Livets Vatn

The Glendronach 15

“The Revival”

After ceasing production in 2015, The GlenDronach Revival Aged 15 years now returns to the core range  of the distillery’s line-up. The expression embodies The GlenDronach’s signature style of Spanish Sherry  Cask maturation in fine Pedro Ximénez and Oloroso sherry casks from Andalucía, quietly growing in stature for 15 years in the darkness of our dunnage warehouses.

Raising, figs, honey, marzipan, hints of orange, dark fruits, almost a leafy note, cherry, chocolate, juicy as hell, malt notes and oaky. Long and complex. 

This re-revival is a complete whisky. Sherried and delightful.

Whisky Reviews: https://whiskyreviews.net/2018/12/06/glendronach-15-revival/

The Whiskey Jug: https://thewhiskeyjug.com/scotch-whiskey/glendronach-15-the-revival-review/

Highland Park 18

Highland Park 18 Year old Single Malt Scotch Whisky, also known as “Viking Pride”.

Gentle sherried fruits, dark fruits, gentle peat, heathery peat, caramel, oak, cherries, elegant and so well balanced and complex. Integrity whisky all the way. 

An aptly named single malt, 18 Year Old Viking Pride won the Chairman’s Award in the Ultimate Spirits Challenge in 2018 and 2019 and owes everything to our 5 keystones of production that we’ve honoured for over 220 years. 

Very flavourful and delicious.

Whiskybase: https://www.whiskybase.com/whiskies/whisky/99591/highland-park-18-year-old

Whisky Unplugged: https://whiskyunplugged.com/2021/03/04/tasting-notes-highland-park-18-years-old-viking-pride/

Amrut Fusion

Amrut Fusion Single Malt Whisky

Amrut Fusion used one type of barley from India and one type of peated barley from Scotland. Therefore the name “fusion”. And a beautiful fusion it is. 

Instant tropical fruit, mango, juicy, chocolate, cocoa, integrated peat creating an amazing balance of flavour. It is spicy, long, complex and rich. 

Amrut Distilleries Private Limited began in 1948 under the name and style of Amrut Laboratories, with an initial investment of barely a few lakhs. The founder was the late Shri J.N. Radhakrishna, J.N.R as he is fondly called to this day.

Amrut Fusion was launched in 2009. It is produced using 25% Scottish peated barley and 75% unpeated Indian barley.

This is an exquisite whisky!

The Whiskey Reviewer: https://whiskeyreviewer.com/2016/11/amrut-fusion-single-malt-indian-whisky-review-112916/

Whiskybase: https://www.whiskybase.com/whiskies/whisky/163671/amrut-fusion

Port Charlotte 10

Bruichladdich - Port Charlotte Heavily Peated Islay Single Malt. Aged for 10 years.

HEAVILY PEATED ISLAY SINGLE MALT SCOTCH WHISKY

PHENOL LEVEL: 40 PARTS PER MILLION

VINTAGE/AGE: 10 AGED YEARS

ALCOHOL STRENGTH: 50% ALC./VOL

BARLEY PROVENANCE: 100% SCOTTISH BARLEY FROM INVERNESSHIRE REGIONMATURATION PROFILE:

65% 1ST FILL AMERICAN WHISKEY CASKS

10% 2ND FILL AMERICAN WHISKEY CASKS

25% 2ND FILL FRENCH WINE CASKS

BOTTLING:

BOTTLED ONSITE WITH ISLAY SPRING WATER, NON CHILL FILTERED & COLOURING FREE

Although it is heavily peated, do not be scared to try it. The peat is beautifully integrated. 

Juicy, tropical fruits, lovely dark fruits being lifted by the peat. salt, raisins, maybe some red berries also, vanilla, caramel, I also find something leafy in the background. Oily and thick, wonderful balance, salty, sweet, peaty. Yum!

So much integrity in this 10 year old. I love it. YUM!

The Whisky Jug: https://thewhiskeyjug.com/scotch-whisky/port-charlotte-10-years-review/

Malt-Review: https://malt-review.com/2018/06/17/port-charlotte-10-years-old-2018/

The GlenAllachie 10 Year Old Cask Strength

Glenallachie 10 year old Cask Strenght batch 4 just recently won “Best Single Malt in The World” by World Whiskies Awards in 2021.

This is batch 3, which I do find a bit milder than batch 4, which is not necessary a bad thing. 

Glenallachie in gaelic means “The Valley of Rocks”.  Glenallachie is a malt whisky distillery on Speyside at Aberlour founded in 1967. Glenallachie 10 year old cask strength single malt from Speyside. 

Deep and dark fruits. Dried fruits, cinnamon, I find quite a bit of chocolate also, creamy, long, a hint of oak, caramel. 

It is not quite a sherry-bomb to me, but more chocolaty mixed with sherry notes. 

It is yummy one. 

