Tastes

Semi-blind tasting with bruichladdich islay barley 2007 and glencadam 15. Theme: no peat, no strong fancy casks and bottle open for > 1.5 years. This one nice fresh nose, palate nothing special and finish to much campbeltown funk (rubber, earthy). Previously nice apple(juice) on the nose, but thas has gone completely. I'm afraid current springbanks dont get better over time (few days ago I had the springbank 18 and it was a let down, bottle was open for 2 years). 15 years or so ago the 10 year could get really coconutty after a while, quite nice, but these days i really can't detect any at all.

Semi-blind tasting with kilkerran 12 and machrie moor 10. This one has strong smoke flavor. Nose picks up all kind of stuff that i can't describe (probable the rum cask), but very delicate, it comes and goes. Very easy to drink, at least for me, could be a daily sipper. Best taste of the 3.

Semi-blind tasting with kilkerran 12 and smokehead rum rebel. Nose changes over time in the glass a lot. Some bourbon cask influence, less than the kilkerran, but nicer. Taste rather ordinary, hardly any bitterness (which is a good thing). Benefits a lot from time in the glass. Best nose of the 3.

Semi-blind tasting with machrie moor 10 and smokehead rum rebel. This has nice bourbon/ butterscotch nose, not on the pallet though, than rather bitter. Worst finish of the 3 (bitter). Decent dram but don't understand the hype.

Gets sweeter over time. Butterscotch. Makes a good irish coffee.

Suprisingly easy to drink. Fruity, peaty but not medicinal. Reminds me (another suprise) of white rhum agricole or jamaican white rum (hampden estate) or even cachaca (whith some imagination).

Just good whisky. Nothing special, just good. If you don't like this you don't like single malt. No sherry, no peat, no fancy casks, nothing of the sort. Maybe just a little to much vanilla, tends to dominate.

Another half year gone. Not much wine infuence anymore. Sweet vanilla, fruity, some licorice in the finish. But be patient, it needs time in the glass.