London Dramming: The Whisky Exchange Whisky Show, 30th Sept-2nd Oct 2022

It was great to be back at The Whisky Exchange Whisky Show at Old Billingsgate, near London Bridge for all 3 days and have the chance to try drams we might not otherwise have the chance to sample – or afford. The vibe was very relaxed and happy, a far cry to last year’s which, whilst I loved it, was also the first event for most of us since lockdown, too many people still not able or willing to be there, and felt different accordingly. This year’s was fun and full of talk. I didn’t actually see anyone really drunk, possibly my first ever whisky festival where no one’s fallen down at my feet after imbibing too much – or is it simply that I’ve lost my drunk magnet?

London dramming for The Whisky Exchange Whisky Show which took place in Old Billingsgate, seen on the left-hand side of the photo near the boat. Photo taken over the River Thames from London Bridge

We could hug again, people were sharing glasses and there was a real buzz to the show. I probably had as many hugs as drams and it was wonderful to catch up with so many friends, both in the trade and fellow whisky lovers from all over the world.

Train strikes caused some issues over the 3-day event but the tubes were still running, including at Bimber’s stand with Camden Town and Tower Hill proving to be particular favourites

As ever, I carried my own spittoon with me (an empty water bottle with a wide opening for ease of use) but saw more drams poured out than spat out in the official spittoons, always disappointing to see such waste unless it’s a dram that just doesn’t appeal. Hold it in your mouth, swirl, but not too long or the spice can overwhelm with younger drams, then spit. That way, you get to try more whisky safely. This is not a show for endless dramming, it’s one of quality and, yes, there’s also quantity available with around 800 drams included in the ticket price, plus the Dream Drams and secret, under-the-counter drams. There were officially 1,000 drams in total on offer over three days. 

I enjoyed every dram I tried but would have loved an extra day. I keep thinking of the stands where I meant to return – Woven and Douglas Laing amongst them – or never reached at all – saké and Sliabh Liag Distillers/Silkie Whiskey, included. But I did try a fantastic and varied selection, from new make to 45 year old whisky, and used a different notebook a day to record them all after last year’s debacle where I lost my notebook with tasting notes for every dram I tried that day. Fortunately, only my first day’s notes and not all of them but I wasn’t going to take the chance again. I write tasting notes for every dram, as well as taking photos, to record what I’ve sampled and the quality of the writing is generally a good indication of when it’s time to return to the hotel, the handy London Bridge Hotel again this year.

Time got away with me and I didn’t have the chance to return to sample more but I loved the bottles of blended whisky from new indie bottler, Woven, that I tried on the first day

The queue

The day starts in the queue. Not quite as impressive as the recent queue to pay respects to the Queen, and it was a really slow start this year, possibly because of the train strike on the Saturday which meant trains ended early on Friday and several people had to miss the show because they couldn’t guarantee getting there or back, but the usual culprits were in position. I arrive early so I’m there and can relax but no mad dash to the show shop for me as soon as it opens and that’s a big issue with the queue. There are those who arrive early to head straight to the shop, intending to flip bottles. Their business but I can’t help but feel that it’s not in the spirit of the event if all some people do is head to the shop, buy those rare and/or profitable bottles, then leave immediately, as happens. 

On the last day, two young men, not known to fellow whisky people from what I heard, queued overnight and, when the doors opened unexpectedly suddenly, raced to the shop, almost failing to take a glass en route. I hope they at least tried a few drams before leaving. On that last day, the queue of adults weren’t given the previous days’ warning not to run to the shop as it’s dangerous and it was like watching Black Friday sales – grown men ran, racing each other to the shop to pick up… I have no idea but there were rumours of hard-to-find Japanese whisky for sale. I’ve never seen anything like it and hope The Whisky Exchange change this next year – to award medals to the first three who reach the shop without accident or incident! An assault course, possibly, jump over casks to reach the shop and swim through angels’ share, maybe. 

Being serious, though, I would love the system to change, for everyone to try the show drams before just buying the bottles. I think sampling the drams, then being given tokens to buy them, would be better but the reality is that it’s down to individuals to do what they want. We are, after all, adults, although it didn’t look like it when they literally ran to the shop. I just wonder how many of those first-in-queue bottles are opened and enjoyed, not just flipped immediately for a profit.

The label of this special Clynelish show bottling was designed to create awareness of climate change and more is revealed as it warms up. A fantastic dram that led me to try several older Clynelish drams there

I eventually went to the shop but on the last day after retasting one of The Whisky Exchange Whisky Show bottlings, the Clynelish 11 year old, a surprising favourite for me as it’s not a distillery I’d particularly rated before trying that bottle – but which encouraged me to try more Clynelish at the show and I’m now a fan. Keep an eye on their website or in their shops in case there are any unsold bottles which make it to the shelves https://www.thewhiskyexchange.com/search?q=whisky%20show%20clynelish

Queue drams

One of the highlights of queuing isn’t just the chance to catch up with friends, as well as make new ones, and actually have time to talk but to share and enjoy queue drams. The rules of the show are strict – no empty dram bottles are allowed. We’re not allowed to take drams home, they must all be enjoyed at the venue. However, drams are taken to enjoy in the queue. I took hip flasks containing whisky I hoped most people there wouldn’t have had the chance to try, one with SMWS The Tar Pit 9 yo blended peated whisky and the other had Sutcliffe & Son The Exceptional Grain which has aged grains from 5 distilleries, as well as packing three little cups so people could try them – and a stylish/pretentious/irresistible (delete as appropriate) Glencairn travel set for me to try others’ drams. It’s a sign of how generous and kind the whisky world is when you see what’s on offer in the queue and my Star Queue Dram was Thompson Brothers Tullibardine 28 year old with The Grainman Carsebridge 33 year old a close second.

Show bottlings

The question in the queue is always where someone will go first – it’s not always the shop. On my first day, it was straight to a stand that gets busy early, The Whisky Exchange Whisky Show stand (not their onsite shop) with special Whisky Show bottlings, as well as TWE exclusives. I’d read the email and website so knew what was on offer but not how much they cost. Regardless of the price of the bottles themselves, I wanted to try the complete set of 5 drams for the experience. I hope next year’s email also includes prices so I know whether to get excited or not! It was fantastic to see bottles under £100 again after last year’s disappointment and I hope to see the same in future. I tried all show bottlings, including the Imperial 26 year old. It’s a treat to be able to try the old rare drams like this, a highlight of the show. My complete list of drams is at the end of this blog.

