McCarthy’s 3yo Oregon Single Malt (42.5%, OB, ‘Peated’, Batch #Wo9-01, B3/08/’09)

A plethora of names on the label; Clear Creek Distillery McCarthy’s Oregon Single Malt on the front and on the back; Widmer Brothers Brewing Company ferments Imported Peat-Malted Scottish Barley especially for Clear Creek Distillery. Nice looking bottle and label. On the nose it is familiar in reference to Scotland and Scottish malts; smokey and medicinal along with some brine followed by some oak spice, very good malt, very old wooden musical instruments (violins etcetera) and also some very pleasant sweetness. After some short time in the glass the peat and the sweetness intermingle very well; think of warm brown sugar (think of Demerara sugar in a cooking pan just prior to the butter going in) and really good peat reek. This is a sensational nose. On to the taste; a really big mouthful reveals peat reek and red cedar, chocolate, varnish, cold unsweetened tea, a tiny hint of grapefruit and malt. But oh my, the beautiful peat, My God this is really good. The mouth feel is also quite gentle, like it was actually bottled at 30% ABV instead of 42.5%. The finish is very peaty followed by malt followed by chocolate malt followed by dry oakiness and a perfect moment of dry oak bitterness. It goes on and on, this is really quite sensational. The malt, peated, charges on at high speed for quite a very long time…..

Score 88 points

It’s really very good………..

From http://clearcreekdistillery.com/whiskey.html

McCarthy’s Oregon Single Malt Whiskey 

McCarthy’s Oregon Single Malt Whiskey is of the Islay tradition of Scotch whisky.  Of well-known single malts from Scotland, it resembles the Lagavulin whisky.  It is very peat-y.  Made from peat-malted barley brought in from Scotland, our whiskey would be a single malt Scotch if Oregon were Scotland.  Widmer Brothers ferments the peat-malted barley into a “wash” or unhopped beer.  Using the unfinished wash allows us to get all the flavor and character of the malt when we distill.  We distill in our Holstein pot stills using one pass distillation, but make a small “heads” cut and a fairly large “tails” cut and put about 4 liters of tails into the next still run.  The proof at time of distillation is about 150 (75%).   Then we reduce in proof and barrel-age the rough distillate in old sherry casks.  All the Oregon Single Malt now spends some time in barrels made from air-dried Oregon Oak.  The present bottling is only 3 years old but we think it is remarkably smooth for such a young whiskey.  The result is a smooth, peat-y whiskey with a surprisingly clean finish. Production is very limited because what we put in the barrel doesn’t come out for years.

McCarthy’s Oregon Single Malt Whiskey received attention from its early days in the 1990’s because American Single Malt was a novelty.  In 2000, Gary Regan and Mardee Haidin Ragen noted in the Malt Advocate (March, 2000, p. 24) that in the world of American whiskey, “the times they are a-changing.”  Their article described how single malts have started to gain in popularity over the past decade and “full flavored American whiskey has made a comeback.”  At that time (2000) three artisanal distillers were making American Single Malts, but only McCarthy’s had been released.

McCarthy’s started to receive significant acclaim in 2004, when Jim Murray’s Whiskey Bible gave McCarthy’s its Best Small Batch Whiskey in the world award and a score of 94.  That same year Michael Jackson put McCarthy’s in his list of The Ten Best American Whiskeys, published in both the Men’s Journal (December 2004) and The Malt Advocate ( First Quarter 2005).  Consistently rave reviews have continued.  In his 2006 edition of The Whiskey Bible, Jim Murray wrote, “McCarthy’s has earned a place among the world’s elite whiskeys.”  His 2008 edition of The Whiskey Bible gave McCarthy’s a phenomenal score of 96.

Ladies and Gentlemen, a gentle reminder.

Next Monday, on the evening of the 30th November, we are hosting a tasting with some very special whiskies indeed.

 We have all the new bottlings from our Award winning Single Malts of Scotland range, including some really left-field distilleries (Braes of Glenlivet or Glenburgie anyone?), along with releases from the more familiar favourites like Bunnahabhain and Longmorn.

We will also be showing the new-improved Port Askaig 25yo and brand spanking new 30yo, as well as 3 new editions to our Elements of Islay range.

For those of you who have never been to one of our launches before, this is a relaxed event. You will find us presenting the various whiskies form behind a barrel, and for only £20 you get to try 8 of the different whiskies from the selection available on the night.

