Tastes

Before World War I; Before the Bolshevik revolution; quite before the great depression or the Whisky Prohibition; just when the XX century was "kicking off", independent bottlers Berry Bros. & Rudd bottled this blended malt. In my scottish journey, in Edinburgh i went into a great bar called "The Abbey", where they sell incredibly rare whiskies, and there were many that called my attention. One in particular was this Berry Bros 1910-1920 blended malt, which had no label, it came in a deep green bottled and had the cork replaced, because it obviously was damaged when opened. I ask the kind bartender to tell me more about the bottle and he said that they knew the dating of the blended malt, because it had an early King George V seal, who was the ruler of the UK since 1910. This of course was an opportunity that i could not let go. I did not waste any time and i grabed a sample to take back home and i picked a special moment to taste it, it was yesterday 20th of may, as a celebration for World Whisky Day 2023. For all i know, this dram which was distilled more than a 100 years ago, could have been drawn from the stills in the first decade of the 1900s. I have no more info to give you, except that if you go online and look for "the Abbey" Edinburgh bar, you will find it first on their whisky list. I believe less than 7 drams are left on the bottle. On the glass, it has a pale golden color. On the nose, it was quite amazing. Tangerine peel; chocolate with hazelnuts, sawdust. A thick caramel. White chocolate with almonds. After a first sip, the aroma gave me a maraschino cherry syrup for a moment; then it turned into coffee with milk. Lots of caramel notes, very sweet. Acid prunes. Impressive really. It was far less impressive on the palate, where it felt exactly as some 1950s and 1960s whiskies that i have had the opportunity to taste. Sawdust, caramel, burnt grass, hay. A second sip gave me a vanilla water and orange peel. It feels old, not in a sense of humidity or old books, but it resembles the whiskies from past decades that i have had before. Aftertaste was nice. It actually scared me for 5 seconds, since it was completely muted on the first sip, but after that short time, paper, spices and salt appeared out of nowhere. More sips revealed a long lasting finish with tobacco and cigar notes. It has this cowboy feeling overall. In conclusion, i can't be more excited for having tasted a whisky from the 1910s -1920s. I don't know many people that have the chance to do that. This is indeed a piece of history, and i think i am a blessed person to ever found it. The whisky itself is not bad, the nose is almost perfect; the palate and aftertaste is above average. A true score for this is 86 over 100, and now there is less of it in this planet because of me. Slàinte!

Legendary whisky time! If you are a whisky nerd like me, you already know there are some myhtical whiskies out there. Bottles long lost, some from distilleries that will never come back. Other ones from famous independent bottlers from the 1980s. Popular legends are Karuizawa, Hanyu, Pappy Van Winkle, Port Ellen, but also two italian retail stores: Moon Import and Samaroli. Well, Moon Import was founded in the early 80s by an italian called Pepi Mongiardino, who drew himself some lovely labels for his bottlings. It is often said that "These iconic designs, coupled with the quality of the liquid saw Moon Import steadily grow in popularity." Well, in 1988 he released a collection that became very popular among collectors, it was called "The costumes". And you guessed it right, i have finally tried one.  This Glenkinchie was matured in hogshead #2573 and was bottled as part of The Costumes. This was distilled in 1966 and bottled in 1988, for a 22yo statement. On the nose, this is outstanding. Chocolate, sawdust, lemon, hazelnut. A really Powdery hazelnut and nutmeg. Some spiciness and burnt hay. Old books with stuck pages. Hanuta; Impressively nutty. On the palate, it is also pure perfection. Chocolate, lime. So pungent and astringent. Paper; Feels old with a rounded spicinesss that surrounds all. After a first sip, it gave me a lovely buttery chocolate. Butter. Mashed vanilla cookies. On the third sip it is out of this world; it is marvelous with a Lindt chocolate note. Aftertaste was great as well. Old books, humidity. Dry raw cereal, spicy and malted barley notes. Overall; this one is not only a piece of whisky history, it is also a fine dram. I love when this kind of single malts live to their expectations. A fully complex, rounded single malt, my score for it is 97 over 100. I tried it on a scottish pub called "the Abbey", you really should look for it if you have the chance. Every moment that goes by, the possibilities to find it, fades away. Sláinte!

