Whisky-news.com Tasting Notes

Caol Ila 1990, 21 YO, The Whisky Cask, 55.1%, B: 2012. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Very peaty, clean, intense, maritime, on old seaweeds, tar and hemp rope.
Taste: Very peaty, dry to very dry, oaky to very oaky, intense to very intense, very maritime, on seaweeds, hemp rope, some disinfectant and vanilla. The finish is long to very long, peaty to very peaty, dry, intense, maritime to very maritime, tarry, on hemp rope and some disinfectant.
Impression: A very good, clean, very peaty and intense Caol Ila. Good to taste again this style of Caol Ila again.
Rating: 16/20 FP:A7

21 Jan

Caol Ila 1982, 29 YO, Signatory, 56.3%, B: 2012, cask 6468, 263 bottles. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Peaty, round, slightly mineral and maritime with some seaweeds. Not very expressive.
Taste: Smooth, medium peated, round, on vanilla and some seaweeds. Rather soft. The finish is medium, slightly maritime, round, on seaweeds and peat smoke.
Impression: A good Caol Ila, soft and round, rather easy drinking, with a soft delivery of peat and wood smoke.
Rating: 13/20 FP:A4

20 Jan

Caol Ila, 18 YO, Wilson & Morgan 57.5 %, B: 2013. Price:
Colour: Old gold
Nose: Smoky, round, maritime, aromatic, peaty, with some seabreeze, camphor and bandage.
Taste: Oaky, round, peaty, smoky, maritime, salty, on seaweeds, some tar, camphor, iodine, wood spices, some citrus and light farmy notes. The finish is long to very long, on tobacco smoke and quid, peat, seaweeds, TCP, creosote, tar, some ashes and farmy notes, with a twist of lemon, oak extracts and some vanilla
Impression: A very good, balanced and rather peaty whisky.
Rating: 16/20 FP:A8

Caol Ila 1983, 25 YO, Bladnoch Forum, 52.7%, B: 2009. Price:
Colour: Straw
Nose: Peaty, rather intense, maritime, with some coal, char, tar and seaweeds.
Taste: Dry, oaky, intense, slightly bitter, citric, smoky, salty, with some iodine, seaweeds and hemp rope. The finish is medium, peaty, smoky, tarry, bitter, slightly aromatic, on gentian and hemp rope.
Impression: A rather intense and bitter version of Caol Ila. Not an easy one, but with his own strong personnality.
Rating: 14/20 FP:A6

19 Jan

Caol Ila 1996 Masterpieces, 18 YO, Speciality Drinks, 52.2%, B: 2014. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Peaty, clean, rather light, smoky, subtle, slightly maritime and on vanilla.
Taste: Light, clean, peaty, smoky, slightly salty and peppery, maritime and with some seashells. The finish is medium, peaty, subtle, slightly salty and woody, with some disinfectant. Rather mellow.
Impression: A rather mellow, subtle Caol Ila, with delicate medicinal flavours.
Rating: 14/20 FP:A5

18 Jan

Caol Ila 1983, 30 YO, Signatory, 48.9%, B: 2014, cask 5301, 253 bottles. Price:
Colour : Gold
Nose : Smooth, mellow to very mellow, slightly creamy, on peat smoke, some tar, seaweeds, iodine, some fish and slight meaty and floral flavours. Rather subtle.
Taste : Oaky, moderately peaty, smoky, with some humus, citrus, medicinal notes and mushrooms. The finish is medium, oaky, maritime, slightly peaty and woody, with some disinfectant.
Impression : A good whisky, but rather oaky, maybe due to its rather long maturation? It has lost some of its freshness.
Rating : 14/20 FP:A5

17 Jan

Caol Ila 2001, Samaroli 45 %, B:2014, cask 303799. Price:
Colour : Old gold
Nose : Smooth to very smooth, mellow, peaty, maritime, on disinfectant, some tar and seaweed. Suprisingly smooth, but peaty and elegant.
Taste : Very to extremely smooth, slightly floral and fragrant, with some fudge, toffee, peat smoke, vanilla and tar, with light maritime flavours. The finish is medium to long, very smooth, smoky, slightly tarry and maritime, a touch of iodine, vanilla, some seaweeds and linseed oil. Diluted, it become more fragrant, bitter and on tobacco leaves.
Impression : A surprisingly smooth Caol Ila, rather soft and moderately peaty, with some rather subtle peat smoke flavours. An elegant product.
Rating : 15/20 FP:A4

16 Jan

Caol Ila 1980, 33 YO, Samaroli, 45%, B:2014, cask 4934, 190 bottles. Price:
Colour : Gold
Nose : Smooth to very smooth, subtle, elegant, moderately peated, with some maritime flavours, disinfectant and light smoky notes. Balanced.
Taste : Intense, oaky, maritime, slightly dry and floral, on disinfectant, some peat smoke, light fruity and citric notes, seaweeds, vanilla and light aromatic flavours. The finish is medium, rather light, peaty, smoky, subtle, maritime, on complex peat smoke, some vanilla and on disinfectant. Diluted, it becomes surprisingly medicinal and with a complex peat smoke
Impression : A very good, subtle and complex Caol Ila, with some water changing significantly the flavour profile of this elegant whisky.
Rating : 17/20 FP:A5

15 Jan

Fragment of Scotland Orkney 1977, Samaroli, 50%. Price:
Colour: Straw
Nose: Smoky, light, subtle, rather sweet, on heather, elderberry flowers, quince, melon, guava and papaya
Taste: Light, sweet, fruity, on lychees, heather honey, some tobacco leaves, slightly oaky and slightly astringent notes. Not a typical Highland Park. The smoke and some salt come progressively over time. The finish is medium, soft, slightly bitter, on cigarette and pipe smoke, tobacco leaves, some heather, liquorice roots and some salty notes.
Impression: An atypical Highland Park, rather sweet, soft and bitter, complemented by some heather honey and oaky-fruity notes. Different from the official Highland Park. To like or not to like.
Rating: 13/20 FP:A2

Highland Park 18 YO, OB, 43%, B: 2014. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: Smooth, juicy, fruity, on heather honey, tangerine, orange, some peat smoke and light maritime flavours. Well balanced and pleasant.
Taste: Juicy, maritime, fruity, slightly salty, on sweet notes of tangerine, orange, peat smoke and slight mineral notes. Rather complex. The finish is medium, juicy, fruity, rather salty, maritime, on tangerine, orange and peat smoke, with some seaweeds and honey.
Impression: A very nice, well balanced, fruity and rather maritime whisky that I enjoy tasting. A good value whisky.
Rating: 15/20 FP:E3

14 Jan

Highland Park Origins, OB, 46.8%, B:2014. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Very smooth, slightly maritime and salty, on fudge, toffee, heather honey and a touch of rubber.
Taste: Salty, maritime, rubbery, on fudge, toffee and fresh rubber. The finish is medium, round, salty, and maritime, on fudge, toffee, rubber and peat smoke. Diluted, the rubbery notes are attenuated and the whisky becomes fruitier.
Impression: A moderately peaty and smoky whisky, rather round and sweet, becoming more intense and salty with some water. The style is getting back in the direction of the Highland Park from the 1970s. The proportion of 1st fill sherry cask is twice the proportion in the standard 12 YO.
Rating: 14/20 FP: G3

13 Jan

Highland Park 1974, 16 YO, Dun Eideann, 57%, B:1991. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: Round, rich, rather maritime, slightly mineral, on tangerine, heather honey and some fudge.
Taste: Salty to very salty, rather juicy, on salted liquorice, orange, tangerine, other citric fruits, heather honey and peat smoke. The finish is medium, slightly waxy, salty, and maritime, on seaweeds, tangerine, orange, citrus and liquorice.
Impression: A round, salty, maritime and rather waxy Highland Park with strong notes of citrus.
Rating: 17/20 FP:E4

12 Jan

cvq

Highland Park 1978 for Global Travel Retail, OB, 47.8%, 2014. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: Dry, peaty, smoky, slightly oaky, rather mineral, with some tangerine, peat and tobacco smoke, heather and light maritime flavours. More mineral and slightly cleaner than the 1973.
Taste: Salty, juicy, rather intense, on slightly sour berries, heather honey, some tangerine, seaweeds and maritime peat smoke. The finish is medium, slightly woody and bitter, maritime, salty, on peat smoke and some tangerine. Rather intense.
Impression: A slightly drier but also more intense version than the 1973. Two expressions of high quality that I enjoyed tasting very much.
Rating: 16/20 FP:E3

11 Jan

cvq

Higland Park 1973 for Global Travel Retail, OB, 50.6%, B:2014. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: Mellow, smoky, peaty, complex, with some heather, bold peat smoke, bonfire smoke, seaweeds, salt, tangerine and juicy notes. Well balanced.
Taste: Salty to very salty, maritime, on seaweeds, peat smoke, salted liquorice, tangerine and some seawater. Complex, mineral and slightly woody. The finish is long, mineral, salty, maritime, on peat and bonfire smoke, with some seaweed, tangerine and a touch of heather honey.
Impression: A very nice mellow and complex Highland Park, rather salty and malty, with a rather round nose.
Rating: 16/20 FP:D3

10 Jan

St Magdalene 1982 Old & Rare Platinum, 30 YO, Douglas Laing, 58.5%, B:2013, 99 bottles. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Very intense, rather smooth, aromatic, with some hay, a touch of juniper and some sweet fruity notes.
Taste: Very smooth and floral, round, mellow, elegant, on vanilla, sweet fruity notes, some honey, freshly cut grass, some hay, quince and light notes of eucalyptus and juniper. The finish is medium to long, very round and smooth, mellow, fruity, floral, on sweet fruity and slightly fragrant notes. Complex and well balanced.
Impression: I find a high variability in the flavour profile between the different St Magdalene, and this one is a prime example of St-Magdalene at its best, with a complex flavour profile and a very enjoyable texture. Thank you Tomas.
Rating: 16/20 FP:A1

09 Jan

St Magdalene 1982, 31 YO, Hart Brothers, 53.5%, B:2013. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Intense, very aromatic, bitter, with strong notes of juniper. Special.
Taste: An extract of juniper? Light, smooth, floral, rather elegant, with the flavours of juniper progressively diminishing over time, leaving some sweet and rather thick fruity notes. The development is impressive. The finis is medium, round to very round, floral, slightly fragrant, with some round spices, round sweet honey notes and some juniper.
Impression: A rather peculiar whisky, with initial strong notes of juniper. A whisky that needs to breath to show its charms. Not the easiest whisky, but an interesting experience. Thank you Tomas.
Rating: 13/20 FP: A1

08 Jan

St Magdalene 1982, 30 YO, Cadenhead’s, 55.4%, B:2012, 192 bottles. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Fresh, floral, on freshly cut grass and some hay, light smoky notes, vanilla and some ginger.
Taste: Fresh, floral, slightly malty, light, refreshing, on hay, a touch of honey, smoke and vanilla, as well as some ginger, quince and light sweet fruity notes. Well balanced and subtle, gaining in complexity over time. Diluted, the lemon flavours are becoming stronger. The finish is medium, fresh, floral, light, with some hay and vanilla.
Impression: A good light, fresh, floral and rather complex St-Magdalene. Very pleasant. Thank you Tomas.
Rating: 14/20 FP: A1

07 Jan

Springbank 1972, OB, 46%. Price:
Colour: Old gold.
Nose: Fruity, rather clean, smoky, peaty, on seaweeds, some bonfire smoke and light mineral notes.
Taste: Clean, salty to very salty, slightly mineral and citric, on old peat smoke, with some juicy oak, some ore and old rusted iron. The finish is medium, clean, peaty, smoky, mineral, juicy, with some heather and a twist of lemon. Diluted it becomes rather thin.
Impression: A nice Springbank, cleaner and simpler than the 1969 Dun Eideann tasted at the same time. A whisky that needs some time to release its nice peaty flavours that I enjoy so much in these old Springbanks.
Rating: 17/20 FP:A5

06 Jan

Springbank 1967, 34 YO, Hart Brothers, 40.9%, B: 2001. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Smooth, very round, slightly peaty, mellow, on pineapple, coconuts and other tropical fruits.
Taste: Smooth, light, mineral, slightly salty, on sea brine, some sea shells, old dry peat smoke, subtle and juicy. The finish is medium to long, subtle, mineral, slightly salty and maritime, smoky and juicy.
Impression: I really enjoy these old Springbank, with some mineral (flint) notes as well as this old dry peat smoke. Thank you Lukas
Rating: 17/20 FP :C3

05 Jan

Springbank 22 YO, Cadenhead’s, 80 Proof, B: 1970s. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Rather light, salty, slightly maritime, on old-fashioned peat smoke, some coconuts and some seaweeds. Smells good the Campbletown harbour.
Taste: Light, subtle, salty, maritime, rather juicy, on peat smoke, some melon, coconut and a lingering smokiness. The finish is medium to long, salty, slightly bitter and maritime, with some peat smoke, melon and elderberries flowers.
Impression: A light Springbank, rather salty with some bitter-sweet and salty flavours. Good, but it suffered from the comparison with the bottling for Samaroli.
Rating: 15/20 FP :A5

04 Jan

Springbank 1964 For Samaroli, 15 YO, Cadenhead’s, 45.8%, B 1970. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Very intense, rich and complex, on walnuts, old furniture, high grade leather, old fashioned peat smoke, some bonfire smoke, dark fruits, sultanas, orange, some tangerine, coconut and maritime flavours. Excellent!
Taste: Wooaw! Starts on an explosion of flavours, including high grade leather, various spices, cinnamon, nutmeg, orange, tangerine, beeswax, old fashiond peat smoke, herbal liqueurs, some maritime and salty flavours, as well as some wallnuts. A delicious old style of sherried whisky. The finis is long, very complex, intense, rather salty, with some maritime influence, on old fashioned peat smoke, on herbal liqueur, orange (including bloody orange), tangerine, leather, old furniture and beeswax.
Impression: A superb examples of old fashioned style of sherry matured Springbank, with delicious fruity flavours and an old fashion type of peat smoke as well. Simply delicious! Thanks to the team of Acla da Fans for allowing me to taste this nectar!
Rating: 20/20 FP:H4

03 Jan

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Ardbeg 1965 sestante import, 24 YO, Cadenhead’s, 54.4%. Price:
Colour: Old gold
Nose: Sweet, smooth, peaty, very maritime, on lot of iodine, seaweeds, camphor and on tangerine. Complex.
Taste: Mineral to very mineral, smooth to very smooth, fruity, slightly salty, on old-fashioned peat smoke, tangerine, some maritime flavours, orange and sweet lemon juice. The finish is medium, mineral to very mineral, citric, slightly bitter, with some orange, tangerine, lots of camphor and some iodine. Slighty woody.
Impression: A very good and mineral Ardbeg, with a strong influence of camphor and maritime flavours, tasting slightly woody and thin. Very difficult to get it.
Rating: 17/20 FP :A5

02 Jan

Ardbeg 30 YO, OB, 40%, B: 1990s. Price:
Colour: Gold-old gold
Nose: Very peaty, smoky, maritime, phenolic, sweet, mellow, on seaweeds, melon, pears, some tar and soot.
Taste: On diluted peated and salted water, smoke, soot, tar, phenols, diesel smoke, some melon and pears. The finish is short to medium, sweet, dry, peaty, on old-fashioned peat smoke, some seaweeds and salt. Diluted, it is more on peated water, some coffee and chocolate.
Impression: The nose is pretty good, with a complex peat smoke, but it rather thin, too thin on the palate to my opinion, as this was with the old Laphroaig 25 YO 40%, more like peated water. A higher abv would have been welcomed.
Rating: 13/20 FP:A6

01 Jan

Kinninvie 1990 Batch 002, 23 YO, OB, 42.6%, B:2014. Price: (70 cl equivalent)
Colour: Gold
Nose: Round, mellow to very mellow, smooth, slightly floral, fruity, with some quince, tangerine and honey. More fruity and less on vanilla than the 17 YO.
Taste: Floral to very floral, light, smooth, rather soft, slightly fruity and oaky, with some melon, vanilla and a touch of tangerine. The finish is medium, smooth, round, mellow and slightly soft and oaky, on vanilla and some tangerine. Diluted, some spearmint and tobacco flavours are released.
Impression: The nose was sweeter, fruitier and mellower than the 17 YO, but loss its spiciness on the palate, with a rather soft finish.
Rating: 13/20 FP:D1

31 Dec

Kinninvie 1996 batch 001, 17 YO, OB, 42.6%, B:2014. Price: (70 cl equivalent)
Colour: Gold
Nose: Very smooth, round, mellow, milky, slightly grassy, with some floral notes, on vanilla and a touch of tangerine and melon.
Taste: Oaky, floral, round, with some toffee, tangerine, heather honey, some melon, vanilla and banana. The finish is medium, round, slightly mellow and oaky, spicy, floral, with some vanilla, almonds and a touch of bananas. Diluted, it becomes smoother and rather spicy.
Impression: A good, round and rather spicy Kinnivie, with probably a fair proportion of first fill bourbon casks.
Rating: 13/20 FP :B2

29 Dec

AnCnoc Cutter, OB, 46%, B:2014. Price:
Colour: Pale gold
Nose: Peaty, smoky, dry, aromatic, tarry, ashy, and some grilled meat. The peat smoke is complex and well balanced.
Taste: Light, smooth, peaty, slightly maritime, tarry and ashy, with a slight sweetness. The finish is medium to long, smoky, peaty, tarry, ashy, rather fragrant and aromatic.
Impression: The Cutter, in terms of flavour profile, seems to be an intermediate between the peaty Flaughter and the fragrant Cutter. Peated to 20.5 ppm
Rating: 12/20 FP :A5

28 Dec

AnCnoc Flaughter, OB, 46%, B:2014. Price:
Colour: Pale gold
Nose: Very smooth, round, floral and aromatic. It smells harsher and younger that the Rutter.
Taste: Rather thin and weak, smooth, floral, slightly fragrant and aromatic, and with some peat smoke. The finish is medium, fragrant, floral, aromatic, slightly bitter and peaty.
Impression: The thinnest and weakest version of the new peated AnCnoc range, with rather light peaty notes and rather dominant fragrant flavours. The less enjoyable of the three. Peated to 14.8 PPM.
Rating: 09/20 FP :A3

27 Dec

AnCnoc Rutter, OB, 46%, B:2014. Price:
Colour: Pale gold
Nose: Smooth, peaty, aromatic, smoky, floral, tarry, ashy, with a hint of toffee.
Taste: Peaty, smoky, aromatic, slightly floral, tarry and ashy, with a certain sweetness and some seaspray. The finish is medium to long, peaty, smoky, tarry, slightly maritime, aromatic and some sweetness. Diluted, it becomes slightly fragrant and more aromatic.
Impression: A very enjoyable medium peated and rather aromatic AnCnoc, with a rather dry and tarry peat smoke. Peated to 11 PPM.
Rating: 14/20 FP :A5

25 Dec

Octomore 6.3 Islay Barley, OB, 64%, B: 2014. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Peaty, winey, floral, maritime, very clean, rather young, with some grapes. Smells younger and less complex than the 6.2
Taste: Winey, young, very clean, maritime, simple and on vanilla. The finish is medium, very peaty, very clean, young to very young, fragrant and on vanilla.
Impression: A very clean and peaty Octomore, rather simple and tasting younger than the 6.2.
Rating: 12/20 FP :A8

24 Dec

Octomore 6.2, 5 YO, OB, 58.2%, B: 2014. Price:
Colour: Pale gold
Nose: Extremely peaty, on grilled bread, tar, smoked ham and soot. A rather complex peat smoke flavour.
Taste: Very peaty, intense and clean, salty, tarry, ashy, on smoked ham, soot and maritime flavours. Slightly young. The finish is medium, very peaty and intense, dry, tarry, and slightly young.
Impression: A very intense and peaty Octomore with a massive peaty delivery.
Rating: 15/20 FP :A9

23 Dec

AnCnoc 2000, OB, 40%, B:2014. Price:
Colour: Old gold
Nose: Smooth, round, slightly floral, on round and vegetal sherry influence, some yeast extracts and honey.
Taste: Very smooth, round, sweet, floral, on honey, tangerine and a touch of orange and fudge. The finish is medium, very smooth, slightly spicy and bitter, on orange, liquorice, tangerine, heater honey and some hops.
Impression: A very smooth creamy version of AnCnoc combining sherry and bourbon casks, with sweet honey flavours.
Rating: 13/20 FP :E1

