30/08/2024 Tamnavulin (1,001st post)

Of course, for the one-thousand-and-first entry on the blog, I did think of 35.59 Arabian Nights, the often-used English title for One Thousand and One Nights. However, we did take detailed notes for it in 2018, and the bottle is sadly empty. Something else, then.

The inside of the back label shows
the mill on the hill

Tamnavulin Double Cask (40%, OB, American Oak Barrels + Sherry Cask Finish, B#0308): nose: a whiff of lively (red-wine) vinegar augmented with Parmesan rind and young, clean cereals. Those cereals rise, joined by raw bread dough. For a second, it smells as if it were about to turn all mineral, but it is actually still raw cereals, as if just laid to steep on the malting floor. A short breathing time adds a citrus-y note: a few drops of lemon juice, pinched grapefruit peels. Past that, we discover a slice of light gingerbread made with much more honey than ginger. The second nose has toffee and mocha sponge cake, or some milk-chocolate fondant -- quite a (welcome) departure from the initial impression! Mouth: mellow, fruity, gently acidic, it has pineapple and grapefruit peels again. Chewing for an instant unearths a clear bitterness (cucumber peelings), which somehow morphs into sweetness in seconds, before moving back to acidity (flying saucer sweets). That merry-go-round will not stop, and it goes through all stages again, starting with bitter (bicycle inner-tubes). On the palate too, we note a radical change at second sip: it now has a velvety grape juice turning into elderberry liqueur to supplement a cup of mild coffee. Did someone swap my glass? Finish: intriguingly, it is now all custard-y. It is a fruity custard, to be sure, with grapefruit segments, pineapple chunks, and Chinese gooseberries milling about amongst chopped mint, mentholated talcum powder, and bicycle-inner-tube shavings. If one closes one's eyes, one may even imagine the glue used to patch a puncture, or an old plaster. The next gulp is grey-ish, a dash of weak black coffee in a metal mug, made with too little ground coffee for the amount of water. It also has biscuits past their expiry date (custard creams). The overall impression remains creamy-custard-y. It is only the type of custard that seems to change. A pleasant-enough sipper that is not without surprise. 7/10 (Thanks for the sample, Mrs. P)

24/08/2024 UK Banksy Holiday

This is the one thousandth entry on this blog. Quite the milestone. It took twelve years and a bit, but it is still sobering to think of the numbers ingurgitated in that time. I wondered what would be fitting to mark the occasion. And, really, what would be more fitting than celebrating with friends? Especially friends who always deliver the goods? JS, BA, CB, PS and I meet for this tasting, with a last-minute theme courtesy of JS. It proves a struggle for some (CB, PS), and a pun-y bonanza for others (JS, BA).

The soundtrack: Ruptured World - Shore Rituals

Since he is the first to arrive, PS gets Glen Albyn 20yo 1969/1989 (55%, Signatory Vintage, Oak Casks, C#483-484, 1000b, b#195) (notes here)

Then, BA arrives and offers a long shoehorn

JS presents: Rosebanksy-ngle malt of Scotland

Rosebank 17yo 1991/2009 (46%, Speciality Drinks The Single Malts of Scotland, Barrel C#2206, 259b): nose: lemon zest (PS), some rubber and citrus peels. Mouth: creamy, with a nice bitterness: citrus peel again. Finish: nice and minty, it also has ivy. I am busier socialising than tasting, and have tried this before. It remains excellent, perhaps better than I remembered. 9/10

PS: "Is your schnozz too big for your glass?"

The soundtrack: Svartsinn / Mortiis / Letum / Desiderii Marginis / Skadi / Dahlia's Tear / Inner Vision Laboratory / New Risen Throne - Tomb Of Primordials

PS presents: something for which he could not find a link to the theme, but hoped we would be able to shoehorn it in anyway.

...and shoehorn it into the theme we do!

It turns out we had this a couple of years ago, but who is complaining. I venture that it has 'clean' in the name. A stencil (what Banksy paints) is a clean graffito. PS adds that, to get rid of a Banksy, one cleans it.

97.9 17yo 1990/2007 Clean spirit in a quality cask (56%, SMWS Society Cask): nose: plasticine (BA), Play-Doh (BA), dirty (BA), an old-fashioned grocer's (PS) selling greengages and plums in a paper bag (PS). It does have hardening plasticine indeed, hot yellow tulips (mostly the petals), unripe plum (BA), lychee (PS), tarte Tatin (BA). Mouth: warm, mint-y custard. Smashed nectarines, pouring custard again augmented with crushed Aspirin. Squashed peach in a custard texture. Chewy, unctuous. Finish: yes, the crushed Aspirin is obvious, quinine, evaporated Schweppes. That peppers a yoghurt-y, custard-y, peachy structure. Love this. 9/10

BA adds a layer of geekery by asking ChatGPT for a connection between Banksy and Littlemill:

Connecting Banksy, the anonymous street artist to Littlemill, a historic Scottish distillery, might seem unrelated, but we can draw a line through themes of rarity value and cultural impact.

1. Rarity and Value

Both Banksy's art and Littlemill whisky are known for their rarity and high value. Banksy's works often sell for millions, and because of his elusive nature, each piece is highly coveted. Similarly, Littlemill, which closed in 1994, is one of Scotland's oldest distilleries, and its remaining bottles are now fetching high prices at auctions.

2. Cultural Impact

Banksy's art is influential, challenging, societal norms and stirring conversations about politics, identity, and capitalism. Littlemill,though in a different sphere, has a strong cultural impact on the whisky world. As one of the first distilleries, its history and legacy represent a significant part of Scotland's whisky heritage.

3. Legacy

Both Banksy and Littlemill represent legacies that transcen their primary forms. Banksy's art challenges and influeneces contemporary culture, while Littlemill represents the historic legacy of Scottish whisky, a cultural touchstone in Scotland and around the world.

In essence, both Banksy and Littlemill, through their rarity and cultural impact, connect in their contribution to their respective fields--art and whisky--as symbols of what is lost, cherished, and celebrated.

