Naomi Belshaw Whisky and Music Blog

Ludlow Whisky, Distiller's cut, Cask Edition No. 2, Oloroso Sherry 
Number three and the final one in a series of special edition whisky discussions to celebrate the Three Choirs Festival; July 23rd - 30th 2022 in the wonderful city of Hereford. Writing this while I am now at the festival (see middle picture of Dvorak Requiem from Monday Evening). I say this is truly an amazing festival not to be missed that has been running across Gloucester, Worcester and Hereford cathedrals for more than 300 years. Thus in my last week picking out certain pieces that are to feature at the festival and choosing one of my choice drams to pair with it.... we have
Nunc gaudeant by St Hildegard of Bingen, arranged by composer Stevie Wishart, a composer with roots in improvisation and early music.  She is also a performer on the violin, and hurdy-gurdy, a stringed keyboard instrument going back to medieval times, its strings sounded by the rim of a wheel.  This instrument gives a unique "old-and-new" sound, which resonates in Stevie’s compositions. Hildegard joined the German monestary of Disibodenberg when she was jusy 8 years old and resided there for almost 40 years becoming an abess in 1136, throuout her life she was an insiring spiritual leader, theologian, mystic, scientist and composer. 
The work selected here, Nunc gaudeant will be performed by Voice, an exciting vocal trio who have over the last 15 years have built a fan base across the world for their rarely performed early music, new commissions and varied repertoire. The trio first began singing together as members of the Oxford Girl's Choir before performing the trio in 2006. Their interest in early music also being traced back to their performances of Hildegard which they learnt as members of Stevie Wishart's group Sinfonye, which they also perform in to this day.

Look out for this lovely concert titled Megaphones of the Unheard which will take place at Hereford Cathedral at 11am on Friday 29th July. There is something about early music and A capella vocal sound that in a cathedral space is truly special and something that always moves me greatly when opportunities like this arise.
 Find out more here

The whisky I have chosen to pair with this ageless work is the second small batch release from Wardington's with only 400 bottles, called Wardington's Original Ludlow Whisky ‘Distillers Cut, 2nd Edition, Oloroso Sherry’. It was released just last week on the 22nd July and has sold out already! Ludlow sits at the historical heart of the Welsh Marches, the borderlands between Wales and England. Shaun Ward (Wardington Bear) launched Ludlow Dry Gin in 2018 and had gone on to releasing rum whisky and cocktails. Sean himself has a wonderful background as a continuo player, Director of Music at Holy Trinity Church, Hereford and Ludlow Parish Church.

Vital statistics: This is the second batch of a planned six batches from Ludlow, something to keep an eye on. It is a non-aged statement, the ABV at a standard 42%. This Ludlow Single Malt Spirit is distilled in a wood-fired 200l German column still (the only one in the British Isles) the spirit is double cask matured, then after some time, transfered into a previously used single malt Scottish whisky barrel for finishing which were used for aging bourbon.
Appearance: Is somwhere between white wine, cider and apple juice in colour, hard to pigeon hole.   The legs are rather subtle, if not non existent, suggesting this could be a smooth whisky, not a bad thing at all.
Nose: The aroma on the first nose has a sense of brine, even smoke / smoked wood but then on another nosing I also get fruit notes and it reminds me of a lovely Dundee Cake. 
Flavour: On first taste the immediate hit is smooth and light but leaving my tongue with a peppery warm note that also warms the back of my throat. Taking a second mouthful I taste a sense of wood bourbon notes , a light almost wine like additional flavour and even though there is a mention of Oloroso Sherry there is not any overwhelming sweetness which can sometimes put me off whisky, so rather relieved about that. 
Summary: This is a whisky which is another great edition to Ludlow's whisky collection and there is something in the drink that travels between smooth and light to darker tones that links to this wonderful 12th century piece, the work thought to be celebrating the end of an edict that was limiting the amount of music allowed in daily worship. There is mich to celebrate here with the whisky itself. 

