Littlemill 1991 Old Malt Cask, 19 YO, Douglas Laing, 50%, B: 2010, Ref 6552, 340 bottles. Price:
Colour: Pale gold.
Nose: Fresh, grassy, with some wet hay and manure and a touch of salami.
Taste: Light, very fresh, on hay, slightly floral and fragrant, aromatic, grassy, round, with a nice complexity. The finish is medium, light, fresh, slighty smoky, grassy, on hay and some floral notes.
Impression: A very pleasant light fresh and grassy Littlemill.
Rating: 14/20 FP:A2

Shackleton Mackinlay Rare Old Highland Malt, OB, 47.3%, B: 2011. Price:
Colour: Gold.
Nose: Peaty, smoky, rather smooth and light, mineral, on sea brine. Well balanced and rather close in style with the Berry Bros & Rudd blend from the early 20th Century that I reviewed a few months ago.
Taste: Peaty, spicy to very spicy, peppery, smoky, oaky, slight floral notes, with some jasmine, a twist of lemon, some sea water and seashells, a touch of burnt wood and some liquorice root. Complex. The finish is medium, with some fresh oak, bitter floral notes, some peat and some light iodine and seaweeds. The oaky notes are reminiscent of rather young whiskies and strong wood interactions.
Impression: How close is it from the original whisky? Only two people had the chance to compare the original and this replica. This replica of the Shackleton whisky is a pleasant rich blend with an original profile. Considering the time that Richard Patterson had to create this blend, the result is indeed impressive. Very enjoyable blend.Contains at least some Tamnavulin, Glen Mhor, and peated Dalmore.
Rating: 13/20 FP:B4

William Larue Weller Antique Collection Autumn 2011, OB, 63.3%, B: 2011. Price:
Colour: Old gold.
Nose: Very smooth and mellow, slightly creamy, on orange peel, porridge, with some light maple syrup flavours and toffee. Velvety.
Taste: Very intense, rich, complex, floral, slightly bitter, on orange peel, some sandalwood, then it becomes rather creamy, with come pecan nuts and cashew. Very smooth, mellow and complex. The finish is medium to long, very smooth and round, with some pecan and cashed nuts, some orange peel and bitter, and some creamy notes.
Impression: An excellent whiskey, rich, intense, very complex and with a superb mouth feel. So far, this is the American whiskey that I enjoyed the most. Lovely.
Rating: 17/20 FP: C1

Four Roses Single Barrel, OB, 50%, B: 2011, Barrel BS 38-3P. Price:
Colour: Old gold.
Nose: Grainy, rich, smooth to very smooth, slightly fragrant and floral, on corn (maize) syrup.
Taste: Smooth, slightly bitter, rather floral, fragrant and complex, with some rye influence, and some maple syrup. The finish is medium, very smooth, slightly bitter, on rye, orange marmalade, light floral fragrance and some cinnamon.
Impression:  There is a noticeable rye influence in this whiskey contributing to complex flavours, without excessive sweet notes. Pleasant.
Rating: 12/20 FP:B1

Yamazaki 1995 The Owner’s cask for La Maison du Whisky, OB, 54%, B: 2010, sherry butt 5J3020, 420 bottles. Price:
Colour: Amber-black.
Nose: On strong varnish and sherry notes, very clean, on plums, tannins, leather, as well as some sandalwood.
Taste: Smooth, fragrant, on varnish, leather, plums, tannins, rubber and rosewater. The finish is medium to long, dry, slightly bitter, very astringent, tannic, clean and on plums.
General Impression: A well made and clean whisky, but a really sherry monster. Love or hate. It was too much for me.
Rating: 12/20 FP:J2

Hakushu Bourbon barrel, OB, 48.2%, B: 2011. Price:
Colour: Gold.
Nose: Smooth, clean, floral, round, on vanilla, pear juice and some camomile. Rounder than the Yamazaki.
Taste: Smooth, round, subtle, with some vanilla, lychees, elderberries flower lemonade, a twist of lime, a touch of coconut, pear and apple juice and a few drops of fragrant honey. Diluted, it becomes sweeter and with some vanilla. The finish is medium, round, sweet, with some honey, light fruity and floral notes.
Impression: A pleasant nice modern whisky, sweeter and more subtle than the Yamazaki. The exclusive use of bourbon barrels gives a pleasant freshness to these Suntory single malts and a different alternative to the standard Yamazaki and Hakushu.
Rating: 13/20 FP:A2

Yamazaki Bourbon barrel, OB, 48.2%, B: 2011. Price:
Colour: Gold.
Nose: Very smooth, clean, floral, oaky, and on vanilla. Very fresh.
Taste: Fresh, slightly smoky, clean, on juicy oak, with some fruits from the orchards and a pleasant light sweetness and some jasmine. Diluted, it becomes spicier, smokier, peppery, slightly bitter, more intense and with a hint of spearmint. The finish is medium, smooth and round, slightly floral and oaky, with some spices, vanilla, pear and apple juice freshly pressed.
Impression: A nice fresh, light and round whisky that becomes rather spicy once diluted. Not very complex, but a welcome freshness. Would probably work very well with an iceball?
Rating: 12/20 FP:A2

Hibiki 17 YO, OB, 43%, B: 2011. Price:
Colour: Gold-old gold.
Nose: Extremely smooth, floral, rather silky, slightly smoky, on jasmine, some sandalwood and light sweet fruity notes (quince and/or Mirabelle jam).
Taste: Very smooth and mellow, rather smoky, spicy, and slightly salty and creamy, on sweet juicy fruity and peaty notes. Rather light and subtle. Harmonious. The finish is medium, very smooth, slightly smoky, on sweet fruity notes of mirabelle, quince, lychees, and elderberries flowers, and a hint of jasmine.
Impression: Probably the smoothest and mellowest whisky I have tasted. It is very light, harmonious, complex and very well balanced. A very surprising whisky that needs time to release its full potential and to be fully appreciated.
Rating: 14/20 FP:A3

