No samples, this time. A proper bottle of each whisky, and proper pours in proper glasses. Christmas is back again!
On the negative side, no more distillation or bottling dates on the back label, and the number of casks that composed the bottling has also vanish. Finally, we are told the number of bottles now only represents the number of bottles available in the UK. Why?
Fettercairn 12yo b.2019 (51.1%, Cadenhead Small Batch, Bourbon Casks, 324b)Nose: limestone and citrus fruit (lemon juice, to be accurate), ivy leaves and -- wait for it -- unopened hyacinth.
Mouth: fruity, mellow, salty and a little acidic.
Finish: light and fruity, it has candied lime and pomelo.
Comment: a very good Fettercairn. 7/10
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| Thanks for the pic, SW |
Nose: dark chocolate from the word 'go', precious wood, walnut liqueur, dark cherries.
Mouth: soft and gentle in a chocolate-coulis sort of way, but with a touch of chilli powder. "Swiss chocolate," says Cavalier66. Inferior chocolate, then.
Finish: long, chocolate-y and nicely rounded. 7/10
Glenrothes-Glenlivet 18yo b.2019 (51.1%, Cadenhead Small Batch, Bourbon Casks, 264b)"It has been a while since we last had a Glenrothes," says everyone, hinting at there being one in virtually every 2019 outturn.
Nose: a buttery one, with porridge and boiled sweets (crystallised oranges), doughnut, and a touch of powdered sugar.
Mouth: soft, buttery, with lemon-and-sage butter.
Finish: pastry, buttery dough, soft pomelo flesh, white peach.
Comment: nice one. 7/10
Ord 11yo b.2019 (56.4%, Cadenhead Small Batch, Bourbon Casks, 342b)Nose: sandpaper (I know!), old rags, oily tools and dry straw. There is some old-school funk in this one.
Mouth: quite dry, here too, with straw and oily rags, as well as cardboard.
Finish: dry, drying, with super-dry, crackling leather, dried grape skins.
Comment: OK, but not the most appealing. I find it a bit rough. Others love it. 6/10
Strathclyde 30yo b.2019 (54.5%, Cadenhead Small Batch, Sherry & Bourbon Casks, 360b)This one spent a year in a Sherry cask, apparently.
Nose: pure grain nose, with blackcurrant turnovers, blueberry pancakes, coconut and cooked ham (what?)
Mouth: Kola cubes, blackcurrant, elderberry, blueberry -- ooh! dear.
Finish: a lash of black liquorice will prevent a higher score, even though it is mostly blackcurrant, blueberry and blackberry.
Comment: Amazing Strathclyde. Probably even better than the 28yo that came out in March 2018. 8/10
William Cadenhead 12yo (46%, Cadenhead, Sherry Casks)A blend containing Invergordon, Girvan, Benrinnes and Miltonduff. Those were added to the previous vatting, since this is a solera.
Nose: leather and meat, dusty cardboard.
Mouth: chocolate, nuts -- roasted walnuts.
Finish: chocolate in the finish too, augmented with dark cherries.
Comment: very nice. £33. Perfect sipper. 7/10
SW pulls a few rabbits out of his hat. Bits and bobs from open bottles whose ABV have fallen.
Linkwood 17yo d.1978 (55.5%, Cadenhead, Sherry Cask)Nose: earth and brine.
Mouth: brine, mildly acidic, pickled onions.
Finish: long, comforting, but also a bit bitter.
Comment: nice opportunity. 7/10
Convalmore 23yo d.1962 (46%, Cadenhead)Nose: white wine, gravel, crushed hazelnuts.
Mouth: mellow, slightly ashy, with cheese rind and sweet green grapes.
Finish: big, rancio-ed, it has Virginia tobacco and roasted peaches.
Comment: I like this. 8/10
Dalmore 15yo d.1963 (45.7%, Cadenhead, probably Bourbon Cask)Nose: bathroom soap, toothpaste and mint.
Mouth: more toothpaste, mint, or even peppermint.
Finish: the wood has taken over, almost splinter-y, with ginger, mint and galangal shavings.
Comment: not bad, but over the hill, in my opinion. 6/10
Despite the low outturn, we finish at the same time as usual. Lots of banter and other socialising.
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| This one, we do not try |
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