Red Hare's Adventures in Whisky

SMWS G5.3 (Invergordon 18 yo 1993/2011)

2011-10-07T20:01:00.000+01:00

SMWS G5.3 (Invergordon 18 yo 1993/2011)

2011, SMWS
Single grain - North Highlands
Copper
65.6% ABV
Dram

Nose: Vanilla, raisins, marmalade, sesame seeds, oak, dried coconut, peaches, prunes, bananas. With water, lemons, cranberries, dried limes.
Mouthfeel: Light body, astringent, tingly, hot, loose.
Tasting: Sweet sour. Vanilla, raisins, marmalade, peaches, dried coconut, dried limes, cranberries, bananas. With water, more sour, peaches, brown paper, lemon juice.
Finish: Long. Marmalade, prunes, vanilla, bananas.

Comments:

Very sweet on the tongue, almost something I'd associate with bourbon or rum. Water brings out some tarter notes, this takes splashes of water as opposed to drips. Very complex, and eye-wateringly strong!

Verdict:

I like this.

SMWS 99.13 (Glenugie 31 yo 1980/2011)

2011-10-07T20:00:00.000+01:00

SMWS 99.13 (Glenugie 31 yo 1980/2011)

2011, SMWS
Single malt - East Highlands
Dark gold
48.3% ABV
Dram

Nose: Honey, molasses, quince jam, pineapple, tobacco leaf, orange peel. With water, sweeter, strawberries, peaches.
Mouthfeel: Light body, cool, tingly, loose.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Quince jam, orange peel, tobacco leaf, molasses, leather, charcoal. With water, peaches, salt.
Finish: Long. Orange peel, quince jam, pineapple, charcoal.

Comments:

I won't pass up old Glenugie easily (is there any other type?). Very fruity, lots of sweet savoury descriptors, but there are weird bitter notes in the taste and the finish. They don't detract from what is a pretty complex whisky though. Maybe this should have been bottled a little earlier?

Verdict:

I like this.

SMWS G8.1 (Cambus 1989/2011 21 yo)

2011-07-01T20:00:00.001+01:00

SMWS G8.1 (Cambus 1989/2011 21 yo)

2011, SMWS
Single grain - Lowlands
Straw
51.2% ABV
Dram

Nose: Pine, vanilla, strawberries, lychees, hints of cherries.
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, sticky, tingly, hot.
Tasting: Sweet sour. Pine, strawberries, raisins, melons, hay, hints of freshly mown grass.
Finish: Long. Bitter, black tea, pine, melons, strawberries.

Comments:

Starts promisingly, with a nice barrage of sweet fragrant fruit. First surprise - it's quite heavy! Pleasant on the tongue too, with vegetal grassy notes and pine coming to the fore. But the finish is bitter and tough, obscures the nice fruity flavours. Shame.

Verdict:

Not bad.

Millburn 16 yo 1966

2011-06-27T20:00:00.000+01:00

Millburn 16 yo 1966

Connoisseur's Choice, Gordon & Macphail
Single malt - Speyside
Amber
40% ABV
Sampler

Nose: Butter, raisins, smoked pork, orange peel, mint, camphor.
Mouthfeel: Light body, tingly, loose, watery.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Raisins, smoked pork, chocolate, butter, smoke, camphor, hints of cinnamon.
Finish: Long. Raisins, chocolate, butter, orange peel, mint.

Comments:

Oldie but goodie. Sweet and luxurious, with a smoky, spice, savoury bite. Something of an apothecary's cabinet. A small weakness in the mouthfeel - if this whisky was thick and sticky and rolled about the tongue it would be perfect. I was very lucky to acquire this sample.

Verdict:

I like this.

Littlemill 12 yo

2011-06-20T20:00:00.001+01:00

Littlemill 12 yo

Official bottling
Single malt - Lowlands
Dark gold
40% ABV
Sampler

Nose: Raisins, orange peel, vanilla, honey, yoghurt, new mown grass.
Mouthfeel: Light body, slippery, slightly oily.
Tasting: Sweet sour. Raisins, orange peel, chocolate chips, vanilla, honey, straw.
Finish: Medium. Vanilla, chocolate chips, orange peel, honey.

Comments:

Well, it's good to be back, after nearly 6 months off the whisky! While I have to go sparingly from now on, I can at least enjoy a dram occasionally. This little sample bottle is quite a tasty little treat from the dwindling Littlemill stock. Quite light, with sweet yet fresh flavours. There's a curious grassy twist on the nose that dries out a little on the tongue, reminding me of hay or straw. A nice one to come back to!