Karuizawa 1981 for The Whisky Exchange, Number one drink, 57.5%, B: 2011, cask 6256. Price: N/A.
Colour: Old gold-amber.
Nose: Smooth, with lots of mild spices, some sandalwood, nutmeg, seaweeds and salt.  Slightly farmy and musty.
Taste: The attack is slightly dry and bitter, then it becomes smoother, farmier, rather salty, with some game, yeast extract, nutmeg and some light peat smoke as well as some other indiscernible flavours. Quite floral at the end. With water, it becomes much smoother. The finish is medium, rather dry, woody and bitter, with some peat smoke and diverse mild spices.
Impression: A rather dry and difficult expression of Karuizawa, that really needs some water. Not as smooth or sherried as some previous expression from the 1960s or the 1970s and more meaty-farmy.
Rating: 13/20 FP:D3

Kilkerran Work In Progress batch 3, OB, 46%, B: 2011. Price:
Colour: Gold.
Nose: Rich, intense, farmy, on butter Scotch, sea brine, a light smokiness and oakiness.
Taste: Oil, strongly maritime, on juicy oak, some butter Scotch, salt and vanilla. Rich, very intense and with some diesel smoke. The finish is medium, oily, oaky, and maritime, with some ginger. The reto-olfaction is long, oaky, spicy and gingery.
Impression: A very good intense, oily and old fashioned whisky that I enjoyed very much. It shows a good maturity.
Rating: 13/20 FP:B2

Longrow 18 YO, OB, 46%, B: 2011. Price:
Colour: Gold-old gold.
Nose: Very farmy and peaty, on “dirty” peaty smoke (musty), slightly maritime and dry.
Taste: Dry, mineral, peaty, spicy, with some white peach, sea brine, some maritime influence, a lemon twist, as well as some bonfire smoke. The finish is long, light, peaty and rather smooth.
Impression: They wanted to recreate an old style Longrow and the nose is pretty close to the old style Longrow, while it is sweeter, fruitier and smoother than the Longrow from the 1980, and this closer to the style from the 1970s. This Longrow is considerably cleaner and ligher than the Longrow 18 YO (blue label) from 2009 since they used less sherry casks and more refill bourbon casks. In any case, a very good Longrow.
Rating: 16/20 FP: A6

Glenlivet XXV, OB, 43%, B: 2011. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber.
Nose: Smooth, slightly floral, with some humus, mushrooms, sweet fruits notes (canned fruits), a light sweet sherry notes including tangerine, as well as some old smoke.
Taste: Smooth to very smooth, with some nice round spices, orange, tangerine, juicy oak, and some notes of leather and heather. Rich, complex and slightly oaky. Diluted, some notes of mint, cinnamon and toffee are released. The finish is medium, slightly dry and tannic, with some walnuts, leather, some tannins, orange, as well as some humus. Diluted, it becomes slightly more spicy.
Impression: A pleasant, round and mellow Glenlivet that should appeal to a large range of consumer (i.e., easy drinking).
Rating: 14/20 FP:E2

Glenlivet (The) Cellar Collection1959, OB, 42.28%, B: 2001, cask 2LHF801. Price:
Colour: Old gold.
Nose: Very smooth and mellow, rich, complex, very fruity, slightly fragrant and floral. Simply delicious.
Taste: Smooth to very smooth, very mellow, with on blueberries, some heather, eucalyptus,humus and old peat and bonfire smoke. Very juicy and complex. The finish is long, smooth, mellow, rich, slightly fruity, floral, and mineral, with some peat smoke, some mint, eucalyptus, white peaches, heather, humus, camphor and old cigars.
Impression: An excellent old Glenlivet. The flavour profile is old fashioned, complex, rich, mineral, smoky and on humus. A whisky to savour. Please, provide us with more whiskies like this one!
Rating: 18/20 FP: C3

GlenDronach 1995 Single Cask Pedro Ximinez sherry puncheon for UK, 15 YO, OB, 56.2%, B: 2011, cask 4681, 725 bottles. Price:
Colour: Amber.
Nose: Oaky, fruity, on custard, tangerine, some grapes and sour berries flavours. The sherry is rather discreet (considering its colour) and round, contributing to a slight sweetness to the floral and fruity backbone.
Taste: Sweet, fruity, slightly floral, with a moderate sherry influence, rather intense and spicy, on custard, orange, tangerine, and a touch of pineapple.
Impression: A very nice and surprisingly fruity GlenDronach giving the impression that the initial maturation took place in an ex-bourbon cask. Effect for the type of cask (puncheon) ?). A well appreciated whisky.
Rating: 16/20 FP: F2

GlenDronach 21 YO Parliament, OB, 48%, B: 2011. Price: .
Colour: Amber.
Nose: Very rich and fruity, on berries, orange, tangerine, chocolate, some fudge, Christmas cake, mild spices, and a hint of smoke. Very smooth and velvety. In the same vein as the 18 YO, but maybe fruitier?
Taste: Extremely smooth, deliciously fruity, slightly meaty, with some chocolate, cream fudge, a touch of rubber and some pleasant mild spices as well as some orange. The finish is long, satisfying, slightly rubbery, with some coffee, chocolate, orange peel and some brambleberries and redcurrant.
Impression: A succulent GlenDronach slightly more complex and bitter than the 18 YO. Most enjoyable.
Rating: 17/20  FP: H2

Benromach 1969, 42 YO, OB, 42.6%, B: 2011, Cask 1178 & 09/1171 Refill sherry hogsheads. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber.
Nose: Rich, fruity, slightly syrupy, on canned and ripe fruits (orange, peach, tangerine and guava) with a hint of smoke. Very mellow.
Taste: Spicy to very spicy, with a slight oakiness, slight light earthy peaty notes complementing the rich, sweet fruits flavours of peach, manguo and guava. The finish is medium to long, on the same flavours as the palate.
Impression: A  very mellow, smooth and fruity Benromach with some light earthy and peaty notes giving a pleasant personality to this excellent whisky.
Rating: 18/20 FP:G3

