Clynelish 20yo 1965 / 1985 Cadenhead 46%
Eye watering. A stunning whisky cut from the same cloth as the Giaconne 12s, only with less strength, less wildness but more svelte elegance. Cold air and tree moss, dried … Continue reading
Johnnie Walker Blue ‘The Casks Edition’ 55.8%
This is the first issue of the 1L duty free special from some years ago. Yes a blend, but there are blends and there are blends, this one was an … Continue reading
A Speyside Distillery 1990 Archives 50.9%
So, likely Glenrothes, here au naturel and with good age, offering a clean look at the heart of the spirit. A solid whisky, with a dusty spiciness not unlike rye … Continue reading
Lochside 23 yo 1981 / 2004 Blackadder #616 55.4%
The nose opens like a basket of warm ripe tropical fruit, marking what we are after in these Lochsides, and rather oily, with hints of soot on cold glass and … Continue reading
Smögen 11 yo 2014 / 2025 Whisky Blues #12/2014 60%
Intensely peaty as expected, Concerto 50+ ppm it says, but also – surprise – oily crayons, dried leaf litter, unlit cigars and an earthy farminess. But even together it all … Continue reading
Caol Ila 1981 / 1997 Gordon #2087-2093 62.7%
One of those mad little bottles. Were they simply not reducing new make or what diabolical machinations of the microclimate gods led to these monsters. Even slightly reduced this one … Continue reading
Talisker 1955 / 1992 Gordon & Macphail #1315 50.4%
Phenomenal whisky, a perfect meeting of wood, wine and spirit. Rich as only these old sherried casks can be, with dried fruit and sweet spice overtones but also hints of … Continue reading
Springbank 21 yo 1967 / 1989 Signatory #3137 46%
I admit sometimes I, like many others, view 46% with suspicion. The zeitgeist worships cask strength but when you have examples like this at hand, it makes you wonder. Nosing … Continue reading
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