Well, in the hotel room, really, but the stars are out, tonight, to a degree that induces vertigo. And yes, one can see the Milky Way. That is normal, since this is the USA. It is commercialised as Mars in Europe, as Milky Way in the US. Used to, at least. Both are now found in Europe. Not sure if the recipe is different.
Nose: bacon, burning hay and hot ink, poured into the flames. Behind that, charcoal, peaches, scorched earth, barbecued citrus and a medicinal touch: bandages and disinfectant. Laphroaig? Mouth: thick citrus, with grapefruit pulp and pineapple chunks, but also mango in syrup (the syrup easily dominates the fruit), as well as a distant note of merbromin. Heat: yes; peat: not so much. Green-chilli chutney keeps the tongue well warm, and it is augmented with a pinch of nigella seeds. Sweet and spicy alright. Finish: the peat comes back, rich and hot, yet it completely fails to mask the fruit: ripe satsuma and mango in pineapple juice happily float on a bed of gentle, boggy peat. Only a few drops of tincture of iodine hark back to the medicinal side. Whoever the hospital patient is, they clearly received a fruit basket as a get-well-soon present. I guess a Laphroaig. A fruity one, at that. I am wrong, of course. Ledaig 15yo 1997/2013 (51.9%, The Whiskyman Age Matters) 8/10 (Thanks for the sample, Gaija)
23 September 2019
18/09/2019 Waiting for sunset at the Grand Canyon
Trying this blind. Remember drinking alcohol in the open is not allowed, here. Do not try this yourselves. I do not know what it is, yet. Perhaps it is not an issue, then?...
Nose: delicate, but assertive prunes, waxy plums, freshly-polished Chesterfield sofas, dried dates -- I sense a dense sherry maturation. Plum juice, waxy mirabelle plums and, later, cigar leaves. Mouth: unripe plum and quite a dose of wood. This seems like a different dram, completely! It is lively and powerful, peppery, even. It has some of the fruit from the nose, mostly covered by woody tones -- sawdust, nut shells and varnished wooden beams. Finish: another dram again, with custard powder, hints of cocoa and softly-drying wood polish. I now wonder if it is a Bourbon (in fact, I am convinced it is). Dried peach slices, dried dates. Decent, but rather woody, this one. 139.5 b.2019 Midnight Espresso (57.8%, SMWS Society Cask, 1st Fill ex-Port Barrique, 181b) 7/10 (Thanks for the sample, Gaija)
Nose: delicate, but assertive prunes, waxy plums, freshly-polished Chesterfield sofas, dried dates -- I sense a dense sherry maturation. Plum juice, waxy mirabelle plums and, later, cigar leaves. Mouth: unripe plum and quite a dose of wood. This seems like a different dram, completely! It is lively and powerful, peppery, even. It has some of the fruit from the nose, mostly covered by woody tones -- sawdust, nut shells and varnished wooden beams. Finish: another dram again, with custard powder, hints of cocoa and softly-drying wood polish. I now wonder if it is a Bourbon (in fact, I am convinced it is). Dried peach slices, dried dates. Decent, but rather woody, this one. 139.5 b.2019 Midnight Espresso (57.8%, SMWS Society Cask, 1st Fill ex-Port Barrique, 181b) 7/10 (Thanks for the sample, Gaija)
17/09/2019 One Straight Bourbon on Route 66
Bourbon, of course, is made of at least 51% corn and aged in charred, virgin oak. It is traditionally made in Kentucky, though that is not a requirement (it is also made in California and Texas, amongst others). Straight Bourbon, however, has to be over two years old. Any Bourbon, straight or not, under four years has to state the age on the label. This one does. Woo.
As for Route 66, the mythical cross-continent road from Chicago toLos Angeles, Las Vegas, San Francisco, Santa Monica, the last bit of it was decommissioned in 1984. That is right: it has not existed for 35 years. Might want to reconsider that Corvette Stingray you had your eye on. Also, the number of French tourists in the area might put one off. ;-)
Yellowstone Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey 3yo (40%, Yellowstone Distillery Co., b. ca 2011, B22310): is it not weird? Kentucky Bourbon, named after a National Park in Wyoming, bottled by a company in Missouri, itself named after the same Wyoming park. Ah! well. It sells, I suppose. This is a remnant of a 2011 trip to said park. Nose: baked half peaches, wood chips and sawdust, custard powder and even strawberry slices. Toasted coconut, strawberry-flavoured clotted cream on pine cones. The wood influence is undeniable, but pleasant. Mouth: soft, caramel-y, with lots of butterscotch, toffee and slightly-overly-baked crème brûlée. The strawberry comes back on the tongue, unexpectedly, and brings a gentle, fruity touch. Strawberry in yoghurt, it is. A little less agreeable is the minor bitterness of a relatively young wooden cask too. Finish: comfortably warming, with custard powder, toffee, more crème brûlée and the soft bitterness of soaked oak stave. This is inoffensive, but perfectly fine. An enjoyable drop. 6/10
As for Route 66, the mythical cross-continent road from Chicago to
Yellowstone Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey 3yo (40%, Yellowstone Distillery Co., b. ca 2011, B22310): is it not weird? Kentucky Bourbon, named after a National Park in Wyoming, bottled by a company in Missouri, itself named after the same Wyoming park. Ah! well. It sells, I suppose. This is a remnant of a 2011 trip to said park. Nose: baked half peaches, wood chips and sawdust, custard powder and even strawberry slices. Toasted coconut, strawberry-flavoured clotted cream on pine cones. The wood influence is undeniable, but pleasant. Mouth: soft, caramel-y, with lots of butterscotch, toffee and slightly-overly-baked crème brûlée. The strawberry comes back on the tongue, unexpectedly, and brings a gentle, fruity touch. Strawberry in yoghurt, it is. A little less agreeable is the minor bitterness of a relatively young wooden cask too. Finish: comfortably warming, with custard powder, toffee, more crème brûlée and the soft bitterness of soaked oak stave. This is inoffensive, but perfectly fine. An enjoyable drop. 6/10
3 September 2019
02/09/2019 More drams at the SMWS
Last night in town for Gaija, we try to make it count.
