Dram Review: Ichiro’s Malt Chichibu X Kusuda 2017

[57.5%・Distilled in 2011・Bottled in 2017 ・6 Years Old・Original Bottling・Limited Release of 1270 Bottles] Nose: Dignified with the fine French oak influence; a polite presence of wine tannins alongside freshly plucked strawberries conveying that clean sweetness and dressed with ginger flowers. Palate & Finish: A subtle macaron-like sweetness as the jammy strawberries intensify then effortlessly dissolve,…

Read More

Dram Review: SMWS G8.7 Cambus “Caribbean Banana Fritters”

[59.7%・27 Years Old・Distilled in 1989・SMWS Bottling・Single Cask Release of 240 Bottles] Nose: Wood vanish up front, beneath the top layer of grain spirit lies the banana toffee.  The grain is aggressive with a curious dose of tiger balm.  In time, the buttery note and orange peels reveal themselves. Palate & Finish: A masculine delivery of…

Read More

Dram Review: SMWS 2.98 Glenlivet “Frothy Cappuccino”

[58.2%・13 Years Old・Distilled in 2003・Bottled in 2017・SMWS Bottling・Single Cask Release of 166 Bottles] Nose: Syrup drenched walnuts with a lemony undertone.  Thick caramel intercepted by a sharpness from the spirit and the wood. Palate & Finish: Cask-led vanilla with a thick creaminess which as the name of the dram has suggested, feels frothy.  Orchid fruits…

Read More

Whisky Review: Glenfiddich 15 Years Old Distillery Edition

Style: Sweet and Delicate Nose: Elegant autumn apple on the nose. Baked pastry, lemon tart underlined by subtle barley husk and honey brushes. Going deeper we have almonds and cinnamon dust comes with considerable chilli spices at the back. Icy and crisp. Palate: Warmer as we have a bigger malt presence on the palate. Vanilla…

Read More

Whisky Review: SMWS 116.20 Yoichi 余市 “Fascinating complexity and finesse”

Style: Vanilla and Complex Nose: Vanilla toffee and hot toddy spiced up by white pepper on the nose. Round melon sweetness and wood shavings lightly smoked with gentle peat. A positive vibe. Caramel pudding followed by incredible amount of wood incense. Anise, cinnamon stewed with fruits which has been lurking deep with the malt. A…

Read More

Dram Review: Ocean Whisky Karuizawa Aged 21 Years

[43.0%・21 Years Old・Distilled in 1967・Ocean Whisky Bottling・Limited Release of 498 Bottles] Nose: Subtle and elegant.  Beeswax, red cherries, soft fruits and fine raisins carried through a mellow oak influence.  Some red apples in time as well as the comforting barley sweetness gradually comes on. Palate & Finish: Certainly more lively on the palate, bright oranges…

Read More

Dram Review: Fannys Bay Barrel 10

[60.0%・NAS・Bottled in 2017・Official Bottling・Single Cask Release of 39 Bottles] Nose: A heavy “Australian Sherry cask” here, dark chocolate and raisins with the tone setting quite low.  Though at 60% and quite young the new make notes have been masked rather well by the alluring fragrance from the wood.  The dram captures the sweetness and acidity…

Read More

Dram Review: Fleurieu Whisky Kisses

[55.0%・NAS・Bottled in 2017・Official Bottling・Limited Release of 600 Bottles] Nose: The nose is heavily influenced by the musky Sherry casks, muscat grapes with a rather big Chinese herbal tone that leaves quite an impression.  The earthiness and coal smoke form the structure, though that does go well with the molasses and toffee treacle; together with the…

Read More

Whisky Review: Old Forester Statesman

[47.5%・NAS・Bottled in 2017・Official Bottling・Limited Release] Nose: Quite an oomph of citrus, orange peels and on the dry side of things with a noticeable lean on the wood.  The char asserts itself confidently, cloves and tobacco at first and chocolate milkshake, honey and corn syrup sweetness to follow. Palate & Finish: The spirit lays bare as…

Read More

Dram Review: Royal Salute “62 Gun Salute”

[43.0%・NAS・Bottled in 2016・Pernod Ricard Bottling・Limited Release] Nose: The nose is ambitious.  Polished mahogany sitting at the workshop, trimmed vegetable tanned leather.  The incense disperses in the background as the edible notes enter.  Caramel is dressed with an even mix of ground black pepper and candied ginger as the oak injects itself into the conversation. Palate…

Read More