Singleton of Glendullan Liberty Review

“Body Without Soul”

Country: Scotland

Region: Speyside 

Brand: The Singleton of Glendullan Liberty (Reserve Collection)

Type: Single Malt Whisky

Age: NAS 

ABV: 40%

Colour: Golden Amber

Nose: I would say that the Liberty matured in a mix of Refill Ex-Bourbon casks and some Refill Ex-Sherry casks. On the Nose, the main drivers are Sugared Breakfast Cereals, Buttered Toast, Toffee, Caramel, Nuts and Dried Fruits. I also find Refill Oak, light Vanilla, Pineapple Jam, Red Apple, Ginger Bread and traces of Leather and Tobacco. The Liberty has a Young and Light feel to it. It's quite Sweet as well. The Alcohol is not fully integrated.   

Taste: Young, Light, slightly Thin and Sugary Sweet. It's a Single Malt that on the Palate might appeal to beginning Whisky Drinkers. For more experienced Malt drinkers however, the Liberty does not offer sufficient Depth. It's all a bit boring and plain-vanilla. I get mostly Toast, Caramel, Toffee, Dried Fruit, Apple White Grape Juice, Hazelnuts Pepper and Ginger. I also find hints of Chocolate, Honey, Refill Oak, Dried Herbs, Tobacco and Malt.      

Finish: Short, quite Sweet in the beginning but slightly Bitter-Sweet and a little Dry towards the end. I find Cocoa Powder, Dried Herbs, Ginger-Flavoured Tea, Toffee, light Honey and Pepper.  

I added a few drops of Water and the Nose becomes Thin and slightly Floral. The Barley and Apple also come to the foreground. Palate and Finish become too Thin. Better sip it neat.

Rating: 81.5   

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

General Remarks: The first Glendullan Distillery was founded in Dufftown by William Williams & Sons in 1896. In 1962, a second Glendullan Distillery was built next to the old one. They operated together until the old distillery was closed in 1985. The current owner is Diageo. Most of the Spirit of Glendullan was and is -used in Blends like Old Parr, JW, Dewar's and Bell's. As of 2007, the Single Malts produced at Glendullan, Glen Ord and Dufftown are marketed under the name "The Singleton". The standard Glendullan is the 12 years. In 2013 two special Travel Retail Glendullan Reserve Collection expressions were launched in the Americas, the Trinity and the Liberty. They were both created by Maureen Robinson, the Singleton Master of Malts. The 1 liter bottle of the Liberty is sold at an average 90 US Dollars (January 2016).  

Drinking Experience Neat: Okay

Drinking Experience on the Rocks: Okay/Good. As I got a full 1 liter bottle, I took the Liberty to enjoy it on the Rocks as well. And I must say it's simple but enjoyable.

Conclusion: The Glendullan Liberty is a Single Malt that is clearly composed to please as many people as possible, especially those who usually drink Blended Scotch and buy the occasional Glenlivet or Glenfiddich when they visit the Travel Retail Shops. I say this because the Liberty is smooth, easily drinkable, quite Sweet and without any aggressive notes. In this way the Liberty does what it's supposed to do although it's too expensive for what it really offers. For those of you though who enjoy Single Malts on a regular basis, the Liberty does not offer sufficient interesting Aromas and Flavours. It has a body but it ain't got Soul!

Jan van den Ende                                                                 February 1, 2016

Bowmore 17 Years Review

“The Way It Used To Be”

Country: Scotland

Region: Islay

Brand: Bowmore  

Type: Single Malt Whisky

Age: 17 Years (The "Old" Version)

ABV: 43 %

Colour: Dark Gold with shades of Orange (Artificially Coloured)

Nose: Gentle Smoke and Delicate Coastal Peat form the welcome committee. I can't hide a smile as there are no young, immature, aggressive notes to be found. It's been a while since I've nosed such a pleasant and well-balanced Single Malt. I find light Iodine, light Brine, light Ashes, Leather, Buttered Toast, Toasted Barley, Toffee, Nutella, Dried Fruit (Plums), Apple, Pineapple, Mango, light Citrus, Rum, Floral Perfume and hints of Spices and Smoked Meat and Fish. The Alcohol and Oak are completely integrated. Quite a treat! 

