Sunday

Longrow 14year old

Longrow 14 Year Old 70cl / 46%
Campbeltown Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Distillery Bottling
A 14 year old expression of Longrow, Springbank's peated malt, put together from a combination of bourbon and sherry casks. Rich smokey goodness


Scoring
7 out of 10 points for taste
6 out of 10 points for character and body
8 out of 10 points on value for money
21/30

This has fire and is a sharp dram not for the faint hearted warming and ouses the bourbon character that they suggest. Longrow is certainly making it mark as a maker of fine expressions of whisky. Great packing and style

Fettercairn Fior

70cl / 42%
Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Distillery Bottling
Fior means pure or true in Gaelic, and this no-age-statement bottling launched in summer 2010 is something of a rebirth for the much-maligned Fettercairn distillery. Described by the producers as tasting of dark chocolate, coffee beans and peat smoke, with nutmeg, mint, citrus fruits and truffle.

Nose:
This was a floral nose and a hint of caramel

Body
Lovely sherry colour and looked good in the glass

Taste
Sherry shone through on this dram and I would say is a summer whisky that you have out at a garden party and ween the non whisky drinker to a splendid dram. 

Do not underestimate Fettercairnes relaunch. If this is the way they see their future, then we are in for a rollercoaster  ride. This is one of those drams you would open and drink and drink somemore, good flavours, colours and pricing.

Scoring
9 out of 10 points for taste
7 out of 10 points for character and body
8 out of 10 points on value for money
24/30

Saturday

Dalmore Dee Dram

Description:
40%ABV / 70cl.  Dalmore Dee Dram 12 year old,(from The River Series), is a limited edition of 3600 bottles with 50% of profits going to help with the conservation of the river Dee, a popular Salmon river with anglers.  The whisky is 50% from Olorosso sherry casks and 50% from American white oak a 2010 release.

Taste:

Initial tasting notes based upon a partial nip - Small sips,Slowly moving over the tongue,allowing to evaporate off on the finish: This creates a rich intense citrus taste with hints of sweet vanilla.
An initial burst of spice at the outset, followed by a warming continuation of sweet caramels, with a subtle smokey finish which evaporates at the back of your mouth.

Nose:

Deep red wood mahogany and caramel in colour, with orange peel and cinnamon hint to the nose.
Rich,sweet, residual caramels with a slight hint of lingering honey infused with treacle.

Body:

Light bodied, smooth, easy drinking, perhaps verging on the delicate?


This is one of those drams you would open and enjoy, knowing that your purchase is contributing in some small way to conservationism - well done Dalmore for being innovative!





Scoring
7 out of 10 points for taste
7 out of 10 points for character and body
8 out of 10 points on value for money
22/30

The bottle is also very easy on the eye "classy".