Kilkerran "Work In Progress" #3
$59.84
Glengyle has been rebuilt and reopened by the folks at Springbank distillery in Campbeltown after an 80 year silence. They can't call the distillery's product Glengyle because there is a blend by that name, so it has been named Kilkerran after a stunning nearby church. Official Tasting Notes Nose: An initial burst of perfume leads you into a sweet, fruity and eventually spicy aroma. Palate: Cloves, more fruits sweetness. Still a Work in Progress, this whisky is already lively, zesty and full of flavour. Finish: The sweetness lasts all the way to the finish as vanilla flavours linger on your tongue.
Dalmore Gran Reserva
$73.34
Gold Bowmore 1964
$7,739.99
"Surprisingly lively on the nose for its age. A complex array of fruit (tangerine, sultana, pink grapefruit, papaya, and the general overall citrus DNA that you'll find in old Bowmores), with balancing notes of honey and vanilla. A hint of damp smoke and coconut. Just like with Black Bowmore, this is a texturally soothing whisky on the palate, which continues to evolve in waves�first the sweet honey, coating vanilla, and lively fruit, then turning quite visceral, with juicy oak, damp earth, deep peat smoke, and charcoal, followed by another wave of fruit (this time, dried fruit), finishing off with subtle charred oak and roasted nuts. This whisky is better than White Bowmore, and it falls just short of Black Bowmore (which I rated 97), because it's just a bit softer and less vibrant on the palate." John Hansel Malt Advocate
Bowmore Tempest Cask Strength
$73.79
This whisky has been matured exclusively in first-fill American oak ex-bourbon casks. The Tempest was created to embody the rugged stormy nature of Islay and it has done that. Earthy smoke and brine water, notes of crème brulée with orange blossom with butter cream. Palate: Bursts of citrus, lemons and orange with the distinct peaty Islay character and a sea salt tang. Finish: Long, lingering yet clean and fresh.
Springbank Hazelburn 12 Year
$104.99
Hazelburn is the name the Springbank Distillery gives to their triple distilled and unpeated variant. The 12 year is matured in a mix of casks but is sherry forward. Bottled at 46% without colouring or chillfilering, the Hazelburn whisky was first distilled in 1997 by Scotland's oldest family owned and most traditional distillery, Springbank, Ext. 1828.
Andrew's Tasting Note
Nose: fresh, floral, decadent and doughy, like a French bakery; soft fruits, light citrus, melon and orange; a touch of sherry, nutty tones and dried dark fruits.
Palate: there is some sherry here but not as much as earlier releases, I find it buttery and malty; soft leather, dark spices and dark fruits develop lending more sherry-forward weight; more bakery-doughy notes with floral touches, still nutty and some crisp citrus notes.
Finish: drying with citrus and more floral malt.
Comment: not as much candied fruit and sherry as some previous incarnations, but still a lovely malt!
Double Barrel Macallan & Laphroaig
$80.99
Tasting Note by Fred Laing: "Nose :- Opens lightly tarred yet fresh/floral with caramelised fruit (apricots) + spices (thyme and vanilla) beyond the saltiness. Palate :- An initial sweetness + peat and tar alongside baked quality that runs to burnt shortbread and salty seaweed. Finish :- Combines the Macallan honey with the Laphroaig tarry character."
Tullibardine 1993 KWM PX Cask 15081
$107.99
Nose: Sawdust, then the Pedro Ximenez sherry notes; this whisky is sweet & spicy, figs and raisins, marmalade & baklava. Palate: Starts huge for a Tullibardine, big, sweet & spicy! The sweet sherry notes dominate with hints of cedar, clove, nutmeg & black licorice. Rich though this whisky is it has a gentler side too with soft candied fruits, subtle vanilla & hints of light Christmas cake. Finish: Long, sweet &d very pleasant.
Dewar Rattray Cask Ben Nevis 11 Year
$84.14
Ben Nevis is the lesser known of only two distilleries in the Western Highlands of Scotland. The distillery is located in Fort William, and though it sits right beside a major road, it is not well marked. This independent bottling is from a single Refill Sherry Butt. 56.8% cask strength, non-chilfiltered. Nose: brandy snaps and caramac chocolate. Palate: cinnamon and cloves with honey and oats.
Glenfarclas 1952 Cask
$2,543.39