Yesterday the Spring Tasting was organized again by the Whiskykoning in Den Bosch. The spring tasting focuses on whiskies from the Lowlands region and always promises some nice whiskies from closed distilleries, since it is very hard nowadays to fill a tasting with whiskies from running Lowlands distilleries. That should change in a few years since there are some distilleries being rebuilt!

Auchentoshan 2000, Duncan Taylor NC2, 46%
It started quite malty, but with some nice added smells of dried flowers and a little crispness. The taste was slightly alcoholic with cereals and a bit spirity. The finish diminished quickly with cereal again and slightly musty. Licorice remained.

Bladnoch 8, Distiller’s Choice, 46%
The smell started of with old warm breakfast cereal, some banana and lots of moldy bread. The taste was surprisingly acceptable after the hideous nose. More fruity with a slightly citrussy finish.

Bladnoch 18, OB, 55%
Full, earthy and creamy, with pastry cream and some light American oak. The taste was also very full and soft, with some fruit and quite drying. A long finish with lots of smooth vanilla.

Glenkinchie Distillery Only, 59.3%
Lots of sherry influences here. This distillery only is said to fit in Diageo’s range of left over casks from their Distillers Edition, so Amontillado it is! Peaches and some aceton/paint stripper. Anise and warm cherries. Later the smell turns to sugar syrup and caramel. The taste is a little dusty, slightly drying with some tannines, old dried peaches and other fruit. The finish is long, fruity and turns a bit more spicy with clove and cinnamon.

Rosebank 12, SMWS, 10-1978 – 10-1991, 58.9%
Woohoo! Now we’re talking! Ancient Rosebank is always to my liking… The nose has a little hint of rubber that quickly dissipates, and what remains are cherries, lots of European oak, sweet spices, raisins, mixed nuts and a little burnt caramel. The taste is sweet with lots of fruit and a little delicate flower hints. It finishes on sweet pastry dough, stewed fruits and apple pie.

Littlemill 20, 07-03-1990 – 14-10-2010, First Cask by WIN, 56.2%
The nose starts on those wet breakfast cereals you are used to in Littlemill, although not as bad as the Bladnoch 8. It has a bit of sour milk, vanilla and light caramel as well. The taste improves to carbonated water, malt and a little more yellow orchard fruits. The finish has fruit flavored milk and some sweet citrus.

St. Magdalene, 09-1982 – 11-2010, Old Malt Cask, 50%
A bit of a slow starter with some light licorice, cereal, some pepper and a hint of wood. The taste becomes way more fruity with lots of orchard fruit and apple pie. The finish has more of that sweet dough. Very nice, but a difficult one to describe. Runner up to the Rosebank!