Kategoriarkiv: Scotland

Aberfeldy, Highlands

Aberfeldy 12 YO

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ABV: 40 %
Origin: Highlands
Type: Single malt
Bottles in collection: 0
Emptied bottles: 2
Impression: 3/5

Tasting notes
Nose: This is fresh and fruity. There are Raspberries, kiwi fruits and green apples. Behind the fruitiness there’s a nice speck of dust and a dollop of vanilla cream. There’s a hint of nail polish remover on top. A touch of marzipan comes through after a while. It’s a quite pleasant nose.

Mouth: The first aquaintance is mild and dusty. The taste is not as fruity as the nose suggests and the fruitiness is now more like baked red apples. It’s vanilla forward with toffee notes added, and they move forward together as time passes in the glass. There’s a nice peppery layer somewhere in the middle. It’s astringent and there’s a clear bitterness sitting with the oak in the background waiting to burst through.

Finish: The fruitiness changes again. It’s now leaning towards darker fruits together with some peaches. The oak is dominant and quite astringent. It’s very bitter and there are espresso and pure cocoa powder notes within. The oakiness feels very fresh and strong. As a nice surprise some assorted tropical fruits arrive late and when they do, they really take over the tail end of the finish. This is a nice composition as a whole.

Additional information
Aberfeldy is one of the main components in Dewar’s Blended Scotch. The 12 YO is matured in american ex-bourbon barrels and ex-sherry casks.

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Islands, Jura

Jura 12 YO

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ABV: 43 %
Origin: Islands
Type: Single malt
Bottles in collection: 0
Emptied bottles: 2
Impression: 3/5

Tasting notes
Nose: This is toffee and fruits. At first there’s a thick layer of toffee, honey and vanilla. Fresh red berries create a thin layer behind the thick sweetness. There’s also a whiff of smoke and a hint of nuttiness (with almonds as closest reference). It’s rather rich, but it feels a bit ”manufactured”. After some time in the glass the fruitiness turns a bit darker and raisins and dades start to come through in the back. The main focal point remains the toffee throughout. This is a nice and round nose, but it feels a bit uneventful.

Mouth: It starts out with a second without flavours but then everything comes rolling in like waves. The first thing to come through is an oaky bitterness with the toffee notes on top. Soon after a spicyness start to slowly rise. When it’s on its peak it’s quite intense. In the back there are citrus notes, as well as the same fresh red berries found on the nose. A darker fruitiness do come through for those who wait, but it takes a while for it to show up.

Finish: The transition is uneventful and it soon becomes a round ball of toffee and honey with a slightly dusty surface. The fruitiness is now leaning towards darker fruits and seem to cling to the background. The oakiness start to come through and it soon takes over. It’s a great, fresh and nutty oakiness with a hint of smoke to it. It becomes slightly astringent and dry in the late finish. This is a good whisky with nice flavours and a nice finish. It’s nothing less, nothing more.

Additional information
This expression was released in 2017 and is matured in ex-bourbon barrels and finished in oloroso sherry casks.

Ardbeg, Islay

Ardbeg 8 YO Discussion Committee Release

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ABV: 50.8 %
Origin: Islay
Type: Single Malt
Bottles in collection: 1
Emptied bottles: 0
Impression: 4/5

Tasting notes
Nose: This is sweet and peaty. At first there’s a mineral rich campfire smoke-like peat sitting on top of a center part which includes honey, vanilla, a hint of sweet liquorice and unscented hand lotion. On top there’s a mild menthol note and underneath lies a small hint of assorted berries and citrus fruits. When it starts to settle the peat merges with the sweetness and the background notes become clearer. There’s a hint of leather and nuts coming through, as well as a more sticky sweetness. There’s a nice complexity to it with a youthful mix together with more mature notes. This is a really great nose which had a lot to offer behind the big peatiness.

Mouth: It starts out with a mild and sweet honey and vanilla note and a very mineral rich peat. On the outside there’s a mild black pepper spicyness and coastal notes as well. The background notes are really gritty with dark overripe raisins, earthy and oily peat notes, a hint of sulfur and a dark chocolate bitterness. Even though there’s a lot of demanding flavours it really comes through as approachable. There are some harsher notes floating around but they seem to be needed to give it the roughness it deserves. The whole seems very logical and balanced.

Finish: The transition is calm and it just seem to carry on delivering the same profile as before. The gritty and complex background notes really take some steps forward which is a really good thing. The middle part of the finish is just amazing with just a perfect mix of peat, fruitiness and sweetness. The dark chocolate stays in the back giving it a nice depth. The oakiness comes through late and it’s not pushing itself through. The mild intensity really suits the journey and gives it a nice send-off. This is a great whisky through and through. It really shows off the house style with a nice added fruity bonus.

