The theme was a late announcement presented thus:
- Distilled or bottled on a 24th November
- Distilled or bottled in 1968
- 1968 was 51 years ago, so 17, 34 or 51 years old
- The date is the 24th, so 24 years old
- It is November, eleventh month, so 11 years old
- 1968 is 19 and 68, so 19 years old or 68 years old
- This is the twelfth of those tastings in a row, so 12 years old
- dom666 was 40 the first time the tasting was held, so 40 years old
- The first took place in 2008, so 20 years old or 8 years old
Git.
dom666 delegates building the line-up to me (he calls it: helping, but really, he does bugger all). I discard a handful of bottles we have already had to take us down to a more-manageable fourteen. Ahem.
Banff 34yo 1976/2010 (43%, Gordon & MacPhail Connoisseur's Choice, Refill Sherry Hogshead, AJ/AFGJ) (JS): because it is 34. Nose: dusty marmalade, polished-hazelnut dashboards, vanilla-and-chocolate pudding. Mouth: the slight bitterness of crushed hazelnut shells, hazel foliage, warm marmalade and strawberry chewing gum. I remember thinking the mouth was a bit weak, the other day -- not so, now! Finish: longer than I remembered, it feels stronger in alcohol too, which is good news. Marmalade, fresh tobacco leaves and cinnamon bubble gum. I loved this the first time. I like it even more, today. 9/10
Bishlouk: "Je ne le sens pas aqueux en bouche..."
tOMoH: "Tu ne sens pas la queue en bouche???"
Benrinnes 20yo 1997/2018 (46%, The Ultimate Whisky Company The Ultimate, C#9427, 253b, b#44, L18/56) (ruckus): a 20yo. Nose: pine needles, forest floor, then pine cones and soil. A typical Benrinnes, really. A hint of lemon juice joins orange peel, too. Later, it is tar, tobacco, lung cancer -- oh! no, that is Psycho, back from his smoking break. Jokes aside, dried tobacco leaves are present, crushed to bits. Mouth: mellow, soft, but also slightly bitter, with dried orange rinds and pulp. Excellent on the palate! Finish: more orange, with candied segments, marmalade, ... Crystallised oranges, in essence. The whole is perfectly balanced. Another corker from a distillery whose profile is firmly on the rise. 8/10
vs.
Benrinnes 20yo 1997/2017 (54%, Cadenhead Small Batch, 3 x Bourbon Barrels, 408b) (Bishlouk): another 20yo. Nose: more closed, and, in fact, not very expressive at all. Perhaps dashes of melted milk chocolate? Much further back, it is the trademark crushed pine needles. Mouth: similar to the Ultimate's, it is mellow, though spices soon join in, with ground green pepper coming to the fore. The second sip brings more Bourbon-y character, with hard-boiled sweets and citrus, namely lemons. Finish: sweet and spicy, the finish sees more of that citric sweetness, with boiled sweets and citric powder. 7/10
PSc: "I've never put anything in someone's drink."
tOMoH: "Oh! We know you live with someone!..."
PSc: "Yeah, alcohol! I made her drink alcohol. But nothing dangerous!"
tOMoH: "Alcohol is not dangerous? Pour me some more, MQ!"
The Glenlivet 16yo Nàdurra b.2012 (54.3%, OB, B#0512T, LF30635) (MQ): bottled in 20-12, which is taking some liberties with the theme, but well. I think we had this one previously -- nope, it was another batch. Nose: very much a Bourbon-driven whisky, soft and fruity, with dried pomelo skin, lime juice, lemon-drizzle cake and toasted vanilla pods. Mouth: similar, it has lots of cake and lime/pomelo. Fruity, a little bitter and acidic. The odd combination that comes out of dried citrus peel, really. Finish: it suddenly feels more pedestrian, here, with more bitterness. It still has citrus peel, but also woody yoghurt and hints of ginger. It feels more like a regular modern whisky, in the finish; oak-driven. It remains a great introduction to cask-strength whiskies, though. 7/10
Shortly afterwards, leaven rolls, cheeses and cold cuts enter.
Back to work.
