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“Because you can't buy happiness... but you can buy whisky and that's pretty much the same thing”

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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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