Bladnoch 1990 ED Review

"Expensive Apples and Pears”

Country: Scotland 

Region: Lowlands

Brand: Bladnoch 1990 (Edition Spirits - The First Editions)

Type: Single Malt Whisky

Age:  21 Years

ABV: 58,3 %

Colour: Pale Gold/Straw

Nose: I would have expected a more powerful Aroma after 21 years in the cask. But the Nose of this Bladnoch is quite subdued and it needs lots of time in the glass before opening up a little. When it does you get quite some Vanilla as well
as Grass, Straw, Malt, Orchard Fruit, Perfumed Soap, Lemon, Orange, Unripe Peach, Buttered Toast, Oak, Dried Herbs, Bourbon and a light hint of Perspiring Feet. All in all a bit disappointing for a 21 Year Old Single Malt.

Palate: The Alcohol is quite present. The Palate more or less follows the Nose with Apples, Pears, Vanilla, Malt, Sugared Lemon Peel, Orange, Hay and Oak. It's quite Spicy as well with Pepper and Cardamom.

Finish: Not overly Long with Pear, Apple, Lemon, Orange, Pepper, Cardamom, Oak and Menthol.

With some added Water you get more Citrus on the Nose and on the Palate. But the Finish practically disappears. You can experiment with a few drops but be careful not to drown the Malt.

Rating: 83.5

Nose: 21.5 - Taste: 20.5 - Finish: 20.5 - Overall: 21

General Remarks: This Bladnoch was distilled in 1990 and bottled at Cask Strength in 2011. It matured in Ex-Bourbon Cask # ES 005/01. This expression is part of The First Edition Series. It's not coloured artificially nor Chill-Filtered. It costs around 105 US Dollars but the availability is limited. 

Edition Spirits is an Independent bottler founded in 2010 by Andrew and Scott Laing. Nowadays it's part of Hunter Laing.

The Bladnoch Distillery is located in Bladnoch, Wigtown and was founded in 1817 by Thomas and John McClelland. It changed hands various times before being mothballed by United Distillers in 1993. A year later it was bought by Raymond Armstrong but unfortunately the distillery went into administration in 2014 and is currently for sale.

Drinking Experience Neat: Good

Conclusion: This is my first Bladnoch and I can't say I'm very excited about it. It's not bad but it's a rather simple Single Malt and I would not give it 21 Years when tasted blind. The Orchard Fruit is quite Fresh given its age and the Wood does not dominate the overall Aroma and Flavour Profile. But besides the Fruit there's not too much to discover. A bit of Grass and Hay, Citrus and Spices. And that's about it. Too little for a Single Malt that would cost you more than a 100 US Dollars! 

Jan van den Ende                                                                      April 8, 2015

Poit Dhubh 8 Years Review

“Forgettable”

Country: Scotland 

Brand: Poit Dhubh

Bottler: Praban Na Linne Ltd. 

Type: Blended Malt Whisky

Age: 8 Years

ABV: 43 %

Colour: Dark Amber

Nose: The influence of some Ex-Sherry casks is noticeable. I also find the same Cabbage note that I encountered in the 12 Years and in Island Malts like Arran and Jura. I used to think it was Sulphur but I have come to believe it is part of the Island Peat Aroma structure. Over time and with sufficient air contact, this Cabbage note becomes weaker. I also find Dried Fruit, slightly burnt Toast, Oak, Nut Shells, Sweet Malt, Vanilla, Brown Sugar, Toffee, Citrus, Leather, Honey, a sprinkle of Salt and some Talisker Pepper. The Alcohol is not fully integrated.

Palate: Sweet and slightly Thin Delivery with Toffee, Caramel, Wet Earth, light Smoke, light Sherry, light Honey, slightly Bitter Oak, Licorice, Orange, Menthol, Nuts, Cocoa, Salt and Pepper. 

Finish: Short and Bitter-Sweet with Cocoa, Toffee, Earth, light Smoke, Licorice, Medicinal tones, Citrus, Pepper, Salt, Oak, Toast, Menthol and Floral Perfume.

