whiskys.co.uk - whiskymerchants.co.uk

A big thank you to all my readers for taking the time to read my ramblings on my newsletter, blog and web sites.

My plans for the new year contain much of the same.

However I plan to keep chasing up the distilleries and whiskies that  I have to add to my whiskymerchants.co.uk web site perhaps they might be more responsive now the main whisky sale season has passed.

I also have to alter and up date the bottling information and prepare more tasting notes.

At the moment I am  in the process of re-designing my commercial website www.whiskys.co.uk so my posts for this may be down a bit but I will try to mange at least 3 a week.

all  there is left is to wish you a Happy New Year and thank you for your support

Regards

Martin

Bowmore Single Malt Whisky Darkest 15 year old Sherry Casked

Islay Region. Bowmore Scotch Whisky.

Founded in1779 by John Simpson.
Location Islay region Loch Indaal Bowmore
Water Source Laggen River

From the No.1 Vaults of Black Bowmore. 70cl

Tasting Note...

COLOUR: Burnt Sienna.

NOSE: Dark chocolate and raisin aromas compliment the classic Bowmore smokiness.

PALATE: Wonderful cedar wood and rich treacle toffee flavours.

The finish is robust and warming with a hint of sherry tannin.

Jameson Irish Whiskey 40%, 70cl

John Jameson's Dublin Distillery was founded in 1780 located just outside the original Dublin City gates next to the Smithfield market.

Production at the Bow Street distillery stopped in 1971 and was transferred to John Power’s distillery at Johns Lane before moving to the New Midleton distillery in Co. Cork.


Jameson Blended Irish Whiskey Tasting notes...
NOSE - To the nose, Jameson has a light floral fragrance, peppered with spicy wood and sweet notes.
TASTE - Perfect balance of spicy, nutty and vanilla notes with hints of sweet sherry and exceptional smoothness.
FINISH - Incredibly smooth and mellow finish

More information about  Jameson Blended Irish Whiskey History Click here

Sazerac 18 year old Rye 45% Whiskey

Sazerac Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey.
Bottled Fall 2007.

Tasting Notes-

  Malt Advocate rating: 95
Amber chestnut color.
Huge, spicy aroma. Very mature, with notes of oak, leather, and molasses. Enormous in every respect, from its thick, chewy texture to its unbelievably spicy and very powerful flavors.
The long, warm finish is preceded by notes of mint, eucalyptus, cinnamon, vanilla, molasses, oak, leather, and lingering pepper.

More Information about Sazerac Rye Whiskey at the Buffalo Trace Distillery Click here

North British 30 Year Old Single Grain Whisky 54.2%

In the early 1880's Scottish whisky sales in England rose dramatically as supplies of brandy dried up.  Andrew Usher & Co, regarded as the father of blending, appointed agents in all the principle countries of the world as sales rose dramatically. At the same time The Distiller's Company (DCL) had been formed taking control of the Caledonian Grain Distillery in 1884

One Consequence of the Caledonian merger with DCL was: Several blenders including Andrew Usher became alarmed at DCL’s control of grain whisky production,

To combat this and secure their supplies of grain whisky Andrew and John Usher decided that another grain distillery should be built in Edinburgh

This led to the founding of the North British Distillery Company in Edinburgh with Andrew Usher, (Chairman) William Sanderson ((of Vat 69) Managing Director) and John Crabbie ((of Crabbie,s Green Ginger) Vice Chairman) as the three founders. 

North British 30 Year Old Single Grain Whisky

Single Grain Scotch Whisky, Clan Denny Single Cask Bottling.
Vintage 1979, 30 years Old.
North British single grain Scotch whisky tasting note...

This cask refers to a refill butt HH5557.

Tasting Note
Discover vanilla tablet with a light smoky characteron the nose.

The palate opens oily, with Chinese spices, then a sweet and nutty style develops to caramelised fruit  and butter.

The finish is long for a grain whisky with soft sweet spices and orange zest.

Bottled at natural cask strength

More information about the North British Distillery Click Here.

