Daftmill 2008 Single Cask The Whisky Bars of Scotland Whisky Review: Well-received by other tasters, almost a complete opposite to the last dram (Imperial). Unfortunately for me this didn’t taste right and had me thinking of early Kininvie releases. Something in this suggested poor distillation or perhaps over-oxidation? Very buttery. 68/100
Glen Moray 12 Years Old 2008 PX Finish whisky review: A deliciously finished Glen Moray expression retaining some lovely toffee/caramel nature and plenty of oak wood influence on the chocolatey PX finish. 87/100
Glen Garioch 11 Years Old 2008 whisky review: A nice and gentle introductory dram, fruity and creamy with some more developed ‘green’ kiwi and melon flavours. 84/100
Miltonduff 10 Years Old 2008 The Single Cask whisky review: A delightful cask strength and relatively straightforward/unfussy expression. The cask has had plenty of influence here as you would expect from 1st fill, making this very palateable. The balance is in favour of cask over spirit character here which works very well. I’m not sure I am any closer to uncovering the DNA or character of Miltonduff after these expressions but they were both very pleasing and enjoyable. 83/100
Longmorn 10 Years Old 2008 Claxton’s whisky review: Young, spirity and possibly refill bourbon? Viewed as a work in progress this shows great potential, some lovely characteristics in here and didn’t need reduced to enjoy. 78/100
Deanston 9 Years Old 2008 Brandy Cask Finish whisky review: Very sweet on the nose – much less so on the palate. This one is a little acidic fruit and vaporous spirit in places – perhaps showing its youth? Very similar to many of the Distillery only bottlings which show great promise but can be a little feisty at cask strength and reward a drop of water to calm them down. 83/100
Bunnahabhain 9 Year Old 2008 Mòine Bordeaux Red Wine Cask Matured whisky review: A powerful, full-bodied, peated and earthen Bunnahabhain, sweetened by the use of the wine casks but also enhanced with dried fruit and tannins complementing the darker coffee and chocolate notes too. Reminded me of tart and earthy elderberries. 90/100
Caol Ila 2008 Post-Octave whisky review: Again a very different experience, lots has moved around in this whisky when compared to the pre-octave and a heap of spices added, although here they are less distracting than the Highalnd Park Post-Octave. A lot more burnt, but dry burnt rather than over-caramelised sugars. Although the same score I prefer the Pre-Octave Caol Ila. 86/100
Caol Ila 2008 Pre-Octave whisky review: A lovely vanilla and ashen Caol Ila, for a 10 year old this has developed a lot of subtleties that make it simply wonderful, ever-evolving on the palate gently introducing new flavours and aromas – not overpowering. Yum! 86/100
Bunnahabhain 2008 Post-Octave whisky review: A massive improvement again on the original cask, some of the spices still carry through but appear mostly on the finish here. 83/100
