Some of John's Notes

John Lang has put together some notes on the Whiskies we are tasting.


Descriptions of the 5 Single Malts by Jim Murray in his
Whisky Bible, 2008

1.) The Macallan Cask Strength $70.29
Earned a mark of 94% as follows-
Nose- 22 / 25- cranked-up, sweet, clean sherry.
Taste- 24 / 25- absolutely spot-on delivery, with grape concentrate, thickened by intense barley, wonderful spices arrive on cue.
Finish- 24 / 25- long, with the taste buds storm-lashed by juicy sherry and spices.
Balance- 24 / 25- it’s like surfing a massive wave of barley-sweetened sherry. Go for the ride. 58.6 % alcohol by volume.

2.) Strathisla 12 $46.29
Earned a mark of 87% as follows-
Nose- 21 / 25- a dab of distant peat adds more weight to what is already malt-heavy.
Taste- 22 / 25- pleasant, sultana-fruity with a very rich malt follow through.
Finish- 22 / 25- some oak breaks into the rich maltiness, hints of cocoa and smoke elongate the finish.
Balance- 22 / 25- the heavily weighted, full-bodied malt engages the taste buds from first to last, with a complexity and richness of genuine class.
43% alcohol by volume.

3.) Aberlour A’bunadh Cask Strength $85.29
Earned a mark of 88% as follows-
Nose- 22 / 25- thick oloroso sherry offset by the distant rumble of spice, raisins, cloves, oranges, ginger , like thunder in the air.
Taste- 23 / 25- almost immediately, the storm clouds break and spices rain down in torrents on the taste buds while the sherry continues the clean hot intensity of a summer storm.
Finish- 21 / 25- grape lingering with some late toffee apple, amazingly smooth, long, elegant, spicy and warming.

Balance- 22 / 25- a “monster” sherry whisky, a powerful malt to make mortals tremble, perfect for wine and sherry lovers, becomes more complex with water- hints of herbs, thyme, rosemary, sage, bay leaves.
59.8% alcohol by volume.


4.) Glenfiddich 15 Solera Reserve $54.49
Earned a mark of 93% as follows-
Nose- 24 / 25- a marriage of citrus notes (especially oranges), subtle spices and oak.
Taste- 23 / 25- Honey leads the way with balancing spices and oak, the malt is refreshing.
Finish – 23 / 25- medium to long, with soft sherry and gently building cocoa.

Balance- 23 / 25- one of Jim Murray’s regular drams, a brilliant Speyside malt of awesome complexity.
40 % alcohol by volume.

5.) Highland Park 18 $85.29
Earned a mark of 95% as follows-
Nose- 24 / 25- an empty honey jar which once held peaty embers, enormous nose of excellent consistency, with salty butter and burnt honeycomb always present.
Taste- 23 / 25- beautifully sweet, even sweeter than the 12 year old, thanks to manuka honey, balanced by drier oaky tones and rumbling peat at the back of the palate, chewy, a touch oily and wholly substantial.
Finish- 24 /25- some citrus, heathery notes, controlled oak, outstanding cocoa and peat, long and rewarding.

Balance- 24 / 25- consistently enormous weight and complexity, breathtakingly brilliant, the “ace” in the Highland Park pack.
43% alcohol by volume.