Additional information
This committee release was aged in ex-sherry casks. It’s unchillfiltered and has natural colour.

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Campbeltown, Longrow, Springbank

Longrow Red 15 YO – Pinot Noir Cask Matured (2022)

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ABV: 51.4 %
Origin: Campbeltown
Type: Single Malt
Bottles in collection: 1
Emptied bottles: 0
Impression: 4/5

Tasting notes
Sample added to queue. Tasting notes pending.

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Additional information
This whisky was first aged for 11 years in ex-bourbon barrels and then finished for 4 years pinot noir barriques. 9400 bottles were released. It’s unchillfiltered and has natural colour.

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Campbeltown, Glen Scotia

Glen Scotia 8 YO Peated PX Cask Finish – Campbeltown Malts Festival 2022 Limited Edition

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ABV: 56.5 %
Origin: Campbeltown
Type: Single Malt
Bottles in collection: 1
Emptied bottles: 0
Impression: 4/5

Tasting notes
Sample added to queue. Tasting notes pending.

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Additional information
This whisky was first aged for 7 years in firstfill ex-bourbon barrels and then finished for 1 year in PX hogsheads. 24000 bottles were released.

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Ardbeg, Islay

Ardbeg Kelpie

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ABV: 46 %
Origin: Islay
Type: Single Malt
Bottles in collection: 0
Emptied bottles: 0
Impression: 4/5

Tasting notes
Nose: This is sweet and peaty. At first there’s a very oaky campfire smoke with a big spoonful of vanilla. It’s sweet and honeyed, but it also comes through as quite mineral rich and has a medicinal character which really isn’t normal for the Ardbeg house style. There’s iodine, a hint of stone and liquorice as well. Underneath there’s a mix of apples and brine. In between it’s sligtly floral as well. This is a great nose with a very interesting character. It’s very fun to explore and has some real complexity to it.

Mouth: It starts out with a big honey sweetness and a nice spicyness. Inside the sweetness is a mix of smoked meat, sea salt and malt. The peatiness is still strong and seem to push a bit of the heavy oak away. It’s mineral rich and medicinal in taste as well. There are notes of liquorice and vanilla but the longer into the journey, the oakier it gets. It doesn’t take long before it becomes slightly unpleasant in the mouth.

Finish: The finish starts out with a whiff of coastal notes, malt and an umami note in the back. There’s also fruity and floral notes floating by. It’s at this point very nice but it doesn’t take long before the oakiness once again takes over. The longer the finish goes the oakier it gets and it’s not an especially interesting oakiness. This is a very good whisky with a very interesting nose. It becomes slightly over-oaked as the journey progresses.

Additional information
This whisky was aged in mix of ex-bourbon barrels and Black sea oak casks from russia. This is the retail release. A higher ABV Committee release also exists. It’s unchillfiltered and has natural colour.

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Dundee, MacRoys, Unspecified

MacRoys

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ABV: 40 %
Origin: Scotland Unspecified
Type: Blended
Bottles in collection: 1
Emptied bottles: 0
Impression: 2/5

Tasting notes
Sample added to queue. Tasting notes pending.

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Additional information
This whisky was aged in 1st fill ex-bourbon barrels. It’s an Angus Dundee product which indicates that Tomintoul and/or Glencadam is included.

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Glenallachie, Meikle Toir, Speyside

Meikle Tòir 5 YO The Original

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ABV: 50 %
Origin: Speyside
Type: Single Malt
Bottles in collection: 0
Emptied bottles: 0
Impression: 3/5

Tasting notes
Nose: This is sweet and peaty. At first there’s a wood driven peatiness with notes of vanilla and honey. Underneath is a small gritty note as well as a fresh lemon sourness. When it starts to settle everything merges and creates a very nice, solid character. Unfortunatley this means that the complexity takes a hit and the gritty notes disappear. It’s a great nose, but it feels somewhat like it could benefit by being a bit more rowdy.

Mouth: It starts out with a bitterness in the back and some salty and rubbery notes in the center together with burning wood. The sweetness has come way down and it feels young and spirity. There’s a big contrast between the nose and the mouth and the surprise isn’t all that great. The lack of rowdy notes on the nose is definitely not a problem anymore, but it replaces a lot of the nice flavours in the process. It has a nice power and presence though. The bitterness become dark chocolate after a while. After a few sips the lemon sourness start to appear in the taste as well.

