Sampling — Page 27

Malt Tasting: Arran 16 Year Old – Single Cask (Master of Malt)

March 21, 2013 by Gary Leave a Comment

Malt Tasting: Arran 16 Year Old – Single Cask (Master of Malt)

This Arran 16 Year Old Single Cask Malt Whisky from the chaps at Master of Malt is a sweet, fruity whisky with a pale, straw coloured appearance.

One of the few remaining independent distilleries in Scotland, Arran has prospered in recent years.

It is a patron of the World Burns Federation, creating whiskies in honour of Scotland’s National Poet and also offers a cask purchase scheme.

This allows people the opportunity to own their own cask of whisky which can be stored on site at the distillery.

Arran 16 Year Old:-
Distilled: 13th June 1996 (refill hogshead.)
Drawn: 21st November 2012.
Number of bottles: 218.

Tasting Notes

Arran 16 Year Old
– Single Cask
(Master of Malt)

Nose: Fruity, sweet aromas with a slight, seaside twang.

Palate: Sweet Fudge with a smack of spice and vanilla.

Finish: Short, spicy creamy finish.

Overall: A lovely malt and very moreish. One where you’re likely to see the bottom of your glass sooner than you think!

70cl, 55.40%

£53.95

Many thanks to Master Of Malt for this sample.

The Master Of Malt ‘Try Before You Buy’ Samples

Malt Tasting: Bunnahabhain 23 Year Old / 1989 / The Rare Casks (Abbey Whisky)

February 28, 2013 by Gary Leave a Comment

Bunnahabhain 23 Year Old / 1989 / The Rare Casks (Abbey Whisky)

Abbey Whisky has recently added to it’s Rare Casks range with a Bunnahabhain 23 Year Old.

We last visited the Rare Casks range with a Caperdonich 17 Year Old. A fine malt indeed and this one is no exception!

As usual, this malt is an exclusive, limited edition release using the finest whisky from one of Scotland’s greatest distilleries. It is sure to become highly collectible.

This Bunnahabhain is a 2nd release in ‘The Rare Casks’ series and has been bottled in its natural form, at full cask strength, without chill filtering or colour additives.

Due to the rarity and difficulty in obtaining Islay Whisky casks only 96 bottles are available for this release so I’m guessing stocks will not be available forever.

If you’re tempted into buying this malt (who wouldn’t be?) then I’d do it sooner rather than later.

Tardiness is not recommended!

Bunnahabhain 23 Year Old:-
Distilled: 1989 (refill bourbon barrel.)
Drawn: 2012.
Number of bottles: 96.

Tasting Notes

Bunnahabhain 23 Year Old
The Rare Casks
(Abbey Whisky)

Nose: Sea scents, woody, sweet vanilla.

Palate: Light, fresh feel. Twang of grapefruit, peaty and dry. Faint licorice coupled with sharp pepper.

Finish: Smooth smokey sweetness, fresh fruits with a dry lemoney finish.

Overall: A smooth, lovely malt from Bunnahabhain. Rich in flavours and styles. A delight from start to finish. A malt you’ll be reaching out for, ” .. just one more dram ..”, again and again!

70cl, 44.00%

£79.95

Many thanks to Abbey Whisky for this sample.

Malt Tasting: Clynelish 15 Year Old – Single Cask (Master of Malt)

February 22, 2013 by Gary Leave a Comment

Malt Tasting: Clynelish 15 Year Old – Single Cask (Master of Malt)

Can you imagine a distillery that opens, closes, then re-opens but has to change it’s name because another distillery has been built near to it that’s pinched it’s name?

Well that’s the case with Clynelish!

This malt sampling (from the peeps at Master of Malt) is from the usurper (the original holder of the Clynelish name re-christened itself to Brora.)

Clynelish is much valued by blenders, being one of the base spirits for Johnnie Walker Gold Label.

Seems like a waste to me, I don’t know about usurping, this malt is more of a uslurper!

Clynelish 15 Year Old:-
Distilled: 3rd April 1997 (single refill hogshead.)
Drawn: 28th November 2012.
Number of bottles: 255.

