A wardrobe of Whisky Blog - tasting notes, collection and best shops for buying whisky online A wardrobe of Whisky Blog - tasting notes, collection and best shops for buying whisky online
Login
“Because you can't buy happiness... but you can buy whisky and that's pretty much the same thing”

Read older stories of A Wardrobe of Whisky blog.

You can read here older articles posted in A Wardrobe of Whisky since 2009.
The articles are sorted by publication date. You can either browse here, check the featured articles section or use the search bar on the top of this page.
Library list of older posts

Stories from January, 2012

Clynelish 24 years old 1972 Rare Malts Tasting note

By Miguel in Tasting , Clynelish

“Gorgeous old style whisky. It sings about the good old times. ”

91
Clynelish 24 year 1972 Rare Malts
From the rare malts series by Diageo, this 24 year old single malt is made on the same site as the (very much more expensive) Brora. Delicious smoky and intense Highland dram.

This dram has a gold-like color.

Nose (91): average. candies, spices, citrus, floral, wood, a little smoke.

Palate (91): smooth, powerful, oily. wood, candies, spices, honey, vanilla.

Finish (91): long. honey, floral, pears, wood.

So based on other whiskies I have already tasted I rate this Clynelish 24 year 1972 Rare Malts with 91 points over 100.

Bruichladdich 17 years old Microprovenance Tasting note

By Miguel in Tasting , Bruichladdich

“Lovely whisky with a bit of everything: malt, honey, peat and spices. Gorgeous.”

90
Bruichladdich 17 year Micro-Provenance Cask 71
This was made using something called "Cask Evolution Exploration". One suspects that means "finishing it in something exotic-sounding." This was aged in bourbon casks, before a finish in Tempranillo wine casks, bottled in February 2009 in individually numbered bottles.

This dram has a gold-like color.

Nose (89): more than average. honey, citrus, peat, plums, cocoa.

Palate (90): smooth, powerful, oily. honey, peat, wood, citrus, biscuits, cinnamon.

Finish (90): longer than average. honey, spices, wood, floral.

So based on other whiskies I have already tasted I rate this Bruichladdich 17 year Micro-Provenance Cask 71 with 90 points over 100.

Craigduff 32 years old 1973 Cask Strength Collection Tasting note

By Miguel in Tasting , Glen Keith

“Good whisky from Glen Keith distillery”

88
Craigduff 32 year 1973 Cask Strength Collection
Signatory originally thought that Craigduff was produced at the Strathisla distillery. It was only after some research they discovered it was distilled at Glen Keith (also in Speyside). This is a single cask whisky, matured in sherry butt number 2514. A release of 557 bottles.

This dram has a gold-like color.

Nose (87): average. floral, honey, peaches, wood, spices.

Palate (89): smooth, powerful, oily. honey, peat, wood, oloroso, citrus.

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

So based on other whiskies I have already tasted I rate this Craigduff 32 year 1973 Cask Strength Collection with 88 points over 100.

Tomatin 19 years old Master of Malt Single Cask Tasting note

By Miguel in Tasting , Tomatin

“Excellent whisky with just a dry touch. It is amazing this Tomatin is just bottled at 40%.”

89
Tomatin 19 year Master of Malt Single Cask
Single cask single malt whisky. Rich and Biscuity, big and crunchy. A mouthfilling, malty dram from the Highland distillery, Tomatin.

This dram has a white wine-like color.

Nose (91): more than average. malt, honey, citrus, wood, spices, floral.

Palate (89): powerful, oily. honey, citrus, wood, cloves, oranges, floral.

Finish (87): average. malt, honey, citrus.

So based on other whiskies I have already tasted I rate this Tomatin 19 year Master of Malt Single Cask with 89 points over 100.

Port Ellen 26 years old 1983 Old Malt Cask Tasting note

By Miguel in Tasting , Port Ellen

“Lovely peat, like sweet marine dark espresso coffee. Must have!”

93
Port Ellen 26 year 1983 Old Malt Cask
This was distilled not long before the Port Ellen distillery closed for good. Bottled in August 2009 by Douglas Laing, there are 610 bottles of this, from refill butt number 5441.

