I’ve attended whiskey tasting few days ago—focused on “special” single malts. It was a private testing organized by our friends from a local importer of whiskeys Kratochvilovci. Here are my notes:
- ABERFELDY 1989, 43 %
Strong, oily, almost no smoky - TAMNAVULIN, 16 years, BLACKADDER, 60,2 %
This is something special. Tamnavulin distillery was closed in 1996 and this is in addition Blackadder version—bottled without chill or heavy filtration and without the addition of any caramel coloring. Probably one from the last bottles on the market! The taste is full of aroma, but it doesn’t feel to be 60 % strong; you can feel the smoke after swallowing. - MACALLAN, 10 years, cask strength, 58,6 %
Very dark! Very smooth. You can taste honey and a lot of cherry. Also, despite the fact it’s almost 60 %, doesn’t feel that way. - BENRIACH, 12 years 46 %
Smell of hospital or burning tire… Definitely not for everyone… - SECRET STILLS, 18 years, 45 %
Mix of smoke and vanilla. Very drinkable, “light” taste. - CAOL ILA, 11 years, 59 %
oily, sweet, full body, peaty. I’ve bought this one!
- BOWMORE ENIGMA, 12 years, 40 %
You can feel wood from this one. Gentle taste, very easy drinkable. - LAGAVULIN—Distillers Edition, 16 years, 43 %
Very balanced and smoky. - ARDBEG—AIRIGH NAM BEIST, 1990, 46 %
Straightforward, peaty, strong.
I’ve marked for my self a future reference: Macallan, Secret Stills, Caol Ila and Ardbeg. So if anyone wants to give me a gift…
