Top Whiskies # 401 - 970

Points System: 

- From 92,5 - 100 Points : The Absolute Top - A Must Buy!
- From 88 - 92  Points     : Great Whisky - Buy it if you can!
- From 80 - 87.5 Points   : Good Whisky - You won't waste your money!
- From 70 - 79.5  Points  : Indifferent Stuff  - Mostly Okay for Mixing or on the Rocks
- Below 70 Points            : Hey Teacher, Leave That Stuff Alone!

December 31, 2022

Tullibardine	"228"	83.5
Knockdhu 1998		83.5
MacLeod's Highland		83.5
Jura	Prophecy	83.5
Clynelish	1995	83.5
The Silver Grouse 12 Years		83.5
Angel's Envy Port Finish		83.5
Dailuaine	1997	83.5
MacDonald's	Glencoe 8	83.5
Millstone	100 Rye	83.5
Caol Ila	12 Years	83.5
Glenrothes	1995	83.5
Bladnoch	1990	83.5
Aberfeldy	1994	83.5
Redbreast	15 Years	83.5
Talisker	Skye	83.5
Miltonduff	1987	83.5
Grand Old Parr 12 Years	Bottled 70’s/80’s	83.5
Laphroaig	Lore	83.5
Kilchoman	100% Islay 6th Edition	83.5
J&B	15 Years (1980’s)	83.5
Glenmorangie	The Taghta	83.5
Craigellachie	1991 Scott’s Selection	83.5
Aberlour	18 Years	83.5
Big Peat	Christmas Edition 2013	83.5
Highland Park	Viking Honour (2017)	83.5
Bunnahabhain	2001/2012 10 Years (Carn Mor)	83.5
Highland Park	Voyage of the Raven	83.5
Aberlour	A’Bunadh Alba	83.5
Girvan	1989-2017 (Carn Mor - Celebration of the Cask)	83.5
Woodford Reserve	Sonoma-Cutrer Finish	83.5
Braeval	2001-2017 Hunter Laing The Old Malt Cask	83.5
BenRomach	15 Years	83.5
Nikka	Coffey Malt	83.5
Ben Nevis	10 Years	83
BenRomach	Traditional	83
Tomintoul	10 Years	83
Dalwhinnie	15 Years	83
Poit Dhubh	12 Years	83
Clynelish	"1988 ED"	83
Bowmore	2000	83
Inchgower	1982	83
Bruichladdich	Waves	83
Black Bull	12 Years	83
Millstone	5 Years Peated	83
J. Walker	Platinum	83
Ardmore	Traditional Cask	83
Smokehead		83
Strathisla	12 Years	83
Cardhu	12 Years	83
Chivas Regal	The Century of Malts	83
Kavalan	Solist Bourbon	83
Speyside Cooperage 10 Years		83
Elements of Islay BN4		83
Glenkinchie	1999 DE	83
Highland Park	10 Years	83
BenRiach	Curiositas 10 Years	83
Glen Grant	1995 The Maltman	83
BenRiach	Septendecim	83
Kilchoman	Sanaig	83
Nikka From The Barrel		83
BenRiach	12 Sherry Wood	83
Springbank	15	83
Yamazaki	Puncheon 2013	83
Braeval	1994	83
Glenmorangie	The Tayne	83
Eagle Rare	10 Years	83
Corriemhor	Cigar Reserve	83
Glenfiddich	18 (Old)	83
Ardbeg	Auriverdes	83
J. Walker	Green Label 2017	83
Dewar’s	18	83
The Circus		83
Bowmore	2000 (12 Years)	83
Edradour	The Fairy Flag 15 Years	83
Glendronach	Parliament 21 Years	83
Glenmorangie	Bacalta	83
Dalmore	Regalis	83
Ardbeg	Corryvreckan (2015-2017 Bottling)	83
Glentauchers	1996 Douglas Laing Old. Part. 17	83
Highland Park	The Dark 17 Years	83
Bunnahabhain	Moine	83
Ichiro’s Malt	Mizunara Wood Reserve	83
Jim Beam	Black Extra-Aged	83
Highland Park	The Light 17 Years	83
Inchmoan	10 Years Peated	83
Bruichladdich	Octomore 09.1	83
Jameson	12 Years	82.5
Highland Park 16 (1994)		82.5
Jim Beam	Devil's Cut	82.5
Santis Malt	Edition Alpstein	82.5
Linkwood	15 Years	82.5
Glenlivet	12 Years French Oak	82.5
Tomintoul	12 Years Oloroso Finish	82.5
Bushmills	Black Bush	82.5
Oban	14 Years	82.5
Longmorn	"1992"	82.5
Bruichladdich Links		82.5
Glen Garioch 1990		82.5
Tullibardine	Sovereign	82.5
Four Roses		82.5
Tomatin	1992	82.5
BenRiach	Horizons	82.5
Millstone	5 Years	82.5
Aberlour-Glenlivet 12 Years		82.5
Glenfarclas	17 Years	82.5
Bowmore Tempest SB # 2		82.5
Highland Park	Harald	82.5
Tobermory	17 Years	82.5
Dunes An Oir	1996 (Caperdonich)	82.5
Wemyss	Spice King 12	82.5
GlenDronach	Octarine 8	82.5
Tomatin	Legacy	82.5
Glenlossie	10 Flora & Fauna	82.5
Talisker	Port Ruighe	82.5
Glengoyne	17	82.5
Oban 1998	Montilla Fino	82.5
Craigellachie	2002	82.5
Hammer Head 23 Years	23 Years	82.5
Glenturret	1997	82.5
Glenfarclas	21	82.5
Bladnoch	1990	82.5
Clynelish	1997 Cask 6935	82.5
Connemara	2001 Single Cask # 1075	82.5
Glenmorangie	Dornoch	82.5
Maker's Mark	90 Proof	82.5
Bladnoch	19	82.5
Stronachie	18	82.5
Auchentoshan	Valinch 2011	82.5
