Ayrshire Whisky Advent DramShare 2024, Prancer 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 : John Bryson
Name :Arran(Lochranza) Private Cask 19-VA-1053 11 Year Old Shiraz Finish
ABV : 56.5%
Info : 1 of 419 Bottles Initially Matured in ex Bourbon before being finished in a first fill ex-Shiraz Wine Cask. Nose Sweet Plum, Cherry and Syrupy Figs burst on the nose followed by notes of sugared almonds and marzipan Palate Berries, RoseHip and Hedgerow fruits take centre stage on the palate Finish Medium finish with lingering Oak and Spice
Dram 2 : 02/12/2024
Contributor : David Irvine
Name : Fishermans Retreat Edition 14 Arran Yalumba Fortified Wine Cask
ABV :
Info :
A more accessible, yet equally rich version of our peated expression. Diluted to 50.0% ABV, this bottling brings forward the subtleties and nuances that the Yalumba wine cask imparts. The slightly lower alcohol content allows the intricate layers of smoke, fruit, and spice to shine through, offering a beautifully balanced tasting experience.
Nose
Dried fruits, toffee and vanilla lead the way in this 10 year old Lochranza, a subtle note of peat is present but in no way over powering, left a little longer, blossom honey and hints of lemon zest become more apparent when left to rest.
Palate
The boldness of this dram is something to be admired indeed, following on from the nose an initial sweetness fills the palate with fruity flavours imparted from the fortified wine cask, raisins, dates and figs to name a few, honey and citrus notes are also present, the gentleness of the spirit shines through with a subtle sweet peat smoke to round off this dram in style. At 50% abv the drinker has a lot to play with here.
Finish
This single malt, single cask whisky delivers on every front! The lightly peated Lochranza spirit has worked in harmony with the Yalumba Fortified Wine Cask to produce another outstanding and distinctive Limited Edition. Only 373 bottles available at 50% abv.
Dram 3 : 03/12/2024
Contributor : Richard Temple
Name : Glen Moray 12 Year Old (Glen Moray - Glenlivet Distillery) - 1994ish
ABV : 40%
Info :
Distilled at Glen Moray in Elgin, this 12-year-old Speyside single malt is matured in American oak casks for its full term, with 40% of the liquid matured in first-fill casks.
No Official Tasting notes as not sure of year of bottle but an interesting one to put in the mix.
Dram 4 : 04/12/2024
Contributor : Scott Murray
Name : MacTalla Oloroso
ABV : 54.8%
Info :
A generously sherried Islay single malt joins the Mac-Talla range. This limited edition spent its entire maturation in a selection of oloroso sherry butts from south-west Spain imparting robust notes of candied nuts and sweet, cakey spice to the hearty peat smoke at its core.
Nose
Plenty of peat to lead the way, with salted butter and seaweed joined by cinnamon and baking spice.
Palate
Those warming, sweet spices carry through to the palate, with raisins and currants in tow, while bold peat smoke rests comfortably at the heart.
Finish
Burnt caramel and rich smoke linger alongside fruit cake sweetness and spice.
Dram 5 : 05/12/2024
Contributor : Jim Paton
Name : Signatory Glenallachie Vintage 2012 Oloroso Sherry Casks
ABV : 48.2%
Info :
11yo
This beloved Speyside single malt was matured in oloroso sherry casks and bottled by Signatory for its small batch series. You can expect notes of raisin, fruitcake, dark chocolate and toasted baking spice on the palate. A single malt for all tastes.
Nose
Acetone, artificial cherry, tree resin, ship varnish - takes time and patience.
Palate
Slightly peppery start, followed by a light red fruity mix
Finish
mild, woody finish
Dram 6 : 06/12/2024
Contributor : Alex McColgan
Name : Glenmorangie 16 Year Old Heritage Spirit Batch
ABV : 43%
Info :
Nose
Thick, sulphurous, phenolic, hay, creamy caramel, dried fruits
Palate
Oily, viscous, very delicately smoky, sweetness 7/10, fruit plate and creamy fudge, perfume manifests itself in the air
Finish
Confidently thick, delicate and smoky with pronounced tannins.
