Arran Devil's Punch Bowl Review

(You’re the) Devil in Disguise!

Country: Scotland 

Region: Highland - Island - Arran

Brand: Arran Devil's Punch Bowl

Type: Single Malt Whisky

Age:  NAS 

ABV: 52.3 %

Colour: Full Gold

Nose: Very Elegant with Lovely Soft Peat, Fine Oak, Buttered Toast and Apricot Marmalade, Apple Pie, Peach Pastry, Dried Fruits, Custard, Toffee, light Citrus Peel, Malt, Dried Herbs, a precise Cardamom note and a sprinkle of Salt. The Alcohol is nicely integrated. Well done! 

Palate: It's nice but it doesn't keep all the promises of the Nose. It's Sweet and Spicy at the same time with Apples, Orange flavoured Tea, Apricot, Lemon Zest, Oak, Mint, Pepper, Nutmeg, Cardamom, Aniseed, very light Peat and a hint of Tobacco Leaves.

Finish: Sweet and Spicy with Peach, Apricot, Vanilla, Oak, Pepper, Nutmeg, Mint, Cardamom and a hint of Espresso.

With a bit of Water the Nose gets a little more Soft Peat, Fruit, Honey and Custard. Extra Spices and a hint of Bourbon on the Palate. This Arran invites you to play with a couple of drops of Water at the time.

Rating: 86

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

General Remarks: Arran is a very young distillery and only started selling Single Malts in 1995. It's located on the Isle of Arran, off the Scottish West Coast. The Devil's Punch Bowl is named after a terrific location on the Isle of Arran where a waterfall plunges in a pool in the form of a cauldron. This limited edition was released in 2012 and prepared with 24 Ex-Bourbon and Ex-Sherry Casks that were selected and vatted by Arran Master Distiller James MacTaggart. For the first time both young peated - and mature unpeated Arran spirit was used to produce this Single Malt that is naturally coloured and bottled at Cask Strength. Only 6.660 bottles were commercialised. Upon its release it was sold at around 125 US Dollars but today you might need to add another 100 US Dollars to that!

Drinking Experience Neat: Good

Conclusion: A very nice Single Malt from this young distillery. It's certainly not a Devil on the Nose. On the contrary! I find it Elegant with Nice Fruit, Fresh Pastry, the Softest of Peat and a remarkable Cardamom note. The Nose is the beautiful Waterfall. The Palate and the Finish tell a slightly different story all together. Here I can visualise a Cauldron with its devilish mixture of Pepper, Nutmeg, Aniseed, Cardamom, Mint and Tobacco. Still, I would have loved to see a little more balance here. But this Arran honours its name and gives us an idea of what goodies we can expect from them in the future! 

Jan van den Ende                                                              February 14, 2014

Glen Elgin 1995 Anam Na H-Alba Review

“Too Hot Ta Trot”

Country: Scotland

Region: Speyside

Brand: Glen Elgin 1995 (Anam Na H-Alba - The Soul of Scotland Series)

Type: Single Malt Whisky

Age: 17 Years

ABV: 58.1 %

Sample provided by Thomas from Germany. Many Thanks!

Colour: Golden Grain

Nose: The Alcohol is quite strong so it is really necessary to give this Glen Elgin enough time in the glass to open up. The Nose is Sweet and Floral with some Spicy undertones. I find Heather Honey, Citrus, Bourbon, light Vanilla, Toffee, Cereals, Butter Kekse, slightly Sour Green Apples, Canned Pineapple, Charred Oak, Old Book Shelves, Cinnamon, Ginger, Pepper and Cardamom. The Oak is quite present and so is the Alcohol. On the Nose this Glen Elgin only reluctantly shows its personality.