 We will be kicking off the evening at 6.45, and finishing around 9pm and as there is no actual talk going on you can come and go as you please throughout that time (although we advise giving yourself a bit of time to get through the 8).

Tickets can be purchased in the usual way, by calling us here at the shop and we will take payment there and then. There is no limit to the amount of tickets you can buy, so knock yourselves out!

We hope to hear from you soon,

Kind regards,

The Team

The Whisky Exchange

Vinopolis

1 Bank End

Southwark

London

SE1 9BU

 Tel:-  +44 (0) 207 403 8688

Fax:- +44 (0) 207 403 8788

e-mail:-   vinopolis@thewhiskyexchange.com

website:- www.thewhiskyexchange.com

Greetings to all Society members

You will see from the online shop that the Campbeltown Loch 30 Y/O is now available in a black leatherette presentation box at a price of £41.50 plus p&p.

We have  some of the 30 Y/O available in standard packaging at a cost of £36.50 plus p&p if anyone is planning to buy but not to add to a collection.   So if you intend buying purely for the drinking pleasure, and would be happy to save £5 please let me know and I will pass this on to the shop.

We are offering this to our Society members first, to give you the chance to save a little on your bottle.

Regards

Janet

For the Springbank Society

*********************************************************
J & A Mitchell and Co Ltd, The Tasting Room, 9 Bolgam Street, Campbeltown, Argyll, PA28 6HZ
Registered in Scotland, registration number 3582
Tel :   + 44(0) 1586 552009   Fax :  + 44(0) 1586 553232  website  http://www.springbankwhisky.com

Please contact Janet if you would like to join the Springbank Society 

As you know, I am committed to informing you of the release of new variants of Highland Park. These two whiskies are very special; they were distilled a long time before I was born, a time of Beatlemania, Malcolm X and Mary Poppins for one and student unrest, Johnny Cash Live at Folsom Prison and Bullitt for the other. Cue drum roll…

The Highland Park Orcadian Vintage Series launches with the release of the 1964 and 1968 Vintages. Inspired by the myths and legends of Orkney, the series is easily recognizable as it is bottled in bespoke black glass, the manufacture of which is an all but defunct art form; its scarcity reflects the rarity of the whisky. Only a couple of vintages a year will be released.

Orkney was under Viking rule until 1468 and this is reflected in the design; the interior hinged door of the oak box of the 1964 Vintage features an intricate illustration of Viking art in marquetry; it depicts a dragon-like beast around whose leg a smaller animal has firmly clamped its jaws. The original representation of the mythical Great Beast appeared on the metal war vane of an 11th century longship. The whisky is a vatting of two casks, yielding 290 bottles at 42.2%; it has a nose of dried strawberries and shellac, a sweet palate with crushed black pepper and vanilla pod and a rich, long, spicy finish. Highland Park Orcadian Series 1964 Vintage is available at £3,750 per bottle.

The 1968 Vintage is a vatting of eight casks, yielding 1550 bottles at 45.6%; the nose is thick with honey and spice, the palate redolent of dried orange peel and ginger with a long, sweet, spicy finish. The interior hinged door on the box of this expression features a mythical Sea Dragon from a wood carving at the church of Urnes in western Norway. The illustration is a combat motif; a dragon-like creature is shown seizing a lesser beast by the neck. Highland Park Orcadian Series 1968 Vintage is available at £2,250 per bottle.

Both of these releases from the Orcadian Vintage Series are available from specialist retailers globally.
For more information about the Best Spirit in the World, or to purchase an Orcadian Series bottling, visit www.highlandpark.co.uk
 
 

Gerry
Head of Brand Education, Highland Park

WHISKY GIFTS GALORE FOR CHRISTMAS
This mouth-watering menu of award winning Christmas drams offers a range of gifts to suit every budget, guaranteed to delight both whisky connoisseurs or newcomers to ‘the water of life’ this festive season.   

Gifts under £25

The Famous Grouse is unveiling a limited edition gift box for this Christmas. Scotland’s favourite whisky has partnered with renowned Scottish designers, Timorous Beasties, to create a unique collectors item sure to be a hit with whisky lovers. The illustration takes the style of the iconic Timorous Beastie toile designs, and depicts a visual history of the brand and its home, Bordeaux House, along with the famous bird itself. The gift box contains a bottle of  The Famous Grouse (70cl) and will only be available from selected retailers or online at www.thefamousgrouse.com (RRP £15.29).

