I am not sure what to expect from today’s bottling to be honest. Sure, I heard of peated cask finishes before, but a whole maturation in an Islay cask? That’s a new one for me.

Facts

Glen Grant 1997 (Ian MacLeod Chieftain’s)

Nose

A summer air breeze. Pears, pineapples, mangoes and honeyed heather. Then lots of cold peat smoke and something I would describe as lavender perfume. Taken altogether, the aroma feels somewhat “synthetic” to me, for the lack of a better word.  

Taste

Strong and pretty spicy with pepper, chili and ginger. The peat smoke is even louder now. Pears and pineapples again, backed up by citrus bonbons and hints of honey.

Finish

Long and drying. Sweet peat smoke. Ginger and heather. Sour aftertaste.

Overall

Well that was all pretty weird and confusing, but not necessarily in a bad way. The perfect dram to trick your friends in a blind tasting.

Score: 81 / 100

I am rather excited about today’s expression. Not only do I have a weakness for single malts from Clynelish, but I also have a soft spot for port cask finishes. So in theory, this Clynelish should be right down my alley.

Facts

Clynelish 1990 (Ian MacLeod ‘Dun Bheagan’)

Nose

Very fruity with all sorts of stone fruits like cherries, apricots and peaches. There are also some red berries in the mix. Lots of honey with hints of vanilla. Then sun baked wood, straw and hey – like a old barn in the sun.

Taste

Sweet, soft and even more wine-like now. Stone fruits and wild berries are back again. It gets dryer then. Oak, old leather and some peppercorns.

Finish

Long and spicy with a certain bitterness from the oak. Hints of caramel and dried strawberries.

Overall

A decent whisky finished in an overly active cask. Overall, it was a pretty big disappointment for me. Very one-dimensional and definitely not what I was expecting from a Clynelish that old.

Score: 81 / 100

Facts

Laphroaig 1994 (Ian MacLeod Chieftain’s )

Nose

A little bit of medicine, iodine and ash smoke. Therefore a lot of vanilla. Green apples and coconuts followed by more fruits. Honeyed seaweed.

Taste

Sweet. Peaty ash and seaweed seasoned with rose pepper. Followed by nougat caramel, lemons, and candyfloss. Ends with firewood and licorice.

Finish

Long. Smooth and sweet. Herbs. A bit of cold smoke.

Overall

Very good, but everything is a bit too gentle and tamed for my taste.

Score: 88 / 100

My special thanks goes to Michael S., who was so kind to provide me with this generous sample.

Facts

The Six Isles 10 Years Old Petrus Gaia Finish ( 2003 / 2014)

Nose

Light smoke with medicinal touches of iodine and muslin bandage rolls. Accompanied by salty bacon in vinegar sauce. Hints of finely chopped herbs, heather and fruity red wine in the background. Altogether rather light and subtle, but very well arranged.

Taste

Strong entry to the palate with not so subtle smoke anymore. In fact, the smoke is pretty strong now, with earth and ash mixed in as well. Yet very well balanced by a soft and sweet wine. Candied oranges and pink grapefruits. A touch of ginger for a bit of added kick.

Long

Surprisingly long. Again a very good balance between smokiness and sweetness, with hints of pepper, ginger and bitter grapefruits.

Overall

Superb! The strong smokiness on the one side and the soft sweetness on the other side go well along with each other. Pretty much the best of both worlds.

Score: 90 / 100

As the name suggests, The Six Isles contains six different single malts, each one from one of the whisky producing Scottish islands, but no grain whisky, thus making it a Blended Malt (or a Vatted Malt in the good old days).

Facts

The Six Isles

Nose

Lots of iodine, but well integrated. Accompanied by apples, pears and touches of heather and floral honey. Now some sea salt comes through. Altogether surprisingly varied and entertaining.

Taste

Creamy, soft and sweet. Cold ash settles down in the mouth. Hints of caramel and vanilla, followed by a slight pepperness and very little oak.

Finish

Medium with a bit of cold smoke.

Overall

While this Blended Malt might be neither a smoke bomb nor a taste grande, it is well balanced and clean without a lot of oak influence. A felicitous composition of the different single malts involved.

Score: 86/ 100

Facts

‘As We Get It’ Islay Single Malt (60.3%)

Nose

Rather light and fragrant, the alcohol is not noticeable at all. A large plate with salty bacon. Citrus fruits. Cold coal smoke with a bit of medicine in the back.

Taste

Starts smooth but the alcohol steps in pretty quickly. A lot of citrus fruits like limes, oranges and grapefruits. Light smoke. Then saltiness kicks in.

Finish

Medium and strong with a bit of-vanilla infused smoke.

Overall

Very simple and undemanding. Feels a bit raw and “unfinished”. Not unpleasant but quickly forgettable overall.

Score: 80 / 100

Facts

‘As We Get It’ Highland Single Malt (67.9%)

Nose

Hot chocolate laced with sherry. Served with almonds, cinnamon honey and vanilla biscuits. A certain fruitiness in the back, which reminds me of fig and plum jam. The alcohol is noticeable but not intrusive.

Taste

A soft start to the palate, much smoother than what I would have expected from the high strength. More plums and figs with a splash of lime juice. A bit of honey. However, the alcohol comes into the foreground now, accompanied with a lot of spicy oak and sherry. Cools off after a bit and milk chocolate comes to light.

Finish

Medium. Reasonable dry but with a lot of fruit. Hints of mint chocolate.

Overall

Not much variety but what is offered is enjoyable. Plays the sherry theme in a convincing way and is not burdened by the very high strength at all.

Score: 85 / 100