Whisky-news.com Tasting Notes

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30 Apr 11

Glenlossie 1975, 35 YO, The Whisky Agency, 52%, B: 2011. 212 bottles. Price:
Colour: Pale gold.
Nose: Rich and intense floral notes, with some honey, pollen, on light subtle oaky notes. Smells like a field at the start of the summer.
Taste: Light, fresh, soft, with some freshly pressed pears, some delicate malty notes and a hint of smoke. The finish is medium to long, light, soft, floral and subtle.
Impression: A very elegant, subtle and fresh Glenlossie. A fine exemple of this distillery.
Rating: 15/20 FP:A1

29 Apr 11

Glen Spey 21 YO, OB, 50.4%, B: 2010. 6000 bottles. Price:
Colour: Gold.
Nose: Round, clean, on juicy oak, and some yellow fruits.
Taste: Smooth, oaky, slightly spicy (wood spices), with a hint of smoke, some freshly cut grass and grounded barley, a touch of bitterness, and some grapes. The finish is medium, oaky, buttery, clean, with some spiciness.
Impression: A whisky that I enjoyed drinking, clean and rather simple, but with a careful wood selection of different origins enhancing the intensity of the distillate.
Rating: 14/20 FP:B1

28 Apr 11

Glen Spey 1974 Mission 4, 30 YO, Murray McDavid, 46%, 720 b. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Quite round, floral, malty, slight honey flavours and very light tropical flavours (mango, papaya). Diluted, the nose gets more floral and fruity.
Taste: Sweet, malty, spicy, on tropical fruits (mango & papaya) and toffee, quite smoky and slightly rubbery. Diluted, it becomes quite fruity. The finish is medium, round, clean, malty, on sweet fruits and some smoke.
Impression: A good whisky, clean and pleasant.
Rating: 14/20

27 Apr 11

Laphroaig 1973 SMWS 29.6, Scotch Malt Whisky Society, 50.8%, B: 1995. Price:
Colour: Pale gold.
Nose: Clean, pungent, peaty, tarry, maritime, on seaweeds, some iodine and TCP, with some light vanilla flavours.
Taste: Salty, peaty, smoky, slightly maritime, rather round and harmonious, with toffee notes. The finish is long, round, maritime, peaty, with some liquorice and lichen, as well as some charcoal.
General Impression: A rather docile, but well made and harmonious Laphroaig.
Rating: 16/20 FP:C7

26 Apr 11

Laphroaig 1970, Duthie's for Samaroli, 54%,B: 1986, 720 bottles. Price:
Colour: Old gold.
Nose: Maritime, salty, on seaweeds, some peat smoke, as well as some pineapples and grapefruit. With time, it becomes more mineral and on flint stone.
Taste: Dry, peaty, rather sweet, on coconut, pineapples, peat smoke, some tar and on seaweeds. The finish is long, peaty, slightly sweet and fruity, with some mineral and tarry notes.
General Impression: A very nice and elegant Laphroaig, not as peaty as one might extpect and quite different from the 1964 BBR.
Rating: 17/20 FP:D6

25 Apr 11

Laphroaig Cairdeas Master Edition Feis Ile 2010, OB, 57.7%, B: 2010. Price:
Colour: Gold.
Nose: Soft, mellow, young, peaty and slightly maritime. Not much is going on zzZZzz.
Taste: Salty, intense, smoky, rather young and sweet, with some spearmint, seaweed and tobacco leaves. Slightly hot. Diluted, it becomes slightly spices and more intense, but falls apart very quickly. The finish is medium, fresh, peaty, young, sweet, with some tobacco and spearmint.
Impression: A rather dull and unbalanced Laphroaig with probably a fair proportion of (very) young whiskies. It probably should have been married for a longer period.
Rating: 10/20 FP:A7

24 Apr 11

Laphroaig 25 YO Cask Strength, OB, 50.9%, B: 2008. Price:
Colour: Gold.
Nose: Maritime, smooth, slightly mellow, on seaweeds, old peat and tobacco smoke.
Taste: Dry, woody, slightly bitter and tarry, salty to very salty, maritime, slightly citric, on charcoal and peat smoke. The finish is medium to long, rather round, maritime, citric, salty and peaty. The peaty retro-olfaction is very long.
General Impression: This is a good Laphroaig, with a very long peaty retro-olfaction and a marked improvement over the previous bottling reduced to 40%, but I still miss a sparkle in this whisky. It seems like that some casks used for this bottling were tired.
Rating: 14/20 FP:B5

23 Apr 11

Laphroaig 1990, The Whisky Agency, 56.1%, B: 2010, 273 bottles. Price:
Colour: Straw.
Nose: Clean, fresh, peaty, and maritime, with some vanilla and toffee. A very pleasant Laphroaig, with the age contributing to a certain softness of the nose.
Taste: Peaty, salty, and maritime, with some fish, on vanilla, some liquorice and tar. The finish is long, peaty, maritime and with some vanilla. Diluted, it becomes more on tar and liquorice root.
Impression: A rather typical Laphroaig, with the age giving some roundness and mellowness to the whisky, while the ex-bourbon cask is (fortunately) not as pronounced as on the 18 YO OB.
Rating: 15/20 FP:A6

Laphroaig 1990 Perfect dram, joint bottling with bresser & timmer, 20 YO, The Whisky Agency, 56.3%, B: 2011. 237 bottles. Price:
Colour Pale gold.
Nose: Smells like a Scottish harbour after a heavy rainfall, with damp maritime and fishy aromas. Light, fresh, slightly tarry and mineral.
Taste: Dry, peaty, salty, slightly zesty, mineral and ashy, and on seaweeds, liquorice and some chilli. The finish is long, mineral, ashy, with some light but persisting flavours of seaweeds and liquorice root.
Impression: A very good, light, subtle and mineral Laphroaig, on old dry peat smoke contributing to an “old fashioned” style.
Rating: 16/20 FP:A6

20Apr 11

Bunnhahabhain 1968 Kreuzritter, Monnier 43.8%, B: 2011, cask 12404, 180 bottles. Price:
Colour: Gold-old gold.
Nose: Maritime, slightly salty, round, mellow, with some heather, a slight smokiness and some subtle sweet fruity notes.
Taste: Very smooth, slightly mineral, on sweet tropical fruits, some heather and juniper, light spices and delicate subtle maritime notes. The finish is medium, sweet, fruity, light, subtle, with light citric and maritime flavours.
Impression: A very nice light, subtle and flawless Bunnhahabain. Not extremely intense but heavily drinkable and pleasant. Selected by Jack Wiebers for Monnier.
Rating: 16/20 FP:F2

19 Apr 11

Laphroaig 1998, 10 YO, Blackadder, 61.3%, 278 bottles. Price:
Colour: Gold.
Nose: Maritime, round, peaty, with some seaweeds. Very close to the BBR.
Taste: Bitter, salty, maritime, with some quinine extract (tonic water), smoke and seaweeds. The finish is long, dry, bitter, peaty, slightly astringent.
Impression: A modern and rather bitter whisky.
Rating: 12/20 FP:A7

Laphroaig 1998, 12 YO, Berry Bros & Rudd, 59.5%, B: 2010.

Colour: Gold.
Nose: Round, smoky, maritime, with a slight meatiness and on vanilla.
Taste: Clean, light, rather austere and round, maritime, with some seaweed, vanilla and a touch of toffee. The finish is medium to long, rather bitter and austere, with some maritime notes, as well as some gentian and liquorice root.
Impression: Technically well made, a modern whisky, that does not generate too much pleasure to me.
Rating: 11/20

FP:A7

Laphroaig 1998, 12 YO, Riverstown, 57.4%, B: 2010, cask 7139, 139 bottles. Price:
Colour: Gold.
Nose: Clean, peaty, intense, in liquorice root, with some seaweed and tobacco leaves and some traces of mushrooms after a few minutes of aeration.
Taste: Peaty, bitter, maritime, with some fish and roots extracts. The finish is long, dry, bitter, and smoky, with some vanilla.
Impression: All these 1998 are well made and share the same bitterness. I do not get much pleasure out of them.
Rating: 13/20 FP:A7

18 Apr 11

Laphroaig 1998 Boisdale, Berry Bros & Rudd, 46%. B: 2008, cask 700213, 370 bottles, Price:
Colour: straw.
Nose: Peaty, very maritime, on dried seaweeds, with the wind pushing flavours from the neighbouring harbour.
Taste: Light, clean, fresh, tarry, maritime, on lemon juice and vanilla. The finish is medium to long, very maritime, on dried fish and seaweeds, and on peat.
General Impression: A good and classical Laphroaig that won’t disappoint you.
Rating: 14/20 FP:A7

