Tasting Notes for New Duncan Taylor Bottlings
DECEMBER 2011
Colour: Pale gold.
Nose: Juicy fruits, honey, crème du menthe, them some stewed fruits and cream, poached pears and plums.
Taste: Custard creams, toffee yoghurt. Mangos, peppermint and lychee.
Finish: Lots of toffee notes with juicy grapes.
Comment: A glass full of summer!
Colour: Liquid gold.
Nose: Creamy, lots of toffee and brown sugar, A little bit meaty, some red fruits and slightly medicinal.
Taste: Some zesty notes, more creaminess and a touch of bitter chocolate. Some dry grassiness emerges with lots of honey.
Finish: Touch of coconuts, praline and more creaminess. Some green bananas and caramel.
Comment: A big dram behind a delicate nose!
Colour: Warm gold.
Nose: Almonds, leather, peaches, liquorices, cream rhubarb, soft pickles and grain mustard.
Taste: Caramel, gooseberries, soft oakiness and then some heavier fruits. Figs and dates and then mint. Toffee sweets get bigger and bigger.
Finish: Lots of toffee, traces of wood smoke and lots of raisins butter.
Comment: Glenlivet really does age well – toffee and fruits all the way.
Colour: Straw.
Nose: Creamy and Minty, lots of fresh cut grass and also some hay. Quite oily, some unripe bananas and whole kiwi fruits.
Taste: Soft lemons, ginger and brown sugar. Turning more toffee like. More grassy notes emerge with a touch of popcorn.
Finish: Some citrus notes and heavier creamy notes give a longer finish than you may expect.
Comment: A fresh and crisp dram – dangerously drinkable.
Colour: Gold.
Nose: Cinnamon flat coke, hint of ginseng – oatmeal, honeycomb and melted butter.
Taste: Chocolate, hayloft, lemon meringue pie. Touch of lime, Pears star anise – and orange peel.
Finish: Apple touch of cloves and a little white chocolate.
Comment: A battle of flavors that comes together brilliantly.
Colour: Straw.
Nose: Olive oil? Custard creams, meringues, toffee sauce.
Taste: Creamy, Butterscotch and figs. Shortbread and digestive biscuits. Melted butter and nougat.
Comment: Soft and creamy with vanilla pods and clotted cream.
Colour: Pale straw.
Nose: Custard Powder, Mint, Strawberry plants and straw, Condensed milk, candy floss and fresh cut woodchips.
Taste: Quite herbal and grassy. Some thyme, soft rosemary and a trace of citrus fruits.
Finish: Soft ginger, cumin seeds, milky bars, yoghurt covered raisins and a little more custard powder.
Comment: A thick and very creamy whisky.
Colour: Light amber.
Nose: Creamy, raspberries and blueberry muffins, faint hint of fisher man's friends along with the poached pears and clotted cream.
Taste: Rich, a lot going on, Ginger, cream slightly antiseptic, mango's and a very faint trace of smoke.
Finish: Huge lychee's kiwi fruits, green apples and fresh mint.
Comment: Smoke is tamed but this is cracking!
Colour: Gold.
Nose: Huge almonds, quite sweet, milky bars, lemon meringue pie and a touch of beetroot! With time it become more zesty.
Taste: Honey, heather, soft lavender. Soft lemons edges with apples , toffee and golden syrup. Faint traces of coastal air, pebble beaches.
Finish: Finished with a touch of aniseed, black pepper seed and honeycombs.
Comment: A nutty, dry and crispy whisky.
Colour: Warm gold.
Nose: Heather, rich and fruity, Cherries, all spice and a touch of rhubarb, Soft aniseed and a little pepper.
Taste: Initial spice gives way to lemon sponge cake. Toffee doughnuts and red currants.
Finish: Tingling spice, red fruits and some popping candy.
Comment: A bold and rich Bunnahabhain.
Colour: Gold
Nose: Warm and syrupy, lots of spice and loads of toffee, French toffee and fresh mint with some oily rags.
Taste: Lots of toffee, raisins butter and pancake mix, dry spices and some limes and a hint of tequila.
Finish: Long spiciness and them some oranges studded with cloves.
Comment: A toffee, fruity spice explosion!
Colour: Pale gold.
Nose: Waxy fruits, plums, polished oak, Bourbon biscuits, crunchies and spiced apples.
Taste: A big whisky, hugely mouth coating and drying. Lots of toffee, melted butter, traces of cinnamon and Blackpool rock.
Finish: Lots of aniseed, some unripe bananas, hazelnuts and some cranberries.
Comment: This is big and brilliant – do not underestimate!
NOVEMBER 2011
Colour: Amber with gold highlights
Nose: Freshly ground coffee, honey, sherry and nuts
Taste: Perfect balance of sherry, nuts and peat smoke – Wow!!