Bowmore	Vault Edition # 1	82.5
Glen Keith	19 (1992)	82.5
Auchroisk	1990 (22 Years)	82.5
Dalmore	King Alexander III	82.5
Glencadam	15 Years	82.5
Bushmills	16 Years	82.5
Fettercairn	15 Years 1995 Signatory	82.5
Finlaggan	Cask Strength	82.5
Jura	12 Years Elixir	82.5
Glenlossie	1992 Whisky Mercenary 20 Y	82.5
Macallan	12 Years Fine Oak	82.5
Cardhu	18 Years	82.5
BenRiach	1999/2014 Cask 7466 -The Netherlands	82.5
Bowmore	Goldreef	82.5
Bunnahabhain	1989/2013 23 Y WS (Great Cask Series) 2019 Rev.	82.5
Ardbeg	Kelpie	82.5
Strathmill	1993 Old Partticular DL	82.5
GlenDronach	Forgue 10 Years	82.5
Glenfiddich	15 Distillery Edition	82.5
That Boutique-Y	12 Years Batch 2	82.5
Jura	18 Years	82.5
Chivas Regal	Ultis	82.5
Santis Malt	Snow White No. 6	82.5
Ballantine’s	Limited	82.5
Union	Virgin Oak Finish	82.5
Glengoyne	12 Years	82.5
Glenrothes	18 Years - Soleo Collection	82.5
Bunnahabhain	1989/2013 23 Y WS (Great Cask Series) 2014 Rev.	82
J. Walker	Black	82
Chivas Regal	18 Years	82
Bailie Nicol Jarvie		82
Logan	De Luxe 12 Years	82
Grand MacNish		82
Old Pulteney	Spectrum WK 217	82
Auchentoshan 18 Years		82
Jack Daniels	Single Barrel	82
Santis Malt	Edition Marwees	82
Glen Moray	8 Years	82
Johnny Drum	15 Years	82
Glen Scotia	1992	82
Slyrs	2009	82
Nikka		82
Bunnahabhain 1997	1989	82
Hakushu	12 Years	82
Wemyss	Peat Chimney	82
Millstone	French Oak	82
Deanston	1997	82
Connemara	Turf Mor	82
Glen Elgin	1995	82
Ardbeg	Perpetuum	82
Caol Ila		82
Old Pulteney	Duncansby Head Lighthouse	82
Jameson	Select Reserve Small Batch	82
Old Ballantruan Peated		82
Highland Park	16	82
Finlaggan	Eilean Mor	82
The Dalmore	Luceo	82
Oban	Little Bay	82
Hazelburn	12	82
Strathmill	21 (1990)	82
Macduff/Deveron	16 Royal Burgh	82
Benrinnes	1995 (17 Years)	82
Bunnahabhain	Ceobanach Batch 01	82
Bunnahabhain	Cruach-Mhona Batch 05	82
Glen Garioch	Founder’s Reserve 1797	82
Tullibardine	1993 Vintage	82
BenRiach	1999/2012 Dun Bheagan Petrus Gaia Finish	82
Bruichladdich	15 Years	82
Chivas Regal	XV (15 Years)	82
Rozelieures	Origine Collection	82
Teeling	Single Malt	82
AnCnoc	12 Years	82
Compass Box	Transistor (Brewdog’s Boilermaker Series)	82
Compass Box	Great King St. Glasgow Blend	82
Aberlour	Casg Annamh	82
GlenDronach	Port Wood	82
Lossit	The Lost Distillery Company - Classic Selection	82
Balvenie	Peated Triple Cask	82
Glenlivet	12 Years	81.5
Edradour	Caledonia 12 Years	81.5
Glenfiddich	12 Years	81.5
Deanston	12 Years	81.5
Santis Malt	Edition Germany	81.5
Evan Williams		81.5
Jim Beam	Rye	81.5
Macallan	10 Fine Oak	81.5
Russell's Reserve 10 Years		81.5
Glen Ord	1997	81.5
Ledaig	2005	81.5
Highland Park	Svein	81.5
Tobermory	10 Years	81.5
Bruichladdich	Rocks	81.5
Islay Storm		81.5
Millstone	8 Years	81.5
Wemyss	The Hive 12	81.5
Penderyn	Aur Cymru	81.5
Langs Supreme		81.5
Urquhart Castle		81.5
Timorous Beastie		81.5
Famous Grouse 15		81.5
Hyde	10 Sherry Finish	81.5
Glendullan	Liberty	81.5
Glentauchers 2005		81.5
Jack Daniels	Sinatra Select	81.5
Bruichladdich	12 First Edition	81.5
BenRiach	Birnie Moss	81.5
Mackinlay's Shackleton The Journey		81.5
Crested Ten		81.5
Yamazakura	16	81.5
Glen Deer	30	81.5
Campbeltown Loch 21		81.5
Knockando	15	81.5
Arran	Lochranza Reserve	81.5
Scapa	Skiren Batch SK01	81.5
Caperdonich	18 (1994)	81.5
Glenrothes	1998	81.5
Laphroaig	PX Cask	81.5
Aberlour	15 Years Select Cask Reserve	81.5
Kilchoman	100% Islay 2nd Edition	81.5
Lehmann	Gold 7 Years	81.5
Glenmorangie	Spios (Private Edition # 9)	81.5
Bladnoch	Adela 15 Years	81.5
Jack Daniels	100 Proof (Bottled in Bond)	81.5
Ardnamurchan	2018 AD Spirit - Limited Release 03	81.5
Laphroaig	The 1815 Legacy Edition	81.5
Aberfeldy	16 Years	81.5
Aberlour	10 Years	81
Jim Beam	White	81
Grant's	12 Years	81
Jim Beam	Red Stag Black Cherry	81
Tomatin	12 Years	81
The Balvenie	Signature 12 Years	81
Clynelish	1997	81
Buchanan's	Master	81
Aberlour	15 Double Cask	81
Tullibardine	15 Years	81
Macallan	Amber	81
Glenfiddich	Select Cask	81
Slyrs	2011	81
