Tastes

Offered by a friend after a nice BBQ, I was quite curious for this 12 year old sherry cask matured Aberlour. Despite the sweet nose, I found but a moderate sweetness on the palate, accompanied by red fruits, caramel and some spices. Aftertaste was short but pleasing. Great to have in the cupboard for a rainy night!

After tasting the Talisker Storm in Lucca, Italy, I found this Talisker Skye in a local supermarket. At the price of 32 euros quite a bargain, IMO. Besides a hint of peat and smoke, I tasted some fruits (apple) as well as a tad of bitterness, nuts and some oaky spices. All in all, I found the Skye to be a great daily sipper, although I coulld handle a bit more peat and smoke...

At the same terrace at the Piazza dell'Amfiteatro in Lucca, Italy, where I enjoyed the Lagavulin 16 last spring, I ordered a Talisker 10. The boss came to apologise since they mistakenly delivered the Talisker Storm instead, and he asked if he could serve me that one instead. Just like last time, they poured generously and I got a glass with ice and water served at the side. While I didn’t expect the Storm to be on par with the Lagavulin, it certainly wasn’t below my expectations. Right amount of smoke on the nose and palate, combined with some hints of honey and apple. For a NAS whiskey, definitely a good choice, and while the temperature was over 35° Celsius, this dram was refreshing nevertheless!

After tasting the decent 'regular' grouse, I had high expectations for this 'smoky black' blend; Not all bad, but didn't meet my expectations. Ok for it's price, and good as a quick drink, but barely suited as a sipper.

I went out to get myself a bottle of Lagavulin when my wife challenged me to get an extra bottle that was NOT on my wish list. Little did she know that about everything Bruichladdich produces (including Port Charlotte/Octomore), as well of everything Laphroaig, is on my unwritten secondary wish list :). Still a hard choice though, but since I'm going to a Bruichladdich Master Class in a few weeks (I'll get to taste a Black Art and some Octomore!!), I decided to go for a Laphroaig this time, and chose to explore the effects of maturation in smaller casks. For a NAS whisky, this Quarter Cask tasted surprisingly full though. The nose is rather sweet, with less prominent smoke than I would have expected. While tasting, after the initial sweetness/vanilla, a fair amount of smoke and peat kicked in, combined with a creamy/oily mouthfeel - just as I like. The aftertaste is somewhat dry, and lingers on for quite a while with some soft spices and smoke. Very nice! The Quarter Cask - which supposedly consists of whiskies between 5 and 11 years old - is often touted as a younger, less mature version of the Laphroaig 10, but while haven't tasted them side by side yet, I feel the increased wood contact does however positively influence this liquid, and makes up very well for its shorter maturation. They are indeed very similar and I'm finding it hard to decide which one I like better. Luckily I don't have to, as I have both in my cabinet :).