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Stories from December, 2011

Caledonian 45 years old 1962 The Clan Denny Tasting note

By Miguel in Tasting , Caledonian

“Smells of something so old that it gets you by surprise about how good it tastes. Very nice single grain whisky.”

91
Caledonian 45 year 1962 The Clan Denny
A delicious 45 year old grain whisky from Douglas Laing, bottled at cask strength from a refill hogshead.

This dram has a gold-like color.

Nose (89): more than average. corn, pepper, wood, dissolvent, honey, vanilla, cinnamon. Smells of something old, closed and undisturbed for years.

Palate (93): smooth, powerful, oily. corn, honey, pepper, floral, citrus, apples, cherries, dark chocolate.

Finish (92): long. corn, honey, floral.

So based on other whiskies I have already tasted I rate this Caledonian 45 year 1962 The Clan Denny with 91 points over 100.

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The Glenrothes Alba Reserve Tasting note

By Miguel in Tasting , Glenrothes

“Honeyed but slightly dry. Very influenced by the cask.”

87
Glenrothes Alba Reserve
Glenrothes Alba Reserve is a new multi-vintage single malt from The Glenrothes, matured exclusively in American oak refill bourbon casks. Limited release.

This dram has a white wine-like color.

Nose (85): more than average. honey, spices, coconut, wood, malt, cocoa.

Palate (89): light, powerful. honey, pepper, peaches, floral, cinnamon.

Finish (87): longer than average. floral, pepper, honey.

So based on other whiskies I have already tasted I rate this Glenrothes Alba Reserve with 87 points over 100.

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North of Scotland 37 years old Clan Denny Tasting note

By Miguel in Tasting , North of Scotland

“A master piece. A whisky that makes George T Stagg bourbon to palish.”

94
North of Scotland 37 year 1972 The Clan Denny
This single grain whisky comes from the now close and lost North of Scotland distillery.

Producing only grain whisky, this distillery created this marvel of 37 years old. A frankly amazing age of whisky for the price.

If you ever see it again, buy it!

This dram has a amber-like color.

Nose (93): strong. corn, honey, wood, vanilla, spices, cinnamon, citrus. What a wonderful nose! As good as George T Stagg

Palate (96): powerful, oily. corn, honey, vanilla, citrus, pepper, cinnamon, cardamon, wood.

Finish (93): long. corn, wood, honey, cinnamon, spices.

So based on other whiskies I have already tasted I rate this North of Scotland 37 year 1972 The Clan Denny with 94 points over 100.

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Port Charlotte An Turas Mor Tasting note

By Miguel in Tasting , Bruichladdich

“Quite good peat monster. This peat of Bruichladdich is something awesome. Don't miss the chance of tasting the cask strength version.”

91
Port Charlotte An Turas Mor
2010's release of Port Charlotte is a departure from previous years in two significant ways: as a multi-vintage vatting and being bottled at 46% rather than the humungous cask strength of the earlier PC's. An Turas Mor ("The Great Journey", it says here) is intended as a coming-of-age PC, and, it is claimed, fulfils Jim McEwan's original vision for the brand.

This dram has a gold-like color.

Nose (91): more than average. sweet, peat, honey, floral, vanilla, pepper.

Palate (92): powerful, oily. peat, honey, citrus, floral, salt, vanilla, wood.

Finish (90): longer than average. peat, earth, floral, citrus, honey.

So based on other whiskies I have already tasted I rate this Port Charlotte An Turas Mor with 91 points over 100.

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Ardmore 1992 Single Malts of Scotland Tasting note

By Miguel in Tasting , Ardmore

“Overall very dry and floral. Not my kind of whisky.”

87
Ardmore 1992 Single Malts of Scotland
An Ardmore of the 1992 vintage bottled by Single Malts of Scotland.

This dram has a fino-like color.

Nose (88): more than average. citrus, spices, peaches, honey, malt, black pepper.

Palate (86): dry, powerful, oily. floral, spices, liquorice, citrus. A really dry taste, not bad but definitively dry beyond my like-point

Finish (87): longer than average. floral, spices, cinnamon.

