Fragment of Scotland Eastern Highland (Glen Garioch) 1975, Samaroli, 50%. Price:
Colour: Straw
Nose: Peaty, farmy, floral, mineral and slightly bitter.
Taste: Bitter, peaty, smoky, very spicy, intense, slightly salty and on coffee. The finish is long, peaty, smoky, mineral, on cold ashes and slightly bitter.
Impression: Another excellent Glen Garioch, very peaty and quite similar to the 1975 Samaroli bottled at 50%.
Rating: 18/20 FP:A9

Glen Garioch 1968 Platinum Rum Finish, Douglas Laing, 55.9%, B: 2004, 84 bottles. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Sweet, floral, peaty, on grape, treacle and molasses. The sugary influence of the Rum is quite pronounced.
Taste: Spicy, sugary, on peat smoke, cocoa, cappuccino, floral notes and treacle. The finish is long, sugary, floral, peaty, smoky and on cappuccino.
Impression: The influence of the Rum is quite pronounced, resulting is a quite unique association of flavours.
Rating: 16/20 FP:E7

Glen Garioch, 10 YO, OB, 40%, B:2006 Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Dry grass, toffee, dry flowers, a touch of honey and gristy, then citric.
Taste: Dry, bitter toffee, malty, smoky, gentian and some peat. The finish is quite short, dry, bitter, malty, on toffee and gentian.
Impression: Although not peaty, this Glen Garioch is quite smoky and bitter. A decent daily dram
Rating: 11/20

Strathmill 1989 sherry, 22 YO, The First Editions, 59.5%, B: 2012. 609 bottles. Price:
Colour: Gold.
Nose: Smooth, light, floral, on fresh flowers, some hay, honey and light fruity notes.
Taste: Smooth, floral, light, intense, and slightly peaty, with some tangerine and vanilla. The finish is medium, smooth, floral, slightly fragrant, light and rather fruity (vanilla and tangerine). Diluted, it becomes smoother.
Impression: A few aged Strathmill have been recently bottled by different independent bottler. This version of Strathmill is particularly smooth, and unusually for the First Edition, it comes from a refill sherry cask. The sherry influence is modest but contributes to some subtle notes of tangerine. The general flavours could have suggested a partial maturation (or finish) in an ex-bourbon cask.
Rating: 16/20 FP:D1

Glen Spey 1991, 20 YO, The First Editions, 50.8%, B: 2012, 300 bottles. Price:
Colour: Gold.
Nose: Fresh, intense, light, floral, on fresh flowers, with some notes of vanilla, apple and pear schnapps. Most pleasant.
Taste: Very smooth, floral, slightly malty and nutty, with some honey, on vanilla and some slight bitter smoky notes. The finish is medium, smooth, slightly bitter and smoky, some spices and on vanilla. Diluted, it looses most of its bitterness, becomes slightly more floral and with some extra notes of peach.
Impression: A light and floral Glen Spey, with a pleasant smoothness. A fine example of this distillery.
Rating: 15/20 FP: B1

Littlemill 8 YO, OB, 40%. B: 1990s. Price:
Colour: Gold- old gold
Nose: Grassy, bold, on cardboard, slightly bitter and floral, with some bold peat smoke.
Taste: Grassy, waxy, on wet cardboard, some bitter caramel and a touch of peat smoke. The finish is rather short, grassy to very grassy, on cardboard, some caramel and cocoa.
Impression: A correct and grassy whisky from a lost Lowland distillery.
Rating: 10/20 FP:C2

Littlemill 1991, 21 YO, The First Editions, 47.7%, B: 2012, cask ES 017/01. 261 bottles. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Round, grassy, with a whiff of smoke, some lime blossom infusion,  a few drops of lemon and honey.
Taste: Light, floral, smooth, grassy, with some honey, a touch of bitter smoke, some starch, lime blossom infusion with some lemon. Subtle. The finish is medium, smooth, floral, on herbal infusion, grass and a whiff of smoke. Diluted, it becomes slightly bitter, with some tobacco leaves and some pollen.
Impression: A good Littlemill, rather light, but smooth with some bitter notes (although not as strong and unpleasant as the First Cask).
Rating: 14/20 FP: A2

Speyside 1994, 17 YO, The First Editions, 61.2%, B: 2012, cask ES 019/01. Price:
Colour: Old gold.
Nose: Floral, intense, spirity, thick, on toffee, chocolate, some leather, spices. Diluted, it becomes lighter.
Taste:  Spirity, smooth, floral, with some violet, lavender, toffee, chocolate, spices (cinnamon) and some leather. Light bodied. The finish is medium, floral, rather light, on Christmas cake and cinnamon.
Impression: At full strength, the whisky is rather spirity and requires some water to enjoy it. The whisky is rather light bodied, floral and with some fragrance, while the sherry notes contributes to a pleasant smoothness. The first product from this distillery, the Cu Dhub, is the worst single malt I have ever tasted and I was pleased to taste this pleasant and easy drinking product from The Speyside distillery.
Rating: 13/20 FP: E1

Miyagikyo 1990, 19 YO, OB, 61%, B:2009, refill butt 36385,  346 bottles. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber.
Nose: Very fresh and floral, clean, slightly peaty, on sandalwood, jasmine, plums, raisins and some tangerine.
Taste: Very clean, smooth, very floral, fragrant, on light flowers, peach, pear, some light peat smoke, sandalwood and some Swiss milk chocolate. The finish is medium, very clean, slightly fruity and syrupy, with a touch of peat smoke, Turkish delights and peach.
Impression: A light, fresh, floral Miagikyo that I appreciated very much.
Rating: 16/20 FP: F3

Glenrothes 1979, OB, 55.2%, B: 2005, 502 bottles. Price:
Colour: Old Gold
Nose: Very nice and soft floral nose (camomile), heather, honey, sweet juicy malt, with some fruity flavours, on tangerine and apple pie. Rich.
Taste: Spicy, woody, floral (camomile and geranium), on apple pie, tangerine, coriander and some Christmas cake. The finish is medium, spicy, slightly syrupy, mouth coating and malty.
Impression: A very good Glenrothes, quite smooth and very drinkable.
Rating: 15/20 FP:F2

Glenrothes 1978, OB, 43%, B: 2009. Price:
Colour: Old gold.
Nose: Mellow, malty, well balanced, on Christmas cake, tangerine, orange, honey heather and cooked fruits.
Taste: Malty, slightly soapy and tannic, on spices, honey, toffee, cooked apples (“tarte tatin”), tangerine and some coriander. The finish is medium to long, smooth, malty, on honey, tangerine, with some ginger bread and cooked apple pie.
Impression: Glenrothes is producing very good whiskies and this one is a pleasant example, although that some additional %ABV would probably have given more depth to it.
Rating: 14/20  FP:E2

