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

Year three, and, already, habits are well established. I pick up breakfast from Bäckerei Huth.

As I come back from the bakery with my loot, I discover that EG is staying in the same building. Ha! Ha!

"Wilkommen," he shouts from the top floor.

Replenished and ready for action, JS and I head to the venue where we meet elskling and LsR. They are flabbergasted that I am wearing camouflage, not a shirt and a blazer. I has got to keep they on they toes.

They invite us to join them in the queue; it is a bit of a dick move, but we accept. We also know how quickly the queue moves and know it will make virtually no difference to those whom we just set back by a couple of places. Indeed, when the doors open, we are in in seconds.

JS and I skip the usual gathering place, today. Last year, we missed out on some bottlings because we were too late in the day. This year, we decide to prioritise those above anything else. That takes us to The Whisky Jury, the next to last stall in the tent, the furthest area of the festival. The staff recognise us immediately. It is quickly clear we rushed for nothing, as they have nothing for sale. At least, we can try their bottlings.

All weekend, we pour Caperdonich 11yo 1968/1979 (70° Proof, Gordon & MacPhail Connoisseur's Choice) and 57.4 15yo 1979/1994 Fearsome indeed; smoky, spicy and savoury (63.1%, SMWS Society Cask). I will not explicitly mention when anymore.

Bowmore 21yo 2005/2026 (52.8%, The Whisky Jury, Refill Hogshead, C#250906, 224b, b#224)

Nose: smoky pickles followed by creamy peach in sea air. JS finds it a bit rubbery.

Mouth: smoke, gravels, pebbles. It opens to reveal passion fruits and chargrilled nut shells.

Finish: a lot of ash and char, but also lovely fruits (peach, mango, papaya).

Comment: what a way to start! Perhaps my score is too generous (especially when compared to later drams), but I am seduced.

Score: 9/10 (Thanks for the dram. TWJ)

Ben Nevis 28yo 1996/2025 (47.8%, The Whisky Jury in honour of Derek John Smith, Refill Hogshead, C#1321, 259b, b#105)

Nose: fresh, but a bit closed. Some herbs painstakingly come through. It ends up giving some fruits, mostly apples. Then, timid white peaches enter the scene.

Mouth: ah! A bit dirty, it pushes engine grease as well as unripe fruits.

Finish: a soft explosion of fruits such as peaches, plums and even persimmons. It has some dirty funk, after a while, reminding us that it is a Ben Nevis indeed.

Comment: this should improve in the open bottle. Already, it is good.

Score: 8/10 (Thanks for the dram. TWJ)

JS spots another Ben Nevis. Or two.

Ben Nevis 30yo 1996/2026 (45.3%, The Whisky Agency & Sansibar A Joint Bottling Collection Spring 2026, Hogshead)

Nose: toffee coated in tropical fruit juice. It smell as creamy as smashed peach.

Mouth: and creamy it is too, with a soft acidic note and a more mineral aspect.

Finish: the dirty Ben Nevis funk is overpowered by lovely peaches. JS finds it nutty to boot.

Comment: woah!

Score: 9/10

Strathmill 37yo 1988/2025 (49.4%, The Whisky Agency & Three Rivers, Hogshead)

Nose: fruit juice sprinkled onto precious wood. It has a minimal rubbery or glue-like touch that merely gives it complexity. Or is it wood lacquer?

Mouth: it is all about texture, here. The taste is good, but unremarkable, especially after that nose. Smoked peach and crushed peach stones, a dollop of glue to keep it together. However, it is the lovely creamy texture that catches the attention.

Finish: what just happened? Varnished wood? Fruit purée? A lick of rubber?

Comment: holy molly, this is good.

Score: 8/10

Strathmill 37yo 1988/2025 (45.1%, The Whisky Agency & Sansibar A Joint Bottling Collection Spring 2026, Hogshead)

Nose: jasmine, rosehip, honeysuckle and sarcococca. Then, Fraises Tagada take over.

