Aultmore Sovereign K&L Excl., 9yo, 2008/2017

Aultmore Sovereign K&L Excl., 2008/2017, 9yo., close-up
Rating31/40
OriginScotland, Central Speyside
DistilleryAultmore
OwnerBacardi via John Dewar & Sons
DistilledJune 2008
BottlerHunter Laing & Co.
SeriesSovereign
StyleSingle Barrel Single Malt Whisky
CaskSherry Butt #HL13138
BottledAugust 2017
Bottles631
Strength59,8% (119.6 proof)
RetailerK&L Wine Merchants

Nose: The mummified corpses of licorice candies melted under the Saharan sun and shriveled up to a state of utterly desiccated, dark tightness. (8/10)

Palate: Beastly and rough but full of beauty and power in its hot, raging magnificence. (9/10)

Finish: Bitter, medicinal flavors slowly build and layer in the back. (9/10)

Balance: And what rough beast dram, its hour come round at last, slouches towards Bethlehem my mouth to be born drunk. (9/10)

Macallan Classic Cut 2017 Ltd. Ed.

Rating35/40
OriginScotland, Central Speyside
DistilleryMacallan
OwnerWilliam Grant & Sons via Edrington Group
SeriesClassic Cut
StyleSingle Malt Whisky
CaskSherry Seasoned Oak Casks from Jerez
BottledApril 2017
Bottles90,000
Strength58.4% (116.8 proof)
Price$75-140

Nose: Deliciously deep! (9/10)

Palate: (8/10)

Finish: Leaves a lovely warm glow with some residual smokiness. (9/10)

Balance: Oddly thin in the very middle. (9/10)

GlenDronach Revival, 15yo, 2019

Glendronach Revival 15yo
Rating29/40
OriginScotland, Speyside, Deveron
DistilleryGlenDronach
OwnerBrown Forman via BenRiach Distillery Co. Ltd.
StyleSingle Malt Whisky
CasksPedro Ximénez, Oloroso Sherry
BottledAugust 1st, 2019
Strength46% (92 Proof)
WhiskybaseWhiskybase
Wine SearcherWine Searcher

Nose: Grapes and blood oranges. Grassy notes hit fresh out of the bottle and then fade away to make room for the Sherry to stick its head out. (7/10)

Palate: Rich but, oddly, also slightly thin and somewhat dry. (7/10)

Finish: Truly the best part! (8/10)

Balance: (7/10)