Author Archives: Sjoerd de Haan-Kramer
John Begg Blue Cap, 70 proof, 757ml
A bottling from the ’70s based on the fact that the alcoholpercentage is mentioned, and the contents are too. Older bottlings don’t always have that information, and newer ones have a barcode. The Italian tax label on the cap stating … Continue reading
Posted in - Blended Whisky, John Begg
Tagged Blended Whisky, John Begg, Royal Lochnagar, Speyside
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Dufftown 22, 1998-2021, Hogshead 13083, 52% – Archives for Shinanoya
Together with the Burnside from two weeks ago, this was another bottling by Archives that flew to the other end of the world to be distributed and happily drank. Not to Canada, but to Japan, this time. I was not … Continue reading
Special Vatting 12, 2002-2014, Sherry Casks, 45% – Michel Couvreur
These whiskies by French bottler Michel Couvreur tend to be a love-it-or-hate-it thing. I am in the first camp, although that absolutely doesn’t go for anything they produce. I generally don’t get too thrilled by 4 year old grain whisky, … Continue reading
Benromach 10, 2011-2021, First Fill Sherry Hogshead 42, 59.2% – OB for Van Wees 100th Anniversary
With Van Wees being the importer of Benromach, and the massive popularity of the brand, there just had to be a private cask for Van Wees’ 100th birthday. They opted for a 10 year old at cask strength, and knowing … Continue reading
Posted in Benromach
Tagged 2011, Anniversary, Benromach, Sherry Cask, Speyside, Van Wees
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Mannochmore 1978-1996, 60.3% – Scott’s Selection
It’s always nice to find background information to certain bottlings. Like this label stating ‘oakwood casks’, contrary to all kinds of whisky that was matured in other kinds of wood. Oh, wait. That doesn’t exist in the world of Scotch… … Continue reading
Posted in Mannochmore
Tagged 1978, Haig, Johnnie Walker, Mannochmore, Scott's Selection, Speyside
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Guest post: Two exotic Lagavulins at 13 years old
I have a sample of this Lagavulin coming in too, but Tom wanted to write his findings as well. Who am I to deny him his podium! Pierrick Guillaume is the current Distillery Manager of Lagavulin, after doing some years … Continue reading
Posted in Lagavulin
Tagged Feis Ile, Guest Post, Islay Jazz Festival, Lagavulin, Mezcal cask, Port Cask, Tom van Engelen
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Vallein Tercinier 1975-2021, 51.7% – Grapediggaz
With Wu Dram Clan and Kirsch Import getting a bit of an increasing focus on Cognac, it’s not too surprising there’s a separate brand for these bottlings. And, with Grapediggaz being that brand, they’ve chosen a rather epic name, if … Continue reading
Posted in - Cognac, Vallein Tercinier
Tagged 1975, Cognac, Grapediggaz, Kirsch Import, Petite Champagne, Vallein Tercinier, Wu Dram Clan
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Burnside 25, 1996-2021, Hogshead 2176, 54.7% – Archives
And not just any Archives, but a bottling for the Canadian market. It’s not labeled with a Samoan fish, which seems to be the main go-to style. This one has a British dragonfly on the label. Burnside then. This isn’t … Continue reading
Posted in - Blended Malt, Balvenie, Burnside
Tagged 1996, Archives, Balvenie, Bourbon Cask, British Dragonflies, Burnside, Glenfiddich, Tea spooned, Whiskybase
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Tullamore 20 years old
There’s virtually no information in the title of this post. No ABV, no bottler, no specific vintage or year of bottling. None of that information is available on the label of the bottle. What I do know is that this … Continue reading
Malt Fascination 