Mackmyra	Happy Hunting	81
BenRiach	Heart of Speyside	81
Teerenpeli	Kaski	81
GlenDronach	8 Years	81
Tomintoul	16	81
Finlaggan	The Original Peaty	81
Arran	100° Proof	81
Glenmorangie	The Duthac	81
Glen Garioch 1990		81
The Famous Grouse 12 Years		81
Highland Park	Dark Origins	81
The Fellowship Malt 10		81
Auchentoshan	1990	81
Jura	Diurachs' Own 16	81
Glenmorangie	Milsean	81
Miltonduff	10 Years (Gordon & MacPhail)	81
Old Pulteney	Clipper	81
Tomatin	Cu Bocan	81
Glenmorangie	A Midwinter’s Night Dram	81
Amrut	Naarangi Batch 03	81
Glenlivet	Master Distiller’s Reserve Small Batch (9378/010)	81
Code 9	NAS Single Malt	81
Mortlach	14 Years Alexander’s Way	81
J&B	15 Years	80.5
Auchentoshan Three Wood		80.5
Jack Daniels	Gentleman Jack	80.5
Santis Malt	Abhain Dearg Viking	80.5
Dalmore	1996	80.5
Nikka	12 Years	80.5
Glenkinchie	12 Years	80.5
Finlaggan	Secret Islay	80.5
Teaninich	Flora & Fauna	80.5
Strathclyde	1988	80.5
Poit Dhubh	8 Years	80.5
Amber Glen	Speyside	80.5
Auchentoshan	1998	80.5
Girvan	1989	80.5
Scallywagg	Small Batch	80.5
Mackmyra	Motorhead	80.5
Lord Elcho	15 Years	80.5
Glendalough	13 Years	80.5
Wemyss Malts	Barbeque Sauce 1990 -Mortlach	80.5
Singleton of Dufftown	18 Years	80.5
Highland Park	Loyalty of the Wolf	80.5
Highland Park	Spirit of the Bear	80.5
Writer’s Tears	Copper Pot Deau XO Cognac Finish	80.5
Auchentoshan 12 Years		80
Dimple	15 Years	80
Dewar's 12 Years		80
J. Walker	Double Black	80
Whyte & Mackay The Thirteen		80
Santis Malt	Edition Sigel	80
Woodforde	Reserve	80
Canadian Mist		80
Glengoyne	14 Heritage Gold	80
Glencadam	10 Years	80
Macleod's Island		80
Craigellachie	2002	80
Jura	10 Years	80
Dry Fly Washington Wheat		80
Glencadam	1971	80
Johnnie Walker The Gold Route		80
The Ileach Peated		80
Glendalough		80
Glenn Batch # 1		80
Wolfburn	Handcrafted	80
Jameson	Signature Reserve	80
Rittenhouse	Straight Rye 80 Proof	80
Glen Grant	1990 (Gordon & MacPhail)	80
Classic of Islay	Jack Wieber’s Whisky World	80
Scapa	Glansa GL 01	80
Rock Oyster	Blended Malt	80
Glentauchers	1991 Gordon & MacPhail 16 Y	80
Mackmyra	Vinterdröm	80
Glenmorangie	Tarlogan	80
Tormore	2004/2016 12 Years (Gordon & MacPhail)	80
Teeling Small Batch	Bottled 2017	80
Jura	The Road	80
Woodford Reserve	Cherry Wood Smoked Barley	80
Girvan	1994 Carn Mor (Celebration of the Cask)	80
Jack Daniels	No. 27 Gold	80
Auchnagie	Lost Distillery Company	80
Bunnahabhain	An Cladach	80
Arran	Quarter Cask (The Bothy)	80
Ballantine's 12 Years		79.5
Jim Beam	Red Stag Cinnamon Spiced	79.5
Rosebank	14 Years	79.5
Locke's	8 Years	79.5
Wild Turkey	81	79.5
St.George's Chapter 9 Peat		79.5
J. Walker	Gold Reserve	79.5
Bunnahabhain 1997	2006	79.5
Catto's	12 Years	79.5
Cutty Sark	Storm	79.5
Cutty Sark	12 Years (1980’s)	79.5
Aberfeldy	12 Years	79.5
Peat’s Beast		79.5
Bowmore	Legend Old Edition (Birds Label)	79.5
West Cork	10 Years	79.5
Aberlour	12 Years Double Cask Matured	79.5
Edradour	10 Years	79
Pig's Nose		79
Buchanan's	De Luxe 12 Years	79
Grand Old Parr 12 Years		79
Tyrconnell	NAS	79
Clontarf		79
Glen Moray	12 Years	79
Bushmills	10 Years	79
Mary Stuart		79
MacDuff	"2000"	79
Monkey Shoulder		79
J.Walker	Spice Road	79
Black Grouse	Alpha Edition	79
Glenfiddich		79
Dalwhinnie	Winter's Gold	79
Bunnahabhain	Stiuireadair	79
Glengyle/Kilkerran	Distillery Visitors 2017	79
Glen Calder	Blend	79
Balblair	2000 Vintage 1st Release	79
Johnnie Walker	White Walker	79
Moon Harbour Pier 1	Blend	79
Puni Vina	Marsala 5 Years	79
Roe & Co	Batch 1	79
Jameson	Black Barrel	79
Black Grouse		78.5
Bushmills	Original	78.5
Crown Royal	Black	78.5
Antiquary	12 Years	78.5
Jura	Superstition	78.5
Glenrothes	2000	78.5
Isle of Sky		78.5
Tantallan	10 Years	78.5
Jameson		78.5
Aberfeldy	1989 Fruit & Nut Fudge	78.5
Johnnie Walker	Red Rye Finish	78.5
The Ileach	Cask Strength	78.5
Macallan	Gold	78.5
Jameson	Caskmates IPA Edition	78.5
Laphroaig	Four Oak	78.5
King Edward		78
UD 2005		78
Tobermory	1995	78
Old Pulteney	12 Years	78
