19/08/2017 Politics

Long time since we had a tasting on these shores, but today, we correct that.
jazzpianofingers, OB, PS and JS join me for a political tasting.

Soundtrack: LinnaMuusikud - Põhjataevalaulud
The guests take a while to arrive. So much so that the first CD ends when we start, and the second begins. jazzpianofingers jokes that it sounds like a lift-off and signals the start of the tasting. Topically, it is:

Soundtrack: Lustmord - Rising

Also, it took an hour to build the MONSTER line-up

For his second appearance, jazzpianofingers did away with the
"I don't want to take notes" nonsense. He came armed to the teeth

Bain's (43%, OB imported by Distell (Europe) Ltd, LG5 29 J 15) (PS): PS explains that, "most politicians are the Bain of my life." It is going to be a long day. Nose: banana, plantain, peach candle (jazzpianofingers), artificial peach flavouring, peach syrup (PS). This nose is sweet, with candyfloss and sweetened strawberry. Mouth: banana, plantain again, peaches in syrup, corn syrup. Finish: corn on the cob, sweet corn, steamed plantain, toasted vanilla (jazzpianofingers). This is a good apéritif, soft and sweet, yet not too much. I had this South African at a festival, glad to try it in better circumstances. 7/10

OB sneezes: "I'm allergic to this!"
tOMoH: "Not surprising: have you ever met a nice South African?"

Michael Inch-Gove-r 20yo 1990/2011 (46%, Angus Dundee for The Whisky Castle Cask Collection No. 15, American Oak Cask, C#6987, 264b) (tOMoH): this is a souvenir from a Speyside trip, a few years ago. I fear it is a bit of a backstabber. ;-) Nose: minty strawberries, if that makes sense. Peach skin, crushed raspberry, then a whiff of earthy mushrooms and forest undergrowth. Vine, freshly-cleaned laundry, then chemical fruit flavouring. Mouth: soft, mellow, almost silky, with a discreet touch of pepper, candyfloss, peach nectar and satsuma. Finish: long, sweet and comforting, with lots of fruit, almond paste, sweet caramel, toffee. It also has something quite bitter that I cannot pinpoint. This is fruity as hell! It is always interesting to confront holiday memories. I was convinced this would be less impressive than when I tried it at the shop. Quite the opposite! Almost Lochside-like, it is. 9/10

PS: "I was really trying to fit a Glen Moray in the theme.
tOMoH: "Theres-or May?"

Food makes its way to the table: artisan bread, dry sausage, olives and an Italian cheese, all courtesy of OB.

Spirit of Freedom 30yo b.2014 (46%, J. & A. Mitchell & Co for the 700th Anniversary of the Battle of Bannockburn, 14/246, 2014b) (jazzpianofingers): this was bottled as a celebration of Scottish independence (in 1314). Nose: gravel-y, sooty, but also rather fruity, with dates, apricots, nuts, strawberry shavings and dark grapes. The whole is complemented by faded leather. Mouth: strangely, it has bubble gum flavouring too, as did the previous dram. This is more powerful, with hay and chemical bubble gum flavour. It is acidic, with lemon and mandarin juice -- lemon, especially. Finish: a citrus kick, at this point. Lemon and mandarin peels, cloaked in a veil of smoke. Beautiful, this! 8/10

jazzpianofingers (to JS): "Look! Our phones are sitting together!"
tOMoH: "Yeah, one is wearing a burqa, the other one a niqab!"

Soundtrack: Phelios - Astral Unity

Next up is a double-take on Nick Clegg-ellachie.

44.53 22yo d.1989 Lip-smacking, chewy and chunky (51.5%, SMWS Society Single Cask, Refill ex-Bourbon Hogshead, 279b) (JS): nose: nutty, peppery, it almost has an old man's scent (though not mine): peppery colone and sweat. Cardboard (PS, selling dreams), pear (PS), then tobacco. The sweat is definitely there, as well as a touch of rubber. Mouth: dry leather first, then it becomes jammy. A bit like biting into an overly-done toast, then jam. It also supplies the gentle bitterness of rubber. Finish: it is now jam on cardboard toast, horsehair, decaying fruit and still distant rubber. Wonderful. 8/10

vs.