39.180 29yo d.1989 Smokers on a new carpet (51%, SMWS Society Cask for The Gathering at the Vaults, Refill Heavily-Toasted Medium-Charred Hogshead, 206b): this is from a special wave of bottlings for a string of events called The Gathering. Bar only, not for sale. Nose: sweet and rich, with maraschino cherries and custard triangles, fluffy bread and buttery scones. Mouth: pillow-y, with shortbread action, sweet, salty and crumbly. Sticky apple crumble. Finish: long and mellow, subtle, but with everything in the right place. Cherry skins, cantaloupe, just past its prime. It is more acidic and bitter than the nose suggested, but it remains pleasant nonetheless. It also does retain the cherry-turnover side. I have too little of it to make better notes, but I like it. Perhaps not quite Starry, starry night, but not too far off. 9/10
JS arrives.
35.239 23yo d.1995 Sweet Seduction (52.9%, SMWS Society Cask for The Gathering at the Vaults, 1st Fill ex-Bourbon Barrel, 202b): nose: lush, it has rose-petal jam, red cherries, candied cherries and a whisper of tobacco. The second sniff brings... raw white asparagus. Soon, fruit comes back, sweet, grenadine style. It is all a little artificial, but remains lovely. Mouth: a huge sweetness on the palate too, with those candied cherries, crystallised angelica, candied pineapple cubes and mixed peel. Finish: quite big, with similarly sweet notes, balanced by a gentle metallic edge -- think of the knife the confectioner has used to cut candied pineapple cubes for six hours. A drop of chocolate appears in the distance, but it is mostly candied fruit. This is great, even if the candied cherry can become a little heady. 8/10
50.109 28yo d.1990 Mangroves and marshmallows (57.7%, SMWS Society Cask, 2nd Fill ex-Bourbon Barrel, 111b): nose: this one is in another league, unexpectedly, with rose petals, fruits (cherry and raspberry) and faint leather. Crow-black hair-dye (a goth's whisky, then) and broccoli stalks. The floweriness grows and grows, with lilac, augmented with spices, sink funk, then seal wax. Mouth: sweet, it struggles to completely hide a certain plant-related bitterness that reminds me of flower stems. It is coated in powdered sugar, though. Strawberries, stalk still on, sprinkled with powdered sugar. Finish: hugely fruity, here. Poached pear, candied apple and a full apricot clafoutis. It is warming and frankly never-ending, but not as spicy in the finish. What a beautiful Lowlander! 9/10
77.51 26yo d.1992 Flower power shower (46.9%, SMWS Society Cask, 2nd Fill ex-Bourbon Barrel, 160b): nose: fresh, it has putty-like toothpaste, mastic, polyester-clad settees, hot off the assembly line. Later, lukewarm Virginia tobacco and freshly-ironed jeans come to the fore. Crisp apple, cut on the chopping block, then dried strawberry chips. Mouth: the symphony continues, with raspberry sorbet, dried strawberry chips again, lilac, frozen in time with hair lacquer, then sticky marmalade, slowly simmering in the cauldron. Wow! Finish: slow-moving, it is assertive regardless, with berries, purple lilac, peach jam and apricot purée. This is probably my favourite Glen Ord to-date. 9/10
JS sniffs half a dozen before settling for the last dram.
9.157 22yo d.1996 I drambled lonely as a cloud... (60.9%, SMWS Society Cask, Refill ex-Bourbon Hogshead, 228b): nose polished-oak chests, teak oil, then more delicate notes of peach slices and flowers (buttercups and daffodils). This nose makes me think of a sherry cask, strangely enough, with hints of nail varnish to boot. Mouth: soft and elegant, the palate sees the peach return, alongside a metallic edge (is it verbena?) and growing spices, surprisingly (galangal shavings, ginger root). Finish: more traditional, with coconut cream and vanilla custard, before dry-ish wooden stave storm the scene. Nutella-coated churros, says Gaija. Now, I finally admit it is a Bourbon cask, yet, if the whole is very good, I find the finish the least interesting as well. Not quite Boringside, but also not Thrillamore. 7/10
Time for food and bed. Very good selection. On the way back, we joke about how nothing interesting supposedly comes out, these days. Ah, well.
39.180 29yo d.1989 Smokers on a new carpet (51%, SMWS Society Cask for The Gathering at the Vaults, Refill Heavily-Toasted Medium-Charred Hogshead, 206b): this is from a special wave of bottlings for a string of events called The Gathering. Bar only, not for sale. Nose: sweet and rich, with maraschino cherries and custard triangles, fluffy bread and buttery scones. Mouth: pillow-y, with shortbread action, sweet, salty and crumbly. Sticky apple crumble. Finish: long and mellow, subtle, but with everything in the right place. Cherry skins, cantaloupe, just past its prime. It is more acidic and bitter than the nose suggested, but it remains pleasant nonetheless. It also does retain the cherry-turnover side. I have too little of it to make better notes, but I like it. Perhaps not quite Starry, starry night, but not too far off. 9/10JS arrives.