Angels Nectar	First Edition	78
Arran	Machrie Moor Batch 4	78
Glenglassaugh Revival		78
Abhainn Dearg 3 Years		78
Logan	Heritage	78
Bowmore	Black Rock	78
Chivas Regal	Extra	78
Glenlivet	Founder’s Reserve	78
Bunnahabhain	Eirigh Na Creine Batch 2	78
Tomintoul	With a Peaty Tang	78
Bruichladdich	Scottish Barley	78
Dunville’s	10 Years	78
Fettercairn	12 Years	78
Jameson	Standard	77.5
Something Special		77.5
Crown Royal	Fine De Luxe	77.5
Kilbeggan		77.5
Slyrs	Fifty One	77.5
Chivas Regal	Brother's Blend	77.5
Teeling	Small Batch	77.5
Dalmore	Valour	77.5
Johnnie Walker	Black Label Triple Cask Edition	77.5
Writer’s Tears	Red Head	77.5
The Chita	Single Grain	77.5
Jim Beam	Rye 2020 Ex-Prohibition Style)	77.5
Jack Daniels	Old No. 7	77
Greenore	8 Years	77
John Barr	Black	77
Johnnie Walker The Adventurer		77
Glenlivet	Master Distiller’s Reserve	77
Johnnie Walker	A Song of Ice	77
Johnnie Walker	A Song of Fire	77
Teeling	Single Grain	77
Ballantine’s	Bourbon Finish	77
Santis Malt	Edition Santis	76.5
Jack Daniels	Tennessee Honey	76.5
Haig Supreme	2013	76.5
MacLeod's Islay		76.5
Great King Street Artists Blend		76.5
Meyer's	Superieur	76.5
Jura	The Sound	76.5
Wild Turkey	American Honey	76.5
Teacher’s	Golden Thistle 12 Years	76.5
J. Walker	Red	76
Famous Grouse		76
Cutty Sark		76
McClelland's	Highland	76
Caol Ila	10 Years Medoc Finish	76
Dimple	12 Years	76
Auchentoshan 10 Years		76
Glen Talloch	8 Years	76
Glenrothes	Select	76
Wambrechies	12 Madeira Wood	76
Slaintheva	12 Years	76
Islay Mist		76
Haig Supreme	2015	76
Huxley		76
Powers	Gold	76
William Lawson's		75.5
Whyte & Mackay Special		75.5
Queen Elizabeth		75.5
Ubique		75.5
Macduff/Deveron	10	75.5
White Horse		75
McClelland's	Speyside	75
Hankey Bannister Original		75
MacLeod's Speyside		75
Glen Grant	NAS	74.5
J&B	Rare	74.5
Connemara	Peated	74.5
Jim Beam	Red Stag Honey Tea	74.5
MacLeod's	Lowland 8 years	74.5
Ballantine' Finest		74.5
Teacher's Clan		74.5
Glen Grant	The Major’s Reserve	74.5
Glen Edwards	Pure Malt	74
Snow Grouse	NAS	74
Loch Lomond	NAS	74
Glenallachie	1993	74
Bushmills	Irish Honey	74
Old Parr	Silver	74
Woodford Reserve	Classic Malt (Master’s Collection)	74
Chivas Regal	12 Years	73
Black & White		73
Suntory Kakubin		73
Haig	Gold Label	73
Chivas Regal	Mizunara 12	73
Wasmund’s	Small Batch	73
Fettercairn	12 Years PX Finish	73
Lamas	Nimbus Caledonia	73
McClelland's	Lowland	72.5
Queen Anne		72.5
Speyburn	10 Years	72.5
Grant's Family Reserve		72
McClelland's	Islay	72
Armorik	Originale	72
The Talisman		72
Glenandrew	10 Years	72
Roderick Dhu		72
Old Orkney	8 Years	72
MacArthur's Select		72
Smoky Goat		72
Canadian Club	6 Years	72
Bladnoch	Samsara	72
Ballantine' Finest		71
Littlemill	12 Years	71
O' Kanagan	NAS	71
Amber Glen	Classic	71
Black Bottle	New Version	71
Brenne	Cuvee Speciale	71
San Basile	White Dog (Moonshine)	71
Old St. Andrews Par 4		70.5
Bell's		70.5
Glen Talloch	Rare & Old	70.5
Tullamore Dew		70.5
Catto's Rare Old		70.5
Canadian Club		70.5
West Cork	Blend	70.5
Auchroisk	11 Years Medoc Finish	70
Rich & Rare	Reserve	70
Black Velvet	8 Years Reserve	70
Clan MacGregor		70
Goldlys	12 PX	70
Sir Edward's Rare Blend		70
Teacher's Highland Cream 2016		70
Label 5	Classic Black	70
Gerlachus WiskiE	Batch 10	70
Speyburn	Bradan Orach	70
Drumguish	5 Years	69.5
Barwick		69.5
Lauder's		69.5
Beverbach	Double Oak Aged	69.5
John Barr	Red	68.5
Wambrechies	8 Years	68.5
The Speyside	12 Years	68.5
Seagram's Seven Crown		68
Vat 69		68
Highlander		68
Glenalmond Everyday		68
Dalmore	10 Years Medoc Finish	67
Scottish Leader		66.5
Queen of Scotland Red Label		66
Dewar's White Label		65
Passport		65
Old Keeper		65
Old Ville		65
Cu Dhub	Black Whisky	65
Inver House	Green Plaid	64.5
Glen Rosa		64.5
The Breeders Choice		64
Old Red	Whisky Drink	64
Natu Nobilis		63.5
Teacher's	Highland Cream	63
King Edgar		62
Maristela (Cachaça)	Prata	60
Fujikai	10 Years	56
Drury's Special Reserve		55
Boxing Hares		55
Old Eight	Special Reserve	51

