Whisky Tasting : Thomson whisky

 In the last 20 years New Zealand has undergone a beer revolution, and in the last 5-10 years the spirits industry has decided to kick on. There's a lot of new(ish) gins on the NZ market, and many of these makers are using gin to subsidise their longer term plans of producing a NZ whisky. 

NZ whisky doesn't have an illustrious reputation. Historically all of the stuff I've had has been rough, immature, and apparently aged in poor quality casks. To an extent that's understandable, as the cost of good port/sherry/bourbon casks to NZ was prohibitive. 

But recently things appear to be improving, with Cardrona producing (apparently, I haven't tried it yet) excellent 3yo. And some distillers realising they've got gold on their footsteps with NZ Pinot Noir barrels, ageing has started in them... 

Thomson ran a tasting a Regional, and so Rich, Nabila and I popped along. I had low expectations.

Thomson Two Tone 40%

N: plain, hint pinot? bourbon/vanila
P: wine, light, peppery, pinot noir
F: short

It's not going to set the world on light, but it's drinkable. 5.5/10

Thomson Rye & Barley 2yo, 46% french oak casks

N: sweet, marshmallow, light, vanilla

P: sweet, astringent, vanilla

F: med, hot

6/10 again I think it's too young, the oak gave a lot of vanila, and that smoothed it a bit but no complexity

Thomson South Island Peat 46% [ex bourbon casks]

N: salt, bacon, rubber, medicinal

P: sweet, weak peat

F: med smoke

6/10 the peat is light, and it was emphasised to us that it was inland, not coastal, peat. I think this could benefit from a sherry finish, making it more like a Benriach - and more ageing.

Thomson Manuka smoke 46%

N: medicinal, sweet, oats, lemonade, smoke

P: warm, honey, manuka, smoke, sweet

F: sweet, medium

I liked this, interesting and could develop really nicely. 7/10. Again young, and lacking complexity

Thomson Five 46% 5yo

N: plain whisky, citrus

P: bland lemonade, sweet, very smooth

F:  medium

7/10 not sure why i rated this, maybe it had a bit of complexity coming through?

Thomson White Smoke 46% manuka, smoked, aged in Chardonnay casks

N: wine, citrus, melons, hint smoke

P: honey, bland

F: short, bland

5/10 disappointing.

Didn't make me change my mind about NZ whisky, but there is hope. I think the realisation we should stick to what's close (wine casks) is a good plan. And smoking barley with manuka is brilliant. 

-B

Whisky Tasting : Springbank Local Barley

Catching up on a couple of tasting notes before the Best of the Best later this week. As a fan of Springbank I was looking forward to this one...

Couple of weeks ago we had a Springbank Local Barley tasting, these are quite distinctive yellow and black bottles from specific barley farms who supply Springbank. 

Springbank LB 11yo 02.2006-02.2017 53.1% 26 Bourbon casks 9000 bottles Bere barley Aros Farm

N: sweet, fruity, apples, limes, bourbon, oaky
P: very sweet, sticky, lemon, salt
F: long, citrus, tequila.

I liked this one, came 4th (8.39) but got an 8/10 from me.

Bruichladdich The Organic 2009 50% (mystery1)

N: bourbon, sweet, leathery, no sherry at all, solvent

P: sweet, warm, light

F: medium, tingly, peppery

Came 6th (7.57) wasn't very interesting - so a 6.5/10 from me.

S LB 10yo 07.2009 - 10.2019 56.2% 9000 bottles, 20 bourbon, 5 sherry 1 port casks, High Cattadale Farm Optic Barley

N: ozone, sweet, estuarine, smoke, oak

P: sherry, warm, rubber, salty bacon

F: medium, manuka honey, salty, warm

I liked this 8/10 (came 5th, 7.89), I liked the mix of salt and the warmth of the port in the background

Bruichladdich Bere Barley 50% 2020 (?) Mystery2

N: sweet, apples, pears, fruit, sherbert

P: dry, dishwater, parma violets

F: none. really short, hot

Definitely not a fan of this, really dull. Came 7th (7.17) and I gave it a 5/10. 

