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Braeval - 1991/2013 - The Whisky Mercenary (47,7%)

Tasted this at our latest 21drams gathering.

The bourbon influence is very prominent at first scent, but with the age shining trough (that dusty thing). Not something I often get the chance to nose. Strawberry custard, some apple compote, after a while turning into candied fruits: canned ananas and candy fruit bears.

On the palate, fruity, but quickly more spices appearing, and a soft nutiness, leading to a rather complex and long finish with some cinnamon, and dried herbs. Rather tasty actually.

#braeval #fotb #21drams #the whisky mercenary

Teeling 'Silver Reserve' 21Y (46%)

The 'best of' lists are slowly but steadily invading our mediascape. One of the most interesting yearly awards are the Malt Maniacs Awards, handed out by the renowned club of whisky enthousiast. So, time to taste one of their laureates, the Thumbs Up Awardfor Teeling Whisky Company's 21yo ‘Silver Reserve’. The new found company is headed by Jack Teeling, the former Master Distiller of Ireland's Cooley distillery (Connemara). The Silver Reserve consists of an undisclosed single malt that has been triple matured and finished in sauternes casks.

On the nose, rather unusual. First thing to pop up is... cream cheese. After a while, cream cheese with apple compote. Then becoming ever more sweeter, but also toasted. Burnt cereals and tobacco leaves. The sour note of buttermilk (although I see pink grapefruit appear in other reviews, this to me has a sourness that goes more in the direction of dairy products). Rather spicy too, but very lightly: fine, white pepper. Like the sour and toasted notes continuously trying to get the upper hand. So all very complex and interesting, but not completely sure about the final outcome. Although in the end, it is definitely warm and sweet.

On the palate, definitely more exotic now, with melons, mango and passion fruit, immediately followed by sweet crème pattisière, and fading on some toasted, medium long finish. Not bad at all.

Although maybe not the whisky I would spent my first 160 available euro on, but definitely one to watch. The Gold and Platinum reserve should be coming soon...

#teeling #silver reserve #malt maniacs awards #ireland #tripple distilled #21y

The General - Compass Box (53,4%)

Compass Box is not afraid of some thought-through experimentation and original presentation. After having tasted their excellent Last Vatted malt recently, now time for the newly released the General. Again, something special: a vatting of a few very old casks which were found somewhere lying in warehouses of other companies somewhat forgotten and ageing there at least for 33 years and others said the double of it (rumours...). They have no idea what the component whiskies are, only that the result is old and beautiful. Well, must say I tasted this at the festival alongside some other old whiskies. What is certain is that this has the same elegance and 'antique character' of those other whiskies, all being single malts.

On the nose, there is certainly a sherry cask influence, translating in sweet prunes and worn leather notes. Although sweet, the grain is almost indiscernible. On the palate, very smooth, like an old single malt, sweet prunes again, some chocolate, old bourbon sweetness. The finish could have been a tad longer. It stands it ground more than well against those other powerhouses. And for the same price, why not get something special. Although I would then rather consider buying the Last Vatted malt.

Excellent though...

#compass box #sits #the general #the last vatted malt #old casks

The Last Vatted Malt Compas Box (53,7%)

Very glad to have been able to bring a sample of this home from Spirits in the Sky festival. It has been on my radar for a while and is certainly no recent release, but again one of Compass Box ingenious ideas: bottling two malts under the term ‘batted malt’ for the last time, as SWA banded the use of it as from november 2011. Having had a few expressions in the Douglas Laing Double Barrel series, I am always interested to see how two barrels marry. Especially when we are talking about 78% Caol Ila 1984 (bourbon hogsheads) and 22% Glenallachie 1974 (first fill sherry). The nose holds a beautiful combination of deep smoke and fruitiness. Peaches and cranberries provide a hint of freshness underneath which a rather thick sweetness develops where smoke and fruitiness interact perfectly, like apple stew with vanilla sugar prepared on a wood fire. Through all this, some coastal notes. I would say even towards some marinated fish - oily - but then again with fruity sweetness. Maybe the cranberries again, but then stewed, as they are served with wildfowl. Also a bit oily, marinated. On the palate, well-rounded and full bodied, with a most enjoyable evolution from sweetness over smokiness developing into a gently spiced-up and long finish slowly fading on briny, mineral notes. Tasting again, another layer hits me, which reminds me, again, of marinated tinned fish, but is so unique I have a bit of difficulty pinning it down. Let me cheat for a second… Tea! That could be it. Well, this is one of the most interesting and beautiful drams (especially the nose!) I had in a long time. A pity you have to lay more than 200€ for this, but disappointed you won’t be.

#sits13 #douglas laing #lastvattedmalt

Tamdhu 10Y (2013 OB) 40%

So, here we are again for a new season of occasional tasting notes and little adventures for you to enjoy! And we start with something fresh from the shelves: Tamdhu 10Y (2013 OB) 40%.

