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You are here: Home / 2014 / Archives for May 2014

Archives for May 2014

Abbey Whisky – New That Boutique-y Whisky Company Arrivals & More!

May 29, 2014 by Gary Leave a Comment

Supplier Brand Bottle
Size
Price
Abbey Whisky
Arran 7 Year Old / Italian Edition

Arran 7 Year Old / Italian Edition
Country: Scotland   Region: Island
Age: 7 Years Old   Strength: 43%
70cl £ 195.00  BUY NOW
Abbey Whisky
Arran Batch 3

Arran Batch 3
Country: Scotland   Region: Island
Age:    Strength: 51.5%
50cl £ 44.95  BUY NOW
Abbey Whisky
Aultmore Batch 4

Aultmore Batch 4
Country: Scotland   Region: Speyside
Age:    Strength: 47.3%
50cl £ 43.95  BUY NOW
Abbey Whisky
BenRiach Batch 3

BenRiach Batch 3
Country: Scotland   Region: Speyside
Age:    Strength: 48.9%
50cl £ 77.95  BUY NOW
Abbey Whisky
Evan Williams Single Barrel Vintage 2003

Evan Williams Single Barrel Vintage 2003
Country: America   Region: American
Age:    Strength: 43.3%
Vintage: 2003   Bottler: Heaven Hill Whiskey Distillery
70cl £ 34.40  BUY NOW
Abbey Whisky
Kilchoman Coull Point

Kilchoman Coull Point
Country: Scotland   Region: Islay
Age:    Strength: 46%
70cl £ 125.00  BUY NOW
Abbey Whisky
Lagavulin 1997 Distillers Edition / Pedro Ximenez Finish

Lagavulin 1997 Distillers Edition / Pedro Ximenez Finish
Country: Scotland   Region: Islay
Age:    Strength: 43%
Vintage: 1997   Bottler: Lagavulin Distillery
70cl £ 84.95  BUY NOW

Filed Under: 7 Year Old, Abbey Whisky, American, Arran, Aultmore, Benriach, Evan Williams, Island, Islay, Kilchoman, Lagavulin, New Arrivals, Speyside, That Boutique-y Whisky Company

New Aberfeldy & Dalmore Malt Whiskies From Edencrofts!

May 28, 2014 by Gary Leave a Comment

Supplier Brand Bottle
Size
Price
Edencroft
Aberfeldy / 16 Year Old / Old Malt Cask Edition

Aberfeldy / 16 Year Old / Old Malt Cask Edition
Country: Scotland   Region: Highlands
Age: 16 Year Old   Strength: 50%
Summary: Cask: Refill Hogshead DL No: 6844. Bottles from Cask: 350. Distilled: June 1994. Bottled: December 2010. Nose: heather, lavender and polished leather…; Taste: juicy barley with a beautiful lustre to the thin treacle outlining the vanilla-rich oak; all kinds of spices buzz and fret; Finish: a succession of firm barley-bourbon notes drying towards the very death; Balance: a trademark top range Aberfeldy I actually recognised as being from this distillery even before I looked at what sample I was tasting! Adorable. And quite beautifully constructed.

70cl £ 70.00  BUY NOW
Edencroft
Dalmore / 18 Year Old Single Malt

Dalmore / 18 Year Old Single Malt
Country: Scotland   Region: Highlands
Age: 18 Year Old   Strength: 43%
Summary: The Dalmore Distillery has been producing exceptional single malt whisky since 1839 and, for almost a century, was owned by the Clan Mackenzie. The clan’s defining influence on the distillery is still evident to this day, with the iconic royal stag’s antlers – taken from the Mackenzie family crest – adorning each and every bottle of The Dalmore. Located on the northern shores of the Firth of Cromarty, deep in the spectacular Scottish Highlands, the distillery is perfectly placed to take advantage of a feast of natural resources: from the waters of Loch Morie, found high in the hills overlooking the distillery, to the golden barley of the rich coastal soils of the Black Isle. Being sited at sea level is critically important. Enveloped by the salt air, the sea-facing traditional dunnage warehouses provide the ideal conditions for maturation. Time, different cask types, varying sizes, and warehouse conditions can all influence the maturity of a single malt. For this Dalmore, 15 years in bespoke Matusalem, Apostoles and Amoroso sherry butts from Jerez de la Frontera have been elemental. The redolence of these vessels delivers the perfect balance between spirit, wood and maturity. Tasting Notes: potent and robust, this expression delivers a rich and aromatic taste experience. A rich and aromatic heart full of dried spices, cloves, cinnamon and ginger with a concentrated citrus mouth-feel to tantalise your tongue and an abundant aftertaste of spice to reward the palate.

