Ardnamurchan sherry cask - review

 Whisky Review 

Ardnamurchan Sherry cask release (2022)   

ABV: 50%

RRP: £60

"There is enough influence from each of its cask mix, offering classic leather and dark fruits from the oloroso and sweetness from the PX sherry. Mixed in with just a subtle amount of peat smoke. "

B

A quick search for this distillery on twitter, now known as X or whatever, will show their handle as @distillery1826. This was the year that the Adelphi distillery was built, upon the banks of the river  Clyde.  Their website offers a detailed history of how Adelphi has influenced the birth of Ardnamurachan distillery which officially opened in 2014. Proud of their heritage, their bottles display their location within the western highlands in their glass blown print as a major feature on their core releases. Stylish and ticking the boxes of natural colour and non chill filtered, this distillery has quickly made a name for itself amongst whisky enthusiasts, with most limited releases selling out super-quick. 

This sherry release was placed firmly on my 'whisky wishlist', without ever having the trigger pulled as i try to reduce my whisky spending budget this year. But it felt a sign when I came across it at the Newcastle Whisky Festival this year and having tried a sample I simply couldn't resist the urge any longer.  

Nose: Honey and bacon. Its sweet and savoury upon the nose. There is some salty sea breeze amongst the sweet caramel and leather notes. 

Taste: Strong dark fruits upon immediate arrival. Its delicate and the alcohol doesn't cause any distraction on the palate. Bonfire is a dominant note I'm getting. A lovely blend of sweet honey and fantastic barbequed meats, all washed down with a drying smokey, bonfire finish. Stunning liquid!

Score: 

8/10

This is, without doubt, excellent whisky. Its hard to believe a whisky of this age (circa 5 years) has this much depth, flavour profile and quality. There is enough influence from each of its cask mix, offering classic leather and dark fruits from the oloroso and sweetness from the PX sherry. Mixed in with just a subtle amount of peat smoke. 

There is no youth brashness either. Its composed and too mature for its own right. This whisky carries a briefcase to school and has earned the right to do so! But there will be no finger pointing from its youthful peers, instead they hold onward looks of jealousy, admiration and reverence. Student of the week amongst its age group for me. Bravo Ardnamurchan, bravo!!

*This whisky was self-purchased and the above review reflects my personal opinions only. 

Ledaig Sinclair Series - Rioja cask finish review

 Whisky Review 

Ledaig Sinclair Series - Rioja Cask Finish

ABV: 46.3%

RRP: £35-40

"Whilst maintaining Ledaig's core character, the active rioja cask influence adds a wealth of additional flavours into this already solid foundation."

Pronounced 'letch-ick', meaning 'safe haven', this sinclair series bottling is a tribute to founder John Sinclair who first established the distillery. Now known as Tobermory, the distillery offer a range of unpeated whisky under the Tobermory name, as well as a peated whisky range under the name of Ledaig. This no age-statement whisky is seen as the first release in their Sinclair Series. Coming in at a very pleasing price point, widely available, non-chill filtered and of natural colour, this bottle is already ticking the boxes. In direct competition with the Ledaig 10, can it live up to its 10 year old brother at a similar price point? 

Nose: 

A wonderful treat on the nose; sweet, meaty barbequed notes. Its honeyed chilli-beef with a coastal and peaty background. Salted popcorn and the rioja cask influence is certainly showing up for me, offering sweet fruity notes. Amongst the sweetness though there is some lingering peat. Bonfire embers on a winters night, its very inviting. 

Taste: 

Sweet and salty popcorn on the palate, in perfect harmony as they compete within the initial wash. Its sweet, no its salty, no its sweet again. Its not quite as meaty on the palate as it felt on the nose, a clear difference to the 18yo Ledaig which is pure barbequed meats. Its dry and very fruity. Cherries are quite prominent. The smoke is all within the finish, and its ash smoke, not your conventional peat. Tobacco and leather are proving that the rioja casks were well chosen and active within their influence. But they aren't overbearing as the Ledaig character is still clear to identify. It has a medium, smoky and drying finish. Very nice indeed. I'd LOVE to try this at a slightly higher abv. 

8/10

For its price point, you cant ask for much more. This is indeed a high quality, well balanced whisky. Whilst maintaining Ledaig's core character, the active rioja cask influence adds a wealth of additional flavours into this already solid foundation. Everything is in harmony, its balanced, its well judged and it has depth. Originally I was thinking a 7, but when you add the price into consideration, that bumps it up a score for me. Im a fan of Ledaig offerings and I very much enjoy their 10 yo. priced at £40, the 10yo draws mainly upon a bourbon cask influence. Also very very good, it comes down to personal preferences and palate. I like the 10yo. I really like this!

*This whisky was self-purchased and the above review reflects my personal opinions only. 

Laphroaig 10 yo Sherry Oak - Review

Whisky Review 

Laphroaig 10 yo Sherry Oak Finish 

ABV: 48%

RRP: £55-60

"Its salted, burnt barbequed ribs, with some of that ash from the bottom of the BBQ scraped in."

Nose: 

I'll begin this review with a confession of being a huge fan of peated whisky. It's where my whisky journey began, with the likes of Lagavulin 16 and the Dalmore Cigar Malt going back 10 years ago when both were more affordable than the silly prices of today. Knowing I enjoy peated whisky, I had to try this release of the 10 year old which, not only adds a sherry cask finish, but comes in at 48% abv as opposed to the 40% of the standard 10 year old bottling. 

Anyway, to the nose. Antiseptic. Having worked in healthcare and hospitals myself, the smell takes me to surgical theatre rooms. Not something I ever thought I'd strive for in a drink, back when I was watching surgery as a student nurse many years ago. 