22 Dec

Laphroaig 18 YO, The Whisky Exchange, 50.9%, B: 2014. Price:
Colour: Old gold
Nose: Peaty, mellow, very oaky, maritime, with some seaweeds, charcoal and light notes of disinfectant. Reminds me strongly of the 18 YO OB.
Taste: Peaty, oaky, slightly dry, with notes of pineapples, seaweeds, vanilla and some salt. The finish is medium, oaky, maritime, on spearmint, seaweeds and some disinfectant.
Impression: A rather oaky and maritime version of Laphroaig that reminds me of the first batches of the 18 YO OB.
Rating: 14/20 FP :A6

21 Dec

Laphroaig Highgrove 1999, OB, 46%, G3/2013. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Peaty, smoky, mineral, complex, rather subtle, with some citrus and light notes of tropical fruits.
Taste: Mineral, smoky, peaty, on Mirabelle, some citrus, tropical fruits, as well as some iodine and maritime flavours. Subtle and elegant. Over time, the aromas of grapefruit are becoming stronger. The finish is medium, mineral, on peat smoke, some seaweeds and well as citrus.
Impression: A very nice, subtle, elegant, mineral Laphroaig with nice notes of citrus. Very enjoyable and reminding me of the old style of Laphroaig.
Rating: 16/20 FP :A5

20 Dec

Laphroaig 25 YO, OB, 45.1%, B:2014. Price:
Colour: Gold-old gold
Nose: Mellow, medium peated, complex, maritime, slightly salty, on seaweeds, peat smoke, disinfectant and charcoal. Elegant, subtle and nicely balanced.
Taste: Mellow to very mellow, smooth, almost silky, with some ripe citrus, peat smoke, a touch of orange, tangerine, old peat smoke and some charcoal. Subtle. The finish is medium, very smooth and mellow, slightly smoky and peaty, with some maritime flavours, as well as some seaweeds and light fruity notes.
Impression: A moderately peated Laphroaig, very mellow and smooth, with some soft corner and light fruity notes.
Rating: 15/20 FP :A3

19 Dec

Laphroaig 10 YO Cask Strength Batch 004, OB, 58.3%, B:2012. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Very smoky and peaty, clean, intense, slightly dry, on seaweeds, oaky notes and some vanilla.
Taste: Dry, peaty, smoky, intense, clean, oaky to very oaky, on seaweeds, vanilla, charcoal, some tar and liquorice. The finish is medium, dry to very dry, slightly bitter, oaky, on wet wood, liquorice roots, some seaweeds, iodine, seashells and vanilla.
Impression: A very dry and intense Laphroaig, with a modern oaky influence.
Rating: 14/20 FP :A8

18 Dec

Laphroaig 1991 for Germany, 23 YO, OB, 52.6%, B: 2014. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Smoky to very smoky, peaty, maritime, complex, with some smoothness, on seaweeds and a zest of lemon. Very nice.
Taste: Smooth, salty, elegant, maritime, rather subtle, on peat smoke, some seaweeds, oysters, light spices, some tobacco, iodine, sea brine and light mineral notes. Complex. The finish is long to very long, maritime, and slightly sweet, on lingering smoke, peat, seaweeds, some iodine, citrus and a thin touch of tangerine.
Impression: A very nice, complex, elegant Laphroaig, moderately peated and with a lingering smokiness. Very good.
Rating: 17/20 FP :D4

17 Dec

Laphroaig Brodir, OB, 48%, B: 2014. Price:
Colour: Old gold
Nose: Intense, oaky, peaty, very smoky, maritime, on wet woods, seaweeds, some disinfectant, humus, charred wood, a slight sweetness and liquorice roots.
Taste: Intense, oaky to very oaky, very smoky, salty, maritime, on wet wood, disinfectant and charred or toasted wood. The finish is medium to long, very smoky and oaky, slightly woody, on seaweeds, some disinfectant, grapes and red berries. There is a long smoky retro-olfaction.
Impression: A very smoky and oaky Laphroaig, matures initially in ex-bourbon casks, before a second maturation in ex-European oak casks and a finish is Ruby Red Port.
The result is pleasant and the different maturations contributing to a certain roundness and a slight sweetness.
Rating: 14/20 FP :C7

16 Dec

Laphroaig Select, OB, 40%, B: 2014. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Very peaty and oaky, dry, maritime, on seaweeds, charcoal, BBQ and tar, as well as some disinfectant.
Taste: Thin, slightly soapy, maritime, on peat smoke, some cinnamon, BBQ, charcoal and wet tobacco leaves. Taste like a diluted whisky. The finish is short to medium, smoky, oaky, thin, peaty, on charcoal, soot, liquorice roots and some spearmint
Impression: The nose was pleasant and rather complex, but the whisky lacks some punch on the palate, giving the impression of a water-downed whisky. A whisky that would be certainly better with a few extra ABV.
Rating: 10/20 FP :A5

15 Dec

Ardbeg 1995 For Feis Ile 2010, 14 YO, OB, 53.3%, cask 2761, 228 bottles. Price:
Colour : Gold
Nose : Intense to very intense, oaky, peaty, on vanilla, seaweeds and smoke. A rather”modern” nose.
Taste : Intense, oaky, peaty to very peaty, smoky, with lots of seaweeds, spices and TCP. Diluted, it becomes more lemony and bitter. The finish is long, oaky, peaty, maritime, slightly salty, on seaweeds, tar, dry smoke and a zest of lemon.
Impression : A modern oaky, peaty, intense and smoky whisky, in line with the current production.
Rating : 14/20 FP :A7

14 Dec

Ardbog, OB, 52.1%, B: 2013. Price:
Colour: Old gold
Nose: Very peaty and ashy, tarry, maritime, intense, oaky, on charcoal, barbecue, seaweeds, some iodine and disinfectant. Very good.
Taste: Peaty, smoky, salty to very salty, some citrus, wet wood, seaweeds, some iodine and camphor. The finish is medium to long, smoky, peaty, on lemon custards, seaweeds, some disinfectant, tar and a hint of menthol.
Impression: I love the intense and peaty notes of this whisky, becoming smoother and softer on the palate, with round oaky flavours.
Rating:15/20 FP :A7

13 Dec

Ardbeg Supernova SN2014, OB, 55%, B: 2014. Price:
Colour: Pale gold
Nose: Very peaty, dry, tarry, ashy, oaky, maritime, on disinfectant and lingering smoke.
Taste: Extremely peaty, very smoky, rather sweet, slightly juicy, maritime, with some disinfectant and vanilla. The finish is medium, very peaty, dry, maritime and on disinfectant. Diluted, some spearmint is present.
Impression: The nose and the initial delivery on the mouth is very peaty, with slight oaky notes. Surprisingly, it is not very dry, but rather smooth. It tastes rather young.
Rating: 14/20 FP :A9

12 Dec

Ardbeg Auriverdes, OB, 49.9%, B: 2014. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Peaty, smoky, musty, tarry, ashy, with lots of charcoal, some lemon and BBQ.
Taste: Peaty, smoky, maritime, salty, on wet wood, charcoal, ashes, BBQ and a lemon twist. The finish is medium to long, peaty, tarry, ashy, on charcoal, BBQ and a fair dose of iodine and disinfectant.
Impression: The nose was rather round and moderately peated for an Ardbeg, and I found it rather oaky on the palate, but the finish is pleasant, with lots of iodine and disinfectant.
Rating: 15/20 FP :A6

11 Dec

Ardbeg Ar5, Speciality Drinks, 57.8%, B: 2014. Price:
Colour: Gold-old gold
Nose: Peaty, smoky, maritime, with some citrus and disinfectant. Rather soft.
Taste: Peaty, smoky, maritime, round, slightly oaky, on disinfectant, iodine, seaweeds and some sweetness. The finish is medium, smooth, oaky, rather sweet, well balanced, subtle, slightly salty and maritime, with some seaweeds.
Impression: A rather smooth Ardbeg made by vatting of sherry and bourbon cask, contributing to a balanced and slightly sweet Ardbeg.
Rating: 15/20 FP :D5

10 Dec

BenRiach 1999 Virgin Oak, 13 YO, OB, 46% , B: 2014. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: Fresh, floral, creamy, buttery, on wood spices, some apricots and a nice light smokiness. A well rounded nose, with pleasant virgin oak influence.
Taste: Very smooth, sweet and juicy, floral, with fruits from the orchards and wood extracts and spicy. The finish is rather short, buttery, floral, spicy, and creamy, with some fruits from the orchards.
Impression: A nice creamy and buttery version of BenRiach, with a most pleasant sweet and juicy nose, but the finish is rather bold, creamy and more simple.
Rating: 13/20 FP :A1

08 Dec

BenRiach 1996 Pedro Ximinez Sherry Finish for UK, 18 YO, OB, 54.4%, B: 2014, cask 3607, 668 bottles. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Very smooth, sweet, fruity, on red fruits, orange, some leather, warm spices, cinnamon and a light smokiness. Very good.
Taste: Oaky, spicy to very spicy, intense, complex, slightly bitter, on tannins, leather, oranges, nutmeg, some smoke and round sherry notes. Slightly meaty. The finish is medium to long, thick, chewy, heavy on leather, spices, sultanas, some treacle, dried fruits and orange.
Impression: A very good, sweet, intense and spicy BenRiach, heavy on the sherry without being excessive. Lovely.
Rating: 16/20 FP :H2

07 Dec

Mortlach 1984 In the Pink, 16 YO, Moon, 46%, B: 2000, cask 1323. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Very meaty, malty, floral, slightly fragrant, with some dried yellow flowers and some sweet fruity notes of tangerine. After a few minutes, the meaty notes are strongly reduced.
Taste: Spicy, meaty, sweet, floral, oaky, on tangerine, honey and some heather. Diluted, some notes of dry aromatic herbs (mint, estragon, coriander) are released. The finish is medium, rather heavy, meaty, with some tangerine, on vanilla, dried fruits, some dark chocolate and honey.
Impression: A good spicy and rather rich Mortlach, rather easy drinking.
Rating: 13/20 FP :C2

06 Dec

Mortlach 1988, 19 YO, Signatory, 58.5%, B: 2008, butt 4727. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Intense, rich, floral, spicy, with a slight smoothness, tangerine and a touch of ginger.
Taste: Intense, oaky, spicy, floral, slightly smoky and bitter, with some honey, leather, some tannins, ginger and spices. The finish is medium to long, oaky, spicy, floral, with some ginger, vanilla and slight fruity notes.
Impression: An intense, spicy and oaky Mortlach that requires some water. A good stimulant.
Rating: 13/20 FP :F2

Mortlach 1997, 16 YO, whisky club royal, 43%, B:2013. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Oaky, floral, slightly meaty, on humus, some leather, on orange, tangerine, cinnamon, some Christmas spices and starch. Rather sweet and juicy.
Taste: Floral to very floral, oaky, rather sweet, juicy, mineral and smoky, on vanilla, some humus, peat smoke, fresh wood, a touch of tangerine and some berries. The finish is medium and on the same flavours.
Impression: Although it is from a sherry butt, the sherry influence is rather light and the whisky surprisingly smoky, slightly peaty and mineral. Not the most typical Mortlach, but I enjoyed it very much.
Rating: 16/20 FP :D2

04 Dec

Mortlach 25 YO, OB, 43.4%, B:2014. Price:
Colour: Old gold
Nose: Rich, fruity, intense, complex, floral, on tangerine, some soft floral notes, a touch of leather, oranges and honey.
Taste: Rich, floral to very floral, on pollen, spices, some sweet berries and tangerine. The finish is medium, rather rich, complex, intense, slightly meaty and mellow on tannins, some tangerine.
Impression: A very good and complex Mortlach, richer, more elegant and with more depth than the Rare Old with a sweet sherry influence.
Rating: 15/20 FP :E1

03 Dec

Mortlach Rare and old, OB, 43.4%, B:2014. Price:
Colour: Old gold
Nose: Sweet, juicy, floral, slightly spicy, on tangerine, some orange and wood spices. Rather smooth.
Taste: Very sweet, smooth, spicy, juicy, floral, with some ginger, oaky notes, lime blossom and a touch of honey. The finish is medium, spicy, oaky, floral, slightly sweet, on vanilla, some ginger and a touch of vanilla custard. Diluted, it becomes smoother, slightly meaty and with some hops.
Impression: A nice oaky, floral and rather fresh Mortlach.
Rating: 13/20 FP:B1

02 Dec

Littlemill 1990, 24 YO, Maltbarn, 50.6%, B: 2014. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Rich, mellow, floral, with nice smooth floral, fruity and heather honey notes
Taste: Smooth, light to very light, sweet, fruity, slightly mineral, on elderberries syrup and beeswax. The finish is medium, smooth, slightly fruity and juicy, on heather honey and some elderberries.
Impression: A good, light and refreshing Litllemill. Very enjoyable.
Rating: 16/20 FP :A1

01 Dec

Littlemill 1988 Director’s cut, Douglas Laing, 56.2%, B: 2014, cask 10349. Price:
Colour: Pale gold
Nose: Fresh, light, subtle, floral, slightly mineral, smoky and austere, with light grassy and aromatic flavours. More elegant and complex than the Liquid sun.
Taste: Sweet, floral, light, slightly smoky, mineral and austere, with some flint stone, lime, floral notes, quince and lime blossom. Complex. The finish is medium to long, complex, slightly mineral, smoky and grassy, with light austere and aromatic notes, as well as some citrus and hay.
Impression: A most enjoyable Littlemill with a pleasant mineral, smoky and austere aromatic profile. Lovely.
Rating: 17/20 FP :A2

30 Nov

Littlemill 1988, 25 YO, Liquid Sun, 49.3%, B: 2014. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Round, rather smooth, floral, fruity, with some quince, Mirabelle, hay, as well as some grassy notes.
Taste: Grassy to very grassy, on bread dough, fruity notes of quince, Mirabelle and some hay, as well as some citrus. The finish is medium, very round, mellow and rather waxy-grassy, with the heather coating nicely the palate, complemented by fruity notes of quince, Mirabelle and some lime blossom.
Impression: A very smooth and waxy version of Littlemill. It is not the most complex, but the texture is pleasant.
Rating: 15/20 FP :B1

29 Nov

Littlemill 1992, Lady of the Glen, 53.6%, B: 2014. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Fresh, light, floral to very floral, oaky, grassy, with some lime blossom and a twist of lemon.
Taste: Round, mellow, fruity, grassy, floral, rather fragrant, on round fruity notes, some lime blossom and a twist of slightly bitter lemon, as well as some quince. The finish is medium, grassy, round, mellow, slightly smoky and rather fruity.
Impression: A nice and pleasant Littlemill, rather fresh on the nose and rounder on the palate.
Rating: 15/20 FP :A1

28 Nov

Pale Single Single, Michel Couvreur, 45%, B:2014. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Rich, fruity, sweet, floral, smooth, some gooseberries and a hint of lemon.
Taste: Very smooth, sweet and light, elegant, slightly dry, with some gooseberries, tangerine, a hint of lemon, tobacco leaves and some sultanas. Diluted, it becomes drier and more vegetal.
Impression: A nice Michel Couvreur, very smooth, with a relatively smooth, sweet and fruity Oloroso sherry influence.
Rating: 14/20 FP:F1

27 Nov

Intravagenza, Michel Couvreur, 50%, B:2014. Price:
Colour: Old gold
Nose: Dry, vegetal, with some yeast extract, winey notes, as well as some sweet fruity notes from the Orchards and a touch of orange.
Taste: Sweet, salty, fruity, sweet, slightly vegetal, with light grassy notes, some honey and diverse mild spices. The finish is medium, vegetal, with some yeast, hops, tangerine, orange, spices and curry, with a slightly dry influence.
Impression: A whisky with a rather vegetal and yeasty winey influence over a round and mellow body. The moscatel influence is well noticeable and suprisingly complex for its age
Rating: 13/20 FP:F1

26 Nov

Twenty, 20 YO, Michel Couvreur, 49%, B: 2014. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Smooth, rather heavy, dry to very dry, on dry raisins, with strong notes of manzanilla.
Taste: Smooth, slightly salty, dry, with some seaweeds, yeast extracts, a touch of lemon and vinegar, as well as some lemon and tangerine. The manzanilla influence is well present. The finish is medium, vegetal, rather dry and winey, with some chamomile and vinegar. Diluted it becomes more winey, salty and on yeast extracts.
Impression: An old whisky influenced by the flavours of the sea shore, with a dry and acetic influence coming from the maturation in manzanilla sherry casks.
Rating: 13/20 FP:D1

25 Nov

X, 10 YO, Michel Couvreur, 47%, B:2013. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: Smooth, round, slightly smoky, rich, with a hint of peat smoke, some fine grade leather, tangerine, orange, Christmas cake, sea breeze, some chamomile and nice soft floral notes. Diluted, some notes of pineapples and other tropical flavours are released.
Taste: Very smooth, sweet, floral, thick, slightly malty and salty, with nice rich sweet fruity flavours of orange, tangerine, berries, leather, tannins and some spices. The finish is medium to long, slightly dry and salty, with some leather, tannins, orange and tangerine.
Impression: A nice elegant, smooth, rich and fruity Michel Couvreur, nicely balanced, with some sea spray. Very enjoyable and surprisingly complex for its age.
Rating: 15/20 FP :G1

24 Nov

Special Vatting, Michel Couvreur, 46%, B:2014. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: Fresh, round, floral, rather smooth and grassy, on vanilla custard, some heather, leather and light meaty notes.
Taste: Fruity, grassy, with some pineapples, orange, toffee, some salt, vanilla. The finish is medium, grassy, floral, fruity, on orange, tangerine, vanilla custard, some bitter orange and light meaty notes.
Impression: A good whisky, but less sherried and slightly less balanced than the Auld Blossom. A vatting of 12, 13 and 20 YO malts.
Rating: 14/20 FP:F1

23 Nov

Blossoming Auld Sherried, Michel Couvreur, 45%, cask 18701. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Intense, floral, fruity, rather sweet, on cacao, some old fashioned smoke with light peaty notes and worn leather. Very enjoyable.
Taste: Fruity, grassy, slightly smoky and peaty, with a hint of tangerine, some leather, game, dried meat, a twist of orange and slightly spicy-salty notes. The finish is medium, smooth, round to very round, rubbery, chewy, on orange, tangerine, leather, with some grassy and meaty notes, as well as a few drops of pineapples and a touch of smoke.
Impression: The nose and the initial delivery on the palate indicate a fruitier and slightly lighter version than the Candid, but the sherry and rubbery influence come afterwards.
Rating: 15/20 FP:H1

22 Nov

Candid, Michel Couvreur, 49%, B: 2014. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Thick, meaty, floral, slightly grassy, on toffee, chocolate, figs, dates, rubber, tannins, leather and spices (cloves, nutmeg and cinnamon).
Taste: Thick, chewy, floral, slightly vegetal, slightly rubbery, on pineapples, orange, tangerine, leather, light grassy notes and with a light smokiness and some cocoa.
Impression: A nice thick, chewy sherried whisky, with a certain smokiness and pleasant notes of cacao. Rather close to the old style of sherried whiskies. Very good.
Rating: 15/20 FP:H1

21 Nov

Hazelburn 11 YO Springbank Whisky Society, OB, 54.4%, B: 2014. Price:
Colour: Pale gold
Colour: Straw
Nose: A surprising nose, with very little flavours, some vanilla, but it gives a strong feeling of softness and warmth. Subtle and elegant. Over time, it gains in intensity and moves towards vanilla custard flavours.
Taste: Light to very light, soft, floral, with some coconut, pineapples, salt and a hint of smoke. Subtle. The finish is medium, light, soft, smooth, subtle, on vanilla, some floral and fragrant flavours.
Impression: A whisky difficult to rate due to its unusual combination of light, soft and subtle flavours, leaving a pleasant impression. I enjoy tasting it.
Rating: 13/20 FP:A1

20 Nov

Sia Whisky, OB, 43%, B: 2014. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Fresh, sweet, slightly peaty and floral, on fruits from the orchards, some freshly crushed barley and light grassy notes.
Taste: Fresh, very sweet and juicy, grassy, slightly mineral and smoky, with some fruits from the orchards, some heather honey, quince and mirabelle, as well as slight medicinal notes. The finish is medium, floral, slightly soft, grassy, slightly citric and mineral, with some almonds, fruits from the orchards as well as some heather honey.
Impression: A nice sweet and fruity blended whisky, with a rather high malt content (40%), with a combination of slightly peaty whisky married together with some softer and fruitier whiskies. The blend is rather light, enjoyable, easy drinking packed in a rather feminine bottle. A good blend prepared by Douglas Laing for for Spirit Imports USA.
Rating: 13/20 FP:C2

19 Nov

Clynelish 1974 Rare Malts, 23 YO, OB, 59.1%, B: 1998. Price:
Colour: Pale gold
Nose: Sharp, intense, mustardy, mineral, coastal and wax. Very good!
Taste: Intense, spicy, mustardy, waxy, mineral, grassy, zesty, with some lime blossom and on citrus. Quite lemony. Diluted, it becomes more on mustard seeds and on lemon. The finish is medium to long, citric, intense, waxy, slightly citric and mineral.
Impression: A sharp, intense, mineral and lemony Clynelish delivering very good sensations. I really enjoyed it sharp side.
Rating: 15/20 FP:A1

