anCnoc 14yo 1993/2007 (43%, OB)

Pronounced ‘a-nock’. Unchill-filtered which is very decent of them not to do so; what strip out flavour? The nose is big syrupy fruit; like tinned peaches in syrup with some good malt hanging around in the back ground. There’s also a good bit of varnish or tobacco (a good bit not a bad bit). All very clean and pleasing. The taste is much like the nose; lots of syrupy fruit and tobacco (cured but not lit, like smelling a cigarette before it’s lit or a pouch full of tobacco). However the two are reversed, now the tobacco, oak and malt are first and the syrupy fruit is lagging behind. A big taste for sure and still very pleasant. The finish is warming, very active and long and once again the afore mentioned descriptors are very much in evidence. After a minute or two some very nice malt arrives to tie everything together quite nicely.

A dram that show just what anCnoc is capable of.

£35 +/- however now sold out sadly.

Score 88 points

Visit excellent anCnoc website at www.ancnoc.com

Glenfarclas 12yo (43%, OB, +/-2010)

The nose has some really nice sherry (reminds one some what of Aberlour a’bunadh), a little oiliness, coffee grounds (not espresso grounds but North American coarse grind – just a hint) and still more of the sherry with a slight hint of Marmite in the back ground adding some body. The taste is once again quite sherried with some oak notes (hazelnut or walnut shells) bees wax, vanilla bean and some Christmas cake; actually quite a bit. The Christmas cake comes more apparent a little way in. Actually very, very good and one mouthful is not enough so beware. The finish is fruity, dry and quite long (think of fruit leather but not from apples but from dark berries and Bing cherries. A late arrival of some excellent malt.

A whisky for the long cool nights that are ahead….

$68

Score 88 points.

Glenallachie 12yo (46%, Duncan Taylor NC2 D’1995 B’2007)

On the nose there is some very nice peppery malt and some nice wine notes. These are complimented by some vanilla bean, citrus (think grapefruit not lemon) and then some good notes associated with the oak casks (lumber yard and red cedar) and perhaps a little resin & heather for some zest. All in all very pleasant in an unchallenging fashion. A tantalizing hint of smoked fruit. The taste is big and very good; now the oak notes are more aggressive (tobacco and leather) however there is nary a showing by the smoke however the citrus in the form of the grapefruit is very dominant. Quite dry towards the end and some really good malt moments along with some hints of Ovomaltine (if it’s unfamiliar to you seek it out on google). The finish shows the oak notes (leather and tobacco) along with some malt, the ever present grapefruit and some really very pleasant sugary sweetness. All rather long and very active; not a shy finish by any means.

A solid dram and very enjoyable.

$100

Score 85 points

Glenfiddich NAS Snow Phoenix (47.6%, OB, 2010)

A dram with a story, non-chill filtered and a limited edition n to boot…the nose is quite strong at first blush with loads of cask notes and banana, rich over ripe fruit (pear & lychee) along with some heather, candle wax and cold unsweetened tea (and no milk of course!). Quite a strong nose for only a short hop over 46% ABV but all in all very pleasant and time in the glass does it not harm; quite multi faceted. The taste is a surprise in that it’s much like the nose with a big strong arrival and lots of wood notes; oak spice, hints of nutmeg and clove, some more of the heather (some fragrant notes lurking behind the oak spice) and a little malt. However much like the aroma it’s all very nice; quite a big whisky and very enjoyable, solid without any off notes. A little malt hiding in the back ground. The finish is still warming (my oh my, the alcohol is quite evident even in the finish) and is very active with the aforementioned descriptors and finally some malt arrives towards the end, a nice gift (actually it grows quite a bit and becomes quite assertive).

A very nice Glenfiddich indeed. A little water improves it immensely; reduces the alcohol and brings out a really good interplay between the sweetness and the oak spice. Excellent with water. Still peppery though…

Price $90

Score 89

Read all about the Glenfiddich Snow Phoenix HERE

Ardbeg NAS Alligator (51.2%, OB, 2011)

The latest furor from Ardbeg using “Ferocious ‘Alligator’ charring of new American oak casks has created a spicy, dark dram of hidden depths, within which lurk deep tarry coffee, barbeque, sizzle and sooty aromas”.  Non chill-filtered and all (but no mention of added colour?). On the nose there is some fragrant notes (think heather and juniper) along with the promised peat reek. As it spends more time in the glass the peat reek begins to grow over powering the previous descriptors. However there is some very nice sweetness and chocolate in the mix also which adds to the complexity of the aromas. There’s some nice depth here. Hints of roasted nut (peanuts, perhaps) and some citrus in the form of lemon. With water it’s the bottom of the volcano and very tarry. The taste without water is quite good; some good citrus, some sweetness and then a headlong rush in some truly excellent peat reek and malt with the chocolate hanging n for dear life. Water brings out some very good sweetness but the peat reek hangs on really well. The finish is long, warming, very BIG, lashings of good peat reek and some sensational chewy malt.