North British Grain whisky can be purchased at www.whiskys.co.uk

North of Scotland 35 Year Old Single Grain Whisky 44.1%

The Clan Denny. Great-Single-Grain.
The Hunter Hamilton Company. Cask Reference HH 5562 refill hogshead
Distilled in 1974 at North of Scotland Distillery from a single cask and at Natural Cask Strength.
Tasting notes:-

  This is fresh with macerated fruit, interesting spices plus sweet toffee/milky coffee and vanilla on the nose. Rich spices and flambee'ed oranges run on the palate with a hint of smoke and leather. On the medium long finish, detect a zesty orange tang and a burnt caramel sweetness.

You can buy Grain whiskies at www.whiskys.co.uk

Ben Nevis Single Malt Whisky 11 year old 46% Provenance

Highland region. Ben Nevis Scotch Whisky Distillery.

Founded in 1825 by Long John McDonald

Location Highlands western region

Water source Allt a Mhullin

Distilled in Winter 1996 and bottled Spring 2008 by Douglas Laing & Co.

A bottling from one Sherry finished Butt DMG REF : 4236
Tasting notes :-

Massively spiced and gingery on the nose - softning as it warms to a more caramelised, sweet nature.

With spicy tang on the palate, detect also syrupy, gristy and fruity influences - maybe even some mocha, all running to a barley, spiced, coffee style and lightly mentholated finish. (F).

For more information about the Ben Nevis Distillery Click Here

Invergordon Single Grain Scotch Whisky 44 year old 1965-45.4%

Invergordon Distillery History

Established in1961 by Invergordon Distillers Ltd The Distillery occupies an eighty-acre site on the northern shore of the Cromarty Firth in the northeast Highlands, The area has some of the best arable land in Scotland.

Invergordon Single Grain Scotch Whisky 44 year old 

Single Grain Scotch whisky Single Cask Bottling by Clan Denny.
Bottled at cask strength 45.4% 44 years old 1965 vintage
Invergordon Single Grain Scotch Whisky Tasting Note..

This refers to refill barrel HH5576

Single Grain Scotch whisky Single Cask Bottling by Clan Denny.
Bottled at cask strength 45.4% 44 years old 1965 vintage
Invergordon Single Grain Scotch Whisky Tasting Note..

This refers to refill barrel HH5576

The nose opens sweet and develops to an almond croissant character. (butter and Marzipan) then butterscotch appears.

Sweet and spicy on the palate with frangipane (more almonds) and vanilla.

The finish is medium long and runs to sweet coffee.

Bottled at natural cask strength.

More information about the Invergordon Distillery click here.

You can buy Invergordon Single Grain whisky at www.whiskys.co.uk

Braeval Single Malt Whisky 10 year old 46% Provenance 70cl

Speyside region. Braeval Scotch Whisky.

Braeval Scotch Whisky Distilling Equipment.

Cooper Domed Stainless Steel Mash Tun.
15 Stainless Steel Washbacks
2 Wash Stills 4 Spirit Stills The spirit stills have boil balls are the lyne arms are inclined upwards.
Computer controlled for one-man operation.
Tankered away for maturation in Keith in American oak Bourbon casks

Braeval Single Malt Whisky 10 year old 46% Provenance 70cl
Matured in Sherry Cask an bottled by Douglas Laing.
Distilled Autumn 1999 Bottled Autumn 2009.
A bottling from one Sherry Butt DMG REF :5610

Tasting notes :-

Toffee - distinctly vanilla'd in style - is the first "hit" - running to citrus and mixed sweet spices.
On the palate there is an electric "tang" before toffee, vanilla, citrus fruit and spices are replicated.
The finish is a wee bit drier, lightly smoked but hints back to toffee and spices. (F)

More Information about the Braeval Distillery Click Here.

To compare Braeval Single Malt Whisky Click Here

Paddy Irish Whiskey 40%, 70cl

In 1882, a young Patrick J. O’Flaherty joined the Cork Distilleries Company as a traveling salesman.

As Paddy travelled from pub to pub by train and car, he always drew a crowd, as it was well known that this most generous of fellows would always stand you a round.
This was an ingenious way of ensuring everyone got a taste for the Cork Distillery Company’s Old Irish whiskey and put pressure on the publicans to keep it in stock. When publicans ran low on stocks, they wrote to the distillery asking for another case of ‘Paddy Flaherty’s whiskey’.
The name stuck so much so that in 1912, Cork Distilleries officially changed the name of the whiskey to Paddy Irish Whiskey.

