Whisky Tasting Review

This page covers the whiskies we've done at past tastings and highlights the ones Andy thought were good and the best sellers. We aren't saying the others weren't any good, it is just that these suited Andy's palate.

March 2010

Bladnoch 16
Dalwhinnie Distillers Edition 1990
Speyburn 1977 Gordon & MacPhail
Glenfarclas 1987
Glendronach 18
Bunnahabhain Toiteich
Lagavulin 12 cask strength 2009 release

Bladnoch 16 was a disappointing start with too much oak and slight bitter edge at the start and middle before getting the heather, fruity honey at the very late stages which should have been there all the time, sad because I love the G&M 1991 Bladnoch. The distillers edition Dalwhinnie is finished in Oloroso casks which has me asking why? A light gently whisky hidden by a rich sherry finish, Diagio go mad again. If you can suspend your desire to drink Dalwhinnie it is still a nice sherried whisky and enjoyable but shows none of the great stuff Dalwhinnie has to offer. The Speyburn was very complex offering loads of different flavours, from vanilla to fuit to hints of sherry and smoke, definately one to spend a long time with and enjoy, added to my list of ones to buy for me. The Glenfarclas 1987 was magnificent with all the hallmarks of a great Glenfarclas with oak, sherry depth, hints of fruit and a touch of sweetness. Glendronach 18 Alardice was too much sherry and too sickly sweet for me, probably a great pudding whisky for a dinner or Christmas but too much to drink alone for me. The new Bunny Toiteich is a peasted one which was originally launched for ther French market but they decided to let us have some and although very young (I guessed as it took no water at all, NOTE "water kills it totally" do not add water) it is nicely smoked, hints of rich coal with a gently finish soothing in to a sweet briney end. Finally the cask strength 57.9% proof monster from Lagavulin, from past experience I felt I might need a stick to try to tame this as they have been brutal, not this year. lovely sipping whicky with hint of peat and smoke and a gentle sweetness but what worries me is where has the peat monster gone? Lagavulin used to be the peaty freaky heaven but now it is less smokey, less peaty and less Lagavulin? Have Diagio finally killed the golden goose through cost cutting on the peat drying or running the still and people too hard? I do not know but what I do know is that this is not the same style Lagavulin that I fell in love with 25 years ago, it is now briney with peat hints not PEATY with brine hints as it used to be, I morn the loss.
Behind the bar Edradour 1997 Unchillfiltered from Signatory, cannot go wrong with this and went down all too easily, thanks for the dram Mario. As usual the RNLI raffle and £107 raised through the generous mob that attended, running total is £630. Until the next time, Slainte
Andy


January 2010 - Burns Night Special

Glen Albyn 1975 Gordon & Macphail
Bruichladdich 1984 Redder Still
Longmorn 30 Gordon & Macphail
Glen Grant 1958 Gordon & Macphail
Port Ellen 1982 Gordon & Macphail
Benriach 21yo Authenticus Peated Malt
PC8 - Port Charlotte from Bruichladdich

Glen Albyn gave us a good old fashioned highlander with floral light flavours but depth and hints of smoke. Not easy to find due to it being a supermarket now but worth seeking out, a lovely start. I have had my run ins with Bruichladdich about the ACEing but still willing to try their whisky as I love the distillery. This is by far and away the best wine messing about they have done but it is just a reasonable Bruichladdich and OK to drink but really doesn't warrant the expense. It looks like I am stuck with three bottles in stock for the foreseeable, still disappointed with the wine and whisky efforts being sent out but what do you customers and me know, we only buy it (or not)? The old 25 Longmorn was superb so it was with trepidation I did this, would it live up to it? For me yes it does, not better but different with the wood becoming more promenant and hiding the christmas cake fruits but still enjoyable however this was not everyones view and the wood become too intrusive for some. Gordan and Macphail need to make sure this is not left in barrel too much longer for fear of the wood killing it. Now for something left a long time in barrel distilled 1958, bottled 2009 from Glen Grant and what a beauty proving once again that Glen Grant ages perfectly with fruit, wood, whisky and length all working in perfect harmony. An absolute classic and one of the best I've had in the £150 to £200 range. Then on to the peaty stuff (and a happy Pete Bowley). I remember having the 1982 Port Ellen 10 years ago and being unimpressed, how times change this is as near perfect for an aged peaty dram as you can get, soft, delicate smoke enveloping the senses and gently caressing your being, Jean Simmons at her prime would be the comparison. The Authenticus is another great dram with more beef than the PE and providing coal smoke rather than peat. One comment was this tastes like a great aged Caol Ila at its best, quite a compliment I feel. If we had Jean Simmons earlier it was now time for the young pneumatic chested one to come and bounce on us in the cask strength PC8 and it is big, brash, peaty but with some subtleties starting to come through now it is getting older. This is what Bruichladdich can produce and it is fantastic and it has avoided the dreaded ACE, or wine or other such stuff, just very good whisky, thank you Mark for leaving this as it should be, excellent.
The raffle saw everyone find pockets deeper than ever and raised £138 for the RNLI. I often feel humbled by the continuous and great generosity shown by our Customers, thank you so much again. Total is now £451 for the year.
Behind the bar Benromach Origins No.1, the moffatt toffee shop in a glass and sold out in double quick time.
Hopefully Burns would appreciate the malts we did to celebrate his birthday. If I had to pick a winner the Port Ellen would be it but nothing disgraced itself and I was surprised by a whisky new to me in the Glen Albyn which I thoroughly enjoyed and old Glen Grant always has a place in my heart (and glass). Slainte


