Whisky Review: SMWS Aultmore 73.83 “Anzac Biscuits and Cricket Bats”

[56.9%・Distilled in 2001・Bottled in 2017・15 Years Old・SMWS Bottling・Single Cask Release of 522 Bottles] Nose: The nose is perhaps on the shy side at first, still there is a good inherent presence of Oloroso; sticky prunes, figs with a wee sprinkle of gunpowder.  Give it some time to to breathe and it develops a floral musk…

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Whisky Review: Amrut Greedy Angels Chairman’s Reserve 8 Years Old

Style: Fruity and Spicy Nose: Waving off a light veil of chilli spice, we have a good dose of fruity-malt aroma on the nose. Papaw, tropical fruits, nectarines and beautiful beeswax nicely pushed up by caramel and almond malt. Herbal side emerges, pine, peppermint overtone with nutmeg coconut cream brushes. Dry spices to finish. Palate:…

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Dram Review: Lark The Revolution Release RR 08

[68.9%・3 Years and 9 Months Old・Bottled in 2017・Official Bottling・Single Cask Release] Nose: The peat smoke is more prominent in this dram and the charred oak note is more obvious.  The wee strawberry jam character is subtle amidst the custard note with a hint of hand soap. Palate & Finish: A jammy affair, strawberry preserves and…

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Whisky Review: Glenfarclas The Family Casks 1978 Spring 2015 #746

Style: Fruity and Floral Nose: Mellow, charming floral aroma on the nose. White flower nectar lightly buttered by warm caramel sauce. A trace of walnut. Peppermint spices pick up momentum as chilli flakes soaring up high. Deeper sits the sweetness of quince paste and strawberry jam. Pistachios and malt syrup towards the end. Palate: Strawberry…

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Dram Review: Hibiki Mellow Harmony

[43.0%・NAS・Bottled in 2013・Official Bottling・Limited Release] Nose: A sweet raisin nose initially, it’s indeed very mellow, mildly winey.  Sweet plums with a soft hint of vanilla and smoke. Very Hibiki-esque, a harmony of fresh, clean and smooth vibes. Palate & Finish: A vanilla driven palate with a hint of salt with the juicy plum fruitiness coming…

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Whisky Review: Compass Box Spice Tree Extravaganza Limited Edition

Style: Fruity and Honey Nose: Fragrant stone fruits, peaches and apricots diffusing gently across the nose. Light vanilla malt and coconut milk nicely augmented by chilli spices. Calm oak incense, a light, creamy honey tone pouring over more apricots and plums. Going drier towards the end, plain barley and straws with a subtle dab of…

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Whisky Preview: Glenrothes 1997 Single Cask Bottled for The Oak Barrel Sydney Whisky Fair 2017

Style: Sweet and Spicy Nose: Playful dark red fruits swaying on the nose, sweetness quickly surrounded by fresh-cut ginger and sharp spices. A small pinch of gunpowder mixed within. Blackcurrants, plums rising on a peppermint surge, while subtle umami drops deeper. Light combination of caramel, figs and malt towards the end. Palate: Demerara sugar converges…

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Dram Review: Ben Nevis 1997 Single Cask Bottled for the Sydney Whisky Fair

[48.6%・Distilled in 1997・Bottled in 2017・ Oak Barrel Bottling・Limited Release of 60 Bottles] Nose: A splendid synergy of gooey toffee which carries the familiar heaviness of the distillery and the plump orchard fruits which stemmed from the ex-Bourbon cask.  The two seemingly polar notes are brought together beautifully by the buttery and grassy undertones.  A clean…

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Dram Review: Limeburners Darkest Winter M350

[63.8%・NAS・Bottled Circa 2017・Official Bottling・Cask M350・Single Cask Release of 218 Bottles] Nose: Starts off with a luscious dose of well churned caramel and a café au lait influence.  The spirit gives off quite an oily impression but otherwise it’s a bit green and a bit bare initially.  In time the peat and smoke surface in the…

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Dram Review: Amrut Double Cask #3190 & #2716

[46.0%・5 Years Old・Distilled in 2012・Bottled in 2017・Cask #3190 & Cask #2716・Bottled in 2017・Official Bottling・Limited Release of 900 Bottles] Nose: Hmm, quite peaty to start, but it’s a clean iodine note with a light hint of floral note laying underneath, wild flowers perhaps.  It’s simplistic but the peat is very fresh and pure.  There is a…

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