Bruichladdich 21 yo 1993 / 2015 Douglas Laing DL10706 51.5% vs Bruichladdich 25 yo 1992 / 2017 Cadenhead 175th Anniv 53.8%
Bruichladdich 21 yo 1993 / 2015 Douglas Laing DL10706 51.5% Somewhat shy on the nose, but oaky ex-bourbon notes are evident, as is rucola and mustard. Somewhat harsh. Despite some … Continue reading
Springbank 21 yo 1993 / 2015 Lockett Brothers #470 49.4% vs Cooley 22 yo 1991 / 2014 SMWS 117.5 55.5%
Springbank 21 yo 1993 / 2015 Lockett Brothers #470 49.4% Oh a sharp-edged, muscular Springbank. Grass juice, lemon rind, all ascetic and raw. Lots of hot engine oil and puffing … Continue reading
Wardhead 19 yo 1997 Pisces Stellar Selections Japan #186 50.7% vs The Huntly Burnside 18 yo 1997 Dimensions Duncan Taylor #6481 52.5% vs Westport 18 yo 1997 The Oceans Duncan Taylor for Whisk-e Japan #1500071 58.4%
Wardhead 19 yo 1997 Pisces Stellar Selections #186 50.7% (teaspooned Glenfiddich) Very natural with nothing to hide behind. Here all clarity and sharpness, barley sugar and tons of fresh malt. … Continue reading
Port Ellen 1979 / 2014 Gordon & Macphail R0/14/01 46% vs Port Ellen 35 yo 1978 / 2004 Douglas Laing for Alambic Classique DL655 61.1% vs Port Ellen 35 yo 1982 / 2018 Signatory 30th Anniversary #2040 55.1%
Port Ellen 1979 / 2014 Gordon & Macphail R0/14/01 46% Noses exactly as expected. These later Port Ellens were rather consistent and most rather good. Suede leather stained by the … Continue reading
Benromach 28 yo 1965 / 1993 Cadenhead 47.6% vs Laphroaig 10 yo ‘Original Cask Strength’ 57.3% 33.33cl duty free bottle
Benromach 28 yo 1965 / 1993 Cadenhead 47.6% An old polished nose of gleaming pine and cedar dosed with plenty of camphor and pine needles. Benromach seems to tend to … Continue reading
Jura 21 yo 1992 / 2014 Hunter Laing for FassZination (Vom Fass) #VF10272 46% vs Jura 27 yo 1967 Stillman’s Dram 45%
Jura 27 yo 1967 Stillman’s Dram 45% An amalgamation of fruity, jammy, dark chocolate notes though it doesn’t seem to have the suggestive intensity of a first fill cask. Still … Continue reading
Bunnahabhain 30 yo 1988 / 2019 Douglas Laing XOP DL12821 42.6% vs Bunnahabhain 26 yo 1987 / 2013 Nectar of the Daily Drams for LMdW ‘Yin Yang Light’ 62.5%
Bunnahabhain 30 yo 1988 / 2019 Douglas Laing XOP DL12821 42.6% Big! Buttery malt, toasted cereals, rye flakes, baked nuts, all oily and delicious. Drily spiced with ground ginger, pepper, … Continue reading
Tamnavulin Moon Import ‘Birds’ 1966 / 1988 45% vs Clynelish 27 yo 1982 / 2010 Berry Bros for Whisky-e #5890 53.4% vs Clynelish 24 yo 1989 / 2013 Adelphi #3846 53.1%
Tamnavulin Moon Import ‘Birds’ 1966 / 1988 45% Beautiful labels. This old Tamnavulin has much to say, and does so in a lilting accent of old, if you will. Copper … Continue reading
Caol Ila 1978 / 1992 Gordon & Macphail Cask #5347-5351,11553-11564 63.7% vs Caol Ila 12 yo 1978 / 1990 Cadenhead 65.5%
Caol Ila 1978 / 1992 Gordon & Macphail Cask #5347-5351,11553-11564 63.7% This might be a polarising one. I love it but others might find it too unhinged. Bubbling smoke from … Continue reading