18 Nov

Clynelish 1995, 19 YO, Blackadder, 55%, B: 2014, cask 1471. Price:
Colour: Old gold
Nose: Oaky, with some yeast extract, mustard seeds, some farmyard, yellow flowers and a hint of sweet fruits.
Taste: Waxy to very waxy, mineral, with some Riesling, mustard, some farmyard as well as some floral and fruity notes. The finish is medium, floral, rather farmy, oaky, spicy, with a light fragrant-bitter aftertaste.
Impression: I liked the mineral, waxy and juicy flavours on the palate, but this whisky is rather rough.
Rating: 13/20 FP:A1

16 Nov

Clynelish 1996 for Charles Hofer Switzerland, 16 YO, Berry Bros & Rudd, 57.1%, c. 8783. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: Round, intense, oaky, on leather, orange, some spices, sultanas and dried fruits, as well as some notes of marshmallow.
Taste: Sweet, fresh, intense, spicy, with some pineapples, a touch of lemon, on tangerine and orange. Diluted, it becomes smoother and more creamy/waxy. The finish is medium and on the same flavours.
Impression: Less complex than the Speciality Drinks, but more intense as well. A tie.
Rating: 16/20 FP:H1

15 Nov

Clynelish Select Reserve, OB, 54.9%, B:2014. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Very smooth, slightly mellow, with some mustard seeds, wax, some honey, a hint of smoke and slight mineral fruity notes. Harmonious.
Taste: Spicy to very spicy, rich, mellow, fruity, with some melon, linseed oil, wax, and yellow fruits. Diluted, it becomes more mineral and on flint stone. The finish is medium, smooth, rather mellow, waxy, and mineral, with some yellow fruits, a hint of lemon, vanilla, melon and heather.
Impression: A well balanced, harmonious and smooth, almost soft Clynelish resulting from the vatting of casks aged between 16 and 34 year old. I enjoyed particularly the mouth feel.
Rating: 16/20 FP:B1

14 Nov

Clynelish 18 YO, The Whisky Exchange, 50.6%, B:2014. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: Intense, oaky, fruity, slightly austere and mineral, with some Mirabelle, orange, tangerine and some diverse spices.
Taste: Very sweet, smooth, juicy, spicy, and slightly oaky, on pineapples, grenade, orange, tangerine and some berries. The finish is medium, rich, spicy, with some leather, beeswax, tannins, as well as sweet juicy and fruity notes (orange, grenada, tangerine and guava), with a hint of rubber at the end. Diluted, the rubber fades.
Impression: A very nice rich and fruity Clynelish. Very enjoyable to drink.
Rating: 16/20 FP:H1

13 Nov

Glen Garioch 1973 for The Whisky Exchange, 40 YO, OB, 54.3%, B:2014. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Thick, peaty, smoky, complex, slightly tarry, on game, leather, dried and dark fruits, sultanas, orange, some cocoa, becoming more fruity over time. Excellent.
Taste: Thick, chewy, waxy, floral, complex, on pineapples, treacle, dates, dark and dried fruits, some old fashioned mineral peat smoke, becoming more tarry, as it stays on the palate. Complex and keeps developing over time. The finish is long, thick, waxy, rich, with some treacle, on peat smoke, orange, dates, some tangerine, tar, cocoa and some spices. There is a nice smooth and sweet peaty-tarry retroolfaction. Diluted, it becomes sweeter and fruitier with some tannins.
Impression: I really enjoy the heavily peated Glen Garioch from the 1970s and this second old Glen Garioch for the Whisky Exchange from the 1970s is an excellent treat, with a nice old-fashioned style of sherry perfectly integrated with the tarry and mineral slightly aromatic peat smoke of Glen Garioch from that vintage. I wished the price was closer to the 1971 version for The Whisky Exchange. In any case, an excellent and well made whisky.
Rating: 19/20 FP:I4

12 Nov

Glen Garioch 1991 For Hofer SA Switzerland, 23 YO, Berry Bros & Rudd, 53.9%, cask 2914. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Sweet, smooth, round, fruity, slightly floral and aromatic, with some pineapples and other tropical fruits.
Taste: Sweet, floral, fruity, slightly aromatic, on soft spices, tangerine, orange, and a touch of tropical fruits. Very pleasant. The finish is medium, sweet, fruity, with some tropical fruits, orange, tangerine and apricots jam, with some tannins.
Impression: A very close to the 1993 from Adelphi, slightly less smoky and austere, but also slightly more fruity and with a shorter finish. Two slightly different version of well made sherry-matured Glen Garioch.
Rating: 15/20 FP:H2

11 Nov

Glen Garioch 1993, 21 YO Adelphi, 59.6% B:2014, cask 776. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Round, smooth, slightly smoky and mineral, with some fruity flavours (peach and orange) and a nice balance. Sweet.
Taste: Very smooth, round, slightly waxy and aromatic, with some pecan nuts, a touch of leather, some game, tannins, and sweet fruity notes (orange and tangerine), as well as a touch of cocoa. The finish is medium to long, sweet, fruity, with some tannins and leather, a touch of cocoa, some aromatic flavours as well as light mineral peat smoke flavours. Slightly astringent.
Impression: Single cask bottling of sherried Glen Garioch are uncommon, and this example is a very good example of a sweet and well sherry matured Glen Garioch, well balance, rather whisky with a nice smoky touch. Very good.
Rating: 15/20 FP:H2

10 Nov

Glen Garioch 1990, 23 YO, The Ultimate, 46%, B: 2013. Price:
Colour: Pale gold
Nose: Sweet to very sweet, juicy, slightly grassy and smoky, with some herbal and slight peaty notes.
Taste: Sweet, waxy, smooth, floral, fragrant, slightly malty and aromatic, with some light fruity notes (melon and fruits from the orchards), a touch of vanilla and some tobacco leaves. The finish is medium, rather smoky, waxy, grassy and aromatic, slightly mellow, smooth and sweet. Diluted, it becomes grassier and with some tobacco leaves.
Impression: A very nice, grassy, waxy, smooth and smoky Glen Garioch with a pleasant mouth feel.
Rating: 16/20 FP:A3

09 Nov

Glen Garioch 1993, 20 YO, The First Editions, 58.2%, B: 2014, 241 bottles. Price:
Colour: Pale gold
Nose: Sweet, smooth, juicy, grassy, slightly smoky and with some herbal infusion. Pleasant.
Taste: Clean, fresh, aromatic to very aromatic, rather floral, smooth and some fragrance and light notes of fruits from the Orchards. The finish is medium, floral, aromatic, and slightly fragrant, with a hint of smoke and a slight sweet fruitiness. Diluted, it becomes more fragrant and slightly bitter.
Impression: A clean, fresh, intense, aromatic and rather floral-fragrant flavour profile.
Rating: 15/20 FP:A2

08 Nov

Glen Garioch 1999 Batch 30 Sherry Matured, OB, 56.3% B:2013. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Starts on strong notes of vegetal condiments, maple syrup, pecan nuts, some floral notes and tobacco leaves.
Taste: Floral, aromatic, rich, on maple syrup, vegetal condiment, some vegetamine, tangerine, orange and a touch of rubber. The finish is medium, on walnuts, vegetal condiment, orange, tannins and leather, with some floral and aromatic flavours.
Impression: This is the first batch made entirely made from sherry casks, with the sherry contributing to a rather vegetal style, which is not too much to my liking.
Rating: 12/20 FP:F1

07 Nov

Glen Garioch 15 YO Renaissance Chapter 1, OB, 51.9% B:2014. Price:
Colour: Old gold
Nose: Rich, sweet, earthy, smoky, juicy, fruity, with some almonds, tangerine, orange, some humus, spices and some aromatic flavours. Rather thick and heavy.
Taste: Very smooth, silky and waxy, warming pleasantly the palate, with some ginger, a hint of tangerine, some Christmas cake, freshly crushed barley, a hint of smoke and cinnamon. Complex and very well balanced. The finish is long, very smooth, warming, slightly waxy and aromatic, with a touch of leather, tangerine, malt, cinnamon, other spices, freshly baked bread, a touch of ginger and other complex flavours.
Impression: The nose is nice, rich and fruity, while the mouth feel is surprisingly smooth, silky, malty, with a nice waxiness giving an unusual but most pleasant “warming” effect. Original, but very good!
Rating: 17/20 FP:D2

06 Nov

Isle of Jura Tastival, OB, 44%, B:2014. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: Round, smooth, sweet, sugary, slightly winey, on raisins, some seaweeds, fresh oak and grassy notes.
Taste: Fresh, on freshly sawn virgin oak, with some buttery flavours, some spices, a slight smokiness and a nice grassy-roundness, as well as some sultanas. The finish is medium, salty, oaky, slightly soapy and winey
Impression: A rather pleasant Isle of Jura matured in American oak before being moved to French oaky cask and finally married in sherry butts. The result is rather pleasant and the finish more to me liking than the previous “finished” Isle of Jura I tasted.
Rating: 12/20 FP:E1

04 Nov

Isle of Jura 1989 Heavily Peated for Walhaus am See, 24 YO, Signatory, 58.0%, B:2014, cask 30718, 191 bottles. Price:
Colour: Gold-old gold
Nose: Peaty to very peaty, dry, ashy, smoky, with some charcoal, sea spray, medicinal flavours and seaweeds.
Taste: Peaty to very peaty, intense, ashy, dry to very dry, salty, on charcoal, barbecue and some seaweeds. The finish is long, intense, dry, ashy, peaty to very peaty, tarry, bitter, on gentian and liquorice roots.
Impression: Compared to the previous Heavily Peated Jura for Waldhaus am See or the Whisky Fair, this version is extremely peaty, dry, ashy and tarry, with a good complexity. A damn good old peated Isle of Jura.
Rating: 17/20 FP:A7

03 Nov

Isle of Jura Elixir, 12 YO, OB, 46%, B:2014. Price:
Colour: Old gold
Nose: Smooth, round, oaky, fresh, with some seaweeds, vanilla and some spices. Elegant.
Taste: Smooth to very smooth, on juicy oak, some distant maritime influence, light grassy and honey notes, vanilla and spices. Elegant. The finish is medium, rather salty, with some orange, tangerine, grapefruit and bitter smoke.
Impression: A good Isle of Jura with a combination of European and American oak, without any finish. Good to taste some Jura without any finishes.
Rating: 13/20 FP:D1

02 Nov

Balvenie tun 1509, OB, 47.1%, B: 2014. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: Smooth, mellow, rich, rather floral, on honey, heather, orange, tangerine, some leather, cinnamon, nutmeg and other spices. Very nice.
Taste: Sweet, oaky, fruity, slightly floral and creamy, on spices, cinnamon, tangerine and heather honey. The finish is medium to long, rich, spicy, intense, oaky, with buttery notes, heather honey, cinnamon, a touch of spearmint and some tangerine.
Impression: A very good, fresh and intense Balvenie, tasting younger and with more bourbon-wood influence than the Balvenie Tun 1401 Batch 5
Rating: 15/20 FP: D1

01 Nov

Ardmore 2000, 14 YO, Adelphi, OB, 55.6%, B:2014, cask 245, 157 bottles. Price:
Colour: Straw
Nose: Clean, intense, peaty, aromatic, slightly salty, on vanilla and a touch of toffee.
Taste: Very clean, slightly aromatic, floral, slightly fragrant, oaky, and slightly peaty. The finish is medium, very clean, floral, aromatic and slightly bitter.
Impression: A very clean and rather floral version of Ardmore, slightly peated.
Rating: 11/20 FP:A3

31 Oct

Ardmore 2000, 14 YO, Anam na b-alba, 52.9%, B:2014, cask 800219, 88 bottles. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Clean to very clean, peaty, oaky, aromatic and with some vanilla.
Taste: Clean, aromatic, smoky, slightly peaty and grassy, on juicy oak, some vanilla and light earthy notes. The finish is medium, juicy, oaky, with some grapefruit, smoke, aromatic flavours and a touch of vanilla and toffee. Diluted, it becomes slightly on tobacco leaves and rather lemony.
Impression: A good, clean and fresh Ardmore.
Rating: 14/20 FP: A4

30 Oct

Ardmore 2001, 13 YO, Whiskybroker, 56.4%, B: 2014. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Peaty, smoky, aromatic, oaky, on damp earth, some humus, and a touch of tangerine.
Taste: Peaty, smoky, complex, spicy, aromatic, with some humus and citrus, a touch of tangerine and some earthy notes. Very pleasant. The finish is medium to long, spicy, peaty, smoky, aromatic, citric. Complex.
Impression: A very nice, rich and complex Ardmore, with a nice citric touch. A good value whisky from a refill sherry cask.
Rating: 16/20 FP: D5

29 Oct

The Ardmore Legacy, OB, 40%, B:2014. Prix:
Colour: Old gold
Nose: Oaky, peaty, smoky, on vanilla, toffee, fudge and charcoal.
Taste: Smooth, peaty, tarry, ashy, on charcoal, toffee, fudge and some BBQ sauce. Very smoky. The finish is medium, smooth, oaky, slightly bitter, on toffee, fudge, peat smoke, vanilla, and some liquorice roots.
Impression: The new Ardmore Legacy replaces the Ardmore Traditional, with a strength reduced from 46% to 40%. The whisky is less intense and thinner, but smoother as well with longer lasting smoky flavours.
Rating: 14/20 FP:A5

28 Oct

Glenglassaugh 40 YO, OB, 42.5%, B:2014. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: Smooth, mellow to very mellow, fruity, on tropical fruits, mango, guava, some sultanas and a touch of sea spray and spices. The fruity flavours are lovely.
Taste: Sweet, salty, mineral, fruity, with lots of tropical fruits, some melon, some wet tobacco leaves as well as some smoke. The finish is medium, slightly soapy, bitter and rubbery, on tropical fruits, some pear, old wood and some smoke.
Impression: The nose is superb and the combination of salt, smoke and tropical fruits works well on the palate, while the finish has an interesting flavour balance.
Rating: 16/20 FP: F1

27 Oct

Glenglassaugh 1978 Madeira Wood Finish, 35 YO, OB, 41.7%, B:2014. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Smooth, intense, slightly mineral, on some dry and slightly sugary winey notes, with some pina colada, as well as some anise and absinthe notes. Original, but the flavours are well integrated and pleasant.
Taste: Fruity, on pina colada, some complex smoke, slight sweet and sugary notes, sultanas and a slight but welcomed winey influence. Nice, intense and well balanced. The finish is medium, fruity, slightly dry and winey, rather complex, slightly grassy and with a touch of smoke. Diluted, the finish becomes more winey.
Impression: The Madeira influence works well with this whisky, probably contributing to pleasant exotic fruity flavours and adding to some complexity to the whole. I enjoyed it very much when drunk neat, but I find the winey notes slightly too present to my liking once water is added. Probably one the best wine matured (non-sherry) whisky that I tasted so far.
Rating: 17/20 FP:H1

26 Oct

Balblair 1999, OB, 46%, B:2014. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Smooth, fresh, malty, on honey, some vanilla and fresh light floral and grassy notes.
Taste: Fresh to very fresh, intense, malty, spicy, oaky, on vanilla, a touch of hops and grassy notes. The finish is medium to long, intense, malty, with some slightly bitter floral notes, vanilla and some fresh oak.
Impression: A good, fresh lively and intense Balblair. Well made.
Rating: 13/20 FP:A1

25 Oct

Balblair 2000 Single Cask for The Whisky Exchange, OB, 53%, B:2014, cask 1343. Price:
Colour: Dark amber
Nose: Smooth, floral, on intense, sweet and vegetal sherry notes, fresh rubber, cinnamon, orange, tangerine and Christmas cake.
Taste: Intense, spicy, tannic, with some rancio, leather, vegetal condiment, spices, cinnamon, lots of cloves, Christmas spices, some fresh rubber and on orange. The finish is long, intense, on leather, tannins, wood extracts, cloves, slightly astringent, on rubber and diverse spices.
Impression: Sherried versions of Balblair are uncommon and this one is a true sherry monster, with a massive sherry delivery, without being excessively rubbery. This might be soon a cult whisky amongst Bablair enthusiasts and sherry freaks. The Dark Bablair?
Rating: 16/20 FP:J1

24 Oct

Givran 25 YO, OB, 42%, B:2014. Price:
Colour: Pale gold
Nose: Smooth, light, slightly buttery and creamy, with some vanilla, butterscotch and nice mellow sweet and rather fruity flavours (peach and apricots).
Taste: Very smooth, slightly mellow, on yellow flowers, slightly oaky, with some melon, cooked cereals, dried apricots and vanilla. Clean and light, but elegant and subtle.
Impression: From the 3 Givran I have tasted, this is the most matured and most elegant single grain, with light and subtle fruity and floral flavours. Good but rather pricey.
Rating: 12/20 FP:A1

23 Oct

Givran N°4 Patent Still, OB, 42%, B:2014. Price:
Colour: Straw
Nose: Ultra smooth, very clean, young, and with a touch of vanilla. Rather bland.
Taste: Very clean, slightly floral and bitter, with a hint of toffee and butterscotch. Young. The finish is short to medium, slightly floral and bitter, rather spirity, very clean, with some butterscotch.
Impression: An ultra smooth whisky, rather spirity tasting young. Bland and not much to my liking. Tastes more like neutral alcohol.
Rating: 07/20 FP:A1

Givran Proof Strength, OB, 57.1%, B:2014. Price:
Colour: Straw
Nose: Ultra smooth, spirity, very clean, young and simple.
Taste: Very spirity, young, ultra clean, slightly fragrant, and rather immature. With some water, it becomes more on butterscotch but remains very clean and bland. The finish is medium to short, slightly floral and bitter, rather spirity, very clean, with some butterscotch.
Impression: A ultra smooth w
Impression: A whisky with a flavour close to the n°4, but is seems even younger and less matured. Drinkable but rather flavourless.
Rating: 06/20 FP:A1

22 Oct

Haig Club, OB, 40%, B:2014. Prix:
Colour: Pale gold
Nose: Extremely smooth, buttery, creamy, and slightly floral, on vanilla and a touch of fudge
Taste: Very smooth, sweet, creamy, on butterscotch, fudge, toffee, vanilla, some charred or toasted oak and slight floral notes. Well balanced. The finish is medium, slightly floral, and creamy, on butterscotch, some fudge, toffee and vanilla.
Impression: A very smooth and rather creamy Haig, with a pleasant mouth feel. It is not very complex, but flavoursome and enjoyable to drink. A single grain from Cameronbridge with a stylish blue bottle that should work well with cocktails, but as stand alone as well.
Rating: 12/20 FP:A1

21Oct

Caol Ila 15 YO, Sestante, 65.3%, B: 1970s. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Rather sweet, medicinal, peaty, smoky, maritime, with light fruity notes, some tropical fruits and a touch of citrus. A surprisingly smooth and medicinal Caol Ila, with the peat smoke somewhat reminding me of the Ardbeg 1972. Moderately peaty.
Taste: Very peaty, intense, citric, on hemp rope, some cooked apples, seaweeds, some citrus and tar. The finish is medium, citric to very citric, dry to very dry, on camphor, tar, iodine, hemp rope, peat smoke and some cooked apples. Diluted, it becomes more medicinal.
Impression: A very dry, intense and peaty Caol Ila, with a rather citric finish. The dry peaty smoke is close to many recent bottlings of Caol Ila, but with more medicinal flavours.
Rating: 16/20 FP:A8

20 Oct

Caol Ila 1966, 19 YO, Intertrade, 58.3%, B: 1985. 240 bottles. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Very peaty, mineral, slightly tarry, on wet peat smoke, ashes, strong notes of seaweeds, camphor and iodine, some diesel smoke, maritime flavours and a rather light and sweet sherry influence. Delicious. Diluted, the nose is more on charcoal, BBQ and tar, with some aromatic flavours. Becomes slightly smoother as well.
Taste: Rich, intense, sweet, very peaty, smoky, on leather, some game, tannins, tangerine, orange, chocolate, some cumin, cinnamon and other spices, as well as other fruity notes, seaweeds and diverse maritime flavours. Very complex. The finish is very long, smoky, peaty, ashy, tarry, slightly tannic and woody, maritime, on seaweeds, some camphor, iodine, chocolate, orange and tangerine. Diluted, the finish is more tarry and mineral, with a touch of eucalyptus and more chocolate.
Impression: A delicious old fashioned, tarry and medicinal Caol Ila, with a complex peat smoke. Some light woody notes prevent this whisky to reach the 20/20. Do not hesitate to taste this one, if you can.
Rating: 19/20 FP:G7