Palate: Very strong Delivery thanks to the high ABV. It's too strong in fact and quite Hot. On the Palate I find this Glen Elgin to be Bitter-Sweet, Woody, Waxy and quite Spicy with Charred Oak, Heather Honey, Malt, Hay, Orange Peel, Grapefruit Juice, Mandarin, Tropical Fruit Mix, Toffee, Milk Chocolate, Cinnamon, Menthol, Pepper, Cardamom, Bourbon and some Cocoa Powder.    

Finish: Quite Long, Woody, Bitter-Sweet and quite Dry in the end with Charred Oak, Grapefruit, Mandarin, Brown Sugar, Bourbon, Toffee, Pepper, Cinnamon, Menthol and a sprinkle of Salt. 

I added a little Water and on the Nose the Alcohol calms down of course.  The Barley, Vanilla and slightly Sour Apples become quite dominant. On the Palate the Citrus and Spices take over but the Finish gets a little Weaker. You can certainly add some Water but despite the high ABV its added value is limited.

Rating: 82

Nose: 21 - Taste: 20.5 - Finish: 20 - Overall: 20.5

Glen Elgin Distillery on a Winter's Day

General Remarks: This Glen Elgin 17 Years Single Cask Whisky was distilled on the 7th of November 1995 and was bottled at Cask Strength on the 26th of November 2012 by Indie Whisky bottler Anam Na H-Alba from the town of Oberhausen in Germany. It matured in an Ex-Bourbon Hogshead with Cask # 1663. This Glen Elgin is not Chill-Filtered and naturally coloured. The Bottles were sold at around US$ 75 a piece, relatively cheap for a Single Malt of this age (August 2015). It might be hard to find though! At Anam Na H-Alba it has been sold out for quite a while in the meantime!

The Glen Elgin distillery is located 4 miles south of Elgin in the village of Fogwatt close to the A 941. It was founded in 1898 by James Carle and William Simpson. It had its ups and downs but was finally bought by DCL in 1930. Today it's part of the Diageo Group and became one of their Classic Malts range in 2005. The 12 years is the Standard bottling but most of Glen Elgin's production is used in Blends like White Horse and Bell's. 

Drinking Experience Neat: Good

Conclusion: This is my first Glen Elgin. Therefore I have never tasted the young Spirit. The fact that most of it is used for simple Blends like White Horse and Bell's might indicate that it doesn't have a very strong own personality. That would explain the fact that after 17 Years of Ex-Bourbon Cask the Wood really came to dominate the Spirit. That might appeal to people who appreciate Old and Woody Bourbons but I found it a rather overwhelming experience. Not bad mind you but I felt like Forrest Gump or Woody Allen when I tasted this Glen Elgin. If you like this Aroma and Flavour Profile however, you might want to give it a try if you can find it as it's very reasonably priced for a Single Malt of this age.  

Jan van den Ende                                                                  August 13, 2015

Haig Supreme 2015 Review

“Mixed Emotions”

Country: Scotland 

Brand: Haig Supreme

Type: Blended Scotch Whisky

Age: NAS 

ABV: 40 %

Colour: Golden Amber 

Nose: The young Grain whiskies are all over the place. I do wonder if I ever really will appreciate their Aroma. I also get Dried Apricot, Mandarin Peel, Nuts, Caramel, Honey, Refill Wood, Cereals, Toast and Margarine, a hint of Sherry and Smoke from a very distant fire. Some slightly Sour Apples after a while. A light Plastic like Off-Note as well. The Alcohol is not fully integrated. It's not a very inspiring Nose. Still, it's the better part of this Blend!

Palate: The Delivery is slightly Watery. Haig Supreme is Sweet at first with Sugared Orange Peel, Honey, Caramel, Toffee and light Vanilla but certainly more dry and slightly bitter towards the end with Refill Oak, Nut Shells, Hay, Pepper and a bit of Smoke. 

Finish: Short, Dry and slightly Bitter towards the end with Refill Oak, Caramel, Toffee, Sugar, Hot Grain Alcohol, Hay, Pepper, Nuts and a puff of Smoke. 

