A Pour Man's Tasting Notes

[pkt77242]

Sorry about the bad pun.

I need a place to post my notes when I do my whisky flights, and since I am too lazy to build my own website, I thought that I would post them here. Feel free to comment on them, and I will try to post up notes at least once a week.
Three quick notes before I start. 1) I think scores can change based on moods so while I may score a whisky a 87 one time it may be a 85 or 89 the next time (generally it won't change more than a point or two). 2) I am pure and simply an amateur so take these notes with a grain of salt. 3. I do this in the name of science.

I will post up my first one later tonight.
Two different Ardbeg 10's and 2 different Ardbeg Uigeadails.

[pkt77242]

Ardbeg 10 L7 221

N: Lemon zest, sand and oysters. Tar and peat as well. A little underlying smoke.
P: Smoke oysters in a lemon sauce. lots of brine. peat builds after a second or two.
F: long on brine and peat. Very smokey. Just a hint of the citrus lingers.
Very nice. Could be a little more complex but you can't complain about the tastiness.

88 points.

Sean

[pkt77242]

Ardbeg 10 L8 057

N: A little closed, but some lemons and grapefruit. Salted vanilla in the background. Salted Oysters show up after a couple of minutes.
P: Soft lemony peat. Salted oysters show up here. Some of the notes of grapefruit come in late.
F: Finish is very lemony. Medium-long. just a whisper of smoke.

I just opened this bottle so it might need some time to open up.
Only a range for the score. 83-87 points.

[pkt77242]

Ardbeg Uigeadail L6 271

N: Raisin, walnuts, sultana and some soft peat. Some toast and cranberries.
P: Much smokier. Some nice peat and raisins. Briney.
F: Long. Smokey raisins and slightly burnt toast. Briney peat.

Very enjoyable. Has a great thick/oily mouthfeel. 91 points.

[pkt77242]

Final one for the night.

Ardbeg Uigeadail L9 097

N: Peated vanilla. Walnuts and tar. interesting combo
P: Vanilla, granola, and some nice tar. Briney peat and walnuts. Diesel. Chewy.
F: Lots of diesel, tar and smoke. Medium finish.

First time tasting this so only a range. 88-90. Not as sherried as the L6.

Sean

[johan brugge]

Ardbeg Uigeadail L6 271

N: Raisin, walnuts, sultana and some soft peat. Some toast and cranberries.
P: Much smokier. Some nice peat and raisins. Briney.
F: Long. Smokey raisins and slightly burnt toast. Briney peat.

Very enjoyable. Has a great thick/oily mouthfeel. 91 points.

I have an L6 as well. The emptier the bottle gets the more sherry I pick up. What about you?

[pkt77242]

I have an L6 as well. The emptier the bottle gets the more sherry I pick up. What about you?

I agree Johan. My L6 is down to the last 1/4 and is definitely tasting and nosing more sherried now then when I opened it. I wonder if the L9 will do the same?

[johan brugge]

Don't know. I have a spare bottle of Uigeadail L5 left. I'll tell you how this one tastes as soon as I opened the bottle.

[pkt77242]

Tonight, three Milagro Barrel Select Tequilas. This is my first time making notes on tequila so bear with me.

Up first is Milagro Barrel Select Silver

N: Agave and pepper. Faint lime
P: Agave, pepper and lime.
F: Shortish finish on the above three.

Hmm maybe I should save this for margaritas and tequial sunrises.

Edit: oops forgot to give it a rating. 66 points.
Sean

[pkt77242]

Milagro Reposado Barrel Select Tequila.

N: Oak, pepper, and lime. Also some gravel and aspargus.
P: Pepper, lemon, lime and that asparagus note. A hint of oak and vanilla
F: a little longer but still on the short side. oaky dryness and pepper.

A little more complex.

70 points.

[pkt77242]

The first two have been clean and smooth if unspectacular.

Milagro Anejo Barrel Select

N: lots of agave and pepper. Some oak, and a slight nutty flavor
P: loads of black pepper. Agave and oak are present as well. Vanilla and a little sage.
F: salt and pepper. Medium finish with some drying oak.

A little more complex. 72 points.

Sean

[Ryguy]

Nice notes on the tequila Sean, I enjoyed reading them!

[pkt77242]

Nice notes on the tequila Sean, I enjoyed reading them!

Thank you Ry.