8/10

Lindores Lowland Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Number two in a series of special edition whisky discussions to celebrate the upcoming Three Choirs Festival; July 23rd - 30th 2022 in the wonderful city of Hereford. An amazing festival that has been running across Gloucester, Worcester and Hereford cathedrals for more than 300 years. For the next few weeks I will be picking out certain pieces that are to feature at the festival and choosing one of my choice home drams  to pair with it
This week is Pietà by Richard Blackford, a prolific concert and media composer whose concert works are performed regularly around the world and his music for film and television is broadcast frequently in almost every European country.
The work is a setting of the Stabat Mater (a 13th-century Christian hymn to Mary, which portrays her suffering as Jesus Christ's mother during his crucifixion)  with additional poems by the Russian poet Anna Akhmatova one of Russia's most significant poets of the 20th century. The piece has a very large lineup of mezzo-soprano and baritone soloists, SATB chorus, children’s chorus, full orchestra and solo saxophone.
It was originally commissioned by the Bournemouth Symphony Chorus and St. Albans Choral Society (conductor George Vass) with support from the Nimbus Foundation and first performed on June 22nd, 2019 at The Lighthouse, Poole. It then went on to win an Ivor Novello Composer Award in 2020 for the Choral Category. 
Pieta's performance at the Three Choirs Festival this year will be a fabulous festival premiere on Wednesday 27th July, Hereford Cathedral. A spectacular evening of colourful powerful music, I'll be there!  and the wonderful saxophone soloist Amy Dickson who featured in the original performance and recording of the piece will also feature on the night!
 Find out more here

The whisky I have chosen to pair with this beautifully crafted work is Lindores Whisky which has as interesting a background as the music does. The whisky has recognised links to the earliest written reference to Scotch Whisky over 500 years ago at Lindores Abbey. Back then Aqua Vitae was the known name for whisky and it appears in 1494 in the Exchequer Roll: a Brother John Cor, a Lindores monk, was commissioned by King James IV to turn 8 bolls of malt into Aqua Vitae. 8 Bolls of malt amounts to around 500kg and would have produced about 400 bottles of today’s whisky! 

Vital statistics: This is the first bottling of Lindores Lowland Single Malt Scotch Whisky as the distillery released its first batch in 2021 on the same site where the whisky would have been made at the Abby 500 years ago. They use a strain of barley grown locally on farms surrounding the distillery and the water for their whisky comes from a borehole to draw from the same supply used in 1494. The Abbey was fed by several wells; such as the Abbots well, the Monks well, the Bluidy well and the Witches well. The whisky is matured in a combination of bourbon sherry and wine casks and this is a non-aged statement whisky with an ABV of 46%.
Appearance: Is very apple juice in colour, the whisky having had no colouring added, so this being is its natural tone.   The legs are light and smooth suggesting this is a lighter whisky overall. 
Nose: The aroma of the dram is mellow and soft compared to others I have shared recently and there is a scent of almonds and vanilla and also fruitiness in another direction
Flavour: This is for me a great all weather whisky it has a smooth texture, but soon becomes peppery and spicy on the tongue reminding me of the drama in the music, as the flavour lingers longer on the palate you get wood notes which must link to the tine spent in a bourbon cask. Simultaniosly I get hit by soft apple notes in the background, very mich like an apple creme brulee I like to make at home.
Summary: This is a whisky which links wonderfully to the origins of whisky itself and monastic tradition 500 years ago whilst the music harks back the setting of hymn that also goes back more than 500 years. I echo the link of old and new with both whisky and music. Richard Blackford writing a modern beautiful emotive setting to the Stabat Mater in 2019 and Lindores Abbey distillery producing its first whisky in 2021, both beautifully marrying history with our present in a very appealing way.
Here I share the 9th and final movement of Pietà which shows all the drama and beauty which is echoed across the much larger work in 9 movements, I very much look forward to hearing this live at the festival in a couple of weeks and meet the composer himself.

