#BTC56 #BlindDrams Tasting Notes

These are my tasting notes and results from the Blind Tasting Consortium's 56th #BlindDrams evening.

These drams were picked by Duncan @socialdrammer.bsky.social

His theme was Imposter 2

Here are my tasting notes:

Dram 1

Appearance: light gold in the glass, swirls cling as a thin line, takes a while bead up which cling for a while before eventually falling as slow thin legs.

Nose: spirity to start, thick caramel sauce, stewed orchard fruit and a little oak. Huge boiled sweet notes – lovely!

Palate: thick chewy arrival, mouth coating, toffee, pear, apricot and a little dried pineapple. A little soapy note. There’s a bite of spice, some salinity and a little citrus zest  left on the tongue as the liquid disappears.

Finish: short and sweet with a lovely spice note. I’m thinking ex-bourbon 15yo, Glen Scotia? Scores a solid 3.

Dram 2

Appearance: mid gold in the glass, swirls cling as a thin line, forms tiny beads which cling for a while before eventually falling as slow thin legs.

Nose: Soapy, earthy, pine-y notes to start, a little smoke hint and some peanut shell. A little Param Violet note. This one is a little weird.

Palate: thin, smooth,  sweet arrival, the pine note is back, some liquorice, a hint of smoke, tropical fruit and a little citrus. Dry oak spice and low ABV point at maybe an older dram?

Finish: short and sweet, drying. Unusual dram, I’m thinking 30yo ex-bourbon, maybe a hint of rum? Not much above 40% ABV. Scores a 3.

Dram 3

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

Nose: thick bunt sugar, dates and prunes. There’s a little smoke and toffee. A small hint of sulphur.

Palate: thick mouth coating arrival, dark fruit, peppery spice and a dry oaky note, maybe some wine tannins?

Finish: short and dry with lots of spice. Wine or sherry cask, Mid 50s% ABV. Scores a 2.

Dram 4

Appearance: pale gold in the glass, swirls cling as a thin line, bead up slowly and fall as slow thin oily legs.

Nose: bonfire on a beach, salinity, smoke, dried seaweed. A little tropical fruit, some citrus and a hint of black pepper.

Palate: thick sweet arrival, lots of smoke, seaweed and citrus. There’s my least favourite sweet peanut note and drying peppery spice. A few more sips offer tropical fruit, dry oak and more peppery spice.

Finish: short and spicy, maritime smoke and dry oak. Ex-bourbon c50% ABV Islay, Kilchoman maybe? Scores a 2.

Dram 5

Appearance: pale gold in the glass, swirls cling as a thin line forms small beads which eventually fall as slow thin legs.

Nose: thick maritime smoke on this one too, toffee, more tropical fruit and a little citrus zest. Smoke dominates this one.

Palate: thick sweet arrival, loads of tropical fruit, honey, vanilla and rum & raisin ice-cream. Icing sugar dryness, caramel sauce and a hint of citrus zest as the liquid disappears.

Finish: very short and sweet, some spice and a little smoke. Maybe an ex-rum cask, c50% ABV? Scores a 4.

It turned out all of these bottles were from Phil & Simon Thompson (Thompson Bros.), the Imposter was Dram 1 which was unpeated, the rest were peated.

Dram 1 was a Glen Scotia 2013 11yo Single Cask #1202 [PST] 

Dram 2 was a Scottish Blend 1984 40yo TB/BSW [PST]

Dram 3 was a Bruichladdich 2012 11yo Single Cask {PST]

Dram 4 was a Torabhaig 2018 7yo Single Cask PST]

Dram 5 was a Laphroaig 2010 10yo Single Cask [PST]

The overall scores from our 28 members were:

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