Dram 7 : 07/12/2024
Contributor : Colin Howie
Name : Aberlour 12
ABV : 48%
Info :
Nose
It tends to be heavy sherry barrels, dry dates, and full aroma. The alcohol is softer than expected.
Palate
The taste is moderate, not too strong, the fruity aroma is balanced, the influence of the sherry barrel is not too great, and the sweetness is not high. It is recommended to add some water, and if the bottle has just been opened, you can let it sit for half an hour before drinking.
Finish
Dry and sweet, with a good oily feel, the finish is about medium in length, but the spiciness somewhat ruins the overall finish.
Dram 8 : 08/12/2024
Contributor : Calum Kirkwood
Name : Old Pulteney Coastal Series Port Cask
ABV : 46%
Info :
Nose
An outburst of fruitiness on the nose with a lot of raisins and sultanas, butterscotch vanilla, orange marmalade and red ripe cherries, ginger, a subtle saltiness, even salted caramel and some spice in the background.
Palate
The taste starts with an oily impression, some spice, directly followed by an outburst of sweetness, where the red fruits like cherry and strawberry are prominent, but also raisin and sultanas are very much present, as well as sweet orange marmalade.
The taste evolves into senses of minerality where salted caramel is very present, but also hazelnuts and chocolate.
Finish
A long warm and quite dry, but pleasant finish, with a long lingering touch of spice, and as a Port lover you will experience the tannins of the Port casks. An interesting and complex finish.
Dram 9 : 09/12/2024
Contributor : Technically Contributed by Greg Walker as a Bonus Bottle
Name : Glenmorangie 10
ABV : 40%
Info :
Nose
Soft, clean and refreshing: lemon sherbert and apricots, with honeyed fruit and a touch of toffee and vanilla. Gentle and satisfying.
Palate
A little weightier on the palate, with honey and malt, banana bread and subtle sweet spices. Clean and well balanced.
Finish
The honeyed fruit fades softly, and the finish is whistle-clean.
Dram 10 : 10/12/2024
Contributor : Graeme McConnell-Campbell
Name : Wormtub 10 Year Old
ABV : 56.1%
Info :
Nose
Well-aged, well-sherried fruit cake with plenty of sweet spice is joined by zesty flamed orange peel, and earthy, herbaceous black tea.
Palate
Waves of red berries, oily walnuts, and marmalade support glorious robust, meaty malt, with hints of sweetly cured biltong and tangy dried cranberries.
Finish
Salted caramel lingers alongside candied fruit and dense, oily malt for a rich, long-lasting finish.
Dram 11 : 11/12/2024
Contributor : Paul Hogg
Name : Arran Bodega Cask
ABV : 55.8%
Info :
Nose
Toffee, sweet spice and fruit
Palate
Ripe fig and cherries
Finish
Dark chocolate, Mandarins, Ripe figs.
Dram 12 : 12/12/2024
Contributor : Mick Neill
Name : Highland Park Valfather
ABV : 47%
Info :
Nose
Compared to the 10 and 12 there is a little more smoke, more peaty. It's also a bit sweeter on the sherry.
Other than that, the usual HP notes; apple, citrus, heather honey.
Palate
Starts of with a sweet and very nice rich caramel chocolate in combination with red fruits.
Initially not much smoke, but it emerges midway as it gets a bit dryer.
Dram 13 : 13/12/2024
Contributor : Aidan Ward
Name : Master of Malt Glen Moray 13 Year Old
ABV : 57.3%
Info :
Nose
Apple candies, a touch of gooseberry, vanilla marshmallow, buttered brioche with a drizzle of honey. Mellow, creamy oak, yellow plums.
Palate
More green apple sweeties, a flash of fresh ginger, robust barley, and creamy key lime pie. Drying oak develops in time, bringing notes of stewed tea and pepper.
Finish
Spices build though the sweetness remains, with a superb tangle of dense toffee and fiery cracked peppercorns.
Dram 14 : 14/12/2024
Contributor : Jennifer Marshall
Name : Caol Ila Moch
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.
