May 2011 - BACK TO BASICS

[Ganga]

Old Pulteney 12

N: Salted mango, melons (honeydew), a little barley and just a hint of smoke.
P: Salted melons, some mango, papaya, and the faint taste of smoke. Almost a touch of meatiness like smoked pork. A little barley
F: Medium on loads of salt, melons, some smoke and some barley.

A very nice whisky. Great for people just starting out.

Sounds mouthwatering. And kind of similar to what I noted.

[dramtastic]

Glenfiddich 12 bought around Christmas 2010

N: cinnamon apples, granny smith apples, spices, a little barley and some vanilla. A touch of oak.
P: Dutch apple pie with a touch of vanilla. Apples, apples and apples, cinnamon and maybe a touch of brown sugar.
F: medium short on apples, vanilla, cinnamon and some barley.

Much better than my bottle form 4-5 years ago. Not a great whisky as it lacks complexity but rather enjoyable.

Just checking your notes versus mine. Note the apples in both...green apples. I like the fruitiness of the 12 compared to the malty structure in had 10 years ago.

Guess their(Glenfiddich) lastest advertising for this one is spot on then.

[Ganga]

We try Dram, we try....

[pkt77242]

Highland Park 12 flask style bottle

N: Big notes of honey, heather, smoked ham, and a little peat and orange.
P: Big honey, heather and smoked ham (close to the nose). Then some very sweet orange, a hint of raisin and some peat. Some salt as well.
F: Medium on sweet orange, honey and lots of salt. keeps getting saltier as it lingers on the tongue.

Less sweet than when I first opened the bottle

[pkt77242]

HP 12 43%, flask, purchased early 2009

Nose: honey, smoke, heather, freshly oiled leather, raspberries (strange, never noted that before)
Palate: clover honey, whisps of smoke and sea air, Valencia oranges, dark chocolate, cocoa
Finish: lingering, smoke and honey just keep coming

Interesting that you get dark chocolate and cocoa on the palate. I wish I was getting that from my bottle.

[Ganga]

Sean, much sweeter than the round shoulder bottling that immediately preceded it.

I'm noting that a repour of the Glenmo 10 is sweeter now. Works much better as a later dram.

[dramtastic]

Nikka Pure Malt Black. 43%
Nose: A little bit floral. Peaches, oak, peat, varnish, and pineapple. Malty, complex and smooth.
Palate: Very malty, bubblegum (again from Nikka), pepper, nutmeg, sweet peat and gentle smoke. Well rounded.
Finish: Excellent length, with peat, pepper, nutmeg, mint chocolate and lingering smoke.

86/100

[dramtastic]

Nikka Pure Malt White 43%
This whisky is a vatting of Yoichi malt and an Islay whisky.
Nose: There is a good whiff of peat as well as walnuts, wet moss, leather, sea spray, pepper, wood stain (after breathing for a while) and nectarines. After some time, there is a hint of lemon.
Palate: Nicely oily (nut oil). The peat comes through big time. Also charcoal, pepper and a slight bitterness. The second sip adds walnuts, creamy macadamia and a kind of minted toffee to the picture.
Finish: Medium length with earthy/vegetal peat dominating; macadamia, spice and mint. Slightly drying.

87/100

[Ganga]

Oh, I'm just drooling over the white.

[MaltMartyr]

Laphroaig 10 year old, 43% ABV

A well balanced sweet, smoky, a bit oily, licorice twig spice(minimal) peated iodine bonfire fit for a beach, snowstorm, or a break from the tedious challenges on a tallship crew. This single malt is a favorite of Prince Charles for obvious reasons. It remains on my best buy list and can range from $26.99 to $65.00, but can be easily purchased for under $60. This is a distinct Islay worth placing side by side to Ardbeg 10 for peat lovers.

I disagree with Ralfy. I liked it the moment that I tried it, but it was lost among other expressions with excessive peat expressions for a year.

[dramtastic]

Nikka All Malt. 40%
Nose: Maybe I've been sucked in by the name but this does indeed smell very malty. Lots of chewy toffee, walnuts, fresh cut timber, pears and pineapple.
Palate: Again nicely malty; pineapple, lemon sherbet, walnuts, nutmeg, dried mixed herbs and pepper.
Finish: Medium length: warming, malty and medium spiced.
Only costs about $10-12 in Japan
84/100.

[Ganga]

I find that I much prefer the Lappy 10 to the QC (to each his own). At various times it has been a big beach bonfire with brownies other times it's a bonfire with apples (very fruity).