This dram has a gold-like color.

Nose (91): more than average. peat, iodine, honey, citrus, pepper, toffee.

Palate (94): smooth, powerful, oily. peat, floral, apples, pears, spices, wood, toffee, salt, coffee.

Finish (93): long. peat, spices, sweet, wood, roasted coffee.

So based on other whiskies I have already tasted I rate this Port Ellen 26 year 1983 Old Malt Cask with 93 points over 100.

Port Dundas 20 years old 2011 Release Tasting note

By Miguel in Tasting , Port Dundas

“Very good grain whisky but for that price you can get real jewels.”

91
Port Dundas 20 year 2011 Release
The first ever Diageo Special Release of Grain whisky! From the 2011 releases, this Port Dundas really got people talking. Aged for three years in refill casks, it was then split up into equal parts and aged in either American oak Bodega casks, new charred European oak casks, or first fill American oak Bourbon barrels! The result is delicious!

This dram has a mahogany-like color.

Nose (91): strong. corn, honey, toffee, vanilla, spices, cinnamon, wood.

Palate (91): powerful, oily, creamy. corn, honey, floral, citrus, wood, pepper, cardamon. Slightly perfumed. It reminds me of rye whiskeys.

Finish (90): longer than average. corn, flowers, spices.

So based on other whiskies I have already tasted I rate this Port Dundas 20 year 2011 Release with 91 points over 100.

Bruichladdich Valinch As the Current Flows Tasting note

By Miguel in Tasting , Bruichladdich
88
Bruichladdich Valinch As The Current Flows
This Bruichladdich was distilled on the 27th May 1998, and it was aged for 12 years. It was finished in a Calvados cask from Christian Drouin, and it was bottled by none other than us at the Bruichladdich distillery whilst we were over in Islay during Feis Ile 2011.

This dram has a white wine-like color.

Nose (88): more than average. honey, peach, apples, floral, spices.

Palate (89): powerful, oily. honey, peat, citrus, spices, wood, coffee.

Finish (88): average. honey, peat, floral, cardamon.

So based on other whiskies I have already tasted I rate this Bruichladdich Valinch As The Current Flows with 88 points over 100.

Laphroaig 15 years old Tasting note

By Miguel in Tasting , Laphroaig

“Very good Laphroaig with some notes of burnt wood.”

89
Laphroaig 15 year
Zesty oak and warm peat smoke top notes, with sweet undertones, reminiscent of fresh nutmeg and toasted almonds. Faintly salty. Laphroaig 15yo is a smoother and more elegant elder sibling to the robust 10 year-old.

This dram has a fino-like color.

Nose (90): more than average. sweet, peat, iodine, citrus, peaches, wood, coffee.

Palate (89): powerful, oily. peat, salt, wood, burnt wood, seaweed, cocoa.

Finish (89): average. sweet, peat, pepper.

So based on other whiskies I have already tasted I rate this Laphroaig 15 year with 89 points over 100.

Buy this bottle at

Save money when you buy Single Malt Whisky online. Check for the best prices from best online shops below:



Jameson Select Reserve Tasting note

By Miguel in Tasting , Jameson

“This is really a wonderful whiskey. I love its sweetness, its malty character and that little touch of sherry. Cracking.”

90
Jameson Select Reserve Small Batch Irish Blended Whisky
70cl / 40% - A special pot still malt whiskey heavy version of Jameson. Select Reserve has lots of first fill bourbon and sherry casks in the mix giving it a much richer flavour than regular Jameson, with a strong sherried note.

This dram has a amber-like color.

Nose (90): more than average. honey, pineapple, vanilla, citrus, toffee, herbal. Cracking nose! I love it.

Palate (90): powerful, oily. honey, citrus, vanilla, spices, corn, pepper, raisins.

Finish (90): longer than average. honey, citrus, spices.

So based on other whiskies I have already tasted I rate this Jameson Select Reserve Small Batch Irish Blended Whisky with 90 points over 100.

