Blogging, one whisky at a time
[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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[43.2%・NAS・Bottled in 2017・Johnnie Walker Bottling・Limited Release] Nose: Muscovado syrup with a hue of Speysider grassy top note. The oomph of toasted coffee bean is understated with a vague seaweed-y peat note sipping out. The wee grain grittiness wears thin and it draws a soft gingery kick. Palate & Finish: Can pineapples with the charred oak…
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Style: Delicate and Fruity Nose: Sweet pineapple unwinding over a thin line of pulled pork. Caramel sugar cascading with dry spices. A fragrant touch on bright tropical fruits, very nice squeeze of green lime which lunges from the back. Pretty well constructed aroma. Palate: A much fuzzier delivery on the palate. Vanilla milk clouding over…
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[40.0%・18 Years Old・Bottled in 2017・Johnnie Walker Bottling・General Release] Nose: The nose is on the approachable side, ripe fruits, marmalade with pear sweets and a light splash of grain spirit spices. Just underneath lays a hint apple cider vinegar with the light creaminess and sandalwood interwinding together. In the background, there’re traces of mineral water laced with…
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