Thousands of people each Christmas enjoy a dram of  The Famous Grouse, Scotland’s No.1 whisky.  This fantastic quality blended whisky, contains a blend of fine single malts including Highland Park and The Macallan. Why not make a gift or your bottle even better by personalising the label?  Choose up to 13 characters on the front label and customise the back label with your own message.  The bottle will then be posted direct to your door in a standard gift box or with the option to display in a special presentation box. (Special Label RRP £19.99 + P&P. Additional £2 supplement for presentation box. Available online at www.thefamousgrouse.com )

The latest addition to The Famous Grouse family – The Black Grouse – is a unique blend of The Famous Grouse mixed with Islay malts to create a rich smoky, peaty taste. To date, this special whisky has raised £30,000 to help save its namesake, the black grouse, from extinction through its unique partnership with the RSPB which sees 50p from the sale of each bottle go to the charity. The perfect gift for bird lovers and whisky fans alike! (RRP £15.66, available at Sainsbury’s stores or online at www.black-grouse.com )

Gifts up to £60

Balanced with oak and fruit flavours and hints of fruit and heather honey, the soft and malty The Macallan Fine Oak 10 years old makes an ideal introduction to the range. The award winning Fine Oak range was heralded to be “by far the best range of non-vintage whiskies to be launched by any one distillery for possibly the last decade.”1 (RRP £26.67, available at multiple retailers including Asda, Tesco, Co-op, Oddbins or online at www.themacallan.com )

Laden with notes of ripe fruits, citrus, vanilla and hints of spice, The Glenrothes Select Reserve typifies the Speyside distillery house style.  A vatting of casks distilled in different years, Select Reserve is presented in the iconic Glenrothes bottle and is the very essence of The Glenrothes range (RRP £32.20, available at Oddbins, House of Fraser, Harrods, Harvey Nichols, Wine Rack, specialist whisky retailers or online at www.theglenrothes.com ).

“Christmas cake in a glass” is how the distillery manager on Orkney describes Highland Park 18 year old single malt, which boasts a rich full flavour with hints of honey and peat with a soft, long rounded finish.  This year it was named ‘The Best Spirit in the World’ for the second consecutive time by American drinks expert Paul Pacult2, making this an impressive Christmas dram (RRP £60.94, available at multiple retailers including Asda, Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Waitrose, Morrisons, Co-op, Somerfield and Oddbins or online at www.highlandpark.co.uk ).

Special gifts from £290

The Macallan Sherry Oak 30 years old is slowly matured in exceptional sherry oak casks to create a satisfyingly complex single malt often referred to as ‘the Rolls Royce of whiskies’.  Characterised by its rich dark mahogany colour, this rare whisky is deliciously smooth with dried fruits, orange and wood smoke flavours and ends on a long, rich note with lingering hints of spice and orange (RRP £290, available at Harrods, Selfridges and House of Fraser, specialist whisky retailers or online at www.themacallan.com ).

The Glenrothes John Ramsay Legacy is a limited edition bottling from their long-serving Malt Master to mark his retirement and long-standing relationship with the distillery.  Ramsay personally selected 30 casks to create an impressive single malt. Bursting with aromas of spice, blood orange and vanilla, this whisky has a rich palate of fruit and mango with a long, mature unmistakably American oak finish.  Only 100 Legacy bottles are available in the UK (RRP £699, available at specialist whisky retailers or online at www.theglenrothes.com ).

The ultimate indulgence this Christmas comes from Highland Park, with the launch of the first two expressions from an exclusive range of Highland Park single malt Vintages.  The 1964 and 1968 Vintages each offer balance, character and provenance with their own unique flavours and complexity (1964 RRP £3,750 and 1968 RRP £2,250, available at specialist whisky retailers or online at www.highlandpark.co.uk ).

-Ends-
Notes to editors:
1Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible 2005
2Highland Park 18 year old was named Best Spirit in the World by American drinks expert Paul Pacult in Top 115 Spirits, Spirit Journal 2009 and 2005
For further information or images, please contact:
Pamela.wils@bigpartnership.co.uk or Mhairi.deluca@bigpartnership.co.uk
Tel 0131 555 5522
Please enjoy our brands responsibly
www.drinkaware.co.uk

Laphroaig 10yo (40%, OB, +/-2007)

The single malt from the famed Islay distillery of Laphroaig, the nose is of pest reek right off followed by a back ground of sweetness, seaweed and bandages, iodine, cocoa and the ocean (brine). The peat reek and the sweetness are very well defined and are the defining characteristics of the nose. For lovers of Laphroaig this is it without need for further elaboration. The taste is dry right off and then is quickly followed by malt, peat reek, sweetness and then unsweetened cocoa and then some further expansion of the peat reek backed by the sweetness and cocoa. Brilliant. There is also a smoothness in the mouth feel but it is very big in the flavour department.  The finish is of bitter cocoa (which is stunningly brilliant) quickly followed by some sweetness and then it evens out to become malty and slightly fizzy for a brief moment followed by some more malt. The finish is exceptionally long and is mouth smackingly good.

