Komagatake – Hombo Mars distillery (1988/2014, #557, 58%)
This single cask is from a relatively young distillery, opened in 1985 in a mountain location in the prefecture of Nagano. It looks like one of those first fill ex-bourbon casks, very dark and very full: crazy intensity, every kinds of caramel
and toffee sweets, spices and warm oak. And we’re still nosing it! On the palate it’s a flavors explosion, with spices reaching the zenith. Where are the 58 degrees? Keep it in mind: 90/100.
Kavalan ‘Concertmaster’ Port cask finish (NAS, OB, 40%)
The nose should be half-decent: very simple, notes of red fruit and grape. But the palate is frankly catastrophic: it tastes watery and it gives only a flash of crass sweetness (red fruit and cane sugar), mixed with an unpleasant woodiness. Gentlemen, let’s get serious! 65/100.
Caol Ila 17 yo “Unpeated Style” (2015, OB, 55,9%)
We enjoyed the former edition of the unpeated, we definetely love this one, too. Very intense, deeply mineral and also naked, despite a remarkable sweetness, discrete and subtle, very Highlands-style. Of course, please forget the word “unpeated”: this is peated, just less then usual. Recommended. 87/100
Mortlach 16 yo (1994/2011,Cadenhead’s, 54,2%)
The nose tells us about a Mortlach loyal to the distillery’s profile, a bit dirty as usual, with that unique note of broth. A rather naked whisky. On the palate, same story: malty, vegetal and meaty, with a hint of vanilla and cream to embellish the taste. Coconut, pear, lemon peel. Generally speaking, it’s simple, intense and pleasant. Certainly you must like that light-hearted Mortlachness we definetely appreciate: 86/100.
