I wasn't able to attend the meeting of UWCC (Ukrainian Whisky Connoisseurs Club), but set of samples was waiting for me in Whisky Corner.
The tasting took place a few weeks ago, I did almost no notes, so I'll try to recall my impressions and scores.
Littlemill 20 yo 1988/2008 Hart Brothers 46% - matured in American oak.
Nose: grass and varnish.
Taste: quite hot for lowlander, but at least it is there.
Finish: medium long.
Overall: not that bad, but certainly you expect more from 20 yo Littlemill.
Score = 21 21 20 21, 83/100!
Glen Keith 1993/2009 GM 46% - mix of refill sherry & bourbon casks.
Nose: warm milk and cream, touch of vanilla. Children would have adored it :)
Taste: mild and creamy with hints of grass and soft spices.
Finish: long, sweet and grassy.
Overall: not utterly complex, though very drinkable stuff.
Score = 21 21 21 21, 84/100!
Lochside 1991/2011 GM 43% - matured in refill bourbon barrels.
Nose: quite sweet, grass and hints of licorice.
Taste: light, sweet, apples and honey.
Finish: medium-long with touch of citrus fruits.
Overall: nice malt for hot summer days, but way too expensive if pleasure/price ratio to be considered.
Score = 20 21 21 21, 83/100!
Imperial 1994/2012 GM 43% - no further details on the label.
Nose: bad one.
Taste: bad, but slightly better, than nose.
Finish: poor.
Overall: I was able to make one sip only, there are better ways to spend 150 euros. Definitely not my style.
Score = 18 19 18 18, 73/100!
Pittyvaich 1993/2011 GM 43% - matured in refill sherry hogshead.
Nose: quite pleasant developing on grass and grapefruit.
Taste: sugar, grass, citrus and touch of sagebrush.
Finish: shortish, tad bitter.
Overall: not bad, I'd even say quite sippable, but... you know.
Score = 21 21 20 21, 83/100!
Convalmore 1984/2010 GM 43% - matured in refill sherry hogshead.
Nose: much more refined (age matters I guess), bitter herbs, grass, yellow fruits after a while.
Taste: bananas and pears covered with cream sauce.
Finish: quite long (hooray!) showing lemon, white pepper and hint of salt.
Overall: "that is a malt mark for a malt, malt mates"
Score = 22 21 22 22, 87/100!
Port Ellen 1982/ 2010 GM 43% - matured in refill sherry hogshead.
Nose: usual salt, olives and oysters + some sherry-driven sweetness. Elegant and refined.
Taste: surprisingly round and rich for 43%, salt, smoke, olives and pepper.
Finish: medium-long, smoke, salt, oysters and lemon.
Overall: utterly drinkable and enjoyable malt. 43% is enough in this very case.
Score = 22 23 23 23, 91/100!
P.S. Not all closed distilleries were created equal, some of them might have been closed because they weren't good enough...
No comments:
Post a Comment