Verdict:I like this.

Clynelish 14 yo

2010-12-27T20:00:00.000Z

Clynelish 14 yo

Official bottling
Single malt - North Highlands
Amber red
46% ABV
Dram

Nose: Smoke, five spice powder, pineapples, apples, honey, hints of mint.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, syrupy, quite static .
Tasting: Sweet sour. Tangerines, pineapples, apples, honey, lemons, hints of mint.
Finish: Medium. Smoke, five spice powder, honey, mint.

Comments:

Smoky and fruity. With Clynelish, I find that the smokiness has a burnt toast quality, but in this whisky, the smokiness has mellowed to something very much like roast pork. I was reminded very much of char siu pork (hence the five spice powder). The tangerine notes on the tongue make this a very appropriate Christmas whisky.

Verdict:

I like this.

SMWS 127.1 (Bruichladdich "Port Charlotte" 8 yo 2001/2010)

2010-11-10T20:00:00.001Z

SMWS 127.1 (Bruichladdich "Port Charlotte" 8 yo 2001/2010)

2010, SMWS
Single malt - Islay
Golden
66.5% ABV
Dram

Nose: Tar, smoke, peat, burning rope, honey, brine, vanilla, cream.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, thickens, slippery, oily.
Tasting: Sweet salty. Chillies, smoke, peat, char siu, brine, honey, hints of pears.
Finish: Long. Smoke, peat, brine, pears.

Comments:

Peaty, meaty, rounded in the mouth. A very appetising dram, though not satisfying. Leaves one wanting more, and more, and more. Not very good for me at the moment, but I did manage to keep myself to one. It was a crime to leave some of the dram on the table though.

Verdict:

I like this a lot.

Royal Brackla 25 yo 1974/2000

2010-10-30T20:01:00.000+01:00

Royal Brackla 25 yo 1974/2000

Connoisseur's Choice, Gordon & Macphail
Single malt - Speyside
Golden
43% ABV
Dram

Nose: Peat, lemons, limes, guava, tamarind, hints of smoke.
Mouthfeel: Light body, turns watery, smooth, loosens.
Tasting: Salty sour. Peat, brown paper, limes, guava, tamarind, hints of smoke.
Finish: Short. Salty, peat, lemons, guava.

Comments:

Tart and refreshing, with the tang of the sea mixed in with refreshing tropical fruits. Something of a cross between whisky and a rum daiquiri. Would be excellent on ice.

Verdict:

I like this.

Lochside 17 yo 1981/1998

2010-10-30T20:00:00.000+01:00

Lochside 17 yo 1981/1998

Connoisseur's Choice, Gordon & Macphail
Single malt - East Highlands
Light amber
43% ABV
Dram

Nose: Honey, orange peel, molasses, vanilla, butter, milk. With water, more oranges, strawberries, plums begin to appear.
Mouthfeel: Light body, slippery, airy, smooth.
Tasting: Sweet. Orange peel, black tea, molasses, vanilla, pomeloes, milk, hints of chillies. With water, sweeter, fruitier, plums, strawberries.
Finish: Medium. Orange peel, pomeloes, black tea, molasses.

Comments:

Light and tasty, easy drinking with a cool citrus bite. Pomeloes are hard to come by in the UK, and it was a pleasant surprise to taste them in this whisky. It's the closed distilleries that make the tastiest stuff!

Verdict:

I like this a lot.

Pittyvaich 12 yo

2010-10-28T20:00:00.001+01:00

Pittyvaich 12 yo

Official bottling, Flora and Fauna
Single malt - Speyside
Amber
43% ABV
Dram

Nose: Oranges, honey, peat, mint, pear, hints of palm sugar.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, slippery, loosens, turns watery.
Tasting: Sweet sour. Oranges, honey, coconuts, mint, chocolate, palm sugar, hints of smoke.
Finish: Short. Bittersweet, chocolate, oranges.

Comments:

Sweet and luscious, with a great mouthfeel. I had this for dessert, and it was wonderful. I don't get to drink whisky often now, and this opportunity wasn't wasted at all! A great dessert whisky.

Verdict:

I like this a lot.