The soundtrack: The Unity Mixers - The Full Unity Megamix

PS reminds the group that Banksy's latest series in London, nicknamed the London Animals, had to do with cars and bridges. Indeed, one piece was a rhinoceros humping an abandoned car (since towed away), while another depicted monkeys crossing a rail bridge.

Carsebridge 45yo 1965/2011 (44.7%, Hunter Hamilton The Clan Denny, Bourbon Barrel, C#HH7500): we tried this in 2012, when it was released. Fond memories. Nose: fresh rosemary, creamy lemon tart, and a pinch of dry earth. Mouth: pineapple juice, perhaps a sprinkle of herbs for fun. It is every bit as juicy and delicious as I remembered it. Finish: long and comforting, it has chicory infusion, toffee-coated waffle, fudge, happiness. 9/10

PS [about Robert Scott's Lochside]: "It's missing a hook. It's like ambient music."

PS presents another one with no connection to the theme. Good thing he had a killer for the Carsebridge! I tell him I call 21:27 Glenglasso'clock.

PS: "You should get that graffitied on the wall."
tOMoH: "I'll call Banksy for a commissioned piece."

21.28 37yo 1974 Relaxing in a tropical garden (48.1%, SMWS Society Single Cask, Refill ex-Bourbon Hogshead, 188b): nose: flowery and a half, bursting with carnations and irises, honey-glazed peach, confectionary sugar dusted on cut Conference pears, apple turnovers. Mouth: sweetened mint water, as in: crushed mint crumbles with water poured onto them. The second sip has calamansi and unripe tangerine segments, and orange in a paste format. Finish: a small explosion of mint liqueur, and grapefruit yoghurt. It sticks to the palate for a long time too, refreshing the whole gob. Outstanding drop that we had not had since it came out. It takes 21.27 to beat this. 9/10

The soundtrack: Bon Jovi - Keep The Faith

CB tells us that his first encounter with Banksy's work was an article about Santa's Ghetto, in an exhibition that also featured a picture by Peter Kennard, in which Tony Blair is taking a selfie in front of a Mideast explosion. CB therefore brought a Tony Balblair.

Balblair 1990/2017 2nd Edition (46%, OB, ex-Bourbon Casks and ex-Sherry Butts, L17/232 R17/5288): nose: it is a nutty, raisin-y Sherry-casked whisky with prunes, rancio (BA), umami (CB), charred wood (CB and PS), crispy leather and a whisper of smoke. The second nose has a fleeting slap of milk, swiftly reverting to citrus and a dollop of butter. Attentive nosing gives wood oil too. Mouth: it has got more of that leather-and-dates touch, but also a lick of citrus peel (grapefruit, pomelo), and also melon skin. Chewing reveals more fruit: grapefruit segments, if less acidic, and dragon fruit. Finish: sparkly as a(n evaporated) fruit soda, meaning this has a little bitterness. Then, it is red-apple compote, acidic, tart. This is lovely! 8/10

PS: "Collecting Glengoyne is like collecting Ford Sierra."

CB presents a duo of Springbanksy.

Springbank 16yo 1999/2016 (54.3%, OB Local Barley, 80% ex-Bourbon, 20% ex-Sherry Casks, 9000b, 16/22): nose: dusty roasted barley, ashes -- oh! yes, ashes. It has an ashy, smoky whiff, though that is very much in the back seat. Deeper nosing gives strawberries trampled in mud. Coming back to it after its sparring partner's, this nose has red wine, which is unexpected. Mud and earth, grilled pineapple, heated plastic containers. Mouth: roasted barley again, and we find embers and soot-y dust, charcoal gratings and scorched earth, as well as hay bales left to dry in the field for weeks. The second sip is softer; perhaps it has smoked plasticine dusted with soot? Finish: more soot, charcoal, and dusty hay, yet also a lick of fruit. The second gulp is just as big and characterful, dusty, soot-y, teeming with embers. Very good. 8/10

vs.

Springbank 16yo 1991/2007 Rum Wood (54.2%, OB Wood Expressions, 8 years in Refill Bourbon / 8 years in Fresh Rum, 5100b, 07/176): nose: creamy, woody, rum-y. It has spent matches and crystallised sugar. It is easy to spot the trademark mineral note of the distillery, as well as plasticine. BA calls it crisp and mineral. Mouth: mellower than its sibling, more marzipan-y, ripe with hot pear turnovers, and a few mint-crumble shavings. The second sip is sweeter and more chewy, if robust. Some wood, coconut shavings, a dash of Rhum Arrangé. Finish: another long one, comfy and mellow-ish, with calamansi, yuzu, and a softly-bitter note of either cucumber skin, or melon peel. 8/10

The soundtrack: Subskan - Drawback

CB: "Should we have had a trio of Springbanks?"
tOMoH: "It's actually a quartet."

We decide against lining up the next one with the previous two. CB has to leave, and, when asked if he wants one for the road, considers the Rundlets & Kilderkins. He follows BA and PS's recommendation and has the final dram of the line-up instead.

BA presents another Springbanksy.

Springbank 10yo 2001/2012 2003/2014 (49.4%, OB Rundlets & Kilderkins, 9000b): we may have had this one when it came out, though there is no evidence on this blog. On the other hand, we had the Hazelburn in the same series, erm, nine years ago. Woah! Nose: very different again, this one has wallpaper glue, a smoked-bacon quality (JS), and shoe glue. At a push, one may find ink of indistinct colour. A bit later on, we have a wave of umami: vegetable broth or mushroom cooking juice. Mouth: oh! this is so mellow, at this point in the line-up. Lots of dried dates and figs. It is tickling dried apricots, even, though not quite as sweet. There is an underlying earthiness, without ever giving the impression one is chewing on a mud patty. Further sipping bursts with berries, or a berry jelly, to be accurate. Finish: purple-brownish, with chewy blueberry sweets, a berry-flavoured paste coming out of a tube. It is a long finish, soft and mellow, fruity, and supremely pleasant. 8/10

CB brought a Bowmore, but, since he has now left, we will never know the connection to the theme, if any.

