Ayrshire Whisky Advent DramShare 2024, Comet 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 : Colin Howie
Name : Loch Lomond (Inchmurrin) Single Cask (Bottled for W Club)
ABV : 54.6%
Info : Single Cask Inchmurrin,
Distilled November 2004, Bottled December 2019
1 of 393 Bottles Cask No : 17/641-2 matured in a single French oak barrel for 15 years
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Dram 2 : 02/12/2024
Contributor : Micky Plummer
Name : Bimber Santa's Edition 2023
ABV : 52.1%
Info : Christmas is a time of gift giving and sharing. This ex-Cognac cask matured Bimber is the perfect festive tipple - ideal for gifting, but even better when shared. This London single malt whisky delivers a gift parcel of ginger spiced loaf cake, plum pudding and lemon tart - topped with a dusting of fine icing sugar. 1 of 570 Bottles
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Nose
Matured stone and orchard fruits, particularly apricot and red apple, intermingle with hints of liquorice, citrus, oak, sweet malts/grains, biscuits, honey, vanilla and cinnamon. While subtly reminiscent of grapes, it avoids any sourness or bitterness associated with it. Pretty sweet yet not the ex-sherry sweet you might have come across.
Palate
Sweet and fruity, some apple pie flavours, wee oak spice and a touch of grapiness. A more than decently balanced mouthfeel expressing a rounding influence from the cognac cask. Good complexity with a hint for everyone as fruits, spices and wood coherently complement one another.
Finish
Long lasting, thriving on fruit and wood mainly yet with a warming ABV afterglow for the cosy effect.
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Dram 3 : 03/12/2024
Contributor : Ronnie McInnes
Name : Ardnahoe Inaugural Release
ABV : 50%
Info :
The long awaited first whisky from Islay distillery Ardnahoe has arrived! This bold, characterful expression has been aged for five years in both ex-oloroso sherry and ex-bourbon casks. Peated to 40ppm, it’s got that classic Islay bonfire smoke, but backed by an abundance of orchard fruit notes with soft, sweet spices. Ardnahoe has the stated aim of making a new Islay classic, and with its long lyne arms and worm tub condensers (the only ones on the island), it’s made a thrilling start.
Nose
opens with a basket of green apples and red hedgerow berries, with a rich biscuit-like maltiness, too. There’s a subtle smoke drifting through the grassiness, before lemon meringue pie, raisin and Danish pastry notes arrive.
Palate
Quite creamy with a mouth-coating texture. There’s an immediate waft of definite bonfire smoke ahead of liquorice, marzipan and shortbread. Scones with jam and cream, deep spices and buttery croissants build in a sweetness against a honeyed meat backdrop.
Finish
Medium to long with that lingering robust smoke.
Dram 4 : 04/12/2024
Contributor : Graeme Dunipace
Name : Edradour Signatory Vintage 2014
ABV : 46%
Info :
Nose Raspberry jam, currants, nutmeg, sherried oak, crème caramel, and cocoa powder.
Palate Sherried and thick with notes of sultanas, sticky toffee pudding, orange peel, hazelnut, and cinnamon.
Finish Victoria sponge with custard.
Dram 5 : 05/12/2024
Contributor : Aidan Ward
Name : Wemyss Malts Scorched Sunset
ABV : 46%
Info :
13YO North British Grain
Single Cask - 255 Bottles
Matured in barrel: Bourbon
Nose
Vibrant gingerbread, syrup soaked oats, vanilla cake & sugary-sweet marshmallow
Palate
Butterscotch rests beside sweet orange zest with warming notes of brandy butter bringing brilliant balance to rich charred. peppery oak spice.
Finish
Long & warming after the finish with crystallised ginger tingling on the tongue.
Dram 6 : 06/12/2024
Contributor : John Hill
Name : Jura 18 Year Old
ABV : 44%
Info :
Nose
Cinnamon, dried berries, Wine Gums, hickory.
Palate
Brandied cherries, Turkish delight, milky coffee and blackcurrant jam.
Finish
Chocolate chip cookies, a touch of hay, orange oil.
Dram 7 : 07/12/2024
Contributor : Steven Teague
Name : SMWS 121.106 A tropical no-brainer!
ABV : 62.3%
Info :
Nose
superbly clear, bright and focused around citrus fruits, lemon jelly, sweet malt extract and wee inflections of coastal flowers, sea greens and gorse flower. It had a superb sense of juiciness and poise
Palate
The palate was full of pineapple sweetness, juicy fruit chewing gum, boiled fruit sweets and crystallised tropical fruits. Reduction brought a drier but still very tropical fruit profile, along with guava, melon drizzled with golden syrup and a big slug of honey liqueur.
