Booker’s, Jim Beam, Kentucky

Booker’s Small Batch Bourbon – Batch 2018-01E ”Kathleen’s Batch”

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ABV: 63.7 %
Origin: Kentucky, USA
Type: Straight Bourbon
Bottles in collection: 0
Emptied bottles: 1
Impression: 5/5

Tasting notes (Scribbles)
Nose: A rich and full nose with vanilla, sugar powder coated hard fruit candy, cinnamon and a hint of menthol. There’s a nail polish remover note surrounding the edges.

Mouth: Very spicy and powerful yet fruity, with apples and cherries being easily found. It’s astringent and the oak note comes with a coffee note mixed with some vanilla. A hint of cinnamon shows up in the background.

Finish: Cinnamon, menthol and dry oak. Very astringent. The taste of those hard fruit candies show up in the background and confirms the nose. It really packs a punch and keeps on giving for a long time.

Additional information
This is a straight bourbon aged for 6 years, 3 months and 14 days. It’s a Jim Beam product and the batches is limited and selected by a roundtable panel. It’s named after Kathleen DiBenedetto, who was involved in launching the Beam small batch releases in the 90’s and still works for Beam Suntory as a Senior director.

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Bowmore, Islay

Bowmore 10 YO – Tempest VI

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ABV: 54.9 %
Origin: Islay
Type: Single Malt
Bottles in collection: 1
Emptied bottles: 0
Impression: 5/5

Tasting notes
Nose: Sweet liquorice, honey, vanilla, toffee and menthol. There’s muted notes of a warm burning campfire nearby. There’s also a big bowl of tropical fruits, lemons, a touch of salt and iodine. It’s a complex and very rich nose.

Mouth: Black pepper, liquorice, assorted tropical fruits with pineapple, mango, lemon and peaches. It’s a very fruity dram. There’s honey and vanilla. The smoke takes a back seat here. A nice fresh oak note hides in the back but comes through when the peppery notes subside.

Finish: The high ABV gives a spicy burst but the focus turns quickly back to the tropical fruits. The peach note really stands out and the oak note comes forward. The seasalt is noticable but comes and goes. The campfire keeps on burning somewhere in the back. Very long and extremely pleasant finish.

Additional information
This expression is a limited release and it’s the last in the line of Tempest batches. It’s been matured in first fill american ex-bourbon barrels for the entire 10 years. It was released in 2015.

Campbeltown, Springbank

Springbank 9 YO – Local Barley 4th Edition

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ABV: 54,2 %
Origin: Campbeltown
Type: Single Malt
Bottles in collection: 0
Emptied bottles: 1
Impression: 4/5

Tasting notes
Nose: This is sweet and earthy. There’s an aura of dry soil surrounding a honey and vanilla center. There’s black liquorice and a very mild peatiness sitting on top of the sweetness. There’s a blueberry note in the background together with rubber and a savory note. All flavours are well integrated and well balanced. The darker notes of the sherry with raisins and plums can be found, but it takes a while in the glass before they show up.

Mouth: It starts out very ABV spicy. When it settles the honey and vanilla are first to show up. After that a quite ”funky” mix of some peat, rubber and a savory note shine through. The sherry notes come with blueberries, but now with some raisins and ripe plums in the mix. The sweetness is balanced against a lemon note sitting in the back. It’s a little dusty but it still feels young and fresh.

Finish: It’s still very spicy and the finish mirrors the mouth with spices first, then honey and vanilla and after that rubber, peat and the savory note. A black liquorice note moves forward and takes its place up front. Raisins and plums is still present in the back. The oak arrives fashionably late when the spicyness finally gives it some room to do so. It’s a very ”wet” oak with the savory note still clinging on. There’s a very thin note of assorted tropical fruits coming through the oakiness. It’s too feint to pinpoint. The earthy notes comes through in the late finish completing the full circle. This is a complex whisky.

Additional information
This is the 4th release in a 5 part series. Previous releases has been 16 YO, 11 YO & 10 YO. This whisky is distilled 2.5 times and it’s aged in a mix of 80 % american ex-bourbon oak barrels and 20 % european ex-sherry casks.

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Aberfeldy, Highlands

Aberfeldy 12 YO Madeira Cask Finish

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

Tasting notes
Sample added to queue. Tasting notes pending.

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Additional information
This whisky was aged for in ex-bourbon barrels and then finished in ex-madeira casks . It’s a travel exclusive release.

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Ireland, Jameson

Jameson Triple Triple

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ABV: 40 %
Origin: Ireland
Type: Blended
Bottles in collection: 0
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 ex-bourbon barrels, ex-sherry casks and chestnut casks. This is a travel exclusive release.

