#BTC59 #BlindDrams Tasting Notes

These are my tasting notes and results from the Blind Tasting Consortium's 59th #BlindDrams evening.

These drams were picked by Ben @WhiskyWithMolly

His theme was They Call Me Hell, all the drams were peated and were not named after the distillery they were distilled in!

Here are my tasting notes:

Dram 1

Appearance: pale gold in the Glencairn, swirls cling as a thin line, head up to form an inverted crown and eventually fall as slow thin oily legs.

Nose: ashy peat smoke, lemon sherbet, pineapple cubes and some earthy, pine notes.

Palate: thick sweet arrival, lots of tropical fruit, vanilla, citrus peel and more of the pine-y, earthy notes. Some BBQ steak and Frazzles. There’s some dry notes and a lot of smoke as the liquid disappears.

Finish:  Lingering smoke, citrus and dry oak.

I’m thinking a 8yo Ben Nevis, refill bourbon at 50% ABV, scores a 2

Dram 2

Appearance: mid gold in the Glencairn, swirls cling as a thick line, hang for a while and drop as slow thick legs.

Nose: Old oak, a little dried fruit and some caramel. Tropical fruit, old leather and distant smoke.

Palate: sweet, chewy arrival, honey and milk chocolate. There’s some juicy oranges, berries, caramel and a little dry oak.

Finish: short and sweet, orange, toffee and distant smoke.

I’m thinking a well aged Ledaig, refill sherry at 41%, scores a 3

Dram 3

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

Nose: sherry soaked dried fruit, old oak, treacle toffee, Cherry Bakewells and a hint of balsamic vinegar.

Palate: thin arrival, immediately drying, berries, cherries and dried fruit. Another low ABV. There’s a bite of spice and dry tannins as the liquid disappears.

Finish: dry and spicy, berries and cherries.

I’m thinking a wine or oloroso matured Highland Park at 42% ABV, scores a 4

Dram 4

Appearance: light gold in the Glencairn, swirls cling as a thin line which slowly beads up and falls as slow thin oily legs.

Nose: furniture polish, grilled meat and slightly off milk. Some tropical fruit notes with some salinity and earthy peat smoke.

Palate: creamy arrival, citrus peel, chilli spice, dry oak and more of the furniture polish from the nose. Some candied tropical fruit notes, more chilli spice and a hint of toffee pennies.

Finish: lingering spice, citrus and distant smoke.

I’m thinking a Kilchoman ex-bourbon with a sherry finish at 50% ABV, scores a 2

Dram 5

Appearance: bright pale gold in the Glencairn, swirls cling as a hairline crack, take an age to bead up and fall as slow thin oily legs.

Nose: seaside breeze, ashy smoke and toffee drops. There’s tropical fruit, salinity and green apples.

Palate: thin, watery arrival which turns immediately spicy. Lots of smoke and salinity. Some citrus peel, lemonade and drying cinnamon spice.

Finish:  lemon zest, salinity and lingering smoke.

I’m thinking a young ex-bourbon Caol Ila at 55% ABV, scores a 3

The drams were: 

Dram 1 was Ledaig Safe Haven [MMD]

Dram 2 was Ledaig Collab 3yo [LiSo]

Dram 3 was Cù Bòcan 2006 15yo

Dram 4 was Ardbeg 2020 4yo Single Cask #54 Red Bag [DF]

Dram 5 was Laphroaig 2001 13 yo Casks #85290 / 91 / 92 Leapfrog [MMD]

 

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!