Finish: The transition starts with an increase in spicyness, but it’s a nicely curved one. The lemon notes in the back are very pronounced throughout the finish. The peatiness and the gritty note stays and an undefined ripe note is added. There’s still chocolate in the back. The character shifts back and is now matching the nose and somewhere along the line everything sort of comes together. The late finish is very satisfactory. The oakiness is quite laid back and brings a nutty side to the mix. This is a very good whisky. It has its ups and downs but in the end comes through as a solid experience.

Additional information
This whisky was aged in first fill ex-bourbon, rye and virgin oak casks. The peat level is 35 PPM. It’s unchillfiltered and has natural colour.

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Ardbeg, Islay

Ardbeg 10 YO

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ABV: 46 %
Origin: Islay
Type: Single Malt
Bottles in collection: 1
Emptied bottles: 1
Impression: 5/5

Tasting notes
Nose: This is sweet and peaty. At first there’s a warm, sweet, and ”wet” peatiness, like smoke from a campfire when water is thrown on it to put it out. There’s honey, vanilla and an unscented lotion note. There are also a touch of seaweed, brine and iodine. There’s a feint hint of green fruits and lemon far away in the back. This is a very nice nose. It’s not especially complex but it’s still interesting.

Mouth: It starts out with very sweet honey and vanilla, which turns into a big burst of savory smoke. The honey note lies up front and it’s carried by a black pepper spicyness, some seasalt and a touch of bitterness. The lotion note is in there bit it’s not as pronounced as on the nose. It’s a quite mineral rich peat and it’s slightly dry.

Finish: The finish starts with menthol, honey, lemon and bittersweet smoke. It’s still savory and the wet burned wood carries through. The peat is very much the main event but the honey note isn’t far behind. The oak is slightly bitter. The finish is a never-ending story with a tar note appearing when the wet oak subsides. This is a great whisky. It’s not the most complex experience but it does its job extremely well.

Additional information
This whisky was launched in the year 2000 and is the entry level in Ardbegs core range. It’s aged in both first fill and refill ex-bourbon oak barrels. The barley has 55 ppm. It’s unchillfiltered and has natural colour.

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Bruichladdich, Islay

Bruichladdich Islay Barley 2011

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ABV: 50 %
Origin: Islay
Type: Single Malt
Bottles in collection: 1
Emptied bottles: 0
Impression: 4/5

Tasting notes
Sample added to queue. Tasting notes pending.

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Additional information
This whisky was distilled in 2011. It was aged in a mix of ex-bourbon barrels (75 %) and european ex-wine casks (25 %) for 6 years. It’s unchillfiltered and has natural colour.

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BenRiach, Speyside

Benriach 10 YO The Original Ten – Three Cask Matured

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ABV: 43 %
Origin: Speyside
Type: Single Malt
Bottles in collection: 1
Emptied bottles: 0
Impression: 4/5

Tasting notes
Sample added to queue. Tasting notes pending.

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Additional information
This whisky was released in 2020 as a part of Benriach’s new core range. It was aged in a mix of traditional (refill) ex-bourbon barrels, ex-sherry casks and virgin oak casks.

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Ardbeg, Islay

Ardbeg 13 YO Anthology – Harpy’s Tale

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ABV: 46 %
Origin: Islay
Type: Single Malt
Bottles in collection: 1
Emptied bottles: 0
Impression: 4/5

Tasting notes
Nose: This is sweet and peaty. At first there’s a very sweet peatiness with a lot of vanilla and a hint of unscented lotion. It’s quite ashy and mineral rich and the peat feels very Ardbeg-esque, as it should. There’s a sweet fruity mix surrounding the center in a thin layer, which sort of feels thicker up front. It’s lemon curd and honey with a fresher undefined bright fruitiness within. As it settles in the glass there’s a toffee note appearing as well as coastal salty vibes. This is a great nose and a nice and sweet take on the otherwise rough housestyle.

Mouth: It starts out with a mineral rich peatiness with and ashy top note and a lemony backdrop. There’s a speck of dust and an iodine medicinal note whitin as well. It’s not as sweet in taste as on the nose and the character overall shifts towards a more standard profile. The lemony backdrop spreads out towards the sides and there’s a very nice mellow spicyness spreading out over the palate. The coastal notes follow along to the taste as well. The oakiness is in there at this point but it still lurks within vanilla and a slight bitter note.