Finish: Long and full, dry oak smoke
Comment: Simply stunning!
Colour: Amber
Nose: Sweet, coastal, medicinal notes, Creamy and earthy, Germolene and roasted peanuts
Taste: Exotic fruits, dry smokiness, hint of pine nuts, creamy with spices and white pepper
Finish: Fruit with emerging smokiness mixed with dry oak, pepper again
Comment: This is seriously good. Its classic fruity, smoky dram
Colour: Gold
Nose: Sweet, chocolate bourbon biscuits, a touch medicinal, and kaffir lime leaves. Warm gingerbread with melted butter, with time pineapple chunks and traditional lemonade.
Taste: Rich meaty notes, raisins, figs and prunes. Initially heavier than the nose would suggest. Brown sugar and then lemon sponge cake.
Finish: Developing citrus notes, with white chocolate and ginseng tea.
Comment: A richly fruity Bunna!
Colour: Gold
Nose: Huge almonds, quite sweet, milky bars, lemon meringue pie and a touch of beetroot! With time it become more zesty
Taste: Honey, heather, soft lavender. Soft lemons edges with apples , toffee and golden syrup. Faint traces of coastal air, pebble beaches
Finish: Finished with a touch of aniseed, black pepper seed and honeycombs
Comment: A nutty, dry and crispy whisky
Colour: Gold
Nose: Apple skins, lime cordial, tealeaves and tattie scones. Soft medicinal creamy notes, blossom and hints of cigar boxes
Taste: Toffee, traditional lemonade. Coastal breeze. A touch of maltiness emerges along with honey and nutmeg
Finish: Soft brown sugar, custard cream biscuits and parma ham
Comment: A softly coastal Bunna with a fresh edge!
Colour: Mid amber
Nose: Intense fruits, mango.
Taste: Sweet tropical fruits dominate with a velvety creamy background
Finish: Velvety orange, long and smooth
Comment: A fruit explosion - stunning
Colour: Pale Gold
Nose: Apples, pears and a hint of coastal characters and seaweed.
Taste: Gentle wood smoke with cut grass, gooseberries and creamy notes emerge. Silk texture.
Finish: Chewy, touch of dry oak balanced by herb and leafy notes.
Comment: A silky smooth operator!
Colour: Warm gold
Nose: Licorice, meaty, cherries and a bitter chocolate. Becomes more toffee like with hints of bacon and coconuts
Taste: Lime and dark chocolates, with almost a faint trace of smoke. Dark cherries yoghurt and again some smarter citrus notes limes and grapefruits,
Finish: Some sherry notes come through. A little saltiness and then quite a creamy grassy note.
Comment: There is always a lot going on with Cragganmore and this one is no exception
Colour: Amber
Nose: Honey, lemon, touch of menthol with a sweet Moreno cherries
Taste: Oranges, bitter chocolate, very warming, hints of spicy oak and aniseed
Finish: Chewy, lemon grassy, balanced with sweet toffee notes and a touch of oak smoke
Comment: Great Balance – not to be missed!!
Colour: Pale gold
Nose: Creamy, very creamy, lots of vanilla, gooseberries, Custard Creams – raisons and lemon, olive oil
Taste: Bigger than nose would suggest. Much more juicy fruits, nectarines, tangerines, watermelon and kiwi fruits. Distant toffee notes with lots of creamy yoghurt notes
Finish: Touch of ginger bread, lots of lemons, oranges and a hint of spice
Comment: A citrus explosions covered in cream!
Colour: Gold
Nose: Zesty lemon & lime marmalade with a touch of treacle toffee and apples
Taste: Intense fruity spices, lemon grass, touch of fresh oak and spearmint
Finish: Lingering with creamy oakiness developping nicely and a hint of cola bottles!
Comment: Great balance with great spice!
Colour: Gold
Nose: fruits, gingerbread, slight trace of phenols and then some coconut.
Taste: Pears, apples and limes. Red apple skins and a touch of chocolate. Touch of nann bread comes through and battles with the fruitiness.
Finish: Medium length, but very juicy with a shortbread edge
Comment: Crisp and refreshing
Colour: Gold
Nose: Butterscotch, unlit cigars, oranges, peaches, old leather, sweet shortcake biscuits
Taste: Pear drops, lemon bonbons, becomes grassy, dry earth and slightly medicinal
Finish: Olive oil, cigar boxes with hints of a woodland walk
Comment: A fruity speysider that wants to be in Havana
Colour: Warm gold
Nose: Lemon curd dusted with icing sugar. Green apples with hints of toffee and ginger
Taste: Wow – Intense fruits, spices, touch of fresh oak and chocolate mints
Finish: Juicy, grassy with a creamy oakiness developing
Comment: Truly delicious – more please!
