Whiskey sampled

East African Single Malt Club

The League of Extra Ordinary Gentlemen

Malts Sampled from previous sittings

Tomatin

Ardbeg

Laphroaig 25 years

Abelour

Aultmore

A tasty wee Nip

Bruich Laddich

Knockando

Glen Grant

Fettercairn

Edradour

Labrot and Graham Woodford Reserve

The club kept its promise to its American members and introduced the first of its Bourbon to the club. There are many more Bourbons to look forward to of the same high quality and this one surprised us with its taste and subtle maturity.

This Labrot and Graham 43.2% has the appreciative volume that seems to appeal to the majority of members. It was a very pleasant surprise and probably would have made a bigger impact if it had strutted the enclosure earlier in the evening rather than as the last filly of the night….but that shows you how impressive it is that it could still make an impact. There is still some remaining in the library as an aperitif for the next Banquet in Ocotber.

Comments elicited spoke highly…’that’s a bourbon I would not want to put coke cola into!

‘Normal Bourbon kills you but this is smooth all the way down!’

‘You have to put yourself in a different place’.

Bourbon….or at least those considered the champagne of the colonies, will be a major contributor over the next year.

A wonderful surprise!

More exact detials of the specifics is lacking as we still have to establish our general not-taking on comments.

Apologies.

Mackmyra Whisky 1st Edition

This little pink number is the first edition of the MackMyra Distillery in Sweden. Many members admitted they judged it rather harshly based on the fact that it is the distillery’s first attempt and were unsure what benchmark to compare it with. Some thought it quite appealing and would call upon its companionship again.The nose was pronounced ‘good’ overall with ‘good potential’ and ‘good for a first time’…and ‘interesting’.

The taste was given a lower ‘good’ overall than the nose with comments stating it was ‘harsh’, and ‘not interesting’.

The finish was regard as ‘low’ overall with ‘no complexity’ and just ‘OK’. One comment felt it had a ‘…good finish’.

The balance and complexity was regarded overall as ‘low’ or as one comment stated ‘…it has ‘none’.

It scored a poor mark overall ranging between 50 to 69. However, there was one 86 and an 81.

General comments remarked that it was ‘passable’, ‘drinkable’, ‘average’ with one member stating categorically that he ‘…would introduce my wife to this’ (This has yet to be interpreted for its full meaning!)

It must be stated that the Keeper of the Cellar, the Chair and a stalwart member became engrossed in such interesting and animated discussions until the wee (very wee) hours of the morning that when it was time to depart (0500hrs) they discovered to their heightened surprise (and from one a grudging acceptance) that they had been sipping nothing but The Mackmyra whisky all night!!

Nikka ‘Yoichi’ 10 yo

This 10 year old Nikka Whisky was invited to the Banquet on the strength of its older sister, a delightful 17 year old, that captured member’s hearts at the previous banquet (The Rusty Nail) and whose companionship was sought almost exclusively during the aperitifs for this Banquet.

This 10 year old was regarded as complex with opinions ranging from ‘..no good’ to ‘delightful;’.

One member described it as ‘...schizophrenic’ whose demeanor changes ‘dramatically’ when one adds ice to its profile. It was praised as being ‘…smooth with a nice aftertaste’ and presenting ‘…a prolonged aftertaste’.

Another comment stated that it ‘…reminds you of a quality whisky, but not quite there’.

Overall it was regarded as a delightful little number but paled in comparison to the 17 year old Nikka which is regarded as one of the clubs annual favourites and authenticates members support for the club.

This is the elder sister who I believe is to be invited back again.

Bruichladdich

Tasters Choice - July 17th 2009

The Lochside (Eastern Highland 1957/92. Closed)

14 years

Old Malt Cask

50%

Well if we thought a certain drowsiness may have insipidly entered the members attitudes this frisky wench elicited a lot of puritan remarks. As one of only 275 bottles produced the committee felt honored to imbibe the rare taste of this sampling. Not to be. This was universally slandered and derided.

