Whisky Tastings
Isle of Skye 12 Years Old
The aromas and flavours evoke breakfast, but in a farmhouse kitchen with an open fire, rused and dashed by the winds down the chimney.
Linkwood 12 Years Old
Linkwood always evokes thoughts of sweetmeats. This one seems a particularly sweet interpetation.
Tamnavulin 12 Years Old
Very much as I remember it. Fresh, attractive.
Scottish Leader 12 Years Old
Very mild, but a blend assembled with great skill and subtlety.
Old Charter 12 Years Old
A good, substantial bourbon.
W.L. Weller 12 Years Old
Plenty of dimension. The acidity makes it especially appetising and drinkable, and potentially an accompaniment to food. Bring on the barbecue.
Wild Turkey 17 Years Old
I like this very much, for its complexity and originality. As a bourbon? The useful phrase ‘something else’ comes to mind.
Bowmore 12 Years Old
Glad to see a Bowmore with an age rather than a brand-name.
Adelphi Clynelish 27 Years Old, Cask 2568
A robust, straight-ahead Clynelish, which is a great thing.
Cragganmore 12 Years Old
It’s worth taking the trouble.
Cutty Sark 12 Years Old
Clean, fresh and refreshing. A whisky for the beach?
Eagle Rare 10 Years Old
Slightly less sweet than the last bottling I tasted.
Glen Garioch 10 Years Old
I have always enjoyed Glen Garioch as one of the few peaty whiskies still made in the Highlands. I hope this peaty character does not totally vanish.
Glendullan 12 Years Old
Big in both body and flavours, but restrained and controlled throughout.
Glenfarclas 12 Years Old
Confident. Straightforward. A first-class whisky. Well-rounded. No-nonsense.
Connoisseur's Choice Ardbeg 1990
The palate seemed almost disappointingly cosy, but the wildness of Islay was recalled in the finish.
Connoisseur's Choice Caol Ila 1988
Caol Ila can be a little gin-like. This bottling could be served like a Pimms. Mind you, no gin has such a long finish.
Private Collection Caol Ila 1988 Sherry Wood Finish
Less complex, with the distillery character coming through much more strongly.
Private Collection Glenlivet 1943
The Glenlivet is another whisky that I have encountered at great ages, often past their best. This shows its age only in its raffish, extrovert, confidence.
Private Collection Imperial 1990 Sherry Finish
The flavours hang together better in this version, and I favour it over the port finish (not featured here), but by too narrow a margin to score.
Karuizawa 12 Years Old
I found myself writing some of the same descriptors as I did 15 or 20 years ago. That says something for the consistency of this product.
Lombard Glen Grant 1964
I usually find delicate old Glen Grants to be overwhelmed by oak. This example makes for a mature dram with considerable complexity.
Lombard Springbank 1965
Robust, but lacks the delicacy and structure of the best Springbanks.
The Macallan 12 Years Old
Can a malt be both popular and good? Of course, but not if your taste is determined by elitism. (The same applies to musicians, writers, etc).
Mackillop's Choice Caol Ila 1989, Cask 3322
If Caol Ila can evoke the aroma and flavour of junipers, perhaps it can also suggest olive oil, vine leaves, couscous, baked aubergines. I have had great martinis in Tangier. Next time, a Caol Ila Sour?
Mackillop's Choice Glencadam 1974, Cask 10
Showing its age, but still with the distillery character. Glencadam has its devotees and, with the distillery’s future uncertain, supplies are finite.
Mackillop's Choice Linlithgow 1982, Cask 1336
Very pungent and powerful for a Lowlander. Tending toward harshness. This seems typical of these last Linlithgows.
Mackillop's Choice Tomatin 1975, Cask 4
Perhaps because the distillery was built to make quantity, as a filler, the industry seems universally – but unfairly to deny the possibility of Tomatin making a truly interesting single. I could certainly enjoy this one after dinner.
Old Malt Cask Ardbeg 28 Years Old, The Ardbeggeddon 1972, Sherry Cask
One of the best Ardbegs I have ever tasted. Full range of the distillery’s typical flavours, lyrically combined.
Signatory Bowmore 1975 Cask Strength
Has mellowed with age. I missed the more assertively maritime characteristics in some younger Bowmores.
Signatory Caol Ila 1989, Cask Strength
The more typical of the two 1989 versions. For me, classic Caol Ila, with a touch of peat, noses ahead of the fruitier, more sensuous, expression.
Signatory Clynelish 1989 South African Sherry Butt
A very unusual expression of Clynelish.
Tambowie 12 Years Old
Starts interestingly, but doesn’t seem to go anywhere.
Antiquary 12 Years Old
Feminine. Elegant. Having talked myself into an oriental mind-set, I begin to wonder whether this whisky would accompany some Asian dishes.
Van Winkle 12 Years Old, Lot B
This should obviously be an ingredient of all self-respecting desserts. An accompaniment to them, too. And an after dinner drink. You are in a dry county? So what?
Glenfiddich 12 Years Old, Special Reserve
Glenfiddich has much more roundness of flavour since it switched from 'no age statement' to 12 years.
