tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-85048663557150667822024-03-07T07:12:46.804+00:00Rubbing the GeckoMusings from Sphenodon on, mostly, beer, whisky, food and music. Other rants as and when I have them.Sphenodonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10357903421720269659noreply@blogger.comBlogger1050125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8504866355715066782.post-90428799943718680502024-01-02T04:29:00.000+00:002024-01-02T04:29:49.099+00:00Untappd - update on the Alec v Bruce competition<p> This competition has been going, unofficially, since err, I dunno, I want to say 2010? 2009? who knows. Any way, I've tried to post updates every 6 months or so. </p><p>The good news (for me), I'm still ahead on total number of checkins, although Alec continues to have had more unique beers. Badges, I'm 4 ahead, which suggests we're both maxxing out on the gamification. </p><p>Also we share two of the top beers, Schlenkerla and Oude Geuze Boon. Again, not much of a surprise. </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOzSc6FXWHziqpVAypVFMQicG0GJ3t8gFsikeXQAENxdQwovPibfW02dnvXPAWKvmoXbyxfJQLMklWhE4gcZVlKlBli1ybTtUh2Tln42QLPNtIf6zFqzKjpis7qbgrHZB41MhNZlf9LyBf3oCfDxzidNZzuzOZZ9feWurPQBsgR9U7gn5a6c4L14iDa4Y/s2234/Screenshot%202024-01-02%20at%205.20.09%E2%80%AFPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1172" data-original-width="2234" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOzSc6FXWHziqpVAypVFMQicG0GJ3t8gFsikeXQAENxdQwovPibfW02dnvXPAWKvmoXbyxfJQLMklWhE4gcZVlKlBli1ybTtUh2Tln42QLPNtIf6zFqzKjpis7qbgrHZB41MhNZlf9LyBf3oCfDxzidNZzuzOZZ9feWurPQBsgR9U7gn5a6c4L14iDa4Y/w400-h210/Screenshot%202024-01-02%20at%205.20.09%E2%80%AFPM.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSTmzd3AXENqS3GOYdqroa-4UWdIwXsqUXvru4it6X4b13fTks9Cp7Nwv0zWOkKw094TVvN61pOwwVs5xDs9kkHYbz4zDhtSz6RdbVQrj_noajKRR0NbMrDnslzvSklXqYdkg8sbl2WesTtYC2tj3QQe1uWpx7Pt_it140ZI6VX0aF1NWwrRX5NUAVE5o/s2120/Screenshot%202024-01-02%20at%205.21.39%E2%80%AFPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1202" data-original-width="2120" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSTmzd3AXENqS3GOYdqroa-4UWdIwXsqUXvru4it6X4b13fTks9Cp7Nwv0zWOkKw094TVvN61pOwwVs5xDs9kkHYbz4zDhtSz6RdbVQrj_noajKRR0NbMrDnslzvSklXqYdkg8sbl2WesTtYC2tj3QQe1uWpx7Pt_it140ZI6VX0aF1NWwrRX5NUAVE5o/w400-h226/Screenshot%202024-01-02%20at%205.21.39%E2%80%AFPM.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Sphenodonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10357903421720269659noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8504866355715066782.post-37998449913065748502024-01-02T04:17:00.001+00:002024-01-02T04:17:29.929+00:00Last.FM year update<p> What did I listen to last year? one of the benefits of <a href="http://last.fm">last.fm</a> is that it records what I've listened to from the laptop and the phone. I'm also retentive enough to scrobble digital versions of the LPs i'm listening to. So I'd say this is pretty accurate.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyZzqHgRo5jVYdrNbTb8zy0MWaHLegHDkjjrgbyzmXqmkp9G4WtVeip3bUPpao3z41YiPr-2uMqr7RU4kFnDKeOwSzvxJfdtaYALsBVp14JRQr5RvZWtHygjeo_7gyWOgjbL1FIQnTU7AQU1RQGXEEhyzDJI2FOcKNlDHINzIC7jE9kWPZ85kfZWxx3QU/s1886/Screenshot%202024-01-02%20at%201.32.29%E2%80%AFPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="314" data-original-width="1886" height="53" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyZzqHgRo5jVYdrNbTb8zy0MWaHLegHDkjjrgbyzmXqmkp9G4WtVeip3bUPpao3z41YiPr-2uMqr7RU4kFnDKeOwSzvxJfdtaYALsBVp14JRQr5RvZWtHygjeo_7gyWOgjbL1FIQnTU7AQU1RQGXEEhyzDJI2FOcKNlDHINzIC7jE9kWPZ85kfZWxx3QU/s320/Screenshot%202024-01-02%20at%201.32.29%E2%80%AFPM.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGtVUKHUET42CbuPIB3eE0mz_ov28O2c3J-V5wL7ZkPSQiDo5tEsqPUvavSXt1p5i7P3b7rTJoZkHEQ_srWJA_CQDwjmKUY86LmH43I0oAcQznkH3gy-ONtqHqudl0GSQ5Xg3ZXUvs0kLNelj-Qef0oG2BFWXpwBPd2e_GWJKFzhQeS9F7EOZD4YNcVuw/s1886/Screenshot%202024-01-02%20at%201.32.38%E2%80%AFPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1276" data-original-width="1240" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb-iZCXQTM7r0hKgjh61rcS8U-7NrHsFxkOwF43S6rWKjTXIXBqmeR5PgoZrijZbWJtHCY4SByrPhAZvNabDiXAbY0pRPpAiNJfTaq0k_jNLkvmqxbdOkOqkL9lqC6RGo2qJFaJWpbZdPA5EIA4s4yy7GlHjkqcxdprQwpp-co1mJ271CTIOigNC_DL4E/s320/Screenshot%202024-01-02%20at%205.09.07%E2%80%AFPM.png" width="311" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">No real surprises there. The categories (eg prog rock) are Last.FM's not mine, I don't think I've got anything filed under prog. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I see Prince is in the top artists - twice. I quite like Prince :D </div><br /><p><br /></p>Sphenodonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10357903421720269659noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8504866355715066782.post-78653762749285618182023-11-21T22:28:00.003+00:002023-11-21T22:28:53.301+00:00Whisky: Best of the Best<p> Another year of tasting, another Best of the Best. Range was definitely better this year than last, but I'm not sure things are back to pre-Covid variety. Having said that, I doubt anyone would complain with this line-up.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWn7Jc-bK8gd6tzy3SB4rz2-IRqLn6i5E1qNW5crj_gdjKnOQ4TQL6639blg1O4ne8RWioCRYQKPRmXj5VEA8W7awMh0MVeO3T9UUHTiN6g0-sOL7rAtQpzkcjYhQucPEXJX2GXERRT8E223urVvoMYKm-QPUSIV2ufnMJKfa6ff01bz7e1vX0NBRohkU/s4000/IMG20231113174525.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWn7Jc-bK8gd6tzy3SB4rz2-IRqLn6i5E1qNW5crj_gdjKnOQ4TQL6639blg1O4ne8RWioCRYQKPRmXj5VEA8W7awMh0MVeO3T9UUHTiN6g0-sOL7rAtQpzkcjYhQucPEXJX2GXERRT8E223urVvoMYKm-QPUSIV2ufnMJKfa6ff01bz7e1vX0NBRohkU/s320/IMG20231113174525.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>Benriach 10yo Hart Brothers 1st Sherry Butt 57.5% </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">N: apple, sweet, toffee, redwine, cinnamon, vanilla, hazlenut</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">P: complex, sweet, chocolate, cinnamon, spicy, sticky</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">F: long, hot, sulphur on finish, spicy</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">9/10 hey its a BenRiach, the odds are high it'll be good. Came 4th, 8.76</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>Aberfeldy 18yo #3080 Exceptional Double Cask sherry finish 52%</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">N: dry, chocolate, sherry, dusty, apple, aged, tobacco</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">P: spice, light, dark chocolate, fudge, sour, sticky</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">F: med-long, salt, sulphur</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">8/10 Interesting and tasty, nicely aged sherry finish. Came 7th on the night 8.37</div><div><br /></div><i>Glenallachie 15yo 46% NC2</i><div>N: sweet, sherry, coke, varnish, cedar, marzipan, vanilla, parmesan</div><div>P: light, honeycomb</div><div>F: med</div><div>8/10 good but possibly the worst (?!) of the evening. Came 8th, 8.12 </div><div><br /></div><div><i>Ben Nevis 25yo Blackadder 1996-2022 Statement 41 Raw Cask 51.9% Oloroso Butt #2203</i></div><div>N: sweet, prunes, chocolate, banda reel</div><div>P: grass, phenol, peat, amazing</div><div>F: long</div><div>9 maybe 10/10 I loved this, hugely complex and interesting. Stunning. Came 1st, 9.34</div><div><br /></div><div><i>Glenfarclas 105 60% (circa 2006)</i></div><div>N: disappointing, lemonade</div><div>P: salty, honey, cloying</div><div>F: med</div><div>8/10 so it's not bad, but i felt it was lacking something compared to the others in the line-up. It did better (for me) in the tasting. Came 3rd 8.91</div><div><br /></div><div><i>Finlaggan Original Peaty 58% single malt cask strength</i></div><div>N: medicinal, supporting wound, bacon, salt</div><div>P: quiet, smoke, salty, chewy, </div><div>F: long, dry</div><div>8.5/10 this was good, only salty finish of the evening. 6th 8.43</div><div><br /></div><div><i>Cardrona 62.7% full flight 2016-2023 Gonzales Byass 7yo Oloroso PX butt #114</i></div><div>N: sulphur, matches, biscuit, cigar, bleach</div><div>P: tasty, caramel, wood, ginger, chocolate</div><div>F: long and tasty</div><div>9.5/10 this was excellent, it's not cheap, but very good. 5th 8.63</div><div><br /></div><div><i>Mystery: Tamdhu Batch 5</i></div><div>N: popcorn, caramel, cut wood, vanilla, fruity</div><div>P: spicy, salt, dry, toffee, caramel, ginger, vanilla, </div><div>F: long hot spicy</div><div>9/10. Really nice, and quite reasonably prices. Came 2nd, 8.94</div><div><br /></div><div>Best of the Best also has haggis, and all the usual stuff addressing the haggis. This year our band of intrepid booze hounds were asked to do the carrying... and we got to drink some very nice booze out back. All win.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIelztQ7Y9sqEtvW-d9Ww2YVHeecwHFxKMZrawAKkcoMrlMPzIdCqhU3QcNnyN_5_oyvA3qJ08j8SWzAr6ifjJsqKB6aAaodSpuvp6MUJlRN2u2q29wzjMH78eG5DBl0d387Yjuh6aNnYZep3CULsQ5vaVPJLvjaGz-un2K_rTtGN5iaLv6m1tZcL8hTQ/s4000/1000004836.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIelztQ7Y9sqEtvW-d9Ww2YVHeecwHFxKMZrawAKkcoMrlMPzIdCqhU3QcNnyN_5_oyvA3qJ08j8SWzAr6ifjJsqKB6aAaodSpuvp6MUJlRN2u2q29wzjMH78eG5DBl0d387Yjuh6aNnYZep3CULsQ5vaVPJLvjaGz-un2K_rTtGN5iaLv6m1tZcL8hTQ/s320/1000004836.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw_itX1tU4rU1UxB0SmZz_7JQl_brfaB5fkQe_VJ3iQOSG18RiRk57oIXiz54hUZZWT-2GDGhrvbiOcveYp9BKsMyCqrNgLBuRw6bwDXn97-jiRjJ6WlNXiwKF9xu7OCWFSJc_3viQ2OGflx_s_k_He53IroDEy5AGq0v3c6n1H8m1uwEet_cp_5LMIdQ/s4000/1000004835.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw_itX1tU4rU1UxB0SmZz_7JQl_brfaB5fkQe_VJ3iQOSG18RiRk57oIXiz54hUZZWT-2GDGhrvbiOcveYp9BKsMyCqrNgLBuRw6bwDXn97-jiRjJ6WlNXiwKF9xu7OCWFSJc_3viQ2OGflx_s_k_He53IroDEy5AGq0v3c6n1H8m1uwEet_cp_5LMIdQ/s320/1000004835.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-l-rLa_1IbqJsrNVAl_yu9ztit0cTQDzVbYdt9DgulQia-YwvahAdj8ngExxiaUvMTkacQHftU3y2D0WVhtIWpmXTVDxetdI8M6NozYbgdZBWikWApghhXVHIU0RYjeCkl4kFOdarZgXlEql2EGIVbZFfmNh109yKx2S5a9JnaNh0YUpt9ldJ1mmLVmU/s4000/1000004837.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-l-rLa_1IbqJsrNVAl_yu9ztit0cTQDzVbYdt9DgulQia-YwvahAdj8ngExxiaUvMTkacQHftU3y2D0WVhtIWpmXTVDxetdI8M6NozYbgdZBWikWApghhXVHIU0RYjeCkl4kFOdarZgXlEql2EGIVbZFfmNh109yKx2S5a9JnaNh0YUpt9ldJ1mmLVmU/s320/1000004837.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ26c22k2xxbaYswk4SawM-5HuwD22e0VQ6kAf_IuWoJL3e33Erj_gF5kjxkt69068_nZT1PyMzrkoIjG8zrA3fZlqg7WEbL0cePPpCd0KBE6oyrZJwAe6xe_gwII2To7EwgG5b6zY5j-qhoixI2TW5EuyTqHeOrdI5it8KcD1HtFDIP3yDkP71ANAC70/s4000/1000004843.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ26c22k2xxbaYswk4SawM-5HuwD22e0VQ6kAf_IuWoJL3e33Erj_gF5kjxkt69068_nZT1PyMzrkoIjG8zrA3fZlqg7WEbL0cePPpCd0KBE6oyrZJwAe6xe_gwII2To7EwgG5b6zY5j-qhoixI2TW5EuyTqHeOrdI5it8KcD1HtFDIP3yDkP71ANAC70/s320/1000004843.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Slainte!</div><br /><div><br /></div>Sphenodonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10357903421720269659noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8504866355715066782.post-41304102383988413952023-09-27T03:39:00.004+01:002023-09-27T03:39:53.378+01:00GlenDronach & Benriach with Rachel Barrie<p> A tasting with the master blender for GlenDronach and BenRiach? well ok, that works for me.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEF6SsevjoXLScBLBYq5hxD6yoSB36ZQ9V66TptBOd1Y0LHaTtRses6ea49Cwk_K_2MtURNX03oUhBPWwQoVpwRjn9jMEsHk9nyptpMRmA7troYBlQzx79IL0vYXzs8JX5Fkpng9cOEseNZKqPs7GVV6Nqrga28i52O_1yTJTtPHOM_yaeYa4JP6Ych_k/s4000/IMG20230919182153.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEF6SsevjoXLScBLBYq5hxD6yoSB36ZQ9V66TptBOd1Y0LHaTtRses6ea49Cwk_K_2MtURNX03oUhBPWwQoVpwRjn9jMEsHk9nyptpMRmA7troYBlQzx79IL0vYXzs8JX5Fkpng9cOEseNZKqPs7GVV6Nqrga28i52O_1yTJTtPHOM_yaeYa4JP6Ych_k/s320/IMG20230919182153.