Blogging, one whisky at a time
[46.5%・36 Years Old・Distilled in 1980・Kinko Bottling・Limited Release] Nose: Stylistically very much a Japanese style Sherried whisky, poached fruits wrapped in rice paper, with cinnamon dust and date syrup dressed atop. There is also an aged furniture vibe to things, and later on becoming slightly toasty, with some fine aromas from mango and passion fruit sauces…
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[48.9%・Bottled In 2017・NAS・Compass Box Bottling・Limited Release of 15,000 Bottles] Nose: Sensationally peaty on the nose, loads of smoked bacon, with the dram genuinely faring quite seaweed-y with a clean, thrilling dose of milky peat gliding through. Smoked almonds and sea salt adding to the mix. Palate & Finish: Approachable and fluid. Vanilla cream effortlessly developing…
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Style: Light and Fruity Nose: Refreshing fruity breeze on the nose… Very nice. Delightful pineapple daiquiri, green pears silkily wrapped by iodine laces and decorated with smoked barley. Citrus icing, an oily peppermint lick. Simple but stunningly impressive. Palate: Soft fruits laying out with a nice brush of golden malt. Pears hitting high notes all…
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[46.0%・NAS・Bottled in 2016・Compass Box and The Nectar Bottling・Limited Release] A predominately Ardbeg blend that was developed by Mr. John Glaser and the Compass Box team with input from The Nectar’s team for the Belgium independent bottler’s tenth anniversary. Nose: Full of maritime notes. Hickory smoked mussels with a heavy, almost tarry substance. At the same…
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[42.3%・NAS・Bottled Circa 2017・Twenty Third Street Bottling・General Release] Nose: Tight nose initially, feels quite spirit-y and young with a strange mothball note. It opens up to honey water with vanilla from the bourbon component. Palate & Finish: Sugary water, brown sugar to be specific. A quick bite of spices with hints of vanilla, chocolate and artificial…
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Style: Sweet and Smoky Nose: Fresh ginger and pine opening, followed by a good dose of ester, yellow fruits. Hickory smoke lunges forward and we are offered plenty of youthful Caol Ila here… Down a level there’s mossy peat, lemon cup cakes, chilli heat casually switching on and off. Palate: Bold, sweet fruits and barbeque…
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[43.0%・NAS・Bottled Circa 2017-2018・Pure Scot Bottling・General Release] Nose: Unpolished wood leads the nose perhaps as intended. Artificial vanilla, thick cream and popcorn with a hint of vegetative note. It grows quite leathery with insignificant traces of dirty smoke. Palate & Finish: Quite new make-y, green spirit covered with a thin brush of vanilla and pepper. The…
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[40.0%・NAS・Bottled Circa 2016-2018・Pure Scot Bottling・General Release] Nose: A not quite coherent showcasing of barley porridge and wood spices with a wee citrus addition. The minerals give off an industrial vibe. Palate & Finish: The delivery feels diluted with watered down barley sugar, wood chips and a little pinch of vanilla. Hints of orange peels and…
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[46.0%・NAS・Bottled in 2018・Johnnie Walker Bottling・Limited Release] Nose: Quite a smoky presence upfront, the peat leaves a quick impression alongside minerals and limestone. Hearty malt, soft honey and candle wax follow the initial peaty impression. There is a meaty lowland presence in the mix with soft fruits, crisp red apples, ripe banana, sultana and can pineapples…
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Style: Rich and Spicy Nose: A simultaneous display of both sweetness and dryness here. Dried fruits and red liquorice wrapped around by robust peppermint. Plenty of dry spices laying around, complex overtone of white pepper, brass and meat stock. Honey drops bouncing off green tea leaves. Sweet, bit icy and meaty at the back. Palate:…
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