Finally, finally, finally we had the chance to get together as a group, still following the Covid protocols at Malcolm’s. We met outside, and it was a stunning evening – warm, calm, perfect for Scotch. The theme by Malcolm was Speyside. A comparison of three offerings from that region. Three price ranges, three strengths, a hell of a poker hand.
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So nice to be able to get together…
Round 1: Benromach 10 Year Old
| Cost: $70 CDN | Region: Speyside |
Fun Facts:
- Water comes from the Chapelton Springs
NSC Comments:
- Colour: Beautiful amber colours
- Nose: Chocolate hint on the nose, Surprising nose, Strong vanilla, almost too much
- Palate: Vanilla on the tongue
- Finish: Smooth, slowly fades away
- Sharp to start, water opened it up
- Drinkability: 6.5,6.5,5,6,7.3,7.0
Round 2: Craigellachie 13 Year Old
| Cost: $80 CDN | Region: Speyside |
Fun Facts:
- The distillery was founded in 1891 and rebuilt in a modern style in 1965, doubling up the stills from one pair to two. It has eight wooden washbacks and delivers 47,000 litres AV of spirit per week.
NSC Comments:
- Colour: An orange under-colour to it, nice looking
- Nose: Strong legs in the glass
- Palate: Smooth up front, vanilla again
- Finish: Lingered, but did not outlast its welcome
- Getting more like a scotch was the comment…
- Similar to the first taster
- Drinkability: 6.5,5.5,6,7,7.6,6.5
Bonus Round: Aberlour A’Bunadh Batch 67
| Cost: $127 CDN | Region: Speyside |
Fun Facts:
- Recently the whisky was made by Ian Mitchell, who was born in the distillery grounds, died in 1992 and was preceded in his job by his father and grandfather. The distillery is noted for its pristine cleanliness and fastidious attention to detail. The water comes from St. Drostan’s well.
NSC Comments:
- Colour: Not recorded, a failure of the appointed scribe
- Nose: Vanilla, Fruit
- Palate: Fabulous scotch
- Finish: Quite smooth for that strength
- Keith added water, almost died, but grudgingly admitted it improved it
- Drinkability: 5,5,6,5,6,5,5