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm9W2eZpWup1FLniPGfRkJ9belUNyxm_N5oKu5ARbynLuHHCXSzcigpU2i9YiMEa8kQ1mgWksN1OxX5aVKMdY_nmHC0zGSo1mW3ceHNr9LJmJLK2HhW7EQOWmJ7bV41PAjeXVc3yfmICEntLSYb_NpRqTjgOD6Oj7d0lSoNHnCW02WWwxYWG991ql9CPY/s4000/IMG20230919174347.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm9W2eZpWup1FLniPGfRkJ9belUNyxm_N5oKu5ARbynLuHHCXSzcigpU2i9YiMEa8kQ1mgWksN1OxX5aVKMdY_nmHC0zGSo1mW3ceHNr9LJmJLK2HhW7EQOWmJ7bV41PAjeXVc3yfmICEntLSYb_NpRqTjgOD6Oj7d0lSoNHnCW02WWwxYWG991ql9CPY/s320/IMG20230919174347.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>BenRiach The Original 10yo 43% </i>(served with smoked ham rillette, peach & apricot relish, toasted ciabatta)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">N: apple, citrus, fruit salad, spritzic</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">P: fruity, light, pears, marshmallows, spicy</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">F: short-med, spikey, hint of pepper/salt?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">6.5/10 nice dram, just not really too interesting? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>The GlenDronach 12yo 43% </i>(maple glazed duck breast, carrot and ginger puree, poached cherries). </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">N: sherry, leather, complex, warm, honey</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">P: lollies, sweet, perfume, sherry, spikey</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">F: med-long, dry</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">6/10. a marriage of PX and oloroso casks for this one, nice quaffable dram.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>The GlenDronach "revival" 15yo 46% </i>(seared venison, minted sweet potato, cranberry and cherry relish)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">N: chocolate (maybe white), caramel, marshmallow, orange, tobaco, fruit, scallops</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">P: spikey, hot, poor balance, chocolate, strong, fruity</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">F: hot, long, dry</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">6/10 increased PX and reduced oloroso.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>BenRiach 25yo 46% </i>(confit pork belly, waldorf salad, quince mayo).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">N: sweet, caramel, sherry, show polish, menthol, smoke</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">P: long, big complex, leather, sherry</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">F: big long prickly</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">8/10 this one had additional madeira casks in it, it's lovely. big, complex, showed its age well.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>GlenDronach Cask Strength Batch 11 59.8% </i>(Crispy fried katsu chicken, Japanese bulldog sauce)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">N: rubber, complex, honey, menthol</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">P: sweet, port, ?too sweet?, leathery</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">F: hot, complex</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">8/10 also liked this, had increased oloroso and reduced PX and is roughly a 10yo</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>BenRiach smoke season Double Cask matured 52.8% </i>(teriyaki chicken skewers, toasted sesame kewpie mayo)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">N: smoke, bacon, peat, medicinal, sherry, suppurating wounds </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">P: ash, dry, peat, sweet</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">F: long, dry</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">7/10 I had high hopes for this as the old benriach solstice is one of my favourite whiskies, this was good. without being great.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Overall, disappointing. Both labels have some amazing whiskies, but most of these were standard releases, with the exception of the the 25 and cask strength. That seemed a missed opportunity, if you've got the blender out, and Rachel Barrie is famous, to trot out something interesting for her fan group. She's a good speaker, but we left after 2.5hours which seemed a little too long, lots of stories but it was hard to hear the questions which made understanding the answers a bit tricky. Special vote of fuck you to the company reps (?) who spent most of their time making pointless remarks to themselves, making it even harder to hear. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I guess this is one reason we like the Regional tastings, better selection of whisky and fewer twats.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p>Sphenodonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10357903421720269659noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8504866355715066782.post-70350514608018023592023-08-31T07:33:00.003+01:002023-08-31T07:33:28.696+01:00Tamdhu Tasting : Regional<p> I'm writing this up after a few beers and whiskies, which I'm hoping will make my notes during the tasting more legible. In the words of my favourite hero "what could possibly go wrong?"</p><p>So this was a Regional Wines tasting focussing on Tamdhu, a distillery I've come to like more over the years, which can probably be traced back to Neil...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj90lgCMoVIUXllhBgmkReSbBrNQAEnR0lH_btxlP2bBDWe0L-doyczCWs-4W4YB7lEgZX8Tt5Cycs6Tt_ruHa5-2X1-AoZtzoZIamX-r882FPlonIfvLe3g0joLLcTBDokawJFzNwt6CUltyOEZS0KjEePOix1Wc6dp_8zzKfSoR9COFvACn6hAmHeVSw/s4000/IMG20230815174718.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj90lgCMoVIUXllhBgmkReSbBrNQAEnR0lH_btxlP2bBDWe0L-doyczCWs-4W4YB7lEgZX8Tt5Cycs6Tt_ruHa5-2X1-AoZtzoZIamX-r882FPlonIfvLe3g0joLLcTBDokawJFzNwt6CUltyOEZS0KjEePOix1Wc6dp_8zzKfSoR9COFvACn6hAmHeVSw/s320/IMG20230815174718.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><i>Aberlour A'bunadh Batch 76</i></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>N: </b>nutmeg, marmalade, wood, balsa, PVA, perfume, syrup, sherry</li><li><b>P: </b>caramel, spicy, smooth, juicy, vanilla</li><li><b>F: </b>long, dry, raisins</li></ul><div>I was a fan of the A'Bunadh thanks to Regional, we had a couple of early releases (6, 9?) and I've had a few bottles over the years 6, 10, mid teens, and a mid thirties. And the quality has definitely decreased. It used to be our benchmark for tasting, so was great to see the quality has come back. I gave this 8, and would happily have a bottle in the cupboard as a benchmark for sherry monsters. It came 2nd, with 9.33 </div><div><br /></div><div><i>Glenfarclas 105 60% (current release)</i></div><div></div><p></p><ul><li><b>N: </b>pineapple, acetone, fruit salad, sweet, sulphur, dusty shelf</li><li><b>P: </b>prickly, sap, caramel, green apple, light</li><li><b>F: </b>med long, integrated, dry</li></ul><div>8/10 for me, but came 7th with an average of 8.14. It's used to be a go-to for me, but again had dipped, great to see it getting better again.</div><div><br /></div><div><i>Tamdhu Batch Strength #6 56.8%</i></div><div><ul><li><b>N: </b>lighter, pineapples, sweetness, meths, coconut, salty caramel, hint of citrus</li><li><b>P: </b>fruit salad, sweet, sour, metallic, boysenberries</li><li><b>F: </b>med tannin, sour</li></ul><div>7.5/10 - this did not do well with the group coming last (8th) although still a respectable score of 7.94.</div></div><div><br /></div><div><i>Tamdhu Batch Strength #3 58.3%</i></div><div><ul><li><b>N: </b>sherry, rum, sweet, acetone, sour, molasses</li><li><b>P: </b>sherry, chocolate, raisins, thick, spicy, cinnamon, </li><li><b>F: </b>long, chocolate</li></ul><div>8.5/10 Came 4th with 8.98</div><div><br /></div><div><i>Tamdhu Batch Strength #4 57.8%</i></div><div><ul><li><b>N: </b>very sweet, fruity, pears, sour, musty, peaches, mushrooms, coffee</li><li><b>P: </b>citrus, dry, creme brulee, woody, pepper, </li><li><b>F: </b>long, dry, pepper, heat builds</li></ul><div>8.5-9 /10 I like this a lot. Interesting and complex. Didn't go so well with others coming 6th with 8.53</div></div><div><br /></div><div><i>Tamdhu Batch Strength #5 59.8%</i></div><div><ul><li><b>N: </b>sweet, high alc., sour, tobacco, ginger nuts, treacle, dry, woody</li><li><b>P: </b>sour, sick, fruit salad, oak, bourbon</li><li><b>F: </b>med</li></ul><div>6.5/10 this one was pretty bland for me, although it did well coming 3rd with 9.0</div></div><div><br /></div><div><i>Tamdhu Batch Strength #7 57.5%</i></div><div><ul><li><b>N: </b>apple, pear, caramel, fruit, citrus, sea salt</li><li><b>P: </b>sulphur, parma violets, sherry, very sweet, coconut</li><li><b>F: </b>med-long</li></ul><div>8/10 and came 5th with 8.84</div></div><div><br /></div><div><i>Glenfarclas 105 60% (c. 2006 release)</i></div><div><ul><li><b>N: </b>strong, high alc., sherry, musty, molasses, green apple, vinegar, calvados.</li><li><b>P: </b>musty, dry, tasty</li><li><b>F: </b>long, dry,</li></ul><div>8/10 didn't seem to make a huge impression on me, although everyone else rated it as it came 1st (9.43). I used to like 105, and have an older bottle sitting in my cabinet....</div></div><div><br /></div><div>So although I appear a bit disparaging about some of these, it's worth looking at what they scored by the group - they were all good whiskies. with the 'worst' whisky coming in at 7.94 (Tamdhu #6) it's a pretty good indication that was a good tasting. </div><div><br /></div></div>Sphenodonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10357903421720269659noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8504866355715066782.post-20763337566366313272023-07-31T22:41:00.000+01:002023-07-31T22:41:02.404+01:00Whisky Tasting ; Whisky Cellar Series 005<p> Tasting at Regional, but not part of our usual monthly tastings, this was run by Whisky Cellar's owner, virtually from Edinburgh. WC are an independent bottler, and the couple of theirs I've had were good so hopes were high for this.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_AdlHcuJb5HV1Lt8oFHlpD8fd606Whhk7n6db5msxwJmoM2vu8remlh3Du0Z62-bFmf1fouAxHlzmYg5S6MXSggXkYwVkVyQFqmMkOnV8wWxb4tC4amlAI5UhBMF_tmKO3aC5YWYXZaPCN5-x0_ZU0I1r3kMz3TubVTawq9o76-rAqfN3sByKf2iHPnA/s4000/IMG20230721184846.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_AdlHcuJb5HV1Lt8oFHlpD8fd606Whhk7n6db5msxwJmoM2vu8remlh3Du0Z62-bFmf1fouAxHlzmYg5S6MXSggXkYwVkVyQFqmMkOnV8wWxb4tC4amlAI5UhBMF_tmKO3aC5YWYXZaPCN5-x0_ZU0I1r3kMz3TubVTawq9o76-rAqfN3sByKf2iHPnA/s320/IMG20230721184846.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><i>Glentauchers Single Malt 14 yo first fill ex-bourbon, 53.8%</i><div>N: vanilla, rich, caramel, chocolate, coffee, marshallows</div><div>P: oaky, caramel, prickly, honey, fruit salad, melons, spicy</div><div>F: long, warming, citrus fruits</div><div>8.5/10 really liked this one, lovely nose and everything flowed well from it - great balance.</div><div><br /></div><div><i>Invergordon Single Grain 31 yr fill ex-bourbon, 46.5%</i></div><div>N: rubber, oily, PVA, coconut rough, chocolate</div><div>P: light, coconut, salty, toasted rice</div><div>F: med light</div><div>6/10 i liked the lightness, but overall didn't rock my world</div><div><br /></div><div><i>House malt single malt 10 yr, oloroso sherry butt, 57.1%</i></div><div>N: sherry, chocolate, burnt sugar</div><div>P: bitter, alcholic, sweet muscavado, light?</div><div>F: med, incr alco</div><div>6/10 I'd had this before, and really rated it (I even got a bottle) but this time not great. Having tried my bottle again, I'd still rate it an 8/10 so I guess situation?