Western Highland (Springbank) 1965 Private stock, 45 YO, The Whisky Agency, 45.7%, B: 2010, 98 bottles. Price:
Colour: Old gold.
Nose: Deliciously sweet and fruity, maritime, mineral, juicy, on sea brine and a delicious mineral peatiness. Excellent.
Taste: Spicy, salty to very salty, on coconut, seaweed, tangerine, some herbs, peat and diesel smoke, heather and slight mineral peaty notes. The finish is long, very salty, peaty, juicy, slightly oaky, on pineapple, tangerine and seaweeds.
Impression: A deliciously peaty, salty and complex Springbank from an exceptional vintage. Thank you Johan.
Rating: 18/20 FP: E4

Highland Park 4.104 1974, 32 YO, Scotch Malt Whisky Society, 51.4%, B: 2006. Price:
Colour: Amber.
Nose: Intense, fruity, on heather, tannins, cinnamon, fig, raisin, orange, ginger bread and some old peat smoke.
Taste: Dry, thick, slightly tannic, on heather, orange, coriander, cinnamon and some walnut. The finish is long, dry to very dry, slightly tannic, thick, juicy, slightly smoky, rich and complex.
General Impression: A big and heavily sherried Highland Park, without any rubbery off-notes. Excellent.
Rating: 18/20 FP:I4

Highland Park 1990 Single Cask for Maxxium Netherlands, 16 YO, 58.7%, B: 2006, cask 5831, 1272 bottles. Price: (70 cl equivalent)
Colour: Red.
Nose: Round, on heather, peat smoke, orange, fresh and high quality rubber.
Taste: Very rubbery, smoky, salty, on ginger bread, heather, honey and seashells. Diluted it becomes more maritime (sea food) and more rubbery. The finish is medium, salty, smoky, very rubbery and slightly bitter.
General Impression: A good HP, but very rubbery. Thank you Jean-Michel.
Rating: 13/20

Amrut fusion, OB, 50%, B: 2010. Price:
Colour: Gold-old gold.
Nose: Smooth, oaky, fresh, with a light peatiness.
Taste: Malty, slightly oaky, with some varnish, peat, starch and a light sweetness. The finish is medium, round, clean, malty, oaky, slightly peaty and spicy.
Impression: A nicely made and round Amrut. A good daily dram.
Rating: 11/20 FP:B3

Wild Turkey Kentucky Spirit Single Barrel, OB, 50.5% (101 Proof), B: 2011, warehouse E, Rick 33, Barrel 33. Price:
Colour: Old gold.
Nose: Smooth, slightly smoky, on corn (maize), some rye, cashew, cinnamon and other spices. Rather sharp. Diluted, it becomes more zesty.
Taste: Sweet, smooth, mellow, slightly peppery, on orange, orange peel, some apple, cooked cereals, peach, some pecan, cinnamon and treacle. Rather strong orange liquor flavours. The finish is long, mellow, smooth, rich, spicy, with some flavours of old rye whiskey. Complex and on orange.
Impression: A very good, rich and complex whiskey with strong flavours of orange.
Rating: 14/20 FP: B1

Russell’s reserve Rye Kentucky Straight Rye small batch, 6 YO, OB, 45%, B: 2011. Price:
Colour: Old gold.
Nose: Slightly close and dry, on rye, some cashew and vanilla.
Taste: Very zesty, slightly soapy, on cashew, peacan, with light floral notes and a hint of apples. The finish is short, smooth, with some nuts, oak and orange.
Impression: A rather clean and simple rye whiskey from Wild Turkey Distillery
Rating: 10/20 FP: A1

Eagle Rare Single Barrel 10 YO, OB, 45% (90 Proof), B: 2011. Price:
Colour: Gold-old gold.
Nose: Very rich, with some cinnamon, nutmeg, maple and corn syrup. Very smooth.
Taste: Very nutty, smooth, on rich spices, pecan, cashew, treacle, cinnamon, orange, and milk chocolate. The finish is long, on corn, treacles, cashew, rich spices and orange peel.
Impression: A very smooth, sweet, richly spiced whiskey with a good dose of cashew and pecan.
Rating: 14/20 FP: B1

Four Roses Small Batch, OB, 45%, B: 2011. Price:
Colour: Gold.
Nose: Very smooth, floral, fresh, on vanilla, some treacle and nutty spices from the rye.
Taste: Very smooth, mellow, floral, on vanilla, corn (maize), cooked cereals, rye, some peach and light fragrant floral notes, as well as corn syrup. The finish is short, smooth to very smooth, on cereals, peach, corn syrup, vanilla, treacle and fresh floral notes.
Impression: Straight, it offers nice rich and smooth flavours, while diluted it becomes more sugary and on corn syrup. A pleasant Bourbon.
Rating: 13/20 FP: A1

Black Barrel (Givran), OB, 40%, B: circa 2000. Price:
Colour: Straw-gold.
Nose: Meaty, clean, alcoholic, with some apricot flavours, otherwise rather bland.
Taste: Oaky, on vanilla, sawdust, cereals, old rubber (tyre) and some apricots. The finish is short, on toffee, otherwise bland.
General Impression: A rather bland and inexpressive grain whisky. The Blacker Barrel was the original bottling from the Givran grain distillery.
Rating: 07/20

GlenDronach 1990 Batch 2, 20 YO, OB, 57.9%, B: 2010, cask 2621, 546 bottles. Price:
Price:
Colour: Amber.
Nose: Very spicy (nutmeg and vegetal condiment), round and rubbery.
Taste: Very spicy, rich, intense, fruity, on orange, tangerine and strawberries. The finish is medium, round, slightly rubbery and with an abundance of spices and some berries.
Impression: A good sherried whisky, rather rubbery. Diluted, the rubbery notes are getting more pronounced and on sulphur.
Rating: 13/20 FP:H2

