Dram Review: Gordon & MacPhail Secret Stills Distillery 01 Release 02 (Talisker)

[45.0%・21 Years Old・Distilled in 1986・Bottled in 2007・Gordon & MacPhail Bottling・Limited Release of 1860 Bottles] Nose: On the nose it’s black forest sponge cake made with fine vanilla grain and a couple of mint leaves to dress, so soft it feels like falling on a bed of cotton. Despite the sherry influence though the maritime note…

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Dram Review: Port Ellen 15th Release 32 Years Old

[53.9% • 32 Years Old • Distilled in 1983 • Bottled in 2015 • Limited Edition of 2,964 Bottles] The 15th rendition of the Port Ellen annual release has been aged for 32 years old, a staggeringly long period when you think of your usual Islay suspects. There exists a common consensus that a true Islay…

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Dram Review: The Balvenie Tun 1401 Batch No. 8

[50.2%・NAS・Official Bottling・Limited Release of 2,700 Bottles] Nose: Sweet mahogany on the nose, the fragrant note is so smooth it simply skids through, followed closely by a gentle honeyed woodiness. Toasted spices adding to the depth with just a touch of cinnamon sprinkled upon a brush of vintage sherry inspired acidity. Palate & Finish: The sweetness…

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Dram Review: Kavalan Solist Amontillado

[55.6%・NAS・Bottled Circa. 2015-2016・Official Bottling・Single Cask Release] Congratulations to Kavalan for yet another successful year at the World Whiskies Awards. I had the fortune to taste a sample of this along with the Moscatel and the Manzanilla casks, and whilst all are delicious, I have to say this one was by far the most complex though…

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