26/04/2026 The Whisky Fair (Day 2 -- Part 1)

It is much less crowded, today. It also feels more relaxed altogether. And that is good news, because the excesses of last night are not yet forgotten. Astoundingly enough, some of our co-tasters from last night went to Villa Konthor after the tasting. Some went to several bars. A few are less fresh and proud than we are, this morning.

We decide to start by ticking the boxes we left blank yesterday.

But first, I have an errand to run. Back to Maltbarn!

There is no-one at the stand, which will help. Only the boss himself. I remind him I left the stand yesterday after purchasing A, B and C. I add that, when I unwrapped them in the evening, they were A, C and H. I show him H and explain it is a nice whisky, but I already have it, having purchased it last year. He seems very relieved: his stock-take last night showed a missing H and an extra B. We simply swap bottles and one can see anxiety leave both of us. Phew!

Now, on to the drams.

Ben Nevis 29yo 1996/2026 (48.9%, Thompson Bros., Refill Oloroso Butt, C#1497, 436b)

Nose: it is a bit mute. Waxy dark grapes, maybe.

Mouth: big and powerful, almost too concentrated to be enjoyable.

Finish: long, bold and rather wine-y.

Comment: JS was really upset to miss this one when it came out. Today, we rejoice that it is not really a profile either of us looks for. At the same time, the cranes on the label are irresistible.

Score: 7/10 (Thanks for the dram, ST)

Glengarioch 1975/1990 (46%, Brae Dean Int. imported by Moon Import The Birds, Oak Barrel, C#5910, 600b, b#278)

Nose: mesmerising old-bottle effect. Follow marinated meat ready for the barbecue, with thyme and rosemary. Then, we have concrete dust, asbestos, embrocation, plasters, bandages. It has gherkins at second nose, without that causing any negativity.

Mouth: phwoar! Embers, rosemary, concrete dust and marmalade slathered onto the whole. This is Überkomplex.

Finish: at once welcoming and austere, it rolls out the marinated-herbs carpet with a veil of smoke. It is highly acrid, and produces more asbestos than jam.

Comment: superlative dram. On any other day, I may score it higher.

Score: 9/10 (Thanks for the dram, ST)

Have we peaked too soon? I boldly declare the dram of the festival (clearly forgetting some of yesterday's discoveries). For how long?

Obfuscating the bottle number
to protect the innocent

Bowmore 1969/1978 (58 GL, OB imported by Fecchio & Frassà for 15th. Anniversary of Monica brothers, Sherry Cask, C#6636, 300b)

Nose: immediate Bowmore eyes. While JS tries to capture them on camera, I remain spellbound by the ethereal fruitiness of this nose. It suffers not one bit from its softly-metallic edge.

Mouth: just how is this possible? Yellow maracuja, carambola, papaya, unripe pineapple and a lick of tin are supremely augmented with a pinch of soot.

Finish: as Katy Perry would say: roar! It is powerful, yet precise, sharp as a blade and so fruity it seems unreal.

Comment: new dram of the festival. This may be even better than yesterday's 1969/1979.

Score: 12/10 (Thanks for the dram, EG)

Clynelish 12yo (43 Gradi, OB imported and distributed by M. Di Chiano, b.1970s)

Nose: soot. Crystalline soot. It has brine and distant pickles too, but the soot dominates.

Mouth: drying, ashy, burning, sizzling. It is also full of soot, yet nothing sticks out; all notes are harmoniously balanced. And, at 43%, it does not lack power in the slightest.

Finish: apricots rolled in soot and white ash.

Comment: this is a masterpiece. It reminds me of the one for Giaccone that I obtained from the same person as this.

Score: 10/10 (Thanks for the dram, elskling)

Enough killeries, for a second. Time to pay the Swisskies a visit. Savoureur is on the stage and insists we try one of his samples.

It is made more difficult by the fact he cannot find it in his bag of tricks.

Blind sample

Nose: waxy as hell. Ferns (JS), tarragon (JS), stewed berries.

Mouth: hints of gas, rancio and berries again.

Finish: boldly fruity and waxy, we find Mirabelle plums and fruit jellies.

Comment: delicious. We fail to identify it. Upon reveal, I am delighted that it is one I have wanted to try for a long time.

Score: 8/10

Glenburgie 33yo d.1949 (40%, Gordon & MacPhail Connoisseurs Choice) (Thanks for the dram, Savoureur)

Ichiro's Malt & Grain b.2025 (48%, OB Limited Edition distributed by Japan Import System)

Comment: too rushed to take notes. It is as well made as any Chichibu, really.