Glencadam 34yo 1977/2012 (56.8%, Douglas Laing Old & Rare A Platinum Selection, Sherry Butt, 287b) (dom666): another 34yo. This one, we have had, and I know how good it is. :-) Nose: dark chocolate, wood lacquer, with precious wood and the softest hint of coffee. It smells like a drinks cabinet in an old mansion. Mouth: soft and precious, it has a dose of spices (ginger) and a lick of liquorice -- something I do not think I ever detected before. Finish: long and comforting, loaded with dark wood varnish and melted dark chocolate. I wish I could spend an hour with this, dissecting it, but I am behind. It is a perfectly-fine sherry maturation, in any case. 9/10
Auchentoshan 17yo 1999/2016 (55.5%, Cadenhead Small Batch, 2 x Bourbon Hogsheads, 498b, 16/199) (Psycho): 17yo. Nose: hot custard, hot lemon custard, even, stewed rhubarb, hay. PSc finds raspberry and cherry, which is fair enough. Mouth: very citrus-y, sharp, blade-like. The palate has a certain dose of spice and sawdust accompanying oats. Finish: big, herbaceous, it has the bitterness of cut dandelion stems and a gentle acidic touch. Excellent. It feels as good as the first time, if not better. 8/10
Cooley 11yo 2001/2012 (55.9%, A.D. Rattray Cask Collection imported by Pacific Edge Imports, Barrel, C#3443, 210b) (tOMoH): it is 11yo. Nose: soaked staves and loads of fruit (plum, apricot and peach) augmented with olive oil -- wow! Mouth: lively, the palate sees apricot turnovers, marmalade, apricot jelly and other fruits. Finish: man! This is very fruity. Squashed peach, apricot and some toffee to boot. Magnificent. I still have a little bit left and will take more detailed notes soon. 8/10
Highland Park 12yo b.2012 (46%, Adelphi Fascadale Highland, B#3, Refill Bourbon Casks, 1152b) (PSc): 12yo. Leather, seaspray, brine, merbromin. It is coastal, which I remembered, but also medicinal, which is new to me. Mouth: soft, it has similar brine and seaspray, basking in a tub of honey. Archetypal Highland Park, really. Perhaps, it is missing the heather. Finish: iodine and seaspray, with a soft medicinal touch to complete the picture. Simple and efficient. Hard to acknowledge we had this one seven-and-a-half years ago! 7/10
Inchgower 2006/2017 (55.1, Malts of Scotland, Refill Sherry Hogshead, C#MoS17040, 250b, b#103) (kruuk2): bottled in 20-17, here is another shoehorned bottle. :-) This is a distillery we do not regularly have, with this group. Nose: leather and hairballs, Virginia tobacco, stale ale, old shoes and seaspray. Man! The sherry influence here is not easily accessible. Mouth: salty, it has saline water, then mustard -- strong and powerful Dijon mustard, probably borrowed from Banff, not far down the road. Finish: more brine, leather belts, hairballs and lots and lots of salt. Salted black olives, anchovies, capers. This is most peculiar. The colour does not betray how strongly the sherry comes out. As for distillery character, well, Inchgower is reputedly salty. 7/10
Oban 19yo b.1995 (59.8%, OB The Manager's Dram) (JS): a 19yo. "Have we found a good Oban," says Bishlouk, before admitting he has not had many. Nose: a wonderful mix of seaspray, quince and gentle smoke, interlaced to perfection. Smoky jams, quince jelly -- so much quince! And a hint of lemon. Mouth: mellow (at 59.8%!), it has a softly-soft touch, with brine and lots of jams. Finish: salty and huge in the finish, with a similar fight between seaspray, soft smoke and baked fruits. Meow! This is my favourite of the lot, so far -- the Manager's Dram Obans, that is. More accessible than the austere 13yo, and I find it even better than the mighty 16yo. Now, to try the rarer 19yo at 59.24%... 9/10
Ardmore 2009/2018 Heavily Peated (46%, Wilson & Morgan Barrel Selection imported by Rossi & Rossi, C#706405/60/66/68/69/97, 1923b) (MQ): distilled in 20-09; that is the link, presumably. Nose: farm-y peat and ink. Mouth: drying, ash-y, with farmyard aplenty. Finish: super-dry, it has loads of charred wood and bitter ink. Simple, but efficient. 6/10
As the notes for the Ardmore suggest, I am starting to struggle. Long day, of course, but the dessert was probably what tipped me over. And there is still marzipan to eat...
Ledaig 11yo 2008/2019 (54%, Cadenhead Small Batch, 3 x Hogsheads, 336b) (tOMoH): another 11yo. Nose: ash-y coffee and scorched earth. Mouth: pretty coffee-like again, with earth and coarse pepper. Finish: long, it has loads of that scorched earth, burnt cow dung, ploughed fields and coffee grounds. This is not my thing at all, today. 5/10
It is pretty clear I am fried. I dip my lips into the Kilkerran 8yo that Bishlouk left behind and decide it is time to stop. No Auchentoshan 1987 either, then.
