity flavours, including quince and grapefruits, some black liquorice and stewed fruits. Impression: A more mellow and fruity version than the 5 YO, with also more pleasant farmy flavours for this single malt distilled at Brora. I miss some extra balance to give it a higher rating. Rating: 17/20 FP:E3 |
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Balblair 1997 for Shinanoya, OB, 52.2%, B:2015, cask 905. Price: Colour: Old gold Nose: Floral, round to very round, rather mellow and fruity, on honey, sweet and ripe fruity flavours, exotic fruits, melon and quince. Very nice balanced. Lovely. Taste: Malty, rather intense, slightly floral and oaky, on vanilla, heather honey, quince, melon, Mirabelle, some exotic fruits. The finish is long, intense, slightly spicy, floral, on honey, vanilla, some wood spices, melon, quince, papaya and other exotic fruits. Impression: A very nice intense Balblair, with a lovely balance, fruity flavours and honey sweetness. Rating: 16/20 FP:A1 |
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Balblair, OB, B:1960-70s. Price: Colour: Old gold Nose: Intense, round, balanced, slightly mellow, smoky and peaty, on heather, some aromatic peat smoke, honey, melon, Mirabelle and quince. More peaty and cleaner than the 1995. Taste: Intense, clean, sharp, slightly waxy, on a slightly to moderately austere and aromatic peat smoke, some burnt heather, soot, quince, Mirabelle and citrus. The finish is long, austere, rather aromatic, peaty and sooty, and on aromatic peat smoke Impression: According to Angus, this was a cask sample bottled for the cask owner, thus no abv was provided. This Balblair is unusually peaty, sooty and aromatic, suggesting a distillation before the mid-1960s. Tasted blind, it could be mistaken for a Glen Garioch or a Clynelish distilled in the 1960s. Most enjoyable. Rating: 17/20 FP:A4 |
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Speyburn 2004 for Shinanoya, OB, 52.7% B:2017. Price: Colour: Amber Nose: Round, intense, floral, spicy, heavily sherried, on sultanas, dried fruits, cinnamon, orange, nuts, some cloves, leather and vegetal condiments. Taste: Round, thick, intense, spicy, chewy, on dried fruits, candied oranges, cinnamon, some cloves, toffee and vegetal condiments. The finish is medium to long and on the same flavours. Diluted, it becomes dryer, more on leather and tannins. Impression: A very nice and heavily sherried Speyburn, on tannins and dried fruits. Rating: 15/20 FP:G1 |
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Tomatin 2005 for Shinanoya, OB, 58.0%, B:2016, cask 5216. Price: Colour: Amber Nose: Round, floral, malty, very vegetal, slightly yeasty, on round toffee flavours, vegetal condiment, celery, sultanas and some fresh rubber. Taste: Round, intense, spicy to very spicy, thick, floral, moderately floral and rubbery, on fresh rubber, tannins, dried fruits, sultanas, orange, cinnamon and cloves. The finish is long and on the same flavours. Impression: A sherry monster, round, thick, on rubber and dried fruits. Rating: 12/20 FP:I1 |
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Glenrothes 1996, 22 YO, The Maltbarn, 48.7%, B:2019. Price: Colour: Gold Nose: Round, mellow, slightly fruity and floral, on nice mellow fruity flavours, including orchards fruits, melon and quince. Taste: Rich, oaky, spicy, floral, intense, on juicy oak, oak spices, vanilla, some tobacco and pears. The finish is medium, oaky, intense, moderately spicy, on green pears and apples, with some tobacco leaves. Impression: A rather nice and complex whisky, rather mellow on the nose, but fresh, intense and oaky on the palate. Thank you Markus. Rating: 14/20 FP:A1 |
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Deanston 1999, 18 YO, Acla Selection, 49.3%, B:2018, Price: Colour: Old gold Nose: Intense, malty, oaky, on green orchards fruits, oak spices and green malt. Taste: Malty, rather fresh and floral, on orchards fruits, some melon, oak spices and light malty flavours. The finish is medium, fresh and on the same flavours. Impression: A nicely fresh single malt, with nice green orchards fruits. Rating: 13/20 FP:A1 |
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McTavish pear shape Di Chiano import, OB, 43%, B:1960s. Price: Colour: Gold Nose: Waxy to very waxy, mineral, slightly austere and aromatic, on caramel, some orange zest, mustard, candied fruits and some mineral smoke. Reminiscent of old Clynelish. Taste: Smooth, rather thin and waxy, on candied oranges and other citrus, some mustard seeds, toffee, tangerine and light mineral flavours. The finish is rather short, waxy, round, slightly grainy, on toffee, orange zest, some tangerine and candied fruits. Diluted, it becomes slightly more austere and peaty. Impression: A whisky with a very pleasant nice and waxy nose, rounder, thinner and more on toffee on the palate, with a rather short finish. Rating: 13/20 FP:E2 |
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Johnnie Walker Port Ellen, OB, 43.8%, B:2018. Price: Colour: Old gold Nose: Fresh, smooth, light, rather clean and grainy, with rather light smoky, peaty and maritime flavours. The whole is rather neutral. Taste: Fresh, light, smooth, grainy, with some green orchards fruits, spices, vanilla, vanilla custard, light aromatic herbs, peat smoke, seaweeds and tar. The finish is medium, smooth, balanced, grainy, with some orchards fruits, with a discrete peat smoke, some iodine, sea brine, vanilla and light candied fruits flavours. Impression: A smooth, light, balanced and grainy Johnnie Walker with a light touch of maritime peat smoke. A rather neutral blend and the amount of Port Ellen should be very limited. Rating: 11/20 FP:C2 |
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Paul John Brilliance, OB, 46%, B:2018. Price: Colour: Old gold Nose: Rich, floral, sweet, fruity, slightly yeasty and oaky, with some orchards fruits and light fresh exotic fruity. Taste: Malty, fresh, intense, sweet, fruity, slightly oaky and spicy, on fresh exotic fruits and some oak spices. The finish is long, oaky, fresh, slightly malty, on fresh exotic fruits and juicy oaky flavours. Impression: A very nice intense, fresh and oaky fruity whisky. Elegant. Rating: 15/20 FP:A2 |
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Paul John Edited, OB, 46%, B:2018. Price: Colour: Old gold Nose: Peaty, fruity to very fruity, sweet, on mango, passion fruits, stewed fruits and light grassy and malty flavours. Taste: Peaty, smoky, maritime, complex, with an elegant subtle and moderately peated smoke, seaweeds, some old wood fire smoke, aromatic herbs and a touch of iodine and sweetness. The finish is long, complex, well balanced and on the same flavours. Impression: A lovey whisky, complex, mellow, slightly sweet and with a lovely complex and subtle peat smoke. Rating: 16/20 FP:A5 |
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Milk and Honey single malt triple cask 2018, OB, 46%, B:2018. Price: N/A Colour: Gold Nose: Very young and smooth, moderately floral and malty, with some vanilla, oak spices and winey flavours. Taste: Winey, oaky, syrupy, malty, slightly oaky, on grapes, vanilla and oak spices. The finish is medium and on the same flavours. Diluted, it become more winey and oaky. Impression: A single malt, with a very smooth and young nose, but then, the wood spices hit the palate. An oaky-winey infusion. Rating: 07/20 G1 |
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Mc Warrior Highland Single Malt, House of Macallum, 43.5%, B:2019. Price: Colour: Gold-old gold Nose: Oaky to very oaky, spicy, on oak spices and vanilla, with some rather green orchards fruits. Lots of fresh wood. Taste: Fresh, oaky, malty, round, fruity to very fruity, on freshly sawn wood, orchards fruits, melon, some blackcurrant, honey and mango. The finish is medium, malty, oaky, on green orchards fruits, mango, melon and blackcurrant. Impression: A Highland single malt whisky with a strong oaky influence. Rating: 12/20 FP:A1 |
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Ardbeg 1976 Manager’s Dram, OB, 56%, B: 1999, cask 2391. Price: Colour: Amber Nose: Intense, round, peaty, smoky, maritime, complex, on sultanas, dates, seaweeds, iodine, candied oranges, cocoa, leather, cinnamon, some tangerine, coffee, tar and phenols. Taste: Rich, thick, chewy, intense, smoky, peaty, complex, maritime, slightly nutty, with thick and chewy dried fruits, thick leather, cocoa, roasted coffee beans, iodine, peat smoke, camphor, some seaweeds, stewed fruits, orange, tar, cinnamon and a hint of soot. The finish is long to very long, thick, chewy, peaty, smoky, and on the same flavours. Diluted, it becomes more meaty and on smoked meat. Impression: A sherry monster of Ardbeg, with a thick and chewy mouth feel on dried fruits, leather and spices, with nice maritime and peat smoke flavours. Diluted, it becomes slightly more meaty. The sherry influence is very strong, but without any unpleasant rubbery flavours. A sharp contrast of intensity with the 23 YO. Rating: 18/20 FP:G6 |
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Ardbeg 23 YO, OB, 46.3%, B:2018. Price: Colour: Gold Nose: Complex, peaty, mellow, smoky, peaty, maritime, with a nice complex peat smoke, iodine, seaweeds, some camphor and medicinal flavours. Taste: Thin, maritime, smoky, slightly medicinal and peaty, on peat smoke, seaweeds, iodine, camphor, disinfectant, toffee, some dried fruits and candied fruits. The finish is medium, rather thin, slightly woody and on the same flavours. Diluted, it falls apart. Impression: An Ardbeg with a nice, complex and mellow nose, but is it surprisingly soft and thin on the palate. I wished the palate was matching the nose. Rating: 14/20 FP:D4 |
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Royal Lochnagar 1974 Rare Malt, 30 YO, OB, 56.2%, B:2004. Price: Colour: Gold Nose: Mellow, round, floral, slightly sweet, on ripe fruits, soft floral flavours and some honey. Taste: Oaky, floral, round, intense, slightly fragrant, on nice round and rather floral flavours, some almonds, quince, elderberries flowers, vanilla and light creamy and malty flavours. The finish is medium to long, oaky, rather spicy and on the same flavours. Impression: A good, intense, floral, and round Lochnagar, with some honey and a fair dose of spices. It taste younger than the age on the label. Rating:14/20 FP:A1 |
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Royal Lochnagar 1971 Platinum, 34 YO, Douglas Laing, 57.7%, B:2005. Price: Colour: Amber Nose: Rich, thick, complex, sweet, nutty, moderately floral, on sultanas, dried fruits, old leather, nice tannins, candied oranges, and some ripe exotic fruits. From an excellent sherry cask. Taste: Intense, spicy, rich, floral, nutty, on tannins, spices, old worn leather, sultanas, figs, walnuts, candied oranges, cinnamon, some cloves and marmalade. The finish is long, floral, slightly nutty and tannic, on sultanas, figs, walnuts, leather, cinnamon, cloves, marmalade, orange, some tangerine and honey. Impression: A whisky with a great, thick, sweet, fruity nose with a nice leather, and on similar qualities on the palate, with some wood on the finish. Rating: 16/20 FP:H1 |
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Clynelish 23 YO for Whisky Hood, Signatory, 54.4%, B:2018. Price: Colour: Old gold-amber Nose: Very nicely waxy and mineral, with nice moderate juicy and fruity flavours, honey, juicy fruity flavours, tangerine, some cinnamon, quince, honey and metallic flavours. Very good! We are close to the early 1970s style. Taste: Mineral, waxy, complex, on flint stones, mustard seeds, tangerine, some citrus, and various mineral and slightly metallic flavours. The finish is long, rich, mineral, waxy, slightly mustardy, on flint stone, tangerine, candied oranges and citrus, as well as some elderberries flowers syrup and mustard seeds. Diluted, it becomes spicier and sweeter. Impression: A most charming mineral and waxy Clynelish, with a light and sweet sherry influence, leaving all the nice old-fashioned Clynelish character to shine. I love it! Rating: 17/20 FP:F1 |
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Clynelish 1997 for MoS Warehouseshop, 47.1%, B:2019, cask 18026. Price: Colour: Amber Nose: Sweet, rubbery, slightly yeasty and sulphury, on stewed and dried fruits, tangerine, cinnamon, some cloves and sultanas. With time, it becomes slightly mineral. Taste: Intense, vegetal, round, slightly to moderately sulphury, on burnt rubber, strawberries, yeast and toffee. The finish is long, rubbery, slightly sulphury and on the same flavours. Impression: The opposite of the Whisky Hood: the flavours of burn rubber and tyres are dominating completely the spirit. Rating: 09/20 FP:G1 |
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Highland Park 1985 Cask Selection 3, 25 YO, The Stillman’s Dram, 52.2%, B:2010. Price: Colour: Gold Nose: Waxy, grassy, slightly coastal, mellow, balanced, rather complex, on honey, gooseberries, mango, nice grassy flavours, vanilla and a touch of smoke. Very good. Taste: Salty, smoky, maritime, coastal, on peat smoke, burnt wood, sea brine, heather honey, some mango, vanilla and honey. Intense and nicely complex. The finish is long, smoky to very smoky, coastal, on sea brine, peat smoke, some aromatic herbs, heather, orange peel, sea salt, ginger and vanilla. Impression: An impressive and complex Highland Park, with a fair dose of lovely peat smoke, a nice balanced, some aromatic herbs and nice fruity flavours. A remarkable selection from Daniel Kissling. Rating: 17/20 FP:A4 |
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Highland Park Viking Pride for Travel Retail, 18 YO, OB, 46%, B:2019. Price: Colour: Old gold-amber Nose: Round, mellow, slightly maritime, smoky and rubbery, on toffee, leather, some honey, sultanas, sea brine, rubber, dried fruits, and a light peat smoke. With time, it becomes less rubbery and more on dried smoke. Taste: Round, mellow, slightly rubbery, fruity, salty and maritime, on burn rubber, fruit jam, orange, tangerine, some heather honey, sultanas, leather, cinnamon and soft spices. The finish is medium, round, mellow, slightly salty, maritime, rubbery and on the same flavours. Impression: A rather nice round and sweet Highland Park, with a nice honey sweetness and round sherry flavours, but slightly too much rubber to my liking. Rating: 14/20 FP:G3 |
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Tria Junata In Uno, Michel Couvreur, 49.9%, B:2019. Price: Colour: Amber Nose: Mellow, intense, thick, complex, slightly acetic and nutty, on balsamic vinegar, sultanas, dried fruits, leather, some rancio, orange, treacle, toffee and cocoa. Taste: Rich, intense, complex, thick, syrupy, rather fresh and round, slightly nutty, on sultanas, dried fruits, oranges, tangerine, cinnamon, some strawberries, nuts, figs, fudge and other nice various fruity flavours. The finish is long, round, syrupy, thick, complex, nutty, on leather, some walnuts, orange, tangerine, cinnamon, cloves, old leather, precious wood, tannins and balsamic vinegar. Impression: A very good, round, rather complex Michel Couvreur, with nice round fruity and nutty flavours. For details on this whisky, please read my report from the Limburg whisky fair. Unfortunately, the price tag is rather hefty (close to 600 euros for a 50 cl bottle). Rating: 17/20 FP:G2 |
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1984, 30 YO, Michel Couvreur, 45%, B:2014. Price: Colour: Amber Nose: Mellow, intense, nutty, thick, complex, round, on sultanas, dried fruits, leather, nuts, cinnamon, nutmeg, candied orange, some cloves, cocoa and light floral flavours. Taste: Very round, syrupy, juicy, sweet, fruity, on tangerine, orange, sultanas, exotic fruits, cinnamon, honey and other nice sweet-sugary fruity flavours. The finish is long, surprisingly sweet and sugary, on honey, stewed and juicy fruity flavours of orange, tangerine and some exotic flavours. Diluted, it becomes even more sugary. Impression: A very sweet, sugary and fruity expression of Michel Couvreur, without any off notes. Dangerously drinkable, like a syrup. Rather different from the one above. Rating: 17/20 FP:E1 |
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Irish single malt, 12 YO, the Whisky Cask, 54.3%, B:2016. Price: Colour: Gold-old gold Nose: Round, intense, malty, slightly smooth, on honey, nice round malty flavours, some melon and quince. Taste: Intense, spicy, moderately oaky and fruity, on honey, round malty flavours, guava, mango, spices and other exotic fruits. The finish is medium to long, malty, oaky, rather sweet and on the same flavours. Impression: For being 12 years old, this Irish whiskey is very pleasant and the fruitiness rather impressive. An intense, well-made and rather fruity malt. Rating:15/20 FP:C1 |
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Irish single malt 1990 Private Stock, The Whisky Agency, 47.3%, B:2019. Price: Colour: Old gold-amber Nose: Mellow, rich, fruity, complex, sweet, on blackcurrant, mango, guava, honey and exotic fruits. Very good! Taste: Mellow, rich, fruity to very fruity, slightly spicy, on blackcurrant, and lots of ripe exotic fruits, some dried fruit, honey, heather and cinnamon. The finish is long, rich, fruity, on exotic fruits, cinnamon, heather honey, some cinnamon, dried fruits and tannins. Diluted, it becomes slightly more tannic and mellower. Impression: A very good mellow, rich and fruity aged Irish malt, with lovely flavours of blackcurrant and exotic fruits, with some wood starting to appear. Rating: 16/20 FP:E2 |
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Glen Garioch 1968, 29 YO, OB, 56.3%, B:1997, cask 621. Price: Colour: Dark Amber Nose: Rich, thick, nutty, peaty, on leather, sultanas, dried fruits, leather, aromatic peat smoke, plums, some treacle and ground coffee beans. Very good! Taste: Thick, rich, nutty, syrupy, slightly floral and fragrant, on aromatic peat smoke, sultanas, dark chocolate, treacle, old worn leather, a nice light fragrance, walnuts, dried figs, some coca, candied oranges, and roasted coffee beans. The finish is long to very long, complex, thick, nutty, peaty, slightly floral, aromatic, dry and woody, on nuts, aromatic peat smoke, a very nice fragrance, wet wood, cocoa, aromatic peat smoke, ground coffee, treacle and candied oranges. Impression: An excellent old style of peated Glen Garioch, thick, heavily sherried, nutty and with nice fragrant flavours and old worn leather, and a rather light to moderate woody influence. Rating: 19/20 FP:G5 |
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Glen Garioch 1974 150th Anniversary, 18 YO, Cadenhead’s, 54.9%, B:1992. Price: Colour: Pale gold Nose: Dry, peaty, aromatic to very aromatic, oily, slightly waxy, on a very aromatic peat smoke, some bitter herbs, Barbour wax and a hint of grassy flavours. Very good. Taste: Oily, waxy, grassy, peaty, aromatic, moderately austere, with a nice grassy-oily mouth feel, linseed oil, aromatic peat smoke, some almonds, slightly austere herbs, a hint of tar and soot. Complex and subtle. The finish is long, oily to very oily, aromatic, smoky, peaty, grassy, slightly mineral and sooty, on linseed oil, aromatic peat smoke, nice grassy and aromatic herbal flavours, with some tar, light metallic flavours and fresh almonds. Impression: With the exception of a soapy cask sample, this is my first Glen Garioch 1974. Compared to the 1973 or 1975 Glen Garioch I have tasted so far, this one was less peated. On the nose, the aromatic and oily flavours are very nice and it was surprisingly oily, greasy and grassy on the palate, with a nice combination of herbal and smoky flavours. It might not have the depth and complexity of the 1968, but it remains a very good Glen Garioch. Rating: 17/20 FP:A5 |
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Ledaig 2007, 11 YO, House of McCallum, 46.5%, B:2019, cask 638-9. Price: Colour: Pale gold Nose: Peaty, light, fresh, fishy, maritime, on fresh fish, iodine, seaweeds, peat and wood smoke. Taste: Peaty, tarry, dry, rooty, moderately maritime, on fish, sea salt, dry root, dry peat smoke, tar, some iodine, medicinal flavours and vanilla. The finish is medium to long and on the same flavours. Impression: A nice, dry, peaty and rooty Ledaig, with flavours of freshly caught fish. Rating: 14/20 FP:A6 |
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Ledaig 2007, 11 YO, Hidden Spirits, 52.2%, B:2019, cask LG719. Price: Colour: Straw Nose: Rooty, peaty, maritime, slightly salty, on peat smoke, dry roots, some iodine, tar and hemp rope. Taste: Fresh, clean, peaty, rooty, maritime, on dry peat smoke, hemp rope, iodine, sea brine, dry roots, disinfectant and other medicinal flavours. The finish is long, complex, peaty, dry, maritime, medicinal, slightly rooty and with some bitter herbs. Impression: A very nice, clean, dry, peaty and maritime expression of Ledaig, slightly more complex than the McCallum Rating: 15/20 FP:A7 |
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Ben Nevis 1998 Snakes, Liquid Treasures, 52.1%, B:2018. Price: Colour: Gold Nose: Intense, fresh, malty, slightly floral, with some vanilla, pear drops, light fresh fruity flavours and a hint of honey. Taste: Fresh, intense, malty, slightly oaky, on vanilla, fresh malty flavours, some dough, hops, tobacco and fresh fruity flavours. The finish is medium to long, round, subtle, on vanilla, some honey, melon and nice fresh fruity flavours. Diluted, it becomes slightly rounder. Impression: A very good, fresh and malty whisky, with some vanilla and light nice fresh fruity flavours. Rating: 15/20 FP:A1 |
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Ben Nevis 1996 Organic French Syrah Wine Finish, 22 YO, House of McCallum. 46.5%, B:2019, cask 01041. Price: Colour: Pale gold-gold Nose: Smooth, malty, rather fresh, slightly yeasty and okay, on oak spices, some vanilla, creamy flavours and pear drops Taste: Round to very round, malty, slightly winey, on vanilla, light spices, some tobacco and a hint of soap. Slightly more oaky than the Snakes. The finish is medium, floral, malty to very malty, round, smooth, slightly oaky and winey, with some green tobacco leaves and coriander. Impression: A good Ben Nevis, round and malty, but more oaky than the Snakes and with some coriander. Rating: 13/20 FP:A1 |
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Glenfarclas 1998 for World of Whisky by Waldhaus 20th Anniversary, OB, 55.0%, B:2018, cask 4448. Price: Colour: Old gold Nose: Round, floral, slightly vegetal, on toffee, sultanas, leather, some old rubber, orange, fudge and light aromas of aromatic herbs. Taste: Aromatic, round, floral, on toffee, some light aromatic herbs, zesty orange, stewed fruits, fudge, dried fruits and spices, including some cloves. The finish is medium to long and on the same flavours. Diluted, it becomes more aromatic and winey. Impression: A rather atypical and aromatic version of Glenfarclas. Rating: 13/20 FP:D1 |
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Speyside Aingeal 2008, 10 YO, The Whisky Chamber, 59.1%, B:2018, cask 900855. Price: Colour: Old gold-red Nose: Winey, sweet, round, floral, slightly spicy, on sweet red grapes, soft spices, some cinnamon, cloves and cherries. Taste: Spicy, moderately floral, winey and peppery, round, complex, intense, on red grapes, pepper, red wine, sultanas, some dark cherries, cinnamon and stewed fruits. The finish is long, round, moderately spicy and peppery, on grapes, dark berries, with some cinnamon, cloves and other spices. Impression: A single malt distilled at Glenfarclas and matured exclusively in an Italian Amorone wine cask. It is a very good, round, balanced, intense and spicy whisky, with a pleasant grape and cherry influence from the Amarone. Thank you Willy. Rating: 15/20 FP:G1 |