Score: 8/10 (Thanks for the dram, GN)

Highland Park d.2005 (59.7%, Duty Paid Sample for C. Dully Selection, Sherry Hogshead, C#37, ca. 300b)

Nose: this one is also quite waxy and fruity, with but a smidge of smoke.

Mouth: chalky fruit juice enhanced with honey, poured on burning weeds.

Finish: 'splosion of delicate tropical fruits.

Comment: slow start, excellent arrival. When this is bottled and released, it is well worth seeking out.

Score: 8/10 (Thanks for the dram, CD)

HS recognises us from the tasting last night.

HS: "Do you like tequila?"
JS: "Not really."
HS [fetches this ceramic decanter]: "This one is special. It is painted by orphans in Mexico. Each bottle is more or less unique. When the decanter is empty, my wife uses it for olive oil."

I have pictures of child labour flashing through my head. JS is worried that this tequila is going to wreck her palate for the rest of the day. Good intention, but we are puzzled by the gesture.

Laphroaig 31yo 1993/2025 (42.4%, C.Dully Selection, Hogshead, C#6793, 197b, b#194)

Nose: barbecue and spare ribs pave the way for TCP and guaiacol. Aromatics move to the foreground, after a moment.

Mouth: yup, spare ribs on the barbecue and a herbs marinade.

Finish: char and chargrilled meat.

Comment: look, it is good, okay? I do not resonate with it today is all.

Score: 7/10 (Thanks for the dram, CD)

Let us get off the stage.

Bruichladdich 17yo 2008/2026 Cask Le Sens #7 (52,7%, Claxton Joint Bottling for Cask Le Sens & Highlander Inn Cask Le Sens 5th Anniversary Bottling, 1st Fill Bourbon Barrel, C#2590, 254b)

Nose: melon, peach, apricot.

Mouth: more fruits, which is unexpected. Melon, peach, physalis.

Finish: glowing (JS). It has hot wax and a plaster-y death.

Comment: lovely.

Score: strong 8/10 (Thanks for the dram, TM)

Ben Nevis 18yo 2007/2025 (48.4%, Highlander Inn Maggie's Collection, C#10154, 278b)

Nose: orchard fruits are in the shadow of leather, suede sofas, then chocolate milk and chicory infusion.

Mouth: roasted apples, chocolate pudding. It quickly becomes frankly drying, almost chalky.

Finish: long, bright. Yellow fruit and a spoonful of mud.

Comment: beautiful. JS is not enthusiastic at first, but likes it more with each sip.

Score: 8/10 (Thanks for the dram, TM)

Glen Grant 17yo  2007/2024 (53.4%, Highlander Inn, C#70053141, 276b, b#269)

Nose: floral and ethereal until citrus rinds enter the scene (oranges, not lemons).

Mouth: more of that citrus-y goodness, pink grapefruit, blush orange.

Finish: it is a textbook Glen Grant, ripe with citrus zest, peels and segments that build an effective balance of acidity and bitterness.

Comment: excellent.

Score: 8/10 (Thanks for the dram, TM)

TM: "I need to go wee."

He adds the gesture, which cracks us up immensely.

Another few loose ends need tying up at another stand.

Where I finally manage a picture of GN's
best shirt of the festival

Allt-A-Bhainne 28yo 1997/2025 (58.8%, Scout Drinks, Hogshead, C#3498, 127b)

Nose: fresh, it has nectar-filled flowers leading to chewy red sweets. More flowers come back soon enough.

Mouth: flower nectar, thick, coating, sticky as peach nectar.

Finish: super long, it offers more yellow flowers and cut fruits.

Comment: succulent. Good thing they do not sell on site, or I would leave this festival even poorer and heavier.

Score: 8/10 (Thanks for the dram, KCF)

Ardmore 15yo 2010/2026 (60.3%, Scout Drinks, Barrel, C#804044, 166b)

Nose: this one is very earthy, reminiscent of the contaminated soil on an industrial estate, for some reason

Mouth: it is a trifle medicinal, here. Iso Betadine, tincture of iodine, Merbromin. There may be piping-hot apple peels coming out of the oven, but that is how fruity it gets, i.e. not very.

Finish: cauterising. It remains firmly medicinal, with old bandages and dried-up tincture of iodine. Not much of the original earthy onslaught subsists.