So based on other whiskies I have already tasted I rate this Ardmore 1992 Single Malts of Scotland with 87 points over 100.

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Port Charlotte PC8 Ar Duthchas Tasting note

By Miguel in Tasting , Recommended , Bruichladdich

“Sweet peat-ambrosy. I have enjoyed this one even more than Octomore.”

92
Port Charlotte PC8 Ar Duthchas
The new Port Charlotte from Bruichladdich is here, arriving the same week that it was named Best Whisky at the 2009 Whisky Fringe in Edinburgh. Last year's PC7 was regarded as a return to form, it looks like this is another improvement.

This dram has a fino-like color.

Nose (92): more than average. sweet, peat, honey, vanilla, toffee, floral, milk chocolate. More soft and sweet than Ardbeg.

Palate (94): smooth, powerful, oily. peat, honey, citrus, salt, apples, a little cocoa.

Finish (91): longer than average. peat, salt, floral, citrus, honey.

So based on other whiskies I have already tasted I rate this Port Charlotte PC8 Ar Duthchas with 92 points over 100.

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Compass Box Flaming Heart 10th anniversary Tasting note

By Miguel in Tasting , Recommended , Compass Box

“Lovely whisky from Compass Box. This Flaming Heart is very nice but the 4th release is even better”

90
Compass Box Flaming Heart 10th anniversary
Bottled to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Compass Box whisky company, for whom the epithets 'tireless', 'innovative' and 'pioneering' might have been invented, this Flaming Heart is a vatting of Highland Malt from a village near Brora (nudge, nudge), with some smoky Island/Islay malts. The label and packaging, it goes without saying, are stunning. Bottled at a good natural drinking strength, this should be fabulous.

This dram has a gold-like color.

Nose (89): more than average. peat, citrus, honey, floral, vanilla, salt.

Palate (90): powerful, oily. peat, floral, honey, citrus, wood, salt, pepper, spices.

Finish (90): longer than average. peat, floral.

So based on other whiskies I have already tasted I rate this Compass Box Flaming Heart 10th anniversary with 90 points over 100.

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Bn1 Elements of Islay Tasting note

By Miguel in Tasting , Recommended , Bunnahabhain

“Lovely sweet with the biggest peat punch you can imagine in a Bunnahabhain whisky.”

91
Bn1 Elements of Islay
The first Bunnahabhain from Speciality Drinks for their Islay bottlings range.

Bottled at cask strength and simply delicious. You won't be disappointed by the sweet honey peaty experience that this Islay single malt delivers.

This dram has a white wine-like color.

Nose (92): strong. honey, malt, peat, citrus. Really sweet with just one touch of peat.

Palate (91): smooth, powerful, oily. some peat, honey, citrus, floral. Peatpunched!

Finish (89): longer than average. peat, floral, earthy.

So based on other whiskies I have already tasted I rate this Bn1 Elements of Islay with 91 points over 100.

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Ardbeg Alligator Untamed Release Tasting note

By Miguel in Tasting , Recommended , Ardbeg

“Perhaps the best Ardbeg I have had. Quite delicious complex nose.”

92
Ardbeg Alligator Untamed Release
It's aged in a similar style to the standard 10 year old, except for the fact that a portion of the whisky was aged in heavily charred barrels.

The barrels are charred to such an extent that they start to crack a little on the inside, and this resembles alligator skin, thus the name.

The committee release of Ardbeg Alligator was exceptional and incredibly popular.

This dram has a amber-like color.

Nose (93): more than average. sweet, peat, honey, citrus, vanilla, cinnamon, coffee. Hell more than intense than standard ten years old.

Palate (92): powerful, oily. peat, honey, citrus, vanilla, salt, wood, pepper, dark chocolate.

Finish (90): long. peat, spices, honey, citrus, burnt wood.

So based on other whiskies I have already tasted I rate this Ardbeg Alligator Untamed Release with 92 points over 100.

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Cameronbridge 1995 Single Grain Collection Tasting note

By Miguel in Tasting , Cameronbridge

“Very light nose and overall quite spicy with lots of pepper. Sweet with a dry touch.”