8/10

Talisker Skye Single Malt Scotch Whisky 

This is the first of a series of special edition whisky discussions that I am doing to celebrate the upcoming Three Choirs Festival. in July 2022 which this year will be in the wonderful city of Hereford. An amazing festival that has been running across Gloucester, Worcester and Hereford cathedrals for more than 300 years. For the next few weeks I will be picking out certain pieces that are to feature at the festival and choosing one of my choice home drams  to pair with it
This week is Quo Vadis by George Dyson (the composer not vacuum cleaner)
The work was originally written for the Three Choirs Festival in Hereford in 1939, but had its first performance cancelled due to the outbreak of WWII, and was only given its première in Hereford 7 years later. The work is further subtitled ‘A Cycle of Poems’, and charts one's journey through life and the afterlife, using a tapestry of  poems from the greats including Wordsworth, Walter Raleigh,  Blake, George Herbert, Shelley and many more. 
It is exciting to have the piece back at the festival this year, performed in it's original form on Monday 25th July, find out more here

The whisky I have chosen to pair with this extensive and substantial piece is a Talisker whisky, one of my favourite and most versatile whiskies originating from the Isle of Skye in Scotland. 
Vital statistics: This version of Talisker is named Talisker Skye it was first released in early 2015, named after the beautiful island from where it comes. It is matured in a combination of refill and toasted American oak casks, with a slightly higher proportion of toasted casks. Probably introduced alongside the better known Talisker 10 as a non aged statement whisky perhaps as whisky demand in recent years has forced whisky distilleries to change their model of releasing. It has an ABV of of 45.8%.
Appearance: Is a dark caramel colour like stewed apples, tor the syrup for tarte tatin.   The legs leave a distinct line on the side of the glass, it is a semi viscous  consistency, suggesting perhaps some oil richness that will linger on the palate when you taste it.
Nose: The aroma of the dram is immediately apparent, rum and raisin to me, fresh citrus notes, definately heading towards a lovely Christmas cake., with an over tone of a salty breeze as if one is at the coast, perhaps my imagination as I love the coast in Scotland so much. 
Flavour: The opening flavour is strong and spicy, you get a dual tone of flavour with this Talsiker, lower notes of sea salt and almost brine on the edge of tongue and a softer note of caremel in the middle. As the dram expands it can hit a little harshly at the back of the throat with a slightly peaty note (please add a drop of water as an option), but as the dram is consumed you are left with a warm note across your chest, like cosying up by the fire in winter, or lying in the sun on a summers afternoon. The whisky is a great palate cleanser entising you to take another sip if you dare.
Summary: This is a whisky that will always be on my whisky shelf. It has a wonderful combination of sea salt and caramel which is one of my favourites in a whisky. I feel this is therefore a wonderful whisky to pair with Quo Vadis; a piece designed to achieve visionary heights, it is an ultimately a whisky that creates a deep vivid vision and has a complex set of flavours to fill the imagination.  Quo Vadis, with  colourful orchestration and fine melodies, charts our journey through life and the afterlife, philosophically Talisker is a whisky I would take with me through this life and beyond... And as a work of 90 mins and 9 movements I would take the whole bottle with you now.
 Here I share the 5th movement of the work which gives a wonderful sense of the piece as a whole; with beautiful serene soloistic and chorus passages alongside sublime orchestral wrtiting.