Comment: another top drop approved by KC.

Score: 8/10 (Thanks for the dram, KCF)

Time for food.

Today, we stay on the main floor, where the cafeteria is serving sandwiches.

GG, whom we met at the tasting last night, passes by. He pulls bottles out of his pockets like a magician pulls rabbits out of a hat. I only want to try one. He pours...

Garreau Bas-Armagnac d.1965 (45%, cask sample, Barrique, C#P04)

Nose: wonderfully fruity, of course, this is an avalanche of raisins, prunes in syrup, sultanas, currants of all colours. We are clearly in brandy territory and I can hear no-one complain.

Mouth: the deluge of dried currants continues. Sweet without being vulgar, raisin-y without being a caricature or a one-trick pony. It is plainly delicious. It turns warmer and drier at second sip.

Finish: much earthier, now, tertiary, it pours the water used to rehydrate raisins, mushroom cooking water simmering in the pan, then prunes in syrup, squashed raisins and elderberries.

Comment: as a malternative, one could do far, far worse. This is excellent.

Score: 8/10 (Thanks for the dram, GG)

Aight. let us eat and carry on.

My Brie-und-Hirnbeeren Bagel

JS's Räuchelachs Croissant

25/04/2026 The Whisky Fair (Day 1 -- Part 2)

There is one more stand to visit urgently.

Imperial 26yo 1996/2022 #6 (48.1%, Maltbarn The 26, Bourbon Cask, 51b)

Nose: forsythia, daffodils, unripe peach. It has a bit of dust in the back, and baked goods (JS).

Mouth: pillow-y, flowery. This has yellow-tulip petals and daffodils. It becomes slightly drying, after a while.

Finish: more yellow magic; unripe peaches and apricots mixed with daffodils.

Comment: phwoar!

Score: 9/10

Glentauchers 31yo 1989/2021 No. 177 (43.4%, Maltbarn, Bourbon Cask, 100b)

Nose: more flowers (honeysuckle, jasmine, buttercups) and soft fruits (apple cubes). Fruity-minty notes grow in intensity.

Mouth: full-bodied, it has buckets of yellow flowers bathing in yellow-fruit juice, and a few jasmine buds to spice things up.

Finish: bright yellow, flowery and delectable. It goes from flowers to fruits more clearly with each sip.

Comment: stunning.

Score: 9/10

Highland Malt 38yo 1983/2021 #2 (51.4%, Maltbarn The 26, Sherry Cask, 48b)

Nose: rich berries and tobacco with what could be cedarwood sheets to give the whole a structure on which to lean.

Mouth: berries jam, rancio, blackcurrants. It has some power as well! Once the palate gets accustomed to that, carambola enters the scene.

Finish: long and assertive, full of berries. Subsequent gulps add all sorts of custards.

Comment: excellent. My score may be a little generous, but...

Score: 9/10

Highland Park19yo 2003/2021 #5 (51.8%, Maltbarn The 26, Bourbon Cask, 48b)

Nose: leather and suede, horse's hair. Suddenly, salt water comes in.

Mouth: softer and fruitier than expected, it has chewy sweets kept in a suede pouch.

Finish: yup, chewy fruit sweets eaten from a leather pouch.

Comment: beautiful.

Score: 8/10

Ben Nevis 29yo 1996/2026 No. 265 (47.6%, Maltbarn, Bourbon Cask, 152b)

Nose: pine scents alongside timid mango and papaya. With a little breathing, it turns into a bowl of fruits, with carambola and guava the loudest, We have soot in the background as well.

Mouth: big, bold, fruity. Carambola, guava, papaya. It is acidic and cleansing, not stripping. 

Finish: not that long or explosive, but so fantastically comforting. Fruits everywhere.

Comment: gawjus.

Score: 9/10

Time to move again. Or time to eat something, actually. There is a catering company on the terrace. I order a vegan Mediterran Flammkuch.

Her: "With or without ham?"

It is a dreary wrap with uncooked vegetables on top,
but it fulfills its mission adequately: lining the stomach

Back to the grind. We stop by MW's stand.

MW: "Have you tried this Macallan?"
tOMoH: "No. Macallan, you know..."
MW: "This is a good one."

The Macallan 10yo b.2000 Cask Strength (58.8%, OB, Sherry Oak Casks, MDR103)

Nose: decaying oranges, pickled red onions.

Mouth: earthy, bitter, bold, fruity.

Finish: huge, it has caramelised red onions, sweet and luscious.

