November 2009

Glendronach Revival 15 yo

November 29, 2009
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Heavily sherried with quite some tannins, but not really bitter. A great and very complex single malt. Because of the mothballing of Glendronach in 1996, in a few years time new batches will be older than 15 years. Keep an eye on it! – Score: 89/100

Glenburgie 1968, 75 cl bottle

November 28, 2009

A nicely balanced dram, the nose being fruitier than the palate. The bottling strength of 40% doesn’t serve it well, though. – Score: 84/100

Benrinnes 1988/2009 Malts of Scotland

November 27, 2009

I quite like the taste, only the finish is a bit strange. – Score: 84/100

Clynelish 10 yo James MacArthur

November 25, 2009

Very enjoyable with a good balance between sweetness and spice – Score: 87/100

Dufftown 1991/2004 Old Malt Cask

November 24, 2009

Quite similar to the Lochnagar from Signatory Full bodied and even more spicy. This one can use a bit of water. – Score: 83/100

Royal Lochnagar 1998/2009 Signatory

November 23, 2009
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A nice full bodied dram, quite spicy. Be careful with water, it makes it more edgy. – Score: 85/100

Tamdhu 10 yo – mid 80s 75 cl bottle

November 22, 2009

I don’t know if it’s an old bottle effect or if if tasted like that from the start, but this is an amazing quality for a 10yo. Perfectly balanced and very complex. – Score: 89/100

Tomatin 28 yo

November 20, 2009

Quite smooth and very fruity. Nice but nothing sensational. There quite some whiskies of comparable profile ans quality that are ten years younger (and therefore cheaper). – Score: 84/100

Longmorn 15 yo 1992/2008 A. D. Rattray

November 19, 2009

Needs quite some water, a quite nutty dram with much wood spice. Could be a bit more balanced. – Score: 82/100

Benrinnes 15 yo

November 18, 2009
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A very complex sherry dram that you can enjoy drop by drop, noticeable tannins but not really bitter. I like it very much. – Score: 87/100

The SWA Strikes Again

November 18, 2009

Every once in a while, the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) opens up a new battlefield because they see the traditional values of Scotch Whisky under attack. Examples include the lawsuit against the Glen Breton whisky from Canada or the threat against Compass Box.

Highland Park 1985/2002 – Adelphi

November 17, 2009

Very little noticeable peat, the palate could be a bit fruitier for my taste, but still very pleasant. – Score: 85/100

Strathmill 12 yo

November 15, 2009

Quite enjoyable, but takes a while to develop its full profile. – Score: 84/100

Oban 14 yo

November 13, 2009
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A nice daily dram, lightly peated, lightly sherried and well-balanced – Score: 79/100

Learn Whisky Marketing with LVMH #4 – Conclusion

November 12, 2009

In the first three parts of this series I looked at Glenmorangie, Ardbeg and the SMWS. Now let’s try

Putting it All Together

Learn Whisky Marketing with LVMH #3 – The SMWS

November 11, 2009

Glenmorangie plc bought the SMWS just a few months before they sold everything to LVMH, plenty of room for speculations here. Anyway, what exactly is the SMWS?

Learn Whisky Marketing with LVMH #2 – Ardbeg

November 11, 2009

Glemorangie plc bought Ardbeg in 1997 and re-opened the distillery that had been mothballed since 1981, with just a low level production between 1989 and 1996. After the relaunch, Ardbeg managed to attract a huge following of whisky enthusiats because of various reasons.

Rothaus Black Forest Single Malt 2006/2009

November 10, 2009

The worst dram I ever had so far, mainly for the moldy mushroom flavour. Very immature and unbalanced. The brewery makes excellent beer. They should stick with that in order not to ruin their reputation. The price of €50 per bottle is ridiculuos. Avoid. – Score: 20/100

Learn Whisky Marketing with LVMH #1 – Glenmorangie

November 10, 2009

In October 2004, French luxury goods conglomerate Moët Hennessy – Louis Vuitton S.A (LVMH) bought Glenmorangie plc from the Macdonald family who had been in possession of the company since 1918. The portfolio included Glenmorangie, Ardbeg and Glen Moray distilleries as well as the Scotch Malt Whisky Society (SMWS).

Balmenach 11 yo 1990 Adelphi

November 10, 2009

A nice full-bodied whisky with a subtle mix of fruit, spice and sweetness – Score: 85/100

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