Clynelish 21 Show Bottling Review [London has Fallen]

Hi everyone,

Another one of the ‘Art of Whisky’ bottlings from The Whisky Exchange Show today. These labels were really cool and it’s a shame I didn’t really get a chance to try the others from the set. Along with the Springbank, this was the other one people were really raving about and of course sold out very quickly.

The idea is that this whisky shows off the art of distillation. What better distillery than Clynelish to really show that off, eh?

 

Clynelish 21 TWE Show 2017 56.1%

Colour: Gold

Body: Medium/Full

Nose: Austere, mineral, slightly chalky lemon, bit of pineapple, slightly sooty (which I sometimes taste in Clynelish but haven't smelt before).

Taste: Sour arrival, lovely sour lemon, orange, lovely orange actually, chalky, oily, powdered milk?, dry.

Finish: Medium length. Some salt and dry oak.

Yeah, a really good cask of Clynelish. A slight lactic note in the development knocks it off kilter but doesn’t really interfere too much.

82/100

Thanks for reading!

Scotch Review #481

Whisky Network Review #549

Network Average: 74.5

Best Score: 92

Worst Score: 22

0-49 Terrible

50-59 Bad

60-64 Just About OK

65-69 Ok to Good

70-74 Good

75-79 Very Good

80-84 Excellent

85-89 Superb

90+ Magnificent

Full Disclosure Disclaimer: I currently work as a Brand Ambassador for Penderyn Distillery. The views expressed here are purely my own and do not reflect the views of Penderyn Distillery or The Welsh Whisky Company. I try to maintain as much objectivity as I can but feel free to take my reviews with as big a pinch of salt as you like. Furthermore, my rating scale is NOT based on a Parker type wine scoring scale or a school/college/university % or A-F grade score. You can find more on my scoring here. I apologise for any seemly low or 'bad' scores given with my system and am sorry I can't say only nice things. Please keep in mind that I am ethically compromised and am unable to produce 100% unbiased reviews.

Why is this here?

Laphroaig 30 (Early 2000's Bottling) Review [London has Fallen]

Hi everyone,

This is one I’ve been excited to share with you all.

This whisky. This is one I’ve had on my ‘life’ wishlist since I can remember. It’s one of those truly legendary whiskies that you hope to one day taste and doubt you ever will. And possibly It’s gonna cost you a lot of money to try it.

Luckily for me, it was one of the dream drams at The Whisky Show and even more luckily, I was working there and managed to blag my way into trying a sample. Many, many, infinite thanks to the guy on the stand who was working for Bowmore and Malts of Distinction.

You made my day, sir!

 

Laphroaig 30 (Early 2000’s 75cl Bottling) 43%

Colour: Amber

Body: Medium/Full

Nose: W.O.N.D.E.R.F.U.L. Mega complex, Sherry is so well integrated, medicinal, slight rancid rotting seaweed (which is so so amazing), rancio notes with old liqueurs, old oils and old tobacco. Keeps evolving and opening up to be even better! The best nose on any whisky I’ve ever tried.

Taste: Soft, hugely balanced, almost lacking power, but not quite. Sherry then medicinal, that rotting seaweed note again, but not quite as epic here, sea salt, red grape and raisin. The Sherry is a tiny bit rubbery but I’m nit-picking.

Finish: Medium length. The raisin then amazing 70% dark chocolate and tobacco.

Ah, so so good but the taste and finish have a little rubbery quality from the Sherry and the finish could be longer. Minor points in the grand scheme of things but it holds it back from being truly exceptional (Maybe my first 93?).

90/100

Thanks for reading!

Scotch Review #480

Whisky Network Review #548

Network Average: 74.3

Best Score: 92

Worst Score: 22

0-49 Terrible

50-59 Bad

60-64 Just About OK

65-69 Ok to Good

70-74 Good

75-79 Very Good

80-84 Excellent

85-89 Superb

90+ Magnificent

Full Disclosure Disclaimer: I currently work as a Brand Ambassador for Penderyn Distillery. The views expressed here are purely my own and do not reflect the views of Penderyn Distillery or The Welsh Whisky Company. I try to maintain as much objectivity as I can but feel free to take my reviews with as big a pinch of salt as you like. Furthermore, my rating scale is NOT based on a Parker type wine scoring scale or a school/college/university % or A-F grade score. You can find more on my scoring here. I apologise for any seemly low or 'bad' scores given with my system and am sorry I can't say only nice things. Please keep in mind that I am ethically compromised and am unable to produce 100% unbiased reviews.

Why is this here?