35.239 23yo d.1995 Sweet Seduction (52.9%, SMWS Society Cask for The Gathering at the Vaults, 1st Fill ex-Bourbon Barrel, 202b): nose: lush, it has rose-petal jam, red cherries, candied cherries and a whisper of tobacco. The second sniff brings... raw white asparagus. Soon, fruit comes back, sweet, grenadine style. It is all a little artificial, but remains lovely. Mouth: a huge sweetness on the palate too, with those candied cherries, crystallised angelica, candied pineapple cubes and mixed peel. Finish: quite big, with similarly sweet notes, balanced by a gentle metallic edge -- think of the knife the confectioner has used to cut candied pineapple cubes for six hours. A drop of chocolate appears in the distance, but it is mostly candied fruit. This is great, even if the candied cherry can become a little heady. 8/10
50.109 28yo d.1990 Mangroves and marshmallows (57.7%, SMWS Society Cask, 2nd Fill ex-Bourbon Barrel, 111b): nose: this one is in another league, unexpectedly, with rose petals, fruits (cherry and raspberry) and faint leather. Crow-black hair-dye (a goth's whisky, then) and broccoli stalks. The floweriness grows and grows, with lilac, augmented with spices, sink funk, then seal wax. Mouth: sweet, it struggles to completely hide a certain plant-related bitterness that reminds me of flower stems. It is coated in powdered sugar, though. Strawberries, stalk still on, sprinkled with powdered sugar. Finish: hugely fruity, here. Poached pear, candied apple and a full apricot clafoutis. It is warming and frankly never-ending, but not as spicy in the finish. What a beautiful Lowlander! 9/10
77.51 26yo d.1992 Flower power shower (46.9%, SMWS Society Cask, 2nd Fill ex-Bourbon Barrel, 160b): nose: fresh, it has putty-like toothpaste, mastic, polyester-clad settees, hot off the assembly line. Later, lukewarm Virginia tobacco and freshly-ironed jeans come to the fore. Crisp apple, cut on the chopping block, then dried strawberry chips. Mouth: the symphony continues, with raspberry sorbet, dried strawberry chips again, lilac, frozen in time with hair lacquer, then sticky marmalade, slowly simmering in the cauldron. Wow! Finish: slow-moving, it is assertive regardless, with berries, purple lilac, peach jam and apricot purée. This is probably my favourite Glen Ord to-date. 9/10JS sniffs half a dozen before settling for the last dram.
9.157 22yo d.1996 I drambled lonely as a cloud... (60.9%, SMWS Society Cask, Refill ex-Bourbon Hogshead, 228b): nose polished-oak chests, teak oil, then more delicate notes of peach slices and flowers (buttercups and daffodils). This nose makes me think of a sherry cask, strangely enough, with hints of nail varnish to boot. Mouth: soft and elegant, the palate sees the peach return, alongside a metallic edge (is it verbena?) and growing spices, surprisingly (galangal shavings, ginger root). Finish: more traditional, with coconut cream and vanilla custard, before dry-ish wooden stave storm the scene. Nutella-coated churros, says Gaija. Now, I finally admit it is a Bourbon cask, yet, if the whole is very good, I find the finish the least interesting as well. Not quite Boringside, but also not Thrillamore. 7/10Time for food and bed. Very good selection. On the way back, we joke about how nothing interesting supposedly comes out, these days. Ah, well.
01/09/2019 My precious!
This was an old-ish idea and it felt the right time to realise it. Bronze, silver, gold, platinum, jewelry, gems and other precious stones, treasures, guineas, doubloons or sovereigns will all be accepted. Yens, dollars and euros are fine too. Keep yer sterling, however, as that's as good as Monopoly notes, these days. Or toilet paper. The Scottish poond is fine, at a push. ;)
Since today is a Sunday, I am hoping for a seven-or-eight-bottle sesh, but that is forgetting that this is a school night for three people only. We end up with a monstrous line-up worthy of a Saturday morning.
The intercom is out of service, my phone decides to die an hour before guests are supposed to arrive, yet everyone manages to make it in, woo.
The suspects: JS, PS, BA, WhiskyLovingPianist (the artist formerly known as jazzpianofingers, who, during his fifteen-month hiatus, changed identity), LR (first appearance), Gaija and tOMoH.
Richie Hawtin - Pete Namlook - From Within I is playing when they arrive.
LR: "I acquisitioned this..."
BA: "Acquisitioned!?"
LR: "I don't pay for anything. Ever."
Dimple (70° Proof, John Haig & Co., b.1970s) (BA): this one is "bound in shiny, precious gold," says BA, jubilantly. Nose: fragile and delicate, it has a distinctly flowery nose, with honeysuckle, jasmine and lots of dust. A pinch of tobacco, perhaps? It is all very integrated and hard to pick apart. Mouth: marvellously soft and pillow-y, it has flower petals, honeysuckle sap, morning dew in jasmine blossom, and a very gentle tobacco feel to it. Finish: I love this. It has dust and even ash, peppered on a similar flowery profile, next to a beehive. Excellent and a perfect opener. It is hard not to think blends, especially the cheap ones, were better in the past. 8/10
Soundtrack: Axiome - Ten Hymns For Sorbetière Or How I Learned To Stop Worrying And Love The Freezer
Balmenach 1980/1999 Hogmanay Dram (43%, Undisclosed Bottler for Members of The Malt Whisky Association, 100b, b#94) (WhiskyLovingPianist): WLP showed me this in Campbeltown, but I cannot remember having tried it. The connection to the theme is simple: Hog-money. Eyes roll. Eyebrows raise. Sighs are emitted. I am loving it. Nose: grass, herbs and a touch of gentle metal, straw, flint, verbena, oregano and citrus foliage. Mouth: mellow, meadow-like, it has lush pastry, though not much sweetness -- fluffy dough, unseasoned doughnuts, the acidity of lime peel, not overpowering at all and, in fact, very balanced. Finish: yep, a very pleasant affair, with shortbread, custard powder and a little citric action. 8/10
The Arran Malt 1999/2012 The Golden Eagle (46%, OB Limited Edition, Bourbon Barrels + Sherry Hogsheads) (BA): gold-en eagle, innit. This collection is colloquially known as Icons of Arran, of which this is bottling number 4. None of that appears anywhere on the packaging, however, so it does not belong in the formal description. Get over it. Nose: fresh pineapple, Champagne (LR), olive pits in brine (I know). It is fresh , fruity (orchard fruit) and welcoming. A typical Arran, in other words. Mouth: balanced, honeyed, with honeysuckle sap, crushed meadow flowers and the associated pillow-y lushness and plant bitterness. It delivers some peppery power, regardless of the modest ABV. Finish: well, it is a modern malt, with plenty of vanilla, quince, lemon jelly, lemon-y custard and lots of fun. A very good Arran -- but is there another sort anyway? (do not mention ze Var the Fixin). 8/10
Nibbles enter.
