#BTC57 #BlindDrams Tasting Notes

These are my tasting notes and results from the Blind Tasting Consortium's 57th #BlindDrams evening.

These drams were picked by Callum, Jamie & Fiona @CJFRenton

Their theme was Wee Rentons’ Triumvirate Tridecadal Party : hosted by Kate & Callum's three children (the Triumvirate, being three rulers) showcased whiskies from distilleries which are no more than 30 years old (Tridecadal, being a *ChatGPT word* for a 30 year period) - in honour of Lochranza Distillery’s (and Jamie’s) 30th birthday this year!

We started by raising a dram to their mum Kate, a huge member of Blind Tasting Consortium, who passed away just over a year ago.

Here are my tasting notes:

Dram 1

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

Nose: huge orchard fruit basket: apples, pears, peaches. Some honey, caramel and a hint of citrus.

Palate: thick, fruity arrival, lots of spice up front which calms to orchard fruit, some tropical fruit and honey. Very drying as the liquid disappears. 

Finish:  dry and spicy with some sweetness. I’m thinking c55% ABV, wine finish maybe? Scores a solid 4.

Dram 2

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

Nose: gentle peat smoke, toffee, citrus and some tropical fruit.

Palate: tropical fruit from the nose with some effervescence on the tongue. A little golden syrup, salted lemons and a bite of peppery spice. Hints of dry smoke as the liquid disappears.

Finish: dry and spicy with some sweetness and smoke. I’m thinking c55% ABV, bourbon cask. Scores a solid 3.

Dram 3

Appearance: bronze in the glass, swirls cling as a thick line, bead up and fall as thick oily legs.

Nose:  a little musty with lots of berry jam and liquorice. Some herbal / pine type notes and strawberry toffos.

Palate:  thick chewy arrival, berries, dried fruit and some dry spice. There’s some blackcurrant cream tart, grilled pineapple and some citrus.

Finish: fruit berries, a little spice with some dryness. I’m thinking c52% ABV, sherry cask. Scores a solid 3.

Dram 4

Appearance: light bronze in the glass, swirls cling as a thin line and form tiny beads which hang for an eternity before eventually falling as slow thin oily legs.

Nose: quite closed this one, gentle smoke, berries and some honey. 

Palate: dry smoky arrival, lots of berry jam and spice. The smoke hits you as the liquid disappears: dry and thick. Orange peel, grilled pineapple and gentle spice.

Finish: dry smoke, spice and berries. I’m thinking c59% ABV, sherry cask. Scores a 3

Dram 5

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

Nose: thick peat smoke, burnt rubber, fresh tarmac – well in to Ledaig territory here!

Palate: thin arrival, smoke, smoke and more smoke. Tropical fruit, spice and ashy smoke. There’s some honey and citrus peel here but it takes some finding.

Finish: dry smoke, spice and berries. I’m thinking c63% ABV, Torabhaig bourbon cask. Scores a 2

The drams were: 

Dram 1 was Lindores Abbey Friar John Congregation Chapter III 

Dram 2 was Arran 2013 9yo [SMWS] 121.113

Dram 3 was Isle of Raasay 2019 5yo Single Cask #19/52

Dram 4 was Ardnahoe Society 2024

Dram 5 was Torabhaig Special Reserve

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!