Glen Garioch 1975 Coilltean Samaroli 57% vs Glen Garioch 18 1978 / 1997 #4768, 10601-5, 10950-4 59.4%
Glen Garioch 1975 Coilltean Samaroli 57% Immensely peaty with abyssal depth. Thin smoke from burning grass, dried leaves, mossy branches and roots, straw, on what must be a bed of … Continue reading
Clynelish 21 yo 1997 The Malt Affair and The Auld Alliance 49.9% vs Clynelish 27 yo 1994 / 2021 Gleann Mor Rare Find for Royal Mile Whiskies 50.1%
Clynelish 21 yo 1997 The Malt Affair and The Auld Alliance 49.9% Everything in its place. Cold wax, honey, rubbed granite, drops of petrol, snapped twigs, one sooty smear, the … Continue reading
Highland Park 12 yo Ferraretto Import ~ circa 1979 ‘Gradi 43% Idrati 75 cl’ vs Highland park 8yo Gordon & Macphail 100 proof
Highland Park 12 yo Ferraretto Import ~ circa 1979 ‘Gradi 43% Idrati 75 cl’ An old glory. Subtle mix of discrete but well executed sherry and peat elements. Peat smoke. … Continue reading
Longmorn 37 yo 1973 / 2011 Whisky Agency 58% vs Benriach 17 yo 1978 / 1995 Cadenhead 59.7%
Longmorn 37 yo 1973 / 2011 Whisky Agency 58% Yellow plums, ripe but tart, a prickly mass of dessert spice and genteel drawing rooms of dark leather and oaken panels. … Continue reading
Clynelish Distiller’s Edition 1992 / 2007 Cl-Br:170-2g 46% Vs Clynelish 17 yo Managers Dram 61.8% ~ bottled 1998
So two sherried Clynelish. I’ve always preferred ex bourbon Clybelish but I keep an open mind: Clynelish Distiller’s Edition 1992 / 2007 Cl-Br:170-2g 46% Unmistakable warm wax and honey, cruising … Continue reading
Bowmore 25 yo 1990 / 2015 Rest & Be Thankful Whisky Co #185076 53.7% vs Bowmore 21 yo 1995 / 2016 Master of Malt 54.7%
Bowmore 25 yo 1990 / 2015 Rest & Be Thankful Whisky Co #185076 53.7% Now while the heart of it is fruity, it’s firmly in the tart citric camp, so … Continue reading
Glendullan 12 yo Macdonald Greenlees 47% ~ Importato Da Ditta Manzuoli vs Glenfarclas 28 yo 1970 / 1999 Cadenhead 55.9%
Glendullan 12 yo Macdonald Greenlees 47% ~ Importato Da Ditta Manzuoli, late 80s Quite a full nose, but is that the cask? Right, a veneer of sulphur that clear but … Continue reading
Linkwood 15 Gordon & Macphail 100 proof/57% vs Mortlach Gordon & Macphail 100 proof/57%
Linkwood 15 Gordon & Macphail 100 proof / 57% Loads of dry exotic wood notes. Top grade black pepper, cedar, blackwood, teak oil, birch and myrrh. Just dry dry dry. … Continue reading
Benrinnes 20 yo 1995 / 2016 Signatory #5894 49.6% vs Benrinnes 21 yo Special Release 2014 56.9%
Benrinnes 20 yo 1995 / 2016 Signatory #5894 49.6% This house believe that Benrinnes significantly improved in the 90s. Sunny yellow hues of sweet honey, baked shortcrust, yellow stonefruit, tinned … Continue reading
Balvenie 40 yo 48.5%
Balvenie 40 yo 48.5% It says ‘matured beautifully’ on the label and indeed, that is the case here. An intoxicating blend of several careful parts: Soft spicy sweetness wrought by … Continue reading
Highland Park 20 yo 1996 / 2016 Cadenhead 50.6% vs Highland Park 1981 / 2005 Riegger’s Selection #6048 50.3%
Highland Park 20 yo 1996 / 2016 Cadenhead 50.6% Crystal clarity and laser focused. This sharp mix of wispy smoke, sea air, thin wax, white minerals, brittle resins, light but … Continue reading
Longmorn 44 yo 1966 / 2011 The Dram Taker’s ‘Book of Kells’ Gordon & MacPhail for Limburg #281 43.1% vs Longmorn-Glenlivet 19 yo 1974 / 1993 Cadenhead 45%
Longmorn 44 yo 1966 / 2011 The Dram Taker’s ‘Book of Kells’ Gordon & MacPhail for Limburg #281 43.1% Oxidised apple sauce, spearmint, tinned pineapple slices and metallic hints of … Continue reading
