Gilbey’s Redbreast 12 yo , John Jameson & Son Liqueur Whiskey vs Jameson 15 yo Limited Millenium Edition 1984 / 2000 vs Daly’s Tullamore Distillery 38 yo 1952 -1991 Cadenhead 68.9%
Some old Irish to ring in the new year. While not as popular as vintage Scotch, Irish eyes are always smiling. I’ve had a hectic but immensely rewarding 2018, I … Continue reading
Dalwhinnie 25 yo 1987 / 2012 Special Release 52.1% vs Dalwhinnie 29 yo 1973 / 2003 Special Release 57.8%
Merry Christmas 2018! Another year of blogging recording my tasting notes for reference .. I have been told blogs aren’t in anymore and it’s all about pretty pictures and instagram. … Continue reading
Glenfiddich-Glenlivet 30 yo 1963 / 1993 Cadenhead 51.7% vs Glenfiddich 1974 / 2002 50th Anniversary Of The Coronation Of HM Queen Elizabeth II #2336 48.9%
Can it be that I have reviewed almost no Glenfiddich all this while? Glenfiddich-Glenlivet 30 yo 1963 / 1993 Cadenhead 51.7% ~green glass white label A moment of truth as … Continue reading
Edradour 10 yo The Distillery Edition vs Edradour Ballechin 4 The Discovery Series
This distillery comes with the fearsome reputation being one whose whisky actually improved this side of 2000. It might be an understatement to say the fact of accomplishing this is … Continue reading
Rosebank 22 yo 1990 / 2012 #93361 Chieftains vs Rosebank 30 yo 1974 / 2005 #1595 Douglas Laing Old Malt Cask for Alambic 55.6%
Rosebank 22 yo 1990 / 2012 #93361 Chieftains 50% An unquestionably light touch sherry which is probably best if you had such a light elegant spirit but had to have … Continue reading
Springbank 30 yo 1965 ‘Lost Bottlings Series’ Master of Malt vs Springbank 30 yo parchment label
Just to show not all old bottles were great: Springbank 30 yo 1965 ‘Lost Bottlings Series’ Master of Malt 45.6% Quite an olfactory wave consisting of lots of tiny goings … Continue reading
Glenlivet ‘Over 10 years old’ Mayor, Sworder & Co. vs Glenlivet 20 yo 1965 Intertrade 56.9%
The Malt Affair concluded its third iteration yesterday. What a turn out and what a great bunch of people to call friends! The smiles on faces and the laughter across … Continue reading
Bunnahabhain 27 yo 1989 3Rivers/The Whisky Agency vs Bunnahabhain 33 yo 1979 Duncan Taylor Oceans for Japan #5241
Two Bunnahabhains done for the Japanese market. Granted the Japanese are known to have exquisite taste, it’s not surprising these mature Bunnahabhain are of excellent quality. Bunnahabhain 27 yo 1989 … Continue reading
PSA mode: The ExciseMan Whisky Bar & Whisky.Auction charity auction: amazing 1 of 1 bottles
It’s a public service announcement here at Whiskyrific, 2 great announcements: The ExciseMan Whisky Bar, located at the Esplanade Mall #02-27. Lewis and Patricia, proprietors of Le Vigne, a long … Continue reading
Caol Ila ‘Handwritten Label’ 1969 / 1985 59.9% for Meregalli vs Caol Ila 15 yo ‘Celtic Label’ 1969 / 1984 Gordon & Macphail 60.4% for Intertrade
Not the Caol Ila we know today, this Caol Ila is the older one demolished to be rebuilt as the one we know. Caol Ila ‘Handwritten Label’ 1969 / 1985 … Continue reading
Abhainn Dearg 46% vs Aultmore 15 yo 1997 Master of Malt 55.8%
Abhainn Dearg 46% This is a brand new distillery on the Isle of Lewis, founded in 2008, and it is the first distillery in the Outer Hebrides in almost 200 … Continue reading
Deanston Malt 70 proof vs Deanston 35 yo 1967 / 2002 #1051+1052
Not an old distillery, Deanston was converted from a cotton mill to distillery in 1966, so it is really quite interesting to try a 1967 whisky from the year after … Continue reading
A first for Singapore – Joint bottling by The Writing Club, Quaich Bar, The Swan Song, New Ubin Seafood