After Ian Macleod Distillers took over this mothballed distillery in 2011, they are now presenting their restyled range, both in packaging as in profile, with this entry level 10Y. Codeword of the restyle: sherry casks. Remarkable to say the least, in times where the sherry industry is quickly fading and sherry casks are expensive. So, what's the verdict?

On the nose, sweet sherry (few spices) at first, but also faint leather, even some fresh rubber. On the fruit side, oranges lead, but more sweet nectar than fresh juice.

On the palate, young yet rounded. Yet rather plain too. The sherry influence is nice, but fades too quickly into a drying finish.

Overall an enjoyable entry level malt and interesting to see a distillery take the leap into fully sherry cask matured whisky. Still, for around 45€, you might find something more challenging...

I have been quite silent recently (not because we don't have whisky in the summer, as you can witness here), but because we have been working on our 21drams whisky gatherings to launch in October.

Expect a lot of excellent stuff to be reviewed here in the coming months!

Strathmill Asta Morris 22Y 1991/2013 (50.3%)

It is rather astonishing that an independent bottler succeeds in selecting whiskies from different distilleries that consequently feature the same, distinct profile. The Asta Morris profile is straightforwardly fruity, building on a subtle waxy and mineral backbone (although in a recent encounter, Mr. Morris did not fully agree with the mineral part). This Strathmill brilliantly expresses this profile. On the nose, I get vanilla custard with fresh fruits, hints of lichee and light zesty notes. Sweetness then takes over, with tangerine marmelade and candy bears. All this freshened up by wet leaves, bees wax and honey (the latter becoming more prominent by adding water, along with some brown sugar). On the palate, tangerines and citrus again, on top of orchard fruits. All in a very fresh and oily mouthfeel. The sweetness comes from the barley, leading towards orange-infused dark chocolate. Some freshly cut tobacco and fresh mediteranean spices lingering in the back, all very mild and subtle. The finish is medium long and clean, giving ample room to enjoy the waxiness. Leaving aside the BenRiachs, I would argue this might be the best whisky Mr.Morris has bottled yet (and I really like the others). I have really come to appreciate his selections as less straightforward, more subtle and complex expressions. I suspect this will get high ratings around. Thx To Koen for opening the bottle!

Benromach Organic (43%)

Benromach is owned by independent bottler Gordon & MacPhail. THey have quite an eclectic range, with peated and non-peated expressions. I was curious to try this one, because it combines two features I usually find rather interesting, but rarely see combined: organic production and virgin oak maturation. Other 'organic' malts like Bruichladdich's or Arran's Bere Barley (although that is organic in the sense of 'going back to the roots' rather than 'conforming to the certified process in order to get the label by the Association of Organic Whatever). What is the verdict for this rather young expression? The nose starts by revealing a lot of oak and spices, rather than malted, hay-like tones I associate with the aforementioned 'organic' malts. Only slowly does it open up to give room to vanilla cereal sweetness. On the palate, medium-bodied but at the same time robust, in a basic, but good way. Oak and spices again here. In general, this is to be remembered as a wood-driven whisky. The virgin oak sweetness or organic elements seem to play a secondary role. Not as touching as the other organics, but still a nice option to have.

Cooley 2000/2013 The Whisky Mercenary 13 Y (51,4%)

Cooley (as in Connemara) stands for delicate smokiness with lots of sweetness. My kind of peaty dram. I was glad to hear the Belgian Whisky Mercenary was presenting this at the Whisky Festival in Geraardsbergen last week. On the nose, even less peat then expected. Butterscotch and fudge, with delicate smoke and citric notes. Palate opens with more distinct peat, but the delicate kind. Medium-bodied. Fruity sweetness, but immediately followed by a ton of spices, whithout them overpowering: liquorice, fresh thym and soem Fisherman's candy, leading to a tad of bitterness. Liquorice and zest in the finish. I really enjoy this dram, as it has sweetness and peatiness, but also spices and more bitter notes, but all in the right balance. On the shelve!

Tomintoul 1967/2011 44Y A.D. Rattray (46,4%)

What a nice surprise: while having the Strathisla 67, Michiel puts a glass of Tomintoul 67 next too it. "On the house, so you can compare". Well, very much appreciated, Michiel! The bourbon has worked well on this one, infusing the scent with sweet banana and fresh pineapple. On the palate, this is lush and soft. Fruity again, but not too sweet thanks to a well-balanced nuttiness developing. Some hints of mint add to the freshness. The nuttiness (ochre notes) returns in the finish. Nice!

