Dram Review: SMWS 119.13 Yamazaki 山崎 “Fathoms Deep”

[60.2%・11 Years Old・Distilled in 2003 ・ Bottled in 2014 ・SMWS Bottling・Single Cask Release of 149 Bottles] Nose: Bold brushes of wood varnish and buttery toffee. Cloves and butterfly cookies with orange essence oil appearing late together with white peaches and popcorn seasoned with a knob of burnt butter. Palate & Finish: Rich flowing vanilla with…

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Dram Review: SMWS 3.214 Bowmore “Vintage Cameras and Turntables”

[55.4%・18 Years Old・Distilled in 1995 ・ Bottled in 2014 ・SMWS Bottling・Single Cask Release of 246 Bottles] Nose: The sea breeze getting that saltiness and iodine across. Beeswax and tree gum giving a rubbery feel and later on some gently poached pears. Palate & Finish: Succulent with the fruits but carries a vegetable oil note, ginger,…

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Dram Review: Waterford Ballykilcavan Edition 1.1

[50.0%・3 Years Old・Distilled in 2016・Bottled in 2020・Official Bottling ・Limited Release of 8,640 Bottles] Nose: Unfortunately not quite enough cask impact, which is obviously a problem for a barely legal whisky, Feels rather rawer and dirtier than the Bannow Island Edition 1.1 with minerals, wee green fruits and burnt toast. Palate & Finish: Burnt toffee, some…

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Dram Review: Waterford Bannow Island Edition 1.1

[50.0%・3 Years Old・Distilled in 2016・Bottled in 2020・Official Bottling ・Limited Release of 8,616 Bottles] Nose: Umm, surprisingly muted, new make, hint of cardboard, plastic as well, some green mangos, certainly some citrus to it. Palate & Finish: Alcohol new make, oily and somewhat sugary, wee brushes of fruitiness and grassiness from the spirit. Some more fresh…

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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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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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