Choice Comments from Richard Joynson at Loch Fyne Whiskies

by **Lawrence** » Mon Oct 02, 2006 1:41 am

IMHO, his comments are simply too good to keep confined to his website (http://www.lfw.co.uk).

Todays inaugural offering on Glenmorangie OB Margaux Finish 1987 18yo 46%alc.

"I suppose it's got to get worse before it gets better. Actually the whisky is quite good if unremarkable (and not worth an rrp of 200), perhaps that's why they have to package it in a case clearly devised to stop you opening it.

In the old days Glenmorangie was Scottish owned and we resented having the piss taken out of us, but now it's a French handbag company - so that's okay."

Feel free to add your own finds from http://www.lfw.co.uk

by **Oliver** » Mon Oct 02, 2006 1:58 am

Ah, here's one whose tongue is not owned by corporations (at least not LVMH) --I like this guy! I'm off to check out his web site --thanks for the link!!

by **Deactivated Member** » Mon Oct 02, 2006 2:04 am

You have to love Richard Joynson. He makes his living selling whisky, but has no qualms whatsoever about telling you what he really thinks. If he thinks a whisky is a stinker, he'll say it. Of course, he'll sell it to you, too; if you want to buy it, that's your prerogative, and he respects that, too. But I wish every merchant and salesman I ever have to deal with were half so honest.

by **Deactivated Member** » Mon Oct 02, 2006 2:10 am

Ardbeg - Still Young OB 1998 / 8yo 56%alc.

"Still Silly" is the follow-up to "Very Silly", now an eight year old at cask strength. Despite Very Silly being really horrid you lot still bought loads and said you thought it very good, how wrong can you be! I suppose you will like this one too but for the life of me I can't imagine why. It's powerful, peaty but for me too one-dimensional for a Scotch - but evidently I stand alone on this.

Grow-bag suckers will give this an ace.

by **Deactivated Member** » Mon Oct 02, 2006 1:41 pm

I'm a fan of the Bold Joynson and his buddies in LFW. I've just subscribed to the Scotch Whisky Review - a magazine that RJ started a few years ago. It has grown big enough for Dave Broom to take over as editor though "Lord Grist" (who I suspect is the Bold) has significant influence on what is written.

It's a real chuckle and free enough an organ for the guys (including the bearded one) to tell it as they see it :lol:

Some really quite interesting stuff in it as well. I'd recommend to anyone who likes a bit of irreverency in their life.

The web address: http://www.scotchwhiskyreview.com

by **Oliver** » Mon Oct 02, 2006 7:46 pm

god knows we need a little irreverence in the whisky press (!)... but it seems that the SWR is pretty well-connected in the industry, and what's more, will charge a fee to be read in the near future

by **Lawrence** » Tue Oct 03, 2006 1:12 am

Today's nugget;

From 12th July, 2006

"Typical! You (don't really) wait ages for a Glenburgie to come along and suddenly there are TWO! The long anticipated G&M 10yo (see July 6th) and, out-of-the-blue the new owners of many of Allied's Distilleries are 'dumping' their limited distillery workers exclusives These are the ones that we had as an exclusive a few years ago, that we billed as the Allied Six (the other two have gone to different owners). All 15years old, all 46%, all the same labels and mysteriously, the same colour, - spooky? - or just Allied's failure to understand the malt market, Allied now self-imploded, hurrah! - another Joynson curse that has borne fruit. Mick Hayes watch out, they are coming to get you (he’s the plasterer before Callum - see July 6th).

And the next golf-course-that-look-a-lot-like-anyother-golf-course from Bruichladdich and some interesting miniatures. (Q. Why are they interesting Richard? A. Well son, we don't get many new miniatures these days and these particular ones are from distilleries that don't get bottled as miniatures very often)."