70cl £ 85.00  BUY NOW

Filed Under: 16 Year Old, 18 Year Old, Aberfeldy, Dalmore, Edencroft Spirit Specialists, Highland, New Arrivals

Whisky Discovery Tasting: Tickets On Sale Now For An Exclusive Canadian Night!

May 23, 2014 by Gary Leave a Comment

Whisky Discovery Tasting - 4 June

Whisky Discovery Tasting – 4 June

Whisky Discovery Tasting


Wednesday 4th. June 2014 (6:30 – 10pm)

The Embankment Pub, The Embankment, Bedford, MK40 3PD

Tickets £35.00

Kat and Dave from the Whisky Discovery blog are holding another of their successful whisky tastings in Bedford.

Their previous event in March sold out so it’s best to book early to be sure of getting a place!

This is an exclusive Canadian whisky tasting, where you get the chance to taste 7 different whiskies that are not available to buy in the UK. Guest host for the evening will be Canadian Whisky Blogger and expert, Johanne McInnis (aka WhiskyLassie).

They are also experimenting with a beer and chocolate pairing. During the interval there will be deli boards to tuck into, giving you a chance to chat with fellow guests and ask the expert any questions.

It’s promised to be a fun and relaxed evening, open to any new whisky drinkers and seasoned connoisseurs looking to try something new.

To book a place contact Kat at kat@whiskydiscovery.com.

For more information: Whisky Discovery Tasting

Filed Under: Canadian, News, Sampling, Whisky Discovery, Whisky tasting

The New anCnoc – Flaughter From Edencrofts!

May 20, 2014 by Gary Leave a Comment

anCnoc - Flaughter

anCnoc – Flaughter


Supplier Brand Bottle
Size
Price
Edencroft
Ancnoc - Flaughter

Ancnoc – Flaughter
Country: Scotland   Region: Speyside
Age:    Strength: 46%
Summary: Peaty overview Under the watchful eye of the Distillery Manager – and after a few anxious moments – anCnoc Peaty emerged once more from the stills at Knockdhu.

Once laid down in bourbon casks, it developed beautifully, creating the most remarkable malt. Dark peaty smokiness and light subtle flavours, as one. The spirit has found form in a new range of individual expressions named after traditional peat-cutting tools, some of which are still used to this day.

For we have those simple implements to thank for the wonder that is the Limited Edition anCnoc Peaty Collection. All that remains is to try them – and shine a light on your dark side. creating anCnoc Peaty When Knockdhu Distillery opened its doors back in October 1894, peat was most commonly used as a source of fuel throughout the Highlands.

There’s no doubt whisky made at Knockdhu was initially peaty but as time and technology moved on so did the production methods and with the dawn of specialist maltings the Knockdhu Distillery gradually moved to the unpeated style we associate with anCnoc Single Malt Scotch Whisky today. In homage to our malt’s peaty origins we have crafted a truly remarkable Limited Edition Peaty range. a craft? a science? both anCnoc Peaty brings together dark peaty smokiness and light subtle flavours, as one.

Each bottle carries a note of the PPM (parts per million) phenol in the distilled spirit. In short, the higher the PPM levels, the peatier the whisky will be to taste and in turn helping you discover the perfect anCnoc Peaty expression to shine a light on your dark side.

Colour: anCnoc Flaughter is pale gold.
Nose: Initially smoky and ashy. Underneath that, fresh vanilla notes ooze softness and creaminess while a sharper hint of sticky toffee offers a balancing sweetness.
Taste: A warming and smooth experience; peaty and intense but remarkably rounded, it flickers with hints of fragrant pipe tobacco, orchard fruits, brown sugar sweetness and a slight medicinal overtone. An intensely flavoursome, smoky and smooth finish.

70cl £ 50.00  BUY NOW

Filed Under: An Cnoc, Ancnoc - Flaughter, Edencroft Spirit Specialists, Speyside

Abbey Whisky – New Malts Including Macallan, Kilchoman & Nikka!