BenRiach 1976 Peated batch 9, 35 YO, OB, 54.9%, cask 8804, 232 bottles. Price:
Colour: Gold.
Nose: Dry, mineral, slightly austere, peaty, with some tar and heather. Diluted, it becomes more fruity.
Taste: Dry, peaty to very peaty, slightly tarry, and fruity to very fruity, on mango, papaya, guava and some pineapple. The finish is medium, slightly woody and tarry, peaty, with some citrus and tropical fruits.
Impression: A rather difficult whisky with the dry and peaty notes contrasting with the sweet and tropical underlying notes.
Rating: 15/20 FP:C6

Glenrothes 1990 Gerhard der Grosse, 18 YO, Krüger Whiskygalerie, 43%, B: 2009. Price:
Colour: light gold.
Nose: Very round, slightly floral, on fudge and toffee. Very appetizing.
Taste: Smooth, on walnut, toffee, fudge, with some floral notes. Well balanced. The finish is medium to long, on fudge and toffee.
General Impression: A very good, smooth, all-round Glenrothes, with a strong toffee-fudge influence. Was fairly priced.
Rating: 14/20 FP:D2

Ardmore  Wine Treated Barrel 1990, 20 YO, Signatory, 61.6%, B: 2010, cask 30118, 355 bottles. Price:
Colour: Gold.
Nose: Smooth, round, smoky, slightly peaty, oaky and on bold aromatic peat.
Taste: Spicy, smoky, round, floral, on tobacco leaves, some humus and a faint peatiness. The finish is medium, round, oaky, smoky, on bold peat smoke, slightly farmy, as well as with some floral notes. Diluted, it becomes peatier.
Impression:   I tasted this whisky twice at different whisky fairs and I was slightly disappointed by this Ardmore the first time. When tasting it quietly at home with a fresh palate, then I could really appreciate the subtlety of this charming whisky, with a lovely elegant and subtle peat smoke that you might expect from a medium peated Ardmore.
Rating: 14/20 FP:C4

Ardmore 1992, 20 YO, Archives, 48.6%, B:2012, cask 4764, 80 bottles. Price:
Colour: Gold.
Nose:  Round, peaty, slightly juicy and oaky, with some light note of fruits from orchards, as well as some old and cold ashes.
Taste: Round, oaky, mineral, with some wood spices, cold ashes, citrus, and some light fragrant and slightly bitter floral notes. Rather austere with discreet peaty notes. The citric (mainly lime) notes are rather expressive. Diluted, it becomes more mineral and ashy. The finish is medium, oaky, slightly spicy and mineral, citric (lime, bitter lemon and grapefruits), with some round peat smoke.
Impression: A good Ardmore, slightly rounder than most 1992’s Ardmore that improves (more mineral and on ashes) once water is added.
Rating: 15/20 FP:A4

North British 1962, 50 YO, Archives, 45.2%, B: 2012, cask 29, 168 bottles. Price:
Colour: Gold.
Nose: Grainy, oaky, sweet, on vanilla, rum and some coconut.
Taste: Spicy, oaky, on sandalwood, rosewater, banana, vanilla, coconut, some pineapples. Rather fresh and with some sawdust. The finish is rather short, on juicy oak, slightly thin, herbal, on rosewater, pineapple and coconut, with some banana and cinnamon.
Impression: A rather good Grain whisky, surprisingly light and slightly thin. The grainy notes are rather discreet on the palate. Of note, the absence of woody notes in a whisky that has matured for 50 years in an oak cask is remarkable. Fairly priced.
Rating: 12/20 FP:A1

Glen Scotia 1992, 20 YO, Archives (whiskybase), 50.4%, B: 2012, cask 08/71, 80 bottles. Price:
Colour: Pale gold.
Nose: Smoky, peaty, on sea brine, vanilla and diverse “harbour” flavours. A real Campbletown whisky.
Taste: Smoky, peaty, oily, on elegant subtle aromatic and maritime peat smoke, some fish, sea brine, vanilla and a touch of coconut. The finish is medium, oaky, maritime, peaty, smoky, on sea brine, coconut and vanilla, with some notes of fish. Some nuts in the aftertaste.
Impression: A very pleasant, rather old fashioned whisky with flavours reminding the harbour of Campbeltown. The peaty notes are subtle, elegant and most pleasant. Definitely worth a try.
Rating: 17/20 FP:A5

Glen Scotia 1999 for the Whiskyfair, 6 YO, OB, 52.7% B: 2006, casks 541/2, Price:
Colour: Pale yellow
Nose: Young, clean, very peaty, quite floral and on grilled bread. Quite playful.
Taste: Very peaty, tarry, mineral, slightly dry and floral (gentian), on diesel and hemp rope. The finish is of medium length, clean, quite floral (gentian), heavily peaty, tarry and on grilled bread. Quite smooth.
Impression: A nice clean and heavily peaty Glen Scotia, not as dry as the young heavily peated Islay counterparts.
Rating: 15/20

Caol Ila 1974 for La Maison du whisky, 30 YO, Signatory, 46%, B: 2005. Cask 12623, 419 bottles. Price:
Colour: Gold.
Nose: Dry, clean, farmy, peaty, on hemp rope and stables.
Taste: Citric to very citric, peaty, smoky, on tobacco leaves, seaweeds and sea water, as well as on hemp rope and a hint of fudge. The finish is very long, salty, maritime, dry, citric, tarry, on seaweeds and liquorice.
Impression: A very intense dry and peaty Caol Ila. Thank you Patrick S.
Rating: 16/20 FP:A7

Ginko, OB, 46%, B: 2008. Price:
Colour: Gold-old gold.
Nose: Very clean, smooth, nicely peaty and smoky, floral.
Taste: Smooth, spicy, smoky, clean, floral, with some soybean, with the finish being short to medium, on the same flavours.
General Impression: The first ever vatted malt produced including Japanese single malts from different companies such a Nikka and Suntory. A well made vatted whisky.
Rating: 13/20 FP:D5

Ben Nevis 1967 for Alambique, 40 YO, OB, 43.4%, B; 2007, 157 b. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Malty, very mellow, on Christmas cake, old polished wood, lots of ripe oranges, cinnamon and on honey wax. Very nice.
Taste: Tannic, spicy (cinnamon and ginger cake), bitter, on Christmas cake, orange, eucalyptus and with a strong sherry influence. The finish is short to medium, slightly dry and rubbery, on spearmint, eucalyptus and cinnamon.
Impression: A very charming Ben Nevis, very sherried, but not as much tannic as the colour and the age might suggest, with a lot of Christmas savours.
Rating: 15/20

