Tag Archive for: Single Cask Whisky

Whisky Review #57 – Springbank Vintage 1997 Single Cask #789

Most whisky lovers like to try single cask bottling because of the rarity it invoked and the uniqueness of the liquid. We are not any different. We tried this bottle of Springbank Vintage 1997 single cask (#789) some time ago and wanted to share our review because we love it.

This bottle is different from the Springbank Vintage 1997 batch 1 and 2. Bottled at 59.2% abv, the alcohol level in this whisky is higher than both batch 1 (at 55.2% abv) and batch 2 (at 54.9% abv).

Let’s dive into the review!

Tasting Notes:

Colour: Soft Amber
ABV: 59.2%

Nose: Slight peat with the first nose but sweet caramel surfaces quickly to complement the gentle peat. Citrusy lemon appears after 5 minutes and lingers in the background. (17/20)

Palate: Oily mouthfeel with sweet caramel coating the palate pleasantly. Spice lingers warmly in the background to give an extra kick. The peat in the nose does not exist in the palate. (16/20)

Finish: Long finish with pleasant sweet caramel and warm spice. The spice disappears quickly, leaving only a pleasant sweet ending and a surprising waft of smoke n the breath.(18/20)

Body: It is not the most well-balanced single cask but still lovely nonetheless. The complexity is also not well-established, but the caramel notes was a beautiful cover for the spice and slight peat. (30/40)

Total Score: 81/100

Comments:

Geek Flora: “I was very excited to try this single cask honestly but felt a little let down after drinking it. I love it nonetheless because the palate is different from the usual Springbank portfolio. I will try it again (we have a reserved sample even though the bottle is gone!) and update the notes if it changes.”

 

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    Whisky Review #35 – Allt-A-Bhainne 1991 Gordon & MacPhail

     

    Allt-A-Bhainne is founded as a workhorse to supply whisky for blending houses. In 1975, Chivas Brothers commissioned the distillery to supply malt whisky as a component of the Chivas Regal brand. Allt-A-Bhainne makes light estery malt for blending houses regularly but produces a heavily-peated variant occasionally. Single malt variants are rare and few in between.

    This particular expression of Allt-A-Bhainne was released as a single cask bottling by Gordon and MacPhail (G&M) during a brief closure of the distillery. Labelled as part of G&M Connoisseurs Choice, this expression is a rare single malt whisky from the Allt-A-Bhainne distillery.

    Tasting Notes:

    Colour: Pale Straw
    ABV: 43%

    Nose: Nature nose of grass, slightly flinty. Vanilla comes on strong in a short while with some citrus zest. Hints of smoke and nutmeg follow, making the nose spirity. (16/20)

    Palate: Creamy vanilla ice-cream with citrus fruits combine with grass. Some nutmeg comes in to add some complexity to the palate. (17/20)

    Body: Simple yet flawless as an easy drink. Not complex but refreshing and clean on the palate. Ideal as an aperitif or as a long drink. (33/40)

    Finish: Medium to long finish with caramel and some sea salt. (17/20)

    Total Grade: 83/100 

     

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