Rare Malts (UDV - Diageo)

[Caledonians]

Hi everybody,

I'm interested in your experiences with the Rare Malts whiskies. Which ones are an ace and which ones are to avoid?

Thanks!

[Deactivated Member]

I've only had Port Ellen (22, 60.5%) and Brora (24, 56.1%); both were excellent. In fact, I have replacement bottles of both, and also a Caol Ila 21, 61.3% in waiting. Caol Ila hardly qualifies as rare these days, does it? At the time there was no OB. It's been reported around here that the RM line is being discontinued, which is too bad--I've always been attracted to the labeling, finding it just a bit mysterious in its spare way--for a long time I thought to myself "I want one of those", any one. What's it being replaced with, someone? I forget.

[Deactivated Member]

Avoid the Royal Brackla from a few years ago because it has no flavour.

The RMs are being replaced with super-premium OBs like the Convalmore and the North Port.

[Aidan]

I had one of the Rosebanks, and it was superb.

[Dubois]

One of my greatest drams ever was a Rare Malts :
Mortlach 22 yrs 130.6 Proof Cask Strength
Can not find the words to describe it

[Caledonians]

I had one of the Rosebanks, and it was superb.

Aidan do you remember which version of the Rosebank Rare Malt this was?

Rosebank 20yo 1979/1999 (60.3%, UDRM)
Rosebank 20yo 1981/???? (62.3%, UDRM)
Rosebank 22yo 1981/2004 (61.1%, UDRM)

[Whiskana]

I'm interested in your experiences with the Rare Malts whiskies. Which ones are an ace and which ones are to avoid?

I have bought or tasted these:

Brora 1982/20yo - slightly disappointing and not very peaty
Brora 1977/21yo - best of the bunch
Brora 1977/24yo - worth the price
Clynelish 1974/23yo - hmmm...jury is still out...
Millburn 1975/25yo - nice and peppery
Millburn 1969/35yo - too old and tired maybe

Interested in trying some Rosebank next...

[irishwhiskeychaser]

I'm interested in your experiences with the Rare Malts whiskies. Which ones are an ace and which ones are to avoid?

........Millburn 1975/25yo - nice and peppery
Millburn 1969/35yo - too old and tired maybe...

Just goes to show age isn't every thing but taste is...

[Deactivated Member]

I'm interested in your experiences with the Rare Malts whiskies. Which ones are an ace and which ones are to avoid?

........Millburn 1975/25yo - nice and peppery
Millburn 1969/35yo - too old and tired maybe...

Just goes to show age isn't every thing but taste is...

Just like people

[Aidan]

I had one of the Rosebanks, and it was superb.

Aidan do you remember which version of the Rosebank Rare Malt this was?

Rosebank 20yo 1979/1999 (60.3%, UDRM)
Rosebank 20yo 1981/???? (62.3%, UDRM)
Rosebank 22yo 1981/2004 (61.1%, UDRM)

Hi Caledonians - I'm not 100% sure, to be honest. I think it was one of the 20 yr olds.

[Lawrence]

One of my greatest drams ever was a Rare Malts :
Mortlach 22 yrs 130.6 Proof Cask Strength
Can not find the words to describe it

I had a RM Mortlach years ago and while the flavour was really quite something it completley blocked my nose within moments of drinking it, it was very odd and the only whisky I've ever encountered that did that to me. Still if I came a cross a bottle I'd still drink it without complaint.

[Bullie]

I've tried several bottlings from the RM series and found them all as very high quality drams. Of course there are both better than average and worse, but most of them are top quality. My favourites - so far - is the St.Magdalene 1979 19yo and a Teaninich 27yo from the early 70:s. Another superbottle is a Port Ellen. Think it was a 1981, but I'll have to check my notes for details... The only one I've thought was not so good is a North Port 1979 20yo.

If I get my computer at home up and running to night, I'll post some notes on different bottles.

[Deactivated Member]

I have enjoyed one of the Rosebanks (can't remember which), a Caol Ile and a Convalmore - but I don't think the Rare Malts brand is a guarantee of a good dram- just a rare one!

[Aidan]

rare and malt.

[Caledonians]

If I get my computer at home up and running to night, I'll post some notes on different bottles.

That would be great Bullie!

[Mr Ellen]

Another superbottle is a Port Ellen. Think it was a 1981, but I'll have to check my notes for details...
If I get my computer at home up and running to night, I'll post some notes on different bottles.

Port Ellen only have 2 bottlings in the Rare Malts Collection, both from 1978:
Port Ellen 1978/1998, 60.9%, 20y.
Port Ellen 1978/2000, 60.5%, 22y.

