Tastes

Musty library. Drinking this made me vicariously nostalgic for reading a leather bound book in an old abandoned study even though I’ve never done that. I really like this idea...taking a spirit with a very unique and specific characteristic like Arran after aging for 16yrs then moving it to cognac casks for 7 years in France. And it’s the cognac that takes the lead on the nose and the arrival with its sweet grapes and mild honeyed cloying texture. Then the Arran spirit comes through and takes over through the middle. Thin, fruity and covered in cognac sweetness. My only nitpick is in combining two very different spirits with very different roles they ended up a little bit in between a cognac and a scotch. As a niche bottle I have only once in my life I really appreciate it. But I doubt I’d ever buy another bottle. Glad to have experienced this one and encourage more distilleries to do this more often!

This is a good sherried speyside. I enjoyed it well enough and the age and proof both show up in the sample I had. My only issue is that I don’t get anything unique from it. And given that it’s somewhat hard to find and not cheap I’m not sure I’d buy a full bottle. However it was good enough that I’ll keep an eye out on the distillery’s other offerings.

For an islay peated sherry at cask strength this is average. But that’s of course saying something as that is pretty much my favorite profile. It’s also not cheap, selling in a 1/2 Liter bottle for a pretty penny/pence. I had a sample of this (Netherlands version) and was glad I didn’t spring for the full bottle even though it was perfectly fine and I enjoyed drinking it. It’s pleasant on the nose, with the notes you’d expect from the label. The palate leaves a little to be desired, hitting a bit too much of the burnt rubber notes that average peated islays have. I won’t be buying a full bottle.

A new favorite. It’s stunning. Even had it side by side with the 21yr port wood thanks to a generous friend. If I am lucky enough to be able to have another dram I’ll post a more thorough review but I just wanted to savor this with good company. It encapsulates everything I love about Balvenie...rich, complex, no gimmicks. Just high quality malt in high quality barrels, married together by a distiller at the height of his craft. I’d love to try other batches to see how they stack up.

Light fruits(pear/apple) on the nose with an unmistakable grassy and sweet aroma. Proof comes through on the palate, with anise/licorice featuring prominently. It’s got a nice viscous quality unlike most glenlivet. The proof livens it up but makes for a slightly astringent taste that may not be for beginners. I’m enjoying this bottle although I feel it’s overpriced.

Woody, sweet peat,sour apple/pear. Tasted blind and I couldn’t identify it as a campbeltown. Perhaps the age and wood contact overwhelms the spirit. I prefer the 15. This is just too long in the cask for my taste and not particularly well balanced.