S LB 10yo 57.3% 06.2007-11.2017 9000 bottles, 18 bourbon, 8 sherry casks. West Backs far Belgravia Barley

N: sherry, nice, smooth, caramel, salted, starchy

P: wine, parma violets

F: med-long, hot

Meh, not a winner for me either, interesting nose, but after that a bit one dimensional. (3rd, 8.5 - so what do I know!), I gave it 6/10

S LB 9yo 07.2009-10.2018 57.7% 9700 bottles, 22 bourbon 6 sherry casks, high Cattadale Farm Optic Barley

N: vigorous, vegemite, buttery, salt, charred earth, damp cellar

P: lemonade, parma violets

F: medium, tingly, smokey

Came 1st overall (8.64), and I did like it a bit more 7/10, but I don't think it delivered on the promise of the nose.

S LB 16yo 09.1999 - 01.2016 54.3% 9000 bottles 24 bourbon 6 sherry casks, Low Machramore Farm Prisma barley (roughly NZD 1200 a bottle)

N: bandages, salt, medicinal, peat

P: old, smooth, old leather, savoury, bitter, cloves

F: long, salty, complex

Yeah I really liked this one, ticks a lot of Springbank boxes for me, 9/10 [came 2nd with 8.54].

I found this interesting, I'm not sure I picked up much variation in the barley, probably as the ages and casks types were mixed, but there was a lot of variation from one distillery. I don't know where the parma violets came from, but they were in a number of the samples. 

I think the 16yo was th eonly one which was 'Springbank' for me, but sadly as $1200 a bottle I'm unlikely to get one.

-B

Whisky Tasting: the Peat Feast

 Another month, another delayed tasting. But with Wellington back to Level 1, we got to have the Peat Feast.

Wolfburn 'Kylver Series' III 50%

• N: bananas, custard, lycee, light peat
• P: sweet, IPA, fruity, prickly, honey
• F: long, dry, salty, well balanced.

Nice enough, but not great. It came 6th (7.87) and I'd given it a 7/10

Smokehead Islay 43%

• N: medicinal, smokey, peat (lots), bacon, maldon salt, vigorous, sherbert, pecorino
• P: bitter, light, low alc, phenol, salt.
• F: short, salty, bitter

Came last with 6.43 (6/10 for me) not good.

Highland Park The Light 52.9% Refill USA oak, 17yo

• N: sweet, bourbon, cut grass, creme brulee, low peat?, ginger, pineapple, winegums
• P: winegums, spicy, cinnamon/nutmeg
• F: medium, bitter

Came 7th (7.12), I only gave it 6/10. Selling on name alone.

Loch Lomond 12yo Croftengea OMC refill hogshead HL15541 03.2006-11.2018 50%

• N: toffee russian fudge, trifle, espresso martini
• P: tingly, watery, one dimensional
• F: long builds, hot

5th (7.98), I really didn't like this one, found it boring and watery, 5/10

Ardmore 9to BBR 2008-2018 9yo 52.3%

• N: ash, seaweed, fresh gumboots, salty, sweet, med vigorous
• P: peat, medicinal, light
• F: peat builds

I gave it 7.5/10, liked this one (4th with 8.04)

Bruichladdich Octomore 10.3 2013-2019 6yo 114ppm 61.3%

• N: yes! cabbage, alcohol, waxy, oily, smoke, bacon, carbon
• P: ash, strong, vigorous, peat, medicinal, big
• F: medium

not the biggest octomore fan, but i liked this, although a bit boring on the finish, the rest had stuff going for it. 

8/10 (it came 1st with 8.39)

Smokehead High Voltage 58%

• N: toffee, macaroni cheese, wood chips, manuka
• P: salt, peat, bacon, not subtle,
• F: long

Liked this one, it does what it says on the tin. 8.5/10 (came 2nd with 8.31)

Glenlivet Nadurra peated small batch, 61.8% 

• N: winegums, icecream, apple, pear, maple syrup, vanilla, boubon oak, spearmint
• P: complex, sherry, smoke
• F: long complex

yeah i loved this, and it's cheap (around $110NZ) 9/10 for me. (3rd on the night, 8.18)

Overall, possibly a little disappointing in sheer fuck offness peat, but there were some very nice whiskies there.

me

Whisky Tasting : 25 years of Daniel

Daniel, the dodgy bugger who led us into the whisky world, has been doing it for 25 years. So Regional Wines decided to celebrate with a line up of 25yo whiskies.

We've expanded to a quartet and so we assembled to drink booze. 