7.5/10

Wardington's Original Ludlow Whisky - Distillers Cut 1st Edition 

This whisky is a very special new release. In fact so new and special, the first edition is already sold out! The story about how I came to learn about this whisky is beautifully linked to music, so feel I must share. I am currently vice-Chair of the Three Choirs Festival. An amazing festival that has been running across Gloucester, Worcester and Hereford cathedrals for more than 300 years. This July I was so excited to be going to support all the music and seeing everyone coming back to live music after almost a year and a half of a pandemic. That in itself was very special. Then on top of that, I came across a wonderful gin stall being run by Ludlow Gin, I actually complained that I'd rather have a whisky and to my wonderful surprise they informed me on the down-low that later in 2021 they were about to release their first whisky.... They especially brought some in for me to taste. Which made the rest of the festival week just a dream! I would also point out for those classical music lovers out there, Ludlow Gin currently have a fantastic partnership with the Philharmonia Orchestra in London, who currently have their own bespoke gin if you want to try that too!
Vital statistics: This whisky is a small batch release of only 400 bottles, called Wardington's Original Ludlow Whisky ‘Distillers Cut, 1st Edition’. Ludlow sits at the historical heart of the Welsh Marches, the borderlands between Wales and England. Shaun Ward (Wardington Bear) launched Ludlow Dry Gin in 2018, Sean himself has a wonderful background as a continuo player, Director of Music at Holy Trinity Church, Hereford and Ludlow Parish Church. I have never found a more wonderful link between my love of music and whisky. To the left here is a picture I took of Sean with his wonderful new Steinway in his home next to Hereford Cathedral while I was drinking said whisky. So back to the whisky. It is a non-aged statement, the ABV at a standard 42%. This Ludlow Single Malt Spirit is distilled in a wood-fired 200l German column still (the only one in the British Isles) the spirit is double cask matured, then after some time, transfered into a previously used single malt Scottish whisky barrel for finishing. The next edition, batch 2 is due out in April 2022.
Appearance: Is a pale yellow that almost could be mistaken for white wine.   The legs have a distinct appearance as you move the liquid around the glass, the line is very clear but the liquid moves swiftly, this dram less oily than some of my recent tastings. 
Nose: The aroma of the dram starts lightly, I feel a touch of citrus orange and lemon followed by almonds. I get wonderfully fresh notes, nothing too medicinal, in fact so much so I would almost have this is the aroma I'd like for my next fabric softener.
Flavour: The opening flavour is caramel, orange blossom and honey. so lovely and sweet, but not sickly sweet. I can sense sugar and it reminds me of my favourite sweets growing up, 'Jelly Tots' in orange and lemon flavour (my favourite flavours). After the initial tones rest on the palate I feel it reminds me of heather honey with just a very subtle hint of peat at the back of my throat. There is a clean freshness to this whisky with a real pleasant warmth and a great length of finish. A whisky I think I could probably drink any time of day!
Summary: This is a whisky that will always have a special place in my heart. Not perhaps for being the most outrageous, or most groundbreaking English whisky, (and maybe one is starting to get tired of the myriad of releases from Bimber). But having met Shaun, knowing his love for music and whisky, sitting in the close of Hereford Cathedral look towards Elgar's statue and the cathedral I feel music and whisky and history are linked here: that my loves of history (archaeology), music and whisky are being brought together.  I, therefore, have chosen one of my favourite ensembles from the Three Choirs Festival in 2021 for the musc offering - The Marian Consort. Their debut was a huge success with audiences and the piece I have chosen is an excerpt of Miserere mei, Deus (a setting of Psalm 50) by Italian composer Gregorio Allegri. The piece was composed in the 1630s originally for exclusive use in the Sistine Chapel in Rome. It is now one of the most frequently recorded pieces of late Renaissance music. Like the whisky, this music started as a small batch only able to be heard by a select number of people. The purity of sound of the piece I feel mirrors the clarity in timbre of this new whisky from Ludlow and I hope like the music, which has remained popular for centuries,  Ludlow Gin and Whisky will garner a name for itself over time, this is certainly a whisky I would happily drink time and time again.  