Glenugie 1967 / 1989 Sestante 43% vs Glenugie 1967 / 1989 Sestante 59.5%
Glenugie 1967 / 1989 Sestante 43% Trying not to be distracted by the reputation of this pair. So. Lots of ripe fruit that veer wonderfully to the tropical – warm … Continue reading
Clynelish 25 yo 1993 / 2019 Gordon & MacPhail 19/079 54.3% vs Chollet Lot 1960 bottled 2020 ‘#4 Le bon vivant’ Fin Bois Malternative 46.3%
Another two wipeouts. Clynelish 25 yo 1993 / 2019 Gordon & MacPhail 19/079 54.3% An astringent but drily aromatic grapefruit pith, combined with grass sap and some petrol. Then white … Continue reading
Macallan 8 yo FLLI Rinaldi 43% 75cl vs Macallan 18 yo 1973 / 1991 43%
Macallan 8 yo FLLI Rinaldi 43% 75cl ~ circa 70s bottling Perfect at 8. Really. Spiced nut cake, raspberry sauce, port wine coulis, dark chocolate, slice of candied orange, ganache, … Continue reading
Caperdonich 1972 / 2011 Malts of Scotland #1144 57.4% vs Caperdonich 1972 / 2008 Gordon & MacPhail #1975 57%
Caperdonich 1972 / 2011 Malts of Scotland #1144 57.4% Baskets of ripe fruit in burnished hues of amber and golden. Nectarines, passionfruit, chiku even, sweet berries and a touch … Continue reading
Glen Garioch 27 yo 1991 / 2018 Carn Mor #20392 51% vs Glen Garioch 21 yo 1965 Full Proof 50%
Glen Garioch 27 yo 1991 / 2018 Carn Mor #20392 51% Always interesting. Glen Garioch has these phenolic touches that can veer a little rough but here it’s all polished … Continue reading
Talisker 10 yo ‘map label’ 45.8% ~circa early 90s vs Talisker Gordon & MacPhail 100 proof ~ circa 80s bottling
Talisker 10 yo ‘map label’ 45.8% ~circa early 90s bottling I’ve personally found the current 10 yo to be somewhat unpolished but this old beauty reminded me how much depth … Continue reading
Laphroaig 1977 / 1995 43% vs Laphroaig 12 yo 1984 / 1996 Cadenhead 60.3%
Laphroaig 1977 / 1995 43% Peak Laphroaig? An absolute fruit driven glory. The bulky bass of medicinal camphor, soot, engine oil are clearly evident and the coast does batter the … Continue reading
Highland Park 25 yo 1992 / 2017 Cadenhead Warehouse Tasting 59.8% vs Mortlach 30 yo 1989 / 2019 Douglas Laing #DL13722 52.4%
Another two bottles that went in a flash: Highland Park 25 yo 1992 / 2017 Cadenhead Warehouse Tasting 59.8% A curious pale green hue to this whisky. I find more … Continue reading
Clynelish 21 yo 1989 / 2010 Whisky Agency 54% vs Clynelish 20 yo 1997 / 2017 Spirit Shop Selection #6932 56.5%
Clynelish 21 yo 1989 / 2010 Whisky Agency 54% When you get Clynelish, Clynelish gets you. Here’s another luscious Clynelish bursting at the seams with softened beeswax in glowing sunshine, … Continue reading
Benrinnes 17 yo 1995 / 2012 Signatory #5883 50.4% vs Benrinnes 20 yo 1997 / 2017 SMWS 36.153 The Lightness of Lyne 60.6%
Benrinnes 17 yo 1995 / 2012 Signatory #5883 50.4% Mid 90s Benrinnes is underrated I think. Take this simple Signatory, blind one might be forgiven for thinking Mortlach. It’s has … Continue reading