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Teaninich 1972 Rare Malts, 23 YO, OB, 64.8%, B: 1995. Price: Colour: Gold Nose: Intense, round, malty, floral to very floral, oily, on vanilla, some almond, melon and light fruity flavours. Charming. Taste: Malty, smooth, floral, slightly vegetal, with some almond, vanilla, vanilla custard and melon. After a strong dilution, it becomes nicely round, malty and floral, with nice vanilla flavours. The finish is medium, smooth, malty, floral and on vanilla. Smoother and with more vanilla flavours once diluted. Impression: A whisky that tasted rather clean at full strength. Once you have added a very fair dose of water, it becomes smoother, more balanced and malty. Rating: 12/20 FP:A1 |
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Teaninich 2006, 12 YO, Hidden Spirits, 51.7%, B:2019, cask TH619. Price: Colour: Straw Nose: Markedly younger than the Rare Malt, smooth, malty, slightly oaky, on vanilla and some green pear. Taste: Young to very young, malty, creamy, on vanilla and nice floral flavours. Diluted, it taste even younger. The finish is medium, smooth, young, floral and slightly malty. Impression: A floral and malty whisky, clean, fresh and rather young. Rating: 10/20 FP:A1 |
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Paul John Bold, OB, 46%, B:2018. Price: Colour: Gold Nose: Round, mellow, slightly aromatic and peaty, with some hops, vanilla and melon and malty. Taste: Young, smooth, peaty, maritime, slightly spirity and medicinal, with some dry peat smoke, oak spices, iodine, bandages and some vanilla. Diluted, it becomes more aromatic. The finish is medium and on the same flavours and with some extra mint flavours and gentian. Impression: A young, dry, clean, smooth whisky, with some dry, aromatic peat smoke and some oaky flavours. Rating: 13/20 FP:A5 |
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Paul John Classic Select Cask, OB, 55.2%, B:2018. Price: Colour: Gold-old gold Nose: Round to very round, very fruity, slightly floral and malty, on exotic fruits, some melon and quince. Very good! Taste: Very round and mellow, fruity, moderately floral, fragrant and spicy, on porridge, exotic fruits, peach, cinnamon and fresh fragrant floral flavours. Very good. The finish is long, mellow, very round, fruity to very fruity, floral, on round fragrant flavours, stewed fruits, exotic fruits, cinnamon, some peach, apricots and almonds. Impression: A very good, mellow and fruity whisky, with nice round floral flavours. Rating: 16/20 FP:A2 |
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Ardmore Best 3 Star Hotels of Switzerland 2009, 8 YO, Signatory, 46%, B:2018, cask 705160. Price: Colour: Straw Nose: Aromatic, slightly smooth and peaty, with a moderate aromatic smoke, some vanilla and roots. Taste: Aromatic to very aromatic, moderately oaky, spicy and rooty, on aromatic and slightly dry peat smoke, light grassy flavours and vanilla. The finish is medium to long, on aromatic peat smoke, some almonds, aromatic herbs and dry roots. Impression: A nice smooth, aromatic and slightly grassy and rooty Ardmore. Rating: 13/20 FP:A4 |
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Ardmore 2008, Spirits Shop Selection & Sansibar, 55.8%, B:2018. Price: Colour: Pale gold Nose: Aromatic, intense, slightly oaky and peaty, with a nice moderate aromatic peat smoke, some vanilla and a hint of liquorice roots and almonds. Taste: Light, smooth, subtle, with a light aromatic smoke, some almonds, grassy flavours and soft spices. The finish is medium, smooth, slightly soft, aromatic and grassy, and a hint of liquorice roots. Impression: A smooth, subtle and aromatic lightly peated Ardmore, markedly less peated than the Signatory version. Rating: 12/20 FP:A2 |
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English Whisky Company 2009, 8 YO, That Boutique-y Whisky Company, 50.3%, B:2017, batch 2, Sauternes/Bourbon Barrels, 845 bottles. Price: Colour: Old gold Nose: Fresh, aromatic, intense, floral, slightly smoky, with some bitter and aromatic herbs. Taste: Rich, fruity, intense, mellow, round, floral, on exotic fruits, some aromatic herbs, peat smoke, other stewed fruits, sugary flavours and light aromatic herbs. Well balanced. The finish is long and on the same flavours. Impression: A lovely whisky, peaty, with moderate aromatic herbs, a nice sweetness, and balance. Very good. Rating: 17/20 FP:C5 |
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Nectar Grove, Wemyss Malts, 46%, B:2018, Madeira Wine finished. Price: Colour: Gold Nose: Very malty, fresh, with some rhubarb and an unidentified flavour. Original and fresh. Taste: Fresh, floral, malty, with some fresh almonds, round and soft floral flavours and some vanilla. Nicely round and well balanced. The finish is medium to long, smooth, very round, milky, on soft malty and floral flavours, fresh milk as well as some almonds. Impression: A very round, soft and milky whisky, well balanced and with a lovely mouth feel. Rating: 16/20 FP:A1 |
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Blair Athol 1996, 21 YO, Aquae Vitae Venus, 47.8%, B:2017, sherry butt, 300 bottles. Price: Colour: Old gold Nose: Round, floral, on stewed fruits, vanilla, some melon, pollen and nice floral flavours. Taste: Rich, grassy, very round, oaky, on caramel (Werther’s), some coastal influence, nice round floral flavours, pollen, and slightly bitter and grassy flavours. The finish is medium and on the same flavours. Impression: Not an easy whisky, with a mixture of oaky, salty, caramel and floral flavours. I was struggling with the flavour balance, but some might love it. Original. Rating: 11/20 FP:D1 |
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GlenDronach 1993 for Andy's Selection No.2 Taiwan, 24 YO, OB, 53.5%, B:2017, cask 407, 633 bottles. Price: Color: Amber Nose: Round, oaky, spicy, slightly nutty, tannic and floral, on rich, thick spices, sultanas, cinnamon, some nutmeg, cloves, dates, lacquer and precious wood. Taste: Intense, spicy, floral, thick, on sultanas, plums, berries, some rubber, orange, tangerine, incense, precious wood and high grade leather. The finish is long, rich, complex, spicy, and on the same flavours. Impression: A very good, rich, spicy, intense and floral whisky, with a nice complexity. Rating: 17/20 FP:G1 |
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Omar Black Queen Wine Barrel Cask Strength, OB, 56%, B:2018. Price: Colour: Dark amber Nose: Rich, complex, heavy, fruity, spicy, slightly nutty, rather mellow, on leather, tannins, spices, plums, orange, tangerine, cinnamon, nutmeg and cocoa. Very good. Taste: Surprisingly light, fresh and zesty on the palate, on cinnamon, tangerine and orange zest, some lemon, vanilla and light floral flavours. The finish is long, floral, zesty, on tannins, cinnamon powder, lots of nuts, orange, tangerine, some lemon and sultanas. Diluted, it becomes more tannic. Impression: A nice fresh, zesty and nutty whisky, with light winey flavours. Rating: 14/20 FP:G2 |
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Kilkerran 2007 distilled at Glengyle distillery, 11 YO, Cadenhead's, 58.1%, B:2018, Sherry wood, 564 bottles. Price: Colour: Amber Nose: Round, moderately smoky and peaty, rather mellow, slightly maritime, on dried fruits, some tar and cocoa. Taste: Peaty, smoky, round, slightly maritime and tarry, on sultanas, seaweeds, peat smoke, orange, tangerine, some tar, cinnamon and soot. The finish is long, peaty, smoky, slightly maritime, round, well balanced and rather fruity, as well as some berries, cocoa, peat smoke, and light maritime flavours. Impression: A very nice, mellow, peaty, smoky, slightly maritime and with a nice round sherry influence. Rating: 16/20 FP:G5 |
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Kavalan 2010 Sherry Solist For Asia Palate Association, 7 YO, OB, 58.6%, B:2017, cask S100309004A, 504 bottles. Price: Colour: Dark amber Nose: Round, floral, bitter, nutty, tannic to very tannic, on bitter orange, treacle, nuts, leather and some honey. Taste: Floral, thick, heavy, fragrant, rubbery to very rubbery, bitter, on treacle, tannins, lacquer, precious wood, cloves, marmalade, plums and sultanas. The finish is long, thick, heavy, intense, tannic, spicy, very nutty and on the same flavours. Impression: A very heavily sherried whisky, with loads of tannins. For sherry freaks, Rating: 13/20 FP:J1 |
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Glendronach 2004 for Asia Palate Association, OB, 58.1%, B:2016, cask 6628, Pedro Ximenez Sherry Puncheon, 647 bottles. Price: Colour: Amber Nose: Complex, rich, moderately floral, on high grade leather, sultanas, nice round fruity flavours, some exotic fruits, fudge and cinnamon. Very good. Taste: Fresh, young, floral, rich, sweet, well balanced, on round floral and fruity flavours, some orange, orange blossom and soft spices. The finish is long, smooth to very smooth, round, well-balanced, on soft and round fruity and floral flavours, dried fruits, tangerine, some candied orange, cardamom, peach syrup and quince. Impression: A very well-made whisky, soft and round, on nice sweet and round floral and fruity flavours. Lovely balanced. Rating: 17/20 FP:F2 |
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Secret Distillery #1 2007, 9 YO That Boutique-y Whisky Company, 51.7%, B:2016, Sherry Butts, 1220 bottles. Price: Colour: Amber Nose: Round, thick, dry, nutty to very nutty, floral, spicy, on cinnamon, cloves, cocoa, lacquer, precious wood, orange, and walnuts. Taste: Fresh, young, smooth, fragrant, floral, on violet, sultanas, cinnamon, precious wood, some cocoa, leather and lacquer. Diluted, it becomes slightly more floral and on toffee. The finish is long, rich, round to very round, floral, on toffee, sultanas, plums, leather and precious wood. Impression: A rich, smooth, floral, very round and well-balanced whisky, with nice round fruity and soft spices. Rating: 17/20 FP:G1 |
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Springbank 1996, 21 YO, That Boutique-y Whisky Company, 47.5%, B:2018, cask 02/0118-1 (767), Madeira Butts, 911 bottles. Price: Colour: Old gold-amber Nose: Very thick, vegetal to very vegetal, on vegetal condiment (Maggi), toffee, some rubber, plums, sultanas, and floral flavours. Original. Taste: Rich, spicy, rubbery, floral, winey, slightly fragrant, on vegetal condiment, toffee, rubber, some plums, sultanas and salty flavours. The finish is medium to long and on the same flavours, with pronounced rubbery flavours. Impression: A thick and heavy whisky, floral, with heavy rubbery flavours and vegetal flavours. Rating: 13/20 FP:I1 |
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Aberlour 1992, 25 YO, The Malt Whisky Company, 55.6%, B:2017, Oloroso Sherry Finish. Price: Colour: Dark Amber Nose: Thick, round, floral, very vegetal, with strong aromas on vegetal condiment and on toffee. Taste: Very round, malty, floral, with loads of toffee, on vegetal condiments and cinnamon. The finish is medium to long, thick, floral and on the same flavours. Diluted, it becomes rather rubbery and slightly sulphury. Impression: A thick single malt, with lots of toffee and some rubber. A single malt with the sherry used for the finish that tends to dominate the whisky. Rating: 13/20 FP:H1 |
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Kavalan Sherry Solist White, OB, 55.6%, B:2018, cask S081229029, 497 bottles. Price: Colour: Amber Nose: Rich, intense, floral, tannic, nutty, slightly bitter, on old woods, tannins, orange, nutmeg and some cloves. Taste: Round, floral, nutty, thick, on toffee, cinnamon, some cloves, nutmeg, rubber, nuts, sultanas, fragrance, lacquer and precious wood. The finish is medium to long, round, and on the same flavours. Impression: A whisky with very strong toffee flavours and tannins Rating: 14/20 FP:H1 |
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Penderyn Ruby Port Barrique 2003, OB, 60.6%, B:2009, cask PT13. Price: Colour: Dark amber Nose: Very round, thick, floral, on leather, tannins, sultanas, dried fruits, some lacquer and exotic fruits. Rich and very good. Taste: Very thick, heavy and syrupy, nutty, floral, intense, on dried fruits (sultanas and figs), candied oranges, leather, tannins, soft spices, some marmalade, cloves, fudge and cardamom. The finish is long, thick, chewy and on the same flavours. Impression: A very nice, thick, heavy Penderyn, complex and on dried fruits. Very well made. Rating: 17/20 FP:G1 |
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Penderyn Tawny Port Pipe 2012, OB, 59.6%, 2017, cask PT260. Price: Colour: Amber Nose: Thick, heavy, floral, vegetal, tannic, on leather, old wood, lacquer, orange, and marmalade. Taste: Spirity to very spirity, fragrant, on toffee, varnish, cinnamon and candied oranges. The finish is long, floral, spicy, nutty, with some orange, tangerine, exotic fruits, cinnamon and lacquer. Diluted, it becomes smoother. Impression: A rather spirity whisky, fragrant, nutty and on caramel. Not the easiest one, but rather pleasant, Rating: 15/20 FP:H1 |
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Penderyn Port Wood, OB, 46%, B:2018. Price: Colour: Gold- old gold Nose: Clean, young, on fresh orchards fruits (mainly pears), some vanilla, dough and slight winey falvours. Taste: Young to very young, smooth, floral to very floral, on new make, lacquer and varnish. The finish is rather short, young to very young, smooth and with some orchards fruits. Impression: A clean and fresh whisky, that taste very young on the palate. The influence of the Port is rather moderate. Rating: 12/20 FP:A1 |
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Omar bourbon cask 2013, 4 YO, OB, 56.0%, B:2018, C#111305676, 206 bottles. Price: Colour: Old gold-gold Nose: Complex, mellow, fruity, elegant, on stewed fruits, melon and some exotic fruits. Very good. Taste: Intense, fresh, complex, on stewed fruits, exotic fruits, mango, guava, some melon and papaya. The finish is long and on the same flavours. Impression: A very well made whisky, with various and ripe exotic fruits combined with a clean, intense and fresh whisky. Very pleasant. Rating: 16/20 FP:C1 |
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Glenburgie 1995 For Ramseyer’s Whisky Connection, 23 YO, Signatory, 55.7%, B:2019, cask 6539. Price: Colour: Old gold Nose: Round, balanced, floral, elegant, with nice round, subtle and elegant floral flavours and a touch of soft fruits. Very elegant. Taste: Round, floral, elegant, balanced, on rose water, soft floral flavours, some cinnamon, almonds and heather. The finish is medium to long, elegant, and on the same flavours, with more almonds flavours. Diluted, it becomes slightly smoother and slightly more malty. Impression: The beauty of a whisky can be in its complexity, but it might be also in its elegance, as for this one, with nice elegant and subtle floral flavours. Thank you Markus. Rating: 16/20 FP:B1 |
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Tullibardine 21 YO (Swiss import), OB, 43%, B:1980s. Price: Colour: Gold Nose: Round, complex, spicy, slightly floral, on a very elegant old style of sweet sherry, leather, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, sultanas and dried oranges, as well as some precious wood. Few Tullibardine show such a nice complexity as this one. Taste: Round, complex, moderately spicy and floral, on soft leather, cinnamon, old fashioned complex sherry, with soft fruity and nutty flavours, sultanas and dried fruits. The finish is long, mineral, floral, sweet, fruity, moderately spicy, on leather, dried fruits, sultanas, orange, tangerine, cinnamon, some cocoa, honey, exotic fruits and a light smokiness. Diluted, it becomes slightly more mineral and on candied ginger. Impression: The best Tullibardine I have tried, with nice mineral flavours and an excellent light old of ripe fruity flavours. A very pleasant surprise Rating: 17/20 FP:G1 |
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Buair an diabhail of Islay Rum quartercask for Switzerland, The Whisky Chamber 57.0%, B:2019. Price: Colour: Gold Nose: Round, oaky, intense to very intense, very peaty, very smoky, maritime, light winey flavours, on maritime peat smoke, seaweeds, round oaky flavours, some camphor and light round sweet winey flavours. Taste: Very intense and peaty, salty, maritime, smoky, moderately oaky and spicy, on seaweeds, peat smoke, round oaky flavours, a nice smokiness and light winey flavours. The finish is long, maritime, smoky, peaty, moderately salty and phenolic, on camphor, maritime peat smoke, seaweeds and some iodine. Diluted, it becomes spicier, smokier, more oaky and with some spearmint. Impression: A very good, intense, smoky and oaky single malt distilled at Lagavulin and matured in a quarter cask. The Rum influence is moderate and well integrated. Thank you Willy. Rating: 16/20 FP:C7 |
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Buair an diabhail of Islay Porto quartercask, The Whisky Chamber, 56.9%, B:2019. Price: Colour: Gold Nose: Winey, round, syrupy, smoky, peaty, moderately oaky, on round sugary flavours of Port, camphor, maritime peat smoke and some sea salt. Sweeter, rounder and more winey than the Rum version. Taste: Round, sugary-sweet, winey, oaky, smoky to very smoky, peaty, maritime, on maritime peat smoke, camphor, some iodine and round winey flavours. The finish is medium to long, round, sugary, smoky, maritime, peaty, rather oaky, slightly syrupy, on maritime peat smoke, with some vanilla, iodine, camphor and various sugary winey flavours. Impression: Another single malt distilled at Lagavulin and matured in an ex-Port Wood quarter cask. It tasted younger, more winey and sugary then the Rum wood. Rating: 14/20 FP:F6 |
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Tormore 1988, 28 YO, The First Editions, 51.1%, B:2017, Ref HL14356. Price: Colour: Amber Nose: Sweet to very sweet, mellow, floral, round, slightly nutty, on sultanas, dried fruits, honey, nice round floral flavours and hazelnuts, some quince, vanilla and Mirabelle. Very good. Taste: Floral intense, nutty, fruity, round, elegant, on nice dry fruity flavours, sultanas, orange, some floral fragrance. Diluted, it becomes more fragrant. The finish is medium, floral, fragrant, round, moderately nutty and spicy, round, malty, on candied oranges, hazelnuts, some sultanas, orange and a touch of exotic fruits. Impression: A mellow, rather fragrant single malt, with nice nutty and fruity flavours, with some fragrance that would have deserved a better balance. Rating: 14/20 FP:F1 |
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Tormore 1994, 23 YO, Awico, 51.1%, B: 2018, 30 bottles. Price: Colour: Gold Nose: Round, floral, elegant, floral, with nice round and mellow fruity flavours, on honey and a hint of smoke. Very good. Taste: Light, fresh, round, floral, elegant, slightly malty and smoky, on soft spices, melon, some honey, quince, round floral flavours and vanilla. The finish is medium to long, round, floral, and on the same flavours. Diluted, it becomes slightly spicier and with some tobacco. Impression: A very nice, elegant, round single malt, nicely balanced and with nice floral flavours. Thank you Willy. Rating: 15/20 FP:A1 |
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Edradour 2002, OB, 54.7%, B:2017, Cask 1419. Price: Colour: Old gold-amber Nose: Round, sweet, fruity, floral, juicy, slightly grassy, on sultanas, juicy fruits, some mango, honey and round floral flavours. Very good and fruity. Taste: Spicy, intense, round, fruity, slightly oaky, on sultanas, mango, some candied fruits, cinnamon, other exotic fruits, and a touch of cloves. Very good. The finish is medium to long and on the same flavours. Diluted, it becomes more on leather, cocoa and ground coffee. Impression: A very nice, spicy and fruity Edradour, with very pleasant sweet fruits flavours, especially if you let it breath. Rating: 15/20 FP:G1 |
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Ballantruan 15 YO, OB, 50%, B:2018. Price: Colour: Gold Nose: Round, peaty to very peaty, floral, malty, on grilled bread, aromatic peat smoke, some tar and soot. Initially, it tasted rather round, smooth and slightly young, but then it becomes drier, more tarry and sooty. Taste: Dry to very dry, very peaty, tarry, floral, on grilled bread, fragrant floral flavours, vanilla, tar and aromatic smoke. The finish is medium to long, dry, peaty, aromatic, smoky, floral, slightly fragrant and on vanilla. Impression: A dry, very peaty and tarry single malt distilled at Tomintoul distillery. Rather floral, gentle and not overly complex. Rating: 12/20 FP:A6 |
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Benrinnes 1996 White Turf, 21 YO, Signatory, 46%, B:2018, cask 11743. Price: Colour: Gold Nose: Light, clean, fresh, floral, slightly yeasty, on fresh floral flavours, light orchard’s fruits, some dry and slightly fragrant aromas. Taste: Round, very floral, fragrant to very fragrant, slightly light, on round floral and fragrant flavours, some orchards fruits, chamomile, honey, quince and light grassy flavours. The finish is medium, round, floral, grassy and slightly fragrant. Diluted, it becomes slightly nutty and with some tobacco. Impression: A good, fresh, round and rather well balanced Benrinnes. Rating: 13/20 FP:A1 |
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Glentauchers 1996 for Acla Selection, 22 YO, Signatory, 50.7%, B:2018, cask 1404. Price: Colour: Pale gold Nose: Round, mellow, floral, well balanced, slightly malty, on round floral flavours, some round fruity flavours and honey. Very good. Taste: Round, spicy, rather mellow and floral, with some hops, malty flavours, starch, fresh and slightly green fruits. The finish is medium and on the same flavours. Diluted, it become slightly spicier and with more hops. Impression: A nice round, rather floral Glentauchers, with some hops and green fruits. Rating: 14/20 FP:A1 |
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Octomore 2007, 11 YO, The Whisky Whisperer, 60.3%, B:2019, ex-Sauternes wine cask. Price: Colour: Yellow gold Nose: Winey, peaty to very peaty, sweet, maritime, moderately tarry and round, on dry maritime peat smoke, seaweeds, iodine, some camphor, round sweet winey flavours, some dry tar. Taste: Peaty to very peaty, salty, maritime, intense to very intense, slightly oaky, on almonds, peat smoke, sweet and sugary winey flavours, grape sugar, some sweet berries, ripe melon, seaweeds, iodine, tar and soot. The finish is long, round, maritime, peaty, smoky, rather intense, slightly sweet, on grapes, maritime peat smoke, and some grape sugar. Diluted, it becomes longer, more syrupy and winey, with some bitter herbs and green almonds. Impression: The Whisky Whisperer is the brand owned Jim McEwan and distributed in a joint venture with Reto Stöckli. It consists of the private casks from Jim. This Octomore is heavily peated, but it does not taste as much peated as most of OB, at it is a rather old Octomore (11 YO) and the Sauternes sweet wine contributes to rather heavy sweet wine flavours. It is very good, but slightly too winey to my liking. For the fans of heavily peated Sauternes influenced whiskies, this will be a must have! Rating: 15/20 FP:G7 |
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Croftengea 2007, The Single Cask, 60.2%, B:2018, cask 209. Price: Colour: Straw Nose: Young, smooth, peaty, slightly floral, with light malty flavours, some almonds, aromatic peat smoke and some dry roots. Rounder, less peated and smoother than the Inchfad Hepburn’s Choice recently tasted. Taste: Peaty, floral, slightly young and floral, with some aromatic and floral peat smoke, vanilla, green apples, light oaky flavours and a touch of almonds. The finish is medium and on the same flavours. Impression: Another nice heavily peated single malt from Loch Lomond distillery. Slightly younger and more floral than the Hepburn’s choice. Rating: 13/20 FP:A6 |