Laphroaig 1998 for LMDW, 11 YO, Signatory, 61%, B: 2010, sherry butt 700346, 506 bottles. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber.
Nose: Peaty to very peaty, maritime, slighty farmy and smoky.
Taste: Dry, peaty, maritime, intense, salty to very salty, maritime, on tangerine and some other sweet fruity notes, as well as tar and mineral aromas. The finish is long, intense, rich, peaty, dry, maritime, with some tangerine and liquorice root.
General Impression: A very muscular, rich, peaty and intense Laphroai with a most pleasant round sherry notes. Simply excellent and one of the best whisky of the Paris Whisky Live 2010. A real pleasure.
Rating: 18/20 FPF8

Laphroaig 1998 Liquid Library, The Whisky Agency, 52.4%, 2011, 158 bottles. Price:
Colour Pale gold.
Nose: Round, peaty, tarry, maritime, on seaweeds, vanilla, light mineral and graphite notes. Slightly rounder than the 1990 TWA bottled in 2011.
Taste: Oaky, slightly rough, smoky, maritime, on vanilla, seaweeds, some liquorice root. Slightly peppery and with some chilli. The finish is medium, with a strong oaky-vanilla influence, on vanilla, some chilli and fish. Dry.
Impression: A well made and rather modern Laphroaig with strong oaky flavours. Over the last couple of weeks, I tasted several 1998 and I find these whiskies monotonous: very similar. This shows a great consistency between the casks during that period.
Rating: 13/20 FP:A 6

17 Apr 11

Special Chivas Speyside tour

Chivas Regal 18 YO, OB, 40%, B: 2011. Price:
Colour: Old Gold.
Nose: Smooth, mellow, rather fresh, harmonious, on honey and mild spices.
Taste: Sweet, smooth, starchy, rich and slightly smoky. The finish is medium, mellow, rich, on raisin, orange and some cinnamon.
Impression: The flavour profile from the Chivas Regal 18 YO is very much in line with the 18 YO, but with more complexity and depth. The flavour intensity is also more pronounced. There is more sherry influence in it. Compared to the 25 YO, the nose is maybe as complex and fruity, but the grainy contribution more discreet and the whisky is more lively and intense. In summary, one of the best blended whiskies around. Much more to my liking than the 12 YO.
Rating: 14/20 FP:E2

16 Apr 11

Special Chivas Speyside tour

Chivas Royal 25 YO, OB, 40%, B: 2011. Price:
Colour: Old gold.
Nose: Very smooth and mellow, with rich fruity notes, peach, orange, and tropical fruits as well as aromas characteristic of old grain whiskies.
Taste: Smooth, mellow, rich, rather fresh, on apricots, orange, tangerine, some banana, slight starchy aromas and with a very thin touch of smoke. The finish is medium, rich, slightly spicy, on pear, blueberries, tangerine and apricots.
Impression: A very nice rich and mellow blended whisky, very easy drinking, considerably richer and more complex than the 12 YO, but with slightly too much grain to my taste.
Rating: 13/20 FP:F1

15 Apr 11

Special Chivas Speyside tour

Chivas Regal 12 YO, OB, 40%, B: 2011. Price:
Colour: Gold.
Nose: Rich, smooth, on spices, honey, a twist of orange, some pear and blackcurrant.
Taste: Rather thin, soft, grainy, mellow, with some starch, vanilla, honey and pears, some light raisins notes and a faint touch of smoke. The finish is medium, soft, smooth, fresh, quite spicy, with some nougat, apricots, tangerine, pear and a hint of smoke.
Impression: A good and well-made blend, rather soft and slightly thin to my taste, that could benefit of a slightly higher strength.
Rating: 10/20 FP:D1

14 Apr 11

North British Prestonfield 1962 for La Maison du Whisky, 45 YO, Signatory, 59.9%, B: 2007, cask 46556, 220 b. Price:
Colour: Gold.
Nose: Fresh, spirity, on varnish, some lime, hay and green malt. Diluted, it becomes more citric and an old tyres.
Taste: Citric, rough, soapy, very aggressive, with some dust and on varnish. Diluted, it becomes more on old car tyres. The finish is short, dry, bitter, spirity, very aggressive, on plastic and varnish.
General Impression: A rough, very spirity and aggressive whisky on old car tyres. Enough said.
Rating: 07/20

13 Apr 11

North British 1963, 45 YO, Signatory, 50.70%, B: 2009. 290 bottles. Price:
Colour: Old gold.
Nose: Rich, on sun dried Turkish apricots, camomile and other light floral notes with some vanilla. Diluted, it is more on toffee.
Taste: Quite creamy and hot, on apricots, with as slight hint of gentian and herbs liquors. The finish is short, quite spirity, smooth and on apricots.
General Impression A smooth and very easy to drink grain whisky, without the complexity that one might expect from such a venerable whisky.
Rating: 11/20 FP:A1

12 Apr 11

North British 1962 Perfect dram for komplex whisky (Sweden), 48 YO, The whisky Agency, 47.9%. B: 2011. 146 bottles. Price:
Colour: Old gold.
Nose: Grainy, on cereals, dried apricots, orange, cooked cereals. Very pleasant.
Taste: Smooth, mellow, grainy, with some sweet tropical notes, some apricots as well as some light spices. Diluted, it becomes spicier and on cinnamon. The finish is rather long, smooth, on apricots, vanilla and home made cream fudges.
Impression: A smooth, mellow and complex grain whisky. One of the very best grain whisky I ever tasted.
Rating: 16/20 FP:D1

11 Apr 11

Glen Elgin Centenary, 19 YO, OB. 60.0%, B: 2000, 750 bottles. Price:
Colour: Amber.
Nose: Rich, intense, floral, with a lot of different mild spices, on orange, tangerine and some yellow fruits too.
Taste: Very rich, thick, spicy, very intense, velvety, with some high-grade and fresh rubber, on yellow fruits, tangerine, orange, leather and cardamom. The finish is long, rich, smooth, spicy, intense, on tangerine, orange and leather.
General Impression: A big, thick, intense and well balanced Glen Elgin. Excellent.
Rating: 18/20 FP:I2

09 Apr 11

Kilchoman Single Cask Release, 4 YO, OB, 60.4%, B: 2011, cask 249/06 Price:
Colour: Pale gold.
Nose: On very nice dry and aromatic (maritime) peat smoke, fresh, maritime and on seaweeds. The nose shows a greater maturity than the previous bottlings.
Taste: Peaty, maritime, clean, fresh, on sea brine, with certain lightness and on liquorice root. The finish is medium, peaty, maritime and some seaweeds.
Impression: An interesting Kilchoman without the youthful aromas present in the previous bottlings. A whisky gaining in maturity: a great whisky in the make. Very pleasant. Bottled for the German Market.
Rating: 13/20 FP:A7

08 Apr 11

Glen Elgin 1991, 17 YO, James MacArthur, 54.5%,B: 2008, sherry cask 2598, Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber.
Nose: Floral, smooth, spicy, on pollen, honey, tangerine, orange and leather.
Taste: Spicy to very spicy, rich, floral, on some high-grade rubber, some berries, tangerine and orange. The finish is medium to long, thick, spicy, on pollen, honey, tangerine, orange, leather and some rubber.
General Impression: The rich and spicy aroma of the Glen Elgin marry well with the sherry. Very good.
Rating: 16/20 FP:I2

Glen Elgin 1991, 13 YO, Cadenhead's, 59.5%, B: 2005, 672 bottles. Price:
Colour: Pale straw.
Nose: Very clean, with some pears and apples. Not much is going on. Very much like new make.
Taste: Sweet, floral, malty, young, spirity, on pear and apples. The finish is short and sweet.
General Impression: From an inactive cask, very much like a new make spirit.
Rating: 07/20 FP: A1

07 Apr 11

Glen Elgin 16 YO, OB, 58.5%, B: 2008, 9954 bottles. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber.
Nose: Fresh, smooth, very floral, on pollen, honey, with some mild spices, leather, orange and tangerine.
Taste: Very smooth, floral, slightly soapy, lots of mild spices, on tangerine, orange, leather, cardamom, and toffee. The finish is medium, very smooth, creamy, floral, on mild spices, orange, tangerine and some leather.
General Impression: A very nice, smooth, mild and gentle Glen Elgin.
Rating: 15/20 FP: H2

06 Apr 11

Inchgower 1974, 36 YO, Whisky Doris, 55.5%, B: 2010, Sherry cask 1476, 167 bottles. Price:
Colour: Old gold.
Nose: Smooth, slightly maritime and smoky, with some salt and sea brine. Very good.
Taste: Smooth, salty, spicy, and slightly smoky, with some salty-bitterness, on grapefruit, bitter lemon and some coffee beans. The finish is long, syrupy, slightly bitter, on marmalade, with some peat smoke, fudge, coffee and a light fruitiness.
Impression: A rich and complex Inchgower, intense, with a mixture of grapefruit bitterness, salt, coffee and smoke. Not the easiest whisky, but one that I enjoyed very much.
Rating: 15/20 FP: E4

