Ardbeg Airigh Nam Beist Review

“The Beauty of the Beist”

Country: Scotland

Region: Islay

Brand: Ardbeg Airigh Nam Beist 1990

Type: Single Malt Whisky

Age: 16-18 Years

ABV: 46%

Colour: Pale Gold/Chardonnay

Nose: What a lovely nose. I really like these older Islays. All the original Ardbeg characteristics are still there but in a more mellow and mature way. It's not an overly complicated Nose but I could smell this for hours. The Smoke and Sweet Peat are there but they are not dominant. They just weave their spell around the other Aromas. Amongst these I find Floral tones, Sweet Toasted Barley, Buttered Toast, Ashes from a Menthol Cigarette, Brine, Bacon on the BBQ, Charred Oak, light Honey, light Vanilla, Toffee, Wet Rock, Salt, light Pepper, Ginger, Lemon, Apple, Pear, Fresh Herbs, light Medicinal notes, light Leather and hints of Rubber and slightly Sour Grapefruit Juice. The Alcohol is superbly integrated. In fact, the ABV could probably have been a little higher. Still, a great Islay Nose!

Taste: Sweet Peat, Soft Smoke, light Tar, Ashes, Toasted Barley, Charred Oak, Bacon on the BBQ, Citrus, Apple, Vanilla, light Honey, Toffee, Nuts, Olive Oil, Salt, Pepper, light Licorice, Fresh Herbs and light Menthol.

Finish: Quite Long with Sweet Peat, Wet Grass, light Smoke, Ashes, Crispy Bacon on the BBQ, Creamy Vanilla, Toasted Barley, Charred Oak, Salted Butter, light Honey, Cocoa Powder, light Licorice, Apple, Lemon, Orange and a hints of Espresso and Olive Oil. Quite Dry towards the end.

I had only a small sample and did not add Water as the Alcohol is perfectly integrated. This Ardbeg needs no Water in my opinion.

Rating: 90.5

Nose: 23.5 - Taste: 22.5 – Finish: 22 – Overall: 22.5

General Remarks: This 1990 Vintage bottling is named after a small Loch close to the Distillery. The name means "Shelter of the Beast". Bottling took place in 3 batches in 2006, 2007 and 2008. I only possess a sample of this Ardbeg and unfortunately the label does not state when it was bottled. So the whisky I'm tasting today is between 16 and 18 years old. When the Airigh Nam Beist was launched it was sold at around 90 US Dollars. Unfortunately it's discontinued and today you might find a bottle somewhere at prices between 200 and 300 US Dollars (June 2015). The Airigh Nam Beist matured in Ex-Bourbon casks and is not Chill-Filtered.

Drinking Experience Neat: Excellent 

Conclusion: What can I say! I love this Airigh Nam Beist. I wish I would have been able to buy some bottles at 90 US Dollars. This Ardbeg has everything a mature Islay should have in my opinion. I love young dirty Islay as well but it tires more easily as the Smoke, Brine and Peat are really dominant. But in the Airigh Nam Beist they weave their magic spell around the other Flavours and Aromas. Great Balance! I just checked my All Time Ranking so far and this Ardbeg rockets right to the # 2 position only behind the...Ardbeg Uigeadahl. It might even have gone to # 1 if the ABV would have been a tad higher. Still, this is a great Ardbeg and a perfectly matured Islay. If you find a bottle somewhere, just buy it!

Jan van den Ende                                                                     June 17, 2015

Black Grouse Alpha Edition Review

“ Not Much Of A Man”

Country: Scotland

Brand: Black Grouse Alpha Edition

Blended By: Matthew Gloag & Son Ltd, Perth
Type: Blended Scotch Whisky

Age: NAS

ABV: 40%

Colour: Dark Gold

Nose: The light Smoke and dirty Earth are more similar to young Highland Park than to Islay Malts. The Smoke is less dense than I expected. I also find Grain Alcohol, Biscuits, Toasted Refill Oak, Nut Shells, Pencil Shavings, Toffee, Dried Fruits, Straw, Sugar, Honey, light Citrus, Barley, light Spices and hints of Cocoa Powder and Ashes. There is a rather Musty feeling to the Nose and the Alcohol is not fully integrated. It's not bad but I had expected more of the Alpha.

