Tastes
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Glenlossie 10 Year Flora & Fauna
Single Malt — Speyside, Scotland
Reviewed September 2, 2019 (edited September 25, 2019)Nose: Butter, cream, vanilla, heather honey, marshmallows, orchard fruits, a touch of sherry and fragrant wood. Palate: A creamy sweet arrival full of barley sugar and vanilla bean. The development is fast and rather small - little extra is added apart from some fruity and light spice tones. The texture, however, is very appealing. Finish: Medium/short. Cereal and honeyed with a slight spicy, briny note to the aftertaste. Not a particularly complex malt, but very pretty. The nose is seductive and together with the texture these are the two standout features of the dram. The palate is a little disappointing, not because it shows any great fault, it's just rather simplistic and one dimensional. I allowed this to sit for some time but there was not much development to the nose and virtually zero to the palate. I'd wager good money that Diagio uses this in their blends as a "carrier" malt to bloom the texture of a top-dressing malt that has more character, like Clynelish (they use Cardhu for this purpose as well). Water does the nose no favours, simply diluting its aromas and bringing out a slightly funky grassy note. The palate, however, broadens quite a bit and gains more spice - again, this exactly what you want to have happen in a blend that will most likely be used for mixing. It probably sounds as though I'm dismissing this whisky as a lightweight blend component and nothing more, but I actually quite enjoyed it and would consider buying a bottle. It would be a delightfully comforting and soft nightcap for those times when you feel like something soft and easy. In that regard it reminds me of Strathisla - not in profile (the two are quite different) but that's also a very safe, soft and comforting dram. However while I'd happily pay the reasonable asking price for Strathisla, this whisky costs about 50% more and the expense is not really justified. The official Distiller review is on the money - in fact all the user reviews here are on target. A perfectly nice whisky, just not very memorable and not really worth a recommendation. On the other hand I wouldn't say no to a free pour. Tasted from a 30ml sample. "Average" : 78/100 (2.75 stars)130.0 AUD per Bottle -
Aberlour 18 Year Double Cask Matured
Single Malt — Highlands, Scotland
Reviewed September 1, 2019 (edited November 1, 2020)Nose: A foundation note of big, full, rich sherry. There's a marvellous aroma of citrus that is mid-way between orange and lemon zest. Apricot, vanilla, chamomile tea and chocolate fudge are noticeable and over time the aroma of oak begins to cut through. A fleeting floral tone flits about the sidelines. It's an impressively classy and enveloping nose. [The dry glass aroma is dark chocolate]. Palate: The arrival is like dark, bitter, chocolate-covered raisins dipped in orange and cherry liqueur. The development brings leathery and sweet tobacco notes together with dark (slightly sour) cherries, peaches, mixed peel, arrowroot biscuits, hard molasses toffee, dark fruit cake, stem ginger and mildly spicy tannins. There is a warm roundness to the lightly oily texture. Finish: Medium/long. Espresso, raisins, dried figs, tobacco. A lingering aftertaste of cocoa powder. This is an excellent whisky that evolves over time and continually shifts, revealing facets of its confident and assured complexity throughout the tasting. The nose holds the fruitier elements while the palate presents more earthy tastes, but the transition and flow of the whisky is what you notice most. There is a story and a journey here. This whisky eloquently demonstrates authority without bombast and it's far too refined to be described as a sherry bomb. The official Distiller tasting notes are precise and perceptive. The addition of water makes little difference to the profile but dilutes the experience. This is best taken neat, preferably accompanied by a platter of brie and walnuts, or some other strongly flavoured savory/sweet food to balance the sweet fruit notes and compliment the tobacco and tannin flavours. I'm sure it would also be excellent with a small mild cigar. "Very Good" : 87/100 (4.25 stars)225.0 AUD per Bottle -
Dalwhinnie Distillers Edition
Single Malt — Highlands, Scotland