Noah's Mill 15 yo 1987/2002

2010-09-16T20:00:00.000+01:00

Noah's Mill 15 yo 1987/2002

Official bottling
Single bourbon - Kentucky
Amber
57.15% ABV
Sampler

Nose: Banana, magic marker, wet stones, cinnamon, palm sugar, brown paper, hints of soy sauce.
Mouthfeel: Light body, airy, thickens, turns sticky.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Banana, sandalwood, soy sauce, honey, orange peel, cinnamon, mint.
Finish: Long. Banana, honey, cinnamon, pears, mint.

Comments:

Bittersweet, more so than most bourbons, with a savoury note. Fragrant, fruity and slightly herby. From the supposedly defunct Willett distillery, and very very tasty indeed. I wish my health allowed me to drink more.

Verdict:

I like this a lot.

Glen Keith 14 yo 1993/2007

2010-08-23T20:00:00.000+01:00

Glen Keith 14 yo 1993/2007

Connoisseur's Choice, Gordon & Macphail
Single malt - Speyside
Pale gold
46% ABV
Sampler

Nose: Raisins, custard, honey, vanilla, orange peel, cream.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, thickens, sticky, mouth coating.
Tasting: Sweet. Vanilla, raisins, honey, sponge cake, cream, orange peel.
Finish: Medium. Walnuts, honey, vanilla, hints of apples.

Comments:

Wow, with around 3 weeks off from drinking whisky, it's a real pleasure to hold the glass in my hand and inhale the fumes again. I chose a nice easy Speyside, and it tasted very good initially. However, on reflection it's a bit too mild, and there aren't many interesting flavours in there. Very pleasurable none the less.

Verdict:

I like this.

All good things come to an end...

2010-08-03T20:00:00.000+01:00

... but not drinking whisky. Instead, this hobby will have to diminish, and not so much take a back seat as get relegated to the attic.

After 3 solid years of drinking plenty of good, great and incredible whisky, I've had to slow down quite a lot. Doctor's advice, apparently my poor liver wasn't quite up to it. Mrs Red Hare and Little Red Hare are quite keen for me to stay healthy, and they come first, of course.

So this means several things for this blog and my whisky drinking life:

Fewer tasting notes each month. Very many fewer.
More selective choices of whiskies. Eventually anyway - I have an existing sample collection to work through.
Dramming sessions with friends will become (no, stay!) rare. Truth be told, since Little Red Hare arrived, I've been able to dram my way through precisely one evening. But what an evening it was!
More than ever, I appreciate that whisky is a luxury, and life's too short to waste on bad or mediocre stuff. Henceforth if a dram or bottle doesn't meet the pleasure standard, it goes into the bin (or the kitchen shelf for cooking).

Hopefully, with these measures, I'll be able to extend enjoyment of this great hobby for a few more years. If you're reading this blog regularly (yes, all 3 of you), please be patient - I'll put up some tasting notes every month, if not quite as often as before.

Highland Park 16 yo

2010-07-31T20:00:00.002+01:00

Highland Park 16 yo

Official bottling
Single malt - Islands
Straw
40% ABV
Sampler

Nose: Smoke, custard, honey, peat, orange peel, chocolate, hints of guava.
Mouthfeel: Light body, static, warm, airy.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Smoke, peat, orange peel, guava, honey, melon, hints of chocolate.
Finish: Short. Lemon juice, peat, orange peel, honey.

Comments:

A wonderful whisky. This is only available at travel retail, and is very much like the great 18 yo official bottling. However, it is less heavy on the tongue, and also less salty. It hits all the right spots though, with lots of honey, tropical fruit, smoke and peat.

Verdict:

I like this a lot.

Hankey Bannister Blended Scotch

2010-06-27T20:00:00.001+01:00

Hankey Bannister Blended Scotch

Official bottling
Blended malt
Dark gold
43% ABV
Dram

Nose: Vanilla, lemon juice, peaches, peat, strawberries, brass polish, hints of mushrooms.
Mouthfeel: Light body, watery, loose.
Tasting: Sour. Lemon juice, orange juice, vanilla, peat, toffee, hints of mushrooms.
Finish: Medium. Lemon juice, vanilla, orange juice, peat.

Comments:

Interestingly tart, with dark whiffs of fungi. Some fruit is present in this whisky, but it's sour citrusy fruits. Quite an unusual blend, although quite tasty, and great with ice.

Verdict:

I like this.