Chichibu 2012 Peated for TWE Review [London has Fallen]

Hi everyone,

Chichibu is a distillery that deserves hype. It deserves huge fans. It’s a massively impressive whisky. Especially at cask strength.

I hadn’t tried any heavily peated Chichibu yet, and failed to talk my way into trying the Whisky Live Paris exclusive, so when I saw this one selected for The Whisky Exchange Show, I dived on it.

Chichibu 2012 Peated for TWE 63.2%

Colour: Gold

Body: Full

Nose: Great nose. Soft malty peat, light fresh fruit, tropical peat similar to a medium aged Laphroaig (18-20yo).

Taste: Great arrival, fresh fruit and spice develop. Lovely balance. Tropical and peaty, a little spicy ginger.

Finish: Long length. Dry and mouth watering, slightly tropical and peaty to end.

Bottled for The Whisky Exchange Show 2017. Even better than the 9yo from last year’s show, and really shows off Chichibu’s incredible spirit at an amazing balance for such a young whisky.

85/100

Thanks for reading!

Japanese Review #16

Whisky Network Review #547

Network Average: 74.3

Best Score: 92

Worst Score: 22

0-49 Terrible

50-59 Bad

60-64 Just About OK

65-69 Ok to Good

70-74 Good

75-79 Very Good

80-84 Excellent

85-89 Superb

90+ Magnificent

Full Disclosure Disclaimer: I currently work as a Brand Ambassador for Penderyn Distillery. The views expressed here are purely my own and do not reflect the views of Penderyn Distillery or The Welsh Whisky Company. I try to maintain as much objectivity as I can but feel free to take my reviews with as big a pinch of salt as you like. Furthermore, my rating scale is NOT based on a Parker type wine scoring scale or a school/college/university % or A-F grade score. You can find more on my scoring here. I apologise for any seemly low or 'bad' scores given with my system and am sorry I can't say only nice things. Please keep in mind that I am ethically compromised and am unable to produce 100% unbiased reviews.

Why is this here?

Invergordon 42 TBWC Review [London has Fallen]

Hi everyone,

Very quick review today of the oldest Grain whisky I’ve tried thus far.

Gotta say too, these TBWC labels are spot on. Love this one with the Coffey still making coffee!

Invergordon 42 TWBC 48%

Colour: Gold

Body: Medium/Full

Nose: Oaky and old, very dry. Smells really old. Very, very dry.

Taste: Tastes half the 42 years. Soft and balanced, spice and oak, slight rubber.

Finish: Long length. Spicy then burnt rubber.

The oldest grain I've tried so far, but the balance isn’t there on the nose and the taste and finish have a slight rubbery note.

74/100

Thanks for reading!

Scotch Review #479

Whisky Network Review #546

Network Average: 74.3

Best Score: 92

Worst Score: 22

0-49 Terrible

50-59 Bad

60-64 Just About OK

65-69 Ok to Good

70-74 Good

75-79 Very Good

80-84 Excellent

85-89 Superb

90+ Magnificent

Full Disclosure Disclaimer: I currently work as a Brand Ambassador for Penderyn Distillery. The views expressed here are purely my own and do not reflect the views of Penderyn Distillery or The Welsh Whisky Company. I try to maintain as much objectivity as I can but feel free to take my reviews with as big a pinch of salt as you like. Furthermore, my rating scale is NOT based on a Parker type wine scoring scale or a school/college/university % or A-F grade score. You can find more on my scoring here. I apologise for any seemly low or 'bad' scores given with my system and am sorry I can't say only nice things. Please keep in mind that I am ethically compromised and am unable to produce 100% unbiased reviews.

Why is this here?

Balvenie 14 Peat Week Review [London has Fallen]

Hi everyone,

Back in 2002 Balvenie peated some of their whisky. Which isn’t very like Balvenie, because they very well known for their elegant honeyed whiskies.

Although, I’ve heard that on the tour you can shovel peat on a fire at their on site floor maltings… But I wouldn’t know myself as I’ve never been able to get on said tour… Not that I’m bitter or anything.

Anyway, to go against the crush of new releases, Balvenie went and released this peated stuff with an age statement and at a sensible strength. Good going.

 

Balvenie 14 Peat Week 48.3%

Colour: Gold

Body: Medium

Nose: Lovely nose. Lots of honey, rubbery artificial fruit, slight malt note but very VERY subtle smoke, floral. Loads of pear drops too.

Taste: Pear, green apple, slightly rubbery, slightly harsh spice, ginger. No peat really.

Finish: Medium length. The peat appears. But quite harsh spice. Ginger.

