Aberfeldy 1999 “Snuffed Candle”, 15 YO, 46 % I am happy to present the dram of the day, a brand new release from independent bottler Wemyss Malts. The Aberfeldy 1999 “Snuffed Candle” was announced on februari 9, 2015. Aberfeldy is a Highland distillery, founded in 1866 and currently owned by the John Dewar & Sons […]...

Bruichladdich Octomore 06.3 Islay Barley, 5 YO, 64 % This is the first Octomore, the super heavily peated whisky from Bruichladdich, distilled from 100 % Islay barley. The Bruichladdich Octomore 06.3 Islay Barley was distilled in 2009. It has a phenol level of a whopping 258 ppm, which wipes the floor with the previous Octomores with […]...

Today is International Whisky Day. More importantly, to some of us, even those of us intimately entwined with whisky, it is Michael Jackson’s birthday. Michael died seven years ago, but we celebrate his birth, his life, rather than mourn his death.

Despite what you maj be told, Michael was not the first person to write about whisky or beer, not even the first person to write about them as a consumer, for consumers, and take them seriously. What he did was write about the whole of whisky and beer, the way all the history and current practice fit together, and...

Mortlach 1995 ‘Stem Ginger Preserve’ (46%, Wemyss Malts 2014, hogshead, 303 btl.)

Nose: a really interesting mix of fruity notes (sweet apple, rhubarb and even hints of banana) with oily notes (sunflower oil). Barley sugar. Sugared mint leaves. Honey glaze and vanilla. Fairly round and fat with a bright fruitiness. I like. Mouth: again round and mouth-coating. Lots of pear juice and pear drops, a bit of kirsch and pineapple. Honey and barley sugar. Very good, thick spirit. Evolves on grassier notes with hints of salty liquorice. Ah, and quite some ginger indeed. Finish: long, half fruity, half grassy,...

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Noah’s Mill is a Kentucky bourbon whiskey, highly sought after and difficult to get, especially when you’re not in US. For many years it was bottled as a 15 Year Old, but today it is said to be a mix of whiskey between 4 and 20 years old.

It is produced in small batches (less than 20 barrels each time) by Kentucky Bourbon Distillers , which is now operating a proper distillery but acted as an independent bottler until recently. It has been suggested that at least some of their products (Johnny Drum, Willett, Michter’s and others) are distilled by...

White Horse The Old Blend of the White Horse Cellar, NAS, ? % This is a very special treat. I find it amazing that it is possible to get bottles like this at online auctions. You should of course be careful, and only shop from well-established and trustworthy sources. This is a very old bottle of […]...

Mackmyra Moment Vintage, 10 YO, 48,6 % Here is a brand new release from Swedish distillery Mackmyra. It was distilled in 2004, then matured for nine years in various casks, and then one year finish in new American oak casks. The other cask types used include Ukrainian wine casks and Tokaij wine casks. Master blender Angela […]...

Glenkinchie 1992 17 YO The Manager’s Choice, 58,1 % I have only tasted two Glenkinchies before todays whisky; the 12 YO and the 20 YO. I attended a whisky tasting at TasteNote in Sweden a few weeks ago. The last dram of the tasting was this rare whisky. A 17 YO Glenkinchie released in Diageos […]...

Another joint bottling for Massen , De Tongerse Whiskyvrienden and Dram Brothers . Number two is this Littlemill 1990 from Malts of Scotland , released together with a  Highland Park 1994 .

Littlemill 1990 (55,1%, Malts of Scotland for Dram Brothers & Tongerse Whiskyvrienden 2015, bourbon barrel, MoS 15006, 158 btl.)

Nose: dried grasses and hay stand out here, as well as some oak dust. The usual fruity notes are present, but not in the first row. Some banana ice cream, vanilla and guava juice. Waxy notes / lemon balm as well. Spanish horchata. Warmer than others. Mouth:...

Aberfeldy 21 Year Old is a mix of bourbon and sherry casks. We’re trying the new version, part of the restyling process that was started late 2014. It’s the oldest expression at the moment, until we see the Aberfeldy 30 Year Old that will be launched later this year.

Aberfeldy 21 yo (40%, OB 2014)

Nose: fairly neutral, it’s nice but a tad understated. Some berries and stewed fruits. Orange peel.  Subtle floral touches. A hint of coconut as well. Plenty of honey. All fairly standard notes, but I’m not complaining. Mouth: not exactly bold of course. A...

Cragganmore 1988 17 YO Special release, 55,5 % Vel, Cragganmore er et destilleri som jeg ikke helt har funnet ut av. Det er faktisk kun én whisky derfra som jeg har virkelig har likt, og det var 21-åringen. Jeg deltok på en whiskysmaking hos TasteNote i Sverige for noen uker siden. Der fikk jeg anledning […]...

Last week we were on Islay for a few days. This was Tone’s first visit to the island, and my third. As always, it was a great experience. One of the absolute highlights of this trip, was that we got to spend an evening with John MacLellan. John is someone that is well known to many […]...

Springbank 35 YO Millennium Bottling Limited Edition, 46 % We do try to not nerd out too often here at Whisky Saga HQ. Realizing that it might not be very interesting to read what we think of bottlings that are long gone, and where the chance of you getting to taste it yourself is minimal. […]...

Bruichladdich Octomore Discovery Quadruple Distilled, 7 YO, 69,5 % I am rather fond of the über-peated Octomore whiskies from Bruichladdich Distillery on Islay. Usually these whiskies are released at 5 YO. For the Feis Ile 2014 Bruichladdich made a twist, releasing the Bruichladdich Octomore Discovery Quadruple Distilled. Normally Bruichladdich (as most Scottish distilleries) will distill their […]...