Cragganmore 1989, 21 YO, OB, 56%, B: 2010, 5856 bottles. Price:
Colour: Gold.
Nose: Malty, very floral, with some vanilla and heather. The floral notes are light and diverse.
Taste: Spicyy, slightly hot, with some light flavours of cooked fruits (pears?), some malt and tobacco leaves. The finish is medium, floral, soft, light, rather smoky (tobacco) and slightly astringent.
Impression: A light soft and floral version of Cragganmore that was below my expectations. I prefer to this version the younger but more complex regular 12 YO.
Rating: 10/20 FP:A1

Glenfarclas 21 YO for E. Giaconne, Pinerolo import, OB, 51.5%. Price:
Colour: Amber.
Nose: Round, sweet, fruity, slightly smoky, on heather, honey, tangerine, leather, some tropical fruits and light tannins.
Taste: Sweet, oaky, spicy, smoky, on pineapple, tangerine, heather, honey, orange and juniper. The finish is medium to long, slightly syrupy, rich, fruity, slightly smoky and on berries.
General Impression: An excellent fruity and smooth Glenfarclas.
Rating: 17/20 FP:G3

Laphroaig 1990 Private Stock, Joint bottling with The Whisky Exchange, 21 YO, The Whisky Agency, 55.9%, B: 2011, 264 bottles. Price:
Colour: Pale gold.
Nose: Very maritime, on wet seaweeds, some fish, tar, smoke, and some disinfectant. Austere and medicinal.
Taste: Very dry, peaty, salty, maritime, light, on disinfectant, iodine and liquorice root. The finish is long, dry, peaty, rooty, and maritime, on seaweeds, iodine, TCP and liquorice roots. Slightly astringent.
Impression: A dry, medicinal, peaty and rather austere “old style” Laphroaig that I enjoyed very much.
Rating: 18/20 FP:A7

Ledaig 1973, 31 YO, Chieftains, 54.8%, B: 2004, cask 1710, 114 b. Prix:
Couleur: Ambre
Nez : Rond, épais, tourbé, légèrement fermier, sur l’algue et quelques condiments végétaux.
Bouche : Epais, légèrement floral, avec un peu de mélasse et de baies rouges, sur la tourbe sèche, l’orange, la mandarine et quelques notes fermières. Complexe et légèrement minéral. Dilué, il devient légèrement fruité. La finale est longue, très tourbée, richement sherry (sherry doux), légèrement floral et maritime,  avec un peu de mandarine et de cire d’abeille. La rétro-olfaction tourbée est très longue et complexe.
Impression générale : Un excellent Ledaig, avec de superbes notes tourbées complexes complémentant un élégant sherry.
Score : 18/20 FP:E6

Glenury Royal 1973, 36 YO, Blackadder, 46.2%, B: 2009, 148 bottles. Cask 6863. Price:
Colour: Old gold.
Nose: On exotic fruits, sweet, smooth.
Taste: Very smooth, slightly fruity, grassy, on pineapples, honey, and some smoke. The finish is medium, slightly spicy, round, sweet, syrupy, with a light fruitiness and fresh vanilla.
Impression: A very well made Glenury, rich, spicy, smoky and on humus, with nice round candied fruit flavours.
Rating: 17/20 FP:C3

Glenury Royal 1973 joint bottling with The Nectar, 37 YO, The Whisky Agency, 43.0%, B: 2011, 146 bottles. Price:
Colour:  Old gold.
Nose: Smooth, round, malty, slightly smoky, rather soft and some light fruitiness.
Taste: Very fruity, juicy, oaky, rich, sweet, and tobacco quid. The finish is long, fruity, smoky, and slightly syrupy.
Impression:  On the nose, it is slightly milder and smoother than the Blackadder 1973, but also slightly sweeter. Both are equally good and offer a slight variation in their flavour profile.
Rating: 17/20 FP:C3

Caol Ila 1979 joint bottling with The Nectar, 32 YO, The Whisky Agency, 52%, B: 2011, 242 bottles. Price:
Colour: Gold.
Nose: Very maritime, smoky, salty, slightly farmy, on sea spray, on burnt wood.
Taste: Dry, peaty, slightly zesty, maritime, with some fish and seaweeds. The finish is long, maritime, fishy, peaty, dry, with some graphite.
Impression: An old and rounded Caol Ila, with a nice finesse and pleasant rich maritime influence.
Rating: 16/20 FP:B6

Glenlossie 1975 Joint bottling with The Nectar, 35 YO, The whisky Agency, 51.6%, B: 2011, 195 bottles. Price:
Colour: Old gold.
Nose: Fresh, malty, mellow, on vanilla custard and berries.
Taste:  Juicy, oaky, fresh, smoky, syrupy, round, mellow, on tobacco leaves, and some fruits. The finish is long, syrupy, fruity, intense and on vanilla custard and fruit jam.
Impression: A lovely, well-made juicy and oaky Glenlossie, on vanilla and some wild berries.  If you never tried a Glenglossie, this one should positively surprises you.
Rating: 17/20 FP:C2

Longmorn 1973 Fino sherry, Joint bottling with Tokyo 3 river and The Nectar, 37 YO, The whisky Agency, 58.0%, 252 bottles. Price:
Colour: Old Gold
Nose: Round, oaky, intense, spicy, with some humus, smoke and some fruits (Mirabelle), and a light rancio. Slightly meaty. Rounder and deeper than the 1976 TWA.
Taste: Round, sweet, with some toffee, tangerine, oak, mushrooms, some root extract, old wet tobacco leaves and sticky toffee. The finish is long, coating, oaky, intense, spicy, with some mushrooms, tobacco and wallnuts.
Impression: A rather oaky, oily and rich complex  Longmorn, with a slight fino influence.
Rating: 16/20 FP: C3