85
Cameronbridge 1995 Single Grain Collection
A single grain scotch whisky from Cameronbridge distilled in 1995 for Signatory Single Grain Collection.

This dram has a fino-like color.

Nose (82): average. honey, vanilla, wood, toffee, citrus. Not bad but really light

Palate (88): powerful, oily. honey, pepper, wood, citrus, spices.

Finish (85): longer than average. honey, floral, spices, pepper.

So based on other whiskies I have already tasted I rate this Cameronbridge 1995 Single Grain Collection with 85 points over 100.

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Old Pulteney 21 years old Tasting note

By Miguel in Tasting , Old Pulteney

“Lots of sherry inside this Old Pulteney whisky. Interesting nose but I don't think this is the best whisky of 2012.”

89
Old Pulteney 21 year
Bottled unchillfiltered, this is much more intense than you usually find with Pulteney. Lots of gingery, peppery spices on the palate. We always thought this was very good, but Jim Murray just declared it the best whisky in the world!

This dram has a gold-like color.

Nose (90): more than average. fruits, honey, peat, salt, peaches, sulphur. A bearable note of sulphur.

Palate (88): powerful, oily. honey, fruits, peat, cocoa, tobacco, vanilla, nuts. A heavy oloroso sherry theme.

Finish (88): longer than average. peat, cocoa, wood, nuts.

So based on other whiskies I have already tasted I rate this Old Pulteney 21 year with 89 points over 100.

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Master of Malt 40 years old Speyside Single Malt Whisky Tasting note

By Miguel in Tasting , Master of Malt

“I don't get much sherry on the nose but the rest of it is a real monster beautifully aged in a sherry cask. Increible value whisky bottled by Master of Malt.”

92
Master of Malt 40 year Speyside
Whiskies of this age are incredibly rare, particularly those that display such deft balance and poise, this bottling is from a well-known Speyside distillery

This dram has a cooper-like color.

Nose (92): strong. flowers, honey, pineapple, pears, vanilla. Really sweet music in this whisky. Gorgeous.

Palate (92): smooth, powerful, oily. candies, nuts, leather, wood, vanilla, tobacco, fruity, citrus.

Finish (91): long. honey, floral, nuts.

So based on other whiskies I have already tasted I rate this Master of Malt 40 year Speyside with 92 points over 100.

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New Feature: Awards

By Miguel in Featured

No, not my own awards, we don’t need yet another whisky awards. I have been doing some research and after hard working for the last four days I have coded a page where you can browse the most prestigious world whisky awards ( if I am missing one please write me ). Well, the result is in the Whisky Awards page or in the Recommended menu of the top bar.

You have won an award

You have a list of awards sorted by year and once you click you can see the results.
Unfortunately, by now, you can only see the bottles that I own. I plan to fix this problem/feature during Christmas. By the way, do you think Santa will have room in his sled for so many bottles?

I have never realized how many medals whisky awards give. In fact the most “serious” is Malt Maniacs Awards and they give around 100-130 medals to the whiskies in the competition. What do you think? Would be good to do this in another way?

Link: Awards


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Whisky before Christmas, my lastest orders

By Miguel in Orders

We are getting nearer to Christmas, you know, and winter is coming, so it is really better to get well supplied with only the best whisky.
This is the result of my two orders to Master of Malt and The Whisky Exchange.

whisky master of malt

In this batch I have bought several interesting bottles. I am really proud of Compass Box Last Vatted Malt, which sounds a delicious proposal, Rumbullion by Master of Malt and the set of samples from Feis Ile festivals also made by Master of Malt.

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Kh1 Elements of Islay Tasting note

By Miguel in Tasting , Kilchoman

“Like peat? Like smoke on whisky? Like bacon? Say no more, this Kilchoman is your whisky.”

90
Kh1
The first independent bottling of whisky from this, the youngest (as of 2011) distillery on the island of Islay. This is a crisp young whisky, with bags of clean smoke and age beyond its years.

This dram has a white wine-like color.

