#BTC21#BlindDrams Tasting Notes

These are my tasting notes from the Blind Tasting Consortium's 21st #BlindDrams evening.

These drams were picked by John @jwbassman_

His theme was Half Life!

So as usual the other 27 of us worked our way through the 5 blind drams, sharing our thoughts and giving a score out of 5 before they were all revealed at the end.

Dram 1

Appearance: dark gold in the glass, swirls cling as a thick line, bead up and fall as slow thick legs

Nose: berries, orchard fruit and a little dry sherry. Strawberries, blackberries, raspberries, a little stewed pear. @Jonnyraccoon1 suggested balsamic - spot on!

Palate: hick sweet arrival, a little oily? Honey, berries, @Fortnums Jam - yummy! Coats the mouth beautifully - what a great start!

Finish: medium length sherry notes, dry berries and a little brown sugar.

Dram 2

Appearance: mid gold in the glass, swirls leave a thin line which beads up to form an inverted crown before falling as slow thick legs.

Nose: herbal notes to the fore, some heather, set honey and liquorice. Cherries, plums and a little citrus. Nice!

Palate: thick fruity arrival, blackcurrants, liquorice, balsamic vinegar, cherries. lovely mouthfeel again - a little brown sugar - very drying. Yummy!

Finish:  medium length dry brown sugar, mixed fruit jam and a little hint of smoke.

Dram 3

Appearance: Pale gold in the glass, swirls cling as a thin line, take a while to bead up and fall as slow thin oily legs.

Nose: tropical fruit: pineapple, mango, kiwi; citrus zest, a little salt and a hint of forest floor pine needles.

Palate: thick oily arrival, loads of tropical fruit, sweet honey and citrus zest. There's some salt here too - Campbeltown?

Finish: lingering peppery spice, citrus and salt. Nice!

Dram 4

Appearance: light gold in the glass, swirls cling as a thin line which beads up quickly and falls as slow thin legs

Nose: peat smoke coming through first - a little orchard fruit - apples, pears, peaches, a little damp cardboard. Ledaig without the engine oil and rubber funk... There's some spearmint, berries and a little dried fish.

Palate: thick sweet arrival, lots of peppery spice, citrus zest and salt. The damp cardboard from the nose is back along with the mint and some orchard fruit. Nice.

Finish: lingering peppery spice, citrus and some honey, Nice!

Dram 5

Appearance: Light gold in the glass, swirls cling as a thin line take a while to bead up forming an inverted crown and eventually fall as slow thin legs.

Nose: Bonfire ash, maritime breeze, tropical fruit, a little musty 2nd hand bookshop here too?

Palate: a little lighter than the earlier drams but still mouthcoating - huge citrus fizz with sherbet and dry baking spices. There's some tropical fruit notes, salt and gentle smoke. Nice!

Finish: lingering citrus, a little salt and some tropical fruit..

The drams were:

Dram 1 was Jameson Black Barrel Proof @ 50% ABV

Dram 2 was Westland Garryana 2020 Edition 5 @ 50% ABV

Dram 3 was Talisker 12yo [HL] @ 50% ABV

Dram 4 was English 10yo Electric Cow @ 50% ABV

Dram 5 was Port Charlotte 10yo @ 50% ABV

More information about the Blind Tasting Consortium and the scores for all of our tastings can be found here!