The 5 Whisky Show special bottles, including the Linkwood 16, my first dram of the show. The labels reveal their designs as they warm up

The theme of this year’s show was From Grain to Green and 4 of the 5 whisky show bottles on offer had special labels to raise awareness of the climate crisis we’re facing, only my first dram of the show, the Linkwood 16 year old didn’t and I liked the symmetry of my dramming with both my first and last drinks of the show being from the same distillery. The warmer it gets, the more details are shown on the otherwise solid-looking black labels. I know it’s an important message and a clever idea but they have no shelf appeal which is such a shame. I love labels, they’re artwork which influence what I want to try, if not buy. Had I seen them in a bar, I wouldn’t have been tempted. Too clever this year, perhaps but, once warmed as the room heats or even by my warm hands, the designs were great and the Clynelish label depicts a stylised London Eye behind the Elizabeth Tower, better (albeit wrongly) known as Big Ben. The rest of the time, they’re just black blobs. For most people, though, that won’t matter, all that’s important is what’s in the bottle. I’d expected to want to buy the Ledaig 2006 which was matured in a sherry butt for 15 years and it was beautiful with its Aga smoke, rubber bands, cherry, Vimto, salt water taffy, dry spices and chocolate notes but, at £175, over budget for me, although not a bad price comparatively. It was tempting, though, a very unusual and delightful Ledaig, it was clear why it had been chosen as the show bottling over another cask. I also tried a TWE exclusive Ledaig 15 year old at the stand which was more classic with its notes of ash, seat salt, bonfire on the beach, medicine cabinet, herrings and some raspberry jam on the side. A really lovely dram but the show bottling was the standout for me.

Ledaig 2003 15 year old show bottling, the labels front and back (as here), designed to raise awareness of the climate crisis – and a beautiful, unusual Ledaig

The 5 show bottlings were, in order of recommended tasting:

1. Linkwood 2006 16 yo hogshead #801604-5, 56.5%
2. Imperial 1996 26 yo hogshead #1053 and #1189, 51.5%
3. Clynelish 2011 11 yo barrel #800273, 58.7%
4. Ledaig 2006 15 yo sherry butt #13, 54.7%
5. Caol Ila 2013 9 yo hogshead #315159, 57.3%
   
   Where to go first

Some start on stand 1 and work round systematically, others do what I did my first time there, have a list of drams they want to try – something I gave up trying very quickly because there’s always something to discover and I’m easily distracted by shiny things! I spoke to people who headed straight for a very specific dram or Dream Drams so they wouldn’t miss out, to stands they wanted before they became too busy (Bimber was a popular choice at the front of the queue where I was) and others just went with the flow, seeing what appealed or which stands were free.

That Boutique-y Whisky Company’s stand was always packed but, with such quality drams on offer for their 10th anniversary, it’s hardly surprising. I loved this Clynelish 25 year old

Day 2 saw me choose between Bimber or That Boutique-y Whisky Company as my first stop. Bimber won as it wasn’t as packed at that point, and Day 3 was a dash to the cloakroom with my bags before heading to Diageo and Adelphi/Ardnamurchan for Dream Drams. I’d left it too late by then for the Adelphi Mortlach 1986 34 year old, as I had for Berry Bros. & Rudd Girvan 1964 58 year old on the first day.

I knew who I wanted to see but was open to trying anything that appealed. I’d have loved a Day 4 but, being there for all 3 days at least meant I didn’t feel I had to race around frantically on a single day, trying everything in sight as I’ve done at one-day festivals, but could take my time. Do I have regrets about missing out on some stands and not returning to others? Absolutely, but I also loved what I did try and knew my limits – and stuck to them, helped nobly by using a spittoon which, along with drinking plenty of water when rinsing my glass between drams, enabled me to try more whisky safely.

Layout

The show was spread over two floors with the second floor having three areas – whisky, Irish whiskey (although there were Irish whiskey stands elsewhere) and the Flavour Zone which contained different spirits and saké. It’s a great idea to have other spirits, especially rum which has so many similarities to whisky and it was a great way to tempt more whisky drinkers to try tots whilst there. Foursquare Isonomy 17 year old was the Star Tot for me, a beautiful fruity tot with rhubarb, bananas Foster, apple Danish, raisin Danish and overripe bananas, plus a perfect balance of spice. I particularly enjoyed the Whisky Show Flavour Selection stand which included rums from the likes of SBS and Privateer, as well as other spirits and aperitifs, such as Jean-Luc Pasquet Pineau des Charentes Blanc.

The Whisky Show Flavour Selection stand offered an opportunity to try different spirits and aperitifs, including rum and Pineau des Charentes, a great alternative to sherry or even wine, especially in the summer. It was one of my favourite discoveries earlier in the year at The Whisky Exchange Cognac Show

Strangely, the qualities I love in rum, those wonderfully rubbery notes from the esters, are my least favourite when drinking whisky but festivals like TWE Rum and Whisky Shows mean that we can try all styles and discover what appeals most. There were some great rums there and I hope people took the opportunity to sample them. I ran out of time so missed out on trying saké, Cognac and more rum but really enjoyed what I did try and I’m glad I took the time out to eat the meals included in the ticket price on each day and caught up with friends whilst giving my nose and palate a rest from continual drinking. A few sleeve sniffs were needed to refresh my nose once or twice each day but those meal breaks were essential and the boxed food this year was the best I’ve had at drinks festivals.

Masterclasses

TWE Whisky Show isn’t just there so we can try drams of all ages and prices, from nations across the world, both blended and single, malt and grain, plus other spirits. We go to be informed, whether through masterclasses, private tastings or speaking to the Brand Ambassadors at the stands. 

I decided not to attend any masterclasses this year, partly because I’d been to so many wonderful ones during lockdown and beyond. I attend in-person tastings at Cut Your Wolf Loose in Brighton regularly and belong to several whisky clubs – and I didn’t want to take time out from choosing from the hundreds of drams on offer in the hall but it was tempting to sign up for some of them. There was a great choice, as well as free talks on the main stage.

I was also lucky enough to be invited to a private tasting of Fettercairn 18 with Whyte and Mackay’s Master Whisky Maker and Blender, Gregg Glass, and hear about Scottish oak, which I’ll be covering in a separate blog. One of the sights of the show was Gregg showcasing his passion for Scottish oak so memorably…

What the well-dressed man is wearing: Gregg Glass beautifully illustrating the importance of Scottish oak at the Fettercairn stand

As ever, I learnt a lot. I also wish I’d had more time and some stands weren’t as busy so I could ask more questions. It was fascinating speaking to new distilleries and indie bottlers like Woven and Ardnamurchan and also discover the latest bottlings of more established ones, including Elixir and Glen Moray. I loved That Boutique-y Whisky Company’s Christian Drouin Calvados 21 year old and would have loved to have stayed at their stand for a while, working my way from left to right. Where else can you try an old and wonderfully coloured Dutch dram (Millstone 25 year old) alongside a 25 year old Clynelish and the aged Calvados?

