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Macallan 1989, 19 YO, Blackadder, 53.3%, B:2009. 255 bottles. Price: Colour: Gold. Nose: Smooth, floral, on summer flowers and some pollen. Taste: Floral, quite spicy and rich, malty, with some pollen. The finish is medium, slightly smoky, on toffee, honey, with some heatter and spices. General Impression: A quite pleasant and rich Macallan. Rating: 13/20 |
Macallan 1968, Duncan Taylor, 50.94%, B: 2006. Cask 5586. Price: 
Colour: Old gold.
Nose: Slightly smoky, oaky, smooth, fruity, on melon, tangerine and with a touch of pineapple.
Taste: Fruity, slightly woody, smoky, sweet, with some light floral notes. The finish is medium, sweet, slightly weak and tannic, and with some tangerine.
General Impression: A nice old Macallan, although it retained a high strength, the flavours are slightly weak.
Rating: 15/20 
FP:G3
Macallan 1966, 18 YO, OB, 43%, B: 1984 (for Italy), Price: N.A.
Colour: Old gold-amber.
Nose: Floral, slightly mineral and fruity, with some honey, heather, old bold peat smoke, some cold ashes, some figs and oranges.
Taste: Rich, fruity, complex, rather peaty and smoky, quite spicy, slightly mineral, floral, on tangerine and orange. The finish is long, thick, floral, slightly grassy, fruity and on peat smoke.
General Impression: Difficult to compare such an old Macallan with the latest releases. With such products, one can understand how Macallan reached a cult status. Simply excellent. Thank you Giorgio.
Rating: 18/20 FP:G5
Macallan 1987 Rum finish Old Malt Cask, 20 YO, Douglas Laing, 50%, B: 2007, Ref 3445. Price:
Colour: Gold-green.
Nose: Floral, fruity, fresh, sugary, on sugar cane and some toffee.
Taste: Sugary, slightly spicy, with some floral notes, coconuts and pineapples. The finish is medium, slightly spicy, on coconut, vanilla and pineapples.
General Impression: A pleasant Macallan with quite some Pina Colada influence.
Rating: 13/20 
FP:C2
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Macallan Exceptional Single Cask (ESC) 1990, 14 YO, OB, 59.6%, B:2004, cask 24483. Price: Colour: Amber. Nose: Floral, rich, spicy, on beeswax, wood polish, orange, tangerine and heather. Taste: Rich, floral, spicy, very complex, quite sweet, on heather, beeswax, with some herb spices, orange, tangerine and a touch of peat smoke. Lovely. The finish is long, slightly dry and tannic, spicy, floral, fruity, on orange and tangerine. General Impression: A delicious, rich and intense sherried Macallan. Highly recommended. Rating: 19/20 |
Macallan 1977 Platinum, Douglas Laing, 50.3%, B: 2006, 185 bottles. Price:
Colour: Gold.
Nose: Very floral, smooth, on pollen, with some honey and summer flowers, as well as some camomile and smoke. Diluted, it becomes more on camomile, with some orange peel.
Taste: Spicy, oaky, slightly peppery, intense, floral, with some coriander, and some toffee. Diluted, it becomes very floral, slightly bitter, and with some smoke. The finish is long, spicy, rich, intense, smoky, floral and slightly woody.
General Impression: A pleasant and well made Macallan, very drinkable.
Rating: 15/20 FP:C3
Macallan 1950, OB, 43%, B: 1980s. 75 cl, Price: N.A.
Colour: Old gold.
Nose: Very nutty, smoky, slighty peaty, on fresh chestnuts, some nutmeg and ripe fruits.
Taste: Spicy, slightly peppery and peaty, on nuts and walnuts. The finish is medium, nutty, smooth and peaty.
General Impression: A very nutty version of Macallan bottled for the French Market from an excellent sherry cask.
Rating: 16/20
Macallan 1991, 15 YO, Blackadder, 63.1%, B: 2007, Cask 21411, 232 b., 750 ml. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Smooth, spicy, creamy, on heather and orange.
Taste: Spicy, oaky, rich, complex, floral, on green apples and some violet. With a “velvety” texture. Diluted, it becomes smoother, more floral and on raspberries. The finish is medium, oaky, spicy (ginger) and on cream fudge.
General Impression: A good Macallan, rich and complex.
