Tastes

(SMWS Glasgow, 'In Yer Own Gaff' Virtual Tasting. 26 January 2021) Distillery: Glen Moray Distilled: 17 November 1994 Age: 24 y/o Cask: 1st Fill Hogshead Bottles: 196 Nose: Light & woody. Light dried fruit (berries & cherries) Palate: Dark fruit (plums & cherries), chocolate, Demerara sugar. There's a definite brandy/cognac note to this one. Finish: Cognac/calvados. Black pepper, vanilla, burnt caramel, dry roasted nuts. This has heat and fruit all the way through. There's also a smooth toasted note all the way through. A very complex dram. Lovely!

(SMWS Glasgow, 'In Yer Own Gaff' Virtual Tasting. 26 January 2021) Distillery: Caol Ila Distilled: 01 September 2008 Age: 11 y/o Cask: Refill Ex-Bourbon Hogshead Bottles: 232 Nose: Boggy/funky, nutty, earthy & dusty. Soap, wood shavings & ash Palate: Tobacco, dirt & earth, heather. Lightly medicinal, TCP. Finish: Sweet vanilla, dry, oil, leather. Strong nutty and waxy. Herbal and burnt wood on the aftertaste This is a strong, funky and 'dirty' dram. It has a chewy mouthfeel. There's a bit of a kick right at the end with a long smokey/peaty finish. Water softens it out, but doesn't really change much other than enhance the ashiness.

(SMWS Glasgow, 'In Yer Own Gaff' Virtual Tasting. 26 January 2021) Distillery: Balmenach Distilled: 17 April 2008 Age: 9 y/o Cask: 1st Fill Ex-Bourbon Barrel Bottles: 242 Nose: Fresh, lemon, beeswax, herbal. Sweet caramel Palate: Citrus & lemon, baked goods, herbal Finish: Medium oily finish. Woody, caramel, leather, tobacco, mineral & spice. Lovely warm waxy mouthfeel. There's an old fashioned feel to this dram - fiery & spicy with a creamy mouthfeel. A few drops of water improves this one; bringing out more of the spiciness and enhancing the freshness with more creamy custard notes. Nice.

(SMWS Glasgow, 'In Yer Own Gaff' Virtual Tasting. 26 January 2021) Distillery: Loch Lomond (Inchmurrin) Distilled: 25 August 2004 Age: 14 y/o Cask: 2nd Fill Ex-Bourbon Hogshead Bottles: 272 Nose: Sweet, Acetone, fish oil, candle wax Palate: Musty, muddy, tobacco, earthy. Sweet and herbal, green bell pepper Finish: Sweet, forest floor, earthy, caramel. Vegetal & sulphur With a drop of water it becomes a lot more papery and brings out more floral notes. I think it's better without, but I'm not a big fan of floral notes in a whisky. I'm not generally a huge fan of this distillery's output. Having said that, I rather like this dram. It's dirty and earthy, but sweet with it.

(SMWS Glasgow, 'In Yer Own Gaff' Virtual Tasting. 26 January 2021) Distillery: Linkwood Distilled: 05 June 2008 Age: 10 y/o Cask: Refill Ex-Bourbon Hogshead Bottles: 274 Nose: Fresh, zesty, buttered toast Palate: Orange, tropical fruit, salt Finish: Floral, pineapple, marmalade, oak & cereals. Warming on the finish. This sours at the very end of the aftertaste - not unpleasant for it with added woodiness. Water enhances the floral note and adds a lot more woodiness on the finish.

(Once Upon a Whisky – Glasgow Distillery Virtual Tasting, 25 January 2021). Nose: Dried fruit, raisin, vanilla, cocoa, sugar / caramel / toffee Palate: Sweet smoke, orange / citrus, gentle light peat, baked herbs Finish: Ash, tobacco, leather. Long sweet smoke finish. PX sherry, liquorice. A gentle spiciness on the aftertaste. A lovely light smokey dram. Sweet & fruity, oak and wood. A little sour at the aftertaste. Very moreish! Came first of the five whiskies, with 42% of the final vote for favourite of the night. This was my favourite of the tasting.

(Once Upon a Whisky – Glasgow Distillery Virtual Tasting, 25 January 2021). Nose: Light smoke, floral, gentle peat, sweet & fruity Palate: Dried citrus and orange, toasted oak, burnt caramel Finish: Gentle peat, nutty, more light citrus & fruit, very light, nutty/woody finish. Lightly toasted with a medium / long finish Very easy to drink. There is a lovely gentleness, with light sweet oak and peat all through. Came second of the five whiskies, with 21% of the final vote for favourite of the night.

(Once Upon a Whisky – Glasgow Distillery Virtual Tasting, 25 January 2021). Nose: Toffee, caramel, fruity - cherries & berries Palate: Orchard fruit - pear & apples, spices, cocoa, fennel Finish: Numbing on the finish. Slightly sharp & citrus. Vanilla. Sours on the aftertaste. This is an elegant and smooth dram. A little hot and alcoholic, but very easy to drink. Came joint third of the five whiskies, with 5% of the final vote for favourite of the night.

Nose: Sherry, fruit, herbal Palate: Clean and creamy. Chocolate and nutty marzipan Finish: Cocoa, butter, oak and vanilla. A lovely creamy mouthfeel. An elegant, creamy and moreish dram.

Nose: Nutty, vanilla, aniseed, herbal Palate: Syrup, ginger, vanilla, chocolate, nutty / marzipan Finish: Spices, wine, oak & tannin. Sweet dried fruit / berries.