Bowmore 16yo 1990/2006 (53.8%, OB Limited Edition, Sherry Casks): nose: burnt wood and smoked mussels or cockles. It is not a strongly-maritime one, but it has a faint seaside aspect. Smoked dried fruits, raisins, and distant pickled pearl onions. Perhaps we detect some rubber too, very tame. Mouth: chewy, teeming with rancio and pressed elderberry, punctuated by burnt-wood shavings. The second sip has a dash of maple syrup, as clear as day. Finish: big, not intimidating, it has smoked berries (elderberries, blackcurrants), a drop of diesel, and lavender at the death (PS). PS is right: over time, a clear note of lavender, or violet boiled sweets comes out, which will make this untenable for some. 8/10

The soundtrack: Tindersticks - Can Our Love

BA introduces the first Cut Your Wolf Loose bottling adorned with a graffiti label.

On a Saw Mill10yo 2011/2021 (54.7%, Cut Your Wolf Loose, ex-Vino de Color Butt, C#323, 305b, b#027): a blended malt that is likely a Williamson (if you have to ask...) The SWA forbids the use of Paxarette, but Vino de Color is okay. Go figure. They are the same. This is a pure Paxarette cask, and probably the first whisky I knowingly try matured in such a cask. Nose: modern, all about the cask (BA). It is punchy in a way, yet it has watery wine in the middle. Further on, we find a dollop of black shoe polish, then some smoke at last, subtle, but present. Cigarette smoke, the interior of a smoker's car, and diluted earthy grape juice. Mouth: soft and... Oh! Leathery (PS), sour (PS), it has tar (BA). It is really, really mellow, creamy, close to melted chocolate ice cream, which is totally unexpected and out of character. It takes a lot of chewing for charcoal and smoked bread to come out, accompanied by smoked blueberries and milk-chocolate coulis. The finish is smoky too, albeit subtly. E150a bitterness at the back (BA). A smidge of earth and lots of earthy dried dates, old prunes, and burnt bacon rashers. It does warm you up, after all. This is very, very interesting, and unlike most things we get to try. 7/10

PS tells a story about his work. He recounts a conversation between his boss and him, after an office move.

Boss: "Did you have whisky in the old building?"
PS: "That's all I ever had in my drawer, boss. Whisky, Glencairns, and an invoice from Asda..."
tOMoH: "Classing it up."
PS: "...and I shredded the Asda invoice."
tOMoH: "...Banksy style!"

The soundtrack: Peter Murphy - Love Hysteria

PS tells us that a lot of Banksy's older work involved pictures of the police. He brought an Old Porkney as a tribute. Groan.

4.260 12yo 2008/2020 Old Porkney (61.3%, SMWS Society Cask, 1st Fill ex-Bourbon Barrel, 258b): nose: dry ice and cigar boxes, a drop of Tiger Balm, and, when breathing very deeply, (purple) plasticine of a flowery kind. At some point, it produces a blend of thick custard and plasters, as odd as that may read. Mouth: an interesting combination of pine tree and vanilla. It is really a fight between mint crumbles, pine-bark sweets, and custard. The custard is big, minty, vanillaed, unexpected, but excellent. Finish: a lot of vanilla again (in a good way). This is thick, custard-y, with a lick of pine freshness, and some twigs, or wood shavings. A good, unusual Highland Park. 8/10

PS: "My mate R really wanted to crowd-surf, but there really weren't enough people for that..."
tOMoH: "...so you did a Dirty Dancing with him!"

tOMoH presents another Springbanksy, this time a Springbanksy-gnatory Vintage.

Springbank 40yo 1969/2009 (54.4%, Signatory Vintage Cask Strength Collection Rare Reserve, Refill Sherry Butt, C#263, 356b, b#244, 09/471): "We shift gears," CB said before leaving. My detailed notes are here. For today, this unmistakable masterpiece lives up to expectation. Life does not suck. 10/10

The soundtrack: Roy Orbison - Live at the BBC

What a day! What a flight! What a way to mark one thousand blog articles!

23/08/2024 Glen Keith

Glen Keith 30yo 1985/2015 (41.9%, Lombard Jewels of Scotland, C#12299-12302, 389b, b#170): a relatively-ancient bottling that must have sat in Lombard's warehouses for years, because it was virtually unknown until October 2023, when it looked like the whole outturn was offloaded in one sale. We had it last week; let us try it again. The nose talks of fruits and the product of bees' work. Apricot, peach, nectarine, physalis, banana and Chinese gooseberry are smashed together, slathered in pouring honey and fragrant wax, and served with toast on a wooden buffet for breakfast. The overwhelming feeling is yellow, rushing towards the orange side of the spectrum, and, boy! is it lovely or what? Breathing time adds a few scoops of canary melon, and deeper nosing reveals juicy berries; raspberries, blackcurrants, blueberries. With some imagination, one may picture a slightly-underbaked turnover stuffed with fruits and custard. Gooseberries rock up when shaking the glass, more acidic, then granadilla, pomegranate, and even papaya. Ooft! The second nose feels darker, more purple. Blueberry again, purple passion fruit, pressed Corinth raisins. There is something chalkier too, as if Dextro Energy came in blackcurrant flavour. It does? Well, that, then!  Mind you, there is also a marzipan-y note. Later on, we have single-use plastic bags from the supermarket (Nopri, of all varieties). As odd as it may read, it is heart-warming. With some luck, when you read this in 2057, you will have no clue what single-use plastic is. Mouth: juicy, it has the nose's fruits, pressed, and a dash of coconut milk as a marrying agent. Chewing shines a coast guards' spotlight on maracuja and granadilla, cranks the apricot to 11, and bathes all that in a fruit custard. Intense as fook. It has a pale wood bitterness in places, merely a reminder that this is not, in fact, fruit juice. The second sip is just as juicy, full of biscuit crumbs in fruit milk or milky fruit juice (peach, banana, dark grape). All of a sudden, thick, borderline syrupy purple maracuja juice takes back control, and a texture of chocolate milk complements the fruit's acidity. A citrus segment adorns the glass it is served in, orange or mandarine. The finish has a more-pronounced acidity. It sees maracuja and white apricot joined by other citrus fruits: orange, kumquat, tangerine, pink-grapefruit peels. Here too, a gentle bitter touch makes one realise one is drinking whisky, rather than pressed fruits, and that is far from unpleasant. Alcohol, on the other hand, feels absent, though lacking. Shy plum rears its head at the second gulp, before the other fruits turn darker. Here too, we have blueberries, dark grapes and purple maracuja at various stages of ripeness, as well as cured kumquat. Killer dram. I could be persuaded to score it even higher. 9/10 (Thanks for the dram, JS)

17/08/2024 Time travel

sonicvince is hosting this year's August tasting. He planned a barbecue on the terrace. Naturally, the Belgian skies decided it wasnae gonnae happen, and we will have to rush inside after the first dram, while the rest of the day is occupied by constant rain. Well, it goes from drizzle to downpour, so perhaps not that constant.

