A sample of mystery and mystical smoke

Samples are a fun way to extend your whisky experience to a new level. Your resources also usually like samples, because they cost a lot less than the whole bottle. But of course, if you like the sample then you might want the whole bottle. Decisions, decisions.. But they are also fun, since you get to taste a lot more whiskies than you otherwise would have access to. And on the top, it is fun to get a mystery sample from a friend to try.

I have no idea of whatsoever what this one is. Most likely I will hear it after publishing the post.

The nose in the glass is not that strong. Smoky, yes, but not too thick or immersive. However, when I did got it’s breath directly from the sample bottle it is something totally different. Intense, extremely smoky like burying your nose into yet warm ashes where also sausages and pepperoni are smoldering. And yes, that nose is the one that strikes me with a real power boost. It is quite rare to find out that in a bottle the nose is this much stronger. Perhaps there are some spills or remains, but nevertheless the bottle’s nose is incredible.

The palate is extremely oily and smoky. The oiliness and the bottle smoke is strongly present. Peat flows in my mouth like a molten lava erupting from the Etna. Unstoppable combination that burns, but is nicely majestic to follow. The second sip starts with the sweet oiliness, before changing into peaty oil. Strong and powerful, I’d estimate this is between 50-56% in strength.

What remains, is the magnificent oil and smoke. The lava hardens into a black rock field that slowly falls into a water with a big hiss. I don’t know what this is, but it is a wonderful and a good dram. Works for me.

UPDATE: the mystery was Laphroaig (The Ultimate, 56.9%, 2000, 10 yo, CS)

A Mystery Speyside that takes it tasty and peaty

It is always a delight to receive a new whisky bottle. This time I was surprised with a real mystery, that was stirred by people-in-between who don’t really know much about whisky. And they don’t have to, but it might take a while before I know what this one is. What I know, is that it is directly from a cask.. The shop, where the cask was among others, is in Nuremberg, Germany. So, it is straight from the cask. But with 40% ABV most likely it is not a single cask dram. It is of Speyside origin, with a nice amount of peat in it. And it is a blended malt, so I can suppose those malts are of Speyside origin. The age statement is 10 years, so the youngest malt vatted in the casks should be 10 years old. A true mystery.
It is nicely oily and has a strong peat nose in it. Some smokiness, some lemon pepper and a fine amount of stories from those old medieval castles, which have cold floors and damp rooms during the winter.
The palate is classy, like a victorian age big chair. It has broidery, figures, stylish cuts and lots of taste. Not weak by any means, but a big lit fireplace in the corner that keeps the room warm. The flames produce light that dances on those ancient walls and stones. There are no sounds, but the crackle of fire. Pepper is absent, instead a light smoke accompanies peat and fruits with some elegantly aged spices. This one is gentle and it is not longing to dash into a battle anymore. It enjoys the moments of peace and looks at the big moon with a wide smile.
The finish is long, compared to most vatted malts. It has a lots of peat in it, thus it keeps the strong characteristics until the final breath. In the end, the slight tingle remains on the tongue. Not bad, not bad at all. One more excellent Speyside to be scribed into my scroll of drams. 

The strange little vial named “B”

Swapping samples is usually fun and a practice commonly shared with fellow bloggers – at least in Finland. No money, just an eagerness to hear what other writers (or whisky drammers generally) like about some uisge beathas. There are samples, which you know. And then there are samples, which are either numbered or labeled. This one was with a letter “B”. I think, it is not a half-B and it is not named Eric. But it does have a twist.

It has been a hot summer in Finland. And while my phone updates itself I can finally concentrate on writing something new – about the (half) B. As said, it’s been a wonderful summer here in Finland. Just shortly after the start of July it has been sunny, thunderous and hot. And I got this sample in June. Naturally, since I was busy with other mundane stuff like roof bricks and Midsummer Eve Whisky, I of course forgot this sample into a car’s glove compartment. It was there roughly a month and a half, boiling and gathering new characteristics. I just think, this one is not the same sample as it was when I got it from the Mushimalt. But there is not stopping now!

The nose is interesting. And this time in a good way. There are very familiar scents and feelings with this one. Mostly it reminds of a bourbon but not as a bourbon as I knew it at it’s worst.