Aberfeldy 1999/2017 Cask # 5 Review

“Merry Christmas”

Whisky Review # 789

Country:Scotland

Region: Southern Highlands

Brand: Aberfeldy 1999 - Bottled 17-05-2017 - Limited Edition

Type: Single Malt Single Cask Whisky Cask # 5 - Bottle # 225 of 609
Age: 17 Years

Alcohol By Volume (ABV): 56.5 % (Cask Strength)
Maturation: Oloroso Sherry Cask
Chill Filtration: No
Price Range: US$ 250-600 (December 2018). Will be very hard to find.
Buying Advice: 😊Good Sherry Bomb.  👎Remaining bottles are too expensive

Colour:

Mahogany/Brown (Natural Colour)

Nose:

The ABV is quite substantial so be sure to give this Aberfeldy enough time in the glass. This Single Malt looks and smells like Christmas. A true Sherry-Bomb with lots of Dark Fruit, Spices and Leather. Quite Sweet and a little Dusty. Compact and Mature. Significant Cask influence.

Main Aromas:

Sweet Barley, Buttered Toast, Salty Caramel, Treacle, Brown Sugar, Dried Fruit like Sultanas and Raisins, Resin, Peach, Nectarine, Orange, Bitter Chocolate, Polished Leather Upholstery, Straw, Dusty Oak, Cinnamon and Ginger.

