finish

Glenglassaugh 33 yo 1978/2012 Madeira Style Finish

April 25, 2013
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The finish overpowers the spirit quite a bit here. It still is a nice dram, but defnintely not worth the high price. – Rating: 83/100

Benriach 27 yo 1984/2012 Cask 4050

April 20, 2013
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This whisky is pure delight. Who said that sherry and peat doesn’t work? – Rating: 92/100

Bushmills 16 yo

April 15, 2013
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Not quite as massive as the 21 yo, but very much along the same line despite the cask hodge-podge. The standard 40% remark applies as well. – Rating: 86/100

Bushmills 21 yo

April 9, 2013
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Even the low bottling strength cannot detract from the massive fruitiness of this dram. This at cask strength would be very hard to beat. – Rating: 90/100

Linkwood 20 yo 1991 Cote Rotie Finish Gordon & MacPhail

February 10, 2013
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Very strong wood and light sulphur make this not a dram for anyone. Was this a finish to save a bad cask? – Rating: 78/100

Talisker Distillers Edition 2000

January 3, 2013
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The sherry remains rather in the background, only to underline the famous smoky spiciness of the Talisker spirit. Quite different from the fantastic 1999 vintage. Rating: 87/100

Highland Park 1989/2010 Murray McDavid

December 2, 2012
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This really is a borderline finish, very sweet, almost too much so, but there is enough spice to prevent it from becoming over the top. – Rating: 86/100

Laphroaig PX Cask

November 14, 2012
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The (mild) PX sweetness makes this an interesting variation on the Quarter Cask. It is well worth a try although it shows a little less complexity. – Rating: 87/100

Lagavulin Distillers Edition 1995

September 17, 2012
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This legendary dram delivers top quality, year after year. Peat and sherry in a fruitful symbiosis. – Rating: 89/100

Tomintoul 12 yo Oloroso Sherry Finish

September 1, 2012
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The label doesn’t lie: it is a gentle dram, not a smack into your face, a well-behaved fruity malt for easy sipping. – Rating: 81/100

Bruichladdich Sherry Classic

July 17, 2012
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The spices are quite dominant here and cover the nice fruity and sweet flavours to some extent. Overall it still is a decent value dram. – 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

Benriach 17 yo Rioja Cask Finish

March 4, 2012
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A well made finish that does not drown the whisky in wine, not overly complex but quite drammable indeed. – Rating: 84/100

Penderyn Madeira

February 22, 2012
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Uncomplicated but very enjoyable, this is a nice and sippable malt for just about any occasion. – Rating: 83/100

Tobermory 15 yo

February 16, 2012
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For a sherry finish this malt is a bit feeble. The overall character is pretty nice but it could benefit from a little more oomph. – Rating: 74/100

Glenmorangie Artein 15 yo

February 12, 2012
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Surprisingly gentle, to the verge of feeling watery. The whisky steps into the background here. But it’s a nice dram, not more, not less. – Rating: 83/100

Glenkinchie Distillers Edition 1996/2010

February 9, 2012
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This malt has a lovely nose and some interesting flavours on the palate. But overall it is missing a little depth. – Rating: 80/100

Lagavulin Distillers Edition 1993

February 6, 2012
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A brilliant combination of fruit and smoke. The PX sherry combines very well with the Lagavulin distillery style. – Rating: 88/100

Clynelish Distillers Edition 1993

January 30, 2012
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Quite a nice dram overall, but there seems to be missing something. – Rating: 80/100

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