Paddy Whiskey Tasting Note:

Nose: - Fresh and lively, aromatic - a complex interplay of nutty maltiness, woodland fragrances and spice, with hints of honey and vanilla.

Taste: - Mild, soft, a distinctive mellow maltiness, a touch of sweet oil, spiciness - and again those background notes of honey, vanilla, toasted wood.

Finish: - A sweetness gently fading, mellow maltiness and mild woody notes lingering pleasingly.

You can Paddy Irish Whiskey at www.whiskys.co.uk

Dalmore Single Malt Whisky 15 year old 40%

Highland region. Scotch Whisky.
Dalmore 15 year old Scotch Whisky tasting Note...

 Good attack on the palate, elegant and refined.
The aged Matusalem, Apostoles & Amoroso Oloroso sherry butts deliver a rich and aromatic heart full of dried spices-cloves cinnamon and ginger.

A concentrated citrus mouth feel tantalises the middle part of your tongue with Seville orange, lemon and lime.

The aftertaste of great abundance rewards the palate, Truly a highland malt of great distinction.

Matured 100% Sherry casks - Matusalem, Apostoles and Amoroso.



More information about the Dalmore Scotch Whisky Distillery Click Here

Compare the Dalamore Scotch whisky with similar Scotch whiskies Click here 

Talisker Single Malt Scotch Whisky 18 year old

The first regular bottling of an older Talisker™. Time has rounded not tamed its power.


Strength: 45.8% ABV

Appearance: Amber.

Nose: Rich and fruity – Victoria plums, greengages, perhaps dried orange peel – with some butterscotch or rum toffee and a thread of smoke behind. The smoke soon advances into the foreground and the toffee note is joined by a light mintiness.
With water maritime characteristics emerge – dry boat varnish, edible seaweed. Still sweet; now with notes of iodine and the smokiness of an un-struck match.
Body: Full. Pleasant, smooth.
Palate: Sweet in front, then more assertive, with a whiff of smoke. The overall effect is warming. The development is towards smoke, coal-tar and toffee.
Finish: Medium length. Talisker’s™ characteristic chilli ‘catch’ in the finish is subtly present in the aftertaste.
 
More information about the Talisker Scotch Whisky Click here

Benriach Single Malt Whisky "Heart of Speyside" 40%

Speyside region. Benriach Scotch Whisky. Lossie district.


Tasting Notes -

No age statement
Colour ~ Amber Gold
Nose ~ Fresh heather, fruit, honey nuts and oakwood
Taste ~ this expression cleverly captures fruit, honey heather and spice notes against a backdrop of mellow oakwood in a fresh and lively combination
In a presentation Tube
AWARDS
Silver Medal, International Wine & Spirits Competition 2006


BenRiach Distills in a standard and to a peated style



More Details about the BenRiach Distillery click here

Benriach Single Malt Whisky "Heart of Speyside" 40%

Macallan Scotch Whisky 14 year old 1995, 46% 70cl Murray McDavid

Speyside region.

Established by Alexander Reid in 1824 when he obtained a license to operate on a small hill overlooking the River Spey in the village of Craigellachie.. The following year, Reid formed the Alexander Reid & Co., remaining head of the distillery, known as Macallan, until his death in 1847. His son, also named Alexander, who led the company until his own death in 1858, succeeded Reid.

Macallan Single Malt  Scotch Whisky. Murray McDavid bottling 1 of 1550 bottles.
Cask Types: Bourbon - Yquem.
Ace'd in Chateau d'Yquem casks. Tasting note..

The new fine oak expressions have seen Macallan move away from a heavy sherry influence. Always a great spirit despite this, This bottling has been enlivened with a brief additional evolution in exceptional Chateau d’Yquem casks.
Tasting Note: sugared cereal, apple, buttermints, nougat, melon,yellow peaches, barley sugar.

