Bowmore 1982 Duncan Taylor Rare Auld 23 yo c. 85184

 

 

 

54,7°

Distillery : Bowmore - Islay

Bourbon Barrel 

Independent Bottling 

By Duncan Taylor Limited

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2006

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated around 25 ppm

 

 

 

Founded in 1938, Duncan Taylor Limited is a trading company so respected that they bring their own casks to the distilleries to fill and leave the whisky to age on site. In particular, they have a very special relationship with Bowmore and brought the best bottlings to market in the 1960s. Here we have a Bowmore distilled in 1982, aged in a single Bourbon cask, and produced in just 208 bottles. A rarity. The Rare Auld range seems to be dead. There were still some in 2021, but not yet this year. And there's no mention of it on the company's website.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Banana and white plum, mirabelle, periwinkles, hint of smoke. The exotic fruits increase in intensity, papaya, maracuja, mango, and become softer and sweeter, in the end resembling Haribo candies. At the same time, the smoke thickens, with gravel and coarse salt, without the fruit weakening: chasselas grapes, kumquat, Williams pear. Ointment, pomade, incense, Vicks vaporub. The palate is satiny at first, with rose loukoum, crushed almonds, lemon zest, then a firework of spices, paprika, cumin, nutmeg, ras el hanout. The finish is very long, explosive but with a slight restraint, black earth and liquorice, very rich exotic fruits, the banana becomes very ripe, black and dried.

 

In Short, 

It’s a little masterpiece, as you might expect. Bourbon barrel ageing is not my favorite, yet here we have a major accomplishment. Deeply fruity, and at the same time the smoke and the medicinal Islay character are present. Superb. On the other hand I did not smell any floral fragrances, it is possible that I missed something. The price is not so incredible, but you have to find this bottle, it is not easy. 

Score: 91

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Big Thief - Not

Springbank 1989 Port Wood 14 yo

 

 

 

52,8°

Distillery : Springbank - Campbeltown

Refill Sherry Barrels and Fresh Port Pipes Finish

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2004

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated around 12 ppm

 

 

 

Between 2002 and 2014, a dozen expressions were released under the name Springbank Wood Expressions. At the time, the distillery wanted to experiment with different maturations and/or finishes to see what would happen to the distillate. This one, distilled in 1989, was placed in Sherry casks for 12 years, before finishing in Port casks for 2 years. It has been sold in 7,200 copies, and is apparently the fourth wooden expression to date. Not to be confused with another Springbank Port Wood, also distilled in 1989 but bottled in 2003, which has an alcohol content of 54.2°.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Light, grainy smoke, then juicy damsons. The Port influence is not too strong, it's almost in the background, blackcurrant, gooseberry. Crushed banana, chocolate pear, dust. A flaky, gooey note, with fermented fruits, thick liqueur, lingonberry jam with chunks. On the palate, exotic fruits, maracuja, pomegranate, papaya. Spices, cumin, nutmeg, a hint of pepper. Very long, impressive finish. A little muddy. Heather, ferns. Herbaceous and earthy.

 

In Short, 

It’s one of the best Springbank I’ve tasted. Not as good as Local Barley but very close. What I liked is that Porto is not overpowered we still have a real Springbank, with a recognizable profile between thousand. In addition, I felt the influence of Sherry behind. It is a very nice blending, a work of goldsmith. Completely sold out, of course, and perhaps for the better, I can barely imagine the incredible amounts of money people would have spent for it. . 

Score : 90 

                                          To Be Listened While Sipping :

  

                                          Wolf Alice - Giant Peach

BenRiach 2012 Malting Season First Edition

 

 

 

48,7°

Distillery : The BenRiach - Speyside

1st Fill Bourbon and Virgin Oak Casks 

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2021

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

In 1999, the distillery closed its malting area, which had operated continuously for 101 years, even when no whisky was being produced. It was a regrettable decision, but one that Billy Walker overturned when he took over the distillery. He reopened it in 2012. The barley is now malted at Benriach twice a year, in May and December, known as the Malting Seasons. This bottling is the first to use only barley malted on site, so the whisky was distilled in 2012 and then poured into 23 virgin oak and first-fill bourbon casks. Bottled in June 2021, it is therefore around 8 years old, although this is not mentioned on the bottle. A total of 6672 bottles have been poured. The barley used is Concerto, one of the most renowned.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

The first impression is of virgin casks, dry wood, whitewashed earth, with a hint of vaporous smoke. Then the fruits rise and it's a pleasant, dynamic Bourbon, mirabelle plums on a layer of creamy vanilla, with a pinch of salt. But there are also cereals, barley and wheat on a sunny day, and roasted almonds. The whole is very pleasant. The palate follows in the same friendly footsteps, with honey, stracciatella ice cream, plums, juicy pears. It's mellow, fairly smooth and well-balanced. Some spices, cumin, nutmeg, cinnamon. Quite a long finish, peppery, sandy, cola, white grapes.

