Bunnahabhain is always a safe bet: WTS 2014-01

Whisky tasting Sessions is a blind whisky tasting run by Whisky-distilleries that is quite interesting because you taste strange and rare drams the way they should be reviewed: blind.

I have just realized that I still have to write about a few Whisky Tasting Sessions and one Rum Tasting Session. This is the 2014-01, and I have found a few quite good drams.

Let’s review them and I tell you my favorite.

#1 Macallan 1998 Marsala Finish

“Interesting whisky... not sure if it is from a sweet sherry cask. If only the nose would sing with the rest of the whisky...”

89

This dram has a amber-like color.

Nose (87): more than average. honey, citrus, spices, cinnamon, vanilla, wood. It is familiar... but right now I have no clue of what it can be

Palate (90): powerful, oily. nuts, honey, citrus, wood, spices, leather, chocolate. Moscatel? Oloroso?

Finish (90): longer than average. leather, citrus, wood.

So based on other whiskies I have already tasted I rate this Macallan 1998 Marsala Finish Wilson & Morgan with 89 points over 100.

#2 Deanston 19 years old Master of Malt

“Nice whisky. Could it be a Speysider from an ex-bourbon cask?”

88

This dram has a fino-like color.

Nose (87): more than average. honey, vanilla, herbs, citrus.

Palate (88): powerful, oily. honey, citrus, spices, wood, pepper, vanilla.

Finish (88): longer than average. citrus, honey, spices.

So based on other whiskies I have already tasted I rate this Deanston 19 Year Old - Single Cask (Master of Malt) with 88 points over 100.

#3 Springbank 19 years old Single Cask Master of Malt

“A good whisky that just tastes like whisky. It won't shake your world but it is quite drinkable”

86

This dram has a gold-like color.

Nose (85): more than average. honey, fruits, citrus, spices, cinnamon.

Palate (87): powerful, oily. honey, fruits, apples, citrus, spices, vanilla, wood.

Finish (87): longer than average. honey, citrus.

So based on other whiskies I have already tasted I rate this Springbank 19 Year Old Cask 129 - Single Cask (Master of Malt) with 86 points over 100.

#4 Loch Lomond ( coloured )

This is a modified dram introduced to check it tasters raise the score for a coloured dram. Pretty mean :)

“Not sure what to make with this whisky... It could be a moscatel finished highlander?”

85

A mellow, slightly peaty nose, with a hint of brandy butter. The taste on the palette is sweet, smokey, with hints of finest Madeira wine and has a long, mellow finish, with echoes of a raisiny Christmas pudding.

This dram has a gold-like color.

Nose (84): more than average. honey, fruits, raisins, citrus, vanilla. I have tasted this before... Highlands?

Palate (85): powerful, oily. honey, citrus, fruity, wood, vanilla.

Finish (86): longer than average. honey, wood, tobacco.

So based on other whiskies I have already tasted I rate this Loch Lomond with 85 points over 100.

#5 Bunnahabhain 20 years old 1991

“Cracking whisky! I really want to know that is this. I love it”

91

This dram has a cooper-like color.

Nose (91): more than average. honey, wax, oranges, candies, vanilla, pepper, citrus. Quite an old whisky here

Palate (92): powerful, oily. honey, citrus, spices, apples, vanilla, raisins, wood.

Finish (91): longer than average. honey, wood, spices.

So based on other whiskies I have already tasted I rate this Bunnahabhain Twenty 1991 Wilson & Morgan with 91 points over 100.

<#6 Miltonduff 1995 Malts of Scotland

“Nice nose and a decent bottling strength but miss that little something that turns whiskies in something special. Good dram anyway”

87

This dram has a fino-like color.

Nose (87): inexistent. toffee, vanilla, citrus, spices, herbs.

Palate (87): powerful, oily. honey, citrus, herbs, vanilla, wood, chocolate, tobacco.

Finish (87): no finish. honey, wood, cocoa.

So based on other whiskies I have already tasted I rate this Miltonduff 1995 Malts of Scotland with 87 points over 100.

Miguel says….

An interesting experience as always… I really enjoyed the Bunnahabhain and I have been surprised by the Springbank because I really enjoyed it when I tasted it knowing what it was.

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