Supportive Aroma Accents:

Toffee, Vanilla, Rum, Dark Honey, slightly Sour Berries, Lemon, Marzipan, Dark Cherries, Tobacco, Pepper, Licorice, Dried Herbs and Menthol.

Palate:

Sherry, Sherry and Sherry! On the Palate, this Aberfeldy is Bitter-Sweet & Dry. The Oak is quite present.

Main Flavours:

Toasted Barley, Salted Caramel, Brown Sugar, Treacle, Dried Fruit like Raisins, Sultanas and Plums, Dusty Oak, Oranges, Dark Chocolate, Resin, Polished Leather Upholstery, Tobacco, Cinnamon and Ginger.

Supportive Flavour Accents:

Christmas Cake, Slivovitz, Lemon, Dark Cherries, Nectarines, Herbal Tea, Strong Espresso, Pepper and Nutmeg.

Finish:

Middle-Long and Bitter-Sweet. The Bitterness increases towards the Dry end. Cask # 5 certainly left its mark on the Aberfeldy Spirit. I find Sweet Barley, Salted Caramel, Toffee, Brown Sugar, Treacle, Dried Fruit like Sultanas, Raisins and Plums, Orange, Marzipan, Almonds, Dusty Track, Oak, Dried Herbs, Ginger, Cinnamon, Pepper, Nutmeg, Licorice, Tobacco and Menthol.

Drinking Advice:

A few drops of Water help to calm down the Alcohol. Palate & Finish become slightly more Herbal but in this case my advice is to add a few drops.

Rating: 88

Nose: 22.5 - Taste: 22 - Finish: 21.5 - Overall: 22

Drinking Experience:

Good.

Conclusion:

The Aberfeldy distillery is located in Aberfeldy (Perthshire) in the Southern High-lands. It was founded in 1896 by John and Tommy Dewar. The needed a Single Malt for their blended Whisky Dewar's White Label. Since 1998 it is owned by the Bacardi Group. A beautiful visitor centre was opened in 2002. The annual production amounts to around 3.5 million litres. The core ranges consists of the 12, 16 and 21 Years Old. We visited the distillery and the beautiful visitor centre in May 2017. That's where I bought the 17 Years I'm reviewing today.

This is by far the best Aberfeldy I have tasted until now. Sherry Bomb fans will love this one and I will certainly serve this Single Malt with Strong Coffee and Rich Dark Chocolate at the end of this year's Christmas Dinner. At the same time I feel that the Spirit stayed a few years too long in the very active Cask # 5. The Wood influence is a bit overwhelming at times. But it's a quality Whisky without any doubt and it's certainly worth the 100 Pounds or so I paid for it at the distillery. There won't be many bottles left though and I've seen crazy prices of over US$ 500 on the internet. That's way too much for this Aberfeldy. Limited Editions like this should be bought at the distillery as soon as they are available.

Dear Whisky friends, I would like to wish you and your family a very Happy and Malty Christmas. May the Spirit be with you all!

Cheers!

Jan van den Ende                                                             December 23, 2018

Bruichladdich 15 Years Review - Bruichladdich Links No. 10 Valhalla Review - Bruichladdich Scottish Barley Review

                                     

“Bruichladdich Special”

Most of you know that I mainly use samples and miniatures when preparing my Reviews. At the request of many of my readers I give preference to more recent expressions. As a result, my backlog of older samples has increased quite a bit. To do justice to those samples I will review them in the format of Specials. These specials will deal with a specific distillery like today or with specific bottlers, countries or regions. The reviews in these Specials will concentrate on the Whisky and won't touch too much details about distilleries, maturation etc. I do hope you will like these Specials just as much as my regular reviews and I look forward to your reactions and suggestions. In this special I will review three random Bruichladdich Single Malts. Enjoy!

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Whisky Review # 786

Country: Scotland

Region: Islay

Brand: Bruichladdich

Type: Single Malt Whisky
Age: 15 Years

Alcohol By Volume (ABV): 46%
Maturation: Bourbon Casks (85%) + First Fill Spanish Oloroso Casks (15%)
Chill Filtration: No
Price Range: US$ 80-100 (December 2018)
Buying Advice: 😬Interesting but not flawless. Price/Quality ratio: Okay.

Colour:

Light Amber (Natural Colour)

Nose:

Quite Sweet and a little Thin. The Sherry influence is noticeable. Dried Fruit and Fortified Red Wines call the immediate attention. There are a few Sour and Salty notes as well. Nothing very complex. The tiniest hint of Smoke. Unfortunately, the Alcohol is not fully integrated.

Main Aromas:

Sweet Barley, Butterscotch, Vanilla, Salted Toffee, Dried Fruit like Apricot and Apple, Pineapple, Red Berries, Orange, Grapefruit, Banana, Mint, Milk Chocolate, and Cinnamon.

Supportive Aroma Accents:

Heather-Honey, Dough, Floral Perfume, Lemon, Tangerine, Coconut, Dry Earth and Wood-Shavings.

