Martin was so kind as to provide me with some of his latest releases – in times of good whisky being rare, expensive and hard to get hold of as an Indie bottler, he does an excellent job. There are quite some decent malts in his protfolio, and a high general quality. Check it out – and some might still be available:
Aultmore
21 y.o. Maltbarn 1997, 50,7%
Comment: This is fruity-herbal and also juicy, very well-balanced. I am getting strawberry, cranberry, lemon, orange, macadamia-cookie, herbal infusion, and a discrete leafy bitterness in the nose. On the palate more wood Comes through (yet still within borders of good balance), but spice is clearly there.
Score: 89
Glentauchers
21 y.o. Maltbarn 1997 , 48,0%
Comment: A mild and sour-fruity dram, very typical for this underrated distillery. We have lemon and grapefruit, green tea, lemongrass, white peach, a hint of ginger and white pepper, fresh laundry, asparagus, smoked herbs and moss. It reminds me of a racy Riesling , excellent balance, too.
Score: 90
Speyside Distillery
29 y.o. Maltbarn 1989, 49,1%
Comment: This Oldie is very fruity (tropical: orange jam, passion fruit, white peach) but also has some malty sweetness, nice spices, creamy vanilla, like a baroque Palatinian Riesling – great in taste and balance, and sooo juicy!
Score: 90
Braes of Glenlivet
23 y.o. Maltbarn 1994, 48,7%
Comment: This quite rare Single Malt offers autumnal fruit and leafs, (blood) oranges, grapefruit, sour apple rings (Haribo), catnip, some flowery freshness and acidity.
Score: 88+
Glenrothes
22 y.o. Maltbarn 1996, sherry cask, 48.7%
Comment: This one is my favourite in the bunch along with the Springer, so alive and sexy with leather and spice, orange zest, cinnamon, forest honey, Stollen, raisins, a hint of sherry, perfectly balanced and enticing. Mooooreish!
Score: 90+
Springbank
15 y.o. Maltbarn 2003, sherry cask, 48,9%
Comment: Sprinbank back on top with sheer quality and great oak usage – meaty ham, salt and spice, brine, maritime wind, cookies, brighter and darker fruits (peach, warmth of earth, plums, raisins, redcurrant), Parmigiano Reggiano and blue cheese. Tasty stuff.
Score: 91-
Caol Ila
14 y.o. Maltbarn 2004, 53,7%
Comment: A typical Caol Ila in the right age, very herbal, great palate and a very long finish. Good Islay quaffer!
Score: 88