May 19, 2014 by Gary Leave a Comment

Supplier Brand Bottle
Size
Price
Abbey Whisky
Kilchoman Machir Bay 2014 Release

Kilchoman Machir Bay 2014 Release
Country: Scotland   Region: Islay
Age:    Strength: 46%
70cl £ 39.50  BUY NOW
Abbey Whisky
Macallan 1971 Speymalt / First Fill Sherry

Macallan 1971 Speymalt / First Fill Sherry
Country: Scotland   Region: Speyside
Age:    Strength: 43%
Vintage: 1971   Bottler: Gordon & MacPhail
70cl £ 450.00  BUY NOW
Abbey Whisky
Mackmyra Vit Hund / White Dog Spirit

Mackmyra Vit Hund / White Dog Spirit
Country: Sweden   Region: Swedish
Age:    Strength: 46.1%
50cl £ 34.90  BUY NOW
Abbey Whisky
Nikka Coffey Grain Whisky

Nikka Coffey Grain Whisky
Country: Japan   Region: Japanese
Age:    Strength: 45%
70cl £ 48.20  BUY NOW
Abbey Whisky
Port Charlotte 2004 / 9 Year Old / The Coopers Choice

Port Charlotte 2004 / 9 Year Old / The Coopers Choice
Country: Scotland   Region: Islay
Age: 9 Years Old   Strength: 46%
Vintage: 2004   Bottler: The Vintage Malt Whisky Company
70cl £ 56.20  BUY NOW
Abbey Whisky
Strathisla 19 Year Old / 1994 / Cask Strength Edition

Strathisla 19 Year Old / 1994 / Cask Strength Edition
Country: Scotland   Region: Speyside
Age: 19 Years Old   Strength: 57.8%
Vintage: 1994   Bottler: Chivas Brothers
50cl £ 54.95  BUY NOW
Abbey Whisky
Strathisla 1965 / Rare Vintage / Gordon & MacPhail

Strathisla 1965 / Rare Vintage / Gordon & MacPhail
Country: Scotland   Region: Speyside
Age:    Strength: 43%
Vintage: 1965   Bottler: Gordon & MacPhail
70cl £ 374.20  BUY NOW
Abbey Whisky
Teeling Single Grain Whiskey / Bot 2013

Teeling Single Grain Whiskey / Bot 2013
Country: Ireland   Region: Irish
Age:    Strength: 46%
70cl £ 38.70  BUY NOW
Abbey Whisky
The Glenlivet Guardians Chapter

The Glenlivet Guardians Chapter
Country: Scotland   Region: Speyside
Age:    Strength: 48.7%
70cl £ 55.98  BUY NOW
Abbey Whisky
The Hakushu Bourbon Barrel / Japanese Whisky

The Hakushu Bourbon Barrel / Japanese Whisky
Country: Japan   Region: Japanese
Age:    Strength: 48.2%
70cl £ 79.25  BUY NOW
Abbey Whisky
The Hakushu Distillers Reserve / Japanese Whisky

The Hakushu Distillers Reserve / Japanese Whisky
Country: Japan   Region: Japanese
Age:    Strength: 43%
70cl £ 42.50  BUY NOW

Filed Under: 19 Year Old, 9 Year Old, Abbey Whisky, Glenlivet, Hakushu, Irish, Japanese, Kilchoman, Macallan, Mackmyra, New Arrivals, Nikka, Port Charlotte, Speyside, Strathisla, Swedish, Teeling

Tasting Notes: Kilchoman 4th Limited Edition 100% Islay Single Malt Whisky!

May 15, 2014 by Gary Leave a Comment

Kilchoman 4th Limited Edition 100% Islay Single Malt Whisky

Kilchoman 4th Limited Edition 100% Islay Single Malt Whisky

Kilchoman has released its 4th limited edition 100% Islay whisky!

Forty first-fill bourbon barrels were selected, 32 five year old and eight four-year-old for the limited edition bottling.

The 4th Edition of 100% Islay is non chill-filtered, natural colour and bottled at 50% ABV.

The 100% Islay whisky range is unique. It is produced from barley grown at the distillery, and every step of the production is completed onsite so it is literally 100% Islay from barley to bottling. Previous editions have been awarded 2013 IWSC bronze, Spirits Business Gold and IWC Silver.

The 100% Islay is only lightly peated compared to the more heavily peated Kilchoman Machir Bay and Loch Gorm expressions.