Reviewed September 1, 2019 (edited September 21, 2022)Scotland, 25 September 2017. Distillery tasting, probably of the 2017 release. Nose: An old musty cereal aroma, reminiscent of a haybarn with a leaky roof. Slightly honeyed and sherried, but primarily a malty nose with grassy overtones. There's quite a distinct grapey top-note that becomes more defined as the whisky rests and develops in the glass. Adding water cripples the nose immediately. [The dry-glass aroma is honey]. Palate: A brisk and almost sour arrival. Cereal and bittersweet malt with hot tannins, hot cinnamon and walnut oil. The texture is oily but astringent. The palate seemed shallow and one dimensional. Finish: Medium. Sour cereal and oak tannin. The aftertaste is strong overbrewed English breakfast tea with a spoon of white sugar. The nose gained interest over time but the palate never became more than awkwardly curious - it seemed to me haphazard and unbalanced with more than just a touch of sulphur. Adding water did nothing to help - it just weakened the overall experience. Whisky is a very subjective thing, as we all know, and in my case I can find little to recommend about this dram - it's just not my sort of whisky. Given the not inconsiderable price it is not one that I'd ever consider buying. Re-tasted from a 30ml sample of the 1998/2015 release in 2019. Re-tasted from a 30ml sample of the 2003/2018 release in 2021. My rating stays the same as from the original. "Adequate" : 74/100 (2.25 stars)130.0 AUD per Bottle -
Blair Athol 12 Year Flora & Fauna
Single Malt — Highlands, Scotland
Reviewed August 28, 2019 (edited August 31, 2019)Nose: Plum pudding, clootie dumpling, Christmas cake - anything with big cereal, fruity and sherried qualities. There's also malt extract, cigarette tobacco, leather and buckets of orange zest (it's a dark preserved orange aroma - not like fresh orange juice). As it develops, the nose acquires notes of black Chinese tea (Pu-erh or Keemun - it's not as smoky as lapsang souchong), a fermented hay note, and way in the back the scent of oak cask. It's a big, full nose. Palate: Rich, creamy full-flavoured arrival. Spiced teacake, malt, dark earthy fruits. There's a strong sherry note present but it's dry rather than sweet - more amontillado or fino than oloroso, and certainly not PX). There's a smoky touch to the palate but it's not peat - ah! it's that Chinese tea again! This morphs into a cup of strong espresso with a twist of bitter orange peel, bittersweet dark chocolate, and walnuts on the side. Finish: Medium. Malty with a lingering bittersweet and dry aftertaste. The dryness of a dry sherry. A whisky that brings Glenfarclas somewhat to mind but it's drier, and there is less complexity but more density of flavour - I can only wonder what this would be like unchillfiltered, uncoloured and at 46% (probably wonderful). There is a notable heaviness to the texture, even at the comparatively low proof, and it is a satisfying dram. Don't add any water, it's not required. This is the backbone malt in Bells blended scotch, which I happen to like, so that probably accounts for my affinity to it. In many ways Blair Athol 12 is like Bells "perfected" and without a grain element. It's a good whisky, and if it was about 25% cheaper it would find a permanent place in my cabinet, however as it stands it does not quite rate 4 stars. Tasted from a 30ml sample. "Good" : 84/100 (3.75 stars)130.0 AUD per Bottle -
Glencadam 21 Year
Single Malt — Highlands, Scotland
Reviewed August 27, 2019 (edited February 10, 2021)Nose: Initially the nose is generic tropical fruits and honey, however this is misleading and with time it transmutes into a much more complex and complete experience. First an aroma becomes apparent of pineapple chunks sautéed in orange juice, lemongrass and bouquet garni. Then a more grassy and hay-like note arises and a flinty, mineral-laden zephyr gusts on the horizon. An exquisitely refreshing nose. Palate: Just as singular as the nose, the palate opens with a spicy-sweet and briskly oaked presence which in turn gives way to wavelets of sweet malt that rise above a vegetal foundation. The development brings forth semi-sweet orange concentrate, fenugreek, allspice, licorice and a little ginger. The texture is neutral at first, turning slightly oily in the finish. Finish: Medium/long. Malty, earthy, herbal and fruity. The