New year, more whiskies. First tasting at Regional this year was blind. No info on the whiskies, just cost. So we had NZ $90, $115, $130, $140, $150, $200, $450 [or roughly] and no other info. Our usual cabal assembled...
Benriach 24yo 54.5% $450
N: bourbon, lemons, citrus, banana, sweet, medium age
P: very strong, high alcohol, bourbon, sweet/dry, peppery, manuka honey,
F: long
8/10 for me.
This came 4th (8.1) on the night, and we learnt it was a bourbon barrel and was the most expensive of the evening. But no-where near the best.
Tamdhu Batch Strength #5 Cask strength, 59.8%, $140
N: dry, older, raisins, sherry, vinegar, bitterness
P: nutmeg, lower alcohol, sherry, very hot, honey - strong
F: long
7/10 Came 5th (8.06). Not particuarly interesting as a whisky.
Ardnamurchan Batch 1 46.8% 5yo $90
N: salty, bacon, peat, pears, chlorine, buttery, light
P: salt, bacon, light, low alcohol
F: med-short
7/10 Came 7th (7.66) no real complexity and not sure on the chlorine smell. If you want peaty and low cost, there are better.
Glenrothes Whisky Makers Cut 48.5% NAS $115
N: egg, sulphur, caramel, sour, matchsticks, weak, popcorn
P: not a lot? boring, sharp?
F: hot
5/10 Yeah this one polarised the group. I didn't like it, but it came 2= (8.28) really boring and weak whisky, but some (misguided) people loved it
Octane Glenallachie 52.4% 6yo d2011 b 2017, 5 month in octave $130
N: custard, apple, dry, bourbon, marshmallow
P: light fruity, bright
F: long hot cask strength
7.5/10 interesting, i liked it, and it's very good value. Came 6th (8.03)
Glengoyne PX (travel) 46% NAS $150
N: heater dust, not complex?
P: warm, honey, salt, chocolate lemon, blue cheese, lemonade
F: med-long old
9/10. Oh yes, this was a winner. 2= (8.28) and finding it was a Glengoyne made the purchase easy :)
Signatory Cask 6 Strathmill 13yo 61.2% d24/10/06 b31/08/20 $200
N: leather, sherry, caramel, vigorous
P: marmalade, incr alco, chocolate, sweet
F: long, hot
9.5/10 Came 1st (8.72). Yeah this was all win, superb value - although there were none to buy.
Fun tasting, and interesting how the two best were not the most expensive