Anthony Wills, managing director of Kilchoman, said: “The 100% Islay range is something we are very proud of and we hope that people will enjoy the latest offering. It is very exciting to be able to offer a product which is created 100% on Islay.”

“The 4th edition represents a significant development in the maturity of our 100% Islay range,” commented John MacLellan, distillery manager. “Its balance and complexity far surpassed our expectations.”

Kilchoman has also recently celebrated the appointment of George Wills at Kilchoman Distillery which means that there is now a full complement of the Wills’ family working at Scotland’s only farm distillery on Islay.

George joins his two brothers James and Peter, plus parents Anthony and Kathy Wills.

George’s particular remit will primarily be developing sales in the UK, although with a small family business he is often called on to turn his hand to many aspects of the business.

After working in the agricultural and property arenas, George was attracted to the drinks and hospitality sector, initially working as assistant manager at the renowned Oystercatcher Restaurant on Loch Fyne.

Three years on he moved to a gastro pub in north Wales, before taking on the management of a gastro pub in North Wales and latterly managing three pubs for Brightspire, where he has been working for the last five years.

George said: “I am very excited to join the rest of my family at Kilchoman and help promote our brands, throughout the UK particularly.”

From September this year the three brothers will embark on a five week journey around Europe in a specially adapted Land Rover, visiting European distributors and holding tastings at 20 or more events.

In November they will visit UK distributors and whisky events.

In the 1940s the boys’ great grandfather and his brother, Spencer and Maurice Wilks, designed and manufactured the first Land Rover in Britain.

It is fitting that 80 years on the entrepreneurial young brothers are setting off on their own journey of discovery to promote whisky that they have been helping produce at their family distillery on Islay – in a specially designed Land Rover.

Tasting Notes – Kilchoman 100% Islay 4th Edition Malt Whisky ( 50% ABV )


Kilchoman Loch Gorm Single Malt Whisky
Nose: A pale straw colour malt with a smoky and peaty nose. Hints of citrus fruits.

Palate: Very light on the tongue. Surprising sweetness and smoky mellow peat. Dried fruit and spicy fruit cake mixture.

Finish: Dry black pepper, smooth smokiness which lingers long. The 50% gives it some bite!

Overall: I find this very similar to The Loch Gorm but with a milder peat hit. But that’s not a negative, just another way to enjoy the gorgeous peat flavours! Once again, a fantastic, morish dram that I’m sure will be well received by peat and Kilchoman lovers!

70cl, 50%
Average: £64.99

Many thanks to Kilchoman for the sample.


Kilchoman was founded in 2005 and is one of the smallest distilleries in Scotland and was the first distillery to be built on Islay for 125 years.

A working farm distillery, it is one of only a handful of distilleries still practising floor malting.

Kilchoman also grows a portion of its barley at the distillery, and completes all parts of the production process, from barley to bottling on the island.

Since the first bottling was released in 2008, Kilchoman has established itself as a high quality Islay Single Malt Whisky, winning the following awards:-

  • Kilchoman’s exceptional quality was recognised at the prestigious International Whisky Competition (IWC) when Anthony Wills was named Master Distiller of the Year 2013.
  • Machir Bay was named Whisky of the Year at IWC 2013. Loch Gorm was also awarded Gold, Machir Bay received Silver and 100% Islay 2nd Ed was given bronze.
  • Kilchoman 2007 Vintage received Whisky Advocate’s Award for Islay Single Malt of the Year 2013.
  • In 2012 Machir Bay was awarded two prestigious IWSC Gold medals and a Silver medal, and was named in GQ’s Best 100 Things of 2012.
  • Kilchoman won Malt Advocates Artisan Whisky of the Year 2011, only three years after the first bottling was released.

Kilchoman is available to buy from these Whisky Merchants:-

  • The Whisky Exchange
  • Master of Malt
  • Edencroft Fine Wine & Spirit Specialists
  • Abbey Whisky
  • Whisky Online
  • The Whisky Barrel
  • The Green Welly Stop

Filed Under: Islay, Kilchoman, Kilchoman 4th Limited Edition, News, Sampling, Whisky tasting

Abbey Whisky – New Teeling, Kilchoman, Balcones, Macallan & Yamazaki Arrivals!