Rating: 14/20
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Macallan 1973, Scott’s Selection, 47.0%, B:1999. Price: Colour: Old gold Nose: Very floral, light and fragrant, on heather and honey. Taste: Very smooth, silky, slightly spicy, with a whiff of peat smoke and a long fruity development (guava, passion fruits and candied oranges) gaining strength after time. The finish is light, but long, very smooth and sweet, fruity (tropical fruits), cream fudge and some peat smoke. General Impression: This Macallan is weak and tasted more like a 40% than a 47% whisky. If you don’t mind weak malts, then you will really enjoy this once, since it offers beautiful fruity and floral flavours, with a lot of finesse and subtlety. Rating: 18/20 |
Macallan 1969, 38 YO, Duncan Taylor, 40.4%, B: 2007, cask 6846, Price:
Colour: Gold-old gold.
Nose: Round and mellow, on old wood furniture, beeswax, tangerine and sweet tropical fruits (mango).
Taste: Sweet and bitter, malty, smoky, relatively dry, on tobacco leaves with some light exotic fruit flavours. The finish is short, mellow, on bitter toffee and fudge. Fades quickly.
General Impression: A correct whisky, which has passed its prime age, with the woodiness getting quite present.
Rating: 12/20
Macallan 1990, 17 YO, Single Malts of Scotland, 46%, B: 2007, Price:
Colour: Gold.
Nose: Fresh, rich, smoky, fruity, oaky, on tangerine, with some apricot, a touch of honey and of thym.
Taste: Sweet, clean, malty, citric (lemon and grapefruit), with some coconut, peat smoke and tangerine, as well as with traces of gentian and lavender. The finish is medium, malty, on bitter toffee, smoke, and raisins.
General Impression: A good Macallan, particularly fresh and slightly bitter.
Rating: 13/20
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"Macallan" 1939, Gordon & MacPhail, 70 proof. Price: N.A. Colour: Old gold Nose: Grassy, with some honey, peat and some seaweeds. Taste: Grassy, rough, young to very young, plain, with some honey, peat and seaweeds. The finish was short, dull, with some grassy notes and some seaweeds General Impression: The colour was rather pale, no precipitate, the cap was strangely red, without the "open" mention, the seal closed but "squeezed", with some painting falling apart. It smelled fake and the tasting confirmed that the content was a young to very young poor quality blend. If you don't mind paying a lot of money for a nice label, then you won't be disappointed :-). A confirmed fake. Thank you Max. Rating: 05/20 |
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"Macallan" 1964, 18 YO, Avery's, 40%, D:1983. Price: N.A. Colour: Gold. Nose: Very grassy, on honey, camomille and freshly cut grass. Taste: Hot, spicy, fierce, rough, slightly soapy and very grassy. The finish was short to medium, grassy, rough and on honey. General Impression: A 70 cl bottle of Macallan of 1964 from a rather unknow English wine merchant bottled in 1982 carrying the double mention of 40° and 70° Proof was more than suspicious. The tasting confirmed this bottle as being a fake Macallan. The content tasted like a young and fierce whisky (blend). If you find a malt whisky from Avery's, save your money for real whisky. Thank you Max. Rating: 06/20 |
Glenury Royal 1970, 36 YO, OB, 51.2%, B: 2005, 2100 b. Price: 
Colour: Gold.
Nose: Slightly floral, fruity, oaky, with lots of vanilla cream fudge, on chocolate, honey, pollen and a hint of peat. Diluted, it becomes soapy.
Taste: Very smooth and mellow, slightly sugary and salty, on peat smoke, seaweed, melon and mango. Complex. Diluted, it becomes soapy and on white wine. The finish is medium-long, smoky, nutty, tannic, on bitter orange and coffee beans.
General Impression: With the sherry less dominant than in the 50 YO version, the spirit of Glenury is more present. Both OBs are very good, but I enjoyed the 36 YO slightly better.
Rating: 17/20
Glenury Royal 1953, 50 YO, OB, 42.8%, B: 2003, Price:
Colour: Dark amber.
Nose: Smooth, round and very mellow, on brandy, sweet orange and tangerine, old polished furniture and leather. Heavily sherried, but most pleasant.
Taste: Very oily, dry, tannic, oaky, slightly nutty.on old polished furniture, leather, cloves, cinnamon, blackcurrant, and orange skin. Rich and complex. The finish is long, dry, tannic, oily, on leather, polished wood, cinnamon powder and orange.
General Impression: An excellent Old Glenury, more tannic than woody, but not as much as you might expect from such a venerable whisky. Pricey, but if you do not count and you like heavily sherried non-rubbery whiskies, this one is for you.