Glengoyne 1972 The Perfect Dram, 38 YO, The Whisky Agency, 46.3%, B: 2011, 165 bottles. Price:
Colour: Gold.
Nose: Malty, long, fresh, floral, fragrant.
Taste: Very malty, slightly fruity (pear), rich, on hay. The finish is medium, sweet, fresh, malty, clean and on pears.
Impression: A good clean and malty Glengoye, with a fresh sweetness from pear juice. Tasted blind. Based on several comments I have heard, this whisky tasted better when freshly opened (a couple of weeks before I could taste it). A whisky that must be drunk quickly?
Rating: 14/20 FP: A1

Longmorn 1976 The Perfect Dram, 35 YO, The Whisky Agency, 53.6%, B: 2011. 187 bottles, Price:
Colour: Old Gold-amber.
Nose: Rich, round, slightly sweet, on humus, old smoke and tangerine. Big.
Taste: Rich, intense, spicy, oaky, sweet, on orange, humus, tangerine, and on old bold smoke. Diluted, it become fruitier and even richer. Rather oily. The finish is long, mouth coating, spicy, intense, rich, complex, on orange and tangerine.  Diluted, it becomes more on berries.
Impression: An excellent rich Longmorn, with sweet and fruity notes suggesting more a sherry maturation than an ex-bourbon.
Rating: 18/20 FP: D4

Hazelburn Sauternes 2002, 8 YO, OB, 55.9%, B: 2011, 9180 bottles. Price:
Colour: Old gold.
Nose: Fresh, thick, syrupy, sweet, on grapes, fresh rubber and salt.
Taste: Rubbery, chewy, syrupy, sweet, on grapes, with some smoke, toffee and treacle. Needs water. Diluted, it becomes slightly lighter and sweeter, without being overwhelming syrupy-chewy. The finish is medium, very thick, syrupy, rubbery, winey, on toffee and some smoke.
Impression: A very special thick, chewy and rubbery Hazelburn. A difficult and rather unusual whisky what requires water.
Rating: 08/20 FP: D2

Isle Of Jura 1966 Old Malt Cask, 33 YO, Douglas Laing, 50%, B: 1999, 343 bottles. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber.
Nose: Thick, syrupy, slightly peaty, on orange, tangerine, some exotic woods, beeswax and some humus.
Taste: Round, smooth, on tangerine, some pineapple, some spices (nutmeg and cinnamon powder). Rather thick and complex. The finish is long, slightly dry and bitter, with some woody notes, some redcurrant as well as nice sherry notes.
General Impression: A very nice, rich and complex Isle of Jura, with a slight astringency.
Rating: 16/20 FP:G2

Isle of Jura Prophecy, OB, 46%, B: 2009. Price:
Colour: Old gold.
Nose: Immediately smoky and peaty, with some hay, grilled bread, light floral notes, some seabrine, seaweeds and dry hemp rope.
Taste: Dry to very dry, tarry, salty to very salty, spicy to very spicy (mixture of pepper and cinnamon), on seaweeds, some iodine. Rather explosive. Diluted, it becomes slightly on toffee. The finish is long, dry, peaty, tarry, salty and on dried seaweeds.
General Impression: A very nicely peaty and very expressive Isle of Jura, with a certain youth giving some smoothness to the dry maritime peat smoke. A well made and much enjoyable whisky.
Rating: 15/20 FP:C7

Isle of Jura 1989, 18 YO, Scott's Selection, 59.6%, B: 2007. Price:
Colour: Gold.
Nose: Light, very floral, malty, slightly yeasty, with some seabreeze.
Taste: Very round, lots of slight spices, slightly spicy, oaky, spirity, with a lot of vanilla and caramel. The finish is short to medium, on toffee, cereals, with a hint of bitterness.
General Impression: A clean and fragrant Isle of Jura, with plenty of vanilla.
Rating: 11/20 FP:B1

Lagavulin 12 YO (white label, clear bottle), OB, 43%, B:1970s. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber.
Nose: Very peaty, maritime, slightly mineral,on cold ashes, iodine, seaweeds, on old smoke and some fish. Excellent, rich, and complex.
Taste: Very salty, strongly maritime, tarry, very mineral, with lots of cold ashes, some lemon, old cold smoke, and on tangerine. Well balanced. Diluted, it becomes slighty more citric and slightly sour. The finish is medium to long, very peaty and ashy, mineral, tarry, on bonfire smoke and old seaweeds.
Impression:   An excellent sharp, intense and very complex Lagavulin, containing probably a certain proportion of older whiskies. This one is much more to my liking than the most "recent" 12 YO white label with the green bottle.
Rating: 18/20 FP:F7

Ardbeg 1998 Feis Ile 2011 Pedro Ximenez, OB, 55.1%, B: 2011. 1200 bottles. Price:
Colour: Amber.
Nose: Peaty, rich, round to very round, maritime, on cocoa, chocolate and light fruity notes. Heavy.
Taste: Peaty, salty, thick, rubbery, winey, on cocoa, orange and tangerine. Thick, chewy and slightly bitter. Diluted, it noticeably improves: it becomes fruitier, lighter, smoother and on disinfectant. The finish is long, thick, rich, peaty, bitter, on cocoa, dark chocolate, seaweeds, salt, cherries, coffee and walnuts.
Impression: A difficult and heavily sherried Ardbeg, very thick and chewy, with rather strong bitter notes and on walnuts when tasted straight. A beast, sharing some similarities with the Bowmore Laimrig Feis Ile 2011, but more bitter and chewy. A whisky that really needs some water.
Rating: 14/20 FP:J6

