#gent13

As said, festivals are the ideal occasion to taste some unique drams. For Glenfarclas lovers, this is about as good as it gets: a 53 year old Family cask. By now, this goes for around 3.000 euro a bottle. It took a little bit of lobbying by Mark for which we are grateful. Cause this is marvellous stuff.  A voluptuous nose, characterised more by its depth and balance then by specific notes. Typical sherry scents (Turkish delight and sultanas), but backboned by a strong presence of the oak. On the palate, again the mouthfeel is what surprises most. Velvety. The finish is extremely long. Dusty leather. Floor wax. Some tobacco. A strong peppery, wooden undertone is there along the whole journey. A gem. 

Glad to finally taste a Port Dundas. For two reasons. First, we are from Dundaland, the surname of our little village. So, purely based on the name, this should be our house whisky. Second, because we did not taste that many grain whiskies up to now and this, by the age, should get us an idea of what the Ivy league of grain whiskies taste like.  Well, on the nose, this is an explosion of sweetness. Lot's of vanilla and cake. But also something more distinct. A hint of bitterness that reminds of balsamic vinegar. On the palate, the delivery is balanced, but rather underwhelming. An oaky, bitterish touch at first, then sweetness again. Vanilla. Sour candy. Unfortunately, not much of a finish left to savour, and that is not what you expect from a spirit of this age. The prize is reasonable (around 130€) seen the age, but in the end, you want taste, not age in you glass. 

A dram I had been looking forward to taste, as I am quite a fan of the Bruichladdich Bere and Islay Barley. And also this 8 year old expression is beautiful. This is not a typical Arran, so you feel the raw barley really altering the Arran character. The outcome is a much less spicy than creamy dram, with notes of dried hay adding to the farm character. No mistake, this is much sweeter than we standard Arran. It furthermore is a barley, cereal sweetness which I tend to appreciate a lot in malts. Something to cherish. 

Still, we had some good impressions of a series of very good whiskies, which will come up online in the days to come. 

On the nose, young, but also layered, with ripe bananas at first, tropical fruit nectar, but also whiffs of fresh appels. Quite unique on the palate, especially for an ex-bourbon matured young whisky. Rounded at first, fruity and soft. Velvety. The punchiness arrives, but late enough to let the soft, vanilla notes do their job, while just in time to prepare for a tingling finish. Too expensive (around 100€), but well worth trying. A pleasant surprise