Kilchoman 2012 Wine Cask Finish whisky review: Another great example of smoky and sweet from Kilchoman, reminiscent of previous port cask releases this fruity red wine cask has certainly worked here. 90/100
Williamson 6 Years Old 2011 Cask #130 whisky review: Probably would have been my dram of the night if the Cask Islay (Caol Ila?) hadn’t been so darned good! A lot earthier in its peat this one and some substantial cask influence despite the use of a bigger vessel (butt) over a relatively short period. Perhaps if left a few more years this one could have been truly amazing? 87/100
Arran 6 Years Old Oloroso Rum Octave Finish – The Octave Project whisky review: Finally a little bit of body in this one, it borders on becoming undone by the spirity & spicy nature which come across as youthful exuberance. I have come unstuck upon several rum-cask finishes of late but this one has renewed my interest in them. A very pleasant way to finish off our Octave Project sampling.
Arran 6 Years Old Rioja Octave Finish – The Octave Project whisky review: Wow, superbly good and equal to the Oloroso in enjoyment terms. This Rioja-cask finish is a little dustier and drier and has a slightly lighter fruit profile with hints of spice and greener oak wood. That classic combo of strawberry and lime that really works. 73/100
Arran 6 Years Old Oloroso Sherry Octave Finish – The Octave Project whisky review: A great nose on this one, very smooth on the palate with plenty of mouth-watering fruit jam. sadly still a little too thin although some malty barley makes an appearance, a little warming with some reflux on this one. 73/100
Arran 6 Years Old PX Sherry Octave Finish – The Octave Project whisky review: On the face of it this had plenty going for it in terms of aroma’s and flavours, I must admit to preferring PX to Oloroso sherry most of the time. Unfortunately this is still too light-bodied to carry these flavours and any previous character has been obliterated. Sadly this PX finish tasted a little force-matured and this whisky’s backbone too weak to take it. 70/100
Arran 6 Years Old Original Bourbon Barrel – The Octave Project whisky review: This 6 year old cask strength bourbon-barrel matured Arran is very light bodied with fresh and fruity spirit and hints of wood. A little bit of a ‘ghost’ whisky, i.e. is it really there? Not a huge amount of character, but fairly light and pleasant enough to carry into the octaves for finishing. 68/100
A spirit led expression with a crash course in American oak, great experiment but perhaps not the best indication of what either distillery or cask can do. 79/100
Reminded me of a rather good peated and sherried Kildalton malt I shan’t name; but I suggest Glen Moray name this whisky “Morgeadail” ;-D 88/100
Delicious *Laphroaig* briny peat smoke and sweetened sherried maltiness at its finest. These Islay whiskies really do drink well young before the peat influence dissipates with over-maturation. 87/100