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Aberlour, Speyside

Aberlour 14 YO Double Cask

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ABV: 40 %
Origin: Speyside
Type: Single Malt
Bottles in collection: 0
Emptied bottles: 0
Impression: 3/5

Tasting notes
Sample added to queue. Tasting notes pending.

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Additional information
This whisky was aged in ex-bourbon barrels and ex-Oloroso sherry casks. It’s a limited release. The batch tried is no. 0008.

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King's Wish, Unspecified

King’s Wish

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

Tasting notes
Nose: This is harsh and sweet. At first there’s a big hit of ethanol and grain. It’s very sweet, which comes through as a thick layer of sugary sweetness with vanilla and mild peatiness mixed in. It’s very harsh and crude with a hint of a metallic citrus in the back. This is a bad nose overall.

Mouth: It starts out once again with a big hit of the young grain distillate. It’s not quite as sweet as on the nose and the sweetness has somewhat subsided. There is some oakiness, mixed with a smidge of peat, but the whole almost feels like a white spirit. After a few seconds it comes bitter and at this point it really doesn’t sit well on the palate. There’s a sour frutiness sitting out on the edges but it’s too little to matter.

Finish: The finish starts with a swift flare of fruitiness but it disappears as quick as it arrives. It then throws the harsh distillate, the bitterness and the oakiness right back onto the palate. Luckily the finish is short and doesn’t prolong the suffering. This is a bad whisky. It’s too young and poorly made to amount to anything.

Additional information
There is no information to be found on the content of this whisky. It’s bottled in Lithuania.

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Jim Beam, Kentucky, USA

Jim Beam Rye

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ABV: 40 %
Origin: Kentucky, USA
Type: Straight Rye
Bottles in collection: 1
Emptied bottles: 0
Impression: 3/5

Tasting notes
Sample added to queue. Tasting notes pending.

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Additional information
There is no information about neither mashbill nor aging. It’s at least 51 % rye and aged less than 10 years.

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Bowmore, Islay

Bowmore No.1

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ABV: 40 %
Origin: Islay
Type: Single Malt
Bottles in collection: 1
Emptied bottles: 0
Impression: 3/5

Tasting notes
Sample in queue. Tasting notes pending.

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(Old Scribbles)

Nose: Thin nose, peaty medicinal note, sweetness, brine, citrus, butterscotch. Young and cheap, missing the Bowmore characteristic tropical fruits.

Mouth: Butterscotch, metallic note, burnt hay, bitter oak, spicy. No fruits.

Finish: Bitter oak, citrus fruit, spices linger. Hint of campfire smoke in the end.

Additional information
This expression was released in 2017 and was a replacement for the Bowmore Small Batch. It’s aged in first fill american ex-bourbon barrels.

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Speyburn, Speyside

Speyburn 18 YO

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ABV: 46 %
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 aged in ex-bourbon barrels and spanish oak casks. It’s unchillfiltered and has natural colour.

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Bruichladdich, Islay, Octomore

Octomore 13.1

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ABV: 59.2 %
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 first aged for 5 years in first fill ex-bourbon barrels and then moved into new first fill ex-bourbon barrels. The PPM value is 137. It’s unchillfiltered and has natural colour.

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Jim Beam, Kentucky

Jim Beam Black – Extra Aged

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ABV: 43 %
Origin: Kentucky, USA
Type: Straight Bourbon
Bottles in collection: 1
Emptied bottles: 0
Impression: 3/5

Tasting notes
Nose: This is sweet and fruity. At first there’s a vanilla heavy sweetness and apple flavoured hard candies. It’s very mild. When it settles there’s an immidiate oakiness mixed with brown sugar and with sweet liquorice in the background. A hint of cinnamon floats around as well. This is a good nose. It’s very straight forward and pleasant yet it lacks power and complexity.

Mouth: It starts out with a mix of oak spices and some spicyness from the ethanol. It’s less sweet on the palate and the fruit candy is not as pronounced and it feels a bit pointy and unbalanced. The oakiness soon doubles down and overrun most of the flavours which adds to the unbalanced character. The vanilla is still there and a hint of anise replaces the sweet liquorice. It feels a bit more herbal overall.

Finish: The transition is mild and the apple flavoured hard candy returns. It then flips to heavy oak with a lot of oak spices. The distillate feels a bit harsh which isn’t all that great. The oak takes over completely and the finish is basically like chewing on a piece of oak. This is a good bourbon overall but the base flavours doesn’t seem to stand up to the oakiness.