Dram 8 : 08/12/2024
Contributor : Graeme Hendry
Name : Arran Machrie Moor Fingal's Cut Sherry Cask Finish
ABV : 54.4%
Info :
Nose
Lovely earthy peat and red fruits, gunpowder and black pepper. Burnt heather branches following a heathland fire, sheep's wool, acrid smoke - quite the character. Redcurrant jelly, mineral, cleaning fluid, touch of sweat, leather and blackcurrant nibs.
Palate
Surprisingly gentle and fruity (raspberries), with a silky mouthfeel. Spicy pumpkin, mocha, cocoa powder, sour cherry, aniseed and cinnamon. Sweet-and-sour becomes the dominant impression over time.
Finish
Medium, rounded, more smoke, sweet and bitter dark chocolate.
Dram 9 : 09/12/2024
Contributor : John Brady
Name : Tri Carragh 17yo Ardmore
ABV : 55.3%
Info :
Nose
A nose of sweet tobacco, toasted oak, sweet herbal peat and crème brûlée. This sweet smoke continues with water but with vanilla notes becoming more prominent.
Palate
The palate lives up to the nose – sweet & chewy with lots of smoky embers coming through. The addition of water heightens the sweetness.
Dram 10 : 10/12/2024
Contributor : Douglas Laing (Thanks Billy Stirling)
Name : The Gauldrons Cask Strength #2
ABV : 52.8%
Info :
Nose
A sea breeze with a hint of bonfire and some manuka honey.
Palate
Initially a maritime character appears, followed by sweet vanilla and dried oak.
Finish
A distinctly spicy finish with a touch of sea salt, stone fruits, and more honey.
Dram 11 : 11/12/2024
Contributor : Callum Strachan
Name : Stathearn Investment Cask Reward
ABV : 58.0%
Info :
This was distilled, matured and bottled in Scotland by Strathern distillery as part of the investment cask reward. It is a peated spirit from a Virgin French Oak Cask, where it was only left for 4 years before being bottled at 58.6% ABV
Dram 12 : 12/12/2024
Contributor : Andy Gaffney
Name : Cadenheads Glen Garioch 12yo (Finished in Amontillado since at least 2020)
ABV : 56.6%
Info :
Nose
On the nose, a seductive bouquet of dark chocolate unfolds, harmonizing with the sweet notes of brandy beans. This is complemented by fruity accents of juicy mandarin oranges, which offer a fresh contrast.
Palate
On the palate, the elegance of the whisky is revealed with a rich taste of date cake and walnuts, which provides a pleasant sweetness.
Dram 13 : 13/12/2024
Contributor : Diane Flynn
Name : Glenmorangie Ltd Edition Amontillado
ABV : 46%
Info :
Crafted for The Whisky Club, Australia with very limited availability via our online shop, shipping to the UK only, and at our Distillery Visitor Centre shop in Tain.
Aromas of dried fruit and cashews are balanced with peaches, while tastes of clove and ginger contrast wonderfully with orange and lemon. Our fourth Barrel Select Release, Glenmorangie Amontillado Finish, is a delicious treat for any whisky lover.
Dram 14 : 14/12/2024
Contributor : Brian Smith
Name : Whisky Broker Benriach 12yo
ABV : 55.3%
Info :
This Single Malt Scotch Whisky was distilled at Benriach Distillery. It was filled into a Hogshead on the 23/12/2011. It was bottled by Whiskybroker.co.uk on 13/05/2024 at a natural cask strength of 55.3%.
Each bottle is individually numbered, one of 284 x 70cl bottles.
All bottles have been lightly filtered but may still contain some small traces of cask sediment. No colouring has been added and the whisky has not been chill filtered.
Dram 15 : 15/12/2024
Contributor : Keith Smith
Name : Springbank 12 CS
ABV : 57.2%
Info :
Nose
Full, deep and funky. Fine smoke, vanilla, apple compote with a dash of lemon, horse stable, mint, mineral-salty notes, caramel, light raisins, white pepper, candied orange peel, cardboard, diesel, malt, canned mango, delicate oak.
Palate
Powerful start, very creamy and full-bodied. Well-integrated alcohol. Stimulates the flow of saliva properly. Vanilla, oranges, mango, caramel, cane sugar, cardboard, salt water, canned mandarins, a hint of passion fruit, rubber bands, ginger, sweet liquorice, lime, oak spice.
Finish
Medium-long finish. Vanilla, candied orange peel, caramel, cardboard, lemon balm, diesel, oak spice.
