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Residence 1000’s of tastings, all of the music, all of the rambligs and all of the enjoyable (hopefully!)
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Hello, that is certainly one of our (virtually) every day tastings. Santé! |
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June 13, 2022
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One other wee Scottish hotchpotch
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Oh, simply numerous moderately unknown whiskies, as they arrive, blends, undisclosed singles, unsure juices, residues, brand-led whiskies, query marks, whatnot. Completely undecided about what we’ll discover, however let’s attempt to have enjoyable. Keep in mind WF’s founding motto, ‘whisky is simply critical matter to individuals who make or promote it – or to individuals who drink manner an excessive amount of of it.’
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Did the tremendous of us at Spheric Whisky let their new malt being completed in Seguin-Moreau’s spectacular spherical (and revolving) oak barrel?
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Blended Malt 31 yo 1988/2020 (43.1%, Spheric Spirits Germany, 1st fill bourbon barrel, 655 bottles)
What might this be? Color: full gold. Nostril: it isn’t simple to make sure with very small batches, however all this beeswax in addition to the touches of orange blossom honey and grapefruit would counsel one thing manner north of Inverness and south of Wick. The notes of root greens (celeriac, parsnip) and the wee medicinally coastal facet would add to the equation; having mentioned that it’s curiously light as effectively, however which will simply be the decrease power. It could be fascinating that sometime, somebody would mix Clynelish with Glenmorangie, to create one thing actually refined and but ‘assertive’. Like this. In any case, Diageo are huge shareholders in Glenmorangie (through LVMH). Mouth: superb, with extra beeswax, some smooth heat oak (in summer time), a contact of coconut, oriental pastries, orange blossom and rosewater, honeys… And several other dried fruits. Figs, for instance. End: not too lengthy, however actually on dried figs, beeswax, honey and dried pears. Contact of toffee and hazelnut liqueur within the aftertaste. Feedback: a delicacy, to sip with abandon.
SGP:651 – 88 factors. |
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The Unhealthy Na H-Achlaise Assortment ‘Cask Energy’ (58.5%, Badachro Distillery, Tuscan oak, #16/29)
As I perceive it that is mix of sourced malts performed by some nice of us at a wee new artisan distillery positioned south of Ullapool. I’ve to admit I had by no means heard of those very tremendous of us earlier than. As for the identify of this whisky, effectively, why not! Color: golden apricot, which might lead us straight to Chianti or related Tuscan wines. Nostril: I am undecided we’re getting Sangiovese, however there’s, certainly, some coastal and smoky red-wine-ness which might remind us of some official Laphroaigs of outdated. Resembling ‘Brodir’. Massive notes of pink grapefruits, which is gorgeous ‘after all’. Additionally bandages, embrocations, iodine… With water: mud, dunnage, rotting strawberries and blood oranges. A lot nicer than it sounds. Mouth (neat): very good for positive, with excellent notes of artichokes stewed in candy crimson wine. Sounds odd I do know, however it’s wonderful. With water: will get creamier, completely balanced, with some tremendous smoke, Szechuan pepper and extra pink grapefruits and blood oranges. Bingo each time, that. A wee syrupy facet. End: moderately lengthy, and likely higher than every other medium-peater that had been completed in crimson wine, in my view. However do not ask me to put in writing or inform the identify. Feedback: glorious, however hasn’t the cat jumped onto the keyboard whereas they had been typing the identify? It isn’t Laphroaig, as it’s a ‘Highland Single Malt’, nevertheless it was shut.
SGP: 653 – 87 factors. |
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Equilibrium #2 16 yo 2005/2022 (55%, WhiskySponge, single malt, second fill sherry hogsheads)
‘A steadiness of sherry and peat’, it says. Really, this can be a mix of Edradour and Ballechin, so certainly a single malt, or a self-blended malt if you want. We’re anticipating a Springbank + Longrow anytime quickly. Color: gold. Nostril: the Sponge is a good good friend; good, that is sorted. I consider the parents at Edradour are excellent human beings too, I wanted including. So, all disclosures having been performed, allow us to proceed. Pipe tobacco, outdated copper kettle, dried jujubes, soot, recent concrete, brake fluid, used gearbox oil (not the identical as engine oil in any respect!) and this wee acetic facet that will remind us of that different distillery that we have simply talked about earlier than. With water: typical mutton and smoked sausage, plus darkish honeys, cognac and robust natural liqueurs. Say Zwack Unicum. Mouth (neat): comparatively clean and rounded at first, then bursting with chestnut purée, salted chocolate, black toffee and numerous peppers, in addition to clove. Performs along with your lips at his power. With water: chocolate and honey, there. End: lengthy, with extra citrus, and at all times this sooty/oily facet that is so pleasantly soiled. ‘Ish’. Feedback: a bit uncooked right here and there, however we weren’t anticipating Blair Athol thoughts you. Nice fats drop, effectively ‘much less fats, however nonetheless fats’.