#Tomintoul #the green man #1967

Strathisla 1967/2007 40Y (43%)

The second dram at the Green Man was this Strathisla 67 which I immediately noticed upon entering. It was the dram of the week, opened for Mireille's anniversary. The fact that the bottle then enters the range says a lot about the uncomplicated and warm way the Green Man is run. This deep and dry sherries Speysider needed some time to open up. As with all good, old sherry expressions, this demands some time. Nosing, I had some red fruits and ripe prunes. Then the (supposedly Oloroso) sherry cask starts to show with herbal notes of liquorice and oregano, complemented with old leather. This profile is continued on the palate. Refined sherry notes, yet fruity and fresh. According to Michiel, Strathisla is on its best when it is past it twenties. All together, a beautiful, layered dream of a sherry dram.

#Strathisla #the green man #40y #1967

Cooley 12Y Kintra (49,6%)

A weekend in Ostend with the family was the ideal occasion to drop by The Green Man, a relatively new whisky bar. It was a nice experience, one I'll be sure to do over with the Friends. Choosing between the 350 whiskies was not easy but Michiel and Mireille are excellent guides. I wanted to start of with a Cooley, as I am looking forward to the Whisky Mercenary's imminent release (which in the meantime I tasted, approved and added to the shelve). As I never had a Kintra, I picked this over the A.D. Rattray. Extremely mineral at first, wet stones along the sea. Grassy notes following, Slowly more spices develop. Some eucalyptus. Only then the sweetness develops: crème brûlée. The second sip ads salted caramel butter. The finish evolves dries out a bit, with dried thyme, sea salt, black pepper and at last some zesty notes.

#Cooley #kintra #the green man

Tomatin 30y (46%)

Clearly, a distilery on a high, as we've been hearing lots of praise for it recently. The 12Y is promising, so curious about this 30Y OB. Starts of with a distinctly fruity nose. Red fruits (strawberries!), with hints of fresh organes and the whole dressed with honey and almonds. Très inviting. On the palate, round and layered, with the oak providing just enough spices to the fruity sweetness. A lovely dram that for me puts this distillery immediately on the 'to further explore' list.

Linkwood 15 Gordon and MacPhail (43%)

We tasted this after G&M's Glenburgie 1966 (which left us speechless, hence no review), which does not do justice to this dram. Lots of sherry notes on the nose, sultanas, but also liquorice, adding some freshness. Rather rounded on the palate, where more sweetness is developping, with even some cake. A certain nutiness appears in the finish. Overall, not too impressed over this Linkwood, but I am not yet very acquainted with this distillery. Something to further look into.

Dailuaine Exclusive Malts 1992/2012 20Y (51,7%, cask #3122)

This immediately reminded me of Balmenach: very clean, easy-drinking Speysider. On the other hand, I sometimes wonder how many of those you need. A lot of these fruity expressions (we had Glen Keith, Glencadam and Linkwood before tasting this one) seem interchangeable to a certain degree, which generally make them difficult to assess. Still, a nice dram. Little dusty, leathery, but with pears and ananas providing fruitiness. Tasting: sweetness, honey, punchy, but fresh herbs keep it light. Medium-rounded. Dries out quickly though. Yum.

Glenfarclass Family Cask Release 1 1954/2007 Cask 444 Sherry Butt (52,6%)

As said, festivals are the ideal occasion to taste some unique drams. For Glenfarclas lovers, this is about as good as it gets: a 53 year old Family cask. By now, this goes for around 3.000 euro a bottle. It took a little bit of lobbying by Mark for which we are grateful. Cause this is marvellous stuff. A voluptuous nose, characterised more by its depth and balance then by specific notes. Typical sherry scents (Turkish delight and sultanas), but backboned by a strong presence of the oak. On the palate, again the mouthfeel is what surprises most. Velvety. The finish is extremely long. Dusty leather. Floor wax. Some tobacco. A strong peppery, wooden undertone is there along the whole journey. A gem.

#Glenfarclas #family cask #1954 #gent13 #oldies

Port Dundas 46Y Scott's 1964/2010 Selection (44,1%)

Glad to finally taste a Port Dundas. For two reasons. First, we are from Dundaland, the surname of our little village. So, purely based on the name, this should be our house whisky. Second, because we did not taste that many grain whiskies up to now and this, by the age, should get us an idea of what the Ivy league of grain whiskies taste like. Well, on the nose, this is an explosion of sweetness. Lot's of vanilla and cake. But also something more distinct. A hint of bitterness that reminds of balsamic vinegar. On the palate, the delivery is balanced, but rather underwhelming. An oaky, bitterish touch at first, then sweetness again. Vanilla. Sour candy. Unfortunately, not much of a finish left to savour, and that is not what you expect from a spirit of this age. The prize is reasonable (around 130€) seen the age, but in the end, you want taste, not age in you glass.

#Port dundas #gent13

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