Mark’s Whisky Ramblings 384: Coal Ila 6 Year Old 2013 Charred Wine Hogshead

Mark Dermul, Belgian whisky blogger, goes for an independent Caol Ila. The Nectar, Belgian importer, selected this so-called Charred Wine Hogshead from the stables of Signatory, near Pitlochry. It was filled in June 2013 with spirit from Mark’s favorite Islay distillery and bottled in September 2019. This young, powerful Coal Ila is hence only 6 years old. The ABV makes you wonder if you should have some water handy.

https://youtu.be/3isXu4XlWrs

Arran has grown into a mighty force. It’s a whisky that has kept to the same ethos, but changed it’s material look, happy to report, it has worked wonders!

This, a 9yo, cask strength, all sherry single malt is a beautiful example of the fun that is coming out of this little island on the west coast of Scotland. Add them to your list of ‘must try’ and do it now!

https://youtu.be/K2oPMxBPxok

The Good Dram Show – Episode 412 ‘American Whiskey’

Welcome to this weeks episode of the show. This week I fancied doing an American whiskey episode, so I went digging in my box of samples and pulled these ones out.

https://youtu.be/g7SMIXEHJY4

Mark’s Whisky Ramblings 383: Lindores 1494 Inaugural Release

Mark Dermul, Belgian whisky blogger, is one of the members of the 1494 club at Lindores and the first bottle has just arrived. Obviously the Lindores Abbey Distillery enjoys the reputation of the historically important location, the abbey which is considered by many to be the spiritual home of whisky, where Friar John Cor was ordered by King James IV to produce ‘aqua vitae from eight bols malt’. In 2013 a distillery was built on site and in 2017 the first distillated tricked from the stills. In the third week of April 2021 a friendly courier delivered Mark’s package with the long awaited Inaugural Release. He is member 0701, chosen because it’s his birthday.

https://youtu.be/9Ie5US-u3pM

Mark’s Whisky Ramblings 382: Auchentoshan 26 Year Old Darkness Master of Malt

Mark Dermul, Belgian whisky blogger, tries something special. Darkness is a series from Master of Malt in which the whisky is finished for at least three months in small sherry octave casks. In their own words: ‘subtlety, poise and elegance have no place here.’ The small casks obviously mean there is a lot of contact between the spirit and the wood. Let me do the test with my favorite Lowlander that matured for no less than 26 years on a bourbon cask before hibernation some three months on the small sherry cask.

https://youtu.be/aVRuQfVfNZo

ralfy review 875 – Glengoyne 10yo @ 40%vol: (2021)

Mark’s Whisky Ramblings 381: Glasgow 1770 Release No 1 – Triple Distilled

Mark Dermul, Belgian whisky blogger, tries one of the first releases from the The Glasgow Distillery Company. It was founded in 2014 and can be found about 1.5 kilometers to the west of the city center. It takes its name from the old Glasgow Distillery that was operational near Dundashill from 1770 until the early 20^th Century. While their single malt was maturing, they created cashflow by releasing sourced malts under the Prometheus banner as well as produce the Makar Gin, G52 Vodka, Banditti Club Rum and Malt Riot Blended Malt. But now their own Glasgow 1770 Single Malt is ready. The first release is triple distilled.

https://youtu.be/malPwVMK-Ug

https://youtu.be/lLCHVshU9n4

Finally got hold of one! The second public single malt release from the Ardnamurchan Distillery; a fine release at that.

A mixture of 50% unpeated and 50% peated barely, in a combination of ex-bourbon and Oloroso casks, this second release is a HUGE whisky in regards to its depth of flavour and its natural presentation. Seriously, for young whisky (sub seven years) – this is an incredible expression of the west coast of Scotland.

Mark’s Whisky Ramblings 380: Glentoshan 5 Year Old Pure Malt

Mark Dermul, Belgian whisky blogger, tries a golden oldie Glentoshan. What? Yup. This Pure Malt from the 1970s appeared as Glentoshan on the Italian market. Glen Grant was the most popular malt – and is still very popular – so then-owners of Auchentoshan decided to launch their triple distilled malt with ‘Glen’ in the name. It worked. Glentoshan sold very well. Some cases were recently discovered in an Italian basement and Mark was able to secure 6 bottles. But would it still be tasty? The screwcap was tight, the tax seal in perfect condition and the fill level was in the upper neck. Very well preserved, so Mark’s hopes are high.

https://youtu.be/QE_IKQax_Jc

ralfy review 874 Extras – BigCliveDotCom whisky tamper !