Prepare yourselves, i have a review for a legendary whisky that i have tasted; one with a lovely story that even became part of the permanent decoration of the distillery. This is the story of Bruichladdich Yellow Submarine 1991, WMD II (Whisky of Mass Distinction). Back in 2005, a local farmer saw a metallic thing in the sea just in front of the Bruichladdich distillery, which was hitting the rocks. It happened to be a Royal Navy yellow submarine, with a marking that said "MOD" (Ministry of Defense). Bruichladdich personnel called the goverment but they denied that they were missing a mine detector submarine. The distillery staff took it out of the water and stored it in the premises. After a couple of days, some big helicopters came to Islay to take the submarine back; it was the British ministry of defense. The submarine was retrieved. Of course, Bruichladdich made a full size replica as an ornament for the distillery and released this 14yo whisky, that has obtained the "legendary" status. Bottled at 46%abv and in some internet stores this goes for 2k. On the nose, it is perfect. Cotton candy, peaches, hazelnut, nutmeg and white Ritter chocolate. After a first sip it released an almond note which is marvelous. Pistachios, Nutella and churros. Waffer with nutella. Incredible. On the palate, it is nice but a little simple. A peach madness, apple strudel and the typical shampoo note from Bruichladdich. Aftertaste is elegant and delicious, but i would like it to be a little more complex. Sulphur and spicy notes. Cotton. Overall, after the great aroma, the palate and aftertaste didn't lived for the expectations that the nose created. A very good whisky, with an increible story, i believe that the price of this has gone way to high, and that makes this very good whisky in a bad deal to drink. As an investment, this bottle is certainly been sought by many people. My score for this is a 90 over 100.

I am a fond fan of lovely looking labels from independent bottlers, and trust me on this one, it is beautiful. "The Kraken" as i called it, is a "Dream od Scotland" independent bottling of Port Charlotte (in other words peated Bruichladdich), at cask strength, that has been finished in manzanilla sherry casks. It has a 12yo age statement and has a powerful 51.3%abv. One of only 423 bottles ever made. On the nose, i get the typical Shampoo/soap note of Bruichladdich.  White chocolate, floral notes, spicy bubblegum and lotion for burnt skin. Not the best aroma out there. On the palate, it is tasty. Peaches, pepper and aromatic herbs. Aftertaste is very dry; with raw rice notes and something that can only be described as glue to close an envelope. Cotton Overall, the label was far better than the whisky itself, which is not bad, but nothing special. It lacks complexity for a Cask Strength, but also it is not delivering you any clean aroma or tasting notes. A little disspointed with this one, my score for it is 82 over 100.

As soon as i arrived to Scotland, the first thing i looked for, was a whisky that i have been craving, and somehow it has been dodging my glass. I was successful in trapping a very valuable single malt, the now very popular Springbank Cask Strength 12yo. It has recently become more difficult to obtain, specially if we are talking "price-wise". With a lovely red copper color, this has been bottled at 56.1%abv. On the nose, it is fantastic. Red fruits, bbq sauce, pork grease, glazed ham and a cocoa dark chocolate. Coffee beans. After a first sip, the aroma changed into a red fruit syrup,  feels thick on the nose. Sulphuric minerals, cotton candy and a thick burnt toffee. It is super complex, with various layers. On the palate, it is freaking delicious. Red fruit marmalade with chilli, raw rice. Not overly complex, but great. Aftertaste is incredibly rewarding and delicious. Fireworks, pepper, chilli, red fruitiness. Overall, this is worth every penny to this date. If you let this bottle unopened for a little while, the price might go way to up and that might make it not worthy considering price vs quality; but to this date, May 2023, this is still a steal for the price it goes nowadays. A fully enjoyable whisky, with enough power, aromas and flavors; i love this single malt. My score for it is 93 over 100.

On my way to Scotland, for the third whisky trip of my life, i started my journey of single malts as soon as i boarded the plane, since the flight attendant gave me one that i've never tasted before, a Benriach Quarter Cask, doble matured, bottled at 46%abv. On the nose, it starts with apples, honey, pear and cough syrup. Clean, well delivered notes. On the palate, this one is pretty honeyed. After a sip, it gave me tobacco leaf, ashes and a bitter burnt grass. Aftertaste was very nice. Sulphuric beautiful finish;  burnt grass, tobacco and hay. Overall, i believe this is not an expensive single malt, and it is really good. Super enjoyable dram, with a decent abv. A true speysider, my score for it is 85 over 100.

