Dram Review: Kavalan Solist Moscatel

[55.6%・NAS・Bottled Circa. 2015-2016・Official Bottling・Single Cask Release] The Kavalan Solist Moscatel is one of the four new Solist releases Australia is getting this year. Along with the fino, it’s a series dedicated to the horizontal juxtaposition of various sherry strains. The last time I have come across a project similar to this was the Tomatin cuatro series…

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Dram Review: The BenRiach Cask Strength Batch 1

[57.2%・NAS・Official Bottling・Limited Release] Nose: There is an elegant Speyside floral musk on the nose that puts the mind in ease. Pineapples and apricots with a appealing vanilla note. There is some youthful anise note but as a whole it doesn’t feel as young as some other cask strength offerings. There is a thin touch of…

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Dram Review: BenRiach Cask Strength Batch 1

[57.2%・NAS・Official Bottling・Limited Release] Nose: There is an elegant Speyside floral musk on the nose that puts the mind in ease. Pineapples and apricots with a appealing vanilla note. There is some youthful anise note but as a whole it doesn’t feel as young as some other cask strength offerings. There is a thin touch of…

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Dram Review: Glenmorangie Milsean

[46.0%・NAS・Official Bottling・Limited Release] Nose: The nose is rather modest, with mint and eucalyptus being more noticeable upfront. It was explained to me that mint is one of the signature notes of Glenmorangie and this certainly carries it. A wee copper coin note with the main theme of this whisky in my opinion, blackcurrant. The blackcurrant…

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Dram Review: Yamazaki Sherry Cask 2013

[48.0%・Bottled in 2013・Official Bottling・Limited Release] Nose: Mmmmm the nose is satisfyingly rich. Premium leather, dark chocolate brushed with balsamic vinegar sauce. Bright dark fruits poached to a sticky reduction. Wine cured apricots and soft raisins bringing a wee citrus edge. A combination of moist oak and lightly toasted wood chips with a touch of cinnamon…

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Dram Review: Crown Royal Northern Harvest Rye

Look, to be quite clear, this entry is not about whether Mr. Murray was right when he crowned the Northern Harvest Rye the best whisky of the year. It’s simply how I felt about this dram.. Sweet honey and maple syrup on the nose, a light dose of drying rye spices. Cinnamon dust, white pepper…

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First Impression: Crown Royal Northern Harvest Rye

Look, to be quite clear, this entry is not about whether Mr. Murray was right when he crowned the Northern Harvest Rye the best whisky of the year. It’s simply how I felt about this dram.. Sweet honey and maple syrup on the nose, a light dose of drying rye spices. Cinnamon dust, white pepper…

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Dram Review: Miyagikyo 12 Years Old Malty & Soft

[55.0%・12 Years Old・Bottled Circa. 2012-2015・Official Bottling・Limited Release] One of the key note expressions from the distillery in Sendai in the rather limited Nikka series, it has been procured by the wonderful Tokyo Bird for the lucky crowd here in Sydney. Nose: A lovingly rich dose of malted buttery shortbreads on the nose. Soft fruity note…

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Whisky Review: The Yamazaki Puncheon

Thick fluffy peach-vanilla spiced with a quick spicy touch of pepper and cloves. Tender fragrance of honey milk soap diffusing in a heart warming fashion. Tight notes of orange zest, rather raw and bitter-ish at the back. A delicious blend of pineapple juice and vanilla cream! Fruitiness went into an aromatic burst, followed by soft…

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Whisky Review: SMWS 66.66 Ardmore “Ginger Makes Fred Smile”

Tasting Notes SMWS 66.66 Ardmore “Ginger Makes Fred Smile” ☆ [Recommended] Style: Ginger and Spicy Nose: Huge, dry notes at the front – Autumn leaves in early winter breeze, followed by a robust scent of vanilla yogurt, full cream milk with a swirl of honey and figs. Ginger spice kicks in with a hint of ashy peat…

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