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Port Charlotte 2001, 17 YO, The Cask Whisperer, 52.8%, B:2019. Sherry Cask. Price: Colour: Old gold-amber Nose: Peaty to very peaty, maritime, round, complex, elegant, on sea weeds, maritime peat smoke, some tar, iodine, leather, orange, sultanas and a touch of rubber. Very good. Tends to be slightly more rubbery over time. Taste: Tarry to very tarry, mellow, maritime, spicy, peaty to very peaty, on old worn leather, seaweeds, maritime peat smoke, iodine, sea brine, strawberries, cinnamon, orange, dried fruits, some cloves, rubber and liquorice roots. The finish is long, round, maritime, peaty, smoky, slightly rubbery and on the same flavours. Impression: A very nice and round maritime Port Charlotte, elegant and balanced, with some dry tar, dried fruits and rubbery. Port Charlotte matures well with age. Rating: 16/20 FP:G6 |
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Caol Ila For Whisky Schiff Luzern, 11 YO, Signatory, 52.9%, B:2019. Price: Colour: Amber Nose: Round to very round, maritime, peaty, smoky, slightly dry, on round fruity flavours, oranges, cinnamon, rubber, some vegetal condiment, leather, tar, hemp rope, seaweeds and red berries. Taste: Salty, peaty, tarry, maritime, intense, rubbery, thick, sirupy on dried fruits, sultanas, figs, rubbery, sulphur, strawberries, tar, hemp rope, orange, and tangerine. The finish is long, thick and on the same flavours. Impression: A very round, thick and heavily sherried Caol Ila. It might have been very good, if the sherry was less rubbery, meaty and sulphury. Rating: 12/20 FP:H7 |
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Miltonduff 2008, 10 YO, Claxton’s, 55.8%, B:2019. Price: Colour: Pale straw Nose: Round, floral, fruity, juicy, on nice sweet honey flavours, melon and nice fresh juicy flavours. Very good and fruitier than the colour would suggest it. Taste: Oaky, spicy, floral, rather round and intense, on fresh floral flavours, melon, mango, some quince and ginger. The finish is medium, oaky, floral, spicy, on ginger and some fresh fruity flavours. Diluted, it becomes spicier and more on ginger. Impression: A nice, intense, oaky, juicy and rather fruity Miltonduff. Rating: 14/20 FP:A1 |
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Glenallachie 2006 For Europe Batch 1, OB, 61.4%, B:2018. Price: Colour: Old gold Nose: Intense, floral, round, moderately oaky, on oak spices, some honey, various rich spices, nice round aromatic herbs and almonds. Taste: Floral, intense, round, slightly oaky, on dried fruits, herbal flavours, some bitter herbs, almonds, melon and tropical fruits. The finish is medium to long, floral, moderately oaky and grassy, on green almonds and tropical fruits and as well some tree sap. Diluted, it becomes more aromatic and on ginger. Impression: A very nice, intense, rich and grassy whisky. Very good and rather different from the 1989. Rating: 16/20 FP:E1 |
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Glenallachie 1989 For Europe Batch 1, OB, 58.1%, B:2018. Price: Colour: Old gold-amber Nose: Very floral, round, intense, slightly oaky, on nice spices, leather, round floral flavours, almonds, some fresh floral flavours, stewed fruits, cinnamon, exotic fruits and mango. Substantially different from the 25 YO. Taste: Mellow, fresh, floral, intense, with very nice round fruity flavours, sultanas, nice ripe exotic fruits, a light spiciness and fresh slightly fragrant floral flavours. The finish is medium to long, elegant, floral, intense, slightly fruity and grassy, on nice fresh flowers, sweet and rather juicy fruity flavours, some grassy flavours and soft spices. Diluted, it becomes softer, smoother and grassier. Impression: A very good Glenallachie, surprisingly intense for its age, with a very pleasant juicy and fruity mouth feel, some dried fruits and nicely grassy. Rating: 17/20 FP:F1 |
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Glenallachie 25 YO, OB, 48%, B:2018. Price: Colour: Old gold-amber Nose: Mellow, rich, complex, moderately floral, on nice rich and soft spice, honey, some mellow fruity and herbal flavours, dried herbs and a touch of leather. Very good. Taste: Mellow to very mellow, moderately floral, slightly oak and spicy, on nice round floral flavours, some light oaky, malty and grassy flavours, sultanas, dried fruits, cinnamon, almonds and nice floral flavours. The finish is long, floral, round, moderately oaky, spicy and syrupy, with various grassy flavours, oak spices, sultanas, dried fruits and a touch of cinnamon. Impression: A very nice balanced Glenallachie, with a mixture of ex-bourbon, PX and Oloroso casks. Thank you Juliette. Rating: 15/20 FP:F1 |
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Octomore 9.2 156 PPM For Travel Retail, OB, 58.3%, B:2019. Price: Colour: Gold-red Nose: Winey, peaty, smoky, dry, tarry slightly oaky, on dry peat smoke, some tar, spicy winey flavours, some grapes, black berries and soot. Taste: Winey, young, oaky, very peaty, smoky, on gapes, cherries, berries, peat smoke, seaweeds, dry tar, some soot and sea salt. The finish is long, very peaty, winey to very winey, slightly young and oaky, on grapes, berries, dry peat smoke, tar, seaweeds and medicinal flavours. Impression: A whisky matured for 4 years in ex-bourbon casks and 1 year in red Burgundy wines. Very peaty and winey, syrupy, maritime, on a dry peat smoke. Not overly complex but very punchy. Rating: 14/20 FP:F8 |
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Octomore 2009, 9 YO, The Cask Whisperer, 63.7%, B:2019, ex-Chateau Latour wine cask. Price: Colour: Old gold-red Nose: Winey to very winey, peaty, dry, tarry, smoky, maritime, slightly floral and round, with some strawberries, blackcurrant, peat smoke, grapes and light medicinal flavours. More complex, rounder and balanced than the 9.2. Taste: Spicy, oaky, winey, slightly peppery, round, intense, peaty, maritime, on round winey flavours, red berries, peat smoke, some tar, iodine and camphor. Nicely balanced. The finish is medium to long, rubbery, intense, maritime, and medicinal, on camphor, peat smoke, iodine, grapes, some spices and seaweeds. Diluted, it becomes more on berries and sweeter. Impression: A nice round, balanced, intense and well made Octomore matured in an ex-red wine cask. Initially spicy on the nose, it is rather sweet and round on the palate, with a nice and elegant peat smoke. Rather different from the 9.2: more complex and balanced, but also more gentle. Rating: 15/20 FP:D7 |
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Loch Lomond Inchfad 2005, Hepburn’s Choice, 46%, B:2018. Price: Colour: Pale straw Nose: Very peaty, aromatic, slightly bitter, malty and floral, on dry and rather peat smoke and light rooty flavours. Taste: Round, smooth, floral, peaty, aromatic, with some lemon, light malty flavours, vanilla, some almonds, dry rooty flavours and green apples. The finish is medium, peaty, aromatic, slightly earthy, on lemon peel, aromatic peat smoke, roots and some green apples. Impression: A very nice, rather clean whisky, with a nice aromatic peat smoke and some dry roots. Well made. Rating: 14/20 FP:A7 |
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Loch Lomond Heavily Peated 2005, 13 YO, Claxton’s, 57.5%, B:2019. Price: Colour: Straw Nose: Mellow, peaty, moderately aromatic, floral, on aromatic peat smoke, light malty flavours, some vanilla and dry rooty flavours. The peat smoke is rather complex. Taste: Oaky, peaty, aromatic, balanced, slightly round and floral, with some vanilla, almonds, light creamy and vanilla flavours, and a touch of fragrance. The finish is medium, floral, moderately peaty, slightly aromatic, creamy and malty, with some almonds, aromatic peat smoke and vanilla. Impression: A round and nicely balanced expression of peated Loch Lomond, with nice floral and creamy flavours. Thank you Hugo. Rating: 14/20 FP:A5 |
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Kilkerran Heavily Peated Peat In Progress, OB, 59.3%, B:2019. Price: Colour: Gold Nose: Heavily peated, young, oaky, slightly fishy and maritime, on kippers, peat smoke, tar, some seaweeds, spices, citrus, vanilla and almonds. Taste: Young to very young, maritime, intense, peppery, very peaty, on seaweeds, salt, citrus, light oaky and spicy flavours, hemp rope, some tar, farmy flavours, dried meat and fruits. Diluted, it becomes markedly younger, more rooty and bitter. The finish is medium, intense, oaky, maritime, peaty to very peaty, slightly waxy, on citrus, seaweeds, peat smoke, some camphor, almonds, dried fruits, hemp rope and tar. Diluted, it becomes younger, more oaky, citric and bitter. Impression: For being just 3 years old, this whisky shows a nice complexity and intensity when tasted neat. With some diluted, the young age is markedly more apparent and it becomes more citric and bitter. A mixture of 55% bourbon and 45% sherry casks. Rating: 12/20 FP:C7 |
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Caol Ila 2012, 7 YO, Claxton’s, 60%, B:2019, 285 bottles. Price: Colour: Pale straw Nose: Intense, peaty, maritime, clean to very clean, rather punchy, on citrus, peat smoke, tar, hemp rope and a hint of vanilla. Taste: Clean, rather smooth, slightly young, fresh, maritime, on citrus, clean peat smoke, seaweeds, hemp rope, tar and some vanilla. The finish is medium, citric, peaty, and maritime, on peat smoke, lemon, some iodine, hemp rope and camphor. Diluted, it becomes on vanilla custard and some dry roots. Impression: A nice, clean, peaty and maritime Caol Ila. Rather intense and maritime. Thank you Hugo. Rating: 13/20 FP:A7 |
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Macallan Concept 1, OB, 40%, B:2018. Price: Colour: Amber Nose: Very round, floral, on fudge, caramel, some cinnamon, orange, tangerine and honey. Taste: Round, floral, grassy, slightly spicy, on caramel, fudge, cinnamon, spices, some orange, tangerine, nutmeg, sultanas, leather and hint of cloves. The finish is short to medium, round, slightly floral and spicy, on juicy fruits, fudge, tangerine, orange, cinnamon and sultanas. Diluted, it becomes spicier and with a hint of smoke. Impression: A whisky with the spicy-floral DNA of Macallan, rather fruity, round and on fudge. Not very complex, but well made and easy drinking. Rating: 13/20 FP:F1 |
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Tobermory 1994 The Single Cask, 24 YO, Claxton’s, 55.3%, B:2019. Price: Colour: Old gold-amber Nose: Intense, mellow, smooth, some sea brine, apples, light herbal flavours, and a light sweetness. The influence of the sherry is light, but elegant. Taste: Round, smooth, floral, malty, slightly fragrant, with a nice light fruitiness, some candied oranges and tangerines, sea brine, a touch of plums, leather and cinnamon. Subtle and elegant. The finish is medium, elegant, smooth, malty slightly floral, syrupy and fruity, with some candied tangerines and orange, cinnamon, sea brine and apples. Diluted, it becomes slightly spicier. Impression: Tobermory tends to be a rather light, smooth and malty whisky, with some sea brine. These flavours are nicely present in this whisky, complemented by very elegant and rather round light sherry flavours. This light sherry influence, thus complementing well the distillate and providing a harmonious balance, with a lot of finesse. A nice value whisky. Thank you Hugo. Rating: 16/20 FP:G1 |
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Laphroaig 25 YO, OB, 52%, B:2018. Price: Colour: Old gold-amber Nose: Mellow, smoky, maritime, peaty, rather complex, on seaweeds, maritime peat smoke, some iodine, dried fruits, light meaty flavours and a hint of rubber. Taste: Mellow, juicy, balanced, complex, slightly grassy, on a subtle peat smoke, maritime and grassy flavours, some sea salt, soot, tar and iodine. The finish is medium to long, subtle, mellow, moderately peaty and smoky, slightly maritime, some peat smoke, dried fruity, with a hint of menthol and bandages. Impression: A very nice Laphroaig 25 YO, markedly better than the first batches of 25 YO, subtle and complex, nicely smoky and medicinal. Thank you Haeky. Rating: 16/20 FP:D5 |
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Lp9, Elements of Islay, 54.3%, B:2018, 718 bottles. Price: Colour: Amber Nose: Mellow, spicy, well balanced, peaty, smoky, moderately maritime, on peat smoke, sultanas, seaweeds, stewed fruits, some smoked meat and iodine. Very good. Taste: Salty, intense, maritime to very maritime, on smoke meat, seaweeds, iodine, some camphor, BBQ, dried and stewed fruity and sea salt. The finish is long to very long, medicinal, smoky, peaty, rather intense, tarry, meaty and well balanced, on BBQ, smoked meat, dried fruits, various medicinal flavours, some seaweeds, sea salt, iodine, bandages, sultanas and soot. Impression: A Laphroaig from a Pedro Ximenez butt distilled in 1998. A very good, intense, rich and maritime single malt, with a thick sherry influence and some excellent smoked meat flavours. A most enjoyable and sherried Islay single malt. Rating: 17/20 FP:G7 |
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Tomatin Water, OB, 46%, B:2018. Price: Colour: Old gold Nose: Very round, smooth, malty, slightly floral and fruity, with some tangerine, orange, rubbery, cloves and cinnamon. Taste: Very smooth, round, elegant, balanced, slightly malty, grassy, floral, and spicy, with some starch, smooth and round light fruity flavours, some honey, spices, tangerine, sultanas and cinnamon. The finish is medium, round, malty, slightly spicy, fruity and floral, with some light grassy flavours, soft spices, cinnamon, tangerine and honey. Diluted it becomes spicier. Impression: A nice, round and smooth whisky, with light fruity, spicy and grassy flavours. The whole is well-balanced and pleasant to drink. Rating: 14/20 FP:D1 |
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Tobermory 2008, Liquid Treasures, 59.9%, B:2018. Price: Colour: Gold Nose: Extremely peaty, intense, rough, maritime, very intense, on an intense maritime peat smoke, iodine, seaweeds, tar, some camphor and medicinal flavours. Excellent! Taste: Intense, rich, maritime, heavily peated, complex, balanced, on a very nice and elegant maritime peat smoke, iodine, tar, seaweeds, camphor and other medicinal flavours. The finish is long, complex, intense, peaty to very peaty, maritime, and medicinal, on seaweeds, iodine, camphor, tar and some vanilla. With a very nice peated and smoky retro-olfaction. Impression: An excellent peated Tobermory (Ledaig), with a very intense and complex peat smoke. The intensity of this whisky is impressive and the peat smoke reminds me strongly of the old Ardbeg 10 YO, but with more intensity. Rating: 17/20 FP:A8 |
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XII years 2006 PX Cask, Michel Couvreur, 47%, B:2018. Price: Colour: Old gold-amber Nose: Round to very round, on dry sherry, sultanas, figs, soft spices, orange, leather, some nuts and a hint of nuts. Taste: Round, floral to very floral, thick, rubbery, on toffee, fudge, sultanas, orange, tangerine, leather and various spices. Quite fruity. The finish is medium, round to very round, fruity, on toffee, fudge, sultanas, figs, some nuts, orange, tangerine and leather. Impression: A nice round to very round sherried whisky, with a nice mouthfeel and balanced, and with rather pronounced rubbery flavours that tends to disappear over time. Rating: 15/20 FP:G1 |
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XV years 2003 Oloroso Cask, Michel Couvreur, 45%, B:2018. Price: Colour: Old gold-amber Nose: Smooth, winey, spicy, moderately vegetal, on cabbage, vegetal spices (Maggi), wine, and some odd flavours. Rather special. Taste: Spicy, dry, winey, mineral, vegetal, on cabbage, dried fruits, dry wine, raisins and nuts. The finish is rather long, syrupy, thick, winey and on the same flavours. Impression: An Oloroso cask sur base Clearach. A rather winey whisky based on the Clearach, a Vin Jaune du Jura wine cask matured whisky. Original. Rating: 12/20 FP:F1 |
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Ledaig 1997 Stealing Beauty, 20YO, Spirits Salon, 61.1%, B:2017, cask 800111, 120 bottles. Price: Colour: Gold-old gold Nose: Peaty to very peaty, aromatic to very aromatic, intense, slightly floral, on vanilla and oak spices. Taste: Intense, oaky, aromatic, dry, spicy, moderately floral, on oak spices, aromatic peat smoke, some tar and vanilla. The finish is medium to long, oaky, intense, on aromatic peat smoke, some liquorice roots, vanilla and tar. Impression: A lovely peated whisky, with a nice aromatic peat smoke. Rather dry and oaky. I enjoy this style very much. Rating: 16/20 FP:A5 |
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Benrinnes 1997 For LMDW, 20 YO, Signatory, 55.0%, B:2018, cask 9734, 239 bottles. Price: Benrinnes 1997 For LMDW, 20 YO, Signatory, 55.0%, B:2018, cask 9734, Sherry Hogshead, 239 bottles. Colour: Amber-black Nose: Thick, heavy, tannic, floral, round, with very heavy tannins, sultanas, figs, leather, cloves and wood spices. Taste: Thick, syrupy, intense, tannic, bitter to very bitter, astringent, on orange, marmalade, cloves, cinnamon, dark chocolate and some exotic fruits. The finish is long, very bitter, tannic and astringent, on cloves, dry woody flavours. Impression: A very tannic, dry and bitter whisky. Extremely heavy on the wood. A hate or love whisky. For sherry freaks. Rating: 10/20 FP:J1 |
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Kavalan Sherry Cask Solist, OB, 57.8%, OB, Sherry Butt S081215028, 496 bottles. Price: Colour: Dark amber Nose: Round, spicy, floral, rather vegetal, on toffee, treacle, sultanas, vegetal condiment, and some ground coffee. Taste: Rich, floral to very floral, astringent, rubbery, vegetal, on round vegetal condiments, spices, round rubber flavours, cloves, toffee, and nuts. The finish is medium to long, chewy, thick, rubbery, floral, nutty, on rubber, cinnamon, treacle, cloves and nutmeg. Diluted it become spicier, fruitier and more tannic. Impression: A very thick, chewy and heavy whisky, nutty and with a fair dose of rubber. A sherry bomb. Too much rubber for me. Rating: 13/20 FP:J1 |
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Kavalan Port Cask Solist, OB, 57.8%, cask O090619031A, 184 bottles. Price: Colour: Amber Nose: Extremely well balanced, round, floral, rather thick and syrupy, on leather, tannins, round floral flavours, orange, tangerine, sultanas, some exotic fruits, precious wood, light spicy and nutty flavours. Excellent. Taste: Floral to very floral, intense, rather spicy and spirit, on tangerine, orange, candied pineapples, some exotic fruits, tannins, leather, cinnamon, nutmeg and some cloves. The finish is long, thick, floral to very floral, slightly dry, tannic and bitter, on round floral flavours, cinnamon, nutmeg, orange, some marmalade, lacquer and precious wood. Impression: A whisky with a beautiful, thick and rich nose, slightly lighter on the palate than the nose suggested, slightly dry and tannic on the finish. The Port is very well integrated and not dominating. Rating: 16/20 FP:G1 |
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Hampden Estate, OB, 46%, B:2018. Price: Colour: Gold Nose: Round, floral, fragrant, on pineapples, bananas, some varnish and paint. Taste: Light to very light, fragrant, slightly spicy, on pineapples, bananas, some varnish, paint, ginger and moss. The finish is medium and on the same flavours. Impression: A nice light floral, fragrant Jamaican Rum, with nice flavours of varnish, pineapples and bananas. Rating:13/20 FP:A1 |
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Hampden Estate Overproof, OB, 60%, B:2018. Price: Colour: Gold Nose: Round, floral, slightly dirty, on pineapples, bananas, some varnish, paint, light sugary flavours and some dried fruits. Heavier and fruitier than the Estate. Taste: Light, with strong varnish flavours, on spices, ginger, oil, acetone, pineapples, bananas and liquorice. The finish is medium to long and on the same flavours. Impression: A heavier version of the Hampden than the 46%, as well as with more phenols and tar. Rating: 12/20 FP:A1 |
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MacPhails Highland Malt 1940, 42 YO, Gordon & MacPhail, 40%, B:1982. Price: Colour: Old gold-amber Nose: Round, smoky, peaty, complex to very complex, slightly sooty, on old bold peat smoke, rather aromatic and sooty, on dried and candied fruits, including tangerine, orange and sultanas, soft and elegant spices. Very good. Taste: Peaty, smoky, aromatic, sooty, rather spicy, slightly mellow, on leather, orange, tangerine, cinnamon and light nutty flavours. Very complex and well balanced. The finish is long, smoky, peaty, balanced, complex, moderately aromatic and sooty, slightly nutty, on candied oranges, sultanas, some tangerine, cinnamon, cocoa, aromatic herbs and a touch of brown sugar. Impression: An excellent old style of Highland single, moderately peaty, with an old sooty and rather complex smoke. This peat smoke reminds me strongly of a peated Macallan I tasted last year. And rather intense for being bottled at 40%, with almost no blemish of age. Very well done. Rating: 18/20 FP:G4 |
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Glenfarclas 1976 Spirit of Independence, OB, 43%, B:1996. Price: Colour: Old gold-amber Nose: Round, floral to very floral, rubbery to very rubbery, on toffee, fudge, burnt and fresh rubber, cloves, cinnamon, some orange and sultanas. Taste: Vegetal, floral, rubbery to very rubbery, on toffee, fudge, fresh and burn rubber and various spices. The finish is medium and on the same flavours. Diluted, it becomes slightly more fruity (candied fruits) and spicier. Impression: A moderately sherry Glenfarclas, round, with lots of toffee, fudge and a fair amount of rubber. Rating: 12/20 FP:D1 |
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Mortlach Private Collection 1957, Gordon & MacPhail, 43.5%, B:2007. Price: Colour: Amber-black Nose: Floral, heavy, tannic, dry, nutty, on heavy and dry sherried flavours, dark tannins, toffee, orange, bitter orange, treacle, sultanas, dates, cinnamon and cloves. Taste: Floral, dry, moderately bitter, tannic, on very heavy tannins, old worn leather, lots of dried fruits, orange, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, floral flavours, thick soft spices and some bitter orange. The finish is long, thick, mouth coating, very heavy, syrupy, on black liquorice, heavy and dry tannins, old worn leather, sultanas, figs, dates, orange, candied orange, some bitter orange, walnuts and some bitter flavours. Diluted, it becomes more tannic and drier. Impression: A very old and very dark sherry Mortlach, very heavy and mouth coating, with lots of old leather flavours. Very good and the wood is present, just at the limit. Rating: 15/20 FP:J1 |
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Glenfarclas 1995 for Germany, OB, 57.3%, B:2017. Price: Colour: Old gold Nose: Round, floral, slightly spicy, on round sherry flavours, toffee, some leather, cinnamon, sultanas, candied oranges and figs. Rather well balanced. Taste: Floral, light, round, slightly spicy and fragrant, on tangerine, orange, some cinnamon, peach and candied fruits. Well balanced. The finish is medium to long, rich, floral, spicy, and slightly fragrant, on cinnamon, nutmeg, orange, some tangerine, sultanas, leather and fudge. Impression: A very nice, round, well-balanced Glenfarclas, rather floral, slightly spicy and on dried and candied fruits. Rating: 16/20 FP:D1 |
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Belgian Owl 47 months, OB, 46%, B:2018, cask 566+299. Price: Colour: Pale straw Nose: Round, malty, very smooth, slightly floral, with some vanilla, hay and a touch of yeast. Taste: Very smooth, young, on new make, some vanilla, hops and a freshly cut grass. The finish is short to medium, malty, very smooth, slightly creamy and grassy, with some vanilla, honey and grassy flavours. Impression: For a distillate of less than 2 years, it is pretty nice, smooth, grassy and malty, with some orchards fruits. Rating: |
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The Whistler 10 YO, OB, 46%, B:2018. Price: Colour: Old gold Nose: Very smooth, malty, slightly grainy, sweet and fruity, on stewed fruits, peach, apricots, porridge, some exotic fruits, sultanas, orange and tangerine. It gets fruitier over time. Taste: Nutty, smooth, rather complex, fruity, slightly spicy, on mushrooms, old wet wood, some rubber, old tyres, sultanas, hazelnuts, orange, sultanas and tangerine. The finish is medium, nutty, spicy, slightly rubbery, on fresh rubber, sultanas, orange, some dates, hazelnuts, grassy flavours and almonds. Impression: An Irish whiskey with a very nice fruity nose, getting more woody and less balanced on the palate. Rating: 11/20 FP:F1 |
