First Cask 1990 Isle of Islay Review

“Sherry and Mighty Oak”

Country: Scotland

Region: Islay

Brand: First Cask 1990 Isle of Islay

Bottled By: Whisky Import Nederland
Type: Single Malt Whisky

Age: 20/21 Years

ABV: 54.2 %

Colour: Mahogany

Nose: Heavy Sherry, Oak and loads of Dried Fruits such as Raisins, Plums and Figs. I also find Malt, Toast, Butterkekse, Orange Marmalade, Espresso, Cocoa Powder, Tobacco, Cinnamon, Menthol, Dusty Earth, Old Leather and traces of Burnt Straw. I hardly detect any Coastal influences and only a very faint Peat note. It all points in the direction of Bunnahabhain. Unfortunately, the Alcohol is still not fully integrated. This is a Nose for the Sherry Bomb fans among us. 

Palate: Following the Nose with loads of Sherry, Raisins, Plums, Oak, Christmas Cake, Orange Marmalade, Caramel, Brown Sugar, Dark Chocolate, Creme de Cassis, Pepper, Nutmeg, Ginger, Old Leather, Straw, Malt and Dirty Dry Earth.

Finish: Long and Dry with serious Oak, Sherry, Dried Fruits, Strong Black Tea, Bitter Oranges, Dark Chocolate, Cloves, Nutmeg, Pepper, Licorice, Menthol and Dry Earth.

I added a couple of drops of water. On the Nose the Alcohol retreats and the Dried Fruit notes become more transparent. I find some slightly Sour Cherries.

Palate and Finish do not change drastically but you certainly can add a bit Water to your taste.

Rating: 86 

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

General Remarks: The First Cask Isle of Islay Single Malt was distilled by an undisclosed Islay Distillery on the 24th of December 1990. It matured in a First Fill Sherry Butt with Cask # 12 and was bottled by Whisky Import Nederland at Cask Strength on the 27th of June 2011. Exactly 300 bottles were drawn from the cask. This First Cask 1990 is naturally coloured and Non Chill-Filtered. It is sold at around 110 US Dollars (May 2015). I'm pretty sure this First Cask was distilled at Bunnahabhain.

Drinking Experience Neat: Good.

Conclusion: Excellent Single Malt if you like Sherry Bombs. Very consistent from Nose to Finish. The price is quite reasonable as well considering its advanced age. However it's not quite my personal cup of Whisky. It's very Heavy on Sherry, Dried Fruits and Oak. These three are in complete control and only with enough time in the glass you will be able to find additional Aromas and Flavours. You will need to overcome the strong Alcohol as well and most of you probably would want to add a bit of Water. In short, if you like Heavy Sherry, this is an excellent proposal. If you don't, better stay away from this First Cask.  

Jan van den Ende                                                                       May 18, 2015

Benromach Organic 2008 Review

“When Speyside Meets Kentucky”

Country: Scotland

Region: Speyside

Brand: Benromach Organic 2008

Type: Single Malt Whisky

Age: NAS (Around 6 Years)

ABV: 43%
Sample provided by the Benromach Distillery. Many Thanks!

Colour: Golden Yellow with a hint of Orange

Nose: Unpeated, Malty and Fruity with Sweet Barley, Vanilla, Buttered Toast, Puff Pastry filled with Stewed Peach and Apricot, Pineapple, Orange, Banana Ice Cream, Rum Soaked Raisins, Toffee, Cocoa Butter, Cinnamon, Cloves, Nutmeg, Floral notes and Lemon-Grass. The Virgin Oak certainly left its mark and the Nose of the Organic reminds me of Bourbon every once in a while. Despite the youth of this Spirit, the Alcohol is nicely integrated.  

Palate: The Delivery is on the Thin side and Bitter-Sweet. I find Malt, Cereals, Butterscotch, Coconut, Oak, Almonds, Banana Ice Cream, Pineapple, Pepper, Nutmeg, Clove, Ginger, Cinnamon, Lemon and light Licorice. On the Palate the youth of this Spirit is more eminent.

