Whisky Tasting : Salt & Smoke

 And so the October tasting rolls around, Salt & Smoke. Or, new whiskies that John fancied trying as the tastings are also known... 

Benriach Smoke Season 

• N: salty, increased alc., bacon, hint sherry, gentle peat, medicinal
• P: more peat, salty, custard, spikey, 
• F: sweet, long. peppery at the finish. hint of smoke.

Our mystery whisky for the evening, interesting and not too bad. Came 3rd (8.28), although I gave it 7.5/10

Ledaig 8yo Signatory 2011 wine hogshead finish 46%

• N: dry, peat, black tea, medicinal, banana cake, rubber
• P: dry, hot peat, pepper, astringent, medicinal, metalic
• F: med, bitter, peppery

Not popular, came 7th (6.56), and I gave it a 6/10. Ledaig seem a bit over-rated from the ones I've tried, oh well.

Port Charlotte PAC:01 2011 8yo 56.1%

• N: odd, honey, menthol, cinnamon, soapy
• P: manuka honey, rough, salty
• F: med, burning

6/10 (came 4th with 7.44) This was quite a disappointment for PC which I like. Was this one of the travel exclusives? dunno, but the last one of those was all chocolate and bacon without much subtlety. 

Cladach 2018 57.1% Cask Strength Special Release (Inchgower, Clynelish, Talisker, Oban, Caol Ila, Lavavulin).sweet, long. peppery at the finish. hint of smoke.

• N: minerals, chocolate-coffee, sweet, very light salt, spikey
• P: warm honey, sweet, burnt caramel, caramelised oranges,
• F: med-long, citrussy

I liked this a lot, 8.5/10. Really interesting and well balanced whisky, came 1st= with 8.83. It is however not cheap.

Glenglassaugh Torfa 50% Heavily Peated

• N: rich, peat, bandages, rubber, sherry, sweet, fresh
• P: nothing, bland
• F: short, sweet, hint of stonefruit

5/10 (came 5th= with 6.94) It hasn't improved since I tasted the first bottling, and really Glenglassaugh don't seem to have really come on, which is a shame as I loved the first of the new releases a few years ago. 

Talisker 8yo Special Release 2020 Natural Cask Strength 57.9%

• N: slight, ash, hokey pokey, ozone, chewy, rich
• P: warm, salt, bacon
• F: med-long

8/10 from me, and 5th= (6.94) from the group. I liked this, interesting and strong whisky which seemed well balanced. 

Ardnamurchan Cask Strength AD/02.22 58.7%

• N: hospital, caramel, vanilla, oaky, playdoh
• P: coconut, pineapple, sweet, incr alc., fruit salad, candied peel, smokey, blue cheese
• F:med-long, fruit salad.

8.5/10. I really liked this, as did the group (1st= 8.83) and it's a really good value for money. The Ardnamurchan's we've had recently have all been good / interesting, and a few of them have been brilliant (like this one)....

Next tasting will be best of the best...

-B