Efficiency

44.56 23yo d.1989 Sweet and sour creative tension (51.8%, SMWS Society Single Cask, Refill ex-Bourbon Hogshead, 300b) (JS): nose: a lot fruitier, this one. It has blueberry, jasmine, flapjacks, and a weird note of leather in a tannery. Mouth: intense, with sponge cake, baked apples, baked plums and a pinch of pepper. Finish: warming, fat and intense. The finish has metal and fruit, as well as fruit stone. 8/10

JS opened those two together, two and a half years ago. They were both good, yet seemed much more similar in character, at least, that is how I remember them. Today, they feel very different. Both shine in their own right. One is more immediate, while the other is more austere.

PS: "As a tasting experience, this is David Cameron's worst nightmare: two Nick Clegg yell-at-mes."

David Cameron-bridge 33yo b.2017 (48.7%, Cadenhead World Whiskies 175th Anniversary, Bourbon Hogshead, 186b) (PS): nose: green banana and sweat, industrial glue, yet that is far away in the back. Mouth: hot plantains. This is strangely green and lacks fruit, a bit. At the second sip, sweet fruit comes up, hot custard and green pepper. It is a silky mouth, mind you. Finish: yes, hot custard and green pepper shavings. 7/10

vs.

David Cameron-bridge 25yo 1979/2005 (59.9%, Duncan Taylor Rare Auld, C#3523, 194b, b#92) (me): nose: PVA glue (primary-school glue), slightly metallic bakery scents -- croisant dough on stainless-steel trays. Coconut yoghurt, ether and other alochol-based disinfectants. This is not for the faint-hearted. Mouth: hot and thin, with white spirit and disinfectant again, as well as very hot croissant dough. Finish: dark fruit, berries, a lot of bakery shenanigan. Wonderful. 8/10

I prefer the 1979, today.

PS: "David Cameron, whom you want to throw off a bridge."
tOMoH: "Mine is obviously Nicola Sturge-Camer-on."
JS: "I suppose they both were in a hogshead?"

jazzpianofingers: "You need to leave early? Are you going to the dabbing convention?"

Tony Bal-blair 22yo d.1975 (46%, Direct Wines Limited First Cask, C#7285, b#36) (OB): nose: olive-flavoured body butter, lemon juice, then all sorts of essential oils. After a few sips, a little smoke comes through -- probably because I know to look for it. Mouth: sweet, sugary, with candied olives, candied pistachios, rehydrated, dried apricots and figs (jazzpianofingers). Finish: wow! A dropkick of smoke, all of a sudden. All the fruits from the mouth are there too (dried apricots, dried figs, plums). This is amazing. Great mix of fruit and smoke. 9/10

PS: "My problem with Balblair is they take their orders from the Bush just outside the distillery."

Soundtrack: The Sisters of Mercy - Floodland

PS: "You can't have a bad break-up with a goth. They might commit suicide, but you're not fussed."

76.55 10yo 1996/2007 Grapefruits and geraniums (60.5%, SMWS Society Cask) (PS): this Mortlach is Theresa May's whisky, PS tells us... "for her Mort-ifying lach of a majority." Nose: ink and earth, putty (JS). Perfume soon comes out, then the strength makes me sneeze. "It is a delicate, fruity Mortlach," he said. Yellow flowers in the spring. Mouth: burning hot, regardless of what the punmaster says. It does have some fruit (quite a lot of candied lemons) and ginger (jazzpianofingers). Finish: candied citrus again (satsumas, mandarins) and lots of ginger. 7/10

jazzpianofingers: "The yellow cherries -- you know, not syphillis, the other one. Physalis."

As expected, the gang focused heavily on UK politics (with the farce it is today, who wouldn't focus on that). I pour the next to balance it out with a foreign character. I will only realise tomorrow that it easily spells Labour too...

Shinzo Abe-rlour 23yo 1989/2013 (54.9%, Cadenhead Small Batch, Bourbon Hogsheads, 522b) (me): nose: as whacky as I remembered it, metallic and herbaceous, with sage, marjoram, gunmetal, geranium stems, tea bags, earth in a pinewood forest, and then blue oranges. The oranges soon become ripe, rather than rotten. Mouth: soft mouthfeel, good balance, with the softness and acidity of orange juice. the notes of metal and herbs are almost gone. Finish: again, citrus juice, though this time, it is joined by chocolate milk, hints of lime and a bit of crushed, dried sage. Lovely drop, still. 8/10

We go out on the terrace, as jazzpianofingers takes a leave.