Mouth: it has a clear woody structure, with a minimal bitterness and lignin. All that disappears as soon as a creamy fruitiness emerges to shine and shine, augmented with a droplet of fortified wine for fun.

Finish: warming and fruity, it gives peaches and persimmon in a straw-filled wicker basket.

Comment: wonderful.

Score: 9/10

Auchentoshan 26yo 1999/2025 (50.6%, The Whisky Agency & East Village Whisky Company for Birthdays United, Barrel)

Nose: a bit mute at first, it ends up peddling pomelo and pink grapefruit in a yoghurt form.

Mouth: initially soft, it gains vigour with time. Pepper, lemon and lime zest, perhaps oregano too.

Finish: creamy and chocolate-y, this has mild chocolate augmented with lime zest.

Comment: very good, if not the stunner that some other recent Auchentoshans have been.

Score: 8/10

Glenrothes 36yo 1989/2025 (44.8%, The Whisky Agency, Hogshead, 184b)

Nose: waxy and leathery, this has citrus peels sniffed off of a leather sofa.

Mouth: mellow, fruity (yellow fruits), with a touch of leather on the tip of the tongue.

Finish: more yellow fruits, now topped with berries. It is a creamy finish that never ends, by the way.

Comment: even this non-fan of Glenrothes is taken by this.

Score: 8/10

This guy's polo short makes us think of
Chief-Franconian MV
who sadly could not make it, this year

Glen Keith 30yo 1994/2025 (53%, The Whisky Agency, Barrel, 263b)

Nose: funky! Straw, hay and Lederhosen. We saw a bloke wearing a Dirndl, earlier; this is that. Later on, we have a muddy herbs emulsion.

Mouth: the fruity bitterness at play is taken to great lengths. Orange rinds, grapefruit peels. Indeed, it is fruity, but not extravagantly so.

Finish: bitterness continues, almost rubbery, reminiscent of tyres.

Comment: it is delicious, if clearly not as seductive as other Glen Keiths from that vintage.

Score: 8/10

Glen Grant 26yo 1999/2025 (51.2%, The Whisky Agency, Hogshead, 203b)

Nose: deep and dark this has dark berries aplenty, perhaps honey-glazed mushrooms.

Mouth: a robust bitter Sherry maturation from what I can tell, with myrtles and blackberries on top.

Finish: it is bitter here too, though it is more pine cones than needles (which the official notes talk about) and, really, closer to dark-wood furniture.

Comment: although decent, this is much less my thing.

Score: 7/10

That is our clue to visit another stall. Oh! Here is Kirk Barleycorn.

Highland Park 24yo 1972/1996 (55.9%, Adelphi Distillery, C#1657, Rotation 96/546 PH18/96)

Nose: pickles and smoked fruits, and those fruits keep rising. Peaches, plums, kumquats.

Mouth: ooft! Powerful, it has a tonne of pepper that almost hides similar smoky, pickled yellow fruits.

Finish: creamy as smoked peaches. Pickle brine with only a whisp of smoke.

Comment: challenging and excellent.

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

Hello elskling, hello LsR.

Springbank 16yo d.2001 (46.8%, OB Duty Paid Sample, First Fill Hogshead, Rotation 683)

Nose: dirty, soot-y smoke gives way to juicy fruits. JS spots barbecued or grilled pork, then sulphury fruits.

Mouth: silky, soft (what?), it has some pepper, after a minute, and drying rancio.

Finish: assertive, not brash, it has rancio, droplets of Sherry and musty clay floors.

Comment: another very good Springbank.

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

JS comes back from an expedition and shares:

Islay 27yo b.2025 (47.8%, C.Dully Selection, Bourbon Barrel, Vatting 133159C, 316b)

Nose: ashy, it has burnt branches turning to ashes, then tobacco and warm cigar leaves.

Mouth: ashy, drying, with a little bit of fruit too.

Finish: much softer a finish than expected, it has yellow fruits and still fine ashes.

