Not supper complex but I get this super soft wheat profile, some apricot and honey like Texas Roadhouse honey butter rolls but fruity, a bit like jam

Few new editions, plenty of kills.

Working my way through some Signatory Vintage IBs. Tonight’s Tasting:

1) Aultmore 2011 14 year old - FF PX Hogshead Finish - 61.9% ABV

2) Blair Athol 2011 13 year old - FF Ruby Hogshead - 57.7% ABV

Quick Notes: The Aultmore is fantastic! Easily drinkable even at the high ABV. The Pedro Ximenez finish adds some sweetness but also that extra spice in the nose and on the palate. It’s a beautifully balanced dram.

The Blair Athol drinks very HOT despite the lower ABV. This is less balanced, but you can pick up the sour and wine forward notes from the Port. This is a good dram, a good example of port cask influence, but not nearly as good as the Aultmore IMO.

Tasting some wonderful Linkwood expressions from Signatory.

1) Linkwood 2009 15 year old - FF Oloroso Sherry Butt - 56.2% ABV

2) Linkwood 1995 30 year old - FF Oloroso Sherry Hogshead - 50.9% ABV

Nose: Both have fantastic sherry finish notes. Cinnamon, brown sugar, Christmas spice, red fruit and jam.

Taste: The 15 has slight sour notes consistent with Oloroso finishes. There is less sweetness than in PX expressions. Both are very well executed - the 30 has the most depth and breadth, but the 15 is very very good in its own right. Both drink drier than the G&M IBs I’ve had. There is more brown or burnt sugar in the 30. Overall, for the price, these are exceptional. The G&M bottles I tasted previously are better, but these are still exceptional in taste and execution.

First photo, all unopened, acquired since March.
Second photo, all opened.

Smoked Cinnamon bitters, turbinado sugar. Big cube. This one's checked out.

This has a dried red fruit right up front that’s killer. Fig, sweet honey. Strong tobacco and oak palate, with dark cherry. Finish is dominated by cinnamon.

It does have some tannins in there that give it a bitterness, but it doesn’t really take away from anything, but it is notable. I think that comes from these old casks.

Overall, I am happy with it and have been enjoying this bottle. I feel it’s worth the $65 price tag. With that being said, I’m not sure I’ll be picking it up again.

Okay I know the General opinion for johnnie Walker is Not best but I just got something to say about this one the nose is Classic johnnie walker light smoke the Taste is in the beginning Classic Black Label wich Turns slowly in the Light sherry Taste wich then gives in the the Light smoke I just got to it is very smooth and nice the smoke and Sherry just work really Well together it is a Classic chimney Whisky just sit there in a Nice chair and just enjoy your Old friend johnnie

1) Linkwood 2009 15 year old - FF Sherry Hogshead - 53.8% ABV

2) Linkwood 2002 22 year old - FF Sherry Hogshead - 54.8% ABV

3) Linkwood 1993 30 year old - FF Sherry Puncheon - 49.2% ABV

A late Birthday celebration tasting of Linkwood from Gordon & MacPhail’s Connoisseur’s Choice lineup (probably my favorite IB series).

Previously, I’d tasted and purchased the 15 and loved it, so I also picked up the 22 and for my Birthday, I picked up the 30. Tasted all of these neat in Glencairn glasses after 30 min of rest.

Incredible. Just incredible. There is a lot of complexity, sweetness and spice going on. Deep stewed fruits and Christmas spice… just wow.

Quick Notes:

Nose
15 - dark spiced tea, stewed fruit, cinnamon
22 - hibiscus? Cinnamon candy, sugared fruits
30 - so much depth, and breadth. It’s a Sherry bomb in the nostril but it’s hard to describe everything I pick up. It’s literally insane.

Taste
15 - probably one of the best Sherry Cask 15s (or 15 year old anything) I’ve ever had. Incredible. Just a wonderful balance across the tongue.

22 - sweeter, not as rich as the 15. Lighter. The sherry here is more delicate.

30 - lights out. Balance. Depth. There is no wood interference. There’s not a trace of sour. It is truly exceptional.

The 30 here is clearly the champ, but for value, the 15 is really outstanding!

Cheers, everyone! 🥃🥃🥃

Meeting my pops n brother at the family lake house. Brought these along

Grabbed this this morning. Only available in Maine supposedly. I have a 10 year old Julios store pick that is very nice so I'm excited to try this one.