Aberlour 1989, AD Rattray Cask Collection. 51.1%

An old and very small sample bottle brought back from a half-remembered Speyside shop tasting 2 years ago. Why now? Just because.

Lovely nose, light citrus and pear drops. Honey, apple and burnt caramel custard (as I prefer to call creme brûlée) on the palate. Gone too quickly to really appreciate the finish, but it seemed to be building up to something nice.

Rather good, and interesting to try a non-sherried Aberlour.

Highland Park 12yo, 40%

Subtle peat and smoke and wood; lighter grassy notes too. Some sweetness comes in on the mouth. Warm, lingering finish.

Seems pretty complex on first taste. Hard to summarise. (It's been a long day.)

One to come back to, I think.

Adnams Single Malt Whisky, 43% (Whisky no 1)

Hmmm. It certainly doesn't taste a day over 3 years old. Yes there's some honey in there- but there's not much else in this harsh young spirit. Needs a few more years in the barrel. 

Sorry, but if we have to compare new East Anglian whiskies, the Norfolk one is nicer...