Laphroaig; Love it or love, there are no other options.

Score 88 points.

Kensington Wine Market’s “SUPER SALE”

This weekend is a tremendous opportunity to stock up on some great whiskies and wines, as we are having our annual “FALL SUPER SALE!” All of our single malts will be 5% off and there are some exceptional deals to be had. I’ve broken them down below, but here are a few teasers:

G & M KWM Glen Grant 1966 – SAVE 20% – This 1966 vintage of Glen Grant Single Malt was bottled exclusively for our store. It was matured 41 years and 10 months in a Refill Sherry Hogshead and has been bottled at a cask strength of 49.4%. The whisky is surprisingly soft and gentle for having spent close to 42 years in an oak cask. But don’t get complacent; the whisky rapidly builds in flavour and complexity. Here is my tasting note: Nose: ripe orchard fruits, citrus, poached apple, sauternes, chocolate orange and gentle spices and moderate hints of sherry. Palate: sweet and gentle with rich spices, and buttery sherry notes; becomes drier, darker and more chocolaty with each sip; traces of raw cocoa and coffee bean. Finish: long and soft with warming sherry notes; drying with soft but firm oak and more hints of citrus. Only 134 numbered bottles are available, with less than half remaining! – Regular $499.99 Save 20%

OMC KWM Port Ellen 25 Year – SAVE 15% – Bottled exclusively for the Kensington Wine Market this bottling of Port Ellen is exceptional. Port Ellen closed in 1983 meaning that with every passing year this whisky gets older, rarer and more expensive. We are thrilled to have acquired our own cask! Our private bottling of Port Ellen was selected from a number of casks belonging to Douglas Laing of Glasgow, Scotland. Matured in a Refill-Sherry Butt 210 bottles of the whisky have been bottled at a cask strength of 54.7%. Distilled in the months before Port Ellen closed its doors forever, our bottling matured 25 years before bottling. The first sip has some heat, but its clean and rolls out into green earthy notes, then sweet honey and finally salty smoke. The second sip is classic Port Ellen, all the taste buds in my mouth are alight with sweet, smoky, earthy, fresh and fruity notes. Towards the back of the palate the smoky-briny take over and lead the charge with some dark chocolate-peat close behind. The third sip is creamier, with buttery-briny-peat; very lovely! This Whisky was the overwhelming favourite in our two Blind Port Ellen tastings this fall! – Regular $249.99 Save 15%

SAVE 7% ON THE FOLLOWING WHISKIES

BenRiach 15Yr Rum Finish – Reg $82.49
BenRiach 15Yr Tawny Port Finish – Reg $82.49
Cragganmore 12Yr – Reg $74.49
Dewar Rattray Laphroaig 18Yr – Reg $172.99 *Exclusively Available in Alberta!
Lagavulin 12Yr Cask Strength – Reg $110.99
Macallan 12Yr – Reg $73.99
Murray McDavid Clynelish – Reg $71.99
Premium Bottlers Braeval 18Yr – Reg $152.99
Premium Bottlers Littlemill 16Yr – Reg $147.49 *Closed Distillery!
Rare Malts Glendullan 26Yr – Reg $208.49
Rare Malts Linkwood 30Yr – Reg $206.98
Springbank 10Yr – Reg $70.49
Suntory Yamazaki 12Yr – Reg $55.49
Talisker Distillers Edition 1993 – Reg $99.99
Johnnie Walker Blue Label – Reg $241.99
Johnnie Walker Gold Label – Reg $91.49
Tullamore Dew 12Yr – Reg $39.49
 