Inchgower 1974, 36 YO, The Whisky Agency, 50.4%, B: 2010, 180 bottles. Price:
Colour: Old gold.
Nose: Smooth, slightly maritime and smoky, quite round, with some sea brine. Very similar to the Whisky Doris bottling.
Taste: Smooth, salty, spicy, marmalade, slightly bitter, wit some light coffee beans aromas, tangerine, bitter lemon and grapefruit. The finish was similar to the Whisky Doris bottling.
Impression: Maybe slightly more on citrus fruits than the Whisky Doris bottling, otherwise, two very similar expressions of Inchgower from two refill sherry butts filled the same year..
Rating: 175/20 FP: E4

05 Apr 11

Glen Elgin 1978, 30 YO, Adelphi, 46.9%, B: 2008, cask 4511, 159 bottles. Price:
Colour: Old gold.
Nose: Smooth, spicy, floral, on pollen, honey, with some mild spices and a hint of fruit. The flavours of peach and apricots gain in strength over time.
Taste: Smooth, sweet, slightly floral, spicy, subtle, with a certain complexity. The finish is medium, smooth, slightly floral, on pollen, with some banana, peach and grass.
General Impression: A very nicely made, round and mellow Glen Elgin. The intensity of the flavours seemed to have been tamed by the time.
Rating: 15/20FP: D2

04 Apr 11

Glen Elgin White Horse for Japan, OB, 43%, B: 1995, Price:
Colour: Old gold – amber
Nose: Nicely malty, floral, with some pear drops, toffee and almonds. Nice and fragrant.
Taste: Juicy malt, spicy, floral (violet), fruity (melon), some smoke and fudge. Bold, with a zest of lemon. The finish is medium to long, malty, on soft peat, slight bitter-toffee notes, orange skin, and candied fruits.
General Impression: A very nice whisky, malty, fresh and complex. I enjoyed it very much.
Rating: 16/20

03 Apr 11

Glen Elgin 1975, 24 YO, Blackadder, 56.5%, B: 2000, cask 5157, 205 bottles. Price:
Colour: Pale gold.
Nose: Fresh, clean to very clean, rather sweet, with some lingonberries and soap.
Taste: Bitter-sweet, fruity, fresh to very fresh, clean, on berries, eucalyptus and some mountain herbs. The finish is medium, fresh, clean, slightly waxy, on herbs and lingonberries.
Impression: A very refreshing and enjoyable dram, cleaner and less waxy than the 1975 TWA expression.
Rating: 14/20 FP:A2

02 Apr 11

Glen Elgin 1975, 35 YO, The Whisky Agency, 51.5%, B: 2011, 186 bottles. Price:
Colour: Pale gold.
Nose: Waxy, fresh, clean, with some smoke and hints of berries. A surprisingly waxy Glen Elgin surprisingly similar to the Clynelish of the 1980s.
Taste: Fruity, floral, waxy, grassy, with some slightly immature crushed berries and some eucalyptus. Diluted, some flavours of cooked apples are released. The finish is long, bitter (-acidic)-sweet, fresh, grassy, and slightly floral.
Impression: A waxy and very fresh Glen Elgin on lingonberries. A very refreshing dram that I enjoyed very much. Of note, the flavour profile is rather unique.
Rating: 16/20 FP:A2

01 Apr 11

Talisker 1989 14.17, 20 YO, Scotch Malt Whisky Society, 57.2%, B: 2009, 202 bottles. Price:
Colour: Gold.
Nose: Very peaty, smooth, on disinfectant, TCP, very slightly farmy, maritime, salty, on seaweeds. Peaty and intense, without being aggressive. Simply excellent.
Taste: Smooth, salty to very salty, peaty, on pineapples (the slightly acidic ones), apples, seaweeds infusion, bold peat smoke and other maritime influences. Rather mineral. The peppery notes are released once some water is added. The finish is medium to long, balanced, rather smooth, salty, maritime, with a long tarry and peaty retro olfaction.
Impression: An excellent, smooth and intense Talisker, rather peaty. I enjoyed this whisky very much. Thank you Marcel.
Rating: 17/20 FP:B7

26 Mar 11

Longmorn 1976, 34 YO, The Whisky Agency, 50.2%, B: 2010. Price:
Colour: Old gold.
Nose: Very smooth, with a touch of smoke, with beautiful fruity notes and berries (goosberries, tangerine, papaya and mango).
Taste: Spicy, salty, slightly farmy and smoky, very smooth and on blossom tea. The finish is long, slightly dry, very smooth, silky, mellow, with some ripe Mirabelle, goosberries and pineapples.
General Impression: A nice and very smooth Longmorn.
Rating: 16/20 FP:D2

25 Mar 11

Highland Park 1977 The Perfect Dram, 33 YO, The Whisky Agency, 52.3%, B: 2010, 193 bottles. Price:
Colour: Old gold.
Nose: Smoky, peaty, slightly maritime and salty, on heather, honey, tangerine and orange. One of the best noses that I have experienced with a Highland Park.
Taste: Rich, very spicy, oaky, with ginger, some leather, tannins, peat smoke, some char, a hint of graphite, on heather, orange and tangerine. The finish is long, rich, complex, intense, smoky, slightly tannic and with some coriander.
General Impression: An excellent Highland Park, rich, intense and complex, with some light tannic notes giving a strong personality to this whisky.
Rating: 17/20 FP:E5

24 Mar 11

Brora 1981, 25 YO, Duncan Taylor, 56.6%, B: 2007, cask 1423, 682 bottles. Price:
Colour: Gold.
Nose: Malty, on pollen, slightly soapy, smooth and clean.
Taste: Sweet, salty, smoky, mustardy, spicy, with some chocolate. The finish is medium to long, dry, peaty, bitter, salty, slightly mineral and fruity.
General Impression: A rather clean Brora, a bit unidimensional.I have tasted better Brora malts.
Rating: 12/20 FP:C5

23 Mar 11

Brora 30 YO Annual Release, OB, 56.3%, B: 2005, 3000 bottles, Price:
Colour: Old gold.
Nose: Very peaty, farmy, on old peat smoke, smoked seaweeds, with some floral notes. Complex and most satisfying.
Taste: Bitter, spicy, intense, peaty, on old peat smoke, salt, cold ashes, seashells and some floral notes. The finish is very long, big, intense, peaty, farmy and on liquorice.
General Impression: A big Brora, very intense, complex and farmy. Excellent.
Rating: 18/20 FP:C9

22 Mar 11

Brora 1982, 23 YO, Chieftains, 46%, B: 2005, Sherry butt 1510, 756 bottles. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Woody, tannic, spicy, on leather, cinnamon powder, tangerine and orange.
Taste: Spicy, juicy, dry, bitter, tannic, on leather and fruit compote. The finish is dry, very tannic, on leather and dark chocolate.
General Impression: The sherry cask was very active and the wood quite present. If you enjoy heavily sherried whiskies, dry and tannic, you wil enjoy this one very much.
Rating: 13/20 FP:J4

21 Mar 11

Brora 1981 sherry, 23 YO, Duncan Taylor, 61%, B: 2005, cask 1425, 542 bottles. Price:
Colour: Old gold – amber
Nose: Starts on strong floral notes (lilac) and light grassy notes, then comes the soft peat, some sulphur (burnt matches), the toffee, the oranges, some coffee and the nuts. Diluted, it becomes more on vegetamine (Maggi).
Taste: Spicy, maritime, peaty, rubbery, floral, on bitter toffee, oranges and coffee. Becomes drier with time. The finish is quite dry and bitter, on toffee and coffee. Long and intense.
General Impression: A lightly peated Brora, with the peatiness merging nicely with the sherry. There is a certain dryness and bitterness that might displease some whisky enthusiasts.
Rating: 16/20

20 Mar 11

Brora 1977 Platinum, 26 YO, Douglas Laing, 54.9%, B: 2003, 228 bottles. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: A heavily peaty nose, with a strong and woody influence, quite floral and full of punch.
Taste: Strong woody spiciness, intense round peat, smoke and floral aromas. The finish is a bit winey, heavily peaty, woody, sherried and with liquorice.
General Impression: I enjoyed very much this Brora with a strong peaty, sherry and woody influence. Although the woody aroma is strong, the whisky is not dry and contributes to a whisky with a strong and atypical personality.
Rating: 18/20 FP:F7

