Rating 6/ 10
Calvados Drouin Blanche 61%
Nose: Apple, grapefruit peel, pink peppercorn
Palate: Surprisingly smooth for this ABV. Peppercorn, wintergreen.
Rating: 6 / 10 – bright and lovely EDV
Tasting Notes Rated: 6
Rating 6/ 10
La Prenellerie Bons Bois 1984
Nose: Jasmine in bloom, mint pillows, roasted green bell peppers, fresh lavender, olive oil, fresh cut hay, camden
Palate: White tea – metallic, unripe peach, cat nip, almonds, refreshing, spa (mint) water, kumquat marmalade. Alcohol is well integrated.
Rating: 6 / 10 – enthusiastic, bright and springy
Rating 6/ 10
Springbank 12 Year #19 57.1%
Nose: Sugar cream frosting, maple syrup, cedar, pan seared sweet plantains.
Palate: You get the sweetness at the front, some lemongrass, brussel sprouts cooked in maple syrup, really toned down for SB dna, and finish goes a bit more of that sour/astringent bourbon barrel realm
Rating: 6 / 10
Rating 6/ 10
Ladeveze Mouzac Blanche 2022 / 2024
Nose: Lemongrass, juicy fruit, finger limes, passionfruit, lead pencil.
Palate: Lime zest, clay, green tomatoes, white tea. it’s definitely new make, but this is a fascinating palate. Light, mineral, fruity.
Rating: 6 / 10 – I would swear this is a mezcal light agricol hybrid. Even knowing it’s an armagnac, I still think of it. And as far as mezcal goes, it’s lovely. I can’t wait to see how it ages.
Rating 6/ 10
Amrut Single Virgin American > Ex/ Bourbon Cask #3433 Oct 2015 LMDW 62.8%
Nose: Rice krispies treat, dried apricot, barley sugar candy, nougat, sandalwood, dried hard goat cheese
Palate: Banana peel, graham cracker, old fashion clove candies. Cumin and ginger. Big fun palate with lots of flavors.
Rating: 6 / 10
Rating 6/ 10
Glendronach 8yr 43% 1970s
Nose: Climbing Chalk, chamomile
Palate: Carob malt ball, slightly mineral.
Rating: 6 / 10 – lovely old spirit
Rating 6/ 10
Vallein Tercinier Fins Bois 28 Year Lot 90 47.8% for Maltbarn /Globe Core
Nose: Lemon dusting spray, mineral, grapefruit peel. Apricot. This is fun. It’s light, nuanced and fruity without that welch’s grape juice vibe that sometimes afflicts cognacs.
Palate: Copper penny, touch of pine sap, camphor. some milder sweetener, maybe monk fruit or a very light honey?
Rating: 6 / 10 – the minerality grew on me as I enjoyed it more. This is a lovely and nuanced yet delicate pour. Reminds me of some older lowland or clynelish.
Rating 6/ 10
Chalong Bay White Rum with Thai Sweet Basil Infusion
Nose: It’s so damn green and cloying. Cane juice. The basil note is so distinct, I’m genuinely impressed. Lime peel. wine vinegar. White pepper. Mustard seed.
Palate: The flavor is light and quite approachable, although the new make note in some ways is highlighted by the basil. if you have never had the absolutely delightful pleasure of popping open a finger lime and tasting those tiny flavor bombs, make it a priority. Then we wander to the herb garden. Touch of parsley and lemon verbena. Limestone and light clay. Wisps of fresh cocoa. This really reminds me of some of the lighter mezcals, with it’s heavy minerality.
Rating: 6 / 10 – the notes all balance nicely. This is for a hot day. And more than anything, an awesome cocktail ingredient.
Rating 6/ 10
Bruichladdich 18 Years 2024 release
Nose: Some strange funk on the nose, along with white peaches
Palate: White wine cask notes, hints of peat
Rating: 6 / 10 – too rushed for good notes but nice pour. Keeping it anyways so I remember.
Rating 6/ 10
Bruichladdich 30 Years 1991/2023 45.2% for Sansibar
Nose: Cider, cider. Pear skins.
Palate: Beautiful clean bourbon cask. Carambola. Pear drops. Grapefruit. Honey. Stilton cheese
Rating: 6 / 10 – elegant, tasty but not something I’d chase for the age / price.
Rating 6/ 10
Rhinns 11 Years 2011/2023 59.3% for Svenska Eldvatten
Nose: Cinnamon honey stick, warm cinnamon roll, salt sea air, distant neighbors chimney with dry maple
Palate: Sea salt and toffee, chai spices, celery salt
Rating: 6 / 10 – quite nice frankly, but need to try it on a fresh palate.
Rating 6/ 10
Chateau de Pomes Peberere 2012 / 2024 Cask Sample #514
Nose: I have a soft spot for lightly scented candles. Especially the 99c ones with the exaggerated wailing saints on them sold in the hispanic section of the supermarket. Dust, wax, cinnamon and cloves. The slightly floral earth vibe of Rooibos. Apple peels. Julie recently bought me a cedar deodorant. Awesome smell but dang it’s rough to apply. And a savory note, leek quiche, especially the crust.
Palate: That is not what I expected. It might be one of the strangest and enticing palates in a while. Like fruit umami. Apples flash fried in salted browned butter, with a lightly caramelized edge. In elementary school I used to visit Eddie Fei’s house and his family had the most enticing and unusual snacks. I can just barely remember these spiced and candied mandarine peels and wish I could find the recipe. Some kind of spicy intensity like Sichuan peppercorns, cumin and fennel seeds. Still no luck figuring it out. And something a touch earthy- like crisped sage. Our old housemate Diego used to burn it to cleanse the kitchen from the evil spirits of my failed attempts at experimental cooking. On a revisit, there is some kind tart fruit note – a cassis kombucha.
Rating: 6 / 10 – I have literally no idea how to rate this. I’m kind of delighted and uncomfortable. Like any great adventure. And while I’d gladly drink this, and share it with friends, I can’t decide if I’d want a bottle.
Rating 6/ 10
Appleton Estate 29 Years 1993/2022 Rum Hearts Collection 63%
Nose: Wintergreen lifesavers, haribo gummybears, hazelnut, orange peel, prune juice, diesel fumes.
Palate: Strong wood forward tannins, slightly herbal, overaged/steeped black tea, orange peel, anise/clove.
Rating: 6 / 10 – it’s like a cognac or guyana on steroids. While I like all the notes (even the herbal) it’s just turned up too loud and I’m overwhelmed.
Rating 6/ 10
Aberlour-Glenlivet 1959 Centenary Decanter Bottled 1979 40%
Nose: Honeycomb / beeswax, butterscotch, pumpernickel, dunnage.
Palate: Old paper, licking an envelope, barley sugar, hint of oak
Rating: 6 / 10 – elegant and gentle but has lost a lot of oomph
Rating 6/ 10
Aberlour 17 Year “Ne Me Quitte Pas” 1990/2008 Cask CO-65 LMDW 52.7%
Nose: Spearmint, lime, redvines
Palate: Lime zest frosting, copper penny, cinnamon, guarapo
Rating: 6 / 10 – a fine vibrant bottle