Meikle Toir One Slam – Chinquapin (Ch), Original (O), Sherry (S), Turbo (T); WB: 239126, 239124, 239125, 239127

DE

The Continental. Ingvar Ronde schreibt: Fermentations are long, up to 160 hours, and there have been trials with a 500 hour fermentation! A smaller proportion of the spirit produced is heavily peated with 80ppm phenol specification in the barley.

Auf der Webseite https://meikletoir.com steht: In 2018, we began producing peated spirit – a much rarer style for the Speyside region – for several weeks each year. We only produce around 100,000 litres of new-make annually to create our premium small-batch releases. […] Using premium mainland peat for an oaky, sweet smoke style; a process of extended fermentation, exacting distillation and expert maturation elevates the spirit to its pinnacle. After years of patient slumber, the spirit within each cask must meet the rigorous standards of Billy Walker and his team in order to reach the bottle. […] Made with mainland peat from St. Fergus, the flavour contribution is sweeter than that anticipated of coastal peat. […] Die Flaschen sehen gut aus, but: A suit doesn't make a man. It's what's inside the suit that counts. Deswegen nur Sample.

Nose 30min: 

O: Datteln im Speckmantel, Schwarzwälder Kirsch-Torte, barley sugar, getrocknete Äpfel, Cidre, Süßigkeitenstand auf dem Weihnachtsmarkt, direkt neben dem Kräuterstand, Vollkornbrot. Peat? Ballert zumindest nicht um sich.

Ch: Vanille-Eis, stehen gelassen. Sehr zurückhaltend, shy and unpeaty.

Sh: Milchreis mit Kirschen. Crème Brûlée, zurückhaltender Rauch, Germknödel mit Puderzucker und roter Grütze.

T: Muff, Moos, Schweiß, Saure Milch, Leder und Tabak. Spitzwegerich Hustensirup. Moder, Mordor-Geruch. Gekippter Rotwein, Blutorange.

Mouth:

O: Zuckerwasser, rund, Salbei, etwas Umami, animiert zum schmatzen, angenehme Bitterkeit.

Ch: Zitrusnoten, klebrig süß, Zitronengras, etwas unrund, Rauch und Süße und Zweikampf.

S: Süßer Apfelsaft mit Kräuterbonbons, eukalyptisch, ölig, mouthcoating.

T: Malzig, Vitamalz, schöner Torf. Kokos, Ricola, Kräutertee.

Finish:

O: Kaffee, Kakaopulver, wenig Torf.

Ch: Würzig, rauchig, maritim, Vanille, trockener Abgang.

Sh: Süß, starker Kaffee, kräutig.

T: Länger als erwartet, wärmend, Kräuternote, Spitzwegerich, Kokos.

Turbo Quickvergleich…

Octomore 13.2: Der Octomore ist insgesamt ausgewogener und spannender, trotz/wegen des höheren Peat- und Alkoholgehalts.  

Ardbeg Smoke Trails: Der Smoketrails bleibt langweilig, sorry.

'Sometimes the things we seek in life are right in front of us the whole time.' - Winston Scott

O: 87/100          Ch: 87/100         Sh: 88/100            T: 88/100

 

EN

Ingvar Ronde writes: Fermentations are long, up to 160 hours, and there have been trials with a 500

hour fermentation! A smaller proportion of the spirit produced is heavily peated with 80ppm phenol specification in the barley.
The website https://meikletoir.com states: In 2018, we began producing peated spirit - a much rarer style for the Speyside region - for several weeks each year. We only produce around 100,000 litres of new-make annually to create our premium small-batch releases. [...] Using premium mainland peat for an oaky, sweet smoke style; a process of extended fermentation, exacting distillation and expert maturation elevates the spirit to its pinnacle. After years of patient slumber, the spirit within each cask must meet the rigorous standards of Billy Walker and his team in order to reach the bottle. [...] Made with mainland peat from St. Fergus, the flavour contribution is sweeter than that anticipated of coastal peat. [...] The bottles look good, but: A suit doesn't make a man. It's what's inside the suit that counts. Therefore only a sample.
Nose 30min:
O: Dates wrapped in bacon, Black Forest cake, barley sugar, dried apples, cider, sweet stall at the Christmas market, right next to the herb stall, wholemeal bread. Peat? Doesn't ball around, at least.
Ch: vanilla ice cream, left standing. Very restrained, shy and unpeaty.
Sh: Rice pudding with cherries. Crème brûlée, restrained smoke, yeast dumplings with icing sugar and red fruit jelly.
T: Muff, moss, sweat, sour milk, leather and tobacco. Ribwort cough syrup. Musty, Mordor smell. Tipped red wine, blood orange.
Mouth:
O: Sugar water, round, sage, some umami, encourages smacking, pleasant bitterness.
Ch: Citrus notes, sticky sweet, lemongrass, a bit out of round, smoke and sweetness and duel.
S: Sweet apple juice with herbal sweets, eucalyptic, oily, mouthcoating.
T: Malty, vitamin malt, nice peat. Coconut, ricola, herbal tea.