19 Mar 11

Brora 1981 Unchill filtered collection, 21 YO, Signatory, 46%, Price:
Colour: Pale yellow.
Nose: Dry peat, hay, floral and fragrant, with a hint of fruitiness and a lot of disinfectant flavours. Flavours quite difficult to identify.
Taste: Dry, peaty, smoky, citric, maritime and medicinal. Clean. The finish is smoky, bitter-dry, oaky, quite long, some lemon and fruitiness, with a strong tobacco influence.
General impression: A surprisingly peaty Brora from the 1980s, clean and smoky, but quite dry and rough.
Rating: 14/20

18 Mar 11

Brora 1982 Private Stock, 28 YO, The Whisky Agency and La Maison Du Whisky, 51.6%, B: 2010, 222 bottles. Price:
Colour: Old gold.
Nose: Very smooth, waxy, on beeswax, camomile tea, as well as a hint of sea brine and some light sweet fruity notes.
Taste: Very smooth, waxy, slightly citric and mustardy, on beeswax, camomile, cardboard, some starch and hay. The finish is long, smooth, waxy, on beeswax, camomile, some ginger and peat smoke.
General Impression: Slightly heavier and oiler than the Clynelish distilled at the same period, otherwise, this remarkably smooth Brora could be mistaken for a Clynelish.
Rating: 17/20 FP:A3

17 Mar 11

Ardbeg 1967 Dark Oloroso, 30 YO, Signatory, 52%, B: 1997, butt 578. Price:
Colour: Dark amber.
Nose: Smoky, sherried, on dark chocolate, cocoa, some tar and seaweeds. Big and heavy.
Taste: Sherried, slightly floral, maritime, dry, slightly tannic and mineral, on peat, salt, seaweeds and smoke. The finish is long to very long, slightly tannic and bitter, on sherry, cocoa, dark chocolate, seaweeds and some seashells.
General Impression: The peatiness is slightly hidden by the thick, heavy and intense sherry layer. An excellent heavily sherried whisky, without any rubbery off notes.
Rating: 18/20 FP:H6

16 Mar 11

Ardbeg 1975, 31 YO, OB, 53.7%, B: 2006, sherry butt 1378. Price:
Colour: Old gold.
Nose: Very peaty, intense, medicinal, on TCP, iodine, antiseptic, strong maritime flavours, with a slight round sweetness. Rather clean but with an intense peaty nose.
Taste: Clean, peaty, maritime, on seaweeds, ashes, TCP, with some disinfectant, a slight sweetness, some toffee and cocoa, as well as some Swiss milk chocolate and slight mineral motes. The finish is very long, peaty, complex, rather sweet and smooth, with strong medicinal flavours. Slightly ashy.
General Impression: An excellent malt, with the clean intense medicinal notes with the subtle sherry influence enhancing the quality of the whisky. Thank you Daniel.
Rating: 19/20 FP:D8

15 Mar 11

Ardbeg 1975 Platinum, 29 YO, Douglas Laing, 47.3%, B: 2004, 255 bottles. Price:
Colour: Old gold.
Nose: Peaty, slightly maritime and floral, with some chocolate mousse, seaweeds and some lavender.
Taste: Peaty, rather smooth and juicy, on dry peat, old seaweeds, some tangerine, peach, and maybe some pineapples and milk chocolate. Harmonious. The finish is long, syrupy, peaty, on milk chocolate, with a certain bitter-woodiness astringency and some old seaweed.
General Impression: A very smooth, juicy and fruity Ardbeg, with some tannin. Very drinkable. Thank you very much Patrick S.
Rating: 17/20 FP:F7

12 Mar 11

Ardbeg 12 YO for France, OB, 80 Proof, B: 1966. Price:
Colour: Gold.
Nose: Superb smoke, on old dried peat smoke, delicious and delicate fruity and sweet notes (apple and pears?), graphite, some hints of charcoal and some distant sea brine and seaweeds. Simply delicious.
Taste: Rather smooth and sweet, with a delicate and subtle dry peat smoke, some salt and seaweeds, some tar, graphite, old charcoal as well as sweet fruity notes. Definitely on old style of whisky, but complex and superbly balanced. Great stuff! The finish is long, peaty, smoky, and maritime, on juicy fruits, some salt and mineral notes.
General Impression: When I see such old Ardbeg bottles, my first reaction is: Warning, fake! Although I never tasted such old Ardbeg before this one, the nose confirmed that this was an old and authentic Ardbeg. I tasted this whisky back and forth more than any whisky before and I can only say that this is gorgeous stuff, sorry, Dream Stuff! The peat is there, not brutal and hot, just very subtle and in symbiosis with the juicy fruity notes and the maritime flavours. A whisky worth drinking if you are lucky to own such an old bottle. An emotional experience (including maybe 1 emotional point, but not more).
Rating: 20/20 FP:B7

11 Mar 11

Longrow 1973, NAS, OB, 46%. Price:
Colour: Straw-gold.
Nose: Salty, meaty, peaty, mineral, on old tobacco smoke, lots of kelp and some pineapple.
Taste: Salty, mineral, peaty, with some pineapple acidity. Lots of pineapples. The finish is medium, sweet, sugary, with a lots of pineapple.
General Impression: A very good Whisky, with plenty of pineapples. I was expecting something more peaty and complex.
Rating: 15/20

10 Mar 11

Longrow 1973 The Birds, Moon, 46%, B: 1990, Hogshead 1731. Price:
Colour: Pale gold.
Nose: Dry, peaty, maritime, salty, austere, tarry, with some pears, apple, peach, fish and a twist of lemon.
Taste: Sweet, juicy, peaty, on pineapple, peach, pears, apple, some salt, dry peat smoke. Well balanced and harmonious. Slightly bitter, floral, and on tobacco quid. Diluted, it becomes citric and salty. The finish is long, dry, sweet, juicy, maritime, peaty, on pineapples and pears.
General Impression: A rather different whisky from the 1974 OB, more subtle and complex, sweeter, but also less peaty, ashy and salty. Two different styles of Longrow, but equally good. Thank you Patrick S.
Rating: 18/20 FP:C6

09 Mar 11

Longrow 1974, 21 YO, OB, 46%, B: 1996, cask 1550, 350 bottles. Price:
Colour: Pale gold.
Nose: Dry, peaty, maritime, farmy, salty, and austere, with some peach and a slight sweetness. With time, some Havana cigar smoke is released.
Taste: Very salty, maritime, smoky, slightly farmy, on cigar smoke, pineapples, some pepper, dry peat smoke and with time, it becomes slightly bitter. The finish is long to very long, dry, very peaty, ashy, slgithly bitter with some grapefruit and cigar smoke.
General Impression: A great whisky, dry, tarry and powerful. Each sip brings you closer to the old harbour of Campbletown. Thank you Daniel.
Rating: 18/20 FP:A8

08 Mar 11

Yamazaki 25 YO, OB, 43%, B: 2011. Price:
Colour: Amber.
Nose; Very smooth and elegant, on plums, varnish, exotic woods, incense, rose water and oranges. Superb.
Taste: Rich, spicy, fruity, floral, slightly bitter, on pineapples, tangerine, orange and exotic wood. Diluted, it becomes more complex and intense. The finish is long, silky, rather dry and biter, floral, with some exotic wood, rose water and walnut.
General Impression: The Hibiki 30 YO impressed me, but the nose of this whisky was even better. However, on the palate it has a certain bitterness-woodiness that some drinkers might not appreciate as much as I did. Thank you very much Misako.
Rating: 16/20 FP:F3

07 Mar 11

Yamazaki 1984, OB, 48%. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber.
Nose: Very smooth, floral, on exotic woods, tangerine and orange. Complex and subtle. Simply excellent.
Taste: Smooth, slightly creamy, on pineapples, tangerine, nougat and some very sweet tropical fruits. The finish is long, on sweet pineapples, mango, orange juice, nougat, some chocolate and nice lightly fragrant floral notes.
General Impression: An excellent whisky, with an impressive finesse and subtlety. Beautiful. Thank you very much Misako. Of note, this whisky won the "Best single malt Whisky" category at the World Whiskies Awards.'
Rating: 19/20 FP:F3

06 Mar 11

Glen Scotia 1972 The Private Stock, The Whisky Agency, 40.1%, B: 2010, 92 bottles. Price:
Colour: Gold.
Nose: Very smooth and mellow, with some kippers, blossom tea and slight ripe fruity aromas.
Taste: Extremely smooth and mellow, on coconut, Mirabelle, soft ripe fruits, banana and other exotic fruits, as well as some blossom tea. The finish is medium, sirupy, smooth and very mellow, slightly smoky.
General Impression: The smoothest and mellowest whisky that I have tasted. A whisky that you can sip like a sirup. Most pleasant if you enjoy this type of whisky.
Rating: 14/20 FP:C2

