Ben Nevis 10y/o Australian Whisky Icons - The Elysian Bar The WhiskySponge 57.1%ABV 30ml
That dream balance/blend of chewy islay peat and cask sweetness and influence. What Laga 16 used to be, but better (and 48%!).
Beautiful, deep, you’ll never forget it !!
Becoming a new fan of Bunnahabhain!
Nose: A rich herbal aroma intertwined with bonfire smoke, evoking imagery of a seaside campfire. Notes of sea salt, struck matches, and subtle roasted orange peel linger behind the smoky veil.
Palate: Medium to full-bodied with a distinct oily texture. The high proof delivers a robust entry, blending sweet spices with peat, accented by a faint trace of sulfur.
Finish: Long and warming, with persistent ashy smoke and briny sea breeze. Hints of matchstick and a delicate iodine note round it out.
With Water: The aroma reveals pronounced wet sea salt and brine, with the smokiness softening into a rounder profile. Vanilla and oak emerge prominently. On the palate, the sweetness persists, with the peat becoming less intense, giving way to caramelized oak and fruit notes.
A gentle giant. This old grain whisky doesn’t try to shout, but it has plenty to say if you’re listening. A soft, elegant dram with aged sherry cask influence, balancing fruit, leather, oak, and just a whisper of tobacco. If you’re chasing subtle complexity over brute strength, this hits the mark.
Longrow Red 11y/o Cabernet Sauvignon Cask 52.1%ABV 30ml
We had a blinded whisky testing of 10 unpeated whisky and Springbank won the comp.
Excellent: very smooth, good balance and not too strong.
I ordered a red gum and stringybark smoked single malt combo and loved being able to compare the pair. It was awesome. Thanks Horny Pony!
A complex aged nose. Leather, dark chocolate mousse, dehydrated raspberries, canned peaches, and fermentation funk. Dark with tropical notes that bring it to life. To taste, mandarin syrup with spices; cloves and cinnamon. There’s an incense smokiness to the dram as well, bringing forward more rose and berry notes. A delightful example of an aged whisky, but potentially one that can be sourced for a slightly cheaper price. Claims of uniqueness can be a touch overrated, but still worth the experience.
A truly lovely whiskey, rich in flavour, long finish and heavy mouthfeel. Very sherry dominant, but in the right mood, a truly spectacular dram.
Definitely wouldn’t buy a bottle, but loved the opportunity to try a glass.
Lindores Abbey MCDXCIV Commemorative Release 46 per cent
MCDXCIV’ is a Roman numeral that stands for 1494, which in the naming of Lindores Abbey MCDXCIV Commemorative Release whisky refers to the year 1494. This year is of particular historical significance as it is recorded that it was in this year that Friar John Cor, a Scottish monk, was commissioned by King James IV to make ‘Aqua Vitae’ (the water of life, the precursor to whisky) for him. This is one of the earliest known records of whisky being made in Scotland.
Lindores Abbey is considered one of the birthplaces of Scotch Whisky and the naming of this commemorative edition pays homage to this long heritage; the MCDXCIV is not only a vintage symbol, but a cultural symbol that links modern distilling with the origins of whisky.
The earliest written record of Scotch Whisky is closely associated with Lindores Abbey, where monks once distilled the ‘water of life’. An ancient barley mash distillation area still exists on the abbey's site, which is over 520 years old.
This whisky, although aged for only four years, is the first opportunity to explore the distillery's malt style. It was matured in bourbon, sherry and wine casks and 12,750 bottles were released.
Aroma: Light and elegant, with a vanilla and caramel base, crisp apple and sweet pear fruit with hints of toffee, orange peel and light floral and malty fruity notes. Youthful but with a lot of vigour.
Mouth: light bodied, smooth and creamy with layers of texture. Dried fruit, citrus peel and vanilla on the bottom, with slight spice from cinnamon and black pepper. Three casks of sweet, malty, woody notes are balanced.
Finish: Warm and long, continues with dried fruit, cream, citrus and oak spice, no harshness.
Translated with DeepL.com (free version)