Other than that, fine tasting. Good fun, as always.
dom666 delegates building the line-up to me (he calls it: helping, but really, he does bugger all). I discard a handful of bottles we have already had to take us down to a more-manageable fourteen. Ahem.
 |
| Not the right day to stop drinking, then, eh? |
Banff 34yo 1976/2010 (43%, Gordon & MacPhail Connoisseur's Choice, Refill Sherry Hogshead, AJ/AFGJ) (JS): because it is 34. Nose: dusty marmalade, polished-hazelnut dashboards, vanilla-and-chocolate pudding. Mouth: the slight bitterness of crushed hazelnut shells, hazel foliage, warm marmalade and strawberry chewing gum. I remember thinking the mouth was a bit weak, the other day -- not so, now! Finish: longer than I remembered, it feels stronger in alcohol too, which is good news. Marmalade, fresh tobacco leaves and cinnamon bubble gum. I loved this the first time. I like it even more, today. 9/10Bishlouk: "Je ne le sens pas aqueux en bouche..."
tOMoH: "Tu ne sens pas la queue en bouche???"
 |
| Supermarket-whisky glass, WTF!? |
Benrinnes 20yo 1997/2018 (46%, The Ultimate Whisky Company The Ultimate, C#9427, 253b, b#44, L18/56) (ruckus): a 20yo. Nose: pine needles, forest floor, then pine cones and soil. A typical Benrinnes, really. A hint of lemon juice joins orange peel, too. Later, it is tar, tobacco, lung cancer -- oh! no, that is Psycho, back from his smoking break. Jokes aside, dried tobacco leaves are present, crushed to bits. Mouth: mellow, soft, but also slightly bitter, with dried orange rinds and pulp. Excellent on the palate! Finish: more orange, with candied segments, marmalade, ... Crystallised oranges, in essence. The whole is perfectly balanced. Another corker from a distillery whose profile is firmly on the rise. 8/10vs.
Benrinnes 20yo 1997/2017 (54%, Cadenhead Small Batch, 3 x Bourbon Barrels, 408b) (Bishlouk): another 20yo. Nose: more closed, and, in fact, not very expressive at all. Perhaps dashes of melted milk chocolate? Much further back, it is the trademark crushed pine needles. Mouth: similar to the Ultimate's, it is mellow, though spices soon join in, with ground green pepper coming to the fore. The second sip brings more Bourbon-y character, with hard-boiled sweets and citrus, namely lemons. Finish: sweet and spicy, the finish sees more of that citric sweetness, with boiled sweets and citric powder. 7/10 |
| A nice pair! My preference goes to the Ultimate, today |
PSc: "I've never put anything in someone's drink."
tOMoH: "Oh! We know you live with someone!..."
PSc: "Yeah, alcohol! I made her drink alcohol. But nothing dangerous!"
tOMoH: "Alcohol is not dangerous? Pour me some more, MQ!"
The Glenlivet 16yo Nàdurra b.2012 (54.3%, OB, B#0512T, LF30635) (MQ): bottled in 20-12, which is taking some liberties with the theme, but well. I think we had this one previously -- nope, it was another batch. Nose: very much a Bourbon-driven whisky, soft and fruity, with dried pomelo skin, lime juice, lemon-drizzle cake and toasted vanilla pods. Mouth: similar, it has lots of cake and lime/pomelo. Fruity, a little bitter and acidic. The odd combination that comes out of dried citrus peel, really. Finish: it suddenly feels more pedestrian, here, with more bitterness. It still has citrus peel, but also woody yoghurt and hints of ginger. It feels more like a regular modern whisky, in the finish; oak-driven. It remains a great introduction to cask-strength whiskies, though. 7/10 |
| dom666 serves watercress soup |
Shortly afterwards, leaven rolls, cheeses and cold cuts enter.
 |
| It promptly turns into a dick contest, of course |
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| Pâté crème, vegetable pâté, pâté ardennais, chanterelle pâté, apple, pear and raisin pâté, Port-infused duck mousse, Saltufo |
 |
| Comté grande réserve, Gruyère des alpages, extra-mature red Cheddar (why is Cheddar always red, on the Continent? Looks like a Leicester!) |
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| Pesto-filled brie, Calvados-cured camembert, Gorgonzola cremoso |
Back to work.
