We started the expo with an “Imperial 1995” from ”The Ultimate”. A very nice acquaintanceship, both fruity and tasteful.
The second touchdown were a Teeling 21y. The Irish guys have some good stuff here. Twenty years in bourbon casks and finished with one year in sauternes wine casks. The result was not bad at all. Robust nose with a fully rounded and balanced array of flavors.
The third dram was a “Kavalan Solist Bourbon Cask”, not a KWA favorite. Taiwanese made and matured spirit – a single cask bottling from a first-fill bourbon cask. Fruity with lots of woody spice, but not so well balanced.
Our first Whisky test was the “Blackadder Raw Cask” with Robin Tucek. The brands Robin had selected were: Auchentoshan 1991, Glen Garioch 1990, Clynelish 1992, Springbank 1995
Highland Park 1992 and Peat Reek 59,8%. It was an interesting tasting with many good brands. The top notes from KWA go to Clynelish and Auchentoshan. The Glen Garioch was not so popular along the KWA members. Smell and taste which reminds us of a wet woolen cardigan.
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The second test was “Douglas Laing & Co” with Fred Laing. The brands Fred had chosen were:
Glenlivet Sherry Cask 11y Provenance, Invergordon single grain 26y 1988 The Clan Denny, Speyside Sherry Cask 17y Old Particular, Ardbeg & Craigellachie Double Barrel vetted malt, Talisker Young & Feisty Provenance, Bowmore 18y Old Particular, Laphroaig 16y Old Particular.
An interesting series of brands with good quality throughout.
But anyway; in a good competition the KWA favorites were Speyside, Double Barrel and Bowmore. And big hands to Fred Lang for a very good and interesting presentation, Fred seems to know everything about whisky and the whisky business which he told us in a very interesting way.
Back on the expo floor again and time for a new dram: “Blair Athol” 1991 23y from “The Pearls of Scotland”. Not bad but it doesn’t meet expectations of these kind of brand. A single cask at cask strength 23y old really has to taste more…..
And finally time for a last KWA dram at the whiskyexpo 2015; Four Roses Single Barrel limited edition 2013 barrel strength. These kind of brand seems to make everyone in KWA happy: Cherry syrup, caramelized sugar and toffee strike a near perfect balance with the slightly bitter char, tobacco, dark chocolate, pepper, cinnamon, chili and nutmeg in the back. The oak is all over the sip….yeah!
KWA thanks the organizers of “whiskyexpo 2015″ and we are looking
forward to seeing you again in 2016.