Rating: 17/20
GlenDronach 1992 batch 1, 16 YO, OB, 57.2%, B: 2009, Oloroso butt 1140, 598 bottles. Price:
Colour: Amber.
Nose: Rich, fresh, nicely balance, on strawberries and other berries.
Taste: Fresh, slightly citric, fruity, clean, slightly spicy and fragrant.
The finish is medium to long, clean, slightly rubbery, fruity and fresh. Diluted, it becomes more on orange.
General Impression: A nice, clean, vibrant and fresh Glendronach, slightly rubbery.
Rating: 17/20 FP:G3
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Glendronach 1970, 20 YO, Signatory, 56%, B: 1990, cask 513-8, 1800 bottles. Price: Colour: Amber. Nose: Fruity, sweet, slightly grassy, on precious wood, peat smoke, leather, tannins, papaya, redcurrant and tangerine. Lovely. Taste: Spicy to very spicy, rather dry, on estragon, cherry, tangerine, leather, beeswax, dried flowers, berries and with some tannins and peat smoke. The finish is long, powerful, slightly metallic, on redcurrant, wood berries, bitter orange, tangerines, with some coffee and tannins. Quite dry. General Impression: A quite dry and heavily sherried Glendronach, very vibrant and powerful. Rating: 18/20 |
Glendronach 1970, Samaroli, 43%, 480 bottles. Price: N.A.
Colour: Amber.
Nose: Fruity, slightly meaty, on bloody orange, tangerine and a good dose of wood berries, as well as some peat smoke. With time some chocolate flavours are coming through.
Taste: Very fruity, smooth, slightly dry, on peat smoke, raspberries and other berries, as well as on tangerine and fresh orange. The finish is long, rich, fruity, spicy and on peat smoke.
General Impression: A very nice elegant and well balanced Glendronach.
Rating: 18/20 FP:H4
Lagavulin 12 YO (white label), OB, 43%, B: c.1980s. Price: N.A.
Colour: Gold
Nose: Smooth, mellow, peaty, and fruity. Not very expressive.
Taste: Peaty, salty, mineral, smooth, strong seaweeds flavours and on cold ashes. The finish is very long, clean, peaty and mineral. Diluted, it becomes very salty,
General Impression: The nose was quite restrained, but the mouth is pleasantly smooth, salty and peaty. Thank you Patrick S.
Rating: 16/20
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Lagavulin 25 YO, OB, 57.2%, D: 1977, B: 2003, 9000 bottles. Price: Colour: Gold-old gold Nose: On vegetamine (Knorr) balsamic vinegar, peat smoke and fruity. Taste: Winey, on grapes, somepeat, vegetamine and grilled bread. The finish is dry, spicy, malty, tannic and citric. Intense. General Impression: To make a long story short, I have seen much better Lagavulin than this one. This Lagavulin was the first old (over 16 YO) cask strength released by Diageo. Thank you Patrick S. Rating: 14/20 |
Lagavulin 12 YO, OB, 56.4%, B: 2008. Price:
Colour: Light gold.
Nose: Meaty, maritime, peaty, with some bacon, on seaweed, cold ashes and smoked fish.
Taste: Dry, bitter (geranium and gentian), tarry, maritime, peaty, smoky, on seashells and seaweed. The finish is long, dry, peaty, bitter to very bitter, with some iodine.
General Impression: Probably the most bitter version of the last 3 years.
Rating: 16/20 FP:A7
Lagavulin 12 YO, OB, 56.4%, B: 2007 Price: 
Colour: Light gold.
Nose: Floral, peaty, maritime, on seaweeds and iodine.
Taste: Salty, very maritime, peaty, smoky, slightly tarry, on seashells, with some seaweed and grilled bacon. The finish is long, dry, tarry, oaky, salty, maritime, with a light bitterness.
General Impression: A very nice Lagavulin, more floral than the more recent vintages and slightly less balanced.
Rating: 16/20 FP: A7
Lagavulin 12 YO, OB, 57.4%. B: 2009. Price:
Colour: Light gold.
Nose: Floral, slightly bitter, peaty, farmy and maritime.
Taste: Dry, bitter, tarry, with a slight fruitiness added compared to older vintages, with some floral notes, peat, iodine and cold ashes. The finish is long, dry to very dry, tarry, peaty, on bitter and cold ashes, with a slightly metallic tone and some liquorice root..
