Saturday, April 24, 2010

Oban 14 yr old



An unusual age for a single malt?
We tried this tasty single malt at our fave local night spot - Chim Choo Ree - on Friday night after the hapless Chiefs managed to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory against the Cheetahs.
It certainly went down well, and softened the blow of the loss, although I thought it seemed a slightly odd colour... maybe it was the lighting.
Everyone greed it was a pleasant drop.  I felt it was inviting without being impressive. The orangey amber tones perplexed me and the after taste lacked longevity, whilst it defintely remained a quality drop... More refined palates have written entertainingly at ...
Read what others have said on this whisky reviewing site
Scotland looks so beautiful! Must get there a.s.a.p. . . .

Sunday, April 18, 2010

This could get expensive...



I suggest we of the inner circle of Whisky Wallop [Me, Bevin, Bill, Vike? Ricardo?] start a kitty for a monthly wallop of a different single malt each time to be sampled at ease at Whisky Wallop headquarters in Edinburgh Rd.



We might also dare to tread into town some time to sample the Hood St whisky tasting evening...

Aberlour 10 yr old


Aberlour 10 yr old single malt just happened to pop into my hands over the counter of Jan's fine wines in Hillcrest the other day. I owed Bevin a single malt for not completing my drawing assignment and low n behold - we nearly knocked the buggar off [the scotch, bot Bevin] between several of us over a convivial evening of chitchat around an autumnal fire on Wee Bevvy's glorious leather lounge suite.   [draws breath...]
The most interesting thing for me was to discover that it is a Speyside whisky. Apparently that means it's flash...read more about Speyside distilleries here
I enjoyed the drop without being blown away, but then, I'm no connoiseur.  My tendency towards the peaty Islay style renders many of my descriptions moot but others have also tried the golden nectar and said things such as:

Tasting 
Notes... [from the Aberlour website]
"A classic Speyside single malt, matured in a combination of bourbon and sherry casks. Welcoming, vibrant and rewarding.
"


David Boyd - Aberlour Chief Blender
Malt, spice, mint toffee, autumn fruits, apples, pears, plums, hint of peat, custard, sherry, nuts, buttery.



Custard!? What on Earth are these people on? 
I wish I could smell properly. 
Well I must have enjoyed it because I certainly tucked in and we left the other whisky untouched.  I liked that it wasn't sweet and syrupy like some other, lesser single malts of the slightly more common variety. 



Decision - Aberlour was worth revisiting, perhaps an older one next time to really be spoiled.