Soundtrack: Keosz - Ava
37.107 14yo d.2003 Running through a field of wheat (60.7%, SMWS Society Single Cask, Refill ex-Bourbon Hogshead, 254b) (PS): PS explains the interview to Gaija, in which Theresa May admitted running through a field of wheat as a naughty child and how this bottling is a hint to that. We manage to dodge the B-word conversation, however. Mostly. I spot the connection immediately: fields of gold. "I am a Sting fan," I claim. Not really, but that song is nice. Although, fields of barley, not wheat. Nose: sweet, it has forsythia, barley sugar, cold wort, plum and raspberry (LR). Mouth: assertive, bold, even (at that ABV, no wonder!), it has the sweetness of the nose, with green capsicum, crisp and peppery. Finish: big, with a touch of chocolate on chopped capsicum. Hot and crisp. I like it. 7/10
Springbank 1965/2002 (46%, Lombard Jewels of Scotland) (me): jewels, of course. Will this be a gold-plated tart with too much make-up on, then? Well, I know it is not, as I have had this before. Nose: rhaaaaaaa! It is still a killer, this. Carambola, crisp pear, greengage, plum, grapes and a whisper of rubber. Mouth: juicy and fruity to the max, brimming with seedless green grapes, carambola, and the freshness of sea breeze. This is amazing. Finish: huge fruitiness again, with lots of green grapes, a pinch of ash (WhiskyLovingPianist), wax (Gaija), darker grapes too, ripe plum, prune juice. The fruits are less tropical in the finish, yet not any shyer. This is amazeballs. Longer notes here. Now it has opened up in the bottle (this is pretty much the last drop), it gets top score. 10/10
Soundtrack: Tan Dun - Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
Bache Gabrielsen 1971/2016 (40%, OB, b#1539) (WhiskyLovingPianist): this is a coin-gnac, says the owner. More eyes rolled. He is on fire, he is! Nose: very brandy-like (no shit, Sherlock), with grapes and tinned-prune juice. It is relatively simple, yet "bloody alright" (WLP). Soaked cork, Pineau des Charentes, maybe even vin jaune from Jura. Mouth: velvety, fruity, soft and... I cannot decide if it is sweet or acidic. What I do decide is that it is excellent. Finish: very, very fruity. Plums, prunes, grapes and a touch of almond skin. With a little more complexity, it would do even better. As it stands, it is a strong 8/10
We take advantage of the nice weather and proceed to the terrace.
Cambus 25yo d.1991 (52.1%, Claxton Single Cask, Refill Sherry Butt, C#1725-103028, 571b, b#496) (WhiskyLovingPianist): "Bureau de Change" -> "Cambio" -> "Cambus." The boy is unstoppable! First Claxton for me and a sherry-matured grain (which is the exception, rather than the rule). I will only have the tiniest drop, as I fear a rerun of Thursday's experience. Nose: a whiff of metal and lots of pastry. Mouth: bitter metal, thyme, some distant pastry. Finish: now, you're talking! Croissant dough and more pastry. I like this enough, though it is a little more austere than I expected it to be. The following morning, no headache, but my tongue is stripped, despite the ridiculous amount (half a sip); it loses a point, because of that. 6/10
Diamond 9yo (Port Mourant Still) (55.9%, That Boutique-y Rum Company, B#1, 461b, b#265) (WhiskyLovingPianist): yes, he did bring four bottles. Diamond is forever, of course. Rum is interesting. Distilleries exist, but sometimes, they will use a travelling still to make a run -- imagine a lorry with a still in tow going from one distillery to the next and helping producers make something completely different. Enmore is one of those, Port Mourant is another. Nose: boat varnish (LR), industrial plastic, industrial glue, wallpaper and cucumber peels. It later emits scents of cabbage and pak-choi leaves. Mouth: warm and spicy, very spicy, with nutmeg, cracked green pepper and cinnamon cross buns. This is a bit too powerful for me. Finish: glue, caramelised cane sugar, hydrocarbons and a touch of chocolate, towards the end. It is OK. Not my thing much. 6/10
Longmorn 29yo 1985/2015 (51.9%, Hunter Laing Old & Rare A Platinum Selection imported by DJK Imports for K&L Wines, Refill Hogshead, 251b, b#139) (JS): JS rocks out the platinum card, ha! I remember being slightly puzzled, the first time we had this. Good, not blinding. Naturally, the packaging sets expectations, and I thought they were not totally met. Nose: sharp, blade-like. There is citrus, flint and... to be honest, not much else comes out. Shy. It does settle on lemon marmalade and unripe green grapes and blueberries, with a side of orange pith and black cumin. Mouth: acidic and spicy, with grapefruit skins, unripe currants, white pepper, sawdust and lime skins. The second sip brings dry and bitter Seville orange segments, so dry and bitter. Finish: surprisingly creamy, with a lot of wood and orange-y tones aplenty -- pith, peels and segments coming back. I like it better than the first time, but it still does not quite match the flashy packaging, I think. I am tempted to go for 7 because of that, though I think it really is worth 8/10
LR explains: "It entered the masters competition and won master. Not bronze, or silver, or gold. Master."
tOMoH: "The only thing that is not a precious metal."
The Lost Distilleries Blend (51%, The Blended Whisky Company, B#10, 1041b, b#91) (LR): "this is my precious," states LR. I discovered this series a while ago with B#6 and loved it. It was my first contact with That Boutique-y Whisky Company, I think. This edition contains Port Dundas, Caperdonich, Rosebank, Imperial, Mosstowie, Glen Mhor, Glenisla, Glenlochy, Craigduff, Brora and Port Ellen. Nose: this is quite a mix. See breeze, candied lemons, strawberry drops. It is subtle, though. Very shy. Even going back inside to avoid the wind, one has to work hard to decipher much. Old-school smoke and a clear mineral character. Mouth: very balanced, with slightly-bitter oranges and a few thyme leaves. Smoke is only a shadow, here, and it is pleasant. Finish: elegant and long, with the tiniest note of coal-stove smoke; most of what is displayed is strawberry bubble gum. I like this, but it is a bit too timid. 8/10
We move back inside.
