Author Archives: Steve Prentice

Multi Review: Five Glen Garioch Whiskies

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GariochLogoYou might remember earlier in the year I was lucky enough to be invited up to visit Glen Garioch… It was a fantastic trip and really helped shine a light onto what is an excellent big bold drop of drammage. To read about the trip go here.

It’s about time I now reviewed some of their official range, so I’m going to take a look at their entry level dram, Founders Reserve, their 12y0, their new release – Renaissance (Chapter 1) 15yo and two of their vintage releases, the 1998 Wine Cask, and their 1995.

So without further ado let’s take get reviewing…

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Review: Three of New Zealand Whisky’s Collection

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theNZwhisky-Collection-logo-black-72-300x57
Update: I’ve added a bonus fourth review, their newly release 25yo!

The New Zealand Whisky Company may not be that well known in the UK, but they’re keen to get to know us!

In 1997 the Willowbank Distillery on New Zealand’s South Island – the last whisky distillery in New Zealand – was closed down and its hundreds of filled casks were auctioned off or mothballed. In 2010, The New Zealand Whisky Company bought the last 80,000 litres (443 barrels) which had until then been stored in an old airplane hangar. The whisky now resides in the towering seaside bonds store in Oamaru. These are exceptionally rare drams from what was once the world’s southernmost distillery.

Let’s take a look at three whiskies from the Collection…

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Review: Glenfiddich’s Core Range (12yo, 15yo & 18yo)

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Glenfiddich’s core range reviewed (12yo, 15yo & 18yo)

A while back someone mentioned to me that I should review more core ranges, including whiskies from my own stock and not just PR samples that are sent to me for review. Well here’s one such review… Glenfiddich. Very well known, and easily available via supermarkets at good prices. A whisky that many malt whisky drinkers will have tried from time to time, or maybe even started their malt journey with.

Let’s take a look at the main three expressions from their standard range…

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Review: Kilchoman 5yo PX finish (AbbeyWhisky)

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Kilchoman-Abbey-Whisky-Exclusive-Cask-285-09-PX-finish-whisky-380Kilchoman 5yo PX finish – AbbeyWhisky – 58.3%

Info: An Abbey Whisky Exclusive single cask from Kilchoman distilled in 2009. Cask #285/09 has been matured for over four and a half years in a fresh bourbon barrel before being transferred to a Pedro Ximénez cask for a further four months maturation. Bottled at cask strength, 58.3% abv with 270 bottles filled.

Colour: Sunny golden, slight reddish tint.

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News & Interest: Laphroaig Live 2014 comes to Stockholm

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LaphLive14

Tomorrow (Wednesday 24th September) at 8pm Swedish time (7pm UK time) the eighth annual Laphroaig Live will broadcast live from Sweden.

This year’s show will be streamed live from a tiny island called Fjäderholmarna which is part of the archipelago just outside Stockholm.

You can watch the broadcast live as it happens on Somerset Whisky Blog right here:

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Review: Bowmore Devil’s Cask Batch 2

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bowmore-10-year-old-devils-casks-ii-2014-release-whiskyBowmore Devil’s Cask Batch 2 – 56.3% abv

Info: Bowmore’s well priced, very limited, all sherry matured 10yo comes back for more… The round church in Bowmore kept the Devil from hiding and staying around the first time, but he’s back for a second go!

Colour: Dark burnt rust.

Nose: Argh wow, it’s easy to forget how good this whisky is. The nose is powerful and instantly takes me back to bonfire night around the fire watching fireworks as a kid. It’s smoky, woody, full of fire. Yet it’s sweet, it’s coastal in nature, tarry, malty and it’s spicy.

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Review: Cù Bòcan Sherry Edition

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CuBocanBottleCù Bòcan Sherry Edition – 46%

Info: Fully matured in first fill Sherry butts. 6000 bottles. Non chill filtered, 15PPM. The first of three limited editions, the other two releases will be Virgin Oak and Bourbon casks.

Colour: Beautiful bright gold. Thick legs on the glass.

Nose: That Tomatin character is here, but it’s got light smoky puffs to it backed up by rich fruity tones with some spices and nuts thrown in.

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Review: Old Pulteney 1990 Vintage

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OP1990BottleOld Pulteney 1990 / 23yo Vintage – 46% ABV

Info: The whisky was matured in American ex-bourbon and Spanish ex-sherry casks which previously held heavily peated whisky, resulting in a lightly peated Old Pulteney. Non-chill filtered. Around 5,400 bottles.

Colour: Polished amber.

Nose: The nose is escaping from the glass before I’ve even properly got to it! It’s malty, earthy, and there’s a backnote of smoky peat. It’s sweet and tempting, getting sweeter as time goes on with some green apple and honey notes.

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Review: Old Pulteney 35 Year Old

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Old Pulteney Low Res Standard Pack ShotOld Pulteney 35 Year Old – 42.5% ABV

Info: The limited edition 35 year old was matured in American ex-bourbon and Spanish ex-Sherry casks and selected specially for this release by Old Pulteney distillery manager Malcolm Waring, bottled without chill-filtration.

Colour: Medium to dark amber gold.

Nose: Packed with an evening full of relaxation in front of the fire. It’s slightly waxy, it’s old, leathery. There’s aged slightly ripe citrus fruits, banana and red apples along with brown sugar, honey and gentle woods. Amazingly good, keeps you smelling for ages. After a while milk chocolate tones come out.

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