Bruichladdich 2001 Renaissance Feis Ile 2011, 9 YO, OB, 46%, B: 2011, 2000 bottles. Price:
Colour: Gold.
Nose: Fresh, nicely peaty, salty, oaky, maritime and with some pear. Close to the 2001 Resurrection.
Taste: Fresh, oaky, juicy, malty, slightly smoky, rather spicy (ginger, oak extracts, some curry and pepper). The finish is medium, smooth, salty, with some seaweeds. Fresh and slightly bitter.
Impression: A very nice and fresh nose, with a pleasant structure, while remaining slightly young. I enjoyed this Bruichladdich distilled in 2001 with barley peated at 10 ppm phenols pretty much. I still prefer the younger Bruichladdich 2001 Resurrection to this one.
Rating: 11/20 FP:A4

Tomatin 1966 joint bottling with The Nectar, 45 YO, The Whisky Agency, 46.1%, B: 2011, 391 bottles. Price:
Colour: Old gold.
Nose: Rich, fruity, juicy, oaky, sweet, slightly grassy, on honey.
Taste: Rich, fruity, complex, slightly waxy, juicy to very juicy, fruity, slightly spicy and on mustard. Diluted, it becomes smooth and fruitier. The finish is long, smooth, waxy, fruity, on vanilla, some wood and leather. Diluted, more woody.
Impression: The nose of this Tomatin is very nice round, sweet and with some wood in the finish.
Rating: 16/20 FP:D3

Tomatin Single Cask 1990, 18 YO, OB, 58.6%, B: 2008, cask 16352, Price:
Colour: Light gold-gold.
Nose: Malty, bold, slightly grassy and smoky, with nice floral notes and on vanilla.
Taste: Spicy, slightly spirit, on pollen, summer flowers, malty, oily, with some green apples and a nice fruitiness. Diluted, it becomes creamier. The finish is medium to long, creamy, slightly grassy, on vanilla and some tobacco leaves.
Impression:   A good Tomatin with a nice light but intense spiciness.
Rating: 14/20  FP:A2

Laphroaig Platinum 1989, 22 YO, Douglas Laing, 58.5%, B: 2011. Refill sherry. 207 bottles. Price:
Colour: gold.
Nose: Peaty, maritime, smoky, on seaweeds, graphite, some light farmy notes of manure. Intense, dry and slightly tarry.
Taste: Oaky, slightly soapy, maritime, slightly round, with some fish, tar, peat, seaweeds, charcoal, and sea shells. The finish is long, dry, peaty, maritime, with lots of seaweeds and rather tarry notes.
Impression:   A rather dry, round and peaty Laphroaig, with pronounced maritime and seaweeds flavours. The influence of the sherry is not very noticeable.
Rating: 16/20 FP: C7

Glen Garioch 1968, 29 YO, OB, 55.9%, cask 624. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Big, meaty, peaty, intense, very sherry, farmy and tarry. Woaw, a stunning nose!
Taste: Spicy, on tannins, cherries, cloves, cinnamon, with floral and grassy notes, as well as some game. The finish is long, big, peaty, meaty, astringent, with quite some tannins. Diluted, it becomes rounder and the tannic notes less present and the fruity notes of candied orange more present.
Impression:   A big peaty and farmy Glen Garioch, with quite some tannin on the finish. A big whisky that I enjoyed very much.
Rating: 17/20 FP: H5

Glen Garioch 1975 “Red Letters” by Duthie, Samaroli, 50%. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Smooth, slightly floral, round, on pollen and some delicate peat smoke.
Taste: Peaty, slightly creamy and floral, with a very nice peatiness, slight mineral and grassy notes. A whisky gaining in complexity over time. The finish is long, very peaty, slightly tarry, rather smooth and round, with a light and pleasant austerity.
Impression:  A very pleasant, round and smooth Glen Garioch, pleasantly peaty and hugely drinkable.
Rating: 18/20 FP: C6

Clynelish 12 YO Brown and yellow label bottled for Mediterranea srl, Gordon & Macphail, 57%, B: 1980s. Price:
Colour: Gold-old gold.
Nose: Smooth, mellow, malty, slightly smoky, with nice mineral and light fruity notes.
Taste: Very round, smooth, slightly waxy and peaty, on bold smoke and nice light sweet fruity notes and melon. The finish is medium, smooth, mellow, slightly smoky, round, quite waxy and some fruity notes.
Impression: A very nice, round, mellow and dangerously drinkable old Clynelish.
Rating: 16/20 FP: C3

Tomintoul 1967, 43 YO, Liquid Sun, 49.8%, B: 2011, 209 bottles. Price:
Colour: Gold-old gold.
Nose: Fresh, floral, grassy, with some dried meat and a faint smokiness. Rather light and fresh.
Taste: Fresh, oaky, floral, on hay, pollen, some honey and a light subtle smokiness. It becomes grassier with time. The finish is medium, light, fresh, refreshing and rather sweet, on Mirabelle and quince.
Impression: A nice refreshing and rather light Tomintoul. A very good summer dram.
Rating: 14/20 FP: C2

Clynelish 1997, 13 YO, The Whisky Fair, 48.9%, B:2011, 170 bottles. Price:
Colour: Pale gold.
Nose: Very clean, smooth, young, malty, with some gooseberries.
Taste: Smooth, young, malty, with some pollen, quince and mustard seeds. The finish is short to medium, malty and slightly waxy.
Impression: Tasted just after the Glenheaven, it might have suffered from the comparison. This one is nicely round and slightly waxy, but does not offer the same intensity or complexity as the former. On the other, it is still available and fairy priced.
Rating: 11/20 FP: A1

Highland Park 1992, 18 YO, Silver Seal, 53.1%, B: 2010. Price:
Colour: Amber.
Nose: Rich, thick, on treacle and spices, chocolate, honey, some bold smoke and orange.
Taste: Salty, spicy, rich, on leather, orange, sea salt, pepper and smoke. The finish is medium to long, on Christmas cake, orange, peat smoke, tangerine, heather and honey.
Impression: A very good Highland Park, from an excellent sherry cask. A Highland Park like it like them. Dangerously drinkable.
Rating: 16/20 FP: G4