Nose (90): more than average. peat, smoke, bacon, earthy, citrus, honey. Really exciting. This is a masterclass about different kind of smoke profiles.

Palate (91): smooth, powerful, oily. peat, iodine, honey, citrus, grass. It is more maritime than the usual Kilchoman.

Finish (90): longer than average. peat, smoke, iodine.

So based on other whiskies I have already tasted I rate this Kh1 with 90 points over 100.

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Oude de Kuyper Genevre Tasting note

By Miguel in Tasting , De Kuyper

“Not like a Gin at all. It is floral and sweet with big malty notes.”

84
Oude De Kuyper
There are two types of Dutch gin: Oude or “old” relates to the old recipe. Jonge
(young or new recipe) Jenever is contains only up to 5% malt spirit and is
cleaner, drier and lighter.

Schiedam in South Holland, was famous for its jenever and this is where De
Kuyper is based.

Jenever has always played an important role in De Kuyper’s history especially as
it was the company’s sole product for many centuries.

De Kuyper Jenever is a blend of malt spirit, with juniper berries and other herbs.
No ageing has taken place other than a marriage period of several weeks in the
blending vats. De Kuyper Jenever combines the best characteristics of both Jonge
and Oude Jenever.

This dram has a white-like color.

Nose (83): average. floral, juniper, parfum.

Palate (86): oily. malt, juniper, wood, a little sweet.

Finish (82): average. floral, malt.

So based on other whiskies I have already tasted I rate this Oude De Kuyper with 84 points over 100.

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Bathtub Gin Tasting note

By Miguel in Tasting , Master of Malt

“I am not a big fan of this style of gins. But on its own style it is a wise choice.”

82
Bathtub Gin
An extraordinary gin, produced by the enigmatic Professor Cornelius Ampleforth. Made using the traditional method of Cold Compounding (or in layman’s terms – infusing). Very high quality copper pot-still spirit is infused with ingredients including Juniper, Orange Peel, Coriander, Cinnamon, Cloves and Cardamom.

This dram has a white-like color.

Nose (84): more than average. juniper, lemon, herbal. Like every gin out there but a clearer juniper and lemon aroma. I am not a big fan of this style of drinks.

Palate (81): light, dry. lemon, juniper, herbal.

Finish (80): average. juniper, citrus.

So based on other whiskies I have already tasted I rate this Bathtub Gin with 82 points over 100.

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Auchentoshan 12 years old Tasting note

By Miguel in Tasting , Recommended , Auchentoshan
88
Auchentoshan 12 year
A more recent release from the Auchentoshan distillery, replacing the previous staple 10 year old, this 12 year old bottling exhibits the new, slightly Imperial aesthetics Auchentoshan have rebranded themselves with.

This dram has a amber-like color.

Nose (90): more than average. sweet, fruity, peaches, spices, a little floral.

Palate (88): light, smooth, dry. sweet, peaches, wood, spices, floral.

Finish (85): average. honey, floral, spices.

So based on other whiskies I have already tasted I rate this Auchentoshan 12 year with 88 points over 100.

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Glen Garioch 1971 bottled for The Whisky Exchange Tasting note

By Miguel in Tasting , Glen Garioch

“Incrediblely old whisky with a great nose. Like nosing an old wood wardrobe full of flowers. Very good whisky.”

92
Glen Garioch 1971 for TWE
A beautiful 40 year old vintage Glen Garioch, bottled by the folks at Morrison Bowmore for The Whisky Exchange and released at The Whisky Show in 2011. 1971 Glen Garioch is known for being more peaty than usual, and this delicate, restrained old school dram has a lovely thread of smoke, plus tropical fruit and medicine cabinet aromas. Fabulous.

This dram has a gold-like color.

Nose (93): more than average. honey, peat, floral, wood, spices, vanilla.

Palate (91): powerful, oily. candies, wood, honey, floral, citrus, spices, black pepper.

Finish (91): longer than average. smoke, floral, pepper, pears.

So based on other whiskies I have already tasted I rate this Glen Garioch 1971 for TWE with 92 points over 100.