Glen Moray 23 yo 1995 /2019 SMWS 35.239 52.9% vs Glen Moray-Glenlivet 27 yo 1962 / 1989 Cadenhead 55.1%
Glen Moray 23 yo 1995 /2019 SMWS 35.239 52.9% Well. Floral sachets in old cabinets, touches of lilac bon bons. Dried petals in luxury potpourri. These words produce certain reactions … Continue reading
Clynelish 21 yo 1995 / 2017 Single Malts of Scotland #10203 55.9% vs Highland Park 1981 / 2011 Scott’s Selection 48.5%
or Bottles I Finished Way Too Quickly, which tend to have a personally favoured style, and by that I mean various things … Clynelish 21 yo 1995 / 2017 … Continue reading
Glen Lochy 14 yo The Whisky Shop 50% vs Glenlochy 32 yo 1980 / 2012 Signatory #1759 60.1%
Glen Lochy 14 yo The Whisky Shop 50% ~ Burn Stewart Distillers An unusual one for The Whisky Shop some time ago. Cut stems in water and dry sphagnum moss … Continue reading
Ben Nevis 42 yo 1973 / 2015 Signatory for 67 Pall Mall 43% vs Ben Nevis 44 yo 1970 / 2015 Finest Whisky #6 44.4%
Have not posted notes in 2 months. A new first, but a break was nice. Ben Nevis 42 yo 1973 / 2015 Signatory for 67 Pall Mall 43% A savoury … Continue reading
Benriach 33 yo 1977 / 2011 #9119 45.7% for Asta Morris vs Benriach 35 yo 1976 / 2012 #8804 54.9%
I hadn’t realized my last review was posted exactly a month ago. I will blame it on work and other olfactory pursuits, with a generous dash of laziness plus maybe … Continue reading
Lagavulin Distiller’s Edition 1994 / 2010 lgv.4/498 43% vs Lagavulin Friends of the Classic Malts 12 yo 1995 / 2008 48%
Lagavulin Distiller’s Edition 1994 / 2010 lgv.4/498 43% Anyone familiar with the standard 16 yo would find this very similar, with expected earthy peat, black tea, gritty burnt herbs, stained … Continue reading
Glen Grant 27 yo 1955 / 1982 Samaroli 43% vs Glenury Royal 24 yo 1966 / 1990 Cadenhead 53.8%
Glen Grant 27 yo 1955 / 1982 Samaroli 43% Let’s calibrate. Here is honey and gentle wax, buttered pear tarts and freshly turned dry loam. No big sherry but you … Continue reading
Lochside 22 yo 1979 / 2001 Douglas Laing Old Malt Cask 276 bttls 50% vs Lochside 32 yo 1982 / 2014 Malts of Scotland #14019 55.2% vs Lochside 29 yo 1981 / 2010 Thosop 50.5%
Less common vintages for Lochside: Lochside 22 yo 1979 / 2001 Douglas Laing Old Malt Cask 276 bttls 50% One of those malts where the fruitiness, while leaning juicily tropical, … Continue reading
St Magdalene 25 yo 1964 / 1989 Cadenhead 44.2% vs St Magdalene 23 yo 1970 Rare Malts 58.43%
St Magdalene 25 yo 1964 / 1989 Cadenhead 44.2% One of those old noses which are so remarkably phenolic one might have thought old Ardmore. Cold engines and a single … Continue reading
Caol Ila 15 yo Sestante for Novecento 64.7% vs Caol Ila 15 yo Sestante 65.3%
Caol Ila 15 yo Sestante for Novecento 64.7% Familiar sort of brutal Caol Ila, the kind that’s oily, rooty, flinty, briny and lemony, but as narrow as the space between … Continue reading
Glen Garioch 25 yo 1990 / 2017 LMdW ‘Artist #7’ Cask #2694 52.3% vs Glen Garioch 1968 29 yo 1968 #625 57.2%
