Longmorn 14yo 1996/2011 (46%, A.D. Rattray, Bourbon, C#97630, 304 Bts)

Another single cask bottling from A.D. Rattray bottled at 46% in place of cask strength however without chill filtration or the addition of colouring. On the nose there is some good cleanness (or perhaps a better term would be uncluttered), a combination of dusty and green malt (unusually), light honey and heather (now those two DO go together) all of which is followed by some very nice unlit tobacco notes (think of breaking up a cigarette and nosing the toasted unlit tobacco) and perhaps a hint of smoke. Deep down there’s also some nice fruit. All in all a very good collection of aromas but then again this is hardly surprising considering it’s Longmorn. The taste is slightly peppery with the malt and some very nice oak spice and dark chocolate; all very active and some what dry on the palate all followed some really good moments of fruitiness. Seductive and very nice. The finish is very much as the taste with loads of dry oaky notes combined with the ever so slight peat smoke, the malt and latterly the fruit. A big finish with lots of chewy malt that really has some legs to it.

To hell with the water; it’s good as it is.

$?

Score 89 points

Please visit A.D. Rattray at www.dewarrattray.com Part 1 of 4 featruring the whiskeis of A.D. Dewar Rattray this week.

Speyburn 11yo 1995/2007 (59%, A. D. Rattray, Bourbon, C#422, 287 Bts.)

From Dewar Rattray’s (now A. D Rattray) Cask Collection; single casks bottled at cask strength without chill filtration or the addition of any colour. On the nose it’s quite strong and meaty, non perfumed candle wax, clove and some nutmeg, coffee grounds; all very nice. With water there is some small shift but nothing of note; it holds together well. The undiluted taste is still strong however there is lots from the nose; the meatiness, candle waxiness, heather, the clove and nutmeg and some warm honey (Manuka is very fashionable these days so we’ll go with that name) along with cold dark tea (unsweetened) and some dried apricots. The diluted taste brings out more of the honey and coffee grounds but remains pretty much true to the undiluted sample and still very nice. Lots of good solid notes that have banished the heather some what. The finish is a little dry with some nice malt moments and then becomes a lot drier with some aspartame (artificial sweetener) along with the clove and nutmeg

WI scored this 82 points prior to the existence of Whisky Intelligence but now feel it deserves a higher score. Such is the publishers prerogative…   

$116

Score 86

Please visit A.D. Rattray at www.dewarrattray.com Part 3 of 4 featruring the whiskeis of A.D. Dewar Rattray this week.

Stronachie 12yo (43%, A.D. Rattray, Batch Number 02/11, 2011)

A single malt from an undisclosed distillery although this could very well be Benrinnes. This is the second batch (since they started indicating batch numbers on the bottle). One has to presume that the batches are made up from a variety of cask featuring both American and European oak. On the nose there it’s very ‘big’ with heather, tinned fruit salad, toasted malt and roses (just a wee bit). There are also very slight hints of coal smoke (just hints mind you). The taste it’s quite gentle but still flavourful with some big malt and oak notes taking the lead followed by the heather and roses in the van. The tinned fruit also makes an appearance but the oak notes banish them quite quickly None the less it all works as this is very tasty stuff. Very drinkable. The finish is mouth smackingly good with the toasted malt and slight green notes (perhaps a little grapefruit?) all roiling around together. More mouth smacking malt and perhaps a little of the coal smoke.

Vey nice and very easy drinking.

$62

Score 84 points

Please visit A.D. Rattray at www.dewarrattray.com Part 1 of 4 featruring the whiskeis of A.D. Dewar Rattray this week.

Bowmore 21yo 1990 (46.4, SMWS, Refill Hogshead, 3.182)

On the nose there is tinned fruit cocktail and gentle peat smoke with the faintest hints of unlit cured sweet tobacco; the combination of these descriptors is quite lovely and very seductive (very more-ish). The undiluted taste is slightly ashy, malty and peated however not a huge peat attack but just enough to add emphasis to the Islay heritage. A little maritime hint is also present in a clean and crisp fashion. Some water adds honey butt he peat smoke and malt are still present and while slightly more approachable it takes very little water; it’s fine without. The finish is very close to the nose and the taste and therefore it’s all quite balanced. And chewy. It’s not overly long but it’s very pleasant.

Very good and not a typical Bowmore. Easy on the water…only 60 bottles imported into the USA(The total outturn is not specified).

$145

Score 89

To order (& to join) contact the Society at 1 800 990 1991 or www.smwsa.com and please visit HERE to read the official notes. Sample kindly provided by the Scotch Malt Whisky Society of America. Sample  four of four this week.