Soundtrack: FUSE: Dimension Intrusion
Clynelish 20yo 1997/2018 (55.9%, Artful Dodger Whisky Collective, ex-Bourbon Hogshead, C#6526, 310b) (LR): the label only reads Woolf/Sung -- the company behind this collection. This one is gold in colour. :-) Nose: fresh, with lots of waxy citrus peel, burning herbs and a touch of ash. It has its share of minerals too, though are they precious stones? Granite, more like it. Mouth: honeyed, beehive-y, it is very coating, ashy, while also sweet. I can almost feel the bees' wings around my nose. Finish: long, it has similar notes: wax, of course, ash, granite and yellow fruits. Beautiful Clynelish, but I am too far behind to spend much time with it. 8/10
3.284 14yo d.2001 Salt and smoke (56.7%, SMWS Society Single Cask, Refill ex-Bourbon Hogshead, 186b) (PS): PS explains how salt used to be precious indeed (look up the origins of the word 'salary', if you need to be convinced). Nose: wow! FRUITY! It has a lot of satsumas, more than mangoes, gently wrapped by a soft layer of smoke. The fruitiness is immense, though. Lemon and pink grapefruit are loud. It has a whiff of clogged-sink funk, but it is quite simply gorgeously fruity. Farm paths end up emerging, subtle enough. Mouth: meow. Juicy mango, roasted over a charcoal barbecue. This is ridiculously juicy. The second sip is enormous, with horsepower, tractor diesel and hair balls (hi MG!) Finish: big, long, with the vague bitterness of grapefruit skins. Here too, the fruitiness is flabbergasting, with pink grapefruit kissing mangoes in a ploughed field, Wow. Just wow. Leave this in a cask for another twenty-thirty years and we are in 1966 territory, I believe. Tempted to give it top score, but I will contain myself. 9/10
Caol Ila 34yo 1984/2018 (57.6%, Cadenhead Single Cask 1 x Bourbon Hogshead, 162b, 18/228) (Gaija): presented for its shiny golden label. Nose: another odd mix, with melon, ash and dunnage-warehouse dust. Tantalising! Crushed, dried raspberry, crushed hazelnut shells, cedar-wood sheets. The fruit grows in intensity. Water turns it into something more intense, with an almost toothpaste-like freshness and pine needles. Mouth: perfect balance, despite the undeniable strength. I get a clear strawberry-bubble gum tack and a lick of liquorice (a lick-o-rice?) It dries the mouth a bit, that lick-o-rice, with its sidekicks cinnamon and ginger, yet not quite aniseed. With water, the palate turns more mellow. It retains some of the fruit, whilst the cinnamon remains the clearest note. Finish: elegant as hell, with lots of berries here too, a bit of woody spices (ginger, cinnamon and, this time, aniseed) and strawberry pulp. Water makes it a little more drying, ironically Ginger and cinnamon are the main characters of this story, though the dried raspberry and pepperminty-strawberry bubble gum are still there alright. I love this. 9/10
LR: "I am getting swimming pool. But nice swimming pool."
LR: "Cow poo -- in a good way!"
Soundtrack: X-102 - Rediscovers The Rings Of Saturn
JS: "Who's Terry?"
tOMoH: "It's a Miss Terry."
We are a couple of hours behind the projected closing time. One last one? But of course!
Caledonian 28yo 1987/2016 (52.3%, Cadenhead Single Cask, Bourbon Hogshead, 246b, 16/196) (me): you may recall (you may total recall) that I poured this a couple of weeks ago, but did not have it myself for lack of time. Obviously, it is a gold label as well. Nose: hugely metallic, with lots of aromatics (hawthorn and rosemary, mostly), and, behind that, pastry. The second whiff brings almost an anaesthetic touch to this. Medicinal? Well, it is homeopathy, rather than chemistry. Mouth: creamy, with custard-y goodness, milk chocolate, βανίλια, yoghurt and flan. This is seriously good on the tongue, after a few years of being open. Finish: meow! A touch of metal, a pinch of herbs and creamy vanilla-custard happiness. Liquid pastry. I love it. 8/10
Epic session, considering today was a Sunday. Excellent drams, terrific music, good weather and company... What more could one want?
Since today is a Sunday, I am hoping for a seven-or-eight-bottle sesh, but that is forgetting that this is a school night for three people only. We end up with a monstrous line-up worthy of a Saturday morning.
The intercom is out of service, my phone decides to die an hour before guests are supposed to arrive, yet everyone manages to make it in, woo.
The suspects: JS, PS, BA, WhiskyLovingPianist (the artist formerly known as jazzpianofingers, who, during his fifteen-month hiatus, changed identity), LR (first appearance), Gaija and tOMoH.
 |
| His identity may have changed, but this stayed |
Richie Hawtin - Pete Namlook - From Within I is playing when they arrive.
LR: "I acquisitioned this..."
BA: "Acquisitioned!?"
LR: "I don't pay for anything. Ever."