But let us backtrack to the start of the day or earlier. sonicvince announced the theme, Time travel, on the 25th July. Today, the first tune as I switch on the radio is Chuck Berry - Johnny B. Goode, made famous by Back to the Future. If that is not an omen, I do not know what is! Shortly thereafter, they play an ad for Devos & Lemmens, which is about a time machine ("I would go back to the stone age: spend the day outdoors, go back to the cave and have dinner around the fire with close ones -- the ancestor of the barbecue, in other words." / "I'd go back to last night, before the jar of mayonnaise was empty.")

On a potentially-less-cheerful note, about half way en route to sonicvince's, adc, JS, ruckus and I spot a dead rat on the road. As ruckus suggests we pick it up to make another skewer, we realise the barbecue supplies are still in the refrigerator. We lose half an hour going back to fetch them. Bah! Even so, we are not the last to arrive. Not to mention that provides a good anecdote.

Body of evidence

Soon, all of us are on site: sonicvince, Mrs. sonicvince, Bishlouk, red71, Psycho, ruckus, kruuk2, adc, JS, and myself.

And everyone brought their A-game

On the 25th July, as soon as he had announced the theme, I told sonicvince: "Want to bet Psycho brings his Glenmorangie 10yo?"

Also, one should have predicted this shirt.
Try to spot the Dark pendant...

Psycho presents a bottling from the good old times.

Glenmorangie 10yo (43° G.L., OB, b. ca 1985): nose: white wine, crisp and fruity. Particular shining, we spot green grapes and Chinese gooseberries, fleshy, sweet, juicy. Mouth: unctuous, even if it does not lack in Wattage. Perhaps it is the blisters in my mouth, souvenir of when I bit my lips, earlier in the week. Finish: bright, it has pineapple and grapefruit, green grapes, acidic and fruity. It would be easy to spot Shaddock pomelo and white grapefruit in this too. A well-known (to this group) bottling, and one that never disappoints. Hopefully, one day, I will manage to spend enough time with this to dissect it properly. 8/10

red71: "We should try it blind to gauge its true quality."
tOMoH: "Well, Psycho offered to fulfil that wish: he would do a series of samples labelled N1-N5."
red71: "N1 with one drop of water, N2 with two drops of water..."
Psycho: "No. N1 is with a tennis ball." (That one is hard)

sonicvince presents a whisky from 1989, the year Back to the Future Part II hit cinemas.

Balblair 1989 3rd release (46%, OB, ex-Bourbon Barrels): nose: poached pears served on a slate, and augmented with a drop of lime juice. Over time, there is a weird combination of jam and leather sandals that does work. adc calls it cheeky. Mouth: very jammy, here, with a lick of beach pebbles. Indeed, it is rather drying and acidic. Finish: chalk, jam, and bright yellow fruit. It tickles unripe yellow maracuja, but that is balanced out by a distinct bitterness, crushed pebbles, and bits of dried rubber. Very good, mostly fruity. Funnily enough, we had this just before the Glenmorangie when we first had it... ten years and a day ago. 8/10

tOMoH presents, inspired by JS's pun, the heart of the time machine in Back to the Future: the Fluc-Scapa-citor.

Scapa 19yo 2000/2019 (49.9%, Chivas Brothers Distillery Reserve Collection, 1st Fill Barrel, C#26, 312b, b#38): nose: smashed peach, crushed-fruit compote (sonicvince), even a whisper of smoke, and overripe banana (sonicvince). Mouth: liquorice bootlaces, shaved, and the shavings sprinkled over a fruit pudding, chewy pink-grapefruit peels, peach yoghurt. Say, this is not bad, eh? Finish: phwoar! Perfect mix of grapefruit peels, fruit yoghurt and custard. Smashed peach comes out on top, and it is delicious! 9/10

Nosing for a living

Mrs. sonicvince talks about the competence and skills (or lack thereof) of political candidates in their region.
red71: "Don't you think it's because she's a woman? Seriously, a lot of parties are trying to boost [women's] representation [on their list] before an election..."
tOMoH [to the tune of Patrick Juvet's song]: "Où sont les femmes / Pour nos listes électorales"

JS unveils a whisky distilled in 1985 and bottled in 2015, the start and destination years in Back to the Future Part II.

Since sonicvince just procured another Glen Keith, he decides to open it too, because why not -- and we can always find a retrofit link to the theme.

Glen Keith 30yo 1985/2015 (41.9%, Lombard Jewels of Scotland, C#12299-12302, 389b, b#170) (JS): nose: "pine tree," says adc, spotting, as we do, that this has a pine-like freshness. That is quickly eclipsed by a huge slap of fruit, however, peaches and raspberries. Mouth: dry, borderline splinter-y, and madly fruity. Once again, smashed peach, now joined by peach skins, and pink-grapefruit peels. This is mental! Finish: an excellent, softly-bitter fruitiness makes for a long, creamy, unctuous, and plain lovely. Breathing time gives it passion fruit. Sumptuous. I am looking forward to trying this again and spending more time with it. 9/10

vs.

