Tag Archives: Non Chill Filtered

#77 – Glenrothes 25 Year Old – 1995 (Murray McDavid)

Glenrothes, , ,
Distillery: Glenrothes
Name: 1995 – Benchmark Collection
Age: 25
Chill-filtered: No
Strength: 46%
Batch No.: 15/136
Bottle Size: 70cl
Price: £135 (Master of Malt)
Bottle No.: 1 of 255
Cask No.: 14341
Cask Type: Jurançon Wine Cask
Distilled: N/A
Bottled: October 2015
Nose: Toffee, marzipan, slightly floral
Taste: Rich, dry, spicy, raisins
Finish: Long, spicy
Rating: 8/10

This is an independent bottling of Glenrothes 25 year old by Murray McDavid as part of their Benchmark Collection. It has been matured in a wine cask from Jurançon, South West France, who produce both dry and sweet white wine, I am unsure which was used for the finish however.

glenrothes25yomurraymcdavid

It has a medium body to the nose with strong hints of light toffee, without too much sweetness though, and some initial marzipan. It is picked up a little by some floral notes making it lighter on the nose than the colour would suggest. On that note, Jurançon is known for white wines (according to Wikipedia) which again the colour would not suggest. The official notes also mention anise too which I can get a hint of once left to aerate a while.

The palate has a boldness to it; there is some initial sweetness but it is really well balanced by a dryness that follows and into a soft spice. All of this leads in to a raisin mid-palate. The finish is long and strong. There is an oaky dryness and spice to it too, lovely.

A real winter dram this one; very different finish from the wine cask but in all the right ways. I don’t have a sweet tooth but I like how well this balances the sweetness with the dryness. Credit to the guys at Claxton’s.

#76 – Tobermory 20 Year Old (Claxton’s)

Tobermory, , ,
Distillery: Tobermory
Name: N/A
Age: 20
Chill-filtered: No
Strength: 48%
Batch No.: N/A
Bottle Size: 70cl
Price: £? (was a present)
Bottle No.: 32 of 294
Cask No.: 1501-652
Cask Type: Refill Hogshead
Distilled: 26th April 1996
Bottled: 2016
Nose: Light, straw, malty, herbal, white pepper
Taste: Slight sweetness, malt, coastal, slight spice
Finish: Long, dry, spicy
Rating: 8/10

This is an independent bottling of Tobermory 20 year old by the York based bottler Claxton’s and is Natural in colour and Non-chill filtered.

Firstly, what an awesome looking bottle, a little more awkward to pour out of, but what it lacks in practicality it makes in style 🙂

tobermory20yoclaxtons

So the nose is light and delicate with a lovely hit of straw and some subtle malt coming through. There is also a well balanced herbal note to it making it very refreshing on the nose. There is a soft spice to it on the finish like white pepper.

The palate is light like the nose with a hint of malt to it. As you hold it in you mouth for a while you get some coastal notes coming through, not too overpowering, just enough to work with the slightly sweet mid-palate leading to a soft spice. The finish itself is long and dry with the spice building to a nice fiery heat.

Overall this has been a very enjoyable dram, the whole bottle has gone down well, especially over the summer when the majority of it went. It is light and easy drinking but has some depth to it when you are in the mood to take notice.

St. George’s Chapter 6

English, Norfolk, St George's, , ,
Distillery: St. George’s
Name: Chapter 6
Region: Norfolk
Age: Minimum 3 years
Chill-filtered: No
Strength: 46%
Batch No.: 489
Bottle Size: 20cl
Price: £20
Colour: Light
Nose: Light, crisp, slight sweetness
Taste: Crisp, very light, slight sweetness
Finish: Very short, slightly dryness
Rating: 4/10
St George's Chapter 6

After trying the Chapter 11, I fancied giving the Chapter 6 ago to see what the non-peated variety was like from St George’s. It is again young of course, with a ‘minimum 3 years’ age statement, and being matured in a bourbon cask for this short period, it is also very light in colour. You can pick out some of the sweetness on the nose, nothing too strong but this does not really carry on to the palate or finish. If I am honest there is not really anything that stands out on the palate other than a slight sweetness, it’s pleasant enough just not exciting. There is a slight youthful note that appears at the back of the throat as you swallow but then goes into a very short and slightly dry finish.