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Master of Malt 30 years old Speyside 4th Edition Tasting note

By Miguel in Tasting , Master of Malt

“Rather good whisky that really shows its age. Just a bit more sweet and it would have been a mindblowing dram.”

90
Master of Malt 30 year Speyside 4th edition
The 4th edition of Master of Malt stunning 30 year old single malt from a secret Speyside distillery. After a slightly lighter 3rd edition, this is a return to sherried form, boasting a rich, unctuous sherry flavour, and an intensely dark hue.

This dram has a mahogany-like color.

Nose (90): strong. nuts, dates, figs, leather, wood, citrus.

Palate (90): oily. honey, tobacco, leather, nuts, floral, citrus.

Finish (90): long. nuts, leather, citrus.

So based on other whiskies I have already tasted I rate this Master of Malt 30 year Speyside 4th edition with 90 points over 100.

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Rumbullion Tasting note

By Miguel in Tasting , Master of Malt , Rum

After several weeks wanting to taste it I finally have the chance.
Rumbullion is a rum liqueur made by Professor Cornelius Ampleforth and bottled and sold by the chaps at Master of Malt.

So taking as a base a good dark rum they have added orange peels, clove, vanilla and cinnamon to obtain this drink.

Excited? You are right. This drink is a cracker. So good in fact that I have done myself the experiment with two bottles of Laphroaig 10 years old Cask Strength. I will write about this crazy experiment of my later.

“Perhaps this is not the best rum I have had but it is quite an experience. Really tasty and delightful. I like it a lot.”

87
Rumbullion
A sure-fire hit from Professor Cornelius Ampleforth, Rumbullion! is a cockle-warming spiced concoction, based on the kind of rich, full-bodied rums the seafaring fraternity would have enjoyed centuries ago.

At the core of this fabulous winter warmer lies a blend of the very finest high proof Caribbean rum, to which was added creamy Madagascan vanilla and a generous helping of zesty orange rind. A secret recipe was followed, and the Professor finished his hearty tipple with a handful of cinnamon and cloves and just a hint of cardamom.

This dram has a old oak-like color.

Nose (88): strong. sweet, vanilla, brown sugar, lemon, cinnamon.

Palate (86): smooth, powerful, oily. sweet, cardamon, vanilla, cloves, ginger, cinnamon, burnt sugar.

Finish (86): average. cloves, cinnamon, brown sugar, lemon.

So based on other whiskies I have already tasted I rate this Rumbullion with 87 points over 100.

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Brora 30 years old Tasting note

By Miguel in Tasting , Brora

“Great fruity flavor! And what about that peat... oh my God! Why did they close it?”

93
Brora 30 years 2005 Release
Part of a series of seven releases that Diageo does from the Brora distillery, this is the fourth release of Brora 30 year old and was launched in 2005.

There are some cereal notes, with oily spice and a nice breath of smoke.

Brora distillery was closed in 1983 and it is now lost. So these series of cask strength bottles are what it is left of the stocks of this once great distillery that was put out of business mainly by Clynelish, built in front of Brora.

This dram has a amber-like color.

Nose (92): powerful. fruits, banana, floral, spices, honey, peat.

Palate (94): light, oily, powerful. floral, fruits, banana, spices, wood, wax, peat, honey.

Finish (93): very long. floral, spices, a little wood.

So based on other whiskies I have already tasted I rate this Brora 30 years 2005 Release with 93 points over 100.

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Maker's Mark Tasting note

By Miguel in Tasting , Maker's Mark

“Tastes more like a rye whiskey than like a bourbon. Very floral.”

86
Maker's Mark Red seal
One of the rising stars in the premium bourbon market, with a growing following in the UK due to its distinctive looks and exceptional quality.

This dram has a cooper-like color.

Nose (85): strong. corn, wood, juniper, floral, honey.

Palate (86): light, powerful. corn, wood, floral, pepper.

Finish (87): long. floral, honey, vanilla, wood.

So based on other whiskies I have already tasted I rate this Maker's Mark Red seal with 86 points over 100.

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The Glenrothes Select Reserve Tasting note

By Miguel in Tasting , Glenrothes

“A heavy sherry influence on the whisky. Almost there.”

