Enjoy this selection of single malt scotches from some of Scotland's finest regions. From floral to peaty, you'll live a trip through Scotland vicariously thru this fabulous tasting experience. Eight bottles.
Longrow Campbeltown Single Malt (Springbank): The nose is a fruity peaty wonderland, the palate mimics the nose with a touch of spice, and it finishes out in long slow drawl of peat with sweet and rustic flavors poking through. I really enjoy everything about it and Springbank, for me, is one of those distilleries that I have enjoyed everything I've had from them.
Tobermory 12-Year-Old (Isle of Mull): Matured exclusively in ex-bourbon casks, Tobermory 12-Year-Old has a vibrant, fruity and spicy character with a subtle, salty edge. This Hebridean single malt has sweet, honeyed aromas of vanilla, ripe oranges, and delicate flowers. The palate offers notes of fresh citrus, apples and tropical fruits, followed by creamy toffee, floral honey and a subtly, salty undercurrent.
Deanston 18-Year-Old Bourbon Cask Finish (Highland): Floral, tropical fruits, mirabelle plums. As it opens it becomes more intense. Gorse flowers, honey, some spiciness- vanilla sponge soaked with peach/apricot syrup- knitted together by hints of sherry, light oils (linseed, flax) icing sugar - but big on fruit esters - ripe banana, pineapple cubes and a lick of polish. Dry, but well balanced sweet/ bitter combo, touch of heat, touch of saline - and a lingering finish with the whole panoply of fruits and sherry playing out.
Craigellachie 13-Year-Old (Speyside): Craigellachie is often described as having a meaty quality to it and after trying the Craigellachie 13 I agree. The thick tarry nose is a deep well of aromas that perfectly compliment the charred, woody and earthy fruit on the palate till it's completely faded away on the finish. The Craigellachie 13 is my first encounter with a Craigellachie OB and I have to say I'm impressed. There's just nothing not to like about this whisky. Definitely recommended.
Jura 10-Year-Old (Jura): This Jura 10-year-old is a notch up from its predecessors. It's softer, less funky and a lot more flavorful. The flavor and aroma of smoked apricots is pleasant even if it's not very deep or complex. I don't know if it's the addition of the sherry casks to the mix, longer aging in the sherry casks or what exactly is different but it's a nice change - extremely drinkable.
Ardbeg An Oa (Islay): Rounded and subtly smoky (applewood), with creamy toffee, aniseed, treacle and dates. A curious suggestion of juicy fruits, such as peach and banana. With a drop of water, reminders of Ardbeg's classic. A smooth, creamy texture leads into a huge syrupy sweetness, flavors of milk chocolate, treacle toffee, aniseed, orange and smoky tea leaves. Gentle, sweet spices, some cigar smoke, and a very unusual flavor of grilled artichokes. Long and sweet, with floral overtones, mint toffee and some gentle malt. The finish is lingering, seductive, gentle yet intense, with flavors of aniseed, hickory and distant smoke.
Highland Park 12-Year-Old (Orkney Isle): Highland Park 12-Year-Old boasts individuality and complexity, thanks in part to the use of Orcadian peat in the distillery floor maltings and the employment of ex-sherry casks for maturation. The nose is fragrant and floral, with hints of heather and some spice. Smooth and honeyed on the palate.
Auchentoshan 12-Year-Old (Lowland): Auchentoshan 12 Years is a single malt with a pleasant amount of character. It's a whisky that I wouldn't say I've been avoiding reviewing, but I haven't exactly gone out of my way to secure a bottle. As a general rule I like the darker side of whisk(e)y. In single malts I like first fill sherry cask whiskey that has those dark wine, cocoa and ashy notes or Islay whiskeys with their inky peat.
