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| Hello, that is certainly one of our (virtually) each day tastings. Santé! |
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November 11, 2024
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For a Few Extra Lowlands
Whenever you suppose that at one time there have been barely greater than Auchentoshan and Glenkinchie nonetheless in operation. Thank goodness there at the moment are much more Lowland whiskies, although the one we proceed to overlook with determined longing is St Magdalene. Let’s check out what now we have and, most significantly, no a couple of expression per distillery, simply this as soon as.
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Daftmill 12 yo 2011/2023 ‘Summer time Batch Launch’ (46%, OB, 1st fill bourbon barrels, 6,550 bottles) 
Twenty-seven bourbon casks had been concerned right here, which could clarify why this launch continues to be round over a yr post-launch. Or maybe it’s that quite ‘2023’ price ticket, a contact optimistic. I do admire how they label themselves as ‘a seasonal distillery’. Color: pale gold. Nostril: fantastically deep, considerably fermentative, with melon sorbet, papaya, custard, and small pink and blue bananas dusted with crushed chalk. Not the primary time I’ve thought Daftmill has a nostril harking back to a Western Chichibu. Mouth: very nice, if not as ultra-precise as their single casks, but these barely inexperienced spices and champagne-like yeasts work a deal with. It then veers in the direction of bubblegum and pear-and-pineapple-flavoured jellybeans. End: a touch of anticipated limoncello, duly delivered. A contact of contemporary herbs and inexperienced tea spherical issues off properly. Feedback: I actually do take pleasure in this huge batch, which evokes youthful Rosebanks on the palate, as usually.
SGP:661 – 87 factors. |
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Rosebank? That’s a good suggestion. It’s true that we’ve had fairly a little bit of Rosebank recently…
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Rosebank 32 yo 1991/2024 (51.2%, Gordon & MacPhail, The Recollection Collection #3, first fill bourbon barrel, cask #2114, 141 bottles) 
This venerable 1991 in all probability provides one other gem to a lineage that has confirmed distinctive at varied ages. Color: gold. Nostril: unmistakably Rosebank in its elegant fruitiness, although comparisons with different greats come to thoughts. Superb waves of mangoes and keenness fruits lead the cost, adopted by aromatic orange blossom and ripe yellow melon. A vibrant zestiness of lemons and tangerines emerges, interwoven with acacia honey, a touch of chalk, and the comforting flakiness of contemporary croissants. Simplicity belies brilliance right here, with an virtually dazzling precision that makes one muse that such barrels might endure yet one more 32 years—alas, not this one. With water: a extra fermentative edge, providing notes of freshly baked bread, a whiff of gueuze, and lemony hops. Mouth (neat): a strikingly clear and zesty profile persists, seemingly untouched by age. A vivid array of citron, lemon zest, and grapefruit pulp dances alongside a drizzle of acacia honey and a gentle contact of rosehip tisane, which gently rounds the perimeters. It’s stunning to suppose this got here from a primary fill bourbon cask, given its elegant restraint harking back to a refined refill. With water: it turns into herbaceous, with pronounced contemporary bread notes, earlier than grapefruit asserts itself extra boldly. End: lengthy, with a outstanding and full of life pressure for its age—pure Rosebank in essence. Feedback: it could be intriguing to see an actual professional write just a few strains on the lifespan expectations of a whisky at delivery, factoring in each cask and distillate.
SGP:661 – 90 factors. |
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Since we had been speaking about fruits…
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Littlemill 27 yo 1988/2016 (57.3%, Alambic Classique, Uncommon & Outdated Choice, darkish sherry cask, cask #16305, 153 bottles)
Ah, again once we known as sherried whiskies merely ‘darkish’ or ‘pale’—none of that ‘ex-bodega amontillado-seasoned rejuvenated hogshead’ enterprise. These had been certainly easier, higher days, weren’t they? Color: a wealthy cognac amber. Nostril: Earl Gray tea, however not simply any—an distinctive one. The traditional, exuberant fruitiness of those Littlemill vintages intertwines seamlessly with the sherry, putting us proper on the counter of a patisserie within the early morning. Heat ache aux raisins, orange cake, lemon cookies, and even brie (the patisserie, not the cheese) soaked in kirsch. That’s a private favorite, for individuals who thoughts my birthday is twentieth September. Delicate notes of shrivelled grape berries, like a vin de paille. With water: a refreshing flip with limestone, lemon, and crisp inexperienced apple, suggesting a firming up. Mouth (neat): an indulgence, pure and easy. The distillate shines with a pointy, virtually gritty lemon that’s completely enchanting—the best lemon essence we have had in ages. With water: a return to a extra refined palate, completely balanced with citrus and sultanas. End: lengthy, cheerful, and fruit-laden, that includes pink grapefruit and a pleasant contact of honey, with that Earl Gray making a last, swish look. Has the sherry bowed out? Feedback: immensely pleasurable and deceptively drinkable. Beware!
SGP:651 – 90 factors. |
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Dalrymple 11 yo 2012/2024 (57.1%, Watt Whisky, blended malt, hogshead, 194 bottles)
Dalrymple is a commerce identify for Ailsa Bay, and whereas our expertise with this distillate is proscribed, an excellent Dalrymple from Tri Carragh as soon as left a robust impression. The official Ailsa Bay releases, nonetheless, have usually been as chilly as a North Sea flounder – if I’ll. Color: pale gold. Nostril: pleasant, with an intriguing mixture of tequila and gentian—no jest right here. Ripe pear and apple comply with, making a harmonious bouquet. A contact of medicinal high quality emerges, accompanied by inexperienced walnuts and a touch of mustard. With water: develops in the direction of a fantastic fino sherry. Mouth (neat): superb certainly! Inexperienced apple, fir smoke, plasticine, Sichuan pepper, mustard, mezcal, and radish—spicy with a slight chew. With water: the fruitiness turns into extra pronounced, however a peppery edge additionally takes maintain. An uncommon mixture of sultanas and white pepper surprises the palate. End: lengthy, with smoke overlaying these peppered sultanas, making for a barely tougher conclusion. Feedback: the peat runs subtly all through, by no means dominating however at all times current. A fancy and fascinating dram, excellent for a blind guessing sport amongst buddies.
SGP:465 – 87 factors. |
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We’ll end off with a bit of impartial Auchentoshan…
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Auchentoshan 15 yo 2007/2024 (55.7%, Girl of the Glen, Ruby Port end, cask #4204) 
A triple-distilled dram with a ruby port end, which might certainly evoke a full of life fairground. Using ruby port is at all times intriguing, contemplating it sometimes ages for less than a quick interval in massive, well-worn casks to keep up the wine’s contemporary, fruity character. One can be stunned if any real ruby port casks had been employed for maturing or seasoning Scotch. However the proof, as they are saying, is within the pudding… Color: apricot. Nostril: predictably contemporary and fruity, main with peach, greengages, cherries, and a touch of raspberry eau-de-vie. Relatively pleasant, although it leans in the direction of an assembled or pre-mixed vibe. With water: natural notes and leafy undertones emerge, integrating into the profile. Mouth (neat): a full of life mixture of budding twigs, fruit skins, cherries, apples, pink pepper, and grapefruit – water is nearly a necessity right here. With water: it develops into a delightful concoction with shades harking back to an Apérol or Campari, excellent for a possible spritz. End: pretty lengthy, carrying cherries and inexperienced pepper. Feedback: not solely the signature Auchentoshan markers one may search, however definitely superior to the distillery’s NAS finishes. Ah, these crimson Bordeaux woods!
SGP:651 – 81 factors. |
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