Glenrothes 25yo 43%

• N: light, sherry, sweet, oranges, elegant, lowish alcohol
• P: apples, pears, woody, sweet, caramelised sugar, oily, salt
• F: long, dry

9/10 all the hallmarks of a Glenrothes, but on 'roids. Fantastic stuff. This came 5th on the night (8.6/10)

Talisker 25yo 45.8% 1990-2017

• N: soft, smokey, tyres, gunpowder, citrus, oily seaweed, wet dog.
• P: warm, peat, smoke, hot, light, matchhead, phosphorus
• F: long, hot

9/10. Not a big fan of the standard Talisker, but when they hit 20+ years, something magical happens. the complexity brings down the fight, fantastic stuff. Came 2nd (8.95)

Cardrona 2015 Single Malt 3yo Ex Sherry 63.2%

• N: perfect, sweet, parmesan, prickly, Demerara sugar, maple syrup
• P: prickly, smooth, hot, young 
• F: hot, medium

9/10. Yes it's a 3yo, and yes thats 22 years too young. But crickey. It's a bit good. Came 7th (8.18)

Glendronach 25yo 51.2% 23.03.1993-2019. Oloroso Butt #416

• N: sherry, sack cloth, oilskin, wood polish
• P: long sherry, leather, perfect.
• F: long, sexy.

10/10. That rating is unlikely to surprise anyone. It's Glendronach, it's 25yo. I am a simple boy. Came 1st (9.45)

Glenallachie 25yo 48% bottled 2018

• N: apple, pears leather polish, poster glue (PVA), sherbert
• P: light, prickly, envelope glue, thin
• F: light, medium

7/10. In the standards of the night, abysmal. By any other lineup, quite good, just light and delicate. Came 6th (8.54), so obviously some people are eejits.

Old Pultney 25yo oak 46%

• N: light, apples, pears, mellow, musty, sweet, vanilla.
• P: Interesting, stone fruit, ginger, banana lollies
• F: medium, sugar mice

8.5/10 This was the mystery dram. Tasty stuff, apparently Neil has convinced me I should like OP. And more evidence here. Came 3rd (8.93)

Benriach 25yo 46.8%

• N: floral, dish soap, vanilla, caramel, smooth, sherry, light
• P: light, almonds, aniseed, musty, star anise, cardamon
• F: medium, aniseed

9/10. Hells yes. Oh yeah you already knew I liked Benriach. Lovely dram, complex, interesting, different. Came 4th (8.9)

Overall, best tasting I've been to. when the worst whisky got a 7. and it's not really that bad, it's probably a good line up. Actually on reflection, the Brora / Clynelish tasting was up there too. 

Anyone won lotto recently? feel free to buy me any of these. You can see some of the prices on the photo...

Slainte Daniel :)

Love, B

Whisky Tasting : Dark and Dirty

The sister tasting to the Light Fantastic a couple of weeks ago, but looking at big sherry monsters - 8 cask strengths. It's tough, real tough.
We had a tryptch, but had swopped Blair for one of my workmates.

G&M Mannochmore 56.8% 2003 15yo 1st fill sherry
N: sweetish, honey manuka, cereal, fruity, malty, vanilla
P: fruit salad, sweet, apples, ginger
F: medium, red wine?, fruit

I've had a few Mannochmores through SMWS - they don't release a lot of single casks, so it's usually the independent bottlers. I liked this a lot, interesting, fruity, and definitely worth drinking. For those playing at home, it came 7th. Which was wrong. People, they're idiots.
8/10

Adelphi 'Breath of the Highlands' 2007 12yo 52.7%
N: fruit salad, dryish, apple,
P: fruity, musty, cream, boring
F: short-med
disappointment, not sure we ever established what highland distillery it was from, but then again not keen to find out either.
6/10 [came 8th]

Dramfest 'Dirty Little Secret' 11yo 56.9% [Caol Ila]
N: rubber, sulphur, damp wool, peat
P: rubber, ashtray, sweet, cigars, iodine
F: long, ash, peppery
Dramfest bottling, and yes it's superb. It couldn't really tick any more boxes for me for a Islay whisky :)  Although as people are idiots, it only came 5th. I know. twats.
9/10

Bunnahabhain Adelphi 2009 10yo 58.9% cask #900022
N: chocolate sweet, old car, smoked cheese, caramel, mushrooms
P: warm, honey, smooth, vanilla, burnt brandy snaps
F: warm-long, dry, late evening dram
8.5/10 Also great stuff (came 4th), also more reasons I shoudl really buy some Bunnahabhain, it'll make Neil feel vindicated if nothing else...

