A reindeer of few words …
Thanks very much for being a fantastic visitor in 2019!
May I wish you and yours a Happy and Peaceful Festive Season!
Merry Christmas – To Each & Every One!
Archives for 2019
Paul John ‘2019 Christmas Edition’ & More New Arrivals From Edencroft!
Paul John / 2019 Christmas Edition.
£60.00
New Arrivals
 Paul John / Brilliance Indian Single Malt. £42.50 Country: Indian Region: Indian Age: Strength: 46%. Summary: COUNTRY/REGION: India/Goa. CATEGORY: Single Malt. DISTILLERY: John Distilleries. BOTTLER: Distillery Bottling. ABV: 46%. All the brilliance of Goa is bottled up in this Single Malt. Its sparkling hues are reminiscent of sun-kissed beaches. The six-row barley for this whisky comes from the foothills of the Himalayas. Brilliance is matured in bourbon casks, to give you absolute sensory delight. It couldn’t gather more brilliance than this! COLOUR: Sparkling copper. NOSE: The Demerara sugars give off a whiff of sweet fragrances, with a hint of cinnamon, dash of honey and faint spices. PALATE: Sweet and spice and all things nice, make this Single Malt. The honey-like smoothness is offset by the crunchy-bar-like crispness. Somewhere, there is also a tinge of cocoa. FINISH: Brilliance has a smooth and beautifully relaxed finish, with a hint of mild spices and deep intense vanilla. PAIRING: With its rich accents of vanilla and subtle hints of spice, this Single Malt is the ideal accompaniment to luscious fruit pies and Indian grilled meat dishes. |
 Paul John / 2019 Christmas Edition. £60.00 Country: Indian Region: Indian Age: Strength: 46%. Summary: COUNTRY/REGION: India/Goa. DISTILLERY: John Distilleries. BOTTLER: Distillery Bottling. BOTTLED: 2019 CASK TYPE: PX Finish. NUMBER OF BOTTLES: 3000 ABV: 46% Vol. With deep golden hues, this limited Paul John Christmas Edition is from the tropical shores of Goa along the west coast of India. Exquisite aromas of orange blossom honey, pralines and luscious baked apples enhance delightful flavours of sweet honey, fine raisins and dry plum. The light mocha and a lighter smoke on the palate leads to a long Pedro Ximénez finish of spicy French toast and delicious smoked nuts. This festive season, allow the delightful nuances of this exclusive small batch of rare single malts create memorable experiences. CASK: This single malt is an exclusive small batch of our older single malts finished in Pedro Ximénez casks. COLOUR: Deep Gold. NOSE: Pralines, baked apple, caramel cheese cake, orange blossom honey, salted cereal blond chocolate. TASTE: Sweet, heather honey and raisins, dry plum, light mocha, light smoke. FINISH: Long, spiced french toast, smoked nuts. BALANCE: A profound and multi-faceted gentle peated malt to get sherry lovers smacking their lips. |
 Knockdhu / 10 Year Old 2009 A D Rattray Cask Collection £46.75 Country: Scotland Region: Speyside Age: Strength: 52.7%. Summary: COUNTRY/REGION: Scotland/Speyside. CATEGORY: Single Malt. DISTILLERY: Knockdhu. BOTTLER: A. D. Rattray. BOTTLING SERIE: Cask Collection. DISTILLED: 23/04/2009 BOTTLED: 09/09/2019 STATED AGE: 10 years old. CASK TYPE: Bourbon Hogshead. NUMBER OF BOTTLES: 345 STRENGTH: 52.7% Vol. COLOUR: White wine NOSE: Fresh, sourdough bread, juicy melon and elderflower. PALATE: Spearmint, tea biscuit and lychee. FINISH: Subtle pineapple and clove provide a clean, crisp conclusion. |