GlenDronach 1978 batch 6, 33 YO, OB, 52.9%, B:2012, Oloroso Puncheon 1068, 318 bottles. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Tannic, woody, on dried fruits, figs, some bitter notes, on dark chocolate, orange, tangerine, some heather. With time, the strong woody notes leave place to some more complex and balanced smooth and fruity notes.
Taste: Bitter, tannic, slightly astringent, floral, rich, complex to very complex, on lavender, black and sour berries, some tangerine, orange, coffee beans and some cocoa. The finish is medium to long, slightly tannic, astringent and bitter, with some walnut, over infused tea, orange, tangerine, leather, coffee and cocoa. Diluted, it becomes unpleasantly bitter and astringent.
Impression: Some notes of old oak are present, but still pretty well controlled, with flavours more complex, although slightly less intense than the 1990 and 1993 vintages.  A very good old GlenDronach.
Rating: 16/20 FP:I2

Glendronach 1990, 22 YO, OB, 55.1%, B: 2012, PX puncheon  2966. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Smooth, floral, on tangerine, with vegetal condiments (Maggi), some rubber and dried meat. With a rather strong vegetal sherry influence.
Taste: Smooth, syrupy, very thick, rich, complex, floral, slightly bitter, and less tannic than the 1993, some walnuts, other dried fruits (including fig) and some coffee.  Diluted, it becomes creamier, on toffee, with some lavender and some sour berries. The finish is medium, tannic, floral, on walnut, black tea, coffee, dried fruits and some bitter orange.
Impression: A good and rich GlenDronach, rather thick with pleasant notes of figs. The harmony between the flavours might be better.
Rating: 14/20 FP:I2

Glendronach 1993, 19 YO, OB, 59.4%, B: 2012,  Oloroso butt 536. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Smooth, nutty to very nutty, floral, intense, thick, tannic, on old leather, dry fruits, treacle, toffee, coffee,  and some dried meat
Taste: Rich, dry, floral to very floral, rather thick and syrupy, on berries, heather, some leather, orange, tangerine, treacle, milk chocolate and tannins. Diluted, it becomes creamier. The finish is medium to long, tannic, rich, thick, syrupy, with some tangerine, tea with infused walnut shells, and on dried fruits. Diluted, it becomes very bitter, nutty and woody.
Impression: The nose was very good, but then it becomes rather heavy on the tannins and wood on the palate.
Rating: 15/20 FP:I2

Bowmore 1997, 14 YO, The First Editions, 54.8%, B: 2012 Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Intense, rich and oaky. At the start, there are strong notes of vanilla and toffee giving place rather rapidly to more maritime notes, some tobacco leaves, tar and peat. Slightly more complex than the latest Bowmore Tempest.
Taste: Smooth, salty, maritime, slightly sweet, oaky, on bonfire smoke, with some seaweeds and wet wood. The finish is medium, oaky, peaty, maritime, with some toffee, gentian and peat.
Impression: An oakier and smoother version than the Whiskybroker version. We are not too far from the Bowmore Tempest, with some additional smoothness. These Bomwore from the 1990s are definitely more to my liking than the ones from the 1980s.
Rating:15/20 FP:B5

Linkwood 1987, 24 YO, The First Editions, 51.2%, B: 2012. Price:
Colour: Straw
Nose: Floral, intense, rich, round, smooth and with some fruits.
Taste: Smoky, floral, smooth, rich, smoky, on honey and with light notes of apples. Complex. Diluted, it becomes bolder and relatively spicy (ginger).The finish is medium, rich, smooth, slightly mellow, with some liquid honey and biscuits.
Impression: A very pleasant, rich, intense and well balanced Linkwood, easy drinking but complex.
Rating: 15/20 FP:C2

Tobermory 1995, 16 YO, The First Editions, 54.1%, B: 2012. Price:
Colour: Straw
Nose: Meaty, intense, on smoked and cured ham, vegetal condiments (Maggi), peat smoke with some light notes of seaweeds.
Taste: Maritime, coastal, rich, sweet, smooth, with some seaweeds, peat-infused water, cured ham and ripe tangerine. Smoother and sweeter than the nose would suggest it. Diluted, it becomes spicier, more vegetal, slightly waxy, more intense, on mustard, pepper and some gentian. The finish is medium, soft, smooth, on sweet fruity notes, some pineapple and tangerine, with some maritime influence.
Impression: A smooth and pleasant Tobermory with a strong spiciness once diluted. A good whisky, with a quality superior to that tmight have been  previously bottled from that distillery.
Rating: 14/20 FP:D3

Mortlach 1989, 22 YO, The First Editions, 52.1%, B:2012 Price:
Colour:  Gold
Nose: Spicy, intense to very intense, dry, floral, slightly meaty, on vanilla, some honey, dark cherries and dried fruits. Diluted, it becomes smoother.
Taste: Spicy to very spicy (ginger), okay, dry, slightly winey, floral, slightly fragrant, on vanilla, honey, some nuts, wood extracts and a hint of hay. Diluted, it becomes slightly smoother and notes of white wine stronger. The finish is medium, dry, oaky, and floral, on vanillin, some chestnut and a thin thread of smoke
Impression: A rather dry expression of Mortlach. It is not a woody/tannic whisky, but it has rather some dry, slightly astringent, influence coming from the wood. Not as smooth as you might expect from The First Editions.
Rating: 12/20 FP:A2

Clynelish 1989, 22 YO, The First Editions, 52.5%, B: 2012. Price:
Colour: Pale gold
Nose: Immediately “Clynelish” at the first sniff. Intense, clean, mustardy, malty, oaky, with some vanilla, grapefruit and a faint smokiness. Slightly juicy. With time, the gentian notes become stronger. Diluted, it becomes slighty citrusy and lemony.
Taste: Smooth to very smooth, mustardy, clean, waxy, on citrus, ginger, vanilla, some smooth notes of gentian and grapefruit coated with some grassy and mineral notes. Diluted, it becomes as smooth as a liqueur, with a lemon twist.The finish is medium to long, smooth, very waxy, slightly grassy and smoky, with some vanilla and candied ginger. With some ashy notes at the very end.
Impression: A very smooth, candied and waxy Clynelish, rather complex and easy drinking. A most pleasant Clynelish.
Rating: 16/20 FP:B2

Clynelish 1991 Valentino Zagatti’s Personal Choice, 16 YO, High Spirits, 46%, B: 2008. Price:
Colour: Amber.
Nose: Thick, on balsamic vinegar,  spices, leather, orange and tangerine, with some heather.
Taste: Sweet, spicy, heavily sherried, bitter, on fresh rubber, strawberries, tangerine, leather, tannins, cloves, cinnamon, toffee and orange. The finish is medium to long, heavy, tannic, spicy, slightly salty, on tangerine, bitter oranges, cinnamon, cloves and coffee beans.
Impression: A good whisky dominated by the intense sherry notes, with a flavour profile closer to a GlenDronach than a Clynelish. Tasted blind, it would have never recognised the distillery. For the sherry freaks.
Rating: 15/20 FP:J1