Colour: Pale gold
Nose: Gooseberries, malty notes, peppery
Taste: Big with red apples balanced with zesty lemongrass and some wood 'n' spice emerging
Finish: Long & mouth coating with white chocolate and kola cubes
Comment: A big malty dram ideal for autumn!
Colour: Bright Gold
Nose: Butterscotch , Huge butterscotch! Wother’s original mixed with highland toffee. Touch of aniseed. Custard and Rhubarb Crumble
Taste: Soft Cinnamon, red currents, glacier cherries and cocoa powde, with time more fruitiness develops along with more aniseed
Finish: Initially spicy then this fades into bananas, toffee and gooseberries
Comment: Banoffie pie with a kick!
Colour: Gold
Nose: Caramel toffee, Battenburg cakes, lemon curd and vanilla essence. Some oily notes and lots of orange – boiled sweets.
Taste: Very sponge cake like, but moist! More lemon notes coming through. Some more vanilla essence with icing sugar and some white chocolate.
Finish: Custard creams, touch of fennel, lime leaves and faint horseradish.
Comment: A Birthday Cake Whisky!
Colour: Amber
Nose: Stewed fruits, pears, creamy, Lots of apricots and a hint of dill. Cold apple pie and a soft cured meat notes.
Taste: Praline, oranges and coffee liqueurs. Hard boiled sweets and some icing sugar.
Finish: Some dark fruits come through, brambles and cherries along with a creamy citrus notes
Comment: Inchgower at its fruity best!
Colour: Gold
Nose: Honey, lots of fruits, syrupy, honeycomb and becoming grassier with a hint of nettles. Touch of eucalyptus
Taste: Touch of spice, with toffee and nutmeg. Hints of cardomon and then some oily fruitiness
Finish: More honeycomb, some vanilla and lots of raspberries
Comment: A lovely spicy Linkwood
Colour: Amber
Nose: Lots of oranges, pears drops and pine nuts. Fruits become heavier with raisons but predominately oranges.
Taste: Thick and chewy month feel, a little lemon sherbet and a good bit on runny toffee. Some blackcurrants notes along with nutmeg.
Finish: Lingering fruitiness, faintly salty with a lot of honeycomb emerging
Comment: A bag full of fruits! An excellent Linkwood.
Colour: Bright Amber
Nose: Soft coco powder, faint bacon and maple syrup. Some orange notes emerge with a hint of bay leaves and semolina
Taste: a little golden rum like to begin with. Initially quite spicy with a taste reminiscent of pick your own fruit farm. Some green fruits come through with a big dollop of clotted cream
Finish: Creaminess lingers along with soft chocolate notes and a touch of fresh mint
Comment: Mint Chocolate and strawberries and cream
Colour: Mid Gold
Nose: Initially medicinal traces, then making jam. Like walking into a pattisseri. Warm apple slices, raisins and all spice. With time becomes much creamier.
Taste: Hints of heavier fruits, cherries and figs and then gives way to lychees, peaches and flaked almonds.
Finish: Quite nutty and then some lemon sponge cake with hints of cardomon.
Comment: An ever-changing whisky, sit back and take your time.
Rare Auld Mortlach 1989 22YO, C4036
Colour: Gold
Nose: Creamy, soft medicinal. Lots of nectarines and red apple skins. Hint of chocolate and a touch of aniseed. A very thick nose, quite oily with smoked almonds
Taste: Lots of apple notes, star aniseed and a hint of cinnamon. A touch of ginger leads into more herbal grassy notes
Finish: Faint creamy medicinal notes make way for hot cross buns and lime curd
Comment: A rich fruity Morlach with medicinal edge
Colour: Warm Gold
Nose: Chocolate flakes, quite oily, lime leaves, toffee yoghurt and fruit loaf
Taste: Milky, lots do mint, raisins, oranges and chocolate biscuits. Some slight herbal notes come through and become grassier with time
Finish: Touch of wood spice, cloves and again dried fruits
Comment: A thick oily whisky with a herbal twist
Colour: Bright Gold
Nose: Very juicy, limes, kiwis, peaches and mango. The fruits become more strawberries and lychee with time
Taste: Very milky, lots of toffee sweetness and some melted chocolate. Then the fresh juicy fruits power through with a touch of gingerbread.
Finish: The fruits disappear quickly in the finish, giving way to a big creaminess and a little nutmeg.
Comment: What a dram – one of the best if not The best I have tried from this distillery!
Colour: Pale Straw
Nose: Green apples, creamy, digestives in butter, develops into concentrated apple juice, humbug centers.
Taste: Jelly babies, raspberries, savory pastry, kiwi fruits, creamy with a syrupy mouthful.
