July 2010

Bladnoch 19 yo

July 31, 2010
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Light-bodied but pretty complex, a lot of freshness despite its age, this is a very nice Lowland malt. – Rating: 84/100

Old Pulteney 17 yo

July 30, 2010
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A very nice costal malt that reminds me a little of some Sprinbanks. It is quite mild but pretty complex and a delight to enjoy – Rating: 86/100

Tamdhu 1991/2009 C&S Dram Collection

July 29, 2010

The strong banana flavour notes make this a quite enjoyable dram. There is not too much complexity, though. – Rating: 81/100

Bruichladdich Octomore 02.2 Orpheus

July 28, 2010
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The unusual combination of strong peat and red wine works amazingly well. It tastes pretty much like a piece of smoked ham marinated in Bordeaux wine. – Rating: 87/100

Glen Grant 1972/2010 Whisky Doris

July 27, 2010

An amazing 38 year old malt that does not show its age very obviously. Almost entirely fruity and practically without wood notes. Highly enjoyable. – Rating: 88/100

Westport 2000/2010 Malts of Scotland

July 26, 2010

A very rich first fill sherry malt that gives the impression of being older than ten. Very delightful at a very reasonable price. – Rating: 84/100

Compass Box – The Spice Tree

July 25, 2010
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This blended malt has a very intriguing nose, but even at 46% the palate is slightly disappointing and the finish is a bit short. But the promised spices are surely present. – Rating: 80/100

Karuizawa 1985/2009 Cask #7017

July 24, 2010

Sulphur is not always a welcome addition to a malt’s aroma, but for this whisky I think it works phenomenally well. It is interwoven with dozens of flavour notes and none really sticks out. There is so much going on in that extremely complex whisky. A true cracker of a dram! – Rating: 94/100

Aberfeldy 1998/2010 C&S Dram Good

July 22, 2010

This malt has not really convinced me. It has quite a nice nose, but it is rather weak on the palate and the finish is on the short side as well. It has some “aperitival” qualities, though. -Rating: 72/100

Glenallachie 1989/2008 Distillery Only

July 20, 2010

Overall this is a very nice sherry bomb, but I find the light chili catch slightly disturbing . – Rating: 84/100

My Top 10 Bang for the Buck Whiskies

July 19, 2010
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To create this Bang for the Buck ranking from over 200 ratings, I picked some widely available whiskies that please your palate without hurting your wallet too much.

Kilkerran Work in Progress 2009

July 19, 2010
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The youthful freshness is quite prominent, but at only five years this malt already has an amazing balance and complexity. – Rating: 83/100

Inchmurrin 1996/2009 C&S Dram Collection

July 18, 2010

One of the many brands of Loch Lomond distillery. This malt is quite sippable but does not possess the qualities to stick out of the crowd . – Rating: 74/100

Elijah Craig 12 yo

July 17, 2010
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A bourbon with a rich and creamy mouthfeel and very complex flavours. Quite some wood influence but it is not overpwering the other aromas. – Rating: 85/100

Aberlour a’Bunadh Batch 30

July 16, 2010
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This batch is not as fruity as others I have tasted. The emphasis is more on the dry spicyness that makes it a very complex and enjoyable dram. – Rating: 86/100

Laphroaig 1990/2010 Signatory

July 15, 2010
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Compared to the 10yo Cask Strength this is a rather mild Laphroaig, but the higher age does not really result in a more rounded character. – Rating: 83/100

Laphroaig 10 yo Cask Strength

July 14, 2010
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The true essence of Islay. This uncompromising malt does not take prisoners. Extremely complex and much better than the regular 10 yo for an unbeatable price. – Rating: 91/100

Whisky Myths Debunked #3 – The Importance of Water

July 7, 2010
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Ever so often I read about the almost mystical influence that water is supposed to have on whisky. But how big an influence can water actually have on the water of life?

Invergordon 1972/2009 Càrn Mór

July 6, 2010

A very nice full-flavoured single grain whisky. – Rating: 87/100

Bunnahabhain 18 yo

July 5, 2010
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A great dry sherried malt that even reminds me a little of the 18 year Macallans – but for a much friendlier price. – Rating: 87/100

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