Dram 16 : 16/12/2024
Contributor : Billy Stirling
Name : Big Peat 15th Anniversary Spanish Wine Finish
ABV : 50%
Info :
Douglas Laing's Big Peat Series exclusively blends whiskies from the Isle of Islay in order to insure that big peat is definitely achieved. For the series' 15th anniversary, they released a blend finished in red wine casks, which provide the spirit with precise texture, red fruit character and complexity which develops with the presence of smoke.
Dram 17 : 17/12/2024
Contributor : Dougie Stevely
Name : Macallan 12yo Triple Cask
ABV : 40%
Info :
The Macallan Triple Cask Matured 12 Years Old forms part of our Triple Cask Matured range; a series of single malt whiskies crafted in a triple cask combination of European and American sherry seasoned oak casks and American ex-bourbon oak casks. This complex combination of oak casks delivers an extraordinarily smooth and delicate character, full of citrus fruits, vanilla and fresh oak.
Dram 18 : 18/12/2024
Contributor : Chris McIlwaine
Name : Balvenie Doublewood 12
ABV : 40%
Info :
Nose
Chocolate and raspberry aromas, with rich brioche and stewed cherries.
Palate
Cherries and raspberries combine with sponge cake, spicy cinnamon and black pepper.
Finish
Sweet spice, red fruit, rich sponge cake.
Dram 19 : 19/12/2024
Contributor : Martin Mackay
Name : Meikle Tor Sherry One
ABV : 48%
Info :
Nose Coffee, cedar, salted caramel, stewed plums, marmalade, and cigar box aromas join the sweet smokiness of the mainland peat.
Palate Dark chocolate, butterscotch, orange peel, dates, blackcurrant compote, and burnt treacle.
Finish Mocha and dark fruit.
Dram 20 : 20/12/2024
Contributor : Paul McKay
Name : Arran Sauternes
ABV : 50%
Info :
Nose Initially acacia honey but then opening up to apricots, bananas and pears. With time a floral elegance presents itself.
Palate Sweet but cut with warm spice. Lemon zest announces itself with the addition of water and a slight saltiness plays with this dram's sweet character.
Finish Seville orange, Sauternes and an ounce of honey in a crisp finish.
Dram 21 : 21/12/2024
Contributor : Gavin Mills
Name : Aberlour A'bunadh batch #71
ABV : 61.5%
Info :
Nose
More cinnamon and chocolate and less sherry than the recent previous batches.
More resinous wood notes and a hint of mint.
Sweet and punchy.
Dram 22 : 22/12/2024
Contributor : Alan Hankinson
Name : Lochlea Cask Strength Batch 1
ABV : 60.1%
Info :
Nose Spiced fruit compote, candied orange, and a touch of tobacco.
Palate Plenty of fruit, with walnut, some cocoa powder, and oaky vanilla.
Finish Sticky toffee and sweet spice.
Dram 23 : 23/12/2024
Contributor : Richard Longmuir
Name : Glenfarclas 15
ABV : 46%
Info :
Nose Intense, powerful sherry. Cream sherry, certainly – Pedro Ximenez? almost… a touch of peppermint? An almost rancio quality to this. Smells older than 15.
Palate Raisins, more sherry, orange peel, walnuts, dates.
Finish Incredibly long, complex, more of the walnuts again.
Overall Water draws out sweetness. This is Christmas cake, not whisky. Simply astonishing.
Dram 24 : 24/12/2024
Contributor : Dave Austin
Name : Glen Moray 8 Year Old 2015 Rioja Matured - Warehouse 1
ABV : 59.8%
Info :
Nose Toasted nuts, stewed dark plums and cherries, a touch of tobacco, and Fig Rolls.
Palate Deep, dark notes of cherries, berries, and softly spiced fruit loaf, with leathery oak resting beneath.
Finish Tannic notes of old leather, with a touch of vine leaf, peppercorn, and hazelnut.
Dram 25 : 25/12/2024
Contributor : John Alexander
Name : SMWS Glen Spey "Doors to Manual and Cross Check" 80.48
ABV : 57.9%
Info :
Our hosts welcomed us on board with croissants filled with almond paste, covered in icing sugar and presented on a hay bale. A touch of turpentine in the air was joined by the fresh linen on the headrest. To the palate, coffee danced with toffee sauce laced with dark chocolate, a touch of nutmeg, grapefruit and lemon peel. Water transported our nose on to the aeroplane's first flight of the day; a cold cabin, waxy leather seats, new carpet and a steaming teapot. As we reached our cruising altitude, the palate wove strawberries with toffee and orange juice, with a touch of mixed herbs.