Clynelish 18 yo 1997 / 2016 Homage to Caledonia #6934 50.1% vs Clynelish 21 yo 1995 / 2017 Single Malts of Scotland #10203 55.9%
Clynelish 18 yo 1997 / 2016 Homage to Caledonia #6934 50.1% A modern classic, if you will, honeyed, waxy and molten. Full of sunny hues of hay, warm butter, yellow … Continue reading
Glencraig 42 yo 1976 / 2018 Signatory #4283 42% vs Mosstowie 45 yo 1973 / 2018 Signatory #7622 51.6%
Glencraig 42 yo 1976 / 2018 Signatory #4283 42% A nose redolent of the ripeness of maturity. Gleaming cedar tables deeply waxed and stained with years of aromatic oils. Old … Continue reading
Mars Komagatake Tsunuki Aging 2019 56% vs Nikka Taketsuru 21 yo 43%
Mars Komagatake Tsunuki Aging 2019 56% Clean, young malt full of fresh flavours like toasted cereal, oatcakes, drizzled honey, loads of barley sugar, maltose and vanilla extract. Plenty of cut … Continue reading
Brora 21 yo 1977 / 1998 Rare Malts 56.9% vs Brora 20 yo 1975 / 1996 Rare Malts 60.75%
Brora 21 yo 1977 / 1998 Rare Malts 56.9% Some say these 77s had little peat, but this one begs to differ. Unwrapped bandage rolls and litres of antiseptic, but … Continue reading
Balvenie 23 yo 1966 / 1989 Signatory #2832+33 52% vs Balvenie-Glenlivet “As we get it” 105.2 proof 75.7cl
Balvenie 23 yo 1966 / 1989 Signatory #2832+33 52% Top tier Balvenie, with much to prefer over its sister distillery. This is an ample whisky with supple oils, paraffin and … Continue reading
Ardbeg 26 yo 1993 The Islay Giants Quaich Bar 49% vs Bowmore 1989 / 2011 Malts of Scotland #11004 51.2%
Ardbeg 26 yo 1993 The Islay Giants Quaich Bar 49% This is classic maritime Ardbeg, pre LVMH, bracing and evocative. Its nose is joyfully seaswept with a crystal saline clarity, … Continue reading
Highland Park 20 yo 1962 Blackadder #2991/2 43% vs Highland Park 27 yo 1968 Hard Brothers 43%
Highland Park 20 yo 1962 Blackadder #2991/2 43% Old nose, but its evident its seen better days. It’s a familiar sort of whisky yet a shade different enough to be … Continue reading
Wild Turkey ‘minimum 9 years’ Master’s Keep Cornerstone Rye Whiskey 54.5% Batch 04529 vs Parker’s Heritage Kentucky Straight Wheat Whiskey 13 yo 63.4%
Wild Turkey ‘minimum 9 years’ Master’s Keep Cornerstone Rye Whiskey 54.5% Batch 04529 As a bourbon, Wild Turkey tends to have a spicy character and Cornerstone is their Rye. Does … Continue reading
Rosebank 14 yo 1966 / 1980 Cadenhead 46% vs Rosebank 26 yo 1967 / 1994 Scotch Single Malt Circle (Japan) #4398 51.7%
Rosebank 14 yo 1966 / 1980 Cadenhead 46% I believe this is the oldest Cadenhead Rosebank. Yes, the nose is profound. Rosebank has seem some evolution through the decades to … Continue reading
Springbank 23 yo bottled Dec 1991 James MacArthur’s 53.7% vs Ardbeg 17 yo 1976 / 1993 Cadenhead 54.6%
Springbank 23 yo bottled Dec 1991 James MacArthur’s 53.7% On one hand it’s got the trappings of pristine Springbank, with salted lemons, sea breeze, crunching minerals, white smoke and drops … Continue reading
Glenfarclas over 12 years old F.W Hempel Metallurgical GmbH 45% vs Glenfarclas 25 yo 43%
Glenfarclas over 12 years old F.W Hempel Metallurgical GmbH 45% This is obviously a very unique one, back from before anyone could bottle their own whisky. OK hmmm… it’s … Continue reading
Craigellachie 12 yo 2007 / 2019 SMWS 44.113 59.9% vs Talisker 15 yo Special Release 2019 57.3%
Craigellachie 12 yo 2007 / 2019 SMWS 44.113 59.9% At heart a fat buttery spirit, here doused in aromatic herbs like fennel, bay pepper, shiso, eucalyptus even some cool cucumber, … Continue reading