Comment: I was not convinced I would like this, but I do.

Score: 8/10 (Thanks for the dram, MW)

Hi SA.

Bushmills 34yo 1991/2025 No.099 (46.2%, The Whisky Blues joint bottling with Abyss Whisky Bar, 1st Fill Bourbon Barrel, C#11534, 137b)

Comment: SA insists I must try this. It is a masterpiece of Irish fruitiness. 10/10 (Thanks for the sip, SA)

And here is the bottler

Ichiro's Malt b.2015 (58.6%, Venture Whisky for Lady Jane 40th Anniversary Booze & Jazz supported by Shinanoya distributed by Japan Import System, C#4077)

Nose: hay and mint infusion.

Mouth: oof! Fire. There is a note of straw, muesli and porridge.

Finish: long, it has hot pastry, sweet, yet balanced.

Comment: lovely.

Score: 7/10

We meet Mr. whiskynotes.be himself. He tells us he knows this blog, which I do not fully believe, but it is very kind of him.

PH pours me this:

Kilchoman 4yo 2007/2012 (59.3%, OB Single Cask Release for The Nectar, Sherry Cask, C#455/2007, 330b)

Comment: cannot say it is really my bag, but a competent smoked-mud effort.

Score: 7/10 (Thanks for the dram, PH)

We move again.

13/09/2025 London transport.

This week in London was marked by large-scale strikes on the public-transport network. It mostly affected the Underground, but also the DLR, and, of course, that had a knock-on effect on everything else. We therefore meet to have a few drams on that theme.

In the run-up to today, emails fly about regarding how challenging this theme is (is it?) and I say I hope we do not end up with eight Cam-buses. Fortunately for my head, no Cam-bus in sight.

JMcD arrives first, followed by OB, JS, SOB and YM.

The soundtrack: Pet Shop Boys - Discography (The Complete Singles Collection)

SOB explains that Norwegian public transport is probably better than London's. He adds that, in Norse mythology, Bifröst, also called Bilröst and often anglicized as Bifrost, is a burning bridge that reaches between Midgard (Earth) and Asgard, the realm of the gods. In other words: Bivrost is a link between two worlds, just like public transport is a link between two places. Finally, this expression is called Yggdrasil, which is the name of the tree at the centre of everything. SOB reckons the Underground map looks like a tree, with many branches at the top, and not much going on around the trunk (south of the river).

Bivrost Yggdrasil 2024 (46%, OB Limited Edition, Oloroso-Seasoned + In-House Charred Casks, 9009b, b#5208): from the Aurora distillery, in Norway. Nose: it is super herbaceous, presenting hawthorn, thyme, sage and some kind of custard to balance it a bit. Later on, it gives dried sausage, cured reindeer meat and white pepper. Mouth: unique, this has chives-topped omelette, peppery egg white and meat fat -- think of the white bits in mortadella, for example. Finish: big and odd, it continues the eggy trip. "This is a brunch dram," says JS. Quite. The egg fry-up turns browner over time, a little crispy on the edges. Yum! So very interesting! 7/10

The soundtrack: three pipers on the bridge downstairs, probably providing music for morris dancing.

OB: "The music selection is more and more eclectic!"

tOMoH: "JMcD is back from Japan. He brought back some whisky."
JS: "It better have 'mizunara' written on the bottle!"

JMcD explains that Ichiro Akuto is in charge of Chichibu distillery. Chichibu regularly release a London Edition, which is his tenuous link [sic].

Ichiro's Malt MWR Mizunara Wood Reserve (46%, Venture Whisky distributed by Japan Import System, B#127): nose: lovely fig relish and date spread. Then, we get lots of bold, chewy sweets and crystallised berries. Mouth: woody and drying, it does not want for fruits and sweets -- in fact, it is full of them. Finish: wow! Sweet, fruity, it does not have anything exuberant or extravagant (no Japanese whisky has, other than Karuizawa), but it has enticing jams and pressed currants. 8/10

The soundtrack: Katia Casio - Untitled mixtape

OB presents a Glen Gants Hill. He adds, "I guess there must be a 31 bus somewhere, and it has to be operated by Go a-Caden-head London." Boom-tsch.