Clynelish 12 YO, Glenhaven, 61%, B: 1996. Price: N.A.
Colour: Gold.
Nose: Sharp, spicy, mustardy, intense, waxy, floral, with some hay and sea salt.
Taste: Very intense, rich, spicy, on Dijon mustard, chilli, wasabi, floral notes, wax, hay and some oak. Diluted, it becomes more waxy and on cardamom. The finish is long to medium, spicy, hot, intense, waxy, mustardy, with some smoke.
Impression: An extremely intense and spicy Clynelish with a remarkable complexity. An excellent Clynelish from the excellent 1984 vintage. Thank you Tom.
Rating: 17/20 FP: A3

Caol Ila Moch, OB, 43%, B: 2011. Price:
Colour: Gold.
Nose: Smooth, rather sweet and young, maritime and with nice dry and tarry peaty notes.
Taste: Light, clean, juicy, maritime, smooth, salty, peaty, tarry, rooty with a pleasant roundness and lemon cake. The finish is medium, sweet, peaty, maritime, young and very tarry.
Impression: A young and medium peated Caol Ila, rather simple, but with a nice balance, sweetness and rather rich peaty notes that works well. A dangerously drinkable Caol Ila and an excellent introduction to the peatier and drier Caol Ila core range. Reminds me somewhat of the Ardbeg 17 YO, with probably a mixture of Islay and Highland (non-peated) style of Caol Ila casks. This Caol Ila is very good value.
Rating: 14/20 FP: C6

Caperdonich 1972, 30 YO, Hart Brothers, 50.1%, B: 2002. Price:
Colour: Old gold.
Nose: Spicy, rich, malty, nutty, with some round creamy notes, as well as some light banana and pear aromas.
Taste: Rich, smooth, creamy, spicy, with a nice juiciness, on heather, honey, and some sweet fruit. The finish is long, grassy, creamy, with some pears and a nice juicy oakiness.
Impression: A very nice, sweet, fresh and creamy Caperdonich.
Rating: 17/20 FP: B2

Glenlivet 1978 Joint bottling with Tokyo Three Rivers, 32 YO, The Whisky Fair, 52.9%, B: 2010, 250 bottles. Pric:
Colour: Old gold-amber.
Nose: Rich, spicy, on Christmas cake, some peat smoke, orange and very elegant.  A very nice round sherried nose.
Taste: Light than the nose would suggest, with rich spicy notes, light citric fruits, on cloves, nutmeg and sweet fruits (mango, melon and tangerine).  The finish is medium, fruity, slighty woody and tannic, rather light.
Impression: A very elegant nose, but slightly too thin on the palate to my taste.
Rating: 14/20 FP:G3

Bunnhahabhain 1973, 36 YO, Liquid Sun, 50%, B: 2010. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber.
Nose Very round, smooth, with an explosion of cream toffee, on coffee, tangerine, some sea brine and a light smokiness. Diluted, it becomes less on toffee but much more fruity.
Taste: Round, rather spicy and salty, slightly smoky and citric, rich, complex, on tangerine, orange, toffee and some pineapple. The finish is long, rich, spicy, smoky, salty, with some iodine, seawater, orange and tangerine.
Impression: A deliciously smooth and fruity Bunna, maybe not the most typical one, but a very fine one. Exquisite.
Rating: 17/20 FP:F3

Caol Ila 1981, 30 YO, The Whisky Fair, 51.6%, B: 2011, 130 bottles. Price:
Colour: Gold.
Nose: Very intense, peaty, with some seaweeds, salt, some patisserie and iodine. There are also some nice juicy and sweet oaky notes.
Taste: Round, oaky, with some peat, a slight saltiness, on seaweeds, vanilla, diesel smoke and some left over of hemp rope and some mint leaves. Mellow. The finish is long, round, smooth, complex, on peat smoke, seaweeds and some tar.
Impression: With time, the peat levels goes down and this one is no exception, but over its long maturation, it gained in complexity and in balance. Very enjoyable.
Rating: 17/20 FP:A6

Inchgower 1975, 35 YO, The Whisky Fair, 41.9%, B: 2011, 224 bottles. Price:
Colour: Gold.
Nose: Very coastal, slightly smoky, waxy, round, with a light fresh grassy notes. Very much “Inchgower”.
Taste: Juicy, spicy, slightly smoky, on peat smoke with rather strong maritime flavours, some seaweeds and fruits, and dry tobacco leaves. Complex and very fresh, with some starchy-malty notes. Diluted, it becomes slightly bitter, with rather strong flavours of hops.
Impression: A very nice fresh and complex Inchgower.
Rating: 16/20 FP:C3

Ardbeg 1991 Platinum, 20 YO, Douglas Laing, 48.3%, B: 2011. 81 bottles. Price:
Colour:  Gold.
Nose: Very dry, smoky, rooty, on old peat and dried seaweeds, iodine, some bandage and manure. Excellent nose.
Taste: Salty, slighty soapy, peaty, maritime, with some disinfectant, on tar and seaweeds. Complex. The finish is long to very long, peaty, rooty, dry, slightly soapy, maritime, on seaweeds, some crab meat and a twist of citrus.
Impression: With the exception of some soapiness (and coriander), this is an excellent old, intense and complex Ardbeg.
Rating: 16/20 FP:A7

Bowmore 1989 Joint bottling with Tokyo 3-rivers, 20 YO, The Whisky Fair, 51%, B: 2010. 175 bottles. Price:
Colour: Gold.
Nose: Meaty, peaty, very maritime, with lots of seaweeds and sea spray.
Taste: Salty, very maritime, on seaweeds, citrus, peat smoke and some vanilla. The finish is medium, round, oaky, on seaweeds, smoke, some tar and vanilla.
Impression: A well-made and very maritime Bowmore.
Rating: 14/20 FP:B6

