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#112-116: The Scotch Whisky Advent Calendar 2nd Edition #11-15

Writer's picture: S&PS&P

Simon checking in here. Past halfway through the calendar. For those who haven't seen the first couple posts this is an advent calendar that my neighbor and I are tasting together one scotch at a time, getting together every couple weeks starting in October last year. I'm posting the reviews 5 at a time. All these are done blind for the first half of the drink for fun, so you'll see my guesses and then the reveal.


#11: Wemyss Malts, Kumquat Cluster, Glenrothes 21. 46% ABV.


Nose is all candy, some malty notes, lots of butterscotch and candied fruits.


Palate is a different story. Tart and butterscotchy. Very mild and pleasant bitterness. Deep lemony citrus. Oak is old and strong. Apples. Great finish.


Guess: Highland, 20 yo, 50% ABV.


Reveal/Review: This is so nice. Wemyss Malts has impressed me so far in this tasting. 89.


#12: A.D. Rattray, Bank Note 5yo, Blended Scotch, 43% ABV.


Nose is boring, light butterscotch and little minerally.


Nice balanced palate with butterscotch, brine, and a little bit of bitters and red spices.


Guess: Speyside (Aberlour), 15-18 years old. mid 40s ABV.


Overall, there's not a ton to this, but it's well balanced, well blended, and nice. 77. I'm seeing it for £23 online, which would make this a great value scotch. Good to take out for gatherings. It's got enough smoothness to be a crowd pleaser while still giving people some notes they're likely not accustomed to.


#13: Single Cask Nation 2008 Undisclosed Islay 7 years old. First fill bourbon. 56.3% ABV. $125 USD.


Nose is apples with a little moldy/musty note. Oak. Fruity.


Palate is all turkish delight, powdered sugar, grape concentrate/syrup/candy, fruity. Malty. Fizzy mouthfeel.


Guess: Lowland (Auchentoshan), 55% ABV, 10-15 years old, Virgin Oak.


Reveal/Review: OK so it's an Islay... If it's peated it's barely peated. I'll put a lot of money on Bunnahabain. I haven't had Caol Ila unpeated but I've read a few reviews and it didn't give me the impression of being this sweet, whereas a young Bunnahabain.... at cask strength....in bourbon..... eeeeh I can see it become this. That said I really feel like this was mislabelled. Reminds me a lot of the Amrut Fusion we reviewed not too long ago, which was lightly peated. Just like the Amrut and just like the Strathisla earlier in the calendar that was similar to this, this was great. Love the fizziness, love the fruity candy thing. 87.


#14: 2008 Samaroli 7yo, Glenallachie, Glentauchers, MacDuff blend. 43% ABV. American Oak.


Nose is white grapes, apples, white wine. Little caramel.


Palate is pear prominently. Little butterscotch. Little green grass. Absolutely no spice. This is juice. The corona of scotch or the pinot grigio. Peach Shnapps.


Guessing 16 years old, Speyside, 45%, refill oak.


Reveal/Review: I like this actually. It's mild but still flavorful. Very refreshing, which you can't say about very many scotches. In the $60-70 range it's something I'd have on my shelf more often than not. I can't find much cost information online though. I attributed the lack of heat to age but nope. My neighbor who's doing these with me nailed this one spot on. 75.


#15: A.D. Rattray 1991 Invergordon 24yo, Single Grain, Highland, 59.9% ABV, Bourbon Hogshead.


Nose: Lemon, butterscotch, hay. Kind of smells like a young bourbon refill Islay but with more depth and richness.


Palate: Goes in salty but then hits you with a lemon/fruity note, and then hits you with a butterscotchy salty finish. Spicy cinnamon.


Guessing: Slightly peated highland, or maybe Old Pulteney. 50% ABV. Sherry refill. 18 yo.


Reveal/Review: This was an experience whisky, it morphs from the nose to the first touch, to the palate, to the finish. Really impressed with this. My first time trying single grain so I couldn't tell you if there's a tell to it. A.D. Rattray has impressed me very much so far this tasting. I will definitely look at picking some bottles of theirs with the crew. 92.


Cheers!

Simon from S&P

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