The addition of a small amount of water helps due to the 46%, it opens the nose a little and brings out a little more flavour, be careful how much you use though, this whisky is very delicate so could easily be ruined with the addition of too much water. I would also recommend leaving to air for a while, it really helps bring some of the more subtle flavours through.

Compared the the Chapter 11 I was a little disappointed with this one to be honest, especially given the similar/same ageing; that is not to say that it is bad though, especially considering it’s youth. It is still an easy drinking whisky, and again I believe it would go well with greasy food as it would cut through the grease quite well. I have to be honest, after trying both the Chapter 6 and 11, I am really looking forward to trying St George’s whiskies in 10 years times, I believe they will be releasing some really special whiskies then, only hope I can afford them.

Notes

Distilled by: David Fitt
Cask Type: ASB 1st fill
Distilled: August 2008
Bottled: June 2012

Glenallachie 15 year old

Glenallachie, Scottish, Speyside, ,
Distillery: Glenallachie
Region: Speyside
Age: 15
Chill-filtered: No
Strength: 58%
Batch No.: GA 15 001
Colour: Copper
Nose: Rich, sherry
Taste: Rich, sweet and powerful
Finish: Long, warm, spicy and dry
Rating: 9/10
Glenallachie 15 year old

Beautiful colour to this one, rich, dark copper from the first-fill sherry cask. Masses of flavour comes through as soon as you take that first sip, and there is no doubt that it cask strength either. A little water is needed for this one that for sure. With the addition of the water the nose becomes a little lighter and easier to pick out the aromas. Taste is not affected much by a little water, you have to dilute it quite a bit for that, it has to be the most powerful whisky I have tasted. Even heavily diluted though you still get the warm and spicy finish, just a little less dry.

I’ve had this one for a number of years now and to be honest, I’m not sure if you can get it anymore, I got it from The Glenlivet distillery so maybe it is still available there. From memory it was around £35 for a 50cl and I have to say, it’s worth every penny.

Edradour 10, 12 Madeira & 13 Natural Cask Strength

Edradour, Highland, Scottish, , , , ,

Edradour 10 year old

Distillery: Edradour
Region: Highland
Age: 10
Chill-filtered: ?
Strength: 40%
Batch No.:
Colour: Light Amber
Nose: Strong, earthy, almonds with a little sweetness
Taste: Powerful, same earthiness
Finish: Short, dry
Rating: 3/10
Edradour 10 year old
Edradour is Scotland’s smallest distillery, making as much whisky in a year as most make in a week (or so it says on the box). The Edradour 10 year old is their entry level whisky and I can honestly say, it is like no other whisky I have ever tasted. I would love to know what gives it such a unique nose and palate, maybe it the water or maybe its the stills, I have no idea. If I am honest though, I am not a huge fan of the 10 year old, I’m impressed that they can get such powerful flavour from a 10 but it is just a little too different for may my taste. I would however suggest that everyone at least try it once, you never know, that unique flavour might just suit you.

