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The Glasgow Distillery Co - Rapid Review

Makar Original Dry Gin Juniper, Orange, Berries. Extremely revitalising and the tonic lifts it again to another level of refreshment. With the tonic I added a slice of lime which compliments it impeccably. G52 Botanical Vodka Fresh Citrus This deftly sweet vodka instantly transported me back to the memory of a summer’s evening, enjoying homemade lemon drizzle cake with my family on a freshly cut lawn. There’s the taste of chomped orange peel here too, again something I tried when I was a child! Not usually a vodka drinker but this is very agreeable and would be quite satisfied with this on its own without a tonic. Banditti Club Glasgow Spiced Rum Irish Barmbrack cake, traditionally served at Halloween in my native Ireland. There’s sultanas, raisins and also black tea here. Stewed winter fruits aplenty! Taste is wonderfully sweet and there are also subtle caramel undertones here and as the name suggests, adequately spiced. Glasgow 1770 Single Malt Scotch Whisky -  Peated This is a magni
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Lux Row Whiskey - Rapid Review

Rebel Bourbon Cognac Cask Finish - 45% Nose Brown sugar, vanilla with just a whisper of coconut. Taste Prune, autumnal fruits and vanilla pod. Finish A robust and warming finish that is long lasting, splendid stuff. Ezra Brooks Kentucky Sour Mash Bourbon  -  40% Nose Faint on the nose but given the time it opens up revealing vanilla and orange peel. Taste Apples and oranges, puff pastry Finish Sweetcorn kernels. I was honestly a little disappointed with this, I found this to be a short finish and quite watery. Ezra Brooks Kentucky Straight Rye Whisky  -  45% Nose Chocolate, caramel and vanilla cheesecake. Taste Black jack (burnt sugar on the top of Crème Brûlée) and is superbly spiced. Finish Lots of vanilla coming back with an upsurge of warmness that stretches beautifully. Old Ezra 7 Year Old Barrel Strength – 58.5% ABV Gorgeous colour on this. Nose Carrot cake, vanilla, toffee apples. Taste Sweet and smarting on the palate, maple syrup and pancakes on a wi
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Blair Athol - 12 Year Old - Rapid Review

I was given a sample of this delicious highland single malt recently. Bottled at 43% it is an altogether flavoursome dram with a sherry influence which oozes notes of fruit cake. Nose Port, orchard fruits and the aforementioned fruit cake. Sweet caramel on returning to it after letting it sit for several minutes. Taste It gently comes out of its shell after a few seconds gradually warming and tingling the senses. Finish A long, warm and complex finish that is delicate and left me wanting more.
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Location: Carmarthenshire, UK
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Nc'nean Organic Single Malt

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The Nc'nean distillery The principles of Nc'nean are honestly inspiring. This whisky distillery has many values that I have been thoroughly impressed with. Firstly this is a whisky produced from organic Scottish barley. Secondly, it is distilled in a certified carbon-neutral distillery. Thirdly, all bottles are 100% recycled. An impressive marker has been set for their future and that of their peers, in a world that has, seemingly at the eleventh hour, finally begun to seriously ponder the future and wellbeing of this planet that we all call our home. According to their website, their total carbon footprint for a whole year is less than one return plane journey from London to New York. Which is truly awe-inspiring. The vision of its founder Annabel Thomas is clear and the positive results from a young distillery speak for themselves. Annabel Thomas On top of being a fine whisky with an already impressive fan base, Nc'nean can also proudly say they are the first net-zero whi
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Location: Lochaline, Oban PA80 5XP, UK
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Ezra Brooks 99 & Rebel 100 Kentucky Straight Bourbon

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I was lucky enough to have been given the opportunity to sample two exquisite bourbons from Lux Row Distillers. Both drams are from America’s Bluegrass State, Kentucky. They are Ezra Brooks 99 Kentucky Straight Bourbon and Rebel 100 Kentucky Straight Bourbon. Ezra Brooks 99 Kentucky Straight Bourbon First up, I tried the Ezra Brooks 99 Kentucky Straight Bourbon which has an ABV of 49.5%. Nose: Pear drops, caramel, vanilla & bitter almond oil. Taste: Dark fruits and pepper. This has a thinner mouthfeel than I had hoped for, most likely as a result of the charcoal filtering. It’s a very pleasant and easy to drink bourbon, it goes down effortlessly. Finish: Long and spiced at first, yet little to no burn, which gradually transitions into a subtler, gentler and sugared finish. Rebel 100 Kentucky Straight Bourbon Secondly, I sampled the equally impressive Rebel 100 Kentucky Straight Bourbon. A wheated bourbon with an ABV of 50%. In order to be labelled a straight bourbon whiskey it is r
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Location: Kentucky, USA
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Duncan Taylor Co - Tweet Tasting 14th October 2020

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On the evening of October 14th I was lucky enough to have been part of the continually great Tweet Tastings run by The Whisky Wire. This tasting featured Duncan Taylor, an award winning whiskey bottler. Originating in Glasgow before relocating to Huntly, Aberdeenshire in 2002. According to their website, there will soon be a distillery there of their own too! This evenings tasting would be extra special for myself as it would be my first tasting to feature a gin as well as the other three blended scotches to sample. Duncan Taylor also produce Rum as well as the aforementioned whiskey and gin. Politician – 40% ABV Nose: Dark chocolate, gentle burn on the nose, not over powering. Taste: A slice of fruit cake, with real butter on top. Finish: A peppery and slight citrus finish which is long lasting. I added just a drop of water on the third sip and felt that helped with that. This is really well worth checking out at this price. Black Bull 12 Year Old - 50% ABV A gorgeous autumnal colour
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The Quiet Man - Irish Whiskey

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On the evening of 7th October 2020 I took part in yet another of the continually excellent Tweet Tastings. These tastings have been great during lock-down. I have been able to socially interact with and learn from fellow tasters thanks to these evenings. Tonight is no different and we are sampling three offerings from 'The Quiet Man' . Based in county Derry, Northern Ireland, founder Ciaran Mulgrew named the whiskey 'The Quiet Man' , or as we say back home 'An Fear Ciuin' after his father, John. He worked as a barman for fifty years in the pubs of Belfast and stayed true to the unwritten rule of barmen, to tell no tales. I'm sure he must have heard plenty of interesting stories over that half a century. First up for tasting is The Quiet Man Superior Blend. The Quiet Man Superior Blend The superior blend (40% ABV -) is 20% Irish malt and 80% grain whiskey. They have been matured in ex-bourbon barrels. This is a strikingly beautiful coloured dram. Nose Banana
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