Dimple (70° Proof, John Haig & Co., b.1970s) (BA): this one is "bound in shiny, precious gold," says BA, jubilantly. Nose: fragile and delicate, it has a distinctly flowery nose, with honeysuckle, jasmine and lots of dust. A pinch of tobacco, perhaps? It is all very integrated and hard to pick apart. Mouth: marvellously soft and pillow-y, it has flower petals, honeysuckle sap, morning dew in jasmine blossom, and a very gentle tobacco feel to it. Finish: I love this. It has dust and even ash, peppered on a similar flowery profile, next to a beehive. Excellent and a perfect opener. It is hard not to think blends, especially the cheap ones, were better in the past. 8/10 |
| Awld skewl |
Soundtrack: Axiome - Ten Hymns For Sorbetière Or How I Learned To Stop Worrying And Love The Freezer
Balmenach 1980/1999 Hogmanay Dram (43%, Undisclosed Bottler for Members of The Malt Whisky Association, 100b, b#94) (WhiskyLovingPianist): WLP showed me this in Campbeltown, but I cannot remember having tried it. The connection to the theme is simple: Hog-money. Eyes roll. Eyebrows raise. Sighs are emitted. I am loving it. Nose: grass, herbs and a touch of gentle metal, straw, flint, verbena, oregano and citrus foliage. Mouth: mellow, meadow-like, it has lush pastry, though not much sweetness -- fluffy dough, unseasoned doughnuts, the acidity of lime peel, not overpowering at all and, in fact, very balanced. Finish: yep, a very pleasant affair, with shortbread, custard powder and a little citric action. 8/10
The Arran Malt 1999/2012 The Golden Eagle (46%, OB Limited Edition, Bourbon Barrels + Sherry Hogsheads) (BA): gold-en eagle, innit. This collection is colloquially known as Icons of Arran, of which this is bottling number 4. None of that appears anywhere on the packaging, however, so it does not belong in the formal description. Get over it. Nose: fresh pineapple, Champagne (LR), olive pits in brine (I know). It is fresh , fruity (orchard fruit) and welcoming. A typical Arran, in other words. Mouth: balanced, honeyed, with honeysuckle sap, crushed meadow flowers and the associated pillow-y lushness and plant bitterness. It delivers some peppery power, regardless of the modest ABV. Finish: well, it is a modern malt, with plenty of vanilla, quince, lemon jelly, lemon-y custard and lots of fun. A very good Arran -- but is there another sort anyway? (do not mention  |
| BA breaks the cork and pours it from a jug |
Nibbles enter.
 |
| Cheeses (Applewood cheddar, scamorza), crisps (sea salt and cider vinegar, posh prawn cocktail), dried sausage, sourdough bread and houmous |
Soundtrack: Keosz - Ava
37.107 14yo d.2003 Running through a field of wheat (60.7%, SMWS Society Single Cask, Refill ex-Bourbon Hogshead, 254b) (PS): PS explains the interview to Gaija, in which Theresa May admitted running through a field of wheat as a naughty child and how this bottling is a hint to that. We manage to dodge the B-word conversation, however. Mostly. I spot the connection immediately: fields of gold. "I am a Sting fan," I claim. Not really, but that song is nice. Although, fields of barley, not wheat. Nose: sweet, it has forsythia, barley sugar, cold wort, plum and raspberry (LR). Mouth: assertive, bold, even (at that ABV, no wonder!), it has the sweetness of the nose, with green capsicum, crisp and peppery. Finish: big, with a touch of chocolate on chopped capsicum. Hot and crisp. I like it. 7/10
Springbank 1965/2002 (46%, Lombard Jewels of Scotland) (me): jewels, of course. Will this be a gold-plated tart with too much make-up on, then? Well, I know it is not, as I have had this before. Nose: rhaaaaaaa! It is still a killer, this. Carambola, crisp pear, greengage, plum, grapes and a whisper of rubber. Mouth: juicy and fruity to the max, brimming with seedless green grapes, carambola, and the freshness of sea breeze. This is amazing. Finish: huge fruitiness again, with lots of green grapes, a pinch of ash (WhiskyLovingPianist), wax (Gaija), darker grapes too, ripe plum, prune juice. The fruits are less tropical in the finish, yet not any shyer. This is amazeballs. Longer notes here. Now it has opened up in the bottle (this is pretty much the last drop), it gets top score. 10/10Soundtrack: Tan Dun - Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
Bache Gabrielsen 1971/2016 (40%, OB, b#1539) (WhiskyLovingPianist): this is a coin-gnac, says the owner. More eyes rolled. He is on fire, he is! Nose: very brandy-like (no shit, Sherlock), with grapes and tinned-prune juice. It is relatively simple, yet "bloody alright" (WLP). Soaked cork, Pineau des Charentes, maybe even vin jaune from Jura. Mouth: velvety, fruity, soft and... I cannot decide if it is sweet or acidic. What I do decide is that it is excellent. Finish: very, very fruity. Plums, prunes, grapes and a touch of almond skin. With a little more complexity, it would do even better. As it stands, it is a strong 8/10We take advantage of the nice weather and proceed to the terrace.
 |
| ...aaaaaand life does not suck |
Cambus 25yo d.1991 (52.1%, Claxton Single Cask, Refill Sherry Butt, C#1725-103028, 571b, b#496) (WhiskyLovingPianist): "Bureau de Change" -> "Cambio" -> "Cambus." The boy is unstoppable! First Claxton for me and a sherry-matured grain (which is the exception, rather than the rule). I will only have the tiniest drop, as I fear a rerun of Thursday's experience. Nose: a whiff of metal and lots of pastry. Mouth: bitter metal, thyme, some distant pastry. Finish: now, you're talking! Croissant dough and more pastry. I like this enough, though it is a little more austere than I expected it to be. The following morning, no headache, but my tongue is stripped, despite the ridiculous amount (half a sip); it loses a point, because of that. 6/10
Diamond 9yo (Port Mourant Still) (55.9%, That Boutique-y Rum Company, B#1, 461b, b#265) (WhiskyLovingPianist): yes, he did bring four bottles. Diamond is forever, of course. Rum is interesting. Distilleries exist, but sometimes, they will use a travelling still to make a run -- imagine a lorry with a still in tow going from one distillery to the next and helping producers make something completely different. Enmore is one of those, Port Mourant is another. Nose: boat varnish (LR), industrial plastic, industrial glue, wallpaper and cucumber peels. It later emits scents of cabbage and pak-choi leaves. Mouth: warm and spicy, very spicy, with nutmeg, cracked green pepper and cinnamon cross buns. This is a bit too powerful for me. Finish: glue, caramelised cane sugar, hydrocarbons and a touch of chocolate, towards the end. It is OK. Not my thing much. 6/10
Longmorn 29yo 1985/2015 (51.9%, Hunter Laing Old & Rare A Platinum Selection imported by DJK Imports for K&L Wines, Refill Hogshead, 251b, b#139) (JS): JS rocks out the platinum card, ha! I remember being slightly puzzled, the first time we had this. Good, not blinding. Naturally, the packaging sets expectations, and I thought they were not totally met. Nose: sharp, blade-like. There is citrus, flint and... to be honest, not much else comes out. Shy. It does settle on lemon marmalade and unripe green grapes and blueberries, with a side of orange pith and black cumin. Mouth: acidic and spicy, with grapefruit skins, unripe currants, white pepper, sawdust and lime skins. The second sip brings dry and bitter Seville orange segments, so dry and bitter. Finish: surprisingly creamy, with a lot of wood and orange-y tones aplenty -- pith, peels and segments coming back. I like it better than the first time, but it still does not quite match the flashy packaging, I think. I am tempted to go for 7 because of that, though I think it really is worth 8/10 |
| Sweet-teeth of the world rejoice. Here comes Orsatti Pampapatto di Ferrara (Thanks, SB) |
LR explains: "It entered the masters competition and won master. Not bronze, or silver, or gold. Master."
tOMoH: "The only thing that is not a precious metal."
