Showing posts with label Best Shot Whisky Review. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Best Shot Whisky Review. Show all posts

Macduff 2000 Archives Review


Country: Scotland 
Region: Speyside
Brand: Macduff 2000 (Whiskybase Archives)
Type: Single Malt Whisky
Age: 11 Years
ABV:  48.2 %
Date: 12/03/2013

Colour: Light Gold/Straw

Nose: Not the most exciting of Speyside Noses I have come across so far. There's Sherry, Sulphur, Dried Fruits, Oak, Sweet Malt, Honey, Brown Sugar, Wet Cardboard and Pineapple. Hints of Leather, Beef and Tobacco. This doesn't do a lot for me I'm afraid.

Palate: Better than I expected after Nosing but still a bit on the Thin Side despite the high ABV. The Sherry and Sulphur are still there together with some English Marmalade, Pepper, Malt, Oat-Meal, Lemon, Licorice and hints of Leather and Tobacco.

Finish: Middle-Long with Malt, Pepper, Mint and slightly bitter Wood.

I added a bit of Water but I don't perceive important changes, neither positive or negative. You can certainly play with a bit of Water here.

Rating:  79 (out of 100)
Nose: 19.5 - Taste: 20.5 - Finish: 19.5 - Overall: 19.5


General Remarks: The Macduff Distillery in Banff on the edge of the Speyside area was created by Glen Deveron Distillers Ltd in 1960 and was acquired by Bacardi in 1990. The Single Malt from this distillery is officially called Glen Deveron but sometimes independent Bottlers market whisky from this distillery under the name Macduff. The malt is used in the William Lawson's blend. The Macduff we are tasting here is the Fourth Release, distilled in November 2000 and bottled by Archives in May 2012. This specific dram matured in Refill Sherry Cask # 5803 of which 90 bottles were drawn. It is uncoloured, un-chillfiltered and bottled at Cask Strength. It costs around 70 US Dollars.

Drinking Experience Neat: Okay/Good

Conclusion: I must confess I didn't like the Macduff 2000 a lot. The Sulphur is pretty strong and otherwise not much is happening. Bulk Malt for simple Blends but not exciting enough as a Single Malt. Can't recommend this.

Jan van den Ende                                                                       March 2013

Guest Review # 1 - Cardhu 18 Years


Hello Everybody and Welcome to Best Shot Whisky Reviews!

Today it's a great pleasure to present to you the first Tasting Notes written by one of the regular visitors of the site. Via Facebook he transmitted his Tasting Notes of the Cardhu 18 years. So here we go:

Guest Review # 1 
Cardhu 18 Years
ABV: 40%
Region: Speyside
Written by: Akagi
Lives in: Cologne, Germany.

Colour: Amber

Nose: First impression is of massive Pineapple with clear hints of Oranges, Apples and Pears. Very Fruity and no Alcohol whatsoever!

Palate: Again Pineapple and lots of other Fruits, especially Yellow Fruits.
Only after some time you can smell and taste the Oak and feel the 18 years of maturation.

Finish: Medium-Long, Sweet and Fruity with a little bit of Oak right at the end.

Rating: 88 (out of 100)
Nose: 23 - Taste: 22 - Finish: 21 - Overall: 22

Conclusion: Can't believe the Pineapple is so clear! If this would have been bottled at 46%, it would have been a great whisky. Still, it's mighty good, very well-balanced, and accessibly priced at around 80 US Dollars.

Akagi                                                                                    March 10, 2013

Akagi's Current Selection

Thanks a lot Akagi. Sounds like a very tasty dram indeed! If you would like to write a Guest Review for Best Shot Whisky Reviews, just give it a try and let me know! 
I wish you all a very nice week and see you all back tomorrow for the Tasting Notes on the Macduff 2000 Archives Single Malt.

Saude!

Jan

Glengoyne 14 Years Heritage Gold Review



Country: Scotland 
Region: Highland
Brand: Glengoyne Heritage Gold
Type: Single Malt Whisky
Age: 14 Years
ABV:  40 %


Colour: Bright Gold 

Nose: Quite uneventful but not unpleasant with Nuts, Dried Fruits (Raisins and Apricots), Honey, Oak and Sawdust, Vanilla, Oloroso, Caramel, Buttered Toast, Pear and Sweet Barley. A hint of Apple Pie every once in a while!

Palate: The Medium-Sweet Flavour Profile of the Nose is confirmed with Dried Fruits, Oak, Cinnamon, Hazelnut, Honey, Licorice, Caramel and a sprinkle of Pepper and Nutmeg. 

Finish: Middle-Long with Oak, Cinnamon, Toffee and Lemon/Lime.

I added a bit of Water and Floral tones as well as extra Fruit, Honey and Malt appear on the Nose. On the Palate, the Heritage Gold becomes a bit too thin and Licorice and Spice start to dominate the Fruity tones. I prefer to sip it neat but the Nose certainly accepts a bit of Water.

Rating: 80 

Nose: 20.5 - Taste: 20 - Finish: 19.5 - Overall: 20


General Remarks: The Glengoyne 14 Year Old Heritage Gold is a special 1 liter Travel Retail Edition, launched in 2008 to celebrate nearly 200 years of Glengoyne history and craftsmanship. It was matured in a mixture of Oak Casks by Lang Brothers of Dungoyne. This Batch was bottled by them on July 15, 2010. This expression is discontinued in the meantime. Today it's still available though outside the Duty Free system at around 55 US Dollars a bottle. Glengoyne (Gaelic for Valley of the Geese) dries all Malt with Hot Air. No Smoke and Peat to be found!

Drinking Experience Neat: Good


Conclusion: I've Seen That Face Before was a hit by Grace Jones in 1981. A song that took me by surprise at that time. Quite unique! The same surprise does not hit me with this Glengoyne expression. But I've Seen That Face Before though! A quite average Single Malt with a Lowland character despite its Highland nomination. An uncomplicated - and creamy entrance whisky for newbies although there is perhaps a bit too much Oak on the Palate and in the Finish. More accomplished whisky drinkers won't find the Glengoyne Heritage Gold overly exciting.

Jan van den Ende                                                               March 9, 2013