Blind tasting – Oddly herbal and sweet, this has plenty of Japanese influence and reminded me of some of the Hakushu expressions. 86/100
Hatozaki Pure Malt (40%, OB, 2020)
Pere Magloire VSOP South Islay Cask Finish (40%. OB, 2020)
An interesting mix of peat-smoke and Calvados, quite light from the peaty whisky side which adds some darker notes of liqourice, clove and tar. 84/100
Pere Magloire VSOP North Islay Cask Finish (40%, OB, 2020)
A lovely nutty, buttery and slightly coastal nature imbued here which really compliment the sweet apple and nutty French oak nature of the core Calvados. 85/100
Pere Magloire VSOP Speyside Cask Finish (40%. OB, 2020)
A much sweeter and more vanillic expression following finishing in aSpeyside whisky cask, more body generate from a hint of malty cereal barley also. 84/100
Pere Magloire VSOP Pays d’Auge Calvados (40%, OB, 2020)
A lovely introductory apple/fruit-led flavour, quite light on the palate and a hint of French oak maturation. 83/100
Hatozaki Pure Malt (40%, OB, 2020)
Packed full of malt and aromatic wood with gentle wisps of smoke, this is seriously delicious. 88/100
Hatozaki Blended (40%, OB, 2020)
I really rather enjoyed this one. At first it seems quite simple, light and delicate but therein lies its beauty. Immensely drinkable and reminds me of some great and now hard to find or afford Japanese single malts. 84/100
Midleton Very Rare 2020 (40%, OB, 2020)
My first introduction to Midleton Very Rare and very enjoyable it is. Combining elements of grain whiskey and pot still from Midleton distillery. The result is light and refreshing, fruity ditillate-led expression. 87/100
The Singleton of Dufftown 15 Years Old (40%, OB, 2020)
Much more balanced that the Trinité but I still found this one a little bland. I love the 12, despite it’s super-easy drinking it is full of subtleties and nuances of flavour that works really well. Sadly I’m just not finding that here. 84/100
The Singleton of Dufftown Trinité (40%, OB, 2013)
Inoffensive and almost a little bland in places, ok for an introductory whisky and for me a touch too spiced – or at least nothing balanced against the wood spices in this one. 77/100