May 13, 2014 by Gary Leave a Comment

Supplier Brand Bottle
Size
Price
Abbey Whisky
Balcones Rumble Texas Spirit

Balcones Rumble Texas Spirit
Country: America   Region: American
Age:    Strength: 47%
75cl £ 65.20  BUY NOW
Abbey Whisky
Kilchoman Loch Gorm / 2014 Release / Sherry Cask

Kilchoman Loch Gorm / 2014 Release / Sherry Cask
Country: Scotland   Region: Islay
Age:    Strength: 46%
Vintage: 2009   Bottler: Kilchoman
70cl £ 56.25  BUY NOW
Abbey Whisky
Macallan 1990 Blackadder Raw Cask #1051

Macallan 1990 Blackadder Raw Cask #1051
Country: Scotland   Region: Speyside
Age:    Strength: 55%
Vintage: 1990   Bottler: Blackadder International
70cl £ 150.00  BUY NOW
Abbey Whisky
Macallan 60th Anniversary Queens Coronation

Macallan 60th Anniversary Queens Coronation
Country: Scotland   Region: Speyside
Age:    Strength: 
35cl (2) £ 1,200.00  BUY NOW
Abbey Whisky
Teeling Silver Vintage Reserve 1991 / 21 Year Old

Teeling Silver Vintage Reserve 1991 / 21 Year Old
Country: Ireland   Region: Irish
Age: 21 Years Old   Strength: 46%
Vintage: 1991   Bottler: Teeling Whiskey Co
70cl £ 127.90  BUY NOW
Abbey Whisky
Teeling Small Batch Premium Blended Whiskey

Teeling Small Batch Premium Blended Whiskey
Country: Ireland   Region: Irish
Age:    Strength: 46%
70cl £ 32.80  BUY NOW
Abbey Whisky
Teeling Whisky Company Poitin

Teeling Whisky Company Poitin
Country: Ireland   Region: Irish
Age:    Strength: 61.5%
50cl £ 27.95  BUY NOW
Abbey Whisky
Yamazaki Sherry Cask / 2013 Release

Yamazaki Sherry Cask / 2013 Release
Country: Japan   Region: Japanese
Age:    Strength: 48%
70cl £ 125.00  BUY NOW

Filed Under: 21 Year Old, Abbey Whisky, American, Balcones, Irish, Islay, Japanese, Kilchoman, Macallan, New Arrivals, Speyside, Teeling, Yamazaki

Tasting Notes: Maverick Drinks Latest Beasts – Darkness! (Part 2)

May 12, 2014 by Gary Leave a Comment

Just some of the Darkness range!

Just some of the Darkness range!


Maverick Drinks has gone over to the dark side with the launch of their latest range – Darkness! – a range of exceedingly dark single malt and single grain whiskies with an enormously punchy, unashamedly brazen character!

Commonly known as “sherry monsters”, these beasts are sourced from Scotland’s top distilleries.

With their amazing dark, brooding colour, attained through the use of small, specially crafted sherry casks for finishing, the range is the first of its kind.

The dark colour is achieved by storing the drams for 3 months in specially coopered 50-litre first-fill sherry casks.

The small size of the casks allows more wood contact with the whisky, increasing both dark colour and rich flavour dramatically.

These casks have previously been used to produce some of Spain’s top sherries, including Pedro Ximénez – the sticky, sweet dessert sherry, and Oloroso – the semi-dry, nutty delicacy.

These casks bring a deep colour as well as wonderful sherry flavours such as Christmas Cake, rich spice, prunes, raisins and dates.

The Darkness! range includes spirit from Scotland’s most prestigious distilleries. Notable bottlings include the delectable 21-year-old Ardbeg, finished in Oloroso sherry casks, a 16-year-old Clynelish, and a sublime Macallan finished in a Pedro Ximénez cask.

To finish off the look of these monsters, stunning labels have been designed, hand-illustrated by Tom Lane – designer of the very popular Bicycle Playing Cards, as well as the artwork for the accompanying book for Heston Blumenthal’s Fantastical Feasts.

Darkness! is available from Master Of Malt.

Take note of the bottles total – these ‘monsters’ will be gone in a moment! (The Ardbeg already has!)

Tasting Notes – Darkness! Benrinnes 15 Year Old Pedro Ximénez Cask Finish

94 bottles


Darkness! Benrinnes 15 Year Old Pedro Ximénez Cask Finish
Nose: Rich caramel, oak wood, luscious fruits.

Palate: Sweet cake mixture, plump raisins, fruits.

Finish: Nutty, peppery spice which, mixed with the sherry sweetness, is joyously long.