Johnnie Walker Red Label

2010-06-25T20:00:00.000+01:00

Johnnie Walker Red Label

Official bottling
Blended malt
Orange
40% ABV
Dram

Nose: Vanilla, egg custard, raisins, diesel exhaust, toffee, new plastic, peanuts, hints of lemon juice.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, tingly, slippery, mouth coating.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Vanilla, egg custard, peat, leather, raisins, new plastic, hints of lemon juice.
Finish: Medium. Walnut skins, diesel exhaust, raisins.

Comments:

I suppose that the hint of smoke in the nose and the taste is done on purpose, with the idea of making a sweeter version of Black Label. Unfortunately it deteriorates somewhat into diesel exhaust and new plastic. Drinkable.

Verdict:

Not bad.

Nikka Yoichi Single Cask 1987/2009

2010-06-23T20:02:00.000+01:00

Nikka Yoichi Single Cask 1987/2009

Official bottling
Single malt - Hokkaido
Amber red
58% ABV
Dram

Nose: Cedar, tarragon, orange juice, red grapes, mushrooms, chillies, honey, peat.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, loose, watery, smooth.
Tasting: Sweet. Cedar, tarragon, orange peel, chillies, honey, red grapes, raisins, brown paper.
Finish: Long. Oranges, chillies, raisins.

Comments:

The barman at the Curio Parlour's Nikka Whisky Bar mentioned that this was the only bottle in Europe. I feel privileged! Unusual fungal and spice notes in the nose, quickly followed by familiar honey and red grapes. The cedar and tarragon last into the tasting, but then disappear. Excellent whisky, absolutely delicious.

Verdict:

I like this a lot.

Miyagikyo 15 yo

2010-06-23T20:01:00.001+01:00

Miyagikyo 15 yo

Official bottling
Single malt - East Honshu
Amber gold
45% ABV
Dram

Nose: Orange peel, honey, blueberries, peaches, vanilla, lemon juice, hints of roses.
Mouthfeel: Light body, loose, watery, smooth.
Tasting: Sweet sour. Vanilla, blueberries, lemon juice, peaches, roses, apples, hints of pears.
Finish: Medium. Roses, apples, vanilla, blueberries.

Comments:

Light and ethereal, remarkably rounded and tasty. Floral and spice notes predominate, but there's a lot of fruit in here. Easy drinking, scarily easy. This is one whisky where a bottle will disappear quickly among friends.

Verdict:

I like this a lot.

Yoichi 20 yo

2010-06-23T20:00:00.000+01:00

Yoichi 20 yo

Official bottling
Single malt - Hokkaido
Amber
52% ABV
Dram

Nose: Leather, red grapes, peat, orange peel, strawberries, toffee, raspberries, peanuts, honey, hints of smoke.
Mouthfeel: Light body, watery, slippery, loose.
Tasting: Sweet. Strawberries, red grapes, raspberries, peanuts, leather, vanilla, honey, brown paper, hints of peach.
Finish: Long. Chillies, leather, honey, strawberries.

Comments:

Like burgundy, smooth, round and light - on first nosing and tasting at least. After a while, the caramel, toffee and peanut notes begin to predominate, bringing to mind caramel peanuts at a fairground. Delicious

Verdict:

I like this a lot.

SMWS 77.19 (Glen Ord 22 yo 1987/2010)

2010-06-14T20:01:00.000+01:00

SMWS 77.19 (Glen Ord 22 yo 1987/2010)

2010, SMWS
Single malt - North Highlands
Butter
58% ABV
Dram

Nose: Apples, butter, cedar, chillies, milk, cream, pears, hints of vanilla.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, thickens, gritty, slightly fizzy.
Tasting: Sweet sour. Vanilla, lemon sweets, apples, cedar, butter, pears, cream, hints of peaches.
Finish: Long. Apples, butter, pears, cedar.

Comments:

Deliciously fruity and dry. Tastes like a cider, or perhaps perry, that hasn't been as fermented as English cider normally is. There are nice sweet creamy, milky, buttery notes as well, which round out the whisky and give it some body.

Verdict:

I like this.