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Slyrs 2006, 12 YO, OB, 43%, B:2018. Price: Colour: Gold Nose: Very mellow, rich, fruity, on porridge, some pepper, peach, apricots, melon and tropical fruits. Tasted somewhat like aged Bourbon, with a touch of rye. Taste: Mellow, slightly spicy and peppery, balanced, on some peppery rye flavours, cinnamon, nutmeg, peach, apricots and a touch of melon. Rather complex. Diluted, it becomes more floral and slightly creamy. The finish is medium to long, mellow, slightly to moderately spicy, with some melon, orchards fruits, rye and vanilla. Impression: A nice mellow and rather complex Slyrs, with a flavour profile reminding me of an aged Bourbon whiskey. Rating: 14/20 FP:A1 |
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Slyrs PX finish, OB, 43%, B:2018. Price: Colour: Old gold-amber Nose: Round, spicy, oaky, on toffee, fudge, leather, vanilla, winey flavours, orange and some yeast. Taste: Young, smooth, slightly floral and rubbery, on red berries, honey, light winey and rubbery flavours, toffee and fudge. The finish is medium and on the same flavours. Diluted, it becomes spicier and oakier. Impression: A young Slyrs, with some oaky spices and red berries. Rating: 11/20 FP:G1 |
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Clynelish 1995, 23 YO, Signatory, 54.5%, B:2018, cask 8674 (part). Price: Colour: Old gold-amber Nose: Round, mellow, musky, spicy, slightly waxy, on dry rubber, light meaty flavours, orange, mustard seeds and leather. The sherry is rather thick and heavy, with some rubber and meaty flavours. Taste: Intense, spicy, waxy, on sea brine, rubber, leather, wax, light meaty and farmy flavours, some mustard, old rubber, orange, tangerine, sea brine and butter scotch. The finish is medium, round, slightly winey, spicy, rubbery and salty and on the same flavours. Impression: A very round and rather thick Clynelish, with a fair dose or rubber. Slightly too rubbery for me. Rating: 15/20 FP:H1 |
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Clynelish 1995, 20 YO, Signatory, 53.6%, B:2016, cask 8687. Price: Colour: Old gold Nose: Very waxy, smooth, mustardy, slightly dusty and oaky, on citrus (mainly bitter lemon) and some rooty flavours. Taste: Waxy, spicy to very spicy, slightly woody, smooth, rich, on tangerine, leather, orange, cinnamon, some cloves, fudge and tannins. The finish is medium to long, woody, slightly tannic and spicy, on tangerine, some orange, cinnamon, leather, cloves, orange peel and dry liquorice sticks. Impression: A rather dry and spicy Clynelish, with some round sherry influence and woody influence. Rating: 13/20 FP:G1 |
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Clynelish 1995, 22 YO, Signatory, 55.4%, B:2018, cask 11230. Price: Colour: Old gold-amber Nose: Round, mellow, on rich and thick fruity flavours, oranges, some pepper, tangerine, light sulphury flavours, cloves and rubber. Slightly fruitier and more sulphury than cask 8674. Taste: Intense, round, mellow, slightly sulphury and rubbery, on orange, tangerine, some sea brine, leather, light meaty flavours, cinnamon and fresh rubber. With time, it becomes slightly more mineral. The finish is medium, moderately spicy, mineral and rubbery, on orange and candied tangerine, as well as some spices and a hint of sulphur, on. With time, it becomes less rubbery, more elegant and mineral. Impression: A whisky with a rather rubbery nose and some sulphur, that tends to go away on the finish. A good whisky, but the sherry is rather present and dominating on the nose and initially on the palate. Rating: 15/20 FP:G1 |
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Clynelish 1995 Friendship Bottling "Whisk(e)y Shop Tara & Brühler Whiskyhaus", 22 YO, Signatory, 52.2%, B:2018, cask 11233. Price: Colour: Old gold-amber Nose: Mellow, round, slightly mineral and waxy, on dried fruits, light mineral flavours, orange, tangerine, some pepper, cinnamon and light farmy flavours. Very good, and without the rubbery or sulphury flavours from the other casks. Taste: Intense, spicy, mellow, waxy, moderately mineral, on tangerine, flint stones, some leather, orange and coffee beans. The finish is long, intense, mineral, balanced, spicy and on the same flavours. Diluted, it becomes spicier. Impression: A very nice mineral, waxy Clynelish, with some nice sherry flavours not taking over the distillate. Rating: 16/20 FP:E1 |
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Auchentoshan 1975, 21 YO, OB, 55.4%, B:1996. Price: Colour: Old gold-amber Nose: Rich, mellow, moderately floral, complex, fruity, on rich sweet dried and stewed fruits, cinnamon, leather, ripe exotic fruits and honey. Very good. Taste: Round, mellow, sweet, on porridge, cinnamon, vanilla, peach, some apricots, various stewed fruits, including apples. The finish is long, spicy, mellow to very mellow, on cooked cereals, cinnamon, tangerine, peach, apricots, light floral and fragrant flavours and a hint of smoke. Diluted, it becomes spicier and slightly woody. Impression: A very nice, mellow and rather complex Auchentoshan on stewed fruits. The flavour profile almost reminds me of an aged Bourbon. Rating: 16/20 FP:D2 |
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Auchentoshan 5.5 1974, 16 YO, Scotch Malt Whisky Society, 56.3%, B:1991. Price: Colour: Gold Nose: Light, mellow, floral, subtle, on fresh vanilla from Magadscar, porridge, some butterscotch, soft spices and round floral flavours. Very good and rather different from the OB. Taste: Light, round, fresh, mellow, floral, subtle, slightly fragrant, rather clean, with some vanilla, orchards fruits, other stone fruits, a light fragrance, and round floral flavours. The finish is medium and on the same flavours. Diluted, it becomes slightly spicier. Impression: A subtle, light, and rather clean Auchentoshan, with very limited wood influence. Rating: 15/20 FP:A1 |
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Raasay While We Wait 2nd Edition, OB, 46%, B:2018. Price: Colour: Old gold Nose: Peaty, smoky, round, slightly aromatic and maritime, on peat smoke, bonfire smoke, light aromatic flavours, some honey and light fruity flavours. Well balanced and rather complex. Taste: Very round, smooth, peaty, smoky, aromatic, moderately floral, with some seaweeds, sea brine, light floral flavours, some sultanas, honey, light winey flavours and tangerine. The finish is medium and on the same flavours. Diluted, it become thinner, rounder and more floral. Impression: A very nice peated malt finished in super Tuscan wine that is intended to reflect the flavour profile of the new Raasay distillery. It taste like a very good moderately peated whisky, with peat from the Highlands. A nice surprise. Thank you Reto. Rating: 15/20 FP:C5 |
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Aberlour A’Bunnadh Batch 67, OB, 60.8%, B:2018. Price: Colour: Amber Nose: Clean, round, floral, with a nice clean sherry, sultanas, orange, tangerine, cinnamon and leather. Taste: Round, young, smooth, clean, spirity, slightly oaky, on sultanas, leather, toffee, orange, sultanas, cinnamon, nice clean floral flavours and some varnish. The finish is medium and on the same flavours. Impression: A very goo, clean, floral and nicely made sherry whisky, on leather and toffee. Seems cleaner, slightly younger and more on dried fruits and leather than the previous batches I have tried. Rating: 14/20 FP:H1 |
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Clynelish 5 YO Yellow Label for Di Chiano, OB, 43%, B:1979. Price: Colour: Pale gold Nose: Round, wax, moderately peppery, slightly mineral, on mustard seeds, flint stones, with some sea brine, grapefruits and lemon. Taste: Mineral, waxy, round, slightly citric, bold and waxy, with some pollen, citrus, old mineral oil, dry and austere peat smoke, wax, paraffin and mustard seeds. The finish is medium to long, austere, mineral, rather citric and waxy, on lemon, some grapefruits, ginger, pepper, mustard seeds and a touch of dry sooty smoke. Diluted, it becomes slightly more citric. Impression: A very nice Clynelish, very likely from the new distillery, with a profile close to the old 5 YO white labels, but rounder and slightly less complex as well. Rating: 16/20 FP:A3 |
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Clynelish 1972 White Label, Cadenhead’s, 61.5%, cask 5643. Price: Colour: Old gold-amber Nose: Mellow, round, rich, complex, moderately mineral, slightly waxy and austere, on leather, sea brine, tangerine, light farmy flavours, some dried fruit, candied citrus, a few drops of exotic fruits and some humus. Very good! Taste: Intense, complex, citric, on dry fruits, old leather, very pleasant dried fruits flavours, mango, orange, tangerine, old furniture and some other exotic fruits. A most lovely whisky. The finish is long, complex, slightly waxy, on dried leather, some dry meat and farmy flavours, candied citrus, ginger, orange, tangerine, mango and humus. Impression: An excellent old style Clynelish, with a beautiful old style of dry sherry, on leather and some rancio, with nice fruity flavours. Rating: 18/20 FP:H2 |
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Springbank School, OB, 46%, B:2018. Price: N/A Colour: Pale gold Nose: Peaty, smoky, slightly tarry and farmy, intense to very intense, on sea brine, peat smoke, tar, some dry meat, soot and seaweeds. Very good, but it is really a Springbank and not a Longrow, with all this peat smoke? Taste: Oaky, spicy, peaty, maritime, intense, with light winey-like flavours, some peat smoke, mineral smoke, diesel oil, sea brine, salt and seaweeds. The finish is medium, maritime, smoky, oaky, with some grapes, peat smoke, mineral oil and seaweeds. Diluted, it becomes slightly spicier and more on toasted wood. Impression: A very good, intense and surprisingly peated Springbank, especially on the nose. Was there some Longrow poured into this cask? Thank you Roger. Rating: 15/20 FP:G5 |
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Caol Ila 1994 "Advance Sample" Old Malt Cask, 18 YO, Douglas Laing, 50%, B:2013. Price: (70cl equivalent) Colour: Straw Nose: Very peaty, intense, maritime, phenolic, tarry, on hemp rope, iodine, seaweeds, phenols, some bandages and camphor. Clean and nicely phenolic, with a rather complex peat smoke. Taste: Peaty to very peaty, maritime, rather salty and tarry, on phenols, peat smoke, tar, hemp rope, some vanilla, iodine, seaweeds and bandages. The finish is medium to long, clean, intense, peaty, medicinal, on hemp rope, peat smoke, some roots, bandages, iodine and various medicinal flavours. Impression: A very good Caol Ila, intense, peaty, medicinal, with a very pleasant peat smoke, tar and hemp rope. Rating: 17/20 FP:A7 |
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Aberlour 1992, 19 YO, Berry’s Bros & Rudd, 55.5%, B: 2012, cask 3919. Price: Colour: Straw Nose: Clean, malty to very malty, with some straw, light floral and honey notes, as well as some vanilla and ginger. Taste: Spicy, intense, lively, slightly smoky, bitter, floral and fragrant, with some oaky notes, vanilla and hay. The finish is medium to long, intense, clean, floral, slightly smoky and bitter, with some honey, oak, vanilla and ginger. With water, it becomes slightly smoother and more on honey. Impression: Aberlour is seldom bottled by independent bottler and this version is particularly clean. Rating: 12/20 FP:A2 |
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GlenDronach 1992 For Whisky Paradise SRL, 26 YO, OB, 52.8%, B:2018, cask 67. Price: Colour: Amber Nose: Very round, smooth, elegant, floral, slightly fragrant, on lacquer, plums, dried fruits, sultanas, sandalwood, cloves, fragrant floral flavours as well as some cinnamon. A very good GlenDronach. Taste: Floral, fragrant, oaky, slightly bitter, on tannins, spices, lacquer, dried plums, some sultanas, cinnamon and cloves. The finish is medium to long, rich, floral, moderately fragrant, on lacquer, precious wood, cinnamon, cloves, some dried fruits and oranges. Diluted, it becomes slightly smoother. Impression: A very nice and floral whisky, round, on lacquer, cloves, dried fruits and precious wood. Rating: 16/20 FP:G1 |
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Caperdonich Ocean Linear Whisky Schiff 2015, 21 YO, JWWW for Monnier, 51.10%, B:2015, cask 108. Price: Colour: Pale gold Nose: Smooth, spicy, floral and nutty. Rather rough. Taste: Smooth, light, floral, slightly peaty, on fruits from the orchards, toffee, fudge and some freshly crushed barley, with light vanilla flavours. The finish is medium, floral, slightly nutty and grassy, with some fruits from the orchards. Seems rather young. Diluted, it taste younger and sweeter. Impression: A light and sugary Caperdonich tasting young suggesting that the cask has not been very active. A whisky with flavours close to a new make. Rating: 12/20 FP:A1 |
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Imperial 1997, 21 YO, The Single Malts of Scotland, 50.6%, B:2018, cask 2473. Price: Colour: Pale gold Nose: Fresh, juicy, grassy, slightly oaky, on fresh orchards fruits and nice herbal flavours. Taste: Fresh, juicy, grassy, slightly oaky, on fresh orchards fruits, nice herbal flavours, some honey and citrus. The finish is medium to long and one the same flavours, with a hint of smoke Impression: A very nice, fresh, grassy and juicy whisky from a lost distillery, well balanced and rather complex, with nice orchards fruits. Rating: 16/20 FP:A1 |
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Imperial 1995, 22 YO, The Single Malts of Scotland, 43.3%, B:2018, cask 5410. Price: Colour: Pale gold Nose: Round, mellow, slightly grassy, on pollen, orchards fruits, light juicy oak and herbal floral. Slightly rounder and more floral than the 21 YO. Taste: Fresh, light, oaky, slightly floral, grassy and starchy, with some pollen, honey, orchards fruits and a touch of yellow fruits. The finish is medium to long and on the same flavours. Impression: Another very nice Imperial, grassy, round, slightly oaky with a mixture of juicy oaky and orchards fruits. Very good, slightly rounder and with slightly more wood than the 21 YO. Rating: 15/20 FP:A1 |
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North Port Brechin 1981 30th Anniversary, 36 YO, Signatory, 57.2%, B:2018, cask 1708. Price: Colour: Pale gold Nose: Austere, moderately smoky, slightly mineral, with some hay, a light fragrance, some bitter orange, wax and herbal flavours. Very good. Taste: Floral, rather dry and yeasty, on hops, hay, melon, some quince, light mineral flavours, herbal flavours, bitter oranges and a drop of honey. The finish is long, complex, fruity, moderately yeasty and austere, slightly mineral, with some elderberries flavours, quince, bitter orange, yeast, hay, a touch of smoke, melon and mango. Impression: A very positive surprise this North Port whisky distilled at the Nort Port distillery in Brechin, a lost distillery. While most North Port tend to be rather dry, this one as very nice herbal, mineral and austere flavours, complex, with some bitter orange and light to moderate yeasty flavours. The whole is well balanced. My favourite whisky from this distillery. Rating: 17/20 FP:C2 |
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Craigduff 1973 30th Anniversary, 45 YO, Signatory, 45.4%, B:2018, cask 2518. Price: Colour: Old gold Nose: Mellow, intense, rich, fruity, complex, slightly austere, with some mineral flavours, elderberries flowers syrup, exotic fruits, melon, limestone, and a zest of lime. Very good. Taste: Damp, moderately austere, spicy and floral, on humus, old tobacco, some flint stone, zest of lime and bitter orange, grassy flavours and old-fashioned mineral smoke. The finish is medium to long, complex, moderately austere and woody, on old tobacco, humus, some mushrooms, old-fashioned smoke, some ashes, flint stone, bitter orange and a zest of lime. Impression: A very nice smoky and austere whisky, with a fair dose of humus and old-fashioned smoke. Craigduff was a peated whisky distilled at Glen Keith. This whisky was more smoky than peaty, probably as a result of the long maturation. Rating: 16/20 FP:E3 |
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Glen Scotia 2001 Campbletown Whisky Festival 2016, OB, 57.1%, B: 2016, cask 554. Price: Colour: Gold Nose: Very intense, smooth, on sea brine, vanilla custards, melon, some seaweeds, old diesel smoke, coconuts and a few drops of pears. Very good. Taste: Salty, maritime, slightly smoky, on coconuts, vanilla, candied ginger, some diesel smoke, Mirabelle, melon, a touch pollen and a few pear drops. With some slightly peaty smoke coming over time. Diluted, it become more fatty-waxy, with some grease, and a more mineral-peaty old smoke. Impression: A very good example of Glen Scotia, with a combination of sea bine, wax and old diesel smoke that smell good the Campbletown harbour. Rating: 16/20 FP:A2 |
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Glen Scotia 5 YO (Gillies), OB, 40%, B: 1970s. Price: Colour: Pale gold Nose: Oily, greasy, light, maritime, slightly dirty and smoky, on sea brine, some citrus, grease, diesel smoke, a light peat smoke and rusted iron. A very nice “dirty” nose. Taste: Light, mineral, on herbal infusion, some spearmint, cardboard, sea brine, diesel smoke, light mineral flavours, a touch of orchards fruits drops, citrus and humus. The finish is medium, moderately oily, mineral, smoky, with some almonds, green olives, diesel smoke, peat smoke, humus, rusted iron and sea brine. Diluted, it becomes more on almonds and old mineral oil. Impression: A very pleasant old style of “dirty” Glen Scotia, moderately mineral, maritime and smoky. I like this style very much. Thank you Roger! Rating: 14/20 FP:B3 |
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Ainslie’s Royal Edinburgh, OB, 40%, B: 1960-70s. Price: Colour: Gold-old gold Nose: Round, waxy, mineral, with some toffee, mineral oil, leather, peat smoke and aromatic herbs. Rather intense. Taste: Waxy, grassy, mineral, oil, with some mustard seeds, mineral oil, orange peel, aromatic herbs and caramel. The finish is medium, round, waxy, slightly grassy and greasy, on mineral oil, some aromatic herbs, slightly austere flavours, leather, honey and orange. Diluted, it becomes more on aromatic and slightly austere smoky flavours. Impression: A very good Ainslie, rather waxy, with very nice moderate smoky flavours and mineral oil. Even if it is bottled at 40%, it is rather fresh and intense, with a profile suggesting old Clynelish single malt at his core. Rating: 15/20 FP:D2 |
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Mackie’s Ancient Brand, White Horse Distillery, 86.8 Proof, B:1940-50s. Price: Colour: Gold Nose: Mineral, sooty, tarry, smoky, on peat smoke, tar, some caramel, mineral oil, soot, peat smoke, leather, Barbour wax, aromatic herbs and seabrine. With a very nice old-fashioned aromatic and maritime peat smoke. Taste: Light, maritime, sooty to very sooty, tarry, peaty, on sooty peat smoke, seaweeds, tar, old peat smoke, some aromatic herbs, mineral oil, wax, herb liqueur and slightly austere flavours. The finish is medium, peaty, sooty, maritime, rather mineral and aromatic, on soot, seaweeds, peat smoke, some tar, meaty flavours, herbal liquor and orange peel. Diluted, it becomes slightly more grassy, aromatic, sooty and on caramel. Impression: A very nice blended whisky, peaty, mellow, maritime with strong sooty flavours. The grain is rather silent, as for the Ainslie’s. Rating: 15/20 FP:D5 |
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Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel, OB, 55%, B:2018. Price: Colour: Amber Nose: Clean, smooth, rather sharp and shy, on cinnamon, some orange and caramel. Taste: Fresh, spicy, fragrant, on orange, lacquer, orange peel, cinnamon, some nutmeg and toasted wood. The finish is medium to long, fragrant, spicy, slightly to moderately bitter, on orange peel, cinnamon, nutmeg, some orange juice and toasted wood. Diluted, it becomes spicy to very spicy and bitterer, with more cinnamon. Impression: A clean, smooth, rather sharp and fragrant Bourbon distilled at Wild Turkey, with lots of orange. Surprisingly, no barrel number is provided on the bottles, thus you are never sure of which one you tried. Considering that the price difference between various “selected” casks is rather different, I hope they will fix it in the future. Rating: 12/20 FP:C1 |
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Russell's Reserve Small Batch - Single Barrel, OB, 55%, B:2014, code 721059000000. Price: Colour: Old gold Nose: Creamy, very smooth, grainy, on varnish, almonds, cinnamon, vanilla sherbet, nutmeg, peach, apricots and porridge. Taste: Spicy to very spicy, peppery, on varnish, almond, cinnamon, cloves, pepper, peach, cooked cereals, and corn (maize) syrup. The finish is medium, bitter, tannic, rather astringent, peppery, on cloves, vanilla, some varnish, peach, apricots, leather, charred/toasted wood. Impression: A smooth and grainy Bourbon, with some varnish, but slightly too woody and astringent to my liking. Too long in the cask. Rating: 12/20 FP:A1 |
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Very Old Bourbon, Enrico’s Private Blend, B:2019. Price: N/A Colour: Gold Nose: Very smooth, round, malty, complex to very complex, slightly fresh, on porridge, peach, some stewed fruits, cinnamon and a very nice smooth influence of wheated bourbon. Taste: Mellow, sweet, malty, floral, moderately fragrant, with some pepper (rye), porridge, cooked cereals, peach, orange, orange peel, cinnamon and cloves. The finish is medium, mellow, round, moderately fragrant, on soft spices, cooked cereals, some orange peel, cinnamon, nutmeg, and hint of pepper. Impression: A very nice “blended” bourbon, with a strong influence from the weathed bourbon, with a dash of rye. Slightly mellow, with Russell's Reserve a very pleasant mouth feel with a very light oaky (wood) influence, as one might taste in the Old Fitzgerald whiskies. A house blend made with Old Fitzgerald from the 1980s, Pikesville 110 Rye and some Wild Turkey 101 from the 1980s. Rating: 15/20 FP:C1 |
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Glen Scotia 15 YO, OB, 46%, B:2018. Price: Colour: Old gold Nose: Oaky, dirty, slightly maritime and smoky, on sea brine, some wet wood, harbour-like flavours, ginger, cinnamon and pollen. Taste: Oaky, spicy, coastal, slightly maritime, on sea brine, vanilla, some pollen, harbour-like flavours, diesel smoke, ginger and peach. The finish is medium, maritime, salty, slightly smoky, mineral and oaky, on sea brine, some mineral oil, vanilla and peach. Impression: A good oaky Glen Scotia, with nice sea brine and some mineral oil flavours, as well as some yellow fruits. Rating: 13/20 FP:A1 |
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Glen Scotia 2008 Peated Campbeltown Festival Ruby Port Wood, OB, 57.8%, B:2018. Price: Colour: Old gold-red Nose: Sweet, maritime, winey, round, oaky, slightly coastal, on nice round Port flavours, sea brine, ginger and other spicy flavours. Very good, Taste: Winey, very round, oaky, salty, on sweet and round Port flavours, red berries, some vanilla, sea brine, sea salt, peat smoke and pollen. The finish is medium and on the same flavours, with rather lingering syrupy ruby port flavours. Impression: A very good, intense and winey Glen Scotia, with a strong and pleasant ruby port influence, that tends to mask the peat. Rating: 15/20 FP:G3 |