If you are browsing these pages and are familiar with the local Whisky scene, you would know Khoon Hui, whisky godfather and proprietor of Quaich Bar, the very first … Continue reading
J&G Grant ‘From the Glenlivet District’ 8 yo vs Glenfarclas-Glenlivet 12 yo Pinerolo vs Glenfarclas 15 yo Averna
A few changes here at Whiskyrific. In a bid to streamline and simplify, tasting notes will be condensed to single paragraphs where the focus will be on the overall experience … Continue reading
Clynelish 20 yo 1997 / 2017 Spirit Shop Selection #6927 vs Clynelish 21 yo 1995 / 2017 Elixir Distillers for Scotch Malt Sales
We need more Clynelish, and other whiskies of natural character that shine so well in less obtrusive wood. This distillery is a a personal favourite for more reasons than just … Continue reading
Longmorn 35 yo 1976 Thosop vs Longmorn 46 yo 1964 /2010 Book of Kells #1539 Gordon & MacPhail
Longmorn is undoubtedly one of the stars of Speyside. Unfortunately this star was never allowed to shine too brightly, as it is remains a heart malt of the Chivas range. … Continue reading
Ardbeg 27 yo 1973 Douglas Laing Old Malt Cask 282 bttls vs Ardbeg SMWS 33.12 1974 / 1991
The 1970s were phenomenal for Ardbeg. The quality of the whisky from those wondrous years simple cannot be overstated. And unlike neighbours up the road, Ardbeg’s 70s distillate is still … Continue reading
Highland Park 8 yo Ferraretto Import vs Highland Park 1976 First Cask #2013
Modern Highland Park can be very good at a fairly young age, as the recent batch of un-named Orkneys suggest. Assuming they are in fact Highland Park. Though they are … Continue reading
Glenugie 30 yo 1980 / 2011 Deoch an Doras vs Glenugie 32 yo 1977 / 2010 Deoch an Doras
This one comes with a special shoutout and thanks to a keen-eyed Glenugie aficionado. Again there’s not much left to Glenugie, and while it existed it produced some decent and … Continue reading
Laphroaig Cairdeas Fino 2018 vs Laphroaig 200th Anniversary Cairdeas 2015
Laphroaig’s Cairdeas bottles are an annual release made only to the Friends of Laphroaig – easy enough to sign up, and though they do come in significant batch sizes, they … Continue reading
Port Ellen 22 yo 1983 Douglas Laing Old Malt Cask ‘Whisky Festival Noord Netherlands’ vs Port Charlotte 2002 / 2010 Malts of Scotland #1172
Because both are ‘Ports’ and both are Islay bred.. Port Ellen 22 yo 1983 Douglas Laing Old Malt Cask ‘Whisky Festival Noord Netherlands’ 54.3% Nose: It’s a clean style of … Continue reading
Littlemill 21 yo 1991 Hunter Laing Old Malt Cask #9822 vs Littlemill 22 yo 1992 Hunter Laing Old & Rare #10882
This is one closed distillery whose quality is such that we are truly left bemoaning its closing. Those who were around some 5 years ago might remember the batches of … Continue reading
Longrow 8 yo 1987 / 1995 Signatory #136-138 vs Longrow 1987 / 2005 Samaroli #113
One might say 1987 was a good year for Longrow, and one might be accused of stating the obvious. Longrow 8 yo 1987 / 1995 Signatory #136-138 43% Nose: How … Continue reading
Talisker 12 yo Distillers Agency vs Talisker 10 yo ‘Map label’
‘Made By the Sea’ is right, but not the only distillery on Skye anymore now that Torabhaig is up and running, and since the newcomer has thrown down the gauntlet … Continue reading
Bladnoch 20 yo vs Bladnoch 23 yo 1966 Signatory #2674-76
After a very busy 2 weeks, I find myself with some catching up to do. I am frequently asked for an alternative to Rosebank, and in the camp of light … Continue reading
Springbank 5 yo ‘brown glass bottle’ vs Springbank 21 yo ‘pear shape’
Springbank is clearly one of the unquestionable greats, with the added benefit of having a history of fantastic old bottles from their core range of over half a century now. … Continue reading
