The Nosers met on 27/10/2022 at Doug’s place and sampled four scotches none of which expressed much peat. They included Glen Grant (50%ABV), Glen Scotia (54.2%ABV), Gordon and MacPhail Strathisla Distillery (56.9%ABV), and, as a blind bonus round, Arran18(46%ABV).
All tastings were highly rated in the 7-8 range with the Strathisla being down rated because the alcohol content was too overpowering even for the Russian judge Keith. These magnificent palates were unable to identify the Arran even with Randy and Chris going meticulously through the past database while Malcolm and Stan blamed the lack of identification on the mis-ordering of the tastings.
Hence, we have created the “Arnold” rule: ‘tastings should be in the order of lowest to highest ABV’. We also gained consensus on membership and guest invitations. Ron noted that tonight clearly demonstrated that price had little relevance to taste. Maureen’s cookies and the delectable cheese added to an enjoyable evening of learning and laughter during which we clearly solved most of the world’s and Fairwinds major issues.
Round 1: Glen Grant 15 Year Old
Cost: $90 CDN
Region: Speyside
Fun Facts:
Glen Grant was founded in 1840 and some of the original buildings remain. The distillery is set round a small courtyard with turreted and gabled offices in the “Scottish Baronial” style, probably dating from the 1880s. It is a quirky place, traditional in style despite expansions in the 1970s. Some of the stills are coal-fired.
NSC Comments:
Colour: Gold to Straw
Nose: Fruity, Citrus with Caramel
Palate: Floral, Citrus, Creamy, some spice, toffee or honey, smooooothhh
Finish: Long
Very nice. Great nose, nice finish, very good indeed
Creamy good, some vanilla – a great scotch
Great with or without water
Drinkability: 7,8,7.2,8,8,8
Round 2: Glen Scotia Victoriana Cask Strength
Cost: $112 CDN
Region: Campbeltown
Fun Facts:
It is said to be haunted by the ghost of a former proprietor who drowned himself in Campbeltown Loch after being tricked out of a large sum of money.
NSC Comments:
Colour: Mahogany through Amber to Gold/Honey
Nose: Chocolate, Nutty, Woody, Fruit
Palate: Creamy, Smooth, tiny bit of Pepper
Finish: Long
Water beautifies it
Very nice nose
Great nose, Powerful, great finish, Cream to start. Water improves it
Taste does not resemble the nose at all!
Drinkability: 7,8,8,8,8.3,8
Bonus Round: Gordon & MacPhail’s Strathisla
Cost: $179 CDN
Region: Speyside
Fun Facts:
The oldest distillery in the north of Scotland. In the 13th century Dominican monks used a spring nearby to provide water for the brewing of beer. The same water with a touch of calcium hardness and scarcely any peat character has been used in the distillation of whisky since at least 1786.
NSC Comments:
Colour: Dark Oak through Mahogany to Amber
Nose: Sherry Fruit, Caramel
Palate: Oily, Powerful, Caramel
Finish: Short, then Long (huh?)
Oddly, too much alcohol, must have water to taste anything
Not for beginners. But lonely drop, no peat
Overwhelming on the palate. Too powerful to taste, water a must
Strong, but not a great as expected, even with water