aftertaste is suddenly milk chocolate! When first poured this whisky is a little difficult and unfriendly. It needs to rest for at least 15 minutes or more before it begins to open but once that starts to happen the profile becomes much easier and more inviting. At its heart there is a vegetal, earthy and herbal quality but this is balanced by the lightest touch of sweet fruit, floral fragrance and malt. Not that these notes are obvious - they act only as counterpoints to the main theme. It's a malt that unfolds in layers and continues to develop over time as the components interact. The addition of water initially kills the nose and palate but give it a few minutes and the whisky revives beautifully. The reward is greater complexity and more cohesion. It's excellent taken either neat or watered and I'd suggest pouring two drams and adding a few drops of water to one of them - then you can enjoy a delightful evening of comparative tasting. This is a complex and refined whisky that deserves to be tasted at leisure and in sympathetic surroundings. It is presented at only 46% but has the profile and character of a cask strength expression. "Excellent" : 88/100 (4.5 stars)220.0 AUD per Bottle -
Glencadam 15 Year
Single Malt — Highlands, Scotland
Reviewed August 27, 2019 (edited December 6, 2022)Nose: Soft, fruity and floral cereal aromas. Waxy honey, apple blossoms, red berries and lots of freshly scraped vanilla pod and caramel toffee. As the nose develops over time in the glass the vanilla and caramel push to the front. Palate: Soft and creamy arrival with a deluge of honey, sweet malt and vanilla. The development melds these elements into the most delightful butterscotch flavour and also uncovers fruity tones (apple, pear). There's a flavour component rather like sweet ale (or fermenting wash) but it's not sour or yeasty - just very clean, dulcet and friendly. The texture is rich but crisp and chewy. Finish: Medium. The lingering aftertaste is of malt and red apple skins, and there's a slight dry edge. When first poured this whisky is all fruit, honey and cereal but over time the sweeter vanilla and caramel tones become dominant. This could lead to it becoming cloying but it is saved by some subtle oak that lies at the foundation and contributes a spicy balance. There is also a hint of maritime salt to both nose and palate, but it is very understated, and there is real progression here. It's a while since I last tasted Glencadam and now I'm wondering why I waited so long. A very pleasing dram that is eminently approachable whilst also having elegance and depth. The profile is so clean you can almost taste freshly ground barley on the tongue but it's not raw. Tasted from a 30ml sample. "Very Good" : 87/100 (4.25 stars)180.0 AUD per Bottle -
Kilchoman New Spirit Bramble Liqueur
Fruit Liqueurs — Islay, Scotland
Reviewed August 23, 2019 (edited August 8, 2022)Appearance: Dark, almost opaque, crimson fading to clear red at the edges - rather like the colour of a merlot. Crystal clear with no particulate matter. Aroma: Wood smoke, like a fireplace or cabin stove burning wood. The faintest hint of something fruity. Palate and Texture: An agreeable combination of wood smoke and berry juice. It's sweet with some tart edges and not at all syrupy - something like cranberry juice. The aftertaste is smoky and slightly woody with the taste of berries lingering, but they are subtle. The texture is crisp and light. This liqueur is a combination of Kilchoman new-make spirit, bramble berries (blackberries) and honey. It took me a little by surprise as I was expecting the aroma to be heavily berry-scented but in fact it is just as pungently smoky as any of the Kilchoman whiskies and there is very little berry aroma. The texture was also a surprise as I'd thought it would be thick and syrupy, or at least rich like a PX sherry or port wine, however it's actually quite crisp and light. It's an interesting liqueur but probably not one for many palates. It's not at all unpleasant, but the combination of smoke and berries is unusual and it takes some getting used to. Initially I didn't much like it but after two small glasses I acquired the taste, and I think I'll enjoy a dram of this occasionally in place of a fortified wine (however I doubt that I'd buy a second bottle). Enjoyable neat, and also good over ice. It could be substituted for cassis in cocktails and lend an interesting smoky note - in fact it might make a killer tequila sunrise! "Above Average" : 81/100 (3 stars)50.0 AUD per Bottle -