Clynelish 1982 30th Anniversary, 28 YO, Silver Seal, 46.4%, B:2011, Price:
Colour: Gold.
Nose: Waxy, fresh, on juicy oaky, with some sweet and fresh fruity notes, and a touch of heather.
Taste: Light, fresh, juicy, slightly waxy, with some mustard, ginger, sea brine, apples and a touch of heather. Slightly thin. The finish is light, fresh, juicy, oaky, slightly mustardy, with some tobacco smoke and light heathery notes. Diluted, it becomes spicier and more mustard.
Impression: A nice light and fresh Clynelish, with little wood influence allowing the character of the distillery to speak. A whisky slightly tired by its long sleep in the cask.
Rating: 13/20 FP: A2

Linkwood 1987, 24 YO, Malts of Scotland 51.4%. B: 2011 Price:
Colour: Pale gold
Nose: Round, slightly floral, on camomile, dry grass, and some vanilla.
Taste: Dry to very dry, smoky, tarry, on dry grass, vanilla and some toffee, with some farmy notes. The finish is short to medium, bitter, on gentian, dry grass and some toffee.
Impression: A curious whisky, difficult to classify, with a mixture of bitter and dry grassy notes. Not too much to my liking.
Rating: 10/20 FP:A2

BenRiach 1966 Private collection, 44 YO, Gordon & Macphail, 56.1%, B: 2010, cask 605, 129 bottles. Price:
Colour: Old gold.
Nose: Smooth, mellow, on tropical and cooked fruits, with some spicy oakiness, banana flambée, and a slight thread of peat smoke, as well as some pineapple.
Taste: Oaky, spicy (ginger), with lots of pineapples, a nice old bold complex peat smoke. The finish is medium, smooth, mellow, fruity, with some well integrated peat smoke, on mango, guava, and pineapples. Diluted, it becomes richer, fresher and spicier. With only faint woody notes.
Impression: A very good and surprisingly fresh BenRiach considering its 44 years of maturation in a cask, with a whooping 56%! I do not know how G&M manages to keep whiskies that long at such strength.
Rating: 17/20 FP:C4

Dalwhinnie 1986, 20 YO, OB, 56.8% B:2006 Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: Lots of beewax, strong sherry influence, polished wood, spicy and vegetal, some oranges and berries.
Taste: Spicy, round, smooth, strong sherry influence, some saltiness, berries mixed with orange and old leather. Full, round and complex, with vanilla and heather undertones. The finish is long, on toffee, cream fudges, spices, heather and honey. With a hint of soap at the very end.
Impression: The influence of the sherry (mainly first fill sherry casks to my opinion) on the Dalwhinnie results in an excellent surprise and evokes some sherry monsters such as the sherried Longmorn from the 1970s. Suprisingly rich and complex for its age.
Rating: 18/20

Dalwhinnie 1966, 36 YO, OB, 47.2%, 1500 bottles. Price:
Colour: Old gold
Nose: Light, floral, quite tannic, on toffee, heather, with some bitterness on the back.
Taste: Dry to very dry, tannic, floral, slightly spicy, oily and light, on rubber, leather, and with a light minty fragrance,then comes the oranges and mango. Rich and complex. The finish is quite long, round, on toffee, leather, in fruity notes and with some rubbery flavours.
Impression: The oldest version of Dalwhinnie released so far, very good, but with the cask taking slightly over the spirit.
Rating: 16/20

Glen Garioch “First for us” 1975, 15 YO, Jean Boyer, 43%, B: 1990, rebottled in 2006, 43% Price:
Colour: Gold-old gold
Nose: Mineral (flint stone), heavily peaty, smoky, very clean, fruity and with flavours of humus. Reminds me a lot of the pre-1970 Clynelish (Brora).
Taste: Quite dry, heavily peaty, mineral, smoky, fruity (oranges), oily and with aromas of eucalyptus. The finish is long, clean, oily, heavily peaty, slightly bitter and rubbery, with liquorice and some eucalyptus.
General Impression: A stunning Glen Garioch reminding me of the old Clynelish (i.e., Brora) with a very clean peatiness and some mineral flavours, with some extra aromatic and floral notes
Rating: 18/20 FP:A6

Aultmore 1982, 28 YO, Bladnoch Forum, 53.1%, B: 2010, cask 2217, 235 bottles. Price:
Colour: Gold-old gold
Nose: Smooth, mellow, slightly fruity (orchards) and spicy, with some honey and a whiff of smoke.
Taste: Smooth, oaky, spicy, with some plums, honey, heather, vanilla, a whiff of smoke and a rather spicy presence. Well balanced. The finish is medium to long, rather rich, slightly resinous, oaky, on vanilla custard and some fruits drops.
Impression: A very nice and mellow whisky, smoother, more complex than the whiskybroker, as the cost of some freshness.
Rating: 15/20 FP:A1

Bunnhahbain 1991, 20 YO, Whiskybroker, 49.7%, B:2012, cask 5469, 286 bottles, Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Smooth, light, spicy (ginger), slightly maritime and smoky, with light floral notes. Diluted, it becomes more on apple and pear drops.
Taste: Smooth to very smooth, juicy, with some green apples, light maritime notes and some old tobacco smoke. The finish is medium, smooth to very smooth, subtle, slightly maritime and with some tobacco leaves.
Impression: A smooth subtle and elegant Bunnhahbhain, eventually slightly thin.
Rating: 13/20 FP:A1

Islay Malt 3 (Bunnhahbain) 21 YO, Whiskybroker, 54.5%, B: 2012, First Fill Butt 3, 739 bottles. Price:
Colour: Old gold.
Nose: Oaky, woody, on humus, old wet wood and lots of leather.
Taste: Rich, intense, oaky, meaty, slightly syrupy, on tobacco, raisin, humus and mushrooms, with a faint smoky notes. The finish is medium, heavy, oaky, meaty, on humus and mushrooms.
Impression: A richer, heavier and oakier Bunna than the 20 YO from the same bottler.
Rating: 14/20 FP:A2

Bowmore 1997, 14 YO, Whiskybroker, 55%, B:2011, cask 800220, 183 bottles. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Intense, peaty, maritime, mineral, on wood smoke and some green banana. Very pleasant. Diluted, some pleasant light oaky notes are released.
Taste: Very peaty and intense, maritime, salty, mineral, on Riesling, some tobacco smoke and clean peaty notes, with some tar and slight citric notes. The finish is medium to long, rich, intense, peaty, slightly mineral, with some aromatic and maritime smoke.
Impression: A very good intense and rather mineral version of Bowmore. A lovely dram.
Rating: 16/20 FP:A6