8/10

Chichibu Japanese Whisky

This whisky is from a special bottling from the Scottish Malt Whisky Society, formed in 1983, their mission is to seek out whisky in its purest form prizing flavour above all and giving each bottling a curious name. Hence this whisky actually being named 'New Flavours from a Distant Land'. This is a distant whisky, from a country where I think they make whisky which is on a par with the quality of some of the best Scottish single malts. If you have never tried Japanese whisky it really is worth checking out. I again got to try this a few weeks ago at my specialist private whisky club the Pacific Whisky Society but I saved most of the dram I received in the post to celebrate today, which is my birthday in UK Lockdown!
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Vital statistics: This whisky is from the Japanese distillery Chichibu and is 7 years old (2012). As mentioned before it was specially bottled for the Scottish Malt Whisky Society, 1 of just 184 bottles from a 1st fill Ex-Bourbon barrel. The ABV is high at 61%. Chichibu distillery in Saitama, Japan was opened in 2008, and was the country’s first new distillery since Suntory opened Hakushu back in 1973. Chichibu was the brainchild of Ichiro Akuto, grandson of the founder of the legendary Hanyu distillery. The Ichiro’s Malt brand appeared in 2005 and rose to fame through the bottling of the last casks from Hanyu, particularly the sought after ‘Card’ series. Interestingly this whisky sold for more than £800 on whisky auction recently!
Appearance: Is a light amber hue almost reminding me of apple juice. The legs which I am always going on about, are very defined on the side of the glass. This hints towards the strength of the dram and that it could be oily in nature. 
Nose:  On closer inspection noting the aroma of the dram it has an amazing sense of tropical fruits. It also makes me think of freshly baked banana bread or even a Christmas pudding doused in rum instead of brandy. There is no overpowering flavour of strong alcoholic spirit. There is a touch of almond flavour as well. Overall a very enticing aroma to lead you to the tasting itself.
Flavour: This is such a grand majestic whisky it is hard to try and unpick everything in the flavour, but the tropical notes come out nicely in the flavour. This is followed by a huge smack of heat across the tongue and to the back of the throat, though this heat is not harsh, it is truly warm, comforting and inviting. 
Summary: This was a fabulous whisky to rival any great Scottish single malt, I only wish I had more to drink. I unfortunately finished my last dram in writing this. It is a whisky of great decadence that is strong yet very drinkable without water even at 61% ABV! And it is so complex and interesting in flavour you would not think it was only 7 years old. Infact in our blind tasting, many of us thought it might actually be a Scottish whisky!  For pairing with music this week, I feel it would have been too easy just to pick a piece of music linking to the far east. Instead, I have picked a traditional track arranged by a 19th-century composer and living classical cellist where the melodies and playing is extremely rich and inviting and very soulful. I thought this was very fitting for such a splendid whisky. Thus I have chosen Traditional: Deep River (Arr. Coleridge-Taylor, Kanneh-Mason). Until next time....

9/10

Cadenhead’s Robust Smoky Embers Blend Batch #3

This whisky is from the independent whisky bottler Cadenhead's , founded in Aberdeen in 1842. Yes this is a blended whisky, but not all blends are bad! I had the honour of trying it for the first time yesterday evening at specialist private whisky club called the Pacific Whisky Society (I can tell you no more about them as it is a secret society!)
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Vital statistics: This batch is a vatting of some of the heavyweight Islay whisky's Ardbeg, Bowmore and Caol Ila, which have been vatted (blended together) for 21 years and then received a 2nd maturation in a sherry hogshead for 4 years. This is the 3rd release in this series. The whisky is 25 years in age, bottled in 2017, with a 46% ABV. 
Appearance: Is a deep amber liquid, for some reason reminding me of resin which might trap a mosquito, like in Jurassic Park. The character of the spirit on the glass is a well-defined leg, leaving a clean line along the glass where it has touched; suggesting this might have some weight behind this whisky.
Nose:  The aroma of this dram gives me notes of butterscotch, apples and perhaps even banana bread. In another moment I get a hint of brine and maybe distant seaweed but it is very light 
Flavour: When sampling this whisky,  I can't help but be surprised about the depth and roundness of the flavour and yet at the same time how subtle it is. As it builds to the finish you are hit by a light smokey edge that is in no way harsh but warming and comforting. Like a cashmere blanket on am autumn evening. This is an incredibly smooth whisky with a huge array of flavour.  From smooth almost quality street chocolates in a mix to the distant taste of brine.
Summary: This was a fascinating whisky to try especially on first tasting it was a blind tasting so I had no idea what was in the dram and that it wasn't even a single malt whisky! I think the most shocking discovery was that there were three Islay whiskies involved and yet the lightness of the peat never really suggested the likes of Caol Ila or Ardbeg would be part of the makeup. For pairing with music this week, I feel I need to mirror the feeling of great strength and weight in charachter that is only subtly present and on surface listen the piece would seem light and innocent to begin with but in the depths of the music lies a hidden steel which makes a great piece that has huge depth. I have therefore chosen today Benjamin Britten's Four Sea Interludes from "Peter Grimes". Until next time....

8/10

Dalwhinnie 15 year old

A traditional Single Malt Scotch Whisky from the highest distillery in Scotland. This is a whisky I have known for many years and return to again and again. It was wonderfully gifted to me by composer Mhairi Hall this week after we worked together on her 'Airs' album earlier this year.  