05 Mar 11

Glen Keith 1967 for La Maison Du Whisky, Gordon & Macphail, 53%, cask 3876, 215 bottles. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber.
Nose: Smooth, floral, round, very grassy, with some ripe fruits, on orange, tangerine, some leather and humus.
Taste: Smooth, floral, with a mild spiciness, slightly grassy and fruity, with a hint of smoke, on tangerine and some orange. Diluted, it becomes creamier and slightly oily. The finish is long, slightly dry, bitter and tannic, on coffee and orange.
General Impression: A very fine example of complex and sherried Glen Keith.
Rating: 17/20 FP:G2

04 Mar 11

Glen Keith 1971 Cross Hill, Jack Wiebers, 51.8%, B: 2006, 371 bottles. Price:
Colour: Amber.
Nose: Meaty (game), heavy, on old peat smoke, with some chocolate and heavy sherry. Rather muscular.
Taste: Big, thick, syrupy, floral, on game, dark fruits, orange, tangerine, dark chocolate, treacle and leather. Complex. The finish is medium in length, big, heavy, powerful, syrupy, on chocolate, toffee, strawberries, orange, leather and some venison.
General Impression: A very big and heavy intense and sherried Glen Keith. A whisky without compromise that I enjoyed very much. Much heavier than the 1960s Glen Keith that I tasted so far.
Taste: 18/20 FP:H2

03 Mar 11

Glen Keith 1969, 36 YO, Krüger’s Schloss Whisky, 48.1%, B: 2005. Price:
Colour: Old gold.
Nose: Very grassy, smooth, round, and on stewed fruits..
Taste: Slightly bitter, grassy, slightly earthy and smoky, with some berries and a touch of salt. The finish is long, rich, round, grassy and slightly bitter.
General Impression: A very good Glen Keith with a slight bitterness.
Rating: 16/20

02 Mar 11

Glen Keith 1967, Gordon & MacPhail, 46%, B: 2007. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber.
Nose; Very nice sherry nose, spicy, on orange, tangerine and cinnamon.
Taste: Round, rich, intense, thick, on orange, tangerine, fruity, with some earthy notes. The finish is long, on sherry, slightly tannic and dry, juicy and slightly peaty.
General Impression: A very nice sherried Glen Keith, less bitter than the Krüger version.
Rating: 17/20

28 Feb 11

Glen Keith 1970, The Whisky Agency, 45.1%, B: 2010, 215 bottles. Price:
Colour: gold.
Nose: Very smooth and floral, very grassy, with fresh sweet fruity notes of an orchard and on marshmallows.
Taste: Very light, very fresh, grassy, with some starch, marshmallows, light and delicate fruity notes from an orchard, as well as some sweet aromas of liquid honey. The finish is medium to long, smooth, light, fresh, mellow, on pollen, liquid honey and light sweet fruity notes.
General Impression: A deliciously sweet and light whisky.
Rating: 17/20 FP: B2

27 Feb 11

Glenallachie 1971 The Perfect Dram, The Whisky Agency, 51.2%, B: 2010, 160 bottles. Price:
Colour; Straw:
Nose: Smooth and round, floral, some fresh barley with a hint of smoke. The bouquet is complex and most pleasant.
Taste: Malty, extremely smooth and floral, on sun bathed barley, orchard fruits and some honey. It gains in complexity over time and some liquorice root extracts are released. The finish is medium to long, smooth, floral, malty and slightly creamy.
General Impression: A remarquably smooth, elegant and subtle Glenallachie with pleasant floral aromas.
Rating: 16/20 FP:B2

26 Feb 11

Glen Grant 1969, 33 YO, Hart Brothers, 51.5%, Price:
Colour: Old gold.
Nose: Rich, fruity, smooth, slightly mineral, on orange and pineapple.
Taste: Rich, spicy, sweet to very sweet, with some cardboard, orange and tangerine. The Old Bottle Effect is very noticeable. The finish is long, spicy, sweet, round and on marmalade.
General Impression: A very nice, elegant, and rather mineral Glen Grant. Thank you Alain M.
Rating: 16/20 FP:E3

25 Feb 11

Glen Grant 42 YO, OB, 70 Proof, 75.7 cl Price: N/A
Colour: Amber.
Nose: Smoky, thick, slightly humic and peaty, with a nice roundness, on passion fruits and wild berries. Superb balance.
Taste: Rather peaty, very smooth, light, fragrant, floral, on raspberries, brambleberries, blueberries, tangerine, orange, and some old furniture. Delicious. The finish is long to very long, smooth, fruity, slightly peat and smoky.
General Impression: A superb Glen Grant, well balanced, deliciously smooth and only 70 Proof (40%). Impressive.
Thank you very much Patrick S and Angus.
Rating: 19/20 FP:G3

24 Feb 11

Glen Grant 1973 The Perfect Dram, The Whisky Agency, 53.6%, B: 2010. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber.
Nose: Fresh, rich, complex, very floral, with some dates, sultanas, tangerine and orange, as well as some camomile.
Taste: Fresh, intense, spicy, on black and redcurrant juice, slightly oaky, on coffee and some tropical fruits. The finish is long, slightly dry, smoky, on red berries and tropical juice, as well as some coffee and smoke,
General Impression: Slightly light, but vibrant and intense. Very pleasant.
Rating: 17/20 FP:G3

23 Feb 11

Glen Grant 1970 Whisky Doris, 37 YO, Duncan Taylor, 50.3%, B: 2007, Sherry cask 3474. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber.
Nose: Waxy, resinous, floral, smooth, round, on eucalyptus, figs, sultanas and some other sweet fruits (mango & papaya).
Taste: Rich, spicy, round, fruity, syrupy, on leather, berries, tangerines, orange, mango. A fruit basket. Excellent. The finish is long to very long, mouth-coating, richly fruity, with some slightly dry notes at the end.
General Impression: I haven't tasted any Glen Grant for a few months and I happy to taste again such an excellent Glen Grant. So good! Thank you Serge.
Rating: 18/20 FP:G2

22 Feb 11

Glen Grant 1965 Celebration of the cask, 43 YO, Carn Mor, 46.4%, cask 2140, 155 bottles. Price:
Colour: Old gold.
Nose: Quite floral, slightly fragrant, herbal, on pollen, honey, some fruit jam and peat smoke.
Taste: Spicy, oaky, chewy, on menthol, spearmint, ginger, pepper, on orange juice, tangerine and a hint of smoke. The finish is medium to long, quite dry and spicy, on spearmint chewing gum and light fruity notes.
General Impression: A spicy-peppery spearmint chewing gum. Quite original.
Rating: 14/20 FP:D2

21 Feb 11

Special Whisky Live Paris

Glen Grant 25 YO, Gordon & MacPhail, 40%, B: 2008. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber.
Nose: Very fruity, smooth, mellow, on jelly fruits, berries, some smoke, tangerine and peach.
Taste: Smooth, on juicy malt, very fruity, on tangerine, orange, some pink grapefruit and some peat smoke. The finish is medium to long, mellow, fruity, on quince jam and some other fruits.
General Impression: An excellent Glen Grant, very fruity. Very good value.
Rating: 17/20 FP:G3

20 Feb 11

Glen Grant 1990, 16 YO, Signatory, 59%, B: 2007, refill butt 7119, 580 bottles. Price:
Colour: Old gold.
Nose: Smooth, sweet, salty, earthy, on orange, peach and spices.
Taste: Thick, syrupy, spicy, peppery, slightly smoky, with some chilli, orange, tobacco, chocolate and cloves. The finish is spicy, syrupy, on oranges, and tangerine. Diluted, it becomes slightly sulphury.
General Impression: A very nice, intense and complex Glen Grant. Delicious.
Rating: 17/20

19 Feb 11

Glen Grant 1970 for the Highlander Inn, 37 YO, Duncan Taylor, 53%, Cask 861, 153 bottles. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Very sherried, full, round, on old leather and furniture, beeswax, and berries.
Taste: Spicy, tannic, with lots of berries (strawberries and raspberries), orange and bitter toffee. The finish is dry, tannic and on berries.
General Impression: An excellent nose, but it becomes quite dry and tannic on the palate. Diluted, it becomes more on toffee.
Rating: 16/20

18 Feb 11

Special Whisky Live Paris

Glen Grant 16 YO, OB, 43%, B: 2010. Price:
Colour: Gold.
Nose: Smooth, floral, malty, on nuts and fudge.
Taste: Floral, slightly sweet and juicy, nutty, malty and on vanilla. The finish is medium, very nutty, slightly floral and on vanilla.
General Impression: A very nutty whisky with a very strong influence from the first fill bourbon cask.
Rating: 12/20 FP:A2

