Whisky Review: The Macallan Edition No. 4

Style: Fruity, Malty and Spicy Nose:Begins with an upper layer of resin-mint spice and ground black pepper. Followed by sultanas, stewed summer berries and salted caramel balanced by the herbal and malty component. Youthful spirit no doubt, but it is reasonably sweet and vibrant. Blue berries, a few ginger shreds then plenty of fresh-cut grass.…

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Dram Review: Silver Seal GlenDronach Special Bottling 22 Years Old

[52.1%・22 Years Old・Distilled in 1990・Silver Seal Bottling・Cask No. 6921・Single Cask Release of 628 bottles] Nose: A heavy dose of leather and tobacco.  There is an alluring perfume note that lies underneath the vanilla. Subsequently followed by an addictive dose of European oak with some sticky orange preserve surfacing.  Ripe plums with dark chocolate nibs sprinkled…

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Whisky Review: Rare Malts St. Magdalene 1970 Aged 23 Years

Style: Sweet, Waxy and Spicy Nose:Woof, powerful spice carrying the signature Linlithgow lemon-waxy aroma. Abundant red chilli, mineral notes quickly strapped itself on a doughy malt. Syrupy, tropical fruits and white fruits starting to shine in the middle. An unexpected touch of gunpowder and whetstone which have been trying very hard to stay out of…

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Whisky Review: The Whisky Agency Speyside Region 1973 Tenth Anniversary

Style: Delicate sweetness and Sophisticated Nose:Immensely rich, bountiful tropical fruits served right up at the front, vanilla sponge cake, golden syrup and underlayer of dry barley interweaving charmingly. Ripe mango, paw paw oil, taro sago pudding steaming in bamboo leaves. Delicate, ripe yellow fruits overflowing to show an infinite depth, vanilla custard flanking on the…

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Dram Review: Ardbeg Twenty Something Guaranteed 22 Years Old

[45.4%・12 Years Old・Distilled in 1996・Bottled in 2018・Official Bottling・Limited Release] Nose: Pitted Cherries, orange zest, vanilla, honey. Mellow mix of sandalwood, ginger flowers and wild flowers that turns slight brine-y with a very subtle layer of peat smoke. Palate & Finish: Vanilla sauce and coconut cream, ice cream caramel dressing with creamed honey before mild notes…

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Dram Review: Gordon & MacPhail Connoisseurs Choice Bunnahabhain 17 Years Old Distilled 1965

[40.0%・17 Years Old・Distilled in 1965・Gordon & MacPhail Bottling・Limited Release] Nose: Majestically Sherried.  predominately leather but also comes with dates, walnuts, dried fruits and a hint of deep floral note, so essentially Christmas pudding like. Palate & Finish: The delivery is gooey and drying at the same time, sweet ripe fruits but also earthy with the…

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Dram Review: The BenRiach Single Cask 1971 for Shinanoya and BBI Japan

[45.1%・40 Years Old・Distilled in 1971・Bottled in 2012・Official Bottling for Shinanoya and BBI Japan・Cask No. 330・Single Cask Release of 216 Bottles] Nose: I think this may just carry the sweetest, fruitiest nose I have encountered, truly captivating and brilliant; can pineapples, apricots and tropical fruits, vanilla custard blended with the fruity nectar and dusted with icing…

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Dram Review: Kingsbury Pittyvaich 1974

[55.8%・26 Years Old・Distilled in 1974・Bottled in 2000・Kingsbhry Bottling・Cask No. 3498・Single Cask Release of 514 Bottles] Nose: Quality rich, creamy Sherry, red fruits and cocoa puff, cherry and blackcurrant preserve. Palate & Finish: Excellent mouthfeel, just the right amount of thickness conveying the beautifully condensed Sherry influence. Cinnamon sugar with an underlying vegetal note, tree gum…

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Dram Review: R. W. Duthie & Co. Glen Garioch Anniversary (Selected by Silvano Samaroli for Il Salumaio di Montenapoleone)

[50.0%・12 Years Old・Distilled in 1975・Bottled in 1987・R. W. Duthie & Co. Bottling Selected by Silvano Samaroli・Limited Release of 240 Bottles] Nose: There is some initial greenness, lemon sorbet with some delicate peat melting into the mango pudding; all the while the natural malt fragrance floats about. Palate & Finish: Soft honey brushing over the mangos,…

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Dram Review: The Macallan 18 Years Old Distilled in 1970 (Giovinetti & Figli Milano Bottling)

[43.0%・18 Years Old・Distilled in 1970・Bottled in 1988・Official Bottling for Giovinetti & Figli Milano・Limited Release] Nose: As things should be with antique Macallan aged in vintage Sherry casks, lemon preserve and afternoon red tea served whilst resting on a buttero leather armchair. Elegant with the raisins and tannins pleasingly and politely pile on, and leather unfolding…

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