19 Oct

Caol Ila 15 YO Unpeated Stitchell Reserve, OB, 59.6%, B: 2013. Price:
Colour: Pale gold
Nose: Clean to very clean, smooth, slightly floral, elegant and with light spicy notes.
Taste: Oaky, slightly sweet and young, rather floral, with some light farmy notes, vanilla and some seabreeze. The finish is medium, floral, slightly bitter and fragrant, oaky, with some hay and a touch of liquorice roots. Diluted, it becomes oilier.
Impression: A rather light, round and oily and floral Caol Ila. A different spirit than the peated versions.
Rating: 11/20 FP:A1

18 Oct

Wild Geese Limited Edition, OB, 43%, B: 2014. Price:
Colour: Pale gold.
Nose: Grainy, smooth, oaky, with some honey, peach and a hint of citrus and some marzipan.
Taste: Light, smooth, oaky, slightly musty, on vanilla, spices, some ginger and citrus. The finish is medium, oaky, musty, slightly bitter, floral and fragrant, with some grain and some citrus.
Impression: A slightly more complex version than the Rare Irish, but also more oaky and bitter. Rather heavy for an Irish blended whiskey.
Rating: 09/20 FP:A1

17 Oct

Wild Geese Rare Irish, OB, 43%, B: 2014. Price:
Colour: Pale gold
Nose: Grainy, slightly musty, spicy, and floral, rather intense and some citrus.
Taste: Very smooth, creamy, soft, with some spices, ginger and some almonds. The finish is medium, oaky, slightly bitter, on chestnuts, almonds, some ginger and other spices. Slightly rough and a with a touch of smoke.
Impression: A rather heavy and grainy Irish whiskey, rather intense and oaky.
Rating: 09/20 FP:A1

16 Oct

Tomatin Cu Bocan Sherry, OB, 46%, B:2014. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: Smooth, very sweet, vegetal, peaty, slightly aromatic and round. Subtle.
Taste: Sweet, slightly sugary, grassy, and juicy, peaty, slightly aromatic, on tangerine, some orange and light vegetal notes. The finish is medium, sweet, smooth, slightly sugary, vegetal and aromatic, with peat smoke.
Impression: A nice, elegant, sweet and rather subtle medium peated whisky. Pleasant. Although it is a non-age statement whisky, the whisky inside is close to 10 years.
Rating: 14/20 FP:E5

15 Oct

Greenspot 10 YO Single Pot Still, OB, 40%, B:2014. Price: N/A
Colour: Old gold
Nose: Rich, spicy, intense, smooth to very smooth, sweet, juicy, on dried fruits, some peach, apricots, juicy malt, some honey and nuts. Complex.
Taste: Deliciously sweet and juicy, on cooked cereals, apricots, some peach, a touch of smoke, some malty notes, rich and diverse spicy notes. The finish is medium, very smooth, round, sweet, juicy, malty, and slightly smoky, with a slight dryness, some pear and on cooked cereals.
Impression: This is an experimental bottling of single pot still. It might be only 10 years old and reduced down to 40%, but the result is an impressive whisky, complex, well matured, rich and intense. An excellent whiskey that I would enjoy being bottled at an affordable price (it was a special dram at the Whisky Show, i.e., valuated to >300£)
Rating: 17/20 FP:B1

14 Oct

The Giant’s choice, The Ireland Trail 2001, 12 YO, 46%. Price:
Colour: Pale gold-gold
Nose: Light to very light, smooth, fresh, with freshly pressed pears and apples, slight notes of ginger and a thin touch of smoke.
Taste: Smooth to very smooth, on almond, freshly pressed pears and apple and juicy oaky notes. Light, slightly spicy and with a touch of melon. The finish is short to medium, on almond, light notes of cereals, some melon and vanilla.
Impression: A light to very light whisky, with smooth fruity notes of apples and pears.
Rating: 12/20 FP:A1

13 Oct

Kilchoman Port Matured, OB, 55%, B: 2014.
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: Very peaty, intense, smooth, dry, floral, with some juniper and medicinal flavours.
Taste: Sweet, juicy, sugary, with some juniper and light medicinal notes. The finish is medium and on the same flavours.
Impression: A young to very young whisky, with some light, dry and sweet Port flavours. Some additional maturation might have increased the balance of the whisky. A work in progress?
Rating: 08/20 FP:A7

12 Oct

Kilchoman Cask Strength, OB, 59.2%, B: 2014. Price:
Colour: Straw
Nose: Extremely peaty, very ashy and tarry, maritime, medicinal, and light oaky notes.
Taste: Light, young, salty, maritime, tarry, rather ashy, with some smoked ham and bacon. The finish is rather long, peaty, smoky, ashy, tarry, on smoked ham and bacon, some medicinal flavours and a touch of gentian.
Impression: A very peaty, intense and tarry version of Kilchoman, young but enjoyable.
Rating: 13/20 FP:A8

11 Oct

Glenfarclas 31 YO Port Cask, OB, 42.8%, B: 2014. Price:
Colour: Old gold
Nose: Floral to very floral, very smooth, round and mellow, with some sugary sweetness.
Taste: Very smooth, round, sweet, sugary, on coconuts, pineapples, and slightly soapy and floral notes. The finish is medium, sweet, sugary, on pineapples, coconuts, some sweet sugary grapes, floral notes and a touch of lavender.
Impression: A sweet sugary Glenfarclas, smooth and well matured. The Port is well integrated.
Rating: 15/20 FP:E1

10 Oct

Glenfarclas 1980 Family Cask, OB, 46.2%, B:2014, cask 3180, 357 bottles. Price:
Colour: Gold-old gold
Nose: Floral to very floral, smooth, spices, some oak, with some toffee, fudge and maybe a touch of lemon.
Taste: Floral to very floral, on toffee, fudge, vanilla, some lemon and some spices. The finish is medium, very smooth, mellow, oaky, on vanilla, some spices and fudge.
Impression: A very round and floral Glenfarclas, without the intense sherry influence from most Glenfarclas. An interesting variation of Glenfarclas.
Rating: 14/20 FP:C1

09 Oct

Redbreast 21 YO, OB, 46%, B: 2014. Price:
Colour: Old gold
Nose: Smooth, very sweet and juicy, fruity, on melon, exotic fruits, tangerine, and dry fruits. Lovely.
Taste: Spicy, rich, mellow, fruity, creamy, on tropical fruits, passion fruits, mango, guava, melon, some vanilla, and light floral notes. The finish is medium to long, spicy to very spicy, slightly bitter and floral, smooth, mellow, on tropical fruits and some vanilla.
Impression: The Redbreast 12 YO is a good pot still whiskey, but the 21 YO has a delicious sweet, round and fruity notes, with pleasant tropical fruits, bringing Redbreast to another level. Simply excellent.
Rating: 17/20 FP:F1

Redbreast 12 YO Cask Strength, OB, 58.6%, B:2014. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Smooth, round, sweet, juicy, with some melon, vanilla and a touch of ginger and some honey
Taste: Smooth, slightly spicy, on vanilla, almond, honey and some creamy notes. The finish is medium, slightly creamy, with some pastries, melon, vanilla, ginger and some light dry notes.
Impression: a nice fresh and intense Irish Pot Still whiskey, smooth and very enjoyable.
Rating: 13/20 FP:C1

06 Oct

Bowmore 1999, 14 YO, The First Editions, 51.4%, B: 2014, 188 bottles. Price:
Colour: Straw
Nose: Clean, oaky, spicy, maritime, with some cumin, iodine, seaweeds and some disinfectants.
Taste: Clean, oaky, smoky, on vanilla and some maritime flavours. The finish is medium, smooth, smoky, tarry, on camphor and seaweeds. Diluted, it becomes creamy.
Impression: The nose is rather oaky, but becoming smoother on the palate and in the finish.
Rating: 13/20 FP:A5

03 Oct

Bowmore 2001, 11 YO, Maltbarn, 53.6%, B: 2012. Price:
Colour: Gold-old gold
Nose: Smooth, vegetal, sweet, on yeast extracts, peat smoke, fudge, some caramel and a touch of tangerine.
Taste: Smooth, salty, maritime, slightly tarry and ashy, oaky to very oaky, with some sweet spices, vanilla, maple syrup, and a few drops of tangerine and fudge. The finish is medium, maritime, smoky, slightly peaty, with some fudge, seaweeds, tangerine, nuts, and a touch of salt and yeast.
Impression: A smooth and mellow Bowmore, with a touch of fudge and tangerine. A rather docile Bowmore from a refill sherry cask.
Rating: 13/20 FP:A5

02 Oct

Bowmore 2003, 10 YO, The Whisky Cask, 59.5%, B: 2013. Prix:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Peaty, very smoky, clean, oaky, maritime, with some seaweeds, tar, and vanilla. Smoky and modern.
Taste: Very smoky, peaty, maritime, intense, oaky to very oaky, slightly salty, soapy and floral, with some sweet vanilla notes, seaweeds and iodine. Diluted, it has some more spearmint. The finish is medium, oaky, maritime, salty, very smoky, peaty, with some tar, iodine and vanilla.
Impression: A very good, smoky, maritime and clean modern Bowmore.
Rating: 14/20 FP:A6

01 Oct

Bowmore 10 YO Devil’s Cask II, OB, 56.3%, B:2014. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Thick, intense, maritime, peaty, smoky, on leather, tannins, raisins, dark fruits, seaweeds and a touch of iodine.
Taste: Spicy, salty, very smoky, intense, on leather, cinnamon, some spearmint, a touch of rubber and vegetal sherry flavours. The finish is medium to long, oaky, chewy, spicy, on leather, cinnamon, cherries, some dark fruits, some tar, iodine and a touch of spearmint.
Impression: A very nice Bowmore, with an intense and rich nose, with a thick and rich body. With a smooth sherry influence and lots of spices. This reminds me of the Laimrig, with slightly less complexity. Well balanced. A pleasant treat.
Rating: 15/20 FP:G5

30 Sep

Evan Williams 2001 Single Barrel, OB, 43.3%, 2011. Price:
Color: Gold
Nose: Very smooth and grainy, with strong notes of boiled corn (maize), rather floral, with some treacle and charcoal, as well as some apricots.
Taste: Very smooth and grainy, on boiled corn, some flour, slight floral notes as well as light notes of apricots. The finish is rather short, smooth to very smooth, grainy, on cooked corn, some treacle, vanilla and apricots.
Impression: A very smooth Bourbon where the aromas from the corn are very apparent.
Rating: 10/20 FP:A1

29 Sep

Bulleit Small Batch, 10 YO, OB, 45.6%, B: 2014. Price:
Colour: Old gold
Nose: Clean, intense, very round, smooth, on bitter orange, apricots, cooked cereals, cinnamon, vanilla and tobacco.
Taste: Very smooth, round, slightly citric and floral, on orange, pineapples, cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom, Christmas spices, apricots, with some cloves and a touch of soap. The finish is medium to long, very round, smooth, spicy (rye?) slightly dry and oaky, on cloves, cooked cereals and apricots.
Impression: Avery smooth, rather clean Bourbon, with rye-like notes in the finish and some dry oaky spices.
Rating: 13/20 FP:B1

28 Sep

Hancok’s President’s Reserve Single Barrel, OB, 44.45%, B: 2014. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: Very smooth, fresh, on cooked cereals, apricots, some peach, spices, some treacle, nuts and vanilla. Intense.
Taste: Fresh, intense, well balanced, spicy, on dried fruits and raisins, spices, some aniseeds, treacle, corn syrup, orange, tangerine, some bitter oranges and Christmas cake. Diluted, it becomes slightly spicier and dryer. The finish is medium, smooth, round, on cooked cereals, maple and corn syrup, pecan nuts and diverse spices.
Impression: A very pleasant, smooth, round and intense Bourbon, relatively complex.
Rating: 14/20 FP:C1

27 Sep

Old Grand-dad 114, OB, 57%, Lot 1. Price:
Colour: Old gold-brown
Nose: Very smooth, rather light and spicy, slightly dry, with some apricots and rye spices.
Taste: Very spicy and intense, rich, dry, on apricots, vanilla, charred oak and some caramel. The finish is medium, dry to very dry, oaky, on caramel, spices and some fruity notes.
Impression: A whiskey with strong notes of rye, becoming very strong and dry on the palate. Some additional smoothness would have been appreciated.
Rating: 12/20 FP:A1

26 Sep

Prichard’s Double Barreled, 9 YO, OB, 45%, B: 2014. Price:
Colour: Old gold
Nose: Very smooth, fresh, on fresh bananas, corn and cereals. The smell of freshly peeled bananas is very strong.
Taste: Fresh, fruity, rather floral, on bananas, vanilla, some cooked cereals, corn syrup, bubble gum and some spices. The finish is medium, oaky, spicy, slightly bitter, with some gentian, vanilla, cinnamon, overinfused black tea and some slightly immature apricots.
Impression: A complex whiskey, rather original, with some bitter and floral notes as well as rather intense bananas notes.
Rating: 13/20 FP:A1

25 Sep

Bernheim wheat small batch, OB, 45%, B; 2013. Price:
Colour: Gold-old gold
Nose: Very smooth, rich, with lots of cereals, apricots, peach, cinnamon, corn syrup, nutmeg and pecan nuts.
Taste: Very spicy (rye), rich, fresh, fruity, with lots of apricots, on peach, vanilla and some maple syrup. Diluted, it becomes soapy. The finish is medium, smooth, spicy, on corn and corn syrup, on apricots, some aromatic herbs and spices.
Impression: The nose is very smooth and sweet, becoming drier on the palate with spices from rye.
Rating: 13/20 FP:A1

Lexington, OB, 43%, B:2013. Price:
Colour: Old gold
Nose: Smooth, round, on treacle, corn syrup, apricots, peach, and cooked cereals.
Taste: Very smooth and fragrant, fresh, on bubble gum, marshmallows, vanilla and diverse spices. The finish is medium, very smooth, oaky, rather youngish and spirit, with some light bitter notes.
Impression: A rather young whiskey, developing some nice, pleasant and rather balanced flavours that would benefit of a slightly longer maturation.
Rating: 09/20 FP:A1

23 Sep

Buck Bourbon, 8 YO, OB, 45%, B: 2013. Price:
Colour: Gold-old gold
Nose: Very smooth, round, elegant, on cereals, fresh fruits and some maple syrup. Rather light and floral.
Taste: Very smooth, vegetal, creamy, with some herbal infusion, cooked cereals, apricots, some spices (cinnamon) and bubble gum. The finish is medium, fragrant, slightly floral and bitter, on spices and a certain oakiness.
Impression: An unusual whiskey, rather bitter, floral and fragrant and a moderate treacle influence.
Rating: 12/20 FP:A1

22 Sep

Balcones Baby Blue Blue Corn, OB, 46%, B:2010, batch 10. Price:
Colour: Gold-old gold
Nose: Very young, fresh, on new make spirit, corn, cereals and fruits from the orchards.
Taste: Very young and smooth, sweet, floral and on strong cereals notes. The finish is medium, very smooth, young, sweet and on fresh vanilla.
Impression: I have limited experience with white dogs (new make spirit), but this whiskey taste like a new make spirit with a very smooth side. I would like to taste older expressions from this distillery.
Rating: 08/20 FP:A1

21 Sep

Dry Fly Distilling Washington Wheat Small Batch, OB, 40%, B:2013, batch 4. Price:
Colour: Gold
Taste: Light, fresh, on vanilla and surprisingly strong notes of fish.
Nose: Very light and fragrant, feinty, on some solvent and malty notes. Unpleasant. The finish is medium to short, light, feinty, on toffee, some solvent and malty notes.
Impression: A rather smooth, creamy and light whiskey, rather feinty. A rather unusual whiskey. Not my style.
Rating: 04/20 FP:A1

20 Sep

Breckenridge, OB, 43%, B: 2013. Price:
Colour: Old gold
Nose: Very intense, smooth, with lots of apricots, on cooked corn, some malty notes, vanilla and nice dry rye flavours. Very nice.
Taste: Very smooth and round, mellow, fresh, fruity, on corn and other cooked cereals, apricots, some peach, maple syrup and lots of cinnamon. The finish is medium, very smooth, rich and mellow, nicely spicy, on cinnamon, nutmeg, apricots, corn and maple syrup.
Impression: It might be young, but the result is a fresh, very enjoyable and intense whiskey. A well made bourbon from Colorado with a high rye content.
Rating: 15/20 FP:A1

19 Sep

Elmer T Lee Single Barrel, OB, 45%, B: 2013. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: Spicy, slightly dry, rather smooth, on apricots, peach, tangerine and cooked cereals. More spicy (rye-like) than the Hancok.
Taste: Slightly bitter, floral and fragrant, on blackcurrant, spices, oranges, cooked cereals (including a fair proportion of corn), apricots and diverse spices. Rather dry. The finish is medium, rather dry (for a Bourbon), oaky, spicy (rye-like), with some ham, tangerine, berries, nutmeg, apricots, toffee and dates.
Impression: A rather dry Bourbon.
Rating: 12/20 FP:A1

18 Sep

Jefferson Rye, 10 YO, OB, 47%, batch 15. Price:
Colour: Old gold
Nose: Sweet, juicy, fruity, fresh, spicy to very spicy, rather smooth, with pleasant and complex rye flavours.
Taste: Spicy, fruity, sweet, smooth, floral, on apricots, some cherries, cinnamon, vanilla, nutmeg and leather. The finish is medium to long, fresh, intense, complex, floral, slightly fragrant, on apricots, peach, a touch of berries, vanilla and some caramel.
Impression: A very good, balanced and elegant rye whiskey, without the dry side of most rye whiskies. Excellent value whiskey.
Rating: 14/20 FP:A1

17 Sep

Hirsch Selection Rye, 25 YO, 46%. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: Thick, on maple and corn syrup, treacle, some cooked cereals, apricots and some orange fizz tablets.
Taste: Intense to very intense, slightly fragrant, spicy, on eucalyptus, menthol, some tannins, charcoal, treacle, orange, cinnamon, over infused tea. The finish is medium to long,waxy, on cereals, apricots, orange, some tannins, thyme and a lot of cloves.
Impression: A very nice, complex and intense whiskey, but with rather pronouced flavours of tannins, due to its very long maturation.
Rating: 13/20 FP:C1

16 Sep

Rittenhouse Rye 1984, 23 YO, OB, 50%, B:2007, barrel 19. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: Smooth, mellow, rich, with some treacle, honey, vanilla, spices, cinnamon, apricots and floral notes.
Taste: Smooth, spicy, with some menthol, treacle, toffee, some woody notes, lemon and orange zest, vanilla, cinnamon. The flavours are fresh, while it has a rather mellow and smooth mouth feel. The finish is medium, woody, tannic, slightly bitter, smooth, mellow, fruity, moderately spicy and on cinnamon.
Impression: A very nice rye whisky, with a seducing nose and most pleasant mouth feel, before the long maturation in cask shows tannins and astringency in the finish.
Rating: 14/20 FP:B1

15 Sep

Colonel E.H. Taylor Rye, OB, 50%, B: 2013. Price:
Colour: Old gold
Nose: Spicy, rich, rather smooth, some cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, light notes of apricots. Smoother, rounder and slightly more fruity than the whistle pig.
Taste: Smooth, slightly soapy, spicy, rich, intense, round, on apricots, cooked cereals and maple syrup. The finish is medium, round, on cooked cereals, spices, apricots, some peach, maple syrup, cinnamon buns and some cloves.
Impression: A very nice rye whisky, with a Buffalo Trace flavour signature, round, smooth and very enjoyable to drink.
Rating: 15/20 FP:A1

14 Sep

Jim Beam Rye, OB, 40%, B:2013. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Slightly dry, on treacle, some caramel, cooked cereals and some dry spices. Rather bland compared to the Templeton.
Taste: Very smooth, sweet, with some juniper, herbal extracts, spices, freshly curled tobacco leaves and a touch of apricots. The finish is medium, on over-infused herbal infusion, spices, some tobacco and honey.
Impression: A rather smooth, but bland rye whisky, maybe due to its low strength.
Rating: 07/20 FP:A1

13 Sep

Benjamin Prichard’s Rye, OB, 43%, B: 2013. Price:
Colour: Old gold
Nose: Young, smooth, clean, rather sweet, round, slightly bitter, on corn syrup, spices and some herbal liquor (genepi).
Taste: Smooth to very smooth, spicy, floral, slightly fragrant, bitter, spicy and on herbal liquor. The finish is medium, dry, spicy to very spicy, slightly dusty and on herbal liquor.
Impression: A good smooth and spicy whiskey.
Rating: 12/20 FP:A1