Comments included:

‘..understand why they closed..’

‘Do not invest..’

‘Not worth rating..’

‘..no rating…’

‘It lets you know it’s around...like a smack in the head..!’ (Geordie member)

‘Give to friends who you do not want back…’

‘Did not enjoy it…’

One commentator stated that he liked the nose which was smooth and that the taste had a bite to it.

Another stated that it was better neat than with water.

An American member stated that even if you cut it with a garden hose he still wouldn’t drink it….

ah still no taste in the colonies!!

Our member’s overall score were as follows:

58 60 65

67 69 70

Our Average mark: 56 (0 to 83) - The Bible gives it:

Tasters Comments - October 30th 2009 - Fairview Hotel

Bowmore (Islay 1779 to present)

26 years

53%

We left this until last knowing how intimidated the members generally are to cask strengths of 50% and over. We had nothing to fear. This turned out to be unexpectedly good.

Comments included:

Read with a Dracula novel.

Very good but poor finish.

Very smooth, not harsh at all.

Old mature whisky, nicely concentrated.

Big..like the way it starts!

Keeps bringing new flavours, gentle smoke aroma, keeps you interested, always something new.

Finish and complexity good but a mixed bag.

Like a lot but then I’m biased towards Islay.

Excellent bouquet, matches high numbers with taste.

Excellent….for banshees!

Aftertaste wants you wanting more.

Take your time to appreciate it.

Favourite of the night.

Well balanced.

Bit of a gasoline finish.

Good for a camping trip

Sipping whisky…would buy.

A class of its own.

Lingers nicely on the palate.

Not my cup of tea, deep, great ability to bring out feelings in your lower jaw!

Like drinking sea water….did not like it.

Did not enjoy….too coastal.

Our member’s overall score were as follows:

Our Average mark: 81 (40 to 98) - The Bible gives it:

no review given.

Glenfarclas (Speyside1836)

15 years

46%

We obeyed Jim’s command in the Bible and went forth and got! What we got was for the most part well liked though the finish and balance proved a little weak overall and was summed up by a member as ‘…no happy ending..’ although this is open to interpretation.

Comments included:

Short nose…taste good.

Interesting wood finish with perhaps Turkish Delight taste though weak finish.

Really Good

Starts well, but nothing to build on at the end.

Really good..

Liked everything but the taste…(some mothers do have ‘em!)

Liked it…good body…nice drink, would drink regularly.

Strong robust taste…peaty.

Enjoyed nose, interesting, general taste and finish disappointing, too harsh.

Our member’s overall score were as follows:

75 76

88.5

Our Average mark: 69 (43 to 88.5) - The Bible gives it:

Rosebank (Lowland 1840 to 1993)

12 years

43%

Jim says that if there is a God then surely one day this brand will once again re-open and flourish. The club tended to agree with him and have requested some more for comparison.

Comments included:

Best of the night so far. (It was the fourth tasting.)

Sweet!

Good nose, nice taste, lingering finish.

Easy to drink.

Return to form.

Quality light, good bite.

Taste and nose good.

Best after Balvennie 21 Port Wine.

Good but more North Dublinish. (Enjoyable but a little rough, I guess is what he means!)

Reminds me of rice whiskey….(that was the Geordie again!)

Boring, lovely persistent finish, but no sparkle.

One member suggested that it was the type of whisky one would sip reading a novel beside a roaring fire.

He said it tasted of burning almonds, although he admitted he had no idea what burning almonds would

taste like. It also stroked his esophagus! The same member at this stage also elaborated on the presentation

of his desert which, he stated, reminded him of retro 80’s particularly Duran Duran.

(We gotta set some standards..!)

Our member’s overall score were as follows:

84 85

Our Average mark: 81 (39 to 92) - The Bible gives it:

The Balvenie (Speyside 1892)

21 years

Port Wood

40%

This delight did not elicit much repsonse from the members after tasting probably because so many of

us had sampled unfettered from the clubs cellar as we waited patiently for Nairobi’s horrific traffic to

regurgitate our final members before commencing the Banquet. Consequently the dawning reality that

another five tastes were expected over the evening may have dampened some remarks.