Edradour 12 year old Madeira Cask Finish

Distillery: Edradour
Region: Highland
Age: 12
Finish: Madeira
Chill-filtered: No
Strength: 55%
Batch No.: N/A
Colour: Light Amber
Nose: Powerful, complex, sweet, creamy, heavenly
Taste: Complex, smooth, balanced, some sweetness
Finish: Long, warm, strong (alcohol)
Rating: 10/10
Edradour 12 year old Madeira

The Edradour Madeira cask 12 year old from the ‘Straight from The Cask’ range, what can I say, but wow. I was put off Edradour after the bottle of 10 year old I purchased, but had my eyes opened at a local whisky tasting, and man am I happy they bought this out. The nose has so much complexity, there appears to be something new each time you breath in. The palate, again, so much flavour and complexity but well balanced with just the right amount of sweetness from the Madeira cask, and this continues on to the finish.At 55% you can tell that it is strong, without water you can feel the alcohol on the nose, palate and finish. Just a small addition of water however, opens everything up and smooths everything out so that you can really appreciate what this whisky has to offer. At around £50 for a 50cl bottle it is not cheap, but I have to say, it is worth every penny. There are quite a few in the ‘Straight from The Cask’ range, I am looking forward to trying the Sherry cask one as my next Edradour purchase.

Notes

Initial Maturation
Distilled 19th November 1997
Disgorged 2nd May 2007
Second Maturation
Into Cask 2nd May 2007
Bottled 19th August 2010
Number of Bottles 529

Edradour 13 year old Natural Cask Strength

Distillery: Edradour
Region: Highland
Age: 13
Finish: ?
Chill-filtered: No
Strength: 58.1%
Batch No.: 229
Colour: Amber
Nose: Rich, deep, powerful
Taste: Smooth, creamy, complex, earthy
Finish: Long, dry
Rating: 7/10
Edradour 13 year old natural Cask Strength

The Edradour 13 year old (9 days off 14 year old) Sherry cask from the ‘Natural Cask Strength’ range was a recent purchase, open for this review. I was a little surprised by this one to be honest, The Whisky Exchange where I got it, advertise it as ‘almost certainly come out of a sherry cask’, but I’m not sure. Now I’m no expert but for it is too dry and lacks the sweetness that usually comes from a sherry finish, I am questioning if it is a wine cask finish maybe. It mentions nothing of the finish on the bottle and I have not been able to find any info on the Edradour web site.It is a lovely whisky even though it has a hint of the 10 year old earthiness to it, just better balanced. It has a very dry finish too, much like the 10 year old but holds the flavour for much longer. It is strong though, 58.1% is quite evident when sampled neat, but be careful with the water, there is a definite comprise to be had with this one. Just a small amount of water seems to kill the nose, but open the palate, though it still keeps that strength. To water it down enough to kill the strength on the palate would eliminate any note it has for sure.

Notes

Distilled 24th May 1999
Bottled 15th May 2013
Number of Bottles 701

Glenglassaugh Revival

Glenglassaugh, Highland, Scottish, ,
Distillery: Glenglassaugh
Region: Highland
Age: N/A
Chill-filtered: No
Strength: 46%
Batch No.: N/A
Colour: Golden
Nose: Well balanced, complex, fresh, some sweetness
Taste: Fresh, crisp, coastal
Finish: Light, coastal
Rating: 6/10
Glenglassaugh Revival
I found this to be a pleasant dram, easy drinking for a sherry cask but not without flavour. This is helped by the coastal qualities, fresh and crisp with a slight salty undertone. At 46% however this one does improve with a little water, not much is needed though or the balance is thrown off, the complexity is lost and it will become a little bland.

Glenburgie 26 Year Old

Glenburgie, Scottish, Speyside, ,
Distillery: Glenburgie
Region: Speyside
Age: 26
Chill-filtered: No
Strength: 53.7%
Batch No.: 9801
Colour: Amber
Nose: Light, complex, fruity with a little spice
Taste: Light, complex, dry
Finish: Short, dry
Rating: 10/10
Glenburgie 26 Year Old
A release of just 204 bottles so will probably be difficult to get hold of. This is an amazing whisky, bursting with flavour on both the nose and palate. It has one issue for me though, water. The addition of water breaks up the oils and releases so much more on the nose, some wonderful aromas coming through. The problem lies in the fact that, for me at least, I actually prefer the flavour of the 26 year old without the water. It is a bourbon cask whisky finished in a sherry cask, I am not sure for how long though. I can’t remember how much this one cost to be honest, or find it for sale anywhere, but what I can say is that if you see it, it’s definitely worth buying.