Comment: good.

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

Karuizawa 31yo 1981/2013 (56%, Number One Drinks Company Noh Whisky, Sherry Butt, C#155, 595b)

Nose: beautiful Sherry, elegant and varnishy. It is surprisingly balanced, yet its sheer power emerges gloriously with time.

Mouth: strong, prune-y. It has a bold rancio kick.

Finish: big, muscular and earthy, it has lots of prunes and a strong rancio. Earthy fruits (prunes, elderberries) and a soft woody touch.

Comment: excellent Karuizawa. It still is not my go-to profile, but it is unquestionably well made.

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

Glenfarclas 25yo b.1977 (70° Proof, Gordon & MacPhail to commemorate The Queen's Silver Jubilee imported by Co. Import)

Nose: pickled lychee, rambutan, mangosteen.

Mouth: jasmine and lychee rub elbows with egg white and omelette. That pickled fruit, though...

Finish: wonderful. It has many of the same fruits we found on the nose. Long and luscious finish with lychee and white peach.

Comment: have we found the dram of the show yet? GB recommended this yesterday when we bumped into him on the street. He was not exaggerating. How fitting to try this today, four days after the late Queen's birthday anniversary, and on the day German television broadcast a documentary on the subject that I watched this morning?

Score: 9/10

Caol Ila 26yo 1977/2003 (57.7%, Douglas Laing The Old & Rare Platinum Selection, 86b)

Nose: a faint smoke introduces seaweed, pebbles licked by the lapping (sea water) and marzipan.

Mouth: sweet and salty as only Caol Ila can be, it has sea water and marzipan again.

Finish: inky sea water and a shovelful of sand, before it continues with candied citrus peels.

Comment: classic Caol Ila from a certain era. The main attraction, here, is how limited this is. But even without that, it is excellent.

Score: 9/10 (Thanks for the dram, GB and thanks for sharing, elskling)

We move again.

28/10/2025 A few drams at 3 Greek Street

JS and I join SW and TS for a few drams. The accent is on socialising, rather than extensive notes.

Tormore 31yo 1992/2024 (40.1%, Milroy Vintage Reserve, Hogshead, C#101180)

Nose: soft, elegant, it has bunches of flowers and fragrant apricots.
Mouth: delicate tropical fruits tickle the tongue.
Finish: marvelous apricots topped with a dusting of confectionary sugar.
Comment: wow. Have we peaked too soon? 9/10

Clydeside d.2018 (61.6%, Cask Sample, 1st Fill Oloroso Cask)

Comment: I pour this. My notes are here. Today, it is... 7/10

Benriach 25yo 1995/2020 (49.1%, Maltbarn, Sherry Cask, B#169, 140b)

Nose: pretty farm-y and leathery, it reeks of old saddles, old belts, and a blacksmith's leather apron. It has a hint of sulphur too.
Mouth: spirit-y and leathery again, with a serving of copper coins.
Finish: long, it has grapes and leather.
Comment: decent. 7/10

Distilled in Dufftown 20yo 1999/2009 (58%, Adelphi Selection, Refill PX Sherry Cask, C#2140, 238b)

Nose: pressed raisins and cinnamon rolls.
Mouth: spicy and raisin-y, this has cured cherries and rehydrated dried cranberries.
Finish: chewy prunes, raisins and blackberry gum.
Comment: funnily, this is not from Dufftown distillery, but from a distillery in Dufftown -- one that starts with a 'B' and ends with '-venie'. A good Sherry maturation at play, here. On another day, I may go for 8. Tonight, 7/10

North British 30yo 1992/2022 (43.5%, Thompson Bros. bottled for Royal Mile Whiskies, 2 x Refill Barrels, 276b)

Nose: custard cream served in a metal bowl.
Mouth: blackcurrant, Invergordon-style, and chewy toffee.
Finish: bright, fruity, it has Mirabelle plums and peach jelly.
Comment: missed this one at Whisky Fringe, so glad to get another chance. It is lovely. 8/10