Tasting Notes

Clynelish 15 Year Old
Single Cask
(Master of Malt)

Nose: Fruit aromas with a hint of the sea. I also got a whiff of mint.

Palate: Lovely fruit flavours: kiwi, orange, melon with a dash of pepper.

Finish: Sweet zesty orange n’ lemon with a long spicy finish.

Overall: A gorgeous Clynelish malt; light and satisfying. Perfect!

70cl, 56.10%

£74.95

Many thanks to Master Of Malt for this sample.

The Master Of Malt ‘Try Before You Buy’ Samples

Tasting: Boxes Blend – A Gold Winning Whisky! (Master of Malt)

February 21, 2013 by Gary Leave a Comment

Master Of Malt has teamed up with with Carey Willetts (who is the bassist with British band, Athlete – hence the rubbishy ‘sporty’ pun), to release a new blended whisky.

It celebrates his solo music project and debut album, Boxes: Stickers.
(And if you’re wondering, the label artwork reflects the design of the album cover.)

Mr Willetts got to know Master of Malt through ex-A&R man Joel Harrison, founding director of Caskstrength Creative.

They set out to create a blended whisky that mirrored Carey’s own personal tastes, “smooth and sweet with a bit of smoke on the end.”

Their endeavours have produced an easy-drinking dram that can be enjoyed by whisky aficionados and amateurs alike.

“When we first began blending we ended up with light and almost summery whisky, and it was nice, but not quite right.

The Boxes Blend needed that hint of smoke, so we kept working until we got it right. My hope is that Boxes Blend has something for everyone.”

Carey also added, “Whisky and music have always been two of my favourite things. Whisky’s always been a big part of my musical history—they both enhance each other. Enjoying whisky and music together is a life-affirming experience.”

Sounds good to me!

Tasting Notes

Boxes Blend
(Master Of Malt)

Nose: Fresh fruit, slight whiff of peat coupled with lovely smoke.

Palate: Light, thin texture, spice and sweet fruits.

Finish: Short, sweet and spicy finish.

Overall: A nice middle-of-the-road blended whisky. If we get a Summer this would be a good one to sip and watch a couple of sunsets with!

70cl, 40.90%

£54.95

Many thanks to Master Of Malt for this sample.

Malt Tasting: Deanston 19 Year Old – Single Cask (Master of Malt)

February 15, 2013 by Gary Leave a Comment

Malt Tasting: Deanston 19 Year Old – Single Cask (Master of Malt)

Deanston Distillery is 8 miles from Stirling and sits by the River Teith at the entrance to the famous and dramatic Loch Lomond.

It was a cotton mill for 180 years before being turned into a distillery in the 1960’s.

This Deanston 19 Year Old from the chaps at Master of Malt reflects perfectly the sweet, fruity and malty flavour that Deanston is well known for.

Deanston 19 Year Old:-
Distilled: 16th December 1992 (single refill hogshead.)
Drawn: 20th November 2012.
Number of bottles: 260.

Tasting Notes

Deanston 19 Year Old
Single Cask
(Master of Malt)

Nose: Faint mint aromas, spicy chocolate.

Palate: Sugary rich sultanas, malty with a hint of mint.

Finish: Spicey, fiery bourbon mixed with fruity toffee.

Overall: I didn’t find this dram as minty as some other samplers seem to suggest. So, don’t worry, it doesn’t taste like alcoholic toothpaste!

70cl, 53.40%

£59.95

Many thanks to Master Of Malt for this sample.

The Master Of Malt ‘Try Before You Buy’ Samples

Malt Tasting: Auchentoshan 27 Year Old – Single Cask (Master of Malt)

February 14, 2013 by Gary Leave a Comment

Malt Tasting: Auchentoshan 27 Year Old – Single Cask (Master of Malt)

Shades of youth here … I remember those far off days when I used to take a trip to the sweetie shop and blow my spending money on cheap sweets.

As I eagerly despatched those sugar laden, teeth rotting time bombs, I was blissfully unaware that in years to come these bargain basement, cavity causers would have my dentist laughing all the way to the bank.

