Category Archives: Whisky

Review: Three new Old Pulteney’s reviewed (Noss Head, Duncansby Head, Pentland Skerries)

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Tonight (14th Aug 2013) we’ve been reviewing three new Old Pulteney’s in their NAS Lighthouse series via a Twitter Tasting (i.e. a bunch of us on Twitter use the hashtag #OldPulteney to discuss these drams as a group).

The three new expressions showcase the Old Pulteney coastal style from three different maturation angles. The whiskies Pulteney Distillery’s maritime heritage by celebrating prominent local lighthouses – Noss Head, Duncansby Head and Pentland Skerries… all drams at 46%, they’re non chill-filtered and not coloured – always a plus with whisky enthusaists. These are all released into the travel retail market, which means you’ll be hard pressed to find them in most shops, and will generally only find them at airport duty free shops. However with reviews below in hand you’ll know what one(s) you may want to grab if you find them!
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Review: Bowmore 23 Year Old Port Cask Matured Whisky

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bowmore_23_portThe PR blurb goes as follows (scroll down for my review notes)… Bowmore, Islay’s first Single malt Whisky, has announced the launch of Bowmore 23 years Old – a deliciously rich, smoky  and complex dram that has been matured exclusively in port casks for 23 years giving it a deliciously dark colour and remarkably rich flavour.

This non-chill filtered Single Malt Scotch is a whisky to warm the coldest Islay night. A delicious treat of smoke infused blood orange, luscious layared autumn fruits, winter spices, black truffles and walnut oil balanced with the trademark Bowmore sea-salt tang.

European Brand ambassador Gordon Dundas describes the dram as “Truly an exceptional Bowmore. Full maturation in the finest Port casks is rare but gives this bottling an amaing depth and flavour developed over 23 years while importantly still retaining all of the character of Bowmore. Something to be savoured…” 

Less than 12,000 bottles exist of Bowmore 23 Year Old Port Matured, priced at £380.
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Review: Three recent Wemyss Malts reviewed (Salted Caramels, Melon Cocktail, Spiced Chocolate Cup)

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Three recent Wemyss Malts reviewed

Edinburgh based boutique Spirits Company Wemyss Malts (pronounced ‘Weems’) comes from the Gaelic word for caves which stems from the rocky outcrop on the Firth of Forth on which our family home, Wemyss Castle, sits. They’re a well respected independent whisky bottler, and soon to be distillery owner with Kingsbarns Distillery in the building (as I write this).

I’ve been lucky enough to review three Wemyss Malts releases, a 1991 Glen Scotia a 1994 Aberfeldy and a 1997 Clynelish.
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Review: BenRiach 17yo Solstice (2nd Edition)

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benriach-17-year-old-solstice-2nd-edition-whiskyBenRiach 17 yo Solstice (2nd Edition) – 50% (Peated)

An excellent 17 year old BenRiach, from their peated “Solstice” range. This is the second release, replacing the previous 15 year old version, and finished in a port pipe (a port pipe basically just means a cask which previously held Port).

Colour: Deep gold / amber with orange / red hues.
Nose: Peat comes straight out of the glass at you, a earthy mossy peat, not salty costal peat. After a bit of time to breath, rubbery juicy fruits start to jump out at you.
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Review: Tamdhu 10yo

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Tamdhu 10yo – 40% ABV

Tamdhu, a Speyside distillery, closed in 2010, was then sold and reopened in 2011. This 10yo released in April 2013 marks the return of the distillery into shops… and as an entry level malt it’s at a good price point.

Although a little late to the party with release tasting notes, I’ve finally caught up. Keep reading for some quick thoughts.

 

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Review: Four BenRiach single cask bottlings from Batch 10 reviewed

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BR_Batch_10_1976_cask_#_2013_infront_LRSelected by BenRiach’s Master Blender Billy Walker, the twelve-expression Batch 10 from the Elgin distillery was bottled in June 2013 and all bottlings are available as of 17th July.

Batch 10 comprises sublime Speyside vintages ranging from 1976 to 2005. Cask types vary from Moscatel and Virgin American Oak Hogsheads to Pedro Ximenez Sherry Puncheons and Barrels.

I’ve been lucky enough to review four from the range, so read on to see my quick thoughts!
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Review: Macallan 18yo / 1995

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macallan18-1995Macallan – 18yo / 1995 – DB – 43%

Colour: Dark golden, copper and orange tints.

Nose: Heavy, pungent winter fruits, malt and balanced old wood notes with toffee vanilla caramel coming through after a while. Very pleasant and keeps you sniffing!

Palate: Smooth and gently spiced, light to medium oils with winter fruits and baked cooking apples. Finish: Fairly long and warming, the Christmas cake fruits continuing nicely for a good while. A surprisingly fresh note left with you.
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Review: Arran – The Devil’s Punchbowl Chapter II

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Devil's Punch Bowl Chapter II - Angels & DevilsThe Devil’s Punchbowl Chapter II:
‘Angels & Devils’ – 53.1% abv.

You may have seen the recent news that Arran has released batch two of it’s Devil’s Punchbowl whisky, and if batch one’s release last year is anything to go by, then this will be a good one, well loved, and speedy to sell (and then hit the auctions).

So with those things in mind, let’s take a bit of a more in depth look at this dramming delight, made up of a batch of 27 casks of Arran malt whisky. Here’s my review…
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Glenmorangie Cask Masters samples up for grabs (by 19th July)!

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GLE2265_POS_4_sheet_25%_AW.inddSo, have you heard of Glenmorangie’s Cask Masters experiment?
If not… go have a look here! http://caskmasters.glenmorangie.com/
Basically there’s three different types of cask that they want to bottle, and it’s up to us the dramming public to vote on which they’ll bottle!

This has been well supported in various large cities by tastings of the three casks to help people decide, but those of us who live in the sticks have to basically watch video’s to help us decide which dram we want to vote for.

But wait up… Glenmorangie have been kind enough to provide me with some samples, and there’s enough to go around! – Not much mind you… I have enough for 5 samples (that’s 5 x 3 of each cask).
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