General Impression: The peat and in particular the tar and cold ashes are more present in this vintage than in the older vintages. A more robust whisky, which I appreciated very much. The differences between the 3 vintages (2007, 8, and 9) are not very big, but noticeable.
Rating: 16/20 FP:A7
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Inchgower 1980, 27 YO, Signatory, 53.7%, B:2008, cask 13276, 200 bottles. Price: Colour: Old gold. Nose: Slightly humic and farmy, maritime, on seaweeds, spices as well as some pollen. Taste: Slightly soapy, maritime, spicy, salty to very salty, sweet, smooth, with a gentle smokiness and on tangerine. The finish is medium to long, sweet, salty, maritime, slightly smoky, with a nice sweet frutiness. General Impression: A very nice Inchgower, with the refill sherry contributing to extra sweetness. Rating: 15/20 |
Inchgower Cars, 18 YO, Moon, 59%, B: 2008, Price:
Colour: Old gold.
Nose: Slighty yeasty, spicy, on vegetal extracts, very slightly rubbery, smooth and on dry kelps.
Taste: Quite yeasty, rich, thick, syrupy, quite spicy (ginger bread), with some milk chocolate, tangerines, almond and some maritime flavours. The finish is medium to long, syrupy, slightly mineral, salty, and mineral, sweet and fruity (cooked fruits).
General Impression: The nose is not that pleasant at start and it needs some time to open. Afterwards, it becomes a very pleasant whisky.
Rating: 15/20 FP: H4
Inchgower 1969, 37 YO, Duncan Taylor, 46.2%, B: 2006, cask 6129, 184 bottles. Price:
Colour: Gold-old gold.
Nose: Very unusual, on genepi (Alp herbs liqueur), anis seeds, smoked ham and eucalyptus.
Taste: Same profile as on the nose, but more bitter, and with some salt. The finish is long, dominated by the eucalyptus flavours, with some maritime influence.
General Impression: A whisky infused with eucalyptus leaves? It is not a bad whisky, but just very unusual.
Rating: 09/20 FP:D2
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Inchgower 1974, 34 YO, Single Malts of Scotland, 61.2%, B: 2008, cask 8787, 128 bottles. Price: Colour: Old gold-amber. Nose: Very fruity, quite fragrant, slightly smoky and salty, grassy, complex, rich, intense and round. Taste: Smooth, very juicy, salty, creamy, rich, complex, slightly spicy, waxy, on ripe yellow fruits, nice grassy notes, with some peat smoke. The finish is long, fruity, complex, round, grassy, smooth and slightly smoky. General Impression: A delicious expression of Inchgower, very much to my taste and most enjoyable. Rating: 18/20 |
Inchgower 1980 Sherry, 24 YO, Signatory, 55.6%, cask 14145. Price:
Colour: Old gold
Nose: Floral, toffee, milk chocolate, orange skin, vegetamine and some grassy flavours. Soft and smooth nose.
Taste: Very smooth and sweet, on oranges, some smoke and saltiness. With a clean and pleasant mouthfeel, slightly winey and with some round peat and chocolate. The finish is medium, round, malty, slightly winey, on oranges, leather, beewax and some rubbery notes.
General Impression: A quite heavily sherried Inchgower, quite clean, with a pleasant roundness and sweetness, nicely priced.
Rating: 16/20
Inchgower 1974 Exclusive Malts, 34 YO, David Stirk, 49.7%, B: 2008, cask 7881, 187 bottles. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber.
Nose: Sweet, rich, slightly smoky, on juicy oak, melon, tangerine and some mango.
Taste: Salty, smoky, juicy, maritime, on tangerine, pineapple and some orange. A pleasant mixture of quite different flavours. The finish is long, rich, quite thick, slightly mineral, on mango, tangerine and some papaya.
General Impression: An excellent Inchgower, sweet, fruity, with a light mineral smokiness. Dangerousy drinkable.
Rating: 17/20 FP:H4
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Inchgower 1974, 35 YO, The Whisky Agency, 57.3%, B: 2009. 195 bottles. Price: Colour: Gold-old gold. Nose: Maritime, quite floral, on pollen, spices, with a light smokiness and some pineapples. Quite clean and fresh. Taste: Spicy to very spicy, salty, maritime, on vanilla, with some melon and tangerine, as well as with a light mineral smokiness. Nicely smooth and mouth coating. The finish is long, smooth, oaky, slightly salty and maritime, on elder berries. General Impression: An excellent fresh and vibrant Inchgower, hiding its age very well. Rating: 16/20 |
Black Bull 30 YO, OB, 50%, Duncan Taylor, B: 2009. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Strong cereal notes, slightly floral, round, very smooth, slightly spirity, with some smokiness, and on ripe apricots. Like an old well matured grain whisky.
