The third volume of our rapid fire whisky notes (see volume 2). Simple assessments with concise tasting notes.
Glen Grant 24 yo 1997 (48,4%, The Taste of Whisky ‘Endangered species’ 2021, refill bourbon hogshead #5106, 215 btl.)
N: pleasant fruitiness. Pears, banana cake, sweet citrus and golden apple. Hints of barley syrup, vanilla, beehive notes, a little papaya too. Really good. M: very creamy and sweet, on vanilla custard, honeysuckle, sweet lemon candy, hints of coconut and apricot jam. F: medium length, still fruity with vanilla, light astringency. 〉〉〉 Lovely nose, full of fruity warmth, and good whisky overall.
Glen Grant 24 yo 1998 (56,1%, The Whisky Blues for The Antelope 2022, hogshead #6439, 239 btl.)
N: quite similar, perhaps a little more apple (syrup) and yellow berries. Rummy sweetness and a little more bourbon oak. M: again very creamy, a lot of honey, apples, bananas, custard, almond cream. Tangy wood and grapefruit syrup comes out in the end. F: longer than the 1997, also more woody. 〉〉〉 Deeper wood flavours means it’s really dialed up to 11. The astringency is borderline. Score: 87/100
Blair Athol 2010 (54,4%, Berry Bros for Kirsch Import 2023, hogshead + Sauternes finish, cask #303318, 298 btl.)
N: yellow apples and quinces, with slightly jammy notes. Vanilla and plain barley. Subtle mint and pepper. M: honey sweetness, more apples and sweet biscuits. There’s a funky winey edge and a bulky texture. F: long, sweet, with mild pepper and candied ginger. 〉〉〉 Not very exciting, not really the Sauternes influence I was expecting either. A slight disappointment. Still widely available in Germany. Score: 80/100
Millstone 5 yo 2017 (54,7%, Whisky Druid 2022, first fill Oloroso sherry cask #170446, 284 btl.)
N: dry Oloroso, tobacco and gentle meaty notes. Toasted wood, herbal notes and coffee. Clean and savoury. M: dark smoke appears, with black pepper, leather and dark fruits underneath. Damp wood, dates, maybe a faint matchstick note. F: quite long, leaving some peppery heat, herbal notes and sweet ashes. 〉〉〉 Rustic but good Millstone again. A sister cask of the Whisky Exchange bottling, really similar, same score. Score: 86/100
Glentauchers 10 yo 2011 (62,6%, Single Malts of Scotland for Kirsch Import 2022, sherry butt #900247, 492 btl.)
N: strong alcohol, later stewed fruits, vanilla pastry, oranges and cinnamon. Strawberries and cream after a while. Don’t expect a classic sherry profile. M: creamy, on peach yoghurt, gummy bears and other mixed fruit candy. Fruit biscuits. Gingerbread. White pepper. Goes in different directions. F: long, sweet, on garden fruits and spices. 〉〉〉 A funny selection, with nice fruity touches but also a lactic side. Still available in Germany and quite cheap. Score: 82/100
Speyside Blended Malt 30 yo 1992 (51,6%, Liquid Treasures + Antelope Macau 2022, refill sherry butt, 520 btl.)
N: ripe golden apples, plums and apricots, with some honey and very light nutty notes. Subtle cocoa too. M: stewed fruits, more honey and nuts. Apples, raisins, mild wood spice and light chocolate. Red berries and plums with ginger. F: quite long, spicier. Hints of chocoalte with a pinch of salt. 〉〉〉 Rumoured to be Macallan and quite good, with elegant sherry tones. Expensive though. Still available from eSpirits. Score: 89/100
Great Northern Irish Whiskey 5 yo (58,2%, Whisky AGE for Whisky Picnic Bar 2022, first-fill bourbon barrels, Batch #1, 120 btl.)
N: fresh wood shavings with citrus fruits and green garden fruits, maybe nectarine, grassy notes, biscuits and mint. M: lemons, apples and peaches, grassy notes, pear eau-de-vie, white pepper, marshmallow. F: shortish and rather spirity. 〉〉〉 Pleasant nose considering the age, but more limited on the palate. Simple pleasures. Score: 84/100
Secret Islay 10 yo 2011 (53,3%, Dramcatcher 2021, Port barrique #3493, 72 btl.)
N: pomegranate and red berries. Then lacquered bacon, dried seaweed, herbal notes and coastal smoke. M: sweet, peppery and smoky. Syrupy berries, wood spice, medicinal notes and aniseed. F: medium long, spicy and peaty, with lingering hints of strawberry. 〉〉〉 Decent Port finishing. Same whisky as the Secret Islay 2011 from Michiel Wigman? Still available from Dramcatcher. Score: 80/100
Staoisha 8 yo 2014 (59,1%, Best Dram 2023, first-fill Amarone barrique finish #10378A, 255 btl.)
N: tobacco sweetness with red fruits. Glazed bacon. Lots of smouldering barbecue smoke and coastal notes underneath. M: fruity sweetness with a firm herbal, bitter edge from the wine. Iodine sharpness, drying herbs and clove. F: long, ashy and herbal. 〉〉〉 The fruits struggle to keep up with the slightly astringent herbs. Not bad but I like them a little cleaner. Score: 85/100
Ardlair 11 yo 2011 (64,9%, van Wees ‘The Ultimate’ 2022, refill butt #900037, 539 btl.)
N: not as smoky as expected. Bready notes (toast), red apples, roasted nuts and savoury sherry. Water adds sourness. M: drinkable at full strength. Still savoury hints of tobacco, chocolate, bramble, baked apple and cinnamon. Sharp herbal notes. F: medium, on liquorice, charred wood and wood spice. 〉〉〉 Raw power and savoury sherry, but not the best Ardmore in my opinion. Score: 83/100