15/06/2018 21+ Tasting at Cadenhead's

As the start of a big weekender, the eleven people who are already in town accompany me to Cadenhead's for a private tasting.

The 21+ is the upper echelon of the Tasting Room, here, running every first Friday of the month, and showcasing only whiskies aged 21 and above. The tasting being private (twelve people is the maximum capacity, and it is one big group, tonight) means the rules are looser. On top of trying the top end of the current range, we will be treated to exclusive things that are not available to buy anywhere, thanks to the staff having sporadic access to private casks. Yay. Having connections helps. :-)
Plus, there are lots of yummy nibbles to sustain ourselves and cleanse our palates in between drams. What could go wrong?

Up to no good, this lot!

The suspects: pat gva, Volanne, JH, PG, CD, JS, TC, JK, ruckus, EJ, jazzpianofingers and yours, truly. Sadly, DH called off: his boss rejected his holiday yesterday, because no-one could cover for him this weekend. Regardless, the shop is completely cluttered by the group, and it quickly turns into a merry place indeed, with hugs and parcel deliveries. We are soon led downstairs.

As has now become customary, most whiskies are poured blind. In fact, all but those that are not available for sale.

Rosebank 30yo d.1987 (43%, private cask sample, Bourbon Cask): nose: "rosewater," says Volanne. Honeysuckle, jasmine, dried kiwi, vine. CD finds it very perfume-y. Mouth: slightly mineral, with ginger and vine stems that have grown enough to turn into wood. Finish: it is astringent, acidic, with lashes of Chinese gooseberry. Lovely, and the perfect start. 8/10

SW: "Hipsters: failed young people who like to pretend to be among the working class to feel connected to society."

35.59 39yo d.1971 Arabian Nights (40.9%, SMWS Society Single Cask, Refill ex-Bourbon Hogshead, 74b): this is of course brought by myself. Naturally, SW teases me for bringing something bottled by the competition. There is not much left in the bottle, it is great juice, and several people here today have not yet had it. Time to share. Nose: superbly fruity, with a drop of violet boiled sweets and fresh wood. Mouth: very soft, delicate, gentle and elegant. More boiled-sweet goodness. Finish: this never fails to impress, with lots of crystallised fruit and boiled sweets. 9/10

Light Creamy Vanilla 26yo (43.8%, Cadenhead Creations, B#3, b.2018): a blend of Aultmore, Braes of Glenlivet, Bruichladdich, Glen Grant, Glenlivet, Strathisla and Tamdhu, vatted in 2006, and aged in a single cask since. Nose: this is fresh as mouthwash, though it also has shards of exotic woods. Mouth: soft and spicy, gently drying, it has ground orange rinds. Finish: warm, fudge-y and orange-y, reminiscent of melted PiM'S. Lovely blend. JH immediately decides he wants to buy this, then later realises he has no space to store it. 8/10

SW: "We're doing a blended grain, soon, which sounds a bit like Beckham, but isn't."
JH: "Blend it like Beckham?"

Dram #4
Nose: squid ink, fresh tobacco leaves, kiwi peels and caramelised pie crust. Mouth: soft, quaffable, it has peach syrup, golden syrup and ginger. Finish: very soft, velvety and sweet, with dark fruit (blackcurrants) and grape-pip oil. SW claims I know what it is, but it takes me a while to remember that we talked about it twenty minutes ago. Port Dundas 29yo b.2018 (50.7%, Cadenhead World Whiskies, Bourbon Hogshead, 216b) 8/10

Dram #5
Nose: hazel tree and white shoe polish, at first, then crystallised ginger. This smells powerful and concentrated as Listerine or toothpaste. Mouth: here too, it is concentrated and gingery, rather hot. Finish: melted chocolate, ginger, ginseng. This is a bit green. Good, though I am not fully taken by it, unlike JK and Volanne, who love it. Linkwood-Glenlivet 30yo 1987/2018 (57.2%, Cadenhead Authentic Collection, Refill Sherry Butt, 480b) 7/10

Dram #6
Nose: blotting paper, caraway (Volanne), cumin, verdigris. Mouth: it is very rum-y, hot and drying. Finish: dark fruit, though not very ripe. It has a hint of blackcurrant, in the back. Invergordon 26yo b.2017 (53.5%, Cadenhead World Whiskies, Bourbon Hogshead, 132b) 7/10

Dram #7
Nose: this is very much a powerful white wine. And then, in a dramatic twist, it becomes very earthy, almost smoky, before grapes come back alongside oil paint and a dash of vinegar. Mouth: soft, it has some ginger heat all the same, as well as grape skins. Finish: this tingles the tongue alright, with pepper and the acidic note of grapes. Macduff 29yo 1989/2018 (55.1%, Cadenhead Authentic Collection, Refill Sherry Butt, 390b) which I enjoy more than in Campbeltown. 8/10

Springbank 30yo (42%, private cask sample, Fresh Bourbon Hogshead + Refill Sherry): nose: farm-y as fook, with farm paths, manure, burning hay-bale smoke and ink. Mouth: gentle, wine-y, it has super-dry leather saddles, a horse's harness and gag balls -- forget that last one; it is the alcohol and the company of filthy-minded people! Finish: dry leather, hay bales and scorched earth. It becomes more lemon-y towards the end. This is nice and deserves more time. But hay! [sic] 8/10

TC: "Do you have someone skilled woking on the Web site? Someone who knows what they are doing?"
SW: "Me."
TC: "No." :-)))

Dram #8
This one is one of mine. Nose: lovely peat smoke, mild and controlled, as well as fruit underneath the smoke (papaya, says CD). The fruit grows and grows, alongside a more earthy tone. Mouth: soft, mellow, almost, whilst earthy and oily. Finish: petrol and dry earth. This is an oil rig, with fishing nets, too. Amazing. After several collegiate attempts, CD miraculously guesses correctly that it is Bowmore 30yo (43%, OB,ceramic bottle, B230 10/01 , b.2006) (Well, he says, "Bowmore Sea Dragon," which is how it is colloquially known) 9/10

SW introduces the next dram as being a blend of all Islay distilleries, bar Kilchoman.
CD: "What percentage of Port Ellen is in this?"
JH: "Stop it!"
SW: "I'll say it's more than 30% and less than 95%."

Vatted Islay 47yo (47%, private cask sample, Sherry Cask): nose: super earthy, then meaty and smoky, with cured cutlets and marinated game. Mouth: meaty here too, with gravy and boiled beef. Finish: bread-y, like a bacon roll with game sauce. Most agree this is decent, but more interesting than good. 6/10

SW (who blended this and traditionally hates Islay whiskies): "I was trying to make it so I would enjoy it."
tOMoH: "And do you?"
SW: "No. Still Islay."

JH: "I smell condom in whisky all the time, I'm sorry!"

Shits and giggles. Great little evening. Thanks, SW for pulling all the stops!

Food was brilliant too

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