November 2009
Springbank Edinburgh Festival Blend 2007
Lochside 1991 Gordon & Macphail
Inverleven 1991 Gordon & Macphail
Strathmill 1991 Gordon & Macphail
The Yamazaki 18
Caol Ila Tokaji Wood Finish 1994 Private Collection Gordon & Macphail
Ardbeg Supernova

A blend including 40% malt from Springbank (mostly springbank but with a hint of Longrow)was always going to be good and this did not disappoint, rich yet delicate, no harsh elements that blends can bring, sherry coming through and hints of spice and oak and a little smoke, great stuff. Lochside is closed, to my mind this was a nice to try as it is a lost distillery but not one to go back to too many off notes and sourness, but that said some liked it so be your own judge on this one. Inverleven was a mass of vanilla on the nose with rich spices oak and vanilla belting through again. Not a classic example of a lowland malt, more highland in style but not matter what region it is a really enjoyable dram. Inverleven is mothballed with no future plans, shame really as this G&M bottling shows it to be a worthy whisky Strathmill has spice and white pepper on the nose, herbs and spices on the palate and hints of oak and sweetness and a dry finish, good solid drinking malt. Now for the Japanese and they are not new to this game having started in 1923 and it shows. This is no new start up whiskey but one that shows the strength of time and tradition. Full bodies and showing the 3 cask types in various flavours, hints of plum wine anyone? Expensive but worth saving for as a treat and one to prove not all the best whisky(ey) is Caledonia (but most is). I was really looking forward to the Caol Ila, how sad I was when this was dreadful some coal smoke and peat in there but massively sweet and over powered beyond belief by the Tokaji and just plain nasty. This should never have been released and sent straight to be lost in some cheap and nasty blend in the blending halls, nothing like the usual class Caol Ila whisky G&M deliver which is far better than the proprietary bottling normally, sad. We had an extra one sneaked in then after Big Phill Webber won the Longrow 14 in the charity raffle and requested it be shared by all present. The smoke and gentle spices are there and the rubber hints at the end bringing the gentle side to longrow as it ages, thanks for sharing Phill we loved it again. Finally the one I have been waiting for, Ardbeg with the phenols at 100+ ppm and rated as 97 by Mr Murray and best scotch in the world 2010. It certainly delivers on the peat front, then comes round the back and clobbers you with some peat from there too. It really is a massive dram, brutal and one you cannot attack at a session but great anyway. I really enjoyed this because on second sip it brought other things through like Ardbeg should but peat is the overriding memory a saviour for the good old place after the dreadful Blasda.
As usual we held the charity raffle in aid of the RNLI and the generous souls were in again and we raised £95 bringing the running total to £313 for this year, thanks everyone.
Behind the bar was Springbank 2001 batch 1, youthful springbank showing the Bourbon side and vanilla hints and the usual salty sea dog brine elements and another good one from Frank, Stuart, Pete Currie (congratulations on Matilda) and the rest of the gang up there.
All in all another good night and after now trying the two peat monsters in Supernova and Octomore 1.1 I have to admit I loved both, both totally different and both worthy to grace any table who enjoy great whisky. Not a battle after all, just great examples of good whisky making and no chuffing about with wine (Mark)! But the two surprises for me we the Inverleven and Springbank blend both great whiskies and also really appreciating the Yamazaki.
Slainte
Andy


September 2009

X4 - Bruichladdich
Glen Spey 1995 Gordon & MacPhail
Aberlour 16
Benromach Origins Batch 1 - Golden Promise
Highland Park 18
Clynelish 1993 Gordon & MacPhail
Octomore 1.1