The Whisky Show is a great place to discover more about the newer distilleries, including one of my favourites, Ardnamurchan. I love this recent dram and it was a delight to try the adventurous Ardnagherkin which I actually enjoyed, as well as Adelphi’s Ardnamurchan-High Coast blend, The Sändebud

Dream Drams 

I’m a huge fan of the Perfect Measure glass which we received at the show every day and which I always use for tastings at home. As the name suggests, they’re the perfect shape for nosing and tasting, and a Dream Dram token worth £10 was inserted in each glass on entry. More tokens could be bought from the show shop and the Dream Dram stand itself for £10 each and a whole wealth of dream drams were on offer, ranging from a single token to 35. In terms of value, 1 token covers bottles with RRPs of £500-999, 2 tokens £1,000-1,999, 3 £2,000-2,999, all the way up to 35 which equates to £34,000-34,999 which you could exchange for a 50 year old Karuizawa. 

And that’s the thing about TWE Whisky Show, we all have different pockets and, for some, that £350 for 35 tokens is great value for such a rare dram which, if you could even find it elsewhere would be far more expensive. 

I was very lucky to try a number of Dream Drams – with thanks to all the lovely people who gave me extra tokens. One of the most impressive in terms of distillery was a 30 year old from the long-closed Brora before its regeneration, a truly dream dram for many and so incredible to have the opportunity to try it. It really was history in a glass.

A rare chance to sample Brora, on offer at the Whisky Auction stand, which had an array of old and rare drams available to try

Under-the-counter drams

There are drams on display, Dream Drams and those secret under-the counter-drams and it was a sheer delight to try so many of the latter, including Copenhagen Distillery’s Emmer in a schnapps cask which, even before hearing what cask was used, took me right back to long ago holidays in Denmark where I used to drink the Danish spirit. Copenhagen’s Angelica Gin was also superb and I’d love a bottle. My favourite under-the-counter dram was one I misread as a 13 year old but the wonderfully dark Adelphi Blair Athol was a 21 year old and an absolute treat to try and try again – definitely one to source at auctions if you can. It was one of my favourite drams at the show, not least for that fabulous Guinness colour.

Tasting notes recall memories for me and I couldn’t immediately place the unusual flavour of this wonderful under-the-counter dram from Copenhagen Distillery, then all these images from childhood holidays in Denmark came rushing back and I realised it reminded me of schnapps – I was then told that it’s in a schnapps cask

Clothes and accessories

A little aside here, but I wanted to pay tribute to a few of the clothes and accessories I saw at the show which led to some interesting conversations with those wearing them. First up were the best shoes of the show, worn by the gentleman from Suffolk who, along with his well-accessorised friends, is always one of the first in the queue on the first day. Beautiful shoes and I was impressed (and envious) by the sheer amount of whisky pins they were wearing. True whisky lovers and a delight to see such well-dressed men so early in the day. 

I also stopped another man during the show just to praise his beautiful handmade shoes which sparked a conversation with him and his friends and much appreciation. My own shoes, incidentally, were green Converse but didn’t compare to a great pair I saw someone wearing at a stand, resulting in another initially non-whisky conversation. They’re conversation openers.

I admired a shiny whisky pin, discovered that Karan and I have a friend in common, and I’m now the proud owner of a very stylish Nanyang Whisky door-shaped pin and, like all the other cases, we had a great conversation and shared love of whisky. I also noted Gary Mills’ shirts which grew more alarming/colourful (depending on taste) by the day!

And then there was the other Gary’s T-shirt. You can talk to someone on social media for years, say ‘hope to see you at the show’… and later realise that not all of us use avatars with our faces – mine are dogs or bottles, depending which platform I use – and I probably wouldn’t recognise him at all. Then, I saw a fantastic Warhol-style Star Wars T-shirt, got talking and said that he really needed to visit Iain Allan at Glen Moray and say that Fi sent him, which is how we came to know each other’s names and talked some more. It was so great to meet him and, were he wearing a different T-shirt or if I’d focused purely on the drams and not people’s clothing and accessories, we’d never have met at all. It was such a lovely moment.

Festivals aren’t just for the whisky but the people who share and drink it and I loved conversations started by admiring what others were wearing; simple and genuine compliments which turned into connections. I might have to find some extra special Converse to wear next year, though. I wonder where my sequinned vintage snow leopard ones are which, on showing them to a friend one Black Friday in Vegas shortly after buying them, saw a man call to me across the bar, sharing his own admiration for them. I’m glad I’m not the only person to notice such things.

It’s all in the detail, this beautifully designed Nc’Nean bottle is eye-catching and reflects the quality of the whisky within

Conclusion

It was a superb three days. I loved meeting everyone, discovering more distilleries and try some superb drams and other spirits in an accommodating and convenient venue. It definitely benefits from having 3 days, I’d like a 4th but that’s not really practical, unfortunately. 

Would I have done it differently? No, I got the balance right. You can’t try everything and of course I wish I’d been able to get to all stands and back to those that I intended but I loved every single dram I tried and can’t wait to do it all again next year (29th September-1st October at the same venue) when, hopefully, there will be no train strikes and the London Marathon is back to its springtime slot.

The Star Dram of The Whisky Exchange Whisky Show 2022 for me was, like my second best dram, at the Elixir stand, The Single Malts of Scotland Director’s Special Bunnahabhain 43 year old. It’s an absolutely superb dram

The two Star Drams of the show, like last year, were both from the Elixir stand, The Single Malts of Scotland Director’s Special Bunnahabhain 43 year old, followed by Port Askaig 45 year old. Superb drams and an honour to have the chance to try them, which is what makes the event so exciting and informative. We get to try drams we wouldn’t normally be able to find or, in many of our cases, afford. I absolutely loved it.

Distilled on Hogmanay in 1968, this incredible Port Askaig aged for 45 years was my second top Star Dram of the show

Swag

I was fortunate enough to be given some non-dram treats – as well as over-the-counter, under-the-counter and very under-the-counter drams – with thanks to everyone who poured them for me. I managed to lose or destroy 3 whisky pins en route to the show (don’t ask!) so was keen to amass more.

Whisky pins: Ardnamurchan, Glen Scotia and Nanyang Whisky

In turn, I gifted my Writer’s Tears whisky pin to the very nice man at their stand as he didn’t have one (and I have a spare, thanks to their Tweet Tastings!)

Tasting book: Ardnamurchan

Pen: Douglas Laing Big Peat, complete with a Batman-style Big Peat light

T-shirt: Compass Box Flaming Heart. Fantastic design and feels like a gig shirt

I love this Compass Box Flaming Heart T-shirt as much as the dram itself. The indie bottler is all about transparency and, on the back of the T-shirt, it lists the whiskies used in the blend and their exact proportions

Drams

I recorded every dram I tried, including the queue drams. I also brought my own pipette bottles with Larkfire water to try drams with and without water where possible.