Additional information
Up until 2015 this had an 8 YO age statement and was called ”Double aged”. Now it’s supposedly about 6 years old, but no age is presented on the bottle. The mashbill consists of 77 % corn, 13 % rye and 10 % malted barley.

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Spirit of Hven Backafallsbyn, Sweden

Spirit of Hven Backafallsbyn – Hvenus Rye Whisky

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ABV: 45.6 %
Origin: Sweden
Type: Rye
Bottles in collection: 1
Emptied bottles: 0
Impression: 3/5

Tasting notes
Sample in queue. Tasting notes pending.

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Additional information
This swedish rye has a mashbill of 78,6 % rye, 11,9 % wheat, 4,8 % corn and 4,8 % malted barley. Each batch (this is batch 1) consists of 42 american oak casks. It’s unchillfiltered with natural color and matured between 3-6 years in a climate controlled warehouse.

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Campbeltown, Hazelburn, Springbank

Hazelburn 10 YO (2019 Release)

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

Tasting notes
Nose: This is sweet and fruity. At first there’s a honey sweetness with notes of vanilla and fudge. Close behind there is a big bowl of fruits and red berries. There are mainly pears, but also assorted tropical fruits and a hint of strawberries. There’s also a floral quality to it, and a small hint of dry soil. This is very gentle on the nose.

Mouth: It starts out quite spicy and dry. The honey layer sits on top, but it’s not as sweet as on the nose. The fruitiness have shifted from pears towards bitter lemon and grapefruit. It’s a mix of bitterness and fresh fruitiness. A touch of the Springbank oily/rubbery character shines through just before the oakiness arrive.

Finish: It’s still spicy, but the focus is mainly on the citrus fruits with grapefruit and orange peel. The honey still sits as a top layer but the whole isn’t especially sweet. The vanilla and fudge notes return for a second before the oak comes through. The oakiness changes the fruitiness towards tropical fruits. There’s a nutty quality to the late oak finish. It’s still quite bitter all the way through. This is a competent whisky from good casks. It doesn’t impress, but it really doesn’t disappoint either.

Additional information
The Hazelburn 10 YO was first released in 2014. It’s a triple distilled, unpeated expression from Springbank. It’s aged in american ex-bourbon barrels and it’s unchillfiltered and has natural colour.

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Glenallachie, Speyside

Glenallachie 2009 Single Cask

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ABV: 56.2 %
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 distilled in 2009 and aged in an ex-PX puncheon (#5709) for ~13 years. It was bottled in 2022 and released in Sweden. It’s limited to 699 bottles. It’s unchillfiltered and has natural colour.

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Jim Beam, Kentucky, Knob Creek

Knob Creek – Small Batch

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ABV: 50 %
Origin: Kentucky, USA
Type: Straight Bourbon
Bottles in collection: 1
Emptied bottles: 0
Impression: 4/5

Tasting notes
Nose: This is sweet and vanilla rich. At first there’s a layer of rich vanilla mixed with green apples and cherries. A small note of nail polish remover floats on top. When it settles the honey sweetness becomes more pronounced and and a slightly dusty oakiness arrives. It’s very aromatic. There’s a chalk note in the background as well. This is a great nose with a lot to offer.

Mouth: It starts out very mild with the fruity notes up front. It comes through as assorted hard fruit candies with powdered sugar. There are notes of cinnamon, vanilla and corn in the center and a hint of a herbal, slightly bitter background note which creates a nice contrast to the sweetness. A fresh oak with a hint of pecan nuts and hazelnuts coats the mouth. Anis, liquorice and a general rye note surround the edges.

Finish: A small burst of peppermint leads way but turns over to a mix of the fruit candies and rye spices. The oak is very pronounced and leaves a dusty note in the back as well as a dry sensation over the palate. The character follows along quite a bit down the line which is nice. In the end all that’s left is a dusty oakiness. This is a great Bourbon. It feels balanced and has a nice journey throughout.

Additional information
This small batch straight bourbon is made to replicate bourbon as it was before prohibition. It’s made from a mash bill consisting of 75 % corn, 13 % rye and 12 % barley. It’s aged in heavily charred barrels to create a fuller flavour.

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Mackmyra, Sweden

Mackmyra Svensk Rök

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ABV: 46.1 %
Origin: Sweden
Type: Single Malt
Bottles in collection: 0
Emptied bottles: 2
Impression: 4/5

Tasting notes
Nose: This is sweet and smoky. The juniper wood smokiness is really jumping out of the glass. The smoke is subtle yet clearly present. There are notes of honey, lemon and a hint of oak. It feels young and fresh with a vibrant and aromatic character without being too spirity. This is a good nose overall with a twist on a smoky whisky without using peat.