Blair Athol 1989, 22 YO, Whiskybroker, 50.6%, B: 2012, cask 2934, 102 bottles. Price:
Colour: Gold-old gold
Nose: Fresh, clean, rather light, with some honey notes, on hay and rather freshly cut grass. Diluted, it becomes more floral.
Taste: Smooth, juicy, spicy, and floral, with some honey and vanilla. Rather fragrant. Rather complex. Diluted, there are some distant and bitter notes appearing.The finish is medium, smooth, on honey, grass, some hay and some light lemony notes.
Impression: An elegant, smooth, well balanced and enjoyable Blair Athol, with a good balance between the fresh and smooth notes.
Rating:15/20 FP:A1

Balvenie 17 YO Peated Cask, OB, 43%, B: 2010. Price:
Colour: Gold-old gold.
Nose: Meaty, on smoked bacon, dry peat, cold hashes, honey and heather. Quite special.
Taste: Dry to very dry attack, ashy, floral, on honey and dry peat smoke. Unbalanced. The finish is medium to long, ashy, dry, with some heather.
Impression: A special Balvenie with its dry, smoky and ashy aromas. A whisky looking for its balance. An interesting experience. The peatiness of the whisky is surprisingly high.
Rating: 12/20 FP:C4

Dailuaine 1983, 27 YO, Master of Malts 53.6%, B:2011, 231 bottles. Price:
Colour: Gold.
Nose: Smooth, light, fresh, round, floral, and fragrant. Smells good the Speyside.
Taste: Oaky, juicy, rich, slightly smoky, on sweet fruity notes, some peach, guava and papaya. The mouth feel is very pleasant, rather big, intense but most enjoyable. The finish is long, rich, intense, fruity, rather big and syrupy, with a faint astringency.
Impression: This is a rich, rather full bodied whisky, with a nice structure and balance. A very good whisky to share with friends.
Rating: 16/20 FP:D2

Dailuaine 16 YO Fauna & Flora, OB, 43%, B: 2009. Price:
Colour: Amber.
Nose: Floral, nutty, spicy, rich, intense, with a nice roundness and a strong sherry presence.
Taste: Fresh, rich, spicy, floral, slightly rubbery and on orange. The finish is medium, rich, nutty, floral, slightly grassy and fruity, spicy and on oranges.
Impression: A very good Dailuaine. I would like to see more Dailuaine like this one.
Rating: 15/20 FP:H2

Dailuaine 1983, 26 YO, Bladnoch Forum, 53.1%, B:2010, cask 4315, 276 bottles. Price:
Colour: Gold.
Nose: Fresh, young, intense, floral and smooth.
Taste: Intense, spicy, sweet, round, fresh, with some light fragrant and slightly bitter floral notes. The finish is medium to long, dry, slightly bitter and floral, fresh and spicy.
Impression: Probably from an ex-fino cask, this Dailuaine is very pleasant and nicely balanced.
Rating: 15/20 FP:D3

Dailuaine 1983, 26 YO, Bladnoch Forum, 53.1%, B:2010, cask 4316, 233 bottles. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber.
Nose: Rich, spicy, on Christmas cakes, leather, vegetamine, some yeast and old wood. Strong sherry influence.
Taste: Rich, spicy, on leather, polished wood, Christmas cake and orange. The finish is long, rich, intense, very sherried, spicy, and floral. Very good.
Impression: A big sherry influence in this slightly acetic (balsamic vinegar) Whisky, very much like the profile of the Fauna & Flora bottling with some extra intensity and complexity.
Rating: 15/20 FP:F3

Glen Ord 1990, 20 YO, Bladnoch forum, 54.4%, B: 2010, Puncheon 1160, 653 bottles. Price:
Colour: Light gold.
Nose: Malty, slightly dry and smoky, light and fresh, sightly grassy.
Taste: Creamy, rich, slightly smoky and grassy, spicy, on toffee, chocolate and some raisins. The finish is medium to long, syrupy, slightly bitter, on toffee, raisins and fresh grass.
Impression: A rather thick and syrupy expression of Glen Ord, very enjoyable and that I enjoyed better than the standard official bottling.
Rating: 15/20 FP:F3

Bladnoch 18 YO Sheep Label, OB, 55%, B:2009. Price:
Colour: Straw
Nose: Fresh, sweet, very grassy, with a nice oakiness and some pear. Lovely.
Taste: Fresh, grassy, oaky, with some toffee and a hint of smoke. The finish is medium, smooth, sweet, on fresh fruits (pear) and some smoke.
Impression: A nice fresh and very lively Bladnoch. Excellent price value ratio.
Rating: 17/20 FP:A2

Rosebank 8 YO  unblended single malt, OB (The Distillers Agency), 40 %, B: 1980s, Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Spicy, with grassy notes, on white wine and Mirabelle.
Taste: Very grassy, quite sweet, slightly creamy, with some spiciness, bitterness and smokiness, and on herb tea. Diluted, it becomes more spicy. The finish is medium, grassy, quite round, with some peat and on herb tea.
Impression: A good Rosebank, quite sweet and grassy and a bit thin (40% and bottled about 30 years ago).
Rating: 13/20 FP:C3

Teaninich 1972 Rare Malts, 27 YO, OB, 64.20%, B:2000,  Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Very floral, oaky, slightly fruity, smoky and spicy, on toffee, caramel and spring flowers.
Taste: Hot, spirity, spicy, floral, oaky, rather smoky, a bit rough and thick, and on toffee. Diluted, it becomes rougher and unbalanced. The finish is medium, smooth, oaky, round and on quince.
Impression: At full strength, this whisky is maybe not stunning, but remains pleasant. Diluted, it becomes unpleasantly unbalanced.
Rating: 11/20 FP:C4

Ardbeg 1975 Single Cask Sherry, 31 YO, OB, 54.2%, B: 2006, cask 1375, 522 bottles. Price:
Colour: Old gold
Nose: Peaty, meaty, farmy, maritime, coastal, on old smoke, orange, tangerine and dried apricot.
Taste: Bitter, dry, tannic, salty, maritime, with some seaweeds, leather, chocolate and toffee. The finish is very dry, tannic, a bit rough, peaty, salty, bitter, on sea shells and walnut.
Impression: An old Ardbeg, rather woody and bitter, on the decline.
Rating: 16/20 FP:G7

Ardbeg 1975, Duthie's, 46%, B: 1993. Price:
Colour: Pale gold.
Nose: Peaty, smooth, maritime, with some iodine, smoke and flint stones.
Taste: Juicy, slightly salty, peaty, on elderflower, old peat and wood smoke, some cocoa and cardboard. Nicely balanced. The finish is medium, juicy, slightly mineral, maritime, salty and with some tar.
Impression: A well balanced, smooth and very drinkable Ardbeg. Good but slightly thin and there are better 1975's Ardbeg around.
Rating: 15/20 FP:D6