The Lost Distilleries Blend (51%, The Blended Whisky Company, B#10, 1041b, b#91) (LR): "this is my precious," states LR. I discovered this series a while ago with B#6 and loved it. It was my first contact with That Boutique-y Whisky Company, I think. This edition contains Port Dundas, Caperdonich, Rosebank, Imperial, Mosstowie, Glen Mhor, Glenisla, Glenlochy, Craigduff, Brora and Port Ellen. Nose: this is quite a mix. See breeze, candied lemons, strawberry drops. It is subtle, though. Very shy. Even going back inside to avoid the wind, one has to work hard to decipher much. Old-school smoke and a clear mineral character. Mouth: very balanced, with slightly-bitter oranges and a few thyme leaves. Smoke is only a shadow, here, and it is pleasant. Finish: elegant and long, with the tiniest note of coal-stove smoke; most of what is displayed is strawberry bubble gum. I like this, but it is a bit too timid. 8/10We move back inside.
Soundtrack: FUSE: Dimension Intrusion
Clynelish 20yo 1997/2018 (55.9%, Artful Dodger Whisky Collective, ex-Bourbon Hogshead, C#6526, 310b) (LR): the label only reads Woolf/Sung -- the company behind this collection. This one is gold in colour. :-) Nose: fresh, with lots of waxy citrus peel, burning herbs and a touch of ash. It has its share of minerals too, though are they precious stones? Granite, more like it. Mouth: honeyed, beehive-y, it is very coating, ashy, while also sweet. I can almost feel the bees' wings around my nose. Finish: long, it has similar notes: wax, of course, ash, granite and yellow fruits. Beautiful Clynelish, but I am too far behind to spend much time with it. 8/10
3.284 14yo d.2001 Salt and smoke (56.7%, SMWS Society Single Cask, Refill ex-Bourbon Hogshead, 186b) (PS): PS explains how salt used to be precious indeed (look up the origins of the word 'salary', if you need to be convinced). Nose: wow! FRUITY! It has a lot of satsumas, more than mangoes, gently wrapped by a soft layer of smoke. The fruitiness is immense, though. Lemon and pink grapefruit are loud. It has a whiff of clogged-sink funk, but it is quite simply gorgeously fruity. Farm paths end up emerging, subtle enough. Mouth: meow. Juicy mango, roasted over a charcoal barbecue. This is ridiculously juicy. The second sip is enormous, with horsepower, tractor diesel and hair balls (hi MG!) Finish: big, long, with the vague bitterness of grapefruit skins. Here too, the fruitiness is flabbergasting, with pink grapefruit kissing mangoes in a ploughed field, Wow. Just wow. Leave this in a cask for another twenty-thirty years and we are in 1966 territory, I believe. Tempted to give it top score, but I will contain myself. 9/10
Caol Ila 34yo 1984/2018 (57.6%, Cadenhead Single Cask 1 x Bourbon Hogshead, 162b, 18/228) (Gaija): presented for its shiny golden label. Nose: another odd mix, with melon, ash and dunnage-warehouse dust. Tantalising! Crushed, dried raspberry, crushed hazelnut shells, cedar-wood sheets. The fruit grows in intensity. Water turns it into something more intense, with an almost toothpaste-like freshness and pine needles. Mouth: perfect balance, despite the undeniable strength. I get a clear strawberry-bubble gum tack and a lick of liquorice (a lick-o-rice?) It dries the mouth a bit, that lick-o-rice, with its sidekicks cinnamon and ginger, yet not quite aniseed. With water, the palate turns more mellow. It retains some of the fruit, whilst the cinnamon remains the clearest note. Finish: elegant as hell, with lots of berries here too, a bit of woody spices (ginger, cinnamon and, this time, aniseed) and strawberry pulp. Water makes it a little more drying, ironically Ginger and cinnamon are the main characters of this story, though the dried raspberry and pepperminty-strawberry bubble gum are still there alright. I love this. 9/10LR: "I am getting swimming pool. But nice swimming pool."
LR: "Cow poo -- in a good way!"
 |
| Bond villain stroking his pet |
Soundtrack: X-102 - Rediscovers The Rings Of Saturn
JS: "Who's Terry?"
tOMoH: "It's a Miss Terry."
We are a couple of hours behind the projected closing time. One last one? But of course!
Caledonian 28yo 1987/2016 (52.3%, Cadenhead Single Cask, Bourbon Hogshead, 246b, 16/196) (me): you may recall (you may total recall) that I poured this a couple of weeks ago, but did not have it myself for lack of time. Obviously, it is a gold label as well. Nose: hugely metallic, with lots of aromatics (hawthorn and rosemary, mostly), and, behind that, pastry. The second whiff brings almost an anaesthetic touch to this. Medicinal? Well, it is homeopathy, rather than chemistry. Mouth: creamy, with custard-y goodness, milk chocolate, βανίλια, yoghurt and flan. This is seriously good on the tongue, after a few years of being open. Finish: meow! A touch of metal, a pinch of herbs and creamy vanilla-custard happiness. Liquid pastry. I love it. 8/10Epic session, considering today was a Sunday. Excellent drams, terrific music, good weather and company... What more could one want?