However, it proved to be the favourite of the evening.

Remarks included that it has a lovely nose, with an acceptable finish and should be reserved for ‘special

guests’ visiting one’s abode.

One commentator found it a little too sweet!

Our member’s overall score were as follows:

84 84

Our Average mark: 71 (32 to 94) - The Bible gives it:

88.5

Talisker - 10 years

Clynelish - 14 years

Glengoyne - 21 years

Bowmore - 17years

Bunnahabhain - 25 years

Caol Ila

Royal Lochnager

Cardhu (Speyside 1824). Working

12 years

40%

This receives a 90 mark from the Bible, which indicates it is brilliant…just. While we did not reach such a heightened level of nirvana, our overall appreciation was high as a group. Our Master at Arms was quite insistent in ensuring that members were aware that this was a very good whisky often overlooked by purchasers and that it should be better recognised. Our comments were generally favourable with many members appreciating a new found respect for this malt. Ten members said it was better than The Glenlivet (15yo, 40%), and a number of members (9) said they preferred it without water. Three members stated they would now add it to their personal collections. Maybe it requires a higher level of marketing to keep it in the modern limelight.

Comments included:

‘…strong…nose…strongfinish…consistent…gets smoother…good balance…afterburn good…quite complex…good finish.

One member decided to equate the malt to a potential date and stated it had the same attraction as a divorced mother of two!

Another stated it was like a sober Scotsman…knows when to leave!!

Other comments included it ‘…lacked equilibrium…and was let down by the nose’.

Our member’s overall score were as follows:

Our Average mark: 72 (47 to 88)

The Bible gives it:

90 (Brilliant)

Tasters Choice - December 10th 2009

Jack Daniels Silver Select

Single Barrel

Silver Select

As our expected order did not arrive on time due to the Volcano cloud and other unexpected delays we had to source locally for this Banquet. We decided to add a Bourbon as a previous one we had tasted was of excellent quality and attuned the members to the secrets of the uninitiated Bourbon world. This whisky was a major disappointment to one and all was leveled as similar to Changa’a and the reason why Coca Cola was invented. Perhaps it was unfair to place it among the selection we had and we will refrain from any further comment except the one redeeming comment that ‘..it smelled good.’

The only reason I have botherd to put it on the website is to remind people how awful this is - MOW

Our member’s overall score were as follows:

Our Average mark: 44 (0 to 66)

The Bible gives it:

None

The Macallan (Speyside 1824). Working

18 years

43%

If this proved to be merely the favourite of the night it was more because of the name, the dependability of the distillery and perhaps the standards of the competition. I use the word merely because, though enjoyable, it did not smother us in celestial wonderment like a volcanic cloud. It was what is expected of a Macallan. While the Chair is a known biased for this brand…and let this slip before the tasting, the independent, if not the mutinous, individuality of the members ensured a democratic and true response for the club and its standards.

Comments included:

‘…smooth but not distinctive…nice taste, dependable, finish OK…full bodied…utterly dependable….and Audi not a Volvo…a student whisky…not that particular.

One member who had not tasted the Macallan before experienced honey and beeswax while others thought it improved with water.

Another stated that he much preferred the Elegencia.

One member said it reminded him of a young Sophia Loren!!

A certain member stated - "- like a lot of 18year olds; smells good, tastes good, looks good - but lacks complexity!"

Our member’s overall score were as follows:

Our Average mark: 81 (60 to 88)

The Bible gives it:

87 (very good to excellent whiskies definitely worth buying)

The Glenlivet (Speyside 1824). Working

15 years

40%

This was the first whisky of the evening and elicited a general desultory feedback from the members. While we are not expert connoisseurs, and thankfully do not pretend to be, I believe we are developing our own standards of appreciation as a group which was reflected in the mature consistency of comments over the bouquet of malts sampled at this banquet. While The Glenlivet has a good name and is highly regarded in some circles the group defined a lackluster appreciation overall which was reflected in the Bible’s marking of the same. (This is unique as we rarely agree with the Bible!)

