Tasting Notes

Balblair 2000

Balblair 1989 and 1975 are amongst my all-time favourites, no big secret. Chris however has always preferred the much fresher and cleaner 1997. The 2000 vintage, bottled and released this year, is Balblair’s newest baby and is replacing the 1997 which is now set to be discontinued. I got to taste it yesterday and I [...]

A Quick Dram: Mortlach 70 year old

A life experience awaited me. I sat with this chocolate-esque box on the bar before me. I had been looking forward to getting my hands on it for quite some time. After blowing the dust off the lid, I preceded to open the box. Pages and pages of information, but who cares about that? What [...]

The Ultimate Half and Half

When I started drinking in pubs, at the tender age of 18, I became a regular at an old man pub in deepest darkest Leith. Very close to where a lot of Trainspotting was filmed. I would normally go on a Sunday with my boss. This was the kind of pub where a round for [...]

Ardbeg Supernova 2. Where is the love?

I sit down. It had been a hard day at work and I quite fancied a wee dram. I saw Lucas had raved about the New Supernova. Was I gonna try it? You bet! But I was apprehensive. Was a cask strength peat sandwich likely to relax me or get me more wound up? I [...]

Ardbeg Supernova 2010. I believe in miracles…

Since you came along
You sexy thing!
Here it is, standing all quiet and still in front of me. Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible 2011 Whisky of the Year… wanna bet? Not a bit of sarcasm or bitterness here though. Because this one for a change may actually deserve to be put in the spotlight - Ardbeg Supernova [...]

Manager’s Choice: Glenkinchie

Glenkinchie
Filled 1992, bottled 2009
Cask #502, European oak
528 bottles
58.1% ABV
£250
Nose: Lemon grass, marshmallows, oaked Chardonnay, Champagne-flavoured croissant filling. It’s very clean and focused. With water becomes heavier but doesn’t loose the fresh-factor. Oily citrus, lemon icing, corn flakes, sour bread crust, vanilla custard. Very un-kinchie! Defined and pronounced, on time and in-tune.
Palate: Sugary sweetness, perfumed and [...]

A Quick Dram: Balvenie Signature Batch 3

Balvenie Signature Batch 3
12 years old
First fill bourbon, refill bourbon and Olorosso sherry
Nose: Big notes of heather honey. Lemon zest. Almost like lemon and peroa juice. A very fresh dram, in comparison to the richer Doublewood. It is worth warming, as it becomes a fair bit richer and more grapey.
Palate: Citrus and grapefruit at first. [...]

Balvenie Signature Batch 3

From time to time, everyone gets absorbed by marketing. It has its uses, granted, but at times it becomes a haze around you. Obscuring your vision, confusing your senses and trying to persuade your wallet to part with hard earned cash. Limited edition this, never seen again that. Argh!

The reason I have written this, is [...]

A Quick Dram: Greenore 8 yo

Greenore 8 years old
Single Grain Irish Whiskey
Limited edition, bottled 2007
Small batch distillation from Cooley distillery, County Louth
40% abv
Appearance: Pale yellow gold, similar to a lightly oaked white wine.
Nose: Sherbet lemon sweets and warm vanilla custard - creamy but tangy.Something fragrant underneath, like aromatic spices…cardamom perhaps?
Palate: Firm and surprisingly fruity on the palate initially. A burst [...]

A Quick Dram: Dalmore Clan Mackenzie

(Click on the photo to get thoughts from the Nose)

Dalmore Clan Mackenzie
17 years old
11 years in ex Bourbon casks
6 years in Port pipes
Highlands
46%
About £100
Background: The Founders and stewards of Dalmore were  of the Clan Mackenzie. This bottle is being released to celebrate this link, as the painting on the Box symbolises. Some of the proceeds [...]