Lady Luck. Low rated initially, but actually a rather stunning dram. Was I insane?

Today I was cleaning out my leftover-sample-shelf. Usually, when I taste a sample I leave some for another day, mostly because I don’t want to drink too much and I might spill it (which would leave nothing, if poured at once). This practice netted me a small shelf of opened and tasted samples, probably around 60 or so.

The last couple of weeks on weekend days that we’re at home and the mrs. being pregnant, she likes to go for naps. Which gives me an hour or so to sit my ass down in my (now fairly cramped) whisky room. While I was pondering which dram to drink I decided to ease my thoughts with a left over sample. A plan was hatched to keep doing that until I cleaned them out.

While doing this I came to certain revelations. The most significant (and almost only whisky related revelation) was that my palate is changing significantly. Not only when I think back six or seven years, but also about six months to a year. Some of the other revelations were that I also like absinthe and should try more, and that I should be finishing the baby room or doing something more useful with my time.

This might have to do with the fact that it’s summer now (or what passes for summer in The Netherlands) and maybe a change of interest (peat, floral, fruity and so on).

I found this to be the case today with Compass Box’s Lady Luck and Zuidam’s 8 year old American Oak single malt. When I reviewed them initially I gave them both a single star. Today however, the Zuidam would’ve been three stars and Lady Luck at least four. What the f… happened here?

As I sat pondering this rather blunt but accurate question I realized that this might have to do with expectations, reputations and all kinds of mood related stuff. Sometimes I’m just not in the right mind for a certain dram. Zuidam disappointed me in the past (single malt-wise, their rye and genevers are stunning). I can’t make anything from the Lady Luck rating than a complete screw-up.

What’s even weirder is that this doesn’t happen the other way around. I never taste anything that I loved before that just doesn’t do the trick now. It might be that I’ve gotten used to it after an entire bottle, or that the sample has gone bad, but I never find I have to lower a score.

What does this mean for me and my reviews? Not much I guess. This stuff happens sometimes and while I try to be consistent and reliable, mostly towards myself, I do slip apparently. I might just have to keep samples back and review things I don’t like once more before posting it. Sounds like a not so bad plan, actually. Drinking more whisky…