Buy this bottle at

Save money when you buy Irish Whiskey online. Check for the best prices from best online shops below:



Jon, Mark and Robbo's The Smokey Peaty One Tasting note

By Miguel in Tasting , Jon Mark and Robbo

“Really interesting peated whisky. Very familiar peat feeling...”

91
Jon, Mark and Robbo's The Smokey Peaty One
A vatted malt from Jon, Mark and Robbo. The Smokey Peaty One has a strong focus on malts from the Islands, components include: Caol Ila, Bunnahabhain, Highland Park, Ledaig, Bowmore and Laphroaig.

This dram has a amber-like color.

Nose (93): more than average. peat, sweet, iodine, citrus.

Palate (91): powerful. peat, citrus, peat, iodine, burnt wood.

Finish (90): longer than average. peat, smoke, citrus, honey.

So based on other whiskies I have already tasted I rate this Jon, Mark and Robbo's The Smokey Peaty One with 91 points over 100.

Canada best whiskies: Canadian Whisky Awards 2011

By Miguel in News

Canadian Whisky Awards 2011
Maybe you weren’t aware that this last Friday Jan, 19th took place the Canadian Whisky Awards.

The Canadian Whisky Awards reward the very best tasting Canadian whiskies, and recognize outstanding contributions made by highly successful individual whiskies and producers in generating favourable attention for Canadian whisky. Winners are chosen by a panel of seven judges following extensive blind tastings. Among the judges are some of Canada’s top whisky writers and bloggers, as Davin de Kergommeaux and Mark Gillespie between them.

Whisky makers nominate their very best whiskies creating a strong competitive field. Among these, gold medals were awarded to five entries, and silver medals to another twelve. Eight whiskies were recognized with bronze.

If for any reason you haven’t yet tried Canadian whisky you are missing a great sweet mellow experience. I don’t see in the list Crown Royal or Gooderham & Worts but I love both of them. I will taste them as soon as I see them at this side of the pond.

You can read more at http://www.canadianwhisky.org/news-views/canadian-whisky-awards-2011.html


Jon, Mark and Robbo's The Rich Spicy One Tasting note

By Miguel in Tasting , Jon Mark and Robbo

“A very interesting proposal with a concealed sherry monster inside”

89
Jon, Mark and Robbo's The Rich Spicy One
The rich, spicy one is an award winner at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2005 and the 2005 International Spirits Challenge. This vatting contains whiskies from Highland Park, Glenrothes, Bunnahabhain and Tamdhu. A very highly regard blended malt from Jon, Mark and Robbo.

This dram has a cooper-like color.

Nose (89): more than average. honey, toffee, spices, wood, chocolate.

Palate (90): smooth, oily. sweet, oloroso, nuts, leather, citrus.

Finish (89): longer than average. nuts, citrus, sweet.

So based on other whiskies I have already tasted I rate this Jon, Mark and Robbo's The Rich Spicy One with 89 points over 100.

Jon, Mark and Robbo's The Smooth Sweeter One Tasting note

By Miguel in Tasting , Jon Mark and Robbo

“Not as sweet as you would imagine.”

86
Jon, Mark and Robbos the smooth sweeter one
The smooth, sweeter one is a vatting of both Irish and Scotch whisky. The majority of this is Cooley's single malt and the remainder is from Bunnahabhain. This is a delightful, easy-drinking whisky from Jon, Mark and Robbo.

This dram has a fino-like color.

Nose (85): average. sweet, fruits, green apples, spices.

Palate (86): light, smooth. sweet, peat, citrus, apples, wine, spices.

Finish (86): average. honey, wood, citrus.

So based on other whiskies I have already tasted I rate this Jon, Mark and Robbos the smooth sweeter one with 86 points over 100.

Proprietary Barley Spirit Tasting note

By Miguel in Tasting , Master of Malt

“Never disappointed by Doc Ampleforth beverages. Good whisky with a delicious PX topping that shines over the whisky. Works pretty well.”

90
Proprietary Barley Spirit Drink
This latest product from Professor Cornelius Ampleforth is a mix of a 10 years old Speyside whisky matured in sherry casks with a reduced Pedro Ximenez sherry wine.