Tomorrow we'll read another installment!

by **Lawrence** » Wed Oct 04, 2006 2:06 am

From July;

6th July, 2006

A 10yo Glenburgie from G&M new in stock but, well, frankly I'm too busy fire-fighting after the building trade to put it up here yet, (Callum the plasterer from Bute - you're a prize bastard, you should be ashamed of yourself) . I figure you can wait for a 10yo Glenburgie from G&M. If I'm wrong let me know.

by **Oliver** » Wed Oct 04, 2006 2:57 am

Can't wait for tomorrow's

by **Photon** » Wed Oct 04, 2006 7:52 pm

> Lagavulin OB 1976 30yo 53%alc.
>
>2,340 bottles for the world.
>
>I tried this at the distillery a couple of months ago, the nose is very quiet, unremarkable. The >taste is fantastic, real well matured Lagavulin and for that alone an ace!
>
>I checked the back of the bottle for a tasting note, I learn that it has 73kcal of energy, 0g of >protein, trace of carbohydrate and 0g of fat per 25ml serving.
>
>So there you go, nutritional information gone bonkers.

:lol:

by **Wave** » Wed Oct 04, 2006 8:12 pm

>Balvenie OB New Wood 17yo 40%alc.

>The nose reminds me of the cosmetics floor at Jenners - where I hold my breath and dash through, all that slap that Grandma used to wear and never remove, good-grief!

>Taste is kippers and sherbet at first, very odd, then, after 5 seconds, a slow, tortured swamping of clove-balls that unfortunately lingers (for an hour - so far) like all that slap that Grandma used to wear.

>A true professional - I tried it with water, but advise strongly that you don't do that. Just walk away slowly, don't let it know you're frightened.

>If that doesn't persuade you, check the attractive price for a 17yo at 40% and order now (please!! I've got six cases to shift).

Having been to Jenner's on several occasions I can relate. :lol:

Cheers!

by **Lawrence** » Thu Oct 05, 2006 3:42 am

"Tomatin OB 25yo 43%alc.

Not tried it, so, what can I tell you..? It comes in a red tube, though now I've said that - future stock will come naked and we will have to apologise for not supplying a red tube.

Anyway, it comes in a red tube at present and is 43% vol. And a bit pricey."

by **Mr Fjeld** » Thu Oct 05, 2006 3:44 am

I wonder what he'll say about the new Bruichladdich "Blacker Still" ?

by **Di Blasi** » Thu Oct 05, 2006 11:46 am

Or the new wave futuristic looking PC5??
I wonder what he does give praise to, in all aspects?? What really makes his head spin?? I never heard about his reviews, thanks for the info, gonna have to check it out further. I know his shop is a good one from what many have reported.

by **les taylor** » Thu Oct 05, 2006 1:20 pm

I Think Richard's descriptions of Talisker are just the best. Better than any tasting notes.

Talisker OB 10yo 46%alc.

The Isle of Skye produces a unique spirit. Spicy peppery, peaty, licorice and aniseed with a long tingling finish. A smoky gob-stopper! Not just a Classic but an Ace.

Try drinking this to The Who's 'Won't get fooled again', big start, long powerful finish with a constant peatiness, do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-da-da-da.......

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Talisker OB 18yo 46%alc.

The T10 was my first love, now I'm besotted by a more mature honey. Sensational!

I tried this over a briny weekend a while ago and thought I preferred the 10 for it's uncompromising power but now, tucked up ashore, this is my new, more mellow, sweetheart. Ace.

Doo-doo-doo, tum-ti-tum.

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Talisker OB 25yo 58%alc.

The love child of Brian Ferry and Eartha Kit (god forbid!), smouldering, smoke and pepper, plenty of talisker too with a creamy. buzzy finish after a whopping swallow.

Consider a symphonic version of Won't Get Fooled Again - still with Moon at the helm. An intriguing musty and naphtha vapour remains in the mouth.

- no naked lights please.

Ace - wi' a dynamite burp.

by **Lawrence** » Tue Oct 10, 2006 1:26 am

On Macallan 1951:

Macallan OB WB 1951 49%alc.

The first of a new series of vintages from Macallan, many more available, try car boot sales, casinos, th' Barras...

Very nicely packaged in a "Gosh! I wish I'd thought of that!" oak box with steel 'hoops'.

As the beginning of a series this is a bit collectable.

by **hpulley** » Tue Oct 10, 2006 2:54 am

If you enjoy his writing then you must meet him in person. The best masterclass of the Spirit of Toronto 2005 (and almost the highlight of the whole show) was his for sure, starting out with his house blend in a plain glass, telling us not to smell it just to drink it to get warmed up. At the end he tossed, literally, the Springbank 21yo clay flagon out into the audience to the lucky catcher -- could have knocked someone out cold! He is quite the character.