[Bruichladdict]

Just a quick note...you CAN build a fully functional BLOG on Google once you have a gmail account...check it out...it's free! You're audience will be much wider as well.

[pkt77242]

Later this week I will compare Glendronach 15 Revival, Yamazaki 18 and two different Macallan 18's. Probably Thursday but that is still up in the air.

Sean

[pkt77242]

Ok time to start pouring. I have added one more to the mix so here is the line up. Glenfarclas 17, Yamazaki 18, Macallan 18 1989, Macallan 18 1988, and Glendronach 15 Revival.

[pkt77242]

Glenfarclas 17

N: Raisins and nuts. Oak, nutmeg, and a little leaf.
P: Oaky nuts. A little nutmeg on toast. just a hint of vanilla and raisins. Rather drying. Almost seems to have a hint of smoke.
F: Medium long on the oaky nuts. Really dry and slightly bitter. That little bit of smoke hangs around.

I like this whisky but it is not the most complex.

84 points.

Sean

[pkt77242]

Next up, Yamazaki 18.

N: Plums, oak, cherries, and a little nuts. Hints of raisins, cinnamon and nutmeg.
P: Plums, sawdust and pencil shavings. Just a little cinnamon coverd nuts. Gets very dry towards the end of the palate.
F: plums with sawdust sprinkled on it. Medium in length and some brazil nuts. Rather dry.

Very enjoyable. 87 points. You must like dry finishes.

[pkt77242]

The first of two Ma 18's. Macallan 18 1989

N: Dried red fruits, and some nice cinnamon. Almost no oak. A little spice and some christmas cake.
P: Soft and gentle. Dried red fruits with a little cinnamon and milk chocolate. Some orange as well. Maybe chocolate covered orange.
F: Medium long on orange, dried red fruits and cinnamon. A little bitter chocolate at the very end.

A very enjoyable whisky. 90 points.

[pkt77242]

Macallan 18 1988

N: Similar to the 1989 but more rich. Milk and dark chocolate. Raspberries, cherries, and orange. A light dusting of cinnamon.
P: Chocolate covered strawberries. cooked red fruits with a little chocolate and cinnamon on top. rich, mabye a hint of tea, and toffee.
F: long on cooked red fruits and chocolate. Towards the very end cinnamon and the tea return. Just a hint of the oak now.

Just richer than the 1989, this is a great whisky. 92 points.

[pkt77242]

Ok final one for the night.
Glendronach 15 Revival. This is the UK bottling.

N: Chocolate covered toffee. Coffee, red fruits and brown sugar.
P: Coffee, and the chocolate covered toffee again. Very rich and thick. Grapes, cherries, orange with a dusting of cinnamon and brown sugar. Walnuts.
F: Medium length finish. Brown sugar, cinnamon, cooked red fruits. Thick.

This is one hell of a whisky. I need to get a US bottling and do them head to head. If this had a longer finish it would probably get another point or two. 92 points.

Thanks to anyone who takes their time to read these notes.

Sean

[pkt77242]

Tonight is a 2x2 tasting. First up is Balvenie 10 Founders Reserve vs Balvenie 12 Doublewood. Then it will be Glendronach 12 vs Macallan 12.

[pkt77242]

Balvenie 10 Founders Reserve

N: Started off with a big whiff of hops. hmm. after a second it settles down and I get honey, barley, porridge, and a hint of vanilla. Yeast.
P: Porridge with beer? honey and hops. vanilla and some toast.
F: shortish on honey, toast and some beer like porridge.

Not sure what to think of this. Last time I had a bottle of this was a couple of years ago and I don't remember it having the beer and hops flavor.

78 points. Though with a possible revision later.

[pkt77242]

Up next Balvenie 12 Doublwood.

N: orange and nuts. Honey, vanilla, and some wood varnish. A little closed.
P: Overripe oranges and nuts. Honey, and a little sulphur. Oaky.
F: medium short on the overripe oranges and nuts.

Just ok. Simple, and I don't really enjoy overripe oranges.
78 points.

[pkt77242]

Time to start the second set. I got the idea for this tasting from someone comparing the Glendronach 12 to the Macallan 12 over on WDJK.

Glendronach 12

N: apple peel, vanilla, nuts and a hint of raisin. Simple but nice.
P: Oranges drizzled in vanilla. slightly creamy but a little woody.
F: Medium short finish, on vanilla and oak.