...and they're both fantastic whiskies and worth every cent if you'd like to get your hands on them.

Cheers
___________________________
Anders

[Bullie]

Another superbottle is a Port Ellen. Think it was a 1981, but I'll have to check my notes for details...
If I get my computer at home up and running to night, I'll post some notes on different bottles.

Port Ellen only have 2 bottlings in the Rare Malts Collection, both from 1978:
Port Ellen 1978/1998, 60.9%, 20y.
Port Ellen 1978/2000, 60.5%, 22y.

...and they're both fantastic whiskies and worth every cent if you'd like to get your hands on them.

Cheers
___________________________
Anders

Yes, I saw that while browsing my notes...

Here is my note for one of them:
Distillery: Port Ellen
Expression: 1978 22yo Rare Malts Selection 60.5%

Nose: Dry sour smoke. Fruity, green apples and lime. Butter fudge. Iodine. A hint of old shed, wood.
Palate: Full bodied, oily and smooth. Sweet licorice fudge. Smoke, tar and peat. More fruits such as apples and oranges.
Finish: Long, peaty and spicy. Sweet toffeé, creamy and coating.
Comments: Sweet taste of success!
Score: 89

If I get my computer at home up and running to night, I'll post some notes on different bottles.

That would be great Bullie!

To bad my internetprovider for my house is crap...

Lucky for me, I've posted several of my notes on PeatFreaks site, so here are a few of my RM notes:

Distillery: St. Magdalene Score: 95 ABV: 63.8%
Expression: 1979 19yrs Rare Malts Selection by Diageo
Nose: Peppermints. Almonds and sherry. Fresh
Palate: Full body, almost like liqueur. Sweet and creamy. Malt, nuts and a touch of citrus. Peach.
Finish: Medium but intense. Malty with slight peatyness.

Distillery: Convalmore Score: 77 ABV: 59.1%
Expression: 1978 24yrs Rare Malts
Nose: Cream and fudge. Bread and a touch of smoke.
Palate: Medium body. Oily. Peat. Lemon/lime. Licoritz. Spicy when diluted.
Finish: Short to medium. Warming. Spice lingers.

Distillery: Teaninich Score: 89 ABV: 64.8%
Expression: 1972 23yrs Rare Malts Selection by Diageo
Nose: Dark chocolate. Sweet fruits, strawberries. Oak notes. Newly mawled lawn.
Palate: Full and round body. Coating. Rich chocolate. Malty and spicy. Warm. A touch of wood, in a good way.
Finish: Quite short but the chocolate lingers. Surprising peat. Longer and spicier with water.
Comments: Wonderful scent and takes water good.


Hmmm.. Very strange? How long time ago did you update the database Jeroen? I'm missing a few of my RM-notes there...

Well, click the link and see some RM-notes: http://www.peatfreak.com/whisky-tasting-notes.php?search=rare+malt

[Frodo]

I've had a 22yr Rosebank and a 27yr Inchgower from this line. Not impressed with either, although I only got a sample of each - not enough to give a fair chance!

[Aidan]

I have yet to have a bad Rosebank. Lovely thick malt in all the ones I've had so far.

Has anyone tasted the Berry Bros. Rosebank? I've been tempted by it a few tiems.

[misa]

I´ve tasted about ten of those and so far all of them have been ok. Not grate, but ok. Including the praised 22 yo Port Ellen. I never have met a bottling that was dissappointing, but never met anything extraordinary either.

[Deactivated Member]

I have yet to have a bad Rosebank. Lovely thick malt in all the ones I've had so far.

Don't drink the FF first Rosebank - the one in a wooden box. It was very bland indeed - an expensive mistake - and really put me off Rosebank until quite recently.

[Aidan]

I have yet to have a bad Rosebank. Lovely thick malt in all the ones I've had so far.

Don't drink the FF first Rosebank - the one in a wooden box. It was very bland indeed - an expensive mistake - and really put me off Rosebank until quite recently.

Thanks Nick. I've only tasted about 4 different Rosebanks, so, statistically, ... I'll avoid that one, though.

[Caledonians]

Someone else with an opinion on the Rare Malts range of Diageo?

Which ones are good and which ones are to avoid?

[Scotchio]

I've tried quite a few of the Rare Malts range.Most seem to be very good. The Brora 77 21, St Mag 79 and Glenury 71 were [particular faves.

[Caledonians]

Maybe this list is also interesting for other forummembers. I've taken the average score* from Rare Malts tasting notes from 3 different sources. The sources are Whisky Bible, Malt Maniacs Monitor en Het Genietschap (Dutch website). This is a nice indication on what to expect from the whiskies.