Finish: Cooking apples, hard pears, flowery and hay.
Comment: A very clean Benrinnes
Colour: Pale Gold
Nose: Fresh cut grass, custard and pears
Taste: Juicy fruits, creaminess developing touch of aniseed with barley sugar notes emerging
Finish: Sweet and gentle, warm honey finish
Comment: Deliciously drinkable!
Colour:Pale Straw
Nose:Cocanut, hint of chocolate, Aniseed, cookie dough. A hint of medical notes
Taste:Spearmint, a touch of ash, granite brown bread, oily.
Finish:Lingering spearmint, oily and mouth coating with maltiness graving
Comment:A multi-dimensional Craigellachie
Colour: Warm Gold
Nose: Apples, dates and figs, some grassier notes emerge along with more citrus notes. With time becomes nuttier and some Thai notes
Taste: Custard powder , white pepper, sugared almonds and honey, with time more lemon freshness appears along with pear drops
Finish: Crisp apples, toffee and a hint of candy floss
Comment: This dram is a never ending story
Color: Gold
Nose: Olive oil, bananas, cream and lots of fresh vanilla. Pineapples, mangos and a touch of mint.
Taste: Malty, autumnal leaves. Hints of toffee and then some herbal notes.
Finish: Lasting grass herbal notes, lots of fresh grassy notes. Right at the end there is a hint of plums.
Comment: A chewy Glen Grant with bags of fruit.
NC2 Glenlossie 1998 13YO
Colour: Pale Straw
Nose: Warm Custard and apple crumble. Soya sauce and ginger mint humbugs emerge with also a sprinkling of white pepper
Taste: Malty, some lime cordial and olive oil. Hints of gingerbread and butter emerges along with a faint whiff of pancetta
Finish: Soft fruit loaf (Feeling more like dark fruits) with root ginger
Comment: A mixed bag of lights and dark fruits
NC2 Glentauchers 1996 15YO
Colour: Straw
Nose: An old fashioned sweet shop – lots going on. Huge juicy fruity notes. A faint medicinal note comes to the fore but there is also hints of roast beef and a good dollop of lemon curd.
Taste: Fruit scones with cream. Some fresh grassy notes, lemon grass and uncut ginger root.
Finish: A little oily, mid length with some orange bitters and toffee
Comment: A crisp and refreshing whisky
Colour: Pale Gold
Nose: Fresh cut Granny Smith apples, Barley sugar and creamy custard. Hint of basil. Skittles!! ( The sweets)
Taste: Oodles of tangy fruits, basil again, grassy and herbal. White pepper. Delightful, silk texture
Finish: Long and fresh, wonderful!! With very slight hints of fruity oak
Comment: Fresh, vibrant and very more some
NC2 Royal Brackla 1997 13YO
Colour: Chardonnay
Nose: Milky, mint chews, waxy with hints of old leather. Tinned pineapples and tempura batter.
Taste: Very nutty, haylofts, gooseberries and whipped cream, distant hunts of poached pears and cinnamon
Finish: Lemon grass, rye and honey combs
Comment: lots of spring like qualities
NC2 Royal Brackla 1999 12YO
Colour: Gold
Nose: Caramel, greenhouse, vanilla and marzipan, Cashew nuts and faintly medicinal
Taste: Honey comb, butter, a little salty, popcorn and a little candy floss, with time a touch of chocolate emerges
Finish: Soft lingering saltiness, with growing limes and coconut milk
Comment: Fresh, Floral and Fruity
SEPTEMBER 2010
Battlehill Jura 9yo 43% alc/vol
Colour: pale gold
Nose: cereal sweetness, masks floral notes in the background
Taste: breakfast cereal coated with brown sugar
Comments: an easy islander. This one is exclusive to our friends in the US.
Caol Ila 1980 54.8 Octave cask 401783
Before Octave: Germoline, old leather, spiced apples, mandarin, creamy
After Octave: chocolate, toffee, cherries, oranges, smoked ham, nutmeg
Comments: This one is exclusive to our friends in Germany, in an exclusive edition of only 72 bottles.
MAY 2010
Caol Ila 1984 Cask. 6270
Colour: Bright Gold
Nose: Basil, Strawberries, Industrial Harbour, Oily, Eucalyptus and Ginger
Taste: Ash comes through initially and very oily, celery, touch of salt and wet grass
Finish: Lingering grassy notes, green bananas and dry smoke
Comment: A Caol Ila for Koalas....... Lucky Koalas!
ROR Port Ellen 1983 27yo Cask 672 49.4%
Colour: Bright Gold
Nose: Sweet, gooseberries, oily, shortbread, custard, grassy, soft smoke
Taste: Light wet ash, hints of chlorine, olive oil, smoked cheese, waxy, slightly farmyard like
Finish: Quite creamy, touch medicinal with burnt wood and orange sherbet
Comment: A fresh Port Ellen with a fruity ashiness - cracking!
