For a long, long time we have been keeping from publishing a post plenty of lapidary, deconstructed and absolutely unsolicited sentences. On the other hand, if it’s true that it can’t always rain, sometimes it can rain whisky, right? And so here we are, in clamorous anticipation of the imminent Christmas bulimia, indulging in tastings. We had good whiskies, decent whiskies and more than indecent ones. What we can say is that, unlike what the great Roy Batty teaches us in Blade Runner, unfortunately NOT “all these moments will be lost in time, like tears in the rain”.
Glenalmond everyday (circa ’90, OB, 40%)
A simple vatting of yesteryear, with a lot of evident cereal and an acidic tip, almost fermented, well integrated and pleasant. It also spreads sweet suggestions, like banana and honey. The palate is not supported by the abv, and that’s fine. 82/100
eRetico 3 yo (2016, OB, 43%)
It’s matured in barrels that have previously contained grappa and sherry, before a further finish into other ex grappa barrels. In short, if you’re crazy about grappa, you’ll like it; but in our opinion, the two souls are not integrated and perhaps they simply can’t. It has notes of Ricola with blackcurrant and sweet licorice. Balsamic, too. 69/100
Arran 21 yo (1996/2017, Scoma, 55,5%)
In the glass a single cask ex-bourbon oak from Scoma, German shop and bottler. Definitely a refill, also because the profile is very naked – open and pleasant: buttery, notes of cereals, white fruit. Shortbread. 85/100
Caol Ila 16 yo (1998, Wilson & Morgan, 60,4%)
Stereotypical Caol Ila: you never make mistakes. We would like to emphasize with pleasure the absence of alcohol, despite an apparently monstrous abv. Sweet, definetly sugary with vanilla, Paradiso cake and lemon cake. Lots of citrus fruits, including lime and cedar. Campfires on the beach and splashes of sea water. 87/100
