cask strength

Cardhu 26 yo 1984/2011 Duncan Taylor

March 5, 2015

Cardhu doesn’t have the best reputation among whisky geeks, but this rare inependent bottling proves that they can make great whisky. It is mouth-coating, succulent and richly flavoured. – Rating: 87/100

Bunahabhain 1988/2014 Wemyss “Kirsch Gateau”

February 13, 2015
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This is a very fine aged sherried malt that has everything you would expect from such a dram. It is quite spicy, though. – Rating: 86/100

Linkwood 1987/2011 Malts of Scotland

February 2, 2015

This Linkwood is fairly light in character but nonetheless has quite an intense palate. The fruity flavours dominate, spices are in the background. This is bourbon refill as it should be – Rating: 87/100

Tamdhu 1988/2012 Malts of Scotland

January 26, 2015

Both nose and palate are fairly restrained, there really is not much interesting going on. It sips nicely but I expect a bit more from a whisky of this age. Rating: 83/100

Glendronach 20 yo 1994/2014 Abbey Whisky Exclusive

January 22, 2015
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The wood has been very active on this cask, not only because of the very dark colour. The strong tannins are kept just in check by the fruity sherry aromas. A sherry monster for those who like it strong. – Rating: 85/100

Compass Box “The General”

January 14, 2015
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A true masterpiece of blending, most would think this is pure malt whisky. Sadly it is not available anymore. – Rating: 90/100

Glenlivet 15 yo 1998/2014 Signatory For Whiskybrother

January 11, 2015
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Quite simply this is a very good full sherried single malt, right out of the textbook, not too old and not too young. There is nothing unusual about it at all, but it is delicious. – Rating: 87/100

Convalmore 36 yo Special Release 2013

January 6, 2015
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The nose is excellent and tells of its old age, but the spices on the palate are a little too strong and the finish is a little too short for a truly remarkable whisky. – Rating: 86/100

Highland Park 14 yo 1999/2014 Signatory For TWE

December 21, 2014
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This very spicy Highland Park is probably not everybody’s darling. But the combination of a very creamy mouthfeel with strong pepper works surprisingly well for me. – Rating: 84/100

Heaven Hill 15 yo Whisky Jewbilee 2013 Festival Bottling

November 23, 2014
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An excellent bourbon on the peak of maturity with both rich flavours and a gentle character. Despite the high ABV the thought of adding water never crosses the mind. – Rating: 87/100

Arran 17 yo Single Cask 2033 For TWE

November 21, 2014
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Strong and sweet sherry dominates this whisky, actually overpowering it a little. If you have a sweet tooth, you will love it anyway. – Rating: 84/100

Linkwood 28 yo 1985 Signatory for TWE

October 27, 2014
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The flavours are very dense and compact here which makes it hard to single out specific ones. It is a lovely whisky, but it needs time to open up. – Rating: 87/100

Aultmore XO Douglas Laing Old Particular

October 18, 2014
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The young age is quite obvious here, but the strong sherry does a good job in not letting this turn into an annoyance. – Rating: 84/100

Bowmore 15 yo 1999/2014 Single Malts Of Scotland

October 16, 2014
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The typical Bowmore fruitiness is balanced by quite strong peat and spices here. Some water and time is need until it fully opens up. – Rating: 86/100

Kilchoman 5 yo 2009/2014 PX Finish Abbey Whisky Exclusive

September 12, 2014
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The density of flaovurs in this young whisky is amazing as is the strong influence of aromatic spices. The finish does not interfere with the spirit. This is a superb thick exlir where a little goes a long way. – Rating: 88/100

Caol Ila 38 yo 1976/2014 Malts of Scotland

August 31, 2014
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Despite its age this malt is still quite peaty. The lovely fruity aromas are much more obvious on the nose than on the palate. Very good but not quite outstanding. – Rating: 89/100

Ardbeg Supernova SN2014 Committee Release

August 28, 2014
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So far I have only tasted the 2009 version of the SN which stupefied me. This is much more civilzed but still very powerful stuff. There are enough other aromas present to prevent this from turning into a mere peat bomb. – Rating: 88/100

Glendronach 27 yo 1985/2013 Cask 1035

August 27, 2014

Quite a bold sherry monster but not as sweet as one might expect from a PX cask. The wood spices are already beginning to take control of the whisky. – Rating: 86/100

Glendronach 9 yo 1987/1997 Signatory

August 24, 2014
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The youth of this surprisingly smoky whisky from the late stages of the Paxarette age can be noticed, but still it has an amazing complexity for a 9 year old. – Rating: 88/100

Auchroisk 24 yo 1989/2013 Cadenhead Small Batch

July 22, 2014

This is still quite a nice whisky, despite the slight sulphur influence. Overall it is a bit on the sweet side. – Rating: 84/100

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