Author: MaltKlaus | Page 29 | MaltKlaus' Daily Drams

March 1, 2015October 7, 2016

Tasting: Bruichladdich The Laddie Ten

Dram data:
Distillery: Bruichladdich
Bottler: Original Bottling
Distilled: –
Bottled: ca. 2013 – no batch No. on the wee bottle
Age: 10
Limitation: –
Casks: American Oak
Alcohol: 46%
Unchillfiltered, natural colour
Whiskybase link

Tasting notes:
Colour: reddish gold
The nose is typical unpeated Bruichladdich – I like to call it the gentle side of Islay. Some very good and active ex-bourbon casks went into this batch and if it didn’t say “american-oak-matured” on the label I’d say there’s some ex-sherry casks in the mix as well. And yes, I’m fully aware they make sherry casks out of American oak as well. Vanilla pudding, toffee and fudge. Creamy and well-rounded but maybe a wee bit shy, like a 10-year-old lady (terrible pun, I know). Continue reading “Tasting: Bruichladdich The Laddie Ten”

February 27, 2015October 7, 2016

Whisky in pictures: Bruichladdich still maintenance

Even the big stills at a distillery sometimes need a bit of maintenance. Taken in the summer of 2013 at the Bruichladdich distillery.

February 25, 2015October 7, 2016

Blind tasting: Campbeltown Loch Blended Scotch Whisky

Dram data:
Distillery: – (Blend)
Bottler: Springbank Distillers Ltd.
Distilled: –
Bottled: 2014-ish
Age: 5 years (acc. to Whiskybase)
Limitation: –
Cask: –
Alcohol: 40%
Unchillfiltered, most likely uncoloured
Whiskybase link

Tasting notes:
Colour: White wine.
The nose is very light and perfumy. I’ve got a suspicion this is a blend. Unripe and ripe apples mixed with grapes. Continue reading “Blind tasting: Campbeltown Loch Blended Scotch Whisky”

February 22, 2015October 7, 2016

Tasting: Glen Garioch 1993 20y by Single Cask Collection

Glen Garioch 1993 20 years Single Cask Collection

Dram data:
Distillery: Glen Garioch
Bottler: Single Cask Collection
Distilled: 29.09.1993
Bottled: 04.02.2014
Age: 20 years
Limitation: 226 bottles
Price at the time of purchasing: – (sample)
Casks: Bourbon Hogshead no. 808
Alcohol: 55,1%
Unchillfiltered, natural colour
Whiskybase link

Tasting notes:
Colour: straw
The nose is a bit closed down at first, it needs some time to open up. Neat: A mix of delicate vanilla, peppermint, white pepper and lemon juice. Continue reading “Tasting: Glen Garioch 1993 20y by Single Cask Collection”

February 18, 2015October 7, 2016

Tasting: Balvenie 12 Doublewood

Dram data:
Distillery: Balvenie
Bottler: Official bottling
Distilled: –
Bottled: around 2014 (Code: D230835)
Age: 12 years
Limitation: –
Price at the time of purchasing: 29€
Casks: Bourbon with Sherry finish
Alcohol: 40%
Chillfiltered, added colouring
Whiskybase link

Tasting notes:
Colour: fake amber
The nose delivers what is promised on the label. Dominating ex-bourbon notes enriched by (wet?) ex-sherry casks. Rich and creamy but not overwhelming. Sweet vanilla pudding with tinned, glucose-laden exotic fruits on top. Continue reading “Tasting: Balvenie 12 Doublewood”

February 16, 2015October 7, 2016

Whisky in pictures: Bunnahabhain distillery from the beach

Whisky in pictures: Bunnahabhain Distillery seen from the beach on a beautiful summer day in 2014

February 15, 2015October 7, 2016

Tasting: Amrut Peated

Dram data:
Distillery: Amrut
Bottler: Original Bottling
Distilled: –
Bottled: March 2013 / Batch 19
Age: NAS
Limitation: –
Casks: –
Alcohol: 46%
Unchillfiltered, uncoloured
Price at the time of purchasing: 56€ (yes, I paid too much, it’s usually about 40€…)
Whiskybase link

Tasting notes:
Colour: light-ish amber
The nose is an interesting mixture of known and unknown aromas – a clash of worlds – literally, as Scottish peated barley malt is distilled, matured and bottled in India. The peat is there – not nearly as prominent as in most Islay whiskies it is Highland style peatiness to a level we’re used to seeing in, for example Springbank (maybe a little less). It’s there – but just one flavour component amongst many. Continue reading “Tasting: Amrut Peated”

February 11, 2015October 7, 2016

Whisky in pictures: Auchentoshan Distillery – Washback

Washback at the Auchentoshan distillery — 38.000 litre capacity washback at the Auchentoshan distillery. Picture taken in July 2014

February 11, 2015October 7, 2016

Tasting: Invergordon 2006 7y by Whiskybroker

Dram data:
Distillery: Invergordon
Bottler: Whiskybroker
Distilled: 25.06.2006
Bottled: 10.04.2014
Age: 7
Limitation: 192 bottles
Casks: Hogshead 901117, finished in 50l Oloroso Octaves
Alcohol: 50%
Unchillfiltered, natural colour
Whiskybase link

Tasting notes:
Colour: Dark Amber
The nose is… well, what is this beast? Definitely a grain whisky nose, not too much corn sweetness, so I guess mostly wheat. But there’s more. As if it were a half and half mixture of grain whisky and Oloroso sherry.. Continue reading “Tasting: Invergordon 2006 7y by Whiskybroker”

February 8, 2015October 7, 2016

Scotland trip 2014 – part 3: Islay (including Caol Ila, Bowmore, Kilchoman)

Kilchoman distillery. The stillhouse in the front and the kiln in the background

Day 7: Islay

Leaving Kennacraig on the Hebridean Isles

Leaving the marvellous Isle of Arran behind is never easy, but the prospect of landing on the shores of Islay in a few hours time made it a wee bit easier for the three of us. After making our way over to Claonaig by ferry from Lochranza and a taxi ride with David Bridge, we arrived at Kennacraig to board the good old Calmac vessel “Hebridean Isles”. The 2-hour trip on the boat was very smooth as the sea was really calm so we arrived in Port Askaig right on schedule where our car from D&N MacKenzie was already waiting for us. By the way: Great service from them – when you need to hire a car on Islay, I can recommend them!
What next? A distillery visit, of course!

Video: Arriving at Port Askaig Continue reading “Scotland trip 2014 – part 3: Islay (including Caol Ila, Bowmore, Kilchoman)”