This drink takes the spicy, malty wholesomeness of malt whisky, and adds in the creamy thickness of Pedro Ximenez sherry.

And the result is simply amazing! Forget about categories, this liqueur is a great dram. You won't be disappointed.

This dram has a old oak-like color.

Nose (89): strong. sweet, raisins, honey, nuts, floral.

Palate (91): powerful, oily, creamy. sweet, raisins, wood, spices, honey, cocoa.

Finish (89): longer than average. honey, raisins, floral, cocoa.

So based on other whiskies I have already tasted I rate this Proprietary Barley Spirit Drink with 90 points over 100.

Bruichladdich 18 years old 2nd Edition Tasting note

By Miguel in Tasting , Bruichladdich

“Seems like PX finished. It isn't bad but it is not my kind of whisky neither.”

87
Bruichladdich 18 year 2nd Release
The rare first release of the bourbon matured expression from the Bruichladdich distillery, this 18 year old then enjoyed a further finish in Willi Opitz Pinot Noir casks and exhibits some crisp tropical fruit notes.

This dram has a cooper-like color.

Nose (88): more than average. peat, honey, wood, vanilla, pears, peaches.

Palate (86): smooth, powerful, oily. peat, honey, cocoa, wood, raisins, dark chocolate.

Finish (86): longer than average. peat, dark chocolate, wood, citrus.

So based on other whiskies I have already tasted I rate this Bruichladdich 18 year 2nd Release with 87 points over 100.

Laphroaig Cairdeas Ileach Edition Tasting note

By Miguel in Tasting , Laphroaig

“First class Laphroaig that just need a drop of water to open.”

91
Laphroaig Cairdeas Ileach Edition
Cairdeas derives from the Gaelic for 'Friendship', this is a rare cask strength edition from the Laphroaig distillery.

This dram has a white wine-like color.

Nose (89): more than average. Peat, honey, iodine, citrus. Very closed nose.This whisky says very little about itself when you nose it.

Palate (92): smooth, powerful, oily. peat, iodine, citrus, wood, coffee, pepper.

Finish (91): longer than average. peat, citrus, hearbs, pepper, iodine.

So based on other whiskies I have already tasted I rate this Laphroaig Cairdeas Ileach Edition with 91 points over 100.

The Glenlivet 1991 Nadurra Triumph Tasting note

By Miguel in Tasting , Glenlivet

“Delicious the Glenlivet whisky. Lovely honey and a really beautiful nose with touches of pears.”

90
Glenlivet 1991 Nadurra Triumph
A vintage edition of the hugely popular Glenlivet Nadurra. This special version has been made with a single barley variety, Triumph (hence the name), and has been composed exclusively using malt from the 1991 vintage, bottled at 48%. As with other Nadurras, this Glenlivet has been neither coloured nor chill-filtered.

This dram has a fino-like color.

Nose (91): more than average. honey, floral, pears, toffee, disolvent, wood.

Palate (89): smooth, powerful, oily. honey, floral, peaches, wood, citrus, cocoa.

Finish (91): longer than average. honey, cocoa, floral.

So based on other whiskies I have already tasted I rate this Glenlivet 1991 Nadurra Triumph with 90 points over 100.

Buy this bottle at

Save money when you buy Single Malt Whisky online. Check for the best prices from best online shops below:



Captain Morgan Rum Tasting note

By Miguel in Tasting , Captain Morgan

“Avoid this. Unpleasant with cheap caramel taste.”

70
Captain Morgan Rum
Captain Morgan Black Label rum offers a unique depth of taste recalling the navy rum rations which were the choice of swashbuckling adventurers and connoisseurs alike.

Its dark, full-bodied colour and distinctive rich, smooth taste are unmistakable.

This dram has a cooper-like color.

Nose (73): more than average. sugar cane, floral, plastic.

Palate (71): light. burnt sugar, a little sugar cane.

Finish (65): average. burnt sugar.

So based on other whiskies I have already tasted I rate this Captain Morgan Rum with 70 points over 100.

