Malt Whisky Tasting Notes
Glen Grant, The Major’s Reserve
A no-age-statement entry-level focusing on their mission to make light and easy-drinking whisky. This is a very accessible approachable malt. Nose: rhubarb and custard sweets, candied lemon and zingy apple. Palate: soft and oily with lots of fresh crushed grain, apple skin, sour lemon zest, and a light and sweet touch of sponge cake batter. Finish: warming with citrus zest, vanilla and a delicate touch of dark oak.
Balvenie Doublewood 12 year old
Single malt aged for 12 years in the region of Speyside, big flavoured dram but balanced. Nose: chocolate & raspberry aromas, with rich brioche and stewed cherries. Palate: cherries & raspberries combine with sponge cake, spicy cinnamon & black pepper. Finish: sweet spice, red fruit, rich sponge cake.
Aberlour 10 year old
Single malt aged for 10 years in Aberlour, Banffshire. Great entry level malt, ideal for beginners with a fine sherried spiciness. Pound for pound this is one of the best that Speyside has to offer. Nose: fresh, fruity aromas. Palate: Exceptionally smooth and creamy, with spicy-sweet nutmeg combining with autumn fruits. Finish: long, soft and warming.
AnCnoc 12 year old
Single malt whisky aged for 12 years in Knock, Aberdeenshire. Nose: soft, very aromatic with a hint of honey and lemon. Palate: sweet to start with an appetising fruitiness and a long smooth finish.
Glenmorangie 10 year old Original
The ‘Original’ sets a high standard for Highland whisky. Medium-bodied and gently warming, with pleasant spicy notes. Nose: Imagine yourself in an Italian garden surrounded with mandarin, lemon, apple, pear and peach trees, their fruit ripening in the sun Palate: honey and malt, banana bread and subtle sweet spices. Clean and well balanced. Finish: the honeyed fruit fades softly, and the finish is whistle clean.
Ileach
Single malt from a secret Islay distillery. Nose: Youthful peat, herbal notes, oak, grassy with notes of the coast. Palate: Sublimely smooth malty notes, peat, peppery spices, tannins and a touch of fruit. Finish: Faint iodine. Coastal notes, malt.
Auchentostan 12 year old
Single malt aged for 12 years in Glasgow. Nose: crème brulee with a burst of citrus & nuttiness, and a touch of green leaf. Palate: smooth & sweet with hints of tangerine & lime. Finish: Gingery & slightly drying with a pleasant lingering nuttiness.
Tomintoul 10 year old
Tomintoul ‘the gentle dram’ won a gold medal at the International Wine & Spirits Competition. Aroma: hints of citrus, with honey tones and a whiff of mountain heather. Palate: round creamy, sweetness balanced by gently oaky spice. Finish: a surge of sweetness swiftly pursued by tingling spice.
Ardmore Legacy
Nose: heather honey with hints of cinnamon and toffee bonbon, very subtle hints of peat smoke. Palate: soft mouthful of gentle peat and a touch of menthol, with clove, apple and pear. Finish: full and complex finish with dry, tangy and lingering aftertaste.
Jura
Single malt aged for 10 years on the Isle of Jura. Nose: fresh, soft with malty cereal notes. Palate: thick and full with more cereal, this time, a barley fudge sweetness creeps in with creamy smoothness.
Bowmore
Nose: distinctive Bowmore smoky peat, with a gentle breeze of fresh sea air. Palate: bold, zesty lemon notes together with a touch of honey. Finish: the full and complex finish with distinctive Islay peat smoke.
Strathisla 12 year old
Single malt whisky aged for 12 years. Some notes of wood oils and resins, rubbed petals, winter spice and cereal sweetness. The palate is thick and full. There are notes of thick cream and honeyed raisins. Sultana notes emerge. The oak develops into the finish.
Knockando 12 year old
Matured in oak casks leaves a delicate fresh flavour. Uses crystal clear spring water from the Cardnach Spring. Nose: banana chips, honey’d barley and a few fleeting floral flourishes. Palate: Cadbury fingers, brown bread with butter, sultanas and honey dew melon. Finish: a slow build-up of cinnamon and black pepper.