 

In Short, 

For me, it's a success. It's both smooth and deep, a beautiful expression that highlights the capabilities of this typical malting area. But I've seen the prices, and it's a joke? It's well made, but it's only eight years old, and it's reduced. Let's calm down.

Score : 86

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :  

                                           Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros - Up from Below

The GlenDronach Cask Strength Batch 10

 

 

 

58,6°

Distillery : The GlenDronach - Highlands 

Pedro Ximénez and Oloroso Sherry Casks

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2021

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

The tenth GlenDronach Cask Strength arrived after a long waiting time, more than a year after the Batch 9, but especially eight months after the bottling date. In the continuity of the two previous ones, and in opposition with the Batch 7 which had disappointed so much, it is made mostly from Pedro Ximénez casks, but also Oloroso. The number of bottles for sale is not given.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Slightly smoky wood, fairly dark charcoal, contrasting with exotic fruits, overripe bananas, papayas, a touch of iodine, dark chocolate, coffee beans. Blackberries, blueberries, muscat grapes. Cashew nuts. Very unctuous on the palate, with cherry liqueur, thick apricot juice, roasted almonds, then spices, paprika, cumin. Varnished wood, forest in wet weather, cut grass. Encaustic. Sufficiently long finish, earth, heather, spices, pepper, roots.

 

In Short, 

Actually, I preferred the Batch 7 which was more fruity. But this one is more original, darker, earthy. Pedro Ximénez casks use their influence, however I did not feel the sweetness, and hardly the fruits, just a deep and mesmerizing sherry. It’s very successful, and for once, the critics are glowing. And it’s deserved. The price is right, go buy a bottle, you will not regret it. 

Score : 89

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                          To Be Listened While Sipping :

  

                                          Julee Cruise - The World Spins

The GlenDronach Cask Strength Batch 7

 

 

 

57,9°

Distillery : The GlenDronach - Highlands 

Oloroso and Pedro Ximénez Sherry Casks

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2018

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

The first batch of GlenDronach Cask Strength was launched in 2012. Like most of this distillery's bottlings, it is dominated by sherry. At the time, the critics were pleased, and the praise never dried up. But when Batch 7 came out, everyone was bitterly disappointed. So what happened? The batches were said to have deteriorated over time, reaching a very mediocre level. Fortunately, I have the opportunity to judge for myself.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Very rich, heady nose of cereals and red fruits, blueberries, blackcurrants, raspberries, forest berries, a zest of orange, and perhaps a few well-hidden exotic fruits. Mangoes, passion fruits. The cereals seem toasted, oats, wheat petals. On the palate, honey, clementines, then spices, a bit strong, cumin, paprika, saffron. Precious wood, heather, forest undergrowth, it's slightly vegetal. Humus. Long finish, still spicy, coaly, with figs and dates.

 

In Short, 

Maybe the previous Batches were better, hence the disappointment. But I’m sorry, this one is not bad at all, it’s even very good. The price is decent according to current standards. It is not overwheliming or outstanding, but it is a very nice dram, representative of the distillery, deep and complex. What are they complaining about? 

Score : 89

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Khruangbin - People Everywhere

Bunnahabhain 1974 The Perfect Dram 34 yo

 

 

 

59,3°

Distillery : Bunnahabhain - Islay 

Oloroso Sherry Cask

Independent Bottling 

By The Whisky Agency 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2008

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Almost Unpeated

 

 

 

This little gem is one of three in a series of Bunnahabhains distilled in the 1970s and bottled in 2008 by The Whisky Agency. Each one is dominated by a different type of sherry, this one being Oloroso, which in my opinion has more body and is more characterised by leathery aromas. Exactly 300 bottles were produced, so it would appear to be a Single Cask, as confirmed by Ruben, author of the impeccable WhiskyNotes blog, although this is not stated on the bottle.