Rare Auld Caol Ila 1981 Cask 3491
Colour: Pale Amber
Nose: Very fruity, stewed apples, French fancies, lemon and toffee chews
Taste: Soft smoke, chilli oils, quite spicy, aniseed and basil
Finish: Lots of creamy notes, wham bars and oranges
Peerless Caperdonich 1968 41 Year Old 52.6% Cask 2595
Colour: Amber
Nose: Rich toffee apples, cinnamon, spiced oak, cherries, blackberries, strawberry milkshake and orange flavoured jelly
Taste: Sweet, spice, brown sugar, treacle, red fruits, pomegranate and vanilla
Finish: Pickles and spices, cardamom and strawberries
Comment: A spicy Caperdonich!
Rare Auld Dallas Dhu 1981 29 Year Old 53% Cask 388
Colour: Straw
Nose: Lemon sherbet, milk chews, strawberry plants, lemon thyme
Taste: Syrupy, dry, vanilla, courgettes in butter, fennel and oranges
Finish: Soft, grassy and refreshing
Comment: A refreshing summer dram
Glen Moray 1971 Cask 7032
Colour: Bronze
Nose: Caramel, shortbread, raisins, quite rum like?
Taste: Touch of fresh oak, warm spices, lime caramel. fruit gums
Finish: Soft oakinesss and sweet rum.
Comment: Outstanding whisky!!
Tomatin 1976 Cask 6816
Colour: Warm Gold
Nose: Chocolate, Toffee, Pencil shavings, creamy
Taste: Rich, Cinnamon, red fruits, white pepper, taste of spices, black cherries
Finish: Lingering cherries, all spice and toffee
Comment: Cracking Dram!!
APRIL 2010
Rare Auld Glen Moray 1983 26yo 55.9% Cask 3203
Colour: Warm Gold
Nose: Icing Sugar, lemon bon bons, pears, cooking apples and lily’s
Taste: Vanilla custard, orange peel, reed grass, sherbet, milky bars and honey
Finish: Soft delicate crème Brule with a hint of spice
Comment: Beautifully creamy and fruity! – Stunning!
Rare Auld Glen Scotia 1991 18yo 57.6% Cask 71375
Colour: Straw
Nose: Sweet, lots of vanilla, a trace of smoke, creamy medicinal notes and quite herbal, warm grass and mint
Taste: Malty, touch oily, more grassiness develops, dry spice and lemon
Finish: Finish long, citrus notes, creaminess develops with distant medicinal notes
Comment: A clean cut Glen Scotia – refreshing and coastal.
Rare Auld Glen Moray 1973 36yo 53.1% Cask 7037
Colour: Russet
Nose: Lots of sweet toffee, raisins, rum like notes, milk chocolate, nougat and bourbon biscuits.
Taste: Warming, rich toffee, cherries, quite creamy, melted chocolate, tangerines and a touch nutty.
Finish: Thick and lingering, lots of treacle toffee and some spiced fruits.
Comment: A big Glen Moray – An excellent example of how good this whisky can be!
Rare Auld Carsebridge 1979 30yo 48.8% Cask 33043
Colour: Golden
Nose: Rich, warm toffee, vanilla builds up and also a touch of spice.
Taste: Oily, very chewy. Digestive biscuits with melted butter. Marzipan and green olives.
Finish: Initial toffee notes fade, then grassier notes emerge. Ends with lingering plums.
Comment: The plums in the finish just hold everything together nicely. A great grain whisky.
Rare Auld Glenlivet 1987 22yo 56.1% Cask 43134
Colour: Warm Gold
Nose: Fudge, cinnamon, pork chops, green tea and honey
Taste: Syrupy, lots of toffee, stewed apples, barley sugars and mixed peel
Finish: Trace of oak, nutmeg, fennel and madeira cake
Comment: A multi personality Glenlivet!
Rare Auld Glen Moray 1988 21yo 57.1% Cask 6978
Colour: Gold
Nose: Sweet, custard, gooseberries, sour aplle sweets, white pepper, lime marmalade
Taste: Custard creams, lemony, fresh mown grass, geraniums and mint
Finish: Soft, lemon sherbet, ferns and white chocolate
Comments: Lemon Fresh! Bring on Spring!
MARCH 2010
Rare Auld Caperdonich 1972 37yo Cask 7416
Colour: Bronze
Nose: Dry oak, dried oranges, melon and a hint of cinnamon
Taste: Rich, brown bread, nutty, cherries
Finish: Soft distant sweet, smoke and lots of dried oranges
Comment: Exceedingly good!