Amrut Portonova Batch 22 62.1% 
N: strong, savoury, red berries, sweet, oloroso?
P: warm, woody, ashtray, redwine/port,
F: short
I think I'm going to have to admit that Amrut have come a long way from their rubbish first releases. This is now two that I've really liked. this came first, but wasn't my favourite
8/10

Ardnamurchan Malt Spirit 2019AD 57.4%
N: sweet, candied fruit, marmalade, delicate, hint of peat, perfumed
P: peat, pepper, heat
F: medium, peat
It's less than 3yo so can't be called scotch, but tasted very good. 7/10

Ballechin Straight from the Cask Bordeaux 2007 11yo 60.2%
N: rubber, salt, bacon, sulphur, creamy, sweet, inky
P: pepper, peat, not complex
F: long
Edradour's peated expression, much better than the early releases I tried, but I do find the SFTC a bit hit and miss from them.  Came second, which was generous.
8/10

Glenturret G&M 2005 14yo 53.5%
N: vanilla, golden syrup, light, apple, apricot
P: nutty, astringent
F: nothing
well this was rubbish, nose was good, everything else disappeared. And yet it came 3rd? I mean I shouldn't judge my fellow booze hounds, but really people ! really close to a fail from me.
5/10

As from last tasting, great to be back tasting whiskies with the group, and huzzah to NZs covid response allowing us to start up again. Next month (well ok, later this month) is the 25th anniversary of Daniel's tastings, so all whiskies are 25yo - really looking forward to that.

B

Whisky Tasting : The Light Fantastic

First Regional Wines tasting post lockdown, the last one got cancelled (mid-end March) so it's been a few months between drams. This was held at the Basin Reserve as it was originally booked during Level2 lockdown. Nice venue.
I'm proud to say I only finished one bottle during lockdown, and it was a small 200ml bottle. This either says I was very restrained, or I have a lot of bottles.

The tasting was looking at lighter style drams from Dramfest (which I also missed). Eight of them. Our usual drinking team was there...

Mortlach : Gordon & MacPhail 15yo 43%
Nose: sweet, citrus, apple, vanilla, custard, banana
Palate: fizzy sherbert, sweet, salt, apple
Finish: short-medium, apple.

I didn't pick this as a Mortlach as they're usually meatier than this which was delicate. Nose was superb, the rest was a bit weak.
7/10  (came 5th on the night)

Miltonduff : Gordon & MacPhail 'Discovery' 10yo 43%
N: bit flat, chocolate, sweet, moist leather, suppurating wound (leather-richard; wound-me)
P: honey, aniseed, salt, liquorice, sour
F: medium, aniseed

Didn't really grab me, it's good (well it is G&M) but nothing interesting.
6.5/10 (came 6th)

Benriach: Dark Rum Barrel Finish 22yo 46%
N: putty, apples, grass, elderflower, honey
P: boring, spicy pepper, floral
F: med spicy

Real disappointment from Benriach. not much happening at all (for me anyway).
6/10 (although it came 4th in group values)

Tullibardine: Cadenhead's 1993 26yo 43.9%
N: floral, grass, mushrooms, astringent cleaner
P: smokey light, salty
F: salt, butter dry, medium length

Again, not much really happening. Perfectly adequate, but not rushing to drink again.
6/10  (came 8th, so no-one else liked it either)

Amrut Greedy Angel 8yo 50%
N: chocolate, golden syrup, leather books, cricket box, ginger, raisins
P: sweet, coffee, chocolate, stunning
F: long, coffee

Ok this was superb. It's not cheap tho'. Really complex, didn't taste like a Scottish 8yo as you'd expect, the maturation is quicker in India.  I think they said it was a blend of a couple of casks?
9/10 (came 1st), possibly not worth the money, but it is very very good

Wolfburn 46%, oak matured ex Laphroaig casks, NAS
N: wine, sauv blanc, honey, low alc, grass
P: not a lot of anything
F: nothing
I failed this one, nothing happening in it.
4/10 [came 7th]

Port Askaig 10th Anniversary 10yo 55.85% 
N: rubber, bacon, gunpowder, bbq sauce
P: rubber, bacon, pepper, medicinal
F: long
This was very good, if I didn't have a 'number' of Islay's I'd have wandered home with this. Complex, warming, interesting.
8/10

Springbank 10yo Local Barley 56.2%
N: body odour of a teenage boy, wet cardboard, boring, mandarin
P: dusty, soapy
F: medium
WTF Springbank, how did you fuck this up so badly? it's not even abysmal, it's nothing.
4/10

We have the darker drams in a couple of weeks.