Glenrothes 10yo 2001 (60.6%, SMWS Refill Gorda, 30.68)

On the nose it’s very strong, lots pepper and then some good meaty sweetness (like Bovril & honey) then some of the oak notes make an appearance but the strength really begs for a little water. With a splash of water significantly more of the sherry is revealed however the meatiness is still there and it’s quite good. The undiluted taste is quite strong but the cask heritage is quite evident as well as the Bovril and honey combination all wrapped in some good chilies. With water its significantly more approachable and quite simply delicious. The sherry sweetness is very good. The finish is creamy, mouth smacking and filled with malt; it’s in the middle range in regards to length. In the latter moments so tobacco and leather make an appearance however the malt holds casts the majority vote.

Still very peppery even with the water. Only 120 bottles imported into the USA (The total outturn is not specified).

$95

Score 86

To order (& to join) contact the Society at 1 800 990 1991 or www.smwsa.com and please visit HERE to read the official notes. Sample kindly provided by the Scotch Malt Whisky Society of America. Sample  three of four this week.

Macallan 16yo 1995 (53%, SMWS, Refill Hogshead, 24.122)

On the undiluted nose there are some fragrant notes along with some sweetness and some dried fruit (apricots, peaches, apples – think concentrated). Following these delights are some very good dusty malt notes (like being in a malt barn) and the sweetness and the dusty malt work very well together. With water the concentrated oak flavours are still quite evident (& still good). The undiluted taste is from the oak side of the flavour spectrum with lots of spicy characteristics and it’s very dry; like a dry aperitif perhaps? There’s also some grapefruit and some chewy malt. With a splash of water things calm down some what but there are still lots of flavour and it remains true to the undiluted sample. The finish is good and reflects the nose and the taste very well; it’s long and vibrant. The grapefruit (& malt) makes an appearance also just to add some colour to the finish.

Quite different from the officials bottlings and an interesting addition to any malt lovers mileage. Only 120 bottles imported into the USA (The total outturn is not specified).

$120

Score 81 points

To order (& to join) contact the Society at 1 800 990 1991 or www.smwsa.com and please visit HERE to read the official notes. Sample kindly provided by the Scotch Malt Whisky Society of America. Sample  two of four this week.

Longmorn 8yo 2003 (61.6%, SMWS, 1st fill barrel, 7.69)

On the nose there are tree fruits, golden syrup and some very nice oak spice. Some further investigation reveals some good malt (as one would expect from Longmorn and of course some good notes from the ex-American cask (vanilla etc). With water there’s some good fragrance in with the malt and some creaminess. The undiluted taste is very active and strong but brings out a little green notes, more fruit, dried and uncured tobacco, malt and more of the syrup but now everything is concentrated. Very nice! With water it’s slightly more appealing (although the undiluted sample is very engaging too) with more of the tree fruits and tobacco and some really nice sweetness and (bonus) some really good dark chocolate moments. The finish is strong and has hints of heather and rose water but still the tobacco and malt moments are still there tying it all together. It’s a very big finish that is quite active and has some staying power. Malt, malt too.

A little goes a long way; very good from start to finish. Only 150 bottles imported into the USA (The total outturn is not specified).

$85

Score 86 points

To order (& to join) contact the Society at 1 800 990 1991 or www.smwsa.com and please visit HERE to read the official notes. Sample kindly provided by the Scotch Malt Whisky Society of America. Sample  one of four this week.

Port Ellen 11yo 1983/1994 (59.4%, SMWS, 43.8)

An older bottling from the Scotch Malt Whisky Society than was distilled in March 1983 and bottled in September 1994 at 59.4% and there fore some what of a rarity these days. It’s remained unopened until 2012 and on the nose there is a sensational peat arrival; both rich coal tar or coal fires and malt with a little cocoa to brings things up market some what. This is heady stuff and magic in the glass. A little more examination reveals some hints of loam and some good oak spice with some really good vibrancy. Really quite sensational. The taste is just like the aromas but bigger with a brilliant duality from the very big peat smoke and the malt (and with the cocoa – don’ts forget the cocoa. Again very, very good and while not maddeningly complex it is a fine dram. A really very good coal tar syrupy mouth feel. The finish is again a tag team of the peat smoke malt and the cocoa and brilliantly perfect. The finish is long, massive, reaches every crevice of the brain and is very good. Some what down the road the dry powder cocoa makes an appearance as a final hurrah.

Quite an experience. A malt moment that makes it all worth it and something for the collective industry to aspire to. Not a drop of water required.