Whisky Rant: https://www.whiskyrant.com/glenallachie-10yo-cask-strength-review/

Malt-Review: https://malt-review.com/2020/04/01/glenallachie-10-year-old-cask-strength-batch-3/

Ichiro’s Malt Wine Wood Reserve

Ichiro’s Pute Malt Whisky Wood Wine Reserve

A wine cask matured blended malt whisky by Ichiro Akuto. It is rumoured to contain whisky from both Chichibu and Hanyu. 

Fruity, dark chocolate, leathery, cinnamon and peppery, fruits, berries, caramel, wood tannins, wine notes, to me, sherry notes. 

It is an interesting whisky, in a good way. A bit pricey, but it is worth the experience. I like it! 

Whiskynotes.be: https://www.whiskynotes.be/2019/japan-whisky/ichiros-malt-wine-wood-reserve/

Whisky Saga: https://www.whiskysaga.com/blog/ichiros-malt-wine-wood-reserve

Nikka Whisky From The Barrel

Nikka FTB is created by blending more than 100 different batches of malt and grain whiskies. After blending, the whisky is filled into used barrels and matured for another few months. This "marriage" process harmonizes all components in the formula. This whisky is likely be whisky blended together from Yoichi and Miyagikyo and most likely Ben Nevis. 

Spicey, candied sweetness, caramel, vanilla, fruity, well balanced, strong because of the abv (51.4%), complex and long. 

I 

Blended whisky from Japan (world blend?) that once again shows greatness. Super delicious. 

Whisky Shelf: https://www.thewhiskeyshelf.com/nikka-from-the-barrel-review/

Kavalan Vinho Barrique

From the country of Taiwan comes this wonderful whisky, The Kavalan Solsit Vinho Barrique cask strength single malt whisky.

Delving in to the world of so called “world whisky”, this was such a great experience.  

I simply love it. I am a bit of a Kavalan fan. I understand that some might find it too much, too sweet. But to me it is so good. It makes me exited to see what Kavalan is comming up with next. Also looking forward to try the other batches.

Tropical, juicy, fruity, intense, so much happening, complex, rasberries, vanilla, okay, hint of spices, syrupy, jam, a bit sour notes(in a good way), fruit candy, long. 

Kavalan Distillery has been pioneering the art of single malt whisky in Yilan County, Taiwan since 2005. Kavalan sources the mineral-rich meltwaters of Snow Mountain and is aged in a unique combination of intense heat and humidity together with sea and mountain breezes. All this combines to create the quality, smoothness, and fruity character for which Kavalan is known.

Excellent! 

Whiskybase: https://www.whiskybase.com/whiskies/whisky/42585/kavalan-solist

Peated Perfection: http://peatedperfection.blogspot.com/2015/04/kavalan-solist-vinho-barrique-whisky.html

Lagavulin 16

Lagavulin Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky Aged 16 years.

Well, what can I say about this whisky that has not been said before? I was not that into peated whisky by the time I tried Laga 16. So my expecations were quite low. Or atleast I was expecting the sensation of licking a bonfire.

I friggin loved it. And still do. It made an impact on me. It made me delve into peated whisky and especially Islay whisky. It really deserves the attention is gets. A true classic. 

My notes: sherry, sweet, salt, the peat is beautifully intergrated, balanced, pineapple, oranges, cherries and a bit of leather. Complex. 

Sat between Ardbeg and Laphroaig on the south coast of Islay, Lagavulin has a history of disagreements and lawsuits. Founded in 1816, a year after Laphroaig, it has been in fierce competition with its nearest neighbour ever since.

So good! 

The Whisky Wash: https://thewhiskeywash.com/whiskey-styles/scotch-whiskey/whisky-review-lagavulin-16-year-old/

Malt-Review: https://malt-review.com/2016/11/01/lagavulin-16-year-old/

Green Spot

Green Spot Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey. Triple distilled irish whiskey, 

A non age statement Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey comprising of pot still whiskeys aged between 7 & 10 years. The whiskey has matured in a combination of new bourbon and refill bourbon casks as well as sherry casks.

Green apples, coconut, creamy, baking spices, clean, pears, round, harmonious, vanilla, fruity , balanced. Rounded and delicious. 

Green Spot was originally produced exclusively for the Mitchell family who, commenced trading in 1805 on 10 Grafton St. in the heart of Dublin city as purveyors of fine wines and confectionary. Four generations later, the company is still in the wine and spirits business, under the stewardship of Jonathan Mitchell and his son Robert.

The Mitchell family expanded into whiskey bonding in 1887, whereby they sent empty wine, sherry and port casks via horse and cart to the local Jameson Distillery, which were then filled and returned to the Mitchell’s cellar warehouse. There, the whiskeys matured for many years under bond until they were ready to be bottled and sold.

Such a great whiskey! 

The Whisky Wash: https://thewhiskeywash.com/reviews/whiskey-review-green-spot-single-pot-still-irish-whiskey/

Scotch Noob: https://scotchnoob.com/2013/02/11/green-spot-irish-whiskey/

Kilkerran 12

Kilkerran Campbeltown Single Malt Scotch Whisky formely known as Glengyle. Aged for 12 years. 