SAVE 10% ON THE FOLLOWING WHISKIES – Most of These Whiskies are KWM Exclusives

Cadenhead Laphroaig Cask 12Yr Demerara Rum – Reg $83.99
Arran 10Yr 100 Proof – Reg $74.99
BenRiach Arumaticus Fumosus 12Yr – Reg $71.99
BenRiach Herodotus Fumosus 12Yr – Reg $71.99
BenRiach Importanticus Fumosus 12Yr – Reg $71.99
Benromach Latitude 53 Second Release – Reg $ 128.99
Benromach Latitude 57 – Reg $129.49 * Only 1 left!
Bowmore Tempest Cask Strength – Reg $81.99 *ONLY AVAILABLE AT KWM IN CANADA!
Brora 25Yr – Reg $354.99
Bruichladdich Octomore – Reg $152.49
Duthies Auchentoshan 19Yr – Reg $108.49 * Whisky Mag Award Winner!
Duthies Caol Ila 13Yr – Reg $87.49
Duthies Cragganmore 15Yr – Reg $94.99
Duthies Glen Scotia 17Yr – Reg $101.99 * Whisky Mag Award Winner!
Finlaggan Old Islay Reserve – Reg $50.99
Finlaggan Cask Strength – Reg $85.99
G&M Strathisla 40Yr – $339.99 * Incredible value for a 40 year old whisky!
Ledaig 10Yr – Reg $73.99 * Sweet, lightly peated whisky from Tobermory on Mull!
Oban 14Yr – Reg $99.99
Oban Distillers Edition – Reg $143.99
Provenance Glendullan 14Yr – Reg $84.99
Provenance Tamnavulin 12Yr – Reg $73.99
Springbank 1996 KWM Manzanilla Cask – Reg $109.99 * Only 3 left!
 

SAVE 15% ON – OMC KWM Port Ellen 25Yr – Reg $249.99

SAVE 20% ON – G & M KWM Glen Grant 1966 – Reg $499.99

SALE RULES

All sales are final.
If there is a discrepancy the price in the Point of Sale System will be taken as correct.
Sale price is only valid in store and online. No phone orders will be taken.
Sale price is only valid on in store merchandise.

Visit Kensington at http://www.kensingtonwinemarket.com/

18 November 2009 (Whisky Intelligence is catching up with some posting)

ALL EYES ON THE DALMORE OCULUS AT RECORD-BREAKING BONHAMS WHISKY SALE

The exceptional one-of-a–kind Dalmore Oculus sells for a staggering £27,600 at Bonhams best whisky sale in history

Whisky enthusiasts worldwide raised their glasses to an outstanding result at today’s whisky sale at Bonhams Edinburgh. With over 90% of lots sold, the sale raised an impressive total of £211,518, the best on record in terms of value.

One of the highlights of the sale was the rare and unique Dalmore Oculus, assembled from some of the most exceptional whiskies of the past 140 years. This extraordinary whisky sold for a phenomenal £27,600, against a pre-sale estimate of £15,000 – 20,000, as cheers rung around the sale room. This is the highest price ever paid for a Dalmore whisky, far exceeding any previous expectation.

Other distinguished whiskies on offer included a Black Bowmore-1964 first edition, bottled 1993, beautifully presented in a wooden case, which sold for a sensational £2,100 (estimated £1,500-1,700), whilst the Black Bowmore-1964, final edition, bottled 1995 also reached £2,100 (estimated £1,500-2,000) and the Black Bowmore-1964 first edition, bottled 1993, selling for an equally impressive £2,040 (estimated £1,500-1,700).

Elsewhere, The Macallan-56 year old-1946, officially bottled by hand at The Macallan Distillery exceeded its pre-sale estimate of £1,500-2,000, selling for £1,980.

From the first section of the 3,000-strong Willard S Folsom Collection of Old and Rare Single Malt Whiskies, The Dalmore-50 year old-1926 presented in a splendid ceramic decanter sold for an sizeable £1,920 (estimated £1,500-1,700). Also from this collection, a Macallan Speymalt-1938 toppled pre-sale estimates of £800-1,000, reaching £1,920, whilst a Bowmore Oloroso Wood-38 year old-1964 single malt fetched £1,680 (estimated £1,200-1,400).