Taste: Spirity, spicy, nutty, on pepper, cooked cereal mash, apricots, with some peach and spices and round fruity notes. The finish is medium to long, clean, smooth, well rounded, with some tannin, on walnut and spices infusion, cereals.
General Impression: A very nicely balanced, smooth and well rounded blended whisky. Of note, this whisky was blended at birth and not after 30 years.
Rating: 13/20 FP: F2
Garnheath 1969 OMC for LMDW, 40 YO, Douglas Laing, 51.6%, B :2009, 154 bottles. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Rich, clean, intense, on cooked cereals, apricots and some peach.
Taste: Dry, hot, woody, with some saw dust, on pineapples, apricots and cereals. The finish is medium, marked by the wood, on cereals, apricots and some smoke.
General Impression: A very nice nose, but the wood is rather present on the palate. Garneath bottlings are very rare and the price fair. The first grain whisky from the Old Malt Cask?
Rating: 12/20 FP:A1
Laphroaig 1990 29.76 A fish smoker in Provence, 18 YO, SMWS, 51.3%, 306 bottles. Price:
Colour: Old Gold.
Nose: Smoky, peaty, dry, tarry, with some ashes and crème caramel.
Taste: Dry, maritime, with some pineapples, grilled fish, iodine, and strong seaweeds flavours. The finish is long, peaty, maritime, with some vanilla.
General Impression: An expression very close to the 29.75, but with more vanilla and seaweeds.
Rating: 17/20 FP:A7
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Laphroaig 1989 Old Malt Cask for LMDW, 20 YO, Douglas Laing, 57.1%, B: 2009, 219 bottles. Price: Colour: Amber. Nose: Sweet, very maritime, tarry, mineral, slightly humic, on seaweeds, tangerine and some orange. Taste: Salty to very salty, smooth, with some sweet fruity notes (tangerine), quite tarry and ashy, with the mineral flavours developing over time. The finish is long, ashy, tarry, smoky, peaty, with some smoke fish and ham. Diluted, it becomes more on tobacco smoke and coffee. General Impression: A very nice Laphroaig, quite mineral and ashy, with the sherry giving a nice smoothness and sweetness. Rating: 18/20 |
Laphroaig 1990 29.75 Light shining from a croft window, 19 YO, SMWS, 51.5%, B: 2009, 295 bottles. Price:
Colour: Gold.
Nose: Smoky to very smoky, maritime, peaty, fishy, on seaweeds and smoked ham.
Taste: Very maritime, salty, rather sweet-citric, quite smooth, on pineapples, with some peat smoke, seaweeds and liquorice root. The finish is long, smoky, maritime, peaty and quite round.
General Impression: A classical and well made Laphroaig, rather smoky and on vanilla.
Rating: 17/20 FP:A7
Laphroaig 1986 Perfect Dram IV, 23 YO, The Whisky Agency, 60.9%, B:2009, 166 bottles. Price:
Colour: Gold.
Nose: Dry, peaty, smoky, maritime, quite mineral and on seaweeds.
Taste: Dry, salty, mineral, quite citric, tarry, on seaweeds, vanilla and pineapple. The finish is long, peaty, smoky, slightly citric, on liquorice root, vanilla and some smoked fish.
General Impression: Austere, with quite some vanilla, this Laphroaig is clean, delivers very enjoyable sensations. A shapeshifter.
Rating: 18/20 FP:C7
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Laphroaig 1964, Berry Bros & Rudd, 43%, B: 1981. Price: Colour: Amber. Nose: Woaw, a great nose, with the sherry perfectly in balance with the peat smoke. Very mineral, on flint stones, seaweeds and sea air. Diluted, it becomes slightly sweeter and with some fruits. Taste: Sweet, maritime, smoky, tarry, bitter, austere and complex, on cold ashes, dry bonfire and peat fire smoke. It gives the impression of swallowing the smoke of a peat fire in a croft house on Islay. The finish is long to very long, very smoky, tarry and on cold ashes. General Impression: A very smoky, ashy and mineral “old style” Laphproaig. Rather extreme, but I enjoyed it very much. Thank you Régis for the offer. Rating: 19/20 |
Glenlivet 1972 The Perfect Dram, 37 YO, The Whisky Agency, 56.8%, B: 2009, 141 bottles. Price:
Colour: Gold.