I get cherries, oak, sitrus, marzipan, hint of peat, vanilla, honey, malty, seasalt, lemon, oily and lengthy. 

Glengyle Distillery reopened in 2004 creating whisky under the name Kilkerran. The Kilkerran 12 Year Old is lightly peated and non-chill filtered, and has been matured in a combination of 70% bourbon casks and 30% Sherry casks.

Exellent whisky! 

Whiskybase: https://www.whiskybase.com/whiskies/whisky/85213/kilkerran-12-year-old

Whisky Wash: https://thewhiskeywash.com/reviews/whisky-review-kilkerran-12-year-old/

Clynelish 14

Clynelish Coastal Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky Aged 14 Years,  Clynlish Distillery, Brora, Sutherland, Scotland. Established 1819.

Sitrus, waxy, seasalt, thick, malty, plums, pineapple, creamy. a tiny hint of peatsmoke hidden in the background. Long. 

Such a unique taste and smell. Such an amazing

  The original Clynelish was established in 1819 by the Marquess of Stafford to create a market for the barley produced on his lands. Across the road is the Clynelish we know today, which was built in 1968 to make room for the larger, more modern neighbour. Old Clynelish lived on as Brora for a time, before closing in the early 80s.  

So much to like about this one! Amazing! 

Whiskybase: https://www.whiskybase.com/whiskies/whisky/38229/clynelish-14-year-old

Malt-Review: https://malt-review.com/2020/10/23/clynelish-14-year-old-2/

Tamdhu Batch Strength

Tamdhu Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky Batch 005

Sherry-bomb? It might be called a sherry-bomb. I just know I really enjoy this whisky. Would have loved to try the previous batches, but this one is great. 

Intense, Sherry, cherries, dark-fruits, spices, leathery, marzipan, nutty. Lengthy.

A true joy. 

Tamdhu was founed 1896. Owned by Ian Macleod Distillers Ltd. 

Intense, but also balanced. Exellent sherried whisky.

Malt-Review:

https://malt-review.com/2020/12/02/a-taste-of-tamdhu-whisky/

Whiskyjug: https://thewhiskeyjug.com/scotch-whisky/tamdhu-batch-strength-review/

Deanston 12

The Deanston 12 year old highland single malt scotch whisky. 

A whisky that is appreciated and loved by a lot of whisky enthusiasts. Great value, great whisky. 

To me, it was quite boring the first time I sat down to taste it. Maybe I had other expactations, as that may color the experience. I left it to rest in the bottle for a while and came back to it. I now understood it more. It is mostly a bourbon matured whisky.  Although it is not my favorite, and not a bottle I choose that often, it is a quailty scotch and I understand the attention it gets and deserves.  

Malty, honey, vanilla, fruity in the background. Spices. Long. 

Deanston was founded in 1965. Owned by Burn Stewart Distillers (Distell Group).

Loved by many, but not my favorite. 

Whiskybase: https://www.whiskybase.com/whiskies/whisky/98349/deanston-12-year-old

Malt-Review: https://malt-review.com/2017/08/17/deanston-12-year/

So, who am I to give you reviews, notes, info,  on whisky and whiskey?

To be honest. There are reviewers who are much better than I am in writing tasting notes. So many amazing talented bloggers, youtubers, podcasts and writers. 

I simply...do my best. I love whisky. I know a bit about whisky. BUT! I am no expert at all. So much to learn. And I am truly looking forward to these whisky adnventures. 

Rating

So I have ambivalent feelings toward rating a whisky. It depends on my mood, season, just opened the bottle, middle of the bottle, last drops of the bottle. So my rating-system will not be a consistent one with a clever system. I mostly post whisky I enjoy in one way or another. 

I am a whisky-writer/whisky enthusiast from Norway.

Redbreast 12

Redbreast Single Pot Still Whiskey.

Made from a mash of malted and unmalted barley and then triple distilled in copper pot stills. Matured in a combination of Bourbon seasoned American Oak barrels and Oloroso Sherry seasoned Spanish oak butts for 12 years.  

This is a beautiful whiskey. Smooth. Yes, smooth. I know some have trouble digesting that word, but it is smooth. Rich, complex, thick, baking spices, sherry, cherries, oak. Great finish. 

Redbreast has been on the market for over 100 years. Back in 1903, an agreement was reached between John Jameson & Sons and Gilbeys Wine & Spirits Import Company. Jameson would send spirit from their Bow Street Distillery to Gilbeys to mature. As a spirit importer, Gilbey’s would have plenty of empty Sherry casks to house the whiskey in. (Redbreast 12 is aged in a combination of Oloroso Sherry Casks and Bourbon Barrels.) The spirit wasn’t officially sold as ‘Redbreast’ whiskey until 1912. This was a nickname the whiskey had inherited from the Chairman of Gilbeys, who was an avid birdwatcher.

One of my favorites! Pure exellence. 

Whiskyjug: https://thewhiskeyjug.com/irish-whiskey/redbreast-12-years-review/

Whiskybase: https://www.whiskybase.com/whiskies/whisky/134077/redbreast-12-year-old