Caol Ila 19 yo 1995 Signatory #457 + 458 vs Caol Ila 1990 Mackillop’s Choice #1484
Caol Ila 19 yo 1995 Signatory #457 + 458 46% The fresh sort of peaty Islay, more buttered burnt toast than unholy infernos. A light toned but rooty ‘clean earth’ … Continue reading
Hampden 7 yo 2010 Velier 62% vs Long Pond 15 yo 2003 1200/1300 ‘Continental Flavoured’ TECA 63%
Oberservation: Some of these high quality young rums completely outclass whisky of the same age. Counterpoint: Apples and Oranges though. Hampden 7 yo 2010 Velier 62% Thick treacly yet salty … Continue reading
Highland Park 1982 / 1994 Gordon & Macphail Cask #784-786, 788 56.9% vs Highland Park 1983 / 1992 Gordon & Macphail Cask #1556 59.7%
Seems like a bumper crop of young undisclosed Highland Parks has arrived at the independents, most of which seem to have been well received. How about some young HPs from … Continue reading
Croftengea 2008 / 2018 #272 for The Whisky Exchange 54.8% vs Croftengea 11 yo 2007 / 2018 #209 The Single Cask 60.2%
This is Loch Lomond. It’s common practice to designate different names to different styles of makes to differentiate them from the ‘house’ style. But for Loch Lomond, which is able … Continue reading
St Magdalene 30 yo 1975 / 2005 Silver Seal 50% vs Linlithgow (St Magdalene) 1982 / 2008 #2220 Carn Mor 61.8%
If one had a mind to look, one would find available some mid 70s St Magdalenes but a lot of 1982s still floating around. Funny that those I’ve tried seem … Continue reading
Scapa 24 yo 1965 / 1990 Cadenhead 50.1% vs Scapa 25 yo 1980 / 2005 54%
Just 2 distilleries in the Orkney Islands and I don’t need to mention it’s famous brother. Well this is the workhorse sibling, whose output disappears into blends though every now … Continue reading
Bowmore 16 yo Cadenhead Sheriff’s Bowmore Distillery 46% vs Bowmore 13 yo Cadenhead Sheriff’s Bowmore Distillery 80 proof
Bowmore 16 yo Cadenhead Sheriff’s Bowmore Distillery 46% ~early 80s bottling A wondrous combination of some tropical fruit skins (yet not exuberantly fruity) with a clear salt tang, clean earth and … Continue reading
Ardbeg Provenance 2nd Release for the US 23 yo 1974 / 1998 54.7% vs Ardbeg Provenance 1st release 23 yo 1974 / 1997 55.6%
2 of 4 of the monumental Provenance series for Ardbeg. These are landmark whiskies. Ardbeg Provenance 2nd Release for the US 23 yo 1974 / 1998 54.7% This is Ardbeg … Continue reading
Strathisla 1965 / 2011 #3473 vs Tamdhu 21 yo 1990 Old & Rare Douglas Laing
Big sherry night: Strathisla 45 yo 1965 / 2011 Gordon & Macphail for LMDW #3473 48% This one was bottled by LMDW Singapore, half the cask is with a private … Continue reading
Strathisla 34 yo 1937 / 1972 Gordon and Macphail for Pinerolo 43% vs Macallan 1947 securo cap Campbell, Hope & King for Rinaldi 80 proof
Some old Speysiders from around the war years when peat was most likely used to dry the malt. Strathisla 34 yo 1937 / 1972 Gordon and Macphail for Pinerolo 43% … Continue reading
Pechuga Del Maguey PEC-131 49% vs Pierde Almas Conejo 2015 Lote: 06-PC 51%
Pechuga Del Maguey PEC-131 49% This is a special occasion Mezcal only made in season and drunk at important events. It starts with a Minero that’s already been double distilled … Continue reading
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