Glen Keith 28yo 1993/2021 (51.8%, Gordon & MacPhail Connoisseurs Choice Cask Strength UK Exclusive, Refill American Hogshead, C#97142, B#21/143, 230b) (sonicvince): nose: it appears much more monolithic and woody than its sibling, with galangal shavings and such. It is fresh-ish, yet not a patch on the other one. Time gives it toothpaste and mint (Psycho), very fresh, now. Mouth: mango skins, a lick of rubber, ginger and galangal paste. The second sip has even more fruit, chiefly peach. Finish: huge, fruity, full of nice spices and jolly goodness. The wood influence provides a light, bitter touch at the death. It suffers a little from the comparison with the Lombard bottling, and probably because the bottle was just opened. This should prove a corker in the future. 8/10

Bishlouk presents an old bottle gathering dust.

Lochside 29yo 1981/2010 (58.8%, Whisky-Doris, Fino Sherry Butt, C#960, 403b, b#183): nose: roasted nuts (red71), rain (ruckus, clearly looking out the window too intently), pine nuts (red71), cold coffee (sonicvince). I get lots of dust, ground nuts, then, out of nowhere, unearthed hazelnuts and dark cherries, followed by maracuja. The second nose sees those fruits turn overripe and starting to decay. Mouth: another unctuous, creamy little number, except this is one that blows up in one's mouth with a heat close to horseradish and ginger shavings. Chew just once, and it turns into a tropical storm of juicy fruit in a lovely (heated) custard. It is really hot, mind. The high ABV is clearly felt, here. Finish: long, it has a lick of cork, ginger shavings, and a long procession of tropical fruits: pink grapefruit, maracuja, Shaddock pomelo, blush orange, cubed watermelon. Did I say 'phwoar'? 9/10

Time for food. The barbecue has turned into an oven roast, owing to the unrelenting rain.

Buffet style

Baked camembert

Yum!

ruckus explains that, when travelling through time, satnav/GPS no longer works. One has to rely on a compass instead. This bottle's label bears one.

Follows a discussion about natural polarity inversion that would invalidate this entry's validity. Bunch of pedants we are.

Auchroisk 8yo 2015/2023 (50%, Claxton Exploration Series, Ruby Port Quarter Cask): nose: prunes and dried figs. It has dried dates too, and a lick of leather. Plums (sonicvince), cherries (Bishlouk), cherry-tree wood (adc). It grows earthier, with slightly too-baked bread crust, and burnt banoffee pie. Mouth: prunes indeed, dried and shrivelled, yet somehow still giving some juice. It is faintly earthy, and also milder than one would expect. Finish: dry, choc-full dried fruits, with an earthy death. 7/10

Bishlouk tries to open a bottle of water and fails. JS twists the screwcap open with zero effort.
Bishlouk: "My one moment of shame."
sonicvince: "We must not be counting the same way."

Bishlouk presents something that is so old it takes one back in time.

North British 50yo 1962/2013 (57.2%, Hunter Laing The Sovereign, C#HL9930: some of us had this in 2023; what a treat to try it again -- and to discover it, for those who were not there, that day. It has coconut shavings and wood varnish that carry on dancing on the palate, augmented by a soft old-wood bitterness. The whole lingers in the finish, with also a spoonful of sugar, a dash of cold coffee, and that earthy bitterness. 8/10

adc offers something that sports an antique (i.e. from the past) travel machine on the label. It also has a link to the beloved film franchise, what with the collection being Infrequent McFly-ers -- for Marty McFly, the main character.

Benrinnes 16yo 2006/2022 Release No. 79 (57%, Alistair Walker Infrequent Flyers, Moscatel Hogshead Finish, C#6137, 282b): nose: pine-wood sawdust, and a fistful of herbs (tarragon, oregano), pan-fried fennel, and a sweetness that tends towards anisette, conifer branches, and cured orange rinds. Mouth: punchy, biting, it has a medicinal touch, a herb concoction, a dash of Irn Bru. It is drying and clearly bitter, not unlike a herb liqueur. Finish: herbal custard, génépi, boozed-up Irn Bru, herbal punch of some kind. Nice. 7/10

kruuk2 presents a bottle from the past. And, indeed, we have had this one, in a past so distant it is not on this blog.

Suddenly, it becomes
an oil tasting

Linkwood 12yo 1989/2001 (46%, First Spirits The Worldwide Selection selected and bottled under the sole responsibility of Sté Dugas, Sherry Butt, 798b): nose: lemon zest and wood shavings. In fact, it is very, very zesty. Orange, bergamot, mandarine. It also has edible paper. Mouth: rancio (Bishlouk), and a citrus-like acidity. Finish: long, fruity, a tad indistinct, and, frankly, it goes all watery in the long run, but remains delicious all the same. 8/10

kruuk2 tells the group about a film called The Time Machine, which features villains called Morlock. That rhymes with Bladnoch.

Bladnoch 23yo 1977/2001 (53.6%, OB Rare Malts Selection, 6000b, b#1408): nose: orchard fruits, meadow flowers and mint crumbles. The mouth has a creamy texture with a significant power all the same; crushed peach doused in rosewater. It is drier and more mineral at second sip. Finish: long, fruity, it showcases pears, apples, quinces, peaches, boiled greengages, and hot apricot stones. A masterpiece we know all too well. Full notes (from another bottle) here. 9/10

red71 brought something bottled by Elixir Distillers, which is abbreviated ElD on whiskybase.com. Inverted, that reads DEl, the start of DeLorean, the base for the time machine in the Back to the Future trilogy. No-one thinks it fit to point out that red71 cannot spell.

An Orkney 11yo 2011/2022 (56.5%, Elixir Distillers The Single Malts of Scotland, Butt, C#3, 669b): nose: a chocolate-y Sherry that also has a musky touch. With a moment of breathing, it gains an earthy side. Mouth: very dry, desiccating, this is like ground coffee, or a rancio-y Oloroso. Finish: hot and animal, musky, but dry -- no wet fox here. Instead, it is a mountain goat rolling in dirt for mating reasons, a warthog coated in dried mud in a bid to attract a lady friend. 7/10

Mrs. sonicvince mastered that cake, here with an exoskeleton

Psycho introduces another one of the main characters in Back to the Future: Doc Emmett Brownmore.

