Whisky Cabal Meeting 6

We gathered together, one doctor short, for the final Cabal meeting of 2011. As usual there was a diverse collection of drams, although oddly a predominance of standard releases. I've been a little slack, and away on holiday, hence the delay in getting the vital bits of info to you all. As usual links are to our favourite whisky shop Loch Fyne Whiskies, except for the Port Ellen.

Port Ellen 26yo Old Malt Cask

A ghost Islay distillery, Port Ellen closed in 1983 and bottlings are becoming rare, and very expensive. I picked this up quite a few years ago after an Islay tasting, as I'd enjoyed it, and I think it's a criminal shame that most Islay whisky is bottled so young. There's no reason why they have to be ball sack rippingly vicious, try an old one and feel the power and complexity...

I can't find a link for this particular bottling, so here's a general Port Ellen one.

Nose: salt, peat, new leather, fireworks

Palate: subtle, spicy, sulphur, fireworks

Finish: med-long, throaty, salt, warm, mulled wine.

7.5-8 /10

Glendronach Allardice 18yo 46%

Nose: Sherry, sweet, honey, furniture polish, cake

Palate:  tasty, sweet, toffee, honey, fudge, xmas cake

Finish: long, xmas cake

7-7.5 /10

The Cabal seems to be liking the Glendronach's, certainly a sherry monster, but very yummy. 

Glengoyne 17yo 43%

Nose: old socks, chopped nuts, dairy milk chocolate, ozone

Palate: chocolate, bit watery, oranges, raisins, sherry, green apple

Finish: medium, chocolate, sweet

7/10

Glengoyne pops up quite frequently here. I like it, which can be traced directly to Neil. As can Edradour. The 17yo is very quaffable, and comes highly recommended from our professional quaffers.

Jura Diurachs own 16yo 40%

Nose: sweet, chocolate, oranges

Palate: chocolate, sweet, seaweed/sushi, xmas, 

Finish: med-short

7-7.5 /10 "Very quaffable"

Bit of a surprise this one. I know everyone raves about Jura, but I've never been a huge fan. Always seemed to be missing something, possibly they'd been built up too much. So we went into this one not expecting much, but really enjoyed it. Interesting whisky, and worth trying. Usefully Jura are selling it in smaller bottles (not sure what size, I guess 375ml?) so won't kick the wallet too hard.

Benriach Tawny Port 15yo 46%

Nose: fighty, salt, sweet, acetone/acridine, antiseptic

Palate: salt, port, bad red wine but not in a bad sense,

Finish: salt, med-long, warm character

7.5-8 /10

To quote the previously mentioned Neil, we'd describe this as 'bats-arse mental'.

We like Benriach, their whiskies have huge character, are very different, and even though they throw up a lot of unexpected flavours, are brilliantly balanced. 

Port Charlotte 9 59.2% Bottle 2950/6000

Nose: salt, bacon, iodine, medicinal wipes, phenol (industrial!)

Palate: chocolate, sweet, raisins, salty, fighting

Finish: long, spikey, chocolate high cocoa, raisins

Addition of water chilled it down a bit, but increased the chocolate and sweetness, less fighty nose but more bacon. Called "bandage compress" by one of us.

8.5-9 /10

I like the PC's, and I like how the flavour profile has changed over the years. If you like your Islay's, and like them complex, go for the PC. 

SMWS 127.3 8yo Refill bourbon 67%

Having said there's complexity in the PCs, we threw this one in as a PC where subtlety is not the main focus of the booze.

Nose: light, salt, bacon, "cold medicine", iodine, wood chips

Palate: very drinkable, leather, burger rings, sweet, bourbon

"what a way to go"

Addition of water gave:

Nose: medicinal, phenol, floor polish

Palate: warm, rubbery, chocolate, gin n tonic, sweet, honey

Finish: warm, big, long

8-8.5 /10

We finished the evening with the SMWS 121.39 'Easy Drinking Dram' which we've reviewed a few times before.

We have a few lined up for the next tasting, so I guess we should get on with planning that....

B