Dram Review: Dark Valley Lark Hunter’s Keep

[62.7%・770 Days Old・Bottled in 2016・Dark Valley Bottling・Single Cask Release of 34 Bottles] Nose: Dark.  Heavy oak presence with strawberry preserve, liquorice and squid ink with a sprinkle of ginger flower. Palate & Finish: Sweetness is excess but saved by the grace of the creaminess developed.  Caramel fudge, strawberry jam and cinnamon folded together, alongside lemon…

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Dram Review: Starward Ginger Beer Cask #3

[48.0%・NAS・Official Bottling・Single Cask Release] Nose: More cotton candy than ginger, ginger flowers effortlessly relaxing in the background.  Dried mango cubes and candy floss, hint of pepper and orange blossom, lighthearted but cute. Palate & Finish: Lemony and oozing of green apple sauce, together with the lime jelly it sets a refreshing summery tone.  The ginger…

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Dram Review: Gordon & MacPhail Rosebank Cask No. 2112

[46.0%・18 Years Old・Distilled in 1991・Bottled in 2009・Gordon and MacPhail Bottling・Cask No. 2112・Single Cask Release] Nose: Ahhh, this is a fruit bomb, very jammy and absolutely gorgeous.  Caramel and fruit bouquet intertwining together to present a clean landscape, the subtle oak influence elevates the nose with the hint of charred oak going really well with the…

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Whisky Review: Silver Seal “Whisky is Art” Glenlivet 1979 35 Years Old

Style: Sherry and Complex Nose: Quince, dark prunes lightly veiled by surprising vibrant ginger spice at this archaic age. Brown sugar clusters around salted caramel pecans. Next we have raisins and roasted almonds. Multiple layers of red fruits on display here… Quite enjoyable. Palate: Effortless, elegant entrance, a mix of umeboshi and salted caramel sauce…

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Dram Review: Starward Dram Full Single Cask #1

[58.0%・NAS・Official Bottling・Cask No. 160921-A・Single Cask Release] Nose: A frail grasp of lemongrass and vanilla from toasted oak staves, mildly fragrant with a underlying buttery note. Palate & Finish: Vanilla custard with traces of lemons, sultana and rockmelons. The juicy vibe ties well with the milk chocolate, followed by spices that come across quite loud but…

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Interview: Share a dram with Mr. Stewart Buchanan of BenRiach

Just a few weeks ago I have the pleasure to sit down and share a few drams with Mr. Stewart Buchanan, the global brand ambassador of The BenRiach Distillery Company recently acquired by Brown-Forman at Pocket Bar in Darlinghurst. During his travel to Australia, Stewart attended a few major whisky events including Whisky Live Sydney and…

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Dram Review: Lark The Revolution Release RR 04

[62.3%・3 Years 3 Months Old・Bottled in 2017・Official Bottling・Single Cask Release] Nose: Slightly dusty, with an unexpected ashy oomph of smoke that brings about a thickness to the scheme of things.  An interesting mush of brown sugar, liquorice, a wee ginger flower note, roast meat perhaps, and certainly oak. Palate & Finish: Sweet Yakult and white sugar, the peat smoke…

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Dram Review: Lark The Revolution Release RR 15

[69.3%・4 Years Old・Bottled in 2017・Official Bottling・Single Cask Release] Nose: Quite dry to begin, pungent Chinese massage oil with ginseng and lemon oil; but beneath that there’s a confectionary creaminess to it which really extends the depth, making room for citrus fruits and coconut cream.  The fruit peels then offer a bitter edge that allows a…

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Whisky Review: Ben Nevis 25 Years Old Single Cask 98/35/5 

Style: Sweet and Composed Nose: Wow… Intoxicatingly aroma, rich plums, brown sugar sweetness laced so elegantly by a touch of smoke, mineral and dry spices. If you have a nostalgia for Yoichi Sherry casks, this is going to be your thing. A light dab of acidity opens up to a handful of roasted almonds, black…

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Dram Review: Dailuaine Fragrances 2001

[45%・15 Years Old・Distilled in 201・Bottled in 2016・Silvano Samaroli Bottling・Cask No. 68・Single Cask Release of 340 bottles] Nose: Freshly plucked red apples and sweet pear nectar.  Plump barley emitting a joyous harvest time vibe, a delicate coating of wax to seal the freshness.  A perfectly comforting nose for those who values tranquility over excitement; mangos and jasmine providing enlightenment…

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