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Glenturret 1988 30th Anniversary, 30 YO, Signatory, 52.4%, B:2018, cask 532. Price: Colour: Gold Nose: Mellow, slightly fragrant, on hops, some yeast, vanilla, banana and honey. It was initially rather dry and on hops, but after a couple of minutes, it becomes softer, mellow, on vanilla custard, some melon and quince. Taste: Spicy, rather mellow, slightly dry and malty, on hops, yellow ripe fruits, some yeast, citrus and burnt tobacco. The finish is medium to long, rather dry, slightly bitter and on the same flavours. Diluted, it becomes more bitter and on liquorice. Impression: The typical “hops+yeast” flavours from the distillery are well present, with a nicely fruity and slightly citric palate. I always Glenturret a difficult whisky and this one is no exception, but it has some very nice fruity flavours and the Glenturret fans might love this one. Rating: 13/20 FP:A1 |
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Glenlossie 1978 Orange Surprise 46.13, 28 YO, Scotch Malt Whisky Society, 55.4%, B:2006. Price: Colour: Gold Nose: Mellow, very round, soft, fruity, on pollen, ripe fruits, melon, and a touch of exotic fruits. Taste: Mellow, very round, floral, on round stewed fruits, pollen, honey, some Mirabelle, quince and elderberries flowers. The finish is long, mellow, round, floral, soft, fruity, rich, on honey, some fruits, elderberries flowers and Mirabelle. Impression: A very nice, round, mellow Glenlossie, floral, and with soft fruity flavours. Very good. Rating: 16/20 FP:B1 |
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Bruichladdich Black Art 6.1 1990, 26 YO, OB, 46.9%, B:2018. Price: Colour: Old gold-amber Nose: Rich, slightly maritime, moderately winey and spicy, on grapes, some spices, pepper, sultanas, vanilla, cardamom, a light smokiness and sea brine. Taste: Mellow, maritime, sweet, fruity, winey, slightly salty and peaty, on grapes, pineapples, dates, dried fruits, some pepper and coastal flavours. The finish is long, winey, salty, fruity, sweet, mellow, on grapes, with some sea salt, smoke, spices and a light smokiness. Diluted, it becomes very winey. Impression: A mellow, maritime and slightly smoky Bruichladdich, with rather strong winey flavours. There seems to be a mixture of sweet wines and more dry red wines in the mix. With a nice mouthfeel. Rating: 15/20 FP:H2 |
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Bruichladdich 1990, 27 YO, Signatory, 55.5%, B:2018, cask 166. Price: Colour: Gold Nose: Round, slightly mellow, maritime and peaty, rather complex, well balanced, with some maritime peat smoke, sea spray, vanilla and hint of Mirabelle and melon. Taste: Very round, soft, mellow, on vanilla custard, nice round and soft malty flavours, a hint of sea spray and smoke. Diluted, it becomes saltier. The finish is medium, very round, soft and on the same flavours. Diluted, it becomes slightly bitter and fragrant. Impression: A particularly round and soft expression of Bruichladdich. Rating: 13/20 FP:A2 |
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Glen Moray 1998 PX finish Distillery Collection, OB, 45.5%, B:2018, cask 99913. Price: Colour: Amber Nose: Round, moderately mellow, oaky, fruity, slightly soft, on melon, oak spices, some sultanas, leather, light floral and exotic fruit flavours. Taste: Floral, round to very round, floral, creamy, on vanilla, vanilla custard, exotic fruits, dried figs, sultanas, strawberries, cinnamon sticks and some cardamom. The finish is long, very round, floral, slightly creamy, on strawberries, vanilla, vanilla custard, dried figs, some melon and cardamom. Impression: A very nice Glen Moray, floral, soft, on strawberries and dried figs. Rating: 16/20 FP:H1 |
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Glen Moray 2010 Peated PX Finish Distillery Collection, OB, 55.8%, B:2018. Price: Colour: Old gold Nose: Peated to very peated, meaty, aromatic, on smoked ham cooked in tar, barbecue, aromatic peat smoke, light oaky flavours and tar. Taste: Slightly young and smooth, meaty, tarry, slightly aromatic and maritime, on peat smoke, tar, barbecue, smoked ham cooked in tar, iodine, bandages, some seaweeds, sultanas, oranges and a light toffee flavours. The finish is medium to long and on the same flavours. Impression: A very nice whisky, slightly young, very peaty and meaty, with strong aromas of smoked meat and aromatic peat smoke, with a fair dose of tar. Rating: 15/20 FP:D7 |
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Bladnoch 1993 30th Anniversary, 25 YO, Signatory, 54.4%, B:2018, cask 777. Price: Colour: Gold Nose: Fresh, freshly floral, slightly malty and spicy, moderately mellow, with nice fresh floral flavours, vanilla, some rather freshly cut herbs, ginger and light oaky flavours. Taste: Floral to very floral, round, malty, on vanilla, some vanilla custard, freshly cut flowers from a sunbathed field, a touch of ginger, vanilla, tobacco and coconuts. Very pleasant and well balanced. The finish is medium, round, floral, slightly malty and fragrant, with some hay, vanilla, vanilla custard and Mirabelle. Diluted, it becomes bitterer, slightly fragrant, more on tobacco and with some green orchards fruits. Impression: A very nice floral and well-balanced Bladnoch, slightly malty and creamy, leaving a nice mouth feel. Nice to taste again a Bladnoch. Rating: 15/20 FP:A1 |
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Caperdonich 1995 30th Anniversary, 23 YO, Signatory, 58.4%, B:2018, cask 95050. Price: Colour: Gold Nose: Rather sharp, slightly floral and malty, on lemon zest, some peach, vanilla and apples. A whisky that needs time to open. Taste: Sharp, oaky, slightly citric, on a mixture of lemon, pink grapefruit, some vanilla and soft spices. With time, it becomes mellower and sweeter, with more tropical flavours, on top of the citric flavours. The finish is medium, mellow, moderately spicy and on tobacco, with some citrus, sweet fruits and light grassy flavours. Impression: A rather sharp and intense Caperdonich, with a fair dose of citrus combined with more mellow fruity flavours. A nice one. Rating: 14/20 FP:A1 |
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Cl11 elements of Islay, Elixir Distillers, 55.4%, B:2018. Price: Colour: Gold Nose: Round to very round, peaty, on leather, strawberries, cherries, dark chocolate, some other berries and butter scotch. A rather unusual sherry nose. Taste: Very round, peaty, rubbery, on leather, tannins, cocoa, cherries, red berries, some peat smoke and tar. The finish is medium, peaty, maritime, round, on leather, tannins, cherries, strawberries, other berries, cocoa, peat smoke and some tar. The finish is medium to long, peaty, round, rich, thick, syrupy, moderately tarry, on peat smoke, tar, butterscotch, fresh tannins, some orange, grapes, seaweeds and a touch of rubber. Diluted, it becomes slightly yeasty and on cooked grapes. Impression: This whisky was distilled in 2008, with a final maturation for 18 months in ex-solera sherry casks. The influence of the ex-sherry casks is very strong and dominating the whisky, with thick and rich leather and cherries flavours, as well as some dried fruits and a touch of yeast. It is rare to find a solera sherry cask finished or matured single malt and it is interesting to taste, how different can be a solera cask from the other “traditional” sherry cask. Rating: 11/20 FP:H5 |
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Peat and Sherry for LMDW Elements of Islay, Elixir Distillers, 58.5%, B:2018. Price: Colour: Amber Nose: Intense, peaty, smoky, rather round and well balanced, slightly young, with some leather, sultanas, other dried fruits, orange, tangerine and cocoa. Taste: Peaty, smoky, maritime, tarry, rather thick, slightly young and rubbery, on red berries, dried fruits, peat smoke, tar, orange, some iodine and medicinal flavours. The finish is medium to long, smooth, round, maritime, peaty, smoky, slightly salty and tarry, on seaweeds, toffee, dried fruits, orange, and berries and leather. Diluted, it becomes more on cloves, cocoa and rubber. Impression: A very nice blended whisky in the Elements of Islay bottled exclusively for La Maison du Whisky. It is in fact their blended whisky “Peat” with an additional maturation in sherry casks. Rating: 15/20 FP:G6 |
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Loch Lomond The Open Special Edition, OB, 46%, B:2018. Price: Colour: Old gold Nose: Oaky, spicy, mineral, on diesel smoke, sea brine, harbour-like flavours, some vanilla, toasted wood, orchards fruits, and a hint of salt. Taste: Smooth to very smooth, on orchards fruits, sea brine, diesel smoke, light mineral and oily flavours, as well as some vanilla and caramel. The finish is medium, smooth, slightly salty, oily and oaky, with some caramel, sea brine, and orchards fruits. Impression: A nicely made whisky, slightly mineral and oily, on caramel and some seabrine. A good value whisky. Rating: 11/20 FP:A1 |
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Inchmoan 12 YO, OB, 46%, B:2018. Price: Colour: Old gold Nose: Intense, peaty, smoky, on very aromatic peat smoke, vanilla and tar. Taste: Very peaty and smoky, tarry, slightly meaty, on a very aromatic peat smoke, tar, some humus, smoked meat, toasted wood, vanilla and sea brine. The finish is medium and on the same flavours. Diluted, it becomes smokier and more maritime. Impression: A very peaty, aromatic and smoky whisky, with some smoke meat and sea brine. Very enjoyable and worth at least a try. Rating: 13/20 FP:A7 |
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Bowmore 1973, 20 YO, OB, 56.8%, B:1993. Price: Colour: Old gold-amber Nose: Mellow, round, mellow, fruity, moderately peaty and maritime, on citrus (mainly grapefruits), exotic fruits (including mango), sea brine, seaweeds, moderately peaty and smoky flavours, some iodine and other sweet fruity flavours. A very different profile from the recent 26 YO! Taste: Complex, smoky, peaty, tarry to very tarry, citric, salty, on soot, old tar, peat smoke, some bandages, burnt wood, grapefruits and exotic fruits. The finish is long, complex, mellow, salty, tarry, and slightly citric, on soot, tar, peat smoke, some grapefruits, exotic fruits and sea brine. Diluted, it becomes slightly more meaty, citric and salty. Impression: A very rare and excellent Bowmore, with very good tarry and sooty flavours, mixed with a moderate peat smoke, citrus and exotic fruits. Lovely old style of Bowmore. Rating: 18/20 FP:E4 |
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Bowmore 26 YO The Vintner's Trilogy - French Oak Barrique, OB, 48.7%, B:2017. Price: Colour: Gold Nose: Smoky to very smoky, peaty, maritime to very maritime, complex, oaky, on sea weeds, peat smoke, vanilla, iodine and some sea shells. Very good. Taste: Oaky, round, maritime, smoky, peaty, slightly mellow, on oak spices, round vanilla flavours, peat smoke, iodine, seaweeds, some camphor, dried fruits, smoked meat and a touch of seashells. The finish is medium to long, intense, oaky, smoky, peaty, meaty, moderately maritime, on seaweeds, vanilla, peat smoke and smoked meat and some berries. With a long oaky and smoky retro-olfaction. Impression: A very good aged Bowmore, without any fragrant flavours, but a nice intensity, strong smoky flavours and clean peaty flavours, as well as nice smoked ham. Thank you Haecky. Rating: 15/20 FP:A6 |
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Glenlossie 1997 For Waldhaus am See, 19 YO, Signatory, 46%, B:2017, cask 1132. Price: Colour: Old gold-amber Nose: Rich, sweet, slightly floral, complex, slightly smoky and peaty, with an excellent balance, nice honey and grassy flavours, and sweet fruity flavours, including vanilla, melon and banana. Very good and elegant. Taste: Floral to very floral, elegant, slightly smoky, with nice mild spices, a hint of peat smoke, some cocoa, stewed fruits, orange, tangerine and a touch of milk and apricots. Diluted, it becomes slightly spicier, with some cinnamon, vanilla custard and exotic fruits. The finish is medium to long, sweet, very smooth, mellow, complex, slightly smoky and floral, on stewed and dried fruits, apricots, berries (redcurrant), peach, tangerine and orange. Impression: An excellent Glenlossie, elegant, rich, with nice fruity and sweety flavours. Elegant, subtle and with an amazing balance. Very good selection from Claudio! Very good value. Rating: 17/20 FP:G2 |
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Glenlossie-Glenlivet Army and Navy stores, OB, 70 Proof, B:1950. Price: Colour: Old gold Nose: Smooth to very smooth, slightly floral, smoky and peaty, on green leaves, vanilla, dried flowers, some eucalyptus and light aromatic flavours. Taste: Very grassy, green, floral, on humus, dried flowers, fudge, some honey, eucalyptus, potpourri, fur tree sap and caramel. The finish is medium to long, green, grassy, aromatic, slightly smoky and metallic, on eucalyptus, honey, some camphor, humus and moss. Impression: A good, smooth and very grassy expression of Glenlossie, with some old fashioned smoke and some aromatic resinous flavours. Rating: 15/20 FP:H3 |
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Linkwood 1990 30th Anniversary, 27 YO, Signatory, 50.3%, B:2018, cask 9735. Price: Colour: Gold Nose: Fresh, intense, very floral, malty, well balanced, slightly fragrant, on freshly cut flowers, some hay, vanilla, quince, honey and pollen. Taste: Fresh, floral to very floral, fragrant, slightly bitter, on fragrant flowers, some hay, lemon and vanilla. The finish is medium, fresh, very floral, moderately fragrant, slightly bitter, on vanilla and some pollen. Impression: A fresh, floral, moderately fragrant Linkwood, with light elegant flavours. A good one, but I miss a Woaww factor in this whisky, especially for the price. Rating: 13/20 FP:A1 |
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Glenlossie 1984 30th Anniversary, 33 YO, Signatory, 56.7%, B:2018, cask 2533. Price: Colour: Old gold-amber Nose: Mellow to very mellow, round, sweet, slightly floral, on fresh floral and malty flavours, some dried fruits, orange, honey and dates. Taste: Soft, mellow, floral, sweet, fruity, on dried fruits, dates, some orange, orange peel, nuts, leather and cinnamon. The finish is medium, soft, floral, sweet, slightly nutty and malty, on dried fruits, sultanas, dates, some orange peel and toffee. Diluted, it becomes slightly on tobacco. Impression: A very nice mellow, soft and floral Glenlossie, with some toffee and nutty flavours. Rating: 15/20 FP:E1 |
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Ardbeg 1991 Private Cask, 27 YO, 48.5%, B:2018, cask O2/54-4. Price: N/A Colour: Old gold Nose: Mellow, peaty, smoky, complex, on peat smoke, iodine, spearmint, light maritime flavours and bandages. Balanced. Taste: Mellow, complex, medicinal, subtle, on old subtle peat smoke, some spearmint, cocoa, dry roots, seaweeds, and medicinal flavours. The finish is medium to long, complex, medicinal, maritime, smoky, moderately peaty, on maritime peat smoke, some spearmint, bandages, iodine, tar and a touch of soot. Impression: A nice mellow, complex, medicinal and smoky Ardbeg, moderately peaty and well balanced. Very good and more complex and subtle than the current OB I have tried. With just a bit more intensity, it would be have higher. Thank you whisky.auction Rating: 16/20 FP:A5 |
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Ardbeg 18 YO 10th Anniversary Whisky Show, Elixir Distillers, 55.9%, B:2018. Price: Colour: Gold-old gold Nose: Peated to very peated, complex, intense, maritime to very maritime, moderately medicinal, on peat smoke, seaweeds, iodine, camphor, bandages, medicinal flavours, Taste: Intense, smoky, salty, maritime, on peat smoke, iodine, bandages, seaweeds, tar, some bandages, camphor, medicinal flavours and a hint of menthol. Complex. The finish is long, complex, intense, peaty and on the same flavours. Impression: A very good, complex, rich, intense, maritime, medicinal and peated Ardbeg. I have not tasted such a good recently bottled Ardbeg for a long time. But not as complex or subtle at the 27 YO, but with more kick. Rating: 17/20 FP:C7 |
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Ben Nevis Collective 2010 2.5, 7 YO, La Maison du Whisky, 48%, B:2018. Price: Colour: Gold Nose: Very smooth, round, fruity to very fruity, slightly young, with intense and rich round fruity flavours of melon, mango and other exotic fruits. The fruity flavours are most pleasant. Taste: Very sweet and round, fruity to very fruity, fresh, slightly light and malty, on yuzu, melon, passion fruits some mango, tangerine and Mirabelle. Very good. The finish is medium, very round and fruity, smooth, rather sweet, and on the same fruity flavours as on the nose. Diluted, there is some fudge. Impression: A rather young Ben Nevis, but with very rich and sweet fruity flavours. Surprisingly well matured and very good. Rating: 16/20 FP:C1 |
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Ben Nevis Heavily Peated 2004, Hidden Spirits, 57.5%, B:2017, cask BN417. Price: Colour: Pale gold Nose: Peaty, aromatic, meaty, rather maritime, slightly dry and oaky, on aromatic peat smoke, barbecue, and some slightly dry and bitter herbs. Taste: Light, grassy, floral, slightly aromatic, on smoked ham, BBQ, some aromatic peat smoke, tar, candied citrus, soot and quince. The finish is medium, dry, floral, rather aromatic and bitter, on candied citrus, vanilla, oak and BBQ. Impression: An unusual Ben Nevis. On the nose it was rather heavily peated, but only moderately peaty on the palate, with a nice aromatic peat and some BBQ flavours. Rating: 14/20 FP:A5 |
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GlenDronach 1989, 28 YO, OB, 49.9%, B:2018, Pedro Ximinez cask 5476. Price: Colour: Amber Nose: Mellow, round, complex, slightly floral, on nice round spicy flavours, some leather, dried fruits, exotic fruits (including mango), sultanas and orange. Rather fresh and juicy. Taste: Dry, mellow, floral, slightly woody and tannic, on leather, heavy tannins, old wood, dried fruits, blueberries, old furniture, some cinnamon, incense, dark chocolate and marmalade. The finish is long, dry, woody, slightly tannic, nutty and floral, on walnut, dark chocolate, old wood, tannins, dried fruits and marmalade. Impression: An aged GlenDronach, rather dry and woody. The wood is rather present, too much to my liking. Rating: 13/20 FP:G1 |
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GlenDronach 15 YO Revival, OB, 46%, B:2012. Price: Colour: Amber Nose: Dry, floral, spicy, slightly smoky and peaty, on cinnamon, nutmeg, dates, leather, soft tannins, cocoa, sultanas, some dried fruits, roasted coffee beans and a light peat smoke. Closed to the old 15 YO 100% sherry than the new Revival. Taste: Rich, spicy, floral, round to very round, on fudge, dried fruits, sultanas, orange, cinnamon, cocoa, some nutmeg, cloves, peat smoke, tannins and leather. The finish is medium to long, rich, spicy, floral, thick, on sultanas, dried fruits, berries, orange, tangerine, tannins and a light peat smoke. Impression: A very good GlenDronach, less spicy, rubbery and oaky than the new Revival, and less sticky as well. I like it better than the new one, as it is closed to the old 15 YO 100% sherry. Rating: 15/20 FP:G2 |
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Clynelish 2001, Gordon & MacPhail, 54.0%, B:2016, cask 307849/50. Price: Colour: Old gold Nose: Very smooth, round, elegant, with some sea brine, citrus, tangerine and some soft fruits. Taste: Rich, spicy to very spicy, woody, waxy, slightly rooty, on tangerine, spices, orange, cinnamon, Christmas cake, cocoa and cloves. The finish is medium to long, rich, spicy, waxy, dry, and slightly rooty, with some fudge, tangerine and sea brine. Impression: A very good, rich, spicy and rather dry Clynelish. Rating: 15/20 FP:F1 |
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Clynelish 1995, 10 YO, Gordon & MacPhail, 59.1%, B:2006, cask 5831+5832. Price: Colour: Old gold Nose: Intense, oaky, spicy, slightly farmy, on stewed fruits, dried fruits, humus and light farmy and herbal flavours. Taste: Spicy to very spicy, dry, waxy, farmy, mustardy, slightly rubbery, on orange, sultanas, leather, some burnt rubber, pepper, ginger, and oaky spices. The finish is medium to long and on the same flavours. Impression: A very good and spicy Clynelish, oaky, rather heavy on the sherry, on orange and moderate farmy flavours. Rating: 14/20 FP:G1 |
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GlenDronach 15% 100% Sherry Cask, OB, 40%, B:2000s, Code L01758. Price: Colour: Amber Nose: Rich, intense, thick, floral, nutty, on tannins, old leather, sultanas, orange, tangerine, cinnamon, cocoa, some nutmeg and a light peat smoke. Very good. Taste: Sweet, fruity, juicy, rich, floral, on old leather, lots of soft tannins, cinnamon, cardamom, sultanas, dried fruit, orange, plums, some peat smoke, and cocoa. The finish is long and on the same flavours. Impression: This was the first GlenDronach I ever tasted and happy to taste it again. Rich, complex, with nice old leather, soft tannins, cocoa and dried fruits. Very good! Rating: 16/20 FP:G2 |
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GlenDronach 15 YO Revival, OB, 46%, B:2018. Price: Colour: Amber Nose: Oaky, slightly floral, on tannins, fresh leather, orange, cinnamon, freshly sawn wood and dried fruits. Very different from the old GlenDronach. Taste: Oaky, fruity, floral, slightly spicy, on fresh orange, some dried fruits, dark chocolate, tannins, cinnamon, cloves and tangerine. The finish is medium, oaky and on the same flavours. Diluted, it becomes bitter, more on cloves, dark chocolate and cinnamon sticks. Impression: From the new Revival release. A sharp contrast with the (very) old 15 YO, with a much stronger fresh wood (oaky influence). It is also more subtle, but also less complex and pleasant. A combination of PX and Oloroso casks. Rating: 14/20 FP:D1 |
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Yoichi 20 YO, OB, 60%, B: circa 2014, GD100126, 08B48R. Price: Colour: Old gold-amber Nose: Deliciously meaty, peaty and smoky, intense, complex, on precious wood, lacquer, some plums, smoked meat and light floral flavours. Taste: Floral to very floral, spirity, smooth to very smooth, complex, on rosewater, some plums, dried fruits, lacquer and a light peat smoke. Well rounded. The finish is long, very smooth and mellow, floral, round, well balanced, slightly spicy and rooty, on dried fruits, plums, peat smoke, elegant floral flavours (Jasmin), some lacquer and precious wood. Diluted, it becomes more on dry and smoked meat. Impression: A very elegant, complex, smooth and floral Yoichi, with a very pleasant meaty and peaty smoke. Thank you Gene. Rating: 18/20 FP:G4 |
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The Kurayoshi Pure Malt, OB, 8 YO, 43%, B:2018. Price: Colour: Old gold Nose: Very malty, creamy, slightly spicy and grassy, on honey, stewed fruits, some orange, tangerine, soft spices, Mirabelle, and orchard fruits. Taste: Very grassy and malty, spicy, slightly oaky, on honey, freshly cut grass, cinnamon, some orange, tangerine, Mirabelle and freshly ground barley. The finish is medium, sweet, very round and grassy, on tobacco leaves, honey, cinnamon and some fruits marmalade, Impression: A good, very grassy and malty whisky, with some spices and stewed fruits. One of this pure malt that might contain some (or a lot of) Scottish single malt. Rating: 11/20 FP:G2 |
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Port Ellen 1982 30th Anniversary, 35 YO, Signatory, 55.1%, B:2018, Sherry cask 2040. Price: Colour: Pale gold Nose: Peaty to very peaty, complex, tarry, maritime, moderately mellow, on a complex, maritime and tarry peat smoke, some iodine, light medicinal flavours, dried seaweeds, old tar. Very good and intense. Taste: Peaty to very peaty, complex, mineral, oily, maritime, rather mellow, slightly sweet, on seaweeds, seaspray, seashells, peat smoke, citrus, some tar, soot, iodine, dried fruits and mango. The finish is long, dry, peaty, smoky, maritime, on liquorice roots, seaweeds, tar, citrus, peat smoke, some mango and pepper. Impression: An excellent intense, complex and tarry Port Ellen, with rather dry, maritime and tarry finish and citrus. Well, a Port Ellen that left with an excellent impression and happy birthday Signatory. I hope they will continue whiskies of this quality. Rating: 18/20 FP:D6 |