Nose: Floral, slightly smoky, fruity (jelly fruits), and slightly farmy.
Taste: Fruity to very fruity (ripe fruits), spicy, on pineapple and fresh vanilla, with some grassy notes. The finish is medium, slightly thin, on vanilla and some hint of wood.
General Impression: A nice Glenlivet, getting slightly thin on the edges.
Rating: 15/20 FP:C3
Speyside 1976 Perfect Dram (Glenfarclas ?), 33 YO, The Whisky Agency, 53.4%, B: 2009, 125 bottles. Price:
Colour: Gold-old gold.
Nose: Rich, fruity, floral, quite fresh, with some smoke and a lot of vanilla.
Taste: Rich, smooth, sweet, with some grassy notes, a hint of eucalyptus, some oakiness and on vanilla. The finish is medium, smooth, slightly smoky and on vanilla.
General Impression: A nice old and smooth Speysider.
Rating: 15/20 FP:C3
Glendullan 1978 OMC, 20 YO, Douglas Laing, 50%, B: 1999, 299 bottles. Price:
Colour: Gold.
Nose: Light, fresh, floral, with a light smokiness and oaky sweetness.
Taste: Light, malty, smoky and peppery. The finish is medium, smoky, peppery, with some toffee.
General Impression: A good Glendullan, quite peppery. The products of the new Glendullan distillery are quite different from the old one (which I preferred).
Rating: 13/20 FP:C2
Glendullan 1981 Flowers, 28 YO, The Whisky Agency, 49.6%, B: 2009, 257 bottles. Price:
Colour: Gold.
Nose: Smooth, quite sweet and smoky, with some oakiness, slightly fruity and quite heavy.
Taste: Malty, smooth, with a light oaky juiciness, sweet, with some melon and quince. The finish is medium, oaky, sweet, peppery and slightly smoky.
General Impression: A version of Glendullan with some suprising black pepper notes in the finish. Old versions are quite rare. This one is fairly priced.
Rating: 13/20 FP:A2
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Glendullan 12 YO Fauna & Flora, OB, 43%, B: 2008. Price: Colour: Straw-gold. Nose: Light, smoky and malty. Taste: Malty, with a light sweet oakyness and some smoke. The finish is medium, smoky, malty, with a light sweet oakyness. General Impression: A malty and rather smoky Speysider. Rating: 11/20 |
Craigellachie 1991, 16 YO, Dewar Rattray, 60.7%, B: 2007, cask 6924. Price:
Colour: Straw.
Nose: Malty, fresh, very fruity and sweet, with some melon and tangerine.
Taste: Clean, light to very light, very floral, fruity, on melon and pineapple, with some honey. Diluted, it becomes more lemony and bitter. The finish is short to medium, clean, malty, floral to very floral, with a light fruity oakiness.
General Impression: A nice smooth and floral Craigellachie.
Rating: 13/20 FP:A1
Craigellachie 1999 44.34 A meal in a glass, 8 YO, SMWS, 61.1%, B: 2008, 613 bottles. Price.
Colour: Gold.
Nose: Rich, quite smoky, floral, on honey and with a lot of vanilla.
Taste: Spicy, floral to very floral, malty, with a lot of vanilla, some fudge and freshly cut grass. The finish is short to medium, malty, on honey, vanilla and some fruits.
General Impression: A very nice Speysider, rich and very drinkable.
Ratng: 13/20 FP:B3
Craigellachie 1984 Flowers, 25 YO, The Whisky Agency/ Daily Dram, 53.7%, B: 2009, 256 bottles. Price:
Colour: Straw-gold.
Nose; Sweet, malty, slightly smoky and floral, with a rich honey flavour and some delicate fruitiness.
Taste: Light, clean, fragrant, with a light sweet oakiness, floral, vanilla and some almond pastry. The finish is medium, sweet, oaky, light and fragrant.
General Impression: An old Craigellachie, light and floral, with a nice sweet oakiness. The subtle flavours of Craigellachie have been preserved during its long maturation. Thank you Carsten.
