On a fete Burns' Night, samedi.
Le cr complet:
http://www.discogs.com/groups/topic/333263
La synthese en anglais:
-Ladyburn 558: discreet nose, flowery with hints of vanilla. A discreet and flowery mouth, then slightly peppery, fresh and creamy. The finish welcomes honey, nuts, with notes of a sweet exotic fruit that no one can identify. This one evolves so much in the glass it is insane. Spectacular and I love it. The only thing is it is so subtle altogether it needs being drunk early in the tasting;
-Burns 250: dry grass in the nose, seemingly insipid mouth, with a short and quiet finish. This is certainly not bad; perhaps not too interesting, especially after the previous;
vs.
-Burns: some marzipan in the nose. Some Clynelish, colour crayons, wet hay. I find the mouth both mineral and full of heavy hay, slightly medicinal. Finish: hay, barn, not bad, quite long. So-so, this one;
-Inverleven 1985: no notes for nose or mouth. The finish is peppery and herbal, though it might just be the haggis influence. Good dram, in any case, but will need to have some again;
-Inverleven 1991: nose is wider, bolder and vegetal. The mouth is smooth and agreeable. I love it. The finish is long and warming, very nice. My favourite out of this face-to-face;
-Littlemill 4064: tried this not too long ago. My impression the one time was that it was not as good as 6552. Let us see, then... Spicy nose... then I mix up glasses and cannot remember which is which. No more notes. Hem. When I finally realise which one this is, strangely enough, it becomes my favourite of the lot, tonight;
vs.
-Littlemill 166: fond memories of this one -- possibly the first time I really noticed Littlemill. Spicy nose, with vanilla. Mouth very salty. No notes on the finish -- this remains a great dram. Tonight, it might be the least impressive, though;
vs.
-Littlemill 6552: nose reeks of soy sauce. The mouth is very spicy too, though it is tough to take notes while chatting, eating and sampling three W, I realise. Finish: still get that lemony impression from The Whisky Show, although it is quite light;
vs.
-Littlemill 17: several are mentally comparing it to the others, so might as well take it out just for the sport. All four are rather similar and in the same league, it must be said. Good drams and difficult to tell which one is best;
-Glengoyne 21: nose: interesting, a little too sulphury. Mouth: different to the nose (as in "better"). Pretty good. Finish is long and full of sherry. A sherry monster that does not work for everyone;
-Bladnoch 16: a bit off-theme (Bladnoch is South of Montgomery territories), but near enough. Nose: strongly animal, today. Naphtalene, leather, strawberry, red apple, then tons of honey. Mouth: delightful, sweet and fruity. Finish: bit of honey; not as great as last year;
vs.
-Bladnoch 13: nose: chlorophyll chewing-gum, artichoke, more vegetal than the first, in any case. Mouth: alcohol is not extremely integrated. No notes for the finish;
-Arran 98: nose is stinging (at 59%). The mouth is quite powerfully alcoholised -- not overpowering, but yeah, cannot hide it. The finish is short. It is now too late for relevant notes;
-Auchentoshan 1987: nose: rubber and leather, which is better than the usual rubber and burnt rubber this one delivered previously. With tons of water, septic tank and nappy. Mouth: sherry monster. Finish: sherry monster. With water: more coffee emerges;
vs.
-Auchentoshan 11: nose: sweet and fruity. Mouth: quite fruity too. Finish: fruity again. Not exotic or anything -- more like apples and stuff. Yes, the notes are hardly worth reading, by this point, I know;
vs.
-5.31: no notes at all on this one. It is my favourite of the three, though;
-Port Dundas 120306: nose: ether, medicinal. Mouth: alcohol is integrated alright, but yeah, 61.5%, innit. Finish: wood, medicine, all balanced. Very good, this.
