Dram Review: Caol Ila Aged 12 Years (Bulloch Lade & Co. Ltd Bottling Imported by Zenith Italia and Bonfanti)

[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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Dram Review: Laphroaig Càirdeas Master Edition (2010 Edition)

[57.3%・11 Years Old・Bottled in 2010 ・ Official Bottling・Limited Release of 5,000 Bottles] Nose: Peat, mud, sultana and soft pears, medicinal with mandarins and other dried fruits. Palate & Finish: Crisp barley sweetness with bubble gum and a burst of honey before a mid-palate of oily petrol and dried fruits takes over. In the finish, seaweed,…

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Dram Review: Laphroaig Càirdeas (2008 Edition)

[55.0%・NAS・Bottled in 2008 ・ Official Bottling・Limited Release of 3,600 Bottles] Nose: Seaweed and rock salt rubbed bacon under a heavy smoke with wee notes of limes and twigs. Palate & Finish: Jammy but fiery, peat, smoke and spices initially blanketing over the subtler notes of vanilla, oak and tropical fruits before a gradual return to…

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Dram Review: Laphroaig Unblended 15 Years Old

[43.0%・15 Years Old・Bottles Circa 1985 ・Official Bottling Imported by Larios Malaga・General Release] Nose: Soft white fruits with a fine brush of peat and a subtle seasoning of sea salt. Endearingly rewarding as the softness of white peaches and pineapples harmoniously vibes with the warming sensations of beachside seaweed and some diesel smoke. Palate & Finish:…

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Dram Review: Moon Import Caol Ila The Sails in the Wind

[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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Dram Review: Thompson Bro’s Caol Ila 2008 Vintage Aged 10 Years

[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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Dram Review: Gordon & MacPhail Caol Ila Distilled 1980 Imported by Giuseppe Meregalli

[40.0%・Years Old・Distilled in 1980・Bottled in 1993・Gordon & MacPhail Bottling Imported by Giuseppe Meregalli・Limited Release] Nose: Filled with seaweed and sweet peat, minerals and some floral notes hanging about followed by a salty broth with smoked candied bacon flakes, the smoke just gets dirtier and dirtier in time. Palate & Finish: That Sherry burst is radiant,…

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Dram Review: Lagavulin Bottled Exclusively to Celebrate Feis Ile 2008 Distilled in 1993

[52.9%・Distilled in 1993・Bottled in 2008・Official Bottling・Cask No. 1403・ Single Cask Release] Nose: Endearingly rounded, gently Sherried and with an elegant sea breeze following through. This is this certain creamy tone with a soft umami touch. Palate & Finish: Delicious and gooey, immensely creamy for a Lagavulin with red fruits infused to the dense red tea…

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Dram Review: Kingsbury Islay Bowmore 1966

[43.7%・Distilled in 1966・ 35 Years Old・Kingsbury Bottling・Cask No. 3300 ・ Single Cask Release of 300 Bottles] Nose: A first impression that makes one just cusses a little in awe.. a wondrous and pure bouquet of splendidly refreshing pear and mint gelato finely drizzled with elderflower syrup and served with slices of soft white peaches; silkily…

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Dram Review: Duncan Taylor Rare Auld Bowmore Aged 37 Years

[41.5%・Distilled in 1968・Bottled in 2006・ 37 Years Old・Duncan Taylor Bottling・Cask No. 3823・Single Cask Release of 158 Bottles]  Nose: Ahhhh, beautiful. Full of tropical fruit nectar with a delicate touch of ashy peat, peaches, strawberries and icing sugar embodied in a fine layer of smoked applewood chips as the more dignified aromas of oak from Shinto…

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