A nice nose, but almost no peat (which I think will disappoint most people buying it) and a bit harsh on the taste. Maybe should be called Peat Weak? Eh? Ehhh?

72/100

Thanks for reading!

Scotch Review #478

Whisky Network Review #545

Network Average: 74.3

Best Score: 92

Worst Score: 22

0-49 Terrible

50-59 Bad

60-64 Just About OK

65-69 Ok to Good

70-74 Good

75-79 Very Good

80-84 Excellent

85-89 Superb

90+ Magnificent

Full Disclosure Disclaimer: I currently work as a Brand Ambassador for Penderyn Distillery. The views expressed here are purely my own and do not reflect the views of Penderyn Distillery or The Welsh Whisky Company. I try to maintain as much objectivity as I can but feel free to take my reviews with as big a pinch of salt as you like. Furthermore, my rating scale is NOT based on a Parker type wine scoring scale or a school/college/university % or A-F grade score. You can find more on my scoring here. I apologise for any seemly low or 'bad' scores given with my system and am sorry I can't say only nice things. Please keep in mind that I am ethically compromised and am unable to produce 100% unbiased reviews.

Why is this here?

Port Ellen 33 Batch 6 TBWC Review [London has Fallen]

Hi everyone,

This is the third PE I’ve tried so far, and I’ve gotta say, the stuffs pretty great.

Of course, stocks are low and the barrels left are getting older and older, making them more and more expensive every year.

Except Diageo had a master plan… to do it all again! I’m going to leave that alone for the moment though.

 

Port Ellen 33 TBWC Batch 6 47.5%

Colour: Gold

Body: Medium/Full

Nose: Great of course. Classic old PE smoke, incredible green olive and anchovy note, leather, dusty lemon, quite austere. Soot. Old Ardbeg-esque.

Taste: Amazing arrival, incredible development. Waves of complexity, great old Ardbeggian-esque smoke. Sharp complex grapefruit and lime. Chocolate and leather.

Finish: Long length. Amazing. Emotional. Really nice oils coat the mouth. Mouth watering then starts.

Even better than Batch 5, but double the price. Just fantastic balance, complexity and power.

91/100

Two 91’s in as many weeks, which is pretty cool! Not often I score stuff that high.

Thanks for reading!

Scotch Review #477

Whisky Network Review #544

Network Average: 74.3

Best Score: 92

Worst Score: 22

0-49 Terrible

50-59 Bad

60-64 Just About OK

65-69 Ok to Good

70-74 Good

75-79 Very Good

80-84 Excellent

85-89 Superb

90+ Magnificent

Full Disclosure Disclaimer: I currently work as a Brand Ambassador for Penderyn Distillery. The views expressed here are purely my own and do not reflect the views of Penderyn Distillery or The Welsh Whisky Company. I try to maintain as much objectivity as I can but feel free to take my reviews with as big a pinch of salt as you like. Furthermore, my rating scale is NOT based on a Parker type wine scoring scale or a school/college/university % or A-F grade score. You can find more on my scoring here. I apologise for any seemly low or 'bad' scores given with my system and am sorry I can't say only nice things. Please keep in mind that I am ethically compromised and am unable to produce 100% unbiased reviews.

Why is this here?

Springbank 24 Show Bottling [London has Fallen]

Hi everyone,

Every year at the Whisky Exchange Show, they release a bottling or two specifically for the show. Oh, also they’re usually fantastic.

Whisky Exchange went all out this year, with a competition for the label design (of this bottle actually). There are five other bottlings in the same series too, all with specially designed, cool labels. I only got the chance to try the Clynelish and this, although I heard good things about the others.

Anyway, how was this one?

Springbank 24 for TWE Show 2017 51.7%

Colour: Gold

Body: Medium

Nose: Suitably dry and sooty and tropical. Interesting PVA glue and popscicle sticks. Opens up with water.

Taste: Soft, very very good, this dry chalky tropical flavours, sooty, there's a slight 'green' note though. More spicy with water.

Finish: Medium length. Tropical, sooty and chalky. Spicier with water.

From a Rum cask apparently. No where near last year’s bottling though. A little too spicy with any water, but not enough complexity without, although the sooty, chalky, tropical thing is nice.

80/100

Thanks for reading!