</div><div><br /></div><div><i>Auchroisk Single Malt 13 yr PX Sherry finish, 56.7%<br /></i><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>N: apple, pears, fruitsalad, vanilla, sweet</li><li>P: complex, leather, sherry, liquorice, brnady, nutty</li><li>F: med-long</li></ul><div>9/10 really liked this one, complex, interesting, sherry - win!</div><div><br /></div><div><i>Benrinnes single malt 11yr pauillac red wine finish 56.2%</i></div><div>N: banan, sweet, cut grass, </div><div>P: light, not much</div><div>F: short, weak</div><div>6/10 I didn't get much from this one</div><div><br /></div><div><i>Longmorn single malt 11yr double cask finish: sauternes (8months) oloroso sherry (6months) 56.7%</i></div><div>N: sherry, old leather, sweet, hint of rubber</div><div>P: big tannic, sherry, bitter, berries, woody, sweet, demarara sugar</div><div>F: med-long, tea/tannin</div><div>8/10 ahhh good to see I still like Longmorn. I like it alot.</div><div><br /></div><div><i>Bunnahabhain 'Moine' single malt 10yo ex-bourbon cask 55.4%</i></div><div>N: salt, bacon, rubber, medicinal, vigorous</div><div>P: rubber, salt, strong but light at times, vanilla, cream, dry</div><div>F: long, dry, big</div><div>9/10 A peated Bunna you say? why go on...</div><div><br /></div><div>Really enjoyed this tasting, varied, and having the owner run it (albeit from Edinburgh) was cool. I can see me picking up some of their whiskies, probably on Series 6 or 7 now.</div><div><br /></div><div>Slainte.</div><p></p><p><br /></p></div>Sphenodonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10357903421720269659noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8504866355715066782.post-73040202492902817312023-06-27T02:49:00.005+01:002023-06-27T02:49:48.017+01:00Whisky: New drams tasting<p>This months Regional Wines tasting focused on new whiskies that have arrived recently on our shores. Pricepoints were all middle, with one exception (Aberfeldy 18yo). </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMhgjkVslTTUZ-yD1kNkMPO3BO55Vd_85FWF794WDZLJU-r-tBM7bkCHMMCJsrSS9xWcaCuen41wvNI9N9I--tO6xi5tdKcUkVc4u1WpE19dlIGeIWppjqxxrXG12UKynXqNfAdI_hjtQZUu6wu2CY8IlwMJBziuJ2yqcFGQ4_kfk3jML3XTe6r_dntDk/s4000/IMG20230626174503.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMhgjkVslTTUZ-yD1kNkMPO3BO55Vd_85FWF794WDZLJU-r-tBM7bkCHMMCJsrSS9xWcaCuen41wvNI9N9I--tO6xi5tdKcUkVc4u1WpE19dlIGeIWppjqxxrXG12UKynXqNfAdI_hjtQZUu6wu2CY8IlwMJBziuJ2yqcFGQ4_kfk3jML3XTe6r_dntDk/s320/IMG20230626174503.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><i>GlenGrant 15yo [Mystery]</i><div>N: sweet, marshmallows, cut grass, bourbon, parma violets</div><div>P: prickly, sweet, spritzic, citrus, honey (when added water)</div><div>F: med-long, hint of oily finish.</div><div>7.5/10 This came 5th (7.82) I liked it as a quaffing dram.</div><div><br /></div><div><i>Glenglassaugh 9yo USA wine hogs #522 9.5.2012-2022 bottled for Aotearoa 58.9%</i></div><div>N : sweet, hint of smoke and peat, bonfire, light</div><div>P: warm, 'sick', ashes, malt, burnt wood, bitter</div><div>F: long and not very nice.</div><div>5/10 Although others liked it (4th, 8.22) it didn't work at all for me. Everything was pretty unpleasant - another case where just because you can rack it in wine, doesn't mean you should. Sure, some of them are great, but this isn't one of those. Our group suspected they were offloading it on NZ :) </div><div>I liked the old Glenglassaugh's I've had, but the new ones have been underwhelming.</div><div><br /></div><div><i>Benrinnes 'The Benn' 10yo 55.5%</i></div><div>N: apples, shampoo, cider, dry, pears, stonefruit, ginger</div><div>P: ginger, pears, interesting, white wine?</div><div>F: medium - adding water made it more mellow and opened it up</div><div>8/10 (8.5 with water). The group didn't like it (7th, 6.87), however I did. Really loved the nose, and quite tempted to buy a bottle, it's different, light and interesting.</div><div><br /></div><div><i>Blackadder 10yo Red Snake 108 1st fill bourbon July 2021 57.4%</i></div><div>N: coconut rough, sooty peat, incr alc., bourbon, custard, spritzic/citrus/lemon</div><div>P: spikey but no real flavour, salt, grapefruit</div><div>F: short and soapy</div><div>5/10, another disappointment for me. Came 6th, 7.2</div><div><br /></div><div><i>Tamdhu #7 sherry casks batch strength 57.5%</i></div><div>N: sherry, sweet, complex, oldish, toffee, caramel, sulphur, spicy, rubber, tannins</div><div>P: big sherry, tasty, dark chocolate, rubber</div><div>F: warm and long, hint of pepper</div><div>9/10 loved this. Predictably ticked a lot of boxes for me, came 2nd 8.79 </div><div><br /></div><div><i>Benriach 10yo Hart Brothers sherry butt 57.5% 10.2011-3.2022. </i></div><div>N: sherry, sweet, complex, meths!, caramelised sugar, butterscotch, very sweet</div><div>P: caramel, sugar, oily, bitter chocolate, tannin</div><div>F: long, bitter</div><div>8.5/10 again very nice and tasty, came first 8.96</div><div><br /></div><div><i>Aberfeldy 18yo 52% exceptional double cask sherry finish #3080 11.11.2002-22.06.2021</i></div><div>N: watery, light, wood, light sherry</div><div>P: very smooth veering to bland, civilised, one dimensional, </div><div>F: short</div><div>6.5/10 For the price of this one, it's very disappointing. Actually, as a whisky it's very disappointing. Others loved it, 3rd 8.78, but for me, there wasn't much in the flavour department.</div><div><br /></div><div>Interesting tasting, all of the whiskies were relatively young which I guess is now the default position for most distilleries as old stock is worth far more. But there's some interesting, and great, things happening in these drams...<br /><p><br /></p></div>Sphenodonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10357903421720269659noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8504866355715066782.post-37686341490260621882023-05-24T23:35:00.002+01:002023-05-24T23:35:16.847+01:00Rum<p> Rum, not a spirit I know much about, other than dump it in cocktails and try and get over those student rum n coke days.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEvwLFKc9i90FcyI6t673QWFB8FKtC1pxpwKQ4h-g5i05yv5YbAfCaVkl70FyJ50cvtn8EBLZuF5deIXLfotlJG2oKRu2bATg1pjzwYd13RuOf5lpEzmaLtU6z9BVzRPqOegUrL_-ADp5gZZz31jzFQzl-_AGvibhTwFewdWOuEtaxVJcLvWtQTWFb/s4000/IMG20230523175027.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEvwLFKc9i90FcyI6t673QWFB8FKtC1pxpwKQ4h-g5i05yv5YbAfCaVkl70FyJ50cvtn8EBLZuF5deIXLfotlJG2oKRu2bATg1pjzwYd13RuOf5lpEzmaLtU6z9BVzRPqOegUrL_-ADp5gZZz31jzFQzl-_AGvibhTwFewdWOuEtaxVJcLvWtQTWFb/s320/IMG20230523175027.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><i>Santisima Trindidad de Cuba 3YO</i></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>N: light, menthol, grapefruit, mint</li><li>P: light, tasty, menthol, grapefruit</li><li>F: hot, short-med, </li></ul><p>6/10 very sweet.</p><p><i>Santisima Trindidad de Cuba 7YO</i></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>N: sweet, pineapple, vanilla, minty<br /></li><li>P: peppery, vanilla<br /></li><li>F: med, vanilla<br /></li></ul><p>6.5/10 </p><p><i>Bayside Rum co. </i></p><p>Uses kumara as base </p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>N:<i> </i>musty, woody, PVA </li><li>P: vanilla, peppery, hint of wine</li><li>F: long</li></ul><p>6/10</p><p><i>La Progresiva Cuban Rum</i></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>N: light, dark sugar, molasses</li><li>P: molasses, sugary, vanilla</li><li>F: med-short, peppery</li></ul><p>8/10 i liked this one<i> </i></p><p><i>Black Tears Cuban Spiced Rum</i></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>N: vanilla, spicy, cocoa, chocolate</li><li>P: spicy, dry sweet, coffee, chocolate</li><li>F: short</li></ul><p>8/10 really liked this, and i can see it working in a espresso martini</p><p><i>El Dorado 12YO</i></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><i> </i>N: demerara sugar </li><li>P: spicy, molasses, coconut</li><li>F: long, peppery</li></ul><p>8/10 wasn't expecting the coconut but it made for an interesting taste</p><p><i>El Dorado 15YO</i></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>N: sugar, vanilla, wood, solvent</li><li>P: vanilla, demerara sugar</li><li>F: med</li></ul><p><i>7/10 </i>possibly<i> </i>more elegant than the 12yo but not half as interesting. fantastic colour in it tho.</p>Pleased I went, I'm not sure I'll rush to another one, but it had more variety than expected. and I can see myself using spiced rum in cocktails...<br /><div><p> </p></div>Sphenodonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10357903421720269659noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8504866355715066782.post-30291330454499336422023-04-17T00:12:00.003+01:002023-04-17T00:12:36.815+01:00Whisky: Dreams of Dramfest '23 #1 <p> Some drams from the recent Dramfest, which reminds me I still haven't done the full list and rough ratings. I mean, I can see the bits of paper from here, but ... </p><p>This is likely to be a two parter of dramfest, which seems a good thing.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgZDtvHvZPRqt_Zkmf9-sonjN7VpPa-71hIYJL9KN9slmUpLZyjv4IqJ9-Iv39quju0b5I3iwb9J7X17290yZR-XsKQVjwNtqB5DAZhXlTwn_ovNcI7Cgy4zTL2cJSbDZpdx9LD41OUanyf0vDBBAH2xkdIQFOIfJUIUt9U2eGqUfLu8sF_LyrF0Sr/s4000/IMG20230414174213.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgZDtvHvZPRqt_Zkmf9-sonjN7VpPa-71hIYJL9KN9slmUpLZyjv4IqJ9-Iv39quju0b5I3iwb9J7X17290yZR-XsKQVjwNtqB5DAZhXlTwn_ovNcI7Cgy4zTL2cJSbDZpdx9LD41OUanyf0vDBBAH2xkdIQFOIfJUIUt9U2eGqUfLu8sF_LyrF0Sr/s320/IMG20230414174213.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><i>Mystery: Tomatin 18yo Oloroso 46%</i><div><b>Nose: </b>sweet, sherry, ginger, lemonade, treacle, demerara sugar,</div><div><b>Palate: </b>sweet, honey, coffee, chocolate, sherry</div><div><b>Finish: </b>long, salty, dry</div><div><br /></div><div>8.5/10 This came 5th (8.12) really nice, nose was amazing and the rest of the whisky wasn't too bad. I'd guessed GlenAllachie based on the ginger and citrus on the nose..</div><div><br /></div><div><i>Glen Scotia 'seasonal release' 2022, 12yo, 53.3%</i></div><div><b>N: </b>sweet, woody, leather, vanilla milkshake, cedarwood, balanced, parma violets</div><div><b>P: </b>sulphur, peppery, wood, cognac</div><div><b>F: </b>long, astringent, </div><div><br /></div><div>6/10 it came 7th (7.69) I really didn't like this one.</div><div><br /></div><div><i>The Whisky Cellar Series 5 Glentauchers 14yo 53.8%</i></div><div><b>N: </b>dry, creamy, apple, spritzic, lemon, honey, toffee, vanilla, marshmallows</div><div><b>P: </b>citrus, complex, lemonade, fruit salad</div><div><b>F: </b>medium, </div><div>8/10 Came 6th (8.03) I liked it.</div><div><br /></div><div><i>Ben Nevis 25yo Blackadder 1996 Raw Cask 51.9%</i></div><div><b>N: </b>coffee, sherry, dark chocolate, liquourice, black treacle</div><div><b>P: </b>long, passionfruit dark chocolate, burnt sugar (in a good way)</div><div><b>F: </b>long, sweet moving to dry</div><div>9.5/10 Perhaps unsurprisingly it came first (9.05). Fantastic whisky.</div><div><br /></div><div><i>The Whisky Cellar Series 5 2012 House Malt 57.1%</i></div><div><b>N: </b>sherry, woody, bananas, soy sauce, sausage rolls, dark chocolate</div><div><b>P: </b>dark chocolate, miso, brown sugar, beef boullion, tiramisu</div><div><b>F: </b>hot and long</div><div>9/10 Again, a win from me. Came second (8.89) aiming to pick up a bottle of this one.