86
Glenrothes Select Reserve
A bottling with casks from different years, inspired by the famous non-vitange offerings from champagne. Keir found the following: "Werther’s originals. Soot. Rum and raisin. Some solventy notes contributing to good complexity. Soft. Creamy, lots of vanilla. Very pleasant!’ Natural colour.

This dram has a gold-like color.

Nose (86): strong. tobacco, peaches, nuts, sulphur, honey, citrus.

Palate (87): oily, powerful. fruits, wood, nuts, honey, citrus, heather.

Finish (85): longer than average. wood, floral.

So based on other whiskies I have already tasted I rate this Glenrothes Select Reserve with 86 points over 100.

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The Black Grouse Tasting note

By Miguel in Tasting , The Famous Grouse

“No peat on the nose and a bit light taste but such great finish...”

88
Black Grouse
Step into the dark side with this peaty yet delicately sweet whisky from the Famous Grouse. Named after the rare bird, the Black Grouse. The Black Grouse is a no-nonsense drink, with a strong and sweet opening thanks to the Islay malts and a gentle and aromatic finish.

This dram has a amber-like color.

Nose (89): strong. peaches, floral, citrus, honey, wood, spices.

Palate (85): light. peat, citrus, wood.

Finish (89): longer than average. peat, citrus, earth, floral.

So based on other whiskies I have already tasted I rate this Black Grouse with 88 points over 100.

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Malt Maniacs Awards 2011

By Miguel in News

This December, 1st, the Malt Maniacs group have published the report about their 9th annual Malt Maniacs Awards. This year they have choosen between 171 samples after last year hell of 262 samples.

Malt Maniacs logo

The Malt Maniacs Awards has three categories for their awards:

  • Daily Drams are bottles with a price of up to €50
  • Premium Whiskies are bottles with a price of up to €150
  • Ultra Premium Whiskies are bottles with a price of more than €150

Then on each category, they have six awards categories:

  • Non-plus-ultra award
  • Best Natural Cask award
  • Best Sherry Cask award
  • Best Cask Innovation award
  • Best Peated Malt award
  • Thumbs Up award, that is the best release of this year.

So let’s roll the drums!

Ultra Premium Category

Tachan! Here they are. Don’t worry about buying one as all of them are single casks released and most of them surely dearly departed already. Anyway, it is nice to know that exists stuff like this.

Non-plus-ultra Award

GlenDronach 39 years old 1972 Cask #712

Best Natural Cask Award

Glen Grant 59 years old bottled by Gordon & Macphail Cask #1134

Best Sherry Cask Award

Karuizawa 1981/2011 Sherry Cask #2634

Best Cask Innovation Award

Best Peated Malt Award

Port Ellen 28 years old Wilson & Morgan Cask #2033

Thumbs Up Award

Strathisla 1970/2011 G&M Licensed Bottling

Premium Category

Well there is the stuff you and me can buy on stores. Most of them are large batches so you maybe even lucky to grab one before everyone else start adding vinyls of MMA to them. Hurry up!

Non-plus-ultra Award


Best Natural Cask Award

Best Sherry Cask Award

Glendronach 17 years old 1994/2011 Original bottle for Taiwan Cask #107

Best Cask Innovation Award

Amrut Portonova

Best Peated Malt Award

Breath of Islay 12 years old Adelphi

Thumbs Up Award


Daily Drams Category

Here are the whiskies that are affordable and easy to find. I am happy to see that I have already tried many of them in my own.
Here you can get excellent ideas for that Christmas present you wanted to buy.

Non-plus-ultra Award


Best Natural Cask Award


Best Sherry Cask Award

Glenfarclas 2002/2011 Cask 1575

Best Cask Innovation Award

Best Peated Malt Award


Thumbs Up Award


The Medals

Aditionally there is a really extensive list with the gold, silver and bronze medals at http://www.maltmaniacs.org/2011-score-card.pdf Designed by Tim Sainburg from Brambling Design

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The Famous Grouse Tasting note

By Miguel in Tasting , The Famous Grouse

“Truly a great whisky for its price. It has a lot of a good sherried whisky: Macallan, but also has a lot cheap grain blended there too.”