Rare Auld Caperdonich 1972 37yo Cask 7414
Colour: Amber
Nose: Toffee, warm bananas, stewed apples and a hint of rhubarb
Taste: Sweet wood, cinnamon, touch of lemon bon bons and then red fruits
Finish: Soft, traces of smoke and waxy oranges
Comment: Waxy fruity Caperdonich
Laphroaig 1997 54.7% Cask 56363
Colour: Pale Straw
Nose: Unmistakably Laphroaig, creamy and medicinal. Touch of creosote and some hay notes. Some bananas emerge.
Taste: Really ashy! Lots of dry smoke. iodine medicinal, olive oil and grassy.
Finish: Lots of dry ash, white chocolate, burnt wood and figs
Comment: Wow - A big dram!
Glenlivet 1987 Cask 47134
Colour: Warm Gold
Nose: Very minty, runny toffee, celery, nettles and flint!
Taste: Heavier than nose suggests, dry maltiness, slightly creamy and some meatier notes - Parma ham and sour strawberries.
Finish: Fresh, green apples and a touch more mint.
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FEBRUARY
Port Dundas 1973 RA c128318 54.1%
Colour: Gold
Nose: Fresh oak, vanilla, cinnamon spice, butter fudge
Palate: Chewy with oak and spice
Finish: Creamy vanilla, lasting
Glenlivet 1970 RA c2017 50.9%
Colour: Antique Gold
Nose: Initial zest and brown sugar, then green apples, pears, underlying leather
Palate: Fresh cream, marshmallows, green fruits, slight spiciness
Finish: Creamy, digestive biscuits, medium/dry
Macallan 1991 RA c9714 55.3%
Colour: Warm Gold
Nose: Sherry, Mississippi mud pie, cereal notes – biscuit,
Palate: slight smoke, creamy sherry, chocolate orange
Finish: mouthcoating, malty, oat flapjack
Royal Lochnagar 1986 RA c949 54.5%
Colour: Pale Gold
Nose: slight smoke, aromatic spices, mild cappuccino, cedar wood
Palate: Citrus, slight smoke, touch of melon, pear, grassy
Finish: dry, citrus, lightly spiced oak, medium length,
Glenesk 1983 RA c1288 56.4%
Colour: Amber
Nose: Sherry spice, sandalwood, orange zest, caramelised brown sugar, burnt oak
Palate: Predominantly sherry with dark chocolate, dark fruits, cherries, slightly leathery
Finish: Smokey, burnt wood
Ben Nevis 1995 NC2 Rum cask 46%
Colour: Pale Straw
Nose: Fruit salad – mangos, pineapple, melon, lemon. Crispy wafer, slightly salty
Palate: closed to begin with, heathery, buttered toast, pineapple
Finish: short to medium length, spicy
Port Ellen 1983 54.6% 26yo Cask 674
Colour: Polished Mahogany,
Nose: Sweet, dry smoke, smoked cheese, sandalwood. Black cherries, a little creamy – antiseptic cream and pepper.
Taste: Initial hit of ash, then big blood orange notes. Marzipan, dry smokiness. Cocoa, raisins, figs and a soft creaminess.
Finish: Long lingering dry smokiness, giving way to big rich red fruits, white pepper and wet ash.
Comment: Like eating fruit in a Sauna! An exceptional whisky!
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Rare Auld, Bowmore 1982, 26yo
Cask# 85031
Alc/vol 52.10
Colour: Bright Gold
Nose: Coastal flavours becoming more ashy. A touch medicinal and a hint
of orange zest.
Flavour: Dry, burnt driftwood! Lots of sweeter notes, gooseberries and kiwi fruits.
Finish: Long, really dries the front of the mouth but becomes a juicy fruit middle.
Comments: More please!
Rare Auld, Highland Park 1986, 22yo
Cask# 2254
Alc/vol 55.70
Colour: Straw
Nose: A hint of strawberries and balsamic vinegar, salt and some lighter
grassy and coconut notes.
Flavour: Orange rind, dry ash and a touch of cinnamon and cloves.
Finish: Drying and a little grassy before an ashy note builds up.
Comments An excellent wee dram.
Rare Auld, Macallan 1990, 18yo
Cask# 18222
Alc/vol 54.10
Colour: Warm Gold
Nose: Syrupy, warming, caramel and a hint of mint.
Flavour: Some brown sugar and sweet creamy notes. More toffee notes emerge and a touch of marzipan.
Finish: Lingering creamy toffee.
Comments: A highland toffee dram.
