Ballindalloch 2016 2024 08 60.6 % #225, WB257280

Time and patience are the magic words when it comes to whisky. Both in maturation and in enjoyment, time and patience conjure up this amazing drink in the cask, and on the palate it is this very drink that enchants the senses and the mind. This one is only 8 years old, is that enough magic?
Nose: after a long wait, the first aromas are of sugar water with rose petals and vanilla, followed by alpine herbs and alpine flowers - cyclamen? In any case, the freshness of the mountains, a melting glacier, snow in the air, cheerful hikers resting in mountain inns, do I smell Kaiserschmarrn? There are also fresh waffles and vanilla ice cream.
The palate: Wonderful sweetness with lots of herbs and spices spread around the mouth. The sweetness is the sugar sweetness, but also some melon, honeydew melon, herbal tea served ice cold.
Finish: Oily consistency in the mouth, density, chewy, viscous, long finish, not very alcoholic, surprisingly. Some wheat beer on the finish to match the mountains, slightly yeasty and even hoppy. Banana and melon make a wonderful summer mix. Take your time and enjoy your time on earth.

89/89/88

Glenlivet 28 2024 50.1% The Fine Art of Whisky, WB270207

Another old school whisky. What can we expect? Pure inspiration. We live in a different time with different bottlings. So-called modern whiskies, spirits are distilled too quickly because time is money, filling strength is higher now than it used to be because interaction with the wood is quicker then, casks are artificially heated because maturation is accelerated then, first-fill casks are very wet, etc. And this one? Slow and long maturing, the complete opposite, ok, it's Glenlivet, but a different one.

Nose: Very elegant, herbs, powdered sugar, toffee, white chocolate, some Earl Grey, floral like white tea. Now sweet, creamy East Frisian tea with lots of cream and rock candy. Oregano, basil and a B minor aria in the background. The longer the infusion is left, the sweeter it becomes, but the character varies. Sometimes nougat, sometimes Raffaello, cream sweets or halva, ahoibrause or Haribo Tutti Frutti, paradise apples or toasted almonds.

Taste: Herbs, nutmeg, cinnamon. The sweetness is shy and still hiding, but wants to be poetically lured out. Don't be afraid, everything will be fine, come out and be brave. Be proud, you deserve it, a little chilli and a flood of flavours. A little bitter almond, grapefruit seeds, a few drops of water, a slight change. Nuts but not sweet kisses, depth and mature nobility.

Finish: Long and persistent, slightly oily, alcoholic, black tea and sesame, tahini, slightly toasted. Pure poetry, almost haikuish.

92/91/90

Glenburgie 28 1996 2024 54,8% GM, WB268134

It is incredible how many bottles are released every day these days. So how can an enthusiast like me try to taste them all? It is simply impossible, unhealthy or even deadly. What I do is hunt for worthy bottles, for gold and silver treasures, for precious stones, diamonds and smaragds. Every now and then I find a gem like this. Glenburgie, like Miltonduff, was home to a pair of 'Lomond' stills from 1958 to 1981, producing a malt known as Glencraig. In 2004 the old distillery was demolished and a new, larger, open plan distillery was built. A third pair of stills was added at this time. The distillery has been owned by Chivas Brothers since 2005.  

Nose: A warm summer fragrance with vanilla sauce, Werthers Echte and  other cream sweets, caressing, feels like home. I am embraced by coconut and white chocolate. Lots of nougat and a very flowery white tea. This nose can only be described as a feeling of having arrived.

Palate: A slight spiciness tingles on the tongue and wakes you up on the endless white beach. A few herbs emphasise the almost sugary sweetness of the drink. Balsen butter biscuits, but also Neapolitans and shortbread. Now toffee is also making its presence felt, oiling the mouth a little and numbing the lips like a spider woman's kiss.

Finish: Every beautiful journey ends, as does this one. The end is a long time coming, slightly warming, very melancholy like a sunset under palm trees, a reminiscence of the first great love, long gone. The longing grows to set off in search of new treasures, a really true gem, thanks to whomsoever.

93/93/94

Maker’s Mark 2024 cellar aged 59,7 %, WB: 261635

Amber, happened to be dark 
Nose: Oops, forgot in the corner, 3h later: Manuka honey, horse sweat, umami, Sunday roast, soy sauce, alcohol tingles gently minty-mentholic tickling. Fermentation vat in the brewery, malty sweet. In the background a few grated coconut with a few grains of vanilla seeds.
Palate: A whole horde of pungency gangs, spreading annoyance and restlessness. Imbalance. Broken Zen. Screwed feng shui. Ginger duels with chili, pepper takes aim at cinnamon, allspice and nutmeg are mere spectators. Rocket and other bitter salad leaves are mixed in. Sweetness? Perhaps something in the salad dressing, sherbety.
Finish: Leaves a hint of bitterness, both on the palate and in the senses. The nose was very promising, however the mouthfeel and finish are disappointing.

89/100