[pkt77242]

Laphroaig 10 year old, 43% ABV

A well balanced sweet, smoky, a bit oily, licorice twig spice(minimal) peated iodine bonfire fit for a beach, snowstorm, or a break from the tedious challenges on a tallship crew. This single malt is a favorite of Prince Charles for obvious reasons. It remains on my best buy list and can range from $26.99 to $65.00, but can be easily purchased for under $60. This is a distinct Islay worth placing side by side to Ardbeg 10 for peat lovers.

I disagree with Ralfy. I liked it the moment that I tried it, but it was lost among other expressions with excessive peat expressions for a year.

Nice tasting note and Welcome MM.

[dramtastic]

Suntory Hibiki 12

Nose: Pinapple, fermented pear, licorice, fresh oak, varnish, more grainy than malty(it's usually the other way around with Nikka blends). After a while there is a hint of leather.

Palate: Fairly smooth if a little spirity. Adds oranges to the licorice, pear and oak. Then some sweetened grapefruit comes into play.

Finish: Medium length with the flavours of the palate with chocolate on top.

84/100

[pkt77242]

Macallan 12

N: Big sherry. Some raisins, cranberries, cherry and a little rubber tubing.
P: Big sherry, raisins, walnuts, cherries and a touch of orange. A little rubber but not overwhelming.
F: short finish on cherries, rubber and raisins.

A nice intro to sherried whiskies but not as good as I remember it being.

[Ganga]

The Macallan 12 seems to have gone through some transformations over the last 15 years. There was this deep flavor profile and then it seemed to transform into something more akin to Fino than Olorosso. It seems to be transitioning back towards the older profile.

[pkt77242]

Nikka Pure Malt White 43%
This whisky is a vatting of Yoichi malt and an Islay whisky.
Nose: There is a good whiff of peat as well as walnuts, wet moss, leather, sea spray, pepper, wood stain (after breathing for a while) and nectarines. After some time, there is a hint of lemon.
Palate: Nicely oily (nut oil). The peat comes through big time. Also charcoal, pepper and a slight bitterness. The second sip adds walnuts, creamy macadamia and a kind of minted toffee to the picture.
Finish: Medium length with earthy/vegetal peat dominating; macadamia, spice and mint. Slightly drying.

87/100

Sounds damn good Dram

[dramtastic]

Mars Moltage Komagatake 10 Sherry Butt
Nose: Honey, sherry, blood oranges, lime, a little bit of oak, a kind of burnt toffee smell, and something maritime, like seaweed.
Palate: It is biscuity, with some bitter chocolate, nuts, malt, toffee and smoke.
Finish: Mainly toffee, nuts, smoke and some lingering bitterness.

This distillery has just started production again in Japan at this 10YO is available(older stock).
Nothing really wrong with this one it's just not my cuppa tea. You would probably really like it if you are a fan of HP12.
79/100

[johan brugge]

Nice notes Johan, I love how the Ardbeg 10 smacks you in the face with it's peatiness. Did you get any citrus from it?

No, not really. There is some sort of a sharp edge to it but I wouldn't call it citrus. I get citrus with the latest Supernova though. The smack in my face ususally takes a short while before it actually hits me. When I take a sip I can clearly taste the peat and smoke and all of a sudden there is a taste explosion and I get the shivers. Literally. That's when I get smacked in my face. Do you know that commercial 'Have you been spingoed yet?" where that orange fellow pops up and smacks people with both hands in their faces? Well, that's exactly it.

[johan brugge]

Nikka Pure Malt White 43%
This whisky is a vatting of Yoichi malt and an Islay whisky.
Nose: There is a good whiff of peat as well as walnuts, wet moss, leather, sea spray, pepper, wood stain (after breathing for a while) and nectarines. After some time, there is a hint of lemon.
Palate: Nicely oily (nut oil). The peat comes through big time. Also charcoal, pepper and a slight bitterness. The second sip adds walnuts, creamy macadamia and a kind of minted toffee to the picture.
Finish: Medium length with earthy/vegetal peat dominating; macadamia, spice and mint. Slightly drying.

87/100

This sounds like a 'must buy' kind of whisky.

[johan brugge]

Highland Park 12 flask style bottle

N: Big notes of honey, heather, smoked ham, and a little peat and orange.
P: Big honey, heather and smoked ham (close to the nose). Then some very sweet orange, a hint of raisin and some peat. Some salt as well.
F: Medium on sweet orange, honey and lots of salt. keeps getting saltier as it lingers on the tongue.