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Port Ellen Queen’s Visit, 12 YO, OB, B:1980. Price: Colour: Gold Nose: Waxy, very oily, tarry, peaty and smoky, dirty, maritime, on mineral oil, mineral peat smoke, Barbour’s grease, some soot, farmy flavours and mango. Taste: Sooty, waxy, oily, tarry, maritime, on old wax, Barbour and mineral oil, seaweeds, farmy flavours, leather, soot, peat smoke, a mixture of citrus (mainly pink grapefruits) and mango, and old mineral smoke. The finish is long, sooty, peaty, waxy, citric, smoky, maritime, farmy, on peat smoke, tar, soot, citrus (grapefruit), dirty farmy flavours, some mango and seaweeds. Diluted it becomes rather citric and bitter. Impression: Tasted blind, I would have guessed it was a Brora from the early 1970s (sorry for the PE fans), with its dirty, peaty, waxy and oily profile. Rather different from the other Port Ellen I have tried so far. I love this old style of peated single malts. Just miss some extra intensity and slightly too bitter on the finish to give it a higher rating. Rating: 19/20 FP:C7 |
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Glen Scotia Victoriana, OB, 54.8%, B:2018, batch 1. Price: Colour: Gold-old gold Nose: Rich, maritime, oaky, on diesel smoke, mineral oil, some harbour-like flavour and citrus. Taste: Oaky, spicy, slightly peppery and salty, on mineral oil, charred wood, oaky flavours, some vanilla, sea brine, citrus and light smoky flavours. The finish is medium, oaky, and on the same flavours. Impression: A nice oaky Glen Scotia, on vanilla, sea brine, mineral oil and charred wood. A fairly price value Glen Scotia finished on charred wood casks. Rating: 13/20 FP: A1 |
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Glen Scotia 18 YO, OB, 46%, B:2018. Price: Colour: Gold Nose: Mellow, slightly salty, maritime and oaky, with some seaweeds, humus, candied citrus, vanilla and honey. A sharp contrast to the Victoriana. Taste: Mellow, slightly oaky, fruity and salty, on honey, light spicy flavours, vanilla, some orchards fruits, a light smoke, mineral oil and mirabelle. The finish is medium to long, mellow, and on the same flavours. Diluted, it becomes slightly fruitier. Impression: A nice Glen Scotia, mellow, on vanilla, honey, nice fruity flavours and good sea spray and harbour-like flavours. Very good. Rating: 14/20 FP: A1 |
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Wild Turkey Revival Sherry Finish, OB, 50.5%, B:2018, batch 001. Price: Colour: Amber Nose: Very round, mellow, complex, rich, on dried fruits, cinnamon, toasted wood, caramel, nice floral flavours, vanilla, some cooked cereals and cherries. Very good. Taste: Very round, smooth, mellow, complex, on cherries, some roses, almond, toasted wood, cinnamon, candied ginger, porridge and peach. The finish is long, rich, complex, on dried fruits, cinnamon, sultanas, ginger, some vanilla and roses. Diluted, it becomes more on caramel. Impression: A very nice Wild Turkey made with 12 to 15 years old cask and finished in Spanish sherry casks. The most balanced and less woody of the 3. Rating: 16/20 FP: E1 |
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Wild Turkey Decades, OB, 52%, B:2018, batch 1. Price: Colour: Amber Nose: Intense, spicy, slightly oaky and nutty, on spices, ginger, toasted wood, vanilla and some tannins. Spicier and more intense than the revival. Taste: Intense, floral, fragrant, spicy, oaky, on toasted wood, vanilla, some ginger, porridge, pepper, cherries, roses and caramel. The finish is medium to long, rich, oaky and on the same flavours. Impression: A very nice, rich, intense and rather oaky Wild Turkey, with a nice complexity. A vatting of Wild Turkey matured between 10 to 20 years. Rating: 15/20 FP: C1 |
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Wild Turkey Master’s Keep 17 YO, OB, 43.4%, B:2018, batch 001. Price: Colour: Old gold-amber Nose: Intense, spicy, oaky, on cinnamon, some pepper, ginger, vanilla, caramel, roasted coffee beans and a hint of cherries. Taste: Rich, oaky, spicy, floral, fragrant, on cherries, some candied ginger, vanilla, caramel, toasted wood and rose. The finish is medium to long, rather bitter and tannic, slightly floral and fragrant, on cherries, cinnamon, candied ginger, some peach and caramel. Impression: A whiskey with a nice and intense nose, rather rich on the palate, but slightly too loud on the wood in the finish. Rating: 13/20 FP: C1 |
16 Fev
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Port Ellen 1975, 18 YO, Coopers’ Choice, 43%, B:1993. Price: Colour: Pale gold Nose: Very peaty and maritime, oaky, medicinal, tarry, slightly phenolic, with some seashells and slight grassy notes. Taste: Rather sweet and grassy, maritime, peaty, rather medicinal, on seaweeds, sea shells, and iodine. The finish is medium to long, maritime, medicinal, tarry, on seaweeds, iodine, seaweeds, sea salt, peat smoke and light grassy and tarry notes. Impression: A nice young, intense, maritime, medicinal and rather peaty version of Port Ellen. Rating: 16/20 FP:A7 |
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Port Ellen 1979, 20 YO, Gordon & MacPhail, 60.7%, cask 7244 + 7247. Price: Colour: Gold Nose: Oaky, maritime, medicinal, with some disinfectant, moderately peaty, as well as some liquorice (cachou). Taste: Medicinal, oaky, maritime, moderately peaty, citric, on pineapples, some humus and liquorice. The finish is medium, oaky to very oaky, maritime, on humus, old wood, some mushroom, liquorice roots, and peat smoke. Impression: A rather oaky Port Ellen, maritime and moderately peaty. Slightly too heavy on the wood to my liking. Rating: 15/20 FP: A6 |
15Feb
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Peat Beast, OB, 52.3%, B:2018. Price: Colour: Gold Nose: Very peaty, maritime, intense, on seaweeds, peat smoke, iodine, lemon juice, vanilla and hemp rope. Very pleasant even if slightly young. Taste: Slightly young and oaky, intense, maritime, tarry, on peat smoke, iodine, hemp rope, vanilla and some seaweeds. The finish is medium and on the same flavours. With time, there are some menthol flavours. Impression: The whisky might be slightly young and smooth, but it is very fresh and intense, peaty and with nice maritime flavours. A nicely made whisky. Rating: 14/20 FP:A6 |
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Peat Beast PX finish, OB, 54.7%, B:2018. Price: Colour: Old gold Nose: Peaty, round, maritime, on sweet fruity flavours, sultanas, some hemp rope, tar and iodine. Rounder and sweet than the other one. Taste: Young, smooth, slighty spicy and oaky, on oak spices, dried fruits, some orange, vanilla, light maritime and tarry peat smoke. The finish is medium, maritime, peaty, tarry, slightly salty, on maritime peat smoke, tar, some iodine and dried fruits. Impression: A version that seems younger than the non-PX, slightly spicier and oakier as well. Rating: 12/20 FP:D5 |
14Feb
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Mosstowie 1973 30th Anniversary, 45 YO, Signatory, 51.6%, B:2018, sherry butt 7622. Price: Colour: Gold Nose: Very fruity, rather intense and fresh, on fresh pears, pear drops, vanilla, juicy oaky, fresh fruits and a hint of smoke. Very complex and enjoyable. Taste: Rather fresh, slightly woody and spicy, on fresh pears, lime and orange blossom, some vanilla, melon and mango. The finish is medium, slightly spicy, on fresh fruits, mainly pears, some apples, mango and elderberries flowers syrup. Refreshing. Diluted, it becomes slightly woodier. Impression: A very nice fresh and fruity Mosstowie, on fresh fruity flavours and with a light woodiness on the finish. Rating: 16/20 FP:A2 |
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Glencraig 1976 30th Anniversary, 42 YO, Signatory, 42%, B:2018, barrel 4283. Price: Colour: Gold Nose: Floral, mellow, slightly dusty, grassy and malty, on slightly dry floral flavours, hay, melon, some mango and light exotic fruits. A whisky that needs some time to have the slightly initially dry floral flavours to be replaced by nice sweet fruity flavours. Taste: Very round, soft, mellow, slightly spicy and malty, on quince, sweet fruity flavours, some mango and papaya, and a touch of wood. The finish is medium, sweet, grassy, slightly spicy and woody, with some melon, elderberries flowers and banana. Diluted, it becomes more on juicy oak. Impression: A very good grassy, slightly malty and floral whisky, with nice sweet and fresh fruity flavours. Rating: 16/20 FP:A1 |
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Spirit of the Sea Voyage #1, Black Mountain 42.6%, B:2018. Price: Colour: Gold Nose: Maritime, salty, light, on sea shells, oysters and strong sea flavours. Taste: Grassy, grainy, slightly malty, salty, on diesel smoke, honey, grassy flavours, green almonds, some unidentified flavours, salt, seashells and sea influence. The finish is medium and on the same flavours. Diluted, there are some light black liquorice flavours. Impression: A blended whisky, grassy, grainy, slightly malty, with some vanilla and a rather pronounced maritime influence, probably coming from its final maturation on a ship at sea. Thank you le trésor du chai. Rating: 13/20 FP:A1 |
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The Dirty Dozen, AWA (Authentique Whisy D'Alasce), 48.6%, B:2018, 495 bottles. Price: Colour: Gold Nose: Grassy, winey, aromatic, slightly bitter, with some Pineau des Charentes and various winey flavours. Original. Taste: Winey, grassy, slightly floral, on Pineau des Charentes, various herbal flavours, malty and grassy flavours. The finish is medium and on the same flavours. Impression: An original whisky, grassy, slightly malty and floral, with winey, including Pineau des Charentes flavours. From a vatting of 12 various casks (e.g., Pineau des Charentes, Vin Jaune, Stout). The profile is rather original, and the flavours are rather well integrated. Thank you le Trésor du chai. Rating: 12/20 FP:D1 |
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Ardmore Teacher’s Director Christmas Old Highland Cream, 24 YO, OB, B:1950. Price: Colour: Old gold Nose: Grassy, resinous, aromatic, slightly mineral, on dry sherry, sultanas, candied fruits (mainly orange and some exotic fruits), some tropical fruits, prunes, old worn leather and old mineral aromatic peat smoke. Taste: Smooth, grassy to very grassy, resinous to very resinous, mineral, on mineral oil, old aromatic and slightly bitter herbs, walnut oil, dry and candied oranges and tangerine, sultanas soaked in alcohol, pine wax, dry spices, cherries and tobacco leaves. The finish is medium, mellow, resinous to very resinous, nutty, dry, with some leather, tobacco, old tobacco leaves and furniture, sultanas, a touch of aromatic herbs and pine wax. Diluted, it becomes more mineral, on old mineral and slightly peaty smoke, with more aromatic herbs and walnuts. Impression: An excellent and mellow old-fashioned Ardmore, nicely mineral and smoky, with pleasant resinous and aromatic flavours, as well a dry complex old style of sherry. Lovely. Rating: 18/20 FP:F2 |
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Ardmore Heavily Peated, Cooper’s Choice, 46%, B: 2015, bourbon cask 4889, 330 bottles. Price: Colour: Straw Nose: Oaky, smooth, peaty to very peaty, slightly floral, creamy and aromatic, with some tar, vanilla, hemp rope and tar. Taste: Young, sweet, fresh, oaky, peaty, malty, slightly bitter, aromatic and creamy, on soot, tar, dry peat smoke and freshly crushed barley, with light sugary and honey flavours. The finish is medium, oaky, and slightly floral, on dry and tarry peat smoke, sweet fresh barley, vanilla and some soot. Impression: A good Ardmore, relatively young, combines a dry peat smoke with a sweet-sugary flavours from a young distillate. Close to the previous Ardmore Traditional. Rating: 12/20 FP:A6 |
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Orkney Island 2004, Sprits Shop & Sansibar, 56.1%, B:2018. Price: Colour: Old gold Nose: Round, intense, slightly smoky, on heather, some fudge, honey and a light peat smoke. Well balanced. Taste: Very round, intense, slightly smoky and maritime, on sea brine, heather honey, vanilla, light grassy and earthy flavours. The finish is long, round, well balanced, complex, grassy, with some honey, smoky and grassy flavours. Impression: A very good and well-made Orkney single malt distilled in a distillery belonging to Edrington. Very pleasant to drink and well balanced. In addition, a very good value single malt from Orkney. Rating: 16/20 FP:B3 |
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Highland Park 1991 30th Anniversary, 27 YO, Signatory, 52%, B:2018, cask 15086. Price: Colour: Amber Nose: Mellow, floral, round, slightly acetic, on sea brine, dry heather smoke, some honey, vinegar, dried fruits, and fudge. A nice round Highland Park with unusual earthy and acetic flavours. Taste: Acetic, aromatic, earthy, rubbery to very rubbery, on fresh and intense rubber, dried fruits, some burnt rubber, vinegar, fudge, heather, orange and grapes. The finish is long and on the same flavours. Impression: Not an easy Highland Park, with its strong rubbery flavours, including burnt rubber, complemented by fudge and acetic flavours. This was one of the fastest selling whisky from the Signatory 30th Anniversary range, probably not due to the quality of the whisky, but certainly by the fact it was matured in an ex Palo Cortado sherry cask. Whiskies matured in Palo Cortado casks are seldomly seen. Rating: 13/20 FP:H1 |
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Ardmore 1996, 21 YO, The First Edition, 53.5%, B:2017, HL 14467. Price: Colour: Gold Nose: Dry, tarry, aromatic, complex, on aromatic and slightly earthy peat smoke, vanilla, some root, and earthy flavours. Very good. Taste: Light, dry, rooty, aromatic, earthy, slightly grassy, on aromatic peat smoke, some tar, dry roots, mineral oil, slightly bitter aromatic herbs and light grassy flavours. The finish is long, complex, aromatic, rooty, on aromatic peat smoke and light earthy and croft peat fire flavours. Impression: An excellent Ardmore, aromatic, peaty, dry and rather rooty, with a nice complexity. Rating: 17/20 FP:A6 |
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Ardmore Artist 2008, 10 YO, La Maison du Whisky, 60.3%, B:2018, First Fill bourbon cask 800168. Price: Colour: Pale gold Nose: Aromatic, peaty, slightly grassy, on aromatic peat smoke, with some vanilla, dry roots and gentian, Taste: Peaty, aromatic, intense, slightly floral, with light creamy flavours, on dried roots, aromatic peat smoke and some bitter herbs. The finish is medium, aromatic, slightly bitter, peaty, and creamy, on dry aromatic peat smoke, some bitter herbs and gentian. Impression: A nice, clean, aromatic, slightly bitter. peaty to very peaty Ardmore. Rating: 14/20 FP:A5 |
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Lagavulin 1997 Select Cask for European Lagavulin Fans, OB, 56.6%, B:2018, European oak cask 0001, 158 bottles. Price: Colour: Old gold-amber Nose: Smoky, elegant, subtle, complex, with some seaweeds, seabrine, a gentle peat smoke and dry liquorice root. Lighter and more mineral than the 20 YO. Taste: Spicy, intense, rich, smoky, maritime, with some tobacco, sea salt, seabrine, menthol, medicinal flavours, bandages, candied oranges and tangerine, and a touch of iodine. Complex. The finish is medium to long, smoky, rather intense and maritime, moderately peaty, with some spearmint, candied oranges, camphor, iodine, bandages and liquorice. Diluted, it becomes slightly smokier and with more dry tobacco leaves. Impression: An excellent Lagavulin, smoky, complex, with a very good balance between the maritime, smoky and medicinal flavours and a light sweetness. Thank you Boris! Rating: 18/20 FP:E4 |
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Lagavulin 1995 Select Cask for Vincent Leung, Ginger, Rex Tong, Whisky Lovers HK, 23 YO, OB, 48.7%, B:2018, European Oak cask 9001, 376 bottles. Price: Colour: Old gold Nose: The nose is very close to the 21 YO, mellower, slightly more subtle and medicinal, with some additional tobacco and artichoke flavours. Taste: Subtle to very subtle, mellow, smoky, slightly peaty and medicinal, with some iodine, camphor, almond, a touch of barbecue, menthol, sea brine and seaweeds. The finish is medium, smoky, medicinal, rather subtle, slightly medicinal and maritime, with seaweeds, iodine, camphor, some bandages, soft spices and seashells. Diluted, it becomes saltier and more maritime, and with some barbecue. Impression: A rather old Lagavulin from the Cask of Distinction program selected by the team of the Ginger Bar in Hong-Kong. As with most aged Lagavulin, do not expect a very peaty and intense whisky. This version is subtle to very subtle, complex and it needs time to be savoured. The influence of the European cask is very discreet. With nice gentle maritime and medicinal flavours. Slightly more gentle and less intense than the 21 YO. Thank you Vincent. Rating: 17/20 FP:C3 |
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Lagavulin 10 YO Batch 2, Malt Dé Royal, 56.7%, B:2018, 99 bottles. Price: Colour: Gold Nose: Peaty, smoky to very smoky, slightly maritime, on peat smoke, barbecue, seaweeds, some iodine and camphor. Rather intense. Taste: Oaky to very oaky, maritime, peaty, smoky to very smoky, on seaweeds, sea salt, iodine, liquorice, some spearmint, iodine and camphor. The finish is medium to long, oaky, maritime, peaty, smoky, slightly medicinal, on vanilla, peat smoke, seaweeds, camphor and iodine. Impression: A very good and intense Lagavulin, smoky, peaty, moderately oaky, maritime and on camphor. Rating: 16/20 FP:B7 |
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Lagavulin 1997 Select Cask for China, 20 YO, OB, 56.3%, B:2017, American Oak cask 0002. Price: Colour: Old gold Nose: Subtle, elegant, smoky, rather medicinal, slightly peaty and mineral, on peat smoke, light mineral flavours, some almonds, iodine, bandages, leather, liquorice roots, smoked ham and a light sweetness. Very good. Taste: Round to very round, mellow, rather maritime, with round medicinal flavours, some camphor, iodine, vanilla, peat smoke, barbecue, leather, sea brine and grassy flavours. Diluted, it becomes more herbal and grassy. The finish is medium to long, round to very round, on mint liqueur, peat smoke, barbecue, some herbal and grassy flavours, as well as some maritime flavours and iodine. Impression: A Lagavulin rather difficult to rate, as it is rather different from the other Select Cask or the core range of Lagavulin. The Select Casks are better known under the Cask of Distinction (CoD) program. Less complex, but also rounder, grassier, with more menthol than the other CoD. Very good and with a very discreet influence from the cask. Thank you Vincent. Rating: 17/20 FP:C5 |
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Lochan Sholum 2003, 14 YO, The Maltbarn, 50.3%, B:2018, Sherry cask 95. Price: Colour: Amber Nose: Very peaty and smoky, maritime, tarry, on peat smoke, hemp rope, tar, light salty flavours, some citrus and vanilla. Taste: Smooth, peaty to very peaty, very smoky, maritime, slightly round, on dried fruits, peat smoke, seaweeds, iodine and camphor. The finish is medium, maritime, on seaweeds, dried fruits, peat smoke, iodine, some tar and round vanilla flavours. Impression: A rather round, sweet and soft peated and maritime Islay whisky. Very smoky. Lochan Sholum is the water source of Lagavulin distillery. Very good and fairly priced for a sherried Lagavulin. Thank you Markus. Rating: 15/20 FP:A5 |
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Inganess bay 2000, 18 YO, The Maltbarn, 50.3%, B:2018, 180 bottles. Price: Colour: Pale gold Nose: Complex, rather fresh and mellow, slightly smoky, with some heather honey, light grassy and smoky flavours. Very good. Taste: Round, slightly soft, mellow and maritime, on heather honey, with a light smokiness, light grassy flavours, vanilla and soft spices. The finish is medium, slightly starchy, soft, grassy, with some seabrine, heather honey and a touch of smoke. Diluted, it becomes slightly spicier. Impression: A very nice, soft and mellow single malt, balanced and subtle. Highland Park distillery is the closest to that bay. Thank you Markus. Rating: 15/20 FP: A2 |
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Arran 21 YO 10th Anniversary Whisky Show, Elixir Distillers, 50.2%, B:2018. Price: Colour: Old gold Nose: Spicy, floral, intense, rather oaky, slightly malty, with some green apples, hay and heather. More floral and drier than the Private Cask. Taste: Round, rather spicy, on juicy oak, some vanilla, ripe melon, green apples, hay and slightly oaky flavours. The finish is medium, floral, spicy, on ripe and green melon, green apples, some vanilla and light spices. The finish is medium, slightly floral and dry, with some hay, spices, green apples, and melon. Diluted, it becomes greener and slightly woody. Impression: A round, floral and spicy Arran, with some green fruity flavours and hay. Slightly dry and soft to my liking. Rating: 13/20 FP:A1 |
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Distilled At the Lochranza Distillery (Arran) 1996 Private Cask for Nigel & Lynn Arnold, OB, 50.2%, B:2018. Price: N/A Colour: Old gold-amber Nose: Mellow to very mellow, slightly smoky, complex, well balanced, on soft ripe fruits, melon, some dried fruits, grapes, orange, honey and exotic fruits. Very good. Taste: Rich, fruity, complex, round, mellow, well balanced, on orange, sultanas, exotic fruits, some grapes, a light smokiness and light spicy flavours. The finish is long, rich, complex, well balanced, slightly spicy and smoky, some melon, exotic fruits, apples, grapes, pink grapefruits and light floral flavours. Impression: A very nice, complex, mellow whisky, well balanced and nicely fruity flavours. Very good! Rating: 16/20 FP:G2 |
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Ardmore 1998 Distillery Label, Gordon & MacPhail, 43%, B:2018. Price: Colour: Old gold-amber Nose: Mellow, complex, moderately aromatic, balanced, on cooked apples, light floral flavours, some caramel and light floral flavours. Taste: Rich, mellow, very round, on tarte tatin, cinnamon, round and soft aromatic herbs, honey, dried fruits, and some round spices. The finish is medium, round, mellow and the same flavours. Diluted, it becomes more on salted fudge. Impression: A very nice, mellow and well balanced Ardmore, slightly aromatic and with nice sweet and dry fruits. Rating: 15/20 FP:D2 |
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Ardmore 1997, 20 YO, First Editions 54.1% B:2018, HL13570. Price: Colour: Gold Nose: Aromatic, complex, with some peat smoke, light grassy flavours, cooked apples, light aromatic herbs, and other slightly austere flavours. Taste: Smoky, aromatic, peaty, slightly austere, rather clean, on austere and aromatic peat smoke, some honey and grassy flavours. The finish is medium to long, aromatic, austere, moderately peaty and smoky, with light grassy flavours, on aromatic peat smoke and some honey. Impression: A very nice aromatic, moderately austere, smoky and peaty Ardmore, with a nice balance. Rating: 15/20 FP:A4 |
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Chichibu The Peated 2011, OB, 62.5%, B:2015. Price: Colour: Pale gold Nose: Very peaty, maritime, dry, very tarry, ashy, on seaweeds and hemp rope. Taste: Very peaty and intense, young, rough, slightly salty, with strong tarry flavours as well as some yellow fruits. Diluted, it becomes more oaky and drier. The finish is medium, very peaty, dry, rough, slightly young, tarry, with ashes, seaweeds and hemp rope. Diluted it becomes more oaky, younger and drier, with slightly more tarry flavours. Impression: A young, very peaty, dry and intense whisky, with some harshness from the oak. Well matured for its age. Rating: 13/20 FPA8 |