Nice whisky but not great. 80 points.

[pkt77242]

Macallan 12yo

N: Raisins, prunes and figs. Some nuts and a little polished oak. Classic sherry.
P: Oatmeal raisin cookies, with tons of raisins. Some walnuts and a hint of sulphur. A little cranberry and orange.
F: medium short finish. on raisins, cranberry and walnuts.

Um, by far the best of the tasting.

85 points.

[pkt77242]

Tonight I will taste 2 beers, St Bernardus Abt 12, and Trappistes Rochefort 10.

[pkt77242]

St. Bernardus Abt 12 10% abv

N: Caramel, roasted nuts, coffee, and raisins. Very nice nose.
P: Raisins, prunes, and figs with caramel drizzled on them. Fruity but not overly fruity. A little vanilla, and coffee to balance it out.
F: medium on slightly bitter coffee and caramel.

Very enjoyable. Sweet but turns a little bitter and dry at the end.

91 points.

[pkt77242]

Trappistes Rochefort 10 11.3%

N: Much more fruitier. Tangerine, mango and grapefruit. Some notes of vanilla and caramel in the background.
P: Tangerine and Mango show up but now are held up by some coffee, caramel, and figs. Nice and sweet.
F: Medium short finish, on coffee, and figs. Hints of caramel and tangerine hang around.

91 points. To me this comes down to preference. If you like sweet yet complext this is for you. If you like less sweet go with the St. Bernardus abt 12. I personally really like both. Both are at the top of my list so far. just edging Orval and Chimay Blue.

Sean

[clicker7]

Macallan 12yo

N: Raisins, prunes and figs. Some nuts and a little polished oak. Classic sherry.
P: Oatmeal raisin cookies, with tons of raisins. Some walnuts and a hint of sulphur. A little cranberry and orange.
F: medium short finish. on raisins, cranberry and walnuts.

Um, by far the best of the tasting.

85 points.

Hey Sean:

I agree Macallan 12 has been tasting pretty good lately, a lot better than a couple years ago. I have been enjoying it lately. Satisfies my sweet tooth when I want something a bit lighter than A'bunadh.

Joseph

[johan brugge]

Trappistes Rochefort 10 11.3%

N: Much more fruitier. Tangerine, mango and grapefruit. Some notes of vanilla and caramel in the background.
P: Tangerine and Mango show up but now are held up by some coffee, caramel, and figs. Nice and sweet.
F: Medium short finish, on coffee, and figs. Hints of caramel and tangerine hang around.

91 points. To me this comes down to preference. If you like sweet yet complext this is for you. If you like less sweet go with the St. Bernardus abt 12. I personally really like both. Both are at the top of my list so far. just edging Orval and Chimay Blue.

Sean

Nice notes Sean!! The Rochefort 10 is also one of my favourites. If you can try the Westmalle Triple at 9.5 % vol don't hesitate. It's different from the Rochefort but just as excellent.

[Novice Scotch Fan]

Up next Balvenie 12 Doublwood.

N: orange and nuts. Honey, vanilla, and some wood varnish. A little closed.
P: Overripe oranges and nuts. Honey, and a little sulphur. Oaky.
F: medium short on the overripe oranges and nuts.

Just ok. Simple, and I don't really enjoy overripe oranges.
78 points.

I agree that it is very simple.

[pkt77242]

Either tonight or tomorrow, I will do a tasting of Ardbeg 10, Ardbeg 10 Renaissance and Ardbeg Rollercoaster. Still trying to decide if I just want to make it a general Ardbeg tasting and add the Beist, Uigeadail and Corry to it.

[pkt77242]

Here we go.

Ardbeg 10

N: Clams, oysters, salt, lime and sand. Some peat but stays in the background.
P: salted peat, oysters and lemon. Oysters in lemon juice on a beach with a bonfire right next to you. Wondeful.
F: Salted lemon. Smoke hangs around for a couple of minutes.

87 points. Very enjoyable but not super complex.

[pkt77242]

Ardbeg Renaissance 1998 10yo.

N: Vanilla, lemon and some salt. A little peat, smoke, and a hint of nougat.
P: Salted vanilla and lemon. Just a hint of peat and fudge. A little tar peaks through.
F: Medium-long finish on salted vanilla. Smoke and tar hang around for a good couple of minutes.

Much more complex then the standard 10.

89 points.