Finish: Middle Long, slightly too Thin and Bitter Sweet with ample Bourbon references. I find chewy Malt, Vanilla, Toffee, Brown Sugar, Pepper, Nutmeg, Ginger, Dried Herbs, Lemon-Grass, Oak, Banana and a hint of Tropical Fruit.

Relaxing at Benromach VC

I added a few drops of Water and Barley and Floral notes are enhanced. Some extra Malt and Spices on the Palate and in the Finish. I prefer it neat but you can add a few drops at a time if you like.

Rating: 84

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

General Remarks: The Benromach Distillery is located in Forres (Morayshire) 
and was founded in 1898 by the Benromach Distillery Company. Benromach was mothballed from 1931-1937 and from 1983-1993. In 1993, Benromach was bought by Independent Bottler Gordon & MacPhail from United Distillers and since 1998 the Distillery is up and running again. The Benromach Organic was launched in 2006 and is made of certified organic ingredients. The production process is certified Organic as well. The whisky matures in Virgin American Oak Casks and is stored in the traditional dunnage warehouses. The sample I'm tasting today was distilled in 2008 and bottled in 2014. It is not Chill-Filtered and costs around 60 US Dollars (May 2015).

Drinking Experience Neat: Good

Conclusion: A nice all-round Speysider with quite a few Bourbon characteristics. This Organic Malt will please Whisky drinkers who prefer a Soft and Easy Going Whisky. It's not without some little flaws though. It could do with a Sherry Cask Finish as the Virgin Oak is quite present. I also found it a tad too Thin on the Palate and the Finish could be a bit longer as well. For the time being, the 10 Years old remains my favourite Benromach.

Jan van den Ende                                                                           May 14, 2015

The Stills at Benromach

Glenkinchie 1999 Distillers Edition

“ All Quiet on the Edinburgh Front”

Country: Scotland 

Region: Lowlands

Brand: Glenkinchie 1999 Distillers Edition

Type: Single Malt Whisky

Age: Roughly 13 Years

ABV: 43 % 

Colour: Dark Gold

Nose: Cereals, Floral tones and Citrus are my main impressions. I find Buttered Toast, German Butterkekse (Butter Biscuits), Charred Oak, Honey, Heather, Floral Soap, Grass, Nuts, Vanilla, Orange, Banana Ice-Cream, light Spices, Malt and a hint of Espresso Coffee. The Alcohol is not totally integrated. There's nothing wrong with the Nose but it isn't very exciting as well. It has a Highland feel to it.  

Palate: Light and Sweet but with a little Bitterness as well. I find Cereals, Malt, Tangerine, Pear Drops, Nuts, Raisins, light Aniseed, light Menthol, Licorice, Cinnamon, Pepper, Oak, light Vanilla, light Sherry and hints of Espresso and Chocolate.  

Finish: Short, slightly Edgy, Spicy and Herbal with Oat Porridge, Oak, Raisins, Toffee, Nuts, Grass and Straw, Pepper, light Menthol, light Vanilla, Licorice, light Citrus and light Chocolate. Quite Dry in the end. 

I added a bit of Water and on the Nose the Floral notes become even clearer. But Palate and Finish simply disappear. Better sip this Glenkinchie neat.

Rating: 83 

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

General Remarks: The Glenkinchie Distillery was founded in 1837 by John & George Rate. It is located in Pencaitland, Tranent, East Lothian. It's close to Edinburgh hence Glenkinchie is nicknamed " The Edinburgh Malt ". Today it is owned by Diageo. Most of Glenkinchie's output is reserved for The J. Walker and Haig Blends. The core Single Malts are the 12 Years that is part of the Classic Malt line up and the Distillers Edition. The 1999 Distillers Edition I'm tasting today was bottled in 2012 and was finished for around six months in Spanish Amontillado Casks. It costs between 50 and 80 US Dollars depending on where you live (May 2015).