Vital statistics: 15-year-old highland single malt scotch whisky, from a distillery that was founded in 1898.  bottled at 43% alc./vol 
Appearance: Is an amber-orange liquid, reminding me of a mead or honey nectar. The character of the spirit on the glass is a delicate leg, leaving a discernable imprint coating. this leads me to think (as I actually already know) this is a more delicate dram, than the heady peaty whiskies of Islay.
Nose:  The aroma of this dram gives me notes of oranges and lemons. In another moment it reminds me of a heather honey and rum bananas. 
Flavour: When sampling a taste of this whisky,  it builds on the palate so delightfully slowly. It reminds me of heather honey that I like to spread on my past for breakfast on some days. Yet this whisky in never thankfully oversweet it is balanced with vanilla tones, citrus notes and a nice rounded body to the dram with a light pepper sensation on the tongue. The finish is long and lingering, comfortingly warm. 
Summary: This is a whisky I remember way back when I was studying Prehistoric archaeology in Scotland. I took a trip with my PhD supervisor to go stay on the Isle of Skye to look at limpets and prehistoric remains. On the way ere we passed the Dalwhinnie distillery. I distinctly remember it as the first distillery I saw but didn't get a chance to visit as we were in a  hurry get the Island. I remember my disappointment followed by seeing a stag high on the hills ahead of us like in a dream. Quite a memorable moment. I still haven't been to the distillery and must rectify that one day, but for now this is a dram I love to revisit and is available in so many pubs across the UK. So if you don't know whisky well and are looking for something more adventurous than a Glenfiddich you can't go wrong here. For pairing with music this week, I would like to give a nod to Mhairi and her latest album which was a joy to work on together and I have chosen a beautiful nostalgic track called St Kilda that lilts and ebbs just like the whisky itself. Please do sit back and enjoy and I'll get thinking on what I want to drink next.

8/10

Pike Creek, Canadian Whisky

A Canadian whisky I came across at a whisky tasting at the excellent Soho Whisky Club, 3 years ago. My my, is that an establishment I am missing right now with all the people who frequent it!

Vital statistics: 10-year-old select oak-aged Canadian Whisky that has been finished in rum barrels, bottled at 42% alc./vol 
Appearance: Is an amber-brown, reminding me of fondant caramel. The character on the side of the glass is not quite a leg but a stocking.  As I try to infer something of the strength of the whisky, suggesting this is a lighter whisky than some of my last samplings. 
Nose:  The aroma of this dram reminds me of sugar cane, Christmas cake and touches of vanilla. In another scent also slightly orangy.
Flavour: When you taste this dram it begins withs slight pepperiness on the tongue then it really opens up with caramel with a tiny touch of salt, warming your mouth and throat and then stomach as it goes down. A very pleasant sensation this whisky is full-bodied and smooth, perhaps lacking finesse or complexity in developing flavour, but the punch of the whisky as a whole is to my liking as is the price. 
Summary: I think people sometimes underestimate how much great whisky there is outside Scotland, have you tried Indian, Taiwanese or Japanese whisky or even English whisky? This is a great everyday whisky for me; an incomplex but I but enjoyable dram if I was to pair it with any music I would choose something Joyful and perhaps over before you know it; Bernstein and the overture from Candide comes to mind right now. Enjoy and see you here again soon! 

7/10 

Penderyn Celt, Single Malt Welsh Whisky

A welsh whisky I have had in my collection since 2017 and came across by accident at the very excellent Classical Music Festival Presteigne one night in a lock-in at a local pub!

Vital statistics:  A single malt whisky from the only distillery in Wales, Penderyn. Non-chill filtered and bottled at 41% alc./vol 
Appearance: a very light colouring that looks like grape juice hue, perhaps even lighter than the Kilhoman from last time. The viscosity is higher with quite a lot clinging to the edge of the glass as you move it around, suggesting an oily whisky. 
Nose:  The aroma of this dram is reminiscent of marzipan, almonds and beeswax, not suggesting any hint of peat, lovely and fragrant. 
Flavour: When you taste the whisky it comes alive slowly, at first it seems light and sweet on the palate then as you swallow it is clear there is a much stronger whisky sitting behind the initial tasting. The back of the throat is truly warmed and the flavour is earthy. For me, the whisky seems delightfully rounded with a light flavour of molasses followed by a slight salty brine and the hit of smoke at the back of the mouth like smoked cheese or light cigar.
Summary: I was a fan of the original Penderyn when it first came out in my local supermarket and if the rumours are true about the inclusion of Laphroaig in this whisky conversely that is a whisky I would not normally buy. But in combination, they make a wonderful dram that I would drink on a regular basis. If I was to pair it with any music I might choose Dobrinka Tabakova: Concerto for Violincello and Strings, mvmt. II which has depth in the writing to match the depth of the whisky.

