Tastes

Glenmorangie in excelsis. The only expressions that trump this are the Ealanta and Baccalta, and they're not exactly easy to find!

Nose: sweet - vanilla, honey, some spice Palate: light - dried fruits, old leather, tobacco, oaky notes Finish: short - sharp with a slightly bitter finale This is not a single malt. Nor is it all that bourbon-y, despite the mash bill. Ranks a 'meh' on my overall scale.

I tried the standard Islay Mist but found it a bit underwhelming. This Double Peated version is much more to my liking. Bigger, richer, smoother and smokier, I also got some hickory, barbecue and roasted nut notes. Tastes bigger than its 40% billing. Rather good.

Probably the best whisky I've ever tasted. My best mate was designing the bottles and labels for Matthew Gloag and this whisky at the time and gave me a bottle of each of the Gran Reserva expressions [1980-1982 if memory serves] as he wasn't much of a whisky drinker himself. Kinda wished I'd kept them as I'd be a rich man now, but life is for living and these added a lot of pleasure at the time. The Private Eye Edition was good too!

This is the Ardbeg to die for, apart from the impossible to find and ridiculously expensive even if you can, expressions like Kelpie, Serendipity and Airigh Nam Beist. I've been an Ardbeg fan since first visiting Islay in 1989, and it's great to see how its reputation has grown since those dark days. Pepper, smoke, seaweed, bacon fat. Rocks at this strength, make no mistake - but don't even think about adding water. Next to the 1980-82 Macallan Gran Reserva my favourite whisky expression ever.

Was expecting more than I got. Some nice fruit notes on the nose and palate, but a bitterness in the finish I didn't care for. Batch 0308 - it sez on the label!

Cutty Sark is a regular due to its versatility and VFM - ¥1,100 here in Japan, about $8 a bottle. Makes a great Highball with some sparkling water with lemon. Drunk neat there's a nice cereal note, a hint of vanilla and a touch of smoke. My American friend (of a certain age) swears by his Cutty & soda, and it's easy to see why. Hits the spot every time.