Well done Ardbeg, yet another vibrant intriguing dram. With or without water it’s very good.

US$135/£59

Score 88 points

Catto’s 25yo 150th Anniversary (40%, OB, 2011)

On the nose there is a significant amount of very good fruit (tinned fruit salad, over ripe peaches or pears) along with some dusty malt and very light wood notes. In many regards it presents as a malt; a little vague pipe smoke brings it altogether. Vanilla bean and a very little heather; everything is pulling together here. The taste is of cocoa, a lot of the fruit and some very good moments of the pipe smoke and surprisingly a hint or two of some green notes (the heather or roses?) either way it’s not important as it’s very slight and pleasant. Some good malt moments here, chewy and then some dryness. Again this does not taste like a blend and it’s all very good. Sensational actually. The finish shows some characteristics of being a blend but not matter since the ending mirrors the other two parts so very well. Some really excellent dark cake with chilies for the briefest of moments. Long luxurious and malty.

A very good whisky period. Any whisky enthusiast would be please to have this in their cabinet.

Score 91 points

Please read Press Release for further information on this whisky.

Part three of three this week looking at three very distinctive blended Scotch whiskies.

Black Bull 12yo (50%, OB, +/2010)

On the nose there are some high alcohol notes which are quickly overcome by a rich lusciousness that seems to be hovering just under the alcohol. Time in the glass only improves the picture and the richness only becomes more apparent and takes the form of some slight green (or grain notes) and then some really good deep Christmas cake, loads of dried fruits (raisins, prunes and apricots) but more of the darker fruits and maybe even macerated with rum. The taste is also very rich but more balanced (the malt and the grain whiskies together) and quite strong; this is a big dram and very good, more of the fruitiness now with some good oak spice (perhaps a little leather and a little unlit Virginia tobacco. Also a little clove (just a bit) and still the big richness. The finish is very warming and long with all the previous descriptors in abundance and at the middle of the finish some very good chocolate malt and dark chocolate (slightly bitter) pops up and then they fade off together, ever so slowly.

Forget a wee splash in a Glencairn; pour a large measure into an old fashioned whisky glass and have a big guzzle. Or two.

$49

Score 89 points

Read some more on this award winning whisky here

Part two of three this week looking at three very distinctive blended Scotch whiskies.

Ballantines Finest (40%, OB, +/-2010)

The nose is off bees wax, alfalfa, grapefruit, pizza dough all inter mixed with some slight peat smoke, a little saw dust (perhaps saw mill notes?), walnut shells, nutmeg, some really good notes from the oak side of the house. The grain whisky is certainly present and is a welcome addition to the aromas. A little time in the glass and some hand warming opens up the aromas. The taste is rich and sweet with malt, some really good oak spice and some rich creamy notes all backed by some delicate peat smoke (which is very nice). Actually quite a bit of toffee. The finish is vibrant and shows some of the pizza dough but this soon vanishes to reveal more of the toffee and some nice honey tinged with the peat smoke. A very long finish and good all the way.

A dram not to be rushed and it is fine just the way it is, no need to drown it with ice! Very moreish. Give it a try some time of you have the chance.

$27

Score 87 points 

Part one of three this week looking at three very distinctive blended Scotch whiskies.

Balvenie 14yo (47.5%, OB, Golden Cask, +/-2010)

Part of the maturation was in ex Caribbean rum casks. On the nose there’s pear, bring cherries and tinned fruit cocktail; lots of sweet syrupy notes. Lots of rich fruit and sweet notes however there’s still some good wood notes in the back ground; it’s all a luscious collection of aromas. Some small ‘green’ notes in the back ground and light Christmas cake (not the dark version). The taste is also very sweet however there is some really good malt intertwined with the sweetness; not sure where the run is but who cares? This is really very nice. A small amount of unlit cured Virginia tobacco gives the sweetness a really keen edge. The finish is a little less sweet but it’s still there and then suddenly; pow! Lashings of malt and some rally great oak spice and dryness. It’s very long and very pleasing, warming too.

What a grand dram.

£62 at the Whisky Exchange

Score 89 points

Chieftain’s Range

Rare Single Malt Scotch Whiskies

•Since 1936, Ian Macleod Distillers, through its dedication to tradition and quality, has amassed an unrivalled cask stock from Scotland’s many distilleries. This enviable collection includes extremely rare malts, some from closed or mothballed distilleries. The Chieftain’s collection hallmark is that each bottling must be fit for a King, a Leader or in the Celtic world, a Chieftain
•The new look Limited Edition Chieftain’s will appeal to the specialist, connoisseur, collector, enthusiast and those seeking an exceptional premium malt whisky gift. Each bottle is signed by our Chieftain’s Rare Malt Manager, and provides details of the wood type, cask number, number of bottles, vintage year, age and bottling date

•The small batch releases of Chieftain’s are selected for the Spring and Autumn collections each year with a variety of distilleries, vintages, wood maturations and strengths being made available

•The new, elegant antique bottle is reminiscent of a 1900 whisky bottle. It is decorated with a new style label design complete with new branding, calligraphy and watermark illustrations of Scotland, representative of the 5 different whisky producing regions. Each region is colour coded to signify the differences in the style of each whisky

•The new more individual rigid presentation gift box, surrounding the antique bottle, in ribbed and matt black with gold lining, is a true reflection of the quality of the whisky, and with its folding back head beautifully presents the product. On the rear of the box you will find a label describing the various styles of whiskies you can get from the different regions of Scotland, all of which are represented in the Chieftain’s range
•Chieftain’s is bottled at natural colour and unchill-filtered to preserve all the natural esthers of the whisky for fuller flavour and smoother taste.

