Independent Bottlers Challenge 2011

Winner : Scotch Malt Whisky Society

12 YEARS & UNDER

GOLD

93.42 Explosion in a honey factory
Scotch Malt Whisky Society
Smoke & candy floss on the nose, heat & burnt toast in the mouth leading to a brilliant finish -JA
Creme brelee and banana, hint of nail polish, building to creamy egg nog. Orange peel and the faintest wisp of smoke leading to a nice drying finish -PT

SILVER
No silver was awarded in this category

BRONZE
No bronze was awarded in this category

13 - 20 YEARS

GOLD

Rare Auld Glen Scotia 1991
Duncan Taylor & Co.
Aroma of musty seaside attic. Lush, seaweed & gingersnap palate with a firm, dry finish -JA
Green and fresh, hint of smoke and seaweed. Water brings out some eucalyptus as well -PT

SILVER

Scott's Selection Glen Scotia 1991
Speyside Distillers
Slight, grainy nose; heather honey & marmalade in the mouth; extremely hot on the lips -JA
Maritime with some rubber and pronounced smoke -PT

BRONZE
No bronze was awarded in this category

21 YEARS & OVER
No medals awarded in this category

Winner : Whiskies of Scotland - singlemaltsdirect.com

12 YEARS & UNDER

GOLD

Old Pulteney 1998
Malts of Scotland
Nose of eau de vie; hot, plumy palate, like a Mirabelle with malty notes; complex -JA
Hints of eucalyptus waft around chocolate, ripe blueberry and lemon bath oil. Even a little waxiness to it -PT

SILVER

Provenance Blair Athol Over 11 Years Old
Douglas Laing & Co.
Aromas of rubbing alcohol & peach; dry and alcoholic palate that's well balanced -JA
Hint of caramel and pear drops,well balanced. Good texture. Hint of coffee and chocolate, slight fizz on the tongue -PT

BRONZE

Glengoyne 1999
Berry Bros. & Rudd
Nice, tablet-like sweetness -JA
Fresh, almond and butter on the nose. Richer mouthfeel -oily with a good long finish -PT

13 - 20 YEARS

GOLD

Dun Bheagan Ardmore 18 Years Old
Ian Macleod Distillers
Lovely woody nose. Superb balance of honey & cream -JA
Spice, smoke and salt on a bed of toffee. A touch of bitter peanut skin comes in. Gently fading finish. Nice balance overall -PT

SILVER

Glencadam 1990
Berry Bros. & Rudd
Peanut brittle in the nose. Sweet, hot, silky palate. Has a satisfying smoky finish -JA
Honey, lemon sherbet, vanilla. Builds to apple pie. Nice and juicy. Long finish, and it has this slowly reducing sweetness -PT

BRONZE

125.43 Dancing dolls in flower meadows
Scotch Malt Whisky Society
Firm palate of anise and cinnamon with a lasting, chewy finish -JA
Menthol notes with a hint of burnt sugar. Some curry leaf and a touch of savoury acidity -PT

21 YEARS & OVER

GOLD

Whiskies of Scotland Macduff 1969
singlemaltsdirect.com
Aromas of fine, old wood. Smooth palate of peaches and marmalade -JA
Pear drops, Creme de Myrtille, wisp of eucalyptus and clove. Light body, sweetness with a hint of coffee to it -PT

SILVER

77.21 Crispy duck and jasmine tea
Scotch Malt Whisky Society
Big blast of honey, then cinnamon and clove hit the tongue and lead to a sumptuous, sweet finish -JA
Lively & fruity with spices and coffee. Orange, cloves, nice bitter notes. Strong fruits, spices and burnt sugars -PT

BRONZE

Rare Auld Invergordon 1972
Duncan Taylor & Co.
Oranges and marmalade on the tongue and a lingering, hot cinnamon finish -JA
Initially sweet becoming drying with menthol. Complex with a long finish as well -PT

Winner : Malts of Scotland

12 YEARS & UNDER

GOLD

Ledaig 1998 Sherry Cask
Malts of Scotland
Huge whiff of seaside, complete with mussels and chocolate. Peat and sweet oak mingle gracefully -EB
Medicinal, carbolic soap, wonderful phenolic peat, melted butter. Brandy snaps, crispy bacon and liquorice. Guy Fawkes would love this dram -NR

SILVER

Scapa 2000
Gordon & MacPhail
Delicate citrus and yellow stone fruit. Soft very easy drinking with citrus, honey and some vanilla -EB
Soft powder paints and light elderflower/orchard fruits . Creamy, raspberries and wonderful sweet vanilla. Summer sun in a glass -NR

BRONZE

NC2 Isle of Arran 1999
Duncan Taylor Scotch Whisky
Elements of new make still in residence. Clean and sweet -EB
Ferns, toffee and a hint of carbolic soap. Very grainy with some sweet malty cereal -NR

13 - 20 YEARS

GOLD

Chieftain's Isle of Jura
Ian Macleod Distillers
Bags of fresh coconut and tropical fruit. Sweet with a really nice combination of honey and lemon -EB
Candied fruits, dried lavender, cedarwood and light cream. Very sweet and creamy on the palate, vanilla, carnation milk and cola bottle sweets -NR