SMWS 123.5 (Glengoyne 8 yo 2001/2010)

2010-06-14T20:00:00.000+01:00

SMWS 123.5 (Glengoyne 8 yo 2001/2010)

2010, SMWS
Single malt - South Highlands
Orange copper
60.8% ABV
Dram

Nose: Cinnamon, chocolate, plums, marmalade, peanuts, vanilla fudge, burnt sugar, hints of mint. With water, peanuts, fresh cut grass, walnuts.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, burning, hot, thickens.
Tasting: Sweet. Burnt sugar, marmalade, chocolate, cinnamon, plums, peanuts, vanilla, oak, raisins, hints of brown paper. With water, more bitter, walnuts, fresh cut grass, hints of red grapes.
Finish: Long. Fiery, plums, marmalade, cinnamon.

Comments:

Matured in a port pipe - usually these are nice and sweet, with lots of flavour. Christmassy, yet light. Reminds me of the Glengoyne 17 yo official bottling, lots of dried fruit and chocolate. This one is more spicy.

Verdict:

I like this.

Glenburgie-Glenlivet 11 yo

2010-06-11T20:00:00.000+01:00

Glenburgie-Glenlivet 11 yo

Authentic Collection, WM Cadenhead
Single malt - Speyside
Pale green gold
59.8% ABV
Sampler

Nose: Mint, raisins, milk chocolate, bananas, salt caramel, hints of brine.
Mouthfeel: Light body, thickens, smooth, slippery.
Tasting: Sweet salty. Mint, raisins, milk chocolate, white grapes, vanilla, salt caramel, hints of bananas.
Finish: Short. Chillies, milk chocolate, white grapes, hints of brine.

Comments:

I don't know the year of distillation or year of bottling for this one. It is fragrant and sweet, with lots of Edradour-like mint chocolate notes. Layered over that base are white grapes and some dried fruit, with a slightly salty bite. Tastes simple, somehow, and doesn't need any water at all, despite the strength.

Verdict:

I like this a lot.

Fettercairn 13 yo 1993/2007

2010-06-08T20:00:00.000+01:00

Fettercairn 13 yo 1993/2007

Authentic Collection, WM Cadenhead
Single malt - East Highlands
Straw
59% ABV
Sampler

Nose: Mint, raisins, prunes, leather, toffee, chocolate, hints of brown sugar. With water, sweeter, strawberries, lemon sweets.
Mouthfeel: Light body, smooth, tingly, warm.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Mint, raisins, prunes, leather, brown sugar, vanilla, strawberries, hints of leather. With water, sweeter, lemon sweets, orange peel.
Finish: Medium. Prunes, toffee, leather, walnuts.

Comments:

Light, yet complex. Sweet, strong and redolent of dried fruit neat, then opens up, turning more delicate and fruitier with a touch of water. Very tasty, needs just a little bit of water. Adding too much destroys the balance.

Verdict:

I like this a lot.

SMWS 76.70 (Mortlach 15 yo 1994/2010)

2010-06-04T20:01:00.000+01:00

SMWS 76.70 (Mortlach 15 yo 1994/2010)

2010, SMWS
Single malt - Speyside
Caramel brown
59% ABV
Dram

Nose: Coca cola, black pepper, raisins, strawberries, orange peel, balsamic vinegar. With water, orange juice and vanilla appear.
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, thickens, smooth, syrupy.
Tasting: Sweet. Strawberries, coca cola, orange peel, balsamic vinegar, honey, black pepper, hints of walnuts. With water, tarter, orange juice and vanilla appear.
Finish: Long. Vanilla, honey, coca cola, balsamic vinegar.

Comments:

In Italy, they eat strawberries dipped in balsamic vinegar with a sprinkle of black pepper over them - brings out the sweetness and fragrance of the fruit. I get the same feeling when drinking this whisky. Quite special.

Verdict:

I like this a lot.

SMWS 23.64 (Bruichladdich 7 yo 2002/2010)

2010-06-04T20:00:00.001+01:00

SMWS 23.64 (Bruichladdich 7 yo 2002/2010)

2010, SMWS
Single malt - Islay
Light gold
59% ABV
Dram

Nose: Cured ham, cream, brine, leather, butter, honey, hints of peat. With water, sweeter, vanilla, hints of golden syrup.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, thickens, smooth, slippery.
Tasting: Bitter salty. Cured ham, cream, leather, butter, honey, limes, hints of peat. With water, sweeter, vanilla, almonds.
Finish: Medium. Walnut skins, cream, limes, cured ham, peat.

Comments:

Quite milky, yet peaty and salty, with salty serrano ham. An interesting combination, but one that ultimately doesn't quite do it for me. I enjoyed this less than other Bruichladdichs, perhaps.

Verdict:

Not bad.