Archives for January 2018

Sampling SMWS Cask No. 76.135 – A Rich Dram That Is Generous To A Fault!

January 31, 2018 by Gary Leave a Comment

CASK No. 76.135: MOMENT OF SERENITY

I recently received a couple of whisky samples, courtesy of The Scotch Malt Whisky Society or SMWS (@SMWSUK). So, of course, I was eager to try them!

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society is a club unlike any other. As well as being a place to connect with other like-minded whisky lovers, they are also internationally renowned for their mission: “To provide our members with an adventurous and fun journey of discovery of the world’s widest collection of single cask whiskies.”

Conceptualised in the late 70’s and established in 1983, the Scotch Malt Whisky Society, now 35 years old, has branches and partners bars in 19 countries globally.

The Society has a selection of over 500 casks every year, each cask yielding a few hundred or less whisky bottles which are unique to that cask. Rather than name their Whiskies after the distillery, the Society has a coding system.

The Society also creates fantastic tasting notes summaries for their Whiskies and other bottles. The whiskies are straight from the cask single malt, undiluted, without chill-filtration or colouring at cask strength.

More recently the Society has been named Independent Bottler of the Year in Whisky Magazine’s prestigious Independent Bottlers’ Challenge (IBC) competition.

I’ve already sampled SMWS “HONEY AND VANILLA SMOKE” CASK No. 53.242 which can be found here, so here’s sample TWO: SMWS “MOMENT OF SERENITY” CASK No. 76.135

So, what did I think? Here are my tasting notes . . .

Tasting Notes – SMWS “MOMENT OF SERENITY” CASK No. 76.135

AGE: 15 Years

DATE DISTILLED: 5th March 2008

CASK TYPE: First Fill Ex-Pedro Ximenez Hogshead

REGION: Speyside

OUTTURN: 1 of 192 bottles

ABV: 55.1%

Colour: Sherry.

Nose: Caramel toffee, honey, sweet tropical fruits and green apples.

Palate: Rich mouthfeel. Caramel toffee, sweet tropical fruits and green apples.

Finish: Punchy pepper, thick sweet honey and the finish is pleasantly long.

Overall: It’s amazing and rare to have all the aromas that are present in the nose available in the flavour!
A rich dram that keeps on giving – generous to a fault!

Many thanks to SMWS (@SMWSUK) for sending the samples!

Balblair Vintage Drams – New Arrivals From Edencroft!

January 31, 2018 by Gary Leave a Comment

Blablair 2000 Vintage 2nd Release
£70.00

New Arrivals

Blablair 2000 Vintage 2nd Release
£70.00
Country: Scotland
Region: Highlands
Age:
Strength:

Summary: COUNTRY/REGION: Scotland/Highlands.
DISTILLERY: Balblair.
BOTTLER: Distillery Bottling.
BOTTLING SERIE: 2nd Release.
VINTAGE: 2000
BOTTLED: 2018
CASK TYPE: Spanish Oak Butts Finish.
STRENGTH: 46% Vol.
SIZE: 700 ml.
The second release of Vintage 2000 is bright copper in appearance.
The nose is full bodied with aromas of seasoned oak, baked red apples and fruitcake, followed by warming vanilla and ripe tropical stone fruits. Rich and balanced, this classic Balblair nose tells the story of its charismatic spirit and perfect ageing.
On the palate, the whisky is slightly oily in texture. Ground spices and old hardwood strike first chords in this elegant and rewarding dram, building up to brighter flavours of tinned pineapples, bitter orange peel and honey.
The finish builds up slowly with lasting sweetness, creaminess and notes of bitter chocolate.

Blablair 1991 Vintage 3rd Release
£125.00
Country: Scotland
Region: Highlands
Age:
Strength:

Summary: COUNTRY/REGION: Scotland/Highlands.
DISTILLERY: Balblair.
BOTTLER: Distillery Bottling.
BOTTLING SERIE: 3rd Release.
VINTAGE: 1991
BOTTLED: 2017
CALCULATED AGE: 27 years old.
CASK TYPE: Ex-Bourbon & 1st Fill Sherry Butts.
STRENGTH: 46% Vol.
SIZE: 700 ml.
The 3rd release of Vintage 1991 is bright amber in colour with rose gold highlights.
The nose is expansive and complex with rich citrus fruits and vanilla notes, toffee and chocolate. The American oak ex-bourbon barrels and Spanish oak butts used in the maturation impart notes of honey, winter spices and apricot with just a hint of liquorice in the background.
On the palate Balblair’s signature style of citrus orchard is followed with rich creamy chocolate and layers of stewed apples and pears, Christmas pudding and hot vanilla sauce. The finish descends slowly into brighter tonality, sparkling orange and toasted coconut overtones, accentuating full-bodied sweetness of vanilla and caramel. A rich and celebratory dram.