Hudson Single Malt 4yo (46%, OB, Oak Casks)

Nose: herbal liqueur, a blend of treacle and génépi. Or is it Mirto Dorada?
Mouth: this is herbal and medicinal, though it remains pleasant.
Finish: creamy, much more nutty-chocolate-y than the nose and mouth.
Comment: perhaps my first Hudson, after seeing it on shelves for years. 7/10 (Thanks for the dram, TS)

Clynelish 26yo 1993/2019 (49.8%, OB Prima & Ultima, 4 x Refill American Oak Hogsheads, 941b, b#819)

Mouth: I love it from the off. Creamy candles, spent wick and flavoured lipstick.
Mouth: holy fook, how waxy this is! It is like drinking a melted candle.
FInish: long, it masterfully blends apricots and candlewax.
Comment: P.H.W.O.A.R. Cthulhu knows I want to dislike anything from this very-pricy collection, but a masterpiece like this is hard to honestly dislike. 9/10

Ben Nevis 28yo 1996/2025 (51.8%, Milroy Vintage Reserve, Hogshead, 1583b)

Nose: a handful of greasy earth fails to conceal a lot of fruits.
Mouth: papaya by the wheelbarrow. It still has some earth, but it is mostly a fruit bomb.
Finish: big, bold, tropical, full of papaya and chikoo, the latter covered in earth.
Comment: ridiculously good. 9/10

Strathmill 20yo 1997/2017 (59.1%, Lorne Mackillop Mackillop's Choice, Sherry Butt, C#4112, 520b)

Nose: pressed raisins, pickled onions and a whiff of hessian sacks.
Mouth: oh! yeah, this is pickled alright, teeming with pearl onions and prunes tucked in between.
Finish: sweet, reminiscent of a sweet shoppe.
Comment: this is okay, though less my thing, in terms of Sherry maturation. 7/10

Invergordon 49yo 1972/2021 (44.4%, Maltbarn, Bourbon Cask, B#191, 87b)

Nose: the trademark Invergordon blackcurrant.
Mouth: wide at first, it quickly becomes tighter and acidic. Then, it is the expected torrent of blackcurrant.
Finish: an onslaught of juicy blackcurrant.
Comment: phwoar! On any other day, I would wager this scores 9. But there is no justice, tonight, and it is... 8/10

In the middle of this, an American visitor (PM) joins us. SW takes good care of him and explains he received a special bottle from one of his suppliers. Then, he fetches said bottle and pours us all a dram.

Tomintoul 50yo 1973/2023 Double Wood Matured (42.9%, OB Vintage, Bourbon Barrel + Oloroso Sherry Hogshead, C#261, 281b, b#8)

Comment: upon seeing the bottle, I reckon it is the one I took notes for here. Turns out it is another, longer-aged expression. Suffice to say it is a remarkably-elegant drop, even this late in the game. 9/10 (Thanks for the dram, SW)

It seems inappropriate to try this young Ben Nevis now.
The label makes it in theme for Burns' Night (wink-wink)

What a place! Full of unsuspected treasures.

03/08/2025 Mini tasting

Following a series of flakages, only OB and JS make this one. We do away with a theme and go for samples and miniatures. OB regrets that he only brought top-shelf stuff, with no consideration for a balanced series. How selfish. I fill in with more-modest stuff.

Strathmill 11yo 1985/1997 (43%, Signatory Vintage, Oak Cask, C#2342, 2460b, b#95, 97/617) (me): OB declares it "not unpleasant, despite a soft soapy touch." He admits that said soapy touch is lost between the garlic from his lunch and the toothpaste he used to get rid of the garlic. JS finds it an excellent starter. My notes are here.

Macduff 17yo 1978/1996 (43%, Signatory Vintage, Sherry Butt, C#6643, 1320b, b#79, 96/1247) (me): I like this perhaps even more than last time. It is very citrus-y, acidic-sweet, ripe with pomelo. Full notes here.