SILVER

4.143 Honey on Hot Stones
Scotch Malt Whisky Society
Some tropical fruit and waxed floorboards. Really fruity backed up a malty creaminess -EB
Fresh butter, pencil shavings and fennel, aromatic vanilla. Absolutely wonderful fresh blackcurrants and raspberries, more soft butter and tablet. Excellent -NR

BRONZE

Secret Stills 4.13
Gordon & MacPhail
Vanilla nose, beachy flavours. Whiff of peat and salt. Very moreish -EB
Blackcurrant cough drops, hint of light peat. Sweet, with a hint of sooty peat and vanilla -NR

21 YEARS & OVER

GOLD

Scott's Selection Highland Park 1981
Speyside Distillers
Surprisingly soft, growing old gracefully. Lovely oily coating of the mouth. Warm and mellow -EB
Rounded soft peat, brazil nuts and natural yoghurt. Peach Melba, slight tropical fruits, lemon zest and a faint waft of peat -NR

SILVER

Mackillop's Choice Highland Park 28 Years Old
Angus Dundee
Camp coffee, with figs and tropical fruit. Plenty of oak, excellent complexity, a dram to really savour -EB
Peanut brittle, Toblerone, a waft of gentle peat smoke and caramel fudge. Cherry sherbet, strawberry creams. Earthy, with spicy peat -NR

BRONZE

Highland Park 1986
Malts of Scotland
Fruitcake and lemon shortbread, Fruitiness carries through. -EB
Dusty leather-bound books, woody casks and creamy chocolate abound -NR

Winner : Duncan Taylor & Co.

12 YEARS & UNDER

GOLD

Caol Ila 2000
Berry Bros. & Rudd
Floral notes under a marine influence, interestingly progressive. Faultless, does all it suggest it should. A cracker -RL
Smouldering peat smoke from a late night fire, salt and balsamic vinegar crisps and pork scratchings -JM

SILVER

Whiskies of Scotland Bowmore 2002
singlemaltsdirect.com
Potent, rose water, vanilla. Indeed promising. Consistent delivery, very impressive stuff -RL
An ethereal entity emerges through peat smoke haze. Well-rounded and delicious with a light finish -JM

BRONZE

NC2 Bowmore 1998
Duncan Taylor & Co.
Creamy, oily, iodine, peat, warm honey, has a long lasting mouth feeling -RL
Bathes the tongue like soothing linctus. Brittle toffees, caramel and bountiful vanilla -JM

13 - 20 YEARS

GOLD

Chieftain's Laphroaig
Ian Macleod Distillers
Citrus characters emerge, freshness of grapefruit perhaps, with juicy pears with a touch of honey -RL
Tarte au Citron, light spices, toasty oak and a hint of aniseed. Creosote on a paintbrush, soft smoke and sea urchin shells -JM

SILVER

Old Malt Cask Caol Ila
Douglas Laing & Co.
Fresh, zesty, touch of peat, light, fragrant. Big, warming, powerful and imposing -RL
Parma violets, creamy vanilla pudding, and a fine overlay of peat smoke-JL

BRONZE

3.169 Pagoda reek drifting over Loch Indaal
Scotch Malt Whisky Society
Fresh sea like character, cloves and peat. Medicinal, iodine and grapefruit -RL
Warm kippers, dried heather, Barratt's dib dab, military boots polished to a sheen -JM

21 YEARS & OVER

GOLD

Octave Caol Ila 1983
Duncan Taylor & Co.
Rich, woody, winey, peated, sweet, long with a bitter chocolate -RL
Chunks of plain chocolate, ground coffee, faint black pepper -JM

SILVER

Bunnahabhain 1973 Sherry Cask
Malts of Scotland
Sherry, fresh, sweet, with winy notes. Well aged-RL
Rich sherry notes, glace cherries, dark fudge and molasses through to black treacle -JM

Scott's Selection Caol Ila 1981
Speyside Distillers
Sherry, fresh, sweet and winey notes. Big dram -RL
Kippers, lobster pots, apple pie, white peppercorns and warm fish and chip wrappers -JM

BRONZE

Whispering Smoke
Wemyss Vintage Malts
Pineapple, ripe banana, toffee. Peat undertone, a slight saltiness -RL
A fug of peat smoke, tones of pine needles, barrel char and wooden fish boxes endure-JM

Winner : Speyside Distillers

12 YEARS & UNDER

GOLD

Auchentoshan 1999 For Fulldram
Malts of Scotland
Candy canes & hazelnut syrup. Plenty of wood character from a fresh cask. Burnt sugar, with savoury edges. Surprising depth -EB
Rubbery demijohn bungs and fat juicy raisins. Spicy flat cola, liquorice root notes, cocoa, and old leather. Dried fruits linger with more of the syrupy cola notes -NR