Slainte, B

Whisky Tasting - Benriach

Regional Wines Benriach tasting. No surprises I went along...mmm sherry. 8 whiskies ranging in value $140-800 (NZ).

Benriach virgin oak Cask #7858 1997 51.9% 21yo
N: sweet, bourbon, golden syrup, orange, banana
P: apples, very dry, strong pepper, bourbon
F: med-long

The mystery malt this one, enjoyed it but not stunning 7/10  [came third in the tasting]

Benriach 2008 10yo Batch16 South African Wine Cask 7865 59%
N: leather on old chair, sweet, old wood, caramel, honey
P: honey, bourbon, warm, flat, dry, burnt orange
F: long, hot

not so keen on this, no real interest 6/10

Benriach 2009 10yo Batch 16 Madeira Cask 1657 59%
N: peat, vigorous, paint stripper, sweet, bacon, medicinal
P: sweet, smooth, peat, lovely, rubber
F: warming, long

8/10 I liked this. it's no solstice, but hey, what is.

Benriach 2005 13yo Batch16 Port Cask 6704 57.5%
N: vinegar, peat, tobacco, raisin, currents, brandy
P: sour, weird, red wine, salty, dry, coffee
F: short-med

7/10 nose promised much, but the rest of it was a disappointment

Benriach 1997 21yo Batch16 Marsala Cask 4438 54.1%
N: oak, orange choc dip, petrol, peat
P: honey, citrus, salt, dry, sulphur
F: med

7.5/10 I liked it, but nothing really stood out for me.

Benriach 2006 12yo Batch16 Sauternes Cask 1853 55.2%
N: apple, honey, light, young, apricots
P: strong, pomegranates, walnuts, spicy
F: med-long
8.5/10 now this one I liked a lot, interesting spicyness from the Sauternes cask

Benriach 1988 30yo Batch16 Tokaji Wine Cask 4422 46.5%
N: sweet, burnt sugar, berries, raspberry, lemonade,
P: too sweet, no complexity, marmalade
F: short, boring

5.5/10. So this was the expensive $800NZ bottle. Not good. Reminded me of the expensive Tokaji finish from Edradour which was also rubbish (don't worry, I went with their sherry).

Benriach 2005 13yo Batch16 Pedro ximenez Cask 6924 56.2%
N: chocolate, sherry px, fruity apple
P: chocolate, sherry, warm
F: med

9/10. Whisky of the night for me. Sometimes odd casks work well, but sometimes stick to whatyou're good at. Although in Benriach's case, also go for peated and port :)

As usual, big thanks to Blair and Rich for thoroughly appropriate conversations...

B.

Last FM listening report 2019

I'm thinking I might try and write a bit more this year, I realise blogging is largely a dying format, but hey, I'm ok with that. Might do more work on creating new recipes for me and recording, vaguely, what I put into them...

But, music. Last year's music in particular. I scrobble all my tunes to last.fm so I get pretty accurate listening reports. And yes, I am sad enough that i'll scrobble from spotify or my mp3 collection if I'm spinning an LP. Don't judge me, I'm more than capable of judging myself.

Down a bit from last year, which reflects a few months of no Thurs Night Music night while I was living in Wellington and the music was in Dunedin. But we're back to normal now, so I'd hope for an increase on this for 2020. 

Fewer artists, albums and tracks this year, possibly reflecting the reduction in overall music. Also I don't have spotify in my new role, so I'm not randomly finding things as much. Being back with the music collection now, there's likely to be more YouTube holes I go down, finding new artists.

Unsurprising with TNMN.

No huge surprise there. A number of those artists released new albums this year 

Oddly I would have thought Dimmu Borgirs new album, Eonian might have popped up as I thought I'd spun it quite a few times. Oh well.

So there you go.

Whisky: Best of the Best

Regional Wines Best of the Best tasting, seven of the years best whiskies - or at least those Regional could get. Links, as ever, to Regional.
Blair was kind enough to have a spare ticket, and so we emphasised this to Richard who was aware on holiday. Because we care.

Glenfarclas Family Cask 2002-3.7.2018 Cask #3773 57.8% - Cask #3769 58%.
N: chocolate, dry, prunes, almond, sherry, complex
P: tasty, wood, cinnamon, mace, pepper,
F: long hot pepper

This had a 9.66 rating at the March tasting, I gave it an 8. Very much a Glenfarclas, which I like.