Overall: A classic mixture of flavours combined to give a morish sherry hit

50cl, 53.3%
£59.95

Tasting Notes – Darkness! Clynelish 16 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish

94 bottles


Darkness! Clynelish 16 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish
Nose: Dried fruit including a citrus tang, fudge.

Palate: Sweet and chocolatey with caramel.

Finish: Spicy, rich sherry flavours, slight tanin at the end with added pepper.

Overall: Another warm, sherry infused delight, the fieriness of the dram is well tempered by the Oloroso Cask sherriness!

50cl, 54.9%
£74.95

Tasting Notes – Darkness! Ardbeg 21 Year Old Pedro Ximénez Cask Finish

sold out


Darkness! Ardbeg 21 Year Old Pedro Ximénez Cask Finish
Nose: Peat, smoke and soot, scents of apples.

Palate: Smoke peat and woody embers with fruit sweetness.

Finish: Lingering sweetness wins over but doesn’t defeat an ebbing peat.

Overall: A marvelous dram! The mixture of sherry and smoky peat is a revelation – I can see why this sold out so quickly!

50cl, 40.1%
£119.95

Many thanks to Master Of Malt for the samples.

Filed Under: Darkness!, Master of Malt, Maverick Drinks, New Arrivals, News, Sampling, Whisky tasting

Sampling Notes From The Whisky Weekender Blind Tweet Tasting!

May 10, 2014 by Gary Leave a Comment

The Four Blind Samples

The Four Blind Samples

On Thursday night last I had the pleasure of taking part in my very first Blind Tweet Tasting.

The general idea being to sample Four ‘liquids’ and describe the nose, taste etc. and then try and guess where it came from and possibly the brand.

Putting aside one sneaky entry to the ‘gang of four’ I was terrible at guessing. I had no clue at all really. Obviously more ‘study’ is required!

The event was all part of celebrations for the upcoming (and first ever) London Whisky Weekender.

Hosted by The Whisky Lounge at the cutting edge East London venue Oval Space the mission is to bring the craft, innovation and heritage of whisky to the people.

The three day festival which kicks off on May 16th will boast some of the best known names in whisky industry, along with a whole host of small, craft distillers.

Over the weekend there will be a whole host of whisky based events, including exclusive tastings of rare pre World War II whiskies on the rooftop overlooking one of the last remaining Blitz sites in London.

There will also be an East End whisky cocktail bar curated by Molecular cocktail specialist Lounge Bohemia on Oval.

London Whisky Weekender

Friday May 16th to Sunday May 18th

Oval Space, 29-32 The Oval, London, E2

Tickets £35.00

If you want to catch up on what all the tasters had to say, you can view the tweets by searching for the hash tag #WhiskyWeekender on Twitter.

So, what did I think?

Here are my tasting notes … and the one which was my favourite on the night!

Tasting Notes – Sample 1

Nose: Fruity, light with pineapple coming through.

Palate: Very light with sweet slight tanin.

Finish: Lively and spicy with a dry finish.

Overall: Great dram from Berrys and certainly worth a second look – just wish the sampling bottles held a little more!

Turned out to be:-


Berrys 1992 Longmorn (46% ABV) Speyside Single Malt
70cl, 46% £67.45

Tasting Notes – Sample 2

Nose: Xmas cake, liquorice and apples. I even got a hint of rhubarb!

Palate: Light fruit and sultanas.

Finish: Sweetness basically disappears leaving liquorice, treacle and slightly spicy. Quite dry at the end.

Overall: WoW! An amazing dram – that turned out to be not a dram at all! In fact it was a Tiffon Chateau de Triac Cognac which just goes to show there are other fantastic spirits out there as well!

Turned out to be:-


Tiffon Chateau de Triac (40% ABV) Cognac
70cl, 40% £100.00

Tasting Notes – Sample 3

Nose: Very peaty! Reminds me of smokey bacon crisps and not in a bad way!

Palate: Sweet with plenty of smoke n’ peat.

Finish: Light, smooth and sweet with a bit of pepper at the end.

Overall: This is a peat dram to be sure. Peat sometimes puts tasters off but the great thing I love about peat drams is the way they grow on you – persevere!

Turned out to be:-


anCnoc Whisky Rutter (46% ABV)
70cl, 46% £51.45

Tasting Notes – Sample 4

Nose: Muted peat, plenty of wood smoke with added fruit and floral highlights.