X4, quadrupel distilled spirit and perilous whisky. Well it lived up to its name, perilous it was, especialy if you drank it. Not the best new make I have ever had andone has to ask why as it really doesn't do justice to what Bruichladdich can achieve. Liked by a couple of regular vodka drinkers though, might try it chilled to see if it improves. Glen Spey was an improvement with hints of spice and a delicate flavour, an afternoon malt or ladies malt according to Janet C. Aberlour 16 wins the award for getting Doc to like an Aberlour. A good solid speysider with depth, chocolate and spices. Benromach Origins, brilliant stuff, like falling in a huge box of Moffat Toffee and being pulled out on a leather whip Indiana Jones is using to rescue you. HP18 is a great drink with loads of complexity, heather, honey, smoke and good length, never going to upset anyone hence HP sells so well, but I still prefer the 15 when that was available. Clynelish is a personal favourite and this one shows why, a real treat with the gentle spice and embers mixing with a wiff of the sea and honey coming from somewhere, a G&M classic (again). Finally the one I have been waiting for, Octomore 1.1, Bruichladdichs first release of the 80PPM peat freak and oh was it worth waiting for. Just as Octomore 1.2 comes out we try the 1.1 and this shows how good Jim, Duncan, Budgie and the rest of the people at Bruichladdich can make whisky when it is not ponced about with (ACEd is the marketing term I believe). Huge peat flavours but sweet and flavoursome all the same and carrying the youth and big alcohol hit of 63.5% so well, drop the wine rubbish and concentrate on this, it is brilliant and dare I say even better than the Port Charlotte releases we have had and that takes some doing. All I think now is when can we do the 1.2 and will SuperNova stand up to this competition next time?
£100 raised for the RNLI from our generous customers in the charity raffle, running total of £203 so far after just 2 tastings. Our continued thanks to all.
Behind the bar, MacPhails 15yo, easily drunk and finished in not time at all, so good someone ordered a bottle and a great example of the speyside sherry hit with the leather and spice ending with just a hint of smoke.

June 2009: Springbank with Pete Currie from Springbank Distillery

Kilkerran Work in Progress
Duthies Campbeltown
Springbank 18
Springbank 10yo, 100 proof
Springbank Madeira cask 11yo
Longrow 14yo
Longrow 10yo, 100 Proof

We managed to get Pete Currie back and he excelled again, stories, jokes and anecdotes galore. The Kilkerran is floral on the nose with hints of brine, vanilla, oak and flowers come through on the palate with a fizzy peppery finish, excellent for only 5 years old. Duthies Campbeltown, a vatted malt (blended malt for Diagio people)delivers a fruity nose, brine, fruit and floral notes followed by a hint of smoke, well worth buying a bottle but do not expect it to last long a good session whisky. Springbank 18 and what a delight, back to good aged Springbank with old wood and rich fruit on the nose, this carries through to the palate with big sherry fruits hitting the mouth and then a soft velvet caress that lingers as a finish, to sum up: WOW! Springbank 100 proof is big on all fronts spice and brine on the nose, huge brine hit in the middle and lingering pepper with a hint of toffee, this one delivers. Springbank Madeira cask got whisky of the month in whisky magazine and there is no doubt why, sweet spice and red fruits on the nose, hints of smoke across the palate with the sweet fruit mingling to soften the brine but not losing it, ending in a fruity spiced finish, top draw. Longrow 14yo has smoke, spice and a hint of rubber, the palate brings in coal smoke but gently and sweet overtones that fade to a fishy finish. Finally (or so we thought) Longrow 100 proof and the first nosing has me asking where did the flowers come from, it is longrow but there it was, then the palate brings it in again with the smoke hit and sweetness and vanilla, lovely and the top seller along side the Madeira cask. I would however like to note that the 18 would have been but we only has 3 bottles to sell and they did, sorry again to those who could not get one.
But then Pete reached into a bag and hey presto a couple of murky samples appear for us to try, early tastes of two to be released in July, Springbank 2001 Batch 1 which has spice, butter, rich oak and vanillas running though it, a little young cracker and finally but not least the Hazelburn 12 and this is a real wow with big sherry flavours,brine hints, length, depth holding your attention (and this is after 8 others); a complete contrast to the current 8yo (which is very good) and this is showing how good it is developing and it wasn't half bad to start. As soon as the delivery comes though I am opening one to drink, brilliant (in a fast show milk way).
As usual a raffle was held in aid of the RNLI and we raised £130 through the generous attendees which bring the total for the tasting year to £855 which we will arrange to present either early next tasting season or through the summer, thanks again to those very generous people who we are luck enough to call customers (and hopefully friends).
Behind the bar, Benromach Organic, well received and quickly drunk.
To sum up, Springbank make great whisky (if you are reading this you should already know that but just in case), Pete Currie is knowledgeable,entertaining and a great guy and we all had an excellent time so thanks again to the Original Distinct Defined (ODD) Springbank distillery, Pete and all the great people at the distilleries (Glen Gyle & Springbank) and Cadenheads shop.