Taste: Thin and Sugary Sweet. I find Dirty Earth, light Smoke, Charred Oak, Grain Alcohol, Biscuits, Toffee, slightly Bitter Almonds, light Licorice, Pepper, Nutmeg, light Menthol, Lemon, light Vanilla, Raisins and Cocoa Powder. There's a slight hint of Macallan Sherry but you have to dig deep to get it.  

Finish: Short, slightly Bitter and Dry toward the end. I find slightly Harsh Grain Alcohol, Toasted Oak, Dirty Earth, Cigarette Ashes, light Pepper, Bitter Almonds, light Citrus, light Menthol and a hint of Bitter Chocolate. 

I added a few drops of Water and the Nose gets some extra Grass and Straw. Palate and Finish become too Thin however. Best enjoy this Blend over ice.

Rating: 79 

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

General Remarks: This expression in the Grouse Blended Whisky series was launched for Travel Retail only in 2011 but by the end of 2012 it had become widely available. It is meant to be a better and smokier version of the Black Grouse. This is done by adding higher proportions of longer aged Malts. Black Grouse is owned by the Edrington Group that also also owns Macallan, Glenturret and Highland Park. These whiskies form the heart of the standard Black Grouse and the Alpha edition. Next to these, the Alpha also contains Grain Whisky and Islay Malt. The packaging and presentation are very nice and the Alpha price is reasonable at an average 50 US Dollars (June 2015).

Drinking Experience Neat: Okay.

Conclusion: I had expected a lot more of this Black Grouse Alpha Edition. It's not a lot better than the standard Black Grouse nor a whole lot smokier. It's a normal Middle-Class Blended Whisky. The Grain Alcohol rules and I only notice a light Malt presence. I clearly get Highland Park. The Macallan is there but you have to dig for it. I don't think the Alpha edition is worth the extra buck despite the slick presentation. If you like the Grouse, stay with the Standard Black. Or better, try out the JW Black. You will find it more rewarding as a smoky Blend! 

Jan van den Ende                                                                   June 15, 2015

There's certainly Macallan in this Alpa Edition!

Craigellachie 2002 The Ultimate Review

“A Bland Speysider”

Country: Scotland 

Region: Speyside

Brand: Craigellachie 2002 (The Ultimate) 

Type: Single Malt Whisky

Age: 9 Years

ABV: 46%

Colour: Golden Sunlight

Nose: A combination of Fruity Sherry Notes, light Smoke and Alcohol. I find Malt, Buttered Toast, Dried Fruits like Raisins and Apricot, Hazelnut-Chocolate Hay, Heather Honey, Orange Marmalade, Plums, Pineapple, Sour Dark Red Fruit, Toffee, light Vanilla, Dried Herbs, Oak and light Menthol. To my surprise I also detect light Smoke, Leather and Dirty Earth. Speyside with a touch of Islay! Finally I find Tannins and a hint of Sulphur. Nothing serious though. What does bother me though is the Alcohol. It's not at all integrated. There are some nice Aromas in the Nose, especially the Fruit and the unexpected Smoke. But on the whole I'm not really convinced and this Craigellachie reminds me of a middle-class Blended Scotch for most of the time.  

Palate: Young, Oily and Bitter Sweet with Sherry, Dried Fruit, Malt, Caramel, light Vanilla, Hazelnut-Chocolate, Orange, Honey, Pepper, Nutmeg and hints of Cardboard, Smoke and Earth. The Alcohol is still too present.   

Finish: Middle Long, slightly Sour but mostly Bitter Sweet with Malt, Buttered Toast, English Marmalade, Sour Cherries, light Vanilla, Toffee, Honey, Pepper, Oak, Nuts and hints of Smoke and Leather. Quite Dry towards the end.

This Craigellachie does not accept added Water very well despite the fact that the Alcohol is toned down of course. Better sip it neat.

Rating: 82.5

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

General Remarks: The Craigellachie Distillery was built in 1891 and is located between Craigellachie and Aberlour in Banffshire. Since 1998 it's owned by John Dewar & Sons, part of Bacardi. The 14 Years is the only Distillery bottling. Most of the production disappears in the Dewar's Blends. During our trip to Scotland in May 2014 we passed the Distillery. Unfortunately it's not open to the public. 