Palate:

Bitter-Sweet and a little Edgy. A few Sour notes as well. Musty & Dusty! Not a lot of complexity though.

Main Flavours:

Toasted Barley, Salted Caramel, Dried Apricot, Nuts, Grass, Red Grapes, Melon, Banana, Orange, Grapefruit, Dusty Oak, Pepper and Menthol.

Supportive Flavour Accents:

Toffee, Vanilla, Heather-Honey, Pineapple, Tangerine, Coconut, Red Berries, Wet Rock, Dusty Track and Ginger.

Finish:

Middle-Long, a little Sharp and Bitter-Sweet. Medium-Dry, a bit Edgy and Old-Fashioned. A metal off-note is clearly noticeable towards the end. I find Toasted Barley, Dry Earth, Salted Caramel, Toffee, Vanilla, Butterscotch, Dried Fruit (Apricot) and Nuts, Grass, Red Grapes, Orange, Grapefruit, Apple, Bitter Oak, Pepper, Ginger and Menthol.

Drinking Advice:

I added a few drops of Water and that relaxes the Spirit. Lots of Barley & Citrus. The Finish gets even more Menthol this way. You can carefully experiment with a few drops at a time.

Rating: 82

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

Drinking Experience:

Good. Quite straight-forward and a little Dusty.

Conclusion:

Bruichladdich was founded in 1881 by Barnett Harvey. During its history it was mothballed various times, the last time in 1998. In 2012 the Islay distillery was bought by Remy Cointreau (France). Since, Bruichladdich is showing a healthy growth again. The distillery produces 3 types of Single Malt, i.e. the unpeated Bruichladdich, the heavily peated Port Charlotte and the very heavily peated Octomore. The basic core range for Bruichladdich includes The Classic Laddie, Islay Barley 2010 & Black Art 5.

The 15 Years I'm reviewing today was launched in 2003. I bought a miniature on Islay during my visit in 2014 that was bottled 1 to 2 years earlier. This 15 Years is known as the 1st Edition. The 2nd Edition was partly matured in sweet Sauternes Whine casks from France. The First Edition is still available in places.

The 15 Years 1st Edition is a simple and straight-forward "Old-Fashioned" malt. It has not been "prepared" for the big markets. There are a few rough edges  and the Finish suffers from the Metal off-note. It's a bit on the light side for a 15 Year old Whisky. I kinda like this style but I feel that a little more care during distillation and maturation could have produced a much better 15 Years. A bit of a missed chance I'm afraid. Still, sufficiently interesting and not too expensive if you can find it at around US$ 75.

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Whisky Review # 787

Country: Scotland

Region: Islay

Brand: Bruichladdich Links No. 10 Valhalla USA - Limited Ed. - 18000 Bottles

Type: Single Malt Whisky
Age: 15 Years

Alcohol By Volume (ABV): 46%
Maturation: Bourbon Casks with Chateau Climens, Barsac Sauternes Wine Finish
Chill Filtration: No
Price Range: US$ 180-220 (December 2018)
Buying Advice: 😊Good interesting, old-fashioned, stuff. Quite expensive!

Colour:

Deep Golden with shades of Red and Orange (Natural Colour)

Nose:

Full, a bit Heavy and Sweet. Please give it enough time in the glass before you start Nosing as the Alcohol is quite noticeable. The Sauternes influence is very obvious. It smells almost like a Whisky Liqueur. This Valhalla will certainly bring your Nose in the Christmas mood. There are many Sherry Monsters around but this Bruichladdich comes close to being a Sauternes-Monster!

Main Aromas:

Sweet Barley, Buttered Toast, Golden Syrup, Dried Fruit like Raisins, Sultanas, and Apricots, Nuts, Yeast, Orange, Peach, Tinned Pineapple, Cinnamon & Dusty Oak.

Supportive Aroma Accents:

Brown Sugar, Vanilla, Marzipan, Sour Grapes, Floral Perfume, Forest Soil, Dusty Track, Honey, Sweet Apples, Nectarine, Pepper and Ginger.

Palate:

Chestnuts roasting on an open fire! I don't actually taste Chestnuts but the X-mas feeling to this Valhalla is crystal clear. Again a little on the Heavy side but comforting nevertheless. I'm tasting Valhalla while temperatures in Sao Paulo today have reached 34 Degrees Celsius. I perspire but still manage to imagine Christmas!

Main Flavours:

Sweet Barley, Golden Syrup,  Dried Fruit like Apricot, Raisins and Papaya, Sour Grapes, Red Apple, Orange, Peach, Cinnamon, Pepper, Cocoa Powder, Oak and Menthol.

Supportive Flavour Accents:

Honey, Brown Sugar, Vanilla, Sweet Almonds, Pineapple, Lime, Pear, Nutmeg, Ginger and Leather.