April 2009

Old Man of Hoy 14yo - Blackadder
Lochranza 10yo - Aberdeen Distillers
Raw Cask Jura 1992 - Blackadder
Raw Cask Glenugie 1981 - Blackadder
Raw Cask Mortlach 1989 - Blackadder
Ben Nevis 10yo - Clydesdale Distillers
Raw Cask Smoking Islay - Blackadder

Independent bottler time and Blackadder comes to the fore. A personal favourite being the raw cask range so we did 4 of them. The Old Man of Hoy is a light delicate start to the evening, easy drinking and probably dangerous as a big chunk of the bottle could disappear without you realising it. Lochranza has slight spice but not enough length for me but lots better than the proprietary bottling. Jura raw cask is very good whisky and this is a fine example of a good distillery, very tasty. Glenugie was a new distillery for me and if all Glenugie tastes like this how on earth could they close it? Length, depth, subtlety and smooth despite being 61.8%. Mortlach is a personal favourite of mine and this was good but showed a gentler side of Mortlach, not a big sherry hit but a delicate caress and hints of sherry, I would have liked more but enjoyed it all the same. Ben Nevis is not a top draw distillery, this was a far better bottling than the normal stuff but have to say the weakest of the night for me. Last but not least 60.8% smoking Islay, they won't disclose the distillery but we guessed at Laphroaig or a fantastic Caol Ila, either way it had loads of smoke, massive length, maritime feel and oil, a big powerful dram to finish. To sum up, a good evening with plenty of interesting expressions and for me Blackadder Raw Cask is a great way to do whisky and delivers on all fronts, keep up the good work Robin and Hannah.
Behind the bar, G&M Secret Stills 4.9 - Islay (Bowmore to be specific). Sold out in no time at all and thanks to Big Ian got one and a little smasher it was too, fine example of a Bowmore.
The raffle in aid of the RNLI and raised £93 thanks to the generosity of those who attended bringing the total for this year to £653, thank everyone

March 2009

Glentauchers 1991 - Gordon & MacPhail
Blair Athol 1993 - Gordon & MacPhail
Secret Stills 5.1 Lowland - Gordon & MacPhail
Glenrothes 1965 - Gordon & MacPhail
Bowmore Darkest 15yo
Amrut Peated Cask Strength
Smokehead

Glentauchers is not bottled by the owners, this shows why a very average start. Blair Athol is a constituent of Bells, I would sooner have Bells than this, not to my palate at all. The Secret Stills is from Edinburgh, nothing like the proprietary bottling all and all the better for it a lovely sherry dram with loads of flavour and depth but little to betray the lowland heritage, it could pass for a Speysider, very interesting from G&M. The Glenrothese had loads of wood up front, a dry middle and a tropical fruit end. A top malt in my book but not to everyones taste (Mike B did not like it and he has a good palate) but to me a fine example of a well aged malt. Did not like to old darkest, love this one, the extra age has done it a power of good, hints of smoke, oil and a sherry richness, winner on the night for me. Amrut is OK, hint of coal dust, slight fruit and not harsh even at 62% but not ready to worry the Caledonian crowd. Finally Smokehead, which does exactly what it says on the tin. We still do not know where it comes from, guesses are Laphroaig or Caol Ila but who knows? All I know is it is a big peaty, smokey, lovely dram.
Behind the bar G&M Clynelish 1995 cask strength which is has sherry fruit, hint of peat and good power to it, lovely.
As usual we had a charity raffle in aid of the RNLI and raised £98 thanks to the generosity of those who attended bringing the total for this year to £560, thank everyone.

January 2009 - Burns Night

Smith Glenlivet 15yo(2008 Bottling) Gordon & MacPhail
Smith Glenlivet 15yo Gordon & MacPhail 80 Proof bottling
Glen Mhor 1980 Gordon & MacPhail
Old Pultney 1970 Gordon & MacPhail
Tamdhu 1966 Gordon & MacPhail
Ardbeg Blasda
PC7

250 years since the Burns fellow was born, so a celebration and a few drams to be had. The first 2 were G&M Smith's Glenlivet 15 year olds; one bottled now, one bottled circa 1970. Now is too thin and spirity for me, the old stuff was fantastic, an excellent way of showing how a distillery and bottler changes over time. The old stuff had leather, spice and fruit a great length Glenlivet made in the 1950 is fab stuff. The Glen Mhor was interesting, fruity nose, gentle fruit flavours and a hint of spice and tobacco at the end. 38 year old Old Pultney has loads of flavour and length with fruit, spice and a great salty end. Tamdhu is not normally high on my list of whiskies I want to drink but this one however is very luscious and a darn good drink. I think it could even pass itself off as one of the top speyside boys with the depth of flavour and length, why isn't it like this all the time? And more importantly why did Jim Murray give it 77? Ardbeg Blasda or as it is now know, Diet Ardbeg. An introduction to Ardbeg possibly but an Ardbeg? A definite NO! Too thin, too little peat, too little of everything and coming from one of the really great distilleries this is a serious disappointment. Buy the Renaissance instead or the Beist, proper Ardbegs. Finally the PC7 and whoopee, a real delight. Smoke, peat, barley, fire everything great about what Mark, Jim, Duncan, Budgie, et al are doing up there (special mention to the lovely Mary in the Laddie shop). Top seller and a great drinking dram, forget the water (too young to take it so enjoy it at the proper strength) and dive in here for a bonfire of joy. We did the usual raffle in aid of the RNLI and once again the generosity of the people coming grows. £105 to add to the current total for the year bringing it to £413. Behind the bar Springbank 1997 Batch 2, still great with the dunnage warehouse mustiness.


