Blogging, one whisky at a time
[43.0%・14 Years Old・Distilled in 1974・Bottled in 1988・Sestante Bottling・Limited Release] Nose: A stroll along the rocky beaches of Islay on a cool morning. Oyster shells and seaweed washing ashore with a mild layer of sooty ash that brings out a sugary note. Palate & Finish: Sweet flowing lemon butter drizzled with coarse sea salt, the taste…
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[43.0%・11 Years Old・Distilled in 1983・Bottled in 1994・Bottiglieria Corsini Bottling・Limited Release] Nose: Softly peated in a sugary manner, some fragrant white fruits, kiwis perhaps to go with some underlying chalk and smoke. There are some coconuts to bridge the fruitiness and creaminess; followed by a gingery note that cuts through, revealing white tea and Chinese herbs..…
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[53.0%・27 Years Old・Distilled in 1982・Bottled in 2010・The Nectar of the Daily Drams Bottling・Limited Release] Nose: The faintest hint of cowshed farm-y note on the nose which is subsequently taken over by a bouquet of stone fruits, white peaches and Chinese style preserved fruit peels.  A fatty peaty foundation with hints of seaweed and cream cheese…
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[56.2%・22 Years Old・Distilled in 1979・Bottled in 2001・Original Bottling・Limited Release of 6000 Bottles] Nose: Lemon meringue and barley sugar channeling through light caramel, the peat comes in rather politely.  The spirit conveys the grassy and malty notes well with the iodine becoming more intensive in time. Palate & Finish: Salted caramel and apricots on an oily…
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[51.0%・37 Years Old・Bottled in 2017・Official Bottling・Limited Release of 2988 Bottles] Nose: Light fruits and orange zest, the peat and oak together create quite a sophisticated depth, dry twigs and ink with this maritime seafood influence that comes with this attractive seaweed saltiness, almost like a fisherman’s wharf, or the pier at Oban.  The peat smoke is…
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[40%・16 Years Old・Distilled in 1970・Gordon & MacPhail Bottling・Limited Release] Nose: What a stately experience, the iodine is non-invasive, instead it subtly tugs the wood in. The medicinal note has become quite mellow now with traces of green fruits being politely held back. The peat fares a bit powdery but is complimented by a delicate floral…
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[55.2%・37 Years Old・Distilled in 1978・Bottled in 2016・Official Bottling・Limited Release] Nose: The heavy woody presence sets the scene, saphir renovateur along with a seaside influence as the seaweed breezes across.  It grows savoury with notes of smoked meat and dry cured bacon, whilst a fiery and oily undertone gradually develops in the background. Palate & Finish: A well balanced…
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[53.9% • 32 Years Old • Distilled in 1983 • Bottled in 2015 • Limited Edition of 2,964 Bottles] The 15th rendition of the Port Ellen annual release has been aged for 32 years old, a staggeringly long period when you think of your usual Islay suspects. There exists a common consensus that a true Islay…
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[64.7% • 10 Years Old • Distilled in 1981 • Bottled in 1991 • SMWS Bottling • Single Cask Release] This is a vintage SMWS Port Ellen that was bottled all the way back in 1991. Nose: On the nose, apricot and honey, a touch of coastal breeze, very pleasant on the nose. Vanilla and…
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