Non-whisky drams/tots are italicised and my star and top drams of the show are in bold

Day 1

Queue drams

1. SMWS The Tar Pit 9 yo blended
2. Talisker (no more details given)
3. Springbank 14 yo Burgundy cask, 57.3%

Show drams

1. TWE Whisky Show bottling Linkwood 16 yo, 56.5%
2. TWE Whisky Show bottling Imperial 26 yo, 51.5%
3. TWE Whisky Show bottling Clynelish 11 yo, 58.7%
4. TWE Whisky Show bottling Ledaig 15 yo, 54.7%
5. TWE Whisky Show bottling Caol Ila 9 yo, 57.3%
6. TWE exclusive Ledaig 15, 53.4%
7. Woven Experience #9 blended whisky, 46.1%
8. Woven Superblend
9. Dingle Mezcal cask finish 2017/2021, 66.16%
10. Dingle Batch #6, Port cask maturation, 46.5%
11. Dingle ‘Samhain’ Moscatel cask finish, 50.5%
12. Dingle PX cask 2014, 59.6%
13. Shortcross Rye & Malt Irish Whiskey, 46%
14. Shortcross Rye & Malt Irish Whiskey cask strength, 66%
15. J.J. Corry Tequila cask finish batch #3, 6yo, 50%
16. J.J. Corry Fino cask 200 2, 52.53%
17. Mackmyra Reserve peated new make
18. Jean-Luc Pasquet Pineau des Charentes Blanc, 18%
19. Privateer Navy Yard Barrel Proof Rum, 54.4%
20. Privateer Thick as Thieves Rum, 56.2%
21. Fettercairn 18 yo, 46.8%
22. Laphroaig 19 yo, cask #20/538 #3?
23. Jura 1990, bottled 2020, 46.5%
24. Adelphi Ardnagherkin, 6yo, 59.9%
25. Adelphi The Sändebud 6 yo, 58.9%
26. Adelphi, Blair Athol 1997 21 yo, 57.2% (the fabulously black one I misread as being a 13 yo…)
27. Ardnamurchan AD/09:22 cask strength, 58.7%
28. Elixir The Single Malts of Scotland Speyside Distillery 25 yo, 52.6%
29. Elixir The Single Malts of Scotland Director’s Special Imperial 32 yo, 42.7%
30. Elixir The Single Malts of Scotland Director’s Special Bunnahabhain 43 yo, 41.4%
31. Brora 30 yo bottled in 2010, 54.3%

It was great to meet Graham and Fay Coull at last after years of talking online and at tastings, and find out more about Dingle’s direction and exciting new casks

Day 2

Queue drams

1. Cask Share Benrinnes red wine cask
2. Cadenhead’s Miltonduff -Glenlivet 14 yo
3. Balvenie red wine cask
4. Carsebridge 33 yo
5. Springbank 18 yo
6. Thompson Brothers Tullibardine 28 yo
7. SMWS Glentauchers 8yo for Swedish market
8. Clan Denny Dumbarton 48 yo 1998
9. The Grainman Carsebridge 33 yo
10. Raasay private cask bottled on 22/2/22

Show drams

1. Bimber Platinum Jubilee Bourbon cask, 51.8%
2. Bimber Tower Hill Palo Cortado cask, 58.7%
3. Bimber Camden Town Amontillado cask, 58.5%
4. Bimber Peated Ex-Bourbon, 61.7% (1 of 7 casks going into their Peated botte)
5. Bimber Dunphail Commemorative Founders’ Release Fino cask, 55.7%
6. Paul John XO Brandy 8 yo, 46%
7. Paul John Mithuna, 58%
8. Never Say Die Bourbon Barrel #2, 56.4%
9. That Boutique-y Whisky Company Christian Drouin Calvados 21 yo, 41.5%
10. That Boutique-y Whisky Company Millstone Batch #5 25 yo, 46.5%
11. Loch Lomond ‘Irish’ grain New Make (70% malted, 30% unmalted)
12. Loch Lomond ‘American’ New Make (70% malted, 30% rye), 63.3%
13. Berry Bros. & Rudd Inchgower 2009, 52.4%
14. Berry Bros. & Rudd Staoisha 2013, 56.7%
15. Berry Bros. & Rudd Ironroot Distillery Bourbon 2018, 61.2%
16. Stauning Floor Malted Rye Whisky Sweet Wine Casks, 46%
17. Stauning Smoke, 47%
18. The Irishman The Harvest, 40%
19. Cadenhead’s Ben Nevis 2012 9yo Manzanilla cask, 57%
20. Celtic Whisky Distillerie Gwalarn Celtic Whisky Blend (Britanny-based distillery), 40%
21. Celtic Whisky Distillerie Glann Ar Mor, 46%
22. Celtic Whisky Distillerie, Kornog
23. Ardnamurchan AD/10:22 Madeira cask
24. Adelphi Blair Athol 1997 21 yo, 57.2% (repeat dram)
25. Adelphi Bowmore 25 yo, 54.2%
26. Adelphi Foursquare 15 yo, 61%
27. Morrison Mac-Talla Red Wine Barriques, 53.8% 
28. Carn Mor Glentauchers 2011 10 yo, 47.5%
29. Glengoyne Legacy Chapter Three, 46%
30. Glengoyne 21 yo, 43%
31. Glen Moray Amontillado, 57.5%
32. Glen Moray Amarone, 55.6%
33. Dunphail The Dava Way Dailuaine Cognac butt 13 yo, 50%
34. Dunphail The Dava Way Orkney Distillery 17 yo, 60.3%
35. Deanston 2000 Organic Whisky, 50.9%
36. Whistlepig Piggy Back 6 yo, 48.2% 
37. Whistlepig Maple Syrup
38. Gordon & MacPhail Tormore 1993, 54.5%
39. Glencadam ‘The Remarkable’ 25 yo Batch #2, 46%
40. Mars Komagatake 2021 Edition, 48%
41. Mars Maltage ‘Cosmo’, 43%
42. Glenturret 12 yo, 46%
43. Ichiro’s Malt Double Distilleries 2021, Blended Chichibu & Komagatake, 53.5%
44. Port Askaig 1968 distilled 45 yo, 40.8%
45. Elixir: Seaweed and whisky cocktail
46. Elixir Single Malts of Scotland Glenrothes 31 yo, 53.2%
47. Port Askaig 28 yo, 45.8%
48. An unrecorded dram in a Jean-Luc Pasquet Rouge Pineau des Charentes cask 
    