12 Sep

Whistle Pig 10 YO 100% Rye, OB, 50%, B: 2013. Price:
Colour: Gold-old gold
Nose: Very spicy, rich, intense, on cooked cereals, vanilla, some carbolic soap, hay, vanilla, peach and apricots. Rather clean and musky.
Taste: Fresh, clean to very clean, spicy, floral, on pear drops, some hay, dust, spicy rye and some fragrance. The finish is medium, dry to very dry, dusty, on hay, cloves, cinnamon, slight bitter fragrant notes, as well treacle and eucalyptus.
Impression: A very spicy, dry and bitter Rye whiskey made in Canada and bottled in the USA. Slightly too dry to my taste.
Rating: 10/20 FP:A1

11 Sep

Templeton Rye Small Batch, OB, 40%, B:2011, batch 4. Price:
Colour: Old gold
Nose: Very smooth, fresh, grassy, on honey, spicy, floral and on herbal liquor (genepi). Original but very enjoyable.
Taste: Very smooth, sweet, vegetal, on herbal liqueur (genepi), dry spices, some cooked cereals, slightly immature apricots, some banana, vanilla, tangerine and honey. Diluted, it becomes smoother and sweeter. The finish is medium, very smooth, sweet, and slightly grassy, on cooked cereals, dry spicy notes, apricots, some corn syrup, vanilla and spices.
Impression: A pleasant and sweet whisky, with a nice and rather subtle rye influence.
Rating: 13/20 FP:A1

10 Sep

Tobermory 1995, 18 YO, The First Editions, 51.9%, B:2014, 208 bottles. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Floral to very floral, fragrant, coastal, with a touch of seaweeds and salt.
Taste: Floral to very floral, round to very round, very smooth, balanced, with a nice sweetness, slightly fruity and some pollen. The finish is medium to long, very smooth, velvety, floral, on beeswax, some leather and orange.
Impression: A very smooth and velvety Tobermory, with a subtle influence from the refill sherry cask. Very good and enjoyable.
Rating: 16/20 FP:E1

09 Sep

Noah’s mill small batch, OB, 57.15%, B:2013, QBC 13-71. Price:
Colour: Old gold
Nose: Floral, slightly dry, on apricots, orange, crushed and cooked cereals, hay, treacle, cinnamon and some dry aromatic herbs.
Taste: Floral to very floral, very smooth, on apricots, spices (cinnamon, nutmeg), pecan nuts, candy floss and some bitter orange. Rather light. The finish is medium, rather light, slightly dry, subtle, on bitter orange, orange, spices, mainly cinnamon.
Impression: Agood and enjoyable Bourbon. It might less intense and lighter than a typical Bourbon, but also more subtle. Thank you Gilles (ww.revesdewhisky.ch).
Rating: 13/20 FP:A1

08 Sep

Tobermory 1994, 18 YO, Adelphi, 58.8%, B:2013, cask 675031, 604 bottles. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: Floral to very floral, smooth, very round, slightly velvety, on leather, tannins and some bloody orange.
Taste: Very floral and smooth, vegetal, slightly fragrant, on candied oranges and tangerines, with a touch of rubber and some leather, as well as some juicy sweet fruity notes. The finish is medium, very smooth, silky, with sweet fruity notes, on orange, tangerine, leather, some vegetal condiment and rubber.
Impression: A very good, rather heavy on the sherry, with slightly too much rubber to my liking. The quality of the Tobermory whisky distilled since the mid 1990s is markedly better than the ones distilled the decade before.
Rating: 15/20 FP:H1

07 Sep

Ardbeg Kildalton, OB, 46%, B:2014. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Peaty, oaky to very oaky, very maritime, with lots of seaweeds and tar, on iodine, disinfectant and seashells. Rather modern
Taste: Very oaky, spicy, smoky, peaty, on camphor, iodine, disinfectant, TCP, lots of cinnamon, some tar and strong maritime flavours. The finish is medium, smoky, peaty, on fresh cinnamon, with strong maritime flavours, some vanilla and a touch of tangerine.
Impression: For a lightly peated whisky, the peaty notes were rather intense (close to an Ardmore), with strong oaky (modern) flavours and a pleasant combination of cinnamon and maritime flavours. It does not taste too old, but the results is interesting.
Rating: 15/20 FP:C4

06 Sep

Ichiro’s Four of spade 2000, 10 YO, OB, 58.6%, B: 2010, cask 60, 570 bottles. Price:
Colour: Old gold.
Nose: Very clean and smooth, malty, with light juicy notes, on rice and manioc cake.
Taste: Oily, rich, slightly juicy, with some vanilla, manioc and rice cake. The finish is medium, very smooth, polished, elegant, slightly floral and on manioc. Diluted, some flavours of carrots are released.
Impression: A very smooth and elegant, Hanyu with flavours of Thailandese rice cake covered by green jelly. A whisky finished in a Mizunara Puncheon.
Rating: 12/20 FP:D2

Ichiro’s malt double distilleries, 46%, B: 2010. Price:
Colour: Gold.
Nose: Smooth, velvety, fragrant and slightly peaty.
Taste: Smooth, slightly soapy and spicy, with some peat and juicy malt. The finish is medium, very smooth, sweet and slightly peaty.
Impression: A simple but very nicely made and smooth whisky.
Rating: 12/20 FP:B4

05 Sep

Ichiros 1982 Kawasaki, Ichiro, 65.4% B:2009, 668 bottles. Price:
Colour: Amber.
Nose: Silky, very grainy, spirity, on polished wood, varnish, cereals and peach. Very sharp and clean.
Taste: Very spirity, sharp, clean, grainy, oily, malty, on cooked apples, some dark chocolate, plums, lacquer, peach and soybean. Diluted, it becomes more on Soybean and Asian sauces. The finish is short to medium, sharp, clean, oily, and on polished wood.
Impression: An extremely sharp and clean whisky, with an oriental influence. Very good but spirity.
Rating: 11/20 FP:F1

04 Sep

Ichiro 2008 Chichibu, OB, 62.5%, B: 2008, 262 bottles. Price:
Colour: Pale gold.
Nose: Harsh, young, immature, dusty, oaky and clean. Very close to new make whisky.
Taste: sHarsh, young, immature, spirity, dusty, on dried plums and fusel oil. The finish is short, harsh and on dried plums.
Impression: A sprit that has lost the sweetness of the new make, but maintained its immaturity and gained in harshness. In this case, I prefer either new make or young whiskies, not these “in-between”. My worst whisky so far.
Rarting: 03/20 FP:A1

03 Sep

Isawa Single Malt 1983, OB, 43%, B: 2014. Price:
Colour: Gold-old gold
Nose: Smooth to very smooth, vegetal, slightly yeasty, on hops, resins, cardboard, lots of fresh leather and some lemon.
Taste: Lemony, smooth, on cardboard, sandalwood, leather, some spices, jasmine, resins and a touch of charcoal. Unusual. The finish is medium to long, very smooth, vegetal, on dried white raisins, some jasmine, lemon pie, cardboard and some pine wax.
Impression: An unusual whisky, vegetal, on cardboard, lemon pie and some floral and fragrant. A whisky difficult to score due to its unusual profile. Give it a try to make your own opinion. Thank you Gilles!
Rating: 11/20 FP:B1

02 Sep

Ootori 15 YO, OB, 40%, B:2014. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: Very smooth, rich, intense, rather silky, on plums, fine leather, dry fruits and a touch of exotic wood. Complex and very pleasant.
Taste: Very smooth, mellow, sweet, fruity, rich, rather, fresh, complex, on plums, sandalwood, dates, leather, orange and tangerine. Elegant. The finish is medium, extremely smooth, sweet, juicy, rich, elegant, subtle, slightly smoky, on high grade leather, tangerine, orange, some exotic wood and a touch of aromatic tea.
Impression: A very good surprise: a deliciously smooth and pleasant whisky, easy to drink, with a good complexity. Thank you Gilles.Of note, this whisky was elaborated by the owner of the Karuizawa distillery.
Rating: 16/20 FP:E2

01 Sep

Glen Grant 1969, 31 YO, Adelphi, 53.9%, B: 2000. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Very intense, slightly floral, velvety, round, with some high grade leather and some game. Rounder than the Velier bottling.
Taste: Intense, rich, floral, with lots of spices, leather, tannins, cinnamons, nutmegs, cloves and red berries. The finish is long, tannic, slightly bitter, rather astringent, and floral, with some berries and lots of spices.
Impression: The nose was superb and the initial impact on the palate as well. However, it becomes rather astringent on the finish, slightly too much to my liking.
Rating: 16/20 FP: J1

31 Aug

Glen Grant 1994, 19 YO, The First Editions, 55.5%, B:2014, 256 bottles. Price:
Colour: Straw
Nose: Floral to very floral, rather fresh and clean, with some smooth edges, on vanilla and some “schnapps”.
Taste: Smooth, floral to floral, slightly spicy, with fruits from the orchards and other fruity notes (melon) as we as some schnapps. The finish is medium and on the same flavours.
Impression: More complex, matured and smoother than the NAS (2000s), but it remains rather young and floral, with limited interaction with the wood.
Rating: 11/20 FP:A1

30 Aug

Glen Grant 1977 59.32, 30 YO, SMWS, 56.2%, B: 2002. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Very intense, vegetal, on peat smoke, berries, humus, and orange. Very nice!
Taste: Very fruity, intense, rich, floral, with some tannins, smoke, spices, leather, berries, orange and some humus. The finish is long, slightly dry and tannic, with a hint of rubber, floral, on berries, smoke and orange.
Impression: A fine and very sherried and intense Glen Grant. Very enjoyable. Thank you Lukas.
Rating: 17/20 FP:I2

29 Aug

Glen Grant, NAS, OB, 40%, B: 2000s. Price:
Colour: Straw
Nose: Very clean and fresh, very floral, rather young, on fruits from the orchards and vanilla.
Taste: Juicy to very juicy, oaky, fresh, floral, on vanilla and fruits from the orchards. The finish is medium, fresh, very juicy, oaky, slightly fragrant and bitter, with some almonds, fruits from the orchards, some vanilla, caramel and a touch of citrus. Young.
Impression: A very young, sweet, floral and juicy Glen Grant. A decent whisky.
Rating: 08/20 FPA1

28 Aug

Glen Grant 1992 Distillery only, 17 YO, OB, 58.8%, B: 2009, cask 17152, 360 bottles. Price:
Colour: Gold.
Nose: Smooth, malty, with a light peatiness and some sea brine.
Taste: Malty, smooth, slightly salty and peaty, some citrus and a touch of toffee. The finish is medium, rather maritime, salty, with some iodine and citrus.
Impression: Tasted first in the cold of the visitor centre at the distillery in late September in company of Dennis Malcolm, the distillery manager. I noticed first a certain spiciness and saltiness, with a hint of peat smoke, but tasted it later on at room temperature and the peatiness was rather present. This bottle was sold exclusively at the distillery. The peatiness does not come from the use of peated barley, but from the casks. Three ex-Laphroaig casks were filled by mistake with Glen Grant spirit and the result is a pleasant, smooth and rather maritime expression of Glen Grant. A Glen Grant that should be in the collection of any Glen Grant collector!
Thank you Malcolm.
Rating: 13/20 FP:A3

27 Aug

Glen Grant 1958 Over 10 years old, OB, 45%, Price:
Colour: gold-old gold
Nose: Very sweet, smooth, floral, round, with some melon, tangerine and peat smoke. Balanced and nicely fruity (tropical fruits).
Taste: Very mineral, austere, juicy, on old peat smoke, with some citrus and a light oaky influence, as well as some eucalyptus. The finish is rather long, mineral, austere, slightly citric, on old-fashioned peat smoke and some eucalyptus, as well as some juicy notes.
Impression: A surprising Glen Grant, very mineral and austere, with an old style of peat smoke that I enjoy very much. The flavour profile is quite unexpected but very enjoyable.
Rating: 17/20 FP: B4

Glen Grant over 19 years old, OB, 45%. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Very sweet, mellow, round, fruity, more peaty than the 1958 over 10 YO and with some additional honey. Slightly soft.
Taste: Juicy, oaky, rich, sweet, fruity, mineral, on old peat smoke and some berries. Austere. The finish is medium, sweet, mineral, on austere peat smoke, citrus and aromatic flavours.
Impression: A softer and slightly less intense version than the over 10 years old.
Rating: 16/20 FP: C3

26 Aug

Glen Grant 1995 Côtes du Rhône finish Old Malt Cask, 12 YO, Douglas Laing, 50%, B: 2007, Ref 3899. Price:
Colour: Gold-old gold.
Nose: Fresh, very floral, slightly acidic and winey, with some pollen.
Taste: Floral, winey, slightly sweet, on pollen, some red wine and vanilla. The finish is medium, floral, fragrant, slightly sweet and acidic, and rather winey, on red wine.
Impression: A rather fresh and floral Glen grant with a pronounced red wine influence. A combination of flavours that does not suit my taste very well, but if you like whiskies with red wines finishes, this might be a rather pleasant one.
Rating: 09/20 FP:D1

25 Aug

Glen Grant 1959, 40 YO, The Whisky Club of Austria, 48.9%, B:1999, 22 bottles. Price: n.a.
Colour: Amber.
Nose: Rich, intense, very fruity, on dark fruits, red berries, leather, some tannins and tangerine.
Taste: Rich, intense, fruity, with lots of berries, some tannins, wood, leather, honey, orange marmalade and spices. The finish is long, very spicy, on red fruits, guava, papaya, smoke, leather, tannins and some cinnamon. Slightly astringent and woody once diluted.
Impression: An excellent very old fruity and very sherried Glen Grant, with sweet notes of red berries married with some tropical fruits. There is a slight woodiness that is slightly enhanced once water is added.
Rating: 18/20 FP: H2

Glen Grant 1964, 42 YO, Signatory, 52.8%, B: 2006, cask 2632, 255 bottles. Price:
Colour: Amber.
Nose: Very smooth, velvety, on polished wood, some berries, a light fragrance and some tangerine. Superb.
Taste: Very smooth and round, velvety, slightly smoky and tannic, on leather, cinnamon, some cloves, Christmas spices, orange, tangerine and a slight bitterness. The finish is long to very long, velvety, on dark chocolate, some berries, slightly bitter and tannic, on orange skin and very light eucalyptus notes.
Impression: A superb smooth and velvety Glen Grant with a beautiful sherry influence. An exceptional whisky that only missed the higher mark due to its slight tannic and bitter notes.
Rating: 19/20 FP: H2

23 Aug

Glen Grant over 8 years old, OB, 40%, B: 1960s (75 cl). Price:
Colour: Gold-old gold.
Nose: Fresh, round, sweet, juicy, fruity and slightly peaty.
Taste: Very smooth, sweet, juicy, slightly peaty and mineral, rather oily, and with nice notes of mango, guava and other tropical fruit. The finish is medium, sweet, round, fruity, slightly peaty, rather oily and on tropical fruits.
Impression: A deliciously fruity Glen Grant that probably contains a good dose of old whiskies. I wished all 8 YO whiskies would taste that good.
Rating: 16/20 FP: D3

22 Aug

Glen Grant 1972, 38 YO, Duncan Taylor, 53.6% B: 2010. Price:
Colour: Old gold.
Nose: Very smooth and fruity, on mango, papaya and other exotic fruits. A real fruit basket.
Taste: Very smooth and mellow, with a very nice oakiness and delicious sweet tropical fruits, some tannins and a light dryness. Complex. The finish is medium, slightly nutty and tannic, spicy and dry, with some vanilla, banana and some other tropical fruits.
Impression: A gorgeous nose, with a very nice taste and the age starting to show up in the finish. In any case, a very fine whisky.
Rating: 17/20 FP:C3

Glen Grant 1972, 35 YO, Duncan Taylor, 56.3%, B: 2007, Sherry cask 3887, 163 bottles. Price:
Colour: Amber.
Nose: Rich, floral to very floral, on ligonberries, orange and some other fruits. Velvety.
Taste: Sweet, very floral, and fruity, spicy, on orange, some beeswax, cinnamon, nutmeg and coffee. Diluted, it becomes fruitier and on spearmint. The finish is long, floral, rather dry and slightly bitter, on oranges and spices.
Impression: An excellent old sherried Glen Grant. Lovely.
Rating: 17/20 FP:F3

21 Aug

Glen Grant 1974, 37 YO, Berry Bros & Rudd, 47.8%, B:2012, cask 7643. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber.
Nose: Very smooth, round, slightly smoky, mineral and oaky, on wood polish, bloody orange and some leather.
Taste: Floral, herbal, slightly smoky, on eucalyptus, with some orange and tangerine. It becomes more complex and mineral over time, as well as on slightly sour berries. The finish is medium to long, aromatic, slightly bitter, mineral, with some eucalyptus.
Impression: A very nice Glen Grant, rather austere and mineral and offering a different expression of this distillery.
Rating: 15/20 FP:A3

20 Aug

Glen Grant 1993, 20 YO, Samaroli, 45%. B:2013, cask121920. Price:
Colour: Pale gold
Nose: Smooth, floral, round, on vanilla, some hay and a light smokiness. The nose is surprisingly smooth for a Glen Grant, without any roughness.
Taste: Smooth, juicy, oaky slightly spicy and mineral, grassy and light fruity notes. The finish is short to medium, spicy, slightly oaky, with light notes of tobacco leaves and some mineral smokiness.
Impression: A very good Glen Grant, smooth, with a light smokiness and little wood influence. The recently bottled Glen Grant tends to rather oaky, but this one is pleasantly smooth.
Rating: 14/20 FP:A1

19 Aug

Glen Scotia 1992 for Divo, 18 YO, Clan Denny, 58.3%. Price:
Colour: Old gold.
Nose: Smooth, rich, fruity, slightly salty, with strong mushrooms notes, some grapefruit and old wood smoke.
Taste: Salty, smoky, oaky, rather smooth, with some caramel, salt, mushrooms and grapefruit.
Impression: A rather smooth and salty Glen Scotia. Fairly priced.
Rating: 13/20 FP:B1

Glen Scotia 1992, 19 YO, Silver Seal, 59.2%, B:2011. Price:
Colour: Old gold
Nose: Smooth, fruity, rich, on peach and some other sweet fruits. Complex.
Taste: Very floral, on violet, perfume, marzipan, vanilla and some pears? The combination of flavours is not very easy to describe and to characterize. The finish is medium, malty, with some starch, cardboard, light grassy notes and some honey. With some nutty retro-olfaction.
Impression: A very smooth and light whisky. Refreshing.
Rating: 11/20 FP:A1

18 Aug

Glen Scotia 1991, The First Editions, 59.6%, B; 2013, 219 bottles. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Salty, smoky, slightly maritime and farmy, with some grapefruits and other citric notes. Slightly more complex than the Old Particular.
Taste: Intense, spicy, oaky, smoky, on tobacco leaves and sea breeze. The finish is medium to long, intense to very intense, spicy, smoky, salty, oaky, on vanilla, sea breeze, some seaweeds, liquorice and caramel.
Impression: A very intense and rather oaky expression of Glen Scotia, with a rather long finish on tobacco smoke.
Rating: 13/20 FP:A2

17 Aug

Special TWE Whisky Show

Glen Scotia 1992 Old Particular, 21 YO, Douglas Laing, 51.5%, B: 2013, DL9907. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Salty, clean, slightly smoky and maritime, with light grapefruit notes.
Taste: Rather smooth, salty, on sea breeze, some liquorice, grapefruit and slightly mineral fruity notes. Elegant and rather subtle, with smoky notes developing over time. The finish is medium to long, smooth, slightly austere and mineral, salty, with some sea breeze, a zest of lemon and grapefruit.
Impression: A charming elegant, smooth and slightly austere Glen Scotia with nice notes from the Campbeltown harbour.
Rating: 14/20 FP: A2

16 Aug

BenRiach Authenticus 25 YO, OB, 46%, B:2013. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Peaty, oaky, aromatic, farmy, round, with some vanilla and stable flavours.
Taste: Soft, rather thin, slightly oaky, with some toffee, vanilla, oak spices and some aromatic peat, as well as some pear or apples. The finish is rather short, smooth, thin, peaty, aromatic, with some toffee, smoke, some tar and vanilla.
Impression: A rather gentle version of peated BenRiach; softer, smoother and oakier than the previous Authenticus 21 YO.
Rating: 12/20FP: A4

15 Aug

Special TWE Whisky Show

Benromach 1976, OB, 46%, B:2012. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Sweet to very sweet, fruity, juicy, floral, on honey, some melon and guava.
Taste: Floral, smooth to very smooth, slightly citric, mineral, on pineapples and eucalyptus. An old fashioned-like whisky. The finish is rather short, slightly austere and citric, with some malty and floral notes, as well as some eucalyptus and pineapples. Slightly thin.
Impression: A whisky with a very nice fruity nose, nice mineral notes on a palate and slightly thin and short on the palate. With some extra intensity, it would have scored higher. Overall, an enjoyable whisky.
Rating: 14/20 FP: D2

