We are fast approaching ‘silly hour’ – the mad dash to try everything & anything before time is called. Loitering in the right place at the right time, I find Colin Hampden of Three Drinkers fame pouring various hipflask treats:
- Mortlach 21yo [2020] Ob. Special Releases 2020 [7692 bts] 56.9% WB87.47[57] WF87. Clean not clinical, not too crazy, not too safe. [Scores +/-88 points].
- Bruichladdich 30yo [+/-2021] Spiritfilled Mythical Beasts cask #2283 [212 bts] 53.3% WB89[2]. Cracking single malt, utterly present/vibrant. [Scores +/-90 points].
- Fettercairn 32yo [2021] Spiritfilled Mythical Beasts – The Dryad [98 bts] 48.6% WB90.50[2]. Untold Riches vibes [WLP], Yes please, every day of the week. [Scores +/-90 points].
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I dash off to find more Fettercairn.
Fettercairn 16yo [2022] Ob. 3rd Release 46.4% WB84.93[29] [WF:1st]85 [WF:2nd]86 WLP86
I was a fan of the first 16yo release [WLP86], and subsequently bought the second release [notes to follow in due course].
- C: I particularly like the bitter tannic-sweetness, and overall, Fettercairn’s commendable slightly rough/homemade nature – a very different prospect to its more highly esteemed cousin, Dalmore. Differences to be celebrated.
Scores 85 points
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Fettercairn 18yo [2022] Ob. 46.8% WB87.12[20]
Finished in Scottish oak. Now, where have I come across that before? Greg Glass~Whisky Works~Whyte & Mackay!
- C: The Scottish oak influence is clear, having earned my reference bar from that aforementioned Whisky Works release – King of Trees [WLP]. This is the neatest/tidiest Fettercairn I’ve come across whilst pertaining to a bitter [pancake]-sweet raisiny leathery Asian spice profile. But before you get too excited, it’s £175. Just sayin’.
Scores 87 points
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Whilst I’m with the old guard [and everything on my list has been checked off], let’s continue. I stumble across G&M’s stand, curated/set up like an opulent and intimidating private gallery for the wealthy, and walk straight back out.
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Longmorn 18yo [2022] Ob. 48% WB87.65[126]
I’m here because of Roy Duff’s recommendation that we should take a look in on Longmorn [again] because whilst An Cnoc 18 is now £98, Longmorn 18yo is £80 – so the goalposts have shifted. On a side note, when did this ‘Secret Speyside’ flannel start?
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- C: Jobs a goodun’ with these mature raisin [sherry] qualities. In comparison to Glendronach – a comparable rival in style – this Longmorn sits somewhere between Glendronach’s 15yo and the 21yo Parliament by [modern sherry-driven malt] comparison.
Scores 87 points
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Longmorn 23yo [2022] Ob. 48% WB86.83[37] WF86
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- C: Plenty of age/maturity whilst retaining a cereal fluffiness, this is an all-bourbon affair without the [sometimes tedious] usual suspects. Out of the three, this is where it’s at for me.
Scores 88 points
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Longmorn 25yo [2022] Ob. Cask Strength 53% WB87.50[13]
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- C: The price point of £400 is already asking a great deal from this single malt before we’ve even begun. From bourbon & butts [as stated], I find this to be overly woody & tannic albeit clean. Less for more is the prevailing message.
Scores 86 points
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I hear there’s some decent Jura to be had. The 1988 vintage is long gone but a 1990 30yo has survived the weekend.
Jura 1990/2020 Ob. [btl #191/900] 46.5% WB89.75[4]
Now, this I like: Jura has stated the initial cask AND the finishing cask – amoroso sherry in this case and not an oloroso sherry butt as previously stated on Whiskybase [you’re welcome].
- N: Aside from plenty of old dusty wax, the finish [and previous cask contents] is driving the profile.
- T: Arrives like a gem before being walloped around the head with a bottle of amoroso.
- F: Still the amoroso reigns, though there are seemingly plenty of positive attributes from the underlying remains. The waxiness is retained at the tail, but too much damage has already been inflicted.
- C: Positive indications away from a heavy-handed makeover.
Scores 86 points
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Smoking jackets on.
[Bruichladdich] Port Charlotte 2012/2022 09yo Ob. SC:01 55.2% WB87.34[167]
With a makeup of ex-bourbon, sherry butts and a sauternes finish, it’s a combo I’m likely to favour.
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- C: If I was tasked with summing up this whisky in three words, today I choose ‘happy place, intense’. Forgive me, it is the end of the day!
Scores 88 points
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As a result of critics who said Bruichladdich wasn’t a proper Islay distillery – Islay = peat – Port Charlotte came in, says Jim [McEwan], “to shut these guys up forever” [WLP]. And then came another stroke of genius – Octomore.
[Bruichladdich] Octomore 13.1 05yo [2022] Ob. The Impossible Equation Ex-bourbon 59.2% WB86.48[65]
The Octomore .1s are typically bourbon matured, which seems the kindest maturation vehicle for the distillate.
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- C: Somewhat bubblegum-y, this reminds me of the 6.1 [WLP88] if slicker. Here, the barley variety is Concerto which should make the difference. Indeed, 13.1, 13.2, and 13.3 are all concerto barley borne.
Scores 88 points
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[Bruichladdich] Octomore 13.2 05yo [2022] Ob. The Impossible Equation Oloroso 58.3% WB88.63[94]
The .2s typically receive a grape-based application.
- C: Seemingly refined, this one is [Fernando de Castilla] oloroso cask-matured and it works an absolute treat. In three words: ‘Easy drinking gold’.
Scores 88 points
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[Bruichladdich] Octomore 13.3 05yo [2022] Ob. The Impossible Equation Ob. 61.1% WB88.41[60]
Here, we’re enjoying the fruits of Octomore Farm concerto barley from Lorgba & Irene’s fields.
- C: A chiselled lactic number that reminds me, in part, of Octomore 06.2 [WLP88] with an eau de vie-like husky barley oiliness. A little short of form but still a strong release.
Scores 87 points
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