Ayrshire Whisky Advent DramShare 2024, Blitzen Group
Welcome to 2024 of the worlds biggest and best Advent Dram Share (maybe). For those that took part from last year thanks for coming back and for all those that are here for the first time, welcome to the madness!
This year includes 3 groups of 24 people with some bottles from elsewhere to make up to 25 drams for December.
All we ask in return is to engage with the group while doing this and anything in the future, Take part in our tastings, events and everything going on, we can't promise much but we will promise you will have fun!
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We know there are those of you out there beginning your Whisky journey and there is no end to this but enjoy the journey because there is one thing for certain We all Do!
Dram 1 : 01/12/2024
Contributor : Mel Sparrow
Name : Glen Garioch 12 (Core Bottling)
ABV : 48%
Info : The perfect accompaniment to Parmigiano-Reggiano, our 12 Years Old binds the dryness of the cheese, which in return provides a platform for the malt’s sweet fruitiness and enhances its clean barley notes. Nose The colour of sharp honey, on the nose heathery floral notes are balanced with the richness of poached pears and the sweetness of malted barley. Palate Crème brûlée and sweet ripe banana at first, then comes a light oakiness with pear fruitiness, leading to a long smooth, creamy and fragrant finish.
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Dram 2 : 02/12/2024
Contributor : Kevin McKie
Name : Kilchoman 100% Islay 13th Edition
ABV : 50%
Info :
The 100% Islay 13th Edition was distilled from barley grown on the farm at Kilchoman in 2012, 2013 and 2014, it was then matured for a minimum of 8 years before 44 bourbon barrels were selected for this year’s release of bottles.
Nose
Malt loaf, toffee apple, banana bread, citrus, lavender, pear drops, sea salt and hints of peat smoke.
Palate
Fresh vanilla and fragrant peat smoke with caramel, barley blossom, sultanas and hints of spicy oak tannins.
Finish
Silky viscosity with fresh crumpets, butter and honey.
Dram 3 : 03/12/2024
Contributor : Stuart Gwynne
Name : St Bridgets Kirk Batch 3
ABV : 48.5%
Info :
This exceptional whisky is created in a unique and special way by blending malt whiskies from different distilleries and differing spirit styles. Each batch is Small, bespoke and distinctively different from the last; blended, married, bottled and hand labelled in LotG's own warehouse where you’ll be glad to know, no artificial colouring of chill-filtration takes place.
Originating in the sherry and port industries, a solera system involves multiple connected barrels. As whisky is drawn from the last barrel the first barrel is topped up. This Solera is made up of an ex-Fino sherry quarter cask and two ex-Oloroso quarter casks. Whisky flowing through the system will pick up new, deeper, flavours from these casks.
This is the 3rd batch and now we’re seeing the real benefit from time marrying together in the Solera. There is a rewarding balance of smoke and sherry with any youthful notes now well into the background.
Nose
Caramelized nuts, dark treacle, toasted oak, baking spices, subtle smoke.
Palate
Savory smokiness, oily citrus, salted caramel, crystallized ginger, and nougat.
Finish
Black pepper, marmalade, and root ginger.
Dram 4 : 04/12/2024
Contributor : Tommy Lucas
Name : Kilkerran Heavily Peated Batch 9
ABV : 59.2%
Info :
90% Bourbon, 10% Sherry
Nose
Lemon candy, butter, tangerine, peat, grain cookie and apple pie.
Palate
Butter, lemon, peat, orange, apple, biscuit and peach. Water releases white wine gum.
Finish
Peat, gingerbread, peach, lemon and apple.
Dram 5 : 05/12/2024
Contributor : Mike Woodward-Gregg
Name :Bimber Klub Release 5 (2024)
ABV : 51.8%
Info :
For 2024’s release for members, Bimber wanted to offer something special to celebrate five years of Bimber Klub and also wanted to showcase an aspect of the maturation programme which is talked about a little less than our preponderance for ex-bourbon casks.
Klub Release No.5 – Oloroso Sherry Cask is a clever marriage of both 1st fill and refill Spanish oloroso sherry casks. Its composition takes a best-of-both-worlds approach, showcasing the profound richness that it’s possible to derive from 1st fill sherry, but tempering this with the more subtle notes that result from utilising refill casks. The result is a marriage that is unmistakably Bimber, but which presents an entirely different flavour profile to any of our previous sherry-led single malt releases.
Nose
delicate, forest floor, freshly cut grass, sweet, pancakes with vanilla cheese, raisins, sherry, black cherries, dried cherries, jam, a bit of chocolate
Palate
expressive, woody, sweet, vanilla, heather honey, slightly spicy, raisins, plum jam, dried apricots, espresso coffee, suede leather, dark chocolate, young oak
Finish
long, sweet, pleasantly warming, honey-bitter, with dark dried fruits, plum jam, dark chocolate, a bit of oak, slightly spicy, scratching the palate
Dram 6 : 06/12/2024
Contributor : Stephen Lawson
Name : Jura Superstition (16yo, 1990s Expression)
ABV : 43%
Info :
Nose
Notes of peat, spices, wood, tofee and chantilly cream.
