Tastes

Had a dram of this last night at a local pub. All of the tasting notes out there are pretty indicative of this Yamazaki. Deep and dark sherry with the accompanying chocolate and cherry Coke. I detected no smoke, personally. I also found a very slightly metallic element to the finish--not at all disconcerting, though. At ~$300 I would probably buy this--and that is based purely on quality (not as an investment). For $2000+...I'd wait for something with a little more character and a lot more soul.

Note: this review is for a Port Ellen 24Y 2nd release Bottle# 0015 @ 59.23%--one dram purchased at the Lochranza Hotel bar on the Isle of Arran from a bottle about 9/10ths empty that had been sitting on the shelf for God knows how long. Three drops of water added--probably didn't need more than one, though. Now that we have the details out of the way... Very possibly one of the most profound whisky experiences I've had to date. Even considering the possibility that this bottle had been opened and sitting around for at least 5 years, it still had the most sublime balance of complexity and charm of any whisky I have ever tasted. Perhaps the oxidation improved it? If it didn't, then this one must have been stellar when it was first opened! I'm not the most experienced whisky connoiseur, but I've been around the block and this Port Ellen made me reasses all of my previous whisky opinions. At ~£1500 a bottle (still available, apparently) it is not the most expensive of the Port Ellens, but I hasten to think what could be better than this. Anyway, here are my brief tasting notes taken while sitting at the bar. They are brief because at the time I was far more into drinking the dram than deconstructing it into this or that note--trust me, it all came together delightfully. Nose: Light smoke, peat, honey, the sea--I could've just sat there with this at my nose for ever. Taste: Sooooo complex and very smooth (even at 59.23%) and not at all overbearing. Smoke, fruit, a little menthol and anise. Some deep savoury notes and salt. Best, most satisfying whisky I've had to date--enough said. Felt like robbery at £25/dram! 96+/100 MMB 10/07/16

Interesting how this one went from a ludicrously high 98 rating down to an 84. I suppose we are all entitled to change our minds once in a while, yes? I bought it because of that original 98 score...but I don't completely regret it. It's quite nice as a sweetish, somewhat complex, porty spirit--albeit, it's a rather unusual tasting whiskey. I do love the chocolate notes and the cherry-cola finish--more like a delightful dessert, really. It will never be a "go-to" bottle, but I definitely like having it around for those times when I want something a little "different". I'll certainly look forward to what Westland's future (and hopefully more aged) bottlings will offer. I would rate this one in the middle of two extremes. 87/100 MMB 15-06-16

Bottle: L5246MB1 ... 23221159. This is really a great one. Absolutely in it's own league with flavor, complexity and personality. The reviews here are close enough for me to omit adding my own tasting notes--yes, there is a perfect balance of peat, peat smoke and fruitiness with iodine and salt. It is a robust, intriguing dram that I will miss greatly when the bottle is empty. Update: bought another bottle today...fears abated! 92/100 MMB 11-06-16

Bottle# P141493 15/146 ... 23 06 15. I believe this means it was bottled in 2015, but don't quote me. I drink this one from a Canadian whisky glass instead of a typical Glencairn nosing glass--seems to make a huge difference in the nose and the palate. Nose: Straight off, Brown sugar, vanilla creme brulee, bread yeast, some background fruits, leather, some salted nuts. No peat smoke, but I do taste a tiny bit of Islay's cresolic (or iodine) signature. Palate: More vanilla, apricot is there in some sort of compote, some raisins soaked in rum. Finish: decently long and hot with fleeting moments of clove. I really like this one and for once, I think that Distiller is right on. I would give it a slight bump to 90/100 because I just love to sit back with this one and relax...a daily dram. Pretty darn good neat, but a few drops of water opens it up a bit more and softens the bite. I've tried it from a nosing copita, and for what ever reason it just is soooo much nicer from a wider mouthed glass. Additional: I've loved this one from the moment I opened it four months ago. For the record, it has changed somewhat over that time in that the bread yeast was not noticeable early on (as I recall) and the notes of sweet brown sugar and toffee were much stronger at first. MMB 11-06-16

Bottle: NAS 40% L6036L2014. Glass: Glenc'n Canadian Whisky glass. Nose: Brown sugar and overripe bananas, some peach also. Palate: Carries on with the banana, vanilla, allspice, nutmeg--all sweet and oily-like. Definitely a little oak bitterness in there, but not overbearing. Reminds me a lot of Bananas Foster. Finish: Decently long, but not complex by any means--a bit rummy. This make's a delightful dessert whiskey...a treat, but not a "go-to". 81/100 MMB 07-06-16

Bottle: DE 2003/2014 45.8% L4266CM000. Glass: Glencairn Nose: Mild peat and alder smoke with sherry and toffee right off. After a few minutes and two drops of water, fruits and maple syrup emerge with some nice briney salt spray and bacon drippings in the background--maybe some gherkin(?)! Palate: Smokiness still there but easing a bit with fruit, maple syrup and leather taking front stage. Reminds me of the excellent Laphroaig 15y 200th anniversary but with less overt fruit and peat (and no iodine at all). Some milk chocolate and salt in there too. Finish: Long and rich, leather and sweet tobacco with milk chocolate. It may all sound quite sweet, but there is nothing syrupy or cloying about this at all. This is an absolutely delicious dram in my opinion--a current favorite! Easy 91/100! MMB 07-06-16