Advent day 10

These reviews are the first ones I attempt and are part of the advent calendar me and my good friend Jim made for each other. These 24 whiskies I’m trying will serve as a “bootcamp” for getting me started on reviewing my whisky. As such I hope the reviews will improve over time. To clarify the process; this is a blind tasting and the post title and category is set after the reveal.

Nose
Coffee and toffee was my first thought..with a bit of liquorice. But after a minute or so the nose changes. It gets a bit fresher with elderflower. I also think the zesty-ness is enhanced with a few drops of water. The nose doesn’t have as much punch as I’d like.
Score: 20

Palate
It’s light in flavour but with quite a bit of alcohol hit. I’m actually getting fresh lemons but also a bit of bitter zesty taste. There’s a little bit of smoke in the background but not much. The mouth-feel is pretty viscous without being oily.
Score: 20

Finish
The finish is short leaving only the burn of the alcohol behind. I’m getting some black pepper here and almost green olives.
Score: 19

Body
Not really a whisky to my taste. It reminds me of gin (which I like, when it’s gin).
Score: 20

Total: 79

Guesses
Virgin oak, could be japanese or maybe a young swedish one. Blended. 48%.

Reveal
Cú Bócan Signature
ABV 46%
Link: https://www.cu-bocan.com/our-creations

Personal note: I would’ve thought I’d like this more. I’ve had a Cú Bócan (no longer sold) before and thought it was quite nice.

Advent day 9

These reviews are the first ones I attempt and are part of the advent calendar me and my good friend Jim made for each other. These 24 whiskies I’m trying will serve as a “bootcamp” for getting me started on reviewing my whisky. As such I hope the reviews will improve over time. To clarify the process; this is a blind tasting and the post title and category is set after the reveal.

Nose
Peated smoke, I can tell this will be a pretty peated whisky. Some tar and oak. But also some sweetness I can’t quite specify.
Score: 22

Palate
Not as heavily peated as the nose suggested. I get some moss and grass with the smokiness. And it turns towards salt and seaweed after a few seconds. The mouth-feel is quite light and leaning towards the dry side.
Score: 23

Finish
Well-balanced peat with salted caramel. Became even better with a few drops of water. Strongly like this finish!
Score: 24

Body
Rounded with peat and a salty caramel which makes this a great whisky in my book.
Score:23

Total: 92

Guesses
Charred Oak cask (wood), Highland, 44% Single malt.

Reveal
Gulliver’s 47
ABV 47%
Link: https://www.samuelgulliver.com/brands

Personal note: This whisky was a dream! Sad it’s not sold in Sweden.

Advent day 8

These reviews are the first ones I attempt and are part of the advent calendar me and my good friend Jim made for each other. These 24 whiskies I’m trying will serve as a “bootcamp” for getting me started on reviewing my whisky. As such I hope the reviews will improve over time. To clarify the process; this is a blind tasting and the post title and category is set after the reveal.

Nose
There’s some subtle oak in the background. I get Vanilla and a bit of cinnamon as well as oranges or perhaps tangerines.
Score: 22

Palate
Definitely oranges and a bit of dark chocolate. Cardamum.. Quite a bit of alcohol burn. The mouth-feel is thin and a little drying but not at all unpleasant.
Score: 22

Finish
I like the finish! It has just the right amount of “after-burn” to it. I find it hard to pin specific flavours other than spice. Possibly some leather.
Score: 23

Body
Score: 22

Total: 89

Guesses
Sherry cask, Lowland, 46%, Single Malt.. Or possibly one from the Netherlands because it reminds me of mine.

Reveal
Elijah Craig
Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon
ABV 47%
Link: https://elijahcraig.com/small-batch

Personal note: Damn I like the bourbon coming out of Kentucky.. I’ve got a few myself and I like those quite a bit too!

Advent day 7

These reviews are the first ones I attempt and are part of the advent calendar me and my good friend Jim made for each other. These 24 whiskies I’m trying will serve as a “bootcamp” for getting me started on reviewing my whisky. As such I hope the reviews will improve over time. To clarify the process; this is a blind tasting and the post title and category is set after the reveal.

Nose
Not sure if it’s my nose being stuffy but the scent is a bit weak. I’m smelling wood and dark fruits.. almost going towards liquorice. A bit of honey in there as well. Even with the weak nose it’s pleasant!
Score: 21

Palate
Smooth! it immediately coats the tongue in smooth honey. As with the nose it is a bit weaker than I expected. Not sure what else I’m getting. Spices? It sort of reminds me of prescription-free cough medicine..
Score: 20

Finish
The finish is fairly quick leaving just the sting of the alcohol after a little while. Again, its not bad, just not great either.
Score: 20

Body
Generally a bit weak but very smooth whisky. Would probably share it with someone that doesn’t enjoy peaty whiskies.
Score: 20

Total: 81

Guesses:
Speyside, Single malt, 41%. Bourbon cask.

Reveal:
Stork Club Straight Rye Whiskey
ABV 45%
Link: https://stork-club-whisky.com/#whisky

Personal note: I can’t seem to guess these rye whiskies. They trip me up.

Advent day 6

These reviews are the first ones I attempt and are part of the advent calendar me and my good friend Jim made for each other. These 24 whiskies I’m trying will serve as a “bootcamp” for getting me started on reviewing my whisky. As such I hope the reviews will improve over time. To clarify the process; this is a blind tasting and the post title and category is set after the reveal.