Brora 30 YO Annual Release, OB, 54.3%, B: 2010, 2958 bottles. Price:
Colour: Gold.
Nose: Clean, peaty, rather maritime, sweet and slightly farmy. with some light juniper berries, and with a delicious complex smoke. Reminding me somewhat of the Brora 25 YO.
Taste:  Sweet, juicy, rather light, with a delicate and complex peat smoke, slightly mustardy, with some flavours of distant seashells and seaweeds. The finish is long, rather sweet and smooth, slightly mustardy and smoky.
Impression: The latest Brora 30 YO is an interesting Brora, rather different from the previous Annual Releases. It is less peaty, sweeter and cleaner, with a lightness reminding me of the early 1970s Brora from the Rare Malts range. I appreciated this Brora on its own and do not be worry, this is a pure Brora! Most enjoyable.
Rating: 17/20 FP:B4

Brora 1981, 19 YO, The Bottlers, 61%, B: 2000, Cask 1076. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber.
Nose: Peaty, farmy, with some meaty-mustardy notes, distant whiff of seaweeds and lovely notes of sweet sherry and tarr.
Taste: Very mustardy, peppery, farmy, waxy, on game (pheasant), dry peat and big tarry smoke flavours, some charcoal and very good dry sherry. A big beast!  The finish is very long, smoky, peppery, spicy, peaty, with quite some game and dry sherry.
Impression: An impressive and powerful Brora, with some Dijon mustard and old smoke flavours reminding me of these old chimneys where the farmers were smoking their bacon and sausages. I loved this one.
Rating: 19/20 FP:G6

Brora 1982 Old Malt Cask, 23 YO, Douglas Laing, 50%, B: 2006, 348 bottles. Price:
Colour: Gold.
Nose: Mustardy, slightly farmy, with a certain dry peaty smokiness. Rather austere and dry.
Taste: Mustardy to very mustardy, with light sweet aromas and a slight soapiness, rather salty and coastal, with light farmy notes and a touch of bitter rubber. The finish is long, waxy, very mustardy (“moutarde à l’ancienne”), with some juniper berries and old smoke.
Impression: A very farmy and mustardy Brora, with some juniper berries and old smoke.Thank you Daniel.
Rating: 15/20 FP:C4

St-Magdalene 1979 Rare Malts, 19 YO, OB, 63.80%.
Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber.
Nose: Smooth, earthy, smoky, humic, on tobacco smoke.
Taste: Smooth, mellow, earthy, slightly grassy, floral, on camomile, peach, oak, tobacco smoke and some grapes. Complex and rather heavy. The finish is medium, smooth, mellow, floral, round, on peat smoke, earthy, with a nice oakiness and spearmint.
General Impression: An excellent St-Magdalene, powerful, intense and earthy. A quite difficult whisky.
Rating: 18/20 FP:C3

Linlithgow 1973, 30 YO, OB, 58.9%, B: 2004, 1500 bottles. Price:
Colour: Old gold.
Nose: Fruit, oaky, juicy, slightly smoky, earthy, grassy, and well balanced. Diluted, some lemon can be perceived.
Taste: Slightly spirity, thick, big, malty, grassy, oaky, slightly smoky, complex, on peach, melon, marzipan and some floral notes. The finish is medium to long, earthy, smoky, grassy, thick, syrupy, oaky and slightly floral.
General Impression: A big, thick, juicy and very enjoyable whisky. Thank you Alain P.
Rating: 19/20 FP:C3

St-Magdalene 1982, 25 YO, Blackadder, 61.8%, B: 2008. 603 bottles. Price: :
Colour: Straw-gold.
Nose: Smooth, malty, with some very mild spices, vanilla, a hint of smoke and some peach.
Taste: Very smooth, malty, with a nice oakiness and floral notes, some spices and some grass. The finish is medium, very smooth, slightly grassy, bitter and smoky.
General Impression: A very smooth whisky, with some spices. Very pleasant.
Rating: 14/20 FP:A2

Glenkinchie 1990, 20 YO, OB, 55.4%, B: 2010. Price:
Colour: Straw.
Nose: Oaky, round, very smooth, soft, with some camomile.
Taste: Spicy (ginger and white pepper), oaky, with soft floral notes, lots of vanilla and mirabelle. Diluted, it becomes slightly lemony. The finish is medium, oaky, round, floral, and light. Diluted, it becomes slightly bitter.
Impression: A well-made whisky, but rather one-dimensional.
Rating: 13/20 FP:B1

Glenkinchie 18 YO, Cadenhead's, 56%, Price:
Colour: Old gold.
Nose; Very smooth, floral, round, grassy, on vanilla and lemon grass.
Taste: Light, floral, with a hint of smoke and grass. Diluted, it becomes more bitter. The finish is medium, light, floral, fruity, with some roundness and apples.
Impression: A rather light but refreshing Glenkinchie for the summer. 35 cl bottle.
Rating: 13/20

Ballantine’s 21 YO, OB, 43%, B: 2011. Price:
Colour: Gold-old gold.
Nose: Round, smooth, mellow, on mild spices, Christmas spices, some dried fruits, raisins, toffee and a touch of rubber.
Taste: Sweet, fresh, round, floral, smooth, on honey, heather, some Christmas spices, leather, beeswax and a slight peatiness. The finish is medium, light, slightly dry and rubbery, smooth, mellow, with some peat and caramel. Diluted, it becomes smokier and on liquorice root.
Impression: A rather different expression than the Ballantine’s 17YO: smoother, more sherried and less exuberant.
Rating: 12/20 FP:F2

Glenlossie 1984, 24 YO, Signatory, 59.1%, B: 2009, cask 2536, 549 bottles. Price:
Colour: Old gold.
Nose: Smooth to very smooth, grassy, fresh, on marzipan and some juicy tangerines.
Taste: Very grassy and smooth, round, creamy, slightly smoky, with some caramel, raisins, banana, some sweet fruits as well as some rubber. The finish is medium to long, smooth, grassy, creamy and with some tangerine.
General Impression: A very nice, smooth, grassy and enjoyable Glenlossie.
Rating: 16/20 FP:F2