What Wee Dram Are You Enjoying Now? - Spring/Summer 2015

[GaryT]

Decided to cap off the evening with some Longmorn 20yr. Thinking this is going to be pushed to be back of the cabinet for a few more months - just not really doing it for me yet.

[t44tq]

Last night was pretty epic:

Michel Couvreur Overaged Malt Whisky

Kilchoman Sherry Cask single cask

Kilchoman Port Cask single cask

SMWS Caol Ila (don't remember the age- not worth it, mediocre Caol Ila)

SMWS Springbank 10- Alice in Wonderland Whisky (this stuff was the BOMB- excellent!!!)

Glen Garioch Cask Strength

Springbank 12 Calvados finish

I didn't take photos, oh well.

[garbanzobean]

Glenfarclas 105 10 yr. The nose was smelling closed off tonight (I think my sniffer took a beating from the rum I had earlier), so I diluted it down to the point that it got a bit hazy and am letting it sit a spell. The taste was great, though.

[ChainWhip]

Kicking off Spring'15 with OB Lagavulin Distillery Only 2010 - 52.5%

[bearmark]

Last night was pretty epic:

Michel Couvreur Overaged Malt Whisky

Kilchoman Sherry Cask single cask

Kilchoman Port Cask single cask

SMWS Caol Ila (don't remember the age- not worth it, mediocre Caol Ila)

SMWS Springbank 10- Alice in Wonderland Whisky (this stuff was the BOMB- excellent!!!)

Glen Garioch Cask Strength

Springbank 12 Calvados finish

I didn't take photos, oh well.

Nice list! Any notes on the others? How did you like the Kilchomans and Springbank?

[t44tq]

Nice list! Any notes on the others? How did you like the Kilchomans and Springbank?

The Michel Couvreur Overaged Malt Whisky was pleasant, but unmemorable. I think I posted some notes earlier. Nose was nothing special, definitely had a sherry note to things. The most notable thing was the finish, which was strongly malty, reminded me a lot of Dalmore.

The Kilchomans I found to be not to my liking. I know that they are young and that they have a great reputation that they have built up. I liked the sherry cask over the port cask because the sweetness was restrained. However, I thought they both tasted young- they had that kind of alcoholic nose that you get out of young whiskey. I really didn't see what people raved about them- having tasted two of the rarer and supposedly better releases, I am pretty sure I won't buy any of their products until I see something with around 12 yrs. of age.

The SMWS Caol Ila tasted like old Caol Ila- still had the distillery character, but the floral notes were kind of overwhelmed by an oak presence. This one was not overly oaked, but I thought that the oak was a detriment rather than a complement. I had a private cask bottling of Caol Ila 12 that was absolutely stellar. The standard bottling is decent as well. I prefer those to this one. I don't know what this one cost, but if it was expensive, I feel bad for the buyer- I have an expensive Cadenhead 28 yr. bottling that was very disappointing.

The SMWS Springbank- Alice in Wonderland Whisky was a standout. It was a bourbon cask bottling at cask strength. No smoke at all, unusual for Springbank. Very fruity, smooth, somewhat sweet, balanced with some vanilla and cereal notes. I like Springbank a lot, but this one was a home run. I think SMWS does some great bottlings, this is indicative of what happens when they get a great cask. I don't think it was all that old, either.

Glen Garioch Cask Strength- kind of everything you get out of the standard Glen Garioch 12, but at cask strength, everything is intense. Very tasty, but I didn't remember any specifics.

Springbank 12 Calvados finish- I own this bottle, so I know it quite well. The Calvados finish really comes through- the whisky is very fruity and sweet, very smooth, great all the way through. I don't remember specifics, but a lot of people liked this bottling.

[bearmark]

The Michel Couvreur Overaged Malt Whisky was pleasant, but unmemorable. I think I posted some notes earlier. Nose was nothing special, definitely had a sherry note to things. The most notable thing was the finish, which was strongly malty, reminded me a lot of Dalmore.

The Kilchomans I found to be not to my liking. I know that they are young and that they have a great reputation that they have built up. I liked the sherry cask over the port cask because the sweetness was restrained. However, I thought they both tasted young- they had that kind of alcoholic nose that you get out of young whiskey. I really didn't see what people raved about them- having tasted two of the rarer and supposedly better releases, I am pretty sure I won't buy any of their products until I see something with around 12 yrs. of age.

The SMWS Caol Ila tasted like old Caol Ila- still had the distillery character, but the floral notes were kind of overwhelmed by an oak presence. This one was not overly oaked, but I thought that the oak was a detriment rather than a complement. I had a private cask bottling of Caol Ila 12 that was absolutely stellar. The standard bottling is decent as well. I prefer those to this one. I don't know what this one cost, but if it was expensive, I feel bad for the buyer- I have an expensive Cadenhead 28 yr. bottling that was very disappointing.

The SMWS Springbank- Alice in Wonderland Whisky was a standout. It was a bourbon cask bottling at cask strength. No smoke at all, unusual for Springbank. Very fruity, smooth, somewhat sweet, balanced with some vanilla and cereal notes. I like Springbank a lot, but this one was a home run. I think SMWS does some great bottlings, this is indicative of what happens when they get a great cask. I don't think it was all that old, either.

Glen Garioch Cask Strength- kind of everything you get out of the standard Glen Garioch 12, but at cask strength, everything is intense. Very tasty, but I didn't remember any specifics.

Springbank 12 Calvados finish- I own this bottle, so I know it quite well. The Calvados finish really comes through- the whisky is very fruity and sweet, very smooth, great all the way through. I don't remember specifics, but a lot of people liked this bottling.