14 Aug

Benromach Origins Golden Promise, OB, 50%, B: 2013. Price:
Colour: Straw-pale gold
Nose: Young, clean, floral, smooth, and slightly waxy, on vanilla, some honey and nice rounded malty notes.
Taste: Young to very young, smooth, sweet, malty, floral, fragrant and some new make notes. The finish is medium, bitter, fragrant, floral, malty, oily and some tobacco smoke.
Impression: A bold and rather waxy Benromach with a finish dominated by strong floral, fragrant and bitter notes. Not a whisky for me.
Rating: 09/20 FP:A2

13 Aug

Special TWE Whisky Show

Benromach Peat Smoke 67 ppm 2005, OB, 46%, B:2013. Price:
Colour: Straw
Nose: Very peaty, tarry, smoky and farmy. Pleasant.
Taste: Smooth, sweet, very peaty, tarry to very tarry, farmy, slightly waxy, with light salty notes, some apples and liquorice roots. The finish is medium, peaty, slightly salty, floral and waxy, with round malty notes and thin aromas of apples.
Impression: A good and very peaty Benromach, with intense peaty notes complemented by pleasant waxy and malty notes. I enjoyed the complexity and the depth of the tarry peaty flavours. The maturity and quality of the peat smoke seem to improve with each version.
Rating: 13/20 FP:A8

12 Aug

Littlemill 1st edition, 21 YO, OB, 46%, 3000 bottles. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Fresh, clean, intense, floral, grassy and with some honey. Rather complex.
Taste: Fresh, grassy to very grassy, floral, on hay, some straw. Smells good the freshly cutty grass during the summer. Rather smooth and complex. Diluted, it becomes grassier. The finish is medium, fresh, grassy, floral to very floral, with lots of hay, some smoke and slight notes of eucalyptus.
Impression: A very good Littlemill, fresh, rather clean, with a certain smoothness and a good balance.
Rating: 15/20 FP:B2

Littlemill 2nd edition, 21 YO, OB, 46%, 4000 bottles. Price:
Colour: Gold-old gold.
Nose: Round, smooth, mellow, grassy, fruity and rather sweet, with some honey and dates. A rather round and sweet sherry-influenced whisky.
Taste: Mellow, round, slightly nutty, grassy, floral, with some sweet sherry influence, some fudge, on hay, vanilla and some dates. Slightly cardboard. The finish is mellow, round, rather sweet, slightly grassy, with some sweet sherry and a touch of smoke.
Impression: A littlemill of similar quality than the first version, but mellower, smoother and with a (much more) pronounced sweet sherry influence. Two different whiskies but of the same quality.
Rating 15/20 FP:E2

11 Aug

Breath of the Isles 1993, Adephi, 57%, B: 2009, cask 3746, 301 bottles. Price:
Colour: Pale gold-gold.
Nose: Peaty, salty, very maritime, on sea shells and pepper.
Taste: Dry, salty, very peppery (Szechuan pepper and chilli), on peat and old dried seaweeds, as well as diesel smoke. Strongly maritime. The finish is long, hot, very peaty, spicy, peppery, strongly maritime, slightly mineral and on ashes. Intense and pungent.
Impression: A very good and very peppery Talisker. Very much appreciated.
Rating: 16/20 FP:A7

10 Aug

Talisker 1957, Gordon & MacPhail, 53.3%. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: Smooth, mellow, peaty, smoky, mineral, maritime to very maritime, salty, with some shoe polish, leather and orange.
Taste: Smooth, sweet, maritime, on old fashioned peat smoke, citrus, some spices, liquorice sticks, old pepper and some floral notes. The finish is long, peaty, austere, slightly bitter, on fashioned peat smoke, cloves, nutmeg, some maritime flavours and eucalyptus.
Impression: A nice old-fashioned, very smoky, peaty and citric version of Talikser with a pleasant and rather light sherry influence.
Rating: 17/20 FP:H5

09 Aug

Talisker Provenance Young and Feisty, Douglas Laing, 46%, B:Autumn 2013. Price:
Colour: Straw
Nose: Young, round, smoky, maritime and on seaweeds.
Taste: Young, smooth, maritime, slightly floral and spicy, smoky, with some charred oak and light notes of vanilla. The finish is short to medium, sweet, young, salty, on seaweeds and smoke.
Impression: A young sweet and soft Talisker.
Rating: 11/20 FP:A4

08 Aug

Talisker Port Ruighe, OB, 45.8%. B: 2013. Price:
Colour: Old gold
Nose: Smoky to very smoky, peaty, sweet, maritime, slightly sugary, tarry and with some seaweeds.
Taste: Sweet, soapy, smoky, tarry, salty, sugary, slightly winey, on vanilla, charred oak and tobacco smoke. The finish is medium, sugary, very smoky, on charred oak, slight peaty and maritime flavours.
Impression: The Port influence provides some sugary notes to the whisky while removing the peppery notes. A Talisker close to the Storm with a more sugary side.
Rating: 13/20 FP:C3

07 Aug

Ardbeg 1974, 26 YO, Kingsbury, 50.0%. Price:
Colour: Gold.
Nose: Woawww, this is an impressive Ardbeg blowing your nose away with an explosion of peat, bandage, disinfectant and maritime (harbour) flavours. Complex and stunning!
Taste: Spicy, salty, maritime, rich, complex, oily to very oily, on bandage, disinfectant, with some citrus and pineapple, big peaty and dry smoky flavours. Simply delicious. The finish is very long, tarry, oily, peaty, maritime, citric, on bandage, TCP, fish and seaweeds.
Impression: This is simply a stunning Ardbeg, superb and flawless. A legendary whisky that left me speechless and when you look at your glass, do not forget to watch the beautiful legs of this Ardbeg.
Rating: 20/20 FP:A7

06 Aug

Ardbeg 1998 33.76 A civilised scout camp, 10 YO, SMWS, 56.3%, B: 2009, 242 bottles. Price:
Colour : Gold.
Nose : Peaty to very peaty, smoky, intense, complex, rich and lots of seaweeds.
Taste : Intense, complex, maritime, smoky, peaty, on disinfectant,TCP and seaweeds. The finish is long, intense, complex, maritime, peaty, smoky, on seaweeds and a touch of liquorice roots.
Impression : A very nice, slightly citric, rich, complex and intense Ardbeg.
Rating : 16/20 FP:A7

Ardbeg 1998 33.78 Leaves little flickering fires, 11 YO, SMWS, 55.4%, B: 2009, 198 bottles. Price:
Colour : Gold.
Nose : Peaty to very peaty, smoky, very maritime, intense, with some disinfectant.
Taste : Oaky, slightly spicy, peaty, smoky, maritime, slightly floral, with some vanilla, on seaweeds, smoke and light citric notes.
Impression : A slightly more citric and more oaky version than the 33.76
Rating : 15/20 FP:A7

05 Aug

Ardbeg 1991 For Whiskylive 2010 Spa, Corman Collins, 55.6%, B: 2010, 40 decanters. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: Smoky, smooth, maritime, farmy, meaty, with some iodine and orange.
Taste: Oaky, dry, smoky, on peat and wood smoke, seaweeds, vanilla, fudge, cocoa, tangerine, orange and iodine. The finish is long, dry, smoky, peaty, oaky, maritime, farmy, with some citrus, iodine, seaweeds, cocoa and oranges. Diluted, the finish is drier.
Impression: I tasted this Ardbeg along other Ardbeg from the 1970s. The taste of oak is immediately present in this 1991 Ardbeg and smokiers thant Ardbeg from the 1970s. In conclusion, this is a very good smoky and modern Ardbeg.
Rating: 16/20 FP:E8

04 Aug

Ardbeg 1972, 28 YO, Silver Seal, 43%, B: 2001, 288 bottles. Price:
Colour: Pale gold-gold
Nose: Smooth, light, maritime, salty, on iodine, disinfectant, peat smoke, some kippers and a fair dose of tar and hemp rope.
Taste: Dry, with a light fruitiness, maritime, with strong notes of disinfectant, slightly grassy and grainy, with some pear drops, citrus, seaweeds and cardboard. The finish is long, dry, maritime, peaty, citric to very citric and with a high dose of disinfectant.
Impression: A very good Ardbeg, with strong notes of iodine and disinfectant, as well as strong citrusy aromas. A rather typical 1972 Ardbeg, with a good flavour intensity.
Rating: 16/20 FP:A7

03 Aug

BenRiach 1994 Peated for the Whisky Fair, 19 YO, OB, 53.1%, B: 2014, cask 1616, 257 bottles. Price:
Colour: Pale gold
Nose: Very peaty, very tarry and dry, ashy, on charcoal and some farmy notes. Very intense.
Taste: Very peaty, intense, dry, oaky, tarry to very tarry, with some ashes, BBQ and vanilla. The finish is medium to long, dry to very dry, very peaty, aromatic, smoky, slightly fragrant and bitter (gentian), as well as some vanilla and light floral notes.
Impression: A very intense and peaty BenRiach, rather oaky and on vanilla. The oak seems louder than the younger versions of BenRiach 1984.
Rating: 16/20 FP:A8

02 Aug

Ardbeg 1976, 20 YO, Wilson & Morgan, 43%, B: 1996, cask 409/95. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Peaty, smooth, smoky, medicinal, on seaweeds, camphor, some honey and seaweeds.
Taste: Smooth, sweet, juicy, peaty to very peaty, with some honey, seaweeds, complex peat smoke, some camphor and iodine. Well balanced and harmonious. The finish is medium to long, sweet, slightly juicy and mineral, peaty, maritime, medicinal, with some honey, camphor and nice peaty flavours.
Impression: A very nice smooth, rather sweet Ardbeg supplemented by medicinal flavours. Although it was bottled at 43%, the flavours are intense.
Rating: 17/20 FP:A6

01 Aug

Ardbeg 1973, 15 YO, Sestante, 53.4%, B: 1988. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Maritime to very maritime, on oysters, seaweeds, a lot of disinfectant, some camphor, bandages and menthol, as well as a touch of honey. Rather smooth and moderately peaty.
Taste: Light, salty, very medicinal, with strong notes of disinfectant, seaweeds, oysters, some honey and fragrant notes. The finish is medium to long, slightly bitter and fragrant, some peat smoke, salt, liquorice roots, some anise seeds, menthol, almonds, lots of disinfectant and with some aromatic flavours.
Impression: A moderately peated Ardbeg, with strong notes of disinfectant combined some aromatic bitter flavours as well as a touch of woodlands honey. Not the most typical one, but very good.
Rating: 16/20 FP:C6

31 Jul

Ardmore 2002 66.36 Milano Salami and a Tropical Fruit Kebab, 10 YO, SMWS, 58.2%, B: 2012, 702 bottles. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Peaty, very meaty, farmy, intense, slightly peppery, slightly fragrant and aromatic, with some humus.
Taste: Meaty, farmy, intense, peaty, smoky, tarry, slightly ashy, aromatic, slightly floral, with some thick fruity notes (fruit jam). Diluted, it becomes smoother, more fragrant and aromatic. The finish is long, peaty, thick, syrupy, on fruit jam, meat, farmy notes, some humus and light old rubbery notes.
Impression: Looking at the colour (amber), it seems like the refill sherry butt was rather active. This is probably my first young Ardmore from a sherry cask. I like the produce from this distillery very much and I was keen in tasting a sherried version of it. This bottling from the SMWS is very good, rich, thick, dense and very expressive. There are some faint rubbery notes, and although I am rather sensitive to those, they were not disturbing. A very enjoyable whisky. If you like Ardmore, you really should try tasting this expression, rather heavy on the peat.
Rating: 15/20 FP:E6

30 Jul

Ardmore 2000 Heavily Peated, 14 YO, Liquid Library, 49.8%, B:2014, 289 bottles. Price:
Colour: Pale gold
Nose: Fresh, intense, very peaty, farmy, tarry, ashy, slightly oaky and with strong vanilla flavours. Very good.
Taste: Very intense, clean, oaky, peaty, very farmy, smoky, slightly aromatic, with some white pepper, tar, some camphor, liquorice and loads of vanilla. The finish is medium, very intense, bitter (with some gentian), aromatic, dry, farmy to very farmy, with some hay and a fair dose of vanilla.
Impression: A relatively clean and fresh Ardmore, very peaty and with some strong farmy notes. Not the most complex whisky but very intense.
Rating: 13/20 FP:A7

29 Jul

Ardmore 13 YO World of Orchids, Jack Wieber, 57.0%, B: 2013, 119 bottles. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Subtle, smoky, peaty, slightly meaty, dirty and mineral, with some light aromatic notes.
Taste: Smooth, aromatic, floral, slightly farmy and lightly pleated Ardmore, with some dirty smoke. The finish is medium, slightly dry and farmy, aromatic, slightly peat and smoky.
Impression: A softer and milder version than the Whisky Cask version that could be a soft approach to Ardmore.
Rating: 13/20 FP:A3

Ardmore 2000, 13 YO, The Whisky Cask, 57%, B: 2013. Price:
Colour : Gold
Nose : Smooth, smoky, peaty, slightly aromatic and floral, with light oaky notes.
Taste : Intense to very intense, peaty, floral, aromatic, slightly fragrant, on dry tobacco leaves and some undefined bitter flavours. Complex. The finish is long, intense to very intense, peaty, smoky, aromatic, with a touch of gentian, some farmy and oaky notes.
Impression: I really enjoy the nice peaty and aromatic peaty flavours from the Highland whiskies and this Ardmore is pleasantly intense, delivering an instant satisfaction. I wish more Ardmore were bottled. Having tasted samples from different bottles, it seems like the peaty notes change rapidly over time.
Rating: 16/20 FP:A6

28 Jul

Inchgower 14 YO Fauna & Flora, OB, 43%, B: 2008. Price:
Colour: Straw-gold
Nose: Salty, slightly malty and maritime, with some toffee and fragrant floral notes.
Taste: Salty, dry, floral, slightly soapy, malty, fragrant, with some cardboard and toffee. The finish is medium, floral, salty, fragrant, dry, with some malt and toffee.
Impression: A dry and rather salty maritime whisky, with some underlying toffee notes. Maybe not everyone’s cup of tea.
Rating: 10/20 FP:A1

27 Jul

Inchgower 1999 for Divo, 13 YO, Clan Denny, 58.9%, B:2013, Ref DH9762, 150 bottles. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Light, slightly oaky, salty, with some sea brine and light floral notes.
Taste: Fresh, intense, oaky, floral, salty, with a slight bitterness, on vanilla and dry tobacco leaves. The finish is medium, clean, intense, oaky, bitter, floral, slightly fragrant, on vanilla and tobacco leaves.
Impression: A rather clean intense Inchgower, rather “modern” with a pronounced wood influence.
Rating: 11/20 FP:A1

26 Jul

Inchgower 1980, 25 YO, Dewar Rattray, 53.2%, B: 2006. Cask 14161. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: On treacle, seaweeds, salt, tannin, leather, burnt sugar and orange.
Taste: Very spicy and rubbery, sulphury, on fresh rubber and spices. The finish is long and on burnt tyres.
Impression: Too much rubber and burnt tyres for me.
Rating: 11/20 FP:J2

Inchgower The Old Shipyard, 25 YO, Best Of Whisky, 54.1%, B: 2006. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Very sherried, rubbery, on sulphur and orange. Too much for me.
Taste: Rubbery, spicy, sulphury, on tannins, leather and orange. The finish is long to medium, very sherried and bitter, tannic and on rubber.
Impression: A good whisky, for sherry freaks.
Rating: 13/20 FP:J2

25 Jul

Inchgower 1986 Old Malt Cask, 21 YO, Douglas Laing, 50%, B: 2007, 240 bottles, ref 3434. Price:
Colour: Old gold.
Nose: Soft, mellow, slightly peaty and on sea brine.
Taste: Salty, slightly spicy and peaty, oaky, creamy, mellow, with some old smoke and sweet fruits. The finish is medium, mellow, rather soft and round, with some lingering seawater as well as a dash of liquid toffee.
Impression: A mellow and soft dram.
Rating: 15/20 FP:D2

24 Jul

Inchgower 1985, The Whisky Agency, 53.8%, B:2013, 266 bottles. Price:
Colour: Gold-old gold
Nose: Smooth to very smooth, slightly grassy, sweet, with a hint of peat smoke, some sea brine and juicy notes of tangerine.
Taste: Salty to very salty, briny, maritime, sweet, smoky, slightly peaty, fruity, on tangerine, some orange, light spices and some humus. Diluted, some additional notes of nut chocolate are released. The finish is medium to long, sweet, fruity, salty, with some sea brine, smoke, seaweeds, some humus, tangerine and mild spices (curry).
Impression: A very enjoyable sweet-salty Inchgower, complex, with an interesting combination of flavours.
Rating: 14/20 FP:E2

23 Jul

Special Whisky Schiff

Arran 16 YO, OB, 46%, B: 2013, 9000 bottles. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Light, fresh, malty, floral, with some flour and a slight fragrance.
Taste: Rather sweet and juicy, malty, with light oaky notes, bananas, tangerine, vanilla and delicate floral notes. The finish is medium to long, malty, with some bitter smoke, floral (geranium), a slight fragrance as well as light grassy notes, banana, vanilla, some melon, orange, tangerine and a touch of dark chocolate.
Impression: A good, pleasant smooth and malty Arran, with some sherry influence contributing to some citric notes, as well as sweeter notes of tangerine.
Rating: 14/20 FP:D1

Arran Millenium Cask, 13 YO, OB, 53.5%, B: 2013, 7800 bottles. Price:
Colour: Pale gold-gold
Nose: Smooth, malty, oaky, and slightly juicy, with some vanilla, peach and a hint of smoke
Taste: Juicy, oaky, spicy, on ginger, some pepper, smoke, vanilla, candied lemon and some light grassy notes. The finish is medium to long, spicy to very spicy, slightly bitter, meaty and floral, with some tangerine, grapefruits, vanilla and grass.
Impression: A very spicy expression of Arran, with some flavours reminding of virgin oak and a sherry influence in the finish. Slightly rough compare to most Arran.
Rating: 13/20 FP:D1

22 Jul

Isle of Jura Matthew Forest Vatted in 2002, OB, 58.8%, cask 1124. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Very farmy, meaty, peaty, tarry, dusty, slightly floral, oaky and with some fudge.
Taste: Spicy to very spicy, rich, farmy, floral, slightly peaty, oaky, intense, with some sea breeze and fudge. The finish is medium, floral to very floral, on sea breeze, some farmy and tarry peat smoke,
Impression: A rather oaky and intense of Isle of Jura with an intense oaky note. This whisky is a vatting between a young peaty cask (3 YO) and an old unpeated Jura cask (from the 1970s).
Rating: 14/20 FP:A5

21 Jul

Arran 2005 Peated for The Whisky Fair, OB, 50.7%, B:2014, barrel 159 and 161, 510 bottles. Price:
Colour: Pale gold
Nose: Peaty, clean, aromatic, tarry, slightly floral, on vanilla and a light sweetness.
Taste: Slightly young, floral, fragrant to very fragrant, spicy, slightly tarry and aromatic, with light floral and spicy notes, and a few drops of milk. The finish is short to medium, rather young, fragrant, floral, with some hops, vanilla, some milk and tar.
Impression: A good peaty and aromatic Arran tasting slightly young, but enjoyable and rather smooth.
Rating: 12/20 FP:A6

Arran 1997 for The Whiskyfair sherry, 16 YO, OB, 50.1%, B:2014, cask 518, 246 bottles. Price:
Colour: Gold-old gold
Nose: Round, malty, intense, slightly spicy, with some tangerine and light nutty notes.
Taste: Smooth, juicy to very juicy, malty, spicy, and slightly smoky, with some vanilla, tangerine and light floral-fragrant notes. The finish is medium, rich, round, rather intense, floral, malty, and rather juicy, with some tangerine and some smoke. Rather easy drinking. Diluted, it becomes more floral and on toffee.
Impression: A good mature, rather heavy, round and intense Arran, with a light but pleasant sherry influence.
Rating: 13/20 FP:D1

20 Jul

Isle of Jura Heavily Peated 1989, Signatory, 58.2%, B: 2014, cask 30710/45, 321 bottles. Price
Colour: Pale gold-gold
Nose: Dry, tarry, ashy to very ashy, rather farmy, on peat smoke, hay and some light notes of vanilla.
Taste: Farmy, ashy to very ashy, peaty, on hay, some toffee, vanilla, tar and peat smoke. The finish is medium to long, floral, slightly fragrant, bitter and farmy, rather mellow, peaty and aromatic, with a slight waxiness, tar and ashes.
Impression: The peat has been probably tamed by the long maturation, but the whisky remains rather intense, with a nice peaty-tarry-ashy delivery. A good whisky.
Rating: 14/20 FP:A4