Palate
On the palate it is sweet with notes of cereals, white pepper and honey.
Dram 7 : 07/12/2024
Contributor : Stuart Armstrong
Name : Harris Hearach Batch 2
ABV : 46%
Info :
Nose
Quite a lively nose on this one - there is a little bit of funk on the nose, some spice notes.
Palate
Clean tasting, athere is quite a punch to this one with a taste like spiced peaches. Quite an easy drinker.
Finish
Medium - a spice note comes in at the death, though the main notes are a sweet peach.
Dram 8 : 08/12/2024
Contributor : Robert Craig
Name : Gordon & MacPhail Discovery Series Bunnahabhain 10 year old Heavily Peated
ABV : 43
Info :
Nose
Cold smoke on the nose, unripe grapes, fruit acid, ethanol.
Palate
smoke, vanilla, light toffee and lemon
Finish
short, mainly smoke
Dram 9 : 09/12/2024
Contributor : Fiona Bell
Name : Tamdhu 10 Year Old
ABV : 43%
Info :
Nose
Dried orange peel, red wine, pecan and raspberry jam.
Palate
Soft red fruit followed by brown sugar and spicy clove. A touch of chocolate-covered Brazil nut.
Finish
Crystallised ginger, cacao and juicy blackcurrant.
Dram 10 : 10/12/2024
Contributor : Jonathan Gibson
Name : Caol Ila Mochi
ABV : 43%
Info :
Nose
Lemon sherbet and apple crumble topping with custard. Dry grass and not a hint of smoke.
Palate
Sweet lemon meringue pie and soft, very soft mouthfeel. The peat hits a third of the way in but it's restrained; soothing wood smoke rather than burning tyres, and it retains a sweetness throughout.
Finish
Soft drying smoke.
Dram 11 : 11/12/2024
Contributor : Clydeside Distillery (Thanks Lauren)
Name : Clydeside Stobcross
ABV : 46%
Info :
Nose
Floral notes, fresh sweetness with tropical tones
Palate
Orchard fruits and hints of white pepper
Finish
Fresh, fruit tones.
Dram 11 : 11/12/2024
Contributor : Clydeside Distillery (Thanks Lauren)
Name : Clydeside Stobcross
ABV : 46%
Info :
Nose
Floral notes, fresh sweetness with tropical tones
Palate
Orchard fruits and hints of white pepper
Finish
Fresh, fruit tones.
Dram 12 : 12/12/2024
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Contributor : Ken
Name : Raasay R-02.3.1
ABV : 46.4%
Info :
Lightly peated and balanced with rich dark fruit flavours. Honey gold in colour with hints of red wine hues following the older style smoky Hebridean Single Malt Whiskies.
Every drop of spirit is distilled, matured and bottled on the island using water from our well, Tobar na Ba Bàine, ‘Well of the Pale Cow’. Maximising the influence of the island in our spirit.
Mineral-rich Raasay water and long fermentations of up to 5 days develop sweet blackberry characteristics in the spirit before it even touches the oak of the cask.
As a small-batch, handcrafted distiller there will always be slight variation between each batch depending on the composition of that particular bottling.
Six recipe casks marry together to create a perfect dram with real elegance, complexity and depth of character.46.4%
Dram 13 : 13/12/2024
Contributor : Andy McKeague
Name : Carn Mor Teaninch 8yo Red Wine Cask finish
ABV : 47.5%
Info :
Morrison Distillers have uncovered an interesting single cask release for their Carn Mor range. This Teaninich, distilled in the Northern Highlands, has been matured in a red wine cask and bottled after 8 years at 47.5%.
This bottle of Teaninich 2013 8 Year Old Carn Mor Red Wine Cask is an independent bottling which was produced in the Highland region of Scotland.
Cask Type: Wine Cask
Tasting Notes:
Red berries covered in butterscotch sweetness and drying towards the end.
Distilled: 2013; Bottled: 2021
Dram 14 : 14/12/2024
Contributor : Chrissie Atkinson
Name : Dalwhinnie Distillers Edition
ABV : 43%
Info :
The Distillers Edition single malt from Dalwhinnie has been finished in ex-oloroso sherry casks, creating notes of tropical fruit, peppery spices, sticky honey, roasted chestnuts and walnuts throughout the palate.
Dram 15 : 15/12/2024
Contributor : Greg Walker
Name : Glenmorangie Accord (12 Year Old)
ABV : 43%
Info :
Elegantly fruity and rich, this 12-year-old whisky sings with the wondrous complexity which can be created when classic casks are married together. The Accord balances smooth, fruity Glenmorangie aged in bourbon casks with sweet, spicy whisky matured in Oloroso sherry casks.
