Speciality Drinks

Glen Grant 22 yo 1992/2014 Single Malts Of Scotland

June 24, 2014
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This is definitely my favourite of the recent SMOS bottlings. The tropical fruit aromas are wonderful, and even though water does make it even better it is perfectly sippable undiluted. – Rating: 88/100

Longmorn 21 yo 1992/2014 Single Malts Of Scotland

June 12, 2014
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The wood has done a fine job here, the aromas are pleasantly spicy but not overwehelmingly so. The fruits play second fiddle here. – Rating: 85/100

Clynelish 18 yo 1995/2014 Single Malts Of Scotland

June 8, 2014
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Pretty spicy with some nice aromas, but somehow this just stays on the surface of what Clynelish can offer. – Rating: 83/100

Tobermory 19 yo 1994/2014 Single Malts Of Scotland

June 4, 2014
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Very strong wood aromas from toasted over aromatic to hot and spicy dominate this excellent whisky, any more and it would be too much. This was bottled just in time. – Rating: 87/100

Glenrothes 23 yo 1990/2014 Single Malts Of Scotland

June 2, 2014
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Very enjoyable. If you believe in whisky regions, this would be your typical unsherried Speysider. Not the most complex of malts, but the balance of fruit, sweetness and spice is just right. – Rating: 86/100

Glenfarclas Coronation 1953/2013 Speciality Drinks

September 16, 2013
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An amazing very old Glenfarclas with a fantastic fruitiness underlined by aromatic spices. It has a bit of a wood bite but this does not detract from the glorious aromas that can be found in this whisky. – Rating: 94/100

Port Askaig 30 yo Cask Strength

February 26, 2013
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Some very pleasant fruit notes are playing with the peat here. The mouthfeel is unusally creamy for a peated malt. – Rating: 87/100

Port Askaig 19 yo Cask Strength

February 26, 2013
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Quite a dry dram with a light bitterness on the palate. The finish is a bit timid. – Rating: 84/100

Port Askaig 12 yo

February 25, 2013
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There is an element of dirtiness in this whisky that adds a wickedly intriguing dimension. The spices in this are delightful. – Rating: 87/100

Midleton 20 yo 1991 For The Whisky Exchange

February 25, 2013
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This is what Irish whiskey is all about, a true benchmark for the ‘pure potstill’ style. – Rating: 92/100

Caol Ila 19 yo The Whisky Exchange

November 4, 2012
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Dry and crisp, it feels younger than it actually is. This dram demonstrates how Caol Ila can be bold and elgegant at the same time. – Rating: 88/100

Karuizawa 1982/2012 The Whisky Exchange

October 27, 2012
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A fascinating mix of spice and fruit in this slightly unusual bourbon cask Karuizawa, the wood is always present but does not overwhelm the other flavours. – Rating: 89/100

Elements of Islay Pl1

October 19, 2012
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An uncompromising, almost brutal phenolic attack on your tastebuds, but it is not simply a peat monster, it has complex layers of flavours. – Rating: 90/100

Elements of Islay Bw1

September 30, 2012
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You need a bit of water to lure the fruity flavours out of their hideout, it is not a typical exponent of this distillery, but a solid one nevertheless. – Rating: 84/100

Elements of Islay Br4

September 28, 2012
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A delectable dram with a perfectly balanced combination of fruit and sweetness with the wood staying in the background. – Rating: 87/100

Lochside 46 yo 1964 Single Blend TWE

December 31, 2011
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The perfect fruit bomb. Fabulous, simply fabulous. This is my favourite dram of 2011. – Rating: 94/100

Elements of Islay Bn1 – Bunnahabhain

December 7, 2011
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This heavily peated Bunnahabhain is quite unusual for the distillery, but it can well compete with the usual suspects. Its oily mouthfeel makes it stand out. – Rating: 86/100

Elements of Islay Br2 – Bruichladdich

December 2, 2011
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A nice malt, typical for the unpeated Bruichladdich house style, perhaps a bit on the spicy side. – Rating: 84/100

Elements of Islay Kh1 – Kilchoman

November 29, 2011
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This malt still shows its youth, but it is far from being unenjoyable. Give it a few more years and it should be terrific. – Rating: 81/100

Elements of Islay Ci1 – Caol Ila

December 5, 2010
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The tasting notes may look pretty generic, but this is an excellent example of a typical young Islay malt. Adding water shifts the flavours towards the spices. A brilliant whisky. – Rating: 87/100