Dram Review: Port Ellen 16th Release

[55.2%・37 Years Old・Distilled in 1978・Bottled in 2016・Official Bottling・Limited Release] Nose: The heavy woody presence sets the scene, saphir renovateur along with a seaside influence as the seaweed breezes across.  It grows savoury with notes of smoked meat and dry cured bacon, whilst a fiery and oily undertone gradually develops in the background. Palate & Finish: A well balanced…

Read More

Dram Review: Cragganmore Limited Release

[55.7%・NAS・Bottled in 2016・Official Bottling・Limited Release] Nose: What a gorgeous nose, with its waxy, velvety thickness giving a glimpse to the dram’s seductive body.  Stewed fruits with a fine layer of earthy mushrooms that adds to the depth.  Creamy toffee swirling and dancing, giving a sense of great pleasure. Palate & Finish: Vanilla paste with a stewed fruit infusion providing an initial coating…

Read More

Dram Review: Gordon & MacPhail Glen Grant 1954

[40%・Distilled in 1954・59 Years Old・Bottled in 2014・Gordon & MacPhail Bottling・Single Cask Bottling・Cask No: 1822] Nose: It starts with the mellow aromas of a mahogany desk that has received a fine polishing treatment.  The dark fruits in the background are rich and alluring yet the tone remains bright with the rose petal flavoured cotton candy .  A…

Read More

Whisky Review: Gordon & MacPhail Tormore 1996 Cask Strength Aged 20 Years

Style: Sweet and Complex Nose:  Bright citrus lemon sponge cake joined by refreshing mango tartness on the first whiff. Beneath sits dense caramel sauce. Smooth and creamy texture. Vanilla milk steaming and the fragrance of butter toast slowly follows through. Palate: Coconut cream glides in beautifully with peppery spice. A energetic burst of bright tropical…

Read More

Dram Review: Glenkinchie 24 Years Old

[57.2%・Distilled in 1991・24 Years Old・Bottled in 2016・Official Bottling・Limited Edition] Nose: A shy nose that embarks with notes of pine wood, wild flowers and honeyed granola. Buttery waffles to follow with a spray of lime vapours and rounded off with grilled pineapple slices once it has been given ample time to open up. Palate & Finish:…

Read More

You’re Invited: An evening of Kavalans

We are very pleased to officially announce that on 18 May 2017, we will be cracking six rather special offerings from Kavalan distillery in Taiwan. The line up of the evening is as follows (The pours are ~20ml): Kavalan Cask S090306002 This is a bottling selected by “Brother Tiger”, a famed figure active at the Hong Kong…

Read More

Whisky Review: Talisker Neist Point

Style: Sweet and Smoky Nose: Warm, rich almonds with a touch of signature meatiness on the nose. Subtle, dry maritime minerals clinging on the wave of vanilla meringue which is lightly smoked by the peat. Sweet plums painted with caramel sauce, dry black pepper crackling gently. Pleasantly balanced aroma. Palate: Sea breeze riding more on…

Read More

Dram Review: Caol Ila Aged 15 Years “Unpeated Style”

[61.5%・15 Years Old・Bottled in 2016・Official Bottling・Limited Release] Nose: Quite spirity off the mark, juniper berries with an emphasis on the rawness; splashed with notes of blazed oak staves and brine solution.  Slight hint of green apples with a filtered whiff of coal smoke that makes its obligated entry but doesn’t quite give that thrilling sensation. Palate…

Read More

Whisky Review: Glenmorangie Tùsail Private Edition

Style: Malty and Dry spices Nose: Nutmeg and ginger infused firmly with rich, malty sweetness. Lightly smoked barley, vanilla icing sugar and poach pears. Dryness showing in spicy undertone. Cinnamon and orange candies. Palate: A warm caramel coat slowly dissolve on the palate. Again, spices have weaved tightly into the sweet barley dance. Fresh ginger,…

Read More

You’re invited: The Spanish Acquisitions

G’day guys, As the theme suggests, this upcoming sharing session is all about whiskies I brought back from Spain recently.  Thanks to Scott and the guys at the Oak Barrel, we are again fortunate enough to use their place for the sharing session. The line up for the night (we kick things off at 6:30pm…

Read More