Whisky Scores - https://whiskyscores.com/scores-refined/104/250

New Zealand Doublewood 10 Years Old, 40% abv

Sweet red grapes with light spices on the nose. Fruit sugars, tannins and a fresh mouthfeel. Wee hint of soap, dried fruit on finish.

Tasted on 14th Dec, 2012 · Comments (1)

Bastille Blended Whisky, 40% abv

Rich sweet red grapefruit with light solvent notes on the nose. Very light spices with red grapefruit Drambuie on the palate. VERY interesting. Very different. Simple and pleasing as an apéritif. Really stretches the whisky palate; close to a fortified fruit drink, but still very pleasant.

Tasted on 16th Dec, 2012 · Comments (0)

Ballantine's Finest, 40% abv

My father-in law's regular non-celebratory scotch, which I never really warmed to, but I thought I should give it a re-taste after all these years. Smokey, bitter molasses. Syrupy. Long aromatic finish. I hadn't tasted it for over 40 years, but I haven't changed my mind.

Tasted on 4th Dec, 2012 · Comments (0)

Johnnie Walker Black Label 12 Years Old, 40% abv

.Caramel, liquorice and rich vanilla custard with a hint of peppermint candy toward the finish. A delightful old friend.

Tasted on 2nd Dec, 2012 · Comments (0)

Johnnie Walker Double Black, 40% abv

Rich biscuity smoke with some herbal notes on the nose. Round with a spicy mouthfeel. Solid, substantial and a great introduction to a light peated whisky for the uninitiated. Mild astringency on the finish.

Tasted on 2nd Dec, 2012 · Comments (0)

Cutty Sark 25 Years Old, 45.7% abv

Rich sweet sherry nail polish followed by citrus marmalade on the nose. Spicy, smooth with intense citrus notes. Well balanced. Delicious.

Tasted on 1st Dec, 2012 · Comments (0)

Ballantine's 17 Years Old, 43% abv

Light sugars with caramel, red berries and sweet chestnuts on nose. Soft full mouthfeel with a medium full bodied finish.

Tasted on 1st Dec, 2012 · Comments (0)

Johnnie Walker Red Label, 40% abv

Johnnie Walker Red? Well really my dear! Johnnie Walker Red, the world's best selling whisky, but still the butt of the whisky snob's jokes. I came into this tasting with low expectations and left, if not chastened, at least with a little more respect. The first taste is really delightful - honey, herbal notes (parsley, dill, fennel) and vanilla, of course. However the initial optimism is marred by the reality of a slight bitter after taste that detracts from the overall experience . All in all, better than I expected.

Tasted on 30th Nov, 2012 · Comments (0)

Mac Na Mara, 40% abv

Earthy, humid grass with a hint of rum, menthol and spices on the nose. Soft, round, easy drinking with a wee spicy edge: the earthiness lingers throughout. Short finish.

Tasted on 30th Nov, 2012 · Comments (0)

Cutty Sark Original, 40% abv

This whisky was smuggled into New York City during prohibition by Bill McCoy, a legendary whisky smuggler, earning it the moniker "The Real McCoy". The palate starts off with vanilla, fennel and honey but is quickly overpowered by cloying bitterness and a long bitter finish.

Tasted on 29th Nov, 2012 · Comments (0)