Whisky Search Results

	Cask no. 41.42 - Waitlist
	NEW! Seduction in an Austrian coffee house	$307.00

The nose had fabulous depth and age – a table was laid, bearing sweet, cakey delicacies – Borders chocolate gingers, black forest gateau, sticky toffee pudding, Madeira sponge, marrons glacés and chocolate Brazils; also on the table – roses in a vase. Water brought a hint of tobacco – after feast cigars perhaps. The delicious palate left us in raptures – lip-smacking, thigh-smacking, shaking our heads in disbelief – rose-bud tea, rolling tobacco, date and walnut slice with cinnamon flavoured latte – “like an Austrian coffee house” someone said. The reduced palate was just more refined, more elegant and more seductive. The distillery name means ‘green meadow’.

Local Panel Comments:

Despite the heat, we found this whisky superb, and adding water improved things even more. This is a terrific dram in every sense, and it takes water well.

Age	% Alc	Allocation
23	57.3	Waitlist

	Cask no. 73.38 - Sold Out
	Adult ice cream soda	$182.00

The nose evoked dry white wine (gooseberry, lemon and lime, minerals, almost Chablis-like) and white peach; fresh pine resin in the garden. The neat palate was fresh, lively and gently numbing: someone found ripe lemons dusted with icing sugar, the Vault-master proclaimed “Sicilian lemons off the tree”; descriptions of Starburst sweets and lemon meringue followed. On nosing with water, the aperitif style changed to dessert with creamy meringue and buttery shortbread with freshly squeezed papaya and tangy lime. On tasting, soft and creamy vanilla glided over the tongue with the gentle fizziness of lemonade and cola. “A coke float” said the Leither. The distillery means ‘Big burn’ in Gaelic.

Local Panel Comments:

Despite coming from Speyside, the nose comes across as particularly coastal, making for a complex, intriguing and enjoyable experience. This dram is fruity and can happily take some water if you find it hot.

Age	% Alc	Allocation
10	59.6	Sold Out

	Cask no. 9.51 - Waitlist
	Summer holiday dram	$160.00

The nose had a frivolous, light-hearted, summery feel to it – chocolate éclairs, Battenberg, lemon puffs, Caramac, golden syrup and frothy strawberry mousse, even gentle flowers and powder puffs. The palate, not quite so genteel, was nonetheless lively, refreshing and mouth-cleansing, with tangy impressions of lemon, white pepper, peppermint and “a lick of a new bike”. The reduced nose, with crunchie nut cornflakes, vanilla, plasticine, citrus and mint, somehow suggested sipping poolside mojitos on holiday. The palate was vivaciously fizzy with flavours of Murray Mints, putty and crème caramel. Perhaps a hip flask dram to enjoy in this distillery’s famous gardens.

Local Panel Comments:

We were stunned to unmask this at the end of the night and learn how young it was - for its age and its price tag, this is one seriously good whisky. It's the classic, classy Speyside malt, possibly leaning towards the aperitif style.

Age	% Alc	Allocation
6	62.8	Waitlist

	Cask no. 2.76 - Last one!
	Cola and shea butter	$237.00

‘The King o’malts’ according to RLS. This example is very spicy and prickly to start with, but opens up beautifully in time. The fist aroma reminded us of Coke (when the ice has melted) and light caramel, then a heavy verbena-like perfume (Chanel No.5, ambergris) which gradually becomes more musky and oily. With water these aromas become dominated by whin bushes and shea butter (a scent between coconut and almonds, apparently), with a light, dusty woodiness. Banoffee pie with nutmeg and allspice in the development. The taste is “sweet and rural” (unreduced) and “sweet and autumnal” diluted. Complex.

Local Panel Comments:

If you want to know what a Speyside whisky tasted like, this would be your textbook. It's a very pleasant dram, with nothing challenging or aggressive in the mix, making for an easy-drinking, quaffing malt.

Age	% Alc	Allocation
16	56.3	Last one!