Bladnoch 19 Year Old Sherry Cask

Bladnoch, Lowland, Scottish, ,
Distillery: Bladnoch
Region: Lowland
Age: 19
Chill-filtered: No
Strength: 55%
Batch No.: N/A
Colour: Amber
Nose: Light but complex
Taste: Light, sweet and well rounded
Finish: Short but warm
Rating: 8/10
Bladnoch 19yo Sherry Cask

Judging by the colour and taste this is a bourbon casking that has been finished in a sherry cask. As a result it is still quite light, in colour, nose and taste, but it has picked that little extra flavour up from the sherry cask. At 55% it is quite strong but it does carry it well, not overpowering the flavour with the alcoholic volume. The addition of water does open it up however, making it easier to pick out the flavours.

I believe the 19 year old has now been replaced by the 20 year old, which I have yet to try. At £50 which this bottle cost I would say that it is worth the money. I called in at the distillery when I picked this bottle up, the distillery being the most southerly one in Scotland, and they were kind enough to allow me to sample a few from their range. From memory they were all nice, easy drink whiskies that I tried and I would be tempted to add another Bladnoch to my collection.

Glengoyne Range 15, 18 & 21 years

Glengoyne, Highland, Scottish, , ,

My first post is about some of the Glengoyne range. I purchased samples of a 15, 18 and 21 year old, so that I could sit down and do a back to back tasting of the distillery’s medium to high range of whiskies.

15 Year Old

Distillery: Glengoyne
Region: Highland
Age: 15
Chill-filtered: No
Strength: 43%
Batch No.: N/A

Colour: Light gold
Nose: Light, sweet
Taste: Light, no flavour really stands out
Finish: Medium length, dry
Rating: 5/10

Refreshing, enjoyable dram, particular on a warm day. Light, but at 43%, has that little extra kick, some may prefer with a dash of water as a result, but I would be careful on how much you put in as it could easily kill the flavour, personally I would not add any.

I have not yet tried the 10 or 12 years so it is difficult to judge, but I would personally say that it is probably not worth the money that I have seen it at (around £45). For me it just lacks a little something for a 15 and for the price.

18 Year Old

Distillery: Glengoyne
Region: Highland
Age: 18
Chill-filtered: No
Strength: 43%
Batch No.: N/A

Colour: Rich gold
Nose: Light but complex. Light fruits such as apple
Taste: Rich, smooth, spicy and slightly sweet
Finish: Strong, long lasting
Rating: 8/10

I unfortunately never got to try the 17 year old, which the 18 year old replaced, but I can say that it has it has definitely been replace with a splendid whisky. I have seen it at around £70 and have to say that when compared the 15, it is worth the extra. A wonderful drink, warmer than the 15, would be a good a spring or autumn drink. Again at 43% some may like some water, you can get away with a little more added to this one given it’s rich flavour, but I found that it did not really need much.

21 Year Old

Distillery: Glengoyne
Region: Highland
Age: 21
Chill-filtered: Yes
Strength: 43%
Batch No.: N/A

Colour: Rich copper
Nose: Rich, complex, sweet, spicy
Taste: Rich, smooth, spicy
Finish: Warm, medium length
Rating: 9/10

When I saw the colour I thought, Wow! Very clear that it is a first-fill sherry cask (Oloroso), as is the 18 incidentally. To me it is worth every penny. If you can afford the extra ontop of the 18, go for it. At time of writing though, Master of Malt were doing it at a cracking price, just £9 more than the 18.

This one comes highly recommended for those sherry cask lovers, it’s everything you would want from a 21 year old sherry cask whisky. This one is again at 43% so a little water may be required for some. It seems to carry the strength even more than the 18, so even with the water it has a bit of a kick, but without sacrificing the flavour however.