NC2, Springbank 1996, 12yo
Cask# 541
Alc/vol 46.00
Colour: Gold
Nose: Coconut, citrusy with nice coastalness and nice seet toffee notes
Flavour: Nice soft smokey, beautifully rounded, lime cordial with hint of mint
Finish: chewy and long lasting with juicy fruits and touch of oak
Comments: The most stunning yet?!?!
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DECEMBER/JANUARY
Lonach, Caperdonich 1969, 39yo
Cask# Na
Alc/vol 42.20
Colour: Warm Gold
Nose: Lime juice, green apple skins, and coconut milk and lemon grass. And fresh cut lawns
Flavour: Touch of orange zest, mild spices, cinnamon and cloves and cream.
Finish: Lingering sherbet notes, with more lemon grass and hints of pears
Comments: Caperdonich at its very best.
Rare Auld, Bowmore 1982, 26yo
Cask# 85032
Alc/vol 53.70
Colour: Rich Gold
Nose: Germoline, vanilla and a trace of smoke. Pine and almonds
Flavour: Milky chews, floral notes and also slightly herbal - sage and violets.
Finish: Soft smokiness builds after a waxy orange note fades
Comments: A multifaceted Bowmore - an alternatively bloody good Bowmore
Rare Auld, Carsebridge 1979, 29yo
Cask# 33033
Alc/vol 54.90
Colour: Amber
Nose: Honey and lemongrass with lashings of toffee and melted marshmallows!
Flavour: Big spicy vanilla notes mingling with fresh citrus fruits (clementines?) with a dollop of fresh cream
Finish: Incredibly balanced. Long and sweet with creamy oak
Comments: Will give lots of pleasure guaranteed!
Rare Auld, Bunnahabhain 1970, 38yo
Cask# 4075
Alc/vol 40.20
Colour: Golden Syrup
Nose: Soft sweet peaches, cream, kiwi fruits and lychees. Also a touch of honeycomb
Flavour: Soft tropical fruits, a hint of pencil sharpenings and peach melba yoghurt
Finish: Soft hint of smoke breaks through delicate tropical fruits
Comments: Mellowed to perfection. Do not miss this dram
Rare Auld, Caperdonich 1972, 36yo
Cask# 7419
Alc/vol 54.40
Colour: Mid amber
Nose: Rich toffee notes, gingerbread and sherry tones perfectly balanced with sweet fruits and apple fritters!
Flavour: Fresh spearmint then a burst of sweet fruits and some spicy ginger notes
Finish: Lush, becoming slightly dry at the end with hint of oak
Comments: Another stunner from possibly Speyside's best kept secret!
Rare Auld, Macduff 1969, 39yo
Cask# 3669
Alc/vol 46.90
Colour: Golden
Nose: Mixed tinned fruits, predominantly peaches and pineapple
Flavour: Coffee gateaux with lashings of cream, drizzled with the tinned fruits
Finish: Mouth filling but the maturity means it is subtle and lingering
Comments: Better than dessert and half the calories.
Rarest of the Rare, Glen Mhor 1975, 32yo
Cask# 4041
Alc/vol 40.60
Colour: Full Gold
Nose: Soft, sweet and packed with juicy over-ripe pears and banana. Very mellow
Flavour: Light and gentle, more fruits, pear again, sultana notes and mild oak spice
Finish: Warming with gentle oak
Comments: Lovely without water
Rarest of the Rare, Mosstowie 1975, 33yo
Cask# 5817
Alc/vol 47.40
Colour: Pale Gold
Nose: Intensely fruity and estery. Bubblegum, nail polish remover, rosy red apples-macintosh reds. Very sweet
Flavour: Very sweet like a candy store. Toffee apples, bruised apples, turning peppery. Traces of toasted oak and smoke. Quite Oily
Finish: Lingering spice and charred oak
Comments: Excellent balance of flavours.
Rare Auld, Macallan 1990, 18yo
Cask# 18221
Alc/vol 55.40
Colour: Deep Copper
Nose: Fresh peaches and clotted cream, cantaloupe melon and stewed apples also creamy and biscuity
Flavour: Apple crumble, with melting vanilla ice cream, apple fritters drizzled with syrup and cream, delightful soft mouthfeel
Finish: Medium, smooth creamy, luscious dram
Comments: Absolutely delicious!
______________________________
NOVEMBER
Rarest of the Rare, North Port sherry 1981, 27yo
Cask# 779
Alc/vol 56.40
Colour: Warm Gold
Nose: Black cherries, a hint of chocolate becoming more cereal like (a barley loft) with a touch of mint
Flavour: Warming cinnamon, a touch of wood smoke and toffee. A slight medicinal note emerges along with antique furniture
Finish: Touch of bubblegum along with warming spices and a distant hint of creosote
Comments: A big chewy dram!
