Tastes
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Invergordon 1972 50 Year (Archives)
Single Grain — Scotland
Reviewed November 5, 2023 (edited December 1, 2023)After some 1000 whiskies, I am rarely left speechless by a dram. With a stunning nose that is second to none, this 1972 Invergordon shines like a beacon in the dark. Cinnamon rolls, crème brûlée and fennel harmonize with strawberry cream, antique furniture and mint leaves. Elegant, silky and simply delightful, the taste fascinates with flabbergasting notes of pistachio, coconut milk and hazelnuts. Complex oak spices, white chocolate and sage conclude the spectacle, if only the finish could last forever. This is the Holy Grail of old grains, aged to perfection. RATING: 4.9/5.0 stars ≙ 94 pts → PERFECT [-]395.0 EUR per Bottle -
Tobermory 2013 9 Year (The Cooper's Choice)
Single Malt — Scotland
Reviewed October 29, 2023 (edited November 2, 2023)Cooper's Choice offers a wide range of single cask releases, this one a young Tobermory finished in a Madeira cask. The nose opens up with butterscotch, peaches and soft vanilla, rounded off by thyme, ginger and a whiff of sea breeze. Spiced oranges, lemon and hints of salt unfold on the palate before it turns quite juicy, featuring marmalade, peppercorn and coffee. Eclectic notes of pink grapefruit, bitter honey and peppermint conclude the long and zesty aftertaste. This malt packs a punch, highlighting some intriguing flavors off the beaten track. RATING: 3.9/5.0 stars ≙ 86 pts → FIRST-CLASS [-]85.0 EUR per Bottle -
Caol Ila 2010 10 Year (Artist Collective #5.3)
Single Malt — Islay, Scotland
Reviewed October 15, 2023 (edited October 17, 2023)Featuring the contemporary artwork 'NONQBRC7' by Loren Klein, this Caol Ila is a vatting of 3 refill sherry butts. A dusty cloud of mineral and slightly medicinal peat smoke emerges from the glass, overshadowing notes of dark fruits, pine sap and bitter chocolate. On the palate, ripe blackberries and briny peatiness arrive hand in hand, evolving towards red currants, ginger and pipe tobacco. Roasted coffee, salty licorice and a touch of stout fade in the long and satisfying finish. It is one of these malts that instantly puts a big smile on your face. RATING: 4.2/5.0 stars ≙ 89 pts → FIRST-CLASS [+]130.0 EUR per Bottle -
Invergordon 2009 12 Year (Duncan Taylor)
Single Grain — Highlands , Scotland
Reviewed September 22, 2023 (edited October 17, 2023)Most young grain whiskies I wouldn't touch with a barge pole, but this Invergordon matured in sherry octave casks made me curious. On the nose, cinnamon, pastries and milk chocolate intermingle with sultanas, dusty cereal notes and hints of sage. After a sugary arrival, the taste develops with dark fruits, peppery spices and eucalyptus. It is a bit hot around the edges, but packed with flavors. Slightly bitter oak, cocoa and fresh mint linger in the surprisingly long finish. One evening, a poor hornet had drowned in this alluring wasp trap - so it can't be bad. RATING: 3.5/5.0 stars ≙ 84 pts → ABOVE AVERAGE50.0 EUR per Bottle -
Daftmill 2008 Cask 013 (Whiskybase Exclusive)
Single Malt — Lowlands, Scotland
Reviewed September 3, 2023 (edited September 16, 2023)Hailing from Scotland's iconic farm distillery, this Daftmill was bottled exclusively for the members of Whiskybase. A fairly singular nose awaits, featuring lemon tea, porridge and strong notes of vanilla. It's cereal-rich, green and floral, and I can literally smell the barn. Waves of spice hit the palate, very punchy, grassy and vanillin-driven. Water releases more flavors. Pineapple, banana bread and a touch of soda develop, leading into the zesty, gingery and semidry aftertaste. A strong reminder that whisky is meant for drinking - it is one to sip, and not to flip! RATING: 4.0/5.0 stars ≙ 87 pts → FIRST-CLASS185.0 EUR per Bottle -