Ardbeg Ten Mor, 10 YO, OB, 57.3%, D: 1997, B: 2007, 1000 bottles. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Quite different from the Ardbeg TEN bottled at the same period, more mellow, smoky and peaty. At nosing, the maritime influence, with the kelp is nicely present, with some flavours of rye bread and dry fish. It is rich and complex for its age. Diluted, it becomes more citric.
Taste: Starts on hemp rope, lime and melon, then it becomes peaty, smoky, salty, mellow, maritime, on kelp and rye bread. The finish is long, powerful, peaty, smoky, on hemp rope and not as dry as one expect from a heavily peated whisky.
Impression: This big bottle (4.5L) was the first 10 years old distilled and bottled by the new owner of Ardbeg, Glenmorangie and distillery manager Stuart Thomson. Michael Heads replaced Stuart when the bottle was released and with the quality of the whisky demonstrated in this bottle, the future of Ardbeg is bright. When tasting this Ardbeg Mor, it reminded me of the Caol Ila distilled in 1984.
Rating: 17/20 FP:A10

Ardbeg 10 YO  green bottle, OB (Allied Distillers), 40%, B: circa 1985. Price:
Colour: Straw.
Nose: Peaty, tarry, quite sweet, maritime, slightly fruity (pear), on cold ashes, with some seaweeds.
Taste: Quite salty, sweet, juicy, peaty, on burnt wood, seaweed, and some liquorice. The finish is medium, quite sweet, peaty, salty and maritime.
Impression: A pleasant Ardbeg, rather sweet and soft, but it should have been definitely bottled at a higher strength.  Thin.
Rating: 14/20 FP:A8

Ardbeg 1999, 9 YO, Adelphi, 58.5%, B: 2008, cask 626, 274 bottles. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Starts in peated vanilla followed by a nice oakiness, roundness, with strong maritime influence and seaweeds. Intense and enjoyable.
Taste: Very salty and peaty, smoky, peppery, maritime, slightly dry, on seaweeds, vanilla and some liquorice root. The finish is long, very peaty and smoky, dry, on vanilla and liquorice roots, with quite some oakiness.
Impression: A very good, intense and well balanced whisky.
Rating: 16/20 FP:B9

Glendullan 2002 Le Puits à Whisky, 8 YO, Jean Boyer, 43%. Price:
Colour: Straw
Nose: Floral, malty to very malty, on end of spring flowers and drying barley.
Taste: Malty, clean, round, a thin smokiness, some light spices and some toffee. Wholesome and with a slight fruitiness. The finish is short to medium, round, malty, with some toffee, light fruity notes and a thread of smoke and bitter.
Impression: A good, well made, round and malty daily dram.
Rating: 12/20 FP:B1

Springbank 1997 Vintage Batch 1, OB, 55.2%, B: 2007. Price:
Colour: Old gold
Nose: Malty, resinous, on bonfire smoke, toffee, burnt sugar and grapes.
Taste: Sweet, sugary, on grapes, toffee, burnt sugar and burnt wood. The finish is medium, dry, bitter sweet and winey.
Impression: The vintage 1997 was matured in re-toasted cask and give a burnt sugar/toffee influence to this strong and characterful Springbank.
Rating: 15/20

Springbank 1967 Old Malt Cask, 33 YO, Douglas Laing, B: 2001, 41.4%, 204 bottles. Price:
Colour: Old gold
Nose: Starts very nicely, on sultanas, soft peat smoke, sweet and juicy malt, fruits (melon, mango and guava). Smooth and mellow.
Taste: Salty, spicy, smoky, peaty, on juicy malt and exotic fruits. The finish is of medium length, waxy-sirupy, smoky, peaty, in tropical fruits, with the smoke being slightly bitter.
Impression: A superb Springbank, confirming the appellation “Château” Springbank and the reputation of the Springbanks from the 1960s.
Rating: 19/20

Springbank 1967, 31 YO, Murray McDavid, 46%, B:1998, ref MM1315. Price:
Colour: Old gold
Nose: Nutty, malty, on vanilla, then it becomes smokier, fruity (melon and coconuts), and quite floral (violet).
Taste: Spicy, peppery, smoky, on toffee, cream fudge, vanilla and fruits (coconuts and melon). Diluted, it becomes more creamy and floral. The finish is quite long and bold, smoky, with some peat and fruits.
Impression: A quite creamy and smoky Springbank, with some floral notes and quite strong bourbon influence.
Rating: 16/20

Springbank 1964 for the 100th Anniversary of Lateltin Lanz Ingold, 34 YO, OB, 46%. Price:
Colour: Dark amber
Nose: Starts on a round smokiness with a creamy sherry influence merging deliciously with a pleasant maltiness and ripe fruits (peach, mango and guava). A beautiful nose.
Taste: Salty, chewy, on juicy malt, sea tang, spices (cloves, pepper and juniper), smoked seaweed and bonfire smoke, on leather and some bitter orange. The finish is medium, smoky, slightly dry and rubbery, on bitter chocolate, spices, and maritime influence.
Impression: A great Springbank from the best period of Springbank bottled for the 100th Anniversary of the Swiss importer.
Rating: 18/20

Macduff 23 YO, The Maltman, 43%, B: 2011. Prix:
Colour: Gold-old gold.
Nose: Smooth, round, on sweet and juicy fruity notes of mango, guava, banana, and orange and some peat smoke.
Taste: Light, juicy, oaky, grassy, fruity, with some peat smoke, passion fruit, guava, tangerine and orange. The finish is medium, slightly oaky, with the same fruity flavours as on the nose, but less intense and on vanilla.
Impression: The nose is very pleasant and fruity, but the whisky becomes lighter on the palate, thinner and slightly more on the wood (vanilla and some sawdust).
Rating: 14/20 FP:A1

Macduff 2000 Exclusive Malts for the bonding dram, 10 YO, David Stark, 56.5%, B:2011, cask 3525, 200 bottles. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Very intense, round, spicy and “vegetal” sherry nose.  I really enjoy those whiskies where the sherry provides a rich vegetal note to the whisky, without any rubbery off-notes.
Taste:  Spicy to very spicy, intense, on aromatic herbs, some tangerine, orange, nutmeg, cumin, rancio and some light high grade rubber. Diluted, it becomes fruitier. The finish is medium, rather thick, with some nutmeg, cumin, fresh leather and oranges.
Impression: One very good sherry monster, with a strong vegetal notes contributing to rich and diverse mild spicy notes.  Very good price value. Thank you Martin.
Rating: 15/20 FP:H1