November 2008

An Cnoc 16yo
Old Pultney 17yo
Macallan Fine Oak 15yo
Glenburgie 10yo - Gordon & MacPhail
Glenmorangie Astar
Caol Ila 8yo unpeated
Secret Stills –Islay 4.4 - Gordon & MacPhail
Ardbeg 1991 - Gordon & MacPhail

Light fruity, heathery, floral and good - An Cnoc a hidden gem and very enjoyable. Old Pultney is in Wick and by the sea - sherry and brine make a nice mix and this is quite nice too. Macallan don't make bad whisky even when they toy with something other than sherry but for the money I think I prefer the 10yo version to this but enjoyable all the same. The Glenburgie was the credit crunch malt for the evening, cheap and cheerful sherry hit and gone, nice whisky on a budget but didn't sit in the company it was in. The Astar really is "a star" (poor pun I know but they started it) replacing the old Artisan cask with a cask strength full sized bottle. Lots of flavours including bitter chocolate orange - orangie from Morangie (see it gets worse) loved this and got one coming for Xmas myself. Caol Ila should be a bag of smoke but when unpeated it is an interesting concept with the fruit coming through massively and oil hints, really enjoyed the change and a must to try if you like Caol Ila (or even if you don't like peaty whisky), not sure My Murray got it right with 95/100 though but it is good and worth a go. Secret Stills from the round church town, smoke, oil sherry and spice followed by coal, shame it is all gone. Finally the Ardbeg and G&M do it again a little cracker with all the great citrus notes and oil and peat and loads of peat and carbolic soap and peat and citrus and I guess I liked it.
The raffle saw people digging very deep and raising £100 for the RNLI bringing the total for this year to £308 so far. Brilliant generous people - thank you very much.
Behind the bar - Longrow CV, got some but ran out far too quickly and it is a fine example from a great distillery with the peaty salty tang I love. As a tip try some Glenmorangie after a few peaty ones - enhances the fruit flavours.



September 2008

Hedonism - Compass Box
Inchmurrin cask 1-173
Bruichladdich Links - Royal Birkdale
Benromach Organic
Inchfad - cask 666
Secret Stills Island 1.2 - 1986 - Gordon & MacPhail
Ardbeg Renaissance

Hedonism is a blend of 13 & 26 year old grain and boy what a great whisky, oak and vanilla running through and smooth, great start to the evening. Inchmurrin was described by one person as ordinary, probably the best comment I could give it. The Bruichladdich Links is very light and fresh, the Atlantic breeze is back, not a long finish but a nice clean pre-dinner dram and one that can be drunk easily. Benromach Organic, G&M have done wonders with this distillery and this is a fine drinking whisky, loads of depth, heavy bourbon barrel influence and very tasty. Inchfad had the right cask number, supposed to be heavily peated (not so) only a hint of coal dust, no flavour, depth or anything good about it. G&M SS1.2 from Skye (any guesses as to which distillery doh??) fantastic as an �80+ whisky should be, loads of character, the normal fire from this classic (sic) distillery, mellowed by time and rounded to make a sipping whisky to share with the closed friends and enjoy thoroughly, can't fault it, brilliant, smoke, hint of embers, sherry depth, fruit and then the return of the fire and the ever so light tint of pepper. Finally the re-birth whisky from Ardbeg and it is a monster, Stuart and the gang have made great whisky here. The smoke drives through here, oily herrings, citrus burst, alcohol hit and big length - top seller and deservedly so.
We presented the RNLI with a cheque for �950 and thank you to Andy Fallow for collecting this and stopping to try the whiskies but most of all thanks to the ever generous people who come to the tastings and buy the raffle tickets.
We raffled a bottle of Benromach Origins No.1 off - great whisky if you want to try it as I've done, these G&M guys seem to know there stuff - which raised �88 to start this years raffle fund going, thanks everyone.
Behind the bar was a Craigellachie 1990 (G&M) loads of fruit, hint of smoke and a long complex finish, recommended by all who tried it.

June 2008 - Springbank with Pete Currie from Springbank Distillery

Hazelburn 8yo
Springbank 10yo
Springbank 15yo
Springbank 1997 - Batch 2
Longrow CV
Longrow 18yo
Longrow Gaja Barolo

The tasting was run by Pete Currie, Springbanks Sales and Marketing Director who treated us to a history of Campbeltown, how whisky is made and more importantly how Springbank make theirs and general stories from a great distillery - A bushell is half a cowp, those who were there will understand.
The whiskies were great: the smooth floral Hazelburn, Springbank 10 offering great flavour and the brine tingle of classic Springbank. The 15 with its excellent length and smooth sherried nature and the 1997 Batch 2 - damp moss and dunnage warehouses. Longrow CV is fantastic everyday drinking Longrow and top seller, the 18 was a dream and we are probably one of the few who have had the chance to try it (380 cases world wide) and it is worth the price tag - smoke, summer fruit and joy in a glass. Finally smoked blackcurrant juice (Longrow Gaja Barolo) but in a lovely way, red fruits, big smoke and fun.
The raffle raised �125.00 which brings us up to �875 for the season raised for the RNLI. Thanks once again to the extreme generosity of our Customers.
This was a truly great tasting from the excellent whiskies we tried including the fantastic and very rare Longrow 18 (my favourite although none were anything but very drinkable)and because Pete was a top host and general great guy - Thanks again Pete.