Palate: It's almost a crime that this Single Malt wasn't bottled at 46%. It would have made this a great Bowmore. It's still good though but just a touch on the Thin side. I find Toasted Barley, Toffee, light Iodine, light Tar, light Smoke, Wet Clay, Ashes, Salted Butter, Chocolate, Hazelnuts, Dried Fruit (Apricot, Plum), light Pepper, light Menthol, Cinnamon, Lemon, Oak, Floral Perfume and hints of Smoked Meat and Fish.

Finish: Quite Long and Warming with Cold Smoke, Ashes, Wet Clay, Toasted Barley, Toffee, Chocolate, light Citrus, Dried Fruit (Apricot), Vanilla Flavoured Pipe Tobacco, Oak, light Pepper, Nutmeg, Licorice, Menthol and fine hints of Espresso and Smoked Meat. A few Mineral notes as well. A bit Dry in the end. After a while I get some Raspberry Flavoured Candies. I must say I didn't expect that!

The "Old" 17 Years

With a couple of drops of water, you will get a bit more Plums, Tropical Fruit, Barley and Citrus on the Nose. On the Palate and in the Finish, Raspberry and Strawberry Flavoured Candies become even more noticeable. I prefer it neat but you can play with a little Water.  

Rating: 88.5 

Nose: 23 - Taste: 22 - Finish: 21.5 - Overall: 22

The 17 Years Distillers Choice Expression

General Remarks: The Bowmore Distillery was founded in 1779 by John Simpson. It's the oldest Islay distillery, located in Bowmore. Since 1994 it is completely owned by Morrison Bowmore Distilleries, part of the Japanese Suntory Group. I'm reviewing the "old" Bowmore 17 Years today. It was replaced in 2007 by the 18 Years. There was also a 17 Years Distillers Choice around but it's discontinued as well. More recently, a "new" 17 Years Travel Retail expression was released under the name "White Sands". The "old" 17 Years matured in a mix of Ex-Bourbon and Ex-Sherry casks. It's still around in some places with prices between 100 and 300 US Dollars (January 2016).

Drinking Experience Neat: Very nice. I really liked the Nose.

Conclusion: With an ABV of 46% this would have been a stunner. As it is, the Bowmore 17 years is still a very good, delicate and well-balanced Single Malt. No immature, aggressive notes are to be found. Alcohol and Oak are blended in naturally. This is the way a mature medium peated Islay Malt should be. What a pity this type of Whisky has become rare and/or unaffordable. If you find this Bowmore somewhere, just buy it. You won't regret it!

Jan van den Ende                                                               January 28, 2016

Bowmore  (Our visit in May 2014)

Glenmorangie The Duthac Review

“Saint Duthac Deserves Better”

Country: Scotland

Region: Highlands 

Brand: Glenmorangie The Duthac

Type: Single Malt Whisky

Age: NAS 

ABV: 43%

Colour: Golden Amber (Artificially Coloured)

Nose: Light and Young. The trademark Oranges are there but really in the background. I don't think many people would recognise the Duthac as a Glenmorangie in a Blind Tasting event. There's not a lot going on really. I find 
light Malt, Toast, Pastry, Dried Fruit, Nuts, light Honey, Toffee, Treacle, light Cocoa Powder, Peanut Butter, Dried Herbs, Orchard Fruit, Refill Oak, Floral Soap, Pine Needles, Cinnamon and Ginger. 

The Aromas are not very pronounced and you need lots of patience. The Duthac needs an hour or so in the glass before you start Nosing. The Alcohol is not fully integrated.    

Taste: Thin and Young. The Alcohol stings a bit. It's all rather dull with Toffee, Treacle, Brown Sugar, Cocoa Powder, Milk Chocolate, light Vanilla, light Malt, Refill Oak, Nuts, Dried Herbs, Dried Fruit, Orange Peel, light Pepper, Ginger, Nutmeg and hints of Honey, Pear Drops and Aniseed. 

Finish: Short. Sugary Sweet at first but Dry and slightly Bitter towards the end. I find Treacle, Wax, Toffee, light Vanilla, Chocolate with Nuts, light Citrus, Refill Oak, Dried Fruits, ripe Banana, Licorice, Pepper, Cinnamon and Ginger.  