Less sweet than when I first opened the bottle

Very nice notes, Sean. That's exactly how I feel about the HP12yo, but I never really liked this version. Neither the old style nor the new style.

[johan brugge]

I usually have found some fresh oakiness to the Chivas. Is there any of this that is apparent.?

No, not in my bottle.

[johan brugge]

I'll post some more notes tonight or tomorrow. It's my youngest First Communion. Don't know if this proper English or not so I'm not sure that I can join you again this evening.

[pkt77242]

I'll post some more notes tonight or tomorrow. It's my youngest First Communion. Don't know if this proper English or not so I'm not sure that I can join you again this evening.

Not a problem at all Johan, join us whenever you can. Since I have a free 30 minutes or so before I have to run more errands I will post up a tasting note.

[pkt77242]

Auchentoshan Classic

N: slightly sour green apples, some very green bananas, lime juice, some grain and a touch of oak. Just a hint of coconut.
P: Sour green apples and lime juice. A touch of vanilla and oak. Just a hint of the coconut.
F: Medium short. Slightly bitter with some sour apples, lime and a little oak.

An interesting whisky and pretty good for the price. Seems to fit the summer months rather well.

[Ganga]

Well, I'm back from helping a friend and will join in once some other folk show up today. I thought I had some Auchentoshans but I think I finished during "one of those nights." So I guess I have to make up for it with some other things.

See you guys in a bit. And Johan it's no problem.

[Ganga]

Sullivan's Cove, Australian Whisky, 40%

Nose: ground oats, dried out tangerines (more like when it happens naturally), old straw, ice that has evaporated in the freezer (concentrates the dissolved solids), pasta dust
Palate: that same ice, straw, grist
Finish: mild and short, gristy straw

Not bad but not exceptional. If I followed the scale of those that rate whisky, I'd say 77.

[Ganga]

I'm cheating a little here because I didn't want to get the Milford 10. Instead I'm having it's predecessor: Lammerlaw 10, 43%, NZ Single Malt

Nose: much sweeter-malty, sweet green grass, some meaty fruits, smoked cheddar
Palate: smoke, sharp cheddar, black forest ham, sub-italian bread
Finish: light but long, little bit of pepper and lots of malt

[Ganga]

Rebel Yell Bourbon

You can't get more basic than this. $10 at Trader Joe's

Nose: peanut shell, caramel mixed with molasses, vanilla extract, wood spices
Palate: peanut/peanut oil, vanilla, molasses cookies
Finish: moderate, peanuts and cinnamon

Much softer than when I first opened this. Really is much better than what you think for the price point. I do recommend letting open up before really developing an opinion.

[Ganga]

For those that wonder about some of the not as familiar budget whiskies.....

Drumguish

Nose: Carmel (more of an artificial flavor), straw and grain, honey-the one sold in stores that comes in the plastic bear
Palate: lime, sage honey, kind of bitter
Finsih: long, fresh sage clippings

Yes, much more pleasant than usual.

[Ganga]

I'm most confused. The Drumguish is usually just awful. This was interesting and maybe not quite good, it was at least not offensive.

Chivas 12

Nose: big alcohol hit, polished oak, bay leaves, citrus
Palate: wax (but more like the wax used in seals), old oak, lemons, used cinnamon sticks,
Finish: while not long, it's a lot of what was in the palate.

[pkt77242]

Glenlivet 12

N: Pear and apples. some floral notes (carnations?), and a touch of butterscotch.
P: Starts on the pears and apples, then a big floral notes followed by some spice. Nutmeg, vanilla, and white pepper.
F: Shortish fiinish flowers, apples, apple peel and some white pepper. A touch of caramel.

Nice more floral than I remember.

[Ganga]

Something picked up in the last few weeks. Pop!

Glenlivet 12, bottled 2010/12/07. Anyone know if this is July or December?

Nose: pineapples, coconut, vanilla beans, very light oak, butter, then just a touch of malt
Palate: big vanilla and coconut (dried for cooking), tropical fruits, sugary cinnamon topping for Cinnabon, now some pears and apples
Finish: mild, lots of fruits including green apples and pears

[Ganga]

Interesting differences in these two bottles Sean. Or maybe it's just our perceptions or the fact that mine was just opened.

[pkt77242]

Interesting differences in these two bottles Sean. Or maybe it's just our perceptions or the fact that mine was just opened.

Yours sounds better.