Haig Supreme does not accept Water very well. Everything just gets watered down.

Rating: 76

Nose: 19.5 - Taste: 19 - Finish: 18.5 - Overall: 19

General Remarks: The oldest family name in Scotch Whisky is Haig. Robert Haig began distilling on a farm in 1627. To honour this remarkable heritage, John Haig & Co. of Edinburgh, Scotland (Diageo Group) launched the Haig Supreme, a blended Scotch whisky made of 20 different Grain- & Malt Whiskies that aged in European Oak casks. It's not at all expensive at around 30 US Dollars (August 2015)

Drinking Experience Neat: Okay

Drinking Experience on the Rocks: Okay

Conclusion: I tasted the Haig Supreme earlier. In July 2013 to be specific. I scored it just half a point higher back then but all in all my earlier impressions were confirmed. Today, I'm just a little bit more capable in describing more precisely what I smell and taste. Haig Supreme is not a sipping whisky and I suppose that's okay at this price level. There are simply not enough Aromas and Flavours present to enjoy it neat. On the rocks and in the mix however it can certainly compete with the likes of JW Red Label and in fact I find Haig slightly less aggressive. It's not much but it's something I suppose!

Jan van den Ende                                                                  August 10, 2015

Redbreast 15 Years Review

“Older Does Not Automatically Mean Better”

Country: Ireland

Brand: Redbreast

Type: Single Pot Still Whiskey

Age: 15 Years

ABV: 46%

Colour: Golden Copper

Nose: Like the 12 Years, it needs sufficient time in the glass to open up. All the same, the Nose of the 15 years does not impress me as much as the 12 years did some time ago. It's not bad though with Cereals (Barley, Rye), light Honey, Porridge with Butter and Sugar, light Sherry, Nuts, Dried Fruits, light Acetone, Charred Oak, Milk Chocolate, Espresso, Pear, Apple Vinegar, Citrus Peel, Hay, Brandy, light Vanilla, Dusty Road, Cinnamon and Christmas Spices. The Alcohol is not fully integrated. I must admit I had expected more!

Taste: Bitter-Sweet and quite Spicy with light Sherry, Dried Fruits, Almonds, Papaya Cream with Cassis Liqueur, Banana, Toffee, Vanilla, Oak, Hay, Citrus, Cinnamon, Pepper, Cardamom, Nutmeg, Clove and Licorice.   

Finish: Middle-Long, Spicy and slightly Bitter with Pepper, Cardamom, Aniseed, Nutmeg, Dried Herbs, Herbal Tea, Mint, Licorice and Grapefruit Juice. Some Sweet notes as well with light Vanilla, light Honey and a hint of Milk Chocolate. Some Varnished Oak pops up after a while.

I added a couple of drops of Water and I get a little Peach on the Nose as well. As the Alcohol is less noticeable, the Fruit - and Cereal notes develop better. But Palate and Finish do not benefit at all from the added Water. 

Rating: 83.5  

Nose: 22 – Taste: 20.5 – Finish: 20.5 – Overall: 20.5

General Remarks: The Redbreast whiskey is produced at the Old Midleton Distillery in Cork, part of the Pernod Ricard Group. Jameson is also produced at this complex. Redbreast 12, 15  and 21 are the only aged Single Pot Still Whiskies at the moment, using malted and un-malted Barley in the mash bill. The 15 Y is Triple-Distilled, Non Chill-Filtered and matures in Ex-Sherry - and Ex-Bourbon Casks. The Redbreast 15 I'm tasting today was bottled in 2013 and is said to contain 15-19 Year Old Whiskies. It's not cheap and costs between 80 and 100 US Dollars (August 2015).