Anyway, as The Carpenters would say in their song ‘Yesterday Once More’, ” .. now they’re back again …”

Well, the taste of Parma Violets is, and it can be yours without the need to fear the dentists drill.

The Auchentoshan 27 Year Old Single Cask from Master of Malt has an amazing Parma Violets flavour that will surprise (and hopefully) delight you.

If you want a dram that’s a little bit different, this may be the one for you.

And if you’re hankering for a bit of nostalgia, this whisky will certainly bring it all flooding back.

Now I’m off to watch an episode of The Banana Splits …

Auchentoshan 27 Year Old:-
Distilled: 11th December 1984 (bourbon barrel.)
Drawn: 20th November 2012.
Number of bottles: 209.

Tasting Notes

Auchentoshan 27 Year Old
Single Cask
(Master of Malt)

Nose: Subtle hint of wood, floral with nice hints of vanilla.

Palate: Parma Violets big time! Sweet, slight oil, hint of lemon.

Finish: Floral and WOW! those Parma Violets really cut thru! Long finish of spicy pepper.

Overall: A palate spoiling, unusual malt that certainly packs a hit. You’ll either love or hate those Parma Violets flavours but it certainly is a dram that deserves some perseverance.

70cl, 58.00%

£99.95

Many thanks to Master Of Malt for this sample.

The Master Of Malt ‘Try Before You Buy’ Samples

Malt Tasting: Tormore 28 Year Old – Single Cask (Master of Malt)

February 8, 2013 by Gary Leave a Comment

Malt Tasting: Tormore 28 Year Old – Single Cask (Master of Malt)

Tormore is a comparatively modern distillery, having been built in 1958 and completed in 1960.
Being the first 20th century distillery to be built in the Highlands, it generated a lot of interest.

The architect of the new distillery was Sir Albert Richardson, the president of the Royal Academy and the distillery buildings are so pretty that the distillery’s appearance has been likened to a spa.

If you don’t believe me, have a look on Google streetview!

It currently has eight stills, heated by wood chips, a by-product of area’s forestry.

This is a great malt and if you feel your taste buds have got a bit tired, then try this.

They’ll feel like they’ve been on holiday!

Tormore 28 Year Old :-
Distilled: 24th February 1984 (bourbon barrel.)
Drawn: 21st November 2012.
Number of bottles: 182.

Tasting Notes

Tormore 28 Year Old
Single Cask
(Master of Malt)

Nose: Sweet, woody, spicy aromas, hint of nutmeg and sweet coffee.

Palate: Rich, syrupy fruit like long, long simmered jam mixture.

Finish: Creamy, golden sweetness with a heavenly spice hit.

Overall: This Tormore 28 Year Old has a broad range of powerful flavours which are combined beautifully. A malt like this just doesn’t come along that often. Breathtaking!

70cl, 60.20%

£99.95

Many thanks to Master Of Malt for this sample.

The Master Of Malt ‘Try Before You Buy’ Samples

Malt Tasting: Bally Delicious 23 Year Old – Single Cask (Master of Malt)

February 6, 2013 by Gary Leave a Comment

Malt Tasting: Bally Delicious 23 Year Old – Single Cask (Master of Malt)

Part of Master of Malt’s Single Cask series this Bally Delicious 23 Year Old breaks no advertising codes as it is what it says on the bottle – truly delicious!

Most of whisky from this Bally Delicious 23 Year Old comes from one (very famous) Speyside distillery.

Nobody knows which one as the people involved in the bottling all had to wear blindfolds when they were taken to the (very famous) Speyside distillery.

Even the driver which was decidedly dodgy …

Bally Delicious 23 Year Old:-
Distilled: 10th March 1989 (refill hogshead.)
Drawn: 26th November 2012.
Number of bottles: 288.

Tasting Notes

Bally Delicious 23 Year Old
Single Cask
(Master of Malt)

Nose: Smokey with wafts of rich syrupy fruit.

Palate: Gentle on the tongue, stewed fruit, peppery.

Finish: Lovely sweet smoke, woody with a slight tanin aftertaste.

Overall: Well, the clues in the name, Bally Delicious, and it was! Kudos to the guys in the blindfolds!