Soundtrack: Morgenstern - Cold

Macduff 10yo 2000/2010 (50%, Douglas Laing The Old Malt Cask Advanced Sample, Hogshead, C#6570) (PS): it is politics. They Make-duff laws. Ahem. Nose: buttery as fook. Obiously a mislabelled Glenrothes. PS disagrees. He is drunk. I am soberish. He is cunt-ent (his words, not mine). Avocado paste and butter, butter, butter. Whipped cream being whipped, leather, a milking station, freshly-cut grass, in the distance. Mouth: quite close to the nose, with fresh butter and plant sap. This feels quite strong. And so buttery. It has dry orange peels. Finish: the strongest point of this dram, with lots of flower sap, Virginia tobacco and orange juice. A bit shaky, this, although I do like the finish. 6/10

Talking about the blender's nosing glass championed by whisky consultant Angus MacRaild, we note how it is impossible to drink from it with dignity:
OB: "I remember he looked a bit like a prick, when drinking."
PS: "And then he took the glass out."

JS, in a pairing mood, presents Ed & Dave.

Ed Mili-burn 26yo 1979/2005 (58.1%, Signatory Vintage Cask Strength Collection, Refill Butt, C#26, 531b, b#40) (JS): nose: leather, horsehair, beard, putty and a shy farmyard. This is really austere. It is also really powerful. Later, Turkish delights show up, coated in lots of powdered sugar. Mouth: strong, leathery, with horsehair and orange on steroids. This is pretty aggressive. Finish: woah! Unbelievable mix of earth, steam-punk smoke and dark oranges. This is austere in an old-school fashion. 9/10

vs.

Dave Mili-burn 25yo 1976/2002 (58.9%, Douglas Laing for The Whisky Shop, 276b) (JS): nose: smoke, hot metals, then the trademark oranges, greasy rags at a mechanic's. Mouth: orange-y, with more hot metal, tinned mandarins -- sod it, this is amazing. Finish: clay, earth, a hint of rubber, dried orange. Formidable old Millburn. 9/10

I confirm Millburn is my favourite Inverness distillery.

OB: "I would give the Whisky Shop one an edge. But both are Angus MacRaild-glassworthy.

Soundtrack: Geinoh Yamashirogumi - Akira - Original Soundtrack

tOMoH: "Have you seen this film, OB?"
OB: "Yes, eight months ago."
tOMoH: "What did you think?"
OB: "My girlfriend was pleased, because I said I preferred Ghost in the Shell; both the film and the music. But it is like comparing those two Millburns: they are both Angus MacRaild-glassworthy. If films could fit into a glass. And Angus perhaps can do that."



Double-take on Inver-Gordon Brown.

Inver-Gordon Brown 43yo 1973/2016 (52.3%, Whiskybroker, Bourbon Barrel, C#1300000024) (OB): nose: grassy, mentholated, almost eucalyptus-like (PS), coconut shavings on apple tart, caramel on custard, steamed banana, rolled in coconut shavings. Mouth: warm coconut yoghurt, lukewarm custard and hot pasty with a drop of raspberry juice. Finish: herbs (sage, marjoram, dry basil) and toasted coconut. Later, raspberries show up, amongst gentle horsehair. Lovely. 8/10

Inver-Gordon Brown 43yo 1973/2016 (52.2%, Whiskybroker, Bourbon Barrel, C#1300000034) (OB): nose: much dryer, it still has bakery scents, but also quite a lot of rubber, now. The nose feels much stronger. It has dry wood planks and walnut oil. Mouth: it bizarrely feels almost watery, here, with some polished wood, putty, balsa wood, vanilla and custard. Finish: long and vanilla-laden. It is not super-memorable, but very good. 7/10

I prefer the first, today. I find both lack the blackcurrant I am so fond of in Invergordon.

Soundtrack: Morgenstern / Monokrom - Live @ IWTBF 041203

Cognac Grande Champagne Tiffon Très Vieille Réserve (40%, OB Limited Release) (jazzpianofingers): jazzpianofingers left a while ago, now. He poured us this before leaving, which is nice of him, but did not say how it is related to the theme. jazzpianofingers, if you read us, please post a comment. Nose: some menthol and lots and lots of fruit -- candied angelica the loudest, with also candied orange, cake decoration (PS). Liquorice? Perhaps, or a bit of rubber, leather handbags, tobacco. Mouth: silky, milky and fruity (squashed grapes, plums). So smooth! ;-) Finish: prunes, sultanas, dried figs, plums. Really though, the sultanas dominate. It almost tastes like a Pedro Ximénez sherry. Amazing Cognac, oscillating between 8 and 9. Tonight, it is 8/10