Rating: 15/20 FP: A2
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Oban 18 YO, OB, 43%, B:2008. 7700 bottles. Price: Colour: Straw-gold. Nose: Smooth, quite sweet and juicy, with some peat smoke and a rather strong sea breeze, as well as on freshly crushed barley. Fresh and much younger than its age would suggest. Taste: Salty to very salty, quite smoky, juicy, with a very slight touch of tar, some melon and plenty of freshly crushed barley. Smooth and sweet. The finish is medium sweet, malty, slightly smoky, with a touch of toffee. General Impression: A very nice and drinkable whisky, sweet, fresh and with plenty of freshly crushed barley. It seems much younger than 18 YO. Rating: 15/20 |
Oban 20 YO, OB, 57.9%, D: 1984, B: 2005. 1260 bottles. Price:
Colour: Straw.
Nose: Smooth, quite maritime and round, slightly smoky, with some dry fish, melon and watermelon.
Taste: Spicy, salty to very salty, maritime, slightly floral, with some peat and diesel smoke, a touch of bitterness. Diluted, it becomes slightly citric and somewhat wilder. The finish is medium to long, spicy, salty, maritime, with some peat smoke.
General Impression: A very intense and complex version of Oban, powerful and much pleasant. A sharp contrast with the 18 YO.
Rating: 17/20 PA: B4
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Oban Manager's choice 2000, 9 YO, OB, 58.7%, B: 2009, cask 1186, 534 bottles. Price: Colour: Gold-old gold. Nose: Smooth, slightly farmy and fruity, maritime, on peat smoke, some tangerine, quince and freshly crushed barley. Taste: Round, smoky, salty to very salty, on juicy oak, some toffee, tar and diesel smoke, as well with some bitter, Diluted, it becomes saltier and more malty. The finish is medium to long, maritime, bitter, savoury, salty, on peat smoked fish, with some light fruity notes (tangerine and pink grapefruit). General Impression: With the Cardhu, probably the best of the first batch of Manager's choice. Young, but intense and complex. Rating: 17/20 |
General Impression on the manager's choice: Well, they are VERY expensive. So far, no single casks have been so expensive for this age. I am fortunate to live in Switzerland, so I could attend to master classes organized by Diageo Switzerland and taste them for 60 CHF (app. 40 euros/£). Hopefully, master classes for the batch 2 will be organized too.
So, exceptional whiskies? According to my personal preferences, not, but you might have a different opinion. In any case, the casks selected are different, from refill casks allowing the whisky to express itself, without being too influence by the wood.
Oban 1990 Distillers Edition, OB, 43%, Price:
Colour: Old gold
Nose: Smooth, very floral (violet and geranium), clean, simple, with some apricots flavours.
Taste: Quite dry, spicy to very spicy, some nutty and tangerine flavours, slightly bitter and a hint of diesel. The finish was short, malty, clean, quite round and on dry bitter toffee.
General Impression: The Montillo Fino finish gives a pleasant sherry influence on the Oban, but makes it quite dry. The finish changes the flavour profile of the Oban and reduces its subtility.
Rating: 12/20
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Cardhu 1973 Rare Malts, 27 YO, OB, 60.02%, B: 2000. Price: Colour: Straw-old Gold Nose: Very floral, quite some vanilla. Fresh, malty, with a touch of peat. Diluted, the nose gets very round, more malty, with a touch of toffee and black tea. Taste: Very juicy, intense, rich, with light floral notes (rich and diverse light flower mix). The peat is nicely round and the body reveals also strong malty aromas mixed with tangerines. Diluted, the tangerine flavours are enhanced, and gets more juicy. The finish is bitter and dry, long and quite peaty, with some dry meat (bacon) flavours. Diluted, the finish is more on toffee, malt and liquorice. General Impression: A big and firm Cardhu, quite different from the regular 12YO, with a lot of character and quite peaty. Rating: 14/20 |
Cardhu Manager's choice 1997, OB, 57.3%, B: 2009, cask 3363, 252 bottles.Price:
Colour: Gold.
Nose: Very fruity, with a lot of fresh pears, some milk chocolate, cream, cinnamon and a touch of smoke.
Taste: Light, very fresh, lightly fruit, with a nice sweetness and freshly pressed pears. The finish is medium, fresh, on freshly pressed pears and vanilla.
General Impression: A very fresh whisky on pear juice. Very enjoyable.
Rating: 16/20 
PA: C1
Teaninch Manager's choice 1996, OB, 55.3%, B: 2009, cask 9802, 246 bottles. Price:
Colour: Old gold.
Nose: Spicy, oaky, mustardy, nicely round, with some fresh fruitiness and some herbal flavours and cardamom.
