#BTC45 #BlindDrams Tasting Notes

 These are my tasting notes and results from the Blind Tasting Consortium's 45th #BlindDrams evening.

These drams were picked by Ben @WhiskyWithMolly

His theme was Ben's Birthday Bash

Dram 1

Appearance: light gold in the glass, swirls cling as a thin line, take an age to bead up and fall as slow thin legs.

Nose: very fruity: peaches, apples, pears. Some cask char or smoke. Icing sugar suggesting dryness and vanilla fudge. Black cherries, marzipan and a lovely Turkish Delight note.

Palate: thick sweet arrival: honey, icing sugar & a little caramel. The rose/floral note from the nose is quite strong: Bowmore? Lot's of sugary sweet notes & a bite of baking spices. Orange zest & a little minerality add some complexity - no sign of the smoke.

Finish: medium length dry and spicy with a little peach. The water gave a lovely orange edge.

No idea where this is from but I think it's a 48% ABV ex-bourbon matured dram with maybe a finish in RF wine?

Scores a 3 from me.

Dram 2

Appearance: light gold in the glass, swirls cling as a thin line, again take an age to bead up and eventually fall as slow thin legs.

Nose: spiced apple pie, brown sugar, honey, tropical fruit hints and a note of spice. There's grilled pineapple, plum and a little musty dunnage or plasticine note.

Palate: thick sweet arrival, golden syrup, rum & raisin ice cream & cinnamon to start. There's a dryness as the liquid disappears - icing sugar & nutmeg. A few more sips offer the pineapple from the nose, some kiwi, berries & a little mango. Sour citrus to end.

Finish: Short and sweet with a citrus bite and some spice.

ABV c54% there's some RF sherry or wine in this mix again I think.

Scores a solid 3 from me.

Dram 3

Appearance: mid gold in the glass, swirls cling as a hairline crack in the glass, bead up very slowly and fall as slow thin legs.

Nose: more sweet fruity goodness: peaches, pears, berries, plums. There's a little brown sugar & honey. There's a cardamom note, some vegetal hints and a little salinity. A chocolate fruit and nut note - marzipan bar maybe?

Palate: very juicy! Some sweetness and spice along with a dry citrus - salted lemons? This one has a vegetal note, a little mustiness even. This has huge berry and cherry notes - again pointing at a wine finish? Some milk chocolate, coffee & rhubarb to finish.

Finish: lingering cherry and berries, peppery spice and a little citrus.

Lovely dram, best so far!

c55% ABV STR cask maturation?

Scores a 4.

Dram 4

Appearance: light gold in the glass, swirls clings as a thin line, bead up and fall as thick legs.

Nose: Sugary sweet, salinity and woody. A little sweaty feet note. A hint of rubber, plum and a little dried fruit. Have we moved to sherry finish here?

Palate: VERY juicy! Loads of berries and tropical fruit. A lovely cherry note: Black Forest Gateaux with a slice of that smoked German Cheese. There's a a little salinity, minerality and some nuttiness. Yummy dram!

Finish: lingering sweetness, smoke and salinity. Berries and cherries with some milk chocolate.

Lovely dram. c58% ABV oloroso sherry cask?

Scores a 4 from me!

Dram 5

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

Nose: huge peat smoke to start, some salinity and a little minerality. There's tropical fruit and bees wax, a little coconut and some dried pineapple.

Palate: again really juicy but immediately drying. Tropical fruit & honey turn to BBQ steak, salted lemons, minerality & a little orange marmalade. In Caol Ila territory here! There's not much in the way of spice - a little pepper as the liquid disappears.

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

I'm going 58% ABV ex-bourbon Caol Ila with a little sherry finish?

Scores a 4 from me.

The drams were:

Dram 1 was Glen Scotia 2012 11yo Single Cask [Decadent Drinks] (Bourbon)

Dram 2 was Ardnamurchan 2018 5yo Single Cask #1062

Dram 3 was Glen Garioch 2011 11yo Single Cask 23079 [Claxton's]

Dram 4 was Ben Nevis 2013 10yo Single Cask [North Star Spirits]

Dram 5 was Scottish Blend Flaming Heart Edition 6 [Compass Box]

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!