The palate clears away the feeling of Scotch. It feels more like a bourbon. Not clean, rough, vanilla and dryness. Perhaps this is rye whisky. While tasting, there is a strong scent of grain and/or rye. The rough grain emerges more, once you get onto third sip. Grain produces a interesting memory of granary on a countryside.

The afterwards experience is something like a mix of moonshine, rye, barley and promise of the good party. The fading memory of events in the granary do emerge. This is not bad, but this one is not my favorite either. This kind of dram would serve nicely with a spicy fish food or barbequed chicken.

Blackadder Peat Reek Raw Cask will take you beyond any event horizon .. with a cunning plan

Blackadder. The name rings a bell. He was the man who sold you this map – for a good price. He was the one, he just couldn’t take the easy journey because of his lungs and heart. “it is easy coin. Just equip for a two week hike and find the lair. It would be a shame to left all the treasure just to wait for anybody random average peasant”. Yes, I did buy the story. It cost me all my accumulated wealth – but he was kind enough to sell me some gear with a lower price. So what do I have now. I have a sword, that is not made of steel. The first hit made it break – it was a decoration. I have a shield, that seems to be sturdy enough. My rations were old and wormy. I should have realized to turn back, before it was too late. But I was too greedy. I followed the map, starting to believe there is nothing. I was wrong. There is a treasure. Lots of it. But the bad side, is that I walked in smiling. There is, of course, a guardian. A huge dragon who has played with me and lured me into a corner. I am afraid, this one is not as easily fooled as the Smaug was. This one will have a hot fire breath that has some acid in it too. One last breath and a the final spell in my pocket is about to do it’s “here comes nothing”.

The raw punch with gentle rage

This is not the first Blackadder Raw Cask I’ve tasted. There has been a few earlier and one thing is very common with these: they all bite and spit peatfire like a ancient dragon of old tales. This one’s nose is not an exception. It is filled with peatfire, fueled with rage and administrated kindly like a Gozilla’s smash – with claws. No wonder, it is strong (60.5%) and most likely it is untamed Caol Ila. Bottle is 114 out of 259 but I have no idea of the cask number. Ref is PR2013-5. Single Oak Hoghshead.

Oily taste hits you before you even realize it

The taste is – of course – strong but it is less furious as the nose. It is just a full salvo of English bowmen at the Agincourt – all hitting the same unfortunate French squad. Oil gets poured off the wall, and it will set itself on fire while making it’s way down towards the unfortunate. It burns hot, it releases lots of smoke and it will make you feel alive again – once you survive the first hit. A truly massive experience again! Oiliness, vanilla, spices and peatfire with smoke clearly are the four tactics used to build this dram of mass devouring.

The Finish.. 

once you live through it all.. is pleasant and oily. There is peat and smoke, lingering fire that yet burns for a long time. It is indeed to my liking – on a certain mood for something that provides a lasting experience.

The Nameless One walks again in the name of the Mystery

“What can change the nature of the man?” was the question whispered to the infinity a long time ago. The Nameless One was trapped on a eternal quest to find out who he was. Traveling through realities, discovering unbelievable events and creatures he went on. Fighting his way from the lowest of hells into highest of planes, he looked and seek for the answer. Amongst his journeys, he happened to pick up a bottle that was out of his world. There was no known origin, no known training nor relationship. It was like he was, without a past and future, without a history. Just existing in the moment and providing experiences. The world changes around these two travelers. There is a dram and a man. They have characteristics that will make them live again and again. This is more than just a bottle, it has a story waiting to be told..

The Nameless One is a true mystery. It seems that even it’s bottlers don’t know the distillery where the cask came from. It has no markings, it has no origins. It just floats through time and lets us taste it’s wonders. What is known, however, is that it is of 18 years old and it was distilled 1995 and bottled 2014. It was matured in a sherry cask and it comes from the Speyside. And it bears the strength score of 46.8%. I grant, some of the mystery veil was just lifted and portions of the origin revealed. However, sweeping through the layers it is like a descend into a Abyss..

The nose is sweet and floral. However, it is not too sweet – a surprise for me! Very pleasant and charming. A bits of spice and a long quest lingers there. Answers that are hidden.

The taste is very smooth and surprisingly oily. Spices are stronger than sweetness. Pepper and more fruits are there as well as floral summer fields. On a second take, the portals open to another planes again and the step is well oiled and slick. Sweetness accompanies this one very nicely. There is no harsh bite of sherry nor unpleasant side encounters.