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Chichibu Chibidaru 2010, OB, 53.5%, B:2014. Price: Colour: Gold Nose: Peated, round, rather sweet, on pineapples, tropical fruit, and light farmy notes Surprisingly sweet, syrupy and fruity. Taste: Smooth, slightly oaky and young, fruity, on pineapples, coconut, other exotic fruity notes, some wood spices and light smooth floral flavours, as well as some pear drops. Diluted, it becomes more on banana. The finish is medium, smooth to very smooth, on starch, some light floral notes, coconuts, banana and some other smooth tropical fruits. Impression: A well matured, smooth, sweet and very fruity Chichibu. I have never tasted such fruitiness in a whisky of that age. Very promising for the future. Rating: 13/20 FPA2 |
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Chichibu The Peated, OB, 54.5%, B:2018. Price: Colour: Gold Nose: Young, smooth, peated to very peated, maritime, with some camphor and iodine. Taste: Young, smooth, peaty, moderately oaky, medicinal and aromatic, on delicate peat smoke, tar, iodine, bandages, some sea brine, seaweeds and a hint of menthol. The finish is medium, medicinal, peaty, smoky, with some camphor, peat smoke, iodine, dry rooty flavours and light oaky flavours. Impression: A nice subtle, elegant, smoky and peaty Chichibu, slightly young, smooth, medicinal and nicely balanced. Rating: 15/20 FP:A5 |
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Clynelish 1995, 21 YO, The Single Malts of Scotland, 55.9%, B:2017, cask 10203. Price: Colour: gold Nose: Intense, oaky, slightly mustardy, with a light sea brine, vanilla, oak spices and a touch of Dijon mustard. Taste: Complex to very complex, subtle, waxy, rather farmy, slightly smoky, on old leather, some light earthy and farmy flavours (stable), some citrus, sea brine and a touch of peat smoke. The finish is long, complex, waxy to very waxy, mustardy, moderately floral, on vanilla, pollen, farmy flavours and some grapefruits. Diluted, it becomes slightly more lemony and mustardy. Impression: A very good Clynelish, waxy and rather farmy. Intense and very pleasant. Rating: 16/20 FP:A3 |
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Tomatin 1994, 23 YO, First Editions, 46.1%, B:2018, Ref 15287. Price: Colour: Old gold Nose: Floral, slightly malty, on apples, lime blossom flavours, some melon, starch, fresh quince and a hint of smoke Taste: Rich, spicy, floral, slightly nutty, on stewed fruits, orange, cinnamon, chocolate, coffee beans, honey and cooked apples. The finish is medium to long, spicy, rich and on the same flavours. Impression: A nice, rich, spicy and fruity Tomatin. Rating: 14/20 FP:G1 |
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Tomatin Metal, OB, 46%, B:2018, Price: Colour: Pale gold Nose: Malty, floral, spicy, slightly fragrant, with some vanilla, metal dust, and light oaky flavours. Taste: Malty, spicy, oaky, slightly fragrant, with some vanilla, metal dust, green apples and oak spices. The finish is medium, floral and on the same flavours. Impression: A malty, spicy, rather fresh and oaky Tomatin. Rating: 11/20 FP: A1 |
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Inchmurrin 12 YO, OB, 46%, B:2018. Price: Colour: Gold Nose: Malty, slightly nutty, on caramel, crushed barley, cooked apples, some cinnamon and exotic fruits. Taste: Fresh, fruity, malty, slightly spicy, on exotic fruits, melon, cooked apples and some cinnamon and charred wood. Very pleasant. The finish is medium to long, malty, slightly nutty and “dirty”, on grist, nuts, apples, cinnamon and some porridge. Impression: Distilled only from Lomond stills and after a long fermentation, it is a nice fruity and nutty whisky, with rather pleasant fruity flavours and some roughly crushed barley. Good to very good. Rating: 13/20 FP:C1 |
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Inchmurrin 18 YO, OB, 46%, B:2018. Price: Colour: Gold-old gold Nose: Mellow, round, floral, nutty, with some hay, grist, vanilla and cinnamon. Taste: Mellow, round, floral, fruity, on mango, some hay, nuts, honey, cinnamon and Pu-Erh tea. The finish is medium, mellow, rich, complex, nutty, malty, fruity, on grist, some vanilla, mango, honey and grassy flavours. Impression: Another very good Inchmurrin, heavier and slightly less balanced on the nose than the 12 YO, but the fruity flavours are slightly more complex and heavier on the palate. Rating: 13/20 FP:E1 |
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Ben Nevis 1996 10th Anniversary TWA, The Whisky Agency, 50.3%, B:2018. Price: Colour: Pale gold Nose: Very fresh and fruity, smooth, slightly malty and green, on fresh juicy and fruity flavours, on exotic fruits and some mango. Very good. Taste: Very fruity, fresh, on exotic fruits, mango, passion fruits and nice spicy flavours. The finish is long, sweet, fruity to very fruity, fresh, complex and on exotic fruity flavours and some nice malty flavours. Impression: A very nice fresh, fruity and intense Ben Nevis, with a nice light oaky and malty flavours. Rating: 16/20 FP:A3 |
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Ben Nevis 1990 30th Anniversary, 27 YO, Signatory, 59.4%, B:2018, Fino Cask 1505, 593 bottles. Price: Colour: Gold Nose: Malty, oaky, slightly musky and green, with some green orchards fruits and grist. It becomes slightly fruitier, sweeter, mellower, more on leather and with some walnuts. Taste: Spicy, oaky, malty, nutty, on cooked fruits, sultanas, and walnuts. The finish is medium to long, rather thick, on toffee, cooked fruits, grist, leather and walnuts. Impression: A spicy, oaky, nutty Ben Nevis, on walnuts, some leather, dried fruits and toffee. Rating: 13/20 FP:D1 |
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Bunnahabhain 1978 XOP, 35 YO, Douglas Laing, 45.2%, B:2013, cask 10348. Price: Colour: Gold Nose: Mellow, balanced, slightly smoky and maritime, with some tobacco leaves, vanilla, melon, quince and smoke. Taste: Very round, mellow, slightly maritime, on vanilla, soft floral flavours, some marshmallow and lemon peel. The finish is medium, mellow, oaky and slightly salty, with some vanilla and light maritime flavours. Diluted, it becomes thinner and more on orchards fruits. Impression: A very round, slightly oaky and mellow whisky. Good, even if not overly complex. Rating: 14/20 FP:A1 |
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Bunnahabhain 1968, 38 YO, Duncan Taylor, 43.1%, B:2006, Ref 11571. Price: Colour: Old gold Nose: Intense, complex to very complex, mellow, maritime, with some nice peat smoke, sweet fruity flavours, orange, tangerine, soft spices and precious wood. Excellent. Taste: Very complex, mellow, maritime, on grapefruits, some peat smoke, tobacco, and other citrus. The finish is long, austere, and on the same flavours. Impression: A very nice, complex, moderately smoky, on citrus and nice mineral flavours. A very good old style Bunna. Rating: 17/20 FP:C3 |
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Tweedale evolution 28 YO, OB, 52%. Price: Colour: Pale gold Nose: Round, fresh, floral, slightly fragrant, malty, and spirity. Taste: Rich, round, floral, slightly fragrant, on porridge, cooked cereals, apricots, cinnamon, maple syrup, some orange zest and fragrant floral flavours. The finish is medium, fresh, intense, malty, slightly to moderately fragrant, spicy and spirity, and on the same flavours. Diluted, it becomes slightly more on hay and vanilla. Impression: A nice, fresh, round, malty and floral whisky, with some fragrance and varnish, as well as a noticeably presence of grain whisky, Rating: 14/20 FP:C2 |
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Excalibur 1972, 45 YO, OB, 43.2%, B:2018. Price: Colour: Amber Nose: Rich, fruity, moderately spicy, slightly floral and austere, rather intense, on vanilla, some pineapples, various spices, light oaky and smoky flavours, sultanas and a hint of toffee. Taste: Mellow to very mellow, moderately sweet and floral, on cooked apples, some cinnamon, marzipan, green apples, sultanas and fresh oranges. The finish is medium, spicy, slightly oaky and austere, rather intense, on cinnamon, humus, cooked and green apples, as well as light floral flavours. Impression: A blend, with a base of Tamdhu and Glenrothes single malts. Rather rich and spicy and with some humus and various floral and fruity flavours. A nice one with surprisingly very little tannins for a whisky of that age. Rating: 14/20 FP:G1 |
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Diplomatico Distillery Collection 2 Barbet Rum (Column), OB, 47%, B:2018. Price: Colour: Old gold-amber Nose: Very round, sugary, on treacle, cinnamon, oak and some toffee. Taste: Round, sugary, rather bland and on cinnamon powder. The finish is medium, clean and sugary, with some treacle and cinnamon. Rather bland. Impression: A very sugary rum, monodimensional and on cinnamon. Rating: 08/20 FP:C1 |
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Diplomatico Distillery Collection 1 Batch Kettle, OB, 47%, B:2018. Price: Colour: Old gold-amber Nose: Rich, thick, heavy, on treacle, cinnamon, pecan nuts, cooked pineapples, and dry tobacco leaves. Taste: Thick, sugary, on cinnamon, pecan nuts, orange peel, tobacco leaves and some cooked pineapples. The finish is medium and on the same flavours. Impression: A rum more complex than the column, heavier and slightly more complex. However, it remains rather uni-dimensional. Rating: 10/20 FP:C1 |
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Bunnahabhain 2001, 16 YO, The Single Malts of Scotland, 53.4%, B:2018, cask 1254. Price: Colour: Old gold-amber Nose: Round, oaky, slightly maritime, with some yellow fruits, melon, sea brine, light maritime flavours, and a hint of salt. Well balanced and rather complex. Taste: Rich, oaky, intense, slightly maritime, spicy, on orange, sultanas, sea brine, some sea salt, tangerine and leather. The finish is medium, rich, spicy, sweet, on sultanas, orange, leather, spices, melon and some yellow fruits. Diluted, it becomes more on tobacco leaves. Impression: A very good, rich, intense Bunna, rather oaky and spicy, with a lovely sherry influence. Rating: 16/20 FP:F2 |
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Bunnahabhain 1995, 22 YO, Valinch & Mallet, 46.5%, B:2018, cask 18-2201. Price: Colour: Gold Nose: Intense, complex, smoky, aromatic and slightly austere, on quince, some Mirabelle, a hint of mango and melon. Very good. Taste: Smoky, austere, mineral, oily, slightly to moderately citric, on lime blossom flowers, old mineral smoke, some peat smoke, soot and ashes. The finish is long and on the same flavours. Impression: A surprisingly smoky, mineral, oily, aromatic and austere Bunna, reminding me of the old smoky whiskies from the 1950s. This might not be the most typical whisky from that distillery, but it is so good! Rating: 17/20 FP:C4 |
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Langatun Old Woodpecker 2011, OB, 46%, B:2018, cask 162. Price: Colour: Gold Nose: Winey, malty, round, slightly spicy, on white wine, grapes, sultanas, vanilla and nice round malty flavours. Taste: Malty, clean, winey to very winey, slightly spicy, on grapes, sultanas and nice round malty flavours. The finish is medium and on the same flavours. Impression: A Swiss single malt matured exclusively in an ex- Chardonnay wine cask. It is nicely round and malty, with a very strong influence of the Chardonnay wine casks. An organic whisky. Rating: 13/20 FP:D1 |
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Seven Seals Sherry Finish, OB, 46%, B:2018. Price: Colour: Amber Nose: Young, fresh, oaky, moderately spicy, malty, on vanilla, some toffee, sultanas, treacle, orange, and nice “young” oaky flavours. Taste: Young, fresh, malty, smooth, oaky, spicy, slightly floral, on toffee, vanilla, sultanas, some orange and tannins. The finish is medium and on the same flavours. Impression: A malty, oaky, spicy and slightly floral spirit, on treacle, maple syrup and toffee. A young Swiss single malt that underwent an accelerated aging via a proprietary finish. No details are provided on the technology, but taste wise, it seems like the single malt was pushed in and out the staves, as there are strong lactone-like (treacle and maple syrup) flavours. There is also quite some tannin. The single malt taste initially rather young, but it becomes more matured. Rather matured for a single malt aged less than 3 years. Rating: 11/20 FP:G1 |
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Ireland 2001 10th Anniversary of TWA, 16 YO, The Whisky Agency, 48.5%, B:2018. Price: Colour: Gold-old gold Nose: Rich, fruity, oaky, intense, moderately complex and malty, with some blackcurrant, ginger, barley, and green apples. Taste: Rich, fruity, intense, moderately spicy, on green orchards fruits, slightly green pineapples and exotic fruits, some ginger and blackcurrant. The finish is long, spicy, green, with some ginger, green fruits, blackcurrant, oak spices, melon, green pineapples, apricots and light milky flavours. Impression: A very nice, fresh and oaky Irish single malt, with nice slightly green fruity flavours and some blackcurrant. Rating: 16/20 FP:A2 |
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County of Louth 2003, 14 YO, Valinch & Mallet, 51.5%, B:2017, cask 17-3001, Price: Colour: Gold-old gold Nose: Fresh, clean, round, oaky, with some green orchards fruits and melon. Taste: Very smooth, round, oaky, slightly sugary, on freshly sawn oak, soft spices, vanilla, some vanilla custard, starch and a hint of green fruits. The finish is medium and on the same flavours. Impression: A very clean and smooth Irish single malt, with rather intense oaky flavours, but rather monodimensional. Rating: 12/20 FP:A1 |
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Glen Garioch 1990 La Norma, 25 YO, Silver Seal, 52.1%, B:2016. Price: Colour: Gold Nose: Grassy, aromatic to very aromatic, austere, slightly mineral, with a delicate peat smoke, aromatic and bitter herbs, some humus and gentian. Taste: Grassy to very grassy, aromatic to very aromatic, slightly bitter and austere, on citrus, aromatic herbs (Genepi), some gentian and a light mineral peat smoke. The finish is medium, grassy, slightly austere, bitter and smoky, on grapefruits, Genepi, some gentian and peat smoke. Impression: An excellent Glen Garioch, rather austere and aromatic, with some mineral peat smoke and citrus. I really like this style of Glen Garioch. Rating: 17/20 FP:A3 |
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Glen Garioch 1991 Carn Mor, Morrison Mackay, 51%, B:2018, cask 20392. Price: Colour: Gold Nose: Fresh, mellow, complex, on cooked and ripe orchards, some ginger, vanilla, and light aromas of exotic fruits. Taste: Musty, waxy, gingery, slightly smoky, on fudge, light grassy flavours, some aromatic and slightly bitter herbs, a light aromatic smoke, as well as walnuts. Diluted, it becomes slightly more aromatic, more on beeswax, with some tangerine, and a hint of mineral oil. The finish is long, very round, rather soft, on vanilla, beeswax, some ginger and light sweet fruity flavours. Impression: A nice grassy, waxy and mellow Glen Garioch, slightly soft and gingery. Rating: 15/20 FP:A2 |
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Ledaig 2008 The Whisky Schiff, 10 YO, Monnier (JWWW), 53.30%, B:2018. Price: Colour: Pale gold Nose: Oaky, peaty, medicinal, maritime, phenolic, on tar, hemp rope, peat smoke, iodine, camphor and some vanilla. Taste: Fresh, young, oaky, maritime, rooty, slightly tarry, with some peat smoke, lemon zest, seaweeds, dry roots, vanilla and light oaky flavours. The finish is medium, maritime, slightly rooty, rather smooth and medicinal, with some rooty flavours, iodine and bandages. Impression: A fresh, slightly young, peaty and medicinal whisky, with a rather subtle rooty and medicinal peat smoke. Rating: 13/20 FP:A5 |
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Ledaig 2008, 10 YO, The Single Cask, 58.5%, B:2018, cask 700076. Price: Colour: Straw Nose: Very peaty, intense, maritime, tarry, dry, on seaweeds, peat smoke, iodine, tar, some oak, camphor and bandages. Taste: Round, oaky, peaty, on dry peat smoke, camphor, some iodine, dry liquorice, tar, dry oaky and medicinal flavours, as well some vanilla. The finish is medium and on the same flavours. Impression: A very good Ledaig, peaty, rooty, intense, rather medicinal, maritime and oaky. Rating: 14/20 FP:A5 |
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Springbank 21 YO, OB, 46%, B:2018. Price: Colour: Old gold Nose: Round, slightly malty, salty, dry, oaky, and coastal, with some coconuts, seabrine, orange peel, a whiff of peat smoke, some vanilla and dry roots. Taste: Oaky, moderately complex, slightly dry, rooty, maritime, peaty and smoky, on dry roots, some marmalade, orange, coconut, sea brine and oak spices. The finish is medium and on the same flavours. Impression: A good Springbank, slightly mineral, coastal and smoky. Nice to drink, although not overly complex and rather dry and oaky. Rating: 15/20 FP:D3 |
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Springbank 21 YO Single Cask for Lateltin Switzerland, OB, 47.9%, B:2016. Price: Colour: Old gold-amber Nose: Round, sweet, mellow, rather intense, on tangerine, sea brine, some peat smoke, coconut, and a whiff of mineral oil. More complex, intense and sweeter than the 46% OB. Taste: Rich, intense, spicy, moderately oily, smoky, sweet and fruity, rather complex, slightly peaty and coastal, with some marmalade, coconut, orange zest, tangerine, peat smoke and mineral oil. The finish is medium to long, rather complex and on the same flavours. Impression: One of the best recently bottled Springbank, rather intense and complex, with nice coastal, mineral and smoky flavours. Very good. Rating: 17/20 FP:D3 |
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Glenury 1984 Rarest of the Rare, 22 YO, Duncan Taylor, 50.50%, cask 3041. Price: Colour: Gold Nose: Round, intense, slightly mineral, with some humus, a light smokiness, pollen, very nice round and grassy flavours Taste: Very round, rather soft, slightly mineral and oily, with a nice round and soft mouth feel, some peat smoke, ripe yellow fruits, pollen and a hint of citrus. Diluted, it becomes more on tangerine, melon, almonds and honey. The finish is long, oily, round, slightly soft, on pollen, honey, some almonds, melon, tangerine, ginger, walnuts, mineral oil and a touch of smoke Impression: Rather different from the older Glenury, less smoky and citric, but softer and rounder. Rating: 17/20 FP:A1 |
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Strathisla 40 YO for The Whisky Exchange, Gordon & MacPhail, 48.5%, B:2017. Price: Colour: Gold Nose: Floral, slightly fragrant, grassy and aromatic, on heather, honey, candied orange, marzipan, and lemon. Very good. Taste: Mellow to very mellow, on juicy oaky, honey, some tree sap, apples, light floral and grassy flavours, butterscotch, almonds and sweet malty flavours. The finish is long, complex, and subtle, on almonds, some tree sap, and eucalyptus and light aromatic herbs. Impression: A very complex, subtle Strathisla, with some sweet fruity flavours, light aromatic flavours, sweetened by heather and honey. Very good. Rating: 16/20 FP:C1 |
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Glenury Royal 1968 Old Malt Cask, 35 YO, Douglas Laing, 42.5%, B:2004, Ref 654, 26 bottles. Price: Colour: Gold-old gold Nose: Mellow, citric, slightly mineral and smoky, on pink grapefruits, light mineral and rusty flavours, some banana, elegant and light peat smoke, humus, mushrooms and a hint of parsley. Given time, more ripe fruits evolve. Very good. Nicely complex and the most peated of the serie. Taste: Musty, waxy, grassy, on old mineral peat smoke, some mineral oil, almonds, humus, wax and some woodland flavours. Diluted, it becomes more on ground coffee, toffee and light old mineral peat smoke. The finish is long, complex, mellow, slightly mineral, waxy and smoky, some toffee, citrus, a light mineral peat smoke, wax, tangerine, almond, and a hint of resins. Impression: A very nice old fashioned Glenury Royal, rather waxy, with light mineral and smoky flavours, as well as some citrus and humus. Rating: 17/20 FP: D3 |
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Glenury Royal 1972 Old Malt Cask, 32 YO, Douglas Laing, 50%,B:005, 226 bottles. Price: Colour: Gold Nose: Mellow, slightly grassy, smoky, waxy and mineral, with some citrus, melon, banana, pineapples, humus and flint stones. Taste: Waxy to very waxy, mineral, slightly peaty, on paraffin, almonds, humus, grapefruits and a touch of mineral oil. Very good. The finish is long, complex, and on the same flavours. Impression: A nice complex and elegant Glenury, waxy, and with a pleasant mouthfeel. Slightly more balanced and rounder than the 1968. Rating: 18/20 FP: B3 |
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Millstone 100 Rye, D:2005, OB, 50%, B:2016. Price: Colour: Old gold Nose: Intense, rich, spicy, rather mellow and fruity, on orange blossom, some pepper and freshly saw oak. Very good. Taste: Intense, very spicy, peppery, on ginger, orange blossom, some peach, apricots, cinnamon, fresh oak and violet. The finish is medium to long, rich, spicy, peppery, round, zesty, fruity, on orange, violet and freshly sawn oak. Diluted, it becomes slightly more on cooked cereals and with some caramel. Impression: A very nicely made Dutch Rye, matured for 100 months (over 8 years) from a 100% Rye Grain and matured in new American oak. Very pleasant, rich, intense and complex. One of the best rye whisky I have tasted. Rating: 15/20 FP: E1 |
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Millstone 12 YO Sherry Cask, D:2000, OB, 46%, B:2017. Price: Colour: Old gold-amber Nose: Mellow, complex, moderately spicy, on leather, cinnamon, some vegetal condiment, orange, sultanas, cocoa and cloves Taste: Rich, mellow, sweet, fruity, nutty, floral, rather complex, slightly rubbery, on cinnamon, cloves, some fresh rubber, red berries, sultanas, and treacle. The finish is long, complex, thick, rich, heavy, slightly rubbery, on sultanas, orange, cinnamon, treacle, some cloves, rancio, balsamic vinegar and precious wood. Impression: A rather thick and heavy expression of Millstone, on rancio, dried fruits and heavy sherry. Rating: 15/20 FP:G1 |
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Highland Park 15 YO Distillery Exclusive, OB, 60.3%, B:2018, First Fill sherry puncheon, cask 1938. Price: Colour: Amber Nose: Round, smooth, rather juicy, nicely balanced, with some heather, peat smoke, and rather juicy and fruity flavours. Very good. Taste: Intense to very intense, spicy, complex, on heather, tangerine, spices, some peat smoke, old leather, various juicy fruity flavours, including some exotic fruits. The finish is long, complex, rather spicy, on aromatic and rather dry peat smoke, some dry roots, aromatic herbs, juicy fruits and some spices. Impression: A very good Highland Park, complex, smokier and peatier than the HP Single Casks that I have tried, with a style of peat smoke that reminds me of the old style of HP. A very good pick from the distillery. Rating: 16/20 FP:F3 |
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Highland Park 1974, 16 YO, Prestonfield, 57%, B:1990, cask 7137. Price: Colour: Old gold Nose: Very intense, rich, aromatic, peaty, floral, slightly maritime, on an intense and aromatic peat smoke, clean floral flavours, orange, some tangerine, heather honey and sultanas. Complex and intense. An excellent old style of Highland Park. Taste: Intense, complex, aromatic, smoky, moderately peaty, on sea brine, heather honey, aromatic peat smoke, a mixture of tangerine and candied orange, some cinnamon and wax. The finish is long, intense, peaty, aromatic, smoky, on polished wood, wax and heather honey. Impression: An excellent old style of Highland Park, waxy, aromatic, moderately peaty, with some round heather honey flavours. I love this style and so different from the current production. Thank you Carsten. Rating: 18/20 FP:D5 |