85
Famous Grouse Blended Scotch Whisky
First produced in 1860 (when it was just 'The Grouse'), The Famous Grouse has been the No. 1 whisky in Scotland since 1980.

This dram has a gold-like color.

Nose (86): strong. peaches, wood, raisins, honey, citrus, malt. Great nose but alcohol spoils the fun. A pity.

Palate (84): light, oily, powerful. raisins, wood, spices, citrus, sulphur.

Finish (85): longer than average. wood, cocoa, raisins, honey.

So based on other whiskies I have already tasted I rate this Famous Grouse Blended Scotch Whisky with 85 points over 100.

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The Snow Grouse Tasting note

By Miguel in Tasting , The Famous Grouse

“Like a bourbon but with less flavour.”

85
Snow Grouse
Made from grain spirit and matured in oak casks before being gently chill filtered, the light and vanilla-sweet Snow Grouse whisky has a smooth taste. With a "sweet gloopy mouth-feel, it has a cool taste sensation when served seriously chilled"

This dram has a fino-like color.

Nose (85): strong. peaches, vanilla, honey, corn, floral.

Palate (85): light, powerful. honey, corn, wood, vanilla, spices.

Finish (85): average. corn, honey, vanilla.

So based on other whiskies I have already tasted I rate this Snow Grouse with 85 points over 100.

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Hakushu 12 years old Tasting note

By Miguel in Tasting , Hakushu

“Nice but a hell more subtle than Yamazaki. Although Hakushu single malt is supposed to be peated I get no peat on this one”

89
Hakushu 12 year
A perennial favourite and a must-try for anyone interested in discovering Japanese whisky. Hakushu is owned by Suntory, founders of the first Japanese distillery, Yamazaki. The original Hakushu distillery was built in 1973, with another distillery building called Hakushu Higashi (west) added in 1981.

This dram has a gold-like color.

Nose (89): more than average. honey, floral, citrus, peat, wax. Interesting but more subtle than Yamazaki.

Palate (89): powerful, oily. honey, floral, wood, spices, pepper, vanilla, smoke, citrus. Nice. Really complex taste.

Finish (89): longer than average. honey, citrus.

So based on other whiskies I have already tasted I rate this Hakushu 12 year with 89 points over 100.

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Nikka Miyagikyo 15 years old Tasting note

By Miguel in Tasting , Miyagikyo

“Rather interesting nose with a great taste of honey and peat. Lots of spices swimming in this whisky.”

90
Nikka Miyagikyo 15 year
A top-quality malt from the Miyagikyo distillery (also sometimes known as Sendai). A previous batch of this managed a hugely impressive 92 points from Jim Murray. This malt has a wonderful fruity character.

This dram has a cooper-like color.

Nose (90): strong. floral, apples, honey, wood, cinnamon, cocoa.

Palate (91): oily, powerful. floral, honey, peat, wood, spices, citrus.

Finish (90): long. peat, honey, floral.

So based on other whiskies I have already tasted I rate this Nikka Miyagikyo 15 year with 90 points over 100.

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Macallan 30 years old Fine Oak

By Miguel in Tasting , The Macallan

“Really delicate nose with an outstanding taste and a long a delicious finish. If only this whisky were done for humans being like you and me...”

91
Macallan 30 year Fine Oak
Thirty year old Macallan is a rare and rarefied whisky. The time spent maturing in carefully selected European and American oak casks which have previously held Sherry or Bourbon creates a rich, intense liquid, with a deep colour achieved wholly naturally through the interaction between spirit and wood.

This dram has a amber-like color.

Nose (91): strong. candies, floral, honey, wood, a little cocoa.

Palate (92): smooth, oily. peaches, dried fruits, wood, candies, smoke, floral, cocoa.

Finish (91): very long. dried fruits, raisins, wood, honey, floral.

So based on other whiskies I have already tasted I rate this Macallan 30 year Fine Oak with 91 points over 100.

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