Day 3

Show drams

1. Adelphi Archive Clynelish 1997 18 yo, 55.5%
2. Adelphi Caol Ila  10 yo, 51.1%
3. Laphroaig 10 yo Sherry Oak Finish, 48%
4. Compass Box Ultramarine, 51%
5. Compass Box, Flaming Heart 2022, 48.9%
6. TWE Whisky Show bottling Clynelish 11 yo, 58.7% (repeat dram)
7. Milk & Honey Christmas Treat, 49%
8. Milk & Honey Apex Ex-Alba cask, 53.4%
9. Wire Works Necessary Evil Finish (stout cask), 51.3%
10. Wire Works Whisky Small Batch, 46.2%
11. Wire Works UTC dram, 55.4%
12. Nc’Nean Organic Huntress 2022, 48.5%
13. Nc’Nean Organic Quiet Rebels: Lorna, 48.5%
14. Copenhagen Raw Batch #2, 51.6%
15. Copenhagen Refined Batch #1, 54.9%
16. Copenhagen Rare Batch #3?, 60% STAR DRAM OF THE DAY
17. Copenhagen Emmer, 62%
18. Copenhagen Bay Leaf Gin, 45%
19. Copenhagen Angelica Gin, 43%
20. The Whisky Baron Staoisha, 56.7%
21. Mezcal Siete Misterios Doba-yej, 45%
22. Foursquare Exceptional Cask Isonomy 17 yo, 58%
23. Foursquare Exceptional Cask Sovereignty 14 yo, 62%
24. Foursquare LFT White, 62%
25. Foursquare Private Cask Elysium 12 yo, 60%
26. That Boutique-y Whisky Company Boutique-y Birthday Blend 10 years, 46%
27. That Boutique-y Whisky Company Clynelish 25 yo, 47.1%
28. Cadenhead’s Caol Ila 34 yo, 51%
29. SMWS Ben Nevis Smoky Plumes and Salted Prunes 78.61, 66.9%
30. Diageo Port Dundas 25 yo Muckety Muck, 45.5%
31. Diageo Clynelish  20 yo, 200th Anniversary Release, 57.3%
32. Gordon & MacPhail Strathisla 25 yo bottled for 1977 Silver Jubilee, 35% ABV/70% proof 
33. 1970s Glen Grant 10 yo, 35% ABV/70% Proof
34. Port Askaig 45 yo, 40.8% (repeat dram and 2nd Star Dram of the show)
35. Elixir The Single Malts of Scotland Reserve Casks Linkwood 10 yo, 48% 

Total – 114 drams + 13 queue drams

What’s in a name? I will admit that, whilst I love grain whisky, I was inspired to choose this Port Dundas 25 year old Dream Dram from Diageo partly because of its name – Muckety-Muck

The next event by The Whisky Exchange is the Champagne Show on 4th November which has sold out but there might be returns if an expected train strike is declared so it’s worth getting in touch or keeping an eye on the website. The show offers a chance to sample over 100 different Champagnes and discover more about the industry, including its plans for the future and the environment, attend masterclasses and meet fellow Champagne lovers, plus buy a wide range of great bottles at The Whisky Exchange shop. I thoroughly enjoyed it last year. Just don’t forget to use the spittoons!

For more information, go to https://champagneshow.com/london/

The Whisky Exchange Champagne Show in Westminster is a chance to sample different styles of the wine from 100 bottles, including from lesser-known or smaller producers, and discover more about Champagne, plus attend masterclasses, before the festive season

To buy a Perfect Measure glass, visit The Whisky Exchange shops or go to https://www.thewhiskyexchange.com/p/46180/perfect-measure-whisky-glass-in-gift-box

My Whisky Show began and ended with drams from the same distillery, Linkwood. I look forward to returning next year

Whisky Advent Calendar 2014

I’m allergic to chocolate (it’s been over 20 years since my last Bounty – yes, my chocolaty tastes are stuck in the 1980s) and so my Advent calendars are always a bit of a challenge. This year, I decided to put my own together using 25 different drams.

They’re mainly Scotch single malts but there are other nationalities and a few blended thrown in for good measure. I review the whisky daily and share my views – recommendations are always welcome. My problem here is limiting it to just 25!

None of the reviews have been paid for but I am always happy to accept review whisky – feel free to contact me if you represent a whisky company or specialist outlet.

Whisky
I’m a purist so the whisky is always drunk neat – no ice, no water, just whisky.

December:

Christmas Day
And this is it, the last day of my whisky Advent calendar and Santa delivered a huge sack today with plenty of different whiskies to try but a request to finish the calendar with this one – Kilchoman Machir Bay. A 46% ABV Islay, single malt whisky from a relatively new distillery, served in a beautifully squat bottle. Big Peat shows that you can’t judge a whisky by its packaging but Kilchoman’s is very stylish and good quality which creates a good impression, especially with its flat-top wooden stopper – a great gift whisky.

Peat, smoke, oak and grass on the nose and the taste hits you – a smooth, beautifully peated dram with butterscotch, gooseberry, sherry and vanilla. The aftertaste is a lingering sherry and vanilla with a hint of leather and seaweed. It reminds me slightly of Laphroaig, another Islay peaty offering. This is a whisky to savour, it’s better than an everyday choice.

It’s a really good choice to finish the 25 different drams and something new which celebrates classic Scotch whisky traditions. Yes, you can get whisky from around the world but I’ll always love a good Scotch, especially from Islay or Speyside.

And who knows what next year will bring – I’ve got more than 25 completely different whiskies to taste next Christmas or maybe I’ll look at Port, rum, vodka or Gin. For me, whisky is the perfect countdown to Christmas – no water, no ice, just pure whisky.

Wishing you all a very merry Christmas and a happy, healthy and whiskied 2015.

24
I had an early Christmas present this Christmas Eve – a bottle of English Whisky single malt, from the St George’s Distillery in Norfolk, non-aged and, in this case, sold through Marks & Spencer’s which accounts for the rather bland style of labelling on the back. It’s 43% ABV and the colour is a weak tea. I’ve been looking forward to trying English Whisky for a while, especially after Wales’ Penderyn Whisky was such a revelation. But, before I can taste it, I have to work out how to open it – no handy V-shaped section to pull in the foil near the image of St George slaying the dragon as is quite common amongst whisky producers.

The nose is a little musty with brown sugar and cinnamon, not as sharp or rich as most of the whiskies reviewed here. Give the nose time to brew, it opens up to toffee and boiled sweets. It’s smooth, surprisingly so after the nose took time to develop. Butterscotch, candy floss, popcorn and nuts. The aftertaste is oaty with a hint of tea and custard creams.

I’m pleased I’ve tried it and it’s a decent everyday whisky. Nothing special with the exception of it being made in England and, to be honest, it will get lost amongst the better whiskies north of the border but I’ll happily drink the rest of the bottle. It’s smooth and gentle, not overly flavoursome but an easy drink and, sometimes, that’s exactly what you need in a dram. I just expected better from a country whose ales are so impressive.

And we’re almost there, just one more whisky to finish the Advent calendar – and it will be a Scotch. See you tomorrow and wishing you all a very merry Christmas. I hope Santa brings you some whisky.

23
Sticking to one of my favourites: Singleton of Dufftown, a 12-year-old single malt from Speyside. It’s a rich, smooth, well-balanced whisky with plenty of flavour.

Sea on the nose – a fresh, salt smell with a hint of lemon, moss and smoke. There’s a medium-light maltiness, crisp apple, ginger, nutmeg, hazelnuts, sherry, golden syrup and marshmallow. The aftertaste is a heavier, sharper malt which lingers on the tongue, almost biting it in eagerness but mellowing out to the taste of the sea, oak and berries. It’s a fabulous whisky which competes with heavier, peaty offerings from Islay such as Caol Ila – very different from the lighter Balvenie Doublewood, another Speyside whisky.

