Friday 26 April 2013

Lagavulin 12 yo Special Release. 56.1%

Ballsy. Very ballsy. Smoke and peat by the bucketload, and very spirity. Yet something fruitier and complex sneaking in too. A long and smoky finish.

I think I could learn to like this.

Talisker Storm

Cereal and oil flavours cloying the palate. Sure, there's plenty of Talisker smoke and spice too, but still— the 10 year old is better balanced and, well, better.

Caol Ila 12 yo Special Release. 60ish% (?)

Oily exotic fruit with a big dollop of cereally new-make spirit. A lot of burn.

On a single dram basis, at least, this falls into the interesting-rather-than enjoyable category.

Cragganmore Distiller's Edition. 40%

Complex fruity tobacco flavours and gentleman's club oakiness. Part matured in a port cask, though it's pleasingly restrained.

Clynelish 14 yo, 46 %

Nose- grass and orchard fruit.
Mouth- more fruit, pepper, oily. Restrained smokiness.
Finish- warming, peppery.

A lot going on. Rather good.

Mannochmore 13 yo, Old Malt Cask (Douglas Laing). 50%

Cereal, sherbet-y sweetness.

Nice.