Whisky Cabal 16 - the final countdown

We're doing this live. Or trying to. This may make the notes more decipherable, or less. no idea.... i may give up. it's very exciting.
Update: I'm tidying up some of the links and adding in more comments, overall I think the live tweeting/blogging worked ok, certainly easier to read my notes that way...



First up:
House of Commons - no.1 Scotch Whisky 40%, bottled about 1977/78. but unopened.

nose: paint stripper, methanol, scary, 3 day week,
palate: absolutely nothing there,
finish: burn, methylated vanilla, aftertaste of sick,

1/10 (for the bottle)
Update: fair to say this was appalling. Buchanan's were awarded the contract to supply the HoC back in the 1880s. I'd be sticking to beer or wine. Couple of links about the whisky here and here.

Dalmore 12 yo
nose: rubber, sweaty socks,
palate: caramel,
finish:  very very short
3 (B), 4(R+G), 5(A)/10

Update: It's not complex, it would be ok as a pub whisky. Distinct improvement over the HoC tho'.

Arran - 1996 53.9% single cask - sherry finish
nose: sherry, fruit, xmas cake, vanilla
palate: warm, nice, sherry, wow, honey,
finish: med-long, warming,
7-7.5(B)/10

SMWS 28.25 Sweet, nutty, personality 23yo, d25/6/1990 1/237, refill hogshead, ex bourbon, 51.9%
Nose: caramelised sugar
palate: fruit salad, melon, walnuts,
finish: very hot, and melony,

Addition of water
brings out bourbon on the nose, lime, melon, citrus, definitely needs water.

It's a Tullibardine, and it's very very nice with water.
no water: 5-6/10
water: 8/10

Arran - 17yo 46%
nose: sherry, caramelised sugar
palate: i want more, honey, grapefruit, tangy citrus, apple - cooking,
finish: med-long

Light, tasty, and brilliantly balanced.
8-8.5/10
Update: surprisingly consistent rating by us compared to last time we had it. huzzah!

Douglas - Speyburn 9yo, 1/457 bottles, 46%
nose: rubber, medicinal, socks
palate: light, fruity, tangy,
finish: medium
Very quaffable, camping trip whisky,
6-7/10

SMWS 26.89 An exotic tearoom experience 27yo, 56.6% refill butt ex - sherry 1/485
nose: fruit salad, .lemon, pineapple, tea,
palate: zingy, more fruit, tangy,
finish: medium
quite vigorous for 27yo whisky,

Clyneish: i like. 'ees nice, yet another tin-arse moment
9/10

AnCnoc - Flaughter 46%
nose: salt, bacon, peat, tobacco
palate: peat, medicinal, salt, smoke, green apple,
finish: medium

8/10

and that ends the live blogging. we're off to repeat a couple of them for my (possibly) final tasting with the cabal.

love B and the Cabal.