The bottle is lozenge-shaped, reminiscent of a giant hipflask. The flat surface has a feel-good factor that’s easy to pour and makes it stand out on the shelf – it’s an ideal gift, as well as a wonderful whisky – a step above everyday drinking.

And this is one of the few whiskies where I poured a second dram. It’s definitely a whisky to sip slowly and enjoy.

Just two days before Christmas and I’m down to choosing my last two whiskies but always knew that Singleton would be making the cut. I’m lucky enough to be getting some new bottles of whisky as gifts, including two  different Singletons – Spey Cascade and Tailfire.

22
Tonight’s whisky Advent calendar is one of my favourite blendeds and I’ve been saving the last dram of Big Peat for a special occasion. I had great news today so this is the perfect time for celebrating.

One of my favourite specialist drinks retailers is Harvey’s in Lewes. They don’t just sell their own beer but have a great selection of other drinks, including whisky and they recommended Big Peat. I have to admit that I wouldn’t have even considered it without their recommendation. Not because it’s a blended as I have a good selection which sit comfortably alongside my single malts. What put me off is that it looks cheap and nasty. The matt label even has a big air bubble where it hasn’t been put on properly and the box and presentation let down an otherwise high quality dram.

This peaty taste of heaven is from four Islay distilleries – Port Ellen, Caol Ila, Bowmore and Ardbeg, two of which I’ve already included in my calendar and I’m a huge fan of Islay whiskies. It’s a heady 46% ABV and even has a batch number on the bottle – #42 in this case, showing that it’s a small batch whisky. It’s a vatted malt and a beautiful marriage.

The first thing to mention about the whisky itself is that it’s very pale – more Pinot Grigio than whisky. The nose is so masculine and, dare I say it, sexy – leather, shoelaces, peat and even egg sandwiches. I love egg sandwiches so this is a positive scent – it’s not heavy sulphur or geysers.

And the peat whacks you right between the eyes, giving way to leather, liquorice, espresso and the sea. It’s not a subtle whisky, it’s not a gentle whisky – it’s so butch but in a good sense. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not rough. You won’t grow hairs on your chest or rip your throat tasting it but it is an all-embracing, peaty yell. Yes, I love this whisky and it’s so different from the rest of the whiskies reviewed here.

The aftertaste is gentle, surprisingly so. The peat gives way to espresso and chocolate with a hint of berry. It’s delicious.

I have a feeling it’s a bit of a Marmite whisky (apart from the aftertaste which I could enjoy on its own) – avoid if you don’t like peat because this is a proudly descriptive big peat drink. I just wish I still had more of it on my shelf.

21
It’s Penderyn tonight, a Welsh whisky. I’m on my second bottle of this and it opened with a satisfying pop and that lovely glugging sound which I find as electrifying as hearing a jackpot in Vegas. It starts with a heady nose of lemon and boiled fruit drop sweets. The taste is a whoosh of caramel, softening to a latte and rich vanilla fudge with heather honey and sherry. The latter thanks to its finishing in Madeira casks.

The aftertaste is slightly weaker than I’d expect from such a full-flavoured whisky but it’s got cinnamon and pine.

I enjoy Penderyn – ever since I was sent a free bottle to review back in my days of editing a food magazine and it’s a pleasant, everyday addition to my whisky shelf. I wouldn’t have it as my only whisky, though. I’m a Scotch woman at heart but love the Japanese whiskies I’ve drunk and I’ve got my eyes on a Taiwanese whisky for the New Year.

And there are just four days to go. I won’t be including an Irish whiskey (note the spelling – that ‘e’ always feels like a typo to me) as I only have Jamesons here which is a pleasant, everyday dram but can’t compare to many of those included in this year’s Advent Calendar. Rumour has it, Santa is bringing me some other Irish whiskies this year.

Four days and just four more whiskies, one of which will be one of my favourite blendeds as I’ve been saving the very last dram for a special occasion – and what better way than to celebrate the countdown to Christmas with you!

20
I’m off to Japan tonight with Nikka Whisky from the Barrel, a Japanese whisky from Nikka Whisky who have two distilleries: Yoichi and Miyagikyo. This is one of their blended whiskies, using both malt and grain, with a heady 51.4% ABV.

The nose is very different from the rest of my Advent calendar choices so far – it’s pear drops, oak and cherries, and very open. The smell is almost so good, you don’t want to drink it, just inhale. I actually spent longer sniffing this than any of my other whiskies.

It’s a very full-flavoured whisky which reveals more with every sip. Pear, gooseberry, oak, butterscotch, vanilla cream topped with nutmeg, plus marzipan with a hint of smoke. The aftertaste is black coffee and almond. This is a revelation for those who think whisky should only ever be Scotch and single malt. Despite such a complex array of flavours, it’s very smooth.

My one complaint is that it comes in a dinky 50cl bottle which, as it’s very more-ish, can become expensive quickly, especially as, price-wise, the smaller bottle is similar to a 70cl Caol Ila. The stylish box is mainly in Japanese so I can’t tell you anything about the age of the whisky – something for the distiller to consider in future, I hope.

It’s an attractive designer bottle with its squat top. Pleasant to hold and pour, it just needs to be bigger. And I would have had a second dram had I not had two other, pain-related drams earlier today (Glenmorangie at a friend’s and Talisker at home). If only whisky were prescribed on the NHS as it really is a most effective painkiller.

Tomorrow’s whisky is also a non-Scotch. I just wish my English Whisky isn’t waiting for Santa to deliver it as I’d have liked to include it here. I’m working out whether next year’s Advent calendar will be 25 different whiskies from any featured here or whether to change to gin, vodka or rum. Gin is the most likely – but why not tell me what you’d like to see in future?

19
Sticking to an old favourite for tonight’s #whisky Advent calendar – Caol Ila (aged 12 years). A fabulously peaty whisky without bashing you on the nose with the peat – the balance is perfect. There’s also mince pie and espresso on the nose. It’s a light whisky, despite the peat, with tastes of crème brûlée, pine, lemon meringue pie, apple, pear, the sea and tar. The aftertaste is smoky, plus some distinct notes of Earl Grey tea (bergamot).

It’s very smooth with an appealing oiliness to it – not mouth-coating but lubricating. There’s a reason this is one of my favourite whiskies as it’s so satisfying. This isn’t an everyday whisky, although I drink it as though it is. It’s very special and a great present if trying to choose a whisky for others.

A confession: I’ve just had to drink two drams of Caol Ila as the first dram was the last of a bottle and, just in case, that was an issue, I quickly opened a new one.