8/10 

Kilchoman Machir Bay, UK Land Rover UK Tour 2015 bottling 
A whisky I have had in my collection since 2016 and I only drink sparingly because I know how good it is! 
Also in honour of this new German research which suggests whisky is good for you in the corona pandemic - Read here

Vital statistics:  An Islay single malt scotch whisky, from Kilchoman, the self-confessed mad hatter tea party distiller of this famous island for whisky. It is non Chill-filtered and natural colour, bottled at cask strength  at 49% alc./vol 
Appearance: a Light golden hue, almost looking similar to a white wine. How viscous and oily is the whisky, it has defined legs but it looks very light. 
Nose:  The hit you get when you smell the aroma is so different from the appearance. I smell hints of grass, brine and salt. If you dip in too intensely you can get a hint that this is cask strength and can smell the alcohol a bit like a chemistry set. 
Flavour: For me where this whisky comes to life is in the tasting, it is complex on the palate. This is not a whisky for the faint-hearted, as soon as you taste it the first thing that hits you is a heavy smoke that builds in your mouth,  you almost feel you are thrown into a fire but then you get subtleties of sweetness and savoury combined perfectly. I also love the lingering finish which is so spicy and warm as it goes down.
Summary: I always love whiskies which leave me with a warm hug almost like I am sitting by a winter fireside and I love the way it is so peaty it almost feels like popping candy in the mouth. some people might like to add a few drops of water to taste to open up the whisky, but I like this neat. This is a main course of a whisky and if I was to pair it with any music I might choose maybe something weighty like Shostakovich's 10th symphony 2nd movement.

10/10 

Signatory Vintage, Glenlivet, Vintage 2007
A special whisky bought for me as my 2020 birthday present from WildKat PR!

Vital statistics: The Un-Chillfiltered Collection, Signatory Vintage, distilled at Glenlivet Distillery, Vintage 2007, 12 yrs, bottled 2019, 46% vol. Matured in a first Fill Sherry Butt
Appearance: Dark golden honey colour, with only light legs, not such a viscous oily whisky
Nose: A hint of almonds, sweet chocolate like Quality Street, faint sandalwood and butterscotch 
Flavour: A sweet overtone at the first taste that then grows and develops on your palate to a fully rounded whisky with a lovely spicy finish. Reminds me of caramel which has been finished with a hint of chilli, leaving a warm feeling in the mouth as you drink
Summary: Essentially a yummy whisky which is totally up my street, almost leaning towards salted caramel with a long flavour as you drink; perfect as a nightcap that if I was thinking of music I might pair with the Swan of Tuonela, op. 22 no. 3 by the Finnish composer Jean Sibelius.

9/10 

25th July 2022

Ludlow Whisky, Distiller's cut, Cask Edition No. 2, Oloroso Sherry

15th July 2022

Lindores Lowland Single Malt Scotch Whisky

6th July 2022

Talisker Skye Single Malt Scotch Whisky

3rd December 2021

Wardington's Original Ludlow Whisky - Distillers Cut 1st Edition

11th February 2021

Chichibu Japanese Whisky

18th August 2020

Cadenhead’s Robust Smoky Embers Blend Batch #3

26th June 2020

Dalwhinnie 15 year old

14th May 2020

Pike Creek, Canadian Whisky

23rd April 2020

Penderyn Celt, Single Malt Welsh Whisky

10th April 2020

Kilchoman Machir Bay, UK Land Rover UK Tour 2015 bottling

2nd April 2020

Signatory Vintage, Glenlivet, Vintage 2007