17 Feb 11

Glen Grant 1969, 38 YO, Duncan Taylor, 48.4%, B: 2008, C. 6225, 190 b. Price:
Colour: Old gold- amber.
Nose: Floral, fruity, complex, with a strong pollen flavour, some grassy and earthy notes as well as bold peat smoke.
Taste: Woody, slightly soapy, floral, quite peaty, with some fruity notes and lots of canned pineapples. The finish is long, dry, woody, syrupy, bitter, fruity and on peat smoke.
General Impression: An old Glen Grant, quite peaty, and most enjoyable.
Rating: 16/20 FP:D4

16 Feb 11

Glen Grant 1963, Gordon & MacPhail, 40%, B: 1996. Price:
Colour: Dark amber
Nose: Intense, floral, round, mellow, on wild berries, with some leather, orange, tangerine and beeswax.
Taste: Dry, tannic, slightly soapy, on leather, orange and tangerine. The finish is dry, fruity, on leather, wood polish and orange.
General impression: A nicely sherried Glen Grant, rather intense in spite of its 40%.
Rating: 16/20 FP:G3

15 Feb 11

Special Whisky Live Paris

Glen Grant 170th Anniversary, OB, 46%, B: 2010. Price:
Colour: Gold-old gold.
Nose: Malty, clean, floral to very floral, on vanilla and a hint of sherry ?
Taste: Fresh, fragrant, floral, slightly bitter with some toffee and a certain oakiness. The finish is medium, malty, floral, slightly bitter and on toffee.
General Impression: A good Glen Grant with a strong ex-bourbon cask influence. The presence of the sherry and peated spirit is rather discreet.
Rating: 11/20 FP:A2

14 Feb 11

Glen Grant 1973, 26 YO, Scott’s selection, 58.2%, Price:
Colour: Straw-gold
Nose: Light, fresh and fragrant, on violets and geranium, then comes the berries, the barley and some smoke. Extremely intense. Diluted, it becomes floral, grassy with good oaky notes, strong vanilla and cereal notes.
Taste: Slightly spicy, creamy, floral, fragrant, malty, on vanilla and violet, with some coconut, smoke and lime before the berry aromas are released. Diluted, it gets smoother and lighter. The finish is short to medium length, slightly winey and smoky, with some berries, violet and gentian (non-bitter).
General Impression: A very good Glen Grant, light and refreshing, lighter than most Glen Grant of the 70s.
Rating :16/20

13 Feb 11

Glen Grant 1976 Old Malt Cask Sherry, 50%, B:2007, Ref 3745, 228 bottles. Price:
Colour: Amber.
Nose: Rich, complex, floral, lots of spices, on orange, leather, tannins, curcuma and cocoa. An excellent sherry nose.
Taste: Nice rich spices, floral, on round and polished leather, tannins and orange. The finish is long, dry, round, sherried, spicy, slightly rubbery (fresh rubber).
General Impression: A verry sherried and excellent Grant Grant. I really enjoy those old sherried Glen Grant.
Rating: 17/20 FP:F3

12 Feb 11

Bunnahabhain 1965 Private Stock, 45 YO, The Whisky Agency, 40%, B: 2010, 195 bottles. Price:
Colour: Gold.
Nose: Smooth, fruity, sweet, with a hint of smoke, some sea shells, banana, vanilla and crème brulée.
Bouche: Light, slightly thin, smoky, slightly bitter, on tobacco leaves, some sea salt and fruits. The finish is medium, light, salty, maritime, with some seaweeds and seashells.
General Impression: A whisky with a rich and intense nose, but becoming thinner and on bitter-smoky notes on the palate. Past its prime.
Rating: 14/20 FP:C3

11 Feb 11

Bunnahabhain 1967 Private Stock, The Whisky Agency, 40.5%, B: 2010, 139 bottles. Price:
Colour: Amber.
Nose: Maritime, on sea brine, some old bold peat smoke, polished leather, grapes, wallnuts, and maybe some humus. Beautiful sherry nose.
Taste: Rich, salty, mellow, very maritime, on tobacco leaves, some salt, tangerine, orange, aromatic herbs, leather and sea shells.
The finish is medium to long, slightly smoky, very coastal-maritime, with nice smooth fruity notes of tangerine.
General Impression: A very elegant and well balance Bunnhahbhain from an excellent sherry cask produced at the “sleeping giant”.
Rating: 17/20 F3

10 Feb 11

Ardmore Old Malt Cask 1996, 11 YO, Douglas Laing, 50%, B: 2007, 364 bottles, Ref 4215. Price:
Colour: Pale gold.
Nose: Very floral, round, peaty, slightly farmy, with some gentian and cold ashes.
Taste: Spirity, quite malty on the start, round, slightly citric, on tobacco smoke, slightly salty and peaty, with some vanilla. The finish is medium to long, quite farmy, on smoked bacon, salty, bitter, with some gentian and vanilla.
General Impression: A quite austere, rather peaty and enjoyable Ardmore.
Rating: 13/20 FP: C6

09 Feb 11

Ardmore 1977, 17 YO, Cadenhead's, 59.6%, Price:
Colour: Straw
Nose: Nice sweet maltiness, smoky, peaty, round and very smooth, with some pear flavours.
Taste: Very smooth, sweet, silky, citric, peaty and smoky, with some fruity flavours (melon) developing over time. The finish is of medium length, smooth, sweet, malty, peaty and smoky.
General impression: An excellent combination between the peat and a superb malty-sweetness, with an extremely pleasant milky and silky mouth feel.
Rating: 18/20

08 Feb 11

Ardmore 1977 Butt, 24 YO, Cadenhead’s, 58.6%, B: 2002, 636 b. Price:
Colour: Gold-old gold.
Nose: Nicely peaty, mineral, on cold ashes with some pear juice and some juicy maltiness. Quite sweet.
Taste: Peaty to very peaty, fruity (pear and peach), creamy-oily, with some fresh fudge, on juicy malt, with some raisins, tobacco smoke and some chocolate. The finish is long, tarry, slightly bitter, on pear and cocoa, followed by a very long and persistent peaty flavour.
General Impression: A very pleasant Ardmore, quite heavily peaty, with the refill sherry giving a pleasant sweetness. A well balanced whisky.
Rating: 17/20

07 Feb 11

Ardmore 1990, 17 YO, Signatory, 59.7%, B: 2007, cask 30019, 199 bottles. Price:
Colour: Gold.
Nose: Very peaty, smoky, intense, dry and on hemp rope.
Taste: Dry, peaty, soapy, salty and bitter. The finish is long to very long, very dry, peaty, soapy and bitter.
General Impression: A good and very peaty Ardmore, although quite soapy. Natural soapiness or problem with the bottle?
Rating: 11/20

06 Feb 11

Ardmore 1992 The Perfect Dram, 18 YO, The Whisky Agency, 49.9%, B: 2010, 212 bottles. Price:
Colour: Gold.
Nose: Starts on a short but intense whiff of peat smoke, dry, peaty, very farmy, with a light meatiness, clean, intense, slightly bitter and floral and some apples.
Taste: Rather dry, peaty, farmy, slightly floral, mineral and austere, some salt, on vanilla and sweet fruity notes, with an underlying bitterness. The finish is long, peaty, farmy, slightly sweet and floral, slightly mineral, with a long development, some smoke and a delicious peaty-farmy retro-olfaction.
General Impression: Looking for a slightly less peaty alternative to the old peaty Islay or Brora (and considerably cheaper alternative)? Then you might give a taste to this gorgeous Ardmore. Simply excellent. Thank you for the treat Carsten.
Rating: 18/20 FP: B6

05 Feb 11

Hibiki 30 YO, OB, 43%, B: 2011. Price:
Colour: Light amber.
Nose: Very Japanese with its silky flavours of jasmine, rich exotic and polished woods, some cherries, plums and maybe a hint of plums. Smooth, subtle, harmonious and complex.
Taste: Smooth, quite some mild spices (ginger, sweet curry), slightly floral, with some dry and slightly tannic aromas of jasmine and pu-erh tea, as well as a touch of dry peat smoke and oak. The finish is medium to long, slightly tannic and dry, with some leather, cherries, leather, jasmine and some other exotic flowers.
General Impression: An impressive blend with all the constituents in symbiosis resulting in a sumptuous whisky. Slightly tannic finish but in any case an excellent whisky that could be easily mistaken for a single malt. Considered by many specialists as the best blended whisky in the world, this is so far the best blend I have tested. Thank you very much Misako.
Rating: 17/20 FP:E3

