Mark’s Whisky Ramblings 592: Mobsters on Mopeds Macduff 2011 & Glen Elgin 2014

Mark Dermul, Belgian whisky blogger, tries two single cask releases by Klubb23. Mobsters on Mopeds is a series of single cask releases, called that way, because the labels always feature a well-known (or not so-well known) person sitting astride a moped; a scooter. Today Mark will put two recent releases head-to-head. On the one hand we have a Macduff 2011, showing a Harley Davidson Topper, the most un-Harley Harley ever produced. Only about 3000 were made in the 1960s, but discontinued quickly because it didn’t sell. On the other hand we have a Glen Elgin 2014 showing Leontine Pelsmakers, born 1921 and founder of what is now known as a famous catering company in Belgium. Hence she was known as Mrs Winkle. She is riding a British Bond P4 scooter. Mark puts them to the test!

https://youtu.be/t5gqQrOgg64

Caol Ila Signatory Vintage 2007 Cask Strength Collection – Whisky Folk Review

THE VIDEO

Johnnie Walker Ruby Black, 40%

THE REVIEW

Johnnie Walker Black Ruby. In the realms of Johnnie Walker taking on huge celebrities like Sabrina Carpenter as brand ambassadors, what can we make of one of their newest releases? No age statement is on the bottle, however we do get an insight into the use of Pedro Ximenez and Oloroso seasoned red wine, and bourbon casks. An unusual choice, sherry seasoned ex-red wine casks are certainly something that should deliver a lot of those red fruit, slightly tannin driven, perhaps even a wisp of smoke in some cases. One thing we are missing is any info about distilleries that were the focal point of this blend.

We can certainly assume the usual suspects of Cardhu, Royal Lochnagar, perhaps even some Glen Ord, as well as grain whiskies from Cameronbridge and North British. I believe this liquid is marketed towards bringing newer faces into the whisky world, and there’s nothing wrong with that. Although perhaps it makes me the wrong person to review it? I don’t mean that in an arrogant way, but this whisky does fall a little flat for me. It has all the good features of interesting casks and a little peat smoke.

Conversely I can’t say that it’s well priced for the supermarket consumer. The usual RRP of £40 but typically reduced to about £26, that certainly makes it more approachable, but some could be put off by the association in name with Black Label and that little wisp of smoke that lingers around this release. The finish and mid-palate are dominated by what is quite young grain whisky, that in itself washes out many of these bigger, juicier flavours you get from those sherry and red wine influences. It just feels a little synthetic and unbalanced, and this is after it’s been open for nearly 6 months. The smell is very attractive with those grain notes and the sweeter aromas really taking hold of you. But this overall feels quite confused and a little misplaced for me. #whisky #whiskey #scotch #johnniewalker #blendedwhisky

Whisky Reviews every Wednesday
Facebook.com/whiskytube
Twitter.com/whiskytube
Youtube.com/whiskywednesday

ralfy review 1113 – Edradour 10yo @46%vol: (2026)

The Good Dram Show – Episode 620 ‘Spirit of Yorkshire Distillery’

THE VIDEO

Welcome to this week’s episode of the show in which I’ll be doing a comparative tasting of the old STR and Moscatel Finishes witht he new Moscatel and STR matured releases. It’s a fascinating tasting. The Good Dram Show with Chris Goodrum Episode 620 – More Cask Required..! Filmed in The Study Nottingham

 Featuring

Filey Bay STR Cask Finish Batch 4 46%
Filey Bay STR Red Wine Cask 47.3%
Filey Bay Moscatel Cask Finish 46%
Filey Bay Moscatel Cask 47.3%
Filey Bay Special Release Porter Cask 50%
Filey Bay Sherry Reserve #6 46%

spiritofyorkshire.com

The Good Dram Show – Episode 619 ‘Holyrood Distillery’

THE VIDEO

Welcome to this week’s episode of the show in which I’ll be reviewing the new Holyrood Noir range along with some of their new make spirit. The Good Dram Show with Chris Goodrum Episode 619 – Holyrood Noir: Yeast or Cask…?! Filmed in The Study Nottingham.

Featuring

Holyrood Heritage Malt New Make Spirit 60% Holyrood x Pilot White Stout Recipe New Make Spirit 60%
Holyrood Brewers Series: Chocolate Malt 60% Holyrood Noir: Premier Cru Yeast 47.2%
Holyrood Noir: Burgundy Yeast 47.4%
Holyrood Noir: Bordeaux Yeast 47.1%

holyrooddistillery.co.uk

Craigellachie Signatory Vintage 2009 Whisky Folk Exclusive Cask – Whisky Folk Review

THE VIDEO

1927 Project Ardnamurchan

THE VIDEO

The 1927 Project is a rather amazing selection of distilleries who have agreed to help recreate whisky production that took place through the 1920’s and into early 1931. Those six distilleries are amongst some of the best, and finest distilleries whose whiskies are sought after world wide. Those distilleries are: Ardnamurchan, Dornoch, Holyrood, Daftmill, Lochlea and InchDairnie.

There is a seventh bottle in this collection, but that’s a fun surprise for the end of the series. Bottle #1 is from Ardnamurchan.

New make produced from 100% Chevallier heritage barley, fermented for 68 hours using Nottingham and Windsor Ale yeasts. Chevallier is difficult to grown in Scotland due to the height it grows too. Too much wind on the coasts would cause it to fall over and not yield a great result for the final product. Ardnamurchan produces a new make style that is heavy and oily but it’s a clean new make.

The run was done in two batches because the wash still steam coils were coated in residue, more so than normal for a distillation at Ardnamurchan. Please do check out the link to see the full interview with Ardnamurchan, hosted by Dave Broom and Alan Winchester.

Whisky Reviews every Wednesday
Facebook.com/whiskytube
Twitter.com/whiskytube
Youtube.com/whiskywednesday

ralfy review 1112 Extras – The CULT of Springbank Distillery.

Mark’s Whisky Ramblings 591: Knockando 12 Year Old

Mark Dermul, Belgian whisky blogger, tries an elusive (?) Speysider. He has only tasted 4 Knockando so far, and the last one was back in 2021! This distillery, founded in 1898 and owned by Justerini & Brooks, is located in the heart of Speyside, in the village of the same name. Mark actually passed by there in September 2023. But this bottle was on an irresistible offer in his local supermarket: buy 1, get 1 free. So, two came home with him for a mere 40 EUR (for both!). That’s cheaper than two bottles of Johnnie Walker Red Label.

https://youtu.be/alcFsRhJC44