However, this road is not too long either. It squirms into a dead end sooner than expected. There should be more into it, but I just can’t find the door. Perhaps it is yet hidden of me. But it was a nice journey so far, this has provided me that it has potential and secrets yet to be open to the light. It is the best Speyside for me so far – at least of what I can recall right now.

And of course, the name and the label do really add to the story with inspiration! Final note that ends the song: oily pepper.

Blackadder Smoking Islay Raw Cask October/2013 sherry finish

This one is very similar to the one I blogged about a bit earlier. This is also a mystery dram, but some information about it is given out: This is 58.2%, from a single Oak Hogshead (cask BA2013/451) and it is a bottle 299/370. This one also has a lots of sediment present in the bottle and based on the previous one, expectations are rising again.
The color does not reveal it’s sherry finishing. It is very similarly pale as it’s brother. This dram needs to breath in a Glencairn for a while. It contains a lots of alcohol in it’s nose, but also plenty of sweet smoke is present. My nose is overwhelmed by these two characteristics, so there isn’t much need to keep on continuing the nosing.

Palate strikes with power, rawness, oiliness and sweet smokiness. There are knights and lords, maids and dominas, slaves and plenty of weapons of mass destruction. The sherry finishing adds to complexity, when compared to it’s brother but otherwise it is not much present here. There isn’t the big dragon smoke, but this time it is like the burning village. Still raw and harsh, but it will not slay you on the sight.

On the second mouthful the palate is much more oilier and the sherry fruits find their way to the surface. Strong and deadly, but very enjoyable like the waiting for the final battle just ended and the action commences. This is also a big experience. There is character, there is fear but also a extremely strong taste that abides will with the high voltage. 

Adding some water needs to be tested as well. After the all out attack, the result is much more easy. The oiliness walks in as a tidal wave and flushes through the mouth with a force. The oil burns with a thick smoke, that provides a great experience: smoky peaty Islay dram. It is great to see these whiskies to hold true to their name: Smoking Islay. They really are special and powerful. Something I enjoy enormously!

And yes, the added water works here. The base is a fiery ancient red dragon that needs some taming so you can ride it and enjoy it fully! Once the glass is empty, it is like there is a bonfire set in it!
I know Blackadder wants to keep this a mystery, but I’d love to know what this actually is. My guess is, that this would be Octomore, since the glass has similar scents in the end but this is much more raw than the Octomores usually..

Blackadder Smoking Islay Raw Cask July/2013

Blackadder Raw Cask is always something special. They are always nonfiltered and bottled at cask strength. On top of that, there are also some sediments of the cask inside bottle. What I also love, is that they usually choose very good and special hogsheads for bottling – so these are very often (if not always?) single casks. Oily and smoky, what is a better way to start tasting this one? Blackadder recommends adding some water drops into this dram, which I must test a bit later.


First, about the bottle. This is a mystery dram again. Blackadder does not reveal what distillery is used when making Smoking Islay. They don’t state the age either. Just that it is very smoky and very peaty malt dram. This has been bottled July 2013 (Cask BA2013/449, Oak Hogshead) and this is the bottle 133/318. The strength is pleasantly just under 60 (59.9%).


The Nose is raw and filled with alcohol. Strong alcohol. Once, or if, you get past that you will find there a peat burning. Smoky and peaty defines this very well.  I don’t expect very complicated world here, but instead something that does it’s business really good.

The taste takes me far away. There is a immense smokiness present immediately! It is a coal burning in a mouth, smoking and smoldering. Peatfire is strong and everywhere. For me, this is a delightful experience! Take a second small sip, let your mouth water it down and there is sweetness with the taste. Pepper, very much oil and lots of smoke. The oil carried the smoke and peat along the mouth, making this one a strong, powerful and a efficient dram! The taste is amazing, if you like this kind of dragon’s breath! There are no place for pixies or elves here, this is a dram drank by ancient beasts and wild sorcerers.

Just to experiment, let’s add a few drops of water to the remaining portion. The beast withdraws, but there is still a powerful army on the battlefield. But I must admit, I think the added water brings out more rangers and scouts to the open. It shows the diversity of the invading army, making it more complex and less scary in the process. In the end, you can hear the bards play flutes and sing about the victory.