Glenburgie 1948 & 1961 / 1981 ‘A special vatting to commemorate the wedding of H.R.H The Prince of Wales to Lady Diana Spencer on 29th July 1981’ vs Glenburgie Batch 1 That Boutique-y Whisky Company
Comparing a very old and a rather new Glenburgie, certainly the only Glenburgie I have anyway. Thanks to friends! Glenburgie 1948 & 1961 / 1981 ‘A special vatting to commemorate … Continue reading
Inchmurrin 2001 / 2017 #4157 for The Whisky Exchange vs Inchmurrin 42 yo 1974 / 2016 Cadenhead 44.3%
Inchmurrin, named for the eponymous Island within Loch Lomond, is just one of the distillery’s Single Malt variants. That Swiss Army Knife of a distillery is able to produce so many … Continue reading
Glen Garioch 23 yo 1990 Nectar of the Daily Drams vs Glen Garioch 24 yo 1990 Signatory #2761
I like Glen Garioch a lot. It’s got an interesting history, and great bottles both old and new. These 90s bottles in particular display a very mineral and cutting style … Continue reading
Irish Single Malt 27 yo 1990 / 2017 The Whisky Agency vs Irish Single Malt Cooley 25 yo 1992 / 2017 Cadenhead 175th Anniversary
What’s become of the wave of Irish Single Malt of the last few years? Give thanks and be glad, these were beautifully fruity whiskies like nothing Scotland has produced of … Continue reading
Glen Keith 40 yo 1970 Murray McDavid Aficionado Bottle 1 of 1 vs Glen Elgin 40 yo 1975 Maltbarn
Because who has that many samples of old Glen Keith or Glen Elgin lying around – Glen Keith 40 yo 1970 Murray McDavid Aficionado Bottle 1 of 1 49.2% A … Continue reading
Caol Ila CL4 Speciality Drinks vs Caol Ila Distillery Only 2007
A funny thing I notice about Caol Ila is that great and consistent though it generally is, it wouldn’t pop up as a first thought in the minds of people … Continue reading
Jura 22 yo 1992 / 2014 Douglas Laing Old Particular #10362 vs Jura 25 1991 Douglas Laing XOP #11067
Jura is one of those island whiskies that still comes with a lot of character, and much like Springbank, some people need to warm up to it. But those who … Continue reading
Rosebank 20 yo 1967 / 1988 Cadenhead dumpy vs Rosebank 28 yo 1965 / 1993 Signatory #2498
The wonders of old Rosebank, very different from 90s Rosebanks that can still be easily found, more or less… These old bottles hide a secret or two: Rosebank 20 yo … Continue reading
Ledaig 7 yo 2005 Douglas Laing Provenance #9654 vs Ledaig 8 yo 2001 / 2010 Nectar of the Daily Drams
Quite sure I am not the only one who thinks Tobermory should just make Ledaig full time. Some of the stuff Tobermory has been putting out this side of 2000 … Continue reading
Auchentoshan 25 yo 1992 / 2017 Signatory Vintage #538 vs Auchentoshan 30 yo 1984 / 2015 Douglas Laing Old Particular #10702
I have tried a number of younger (<20 yo) modern Auchentoshans and have not been impressed by any. The over 20s seem better, but perhaps it’s just a matter of … Continue reading
Ben Nevis 34 yo 1966 / 2000 #3663 vs Ben Nevis 10 yo 2002 / 2013 #334 White Port Pipe matured
Ben Nevis often suffers the ignominy of being an ‘alternative’ Malt rather than a first go-to choice, but those who know recognize its potential for a full and big boned … Continue reading
Tamnavulin 20yo 1991 / 2011 Gordon & Macphail Connoisseurs Choice vs Tamnavulin-Glenlivet 1967 / 1986 “The Old Mill” #1456-1459
Tamnavulin is one of the newer distilleries built in the 60s with the idea of being a major blend component and therefore it’s 6 large stills were intended for a … Continue reading
Ord Over 16, 1998/2014, Selected by Simon & Phil vs Ord 40 yo 1965 / 2005 ‘Bouquet’ Samaroli