•Each Chieftain’s bottling has its own personality and may vary in strength, colour and style. From the very pale, bourbon cask matured to the very amber sherry cask matured
•When finishing the whisky in a variety of wood, each cask is checked and selected by our expert noses and released only when we believe it has reached its peak and has not masked the personality of the original spirit

•Multi-award winning

The Cigar Malt Fifth Edition 15yo (46%, Chieftain’s Range)

Bottled at “Natural Colour, unchill-filtered” from an un named distillery. On the nose there’s some good cocoa or dark chocolate right away or even chocolate covered cherries along with some good sweet malt notes. Hints of maple and crème brulèe and some really nice fruit or fruit cake. All very pleasant. The taste is quite big with some vague hints of green malt hidden in the background (reminds one of Dalmore), some good malt, moments of the cocoa and chocolate with the addition of the fruit however nothing dramatic jumps out. Some slight floral notes come visiting (heather or mint or even lavender?) Hard to say but the floral does add some character. So far so good. The finish is long and little fruity with once again some good malt and more of the chocolate. The malt really takes over after a while and is very nice.

Price unknown

Score 81 points

Aultmore 12yo 1997/2009 (46%, Chieftain’s Range, Medoc Finish)

The nose is mildly industrial at first followed by some nice pleasant sweet notes which arrive bearing warm lychee, citrus and marmalade. After some time in the glass some good wood notes also emerge (clove and varnish) but they are very subtle. The nose is very nice and happily some good malt pops into the picture a little late in the game but welcome none the less. The taste is a some what drier than anticipated with some cured unlit tobacco, a little leather, coconut matting, cedar and then some malt. The malt is consistent in arriving late which is some what consistent. The wood notes continue yet while they are ever present they are not over whelming; some sweetness in the form of rich sun dried raisins does make an appearance. The finish is more of the industrial and is very active, the wood notes as described with some malt and the raisins but a bit of a jumble. It’s quite long and even; the malt wins in the end. Oh! Spoken too soon; some green malt pops up at the last (slightly bitter) and a hint of smoke.

What part the Medoc plays is unknown; it all seems to work but confused at some junctures.

$68

Score 80 points

Glen Grant 13yo 1997/2010 (46%, Chieftain’s Range)

The absolute palest sample ever seen at Whisky Intelligence; not that it matters but it does stand out for the unusual lack of colour. On the nose there are some green notes right off along with some over ripe fruit (apples, pears etc) then some malt and slight hints of perfume emerge from the glass. Interestingly there are very vague hints of smoke which is intriguing. Improves with some time in the glass. The taste is much as described on the nose but more emphasis on the malt, some really good black pepper (I say, perhaps Sumatran?) and then green malt and chocolate. Again quite intriguing. All very good, a little bit of a tussle between the malt and the green malt notes but in the end they work well together. Hints of juniper. The finish is once again much as the nose and the taste however a little bit more of the pepper and some oak spice and hints of the smoke again. A medium long finish. After a minute or two the malt really becomes evident as does the smoke….

An enjoyable dram that has not suffered from a lack of colour at all (Let that be a lesson to you). A peated Glen Grant…mysterious.

$50

Score 84 points

Ardbeg 1998 12yo (46%, Chieftains’ Range)

The nose has some quite nice peat smoke backed by some cedar aromatics, bees wax, and very clean, indeed some brine, coal smoke and iodine plus a little chocolate? A little time in the glass brings out some really good earthy notes; images of Islay peat bogs swirl into the imagination, the peat smoke and earthiness is also complimented by a little lemon and creaminess. All very intoxicating. The taste is a little fragrant at first (some juniper and cedar- very much form the oak side of the house) this quickly morphs into the chocolate and the earthiness as previously observed on the nose. A little prickly in the mouth and lashings of peat reek; all very Ardbeg at it’s best. The finish is quite dry; like stuffing wads of cotton in your mouth along with the peat characteristics, the citrus and earthiness. Very long, warming and pleasant. Cold unbuttered toast and lashings of crunchy peated malt…blood oranges. Ah very complex…

Perfect for either a winter night by the fire or a cool summer night by the ocean, a very enjoyable dram.

$90

Score 89 points

Many thanks to Sam Filmus of Impex Beverages for the samples…apologies for the delay in posting these tasting notes.