Glen Grant 23 yo 1992 / 2016 Cadenhead 53.1% vs Glentauchers-Glenlivet 26 yo 1990 / 2017 Cadenhead 52.6% vs Fettercairn 28 yo 1988 / 2017 Cadenhead 55.4%
Glen Grant 23 yo 1992 / 2016 Cadenhead 53.1% A little surprised by this one. It’s leafy but dry, and sharp with sap and freshly stripped bark. On the other … Continue reading
Old Pulteney 13yo 1990 /2003 Cadenhead 61.1% vs Old Pulteney 18 yo 1974 The Whisky Connoisseur #1132 57.8%
Old Pulteney 13 yo 1990 /2003 Cadenhead 61.1%Ah. An unassailable nose. Heavily buttered rye bread, whilst sitting on rattan chairs overlooking the sea, salt breeze stinging your face, dried grass … Continue reading
Glen Moray 24 yo 1992 /2017 Cadenhead 50.9% vs Linkwood 24 yo 1992 / 2017 Cadenhead 50.9%
Glen Moray 24 yo 1992 /2017 Cadenhead 50.9% Signs of inactive casks unfortunately. White paper with an acrid burnt edge and a good mix of piquant greens like dill and … Continue reading
Glen Garioch 21 yo 1992 / 2014 Liquid Library 51.6% vs Glen Garioch 21 yo 1991 / 2012 Liquid Library 52.5%
Glen Garioch 21 yo 1992 / 2014 Liquid Library 51.6%Rough and rugged – Petrichor, wet clay and damp vegetables. Plenty of damp chalk covered in gritty gravel, unripe lime rinds, … Continue reading
Teaninich 11 yo 2006 / 2018 Cadenhead 55.2% vs Teaninich 10 yo 2009 / 2019 Cadenhead 55.1%
Teaninich 11 yo 2006 / 2018 Cadenhead 55.2%Fresh, clean, bare boned natural whisky. What’s not to love? Lots of chalk and wet stones, and lemon and lime rubbed on metal. … Continue reading
Springbank 34 1964 / 1998 Cadenhead 52.2% vs Springbank 30 1972 / 2002 Chieftain’s #410 57.8%
Springbank 34 1964 / 1998 Cadenhead 52.2% Thick, oxidised and heavy sherry the kind that brushes by mere fruit with a disdainful glance and plunges gleefully into the tarry, umami … Continue reading
Glentauchers-Glenlivet 38 yo 1976 / 2015 Cadenhead 50.8% vs Lagavulin 20 yo Feis Ile 2020 54%
Glentauchers-Glenlivet 38 yo 1976 / 2015 Cadenhead 50.8% I love this nose, with its holy trinity of maturity, reticent oak and good spirit. First off its ancient panels gleaming in … Continue reading
Port Charlotte 12 yo 2004 Highland Laird 57.3% vs Octomore 6.1 / 167 5 yo 57% vs Octomore 7.1 / 208 5 yo 59.5%
Port Charlotte 12 yo 2004 Highland Laird 57.3% Seawater and a clean almost crispy peat that evokes uprooted shrubs laid out in the sun, roots chopped up and ground into … Continue reading
Bowmore 11 yo 2001 / 2013 Berry Bros 20197 46% vs Bowmore 12 yo liquid Library 2001 / 2013 52.9%
Bowmore 11 yo 2001 / 2013 Berry Bros 20197 46% Bowmore was in form those years. And that plays out again here. A sharp saline coastal character, ground up shells, … Continue reading
Ben Nevis 17 yo 1996 / 2014 The Nectar of the Daily Drams 49.3% vs Ben Nevis 1997 / 2015 Pearls of Scotland #614 50.9% vs Ben Nevis 16 yo 1998 / 2014 Lady of the Glen #1407 52.1%
Ben Nevis 17 yo 1996 / 2014 The Nectar of the Daily Drams 49.3% Yes, a barrage: Honey, chalk powder, struck gunpowder and wispy white smoke. Molten wax, lime zest, … Continue reading
Dailuaine 34 yo 1980 Special Release 2015 50.9% vs Dalmore 27 yo 1990 / 2017 MacKillop’s Choice #252 54.6%
Dailuaine 34 yo 1980 Special Release 2015 50.9% Dailuaine is a heavy and meaty spirit, and here the wood is equally verbose. So: big boned with baked fruit, sweet oil … Continue reading
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
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