May 2008

Secret Stills 6.1 - Gordon & MacPhail
Scapa 1993 - Gordon & MacPhail
Tomatin 1988 - Gordon & MacPhail
Brora 1982 - Gordon & MacPhail
Aberfeldy 1989 - Gordon & MacPhail
Strathisla 30yo - Gordon & MacPhail
The Loch Fyne Liqueur
Pappy Van Winkles 15yo

Secret Still 6.1 (Glen Garioch) excellent light weight opener, good floral flavour and easy to drink. Scapa was too light and didn't have enough complexity, surprising really. The Tomatin was too sweet for me but liked by some, think it needs more time in barrel to take the edge off. The Brora isn't the legendary G&M 1972 but I still enjoyed it subtle smoke, hints of sweetness and a good level of complexity. The Aberfeldy was fantastic loved it and a cracking dram for �30 - this is going on the stock list or my shelf. Strathisla 30yo was sublime; best of the night & best seller; G&M have excelled themselves with this one! Loch Fyne Liqueur, best whisky liqueur I've had but a shock after 6 malts. I would recommend to a friend, oh and Christine liked it so I have to get her a bottle too, if I'm not careful she'll develop a taste for whisky and then I'll only get half as much to drink! Finally the bourbon from Van Winkles, mixed reviews but I liked the violent frontier whiskey, big on flavour and spirit for when you want a whiskey with no subtlety and a desire to wrestle buffalo.
The raffle raised �112 bringing the total raised so far this tasting season for the RNLI to �751 thanks to our generous and giving Customers.

March 2008 - Blackadder

Blackadder Legendary 15yr
Tobermory 12yr - Aberdeen Distillers
Blairfindy 1976 (31yo) - Blackadder
Lochnagar Bodega Sherry Cask 1992 (13yo) - Blackadder Raw Cask
Glendullan Bodega Sherry Cask 1993 (12yo) - Blackadder Raw Cask
Tormore 17yr - Clydesdale
Peat Reek - Blackadder

The Legendary is a nice gentle whisky light and a nice opener to procedings. The Tobermory was tequila, salt, salt and more salt (not for me at all). The Blairfindy is a fantastic heavy sherried whisky to sip near an open fire with select company, a real beauty. The Lochnagar and Glen Dullan, both raw casks with the bits of charring floating in them live up the the reputation of the top expression (raw cask) for this bottler - I have yet to find a raw cask that is anything less then great,and these were no exception, even at 60.2% the Lochnagar was easy drinking and the Glendullan was enjoyable heavy sherry and complex. The Tormore was a 64.6% beast, great neat but cut brought too much bananas and custard to the party, this is the one to drink neat on a cold mountain top to give you strength and fire down below. Finally the peat reek - no clue to the distillery (I still don't know) which does exactly what is says on the bottle but not in a harsh way, very pleasant peat and smoke. Behind the bar was the G&M cask Strength Clynelish 1995 - great whisky, enjoyed by all who got some (managed it this time - just). We also added �87 to the raffle fund for RNLI which now sits at �639 for this tasting season thanks to all our generous and kind hearted Customers.

Burns Night 2 - 26th January 2008

Braes of Glenlivet 1975 � Gordon & MacPhail
Bruichladdich 20 � 3rd Edition
Bunnahabhain 18
MacPhails 30� Gordon & MacPhail
Dalmore 28 � Blackadder Raw Cask
Caol Ila � Massala Finish � Gordon & MacPhail
Bowmore Dawn

A second night to celebrate Burns birthday with 3 other hardy souls (fools??) doing the second night same as me.
The Braes is interesting from a relatively young distillery, soft but not exciting. Bruichladdich 20 � 3rd edition � does it need to be ACE�d (no) but still an excellent dram despite this. The Bunny 18 is top draw stuff, rich with sherry tones a dram to warm a winter night with if there ever was one. MacPhails 30 � I thought the 40 was brilliant, the 25 as good as it gets but guess what the 30 beats them both, I am in awe. Blackadder Raw Cask is always good, the Dalmore didn�t disappoint with good warmth and length plus the little bits of cask in there add something. The Caol Ila was good, G&M proving it doesn�t have to be over sweet and has the coal hit in the middle. Finally the Bowmore Dawn a final dram that is great and now sadly unavailable a fond farewell to a classy Bowmore with the peat and fruit hints.
Behind the bar � Bruichladdich Moine Mhor 3D Peat Proposal 2nd Edition � very drinkable and complementing the final two peaty ones we�d already had but again I only got one � something tells me the people who come to the tasting love good whisky which shows I can state the obvious as we do have great people coming!