Rare Auld, Caol Ila 1982, 26yo
Cask# 2736
Alc/vol 55.40
Colour: Bright Gold
Nose: Sweet, creamy and citrusy. Also lots of medicinal notes (clean hospital corridors!) along with blueberry muffins
Flavour: The medicinal note hits you first! Medium smokiness with a little ashiness and then a creamy buttery note emerges
Finish: Big! Drying makes you want to drink more! Touch of pepper and antiseptic cream
Comments: Danger - highly drinkable! Medicine of the best kind!
Rare Auld, Glenesk sherry 1983, 24yo
Cask# 4930
Alc/vol 52.10
Colour: Tawny
Nose: Sherry and chocolate with rich red fruits
Flavour: Spicy and warm. The sherry is gentle and not overpowering. Nice slight smokiness and dried fruits
Finish: Drying and the fruitiness drifts away nicely - very pleasant
Comments: A good balanced dram!
Rare Auld, Highland Park 1987, 21yo
Cask# 1529
Alc/vol 50.40
Colour: Straw
Nose: Icing sugar, vanilla and pears with a hint of kiwi fruit
Flavour: Dry creaminess but also some fruits emerge - clementines and a touch of dry hay
Finish: A little bread like with a distant coastal note and hints of orange oil
Comments: A real grower an HP that gets better and better with time
Rare Auld, Imperial 1990, 18yo
Cask# 443
Alc/vol 54.70
Colour: Full gold
Nose: Full gold Intensely sweet & fruity. Barley sugar, bananas & pears. Earthy oak spice, sweet vanilla & creamy caramel. Some floral notes develop too.
Flavour: Sweet & fruity with bags of creamy vanilla & custard. Lots of tropical fruit notes, nutmeg & ginger
Finish: Sweet with a mild spicy white pepper kick
Comments: A fruity dram with a kick!
NC2, Bowmore 1998, 10yo
Cask# Na
Alc/vol 46.00
Colour: Yellow Gold
Nose: Sweet toffee initially, followed by floral, perfumed aromas. Some mild bonfire smoke lingers in the background
Flavour: Sweet and chewy, dried figs, dates and touch of treacle. Smoke takes over with floral edges
Finish: Long, Smoky & sweet
Comments: A beautiful young Bowmore
______________________________
OCTOBER
Rarest of the Rare, Inverleven 1979, 28yo
Cask# 5666
Alc/vol 56.20
Colour: Deep copper
Nose: Oily, peaches & cream. Red fruits also develop
Flavour: Baked/stewed fruit, dark chocolate and oily
Finish: Mouthcoating, oily and creamy
Comments: An oily, fruity dram!
Rarest of the Rare, Glencraig 1974, 34yo
Cask# 2929
Alc/vol 40.80
Colour: Amber
Nose: Smells of being in an orchard - fruity, creamy and slightly waxy
Flavour: Apples, creamy, slightly zesty and rich
Finish: Oily, delicate and fruity
Comments: A delicious dram
Rarest of the Rare, Pittyvaich 1979, 29yo
Cask# 5640
Alc/vol 50.20
Colour: Gold
Nose: Rich, toffee syrupy and marshmallows
Flavour: Toffee, warming, lots of red fruits and touch of sherbet
Finish: The sherbet note leave a tingling on the tongue
Comments: A zingy fruit pudding!
NC2, Tomatin 1994, 14yo
Cask# Na
Alc/vol 46.00
Colour: Pale straw
Nose: Malty and grassy with a touch of mint
Flavour: Creamy, pears and lime with growing vanilla notes
Finish: Apple skins and mint chews
Comments: A mid morning whisky!
______________________________
SEPTEMBER
Glorious 40s, Invergordon 1965, 42yo
Cask# 15519
Alc/vol 51.60
Colour: Burnished
Nose: Clementines dominate then come custard creams and rich vanilla
Flavour: Fruits galore, sweet oranges. A touch of nutmeg, light spices with creaminess coming through strongly
Finish: Long finish, with orange oil and creamy butterscotch
Comments: Very fresh with bags of character to discover. Quality!
Rare Auld, Bowmore 1982, 25yo
Cask# 85030
Alc/vol 50.10
Colour: Golden
Nose: Earthy, creamy with gentle smoke
Flavour: Creamy, touch of lemon zest and gentle peat with sweet bubble gum notes
Finish: Smoky ashy notes, creamy
Comments: A classy fruity, smoky dram!
Rare Auld, Dallas Dhu 1981, 27yo
Cask# 389
Alc/vol 55.10
Colour: Gold
Nose: Creamy vanilla mingling with lemon sherbet and sweet fruits
Flavour: Quite tropical fruits, zesty, light smoke with light spicy notes
Finish: Great fruity finish, touch of peat & light dry oak also
Comments: We have a new favourite!
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