3.79 14yo 1989/2003 In your face, out of doors (53.3%, SMWS Society Cask) (PS): PS delivers the goods, today -- and the bads. Once more, the connection is far-fetched: when they built Portcullis, they ran out of doors. Geddit? Look at the name of the bottling again. Yes. I thought so too. Nose: turnip purée, hard-cheese rind, dry clay, dry cow dung, a cows stable, quite a lot of smoke, and lots and lots of earth. Farmyard, and even some barley, in the back. Finally, vanilla. Mouth: big, smoky and mustardy, with a drop of fruit juice (apricot?). This is pretty powerful. Finish: more simple, here, it has lots of smoke, farmyard notes, then earthy fruits (apples, fermented apricots, grapefruits and roasted pineapple). This is nice. 8/10

Epic tasting. We finish around 23:00, giving an average of 2.375 drams/hour.

15/08/2017 A couple of drams for the Assumption of Mary

Littlemill 16yo d.1991 (53.8%, The Creative Whisky Company The Exclusive Malts, C#166, 251b): this was interestingly distilled on Burns Night 1991. Nose: hazelnut oil and drying mango peels, hazelnut paste (not that palm-oil-laden Nutella shite), apple pips, apple-cider vinegar, delicate wood varnish. In fact, the polished-wood note grows in intensity, although hazelnut paste remains the dominant. Whiffs of dunnage warehouse, with lichen, old wood, decaying apple. Next to show up is tinned pineapple gone off slightly, and mandarin peels. Mouth: a salad vinaigrette that combines hazelnut oil and apple-cider vinegar. This is rather acidic and nutty. It also has paint thinner and tinned pineapple gone slightly off. The texture, on the other hand, is milky. Finish: good balance of wood, hazelnut, very subtle fruit, discreetly tropical -- mango, likely, but the sample is tired, I reckon. No more of that tinned pineapple gone wrong, but pineapple is still there, in milk, this time -- think of rum-free piña colada. Past its prime, though it is still a good drop. 8/10 (Thanks for the sample, dom666)

Pittyvaich 20yo 1989/2010 (57.5%, OB, 6000b, b#5705): nose: grass and soft cheese rind that becomes almost waxy, if not quite halloumi-like. Perhaps waxy apricot. Spent candle wick, a fishmonger's -- woah! It smells of -- what is it? -- nail varnish in a bakery? White spirit in chocolate milk? A hint of smoke? Oddly, all the above seems to be there. White wine too (Riesling). Much later on, chocolate éclairs come through. What a roller-coaster! Mouth: soft and silky, it has the right amount of spice -- again, not unlike a Riesling. On top of that, varnish, macerated grapes, apricot stones, perhaps ivy leaves? No, softer than that... dandelions! Yes and the sap from their freshly-cut stems. Maybe it has a hint of chalk as well. Finish: long, with turpentine, hay, clay, white wine and macerated grapes. The finish is more simply fruity or wine-y, but that does not detract from the overall enjoyment. 8/10 (Thanks for the dram, adc)

13/08/2017 The vegetable garden tasting

It is that time of the year, when Psycho throws a party at his gaff. The theme is a mixture of a) A summer tasting in the garden; b) Our group calling sediments in the bottle 'vegetable' and; c) An opportunity for bad puns. Mostly c).

The suspects: JS, adc, MPD, ruckus, kruuk2, dom666, Psycho and myself.

Another ambitious line-up

Bunch of paparazzi

Psycho is busy in the kitchen, yet we start nonetheless.

Knockando 1989/2001 (43%, OB, L44P 03762669) (Psycho): this is deemed in theme, because it is floral. Poor effort from Psycho, who realises it and swiftly breaks the cork, in an attempt to add vegetables to the liquid. Nose: light vanilla, hints of flowers. This is really quiet. Hay? Very little is happening, here. Mouth: it feels oak-driven, with vanilla, mead, coconut and a few herbs (oregano). Finish: soft, with coconut and custard, a pinch of herbs and a nice touch of caramel. This will never cause a revolution, yet it is a good set opener. 7/10

The next two spell "T or Coffey," two plants which dom666 grows in his garden, it would seem.

Secret Still 01.01 50yo 1955/2005 (45%, Gordon & MacPhail Secret Stills, Sherry Butt, C#1312) (dom666): a Talisker, of course, and the 'T' in question. Nose: this is still amazing, with rich sherry, toffee, Scottish tablet, noble wood, lacquered wood, prunes, cola. Crazy depth. Nuts and dried fruits (figs, prunes, sultanas). Mouth: syrupy, with a gentle, woody dryness and treacle. Later on, rancio and dried fruits (dates, figs and prunes again). Finish: sticky, syrupy, cloying, with wood bitterness, lots of treacle and toffee. Wonderful. 9/10

vs.

