02/02/2017 February outturn at Cadenhead's

Welcome to William Cadenhead's, where the calendar month is only two weeks long.

To work!

Balmenach-Glenlivet 12yo 2004/2017 (54.4%, Cadenhead Authentic Collection, Bourbon Hogshead, 258b): nose: perfume-y, very fragrant, though sharp as a blade. Mouth: the alcohol if rather strong, much like perfume again. Finish: sharp and perfume-y, with a hint of milk chocolate. I prefer nosing this to sipping it. I bet it would make a great colone, though. 5/10

Glen Keith-Glenlivet 23yo 1993/2017 (51.2%, Cadenhead Authentic Collection, Bourbon Hogshead, 240b): nose: meadow flowers and toasted coconut, this reminds me of a candy necklace. Flowery and bubble gummy, with more candy necklaces. Finish: custard, butterscotch, sweets and chocolate. Lovely GK! 8/10

Aultmore-Glenlivet 19yo 1997/2017 (54.2%, Cadenhead Authentic Collection, Bourbon Hogshead, 252b): one in the group confirms it is the Aultmore, as it is so chalky. I joke he is one out of two Aultmore experts in the world. Nose: warm sandstone, pink grapefruit. Mouth: warming, with strawberry coulis. Finish: Herbaceous chocolate, with apricot compote and hot custard in the mix. Wow! 7/10

Glen Elgin-Glenlivet 21yo 1995/2017 (54.7%, Cadenhead Authentic Collection, Bourbon Hogshead, 240b): nose: big and fragrant, it has dry earth and Madeira biscuits (for those who know). Mouth: creamy, then spicy (pepper and ginger). Finish: wine, grape juice. 7/10

Cragganmore-Glenlivet 17yo 1999/2017 (52%, Cadenhead, Sherry Cask, 228b): nose: this is a grain! It is full of fruit turnovers, blackcurrant jam and baking dough. Mouth: velvety, with a hint of rubbery bitterness. Finish: long, prune-y and syrupy. Lovely Crag, this and a very successful sherry finish! 8/10

Benriach-Glenlivet 20yo 1996/2017 (44.5%, Cadenhead Authentic Collection, Bourbon Hogshead, 186b): nose: buttery, then vinegar-y. Both sequentially as powerful. Mouth: slightly drying, otherwise rather indistinct. Finish: lemon-y, with lime stone and a hint of burnt caramel. Really do not care for the nose, on this one. 6/10

Caperdonich 20yo 1996/2017 (46.4%, Cadenhead, Bourbon Hogshead, 264b): this is of course the one everyone is waiting for. Nose: apple, warm horsehair, apple compote, apple pie, frangipane. Mouth: crisp and fresh. Finish: a mix of custard, dried coconut, combed mane, acidic apple pie. Nice! 8/10

Fettercairn 23yo 1993/2017 (50.7%, Cadenhead Authentic Collection, Bourbon Hogshead, 210b): nose: this is super grassy, as most Fettercairns, with a fruity-bubble-gum note behind the grass. Mouth: lukewarm, with hay, soaked in lemon. Finish: chocolate with herbs. It raises a few eyebrows, this, but I like it. 7/10

Bruichladdich 25yo 1991/2017 (48.2%, Cadenhead, Burgundy Cask, 192b): nose: bandages and plaster glue, then gentle perfume. Mouth: warm and perfume-y. Finish: chocolate and coffee. A good, if odd Bruichladdich! 7/10

Highland Park 28yo 1988/2017 (49.6%, Cadenhead, Port Cask, 222b): nose: slightly musky, it has pencil shavings and chocolate ice cream flakes. Mouth: milky, with a bit of heather and wood fire. It later turns spicy. Finish: heathery chocolate in a hot cocoa cup. Great HP. 8/10

After the session, we have a Kentucky whiskey for which I make no notes -- I only remember it was hot, at 63+%. Then I pour the last few drops of the 1842 Live Cask Islay.

Good times, and the best outturn since September, in my opinion.