Ardbeg 1967, 29 YO, Kingsbury, 52%, B:1996, cask 923. Price:
Colour: Amber.
Nose: Very smooth, velvety, slightly floral, with elegant and rather light maritime notes, on old bold peat smoke, some farmy and light mellow fruity notes. Rather an old fashioned type of whisky with a superb integration of the different flavours.
Taste: Salty, velvety, peaty, oily, on tangerine, orange, seaweeds, seashells, bold peat smoke, cocoa and some rubbery and meaty notes. Very complex.  Diluted, it becomes fruitier, with some notes of pineapples. The finish is very long, smooth, and maritime, on bold peat smoke, seaweeds and cocoa.
Impression: Considered by some as the best Ardbeg ever bottled, I was lucky to taste this elegant and velvety expression. The whisky is indeed excellent, oilier than the Ardbeg distilled in the 1970s, matured in an excellent sherry cask, very complex, with all flavours extremely well integrated and medium peated. Some rubbery notes on the palate prevent this whisky to reach the maximal mark. Thank you very much Johan.
Rating: 19/20 FP:H5

Ardbeg 1977, OB, 46%. Price:
Colour: Gold.
Nose: On old wet, salty and maritime bold peat smoke, slightly zesty, maritime, on sea shells. Very maritime and delicious.
Taste: Light, smooth, very maritime, on iodine, disinfectant, seaweeds, peat smoke, slightly zesty, with some seashells and seawater. The finish is very long, salty, and maritime, on iodine, dry peat smoke, seaweeds and some seashells.
Impression: This might not be the most complex Ardbeg from the 1970s, but it delivers a most pleasant maritime bouquet married with an elegant peatiness conferring an extremely high drinkability to the product. Very very good.
Rating: 17/20 FP:A7

Ardbeg 1972 for Belgium, 32 YO, OB, 44.2%, B: 2004, cask 3038, 148 b. Price:
Colour: Gold.
Nose: Peaty, maritime, on bonfire smoke, some almond, a lot of TCP and disinfectant and seaweed. Less intense than the OMC. Diluted, it becomes more on mint, spearmint and warm wood ashes.
Taste: Very salty, peaty, citric (lemon and grapefruit), tarry, on disinfectant, almond, seawater, seaweed, spearmint and cresole. Diluted, it becomes smokier and on cocoa. The finish is long, dry, slightly bitter, maritime, on iodine, seaweed and spearmint.
Impression: A nice and complex Ardbeg, quite subtle, but suffers from the comparison with the 1972 OMC 29 years old. The retailing price was then 210 euros at the time of its release.
Rating: 17/20

Ardbeg 1978, OB, 43%, B: 1998. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose:  Peaty, tarry, strong maritime notes.
Taste: Heavily peated, tarry, salty, strong maritime influence, juicy and fruity (pears and melon). The finish is oily, on toffee, some slight bitterness, lemon and melon aromas, round, on bold peat and of medium length.
Impression: A nice, round and equilibrated Ardbeg, with a sweet fruitiness and very drinkable.
Rating: 17/20

Ardbeg 1974 Old Malt Cask, 26 YO, Douglas Laing, 50%, B: 2001,  252 bottles. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Intense, peaty, very maritime, with some camphor, iodine, smoke and oysters.
Taste: Dry, peaty to very peaty, strongly maritime, spicy, with some ham, seaweeds and iodine. Intense. The finish is long to very long, dry, on liquorice root, peat, seaweeds, strong notes of camphor and iodine, and some citrus. Powerful.
Impression: An excellent strongly maritime Ardbeg.
Rating: 18/20 FP:A7

Brora 30 YO Annual Release, OB, 55.7%, B: 2003. Price:
Colour: Old gold.
Nose: Very peaty, farmy, mineral, on old peat smoke. Somewhat drier and more floral than the 56.3% version.
Taste: Dry, very salty, slightly citric, pungent, maritime, on diesel smoke and seaweeds. Very complex and less extreme than the 56.3% version. The finish is long, round, oaky, very peaty, very maritime, with some toffee, cocoa, and liquorice root.
General Impression: Again, an excellent Brora. Different but as good as the 56.3% version.
Rating: 18/20 FP:C8

Brora 1981, 23 YO, Dun Bhegan, 49%, B: 2005, Price:
Colour: Gold-old gold.
Nose: Dusty, peaty, farmy, clean, slightly mineral, with some mustard. Quite light, austere, with some fruity (quince) influence.
Taste: Surprisingly sweet, soft and fruity, almost sugary, with some salt and smoke (old tobacco smoke). Diluted, it becomes more smoky. The finish is medium to long, bitter-sweet, and slightly smoky.
Impression: A correct Brora, rather light and slightly smoky.
Rating: 13/20 FP:D4

Brorageddon 1972 Old Malt Cask for the PLOWED, 30 YO, Douglas Laing, 50.8%, B: 2003, Ref 983, 201 bottles. Price:
Colour: Amber.
Nose: Peaty, farmy, on tannins, leather, round peat smoke and some red berries.
Taste: Sweet-salty, spicy, very intense, peaty, tarry, slightly bitter and citric, on charcoal, leather, tannins, orange skin, with some first class old bold peat smoke. Diluted, it becomes more on berries. The finish is very long, peaty, maritime, mineral, bitter, on cold ashes, with some leather and tannins.
General Impression: What to say? A big and very peaty Brora, with an excellent integration of the strong sherry flavours without being rubbery. There are some light woody notes, but they shape the character of this Brora. Superb. Thank you very much Thomas!
Rating: 20/20 FP:G8

Brora 1972 Rare Malts. 22 YO, 58.7%, B: 1995. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Very peaty, clean, farmy, with light bitter floral and mineral notes.
Taste: Very intense, maritime, spicy, rather fresh, with a slight sweetness and some grassy notes, on old bold peat and tobacco smoke and seaweeds. The finish is long to very long, fresh, very peaty, slightly grassy and maritime.
General Impression: This is a legendary bottling of Brora that deserves its reputation very well. It might not be my favourite Brora, but I really loved it (and ready to taste again at any time). Superb.
Rating: 19/20 FP:B8

Ardbeg 1973 20th Anniversary, Samaroli, 57.0%, B: 1998. Price:
Colour: Gold.
Nose: Very peaty, clean, maritime, intense, smoky, with some liquorice root and camphor.
Taste: Very peaty, oily, intense, almost explosive, maritime, slightly mineral, on diesel smoke, disinfectant, acidic pineapple and tar. Diluted, it gains in complexity. The finish is very long, peaty, intense, maritime, powerful, with strong maritime and antiseptic flavours trying to fight against the intense peaty notes.
Impression: A big powerful, flawless and powerful Ardbeg without compromise. Delicious. Enough said?
Rating: 19/20 FP:A8

Bunnahabhain 1979 Waldhaus Am See, 32 YO, Signatory, 51.4%, B: 2012, cask 9516, 603 bottles. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Rich, thick, sugary, sweet, on treacle, raisins, plums, burnt sugar, toffee, some seaweeds and Christmas cake.
Taste: Rich, thick, chewy, on strawberries, treacle, burnt sugar, coffee beans, orange, some fresh rubber and on Christmas spices. The finish is medium to long, on the same flavours and some dry bitter notes.
Impression: A sherry monster version of Bunna, very rich and chewy. Very good if you like this type of whiskies.
Rating: 15/20 FP:F2