 Pulteney 1999 / Gordon & MacPhail Connoisseurs Choice 19 Year Old. £125.00 Country: Scotland Region: Highland Age: Strength: 56.5%. Summary: COUNTRY/REGION: Scotland/Highland. CATEGORY: Single Malt. DISTILLERY: Old Pulteney. BOTTLER: Gordon & MacPhail. BOTTLING SERIE: Connoisseurs Choice – Cask Strength. DISTILLED: 1999 BOTTLED: 10/07/2019 STATED AGE: 19 Years Old. CASK TYPE: Refill Sherry Butt. CASK NUMBER: Batch 19/120 NUMBER OF BOTTLES: 554 ABV: 56.5% Vol. COLOUR: Amber. NOSE: Rich sherry influences combine with hazelnut and rich milk chocolate. A floral note develops alongside sweet honey and cinnamon spice with a subtle hint of mint. TASTE: Smooth and sweet stewed fruit initially. A hint of lemon develops complemented by almonds and an undertone of black pepper. FINISH: Long, gentle finish with warming spices. |
 Auchroisk / 9 Year Old Hepburn's Choice. £49.50 Country: Scotland Region: Speyside Age: Strength: 46%. Summary: COUNTRY/REGION: Scotland/Speyside. CATEGORY: Single Malt. DISTILLERY: Auchroisk. BOTTLER: Langside Distillers. BOTTLING SERIE: Hepburn's Choice. DISTILLED: 2009 BOTTLED: 2019 AGE: 9 years old. CASK TYPE: Red Wine Hogshead. NUMBER OF BOTTLES: 354 ABV: 46% Vol. |
 Glen Spey / 10 Year Old 2009 A D Rattray Cask Collection £48.87 Country: Scotland Region: Speyside Age: Strength: 58.3%. Summary: COUNTRY/REGION: Scotland/Speyside. CATEGORY: Single Malt. DISTILLERY: Glen Spey. BOTTLER: A. D. Rattray. BOTTLING SERIE: Cask Collection. DISTILLED: 06/08/2009 BOTTLED: 27/09/2019 STATED AGE: 10 years old. CASK TYPE: Bourbon Hogshead. NUMBER OF BOTTLES: 304 STRENGTH: 58.3% Vol. COLOUR: Lemon gold. NOSE: Creamy Scottish tablet, vanilla pastry and orange blossom. PALATE: Crisp green apple, honeydew melon and gentle pepper. FINISH: Cashew nut and gooseberry as the sweet oak dissipates. |
 GlenAllachie / 7 Year Old 2012 A D Rattray Cask Collection £46.75 Country: Scotland Region: Speyside Age: Strength: 65.9%. Summary: COUNTRY/REGION: Scotland/Speyside. CATEGORY: Single Malt. DISTILLERY: GlenAllachie. BOTTLER: A. D. Rattray. BOTTLING SERIE: Cask Collection. DISTILLED: 24/07/2012 BOTTLED: 09/09/2019 STATED AGE: 7 years old. CASK TYPE: Sherry Butt. NUMBER OF BOTTLES: 641 STRENGTH: 65.9% Vol. COLOUR: Warm copper. NOSE: Gingerbread loaf, toffee apple, cinnamon and raisin. PALATE: Blackcurrant jam, dark cherry and smooth Irish stout. FINISH: Cider apple lends a subtle tartness to the sticky fruit compote. |
 Glenburgie / 11 Year Old Hepburn's Choice. £49.50 Country: Scotland Region: Speyside Age: Strength: 46%. Summary: COUNTRY/REGION: Scotland/Speyside. CATEGORY: Single Malt. DISTILLERY: Glenburgie. BOTTLER: Langside Distillers. BOTTLING SERIE: Hepburn's Choice. DISTILLED: 2008 BOTTLED: 2019 AGE: 11 years old. CASK TYPE: Wine Cask. NUMBER OF BOTTLES: 173 ABV: 46% Vol. |
 Inchgower / 8 Year Old Hepburn's Choice. £43.50 Country: Scotland Region: Speyside Age: Strength: 46%. Summary: COUNTRY/REGION: Scotland/Speyside. CATEGORY: Single Malt. DISTILLERY: Inchgower. BOTTLER: Langside Distillers. BOTTLING SERIE: Hepburn's Choice. DISTILLED: 2008 BOTTLED: 2016 AGE: 8 years old. CASK TYPE: Sherry Hogshead. NUMBER OF BOTTLES: 422 ABV: 46% Vol. |
Sampling The Fettercairn 12 & 28 Year Olds – Tropical Fruit Heaven!
