Tag: whisky | Page 18 | MaltKlaus' Daily Drams

September 29, 2015October 7, 2016

Tasting: Wemyss Malts Kiln Embers Limited NAS

Dram data:
Distillery: –
Bottler: Wemyss Malts
Distilled: –
Bottled: 2015
Age: NAS
Limitation: 12.000 bottles
Cask: –
Alcohol: 46%
unchillfiltered; natural colour
Whiskybase link

Tasting notes:
Colour: gold
Kiln embers, they call this. Double the Islay malt content compared to the peat chimney. Well, let’s find out and let me stick my nose in! Yep, ashy peat smoke, but restrained. A gentlemanlike version of the brute Laphroaig 10yo Cask Strength tends to be. More accessible and mass-compatible, if you like, without being weak. Right, what else do we get? Continue reading “Tasting: Wemyss Malts Kiln Embers Limited NAS”

September 16, 2015October 7, 2016

Tasting: Mackmyra Midnattssol NAS

Dram data:
Distillery: Mackmyra
Bottler: Original Bottling
Distilled: –
Bottled: 2014
Age: NAS
Limitation: –
Cask: Birch sap wine cask finish
Alcohol: 46,1%
unchillfiltered; natural colour
Whiskybase link

Tasting notes:
Colour:dark gold
It’s apparent from the first nose that this is not you usual malt whisky. Does it nose like whisky? I’m not entirely sure, but it is intriguing! Sweet and herbal treesap, freshly rubbed birch leaves on syrup with a bit of vanilla mixed in, dried oranges, orange oil, ripe banana, mango skin and a (pleasant!) note of herbal cough syrup prepared with Demerara sugar. Continue reading “Tasting: Mackmyra Midnattssol NAS”

September 13, 2015October 7, 2016

Tasting: Kilchoman 5 yo 2009 – 2014 for Whisky Circle Pinzgau

Dram data:
Distillery: Kilchoman
Bottler: Bottled for Whisky Circle Pinzgau
Distilled: 05.08.2009
Bottled: 05.08.2014
Age: 5
Limitation: –
Cask: 379/2009 – PX Finish
Alcohol: 59,3%
unchillfiltered; natural colour
Whiskybase link

Tasting notes:
Colour: amber
The nose (neat) opens with a blast of the typical Islay peat smoke note paired with a citrus note I happen to find in most Kilchomans. There’s also Iodine wound disinfectant paired with brine. The smoky, medicinal, citrussy aspect is really strong, overpowering the other aromas at first. Continue reading “Tasting: Kilchoman 5 yo 2009 – 2014 for Whisky Circle Pinzgau”

September 9, 2015October 7, 2016

Tasting: Kilchoman Feis Ile 2015 bottling

Dram data:
Distillery: Kilchoman
Bottler: original bottling
Distilled: 22.05.2008
Bottled: 22.05.2015
Age: 7
Limitation: 742 bottles
Cask: 3 bourbon barrels 245, 449, 450
Alcohol: 58,2%
unchillfiltered; natural colour
Whiskybase link

Tasting notes:
Colour: light gold
The nose (neat) opens with the typical, phenolic, slightly medicinal Islay peat smoke paired with brine. Despite the strong alcohol and the still relatively young age (but quite old for a Kilchoman) there are already some mellow vanilla notes paired with sweet cookies and citrus peeking through – growing stronger as the nose adjust itself to the smoke. Continue reading “Tasting: Kilchoman Feis Ile 2015 bottling”

September 2, 2015October 7, 2016

Tasting: Benrinnes 14 yo 1998 – 2013 by Mc Gibbon’s Provenance

Dram data:
Distillery: Benrinnes
Bottler: Mc Gibbon’s Provenance
Distilled: Winter 1998
Bottled: Spring 2013
Age: 14
Limitation: –
Cask: Sherry Butt 9632
Alcohol: 46%
unchillfiltered; natural colour
Whiskybase link

Tasting notes:
Colour: light gold
The nose opens with a noticeable sweet and dry sherry influence. There’s also vanilla, citrus, light caramel with a hint of menthol and an earthy background note. Continue reading “Tasting: Benrinnes 14 yo 1998 – 2013 by Mc Gibbon’s Provenance”