Buy this bottle at

Save money when you buy Rum online. Check for the best prices from best online shops below:



Courvoisier VSOP Cognac Tasting note

By Miguel in Tasting , Courvoisier
87
Courvoisier VSOP Cognac
This cognac is made from wines from two regions in the Champagne region of France (grande champagne and petite champagne)- thus, the "fine champagne" on the bottle) and is aged eight to twelve years. It is gold-caramel colored, and when nosed has hints of oak, cinnamon, and an alcohol ester that can water the eyes. Drink it in and you will taste oak and then a nutty finish. It is a little hot going down, and if swished about the mouth will prick the tongue

This dram has a cooper-like color.

Nose (90): strong. sweet, grapes, floral, citrus, wood.

Palate (87): smooth, powerful. grapes, wood, spices, apples biscuits.

Finish (85): longer than average. citrus, grapes, spices.

So based on other whiskies I have already tasted I rate this Courvoisier VSOP Cognac with 87 points over 100.

Buy this bottle at

Save money when you buy Brandy online. Check for the best prices from best online shops below:



Pig's Nose Whisky Tasting note

By Miguel in Tasting , Spencerfield Spirits Co

“I am more happy than a pig in the mud. Awesome whisky! Oink!”

92
Pig's Nose 5 year
Great value soft and smooth Blended Malt whisky from the creators of the 'Sheep Dip' range.

Don't be deceived by the strange name, this vatted whisky is simply said a jewel, a stealth for that price.

Done by the nose itself, Mr. Richard Paterson and released on a moment when all the Whyte & Mackay PR department was asleep. Awesome whisky!

This dram has a amber-like color.

Nose (92): strong. honey, peaches, vanilla, citrus, cinnamon, candies.

Palate (93): light, smooth, oily, powerful. honey, pears, peaches, wood, honey, a little liquorice, coffee.

Finish (90): long. honey, citrus, wood, floral.

So based on other whiskies I have already tasted I rate this Pig's Nose 5 year with 92 points over 100.

Buy this bottle at

Save money when you buy Blended Whisky online. Check for the best prices from best online shops below:



Crown Royal Tasting note

By Miguel in Tasting , Crown Royal

“Very bourbon-like canadian whiskey with a excellent nose and taste”

89
Crown Royal
Created to celebrate a visit from King George VI & Queen Elizabeth in 1939, Crown Royal is full-bodied, yet delicately smooth and creamy, with hints of oak and vanilla.

This great Canadian whiskey is really a good investment with an awesome honey and vanilla aromas.

If you enjoy this, you should give a try to Greenore 8 years old also a great whiskey from Cooley, the last independent Irish distillery.

This dram has a gold-like color.

Nose (89): more than average. corn, vanilla, honey, oranges, wood.

Palate (90): powerful, oily. corn, vanilla, honey, floral, wood.

Finish (87): longer than average. floral, honey, corn.

So based on other whiskies I have already tasted I rate this Crown Royal with 89 points over 100.

Buy this bottle at

Save money when you buy Blended Whisky online. Check for the best prices from best online shops below:



Doorlys XO Barbados Rum Tasting note

By Miguel in Tasting , Doorly
88
Doorly's XO Barbados Rum
With a rare Blue Hyacinth Macaw on the label, Doorly's is a rum that is finished in Oloroso sherry casks and blended with rums aged from 6 to 12 years old. Given 5 stars by Dave Broom in 'Rum'. Arthur agrees, and was very impressed by its silky, rounded and easy-sipping style.

This dram has a gold-like color.

Nose (84): more than average. sugar cane, floral, brown sugar, fruity,a bit meat stock.

Palate (92): smooth, oily. sugar cane, brown sugar, floral.

Finish (88): longer than average. brown sugar, wood.

So based on other whiskies I have already tasted I rate this Doorly's XO Barbados Rum with 88 points over 100.

Buy this bottle at

Save money when you buy Rum online. Check for the best prices from best online shops below:



Lochside 19 years old 1991 Old Malt Cask Tasting note

By Miguel in Tasting , Lochside

“Interesting mix of sweet honey and dry florals with lots of spices.”

88
Lochside 19 year 1991 Old Malt Cask
A nineteen year old whisky from the (now closed) Lochside distillery. Hailed as many as the smartest investment in whisky - closed distilleries are fast becoming extremely collectable.