The Craigellachie I am tasting today was distilled on the 20th of August 2002 and bottled on the 14th of May 2012. It was matured and bottled by the Dutch Independent Bottler van Wees in Amersfoort as part of The Ultimate series. It matured in a First Fill Sherry Butt # 900069 and costs around 75 US Dollars (June 2015). Only 852 bottles were commercialised. This Single Cask whisky is naturally coloured and not chill-filtered.

Drinking Experience Neat: Okay/Good

Conclusion: This is my second relatively young Craigellachie. The first one was the 2002 Coopers Choice that also matured in an Ex-Sherry Cask. I must admit that I didn't fell in love with any of them. This Van Wees bottling has some nice Fruity Aromas on the Nose but the strong Alcohol spoils the fun for me. The light hints of Smoke and Leather were a surprise. On the whole however it feels like a young average Speysider or even a Blended Scotch with a Speyside heart. I can see why the Spirit of this Distillery is mainly used for Blends. The Single Malts I tasted so far are not very memorable. No way I would pay 75 Dollars for a full bottle!

Jan van den Ende                                                                          June 10, 2015

Laphroaig Quarter Cask Review

“I Kinda Like This Laphroaig”

Country: Scotland 

Region: Islay

Brand: Laphroaig Quarter Cask

Type: Single Malt Whisky

Age: NAS

ABV: 48 %

Colour: Golden (Contains E-150 Caramel)

Nose: Medicinal Peat, White Smoke, Iodine, Band Aid, Salted Butter, Sweet Barley, Brine, Soot, Ashes, Wet Stone, Dirty Earth, Charred Oak, light Rubber, light Leather and Shell Fish on the BBQ. All the typical Laphroaig characteristics are there but they are Mellow in a way, quite different from the nice but much more aggressive Aromas of the 10 Years for instance. That's interesting as the Quarter Cask is much younger than the 10 Years. The Quarter Cask Finish does make a difference! Besides the already mentioned, I also find Heather Honey, Toffee, Nuts, Lemon Zest, Apple Juice and an odd Cheese note. The Alcohol is there but it doesn't disturb the Nosing of the Quarter Cask. 

Palate: The Youth of the Quarter Cask is more clear on the Palate. I find Sweet Peat, Smoke, Charred Oak, TCP, Ashes, Brine, Salted Butter, Smoked Mackerel, (Shell) Fish on the BBQ, Sweet Barley, Apple, Toffee, Vanilla, Alcohol, light Rubber and Pepper.

Finish: Medium Long and Dry with Dirty Earth and Smoke, Cigar Ashes, Peated Grist, Charred Oak, Salted Butter, Sea Water, Pepper, Nutmeg, Alcohol, Raw Meat and (Shell) Fish.

Despite the high ABV, the Quarter Cask does not accept Water very well. Better sip it neat.

Rating: 84.5

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

General Remarks. Laphroaig is located 2 miles east of Port Ellen on the isle of Islay, close to Ardbeg and Lagavulin. It was founded in 1810 by two brothers, Alexander and Donald Johnston and received its license in 1815. Nowadays it is owned by Beam Inc. It's one of the few remaining distilleries with its own Maltings, accounting for around 15% of their total needs. The rest comes from the Port Ellen Malting Facility and/or the Scottish mainland.

The Quarter Cask was released in 2004 and is Double-Cask Matured, first in the usual Ex-Bourbon barrels for around 5 years before being transferred to the specially recreated Quarter Casks of old days for a second maturation of some months in the famous Laphroaig # 1 Warehouse, right on the shore front. The smaller Casks give an up to 60% larger contact between Wood and Spirit when compared to the larger Ex-Bourbon and Ex-Sherry casks and therefore allow a shorter total maturation period. The Quarter Cask is Barrier Filtered only and bottled with an ABV of 48%. It costs around 60 US Dollars (June 2015).

Drinking Experience Neat: Good 

Conclusion: Until the arrival of the Quarter Cask, you either loved or hated the Single Malts from Laphroaig. Because they stood out. I think the Quarter Cask will divide the opinions in a different way. There will be people who kinda like it and there will be others who kinda hate it. Because it's not as fiery and strong as the 10 years and not as mellow and mature as for example the 18 Years or the old 15 Years. But it' still a Laphroaig! So I'm sure there's a good market for the Quarter Cask, especially since it's reasonably priced as well. As for me, I find it a pity that so much Single Malts today are seemingly developed to please the broad general public. In my opinion Blends were invented just for this cause and they represent over 90% of the total Whisky consumption. Single Malts should try to maintain their original characteristics that made them stand out in the first place. Don't get me wrong, the Quarter Cask is not a bad Single Malt. And I like the fact it's Non Chill-Filtered and bottled at a good 48%. But just imagine the horror if in 10 Years or so people might say: Ah Laphroaig yes, I kinda like that whisky!

