The Good Dram Show – Episode 264 ‘A.D. Rattray’ – In this episode of the show, I’m celebrating the independent bottling company A.D Rattray’s 150th Anniversary, by looking at some new releases from them.
I’m uploading this after two hours sleep, a ten hour shift, public transport and serious hangover that just won’t quit. So, Glen Scotia 18, what’s better than a Campbeltown whisky? Not much, let’s be honest with ourselves. I love the Double Cask, the 15, the 25 – this is no different. Bourbon casks with Oloroso finishing. Super fruity with peaches, apricot, pineapple and mango, all wrapped up in a very subtle smoke that adds some drier and nuttier tones to the overall impact of the whisky. It’s a beautiful whisky and it deserves all of your attention, including you, yes, you. Cheers!
The Good Dram Show – Episode 263 ‘Douglas Laing Xtra Old Particular’ and features the April releases in their Xtra Old Particular range.
Ralfy introduces big peatiness, but not Islay peatiness with Ralfy Review 725 – Ledaig 13yo Amontillado malt @ 59.2%vol:
The Good Dram Show – Episode 262 ‘Claxton’s Whisky’ and features some new releases from Claxton’s single cask range.
Here’s a link to this weeks episode of the show, featuring Carn Mor.
Regards
Chris
Ralfy goes to the Highlands with Ralfy Review 724 – Royal Brackla 11yo @ 55.2%vol: (North Star)
You may have guessed but over here at Whisky Wednesday, we really, really, really like Loch Lomond. This is the 18YO, it’s matured in ex-American oak casks and really does showcase how varied and versatile the distillery is. A nose of salted caramel and fennel – a palate of spicier styles, herbaceous notes and some light sweetness and finally, a finish that musters up those slightly smoky almost Campbeltown like style finale. Beautiful.
Mark’s Whisky Ramblings 202: Cowal Highland Gathering
Mark Dermul, Belgian whisky blogger, tries an older blend for the Highland Cowal Gathering. This Gathering is one of Scotland’s biggest Highland Games competitions with athletes, dancers and pipe bands. In the recent past, a special blend was created for these games, by the good people of the Springbank distillery. Is it safe to say that a good portion of this Campbeltowner went into the mix? Hard to say.
I started at Gauntleys in February 2000 and although having a very minimal knowledge of whiskies at the time I took over looking after our spirits selection. At the time this mainly comprised distillery bottlings with a few bottlings from Gordon & MacPhail. I decided that if we were to be truly thought of as a whisky specialist, then I should apply the same criteria to our whisky selection as we did to our wine, this meant tasting as many whisky samples as I could get my hands on!
This period of time was marked by an increased interest in Independently bottled whiskies and I would regularly badger them to send me samples of their new releases, so I could select which ones I thought were worthy of putting on our shelves. Interestingly enough it is now common practice for a number of these companies to regularly send out samples of their new releases, although I’m not taking all the credit for this practice! Over the next few years I believe I became very well versed in judging the quality of these Independent releases, so much so that in 2007 the Whisky Magazine asked me to become a judge for their Independent Bottlers Challenge competition and this subsequently led to being asked to judge the World Whisky Awards in 2012 as well as the World Drinks Awards. Also in that year I started my weekly YouTube channel called the Good Dram Show, which is still going strong.
I am now a regular judge for a number of spirits competitions and spent a happy couple of years doing the New Releases tasting section of the Whisky Magazine. I would like to think that I have a reputation within the whisky industry as a firm but fair judge and having no allegiances I am free to offer an honest opinion and give praise and constructive criticism where due.
Although there are a number of whisky writers and reviewers with a lot more experience than I have, I believe that I make a valid and valuable contribution to the whisky industry as a whole through my passion for whisky and all things spirits related.