70cl, 54.00%

£59.95

Many thanks to Master Of Malt for this sample.

The Master Of Malt ‘Try Before You Buy’ Samples

Malt Tasting: Bunnahabhain 23 Year Old – Single Cask (Master of Malt)

February 1, 2013 by Gary Leave a Comment

The Bunnahabhain 23 Year Old – Single Cask from Master of Malt

Aah, Bunnahbhain. Love it! Love it! Love it!

I’ll never forget a good friend and myself putting a huge dent in a bottle of Bunnahbhain one night as we chatted and caught up.

That’s a few years ago now but I still have the bottle (obviously now empty) as a happy reminder.

Anyway, they say a taste can bring back good memories in a second and this one is no exception.

Just one sip of this little gem and that evening comes flooding back.

Recalling good times needs a good dram and this Bunnahbhain doesn’t fail to deliver.

Bunnahabhain 23 Year Old:-
Distilled: 20th October 1989 (refill hogshead.)
Drawn: 28th November 2012.
Number of bottles: 253.

Tasting Notes

Bunnahabhain 23 Year Old
Single Cask
(Master of Malt)

Nose: Sea soaked wood, sweet caramel.

Palate: A bit of peat in there, smooth, smoothly sweet, faintly sultana fruit.

Finish: Spice, big pepper hit, slightly smokey mixed in with a fuller sweetness.

Overall: I love Bunnahabhain and this mature gent shows how it’s done. Fantastic!

70cl, 46.00%

£74.95

Many thanks to Master Of Malt for this sample.

The Master Of Malt ‘Try Before You Buy’ Samples

Malt Tasting: Braes o’ Glenlivet 21 Year Old – Single Cask (Master of Malt)

January 31, 2013 by Gary Leave a Comment

Malt Tasting: Braes o’ Glenlivet 21 Year Old – Single Cask (Master of Malt)

Braes of Glenlivet has had a bit of a chequered history.
It is famous for being the highest distillery in Scotland (350m, 1148 feet in old money) and is based in southern Speyside (near Glenlivet).

Built in 1974, closed in 2002, re-opened in 2008 and also re-named to Braeval along the way.

Whew! Quite a journey …

This bottling was distilled on the 23rd August 1991, matured for 21 years in a first-fill bourbon barrel and popped into 251 bottles on the 28th November 2012.

It is an interesting malt, delicate and quite subtle.
A nice change from some of the slam, dunk malts out there.

Tasting Notes

Braes o’ Glenlivet 21 Year Old – Single Cask
(Master of Malt)

Nose: No powerful spirit ‘hit’, just a pleasant sweet and creamy aroma of things to come.

Palate: Sweet, buttery, cake mixture with a hint of vanilla.

Finish: Smooth as silk, creamy, short spice hit.

Overall: Rather a mild dram, not too sweet or too spicy. Saying that it becomes rather morish after a few sips … then the sample ran out!

70cl, 47.40%

£64.95

Many thanks to Master Of Malt for this sample.

The Master Of Malt Samples

Malt Tasting: Arran 16 Year Old – Single Cask (Master of Malt)

Tasting Notes

Malt Tasting: Bunnahabhain 23 Year Old / 1989 / The Rare Casks (Abbey Whisky)

Tasting Notes

Malt Tasting: Clynelish 15 Year Old – Single Cask (Master of Malt)

Tasting Notes

Tasting: Boxes Blend – A Gold Winning Whisky! (Master of Malt)

Tasting Notes

Malt Tasting: Deanston 19 Year Old – Single Cask (Master of Malt)

Tasting Notes

Malt Tasting: Auchentoshan 27 Year Old – Single Cask (Master of Malt)

Tasting Notes

Malt Tasting: Tormore 28 Year Old – Single Cask (Master of Malt)

Tasting Notes

Malt Tasting: Bally Delicious 23 Year Old – Single Cask (Master of Malt)

Tasting Notes

Malt Tasting: Bunnahabhain 23 Year Old – Single Cask (Master of Malt)

Tasting Notes

Malt Tasting: Braes o’ Glenlivet 21 Year Old – Single Cask (Master of Malt)

Tasting Notes

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