Glen Ord … somewhat ignored by it’s owners, somewhat looked over by enthusiasts, which is all a shame because it’s one of those distilleries that has a stellar (but spotty?) … Continue reading
Thompson Brothers: Glenlivet Solera drawn 1994, Springbank solera 1950-1978 drawn 1996, Glen Mhor 1937/1959
The Thompson brothers, Phil and Simon, proprietors of the Dornoch Castle Hotel Bar and new distillers operating the Dornoch Distillery, have in their various travels and searching, acquired three examples … Continue reading
Berlin 2018: Dalmore 35 yo 1965 Big Market, Glen Mhor 34 yo 1966 OMC, Fettercairn 30 yo 1972 #2895, Fettercairn 29 yo 1973 #1966, Glencadam 38yo 1974 The Admiral’s Cask, Port Ellen 26yo 1983 Thosop, Glen Ord 1975 Prenzlow, Brora 37 yo 2015 Special Release, Glen Grant 33 yo 1965 Big Market, Tamdhu 9 yo 1984 Big Market, Macallan 12 yo 1990 Big Market, Inverleven 21yo 1966 Cadenhead, Glentauchers 20yo 1965 Cadenhead, Port Ellen 24 yo 1978 2nd Release
So it was Limburg weekend just a fortnight ago. Those who follow the various Whisky groups on social media would know it was a wonderfully frenetic weekend of excess that … Continue reading
V.S.O Scotch Whisky (Glen Mhor) 1917 95 proof vs Glen Mhor 30 yo 1966 For the 30th Anniversary of Bar Metro
In what may turn out to be an ill-advised session, and because these are the only two Glen Mhor I have on hand. Glen Mhor is of course closed and … Continue reading
Ardbeg Twenty Something 23 yo 46.3% vs Ardbeg 14 yo 1994/2008 Cadenhead 58.3%
Brand new ‘groovy’ Ardbeg is out and I’m playing catch up with Twenty Something, which is really actually 23 years old… Ardbeg Twenty Something 23 yo 46.3% Pre notes conclusion: … Continue reading
Mezcal Siete Misterios Mezcal Espadin 48% vs Siete Misterios Mezcal Doba-Yej 2013 45.5%
Siete Misterios Mezcal Espadin 48% Espadin is a Agave varietal that is commonly used for Mezcal, most bottlers or distillers would have an Espadin offering in their line up. Nose: … Continue reading
Bunnahabhain 35 yo 1974/2009 A.D Rattray #7111 vs Bunnahabhain 39 yo 1976/2016 Cadenhead Small Batch
Some coincidence but a number of friends have opened some 70s Bunnahabhain recently, which is a happy thing to have as early 70s Bunnahabhain are usually excellent, and for some … Continue reading
Brora 40 yo 1972 59.1% for 13th March, a very special day
Wow would you look at the date. It’s been a busy and eventful couple of weeks, but today’s tasting is to mark a very special occasion. My family becomes four. … Continue reading
Balmenach 26 yo 1988 Signatory for The Whisky Exchange #3242 vs Balmenach 1979 / 2009 Berry Brothers #155 + 156
Balmenach is another distillery one does not hear much about, other than the very occasional independent bottling. There is no core range, no vintage focus, no great history, though it … Continue reading
Highland Park 27 yo 1974 / 2001 Silver Seal First Bottling vs Highland Park 18 yo 1976 / 1994 Cadenhead #4648
A funny thing I have found with Highland Park is that the official bottlings are blended with a specific house style in mind – which is normal – but the … Continue reading
Macallan 1977/1992 Samaroli ‘Matured in sherry wood’ vs Macallan 25 yo 1976/2001 Silver Seal First Bottling
The traditional house style of Macallan is dominated by sherry cask maturation. It is to these beautiful whiskies beloved of Michael Jackson that I turn to after a very interesting … Continue reading
Mezcal: Del Maguey Wild Papalome vs Del Maguey Wild Tepextate
Tequila and Mezcal are distilled from the crushed cooked and fermented Agave plant. But while Tequila must be made from the Blue Agave, Mezcal may be made from any variety. … Continue reading
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