June 2011

Glentromie 12 yo

June 30, 2011

The nose has its interesting moments, but the palate is much too indescript to be attractive. – Rating: 64/100

Linkwood 1991/2006 Gordon & Macphail

June 25, 2011
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This is a very fine sherried malt with a gorgeous nose. The palate is just a touch too much on the sweet side to be truly outstanding. – Rating: 86/100

Drumguish

June 24, 2011
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An utterly unexciting and bland malt. It is cheap, but you get more for your money, if you invest the same amount in a standard blend. – Rating: 53/100

Benriach 1985/2009 Signatory

June 23, 2011
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The perfumy notes are not really disturbing on the nose, but they are just a bit too dominant on the palate, thus spoilng an otherwise nicely flavoured whisky. – Rating: 72/100

Newsflash: Ardbeg “Rollator” Announced

June 23, 2011
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The Islay rumour mill is running red hot thse days. The success of the latest committee bottling, Ardbeg Alligator, must have been so overwhelming that the distillery spontaneously decided to up the ante.

Teaninich 1982/2004 The Bottlers

June 22, 2011

It’s hard to believe that this is only a refill cask. This is a very richly sherried dram, but the finish is a bit on the short side. – Rating: 84/100

Nikka “Black” Pure Malt

June 21, 2011
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While the nose of this blended malt is quite fruity, its palate is suprisingly savoury. This is a very intriguing whisky composition. – Rating: 87/100

Hazelburn 8 yo Cask Strength

June 20, 2011
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Even though it is only 8 years, this malt shows some characertistics of older whiskies. There is a lot going on in this fine and richly flavoured dram. – Rating: 85/100

Kilchoman Tightens The Screw With Their 100% Islay Whisky

June 20, 2011

Kilchoman distillery on Islay launched their new 100% Islay expression on the 16th June. But the pricing of the cask strength version that is sold only at the distillery gave me shock.

Whiskies of Scotland Closed Distilleries 20 yo Vatted Malt

June 19, 2011
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It needs a little time and a few drops of water, then this full bodied malt releases a plethora of nicely interwoven flavours. – Rating: 87/100

Longmorn 46 yo 1964 Gordon & Macphail

June 18, 2011

This superb malt shows quite a bit of wood, but the strong flavours and the complexity are powerful enough to keep it in balance. – Score: 92/100

Glenfiddich 12 yo

June 17, 2011
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The palate can’t quite keep up with the very pleasant nose. The flavour profile is really nice, but there is a driness that I find a little disturbing for such a rather young malt. – Rating: 76/100

Johnnie Walker Red Label

June 17, 2011
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This top selling blend is obviously designed not to offend any palate. There are some interesting flavours, but they are hidden underneath a layer of sweetness. Rating: 67/100

10 Essential Scotch Whiskies Everybody Should Have Tried

June 17, 2011
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Yesterday’s 10 Essential Things About Scotch Whisky Everybody Should Know was the theory. Here comes the practice.

Professional Writers, Learn Your Whisky Basics!

June 16, 2011
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Educating people about whisky is a good thing, and many writers try to do so. But are all of them knowledgeable enough to take on this task?

10 Essential Things About Scotch Whisky Everybody Should Know

June 16, 2011
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Here is the basic knowledge you need to find your way around in the world of Scotch whisky, divided into ten categories.

Ben Nevis 1967/2009

June 15, 2011

41 years in a sherry hogshead were too much for this malt. Not unpleasant at all, but the whisky character is almost gone, it tastes more like a mixture of old rum and a herbal bitter. – Score: 84/100

Glen Garioch 1994 Vintage

June 14, 2011
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The flavours of this malt are nicely balanced and pleasant, but it retains a good alcohol bite even with quite a bit of water. This creates an interesting combination of smoothness and edge. – Score: 83/100

Down With Whisky Regions!

June 13, 2011
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Yes, I really mean it!

Benromach 11 yo 1999 Creative Whisky Co.

June 12, 2011
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This single cask bottling feels like the standard Benromach 10 yo on steroids. I like the the touch of sulphur that is beefing up this already very rich whisky even more. – Score: 86/100

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