19 Jul

Isle of Jura Peated 1989 for the Whisky Fair, 24 YO, Signatory, 58.8%, B: 2014, cask 30724, 193 bottles. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Smooth, rather mellow, farmy and peaty, floral and with some seabreeze
Taste: Spicy to very spicy, oaky, floral to very floral, slightly fragrant, with some vanilla and farmy notes. The finish is medium to long, very spicy, fragrant, oaky, intense, rather farmy, with some tar soap. There is a certain retro-olfaction on old cigarette ashes.
Impression: A rather mellow peated Isle of Jura, with intense oaky notes and some farmy peat smoke, rather fragrant.
Rating: 14/20 FP:A5

18 Jul

Bowmore 1779-1979 Bicentenary, OB, 43%. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: Thick, syrupy, on plums, dark fruits, peat smoke, tropical fruits, slightly rubbery, with some cocoa, a touch of coffee, some salty and medicinal notes.
Taste: Riche, intense, peaty, thick, salty, on eucalyptus, menthol, Pu-Erh tea, iodine, plums, tangerine, mango, diesel smoke and some pine wax. The finish is long, peaty, salty, maritime, on iodine, camphor, Pu-Erh, tannins, game, leather, plums, mango, papaya, cumin, dark chocolate, menthol and peat smoke
Impression: An excellent, but thick and syrupy Bowmore with intense sherry notes and tropical fruits. Some might find it slightly too thick, but some will love it. This version at 43% is very different from the cask strength version.
Rating: 18/20 FP:H5

17 Jul

Bowmore 1779-1979 Bicentenary for Fecchio & Frassa, OB, 98.8°Proof /56.2%. Price:
Colour: Old gold
Nose: Round, sweet, smoky, slightly peaty, maritime, on sweet tropical fruits, some camphor and slight citric notes. Less intense than expected. Diluted, the tropical and grapefruit flavours are more intense.
Taste: Intense to very intense, on pina colada, tropical fruits, some salt, iodine, seaweeds, tangerine, a touch of orange and a lot of camphor, as well as resinous wood wax. The finish is long, intense, moderately peaty, slightly spicy and bitter, on camphor, salty, menthol, some eucalyptus, pine wax, grapefruit and cough syrup. Diluted, it is more on sweet grapefruits, with some game and cigar smoke.
Impression: An excellent and intense old fashioned Bowmore, with a certain camphor and cough syrup influence.
Rating: 18/20 FP:E5

16 Jul

Bowmore 7 YO Sheriff, OB, 43%. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Very fruity, sweet, lots of citric flavours (grapefruit, pink grapefruit, and some lime), maritime, with some sea brine, diesel smoke and complex peaty flavours. Delicious.
Taste: Very sweet and smooth, mineral, slightly medicinal, on camphor, iodine, peat smoke, sweet tropical fruity notes, some salt, a hint of menthol, tangerine, some orange and pink grapefruits. The finish is medium, rather light, sweet, slightly medicinal, rather mineral, on pink grapefruit, peat smoke, mango and salt.
Impression: A deliciously sweet, fruity and rather medicinal Bowmore, complex and subtle, with a finish slightly weak, but otherwise dangerously drinkable. I really like this type of salty-peaty-pink grapefruit style of Bowmore.
Rating: 19/20 FP:D5

15 Jul

Bowmore 1967, OB, 43%. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: Peaty, smoky, sweet, very fruity, slightly maritime and medicinal, with lots of tropical fruits (mango, papaya and passion fruits), and some grapefruits.
Taste: Spicy, slightly oaky, maritime and medicinal, with some complex peat smoke, grapefruits, papaya and guava. Rather thick and syrupy. The finish is medium to long, salty, maritime, smoky, with some peat smoke, camphor, seaweeds, lime, grapefruit and some other tropical fruits.
Impression: A rich Bowmore, with an elegant balance between sweet tropical fruity notes, citrus and some peat smoke. A beautiful old style of Bowmore.
Rating: 19/20 FP:G6

14 Jul

Bowmore 1971, 14 YO, Sestante, 57.7%. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Smooth, peaty to very peaty, fruity, on tropical fruits, sultanas, vanilla, orange and tangerine. Rounder and sweeter than the white label version
Taste: Smooth, sweet to very sweet, intense, spicy, on tangerine, orange, bananas and tropical fruits, some floral fragrance, peat smoke and medicinal flavours, as well as with some chocolate. Diluted, it becomes more on cough syrup, but also more bitter and floral.
Impression: A slightly smoother and more fruity version than the white label, becoming closer to each other once water has been added. Two different whiskies or the same whisky with a different label? Difficult to say.
Rating: 17/20 FP:G7

Bowmore 1971 White Label, 14 YO, Sestante, 57.7%. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Peaty to very peaty, intense, mineral,fruity, with lots of tropical fruits, dried fruits, sultanas, seaweeds, some smoke and iodine.
Taste: Peaty to very peaty, on coconut, chocolate, coffee, a fair dose of seaweeds, tar, some ashes and fruity notes, as well as some fragrant floral aromas. The finish is medium to long, peaty, mineral, on a mixture of milk and dark chocolates, figs, dates, sultanas, some banana, seaweeds and medicinal flavours. Slightly bitter. Diluted, it becomes rather fragrant and floral.
Impression: An intense, rich, thick, peaty and complex Bowmore, with the nose smelling good a combination of peat and tropical fruits, becoming more on chocolate on the palate. Very good, but slightly too fragrant and bitter to my liking compared to its sister bottle.
Rating: 16/20 FP:G7

13 Jul

Bowmore 100 Proof, OB, 57.1%, B: 2014. Price
Colour: Gold
Nose: Maritime, smooth, fruity, smoky, maritime to very maritime and citrusy. Young but pleasant.
Taste: Smooth to very smooth, young, oaky, spicy, maritime, and slightly salty and on seaweeds, with some light notes of menthol. The finish is medium, smooth, oaky, slightly salty, medicinal, smoky, maritime and with some oaky notes.
Impression: A young but smooth and charming Bowore, with a salty and smoky influence.
Rating: 10/20 FP:A5

Bowmore Springtide, OB, 54.9%, B: 2014. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Intense, rich, fruity, on dark fruits, sweet sherry influence, figs, orange, some cinnamon, tarry and peat smoke.
Taste: Rich, intense, smoky, peaty, maritime, on seaweeds, tar, orange, cinnamon, some leather, sultanas, sea breeze and camphor. The finish is medium, fruity, citrusy, maritime, smoky, with some sea breeze and a smooth and sweet sherry influence. Diluted, it becomes tarry and with some liquorice roots.
Impression: A very nice smooth sweet, fruity and smoky Bowmore and with a nice sherry influence.
Rating: 15/20 FP:F4

12 Jul

Bowmore Black Rock, OB, 40%, B:2014. Price
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: Oaky to very oaky, peaty, dry, tarry to very tarry, on dried fruits, sultanas, seaweeds, orange, some milk chocolate and medicinal notes. Diluted, it is very oaky, smoky, young and on vanilla.
Taste: Very oaky, modern, smoky, on strong vanilla and oak extracts, on peat smoke, seaweeds and maritime flavours. Less complex than the nose suggest it. The finish is short, modern, very oaky, smoky, loads of vanilla, some spices, orange zest and wood extracts.
Impression: The nose was very pleasantly peaty and tarry, with some sweet sherry influence, getting very oaky on the palate, with a short finish. The oaky influence is very strong.
Rating: 11/20 FP:E5

Bowmore Gold Reef, OB, 43%, B:2014. Price:
Colour: Gold-old gold
Nose: Peaty, very smoky, dry, tarry, maritime, oaky and on seaweeds. Modern.
Taste: Young, maritime, oaky to very oaky, spicy to very spicy, maritime, smoky, on citrus, camphor and lots of vanilla. Rather simple. The finish is short to medium, smoky, maritime to very maritime, slightly bitter, floral and fragrant, on vanilla and some camphor.
Impression: A slightly bitter, floral and smoky modern Bowmore tasting very young.
Rating: 09/20 FP:A4

Bowmore White Sands, 17 YO, OB, 43%, B:2014. Price:
Colour: Old gold
Nose: Young to very young, peaty, oaky to very oaky, medicinal, and maritime, on vanilla and with some fruity notes.
Taste: Young, fresh, rather immature, on seabreeze, smoke and some tar. The finish is short to medium, salty, smoky, maritime, on sea breeze, some tar and fragrant notes.
Impression: A smoky Bowmore with a strong influence from first fill bourbon casks. Difficult to believe that it is 17 years old. A whisky that would probably benefit from some extra abv.
Rating: 09/20 FP:A5

11 Jul

Springbank 1964 27.41, 31 YO, Scotch Malt Whisky Society, 51.1%, B: 1996. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Starts on strong mushrooms and mint/eucalyptus flavours, then on thick mixed fruit jam, some berries, game, old smoke and a lot of oranges. Diluted, it becomes more complex and intense.
Taste: Slightly rubbery and dry, salty, smoky, round, slightly mineral, on mushrooms, eucalyptus, orange, tangerine, seaweeds and some old woodfire camp. The finish is long, dry, slightly rubbery, thick, on cold ashes, seaweeds and oranges.
Impression: An excellent Springbank, in the same league as the 35 YO millennium, but with some rubber and drier.
Rating: 17/20 PA:H5

10 Jul

Springbank 15 YO Black and white label, OB, 46%, B: 1990s. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Malty, round, very juicy, oaky, maritime, slightly smoky and mineral, with a nice sweet fruitiness.
Taste: Light, juicy, salty, slightly mineral, on peat smoke, with a very nice sweetness. Diluted, it becomes slightly waxy. The finish is medium to long, slightly salty and mineral, juicy, on peat smoke, with some flint stone and a nice oakiness.
Impression: A very nice charming light and mineral expression of Springbank.
Rating: 17/20 PA:A4

Springbank 21 YO Dumpy (A. Mitchell), OB, 46%, B: 1980s. Price:
Colour: Old gold.
Nose: Juicy, oaky, sweet, very fruity, on exotic fruits (guava, mango and papaya), with some well-integrated smoky and waxy notes.
Taste: Slightly dry and bitter, salty, slightly earthy (mushrooms and game?) and on cardboard, slightly tannic, on peat smoke, Mirabelle jam, tangerine, orange, cooked mango, and fur tree wax. The finish is medium to long, fruity, bitter, slightly tannic, with a remarkable peat smoke.
Impression: An excellent Springbank, rich, thick and very drinkable.
Rating: 18/20 PA:A5

09 Jul

Springbank 1969, 35 YO, Dun Bheagan, 50%. Price:
Colour: Gold –old gold
Nose: Smoky to very smoky, slightly peaty, rather dry, maritime, slightly acidic, mineral, with some fino-like influence.
Taste: Salty, rather light, slightly floral, farmy and maritime, with light soapy and fino notes, as well as some diesel smoke and aromatic flavours. The finish is medium, slightly dry, smoky, on citrus, with some tangerine and other aromatic flavours.
Impression: A nice, rather dry and light, subtle Springbank with some citrus and a slight acidic (fino?) influence. Well balance and slightly austere. Thank you Lukas.
Rating: 15/20 PA:E3

08 Jul

Springbank 12 YO, James MacArthur, 59.8%, B:1990s, cask 226. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Intense, thick, smoky, slightly maritime and salty, on chocolate, tannins, Christmas cake, oranges and diesel smoke.
Taste: Intense, smoky, salty, maritime, with an intense and complex sherry influence, on leather, orange, tangerine, some chocolate, diesel smoke, tannins, cooked fruits (Mirabelle) and old bold peat smoke. Complex. The finish is medium to long, complex, rich, on leather, orange, tangerine, peat smoke, salt, some spices, cinnamon and Christmas cake.
Impression: A delicious and smoky Springbank, maritime, with an intense influence from a top class sherry cask. With bottles such as this one, it is not surprising to understand why Springbank distilled in the 1960s and the 1970s have such a high reputation.
Rating: 18/20 PA:H4

07 Jul

Springbank 8 YO, OB, 80 Proof, B: 1970s. Price:
Colour: Old gold
Nose: Peaty, smoky, maritime, slightly salty, on seaweeds, some leather, diesel smoke, nutmeg, orange, tangerine, some ashes and barbecue, as well as some fugde. A very good and old fashioned smoky and peaty Springbank.
Taste: Intense, riche, spicy, slightly salty, juicy, slightly aromatic, on tangerine, a touch of milk chocolate and some light peat smoke. Diluted, it becomes spicier, smokier, more aromatic and on diesel. The finish is medium, slightly juicy, salty and maritime, on tangerine, some citrus, orange, a touch of liquorice and some diesel smoke.
Impression: An old fashioned smoky Springbank with a rather nice sweet and fruity influence.
Rating: 14/20 PA:D3

06 Jul

Jameson 15 YO, OB, 40%, B:1980s. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: Deliciously smooth, nutty, on fine leather, orange, tangerine, smooth floral notes, some cinnamon and fruits from the orchards.
Taste: Very smooth, light, fresh, zesty, with some cooked cereal, apricots, tangerine, orange, cinnamon, orange peel and some fruits from the orchards.
Impression: A deliciously fresh and fruity Irish whiskey, extremely smooth and enjoyable.
Rating: 15/20 PA:F1

05 Jul

Glen Garioch 1968 For World of Whisky, 34 YO, OB, 55.3%, cask 17. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Intense, thick, rich, heavy, on old fashioned peat smoke, some tar, ashes, aromatic and floral notes, leather, some game and dried fruits.
Taste: Rich, intense, thick, syrupy, floral, slightly aromatic and waxy, on peat smoke, leather, some game, cloves, dried fruits and orange. The finish is medium to long, rich, thick, waxy, floral, slightly fragrant, mineral and aromatic, faintly astringent, on orange, tannins, old fashioned and bold peat smoke, some tangerine, milk chocolate, coffee and tannins. Diluted, it becomes fresher, rounder, smoother and loses its astringency.
Impression: An excellent Glen Garioch, rich, intense and complex, with a most enjoyable sherry influence. Slightly more mineral and ashy than the 29 years old versions of the 1968 Glen Garioch. The faint astringency in the finish disappeared with adjunction of some water.
Rating: 19/20 PA:F5

04 Jul

Glen Garioch 1992, Sansibar, 49.3%, B: 2014, 136 bottles. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Smooth, aromatic to very aromatic, smoky, slightly peaty and rather mineral, with some honey and toffee. Complex.
Taste: Oaky, spicy, round to very round, waxy, on wood spices, some liquorice roots, melon, a few pear and apples drops, peat smoke and fresh vanilla. The finish is medium, oaky, smooth, slightly spicy, smoky, aromatic and fragrant, on fresh vanilla and some toffee.
Impression: A very round and smooth Glen Garioch, rather oaky and with pronounced vanilla flavours. Diluted, it becomes more aromatic and mineral.
Rating: 13/20 PA:A2

03 Jul

Glen Garioch 1988, 20 YO, Duncan Taylor, 54.4%, B: 2009, cask 1558, 249 bottles. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Smooth, aromatic, mineral, smoky, juicy, slightly peat and austere, with some grassy notes. Very close to the 1551 and 1559, slightly more oaky and rounder.
Taste: Aromatic to very aromatic, floral, fragrant, oaky, slightly mineral and austere. The aromatic and austere flavours are very pronounced. The finish is medium, fragrant to very fragrant, with strong aromatic flavours, floral notes and with rather bitter-oaky notes.
Impression: While the nose is close to the other sisters casks, it seems like the extra maturation generated some stronger fragrant and bitter notes.
Rating: 13/20 PA:A2

02 Jul

Glen Garioch 1988, 16 YO, Duncan Taylor, 56.1%, B:2004, cask 1551, 268 bottles. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Smooth, aromatic, mineral, smoky, juicy, slightly peaty and austere, with some grassy notes. More mineral and peaty than the MacKillops.
Taste: Intense, floral, aromatic, slightly fragrant, farmy and mineral, with light notes of peat smoke, some fresh and round summer flowers The finish is medium, fragrant and bitter, floral, with some liquorice roots, some vanilla and gentian.
Impression: The nose is pleasantly mineral and aromatic, with a rather bitter and fragrant finish, creating some unbalance.
Rating:12/20 PA:A2

Glen Garioch 1988, 19 YO, Duncan Taylor, 55.4%, B:2007, cask 1559, 253 bottles. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Peaty, smoky, rather farmy, round, slightly aromatic, austere and floral. More floral and peaty than the cask 1551.
Taste: Smoky, slightly peaty and mineral, rather aromatic, slightly floral and oaky, austere and pleasant peat smoke, with some light grassy and honey notes. The finish is medium, rather clean, slightly waxy, mineral, peaty, smoky, grassy, with some honey and juicy oaky notes.
Impression: A very good old style of Glen Garioch, with pronounced austere and aromatic flavours, with light to moderate peat smoke influence.
Rating: 15/20 PA:A3

01 Jul

Glen Garioch 1990, 18 YO, Signatory, 53.9%, B: 2008, cask 2695. Price:
Colour: Pale gold-gold
Nose: Round, smooth, rather clean, floral to very floral, slightly bitter, aromatic, slightly fragrant and some pear.
Taste: Mineral, light, smooth, aromatic, on peat smoke, vanilla, some ginger pieces and some humus. The finish is long, aromatic, slightly mineral, with some hops, vanilla, honey and pear drops.
Impression: A very good Glen Garioch, rather mineral, subtle and nicely complex.
Rating: 16/20 PA:A4

Glen Garioch 1990, 22 YO, Mackillops choice, 53.8%, B:2013, cask 10295. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Smooth, aromatic, mineral, smoky, juicy, slightly peat and austere, with some grassy and honey notes. Close to the Sansibar, but slightly more mineral and with less toffee.
Taste: Aromatic, rather mineral and smoky, slightly peaty and austere, with some bitter notes (gentian) and some light juicy oaky notes. The finish is medium, rather waxy, aromatic, slightly austere and mineral, with a light bitterness, some floral notes and a touch of vanilla.
Impression: A very good, well balance and rather mineral-austere type of Glen Garioch..
Rating: 14/20 PA:A2

30 Jun

Glen Garioch 1991, 21 YO, Liquid Library, 51.6%, B: 2014, 227 bottles. Price:
Colour: Pale gold
Nose: Intense, slightly farmy, smoky and rubbery, rather fragrant and floral and on caramel.
Taste: Very smooth, waxy, creamy, smoky, slightly aromatic, smoky and mineral, on toffee, some melon and pear drops. The finish is medium, very waxy, creamy, slightly aromatic and grassy, on fudge, some vanilla and a touch of liquorice candy. Diluted, it becomes very close to the 21 YO Cadenhead’s 53.7%
Impression: Tasted naked, the toffee and caramel is very pronounced and benefits from some water to become smoother, more waxy and more expressive.
Rating: 13/20 PA:A2

29 Jun

Highland Park Freya, 15 YO, OB, 51.2% , B: 2013. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Round smooth, clean, very floral, soft, mineral, on peat smoke, some heather, vanilla and a touch of tangerine. With time, it becomes slightly meaty and on leather.
Taste: Oaky to very oaky, spicy, fragrant, floral, slightly bitter, on peat smoke, vanilla, some meaty flavours, slight mineral and juicy notes, as well as some leather and heather. The finish is medium, round, rather clean, slightly salty, maritime and bitter, with some peat smoke, heather, vanilla, spices, light floral and fragrant notes.
Impression: A rather light Highland Park with a rather light bourbon influence, rather smooth and not as intense as I was expecting from a cask strength bottling.
Rating: 13/20 PA:B3

28 Jun

Highland Park 1986 for Sweden, 25 YO, The Whisky Agency, 52.5%, B:2011, 233 bottles. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Floral, light, on honey, some peat smoke and sea brine, with light oaky notes, as well as some discreet fudge aromas.
Taste: Extremely smooth and mellow, with discreet peaty notes, some sea brine, some distant notes of seaweeds, with a fair dose of heather honey and a touch of menthol. The finish is short to medium, very smooth, on heather honey, some light peat smoke, sea brine.
Impression: An extremely smooth version of Highland Park bourbon matured. An interesting variant of Highland Park.Thank you Philip.
Rating: 12/20 PA:A3

27 Jun

Highland Park 1960 for Ferraretto, 17 YO, OB, 43%, B: 1977. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Intense, very thick, slightly vegetal, with some vegetamine, old leather, tannins, orange, beeswax, some peat smoke and some flavours from the stables.
Taste: Round, rich, slightly peaty, smoky, with intense round sherry notes, on treacle, leather, tannins, heather honey, figs, sultanas and cinnamon. The finish is medium to long, tannic, slightly astringent, peaty, on bonfire smoke, some eucalyptus, cinnamon, nutmeg, heather honey and light maritime flavours.
Impression: A good old-fashioned austere Highland Park, rather thick and slightly tannic.
Rating: 17/20 PA:H5

