DOUBLE CASK SINGLE MALT WHISKY

Nose: Very sweet. Initially, it is all crème caramel, caramelized fruit sugars, wood sugar, toffee and fudge before some apple and peach come through. In time, a charred note of bourbon with a pleasing dusty dryness. Has some power.

Taste: Sweet start and quite fat. Though the alcohol gives a little tongue-tingling buzz, the result is a good mid-palate weight. The dry distillery character is still there, but there is now depth to counter. Water slightly dismantles the different elements but adds some dried mint.

Finish: Deep and dark, with gentle spice and lingering peat smoke.

VICTORIANA WHISKY

Nose: Dark with an elegant nose and hints of oak driving the bouquet. Interesting creme brulee notes and toasty sugar lead to generous caramelised fruits and citrus peels, and finally, polished oak.

Taste: Sweet and concentrated start with some jammy blackcurrant fruitiness. A big mid-palate. Typical tightening towards the back palate. Becomes more austere with water, but otherwise full of flavour with the sweetness of sherry and the robustness of the charring effect.

Finish: Clean and initially sweet. Green bean with a cocoa characteristic like dark chocolate. Gentle smoke on the finish courtesy of the deeply charred oak.

10 YEAR OLD SINGLE MALT WHISKY

Nose: Golden barley, crunchy apples (can apples smell crunchy? I think they can) and soft vanilla.

Palate: The vanilla develops on the palate with lemon zest and hints of thick, sweet honey.

Finish: Quite a nutty finish.

Overall: Fairly simple and easy to drink.

15 YEAR OLD SINGLE MALT WHISKY

Nose : Richer colours. Broad and medium-weight with citrus peels, ginger snap biscuits. Sweet and with great depth. Apricot aromas develop then drift towards fruit salad. After a short time, the wood comes to the fore and water helps to release baked fruit.

Taste: A complicated palate where the initial nose would lead you to expect plump fruits, but what you get is a surprisingly dry element. Adding water will bring out the caramelised elements, balanced with the wood elements expected of a 15 year old.

Finish: Firm and slightly dry, with warming spice.

18 YEAR OLD SINGLE MALT WHISKY

Nose: An elegant nose with crisp saltiness, perfumed floral notes, sweet honey and salted caramel.

Taste: An incredibly smooth and rich palate, with fruity flavours and thick sweet toffee. Expect notes of apricots, pineapple and plump sultana, with a gentle warming spice throughout.

Finish: Long and dry with gentle warming spice.

25 YEAR OLD SINGLE MALT WHISKY

Nose: Nice gentle peat smoke upfront and then soft, fresh green fruits (apples and pears) when you give it a bigger sniff.

Taste: Light body and fresh fruits, kinda remind me of a crisp white wine at first and then waves of light peat smoke take over. Lots of delicate fruity flavours in there.

Finish: That white wine sweetness and fruitiness is quickly followed by peat smoke (more than I thought it would) and  a little peppercorn spiciness before fading back to the Parma Violet sweetness

Campbeltown Malts Festival Port Cask Finish 11 Yr

NOSE: Warming spiced stone fruit, almost like stewed white peach & cloves, with a fresher lemongrass and a slight mineral element.

TASTE: Molasses, caramel sweetness with more prune and fig notes with waxed wood and sandalwood spice

FINISH: Fills the mouth with a long fragrant finish

Glen Scotia ”The Mermaid” 12YRO Unpeated Palo Cortado Cask Finish

Appearance : Deep amber, polished mahogany in hue. Good beading and thick legs, indicating texture. 

Aroma : Rich, mellow and slightly drying. Maritime salt crystals, boat varnish, edible seaweed. Thick fruity tarte tatin, Dundee Seville marmalade and tablet toffee.

Taste : A creamy texture, lightly sweet centre palate glazed with French apple tart and a pinch of salt.

Finish : Long and warming with a savoury aftertaste and spicy finish.