Glen Grant-Glenlivet 31yo 1985/2017 (44.8%, Cadenhead Authentic Collection 175th Anniversary, Sherry Butt, 312b): a 'splosion of peaches and figs doused in Golden Syrup. Behind that are tons of pressed currants so ripe they are borderline hairy. Juicy prunes in a leather goblet. The second nose adds dark plums, very ripe too. Mouth: inky prunes, figs, pressed dates, sweaty currants. The second sip has a faint whisper of smoked meat, blood sausage or black pudding with raisins. Finish: long, comforting and sweet, though not overly so. It is a parade of currants and prunes. The second gulp adds a custard-y, cake-y note: berries cheesecake, in which currants are substituted for the berries. I suspect this one benefits form extended breathing in an open bottle, because it is even better than last time. 9/10

Incredibly, as I write down that note of berries cheesecake, JS sits down with a slice of the very same berries cheesecake that JMcD brought and I had not yet seen. Even more incredibly, the previous time we had this Glen Grant, in 2017, it came just after another batch of Ichiro's MWR, the very same sequence as today.

Blueberry cheesecake

Custard-and-almond cake

OB tells us that the next one is bottled by East Village Whisky Company. He adds that another word for 'village' is 'hamlet' (ahem), which makes this an East Ham(let) whisky. There is also a moon module on the label, which is not a London mode of transportation.

Speyside Region 44yo 1973/2017 (47.4%, East Village Whisky Company, Sherry Butt, 142b, b#125): nose: bergamot and a plate of moist mortar. It is sweeter and sweeter with time, piling on crystallised sugar cane. The second nose has wee-soaked pyjamas -- astonishingly, I mean that positively. Mouth: soft and juicy, it has barley syrup, ginger snaps, stem ginger and candied dried-fruit cubes (pineapple, peach), as well as candied angelica (yes, a gentle bitterness). Finish: it is not big, which suggests it has lost a bit of power (the cork is broken), but it remains delicious. Candied fruits, a puff of light pipe tobacco, balsawood smoke. Lovely dram, even if the smoke bitterness becomes a little loud. 8/10

The soundtrack: Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark - The Pacific Age

JS: "'Age', not 'Edge'. It is not the US importer."
tOMoH: "Oh."

YM brought a Spring-Bank

Springbank 28yo (48.9%, OB specially selected for the Springbank Society, 2966b): nose: moss fire, gingerbread in the oven (oooh!), roasted nuts, roasted berries. The second nose adds hot, oxidised metal. Mouth: ooh! it is rather pickle-y on the tongue, with cured red onions and red-wine vinegar. Chewing releases squashed berries, dark jams, smoked elderberry and blackberries. Those berries are muddier in the second sip, and soot makes an appearance. Finish: long, rustic and comforting like a kitchen fireplace in the countryside. The second gulp feels smokier and adds a blend of grated coal and soot. It remains berry-laden and juicy, however, even if it adopts stagnant water in the long run. 8/10

SOB brought a Gold Spot for Gold-ers Green. He adds that the gold spot of the tube is the place on the departure platform or on the train that is closest to the exit at the destination station. He confesses he missed the gold spot on his way here.

Gold Spot 9yo b.2022 135th Anniversary (51.4%, Midleton Distillery Limited Edition celebrating the 135th anniversary of the Mitchell's Whiskey bonding tradition, Bourbon Barrels + Sherry Butts + Bordeaux Wine Casks + Port Pipes, L215031402): nose: it is not a complete fruit onslaught, but it is pretty bold in that department, as if ripe fruits were served in a precious-wood bowl. This has a pinch of cigarette ash too, which is more unusual. Mouth: softly drying, it is also creamy and, of course, fruity. Plums, persimmons, plantains, baked cherimoyas. The second sip is a little more drying yet, though it is now on the confectionary side of the spectrum -- sweets and candied fruit. Finish: long and blend-y, this clearly has a good does of unmalted barley in the mash. Old polished wood, wood stain... it is fairly woody alright, with plane shavings and stuff on top of a shier fruitiness. 8/10

The soundtrack: Visage - Visage

tOMoH unveils a Glenlochy by Signatory Vintage. He points out that this one did come with the tube (see picture).

SOB: "I thought you were going to say we would have been sorry to come last week, because all the stations were Glen-locked."

Glenlochy 29yo 1980/2010 (52.8%, Signatory Vintage Cask Strength Collection, Hogshead, C#2649, 265b, b#71): nose: nostril-clearing, it then emits a nice faded suede and yellow fruits. Mouth: ooft! This has fruits and smoke in a smoky bar, a bit of jam and tin lids. Finish: big, a tad briny, and full of acidic yellow fruits. My full notes are here. 9/10

JMcD, who, remember, is back from Japan, brought a Yoichi, because the company that runs the Tokyo Metro also runs the Elizabeth Line in London.

