A wonderful friend #gifted me this 10YO @ShinobuWhisky! Thank you so much, @ReeceSims | @WhiskeyMuse, for this beguiling bottle. 🥰 I’ll be honest, I was quite apprehensive when approaching this tipple. I wasn’t quite sure what to expect, but have often wondered if Japanese Whiskies truly lived up to all the ‘hype’. At the last Whisky Event I attendedContinue reading “Shinobu | Mizunara Cask | 10YO, 43% ABV”
Author Archives: Ainsleigh Christie
The Balvenie | Double Wood | 12YO, 40% ABV
@TheBalvenie Double Wood 12, a sophisticated and thoroughly enjoyable stalwart Speyside dram! Finding myself with a great feeling of being home, with this Balvenie as a comforting companion. APPEARANCE: golden, light amber; resembling light mahogany. NOSE: wow, this dram has one of the most intricate noses. Oak, nip of spice, and an enticing sweetness of rich milkContinue reading “The Balvenie | Double Wood | 12YO, 40% ABV”
Glenfiddich | Solera Cask | 15 YO, 40%ABV
@GlenfiddichWhisky Solera, an auld acquaintance I’ve no’ forgot! APPEARANCE: warm, golden amber with a yellow hue. NOSE: popping the cork, there was a lot of phenols, therefor I decided to let this dram expose and release its true self. It was worth the wait! A salve for the sinuses; lovely malt characteristics, tobacco, honey, Demerara,Continue reading “Glenfiddich | Solera Cask | 15 YO, 40%ABV”
Lagavulin | 16YO, 43% ABV
@LagavulinWhisky 16, my “aha!” Islay whisky moment. This dram, given time to open up, reveals immense complexity on both the nose, and palate. 🤤 APPEARANCE: warm, golden amber… glorious! NOSE: wow, complexity! After aerating, this dram revealed its hidden components of iodine, mint, coastal salinity, fresh milled wood, walnuts, old cut grass, and of course, theContinue reading “Lagavulin | 16YO, 43% ABV”
Talisker | 10YO, 45.8% ABV
I always jump at the opportunity to indulge in the ubiquitous, Talisker 10! I’ve had a special place in my heart for this classic stalwart dram, ever since my first visit to the Isle of Skye and Talisker, in 2014. APPEARANCE: warm, golden, similar in colour to my favourite, Juanita’s corn tortilla chips. But forContinue reading “Talisker | 10YO, 45.8% ABV”
Glenlivet | French Oak Reserve | 15YO, 40% ABV
Today, I thought I’d share with you, my thoughts on @TheGlenlivet’s 15YO French Oak Reserve! Thanks for the lovely wee bottle, Uncle George! 🥰 APPEARANCE: warm golden amber, with yellow hues. NOSE: immediately this inviting bouquet has me intrigued. Rich aromas of buttery @Deans_Shortbread, demerara, salted caramel, Scottish fruit pudding, sultanas, vanilla, and Soreen Malt Loaf withContinue reading “Glenlivet | French Oak Reserve | 15YO, 40% ABV”
Glengoyne | 10YO, 43% ABV
You can hear the angels sing, as the distillers do their thing in this divine place, situated between the Devils Elbow and the Devils Pulpit. I could rewrite previous tales of Glengoyne, but those who know me best understand what this particular distillery, and Dumgoyne, mean to me. If you’re reading this, don’t speculate, challengeContinue reading “Glengoyne | 10YO, 43% ABV”
Bowmore | 12YO, 40% ABV
@Bowmore 12, the Islay whisky miniature I enjoyed so much, I went out the very next day and purchased a full-size bottle! Here’s my review of this beautifully complex, maritime malt. APPEARANCE: golden amber, with yellow hues. NOSE: the nose is rather complex, but subdued. The buzz of freshly grated horseradish, with notes of straw, brûléedContinue reading “Bowmore | 12YO, 40% ABV”
Glasgow Distillery | 1770 2019 Release | NAS, 46% ABV
OMG! I’ve had an epiphany, thanks to @GlasgowDistillery! I had taken the decision to attempt a highly risky and fanciful notion of carrying out a head to head, Glencairn vs Norlan glass with a single malt, the new to me, 1770 2019 Release. Many new producers are releasing younger drams; what else can you do toContinue reading “Glasgow Distillery | 1770 2019 Release | NAS, 46% ABV”
Monkey Shoulder | 40% ABV
Monkey Shoulder in Malibu! Not anticipating an acrimonious acromion, it would appear I’ve found a cheeky wee chimp. Monkey Shoulder, It has been a while, but this was a pleasant reintroduction! Cheers to this simian sample. APPEARANCE: diluted amber, resembling pine sap. NOSE: first impression; distinctively malty, citrus rind and pine. Allowed to open further,Continue reading “Monkey Shoulder | 40% ABV”
Maid of the Malt 