Blogging, one whisky at a time
[40%・22 Years Old・Distilled in 1978・Bottled in 2000・Gordon & MacPhail Bottling・Limited Release] Nose: Chocolate mousse with a hint of cream powder, faint splashes of cherry preserve and apple juice with this curious hint of burnt toast. Some freshly plucked oyster and herbs with more fragrant fruity aromas. Palate & Finish: Light fruits with a brush of…
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Style: Chocolate, Perfumed and Vintage Nose: A touch of stewed tropical fruits followed by soft grassy notes combined with nice waxy tone. Delicate fruits at a comfortable pace. White pepper, fragrant walnut oak polish. Faint capsicum and earthy spices reeling at the back. Palate: More fragrant stewed fruits and walnuts converges at the tip, papaya,…
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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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[61.0%・10 Years Old・Bottled Circa 2000s・Official Bottling・Cask No. 120913・Single Cask Release] Nose: The nose is filled with creamy vanilla aromas, much satisfying and full of caramel fudge, toasted coconut chips, corn syrup, and comes with a generous char. In time, it’s surprisingly woody with a bit of dirty coal soot that grows more prominent. Palate &…
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Style: Woody and Red fruits Nose: Raspberry sorbet seeping into freshly sharpened, incensed sandalwood. Strawberry cream dazzles, orchard fruits, followed by a touch of Goji berries and peppermint to bring up the drier side. Vanilla barley pushing up from the back. White oak gradually takes over, finishes with a brush of honeycomb. Palate: The raspberry…
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[57.3%・18 Years Old・Distilled in 1991・Bottled in 2009・Whisky Live Japan Bottling・Cask No. 369・Single Cask Release] Nose: Loads of raisins and prunes with the dark fruits driving the creaminess, crème brûlée with some earthy notes. Nutty, walnuts and peanut butter with a faint aroma of smoked ham. Palate & Finish: Such a dark setting, rich raisins influence…
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[57.3%・18 Years Old・Distilled in 1991・Bottled in 2009・Number One Drinks Company Bottling・Cask No. 370・Single Cask Release of 361 Bottles] Nose: The wood is perhaps emitting too much of its presence, fair amount of sandalwood and oak before the lavishly fragrant aromas of ripen apricots and dark honey come through. A touch of mirin in time with…
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Style: Forest fruits, Peppery and Oaky Nose: Starts with a powerful herbal drum roll, vanilla barley, autumn apples and honey mead emerging afterwards. Black pepper fuses with peppermint and showers down on the whole parade. Fat blue berries leading fragrant tropical fruits, mineral peat going slightly chalky at the back. Clean, peppery with optimal sweetness.…
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You can read our last interview with Brian and Genise here. Nicholas: So tell me, what has changed at Black Gate since our last chat over three years ago? Brian: Well, we built a cool room so we can ferment during the hotter weather, and we were able to increase production from when we first…
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[46.0%・25 Years Old・Official Bottling・Limited Release] Nose: Mellow, delightful white fruits laced with faint hints of ash and finely dried coastal peat, some flannel seeds and a subtle layer of burnt oranges to create the depth. The wood is elegant and soft, whilst the warming bonfire sensation subtly builds, the iodine is restrained and balanced by…
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