2 September 2019
30/08/2019 Some drams at the SMWS
Gaija is in town. I join him at the SMWS for a few drams. We have only been there for twenty minutes when MJ makes a surprise appearance with a guest. JS arrives a bit later too.
To business.
50.105 28yo d.1990 Willow wood in the sun (54.4%, SMWS Society Cask, 2nd Fill ex-Bourbon Barrel, 87b): nose: soft and gentle. Gaija calls it shy, I would not go that far. I get honey, mountain-flower honey, to be accurate, then the flowers turn into linen and line-drying clothes. Mouth: floral and lively, there is saxifrage on the palate, sugar water, lemon drops and manuka honey. Finish: a fleeting bitter touch of green ivy, then milk chocolate, caramelised honey and honeysuckle. Hm. "shy" (read: "neutral"), "mountain flowers", "chocolate"... Is this a Swiss whisky? :o) 9/10
26.124 7yo d.2010 Fun and frolic (59.4%, SMWS Society Cask, 1st Fill ex-Bourbon Barrel, 235b): Gaija went for 26.128, but it is sold out. This is the only 26 here. Nose: crystallised strawberries, candied peach slices, then Virginia tobacco and icing sugar. Mouth: big, coating, fruity and flowery. I get waxy caramelised plum, strawberry cake, yet also a pinch of chilli. This is powerful! Finish: huge, with a perfect balance of wax, fruit and flowers. A superb Clynelish. Amazing quality at a young age. 8/10
53.294 9yo d.2009 Drampaigne extra brute (58.1%, SMWS Society Cask, Refill ex-Bourbon Hogshead, 328b): nose: souped-up farmyard and pickled onions, then smoked oysters, mud and tree bark. Mouth: salty as hell, it has mussels, oysters and green-chilli flakes. Finish: wow! It is sweet and salty, here, with confectionery sugar and hot tar. It reminds me of the Port Ellen Dovr-Tvtes-Mares, though this one seems even tarrier. 8/10
36.162 18yo d.2000 A powerful enticement (52.7%, SMWS Society Cask, 1st Fill PX Hogshead, 224b): nose: velvety, with the trademark pine cones, roasted macadamia and soaked prunes, as well as a dark pine forest, deep in the back of the nose. The second sniff brings coffee. Mouth: juicy and rich, with prunes, mahogany cupboards and melted shoe polish, augmented with peach juice. Finish: huge, colossal, juicy, it has soaked prunes, peaches and only the most minute touch of pine and resin. JS finds it a generic PX-matured whisky, rather than a cracking Benrinnes. She might be right, but I still like it a lot. 8/10
66.150 10yo d.2008 Smoke, soot and tarry ropes (59%, SMWS Society Cask, Refill ex-Bourbon Barrel, 217b): nose: cow stable, bandages, gauze, smoked cheese rind, smoked ketchup (curry ketchup, says Gaija). In the distance, old leather is present too. Mouth: smoked cheese it is! Scamorza, ricotta affumicata, smoked raclette, Applewood smoked cheddar. Finish: a massive dose of farm-path earth and mud, caked into the tracks of a tractor tyre. This is the best 66 in a long, long time, in my opinion. 8/10
Time for food.
To business.
50.105 28yo d.1990 Willow wood in the sun (54.4%, SMWS Society Cask, 2nd Fill ex-Bourbon Barrel, 87b): nose: soft and gentle. Gaija calls it shy, I would not go that far. I get honey, mountain-flower honey, to be accurate, then the flowers turn into linen and line-drying clothes. Mouth: floral and lively, there is saxifrage on the palate, sugar water, lemon drops and manuka honey. Finish: a fleeting bitter touch of green ivy, then milk chocolate, caramelised honey and honeysuckle. Hm. "shy" (read: "neutral"), "mountain flowers", "chocolate"... Is this a Swiss whisky? :o) 9/10
26.124 7yo d.2010 Fun and frolic (59.4%, SMWS Society Cask, 1st Fill ex-Bourbon Barrel, 235b): Gaija went for 26.128, but it is sold out. This is the only 26 here. Nose: crystallised strawberries, candied peach slices, then Virginia tobacco and icing sugar. Mouth: big, coating, fruity and flowery. I get waxy caramelised plum, strawberry cake, yet also a pinch of chilli. This is powerful! Finish: huge, with a perfect balance of wax, fruit and flowers. A superb Clynelish. Amazing quality at a young age. 8/10
53.294 9yo d.2009 Drampaigne extra brute (58.1%, SMWS Society Cask, Refill ex-Bourbon Hogshead, 328b): nose: souped-up farmyard and pickled onions, then smoked oysters, mud and tree bark. Mouth: salty as hell, it has mussels, oysters and green-chilli flakes. Finish: wow! It is sweet and salty, here, with confectionery sugar and hot tar. It reminds me of the Port Ellen Dovr-Tvtes-Mares, though this one seems even tarrier. 8/10
36.162 18yo d.2000 A powerful enticement (52.7%, SMWS Society Cask, 1st Fill PX Hogshead, 224b): nose: velvety, with the trademark pine cones, roasted macadamia and soaked prunes, as well as a dark pine forest, deep in the back of the nose. The second sniff brings coffee. Mouth: juicy and rich, with prunes, mahogany cupboards and melted shoe polish, augmented with peach juice. Finish: huge, colossal, juicy, it has soaked prunes, peaches and only the most minute touch of pine and resin. JS finds it a generic PX-matured whisky, rather than a cracking Benrinnes. She might be right, but I still like it a lot. 8/10
66.150 10yo d.2008 Smoke, soot and tarry ropes (59%, SMWS Society Cask, Refill ex-Bourbon Barrel, 217b): nose: cow stable, bandages, gauze, smoked cheese rind, smoked ketchup (curry ketchup, says Gaija). In the distance, old leather is present too. Mouth: smoked cheese it is! Scamorza, ricotta affumicata, smoked raclette, Applewood smoked cheddar. Finish: a massive dose of farm-path earth and mud, caked into the tracks of a tractor tyre. This is the best 66 in a long, long time, in my opinion. 8/10Time for food.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)