TastToe is still one of my favourite whisky shops in Belgium. Ordering online is nice and easy but nothing beats the experience of browsing through shelves and trying a few samples before you make a choice.
Apart from the Karuizawa 1981 cask #4333 which was more or less the highlight of their open doors weekend, a table full of open bottles was available to try. Here are a few informal impressions of other things I’ve tried (don’t expect detailed tasting notes):
Glen Spey 35 yo 1978 (52,1%, The Nectar of the Daily Drams for Drankenshop Broekmans 2013)
Glen Spey 35 yo 1978 (52,1%, The Nectar of the Daily Drams for Drankenshop Broekmans 2013)Strange. The website of Broekmans mentions 1977 (like similar releases from other bottlers) but the label says 1978. Anyway not many Glen Spey around. Rather sweet and fruity, with a slightly candied character and soft grassy / spicy notes but also an alcoholic kick. Just nice. Around € 160.
Glenfarclas 25 yo Quarter Casks (42,4%, OB 2012, 905 btl.)
Balanced sherry with lots of red berry candy and hints of marshmallows on the nose. Some beehive notes. Slightly underpowered on the palate, with a watery impression. Juicy sherry flavours though. Good but overpriced. Around € 210.
Nikka Yoichi 1989 (60%, OB 2012, hogshead #206497)
Rather peaty for Yoichi standards. Nice profile: peat mixed with bright fruity aromas and oriental spices. Seemingly less complex than other Yoichi casks though. Around € 220.
Glenglassaugh 32 yo 1979 (43%, Signatory Vintage 2012, hogshead #1543, 255 btl.)
Sister casks #1544-1548 were bottled before. Overripe melon and banana with sweet malt on the nose. Not as fresh as I hoped. Sweet, fruity palate. Good whisky but disappointing compared to the wonderful 1960’s – early 1970’s Glenglassaugh profile. Around € 180.
Nikka Taketsuru 25 yo (43%, OB 2012, ref. 10B30B)
Composed of malts from Yoichi and Miyagikyo. The new flagship now the 35yo is gone. Only 120 bottles for Europe. Floral, fruity, honeyed, with a lot of varnished oak, “designed” in a good way. Sweet, elegant and honeyed on the palate. Very good, but definitely not € 750 good.