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| Hello, that is one in every of our (nearly) each day tastings. Santé! |
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June 7, 2021
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The vicarious Feis Ile classes
The Catch-Up session
Celebrating Islay and Feis Ile from Whisky Enjoyable Towers, with fastidiously chosen whiskies from most distilleries, whereas we’re all dreaming of 2022…
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Only a wee bunch of Islay whiskies that got here in after their respective Open Days. It has been a very good week, even when we might have exaggerated right here and there, however that is additionally how we used to do it when going to Feis with buddies. We had been at all times bringing lots of of whiskies with us as a result of, keep in mind, any drinks style higher once you’re on location, and even higher once you share them with buddies. However we’ll be again in flesh, I simply hope it will not turn out to be too troublesome to convey again Scotch whisky to the UK after Brexit…
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Bruichladdich 14 yo 2007/2021 (50.4%, Fisherman’s Retreat, Rivesaltes Wine Cask and Yalumba end, 50cl) 
Ex-wine cask Laddie completed in a wine cask? How very Bruichladdichian! Now keep in mind Rivesaltes is fortified, as an example it is akin to some lighter PX sherry of some types… As for Yalumba, it’s within the Barossa valley, South Australia. Color: darkish gold. Nostril: I am instantly reminded of some warehouse tastings throughout Feis, with Jim McEwan and the stunning songs of Robin Laing. You do really feel the wine quite a bit, however integration’s been effectively mastered when you would not fairly get any bitter grapiness, lees, or any dirty-ish wines. I am discovering raisins, banana cake, dried apricots, orange cake, these types of issues. Oh and earlier than you ask, no sulphur this far. With water: identical. Good roundness, apricots, mirabelle liqueur, candy pinot gris, tangerine liqueur, sultanas… That is actually very good, even when the Laddie’s ‘Atlantic freshness’ might have been misplaced a wee bit. Mouth (neat): a bit bit candy and a bit bit spicy. Jaffa truffles with some pepper, chlorophyl, cherry stem tea, cinnamon, cake… One thing a bit gritty. With water: a lot nicer with water, moderately on fruitcake, pear eau-de-vie, chamomile… And the oak behaved. End: moderately lengthy, grassier and leafier, as nearly at all times. Muffins once more within the aftertaste, plus a bit bitter liquorice. Feedback: I prefer it a lot, a lot better than I’d have thought. I imply, double wine, think about!
SGP:651 – 85 factors. |
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Caol Ila 13 yo 2007/2021 (51%, Les Grands Alambics, Birds Sequence, hogshead) 
What would essentially the most honourable bottlers of whisky or rum do with out birds? I believe Moon Import actually began one thing, again within the days… Color: very pale white wine. Nostril: typical lemon juice, oyster juice, antiseptic and disinfectant, with wee little bit of vanilla fudge and drops of menthol essence. Pristine. With water: as regular, gears moderately towards wool and chalk. The menthol appears to be a tad louder than in different CIs however there, I really like menthol. Mouth (neat): wonderful, recent, playful, smoky, lemony, salty… Maybe a tad sweeter than others? Jellybeans? Jell-O? Somebody ought to make some Caol Ila Jell-O at some point, that might be a success. Some powder, some water, et voilà. With water: oh, a bit eucalyptus, toothpaste, some inexperienced olives… End: moderately, moderately beautiful. A part of these younger Caol Ilas which can be moderately extra medicinal, and smokier as effectively, or am I dreaming? Feedback: excellent whisky. Positive Caol Ila may get extra advanced, however for that to essentially occur it wants to succeed in, say the age of 30. Or 40. Or profit from some very lengthy bottle-aging. No, wonderful.