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Highland Park Single Cask 2004 for Vinothek Massen Luxembourg, 13 YO, OB, 65.4%, B:2018. Price: Colour: Old gold-amber Nose: Very round, slightly floral, on toffee, treacle, sultanas, dates, heather honey, orange, round spices and a hint of smoke. Taste: Rich, spicy, intense, on orange, tangerine, cinnamon, sultanas, some herbs, leather, heather, and candied fruits. Very good. The finish is medium to long, round, well balanced and on the same flavours. Impression: A very nice round, spicy, and well-balanced whisky, with a very nice and round influence from the sherry. Rating: 15/20 FP:G2 |
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Highland Park Single Cask 2005 Münich’s 5 Star Airport, 12 YO, OB, 61.9%, B:2018, cask 4267, 581 bottles. Price: Colour: Old gold-amber Nose: Vegetal, spicy, floral, rubbery, on toffee, initially rather rubber at nosing, but then the rubber fades and it is getting more fragrant and on cloves. Taste: Spicy, intense, moderately rubbery, slightly vegetal and salty, on candied oranges, some heather, vegetal condiment, cinnamon, some cloves and toffee. The finish is medium, with some bitter herbs and on the same flavours as on the palate. Impression: Probably the most difficult Highland Park Single Cask I have tasted. It is good, but more vegetal and slightly less balanced than the others, with rubbery flavours that fade over time. A whisky that need time to breathe. Rating: 14/20 FP:G2 |
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Port Charlotte PC 10, OB, 50%, B:2018. Price: Colour: Straw Nose: Round, peaty, slightly winey and tarry, on grapes, light spices, peat smoke, some seaweeds, tar and a light sweetness. Taste: Peaty, maritime, medicinal, with a moderate sweet winey flavours, some camphor, iodine, seaweeds and light fruity flavours. The finish is long, peaty, rather medicinal, winey, tarry, with some medicinal peat smoke and sweet winey flavours. Impression: A nicely balanced whisky, peaty, medicinal and with moderate winey flavours. Rating: 14/20 FP:F7 |
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Port Charlotte MRC:01 2010, OB, 59.2%, B:2018. Price: Colour: Gold-old gold Nose: Round, sweet, tarry, slightly sugary, on peat smoke, pepper, red wine, some tar, seaweeds and grapes. Much more winey than the PC10. Taste: Winey, sweet, sugary, peaty, slightly maritime, on pepper, grapes, red wine and peat smoke. The finish is medium to long and on the same flavours. Diluted, it becomes slightly more medicinal. Impression: A good whisky, but heavy on the red wine flavours, too much to my liking. Matured ex-Bordeaux Mouton Rotschild. Rating: 13/20 FP: G6 |
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Bruichladdich Islay Barley 2010, OB, 50%, B:2018. Price: Colour: Gold Nose: Fresh to very fresh, malty to very malty, slightly zesty, on fresh malt, some vanilla, green orchards fruits and a hint of seabrine. Bouche: Very fresh and malty, clean, on vanilla, green orchards fruits, freshly crushed barley and a hint of sea brine. The finish is long, very fresh and on the same flavours. Impression: A surprisingly fresh and clean Bruichladdich, with very good fresh malty flavours. Nice to taste such a fresh and well made “naked” whisky. Rating: 14/20 FP:A1 |
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Port Charlotte Islay Barley 2011, OB, 50%, B:2018. Price: Colour: Straw Nose: Very peaty, dry, rooty, maritime, tarry, on seaweeds, peat smoke, tar, light meaty flavours and dry liquorice roots. Very intense. Taste: Peaty, intense, tarry, rather medicinal, on camphor, seaweeds, peat smoke and medicinal flavours. The finish is medium to long and on the same flavours. Impression: A nice peaty, clean and rather medicinal expression of Port Charlotte. Some extra maturity would have pushed the score higher up. Score: 14/20 FP:A7 |
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Caperdonich 1968, 30 YO, Signatory, 50.3%, B:1998, cask 3560. Price: Colour: Gold Nose: Rich, complex, fruity, some resins, precious wood, cedar wood, eucalyptus, banana and coconuts. Taste: Long, complex, round, resinous, and slightly mineral, on incense, eucalyptus, stewed and candied fruits, cedar wood, incense and pollen. Very good. The finish is long, resinous and on the same flavours. Impression: A nice resinous old style of Caperdonich, with some eucalyptus and a mixture of stewed and candied fruits. Rating: 17/20 FP:C1 |
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Caperdonich 1994, 21 YO, First Choice, 59.6%, 90 bottles. Price: Colour: Gold Nose: Round, intense, malty, slightly milky and floral, on vanilla, mild fruity flavours, some parley and marzipan. Taste: Round, malty, rather milky, slightly spicy and resinous, on soft vanilla, light creamy flavours, some stewed fruits, pollen and nice round malty flavours. The finish is long, very round, soft, on soft spices, pollen, round floral flavours, some resins and almonds. Impression: A very nice and soft single malt, malty and slightly resinous. With a pleasant mouthfeel. Rating: 16/20 FP:A1 |
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Cladach Special Release 2018, OB, 57.1%, B:2018. Price: Colour: Gold Nose: Peaty, smoky, slightly mineral and malty, on peat smoke, some tar, soot, nice malty flavours and round fruity flavours. Well made. Taste: Smoky, peaty, dry, slightly aromatic, bitter, waxy and floral, with some fragrance, almonds, peat smoke and seaweeds. The finish is long, bitter, fragrant, slightly astringent, oaky, and maritime, with some almonds and spices. Impression: A nice peated blended malt whisky, rather fragrant. Not necessarily an easy one. A vatting of the coastal distilleries from Inchgower, Clynelish, Talisker, Oban, Caol Ila and Lagavulin. Rating: 14/20 FP:B5 |
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Ascona Whisky, OB, 43%, B:2018. Price: Colour: Gold Nose: Very round, clean, slightly malty, rather fresh, on vanilla, some malt, grapes and light winey flavours. Taste: Winey, malty, round, slightly floral and fragrant, with some grapes, light winey flavours and fresh malt. The finish is medium, floral, malty, round, moderately winey, with some vanilla, varnish, grapes and soft spices. Impression: A clean and round whisky, rather malty and with light winey flavours. Rating: 11/20 FP:D1 |
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Millstone 12 YO Oloroso Sherry Oak, D:2006, OB, 46%, B:2018. Price: Colour: Old gold-amber Nose: Round to very round, floral, on sultanas, soft spices, orange, tangerine and some fudge. Taste: Rich, round to very round, rather thick, floral, on toffee, sultanas, some fudge, orange, tangerine, polished wood and high grade leather. The finish is medium to long, round, rich, rather complex, slightly floral and malty, on leather, toffee, fudge, soft spices, some dried fruits, cinnamon and orange. Impression: A very different style of Millstone, round, on soft spices and nice dried fruits. Of note, as Zuidam is bottling his products as small batch (or casks by casks?), there might be some variability between each lot. In addition, I have seen the age of the content varying between 12 and 15 years between the lots. In any case, a well made product. Rating: 15/20 FP:F1 |
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Amrut Cask Strength, OB, 61.8%, B:2018. Price: Colour: Old gold Nose: Very malty, spicy, slightly dusty, on spices, freshly ground barley, some freshly sawn oak and a light fruitiness. Taste: Young, fresh, malty, moderately spicy, rather spirity, with some melon, rhubarb and Haribo candies. The finish is medium, round, moderately malty, with some melon, rhubarb and Haribo candies Impression: A good Amrut, slightly young and spirity on the palate when tasted neat, but then it becomes rounder, more pleasant and fruitier with a few drops of water added. Rating: 12/20 FP:C1 |
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Millstone 1O YO French Oak, D:2008, OB, 40%, B:2018. Price: Colour: Old gold Nose: Very round, smooth, oaky, on oak spices, light creamy flavours, some vanilla, cinnamon and light aromatic herbs. Taste: Oaky to very oaky, clean, fresh, spicy, slightly floral, malty and creamy, on freshly sawn oak, spices, vanilla custard and light milky flavours. Impression: A clean, round and smooth whisky, with flavours reminding me of virgin oak casks. Matured in refill American oak and finished in French Oak casks. Rating: 12/20 FP:A1 |
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Millstone 10 YO American Oak, D:2007, OB, 43%, B:2018. Price: Colour: Old gold Nose: Round, smooth, oaky, malty, slightly creamy, on vanilla, some melon, mango, sultanas, cinnamon and a light sweetness. Taste: Oaky, spicy, smooth, slightly floral and creamy, on oaky spices, cinnamon, some peach, cloves and a light sweetness. The finish is medium and on the same flavours. Diluted, it becomes spicier. Impression: A whisky matured in new American oak cask, fresh, oaky, and spicy. Close to the French oak, but slightly rounder, more complex and more on cinnamon and cloves. Rating: 13/20 FP:D1 |
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Miltonduff Ballantine’s 15 YO, OB, 40%, B:2018. Price: Colour: Old gold-amber Nose: Very round, mellow, balanced, floral, grassy to very grassy, on honey, vanilla, soft spices, some almonds, sultanas and various sweet fruity flavours. Rather complex and well balanced. Taste: Light, grassy, fresh, spicy to very spicy, on honey, nice grassy flavours, some pollen, sultanas, and various spices. The finish is long, spicy, grassy, slightly nutty, with some sultanas, orange, a hint of tangerine and cinnamon. Impression: It might be a whisky reduced to 40%, but it is nicely complex, rich and spicy. Rating: 15/20 FP:D2 |
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Royal Brackla 2006 World of Whisky 20th Anniversary, 61.4%, Signatory, B:2018, cask 310859, 294 bottles. Price: Colour: Gold Nose: Floral, fresh, spicy to very spicy, rather fragrant, on vanilla and fresh floral flavours. Taste: Rich, spicy, spirity, intense, floral, on vanilla and some bitter fragrance. The finish is medium to long, bitter, fragrant and spicy. Diluted, it becomes more fragrant and on bitter almonds. Impression: A fresh, intense, spirity, floral and spicy whisky. Rating: 13/20 FP:A1 |
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Caol Ila 2006, 10 YO, Gordon MacPhail, 60.2%, B:2017, cask 306183+4, 306186+7. Price: Colour: Gold-old gold Nose: Intense, smoky, maritime, salty, on peat smoke, some camphor, iodine, burnt juniper bushes, dry tarry and slightly aromatic peat smoke. Taste: Very peaty, maritime, salty, on iodine, camphor, bandages, peat smoke, tar and some soot, lemon peel, with a light sweetness. The finish is long, intense, peaty, smoky, maritime, on iodine, seaweeds, camphor, peat smoke and lapsang souchong. Impression: A very nice intense, peaty, maritime and medicinal Islay whisky. Rating: 16/20 FP:A7 |
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Glenburgie 1966, Gordon & MacPhail, 45%, B: 2005. Price: Colour: Amber. Nose: Very smooth and mellow, velvety, unctuous, on fine leather, dry fruits such as raisins and dates, a slight peat smoke and some red berries. Taste: Smooth, velvety, on leather, tannins, orange, tangerine, some berries and rather woody notes. The finish is medium, woody, tannic, on leather and berries. Impression: The nose was excellent, on very smooth and velvety flavours, but it is unfortunately on the rather strong woody and tannic side on the palate. A whisky that has spent too much time in the cask. Not really my type, but I know many people who love that one, so taste it to make your own judgement. Rating: 13/20 FP:J2 |
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Lochindaal 2007, 10 YO, Hidden Spirit, 53.1%, B:2018, Cask LH718. Price: Colour: Gold Colour: Gold Nose: Smooth, elegant, peaty, maritime, slightly round, on peat smoke, light maritime and medicinal flavours, bandages and disinfectant. Subtle and elegant. Taste: Peaty to very peaty, smoky, maritime, elegant, very medicinal, on iodine, camphor, peat smoke, bandages and other medicinal flavours. The finish is long, elegant, subtle and on the same flavours. Impression: A very nice Port Charlotte, very peaty, but not too powerful and massive. Rather smooth, subtle and lots of medicinal flavours. Very good and with almost no oaky flavours. Rating: 16/20 FP:A5 |
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Octomore Savannah Series 2011, Antique Lions of Spirits, 51.9%, B:2017. Price: Colour: Gold Colour: Straw Nose: Very peaty, smooth, medicinal, on camphor, iodine, dry and ashy peat smoke, some spearmint. Clean and with some bandages. Taste: Juicy, fresh, peaty, on pear drops, vanilla custard, and a rather soft peat smoke. Balanced and elegant. The finish is medium, well balanced and juicy, on orchards fruits, peat smoke and some vanilla. Impression: An atypical Octomore, fresh, juicy, with fresh orchard fruits and with a rather moderate peatiness. As this Octomore is rather lightly peaty, the whisky seems finer and more complex than the official bottlings. Very good. Rating: 15/20 FP:A5 |
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BenRiach Four Casks, 21 YO, OB, 46%, B:2018. Price: Colour: Gold Nose: Round, rather clean and fresh, slightly floral, oaky, and creamy, on fresh oak, some vanilla, orchards fruits, and a hint of melon. A clear virgin oak influence on the nose. Taste: Spicy, oaky to very oaky, slightly floral, green and grassy, on freshly sawn wood and vanilla, with a hint of sweetness. The finish is medium and on the same flavours. Diluted, it becomes slightly nutty. Impression: A quite fresh and clean BenRiach, with a clear influence of the virgin oak. Rather clean and fresh, and not as complex or mellow as you might expect from a whisky of that age. Rating: 13/20 FP:A2 |
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Benriach 10th Anniversary of the Whisky Show, 28 YO, Elixir Distillers, 48.8%, B:2018. Price: Colour: Pale gold Nose: Round, slightly mellow, green, mineral and aromatic, Taste: Rich, spicy, rather intense, mellow and grassy, with some tobacco, honey, melon and vanilla. The finish is medium to long, rich, grassy, on honey, tobacco, melon, some vanilla and melon. Impression: Rather different from the OB, more intense, grassier and mellower. Rating: 15/20 FP:A2 |
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Carsebridge 1974 10 th Anniversary, 43 YO, The Whisky Agency, 46.4%, B:2018, 102 bottles. Price: Colour: Pale gold Nose: Round, mellow, on corn syrup, cooked corn, porridge, a light fragrance, some vanilla, cinnamon, and dried apricots. Well balanced. Taste: Very mellow, round, on cooked cereals, corn syrup, dried apricots, vanilla, peach juice, some cinnamon and stewed fruits. The finish is medium to long, very mellow and round, fruity, on elderberries flowers, dried apricots, peach, vanilla and some corn syrup. Diluted, it becomes slightly oaky and milky. Impression: A very pleasant and mellow grain whisky, with a nice mouth feel. Seemed to have improved after a few months after opening. Rating: 16/20 FP:A1 |
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Invergordon 1973 for Sweden Whiskyklubben, 44YO, Sansibar, 51.1%, B:2017. Price: Colour: Old gold-amber Nose: Very round, mellow, well balanced, rather complex, on cooked cereals, some porridge, corn syrup and vanilla custard. Very good and rather smooth. Taste: Round, floral, fragrant, rather intense, mellow, on porridge, cooked cereals, cinnamon, marmalade, some orange, tangerine, and apricots. The finish is medium to long, round, mellow, intense, slightly fragrant, on cooked cereals, apricots and marmalade. Impression: A very nice round and mellow grain whisky, more on sweet corn-like flavours than the Carsebridge, but also more fragrant. Rating: 16/20 FP:D1 |
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Cameronbridge 1984 10th Anniversary of World of Whisky, Signatory, 50.4%, B:2018, cask 19305. Price: Colour: Gold Nose: Clean to very clean, on green cereals, some varnish, vanilla and honey. Rather fragrant and floral. Taste: On varnish and solvent. With time it becomes clean, light, fresh, and rather spirity. The finish is medium to long, clean to very clean, on vanilla, some varnish and solvent. Impression: A rather peculiar whisky. It needs some time to breath, in order to leave the solvent and varnish flavours to disappear. Something went bad with the sample? Rating: 08/20 FP:A1 |
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Elements of Islay Pl5 2009, Elixir Distillers, 63.1%, B:2018, 582 bottles. Price: (70 cl equivalent), Colour: Gold Nose: Clean, very peaty and maritime, slightly young and oaky, on intense peat smoke, seaweeds, iodine, some kippers and hemp rope. Very intense. Taste: Young, oaky, peaty, maritime, on seaweeds, iodine, camphor, vanilla, lemon and hemp rope. The finish is medium to long and on the same flavours. Diluted, it becomes drier, more on hemp rope and slightly younger. Impression: A nice and peaty Port Charlotte, dry and on lemon zest. A few extra years of maturation would have been welcomed. Rating: 14/20 FP:A8 |
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Port Charlotte 2002, 15 YO, FEW Barrels, 61.8%, B:2018, Sherry cask 324. Price: Colour: Amber Nose: Round, peaty, complex, maritime to very maritime, moderately meaty and farmy, on peat smoke, seaweeds, iodine, a touch of camphor, leather and air-dry bacon. Taste: Dry to very dry, peaty, maritime, on peat smoke, with some round meaty flavours, dry red berries, leather, camphor and spearmint. Rather spirity. Diluted, it becomes more on spearmint and bandages. The finish is long, peaty, maritime, medicinal, on camphor, iodine, bandages, some spearmint and seaweeds. Impression: A very peaty and medicinal version of Port Charlotte. The sherry influence was rather noticeable on the nose, but then it was markedly more discreet on the palate. Tasted first in rather warm conditions, it seemed rather soft. Tasted again a few weeks later in standard conditions, it became more complex, intense and medicinal. A very good one that needs some time to open. I wished the price was softer. Rating: 16/20 FP:D7 |
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Highland Park 1980 to commemorate of the visit of Maxxium UK to the Highland Park distillery, 20 YO, OB, 50.5%, Cask 8421, 252 bottles. Price: Colour: Amber Nose: Aromatic, floral, complex, moderately peaty and smoky, on heather honey, dry peat smoke, dried oranges, some sultanas, figs, exotic fruits, and old peat fire. Rich and with lovely dried and candied fruits. Taste: Rich, intense, salty, complex, smoky, slightly maritime, on cocoa, dark chocolate, dry peat smoke, candied fruits, orange, tangerine, heather honey, dates, sultanas and some exotic fruits. The finish is long, rich, spicy, slightly salty, on dry peat smoke, cocoa, dark chocolate, some sea salt, sea brine, honey, sultanas, figs, treacle and various dried fruits. Diluted, it becomes fruitier and the peat smoke more tarry and heavier. Impression: An old style of Highland Park that I enjoy very much, heavier, peatier, and thicker than the current production, and with more depth as well. From an excellent sherry cask. Rating: 18/20 FP:G4 |
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Highland Park Runrig Dram, 22 YO, Duncan Taylor, 51.4%, B:2009. Price: Colour: Pale gold Nose: Fresh, mellow, smooth, slightly peaty, on tangerine, citron (cedrat), heather, a light peat smoke, some melon, sea brine and papaya. Elegant. Taste: Fresh, zesty, slightly smoky, austere and salty, on heather honey, a light peat smoke, citron (cedrat), light spices, some nuts, camphor and various herbal flavours. The finish is medium, herbal, rather fresh, slightly smoky, on citron (cedrat), and soft herbal flavours. Impression: A nice and elegant Highland Park, rather subtle and with nice aromas of citron (or cedrat in French, one of the original citrus fruit that you can find in Corsica). An atypical Highland Park but a good one. Rating: 15/20 FP:A2 |
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Glenglassaugh 1978 Old Malt Cask, 27 YO, Douglas Laing, 50%, B: 2005, DL 1994. Price: Colour: Old gold Nose: Rich, mellow, complex, floral, rather grassy and herbal, on honey, rich stewed fruits, some exotic fruits, peach, spices, a hint of smoke and nuts. Very good. Taste: Spicy to very spicy (ginger, mustard and some pepper), floral, rich, grassy, fruity, on honey, melon, peach, guava, some papaya and a touch of almonds. The finish is medium, grassy to very grassy, very creamy, nutty, on almonds, some peach, vanilla, mint and marzipan. Diluted, it becomes more nutty and marzipan. Impression: A good one, grassy, initially rather fruity, then it becomes more nutty. Rating: 14/20 FP:C2 |
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Port Mourant 1997, El Dorado, 57.9%, B:2017. Price: Colour: Amber Nose: Very fruity, intense, deep, complex, on dates, sultanas, dried apricots and pineapples. Very good. Taste: Rich, deep, fruity to very fruity, on quince jelly, cooked pineapples, dried apricots, thick tar, some coffee and black liquorice. The finish is long, thick, deep, tarry, bitter, on pineapples, plums, blackcurrant, caramel, cinnamon, cloves and thick treacle. With time, it becomes more intense on liquorice. Impression: A thick, heavy and intense Port Mourant rum distilled in wooden column, with liquorice, ground coffee beans and caramel. Very good. Rating: 16/20 |
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Enmore 1996, El Dorado, 57.2%, B:2017. Price: Colour: Amber-red Nose: Mellow, round, floral, on varnish, cinnamon, cloves, molasses, ground coffee beans and light fragrant flavours, Taste: Very rich, fruity, floral, complex, on dried apricots and pineapples, cinnamon, some cloves, molasses, and other elegant ripe fruity flavours. The finish is long, rich, intense, complex, and on the same flavours. Impression: A very good, rich, fruity, and rather floral rum, nicely complex and thick, with diverse ripe fruits. Rating: 16/20 |
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Longrow 1973, 30 YO, FoD, 50.1%, B:2003, Bourbon cask. Price: Colour: Gold-old gold Nose: Peaty to very peaty, complex, tarry, slightly mineral, with a rather farmy peat smoke, some sea brine and light fruity flavours. A lovely old style of peat smoke reminding me of the Longrow 1973 from Moon. I love this style, peatier and more farmy than the current Longrow. Taste: Floral, round, mellow, moderately fragrant and medicinal, on disinfectant, medicinal peat smoke, vanilla, some camphor, perfume and a hint of green almonds. The finish is medium to long and on the same flavours. With a long medicinal and moderately peaty retro-olfaction. Impression: The nose was excellent, rather heavily peated, with a nice farmy flavours, while it becomes more floral and slightly fragrant on the palate, and less peaty as expected by the nose. Tasted much younger on the palate than the age indicated on the label. Rating: 16/20 FP:A5 |
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Longrow 1973, 30 YO, FoD, 55.6%, B:2003, Sherry cask. Price: Colour: Amber Nose: Round, mellow, farmy, moderately peaty, on sultanas, dried fruits, mango, stables, some other exotic fruits, old leather, sea brine and orange. Seems less peaty and tarry than the Bourbon, but it is also richer and fruitier. Excellent. Taste: Intense, complex, peaty, tarry, rubbery, on fresh rubber, farmy and slightly maritime peat smoke, some iodine, leather, sultanas, exotic fruits and liquorice roots. The finish is long and on the same flavours. Diluted, it becomes more rubbery, astringent and bitter. Impression: The nose was excellent and very much to my liking, with its combination of dry farmy peat smoke, leather and exotic fruits. The rubbery flavours were light and well integrated on the nose, but it quickly gains in intensity on the palate and with a few drops of water, it becomes rather bitter and astringent. Rating: 15/20 FP:H5 |
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