JAMESON GOLD Reserve 40%

Nose:
More bourbon-like than ever with pleasant nutmeg-ish oak shaking hands with the pot-still. A honey-fruit theme grows in stature as the glass becomes warmer.




Palate:
A sort of Yin & Yang experience with two contrasting forces on display. One being a robust alliance of oak and pot-still. The other a fusion of dried fruit, honey and toffee. They proceed to amalgamate in splendid fashion.





Nose:
Figs and stewed apples amidst some nicely balanced wood flavours. A faint echo of pot still at the end.

Comment:
An immaculate balance of flavours with some new oak aging giving it an extra edge. Better than the earlier, slightly spirity bottling. Perhaps not as engrossing as the true pot-stills (Redbreast, Green Spot) but certainly the most enjoyable Jameson that I know of.

Rating: 8,5/10

THE ANTIQUARY 21 years old 43%

Nose:
Dried apricots lead the way, flanked by waxed honey and surprisingly fresh malt. Smoky oak holds up this lovely firmament. Restrained yet beautiful.




Palate:
Gentle honey and apricot/orange marmalade secure the soft qualities, counterbalanced by dry malt and some modest grains. The oak more minty now.



Finish:
Small in size but very concentrated and tasty, first with menthol-ish spices, followed by pronounced orange peel before eventually bowing out with some chewy oak.


Comment:
This is a whisky that grows on you. At first I dismissed it as being too non-descript but as you can see, I have changed my mind. Good blends are very much about exquisite balance and this one achieves that in no uncertain terms.

Rating: 81/4 /10

BUSHMILLS 1608 Anniversary edition 46%

Nose:
Sherry and freshly baked bread, eventually merging into something rosy. Seem to recall it as more vivid when brand new.




Palate:
Sweet and sour fruitiness. Cherries and raspberries. Hefty spices rumble in the background. As smooth as the label promises but certainly not bland. Somewhat oily (or is it the caramel?).




Finish:
Dry candy-laced oak. Quite tasty.


Comment:
A special bottling made for the supposed 400th anniversary. Some quality sherry casks put to good use here.

Rating: 8/10

JOHNNIE WALKER Gold Label The Centenary Blend 18 years old 40%

Nose:
Warm and invigorating honey sweetness. Sophisticated fruit.




Palate:
Delicious creamy texture, indicating a perfect marriage between malt and grain. Less sweet than the nose suggests. Apples and blackberries.





Finish:
A surprising appearance of peat battling it out with the complex grains.


Comment:
One of those bottles where you just know that when it´s empty you have to replace it pronto! The best JW I´ve had in recent times.

Rating: 9/10