Lett's Taste It : 

Very deep, dark sherry, oily, sticky, on varnished wood, very old, raspberry juice macerated in earth, with lychees, lingonberry jam. Balsamic vinegar, currants, old leather kneaded in slush, dark chocolate, a hint of smoke, a curl of iodine, sticky fat, Old Plum, fermented gooseberries, blueberries.
The palate is both very sweet and slightly acidic, with wild strawberries, followed by mouth-watering spices, nutmeg, paprika, cider and biscuit with hazelnut and chocolate chips, coffee grounds. Sublimely well-balanced, with an extremely long finish of tinder, heather, ferns, almonds and red fruits.

 

In Short, 

This is what I call a killer. Very marked by red fruits, but also very dark, it seemed to me, with fat, cider, a lot of very original elements that I hadn't sensed elsewhere, because of its intensity and complexity. Today it's completely sold out, and you'd need a private detective to find a bottle, but at the time of its release it was certainly a bargain despite its high price.

Score : 92

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

                                           Cabaret Voltaire - Crackdown

Octomore Edition 06.1 Scottish Barley 5 yo

 

 

 

57°

Distillery : Bruichladdich - Islay

American Oak Casks

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2013

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Peated around 167 ppm

 

 

 

The first version of the sixth Octomore Batch was aged in quite simple American oak barrels. It was duplicated in 18000 copies and bottled in cask strength at 5 years old. The barley was produced in Scotland and malted with peat up to 167 ppm. I would have liked to have more details about these American oak barrels. It’s not Bruichladdich’s habit to keep the mystery alive, they usually prefer transparency, just like me.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

First thick smoke, then heavy, maritime peat. Seaweed, kelp, sea spray. A hint of iodine. With the addition of water, cereals, hay, a dash of vanilla, honey. Earth and quicklime. Nice breadth and a certain balance, but it lacks a little complexity. A little creamy at the end. Very light fruits, white plum. Smoke takes over again. On the palate, banana, rosewater, then spices, cumin, pepper, paprika. The finish is like a rollercoaster, smoky, very long, on pear and dried grape. Earthy again, raspy. Gravel.

 

In Short, 

Well, I'm not going to lie to you, it's a bit average for an Octomore. Monochrome on the nose, not very inspired on the palate, fortunately the finish saves the day, it's very strong and warm. This is still one of the weakest Octomores I've tasted, and while it's certainly very good, the value for money isn't there at all. I have a bit of a problem with Series .1 Octomores, I find them too flat in general, but that's personal of course.

Score : 88

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                          To Be Listened While Sipping :     

  

                                          The Offspring - Self Esteem

Octomore Farm 2010 Private Cask Bottling 10 yo

 

 

 

60,8°

Distillery : Bruichladdich - Islay 

Bourbon Barrel

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2020

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated around 82,3 ppm

 

 

 

At the end of 2014, the first Octomore made with barley grown at Octomore Farm is on sale, it is the 06.3, and it was distilled in 2009. Six years later, this limited bottling, one of the first Private Cask Bottlings which bears the name of Octomore (while the Bruichladdich and Port Charlotte Private Cask Bottlings number in the hundreds), is marketed with the mention of ten years of age, in Single Cask. The number of bottles is unknown. The barrel is numbered 1754. Distilled in 2010, it is one of the oldest single casks Octomore on the market.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

A dash of vanilla a little rural, some cereal fragrances, then the peat sticks to the ceiling. Acrid, earthy, raspy, it makes you dizzy. Like incense scrolls in an Orthodox church, it’s almost suffocating. Iodine, which accompanies the power of alcohol. With the addition of water, peat becomes even heavier, cereals more intense. After a while, it becomes creamy, pastry, biscuit filled with genoise, and mirabelle. But the smoke is still there. Lemon, which becomes candied in the mouth, with not too strong spices, cumin, nutmeg, paprika. Very nice balance, it is satiny. Rose water. Long finish, even interminable, that takes off, with an ounce of exotic fruits, on papaya, coconut. Then the spices emerge, sandalwood, and a big return of peat. Hazelnut.

 

In Short, 

To be honest I was a little disappointed by the nose. Monochrome, a bit simple, with a rather lemony profile that is not what I generally prefer. On the other hand, on the palate, it is excellent, and the finish is really superb. All in all, it is very good but I do not recommend buying because of this nose not up to it. Anyway, this bottling has been sold out for a long time now, we might as well save ourselves the trouble of searching for it for months on the second market. 

Score : 89

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping:

  

                                           Grant Lee Buffalo - Fuzzy