SGP:463 – 89 factors. |
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John Walker & Son ‘Celebratory Mix’ (51%, OB, Johnnie Walker Bicentenary, mix, 2020)
Some form of reproduction of the early John (johnnie) Walker, particularly of the well-known ‘white label’, a.okay.a. ‘Outdated Highland Whisky’, probably a mix that used to shelter, err, no grain by any means. Undecided, should examine, anyway, let’s do this one… Color: mild gold. Nostril: however sure! Oils and doughs and soots and smokes and fruit peel and wee metallic bits. That is effectively ‘historical’ whisky, which signifies that that they had stored the moulds and recipes and will reproduce this type simply anytime. No? With water: uncooked malted barley in majesty. Mouth (neat): no apparent grain in the best way, hurray! Moderately citrus, cassata, panettone, sesame oil, sea salt, pastry dough… With water: it grew to become even fatter, and positively extraordinarily good. Gorgeous citrus on doughs and oils and sultanas. End: lengthy, peppery, agreeably smoky, with a wee meaty facet within the aftertaste. Feedback: very impressed, certainly one of my favorite Johnnie Walkers, nearly as good, in my ebook, because the Blue Label. However in France, you can discover this ‘wee White’ at… 40€. Let’s rely the change in our pockets…
SGP:552 – 86 factors. |
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Conspirator Malt 13 yo (46.7%, Klaus Pinkernell, blended malt, 161 bottles, +/-2021)
A really ‘Covid-era’ bottling. Hope we’re performed with it, however I like this quote (translated loosely from Hochdeutsch): ‘whisky is a unbelievable imply to struggle any conspiracy theories’. Color: espresso. Nostril: however yess! Chestnut liqueurs, chocolate liqueurs, espresso liqueurs, prunes in armagnac, then Maggi and date wine, marmalade, arrack, corn syrup… Feels actually thick, however you by no means know… Mouth: whacky and loco. Outdated oloroso, Jerez vinegar, chocolate liqueur and Mozart Kugeln, onion soup, pipe juice, walnut liqueur after all, plus just a few drops of outdated Demerara rum. End: lengthy, thick, heavy. I am positive they’ve added armagnac and English gravy to the cask, however shh, that will be one other conspiracy principle… Feedback: nice enjoyable and nice drop, possibly simply not the epitome of steadiness. Further factors for the massive enjoyable.
SGP:661 – 85 factors. |
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Blended Scotch Whisky 7 yo 2014/2021 (47.5%, Fadandel, refill sherry butt, cask #7, 236 bottles)
This from our associates in Denmark. Let’s be clear, nobody will ever do a mix with solely 236 bottles. So, in principle, this isn’t a mix, except giant components of the vatting have gone elsewhere. Complaints and quibblings on a postcard. Color: white wine. Nostril: moderately mild, with citrusy tones, brioches, jellybeans and lemonade. Very arduous to pin down this far. With water (not that water is required): dough, that is intriguing. It received maltier when additional decreased. Mouth (neat): fascinating mix, with some grain that you just do really feel, and but no easy varnish or bubblegum, moderately pears, cappuccino and Nutella. So, maybe malt, plus grain, plus smartness. With water: certainly, seems just like the malts have gone for blood right here. Adios, grains! End: medium to quick, this time on mild espresso and orangeade. The grain talking out. Feedback: whether it is actually a mix, it’s a super-blend.
SGP:641 – 84 factors. |
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Secret Highland Single Malt 37 yo 1985/2022 (43.2%, Oxhead Whisky Firm, Dram Addicts, sherry hogshead, cask #1018, 233 bottles)
Lengthy neck and the Aristocracy of bearing, this might effectively be… A distillery within the Highlands that is received tall stills with lengthy necks. Color: gold with bronze hues. Nostril: beautiful oily touches, olive, sesame, sunflower, then flower jellies, dandelions, orange cake, custard, actually some blond tobacco (outdated Camels – bear in mind all docs used to smoke Camels – pricey America!) Would maintain occurring with some nougats of all types, peach wine, and even a wee glass of candy chenin blanc. An excellent Chaume, for instance. Mouth: positive the wooden’s about to take over, however these ripe mirabelles, bergamots, buttery pears and apples, quinces and, sure, wines of Chaume are nonetheless holding their place with panache and glory. In reality, it isn’t oaky in any respect. Beautiful notes of linden tea. End: medium, with some wooden oils for positive, but additionally superior apple pies and honey ice cream. Honey ice cream is simply one other sin. Feedback: all delicacy and élan (what?) What could be the value of this in a correct hand-cut crystal decanter with its actual identify engraved in 24k gold letters? (plus white gloves, a certificates of some kind and a hyperlink to a bespoke video).
SGP:641 – 90 factors. |
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