</div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><i>GlenAllachie 10yo Cask Strength Batch #8 57.2%</i></div><div><b>N: </b>lighter, mild sherry, caramel, chocolate, seemed lower alc., medicinal, ozone</div><div><b>P: </b>chocolate, soapy, vanilla, coconut rough</div><div><b>F: </b>medium, very sweet</div><div>7/10 a bit sweet on the finish for me. Came 4th (8.31)</div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><i>Bunnahabhain Moine 16yo 2005 59.4% Blackadder Raw Cask</i></div><div><b>N: </b>salt, peat, bacon, smoke, iodine, apple</div><div><b>P: </b>smoke, bacon, soot, fire, sweet</div><div><b>F: </b>long, hot, sweet</div><div><br /></div><div>9/10. Tasty stuff, ticks all the Islay boxes very nicely. Came 3rd (8.85). </div><div><br /></div><div>Outside of the tasting, I've been enjoying a Tomatin 12yo and a Clynelish 14yo. </div>Sphenodonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10357903421720269659noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8504866355715066782.post-75553075242890984712023-03-20T20:42:00.002+00:002023-03-20T20:42:22.768+00:00Whisky: Campbeltown tasting<p> Our band of intrepid boozehounds skipped the previous whisky tasting at Regional (fiscally responsible sherry finishes), but there was no way I'd miss a Campbeltown tasting. It's a region that seems to divide whisky drinkers, but I'm a fan.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC-fWVzH3zLxVtat0foABZ1W2MrJ3rnVLk-WYTUUbF2PlATgpWIOedsXK-tiJzfNXiLSvc_gbhlA12K9JWWk0eq6joogpToKhx8XmS8u7l8WufqjCpCj9pvjvVJvBiUnUeZLJK0QHLlhxdpJXf_nhlkOEaesuRPCZY0P1E2VSCswWraXOombM-J3L8/s4000/IMG20230317175117.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC-fWVzH3zLxVtat0foABZ1W2MrJ3rnVLk-WYTUUbF2PlATgpWIOedsXK-tiJzfNXiLSvc_gbhlA12K9JWWk0eq6joogpToKhx8XmS8u7l8WufqjCpCj9pvjvVJvBiUnUeZLJK0QHLlhxdpJXf_nhlkOEaesuRPCZY0P1E2VSCswWraXOombM-J3L8/s320/IMG20230317175117.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><i>Springbank 10yo 46%</i><div><b>Nose: </b>apple, bourbon, dry, apricot, hint of mint?</div><div><b>Palate: </b>apple, warm, custard, liquorice, earthy, </div><div><b>Finish: </b>hot, med-long</div><div><br /></div><div>8/10 an excellent opening evening dram, it came 4th over all with 8.0 </div><div><br /></div><div><i>Glen Scotia 46% 16yo (mystery whisky)</i></div><div><b>N: </b>dry, lemonade, heavier nose, chocolate, salt, earthy, vinegar crisps, </div><div><b>P: </b>light, nicely balanced, apples, sulphur</div><div><b>F: </b>med, but grows, dry</div><div>7/10 quite quaffable without being over the top or amazing. It came 5th with 7.64</div><div><br /></div><div><i>Springbank Local Barley 10yo 51.6% (Belgravia barley)</i></div><div><b>N: </b>salt, straw, ash, green apples, dry, sponge cake, ozone</div><div><b>P: </b>ash, not much else</div><div><b>F: </b>dry, long sulphur</div><div><br /></div><div>5/10 yeah not a fan, I wasn't that blown away by the local barley tasting we did last year either. Over rated, and very over priced. It came 7th with 6.85, although it polarised the group with some very high scores and some very low ones.</div><div><br /></div><div><i>Springbank 15yo 46%</i></div><div><b>N:</b> sweet, sherry., chocolate, cough syrup, ash, liquorice</div><div><b>P: </b>warm, apple, hint of peat, ash, creamy, cake, sherry</div><div><b>F: </b>med, peppery</div><div>7.5/10 again nice enough, and a good drop. Came 3rd with 8.31</div><div><br /></div><div><i>Longrow Red 15yo 51.4% (11 bourbon casks, 4 pinot noir)</i></div><div><b>N: </b>rubber, sweet, vigorous, sour, burnt toffee, ash, sulphur, demerara sugar</div><div><b>P: </b>long, sour, complex, pinot, chocolate, creamy</div><div><b>F: </b>long, and interesting</div><div>9/10 loved this, again one that divided the audience. some almost failed it, which is why it came 6th with 7.06. </div><div><br /></div><div><i>Kilkerran Port Cask Matured 8yo 57.9%</i></div><div><b>N: </b>age complex, sherry, tobacco, malt vinegar and salt, dettol, medicinal</div><div><b>P: </b>medium sulphur, bacon, blue cheese, musty, meths</div><div><b>F:</b> medium, medicinal</div><div>8/10 a nice vigorous dram this, interesting and complex, and appeared older than it was. It came 2nd with 8.73</div><div><br /></div><div><i>Kilkerran Sherry Cask Matured 8yo 58.1%</i></div><div><b>N: </b>Sweet, caramel, rich creamy, pencil shavings, complex</div><div><b>P: </b>oaky, dark tea, old, chocolate</div><div><b>F: </b>hot x buns, long</div><div>9/10 another really good dram, complex and again not reflective of its age. Came 1st with 8.81</div>Sphenodonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10357903421720269659noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8504866355715066782.post-16114308528158213072023-03-15T01:11:00.001+00:002023-03-15T01:11:44.983+00:00Whisky: Dramfest GlenAllachie tasting<p> </p><p>Dramfest (I think 2021? 22?, it'd been delayed ... a bit) happened
4-5th March. I had some whisky. Possibly a reasonable amount. </p><p>Have
no faith in my ratings, outside of the two official tastings. Of
course, if you agree, then they were the product of deep and insightful
tastings.</p><p><b><a href="https://theglenallachie.com/" target="_blank">GlenAllachie Tasting</a></b></p><p>I might be a little in love with this distillery, so given all the other options for tastings I could have gone to, it was always going to be this. </p><p>Hosted by Andrew Mustard...</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWPHn4cpryPS_spm9HSy9sL3BQZc3jC3rU_r-PsvZ_CrbVNb-6LkLVql8cSSWfj7u3fxyTqw50F_X3XEpvac0DnSD_XJ0J0CjIJ3NYx9S1A4xVSF3elkyRZ-q9SWmM6uaonjq3DPxBInYaD6QOlodngb0gwy_aIOlnT7dJnkSpUNVllVOJxV6Az9Id/s4000/IMG20230305152745.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWPHn4cpryPS_spm9HSy9sL3BQZc3jC3rU_r-PsvZ_CrbVNb-6LkLVql8cSSWfj7u3fxyTqw50F_X3XEpvac0DnSD_XJ0J0CjIJ3NYx9S1A4xVSF3elkyRZ-q9SWmM6uaonjq3DPxBInYaD6QOlodngb0gwy_aIOlnT7dJnkSpUNVllVOJxV6Az9Id/s320/IMG20230305152745.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><i>GlenAllachie 'Scottish Virgin Oak' 9 yo 48.5%</i><p></p><p>First fill Scottish Oak<i> </i>and was in there for 12-15 months. </p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b><i>Nose: </i></b>citrus, custard, smooth, vanilla, toffee</li><li><i><b>Palate: </b></i>citrus, oaky, vanilla, ginger</li><li><i><b>Finish: </b></i>long, smooth leading to pepper, butterscotch (initially)</li></ul><p>This was amazing. the complexity, the depth, it couldn't have been better balanced. </p><p>9.5 or 10 /10 for me. Which did mean it set a rather high bar for the next two drams.</p><p> <i>GlenAllachie 'Champagne Cask Finish' 8 yo, 50.5%</i></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b><i>Nose: </i></b>wine notes, spritzic, ginger, lemon,<br /></li><li><i><b>Palate: </b></i>ginger, butterscotch, creamy, ?limes<br /></li><li><i><b>Finish: </b></i>relatively short</li></ul><p>I did give it a 9, but this was the disappointing one (!). I liked how the ginger and butterscotch continues to show through as a house style (?) no matter what they're finishing the whisky in. Again, beautifully balanced, but lacking some of the depth of the other two. Would definitely drink again. </p><p><i>GlenAllachie 'Mizunara Cask Finish' 17 yo 50.56%</i></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b><i>Nose: </i></b>custard,spicy, chestnuts, chocolate, orange, hint of ginger<br /></li><li><i><b>Palate: </b></i>honey, sugar, berries, hazelnuts, ginger<br /></li><li><i><b>Finish:</b></i>chewy, very long, complex, spices (?ginger), <br /></li></ul><p><i> </i>Before you ask, Mizunara is Japanese oak (thanks Andrew, and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quercus_crispula" target="_blank">Wiki</a>), it is, apparently a prick to make barrels from. </p><p>If the whisky it produces is this good, I'm ok with that. This was perfection in a glass. </p><p>10/10</p><p>Look, my love for GlenAllachie (well ok, anything BW makes) is pretty clear, but these were exceptional whiskies. None are available, yet, as they haven't decided when to bottle (I helpfully suggested 'nows good'). </p><p>-B<br /></p><div><p><i> </i></p><p> <br /></p></div>Sphenodonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10357903421720269659noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8504866355715066782.post-70148134611646961152023-03-15T00:54:00.000+00:002023-03-15T00:54:06.469+00:00Whisky: Dramfest Arran tasting<p>Dramfest (I think 2021? 22?, it'd been delayed ... a bit) happened 4-5th March. I had some whisky. Possibly a reasonable amount. </p><p>Have no faith in my ratings, outside of the two official tastings. Of course, if you agree, then they were the product of deep and insightful tastings.</p><p><i><a href="https://www.arranwhisky.com/" target="_blank">Arran Tasting</a></i></p><p>hosted by Mariella Romano<i>, </i>exploring two drams from Arran. A distillery we haven't had much of in NZ for a few years. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcVz3l5zW7fut1QfffYtKMwA_80zL9tyCkmz1pdpNoHtODhLq9HjiQgTZ0PWMJ3_aCao4I426dEgN5yLCKePwenzxAZRiZJ7Zj3mFhe4J7hchI4JgaZfxlsjbgAVURlbqB0dimIGk_Lox3ShpiQ6thdppayu5L33aNggWBB4evorZ10wkIQK88vc-q/s4000/IMG20230304150749.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcVz3l5zW7fut1QfffYtKMwA_80zL9tyCkmz1pdpNoHtODhLq9HjiQgTZ0PWMJ3_aCao4I426dEgN5yLCKePwenzxAZRiZJ7Zj3mFhe4J7hchI4JgaZfxlsjbgAVURlbqB0dimIGk_Lox3ShpiQ6thdppayu5L33aNggWBB4evorZ10wkIQK88vc-q/s320/IMG20230304150749.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p><i>Arran 17yo Rare Batch Calvados Single Malt 52.5%</i></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>Nose: </b>salt, spiky, apple (lots!), pears</li><li><b>Palate:</b> apples, complex, smooth, </li><li><b>Finish: </b>long apple, very complex</li></ul><p>an experiment that worked very well. I haven't seen many (well ok, any) calvados finishes for scotch, but this worked really well with lots and lots of apples (and pears) everywhere.</p><p>9 or 10 /10</p><p><i>Lagg 'Release One' ex Bourbon single malt 50%</i></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>Nose<i>:</i></b><i> </i>dry, smoke, ash, complex, [and some word even I can't read]</li><li><b>Palate: </b>crisp apple, complex, salty, smooth, bacon, massive, spicy</li><li><b>Finish:</b> long, smooth, salt/dry on finish</li></ul><p>9/10, the Lagg distillery is at the other end of Arran, and replaced the Lochranza label.</p><p> <br /></p>Sphenodonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10357903421720269659noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8504866355715066782.post-60977796498232974572023-02-08T20:02:00.001+00:002023-02-08T20:02:20.573+00:00Whisky Tasting : SMWS<p> First organised tasting of the year, and we're starting with the Scotch Malt Whisky Society (<a href="https://smws.com/" target="_blank">SMWS</a>). I was a member of SMWS while in the UK, but the lack of support and availability in NZ meant I'd let membership lapse. But things seem to have turned around with WhiskyGalore taking over organisation and support. Which is great news.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsoNOrs1m5SWV0oaKINM4LtZ2N_N_5rBEq_L3sHLFrEjuDzbdAcc9f-ovVzMYcU8EpwYPaQxkqX6QktNw9tlF5jOveQ-MXenCZHo2uNFgA5pB2xh2J2N3pc7mU6CG0y3S8HaG4ebdc0sx_QzdKnczVOsQX3hLmbGxoBP5VRLSLHZ_E1MiQD7MokJpJ/s4000/IMG20230208183320.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsoNOrs1m5SWV0oaKINM4LtZ2N_N_5rBEq_L3sHLFrEjuDzbdAcc9f-ovVzMYcU8EpwYPaQxkqX6QktNw9tlF5jOveQ-MXenCZHo2uNFgA5pB2xh2J2N3pc7mU6CG0y3S8HaG4ebdc0sx_QzdKnczVOsQX3hLmbGxoBP5VRLSLHZ_E1MiQD7MokJpJ/s320/IMG20230208183320.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p><i>105.40 8yo 66.2% "The sweet kiss of leather splinters" </i></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>Nose: </b>apples, spice, sweet, dry, bouillon, bourbon, treacle</li><li><b>Palate: </b>treacle, apple, spices, papaya, oaky</li><li><b>Finish: </b>hot, long, spicy</li></ul><p>8/10 Liked this one, complex, interesting. Think it's first dram I've had from the Tormore distillery. </p><p><i>41.149 11yo 57.8% "Merry Cherry Sherry"</i></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>Nose: </b>sherry, caramel, salty, vanilla, coriander<br /></li><li><b>Palate: </b>guava,pear, cinnamon, fruity, coriander<br /></li><li><b>Finish: </b>long, smooth, sherry</li></ul><p>9/10 Quite a stunner, from Dailuaine, who do seem to nail great whisky.