Drinking Experience Neat: Good

Conclusion: This is only my second Glenkinchie but I have to say I'm not really impressed so far despite the fact that this Distillery produces Spirits that are more Highland than Lowland in character. I've had the 12 Years and now this Distillers Edition that is slightly older and was finished in Ex-Sherry casks. Both are not bad and can be considered as an every day whisky but they also lack depth and complexity. I can see why Glenkinchie is important raw material for Blends but I simply do not find their Spirits interesting enough as a Single Malt. 

Jan van den Ende                                                                   May 11, 2015

Natu Nobilis Review

“Not Quite As Noble As The Name Suggests”

Country: Brazil

Brand: Natu Nobilis

Type: Blended Whisky

Age: NAS

Alcohol: 39%

Colour: Deep Copper (Caramel is added for colouring)

Nose: Nose: Alcohol, Refill-Oak, Nut Shells, Dried Fruit, Toast and Margarine, Treacle, Toffee and traces of Green Apple, Malt and Honey. I must say I've smelled far worse at this Price Level. It's all very Thin of course and it's really Borderline Whisky as the Industrial Alcohol is in full control.

Taste: Edgy, Hot, Thin and Watery. The Alcohol stings a bit. I find Refill-Oak, Sugar, Toffee, Nut Shells, light Licorice and Sharp Wood Spice.

Finish: Short, Sharp and Bitter-Sweet with Alcohol, Sugar, Refill-Oak, Toffee, Nut Shells, light Licorice and Pepper.

Rating: 63.5 

Nose: 17 – Taste: 16 – Finish: 15  – Overall: 15.5 

With added Water the Heat dies down but I wouldn't call it Whisky anymore.

General Remarks. This Blended Whisky is bottled in Brazil by Pernod Ricard Brasil. It contains imported Malt Whiskies from Scotland that are supplied by J.E. Seagram. I would presume that these Malt Whiskies are produced by one or more of the Pernod Ricard distilleries in the Highlands. Locally distilled alcohol and water are subsequently added by Pernod Ricard Brasil. Natu Nobilis was launched in 1969 and it's still one of the Market Leaders, especially in Southern and Central parts of Brazil.

Drinking Experience Neat: Below Average.

Drinking Experience on the Rocks: Just barely acceptable but without giving any real pleasure.

Conclusion: If you're looking for relatively cheap Alcohol with a nice Caramel colour and packed in a nice bottle, Natu Nobilis might just be what you're looking for. If you want to appreciate a nice Blended whisky though, go look somewhere else.  Of the whiskies elaborated in Brazil, Natu Nobilis is the "best" so far. The Nose is acceptable in this Price Class. But Palate and Finish are Edgy, Sharp and Bitter and are completely dominated by the industrial Alcohol. If you must drink Natu Nobilis, better drown it in ice. These days, it's nearly impossible to find a cheap good whisky. The best alternative still is a standard American Bourbon or Whiskey!

Jan van den Ende                                                                       May 7, 2015

Blair Athol 1989 Review

“These Bells Didn’t Quite Toll For Me”

Country: Scotland

Region: Central Highlands - Pertshire

Brand: Blair Athol 1989 (Anam Na H-Alba)

Type: Single Malt Whisky

Age: 23 Years

ABV: 49.9 %

Sample provided by Thomas from Germany. Many Thanks!

For Whom the Bells Tole!

Colour: Amber with Reddish tones

Nose: I'm not sure I would have identified this Blair Athol as a Single Malt in a Blind Tasting. My first impressions are Grains, Grass, Straw, Dried Fruits, Oak, Brown Sugar, Vanilla, Toffee, Candle Wax, light Pineapple and Buttered Toast. Make sure you give this Whisky enough time in the glass. After a while I find some traces of Honey, Black Coffee, Red Grapes, Plums, Pears and Red Berries. And finally light Spices like Nutmeg and Cinnamon. The Alcohol is sufficiently integrated. I can't say I'm excited about this Nose although there's nothing wrong with it and the Port Pipe did give some extra Aromas. I find it a bit dull, musty and lifeless. 