Burns Night - 25th January 2008

Whisky Galore Atlantic Gold
Bruichladdich 15 � 2nd Edition
Highland Park 15
Miltonduff 1968 � Gordon & MacPhail
MacPhails 40 � Gordon & MacPhail
Port Charlotte PC6
Kilchoman � New Make Spirit

Hopefully Burns would have been appreciative of the whiskies we used to toast his birthday.
The whisky galore was a lovely blend with lots of flavour and a little bit of history in it, a % of the whiskies used in the blend were recovered from the SS Politician. The Laddie 15 is a lovely gently dram but I now realise I have been spoiled having the 1st edition with its 15% sherry cask and no ACEing so the 2nd edition doesn�t stack up to that but it is still good. I just wish Jim would stop ACEing, The Laddie is good enough on it�s own. HP15 � better than the 12 & the 18, great balance of honey and heather and a lovely peat finish. Miltonduff 1968 � fantastic nose, lovely heavy sherry and balanced palate with that mint hint at the end, I would have liked to have left this a while to really open up to see what else it gave but I loved it still. MacPhails 40 FANTASTIC, a whisky to challenge and work at, not for a session but one to linger over on a cold night with a roaring fire and very special friends. Now onto the Peaty stuff. PC6, six year old whisky at 61.6%, loved it, some didn�t but that is ok each to their own but I did, if you have one to collect buy another to drink! Finally the new make spirit from kilchoman and the one that divided everyone �10 or 10 seemed to be the scores, for me this is fabulous new make, rich, oily, peaty and fantastic barley present worth the trip to Islay to try it.
As I said last time what to put behind the bar next � Longrow won and it is still good, very soft after the peat monsters we�d tasted but lovely and drinkable, sold out before I got there after clearing up (note to self � buy one earlier and save so I get some)


November 2007

Balblair 1989
Glen Garioch 15
Stronachie 12 - Dewar Ratry
Glenfarclas 15
Clynelish 1991 - Murray McDavid
Benromach - Peat Smoke
Springbank 100 proof - 10yr old
Lagavulin 1991 - Distillers Edition

A great evening for me with some really good mid priced malts. The Benromach Peat Smoke is a great find, loads of barley flavours, smoke and length but balanced - amazing for such a young whisky - well done G&M! Springbank never fail to deliver and this is no exception, brine, hint of smoke length, maybe even a little vanilla & honey then a hit of the 57%. Lagavulin Distillers edition is a classic in the right sense of the word rather than a marketing ploy and Glenfarclas 15 brought the Christmas spirit with raising and plum puddings in a glass. Stronachie is different and needs time to breath in the glass - pour it and leave, let the air open it up and it is a nice soft enjoyable dram.

We also placed a MacPhails Collection Bunnahabhain 1991 behind the bar for people to purchase - it must be good because I only got one before it sold out (thanks Andy/Phil for the dram)- and I have to say it is still a lovely whisky!
This does however present me with the problem of what to put there next as the last two have been toppers - think it might have to be Longrow - spoil everyone!

October 2007 - Murray McDavid

Littlemill 1991
Dufftown 1997
Auchroisk 1992
Cragganmore 1993
St Magdalene 1982 - Mission Series
Bowmore 1995
Bruichladdich Infinity - Second Edition

The St Magdalene was fantastic and the only bottle that sold any from the tasting, a true classic and excellent expression bottled by Murray McDavid. Unfortunately the same can't be said for the rest, the additional cask enhancements (ACE) failed for all that had it with the wine either overpowering or clashing nastily. A very disappointing tasting from my point of view only saved by the excellent St Magdalene. I know Murray McDavid have defended the approach they have to ACEing whisky but 22 people were less than impressed by them.

This is a real shame for me because in my view Bruichladdich is still one of the great malts and a truly great distillery with brilliant, generous, kind and friendly people working there so I want Murray McDavid to succeed to keep the laddie going.


September 2007 - Cask Strength

As we get it (Highland) 8 yr old
Rosebank 1990 Gordon & MacPhail
Glen Keith 12yr old - Scotch Malt Whisky Society (SMWS)
Aberlour A'bunadh
Glenlossie 27 yr old - SMWS
Springbank 1997 - Batch No. 1
Caol Ila 1995 Gordon & MacPhail

We had an added bonus of a Laphroaig 10yr cask strength to try thanks to Diane who opened the raffle prize she won so 8 whiskies were tasted in all. The best seller was the Springbank 1997 and I have to add that this was my favourite too. The G&M Caol Ila was a fantastic expression from this distillery (better than the distillery bottling)and the G&M Rosebank is very nice and a far bigger dram than is normal from the lowlander that is so good. The Glenlossie was a lovely dram so thanks to Big Phil for bringing this and the Glen Keith and presenting on the night too.
We also placed a bottle of the Glenturret 1990 MacPhails Collection behind the bar and this was very well received however it has now sold out and the next expression is the 1997 - I expect this to be as good and will be trying it soon (will let you all know).