Martin Green, Bonhams Whisky Specialist comments: “We are delighted by the results of today’s sale. The atmosphere in the room was electric with much excitement and frenzied bidding for the 583 first-class whiskies of offer.  The Dalmore Oculus reached a fantastic sale price, especially in view of the current economic climate.”
For Bonhams enquiries please call +44 131 225 2266 http://www.bonhams.com/

For more information please contact Charlotte Hastings or Rosie Kempson at The Communication Group on 0207 630 1411 or email chastings@thecommunicationgroup.co.uk/ rkempson@thecommunicationgroup.co.uk

For The Dalmore media enquiries please contact:

Eve Robertson / Debbie Byers
3×1 Public Relations
T: 0141 221 0707 / 07974 193 897
E: erobertson@3×1.com / dbyers@3×1.com

NOTES FOR EDITORS

Bonhams, founded in 1793, is one of the world’s oldest and largest auctioneers of fine art and antiques. The present company was formed by the merger in November 2001 of Bonhams & Brooks and Phillips Son and Neale UK. In August 2002, the company acquired Butterfields, the principal firm of auctioneers on the West Coast of America. Today, Bonhams offers more sales than any of its rivals, through two major salerooms in London: New Bond Street, and Knightsbridge, and a further seven throughout the UK. Sales are also held in San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York and Boston in the USA; and Switzerland, France, Monaco, Australia, Hong Kong and Dubai. Bonhams has a worldwide network of offices and regional representatives in 25 countries offering sales advice and valuation services in 50 specialist areas. For a full listing of upcoming sales, plus details of Bonhams specialist departments, go to www.bonhams.com. (January 2009)

Stuart writes;

Just finished spending the weekend in InterWhisky Frankfurt where I met old friends, gained new ones and had a very interesting time with Blush and we received an innovation nomination.

Friday as usual was the trade day and it was a good opportunity to explain the qualities of our products and gain some good contacts. It also proved that we continue to be recognised as being extremely original with our importer/distributor, Cammineci (Wine & Spirit Partner) being one of the 5 nominees for innovator of the year for the Glenglassaugh range. We didn’t win but the recognition that we are doing things that are different is fantastic. We now need to build on this in 2010 and we have a few ideas but for now we are concentrating on building what we have started.

Saturday was the busiest day and saw a number of sales of bottles as new people discovered Glenglassaugh and appreciated the delights of bottled products while a number were also interested in the cask purchase scheme which we have and I anticipate that we see a number of new sales before Christmas as Octaves may well be added to a number of Christmas present wish lists.

Sunday and although quieter, turned out to be an exciting day. We gave some blush to one of the bartenders at the fair to create a cocktail and Stefan Hartmann (Art of Barttending) turned whisky sour into “The Blushing Sour”. In my humble opinion the colour is exciting, the flavour is better balanced than using a whisky as the base and it is truly a great drink. He is so excited by it that he is going to enter it into the regional rounds of a German completion for cocktail drinks which start in January. But don’t take our word, he eventually ended up selling 3 bottles worth of this drink in one afternoon as it proved so popular.

As an aside and to show that we appreciate other great whiskies, I tried Fusion from Amrut and was very impressed this is a superb drink. I also tried the 18 year old Yamasaki Single Malt and found it another very impressive drink and like Amrut show that it is not just Scotland that can make very good malt whiskies. I will not mention another couple of whiskies which I tried from other countries that I felt just did not come up to the mark, but everyone has their own taste. I also tried the new Kilchoman 3 year old and although young is developing well and I am sure will become a really great Islay in the future.

In the week ahead Graham and I will be travelling to the IWSC awards dinner in London to pick-up the trophy for The Best Cask Strength Scotch Whisky, awarded to our 30 year old Single Malt. On Sunday I then travel to Sweden for a week-long tour of whisky clubs which I am really looking forward too.

As usual if you have any comments or questions then please feel free to post them here ( http://www.glenglassaugh.com/News/Blog/?p=201 ) or email me direct.

Slange,

Stuart

Andrea Caminneci and myself (large and little!)

Glenfiddich 12yo ‘Caoran Reserve’ (40%, OB, +/-2003)

Glenfiddich with peat smoke, a minor blast from the past, Caoran means Peat Ember in Gaelic. The nose is quite delicate at first and is sweet; think of tropical fruit, pineapple (not chilled), some marmalade and the ever so slightest hint of the advertised peat smoke. After some time in the glass there is also some faint hints or Hessian and oak which is very nice. The taste is actually peated at first however the malt and the fruit are more dominant; the taste is quite good and very much Glenfiddich. After a short while there is short bread and then, pow; some good smoke making a stronger appearance. The finish is a departure from other Glenfiddich; the gentle smoke and the malt are the predominant characteristics. After a short while there is some really good malt and some slightly out of balance bitter chocolate and pepper at the very end that after a few minutes pops into sync and all is well.

An interesting experiment and some fun here to look at a single malt that has not been on most shelves for over 5 years in this livery.

No idea on cost….

Score 80 Points

Visit Glenfiddich Distillery at http://www.glenfiddich.com/