Some of the Nice Bells on Display

Taste: Strong Delivery thanks to the high ABV. Spices and Citrus are my main impressions. I find slightly Bitter Orange, Grapefruit Juice, Tangerine, Vanilla, Red Grapes, Barley, Treacle, Cocoa Powder, Raisins, Pepper, Ginger, Nutmeg, Cloves and Licorice.

Finish: Middle-Long, Spicy and slightly Salty with Bitter Orange, Dark Chocolate, Cocoa Powder, Espresso Coffee, Vanilla, Toffee, Plums, Pepper, Nutmeg, Cloves, Oak, light Licorice, light Menthol and Mulled Red Wine.

Warehouses at Blair Athol

I added a little Water and on the Nose Sweet Barley, Honey, Floral tones, Pineapple, Red Fruit, Orange and Plums come to the foreground. The Nose of this Blair Athol certainly comes alive with a bit of Water. Palate and Finish do not benefit in the same way however as Spices and Licorice start to dominate. 

Rating: 85

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

General Remarks: This Blair Athol 23 Years Single Cask Whisky was distilled on the 1st of June 1989 and was bottled on the 6th of December 2012 by Indie Whisky bottler Anam Na H-Alba from the town of Oberhausen in Germany. It matured in an Ex-Bourbon Hogshead before being finished in a Ruby Port Pipe. Only 85 bottles went to the market and I was lucky enough to get a sample. This Blair Athol is non Chill-Filtered and naturally coloured. It was bottled at Cask Strength. The Bottles were sold at around US$ 85 a piece, relatively cheap for a Single Malt of this age.

Royal Wedding Bell Blues

The Blair Athol Distillery was founded in 1798 by John Stewart and Robert Robertson. It changed hands several times and today it's part of the Diageo Group. Blair Athol is the home of Bell's Blended Scotch, the best selling Whisky in England. Blair Athol possesses a semi-lauter Mash Tun, 6 Washbacks made of stainless steel and 2 pairs of Stills. The annual production lies around 2,5 million litres. As almost all production goes into Bell's, it's rare to find a Single Malt of this Distillery. The best known was the 12 Year old Flora & Fauna. From time to time you can find an Indie bottling. The name Blair Athol means Plain of the new Ireland. The Water comes from Allt Dour Burn. We visited the distillery on a rainy Monday, the 26th of May 2014. We didn't do the Tour but enjoyed a dram in the nice Visitor Centre where you can find a lot of Whisky-filled Bells on display. Blair Athol is a very picturesque distillery and it's certainly worth a visit when you're in Pitlochry.

Drinking Experience Neat: Good

Strolling around at the VC

Conclusion: Difficult to score this Blair Athol. It has sufficient Aromas and Flavours, the high ABV works well and the Wood does not dominate the Spirit. And the Port Finish did contribute in a positive way in this case. The reason I still give it "only" 85 points is that this Single Malt misses the Wow factor. Five minutes after I finished the dram I had forgotten all about it. In fact, in a Blind Tasting Session I would have thought it to be a Grain Whisky or a high end Blend. I would not be surprised if that would be the reason that most of the production of this Distillery disappears in the successful but quite mediocre Bell's Blend. It could well be that the Spirit is not really interesting enough to do well as a Single Malt. I would need to try some other Blair Athol expressions to be really sure of that. This specific Bell did not really toll for me though!