No recollection on price but must have been around £42

Score 94 points

Octomore ‘Comus’ 5yo (61.%, OB, Edition 04.2, 18,000 Bts., 2011)

Octomore 4.2 Comus/167PPM

FOLLOWING ON FROM THE NOW LEGENDARY OCTOMORE ORPHEUS, THE NOW LEGENDARY JIM MCEWAN HAS CREATED ANOTHER LANDMARK OCTOMORE. COMUS WAS THE SON OF BACHHUS [GOD OF WINE AND REVELLING] AND CIRCE, DAUGHTER OF HELIOS THE SUN GOD AND A SORCERESS WHO WOULD BEGUILE THE INNOCENT INTO DRINKING HER MAGIC POTIONS.

“COMUS” WAS A PLAY WRITTEN BY POET JOHN MILTON AND FIRST PERFORMED IN 1634 AT LUDLOW CASTLE, ENGLAND. THE WORK PRESENTS THE DESPERATE BATTLE BY COMUS TO ENSNARE A BEAUTIFUL, INNOCENT GIRL AND THROUGH THE HEDONISTIC POWER OF HIS MAGIC POTIONS ­ – “HIS ORIENT POTIONS IN A CRYSTAL GLASS” – ­ ROB HER OF HER VIRGINITY. A PHILOSOPHICAL DISCOURSE ON THE BATTLE BETWEEN SENSUAL PLEASURE AND PHYSICAL ABANDON, AND REASON AND VIRTUE.

ALL VERY BRUICHLADDICH.

IN THIS OCTOMORE 4.2 “COMUS” WE SEE THIS SAME DUALITY ­ THE INTERPLAY BETWEEN THE BROODING POWER OF THE EXCEPTIONAL OCTOMORE PEAT AND THE SUBLIME ELEGANCE OF CASKS THAT PREVIOUSLY HELD THE WORLD¹S GREATEST SWEET WINE.

HENCE THE WHITE, VIRGINAL, INNOCENT PACKAGING – ­ BUT LIKE OUR HEROINE, DO NOT BE DECEIVED… ALL IS NOT WHAT IT SEEMS. (This from bruichladdich.com)

A heavily peated single malt distilled at Bruichladdich distillery; Port Charlotte and Bruichladdich being the other less peated whiskies available. On the nose there is a lot of alcohol and some aggressive wood notes (juniper?) followed by some sweet and very present peat smoke along with a little cocoa powder and herbaceous notes. Cold toast too. With water things settle down some what and improve dramatically however the aromas remain consistent to the undiluted sample. The undiluted taste is very strong and with sand paper, aggressive malt and the peat smoke followed by the honey and then a very different sweetness, just for a moment like a loamy dessert wine. With water it holds together very well with a really sensational interplay between the peat smoke and the sweetness. A long warm finish with more oak notes and that loamy dessert wine all mixed up with the very big peat smoke. Lashings of cereal notes also make an appearance.

Well done Jim.

$160 (a wee bit pricey for a 5yo IMHO)

Score 84 points

Great King Street “Artist Blend’ NAS (43%, Compass Box, 2011)

John Glaser of Compass Box explains, “In a world where malt whisky gets all the attention, people often overlook the pleasures of good Blended Scotch. We believe that Great King Street will change this. There are good reasons why the blending of grain whisky and malt whisky has been the mainstay of the Scotch industry for over 100 years. Well-made Blended Scotches have an elegance and approachability that make them a joy to drink. Great King Street will offer a new and compelling alternative for both whisky enthusiasts who ordinarily drink only malt whiskies, and for whisky novices.

By applying the same skill, techniques and philosophy that we use for the Compass Box Signature Range of whiskies, Great King Street will offer a style and approach to Blended Scotch that has not existed before. The keys are using individually chosen casks from some of Scotland’s best distilleries, a high proportion of malt whisky, truly excellent quality grain whiskies, and the careful use of new French Oak aging for added complexity. All bottled at a natural colour and without chill-filtering. We call whiskies made with this approach ‘craft blends’.”

On the nose there is a good combination of honey vanilla and malt with a hint of grape fruit in the back ground. Also in the back ground is some welcome oak spice (black pepper, chilies, clove, nutmeg etcetera and all enhanced by some leather and tobacco notes). All very good rich and luxurious; the fruitiness of the grapefruit is also very good (think citrus of some fashion). The taste is quite honeyed at first and then the malt arrives while quickly being over taken by the grapefruit/citrus as previously described. The chilies are also present and again the consistent harmony of the malt, grapefruit/citrus and the oak spice is VERY good. The finish is a mirror image of the nose and the taste with a very pleasant addition of some dry unsweetened cocoa powder or even 90% chocolate. The finish is dead straight line rail lines heading towards the horizon and equally long.

Delightful; find a bottle and enjoy it.

$45

Score 88 points

Visit http://tinyurl.com/42czrfg and www.greatkingstreet.com for further information.