Mouth: It starts out with a sweetness with honey and muted butterscotch notes. The juniper wood mixes nicely with the dusty, dry smoke. A spicyness builds up, which fits well with the special wood notes that the juniper wood brings. It’s not especially complex but brings its own version of smoke.

Finish: The transition starts with a menthol note before the smoke and wood takes over. The dusty juniper wood is a red thread throughout. The wood gives a hint of mango and peaches somewhere in the middle of the finish. The spices carry all the way through. The late finish is nice and the original smoke and wood notes lingering. This is a great and original take on a smoky whisky.

Additional information
This expression was released in 2013. The smoke comes from burning both peat and juniper to stop the germination. The casks used for maturation is american oak, swedish oak, refills and ex-oloroso sherry casks.

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Auchentoshan, Lowlands

Auchentoshan Heartwood

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ABV: 43 %
Origin: Lowlands
Type: Single Malt
Bottles in collection: 0
Emptied bottles: 1
Impression: 2/5

Tasting notes
Nose: This is fruity and floral. The sherry notes are really dominating but they seem to sit on their own on top of everything. There’s raisins, plums and dades up there. Underneath, the spirit is mild with herbal notes. There’s Coca cola and a hint of butter in the middle.

Mouth: It starts out sweet and a bit spicy on the tounge with a speck of dust passing by. Otherwise it feels somewhat underaged with some spikey notes (even though it’s triple distilled). There’s liquorice, dried herbs and raisins coming through together with the cola note. The oak is somewhat dry and quite bitter and leans towards espresso and cocoa powder.

Finish: The sherry overtone swirls up and then disappears rather quickly. It gets replaced by the same cola and herbal notes as before. The bitterness from the dry oak is not especially pleasant when it sits all alone in the end of the finish.

Additional information
This travel retail release is triple distilled and aged around 7 years in a combination of american ex-bourbon oak barrels and ex-Oloroso sherry butts. It was realeased in 2012.

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Mackmyra, Sweden

Mackmyra Brukswhisky

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ABV: 41.4 %
Origin: Sweden
Type: Single Malt
Bottles in collection: 0
Emptied bottles: 1
Impression: 3/5

Tasting notes
Nose: This is very fruity and floral. The nose is fresh and crisp with lemongrass and green grapes. It’s got a white wine aura with a perfume-like overlay. It’s a tiny bit spicy and there’s a drizzle of honey on top. Everything seem to be coated with a thin layer of vanilla cream. It’s easy on the nose with pleasant oak notes around the edges. It grows sweeter and warmer with time in the glass.

Mouth: It start out sweet and somewhat malty (without being dense and dusty). The spicyness comes rolling in together with an aromatic oak note. The fruitiness and white wine note take a few steps back, but the sour lemon stays up front. The vanilla cream and honey give the whole thing a nice, varm comforting roundness. It feels a bit young but not in a harsh way. There’s a tiny cardboard note as well as some bitterness sitting in the background.

Finish: The finish is very oak driven. The vanilla and honey notes keep the oak company as a baseline. The fruitiness dies rather quickly. The oak note is dry but not astringent and comes with just a touch of nuttiness. The youthness is still very obvious but still not in an unpleasant way. The spices tag along down the road creating a full experience.

Additional information
This was released in 2010 and it’s part of the distillery’s core range. It’s aged in a mix of ex-bourbon barrels, ex-sherry casks and virgin swedish oak casks. Part of the barley is dried with swedish peat and juniper wood.

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Canada, J.P. Wiser’s

J.P. Wiser’s 10 YO – Triple Barrel

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

Tasting notes
Nose: This is very thin and sweet. Honey, grain spirit, butterscotch and vanilla. A hint of peppermint. A feint array of rye spices comes through a long way back. It’s not very interresting and lacks any complexity.

Mouth: It starts out quite watery, but a sweetness with honey, vanilla and butterscotch builds up. There’s a spicyness on the tip of the toungue and when the flavours finally show up, the rye flavours with anis, liquorice root and a bitter bite becomes the main focus. A speck of dust gives a nudge to the 10 years spent in hibernation. The oak comes through just enough to bind it together. It builds up some richness over time.

Finish: The rye spices, anis and liquorice root, are dominating but leave room for some dusty corn notes and a hint of green apples. It leaves a dry, slightly bitter oak but it’s not very astringent. A hint of walnuts appear within the oak note. Everything is toned down and flat all the way through.

Additional information
The components in this blend are aged separatly by grain type and then married together. The three type of casks used are New oak, ex-bourbon and used canadian rye whisky casks.

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