Though I found many Flavour components on the Palate and in the Finish, they are not very strong and mostly mere hints.

I added a few drops of Water and on the Nose you get a bit more Barley and Vanilla. Palate and Finish become too Watery. I also find a little more Licorice in the Finish. Better sip it neat.

Rating: 81  

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

General Remarks: The Duthac was launched early last year as the first of a new Glenmorangie Series, initially only available in the Travel Retail Shops. This is the story behind the Duthac as you can find it on the Web Site of the Distillery:

"At the centre of the Royal Burgh of Tain, Ross-Shire in the far North of Scotland where the Glenmorangie Distillery has stood proudly since 1843, lies the resting place of St. Duthac. During the Middle Ages, the legends of his workings drew travellers from far and wide on pilgrimages to the ancient burgh. A Whisky fit for a king, this expression honours the annual pilgrimage made by King James IV to the shrine of St. Duthac in Tain and is part of Glenmorangie Legends, a collection of Single Malt Whiskies exclusive to Travel Retail inspired by the legendary lands that have been home to the Glenmorangie Distillery since 1843".

The spirit for the Duthac initially matured in Re-Fill ex-Bourbon casks before being married with some Whisky that matured in Ex-Sherry PX casks and some Whisky that matured in Charred Virgin Oak casks. I can't tell you exactly the percentage of each type of Whisky used. The Duthac is not really cheap at an average 80 US Dollars (January 2016). And as it does not deliver, the Price Vs. Quality ratio is not all good. 

Drinking Experience Neat: Okay/Average  

Conclusion: I'm afraid that the Duthac is another of those lifeless NAS Travel Retail expressions that flood the market. Nice packaging and story but not delivering on Aromas and Flavours. The Sherry Casks and the Virgin Oak did not get enough time to hide the fact that we are talking about a young, unfinished Spirit. If you like a young Glenmorangie, just stay with the Standard 10 years. 

Jan van den Ende                                                                January 25, 2016

Arran 100° Proof Review

“To Be … Discontinued”

Country: Scotland 

Region: Highland - Islands - Arran

Brand: Arran 100° Proof

Type: Single Malt Whisky

Age: NAS (Around 8 Years)

ABV: 57%

Colour: Straw/Pale Gold (Natural Colour) 

Nose: Give this Arran sufficient air contact as the Alcohol is very strong. The first impressions are Barley, Floral Soap, Straw, Grass and Refill Oak. On the Nose the 100° is both Sweet and slightly Sour. After a while I also find Toffee, Caramel, Salted Butter, Biscuits, light Vanilla, Citrus Peel, Sour Green Apples, Apricot Jam and hints of Milk Chocolate, Nuts, Espresso and some Strawberry Yogurt. It's clear that the 100° is still a young Whisky. 

Palate: Young, quite Oily and Hot. The Alcohol is very strong. I find Caramel, Toffee, Sweet Barley, light Heather-Honey, Strawberry Jam, Floral Soap, Refill Oak, Dairy, Ginger, Pepper, Cinnamon and Citrus Peel.    

Finish: Short, Hot and slightly Sour and Bitter towards the end. I find Sweet Barley, light Vanilla, light Cocoa, Lemon Peel, Orange Juice, Pepper, Nutmeg, Salt, Refill Oak and Espresso.

I added a little Water and that helps control the Alcohol of course. The Orchard Fruit and Floral notes become more evident. On the Palate, the 100° remains slightly Hot but the Malt, Heather-Honey and Strawberry notes shine brightly. In this case I would advise you to add a little Water.   

Rating: 81

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

General Remarks: Arran is a very young distillery and only started selling Single Malts in 1995. It is located on the Isle of Arran, off the Scottish West Coast. The 100° Proof was their first Cask Strength expression. It was launched early 2007 but has been discontinued in the meantime. It matured in Ex-Bourbon casks and was not Chill-Filtered before bottling. You can still find it in some places at the price of around 60 US Dollars (January 2017). 

Drinking Experience Neat: Average/Okay. 