Palate: Now that’s a surprise! Intensly sweet, hot spicy and peaty – all at once!

Finish: Very smooth, lots of sweetness and peat blending together nicely with a long spice hit.

Overall: Incredible dram – the combination of sweet and peat is not to be missed!

Turned out to be:-


SMWSUK 53.197 ‘A stoker in drag’ (57.4% ABV) Islay Single Malt (Caol Ila)
70cl, 57.4% £63.70

My Favourite On The Night

I loved Bottle No 3: The anCnoc Whisky Rutter Highland Single Malt –
that peat is simply to die for!

Many thanks to The Whisky Wire (@TheWhiskyWire) for a great dram evening and the team at The Whisky Lounge (@TheWhiskyLounge) for sending the samples!

My fellow Tweeters were:-

@TheWhiskyWire @TheWhiskyLounge @TWLJoe @WhiskyDiscovery @WorldWhiskyDay @GreatDrams @steveprentice @whiskyrepublic @WhiskyCorner @BeersIveKnown @RumDiariesBlog @EdinburghWhisky @MaltNerd @markofrespect @MCRWhiskyClub @KiltedMoose @petedrinks @SWWIG @dvdbloke @mynameisgone @TheWhiskyKiwi @WhiskyAndWines @BarryMBradford @thicker_thanH2O @msykesjones @annawizauk

Filed Under: Blind Tasting, Sampling, Whisky tasting, Whisky Weekender

Tasting Notes: Maverick Drinks Latest Beasts – Darkness! (Part 1)

May 9, 2014 by Gary Leave a Comment

Just some of the Darkness range!

Just some of the Darkness range!

Maverick Drinks has gone over to the dark side with the launch of their latest range – Darkness! – a range of exceedingly dark single malt and single grain whiskies with an enormously punchy, unashamedly brazen character!

Commonly known as “sherry monsters”, these beasts are sourced from Scotland’s top distilleries.

With their amazing dark, brooding colour, attained through the use of small, specially crafted sherry casks for finishing, the range is the first of its kind.

The dark colour is achieved by storing the drams for 3 months in specially coopered 50-litre first-fill sherry casks.

The small size of the casks allows more wood contact with the whisky, increasing both dark colour and rich flavour dramatically.

These casks have previously been used to produce some of Spain’s top sherries, including Pedro Ximénez – the sticky, sweet dessert sherry, and Oloroso – the semi-dry, nutty delicacy.

These casks bring a deep colour as well as wonderful sherry flavours such as Christmas Cake, rich spice, prunes, raisins and dates.

The Darkness! range includes spirit from Scotland’s most prestigious distilleries. Notable bottlings include the delectable 21-year-old Ardbeg, finished in Oloroso sherry casks, a 16-year-old Clynelish, and a sublime Macallan finished in a Pedro Ximénez cask.

To finish off the look of these monsters, stunning labels have been designed, hand-illustrated by Tom Lane – designer of the very popular Bicycle Playing Cards, as well as the artwork for the accompanying book for Heston Blumenthal’s Fantastical Feasts.

Darkness! is available from Master Of Malt.

Take note of the bottles total – these ‘monsters’ will be gone in a moment!

Tasting Notes – Darkness! Benrinnes 15 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish

87 bottles


Darkness! Benrinnes 15 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish
Nose: Vanilla and caramel toffee. Lovely dried fruits.

Palate: Slight oil, rich xmas cake with rich sherry flavours.

Finish: Spicy and sweet comes together in a powerful but smooth hit. Hint of dryness and lemon.

Overall: A beast of a dram but for all the right reasons. Full bodied, smooth, sweet spicy. It’s got it all and more!

50cl, 52.9%
£59.95

Tasting Notes – Darkness! Macallan 15 Year Old Pedro Ximénez Cask Finish

88 bottles


Darkness! Macallan 15 Year Old Pedro Ximénez Cask Finish
Nose: Cherry, raisins and honey fudge

Palate: Very smooth with sweet sultanas, cake mixture and a slight woodiness.

Finish: Modicum of spice blended with glorious sweetness. Short finish.

Overall: A warming, classy dram made large with luscious sherry sweetness. Smooth and mature – a posh beast!

50cl, 52.3%
£109.95

Many thanks to Master Of Malt for the samples.

Filed Under: Darkness!, Master of Malt, Maverick Drinks, New Arrivals, News, Sampling, Whisky tasting

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