Arran Gold Cream Liqueur
Dairy/Egg Liqueurs — Islands, Scotland
Reviewed August 15, 2019 (edited August 4, 2023)Appearance: Opaque, creamy tan colour like caramel fudge. Aroma: Milk chocolate, caramel fudge, butterscotch, a whiff of honey and cream. Flavour and Texture: Milk chocolate with vanilla cream filling, salted caramels. You don’t taste whisky very much. The texture is rich and creamy but not overly sweet. I was expecting something like Baileys and while this has a similarity of texture the flavor profile is different. There is a chocolate note but it’s very soft and low-key – it’s more like hazelnut ganache filling in a truffle than the chocolate shell itself. If anything, this reminds me a little of Amarula. A pleasant cream liqueur and a step up from Baileys for sure. “Good” : 83/100 (3.5 stars)50.0 AUD per Bottle -
Manly Spirits Zesty Limoncello
Fruit Liqueurs — New South Wales, Australia
Reviewed August 14, 2019 (edited August 8, 2022)Appearance: Transparent with a slight cloud. Very pale cream-yellow. Minimal particulate suspension. Aroma: Light fragrant lemonade with a herbal note. Less intense and oily than most limoncello. Flavour and Texture: A dense liquid with a sweet but mild lemon character. A background complexity that supports but does not overshadow the lemon notes. There is a slight hardness in the aftertaste. This is a pleasant new-world limoncello with a zesty character, just as it says on the label. It's not as heavy as most Italian limoncello (which can occasionally taste as though they are on the brink of being too oily). This always stays light and sweet. Manly Spirits say in their information that they use only hand-peeled lemon rind for this liqueur and add lemon aspen and lemon myrtle leaves to give a fresh herbal touch. I would bet they also add some fresh lemon juice to the infusion after maceration is finished as well - it creates a more lemonade-like flavour and I taste that here. It's good straight from the fridge, over ice with soda or a very mild tonic, or over ice cream. "Good" : 83/100 (3.5 stars)60.0 AUD per Bottle -
Bunnahabhain Cruach Mhòna
Single Malt — Islay, Scotland
Reviewed August 10, 2019 (edited November 1, 2020)Nose: It's a bright, clear day on Islay. Brillant blue skies, warm sunshine and a bracing onshore breeze lift the senses as you take a morning stroll on the foreshore at Bunnahabhain Bay. Sunlight sparkles off the water and you suddenly smell the aroma of a beach bonfire - dried kelp burning on the sand, carried to you on occasional gusts of wind. Upwind, someone opens a container of freshly shucked oysters and squeezes lemon over them, and on the hills to the west someone starts a diesel engine and fires up a Toscano cigar. Palate: Delicate sweet-brine on the entry with developing peppery smoke and a delightful oily texture. As it unfolds, the peat-smoke builds and expands, gaining a warm and comforting tarry quality and a phenolic presence. Creosote, lemon, Seville orange, rhubarb, sage and brine build alongside the smoke. Finish: Medium/long. Initially herbal, smoky and citric, but the late finish and aftertaste bring a most unexpected chocolate-malt note, which is delightful. The initial nose is refreshing and crisp, and continues to open and develop as it rests. After a while, sweeter fruity aromas become apparent and these are in turn followed by more lemon, some soy sauce and just a little discreet oak. It's a marvellous nose, and classic Islay all the way. The palate is just a half point less impressive than the nose but that does not mean it disappoints, as it has a rich and satisfying character. Don't add water, this is just perfect neat. An (unfortunately) rare example of a good value TRE bottling. At retail prices, when it's available, this costs about AUD$160, but when I purchased it at Sydney airport a while back it was AUD$115 for a 1 litre bottle, and at that price I'd certainly recommend it. It's very different in profile to the Lagavulin 16 I tasted yesterday, but easily its equal. I've tasted several of the peated Bunnahabhain expressions and this one is far and away my favourite. "Very Good" : 85/100 (4 stars)115.0 AUD per Bottle
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