Bunnahabhain 40yo 1973/2013 (46.2%, Acla da Fans Acla Selection, Refill Butt, 167b) (OB): nose: pineapple turnovers, loudly and clearly. Stunning nose, this: it is a total fruity debauchery, with cubed papaya, mango slices (dried and fresh), then sharpish citrus, including the zest mingling with a pinch of sawdust. The second nose presents woodworm-riddled cupboards and dusty staves. JS detects Mulino Bianco's Tenerezze. Spot on. Mouth: concentrated fruit yoghurt. Here are peach, mango, mangosteen, banana, pomelo, calamansi, cherimoya and a smashed mix of buttery mango and avocado. Chewing reveals just how creamy this is. It is acidic too, as if augmented with a drop of orange juice. It is big on the palate, by the way, especially considering the modest ABV. The second sip is chewier, with clay soon overtaken by fruits again. Finish: long, acidic and fruity. We find the same suspects here: pineapple, banana, peach, calamansi, papaya. This time, they are joined by Chinese gooseberry and chikoo. The second gulp is in line. We now detect the knife that has cut all those fruits; it is faint, yet present. This is a masterpiece. I compare it to the incredible Cambus 40yo. It is not as extraordinary, but not far off. 9/10

Poit Dhubh 30yo b.2006 (43%, Pràban na Linne 30th Anniversary Edition, b#230) (me): OB notes that the Sherry, although present, is not intrusive. It is well made. My notes are here.

The BenRiach 33yo 1976/2009 (51.6%, OB Limited Release Bottling specially selected and bottled for La Maison du Whisky, Hogshead, C#3551, 191b) (OB): nose: pineapple-and-mango turnovers. A deeper sniff adds a caramelised layer, almost smoky (I did rinse my glass, so I cannot blame the Poit Dhubh). It is wider and wider, bolder and bolder, and introduces more and more pastry and choux dough than one can shake a Glencairn at. There is surprisingly little of the trademark pink grapefruit, but it is there alright. The mouth ends up faintly metallic too, tin and aluminium. Tantalising nose. The ABV seems to increase at the second nose. On the late tip, we discover green-pepper shavings and mango powder. Mouth: ooft! It flows like pouring honey, and then, the fruity ride begins. Mangoes and peaches so ripe they melt on the tongue. The second sip adds cherimoyas, pulped pineapple and mint lozenges. The mint in question is subdued, sweetened, and just an accompaniment for the fruits. Finish: this leaves me speechless. A couple of slaps make me recover my senses, and I will mention squashed yellow fruits, some from the tropics, such as mangoes, others such as peaches. It also has those large pink-and-white marshmallow tongues and a minuscule amount of mint. Wow. Outstandingly decent, as OB says. 10/10

We devour OB's canelés

Miltonduff 21yo 1978/1999 (59.2%, Signatory Vintage, Sherry Cask, C#1685, 620b, b#350, 99/122) (me): this proves popular too. My notes are here.

Longmorn 34yo 1973/2007 (54.4%, Gordon & MacPhail Cask Strength, First Fill Sherry Butt, C#3649, JG/AIG) (OB): nose: an elegant Sherry maturation with oily teak and mahogany, boiled prunes and rehydrated dried apricots. We have cut cocoa and coffee beans too. All that is harmonious. It promises a lot of wood and shoe polish, yet also lychee. The second nose more clearly has coffee and rancio. At a push, one may detect smoked ham. Mouth: thick, coating, cloying, it is full of wood oil and shoe polish. Chewing adds polished leather and prunes, shards of cinnamon sticks, and a very-vague lychee freshness. OB finds it meaty; I do not. The second sip showcases pressed elderberry, some ash and musty earth augmented with hints of strawberry. Finish: long, warming, earthy and woody. It rolls out exotic woods (iroko, teak, ebony) and prunes, currants, raisins. The death is a tad astringent (OB), yet I do not find that detrimental. JS finds the Sherry too dominant, all in all. 8/10