Amrut Portonova Single Malt 62.1% finished port pipes
N: chocolate, mint, smoke, marshmallow, sherry, sweet/dry, mahogany polish
P: warm, complex, cake, bitter chocolate, woody
F: long and builds, chocolate

This I really liked, which may be a first for an Amrut... it scored 8.77 in July, and I gave it a 9.5.

Tamdhu 58.3% #3
N: peat, fruity, parma violets, salty
P: apples, sweet perfum
F: medium

Interesting, I'm still not sure a mystery belongs in the BotB, but hey I won't complain. I gave this an 8/10

Ardnamurchan 2018AD NC2 R#3 55.3% 1st PX and Oloroso (some casks peated)
N: peat, medicinal, bandages, iodine
P: ash, oily, smoke
F: short, not great

In April this scored 8.98, and it's good, I gave it an 8/10

Glendronach 25.4.1990-2017 (27yo) PX Punch #7902 52.1%
N: sweet, sherry, old, almonds, leather polish
P: nothing, sweet
F: short

I really like Glendronach, and apparently this scored the highest of any whisky in 2018 and the highest of any tasting at Regional.
However, I found it bland and dull (not like all the other Glendronachs I've got), and gave it a 6.5-7. Look, it's not bad, it's just a bit boring. I accepted my lynching.

Benromach 2010 Peat Smoke Sherry Cask Matured 59.9%
N: medicinal, bandages, burnt sugar, golden syrup, sweet, smoke
P: warm, manuka, salt, ash
F: ash, medium

In September it was given a 9.04, I felt it was a bit one dimensional and gave it a 7/10. More lynching.

Benriach 2005 12yo #2565 Batch 14 58.8% 1st fill oloroso butt
N: fruit salad, light floral donuts
P: tasty, peaty, apples, butterscotch
F: long, very very long

In June, awarded 9.07, which (gaining back some cred with the group) I agreed with 9/10 for me.

Overall winner on the night? Glendronach.

Whisky: Mystery Tasting

Next up from the Regional Wines tasting, Mystery Whisky. Where we get eight (yes, 8) whiskies with no info and have to taste them.

Because it'd be stupid to write it up that way, I'm naming them.

Old Particular Craigellachie The Elements 2006 12yo 54.3%
N: fruit salad, apples, light, floral, grass, vanilla, creme brulee
P: rough, apples, lemonade
F: long, hot

9/10  I liked this, reminded me of the Glengoyne cask finish (12yo).

Signatory Clynelish 1995 22yo 56.3%
N: astringent, hint of smoke, complex
P: light, sweet, tasty, fruity, bourbon, lemon, date bar
F: long, chewy

8.5/10 Have I mentioned I like Clynelish....

Benromach 2008 Batch#1 Cask Strength 57.9%
N: peat, sherry, asphalt, bacon, ozone, complex, aged
P: bacon spicy paprika, peat
F: long, hot, oily

9/10 my notes say 'great balance'. This is ridiculously good value (NZD $127.99).

Glen Garioch 17yo Renaissance 3rd Chapter 50.8%
N: apple, tangy fruits, light, cut grass, burnt sugar
P: fruit, quite bland
F: short

5/10. Nothing there, bland / boring. (and definitely not worth the NZD $240!)

Dalmore King Alexander III 46%
N: fruits/apples, complex, pavlova, light, phenols?
P: apples, simple, soapy
F: light, short
5/10 notes again say boring (this one was NZD $400)

Benromach 2010 Peat Smoke Sherry Cask Matured 59.9%
N: lipstick, artificial flower (that comment has all the hallmarks of a Richard comment...), not great, sweet, dirty boots
P: phenol, salt, long throat clearer, ashtray
F: big long, tangy

8/10 I thought this was quite bunnabhain like. In a good way.

Ballechin Straight from the Cask ex Sherry 61%
N: phenol, salt, bacon, cauterised washed, lovely,
P: smoke, bacon,
F: dry, long

9.5/10 comments of 'fuck yeah', this was great. to this point the Ballechin's I've had (they're the peated version of Edradour) have been very crap. This wasn't.

Blend: Glenfarclas 105 + Pedro Ximenez Lausto 1:9
N: sweet, figs, sherry, PX, dark choc, sulphur
P: sweet, massive, very strong, syrupy, dates, orange, cognac?
F: long, hot

6.5/10 Basically, the bastards made their own blend. Some loved it, me, not so much. But adding a bit of water gave it 7.5/10 and released a far creamy flavour.

We had a bunch of questions, I got 8/16 (top was 12/16).

Fun !!

me x