Finish: The transition is slightly uneventful and everything keeps the same level throughout. It almost feels like it could do with a bit more power at this point. The unscented lotion note returns in the late finish and the peat coats the entire mouth which creates a nice three dimensional feel. The lemony notes and the oak is taking front stage in the late, late finish. It’s a nice, slightly dusty oakiness with a hint of hazelnuts. This is a great whisky. The seuternes casks fits really well with the heavy housestyle, but it feels like it brings down the madness a bit too much.

Additional information
This whisky was aged in a mix of ex-bourbon barrels and ex-seuternes wine casks. It’s unchillfiltered and has natural colour.

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Islay, Lagavulin

Lagavulin 8 YO – 200th Anniversary Edition

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ABV: 48 %
Origin: Islay
Type: Single Malt
Bottles in collection: 1
Emptied bottles: 0
Impression: 4/5

Tasting notes
Nose: This is very ashy, warm and sweet. There are big honey, vanilla and butterscotch flavours and the oak is surrounding its sweet heart. There’s a salty, seaweed, ocean note coming through from the distillate. A hint of lemon is the only fruity contribution. There’s also a fresh minty breeze. It has some fresh youthness to it, but not in a harsh way. It complements the ashy notes and makes it pop from the glass. This is a very good, simple peaty nose.

Mouth: It starts out honey sweet and spicy. The peat still shows up as ashes, but it’s not as dry as on the nose. The lemon finds a friend in some green apples. Overall it’s still salty and peaty. There’s some vanilla cream in the background which gives a nice base to the sweetness. It’s very viscous and oily on the palate

Finish: First comes a big spicy burst before it switches to an ashy and sweet character once again. There’s a savory bacon note coming along with the salty notes. The cask influence is strong but the oak is laid back. It’s not dry nor astringent. The honey, vanilla and butterscotch show up, stay a while and then fade away to give room to the ashy peat, which stays long after everything else. It’s a very pleasant finish overall. This is a great, straight forward peaty whisky.

Additional information
This was a special release in 2016. It has since then been added to the core range. It’s aged in refill american ex-bourbon oak barrels. The release is an homage to a statement from journalist Alfred Barnard in the 1880’s, referring to an 8 YO Lagavulin as ”exceptionally fine”.

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Ardbeg, Islay

Ardbeg Blaaack Committee Release

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ABV: 50.7 %
Origin: Islay
Type: Single malt
Bottles in collection: 1
Emptied bottles: 0
Impression: 4/5

Tasting notes
Nose: This is sweet peat and red berries. The initial impact is quite medicinal and rowdy. After a few seconds a sweet, rounded baseline emerges with notes of hot burning wood together with unscented lotion and vanilla cream. On top there are iodine and salty coastal notes. The fruitiness starts to come through as an outer layer and slowly takes over. It’s overripe black grapes and plums. There’s also a cooling mint effect up front. This is an interesting nose.

Mouth: At first the vanilla sweetness and the warm peatiness swells up. It’s still hot burning wood and now there’s a hay note coming through. It’s quite mild and the red wine influence has a juicy vibe to it with fresh red and black berries. There are still coastal notes and a small touch of iodine, but those are pushed back into the background. It’s slightly astringent and the oakiness shines through in the background.

Finish: A minty cloud passes by before the juicy berries and the warm peatiness return. The medicinal and coastal notes still reside in the background and the finish mirrors the mouth very well. The whole thing feels slightly subdued. The oak is fashionably late, but when it arrives it’s a very tasty nutty oakiness with hazelnuts a hint of dust on top. The overripe grapes and plums return as a thin note following along through the entire finish. This is a wolf in sheep’s clothing.

Additional information
The Blaack is a 2020 limited release exclusive to the Ardbeg committee members. It’s aged in ex-Pinot Noir wine casks from New Zealand. It’s unchillfiltered and has natural colour.

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Highland Park, Islands

Highland Park Single Cask Series Thyra Danebod – Dronning av Danmark

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ABV: 62.8 %
Origin: Islands
Type: Single Malt
Bottles in collection: 1
Emptied bottles: 0
Impression: 4/5

Tasting notes
Sample added to queue. Tasting notes pending.

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Additional information
This whisky was aged in a refill puncheon for 12 years (2007-2020). This is cask no. 4939 and it’s limited to 568 bottles.

Islay, Lagavulin

Lagavulin 12 YO Special Release 2023 – The ink of Legends

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ABV: 56.4 %
Origin: Islay
Type: Single Malt
Bottles in collection: 0
Emptied bottles: 0
Impression: 4/5

Tasting notes
Sample added to queue. Tasting notes pending.

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Additional information
This whisky was first aged in ex-bourbon barrels and then finished in Don Julio Añejo Tequila casks. This is a limited release.

