The Scotchman

Distilled:1992, Bottled:2005

No mention about the amount of time in each, but the second maturation is in port casks. Wow! I’ve had the Glenmorangie port finish and this is smoother, oilier, lighter, and extremely sweet. Slightly smokey as is characteristic of Cragganmore. The port brings out a little more floral tones. As mentioned the whisky is oily and has a light finish. The nose suggests there is more, but the finish leaves one wanting. Perhaps too light. Still, I may purchase this one again. It is very good after a dinner of beef tips with mushroom and onions in a white wine reduction.

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Less rich then the 12 yro double wood. Still, quite sweet and full bodied.

• Colour: Light gold.
• Nose: Light. Slight pepper. Citrus. Old oranges and apples.
• Palate: Sweet but definitely acidic.

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The distiller says Caol Ila 12yro is less pungent than its neighbors. The neighbors undoubtably are Lagavulin and Laphroig and a couple of others. This whisky is very similar in many respects to Lagavulin. It differs in intensity and richness. The Caol Ila is most certainly a lighter whisky. Even the color indicates a lightness. The light flavor hits you from the start. On the first sip, for an instant, I was reminded of the citrus character of the Glenlivet 18 yro. However, that impression quickly faded into the peat and smoke. The nose is light, sweet, peat, and smoke. I find the nose on this one more balanced that the Lagavulin in that there is not so much of a left over campfire essence.

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I finally returned to something I love to do: hiking in the Great Smokey Mountains National Park. I took along The Macallan 21 to celebrate. Ah, the smell of that alpine forest air is unique and brings back lots of hiking memories. The scotch was superb. The 21 fine oak is a little lighter yet more smokey than the sherry finished offerings. A perfect choice for a reunion with friends in the aptly named park. The smoke of the campfire only added to the my enjoyment of the scotch. Alas, I managed to drink it all. It holds up well, does not numb the tongue and may be enjoyed neat over the course of an evening.

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Nose: Vanilla and citrus,

Palate: Lightly oily, citrus, vanilla. Takes a while to develop. This whisky is much lighter than the 12yro sherry finish.

I find the Macallan 15 to be light (in taste and color) and fruity compared to the 12yro with out the extra woodiness.

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