Archives for 2015

Glenrothes / 1995

Summary: Country/Region: Scotland/Speyside.
The Vintage 1995 was the first ever Vintage specifically laid in cask with the intention of, when mature, bottling as The Glenrothes.
With about 30% from first fill American Sherry oak delivering butterscotch: Spice and dried fruits from 1st fill Spanish Sherry oak and the rest from refill casks giving the characteristic Glenrothes balance and complexity of flavour. Arguably it is preferable post-dinner when conversation is in full flow.
It fulfils every anticipation of The Glenrothes: A "come-hither" nose filled with exotic spices is followed by a citrus and fruity richness coated in honeyed butterscotch. These flavours, and more, are all delivered on the palate culminating with a long, rich and satisfying, fruity spiciness.

Glenrothes / 2001

Summary: Country/Region: Scotland/Speyside.
The Vintage 2001 bottled in 2012 (Edition 1) was selected from a variety of casks to deliver soft but stimulating and conversational properties. It combines the maturity of oaky vanilla, with the fullness of ripe black cherries and has a lingering, typically Glenrothes finish of soft spices.
It has wonderful length and depth, hugely satisfying and an excellent demonstration of the Malt Master's skill and dedication to the art of wood management.

Douglas Laing / The Christmas Big Peat 2011

Summary: HISTORICALLY WE CALL THIS – WHISPER IT – A VATTED MALT, BLONDE IN THE BOTTLE – BUT WITH A BIG PEAT KICK A SMALL BATCH BOTTLING TRADITIONALLY UNCHILL FILTERED CONTAINING ONLY ISLAY MALT WHISKIES! But what exactly is a Vatted Malt? It is what the Scotch Whisky industry has traditionally called “a marriage of Malts”. Big Peat contains Malt Whisky ONLY from the island of Islay – some say it’s the ultimate taste of Islay! Big Peat is a feisty Islay character has a sweet side too – ‘he’ carries a big peaty (“phenolic”), beachy, oceanic, rather ashy selection of malts only from the island of Islay. We do not chill filter – we prefer a more old fashioned traditional approach – so you will detect a massive amplification of sea-faring qualities on the nose, palate, and finish Nose: just one of those noses where it takes a tremendous act of will to put the glass down…the interplay between the salts and sugars, the counterweights between the different varieties of phenols themselves; Taste: when the delivery strikes home with the oils, phenols and sugars in immediate harmony, you know you are in for an experience. The question is: can it keep this quality to the end? Finish: …indeed it can! In fact, it improves and so complex and tantalising are those astonishing Demerara and peaty riches, it is hard to quite know where the end begins. A number of teasing bourbon tones, on the liquorice and hickory side – perhaps with a hint of honey – stokes the fireside complexity further…; Balance: I haven’t got a television these days as my life is simply too busy. And with entertainment like this in the glass to keep you occupied, who needs one…? I doubt if any Christmas special on the box came remotely close to matching this…! Country/Region: Scotland/Islay. ABV: 57.8%. Ratings: 96 Points – Jim Murray's 2013 Whisky Bible. Tasting Notes: © Jim Murray's / 2013 Whisky Bible.

Midleton / Barry Crockett Legacy

Summary: As custodian of the legendary Middleton style for over three decades, how fitting is it that the first ongoing bottling of a Single Pot Still whiskey under the Midleton name, pays tribute to our Master Distiller, Barry Crockett. This expression represents Barry’s personal selection of old and elegant Pot Still whiskeys, exclusively matured in American bourbon barrels. Bearing the name of the celebrated second generation Midleton Master Distiller, Midleton Barry Crockett Legacy represents a selection of pot still whiskeys which have been matured exclusively in American bourbon barrels with a subtle contribution from a pot still distillate which has been matured in an unseasoned or virgin American barrel.
Nose: spices nip and thrust; delicate fruits form a series of gentle layers; a light bourbon liquorice also adds depth;
Taste: the delivery provides the sweetness missing from the nose but only after an early surge of oak and soft oils. The middle ground is a battlefield between spices and peachy fruit, with just a touch of honey moving in when it thinks no one is watching;
Finish: relatively short and duller than you might expect. The caramels cap the higher points and though spices rumble there is little for it to echo against;
Balance: another fabulous Pot Still, very unusual for its clever use of the varied ages of oak to form strata of intensity. One very sophisticated whiskey.
Country: Ireland.
ABV: 46%.
Unit: 70cl.
Ratings: 94 Points – Jim Murray's 2013 Whisky Bible.

Redbreast / 12 Year Old Single Pot Still Whiskey

Summary: One of the most decorated Irish whiskeys, Redbreast is the largest selling Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey in the world. Regarded as the definitive expression of traditional Single Pot Still whiskey, the genesis of Redbreast dates back to 1903 when John Jameson & Son entered into an agreement with the Gilbeys Wines & Spirits Import Company to supply them with new make spirit from their Bow St. Distillery. The custom of that era was that distillers sold bulk whiskey to ‘bonders’ who, being in the business of importing fortified wines such as sherry and port, had ample supplies of empty casks in which to mature new make whiskeys under bond.
Single Pot Still whiskey is unique to Ireland in general and to the Midleton Distillery, Co. Cork, in particular, and is regarded as the quintessential style of Irish whiskey. Made from a mash of malted and unmalted barley and then triple distilled in traditional copper pot stills, Pot Still whiskeys are characterised by full, complex flavours and a wonderful creamy mouthfeel.
Nose: lively and firm, this one offering a gentle fruity sweetness not too dissimilar to a rye, ironic as there is a light bourbony kick off the oak, too;
Taste: wonderfully clipped and correct in delivery: firm at first – very firm!!! – but slowly the barley melts and light muscovado sugars dovetail with a flinty fruitiness and pillow-soft vanilla; incorrigibly mouthwatering and the build up of spices is just showing off;
Finish: remains spicy but clean, allowing a clear view of thos varying barley tones drifting away;
Balance: Yes…!!! Back to its classically classy, brilliant best. No sulphur casks this time (unlike last year). Just juicy pot still all the way. An old loved one has returned… more gorgeous than eve.
Country: Ireland.
ABV: 40%.
Unit: 70cl.
Ratings: 94 Points – Jim Murray's 2013 Whisky Bible.