Isn't it beautiful when a friend has a bottle you have never seen and he says to you "i know you like whisky, so go ahead and try that unopened bottle?". That is like the greatest friendship treat you can ever have whiskywise. Well, my former boss shared me a couple of drams of this quite rare (at least i have never seen it before) Maker's Mark limited edition bottle, which is 45%abv and it says "S-IV" and i don' have any ideas of what that means. On the nose, it starts with a beautiful cotton candy note, a typical bourbon prune aroma; brown sugar; burnt caramel and red fruit syrup. On the palate, it starts with a beautiful caramel, red fruits, cherry syrup and sour prunes. Dim chilli. Aftertaste was dry, with raw rice notes and a lovely ghostly sugar syrup. Overall, i truly believe this is one very good bourbon. I love the old label marketing and the slightly higher abv on this one. I would definitively buy it and drink it in just a couple of days. My score for it is 88 over 100.

What in the world have i just tasted? This is, by far, the whiskey with the highest abv i have ever had. "LIGHT WHISKEY" by Copper Sky distillery is one powerful dram, and of course, i am a purist so i took it neat. Bottled at 70.1%abv (yes, you read that right), this is a 16yo american whiskey. On the nose, it starts with a rye whiskey note, white chocolate, maize and a fresh field. Fresh berries and strawberries. On the palate, this is plutonium, the fuel of the DeLorean from back to the future. Red fruits, cotton candy. Too powerful, not bad. Aftertaste has only two notes: Red fruitiness and red peppers. Overall, this was not the worst whiskey in the world, but i expected tons of flavor layers due to the high strength but it was really simple, straightforward and boring. It is not "undrinkable" despite the high abv, but it is not worth your time. My score here is 70 over 100.

Listen to me, i will spoil the conclusion of this whisky review. Go now and buy this single malt. It will change your whisky life; it is a terrific whisky as most Glendronachs, and it will certainly be in my top 5 whiskies tasted in 2023. Having said all that, Glendronach Batch 11, is a natural cask strength single malt bottled at 59.8%abv for extra flavor :) It was matured in Oloroso sherry casks and Pedro Ximenez Sherry casks, which has provided a lovely chesnut color to this baby. Nose is perfect. Palate is perfect. Aftertaste is perfect. Balance is perfect. Well, that is it, this whisky has been reviewed. Kidding aside, on the nose this is the most velevety sweet thing ever. Hazelnut, orange jam, figs, quince and something that i can only describe as a whisky chocolate. Almonds, school glue, coffee and cocoa. Marvelous. After a first sip, the aroma changed into red fruits, cranberries, Rum and raisins and the wonderful marmalade with chilli. Smores. It is incredible. On the palate, the show continues. Hazelnut, chocolate, wasabi, raisins. It has thisn winey profile; dates and impalpable sugar. Blackberry marmalade and red fruits. Caramel custard; Stroofwaffles. All of that, super clean flavors, powerful, beautiful. Aftertaste has a spicy profile that suits amazingly here. Chilli peppers, fruitspice, raisins. A dim saltiness and ginger. Invincible. Overall, this is a whisky from other planet. Glendronach is my favorite distillery, and they have given me some outstanding jewels like this one. You should find this, buy a couple of bottles and just enjoy it. I cant even score this because 100 points wouldn't even make justice for it. Slàinte Mhath my friends!!!

After suffering a little dissapointment with the Talisker Diageo Special Release 2022, i had my faith on the Lagavulin from the same collection, with a lovely phoenix in the label. This natural cask strength bottling is 57.3%abv, and it is said that the master distiller picked the smokiest casks of the warehouse to put together this single malt. Well, as soon as i uncorked it i said "Woooohoooo!" The aroma was absolutely incredible. Coffee, a marvelous cocoa note that is filled with peat. Earthy and smokey; bacon notes. Medicinal profile as well. It is so powerful on the nose, but in a very good way. Plastic and gooseberries. After the first sip it released chocolate notes. A fish market. Hazelnuts. SPECTACULAR. On the palate it is perfect. Chocolate, hazelnut, Nutella, salt. It is wonderful, awesome, amazing and every other adjective you can imagine. Aftertaste is simply out of this world. Ashes, chocolate, smoke, meat with salt. You can feel that lovely layer of grease from a properly piece of meat perfectly done in a BBQ. In conclusion, this is one of the greatest Lagavulins i have had, and believe me, that is quite the statement. It is better than most whiskies i have had in 2022 and i will definitively have this one on my top ten tasted whiskies from this year. I wish i could give it a thousand points, but i will stick to some serious review score of 100 over 100. It can't be any better. Trust me. Sláinte.