Norman

9.1

Cooper’s Choice MacDuff 16yr (2003) 51% ABV. Dark in color but light on the nose. Wood and alcohol. It’s thick on the palate with a pleasant but firm grip. It’s full mouth punch but not a lot of flavor showing. The finish lasts for a while but kinda one note. It’s good but not extraordinary. — 4 months ago

Jim McCusker

9.4

Probably my favorite from The Balvenie, this port wood-finished single malt has a great sherry character along with a sweetness, hint of smoke, and just enough bite (without any warer addition) to allow it to open up on the palate and show off some great retro aromatics. Long, lingering finish. Fantastic. — 8 years ago

with Vanessa

Aaron Tan

9.6

Burnt caramel, fruit cake, brine, vegetal perhaps, wood, malt, and a good dose of smoke. Thanks to GC for this amazing drop!

Note: High Spirits is an Italian independent bottler owned by Ferdinando (Nadi) Fiori, which specialises in single cask single malts bottled at cask strength. This bottling is part of the Loch and Castles of Scotland series (No 4 of 18), sporting some beautiful old prints of the subject-in-question on the front label. Incidentally, bottle no 4 of 326 (and 18 mags). Distilled 1995, bottled 2005. Ex-port cask. Springbank Distillery, Campbeltown.

From the whisky whiz KL's IG, although I didn't exactly get the same notes (much to learn here; KL tasted the exact same bottle): A very unique nose. Quite vegetal, capsicum, with a touch of smoke. Rather tight. Palate is sweet and syrupy, vegetal, earthy, and malty. Left to open in the glass for 10 to 15 min, and that's when the magical Springbank character appeared. Beautiful and elegant. Lots of port character. — 8 years ago

Norman

9.5

This has a decent amount of peat on it. Rich with some punch. I’m liking this a lot but it’s almost an after dinner drink as opposed to before. 7yr Bourbon Barrel, 4yr fresh Tawny Port Barrels 57.5% — a year ago

Tara Rowland

9.7

One of the best Sherry’s I’ve ever had. Barrel aged, rich Olo 🔥 — 6 years ago

Edmond Bordelon

9.5

Vanilla and toasted caramel notes. Smooth and medium viscosity. You get a little of the Port finish at the end. When in St Augustine, drink what the successful pirates drink. This is not Captain Morgan's. — 8 years ago

with Katherine

Devin Bray

8.9

Not nearly so gorgeous and smooth and full of red fruit as the justly lauded 21, but still an excellent scotch on a budget, full of subtle port notes, rustic oak, and a nice lasting burn. — 10 years ago

Norman

9.4

6th and final of the night. Please. Now that the pre-flight tasting is over we start the wine ;) 2nd if the peats. It’s got smoke but I have changed over the years and started to really like that. This is really good. Drink all night? No. This is a great finish to the tasting and to be clear stuck with me for a while. — 4 years ago

Bill Bender

9.5

A blend of 6 and 16 year old whiskey. Finished in port barrels and there is an unmistakable red wine nose plus some cherry/raspberry flavor in the mix. Thought provoking rye for the wine lover. Velvety smooth with minimal bite. — 7 years ago

Michael McNabb

9.5

Sitting in a bar in Tokyo chatting up the bartender and he poured this for me (free of charge) as it was one of his rarest bottles of scotch. What a treat! Blessed! — 9 years ago