| |
Residence
Hundreds of tastings,
all of the music,
all of the rambligs
and all of the enjoyable
(hopefully!)
Whiskyfun.com
Assured ad-free
copyright 2002-2024
|
 |
|
| Hello, that is one in all our (virtually) day by day tastings. Santé! |
| |
|
| |
| |
|
December 24, 2024
|
|
  |
|
Have an exquisite Christmas Eve!
We now have all the time cherished whisky adverts round Christmas time—right here’s one from White Horse in 1966. That exact White Horse should definitely have contained one, if not two, of the malts we’ll be tasting immediately. We’ve ready a shock tasting for you tomorrow…
|
|
 |
|
|
WF’s Little Duos: As we speak Lagavulin vs. Brora (plus bonus) |
|
|
| Brora by night time, June 2024 (WF Archive) |
|
It’s extremely uncommon right here to match two whiskies from totally different distilleries, however in spite of everything, each are a part of the Diageo steady, and one may not exist with out the opposite. Certainly, it’s well-known that the scarcity of peated whisky manufacturing on Islay at a time when demand for “smoky” blends like Johnnie Walker was on the rise led Diageo’s predecessor, the D.C.L., to hunt options on the mainland. Following experiments at a number of distilleries, they ultimately settled on the disused Clynelish distillery, which had been closed for 2 years.
Certain, Port Ellen had been revived in 1967, however Islay confronted a extreme drought in 1968, and Caol Ila on the time was a lot smaller than it’s immediately. Apparently, after a number of trials utilizing malted barley from Ord, it was in Might 1969 that the DCL board concluded that the brand new peated distillate from Clynelish II (which might formally change into Brora in December of that very same yr) was now “indistinguishable from the output of Lagavulin” in addition to from their different two Islay distilleries. In hindsight, such a declare appears exaggerated after having tasted over 160 totally different expressions, however the legend of Brora was starting to take form…
It’s price noting that different distilleries additionally began producing closely peated whiskies round this time, together with Glen Garioch, which grew to become a part of Bowmore’s portfolio shortly after, Springbank (with Longrow), and Tobermory (producing Ledaig). Maybe it was throughout this era that most of the people began associating Scotch whisky as a complete with being “smoky.” Even immediately, you continue to meet individuals who shrink back from Scotch whisky as a result of they consider it’s all “smoky.” Loopy, isn’t it?
|
|
|
Lagavulin 30 yo 1991/2021 (45.5%, OB, Casks of Distinction, First-fill PX/Oloroso seasoned European oak, cask #5399, 482 bottles) 
A Cask of Distinction bought and bottled for Asia, as a lot of them are. Often, a number of bottles discover their method again to Europe, although I have to admit I’ve by no means seen something from this specific cask, even when we’ve already tasted a number of of those 1991 ‘COD’ ex-first-fill sherry casks with intently associated numbers. As they are saying, these things is dynamite, child. What’s extra, casks with a comparatively low ABV usually present some extra surprises. Color: full gold. Nostril: good heavens, such compactness and robustness. To begin, it’s like a liquid product designed to clear your sinuses, stuffed with camphor, eucalyptus, and comparable notes. Then it begins to unleash a barrage of aromas, every extra highly effective than the final, not essentially in a really orderly trend, however with a way of overwhelming invasion that you are able to do nothing to cease. Seaweed, pepper, brine, shellfish, inexperienced walnuts, miso, peat smoke, resinous smoke, bitter oranges, myrtle, iodine tincture, balms, thuja wooden, tobacco, recent leather-based, tar, new rubber, saffron, coriander, recent plastic… you see, it’s fairly monstrous. Did we already point out myrtle? I believe it’s time to name within the Anti-Maltoporn Brigade. Mouth: extremely highly effective regardless of the formally reasonable power, and as soon as once more, you’re feeling as in case you’ve been silenced (and who stated “about time,” eh?). A lot of tar, oysters, liquorice, and each black and inexperienced olives, together with anchovies in brine, bitter orange, cinchona, ashes, and easily what we name “peat.” An enormous sense of satiation—this Lagavulin virtually nourishes you—however will the end sustain at this stage, given the ABV?… End: oh sure, it does, and that is the place it feels probably the most quintessentially ‘Lagavulin.’ Peppery tar, zest, curry, and extra shellfish. Fairly a formidable size, with virtually refreshing peppermint on the very finish. Feedback: we informed you so, didn’t we? And let’s additionally say it—there’s even a bit of nod to ‘Jamaica’s HMPDN’.