Suntory The Chita Single Grain
Single Grain — Japan
Reviewed August 20, 2023 (edited August 25, 2023)Suntory's workhorse distillery is not as picturesque as Yamazaki and Hakushu, and thus hidden from public view. Elegant and yet simple, the nose of 'The Chita' combines honeydew melon, chamomile and cereals with gingerbread, custard and white chocolate. The honeyed and vanilla-forward taste evolves with coconut, mint and slightly dry oak spices. A bit youthful, but very tasty. Cinnamon rolls, almonds and more honey linger in the bittersweet finish. So much in Japanese whisky is lost in translation, there is more to this bottling than meets the eye. RATING: 3.4/5.0 stars ≙ 82 pts → ABOVE AVERAGE [-]45.0 EUR per Bottle -
Bunnahabhain 12 Year Cask Strength (2022 Edition)
Single Malt — Islay, Scotland
Reviewed August 6, 2023 (edited December 30, 2023)There are not many contemporary releases worth chasing, but this cask strength Bunnahabhain is a notable exception. On the nose, prunes, almonds and earthy sherry notes are complemented by bitter chocolate, tobacco and currants. Very inviting and layered. The rich arrival is bursting with dark fruits, toffee and cocoa, while nutmeg, mint and hints of salt develop mid-palate. Sublime mouthfeel. Slightly dry oak, roasted coffee and eucalyptus remain in the prolonged aftertaste. An adorable sherry bomb, I can only quote Ralfy: What an absolute joy! RATING: 4.4/5.0 stars ≙ 90 pts → SUPERB [-]95.0 EUR per Bottle -
Port Ellen 32 Year 1979 (2012 Special Release)
Single Malt — Islay, Scotland
Reviewed July 2, 2023 (edited July 30, 2023)Few whisky aficionados seem to remember why Port Ellen was closed in the first place: no one wanted their malts, that's the irony. The nose opens a door to the past, as whiffs of camphor, motor oil and sooty steam engines collide with lemon drops, tobacco leaves and oysters. Sweet and herbal, the palate awakens with subtle peat smoke, orange zest and mineral notes. Wood sap, licorice and hints of kiwi whisper their farewell as the earthy finish subsides. It reinforces what Diageo's special releases used to be, but that's the way the cookie crumbles. RATING: 4.5/5.0 stars ≙ 92 pts → SUPERB4000.0 EUR per Bottle -
The selection of bourbon in Europe is mediocre at best, so this is as good as it gets. Predictable notes of honey, caramel and cinnamon emerge on the nose, accompanied by overripe banana, varnish and a touch of glue. Bold spices overwhelm the sweet arrival with virgin oak, ginger and white pepper at the forefront. Intense sweetness returns with a vengeance, throwing maple syrup, maraschino cherries and vanilla into the mix. Bulleit 10 tastes overaged and yet a bit rough. Rock candy, cocoa and tannins push into the simple finish. Where is my Scotch? RATING: 3.2/5.0 stars ≙ 81 pts → AVERAGE [+]35.0 EUR per Bottle
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Let's re-review the winner of the Online Scotch Whisky Awards (OSWAs) in the category 'best entry-level bottling'. The nose of Arran 10 features a lovely tropical fruit complexity, think pineapple, mango and lemon cream. Hints of milk chocolate, cereals and butterscotch gain momentum. On the palate, the rich and juicy mouthfeel is flanked by sour berries, peaches and wood spices. Lime juice, apricot jam and pepper round off the taste, while the finish lingers with honey, ginger and a touch of cider. No wonder this malt is so popular, it's a modern classic! RATING: 3.9/5.0 stars ≙ 86 pts → FIRST-CLASS [-]35.0 EUR per Bottle
Results 11-20 of 236 Reviews