Finish:

Good Length. Dry with Sweet, Bitter and Sour notes. The Bitterness increases towards the end. I find Sweet Barley, Sauternes, Dried Fruit like Apricots and Papaya, Sour Grapes, Red Apple, Orange, Lime, Pepper, Nutmeg, Ginger, Dusty Track, Menthol, Oak, Dark Chocolate and Leather.

Drinking Advice:

I added a little Water and the Peach develops on the Nose. The overall Aroma and Flavour profile does not change a whole lot but the Valhalla certainly will accept a few drops of Water.

Rating: 86

Nose: 22 - Taste: 21.5 - Finish: 21 - Overall: 21.5

Drinking Experience:

Good.

Conclusion:

The Bruichladdich Links series was released in 2003. The Tins and Labels show a number of famous Golf Courses painted by Graham Baxter. The Valhalla I'm reviewing today was # 10 in the series. The Label shows a reproduction of the 13th Hole of the Valhalla Golf Course in Kentucky (USA) that hosted the Ryder Cup in 2008.

Valhalla was finished in casks that previously held Chateau Climens, a Premier Cru Classe Sauternes wine producer from Barsac in the Southern part of the Bordeaux region. The grape variety is 100% Semillon.

In general I'm not the greatest fan of Wine Finishing but there are always a few exceptions and this is one of them. The Valhalla is not perfect and a bit Heavy and Dusty in places but the combination of the unpeated Bruichladdich and the Sweet Dessert Sauternes Wine of Chateau Climens seems to work. Valhalla is not your everyday to-go-to Single Malt but around Christmas time this Islay Malt will do just fine in combination with a Sweet Dessert. I'm sure the Viking warriors would please Odin in offering him a glass or two of this Bruichladdich in Asgard. Skal!

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Whisky Review # 788

Country: Scotland

Region: Islay

Brand: Bruichladdich Scottish Barley

Type: Single Malt Whisky
Age: NAS (Probably 6-8 Years)

Alcohol By Volume (ABV): 50%
Maturation: American Oak Ex-Bourbon Casks
Chill Filtration: No
Price Range: US$ 45-55 (December 2018)
Buying Advice: 😡Negative. Not good enough. P/Q ratio: 👎

Colour:

Bright Golden (Natural Colour)

Nose:

Young and Edgy. The Alcohol is quite noticeable so be sure to give this Malt a lot of time in the glass before Nosing. The Nose is mainly Sweet but there are a few slightly Sour notes as well. There are some unwanted hints of Plastic Toys and Lemony Glass Cleaner. In that sense, the Scottish Barley is unique!

Main Aromas:

Sweet Barley, Butter Kekse, Salted Caramel, Grass/Hay, Orange, Sweet Apples, Floral Perfume, Fresh Herbs, Menthol, Cinnamon and Oak.

Supportive Aroma Accents:

Vanilla, Honey, Lager Beer, Wet Sand, Tangerine, Raisins, Cherry Flavoured Candies, Pear, Pineapple, Nutmeg and Tobacco.

Palate:

Young and rather Sharp. The Alcohol is over the top here. Some Metallic and Rubbery Off-Notes. A mix of Sweet, Sour and Bitter tones.

Main Flavours:

Toasted Cereals, Salted Caramel, Grass/Hay, Floral Soap, Sweet Apples, Fresh Herbs, Orange, Tangerine, Grapefruit, Grappa, Oak, Cinnamon, Pepper, Licorice and Menthol.

Supportive Flavour Accents:

Brown Sugar, Vanilla, Honey, Pineapple, Pear, Melon, Nutmeg and Tobacco.

Finish:

Short and a little Hot. The Alcohol is really present. This is without any doubt Young Whisky and there's a New Make Spirit/Grappa feel to the Finish. Mainly Sweet and Sour notes with increasing Bitterness towards the Medium-Dry end. I do find a light Metallic Off-Note as well alongside Toasted Cereals, Salty Toffee, Honey, Orange, Tangerine, Grapefruit, Lemon, Apple, Oak, Grass/Hay, Herbal Tea, Tobacco, Wet Sand, Rubber, Pepper and Menthol.

Drinking Advice:

I added a bit of of Water but the only positive effect is that the Alcohol burns less. Other than that you basically kill this Malt even given its high ABV.

Rating: 78

Nose: 20 - Taste: 19.5 - Finish: 19 - Overall: 19.5

Drinking Experience:

Below Average.

Conclusion:

Scottish Barley was released in 2013 and it probably won't surprise you that it was created by Jim McEwan using 100% Barley from Scotland. This unpeated Single Malt is said to have been matured in American Oak casks in warehouses directly situated alongside Loch Indaal, close to Port Charlotte.

This is easily the weakest Bruichladdich I've tasted so far. The only remarkable feature is the striking turquoise-coloured bottle. Other than that this just Young Spirit that "matured" in indifferent Wood and received an unnecessary high ABV of 50%. And as the final result is a below-average Single Malt, nobody should care if it's made of 100% Scottish Barley or not. Back to the drawing-board please! This just isn't good enough!

Jan van den Ende                                                             December 19 , 2018

All Pictures were taken during our visit to Bruichladdich in May 2014