Adelphi Aultmore 2000

$146.99

An 18 year old marage of two Aultmore Sherry Hogsheads filled in 2000 and bottled at 55.0%. 480 total bottles from casks No. 571 & 573. 

Andrew's Tasting Note

Nose: fudge-y, Jujubes and moist Christmas cake; coconut cream cake, floral vanilla and silky oak sugars; a touch of musty wet leaf litter.

Palate: round, creamy and spicy; builds quickly from a timid start to a bold mid-palate; big Christmas cake notes, medium-dark chocolate and more coconut/vanilla tones; the spices are crisp laid atop some soft new leather and a touch of tobacco.

Finish: long, coating, spicy and drying; dark chocolate, firm toasted oak and more Christmas cake.

Comment: the whisky screamed "Aultmore" when I first poured it, settling down nicely with just a couple minutes in the glass; I suspect it was from an American oak ex-Sherry hoggies, as the whisky seems torn between classic sherry notes and those more typical of American oak; it takes water very well--not something you hear me say often! 

Producer's Tasting Note

"Distilled in 2000 and matured for 18 years, this whisky carefully balances the distillery's grassy and oily character against spicy oak.

"Drawn from two Sherry Hogsheads. Dark gold in colour with excellent beading. Roasted coconut. A rich and spicy finish with a grind of black pepper. With water, Macaroon bars; sesame seeds, chocolate and cocoa powder."
 

Adelphi Benrinnes 1984

$499.99

A 33 year old single cask of Benrinnes from an ex-Sherry Butt filled in 1984 and bottled at 57.3%. 395 total bottles from cask no. 2032, with just 4 expected at KWM.

Andrew's Tastig Note

Nose: butterscotch, creme brule and dulce de leche; subtle notes of marmalade and potpourri; fruit compote and mixxed berry-fruit jam; some crisp decadent spices and Demerara.

Palate: rich, spicy and decadent; demerara sugar, and loads more burnt sugar and caramel: creme brule, butterscotch and dulce de leche; big spices: crisp cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and cardamom; moves in to later clove and fennel; some delicate tropical fruits beneath dark unsweetened bakers chocolate, rough new leather and a touch of Dominican cigars.

Finish: long, warming, decadent and spicy; late honey, delicacies and hints of tropical fruit.

Comment: this is without question the oldest Benrinnes I've ever tried; a curious sherry matured whisky that puts the focus on the sugars and spices; a nightcap whisky perfect for pairing with a bold Dominian cigar.

Producer's Tasting Note

"A dark amber colour with very beading; drawn from an ex-sherry Butt. The nose is vibrant; treacle toffee, dark chocolate coated espresso beans with a dusting of cocoa powder. Fruitiness follows – fresh and dried dates with an herbaceous undernote. 

Nose cooling with suggestions of witch-hazel. The menthol notes are mirrored on the palate – this time eucalyptus and spearmint. This combines with fruity flavours: baked red apples in a Tarte Tatin. Mouth cooling in the finish. 

Adelphi Bowmore 1997

$299.99

A 20 year old Bowmore drawn from a Refill Sherry Butt filled in 1997 and bottled at 56.3%. Only 12 bottles are coming to KWM. 601 total bottles from cask No. 2414. 88pts Serge @ WhiskyFun.org & 91pts Dave Broom ScotchWhisky.com.  

Producer's Tasting Note

"Black tea colour. Drawn from an active refill Sherry Butt. Moderate beading. Light nose prickle. Benefits from a few minutes in the glass for aromas to open up. Hints of empty tobacco pipe together with its leather tobacco pouch; Currants, raisins, glacier cherries – an old Christmas cake.

"To taste, a rich and well-integrated dram with flavours of dark fruits, dark chocolate and peat smoke.

"With water, becomes nose drying. Smokey notes raised and flavours of blackcurrant jam develop. A superb example of the make,     perfect for enjoying as an  after-dinner tipple."

88pts Serge @WhiskyFun.org

"By Jove, we might start this a little ‘too high’… Colour: office coffee. Nose: sherry! You know how it is, sherry and peat may tango to perfection, but the combo may also fail miserably and generate some pretty awful smells of old horses and dead whelks. Well, you see what I mean. Good news, no foul smells here, rather some new leather and a fresh pack of pipe tobacco, some salted and smoked almonds, Spanish ham, then perhaps a little plastic (new bin bag), dried kelp, cigar box, raw chocolate… With water: oh, H2O does wonders! Fantastic notes of well-hung grouse (nothing personal) with cranberry sauce and Cuban cigars. I’ve long lost touch but quite some years ago, I would have said big Partagas. Mouth (neat): no need to be afraid, this strange combo rather works. Mussels, black olives, raisins, leather, tobacco, caraway, ink and marmalade, plus blackberry jam. Thickish mouth feel. With water: once again water is queen. Perfect pepper and very bitter oranges, smoked fish, plus currants and pickled grapes. Finish: long, bittersweet, very orange-y, superb when reduced. And a little too harsh when neat. Comments: water is obligatory here; each bottle should come with a free quarter of Vitell! Right, why not Highland Spring, if you must. SGP:466"

Adelphi Mortlach 1993 56.1%

$449.99

One of a pair of 25 year old 1993 Mortlach casks acquired by a distillery from a private owner. 385 bottles from a Refill Hogshead cask, No. 4466.

Andrew's Tasting Note

Nose: Marocan marmalade and salted butter on rough wholegrain bread; sticky toffee pudding with treacle sauce; maple toffee and Scottish tablet; plum and fig jam as well as Jujubes and soft leather.