Fettercairn 12 & 28 Year Olds
We drench our stills with crystal-clear mountain water, cooling the copper so only the finest vapours rise for collection.
– Fettercairn Distillery
These are the words of Fettercairn Distillery who employ a unique ‘cooling ring’ on their stills. In the 1950’s they found that pouring water down the still cooled the copper, increasing condensation inside so only the lightest vapours could rise for collection. So they fashioned a copper tube around the top of the still to continually douse it with water. Unique in Scotch whisky-making to this day!
Founded in 1824 by Sir Alexander Ramsay and one of the first to apply for a distillation license he very wisely hired former illegal whisky makers to be his first stillmen as they were the only ones with the necessary skills required to produce a quality whisky.
Fast forward to today and in celebration of their new product line Fettercairn has sent me two samples – the 12 and 28 year olds to try.
Many thanks to fettercairnwhisky.com (@FettercairnWh) for them!
So, what did I think? Here are my tasting notes …
Tasting Notes – Fettercairn 12 Year Old (40%)
Aged 12 years in American White Oak ex-Bourbon casks. Retails for approximately £39 to £45.
 |
|
Nose: Spicy orangy fruits, crisp, green apples, pears and sweet marzipan. Palate: Thin mouthfeel with sweet tropical fruits. Finish: Some smooth spice with a little bit of dryness at the end. Overall: A nice dram that delivers a great flavour and doesn’t disappoint. A stronger abv would have been rather Yummy I think! |
Tasting Notes – Fettercairn 28 Year Old (42%)
Aged 28 years in American White Oak ex-Bourbon casks. Retails for approximately £399 to £550.
 |
|
Nose: Slower to give up it’s treasures but when it does it’s worth the wait. There’s rich fruit cake with hints of sherry, rich tropical fruits and papaya. Gorgeous, strong hits of banoffee pie topped off with creamy vanilla fudge make this a nose to be remembered! Palate: Thin mouthfeel with sweet hints of the nose above – especially lovely tropical fruits. Flavours of citrus and some woody notes. Finish: Black pepper that gives a warming long finish. Overall: I’ve heard that it’s chill filtered and coloured which, I think, is a shame as at this age and price it would be nice not to have this. I’m sure it also degrades the palate. |
Fettercairn is available to buy from these Merchants:-
Sampling The SMWS 44.116: “Pirate Ship In A Storm” – ‘The One That Got Away!’
Sampling The SMWS 44.116: “Pirate Ship In A Storm” – ‘The One That Got Away!’
Sampling The SMWS December Outturn
This is the last sample I received from The Scotch Malt Whisky Societies’ selection of December Outturns. It was their 44.116: “Pirate Ship In A Storm”.
The 44.116 was a Speyside dram with 567 bottles being released – but unfortunately – this SMWS bottling sold out almost as soon as it was released online!
However, I still thought it was worth reviewing as some stocks may appear at some point (maybe they’ll find some down the back of the sofa!)
The SMWS (@SMWSUK) very kindly sent me a sample to try – thanks SMWS!
So, what did I think?
Tasting Notes – SMWS 44.116: “Pirate Ship In A Storm” (68.2%)
A Speyside Dram (Craigellachie Distillery) 8 years old, distilled on 20th. April 2011. Matured in a 2nd. fill ex-oloroso butt.
First released: 6th. December 2019.
567 bottles.
 |
|
Nose: Loads of port and sherry aromas with bags of fruit and sweet marzipan. Palate: Basically and wonderfully, all of the above. Port, sherry, plump fruit and sweet marzipan wrapped up in a satisying rich mouthfeel. Finish: There’s a little pepper at the end but it’s mainly syrupy, fruity and sherry laden. With water it smoothes out the flavours and to be honest makes the dram go further which is never a bad thing! Overall: I can see why this sold out so fast! |
| Browse other whiskies in the SMWS December Outturn. |
About The SMWS
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.