Conclusion: I can't get excited about this Arran. The combination of a Young and Light Spirit with a high ABV does not work very well here and leaves the 100° slightly off-balance. This is one of the few whiskies I have had so far that I liked a bit better with some added Water. On the positive side, the Barley makes a very strong impression and in due course I would love to taste a 15 Year Old Cask Strength produced at this distillery. For the time being you are better off with the Standard 10 Years expression.  

Jan van den Ende                                                                 January 18, 2016

Glenfarclas 21 Years Review

“Black Sheep of the Family”

Country: Scotland 

Region: Highland/Speyside

Brand: Glenfarclas

Type: Single Malt Whisky

Age: 21 Years

ABV: 43 %

Colour: Deep Amber with notes of Brown and Orange

Nose: Be sure to give this Glenfarclas enough time in the glass before Nosing. It really needs air contact to reveal its Aromas. On the Nose it certainly can't be called a Sherry Bomb. The light Sherry Aromas lead me to believe that mostly Re-Fill casks were used to mature this Malt. The Nose is mostly Sweet with Barley, Buttered Toast, Wax, Dry Earth, Grass, Dried Fruit, Berries, Hazelnuts, 
Nougat, Vanilla, Caramel, Apple, Pear, Nectarine, Peach, Orange Marmalade, Ripe Banana, Grapes, light Oak, Floral Perfume, Heather-Honey, Cocoa Powder, Ginger, Cinnamon, Mint, Chocolate, Espresso and Lemon Pie. You need lots of time and patience to discover the Aromas as most of them are quite subtle. I expected more from a Single Malt that matured for 21 long years. The casks were not very active in my opinion. The Alcohol is nicely integrated. I do not detect significant notes of Sulphur.    

Palate: Oak, Alcohol and Spices are quite present and that's a bit of a surprise after the laid-back Nose. I also find Sweet Barley, Brown Sugar, Christmas Cake with Rum soaked Raisins and Sultanas, Caramel, Berries, Grapes, Bananas, Plums, Orange, Mandarin, Chocolate, Hazelnuts, Herbal Tea, Pepper, Nutmeg, Cinnamon, Cloves and Heather-Honey. On the Palate and also in the Finish the cask influence is much clearer but it mostly adds Wood and Wood Spices. 

Despite the identified Flavour notes I am not impressed by the complexity and balance of this Glenfarclas.    

Finish: Bitter-Sweet, slightly Sour, Herbal, Spicy and quite Dry towards the end. I find Sweet Barley, Malt, Dusty Road, Dried Fruit, Assorted Nuts, Toffee, Oak, Orange, Mandarin, Banana, Espresso, (Lemon) Pepper, Mint, Nutmeg, Cloves, Cardamom, Vanilla, Herbal Tea, Dark Chocolate and light Licorice.    

I added some Water and on the Nose the Floral notes become stronger. Malt and Orange are also reinforced. On the Palate, the Dark Red Fruit becomes more evident and in the Finish I detect some extra Nutmeg, Cardamom and Cloves. This Glenfarclas allows you to experiment with a little Water. 

Rating: 82.5

Nose: 21 - Taste: 20.5 - Finish: 20.5 - Overall: 20.5

General Remarks: The Glenfarclas Distillery was founded in 1836 and has been in the hands of the Grant family for around 150 years now, a rare fact in the Whisky Industry. It is located in Ballindalloch (Banffshire). The 21 Years is part of the Core Range of this Distillery together with the 10, 12, 15, 25, 30 and 40 Years. It matures in mostly Re-Fill Ex-Sherry casks from Spain and costs around 100 US Dollars.

Drinking Experience Neat: Good but below expectations.

Conclusion: The 21 Years is one of the many expressions in the Glenfarclas core distillery range. They all mature in Ex-Sherry casks and many of them present similar Aromas and Flavours. The differences between them are mainly caused

by Age and Wood Management. It's very important therefore to include the Price/Quality ratio in your decision when choosing a Glenfarclas Single Malt. In this respect the 21 Years would not be the best choice in my opinion. The best option is the 15 years that presents the best P/Q ratio. Or you could go for the 25 if you have some spare cash and prefer a more mature Malt. The 21 Years is a bit of a Black Sheep in the Glenfarclas family!

Jan van den Ende                                                                 January 11, 2016