Whisky Tasting Session 2012-06: Blind surprises

Here we are again with another blind tasting organized by Jean Marie Putz from Whisky distilleries

The previous tasting was a really nice experience with two nice surprises inside: two very nice Macallans, so I was really looking forward to the next chapter.

The samples

As usual the samples arrive on six stunning presented flasks, that I cracked open as soon as I received them. Usually I try to sort them using some guidelines but this time I just closed my eyes and enjoyed them, in the same order Jean Marie provided.

Sample nº1: Balvenie 12 years old Doublewood

“Lovely sherried whisky with a nice amount of nuts and biscuits in its nose. I have really enjoyed this one.”

91

The Balvenie Doublewood Single Malt Scotch Whisky is a 12 year old single malt which gains its distinctive character from being matured in two woods.

During its period of maturation The Balvenie Doublewood is transferred from a traditional oak whisky cask to a first fill Spanish oak sherry cask.

Each stage lends different qualities to the resulting single malt - the traditional casks, having previously held bourbon, soften and add character, whilst the sherry wood brings depth and fullness of flavor.

This is the most basic bottle from Balvenie and still awesome!
TODO: Check if strength is 40% or 0%

This dram has a amber-like color.

Nose (91): more than average. nuts, honey, citrus, toffee, biscuits. Smells like a fino sherried matured whisky. Very nice nose.

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

Finish (90): longer than average. honey, nuts, wood.

So based on other whiskies I have already tasted I rate this Balvenie 12 year Doublewood with 91 points over 100.

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Sample nº2: Laphroaig 1998 Wilson & Morgan

“Superb whisky! Caol Ila? 46%? Around 10 years old? Very nice one whatever it is!”

90

This dram has a fino-like color.

Nose (90): more than average. peat, honey, citrus, earth, pepper.

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

Finish (90): average. peat, honey, citrus.

So based on other whiskies I have already tasted I rate this Laphroaig 1998 Wilson & Morgan with 90 points over 100.

Sample nº3: Clynelish 1995 L’espirit du Whisky

“It is a nice whisky with a huge sherry influence. It remind me of Glenmorangie”

86

This dram has a cooper-like color.

Nose (87): more than average. honey, nuts, wood, raisins, citrus, cocoa. Smells like a sherried finished highlander

Palate (85): powerful, oily. honey, raisins, cocoa, wood, nuts, citrus.

Finish (86): longer than average. honey, fruits, citrus.

So based on other whiskies I have already tasted I rate this Clynelish 1995 L'espirit du Whisky with 86 points over 100.

Sample nº4: Bowmore 1985 Single Malts of Scotland

“Finished and hyper peated, it can only be Octomore”

91

A rather delicious 1985 vintage Bowmore bottled from a single hogshead by Speciality Drinks for the Single Malts of Scotland range. Medium-bodied, with oak, fruit and some restrained floral notes, as opposed to the massive lavender sometimes exhibited by Bowmores of this era. A relatively gentle, mellow dram.

This dram has a fino-like color.

Nose (91): more than average. peat, citrus, earth, floral. Very peated. Octomore maybe?

Palate (91): powerful, oily. peat, floral, earth, floral, strawberries.. Very high strength on this whisky and overal peated and floral with red fruits.

Finish (90): longer than average. peat, rubber, citrus.

So based on other whiskies I have already tasted I rate this Bowmore 1985 / 26 Year Old / Single Malts of Scotland Islay Whisky with 91 points over 100.

Sample nº5: Strathmill 21 year Anam Na H-Alba

“Young floral whisky bottled at cask strength. Interesting but really not my kind of whisky, thanks”

86

This dram has a gold-like color.

Nose (88): more than average. honey, floral, citrus, fruits, vanilla.

Palate (84): powerful, oily. honey, floral, citrus, liquorice, spices, pepper.

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

So based on other whiskies I have already tasted I rate this Strathmill 21 year Anam Na H-Alba with 86 points over 100.

Sample nº6: Dalmore 2000 Malts of Scotland

“Overcooked. Seems like a fine and expensive whisky but I don't like this kind of sherried whiskies”

88

This dram has a mahogany-like color.

Nose (90): more than average. honey, toffee, figs, wood, citrus.

Palate (88): powerful, oily. honey, wood, nuts, raisins, cocoa. Sweet sherry taste on this whisky.

Finish (87): longer than average. honey, leather, nuts.

So based on other whiskies I have already tasted I rate this Dalmore 2000 Malts of Scotland with 88 points over 100.

Miguel says…

There are three fantastic whiskies in this tasting, one of them a great Bowmore that I thought it was an Octomore for its intense peat and strange color. Also there is a very nice Laphroaig and a very familiar Balvenie 12 years old Doublewood. I love Balvenie whiskies.

As the tasting before this one, a great experience, I just feel like the man who get lost on a desert island with Claudia Schiffer, had sex with her and has none to tell about :).
I think these tasting would be great for an online tasting session on twitter like the ones I have had with Steve Rush or Mackmyra.

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