Bowmore 15yo Mariner (43%, OB, L1284/L1304): nose: maritime, it has sea breeze and brine. In fact, it has pickles in brine, if not pearl onions. There is also Gruyère rind, and peach stone with some fruit flesh still stuck to it. red71 detects sulphur and burnt rubber -- he assures us he likes that. Mouth: violet (red71), chemical (JS), watery (Bishlouk). All of the above, to a degree, really. The violet grows in power; it will deter others, not tOMoH. Finish: soft, saline, and maritime to an extent, it has burnt caramel, caramelised peach juice, and shaved liquorice bark. This does the trick, once again. 7/10

JS reminds all that, when he makes his way to 1955 in Back to the Future, Marty falls from a tree, then meets his mother, who looks after him, and calls him Calvin, on account of his underwear: it reads Calvin Klein, surely that is his name. JS brought a Calvin Kleinlish.

26.93 28yo 1984/2013 Cottage garden beside a church (56.3%, SMWS Society Single Cask, Refill ex-Sherry Butt, 352b): nose: split rocks and horse's hair, bone-dry orange zest. Then, it is honey, wax, glazed apricot. Mouth: meow. Wax, soot, apricot. It comes drier in the long run, soot blends with quarry dust. Finish: crystallised orange segments, mint (Psycho). Full notes for this outstanding dram here. 9/10

red71 tells a joke about a sexual practice and spinach that has everyone in stitches. Sadly, it would be unwise to publish it here, but I am sure anyone there on the day will remember it, now.

All get ready to bid good bye and retire. tOMoH pulls a rabbit out of a proverbial malted hat, and tells how time-travel usually stems from a desire to go back to a golden age. Here is a golden label as a result.

Longmorn Centenary 25yo (45%, OB, b.1994) (group): we will come back to this in detail soon. Today, it may suffer from being the fifteenth dram in the line-up (Bishlouk admits he misses it, despite noting its obvious quality), but it is still a monument. Creamy, custard-y and lush. Breathing opens the way for an explosion of tropical fruits. Amazingly, and unbeknownst to us today, we also had it ten years and a day ago, at the same tasting as the Glenmorangie and the Balblair. One would think we all own but three bottles. 10/10

Fantastic afternoon/evening. Aside the excellent whiskies and delicious food, we had many, many side-splitting moments of humour, most of which could not decently make their way onto this little blog. In fact, the word of the day was certainly 'grivois' (saucy). red71 in particular was out of control.

14/08/2024 Linlithgow

Linlithgow 25yo 1975/2000 (50.5%, Signatory Vintage, Oak Cask, C#96/3/14, 352b, b#9, 00/1147): souvenir from June. Nose: wood, slate, and berries, all in one package. Oiled mahogany turns to iroko and ebony; wooden cutting boards turn to slate; gooseberries turn to dark cherries. Those cherries end up smashed, and blended with wood oil and chocolate spread, before we detect tarmac and pulped ebony (is that even possible?) Suddenly, it turns a corner, and becomes all mechanical, with engine lubricants, both grease and oil. It is only seconds before we are back in the company of chocolate spread and wood varnish (in tins, this time). All the same, it is no longer exempt of grease of some kind -- sometimes, it even flirts with rancid butter, subtle in the extreme, yet recognisable nonetheless. At times, it is shoe polish that takes the lead, whilst at others, a lubricated engine does the talking. There is even a whiff of gentle barley taken straight from the field, if one insists, and a drop of green-grape juice. The second nose is more-clearly fruity in a dry-white-wine way. Riesling or Chablis. Probably the latter, since it is too concentrated for Riesling (whatever that means). It keeps a sweeter touch too, hinting at sultanas more than grapes. Out of nowhere, oily blonde tobacco tickles the nostrils as one tilts the glass, fragrant, and, well, oily. Mouth: shazam! It is punchy, borderline aggressive an entrance, yet it immediately puts one at ease with green-grape juice, sultanas, and grape-pip oil. And oily it is too! If one word were to describe the texture of this dram, that would be it -- 'oily'. The initial kick, akin to that of green chilli, fades out and allows a mild green bitterness to surface, part hazelnut, part cylinder head (yes, it is a tad metallic). It takes a moment for fruits to wake up (currants, greengages), and, beside that soft bitterness, there is no wood to speak of, here. The second sip mostly does away with the spices -- oh! No, it still has green chilli alright, served with sultanas, both coated in oil. For a minute, the front and top of the mouth feel as if grazed by too hot a spoon. Finish: it is hard to tell if this is luscious or austere. Like the best St Magdalene, it is both, of course: one second, we have (shy) green grapes, the next, we have quarry dust. One moment, we have greengages, the next, we have green chilli pepper. One thing is certain: it is a long finish. It is also warming and comforting. Beyond that is a patchwork, really. Fruity, mineral, oily, and a little cereal-y, all at once. To the above fruits, we could add Mirabelle plums and sultanas. We have honeyed muesli, a cloud of quarry dust, and ground peach stone. The second sip is even stronger than the first (in terms of quality, not alcohol bite), and the oily, golden grapes and sultanas are joined by buttercups and buttered toasts, slathered with honey. If looking intently, one might detect shortbread with some kind of lemon-curd filling. Exceptional dram. 9/10 (Thanks for the sample, PG)

12/08/2024 Tomatin

Tomatin 23yo 1994/2018 (47.4%, Cadenhead Sherry Cask, 234b, 17/591): nose: a beautiful and refined sherry influence, with dried figs, dried dates, golden sultanas and dried apricots, all heated to the point they start sweating moisture, regardless of how dried they started out. It smells as golden as a barley field, and sweet as a jammy biscuit, suggesting Amontillado, or a warm Liège waffle splashed with date syrup. We have some hazelnuts too, leading to wholemeal bread just taken out of the oven (oooh!) This nose is anything but shy, yet it remains very elegant. In the long run, it is dried apricots that take over the ball, resting on an oilcloth. Perhaps those apricots were preceded by chocolate chips, but those have all gone, leaving but an earthy memory. The second nose adds a delicate freshness to that, with mint lozenges crawling into the frame. It joins clay to augment those dried fruits. Mouth: phwoar! Heated dried apricots, topped with a dusting of cocoa powder, and sprayed with droplets of lychee juice. It has got a more-clearly-earthy aspect, without giving the impression one is chewing on a mud patty. It also has quite an alcohol kick. Swirling it around the tongue reveals a lovely almond liqueur, nutty and softly bitter, and devoid of the sickly-sweet side from the commercially-available brands. The second sip feels somehow almost metallic -- a sharp blade, heated, then used to cut fruits, both fresh and dried. There is a minuscule drop of nail varnish too, barely noticeable, and a spray of acetone on wood, applied by someone who smokes mentholated cigarettes. Earthier and drier in the finish, it has dried dates, and orange rinds, dried as to becomes woody. It is long and warming, without surprise, comforting, even, not terribly different from an unsweetened plum liqueur. The second gulp confirms the acetone we detected in the mouth, still sprayed on wood, and throws almond and hazelnut skins into the mix for fun (and bitterness). Retro-nasal olfaction offers rancio and a stroll through a lovely dunnage warehouse. Although it becomes less spectacular with repeated sipping, it becomes less spectacular, not less delicious. All in all, it is outstanding. I found less subtle smoke today than the first time. 9/10 (Thanks for the dram, JS)