Yoichi Peaty & Salty (55%, OB distributed by Japan Import System): horse's hair, suede, sheepskin, desert dirt after a soft rain, earth patties. It has a bold spiciness to it and lots of horse shenanigans -- stables, hay bales, straw, saddles, harnesses and, well, horse's hair and horse's sweat. Manure appears in the second nose, with also a whiff of muck. Mouth: it Is pretty potent, borderline fiery, briny (JMcD). It has salted chocolate and smoked apricots eaten on a horse's back. Finish: huge, it has lots of dried ginger, earth, desert dirt, and more horse. We find smoked pasties with the second gulp. Lovely stuff, this. 8/10

JS extracts an unbroken cork from her contribution.

JS: "Clearly a fake!"
tOMoH [picks up the cork]: "I don't know why I'm looking. I can't compare it to a Rare Malts cork: I've never seen one intact."

The soundtrack: The Fall - 458489 A Sides

JS finally unveils her bottle: a Rare Malts Teaninich. YM immediately registers that it spells 'RMT', the name of the union who initiated the strike.

Teaninich 23yo d.1972 (64.95%, OB Rare Malts Selection, b#1323): nose: interestingly, it prolongs the suede-and-stable profile of the Yoichi, perhaps meatier: it is not just horse's hair, but horse's meat, cured and thinly sliced. Horse's hair and fringed suede jackets mingle with smoked raspberries too. Soon, we find heated metal -- think of a cannon, without the gunpowder. It becomes ester-y, after a few minutes, and, with that ABV, how could it be otherwise? JS rightly calls it ferocious. Mouth: drying as warm sand, it has more of that horse's hair goodness and a lick of fresh paint. Quickly, hot cast iron joins the dance. Keeping it in the mouth until the taste buds wake up generates a shock. Finish: hugely powerful, it is not particularly wide. It unfolds similarly to the nose and palate, with smoke, horse's hair and sun-drenched hay bales. Without surprise, it leaves the palate a little numb. In fact, it is surprising that it does not leave it completely destroyed. 8/10

Huh?

It is unclear why this (and other RMS) give the ABV with two decimals and why the bottle label states 75cl and not 750ml (as American imports do -- the box does, yet the American version has no box). It does not sport the 'B297' that would indicate a South-African bottling (also 75cl), and has a blank space where market information would normally be written. Just which market was this bottled for?

JS: "The mystery, like the cork, remains intact."

JMcD is made to drink out of the 1920s blender's glass (aka the dickhead glass).

JMcD [paraphrasing]: "It is very impractical to drink from."
JS: "Hence the name. One looks like a dickhead when using one."
OB: "I bet it makes you want to look down on us, though."
JMcD: "I do feel superior indeed."

He passes it around for comparison with a regular glass.

YM: "It increases the booziness. Just what you don't want to do."
YM [sarcastically]: "Maybe with an Octomore…"
JS: "But then you'd be dead on the floor with a dickhead glass on you."

YM brought an SMWS bottling called 'Entropy meridian', which, he says, describes the chaos caused by this week's tube strikes.

53.318 11yo 2008/2020 Entropy meridian (57%, SMWS Society Cask, Refill ex-Bourbon Hogshead, 232b): nose: hot sands wet with diesel, mud patties, ashes (YM). YM finds it not as punchy as most Caol Ilas, yet it packs a punch alright, even after the previous brute. We have more and more smoked cockles, over time. Mouth: oh! Here, we find more-usual Caol Ila notes; whelk, salt water, fishing nets. It gets saltier and sandier with subsequent sips. A tank of diesel augmented with a drop of ink, and a fishing net basking in it. Finish: it has a huge earthiness of smoked mud patties. Later on, we have sugar cubes and caster sugar sprinkled on oysters. 8/10

JS: "What does [Entropy meridian] mean in the context of Caol Ila?"
YM: "It's a chaotic dram, not very much like their usual 11yo."
tOMoH: "Not something you hear in many circles."
YM: "..."
tOMoH: "Give [YM] the dickhead glass [so he can feel superior]!"

JS: "What was the best dram?"
OB: "I would like to say the Glenlochy, but tOMoH will piss himself if I say that."
tOMoH: "Why do you say it in the future tense?"

Excellent tasting, lots of silly nonsense, good food, good drams.