Nikka Coffey Malt (45%, OB imported by La Maison du Whisky, 6/04F081553) (dom666): nose: roasted nuts, nail varnish, even hair lacquer, then chocolate and lots of vanilla. Mouth: soft and discreet ('silent malt,' they called it), with mild custard and βανιλια. Finish: vanilla custard, plain and simple. Popcorn emerges, later on. Simple, immediate pleasure. 8/10

Miyagikyo (43%, OB imported by La Maison du Whisky, H48C) (kruuk2): brace yourselves: mushrooms are often used in Japanese cuisine; kruuk2 says mushrooms grow in herbs gardens. Boom. Also, he bought this in 2011, around the time of the Fukushima incident, which almost ended up in a mushroom. Boom. Nose: yellow flowers and popcorn, a little sweet. This is the discreet still to the previous secret still. Mouth: immediately nutty, then milk chocolate emerges, as well as almond milk. This is so soft and silky smooth (meant in a good way). Finish: hazelnut and silky almond milk, hazelnut-and-chocolate spread. Very quaffable. 8/10

Food enters: courgette-and-onion soup, made with ingredients from the garden.

Boom.

Tomato-in 43yo 1965/2009 (41.1%, The Lonach Whisky Company Lonach imported by Preiss Imports) (JS): nose: fraise tagada, sweet raspberry, high-quality vanilla custard, sweet pineapple and ripe satsuma. Mouth: soft and sweet, this has the texture of peach nectar, with a slight bitterness. Pineapple, satsuma, pomelo. The softness is astounding. Finish: more of that citrus-y goodness and milky custard. This is fabulous. dom666 objects that tomato is a fruit, not a vegetable. Bitter fool. 9/10

Potée liégeoise is served (beans, potatoes, bacon) -- it is a killer.

Boom.

St Marjolaine works even better in French

St Marjoram 26yo 1982/2008 (63.7%, Speciality Drinks The Single Malts of Scotland, Refill Sherry Butt, C#1622, 601b) (me): nose: much more powerful, of course (have you seen that ABV?), with the trademark herbs (sage and rosemary) and a bit of metal, as well as wet gravel. Is it fish scales, in the back? Mouth: warm, with the same herbs and hot embers. The ABV is felt: it is not too strong, but noticeably stronger than the previous lot. Finish: comforting, with sage, thyme, warm custard and crushed, dry basil. 8/10 (Thanks for the sample, PS)

Almost as old as the whisky :-)

We venture outside to take advantage of the sun. It has been playing hide-and-seek with clouds all day.

Sallad Dhu 24yo 1976/2001 (50%, Douglas Laing The Old Malt Cask 50°, 630b) (adc): nose: austere, with leather, wet cobblestone, vinegar, cigar leaves. It is likely an nth refill sherry cask: the leather hints at the original filling, but it is not overpowering. Dolmas, then soft coconut. With water, more vinegar and more fruit -- apple-cider vinegar and strawberry. Mouth: softer than expected, it still has some vinegar, some dust, sugary water. Water makes it... more watery. Perhaps it adds a bit of pepper. Finish: pearl onions, vinegar and mead. Water, again, turns it merely more watery. Very good, careful with the water. 8/10

We go back in for dessert. The sun is hiding again.
Birthday cake is served.

Boom.

Brora-dish 21yo d.1982 (46%, Direct Wines Limited First Cask, C#279, b#343) (me): nose: waxy! Oh! no, it is the candles on the cake... :-) The nose has wax all the same, ash and peach, including the stone. Mouth: soft and peachy, with a whiff of dill. It grows in intensity, slightly dry. Finish: a lovely combination of waxy apple and apricot. This probably suffers from the sequence. dom666 confirms he does not like Brora (despite admitting he did a couple of years ago, the bitter fool). Today, it is 8/10

Glen Garlic 1994/2011 (53.9%, OB Vintage, American Oak Barrels, B#32, 118 112172) (ruckus): nose: farm-y, with cow dung in pastures, horse's sweat, butter, then horsehair. ruckus reckons it smells of bourbon (he is obviously drunk). Wet pine cones complete the picture, for me. Mouth: leathery, herbaceous, with the bitterness of ivy leaves (do not try this at home, kids!) Finish: herbs and chocolate, with pepper on top. This is nice and characterful. 8/10