Dram 15 : 15/12/2024
Contributor : Calum Purdie
Name : Nikka Yoichi
ABV : 45%
Info :
Relaunched in 2016, this comes from Nikka's excellent Yoichi distillery. This is a blend of single malts from different years and consequently does not carry an age statement. This is a smoky whisky with a maritime character.
Dram 16 : 16/12/2024
Contributor : James Connell
Name : Glengoyne Legacy Series Chapter 2
ABV : 48%
Info :
The second bottling in our Legacy Series follows on from Chapter One and 1869, when Cochrane Cartwright made innovations that define Glengoyne to this day.
Chapter Two in our Legacy Series marries spirits matured in two distinct cask types – first fill bourbon and refill sherry barrels. Every drop embodies Peter’s combination of forward-thinking and respect for tradition.
Dram 17 : 17/12/2024
Contributor : Chris Gorman
Name : Craigellachie 13 Year Old
ABV : 46%
Info :
A range of Craigellachie single malts was released for the first time in 2014. The distillery is known for its meaty character, and the 13-year-old is sweet, spicy and slightly smoky.
Dram 18 : 18/12/2024
Contributor : Chloe Postlethwaite
Name : Na Braithrean MiltonDuff Big Brother (Oloroso Finish)
ABV : 55%
Info :
Distilled at Miltonduff Distillery has spent 9 years ageing in a hogshead before being finished in two oloroso sherry quarter casks for one year.
Dram 19 : 19/12/2024
Contributor : Colin Strachan
Name : Dalmore 12 Oloroso
ABV : 40%
Info :
Nose
Vanilla and caramels with the dark raisin and plum notes. There is also a slight musty note. Classic Dalmore chocolate oranges as well.
Palate
Honeyed sweetness and dark raisin notes. Balanced off by some bitter tannins and oak spice. More of that chocolate orange note.
Finish
Short finish, like the palate but less sweet and more spicy.
Dram 21 : 21/12/2024
Contributor : Rohan Deogaonkar
Name : Ben Nevis - 11 Year Old (2012) Thompson Brothers (Dornoch Castle Hotel Exclusive)
ABV : 51.6%
Info :
Dornoch Castle Hotel Exclusive
Not much other info
Dram 20 : 20/12/2024
Contributor : Cammy Stewart
Name : Glenallachie 10 Grattamacco Wine Cask Finish
ABV : 48%
Info :
Nose Bursting with dark chocolate, butterscotch, and heather honey, with notes of blackcurrant, caramelised brown sugar, and cinnamon spice.
Palate Waves of ripe red berries, grapefruit, and toasted honeycomb.
Finish Butterscotch, sugared fruit, and black truffle.
Dram 22 : 22/12/2024
Contributor : Richard Speirs
Name : Glenturret Triple Wood
ABV : 44%
Info :
The Glenturret Triple Wood is a mellow, fruity and sweet whisky that derives from our New Make Spirit. Matured in American and European oak sherry seasoned casks alongside Bourbon barrels, our ever-evolving maturing stocks are visible in this whisky.
Dram 23 : 23/12/2024
Contributor : David Shields
Name : Tomintoul 15 Year Old with a Peaty Tang Whisky
ABV : 40%
Info :
Nose Aromatic heather roots and charred, musty oak opens onto copper and sherbet lemon effervescence amongst gristly barley sugar.
Palate Burnt, buttered toast, green apple chunks and vegetal oak with hot white peppercorns. Honey-roasted walnuts linger with a few herbaceous notes underneath.
Finish Long, warm with spicy cardamom prickling away in the backdrop.
Dram 24 : 24/12/2024
Contributor : Eric Ho
Name : Glenfarclas 12
ABV : 43%
Info :
Nose Light and creamy with a mix of supple, soft sherry and Manuka honey. Gentle and well-balanced, there are hints of smoke, rich oak, and a little pine resin.
Palate Medium-bodied, with notes of date and walnut cake, Oloroso sherry and hints of earthy forest floor. A beautiful note of malt, with toffee apple and a touch of smoke.
Finish Spicy and long, notes of allspice, cinnamon and cloves, with orange zest and sherry.
Dram 25 : 25/12/2024
Contributor : John Skilling
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.