Glencadam 34yo 1977/2012 (56.8%, Douglas Laing Old & Rare A Platinum Selection, Sherry Butt, 287b) (dom666): another 34yo. This one, we have had, and I know how good it is. :-) Nose: dark chocolate, wood lacquer, with precious wood and the softest hint of coffee. It smells like a drinks cabinet in an old mansion. Mouth: soft and precious, it has a dose of spices (ginger) and a lick of liquorice -- something I do not think I ever detected before. Finish: long and comforting, loaded with dark wood varnish and melted dark chocolate. I wish I could spend an hour with this, dissecting it, but I am behind. It is a perfectly-fine sherry maturation, in any case. 9/10
Auchentoshan 17yo 1999/2016 (55.5%, Cadenhead Small Batch, 2 x Bourbon Hogsheads, 498b, 16/199) (Psycho): 17yo. Nose: hot custard, hot lemon custard, even, stewed rhubarb, hay. PSc finds raspberry and cherry, which is fair enough. Mouth: very citrus-y, sharp, blade-like. The palate has a certain dose of spice and sawdust accompanying oats. Finish: big, herbaceous, it has the bitterness of cut dandelion stems and a gentle acidic touch. Excellent. It feels as good as the first time, if not better. 8/10
Cooley 11yo 2001/2012 (55.9%, A.D. Rattray Cask Collection imported by Pacific Edge Imports, Barrel, C#3443, 210b) (tOMoH): it is 11yo. Nose: soaked staves and loads of fruit (plum, apricot and peach) augmented with olive oil -- wow! Mouth: lively, the palate sees apricot turnovers, marmalade, apricot jelly and other fruits. Finish: man! This is very fruity. Squashed peach, apricot and some toffee to boot. Magnificent. I still have a little bit left and will take more detailed notes soon. 8/10 |
| Don't try to break a cork at home. PSc is... professional Russian |
Highland Park 12yo b.2012 (46%, Adelphi Fascadale Highland, B#3, Refill Bourbon Casks, 1152b) (PSc): 12yo. Leather, seaspray, brine, merbromin. It is coastal, which I remembered, but also medicinal, which is new to me. Mouth: soft, it has similar brine and seaspray, basking in a tub of honey. Archetypal Highland Park, really. Perhaps, it is missing the heather. Finish: iodine and seaspray, with a soft medicinal touch to complete the picture. Simple and efficient. Hard to acknowledge we had this one seven-and-a-half years ago! 7/10 |
| Dessert is served: the mighty chocolate bomb |
 |
| kruuk2 has a special edition: the chocolate BUM |
Inchgower 2006/2017 (55.1, Malts of Scotland, Refill Sherry Hogshead, C#MoS17040, 250b, b#103) (kruuk2): bottled in 20-17, here is another shoehorned bottle. :-) This is a distillery we do not regularly have, with this group. Nose: leather and hairballs, Virginia tobacco, stale ale, old shoes and seaspray. Man! The sherry influence here is not easily accessible. Mouth: salty, it has saline water, then mustard -- strong and powerful Dijon mustard, probably borrowed from Banff, not far down the road. Finish: more brine, leather belts, hairballs and lots and lots of salt. Salted black olives, anchovies, capers. This is most peculiar. The colour does not betray how strongly the sherry comes out. As for distillery character, well, Inchgower is reputedly salty. 7/10
Oban 19yo b.1995 (59.8%, OB The Manager's Dram) (JS): a 19yo. "Have we found a good Oban," says Bishlouk, before admitting he has not had many. Nose: a wonderful mix of seaspray, quince and gentle smoke, interlaced to perfection. Smoky jams, quince jelly -- so much quince! And a hint of lemon. Mouth: mellow (at 59.8%!), it has a softly-soft touch, with brine and lots of jams. Finish: salty and huge in the finish, with a similar fight between seaspray, soft smoke and baked fruits. Meow! This is my favourite of the lot, so far -- the Manager's Dram Obans, that is. More accessible than the austere 13yo, and I find it even better than the mighty 16yo. Now, to try the rarer 19yo at 59.24%... 9/10
Ardmore 2009/2018 Heavily Peated (46%, Wilson & Morgan Barrel Selection imported by Rossi & Rossi, C#706405/60/66/68/69/97, 1923b) (MQ): distilled in 20-09; that is the link, presumably. Nose: farm-y peat and ink. Mouth: drying, ash-y, with farmyard aplenty. Finish: super-dry, it has loads of charred wood and bitter ink. Simple, but efficient. 6/10As the notes for the Ardmore suggest, I am starting to struggle. Long day, of course, but the dessert was probably what tipped me over. And there is still marzipan to eat...
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| Tiramisù marzipan |
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| Amaretto marzipan |
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| Glazed-chestnut and pistachio marzipans |
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| Orange-and-chocolate and coconut marzipans |
Ledaig 11yo 2008/2019 (54%, Cadenhead Small Batch, 3 x Hogsheads, 336b) (tOMoH): another 11yo. Nose: ash-y coffee and scorched earth. Mouth: pretty coffee-like again, with earth and coarse pepper. Finish: long, it has loads of that scorched earth, burnt cow dung, ploughed fields and coffee grounds. This is not my thing at all, today. 5/10
It is pretty clear I am fried. I dip my lips into the Kilkerran 8yo that Bishlouk left behind and decide it is time to stop. No Auchentoshan 1987 either, then.
Other than that, fine tasting. Good fun, as always.
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