Palate: round, fruity and spicy with a firm base of candied fruits, smooth leather and crisp spices; earthy dunnage warehouse notes, dark bakers chocolate, espresso bean and salty Dutch licorice; classic meaty-subtlely sulphurry Mortlach tones and some late tobacco.

Finish: long, sherried and spicy; classic Mortlach: big fruits, leather and chocolate with late tobacco.

Comment: spicier than the sister cask, but just as fruity; a lovely rounded Morlach.
 

Producer's Tasting Note

"Good beading, from a refill Sherry Hogshead. Rich mahogany in colour.

"On the nose: buttery scrambled egg on a brioche bun; Treacle and a touch of balsamic vinegar glaze. After a while, the nose develops further – roast beef jus remaining in the roasting tin with a subtle hint of rowan jelly. Tannic and fruity to taste (fresh brambles). 

"With water, becomes sweeter. Thornton’s treacle toffee. Sweetness is mirrored on the palate with Werther’s Originals fudge."

Cadenhead Blended Scotch Whisky 20 Year

$129.99

1 Per Customer!

The first release was awesome, the second is supposed to be too. I haven’t tried it yet, and I can’t find an official tasting notes, but Batch 2 scored 89pts on ScotchWhisky.com. We only have enough for one bottle per person. Distilleries Used: Glenrothes, Benrinnes, Strathclyde. 89pts Scotch Whisky.com.

Andrew's Tasting Note

Nose: treacle, dark chocolate fudge, firm leather and maple syrup; old school sherry, candied fruits, Armagnac and mom's Christmas cake soaked with rum.

Palate: big, rich and fruity with layers of spice; old school sherry, candied fruits, Christmas cake and sticky toffee pudding with treacle sauce; chewy Panada brand licorice, but also saltier Dutch varieties; candied ginger and cinnamon hearts; more sweet dark chocolate, maple syrup, leather and a touch fruity tobacco.

Finish: long, coating and rich; more fruits, leather, spices and chocolate.

Comment: this one really needed a day open up, it is much more expressive than when I first sampled it the day before; this is an unabashed sherry bomb, I would challenger anyone tasting it blind to identify it as a blend; for the age, price and style this is crushable... a shame only 30 bottles are coming to Canada!

Scotch Whisky.com Review 89pts

Nose: Super-ripe, rich and sweet. Cherry cola, chocolate ganache, Seville orange and sweet ginger develop into muscovado sugar, plump raisin and a hint of clove. Things dry ever so slightly in time but continue to head toward a hot, buttered, Demerara rum. Water adds sweetened coffee and a slightly more savoury quality, but ‘slightly’ is the operative word.

Palate: As you might expect, a very soft delivery, with a thick, plush texture: old roses, red velvet cake and a jam-like sweetness (damson, mulberry and sloe). Although things remain sweet when it’s diluted, there’s also some black cherry, cassis and finally a little (and much-needed) grip.

Finish: Lush.

Conclusion: Completely the opposite of the Scapa expression – and equally some might not go for this heart-on-the-sleeve richness. It might not have massive complexity, but by goodness it’s a good glass.

Adelphi Nightcap Gift Pack Release 6

$124.99

A set of 4 100ml wax sealed single malts, one each from the Highlands, Speyside, Islay and Orkney.

In This Edition

• Breath of the Highlands 2005 - 59.6% - 12 Year - Producer Tasting Note: "Rich gold, from a 1st fill American oak barrel, After Eights and Liquorice Allsorts with melon balls and polished decking (very slight maritime influence). Nut brittle and crème brulée lifted by a grind of white pepper on the finish."
• Breath of the Speyside 2006 - 58.3% - 11 Year - Producer Tasting Note: "Dark amber, from an active Spanish oak sherry butt, toffee-coated red apples, chewy fudge and chocolate brownies. Sweet and zesty with more fudge and slight fruit peel."
• Breath of the Isles 2007 - 58.3% - 11 Year - Producer Tasting Note: "Deep gold with excellent beading, from 2 ex-Sherry hogsheads, initially sweet with Werther’s Originals, Caramac bars, and a trace of smoke. Vanilla, star anise and blackcurrant in the background with a rich smoked meat and honey palate, and a hint of salt."
• Breath of Islay 2010 - 56.9% - 8 Year - Producer Tasting Note: "Autumn gold with good beading, drawn from a 1st fill American oak barrel. Carbolic soap, smoked cheese and burnt coconut biscuits next to the swimming pool.  Rich mouth texture with bonfire smoke, a classic Caol Ila sweet/savoury balance and sooty finish." 

North Star Glentauchers 9 Year

$111.99

Only 6 bottles coming to KWM of this 10 year old Glentauchers matured in a Refill Hogshead and finished in a Bordeaux Barrique. Bottled at 59.2%.

Producer's Tasting Note

Nose: a busy sommellier's apron & rosehips.

Palate: McCowan's Highland Toffee.

Finish: a decent desert wine washed down with a crispy creme brulee. 

North Star Caol Ila 12 Year

$137.99

Only 6 bottles are coming to KWM of this Caol Ila single cask. Filled in to a Refill Hogshead cask in 2006 and bottled in 2018 at 48.5%. Only 6 bottles are coming to KWM, so it is limited to 1 bottle per customer.

Producer's Tasting Note

Nose: the reek of peat on repeat.

Palate: dry smoke with Polly Pastilles.

Finish: flumes from a second hand culverin.

North Star Speyside Star 12 Year

$71.99

A mystery single malt, reputedly from the Benrinnes Distillery. Bottled at 50% from a Single Shery Butt.