Clynelish 1997, 14 y.o., Bourbon Cask 5711, 57,9%

Nose: Nougat, apple, candle wax, honey, hazelnut, peach and pine resin, discrete peat

Palate: sweet arrival at first, a mirror of the nose plus a bit of chili; great mix between fruit, spice and wood

Finish: very long, more peat shows but never takes over;

Score: 90

Comment: This was most people’s favourite among the four drams reviewed. That’s why we took it on the steam train Again a high class Clynelish that could be said to be an allrounder, just like Highland Park ... and a bang for your buck.

Miltonduff 1998 – 2011, 13 y.o., Cask 3619, 59,9%

Nose: somehow chemical at first, darker , berries and a slight Sherry influence, latte macchiato coffee, overrripe apples;

Palate: amazingly fat and sweet fruit, wonderful complexity;

Finish: led by overripe fruit, this develops into a autumny pleasure of all sorts;

Score: 90

Comment: This Miltonduff isn’t for everyone, but the more experienced drammers got a real kick out of it. It needs time! I regard it as very good because it has personality.

If you look for the maximum value for your buck, C & S Drams should be one of your choices. Our friend Andrea Caminneci (now Keeper of the Quaich) and his partners don’t like to do the  chicken dance, create fancy labels and work on coffin bottle outfits, they rather bottle quality whisky for a fair price to trade and consumer. This might be the very reason why every series is sold out within hours at this importer. Consequently, Andrea also doesn’t send out samples, his stuff speaks for itself. Find out more here:

http://www.wein-and-spirit-partner.de/was/modules/smartpartner/partner.php?id=11

However, on our trip to Scotland, I had the privilege to try four new Single Malts that will hit the market in a week or two. And hush, I could also sample some bottlings to come…keep an eye out for those too, esp. the Mortlach). Here are my first two reviews, the others will follow:

Bladnoch 21 y.o., C & S Dram Senior, 26.1.1990, Bourbon Cask 30009, 59,7%

Nose: Typical Lowland style (lemons, grass, vanilla, some tropical fruit like passion fruit), seemingly younger at first, heather, haystack, dried flower bouquet, honey, liquorice, white pepper and a slightly bitter touch of white oak.

Palate: This needs water; it even stood up to the Laphroaig, so this Lowlander is no wimp at all; great creaminess;

Andrea with his finest Drams

Finish: Long and soothing.

Score: 88

Comment: A typical Lowlander with the power of an Islay Malt, maybe therefore not ideal as a starting dram.

Laphroaig 1998 – 2011, 13 y.o., C & S Dram, Sherry Butt, 64,4%

Nose: This one screams BREAKFAST BACON! Alongside we have typical Laphroaig and sulphury notes, the sherry is present but doesn’t produce the blue cheese aroma like other bottlings of that kind.

Palate: Full on, seaweed and algae, very maritime, peat and iodine in a lovely combo, accompanied by subtle sherry waves. Did I mention bacon?

Finish: Lovely, brutal, eternal and complex – the sulphur of children’s guns (red stripe) appears and fits the sherry, peat and iodine mix in their sea-laden context.

Score: 91

Comment: Many Laphroaigs of that time are a bit identical to each other (but always high quality). This one really stands out from the crowd with its power and character. Never did I have such an English breakfast on peat before. Not even the Regensburger Lagavulin is close to this in terms of bacon. A must-have!