Each Advent Calendar is filled with 24 x 30ml of the most thrilling whiskies known to humankind, from a 50 year old Scotch to superb Irish and American whiskeys, and expressions from some of them most exciting world whisky distilleries. Everything from superb single grains to rare single malts, award-winning whiskies from famous distilleries from rich Speyside whiskies to smoky Island malts.
You've still got time to order one in time for 1st December - they are available from here.
For this #TweetTasting we received 5 samples in one of their standard boxes:
By 7pm many of us were in Festive Spirits and all ready to start!
First up was the Macallan 12yo Sherry Oak
My Thoughts:
Nose: Cereal, chocolate, spice, hint of porridge and fudge
Palate: Lots of spice on the tongue, quite drying but sweet with it, getting some chocolate, some wood and a little dried fruit. Not the full on Christmas Cake thought...
Other peoples opinions:
Second was the Bain's Cape Mountain Single Grain
My Thoughts:
Nose: Vanilla, love heart sweets, (Dried Banana Chips : From @RumDiariesBlog)
Palate: Oily buttery sweetness (this feels better than 40%), a little spice then a huge kick of them banana sweets at the end!
Other peoples opinions:
Third was The Blended Whisky Company's The Lost Distilleries Company Blend - Batch 10
My Thoughts:
Nose: The 51% hits you straight away, some apples and pears, wood, and a hint of spice in the background.
Palate: Lovely rich dried fruits - must have been soaked overnight in whisky! This is what the @The_Macallan should have been - Christmas Cake in a glass! Slightly drying and getting ginger and cinnamon spices too.
Other peoples opinions:
Fourth was Mackmyra's Brukswhisky
My Thoughts:
Nose: Limes, coconut, wet dog and a little spicy mint, nose is developing as it sits in the glass - porridge notes coming though and just a hint of smoke.
Palate: Very light, slightly oily, sweet and spicy, some orchard fruits and the porridge from the nose.
Other peoples opinions:
The final dram of the night was Kilchoman's Sanaig
My Thoughts:
Nose: Peat smoke hits you straight away but there is also the sweetness from the sherry, some saltiness and smoked fish?
Palate: Wow - slow down now - not sure about this at all - there is an awful lot of peanuts..... very spicy but can't get that peanut taste to go, very strange. Quite drying too. What an unusual dram!
Other peoples opinions:
Conclusion: I thought the Blended Whisky Co Blend was superb - Christmas in a glass, the Banes came a close second, Single Grains are really impressing me this year! The Kilchoman and Mackmyra are great every day drams, perhaps a little young? I was actually disappointed with the Macallan - it just seemed ordinary.
Many thanks to Drinks by the Dram for supplying the #dramples, @WhiskyWire for organising and all my fellow #TweetTasters for making it a great evening and for kicking off Christmas!
Other reviews:
Peak Whisky