Blogging, one whisky at a time
Style: Smoky and Sherried Nose:A few coal fire sparks light up fifty shades of smoke on the nose – bonfire ashes, briquettes, katsuobushi and dark cherries emerging from the dense, cloudy haze. The sherry sweetness slowly spread across to the outer rims and wrap around the spirit gently. Charred oak, marshy bog and minerals leading…
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Style: Spicy and Smoky Nose:Coal fire incinerates and gives a slight bitter, deep and sooty start. Feeling damp as well after it is given a good maritime brush. Fiery spice peaks and pinches in quite early in the form of hot chilli oil. Then the other facet of Caol Ila shows up – lemon confectionaries,…
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Style: Smoky, Spicy and Complex Nose:Fiery spice carrying iodine blotches, black pepper and maritime sprays. Red chilli and radish wrapping around an elegantly refined sweetness – tropical mangoes infused with homemade lemon cordial. Beneath it sits a layer of seaweed and kale, Himalayan rock salt sprinkles and even a pinch of yellow curry powder (!).…
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Style: Sweet, Smoky and Complex Nose:Fizzling lemonade, slightly salty, stewed fruits and graphite. Lively and surprisingly “round”. Peppermint and rosemary flowers stabbing through layers of fruitiness. Green apples, mangoes and confectionaries forming more beautiful sweetness underneath. Kumquat, seaweed, mineral water and overripe white peaches sitting even deeper at the core. Wow, it feels the depth…
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Style: Sweet and Smoky Nose:Fragrant cherry pie dancing into the stage, maple syrup bacon and pecans crackling softly on the side. Swooping lower we have a nice layer of earthy peat, peanut butter coating on elegant white flower and peppermint. Vanilla malt cake, brown sugar and red dates forming the base notes. Very sweet. While…
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Style: Fruity, Slight Smoky and Complex Nose:Beautiful honey marches in together with fresh green lime slices, while peat smoke is carefully infused into the aroma. Oh my god, this is incredible. Fragrance and oiliness at perfect balance, very vibrant as well. Chalks, more lemon, probably in the form confectionaries, grapefruits, pineapple and even a tiny…
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[43.0%・12 Years Old・Bottled Circa 1980s・Bulloch Lade & Co. Ltd Bottling Imported by Zenith Italia and Bonfanti・Limited Release] Nose: A faint delicate smoke resting on perfume-y red apples with just a touch of thinner in a good nature sort of manner. There is a stunning floral presence with custard and caramel gelling with brine and capers.…
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[45.0%・10 Years Old・Distilled in 1995 ・Bottled in 2005・ Samaroli Bottling・Cask No. 1118 & 3263・ Limited Release] Nose: The softest honey and caramel fudge, tender white fruits with a gentle touch of iodine dressed in Italian herbs and fennel seeds, coastal seaweed, crystallised sea salt and a barbecue saltiness now surfacing, making it a savoury affair.…
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[46.0%・Distilled in 1977・Bottled in 1993・ Moon Import Bottling・Cask No. 4659 & 4660 ・ Limited Release] Nose: Starts off with a herbal setting but with quite a sweet layer of cotton candy, well balanced with the sooty presence that opens up to notes of lemon, menthol and whisky crumble and later on fruits and soft nougat.…
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[51.0%・10 Years Old・Distilled in 2008・Thompson Bro’s Bottling・Limited Release of 338 Bottles] Nose: Wood fire smoked kippers, clean petrol and iodine. Palate & Finish: Flowing honey, with orchard fruits and an ashy, mouthwatering punch of smoke. Sweet and swift with traces of peat smoke dispersing. Thoughts: An easy-going young Islay, good fun for a casual session.…
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