Soldato
Noticed that there have been a few threads on whisky here. Thought we could build up our own little thread of impressions (if it catches on). Keep an open mind. A lot of people keep to single malts but I've had the odd good blend or two, which surprised me after I'd got a bit snobbish about it. No need to keep it Scotch either. Any whisky or whiskey will do.
The main rule is you must write your review, with dram beside you as you're drinking the stuff. Reviews from memory not allowed. You should add enough information to uniquely identify the whisky. As a minimum this should be the brand name (or distillery), type (single malt, single grain, blended malt, blend, tenessee whisky, bourbon etc) and strength (e.g Famous Grouse, Scotch blend, 40%). Age and location should be included if stated on the packaging (e.g Glenlivet 12yo, Speyside Single Malt Scotch, 43%). Please state if you're adding ice or water, otherwise we'll assume you're drinking it straight. If you bought the bottle recently please indicate the price.
I'd suggest using a scoring criteria derived from Jim Murray's Whisky Bible series. That involves rating by four criteria.
These are:
Nose (n): The aroma. In short - what does it smell like? Worth trying a few times as the smell can change in the glass on contact with air. Give the drink a swirl around the glass and inhale
Taste (t): From arrival in the mouth to when it reaches its maximum intensity, what does it taste like?
Finish (f): The aftertaste. What's it like when there's no liquid left in your mouth. How long can you taste something for?
Balance (b) What's your overall impression? Does it delight or disappoint. Are some aspects good but other lacking or is it the complete package.
Each of these should be scored out of 25. 1-12 should be the unpleasant side of average range. 13-18 should be unimpressive. above 19 should be in the pleasant range. 25 would mean that you could barely imagine it being improved. Add the four scores and you'll get a score out of 100. I've had to interpret these ranges, as he never really defines them. Should be a step in the right direction.
Here's Mr Murray's take on what the final score means:
So - to kick us off
Oban, 14yo, Western Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky, 43%.
n: bouquet of flowers. toffee. Pollen tickles the nose like the mildest possible hay fever. 20
t: irn bru. Oak. Peppery Heat. Slight soapiness. 20
f: root beer. White pepper. Hint of iodine. Fairly long and lingering ending in tree bark. 22
b: Slightly unusual and disjointed. Good separation of flavours. 20
Overall 82.
Have fun
Edit: A guide to whisky tasting from Whisky magazine: http://www.whiskymag.com/nosing_course/part1.php
Edit: Recommendations with price guide for Christmas 09:
I've added whiskies scored 90 or higher here, plus cheaper whiskies scoring above 85.
I've also added a taste rating of A to D, where A is light or malty (e.g Glenturret, Auchentoshan) and D is very strong flavoured - spicy smoky or peaty (e.g. Laphroaig, Highland Park). If buying presents and you don't know whether someone likes particularly light or strong whiskies, I'd recommment staying in the B-C range.
Lagavulin 16 yo. Price £40. Scores: 95 (2007 bottling, Uriel), 97 (2009 bottling, Uriel). Taste rating D
Ardbeg Corryvreckan. Price £60. Scores 97 (Uriel, revised from 94 after re-tasting). Taste Rating D
Ardbeg 10 yo. Price £28. Scores: Recommended (no score, NickK) 95 (Uriel) Taste Rating D
Bowmore Tempest 10yo. Price £45. Score 94 (Uriel). Taste Rating D
Bruichladdich Rum Cask 17yo 46%. Price ?. Score 91 (Uriel). Taste Rating B
Clynelish 14yo. Price £30. Score 94 (Uriel). Taste Rating C
Glen Moray (NAS). Price £16 to £25. Score 88 (Uriel). Taste Rating B
Longmorn 16 yo. Price £50. Scores: 90 (colinuk). Taste rating C-D (my guess from his description)
Talisker 10 yo. Price £25 Scores 90 (Uriel) Taste Rating D
Monkey Shoulder. Price £20. Scores 90 (Uriel) Taste Rating B
Glen Moray (No age statement). Price £16. Scores: 88 (Uriel) Taste Rating A
Jura 10 yo. Price £16. Score 87 (Uriel) Taste Rating C.