I added a bit of Water and the Nose gets a little extra Honey, Citrus and Floral tones. Palate and Finish however become too weak. 

Rating: 80.5

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

General Remarks: Poit Dhubh (Gaelic for Black Pot or Illicit Still) is Blended Malt Whisky, partly matured in Ex-Sherry Casks. It was released in 1984 and is Non Chill-Filtered since 1992. It costs around 45 US Dollars. It is bottled by Praban Na Linne Ltd, located on the Isle of Skye (Hebrides) and founded in 1976 by Sir Iain Noble. It's still a family-owned company. There are also 12 - and 21 year old expressions of the Poit Dhubh. The 8 Years is not Chill-Filtered and sells at around 45 US Dollars (April 2005).

Drinking Experience Neat: Okay/Good

Conclusion: Easily the less impressive of the Poit Dhubh expressions. I suspect a higher percentage of Speyside Malts, matured in second or third refill casks. The Talisker influence is less noticeable when compared to the 12 - and 21 Years. As the price difference between the 8 and 12 years is not very significant, I advise you to stick with the 12 years. More value for money!

Jan van den Ende                                                                     March 6, 2015

Photo credit: Whisky Journal DE

Millstone French Oak Review

“Not the Ideal Marriage” 

Country: The Netherlands

Brand: Millstone French Oak

Type: Pot Still Malt Whisky 

Age: 10 Years 

ABV: 40 %

Colour: Dark Golden

Nose: Sweet with New Oak, Varnish, Butterscotch, Vanilla, Orange Marmalade, light Honey, Nut Shells, Dried Apricot, Pencil Shavings, Toffee, light Spices and light Floral tones. It's okay but not overly exciting.

Palate: Malt, Toffee, Brown Sugar, Vanilla, Oak, light Honey, light Menthol, Orange, light Varnish, Salted Butter, Nutmeg, Pepper and Cinnamon. 

Finish: Middle-Long, Fruity, Spicy and Bitter-Sweet with Oak, Vanilla, Orange Peel, Buttered Toast, Nutmeg, Pepper, Cinnamon, Licorice, Menthol, Varnish and a little Salt.

I added a bit of Water and on the Nose you get more Vanilla and Floral Soapy tones. A little more Fruit in the Finish as well. You can experiment with a few drops at a time.

Rating: 82

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

General Remarks: The Zuidam Distillery was founded in 1974 by Fred van Zuidam and his wife Helene and is currently run by their sons Patrick and Gilbert. It is located in Baarle-Nassau on the Dutch-Belgian border and is the only Distillery in The Netherlands that ferments, distills, ages and bottles at its own premises. Next to Malt Whiskies, Zuidam also produces Rye Whisky, Gin, Rum, Genever and Liqueurs. The name Millstone derives from the Windmills that are used by Zuidam to mill the Malted Barley. The Millstone 10 Years I'm tasting today was actually distilled on February 26, 1999, matured in French Oak Casks and was bottled on the 21st of August 2013. That's 14, 5 Years! The ABV of 40% is lower than the 43%, Zuidam is using today. My 200 ML bottle hails from Cask # 351. On average you will pay around 60 US Dollars for the 10 Year old Millstone French Oak, bottled at 43%.

Drinking Experience Neat: Good

Conclusion: Although there's nothing specifically wrong, the French Oak is not my favourite Millstone. It's not a subtle whisky and the Oak and Oak Spices are quite present. I prefer the 12 Year Sherry Cask anytime. The Sherry Cask is similar to Sherried Speyside Whisky while the French Oak has all the main characteristics of a European mainland Whisky with Oak, Vanilla and Spices as the main drivers. So while the French Oak is not a bad Single Malt, I don't find it sufficiently interesting to enjoy on a regular basis. Look forward to try the 1999 Special # 1 PX Cask who has just been nominated Best European Single Malt Whisky in the 13-20 Years category. Well done Millstone! It looks like Zuidam Spirit and Ex-Sherry Casks were made for each other. Cheers!

