Category: Speyside | Page 6 | MaltKlaus' Daily Drams

June 3, 2015October 7, 2016

Tasting: Benriach 15y 1996-2011 by Single Cask Collection

Dram data:
Distillery: Benriach
Bottler: Single Cask Collection
Distilled: 12.03.1996
Bottled: 25.08.2011
Age: 15 years
Limitation: 311 bottles
Casks: Bourbon Hogshead 43220
Alcohol: 54,3%
unchillfiltered; uncoloured
Whiskybase link

Tasting notes:
Colour: light white wine
The nose is light and shy, probably like a 15-year-old wallflower? Ahem… Moving on. Slightly dusty vanilla pudding, otherwise quite floral – rose petals, hints of violets, some hay as well. Continue reading “Tasting: Benriach 15y 1996-2011 by Single Cask Collection”

May 31, 2015October 7, 2016

Tasting: Glenfarclas 14y 1999-2014 for Kirchhellener Private Tasting Circle

Dram data:
Distillery: Glenfarclas
Bottler: Official (private) bottling
Distilled: 1999
Bottled: 2014
Age: 14 years
Limitation: 536 bottles
Casks: Refill Sherry Casks 7072 + 7080
Alcohol: 59,9%
unchillfiltered; uncoloured
Whiskybase link

Tasting notes:
Colour: light amber
The nose is immediately and undeniably influenced by the (refill) ex-sherry cask, more precisely the spicy influence of refill european oak. Oranges, orange zest, green grapes, grape and citrus fruit kernel bitterness, fresh ginger, fizzy orange soda, cough lozenges, star anise, tinned exotic fruits (without the sweetness), dark fruits in the background.
Continue reading “Tasting: Glenfarclas 14y 1999-2014 for Kirchhellener Private Tasting Circle”

May 6, 2015October 7, 2016

Tasting: Glen Moray 10yo Chardonnay cask matured

Dram data:
Distillery: Glen Moray
Bottler: Official Bottling
Distilled: –
Bottled: ca. 2011
Age: 10 years
Limitation: –
Casks: ex-chardonnay
Alcohol: 40%
probably chill filtered due to the low ABV; unknown whether it’s coloured
Whiskybase link

Tasting notes:
Colour: red-gold
The nose opens with an undeniable influence from wine grapes. Fresh, sweet grapes and grape skins paired with pleasant grape kernel bitter notes, but also Kiwi, sweet pineapple, fructose sweetness, creamy caramel, salted butter, malt and cinnamon sticks. Continue reading “Tasting: Glen Moray 10yo Chardonnay cask matured”

April 29, 2015October 7, 2016

Tasting: Strathmill 24y 1990 Strohwein Finish by C&S

Dram data:
Distillery: Strathmill
Bottler: C&S
Distilled: 04.05.1990
Bottled: 08.09.2014
Age: 24 years
Limitation: 282 bottles
Casks: Nr. 2251 (Ex-Sherry with Stohwein Finish)
Alcohol: 54,8%
unchillfiltered; natural colour
Whiskybase link

Tasting notes:
Colour: light gold
The nose opens very “green” and herbal. Fresh garden herbs, fermented tea, beeswax, propolis, eucalyptus, wormwood. As time progresses notes of vanilla, malt and pear start to appear, but they don’t make it a fruity or sweet nose, it stays herbal. Continue reading “Tasting: Strathmill 24y 1990 Strohwein Finish by C&S”

April 22, 2015October 7, 2016

Tasting: Glen Elgin 26y 1980-2007 for The Scots Whisky Forum

Dram data:
Distillery: Glen Elgin
Bottler: Scotch Single Malt Circle for Scots Whisky Forum, Collection No. 4
Distilled: 12.1980
Bottled: 06.2007
Age: 26 years
Limitation: 111 bottles
Casks: –
Alcohol: 47,8%
unchillfiltered; natural colour
Whiskybase link

