25/05/2018 Campbeltown Festival 2018 (Day 3 -- Part 1) Cadenhead Warehouse Tasting

Up bright and early *ahem*, we have just enough time to go to the warehouse tasting at 10:00. In fact, we have to run the last few metres. JS and I walk past several friends who are on the 10:15 tasting. This one is done by Jenna McIntosh (JMcI) and Donald Brown (DB).
Last year's edition was one of the highlights, in terms of giggle-for-buck ratio, with classics, such as "I came with the school bus" and "would you say this is the best thing to come out of New Zealand." Expectations are therefore high.

JMcI explains last year was her first warehouse tasting, that she was shy and innocent, but is now more relaxed. She spots the London crew, rowdy that we are.

JMcI: "We all know Cameron. We could take the piss out of him all day, but that'd be a shame. We'll leave that for the 13:15."

JMcI: "What's your job title?"
DB: "...I'm complex."

Aultmore 21yo (53.2%, cask sample, C#17 136): nose: fresh, light, with a touch of sulphur. Mouth: crisp apples, sweet lemon drizzle, grape juice, vendanges-tardives style. Finish: sweet, it has a softly drying touch, lichen on stave or verdigris. Nice. 7/10

Strathclyde 29yo d.1989 (52.7%, cask sample, C#54009): nose: lemon cake, lemon zest, shortcrust pastry. Mouth: very, very sweet, it has stollen and sugar-y kramiek (a type of raisin bread). Finish: ginger bread and muscovado sugar, with a gentle drying aftertaste. I love this. 8/10

I learn later on that the 10:15 tasting has a Caledonian 31yo to replace the Strathclyde. Being a ghost hunter, I am jealous, because Caledonian is closed, and Strathclyde is not.

Highland Park 25yo (59.8%, cask sample, Barrel): nose: leather and custard gone off, then dried heather and honey. Mouth: hot, it has heather, honey and white pepper. Finish: long, with milk chocolate and pink peppercorns. This is big and intimidating. It leaves the lips numb for ever and after. 7/10

JMcI: "I say arr-chives, so I can spell it properly."

JMcI: "I'm useless with dates."

Laughters all around.

No clue if this is a picture of the right cask

Paul John 6yo (56.7%, cask sample): matured for five years in Goa, and one year in Campbeltown. Nose: light smoke, cereals, corn on the cob, straw and juicy fruit. Mouth: soft and fruity, it has hay on top. Finish: big, farm-y, with hay and dry fields. 7/10

DH: "You said this is peaty. Where do Indians get their peat from?"
DB: Peat comes from the ground!"

JMcI: "It blew my mind away. It doesn't take much."

Springbank 14yo d.2002 (57%, cask sample, Rum Barrel Finish, C#1704 I think): nose: another farm-y number, with tractor saddles. Mouth: sharp, crisp, apple-y. Finish: more apples, apple tart. Simple and efficient. 7/10

JMcI: "I take my wee sister everywhere."
DB: "That's because she can't get a date."

JMcI: "Donald's about to do some sucking, if you want to video."

Caroni 19yo (66.5%, cask sample): nose: very sweet and soft, with lots of fluffy grapes. Mouth: soft and velvety. Finish: sweet, with molasses, peaches and caramelised apricot. Dram of the day. A rum, if you please! 8/10

JMcI: "As soon as you go out and hit the sun, you'll be lying down on your back."
DB: "You hope they are!"

Lots of hilarious banter, usually un-PC, that would probably have HR's phone red-hot with complaints in less-relaxed parts of the world.

CD and PG whisk JS and me to the Harbourview Grille for a quick haggis nachos (bitch3s!) A great idea it is too! With another big tasting to come, we need to soak the alcohol a little.