04 Feb 11

Jack Daniels N°7, OB, 43%, B: 1995. Price:
Colour: Old gold.
Nose: Sour to very sour, smoky, with some porridge and other cereals, as well as some mineral/charred notes.
Taste: Sour, oily, fat, slightly smoky, on graphite, some toffee and caramel, as well as cereals. The finish is medium, sour, smooth, slightly light, fragrant and citric, on vanilla and char.
General Impression: A good and well made widely available Tennessee whiskey, with a unique personality. Easy to understand why it is so popular.
Rating 10/20 FP:B1

03 Feb 11

Four Roses, 40%, OB, B: 1990. Price:
Colour: Old gold.
Nose: Rather bland, some corn and cooked apples. Slightly rough and immature.
Taste: On treacle, vanilla, fudge, some fragrance and cereals. Rather sour and rough. The finish is short, thick, on caramel and vanilla.
General Impression: Bottled 20 years ago, this four roses is a rough, young and fragrant whiskey. Not for me. Maybe ok to mix with some coke. Hopefully, the current production is better than 20 years ago.
Rating: 05/20 FP:B1

02 Feb 11

Johnny Drum Green Label, OB, 43%, B: 2011. Price:
Colour: Old gold.
Nose: Very fresh and intense, on cooked cereals, fresh apricots, corm, some peach and vanilla. With time, it becomes very gristy, on cereal dust as well as caramel. Suprising development.
Taste: Thick, on treacle, cooked and crushed cereals, lots of vanilla and some toffee and chocolate. The finish is medium, smooth-sour, on crused cereals, some apricots and on vanilla.
General Impression: For being about 4 years old, this is a very nice and fresh, rather complex bourbon (with some rye?). Although I am not a bourbon drinker, this one left me a good impression. Excellent quality-price ratio. Sample courtesy of Master of Malts.
Rating: 12/20 FP:D1

01 Feb 11

Lochside 1991 Reserve, 13 YO, Gordon & MacPhail, 63.1%, B: 2004. Price:
Colour: Straw-gold.
Nose: Smooth, round, floral, fruity, slightly smoky and with slight farmy notes.
Taste: Spirity, fresh, fruity. Let's quickly add some water. Diluted, it is much smoother, more malty, floral and drinkable. The finish is light, fresh, smooth, floral, fruity and slightly smoky.
General Impression: A very nice smooth and fresh Lochside requiring some water.
Rating: 14/20 FP:C3

31 Jan 11

Lochside 1991 MacPhail Reserve, Gordon & MacPhail, 46%, B: 2004. Price:
Colour: Straw-gold.
Nose: Very malty and farmy, clean, with some wood spices.
Taste: Spicy, oaky, very farmy, on wood dust, with some bitter peat smoke and dark chocolate. The finish is medium, on horse feces, smoke and bitter caramel.
General Impression: An unusual association of flavours characterizes this rather farmy Lochside.
Rating: 09/20 FP:A3

30 Jan 11

Lochside 1981 The Perfect Dram, 29 YO, The Whisky Agency, 54%, B: 2010. Price:
Colour: Old gold.
Nose: Rich, fruity, smooth, slightly smoky, on juicy oak, almond paste, with some yellow fruits. Rather fresh and complex.
Taste: Rich, sweet, fruity, slightly grassy, spicy and smoky, with some almond paste, pink grapefruit, juicy okay, some cooked apples and pear, and maybe a touch of toffee? The finish is medium to long, oaky, round, grassy, with some pears and coffee.
General Impression: A very nice Lochside, with has preserved much of youth in the nose, but the age starts to show off in the finish.
Rating: 16/20 FP:D3

29 Jan 11

Master of Malt Islay, 12 YO, OB, 40%, B: 2011. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Very peaty, maritime, dry, on hemp rope, some diesel smoke and seaweeds. Caol Ila is not very far.
Taste: Starts on surprisingly sweet and maritime notes, with a touch a salt, then the peaty flavours come with some canned fruits, vanilla, banana, freshly made fudges, honey and sticky toffee. Diluted, it becomes more peaty, drier and fishy. The finish is medium, round, slightly peaty and maritime, with a lot of honey and some sticky toffee.
General Impression: A surprising whisky marrying probably whiskies from the East coast of Islay and the Kildaton shore, with a very peaty Islay nose, but with a surprisingly sweet palate on honey and sticky toffee. An original, but very pleasant and easy drinking vatted (blended) malt. Sample courtesy of Master of Malts.
Rating: 13/20 FP:C5

27 Jan 11

Master Of Malt Orkney, 12 YO, OB, 40%, B: 2011, Price:
Colour: Old gold.
Nose: Intense, slightly peaty and smoky, on sea brine, some seaweeds, heather, honey as well as some juicy malt. With time, some aromas of fudge are released.
Taste: Salty, spicy, on peat smoke, rather smooth and sweet, with some heather and juicy oak. The finish is medium to long, sweet, juicy, smoky, on juicy malt, sea brine and heather.
General Impression: A very well made and juicy vatted (blended) malt with the smoky nose of Highland Park and the smooth juicy palate of Scapa. Sample courtesy of Master of Malts.
Rating: 14/20 FP:C4

26 Jan 11

Arran 1996, 11 YO, Murray McDavid, 46%, 2100 bottles. Price:
Colour: Gold.
Nose: Malty, round, slightly gristy and soapy, with a very light sherry influence (tangerine).
Taste: Malty, clean, smooth, with a light sherry influence. The finish is medium, clean, malty, on green malt and some sherry influence.
General Impression: A decent clean and malty whisky.
Rating: 09/20 FP:D2

25 Jan 11

Special Whisky Live Paris

Arran 15th Anniversary, OB, 46%, D:1999, B: 2010. 5640 bottles. Price:
Colour: Gold-old gold.
Nose: On dry sherry, some rancio and a touch of bitterness. The influence of the amontillado sherry is dominating.
Taste: Spicy, dry, slightly acetic, on nutmeg, some rubber and sulphur. The finish is long, dry, slightly rubbery and acetic.
General Impression: Too much rubber and amontillado influence to my taste. I much preferred the 14 YO, however the bottle is nicer.
Rating: 08/20 FP:D2

24 Jan 11

Arran Sauternes Finish, OB, 56%, B: 2006, 305 bottles, Price:
Colour: Gold-old gold
Taste: The strong white wine (Sauternes) influence, with its slight dryness is taking over any other flavours.
Taste: Sweet, salty, slightly dry and smoky, winey (white wine), spicy and on toffee. The finish is of medium length, bitter-sweet, on toffee, white grapes and slightly smoky.
General Impression: Although the nose is dominated by the Sauternes, this Arran is quite pleasant and the finish quite successful.
Rating: 13/20

22 Jan 11

Arran 1995 Old Malt Cask, 11 YO, Douglas Laing, 50%, B: 2007, Ref 3745, 228 bottles. Price:
Colour: Old gold.
Nose: Malty to very malty, with a bit of dust and some heavy undefined (macerating fruits?) as well as some cooked fruits.
Taste: Malty, slightly spicy, oaky and rather heavy. The finish is medium to long, malty, slightly astringent, thick and slightly fruity.
General Impression: A very nice Arran, quite heavy and pleasantly fruity. Arran seems to take time to mature at its best and to shine through.
Rating: 13/20 FP:B1

21 Jan 11

Arran Fino Sherry 1996, 11 YO, Cadenhead’s, 56.5%, B: 2008. Price:
Colour: Straw
Nose: Clean, spirity, malty and gristy.
Taste: Creamy, malty, floral, with some dry aromatic herbs. The finish is short to medium, slightly bitter, dry and malty. The fino is very present in the finish.
General Impression: A very dry Arran with a dominating sherry influence. A special style of flavours.
Rating: 10/20 FP:D1

20 Jan 11

Special Whisky Live Paris

Arran 14 YO, OB, 46%, B: 2010. Price:
Colour Gold-old gold.
Nose: Rich, fruity, malty, on peach, melon and some other cooked fruits. Mellow.
Taste: Malty, oaky, quite thick and fruity (peach and cooked apples), on light spices, with a touch of salt. Surprisingly heavy. Diluted, it becomes quite smoky. The finish is medium, thick, oaky, fruity and mellow.
General Impression: A very good rich and well matured Arran, pleasantly heavy. I was positively surprised by the 10 and 12 YO some time ago and the 14 YO is confirming that impression. Well done Arran.
Rating: 15/20 FP:C2

19 Jan 11

Arran Chianti Felsina, OB, 55%, B: 2009. Price:
Colour: Old gold-red.
Nose: Rich, fruity, on peach, melon, grapes as well as a hint of berries. The wine complements the whisky rather well.
Taste: Malty, slightly spicy and winey, oaky, sweet, on grapes, nutmeg and some fruits. The finish is medium, creamy, quite heavy and slightly winey.
General Impression: A rather pleasant Arran, with the wine quite present but in harmony with the whisky. A good finished whisky.
Rating: 12/20 FP:G1