Glen Garioch 25 yo 1990 / 2017 LMdW ‘Artist #7’ Cask #2694 52.3% Good one, as these early 90s go. Charcoal, petrichor, thin stony minerals and clean algae. Spearmint, tarragon, … Continue reading
Clynelish 90 yo 1972 / 2002 Scotch Malt Sales 58% vs Clynelish 23 yo 1974 / 1998 Rare Malts 59.1%
Clynelish 90 yo 1972 / 2002 Scotch Malt Sales 58% So very.. Clynelish. Top notch distillery, Top notch year. Hot wax, afternoon sun on flints and gritty gravel on chalky … Continue reading
Scapa 12 yo 40% ~2000 vs Scapa 8 yo Gordon & Macphail 57% ~ late 80s
Scapa 12 yo 40% ~2000 Fresh and very light, surprisingly really. Cold margarine, malt, green apples and a lemony eau de vie. Not bad whisky just a tad simple and … Continue reading
Bruichladdich 21 yo 1992 / 2014 Duncan Taylor #3987 49.7% vs Bruichladdich 22 yo 1991 / 2014 Gleann Mor #2270 55.9%
Bruichladdich 21 yo 1992 / 2014 Duncan Taylor #3987 49.7% Great years at Bruichladdich. Fresh, zingy, cut limes, cut grass, parsley, green apples, green kiwis and other tangy unripe fruit. … Continue reading
Rosebank 26 yo 1967 / 1994 Signatory #4397 51.7% vs Rosebank 25 yo 1967 / 1993 Signatory #4393-4394 54.4%
Rosebank 26 yo 1967 / 1994 Signatory #4397 51.7% Wonderful old Rosebank, slightly dusty and thinly resinous with brittle but clear layers of flaking resins. Just slightly sooty, with a … Continue reading
Macduff 40 yo 1968 / 2008 Duncan Taylor #8547 45.5% vs Deanston 23 yo 1967 / 1991 Signatory #1785 55.4%
Macduff 40 yo 1968 / 2008 Duncan Taylor #8547 45.5% Very soft, gentle profile full of wood nuances. loads of warming dessert spices, gentle hints of worn leather, caramel, pastry … Continue reading
Highland Park 22 yo Cadenhead 80 proof vs Highland Park 14 yo 1978 / 1993 Cadenhead 55.2%
Highland Park 22 yo Cadenhead 80 proof Joy in a glass. A multi layered Highland Park that balances deep phenols with a litheness of being. So a deep oozing phenolic … Continue reading
Dailuaine 31 yo 1966 / 1997 Cadenhead 57.1% vs Dailuaine 22 yo 1973 / 1996 Rare Malts 60.92%
Dailuaine 31 yo 1966 / 1997 Cadenhead 57.1% An amazing nose. Multi hued and deep, vivacious and conversational. Complex overtones of a genuine old sherry butt, but clearly not … Continue reading
Brora 1972 / 1996 Gordon & Macphail Connoisseurs Choice 40% vs Brora 24 yo 1977 / 2001 Rare Malts 56.1% vs Brora 19 yo 1982 / 2001 Chieftains #1189/1192 46%
Brora 1972 / 1996 Gordon & Macphail Connoisseurs Choice 40% Even diluted the power of Brora comes though with a stately magnificence. Monolithic peat, clean farmy notes. Hot tar, oozing … Continue reading
Clynelish 12 yo for Whiskyteca Edward & Edward long cap 56.9% vs Clynelish 12 yo for Whiskyteca Edward & Edward bicolour 56.9%
A lazy sunday afternoon revisit of: Clynelish 12 yo for Whiskyteca Edward & Edward long cap 56.9% As austere and phenolic as ever. Cold air, dried heather, tree moss, brittle … Continue reading
Talisker 30 yo 1953 Gordon & Macphail 40% vs Talisker 1957 Gordon & Macphail 53.5%