Paul John / Kanya
£200.00
Country: Indian
Region: Indian
Age:
Strength: 50.%
70cl

Summary: COUNTRY/REGION: India/Goa.
DISTILLERY: John Distilleries.
BOTTLER: Distillery Bottling.
NUMBER OF BOTTLES: 1500
STRENGTH: 50% Vol.
SIZE: 700 ml.
ABV: 50%.
Unit: 70cl.
NOSE: deft acacia and heather-honey mingle contentedly with the heavier oaky notes to offer a subdued sweetness but one which compliments the intense malt perfectly;
TASTE: AH…! Those honeys are unleashed early on, seemingly free of their oaky shackles and help drive the salivating qualities of the barley through the roof; excellent oils with a gentle liquorice and hickory. A little citrus darts around but very much hanging on to the coat-tails of the malt;
FINISH: long, thanks to those never-ending oils. Even towards the finale there is still Manuka honey to be found with sub-strata of soft caramel taking the sting out of gathering spice;
PALATE: when a distillery can find honey at the very end of its flavour range and profile, you know they have cracked it. Superb!
Ratings: 96 Points and Asian Whisky of the Year / Jim Murray's 2018 Whisky Bible.

Classy, Collectable Laphroaig 27 Year Old – A New Arrival From Abbey Whisky!

January 30, 2018 by Gary Leave a Comment

Laphroaig 27 Year Old
£420.00

New Arrivals

Laphroaig 27 Year Old
£420.00
Country: Scotland
Region: Islay
Age: 27 Years Old
Strength: 41.7%
70cl
A rare 27 year old limited edition release from Laphroaig distillery, double matured in ex-bourbon barrels and refill quarter casks at the legendary Warehouse No.1. This spirit used for this rare release was distilled between October 1988 to November 1989 then bottled March 2017 at 41.7% vol.

Newly Released BIG PEAT Whiskies From Edencroft!

January 24, 2018 by Gary Leave a Comment

Douglas Laing / Big Peat London Edition
£47.50

New Arrivals

Douglas Laing / Big Peat London Edition
£47.50
Country: Scotland
Region: Islay
Age:
Strength:
70cl

Summary: COUNTRY/REGION: Scotland/Islay.
UNIT: 1 x 70cl
CATEGORY: Blended Malt.
BOTTLER: Douglas Laing.
BOTTLING SERIE: Small Batch.
BOTTLED: 2017
NUMBER OF BOTTLES: 1600
STRENGTH: 48% Vol.
SIZE: 700 ml.

A limited edition bottling of Douglas Laing’s esteemed Big Peat blended malt, made exclusively with malt whiskies from the Isle of Islay. This edition is presented at the slightly higher-than-usual ABV of 48%, and features a London-themed label. Big Peat even changed his jumper for the trip – a dashing navy blue has replaced the traditional mustard yellow.

Douglas Laing / Big Peat 25 Year Old
£170.00
Country: Scotland
Region: Islay
Age:
Strength:
70cl

Summary: COUNTRY/REGION: Scotland/Islay.
UNIT: 1 x 70cl
CATEGORY: Blended Malt.
BOTTLER: Douglas Laing.
BOTTLING SERIE: The Vintage Series.
VINTAGE: 1992
BOTTLED: 2017
STATED AGE: 25 Years Old.
CASK TYPE: Oak Casks.
NUMBER OF BOTTLES: 3000
STRENGTH: 52.1% Vol.
SIZE: 700 ml.
This, the first in a three-part Vintage Series, is Big Peat 25 Years Old Islay “Vatted” Malt, entitled The Gold Edition. It is comprised of Islay’s most sought after Single Malts. There will be three consecutive limited edition releases commencing with the 25 years old. The series will bring to life the journey of the spirit with each year that passes.
Shows a more gentle, and mature, side of BP with a mellow Islay style early on the nose but shaping up (when shaken) to boat varnish with a rock pool and beach barbecue back drop. The palate opens as sweetly peated as his young vatting – distinct similarities here – warming later to creosote, pepper and chimney smoke – yet more affable and genial. The finish displays that same warm depth of sweetness before the damp bonfire ash, coal dust and charred meat appear – and continue to appear. The power of its peat and now liquorice is amplified with an espresso.

Japanese New Arrivals From Abbey Whisky!

January 23, 2018 by Gary Leave a Comment

Togouchi 12 Year Old
£81.60

New Arrivals

GlenDronach 15 Year Old – 1990's Bottling
£204.00
Country: Scotland
Region: Highland
Age: 15 Years Old
Strength: 40%
70cl

Yamazaki Mizunara Japanese Oak Cask | 2017 Edition
£2,598.00
Country: Japan
Region: Japanese
Age: 18 Years Old
Strength: 48%
70cl

Glengoyne 25 Year Old
£234.84
Country: Scotland
Region: Highland
Age: 25 Years Old
Strength: 48%
70cl

Highland Park Shiel
£294.00
Country: Scotland
Region: Island
Age:
Strength: 48.1%
70cl

Akashi Meisei
£39.60
Country: Japan
Region: Japanese
Age:
Strength: 40%
50cl

Aberlour A'Bunadh Batch 61
£49.98
Country: Scotland
Region: Speyside
Age:
Strength: 60.8%
70cl

