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.