SGP:567 – 93 factors. |
|
|
Brora 45 yo 1978/2023 (49.4%, OB, Casks of Distinction, cask #P5V2, 255 bottles, 2024)
A brand new Cask of Distinction introduced within the legendary sq. decanter quite than the collection’ conventional bottle, and bottled precisely one yr in the past, on 15 December 2023. At Diageo, there usually appears to be a ‘sure time’ between bottling and the discharge of those prestigious collection. I’ll add that, in principle, these 1978s are usually much less peaty than the early Seventies, after all, but additionally some 1977s, that are comparatively unusual but have not too long ago stunned us with their energy. Color: pure gold. Nostril: you can’t deny a sure kinship with Lagavulin, although let’s say that is much less ‘coastal’ and extra about waxes, putty, and turpentine. It’s additionally much less medicinal total, extra refined and stylish, with important oils, a faint farmy contact usually famous prior to now (assume an impeccably clear steady, with saddle leather-based), and Japanese seaweed—wakame and the like—served with recent langoustines, all laid on a mattress of clay. Briefly, on the nostril this can be a quite delicate and stylish 1978 Brora, with smoke that envelops all the things however by no means tries to dominate. Mouth: very distinctive, markedly farther from Lagavulin on the palate, leaning extra in direction of top-quality inexperienced teas, mushy resins, and citrus zests, adopted by a barely peppery and petrol-like character with a faint prickle. Pine bud-steamed fish, gum arabic, a contact of recent rubber, then hints of yellow chartreuse and peppery honey. To be trustworthy, it turns into more and more “Brora” because it evolves. With a drop of water simply to check: the salinity involves the forefront, with an total profile paying homage to an outdated Talisker, which received’t shock many. Magnificent. End: good size, eminently Brora, extra lemony, extra peppery, and extra… medicinal. The oak is extra outstanding within the aftertaste—it could be that a number of extra years would have been barely extreme. Feedback: an outdated Brora that edges into the ‘resinous period’ after 45 years within the cask. Effectively, that fits it superbly. The Lagavulin had a contemporary contact, whereas this Brora feels extra, let’s say, conventional. We expect it will be inelegant to assign them totally different scores.
SGP:465 – 93 factors. |
|
Excuse me? Port Ellen? However after all! We’ve already tasted fairly a number of pretty younger PEs this month, although I’m unsure whether or not they’ll have been revealed by the point you learn this (no that’s tomorrow – S.). Regardless of—let’s add one other, barely ‘older’ Port Ellen to this little session.
|
|
|
Port Ellen 1982/2024 (58.1%, Malts of Scotland, Personal Inventory, sherry hogshead, cask #MoS PS002, 169 bottles)
2023 and 2024 have been landmark years for Malts of Scotland and their líder máximo Thomas, with quite a few fairly breath-taking releases that, most significantly, have been markedly totally different from what most different independents usually provide. Whereas others usually launch batches in waves—assume Teaninich, Fettercairn, Benrinnes, Ben Nevis, Benriach, Loch Lomond, Glen Scotia, Inchgower, Glentauchers, Ledaig, or the key Laphroaigs, Ardbegs, HPs, and even the legendary Malt Mills (simply joking)— ‘MoS’ has taken a distinct strategy, and this exceptional Port Ellen is an ideal instance. Until, after all, a wave of unbiased Port Ellens is on the horizon, although that appears unlikely, doesn’t it? Color: amber. Nostril: regardless of the age, that is extra brutal, extra rustic than Brora, peatier too, extra mineral, virtually chalky, and naturally tarry. There are additionally pencil shavings, extra chocolate, and low, undoubtedly from the sherry cask. Bitter cherry jam and tobacco are current as properly, however in the end, it’s the coal tar that guidelines the roost at cask power. With water: not a lot change, besides it sharpens up dramatically, which we totally get pleasure from. A placing mineral precision, fairly surprising from a sherry cask, together with hints of verbena and absinthe ‘only for enjoyable.’ General, it’s a contact extra compact than the noses of the opposite two. Mouth (neat): immensely highly effective, filled with ashes and peppery lemon. What a beast! It even evokes holly eau-de-vie—sadly arduous to seek out today, as nobody appears to drink it anymore. Philistines! With water: tighter, virtually youthful, saltier, and nonetheless ultra-precise. Pepper and hints of pine bark (or one thing comparable). End: extraordinarily lengthy, virtually violent at this stage—that is exactly what struck us within the first Port Ellens, just like the Uncommon Malts. The aftertaste brings liquorice, resins, and salted tar. No prisoners. Feedback: let’s keep gents—there’s no query of scoring this one increased than the others.
SGP:567 – 93 factors. |
|
… I have to admit to having a really, very slight desire for the Brora ultimately, resulting from its additional contact of class. Proper then, till subsequent time!
|
|
(Danke schoen Dave, Gene, and Wei Jie)
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