Glenmorangie 15 Year Old Sauternes Wood Finish
£210.00
Country: Scotland
Region: Highland
Age: 15 Years Old
Strength: 46%
70cl

Ledaig 13 Year Old Amontillado Cask Finish
£68.90
Country: Scotland
Region: Island
Age: 13 Years Old
Strength: 59.2%
70cl

Akashi Single Malt Whisky
£74.94
Country: Japan
Region: Japanese
Age:
Strength: 46%
50cl

Togouchi 12 Year Old
£81.60
Country: Japan
Region: Japanese
Age: 12 Years Old
Strength: 40%
70cl

Sampling SMWS Cask No.53.242 – A Young Dram That Punches Way Above It’s Weight!

January 18, 2018 by Gary Leave a Comment

CASK No. 53.242: HONEY AND VANILLA SMOKE

I recently received a couple of whisky samples, courtesy of The Scotch Malt Whisky Society or SMWS (@SMWSUK). So, of course, I was eager to try them!

Conceptualised in the late 70’s and established in 1983, the Scotch Malt Whisky Society, now 35 years old, has branches and partners bars in 19 countries globally.

More recently the Society has been named Independent Bottler of the Year in Whisky Magazine’s prestigious Independent Bottlers’ Challenge (IBC) competition.

Sample ONE is SMWS “HONEY AND VANILLA SMOKE” CASK No. 53.242

So, what did I think? Here are my tasting notes . . .

Tasting Notes – SMWS “HONEY AND VANILLA SMOKE” CASK No. 53.242

AGE: 7 Years

DATE DISTILLED: 1st June 2010

CASK TYPE: Refill Ex-Bourbon Hogshead

REGION: Islay

OUTTURN: 1 of 332 bottles

ABV: 58.4%

Colour: Pale straw.

Nose: Soft, heathery peat with sweet vanilla. I also detected a little bit of mint.

Palate: Smoke that’s Oh! so sweet! Vanilla, toffee, mint and a hint of orange.

Finish: Smooth, sweet smokey finish with a well balanced pepper. The finish is long with hints of tobacco.

Overall: The higher abv gives this dram some kick but don’t worry, it’s well tempered with some lovely smooth flavours. It’s a light, sweet peat so will appeal to many.
This 7 year old dram punches way above it’s weight!

Many thanks to SMWS (@SMWSUK) for sending the samples!

I shall be posting my notes on tasting sample TWO very soon!

The Whisky Exchange – We love Valentine’s Day!

January 18, 2018 by Gary Leave a Comment

It’ll soon be Feb. 14th!

Valentine's Day
Let us help you celebrate the person you love.

Save Over £29 On Old Malt Cask & Old Particular Duo Pack From Edencroft!

January 17, 2018 by Gary Leave a Comment

Old Malt Cask & Old Particular Duo Pack. £167.50 (You save £29.35)

New Arrivals

Old Malt Cask & Old Particular Duo Pack
£167.50 (You save £29.35)
Country: Scotland
Region:
Age:
Strength: 51.5%
270cl

Summary: COUNTRY/REGION: Scotland.
UNIT: 2 x 70cl.
ABV: 51.5% and 50%.
CONTENTS: Speyside / 21 Year Old Douglas Laing's Old Particular and Craigellachie / 22 Year Old Sherry Cask / Old Malt Cask.

Kilkerran / 8 Year Old Single Malt / 2017 Release
£49.50
Country: Scotland
Region: Campbeltown
Age:
Strength:

Summary: COUNTRY/REGION: Scotland/Campletown.
CATEGORY: Single Malt.
DISTILLERY: Glengyle.
BOTTLER: Distillery Bottling.
BOTTLING SERIE: Cask Strength.
BOTTLED: 2017
STATED AGE: 08 years old.
CASK TYPE: Bourbon Casks.
NUMBER OF BOTTLES: 9000
STRENGTH: 55.7% Vol.
SIZE: 700 ml.
NOSE: Waxy with vanilla pods, lemon sponge, candy floss, malted barley and digestive biscuits.
PALATE: Watermelon, lime and lemon zest, green apples, pencil shavings, salted peanuts, golden syrup with light mineral notes.
FINISH: An excellent balance of peat smoke; Earthy, briny and hints of liquorice, leaving you yearning for more.

Speyside / 21 Year Old Douglas Laing's Old Particular
£99.50
Country: Scotland
Region: Speyside
Age:
Strength:

Summary: COUNTRY/REGION: Scotland/Speyside.
CATEGORY: Single Malt.
DISTILLERY: Speyside Distillery.
BOTTLER: Douglas Laing (DL).
BOTTLING SERIE: Old Particular.
VINTAGE: 09.1996
BOTTLED: 09.2017
STATED AGE: 21 years old.
CASK TYPE: Refill Butt.
CASK NUMBER: 12019
NUMBER OF BOTTLES: 362
STRENGTH: 51.5% Vol.
SIZE: 700 ml