MrWizard's Ramblings

What? Has it been another break? Well I was away! So no reviews while away from home. Rejoice, there’s going to be a theme to this review set.

Here’s a sample set from a Gordon & Macphail (G&M) (for some reason I pronounce it like Mac-fail, haha I’m funny) “Connoisseur’s Choice” bottles that were picked by K&L Wines. Honestly they were too expensive for my wallet to pick up individually. Sadly I’m only willing to afford tiny 1oz samples.

Glenlivet 20, G&M, K&L SP, 55.3%
A Glenlivet distilled in 2003, cask #800366, aged in 2nd Refill Ex-Bourbon barrels. On the nose, light honeycomb, fruits, delicate flowers. The palate is medium-thin, malty, sweet, somewhat waxy and fruity. Alcohol has nowhere to hide here. The aftertaste is reasonably short and peppery with peppermint at the very end. Overall: This is reminiscent of Old Malt Cask bottlings. The skeleton is there but not much to really back it up from a 2nd fill, nearly spent wood. Unadulterated malt purist’s dream pour? Likely. Is it enjoyable? Yes. Is it amazing? No. Value: Priced at 170, I didn’t buy it. Most G&M Bottlings are unfortunately past my ‘value’ mark. This should have been an old malt cask.
This: https://www.klwines.com/p/i?i=1715667
Score: B

Clynelish 16, G&M, K&L SP, 55%
A Clynelish from 2007, cask #311259, aged in a single refill sherry hogshead. Nose: Very fruity and waxy, leaning towards appleskin cologne. Palate is surprisingly alcohol-forward for the age, not too sweet, with more apple skins, pronounced nutiness that doesn’t overwhelm. Aftertaste: Spicy, unsweetened, peppery, nearly metallic and slightly ashy towards the end. Water makes it waxy and delicious by taking off that edge. Overall: This is an interesting and agile pour. I didn’t expect such untamed ferocity of flavors from 16 years of age but here we are. Certainly should come with a flavor-bomb warning even if it’s clearly not a sherry bomb. It’s also darn good with water. Value: Eeeeh $180?… make it 150 and I’ll consider it, maybe. Make it 135 and it’d be a buy!
This: https://www.klwines.com/p/i?i=1715661
Score: A- (w/ water)

Caol Ila 20, G&M, K&L SP, 53.9%
A Caol Ila from 2002, cask #8378, aged 1st fill ex-bourbon barrel. To be honest I’m expecting good things. Nose got a whiff of sulfur together with prominent sweet and salty smoke. There’s something industrial about how it smells, kind of a pleasant version of burning plastic insulation. The palate is certainly full-flavored, lots of vanilla oak, powerful sweet spices, dask citrus oil, smoked meats. Aftertaste lasts and lasts, seemingly forever with gently sweet smoke notes. Slight ash bitterness in the very end, but I’m sure experts will say that’s expected. Overall: I’m having a hard time stopping to write this review and simply want to sit back to enjoy and savor this while my little sample lasts. This is a good one. Value: Priced at 170 in a 1st fill, is still somewhat over my budget here but starting to get mighty tempting when I rate something as high as this.
This: https://www.klwines.com/p/i?i=1715666
Score: A

Bunnahabhain 14, G&M, K&L SP, 53.9%
Bunnahabhain from 2009, cask #18600103, aged in 2nd fill sherry hogshead. This is peated Bunna which isn’t uncommon with IBs. While this starts smoky in the glass after a bit the smoke balances out with refill sherry dried fruit dusted with raw sugar. Palate brings strong peat, sweetness, citrus oils, some earthiness and lots of baking spices, some tobacco notes. The more I drink it the more I enjoying it. Longish aftertaste that’s filled with slowing fading palate notes, no surprises here. It finishes pleasantly sweet and not at all bitter. Overall: Enjoyable and very wild bottling. The nose and the palate are nearly diametric opposites here, yet somehow manage to bring a complete pour that is a journey and not a disaster. It’s almost like every note is a primary note without becoming a mess. Drinks somewhat underproof too. I dig it, though it’s peated. Value: Priced at 150, as usual, I struggle to call it a bargain.
This: https://www.klwines.com/p/i?i=1715662
Score: A-

Ledaig 17, G&L, K&L SP, 54.3%
Ledaig from 2005, cask #18600201, aged in 2nd fill sherry hogshead. Ledaig is the peated Tobermory and/or Tobermory is unpeated Ledaig. The nose got smoked active sherry, regardless of the 2nd fill or not, cured meats. The palate is peppered smoked meat in spades, burnt candied fruit, pronounced smoked almonds. Medium length aftertaste with more of the same from the palate plus slightly drying ashyness. Overall: Clean, smoky, meaty bottling that’s enjoyable but also not quite my preferred pour by leaning too much into smoke character. Value: Priced at 160. I’ll pass.
This: https://www.klwines.com/p/i?i=1715665
Score: B+
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Scoring Breakdown: https://www.aerin.or … age=scores_breakdown