Whisky Review: Glenmorangie Signet

Style: Sweet and Rich Nose: Semi-dry, caramel and coffee ground aroma on the nose. Java cake garnished with grated ginger, chocolate milkshake shaking up. Unhurried lemon and orange citrus floating up to the top, all bright and shiny now. Aroma started from a deeper level and brightens up overtime. Quite nice. Palate: A richer Glenmorangie…

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Whisky Review: Glenmorangie Nectar d’Or Aged 12 Years

Style: Sweet and Delicate Nose: Warm vanilla lightly brushed with drier malt, which is nicely supplemented by the delicious honey apple core. Sweetness in the malt offers an incredible depth, within the creamy almond cake hides faint notes of copper, mineral and dry spices. While delicate peppermint nudges from behind. Bright, balanced and smooth. Palate:…

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Dram Review: Glenmorangie Dornoch

[43.0%・NAS・Bottled Circa 2014・Official Bottling・Limited Release] Nose: Thin but likeable aromas of toasted oak, marshmallow, anise and pear sweets, in some ways highlighting the clean, soft distillate.  It feels young but has this rustic countryside charm with its faint floral notes and artificial vanilla essence. Palate & Finish: A pleasant mix of citrus and barley, light-bodied…

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Dram Review: The Exile Aged 15 Years

[62.0%・15 Years Old・Distilled in 2000・Bottled Circa 2016・Tasmania Distillery・The Exile Bottling・Cask No. HH 556・Single Cask Release of 344 Bottles] Nose: Blueberry jam with the oak heavily foreshadowing what’s likely to be the main theme.. Quite “Port”-y and slightly vegetal, dark and musky with the thick honey note gushing out and the lemon infused cola fizzling away.…

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Whisky Review: Upshot Australian Whiskey

Style: Sweet and Vanillic Nose: Creamy vanilla custard fusing with delightful green pear drops. Soft spice attack from behind, sawdust and acetone overtone. Followed by dry barley, chilli and five spices. Poached fruits and malt cake slowly open up at the back. Palate: Steamed corn kernels dropping into condensed milk. Fresh wood ply with a…

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Whisky Review: Starward Wine Cask Single Malt

Style: Sweet and Smooth Nose: Musky red cherries come with a pleasant dose of vanilla cream. Aroma is bit shy. Warming up the dram then we have strawberry yogurt, throwing in a pinch of dry cereal. Black currants, red liquorice on a deeper level. Finish with ginger peels and shreds. Palate: Fizzing cherry soda striding…

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Dram Review: Heartwood @#$%^&*

[62.5%・10 Years Old・Bottled in 2017・Tasmania Distillery・Heartwood Bottling・Cask No. TD 124・Single Cask Release of 337 Bottles] Nose: A lower than usual ABV doesn’t mean this feels tamer than your normal Heartwood.  Still quite big with that familiar “Sherry” heaviness coming through; forceful to the point it feels like being pressed by Tim into a thoroughly drenched…

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Dram Review: Fleurieu First Release

[52.0%・NAS・Bottled in 2016・Official Bottling・Limited Release of 600 Bottles] Nose: An aged soy sauce note, rather umami.  Though there are shades of new make through out there is also the aged sherry influence giving off some dark vibes, meaty and rich with toffee.  It’s very indulgent for a young Australian whisky with a fascinating hint of…

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Dram Review: Nantou Omar Cask Strength (Lychee Liqueur Barrel Finished)

[56.0%・NAS・Bottled in 2017・Official Bottling・Limited Release] Nose: A faint grassiness draws out notes of green lychees and heat rub.  Beyond that it’s rather new make-y with quite a bare showing of barley husk. Palate & Finish: Neutral spirit sweetened by sparse hints of lychee and ginger flower.  Juniper berries, green mangos and green papaya salad with…

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Dram Review: Nantou Omar Cask Strength (Plum Liqueur Barrel Finished)

[54.0%・NAS・Bottled in 2017・Official Bottling・Limited Release] Nose: Definitely quite young with the new make characters still apparent, carrying an oily spirit style.  The plum liqueur influence has a rather low tone, which is unexpected and a bit lacklustre.  A faint ester-y fragrance of over-ripen fruits and rose petals.  Interestingly enough the lower tone does promote the…

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