Glen Moray Releases 25 Year Old Port Cask Finish Limited Edition!
The Glen Moray 25-year-old Port Cask Finish
Glen Moray 25-year-old Port Cask Finish Single Malt Whisky is a Rare Vintage Limited Edition which was distilled in 1994 and has since been carefully aged in the distillery’s traditional earth floored warehouses in the finest Bourbon Casks and finished in Port Casks, which have contained vintage Port from Porto Cruz.
This is a small batch release of 2,700 bottles
This lengthy finishing period has added character and depth of flavour enhancing the sweet vanilla oak flavours from the original American Oak Cask with the sweet wine flavours of the Port Cask.
This is a small batch release of 2,700 bottles and will be perfect for the whisky connoisseur and collector due to its rarity and bespoke packaging.
Glen Moray 25-year-old Port Cask Finish is a rich, complex expression, the colour of warm copper and intense with developing flavours of dried fruits, warming spice and wine notes. It has a RRP of £175 for a 70cl bottle.
Tasting Notes: Glen Moray 25-year-old Port Cask Finish Single Malt Whisky (ABV: 43%)
Nose: tropical fruits laced with toffee. Hints of ginger, liquorice and mint
Taste: incredibly rich and full bodied, beautifully balanced with lashings of fruit and vanilla
Finish: long and lingering with dark chocolate and creamy vanilla
Glen Moray is available to buy from these Whisky Merchants:-
New ‘Artful Dodger’ Bottlings From Abbey Whisky!
Orkney 14 Year Old – 2004 | Cask 18 | Artful Dodger
£67.20
New Arrivals
 Tomatin 11 Year Old – 2008 | Cask 453 | Artful Dodger £67.20 Country: Scotland Region: Highland Age: 11 Years Old Strength: 56.1% 50cl Vintage: 2008 Bottler: Artful Dodger |
 Orkney 14 Year Old – 2004 | Cask 18 | Artful Dodger £67.20 Country: Scotland Region: Island Age: 14 Years Old Strength: 58.8% 50cl Vintage: 2004 Bottler: Artful Dodger |
 Irish Malt Whiskey 15 Year Old – 2002 | Cask 346 | Artful Dodger £96.00 Country: Ireland Region: Irish Age: 15 Years Old Strength: 57.9% 50cl Vintage: 2002 Bottler: Artful Dodger |
 Glenlivet 1974 – Bottled 2011 | Gordon & MacPhail £540.00 Country: Scotland Region: Speyside Age: Strength: 43% 70cl Vintage: 1974 Bottler: Gordon & MacPhail |
Save 15% On A. D. Rattray Cask Collection From Edencroft!
Save 15% on selected bottlings!
|
Glen Spey 10 Year Old 2009 A. D. Rattray Cask CollectionNow: £48.87SAVE: £8.63
|
|
Knockdhu 10 Year Old 2009 A. D. Rattray Cask CollectionNow: £46.75SAVE: £8.25
|
|
GlenAllachie 7 Year Old 2012 A. D. Rattray Cask CollectionNow: £46.75SAVE: £8.25
|
Sampling The SMWS 6: “The Big Swirl” – Indulge Yourself In A Classic Christmas Whirl!
SMWS 6: “The Big Swirl”
Sampling The SMWS December Outturn
– Fireside Companions For Christmas!
Kept under wraps but released a day early is The Scotch Malt Whisky Societies’ latest offering from their December Outturn. It is 6: “The Big Swirl”.
The Big Swirl is a Blended Malt dram with 1,895 bottles being released – but remember – SMWS bottlings don’t hang around for long and this one has already been popular at members meetings where they got an early chance to make a purchase!
The SMWS (@SMWSUK) has very kindly sent me a sample to try – thanks SMWS!
So, what did I think?
Tasting Notes – SMWS 6: “The Big Swirl” (50.0%)
A Blended Malt Dram, 10 years old.
This latest experimental expression draws from a combination of whiskies matured full term in 1st. fill Spanish oak sherry casks, as well as those matured in bourbon wood before over two years of marrying in 1st. fill American oak sherry casks.