Drinking Experience Neat: Good

Conclusion: The Redbreast 12 Years is one of the better Irish Whiskies I have tasted so far. I especially loved the Nose! So I was really looking forward to try its older brother, the 15 years. The Nose of the 15 Years is a lot less complex and more restrained than the 12 Years. When nosing the 12 Years I got an image of a rich Fruitcake while the 15 Years reminds me more of a plate of Buttered and Sugared Porridge. On the Palate and in the Finish the 12 and 15 years have more in common with lots of Spices leading the way. Based on my observations, the Redbreast 15 years is not really worth the extra buck. I at least will stick with the 12 Years for the time being! 

Jan van den Ende                                                                   August 6, 2015

GlenDronach The Hielan Review

“No Man’s Land”

Country: Scotland

Region: Eastern Highlands  

Brand: GlenDronach The Hielan

Type: Single Malt Whisky

Age: 8 Years

ABV: 46%

Colour: Golden Amber 

Nose: Sweet, Sour and a bit Soapy at times. The Sherry is there but it's light when compared to other GlenDronach expressions. I feel that less Ex-Sherry Casks and, in general, more Refill Casks were used to mature The Hielan. I find Malt, slightly Sour Apples, Dried Fruit, Orange Peel, Caramel, Butterscotch, Honey, Charred Oak, Peanut Butter, Nuts and Wax. There's not an awful lot going on here and on the Nose The Hielan is a little bit boring. The Alcohol is not fully integrated. 

Palate: Young, Edgy, Bitter-Sweet and slightly Sour with Dried Fruits like Raisin and Apricot, Caramel, Malt, Breakfast Cereals, Nuts, light Honey, Charred Oak, Orange Peel, light Vanilla, Hot Spices (Pepper, Ginger, Cinnamon) and some Cocoa Powder. The Alcohol is very present.

Finish: Middle-Long, Sweet and Sour, Hot, quite Dry and slightly Bitter towards the end. I find Malt, Grains, Caramel, Raisins, Nuts, Dried Fruit, Pepper, Oak, Apple-Vinegar, Buttered Porridge and Milk Chocolate. Again, the Alcohol is quite noticeable.

The Hielan does not benefit from added Water. Better sip it neat!

Rating: 81

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

General Remarks: The GlenDronach Distillery was founded in 1826 in Forgue (Aberdeenshire). It was sold in 2005 by Pernod-Ricard to the owners of the BenRiach Distillery (Billy Stewart and partners). The GlenDronach The Hielan was launched in 2015 to replace the 15 Years Revival. It matured in a mix of Ex-Bourbon, Ex-Oloroso and Ex-PX Casks. Prices vary in general between 30 and 50 US Dollars (August 2015). Like most distilleries, GlenDronach released a new, young Standard Expression. The lack of older stocks and the need to be able to compete with the increasing number of relatively cheap NAS expressions from other distilleries are likely to be the two main reasons behind the launching of The Hielan. I must congratulate GlenDronach on their choice. In my opinion any Age Statement is better than none! And in the old days it was quite normal for standard Malts to age between 6 and 10 years. It's also positive that The Hielan is naturally coloured and not Chill-Filtered.

Drinking Experience Neat: Average 

Conclusion: Whisky lovers like you and me are living difficult times. The quite unexpected growth of the Whisky consumption all over the world has driven up prices and swallowed up stocks of aged whisky. It has come to a point where aged Single Malt Whiskies have become too expensive for a large number of consumers. They are forced to consider rather boring Blended Whisky or the new wave of NAS Whiskies that is launched by many distilleries using fancy names and packaging. All this window dressing can not conceal the fact however that we as consumers are faced with a growing sea of young Whiskies. The GlenDronach Hielan is a good example. It's reasonably priced, it's got an age statement and it's drinkable although it's quite clear that GlenDronach had to relax the Wood Management in order to create an affordable Single Malt. But as far as maturation is concerned it should be ranged halfway between New Make Spirit and Matured Whisky in my opinion. The Hielan has an Unfinished feel to it. As I was tasting I laid the connection with "No Man's Land". And that's a place where nobody really wants to be!

Jan van den Ende                                                                    August 3, 2015