Jan van den Ende                                                                       May 4, 2015

Hibiki 12 Years Review

“A Nose You Won’t Forget”

Country: Japan

Brand: Suntory Hibiki

Type: Blended Japanese Whisky

Age:  12 Years

Alcohol: 43%

Colour: Golden Amber

Nose: Soft and Attractive with Malty, Fruity and Floral tones. No aggressive notes whatsoever. Immediately you smell something that you won't find in Scottish whiskies. I'm sure the Ex-Plum Liqueur barrels made of Japanese Oak are responsible for that. On the Nose the Hibiki 12 bears more resemblance with

a good Bourbon than with Scotch Whisky. I find Dried Plums and Apricots, Rum soaked Raisins, Orange Marmalade, Apple Pie, Chocolate Milk, Butterscotch, Cherries, Banana, Vanilla, Resin, Oak, Fresh Coconut Milk, Sweet Barley, Soft Grains, Nuts, Papaya Cream, Melon, Cinnamon, Ginger and a little Nutmeg. On the Nose, the Hibiki 12 Years is more accessible than its older brother, the 17 Years. You can smell the 12 Years for an hour and it won't be boring. Every time you discover new Aromas. The Alcohol is nicely integrated. I really like it!

Taste: Lots of Citrus with Orange and Lemon Peel, light Sherry, Oak, Malt, Soft Grains, Roasted Nuts, Honey, Plums, Cherries, Banana, Pineapple, Vanilla, Dried Fruits, Clove, Ginger and Nutmeg. On The Palate, the Grain Alcohol is much more noticeable. 

Finish: Middle-Long and quite Dry but with a nice combination of Sweet, Bitter and Sour. I find Sweet Barley, Vanilla, Citrus, Cherries, Plums, Red Apples, Oak, Banana, Cocoa Butter, light Varnish, light Pepper, Ginger and Nutmeg.  

I added a little Water and the Grains become more noticeable on the Nose. Palate and Finish do not benefit from the added Water as well. Better sip it neat. 

Rating: 86  

Nose: 22.5 – Taste: 21 - Finish: 21 – Overall: 21.5

General Remarks: Normally I don’t pay too much attention to the packaging but it needs to be said that the bottle used for the Hibiki Blend is a very nice one. It's practically a decanter. 

Hibiki 12 Years contains some 30 different whiskies. At its heart you will find the Malt Whiskies from Yamazaki and Hakushu alongside the Grain Whisky from Chita. The whiskies used for Hibiki are matured in Ex-Bourbon and Ex-Sherry casks and partly in Japanese Oak barrels that used to contain Plum Liqueur. Before bottling, the Hibiki 12 is filtered through Bamboo Charcoal. The price varies a lot from country to country but on average you will pay around 75 US Dollars for this Blend (April 2015) 

Drinking Experience Neat: Good. Great Nose!

Conclusion: The Word Hibiki in Japanese has a lot of meanings. Amongst them are " Collection of Reflecting Sounds" and "Harmony". In the end, that’s what every serious blender would want to achieve. To create a collection of reflecting flavours that, once brought together, form a unique harmonious combination while maintaining or even enhancing the strengths of individual components. So let's see if the Hibiki 12 Years deserves its name. 

Let me start by saying that this Japanese Blend has Scottish, Bourbon and Local influences. The result is a spirit with a clear own personality that you probably will be able to identify when you smell and taste it again. I love the Nose of the Hibiki 12. It smells and feels almost like a Single Malt Whisky as the Grain notes are quite Soft and hardly noticeable. You can easily spend an hour nosing this Blend as New Aromas will keep popping up. Lovely stuff. Unfortunately the Palate and the Finish can't quite deliver what the Nose promises. The Grain Alcohol is more noticeable, although in no way as harsh as in many of the Scottish Blends. So while Palate and Finish are still Good, they miss the magic of the Nose. When compared to the more expensive 17 Years, I find the Hibiki 12 years much more accessible on the Nose while Palate and Finish are reasonably similar. In my opinion it does not pay off to spend the extra bucks on the 17 Years. I conclude that the Hibiki 12 Years certainly represents a "Collection of Reflecting Sounds", especially on the wonderful Nose. On the Palate and in the Finish, the Grain Alcohol is a bit too present to call it completely harmonious. Still, it comes very close and the Hibiki 12 Years is a Blend I fully recommend despite its high price. "Hotondo Hibiki", We're Almost There!

Jan van den Ende                                                                    April 30, 2015

Stills at the Hakushu Distillery