Bunnahabhain 1973 Artist for La Maison du Whisky, over 35 YO, Signatory , 49.4%, B: 2011, cask 12153, 457 bottles. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: Sweet, maritime, slightly floral, fragrant, with some light tropical fruity flavours, a touch of peat smoke and light mineral flavours, with some spices.
Taste: Floral, slightly soapy, fishy, and mineral, sweet, maritime, with some dry peat smoke and treacle. Complex. The finish is medium, mineral, and slightly maritime, with a faint oakiness and bitterness, on marmalade, some seaweeds, fish, and ginger.
Impression: A very nice and elegant whisky, with some dryness in the finish. A good old Bunna.
Rating: 15/20 FP:D2

Glentauchers 1981, 30 YO, Signatory, 56.5%, B:2011, cask 1057, 321 bottles. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: Floral, sweet, with some plums, raisins, honeydrops, and Rum-like flavours. Very pleasant.
Taste: Floral, with some hay and straw, raisins, cooked apples, some honey, sweet Rum-like flavours (burnt sugar) and coffee beans. The finish is medium, floral, fragrant, on raisins, treacle, burnt sugar, some cooked apples and roasted coffee beans, with a light smokiness.
Impression: A pleasant floral whisky, with a pleasant complexity and richness. If you have never tried a Glentauchers before, you should not be disappointed with this one.
Rating:14/20 FP: D2

Glenugie 1977 Celtic Heartlands, 24 YO, Murray McDavid, 46.8%. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Malty, round, on barley, quince and some elderberry flowers.
Taste: Light, malty, delicate, slightly oaky and spicy, with some elderberry flowers syrup and some juiciness. Diluted, it becomes more floral and fragrant. The finish is medium, rather light, slightly malty and oaky. Diluted, the fragrant and floral notes are stronger, with a slight bitterness.
Impression: A mixture between the Samaroli and the Hart Brothers versions.
Rating: 14/20 FP: B1

Glenugie 1966, Samaroli, 43%, Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Light, fresh, slightly oaky and on vanilla, with some juicy notes.
Taste: Light, fresh, juicy, slightly oaky and spicy, on elderberry flowers syrup and some tropical fruity notes. The finish is medium and on the same flavours.
Impression: A refreshing light and juicy whisky, very easy to drink.
Rating: 15/20 FP: B1

Bowmore Prestonfield Malt, 10 YO, Signatory, 43%. Price:
Colour: Gold.
Nose: Smooth, soft, peaty, maritime, slightly fruity and on keepers.
Taste: Thin, salty, maritime, on fish, guava, melon, pink grapefruit, with some peat smoke. The saltiness is lingering. The finish is medium, slightly bold, salty, with some peat smoke and canned fruits.
General Impression: A very good Bowmore, subtle and pleasant, but lacking some power. A few extra %abv would have been welcomed.
Rating: 15/20 FP:C5

Bowmore 1973, 16 YO, Sestante, 62.8%, B: 1990. Price:
Colour: Old gold.
Nose: Intense, slightly sulphury, coastal, on dry peat smoke and some tropical fruits (mango, guava)
Taste: Salty, spicy, slightly mineral and tarry, with excellent sweet sherry notes and tropical fruits, as well as a good dose of old peat smoke. Diluted, it becomes more on soya and oysters. The finish is medium, with a hint of rubber, slightly mineral, with coastal notes, some oyster and old fashioned dry peat smoke
Impression: An excellent old fashioned Bowmore with nice tropical notes and delicious peaty notes. Maybe slightly thin.
Rating: 18/20 FP:F5

Bowmore 1971, 18 YO, Sestante, 40%, B: 1990. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Maritime, on oysters, seashells, with a delicate peat smoke and a honey sweet sherry. Nicely balanced, with some mineral and discreet tarry notes. With time, some tropical fruits and light menthol notes are released.
Taste: Slightly thin and soapy, maritime, on seaweeds, some camphor, peat smoke, oysters, burnt wood, eucalyptus and tangerine.
Impression: A very nice and fine whisky, with strong maritime flavours and a beautiful sherry influence. Slightly thin.
Rating: 17/20 FP:F4

Ardmore 1992, 19 YO, Single Malts of Scotland 49.3%, B: 2011, 207 bottles. Price:
Colour: Straw
Nose: Oaky, slightly juicy, spicy and grassy, with light notes of honey, malt and vanilla. Clean.
Taste: Oaky, slightly floral and fragrant, malty, with light oaky and grassy notes, as well as some green apples and honey. At the second tasting, the aromatic peaty notes were more present. The finish is short to medium and on the same flavours.
Impression: A good fresh and malty whisky, that deserves time to reveal its complexity. Seems less peated than expected from an Ardmore, probably due to its fresh fruity notes.
Rating: 15/20 FP:A4

Clynelish 1972, 38 YO, Single Malts of Scotland, 42.1%, B:2011, cask 430341, 439 bottles. Price:
Colour: Gold.
Nose: Oaky, light, dry, mustardy, on musk, and honey,
Taste: Smooth, oaky, slightly woody and mineral, on mild mustard, some light and citric fruity notes, and some liquid honey. With some camomile. Slightly thin. Diluted, it becomes smoother, but also slightly bitter and on tobacco smoke. The finish is short to medium, slightly mustardy and citric, with some camomile and elderberries flowers.
Impression: A good Clynelish, slightly mineral but getting thin and tired.
Rating: 15/20 FP:A2

Glen Elgin 1985, 26 YO, The First Editions, 46.6%, B: 2011, Cask ES 008/10. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Grassy, round, intense, fresh, with some smooth oaky and floral notes, as well as some goosberries.
Taste: Sweet, smooth to very smooth, grassy to very grassy, oaky, juicy to very juicy, on liquid honey and some sweet berries. The finish is medium to long, very grassy, deliciously smooth, on honey and some vanilla.
Impression: A very good smooth honey Glen Elgin free from any roughness. A whisky to savour and an excellent selection from Mr Laing.
Rating: 17/20 FP:B1

Caol Ila 25 YO, OB, 43%, B: 2010. Price:
Colour: Old gold.
Nose: Sweet, round, with light mineral notes, some old wet hemp rope and other maritime flavours. Delicate.
Taste: Slightly thin and weak, salty, with a light sweetness (Mirabelle) and maritime flavours, some tar and peat smoke, with some metallic components. The finish is medium, smoky, peaty, maritime, sweet, with a slight sweet fruitiness and farminess.
General Impression: A very elegant and delicate Caol Ila, very enjoyable. It would have been interesting to taste it a higher strength to see if this would have brought more depth.
Rating: 16/20 FP:D6