August 30, 2015October 7, 2016

Tasting: Glann Ar Mor – Taol Esa B2 Heiz Korn NAS

Dram data:
Distillery: Glann Ar Mor
Bottler: Original Bottling
Distilled: –
Bottled: 2015
Age: NAS
Limitation: –
Casks: Sauternes
Alcohol: 46%
unchillfiltered; natural colour
Whiskybase link

Tasting notes:
Colour: honey
This was matured in Sauternes wine casks, so I expect wine-ey influences and perhaps a bit of a dry note. Let’s see: The first whiff of aroma on the nose is a mixture of sweet and dry notes – gotcha! There’s an undeniable white wine influence, this could even be grappa matured in ex-wine barrels! Continue reading “Tasting: Glann Ar Mor – Taol Esa B2 Heiz Korn NAS”

August 24, 2015October 7, 2016

Tasting: Ben Nevis 17yo 1995 – 2013 for Whisky Circle Pinzgau

Dram data:
Distillery: Ben Nevis
Bottler: Carn Mor, bottled for Whisky Circle Pinzgau
Distilled: 23.11.1995
Bottled: 11.08.2013
Age: 17 years
Limitation: 192 bottles
Casks: Sherry Hogshead #965
Alcohol: 51,8%
unchillfiltered; natural colour
Whiskybase link

Tasting notes:
Colour: wood honey
On the first sniff the nose immediately reminds me of the smell in the local shoemaker’s shop when I was a kid – fresh leather and sweet, dark candy as treats for the kids. A pleasant mixture of leather and old carpeted floors stained with ripe old Oloroso sherry, paired with a lush, dark fruit puree background sweetness, blackcurrant, over-ripe strawberries, oranges, dark chocolate with hot peppers and ginger bits. Continue reading “Tasting: Ben Nevis 17yo 1995 – 2013 for Whisky Circle Pinzgau”

August 19, 2015October 7, 2016

Blind tasting: Johnnie Walker Double Black

Dram data:
Distillery: – (Blend)
Bottler: Original Bottling
Distilled: –
Bottled: ca. 2015
Age: NAS
Limitation: –
Casks: –
Alcohol: 40%
chill filtered; coloured
Whiskybase link

Tasting notes:
Colour: fake-looking orang-ey dark gold.
Ah yes, another blind tasting – haven’t done one of these in a while. The only hint I have is that it’s a travel retail 1l-sized bottling. Let’s get going then, shall we?
The nose starts off pretty light and muted at first contact, no way this is bottled at more than 40% ABV. A nose not to offend anyone: A profound generic / honey sweetness paired with vanilla, toffee, orange rind, slight spices (allspice, cinnamon) and perhaps a hint of peat smoke in the background or is the cask fooling my senses here? Continue reading “Blind tasting: Johnnie Walker Double Black”

August 12, 2015October 7, 2016

Tasting: Balmenach 8 yo 2006 – 2014 Rum Finish by Single Cask Collection

Balmenach 8 yo Rum Single Cask Collection

Dram data:
Distillery: Balmenach
Bottler: Single Cask Collection
Distilled: 02.08.2006
Bottled: 30.09.2014
Age: 8 years
Limitation: 199 Bottles
Casks: Bourbon barrel and rum cask
Alcohol: 55%
unchillfiltered; uncoloured
Whiskybase link

Tasting notes:
Colour: copper
The nose is quite a bit high on the alcohol on the first whiff, with a noticeable rum influence underneath. A navy-strength alcoholic rum nose would be the best way to describe it. Also notes of fresh citrus, ginger, molasses, bitter cocoa/chocolate, fermented tea and white pepper. Hmmm… Where’s the malt whisky underneath? Continue reading “Tasting: Balmenach 8 yo 2006 – 2014 Rum Finish by Single Cask Collection”

August 9, 2015October 7, 2016

Tasting: Scapa 12 yo (bottled ca. 2000)

Dram data:
Distillery: Scapa
Bottler: Original Bottling
Distilled: –
Bottled: ca. 2000
Age: 12 years
Limitation: –
Casks: –
Alcohol: 40%
chill filtered; most likely coloured
Whiskybase link

Tasting notes:
Colour: fake orang-ey gold
The nose starts off light with a malty sweetness. Lots of malt sweetness, actually, also some dusty cardboard (but in a pleasant way). Continue reading “Tasting: Scapa 12 yo (bottled ca. 2000)”