Dram 16 : 16/12/2024
Contributor : Diane Colville
Name : Bunnahabhain 12 Cask Strength 2023
ABV : 60.1%
Info :
Our third annual 12 Year Old Cask Strength has been bottled at a higher ABV of 60.1% and retained a full spectrum of flavours which have been developed from the sherry casks during maturation. This 2023 edition delivers a fruiter profile with notes of stone fruits and figs at the forefront, and a less spicy finish with sweet notes of fresh vanilla pods.
Dram 17 : 17/12/2024
Contributor : Eddie (Friend of Jonathan Gibson)
Name : Green Spot Single Pot
ABV : 40%
Info :
This historic single pot still Irish whiskey had its genesis in Dublin grocer Mitchell's, but the revamped whiskey has now has spread across the world to huge acclaim, along with the other products in the Spots Whiskey range. The accessible but complex Green Spot is a delightful combination of fruit, toffee and malt, and a fine example of Irish pot still whiskey.
Dram 18 : 18/12/2024
Contributor : Keith Duncan
Name : Glenglassaugh Portsoy
ABV : 49.1%
Info :
Our neighbouring harbour village of Portsoy inspires the deep maritime flavour of this richly peated single malt. Matured in sherry, bourbon and port casks, over time the full-bodied depth of Glenglassaugh Portsoy grows, harmoniously balanced with the rich coastal character of our peated spirit.
Nose
Rich maritime waves infused with tropical fruit and sherried dark soy, rolling into port with liquorice and sea kelp.
Taste
Full-bodied with dark chocolate, fermented soy and charred mango with treacle and a crack of sea salt.
Dram 19 : 19/12/2024
Contributor : Alex Jamieson
Name : Arran Amarone Cask
ABV : 50%
Info :
This expression sees Arran's signature single malt finished in Amarone casks from Veneto to create a wonderfully unique flavour profile.
Expect aromas of rose water, ripe cherry, and milk chocolate on the nose. The palate brings red berries, heather honey, and stewed pears before leading into a finish full of cocoa with hints of rose water and cherry appearing again at the close.
Dram 21 : 21/12/2024
Contributor : Allan Graham
Name : Linkwood 2012 Signatory Vintage
ABV : 46%
Info :
Bottling series : The Un-Chillfiltered Collection
Vintage : 27.04.2012
Bottled : 01.2023
Age : 10 years old
Cask Type : First-fill Oloroso +Sherry Butt Finish
Dram 20 : 20/12/2024
Contributor : John Paterson
Name : Tomintoul Cigar Malt
ABV : 43%
Info :
Nose Maple loaf cake, cinnamon and a whiff of smoke, with spiced raisin cookies.
Palate Another wave of smoke followed by peppery oak, blackberry jam and chocolate spread on toast.
Finish Buttery oak and roasted coffee bean.
Dram 22 : 22/12/2024
Contributor : Craig Morrison
Name : Cragganmore 12 Year Old
ABV : 40%
Info : Nose Aromatic, floral. Heather, fruit salad, creamy texture. Smoked almonds, stemmy hay. Palate Rich, honey, stone fruits, chestnuts, walnuts, almonds. Berries. Finish Smoky, good length, delicate peppery spice.
Dram 23 : 23/12/2024
Contributor : David Brown
Name : Port Charlotte 10 Year Old
ABV : 50%
Info :
Nose Salted caramel brownie, flamed orange peel, a hearty whack of seaweed.
Palate Oak-y smoke and salty sea air, paired with sweeter notes of Custard Cream biscuits and white grape.
Finish Ginger snaps, rye toast, drying peat smokiness.
Dram 24 : 24/12/2024
Contributor : Steven Gallary
Name : Glasgow 1770 Tequila Cask Finish (Triple Distilled)
ABV : 55.3%
Info :
Nose On the nose expect notes of rich honey, lemon, and lime citrus, hints of vanilla, and soft floral undertones.
Palate The palate explodes with fresh tropical fruits; pineapple, white grapefruit, and fresh honeydew melon balanced against vanilla, creamy maltiness, and hints of lemongrass.
Finish The finish is long and pronounced with delicate notes of fresh coconut, milk chocolate and a subtle white pepper spice.
Dram 25 : 25/12/2024
Contributor : Gary McKie
Name : Ardnamurchan AD/ The Midgie
ABV : 48%
Info :
Nose Candied ginger and cinnamon snaps are joined by floral, honeyed notes of baklava and sweet, zesty citrus peels while chimney smoke drifts in the distance.
Palate Herbaceous malt, creamy custard, cake batter and fruity boiled sweeties are backed by grilled stone fruits and charcoal.
Finish Briny smoke, sweet cooked fruits, ginger and peppercorn heat.