More information about the Macalan Whisky Distillery Click here 

To compare Macallan single malt whisky click here

A range of Murray McDavid whiskies can be found at www.whiskys.co.uk 

The Spice Tree by Compass Box 46% 70cl

Creators of Hand Crafted, Small Batch Scotch Whiskies in Distinctive & Original Styles



Compass Box is a specialist Scotch whisky company that are devoted to making some of Scotland's premier whiskies through the art of blending.Primary maturation in a mix of first-fill and refill American oak. Secondary maturation in new-headed casks made of heavy-toasted new French oak from 195 year old Vosges forests


All Highland single malts, primarily from the village of Brora.
Core flavours of malt and red fruit character are complimented by vanilla, toffee and hints of clove, cardamon and ginger.

More information about Compass Box Whiskies Click Here

Mortlach Scotch Whisky 15 Year Old 1994,46% 70cl Murray McDavid

Speyside region, Dufftown district. Mortlach Single Malt Scotch Whisky.

Established by James Findlater, Alexander Gordon & Donald Mackintoshin 1823-24 Mortlach was the first licensed distillery to be built at Dufftown and, until Glenfiddich was constructed in 1887, the only one.

Murray McDavid Bottling 1 of 1800 bottles.

Cask Types:- Boubon then fresh oak casks.

Ace'd in Fresh oak casks, Tasting Notes..

Unusually Mortlach is distilled two and a half times but criminally despite being a very fine whisky it is relatively unknown.
Tasting Notes... Honeycomb, oatcakes, baked banana, muddled lime, hot buttered toast, green apple, fruit syrup.


More information about the Mortlach Distillery click here.

Eagle Rare Bourbon Whiskey 17 year old Single Barrel 45%

From the Buffalo Trace  Distillery Kentucky

Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey, Single barrel bottling
(90 Proof, "Rye Recipe" Kentucky Straight Bourbon)
Tasting Notes:-

Wine Enthusiast rating: 96

This deep, burnished-gold whiskey has a somewhat fragrant nose, and the aromas develop an almost wine-like character, with a hint of almonds lurking in the backdrop.
The body is big and silky, and the palate is far spicier than the nose leads you to believe, but there are also violet notes here, along with a touch of caramel and a hint of old leather.
The finish is very leathery, and very long.
This whiskey earned a great rating, but lovers of previous bottlings of Eagle Rare should know that this seems to bear a completely different style---it’s far greater than either the 10-or 15-year old.
WINE Enthusiast Magazine

 more information about the Buffalo Trace Distillery Click here

Glenrothes Scotch Whisky 11 year old 1998 46% 70cl

Speyside region. Rothes district,

Glenrothes Scotch Whisky
Distilling Equipment

Stainless steel mash tun
12 Oregon pine washbacks.
5 Wash stills
5 Spirit stills
Matured in a combination of  Spanish sherry and American bourbon casks
 

Glenrothes Single Malt Scotch Whisky.

Murray McDavid bottling 1 of 1700 bottles.
 

Cask Types- Bourbon - Yquem.
Ace'd in Chateau d'Yquem casks. 

Traditional American oak matured but with a premium French oak additional evolution in exceptional Chateau d’Yquem casks.

Tasting Note... apricot, vanilla, butterscotch, oak syrup, sultana, melon and citrus peel.
Non Chill - Filtered Colouring Free

More information about the Glenrothes distillery click here

Caol Ila Scotch Whisky 18 Year Old 46% 1991 70cl Murray McDavid

Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky.


Just North of the ferry terminal at Port Askaig, lies the Caol Ila Distillery founded by Hector Henderson in 1846.

Regarded as a full bodied, pungent, delightfully smoky whisky has long been a favourite amongst blenders. Caol ila malts are used in Bells and Johnnie Walker Swing.
 

 
Caol Ila Single Malt Scotch Whisky Murray McDavid bottling of 617 Bottles.
Tasting Notes..

Cask Type: Bourbon - Chenin - Yquem.

Ace'd in: Quart de Chaune- Chateau d' Yquem Casks.
Traditional American oak matured but with additional evolution in premium French oak from the Loire’s recherché Quart de Chaume vineyards and exceptional Chateau d’Yquem casks.


Taste Notes: Vanilla, Lemon, Honey, Macadamia nut, Banana, Peat Smoke.


 For more details about the Caol ila  Distillery Click Here

Similar Tasting whiskies can be found here