18
Tonight’s whisky is the 1995 Dalwhinnie Distillers’ Edition (bottled in 2011), a single Highland malt whisky. I love Dalwhinnie but The Distillers’ Edition is new to me and only arrived this morning thanks to an Amazon Lightning Deal. Did you know that they have special short-term discounts on bottles of whisky at around 7pm most nights? I almost wish I hadn’t discovered this as I’m hooked! I bought Drinks by the Dram whisky crackers in tonight’s deal…

A rich Christmas cake and clementines on the nose with a waft of roasted coffee beans. Peat, jasmine, clementines, heather honey, fudge, dates and chocolate make this a beautiful, full-flavoured whisky. It feels too good for everyday drinking, every mouthful reveals something new. The aftertaste is a swirl of flavour, dominated by sherry, thanks to its double maturation, the first in oak casks, the second in Oloroso casks, and also a taste of Cointreau (other orange liqueurs also available).

Quick note on the packaging, the foil is sharp – I wasn’t impressed to cut myself before I even opened the bottle! The cork was also a very tight fit so this particular bottle might be best decanted.

This is near the top of my list of favourites in the whisky Advent calendar so far and I had to have a second dram – just to see which new flavours developed, of course.

17
I’m very excited about tonight’s whisky Advent calendar. It’s a Macallan Batch 2 from That Boutique-y Whisky Company which work with the top distilleries to create small batched whisky, served in artistic bottles. Only 350 bottles of this batch were ever released and they’re very collectable.

Citrusy Christmas cake on the nose. The whisky is smooth and peaty with caramel, chocolate, vanilla latte, a hint of jasmine, and more of that wondrous Christmas cake. The aftertaste is pure honey. It’s very more-ish – warm, soft and mouth-coating. It’s a hug in a glass.

It’s a beautiful whisky and the bottles of this company are worth buying just for the cult designs, not just the superb whisky within. I’ll definitely be buying more of this range if I’m lucky enough to find them.

16
Today’s Advent calendar whisky comes with a story attached. It’s a 12-year-old Bowmore, another peaty Islay whisky but the peat, in this case, is light. It’s got orange, vanilla and a bit of smoke on the nose. The taste is smooth with gentle peatiness, caramel, coffee, oak, vanilla and golden syrup before fading away to leave an aftertaste of orange blossom honey. It’s a very good whisky… which leads me to my tale.

Growing up, my dad, who was not the least bit ‘manly’, let me know that the whisky decanter in the corner cocktail cabinet was his. It was ‘for men’. I was allowed to drink sherry from at least the age of 7; wine and Champagne, too – well, we are European in England, even if some choose to think of us as an isolated, island race. My American friends are shocked that we grew up drinking but it was normal and alcohol was appreciated, not binged. It still is.

I tasted my first whisky by accident because of this. It was my paternal granny’s funeral and my uncle had poured what I assumed to be glasses of sherry when we all trooped back to his house. Being me, I chose the largest glass – and discovered that the sherry was, in fact, whisky. It was Bell’s which can’t compare to Bowmore but I still have a soft spot for it because of that memory.

Fast forward a couple of decades and dad has died but the whisky decanter still remains. Being a helpful daughter, I tasted it for mum so she could clean its rather grubby but beautiful decanter. And… I can’t even begin to explain both the shock and utter disgust I felt when I realised that dad, who’d boasted that whisky was only for men, couldn’t even drink it neat or slightly diluted but had hugely diluted the entire decanter!

Not just his own glass but the whole lot.

What was worse was that he would proudly offer this to family friends, real men who played rugby and understood the rules of cricket. Real men who might choose to dilute their whisky a little but only in their own tumblers.

There was just a hint of peat left and the other tastes had virtually disappeared but it really tasted like slightly peaty water. It was appalling. My dad killed a 12-year-old Bowmore! I can’t bring myself to pour it away but the Bowmore I tasted today was the real thing – from the same bottle as that butchered, diluted decanter. I can only apologise to the distillers who made a beautifully smooth, lightly peated whisky for the ghost whisky in the decanter. Poor dad!

15
Tonight’s choice is a 1993 Tullibardine which stresses it’s a ‘single Highland malt… of majestic qualities’ – their italics. But does it live up to the ‘fine, rare, smooth & mellow’ description of its very talkative front label? I can never resist a whisky that the distillers describe as ‘eminently quaffable – nor have I seen a label with such proud claims but it’s a decent dram.

The nose is smoky with lemon and floral gums behind it. It’s a bit sneezy, to be honest. But it’s definitely quaffable – banoffee pie, popcorn, vanilla with a double hit of oak. The aftertaste is caramel and a hint of bonfire.

I’m getting near the end of the bottle and I’ll miss it, even though it’s a smooth and mellow, fairly light, everyday whisky. Ideal for unwinding at the end of a long day.

14
And it’s back to the 1970s tonight for Logan’s De Luxe Whisky from the White Horse Cellar. It’s 70˚ proof and a blended whisky ‘from the oldest and most famous distlleries’. De Luxe is their spelling – two separate words – and it’s a 1970s whisky from my mum’s cocktail cabinet. It comes in a rectangular bottle with ridges which makes it stand out on the shelf, although the branding is surprisingly subtle. It doesn’t scream White Horse.

It’s a working whisky with heavy peat on the nose and some apple pie. The taste is surprising but that might be down to changing tastes amongst whisky drinkers, it lacks the butchness and depth of some more modern whiskies – it’s very light but with a wham of peat and opens up beautifully to vanilla, oak, caramel, liquorice, bonfire and lemon meringue pie.

Despite being so peaty, it’s very gentle and smooth and the aftertaste of sherry is appealing. I’d buy more of this if it were readily available. It’s an easy, everyday whisky. Almost too easy.

Warning: this is the type of drink that will creep up on you unawares as it doesn’t taste as alcoholic as it is so you could get caught out pouring one too many.

13
It’s an exciting and unusual choice tonight as I was allowed to help myself to whisky from my mum’s cocktail cabinet so expect a few 1970s whiskies to come – starting with Haig Dimple. This has got a fabulous dimpled bottle and the taste is as appealing as the bottle. It’s a blended, unaged whisky with burnt toffee, apple and smoked oak on the nose with a smooth, light and peaty whisky to taste. There are orange, cardamom, cinnamon, caramel and vanilla notes with an underlying bonfire taste which gives way to an aftertaste of crème brulée.

It’s a well-rounded whisky, with lots of complexity. Vintage bottles such as this are still available from specialist retailers. Expect to pay around £100-200 for a bottle or buy modern versions, such as the 15-year-old which featured in the cult TV series, Breaking Bad, according to Master of Malt, one of the retailers who sell Dimple. In America, it’s known as Dimple Pinch but with the same distinctive dimpled bottle.

12
It’s a cold night so perfect for a Christmassy-feel whisky. Tonight is Glen Orrin Special Reserve, aged 30 years, from Aldi. This was the sell-out whisky last year, despite being around £50 for a blended. You’re getting a lot of age for the money.