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Johnny Walker, Unspecified

Johnny Walker Blue Label

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ABV: 40 %
Origin: Scotland Unspecified
Type: Blended
Bottles in collection: 0
Emptied bottles: 1
Impression: 4/5

Tasting notes
Sample added to queue. Tasting notes pending.

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Additional information
Johnny Walker doesn’t disclose age, distilleries or casks used. The bottle tried here is no. OA2 72650.

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Glenallachie, Highlands

Glenallachie 11 YO – Moscatel Wood Finish

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ABV: 48 %
Origin: Highlands
Type: Single malt
Bottles in collection: 0
Emptied bottles: 0
Impression: 4/5

Tasting notes
Nose: This is sweet and fruity. At first there’s a thick honey and vanilla sweetness. Close behind are a layer of bright and juicy fruits. There’s also heather and toffee creating a nice background together with a peppermint freshness. It feels very there-dimensional and textured. With time in the glass the sweetness mellows out and it becomes more balanced overall. This is a very nice and balanced nose with small nuances to discover.

Mouth: It starts out very sweet and malty. There’s a big surge of ABV spicyness pushing through slowly from the get-go. A very pleasant fruitiness with peaches and lemon comes through from behind and there’s a slight bitterness in the background which is attached to a dry oakiness. Over time everything seem to merge into one big mass with sweet, sour and bitter extensions. It even has a salty overtone to it. This is really playing to a lot of different senses.

Finish: It starts out with another ABV spicyness surge but it’s less powerful than the initial one. The first thing to come through is a big basket of peaches. The salty overtones remain as well. it’s less sweet and bitter than in the mouth and the peaches remain the main focal point throughout the finish. The honey and vanilla notes are residing on the edges. With time a nice but somewhat anonymous oakiness fills the background and that supports the fruitiness and creates an extra dimension. This is a great whisky which has a lot to offer, both in smell, taste and sensations.

Additional information
This is a part of Glenallachie’s Wood Finish Series. It’s aged for over 9 years in ex-bourbon barrels and then finished in ex-Moscatel casks. It’s unchillfiltered and has natural colour.

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Ardbeg, Islay

Ardbeg Smoketrails – Manzanilla Edition (2022)

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ABV: 46 %
Origin: Islay
Type: Single Malt
Bottles in collection: 1
Emptied bottles: 0
Impression: 4/5

Tasting notes

Nose: This is sweet and peaty. At first there’s a mineral rich and warm peatiness with a side note of unscented lotion. When it settles it becomes sweeter and a layer of ripe fruits and almonds start to form around the center but there’s also a small fresher green fruitiness in the back. The nuttiness increases with time and the sweetness from the ripe notes mellows the peatiness and creates a nicely balanced, yet very peaty, profile. The peatiness contains notes of smoked ham and a hint of oak as well. This is a great nose overall with a lot to offer. There’s a shift from rowdy to settled which is really nice to follow along with.

Mouth: It starts out with a bit milder than expected. The first thing to arrive is a mix of sweet honey, ripe berries, black coffee and a lemon note in the back. It doesn’t take long before the very mineral rich peatiness comes rushing in together with a peppery spicyness and some burnt toast. There’s a menthol overlay and the coffee note moves to the back. It feels slightly chaotic and lacks balance at this point. It has good flavours, but they’re not working together.

Finish: The transition slowly pulls everything together again and the sweetness, the ripe notes and the peatiness all just line up and merge. The Black pepper spicyness stays on the edges of the palate and let’s everything shine. There’s umami, minerals and warm oaky peat moving everything along. At one point there’s a wet sock note which is sort of odd, but it disappears quickly and the late finish is all about an oaky warm campfire with a hint of nuts and ripe fruit on the side. This is a great whisky. It’s nowhere near perfect and feels a bit unbalanced at times, but it still delivers a solid and interesting experience.

Additional information
This limited travel retail exclusive whisky was aged in a mix of ex-bourbon barrels and manzanilla sherry casks from Sanlúcar de Barrameda in Spain. It’s unchillfiltered and has natural colour.

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Bunnahabhain, Islay

Bunnahabhain Cruach-Mhòna

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ABV: 50 %
Origin: Islay
Type: Single Malt
Bottles in collection: 1
Emptied bottles: 0
Impression: 4/5

Tasting notes
Sample added to queue. Tasting notes pending.

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Additional information
This whisky is a limited peated release exclusive to travel retail. There is no information about maturation period or casks used. It’s unchillfiltered and has natural colour.

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