The whiskies themselves were stunning, but the possibility to chat with some of the most respected men in the industry was even more stunning!
Tonight's selection:
Glen Scotia 20 yo 1991/2011 MM 57.6% - matured in a bourbon cask and finished in Vosne-Romanée, 607 bottles produced.
Nose: intensive one on dark fruits and sweetness. No signs of Campbelltown though :)
Taste: sweet and powerful with hints of oysters.
Finish: long, spicy and tad salty.
Overall: a tasty dram without doubts, but quite difficult to catch Glen Scotia profile here.
Score = 22 21.5 21.5 22, 87/100!
Bruichladdich 30 yo 1973/2003 40.2% - 4200 bottles released, 65% American oak & 35% refill sherry hogshead.
Nose: delicate, plenty of tropical fruits, hints of melon, coconut and vanilla.
Taste: quite subtle, cream and lemons, touch of oak and salt.
Finish: medium-long with the same oak, salt and lemons.
Overall: refined and delicious, but after Glen Scotia with 57.6% ABV I'd wish it had more body. Perhaps we should have started with it.
Score = 23 22 22 22, 89/100!
Bruichladdich MCMLXXVII (32 yo) 1977/2010 47.4% - 844 bottles released, matured in American oak bourbon casks.
Nose: quite similar profile to 30 yo Bruichladdich, but more pronounced, tropical fruits and sea air, melons, honey and vanilla.
Taste: mint cream and lemon pie, melons and peaches.
Finish: long, sweet, touches of oak, salt, vanilla and oranges.
Overall: absolutely classy malt, may Jim's shadow never grow less!
Score = 23.5 23 23 23, 92/100!
Glenlivet 33 yo 1977/2010 Celtic Heartlands 47.7% - most likely matured in bourbon casks.
Nose: sweet, floral and fruity. Yellow fruits and honey.
Taste: sweet, powerful, notes of cereals and spices.
Finish: spicy, oaky.
Overall: generous Speyside as it is, dangerously sippable.
Score = 22 23 22 22, 89/100!
Springbank 24 yo 1993/2017 Edition Spirits 53.3% - 216 bottles released.
Nose: very typical one developing on salt, oysters, honey, pepper and smoke.
Taste: powerful, sweet start, but then becomes salty and mineral. Notes of apples and chalk.
Finish: long, fresh, peppery and salty.
Overall: very clean Springbank spirit.
Score = 22 23 22.5 22.5, 90/100!
Bowmore 22 yo the Moonlight 43% - dark blue ceramic bottle + seagulls on the label.
Nose: soft smoke, some rubber, smoked ham, lots of floral notes, ripe pears after a while. Layers, layers and layers.
Taste: mellow and soft.
Finish: long Bowmorish smoke with licorice tinge.
Overall: you should sit some time with it without rush, then it opens up.
Score = 22.5 22 22 22, 88/100!
Ardbeg 26 yo Hunter Laing The Kinship 49.7% - matured in bourbon cask, 209 bottles released.
Nose: smoke, malt and salt, hints of vanilla and seashells.
Taste: sweet and briny, touches of lemon, powerful but not hot, perfect drinking strength.
Finish: long, briny, a bit herbal, which is unusual.
Overall: taking into account its current price I'd consider buying a few Airigh Nam Beist instead, but this one is flawless and utterly enjoyable.
Score = 23 23 23 23, 92/100!
And some more photos:
And some more photos:
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| Oh merciful God, please forgive those asking about soap in Bowmore... |
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| I have a dream that one day Ardnahoe distillery will rise up... |
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| Celtic legend tells: touch a man with 55 years of whisky experience and secure another 55 years of drinking |
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