Talisker 30 yo 1953 Gordon & Macphail 40% Surprisingly rather smoky and peaty despite its 30 years. Dry crumbled peat dust, and smoke coaxed from a fire of dried branches. … Continue reading
Brodgar (Highland Park) 17 yo 1978 The Whisky Connoisseur 56.8% vs Highland Park 16 yo 1974 / 1991 Signatory #7137 57%
Brodgar (Highland Park) 17 yo 1978 The Whisky Connoisseur 56.8% Never know what to expect. Wet earth and light sappy smoke as if from burnt grass, withered weeds and branches. … Continue reading
Ardbeg 29 yo 1967 / 1996 Kingsbury #923 52% vs Ardbeg 28 yo 1967 / 1995 Signatory #574 dark oloroso 53.2%
Ardbeg 29 yo 1967 / 1996 Kingsbury #923 52% This is a thick soup of flavour. Bags of richness next to mountains of smoking peat. Dry and tannic, and frankly … Continue reading
Rosebank 21 yo The Whisky Exchange 48% vs Rosebank 25 61.4%
Rosebank 21 yo The Whisky Exchange 48% A fresh and light sort of Rosebank from the later years. Sweet and gently malty, rolling in rock candy, vanilla pods, barley sugar … Continue reading
Ledaig 20 yo Douglas Murdoch 40% vs Ledaig 21 yo 1973 Hart Brothers 43%
Ledaig 20 yo Douglas Murdoch 40% ~70s distillate An old school peat cut from the same multicoloured cloth as that spun in Islay circa 1970. Dry dusty peat with black … Continue reading
Ardbeg 25 yo Lord of the Isles 46% ~early 2000s vs Ardbeg Supernova Committee 2014 55%
Ardbeg 25 yo Lord of the Isles 46% ~early 2000s bottling A rightly lauded bottle. I remember when this was 800 sgd at the duty free. Ardbeg, style: classic, era: … Continue reading
Royal Brackla Gordon & Macphail Connoisseurs Choice ‘Map Label’ 1991 / 2011 46% vs Royal Brackla 23 yo 1975 / 1998 Signatory #5456 58.6%
Royal Brackla Gordon & Macphail Connoisseurs Choice ‘Map Label’ 1991 / 2011 46% Very nice actually, toasted cereals and lightly nutty with buttery creamy overtones, a bit like toasted Macadamias. … Continue reading
Brora 20 yo 1982 Whisky Connoisseur 58.6% vs Brora 12 yo 1976 / 1989 SMWS 61.1 63.6%
Brora 20 yo 1982 Whisky Connoisseur 58.6% Like its sister distillery,here are soft minerals and waxy notes. Honey, hay and buttered pears. Fat ambrette seeds. Completely different from a 72 … Continue reading
Jura 30 yo 44% ~ 2012 bottling vs Jura 25 yo 1989 / 2015 Signatory #30729 60.9%
Jura 30 yo 44% ~ 2012 bottling This one wants to be a sherry forward whisky but the veneer is so thin its a little underwhelming. Feels incomplete. Buttered and … Continue reading
Glen Garioch 18 yo 1975 / 1994 Cadenhead 54.9% vs Glen Garioch 13 yo 1975 / 1988 Samaroli 57%
Glen Garioch 13 yo 1975 / 1988 Samaroli 57% This is not the sort of heavy peat that’s thick on medicinal or coastal elements. It is a kind of immense … Continue reading
Glencadam 15 yo 46% ~ 2012 bottling vs ‘East Highland’ Glencadam 13 yo Cadenhead 59.4%
Glencadam 15 yo 46% ~ 2012 bottling Natural and naked malt. This will be straightforward: Clean, malty, toasted cereal, butter and breakfast honey. Grain dust, white pepper, hot stones. Some … Continue reading
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