Tasting notes:
Colour: Copper
The nose opens rather dark and moody, driven by active wood. It doesn’t say on the label but I’m going with European Oak (possibly 2nd fill with a not too long previous fill). Old oak spices, like licking an old cabinet from the room of a heavy smoker. This isn’t peated whisky, but oak can impart smoky smelling flavours, that’s the case here. Continue reading “Tasting: Glen Elgin 26y 1980-2007 for The Scots Whisky Forum”

April 15, 2015October 7, 2016

Tasting: Benromach Sassicaia Wood Finish 2004-2013

Dram data:
Distillery: Benromach
Bottler: Original Bottling
Distilled: 2004
Bottled: 10.2013
Age: 8-9 years
Limitation: 3600 bottles
Casks: 18 months Sassicaia finish
Alcohol: 45%
Probably chill filtered; natural colour
Whiskybase link (where you can also find my initial tasting notes on this dram from a year ago 😉 )

Tasting notes:
Colour: Copper
The nose opens with a hint of light, fragrant campfire smoke paired with a summer fruit sweetness which begs to be investigated further. Continue reading “Tasting: Benromach Sassicaia Wood Finish 2004-2013”

April 12, 2015October 7, 2016

Tasting: Auchroisk 1989 24y by Cadenhead’s

Dram data:
Distillery: Auchroisk
Bottler: Cadenhead’s
Distilled: 1989
Bottled: 10.2014
Age: 24
Limitation: –
Casks: Sherry Cask
Alcohol: 56,5%
Unchillfiltered, natural colour
Whiskybase link

Tasting notes:
Colour: Bright gold
The nose is light and a wee bit shy with the alcohol dominating slightly over the delicate notes. Dried summer flowers mixed with hay. Violets, roses and the faintest hint of lilac. Continue reading “Tasting: Auchroisk 1989 24y by Cadenhead’s”

April 8, 2015October 7, 2016

Tasting: Glentauchers 8y 2005 by Dewar Rattray

Glentauchers 2005 8 years by Dewar Rattray

Dram data:
Distillery: Glentauchers
Bottler: Dewar Rattray
Distilled: 16.09.2005
Bottled: 17.09.2013
Age: 8
Limitation: 403
Cask: Sherry Puncheon 900389
Alcohol: 46%
unchillfiltered and uncoloured
Whiskybase link

Tasting notes:
Colour: gold
The nose opens with a very distinctive sweetness of honey and malt. Creamy toffee, milk chocolate, caramelised almonds and custard with a flowery (lilac, violets), powdery perfume note on top. Continue reading “Tasting: Glentauchers 8y 2005 by Dewar Rattray”

April 5, 2015October 7, 2016

Tasting Tomintoul 8y

Dram data:
Distillery: Tomintoul
Bottler: Original Bottling
Distilled: –
Bottled: Unknown / 1990s?
Age: 8
Limitation: –
Casks: –
Alcohol: 43%
probably chill filtered and coloured
Whiskybase link

Tasting notes:
Colour: reddish gold
The nose offers a rich, fragrant mixture of fruits and sweetness. Honey melon, honey, malty sweetness, ripe pears, apricots, mango, apricots, orange oil, custard, toffee, creamy hot chocolate. Continue reading “Tasting Tomintoul 8y”

March 11, 2015October 7, 2016

Tasting: Glenburgie 21y 1993 by Cadenhead’s (Club bottle 2014)

Dram data:
Distillery: Glenburgie
Bottler: Cadenhead’s
Distilled: 1993
Bottled: 2014
Age: 21
Limitation: 92 bottles
Casks: Ex-Sherry
Alcohol: 51,1%
Unchillfiltered, natural colour
Whiskybase link

Tasting notes:
Colour: deep red copper
The nose opens on a dark note with kirsch, dry sherry (maybe Fino? I’m not the biggest expert on Sherry, sorry…), plum schnapps, european oak spices (old wardrobe with moth balls?), some dried toffee and caramel (not the sweetness, just the aroma), cocoa powder, instant coffee and a hint of eucalyptus.

Continue reading “Tasting: Glenburgie 21y 1993 by Cadenhead’s (Club bottle 2014)”