Tastes
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MARS MALTAGE "COSMO" MANZANILLA CASK FINISH
Blended Malt — Japan
Reviewed August 8, 2023 (edited December 18, 2023)A beautiful nose. Chocolate and stewed pears. Vanilla custard. A wisp of smoke. The arrival is slightly delayed, coming with a nicely balanced mix of tart citrus and sweet dark fruit. Theres a lingering woody bitterness in the finish. This is definitely one of the more interesting blends that I’ve tried. -
The Glenturret 12 years old (2021 release)
Single Malt — Highland, Scotland
Reviewed August 5, 2023 (edited September 24, 2023)The nose is beautiful. Salted caramel, orange peel, green salad leaves, rhubarb. The arrival is far less pretty, but equally interesting. Sour edges over sweet. Under-ripe green apples. Wood spices and pepper. The finish is long, fruity and dry. This whisky might not be for everyone and is certainly expensive for a 12 year old, but the presentation in this expression is superb and the unique character and complexity make it worth the money. -
Thompson Brothers TB-BSW 6 Year Old
Blended — Scotland
Reviewed August 4, 2023 (edited September 24, 2023)The nose is nutty and malty. Not complex but certainly pleasant. The arrival has a nice balance between sweetness and saltiness, with toffee and vanilla notes taking centre stage. Black pepper and a strawberry note emerges in the development. Again, nothing too complex presents itself but this is certainly one of the more satisfying blended whiskys that I’ve tried. When first opened the youthfulness is more evident and grain spirit more dominant, but once it has some air in it and settled down there’s plenty to enjoy here. -
Hatozaki Pure Malt Japanese Whisky
Blended Malt — Japan
Reviewed June 2, 2023 (edited September 24, 2023)Interesting nose. Sandalwood. Dry grass and celery. Strangely, I also get a blue cheese note. The palette is restrained, even with a drop of water. It's dry and warm, with grapefruit, a subtle vanilla and a malty funk. The finish is short with a lingering sweetness and a wisp of smoke. -
Bruichladdich Islay Barley 2013
Single Malt — Islay , Scotland
Reviewed May 28, 2023 (edited September 24, 2023)The nose is sun-dried hay. Oats and cereal. Hazelnuts. Sweet bread. Wild flowers and freshly dug turf. The arrival comes with tart pears, caramel, honey and vanilla. Grapes. White pepper. It tastes like a summers day. -
On the nose there is toffee, vanilla and lemons. Foam shrimp candy/sweets from the 80s :) It’s a deightful nose, and the arrival equally impresses. There’s a sensational creaminess, like melted warm vanilla ice-cream. Blackcurrents then take centre stage. More citrus fruits appear in the development and mingle with stewed prunes in the medium-long finish. The Madeira cask finish compliments the fruity Penderyn signature really well. This is now my favourite expression from Penderyn. It’s such a tasty and great value whisky - I’d love to see them offer more age statement expressions.
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The nose is beautiful - strong caramel, honey, fresh bread, almonds. A wisp of cigarette ash. The lovely nose makes the arrival even more disappointing. Its like eating palma violets candy and washing it down with cheap perfume. There’s no meaningful development, the perfume taste just gets stronger. The finish is long, and yes - its that solitary perfume taste that lingers unpleasantly. I normally like unusual and idiosyncratic malts, but this one I just can’t seem to enjoy. Maybe I’ll try it as an aftershave.
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Signatory Vintage Blair Athol 11yr Old Unchillfiltered Collection
Single Malt — Highland, Scotland
Reviewed April 30, 2023 (edited July 26, 2023)The arrival is unassuming, light vanillaand a vague fruitiness. The arrival however is spectacular. Custard, Creme Brulee. Creamy fudge and toffee. Tart green apples, wood spice. Cocoa. White pepper. A wisp of char smoke. The wonderful Blair Athol signature is beautifully presented here. -
The nose is understated; floral notes, mango and banana. On the taste it has a creamy, soft mouthfeel. Gentle tropical fruits and spongecake. There are no hard edges here despite the lack of age statement - it feels like there is some older whisky in this. There's a nicely balanced sweetness with a touch of sour in the development, with grass and cereal notes. The finish is a little dry and short. Overall this is an enjoyably gentle and restrained dram. Maybe not for those that enjoy a little drama in their whisky, but its undeniably well put together.
Results 1-10 of 96 Reviews