Banff

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.

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...

A second tasting did not contradict the first one, but the result of the blind tasting was lower. Probably due to the tasting mood....

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.

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.

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.