Author Archives: Steve Prentice

Review: Bunnahabhain – 26yo – Lady of the Glen

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Littlemill-21-LotGBunnahabhain – 26yo – (IB) Lady of the Glen – 50.01%

Lady of The Glen’s first Islay release. Distilled on the 16th November 1987 and aged in a single refill American Bourbon cask, number 2470. It has been bottled at cask strength and there has been no colourings added – this is non-chill filtered. The cask yielded 205 bottles.

Colour: Light golden.

Nose: Slight alcoholic nip at first. Hint of peat alongside banoffee pie, that’s toffee and banana cake if you didn’t know. A slight coal kind of tar, from the cask no doubt with a nice oak background. Some time for this to open up works really well.

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Review: Four Paul John Indian Single Malt Whiskies

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Paul-John-singlemalt-Logo

When you talk Indian whisky the first distillery that is often mentioned is Amrut. However, another excellent distillery that shouldn’t be ignored is the fabulous Paul John distillery in Goa, the one I’m taking a look at today.

Not a whisky I’ve had the opportunity to taste before, so I was pleased to be able to take part in a twitter tasting to check out four expressions from their core range.

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Review: Glen Grant 10yo

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glen-grant-10-year-old-whiskyGlen Grant 10yo – 40% – OB

The whisky distillery was founded in 1840 by brothers John and James Grant. In 1872, James Grant died and the distillery was passed down to his son, Major James Grant. He then built a second distillery across the road, joined by a whisky pipe which transported the new make spirit. Glen Grant No. 2, as it was first known, was completed in 1897, but just five years later it was closed, reopening in 1965, under the name Caperdonich then again closed and now demolished.

Glen Grant is the world’s second-biggest single malt whisky brand, and is the biggest selling single malt Scotch whisky in Italy.

Read on for my review…
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Review: Glenlivet Nadurra Oloroso

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GlenlivetNadurraOlorossoGlenlivet Nadurra Oloroso – 48% – NAS – Travel Retail

“The Glenlivet Nàdurra Oloroso is a new permanent expression in the range.

The first-fill, ex-Oloroso sherry casks from Jerez in Spain impart rich, distinctive dried fruits aromas, warm spices, and notes of cinnamon and liquorice. The spirit combined with the cask influence, produces a sweetness of dark chocolate and a finish which is long and sweet with a slightly dry, spicy effect from the European oak maturation.”

Read on for my tasting notes…

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Review: Tomatin 1988

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23414 Tomatin 1988 Bottle & Box LoTomatin 1988 OB – 46%

“Tomatin are delighted to announce the addition of a 1988 Vintage expression to our core range. This expression will be released in batches.

The contents have been vatted from a combination of ex-Bourbon and ex-Port casks.”

Colour: Straw, clean and clear.

Nose: Old and packed with bourbon maturation goodness. There’s overly ripe bananas and soft tropical notes together with a sweet fudge quality.

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Review: Tomatin 14yo (port cask finish)

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Tomatin 14yo LoTomatin 14yo (port cask finish) – 46%

In April Tomatin introduced this new 14yo whisky to market…

“Having spent around 13 years in the finest Bourbon oak barrels, this whisky has spent a year in specially  selected Portuguese port pipes which had previously held  Tawny port for between 30 and 40 years. The result is an  excellent dram which is soft and smooth with a port-influenced  sweetness.”

Colour: Golden with faint reddy pink hues.

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News & Review: Reference Series ‘The First Educational Whisky’

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Reference Series – The First Educational Whisky

There’s a new funky experiment in town. I say new, it’s been out for a wee while, but I’m catching up, and for those that missed the initial announcement then this is a good follow up! It’s from those crazy people at… what… I have no idea which brand to pick… Master Of Malt / Drinks by the Dram / Blended Whisky Company / Maverick Drinks / That Boutique-y Whisky Company / Reference Series. More brands than you can shake a fist at… however you know who I mean I’m sure, basically that Ben chap.

Here’s the PR text which explains probably better than I can… Once you’ve read it, please find my tasting notes of the initial three releases at the bottom! 🙂
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Review: Ben Nevis 16yo – Abbey Whisky / The Rare Casks

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Ben-Nevis-16-Year-Old-The-Rare-Casks-Release-3-250Ben Nevis 16yo – Abbey Whisky / The Rare Casks – 55%

“Distilled in 1997 and aged for 16 years in a single sherry hogshead, the whisky has been bottled at natural cask strength and only 96 bottles have been filled and made available.

The whisky has been bottled in its natural form, at full cask strength, 55% vol, without chill filtering or colour additives.”

Read on for my tasting notes…

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Blog: My drambassador’s trip to Glen Garioch

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GariochLogoMy drambassador’s trip to Glen Garioch

Now, where do I start? I’m no article writer and my brain isn’t what it once was… So I reckon we’ll just walk through my packed couple of days and randomly jump from one bit to another, how does that sound? Good, I’m glad you agree. You’ll probably get bored reading mind you, but give it a go eh?

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Review: Glencadam 22yo – Abbey Whisky / The Rare Casks

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glencadam-22-year-old-1991-the-rare-casks-release-4-250Glencadam 22yo – Abbey Whisky / The Rare Casks – 55.3%

Distilled in 1991 and aged in a refill bourbon cask for 22 years.

Having previously been mothballed, the distillery was brought back to life in 2003 and is the only existing distillery in the region of Angus.

“The dram possesses a distinct haze which hints at the true rustic character you would expect from a cask strength malt bottled in its truest natural form, without chill filtering or colour additives.”

Read on for my tasting notes…

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