Taste: Spicy, round, smooth, with some mustard, on vanilla custard, a few drops of tangerine and coconut. Well balanced. The finish is medium, round, creamy, fruity, lemony, with some mustard and chocolate. Diluted, it becomes fresher and fruitier.
General Impression: A very pleasant whisky, harmonious, with an intense and mild spiciness.
Rating: 16/20 FP: D2
Mortlach 1978 Rare Malts, 20 YO, OB, B:1998, 62.20%, Price:
Colour: Gold-old gold
Nose: Nice and delicate sherried nose, malty (soft bread), grassy (dry grass) and slightly citric. Diluted, the nose is more on tangerine and toffee.
Taste: Very round and smooth, sweet (sugary), with lots of oranges and tangerine, and strong malty presence with a touch of peat. Diluted, it gets very silky. The finish is long, smooth and smoky (dry tobacco) and some wet peat.
General Impression: A nice Mortlach with a subtle sherry influence.
Rating: 14/20
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Mortlach Manager's choice 1997, OB, 57.1%, cask 6802 American oak, 240 bottles. Price: Colour: Straw. Nose: Oaky, very smooth, on caramel, camomile, heather and some drops of pear. Taste: Oaky, quite spicy and intense, with some fruity and grassy notes, on caramel and some lemon. The finish is medium, malty, fruity, grassy, quite sweet, on vanilla with some floral notes in the retro-olfaction. General Impression: The nose is somewhat close, but then it delivers very pleasant flavours on the palate. Rating: 15/20 |
Linkwood Manager's choice 1996, OB, 58.2%, B: 2009, cask 10552 Bodega Sherry European Oak, 480 bottles. Price:
Colour: Old gold.
Nose: Rubbery, light, very floral, with some sulphur, heather, pollen and camomile.
Taste: Fresh, very floral, slightly citric, malty, on vanilla, with some honey and tangerine. The finish is medium, smooth, on honey and vanilla, with some rubbery notes at the end.
General Impression: A smooth Linkwood, quite pleasant, but with some rubbery-gummy notes.
Rating: 14/20 FP:E1
Glen Elgin Manager's choice 1998, OB, 61.1%, B: 2009, cask 3678, 534 bottles. Price:
Colour: Gold.
Nose: Smooth, slightly rubbery, on apples, with a slight spiciness (cardamon) and honey. Diluted, it becomes very floral.
Taste: Slightly spicy, floral, quite light, on pear, with some honey and caramel. The finish is short, light, sweet, floral and on caramel.
General Impression: A light, floral and quite young Elgin, rather unremarkable (at the exception of the price). I have tasted much better official Glen Elgin. Difficult to find the sherry influence. From a 3rd or 4th refill sherry cask?
Rating: 11/20 FP: B1
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Hakushu 1989 for The Whisky Exchange 10th Anniversary, OB, 62%, B: 2009, cask 90 50021. Price: Colour: Dark amber. Nose: Sweet, on ketchup, precious wood, plums, soybean sauce, tangerine, vegetamine and some orange. Taste: Rich, spicy, clean, quite polished, slightly rubbery, on sandalwood, plums and some vegetamine. The finish is long, floral, slightly dry and rubbery, spicy, smooth, polished and on sandalwood. General Impression: A very nice selection from the TWE, from an excellent cask resulting in a harmonious whisky. Rating: 16/20 |
Hakushu 1990 120.4, 19 YO, SMWS, 59.3%, B: 2009. 104 bottles. Price:
Colour: Dark amber.
Nose: Thick, rich, meaty, on vegetamine (yeast extract), rubber, orange, tangerine and sandalwood.
Taste: Thick, quite dry, on vegetamine, rubber, treacle, and some sulphur. The finish is medium, dry, clean, meaty and polished.
General Impression: A nice whisky, quite rubbery and reminding me of some sherried Benrinnes.
Rating: 13/20 FP:I1
Hakushu 1988, OB, 56%, B: 2005. Price:
Colour: Old gold.
Nose: Fresh. Quite thick, velvety, on precious wood, honey, fur tree wax and a hint of plums. Diluted, it becomes lighter, fresher and more floral.
Taste: Dry, sweet-salty, quite spicy, with some light floral notes and sandalwood and on mild spices and kumquats. The finish is medium, clean, smooth, on sandalwood, spices and some saltiness.
General Impression: A very nice, clean, smooth and polished whisky, different from most Scotch whiskies, but very enjoyable.
Rating: 15/20 FP:D1
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