The main rule is you must write your review, with dram beside you as you're drinking the stuff. Reviews from memory not allowed. You should add enough information to uniquely identify the whisky. As a minimum this should be the brand name (or distillery), type (single malt, single grain, blended malt, blend, tenessee whisky, bourbon etc) and strength (e.g Famous Grouse, Scotch blend, 40%). Age and location should be included if stated on the packaging (e.g Glenlivet 12yo, Speyside Single Malt Scotch, 43%). Please state if you're adding ice or water, otherwise we'll assume you're drinking it straight. If you bought the bottle recently please indicate the price.
I'd suggest using a scoring criteria derived from Jim Murray's Whisky Bible series. That involves rating by four criteria.
These are:
Nose (n): The aroma. In short - what does it smell like? Worth trying a few times as the smell can change in the glass on contact with air. Give the drink a swirl around the glass and inhale
Taste (t): From arrival in the mouth to when it reaches its maximum intensity, what does it taste like?
Finish (f): The aftertaste. What's it like when there's no liquid left in your mouth. How long can you taste something for?
Balance (b) What's your overall impression? Does it delight or disappoint. Are some aspects good but other lacking or is it the complete package.
Each of these should be scored out of 25. 1-12 should be the unpleasant side of average range. 13-18 should be unimpressive. above 19 should be in the pleasant range. 25 would mean that you could barely imagine it being improved. Add the four scores and you'll get a score out of 100. I've had to interpret these ranges, as he never really defines them. Should be a step in the right direction.
Here's Mr Murray's take on what the final score means:
So - to kick us off
Oban, 14yo, Western Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky, 43%.
n: bouquet of flowers. toffee. Pollen tickles the nose like the mildest possible hay fever. 20
t: irn bru. Oak. Peppery Heat. Slight soapiness. 20
f: root beer. White pepper. Hint of iodine. Fairly long and lingering ending in tree bark. 22
b: Slightly unusual and disjointed. Good separation of flavours. 20
Overall 82.
Have fun
Edit: A guide to whisky tasting from Whisky magazine: http://www.whiskymag.com/nosing_course/part1.php
Edit: Recommendations with price guide for Christmas 09:
I've added whiskies scored 90 or higher here, plus cheaper whiskies scoring above 85.
I've also added a taste rating of A to D, where A is light or malty (e.g Glenturret, Auchentoshan) and D is very strong flavoured - spicy smoky or peaty (e.g. Laphroaig, Highland Park). If buying presents and you don't know whether someone likes particularly light or strong whiskies, I'd recommment staying in the B-C range.
Lagavulin 16 yo. Price £40. Scores: 95 (2007 bottling, Uriel), 97 (2009 bottling, Uriel). Taste rating D
Ardbeg Corryvreckan. Price £60. Scores 97 (Uriel, revised from 94 after re-tasting). Taste Rating D
Ardbeg 10 yo. Price £28. Scores: Recommended (no score, NickK) 95 (Uriel) Taste Rating D
Bowmore Tempest 10yo. Price £45. Score 94 (Uriel). Taste Rating D
Bruichladdich Rum Cask 17yo 46%. Price ?. Score 91 (Uriel). Taste Rating B
Clynelish 14yo. Price £30. Score 94 (Uriel). Taste Rating C
Glen Moray (NAS). Price £16 to £25. Score 88 (Uriel). Taste Rating B
Longmorn 16 yo. Price £50. Scores: 90 (colinuk). Taste rating C-D (my guess from his description)
Talisker 10 yo. Price £25 Scores 90 (Uriel) Taste Rating D
Monkey Shoulder. Price £20. Scores 90 (Uriel) Taste Rating B
Glen Moray (No age statement). Price £16. Scores: 88 (Uriel) Taste Rating A
Jura 10 yo. Price £16. Score 87 (Uriel) Taste Rating C.
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