Tastes

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.

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.

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.

Light ash nose. Sweet toffee and vanilla ice cream arrival. Lemon cake. Uncomplicated but very approachable especially after a teaspoon of water to high proof down a little.

The nose hits with a strong herbaceous funk. Damp wood, dates and walnuts. Toffee and brown sugar. A creamy, full bodied arrival of vanilla, sweet pears, oranges and apples. Summer flowers. The development turns dry and brings baking spice and rhubarb. The finish is medium in length and has lingering white pepper notes.

The palette follows the nose on this one. Banana, honey and vanilla. Gentle wood spices. Pears apples and light citrus fruit. The gentlest hint of peat. Not particularly memorable or challenging, but undeniably pretty and drinkable. Nicely balanced as you’d expect from a Japanese blend. Would make a fantastic first whisky recommendation for a beginner. Hard to dislike.

On the nose - citrus fruits, vanilla, green herbaceous notes and the faintest wisp of smoke. Arrival - a big burst of oranges and red fruits. Toffee and creamy fudge. Despite the hefty 59.1% there’s no harshness, but a little water definitely helps open up the flavour. There’s a pleasant sour edge to the finish, nicely balanced with lingering sweet, dark fruit. The worst thing about this whisky is they only made 114 bottles. If you see one, grab it!

A gentle ashy peat comes in first on the nose, followed by green apples, honest and vanilla. The arrival is sweet and creamy, with big caramel and toffee flavours combining elegantly with the salty peat influences. There’s a minty development with a fennel note and the finish, although not long, continues the balance between the phenols and the sweet orchard fruit. An underrated, tasty dram.