This dram has a fino-like color.

Nose (87): average. floral, honey, citrus, fruits, nut meg.

Palate (90): powerful, oily. honey, floral,citrus, spices, vanilla, fruits.

Finish (88): long. honey, floral, citrus, wood.

So based on other whiskies I have already tasted I rate this Lochside 19 year 1991 Old Malt Cask with 88 points over 100.

Girvan 45 years old 1965 the Clan Denny Tasting note

By Miguel in Tasting , Girvan

“Fabulous nose with a mind-blowing taste. The best single grain whisky I have ever had.”

93
Girvan 45 year 1965 The Clan Denny
A very rare single cask grain whisky.

This was distilled at Girvan in 1965 and aged for an amazing 45 years in refill hogshead number 6276 before bottling for the Clan Denny label.

This is perhaps the best single grain whisky I have ever tried.

This dram has a cooper-like color.

Nose (94): strong. floral, oranges, dates, corn, honey, candies, citrus. Awesome nose. So complex, so deliciously sweet floral, so gorgeous...

Palate (94): powerful, oily. corn, wood, honey, spices, oranges, citrus, pepper.

Finish (92): long. corn, spices, wood, candies.

So based on other whiskies I have already tasted I rate this Girvan 45 year 1965 The Clan Denny with 93 points over 100.

Kilchoman Inaugural 100% Islay Cask Strength Tasting note

By Miguel in Tasting , Kilchoman

“The first Kilchoman that I taste that shows signs of its real age. Anyway it is a good whisky but not as good as the rest of them.”

91
Kilchoman 100%Islay Cask Strength
The first ever 100% Islay release from Kilchoman, this is the incredibly rare natural cask strength edition. It was bottled from casks 100 thru' 103/08, and there are 1,060 numbered bottles, each coming in a very handsome wooden box.

This dram has a white wine-like color.

Nose (92): more than average. sweet, honey, peat, liquorice, vanilla.

Palate (90): smooth, powerful, oily. peat, honey, floral, citrus, liquorice, salt, wood.

Finish (90): longer than average. peat, a little sweet, floral.

So based on other whiskies I have already tasted I rate this Kilchoman 100%Islay Cask Strength with 91 points over 100.

Longrow 10 years old 100 proof Tasting note

By Miguel in Tasting , Springbank

“Shocking nose! Looks much older than the 46% ABV version. Great whisky!”

92
Longrow 10 year 100 proof
A 10 year old Longrow from the Springbank distillery.

Longrow is a peated single malt distilled at Springbank distillery in Campbeltown. This Longrow 10 years old has been matured in bourbon casks before bottling at 100 proof.

It is surprising how much better this whisky is compared to the standard 46% bottle.

This dram has a fino-like color.

Nose (92): powerful. peat, honey, wood, incense, earth, floral.

Palate (92): oily, powerful. peat, floral, citrus, wood, spices, honey, earth.

Finish (91): long. peat, floral, wood.

So based on other whiskies I have already tasted I rate this Longrow 10 year 100 proof with 92 points over 100.

Buy this bottle at

Save money when you buy Single Malt Whisky online. Check for the best prices from best online shops below:



Laphroaig 16 years old 1990 Old Malt Cask Tasting note

By Miguel in Tasting , Laphroaig

“Good Laphroaig at 50% by Douglas Laing with notes of dark chocolate and macadamia between a sea peat symphony.”

90
Laphroaig 16 year 1990 Old Malt Cask
Distilled in Laphroaig in November 1990, aged in refill hogshead for 16 years and bottled in December 2006 for Douglas Laing's Old Malt Cask range. A release of 295 bottles.

This dram has a gold-like color.

Nose (89): average. peat, salt, marine, citrus, honey, peaches.

Palate (90): powerful, oily. peat, salt, citrus, floral, honey, spices, pepper, dark chocolate, macadamia.

Finish (90): longer than average. peat, floral, honey, salt.

So based on other whiskies I have already tasted I rate this Laphroaig 16 year 1990 Old Malt Cask with 90 points over 100.