Happy birthday, MPD.

09/08/2024 Two more Glenrothes

Glenrothes d.1997 (49%, Cask Sample, Hogshead, C#970717939): nose: a sharp number that promises to be both (mildly) acidic and fruity. Here are cured peaches and nectarines, dusted with fizzy sherbet, the likes of which one can find in those flying saucer sweets. That is soon joined by sliced wholemeal bread, then promptly submerged by a flood of strawberry jam. Once that flood stabilises, we find fruit-scented shaving foam too, which is as fresh as it is unexpected. Slowly but surely, peaches climb back into the spotlight, supported by polished wood -- or is it peach squash and sparkling water? The second nose has strawberries in a thicker consistency, somewhere between jam, jelly, and compote, and a fleeting note of mosquito repellent -- so fleeting it is hard to decide whether it is Autan spray, or Baygon mats. Either way, it is not a common note! Mouth: the attack is at once fruity and woody. Next to cut peaches and nectarines, we have bits of a smashed walnut dashboard, the edges of which have been filed smooth. It also has polished peach stones and stewed berries (gooseberries, white currants, logan berries). The second sip comes across as more powerful, and has a mixture of juicy fruits (still peaches and nectarines), and mosquito repellent applied on the skin, then inadvertently licked (tOMoH was never dumb enough to lick Baygon mats, inadvertently or otherwise). How quaint! Unripe strawberries stand watch in the background. Finish: warming, the 49% give a decent kick without any burn. It is just comfortable. Here, we find more of that lovely fruitiness, and just a little wood. The latter produces a bitterness that, although gentle, is way clearer than on the palate. It is reminiscent of unripe currants, if not green hazelnuts. Oddly, the second gulp is less bitter, more-clearly jammy, and a little tropical: Chinese gooseberries and remote lychee are having an over-the-wooden-fence discussion with unripe gooseberries and currants. It may well have chopped green pepper too. On the other hand, all trace of wood seems to have vanished. This one is probably even more to my liking than Monday's. 8/10 (Thanks for the sample, JW)

Glenrothes d.1997 (50.7%, Cask Sample, Hogshead, C#970717942): nose: to claim it is hugely different would be a lie, which is logical, considering it is a sister cask. It also has peaches and nectarines, yet the whole is perhaps tarter, as if punctuated with unripe mirabelle plums and greengages. Indeed, we have mirabelle-plum turnovers made with unripe fruits. There is also a lick of acrylic paint applied a few days ago, leading to a fading scent. A couple of minutes in, it settles on familiar ground: ripe peaches take centre stage, supported by shelled hazelnuts. The second nose seems sweeter, as well as more citrus-y; candied kumquats, old mixed peel, tangerine marmalade. Over time, the nose develops a certain floral quality, with dark roses, burgundy tulips, carnations and peonies. Mouth: the attack is a departure in that it is pure peach jam, warm and lush. Astoundingly, it feels mellower than the previous dram, despite its higher ABV. Well! Keep it in the mouth for a minute, and it will prove it is not yet flat -- far from it. Tickling the taste buds and the roof of the mouth, we see ginger powder and a minute sprinkle of asafoetida, which adequately complement that lovely peach jam. The second sip is more stripping; less spicy, but more-overtly acidic. Maybe it is closer to grape juice that contains some unripe grapes. Repeated sipping introduces an oilcloth dusted in powdered ginger and ground mace. Finish: probably a tad woodier, this one points at virgin white-oak staves: vanilla pods, white-wood sawdust, and bakery shenanigans, yet nutmeg too. In fact, it is unexpectedly spicy, this finish. Not hot, but rich in spices. The second gulp brings back more fruits, albeit less than ripe, and therefore bitterer. Unripe plums, peaches, mirabelle plums, maybe even green bananas. We also find yellow-tulip petals and daffodils to match the fruit, after a while. 8/10 (Thanks for the sample, JW)

It would appear tOMoH likes Glenrothes, now.

05/08/2024 Glenrothes

Glenrothes d.1997 (53.4%, Cask Sample, Hogshead, C#18747): nose: as was the case with the one in June, this is a less-buttery Glenrothes that focuses much more on fruits. Apricots and nectarines come out on top, juicy and fragrant, yet we also catch some berries, namely billberries, tart and plump. It has faded wood too, like a polished-walnut fruit basket that has been sitting on a buffet since the 1970s, and maybe just a pat of butter after all, unsalted, straight out of the refrigerator, hence quite mute. Tilting the glass gives a berry touch to that butter, which makes it close to an extremely-thick fruit yoghurt, perhaps. The second nose cloaks all that in a dusty-tobacco smoke, which some may mistake for cardboard, or dusty newspapers. It is not that dry, however. Berries and other fruits swiftly come back. Mouth: strawberry milkshake on the tongue, it bursts with fruits, only tempered by a more-pronounced woodiness (hazel?) that imparts a distinct (if unintrusive) bitterness. Chewing gives an unlikely combination of strawberry milkshake spilled onto a woodworm-riddled rustic chair in dire need of a lick of oil. Indeed, the woody bitterness turns almost earthy, now, and gingery. The second sip appears more acidic, closer to certain types of grapes, for a moment (falling somewhere between Gamay and Cardinal). It is not long before yellow fruits join again, plums, nectarines, and Mirabelle plums. That rustic wood, though in the background, is never far away, and adds a layer of intrigue. The finish brings back the freshness from the nose, with smashed nectarines and crushed mint, augmented with a generous pinch of ginger powder. We have some pressed green currants too, unripe redcurrants, if unripe redcurrants were less bitter, and, once more, tart billberries. The second gulp feels at once sweeter and tarter, flirting with cranberry compote, at this stage, or quince jelly blended with stem-ginger syrup. Yum! 8/10 (Thanks for the sample, JW)

03/08/2024 'lympics, innit

Although they only come every four years, it seems we are forever in 'lympics frenzy. What better than a tasting on that theme to mark the occasion?

