2 January 2014

Whisky Cabal Meeting 12 : winter is coming

It's not worth repeating how rubbish we are at organising meetings is it? Nah, didn't think so. This is the somewhat delayed writeup of the last session.

I may even have a photo somewhere, which can go up later.

Glen Keith Berry Bros & Rudd 1993 Cask#97100 53.8%

Nose: glue, bourbon, pine, socks, lavender
Palate: warm tingly, pineapples, dried fruit, mango
Finish: med-short
8/10

We branched out and bought some indie bottlings from BBR recently, and this was one of them. You don't see too many bottlings from Glen Keith as it's largely used in blends (distillery is owned by Chivas) which is one reason why this bottle was picked up.
And we liked it. A lot. It's light, but interesting enough to keep going back to.

Cardhu 40%
N: sweet, sherry (hint), wet dog, rubber
P: hint of sherry
F: short
A 6/10; R 4/10; B 3-4/10

Not liked this time around. We had tried this one before (see here) when we liked it a bit more, but this time - nothing.

Glenglassaugh Revival
N: caramel, fresh rubber, "changing an inner tube", manuka honey
P: raisins, cake, cherries, xmas cake, mulled wine, cloves
F: med-long
R 7/10 B/A 7.5/10

A and I had tried this at a whisky show, and liked it, and oddly, we liked it again. Huzzah !! The second release from Glenglassaugh, well worth having.

SMWS 30.74 Sweet, fruity and rich 60.3% 11yo d27/3/01 refill port pipe
N: wow, port, vigorous, sulphur, raisins, cake, sherry, toffee apple
P: treacle, figs, salty, sweet
F: long
B/R 9/10 A 8.5/10

this was very very nice, from our good friends at Glenrothes. Fantastic nose and the palate lives up to the promise. Addition of water produced more woody and musty notes - which worked well. If there's any left, grab a bottle.

SMWS 64.36 Marshmallows in a duffle bag 60.3% d26/5/2004 7yo 1st fill barrel ex-bourbon
N: spritzic, lemonade, tropical fruits, sherbet, lovehearts
P: sherbet, lavender, vigorous
F: big, massive
Described by one of the cabal as "Barely legal evil whore" which, if nothing else, should lead to some interesting search results on google.
8/10 subtle, it ain't, from Mannochmore

SMWS 66.32 Roly-poly pudding 13yo 50.6% refill gouda ex-sherry
N: coastal, rubber, salt, phenol, sulphur, beetroot   [yeah, I dunno either]
P: eek, coast, salt, long, sherry
F: med-long
7-7.5/10
Again, a retasting of an Ardmore, and the same grading (see here), suggesting that we are consistent and our problem child is just wrong in requiring a standard each tasting.

Port Charlotte 10 59.8%
N: smoke, salt, coast, rubber, 'oh fuck', phenol
P: warm, massive, salted honey, cough syrup
F: long - massive
A 8/10; R 9.5/10 B 10/10
Again a retasting, and similar to the last time, no link as it's impossible to find. They've released a 46% version, which is apparently very good - but I haven't tried that.
There is a PC11 but it's only available in a limited number of airport shops, which is annoying.

We've all received booze based Xmas gifts so there maybe another tasting coming soon...

B

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