</p><p><i>55.70 15yo 57.7% "Royal Barley-bree"</i></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>Nose: </b>pears, apples, thyme, malty, ginger<br /></li><li><b>Palate: </b>ginger, spicy, peppery, star anise, oranges, pears<br /></li><li><b>Finish: </b>peppery, ginger, long</li></ul><p>8/10 again, another lovely dram. ginger dominated with other spices hovering around. From Royal Brackla.</p><p><i>68.78 13yo 60.8% "Smoking bananas in a Frankincense den"</i></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>Nose: </b>dried apricots, oranges?, eggs<br /></li><li><b>Palate: </b>lemonade, spritzic, marzipan, complex, smoked ham<br /></li><li><b>Finish: </b>complex, spicy</li></ul><p>9.5/10 dram of the night for me, really complex and interesting. a lot happening in nose and palate. From Blair Athol.</p><p><i>4.296 17yo 56% "Uplifting and life-affirming"</i></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>Nose: </b>apple, pear, bourbon, sweet, hint of smoke<br /></li><li><b>Palate: </b>seafood, peaty, honey, manuka<br /></li><li><b>Finish: </b>med, complex</li></ul><p>9/10 subtle smokey/peaty which did give away the distillery, Highland Park.</p><p><i>108.48 10yo 62.7% "Fire in the Hold!"</i></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>Nose: </b>iodine, salt, bacon, lemon, medicinal<br /></li><li><b>Palate: </b>dry, salty, heavily peated, jalapenos<br /></li><li><b>Finish: </b>med<br /></li></ul><p><i> 8/10 </i>Another good whisky, this time from Allt-a-bhainne, again somewhere I don't think I've had anything from.</p><p> </p><p>Great tasting, all really good whiskies, with one stunning dram. Really fun tasting and nice surrounds (Roxy Cinema).</p><p>Slainte, B <br /></p><p><i> </i> </p><p><i> </i> </p><p><i> </i> </p><p><i> </i></p>Sphenodonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10357903421720269659noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8504866355715066782.post-40625860378927273462023-01-31T20:38:00.003+00:002023-01-31T20:38:45.252+00:00Waiheke Whisky #2<p> Morena all, second tasting set from <a href="https://waihekewhisky.com/" target="_blank">Waiheke </a>whisky. the first set was reviewed <a href="https://sphenodon.blogspot.com/2022/08/whisky-waiheke-whisky-nz.html" target="_blank">here</a> and overall I liked them. This time it was the Dog Years Tasting Set - available <a href="https://waihekewhisky.com/products/dog-years-tasting-set" target="_blank">here</a>.</p><p>Here's the tasting notes:</p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>New spirit</i></span><br style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Nose</b> rubber, astringent, paint stripping</span><br style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Palte</b> rubber, not much flavour, </span><br style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Finish</b> short, hot</span><br style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">3/10 Didn't like this as much as last time, although the last one was the peated new spirit</span><br style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Sweet water</i></span><br style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Nose</b> pva, blue cheese, lollies, sweet, </span><br style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Palate</b> sweet, honey, ash, no complexity </span><br style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Finish</b> short, but of heat at end</span><br style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">5-5.5/10 Nose was good, but it seemed a bit one dimensional after that</span><br style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Dyad </i></span><br style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Nose</b> sweet perfumed vanilla pods, Chardonnay, cut grass</span><br style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Palate</b> bourbon creamy Chardonnay spritzed, apple </span><br style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Finish</b> med hot</span><br style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">6.5-7 /10 Liked this more, interesting flavours coming through. </span><br style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Cantankerous </i></span><br style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Nose</b> dark choc, sweet, watermelon , caramel, </span><br style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Palate</b> bourbon, choc, honey, maple, sweet</span><br style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>finish</b> med long warming </span><br style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">7.5/10 (5.5) Divided the audience a bit, but I liked it. Interesting, if sweet, whisk which grew nicely on the finish.</span></span></p><p>Overall, similar scores to tasting set 1, there's some interesting things happening in their casks, and it looks like the complexity is growing nicely. Will continue to keep an eye on them.</p><p><br /></p><p>Slainte</p>Sphenodonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10357903421720269659noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8504866355715066782.post-80638829758432512312023-01-09T19:15:00.004+00:002023-01-09T19:15:39.114+00:00Divergence Whisky (NZ) tasting<p> While down in Christchurch I was tasting some curiosity gin from <a href="https://www.thespiritsworkshop.co.nz/" target="_blank">The Spirits Workshop</a>, and noticed they did whisky. So tried some of that too, admittedly with some trepidation as NZ whisky is very hit and miss - more miss for me. In theory we should be making stunning drams, but alas not so much. But signs are positive with some excellent stuff starting to pop up.</p><p>I liked it. Enough that I bought the tasting set <a href="https://www.thespiritsworkshop.co.nz/divergence-whisky" target="_blank">here</a> (I also got some gin, but none of you care about that, I can tell you it disappeared very quickly which is a good sign). </p><p>I don't seem to have taken a picture of the tasting, so I'll stolen this from their website (soz!) <img alt="" class="whisky-product-image" data-wf-sku-bindings="%5B%7B%22from%22%3A%22f_main_image_4dr%22%2C%22to%22%3A%22src%22%7D%5D" height="186" src="https://assets-global.website-files.com/60b59ae4bb1a59826ec3d02b/639694d0027db05ada1e14a0_3pack-no-BG-459.png" width="194" /></p><p><i><b>Virgin French Oak</b></i><br /><br /></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>Nose:</b> coke cola, vanilla, caramel, Benadryl, aniseed </li><li><b>Palate:</b> aniseed, caramel, Coca-Cola lollies, orange, <b> </b><b> </b></li><li><b>Finish:</b> smooth med _ long aniseed </li></ul><p>Very easy drinking, nice <br />7.5<br /><br /><i><b>Px Sherry Wood</b></i><br /></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>Nose:</b> caramel, chocolate, oak, aniseed, peaches/nectarines, marshmallow, vanilla</li><li><b>Palate:</b> tingly, choc, aniseed, nectarine preserved oranges, ginger</li><li><b>Finish:</b> med long v warming dram</li></ul><p><br />7/10 nose is great, palate good. This is the one I tried at the <a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwj3z9SCmbv8AhWS1HMBHfovAxkQgU96BAgSEA0&url=https%3A%2F%2Friverside.nz%2F&usg=AOvVaw1VrqvHDDYolJWSze-hki1C" target="_blank">Riverside</a> market...<br /><br /><i><b>Port Wood</b></i><br /></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>Nose:</b> black berry, cinnamon nutmeg, apple <b> </b></li><li><b>Palate:</b> cinnamon spicy smokers lollies port soft </li><li><b>Finish:</b> med sweet peppers </li></ul><p>8 soft and interesting </p><p>All in all, I liked them. The Port wood was my favourite, but all good. I still have some left (200ml tasting sets are the best) so will be revisiting.<br /></p>Sphenodonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10357903421720269659noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8504866355715066782.post-8120936612449114322023-01-03T19:16:00.001+00:002023-01-03T19:16:18.926+00:00Last.FM 2022 summary<p> Hi all, <a href="https://www.last.fm/home">last.fm</a> is a helpful wee site that collates (via an app) all the music you listen to. They then helpfully, summarise that each year for you. </p><p>For those of you with addictive personalities, this can become an issue, I couldn't possibly comment, but some people have been known to replicate their vinyl playing on an mp3 player, just so the tracks are added to the last.fm site... </p><p>No real surprises this year, I listened to fewer new artists, the top 10 artists is rather predictable (although note, they are not huge numbers...as there's a lot of diversity in the list). The most music was on Thursdays (huzzah, Thurs Night Music Night), and, err, I quite like the new <a href="https://www.marillion.com" target="_blank">Marillion</a> album. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd-CNaPFjl7q3UV-2iiTr6D9_STITc7KE9z1Vn2MIL8JWQTI5-7RslyWB-6_HdLYBtIQOOxxMYDadjRJ2DkQHRP-vFleIBy8B_ovVNPnBjZsNYYi3tKWn-vlbBFyc6QspvYsc3PNMn8grwm7k0aeiN4HAWIa4UOnX7Nyobhs6wGHiCK8BvFAzFxQ3b/s1217/listening%20week.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd-CNaPFjl7q3UV-2iiTr6D9_STITc7KE9z1Vn2MIL8JWQTI5-7RslyWB-6_HdLYBtIQOOxxMYDadjRJ2DkQHRP-vFleIBy8B_ovVNPnBjZsNYYi3tKWn-vlbBFyc6QspvYsc3PNMn8grwm7k0aeiN4HAWIa4UOnX7Nyobhs6wGHiCK8BvFAzFxQ3b/s1217/listening%20week.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_cYSagQrRMNN4PJAt60mqziGOdqRxXD3QGUWSinrhoHIRwfE1qgooMmptAkSdisPOC0-NweGE3L5wViq-zhyrGLAOVNffrBdtSTFIZcyY2sIfC3PFwUkbgQzY52mhNtqZCwfdCRKnUJkdhCcPmDezhjd-G4hWWqeGrjJaKLxdAJge-8RDQIioc7cH/s638/artists.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="568" data-original-width="638" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_cYSagQrRMNN4PJAt60mqziGOdqRxXD3QGUWSinrhoHIRwfE1qgooMmptAkSdisPOC0-NweGE3L5wViq-zhyrGLAOVNffrBdtSTFIZcyY2sIfC3PFwUkbgQzY52mhNtqZCwfdCRKnUJkdhCcPmDezhjd-G4hWWqeGrjJaKLxdAJge-8RDQIioc7cH/s320/artists.png" width="320" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcqOE57xrutGGG2OVYA2XPiEnLN98DnGMfxjea5HKRaMpK6ro9vBqu2rWFN-fl6gEg09dhgSTTigy6fslZef3i2rjcnE24LbD__81GzWTDXa8tgwu_skBsIHG-M1KcAMLHKbI4gaTSr9gMc8jvoho032D-G_8AgwTrrjf6UfmFVrl05ZNqazXfpIl-/s725/albums.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="670" data-original-width="725" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcqOE57xrutGGG2OVYA2XPiEnLN98DnGMfxjea5HKRaMpK6ro9vBqu2rWFN-fl6gEg09dhgSTTigy6fslZef3i2rjcnE24LbD__81GzWTDXa8tgwu_skBsIHG-M1KcAMLHKbI4gaTSr9gMc8jvoho032D-G_8AgwTrrjf6UfmFVrl05ZNqazXfpIl-/s320/albums.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /></div><img border="0" data-original-height="358" data-original-width="1217" height="94" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd-CNaPFjl7q3UV-2iiTr6D9_STITc7KE9z1Vn2MIL8JWQTI5-7RslyWB-6_HdLYBtIQOOxxMYDadjRJ2DkQHRP-vFleIBy8B_ovVNPnBjZsNYYi3tKWn-vlbBFyc6QspvYsc3PNMn8grwm7k0aeiN4HAWIa4UOnX7Nyobhs6wGHiCK8BvFAzFxQ3b/s320/listening%20week.png" width="320" /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3I_8IoBXj6WZs8j4eY3yUhi0ubzgWiVx1AuaJgXe9-k3coVPe9JZBj-NEBxVY0LVPjmV6Spg7UQkl5f3O9AJ6wgf3sjySG_1zpKwcQ_r6vZyehoBokEJNm-U8MrR55lGXhPb_CZdab6nLpqN61CX_NjGmrm_JG4AQX87azUIcw9orsQUhZ9Im2ccq/s1198/new%20v%202021.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="252" data-original-width="1198" height="67" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3I_8IoBXj6WZs8j4eY3yUhi0ubzgWiVx1AuaJgXe9-k3coVPe9JZBj-NEBxVY0LVPjmV6Spg7UQkl5f3O9AJ6wgf3sjySG_1zpKwcQ_r6vZyehoBokEJNm-U8MrR55lGXhPb_CZdab6nLpqN61CX_NjGmrm_JG4AQX87azUIcw9orsQUhZ9Im2ccq/s320/new%20v%202021.