Scotland, Speyside: Single malt whisky through the producing distilleries: history, making, production and tasting notes
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Banff

Distillery description Tasting notes

The distillery

For information about the distillery, please click on the photo.

Bannf: official bottlings

Banff

Rare Malts 21 years
Collection
 Rare Malts
Age
 21 years
Alcohol percentage
 57,10 %
Bottler
 Official
Dates
 Distil: 1982 Bottling: 04-2004
Bottle
 3364 btls
Particularity
 cask strength
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links & average quote
 84/100
Banff Rare malts 21
A very fresh nose, with nice notes of cut grass, hints of spices (pepper) and a delicate fruity smell (a mix of green apple and ripe pear) which gives this whisky an interesting complexity and announces lots of pleasure in the palate. The first palate impression is that it is rather acid and the alcohol is very present. The taste developes gently on more woody hints, while remaining amazingly fresh. The fresh and lingering finish consists of a nice mix of citrus fruits and fine woody notes, with clear alcohol remains after a while.
84/100
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 Banff: independent bottlings
 

Banff

Chieftain's Choice 23 years
Collection
 Chieftain's Choice
Age
 23 years
Alcohol percentage
 46,0 %
Bottler
 Ian McLeod
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links & average quote
 84/100
 Banff Chieftains
 

23 years spent in a cask didn't give this whisky a wood taste, but gave this alcohol a surprising sweetness. Very pleasant from the very first nosing, the taste completely confirms the first impression. An excellent bottle. What a pity this distillery has been completely dismantled more than 10 years ago. If that distillery would still exist, we could probably still find very good malts for a reasonable price. The price indeed is the only negative aspect of this bottle, as it costs about 150 Euros for one litre...
88/100
A second tasting did not contradict the first one, but the result of the blind tasting was lower. Probably due to the tasting mood....
84/100
The nose detects nice fresh floral hints. In the palate, a very nice complexity, where woody notes (unlike the firs notes) are mixed with fruity and malty hints. A very nice balance and a finish developing from malt to walnut (probably due to the wood) or even chocolate.
84/100
The nose is quite marked by cereals with some yeast hints. Nice notes of vanilla come and brighten up this relatively smooth though rather austere nose.
The palate is some more interesting, though presenting a lack of complexity. Nice cereal notes with some hints of citrus fruit and a touch of smoke.
The finish is not too long but however rather pleasant and prolongs perfectly the mouth. This blind tasting notes are quite contrasting with others written earlier. Is this an effect of oxidation? This whisky certainly deserves another tasting.
79/100

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Banff

Rare of the Rarest 35 years
Collection
 Rarest of the Rare
Age
 35 years
Alcohol percentage
 42,5 %
Bottler
 Duncan Taylor
Cask number
single cask 3352
Dates
 Distil: 11/1975 Bottling: 04/2011
Bottle
 42 of 260 btls
Particularity
 Non chillfiltered cask strength
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links & average quote
 0/100
Banff Duncan Taylor 35
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Banff: not in collection

Banff

Connoisseurs Choice 1974
Collection
 Connoisseurs Choice
Age
 No age statement
Alcohol percentage
 40 %
Bottler
 Gordon & MacPhail
Dates
 Distil: 1974 Bottling: 20-11-1998
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links & average quote
 81/100
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Banff

1975
Age
 No age statement
Alcohol percentage
 43,8 %
Bottler
 Malts of Scotland
Cask
 Bourbon barrel
Cask number
single cask 12015
Dates
 Distil: 1975 Bottling: 2012
Particularity
 Non chillfiltered cask strength
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links & average quote
 92/100

Color: Gold
A relatively spicy nose, with nice notes of dried grass and distant smell of fruit. This nose announces a whisky particularly well balanced. After a few minutes, the fruity notes are more obvious. A nose that evolves particularly well over time. And now there are hints of wax.
The palate is surprisingly fresh. Notes of milk chocolate first, and then a controlled evolution to dried fruit. The mouth is an example of balance and roundness. No aggressiveness, just happiness.
The finish is long and in the same spirit as the mouth.
92/100
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