July 2007

Caperdonich 1980 Gordon & MacPhail
Teaninich 1991 Gordon & MacPhail
Glenesk 1984 Gordon & MacPhail
Glen Elgin 1968 Gordon & MacPhail
Mortlach 1970 Gordon & MacPhail Rare
Macphails Gold 106 Gordon & MacPhail
Ardbeg Almost There 54.1%

The MacPhails Gold & Ardbeg win the best sellers award with special mention to the Glen Elgin & Glenesk. For me it was the Glen Elgin that surprised as I always expect great things from Mortlach & Ardbeg (neither failed to live up to this) but the Glen Elgin was sublime.


April 2007 - Blind Tasting

Tullibardine 1994 Gordon & MacPhail
Glenmorangie Artisan Cask
Glengoyne 15yr Scottish Oak
Edradour 1996 Signatory Unchillfiltered
Springbank 15
Benriach 10yr - Peated
Connemara - Peated

The Artisan Cask is Glenmorangie how it can be (truly excellent, moreish and gluggable). Springbank never fail to deliver and the two peaty ones went down very well.


March 2007 - Speyside with Guest Presenter John Eastham (G&M)

Imperial 1991 Gordon & MacPhail
Aultmore 1989 Gordon & MacPhail
Dailuaine 1993 Gordon & MacPhail
Dallas Dhu 1982 Gordon & MacPhail
Speyburn 1974 Gordon & MacPhail
Miltonduff 1993 Cask Strength Gordon & Macphail
Speymalt from Macallan 1973 Gordon & Macphail

Speymalt from Macallan 1973 was the outright top dog at this event, Macallan at this age is just fantastic. The Miltonduff was the top seller and for me the Imperial was a lovely surprise a great start to the evening, light but with flavour.


January 2007 - Burns Night Special (as it always is)

Glenturret 1990 Gordon & MacPhail
Bunnahabhain 1990 Gordon & MacPhail
Craigellachie 1989 Gordon & Macphail
Glen Grant 1962 Gordon & Macphail
Highland Park 30yrs Gordon & Macphail
Bruichladdich Waves
Ardbeg 1990 - Airigh Nam Beist

All top marks for all these - excellent expressions from each of these distilleries. The Glen Grant was like a Christmas cake in a bottle, the Beist brought the citrus hint back into Ardbeg, the Glenturret was honey heaven, The Bunny has sublime subtlety with a hint of the sea, the Waves a peating of a great young dram, HP giving us everything it can and more and last but by no means least the Craigellachie for just being so complex and making you think.


November 2006

Hazelburn 8yr
Linkwood 15yr Gordon & MacPhail
Longmorn 25yr Gordon &MacPhail
Dalmore Cigar Malt
Clynelish 1995 Cask Strength Gordon & MacPhail
Talisker 18yr
Laphroaig Quarter Cask

Longmorn was loved by most who attended (25 seems an excellent age for G&M Speysiders), the Talisker has refinement and class and the gentle signs of age, and the G&M Cask strength Clynelish packed a great punch. The quarter cask for me is the best distillery bottling of Laphroaig under �200.


October 2006

Rosebank 1990 Gordon & MacPhail
Isle of Arran
Macallan 1990 Murray McDavid
Isle of Jura 21yr
Macphails 25yr Gordon & MacPhail
Glen Scotia 1990 Gordon & MacPhail
Ardbeg Still Young

Clear winners on this tasting were the Rosebank (shame on Diagio closing this down), Ardbeg Still Young - a mugging by peat (but in the nicest possible way) and the MacPhails 25 the best secret (?) bottling of a classic distillery and the heart of true Speyside.


September 2006

Auchentoshan 1992 Murray McDavid
Bruichladdich WMD II - Yellow Submarine
Smiths Glenlivet 1974 Gordon & MacPhail
Ben Nevis 1999 Murray McDavid
Highland Park 1989 Murray McDavid
Springbank 1992 Murray McDavid
Bowmore 1996 Murray McDavid

Best sellers - Bruichladdich WMDII (far too easy to drink) an absolute belter of a whisky for me and the Smiths Glenlivet 1974 was silky smooth perfection. The Bowmore was good too, showing that peat and wine do mix (Syrah cask enhancement by Mr James McEwan).


July 2006

Bladnoch 1991 Gordon & MacPhail
Monnachmore 1984 Gordon & MacPhail
Glenglassaugh 1986 Gordon & MacPhail
Glenfiddich 18yr
Benromach 25yr Gordon & MacPhail
Longrow 1993
Caol Ila 1993 Cask Strength Gordon & MacPhail

The Benromach shone out as the best for me a true classic, the Bladnoch is one of the finest aperitif whiskies there is and Longrow always deliver. The surprise was the Glenglassaugh - loads of character and bags of flavour.