13yo

Benrinnes 13 1998/2012 yo A.D. Rattray

April 15, 2013
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I am not sure if it is just the sulphur, but somehow I don’t find this heavily sherried dram very compelling. It lacks a certain “roundness” I expect from a really good whisky. – Rating: 80/100

Arran The Eagle

May 24, 2012
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Very mild and gentle, almost timid, it really needs a few drops of water to open up a little. Probably the most delicate dram of the Icons of Arran series. – Rating: 82/100

Mortlach 13 yo 1997 Murray McDavid

May 14, 2012

Some quite unusual flavours in this malt that was probably from a weak cask and saved by the finish. I like it, but it is a rather special dram. – Rating: 85/100

Miltonduff 1998/2011 Riverstown

April 6, 2012

Very, very sweet for a whisky. Go for it if you like that, others can skip it. – Rating: 73/100

Miltonduff 1998/2011 Berry Bros.

March 30, 2012

Nothing special to say about this malt, all very much middle of the road. I can’t help thinking that it would have benefited from a few years more in the cask. – Rating: 75/100

Caol Ila Distillers Edition 1997/2010

January 22, 2012
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The peat needs a while to cut through the sweet fruits. Quite a nice dram, but a bit weakish on the palate. – Rating: 83/100

Glenlochy 1974/1987 Sestante

December 14, 2011

This is strong stuff, and the addition of water is recommended. It offers quite a lot of nice flavours but is a bit too spicy for my taste. – Rating: 82/100

Laggan Mill 1994 13 yo

August 7, 2011

The character of this malt certainly hints to a Lagavulin. This is a superb whisky that perfectly combines fruit and smoke. – Rating: 92/100

Bowmore 13 yo C&S Dram Regional

April 3, 2011

A typical young Bowmore with a mix of fruit and smoke. It is rather smooth but also quite rich in taste at the same time. – Rating: 85/100

Clynelish 1997/2010 James MacArthur

March 19, 2011

The character of this malt reminds me of Highland Park. It is not from the strongest cask but it is still an enjoyable dram. – Rating: 83/100

Highland Park 1997/2010 Master of Malt

March 12, 2011
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Quite a nice dram that needs a little attention. It has a rather pleasant taste but it appears more like a toned down Islay malt than a proper Highland Park. – Rating: 83/100

Caol Ila Distillers Edition 1996/2003

February 5, 2011
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A very nice dialogue of the dry Caol Ila peat and the sweet moscatel sherry where none is dominating the other. – Rating: 86/100

Glengoyne Vintage 1997/2010

January 14, 2011

I’m not absolutely convinced by this malt. All parts of the tasting experience leave a somewhat shy impression even though the general plavour profile is rather pleasant. – Rating: 79/100

Benrinnes 13 yo “Vom Fass”

January 13, 2011

A rather spicy sherried malt – probably a refill – with a great nose and a strong palate with enough richness to counter the spices. It benefits from adding water. Just the finish is over a bit too soon. – Rating: 85/100

Laphroaig 1996/2010 Malts of Scotland

December 8, 2010

This is a very unusual Laphroaig as it displays almost none of the medicinal notes that the distillery is so well known for. But it’s a very high quality malt with a lot going on in the nose and on the palate. – Rating: 89/100

Glenlivet 1996/2009 Old Malt Cask

October 7, 2010

You don’t find younger sherried Glenlivetes very often, and this is quite a fine specimen. Rich and fruity with a nice spicniess that is just about right. – Rating: 84/100

Bowmore 1996/2009 Murray McDavid

September 25, 2010

A finish well done and not too overpowering. The fruity notes of the famous Pomerol mix quite well with the suprisingly strong peatiness of the Bowmore malt. – Rating: 83/100

Auchroisk 1993 Gordon & Macphail

September 24, 2010
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This malt reminds my a little of the infamous durian fruit that can also give you a good whiff of cheese. But in fact I quite like it, just as I like durian. – Rating: 80/100

Macallan SMWS 24.111

September 21, 2010

A quite unusual but very enjoyable Macallan most probably from a Fino sherry cask. The richness in aromatic spice flavours is well balanced with fresh citrus notes. – Rating: 85/100

Caol Ila 1995/2009 A.D. Rattray

June 8, 2010
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The terrific nose is backed by a sophisticated complexity of the palate that reminds me a little of Port Ellen. This malt is living proof that Caol Ila is capable of producing top class whisky. – Rating: 89/100

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