Karuizawa 34yo 1976/2010 (63.6%, OB for Whisky Live! Taipei, 1st Fill Sherry Butt, C#7818, 554b) (OB): a cask split between Whisky Live! Taipei and Whisky Live! Paris. This one is from a 75cl bottle with a geisha on the label, while the French version is much more plain (and 70cl). Nose: "so fresh, after the Longmorn," says OB, a phrase that no-one has ever uttered about a Karuizawa, probably. He adds it is "the most naked Karuizawa [he has] ever tasted." Look! it is still very extractive a whisky, full of galangal, lemongrass, ginger and splintered cedarwood boxes, yet it also has blond tobacco and smoked elderberry, maybe smoked ham, although this is by no means a meaty dram. It is more leather sofas than anything. Mouth: woah! this is strong and punchy. It has amchur and green pepper on a bed of leather that has been recently polished. Next to that, there are hints of elderberry and dunnage-warehouse floor. It is chewy to a degree, and chewing balances it out somehow with mint and smoked crisp apples. Finish: long, assertive, woody (burnt wood), yet, once more, we are nowhere near the almost-unpleasant intensity of some of the other Karuizawa we have tried. In fact, this may well be my favourite to-date. In other circumstances, I may score this lower. For today, it is... 9/10

We then have the remainder of Lagg (59.1%, OB Exclusive Bottling for Lagg Distillery, Finished in ex-Tequila Casks): OB and JS do not think the Tequila is obvious, until I tell them what it is. Blind tasting, eh? My notes are here.

tOMoH: "I got shat on, during the morning run."
OB: "That's annoying when it happens."
tOMoH: "I had a feather in my hat..."
JS: "The birds thought you were one of their own."
OB: "Yeah, I didn't ask if it was a bird..."

While I finish my dram, OB and JS enjoy Springbank 20yo b.2017 (59.9%, OB for The Bottling Hall Dinner, Re-Charred Sherry Butt, C#608)

Excellent afternoon again.

16/06/2025 Strathmill

Strathmill 11yo 1985/1997 (43%, Signatory Vintage, Oak Cask, C#2342, 2460b, b#95, 97/617): nose: oh! it is a lovely dusty one, with old fruits, dried and chewy. Dried apple slices, dust-covered easy-peelers, and a pinch of ground white pepper. It is far from a peppery nose, yet it displays a softly-spicy touch. It has got a fresh kick too, minty, somewhat leafy -- laurel and olive-tree leaves. The nose becomes bolder as it parades strawberry foliage on a wooden board. The second nose adds hardened raisins, or prunes splashed with ink. An odd combination augmented with white-wood shavings and one preserved cherry -- unless it is a bunch of dark grapes. Mouth: urgh! Very bitter, borderline shampoo-y, this takes a few seconds to feel more welcoming. Fortunately, enduring the pain for that short time seems enough: soon, we are treated to crystallised orange segments, crushed clove, and the most subtle violet sweets. The initial bitterness never truly disappears, but it is quickly reduced to a vaguely-earthy note -- mushrooms, mulch. The second sip is still as difficult upon entry, and it is with a huge relief that the bitterness comes back down, leaving citrus peels, cassia bark and ground clove. A cold mulled wine, in a way. Finish: sweet as hard-candy, it is not violet, here, so much as liquorice. Oh! it is far from offensive; merely a root-y type of earthy sweetness. This finish leaves the mouth throbbing gently as would a camphor-flavoured mouthwash. Unusual, but not without merit. The second gulp feels more traditional: woody and creamy, it has a little fruit too, whether that is squashed strawberries or black-cherry jam. It has an unexpected pinch of grated medicine tablet (Zyma Fluor comes to mind), which brings us back in the bitter realm, albeit one that is tolerable. It is alright, this. 6/10

26/04/2025 The Whisky Fair (Day 1 -- Part 2: Maltbarn)

Last year, JS and I spent the whole Saturday socialising aimlessly. Only the following day did we discover some stands and their excellent bottlings. Some of which were sold out, by then. This year, our plan was to do the opposite: start with the things for sale, then socialise. Well, the whole morning has gone already, and we have been to two stands. Ahem.