(>90):

- 92 Port Ellen 22yo 1978/2000 (60.5 %, UDRM)

- 91 St. Magdalene 19yo 1979/1998 (63.8 %, UDRM)

- 90 Port Ellen 20yo 1978/1998 (60.9 %, UDRM)

(88-89):

- 89 Brora 21yo 1977/1998 (56.9 %, UDRM)

- 88 Brora 24yo 1977/2001 (56.1 %, UDRM)
- 88 Caol Ila 21yo 1975/1997 (61.3 %, UDRM)
- 88 Clynelish 24yo 1972/1997 (61.3 %, UDRM)
- 88 Linkwood 30yo 1974/2005 (54.9 %, UDRM)
- 88 Teaninich 27yo 1972/2000 (64.2 %, UDRM)*

(85-87):

- 87 Brora 20yo 1982/2003 (58.1 %, UDRM)
- 87 Caol Ila 21yo 1977/1999 (61.3 %, UDRM)*
- 87 Clynelish 23yo 1974/1998 (59.1 %, UDRM)
- 87 Glendullan 26yo 1978/2005 (56.6 %, UDRM)
- 87 Glenury Royal 29yo 1970/1999 (57.0 %, UDRM)
- 87 Millburn 35yo 1969/2005 (51.2 %, UDRM)
- 87 Teaninich 23yo 1973/1997 (57.1 %, UDRM)*

- 86 Caol Ila 23yo 1978/2002 (61.7 %, UDRM)
- 86 Glen Albyn 26yo 1975/2002 (54.8 %, UDRM)
- 86 Glendullan 23yo 1974/1998 (63.1 %, UDRM)*
- 86 Millburn 25yo 1975/2001 (61.9 %, UDRM)
- 86 Rosebank 20yo 1979/1999 (60.3 %, UDRM)
- 86 Rosebank 20yo 1981/2002 (62.3 %, UDRM)

- 85 Bladnoch 23yo 1977/2001 (53.6 %, UDRM)
- 85 Convalmore 24yo 1978/2003 (59.4 %, UDRM)
- 85 Glen Mhor 22yo 1979/2001 (61.0 %, UDRM)
- 85 Glen Mhor 28yo 1977/2005 (51.9 %, UDRM)
- 85 Inchgower 22yo 1974/1997 (55.7 %, UDRM)
- 85 Inchgower 27yo 1976/2004 (55.6 %, UDRM)
- 85 Linkwood 26yo 1975/2002 (56.1 %, UDRM)
- 85 Mortlach 20yo 1978/1998 (62.2 %, UDRM)
- 85 Rosebank 22yo 1981/2004 (61.1 %, UDRM)
- 85 Royal Lochnagar 23yo 1973/1997 (59.7 %, UDRM)
- 85 Royal Lochnagar 30yo 1974/2004 (56.2 %, UDRM)

(80-84):

- 84 Auchroisk 28yo 1974/2003 (56.8 %, UDRM)

- 83 Cardhu 27yo 1973/2000 (60.0 %, UDRM)
- 83 Dallas Dhu 21yo 1975/1997 (61.9 %, UDRM)
- 83 Glen Ord 23yo 1974/1998 (60.8 %, UDRM)
- 83 Royal Brackla 20yo 1978/1998 (59.8 %, UDRM)

- 82 Coleburn 21yo 1979/2000 (59.4 %, UDRM)*

- 81 Banff 21yo 1982/2004 (57.1 %, UDRM)
- 81 Benromach 19yo 1978/1998 (63.8 %, UDRM)
- 81 Blair Athol 27yo 1975/2003 (54.7 %, UDRM)

- 80 Hillside 25yo 1971/1997 (62.0 %, UDRM)

(<80):

- 73 Mannochmore 22yo 1974/1997 (60.1 %, UDRM)

- 72 North Port 20yo 1979/1999 (61.2 %, UDRM)

- 59 Dufftown-Glenlivet 21yo 1975/1997 (54.8 %, UDRM)*


* The whiskies with a * are whiskies where i couldn't find 3 or more scores. Above scores are an average score from at least 3 or more persons. I didn't include the Rare Malts intended for America and the ones before 1997. Remember these scores are just an indication, try and taste them yourself!

[Whiskana]

Maybe this list is also interesting for other forummembers. I've taken the average score* from Rare Malts tasting notes from 3 different sources.

Nice one, thanks!

I have tried five of this series and definitely look for more and this could come handy then.