There is Elastoplast and paraffin oil. I'm now ascending the stairs to board a plane on holiday whilst they are topping up the fuel of the aircraft. This adds in a salty, warm air breeze, so perhaps its the plane journey home. Either way, not to worry if this is what I have to come home to. There is some tobacco and ash, but I'm not getting much fruit on the nose, perhaps a hint of red grape.  

Taste: 

Sweet upon initially hitting the palate, it offers a good tingle to the mouth and tongue upon introduction. The oak casks are more prominent in the taste than they were on the nose. Its like tasting the charring of the oak. There is definite tobacco, sea salt and ash. Its salted, burnt barbequed ribs, with some of that ash from the bottom of the BBQ scraped in. Its doesn't have the powerful punch of an Ardbeg Uigeadail, but I think I enjoy the fact its more approachable but with a similar taste profile. 

The antiseptic, medicinal notes return with a wave of smoke in the finish. In fact, I'm starting to question if my gums are feeling a bit numb now. ;) 

The finish is initially sweet and I would say medium in length. Absolutely wonderful and right up my street! 

Score: 

8/10

My score is 100% biased towards my love of Islay Peat and BBQ notes. I completely acknowledge that this is, in no way, a complex dram. Self perceived whisky connoisseurs will want more depth, probably higher abv, more complexity and to be challenged. This dram does not tick any of those boxes. Maybe I'm a more simple folk. Maybe It's that I don't need something to be rare and unique to fully appreciate that its ticking most of the boxes that I personally look for. This takes me on a journey with its aroma and makes me smile with each sip. I've lost count of the times I've been sipping this and said out loud in front of the company I'm with, 'Its damn good whisky this mind!' to the non-caring people around me. I've possibly, no probably, said it whilst I've been sat alone too!

I don't tend to replace bottles in my collection, preferring new experiences over repeat ones. However, I imagine that for as long as Laphroaig continue to offer this delightful dram at a sensible price, It will be a staple upon my collection. So, why not a 9? Well, a higher abv would be get me closer and it doesn't quite offer the depth of a 9 rated whisky. I can truly appreciate the medicinal, smoky character, but to attain a 9, I would need a little more fruit influence and depth. 

*This whisky was self-purchased and the above review reflects my personal opinions only. 

Glen Scotia Mermaid review

    Whisky Review 

Glen Scotia Mermaid 12 year old

Icons of Campbeltown 

RRP: £90

ABV: 54.1%

Maturation: Finished in Palo Cortado sherry casks. 

"There is enough depth and complexity here to keep you wanting to explore further and keep revisiting this fabulous and special dram"

Nose: 

Definitive sea-salt, coastal character with a joyful addition of sweet caramelised apples. Hints of leather, crème brûlée and a touch of spice (cinnamon?).  

Taste:

A combination of sweet and salty notes battle for attention on the palate. More caramelised apples too. Maritime salinity takes over with helpings of seaweed, leather and oak, finished with a dry and wonderful typical Glen Scotia signatory wash of sea salt, smoked meats and honey. This doesnt feel like a peated whisky but the subtle spice and oak influence are providing a terrific balance to the sweetness of the palo cortado sherry. There is enough depth and complexity here to keep you wanting to explore further and keep revisiting this fabulous and special dram. 

Score: 

8/10

This release has easily won me over. It offers a unique, but not overbearing twist to the Glen Scotia maritime character. The palo cortardo finish compliments rather than dominates. A tad expensive in my opinion at £85-90 for a 12 year old, but then whisky prices in general have gone a bit mad. Glen Scotia provide a QR code on the packaging where you scan to watch an artists narrative of what the Icons of Campbeltown story is all about. We also get an age statement, a healthy abv and natural colouring and to be honest, any Campbeltown whisky fan wouldn't be disappointed to have this great dram in their collection. 

*This whisky was self-purchased and the above review reflects my personal opinions only. 

Arran 18 review

   Whisky Review 

Arran 18  (2022)

ABV: 46%

Maturation: Sherry

"It's so good it's simply a crime they don't make this anymore."

Nose: 

First thing i notice is that this whisky smells like it has a higher abv than the stated 46%, packing a powerful punch on the senses. After this initial surprise, and as the senses adjust, I get a helping of apricots and peach. There is some spice present with honey and pepper.  

Taste:

Sweet peach juice initially as spices then become more predominant and start to grow. There is salt, pepper and wood tannins. The finish is a wonderful wave of intense peach juice with a mixture taken from your spice cupboard. Fresh leather and dark chocolate, typical of sherry casks are showing their influence also, 

Summary:

A marvellous dram. Its provides a glorious depth of flavour profile with its ability to incorporate the fresh peach juice and honey soaked dark chocolate along with a pinch of black pepper and Asian spices mixture. It's so good its simply a crime they don't make this anymore. 

Score: 

8/10

This is a whisky to savour, to spend time with. Pour a dram, let it sit for 20 minutes or so and sip slowly throughout the evening with minimal distractions. If ever there was a sophisticated dram, this is it. It has a wonderful mixed flavour profile with added complexity. Rarely found available anymore but you may be able to pick one up at auction or secondary market. Expect to pay upwards of £90-100 though, but its worth it! This is a 2022 bottling and I understand older bottlings are a lot darker in colour. Placed side by side with the Arran 10 year old, there wasn't huge difference in colour with this bottling. Regardless, its a great, great whisky. Its not a 9 because I'd like a slightly higher abv and more availability. These are factors I account for in my personal scoring, which I know isn't to everyone's taste.  I'm scared to let this get past the halfway mark as once its gone, I know I probably wont be able to replace it. But writing this makes me realise that whisky is a journey, and like all journeys there must be an end, but its about the memories made on the way!

*This whisky was self-purchased and the above review reflects my personal opinions only.