Comments included:

‘..easy drinking, dependable, not complex, average ..’

‘…sharp in the beginning…tails off..’

‘…better with water..’

‘..bit weak…’

Then a new member decided to equate the malts to the make of cars which was enthusiastically emulated by other members and produced such comments as:

‘Average…not a Volvo, more like a Matatu!…’

‘…very tuk tuk…’

For recipients unfamiliar with the terms Matatu and Tuk Tuk suffice to say that these are public service vehicles here of extremely questionable roadworthiness and driving standards!!

Our member’s overall score were as follows:

Our Average mark: 67 (48 to 87)

The Bible gives it:

80 (good whisky worth trying)

Auchentoshan (Lowlands 1800). Working

10 years

40%

This elicited more varied responses from the members, many of whom were surprised by the whisky, especially the value for money. One even suggested it was equivalent to a ‘yummy mummy’…yes, we requested an explanation, received it and cannot relay the response in such a public forum! Overall it was regarded as good and one that will be purchased by members. As the last tasting of the evening it was well appreciated and held its own at such a late hour.

Comments included:

‘…leading to something not realised…nice but not rushing out to buy…slightly medicinal…easy to drink…smooth…strong nose…caramel flavoured.’

It was very equally divided among members whether it was better with or without water.

Our member’s overall score were as follows:

Our Average mark: 69 (40 to 87)

The Bible gives it:

81 (good whisky worth trying)

Longmorn

Speyside 1895 Chivas. Working.

Signatory Longmorn 198954.5%

18 years

This was a good tasting overall considering cask strength is in the middle fifties, which can be a little too harsh for some. Hence the tooing and froing as to whether it released more character with or without water. General feeling was that it was quite complex and required more time to appreciate rather than the sometimes quick marking responses we request at the banquet.

Overall it…

‘…is complex and difficult to make out…’

‘...initial hues of honey …but later…more character, less dominant…’

‘…starts with a good nose and then goes downhill….a little harsh…’

‘…good whisky…’

‘…challenging…smelled of straw!...’

‘…caramel flavour, very drinkable…’

Some negative Philistine comments included…

‘…all is not well where it comes from…’

‘…nose is hard, disappointing…’

Average Score:

Hakusha….Japanese

12 years old, 43.3%

$67.50

It would be no untruth to say that as a club we really appreciate and like our Japanese whisky. It appears we may have been spoiled with our first taste, a wee 17 year old Nikka, to which everything since is being compared. A sample invested in for the cellar for this banquet (July 30th 2010) lasted only forty minutes! As the Hakusha did the rounds the members waxed lyrically using their profound whisky vocabulary to refer to nodes of ‘…honey and caramel…’ and ‘…whiff of seaweed…’ and its ‘…well-balanced presence…’ and ‘…its excellent nose…’ when suddenly their was an almost pitiful wail from one of our genuine Scottish brethren who declared ‘…but does it have soul…’! The table went quiet as we waited for an explanation to this almost blasphemous announcement! What could he mean?

‘Perhaps it is just a good facsimile….a good copy…with no soul!’

This was the opening for an extremely lively debate where the lone questionnaire, in true Scottish defence, wondered how such a good whisky (this he did admit) could be produced without the internecine Scottish history of lost causes and sorrowful wailing, misunderstood poets and great battles amid the desolate bogs and sparkling burns of bonnie Scotland. Fair point! What kind of soul did Japan possess to try and emulate such a singular Scottish tradition? After some discussion it did transpire that perhaps both countries had a similar historical track record if though through different ways. When this was ratified he did agree that, though this was astounding, they had produced another excellent whisky. From now on our esteemed members will be looking for ‘…the soul of the whisky…’ at future banquets. This debate will continue…..