Finish:
O: Coffee, cocoa powder, little peat.
Ch: Spicy, smoky, maritime, vanilla, dry finish.
Sh: Sweet, strong coffee, herbaceous.
T: Longer than expected, warming, herbal note, ribwort, coconut.
Turbo quick comparison...
Octomore 13.2: The Octomore is overall more balanced and exciting, despite/because of the higher peat and alcohol content.
Ardbeg Smoke Trails: The Smoketrails remains boring, sorry.
'Sometimes the things we seek in life are right in front of us the whole time.' - Winston Scott

O: 87/100 Ch: 87/100 Sh: 88/100 T: 88/100

Glenrothes 28 SV 1995 - 2023, WB: 237379

DE

Loki, Rubinrot. Nose 2h: Eleganz und Stil, edel wie ein Rubin, Rumrosinen, Datteln, Ahornsirup. Im Hintergrund Kastanienhonig, speaking of: Maronen auf dem Weihnachtsmarkt, leichte alkoholische Frische, eukalyptischer Art. Etwas Leder und Pferdeschweiß, aber sehr dezent. Viele Aromen, aber subtil, nichts muss, alles kann. Zeitlos, time runs differently here. Süßwarenladen mit Fruchtbonbons, allerdings auch türkischer Honig, Nougat und ein Hauch Fudge. Nach 4 h: Holi-Fest mit Kakaopulver und Puderzucker, Enzian und Cognac where the time ends.

Mouth: Cappuccino mit vielen braunen Kandis, zu viel Espresso drin. Was wird das dann, flat white? Klebrig süß, weitere Kaffeesorten, etwas Kakaopulver, Mocha, Vollmilch- bis Zartbitterschokolade, alle Varianten aus verschiedenen Multiversen. Leicht prickelnd, etwas Piment und pikant.

Finish: Espresso, Ahornsirup Grad C, Zartbitterschokolade, etwas europäische Eiche. Estragon, Salbei, Thymian, Muskat und leichte Zimtschärfe. Am Ende des zweiminütigen Finishes Piment und schwarzer Pfeffer.

Tür zu anderen Dimensionen einen kleinen Spalt geöffnet, reingelugt, verwirrt, nicht begriffen, dass unsere Welt eigentlich die beste Welt ist. Lippen bleiben gelähmt zurück. Noch so viel unverstanden, noch viel zu antizipieren, konzeptionieren, partizipieren, emanzipieren, meditieren, reflektieren, assoziieren, rezeptieren, simulieren, dissidieren, imaginieren, kontemplieren, klamüsern – resignieren, was weiß ich schon.

Ein sehr ausgewogener, eleganter, feiner Malt. Komplexität und Harmonie in Perfektion.

94/100

EN

Ruby Red, Loki. Nose 2h: Elegance and style, noble like a ruby, rum sultanas, dates, maple syrup. In the background chestnut honey, speaking of: Chestnuts at the Christmas market, light alcoholic freshness, eucalyptic. Some leather and horse sweat, but very shy. Many aromas, but subtle, nothing must, everything can. Timeless, time runs differently here. Sweet shop with fruit sweets, but also Turkish honey, nougat, and a hint of fudge. After 4 h Holi feast with cocoa powder and icing sugar, gentian, and cognac where the time ends.

Mouth: Cappuccino with lots of brown candy, too much espresso in it. What is it then, flat white? Sticky sweet, more coffees, some cocoa powder, mocha, milky to darky chocolate, all Variants from different multiverses. Slightly tingling, some allspice and spicy.

Finish: espresso, maple syrup degrees C, dark chocolate, some European oak. Tarragon, sage, thyme, nutmeg, and slight cinnamon spiciness. At the end of the two-minute finish allspice and black pepper.

Door to other dimensions opened a tiny crack, peering in, confused, not realising that our world is actually the best world. Lips remain paralysed. Still so much not understood, still so much to anticipate, conceptualise, participate, emancipate, meditate, reflect, associate, receptive, simulate, imagine, contemplate, clamour - resign, what do I know.

A very balanced, elegant, fine malt. Complexity and harmony in perfection.

94/100

Ballechin 19 2023 Manzanilla Sherry Casks, WB: 237370

 DE 

Vergleich mit WB123517 Ballechin 14 2018 Mazanilla. Boys.

Wuhu, Ballechin 19, ältester. Der 14er haut mich nach der halben Flasche um, der Stoff hat sich zu einer Sirupartigen Masse konzentriert, der Torf verleiht dem Scotch eine geniale Komplexität. Und nun erhoffe ich mir hier – mehr? A stranger is just a friend you ain’t met yet. Was habe ich zu verlieren – Geld? What have you got to lose that you ain’t already lost?

Nose 2h: Im direkten Vergleich zum B14: mehr Wärme, Kellermuff, nicht so frisch. Peat zerstückelt einen nicht gleich. Sehr vornehm, süß-umamische Gewürzwolke, Zimt, Weihnachtsgewürze, Balsamico, Ahornsirup Grad A, Tannenhonig. Nach 3h getrocknete Steinpilze.