Jan van den Ende                                                                       April 2, 2015

New Casks Arriving at Zuidam (Photo credit: Zuidam Distillery) 

2015 Whisky Blogger of the Year Competition

Dear Friends,

I'm very proud to let you know I have been nominated for the 2015 Whisky Blogger of the Year Competition together with 24 other Whisky Bloggers from all around the world. It's nice to see that my hobby is appreciated and it's a great driver for me to go on and try to get better with every article. If you think I deserve your vote please click the link hereunder and a prepared e-mail message will appear. You only have to send it! 

Every voter has the chance to win one of 5 International Whisky Guides. It would be great if you would take take the time and participate! 

Here's the link:

Vote For Jan <mailto:vote@whiskycompetition.com?subject=2015%20IWC%20Best%20Blogger%20-%20I%20Vote%20for%20Jan%20van%20den%20Ende>

Thanks a lot and Cheers!

Jan

Glengoyne 17 Years Review

Country: Scotland 

Region: Southern Highlands

Brand: Glengoyne 

Type: Single Malt Whisky

Age: 17 Years

ABV: 43 %

Colour: Golden with a touch of Orange

Nose: Immediate images of Christmas with Rum Soaked Fruit Cake, Christmas Spices, Sherry, a little Sulphur, Blackcurrant Muffins, Honey, Orange Peel, Oak, Nuts, Red Fruit, Bourbon, Vanilla, Sweet Barley, Brown Sugar, Cocoa, Grass, Warm Stewed Apples, Caramelised Bananas, Buttered Cake, Floral Soap and a sprinkle of Ginger and Cinnamon. It's quite Sweet and a bit Heavy. The Alcohol is not fully integrated. It's similar to the 15 Years but it opens up more easily.

Palate: Sweet but slightly Thin delivery. An ABV of 46% would have been more adequate for this Spirit. I find Fruitcake, Orange Peel, Banana Ice Cream, Rum, Dried Fruits, Vanilla, Red Fruit, Caramel, Milk Chocolate, Cocoa, Walnuts, Malt, Oak, light Sherry, Nutmeg, Cinnamon and light Pepper. 

Finish: Middle-Long and Bitter-Sweet with Sweet Barley, Milk Chocolate, Pear, Orange, Banana, Vanilla, Cocoa, Coffee, Oak, Brown Sugar, Nutmeg, Pepper and a little Mint.

I added a bit of Water and the Nose gets more Vanilla, Apple and Oak. Palate and Finish do not benefit from extra Water. Better sip it neat.

Rating: 82.5 

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

General Remarks: The Glengoyne Distillery was founded in 1833 by the known Edmonstone Family and is located in Dumgoyne by Killearn (Glasgow). Since 2003 it is owned by Ian MacLeod Distillers. Glengoyne has the slowest Distilling process of all Scottish distilleries to ensure lots of contact with the Copper Stills. The Barley is also dried exclusively with Hot Air. Peat is never used. Glengoyne is used in Blends like The Famous Grouse and Cutty Sark. The Glengoyne 17 Years is naturally coloured and matured in a mix of Ex-Bourbon Casks and new - and refill Ex-Oloroso Sherry Casks. Unfortunately it has been discontinued. The 17 Years was sold at around 75 US Dollars before it was discontinued. Today it might cost you anything between 70 and 150 US Dollars (March 2015)

Drinking Experience Neat: Good

Conclusion: I can see why this expression has been discontinued. It does not differ a whole lot from the 15 years and there's already an 18 years in the core range as well. That makes the 17 Years a bit superfluous. Having said that, the 17 Years is not a bad Single Malt. But it's on the Thin side for a 17 years and it should have been bottled at 46%. I also found traces of Sulphur and I'm not at all into that. I'm almost as critical as Jim Murray in this respect. Wow, who would have thought that! I will try and get a sample of the 18 years but so far I would advise you to choose the 15 years instead. The 17 years does not justify its current price tag.

Jan van den Ende                                                                   March 30, 2015