Author Archives: Sjoerd de Haan-Kramer
Age vs. NAS round 2: Dalmore 12 vs Dalmore Valour
The second round of NAS vs Non-NAS (or Age Stated) is another pair from around the tiny speck of the North Sea that ends in the Moray Firth. That’s a very creative way of saying that they’re not too far … Continue reading
Posted in Dalmore
Tagged Big Blind Tasting, Dalmore, Highlands, NAS, Sherry Cask, Valour
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Age vs. NAS round 1: Glen Moray 12 vs Glen Moray Port Finish
With all the NAS releases being done over last couple of years, and the flack the industry is getting for doing those instead of ‘properly aged whisky’ there was bound to be someone to do a comparison. Of course, a comparison … Continue reading
Posted in Glen Moray
Tagged Big Blind Tasting, Elgin, Glen Moray, NAS, Port Cask, Speyside
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Benromach 15, 43%
On Tuesday I was welcomed home by a big brown envelope. Normally when you say brown envelope you start thinking of discreetly packed goods you don’t want your neighbors to know about, but in this case I don’t really care. … Continue reading
Macduff 1980-2011, 30 years old, 54.1% – Malts of Scotland
I really love old Macduff. I love old Macduff from bourbon casks even more. I’ve tried a couple of them over the years and all of them have been incredibly good. Subtle fruit and malt and oak matured to near … Continue reading
Tomintoul 1967-2000, 33yo, 40% – Gordon & MacPhail Rare Old
Another sample that I got as a mystery sample. Buddy MZ wanted to know my thoughts. I’m happy to oblige. MZ and I met for the first time at my home when I put an open invitation on our club’s … Continue reading
Posted in Tomintoul
Tagged 1967, Gordon & MacPhail, Rare Old, Sherry Butt, Speyside, Tomintoul
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Macallan 1991-2014, 23yo, 47.7% – SMWS (Northern Lights)
This fairly well aged Macallan from a refill hogshead came from my whisky buddy DSA, who sent it as a blind sample in our latest swap. He loves it, but I know Gal hates it. I think Bourbon matured Macallan … Continue reading
Posted in Macallan
Tagged 1991, Macallan, Refill Hogshead, Scotch Malt Whisky Society, SMWS, Speyside
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Lagavulin 1991-2015, Triple matured, Feis Ile 2015, 59.9%
During that one week in May when a lot of folks make their pilgrimage to Islay I’d rather not be on Facebook. Or Twitter for that matter. Not that I’m jealous of everyone being at their favorite distillery and drinking … Continue reading
Posted in Lagavulin
Tagged 1991, Bourbon Cask, Diageo, Feis Ile, Islay, Lagavulin, Puncheon, Sherry Cask, Triple Matured
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Ledaig Dùsgadh 42yo, 1972-2015, 46.7%
I generally don’t like Ledaig, as I’ve said on multiple occasions before. I also generally don’t get samples of this caliber. Luckily, I was at our 25th Anniversary party of the Usquebaugh Society last weekend, and Ronald Zwartepoorte brought the … Continue reading
Posted in Ledaig, Tobermory
Tagged 1972, Dùsgadh, Free Sample, Islands, Ledaig, Mull, Tobermory, Whisky Passion
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Benromach Organic 2008-2014, 43%
This is a bit of a thing nowadays, isn’t it? Making things organic. The food hype is already dying out a bit, but in the world of whisky it’s gaining momentum. At least, I seem to be hearing things about … Continue reading
Posted in Benromach
Tagged 2008, Benromach, Free Sample, Gordon & MacPhail, Organic, Speyside, Virgin oak cask
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Yoichi 15, 45%
Yesterday I finished this bottle. I’ve been enjoying it for a while and at some point the time comes to drink the last drop. The drawback of that is that my stash of Japanese whisky is shrinking rapidly. If you … Continue reading
Malt Fascination 