MD, JS and I finally climb the stairs and head to Maltbarn. We can still get back on track.

Braes of Glenlivet 30yo 1994/2024 #15 (48.9%, Maltbarn The 26, Bourbon Cask, 51b)

Nose: light and ethereal, powdery.
Mouth: it stays fresh, flowery now, with lilies-of-the-valley, jasmine and honeysuckle. Lovely.
Finish: soft, sweet and flowery, it has confectionary sugar and cosmetic powder.
Comment: excellent. This is very much in line with the Càrn Mòr bottling I know rather well. 8/10

Ben Nevis 28yo 1996/2024 #18 (48.6%, Maltbarn The 26, Bourbon Cask, 39b)

Nose: wide, it has blush-orange peels, a touch of earth, and raspberry chocolate.
Mouth: strangely dry, it has a mere dollop of white-chocolate cream. Chewing releases the fruits.
Finish: plainly fruity, here, although it is decaying fruits, now.
Comment: very good too. The price tag, however, is somewhat prohibitive for tOMoH. 8/10

Glenlossie 29yo 1995/2025 Whisky's Calling (49.2%, Maltbarn, B#250, Bourbon Cask, 156b)

Nose: butterscotch. I spectacularly fail to take more notes.
Mouth: a little more punchy and acidic than foreseen, but mostly light and biscuit-y.
Finish: soaked biscuits, Custard Creams or Petits Beurres dunked in milk.
Comment: another good 'lossie. 8/10

[The initials of the head honcho are also MD, so he will be known as MM, the second M being for Maltbarn.]
MD: "You bottled shit again!"
MM: "I know."
MD: "I find you an importer and that is what you do."
MM: "Yeah, I know."
MD: "Always the same, with you. You always disappoint me."

Glen Moray 21yo 2003/2025 (53%, Maltbarn, B#249, Bourbon Cask)

Nose: oily white-wood shavings, then butterscotch and biscuits, then cured quince.
Mouth: citrus-y porridge, oily, a little neutral, yet it turns drying upon chewing.
Finish: classic Glen Moray citrus peels -- dried at first, then juicier. It has some spices too, ginger powder or such.
Comment: Nice. It leaves a pleasant mouthfeel. 8/10

Benromach 11yo 2013/2025 Glen Mosset (54.6%, Maltbarn, B#254, Bourbon Cask)

Nose: bandages (JS). I find it peaty, displaying very-dry sausage, perhaps smoked, or a worn-out game bag.
Mouth: light, bright, fruity, then suddenly very drying, with quarry dust and ground dried orange peels.
Finish: long and citrus-y, it is juicier than the mouth suggested.
Comment: not sure why they call it Glen Mosset, since Benromach is clearly written on the label. 7/10

Bruichladdich 21yo 2003/2024 (50.5%, Maltbarn, B#243, Bourbon Cask)

Nose: meringue, beaten egg white, a whiff of farmyard and some baby sick.
Mouth: fresh, light, a tad acidic. It may have some lactic acid, actually.
Finish: fresh again, perhaps cereal-y with a touch of fruit.
Comment: honest. 7/10

Strathmill 32yo 1992/2024 #17 (48.8%, Maltbarn The 26, Sherry Cask, 41b)

Nose: oranges or tangerines stored in a Tupperware.
Mouth: all sorts of citrus jams and marmalades -- tangerine, clementine, mandarine.
Finish: warming and marmalade-y again, with a lick of oily wood to boot.
Comment: competent, though it does not wow me. 8/10

MD [nosing his glass]: "What's that smell?"
tOMoH: "Is it arse?"

NH joins us.

