Tasting: Kilchoman 10th Anniversary Edition

Kilchoman 10th anniversary release
Kilchoman 10th anniversary release
Kilchoman 10th anniversary release

Dram data:
Distillery: Kilchoman
Bottler: Original Bottling
Distilled: Multi-Vintage 2005-2010
Bottled: 2015
Age: NAS (3 years according to the youngest whisky)
Limitation: 3000 bottles
Casks: Bourbon + Sherry
Alcohol: 58,2%
unchillfiltered; uncoloured
Whiskybase link

Tasting notes:
Colour:
light gold
The nose screams “Islay”, just like most commercial malt bottlings from Kilchoman. An initial blast of peat with notes of iodine, coal fire smoke, tar and smoked seafood. The smoke is the predominant note at first with the alcohol making a strong appearance too – no wonder at 58,2% ABV. Continue reading “Tasting: Kilchoman 10th Anniversary Edition”

Share this post

Tasting: Five Lagavulin. Vertically. From the cask. At the distillery.

Lagavulin Warehouse Tasting

Lagavulin Warehouse Tasting with Iain McArthurWhen on Islay one of the must-do tours is the warehouse tasting at Lagavulin, especially if Iain “Pinkie” McArthur is hosting it. This year will mark his 45th year in the whisky industry and during that time he’s probably forgotten more about whisky than some of us will ever learn in a lifetime. He’s fun, engaging and famous for baptising people with Lagavulin when sloshing it around after pouring from the casks. But this article is not about the warehouse experience – it’s about the whisky we (my two brothers and I) got to taste in the summer of 2014. I was the designated driver so I decanted most of what I was served into sample bottles and tasted them later on.

10yo “Baby Lagavulin” from an ex-Sherry cask (Hogshead?)
Colour: red copper
Nose: Young, a bit harsh and spirity, peat smoke, hints of dried fruits in the background. With water: Sweeter, less peaty, still young-ish in style
Palate: Alcoholic, strong, some new make still to be detected? Bonfire smoke. With water: Less intensity, still young and metallic, more sweetness and fruits in the background
Finish: Coating, sweet, phenolic, lingering for some time, not overly complex
Verdict: Very young, really “baby” Lagavulin – too young to “die”.
Score: 79 Continue reading “Tasting: Five Lagavulin. Vertically. From the cask. At the distillery.”

Share this post

Tasting: Bowmore 13y 2001 by Cadenhead’s

Bowmore 2001 13 years Cadenhead's

Bowmore 2001 13 years Cadenhead'sDram data:
Distillery: Bowmore
Bottler: Cadenhead’s
Distilled: 2001
Bottled: 10.2014
Age: 13
Limitation: 270 bottles
Casks: Bourbon Hogshead
Alcohol: 56.6%
Unchillfiltered, natural colour
Whiskybase link

Tasting notes:
Colour:
straw
The nose opens with a mixture of typical Bowmore medium-strength peat smoke, vanilla, cooling peppermint (from the noticeable alcohol), lemon, a hint of white pepper, and, of course, the flowery violet note found in most modern Bowmores. Continue reading “Tasting: Bowmore 13y 2001 by Cadenhead’s”

Share this post

Tasting: Bruichladdich The Laddie Ten

Bruichladdich The Laddie Ten
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”

Share this post

Tasting: Lagavulin 16

Lagavulin 16Dram data:
Distillery: Lagavulin
Bottler: Original Bottling
Distilled: –
Bottled: about 2014. Code: L3324CM000
Age: 16
Limitation: –
Casks: bourbon and sherry
Alcohol: 43%
Chillfiltered, fake colour
Price at the time of purchasing: 45€
Whiskybase link

Tasting notes:
Colour:
fake reddish amber
The nose is everything Islay is known for. Initially a welcoming (or off-putting to some…) mixture of iodine peat smoke with sweet caramel pudding. The salt takes a bit of time to fight through, but it appears eventually. After a few minutes in the glass the smokiness settles down and a complex layer of previously subdued aromas appears. Continue reading “Tasting: Lagavulin 16”

Share this post

Tasting: Bunnahabhain 1991 20y by Single Cask Collection

Bunnahabhain 1991 20 years SCCDram data:
Distillery: Bunnahabhain
Bottler: Single Cask Collection
Distilled: 02.12.1991
Bottled: 22.08.2012
Age: 20
Limitation: 738 bottles
Casks: Bourbon hogshead 5468
Alcohol: 49,1%
Unchillfiltered, natural colour
Whiskybase link

Tasting notes:
Colour:
gold
The nose is light, fragrant, perfumy. A rather shy islander. Sweet orange juice, ginger, ripe pears, red apples with a floral note on top. Continue reading “Tasting: Bunnahabhain 1991 20y by Single Cask Collection”

Share this post

Tasting: Laphroaig Select

Dram data:Laphroaig Select
Distillery: Laphroaig
Bottler: Original Bottling
Distilled: –
Bottled: 2014
Age: NAS
Limitation: –
Price at the time of purchasing: 28€
Casks: multiple (quarter, PX, European – fresh American oak finish)
Alcohol: 40%
Chill filtered, probably uncoloured
Whiskybase link

Tasting notes:
Colour:
pale gold.
The nose screams “Islay” long before the glass has even reached your nostrils. The distinctive peat smoke immediately hits you once the cork is off the bottle. Let’s get a bit closer to the nose then. It’s Laphroaig, all right, all the necessary components are there: The signature iodine smoke, brine, salt, clams, seaweed. Continue reading “Tasting: Laphroaig Select”

Share this post

Tasting: Bowmore 12y

bowmore_12Dram data:
Distillery: Bowmore
Bottler: Official Bottling
Distilled: –
Bottled: – (bought 2014 – no bottle code)
Age: 12 years
Limitation: –
Price at the time of purchasing: – (Miniature)
Casks: –
Alcohol: 40%
Chillfiltered, coloured
Whiskybase link

Tasting notes:
Colour:
E150. On the nose I get a whiff of aromatic smoke, not too little, not too much, intermingled with an immediate vanilla-cream and honey sweetness. Continue reading “Tasting: Bowmore 12y”

Share this post

Tasting: Bruichladdich Islay Barley 2004

bruichladdich_islay_barleyDram data:

Distillery: Bruichladdich
Bottler: Official bottling
Distilled: Dec. 2004
Bottled: 01.10.2011
Age: 6
Limitation: 6000
Price at the time of purchasing: 57€
Casks: (most likely refill ex-bourbon – my best guess)
Alcohol: 50%
Unchillfiltered & natural color
Whiskybase link

(Blind) Tasting notes:
Colour: White wine – refill’ish. Very delicate and subtle on the nose with quite a big amount of alcohol influence.
Continue reading “Tasting: Bruichladdich Islay Barley 2004”

Share this post

Tasting: Laphroaig 10y Original Cask Strength Batch 005

laphroaig_10_cs_005Dram data:

Distillery: Laphroaig
Bottler: Original Bottling
Distilled: –
Bottled: Feb.2013
Age: 10 years
Limitation: unknown
Price at the time of purchasing: 47€
Cask: –
Alcohol: 50%
Possibly Unchillfiltered / Natural Colour(?)
Whiskybase link

Tasting notes:
Colour:
deep copper. On the nose I get peat smoke from a metre away… Continue reading “Tasting: Laphroaig 10y Original Cask Strength Batch 005”

Share this post
Cookie Consent with Real Cookie Banner