SGP:457 – 88 factors. |
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Caol Ila 12 yo (56.6%, OB, Feis Ile 2021, high-char Moscatel end, 3000 bottles, 2021) 
Some high-char Moscatel end, excuse me however is not that a bit ‘LOL’? Nicely possibly not, in the event that they’ve charred them after they’d been Moscatelised (!), Dr-Jim-Swan fashion. I suppose that is what they have been doing, Moscatel-STR. Color: mild gold. Nostril: it is that Caol Ila’s such a pristine distillate that it may take simply something and stroll out proud. What I am making an attempt to say is that that is Caol Ila, not Moscatel – which was not at all times the case, say 15 years in the past. We have a plateful of olives and oysters in entrance of us. Buon appetito (S., that is Italian, not Spanish). With water: lemons, crushed oyster shells (some folks use that as a fertiliser), a contact of camphor… Mouth (neat): good enjoyable, with a Moscatel that is very apparent this time, with out being too cloying. Bear in mind, Moscatel is for outdated girls. So, effectively, we have smoked muscat right here, with some lime, pineapples and rose jelly… With water: some type of steadiness has been stored however it could are likely to get a tad sweetish, to be sincere. Plantation Caol Ila. End: medium, candy. Pineapples, brine, smoked salmon. Feedback: an especially fascinating, and good proposition, very effectively made, however I am actually keen on Caol Ila al pure, so this feels to me like if somebody had determined to repaint a Botticelli. Fairly.
SGP:646 – 82 factors. |
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That is changing into winefun, no?
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Caol Ila 2011/2021 (61.9%, The Single Malts of Scotland for USA, cask #300162)
I’ve seen this one nowhere but however I simply could not wait, on condition that Elixir are masters of Caol Ila (and Clynelish, Ardmore, Linkwood, Imperial, Buckfast, Pol Roger…) Color: white wine. Nostril: burnt tyres, anybody? London, homicide try on poor whisky blogger, that’ll value you! I am simply hesitating between a Pirelli and a Michelin. With water: oh, fascinating, white asparagus, retsina, eggplants, coal tar, oysters… Mouth (neat): completely enormous. Extra tyres, salt, consuming candles, lemons with salt… Nicely, let this dry out, you will discover 5 grams of salt in your copita the subsequent morning. With water: it retains kicking you in your enamel. Arduous to tame however that is a part of its charms. End: very lengthy, ueber-salty. Feedback: keep in mind these outdated tales about employees rolling barrels of Bowmore within the loch, from the pier to the puffers? Questioning if they do not do the identical at CI whereas nobody’s watching. In idea, there isn’t any salt in whisky, In observe, that is extraordinarily salty (and tarry!) Adore it.
SGP:367 – 88 factors. |
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Lagavulin 13 yo (54.4%, OB, Feis Ile 2021, Port seasoned end, 6000 bottles, 2021)
It’s fascinating that they might subject some flavoured Lagavulin for Feis. Port seasoned? At the least they let you know so and wouldn’t fake to some correct Port pipes, however it’s effectively a flavouring course of. Season wooden, which in flip will season the whisky. And presto. Color: pale gold. That is excellent news, it is not pink. Nostril: it is a softer, rounder Lagavulin, with certainly these whiffs of latex which can be additionally to be discovered within the 16, some embrocations, tea, then moderately blood oranges within the background, maybe a bit cassis however I could also be dreaming… With water: I’ve to agree there isn’t any Portness right here. The place did the Port go? Mouth (neat): after all they do it proper. What’s troubling is that this is able to be a really citrusy Lagavulin, which is moderately unseen in my ebook. I am afraid I like this quite a bit, even when it is unnatural Lagavulin. Generally, there’s nothing you are able to do, you must maintain tempo with ‘progress’. With water: I am afraid this is excellent. Good salt and a sense of circa 2010 Lagavulin 16. End: it is like mortadella, I am questioning if they need to actually inform us how they make them. Feedback: as they are saying, in the event that they’ve modified the sacred cow, it was not a sacred cow. However I’ve tried my greatest to combat this odd bottling and I simply fell for it. Bravo to the brand new(ish) French supervisor! Even when we maintain lacking Georgie who’s flown to Port Ellen. Nicely, walked…