Glen Spey 29yo 1995/2024 #16 (54.1%, Maltbarn The 26, Sherry Cask, 42b)

Nose: fresh, light, and probably a little indistinct.
Mouth: vaguely woody (white wood), it dishes out cinnamon and ginger shavings.
Finish: narrow, precise, it remains rather indistinct.
Comment: a fair drop that lacks personality. It is too middle-of-the road to make us enthusiastic. 7/10

MD [whose wife and daughters are dress-shopping for a wedding]: "My credit-card-bill notifications are coming in fast!"
NH: "Your net worth is falling faster than Elon Musk's!"

Real Diver's Whisky 12yo (unknown ABV, unknown bottler with the compliments of Sub Sea Services & Divex)

Nose: effervescent, bubbling with fruity Alka Seltzer and some baby sick kept in a plastic bottle, and cold cuts.
Mouth: strangely watery with a little hay infusion. I would say porridge, but it is much thinner.
Finish: indistinguishable orchard fruits and a pinch of dust.
Comment: NH reckons Glen Garioch. tOMoH is not so sure. Great opportunity to try something this exclusive. Love the shameless Cadenhead look. 7/10 (Thanks for the dram, NH)

Longmorn 16yo 2008/2025 (53.4%, Maltbarn, B#253, Sherry Cask, 177b)

Nose: this smells buttery, with ripe apricots and peaches, as well as, well, butter. Avocado, maybe? It has something almost metallic to it too. Softer and more fragrant with water -- "it presents itself with spread legs," says MD.
Mouth: a lot more acidic, here, it offers orange juice augmented with pressed maracuja.
Finish: wow! Some wood under control, and a lot of fruits, 1992 style.
Comment: cracking dram. 8/10

MD [about backpacks]: "That's why I wear a man bag. It's slim. Like everything else on me."
tOMoH: "I hear your credit card bill isn't."

NH, MD and tOMoH debate the chocolate of their respective Heimats. tOMoH argues that chocolate-making is a legacy of empire, and becoming the best chocolate-maker required having colonies that produce cocoa.

NH: "Well, we grow all our cocoa beans in the Alps, so..."
tOMoH: "...grazed by purple cows."

Caol Ila 17yo 2007/2024 (54.2%, Maltbarn, B#245, Sherry Cask)

Nose: pitch-black ink, torched fishing nets and dried lichens.
Mouth: smoked-ham-infused sea water, cockles, ink and sand. Smoke rises boldly in the long run.
Finish: more of the same -- ink, tarry sands, burnt fishing nets.
Comment: this is really good, if perhaps not overly interesting. 7/10

An Islay Distillery 24yo 2000/2024 (51.8%, Maltbarn, B#251, Sherry Cask, 175b)

Nose: super earthy, if not one bit medicinal. It turns almost bret-y with time.
Mouth: dark, inky, earthy, and drying when chewing.
Finish: huge, inky, sandy (hot sands), it has dark chocolate emerging over time.
Comment: reliable 'froyg. 7/10

MD [to JS]: "I just looked at [my] picture of your Glenlivet. I'm stunned that, even back when this was bottled, they were already warning people about the [American] government!"

JS: "That's close to... Why is my memory so bad?"
NH [looking at the whisky]: "I wonder why..."
tOMoH: "It's the same when she's sober."
JS: "You're mean."
tOMoH: "That's okay. You won't remember tomorrow."

Port Charlotte 22yo 2002/2025 (55.2%, Maltbarn No. 252, Bourbon Cask, 186b)

Nose: ooft! cigarette smoke and ash.
Mouth: this is desiccating, exuding scorched earth bathing in sea water. Phwoar! I need a litre of fresh water!
Finish: huge, inky, ashy and chocolate-y. In fact, it is cocoa powder through and through.
Comment: impressive. 7/10

Time to close this Maltbarnathon and grab a bite to eat. It is only a biscuit (Mulino Bianco's Macine), but it feels good to sit down for a second. Short respite, however: NH's sour beers are in need of a refrigerator. A trip to the accommodation awaits me.

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