Sadly, BA calls off on the day, unable to make it. That leaves OB, JS and me. A good opportunities to clear out some samples.

The soundtrack: Creation IV - Beringia

Longmorn 11yo 2008/2019 (57.9%, A.D.Rattray From the Cask hand bottled exclusively for A Whisky Lover, Bourbon Hogshead, C#800349) (tOMoH): distilled in the year of the Beijing Olympics. It makes the same impression as in February -- a young, fiery, if promising dram, with a citrus-y quality to it. In fact, I like it better today. Breathing time, or sequence? Who knows! 7/10

The soundtrack: Various - Dance Opera Trip 7

Invergordon 43yo 1972/2016 (49.3%, A.D. Rattray The Whisky Angel, C#38) (tOMoH): distilled in another 'lympics year, in Munich, to be precise. Wonderful whisky. An explosion of blackcurrant sweets, and a faint note of carbonised rubber. It also has watercolour tubes and plasticine, today. Full notes are here. 8/10

Glen Grant 32yo 1976/2009 (50%, Douglas Laing The Old Malt Cask 50°, Sherry Cask, C#DL REF 5034, 266b) (tOMoH): yet another Olympics year (in Montreal). "We are shifting gears," says OB. It is prunes, dried figs and peach juice, with just a nuance of shoe polish. I reckon it benefitted from breathing in the sample, yet JS still finds it leathery and shoe-polish-y. On the late tip, I detect camphor and liquorice-flavoured syrup. It is elegant, with a lick of leather, yet mostly dried fruits. Lovely drop. Full notes here. 8/10

Royal Brackla 30yo 1984/2015 (54.1%, Cadenhead Single Cask, Bourbon Hogshead, 192b15/120) (OB): the label on this has the same shiny colour as the gold medals awarded to Olympic champions. It was also distilled in a 'lympics year (Los Angeles). Nose: citrus-y, leafy and leathery all at once. It has mosses growing on branches, peach skins wrapped in blond-tobacco smoke, then pomelo and lime peels, still basking in that same tobacco smoke. Shallow-fried rice (OB), or pilau rice before adding any water to the karahi. In truth, that is saying the same with more complicated words. Mouth: a soft bitterness of cough lozenges, or black crayons, a drop of ink, perhaps, and dried apricots to balance it out with something sweeter. It is a little rubbery too -- in a good way, with chewy aniseed, or faded liquorice bootlaces. Finish: long and pleasant, still citrus-y, with a minute bitterness that morphs into the minty freshness of a nice toothpaste. On the late tip, peaches and apricots re-appear, discreet as a shy kid (a dream concept). They are kept in a container with a rubber seal. The gums sparkle in the same way they would after chewing on ginger. We had this in 2015. I liked it then, and I like it even more today. 9/10

We descend onto OB's madeleines.
OB has a wonderful secondary career in baking ahead of him.

Clynelish 24yo 1995/2019 N°20-1bis (58%, Signatory Vintage exclusively bottled for La Maison du Whisky 20 Rue d'Anjou, Refill Sherry Butt, C#2158, 574b) (OB): a bottling for La Maison du Whisky, a famous establishment in Paris, where this year's 'lympics take place. Nose: pow! This is quite the punch in the nose. Once past the high strength, we find smoked apricots and candlewax (how surprising!) It has a sprinkle of red-chilli powder -- unless it is chopped fresh red chilli, waxy and crunchy. Deeper nosing reveals a crumbly beef-stock cube and more wax. Mouth: inky, waxy, if one accepts that candlewax can be inky. It is filled to the brim with camphor, liquorice syrup and tar-black honey, and it is coating like candlewax (from a black candle, then). Finish: a little softer than it was on the palate, the finish is also sweeter, which reinforces that impression of dark honey. It retains a creamy-earthy freshness of liquorice, without as much bitterness. Blackberry jelly, perhaps, blackcurrant cough lozenges, and liquorice-root shavings. Excellent. This reminds me of the TWA bottling we had at Cobbler. 8/10

The soundtrack: Morgenstern - Cold

Ben Nevis 24yo 1996/202 (52.1%, Berry Bros. & Rudd exclusive to Royal Mile Whiskies, Refill Sherry Butt, C#1196) (tOMoH): 1996, the year 'Olympics went to Atlanta. Nose: the Ben Nevis funk is limited to a clear earthiness, pushing the boundaries of farm-y. That morphs into a septic tank, yet, what sticks out is tropical fruit (khaki, papaya, guava). It is funkier on the tongue, yet still fruity, perhaps cured fruits, now. Full notes here. 8/10

We are at the end of the line-up -- and it is so warm it seems fitting to keep it short, yet we should have one more dram.

North Port 23yo 1971/1995 (54.7%, OB Rare Malts Selection) (tOMoH): JS reminds us that this year's 'lympics were prefaced by arsonist attacks on trains and tracks, which forced Brits who wanted to attend to drive to the ferry and land via France's North Ports. In addition, this could be the antithesis to Southport, a town near Liverpool where they had riots on 30th July, during the same Paris Olympics. It is mineral as I remembered it, but also very fruity, a combination of flint and cut calamansi, or even grapefruits. The quarry dust and ground citrus zest that remain in the gob in the finish are really something. Another wonderful RMS, sadly now empty. Full notes here. 8/10

Low quantity, high quality.