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.
