MACLEANSCOTLAND “Exel Wines of Perth; Gordon & MacPhail Whisky Tasting” – Scotch Whisky News
Exel Wines of Perth; Gordon & MacPhail whisky tasting
Friends of ours Exel once again held a whisky tasting, a private tasting after hours here in Perth, in fact, just a 4 minute walk from where I live. A 6.30 start, but as usual for me, I turned up at 6.15 and had a wee chat with Kevin Cairns who took the tasting. He has been with G&M 18 months or so, been around a bit in the wine industry also. I was missing my “night at the museum” tonight with the Mad Ferrets! They w…ere performing at Perth museum. Och well. A wee group of 14 “slavoured” over the whiskies in front of us, personally I couldnee wait for the first dram;
CC DAILUAINE Single Malt Scotch Whisky 2004 46% VOL 70CL – an 11 yo dram, 1st refill sherry bottled in 2015. Strong, wee burn but nice dram. Cask strength, what I would call a “ZZ Top” dram (afterburner). Nutty, powerfull on the lips, good start Kevin.
We followed this with SPEYMALT FROM MACALLAN DISTILLERY Malt Scotch Whisky 2007 43% VOL 70CL – one from a range set up by pal Derek (see below), a 9 yo bottling, a longer after taste but personally I found this a boring dram. Maybe I have tried too many?
MACPHAILS COLLECTION GLENTURRET Single Malt Scotch Whisky 2004 43% VOL 70CL – 1st fill sherry, 12 yo bottled September 2016. Good legs, good nose, toffee caramel fudge, Christmas cake, used in the famous Grouse, best so far.
MACPHAILS COLLECTION BUNNAHABHAIN Malt Scotch Whisky PEATED 8YO 43% VOL 70CL – Islay immediately! Mary’s peat farm, light on colour, I tell you, for under 32 quid it’s a belter!
ARDMORE Single Malt Scotch Whisky 2002 57.5% VO 70CL – oh bliss! Oh bliss! Cask strength 14 yo, I didnee add water and it was sublime, rich, grand nose, reminded me of my visit to the distillery with Ingvar, a refill sherry hoggie, super smooth, toffee, wee touch of peat/smoke, best of the night, I went home happy with a full bottle @ under 60 quid! Should have bought a case.
CAOL ILA Single Malt Scotch Whisky 2005 57.3% VOL 70CL – final dram, 11 yo, 1st fill sherry butt, apples and perfume, at cask strength, great dram aye, but cannee beat the Ardmore.
A good tasting from a superb company. I know a few folks up in Elgin at G&M (another contact now), plus our pal Derek Hancock. Derek who spent over 40 years as a senior executive responsible for Single Malt Scotch Whisky exports and became a Keeper of the Quaich in 2001. Derek is passionate about whisky, as we are at MCLEANSCOTLAND. Derek works with us up in Speyside driving/guiding some of our tours. So I knew we would be in good hands tonight, G&M do not employ numpties.
Many thanks to the two lovely ladies at Exel for hosting this evening, and yes, it was worth missing the mad boys for this! For whisky collectors, drinkers and beginners – try out Exel for your whisky (and wines & beers by the way, plus all gins etc). Am I on a fee for this? No, just like to spread the word about good whisky joints. Put me on the list for the next one Keron!
