24/02/2018 The Whisky Show Old & Rare (Day 1 -- Part 2)

After that crazy day, we go for supper -- cavalier66, JS, CS, whom we just met, and the Swissky.
All are up for Bread Meats Bread. We have to wait a bit, but no-one is really hungry yet anyway.

Once we do get the food, the wait is forgotten

My Royale Black

JS's Bulgogi Cheese Steak

When the food is finished, CD passes me a miniature: Talisker 100° Proof (57%, Gordon & MacPhail). I tell him it is a nice gesture, but we have no glass. He sarcastically points out my mistake and hides the mini away. Snok.

The Neutrals all disband into the night, while I text MV and pat gva to join us. The latter will never find the final text, due to his phone being on silent.

cavalier66, MV, JS, CS and I gather in cavalier66's room for a nightcap. Or two.

Inchmurrin 20yo (40%, OB imported by T.A.C., b. late 1990s) (me): no full notes, for this. It is a fruity number, slightly bitter in the mouth, and I am pleased everyone enjoys it -- or pretends really well.

Glenlivet d.1939 (40%, Gordon & MacPhail imported by Sestante) (cavalier66): nose: a walk in a pine forest, fresh, delicate and elegant, with cedar wood and cigar boxes. Timid fruit emerges later. Mouth: woody, on the right side of it, with coconut yoghurt, custard and cedar-wood sawdust. Finish: long, with coconut shavings and sawdust again. It is very woody, but remains harmonious. 8/10

Glenesk 1982/1995 (40%, Gordon & MacPhail Connoisseurs Choice, IE/DBD): nose: pickled onions, Sauvignon blanc (cavalier66), gooseberries and cat's urine (cavalier66 again) -- "but in a good way," he adds. Cardboard. Mouth: plums in syrup and a gentle note of acidity. Finish: long and persistent, it has notes of pickled onions and syrupy plums. MV admits it is his first Glen Esk. 8/10

Millburn 16yo d.1966 (40%, Gordon & MacPhail Connoisseurs Choice imported by Meregalli) (cavalier66): nose: coal dust and nuts, cork. Mouth: austere and chocolate-y, with lichen goodness. Finish: nut liqueur and melted chocolate. The sherry has taken over, here, but it works. MV admits this is his first Millburn. 9/10

In May last year, MV was in London and left a sample at the SMWS for me, since we could not meet up. Discovering I still had not had it, he suggested bringing it here, so we could pair it with something else. We will do that, and add a third wheel to this carriage.

Glen Grant 40yo 1966/2006 (40%, Gordon & MacPhail) (MV): nose: wide, expressive and fruity, it has oranges, tangerines and satsumas. Mouth: sugary, with brown sugar, caster sugar. I cannot remember another whisky to be so sugary. Finish: soft and elegant, it has lots of sweet citrus (satsumas in particular). Wonderful! 9/10

Under the watchful eye of this woodpecker

Glen Grant 40yo 1972/2012 (51.6%, Maltbarn, Sherry Cask, 49b) (JS): nose: gingery tannins and dried orange peels. It opens up to reveal lemonade and lozenges. Mouth: sweet and spicy, with galangal ginger and caster sugar. Finish: fizzy, gingery lemonade. This is sweet, elegant and lovely. 9/10

At this point, I start paying more attention to the music (Radio 6 is playing).

The soundtrack: Adam Stafford - Strangers Care When You Burn

Glen Grant 34yo 1970/2004 (54.2%, Duncan Taylor Rare Auld, Sherry Hogshead, C#831, 129b, b#29) (MV): nose: a big wood and sherry influence, liquorice, cold coffee and molasses, dark chocolate, scorched earth, roasted coffee beans and dusty earth. Mouth: very chocolate-y, with a hint of liquorice -- a lot of it, in fact. This is massive, overpowered by the sherry. Finish: woody as feck, liquorice roots and drying coffee. These three couldnae be more different. This is a sherry monster and, although it achieves a better balance with water, it is simply less my thing. 7/10

The soundtrack: Stephen Crowe - Ey Up Me Duck

Cameronbridge 25yo 1979/2005 (59.9%, Duncan Taylor Rare Auld, C#3523, 194b, b#92) (me): excellent sweetness and wood-related fruitiness. Water makes it softer. I poured this as a palate-cleanser after that heavy Glen Grant, and it works a treat. MV likes it so much I give him what is left of the sample.

Speyside Region 41yo 1975/2016 (46.9%, Whisky-Doris, Fino Sherry Butt, C#22) (MV): nose: perfect balance of wood and fruity bubble gum. This reminds me of the 41yo Glenfarclas Forrest poured for me in Ostend. Mouth: lemon tart and coconut shavings. Finish: fruity bubble gum again, yoghurt-y and soft. Lovely. 9/10

The boys have cavalier66's Speyside Region 43yo d.1973 (51.6%, Mancarella Limited Edition, Sherry Cask) opposite the Whisky Doris. The former is drier and bitterer.

Irish 26yo 1988/2015 (45.6%, Whisky-Doris, Sherry Hogshead, C#14360) (cavalier66): he brought the goods, our cavalier. Funnily enough, I had never had a Whisky Doris bottling before, and this is the second in an hour. Nose: lots of fruit, of course, but also mint and lime -- this is the best mojito in town, tonight! Mouth: buttery mango, papaya, fruity yoghurt and a milky texture. Finish: long, wide, fruity and, well, simply beautiful. 10/10

The soundtrack: Jouska - Nature

Others try Secret Stills 02.02 (45%, Gordon & MacPhail Secret Stills, Sherry Hogsheads, 1204+1449+1452, 600b), for which I take no notes, but score 9/10.

It is 1:15. Time to hit the sack.

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