Broccol-addich 19yo d.1989 (46%, Signatory Vintage for Direct Wines Limited First Cask, C#90, b#87) (JS): nose: light and fruity, lively, with juicy pears. Mouth: again, juicy pears, cut apples, and a dash of lime juice. Finish: wonderful, long and light, with fruit and happiness. Looking forward to trying it again in more relaxed conditions (today is quite frantic, in terms of pace). I suspect 1989 is a good year at Broccol-addich. 8/10

37.64 30yo 1985/2015 A real charmer (51.3%, SMWS Society Single Cask, Refill ex-Bourbon Hogshead, 188b) (adc): the notes on the label read of crushed mint leaves, which is close enough to a herbs garden. The nose is pretty strong, on this one, with lots of flowers and melon. Mouth: horsepower and fruity bubble gum, gentle herbs, rancio (yup), more flowers. This mouth is gently drying, yet balanced. Finish: boiled sweets and cut flowers (dandelions, forsythia). This is lovely. It obviously needs more time and attention, which I hope to give it another time. 8/10

New technique to rinse glasses

Talking about students' binges:
-When you think about it, we do the same. But with expensive booze.
-But we don't vomit!
-If we do, we catch it in a bag and we distill it.
-And we separate the potée liégeoise from the cake and the whisky before distilling.

Caol Ila 14yo 1990/2004 (46%, Signatory Vintage The Un-Chillfiltered Collection, Hogshead, C#04/843, 394b, b#128) (Psycho): this has some vegetables in the bottle (remember it is sediments); also, it is the oldest bottle in Psycho's collection, making it "un petit pot agé." I will not attempt to translate -- just be happy if you canot read French. Nose: farm-y as fook, with peat smoke and farm paths, petrol, diesel. Mouth: sweet, almost sugary, it has sweet-and-sour smoke. Finish: long, again with smoke, yet also earth and sweetness. This reminds me of the magnificent Dovr-Toutes-Mares Port Ellen, although less complex, of course. 8/10

Charlotte Port-ato 14yo 2002/2017 (60.1%, The Creative Whisky Company The Exclusive Malts, Sherry Hogshead, C#1140, 228b) (me): I managed to bring a sample of this back from a recent trip and am glad I can share it with this group. Nose: a bit of rancio, leather, bacon and earth, oregano, lemon thyme, cured ham, smoked cheese. None of those is too loud or invading. Mouth: drying rancio and leather. The peat and the sherry compete calmly, without ever shouting loud enough to be intrusive. The 60+% ABV is undetectable. The mouth is all leather, earth and dark chocolate. Finish: more leathery sherry heaven, with refined peat (who would have thought?), dark fruit, salt and a bit of cured meat (Psycho). Wonderful. 9/10 (Thanks for the sample, KP)

117.3 25yo 1988/2013 Hubba-bubba, mango and monstera (58.5%, SMWS Society Single Cask, 1st Fill ex-Bourbon Barrel, 199b) (group): 117 is the code for... Cooley-flower, of course! Nose: a massive kick of overripe fruit and green tea. Mango, jackfruit, sage, oregano, marjoram and a tiny note of metal. Mouth: dunnage warehouse, in terms of cork-y mustiness, and lots of fruit -- mango, pineapple, grapefruit. Finish: mango, jackfruit, durian. Short notes, but his remains unbelievable. It has opened up enormously since Burns Night too. 10/10

Great finale to a superb afternoon.

Drams of the day:
dom666: Talisker and Port Charlotte
adc: Talisker
MPD: 117.3
Psycho: Port Charlotte and 37.64
kruuk2: Port Charlotte
ruckus: Port Charlotte and Talisker
JS: Tomatin and 117.3
tOMoH: Tomatin and 117.3

Roll on the next one!

01/08/2017 One solitary Glenrothes

Glenrothes 18yo 1991/2010 (43%, OB, L0270P L3): nose: my first impression is that it is not buttery! Glenrothes usually smells buttery to me, which is not to my taste, so this one spells good news. Orange rinds, nuts, orange oil, ground nutmeg, caramelised apricot compote. TC finds it gently salty. Shortbread and paint -- no! plasticine. Mouth: oily and coating, with orange and apricot juice, sprinkled with ground cardamom. Candle wax? Yup. Hint of liquorice? Ja. Finish: more of that oily orange and apricot, then marzipan and cinnamon. Milk chocolate appears, far in the back, banana yoghurt and butterscotch. Nice 'rothes, this! 8/10 (Thanks, TC)