Dram Review: Bruichladdich Rare Cask Series Sherry: The Magnificent Seven 1986/30

[44.6%・30 Years Old・Distilled in 1986・Bottled in 2017・Official Bottling・Limited Release of 4,200 Bottles] Nose: Some subtle farmy characters in play, brown sugar blanketing wee minerals and a tinge of herbal notes.  Crystallised honey and vanilla sugar brushed over pinewood as a intriguing woody incense burns in the background, slowly emitting aromas of molasses rubbed on oily…

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Dram Review: Bruichladdich Rare Cask Series Bourbon: Hidden Glory 1985/32

[48.7%・32 Years Old・Distilled in 1985・Bottled in 2017・Official Bottling・Limited Release of 4,200 Bottles] Nose: Somewhat char driven in a mix of honey and vanilla, pinch of sea salt to go with minerals, salted caramel, breakfast cereal and some cute bouquet fruits. Palate & Finish: Vanilla and custard apples, followed by a gush of honey, oak and…

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Whisky Review: Silver Seal Bunnahabhain 1980 “Whisky is Art” 34 Years Old

Style: Sweet and Malty Nose: Vanillic malt gleaming beautifully at the front, followed by overripe white and yellow fruits, calm, sweet and round aroma. Wood shavings laying at the bottom, while spearmint echoing gently. Very faint hint of shellfish and tar at the background. Palate: High concentration of malt converges at the front, sweet and…

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Whisky Review: Bunnahabhain 1997 Palo Cortado Cask Finish

Style: Sweet and Lightly Smoky Nose: Plenty of malt juice rolling in, green herbs placed on the side, stewed yellow fruits and agar agar. A dash of white pepper, vanilla pod and cinnamon stick. Pencil shavings, green cucumber, throwing in a few cranberries. Tarry smoke gently clinging on, nice. Palate: Pretty much mirroring what the…

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Dram Review: Three Rivers Tokyo Bunnahabhain Aged 26 Years “The Dance”

[49.8%・26 Years Old・Distilled in 1987・Bottled in 2014・Three Rivers Tokyo Bottling・Cask No. 2461・Single Cask Release of 179 Bottles] Nose: Fine layer of gentle cask led raisins, light brush of cherries as well. The oak and a light smoke combine to lead out more and more dark fruits and liquor soaked sultana. Palate & Finish: Dark fruits…

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Dram Review: Bunnahabhain Distilled 1963

[43.0%・33 Years Old・Distilled in 1963・Bottled in 1997・Official Bottling・Limited Release] Nose: Some orchard fruits in play, but also slightly showing its age with the leathery note and hazelnuts brushing past.  Bitter cocoa dust layered on the mildly floral citrus marmalade note as a hint of muddy wet grass mellowly runs underneath. Palate & Finish: Quite a…

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Dram Review: Lagavulin Aged 16 Years (White Horse Distillers Bottling Bottled Circa Early 1990s)

[43.0%・16 Years Old・Bottled Circa 1990s・Official Bottling・General Release] Nose: Quite a spirited nose, the peat is fiery but not at all invasive, medicinal with green fruits and coal smoke combining really well together.  Iodine and campfire as it progresses, quite thrilling in a manageable manner. Palate & Finish: The soft fruits provide this pleasing sweetness and when…

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Dram Review: Lagavulin Aged 18 Years Feis Ile 2018

[53.9%・18 Years Old・Bottled in 2018・Official Bottling・Limited Release of 6,000 Bottles] Nose: Surprisingly quite dirtily peated, the oak also comes on quite strong.  Powdery sugar sprinkled atop of dried fruits. Palate & Finish: Jammy fruits and oily toffee, the fiery and tarry peat punches through, a heap of black pepper atop of a slightly waxy underlay…

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Whisky Review: SMWS 127.44 Port Charlotte “Cantina Mexicana”

Style: Sweet, Smoky and Spicy Nose: Wow, very powerful stuff, ample caramel drizzle generously on barbeque ham, aroma cruising on a ferocious spice. A signature blend of red wine, minerals, seaweed, iodine and heavily smoked barley. Nutmeg and ginger powder sprinkling down on dark cacao. Finish with some toffee apple. Palate: Red currants dusted with…

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Whisky Review: SMWS 105.13 Tormore “Pouring treacle on cut grass”

Style: Sherry and Grassy Nose: Cranberry-infused malt syrup singing in the embrace of a fresh, grassy landscape. Light herbal touch, rose water, vanilla sponge cake… Assorted red fruits, cherry and treacle dipping lower while an energetic grassy tone surges up at the end. Palate: Toffee apples, strawberries and blackcurrants dressed prettily around honeycomb. Fresh grass…

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