Whisky Review: SMWS 33.138 Ardbeg 2007 12 Years Old “A thigh-slapping dram”

Style: Sherry and Smoky Nose:Begins with a rather intricate layout – Seafood barbeque, tar and bonfire smoke forming a dynamic exterior, in which semi-elusive cherries and red liquorice are tucked right into the core. Maritime tides rolling in, fennels and pineapple lollies. Herbal spices, liquorice roots and brown sugar sink lower to form a powerful…

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Whisky Review: Milano Whisky Festival 2009 Port Ellen 1983 Over 26 Years Old

Style: Spicy and Smoky Nose: Begins with a quick whiff of barbeque smoke. Baked fruits, pretty deep and oily aroma. Then underneath we have tar coating, paprika and even some faint gunpowder. Brazilian grilled pineapple, tropical fruits fragrance radiating beautifully from the core. Chilli flakes and a pinch of curry powder. The sweetness softens and…

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Dram Review: The GlenDronach Single Cask Aged 20 Years (Cask No. 33)

[59.1%・20 Years Old・Distilled in 1993・Bottled in 2013・Official Bottling Specially Selected for AbbeyWhisky.com・Cask No. 33・Single Cask Release of 592 Bottles] Nose: Bright prunes, thrilling menthol with just a hint of meatiness. Sticky Christmas cake with maple syrup poured all over top and served with strong red tea. Palate & Finish: A bread pudding richness concentrating on…

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Dram Review: Kinko GlenDronach 1994 18 Years Old

[55.3%・18 Years Old・Distilled in 1994・Bottled in 2012・Kinko Bottling・Cask No. 2002・Single Cask Release of 234 Bottles] Nose: Leather, coal and Sherry. Meaty toffee and immensely powerful, cherry liquor poured over chocolate mousse and dressed with toasted almond flakes. Palate & Finish: Sticky and savoury on the palate, soy sauce and burnt toffee making up a heavy…

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Dram Review: The GlenDronach Single Cask Aged 23 Years (Cask No. 40)

[58.5%・23 Years Old・Distilled in 1993・Bottled in 2016・Official Bottling・Cask No. 40・Single Cask Release of 584 Bottles] Nose: Quite provocative with a deep perfume note, acai berries, red cherries and red oak, creamed honey with a bright ginger-y zing. Palate & Finish: Bursting of maple syrup and simmering strawberry jam, seasoned with just a pinch of cinnamon…

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Dram Review: Glenfarclas The Family Casks 1971 Autumn 2014 Cask No. 147

[51.4%・Distilled in 1971・Bottled in 2014・43 Years Old・Official Bottling・Cask No. 147・Single Cask Release of 438 Bottles] Nose: Sugar caramelising into brown syrup, a vintage mahogany piece that has just been meticulously polished, with candied mandarins and dried cranberries bringing the brightness in acidity. Still, there is more to give in this dram, with fine vanilla grain…

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Dram Review: Glenfarclas The Family Casks 1986 Autumn 2014 Cask No. 3456

[55.5%・Distilled in 1986・Bottled in 2014・28 Years Old・Official Bottling・Cask No. 3456・Single Cask Release of 542 Bottles] Nose: Assertively oak driven, seasoned with incense spices, toasted granola with cinnamon and chocolate dust. Notes of raisins and mandarin gradually easing their way in. Palate & Finish: The initial acidity of the fruits is swiftly mellowed out by a…

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Dram Review: Glenfarclas The Family Casks 1981 Autumn 2014 Cask No. 1603

[52.9%・Distilled in 1981・Bottled in 2014・33 Years Old・Official Bottling・Cask No. 1603・Single Cask Release of 529 Bottles] Nose: Marmalade of ripe apricots and figs, silky with a luscious Sherry creaminess. Natural nuts with hint of cheddar and coconut butter with a hint of pear sweetness. Palate & Finish: Creamy texture of pears and coconuts with just a…

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Dram Review: The Whisky Agency & The Nectar Tomatin Aged 45 Years

[46.1%・45 Years Old・Distilled in 1966・Bottled Circa 2011・The Whisky Agency and The Nectar Joint Bottling・Limited Release] Nose: Leather and stewed dark fruits, all signs of a well aged dram.  There is perhaps a hint of rubber in the mix of forest berries and violets. Palate & Finish: Gorgeous burst of red cherries on a sweet, creamy…

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Dram Review: Gordon & MacPhail The Book of Kells Longmorn 46 Years Old

[51.3%・46 Years Old・Distilled in 1964・Bottled in 2010・Gordon & MacPhail Bottling for Japan Import System・Cask No. 1033・Single Cask Release of 165 Bottles] Nose: The kind of excellence you sort of take for granted from a heavily Sherried Book of Kells bottling, not very distillery specific anymore as one would understand.. but not overly heavy and woody…

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