Harry

by **Lawrence** » Tue Oct 10, 2006 5:45 am

Just after the SoT last year he came to Vancouver for a tasting and faked a bottle of his blend with water and coke. He then proceeded to drink nearly the whole bottle while pretending it was whisky, that got a laugh!
It was a great tasting.

by **Wave** » Tue Oct 10, 2006 2:19 pm

I met him while passing through Inverary on my way to Talbert (before going to Feis Ila '04) a couple of years ago. I had an hour between buses so I stopped in LFW to check out the stock, have a couple of drams of his own blend and listen to some fine Jazz that he had playing in the shop. Joynson himself is a nice guy and LFW is a great place to visit if your ever in Inverary!

Cheers!

by **hpulley** » Tue Oct 10, 2006 10:24 pm

Those LV handbags are no joke either. Here's one for over $2300:

http://www.eluxury.com/browse/product_d ... SectionID=

Makes whisky look cheap!

Harry

by **Lawrence** » Wed Oct 11, 2006 7:11 am

On Port Ellen Annual Releases;

Port Ellen OB 1979 25yo 57.4%alc. 5th Release

Issue 5... Yes, issue Five, at 5,280 bottles and us getting the square root of bugger-all it's one each and only for those who look for it. Don't tell anyone you found it!

Port Ellen OB 1978 27yo 54.2%alc. 6th Release

The sixth in the trilogy of three. 4,560 bottles, one each now.

by **Lawrence** » Thu Oct 12, 2006 2:27 pm

Linlithgow OB 1973 30yo 60% vol.

Superb whisky, big and sweet, oily and very inviting. Well ballanced, all tongue coating, rich, mellow and chocolatey. Ace, would you believe?

Most elegant official bottling of what is now a block of flats. I should get a couple of cases and do a few door-to-door calls. Very pretty.

by **hpulley** » Thu Oct 12, 2006 3:44 pm

He presented that Linlithgow at the Spirit of Toronto and it was lovely. I wish I had a bottle to compare to my 1975 28yo but he gave the bottle to someone else (I guess I didn't look needy enough).

Harry

by **Deactivated Member** » Tue Oct 17, 2006 6:13 pm

Another couple of gems from The Bold Joynson :lol:

:-

Edradour OB 22yo Pedro Ximenez Finish 48.2%alc.

As you may have gathered I am a tad weary of finishes. However PX is the nitrous oxide of sherries and I couldn't resist buying some and opening one. A well justified decision.

Quite light when compared with Lagavulin PX the nose is very restrained (uh-oh!).

But the quiet nose helps to emphasise the explosive leptic shock-wave which alone makes this an ace! The finish is equally emphatic and hangs around longer than Tony Blair. Rob a bank and buy it.

Ballechin (peated Edradour) OB 46%alc.

Immediately after Edradour changed hands, Mr Symington and Mr. Henderson made heavily peated whisky, now called Ballechin, so I suspect this is pretty young, I know it is pretty expensive.

This is the first release of a series if Ballechins, (Ballechi?) each one matured in a different wine cask, Burgundy to begin with and limited to 6,000 bottles, many more to 'collect'.

At this price I can't afford to open it, nor does it seem like a drinkable proposition, so it's up to you.

by **Lawrence** » Wed Oct 18, 2006 6:04 pm

Some comments of Glenlivet;

Glenlivet OB Cellar Collection 1983 20yo 46%alc.

French Oak Finish

See my notes about their FO finish (below) but the box smells really nice.

The fourth release of their 'Cellar Collection' this time 8,000 bottles, let's hope they can sell them all.

by **irishwhiskeychaser** » Thu Oct 19, 2006 11:48 am

Another wry comment....

Glenallachie CC 1992 13yo 43%alc.

According to the blurb I have it's quiet, grassey and pepery. Well they're not overenthusiastic about it anyway.

A 'Connoisseurs Choice' bottling from renowned bottlers Gordon & MacPhail.

by **les taylor** » Thu Oct 19, 2006 1:30 pm

I think Richard's appreciation of the bowmore legend is ace.