First released: 11th. December 2019.
1,895 bottles.
(160 BOTTLES IN STOCK AT PRESENT!)
 |
|
Nose: Ooh! Plump, fruity Xmas cake packed with sherry soaked sultanas and plums. Top it off with vanilla fudge chocolate and you’ve got a nose to die for! Palate: Oily mouthfeel exploding into a fruit frenzy – Xmas cake, sherry, chocolate and creamy strawberries. Finish: Spicy finish, but it’s festive fun all the way with fruit, buttery chocolate and a little herbal pepper. Overall: I didn’t add water – I was enjoying it too much and never got round to it! This is a classic whisky for Christmas – sherry and rich Xmas cake with a warming spice that makes for a cracking, comforting dram. |
| Buy SMWS 6: “The Big Swirl” £47.00 to Members |
About The SMWS
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.
Sampling The SMWS 77.60: “A Feather Bed In A Gentleman’s Study” – Big Respect To The Fire-Breathing Dragon!
SMWS 77.60: “A Feather Bed In A Gentleman’s Study”
Sampling The SMWS December Outturn
– Just In Time To Welcome Rudolph!
– Ho! Ho! Ho!
Time for No.3 of The Scotch Malt Whisky Societies’ December Outturn. This one is their 77.60: “A Feather Bed In A Gentleman’s Study”.
The 77.60 is a Highland dram with 264 bottles being released – but remember – SMWS bottlings don’t hang around for long!
The SMWS (@SMWSUK) has very kindly sent me a sample to try – thanks SMWS!
So, what did I think?
Tasting Notes – SMWS 77.60: “A Feather Bed In A Gentleman’s Study” (59.6%)
A Highland Dram (Glen Ord / Glenordie Distillery) 10 years old, distilled on 7th. April 2009. Matured in a Refill ex-bourbon hogshead.
First released: 6th. December 2019.
264 bottles.
(70 BOTTLES IN STOCK AT PRESENT!)
 |
|
Nose: Big white wood hit with citrus, particularly lemon. Scents of mint and some nice refreshing apple and tempting marzipan. Palate: Dark chocolate, apple and vanilla caramel – lovely indeed! Finish: Chilli spice with hints of black pepper. Tasty, rich dark chocolate with a hint of sweet orange. Overall: The hot spice will certainly warm you up on a cold day! It’s pretty punchy but it goes down nicely with the sweet chocolate! |
| Buy SMWS 77.60: “A Feather Bed In A Gentleman’s Study” £52.00 to Members |
About The SMWS
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.
Glen Moray Star In Latest Episode Of ‘The Three Drinkers Do Scotch Whisky’!
Glen Moray Fired Oak Cask
Glen Moray star in ‘The Three Drinkers Do Scotch Whisky’ latest episode which features the distillery and is available to stream now on Amazon Prime!
You can see ‘behind the scenes’ footage here:-
We had an amazing time at the Glen Moray Distillery. We could instantly feel the passion of everyone working there – it’s a very tight-knit team who clearly feel a great affection for the spirit they’re creating.
It was impressive that they so effortlessly mix old with new – there’s a great respect for the age-old traditions of making whisky but also an element of pioneering spirit about the new and innovative techniques they’re trying.
– Helena Nicklin: Three Drinkers co-presenter
The three experts (Aidy Smith, Helena Nicklin and Colin Hampden-White, who have 35 years’ experience in the wine and spirits industry between them) have considered the true accessibility of the whiskies produced by Glen Moray and the brand’s extensive investment in explorative aging techniques, including the diverse range of casks which are used for finishing, giving distinctive and unique flavours to the spirit.
A great example of this ingenuity was the launch last year of Glen Moray Fired Oak, which is a Single Malt Whisky matured for 10 years in ex-Bourbon casks and finished in heavily charred American Oak casks, resulting in a whisky which is sublimely smooth with intense spice and toasted vanilla flavour.
Glen Moray is available to buy from these Whisky Merchants:-
- 1
- 2
- 3
- …
- 17
- Next Page »