The only dissenting comments included..

‘…more like a Landcruiser Prado – not a Range Rover…good but too clinical…’

‘…taste does not live up to the nose…’

Otherwise the members stated

‘…great whisky…’, ‘…excellent…’ ‘well balanced…’

‘…much better neat…’

‘…very subtle but not long tasting…’

‘…a Talisker with a punch…’

‘…a Toyota with accelerator problems…excellent…’

‘…six foot seven …Japanese…’

‘…better neat…’ (2 members)

‘…no end to it…!’

Average:

Fairview Hotel - 30th July 2010

English Whisky Chapter Six

3 Years old

$57

The idea that there was a group of men brave enough to attempt to make an English Single Malt met with many derisory remarks from our esteemed members long before her pale pallor reached our shores. The fact that many of our members are descendents of England’s colonial occupations may have also tarnished their usual somber judgment but not least the self acclaimed fact that as a group we are quite willing to tear the living bejasus out of anything showing a little weakness. Enter the timid three year old!

While many comments were negative there are a few supporters who tried to provide a balanced opinion. Comments included

‘…sweet and musky…’

‘…softer with a little water added…’

‘…would like to try it when matured to 10 or 12 years…’

‘…like home made Grappa…’

Over all it received a poor reception…a little like the Swedish MacMyra which was derided as an immature 8 year old and while the Swedes are renowned for many things, whisky is not one of them!

Critical comments included:

‘…a bit like an English Goldie, lets everything through…’

‘…should proceed to Chapter 11 and file for Bankruptcy…’

‘…Jack Daniels’ better…’

‘…onionish smell…too much alcohol…’

We should try this again after 5 years, 8 and 10 etc.

Keep up the good work...perseverance brings success.

Average Score:

Pappy Van Winkle (Bourbon)

20 year old, 45.2%

$149

Once again we made a faux pax on our bourbon selection, which was guided by our supplier who advertised it as worth trying! We should have paid attention to Jim Murray’s remarks before ordering but a twenty year old should have elicited more focus. For the benefit of our new members and the skittish recall of members who have tried other Bourbons, we should not forget the fabulous and eyebrow raising Labrot and Graham’s Woodford Reserve which disappeared very rapidly once tasted and appreciated. Perhaps we need to get some for the cellar as a pleasant reminder of how good a Bourbon should be!

However, to finish with Pappy the fact that it arrived dressed in a scarlet velvet sac did little to enamour it to our esteemed members, whose derisory comments revealed a hitherto hidden prudishness among some of our group. Normally, anything in scarlet attire would instantly distract their attention from the task at hand. Pappy was not appreciated and some of the more kinder remarks included an overall consensus that ‘….no more Bourbons be served with Single Malts…’

We will continue to explore the Bourbon realm…..but with more attentiveness.

Average Score:

Mosstowie

Speyside 1964-1981 now dismantled.

(Two Lomond Stills within Miltonduff Distillery)

1979….29 Years. 46.7%

Signatory Bottled

$129

Being a 29 year old there was much expectation, especially among those who favour Speyside tastes, that this would be something wonderful. But it elicited mute, though overall favourable responses. It left something desiring….perhaps too much expectation! Generally, and this is the beginning of a personal analysis, 15 to 21 year old malts are a lot more reliable in their expectation overall than many of the maturer malts, 25 years and upwards . I will stand to be corrected on this and is open for discussion. Overall it received a high score from our members and no doubt will elicit further investigation as time goes on.

Some members found it a little ambiguous stating that it

‘…is not bad, but cannot quite pin it down…’!

‘…asks a lot of questions that cannot be answered…’

‘…enjoyable the longer you taste it…’

‘…need to spend more time with it…’

Others were enraptured to a degree…

‘…never rated a whisky a 90, but this yes!...’

‘…very good all round…’

‘…would get used to it…’

‘…a little water unlocks its secrets which otherwise remain hidden…’

‘…nice caramel finish…’

Those more critical stated that …