Here's a few tasting notes from some drams I've quaffed over the past few months... there are some tasty drams out there!
Ardbeg - Perpetuum - NAS - 47.4%, ~£110
Tasting notes taken on 25/08/17.
Nose
Ahh, hello you oily briney Islay malt! Damp smoke from burning leaves, smoked ham, sea air and those sweet aniseed pips.
Palate
The peat smoke is immediate, but with sweet vanilla notes tempering it. Overall quite medicinal (like TCP) It's realy well balanced given the strength of individual flavours. Doesn't need any water either. Some meaty bbq flavours going on, with a herbal, salty note. But all enveloped in a subtle sweetness almost like vanilla ice cream.
Finish
Hints of sea salt at the end, after a lingering smoky sweetness that is really nice! Deff not one for my Dad (he's not a peat fan!).
Tasmania Whisky Distillery - Sullivans Cove Double Cask - NAS - 40%, ~£300
Tasting notes taken on 25/08/17.
Nose
Hhmmm… different. A little earthy & minerally, yet with waves of dry fruit. Especially dates & figs. It's a little mixed up!
Palate
Understated, delicate. Subtle vanilla, melted butter, some dry oakiness, sweet light honey, gentle floral perfumy tones… nothing overpowering, all very gentle.
Finish
Not a long finish, quite sweet though. Pineapple juice & marshmallow, more wood spiciness.
Glenfarclas - 21 year old - 43%, ~£88
Tasting notes taken on 07/07/17.
Nose
Good legs, nice thick oily nose. Dried fruits soaked in sherry & rum…. Juicy sultana, orange zest, some oaty porridge notes too.
Palate
Sweet, resinous… loads of sherry cask qualities. Red grapes, dates & prunes, sweet dark fruits. Demerera sugar, hints of clove. More of the cereal notes from the nose too.
Finish
Xmas spices, orange zest and caramel combine in a long satisfying finish. This one I would buy!
Auchentoshan - Heartwood- NAS - 43%, ~£50
Tasting notes taken on 07/07/17.
Nose
Orange zest & oil, hints of shoe polish & freshly ground coffee. Some light fruity notes too though… peachy sweetness.
Palate
A little spirity, seems quite young. Does have some dried fruity, spicy qualities you'd expect from a sherry cask, but you get the impression it wasn't in there for long. Some nutty tones too, but nothing particulalry outstanding.
Finish
Not much of a finish at all. Hints of cinammon & oak but pretty weak. It's ok… nothing spectacular. Not sure it's worth £50.
Paul John - Brilliance - NAS - 46%, ~£38
Tasting notes taken on 04/07/17.
Nose
Really juicy ripe tropical fruits, esp mango and pineapple. Sweet pear drop ethers but the vanilla & dry oaky notes from the cask are there too.
Palate
A lushious fruity number that is seriously quaffable. More mango, some apricot, tempering spice & citrus notes though make it a well balanced dram.
Finish
More chilli spice and dryer woody tones on the finish. Perhaps the slightest hint of dry wood smoke too?