18 Jan 11

Auchroisk 20 YO, OB, 58.1%, B: 2010, 5856 bottles. Price:
Colour: Gold-old gold.
Nose: Fresh, smooth, slightly malty and on green fruits.
Taste: Very smooth, clean, slightly creamy and biscuity, on green apples and some vanilla. The finish is medium, smooth, slightly creamy and on green apples.
General Impression: Technically well done, a more complex, subtle and mature Auchroisk than the old Fauna & Flora version, but I miss somewhat the notion of pleasure.
Rating: 13/20 FP:A1

17 Jan 11

Banff 1975, Berry Bros and Rudd, 46%, B: 2004. Price:
Colour: Gold.
Nose: Malty to very malty, on honey, grass, heather and a light smokiness.
Taste: Smooth, very floral, rather sweet and grassy, slightly spicy and on aromatic herbs. The finish is medium, round, smooth, floral, slightly smoky.
General Impression: A very smooth dram.
Rating: 13/20 FP:D2

15 Jan 11

Special Whisky Live Paris

Banff 1975 joint bottling with La Maison Du Whisky, 34 YO, Daily Drams, 44.5%, B: 2010. Price:
Colour: Old gold.
Nose: Grassy, on overripe yellow fruits.
Taste: Extremely grassy, slightly earthy, very smooth and mellow, with a slight smokiness and rich fruity notes (Mirabelle, banana and some exotic fruits). The finish is medium, very smooth, mellow and fruity.
General Impression: A very good and highly drinkable whisky, with strong grassy and sweet fruity notes. The intensity of the flavours might appear slightly weak.
Rating: 14/20 FP:C3

14 Jan 11

Banff 1975 The perfect dram, 34 YO, The Whisky Agency, 44.9%, B: 2010. Price:
Colour: Gold.
Nose: Smooth, floral, on blossom tea, heather, grass, some smoke and a light sweet fruitiness (peach?).
Taste: Smooth, light, rather sweet, malty, fruity, on blossom tea, pineapple and some peach. Well balanced and subtle. The finish is medium, rather sweet, light and smooth.
General Impression: A very nice and subtle Banff. Banff tend to be smooth, but this one has some additional layers of complexity.
Rating: 15/20 FP:B2

12 Jan 11

Banff 1975, 31 YO, Signatory, 45.4%, B: 2007, cask 3341, 296 b., Price:
Colour: Straw-gold.
Nose: Floral (geranium), slightly fruity, on bitter smoke and some humus flavours.
Taste: Juicy, slightly woody, dry, floral (bitter geranium), slightly smoky and earthy. It becomes more intense and bitter once diluted. The finish is short, slightly dry, woody and on rucola.
General Impression: The cask seemed rather tired and the woodiness rather too present.
Rating: 12/20

11 Jan 11

Special Whisky Live Paris

The Glenlivet 21 YO Archive, OB, 43%, B: 2010, batch 1109D, Price:
Colour: Gold-old gold.
Nose: Oaky, floral, slightly smoky, nutty, with some tangerine and cinnamon. More complex and smoother than the 18 YO.
Taste: Oaky, floral, dry, spicy, with some heather and humus, and peat smoke. Complex. The finish is medium to long, slightly dry, complex, on chocolate, heather, peat smoke, tangerine, orange and cinnamon.
General Impression: A very well made and satisfying Glenlivet, with a good proportion of sherry, much more to my liking than the 18 YO.
Rating: 16/20 FP:G2

09 Jan 11

The Glenlivet 18 YO, OB, 43%, B: 2009. Price:
Colour: Gold-old gold.
Nose: Malty, juicy, nutty, slightly dry and floral, with light grassy notes.
Taste: Floral, slightly bitter, spicy, slightly humic and smoky, intense, on tangerine, orange and vanilla. The finish is medium, spicy to very spicy, with a dry sherry influence and some floral notes.
General Impression: A good all round malt, but that I have problems to define.
Rating: 13/20 FP:F2

08 Jan 11

The Glenlivet 15 YO French Oak Finish, OB, 40%, B: 2009. Price:
Colour: Gold-old gold.
Nose: Fresh, oaky, juicy, slightly sweet and winey, on vanilla and a hint of smoke.
Taste: Light, spicy, okay, juicy, on ginger and winey notes, vanilla and light floral notes. The finish is medium to long, oaky, spicy and on vanilla.
General Impression: A very good Glenlivet, rich, oaky and nicely spicy. The oak spices complement well the whisky.
Rating: 15/20 FP:C3

07 Jan 11

Special Whisky Live Paris

Glenlivet 1996, 14 YO, Signatory, 57.3%, B: 2010, Sherry butt 105515. 615 bottles. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber.
Nose: Floral, on toffee, treacle, burnt sugar and grapes.
Taste: Spicy, floral, on nutmeg, cinnamon, tangerine, cloves, orange and a touch of rubber. The finish is long, spicy to very spicy, very rich, floral, fruity and vegetal.
General Impression: One the richest whiskies I have recently tasted, with a wide range of flavours. Very well done.
Rating: 16/20 FP: H3

06 Jan 11

Glenlivet 1975, 35 YO, Wilson & Morgan, 55%, B: 2010, Butt 10862 Price:
Colour: Amber.
Nose: Round, very sherried, on spices (Glühwein), Christmas cake, nice floral and smoky notes, with some grapes and orange.
Taste: Rich, very intense, lots of spices (including pepper), orange and bitter orange, cinnamon, nutmeg, some smoke and candied fruits. The finish is long syrupy, round, spicy (cinnamon and nutmeg) and on Christmas cake. Diluted, it becomes more complex, on macerated dark fruits and plums, with light tarry notes.
General Impression: A very good Glenlivet, very rich and intense from an excellent cask. Thank you Max.
Rating: 17/20 FP: G3

05 Jan 11

Glenlivet 1938, Gordon & MacPhail, 70 Proof, B: circa 1970s. Price:
Colour: Old gold.
Nose: Fruity to very fruity, smooth, on old wood and peat fire smoke, cold ashes, humus and light mineral flavours.
Taste: floral (violet, marshmallow), with some peach and tangerine, on old peat smoke, iron, cold ashes, humus and tar. The finish is long, ashy, tarry, peaty, slightly fruity and floral, on lapsang souchong.
General Impression: An excellent old Glenlivet, much more smoky than the current production. It tastes like an old croft house. Thank you very much Max.
Rating: 18/20 FP:D4

04 Jan 11

Clynelish at the distillery, OB, 57.3%, B: 2008. Price:
Colour: Straw-gold.
Nose: Fresh, light, clean, coastal, floral, on seafood and a touch of smoke.
Taste: Waxy, fruity, maritime, spicy (ginger and mustard), clean, floral, with a nice sweet oakiness. The finish is medium, sweet, floral (early spring flowers), with a hint ot smoke and toffee.
General Impression: A very different expression from the 14 YO, closer to the old Clynelish style, but without peat. A vatting of old and young casks? In any case, a very nice sweet Clynelish that seduced me.
Rating: 16/20 FP:B2

03 Jan 11

Clynelish 1982, Malts of Scotland, 48.7%, B: 2010, cask 5894, 229 bottles. Price:
Colour: Pale gold.
Nose: Smooth, juicy, light, on freshly crushed barley and green fruits.
Taste: Fresh, light, mustardy, with a nice round oakyness, some spices and slightly bitter floral notes, with a twist of lemon. The finish is medium, smooth, light, waxy, with some honey, green apples and lemon.
General Impression: A very nice juicy and oaky Clynelish, without any blemishes of age.
Rating: 16/20 FP:B1

02 Jan 11

Clynelish 1989, 21 YO, The Whisky Agency, 54%, B: 2010. 166 bottles. Price:
Colour: Gold.
Nose: Smooth, fruity, spicy, zesty, on vanilla and spices (mustard), with some fresh apples.
Taste: Smooth, light, fresh, with a slight spiciness, some bitter flower, slightly rough oaky notes and some blossom tea. The finish is medium, smooth, on honey, and some vanilla.
General Impression: A very nice smooth and fresh waxy Clynelish.
Rating: 14/20 FP:B1

01 Jan 11

Clynelish 1972 Rare Malts, 24 YO, OB, 61.3%, B: 1997. Price:
Colour: Gold-old gold.
Nose: Rich, intense, on cooked apples, some honey and sweet fruity notes.
Taste: Very rich, intense, spicy, waxy, mustardy, round, with some marzipan, a hint of citric fruits as well as other sweet notes. The finish is long, rich, round and intense.
General Impression: A very vibrant, intense and spicy Clynelish. Simply excellent.
Rating: 18/20 FP:B2