Jan van den Ende                                                                    June 6, 2015

Port Askaig 15 Years Review

“You’re the Caol Ila in Disguise”

Country: Scotland

Region: Islay

Brand: Port Askaig

Bottled By: Specialty Drinks Ltd.
Type: Single Malt Whisky

Age: 15 Years

ABV: 45.8 %

Colour: Golden Straw

Nose: Medicinal Peat, Iodine, Cold Smoke, Soot, Tar, Brine, Wet Earth, light Rubber and assorted (Shell) Fish and Meat on the BBQ. There can be no mistake we're nosing an Islay Malt! I also find Sweet Barley, Salted Butter, Honey, Oak, Herbs, Straw, light Leather, Lemon-Pepper, Citrus Fruit, Floral Soap, Sugared Tea and Wet Rocks. None of the Aromas is aggressive. Based on the Nose I would go for either Lagavulin or Caol Ila. The ABV is absolutely correct and the Alcohol is nicely integrated. Pleasant Nose.

Palate: The Delivery is a bit Thin despite the sufficient ABV. I find Sweet Peat, Cold Smoke, Soot, Ashes, Tar, Rubber, Charred Oak, Sweet Barley, Vanilla, Straw, Toffee, Dark Chocolate, Salted Fish and Meat on the BBQ, Lemon, Salt, Pepper, Nutmeg, Dried Herbs, Floral Soap, Sugared Tea and Mineral tones.

Finish: A good Length but a bit on the Thin side. I find Sweet Peat, Cold Smoke, Cigar Ashes, Tar, Sea Water, Salted Fish and Meat on the BBQ, Iodine, Band-Aid, Rubber, Charred Oak, Toffee, Lemon, Pepper, Nutmeg and light Licorice.

I added a couple of drops of water. The Islay Peat and Smoke are enhanced. I find more Fruity tones as well. Citrus and some Pineapple and Grapes perhaps. 

Palate and Finish become too Thin but that's my personal opinion. This Port Askaig certainly accepts a little Water. But as always, don't overdo it! On the Palate and in the Finish, certainly after having added the Water, this Spirit has more Caol Ila characteristics. So Caol Ila it probably is, at least in my opinion.

Rating: 85 

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

General Remarks: Around 2011, Special Drinks Ltd introduced the Port Askaig range of Islay Single Malt Whiskies. The well-known UK Whisky connoisseur Sukhinder Singh selected the Spirit for this range. The name of the Distillery is not revealed. The series include or included a NAS at Cask Strength, a 12 Years, a 15 Years, a 17 Years, a 19 Years, a 25 Years and a 30 Years. The 15 Years I'm tasting today matured in a vatting of Ex-Sherry and Ex-Bourbon Casks and was bottled in 2014. The presentation and the bottle are very classy. Nicely done! It's not cheap though at around 100 US Dollars.

Drinking Experience Neat: Good

Conclusion: The Port Askaig 15 Years is a well-balanced and mildly flavoured Islay Malt. As such, it's a nice place to start when you are considering exploring peated Whiskies. It has all the Peat, Smoke, Tar, Soot, Brine and BBQ Aromas that peated Islay malts are known for but they are never too aggressive and in balance with the Barley, Fruit and Spices. The ABV is correct and 15 Years is a very good age to bottle a whisky. You can enjoy this Port Askaig neat or with a little Water. The only thing that prevents me from scoring this Port Askaig even higher is the fact that I find it a bit too Thin on the Palate and in the Finish for a 15 Years Single Malt with an ABV of almost 46%. And a few extra Ex-Sherry Casks wouldn't have hurt the Spirit as well. But despite this, I quite enjoyed the Port Askaig 15 years. Although I do think it's too expensive for a Mystery Malt!

Jan van den Ende                                                                       June 2, 2015

Is this the Place of Birth of the Port Askaig?