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCT5573lGzK7Z7NG-gvvz1VsaKUPbXpqOew-ZDIOa9d4Mk-5uV1CRRs7J2JFrmOn-bMczqGkg374yAgyr9tXrY-uzUNfKz4ydXtISTI_DuWV1gBVt15Ugau6z-CfupmegZvI_ipLnDHdkZPwfSZlG8cTKTHGEIzodueGBahMsbqFlKVI6RXbrAfQB8/s1227/statistics.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="463" data-original-width="1227" height="121" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCT5573lGzK7Z7NG-gvvz1VsaKUPbXpqOew-ZDIOa9d4Mk-5uV1CRRs7J2JFrmOn-bMczqGkg374yAgyr9tXrY-uzUNfKz4ydXtISTI_DuWV1gBVt15Ugau6z-CfupmegZvI_ipLnDHdkZPwfSZlG8cTKTHGEIzodueGBahMsbqFlKVI6RXbrAfQB8/s320/statistics.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXP6Az6mMXe369lIXcTus-sFhzyP7NaXbWnlUuIM5-_EMMOPvHzoziMCaiJ6_WYNLG785dWGww31v67us_S6jWo1_GX2Ncuj6SYY3Ru2vcjQLdxLr57aqAR17fwLYcE8ZKTaXw3LjUbwKCOu_uxY_f_x0GZT1Ar99DfRvcNOwaA857oQc30r2uT7Xs/s1196/highlights.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="226" data-original-width="1196" height="60" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXP6Az6mMXe369lIXcTus-sFhzyP7NaXbWnlUuIM5-_EMMOPvHzoziMCaiJ6_WYNLG785dWGww31v67us_S6jWo1_GX2Ncuj6SYY3Ru2vcjQLdxLr57aqAR17fwLYcE8ZKTaXw3LjUbwKCOu_uxY_f_x0GZT1Ar99DfRvcNOwaA857oQc30r2uT7Xs/s320/highlights.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Sphenodonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10357903421720269659noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8504866355715066782.post-28233352193652935472022-12-16T03:11:00.002+00:002022-12-16T03:11:09.189+00:00Untappd, the drinking continues<p> As none of you were asking for it, here's an update on how Alec and I continue to support local breweries.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXDFZOJziED0_ZCAa1tAFcn7UYL83eV_MqBtQhj12V3kLKrO_B42bBbiCz3R_yUGikcIF-ShbBycO27wzO5d2i6YMt_mOKt6h3cs-ZmZ9mM1NX9OLzKHv_gBWjqpg8bR-1Ae0v1hyKg0wrz7zu4kylFInXUiNbf1wCnsmhIQuimckmMW0dd0OefkRo/s814/Screenshot%202022-12-16%20at%204.06.56%20PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="224" data-original-width="814" height="88" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXDFZOJziED0_ZCAa1tAFcn7UYL83eV_MqBtQhj12V3kLKrO_B42bBbiCz3R_yUGikcIF-ShbBycO27wzO5d2i6YMt_mOKt6h3cs-ZmZ9mM1NX9OLzKHv_gBWjqpg8bR-1Ae0v1hyKg0wrz7zu4kylFInXUiNbf1wCnsmhIQuimckmMW0dd0OefkRo/s320/Screenshot%202022-12-16%20at%204.06.56%20PM.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8UvVf7bw2O0zJPEHH33Sp2RhDHT0VXawR_HiDLU-yTPcS7JR8iQ9LlN6Eq2aj5pNlm97iYlIHNyddOlERN1yapTdoWak5Vuga7oVRpKa7F4gA9nAkp_FrfQPCwcI0vjxh5lkRZrRj1kY-_swxR7e0ACQ0pKY8h1eRUhM6ihXzyhzHoDjh7ObKRKjQ/s814/Screenshot%202022-12-16%20at%204.07.55%20PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="224" data-original-width="814" height="88" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8UvVf7bw2O0zJPEHH33Sp2RhDHT0VXawR_HiDLU-yTPcS7JR8iQ9LlN6Eq2aj5pNlm97iYlIHNyddOlERN1yapTdoWak5Vuga7oVRpKa7F4gA9nAkp_FrfQPCwcI0vjxh5lkRZrRj1kY-_swxR7e0ACQ0pKY8h1eRUhM6ihXzyhzHoDjh7ObKRKjQ/s320/Screenshot%202022-12-16%20at%204.07.55%20PM.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>Things are still pretty close, quantity wise I'm winning, variety-wise it's Alec.</p><p>Slainte, B</p>Sphenodonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10357903421720269659noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8504866355715066782.post-37741137965953645532022-11-17T23:15:00.003+00:002022-11-17T23:15:36.348+00:00Whisky tasting: Best of the Best 2022<p> Another year, another Best of the Best. Although this year we managed a reasonable number of tastings without Covid being a dick, and the format was changed to have the top rated whiskies of the year, rather than just the winner of each tasting. </p><p>Usual crew assembled at the Basin reserve, which seems to be turning into a preferred whisky tasting venue for Regional Wines - which is great, more room, less temp fluctuations :)</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1pI-HnMXbrJLLwalF5TsGxuOWx8y6AN83VeGtWcYl8RI4O9TpfGGfcesTJ2W6V1kZLCxeGKcejcCHiBJKZBPlt2_ExN2UBVdVWG3yys7u62xRrWzddRLnElWuU1uGXz4gqo0Vr3aWT164GWrw8rUaqP9xocdmbzZNA0uIQ24TVCZKCgbKGBu6DVlg/s4000/IMG20221114175135.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1pI-HnMXbrJLLwalF5TsGxuOWx8y6AN83VeGtWcYl8RI4O9TpfGGfcesTJ2W6V1kZLCxeGKcejcCHiBJKZBPlt2_ExN2UBVdVWG3yys7u62xRrWzddRLnElWuU1uGXz4gqo0Vr3aWT164GWrw8rUaqP9xocdmbzZNA0uIQ24TVCZKCgbKGBu6DVlg/s320/IMG20221114175135.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>Glenlossie 15yo 58.2% Signatory 2006</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>N: sweet, cloves, apple, violets, vanilla, tannins, perfume</li><li>P: apple, melons, sweet, long, truffles, bourbon</li><li>F: long, sweet</li></ul><div>8.5/10 for me, really liked this one (it came 7th overall 8.35, originally 8.71 in Sept). </div><div><br /></div><div><i>Ardnamurchan Cask Strength AD/02.22 58.7% NC2 sherry/bourbon</i></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>N: sweet, salt, peat, bubblegum, banana</li><li>P: apple, peppery, salt, ash</li><li>F: med-long, hot</li></ul><div>9/10 definitely liking where Ardnamurchan are heading at the moment, all of the recent ones we've had have been good (and there's a few in my cupboard now). Came 8th (8.26, was 8.61 in Oct).</div></div><div><br /></div><div><i>Glendronach Cask Strength Batch10 58.6%</i></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>N: sherry, old, subtle, leather, xmas cake, cognac</li><li>P: very quick, hint of honey</li><li>short, boring</li></ul><div>7/10. It's not a bad whisky, but just not much happening for a cask strength, weird. Came 3rd 8.89 (8.68 in Sept).</div></div><div><br /></div><div><i>Edradour Straight from the Cask 2011 58.5%</i></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>N: sherry, sulphur, sweet, subtle, aged, lightish</li><li>P: warm, honey, xmas cake, lovely</li><li>F: smooth, long</li></ul><div>8/10 came second (9.13, originally 9.23 in Sept). annoyingly it sold out before I could grab it (or the Ibisco) when they eventually reached NZ. oh well.</div></div><div><br /></div><div><i>Mystery : Cotswolds</i></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>N: sweet, citrus, nutmeg, bananas, fruit salad/melons</li><li>P: warm, bourbon, honey, salt, pepper</li><li>F: medium, peppery, warming</li></ul><div>9/10 this was all very nice. I don't seem to have written down which Cotswolds it was, but I've had a couple this year and both were very good, there's a bottle of one of them sitting around here ...</div></div><div><br /></div><div><i>Glendronach Parliament 21yo 48% oloroso/PX 2020.06.15</i></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>N: lemonade, spritzic, sweet, apricots</li><li>P: lemon, bourbon, sherry, decr alc., yeasty</li><li>F: medium, warm honey</li></ul><div>8/10 hey it's a Glendronach, you can be pretty sure it'll be drinkable. Possibly slightly overrated (aside from the gold/brown) at the moment, but still very good. Came 5th with 8.72 (was 8.81 in Aug)</div></div><div><br /></div><div><i>Laphroaig 25yo 52% NC2 cask strength 2018 ex bourbon</i></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>N: yum, salt, bacon, iodine, bring, complex, medicinal, strong, aged</li><li>P: salt, bacon, iodine, strong</li><li>F: long and complex</li></ul><div>10/10 (I did give it 9.5/10 originally). Something magical happens to aged Laphroaig, it becomes very veyr drinkable. I'm not alone in this as it came 1st with 9.43 (was 9.13 in Aug) </div></div><div><br /></div><div><i>Talisker 15yo 2019 57.3% Special Release</i></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>N: salt, sweet, medicinal, light, aged, peaty, apricots</li><li>P: citrus, ash, peppery, cloves, salt</li><li>F: peppery, long</li></ul><div>8/10 I keep wanting to like Talisker more than I actually do. But this one is good, came 4th with 8.86 (8.88 in Aug). </div></div><div><br /></div><div>so there you go, pretty reasonable lineup of drams, bit of beer, a haggis, </div><div><br /></div><div>Slainte, B</div></div><br /><p><br /></p>Sphenodonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10357903421720269659noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8504866355715066782.post-90926418617980294272022-10-18T05:05:00.005+01:002022-10-18T05:05:50.747+01:00Whisky Tasting : Salt & Smoke<p> And so the October tasting rolls around, Salt & Smoke. Or, new whiskies that John fancied trying as the tastings are also known... </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL9LSss2MY9lFB1elST_Gf5V0IAa9HKVJyu5zJPvQMq1RA8pGN3vtRoZJ5mPzKxY5ARhbJARweXmfJkVzEkOv0JyaDAp9BmlNJmkw8GaQ68jf9d4U4jgTmBssTRUUgeCCpETSKnVr4uejX5L2CMVClCMACoKJkWXr_lsQNcEvdFJ4dCukBwSuvXiVy/s4000/IMG20221017174109.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL9LSss2MY9lFB1elST_Gf5V0IAa9HKVJyu5zJPvQMq1RA8pGN3vtRoZJ5mPzKxY5ARhbJARweXmfJkVzEkOv0JyaDAp9BmlNJmkw8GaQ68jf9d4U4jgTmBssTRUUgeCCpETSKnVr4uejX5L2CMVClCMACoKJkWXr_lsQNcEvdFJ4dCukBwSuvXiVy/s320/IMG20221017174109.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><i>Benriach Smoke Season </i></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>N: salty, increased alc., bacon, hint sherry, gentle peat, medicinal</li><li>P: more peat, salty, custard, spikey, </li><li>F: sweet, long. peppery at the finish. hint of smoke.</li></ul><div>Our mystery whisky for the evening, interesting and not too bad. Came 3rd (8.28), although I gave it 7.5/10</div><div><br /></div><div><i>Ledaig 8yo Signatory 2011 wine hogshead finish 46%</i></div><div></div><p></p><ul><li>N: dry, peat, black tea, medicinal, banana cake, rubber</li><li>P: dry, hot peat, pepper, astringent, medicinal, metalic</li><li>F: med, bitter, peppery</li></ul><div>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.</div><div><br /></div><div><i>Port Charlotte PAC:01 2011 8yo 56.1%</i></div><div><ul><li>N: odd, honey, menthol, cinnamon, soapy</li><li>P: manuka honey, rough, salty</li><li>F: med, burning</li></ul><div>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. </div></div><div><br /></div><div><i>Cladach 2018 57.1% Cask Strength Special Release (Inchgower, Clynelish, Talisker, Oban, Caol Ila, Lavavulin).sweet, long. peppery at the finish. hint of smoke.</i></div><div><ul><li>N: minerals, chocolate-coffee, sweet, very light salt, spikey</li><li>P: warm honey, sweet, burnt caramel, caramelised oranges,</li><li>F: med-long, citrussy</li></ul><div>I liked this a lot, 8.5/10. Really interesting and well balanced whisky, came 1st= with 8.83. It is however not cheap.</div></div><div><br /></div><div><i>Glenglassaugh Torfa 50% Heavily Peated</i></div><div><ul><li>N: rich, peat, bandages, rubber, sherry, sweet, fresh</li><li>P: nothing, bland</li><li>F: short, sweet, hint of stonefruit</li></ul><div>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. </div></div><div><br /></div><div><i>Talisker 8yo Special Release 2020 Natural Cask Strength 57.9%</i></div><div><ul><li>N: slight, ash, hokey pokey, ozone, chewy, rich</li><li>P: warm, salt, bacon</li><li>F: med-long</li></ul><div>8/10 from me, and 5th= (6.94) from the group. I liked this, interesting and strong whisky which seemed well balanced. </div></div><div><br /></div><div><i>Ardnamurchan Cask Strength AD/02.22 58.7%</i></div><div><ul><li>N: hospital, caramel, vanilla, oaky, playdoh</li><li>P: coconut, pineapple, sweet, incr alc., fruit salad, candied peel, smokey, blue cheese</li><li>F:med-long, fruit salad.</li></ul><div>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)....</div></div><div><br /></div><div>Next tasting will be best of the best...</div><div>-B</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Sphenodonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10357903421720269659noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8504866355715066782.post-56987784568915697792022-10-02T05:06:00.003+01:002022-10-02T05:06:32.282+01:00Whisky Tasting: Sherry v Bourbon<p> The September Regional whisky tasting, Sherry v Bourbon finishes. Eight whiskies, mostly 43-46%, and mostly Signatory (and related) bottlings. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMlmWQ3zukagRamqyWuBQkIe8v-8-mgVGRQ_3-b-Y-HCrF_ci40OPbmxXCOU_xhIRsJYaw-lxAuaquMhGlwNFoQNUHRWlKiiWaE6wb2c-LCEVvT0LRhti3FKe_czn6YuX98UHjnH5ZjEpTo3ItakVU5CRCqicAjlL953o5SfzYHllDnTWG9f5P3XTb/s4000/IMG20220927174457.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMlmWQ3zukagRamqyWuBQkIe8v-8-mgVGRQ_3-b-Y-HCrF_ci40OPbmxXCOU_xhIRsJYaw-lxAuaquMhGlwNFoQNUHRWlKiiWaE6wb2c-LCEVvT0LRhti3FKe_czn6YuX98UHjnH5ZjEpTo3ItakVU5CRCqicAjlL953o5SfzYHllDnTWG9f5P3XTb/s320/IMG20220927174457.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><i>Mortlach 12 yo Signatory 46% 2009</i></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>n: </b>grass, pineapple, tropical fruit, effervescent, citrus, green apples.</li><li><b>p: </b>green apples, tropical fruit, pepper, spicy, dry</li><li><b>f: </b>med-long, sour on finish.</li></ul><p></p><p>7/10 didn't seem a very typical Mortlach, much lighter than usual. but tasty. Came 7th with an average of 7.27</p><p><i>Caol Ila 9yo Signatory 46% 2012</i></p><ul><li><b>n: </b>bacon, smoke, burnt toast, crispy bits, parmesan.</li><li><b>p: </b>ash, watery</li><li><b>f: </b>short, boring</li></ul><div>5/10. I like Caol Ila, I did not like this. There was very little there, nose was good. After that, err... Came 8th with 6.8, so it appears others didn't like it either.</div><div><br /></div><div><i>Ben Nevis 8yo Signatory 46% 2013</i></div><div><ul><li><b>n: </b>fruit salad, banda copy roll fluid, schanppes, mohito, hint of peat</li><li><b>p: </b>fruity, meaty, sulphurus, peppery, sweet !</li><li><b>f: </b>med spicy</li></ul><div>7.5/10 interesting, i liked it more than the score suggests. Came 4th with 7.78</div></div><div><br /></div><div><i>Glenlossie 15yo Signatory 58.2% 2006</i></div><div><ul><li><b>n: </b>tasty, butterscotch, green apples, custard, chocolate, newsprint</li><li><b>p: </b>zesty, sweet, green apples, chocolate, citrus, fruit salad, </li><li><b>f: </b>med-long</li></ul><div>8.5/10 ok so i may have enjoyed the cask strength, but this was also a different class of whisky. I don't thin I've had much Glenlossie before, but would not turn it down again.</div></div><div>Came 2nd with 8.71.</div><div><br /></div><div><i>Mystery: Glendronach NAS Cask </i></div><div><ul><li><b>n: </b>rum, caramel, incr alco, leather, orange, sticky toffee pudding, sugar (dark)</li><li><b>p: </b>warm, sugar, sweet, creamy, coffee, pepper</li><li><b>f: </b>long and peppery</li></ul><div>8.5/10 yep thats a bit of me. But then again, once we found it was Glendronach, it made more sense. </div></div><div>3rd, with 8.68</div><div><br /></div><div><i>Speyside Distillery Cadenhead 13yo 46%</i></div><div><ul><li><b>n: </b>caramel, toffee, woody, butter, chocolate, leather polish, ash</li><li><b>p: </b>watery, sugar</li><li><b>f: </b>short</li></ul><div>5.5/10 this was pretty poor after promising much on the nose.</div></div><div>Others disagreed, and this was 5th, 7.44</div><div><br /></div><div><i>Signatory Edradour 10yo 46% 2011</i></div><div><ul><li><b>n: </b>rich, cake, sweet, complex, toffee, treacle, molasses.</li><li><b>p: </b>smokey peat, not pleasant</li><li><b>f: </b>short</li></ul><div>5.5/10 again very disappointing and not what I expected from Edradour.</div></div><div>6th, 7.4</div><div><br /></div><div><i>Edradour Straight from the Cask 10yo 2011 58.5%</i></div><div><ul><li><b>n: </b>complex, molasses, citrus, liquorice, vinyl.</li><li><b>p: </b>sweet, sugar, molasses, complex</li><li><b>f: </b>long</li></ul><div>9/10 yup that's more like it. count me in and much happier with this one.</div></div><div>Came 1st with 9.23</div><div><br /></div><div>Slainte!</div>Sphenodonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10357903421720269659noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8504866355715066782.post-28042522784803474832022-08-02T03:49:00.000+01:002022-08-02T03:49:12.929+01:00Whisky: Waiheke Whisky (NZ)<p> I didn't make the most recent Regional tasting, so consoled myself with a tasting box from a new(ish) NZ distillery, <a href="https://waihekewhisky.com/" target="_blank">Waiheke Whisky</a>. They've released a set of four samples (3 whiskies, 1 new make spirit) which you can get here: https://waihekewhisky.com/products/nz-peat-tasting-set</p><p>Well, you could, but it's now sold out. So you'll have to live with my reviews.... I will say the info sheet they included was great, included yeast type, wash ABV, Spirit on/off concentrations, all great geek info.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVf6ifbwBahq07KoqvaCtDfHggkDnlQkTnfjQqw4iBKlRtthqvvRXnlSVFSnE1-L5ZwFLMl-9SkjmmN2fyTNdvhgOj1DGZYSKywqk5WTeP1sdxhG_Yl3c_yzbv4uSqH9xRG_qzCmb3mRZ0E7PJu0PZcs_2fHS25H3TtA3lz5OXIiA6WPVpWWRtZWju/s4000/IMG20220715204343.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVf6ifbwBahq07KoqvaCtDfHggkDnlQkTnfjQqw4iBKlRtthqvvRXnlSVFSnE1-L5ZwFLMl-9SkjmmN2fyTNdvhgOj1DGZYSKywqk5WTeP1sdxhG_Yl3c_yzbv4uSqH9xRG_qzCmb3mRZ0E7PJu0PZcs_2fHS25H3TtA3lz5OXIiA6WPVpWWRtZWju/s320/IMG20220715204343.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><i>Peated New Make 2022 45% </i></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Nose: rubber, flowers, car parts, medicinal, damp dog/wool, peat, menthol</li><li>Palate: rubber, peat, vigorous, pepper, grainy, salty</li><li>Finish: med-long, hot pepper, peat, dry</li></ul><div>as a new make, 6/10</div><div><br /></div><div><i>Moss - lightly peated NZ single malt, WW Release 01 44% 2017-2022 American oak, ex-bourbon</i></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Nose: floral, vanilla, rubber, medicinal</li><li>Palate: honey, toffee, spikey, spicy</li><li>Finish: long, smooth</li></ul><div>7/10</div></div><div><br /></div><div><i>Seris 1 - lightly peated NZ single malt, WW Release 02; 42% 2016-2022 American oak, PX sherry</i></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Nose: perfume, marshmallows, great, sherry, sandlewood, parma violets</li><li>Palate: sherry, watery, hint of peat, spicy</li><li>Finish: med, spicy, builds</li></ul><div>6/10 didn't live up to the nose unfortunately, but potential is there. </div></div><div><br /></div><div><i>Bog Monster 46% heavily peated 2015-2022, Virgin American oak, ex-bourbon. WW release 05</i></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Nose: sweet, dry, iodine, camphor, parma violets, lemon</li><li>Palate: spicy, peat, salt, dry, earthy, peppery</li><li>Finish: med-long</li></ul><div>8/10 I liked this a lot. strong whisky, obviously I'm wanting some cask strength, but eh I'd buy a bottle of this. </div></div><div><br /></div><div>Overall, good whiskies, young, but real potential. There is no reason why NZ can't make world leading whiskies, except for the cost of getting good barrels here. And as a number of the new NZ distillers are turning to wine barrels, the future is looking very good. </div><p></p>Sphenodonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10357903421720269659noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8504866355715066782.post-39915252413639064122022-06-29T23:15:00.004+01:002022-06-29T23:15:46.433+01:00Whisky: Caol Ila<p> I quite like <a href="https://islay.com/about-islay/islay-distilleries/1808/caol-ila/" target="_blank">Caol Il</a>a, they seem more open to releasing longer aged and complex whiskies from Islay. It's not all just stunt whisky to rip ya nads off.</p><p>This month we had seven Caol Ila's, which as we had one a few weeks ago, means I've had lots of CI. And am therefore in a good mood.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2M7RW8VkptTRqY4v-xzTW7PQJcLuUlKfaaHpDkDeuJPeF0hrrJqAEg4qmmSymqcEWufzHvS3y4WX2oEpmGx_g9aTNZ33gcQAB-TavwYaHkHjTbwSv1YV1nQtRFSeJsaOBbmfbozVpfJfgS-T7UfXQEDJTUW02CMVHPUcG376sCKUh_UncKd5ryZES/s4000/IMG20220628174443.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2480" data-original-width="4000" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2M7RW8VkptTRqY4v-xzTW7PQJcLuUlKfaaHpDkDeuJPeF0hrrJqAEg4qmmSymqcEWufzHvS3y4WX2oEpmGx_g9aTNZ33gcQAB-TavwYaHkHjTbwSv1YV1nQtRFSeJsaOBbmfbozVpfJfgS-T7UfXQEDJTUW02CMVHPUcG376sCKUh_UncKd5ryZES/s320/IMG20220628174443.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p><i>Caol Ila G & M 13yo 43% 'Discovery'</i></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>n: </b>light, peat, vanilla, sweet, antiseptic, hint of sick</li><li><b>p: </b>salty, dry, pepper, peat, sweet in middle</li><li><b>f: </b>long peppery and very warming</li></ul><div>7/10 for this one, G&M are consistently good as bottlers, so no surprise there. I think I'd originally put it down as 7.5, but dropped it later. Came 6th on the night with 7.28</div><div><br /></div><div><i>Port Askaig 8yo 45.8%</i></div><div><b>n: </b>salty, antiseptic, iodine, bandages, warming</div><div><b>p: </b>light, almost nothing, salt, peanuts</div><div><b>f: </b>short-med, dry</div><div>6/10 quite disappointing, the nose promised a lot more than the palate delivered. Came 7th with 6.64</div><div><br /></div><div><i>Caol Ila 25yo 43%</i></div><div><b>n: </b>sherry, peat, sweet, tasty, older, brown sugar</div><div><b>p: </b>watery, codliver oil, metallic</div><div><b>f: </b>short, disappointing</div><div>5/10 This one divided our drinkers, our table really did not like it with most scores being 5 or 6, but it came 3rd overall with 8.0. I didn't get anything from the palate, nose was very nice tho. But not $400 worth of nice.</div><div><br /></div><div><i>Caol Ila 17yo 55.9% Unpeated style 2015</i></div><div><b>n: </b>older, ozone, cirtrus, port, sweet, bandacopy ink, unpeated? dark chocolate</div><div><b>p: </b>hot, peaty, effervescent, liquorice, woody</div><div><b>f: </b>hot, salty, med-long</div><div>8/10 ahhh this was more like it, interesting being a unpeated, although there are still hints of peat/smoke in there. Came 2nd with 8.08</div><div><br /></div><div><i>Port Askaig 100 proof 57.1% </i></div><div><b>n: </b>iodine, medicinal, vinegar, salt, coastal</div><div><b>p: </b>medicinal, salty, actually very very salty</div><div><b>f: </b>smokey, grows very very hot, long </div><div>8.5/10 yeah I liked this, classic Islay whisky. And very reasonably priced (under NZ $100) so a bottle may sneak into my collection. Came 5th overall with 7.5.</div><div><br /></div><div><i>Mystery: Cotswolds peaty cask English whisky. </i></div><div><b>n: </b>fruit salad, cold tinned spaghetti, pineapples/papaya, bergamot</div><div><b>p:</b> fruity, crystallised papaya</div><div><b>f: </b>long, salt at the end.</div><div>8/10 interesting, and yeah it genuinely smelt of cold tinned spaghetti, weird. I'm liking what the Cotswolds distillery is putting out... Came 4th, 7.66</div><div><br /></div><div><i>Caol Ila 18yo 2017 59.8% unpeated style</i></div><div><b>n: </b>sweet, dark chocolate, light peat, fresh cut sawdust, balsa wood</div><div><b>p: </b>salt, peat, tangy, marshmallows</div><div><b>f: </b>long, hot, boom!</div><div>8/10 again another good whisky, and the finish is very quiet then explodes, really good stuff. Came first with 8.47.</div><div><br /></div><div>Slainte, b</div><p></p><br />Sphenodonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10357903421720269659noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8504866355715066782.post-20793548320286938822022-06-09T23:03:00.002+01:002022-06-09T23:03:35.895+01:00Whisky: Michael Fraser Milne - Good Interesting Whiskies<p> Another month, another tasting... This time led by Michael from <a href="https://www.whiskygalore.co.nz/" target="_blank">WhiskyGalore</a>.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVsQeM6CaunyaOoF53WaJ8B4FbuhbKz51o-a9L-BjgkbAzOw4qULFUyCH2MlI5EeHnSayI4xcD8nr-U39h_3dflziyBC0o2YscwwPqwGfZFr_3ckRNHDsdreuwL1YL_J04Ncx3qU4ZZwfDebdCyBQH82wOF-EBc3fsXP8eby-lZqU4_1NHwdQGN5Ay/s4000/IMG20220608175453.