Scotch Review #476

Whisky Network Review #543

Network Average: 74.3

Best Score: 92

Worst Score: 22

0-49 Terrible

50-59 Bad

60-64 Just About OK

65-69 Ok to Good

70-74 Good

75-79 Very Good

80-84 Excellent

85-89 Superb

90+ Magnificent

Full Disclosure Disclaimer: I currently work as a Brand Ambassador for Penderyn Distillery. The views expressed here are purely my own and do not reflect the views of Penderyn Distillery or The Welsh Whisky Company. I try to maintain as much objectivity as I can but feel free to take my reviews with as big a pinch of salt as you like. Furthermore, my rating scale is NOT based on a Parker type wine scoring scale or a school/college/university % or A-F grade score. You can find more on my scoring here. I apologise for any seemly low or 'bad' scores given with my system and am sorry I can't say only nice things. Please keep in mind that I am ethically compromised and am unable to produce 100% unbiased reviews.

Why is this here?

Ledaig 18 Batch 3 Review [London has Fallen]

Hi everyone,

Moving on from Paris, I was also at The Whisky Exchange Show in London. Unfortunately, I had to be in Rome for the Monday, so I only got a day and a bit there, but I think it was enough this year actually. Even if I didn’t get to try everything I wanted to.

More Ledaig today. I know, I know. I’m like a broken record.

I saw a new batch of the 18 year old come out on Whisky Exchange a few months ago and what struck me was the difference in colour. The new Batch 3 was way darker than Batch 2, which funnily enough I reviewed at the same show last year.

So when I saw this one at The Whisky Exchange Show this year, it was my first one to try.

 

Ledaig 18 Batch 3 46.8%

Colour: Amber

Body: Medium

Nose: Quite light but that Ledaig meatiness is there, red wine-esque, slight sulphur, rubber, black pepper.

Taste: Soft and then spicy, ginger, chilli chocolate, dry oak, malt, rubber, slightly sulphury again.

Finish: Medium length. Peppery with dark chocolate.

Despite the difference in the colour, I don’t think this is better than Batch 2. Actually, the opposite. I would even take the 10 over this one with the price factored in.

78/100

Thanks for reading!

Scotch Review #475

Whisky Network Review #542

Network Average: 74.3

Best Score: 92

Worst Score: 22

0-49 Terrible

50-59 Bad

60-64 Just About OK

65-69 Ok to Good

70-74 Good

75-79 Very Good

80-84 Excellent

85-89 Superb

90+ Magnificent

Full Disclosure Disclaimer: I currently work as a Brand Ambassador for Penderyn Distillery. The views expressed here are purely my own and do not reflect the views of Penderyn Distillery or The Welsh Whisky Company. I try to maintain as much objectivity as I can but feel free to take my reviews with as big a pinch of salt as you like. Furthermore, my rating scale is NOT based on a Parker type wine scoring scale or a school/college/university % or A-F grade score. You can find more on my scoring here. I apologise for any seemly low or 'bad' scores given with my system and am sorry I can't say only nice things. Please keep in mind that I am ethically compromised and am unable to produce 100% unbiased reviews.

Why is this here?

Islay Blended Malt 1997 Octaves [From Paris with Love]

Hi everyone,

Today is the last of the Paris notes (London to come!), and the one I finished with was another Duncan Taylor from the Octaves range. This one though, isn’t a Single Malt but a Blended Malt, all from Islay.

Just to remind you, an Octave is a smaller barrel that’s around 50L.

 

Islay Blended Malt 1997 Octaves 50%

Colour: Light Amber

Body: Full

Nose: Really intensely peaty! Metallic and medicinal.

Taste: Intense peat with sweet orange, malty, some nuttiness, nutmeg spice, oak.

Finish: Medium length. Much more sweetness, orange, slightly rubbery. Not as good in the finish though.

17yo, with 7 months in the Octave. Can't really get behind the smoke on the nose, which is a shame because it seems like there’s complexity behind.

74/100

Thanks for reading!

Scotch Review #474

Whisky Network Review #541

Network Average: 74.3

Best Score: 92

Worst Score: 22

0-49 Terrible

50-59 Bad

60-64 Just About OK

65-69 Ok to Good

70-74 Good

75-79 Very Good

80-84 Excellent

85-89 Superb

90+ Magnificent

Full Disclosure Disclaimer: I currently work as a Brand Ambassador for Penderyn Distillery. The views expressed here are purely my own and do not reflect the views of Penderyn Distillery or The Welsh Whisky Company. I try to maintain as much objectivity as I can but feel free to take my reviews with as big a pinch of salt as you like. Furthermore, my rating scale is NOT based on a Parker type wine scoring scale or a school/college/university % or A-F grade score. You can find more on my scoring here. I apologise for any seemly low or 'bad' scores given with my system and am sorry I can't say only nice things. Please keep in mind that I am ethically compromised and am unable to produce 100% unbiased reviews.

Why is this here?