	Cask no. 76.75 - $281
	NEW! Spiritual ascension	$281.00

The nose began with Airfix model kits and cola bottle sweets; then dried fruits appeared (raisins, figs, dates, prunes), followed by Madeira, roast chestnuts, Dr Peppers, vanilla and spice; rhubarb, pear and honey brought up the rear. The pleasantly viscous palate suggested raisins soaked in port or cherries in brandy; dark chocolate, spices, tea chests and hints of smoke. The reduced nose delivered red fruits, liquorice and dying embers, while the palate developed rich, buttery toffee and a whisper of almonds, “I’ve died and gone to Heaven” said a sherry fan. The distillery has a still called the ‘wee witchie’.

Local Panel Comments: HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

This is a classic sherried Speyside dram with some assertive age and oak to add spice, depth, wood, body, and robustness. The Gillies Laird was particularly taken: "A beauty! Snaffle yourself one of these and prepare for the winter hibernation!"

Age	% Alc	Allocation
20	58.5	$281

	Cask no. 35.41 - $432
	Sweet and savoury in a double oven	$432.00

The nose was of warm baking; lemon juice and baking soda before toasted vanilla pods and honey were added to the mix. Syrup sponge pudding melded with orange blossom and maple syrup. Spices were added to oriental spare ribs coated with allspice. The palate was syrupy with a spicy kick - treacle scones with Nutella, well-toasted bread with marmalade, and sweet and spicy Char Sui chow mein. A few drops of water revealed sugared almonds, maple syrup and honeycomb fudge; poached pears with vanilla ice cream and a dusting of cinnamon. The reduced palate was nutty and creamy; Brazil nut brittle and walnut whip with a honey nut cereal bar. This distillery in Elgin was formerly a brewery, converted to a distillery in 1897.

Local Panel Comments: TOP SCORING DRAM on our last list

This rewards on every level and is the perfect end to a trying day. Even though this was sampled very early in the selection process for the 2nd quarter shipment, we knew straight away this would be the top scoring dram.

Age	% Alc	Allocation
35	56.1	$432

	Cask no. 105.12 - Last one!
	Spooky!	$345.00

The fabulous nose recalled the caramelised onion chutney that usually accompanies the panel’s cheese; we also found meatiness (beef in red wine, honey-glazed ham) and much else beside – cinder toffee, redcurrants, coffee, peppermint. Mint came through on the palate (mint humbugs, mint chocolate matchmakers) along with warming clove balls and dark chocolate truffles. The reduced nose (treacle scones, distant fireworks) hinted at Halloween and gave everlasting pleasure. Halloween continued on the palate, “Spooky!” someone said; big sweet toffee fun with spicy complexity; one of the most positive responses to sherried whisky for ages. The distillery’s clock tower plays Scottish tunes.

Local Panel Comments: Top Scoring Dram - 4th Qtr 2009

A simply wonderful experience that satisfies on so many levels, offering complexity, sweetness, oak, spirit, depth, class, and finesse. This is the first time this distillery has featured on the Australian Bottling List.

Age	% Alc	Allocation
25	55.8	Last one!

	Cask no. 105.13 - $336
	Pouring treacle on cut grass	$336.00

The neat nose was powerful with naphtha and hot treacle on cut grass; Dr Pepper, Cherry cola and cough syrup; milk chocolate coated Brazil nuts and leather saddles. The neat palate was flavoursome with rhubarb and treacle pudding, red cherries and chocolate coated Brazil nuts. With water, the nose became multi-faceted; smooth with toffee popcorn and macadamia nuts; savoury with gammon steak and baked pineapple. The reduced palate was of chewy pecan tart and juicy peaches. One panellist commented “it tastes as good as the distillery looks”. The distillery was constructed in the 1950s and has a distinctive Art Deco design.

Local Panel Comments:

We'll simply quote two of our panellists: "Hard to think of another whisky where the sherry and malt sing in such perfect harmony." (AD) "Relish the nose on Monday, taste it on Tuesday, and enjoy the finish all the way to Sunday." (AC)

Age	% Alc	Allocation
26	56.0	$336