It’s a thick whisky, almost a cross between cough mixture and Christmas pudding but so much better than that sounded! Orange and toffee on the nose, then orange, cinnamon, vanilla and oak. It’s not a subtle drink but full of flavour and fairly smooth with no harsh afterbite. It fades gently to crème caramel.

A good whisky for those who prefer their drink to have an appealing sweetness. It’s not big and butch, neither is it complex but it works.

As an aside, I’m a huge fan of Aldi’s drinks section and will be blogging about their wines in the New Year. I’ve stocked up on their Minarete Ribera del Duero today, a big fruity red. Perfect with lamb or on its own. More on that next year.

11
Ballantine’s aged 17 years blended whisky tonight. Lemon pie and butterscotch on the nose, smooth coffee, caramel, a hint of sea water and apple pie with vanilla cream to taste. Opens up to burnt toffee.

Price compares to a good single malt and causes confusion for those who look down on blended. There are some excellent blended whiskies out there and, for me, Ballantine’s is one of the best.

10
It’s a classic tonight with 15-year-old Glenlivet, the French Oak Cask Reserve. Refreshing melon and banana on the nose, cinnamon toast, toffee, honey and chocolate. A gentle, smooth whisky with real fruitiness. The aftertaste is caramel and apple. The oak is subtle but adds to the finish of this quality, everyday dram.

9
Staying with Speyside for tonight with The Glenrothes Select Reserve, a single malt using whisky from different years. I love the bottle, a beautifully bulbous one which looks very touchable and distinguishes itself from classic whisky bottle – just as Hendrick’s does from other gins. It stands out which is a great ploy in a busy market but it’s let down by the squeakiest cork I’ve ever heard. I actually flinched opening this one and will probably just decant the rest of the bottle to avoid not just the sound but the tight squeeze which made it hard to open. But that’s a problem with the bottling, not the contents.

I love the nose – vanilla latte, followed by matching vanilla and coffee taste, cinnamon and orange, plus a well-balanced undertone of liquorice. It’s very Christmassy, then drifts off gently; a very mellow whisky. It’s enjoyable, inoffensive, a lovely open whisky but doesn’t quite match the promise of its appealing bottle. That said, I wouldn’t say no if someone offered me another bottle. This is a staple of my whisky shelf but as a very pleasant, everyday whisky. Neighbouring Balvenie Doublewood is in a different league.

8
Tonight’s whisky Advent calendar is Balvenie Doublewood (aged 12 years). Sherry and jelly babies on the nose, tasting of redcurrants, toffee, vanilla, honey and oak. Beautifully smooth and welcoming, a light and open whisky with a gentle tangerine aftertaste.

The Doublewood in question starts with being aged in whisky oak casks before being matured for a few months in sherry oak casks which gives the whisky a gentle and smooth richness, the vanilla taste enhanced with a fruitiness and an undercurrent of oak.

I’m loving my 25-dram whisky Advent calendar but tonight is the first night I’m pouring a second dram. I might be having a word with Santa!

7
Back to Scotland for tonight’s #whisky Advent Calendar with Bunnahabhain (aged 12 years). Jelly babies and strawberry on the nose. Goes down smoothly with a kiss of peat, coffee and burnt toffee, giving way to molasses and a hint of rum. A great everyday whisky, especially for those who want some peat but not too much.

Possibly the hardest whisky to spell but one of my regular drams. Also available as miniatures – so perfect for popping into a Christmas cracker!

6
Off to Australia for tonight’s #whisky Advent calendar for Sullivans Cove French Oak Cask which came in a four-whisky box from Drinks by the Dram – a great way to discover more unusual whisky without investing in a whole bottle. Santa, please note, this is the perfect present for whisky drinkers. As their French Oak Cask currently has a two-month wait, it might be the best way to buy the whisky at the moment.

Sullivans Cove is an award-winning distillery based in Hobart, Tasmania. Knowing it’s Australian, I’m expecting a big butch, hit you in the face whisky, heavy on the oak as the name suggests. I’m also expecting it to be worthy of the World’s Best Single Malt Whisky from the 2014 World Whisky Awards, as well as numerous other titles. Interesting to go beyond my usual Scottish and Japanese whiskies with the odd Welsh, English and Irish whiskies thrown in for good measure.

Petrol on the nose with clementine at the back, it bites as it goes down with a heavy punch of oak, giving way to vanilla, cinnamon, pear drops and molasses. The aftertaste is almost a whisper of Christmas cake which disappears quickly.

Interesting but I expected more Portiness from the cask and a longer finish. I need to try it again but I won’t be putting my name down on the waiting list, I prefer my whisky to have less of a punch.

5
Tonight’s Advent calendar whisky is a blended Scotch – Monkey Shoulder which combines Balvenie, Glenfiddich and Kininvie. It’s got a very open taste, bursting with flavours including vanilla, oats, butterscotch, oak, butter and honey.

It smells of pear drops, goes down smoothly then bites back a little but it’s a very more-ish whisky and, if (unlike me) you ever dilute your Scotch, this would be perfect for a hot toddy.

I also love the name which is in honour of a common injury amongst workers at the distillers. From turning the barley, apparently. A tempting buy just for the curved shape of the bottle with the monkeys on its shoulder but the contents are definitely for drinking – unlike Crystal Head Vodka where the eye-catching skull bottle isn’t even worth opening.

A very enjoyable, everyday whisky.

4
Day 4 of the whisky Advent calendar and I’ve opened a new bottle – Talisker Storm. Richer, more intense than Talisker, which is one of my everyday favourites. It’s warm and smooth with a wealth of peatiness, pear drops, clementine, toffee and apple.

The taste hurtles towards you. This is not one for those who prefer their whisky to whisper at them. It’s a shouter, with almost overwhelming peatiness but a fun addition to my whisky shelf. I’ll definitely drink it again but will stick to Talisker for quieter evenings.

Update: The lingering aftertaste lasted for over 45 minutes which was far too long. Take a mint after 10 minutes if you don’t want to go round smelling of a distillery all evening.

3
Today’s whisky Advent calendar is 13-year-old Speyside, a Glenkeir Treasure with liquorice undertones, warming honey and a gentle peatiness. It’s exclusive to The Whisky Shop where it’s sold in casks, buyers just choose their bottle size.

2
Tonight’s Advent calendar whisky is Highland Park, aged 12 years. Peaty oomph with toffee and marmalade. Lingering aftertaste which turns bacony in the mouth.

1
Okay, my homemade Advent calendar starts today – a different dram of whisky for the next 25 days. Today’s was provided by mum this morning, a rare blended Scotch for me but it’s been chosen by my local brewery in Lewes: Harvey’s Lewes Blend Whisky. It’s an eight-year-old whisky.

Very light with a bite but orange notes, a hint of caramel and a lingering, slightly burning aftertaste. Not peaty but a hint of smoke. Have to admit that this isn’t a bottle I’d buy again, just a bit too sharp for my tastes. It’s disappointing that no information about the distillery/ies is included on the bottle of this blended whisky.