ralfy review – THREE Great higher-age single malts in 2024

THE REVIEW

Living Souls 18YO Tobermory/Ledaig, 41%.

I don’t think I’ve ever tried a combination of Tobermory and Ledaig in the same bottle before. Folks of Tobermory distillery should be paying strong attention to this bottle. This wasn’t the most complex whisky of the Living Souls releases that I’ve tried, but what it did, it did very well. The combination of sharp green apple, cheddar cheese, Parmesan and a little hint of something soft and sweet has really brought this profile together as a wonderful dessert alternative liquid.

To be fair, this is cheaper than most standard, older releases of Tobermory and Ledaig, maybe with the exception of Ledaig 18YO. However, despite this being a joint scare with the 40YO release, it is still a wonderful example of west coast distillery style, and a showcase of how both single malts from one distillery can be radically different, yet complimentary.

ralfy review – THREE Great Independent Bottlers of 2024

Mark’s Whisky Ramblings 548: Kemlya Black Oak Russian Single Malt

Mark Dermul, Belgian whisky blogger, tastes his very first Russian single malt. Kemlya is a distillery in Mordovia that was founded by Stepan Stepanovich Krotkov in 1828 in the village of the same name, halfway between Moscow and Samara. It has been in continuous production and will therefore celebrate its 200th anniversary in a few years. The production of whisky is much more recent. The first release dates from 2022. Mark’s friend Kit recently came to visit him and brought this beautifully packaged bottle. The Black Oak matured in two bourbon barrels (numbers #1367 and #1370) and was finished for 6 months in moist bog oak, barrels made from partly petrified, very old oak from a swampy area. Exciting!

https://youtu.be/1l-e90fPPSg

ralfy review 1056 Extras – Tale of two very different malts.

The Good Dram Show – Episode 574 ‘Thanksgiving Bourbons’

Welcome to this week’s episode of the show inm which I’ll be taking a look at a selection of American whiskies. The Good Dram Show with Chris Goodrum Episode 574 – Giving Thanks For American Whiskey..!

Filmed in The Revamped Study Nottingham 

Featuring

Larceny Small Batch 92 Proof 46%

Elijah Craig 12 year old Barrel Proof 68.3%

https://heavenhilldistillery.com

Uncle Nearest 1884 Small Batch Tennessee Whiskey 46.5%

https://unclenearest.com

Abraham Bowman Double Barrel Bourbon 50%

Eagle Rare 10 year old 45%

https://www.sazerac.com

Barrell Craft Spirits Cask Finish Series: Mizunara 58.21%

https://www.barrellbourbon.com

ralfy review 1056 – Benromach 2013 Vintage @59.7%vol:

Living Souls 19YO ‘Kildalton’ Blended Malt, 42%

https://youtu.be/SH2YDccBbkc

Finally! An older Islay whisky that isn’t trying to destroy my wallet through terrible packaging and ‘allocated’ availability. This was an absolute delight upon the first smell and sip. A combination of Kildalton distilleries from the southern portion of Islay, I’d put strong money on Laphroaig being the backbone of this, unsure if Lagavulin or Ardneg are filling out the gaps in between.

I am honestly blown away by the layers of scents and flavours that are sitting within this glass of whisky. It is decadent with cherry, amaretto, almonds, smoke, white chocolate, hazelnuts, and just a delight at every single sensory corner.

I have to say fair play to the folks at Living Souls. This collection of four whiskies are some of the best releases I’ve tried in the past few years. Rare is it you get whiskies of this age that deliver on every aspect of the overall package. It’s simply incredible.

ralfy review – THREE great heavily peated whiskies in 2024

Day 0 – Dare To Dram Whisky Advent Calendar

Adam prepares for this year’s Dare To Dram Advent Calendar by exploring some of the samples his friends have shared with him recently.