Mouth 2.30h: B14 brennt sich durch, ballert rein. The V just made me more... me. Ewig langer Abgang des B14. Schlechte Idee beide zu vergleichen A-train vs Shockwave. Im Vergleich B19: Dattelsirup mit Chiliflocken, etwas Zartbitterschokolade, ölig, brauner Zucker mit Zimt und Muskat,

Finish: Eiche im Abgang. Während B14 chilig bleibt, geht B19 in die tanninige Richtung. Adstringent. Lang aber im Vergleich zu B14 zurückhaltend. Lorbeerblatt. Espresso.

B14 ist im Vergleich jung und stürmisch. Der Ballechin 19 ist gesetzter und weiß Dinge. Expecting a happy ending, were we? Well, I’m sorry. It ain’t that kind of massage parlor. ­ ― Billy Butcher.

93/100

EN

In comparison to WB123517 Ballechin 14 2018 Mazanilla. Boys.

Woohoo, Ballechin 19, eldest. The 14 blows me away after been halfway through the bottle, has concentrated into a syrupy mass, the peat gives the Scotch a brilliant complexity. And now I'm hoping for - more? A stranger is just a friend you ain't met yet. What have I got to lose - money? What have you got to lose that you ain't already lost?

Nose 2h: In direct comparison to the B14: more warmth, cellar mustiness, not so fresh. Peat doesn't slaughter you. Very distinguished, sweet-umami spice cloud, cinnamon, Christmas spices, balsamic, grade A maple syrup, fir honey. After 3h dried porcini mushrooms.

Mouth 2.30h: B14 is a burner, bangs in. The V just made me more... me. Eternally long finish of the B14. Bad idea to compare both A-train vs Shockwave. Checking B19: date syrup with chili flakes, some dark chocolate, oily, brown sugar with cinnamon and nutmeg, 

Finish: oak on the finish. While B14 remains hot, B19 goes in the tannic direction. Astringent. Long but restrained compared to B14. Bay leaf. Espresso.

B14 is young and tumultuous. Ballechin 19 is more settled and knows things.

Expecting a happy ending, were we? Well, I'm sorry. It ain't that kind of massage parlor. - Billy Butcher.

93/100

Ben Nevis 15 DL14689, WB: 194004

DE

Narcos, pretty high, Blenders Glass, Strohgelb. Muy bien, ein Ben Nevis, guter Stoff? ¿Plata o pomo? Ben Nevis hat einen unvergleichlichen distinktiven Charakter, der es schafft, sowohl in Sherry- als auch Bourbon-Fässern komplex zu reifen. Los Gringos machen ihre Arbeit gut. ¡Listo! ¡Vámanos! Nose 2h: Streuselkuchen, Butter in der Pfanne - wird allmählich braun. Herbe Kräuter – Berg- und mediterrane. Kellerboden, Erde, Waldboden. Viele Pilzsorten und Wildschweine. Ein Hauch Testosteron gesättigter Achsel mit viel Schweiß. Mouth: Mineralisch, Schieferriesling – Steillage. Claro, feinherb. Grober Pfeffer, Chili und ein paar Salzkörner. Hágale. Lies are necessary when the truth is too difficult to believe. Finish: Grillkohle, Torf – kein Peat, aber der Dreck wie ein Sicario! Salz, Kräuter und Maulbeeren. Unreife Mandeln und eine hijo de p*ta Bittermandel, muchachos. Mit einem TL Agua wird die Nase zur Zuckerwatte, Popcorn. Im Mund habe ich Zuckerwasser, Honigmelone, Cantaloupe. Im süßen Finish verweilt Kräutersud. ‘Sometimes bad guys do good things.’

89/100

EN

Narcos, pretty high, Blenders Glass, straw yellow.
Muy bien, a Ben Nevis, good stuff? ¿Plata o pomo? Ben Nevis has an incomparable distinctive character that allows to mature complexly in both sherry and bourbon casks. Los Gringos do their job well. ¡Listo! ¡Vámanos! Nose 2h: crumble cake, butter in the pan - gradually turning brown. Tart herbs - mountain and Mediterranean. Cellar soil, earth, forest soil. Many kinds of mushrooms and wild boar. A touch of testosterone saturated armpit with lots of sweat. Mouth: Mineral, slate Riesling – ‘Steillage’. Claro, sweet and zesty. Coarse pepper, chilli and a few grains of salt. Hágale. Lies are necessary when the truth is too difficult to believe. Finish: barbecue charcoal, peat - no smoke, but the dirt hits like a Sicario! Salt, herbs and mulberries. Unripe almonds and a hijo de p*ta bitter almond, muchachos. With a tsp of agua, the nose becomes candyfloss, popcorn. In the Mouth sugar water, honeydew melon, cantaloupe. Herbal brew lingers in the sweet finish.
‘Sometimes bad guys do good things.’

89/100