Mortlach 24 year old (Adelphi)

Information

Distillery: Mortlach
Bottling: Adelphi
Age: 24
Distilled: 1987
Bottled: 2012
Strength: 55.3%
Cask: Refill ex-bourbon hogshead.

Nose

Christmas Sherry Trifle. Coconut and chocolate Bounty Bars. Raisins and a little mint.

Palate

Rich, sweet and fruity. Coconut and Raisins back again.

Finish

Long and drying.

Comments

Having tried some of the more "meaty" Mortlach expressions, this is definately more suited to my palate. Fruit, chocolate, coconut. Very very tasty. I bought this bottle to celebrate the birth of my daughter Emelia and sadly it is nearly all gone. Luckily I have stored 100ml away for me to share with her when she is older. :)

Glen Garioch 1990 vintage

Information

Distillery: Glen Garioch
Bottling: Distillery Own (batch 34)
Age: 19
Distilled: 1990
Bottled: 2009
Strength: 54.6%
Cask: ex-bourbon and ex-sherry cask.

Nose

Smoke. Butterscotch sweets.

Palate

Oily and teeth coating. Some Smoke and a little Earthy. Heather

Finish

That little blast of smoke again, followed by dry oak and spice. Medium length finish.

Comments

One of the more peated Glen Garioch expressions. I really like this vintage.

Glen Garioch 12 year old

Information

Distillery: Glen Garioch
Bottling: Distillery Own
Age: 12
Distilled: 1997
Bottled: 2009
Strength: 48%
Cask: Marriage of ex-bourbon and ex-sherry cask.

This is Glen Garioch's first "age statement" malt which was distilled after reopening in 1997.

Nose

Dark Chocolate, Heather, slight motor oil. Wine gum sweets and vanilla emerging.

Palate

Buttered toast. Heather.

Finish

Sweet, fruity and nutty finish but relatively short.

Comments

I look forward to the distillery releasing some older expressions from after the 1997 reopening.

Longrow Rundlets and Kilderkins 11yo

Information

Distillery: Longrow (Springbank)
Bottling: Distillery Own
Age: 11
Distilled: 2001
Bottled: 2013
Strength: 51.7%
Cask: Rundlets & Kilderkins.

This Rundlets & Kilderkins is unique in that the malt is matured in small casks called Rundlets & Kilderkins. The smaller casks meaning more wood is contact with the spirit and quicker maturation and more flavour. As the casks were smaller, they were often used in the smuggling trade in which was Campbeltown a stronghold.

Nose

First nose comes the smoke like a wood burning stove. After I get through the peat comes a lot of sweetness in the form of treacle, Toffee apples, and Maple Syrup.

Palate

Chewy Toffee and melting chocolate. Spicy.

Finish

Bitter sweet treacle, dark roasted coffee and vanilla. Rich and warming.

Comments

I normally find peated malts hard to deal with but this is really delicious when I get past the initial smoke. The other aromas the flavours really shine through.

Balblair 1986 (cask 12648) (G&M 24yo)

Information

Bottling: Gordon & MacPhail
Age: 24
Distilled: 1986
Bottled: 2010
Strength: 50%
Cask: Refill Sherry Hogshead

Nose
Mint Chocolate, Honey, Fruit Cake. Tobacco, and boot polish.

Palate
Mint Chocolate. Sherry. Jersey Cream.

Finish
Medium Finish. Mint Chocolate yet again. Dairy Fudge and a little Ginger as well.

Comments
One of the few sherried malts which does not offend my nose with sulphur notes. Not too complex a profile with the flavours being quite distinct. Very easy drinking with the 50% ABV but could do with being a bit stronger on the palate for me.