07/04/2012 Two Ben Wyvises
http://www.discogs.com/groups/topic/337821
-685: nose: wood! White spirit, pine tree, juniper, sawdust and a bit of cereal. Mouth: wood again, vanilla, cream -- custard, even. Finish: warming, honeyed with some wood. It is long too. This is excellent indeed!
-687: wider nose, more on varnish than white spirit, which is more agreeable. I like it even better, really: it seems nobler and suits the weather better (cold and humid, fireplace weather). Dark chocolate notes, nearly moka. Mouth: the ABV is a little more pronounced, though it is not a bad thing. Cream and custard again -- with liquor in it, this time (Grand Marnier?) Finish delivers some chocolate again;
-685 + 687: embers, burnt wood -- well, it is no Islay, but more pronounced than in either individually. They are both better on their own.
08/04/2012 Northern Highlands
http://www.discogs.com/groups/topic/337820
The menu:
-Glenmorangie Cellar 13 2nd edition: nose: liquorice, ginger bread, forestry. Mouth: creamy, custardy. Finish: herbs. A lot better than in my memories. Probably because I have forgotten the 1st edition, by now. Would love to drink those two face to face;
-Glenmorangie 10: nose: a lot more herbal. Mouth: cream again, very nice. Some vanilla and herbs. Finish: a hint of flint. This is lovely, as usual;
-Glen Ord 1998 Very Cloudy: it looks like mead, or even honey; bizarre. Nose: honey! It is mead! Seriously, is it whisky? Touch of lemon. Mouth: fresh, milky, diluted. Finish: gentle and pleasant. Very nice surprise, this one. Probably the first Glen Ord we try at a tasting and it is distinctly better than any other I have had;
-125.55: nose: wood, varnish -- it is the first cask strength of the lot and it makes a difference. Cedar wood. Mouth: sawdust, bitterness, chocolate, coffee. Finish: banana! :-) Apple, apple seeds (hence the bitterness), water melon (Psycho), green tea. Always nice, this. Dram of the day for Psycho;
-Balblair 1989: nose: herbs, forestry. Mouth: creamy, peeled Brazil nuts. Finish: chocolate, torrefaction, light and long;
-Glen Mhor 21: first ever Glen Mhor, here. Nose: old school! Old cardboard, some nuts. Mouth: cream, flint, candle wick. Finish: pepper and vanilla. Very excited with this one. Dram of the day for me;
-Dalmore 1973: long time no see. This was a fvourite of mine; let us see if it stands the comparison with the nobler things I have tried since. Nose: sherry. It lacks complexity, perhaps. Mouth: yep, there it is, the apple juice. Finish: apple. This is smashing indeed: bit of sherry influence and a hint of rubber. Nice. It is still not great to confront one's memories, though: although a good whisky, it needs being downgraded a point or two;
-Dalmore 19 Lomond Stills: the only evidence I have found Dalmore have used Lomond stills. Great memories about this one too. Nose: nail varnish, bit of musk (musketeers, naturally). Mouth: ginger bread. Finish: citrus? Something distinctive that I cannot place. Excellent whisky without a doubt. We empty the bottle and shed a tear;
-Clynelish 13: nose: quite neutral. Nothing noteworthy at this point, which is good, considering what I usually think of Clynelish.
Mouth: bit of cream and tons of sting. Finish: long and fresh. This is not an exceptional whisky, but the best Clynelish ever to these tastebuds. Or the only one worth drinking;
-G5.5: nose: wood juice, varnish etc. Mouth: pencil shavings. I stop taking notes at that point.