Nose
Fairly delicate nose. I’m getting some blackcurrant and cherries. Generally fruity. It almost smells a bit like a lighter rum.
Score: 21

Palate
Easy on the palate but still with a lot of flavour. Reinforces the feel of drinking a sugarcane rum rather than a whisky. There’s spices and cinnamon.
Score: 22

Finish
The finish is strong, almost as strong as the palate and slowly fades out. The cinnamon is there as well as honey and a bit of seasalt.
Score: 22

Body
A bit on the light side but packed with flavour.
Score: 22

Total: 87

Guesses:
I’ve no idea.. Doesn’t feel like a scottish whisky but perhaps a Lowland. 42% with a Rum or possibly Madeira finish.

Reveal:
Nomad Outland Whisky
ABV 41.3%
Link: https://www.masterofmalt.com/whiskies/gonzalez-byass/nomad-outland-whisky/

Personal note: Well that was a hard one to guess.. after looking up the price I must say it’s a very affordable whisky!

Advent day 5

These reviews are the first ones I attempt and are part of the advent calendar me and my good friend Jim made for each other. These 24 whiskies I’m trying will serve as a “bootcamp” for getting me started on reviewing my whisky. As such I hope the reviews will improve over time. To clarify the process; this is a blind tasting and the post title and category is set after the reveal.

Nose
immediately strikes with a lot of oak which then mellows off a bit. I’m also getting marsipan and almonds. Maybe a hint of vanilla. Quite pleasant on the nose.
Score: 22

Palate
Complex. It starts off a little weak but explodes within half a second. A hint of oak and leather. The almonds are there as well. Some peat but not overwhelmingly. Gives a christmasy feel.
Score: 22

Finish
Fairly long finish without being too heavy or turning towards an alcoholic burn.
Score: 23

Body
Overall a very pleasant whisky!
Score: 22

Total: 89

Guesses:
Highland, 46%, Sherry cask.

Reveal:
Glencadam Reserva Andalucía
ABV 46%
Link: https://www.glencadamwhisky.com/whiskies/580-glencadam-reserva-andalucia

Personal note: REDEMPTION! I managed to nail all the guesses for this one and I’m ridiculously proud of myself…

Advent day 4

These reviews are the first ones I attempt and are part of the advent calendar me and my good friend Jim made for each other. These 24 whiskies I’m trying will serve as a “bootcamp” for getting me started on reviewing my whisky. As such I hope the reviews will improve over time. To clarify the process; this is a blind tasting and the post title and category is set after the reveal.

Personal note: I’ve a stuffy nose tonight which likely affects my ability to sample.

Nose:
Subtle smoke, fresh green apples, a pleasant flowery scent.
Score: 23

Palate: 22
Starts of gentle with buttery toffee and then turns towards honeysuckle and floral tastes. The alcohol become more prominent after a while.
Score:

Finish:
Slowly wears off towards toffee and a buttery mouthfeel.
Score: 23

Body:
Score: 22

Total: 90

Guesses:
Single malt, Lowland, 42%, Sherry cask.

Reveal:
High Coast 63
ABV 63%
Link: https://highcoastwhisky.se/produkter/sixty-three/

Personal note: Holy cow did I peg this wrong! I just did not pick up on that alcohol nor peat.. Not sure wether it’s due to having a bit of a cold or just the fact that this is my fourth time EVER reviewing a whisky.. probably the latter!

Advent day 3

These reviews are the first ones I attempt and are part of the advent calendar me and my good friend Jim made for each other. These 24 whiskies I’m trying will serve as a “bootcamp” for getting me started on reviewing my whisky. As such I hope the reviews will improve over time. To clarify the process; this is a blind tasting and the post title and category is set after the reveal.

Nose:
Oranges, honey and toffee, the alcohol pricks the nose a bit. A general heavy sweetness I can’t quite describe. Overall a pleasant nose.
Score: 23

Palate:
Takes a moment before it kicks in. A lot of toffee and honey in the palate as well. Some vanilla and breadlike characteristics.
Score: 21

Finish:
Not a strong finish. Moves towards a bit of leather with honey notes.
Score: 20

Body:
Score: 21

Total: 85

Guesses:
Blended, Japanese (Nikka?), ABV 46%, oak bourbon cask.

Reveal:
Chita Single Grain Whisky from Suntory, Japan.
ABV 43%
Link: https://whisky.suntory.com/en/global/products/chita

Advent day 2

These reviews are the first ones I attempt and are part of the advent calendar me and my good friend Jim made for each other. These 24 whiskies I’m trying will serve as a “bootcamp” for getting me started on reviewing my whisky. As such I hope the reviews will improve over time. To clarify the process; this is a blind tasting and the post title and category is set after the reveal.

Nose:
Peaty, Dark chocolate, Toast.
Score: 22

Palate:
Grass, smoke, chocolate or cacao.
Score: 21

Finish: Quite lingering and heavy. Buttery and a little vanilla.
Score: 20

Body:
Score: 21

Total: 84

Guesses:
Single Malt, Oak cask, Islay. ABV 46%.

Reveal:
Balvenie Peat Week
14 Years, 2003
ABV 48.3%
Link: https://www.thebalvenie.com/our-whisky-range/view/the-balvenie-peat-week-2002-vintage/