SILVER

Whiskies of Scotland Auchentoshan 2000
singlemaltsdirect.com
Pineapple and rhubarb with boiled sweets on the nose. Light and delicate, just what a young Lowland should be, no more no less -EB
Chopped hazelnuts, almonds, slightly sweaty note and fresh oak cakes -NR

BRONZE

Octave Auchentoshan 1999
Duncan Taylor & Co.
Pleasant barley sugar nose, with ruminants of new make -EB
Buttery, powder paint, a wisp of a gentle peat -NR

13 - 20 YEARS

GOLD

50.41 Winter Fireworks
Scotch Malt Whisky Society
Interesting, touches of cardamom and mint, definite menthol edge. Sweet but not cloying, minty savoury edge. Bloody brilliant -EB
Farm yard notes, compost wafts, dried leaves, and mint. Sweet marzipan, strawberries -NR

SILVER

Dun Bheagan Rosebank French Oak Finish
Ian Macleod Distillers Ltd
Nice light citrus, with sherbet and barley sugar prevailing. Sweetness that is checked by a touch of rich earthiness. Oily dust on the finish -EB
Vitamin pills, fragrant wax, orange creams, sweet soft fruit compote and hazelnuts -NR

BRONZE

Bladnoch 1990
Berry Bros. & Rudd
Very oaky cask notes, sugar paper, wallpaper paste, soft caramel and milky chocolate powder. Very dry finish to it -NR

21 YEARS & OVER

GOLD

Scott's Selection Caledonian 1965
Speyside Distillers
Deep, almost brooding. Warm walnut and spice, quite delicious, a really serious dram -EB
Creamy coconut on the palate, spiced creme brelee and juicy raisins. Surprisingly youthful -NR

SILVER

Rare Auld Cameronbridge 1979
Duncan Taylor & Co.
Blimey, how complex do you want a whisky to be! Coffee, menthol, lime and figs. Soft round, more menthol and lemon leading to a dry honeyish finish. Yum yum! -EB
Wow, very sweet fruit, creamy coconut, fresh cherry aromas, flavoursome rye whiskey notes and black cherries on the palate. Fabulous -NR

BRONZE

22.29 Bringing in the Barley
Scotch Malt Whisky Society
Grass, lemon and honey -EB
Leathery notes, sweet strawberry jam, smoked ham. Waxy, white pepper, a hoppy bitterness -NR

Winner : Douglas Laing & Co.

12 YEARS & UNDER

GOLD

Miltonduff 1998
Berry Bros. & Rudd
Cocoa powder and melted milk chocolate aromas. Toasted almonds and a salty, chicken satay finish -JH
Leafiness, manure, heather and a touch of malt. Beautiful and grassy with hints of white liquorice and gentle citrus fruit -CG

SILVER

1.158 Cricketer's Dram
Scotch Malt Whisky Society
Strong honeysuckle and rose water. Delicate gum ball palate backed with some cracked black pepper and a strong, cinnamon spice finish -JH
Serious globs of farmyards and peat along with some sweet fruit lurking beneath. With time some vanilla oak puts in an appearance -CG

BRONZE

Octave Craigellachie 1999
Duncan Taylor & Co.
Latte spiked with liquorice nose with honey roast ham palate and an exceedingly spicy finish -JH
Peppery tequila notes and some old wood. Burnt caramel and citrus -CG

13 - 20 YEARS

GOLD

Linkwood 15 Years Old
Gordon & MacPhail
Cherries in brandy. Butterscotch and tablet and tree bark spices in the finish -JH
Soft and broad, opening with some light coffee. The gorgeously mature honey begins to shine. Great depth, enhanced with a liberal sprinkling of spices -CG

SILVER

Ginger Compote
Wemyss Vinatge Malts
Undercooked ginger bread nose keeps going in to a gingerbread plate and, guess what, a ginger bread finish! Nice... if you like ginger bread! -JH
Beautiful light honey and barley. Very concentrated and deep -CG

BRONZE

7.66 Harmonious co-existence of flavour
Scotch Malt Whisky Society
Freshly baked brown bread, some basil and thyme, a second hand book or two -JH
There's a beguiling maturity to the honey and the subservient oak adds a buttery twist -CG

21 YEARS & OVER

GOLD

Old Malt Cask Glenallachie 38 Years Old
Douglas Laing & Co.
Hot-on-the-hob raspberry jam on the nose, with the same red summer fruit adding fresh black cherries to the palate. A sweet shop full of open jars! -JH
Soft and juicy. A lovely depth and concentration of mature sherried fruit -CG

SILVER

Rare Auld Glen Grant 1974
Duncan Taylor & Co.
Dried apricots and dry sand dunes. Fruit cake with thick icing and a lengthy finish of orange peel and brandy -JH
Simply stunning, luscious and aromatic. A lovely complex mouthful of spicy dark chocolate and honey -CG

BRONZE

104.13 An angel fallen to earth
Scotch Malt Whisky Society
Coffee, freshly cut gala melon and apricots. Heavy cigars and some pink grapefruit on the death -JH
Wonderfully deep and evolving. Luscious orange fruit -CG