Bowmore OB Legend 40%alc.

I asked why so many Bowmores once, I was advised that like BMWs there was one for every budget.

This'll be the three wheeler...

by **kallaskander** » Thu Oct 19, 2006 3:02 pm

Hi there,

I liked this one.

Lagavulin OB 1990 16yo Distillers Edition 43%alc.

Transferred to a Pedro Ximinez (a rich unctuous sherry that the Spaniards put on their ice cream!) cask for finishing to develop a more tarry and smoky character.

Not necessarily better - but different - and has many fans.

Well said.

Greetings
kallaskander

by **pavv** » Tue Oct 31, 2006 9:29 am

And yet another one....

Clynelish OB Distillers Edition 1991 46%alc.

What? Tampering with the Clynelish? Surely not! Why? (Okay I know but).
Regrettably so. Why? (Okay I know, but...).

Finished, mature enhanced, back-end-loaded, tarted up, additional cask

enhanced in an Oloroso seco cask, (why?).

A spirity, sherry nose but musty too, lots of aromatic ring hydrocarbons.

To taste it is tannic and drying, Dave suggested sweet&sour, I agree.

The finish does it no favours, perhaps next time there should be less sherry time.

by **les taylor** » Tue Oct 31, 2006 9:47 am

On one of the springbanks.

Springbank - Marsala Finish OB 9yo 46%alc.

(Another abuse of Cezanne's handwriting).

Seven years in a refill bourbon, 2 years in a fresh Marsala, limited to 7,740 bottles (quite a lot really).

They don't give samples - so I can't be rude about it with any knowledge, only the label - which is typological pongy trash.

by **Lawrence** » Tue Oct 31, 2006 3:44 pm

Springbank - S Sherry Matured 1970 36yo 53.1%abv
Another lavish presentation of a very inviting looking whisky from Signatory (and further evidence that Mr Syminton is colour blind)

A Signatory Independent single cask strength bottling.

See 'label explanations' above for more information.

by **les taylor** » Tue Oct 31, 2006 4:39 pm

Staying on the springbank theme:-

Springbank OB WB 1919 / 51yo 46%alc.

You should have bought this before July 2003, it was just £10,000 then, now there is only two bottles remaining to be sold, hurry while stocks last!

If you buy one make sure you drink it, musty and gingery, a bit like rummaging about in yer grannies garret - sam browne belts?

Price: £11,914.89 £14,000.00 Including VAT at 17.5%

Only 4 left now.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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by **irishwhiskeychaser** » Thu Nov 23, 2006 2:01 am

Just noticed a few comments lately on Tobermoray and some great expressions so decided to look at a few....

Not very appealing from the LFW site though....

Tobermory OB 10yo 40%alc.

This was one of the most honestly blurbed malts when it was described as being 'suitable for mixing' but they have removed that from the packaging. A thin whisky, not unpleasant but for your friends not yourself.

Price: £16.94 £19.90 Including VAT at 17.5%

Tobermory OB 1972 32yo 50%alc.

Limited release of 902 bottles from an oloroso cask. Fine if you like feeble distillate swamped by age and sherry but there are plenty of better drams in here...

Obviously in no hurry to sell this stuff.... all credit to the honesty

Price: £148.94 £175.00 Including VAT at 17.5%

by **Lawrence** » Thu Nov 23, 2006 2:21 am

On the new Glengoyne;

Glengoyne - Sherry - Jim's Choice - OB 1991 15yo 57%alc.

A surprising choice, untill you learn that Jim is a keen mountaineer. A strong, cloying whisky that with time became heavy with carbolic and vomit, presumably it works in a flask.

Very complex, none-the-less but I couldn't appreciate it at all.

693 bottles from an American oak sherry butt.

by **Paul A Jellis** » Thu Nov 23, 2006 11:38 am

This worried me a little, it's from the latest prise list, not the website:

'Tomintoul 16 has a soft sherry-sweetness about the nose, (fino sherry, La Ina), some oak, black pepper, hardboard sawdust and speyside fruitiness. On the tongue it is soft, gentle (like it says) perfectly balanced with a fruity-spicy swallow.'

Do they still have swallows in Scotland in November? Don't the feathers tickle on the way down? And I think it's cruel.