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVsQeM6CaunyaOoF53WaJ8B4FbuhbKz51o-a9L-BjgkbAzOw4qULFUyCH2MlI5EeHnSayI4xcD8nr-U39h_3dflziyBC0o2YscwwPqwGfZFr_3ckRNHDsdreuwL1YL_J04Ncx3qU4ZZwfDebdCyBQH82wOF-EBc3fsXP8eby-lZqU4_1NHwdQGN5Ay/s320/IMG20220608175453.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>Wolfburn 'Batch 318' 46% 7yo lightly peated, oloroso</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">N: fresh cut grass, salt, marshmallow, peat, sour</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">P: warm, salt, dry, prickly, honey, ash, cinnamon</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">F: long, dry</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">7.5/10 I liked this one, nothing outstanding but a nice drinking whisky.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>Bunnahabhain 'Signatory Vintage' 2010 / 10yo 64.7%</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">N: sherry, raisins, plums, salt</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">P: sherry, complex, aged, leather, brine, caramel</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">F: med-long</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">9/10 loved this one, may have picked up a bottle.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>Bladnoch 19yo 46.7% PX</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">N: pear, apples, sherry, parmesan, citrus</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">P: light, pears, sherry, dry, citrus</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">F: short </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">6/10 nothing very interesting in this one. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>Ardnamurchan AD10.21:06 46.8%</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">N: grass, citrus, oaky, sherry, wine, salt</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">P: hot, spicy, chilli</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">F: long</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">7/10 potential in this one, but possibly a bit young? I dunno.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>Glengoyne 'Cask Strength' Bath #008 59.2% </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">N: sherry, liquorice, vanilla, oak, aniseed, pears</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">P: spicy, dry, vanilla, oaky</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">F: med-long</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">8.5/10 Been a fan of their cask strength for awhile now, and this one is good </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>Croftengea 'Old Malt Cask' 2006 / 14yo 50%</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">N: grass, peat, oak, parmesan, smoke</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">P: weak, salty, watery</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">F: short-med</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">6/10 the nose promised a lot which didn't come through in the palate. Others in the room really rated this so ..</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>North Star Supersonic Mark 2 50%</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">N: fruity, pickled beetroot, oaky, citrus</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">P: citrus, salt, dry, plums, sherry</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">F: med</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">7.5/10 interesting without being great? I'd recommend as a quaffing dram.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">-B</div><br /><p><br /></p>Sphenodonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10357903421720269659noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8504866355715066782.post-57974636304438478532022-05-20T04:41:00.005+01:002022-05-20T04:41:59.112+01:00Whisky: Dark Drams<p> Dark drams, sherry monsters. Complexity. So that all boded well for our Regional Wines tasting in May.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuVjmQk_WzaEu1x83T7Vi-5OdfjgZFcrSH2m5fsbN5-sO4oJ3euo1f-YVs3L2Qa2H_Y0Wm0C6NbhcmH3Tv-pAlrs02EV6H2e7hPpS5u3Jw-JnNCIAasi5w5i5wPYoi6EhYoQ1dAuXYQJmAZQhpJp7Monv7Cygd0jQQgvBnDI2wPrQba96FwdHhVahn/s4000/IMG20220516174337.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuVjmQk_WzaEu1x83T7Vi-5OdfjgZFcrSH2m5fsbN5-sO4oJ3euo1f-YVs3L2Qa2H_Y0Wm0C6NbhcmH3Tv-pAlrs02EV6H2e7hPpS5u3Jw-JnNCIAasi5w5i5wPYoi6EhYoQ1dAuXYQJmAZQhpJp7Monv7Cygd0jQQgvBnDI2wPrQba96FwdHhVahn/s320/IMG20220516174337.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>We even had a welcoming dram, so...</p><p><i>Edradour 10</i></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Nose: light, hint of salt, sherry</li><li>Palate: light, watery, peppery, coriander</li><li>Finish: med-short</li></ul><div>6/10 yeah it's not a great edradour. Came 7th overall </div><div><br /></div><div><i>Amrut Spectrum 004 50%</i></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Nose: sugar, rum, caramel, strong, old, sherry, sweet, PX, blood orange</li><li>Palate: sweet, not subtle, rum, spicy, bitter</li><li>Finish: long, hot</li></ul><div>7.5/10 i liked it, but wasn't blown away by it. It came 3rd with an average of 8.26. But not something I felt I needed in my life.</div></div><div><br /></div><div><i>Pulteney Signatory 2008 13yo 56.2%</i></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Nose: dry, sherry, citrus, musty, sea spray, mustard, coriander seed, leather</li><li>Palate: sweet, demerara sugar, dry, floaty, chocolate, ginger cake</li><li>Finish: long</li></ul><div>8.5/10 I liked this a lot, lots of interesting stuff happening, both on the nose and palate. And not really linked either. Came 6th (wtf?!) 7.9.<br /></div></div><div><br /></div><div><i>Caol Ila Signatory 2010 10yo 58.1%</i></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Nose: bacon, salt, smoke, peat, medicinal, sweet, meat</li><li>Palate: sherry, peat, chocolate, balanced, medicinal, salt, dry, rashuns, ash</li><li>Finish: long ash dry</li></ul><div>9.5/10 hey I liked this. a lot. Possibly that's predictable tho. Came 4th, 8.12</div></div><div><br /></div><div><i>Bruichladdich - mystery dram, not sure which it was.</i></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Nose: sweet, delicate, fruit, citrus, THC, herbaceous, parma violets, tangerine</li><li>Palate: warm, honey, bourbon, creamy, dry</li><li>Finish: med-long, dry, perfumery, warm</li></ul><div>8/10 I think I ordered a bottle of this, so I can probably edit the name later. Either way, very tasty. came 1st 8.5</div></div><div><br /></div><div><i>Tamdhu Old Particular 2004 16yo 48.4%</i></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Nose: dry, grass, pineapple, sandalwood, papaya, chocolate, liquourice</li><li>Palate: watery, light, citrus, smooth, banana</li><li>Finish: short</li></ul><div>6/10 much promise on the nose, but delivered very little. Came last (8th) with 7.16</div></div><div><br /></div><div><i>Aultmore Old Particular 2006 14yo 48.4%</i></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Nose: apple, lime, starbursts, caramel</li><li>Palate: floral, menthol, mineral</li><li>Finish: short-med</li></ul><div>7/10 Nothing really stood out on this one, nice enough, but not very interesting. Came 5th, 7.99</div></div><div><br /></div><div><i>Blair Athol OMC 1995 25yo 50%</i></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Nose: caramel, demerara sugar, hokey pokey, toffee, butterscotch, sweet</li><li>Palate: caramel, butterscotch, werthers originals, honey</li><li>Finish: med-long</li></ul><div>9/10 again, another win for the OMC. This was lovely. Came 2nd, 8.28</div></div><div><br /></div><div>Slainte!</div><p></p>Sphenodonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10357903421720269659noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8504866355715066782.post-16283092717478683402022-04-29T03:52:00.002+01:002022-04-29T03:52:34.541+01:00Whisky: Campbeltown - we're back in scotch world!<p> With our levels getting a more amber hue, Regional's tasting were back on. First up, Campbeltown - the location for Springbank and a number of it's side project labels. Huzzah ! Six known whiskies and 2 mysteries to follow ...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8QrQw_24knPrCOfE9Gd6g-nrT-Hq_5j9S7kcx7LyNZKOswtGQ-ZQsz5w8o2Rym_YgMmiTRA1QOON630POtqdQyBsd2wT4k2hlA5k1zs6P-Ys68iy_0BdPrZFUamCpnLq2IJJx2R22Xz6jNrQYMnAy3rmkXP2HTWRrOKRXtB3AGWuyZlVphkKrsgc_/s4000/IMG20220423160421.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8QrQw_24knPrCOfE9Gd6g-nrT-Hq_5j9S7kcx7LyNZKOswtGQ-ZQsz5w8o2Rym_YgMmiTRA1QOON630POtqdQyBsd2wT4k2hlA5k1zs6P-Ys68iy_0BdPrZFUamCpnLq2IJJx2R22Xz6jNrQYMnAy3rmkXP2HTWRrOKRXtB3AGWuyZlVphkKrsgc_/s320/IMG20220423160421.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><i>Ledaig Old Particular 1998 21yo 51.5%</i></p><p><b>Nose: </b>oak, complex, sherry, hint of salt, woody, med old, varnish</p><p><b>Palate: </b>honey, oaky, caramel, salt, dry but sherry, 'bold', complex</p><p><b>Finish: </b>medium, peppery, salty</p><p>8 - 8.5 /10. Really liked this one interesting, complex and definitely shows the added age.</p><p><i>Hazelburn 13yo 2021 48.6% </i></p><p><b>Nose: </b>sweet, violets, lighter, hint of citrus</p><p><b>Palate: </b>huge, bourbon, boiled sweets, blackballs, lemon, </p><p><b>Finish:</b> medium</p><p>7/10 interesting and good, I generally like Hazelburn, but wonder if would have benefited from more ageing?</p><p><i>Kilkerran 12yo 46%</i></p><p><b>Nose: </b>vanilla icecream, light, pavlova mixture</p><p><b>Palate:</b> salty, dry, soft, bourbon, light, breakfast whisky</p><p><b>Finish:</b> salty, short</p><p>6.5 - 7/10 nice enough, but not hugely interesting</p><p><i>Springbank 10yo 46%</i></p><p><b>Nose: </b>sweet, vanilla, oaky, citrus</p><p><b>Palate: </b>sweet, perfumed, violet/lavendar, very light, citrus (lemonade)</p><p><b>Finish: </b>short-med, builds with a pepper/salt spritzic taste</p><p>7.5/10 again nice enough, but I think I prefer cask strength Springbanks. </p><p><i>Springbank 12yo 55.4%</i></p><p><b>Nose: </b>oranges, vanilla</p><p><b>Palate: </b>concentrated orange, complex, manuka honey, sweet, dry</p><p><b>Finish: </b>med-long, dry</p><p>7/10 having said I like cask strength Springbanks, I might have to admit I preferred the 46% :)</p><p><i>Kilkerran 8yo Cask Strength</i></p><p><b>Nose:</b> light, hint of sherry, old leather</p><p><b>Palate: </b>warm, sherry, xmas, PX?, dry, raisins, salty</p><p><b>Finish: </b>sharp, salty, long</p><p>9/10 yup loved this one. Interesting, complex and tasted much older than it actually was !</p><p><i>Kilkerran Heavily Peated</i></p><p><b>Nose: </b>light, citrus, kaffir lime, oak</p><p><b>Palate: </b>lime (lots of lime!!), salt, spicy, sweet on end</p><p><b>Finish: </b>med dry on finish</p><p>8/10 interesting, the lime is really strong on the palate, but you wouldn't guess it's hte Heavily Peated version</p><p><i>Adelphi NZ Exclusive 14yo 58.1% 'Breath of the Isles'</i></p><p><b>Nose: </b>old furniture, citrus, sherry,light coastal influence, complex</p><p><b>Palate: </b>salt, bacon, sherry, citrus</p><p><b>Finish: </b>sherry, long, dry</p><p>8.5-9 /10 really nice, interesting, coastal and complex. all win for me.</p><p><br /></p><p>Overall, interesting tasting and lots of good whisky. the Kilkerran's are coming along very nicely! and I maybe moving away from Springbank (bring back the rundlets and kilderkins bottling). There's a common theme of slight coastal (salt), and more unexpected a citrus flavour on many of the whiskies. Is that from the casks? Maybe. </p>Sphenodonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10357903421720269659noreply@blogger.com0