March 2010

Bowmore Tempest 10 yo

March 31, 2010
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It’s a very nice whisky, but it does not really remind me of a tempest. Although it is quite peaty for a Bowmore I think its character is more breezy than stormy, even without water. The fruitiest of all peat monsters. – Score: 86/100

Loch Ewe Newmake from March 11, 2008

March 30, 2010

t’s hard to believe that this spirit was distilled purely from barley. A very clean fruitiness with almost no “off” notes. Still about as far from whisky as you can get but quite enjoyable nevertheless. – Score: 65/100

Daftmill Newmake from December 28, 2005

March 29, 2010

Of course it’s difficult to extrapolate from the newmake, but the spirit certainly tastes interesting and has the potential to become a complex whisky. – Score: 55/100

Highland Park Hjarta

March 29, 2010

A well-balanced and complex Highland Park with barely noticeable peat. Quite a step upward from the standard 12yo. – Score: 87/100

Macallan 18 yo 1979 vintage

March 28, 2010

A marvelous old-fashioned sherry whisky, very dry but still smooth and not overly spicy. – Score: 91/100

Glenlivet 18 yo

March 28, 2010
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Very creamy and fruity, complex but very approachable. A very nice dram. – Score: 86/100

Convalmore 1977/1998 Cadenhead

March 27, 2010

A very “beefy” and extremely complex malt, all elements are very well balanced. The first herbal whisky I really loved. – Score: 93/100

Mosstowie 1979/2001 Gordon & McPhail

March 27, 2010

A smooth sherried malt with a great nose, but the 40% bottling strength is too weak to lift it from good to great – Score: 83/100

Learning from Kirschwasser – A New Look At Bottle Aging

March 27, 2010

While recapitulating the recent debate about bottle aging of whisky, something struck me. I have known it for years, but only know I saw the relation to that topic.

Why Old Kirschwasser is Crystal Clear

Knockdhu 12 yo

March 26, 2010

A nice and easy-going malt. It makes an ideal aperitive, but lacks the complexity to be awarded higher honours. – Score: 78/100

Glenlochy 1980/2007 Duncan Taylor

March 25, 2010

Very complex but the wood influence is too dominant for my taste. – Score: 84/100

Glenlossie 10 yo Flora & Fauna

March 25, 2010

Quite pleasant and complex and with a nice balance of flavours. But even at 43% it seems a bit watery. – Score: 84/100

Ladyburn 1975/2009 Signatory

March 24, 2010

I am not a big fan of herbal whiskies, but this one almost managed to convert me. The nose is spectacular but the palate doesn’t quite live up to it. Very light yet very complex. – Score: 86/100

Knockdhu 12 yo

March 24, 2010

Current bottlings sell under the label “An Cnoc” – 43% My Tasting Notes: Nose: Quite floral, but also malty with a touch of lemon Palate: Malt, nuts, citrus fruits, quite spicy Finish: Quite long, slightly spicy Overall: A nice and easy-going malt. It makes an ideal aperitive, but lacks the complexity to be awarded higher [...]

Glenfarclas 10 yo

March 22, 2010
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Long, fruity and slightly spicy, fading into a suprising smokiness
Overall: A very nice inexpensive but yet intense sheried malt. – Score: 83/100

Caol Ila 1983/2009 Perfect Dram

March 21, 2010

A rare Caol Ila entirely matured in a sherry cask. Very complex with a very fitting spiciness – Score: 87/100

Does Whisky Age in a Bottle?

March 21, 2010

Just like the issue of whisky with vs. without ice, this question is one that is continuously popping up among whisky lovers. Much has been written about that topic, but still there is much uncertainty and confusion about it. Let me try to shed some light on this.

Learning From the Masters or How I Became an Idiot Scotch Snob

March 20, 2010

Whisky and ice can certainly be an explosive mixture. Renowned whisky writer and bourbon expert Chuck Cowdery published a blog article called Scotch Snobs on Parade taking on the criticism of The Macallan Ice Ball Serve.

Edradour Caledonia 12 yo

March 20, 2010
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A rather basic sherry dram, not bad but not overly impressive either. – Score: 78/100

Ardbeg Supernova 2009

March 20, 2010

Extremely long, peated salty fruit at first, followed by numbness. – Score: ??/100 Yes, you read right. I honestly don’t know how to rate this whisky.

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