Which one I do prefer? It really depends. I do love the kick, smoke and savageness the raw, non-watered, version produces. However, to get more out of this, water should be added.

This is an experience. An adventure. This is about confronting the huge dragon, and surviving to bolster about it!  I dare you to try it.

Mysteeriä pukkaa: tummempi ja vaaleampi kerralla

Taannoisessa bloggareiden Gallowsbird –tapaamisessa vaihtoivat pienet samplepullot omistajia ahkerasti. Kuka toi mitäkin, kertoen mitä ne olivat tai sitten ihan vain jättäen putelin sisällön suureksi mysteeriksi. Nikolas, joka kirjoittaa MushiMALT –blogia,  kertoi niistä niinkin paljon että toisessa on tummempaa (#T) ja toisessa vaaleampaa (#V) viskiä. Mikäs siinä, toimiihan se värikin hyvin luokitteluna.

Ei voi siis muuta, kuin laittaa drami vaaleampaa lasiin ja aloittaa maistelu. Taustalla tietysti juuri kirjoitettu Kilchoman 2007 Vintage, joten makumaailma on sopivasti Kilchoman-värittynyt.

#V

Öljyt, joita jotkut kutsuvat viskin jaloiksikin, ovat aika ketterät ja nätit. Tuoksussa on vähän ärhäkkyyttä, mutta myös bowmoremaista maailmaa. Tammea ja myös bunnamaisuutta. Tutuhko tuoksu, mutta en nyt saa siitä mitenkään kiinni mikä viski voisi olla kyseessä. Miellyttävä kuitenkin tuoksuiltaan!
Maku on vähän kevyehkö, ennen pientä lyönnintapaista. Makeahko, pippurisenkin oloinen, mutta erityisesti pehmeää tammea on paljon mukana – tosi paljon Bunnan Darach-Urimaisuutta. Mutta kuitenkin, mikään ei ole sanottua että tässä on edes Islayltä kotoisin oleva viski – vaikka oma makumaailma tämän sinnepäin sijoittaisikin. Darach-Ur on yleensä ärtsympi, joten siinä mielessä mielenkiintoista kuulla mistä on oikein kyse. Tutuhko jokatapauksessa. Jälkimaku on mukavan öljyinen ja tamminen.

#T

Tämäkin mysteeri piirtää miellyttävät öljyt lasiin. Valuvat, paksut ja vähän byrokraattisetkin – niin tasaiset ne ovat aluksi ja kaoottiset lopuksi. Tuoksussa on, kuten väristä ehkä olisi voinut vähän arvata, aika paljon sherryä. Hedelmää, rusinaa ja nahkamaisuutta.
Maku on aluksi pirteä, mutta hetken päästä sherryn olemus, kirpeys ja omalaatuinen – vielä tunnistamaton – maku iskevät päälle. Vähän samankaltaisuutta kuin joissain Wasmundissa tai bourbonissa mutta  kuitenkin vahvasti sherryviimeistely. Tämä ei kuitenkaan ole sherrypommi mielestäni, vaan makumaailma on öljyisempi ja sherry katoaa suusta nopeammin. Tällä hetkellä oma tuntemus on, että kyseessä voi hyvinkin olla täysin uusi viski itselleni. Myöhemmillä kulauksilla sherry valtaa enemmän alaa ja muut maut jäävät hyvin taustalle.
Omalaatuista tässä on kyllä tuo sherryn maun nopea katoaminen. Jälkimaku jää myös minulla aika lyhyeksi. Tästä viskistä ei oikein saa kiinni, mutta en ostaisi tätä itselle hyllyyn tämän maistelun perusteella.

Mitä ne sitten olivat?

#V paljastui olevan Nikolaksen oma eläväpullo. Siinä on suurin osa Hibiki 12yo japanilaista ja yksi iso osa on Aberlour 18yo:ta. Pienet osat olivat muuta speysidea ja myös Bunnahabhainia on seassa 12yo versiona. #T on Nikolaksen oman 5 litran tynnyrissä viimeistelty Deanston Virgin Oak. Hän viimeisteli muutaman viikon tuollaisessa 5l sherry-tynnyrissä, joka juonti juurensa Espanjasta. Hänen omien sanojensa mukaan "aika tuju viimeistely"