26 Jun

Highland Park 1970 For Sestante, 16 YO, Gordon & MacPhail, 53%, B: 1986, 258 bottles. Price:
Colour: Old gold
Nose: Round, smooth, slightly peaty, maritime, citric, juicy and mineral, on tangerine and orange zest, some sea breeze and ashes. A rather citric, mineral and subtle nose on old fashioned peat smoke. Very good.
Taste: Salty, smooth, juicy, maritime, on grapefruit and pink grapefruit, peat and bonfire smoke, seaweeds, sea breeze, some heather honey and tangerine. Complex. The finish is medium to long, smoky, peaty, mineral, maritime, on peat and bonfire smoke, salt, seaweeds, diverse grapefruits, heather honey and some other citric notes.
Impression: A very good old fashioned and complex Highland Park, slightly mineral and austere with a pleasant citric (grapefruit) influence.
Rating: 17/20 PA:C5

25 Jun

Green Field 1965 Pure Field, 5 YO, OB. Price:
Colour: Old gold
Nose: Very grassy, sweet, floral, slightly fragrant, with some tangerine and a touch of eucalyptus and peat smoke.
Taste: Rich, intense, spicy, smoky, floral, with some leather, herbal notes, tangerine, orange and some peat smoke. The finish is medium to long, rich, intense, floral, slightly fragrant, spicy, with some tannins, leather, orange and a few dried fruits.
Impression: A very nice, rich and intense malt, with some peat smoke and a nice sherry influence. Remarkably complex for its age.
Rating: 13/20PA:F3

24 Jun

Clynelish 1966 dumpy for Nibada, 23 YO, Cadenhead’s, 51.7%, B:1989, 90 bottles. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Waxy, mineral to very mineral, smoky, slightly peaty and austere, with a dash of charcoal and vanilla. More subtle, mineral and smokier than the 51.9% version.
Taste: Intense, warm, waxy, mineral, metallic, complex, zesty, on lemon, some smoke, light farmy notes and flint stones. Diluted, it becomes juicier, very mineral, some complex and subtle peat smoke, more citrus and some elderberries flowers. The finish is medium to long, mineral, slightly austere, smoky and farmy, with some citrus, lemon pie, complex peat smoke.
Impression: Another Clynelish distilled in the old Brora distillery, with delicious juicy, subtle and complex peat smoke. Very enjoyable and difficult to find.Very expensive.
Rating: 18/20 PA:A4

23 Jun

Clynelish 23 YO Dumpy, Cadenhead’s, 51.9%, B: 1980s. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Waxy, round, spicy (mustard), slightly mineral and farmy, with some light fruity notes, vanilla and a light sea breeze.
Taste: Waxy to very waxy, complex, slightly spicy and farmy, with some mustard, quince, charcoal, lemon custard. Diluted, it become more waxy, citric, mineral and slightly metallic, and smokier as well. The finish is medium, waxy, slightly smoky, austere, mineral and round, with some quince, pear drops, and lemon pie. Diluted, it becomes more waxy, rounder, slightly more citric and on mirabelle.
Impression: A very good old fashioned, round and rather fruity of Clynelish distilled at the Brora distillery, become more austere and mineral with some water. And thank you for the owner (whiskykanzler) for selling it by the dram at a reasonable price (25 euros/2cl).
Rating: 17/20 PA:A3

22 Jun

Lagavulin 1995 Feis Ile 2014, 19 YO, OB, 54.7%, B:2014, 3500 bottles. Price:
Colour: Dark gold
Nose: Rather smooth and mellow, smoky to very smoky, peaty, maritime, slightly farmy, on seaweeds, diesel smoke, some oysters and a touch of tangerine.
Taste: Oaky to very oaky, smoky to very smoky, maritime, salty, on seaweeds, some dry fish, phenols, tcp, iodine and some menthol. The finish is medium to long, smoky, medicinal, on peat and wood smoke, seaweeds, phenols, slight farmy notes, some menthol, tangerine, iodine and TCP.
Impression: A very smoky, rather medicinal and oaky, with some menthol or spearmint. A very good Lagavulin but I found the oaky notes too loud.
Rating: 15/20 PA:E5

21 Jun

Tomintoul 1966, 37 YO, JWWW, 55.5%, B: 2003, cask 5259, 156 bottles. Price:
Colour: Amber.
Nose: Floral, slightly spicy, with deep sweet and fruity sherry flavours, a hint of smokiness and on BBQ sauce. Rather heavy.
Taste: Very sweet, sherried, with some leather, some vegetal condiments, orange, tangerine, nutmeg and some light rubbery notes. The finish is medium to long, chewy, fruity, slightly rubbery, with some mint and orange. Diluted, it becomes lighter and sweeter.
Impression: A very nice and heavily sherried whisky, improving with some water.
Rating: 17/20 PA:F2

20 Jun

Tomintoul 1967, 42 YO, Riverstown, 45.9%, B: 2010, cask 4270, 100 bottles. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Oaky, smooth, floral to very floral, sweet, with a hint of smoke.
Taste: Smooth, floral, rather oaky, with some lime blossom and melon. The finish is medium, soft, floral to very floral, on honey and some mint. Diluted, it becomes smoother, juicier and sweeter, with some mint.
Impression: A slightly smoother, softer and weaker version than the Samaroli.
Rating: 14/20 PA: A1

Tomintoul 1967, 46 YO, Samaroli, 40%, B:2013, cask 5417. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Smooth, spicy, gingery, oaky, with strong soft floral notes and light notes of melon.
Taste: Oaky, smooth, floral to very floral, with a hint of smoke and lots of sweet fruity notes, honey and elderberries flowers. Very juicy. The finish medium, smooth, sweet, soft, floral, on elderberries flowers, some melon and honey.
Impression: A smooth, sweet and sugary Tomintoul, rather subtle and with nice liquid honey. Good stuff.
Rating: 15/20 PA:B1

19 Jun

Ballantruan 10 YO, OB, 50%, B:2012.
Colour: Old gold.
Nose: Peaty, very farmy, meaty, vegetal and on vanilla. The peat delivery is rather soft without any excessive dryness.
Taste: Smooth, malty, on toffee, peat smoke, light aromatic flavours and becoming slightly drier and more floral over time. The finish is short to medium, round, gentle, slightly aromatic, on liquorice roots and toffee. Diluted, it appears younger and slightly drier.
Impression: According to the specifications of the malted barley used for this whisky (reminder: the phenols levels from the malted barley do not correspond to the phenols in the distillate), one would expect a very peaty whisky comparable the products from Islay. Ballantruan is the brand for the peated whiskies from Tomintoul kown as the gentle whisky. The term “gentle” corresponds very well to this gentle peated whisky, with a pleasant and soft delivery of peat, with light farmy and meaty flavours. In terms of peatiness, medium, suits him well.
Rating: 11/20 PA:A5

18 Jun

Bunnahabhain 1990, 21 YO, Archives, 52.3%, B : 2012, cask 14, 62 bottles. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Strongly vegetal, on vegetamine, fresh rubber and leather, some toffee, seaweeds and some milk chocolate.
Taste: Intense, vegetal, fruity, salty, slightly smoky and citric, on orange, tangerine, pink grapefruit, some leather and rubber, as well as some tropical fruits. The finish is medium to long, richly spicy, with some cinnamon, nutmeg, vegetamine, fresh rubber, a slight salty and maritime influence as well as some salted liquorice.
Impression: There is an intense influence of sherry suggesting the use of a first fill sherry cask that contributes to rich fruity notes to the whisky. The rubbery notes are slightly too much for me, but the whisky is otherwise very enjoyable.
Rating: 13/20 PA:H2

17 Jun

Bunnahabhain Peated Le Puit a Whisky, 3 YO, Jean Boyer, 43%, B: 2010, Price:
Colour: Almost colourless
Nose: Very peaty, clean, young and smooth, on hemp rope and some tar.
Taste: Smooth, young to very young, smooth, with some hemp rope and pears drops. The finish is short, smooth and peaty
Impression: An immature whisky (or with a negligible wood interaction), rather close to the Caol Ila new make.
Rating: 08/20 PA:A6

Bunnahabhain 1989 PX finish, Wilson & Morgan, 45.7%, cask 5817/18. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Rich, floral, intense, with some fruits of the orchards as well as some notes of peach. Rather complex.
Taste: Very smooth, rich, round, intense, floral, rather waxy, with some cardamom, humus, and light fruity notes. The finish is medium to long, waxy, on fruit jam, a hint of smoke, some grassy notes and pink grapefruit.
Impression: A rather heavy and waxy whisky, rich and fruity, well balanced and matured. A type of whiskies that I enjoy savouring.
Rating: 14/20 PA:C2

16 Jun

Special Whisky Schiff

Bunnhahabhain 1987 Fino, 26 YO, The Perfect Dram, 49.4%, B:2013, 255 bottles. Price:
Colour: Pale gold
Nose: Light, clean, smooth, salty, slightly maritime, with some seaweed and light notes of diesel smoke.
Taste: Maritime, rather round, slightly salty, with some pleasant round fruity notes of cooked fruits, some pear, apples, white peach, oaky notes and a round fino influence, with limited acetic influence. The finish is medium, round, mellow, with some faint maritime influence and round fino influence.
Impression: A very round Bunnhahabhain with a surprisingly round sherry influence, with no acidity and limited maritime influence. A nice fino flavour.
Rating: 14/20 PA:D2

15 Jun

Glendronach 1995 Old Malt Cask for Passchendaele 1917 Pipes and Drums, 14 YO, Douglas Laing, B:2010, Ref 5673, 240 bottles. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Okay, floral, on vanilla, hay, wood smoke and some old rubber boots.
Taste: Spicy, oaky, floral, slightly meaty, on hay, tangerine and some oranges. Rather citric. The finish is medium, rather spicy, on vanilla, ginger, and some tangerine, with light bitter notes.
Impression: A pleasant, rich and rather spicy Glendronach, with a light sherry influence.
Rating: 14/20 PA:D2

14 Jun

GlenDronach 1993 Single Cask Hand Filled (Manager’s selection), OB, 65.1%, B: 2011, cask 1610. Price:
Colour: Amber.
Nose: Smooth, floral, aromatic, fruity, on wild berries, some tangerine and orange. Very complex and harmonious.
Taste: Very fruity, rich, rather thick, complex, floral, intense, on berries, mild spices. Suprisingly complex and well balanced. The finish is long, mouth coating, rich, on toffee, orange, tangerine, with a very thin bitterness from walnuts, coffee and dark chocolate.
Impression: Allan selected this cask and I can only say Woaw! The balance between the sherry and the spirit is just spot on. I have got the impression that this cask was just selected for me. Pretty much all that I can expect from a fine GlenDronach.Delicious.
Rating: 18/20 PA:H2

13 Jun

GlenDronach 2003 for WhiskyKanzler.de OB, 56.8%, B: 2011, cask 3999, 702 bottles. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Fresh, floral to very floral, rather herbal, slightly mineral and aromatic, with some peppermint, a touch of vanilla and some sour berries.
Taste: Intense to very intense, spicy to very spicy, slightly peppery, with some sour berries, fresh oaky notes, floral to very floral, green, with some menthol and eucalyptus. The finish is medium, floral to very floral, fresh, intense, with some sour berries,
Impression: A good fresh and herbal version of GlenDronach, with a bourbon-like influence.
Rating: 14/20 PA:D1

12 Jun

GlenDronach 1996 for Whiskykanzler.de, OB, 53.8%, B: 2011, cask 1492, 696 bottles. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Floral, round, rubbery to very rubbery, with some sulphur, on yeast extract, and balsamic vinegar.
Taste: Spicy, intense, floral, fragrant and very rubbery. The finish is medium to long, floral and very rubbery and on cloves.
Impression: An intense, round and very rubbery GlenDronach, a bit too much to my liking. But German tend to like the sherry monster and won’t be disappointed by that.
Rating: 09/20 PA:J1

11 Jun

GlenDronach 1996 for Wein & Whisky Berlin, 54.7%, B:2011, cask 1372, 401 bottles. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Round to very round, smooth, floral, on berries (including some strawberries), some leather, chocolate, figs, sultanas and beeswax.
Taste: Intense, very spicy, floral to very floral, slightly fragrant and rubbery, on berries, becoming more rubbery over time. The finish is medium, rubbery to very rubbery, spicy, on cumin, cloves, chocolate, with some bitter floral and fragrant notes.
Impression: A good and intense GlenDronach with a mixture of bitter, rubbery and spicy flavours. The spicy notes are rather intense and maybe not the most typical GlenDronach.
Rating: 14/20 PA:H1

10 Jun

Longmorn 1964 for Intertrade, 20 YO, Gordon & MacPhail, 56.8%, B: 1985. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Round, rich, smooth, velvety, on red berries, beeswax, orange, leather, smoke and some polish.
Taste: Rich, intense, round to very round, smooth to very smooth, floral, on red berries, smoke, some chocolate, oranges, tangerine and spices. The finish is medium to long, fragrant, aromatic, floral, slightly smoky, rather bitter, slightly tannic, rich and intense, with a touch of chocolate.
Impression: A very round and smooth nicely sherried Longmorn, intense, sherried with a rather fragrant and slightly tannic finish. A very nice old style of sherried Longmorn.
Rating: 17/20 PA: I2

09 Jun

Pride of Strathspey 1938 (Macallan), 48 YO, J&S Gordon, 40%. Price:
Colour: Amber.
Nose: Smooth, floral, slightly smoky, on humus, honey and apples.
Taste: Slightly peaty and smoky, juicy, slightly spicy, on humus, apples, tangerine, heather, honey, some mineral notes, on some old burnt wood, chocolate and mushrooms. The finish is medium to long, rich, slightly peaty and mineral, on mushrooms, humus, chocolate and figs.
Impression: A pleasant old-fashioned whisky with the wood surprisingly well contained for its age.
Rating: 15/20 PA:E3

08 Jun

Special Whisky Schiff

Macallan 1938 Bloch Import for Switzerland Hand Written label, OB, 43%, B:1970s. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: Woaw. the nose is stunning! Complex, intense, rich, sweet, fruity, mineral, on Mirabelle, a light peat smoke, beeswax, some tangerine, old-fashioned peat smoke, some menthol, pine wax and many other flavours. The nose is truly amazing, smooth and well balanced.
Taste: Mineral, slightly salty, smoky, slightly peaty, aromatic and citric, sweet, with some exotic fruits, tangerine, orange, beeswax, some old ashes, eucalyptus and mirabelle. Very complex and well balanced. The finish is medium to long, slightly aromatic, waxy, smoky, with some old bold peat smoke, tangerine, orange, a whiff of salt and pink grapefruit, on pine wax… Sorry, but I am short of words.
Impression: A superb Macallan, amazingly complex, sweet and fruity,melting in the mouth, with a most enjoyable smokiness and wax. The bottle I bought the sample from had been opened probably for more than one year and there was only a couple of cl, but at tasting, I was surprised by its intensity and freshness. With a fresher bottle, I would have certainly reached the highest mark. A very expensive whisky nowadays but really worth sharing with friends if you can. A memorable experience.
Rating: 19/20 PA:F3

07 Jun

Macallan 1940 for Pro Nobilitate, Ebert, Hainzl and Co, Hamburg, OB, 43%, B: 1981. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Round, mellow, sweet, slightly peaty and smoky, on complex peat smoke, leather, orange, tannins, fudge, dried fruits, figs, raisins, floral notes and mushrooms
Taste: Sweet, rich, intense, austere, slightly mineral, juicy, on toffee, game, peat smoke, with some humus, mushrooms, some tar, tannins and leather, as well as oranges and tangerines. The finish is medium to long, mineral, slightly peaty, smoky, earthy, on humus, game, chocolate, tannins, leather, tangerine, mushrooms and some austere meaty-farmy notes, with some astringency.
Impression: A Macallan with strong notes of chocolate and humus and with a rather mineral and smoky side. Slightly austere. A very good whisky, but more difficult and more astringent than the 1938.A Very expensive bottling.
Rating: 17/20 PA:H2

06 Jun

Littlemill 1989, 24 YO, Liquid Library, 43.7%, B: 2014, 199 bottles. Price:
Colour: Pale gold
Nose: Extremely grassy, round, with slight smoky notes and light sweet flavours of pink grapefruit. Very enjoyable
Taste:Very grassy, juicy, sweet, on banana, grapefruits, passion fruits and honey, some freshly crushed barley and a touch of smoke and spices. The finish is medium, grassy, oaky, with loads of grapefruits and some light oaky spices.
Impression: The grassy notes on the nose are most enjoyable and the texture is pleasant, while the finish tends to be dominated by the bitterness of the grapefruits. A good whisky, but the finish is slightly too bitter to my liking.
Rating: 13/20 PA:A1

Littlemill 1992, 20 YO, Maltbarn, 52.4%, B: 2012, Price:
Colour: Pale gold
Nose: Oaky to very oaky, grassy, with some passion fruits and grapefruits. Becomes smoother and grassier over time.
Taste: Oaky, grassy to very grassy, smoky, with some humus, starch and citrus, including grapefruits. The finish is medium, slightly mineral and austere, with some schnapps, citrus, grapefruits and rather pronounced oaky notes.
Impression: A nice, slightly mineral and rather well balanced Littlemill.
Rating: 13/20 PA:A1

05 Jun

Glen Elgin 1995, James MacArthur, 56.4%, B: 2012, cask 1660. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Floral to very floral, fresh, oaky, slightly spicy and with some pear.
Taste: Round, rather sweet, on matured and sweet pears, light grassy notes and honey, with some light berry influence. The finish is intense, floral, slightly grassy and bitter, with some pears, vanilla, some light nutty flavours and spices.
Impression: A good rounded and intense Glen Elgin.
Rating: 13/20 PA: A2

04 Jun

Glen Elgin Manager’s Dram,16 YO, OB, 60%, Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Very intense, thick, floral, on heavy sherry, leather, chocolate, spices, figs, treacle, wild berries, polished and exotic wood, as well as whiff of smoke and some light notes of fresh rubber. Delicious.
Taste: Floral to very floral, fragrant, spicy, slightly salty, with some fresh rubber, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, leather, tannins and slightly sour berries. The finish is long, floral to very floral, fragrant, rubbery, on leather, tannins, milk chocolate, cinnamon and other spices.
Impression: An intense Glen Elgin from an excellent sherry cask, with mild rubbery notes. An excellent bottling from this distillery and choice from the managers.
Rating: 17/20 PA:I2

03 Jun

Glen Elgin 1975, 37 YO, The First editions, 46.8%, B:2013, ref 99604, 66 bottles. Price:
Colour: Old gold
Nose: Smooth, mellow, complex, rich, very grassy, floral, on melon, some guava and a touch of eucalyptus.
Taste: Very sweet and smooth, grassy, sweet, on eucalyptus, some slightly sour berries as well as on tropical fruity notes. The finish is medium, sweet, grassy to very grassy, with lots of honey, some melon, quince, guava and maybe some mango, as well as on eucalyptus and some woody-oaky notes.
Impression: A charming and rich Glen Elgin with charming honey and grassy flavours.
Rating: 15/20 PA:B1

Glen Elgin 1999 85.22 A Lady in the Night, 12 YO, SMWS, 60.0%, B: 2011, 592 bottles. Price:
Colour: Old gold
Nose: Grassy to very grassy, floral, with some eucalyptus, tree wax, raisins, toffee and some bitter orange.
Taste: Floral, slightly fragrant, spicy to very spicy, with some white pepper, ginger, rose water, toffee and some menthol and eucalyptus. The finish is medium, floral, slightly creamy, aromatic, on ginger, eucalyptus, some grassy notes, as well as menthol.
Impression: A nice fresh, rather light and aromatic Glen Elgin with a good dash of menthol. Refreshing.
Rating: 14/20 PA: D2

02 Jun

Glen Elgin 1965, 14 YO, Cadenhead’s, 45.7 %, B: 1979. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Very rich and intense, floral to very floral, on precious wood, orange, beeswax, furniture, herbal and some cocoa. Excellent. Smells good the excellent old style of sherried whisky.
Taste: Intense to very intense, grassy, complex, green and herbal, slightly mineral and austere, rich, with a touch of menthol. Diluted, it is more herbal and grassy.The finish is medium, rich, floral, herbal, and slightly mineral, with a delicious old style sherry influence.
Impression: A deliciously sherried, complex and subtle Glen Elgin, with pleasant herbal and floral notes. A Glen Elgin at its very best.
Rating: 19/20 PA: G2

01 Jun