Thanks for the great notes! These are quite helpful. I'm apparently in the minority that didn't care for the Springbank Calvados, but I generally like their stuff… one of my favorite distilleries. I've had the Couvreur Pale Single Malt, which I was glad to have tasted and found quite unique (heather, lavender and bergamot), but I was hoping that the overaged malt would be better even at $30 less… oh well. The best Kilchoman that I've had was their 100% Islay Batch 4, although Loch Gorm wasn't bad either.

[t44tq]

Thanks for the great notes! These are quite helpful. I'm apparently in the minority that didn't care for the Springbank Calvados, but I generally like their stuff… one of my favorite distilleries. I've had the Couvreur Pale Single Malt, which I was glad to have tasted and found quite unique (heather, lavender and bergamot), but I was hoping that the overaged malt would be better even at $30 less… oh well. The best Kilchoman that I've had was their 100% Islay Batch 4, although Loch Gorm wasn't bad either.

The Auld Sherried is supposed to be one of their best, but $350+. Too expensive to gamble on a bottle.

I generally buy the Springbank cask strength bottlings because they're usually awesome.

[Gillman]

Nikka, over 50% ABV in the small decanter bottle, purchased by a friend in Italy duty free. I brought it down to about 80 proof with Toronto Tap. I don't know how malt whisky can be any better, frankly. It is like the best of Macallan, Abelour and Highland Park combined. No apparent peat but evident sherry barrel influence. If this is typical of current Japanese malts, the distillers of the country are second to none in the world for topmost quality, IMO.

Gary

[BigRich]

A few today. I kicked it off early to celebrate a new job offer. I started with a couple of Balblairs (1990 & 1983) then a 2012 Flaming Heart and now a SMWS 14 year old Springbank while cooking dinner for the kiddos.

[GaryT]

Congrats on the offer!!

[El Vino]

Speymalt Macallan 21 followed by Aberlour A'Bunadh batch 49. Both exceptional for what they are. Batch 49 really is a standout in that series.

[garbanzobean]

Talisker 10 tonight. Will probably follow that up with a hefty pour or two of Revelation Rum.

[ccleve23]

A pour of ardberg supernova.

[tanstaafl2]

A bit of a mixed bag last night with a friend who joined me for dinner at a new Japanese restaurant. After dinner we returned for a night cap or three...

Tried the Mortlach 16yo Flora & Fauna again and was still a bit underwhelmed. No better than the locally purchased G&M 15yo Mortlach.

Indeed I enjoyed the 2 Westlands more than either Mortlach. Very pleasant drinking whisky!

We also drifted off into a few other odds and ends.

[garbanzobean]

A bit of a mixed bag last night with a friend who joined me for dinner at a new Japanese restaurant. After dinner we returned for a night cap or three...

[ATTACH=CONFIG]20522[/ATTACH]

Tried the Mortlach 16yo Flora & Fauna again and was still a bit underwhelmed. No better than the locally purchased G&M 15yo Mortlach.

Indeed I enjoyed the 2 Westlands more than either Mortlach. Very pleasant drinking whisky!

We also drifted off into a few other odds and ends.

How's the G&M Linkwood? I've considered trying that one given my enjoyment of the G&M Mortlach (which I can get on hefty discount, thereby increasing my enjoyment).

[BigRich]

Finishing the last of my bottle of Bushmills 16 before heading to the kitchen to start dinner.

[tanstaafl2]

How's the G&M Linkwood? I've considered trying that one given my enjoyment of the G&M Mortlach (which I can get on hefty discount, thereby increasing my enjoyment).

I find it to be fairly similar to the G&M Mortlach with maybe the slight edge to the Mortlach. But would have to try them side by side again to better judge. I thought both of the G&M bottlings were as good or better than the disappointing 16yo F&F Mortlach.

[garbanzobean]

I find it to be fairly similar to the G&M Mortlach with maybe the slight edge to the Mortlach. But would have to try them side by side again to better judge. I thought both of the G&M bottlings were as good or better than the disappointing 16yo F&F Mortlach.

Sounds like I shouldn't bother. Thanks for the heads up.

Enjoying a tasty pour of Glenfarclas 105. This bottle opened up quick. Will prob buy a couple nice expressions from overseas.

[t44tq]

A bit of a mixed bag last night with a friend who joined me for dinner at a new Japanese restaurant. After dinner we returned for a night cap or three...

[ATTACH=CONFIG]20522[/ATTACH]

Tried the Mortlach 16yo Flora & Fauna again and was still a bit underwhelmed. No better than the locally purchased G&M 15yo Mortlach.

Indeed I enjoyed the 2 Westlands more than either Mortlach. Very pleasant drinking whisky!

We also drifted off into a few other odds and ends.

Now that's interesting, about the F&F Mortlach 16. If the G&M stuff is as good or better, I'll forego the hefty freight charge from buying overseas.

[tanstaafl2]

Now that's interesting, about the F&F Mortlach 16. If the G&M stuff is as good or better, I'll forego the hefty freight charge from buying overseas.

[GaryT]

Enjoyed some Lafrog 10yr CS last night (which went beautifully with a smoke!)

[Spade]

Tried Springbank 18 for the first time. Got the usual Springbank notes except the sherry was much more prominent. I liked it quite a bit, but I think I prefer Springbank with a little more "brine" rather than being so sherry-forward. Compared it to the 12 year, which I preferred.

I've heard Springbank varies quite a bit so it might have just been this particular bottle.

[WAINWRIGHT]

Last night after a wonderful dinner I had pour of both some Highland Park 25yr and Mortlach 21yr.The HP25 was quite a stunner.

[ChainWhip]

Last night after a wonderful dinner I had pour of both some Highland Park 25yr and Mortlach 21yr.The HP25 was quite a stunner.