SGP:467 – 89 factors. |
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Laphroaig 12 yo 2006/2018 (50%, Hunter Laing, Previous Malt Cask for
Ardnahoe Distillery Store, refill sherry butt, cask #HL 14745) 
I agree this isn’t new, nevertheless it simply got here in. Generally the methods of UPS are simply mysterious… Color: gold. Nostril: it is a moderately slender, centered, compact Laphroaig, with some lemon marmalade, plasticine and gauze. Some steel polish too. Love this, I suppose it’s going to simply explode with water… With water: oh superior, new leather-based in a brand new automotive, new engine oil, extra plasticine and polishes, maybe a drop of roasted sesame oil… Mouth (neat): good. Very fats Laphroaig, with as soon as once more loads of plasticine, fish oil, grapefruit juice, additionally some roots and earth, just about mezcal-style. Proper up my alley. With water: there, sardines, anchovies, brine, what we name anchoïade, and even aioli… … End: lengthy, on kippers and every other fats, smoky and salty fish. Feedback: do not ask for fruits, there weren’t many however this was fairly superb. Epic, epic and superb. However did they throw herrings into the wash stills?
SGP:257 – 90 factors. |
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Lp12 2014/2021 (54.7%, Elixir Distillers ‘Parts Of Islay’, sherry hogsheads, 1672 bottles) 
Angus had tried this one the opposite day and got here up with a reasonable rating (WF 84), which piqued my curiosity… Color: straw. Nostril: burnt butter and toasted bread, bitter wines, burnt papers, ashtray… I agree this can be a little weird, and at the very least a bit jumbled. Burnt raisins… In Laphroaig? With water: teas, silverware, clams. I agree. Mouth (neat): not unhealthy in any respect however a bit eau-de-vie-ish and clearly too younger. Kirschwasser blended with seawater, maybe not the very best concept ever. With water: higher for positive however once you’re a whisky and once you’re younger, higher be high-definition, which isn’t fairly the case right here. Bitter and burnt right here and there. End: medium, natural and moderately bitter and metallic. Feedback: let’s not exaggerate, that is nonetheless strong Laphroaig, nevertheless it was most likely too younger. I agree with Angus. And unsure these sherry hogsheads may do a lot.
SGP:457 – 83 factors. |
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Oh hell, as we cannot do any Islays earlier than… at the very least June 20…
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Kilchoman 13 yo 2007/2021 (53.9%, OB for The Whisky Change, cask #197, bourbon, 204 bottles) All Kilchomans we have tried the opposite day have been both excellent, or simply excellent. Even the PXs, thoughts you. I do know we get a bit catty generally, however let’s be sincere, what Kilchoman have achieved inside simply 15 years (roughly) is spectacular. Color: mild gold. Nostril: eh, touches of plastic and new iPhone, that was not deliberate. Nicely effectively effectively… With water: steel polishes and new footwear, new sneakers, pretend Hello-Fi gadgets, any cast gadgets purchased from Want or Vova (these junk operations that may make anybody critical puke for hours until definitive dying). Oh and bisphenol. Mouth (neat): weird. Banana wine, plasticine, marzipan… With water: metallic fruits and bitter fruit juices. Linseed oil, carbon mud, gherkins from Aldi’s… Hiya? End: medium, a tad stale, cardboardy and questionable. Feedback: most actually a wrecked pattern. A superb tip once you do samples as a taster, something bizarrely and unexpectedly metallic and /or plastic-like? Simply drop it, you may simply be tasting the cap. I would not have revealed this however I am maintaining this word as a warning, for the trigger. SGP: no/no/no – (no rating) factors. (please discuss with Angus’s word for this in any other case fantastic Kilchoman!)
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Generally extra is much less. Tempo e salute!
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