5 September 2015

Pub Whisky Guide

It was mooted during Cabal meetings that we produce a pub whisky guide. Essentially a list of whisky we liked that you may see in a pub. Yeah, didn't want to push the concept too much there.
This list became mythical. I promised many times. I never delivered. 

And yet, now, as I sip some Braes of Glenlivet (BBR bottling) and watch Scotland v France, here it is. Yes. The griffin lives.

To help, your default answer is likely to be Lagavulin 16yo, as it's easily available, and brilliant.

Slainte, B

Name Nose Palate Finish Rating Comments
Aberlour A’bunadh sherry, fudge, oloroso sherry, "manly dram" sherry monster, raisins, prunes long, sherry

11/10
"The Nigel Tufnel : for when you need a little bit more""I've had weaker sledgehammers to the face"
Adelphi Private Stock Blend hints of socks, bananas, muscatels christmas cake, salty long
7/10

Ardbeg Uigeadail peat, smoke, rubber, phenol, medicinal salty, long, sweet long 7-7.5/10 Very quaffable, this is the sherry finish (kinda) from Ardbeg
Arran Cu Bocan (Sherry Cask) rubber, dark chocolate, 'sweaty crotch', 'choc salty calls' Jayne (firefly): 'smells like crotch' chocolate, peat zombie finish. there's nothing there and then it sneaks up 7.5 (A) - 8/10 Quaffable session whisky (will go on the now mythical pub list)
Arran Malt 10yo rubber, spice, manuka honey more flavour, honey, pepper, hint of salt, aniseed (grows)

med-long, salt, aniseed
5-6/10

Beunnahabhain - Provenance chocolate, sherry, xmas cake musty, sherry, xmas cake med-long, very smooth

to quote Dr Death, it was 'imminently chuggable'
Cardhu 18yo sherry, raisins, caramel, xmas cake sherry, dry, high cocoa chocolate med-short

6-6.5/10

Dalmore 12yo rubber, sweaty socks, caramel very very short
4/10
It's not complex, it would be ok as a pub whisky
Glen Moray 16yo Fragrant, caramalised sugar, sweet, root ginger, marshmallows, weak, sweet, hint of christmas cake, warm citrus, oak, short
6/10
diet whisky’
Glenfarclas 10yo 105 caramel, maple syrup huge taste, caramel notes massive
9/10

Glenrothes 1994 16yo grass, sweet toffee, sherry, very sweet sweet, tasty, citrus, sherry, toffee, kinda chewy

med length, tingly, sweet, hint of pepper in finish

7/10
very nice
Glenrothes 1994 Signatory 17yo toasted marshmallows, burnt fireworks, rubber sultanas, tangy, honey, cloudy lemonade med-long 7-7.5/10 very very drinkable. You cannot go wrong with this baby
Jura Diurachs Own 16yo sweet, chocolate, oranges chocolate, sweet, seaweed/sushi, xmas med-short

7-7.5/10 very quaffable
Lagavulin 16yo dry, aniseed, soap, apple, bourbon, oxidised metal salt, bacon, sherry, smoke, carame long, dry, superb
9/10
SUPERB
Old Pulteney 17yo incr alcohol, coconut, bright, reminded me of a Springbank empty, rum, too light, salt, dry medium 6.5/10

Scapa parmesan cheese, sweaty sock, salt, sweet, vanilla, light

drinkable, salt, seaweed, sweet pancake

medium, warm
6/10

Springbank 10yo 100 proof leather, old, edradour-ish; paint tasty, smooth, meaty ash, toffee, rum, long
9/10

Springbank 15yo salt, bacon, sweet, fruity, cheese caramel honey, kinda soapy medium
8/10

Talisker Storm salt, bacon, smoke sweet, prawn cocktail, raspberry short, peppery 6,7,8/10

Tomintoul 12yo Portwood peaty but light, watery sweet, salty, port short, sweet
5/10
very light
Tomintoul 16yo parmesan cheese, old wood chips, cut grass good fighty, tangy, lemon, bourbon, thick mouth feel short, manuka honey 6.5-7 /10 very drinkable
Tullibardine Port Finish port, rubber, raisins port soaked raisins medium 6.5-7.5 very quaffable 
Glenrothes Vintage Cask Reserve 40%
green grass, bourbon, shiitake mushrooms (that earthy smell)
light, warm, honey, quaffing, fruity
short, bit bland
5/10

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